Andrew SchlutermanOklahoma State University - 2012

To Whom it May Concern,

The following projects are a compilation of work completed within my first year and a half of studio education. While in school, I have been given the tools to assess a problem statement and determine the possible courses of action to solve it. Generally speaking, although I may begin a project in relatively the same manner, each experi-ence results in a unique response to the given program. As such, I am able to develop conceptually at an early stage of the process, allowing me to respond to each individual area. My education within Oklahoma State University continually develops as each project further enhances my design process as well as my ability to produce an effective solution to a problem.

However, only so much exists within the University setting. Here, the extent of di-versity in education reaches only as far as my educators and fellow classmates. In order to further expand upon current knowledge, I seek the opportunity to surround myself with current practice. In my views, this type of experience would greatly benefit my educational process as I absorb the thoughts and design processes of practicing profes-sionals in order to enhance my own as I continue my education within the University.

Contents

4 An Early Childhood Center - Spring 2012

8 An Architect’s Retreat - Spring 2012

10 Amsterdam Row House - Fall 2011

14 Can and Tower - Spring 2011

16 Robie House Analysis - Fall 2011

An Early Childhood CenterStillwater, Oklahoma - Spring 2012

Objective: New Stillwater daycare facility uniquely responding to site relationships and functional necessity.

Concept: Axial relationships organizing educational development through the inte-gration of site relationships emphasizing the emersion of childhood growth. Open inte-rior and exterior environments create the opportunity for exploration, strengthening creativity within young minds. Cohesion of the site into the building promotes develop-ment as children begin to analyze their envi-ronment.

By examining different methods of engaging the site, I began this project with the intention of creating a form that emerged from the sloping site, rather than simply existing. In addition, gatheing the outdoor play area as a datum of space surrouded by ocupiable interior space became a driv-ing factor as well. With thiese ideas in mind, the swooping cross axial organization developed which allowed me to line classroom modules along the southern facade of the build-ing while still maintaining an administrative as well as pub-lic and private sectors.

Below: Southern Elevation

Right: Floor Plans at 1/16’’=1’

Bottom: Detailed Class-room Layout at 1/8’’=1’

An Early Childhood CenterStillwter, Oklahoma - Spring 2012

Right: Interior Play Area PerspectiveBottom: Longitudinal Section

An Architect’s RetreatJulia Pfeiffer State Park, Claifornia - Spring 2012

Objective: A retreat which will be used as a meeting place and amenity for the firm

Concept: Cohesion of Californian environment into occupiable space

Cross rectangular massing quickly became the basis for this project in or-der to allow for the most outward views and natural light. Outdoor exposure and availability presents itself in each space as the boundary between inte-rior and exterior fades.

Row House ProjectBorneo Sporenburg, Amsterdam - Fall 2011

Objective: A coastal row house within the developing sector of Amster-dam integrating cultural aspects and local design precedents

Concept: Clientele characteristics guiding spatial development organiz-ing private space in an open environment

I began this project through examining the massing and space re-quirements provided by the program. In doing so, I created vertical cir-culatory space as a constant, while spatial organization gathered itself around the stairway.

In order for interior spaces to receive natural lighting, the interior staircase became an open lightwell, which would illuminate the rooms which would otherwise be lit artificially.

Next, I began relating each space to the different personality types of our clients. The husband, a librairan and gardeneer, tends to act conservatively. As such, spaces with lower scaled ceilings, and pri-vate access allow individual rather than communal focus. In contrast, spaces such as the living room and art studio display a vast ceiling and exterioir openings representing the artistic creativity of the wife. To-gether, both types of spaces create an unparalled living experience.

Row House ProjectBorneo Sporenburg, Amsterdam - Fall 2011

Can and Tower Projects For this series of two projects, a provided adjective served as an overarching idea, or concept, for each design. Lust was the descriptive word given to me, and initially I was tasked with representing the word’s menaing through the abstraction of four soda cans.

I began my research process by studying and breaking down the meaning of the word. In particular, I focused upon the “feeling of strong desire” aspect of the defini-tion and used this as inspiration to transform the cans into a representation of my ideas.

Spring 2011

Concept- “Ambition is a lust that is never quenched, but grows more inflamed and madder by enjoyment”

Series Process: Initial desire, an uncontrolable feeling to take ahold or possess what you do not have.

Consumed in desire; thoughts overwhelm and con-trol actions as feelingings continue to grow.

Torn from yourself, attaining desires becomes the ultimate driving force ultimately altering thoughts and behavior.

Despite attaining your desires, a feeling of empti-ness and loneliness remains as permanant behavoiral change sets in.

The tower project was the second installment of this project series. However, instead of displaying ideas in a linear abstraction, the client asked for represen-tation through a vertical construct. Project location was indeterminite, but site requirements were given, as well as regulations requiring a means of verti-cal circulation. Rather than a fucntional ‘tower’, this project served as a sculptural adaptaion of each ad-jective.

Similar to before, I analyzed and interpreted possible meaning of the word lust through additional descriptive words such as flexible, em-bracing, and duality. For this depiction, I approached the project by examining the humanity of desire for a companion and the duality of intertwined human forms, which drove my thought process throughout designing.

Concept- Elegance balanced by rigidity, elegantly embracing the duality of the human form.

Robie House AnalysisFall 2012

For this two week project, we were tasked with analyzing a house designed by a well known Architect. Accordingly, I chose the Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright due to my interest in prairie and organic architecture, both philosophies held by Frank Lloyd Wright.

In this analysis, we were to analyze the detailed drawings as well as immerse ourselves in other aspects of their design process such as form, massing, site relationship, materials, circulation, zoning, and geometry.

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this assignment was creating a site analysis diagram which can be seen above. Through creating a diagram such as this one for each project, I can plan certain environmental factors such as sun angles, wind speed, and public views into my design.