ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Powell Mountain Massing Collage

Alternative Desert Cities 2

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
Concept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon Powell
Concept collage studying earthen masses that merge with Phoenix's South Mountain preserve by student Brandon Powell

Perspectives

Landscape

Teaching

Studies

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

Concept collage study for a housing built into the contours of the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosConcept collage study for a housing built into the contours of the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosConcept collage study for a housing built into the contours of the mountains above Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosConcept collage study for a housing built into the contours of 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
Section perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of suburban density in Phoenix by student Christopher FernandezSection perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of suburban density in Phoenix by student Christopher FernandezSection perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of suburban density in Phoenix by student Christopher FernandezSection perspective of the suburbs showing a doubling of suburban density in Phoenix 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
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
Section perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSection perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSection perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille MedeirosSection perspective of a mountain mass built into the mountain topography at Saguaro Lake by student Camille Medeiros
Concept perspective illustrating the idea for islands and confetti of programs within the river bed by student Cecile KimConcept perspective illustrating the idea for islands and confetti of programs within the river bed by student Cecile KimConcept perspective illustrating the idea for islands and confetti of programs within the river bed by student Cecile KimConcept perspective illustrating the idea for islands and confetti of programs within the river bed by student Cecile Kim
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
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 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
Concept axonometric drawings for an archipelago of new lands and units within the Salt River wash by student Cecile KimConcept axonometric drawings for an archipelago of new lands and units within the Salt River wash by student Cecile KimConcept axonometric drawings for an archipelago of new lands and units within the Salt River wash by student Cecile KimConcept axonometric drawings for an archipelago of new lands and units within the Salt River wash by student Cecile Kim
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
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
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

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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH