ADC2
—
—
Alternative Desert Cities 2
Kim River Housing Study

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Initial study sketch for terraced housing units within the Salt River wash in Phoenix by student Cecile KimInitial study sketch for terraced housing units within the Salt River wash in Phoenix by student Cecile KimInitial study sketch for terraced housing units within the Salt River wash in Phoenix by student Cecile KimInitial study sketch for terraced housing units within the Salt River wash in Phoenix by student Cecile Kim
Initial study sketch for terraced housing units within the Salt River wash in Phoenix by student Cecile Kim
Initial study sketch for terraced housing units within the Salt River wash in Phoenix by student Cecile Kim

Concepts

Perspectives

Housing

Studies

Landscape

Teaching

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

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
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
Elevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany HartonoElevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany HartonoElevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany HartonoElevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany Hartono
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
Concept collage study for a housing built into the contours of the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosConcept collage study for a housing built into the contours of the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosConcept collage study for a housing built into the contours of the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosConcept collage study for a housing built into the contours of the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille Medeiros
Perspective studying the potential for hybrid vertical farms and housing set within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao LiPerspective studying the potential for hybrid vertical farms and housing set within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao LiPerspective studying the potential for hybrid vertical farms and housing set within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao LiPerspective studying the potential for hybrid vertical farms and housing set within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao Li
Model showing a collection of linear units open to the elements and landscape microclimate beyond by student Kyron HardyModel showing a collection of linear units open to the elements and landscape microclimate beyond by student Kyron HardyModel showing a collection of linear units open to the elements and landscape microclimate beyond by student Kyron HardyModel showing a collection of linear units open to the elements and landscape microclimate beyond by student Kyron Hardy
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
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
Unit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon PowellUnit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon PowellUnit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon PowellUnit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon Powell
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
Section perspective study of stepped housing that follows the curves of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoSection perspective study of stepped housing that follows the curves of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoSection perspective study of stepped housing that follows the curves of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoSection perspective study of stepped housing that follows the curves of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao
Conceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian BirlConceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian BirlConceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian BirlConceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian Birl
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
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
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
Urban plan combining various scattered housing forms across a reclaimed landscape by student Cecile KimUrban plan combining various scattered housing forms across a reclaimed landscape by student Cecile KimUrban plan combining various scattered housing forms across a reclaimed landscape by student Cecile KimUrban plan combining various scattered housing forms across a reclaimed landscape by student Cecile Kim
Detailed building diagram showing a terraced housing typology that combines farming and housing by student Zihao LiDetailed building diagram showing a terraced housing typology that combines farming and housing by student Zihao LiDetailed building diagram showing a terraced housing typology that combines farming and housing by student Zihao LiDetailed building diagram showing a terraced housing typology that combines farming and housing by student Zihao Li
Urban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei CaoUrban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei CaoUrban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei CaoUrban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei Cao

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

Utilizing built form as a strategic carrier of culture in opposition of the status quo, the Hellinikon project links the disconnected suburban mountain communities to the east with the sea to the west while splitting the Hellinikon International Airport and Olympic Park into distinct zones.
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.
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 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.
University Island is a swirling shapeshifter, in both the landscape and the architecture, that offers it’s undefined field of opportunities to the students and anticipates that each will discover and produce their own individual relationship with the island and their education.
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.
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.
QTCT is tasked to blend these two identities onto one site—a give and take relationship between beach ambitions and urban necessities. QTCT is a sampling of two worlds: on one hand it is the embodiment of the language of the beach and on the other it is a detailed and exacting built urban space.

OTHER RESEARCH