ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Johnson Urban Model

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Urban massing model for a series of landscape bars cut into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonUrban massing model for a series of landscape bars cut into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonUrban massing model for a series of landscape bars cut into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonUrban massing model for a series of landscape bars cut into the landscape by student Amberley Johnson
Urban massing model for a series of landscape bars cut into the landscape by student Amberley Johnson
Urban massing model for a series of landscape bars cut into the landscape by student Amberley Johnson

Models

Plans

Housing

Landscape

Teaching

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

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
Concept collage illustrating the ambition to embed a new form of housing into farming circles by student Alejandra LobatoConcept collage illustrating the ambition to embed a new form of housing into farming circles by student Alejandra LobatoConcept collage illustrating the ambition to embed a new form of housing into farming circles by student Alejandra LobatoConcept collage illustrating the ambition to embed a new form of housing into farming circles by student Alejandra Lobato
Section perspective revealing housing units embedded into the landscape of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSection perspective revealing housing units embedded into the landscape of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSection perspective revealing housing units embedded into the landscape of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSection perspective revealing housing units embedded into the landscape of South Mountain by student Brandon Powell
Unit plans and diagrams for three forms expandable forms of modular housing unit around infrastructure by student Amy DickerUnit plans and diagrams for three forms expandable forms of modular housing unit around infrastructure by student Amy DickerUnit plans and diagrams for three forms expandable forms of modular housing unit around infrastructure by student Amy DickerUnit plans and diagrams for three forms expandable forms of modular housing unit around infrastructure by student Amy Dicker
Concept collage projecting the Phoenix suburbs in 2070 as inhospitable for human habitation by student Brandon PowellConcept collage projecting the Phoenix suburbs in 2070 as inhospitable for human habitation by student Brandon PowellConcept collage projecting the Phoenix suburbs in 2070 as inhospitable for human habitation by student Brandon PowellConcept collage projecting the Phoenix suburbs in 2070 as inhospitable for human habitation 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
Aerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao
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
Concept collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future by student Christopher FernandezConcept collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future by student Christopher FernandezConcept collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future by student Christopher FernandezConcept collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future 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
Introduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawlIntroduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawlIntroduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawlIntroduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawl
Collage perspective studying the possibility of a hybrid housing and farming typology around Phoenix by student Zihao LiCollage perspective studying the possibility of a hybrid housing and farming typology around Phoenix by student Zihao LiCollage perspective studying the possibility of a hybrid housing and farming typology around Phoenix by student Zihao LiCollage perspective studying the possibility of a hybrid housing and farming typology around Phoenix by student Zihao Li
Unit diagram showing the variations of connected living types sharing a linear bar by student Amberley JohnsonUnit diagram showing the variations of connected living types sharing a linear bar by student Amberley JohnsonUnit diagram showing the variations of connected living types sharing a linear bar by student Amberley JohnsonUnit diagram showing the variations of connected living types sharing a linear bar by student Amberley Johnson
Units plans illustrating the various spaces and levels of an underground housing unit by student Amberley JohnsonUnits plans illustrating the various spaces and levels of an underground housing unit by student Amberley JohnsonUnits plans illustrating the various spaces and levels of an underground housing unit by student Amberley JohnsonUnits plans illustrating the various spaces and levels of an underground housing unit by student Amberley Johnson
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
Collage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron HardyCollage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron HardyCollage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron HardyCollage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron Hardy
Concept diagram for cutting and peeling up the desert landscape for housing by student Amberley JohnsonConcept diagram for cutting and peeling up the desert landscape for housing by student Amberley JohnsonConcept diagram for cutting and peeling up the desert landscape for housing by student Amberley JohnsonConcept diagram for cutting and peeling up the desert landscape for housing by student Amberley Johnson
Exploded diagram of the components creating a community on the new lands of the Salt River by student Cecile KimExploded diagram of the components creating a community on the new lands of the Salt River by student Cecile KimExploded diagram of the components creating a community on the new lands of the Salt River by student Cecile KimExploded diagram of the components creating a community on the new lands of the Salt River by student Cecile Kim

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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.
Coney Island will remain a MUTANT appendage at the farthest shore of New York City. Coney is an agglomeration of all of its histories and should continue to simultaneously move each agenda forward. Coney will continue to evolve through mutations— this vision will accelerate its hybridity.
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 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.
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 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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH