ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Powell Underground Study

Alternative Desert Cities 2

Combined plan and section study for a hidden community of underground mountain dwellings by student Brandon PowellCombined plan and section study for a hidden community of underground mountain dwellings by student Brandon PowellCombined plan and section study for a hidden community of underground mountain dwellings by student Brandon PowellCombined plan and section study for a hidden community of underground mountain dwellings by student Brandon Powell
Combined plan and section study for a hidden community of underground mountain dwellings by student Brandon Powell
Combined plan and section study for a hidden community of underground mountain dwellings by student Brandon Powell

Plans

Sections

Housing

Landscape

Teaching

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
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
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
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
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
Perspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth by student Brandon PowellPerspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth by student Brandon PowellPerspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth by student Brandon PowellPerspective and diagram of a mountain housing unit utilizing the natural properties of the earth 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
Building plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen PhamBuilding plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen PhamBuilding plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen PhamBuilding plan showing the communal ground floor of an independent circular housing block in Phoenix by student Huyen Pham

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

OTHER RESEARCH