NEIL CHRISTIANSON
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
A NEW AXIS
A R C H I T E C T U R E S T U D I O I I I \ \ S T PA U L , M N
SITE DESIGNED WITH: PETER ATKINS DOUG HARSEVOORT BRIANNA BRUENING
SITE EVOLUTION
SITE
Working with the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood council, we were tasked with designing a multipurpose development on a large, vacant half-block site. Our development preserves a line of sight toward the state capitol with a park corridor drawn from the site’s highest point. The other buildings in the development are informed by this new axis, and are designed to be welcoming and inviting to the community and provide them with amenities currently lacking in the area.
CAPITOL BUILDING
CHILD CARE HOUSING
O ASSISTED LIVING
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O PA R K
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O FA M I LY H O U S I N G LIVE/WORK
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MIXED USE
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COMMUNITY CENTER
O R E S TA U R A N T
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O BANQUET/EVENT S PA C E
COMMUNITY CENTER The community center serves as a hub of civic and recreational activity for the site and as a beacon welcoming visitors to the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. With program such as classrooms, conference rooms, and a banquet hall, among others, the building provides a connection between the site’s residents and the local community.
HOUSING The goal for the development’s family housing is to provide the families on the bottom two floors with the privacy they require, while keeping the units easily accessible and connected to the public areas. Above the family units are studio apartments and multi-story lofts to attract a variety of tenants to the site.
FA S H I O N D E S I G N E R C O L L E C T I V E DIS ARCHITECTURE STUDIO \\ COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
F I L L I N G I N / S TA N D I N G OUT This fashion designer collective is located at the end of a chain of man-made lakes along the edge of old town Copenhagen. To attract attention among the neighboring historical architecture without imposing a new style, the void between the buildings is preserved, and a curtain wall used as a facade. The upper floors tilt outward to catch the eye as one approaches. The shape and transparent facade allow views into an out of the building, and enables the designers to display their work at all times.
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MEETING / LOUNGE STUDIOS W O R K S PA C E STORAGE R E TA I L / E V E N T
P U B L I C + S E M I - P U B L I C S PA C E
The middle three levels are the private space used for the design and production of work. A large spiral stair links only these floors. The ground level and the top level and roof are public and semi-public space, used for public gatherings and meeting with clients, and are connected with an additional stairway to the retail gallery space on the ground floor. The open floor plan allows the public to view the design process as they ascend the public stair.
G R E AT B AY R E S I D E N C E
M AT E R I A L S A N D M E T H O D S \ \ N E W M A R K E T, N H
CASE STUDY The Great Bay Residence project was a case study of the materials and m methods that go into the construction of a building. Plans w were acquired from the architect and analyzed for their structu ral and material techniques. The residence is composed of a concrete foundation, light-framed walls, and a roof resting o on large glulam beams. These are supported on one end by exterior metal columns with the other end embedded into the wall. A 1/2�=1’ scale model was built to detail each laye er of construction from foundation and form work to glazing and cladding. This model was cut and crafted by hand, with the exception of the laser-etcched hardwood flooring, using pine, MDF, plywood, sandp aper, museum board, acrylic, wood stain, and other materials.
LIVE/WORK IN LOWERTOWN A R C H I T E C T U R E S T U D I O I V \ \ S A I N T PAU L , M N
UNIT SCALE
Spatial complexity drives the design of this live/work development on every scale. In the unit, spaces are defined by a layering of structural elements. These culminate in a dynamic and open living area with a lofted creative space. These uniquely shaped units alternate direction and stack to form building towers.
SITE / CONTEXT R E STAU R A N T / O CAFE RESIDENCES/ O COMMERCIAL TRAIN DECK B I K E PAT H
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O PUBLIC SQUARE
O GALLERY O ENTRANCE PERFORMANCE/ O EXHIBIT
LAWN
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At the urban scale, the development remains sensitive of forces present in the neighborhood while maximizing commercial and gallery space. Residences with ground floor commercial units flank a public square. The square is anchored by a performance and exhibit building at one end and a sculptural restaurant and cafe at the other. These buildings in turn are connected with a gallery space that proceeds underneath the adjacent train deck with an entrance on the lawn.
RESIDENCES/ COMMERCIAL
LANDSCAPE TECHNIQUE
C R E AT I N G L A N D S C A P E S PAC E \ \ M I N N E A P O L I S , M N
S PAT I A L S T R AT E G I E S
LANDFORM
STRUCTURE
V E G E TAT I O N
These exercises explored landform, vegetation, and structure as techniques to define spaces in landscape design. The models were each designed in sketches, drafted in AutoCAD, laser-cut and glued together. Materials such as chipboard, cardboard, basswood, tracing paper, natural vegetation, spices, and acrylic were used to emphasize the technique being utilized in each model.
S C H O L A R ’ S PA R K MINNEAPOLIS, MN
This imaginary site exists between a school and a library along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A park was designed to connect the two institutions, with additional program applied throughout. The design modifies landform, vegetation, and structure and uses radial geometry to create a walk that connects the library and school directly. The park also includes a secluded classroom, a sheltered reading area, and an amphitheater on the river for lectures, shows, and presentations. Also included are lessdefined features such as lawns, hills and rambles.
S TA D I U M F L A T S
IDEAS COMPETITION \\ NASHVILLE, TN NEIL C HRI H STIANSON BEN E JAM M IN I WALDO
DESIGNING ACTION The goal of this competitio on was to repurpose a 75 acre industrial site on the riverfront in Nashville, TN. The site is across the e river from downtown and adjacent to the site of LP Field. The goals of the design were to pro omote physical activity and wellness and to proviide flood mitigation to the part of the site that lies in the floodplain. Our design includes spo orts fields, a parking garage, a housing devel opment lining I-24, a band shell, plaza, and skatte park, with additional program along the riverfro ont.
THE RIVERFRONT The riverfront design provides flood mitigation and many different program areas, each of which is accessible and functional during high water. The west side is built up to create an amphitheater lawn next to a bicycle shop and cafe in a repurposed building. Wetlands are constructed to both collect floodwater and filter runoff from the rest of the site. A yoga center with indoor classrooms and an outdoor terrace provides a peaceful and secluded area for classes. This center is connected to a meditation garden that wanders through restored avian habitat. At the waterfront, repurposed barges act as gardens and storage and launch points for rentable watercraft.
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Bike Shop + Cafe Amphitheater Lawn Constructed Wetlands Barge Watercraft Storage + Gardens Yoga Center + Watercraft Rental Forested Habitat + Meditation Garden
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PROFESSIONAL WORK MINNEAPOLIS, MN \\ LA CROSSE, WI
FEYEREISEN STUDIOS V I K I N G S TA D I U M C O N T E X T M O D E L
At Feyereisen Studios, I was a member of a team tasked with creating the contextual model for HGA Architects and Engineers’ entry for the new Vikings stadium. The 3D printed stadium model was ultimately placed into the context model. The model was created through a process of on-site observation and satellite image analysis, drafting, woodworking, laser cutting, and lighting integration.
U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I N N E S O TA P R E S S A R C H I T E C T U R A L I L LU S T R AT I O N S
Contracting with the University of Minnesota Press, I created over forty architectural illustrations for Architecture Since 1400, an architecture history book published in January 2014. Each illustration required preliminary research, designing, drafting in AutoCAD, and stylizing in Adobe Illustrator.
CHARLIE & CO. DESIGN MINNEAPOLIS, MN
3D MODELING + MARKETING IMAGES My duties at Charlie and Co. Design are based largely on my personal skill set. One of the results of this has been bringing all of our 3D modeling in-house and using the models to produce stylized visualizations. These visualizations are used for better communication with clients, previews for real-estate listings, and for our own marketing purposes.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT + E V O LV I N G W O R K F L O W I am also involved in all phases of design development and schematic design from concept and programming to construction documents and communication. Using CAD, 3D diagrammatic modeling, and other techniques, the workflow is flexible and tailored to create the most effective design process for each project.
RIVER ARCHITECTS LA CROSSE, WI
As an intern with River Architects, I was immersed in project phases from research and site visits to design development and document submittal. I worked closely with project teams and took on unique design tasks on an individual level.
ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY