ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Li Building Terrace Perspective

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Perspective from the terrace decks of the combined farming and tower typology proposed by student Zihao LIPerspective from the terrace decks of the combined farming and tower typology proposed by student Zihao LIPerspective from the terrace decks of the combined farming and tower typology proposed by student Zihao LIPerspective from the terrace decks of the combined farming and tower typology proposed by student Zihao LI
Perspective from the terrace decks of the combined farming and tower typology proposed by student Zihao LI
Perspective from the terrace decks of the combined farming and tower typology proposed by student Zihao LI

Perspectives

Housing

Teaching

Urbanism

Landscape

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

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
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
Exploded isometric diagram of the layers for a topographic housing community by student Camille MedeirosExploded isometric diagram of the layers for a topographic housing community by student Camille MedeirosExploded isometric diagram of the layers for a topographic housing community by student Camille MedeirosExploded isometric diagram of the layers for a topographic housing community by student Camille Medeiros
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 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
Series of exterior perspectives of housing and communal program blended into the desert landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of exterior perspectives of housing and communal program blended into the desert landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of exterior perspectives of housing and communal program blended into the desert landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of exterior perspectives of housing and communal program blended into the desert 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
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
Concept collage illustrating the potential for a community of windows nestled into South Mountain by student Brandon PowellConcept collage illustrating the potential for a community of windows nestled into South Mountain by student Brandon PowellConcept collage illustrating the potential for a community of windows nestled into South Mountain by student Brandon PowellConcept collage illustrating the potential for a community of windows nestled into South Mountain by student Brandon Powell
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
Diagram of a combination of housing and structural framework for inhabiting the river wash in Phoenix by student Kali NelsonDiagram of a combination of housing and structural framework for inhabiting the river wash in Phoenix by student Kali NelsonDiagram of a combination of housing and structural framework for inhabiting the river wash in Phoenix by student Kali NelsonDiagram of a combination of housing and structural framework for inhabiting the river wash in Phoenix by student Kali Nelson
Section of a typology of housing that combines mid-rise farming terraces with towers by student Zihao LiSection of a typology of housing that combines mid-rise farming terraces with towers by student Zihao LiSection of a typology of housing that combines mid-rise farming terraces with towers by student Zihao LiSection of a typology of housing that combines mid-rise farming terraces with towers 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
Urban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu ZhongUrban massing model for a series of infill towers on the unused land around highway interchanges by student Xingyu Zhong
Urban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian BirlUrban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian BirlUrban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian BirlUrban plan of a porous, flat, and dense new city surface combining farming and housing in Phoenix by student Ian Birl
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
Model showing the spread of secondary backyard units throughout the suburbs of Phoenix by student Christopher FernandezModel showing the spread of secondary backyard units throughout the suburbs of Phoenix by student Christopher FernandezModel showing the spread of secondary backyard units throughout the suburbs of Phoenix by student Christopher FernandezModel showing the spread of secondary backyard units throughout the suburbs of Phoenix by student Christopher Fernandez
Mass study separating communal and private facilities within a stepped mountainous landscape by student Camille MedeirosMass study separating communal and private facilities within a stepped mountainous landscape by student Camille MedeirosMass study separating communal and private facilities within a stepped mountainous landscape by student Camille MedeirosMass study separating communal and private facilities within a stepped mountainous landscape by student Camille Medeiros
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
Pair of perspectives illustrating the communal shifts in the farmed landscape between seasons by student Alejandra LobatoPair of perspectives illustrating the communal shifts in the farmed landscape between seasons by student Alejandra LobatoPair of perspectives illustrating the communal shifts in the farmed landscape between seasons by student Alejandra LobatoPair of perspectives illustrating the communal shifts in the farmed landscape between seasons by student Alejandra Lobato

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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH