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

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
Isometric drawing of a regional infrastructure of towers connected by housing and transport by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a regional infrastructure of towers connected by housing and transport by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a regional infrastructure of towers connected by housing and transport by student Amy DickerIsometric drawing of a regional infrastructure of towers connected by housing and transport by student Amy Dicker
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
Model of serpentine housing bars made up of stacked units along the contours of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoModel of serpentine housing bars made up of stacked units along the contours of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoModel of serpentine housing bars made up of stacked units along the contours of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei CaoModel of serpentine housing bars made up of stacked units along the contours of Camelback Mountain by student Donglei Cao
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
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
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
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
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
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
Unit plans showing the various typical plan layouts and user types that will resettle the Salt River by student Cecile KimUnit plans showing the various typical plan layouts and user types that will resettle the Salt River by student Cecile KimUnit plans showing the various typical plan layouts and user types that will resettle the Salt River by student Cecile KimUnit plans showing the various typical plan layouts and user types that will resettle the Salt River by student Cecile Kim
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
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
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
Introduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawlIntroduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawlIntroduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawlIntroduction image of the Alternative Desert Cities studio showing a colorized map of the Phoenix sprawl
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 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 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
Exploded isometric concept drawing showing the layering of housing, farming, and community by student Alejandra LobatoExploded isometric concept drawing showing the layering of housing, farming, and community by student Alejandra LobatoExploded isometric concept drawing showing the layering of housing, farming, and community by student Alejandra LobatoExploded isometric concept drawing showing the layering of housing, farming, and community by student Alejandra Lobato
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

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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.
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 CART live/work housing prototype adds a vertical profile to downtown while converting an underutilized public path into an urban gesture by introducing of a specialized food cart zone in New Haven. The CART residents would rent and appropriate the moving space as a means of expanding their zone.
The Craft School is a participatory design and construction initiative that places students at the center of creating their own learning environment. It recognizes that education is not only about what happens inside the classroom, but also how the classroom comes to be.
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.
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 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.
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