ADC2
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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

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.
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.
Planes, frames, and volumes are fundamentals to all assembly logics. With the proliferation of additive production methods, the possibility of volumetric prefabricated components has the potential to radically alter the way that we conceive of construction and the permanence of building parts.
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 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.
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 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.
Seating design is vital in fostering communal interactions in shared spaces. Rooted in the organic growth principles of the Metabolist movement and the transformational geometric language of digital Metaballs, Meta-Bench forms an experiential seating system which individuals can move and adjust.

OTHER RESEARCH