Michael Oddo Selected Undergraduate Work
CONTACT INFORMATION (630)-559-5796 oddo.m.v@gmail.com Wheaton, IL
PROFICIENCIES Adobe InDesign Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop AutoCAD Revit PrintStudio Meshmixer Rhino 3D Grasshopper 3D Printing CNC Milling Laser-cutting Excel Word PowerPoint Photography
EDUCATION IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, Ames, IA 2015 - 2020 -Bachelor of Architecture -Study Abroad Rome, Spring 2019 EXPERIENCE RESEARCH ASSISTANT - IOWA STATE COMPUTATION AND CONSTRUCTION LAB, Ames, IA January 2020 - May 2020 -Maintain and run a variety of machinery including a CNC milling machine, Plasma CNC machine, and 3D printers -Assist in research by Shelby Doyle and Nicholas Senske in computational design and digital fabrication -Perform administrative tasks to ensure smooth facility operation ARCHITECTURE INTERN - ABEL DESIGN GROUP, Houston, TX May 2019 - August 2019 -Worked on a variety of project types including Corporate, Hospitality, Retail, and Restaurant -Worked through all design phases including Conceptual Design and Construction Administration -Aided in putting together a winning proposal for a large scale Adaptive Reuse project -Designed a conceptual tessellated ceiling panel system for a four-star hotel lobby using Grasshopper ORGANIZATIONS AND AWARDS IMI STUDENT MASONRY INNOVATION AWARD | FIRST PLACE 2020 CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS INSTITUTE STUDENT DESIGN AWARD | THIRD PLACE 2019 RDG PLANNING + DESIGN H. KENNARD BUSSARD AWARD | FINALIST 2019 NATIONAL CONCRETE MASONRY ASSOCIATION UNIT DESIGN COMPETITION | SECOND PLACE 2018 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS, Ames, IA 2018 - 2020
Cover Photo: Interior of 3D printed ceramic vase, Fall 2019
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CSO Contemporary Performing Arts Center, Fall 2019
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GRID Microapartment, Spring 2018
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PIXEL Vertical Campus, Spring 2018
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Parco del Torrione, Rome Study Abroad Spring 2019
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Works in Digital Fabrication
Halsted S. & Fulton M.S. View
| Michael Oddo
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Contemporary Performing Arts Center Located at the eastern edge of the West Loop neighborhood in downtown Chicago, this proposal for a new Performing Arts Center for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra centers on innovative research and performance of contemporary orchestral music on multiple scales. Designed with partner Tyler Vincent, three performance spaces are arranged on a 24,000 sq ft site at the corner of N Halsted St. and W Fulton Market St. - a Main Hall which seats 800 patrons, an Experimental Music Hall which seats 300 patrons, and a Black Box Theater large enough to accommodate up to 200 patrons - as well as all necessary supporting program, administration space, and a fellowship center for the CSO's musical research initiatives. Within this complex arrangement of programmatic spaces the design strives to create a clear and defined path for patrons to navigate to each individual performance space through intuitive placement of circulation as well as exterior expression of interior program. The form was mainly found through the desire to highlight the incredible views of the Chicago skyline that this site affords, as well as the arrangement of the large performing spaces in accordance with city zoning and code as well as the capabilities of the proposed structural system. The Main Hall is placed lower in the building considering the volume of people it supports, as well as the structural needs of such a large, cavernous space. The Experimental Hall and Black Box Theater sit atop the building, along with all program relating to the fellowship center, taking greater advantage of the skyline views.
CSO Contemporary Performing Arts Center | 
A Experimental Music Hall (A)
B
Acoustic Diagrams EW Section - Major Program
| Michael Oddo
(B) Main Music Hall
Acoustic Diagrams
CSO Contemporary Performing Arts Center |
Ground Floor Plan
Ticketing Lobby
| Michael Oddo
Level 4 Plan - Main Hall Lobby
10’
1” = 16’
Main Hall Lobby
Level 8 Plan - Fellowship Center 1” = 16’
Experimental Hall Lobby
Level 10 Plan - Experimental Hall & Black Box Theater Lobby 1” = 16’
Black Box Theater Lobby
CSO Contemporary Performing Arts Center |
North Elevation
East Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
| Michael Oddo
Model Photos
CSO Contemporary Performing Arts Center |
| Michael Oddo
GRID Microapartment As an initial exploration into air rights and the parasitic style, this proposal for a micro-apartment in the Soho area of Manhattan was conducted over a three week span with partner, Tyler Vincent. The intent of the project is to combat housing shortages in urban areas by filling in forgotten urban spaces such as breezeways and empty rooftops with spatially efficient, semi-permanent dwelling units. This design is based on a modular grid system that can be constantly rearranged to best suit the occupants of the space. Modules can be prefabricated off-site and are small enough to be transported into incredibly dense urban fabric(s), such as New York City. The modules can be quickly off-loaded, lifted into place by a small truck-mounted crane, and bolted into place. The system clings to existing structures for support, as well as connecting to major systems such as water, sewage, and HVAC. These connections run on the outside of the structure, maximizing the interior space and allowing for quick disconnection and easy disassembly.
GRID Microapartment | 
| Michael Oddo
The Soho area is home to a very complex and developed art scene. Many galleries and art schools occupy the area, driving the idea of a temporary residence for a variety of artistic types occupying the space. Each configuration can be tailored to provide the necessary work, living, and exhibition space needed. This system offers an infinite number of combinations and orientations, allowing for a variety of activities to take place inside and out. Taller designs offer a beautiful view down the boulevard, whereas others can span across the site and interact with the vibrant street life down below.
GRID Microapartment | 
| Michael Oddo
PIXEL Vertical Campus Continuing with Partner Tyler Vincent and following an initial exploration into the parasitic style with GRID, the idea of a re-programmable gridbased structural system was scaled up to create PIXEL, a school of design which sprouts up from existing galleries along the High Line in Chelsea, Manhattan. This complex includes all elements of a traditional college campus, from living, learning, and working spaces down to public presentation and exhibition space. The latter takes place in the existing galleries along W 24th St, which serve as the host for the rest of the structure to grow from. The existing facades and portions of the internal structure is preserved, and from this the grid structure rises, latching onto the High Line and creeping upward, spreading into and over neighboring buildings. Program is inserted into this structure by combining structural cubes into larger voids within the grid, moving from public to private as you ascend. All program is located around a central void, which contains garden terraces rising from the High Line to the planted roof, serving as outdoor recreation spaces for students and passing pedestrians.
PIXEL Vertical Campus | 
Initial conceptual image depicting different spatial arrangements and programs within grid system.
 | Michael Oddo
Manifesto Image depicting the intersection of city grid layout and the university campus typology.
PIXEL Vertical Campus |
First Floor - Intersection of new and existing program
| Michael Oddo
Seventh Floor - Intersection of public and private program
PIXEL Vertical Campus |
Axonometric Drawing of program clusters within school complex.
 | Michael Oddo
NS Section showing void between parasite and host, as well as variation of space within the grid
Unit Type 2
Unit Type 3
Unit Type 1
EW Section showing connection to existing galleries as well as connection to the High Line
PIXEL Vertical Campus |
Park View
| Michael Oddo
Parco Del Torrione Parco Del Torrione is a joint Landscape + Architecture project designed during a Study Abroad studio in Rome, Italy with partners Joseph Anderson and Grant Morthland. Due to its dense urban fabric and complex layering of ancient and new infrastructure, Rome presents an interesting challenge when designing any new structure. The site is located in the Pigneto neighborhood on the eastern side of the city, which is a vibrant area filled with young professionals and families. However, the immediate site area, a local dog park surrounded by private residences, is isolated from the rest of the neighborhood by large busy roads and bombarded by automobile and noise pollution. A key consideration for this site is the Torrione, an ancient Roman mausoleum seemingly stranded in the new urban sprawl of Rome, disconnected from the rest of the cities ancient monuments. This project proposes a redevelopment of a neighborhood that currently holds a feeling of congestion and a disconnection from its surrounding cityscape. The proposed programming seeks to create a gathering space which fosters a lively atmosphere of innovation, collaboration, and entertainment. The architecture and vegetation are designed to capture views both inward to the Torrione and outward to the city and landscape beyond. By strategically framing views, this project aims to connect the newly planned park space with the Torrione and its historical context, and create a powerful experience as the occupant moves through the site. A key element in the spatial experience is the sense of compression to expansion, heightening anticipation before fully revealing what lies ahead. Throughout the building, a sequence of spaces transition from open to intimate with the arrangement of private, semi-private, and public spaces. These powerful influences aid in creating a space full of discovery, excitement, and reflection. Parco Del Torrione | 
Site Section
Site + Park Level Plan
| Michael Oddo
Courtyard View
Ground Level Plan
Typical Plan Levels 1-3
Level 4 Plan
Level 5 Plan
Parco Del Torrione |
| Michael Oddo
Digital Fabrication During my time at Iowa State I have had the opportunity to learn the methods of computational design and digital fabrication. These explorations cover a range of methods and work flows, from CNC milling to the architectural applications of industrial robotics. The following work uses a combination of these methodologies in order to understand the compatibility of different fabrication methods as well as the limitations. I am interested in the application of digital fabrication processes in the practice of architecture and their greater societal impact if implemented in the design and build process. These methods of production will affect both the design process as well as those working in the construction industry, and must be thought through carefully in the way they are implemented and how they may both positively and negatively affect current practices.
Digital Fabrication | 
Potterbot Ceramic 3D Printing
| Michael Oddo
Final Script*
Initial Test Script*
*Base scripts provided by Shelby Doyle + Erin Hunt of the Iowa State CCL
Digital Fabrication |
3D Print Casting
| Michael Oddo
Formwork63.5Assembly mm
63.5 mm
63.5 mm
63.5 mm
55 mm
55 mm
55 mm
55 mm
31.5 mm 27.5 mm
27.5 mm
31.5 mm 27.5 mm
27.5 mm
Digital Fabrication | 
Slip-Cast Tiling
| Michael Oddo
Pattern generated to create tile mold
Digital Fabrication | 