Benjamin Kolder is recent graduate of the University of California - Los Angeles Department of Architecture and Urban Design, where he earned his professional degree in architecture. He holds his Bachelor Degree in Architecture from the University of Kentucky - College of Design.
During has academic career, Benjamin participated in design studios, seminars, workshops, and cross-disciplinary collaboratives domestically in California, Kentucky & Ohio and internationally in Mexico, Panama, the Netherlands & Taiwan. Early in his professional career, Benjamin has interned for OMA in New York, UNStudio in Amsterdam, Neil M. Denari Architects in Los Angeles and Asymptote Architecture in New York. He's currently enjoying his time in Los Angeles as a Project Designer at Neil M. Denari Architects.
Asymptote Architecture, New York, NY, US, Architectural Intern
Assistance:
Sharing Models: Manhattanism // Storefront for Art & Architecture // Exhibition (Jul 2016)
Asymptote Lighting // Product Development (2016)
Neil M. Denari Architects, Inc, Los Angeles, CA, US, Design Intern
Assistance:
9000 Wilshire // Beverly Hills, California // Office Building (2015-18)
Wildwood School // Los Angeles, California // Middle and Upper School [6-12] (2014-19)
MASS X // Publication (2016)
UNStudio, Amsterdam, NL, Architecture Trainee
I worked in a small design team participating in all phases of design including competition entries, concept design, schematic design and design development. I was given responsibility within all facets of the design process including designing, digital modeling, developing parametric scripts, producing diagrams, renderings and supporting drawings for internal and external presentations, and designing, consructing and documenting physical models for internal studies and final presentations. In addition to understanding and developing the formal language within the office, my personal interest in parametric tools allowed me to develop more intelligent methods for designing and constructing from the scale of the designed object to the scale of urban planning. The work I developed explored several typologies and scales. I assisted in the following projects:
Competitions:
- Astana Expo 2017 - urban design competition
- Mercedes Benz Retail 2020 - retail design / branding competition
- Osaka Umetika Urban Development - urban design competition
- Atrium Building (Atriumgebouw) - transformation design competition
Development:
- Baku White City Retail Building - design development
- Baku White City Office Building - concept design, schematic design and design development
- Baku White City Twin Office Buildings - schematic design and design development
- Baku White City Bank Building - concept design
- Zuidschans Office Tower - design development
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, US, Fabrication Assistant
The Workshop and Digital Fabrication Lab provides a safe, well-maintained environment in which both students and faculty can explore three-dimensional construction in most mediums. My responsibilities included the general overseeing of modeling and fabrication in addition to assisting students with shop machinery, file preparations and fabrication advice.
OMA (The Office for Metropolitan Architecture), New York, NY, US, Extern
As a two-week externship organized by the University of Kentucky College of Design, I assisted in two teams with projects in various phases of development. Specifically, I assisted in developing and documenting physical models for a Coach flagship store prototype as well as developing interior schemes for a private residence in Japan.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, US, MArch, Architecture
