christopher thomas ross

m.arch candidate

CULINARY SCHOOL 2010 six weeks seattle, wa.

program: soup kitchen - classrooms - lecture halls - restaurant - store

models: explore the use and interaction of two strong party walls combined with programmatic elements

study: investigates the surrounding area’s party-walls in hopes of inferring design solutions and a potentialreinterpretation

illustrations: representations of rhythm and space of the surrounding area

sketch: quick study of transparency and facade rhythm in perspective horizontal-opens. vertical-closes.

sketch: floor plan, section and elevation sketches and notes regarding party walls

longitudinal secton: a clear circulation element stands out and has strong experiential potential

site model: void space is clearly visible here and demonstrates the importance of a transparent facade to engage and entice

interior: the stone of the party wall grounds each space and here at the entry the circulation spills out

floor plan: the party wall is used as circulation and a mixing element that unites public functions and school functions

south elevation: purposes a clear and enticing dialogue of solid/void and shows stronghorizontal elements combined with the soft corrugrated polycarbonate

wall section: shows in detail the continuity and simplicity of the un-interrupted facade and hints at the closeness of street and interior

final model: mass and transparency have a clear purposeful dialogue that welcomes pedestrians to ponder the spaces beyond

W A T E R S H E D STUDIO ARCHITECTURE 2008

Daniel Johnson (principal)

involvement: schematic design through permitting, 3dmodel, physical models, drawings

HAITI DEBRIS COMPETITION 2010 two days co-designer jeana antle

statement: The purpose was to reuse existing debris and turn it into significant and needed public works of architecture.

direction: Our proposal works with material scale and type to create market stands, benches and bus stops to regain culture and a sense of place from the rubble.

MOBILE KITCHEN 2010 three weeks anywhere

elevations(closed/open): through the dissec-tion and application of acai berries“structure” a urban stage is created for the enjoyment of food

image: material study 3-d expanded polyurethane foam

plan: the food stage at play, object becomes architec-ture and place

model: at night and during the day the unique structure and materiality of the stand becomes a beacon brimming with potential

section: main sphere closed for transport with inter-nal shelving and food storage visiblr

A B C

D E F G

ARTWORK DESCRIPTIONS

E: site sketch watercolor park city, utah 2009

the white space of the page combined with the dark colors help the building emerge out of little detail

F: site pen sketch quechee, vermont 2010

here i focused on creating a strong sense of depth by framing with the tree and exagerating the light and dark values in the view

G: watercolor 2005

this simple chair is rendered in bright colors to make something otherwise benal playful and eyecatching

A: charcoal 2004

here the rendering of the object is paramount and the viewer focuses more on the visual tactility of each object versus scale and proportion

B: charcoal 2004

the figure is carved out of the values applied to the page hence the viewer doesn’t focus on detail but instead on proportion, shadows and the “softness” of the scene

C: charcoal and ink wash 2005

again here the still life is generated through the removal of tones then an ink wash was used to bring out the subtilty of the bone

D: site sketch watercolor copenhagen, denmark 2005

using only two colors the starkness and subtle light of the church tower is brought forth

WOOD CHAIR 2004

images: The chair grew from my recollection of the maple grove near my home. the vertical elements slice space and also hold the “ground” on which you sit.

ART GALLERY INFILL 2005 three weeks copenhagen, dk

program: compose a space around two paintings, a video installation and a sculpture

about: The entire building is a direct and simple statement about site and light conditions; the statue defines the entry level, next the video is concealed in a black box, the landscape painting opens to the lake view and finally the women before a mirror opens to the private courtyard.

BOX CUBED 2004 three weeks anywhere

about: dissection and excavation of a cube gave negative space that could be oriented any direction

the whole compilation then becomes scalable to be a cityscape or a contemplative space with infinite geometric possibilities

final model: oak with joints that allow the box to be folded to a cube or unfolded to adapt to context

ICON TOWER 2010 three weeks stuttgart, germany

about: The proposed tower engages, fragments and blurs the landscape, skyline and streetscape of stuttgart through its facade structuring and elevatedcourtyards.

URBAN ART CENTER 2010 six weeks salt lake, ut

program: workshop-gallery-mess hall-coffee shop-residences

study: concrete cube dissected as a means to inspire investigation of the internal embedded objects

sketches: explore the dissolving of mass through using a true 3-d grid where volumes hover and define space

site plan: a new scale is introduced and the alleyways and streets bleed through the buildings

site section: intersecting lines collide to create thevarious programmed spaces

second level plan: light structural frames and solid walls lightly suggest various spaces

elevation: glass and wood are “light” elements that juxtapose strongly with the surrounding brick, stone and concrete masses

street view: careful site lines and elevation comp-ositions allow a strong degree of transparency and allow pedestrians to view the internal workings of the buildings

ZEN CENTER 2009 six weeks torrey, ut

site image: in plan view and experientially a strong edge (the creek) cuts the site

models: rip and tear models exploring a linear and a grid typology derived after visiting the site

grid: applied to the site to gain a sense of rhythm andpossible transition of space and time across the landscape

entry pavilion

interview roomskitchenzendodining hall

library/ lounge

dorms

river meditation

private meditation

image: in the zendo space screening elements control western sun and hide the courtyard while unin-terrupted glass pulls the landscape inward

floorplan: wall (stereotomic) elements and skeletal elements combine to cascade across the site closing and opening at opportune moments

images: depict two of the many instances in the composition where geometry engages the landscape and connects the occupant to place

west elevation: closed mostly to protect from strong westerly breezes small openings allow for moments of beauty and connection