ADC2
—
—
Alternative Desert Cities 2
Birl Urban Plan

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Urban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian BirlUrban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian BirlUrban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian BirlUrban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian Birl
Urban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian Birl
Urban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian Birl

Plans

City

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

The Butterfly Theater is a living pavilion—part sculpture, part habitat, part playground. It takes inspiration from the elegance of flamingos and the presence of butterflies in Miami Beach, transforming the park’s open center into a place of movement, color, and quiet spectacle.
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.
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 GBN project sites itself as this link connecting the busiest night life district and revitalized neighborhood park in the north, the largest beach front in the city to the south, and establishes the cities first large public plaza and recreation fields adjacent to the new building.
The Urban Test Object (UTO) serves as a large-scale intervention that accelerates our relationship with the future city. Rather than solving issues like density, infrastructure, or access, the UTO heightens awareness of the rapid urban transformations shaping our future.
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.
Seeing Park Avenue as an underutilized zone that connects four vibrant neighborhoods from 42nd Street to 144th Street, Infrastructural Infill is a study testing the potential to locate a combination of mixed-use housing and transportation in the residual spaces caused by urban infrastructure.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH