Programmed to hold between 35 and 40 occupants, the gathering space was designed to capture a space in which people could interact protected from the harsh weather of the Sonoran Desert. Situated on a theoretical site in Tucson Mountain Park, and with a slopeslope of 15 degrees, the approach from down the slope into the space in-crease the ambiguity of the experi-ence. Light wells are employed from the entry into the main space of the structure. On either side of the oppo-site wall to the entrance there are breeze passages which can be closed or opened to control light and ventila-tion within the space. The final model was also constructed from one mono-litic pour of plaster, making the exer-cise an exploration of positive and negative spatial thinking.

test mold

test cast

study model

final model

entry perspective

front elevation

porch-side elevation bedroom-side elevation

cooridor view

front perspective

The Lyceum Competition is a once a year event in which students are asked to re-solve a problem dealing with specific crite-ria set forth by the competition parameters for that year. The program for 2003 was the design for a house on wheels, or pre-fabricated home. There was also a need to think of the design in response to multiple unites being linked together to form a double or triple wide living arrangement using the same unit multiple times. Panel systems and steel frame construction was used primarily in response to the need for the units to be transported on the highway using conventional trucks and trailers.using conventional trucks and trailers.

bedroom view

rear perspective

The site chosen was a beach front prop-erty in San Diego, California, large enough to accommodate numerous units of the same design for increased density. The assignment called for a dwelling that was contained within a 6m x 6m cube volume, as well as designing around the needneed for at least one quarter of the cube’s volume being void space. This forced the design to be responsive to a condition which would not have neccesarily been taken into consideration. This was an in-teresting problem to resolve and required numerous sketch models, some of which are shown here, as well as design draw-ing to interweave the various spatial ex-periences. The final model for the project embodied the spatial qualities of the design quite adequately, and shows the marteriality of the building in its ultimate realization.

concept models

sketch study models

final model (wall removed)

street elevation beach elevation

celestial proximity terrestrial proximitysettingplace

dorm view control room view

preliminary study model

final model

passageway view

The observatory project spanned an entire semester, and was intensive in the develop-ment of specific spatial experiences. This was essential due to the varying space usages in the complex, containing a dormi-tory, research and mirror labs and various living spaces. The catalyst exercises were to compile images, or montages that would be indicative of the spatial experiences linked to specific words, such as place, set-ting and threshold. These spatial concepts were to be integrated into the overall spatial quality of the complex, giving more varied quality of space to the entire experience. Development of the systematic integration was then focused upon for the remaining du-ration of the project. This drove the aesthetic quality of the spaces, and was encouraged to be investigated using the same montage methods that had been developed earlier in the semester

As an empirical structural investi-gation, a 12 foot steel arch was de-signed and constructed as a test of materials, connections, and funicu-lar structural derivation. The form is a direct translation of the funicular form of a load being applied to a string hanging upside-down. It was decided to attempt the form through a twisting form which would mimic the funicular diagram in elevation, while maintaining a consistent trap-ezoidal module form repeated through its span. In order to test the final product, all five team members hung from the arch, which withstood the combined load of 800 pounds.

3D model elevation

connection detail

final 12 foot steel arch

3D model plan

3D model axon

module sequence

prototype elevation prototype testing

A project of the Distinguished Visitor’s Studio, the urban infill project asked to redevelop a barren area of Santiago, Chile, and increase the residential density. The initial exercise asked for the placement of an already existing design around the city block, following this with redesign-ing the house in response to the placement on the site. The preliminary house chosen for the exercise was Chris-tian de Groote’s Fuenzalida House. This plan was rede-signed to be a two unit building, and to be situated directly adjacent to each unit. This provided the density that was asked for, as well as allowing for a large open area that would be available for landscaping and recreational activi-ties. The contrast achieved between the dense urban resi-dences and the landscaped relief area is a stark contrast to the dense urban environment believed to be in Santiago’s future, yet also desirable.

roof plan

third floor plan

second floor plan

first floor plan

interior massing perspective study model recreation court perspective

master site plan