REIMERS DESIGN

DESIGN PHILOSOPHYArchitecture is one of the most primal constructs of man. Through the evolving necessity ofspace, it has changed from purely utilitarian into a form of art capable of augmenting societal function and richly amplifying culture.

Design at any scale has the potential to bridge form and function to enhance the experience of the user. My work reflects this in the tactile quality and careful craft that goes into each artifact. I find beauty in the simplicity of form, impactful materiality, and meaningful experience.

BIOJacob James Reimers20440 Kensfield TR. Lakeville, MN 55044962.836.6486jacob.reimers@my.ndsu.edu

Hometown: Savage, MN

“I wish to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” -Thoreau

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Risen Earth - Re:gen Boston

Ghana Campus - Marvin Windows

San Francisco - Mixed Use

Architecture in Motion - Thesis

Physical Models

An Unconventional Dwelling

Re:GEN Boston was an international competition with the goal of reimagining urban living. Two sites were available for the development, each with their own unique qualities. My partner and I wanted the design to not only present a new solution but pay homage to Boston’s unique historical qualities. The form draws inspiration from the winding and closely-knit streets that characterize Boston through its organization and integration of living and green spaces. Public and private space is divided in a subtle yet definitive way, giving both residents

RE:GEN BOSTON COMPETITION01PROJECT TYPE: multi-family housingPROJECT LOCATION: boston, maSCHOOL YEAR: fifth year studioMEDIA USED: revit, autocad, adobe suite

Public Plaza

Resident’s Plaza

Harbor WalkPrairie Grasses

Resident’s Garden

GREEN VIEWS+ circulation

Elevators

Circulation

Tenant UnitMech.

and the neighborhood a place to live and relax. The from itself appears to lift from the earth and amplify the views of the site while creating a vibrant community space. With so much site potential, the goal was to give form to a space that, itself, feels like it comes alive. By bringing these residences to the waterfront, we hoped to energize the community through dynamic form and powerful integration of communal and private space.

AN UNCONVENTIONAL DWELLING02PROJECT TYPE: single family residencePROJECT LOCATION: cripple creek, coSCHOOL YEAR: second year studio, 2010MEDIA USED: watercolor, autoCAD

This project challenged us to design a residence that was 500 square feet or less. The design had include the typical functions of a dwelling, but also cater to the needs of the particular resident’s character that we had developed. In this case, I wanted to suit the needs of a composer.

The form consists of two masses stacked and twisted to accentuate the natural lighting and views of the site. Acknowledging the fact that an artist needed more than just one room labeled “studio,” I tried to create several different locations for the creative process to be fostered. Whether it be on the outdoor terrace, the warm nook by the fireplace, or in the lofted studio space, each one provides a unique vantage of the Colorado landscape. Along with the challenges of designing with such a compact program, also came the task of designing in a way that would make the dwelling and surrounding commune completely self-sufficient. As a studio, we each designed our dwellings so they would provide a particular service or product to the community. For the final graphics I used a mix of CAD drawings and watercolor overlays to give the presentation boards an earthy feel.

Our 4th year studio partnered with a non-profit organization to develop a master plan for a campus in Ghana. The client had already purchased a plot of land near the town of Jeema. The site had limited utility connections and lacked nearly all modern amenities. These challenges forced us to think creatively and efficiently in order to provide effective facilities for the campus. Many passive techniques were implemented to offset the need for utilities.In small teams we developed a plan that would create learning clusters throughout the campus with flexible indoor/outdoor spaces. The core of the campus was the dining hall/large gathering space. We also needed to provide housing for the staff consisted of a mixture of apartments and hostel-style spaces.

JEEMA CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT03PROJECT TYPE: masterplan + competitionPROJECT LOCATION: jeema, ghanaSCHOOL YEAR: fourth year studioMEDIA USED: revit, autocad, adobe suite

After developing the master plan in teams, we each furthered the particular design of the spaces individually. I focused on the classrooms and teacher housing. In both instances, I implemented a double roof systems to mitigate airflow and daylighting into the rooms. Rammed earth mass walls moderated the daily temperate swings, creating more tolerable conditions for students and staff. This project was very challenging in a way that I had not experienced before. There were many environmental aspects that until this point, I had not had to deal with. I think it is was a great challenge though to create architecture through the simplest of materials and limited resources.

160 FOLSOM - MIXED-USE HIGHRISE04 PROJECT TYPE: mixed use PROJECT LOCATION: san francisco, caSCHOOL YEAR: fourth year studioMEDIA USED: revit, autocad, adobe suite, sketchup, physical model

This mixed-use high rise is the product of my senior capstone project. Teams of two tackled the design challenge to create a new and innovative high-rise in San Francisco. We chose a site in the SoMA (South of Market Area) that was currently occupied by a dilapidated 2 story building and parking lot. The goal was to activate interaction at the street level while also providing much needed tenant space to the area. Our design creates a permeable market/retail area on the ground floor that, together with the two plaza areas, would enhance the street-scape and user interaction with the space.

The upper levels were dividing into office suites and design studios, a hotel, a mix of permanent and rentable living space, restaurant, and nightclub. Through the use of multistory atria in each of these programmatic clusters, we hoped to create an airy community atmosphere that encouraged interaction between floors.This project really pushed me to use and explore design through many different outlets, both familiar and new.

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SKYLODGE HOTEL

RETAIL PLAZA

SKYBAR RESTAURANT

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MASTER’S THESIS - IN PROGRESS05PROJECT TYPE: center for artPROJECT LOCATION: chicago, ilSCHOOL YEAR: graduate studioMEDIA USED: wood, steel, physical model

Through the program of a community based art center and exhibition space, I am investigating the nature of architecture in motion. Design which can adaptively interact with the evolving needs of a program over time.The site is that of the ill-fated Chicago spire located on Lake Shore Drive. It is surrounded by highly walkable and interactive sites such as Navy Pier and Chicago river walk. It is the broken link between miles of lake front green space. I hope to connect and integrate with this system and create a space that not only suits the current need, but also actively responds future change.The challenge in creating architecture that is kinetic is that begins to call into question what we define as a “building.” I hope this investigation will begin to explore how we can design adaptively for an ever-changing future.

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structural study | puente del alamillomassing analysis | rosenthal center

structure model | medora research facilityfinal model + site | high rise

light + shadow exploration | DLR competitionfinal model detail | high rise

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