ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Nelson Urban Plan

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Urban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali NelsonUrban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali NelsonUrban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali NelsonUrban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali Nelson
Urban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali Nelson
Urban plan showing the Salt River preserve in Phoenix infilled with housing and nature by student Kali Nelson

Plans

Infill

Teaching

Landscape

Urbanism

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

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
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
Plan view of an urban model that distinguishes larger communal programs from housing by student Alejandra LobatoPlan view of an urban model that distinguishes larger communal programs from housing by student Alejandra LobatoPlan view of an urban model that distinguishes larger communal programs from housing by student Alejandra LobatoPlan view of an urban model that distinguishes larger communal programs from housing by student Alejandra Lobato
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
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
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
Perspective of a cross ventilated individual housing unit within the greater housing community by student Kyron HardyPerspective of a cross ventilated individual housing unit within the greater housing community by student Kyron HardyPerspective of a cross ventilated individual housing unit within the greater housing community by student Kyron HardyPerspective of a cross ventilated individual housing unit within the greater housing community by student Kyron Hardy
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
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
Site plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSite plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSite plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon PowellSite plan locating a community of housing and infrastructure into the contours of South Mountain by student Brandon Powell
Section perspective showing the relationship between the housing community and the microclimate by student Kyron HardySection perspective showing the relationship between the housing community and the microclimate by student Kyron HardySection perspective showing the relationship between the housing community and the microclimate by student Kyron HardySection perspective showing the relationship between the housing community and the microclimate by student Kyron Hardy
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
Concept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon PowellConcept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon PowellConcept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon PowellConcept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve 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
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
Series of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley JohnsonSeries of aerials showing the ability to transform suburban communities into a natural landscape by student Amberley Johnson
Perspective drawing representing the potential for establishing a housing community within the river by student Cecile KimPerspective drawing representing the potential for establishing a housing community within the river by student Cecile KimPerspective drawing representing the potential for establishing a housing community within the river by student Cecile KimPerspective drawing representing the potential for establishing a housing community within the 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
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
Urban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen PhamUrban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen PhamUrban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen PhamUrban model for a series of self-sustained circular housing blocks by student Huyen Pham

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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.
In Tempe there are two pedestrian axes: Mill Avenue and Palm Walk. Mill Avenue is successful and Palm Walk is not. Is there a way to make the palm trees useful to the students? The PEP structure is powered by buried hydraulic pressure systems giving vertical movement to the layer/palm interface.
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.
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.
Dimensions.com is an ongoing reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world.
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.
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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH