Daniel DeFoster

Design Portfolio

CURRENT WORK: TRANSIT FACILITIES

2013

With LSA Design, Inc.

From June 2013 through early 2014, I provided critical construction administration and design support to two mid-sized public transit facilities in the Twin Cities metro area. I joined both projects at the beginning of the construction phase, and was quickly able to understand the key issues of both and manage duties that would typically be handled by much more senior architectural staff.

Parkway Station Phase IIClient: Maple Grove Transit300-stall parking ramp addition to park-and-ride and transit station

Parkway Station Phase IIClient: Maple Grove Transit300-stall parking ramp addition to park-and-ride and transit station

I took on roles of major responsibility for construction administration on these projects. I managed submittals and requests for information while anticipating future questions by issuing architects’ supplemental instructions. Despite short deadlines and the competing demands of multiple projects, I designed many effective construction details (above, left) to resolve issues in a timely manner.

Marschall Road Transit StationClient: Scott County26,000-SF adaptive reuse of car dealershipinto transit station, county offices, and vehicle storage and maintenance center

Marschall Road Transit StationClient: Scott County26,000-SF adaptive reuse of car dealershipinto transit station, county offices, and vehicle storage and maintenance center

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER

Spring 2013

With Eric Stalheimand Heather Bednar

Studio led by Cameron Campbelland Jihyun Song

In this interdisciplinary studio, we followed in the footsteps of a new cancer center being built on the campus of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

With a program that mixes intensive treatment, inpatient care, consultation

and amenities, the CCC anchors long-term expansion of the UNMC campus while

serving as a nexus of world-class medicine.

Inpatient Floorplan

Space planning of inpatient areas considered the distinct needs of patients, visitors and staff. Patient areas were laid out for maximum privacy and access to natural light, while staff areas ensure lean travel times and immediate access to patient rooms.

Patients and visiting family members are accommodated with easy access to essential amenities such as a library and childcare center (below), spacious healing gardens, and private family nooks.

Public spaces are designed to comfort and orient patients and visitors. From the moment people arrive at the main entrance (above) a wayfinding system that combines colors,

patterns and art continually offers subtle reminders of one’s place in the building.

Floor 0: Radiology and Oncology

Floor 1: Outpatient Clinical

Floor 2:Concourse

Floor 3: Infusion Therapy

Floor 4: Surgery

Floor 5: Amenities and Garden

Floor 7-9: Inpatient

From start to finish, our design was made with people in mind. To build a better clinical experience, we imagined examples of patients, visitors and staff and mapped the story of their journey through the CCC.

NET-ZERO HOUSING

Fall 2011

With Cristian Reyes-Pintor and Shzamir Garcia

Studio led by Ulrike Passeand Clare Cardinal-Pett

In this sustainability-driven studio, we designed a net-zero energy building in surburban Des Moines. Reimagining a disused big-box parking lot, we envisioned a mixed-use complex to energize the junction of four existing neighborhoods.

Units are contained within a system of multi-layered wall assemblies that maximize insulation while eliminating thermal gaps.

Large shaded windows draw winter sun onto a thermal massing system that shares heat between all units.

This comprehensive design studio created a modern symphony hall in the heart of downtown Boston. With a program that includes experimental music, classical performance, dining, administration, and transportation, the Boston Symphony Center is a sophisticated urban hub that serves many needs every hour of every day.

BOSTON SYMPHONY

CENTER

Fall 2012

Studio led by Jason Alread

In contrast to the enclosed form of Boston’s historic symphony center, the DSC elevates performing space, framing it against the backdrop of the waterfront.

URBAN FARMSpring 2012

With the Bridge Studio

Studio led by Nadia Anderson

Client: Cultivate Hope

In this community outreach project, we designed an innovative urban farm to help local nonprofits bring new life and healthy food to a flood-impacted neighborhood of Cedar Rapids. Construction of the first phase of the farm began in March of 2012.

Visitor areas include teaching displays that illustrate techniques such as rain harvesting and bioswales (above).

To make the best use of land, the Urban Farm uses creative forms of cultivation, such as the multi-layered Food Forest (left).

Canopy Layer

Reflection Space

Low Tree Layer

Herb Layer

Shrub Layer

Ground Cover Layer

As an interdisciplinary studio, this project partnered architects with landscape architects to produce both immediate solutions and a long-term community vision.

REPRESENTATION:MYTHIC

DUBUQUE

Summer 2011

Studio led by Tom Leslie

This project uses the complex history of Iowa’s Julien Dubuque Monument to illustrate the many meanings that one site can have to different people. By weaving together the many pasts associated with the site, it demonstrates how history becomes myth.

All past conditions of the site, both real and imagined, were documented.

The site’s many pasts were compiled into one, becoming a single landscape of myth.

DESIGN-BUILD:CYCLODROME

Summer 2011

With the Class of 2013

Studio led by Jason Alread

In this eight-week design-build project, fifteen architecture students created the world’s smallest cycling track. I took on the added challenge of documenting the project, using photography and blogging to reach out to an audience of designers and cyclists alike.

Building the Cyclodrome was as much a challenge of construction skill as design - every student worked on each step at least once.

The riding experience was thoroughly tested and finally opened to the public in a bike expo for Iowa’s cycling community.

CONCERT BARGE

Fall 2012

Studio led by Jason Alread

Designed with inspiration from both traditional ship rigging and modern membrane roofs, this floating orchestra hall shelters audiences and instruments alike with a precise balance of tensile components.

The canopy provides acoustic balance and shelter from the elements while remaining open for scenic harbor views.