Thomas HallerArchitectural Designer

2005 - 2010

Investigative Production //// Academic Portfolio

Sketches of Orvieto, Italy. Study Abroad 2009

“Human desires in every present instance are torn between the replica and the invention, between the desire to return to the known patterns and the desire to escape it by a new variation.”

George Kubler

It seems that determined thought, which leads to careful articulation of the product or scenario, can improve life. It is this phenomenon that engages us in new process and focuses our insight into expanding thought.

We want things - tools, spaces, environments - to work with greater effi ciency, be more adaptable to a variety of situations, and inherently bring health and happiness to the beings that come in contact with them. We want our external existence to compliment our internal, and if we consider the natural cycle, we expect a reciprocal effect.

This interaction supplements the human condition. We thrive off the development of our surroundings, and in turn the quality in which we live in proceeds. As the de-signer, we look to be the instigator in this process. We feed the potential, and with careful consideration create a solution to the appropriately asked questions.

Realizing the truth, honesty, and beauty in our creations is not solely based on intuition or the presupposed trend. We are not creating completely a new, and we are not remanufacturing the existing - in totality...

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...we are elaborating on the connections.

Conceptual Studies //// Program. Space. Context. Structure.

Versatile Furniture //// Closet. Shelving. Desk. Etc.Independent Study _ Prof. Nathan HoweFall Semester 2009 Manhattan, KS

Rhinoceros. AutoCad. Laser Cut. Hand Model. Photoshop

Structural Steel Rods _ 1/2 in (diameter)

The skeletal steel structure supports the MDF board panels, using a web system that creates friction at each point a metal rod dissects a panel. The concept allows for rapid prototype and production, with fastening con- nections omitted from the fi nal design.

Height 7’ 6” MDF Board _ 1/2 in (thick) _ 3 in (spacing)

The MDF board is spaced in way that creates a multiplicity of spatial types for displaying and storing items on the exterior of the mas- sive form. The form of the unit was initially sculpted in Rhinoceros, segmented at 3 in intervals, and then taking the plan of each segment we were able to create a digital cut for each panel. This production method allowed for exact placement of the structural rods and streamlined production process.

Translucent Plexiglas _ 1/8 in (thick)

The light fi ltering glass contrasts the MDF panels which form the mass, and accentuate the punctures created for larger shelves.

Sculpted Limestone //// Egyptologist StudyADS II _ Project IISpring Semester 2007Memphis, TN

Hand Model. Clay Sculpture. Hand Rendering. Graphite and Charcoal

5 ft. 10 ft. 15 ft.

condensed lower level living space

the path _ from hill approach

5 ft. 10 ft. 15 ft.

exterior sunken sitting space

elevator _ mechanized pulley system the perch _ elevated studio

Environmental Response //// Fisherman’s Lodge ADS III_ Project I Fall Semester 2007 Hondorus Coast

Hand Model. AutoCad. Photoshop. Indesign

Rainwater Harvesting

The overlaid butterfl y canopy acts as collect- ion trough for a rainwater catchment system. The water gathers on the 2000 sq ft surface and funnels down a conduits in the middle support column of the family house.

Solar PV Panels

The panels are laid at the optimum perpendicular angle according to the spring and fall sun -- to reach the full energy potential of the solar cells, the most days of the year.

8 ft Insect Zone

Structure and Envelope

The project is comprised of three interconnected zones. There is the two-story portion, that anchors the lodge on one end, and acts as the public entrance and family gathering area. This connects with the large deck that acts as a semi-public gathering space and path to the four separate individual housing pods. The structure participates with these elements to create air circulation, passive cooling, and spaces that take advantage of the exterior environment -- while providing protection and taking advantage of the seemingly less desirable attributes of the region; such as rain, solar expo sure, and local coastal pests.

Materiality

The materials were important through the process of the design, beginning with the heavy poured in place concrete at the base -- not only acting as a structural base, but also allowing for some thermal radiation in the winter months. The upper areas are detailed with breathable louvered walls, to take advantage of the cross ventilation opportunities created by the coastal winds.

Cellular Space for Activity //// Recreational Center ADS II _ Project II Spring Semester 2007 Manhattan, KS

Hand Drafting. Hand Model. Photoshop. (Continued in Revit Project)

First Floor and Gymnasium

Building Sections - The Cells

1 2 3

456

456

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Developed Studies //// Engaging Scales and Systems

Space for Nurturing Ideas //// Recreational CenterPost Graduation ProjectJuly 6 - August 2. 2012

Revit Redesign and Detail Project

-4' Court Level-4' - 0"

0' Lobby Level0' - 0"

11' Second Level11' - 0"

Lobby Ceiling9' - 0"

22' Roof Low22' - 0"

29' Roof Peak29' - 0"

24' Drop Roof24' - 0 1/2"

A

A

B

B

C

C

D

D

1A502

2A502

1A501

2A501

2A505

A6021

A6022

A6023

-4' Court Level-4' - 0"

0' Lobby Level0' - 0"

11' Second Level11' - 0"

Lobby Ceiling9' - 0"

22' Roof Low22' - 0"

29' Roof Peak29' - 0"

24' Drop Roof24' - 0 1/2"

12

12

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

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7

7

8

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9

10

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11

2A503

1A503

2A504

1A504

1A505

Scale

DateDrawn By

Project Number

3/16" = 1'-0"

A505

Bldg Sections

Kimble Ave. & Avery Ave.Manhattan, KS

+39° 12' 10.90", -96° 37'17.57"

All Sunny SideRec. Center

Author07.16.2012

2012.01

3/16" = 1'-0"1 NS Climbing Wall

3/16" = 1'-0"2 EW Climbing Wall

Cell #4 Cell #3

Climbing Wall

MP #4

Kitchen

MP #3

Computer

Cell #4Cell #5Cell #6

Gathering Gallery

LobbyGymnasium Court

Interior Gymnasium and Climbing Wall

-4' Court Level-4' - 0"

0' Lobby Level0' - 0"

11' Second Level11' - 0"

Lobby Ceiling9' - 0"

22' Roof Low22' - 0"

29' Roof Peak29' - 0"

24' Drop Roof24' - 0 1/2"

C

Scale

DateDrawn By

Project Number

1" = 1'-0"

A602

Wall Section

Kimble Ave. & Avery Ave.Manhattan, KS

+39° 12' 10.90", -96° 37'17.57"

All Sunny SideRec. Center

Author07.16.2012

2012.01

1" = 1'-0"1 Callout of NS Climbing Wall 1" = 1'-0"2 Callout (2) of NS Climbing Wall

1" = 1'-0"3 Callout (3) of NS Climbing Wall

Corrugated Aluminum

Duct

Duct

Rigid Insulation

Climbing Wall

Hallway

Hallway

Base Isolator

ConcreteFoundation

Footing

Ductwall cavity

Concrete SlabSteel Reinforced

Public Structure_Private Space //// LA SPA ADS V_ Project I Fall Semester 2008 Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California

AutoCad, Building and Wall Section Models, 3DS Max, Photoshop, Presentation at Erlich Architects, LA

Site Map of LA SPA, Santa Monica, LA, California

Wilshire Blvd.Santa Monica State Beach

Ocean Ave.

Pac. Coast Hwy.

323 ft.

Internal Volumes Internal Planes

Internal VolumesPrimary Volumes

Wall Sections Model Scale: 0.5 in = 1 ft

Upper Level Weight Training

Mixed-Use Urban Development //// Steel Competition ADS IV _ Project III Spring Semester 2008 San Francisco, California

Vectorworks. Building Model. SketchUp and 3DS Max. Photoshop

Site Map of San Fran Mixed-Use Commercial and Housing Development

York St.

Mariposa St.

Hampshire St.

18th St.

400 ft.

Pedestrian Ramp

Pedestrian and Vehicle Avenue

Green Roof Field on Plinth

Neighborhood Rec Field and Garden

Existing Structure

Existing Structure

Site Plan

Superfl oor

Superfl oor

Superfl oor

Rooftop Superfl oor

Sectional Concept _ Superfl oor Connections

The concept of this mixed-use development starts at the base of the public pedestrian street level and moves up through the high-rise housing units that perch on the intermediate plinth. The idea is to integrate on one site multiple spatial types with ranges in privacy; and increase the amount of external circulation to decrease the burden on HVAC systems -- while taking advantage of the full year moderate climate San Francisco. From this super fl oors create this reduction of unnecessary con-ditioned space -- starting with the primary fl oor (the plinth), and moving vertically through circulation systems. These vertical pillars connect with each tower through a bridge; and then each bridge connects to other levels at separate stair cases situated inside the secondary skin of the perforated metal towers. With this design the commercial spaces below the plinth are kept within the realm of the public space, while the semi-private space of the plinth can cater to the private housing towers.

The Semi-Private Plinth

Vertical Circulation Towers

Housing TowersInternal Circulation

Master Bedroom

Three Bedroom Loft Two Bedroom Loft

Architectural Design Thesis //// Investigating Urban Systems

Globbal City

BSTRACT

BLANKET

_GATHER: GLOBAL SCALE

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/programmes_global_sunshade/img/1.jpg

WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM?

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_GATHER: LOCAL SCALE

UNITEDKINGDOM

S OS. NORWAY

ONORWAY

SWEDENSWEDEN

ICELANDICELAND

DENMARK

OEUROPE

Norway has an embassy in 86 countries; 60 countries have an embassy in Norway (all of them in Oslo). Norway belongs to the UN, NATO, Council of Europe, and European EconomicArea.

37

38 39

OGROGALAND

S SSSSSSSANDNES

GGGSSSSSTAVANGERTAU

HINNASOLASOLA

S OLENPREIKESTOLENRANDABERGRANDABERG

G SEGERSUNDEGERSUNDDDE43

S S C CSANDNES CITY CENTER

NORTH END

THE PINCH

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RR Revealing A City //// Contextual Documentation & Master Plan

SOUTH ENDSOUTH END

ADS VI _ Project I Fall Semester 2009 Sandnes, Norway

Studio Collaborative Research, Documentation, Production, Presentation. SketchUp. Vectorworks. Laser Cut Model

Key nodes within the city contributing towards the overall development, texture, and character of the master plan.

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1213

city stitch

culturalexchange

center

centralstation

transit stationfi re.fem.skv.bolifi g

network interface

contextualexchange

vertical farming

brain gym

center of ef phemeral artsbreathing towers

house of design

institute forcollaboratvedesign

12

3 45

6

October 2009 May 2010

495

SouthEnd

The Pinch

NorthAvenue

NorthEnd

SouthEnd

The Pinch

NorthAvenue

NorthEnd

Site Map of Sandnes - First Urban Plan Site Map of Sandnes - Urban Final Plan

Conceptual Montage Visualizing the Creative City

In the early stages of conceptualizing the urban complexity and diversity, visual montages were created to describe the environments we were discussing. This visual aid attempts to explain the area of the city that engages the edge of the fjord shore. Here we have aquatic and rail transportation; public space and housing; manufacturing and commercial enterprises; and new and old built forms. To create this vast interweaving of purposes, a vision of particular necessary systems and the points at which they separate is vital -- and our explanations commonly needed graphic representations before detailed dimensional plans and sections could adequately describe our intentions.

Nexus: Sandnes Cyclical Urban Research Center

Nexus: Sandnes Cyclical Urban Research Center

Architectural Design Thesis //// Developing Urban Systems

Delineating Local Infrastructure //// Nexus__Cyclical Urban Research ADS VI _ Project IISpring Semester 2010Sandnes, Norway

Personal Concept within Greater Studio Context. Hand Modeling. Sketch-Up (V-Ray Rendering Plug-in). Hientzelmann Finalist

Site Map of Sandnes - Urban Final Plan Site Map of The Pinch - Neighborhood Final Plan

The Pinch

Nexus Urban Research

The City Blanket and Urban Stitches

The Sandnes Project consists of many opposing ideas coming together to create multiplicity and dynamic environments in the public realm or the city. To connect these parts, to create a homogenous urban dwelling, we implemented an idea of a city blanket and with stitches. The blanket is the layer of public connection that happens throughout the city, laying and folding in many directions, vertically and horizontally, to establish pedestrian, vehicular, and visual continuity in the total master plan. This layer can follow along public ramps or grand stair cases; it can be the main commercial avenue where it bleeds into transparent storefronts; it also manifests itself on the top of building rooftops or island features. In the Nexus the blanket happens 6 m above the lower service level -- stretching from the island to the rail line in the back of the section -- sup-porting the commercial level, with the avenue and the main courtyard of the interior space. It also exists at 12 m, where it sits over the light rail and creates the fl oor plane of the research facilities. Then also it covers the whole section, creating a secondary ground plane over the entire building which connects to neighbor-ing structures. The stitches are the secondary supplements to this layer, taking service systems through the section, to other levels of the blanket and all the spaces consumed or resting in the blanket -- as in the Nexus they are the fi ve towers spaced throughout the section. With these two concepts, the city life is not constrained by physical barriers of elements, such as walls, rail lines, building masses, and separated cor-ridors -- one can travel more freely creatively and in turn social barriers will have less physical distinction.

Aerial Aligned with the Northern Avenue

Primary Structural Grid is Dictated by Urban Grid

Urban Service LevelSits Under the Blanket

Nexus Service Level (1m - 6m)

Commercial Avenue Level of the Nexus

Nexus Commercial Avenue Level (6m - 12m)

Diversifi edStacked Program

Vertically Engaged Public Circulation

Interior Offi ces of the Research Center

Nexus Research Offi ce Level (12m - 23m)

Autonomous Offi ces - Spaces with Internal Infrustructure

PermeableLayers of Enclosure

The City Blanket - Continuous Navigable Physical Connection

Urban Service Level Connection

Nexus Research Offi ces

Nexus Perspective Cross Section

The City Stitch- Vertical Infrastructure for Service Systems

Urban Commercial Avenue Level

Edge of the Fjord Inlet

Hientzelmann Finalist Presentation

“Americans are forever searching for love in forms it never takes, in places it can never be... It must have something to do with the vanished frontier.”

Vonnegut

I am a graduate from Kansas State University, with a Master of Architecture degree, in the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design. My academic work has been published in the OZ journal: Volume 32, and Roasted Duck and Sugar Coated Po-tatoes: An Exploration Towards a Collaborative Future.

My work and other design related experiences/interests include travel and study abroad in Europe; acting as a staff member of the academic OZ journal; volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity; participation in the student organizations Fair Trade and Unite by Design. For a year and a half I lived in Austin,TX after graduation where I worked for a small green building supply store, where I assisted in sustainable housewares and construction supply retail sales. I gained other experience with Sledd Nursry, involving myself with landscape design. In addi-tion to this, I have done contract design work, where I assisted Wayward Designs, creating furniture.

I have a passion for building, designing, and pursuing research for architectural projects; and I look forward to a career as an architectural designer.