ADC2
—
—
Alternative Desert Cities 2
Birl Unit Perspective

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Perspective from inside a unit showing the potential programming of communal spaces as events by student Ian BirlPerspective from inside a unit showing the potential programming of communal spaces as events by student Ian BirlPerspective from inside a unit showing the potential programming of communal spaces as events by student Ian BirlPerspective from inside a unit showing the potential programming of communal spaces as events by student Ian Birl
Perspective from inside a unit showing the potential programming of communal spaces as events by student Ian Birl
Perspective from inside a unit showing the potential programming of communal spaces as events by student Ian Birl

Perspectives

Housing

Teaching

Urbanism

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

Unit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra LobatoUnit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra LobatoUnit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra LobatoUnit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra Lobato
Isometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy Dicker
Satellite aerial highlighting the various farming circles in Phoenix that could integrate housing by student Alejandra LobatoSatellite aerial highlighting the various farming circles in Phoenix that could integrate housing by student Alejandra LobatoSatellite aerial highlighting the various farming circles in Phoenix that could integrate housing by student Alejandra LobatoSatellite aerial highlighting the various farming circles in Phoenix that could integrate housing by student Alejandra Lobato
Aerial perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of the density with additional flats by student Christopher FernandezAerial perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of the density with additional flats by student Christopher FernandezAerial perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of the density with additional flats by student Christopher FernandezAerial perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of the density with additional flats by student Christopher Fernandez
Building plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen PhamBuilding plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen PhamBuilding plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen PhamBuilding plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen Pham
Perspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille MedeirosPerspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille MedeirosPerspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille MedeirosPerspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille Medeiros
Concept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon PowellConcept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon PowellConcept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon PowellConcept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon Powell
Urban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu Zhong
Exploded program diagram illustrating the varied typologies and functions within the communities proposed by student Zihao LiExploded program diagram illustrating the varied typologies and functions within the communities proposed by student Zihao LiExploded program diagram illustrating the varied typologies and functions within the communities proposed by student Zihao LiExploded program diagram illustrating the varied typologies and functions within the communities proposed by student Zihao Li
Site plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSite plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSite plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSite plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon Powell
Concept drawing of an idea for a lifted and additive urban lattice on the city, the suburbs, and farms by student Amy DickerConcept drawing of an idea for a lifted and additive urban lattice on the city, the suburbs, and farms by student Amy DickerConcept drawing of an idea for a lifted and additive urban lattice on the city, the suburbs, and farms by student Amy DickerConcept drawing of an idea for a lifted and additive urban lattice on the city, the suburbs, and farms by student Amy Dicker
Axonometric diagram illustrating the variety and organization of a tower with shared farming terraces by student Zihao LiAxonometric diagram illustrating the variety and organization of a tower with shared farming terraces by student Zihao LiAxonometric diagram illustrating the variety and organization of a tower with shared farming terraces by student Zihao LiAxonometric diagram illustrating the variety and organization of a tower with shared farming terraces by student Zihao Li
Urban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali NelsonUrban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali NelsonUrban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali NelsonUrban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali Nelson
Diagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron HardyDiagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron HardyDiagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron HardyDiagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron Hardy
Site plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSite plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSite plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSite plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille Medeiros
Perspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth by student Brandon PowellPerspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth by student Brandon PowellPerspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth by student Brandon PowellPerspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth by student Brandon Powell
Urban plan of a network of towers and connections tangled further into Phoenix's highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban plan of a network of towers and connections tangled further into Phoenix's highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban plan of a network of towers and connections tangled further into Phoenix's highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban plan of a network of towers and connections tangled further into Phoenix's highway interchanges by student Xingyu Zhong
Urban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains by student Camille MedeirosUrban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains by student Camille MedeirosUrban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains by student Camille MedeirosUrban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains by student Camille Medeiros
Urban section illustrating the layers of landscape, housing, and canopy cover for creating a new city by student Cecile KimUrban section illustrating the layers of landscape, housing, and canopy cover for creating a new city by student Cecile KimUrban section illustrating the layers of landscape, housing, and canopy cover for creating a new city by student Cecile KimUrban section illustrating the layers of landscape, housing, and canopy cover for creating a new city by student Cecile Kim
Section perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSection perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSection perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSection perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille Medeiros

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

Framework: Inverted Square Pyramid (FW:ISP) reimagines the traditional pyramid by flipping it upside down, shifting its focus from the cosmos to the people. The structure’s apexes become seating points within a flexible, interactive framework that encourages public engagement and play.
Scaffolding is often seen as a temporary urban necessity—functional, but rarely celebrated. This project reimagines scaffolding as an architectural intervention and public art piece throughout Española Way, transforming it into a vibrant, interactive element in Miami Beach’s urban fabric.
The YELE music studio competition, underway before the earthquake, must respond now, but plan for the future of the community. Music is relief in a time of tragedy. The goal is to meet the most basic survival needs now while leaving spaces for future growth through self sustaining phases.
Infrastructure as urban performance. Serving as both a backdrop to elegant theatrical dances and a framework for holding a wandering public, the Dance Machine enacts performance through both its program and its existence as a merged urban extension of the Queensboro Bridge.
The RACA project must meet two demands: A. REFLECTION (museum) or B. CONTINUATION (practice + addition). The current program and its stagnancy has left the site forgotten—it is a typical static museum on a living site. The site and addition must constantly change through the participation of people.
The challenge of creating a pair of studio apartments that can fill a lifted 16'x16' void necessitates the creation of a quick, mobile, and opportunistic building system that can react to the found conditions of the site. Access to the site is limited and the ground must be free.
The CART live/work housing prototype adds a vertical profile to downtown while converting an underutilized public path into an urban gesture by introducing of a specialized food cart zone in New Haven. The CART residents would rent and appropriate the moving space as a means of expanding their zone.
Expanding the mission of the local Biscayne National Park Institute, MICROGROVE is a living research community designed for scientists, ecologists, researchers, and eco-tourists, dedicated to the study, restoration, and increased social awareness of coastal ecosystems.

OTHER RESEARCH