The socio-political structure of Belgium, a whole containing disparate parts, serves as the catalyst for The Odd Couple: two individual... Show moreThe socio-political structure of Belgium, a whole containing disparate parts, serves as the catalyst for The Odd Couple: two individual secondary schools in Brussels, one Dutch-speaking, the other French-speaking, sharing the same site. The common element shared among the two schools is the public realm. Rather than shunning the public, the public is encouraged to actively engage in activities within the building. In this way the common spaces throughout the building take on the role of serving the needs and desires of both schools and the public, resulting in the necessity for dialogue and cooperation. By filtering program through a socio-political lens, a “school” typology emerges that emphasizes interaction and extramural learning. Sponsorship: Conger-Austin, Susan Show less
This project compares multiple construction materials and assemblies in order to find options which will improve the life cycle performance of... Show moreThis project compares multiple construction materials and assemblies in order to find options which will improve the life cycle performance of retail big box structures, using Walmart Supercenters as a specific case study. It utilizes the Athena EcoCalculator to accomplish this task. Show less
This project explores an architecture of symbiosis between Dance Academy and host community as a critique of contemporary private property... Show moreThis project explores an architecture of symbiosis between Dance Academy and host community as a critique of contemporary private property development in a mature and gentrifying Chicago neighborhood. Show less
The innovative institute blends the professionalism of the city with the teachings of a studio-based architecture school in the neighborhood... Show moreThe innovative institute blends the professionalism of the city with the teachings of a studio-based architecture school in the neighborhood of Bronzeville. Thus, this helps the students become exposed to the real world practice, attaining professional principles and experience in the field. The new institute becomes an incubator for learning and producing great architecture. It combines individuals at various stages of their professional and educational careers. Graduate students, graduates, and working architects share space and together create a unique learning environment Show less
This community center was designed to make connections between the different generations to create a truly united community, not just a... Show moreThis community center was designed to make connections between the different generations to create a truly united community, not just a neighborhood. Each generation has something that they can bring to others, but this rarely happens because each generation normally congregates together, which isolates themselves from the others. The community center provides opportunities to create these connections. These opportunities will be through Music, Fitness, Art and Education. Show less
My project is an urban redevelopment following catastrophe. A catastrophic explosion in 2010 left a portion of Nanjing city destroyed. The... Show moreMy project is an urban redevelopment following catastrophe. A catastrophic explosion in 2010 left a portion of Nanjing city destroyed. The project proposes a new urban plan to rebuild the neighborhood and restore the community. A powerful explosion at an abandoned plastics factory in Qixia district of Nanjing city has left several people dead and dozens injured. Buildings and vehicles within 100m of the factory destroyed, 3000 citizen got the key of the street and buildings suffered varying degrees of damage in the area 8 miles in circumference. The blast was caused by a leak from a gas pipeline inside the factory, the blast happened after workers dismantling the plant damaged a propylene pipeline. The leaked gas was then ignited when a car engine was started at the scene. There were a community college and several kindergartens in this area, fortunately, it was summer break at that time, no students hurt reported. It is a unique opportunity to develop a plan in an urban context when the prior years of development have been wiped away. The purpose of the project is giving condos return to 3000 people who lost their houses in the explosion and planing mix-used buildings of the community for next 20 years. At present, many old nerghbourhoods in China are being replaced by new ones. In the most cases, the existing urban patternes are erased and a town is built with out any links to what had previouly existed there. My ptoposal is reusing most of the existing tree line streets, river and bridges. The key of this proposal is sustainability, first idea is using existing river to develop a nice wetland park and the second idea is farming gradens. Show less
This project was done as a response to the thriving public performance community at the northern side of Grant park in Chicago, IL. As a... Show moreThis project was done as a response to the thriving public performance community at the northern side of Grant park in Chicago, IL. As a former resident of the South Loop a rift was readily perceived between the North and South ends of the park in both venues for entertainment as well as general amenities. This project looked to fill a void on the south end of the park to create both a more welcoming outdoor space for the public but also to create a performance venue that could help bring business and pedestrian traffic to the southern end of the loop. Show less
This project is a focus on spatial flexibility. The idea is to generate housing components that focuses on flexibility in order to create... Show moreThis project is a focus on spatial flexibility. The idea is to generate housing components that focuses on flexibility in order to create space that is defined by the user. Show less
This project focuses on the connectivity of different forms of transit and different neighborhoods in Chicago. Starting at the scale of city... Show moreThis project focuses on the connectivity of different forms of transit and different neighborhoods in Chicago. Starting at the scale of city wide transit systems, it narrows down to a specific node and deals with the design and planning of a transit oriented development. Show less
Most great cities of today originally started as small settlements on the banks of rivers. Ahmedabad, founded in year 1411 AD by emperor Ahmed... Show moreMost great cities of today originally started as small settlements on the banks of rivers. Ahmedabad, founded in year 1411 AD by emperor Ahmed Shah indeed has a claim for thriving in all aspects of life for the past six centuries. Established as a small military settlement on the dry and sandy north Gujarat plains on the bank of river Sabarmati, Ahmedabad today is fifth largest city and seventh largest metropolitan of India. Geographically the Sabarmati River divides the city of Ahmedabad into two segments. Within each side of the city there are two distinct images, urban west and historic east. It could be stated that the historic district of city must now hold its position as the center both geographically and economically considering the overall metropolitan area of Ahmedabad. With rapid urbanization, the historic district is overlapped by today’s fast paced life and urbanity resulting a steady loss of its heritage and greater than that, a sense of place. This thesis proposes a conservation and reconstruction model for the historic district of Ahmedabad addressing the most fundamental issues of economic viability and sustainability. The main challenge driving this thesis is how to retrofit the historic district so that it matches the urbanity of 21st century along with keeping its historic character intact. The initial process is to assemble background observations and research that will provide an understanding of the concepts required for retrofitting the historic district of Ahmedabad. It is hopeful that the ideas and architectural process can also be a framework to be applied on other historic cores that have been neglected and suppressed by today’s urbanity and especially in Asian countries. M.S. in Architecture, December 2012 Show less
By refashioning the design and programmatic use of an offshore oil rig into a luxury hotel for ecotourists, a new age of responsible travel... Show moreBy refashioning the design and programmatic use of an offshore oil rig into a luxury hotel for ecotourists, a new age of responsible travel may emerge. By twisting the symbol of oil dependency into an ecologically preserved, environmentally accountable and revenue-producing prototype, the ideals of reuse, energy and environment can be viewed through a new lens. This design creates interesting and innovative living spaces and environments aided by sustainable integrations to create a “living machine” that establishes connections between all building systems as well as inhabitant inputs and outputs resulting in an energy independent habitat. Show less
The center is a celebration of Chicago's unique seasonal opportunities and will encourage the inherent entertainment nature provides. This is... Show moreThe center is a celebration of Chicago's unique seasonal opportunities and will encourage the inherent entertainment nature provides. This is a structurally determinate project. Show less
Water shortages will be a global problem by the year 2025. With the Great Lakes Basin accounting for 95% of the fresh water in the United... Show moreWater shortages will be a global problem by the year 2025. With the Great Lakes Basin accounting for 95% of the fresh water in the United States it will soon become our most valuable natural resource. In re-defining urban relationships to the Great Lakes a healthy, ecologically stable, and regenerative water system can become our greatest national asset. Providing a prototype solution for one of these urban areas (Traverse City, MI) may set a precedent for long term protection of the Great Lakes. Show less