ILIANFLAGA LIANFLAGA
EXPERIENCE
MAXIMILIAN STANLEY FLAGA
+1 (517) 993-3984
Detroit, MI flagams@udmercy.edu
ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATE - MARUSICH ARCHITECTURE
February 2023 - Present
Drafted, developed, + compiled schematic design presentation drawing sets. Project Lead on code compliance analysis + corrections. Refined templates increasing the office’s workflow efficiency. Prepared + presented project updates to clients + senior leadership. Additional duties include field measuring, rendering, zoning ordinance analysis, & feasibility studies.
WOODSHOP WORK STUDY + LASER CUTTER TECHNICIANUNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY
September 2022 - December 2023
Provided support to students + staff with woodworking projects, including material preparation, tool selection, + technique guidance.
Operated laser cutting machines, set up jobs, adjusted settings for various materials, + monitored the cutting process to ensure accuracy + quality. Assisted users in preparing digital files including layout adjustment + file conversion.
EAGLE SCOUT
January 2020
Organized an Eagle Scout Project through the height of the pandemic. Fundraised, purchased, + installed bicycle storage units at Lansing Catholic High School.
Promoted exercise, connection with the local community, + reliable green transportation
WEB DEVELOPER - MARKETING ACUITY
January 2019 - June 2019
Graphically + technically designed a website from the ground up. Made academic research aesthetically pleasing + easily available.
EDUCATION
PROFICIENCY
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY
School of Architecture + Community Development
Pursung M. Arch
POLITECHNIKA WARSZAWSKA
Study Abroad Exchange Program
DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY + LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dual Enrollment in Business Program
LANSING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Magna Cum Laude
Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Hand Drafting
Autocad, Revit, Rhino, Sketchup, Comcheck, Rescheck Lead Fundraiser + Outreach Coordinator for NOMAS BGL National Design Competition 2023
AIAS Secretary 2022 - 2023
Dean's List 2021 - Present National Honor Society 2019
FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
"This is not just a renovation of the faculty, this is the first impression people will ever have of our campus."
Warsaw Exchange Program
Maximilian Flaga, Urszula Guz, Piotr Kruszek, Wiebke Linek
At first glance, there is a gaping hole in the facade. The proposed renovations capitalize on the heavy foot traffic from the Metro entrance and the seven lanes of car traffic as an opportunity to guide the audience's attention inwards.
The addition of lecture halls and an exhibition pavilion, complete with a renovation envapsulate the site beyond. Following the philosophy of Urban Scale - Human Space, the development evolves what was once a field of concrete into its own world beyond.
The exhibition hall acts as a formal displacement for what was visually removed from the main building, creating an air of geometric synchronicity. It is also adorned with concrete fins, reclaiming pieces from the original building, reusing what would typicyally be merely discarded and disregarded.
Top Left: Reused Concrete Fins on Exhibition Pavilion
Top Right: Typical Concrete Wall Finish for Interiors
Bottom Left: Double Skin Glazed Facade
Bottom Right: Rooftop Terrace Pavilion
Corridors that imitate bowling alleys are no fun. Endlessly long and insidiously gloomy, there is a distinct decrease in quality of life whenever a lhallway emulates these distinctions. Which is extraordinarily unfortunate, seeing as the extremely thin form for the shell of the pre-existing building leaves no room for maneauvering the necessity of an excessively drawn out corridor run the lenght of the building.
Moving mountains. If one cannot go around the mountain, either they give up, relinquishing all ambition they once had, or move the mountain itself. Since the corridor is immovable,
the unstoppable force that is design instincts decided to move everythnig around it in order to create a user experience that integrates itself into the audience's needs and daily fe.
Ultimatums barely ever end well. But the placement of a long main corridor along the center length of the building was a previously dictated non-negotiable. So instead of changing the hallway itself, the layout of hte classroooms around it are altered. Instead of focusing on the filled in rooms, special focus is given to the common area, the shared space all students move through. Pockets outside of
the classrooms and adjacent to the hallway are developed, a crenellation pattern appearing in the floor plan. These social pockets not only grant a formal reprieve to the tedious passageway, but lean into its transitive property, giving newfound direction and meaning for the flow of students.
In addition, the social pockets serve the environmentally and socially conscious use of letting vast amounts of sunlight into the active zones, capitalizing on the South facing facade.
All main active social zones are placed near the main vertical core. Whether it be access to the Cafe, Computer Labs, Library, or Rooftop Terrace, the layout naturally guides newcomers to the main attractions.
The large double glass facade visible from both the main street axis and campus leads directly into a double height entry atrium. After taking a moment to pause and soak in the view, several options are made avialable to the audience/ Continuing in just past the flexible event space leads
a guiding corridor to the main spiral stairs where all social zones are built upon. Alternatively, the audience can take the breathtaking symmetrical stairs up to the mezzanine where an active social zone awaits, with administrative services nestled just beyond.
Monumentality, when applied tastefully, creates a memorable and lasting impression on the audience.
KEWEENAW BREWERY EXTERIOR DECK RENDER
"It's got to be pretty, and it's got to be right."
One of the more difficult tasks in an art class is to draw without a reference. One step more is to represent a design that has yet to exist.
The process started with a photo. A parking lot, devoid of people, trees, movement, life. A sea of asphalt, contained by spiritless walls. And then it changed.
Entranced by the opportunity this
now blank canvas was built upon, the original image was stripped down, pixel by pixel, until nothing but sheer potential remained.
Nothing is done in the first try. Through constant communication with the client, new ideas were added, details represented and meticulously honed upon, until a render deserving of the valuable real estate it inhabits on the brewery's wall was created.
TECHNICAL SECTIONS
Collaboration with real-world clients to create construction documents
Professional Co-Op Semester
SYMMETRY & DECAY
Age does not massacre beauty. Over time, it creates both subtle and drastic differences that elevate the whole.
Like many Wes Anderson movies, the building's striking symmetry is extremely effective at capturing the audience's attention for the first time.
When a movie ages, small scratches begin to appear, blemishes make their way onto the screen, and in extreme cases whole film reels burst into flames and go up in smoke. Buildings are much the same way. Over time small cracks begin to show, the walls start to bend, the stairs crumble, splinter by splinter,
until the whole thing gives way to the weight of its own age.
This inevitable decay over time does not necessitate an adverse impact on the aesthetic value, even if its worth was originally structured on rigidity. The heart of the design remains the same, but changes occur that are part of the project's growth and provide the audience a new lens to view it through. This process of maturing over time create differences that work to elevate the whole.
Prof. James Leach
OBSERVATIONAL BIRD BLIND
"There are several ways to approach this. Let's try the most outlandish ways first then see what sticks."
Situated in a local park, this bird blind boasts a versatile platform for hosting a variety of events, classes, and informational sessions. This structure offers a serene spot for birdwatching and also serves as a valuable community resource, with the newly constructed deck promoting a community space to hold environmental education and recreational activities all the while contributing to the preservation of wetland habitats.
The observational bird blind uses mass timber construction suspended by timber posts
and wire cables to frame views across the river. Its seamed metal roof channels rainwater to a drip edge, then falling into the ecological wetlands before it reaches the waterfront, enhancing the local environment. The wind wall features treated wood planks with perforations, allowing visitors to observe wildlife discreetly without scaring them away.
The structure utilizes more novel construction methodologies in order to create a feasible visual landmark, all the while supplying a valuable ecological and community resource.
2”x6” 24” O.C. WALL STUD PLANKS REMOVED FOR BIRD BLIND 1. 2.
PLANKS REMOVED FOR BIRD BLIND
2”x6” 24” O.C. WALL STUD
6”x1’ STUD HEADER 1’x4’ WOOD PLANK WALL CLADDING
6”x1’ STUD HEADER 1’x4’ WOOD PLANK WALL CLADDING
1’x4’ WOOD PLANK FLOOR DECKING
2”x6” 24” O.C. WALL STUD
2”x6” 24” O.C. WALL STUD
2”x1’ 24” O.C. FLOOR JOISTS
2”x1” 24” O.C. FLOOR JOISTS
6”x1’ -2” FLOOR BEAM
6”x1’-2” FLOOR PLATE
FLOOR 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1’x4’ WOOD PLANK FLOOR DECKING
6”x1’ FLOOR BEAM
COLUMN
6”x1’ FLOOR PLATE
6”x6” COLUMN
SUSPENSION CABLE
2”x1’ 24” O.C. ROOF JOISTS
ROOF 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. SUSPENSION CABLE
SEAMED METAL ROOFING PLYWOOD ROOF SHEATHING
2”x1’ 24” O.C. ROOF JOISTS SEAMED METAL ROOFING PLYWOOD ROOF SHEATHING
2’x2’ WOOD BEAM
2’x2’ WOOD COLUMN PIER FOUNDATIONS FOOTING CONNECTOR 16. 17. 18. GROUND
GROUND 16. 17. 18. 2’x2’ WOOD COLUMN PIER FOUNDATIONS FOOTING CONNECTOR
EMBRACES THE PUBLIC
EMBRACES THE PUBLIC FRAMES VIEW OF RIVER
SUPPORTS WETLAND
DESIGN
SUPPLIES BIRDWATCHING BLIND DESIGN
CONNECTS WITH PATHWAY ACTIVITY
FRAMES VIEW OF THE RIVER
SUPPLIES BIRDWATCHING BLIND
CONNECTS WITH PATHWAY ACTIVITY
Works with the natural slope, connecting with the pathway and accentuating the view to Canada across the River.
EXHIBITION SECTION
There is no point to a building nobody is willing to enter. The central courtyard acts as a reprieve from the perpetually busy surrounding faculty, providing a peaceful landscape dotted from time to time with the still occupants taking in the moment. As they do, something from the corner of their eye gets their attention, a
gleam of motion from out and above activating their curiosity and drawing them in. Since the only entry to the exhibition is through the courtyard, visual attraction is paramount in drawing in the target audience. This activation of verticality and moments of attraction engage the audience throughout the entirety of the interior hall.
This drawing was made with a streamlined process utilizing Autocad software alone.
Prof. Tadd Heidgerken Maximilian Flaga & Weronika Sowinska
DETROIT ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTE
The design studio was the first of its kind, a joint venture internationally collaborating with Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. The necessity arose for clear communication with efficient and accurate relaying of site analysis information which both the international & American students depended on to create their projects.
Each iteration of the model created would inevitably be torn apart and pieced together again to create something new. This design process taught to not be precious with the works.
The design studio was a collaboration on two levels. Working virtually with students on the other side of the world to mold the greater context of the neighborhood into a plan for urban revitalization, and working with a studio partner who
designed the building across the street, communicating with each other every step of the way to design neighboring buildings that not only have an aesthetic cohesion, but also a working program that elevate each other to a new level.
This adaptive reuse project transforms an abandoned ice factory into a dynamic and open plan space. The expansive factory floor and its twoand-a-half-story height have been utilized to build upwards, creating new spaces without segmenting the space within with numerous walls. Special care was taken to preserve the structure of the roof, integrating the support trusses into the design. This is exemplified in the exhibitive mezzanine, where visitors can walk through the trusses, enhancing their experience of the space. The design philosophy emphasizes maximizing reuse opportunities and
verticality, ensuring the interior remains open and versatile. By doing so, the space meets all the programmatic requirements without the need for excessive partitioning. This approach not only retains the industrial character of the building but also provides a unique and functional environment. The pre-existing shell of the factory serves as a framework, allowing the interior to be thoughtfully reimagined and repurposed. This philosophy showcases how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into old structures, combining historical elements with modern design principles to create innovative and inspiring spaces.
Only modelmaking and tracing paper were allowed in the studio, emphasizing the value in taking a hands-on approach to the design process.
Prof. Enrique Ledesma
SIMPLE | COMPLEX
"Everybody has different tastes, so keep designing new spaces until you have something for everyone."
COMPLEX
THE COMPLEX
IS A COLLECTIVE HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED WITHIN AN ABANDONED INDUSTRIAL
IS A COLLECTIVE HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED WITHIN AN ABANDONED INDUSTRIAL
DISTRICT OF DETROIT
DISTRICT OF DETROIT
Simple | Complex is a dynamic mixed-use residential community center located in Detroit, MI. Transforming an abandoned industrial lot, this project takes the initial steps toward breathing new life into the neighborhood by offering comprehensive mixed-use services.
The design emphasizes a strong sectional connection, allowing lines of sight from residential units to active zones while maintaining private and semi-private spaces through thoughtfully designed niches. These niches cater to the residents' need for intimacy and privacy amidst a vibrant community setting.
The architectural approach employs a solid-void massing technique, particularly in the entry zones, to
guide visitors seamlessly throughout the site and into the buildings. This design strategy not only enhances navigability but also encourages active participation in the various programs offered within the community center.
The project stands as a distinctive effort in the neighborhood's transformation, fostering a sense of community and engagement while respecting the need for personal space. By integrating residential, commercial, and recreational areas, it creates a balanced environment that supports both social interaction and individual retreat. This innovative approach marks a significant step in the ongoing revitalization of Detroit, showcasing how thoughtful design can turn an industrial relic into a thriving community hub.
Sometimes all it takes is black & white.
Independent Urban Studies
WARSZAWA PRAGA TOWER
"We
have nothing to fear but the fear of the grandiose ... Gone unchecked it will cripple our ambition, starting with our design instincts."
Much like an obnoxiously loud person at a nearby table, large structures can dominate the urban landscape. Their presence can dominate the space, becoming impossible to ignore. However, grandiosity does not need to be a negative trait. When executed with care and respect for its surroundings, it can enhance the environment rather than detract from it. Praga Tower exemplifies this approach by combining scale with sensitivity to the local context, transforming a previously underutilized space into a dynamic hub that enriches the neighborhood.
Going grand is not unprecedented in this area. A prime example is the National Stadium, whose large scale is a familiar sight to locals. However, there is lingering discontent about the park it replaced—a beloved space that once provided a natural retreat for the community. The loss of this park highlights a key lesson for urban development: scale alone is not the issue, the impact on the community’s cherished spaces is what truly matters.
Praga Tower distinguishes itself by working in a non-destructive manner,
repurposing previously inconceivable and unused space. The intersection and surrounding area adjacent to the planned metro station for Praga, once thought to be unusable, presents an opportunity for innovative development. The tower rises above the intersection, taking advantage of this abandoned space without encroaching on adjacent areas valued by the community. This approach preserves existing public spaces and maximizes the potential of overlooked areas, making the development a welcome addition rather than a disruptive force.
The tower’s location is ideal, with the new metro station serving as a gateway between the city center and this emerging area. The preserved main street and inevitable foot traffic, combined with the tower’s impressive scale, creates a significant draw for the local population. Praga Tower is designed to work in a transient nature, catering to the flow of people passing through the area while also establishing itself as a destination in its own right. The development becomes an anchor point, a place where people will want to linger, not just pass by.
Warszawa Praga Tower's scale is not unprecedented, with the Warsaw National Stadium nearby acting as a landmark along the Vistula Riverfront.
The ground floor acts as a 'display case' integrating with the local area.
On a human scale, Praga Tower is designed to engage pedestrians from the moment they approach. The glass display case at the building’s base is intended to draw people in, offering an open and inviting space that en-
courages exploration. As pedestrians are drawn in by the arid, open feel of the entrance, the tower’s form guides them upwards, offering a sense of awe as they move through the space. Respecting the existing motorway,
the experience of provides seamless integration with the existing infrastructure is front and center in the design, ensuring that the tower complements rather than disrupts the current urban fabric.
Visible from across the river, Praga Tower features a viewing deck on its
top floor, providing attraction similar to the iconic Palace of Culture and Science. This feature, along with the tower’s central location of the developing district, promotes tourism and stimulate economic development in Praga.
Praga Tower represents a bold vi-
The local traffic drives between the structure, with the previously unusable space above reclaimed.
Metro Station & Tower, more structures can frame the street leading towardsthe district center.
nity. Its design is a testament to the power of thoughtful, large-scale architecture to enhance rather than overpower its surroundings, creating a new focal point that will benefit
the neighborhood for years to come. The inclusion of a community center on the upper floors further enhances its role as a local landmark.
Praga Tower sets the tone, demonstrating that projects of a grandiose scale can coexist with community respect.
Maximilian Flaga & Derrick Williams
FIVE LAKES WINERY
"Chicago lots are good for quite a few things. Wineries are not known to be one of them. For now."
Five Lakes Winery, an innovative urban infill project in Chicago, Illinois, redefines the urban winery experience. The winery's design harmonizes various architectural elements to draw visitors through the space towards the in-house wine manufacturing facility, showcased by a striking floor-to-ceiling window at the far end of the building.
The winery's stepped rafters, mercantile wine display, and public tasting zone all contribute to a sense of anticipation and discovery. The longitudinality of the lot enhances this journey, guiding visitors naturally towards the focal point. The manufacturing facility itself is illuminated by roof monitors, which bathe the doubleheight ceiling in natural light, creating an expansive and inviting atmosphere.
Below ground, the basement tasting area offers a contrasting experience. Here,
The monolithic geometry of the front facade creates a hierarchical weight to the lot, while solid-void massing is used to create specific invitational moments. A large frontal window invites people into the main commercial space and the geometrical framing of the rooftop &
activity above create a natural curiosity alluring people to explore through the building to find & inhabit that space. A striking vertical recess from the top to bottom of the front facade creates a distinct niche that invites and guides people in on their way to the front door.
The original rendering was twice as long. A key part in the learning process is understanding which parts of a project to exhibit, and which to cut.
