ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Nelson Urban Diagram

Alternative Desert Cities 2

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
Diagram of a combination of housing and structural framework for inhabiting the river wash in Phoenix by student Kali Nelson
Diagram of a combination of housing and structural framework for inhabiting the river wash in Phoenix by student Kali Nelson

Perspectives

Diagrams

Infill

Housing

Landscape

Teaching

Urbanism

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
Section perspective between two paired housing bars set within the microclimate of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoSection perspective between two paired housing bars set within the microclimate of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoSection perspective between two paired housing bars set within the microclimate of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoSection perspective between two paired housing bars set within the microclimate of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao
Unit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra LobatoUnit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra LobatoUnit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra LobatoUnit plans of the three floors of the housing units embedded in a farmable landscape by student Alejandra Lobato
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
Perspective collage studying a mass that mimics the adjacent desert landscape by student Amberley JohnsonPerspective collage studying a mass that mimics the adjacent desert landscape by student Amberley JohnsonPerspective collage studying a mass that mimics the adjacent desert landscape by student Amberley JohnsonPerspective collage studying a mass that mimics the adjacent desert landscape by student Amberley Johnson
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
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
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
Perspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille MedeirosPerspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille MedeirosPerspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille MedeirosPerspective imagining the peace loving sentiment of community that has fled Phoenix by student Camille Medeiros
Aerial perspective studying a clustered tower massing that stands within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective studying a clustered tower massing that stands within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective studying a clustered tower massing that stands within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective studying a clustered tower massing that stands within the fields of Phoenix by student Zihao Li
Isometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a node cluster linking together a new lifted urban infrastructure in Phoenix by student Amy Dicker
Interior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonInterior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonInterior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley JohnsonInterior perspective of a double height housing unit tucked into the landscape by student Amberley Johnson

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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.
Space has become redundant again. Popular culture is uninterested in the goings-on in space. Once achieved, mans absurd relation with space becomes yesterdays news. To become relevant to the public, CASIS must be an amenity and not a mission. Instead of promoting an HQ, make it a public interface.
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.
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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH