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