Digital Portfolio

1. DESIGN PORTFOLIO
of
LAURA LUTTERMAN Architect in Training

2. CONTENTS
LAURA LUTTERMAN DEDICATION
Architect in Training
1 Turtle on a Fence Post
[Permanent Address] DESIGN PHILOSOPHY + GOALS
804 Viking Drive 1 I believe...
Marshall, MN 56258 1 I want to become...
ARCHITECTURE
[Phone]
507.829.8813 2 From Then to Now: A timeline of Studio Projects
7 Water Research Center
10 Master's Thesis: Preparing for Demographic Shifts
[E-Mail]
Laura.Lutterman@live.com TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
14 Travel Map
15 Photography
[Website]
www.LauraLutterman.com
DRAWING
[Linkedin]
www.linkedin.com/in/LauraLutterman 17 Travel Sketches
GRAPHIC DESIGN
19 Freelance Graphic Design

3. "You know, if you see a turtle up
on the fence post, it's a sure thing he I believe...
ain't got there by himself." that every design solution
solves more than the design
Marvin Malecha, FAIA problem itself. While quality
and function are important
This portfolio is dedicated to my family, friends and in design, I feel that good
colleagues who have put me on “the fence post.” Without design is retained if a building
your encouragement and support the projects in this portfolio means something to someone,
would not exist, THANK YOU! if its occupants value it, and
if it creates feelings and
I have created this portfolio in hopes that you, a potential experiences that are not
employer, will see the same qualities and potential that my
family, friends and colleagues have seen in me over the years.
I hope you enjoy what I have to show you.
I want to become...
Thank You for Your Time,
• Leed Certified
• A Licensed Architect
• A Partner in a firm

4. 1
st year
From Then to Now
Metaphor Project: Ice Skating
Adjunct Faculty Heather Fischer and Chris Hawley
Moving through the sequence of spaces
is like the first stride in ice skating.
The edges of the first space quickly lift
the eye to the top of the composition.
The enclosure of the second space
pushes the eye down, diagonnaly,
at a forceful speed toward the
destination space--which
North Dakota State University tapers outward pushing the
eye to the edge. The sliver
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design of aluminum which cuts
through the wood helps to
Master of Architecture reinforce the push by pulling
the eye closer to the edge.
The destination is open, and
powerful--similar to the end result
of a stride when ice skating.

5. 2
Music House
nd year Assistant Professor Stephen Wischer
GIven a song and a profession, I was to first
create my clients story and then their home.
The Client
Jim Wilson was a young pilot who had a secret love for a woman. A love
that could never be expressed--as he was seldom able to spend time
Profession: Pilot with her. When the woman died in a tragic accident he felt as though
Oenophillia Song: Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” no one else could ever understand his pain.
Assistant Professor Stephen Wischer
Shortly after her death, he decided it was time to build a home; a home
Oenophilia is Greek for the Love of Wine. This infill to be his alone; fitting his routines, and keeping his only remaining
project is a winery that emphasizes on the relationship of companions close; his gardenias and Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.”
the human body and grapes to their environments.
The Song
“Moonlight Sonata” begins softly, delicately repeating a triplet
motion in the fingers. The song evolves as the notes slowly gain
strength and the music swells as though it is building toward
something greater.
“Moonlight Sonata” has become Wilson’s companion; he feels as
though it is the only thing that understands him. IT contains his
unattainable hope, his unrequited love.
The House
Jim Wilson is dedicated to the care of his gardenias
--a flower that is delicate and is a symbol of “secret
love” and refinement. The routine that WIlson's house
designed around was the watering of the flowers and
playing of “Moonlight Sonata” before he goes to bed
every night.
The levels of the house (inside and out) are evocative
of the triplet motion heard throughout the song.
Within WIlson’s bedroom the presence of the piano is
felt by the beveled space above, where the piano is
kept.

6. 3
rd year
Lake Agassiz Regional Library
Professor Cindy Urness Center of Performing Arts
Assistant Professor David Crutchfield
The unifying concept behind the design was to create a library that
embraces and respects the Rourke Art Museum, which shares the The unfolding experience relates to the branches of a Treaty Oak and
site with the Lake Agassiz Regional Library. the experience of watching a performance. The branches of a Treaty
Oak visually unfold and expand as one approaches, slowly revealing its
unique material similar to that of the performing arts center.
Hotel Galactica
Assistant Professor David Crutchfield
Hotel Galactica was built for the clients of Spaceport America. The
design was derived from the notion of zero gravity--floor plans
were roated into elevations, and elevations turned into floor plans,
resulting in a form that looks as though it is defying gravity.

7. 4
th year
THE CURRENT CONDITION
Those who live in slums have the lowest income and least amount of
resources, giving them no other option but to live in a neighborhood
of 750 people where the housing is inadequate, food production is
limited and water is unsanitary which often results in poor health.
With these limited resources and opportunities adults are often
unable to better themselves and focus on the day-to-day challenges
*Marvin Windows Competition: Livingston School
Professors: Darryl Booker, Frank Kratky, and Paul Gleye
rather than their future goals. The children within these families are
affected by poverty much like their parents, developing a day-to-day
survival mindset and struggle as an adult to find a job and pay bills—
continuing the cycle of poverty.
THE PROBLEM
Aside from caring about the general well being of others, poverty and
inequality have disruptive effects that bear social and financial costs.
With circumstances as they are, the inability for people to provide
for themselves or to be provided for will continue to decrease the
value of the community as the population increases and the economic
problems and living conditions worsen. Ignoring the current problems
increases the likelihood of a community transforming into a catalyst
for violence driven by motivation, illicit drugs, human trafficking and
HIV/AIDS.
For a small village in the Kigoma Region of Tanzania, with no public buildings and where the most educated member
DEFINING A VIABLE COMMUNITY
A viable community is one that has value, which persists from
generation to generation, and is able to facilitate life, growth and
development on its own using practical means at hand. The value of a
community is recognized when the environment reflects the interests
of the people, economy, administration and cultural life. These cultural
elements not only bring value to the community but a sense of
of their family often teaches children, the Livingston School is a symbol of hope and opportunity. The standard of
cohesiveness among the citizens, facilitating growth and development
by considering a number of present and common condition such as:
intent, beliefs, wants, needs, goals, problems, challenges and risks-- that
are affecting the identity of participants.
OUR DESIGN
This proposed urban design draws on the cultural elements and
living in this community will gradually improve by providing educational resources and a place for exploration, ideas
represents a transitional community of opportunities, which
demonstrates that work leads to something better. Public Assembly + Health
With providing access to land and making small loans available Residential Dwellings
for the purchase of an initial core unit, the notion that work leads
to something better is emphasized within the community when Residential / Commercial Dwellings
participants are able to purchase more building materials and make
and interactions that can persist from generation to generation.
personalized additions to their dwelling. Waste and Water Facilities
Vegetation
Permanent Pathways
Public Plazas + Markets
Displaced Homes
Complete Urban Design
Global Village Shelters
Current Condition with displaced homes to achieve next goal.
Goal # 1 - Construct Assembly Space Goal # 2 - Waste and Water Facilities Goal # 3 - Permanent Pathways Goal # 4 - Commercial / Residential Buildings (slum enterprises) Goal # 5 - Residential Dwellings
[URBAN DESIGN] A Transitional Community of Opportunities
The electrical problems within the community can be solved
with a combination of three modern technologies: the solar During the deconstruction and reconstruction of homes,
Agriculture is incorporated in this design as a way for the residents displaced families will reside global village shelters until their new
lantern, energy efficient clean cook stoves and grid electricity
to become more self-sufficient, they are able to do this by means of home is ready for occupancy.
with pre-pay metering.
sack gardens and container gardens which residents could keep on
the roof of their dwelling.
Global Village Shelter Opportunities and a sense of identity are created for the
residents with a multi-use facility that provides the community
with a space for art, entertainment, religious ceremonies and
education. Positive community development is facilitated for
slum dwellers with the creation of permanent pathways that
promote slum enterprises and encourage human interaction and
Currently, the residents of this Santo Domingo neighborhood exchange between residents and people in the
UnBathroom Dry Compost Toilet drink bottled water to avoid the high risk of contract waterborne surrounding neighborhood.
To improve the sanitation problems we are proposing the short and water contact diseases such as maleria, typhoid fever, hepatitis
term use of UnBathroom technologies until the construction of a, bacterial diarrhea and leptospirosis. A clinic is incorporated in the design as a place to
dry compost toilets are constructed. The facilities which house the educate the residents about health and sanitation in
dry compost toilets collect rain water for the use of bathing, and We are proposing that biosand filters replace the need for bottle addition to being capable of
washing clothes. drinking water, reducing the amount of waste and creating a safe giving vaccine, stitches, casts
local and cost effective source of drinking water. and aiding in childbirth.
In addition to the water facilities, this public area will also be a
collection point for solid waste and recyclables. Current Living Conditions
Electricity Solid waste + Sanitation Food Production Potable Water Housing Health + Education + Community
Laura Lutterman and Jodi Ziegelman ARCH 472 - Spring 2010 Professors: Darryl Booker, Frank Kratky, Paul Gleye
Dominican Republic Urban Design Professors: Darryl Booker, Frank Kratky, and Paul Gleye
This proposed urban design draws on the cultural elements
and represents a transitional community of opportunities,
which demonstrates that work leads to something better. With
providing access to land and making small loans available for
the purchase of an initial core unit, the notion that work leads
to something better is emphasized within the community when
participants are able to purchase more building materials and
make personalized additions to their dwelling. The solution of
this community plan regulates the design solution for the Santo
Domingo Housing Project on the following spread. *Competition Finalist

8. Dominican Republic Housing Project
Professors: Darryl Booker, Frank Kratky, and Paul Gleye
This design is an architectural solution for a fragment of the community
design and further explores housing and other elements of urban design such
as, paths and open spaces that meet the team’s guidelines for an informal
settlement in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
This housing solution assumes that tenure is given to the residents and
meets the criteria of the team’s community plan guidelines by improving
their access to water, food, sanitation, and durable housing with flexible and
sufficient living areas.
Each housing unit has a footprint of 350 sq. ft and would accommodate one
family (5 persons). This design would give them resources and empower
them to increase their income. By providing a shelter that is essentially
incomplete, yet is easily adaptable for improvements, residents are
motivated by the notion that hard work leads to a better life. This impression
is understood once residents take ownership of their shelter by investing
time, energy and money to make it uniquely theirs.

9. 5
th year
Water Research Center
Assistant Professor Mark Barnhouse
Water has been a continous resource throughout
our lives, for life to continue far into the future we
must conserve water, educate the community and
work for scientific solutions.
The water research center is a hub for these
activities. The rough terrain inspired the design's
skewed grid, which inspired the use of what I call
tetrahedral waffle slabs--as seen in the Yale University
Art Gallery by Louis Kahn.
The wide hallways faciliate human interaction while
framing views. The framed views reflect the idea of This diagram illustrates the framed views and shows the skewed
looking beyond the present. floor plan.

10. The structure is a braced beam system made up of tetrahedral elements and poured in
place. The slab of each floor/roof is poured across the top of the tetrahedral shapes,
resulting in a continous horizontal void. This void allows for wires and ducts to be
threaded through the structure enabling spot- and down-lights to be recessed instead
of dangling and enables them to be installed, moved and projected at anytime.

12. A Closer Look:
Master's Thesis:
The built environment is thrown out of equilibrium with an ever-fluctuating
demographic profile. This imbalance is resulting in an overabundance of
commercial and/or housing properties. By taking advantage of improvements
in sustainable modular construction systems one can adapt the built
How Architecture can Prepare for environment to the needs of the city.
Changes in Demographics This design thesis explores the application of the Loq-Kit system in a mixed-use
building in downtown Detroit. The program for the design includes residential
Assistant Professor Bakr Mourad Aly Ahmed
apartments, a nursing home, business suites and retail.
The 6-Way Connector is a key component for the Loq-Kit system designed by Pattrick Freet and PAF
Architecture. The connector allows panels to snap into place and to slide out of place as needed.
The Loq-Kit Components used and adapted to create this design thesis are
a product of research done by Pattrick Freet and PAF Architecture.

14. Loq-Kit Floor Panel
Loq-Kit Joist
Adapted Loq-Kit Ceiling Clip
Loq-Kit Ceiling Panel
Loq-Kit Weather Strip
Loq-Kit 6-Way Connector
Loq-Kit Wall Panel

16. Travel
Experience
Mexico Luxembourg
Italy England
Ireland
Germany Canada Japan
Switzerland
Austria France Iceland
Jamaica Spain

17. Traveling has given me
the opportunities to
experience two of the
things I like to learn
about most: cultures and
architecture.
Without traveling I would
have never experienced
the Sendai Tanabata
Festival, a demonstration
in Paris as a result to
changes in the French
Social Security System,
or a riot in Berlin after
the Germans lost to
Croatia in the Euro Cup
Football Championship.
Traveling has given
me the opportunity to
experience architecture
created by world-
renowned architects
such as Frank Lloyd
Wright, Louis Kahn,
Richard Meier, Tadao
Ando, Santiago Calatrava
and Antoni Gaudi.
I will never forget
the places that I have
visited, the late nights
in airports and train
stations, running from
train to train, hiking in
the Swiss Alps, walking
two miles instead of two
blocks to find our hostel,
wandering the streets
of Rome and stumbling
upon Richard Meier’s
Ara Pacis Museum, or
being lost in rural Japan
without a translator.

19. Sketches

21. Freelance
Graphic Design
Happening now. The Detroit Works Project. Detroit Michigan.
Detroit of today.
Detroit of our future?
Happening now. The Detroit Works Project. Detroit Michigan.