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

Site plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSite plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSite plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSite plan for a first community and future expansion plans on the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille Medeiros
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
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
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
In progress study section for a new lifted urban infrastructure that hovers lightly above Phoenix by student Amy DickerIn progress study section for a new lifted urban infrastructure that hovers lightly above Phoenix by student Amy DickerIn progress study section for a new lifted urban infrastructure that hovers lightly above Phoenix by student Amy DickerIn progress study section for a new lifted urban infrastructure that hovers lightly above Phoenix by student Amy Dicker
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
Perspective within a new modular urban infrastructure of transport and housing that grows over Phoenix by student Amy DickerPerspective within a new modular urban infrastructure of transport and housing that grows over Phoenix by student Amy DickerPerspective within a new modular urban infrastructure of transport and housing that grows over Phoenix by student Amy DickerPerspective within a new modular urban infrastructure of transport and housing that grows over Phoenix by student Amy Dicker
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
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
Diagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron HardyDiagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron HardyDiagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron HardyDiagram of harnessing the natural convective currents within the microclimate of a mountain by student Kyron Hardy
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
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
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
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
Collage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron HardyCollage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron HardyCollage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron HardyCollage landscape perspective of a future Phoenix of independent cities scattered in the desert by student Kyron Hardy
Aerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoAerial perspective of two paired undulating housing bars tucked into Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao
Urban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains by student Camille MedeirosUrban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains by student Camille MedeirosUrban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains by student Camille MedeirosUrban plan for an organic growth of housing and public facilities integrated into the mountains 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
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
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bathaus is a small hybrid building that expands the visitor center at the Gropius House while simultaneously functioning as an ecologically sensitive bat sanctuary. Integrated directly into the architecture, a series of vertical slot bat habitats are carved into the façade and form.
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