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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

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