Keith L. Brown

Professional works: Introduction - The following slides are samples of work done at various architectural firms. On each project I've had multiple roles, designer was my main responsibility.

Keefer's steak and seafood restaurant: intro - (While employed at Aria Group Architects, Chicago IL.) Project type: Hospitality (Interior build out) Chicago, IL Responsibilities: Designer, Design presentation, Construction documents Construction Budget: 1.2 million Keefers is a fine dining steak and seafood restaurant located in the river north area of downtown Chicago IL. The client was interested in a restaurant that had a warm inviting traditional steakhouse interior yet was modern and unpretentious.

Site - (While employed at Aria Group Architects, Chicago IL.) Keefer's is located on the ground level at the intersection of Kinzie and Dearborn st. Chicago IL.

Floor plan - (While employed at Aria Group Architects) Analyzing the space during schematic design, I noticed the circular portion of the space has a center point offset from its central column. This double foci was utilized. The bar and dining area were generated from the central column while the rest of the space was generated from the center point. This also allowed more circulation between the bar and dining booths. The interior column was then developed further to form a large interior dining umbrella.

Design investigations - (While employed at Aria Group Architects, Chicago IL.) Design investigations contemplating an edge condition upon entry into the main dining area

Design investigations - (While employed at Aria Group Architects, Chicago IL.) Design investigations looking at both sides of the back bar trying to ensure structural alignment with seating as well as maintain privacy for diners.

Interior view - (While employed at Aria Group Architects, Chicago IL.) This is a north interior view (under interior dining umbrella) in main dining area, looking toward back bar and booth seating.

Interior view - (While employed at Aria Group Architects, Chicago IL.) This is a west interior view upon entry, looking at bar and booth seating.

Interior view - (While employed at Aria Group Architects, Chicago IL.) North Interior view in main dining area (under interior dining umbrella) looking at built in lobster tank.

Dusable Museum Roundhouse wing - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Project type: Institution (Interior renovation of an existing structure) Chicago, IL Responsibilties: Designer, Design presentation materials, construction documents and millwork drawings Construction Budget: 25 million The DuSable Museum is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, in Washington Park. It's the first and oldest museum dedicated to the study and conservation of African American history, culture, and art.

Schematic design drawing - One of the tasks I was assigned on this project was to design the general library inside the musuem. Challenges: Due to the plans configuration, the floor was cut at an angle in this area. There also were multiple entry points into this small space. This sketch investigates the checkout desk, administration and entry areas.

Dusable Museum Roundhouse wing - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Design development study of the museum's library at the second level entry. An identifiable kit of parts was investigated, to be used in each major museum space.

Dusable Museum Roundhouse wing 3d Revit Model exploring different aspects of the library entry sequence.
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Dusable Museum Roundhouse wing 3d Revit Model exploring different aspects of the library entry sequence and staff area.
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Dusable Museum Roundhouse wing 3d Revit Model exploring different aspects of the library staff area.
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Dusable Museum Roundhouse wing - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Design development study of the teens lounge area, investigating reuse of the identifiable kit of parts.

Dusable Museum Roundhouse wing - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Design development study of the museum's library entry sequence. The (dark wood) wrapper concept was used as a way to tie together a complex multi level entry scenario.

Construction document excerpt - Excerpt from the construction document set showing stair detail drawings I produced for the library entry sequence. AutoCad 10

Construction document excerpt - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Excerpt from the construction document set of stair details. AutoCad 10

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) all renderings produced in ArchiCad 10 Project type: Recreational Center (New construction: Interiors package) Chicago, IL Reponsibilties: Concept development, Designer, Design presentation, 3d modeler, construction documents and millwork drawings Construction Budget: 150 million The Kroc center is a comprehensive state of the art community center to be located in the west Pullman area of Chicago, IL.

Schematic design: section perspective - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Although awarded the interiors portion of the project, during the schematic phase I was asked to propose a scheme that would illustrate conceptual clarity and act as a starting point to generate design decisions and discussions. The following slides are investigations of the program requirement of having a chapel inside the community center. The illustration above shows a central spine between the chapel (red) and the pool area.

Schematic design: section perspective - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) This is a Section view of entry into pool area and check in desk with lifeguard and security office above. Conceptually, the idea was to express the chapel as something that couldn't be contained. As it extends out into the facility and community, it morphs into other objects, identifiable by the color red. The color red has significance to the Salvation Army as it is used in their flag to symbolize religious connotations.

Schematic design: section perspective - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Section exploring the tension of forms between the chapel and the facility. The chapel (red) was explored as a separate building within the building that could not be contained yet remained visible from other areas within the facility. An exaggerated expression was explored in order to create contrast. The tension of forms would make dynamic interstitial space. The iconic form would also act as a constant reminder of the Salvation Army's mission.

Schematic design: Section perspective - While employed at: 3d Design studio (Chicago IL) Section exploring interior atmosphere inside the chapel. Oppurtunities for natural and borrowed light would enter on both sides of the chapel.