BRIAN OLTROGGE (ULTRA-GEE)
ABOUT ME
For over 20+ years, I have been pursuing all aspects of making by immersing myself in learning about new materials and emerging fabrication technologies. My background is in architecture, but I am also interested in furniture and product design and enjoy discovering new ways of looking at problems to find innovative solutions.
I hope to inspire people to consider the value of responsible design and to develop critical thinking skills by challenging my own assumptions about design and fabrication.
EMPLOYMENT
2008-Present
Owner and Co-Founder | Grunblau Design Studio
Digital Designer, Sculptor, Fabricator and Educator and YouTube Creator
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2019-Present
Digital Fabricator, Consultant | Beanworks
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2017-2019
Digital Fabricator, Special Projects Coordinator, Consultant
Advised on the design and layout of a multi-million dollar digital fabrication lab and tool acquisition for a private tech company. Coordinated various contractors and personally engaged in the renovation and multiple additions to an existing building. Designed and produced prototypes and processes using a Kuka Robot, Laser Cutter as well as the management of lab resources.
2014-2018
Adjunct Professor, Coordinator | Lawrence Technological University
VC4 Advanced Design Studio, Digital Fabrication and Visual Communication.
2001-2016
Director of Applied Technology, Designer | Massie Architecture
Responsible for all 3D modeling, documentation, and digital fabrication for various award winning residential and installation projects.
2005-2016
Invited Lecturer and Visiting Artist | Cranbrook Academy of Art
Led multiple annual seminars on digital fabrication and making as it relates to art and architecture
EDUCATION
2000-2001
Master of Architecture | Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
1996-2000
Bachelor of Environmental Design | Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
TEACHING/LECTURES
2020
Industry Liasson, Beanworks and College for Creative Studies | Detroit, Michigan
Future of Work, Semester Long Workshop and Investigation into Environmental Design
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2014-2018
Adjunct Professor, College of Architecture | Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan
Advanced Design Studio
Intro to Digital Fabrication
Visual Communication Coordinator, Instructor
Awarded Ford C3 Grant for Low Cost Housing Proposal
Developed Prototype House for Habitat for Humanity
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2005-2016
Invited Artist/Annual Workshop Series | Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Rhinoceros 3D: Integration of Art and Digital Fabrication
[Make] Seminar: CAD, CAM, Introduction to CNC Plasma and Router
Advanced Computer Modeling and Digital Process
Analogue to Digital to Analogue: Exploration of 3D Scanning and Rapid Prototyping
2010-2011
Invited Panelist, Design Show Talks | Detroit Artists Market, Detroit, Michigan
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Instructor | College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan,
Transportation Design Department, Precision 2D/3D Modeling, Advanced Rendering
Industrial Design Department, Precision 2D/3D Modeling, Advanced Rendering
2009
Invited Speaker | College for Creative Studies, Crafts Department, Detroit, Michigan
Invited Speaker, Critic | The University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture, Detroit, Michigan
2008
Invited Speaker | College for Creative Studies, Industrial Design Department, Detroit, Michigan
2004-2005
Instructor, Graduate and Undergraduate School of Architecture | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
Rhinoceros 3D and Microstation, Applied Technology in Architecture focusing on Digital Communication and Production
PROJECTS/INSTALLATIONS
2024
COG NATIV Prefab System, Consultation and Development
BMW Car Wash Project Supervision and Fabrication Contractor | Bloomfield Hills
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2023
Hines Industrial Renovation Concept Development R&D, Offices and Warehouse | Northville, Michigan
Aesthetician Office and Athletic and Nutrition Space Concept Development | Northville, Michigan
Heavy Metal Bird Feeder | YouTube
Gravity Clamps | YouTube
Leather Wrapped 3D Prints | YouTube
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2022
Ocean Drive Guest House | Key Largo, Florida
Seaside Residence and Pool Design | Key Largo, Florida
Folded Steel Tree | YouTube
Giant Fiberglass Bowl | YouTube
Deck Chair | YouTube
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2021
KOI Pond Sculptural Fountain Installation | Northville, Michigan
Stitch and Glue Personal Kayak | YouTube
Rocket Stove | YouTube
Ball Jar Light | YouTube
The Thinker, 3D Scan and Metal Cast | YouTube
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2020
Beanworks R&D Fabrication Lab | Plymouth, Michigan
Residence Swimming Spa Addition and Concept Development | Northville, Michigan
427 Cobra Dash Design and Single Point Forming Investigation
9793 Residential Sign and Steel Structure | Northville, Michigan
Casting Aluminum for the Home | YouTube
2019
Orchard Ridge Residence Pool and Gardens, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Dreamlab, Storage Facility and Office Addition Design, Pontiac, Michigan
2018
Dreamlab, Advanced Materials and Paint Lab Addition and Site Work Pontiac, Michigan
2017
Hall House for Habitat for Humanity, Commerce, Michigan
House02, Winning Ford C3 Grant Proposal Pontiac, Michigan
2015-2016
Wessen Lawn Tennis Club, Pontiac, Michigan
2014
Dewey Pool House, Birmingham, Michigan
2013
Post-Industrial Complex, Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit, Michigan
4 Storey Lasercut Handrail, Bloomfield Hills Residence, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Lululemon Storefront Birmingham, Michigan
2012
Maker Faire, Platform CNC, Detroit, Michigan
Valley Way Entrance Gate, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Taubman/Two Mile Hollow Residence, East Hampton, New York, New York
Etterbeek Bar and Lounge, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
2011
Cranbrook New Museum Reception Area, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Nagerian Residence, Birmingham, Michigan
DAM Design Show, Bath, Detroit Artist Market, Detroit, Michigan
2010
Taubman Falcon 2000EX Corporate Jet Interior and Exterior Design
Porous Light, 2010 Design Show, Detroit Artist Market, Detroit, MI
North American Bancard Headquarters, Troy, Michigan
Taubman Residence Conservatory, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Maker Faire, DIY MDF CNC, Detroit, Michigan
2009
Mosaic Youth Theatre, Detroit, Michigan
AXA VIP Art Lounge, Art Basel, Miami, Florida
Whistle Vase, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
2008
American House 08, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
CAT table, Design Democracy 08, ICFF New York City, NY
PARAHINGE chair/table, Design Democracy 08, ICFF New York City, NY
2007
Milan House, Milan, New York
Crysler Pentastar, Clear!Blue, Birmingham, MI
2006
X Screen, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
2005
Sipes Residence, Los Angeles, California
Sternal Residence, Spencertown, New York
Younger Residence, Mercer Street, New York City, New York
2004
Big Belt House, Meagher County, MT
Grabler Building, Laight Street, New York City, NY
Mondo Cane Duane Street, New York City, NY
2003
WPS1.org Internet Radio Station
Entry Space, Shanghai Biennale
White Necklace, Doha Corniche Competition Entry in collaboration with Martha Schwartz
2002
Playa Urbana, PS1 MoMA Young Architects Program Competition.
Window Installation, Agnes B, New York City, NY
2001
Big Sky House, Meagher County, MT
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PUBLISHED WORK / IMAGES
Dougherty, Dale. “Makers Dozen: Detroit” (July 2010); Available from http://blog.makezine.com/2010/07/25/makers-dozen/
Noe, Rain. "DIY CNC? WTF! (part 1 and 2)" (December 2009); Available fromhttp://www.core77.com/blog/technology/diy_cnc_wtf_part_1_15459.asp
Elle Décor Italia, “Passato Moderno”, Tami Christiansen, December 2009, p. 158 – 167
Hauser Magazine for Architecture, Berlin, Germany, August 2009
Hay, David. The Prefab Issue. "Massie Produced" Dwell Magazine (February 2008):Cover,22, 73-79."
Oltrogge, Brian. "William Massie | American House 08" (last updated c.2008,); availablefrom http://www.massiearchitecture.com: Internet.
Arief, Allison. "The Dwell Home." Dwell (July-August 2003) p 73-92.
Gilmartin, Ben. "(1:1) Merging Design and Making: Bill Massie." New Technologies: NewArchitectures, Praxis Journal of Writing and Building 1, no. 6 (2004) p 18-27.
Herbers, Jill. Prefab Modern. Harper Collins Publishers, (2004) p 139-140 149
Cohen, Jean-Louis; Martin, G.; Moeller, Gerard. Liquid Stone: New Architecture inConcrete. Birkhauser, (2006).
Fredricksen, Eric. "Undress Rehearsal" Architecture Magazine, (June, 2006) p 55
Schwartz, Martha. "Doha Corniche Competition, Martha Schwartz Submission" availablefrom http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp? Site_id=7765
Rosa, Joseph. Next Generation Architecture; Folds, Blobs, and Boxes. Rizzoli Press,(2003).
Kroloff, Reed. Best and Brightest 2002. “William Massie.” Esquire (December 2002).
Massie, William. "Remaking in a Post-processed Culture." Versioning: EvolutionaryTechniques in Architecture, ed. Sharples Holden Pasquarelli. Architectural Design 72, no. 5(Sept/Oct 2002) p.54-59.
Hay, David. "How to Build a House for $145,000." Dwell Magazine (August 2002) p 82-84.
Sirefman, Susanna. Modern Shoestring: Contemporary Architecture on a Budget. MilanHouse | Milan, New York | William Massie Architect | $172.00 Per Square Foot | 2007:Monacelli Press, (2008) p 91-99
Waters, John. Blobitecture: Waveform Architecture and Digital Design. Rockport Publishers,2003
Arquitecturas de Exhibicion, “William E. Massie: Playa Urbana/Urban Beach”,September2002, p. 26
