Designfor lifeDesign doesn’t stop at the drawing board, rounding edges and adding features. Design is a mindset which influences and adds value to all phases of a process.

About MeKyle ChristensenB.S. Architecture - University of Michigan, 2011M.B.A. - University of Michigan, 2015 (expected)

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Skills InterestsTraveling

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Innovation

Urbanism

Architecture

The Journey

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6Born in Jackson

middle school in Cadillac

High School in Port Huron

Sustainable City Research Project

in New York

Studied Design in Holland

Started College in Grand Rapids

Architecture Externship in

Los Angeles

Graduated from University of

Michigan

Moved to Midtown Detroit

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CheapnessWhat happens when we build within an economy of means? How can aggregated, modular components be formed as a collective mass, using parametric techniques?

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VEGETATION

BUBBLE SKYLIGHT

SOLID OPAQUE CAP

OPERABLE VENT

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CONCRETE COLUMN

DROP LIGHTING

PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL

WATER COLLECTOR

Using Sonotubes (cardboard tubes designed as modular

formworks for pouring concrete) as an aggregated structural element, unique spaces and conditions are formed. The

effects of generative design are simulated using cheap materials and construction methods. The

resulting structure is both malleable and easy to assemble,

without sacrificing the unique spaces which parametric design

permits.If parametric design is

calculus-based, this is the precalculus approach.

PRECALCULUS ARCHITECTURE

Hybrid VigorWhat is the potential for a hybrid? How can two systems synergize to foster further development?

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scale 1/16” = 1’0”1'

5'

100'10'

50'

The proposal aims at a productive bridge between corporate privacy and public visibility of research and development. An open platform is advantageous for companies who wish to attract young talent and engage with the public opinion.

“Innovation Kitchen” opaque studio space

Materials lab

Client meeting space

Prototype testing facilities

Student terrace

Coffee / deli counter

Cafe lounge for clients

Open air terrace

Studio (Nike)

Cafe

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Toyota Herman Miller

Nike Proctor & GambleApple

Samsung

The famous “Innovation Kitchen” where Nike has designed numerous famous products such as the Air Jordan is replicated. Surrounding space accommodates the Kitchen.

Mimicking the clean, open lines of Apple stores, this layout hides the more technical processes in the outer zones.

Much like the complex web of products in the Proctor & Gamble family, this layout seeks to accomodate a large number of diverse product families.

A big, open space allows for clay sculpting prototypes at large scales. The other zones are close-knit in order to align with Toyota’s revolutionary “lean” manufacturing philosophies.

Inspired by the professional, no-nonsense design philosophy of Herman Miller, this space brings all of the components of the process in close relation to each other.

Samsung’s design has a clear balance of aesthetics and functionality, shown here in a layout that focuses on the duality of good design.

ThresholdAt what point does building become landscape? How do viewpoints and trajectories affect the surfaces and spaces that we occupy?

To Macarthur Bridge

View to Detroit

View to Windsor

View from street

To Scott Fountain

SkateparkBelle Isle, Detroit, Michigan

1/16” = 1’Moments of threshold overlaid on plan

Transverse and longitudinal sections1/16” = 1’

Horizontal sections1/16” = 1’-0”

1 - Men’s locker rooms / showers2 - Women’s locker rooms / showers3 - Men’s restroom4 - Women’s restroom5 - Parent lounge6 - Office administration7 - Pedestrian leisure wallk path8 - Outdoor skatepark9 - Check-in / repairs / rentals10 - Open skate corridor (warm ups)11 - Skateshop (clothing, boards, accessories)12 - Indoor skatepark13 - Exterior skateable roof overhang14 - Restaurant / concessions15 - Garden dining16 - Concert performance stage (above)17 - Riverside dining18 - Step down riverview seating

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Vertical sections1/16” = 1’-0”

Threshold

Skateboarding, much like architecture, relies on the line for success. Finding the right line and crossing boundaries is what leads to great skateboarding. The Belle Isle Skatepark seeks to blur the thresholds using oblique lines and perspective views to create a dynamic skateboarding environment which offers numerous possibilities. Pedestrians and onlookers are also welcome, bridging the gap between the historical divide between skaters and non-skaters. This synergetic proposal isn’t merely a skatepark or public pedestrian plaza. Instead, Belle Isle Skatepark merges the two typologies into a new architectural form.

2,87

6 ft.

2,506

ft.

2,425 ft.

2,014 ft.

2,479 ft.

Detroit, Michigan, United States -- 10,032 ft.

Windsor, Ontario, Canada -- 1

0,388 ft.

Temporary Grand Prix installations

Moments of threshold, conflict, multiplicity

Proposed path of skateboarders

Existing trees on the island

Man-made pond

Interesting lines, perspective viewpoints

Belle Isle Casino

James Scott

United States

Canada

Open space used for temporary events only

Detroit Boat Club

Macarthur Bridge2,193 ft.

Grand Prix start/finish line

Grand Prix track

APBA Gold Cup hydroplane race

Red Bull Air Race

Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix

“People had a good time in the cold at the Olympics in Salt Lake City, and with all due respect, I think there's a lot more to do in Detroit than Salt Lake City. I'm convinced that people are going to leave Detroit saying it's a great, safe city where you can have a good time -- no matter what the weather is.”

Roger Penske

“We have an opportunity to show the world that this is a much different place than it was in 1982, the last time we hosted the Super Bowl. A renaissance is taking place in what was a decaying inner city, and I can't wait for the world to see the new Detroit.”

Roger Penske

“Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!”

Andrew Carnegie

“The quality of the imagination is to flow and not to freeze”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ambassador Bridge -- Detroit --9,980 ft.

Better BlockHow can we activate an underutilized space in Detroit? How can we visually campaign for better urban planning? What does it take to build a community?

Overview

The “Five Pillars”

ParticipantsThe US Green Building Council - Detroit Regional Chapter (DRC) and Wayne State University have organized Detroit’s first-ever Better Block in an effort to raise awareness of complete streets, place-making methods, and the potential for healthy, vibrant neighborhoods in the city. The aim is to make the chosen block a model of what can happen when sustainable design is applied to an underserved urban area. The site features food and drinks, work by local artists and artisans, and entertainment and exhibits from nearby venues.

Transportationrefers to any means taken to move people within a city, such as biking, busing, driving, walking, skating and more. We encourage a healthy mix of them all!Safetyis tantamount to the feeling of comfort and protection we experience in everyday situations. Safety must exist first to better your block!The Environmentwe nurture and inhabit provides us with the very resources we need to live day in and out. Our impacts on the environment will last past our own generation.Entertainmentreveals our ability to showcase our talents and enjoy other peoples’ gifts. Better Block Detroit provides spectators with a variety of recreation this weekend.Communityis achieved when people come together to share their opinions and experiences in a respectful and open way. Our time on the block creates a community we all value and enrich!

Food/Drink1. Hut-K Chaats2. San Street3. Peaches and Greens4. Tabia Coulibaly5. Anthology Coffee6. Joe Service

Associates7. Delirium Donuts8. Tangent Biergarten

Organizations9. Hopscotch Detroit10. Detroit Reforesters11. Detroit Sketchbook

Project12. Freshwater Railway13. Transportation Riders

United14. Michigan Urban

Farming InitiativeVendors and Exhibitors

15. Fortress Studios16. Nate’s Kids Furniture17. Arbonne International18. The End Grain

Woodworking Co.19. Re:new Detroit20. Goodness Gracious

Floral21. JMS Asbestos

Training Center & Environmental Service

22. Caricaturist23. Charlene Uresy

Furniture24. Yvette Jenkins fair

trade wares25. North End

Neighborhood InitiativesActivities

26. Be Nice Yoga27. Yoga Shelter28. Community input

charette29. Detroit City F.C.30. Pop-up interior garden

Music31. Urban Legend32. Detroit Rhythm33. Massive Detroit DJs

Muralists34. Dustin Spagnola35. Katherine Craig and

Gabriel Daniels36. Art Imitating Life

Printing Services37. Rusas Printing

Company

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Milwaukee St.

E. Grand Blvd.

St. Antoine St.

Oakland St.

InterventionWhat is the role of “joy” in design? How can we bring “joy” to a city in transition? Are we taking advantage of Detroit’s best assets?

DETROIT WATER CITY

WWW.DETROITWATERCITY.ORGA CIVIC INTERVENTION PROJECT

“How can we use our city’s best asset?”

First ClassWho is the customer segment for a private flight service? What differentiates private flight from commercial airlines? How can we bring peace of mind to busy commuters?

ProductWhat is the relationship between product design, advertising, and end consumer? How do our products influence our behaviors and conciousness?

“A li�le rough

around the edges!”

Detroit

“A li�le rough

around the edges!”

Detroit

GeocodedHow can we visually show our clients’ behaviors? What benefits are there in geocoded map data for understanding return on investment?

Search JobWhere are the firms that specialize in design thinking and innovation consulting? Do business design “hubs” exist?