Undergraduate Academic Portfolio - Clemson University

[ connective ] application

NICHOLAS BURGER

Letter of Intent + The intent of this portfolio is to showcase my development as an undergraduate student in the Clemson University School of Architecture. + The goal is to show how I can apply the skills I have acquired throughout my education using the selected work contained in the bounds of this academic portfolio. + Each selected project addresses how [ connections ] can be exhibited in an array of applications. It is my intent to expose these connections and show the ways in which I can apply them to a given design problem. + Through my design philosophy I wish to give the reader, critic, and fellow admirer of architecture a breadth of work that will enlighten them in the opportunities of connections from which I have explored. + I intend to apply for graduate school admission by enrolling for the Fall of 2012 after completing my Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree from Clemson University.

Education

Work Experience

Contact

+ Bachelor of Arts: Architecture Clemson University May 12, 2012 GPA: 3.50 out of 4.00

+ John J. Burger Architect P.C. Intern Fredericksburg _ Virginia Summer 2010

1401 Caroline Street +

Fredericksburg _ Virginia

22401 540 _ 455 _ 0368 +

+ Study Abroad _ Fluid Campus Clemson School of Architecture Barcelona _ Spain Spring 2011

( On site measuring and site analysis ) ( Site visits ) ( Construction documents )

nburger@me.com +

(DocStone Commons ) Frederickburg _ Virginia (Snowden Office Park _ Lot 5 ) Frederickburg _ Virginia

Activities

Honors

+ American Institute of Architecture Students + President’s List Chapter President Clemson University Clemson University Spring 2011 + American Institute of Architecture Students + Deans List National Advisory Task Force Clemson University Fall 2008 - Fall 2010, Fall 2011 + Student - Faculty Advisory Committee School of Architecture Clemson University + Deans Council of Students College of Arts, Architecture, & Humanities Clemson University + Lutheran Campus Ministry _ Clemson Operations Committee Yearbook Designer _ 2010, 2011

Skills + Adobe Creative Suite CS4: ( Photoshop ) ( Illustrator ) ( InDesign) + Google SketchUp + Rhinoceros + V-Ray + AutoCad + Vectorworks + Microsoft Office ( Word ) ( Excel ) ( Powerpoint )

9 - 10

7-8

Anderson Train Terminal

Spatial Stimulation

1-6

[ infrastructural connectivity ]

Cycle - Nections

[ re-connecting the city block ]

[ connections through modernization ]

11 - 12

The Fluid Theater

[ an adaptive re-use of the Astro III ]

13 - 14

Nexus [ a means of connection ]

Spatial Stimulation [ re-connecting the city block ] Barcelona, Spain Third Year Spring 2011 Group Project Professor Toni Montes The intervention, in a selected Eixample block of Barcelona, was created in order to make an immediate impact and [ re-connect ] itself to the surrounding context.

A cultural understanding of nature and the redesigning of cities, in order to address the needs of a sustainable society, were encapsulated holistically through this design solution.

A surgical intervention is created which creates an important urban effect in a consolidated fabric.

optimal light

ground level

1st level

2nd level

border addition

division

subtraction

winter

summer

shadows

Light Conditions v. Horizontal Discontinuity

1

In order to explain why the Eixample block is in need of a design solution, the following conditions are addressed: - Light conditions - Horizontal Discontinuity

summer solstice

Through extensive sun and continuity studies, the intervention provides optimal sunlight during the summer and winter months, allowing for activity throughout all parts of the year.

winter solstice

Three highlighted areas were selected to house the program.

year average

2

optimal sunlight

circulation

topography

Program Reception Dressing Rooms / Showers Pool Pool Dressing Rooms / Showers (Male) Sauna Spa Pool Dressing Rooms / Showers (Female) Mechanical / Storage 3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

overall circulation

pool, sauna, spa

screen

4

3 5 C

2

6 1

B

7

8

A

4

Section A

5

Section B

The screen acts as a connection between the verticality of the urban context to the lower public sports park in the center of the block.

It is mostly composed of transparent and semi-transparent materials that allow for optimal sunlight to pass through and reach the lower levels.

Using the available surfaces for program, leaving the minimal amount of disruption of the surrounding context, the intervention successfully

Section C

2

Program Fitness Rooms 1 Rock Climbing Wall 2

1

3

Racquetball Court 3

6

Anderson Train Terminal [ connections through modernization ] Anderson, South Carolina Second Year Spring 2010 Professor David Nocella The Anderson Train Terminal successfully addresses the issue of vacancy in a lot situated on Main Street in Anderson which previously housed a set of train tracks. Anderson, known as the “Electric City,� has been on the verge of modernity but its geographic location has hindered such.

This modern [ link ] in the heart of Anderson will give it what it needs.

Program

Level 1

Mezzanine Level

Track Level

Lobby 1 1

Ticketing 2 Waiting Area 3

4

2

6 7

Cafe / Vendors 4 5

3

Mechanical / Storage 5 Baggage 6 Platform 7

2

4 1

7

6

Traditional city fabric with a modern intervention.

Exposed [ structural connections ].

Perforated metal skin to [ articulate ] the relation to the context .

Free [ flowing ] route from street to train tracks.

Unobstructed [ points of view ].

8

Cycle - Nections [ infrastructural connectivity ] Clemson, South Carolina Third Year Fall 2010 Professor Martha Skinner This project deals with the issue of adequate public transport and infrastructure.

The bike share system and mixed use housing provides [ streamline ] access between College Avenue and SC-93.

Site Plan The intervention addresses a means of [ connection ] needed between two areas of circulation within Clemson.

It inhibits a very well articulated passage while also providing [ points of view ] to the suroundings.

9

First Floor Housing

Second Floor Housing

Axes of circulation:

stairwell (pedestrian) ramp (cyclist)

A [ visual connection ] to workings of bike share system.

Structure exposes itself to surroundings.

No [ dis - connection ] between users, passerbys, and context of the site.

10

Nexus

[ a means of connection ] Port Au Prince, Haiti Third Year Fall 2010 Group Project Professor Robert Hogan

The project asked for a structure that would house a haven for learning for young Haitian girls in the earthquake stricken area of Port au Prince, Haiti.

Study Model

Study Model

The design stemmed from extruded forms and paths created by [ interlocking ] spaces.

The program would allow for [ interaction ] within the school itself and an external connection to the community.

11

Public Nexus

School Nexus

Pause Moments

[ connects ] public & private

teachers to students

space to space

[ becomes ] wall

path

ceiling

support

[ gives ] moments of pause

experience of school

hope to the community

Public Entry

Pause Moment

Pause Moment

12

The Fluid Theater

[ an adaptive re-use of the Astro III ] Clemson, South Carolina Fourth Year Fall 2011 Professor Kevin Hyslop

The dilapidated Astro III off of College Avenue has been in disuse for years.

A once thriving cinema needs a [ re-connection ] back to Clemson.

The Astro III has fallen off the grid and become [ transparent ].

13

1 5 2

Program Lobby

1

Backstage Dressing Room

8

4

8 9

Ticketing

2

Bar / Concessions

3

Sound Booth 10

Restroom

4

Administration 11

Exhibition Space

5

Restroom 12

Patio

6

Theater 13

Stage

7

Viewing Corridor 14

6

3

7

9

9

10 9

10 9

8

11 12

13

The Fluid Theater . . .

7

14

Has a porous facade to [ attract ] people into the theater. [ Adjacent ] to the road.

Defined by [ points of view ] between spaces.

Spaces [ accessible ] to one another.

14