ADC2
—
—
Alternative Desert Cities 2
Cao Unit Perspective

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Aerial perspective showing the layouts of stacked housing units along Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective showing the layouts of stacked housing units along Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective showing the layouts of stacked housing units along Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective showing the layouts of stacked housing units along Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao
Aerial perspective showing the layouts of stacked housing units along Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao
Aerial perspective showing the layouts of stacked housing units along Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao

Diagrams

Perspectives

Housing

Landscape

Teaching

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

Urban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen PhamUrban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen PhamUrban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen PhamUrban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen Pham
Model showing the densification of the suburbs with additional housing units by student Christopher FernandezModel showing the densification of the suburbs with additional housing units by student Christopher FernandezModel showing the densification of the suburbs with additional housing units by student Christopher FernandezModel showing the densification of the suburbs with additional housing units by student Christopher Fernandez
Plan view of a model showing a new density of housing extending and terracing into a mountain by student Camille MedeirosPlan view of a model showing a new density of housing extending and terracing into a mountain by student Camille MedeirosPlan view of a model showing a new density of housing extending and terracing into a mountain by student Camille MedeirosPlan view of a model showing a new density of housing extending and terracing into a mountain by student Camille Medeiros
Plan study for a unit made up of multiple separable pie-wedge pieces by student Cecile KimPlan study for a unit made up of multiple separable pie-wedge pieces by student Cecile KimPlan study for a unit made up of multiple separable pie-wedge pieces by student Cecile KimPlan study for a unit made up of multiple separable pie-wedge pieces by student Cecile Kim
Section showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing by student Kali NelsonSection showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing by student Kali NelsonSection showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing by student Kali NelsonSection showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing by student Kali Nelson
Perspective of the exterior public spaces within a self-sustaining mountainside community by student Camille MedeirosPerspective of the exterior public spaces within a self-sustaining mountainside community by student Camille MedeirosPerspective of the exterior public spaces within a self-sustaining mountainside community by student Camille MedeirosPerspective of the exterior public spaces within a self-sustaining mountainside community by student Camille Medeiros
Combination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao LiCombination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao LiCombination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao LiCombination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao Li
Site plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron HardySite plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron HardySite plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron HardySite plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron Hardy
Aerial plan of the suburbs with the multiplication of additional backyard units by student Christopher FernandezAerial plan of the suburbs with the multiplication of additional backyard units by student Christopher FernandezAerial plan of the suburbs with the multiplication of additional backyard units by student Christopher FernandezAerial plan of the suburbs with the multiplication of additional backyard units by student Christopher Fernandez
Aerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao Li
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
Site plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao LiSite plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao LiSite plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao LiSite plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao Li
Aerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside by student Camille MedeirosAerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside by student Camille MedeirosAerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside by student Camille MedeirosAerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside by student Camille Medeiros
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
Exploded diagram of towers, connections, shared zones, and the desert canopy for living in Phoenix by student Tiffany HartonoExploded diagram of towers, connections, shared zones, and the desert canopy for living in Phoenix by student Tiffany HartonoExploded diagram of towers, connections, shared zones, and the desert canopy for living in Phoenix by student Tiffany HartonoExploded diagram of towers, connections, shared zones, and the desert canopy for living in Phoenix by student Tiffany Hartono
Section of a standard housing pair with a roof farm, three floors of housing, and a covered path by student Alejandra LobatoSection of a standard housing pair with a roof farm, three floors of housing, and a covered path by student Alejandra LobatoSection of a standard housing pair with a roof farm, three floors of housing, and a covered path by student Alejandra LobatoSection of a standard housing pair with a roof farm, three floors of housing, and a covered path by student Alejandra Lobato
Urban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen PhamUrban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen PhamUrban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen PhamUrban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen Pham
Series of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley Johnson
Interior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonInterior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonInterior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonInterior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley Johnson
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

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.

OTHER RESEARCH