4

5

My name is John Wieser and I have just earned my M.Arch 1 degree from

the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The following are some examples of projects that I have worked on for

my studios, work, and competitions.

I would love to meet you to discuss my work, opportunities, architecture,

and anything else.

I hope you enjoy my work!

PROFILE

FACTSabout me

1. I am working towards obtaining dual-citizenship

in the USA and Italy.

2. I like to travel and have visited 38 [major] cities in

14 countries.

3. I grew up near Chicago, but have lived in

Los Angeles, Saint Louis, and France.

4. Je peux bien parler le français.

5. I drink iced coffee even during the winter.

6. I am a classically trained pianist

7. I am deuteranopic (red/green colorblind)

t h a t y o u w i l l

n o t k n o w j u s t

b y r e a d i n g m y

resume:

7

MYABILITIESAutoCAD 2012Adobe® CS5 Photoshop®

Illustrator®

InDesign®

After Effects®

Premier Pro®

Acrobat X®

Rhinoceros 4.0®

Grasshopper™Google SketchUp® 8 ProMS® Office Word Excel PowerPointRevit Architecture 2008HTML + CSS

[Limited Proficiency]

Model BuildingWriting/StorytellingVerbal PresentationSketchingTechnical DrawingPresentation Development

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University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, 2006 - 2010Master of Architecture, First Professional Degree 2010 - 2012

UIUC Study Abroad Program at VersaillesVersailles, France

Ecole Nationale Superieur d’Architecture de Versailles 2008 - 2009

MYEDUCATIONUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL

Master of Architecture, First Professional Degree, 2010 - 2012Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, 2006 - 2010

UIUC Study Abroad Program at VersaillesVersailles, France

Ecole Nationale Supérieur d’Architecture de Versailles 2008 - 2009

9

Teaching Assistant, Design - UIUC School of Architecture 2010 - presentChampaign, IL

Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, Inc. (PGAV) Summer 2011Saint Louis, MO

Walt Disney Imagineering, SQS Offi ce Summer 2010Anaheim, CA

Aumiller Youngquist, P.C., Architects & Designers (AYPC) Summer 2008Chicago, IL

WORKEXPERI-ENCE

Teaching Assistant, Design - UIUC School of Architecture 2010 - presentChampaign, IL

Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, Inc. (PGAV) Summer 2011Saint Louis, MO

Walt Disney Imagineering, SQS Offi ce Summer 2010Anaheim, CA

Aumiller Youngquist, P.C., Architects & Designers (AYPC) Summer 2008Chicago, IL

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Contents

11 ITC_Intermodal Transit Center31 [eco]sublime: The Grimsel Hydroelectric Dam Project57 Théâtre Urbain65 Low Resolution Chair73 The Network: Chicago83 TRON: Gridlock93 Madrid Pavilion99 The Windy City Scavenger Hunt105 Argonne National Laboratory Energy Science Building113 Foto // Sketch

13

ITC_Intermodal Transit CenterSchoo l o f the Ar t Ins t i tu te o f Ch icago A IADO Fac i l i t i es

S tudent Recrea t ion Cente r, S tudent Dormi to r y,

& Ra i l Trans i t S ta t ion

Ch icago , I l l i no is

Pro fesso r T F T i e r ney

11 Weeks

S2011

15

This project examines the idea of the “Network City” as originated in the

discourse of “spatial practice” popularized in the 1960s. Looking at the

city as a communication system, the project centers upon Chicago’s

response to the incorporation of a high speed rail corridor in Illinois.

Students are to develop a proposal for an intermodal transit center (ITC)

which operates as an access point to local, regional, commuter, light-rail,

and the proposed high speed rail. The center must perform as a launch

point for travelers into the City of Chicago. Students must propose a

secondary program to occupy the above-grade portion of the site. I

have selected a consolidated facility for the School of the Art Institute

of Chicago’s Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects

programs (SAIC AIADO), as well as the Activities & Recreation Center

(ARC).

Students must conduct extensive research to shape the development of

all programmatic elements, presented via info-graphics.

N

Layered Program vs. Immediate Context

SAIC (Painting Studios)

Original Art Institute

of Chicago

Intervention:

ITC

SAIC AIADO

SAIC ARC

The Modern Wing

Millennium Park

Nichols Bridgeway

Grant Park

16

17ITC

_In

term

od

al T

ran

sit

Sta

tio

n

SA

IC R

ec

Ce

nte

r

SA

IC A

IAD

O

Init

ial

Plo

t

Pla

na

r C

uts

Sh

ifti

ng

of

the

Pla

ne

Acc

omm

odat

es e

xist

ing

infr

astr

uctu

re &

pro

vid

essu

b/s

uper

-ter

rain

acc

ess

18

“A collection ofintellectual,technological,& informationalresources...”

What is an “Intellectual Community?”

Knowledge CenteredRelationship BasedThinking Through IdeasValues of TeachingFailureConnection to Applied FieldShared PurposeDiverseIntangibleFlexible & ForgivingRespectfulGenerous

Characteristics

What These Groups Do...

ThinkersScholarsResearchersStudents

Constituent Groups?

Refine Human KnowledgeFreely Exchange IdeasTheoretical DebateSolutionsInterpretations

Trust

Intellectual Ownership

Security

Genesis of Ideas

University/School

Research Group/Facility

Collection of Intellectual,

Technological, &

Informative Resources

Examples

Summer Flow

All-Year Flow

Perimeter &Road FlowDenser dashesindicatemore frequentlytraveled routes

19

The research for this proposal centers around the existing climate of the

AIADO, and examines pre-existing conditions near the site. Striations

from existing rail lines, urban chasms, and secluded oasises are revealed

in the analysis.

Understanding the relationships on which the communities utilizing the

proposed facilities permits thoughtful programmatic deployment.

Mapping & Diagramming

LL2_Lower Level 2: Local ITC & Freight

ITC_Intermodal Transit Center Dedicated Access Route (Bus & Truck) Bus Transfer Freight Transfer METRA Rail Electric District Transfer Underground Link to CTA Red Line

LL3_Lower Level 3: Long Distance ITC

ITC_Intermodal Transit Station High Speed Rail Terminal AMTRAK Terminal

LL1_Lower Level 1: Mixed Program

ITC_Intermodal Transit Center Main Concourse Retail Ticketing Waiting Areas

SAIC Rec Center: Aquatics Center Changing Rooms Racquetball Courts Basketball Courts Dance Studio

20

Program by Level

03_Third Floor: SAIC Mixed Program

SAIC Rec Center 1/3 Mile Track

SAIC AIADO Interior Architecture Studios (3) Computer Lab Critique Space & Internal Gallery Lecture Hall (Upper Level) 21

01_Ground Level: Public Plaza

ITC_Intermodal Transit Center Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zip Car

SAIC Rec Center Entry & Administration

SAIC AIADO Entry & Administration Security Welcome Center Public Gallery

02_Second Floor: SAIC Mixed Program

SAIC Rec Center Free Weights & Machine Room Cardio Machine Room & Light Weights

SAIC AIADO Classrooms, Seminar Rooms, Faculty Offices Informal Gallery/Lounge Fabrication Lab Lecture Hall (Lower Level) Designed Objects Studio (2) Graduate Architecture Studios (3)

Sectional Deployment of Program

LL3

LL2

LL2

1

2

3

24

25

27

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30

eco[sublime]time-basedanimation(scan here!)

A S t ra tegy fo r Eco log ica l U rban ism

The Grimsel Hydroelectric Dam Project

Hote l & Research Cente r

Gr imse lsee , Canton o f Bern , Swi t ze r land

Pro fesso r R Hube l i

w / Max-Emanue l Man te l

14 Weeks

Gradua te Des ign Award Nominee - U IUC SoA

Rye rson Trave l i ng Award (Hono rab le Men t i on ) - U IUC SoA

Fea tu red i n exh ib i t i on , "Manu fac tu r i ng Landscapes, " Ch i cago, I L (May 2012)

S201233

[eco]sublime

The Swiss Government is interested in raising the height of the hydroelectric dams in Grimsel,

Switzerland by 23m (75.46ft) in order to impound a greater mass of water and increase the

power-generating capacity of the facility. The effort meets resistance from the Swiss Green

Party who argues that raising the water level will destroy hundreds of thousands of square

meters of vegetative ecologies bordering the artifi cial lake.

This proposal leverages the idea of integrating architectural infrastructure with existing ecologies

of the Grimsel Region. The building acts both as a container for program (a hotel and research

center), as well as an artifi cial substrate to support ecologies displaced by risen lake water.

The circular module intentionally exaggerates interstitial void spaces which are harnessed as

spaces for ecological incorporation (through the impregnation of ecological substrates), areas

of increased mass to resist the lake impounded behind, and building system chases. Over time

the reorganization of ecologies on the site will interact unpredictably with the building structure,

changing its appearance and altering the architectural expression and experience for visitors and

residents. The unusual formal arrangement offers people a new way to experience the ecologies

of the Grimsel Pass while offering opportunities for architectural and natural phenomena to

blend in new ways, refl ecting the profound sublime qualities of massive infrastructure and

indeed the Swiss landscape itself.

34

Grimselsee

Canton

of Bern

Switzerland

Arch Dam (Site)

Gravity Dam

Grimselsee

lake area (current)

lake area (post-expansion)

B’

B

A’

A

00 - Entry

Entrance hall

Administration

Restaurant

Kitchen

Kitchen offi ce

Breakfast/café

Elevator

Hotel rooms

Laundry

Spa

36

Con

stru

ctio

n Sec

tion

(B-B

')

Origi

nal S

ize

- 3

6"

x 9

6"

Origi

nal S

cale

- 1

:50

1_construction

Cylinder Cap Detailscale 1:20

1 Wall / fasteners2 Precast concrete cap3 Skylight

1

2 3

4

5

6

78

4 Ecology5 Substrate6 Gravel

7 Bituminous foil8 Insulation

41

1234

5

6 7 8

abcde

Floor / Wall Joint Detailscale 1:40

1 Interior finish2 In-situ concrete fill3 Rigid foam insulation4 Precast concrete formwork5 Precast joint (bolts)6 Floor finish7 Acoustic insulation8 Floor slab

a Fresh airb Air exaustc Electricityd Drainagee Radiant floor heating

Façade Detailscale 1:40

1 Concrete (smooth)2 Rigid foam insulation3 Masonry tie4 Concrete (porous)5 Interior fi nish6 Extruded aluminum block7 Neoprene gasket8 Window (glass)9 Floor fi nish10 Acoustic insulation11 Reinforced slab

1234

5678

91011

43

1Placing the

Outer Ring

After part of the original dam is

removed and the footing placed, the

tower crane lifts the first levels of

precast concrete formwork into place.

The in-situ concrete placing rig is

nested inside of the precast ring, and

suspends a flexible inner ring mold

which will retain the cast-in-place

inner layer of the wall as the concrete

hardens.

2Placing the

Inner Ring

The precast outer ring physically

bonds the cylinders to one another.

One level below this construction

an inner ring of in-situ concrete

construction is rising. This second

layer bonds the precast pieces

together and gives the wall the mass

and water-tightness necessary to

behave as a massive structural

stronghold against the immense force

of the impounded artificial lake.

The wall thickens in its descent to

combat greater lateral forces (from

water) and to satisfy the slenderness

ratio requirement of the structure.

3Capping the Wall

A precast dome is set upon the

finished wall by the tower crane.

When construction is complete the

tower crane is removed with a special

jack that lifts the pieces down the

tower, where they are transported out

of the building.

The tower portion of the crane

remains part of the building and

becomes structure for vertical

transportation systems (elevators).

The tower must also be braced at

every other level to resist lateral

forces imposed by the elevator cabs.

44

45

Uni

t Ass

embl

y

Fina

l Arr

ange

men

t

48

49

Cylinder pack ceiling

(different infi lls)

Cylinder

(habitable space)

Foam cap

(temporary form)

Negative form

of ceiling

Section A-A'50

INNERTKIRCHEN

MEIRINGEN

GRIMSELPASS

GADMEN

5

A

CD

THUNBERN

TESSINGOTTHARD

B

6

7

4

32

1 6

TESSINGOTTHARD

i

GUTTANNEN

ab

12

35

4

cd

e

h

g

f

Aare

LAKES

1 Oberaarsee

2 Grimselsee

3 Raeterichbodensee

4 Totensee

5 Gelmersee

6 Steingletscher

POWER PLANTS

A Grimsel 1

B Grimsel 2

C Handeck 2

D Handeck 3

E Handeck 1

F Fuhren

G Hopfl auenen

H Innertkirchen 1

KEY:

MOUNTAINS

1 Titlis

2 Fuenffi ngerstoecke

3 Sustenhorn

4 Diechterhorn

5 Ritzlihorn

6 Hangendgletscherhorn

7 Sidelhorn

HOTELS & ATTRACTIONS

A Restaurant Mountain House

Oberaar

B Oberaar Lodge

C Moutain & Adventure-Hotel

Hospice

D Kids & Family Hotel HandeckKraftwerke Oberhasli (KWO) System

2_ecology

Structure

ECO 1

ECO 2

UTILITIESINTERIOR

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

ECO 1

ECO 2

UTILITIES

DEN

SIT

YD

ENS

ITY

DEN

SIT

Y

Initial Ecological Argument

53

Solid fill concrete

HVAC/plumbing

chase

Guest room (TYP)

6.0m dia.

Guest bath (TYP)

3.0m dia.

Elevator (TYP)

5.0m dia.

Tower crane/

elevator track

Ecological

substrate + plants

(Potential future

guest room

expansion zone)

Removable

concrete plug

Ecological

substrate + plants

(Potential future

guest room

expansion zone)

surface height characteristics

alpine azalea rocky non-porous

~ 10cm

summer (may-july) sunny, dry

hair moss rocky wetland for base

~ 5-10cm

dry environment entire year

rock pinks gritty loam old mortar rocky, gravelly

~ 20-30cm

summer (may-july)

purple rock cress loam leaf mould grit

~ 15-30cm

light shade good drainage april

crocus rocky loam soil

~ 15cm

can be covered in snow Jan-april and fall

54

55

H2O

O2

H2O

substrate

substrate

concrete

CO2

O2

sunlight

O2

H2O

56

Model

CNC-Milled Styrofoam

Concrete

Acrylic

3d-Printed Starch Insert Model

Print Time: 11:57:45

59

Théâtre Urbain250 Sea t Communi t y Thea te r & Pub l i c Space

15e Ar rond issement

Par i s , F rance

Pro fesso r J -B V i aud

w/ Ch r i s Qu in l an

8 Weeks

F2008

The project was to design a 250-person theater in the

15e arrondissement of Paris, France. Students working in pairs were

required to complete a full analysis of the site and surrounding quarter,

research and adhere to Parisian building codes, and develop the facility

and adjacent outdoor space.

A particular challenge was the reconciliation of the rather tall pinion

walls neighboring the site.

63Selected Plans M - Mezzanine & Backstage

02 - Administration

03 - Performers’ Facilities

04 - Practice Stage

Scale Exploration & Manufacturing Process

67

Low Resolution ChairDes ign ing the Ob jec t

S tee l , B rass , Acr y l i c , Au tomot i ve Pa in t , Neoprene Rubber

Fea tu red as 1s t Honorab le Ment ion , Anonymous.d :

“The Nex t Anonymous Des igner” Compet i t i on , Januar y 2011

www.anonymousd.com

Graduate Des ign Award Nominee , U IUC SoA

Pro fesso r J S Poss, FA IA

7 Weeks

F2010

Drawing inspiration from pixilation, Low Resolution

Chair employs a modular system which at first glance

appears simple. Closer investigation reveals complex

layers of detail which challenge the chair’s name-in-

concept, and demonstrate its departure from “low

resolution” representation.

The frame of the chair is fabricated from heli-arc

welded, cold-rolled steel, finished with two coats of

powder. The chair’s support structure derives its

shape from a fragmented approximation of a quarter

sphere. The frame’s simple cross configuration

minimizes material use and reduces the frame’s

physical presence in the overall piece. The

austerity and thinness of the welded steel frame

communicates fragility, while its materiality ensures

structural integrity.

Heat-formed transparent acrylic modules interwoven

with galvanized steel cable form the seat and

backrest of the chair, which are slung between the

ends of the cross brace at four pin connections.

These connector units are structurally reinforced

with a 3/8” acrylic backer plate, connected to the

1/8” unit by four 3/16” diameter, 1/2” long brass

binding posts. A 3/8” barrel diameter, 1 9/16” long

brass architectural sex bolt secures the unit to the

frame, and four distributed 1/16” neoprene washers

distribute the compressive force of the bolt across

the unit.

A single transparent red module disrupts the

otherwise calculated order of the piece, and

introduces and element of tension.

69

70

71

75

The Network: ChicagoI n te rac t i ve Bout ique Ho te l & Pub l i c Oas is

Caps tone Thes is P ro jec t

Ch icago , I l l i no is

Ear l P r i ze Des ign Award Rec ip ien t , U IUC SoA

Pro fesso r M W N ie rmann

15 Weeks

F2009

My concept uses the existing social context of

the historic neighborhood of Edgewater located

in Uptown Chicago as the foundation for a fully

interactive, technologically integrated boutique hotel

experience. The building establishes a centralized

node of social activity within the neighborhood,

drawing the community together with an interactive

media facade. Technological design considerations

encourage guests to communicate with one another,

and with patrons in the underlying plaza.

The plaza acts as a public gathering spot with the

building as a mechanism of triangulation, itself an

ever-changing artistic gesture.

The Capstone Thesis is the culmination of the design

studio sequence at the undergraduate level. The

capstone studio is the student’s opportunity to

integrate knowledge and skills attained in areas of

design, technology, structures, and history into the

development of a comprehensive design process.

77

78

79

80

81

82

85

�� �������� �Theme Park A t t rac t ion / Dark R ide Concept

Or lando , F lo r ida

F ina l i s t Team

Wal t D isney Imag ineer ing Imag iNat ions Compet i t i on 2010

Glenda le , Ca l i fo rn ia

Facu l t y Adv i so r M W N ie rmann

w/ B ren t D i r ks, Ma rche l l e Gan t , & Sam Juna

5 Weeks

S2010

The competition was to develop an attraction for

Disney using story telling as the main mode of

communication. Our attraction focuses on a unique

backstory based on the (then) upcoming sequel

of the TRON fi lm franchise. In preparation for our

concept, we invented a rich background to ground our

attraction. In this way we could introduce concepts

from the already established world of TRON and

explain where our story deviates and picks up.

This project was concieved by students at the

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and created

for the 2010 Walt Disney Imagineering ImagiNations

Competition.

This project is the sole property of Walt Disney

Imagineering and all rights to use these ideas are

property of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The competition is a way for students to showcase

their talents and for Disney to identify new talent.

88

28°25 09 N 81°34 38 W

90

CONTROL PANEL

91

Lap Restraint

Pull-DownAccess

AdjustableDevice

ouch-Screen Interface

Pull-Down

Access

Adjustable

Device

Touch-Screen

Interface

Lap Restraint

92

95

The Madrid PavilionArch i tec tu ra l Compos i t i on Exerc ise

TA A Moreau

Pro fesso rs L Haml i n & M Tay lo r

4 Weeks

S2008

The project was to design a structure which allocates space with the goal of communicating logical flow.

Framed perspectives, the organization of partitions, and attention to lighting allow the project to achieve

aesthetic unity. Additionally, designs are required to adhere to site requirements and space restrictions, and

students are challenged to harmonize their designs with those of their classmates.

96

97

98

101

The Windy City Scavenger HuntArch i tec tu ra l I n te r ven t ion in the Networked Smar t C i t y

Pro fesso r T F T i e r ney

w/ JD Mede

1 Week

S2011

The project was to design a network-based

architectural intervention to be situated in the

main atrium of a rail transport center.

First-time visitors and Chicagoans alike have a

new way to explore the sites of Chicago.

Relying on user-input data The Windy City

Scavenger Hunt compiles a customized itinerary

tailored to the interests of the individual.

Schedules are delivered piece-meal, allowing

flexibility for both the user and system to modify

the trajectory in real-time.

The resultant interactive environment engages

each individual user, encourages communal

interaction, and provides an architecturally

incorporated landmark structure as a locative

device and meeting place.

103

System Logic

Arrival Scenario 1

Arrival Scenario 2

Arrival Scenario 3

Login to System Remotely

Program Itinerary at Station

Random Itinerary

Create Account

Summon Account

Input Information System Engages Inp

Pre-Experience

Sample Itinerary

Arrive at Terminal

AlightNavigate from Platfo

rm

Arrive at Main Concourse

Notice The Scavenger Hunt

Engage in Pre-Experience

Depart for 1st D

estination:

A

dler Planetarium

Board the 146 Bus Route

Arrive at Planetarium

Check

12:30pm 1:00pm 1:30 pm 1:50 pm 4:06 pm

104

ut Currency

Machine assigns destination based

on Time

+Parameters

+Behavior

Reject

Confirm

Proceed to First Destination

Check-In at Prescribed Destination

Check-In at Alternate

Destination

Spend Time

Check-Out

Experience

m

k-Out

2nd Destination:

B

usiness Dinner

Boards 146 Route

Transfers to Red Line N.

To Armitage

Walk to Simply Thai

in time for reservation

4:47 pm 4:57 pm To Be Continued...

107

Comprehens ive In tegra t i ve Des ign S tud io

Professor M K K im, Ph.D, A IAHDR Arch i tec ture , Ch icago, IL (Teach ing Of f ice )

w/ Debora Le ighton11 Weeks

F2011

Argonne National Laboratory

Energy Science Building

109

Trends in energy sc iences have revea led

the demand fo r in te rd isc ip l ina r y research

co l l abora t ion ; Th is new bu i ld ing w i l l

un i te four key sc ience d i v i s ions :

Chemica l sc ience & eng ineer ing , energy

sys tems, mate r ia l sc ience , and nanosca le

mate r ia l s .

Labs a re o rgan i zed by lab t ype ,

ra ther than depar tmenta l i za t ion o f

d i sc ip l ine , and there fo re the bu i ld ing

p rogrammat ica l l y requ i res gener ic ,

repea tab le labora to r y modu les , some w i th

un ique requ i rements and fea tu res .

111

The bu i ld ing w i l l hos t 216 research , admin is t ra t i ve , and suppor t s ta f f . On the

campus sca le the p ro jec t w i l l respond to ex i s t ing in f ras t ruc tu re and combine w i th

ad jacen t Bu i ld ing 223 in the deve lopment o f a new “Energy Quad.” The new bu i ld ing

w i l l enhance pedes t r ian c i rcu la t ion and due to i t s l oca t ion , must respond aes the t i ca l l y

as the new “ f ron t door” o f the ANL Campus.

Lab Modules

Office & Work Spaces

Lab Support

Mechanical

DN

UP

UP

UP

UP

Lab Modules

Office & Work Spaces

Lab Support

Circulation

Building Amenities

Mechanical

Conference

Administration

Ground Level112

L

0' 10' 20' 50' 100' 200'0' 10' 20' 50' 100' 200'

Level 2 Structure Level 3 HVAC

Total Net Area Sq Ft Required

Total Net Area Sq Ft Provided

Excess/ Deficiency

%2.6+.745,121893,411saerA teN282,102aerA ssorG latoT

%93.06ycneiciffE gnidliuB

Totals

Us ing the HDR supp l ied p rogram

we de te rmined the most l og ica l and

e f f i c ien t method o f p rogrammat ic

dep loyment . I n add i t i on to p lans ,

f raming d iagrams a re p roposed and the

en t i re bu i ld ings HVAC sys tem is s i zed ,

ca lcu la ted , and d is t r ibu ted . An in-

depth a rea tabu la t ion revea ls overs igh ts

in the overa l l scheme.

The Bottom Line: Building Area Tabulation (Excerpt)

115

FOTO//SKETCH

U I U CSAPV

VERSA ILLES

2008 - 2009

Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France

Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France

Bahnhoff Stadelhofen, Zürich, Switzerland

Mykonos, Greece 119

de Wallen, Amsterdam, Netherlands

"Street Smart" from "The Manual of Networked Possibilities"Compilation of theoretical interventions for Intelligent Cities

Graduate Student Design Award Submission, Chicago, ILUIUC School of Architecture

Discover Architecture: Pre-college program for high school studentsResident Advisor / Staff, UIUC School of Architecture