Daniel Merkt Blatz

selected work

Building Expansion Prototype

THESIS 2012-2013

Earth Sky Exploratorium

FALL 2012

Structure Endeavors
SPRING 2012

Related Experience
2007-PRESENT

PROJECT LIST

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.

BUILDING EXPANSION PROTOTYPE

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 additional opportunities to create a meaningful project. Focusing on issues of homelessness, poverty, and drug abuse will be an important component of the project direction. The residents of Skid Row will be an integral part of the initial design process, contributing by defining the important components of a housing complex they would like to live in. There are many groups that offer temporary assistance to the homeless, food and clothing handed out on the sidewalk. One established organization is affectionately called Hippie Kitchen and offers weekly assistance to Skid Row locals.

AFFORDABLE: SUSTAINABLE: Offer options to keep costs down Passive systems and design, careful material selection

COLLABORATIVE: Inclusive design process involving all parties

SECURE: Levels of security within the design

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCT

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 the opposite way to the buried planentarium.

EARTH-SKY EXPLORATION

Site Plan

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

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DN

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

STRUCTURE ENDEAVORS
collaborative efforts

STRUCTURE ENDEAVORS
collaborative efforts

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.

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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.

Working for Community Home Repair Projects of Arizona fostered many new skills. Plumbing skills learned during my volunteering time with CHRPA, put to good use with the construction of an outdoor shower out of salvaged materials.

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