MerktBlatz Daniel Portfolio

DANIEL MERKT BLATZ PORTFOLIO

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Building Expansion PrototypeTHESIS 2012-2013

Earth Sky ExploratoriumFALL 2012

Structure Endeavors SPRING 2012

Related Experience2007-PRESENT

SKID ROW plays a vital role in the neighborhood of the site that I have chosen for my thesis project. Known to be a dangerous area, Skid Row offers opportunities to create a meaningful project. Issues of homelessness, poverty, and drug abuse will be an important component of the project. The residents of Skid Row will be an integral part of the initial design process, defining the important components of a housing complex they would like to live in.

In order to provide a MODULAR SYSTEM that is easily transported on normal flatbed trailers, the structure of the building is broken into pieces. The longest beam is 40 feet long, based on the repeated 40 foot bay. Each floor stacks on the one below it, reducing the typical column to a height of 15 feet. For a situation that requires a cantilever up to 40 feet, a pre-fabricated truss is provided, with dimensions not to exceed 11 x 40 feet in order to be easily transported.

A set of self imposed parameters helped to outline important things to consider with this project. First, it was important to design affordable housing, offering a variety of options to keep costs down. Along with affordability, careful material selection based on durability, utility and life cycle is important to the long term success of a housing project. COLLABORATION is another important aspect of the project, involving a design process that includes everyone from the very beginning, owner, contractor, architect and user. In order to work towards these ideals, a careful eye towards space EFFICIENCY is of paramount importance. Integrating multifunction components such as expandable furniture systems into each unit is important in order to maximize space.

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AFFORDABLE: Offer options to control costs

COLLABORATIVE: Inclusive design process involving all parties

SUSTAINABLE: Passive systems and design, careful material selection

SECURE: Levels of security within the design

L O S A N G E L E SThe focus of my master’s thesis project began by analyzing

a two mile stretch of the urban fabric in Los Angeles.

The goal of the analysis is to better understand how life

progresses for the people on the selected site. Beginning

research in the library, and then taking a trip to Los Angeles

which enriched my understanding of what life is like in the

second largest city of the United States. While there our

group met with local authorities on topics such as the LA

river, Skid Row, The Wharehouse District, The Arts District,

and Boyle Heights. We divided up into groups of two and

spent time in 4 different sectors where we interviewed

residents, took pictures, and analyzed what we experienced.

Each connection is prefabricated with a slot bracket to simplify construction onsite

Diagonal steel beams provide reinforcement between structural bays

Scale

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Mixed Use PrototypeSTRUCTURES IIIARC 520G

SPRING 2013INSTRUCTOR: WILL PETERSON SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATOR/HOUSING/CAFE/GREENSPACE

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Scale

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Mixed Use PrototypeSTRUCTURES IIIARC 520G

SPRING 2013INSTRUCTOR: WILL PETERSON SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATOR/HOUSING/CAFE/GREENSPACE

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1 Bedroom Unit

Typical Residence Floor Plan

3 Bedroom Unit

“You can’t rely on bringing people downtown, you have to put them there.” -Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities

The University of Arizona has been gifted with one of the top mineral collections in the United States. Unfortunately, its current storage facility is located in the crowded basement of the Flandrau Science Center, without good access. It is of vital importance that the world class collection be displayed in a fashion that reflects their significance. In addition, the program of the building is meant to incorporate the redesigned planetarium, in effect merging the two programs together, creating an interesting juxaposion.

The original concept developed from this idea of the minerals of the earth and the vast sky forming a relationship with each other. Developing further, it became a form that was partially submerged into the earth, as well as hovering above it. From the beginning, continuous circulation was of the utmost importance. The progression from the street leads into a submerged courtyard, nestled underneath the building. From the courtyard, the entry opens up offering two options, ascent up through the mineral display cases, or descent to the buried planentarium.

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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT








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4Planetarium beneath the ground

Gradual ramp with integrated mineral displays

Submerged courtyard entry

Museum office



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Courtyard Entry Lobby Exhibit Ramp View To Interior Courtyard Display Areas Lobby Overlook

STRUCTURE ENDEAVORS collaborative efforts

Rammed earth construction was something I developed an interest in when I first moved to Arizona. Replacing the my chain link fence with a rammed earth wall was a great learning experience.

Plumbing skills learned during my volunteering time with CHRPA, put to good use with the construction of an outdoor shower out of salvaged materials. The wastewater from the shower flows through buried pipes to water nearby citrus trees.

CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE

Paja Construction, based in Albuquerque, NM, is a company that builds straw bale houses in the southwest. Working there helped me to develop my interest in sustainable design, which ultimately led me to the field of architecture. One day I hope to have a chance to work with earthen materials on a more regular basis.

During a semester abroad in Peru, I had the opportunity to work on a farm cooporative in a small village just outside of Cuzco for 6 weeks. I worked with the local craftsmen as they designed and built three new adobe classrooms. The adobe was mixed on site using locally sourced clay mixed with straw. Bamboo and timber from the hillside supported the ceramic tiles for the roof, one of the few materials that had to be delivered from town.

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MerktBlatz Daniel Portfolio

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