ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Powell Communal Unit

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Unit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon PowellUnit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon PowellUnit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon PowellUnit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon Powell
Unit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon Powell
Unit diagram and perspective of a communal module for gathering water runoff on the mountain by student Brandon Powell

Diagrams

Perspectives

Teaching

Infrastructure

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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
Section showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing by student Kali NelsonSection showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing by student Kali NelsonSection showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing by student Kali NelsonSection showing the relationship of the landscape of the Salt River with the infrastructure of housing 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
Perspective of a series of towers and landscaped connections above the desert floor of Phoenix by student Xingyu ZhongPerspective of a series of towers and landscaped connections above the desert floor of Phoenix by student Xingyu ZhongPerspective of a series of towers and landscaped connections above the desert floor of Phoenix by student Xingyu ZhongPerspective of a series of towers and landscaped connections above the desert floor of Phoenix by student Xingyu Zhong
Perspective of a new community of dwellings that have settled in the Salt River preservation by student Kali NelsonPerspective of a new community of dwellings that have settled in the Salt River preservation by student Kali NelsonPerspective of a new community of dwellings that have settled in the Salt River preservation by student Kali NelsonPerspective of a new community of dwellings that have settled in the Salt River preservation by student Kali Nelson
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
Street perspective showing the inclusion of additional programs throughout the suburbs by student Christopher FernandezStreet perspective showing the inclusion of additional programs throughout the suburbs by student Christopher FernandezStreet perspective showing the inclusion of additional programs throughout the suburbs by student Christopher FernandezStreet perspective showing the inclusion of additional programs throughout the suburbs by student Christopher Fernandez
Aerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside by student Camille MedeirosAerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside by student Camille MedeirosAerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside by student Camille MedeirosAerial view of a model for a pixelated community growing out of the contours of the mountainside 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
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

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.
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.
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.
Seating design is vital in fostering communal interactions in shared spaces. Rooted in the organic growth principles of the Metabolist movement and the transformational geometric language of digital Metaballs, Meta-Bench forms an experiential seating system which individuals can move and adjust.
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.
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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH