Located along the Missouri River, in Kansas City, Mo, Dougout Pavilion pays homage to the dugout canoe, which indigenous people used to navigate the river for centuries. Just as the construction of dugout canoes was a communal process, the pavilion is a place for the local community to gather over a meal or party, acting as an escape from the city.
The building appears to be carved from a continuous hollowed-out log.
The log is flipped to be a roof, protecting inhabitants from the elements.
The exterior is charred to make it water-resistant and increase its longevity.
Located on the crest of a ravine in Ledges State Park, IA, Civic Farmstead is a collection of public structures and DNR offices. An 84’ channel-glass observation tower can be seen for miles, glowing both day and night, and attracting visitors to the “farmstead.” Civic spaces include a public art gallery, a small auditorium for performances, and a flex space for conferences, learning activities, or an indoor market.
Each spatial function is divided into its own building/wing in order to avoid the removal of any old trees and respect the hill’s crest.
The spaces and paths are then laid out along a procession that guides visitors through the built and natural environment’s best.
This path encourages visitors to admire the landscape of Ledges State Park by creating view corridors and places to rest.
Many of the buildings on the complex resemble barns, in both form and structure.
The glowing observation tower, known as the Beacon, is inspired by a towering silo.
In order to stand apart, the multi-media auditorium takes on a different form.
The civic spaces and Iowa Landscape Agency offices are split among multiple different structures, like Iowan farmsteads.
This strategy allows the buildings to avoid existing trees, have a smaller, human-scale presence, and save on energy costs when a space is not in use.
Offices are located on the second floor to separate them from the public.
Located in the center of Main Street in Ames, IA, 206 Main St squeezes two studio apartments above a commercial flex-space while respecting the context of the street. Set back from the sidewalk, the design celebrates light and invites the public inside. Each apartment boasts double-height living spaces and private patios, all hidden behind a wooden screen.
The building is located at the heart of Ames, walking distance from the shops on Main Street, Ames Public Library, City Hall, and Bandshell Park.
Noise is a challenge on this site, being in close proximity to the power plant, a parking lot, downtown nightlife, and the railroad.
The site currently allows for easy access from the free parking lots to Main St and Douglas Ave. It is important that the alleyway remains accessible.
The Kraus House was a precedent study earlier in the semester.
The floor plan follows a parallelogram grid, and each room makes a unique shape.
The shapes are re-arranged into a larger parallelogram, which became a screen.
The screen on the South side of the building acts as a sound barrier by reflecting some of the sound waves.
As the sun moves throughout the day, the screens will cast shadows deep into the apartments.
The screens also serve to add privacy, restricting views into the apartments from the road and parking lot.
Hello, my name is Alexander Crites.
I’m a dedicated student who is passionate about solving complex problems and improving the lives of everyday people. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a designer. This talent, paired with my passions, fuels my deep interest in the realm of architecture.
I cannot wait to put my skills to work, and collaborate to improve the built environment.
Bachelors of Architecture (BArch) - Iowa State University
Fall 2023 - Spring 2028
Cumulative GPA: 4.0
Honors: President's List - 4 semesters, Dean's list - 5 semesters
Top Model Competition Winner (Representational Model category)
Fall 2024
Top Model Competition Winner (Conceptual Model category)
Fall 2024
Masonry Institute of Iowa Bricklaying Competition Co-winner
April 2025
Shift Manager - Taco Johns of Iowa
Jul 2021 - Jan 2026
Model Making,
Adobe Suite,
Rhino 3D/Grasshopper,
AutoCAD,
Twinmotion/Lumion/Enscape,
Microsoft Office,
Photography,
Web Design,
and Video Editing
Making Music (Trumpet & Piano),
Playing Pickleball,
Politics,
and Learning Random Things
