ADC2
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Alternative Desert Cities 2
Zhong Urban Perspective

Alternative Desert Cities 2

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 series of towers and landscaped connections above the desert floor of Phoenix by student Xingyu Zhong
Perspective of a series of towers and landscaped connections above the desert floor of Phoenix by student Xingyu Zhong

Perspectives

City

Landscape

Urbanism

Teaching

RELATED RESEARCH IMAGES

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
Elevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany HartonoElevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany HartonoElevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany HartonoElevation of an urban community of towers below a shade canopy as a new model for desert living by student Tiffany Hartono
Site plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron HardySite plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron HardySite plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron HardySite plan showing the strategies for finishing the bowl of the mountain to facilitates a microclimate by student Kyron Hardy
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
Combination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao LiCombination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao LiCombination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao LiCombination section and isometric drawings of a study for a vertical terraced farm by student Zihao Li
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
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
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
Conceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian BirlConceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian BirlConceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian BirlConceptual urban sections studied at various scales for a flat and high density urbanism in Phoenix by student Ian Birl
Site plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao LiSite plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao LiSite plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao LiSite plan of a massing set with the farmable landscapes on the perimeter of Phoenix by student Zihao Li
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 collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future by student Christopher FernandezConcept collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future by student Christopher FernandezConcept collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future by student Christopher FernandezConcept collage of the gradual densification of the suburbs as a strategy for the future by student Christopher Fernandez
Urban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei CaoUrban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei CaoUrban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei CaoUrban plan to foster a microclimate between paired housing bars on the northern face of Camelback by student Donglei Cao
Urban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen PhamUrban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen PhamUrban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen PhamUrban plan for a micro-community of housing and services around a reservoir by student Huyen Pham
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
Aerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao LiAerial perspective showing the possibility to multiply autonomous housing forms across Phoenix by student Zihao Li
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
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
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
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

RELATED PROJECT IMAGES

OTHER PROJECTS

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.
Planes, frames, and volumes are fundamentals to all assembly logics. With the proliferation of additive production methods, the possibility of volumetric prefabricated components has the potential to radically alter the way that we conceive of construction and the permanence of building parts.
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 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.
Seeing Park Avenue as an underutilized zone that connects four vibrant neighborhoods from 42nd Street to 144th Street, Infrastructural Infill is a study testing the potential to locate a combination of mixed-use housing and transportation in the residual spaces caused by urban infrastructure.
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 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.

OTHER RESEARCH