Benjamin Blankenbehler

Résumé 2011

2011-02-12T16:17:00.000-08:00

BENJAMIN BLANKENBEHLER
Citrus Heights California
916.9108052
blank14fine@yahoo.com

From concept to reality through teamwork and design

Skills| Education| Work Experience | Awards/Volunteer

I am seeking an opportunity to use and to build on my existing experience.

In May of 2009, I earned a Masters Degree in architecture from the University of Idaho. For my Masters' thesis, I completed a theoretical design of a community youth center while focusing on sustainability. In addition to my formal education, I have experience as an architectural intern. As an architectural intern, I was involved with a wide variety of projects in educational, civic, manufacturing, religious, and healthcare projects from preliminary design to post-built evaluation. Currently, I seek to become a registered architect by developing my skills and knowledge, and gaining experience.

My main architectural goal is to have an array of experience in all stages of design and building types. I seek an opportunity to pursue a variety of projects in various stages. My eagerness to learn new programs and take on large responsibilities has led to prompt delivery of documents and innovative solutions to design problems. Additionally, previous employment has used my computer knowledge and skills to build and design website as well they used my rendering and graphic design skills for other projects on behalf of architectural clients.

I would appreciate the opportunity to interview and discuss this or any other positions your firm might have that are appropriate for my qualifications and goals, or any other opportunity you might have available. As well, I am happy to provide any additional information or references. Thank you for your time and consideration. - Benjamin Blankenbehler

Skills

• Six years experience drafting, design, rendering, and project coordination in architecture
• Proficient in AutoCAD, AutoDesk, Revit, Viz/3d Max, Rhino, Sketchup, AutoLUX
• Proficient in Photoshop, InDesign, Premier, Word, Excel, Outlook, Acrobat
• Completed relevant projects in a timely manner through various stages of architectural design with positive client relations
• Published books and research websites about architecture
• Ability to learn new techniques and skills
• Team worker with reliable communication
• Fluent in English and German

Education

Masters of Architecture Degree

University of Idaho Moscow, ID

2008-2009

• Architecture Major with Minor in Art
• 3.5 GPA
• Teacher's Assistant for AutoCAD course

Bachelor of Architecture	University of Idaho	Moscow, ID	2004-2008
Associates Degree General Studies	BYU-I	Rexburg, ID	2001, 2003-04
High School Diploma	Lynbrook High School	San Jose, California	1997-2001

Experience

Architecture Work Experience

Design Contract Work

Proportion in Design

Placerville, CA

2009-2010

• Presented preliminary plans for custom residences
• Used technical expertise to draft iterations of construction plans
• Constructed website for presentation and sale of architectural e-books

Architecture Intern	Anova Architects	Sacramento, CA	2007
	Murray and Downs	Placerville, CA	2008

• Provided renderings and drawings, took iterations through design development, prepared design for specification review, and gave cost-effective results
• Coordinated projects with consultants and clients; met with clients in design development to achieve their goals
• Completed training course in California code requirements

Other Work Experience

Loan Counselor

Homeq Servicing

North Highlands, CA

2009-2010

• Collected payments, counseled mortgage clients on cost effective solutions to delinquency

Sales Associate

Walmart Stores Inc.

Moscow, ID

2006-2007

• Fullfilled time requirements, designed presentation of merchandise, and helped customers

Awards/ Volunteer Work

Volunteer Work Red Cross, USO, Boy Scouts of America
• Completed religious service Mormon mission 2001 - 2003

Professional 2009

2011-02-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

Community Library

This interior elevation considered roof slope and clerestory windows. (Property of Anova Architects)

This partial floorplan considered code needs and a simplified layout. (Property of Anova Architects)

This wall flashing detail considered how a sloped ceiling meets clerestory windows above. (Property of Anova Architects)

Middle School

This code plan for the site considered evacuation routes and code needs, for existing and new buildings with a new site layout. (Property of Anova Architects)

This partial floorplan of an existing building considered accessibility issues. (Property of Anova Architects)

This exterior elevation of an existing building was based on photographs and measurements from site visits. (Property of Anova Architects)

Elementary School

This site redesign considered new and existing buildings, with accessibility issues to solve. (Property of Anova Architects)

This partial site plan investigated how new buildings' floorplans influenced the site, and how to solve accessibility issues. (Property of Anova Architects)

New floorplan of a building. (Property of Anova Architects)

City Library

This roof detail of a parapet wall considers how a ridge meets a limited-height parapet under shifting roof conditions. (Property of Anova Architects)

Other Art

2010-11-05T22:47:00.000-07:00

Girl from Rembrandt painting- Ink

Man from Rembrandt painting - Ink

Rendering - Pencil

Rendering study - Pencil

Cloud Breaks - Acrylic

Still-life - Charcoal

Pattern - Paper

Design- Acrylic

Pond Woman- Acrylic

Cave Design- Acrylic

Rendering study- Pencil

Cave Design- Acrylic

Paintings

2010-11-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

NEW Waterfall Landscape- Oil

Landscape- Acrylic	Boat in Waves- Oil	Sunset over Ocean- Acrylic
Sunset over Ocean- Oil	Walldurn- Acrylic	California Landscape- Oil

Mountains- Oil

Crossing the Missouri- Oil

Girl- Acrylic

Bottle- Acrylic

Ruins- Acrylic

River- Water

Flowers- Acrylic

Girl- Oil

Pond Scene- Acrylic	Cloud Break - Acrylic	Design - Watercolor
Flying Windows - Acrylic	Esmerelda - Acrylic	Girl of the Pond - Acrylic

Drawings

2010-11-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

Angkor Wat - Ballpoint Pen	Buddha Hall - Ballpoint Pen	Underground Lake - Pencil
Prambanan Temple - Ballpoint Pen	Biltmore Estate - Ballpoint Pen	Pyramids - Ballpoint Pen
Stonehenge - Ballpoint Pen	Camera - Pencil	Mouse- Pencil

Marylin Monroe from photo - Pen

Rendering - Pencil

Statue of Liberty - Pen

Mary - Pencil

Mother & Daughter - Pen	Portrait - Ballpoint Pen	Capital Dome - Pen	Boxes - Pencil
Can Opener- Pencil	Hole Puncher- Pencil	Cassette Tape- Pencil
Cowboys Helmet - Pen	49ers logo - Pen	Battle- Pencil
Still-life - Pencil	Plant- Pencil	Rembrandt from painting- Pencil
Chess- Pencil

Art 2009-2010

2010-11-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

Ink "Angkor Wat", Ink "Prambanan Temple" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Ink "Alhambra", "Statue of Liberty", "Marylin Monroe from photo" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Acrylic "Sunset over ocean", Oil "California valley" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Acrylic "Pond scene", "Flying windows" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Ink "Great Budhha Temple", "Stonehenge" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Ink "Pyramids", "Biltmore estate" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Ink "Capital dome", "Mother and daughter", "Portrait" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Ink "Cowboys helmet", "49ers portrait" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Professional 2008

2010-07-06T14:48:00.005-07:00

Community Church

This ramp was designed considering existing topography and built conditions. Soil retention, drainage, and code conformity were issues in this project. (Property of Anova Architects)

This section cut of a stage for a church facility explains the curtain system and arched ceiling over the front of the stage. (Property of Anova Architects)

Private Residences

I drew these base plans for custom home designs. (Property of Jim Connerley/ Proportion in Design)

Proportion in Design website. (Property of Jim Connerley/ Proportion in Design)

Professional 2007

2010-07-06T14:48:00.003-07:00

Graphic design of venue map for community event, with logos of participants and pavilions arranged in alphabetical order. (Property of Anova Architects)

Ladder detail designed post-construction for an Architect's Supplementary Instructions Set. This involved site visits, collaboration with the contractor and owner, and instruction on construction techniques. (Property of Anova Architects)

Masters Thesis 2009

2010-07-06T14:48:00.001-07:00

Golden Gate Park Community Center

University 2008

2010-07-06T14:47:00.006-07:00

Community Forum, Moscow Idaho

Heritage Park, Moscow Idaho

This project took an abandoned site in the middle of Moscow Idaho an found its place in the framework of the urban city. The urban grid mixes with a green corridor. This park transforms the greenery into layers of nature. A creek, pedestrian path, and existing railroad tracks delineate the green path with bridges above automobile paths. The layers of greenery have stricter boundaries as they approach the silos project, below:

When existing agricultural silos are abandoned, they become an opportunity for the historical and societal understanding of the city. This cultural museum wraps around to frame this icon. A lobby splits into two wings, museum and educational workshop, and approach an inner courtyard with the monumental silos in the center. From here, gardens and a water feature introduce the visitor to the layers of greenery.

University 2007

2010-07-06T14:47:00.005-07:00

Northerly Island, Chicago

The competition for Northerly Island came on the heels of a shady demolition of Mieg's Field in Chicago. The city sought a peaceful getaway for the city with a nature center, bird aviary, and presentation space. I considered the island's precedence as an airport, the political turmoil surrounding the site's future, and the man-made nature of this location in regards to Daniel Burnham's plan for Chicago. I considered the participants' ability to learn about and create their environment. This dictated a program according to areas of awareness and understanding, with servant spaces accordingly. This occurrence augments the experience of the museum campus in Chicago, leading to a sustainable and naturally interactive environment. See also my video study for this project.

Boise Firestation

This competition for a new firestation on an existing site in downtown Boise called for interesting use of CMU materials. The driveway for emergency vehicles took priority in this design, and living and working quarters were programmed for quick access to the vehicles. The building is divided into slices that are treated differently according to their daylighting, circulation, privacy, and spatial needs.

Shed Excercise

This was a quick excercise in topology. The map and experience of a bike path through Moscow Idaho informed the nature of a "shed" for that system. The intersections with traffic and fluid transitions of that path inform the nature of a sheltering and sun-shading structure for this rest area. The shed is a metaphor for this steady path flow that experiences interrupts as it goes through the city. The wall transforms from a horizontal shelter device into a vertical sheltering device, with columns of varied rythms to suggest different speeds of movement. The structure rises from the ground and gets tighter as the roof spreads wider. The roof splits into a double structure to accommodate the opposite seasons of the year.

Moscow Idaho Rodeo

This studio project called for a world-class rodeo facility for Moscow, Idaho with training, performance, food services, and storage facilities. This design considered the context of the grounds, their proximity to residential, commercial, and civic locations, as well as the natural landscape. The utilitarian solution seeks a community gathering for the pritive purpose of community: security and advancement.

University 2006

2010-07-06T14:47:00.003-07:00

Moscow Idaho Rowhouse

This slim rowhouse starts by prioritizing living spaces in terms of physical and emotional intimacy to heal the separation anxiety some students have when first coming to college while pushing them to an optimistic and self-sustaining future. Intimate spaces are placed in the core with circulation and servant spaces are grouped. A skeletal exo-structure upholds these spaces and the living space is entirely turned to connect the students with the natural rhythm of the sun. Windows are inserted in planes according to the site condition's daylight opportunities and needs.

Montrose Harbor, Chicago

This competition for transition at Montrose Harbor in downtown Chicago called for a totally redesigned park with an emphasis on healthy opportunities for relaxing and interaction with nature. A new beach house and restaurant intend to attract fun-goers, tourists, and year-round visitors. Chicago's demographics and history as a train hub inspired the plan of the park and a metalic ship-like structure.

Pedestrian Bridge for Moscow, Idaho

The bridge crosses a major street, connecting student housing and commercial with the university. These photoshops explore other sites. The pinnacle of the experience is in the middle where both sides meet.

Arboretum Pavilion

This tunnel of concrete blocks permits light intermittently, and squeezes tighter until both sides meet in the middle. It seeks commonality of structure as mass and skeleton.

Art 2007-08

2010-07-06T14:47:00.001-07:00

Acrylic "Children in Field", Acrylic "Walldurn" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Watercolor "Design Study", Acrylic "Esmerelda and Quasimodo" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pencil of "Rembrandt Self-portrait", Acrylic "Girl" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Ink of "Rembrandt portraits", Acrylic "Vase of flowers" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Watercolor "American river", Acrylic "Ruins" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Art 2004-06

2010-07-06T14:46:00.004-07:00

Pencil, Charcoal © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pencil still-life, Rendering (hand rendering only from construction documents), Pencil still-life © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pencil construction lines © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pencil construction lines, Rendering (Hand Rendering Only From Construction Documents) & close-up © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pencil construction lines © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pencil construction lines © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Color & arrnangment study, Design study © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Architectural rendering studies © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Studies of contrast, arrangement, color © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Design studies © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Art -2001

2010-07-06T14:46:00.003-07:00

Pencil "Boat in underground lake", Oil "Sunset over ocean" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Oil "Fox", Oil "Boat in storm" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Oil "Mountains", Oil "Crossing the Missouri", Oil "Faih" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pencil "Mary" © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Photography 2007-08

2010-07-06T14:46:00.001-07:00

Moscow Idaho © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Moscow Idaho, Pescadero California, Lake Tahoe California © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Pescadero California, Moscow Idaho © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Moscow Idaho, Pescadero California, Moscow Idaho © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Photography 2003- 06

2010-07-06T14:45:00.002-07:00

Photography 2001-02

2010-07-06T14:45:00.001-07:00

Marburg Germany, Bad Württemburg Germany © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Bad Württemburg Germany, Marburg Germany, Walldurn Germany 2001 © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Walldürn Germany, Giessen Germany, Marburg Germany, Giessen Germany © Benjamin Blankenbehler

Walldürn Germany, Marburg Germany © Benjamin Blankenbehler