“All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space.”

Philip Johnson

The experiences we have define us as people. That’s what draws me to architecture. It is the combination of experiences through design and design of space that stimulates emotion from the observer and the thought of co-existing with nature. Not just destroying to build, but building to invite nature. This is the type of architecture that interests me the most. The balance of design, research, and nature, when there is a deep underlying understanding of what that balance is, the results can be truly captivating, awe-inspiring, innovative, architecture. That is what I intend to explore, the what if? And how it can apply to design, that is exactly what I am seeking in higher education. I intend to further strengthen and shape my ideals in my approach to design. With these philosophies I intend to apply them beyond my years as a student, even though as architects we are ever the student. I strongly believe that my desire to challenge the “norms” of society with be the right fit and be further advanced at this institution. The kinds of architecture that can change the world is at the epicenter of what architecture truly is. Making a difference and not being content with what the “norms” are. By challenging the norms and the current building techniques of the architectural environment, we can start a conversation of what can be improved in the way we build, live, and experience architecture. By receiving an education from this institution I can not only be a part of that conversation, but I can help put motion towards a better tomorrow. My goal for pursuing architecture is to improve the way we as humans live and experience architecture. I have always been around buildings and building materials, my father is a carpenter and has always instilled a sense of building at a very young age. But I didn’t find architecture until I was older, and I explain my love as a rational obsession, the more I learn and research the more my love grew, and the more it grew so did the obsession of how I can better the way we as humans experience architecture. How we as humans destroy to build. To design with emotional experiences that co-exist with nature is my goal. I believe it is through research based design that we can further advance the field of architecture, moving from a destructive field to a co-existent field that both supports nature but also evokes a strong sense of emotion. My goals beyond academia include giving back by teaching this kind of research based co-existent architecture helping to giving back to the environment that we build upon. My intent is to practice in low income and developing areas, by stimulating emotion in a space co-habituated by both nature and man.

Letter of Intent

3481 B roadLoxahatchee, FL 33470, U.S.A.

(561) 662-3402Jesseeick@gmail.com

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IV

Kit of Parts atrium

case study

train station

aviary

bus station

observation tower

Pavilion

Pier musiem

Bridge

KIT of PArTsThe kit of parts exercise is based on a architectonic composition of lines, planes, and L’s. Within the

space given, the requirement was to arrange the above elements in vertical and horizontal patterns. The composition requires scale and must express architectural values of order,structure, balance, and rhythm.

Design I - spring 2010

CAse sTuDyHeIgH resIDeNCe By BArT PrINCe

Design I - spring 2010The case study projects purpose was to recreate a famous architect’s work and learn from their design strategies.

I chose the Height residence by Bart Prince, this project to me had a lot of different elements that would be challenging to a new student of architecture. It also created many opportunities to develop the necessary skills needed to further my design capabilities.

THe ATrIuMThe Atrium project was to explore the idea of enclosure of space, with a hall or court in the center or entrance of the building, the Project was to create a unifying space for two existing buildings, Creating a long span element was the key to achieve a form that would create variations and different spaces. By observing the crescent shape of the horseshoe crab, I manipulated the basic shape and reduced the form down to its bare essentials, then deciding to overlap the basic shape of the crab, thus creating 3 different spaces that pedestrians could enjoy. With a sloped terrain the project also called for a series of steps and ramps for circulation from 0-10’.

Design II - summer 2010

CoNCePT sKeTCH

Bus sToP Th e essence of the bus stop project is to imply movement. Th e architectural vocabulary developed for this project was an observation as to what is wrong and uninviting in the current bus stop typology. Th e design strategy was developed invoking origamic folds and geometric shapes to form the system, as it relates to a “bus stop”, creating a sheltered area for the publiic. Th e semester studio requirement was also to introduce realistic elements of materiality in model building. As a representation of concrete musiem board was used. steel elements were represented with real steel or aluminum. elements of glass and wood were also represented in the overall design.

Design III - fall 2010

seCTIoN reAr eLeVATIoN

sKeTCHes

TrAIN sTATIoNLike the bus stop project, the object of the train station project is to show movement in architecture. Th e site is bustling in it’s contextual setting. It is not only infl uenced by the current train station but also a bus station. It is only natural that the solution should be as dynamic and complex as the site itself. In developing the solution one may look at the train station not only as a train station but as a hub of transportation connecting our ever changing way of life to nature through structure and natural movement. A system of oscillating panels was used to imply movement of the structure. Th e structure plays on light fragments moving throughout each individual panel space, while traveling through the structure shadows are constantly moving and changing. Th e structure is attempting to connect to the natural movement of the wild life found around the site such as a fi sh, which is constantly in movement much like our daily life.

Design III - fall 2010

seCTIoN A seCTIoN BseCTIoN BseCTIoN A

eLeVATIoN

FLOOR PLAN

THe AVIAry Located near the region of the other two previous projects the bus stop and the train station, Th e site of the proposed aviary is eff ected by infl uence from a waterway via the el rio Canal, highway and motor infl uence from the major highways (yamato rd. and Interstate 95), as well as the train station also located nearby. Th e program includes 4 separate aviaries for diff erent bird species, including 5,000 sf of research facility and offi ce areas, all the while preserving 30% of the sites woodland area. Th e catalyst for the design strategy was the observation of the bird’s feather patterns. Another infl uence to the design were the feathers bone characteristics that enable bird fl ight. Th ese include light arid members which were thought of as forming tunnel systems within the birds bone structure. Th is manifested in the design and the creation of each enclosure, both the literal and the implied aspects that served as bird and human circulation. furthermore, instead of covering the aviary’s structure I allowed a light malleable design to mimic the birds feather, which created the enclosures replicating the bone structure which once applied became denser but arid and helped to obscure undesirable views (such as of the adjacent yamato rd.)

Design III - fall 2010

THe PAVILIoNTh is project examined tectonic connections to create enclosure of space for a pavilion made evident through systems of repetition of your connection design, By developing a connection, such that it could be expanded in the X,y. and Z directions through, even repetition.

My project conception was based on a moving wave, adjusting the connectors to create a fl owing wave motion. My connector was made out of a round dowel rod, and styrene strips, I notched out the dowel rod with a biscuit cutter and cut the styrene strips in fi t the notch. each connector could be manipulated to reach a varying degree of movement. I covered the enclosure to more represent the beauty of an actual wave.

Design IV - spring 2010

CoNNeCTor DIAgrAM

LoNgITuDINAL seCTIoN

oBerVATIoN DeCK DeTAIL sITe PLAN

observation TowerDesign IV- spring 2010

Like the pavilion project, the tower involved creating a connector and the intent to ex-plore the tectonic assembly of the system used to create a vertically directed space attached to a static core with observation decks. Th e site is located near the Jupiter pier, right off the beach creating views that over look the water and the setting sun. My connector was designed to twist if held in place by a core, By obscuring each connec-tor slightly I was able to create a simple yet elegant wrapping motion that seems to rotate as it contracts the closer it gets to the ground.

grouND fLoor PLAN

fLoor PLAN A

fLoor PLAN C

fLoor PLAN B

CoNCePT sKeTCH

Pier MusiemDesign IV- spring 2010

LoNgITuDINAL seCTIoN A

seCTIoN BseCTIoN A

The intent of this project is to explore the tectonic assembly of the systems used to create narrow, horizontally directed spaces that also explore design and structural principles. My idea was to create a wrapping system that would could act as both the structure but also the skin, by having the structure wrap around the pier it also created the supports for which the pier sits on, also creating the circulation needed to place other enclosed spaces.

fLoor PLAN A

fLoor PLAN B

fLoor PLAN CfLoor PLAN C

sITe PLAN

LoNgITuDINAL seCTIoN B

Bridgestructures- spring 2010

LoNgITuDINAL seCTIoN seCTIoN

PLAN

Th e Bridge project was to span 150 ft from hard top sand to soft top sand, with a 10 foot drop in elevation. My design was to have three separate arches that would conform into one single arch, the base of the arch is thick to transfer the heavy load and support the needed weight, and skinnier at the top to reduce the existing weight. By combining the suspension bridge with an arch I obtained a bridge that would span a greater distance while appear-ing lightweight.

sKeTCH eLeVATIoN

sKeTCHes

Clay Model Dragon egg

Mountain Dragon