Selected Works

Growing up in a household with both parents being architects, I was immersed in a world of construction and design at an early age. Through various home renovation projects, I became fascinated with building materials and how they form together to define space. My time at The University of Tennessee has refined my education on the built environment; I am well versed in expressing my design decisions through sketching, drafting, and hand modeling, as well as, 2-D and 3-D computer modeling programs.

James Eric Dyer 617.645.7833

[email protected]

If found, please return to:

“ If your contribution has been vital, there will always be somebody to pick up where you left off, and that will be your claim to immortality.”

walter gropius

ArchitectureA.1 Living Light Home....................................8

A.2 UT CoAD Expansion...............................18

A.3 Environmental Education Center..............24

A.4 A Contemporary Bungalow......................32

Study AbroadS.1 Krakow Urban Center..............................44

S.2 European Tours......................................52

S.3 Travels...................................................60

Architecture“Life is not about maximizing everything, it’s about giving something back - like light, space, form, serenity, joy. You have to give something back.”

glenn murcutt

A.1...........................................Living Light Home

A.2........................................UT CoAD Expansion

A.3...............................A Contemporary Bungalow

A.4......................Environmental Education Center

A.1 Living Light Home Tennessee & Washington D.C.

Professors Edger Stach & James Rose

4th Year, Fall 2010

8 | A.1 Living Light Home

The University of Tennessee’s 2011 Solar Decathlon entry was Team Living Light. Living Light was com-prised of an interdisciplinary team spanning 9 col-leges campus wide. My contributions came after the schematic design, during the design development stage and on the communications team while on-site in Washington D.C. I had a wide variety of tasks, specializing in the structure, decking, and landscape. During the project, we learned to work with each other, as well as our professional partners to achieve our goal of a fully integrated, aesthetically appeal-ing, solar powered home.

User Control

Small Footprint

Compact Living

Form adapts to Space and Function

Maximizing View and Transparency

User Control

A.1 Living Light Home | 9

FINISHED FLOOR2'-6"

T.O. STRUCTURE12'-4 1/2"

GRADE LEVEL0"

B.O. STRUCT.1'-2 1/2"

A-502C4

A-502A4

FINISHED CEILING10'-7"

S.G S.HS.F

07 42 23.A1

17

1'-4 1/2"

26 31 00.A1

18

T.O. PV PANELS13'-7 1/2"

06 42 00

15

05 40 00.A5

07 21 00.A10

06 10 00.D7

05 40 00.F1

07 27 00

The Living Light Home was meant as an educational system dis-playing energy saving ideas from efficient systems to an innovative facade system which passively heated and cooled the interior. The glass facade was made of a 15” airspace in between a single glaz-ing and a double pane operable glazing. The louvers below deck allowed fresh air into the airspace, which was then pulled from the south side to heat the interior in winter and pulled from the north side to cool the interior during the summer.



...........................................option 1

...........................................option 2

...........................................option 3

...........................................option 4

...........................................option 5


We had an immense task of designing the steal cage to be rigid enough for transportation. In partnership with Ross Bryan Engineering, we decided on the 5th option because it fit our needs as architects, while providing enough strength for the structural engi-neering of the home. Having a quick and easy way to assemble and disassemble the home was essential. The connections to the gooseneck and bogie of a trailer was designed to match the connecting frame and were concealed behind the removable panels on the end of the home.

trailer attachment


view of back landscape

deck section


I designed a unified support system for the decking modules so the deck would be inexpensive and easy to construct on site. We wanted to show that a green roof was a vary sustainable option to include in a home, but since we had solar panels encompassing our roof, we chose to display a roof system as land-scaping on our deck. The plants were from a local to Washington D.C. nursery and were loaned to us for the competition; they were permanently placed in their true home after the competition and after they finished growing.

unified deck support


Two of our main goals as Team Living Light, was to create an educational tool, and then to implement that tool. We wanted to educate the visitors in Washington D.C., as well as, citizens and students of Tennessee after the competition. Because the house was designed to be easily transportable, a tour of Tennessee was planned to make stops throughout the state educating the differ-ent communities about green design and the possibilities for net-zero solar powered homes.



A.2 UT CoAD Expansion Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee

Adjunct Professor John Sanders

3rd Year, Fall 2009

18 | A.2 UT CoAD Expansion

The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design, decided to explore their options for an expansion in a lesser developed area of down-town Knoxville. Surrounded by few establishments and vacant dilapidated warehouses, the College of Architecture and Design expansion is meant as a landmark building to urge the development of the area as much as it was to serve the design students of the college.

A.2 UT CoAD Expansion | 19

ground floor plan


The in fill project was in an existing parking lot set into the hillside on the border of downtown Knoxville. The building to the left is the newly reno-vated home of my studio professor, John Sanders; to the right is our first project of the semester, a two residential and one commercial unit mixed use building. The transparent facade of the architecture building is meant as a portable for the public to see the creation of design education.

front facade of model


Part of the semester project was an introduction to detail components of building. The wall section is taken through the entry of the architecture build-ing. You can see how the main entry is defined by a public exterior space on the second floor, the fourth floor private exterior space for the apartment style dorms, and the large atrium space in the center of the building. You can also see the extent of the topo-graphic difference of the site.

section detail



A.3 Environmental Education CenterCrossville 4H Camp, Tennessee

Professor Bob French

3rd Year, Spring 2010

24 | A.3 Environmental Education Center

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The Environmental Education Center at the 4H Camp in Crossville, Tennessee is mainly an educa-tional facility, but it also includes a gallery space, a workshop, a library, and a canteen for the campers to buy snacks and drinks. The semester goals were based on an introduction to structural drawings and active and passive energy saving techniques. The building was to serve as experiential education along with the educational program.

A.3 Environmental Education Center | 25

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REFER TO ENLARGED SECT. & ELEV.

enlarged elevation

ground floor plan


The Environmental Education Center focuses on a centered corridor with two linear areas defined by regulating lines found in the immediate site. Through site and circulation studies, I decided to locate the main entrance on the northeast instead of one of the street edges. Before entering the building, campers pass through an exterior space with a large camp-fire area for night time gatherings. The building has a two level educational space centered around a lecture hall on the first floor and a library on the second floor.


8X12 HEADER BEAM

8X8 COLUMN

2X6 EXPOSED WOOD DECKING

4 2X8 BLOCKING

5 1/2” RIGID INSUL.

FLASHING

FELT PAPER

ASPHALT

1X6 TONGUE & GROOVE WOOD CLADDING

8x8 column

flashing

4 2x8 blocking

8x12 header beam

2x6 exposed wood decking

5 1/2” rigid insulation

asphalt

felt paper

1x6 tongue & groovewood cladding


8X12 HEADER BEAM

8X8 COLUMN

2X6 EXPOSED WOOD DECKING

4 2X8 BLOCKING

5 1/2” RIGID INSUL.

FLASHING

FELT PAPER

ASPHALT

1X6 TONGUE & GROOVE WOOD CLADDING

Our introduction to passive sustainability systems included natural ventilation and a water catchment system. The high windows on the east and west allow for passive cooling through cross ventilation, as well as, stack ventilation. The two large sloping roofs col-lect rain water in the main trough which is over the main corridor. The rain water will be collected in a pool at the main entry; it can be reused for irriga-tion, fire suppression, and the water closets.


Bot of Beam28’-4”

Finish Floor14’-0”

Datum - Finish Floor1901.5’ - 0’-0”

Bot of Footer-4’-0”

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1. high-eve roof flashing2. standing seam metal roof3. 3 2x6’s lag-bolted to beam4. cold-rolled steel purlens5. 5 1/2” rigid insulation6. 24” open web steel joist7. metal cross bracing8. 18” operable clerestory9. 30” operable clerestory10. membrane to water catchment11. 8x12 header beam12. 1” steel cable (roof tie-down)13. 8x8 wood column14. metal shading system15. 1x6 wood cladding16. 1/2” gypsum board17. 1/2” plywood sheathing18. 2x6 stud wall beyond19. 5 1/2” batt insulation20. sill flashing21. stone sill22. cork tile finish floor23. 3/4” plywood sub floor24. 13” wood i-Joist25. furring strips26. 5/8” gypsum board ceiling27. wood finish floor28. acoustic tile29. eye & pintel clips from cmu30. 4’x9’ steel panel31. 1/2” gypsum board32. 2” rigid insulation33. 8” reinforced cmu wall34. granular fill insulation35. 2” air space36. eye & pintel stone clips37. fluorescent ambient lighting38. weep holes (top & bottom)39. foundation flashing40. 1/2” comp. filler41. backfill42. drainage mat43. 6” perforated footing drain44. cork tile finish floor45. 6” slab on grade46. vapor barrier47. 3” rigid insulation48. 6” crushed stone

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A.4 A Contemporary Bungalow Alcoa, Tennessee

Professor James Rose

5th Year, Fall 2011

32 | A.4 A Contemporary Bungalow

This studio semester was divided into two parts; the first half was dedicated to the development of a the-sis and building program. We were given the city our project was situated in and the fact that it had to be a dense housing development, the specific site, type of development, demographic intent, and design was decided by the individual student. The second half of the semester was the actual design development of our individual projects.

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A.4 A Contemporary Bungalow | 33

Through my studies of Alcoa TN, I found that after the economic boom of the early 20th century, many citizens left Alcoa for the suburbs. Despite the job market of the 21st century, the popula-tion and amount of jobs in Alcoa is increasing. As Bungalow hous-ing in suburban areas became popular for the middle class during the turn of the century, a contemporary analog could emerge in the housing market of Alcoa, TN during the recession of the early 21st century when workers are coming back to urban Alcoa to find the increase in jobs.



Ground Level: 1 Bed, 1 Bath 2 Bed, 1 Bath 2 Bed, 2 Bath

Upper Level: 1 Bed, 1 Bath 2 Bed, 1 Bath 2 Bed, 2 Bath

Entry Upper Entry Living


My idea of pre fabricated housing modules provides an inexpensive way to fully customize your home. The living and entry modules are all 11’ wide, and the private modules are 15’ wide. All modules have the same structure and can be placed in accordance with the owners wishes. If the owner wants to expand to more bedrooms or more bathrooms, the modules can be detached and switched with the larger mod-ule. The designed modules provide schemes ranging from 1 bed and 1 bath to 4 beds and 4 baths.

2 Bed, 2 Bath

2 Bed, 2 Bath

Living exploded structure diagram


view of kitchen


ground floor plan

upper floor plan



The inexpensive modular bungalow style homes I have created in Alcoa TN are a direct response to an intense study of the demographics and trends of Alcoa. Because of the patterns I have scene, the wide range of sizes and the style of home will be in high demand for the urban workers that are moving closer to their workplace.


Study Abroad“ You’ve got to bumble forward into the unknown.”

frank gehry

S.1......................................Krakow Urban Center

S.2...............................................European Tours

S.3............................................................Travels

S.1 Krakow Urban CenterSemester Abroad, Krakow Poland

Professor Krzysztof Bojanowski

4th Year, Spring 2011

44 | S.1 Krakow Urban Center

During my semester abroad, our design studio fo-cused on urban planning. We were given a difficult plot across the river from historic Krakow with a modern organically formed conference center on the north, and an orthogonal modest hotel on the south. My goal was to create an indoor and outdoor mixed-use space that would draw the residents of Krakow to this under developed part of the city. The first half of the semester focused on designing a master plan for the area, while the second half focused on devel-oping a smaller area of the master plan.

S.1 Krakow Urban Center | 45

master plan study


The objective of the master plan was density. Because of Krakow’s cold weather, the need for green space or a water feature was not necessary because they would not be usable for the majority of the year. Therefore, the high density, mixed use buildings were intertwined with varying sizes of paved public space. The natural form of the neighboring Wisla River can be scene in the undulating curved facade, while the opposite side is orthogonal to draw the grided neighborhood into the site.


plan study

master plan study

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ground floor


final master plan study


The further design of the project focused on the main building centered by the two main public exterior spaces. The ground floor is meant to be a continuation of the public space, but as inclosed commercial area. The second floor houses office space, while floors three through six are residential units. The main lobby has separate elevators to allow for privacy for the residential units. The curve of the building is shifted for the residential tower to allow for a strik-ing cantilever and to maximize exterior space.


S.2 European ToursSemester Abroad, Krakow Poland

Professors Jacek Czubinski


52 | S.2 European Tours

Villa Rotunda Vicenza, Italy

Part of my education abroad was two guided tours with professors from Politechnika Krakowska; one to Austria and Italy, and the other was to cities throughout the country of Poland. We saw nine cit-ies throughout the country of Italy and two in the country of Austria during our ten day Italian tour. We saw many of the historic religious structures we learned about during our education, and we expe-rienced the differing cultures and styles of archi-tecture throughout the region. We saw twenty eight cities throughout the country of Poland during our fourteen day trip, learning the history and culture of every region of the historic country.

S.2 European Tours | 53

Torre del Mangia Siena, Italy


Our tour of Italy included two stops in Austria, Graz and Vienna. There was an incredible difference in culture and architecture between Poland and these two countries. It was very evident that the cultures and customs throughout Italy had been set by cen-turies, while Poland is still rebuilding from decades ago. The scale of the buildings we learned of in vari-ous history class was not understood until I expe-rienced the massive structures first hand. Actually climbing to the top of the Duomo gave me new re-spect for the architects and construction workers of that time period.

Santa Cruce Florence, Italy


sanctuary 12-13th century Chelm, Poland


Our tour of Poland gave us an incite to the culture we were experiencing while in Krakow. Krakow is the only medieval city left in Poland, and we were spoiled with the city’s rich architecture and customs. The rest of the country showed us the true war rav-ished state that they are still in. After centuries of being conquered and re-structuring, the country was almost completely destroyed in World War II. The few medieval structures that are left are scattered in the country side, while Warszawa, the countries capital, is completely modern because it was 95% destroyed during the war.

Wawel Dragon Krakow, Poland


concrete greek orthodox church 1980

wooden orthodox church Kotan, Poland14th century


The history of Poland is very evident through the vernacular architecture of the region. Massive me-dieval religious structures are mixed with small wooden chapels and modern concrete structures erected in the last few decades. But the most power-ful architecture in the country, besides the medieval churches, comes not necessarily from buildings. The memorials dedicated to the millions lost in the de-tention camps of World War II were moving both in the design and history of the areas.

Bleeding LettersBelzec Detention Camp


La Sagrada Familia Barcelona, Spain

S.3 TravelsSemester Abroad, Krakow Poland


60 | S.3 Travels

The opportunity to travel while abroad was highly encouraged by our professors. Our schedule allowed for us to make several weekend trips along with a two week spring break tour, where we took full ad-vantage of being in Europe and the ease of travel there. Our spring break trip through Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam let us experience multiple different countries, their cul-tures, and their customs.

S.3 Travels | 61

Eiffel TowerParis, France

Barcelona PavilionBarcelona, Spain

S.3 Travels | 63

Erasmus BridgeRotterdam, Netherlands

64 | S.3 Travels

KubuswoningenRotterdam, Netherlands

S.3 Travels | 65

James Eric [email protected]

Selected Works

Documents

living light home

light homea

solar powered home

schematic design

design decisions

communications team

design development stage

interdisciplinary team