ADC3
—
—
Alternative Desert Cities 3
Felix Mountain Frame Elevation

Alternative Desert Cities 3

Concept elevation revealing student Michael Felix's strategy to create a series of simple bars that frame existing landscapesConcept elevation revealing student Michael Felix's strategy to create a series of simple bars that frame existing landscapesConcept elevation revealing student Michael Felix's strategy to create a series of simple bars that frame existing landscapesConcept elevation revealing student Michael Felix's strategy to create a series of simple bars that frame existing landscapes
Concept elevation revealing student Michael Felix's strategy to create a series of simple bars that frame existing landscapes
Concept elevation revealing student Michael Felix's strategy to create a series of simple bars that frame existing landscapes

Elevations

Concepts

Forms

Housing

Urbanism

Landscape

Teaching

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

Series of animated diagrams showing the various functions and formal shifts for a modular city by student Weicheng WangSeries of animated diagrams showing the various functions and formal shifts for a modular city by student Weicheng WangSeries of animated diagrams showing the various functions and formal shifts for a modular city by student Weicheng WangSeries of animated diagrams showing the various functions and formal shifts for a modular city by student Weicheng Wang
Urban plan drawing of the circular forms contrasting the existing gridded fabric of Phoenix by student Brandon ShiehUrban plan drawing of the circular forms contrasting the existing gridded fabric of Phoenix by student Brandon ShiehUrban plan drawing of the circular forms contrasting the existing gridded fabric of Phoenix by student Brandon ShiehUrban plan drawing of the circular forms contrasting the existing gridded fabric of Phoenix by student Brandon Shieh
Pulled apart massing diagram showing the distinct programs and units within a housing proposal by student Weicheng WangPulled apart massing diagram showing the distinct programs and units within a housing proposal by student Weicheng WangPulled apart massing diagram showing the distinct programs and units within a housing proposal by student Weicheng WangPulled apart massing diagram showing the distinct programs and units within a housing proposal by student Weicheng Wang
Urban plan drawing of interconnected towers and shade platforms within an existing dry riverbed by student Brayan MunozUrban plan drawing of interconnected towers and shade platforms within an existing dry riverbed by student Brayan MunozUrban plan drawing of interconnected towers and shade platforms within an existing dry riverbed by student Brayan MunozUrban plan drawing of interconnected towers and shade platforms within an existing dry riverbed by student Brayan Munoz
Extended urban section drawing conceptually cutting the various sizes of housing funnels proposed by student Brandon ShiehExtended urban section drawing conceptually cutting the various sizes of housing funnels proposed by student Brandon ShiehExtended urban section drawing conceptually cutting the various sizes of housing funnels proposed by student Brandon ShiehExtended urban section drawing conceptually cutting the various sizes of housing funnels proposed by student Brandon Shieh
Plan drawing of the existing mountain ranges and the infill mountainous housing bar between by student Salvador BenitezPlan drawing of the existing mountain ranges and the infill mountainous housing bar between by student Salvador BenitezPlan drawing of the existing mountain ranges and the infill mountainous housing bar between by student Salvador BenitezPlan drawing of the existing mountain ranges and the infill mountainous housing bar between by student Salvador Benitez
Housing plan showing the units within a single housing mound massing proposed by student Lauren BennettHousing plan showing the units within a single housing mound massing proposed by student Lauren BennettHousing plan showing the units within a single housing mound massing proposed by student Lauren BennettHousing plan showing the units within a single housing mound massing proposed by student Lauren Bennett
Plan view showing the growth of lifted city above Phoenix by student Brennan RichardsPlan view showing the growth of lifted city above Phoenix by student Brennan RichardsPlan view showing the growth of lifted city above Phoenix by student Brennan RichardsPlan view showing the growth of lifted city above Phoenix by student Brennan Richards
Exploded isometric drawing revealing the various programmatic elements needed for a mountain city by student Stephen AdrianExploded isometric drawing revealing the various programmatic elements needed for a mountain city by student Stephen AdrianExploded isometric drawing revealing the various programmatic elements needed for a mountain city by student Stephen AdrianExploded isometric drawing revealing the various programmatic elements needed for a mountain city by student Stephen Adrian
Trio of collective unit studies impacting the overall massing of terraced housing by student Miguel Ceniseros NunezTrio of collective unit studies impacting the overall massing of terraced housing by student Miguel Ceniseros NunezTrio of collective unit studies impacting the overall massing of terraced housing by student Miguel Ceniseros NunezTrio of collective unit studies impacting the overall massing of terraced housing by student Miguel Ceniseros Nunez
Urban plan illustrating the modular growth of a stacked city around a linear infrastructure of Tempe by student Weicheng WangUrban plan illustrating the modular growth of a stacked city around a linear infrastructure of Tempe by student Weicheng WangUrban plan illustrating the modular growth of a stacked city around a linear infrastructure of Tempe by student Weicheng WangUrban plan illustrating the modular growth of a stacked city around a linear infrastructure of Tempe by student Weicheng Wang
Elevation rendering of a modular system of housing based on an indoor/outdoor 'H' shaped unit by student Weicheng WangElevation rendering of a modular system of housing based on an indoor/outdoor 'H' shaped unit by student Weicheng WangElevation rendering of a modular system of housing based on an indoor/outdoor 'H' shaped unit by student Weicheng WangElevation rendering of a modular system of housing based on an indoor/outdoor 'H' shaped unit by student Weicheng Wang
Process drawing illustrating the various phases of organic growth within a dense corridor by student Dellan RaishProcess drawing illustrating the various phases of organic growth within a dense corridor by student Dellan RaishProcess drawing illustrating the various phases of organic growth within a dense corridor by student Dellan RaishProcess drawing illustrating the various phases of organic growth within a dense corridor by student Dellan Raish
Front perspective of a model showing various pyramidal forms stepping up the side of a mountain by student Lamarra CarterFront perspective of a model showing various pyramidal forms stepping up the side of a mountain by student Lamarra CarterFront perspective of a model showing various pyramidal forms stepping up the side of a mountain by student Lamarra CarterFront perspective of a model showing various pyramidal forms stepping up the side of a mountain by student Lamarra Carter
Early massing study looking at an organic layered community within a Phoenix wash by student Brayan MunozEarly massing study looking at an organic layered community within a Phoenix wash by student Brayan MunozEarly massing study looking at an organic layered community within a Phoenix wash by student Brayan MunozEarly massing study looking at an organic layered community within a Phoenix wash by student Brayan Munoz
Exploded axonometric drawing depicting growth and an evolving layered infrastructure in Phoenix by student Dellan RaishExploded axonometric drawing depicting growth and an evolving layered infrastructure in Phoenix by student Dellan RaishExploded axonometric drawing depicting growth and an evolving layered infrastructure in Phoenix by student Dellan RaishExploded axonometric drawing depicting growth and an evolving layered infrastructure in Phoenix by student Dellan Raish
Regional plan for a series of aquatic and interconnected circular cities set within the Saguaro Lake by student Haodong GongRegional plan for a series of aquatic and interconnected circular cities set within the Saguaro Lake by student Haodong GongRegional plan for a series of aquatic and interconnected circular cities set within the Saguaro Lake by student Haodong GongRegional plan for a series of aquatic and interconnected circular cities set within the Saguaro Lake by student Haodong Gong
Timeline collage from early development to the future transformation of Phoenix's warehouse district by student Brandon ShiehTimeline collage from early development to the future transformation of Phoenix's warehouse district by student Brandon ShiehTimeline collage from early development to the future transformation of Phoenix's warehouse district by student Brandon ShiehTimeline collage from early development to the future transformation of Phoenix's warehouse district by student Brandon Shieh
Aerial perspective representing student Brandon Shieh's proposal of zone between the industrial and downtown zones of PhoenixAerial perspective representing student Brandon Shieh's proposal of zone between the industrial and downtown zones of PhoenixAerial perspective representing student Brandon Shieh's proposal of zone between the industrial and downtown zones of PhoenixAerial perspective representing student Brandon Shieh's proposal of zone between the industrial and downtown zones of Phoenix
Early concept image anticipating a proposal that would merge an urban mass into a mountain valley by student Salvador BenitezEarly concept image anticipating a proposal that would merge an urban mass into a mountain valley by student Salvador BenitezEarly concept image anticipating a proposal that would merge an urban mass into a mountain valley by student Salvador BenitezEarly concept image anticipating a proposal that would merge an urban mass into a mountain valley by student Salvador Benitez

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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.
Bathaus is a small hybrid building that expands the visitor center at the Gropius House while simultaneously functioning as an ecologically sensitive bat sanctuary. Integrated directly into the architecture, a series of vertical slot bat habitats are carved into the façade and form.
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.
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 Craft School is a participatory design and construction initiative that places students at the center of creating their own learning environment. It recognizes that education is not only about what happens inside the classroom, but also how the classroom comes to be.
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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH