CONTACT Cell: 847.612.4631 Email: robertmguertin@gmail.com EDUCATION University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Masters of Architecture + Bachelor of Architectural Studies Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Industrial Design + Architecture AWARDS AND HONORS ArchDaily Publication 2015 An Architectural Interview + Sou Fujimoto: Tokyo, Japan Recipient of The Wisconsin Architects Foundation Scholarship AIA Chicago Student Design Competition 2015 Thesis: Let’s Negotiate! Super Jury 2015 Nominee Let’s Negotiate! Super Jury 2014: First Place Marcus Prize Studio: Sou Fujimoto Spring 2014 [Urban Pavilion] Super Jury 2014 Nominee Wanderlust: Poetics of Moving Space PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE NORR Architects Architectural Designer Chicago, Illinois. 3nta [Graphic Designer] Freelance Gensler [Professional Intern] Chicago, Illinois. Al Mayrah Central Cadillac Experience Center Sara E.F. Gensburg, LTD. [Architectural Intern] Performed schematic design and design development of both residential and commercial projects. Created construction documents for both residential and commercial projects. Performed renderings for clients for both residential and commercial projects. Wanderlust: Poetics of Moving Space Designed gallery space at Studio Lounge MKE + Wanderlust Exhibit. Graduate Teaching Assistant Graduate TA position for Sophomore Core Design Studio // Arch 320
Scripted Evolution Independent Research
Augmented Cloak Shanghai, CN Gensler, Chicago
Marcus Prize Studio Sou Fujimoto Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Let’s Negotiate! Masters Thesis Chicago, Illinois
The New Office Research Proposal, Gensler Chicago, Illinois
Design Visualization Data Viz. + Chris Cornelius
Scripted Evolution. In a world prone on overconsumption, a look at self evolving design.
The ontology of cellular infrastructure and patterning in nature is in question for our thirst for excavation. So much of today’s being is derived on creation and environmental propulsion we fail to look towards our own earth, serendipitously soaring through our galaxy. This investigation peers into the actions of mining for information as well as resources, and how we observe nature and its environmental design process. How the behavior of cells, growth, mitosis and digestion of informational material decomposes and re-grows is part of this process for energy. Placing a critique on disruptive technology and the future of growth, space + science. Design Team: Robert Guertin.
Stage One // Harvesting. A look into the materials derived from the earth and its core in the creation of batteries. This shows the molecular temperature of change per element. Brief knowledge of what it takes to create these batteries and locations based on depth of earths crust in excavation.
Stage Two // Evolutional Patterning. Pairings of elements based on positive or negative polarity. By the aggregations formed from these cells, we begin to see a new formation of cellular structure.
Stage Three // Cellular Mitosis. Cellular mitos begins to inform the new regeneration of design. Through its organic growth period, new geometries are formed due to mutation of cells.
Stage Four // Nuclei Fission. Through transverse cellular reproduction,binary forms take on a mixed appearance. Often times replicating and reversing, attraction begins to inform space.
Stage Five // Minimal Displacement. The last phase of design transformation is minimal displacement. Through re-alignment of cellular structure, the affects of spatial development take hold. The creation of a new form of architecture emerges.
Gensler Augmented Cloak. Tackling the issue of the invisible building screen. An application to conceal functional program. The profession of architecture relies to heavily on beauty and function. Often times, these can both be appropriated but not in tandem. To design a building that responds to its context and serves a very functional purpose highlights its capacity to perform quite beautifully. This project tackled the design challenge of screening the mechanical units on top of an experiential building in Shanghai. This fifth facade would be visible from the adjacent offices, meaning the objective is as much to divert as to camouflage. Design Team: Robert Guertin. Supervisors: Tim Jacobsin + Brian Vitale
Marcus Prize. Sou Fujimoto // Fabrick Pavilion.
In a time of rapid material industrialization, Milwaukee Wi. had discovered cream city brick. Made from composites of red clay containing high levels of lime and sulfur, it is indigenous to Milwaukee. The operative of this studio was to create a temporary pavilion made out of these cream city bricks. Working alongside world renowned architect, Sou Fujimoto, we adopted a notion of sensitive design, not only to the human scale but also dealing with time. Thoughts on the impact this pavilion can have as a catalyst to the urban fabric of Milwaukee and to set forth a precedent for future design at various scales. In conceiving a temporary public pavilion, the project pays homage to Milwaukee’s rich tradition of masonry construction while developing a novel method of linking bricks into arches (no mortar), giving the traditionally heavy material a feeling of lightness and playfulness. These arches combine to form a rippling brick carpet that invites human interaction and exploration while critiquing the definition of pavilion. As a result, a hard material was transformed into something that appeared soft. The installation challenges the notion of a pavilion by changing the ways in which our bodies exist in relationship to building - how we sit, stand, lean, how we move, how we interact and observe. Though the parts of the architecture are familiar - the brick and wood, it is the assembly of those parts that changes our expectations. Design Team: Laura Gainer. Robert Guertin. Bradley Hopper. Jared Kraft. Travis Nissen. Aubree Park. Ben Penlesky. Dustin Roosa. Damian Rozkuska. Jimmy Sequenz. Nathan Waddell. Kelly Yuen. Supervisors: Sou Fujimoto + Mo Zell
LAURA GAINER / ROBERT GUERTIN / BRADLEY HOPPER / JARED KRAFT / TRAVIS NISSEN / AUBREE PARK / BEN PENLESKY / DUSTIN ROOSA / DAMIAN ROZKUSZKA
JIMMY SEQUENZ / NATHAN WADDELL / KELLY YUEN
The power of iteration within this studio was critical. the constant being brick was a foundation for several experiments in structural analysis, form and space making. Working under professor Mo Zell along with Sou Fujimoto (Japan) and our studio, we were able to create a series of investigative studies of which iteration would be built at the end of the semester. Looking at building material as something of a relic, we began to understand its importance to how we must portray this piece. This studio created a brick ribbons held together with compression rods. Using this compressive force, we were able to create a dynamic and experimental space for people to gather.
Interior Condition : Stacking | Mass Production : The Gasket | Individual Unit
Formalities In Structural Analysis | Construction Sequence | Experiential Qualities
Let’s Negotiate. A systematized approach to building code manipulation. Let’s Negotiate! A diaphanous spatial condition, exploiting concepts of: super use, building codes as well as what we refer to as the “back of house” space. These are all active agents in what we constitute as infra structural interventions, ultimately creating a commentary on how we perceive architectural typologies by placing a critique on thoughts of architectural representation as well as to challenge the notion of appropriate response in regards to building codes. The ideology that building codes are set up as presets in a sense, allows us to change variables to alter the output. This, to designers is crucial in a sense that instead of taking building codes quite literally, we can now begin to think of ways to use them as design operatives. Current discourse on architectural narrative protests that sequential impressions of space can be told via text. Few have begun to project these thoughts and design operations onto images. What if we were able to tell a story purely through graphics? That is, throwing our all preconceived notions of representation in architecture. Things such as plan, perspective or even section should be challenged. Perhaps there is a better way to tell the story of our own thoughts and architectural ideas and facilitate a more fruitful conversation by creating a new. By creating a new formality and deviating from the tradition, we are highlighting the project so that all design moves are evident in the representation. Because experiencing space is not linear, it should not be depicted as such. More often than not it is difficult for the architect to curate space to be viewed with the purest of intentions. Thus, it is up to us to devise a syntax and implement this strategy. Design Team: Robert Guertin Advisor: Filip Tejchman
Existing Site Conditions [North Garland Court]
Alleyway Taxonomies [Back of House]
Systems Taxonomy [Part-to-Whole]
Axonometric [The Breathing Lung]
Top Down [Actors play their part]
Details [Proximity Relationship]
Scene 1 [The hanging garden]
Scene 2 [The daily catch]
Scene 3 [Dreams of Sushi]
Scene 4 [Midnight Stroll]
Hollow Alley [View of infrastructure]
The Creator [Location adjacent]
Gensler The New Office. Designing a hackable workplace for tomorrow
Design thinking, through methodical human centered research and data analytics can create new solutions to problems, products, environments and modes of interaction. As these start with a specific design challenge, we will uncover this through both insight and thematics. Through the evolution of the office, in a constant state of flux; the design brief is to create a manual for future office innovation. The reason this becomes mission critical is simply put, because it starts with the people we are designing for. By examining the needs, dreams and behaviors of these people, we are able to propose an effective solution. Once we have identified the desirable, we begin to research these solutions through lens’. Topical to this discussion - those emerge as People, Place and Industry. Design Team: Claire Breyen. John Conway. Maria Olmeda Franco. Robert Guertin. Zuoda He. Rina Kang. Baixin Ren. Gideon Schwartzman. Wanyu Song. Clayton Witt. Chris Woodward.
Place. Vision.
Narrative. The narrative behind this story places an emphasis on convenience in respects to location. Projecting that onto infrastructure, one would ideally associate themselves with place. The theology that location is so important to business, it can often be the sole factor in succession or failure. Amenities, what often can be alluring to potential employees is another factor that aids in employee retention. In conjunction with appendages of infrastructure we can dissect the importance of things such as transportation, urban programs as well as civic programs (schools, etc.). If we study these on all three scales: Urban, Suburban and ex-suburban: we can formulate inputs to this datum to alter the output. Ultimately, this is a means to prescribe one portion of a larger issue and implement deeper roots to create a large structural buffer for employees and employers alike.
Scope and Methodology. From the dictionary we search that ‘talent” means “the natural capability for achievement or success”. In the scope of “Place” Lens, we propose the definition “talent” would be the high integration of urban spaces and functions both materially and intellectually. Space synergies - pool of talent. (Ways to acquire talent: personal and professional contacts, universities, etc.) Potential space for future/ Future trend. The investigation of office space, as well becomes critical. How are people gaining access to the workplace. Question of travel, amenities, duration of hours spent at the office. The methodology, to better answer the question between “ talent of place”, we would rather ask ourselves another question: what are the characteristics of good space that we want to live in?
We are going to select three typical areas in Chicago region to do the case study about the synergy of urban spaces and functions and compare to each other [Urban, Suburban and Ex-Urban]. We also categorize the urban functions into 2 groups. Amenities and Infrastructure will aid to narrow down what we are going to study. For the Amenities group, it includes spaces like open public area, green space and commercial facilities. For the city infrastructure group it typically characterise the technical structures like roads, bridges, tunnels, water supply, sewers, and telecommunications and so forth. By gathering and processing the data, we want to establish our own lexicon and evaluation system to see how different organic aggregations of urban space and functions could impact the city as well as its citizens in their daily life respectively, and go back to project our own understanding of city talent.
Typologies within the workplace. We associate this term with ourselves and the world we live in. How do workplaces define themselves within this context? The theology that location is so important to business, it can often be the sole factor in succession or failure.
Urban. Dense urban space allows for minimal proximity to local amenities. Most business’ will accommodate for employees being in such close parameters. Employees do not have to veer to far from the office to gain access. Due to lack of space in the work place, these programs are externally located.
Suburban. Sparse suburban programming sets a model for collection of land. Most will acquire a campus and build out internal program for employees-allowing them to stay within the work place longer. Otherwise, employees are often forced to travel outside of the workplace or campus to gain access to these amenities.
People. Narrative. By looking at generations through a variety of lens’, we formulate an understanding of whose these people are that are in the workforce and what they strive to become. By analyzing the current trends in age, income, spending and needs; we can project this onto the future needs of those through enduring education and learning in a variety of habitats.
Scope and Methodology. The natural capability for achievement of these generational tones can be reflected in income. In the scope of “People Lens, we propose the definition “talent” would be the high integration of wants, desires and intellectual needs. Space synergies - pool of talent. By addressing the nature of these generational pods, we access the location of these individuals and scan that data against society and amenities in those locations.
Vision. We are going to select the five current generations. Greatest, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z. We begin to understand how these people can live together within communities and how to adapt tis into the e workplace. Driving innovation and collaboration. This is a quest to understand how these ranges of people are able to understand one another given the gaps between.
Industry. Narrative. This lens is approached as the categorization of business, trade and modern employment. By starting with the large simple classifications and delving deeper into more specialized subsets, we were better able to understand industry as a whole.
Scope and Methodology. Industry can initially be divided into two sectors; providers of goods and providers of services. From there, each one can be divided again. Goods divides into primary and secondary providers, and serviced divides into tertiary and quaternary providers. Looking through the hubs of Talent, Internal Motivation, External Motivation, Skill and Potential Output we find what inspires those in the industries leading our economy.
Vision. This four step filtration process enabled us to combine and interface our, census data. We build off of this research based on client and demographic inclusion. Looking at industry snapshots were on our way to form an understanding of the demographic and retention differences between these industries.
Lifestyle. While many millennials currently live and work in an urban contextwith 48% living in the urban environment and 52% living in suburban environments--(Source: Generation Y and Housing - What they want and where they want it. M. Leanne Lachman and Deborah L. Brett. Urban Land Institute, 2015.) they have shown a tendency to move to suburban in the near future like other generations do. What they care most about is the affordability of housing and quality of community. (Source: America in 2015: A ULI Survey of Views on Housing, Transportation and Community. Urban Land Institute. June 2015.
Demographic. Though millennials’ housing decisions are similar with other generations since they all go through same life stages, they are pushing forward the age of moving to suburban. The reason is people’s probability of living in city didn’t decline until their kids come to school age. Meantime, the average age of motherhood increased from 26.4 in 1975 to 29.5 in 2010. (Source: Lachman, M.L and Deborah L. Brett. “Generation Y and Housing - What they want and where they want it.”: Urban Land Institute. 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015. City Observatory. “Kids in Cities.” Retrieved August 12, 2015. http://cityobservatory.org/kids-in-cities/#2)
Commuting. The overall preference for commuting to work by car hasn’t changed since 1980. In Illinois, nearly 80% of people are commuting to work by car. The same is true for Chicago, at nearly 70%. Is close proximity to public transportation really as important as we think? (Source: US Census Explorer: Commute Edition)
Education. 80% of millennial high school graduates attended suburban high schools and 83% of millennial college graduates started in suburban high schools. *Calculated from average US drop out rates 1995-2015 for high school (cities in crisis + nces + census data?). Then took into account % of families above and below poverty line for college graduation rates because percentages of completion are built off of wealth.
Starting and Ending Point. 70% of American adults(??) prefer a lifestyle that is close to that in which they were raised. The Midwest is the most rooted region: 46% of adult residents there say they have spent their entire life in one community.(Source: Taylor, Paul, Rich Morin, D’Vera Cohn, and Wendy Wang. “American Mobility: Who Moves? Who Stays Put? Where’s Home?” Http://www.pewsocialtrends. org. Pew Research Center, 17 Dec. 2008. Web. Summer 2015)
Moving to Urban. In the past 8 years, 42 workplaces moved from the suburbs to the city. If you’d like your office to expand fast, suburban might be a choice since you will need some potential available space for increased people and work. However, if you are trying to converting to a fast-paced, or need a talent pool from same industry, or a branch office that closely work with clients, being in urban context is a good option. It may also be the case that your firm profile is better for what an urban environment provides. There is also a trend towards splitting executive and operational headquarters. Commuting.
Firm Values. It’s important for your workplace to indicate your firm’s value. According to the our survey, 91.9% of respond that they believe in their employer’s value. A good workplace design reflect your firm’s culture. If you believe in you are the leader of the industry, convey this information through workplace design.
Compromises. Motivation is the key to employees. Compared to salary, people care more about the feel of achievement. 37% of American people would compromise to take a lower salary than expected when accept their current job, while 17% can work outside my preferred job role. (Source: Millennials Survey - Millennials at work: Reshaping the workplace)
Location. Workplace location isn’t everything. 72% of millennials made compromises to get to work. Top compromises were around location and fewer benefits. Ex. Motorola Mobility.Commute time is not shortened depending on location change.Affordable housing is available across multiple locations. The more accessible of the office location, the wider range of choices people could have for affordable housing. (Source: work strategy report by CBRE)
Environment over location. Overall, be strategic in the direction your firm will take. Look at the big picture and long term goals. While things like location and pay may be compromised, other factors such as culture and value should not be. Most of all it is important to design a wellbalanced office that can accommodate a variety of working spaces and amenities with a healthy mixture of independent focus workspaces, areas that provide greater collaboration opportunities (virtual and face-to-face) and an environment that promotes employee socialization.(Source: Designing the office of the futureGlobal Research and Consulting Report by CBRE,, October 2014)
Diagnostic Script [Mapping of Chicago public amenities]
Design Visualization. Future forward design scripting and computation With information and data becoming increasingly more available to architects, designers and a multitude of computational means of reading this information, it is becoming imperative that designers be able to interpret and translate this info into meaningful design inspiration. This discourse will focus on the importance, theory and fundamentals of diagramming and mapping information, space and concepts in a manner relevant to architects. The theology behind studying this method of design stems from a need to understand big data. Seeking to categorize this readily available information and how to create a visual dialogue is the premise of my studies. There is an inherent need to look at the digital world as fundamentally a basis and platform for me to grow these concepts and representational means from. Some parameters of investigation were as such: The Agency of Mapping, The Narrative Armature, The Form of Data and Collage- Syntactic Thinking. Inspired by the work of Tufte, McCloud and those alike; The vocabulary grew as did the mental basis for a fundamental understanding into this realm of design.
The Superhero [Analytics of most common superheroes]
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The Grand Budapest [Virtual script of breakout tools]