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
C-ward is the neighborhood (in Mumbai) that was designed and developed around 1940 and thereafter there has been no or very little improvement... Show moreC-ward is the neighborhood (in Mumbai) that was designed and developed around 1940 and thereafter there has been no or very little improvement in infrastructure, which has led to narrow street, unsafe pedestrian and limited open space. C-ward in one of the most prime real-estate location considering it right next to financial district , close to major train station and close to Shoreline. ROMF (Remaking of Mumbai Federation) has taken the initiative to develop the C-ward and the project site part of ROMF development area. City centers have always been source of density because of scarcity of land. The sensible and effective use of such land would be to build vertical (high-rise) and also to have the possibility of expansion for the future development. A mixed use high rise development diversifies the use of space within a single building structure. Combination of living, entertainment, shopping and lodging in single urban structure, helps to utilize the full potential of an urban site. Sponsorship: Durbrow, John 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 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
In India, death is considered one of the most important stages of the whole human process.And the traditional funeral process occupied a great... Show moreIn India, death is considered one of the most important stages of the whole human process.And the traditional funeral process occupied a great quantity of land in a country with a big population.Moksha tower(cemetery tower) created a high-rise cemetery in order , to free up previous ground floor cemetery green space for recreation. This would create a vertical resource for the handling and disposal of dead bodies, which would provide storage for the dead for only limited a period of time, in order to ensure adequate capacity to continually accommodate new dead. Sponsorship: Wood, Antony Show less
As Latino immigrant families assimilate in to U.S. Society there is the risk that future generations will not learn about their history,... Show moreAs Latino immigrant families assimilate in to U.S. Society there is the risk that future generations will not learn about their history, culture and traditions. Many Latin people born in the United States do not learn about their heritage, they just adapt to the American lifestyle. There is a need for new infrastructure that works as cultural exchange and support for this community. This Cultural Center is intended to be part of the existing downtown cultural infrastructure. The idea is to include it as part of the cultural and educational organizations in order to integrate it with tourism. Show less
Holding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and... Show moreHolding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and transformed from a bakery to a much needed mixed use building. Sponsorship: Waldorf, Tyler Sponsorship: Denison, Dirk Show less
The main purpose of the Tribal Cultural Center is to offer a platform for the local public, tribal country’s key leaders to communicate with... Show moreThe main purpose of the Tribal Cultural Center is to offer a platform for the local public, tribal country’s key leaders to communicate with the goal of promoting peace and prosperity to the region. This project will help these leaders create the moments of understanding for the future of generations to come (Power of democracy). It will also help to educate and train the young tribesmen so they can contribute their knowledge to their local tribes. Architecturally, site planning, landscape design and using the traditional local materials with modern construction techniques were explored. Show less
This project aimed to create efficient housing for the average American with the ability to customize their home to their own needs, lifestyle... Show moreThis project aimed to create efficient housing for the average American with the ability to customize their home to their own needs, lifestyle, and aesthetics. In addition, the feasibility of pre-fabricated portions of the home made this more realistic in terms of cost and the quickness of its construct-ability for each potential home owner. 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
Located in an area that is multi-functionally operated, where old meet new, the tower is not to be a stand-alone artiface, but a new comer who... Show moreLocated in an area that is multi-functionally operated, where old meet new, the tower is not to be a stand-alone artiface, but a new comer who can naturally fit in the existing surroundings. The curved outline of the building undoubtedly radiating the style of new, facing old low-rises near by. However, conflict is reduced to a minimum level, by its softed surfaces and transparent material, as well as the recesses on the surfaces of the building. Show less
The inspiration to develop a vertical urban school originates from rising urban density and the lack of interconnection and identity in some... Show moreThe inspiration to develop a vertical urban school originates from rising urban density and the lack of interconnection and identity in some urban environments. The urban condition is a construct of rhythm, memory, and the sensory. This condition is illuminated through the dense activity and interaction of city life. This scheme embraces the layers of activity and vibrancies inherent in the operation of schools and cities. Show less
THE FAÇADE HAS THE HIGHEST POTENTIAL WHEN TRYING TO OPTIMIZE THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF A BUILDING. THE MAIN GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO... Show moreTHE FAÇADE HAS THE HIGHEST POTENTIAL WHEN TRYING TO OPTIMIZE THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF A BUILDING. THE MAIN GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO INVESTIGATE WHAT IS THE VALUE OF FACADE RETROFIT AND STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFORMANCE, WEIGHT, EMBODIED ENERGY, ASSEMBLY EFFORT, COST AND POTENTIAL SAVINGS. 4 DIFFERENT FACADE SYSTEMS ARE ANALYZED AND COMPARED IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EXISTING BUILDING. ONE OF THE SYSTEMS IS CURRENTLY INSTALLED AND HAS BEEN RECENTLY RETROFITTED, WHILE THE OTHER THREE ARE DESIGN PROPOSALS WHICH FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS: PERFORMANCE AND DAYLIGHT, MINIMAL STRUCTURE AND ADAPTABILITY. Sponsorship: Sobek, Werner Show less
A prefabricated home with componentry optimized for simple fabrication and human-scale labor. This project explores the benefits of linking... Show moreA prefabricated home with componentry optimized for simple fabrication and human-scale labor. This project explores the benefits of linking digital design and prefabrication to maximize construction efficiency and minimize on-site delays. Its physically remote location also necessitates a highly light and mobile solution that is simple in construction. Show less