LEVER Architecture Project Proposal
By: Lyle Bryson [2/5/2015]
I will be completing my internship with Thomas Robinson and Pamela Kislak of LEVER Architecture from March 2-20. LEVER Architecture is a service planning and design firm based in Portland, Oregon. Thomas Robinson, who brings 20 years of experience in designing structures that connect art, education, and creative work, founded the firm in 2009. Working with the progressive city of Portland, Thomas and his team at LEVER are able to work on a multitude of projects that benefit this community and the surrounding area. These projects include but are not limited to institutional, academic, and creative office projects for corporations and organizations in Portland and beyond. The focus and mission of LEVER is to provide simple architectural solutions to problems that fit the environment and culture of the surrounding area.
Thomas Robinson is the founder of LEVER Architecture. In his 20 years of experience, Thomas has had the opportunity to collaborate with many prestigious organizations on the planning and realization of many award-winning projects. He started his career under AIA Gold Medal winner Joseph Esherick at EHDD Architects in San Francisco. The projects the Thomas has collaborated on are distinguished by their elegant and creative solutions to complex problems. They are recognized for their thoughtful spatial planning and solutions, and utilize a balance of light and structure to embody the culture of the organizations that they serve.
My goal for my time interning at LEVER Architecture is to attain a more informed and knowledgeable view about the profession of architecture as a whole. In particular, I would like to explore the obscure aspects of architecture so that I can make an informed decision about whether or not I would like to pursue it as a career. This experience will show me what architecture is all about, and by being immersed in this culture and workspace everyday, I hope to gain knowledge on everything from digital design to business with possible contracts. Aside from gaining this knowledge, I will also attain a sense of responsibility and respect for the culture and people around me. Because I will be living in a city for the first time in my life, I’m hoping that I can get a sense of the community and vibe that a community creates, and experience this first hand.
There are two ways I envision that I can create a successful and elegant project for my time at LEVER Architecture. The first project that Pamela and I discussed is creating a digital rendering of some project or space that is being designed by LEVER during March. This has the potential to teach me valuable skills about spatial recognition and creation, and would also allow me to potentially provide solutions to new projects or minutia that workers at LEVER might have looked over (not likely, but possibly). The second project that Pamela and I spoke about would be aiding in/helping create a 3D model of a current project being undertaken by the staff at LEVER. This would allow me to gain a valuable architecture skill, while at the same time helping an organization do work that is crucial to the process of creation and design. Both of these can change depending on the amount of contracts/type of contracts that LEVER is taking on in March, but most likely my final project will be one of these projects or a variation of one of these projects.
Before my internship in March, I would like to explore the aesthetics and digital design aspects of architecture. My mentors recommended that I download Google SketchUp to get a better sense of how to model and design a space/structure, and I am planning on recreating my house in 3D form to practice these skills. As well as working on these simple skills, I would like to familiarize myself with as many architecture projects – both local and global – that are a mixture of progressive and antique to gain a better sense of what possible builders are looking for when they hire an architect.
The process and materials I will need for my final project will vary depending on the assignment/task I chose to approach during LINK. For the digital rendering project, I will most likely need a laptop along with a 3D creation program such as Google SketchUp or Adobe Photoshop. Along with these programs, I would most likely need to set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour for creating a refining a digital piece. For the modeling project, I would use the materials provided (wood materials, tools, etc.) In addition, I would also most likely be able to use time within the workday to complete this project while working with the guidance of professionals.
I’m fortunate to say that very few obstacles have appeared on the course to my LINK internship. The only real obstacle I have encountered with the LINK process is getting in touch with and remaining in contact with my mentor(s). When making initial contact with Thomas and Pamela, I had to be persistent with my emails and phone calls in order pin down the internship and make sure everything went smoothly before March. Now that I have successfully organized and planned my internship with LEVER, I’m looking forward to getting to know the organization and the gracious mentors that will allow me to gain insight into the world of architecture.
If I had to describe my attitude towards my March internship with LEVER Architecture in one word, it would be impatience. That is, I can hardly wait to complete this internship. I’m looking forward to the travel and responsibility that LINK will bring, and I’m excited to reunite with friends and family in this region. Frankly, my first day in Oregon can’t come fast enough. To be able to experience an urban environment and progressive community like that of Portland is truly special, and I could not be happier that I am going to be guided through this experience by two highly regarded professionals. In my time with LEVER, I would like to be able to contribute to the organization in any way possible, and I’m hoping that my knowledge can someday be passed on to others.
Thomas Robinson is the founder of LEVER Architecture. In his 20 years of experience, Thomas has had the opportunity to collaborate with many prestigious organizations on the planning and realization of many award-winning projects. He started his career under AIA Gold Medal winner Joseph Esherick at EHDD Architects in San Francisco. The projects the Thomas has collaborated on are distinguished by their elegant and creative solutions to complex problems. They are recognized for their thoughtful spatial planning and solutions, and utilize a balance of light and structure to embody the culture of the organizations that they serve.
My goal for my time interning at LEVER Architecture is to attain a more informed and knowledgeable view about the profession of architecture as a whole. In particular, I would like to explore the obscure aspects of architecture so that I can make an informed decision about whether or not I would like to pursue it as a career. This experience will show me what architecture is all about, and by being immersed in this culture and workspace everyday, I hope to gain knowledge on everything from digital design to business with possible contracts. Aside from gaining this knowledge, I will also attain a sense of responsibility and respect for the culture and people around me. Because I will be living in a city for the first time in my life, I’m hoping that I can get a sense of the community and vibe that a community creates, and experience this first hand.
There are two ways I envision that I can create a successful and elegant project for my time at LEVER Architecture. The first project that Pamela and I discussed is creating a digital rendering of some project or space that is being designed by LEVER during March. This has the potential to teach me valuable skills about spatial recognition and creation, and would also allow me to potentially provide solutions to new projects or minutia that workers at LEVER might have looked over (not likely, but possibly). The second project that Pamela and I spoke about would be aiding in/helping create a 3D model of a current project being undertaken by the staff at LEVER. This would allow me to gain a valuable architecture skill, while at the same time helping an organization do work that is crucial to the process of creation and design. Both of these can change depending on the amount of contracts/type of contracts that LEVER is taking on in March, but most likely my final project will be one of these projects or a variation of one of these projects.
Before my internship in March, I would like to explore the aesthetics and digital design aspects of architecture. My mentors recommended that I download Google SketchUp to get a better sense of how to model and design a space/structure, and I am planning on recreating my house in 3D form to practice these skills. As well as working on these simple skills, I would like to familiarize myself with as many architecture projects – both local and global – that are a mixture of progressive and antique to gain a better sense of what possible builders are looking for when they hire an architect.
The process and materials I will need for my final project will vary depending on the assignment/task I chose to approach during LINK. For the digital rendering project, I will most likely need a laptop along with a 3D creation program such as Google SketchUp or Adobe Photoshop. Along with these programs, I would most likely need to set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour for creating a refining a digital piece. For the modeling project, I would use the materials provided (wood materials, tools, etc.) In addition, I would also most likely be able to use time within the workday to complete this project while working with the guidance of professionals.
I’m fortunate to say that very few obstacles have appeared on the course to my LINK internship. The only real obstacle I have encountered with the LINK process is getting in touch with and remaining in contact with my mentor(s). When making initial contact with Thomas and Pamela, I had to be persistent with my emails and phone calls in order pin down the internship and make sure everything went smoothly before March. Now that I have successfully organized and planned my internship with LEVER, I’m looking forward to getting to know the organization and the gracious mentors that will allow me to gain insight into the world of architecture.
If I had to describe my attitude towards my March internship with LEVER Architecture in one word, it would be impatience. That is, I can hardly wait to complete this internship. I’m looking forward to the travel and responsibility that LINK will bring, and I’m excited to reunite with friends and family in this region. Frankly, my first day in Oregon can’t come fast enough. To be able to experience an urban environment and progressive community like that of Portland is truly special, and I could not be happier that I am going to be guided through this experience by two highly regarded professionals. In my time with LEVER, I would like to be able to contribute to the organization in any way possible, and I’m hoping that my knowledge can someday be passed on to others.