AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Seed Bank and Research CenterThis project challenges the agricultural infrastructure that is located along the Mississippi River near

downtown St. Louis. Monsanto, Cargil , and others are monumental vertical complexes that stand in op-

position to the land.

The genetically altered seed

and manufactured chemicals

used in fertilizers and pesti-

cides housed in these com-

plexes are being challenged

through the creation of an or-

ganic seed bank and research

center.

The project links three infra-

structures: the fl oodwall, the

freight train line, and the in-

tersate 64. It backs up against

each of these and forms a cen-

tral working court that capital-

izes on the existing transporta-

tion. The low lying structure

works compatibly with the hori-

zontal lay of the land.

PROJECT 1DEGREE PROJECT | FALL 2014 | KATHERINE DEAN

AUTOCAD | RHINO | VRAY | GRASSHOPPER | BASS WOOD | MDF

As a goverment supported center

for research, conservation and edu-

cation, the goal is to promote sus-

tainable agriculture and to achieve

improved human health by fi ght-

ing against the challenges current

agricultural system faces in terms

of food security and sustainability.

Some of these challenges include

resource depletion, land manage-

ment problem, disconnected public,

seed contamination and political is-

sues.

The building would enable scientifi c

development, inform and teach the

public about local and global issues

and produce food for the immediate

local community.

In order to achieve the afore-

mentioned, the building houses

seed bank, research laborato-

ries, education center, green

houses and distribution center.

The sloping roof of corten steel

harvest rain water for the use of

greenhouses and laboratories.

The water gets collected into

the pool below the central light

well before entering the cistern

below.

CENTER FOR CONCRETE STUDIESThis studio was about the simultaneous use of hands-on and intuitive exploration on the possibilities of

concrete. Concrete offers inexhaustible applications today, being by far the single most widely used mate-

rial worldwide.The site is located at the Cortex Innovation Community District near the St. Louis’ historic

Central West End. Cortex is the Midwest’s premier hub of bioscience and technology research, develop-

ment and commercialization.

PROJECT 2STUDIO 611 | SPRING 2014 | PABLO MOYANO

RHINO | VRAY | GRASSHOPPER | CONCRETE | PLEXI

The idea of “thickness” was reconsidered and explored by moulding a thin layer of concrete over fabric. The

goal was to design a continuous structural surface that supports itself without the need of columns.The

gaps made by the “folds” provide openings that face the central courtyard and the main street of the site.

Light is controlled by the prefabricated light concrete panels and translucent glass on the curtain wall.

Solar radiation studies have been made to determine the density of punctures that bring in natural light

from the above.

THE HILL’S SQUAREThe project focuses on the adaptive reuse of the 500,000sf former Magic Chef manufacturing and ware-

housing complex. The site is located in the Hill Neighborhood of St. Louis City, recognized as a stable com-

munity settled by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s. The richness of reuse derives its power from the dia-

logue with history, between old and new. where architecture becomes an act of harmony and resistance.

PROJECT 3STUDIO 511 | SPRING 2013 | DON KOSTER

AUTOCAD | VRAY | STYRENE | MDF

The goal was to reimagine the

former manufacturing facility

with new programmatic uses,

such as affordable housing,

assisted housing, community

center, theater, exhibition area,

that will contribute to the vital-

ity and sustainability of the Hill

and the City of St. Louis.

The challenge was to select the

parts of the buildings that had

to be removed for the new ad-

ditions to be made. The biggest

move was the replacement of

the middlemost building with a

vast courtyard, that resembles

a medieval Italian piazza.

SHENZHEN FOXCONN IN FLUX

The project is a recreation facility for the Foxconn employees in Shenzhen. The goal is to improve their

quality of life by providing them with activity of health and leisure. It houses various program including

sports facilities, health clinics, cafes, late night food court, and rooftop park. The building promotes social

networking and refreshment of health and spirits by relaxation and enjoyment.

PROJECT 4INDEPENDENT STUDY | SUMMER 2013

RHINO | VRAY | COLLABORATIVE WORK

The aim is to revitalize the ca-

nal that divides Foxconn’s man-

ufacturaing buildings from the

residential blocks.

Perforated metal panels wrap

around the building, and the

number of panels are gradually

reduced toward the north side

of the site. This induces people

to look toward the landscaped

canal and away from desolate

manufacturing factories.

a structure that can act as a

symbiotic connection with nat-

ural terrain.

The animate form of the build-

ing houses both wet and dry

laboratories while collecting

and absorbing water from the

valley. U-profi le truss system

thicken at structurally de-

manding locations and act as

gutter system that directs wa-

ter at desired locations.

TYSON RESEARCH LABORATORY

This project is a research center located at Tyson Valley, that provide research and educational opportuni-

ties for students from Washington University.

A wire model was produced, based on the cellular structure of a lichen, which is one of the most prevalent

organism that exist on the site. Its mutually benefi cal relationship with algae and fungus led me to imagine

PROJECT 5STUDIO 318 | SPRING 2012 | STEPHEN MUELLER

RHINO | VRAY | PIANO WIRE | MUSEUM BOARD

LOS LAURELES COMMUNITY CENTER

This project is about addressing the environmental planning and architectural technology and material challenges in

order to educate and facilitate a more sustainable future for the informal city of Los Laureles. A community center

is designed and it is dedicated to improve the manner in which people plan, build and occupy the canyon. Program of

the complex includes educational classrooms, a building materials supply area, multi-purpose room for community

meetings, emergency shelter and cubicles for health, legal and social services.

Within the complex, there are grey

water recycling system, under-

ground storage for rain water (har-

vested from the roofs), terraced

garden, and an exhibit for the

large amont of fossilized marine

life found at the site. The steeply

sloping terrain of the site has been

analyzed to determine the ideal lo-

cation of my meandering building

in order to utilize the large amount

of rainwater run-off.

PROJECT 6STUDIO 512 | FALL 2013 | JOHN HOAL

RHINO | VRAY | GRASSHOPPER | REVIT

PROJECT 7.1STUDIO 317 | FALL 2011 | ANDREW COLOPY

BASS WOOD | PENCIL ON MYLAR

MATERIAL ORGANIZATION

The project was about designing a modular unit that can be assembled in various ways. The key of this

exercise was to experiment how a single unit can be organized and multiplied while displaying variation

without being random. This unit was made to proliferate either in an organized or arbitrary manner de-

pending on its assembly.

DYNAMIC TERRAINThe previous material orgain-

ization was used to transform

Demun Park into a dynamic ter-

rain.

A shadow study, from the

height and radius of the canopy

of the existing trees, was used

to modify the grid of the entire

park. Then, a pattern derived

from the material organization

project was inserted into the

new grid system to form a pix-

elated terraced terrain.

PROJECT 7.2STUDIO 317 | FALL 2011 | ANDREW COLOPY

BRISTOL | PENCIL ON MYLAR

PROJECT 8.1ADV. BUILDING SYSTEMS | FALL 2013 | PAUL J. DONNELLY

AUTOCAD | RHINO | VRAY COLLABORATIVE WORK

PROJECT 8.2ADV. ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS | SPRING 2013 | CHANDLER AHRENS

REVIT | VASARI | ECOTECT | VRAY COLLABORATIVE WORK

HAND DRAWINGS + RENDERING