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What Is The Biggest Lesson You Learned In Architecture School?

In our last article, “What’s One Thing You Wish You Knew Before Architecture School?”, 25 architecture students shared the advice they wish someone had given them before they started their programs. They gave honest insights about expectations, challenges, and surprises. But what about the lessons that come after you’ve begun the journey?

In this follow-up, we asked the same group of students: “What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from architecture school?” Their reflections go beyond drafting and deadlines, as they speak to personal growth, resilience, creative confidence, and the evolving ways students think about design and themselves. Across the 26 responses, eight core lessons emerged—shared themes that reflect the challenges, growth, and transformation students experience throughout architecture school. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in your journey, these lessons offer a look at the learning that happens when you step into (and stick with) architecture school.

Note: Responses have been slightly modified for clarity and length.

Some of the skills mentioned that our respondents learned in architecture school are unique to the field. However, their intensity and integration into the design process make them especially transferable. These lessons don’t just shape you as a future architect; they prepare you for almost any path you take and equip you with tools that are just as valuable in life as they are in practice. This is mostly due to the fact that:

1. Architecture is not a solitary discipline, it’s shared, social, and deeply interconnected.

[Architecture school’s] value goes far beyond architecture itself. It doesn’t just prepare you for one specific role—it gives you a way of thinking, a vision you can apply across many professions. If you’ve developed the capacity to collaborate and stay open to working with others, the skills and mindset you gain in architecture school can carry over into a wide range of fields.

—Sam Sabzevari, Toronto Metropolitan University, Class of 2024

Architecture isn’t just about designing pretty buildings; it’s about telling stories, reflecting culture, and shaping people’s lives. I realized that architecture is much more than just form and aesthetics, every design decision carries meaning and responsibility. That shift in perspective made me more thoughtful and intentional in my work knowing the social impact it can have.

—Sara Suliman, American University of Sharjah, Class of 2024

The importance of designing critically and creatively simultaneously. Architectural projects are not solely about making things look beautiful; it’s about solving complex problems with intention, empathy, and adaptability. I also learned the value of iteration; great ideas rarely arrive fully formed, and it is often part of the process of talking with your professors, friends, and peers that leads to innovation.

—Matthew Tepper, University of Virginia, Class of 2024.

Architecture is expansive, interdisciplinary, and all-encompassing. I entered school thinking that architecture is just about buildings and a way to connect the arts and STEM, and I left school knowing that architecture touches all aspects of our lives. Architecture is political and personal; we are implicated within it from the homes we live in to the cities and structures that make up our world. It is poetic and philosophical; it is our bridge between the past and the future, and it helps us understand our relationship with the world and how we continually engage with the environments we are embedded in. It is culture and creativity, narrative power, and most importantly, architecture is activism. It has the capacity to harm or heal, to repair and reconstruct a better world. In the current climatic condition and political state, we are at the crossroads of a future of uncertainty and possibility, and architecture is our tool for change and will have a vital part in moving us towards a future worth fighting for.

Since graduating and starting to work in the profession, I keep finding myself returning to this quote by Dr. Caroline Leaf: “Your purpose is not the thing you do. It is the thing that happens to others when you do what you do.” Our purpose and responsibility as architects goes beyond the designs we make; we have a crucial role in ensuring the health, equity, and well-being of our world and are tasked with building the structures necessary to uphold and sustain these values of good, for each other and for the future that will come after we are gone.

—Catherine Chattergoon, Pratt Institute, Class of 2024


Because architecture is not a solitary discipline, collaboration isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. As you can see, many of our respondents agree that…

2. Architecture is a collaborative practice, built on relationships, dialogue, and shared vision.

The value of collaboration and feedback. Working with peers and receiving constructive criticism helped me develop my design skills and think critically about my work. I also learned to appreciate the importance of sustainability and social responsibility in architectural design.

—Yaimi L. Cartagena Santiago, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Class of 2024.

Honestly, it’s how essential it is to build relationships—with professors, visiting architects, and especially with your classmates. Some of my closest friendships were formed through long nights in studio, where we not only pushed each other creatively but also supported each other through the inevitable ups and downs. I’m incredibly grateful that, even now after graduating and working in different cities, we still find time to come together, catch up on life, and bond over the experiences we shared in school and the new ones we’re each creating in our professional and personal lives. Seeing how differently people think and approach design has been just as valuable as any technical skill I’ve learned. It’s a reminder that great design rarely happens in isolation; it grows from conversations, collaboration, and a genuine curiosity about how others see the world.

—Dillon Patel, North Carolina State University, Class of 2024

A good design takes time, and is rarely a solo effort. I used to spend hours just thinking about my design, visualizing how I wanted it to look, and how I could accomplish it. The most important step, and the biggest lesson that I have learned to remain consistent even in architecture firms, is that once I’ve built my vision/design, I always take it to someone else to review, whether it be my professor, boss, coworker, colleague, family member, classmates, friends, etc. [They]will be able to see a project through a different lens and point out any flaws where it could be better. Being able to listen to critiques and understanding others’ feedback is, in my opinion, what makes a great architect.

—Mason Ramsey, Marywood University, Class of 2024.

Talent alone will not take you to the endzone. Architecture is about much more. You need to be able to network and become comfortable with being uncomfortable. You need to sharpen your social skills and get over your fear of public speaking. I would say it’s not important, but necessary if you want to get anywhere with this career path.

—Jesus Guillermo Macias Franco, California College of the Arts, Class of 2023

How to work with people.

I understand that many students who are passionate about architecture and design often carry a beautiful, ideal world in their minds. Everyone has brilliant ideas and unique design visions. But once I entered architecture school, I realized that design is never a solitary act—especially in architecture.

From studio critiques and team projects to future collaborations in the professional world, architecture is built upon communication and teamwork. You can’t avoid dialogue or resist collaboration. Design is a language—and without strong communication skills and a willingness to engage with others, even the best ideas remain incomplete.

This is what architecture school taught me most:

Talk to people—because only through communication can your design truly come to life.

—Kai Chen, University of Pennsylvania, Class 2025

Design is not for the designer. Sure, it’s easy to get wrapped up in your own ideas and preferences when designing theoretical studio projects, but it’s important to remember that designers are almost always designing for someone else. We should never lose sight of how our designs impact those who use them —no matter the scale.

—Luke Murray, Mississippi State University, Class of 2024.


And with all that collaboration comes critique. In architecture school, feedback is constant—sometimes encouraging, sometimes tough, but always part of the process. So the best advice to grow (and stay sane) is…

3. Learn to embrace critique, but remain confident and trust yourself along the way.

Critique is where you grow, not where you shrink. In such a beautiful major where each one turns their own ideas into a unique project of their own, opinions arise. And this is where it is important, as architecture students, to learn to accept the critique and take it as an opportunity to question how other architects and peers perceive things. It expands your ideas and therefore your creativity. Architecture has certainly strengthened my personality and turned me into someone confident who is apt to defend their ideas and the value behind them.

—Angela Hanna, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Class of 2024

Listening to yourself is just as important as being open to feedback. If you believe in your idea and know it’s strong, stick with it, but stay open. If you receive challenging criticism, it doesn’t mean the project is dead. In fact, sometimes a lot of critique is a good sign. It means your ideas are worth talking about, or there’s a lot of potential. Ask yourself why the feedback landed that way, and refine your work through that lens.

At the same time, don’t hold on too tightly. Some of your best ideas will grow from the pieces of earlier ones you were willing to let go. Trust your gut, make the project make sense, and the rest will follow.

Also: don’t lose sleep over renderings.

—Steven Fallon, Boston Architectural College, Class of 2024 (M.Arch)

Embracing constructive criticism will take you SO far. The more experience you have receiving constructive criticism, the more you will be better able to filter out what is helpful and productive, and what is better applied to other projects. Moreover, the feedback you receive for one project should be applied to all of your projects; that is how you best grow in your practice of architecture.

—Elyssa Hines, Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2027.

People will have opinions on your work (both good and bad). What one professor hates, another may love. Be confident in your designs regardless of what others think.

—Bailey Berdan, Lawrence Technological University, Class of 2022

The importance of confidence. If you don’t believe in your own idea or design, no one else will. Confidence allows you to present your work with clarity and conviction, and it helps you communicate your design to a wider audience. It’s not just about what you design, but how you stand behind it.

—Anushka Naik, NYIT, MS.AUD Class of 2024.

Failure is part of the process—and often the most valuable part. Projects grow through trial and error, and feedback (even tough criticism) helps you improve. Also, surrounding yourself with motivated, supportive friends from day one makes the stressful moments manageable and the successes more rewarding.

—Louis Y. Sepúlveda-Homs, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Class of 2025.

To trust yourself and trust the process. College is a long process, and you won’t understand the big picture until you realize you’re graduating and well on your way to becoming an architect

—Nick Biser, Marywood University, Class of 2024.


Though I am sure you want to implement advice and grow from the critiques you are given, keep in mind that progress in architecture school doesn’t happen overnight…

4. Growth takes time, so stay patient and committed.

Adopting new skills requires patience and concentration. I knew how to draw before starting my graduate program. However, architecture school required a more advanced level of technicality in representation. I had to master new software, history, and theory by engaging in my course assignments with consistent effort. My hand drawing and digital drafting has improved dramatically because of the work that went into achieving that proficiency.

—Daniel Icaza-Milson, University of Texas, Austin, Master of Architecture 2025

Each level in architecture taught me to adapt, evolve, and shape a better version of myself—just like our designs, we’re constantly a work in progress.

—Rachana Charate, RV College of Architecture, Class of 2023 (M. Arch Urban Design)


You’ll grow faster if you remember to …

5. Stay curious! Ask questions and keep learning.

Ask why about all the decisions you make. This will truly help the design and thought process during the design.

—Henry Li, Savannah College of Art and Design, Class of 2024.

You are not finished learning after you graduate! You must be a student for life, and continue to absorb and respond to new information every day. Keep building on your knowledge and stay in touch with your inner student.

—Sabrina Innamorato, New York Institute of Technology, Class of 2024 (M.Arch)


Beyond personal development and the broader application of skills, you also learn about core values of the discipline, and that includes the fact that…

6. Architecture begins with empathy and introspection.

Architecture must be empathetic. You don’t design for yourself, but for the people who will inhabit those spaces. Every line, every decision, should respond to their needs, contexts, and aspirations. It’s not enough for a project to look good—it has to feel right, function well, and genuinely improve the lives of those who use it. Architecture transforms lives, and for that reason, it must be responsible, sensitive, and accessible.

—Sebastián André Colón López, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Class of 2024.

Architecture school doesn’t really teach you about architecture; it teaches you introspection. To think critically, to approach problems with care, and to find creative, thoughtful solutions.

It teaches you empathy—for the earth and the places we build on and extract from. It teaches you empathy for yourself, for your limits and mental health, and for others—your peers, who become your closest allies and lifelong friends.

It teaches you discipline—the ability to deliver on time, to hold yourself accountable, and to communicate your ideas with clarity and conviction.

To study architecture is to cultivate introspection, a quiet but essential skill that shapes not only the work you do, but also the architect you become.

—Daniel Wong, University of Toronto, Class of 2024


Lastly, but certainly not least, as a field that contains so many multitudes, it is essential to…

7. Appreciate the shades of gray. 

Design is never about finding the “right” answer. It is all about the process of exploring, questioning, and constantly improving. You must maintain an open mind and be self-critical of your design, always asking yourself why you are making certain choices. I also learnt that just because a project has a deadline does not mean it is finished; there is always room to go back and improve it, but you also need to know when to let go. That kind of mindset changed the way I approach design and life in general.

—Razan Almajid, American University of Sharjah, Class of 2024

When it comes to things, especially design, there is no such thing as absolute “correct” or “wrong.” These judgments can only be made within a relative framework. At my school, about 60 students design projects [based] on the exact same site each semester in studio. Yet each student approaches the project with entirely different concepts and scales. By the end of the term, there are 60 completely different architectural proposals gathered on the same site.

The criteria for judging whether these designs are “correct” or “wrong” as architecture are nothing more than relative measures defined within the framework of the studio. What is considered correct within the context of the studio does not necessarily align with what is correct in the context of real-world architecture. In that sense, engaging in discussions about what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ within a relative framework turned out to be a valuable lesson.

—Shun Sasaki, Southern California Institute of Architecture, Graduated in 2024

Be precise. Not just in drawings or models, but in language and intent. It’s easy to hide behind complexity or visual tricks, but architecture school taught me that the hardest thing is to be direct—clear in what you’re saying, why you’re saying it, and how it’s being read. That kind of clarity is what actually gives the work weight.

—Anonymous


The journey through architecture school is clearly more than an exercise in mastering technical skills; it’s a profound period of personal and professional transformation. As the reflections from these 26 students reveal, the lessons learned extend far beyond drafting tables and deadlines, shaping not only future architects but also well-rounded individuals prepared for a diverse range of paths.


Ultimately, the skills and mindset gained are universally transferable, equipping graduates with tools that are as valuable in life as they are in practice. Whether it’s the ability to work effectively in teams, articulate complex ideas with precision, adapt to feedback, or approach challenges with a curious and empathetic lens, the education cultivates a unique readiness for an ever-evolving world. Architecture school, it turns out, is not just about building structures; it’s about building character, vision, and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to any endeavor.

What Is One Thing You Wish You Knew Before Architecture School?

Whether you are a middle schooler learning about different careers, a high schooler gearing up for university applications, a rising college freshman ready to start your program in the fall, or an aspiring architecture student looking toward your next steps— you are surely full of questions. What will architecture school really be like? What should I expect…will it match my expectations? What challenges will I face? What moments will make it all worth it? And these questions are just the tip of the iceberg…

To demystify your journey and better prepare you for whatever educational milestone you are ready to embark on, we asked 26 current architecture students and recent graduates a question we hope encapsulates the core of your questioning: What is one thing you wish you knew before architecture school?

We’ve summarized their answers into 12 core themes below. No matter where you are in your architectural journey, we hope these reflections offer insight, reassurance, and a glimpse into what lies ahead.

Note: The responses have been slightly modified for clarity and length.

1. Architecture school may indeed test your patience more than your creativity, but if you embrace the chaos the rewards are boundless.


Creativity is 10% of it, the other 90% is perseverance, patience, and problem-solving. If I ever thought I was a patient person by nature, studying architecture certainly had me re-question that notion. It takes so many ideas, concepts, sketches, drafts, models, etc. before you find the right approach to a project. Architecture is about many answers, many opinions, all of which are beautifully different. This makes us stand out and distinguishes us from other architects, but it’s also what shows how subjective it all is at the same time. This subjectivity is (most of the time) frustrating, especially when you are presenting your project to a board of juries, but it is also something that expands your vision. —Angela Hanna, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Class of 2024.


How time-consuming and frustrating it can be. I would spend all day/night meticulously constructing a model that was due the next morning, and while designing these models (as many architecture students can attest) agitation was a very common emotion. There were times when my physical model completely fell apart, when professors told me to redo a model I spent days building, or when Revit did not want to cooperate– meaning I had to spend hours watching YouTube videos on how to fix the issue. Though, as you can see, architecture school can be stressful, I also wish someone had told me how creative and fun it would be. Ultimately, if you have an interest in the concept of how buildings are formed/constructed, and you have a lot of patience, architecture school is definitely your path.
—Mason Ramsey, Marywood University, Class of 2024.


Architecture school is basically a video game—each level is harder than the last and comes with new challenges to unlock. You’ll fail, restart, and rage-quit in your head—but the wins? They feel epic.
—Rachana Charate, RV College of Architecture, Class of 2023.

Despite the frustrations, perseverance is key! Which brings us to:

2. You will get out of it what you put into it.


The first semester of architecture school is like a shock to the system. It’s an intense workload. You’re learning the basics of design, architectural history, taking your Gen Ed courses, and you’re expected to begin designing, all while learning the various software necessary to complete your design drawings. It can be overwhelming, but if you put in the time and effort, you will succeed. You may have to say no to dinner with friends or stay up late to get your work done (I am one of the few architecture students that is vehemently against pulling all nighters), you will have to sacrifice, but the harder you work and the more dedicated you are, the more worth it it will be. —Sabrina Innamorato, New York Institute of Technology, Class of 2024 (M.Arch).

But remember, school is about more than just getting through the academic work. An important part of success is how you interact with the field beyond the classroom. You will have to…

3. Build more than models, relationships matter.


Focus on networking. Try to get teaching assistant positions and build better relationships with faculty and classmates. I attended a small college, and it was easy to network. However, I could have built more bridges with my professors. Later in my degree, I learned that many of my classmates had been employed by faculty. Those opportunities could have been mine as well, but they weren’t because I did not put work into those relationships early on. —Jesus Guillermo Macias Franco, California College of the Arts, Class of 2023.


We’re past the era of becoming an architect in the classical sense. When you go to architecture school, you’re exposed to the long history of the field, and you may start forming this image of the architect as a heroic, solitary figure. But that model no longer reflects the reality of the profession. Architecture today is fundamentally about collaboration, teamwork, and putting your ego aside to work meaningfully with others. You need to work on yourself just as much as you work with your team and surroundings. Building those relationships and connections is essential—especially once you step out into the profession after graduation. —Sam Sabzevari, Toronto Metropolitan University, Class of 2024.

Regardless of the many pieces of advice you will receive in this article, keep in mind that no one experience is the same. Be aware that…

4. Architecture school isn’t a straight line, it’s a messy, evolving journey. Stay open-minded, embrace uncertainty, and let your curiosity guide you.


Every stage of the design and learning journey is unique. Embrace the complexity of the profession, stay curious about emerging mediums and evolving tools, and continue exploring where your interests and strengths lie.
—Matthew Tepper, University of Virginia, Class of 2024.


Go in with more of an open mind. When I first started school, I thought I would be using my computer, rendering fancy buildings, and designing skyscrapers from Day 1. School is a much different and more nuanced process that can take a lot of students by surprise.
—Nick Biser, Marywood University, Class of 2024.


The design process is rarely linear. For each moment you find yourself satisfied with your process and the results, there will likely be another where you question your ideas and approach. For me, the key was embracing those ups and downs and accepting that failure is often part of the process. Stay positive and keep going!
—Luke Murray, Mississippi State University, Class of 2024.

Perspective shifts are part of the learning process, but it seems like personal paradigms shift A LOT in architecture school. Just look how many people said:

5. Architecture school isn’t just about designing—it’s about learning to think differently and adopting a new lifestyle.


It’s not just about designing buildings. It’s about thinking critically, communicating complex ideas clearly—both visually and verbally—and learning to handle uncertainty, especially when presenting your work to professors and critics. Knowing this earlier would’ve helped me face challenges and long nights with more confidence.
—Louis Y. Sepúlveda-Homs, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Class of 2025.


Architecture is not just about design and drawing—it’s a way of life and a way of thinking. It blends emotion and logic, requiring not only creative vision but also analytical rigor. Architecture will take over more than your class time—it will shape how you travel, how you socialize, and how you see the world. You’ll constantly analyze spaces, structures, and experiences through the lens of architecture. So don’t treat it as just a subject or a set of assignments. It should become part of your life—something you genuinely love. Only with that passion can you endure the countless days and nights of designing, drawing, modeling, and revising. With that mindset, you’ll gain a broader perspective—and meet challenges with greater composure and purpose.
—Kai Chen, University of Pennsylvania, Class 2025.


Architecture isn’t just about designing spectacular buildings or creating perfect renderings. I would’ve liked to understand early on that a big part of the journey involves learning to cope with frustration, criticism, and sleepless nights. Architecture is not only about technique or art—it’s a way of thinking. You begin to question everything, from how a community lives to why a window is placed where it is. And that’s okay. You don’t need to have all the answers in your first semester.
—Sebastián André Colón López, School of Architecture, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Class of 2024.


It isn’t just about designing buildings, it’s about learning how to think and design through everyday life and the tools around us. Inspiration often comes from the ordinary, and it’s this connection to daily life that shapes meaningful design. Also, architecture is a continuous learning process. School is just the beginning—there’s no real end to learning in this field.
—Anushka Naik, NYIT, Class of 2024 (MS.AUD).


Architecture school isn’t really about learning how to design—it’s about learning how to think. I wish someone had told us that the real challenge isn’t making things look good, it’s learning how to question—how to ask why something should exist, how it could exist differently, and whether it needs to at all. That shift would’ve helped me waste less time trying to do things the “right” way. —Anonymous.


Architecture school is a commitment to a lifestyle. I found my most successful student work involved transforming the brief into a creative solution that was practical and conceptual. This involved thinking about the project outside of the studio, testing many ideas, and having fun with the process!
—Daniel Icaza-Milson, University of Texas, Austin, Class of 2025 (M.Arch)


Architecture is not just about making things look beautiful or being good at drawing. It is so much more than that. It is about understanding the theory and philosophy behind design, and the psychology of how people experience and interact with spaces. Architecture requires thinking critically and designing with intention, finding that balance between creativity and logic. Ultimately, it is about creating experiences, not just buildings.                                                      —Razan Almajid, American University of Sharjah, Class of 2024.

Within new mindsets and new fields, don’t lose track of yourself either…

6. Find your niche and involve yourself in your work.


When I started, I was concerned about what I would do if it turned out I was more interested in another subject. But, the scope of architecture is so vast that you will learn about everything and anything you want to. Due to the nature of design, you get to learn all about who and what you are designing for, which opens up a world of subjects for you to study and explore.
—Elyssa Hines, Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2027.


Bringing ourselves and our perspective of the world into the work we do is essential; our diversity is a strength and a source of inspiration for building new structures and a better future. I spent my first few years of architecture school trying to make projects that I thought would satisfy my professors and drew only from precedents that were regarded as exceptional in the canon of architecture. But when I started to bring my history and lived experience into my work, I realized that our stories, memories, and personal and inherited knowledge are just as important and influential as the formal building expertise we learn about architecture in school. The diverse needs of the future can only be met by honoring the diverse ways we experience the world. Our lived experience serves as a guide, a place of rootedness, and a source for generating new dialogues and possibilities for architecture and our future.
—Catherine Chattergoon, Pratt Institute, Class of 2024.

Adopting a new way of thinking and a new lifestyle based on your profession, as well as involving yourself in your work— no matter how transformative it can be, it can also create some issues. So it is also important to consider…

7. Time-management and boundaries!


I wish someone had told me about the importance of time management and balancing my priorities when it comes to the learning process of this profession. Architecture school can be intense, and understanding how to prioritize my personal life and manage tasks effectively would have reduced stress and improved my overall experience.
—Yaimi L. Cartagena Santiago, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Class of 2024.

You take a lot of skills with you from education into the workforce, but the line between education and work is often blurred because…

8. Learning doesn’t stop when you are done with your degree. Also, while you are in your degree you should be trying to learn even more.


Books are your friends. If I could do architecture school over again, I would spend more time in the library stacks. There are centuries of architectural thinking, writing, and making that can expand your world and deepen your work. You’re guaranteed to find inspiration in a good library. 

—Steven Fallon, Boston Architectural College, Class of 2024 (M.Arch). 


You need to read more, see more, and think more. Architecture is the major that needs both sensual and rational thought, so more experience will help you with designing and thinking.
—Henry Li, Savannah College of Art and Design, Class of 2024.

But of course…

9. School won’t teach you everything–it’s important to be mindful of that.


[I wish I knew] how different school and practice are in architecture. School is much more theory and design-based based while practice is more technical-based. [I also wish I knew]more about the licensing process post-college! It would’ve been helpful to get a head start during my education, but it was never explained in school.
—Bailey Berdan, Lawrence Technological University, Class of 2022.

Architecture school is also far more than the lessons taught about the field itself. You also learn that…

10. Design is powerful only when it communicates with clarity, purpose, and its audience in mind.


Architecture school is as much about learning how to tell a story as it is about learning how to design. No matter how innovative your idea is, it only matters if you can communicate it clearly and meaningfully. I learned this the hard way — and I think all of us have to — because sometimes the best thing you can do is step back from the drawing board and really ask yourself, “What’s the story I’m trying to tell here?” At the end of the day, architecture isn’t just about creating buildings; it’s about shaping experiences and connecting with people. That’s what makes it powerful — and that’s what makes it so fun.
—Dillon Patel, North Carolina State University, Class of 2024.


Design is a form of communication, and thus, to design architecture is to engage in a conversation by constructing syntax within the language of architecture. Being consciously aware of who the dialogue is with for each project is a crucial perspective when engaging in communication through the language of design. As long as we understand who we are in dialogue with, we can engage in meaningful discussions without becoming confused. What’s important is to clearly identify who you are speaking with through your design.
— Shun Sasaki, Southern California Institute of Architecture, Class of 2024.

To do all of the recommendations listed here so far, there is one key…

11. Stamina.


Studying architecture comes with many hardships—the brutally long hours, the dreaded pin-ups, the caffeinated red-eye crits—all culminating in a final project that one hopes to be proud of. To study architecture is to have stamina. There is a quote by John Hejduk that comes to mind: “Architecture is not a single-line sprint, but rather a marathon. A sprinter sees the world as a flat field, with the end in his sights. He is shallow, and his architecture resists deciphering, interpretation, or reflection. In contrast, the long-distance runner sees the world, the complex paths and valleys of the profession. Their range is extended, and improves with age; their architecture becomes richer and more profound.” My advice is to endure and have the stamina to sustain this journey.
—Daniel Wong, University of Toronto, Class of 2024.

But always remember to not let resilience obscure growth, because…

12. Failure is useful, and mistakes are important.


Design is an iterative process, and failure, especially in the early stages, is not just okay, but sometimes essential. I used to believe I had to get things right from the start, which made me overthink and hesitate. Looking back, if I had understood that iteration and even failure are part of the creative process, I would have spent less time worrying about making mistakes and more time experimenting, learning, and enjoying the journey.
—Sara Suliman, American University of Sharjah, Class of 2024.

Studying architecture isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s a deeply personal, often unpredictable, and constantly evolving journey. The students and graduates featured here speak with honesty, vulnerability, and hard-won insight. Their reflections reveal not just what to expect from architecture school but how to approach it—with resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to grow through discomfort.

Whether you’re still deciding if architecture is for you, preparing to begin your first semester, or already in the thick of it, remember this: you are not alone in your questions, your doubts, or your hopes. There is no perfect blueprint for success, but there is a community of people who’ve walked similar paths—and they’re rooting for you.

Let these stories be your compass, your caution signs, and your encouragement. Study hard, design with purpose, fail forward, and don’t forget to build a life (as well as buildings).

Like what these students and young professionals have to say? Stay tuned for our “part-two”article, ‘The Biggest Lesson I Learned In Architecture School’, for more advice from this group of students.

15 Design + Build Architecture Programs Across the United States

The academic world is evolving— today’s leading architecture schools are embracing the “pracademics” approach, where theoretical knowledge is deeply intertwined with practical application. This shift is particularly evident at schools that have adopted Design + Build programs. These aren’t just trendy offerings; they’re a direct response to students’ hunger for experiential learning—internships, practicals, and real-world projects that translate into tangible skills. The impact of these programs is undeniable: a recent National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey highlights that students in these programs enjoy greater post-graduate job satisfaction, accelerated career development, and higher starting salaries.

To help you explore this exciting frontier of architectural education and find the program that best aligns with your ambitions and interests, we’ve compiled a list of 15 Design-Build architecture programs across the United States. This list is non-exhaustive (and in no particular order), but each of these institutions demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing practical education, offering students like you unparalleled opportunities to gain real-world experience and shape the built environment.

1. Auburn University

What truly sets Auburn University apart is its iconic Rural Studio, established in 1993. Rural Studio provides students with an immersive, hands-on experience, focusing on community-driven projects in the West Alabama region. This unique program emphasizes social responsibility and sustainable design, offering students unparalleled opportunities to translate theoretical knowledge into tangible, impactful built works. 

Learn more: https://cadc.auburn.edu/architecture/architecture-degrees-programs/program-of-architecture/rural-studio/.  


(Lions Park Scouts / Auburn University Rural Studio, Image Credit: ArchDaily)

2. University of Kansas 

A cornerstone of the University of Kansas’s practical education is Studio 804, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning design-build program. This unique, year-long capstone experience for graduate students allows them to design and construct a sophisticated building from start to finish. Studio 804 is renowned for its commitment to sustainable, affordable, and inventive building solutions, frequently achieving LEED Platinum certification for its projects and providing students with unparalleled hands-on experience in every aspect of the construction process. 

Learn more: https://designbuild.ku.edu/.


(436 Indiana Street House 2024, Image Credit: Corey Gaffer)

3. Louisiana Tech University

The School of Design at Louisiana Tech University places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, notably through its ongoing partnership with North Central Louisiana Habitat for Humanity and the MedCamps of Louisiana. This collaboration provides students with invaluable design-build experience, allowing them to contribute directly to community development by designing and constructing homes for families in need. This commitment to practical application and social responsibility ensures that Louisiana Tech graduates are well-prepared to make a tangible impact in the built environment. 

Learn more: http://design.latech.edu.


(Pavilion at Louisiana MedCamps built by Lousiana Tech University students, Image Credit: Louisiana Tech University)

4. University of Nebraska—Lincoln

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is deeply committed to fostering social responsibility and promoting sustainable building practices through its partnerships with local non-profits. Central to this mission are two distinct design-build studios: FACT (Fabrication and Construction Team) and PLAIN. FACT, led by Professor Jeffrey L. Day, has garnered significant recognition, including the prestigious distinction of winning the ACSA’s first-ever national Design/Build Award in 2013.  PLAIN’s main focus is on using renewable timber as the primary material for their designs. The choice of material connects with the broader scope of the project to promote sustainable designs and engage with the circular community. Both studios provide students with invaluable hands-on experience, bridging the gap between design conceptualization and tangible construction, all while contributing to community needs and advancing sustainable design principles.

Learn more: https://architecture.unl.edu/designbuild-studios/ and https://plaindesignbuild.com/ .


(FACT 26 Solar Mobility Hubs 2022, Image Credit: University of Nebraska–Lincoln)

5. University of Utah

The University of Utah is home to the highly regarded DesignBLUFF program, a flagship initiative within its College of Architecture + Planning. This immersive design-build experience sends graduate architecture students to the remote town of Bluff, Utah, adjacent to the Navajo Nation. Here, students engage in a unique cross-cultural collaboration, designing and constructing full-scale architectural projects, often single-family homes or community buildings, in partnership with local Navajo communities. DesignBLUFF emphasizes sustainable building practices, respect for unique social and cultural needs, and the utilization of local, often salvaged, materials. The program offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to translate their designs into tangible structures, gaining vital hands-on construction skills while fostering a deep understanding of community-engaged design.

Learn more: https://bluff.designbuildutah.org/


(Four Peaks Flexibility as Design Equity 2020, Image Credit: University of Utah)

6. Yale University

Yale University’s esteemed Master of Architecture (M.ARCH.) program boasts a truly unique and enduring design/build tradition: the Jim Vlock First Year Building Project. A required component of the curriculum for all first-year M.ARCH. I students, this project has been an annual undertaking since its inception in 1967. Students work collaboratively to design and construct a full-scale building, typically a dwelling or community-focused structure, for underserved populations in New Haven. This hands-on experience provides an unparalleled opportunity to engage with every stage of the architectural process, from conceptual design and client interaction to construction and project management. The Jim Vlock Building Project is renowned for its commitment to social responsibility, often focusing on affordable housing solutions and contributing to the local community.

Learn more:  https://www.architecture.yale.edu/academics/building-project.


(2024 Jim Vlock First Year Building Project, Image Credit: Bohan Chen and Deming Haines)

7. Parsons School of Design

Parsons School of Design, a part of The New School, offers dynamic design/build opportunities primarily through dedicated courses open to both juniors and seniors. A notable example is their “Design Build: Street Seats” elective, which partners with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT). In this program, students are tasked with designing and constructing public urban spaces, often in the form of “Street Seats” – temporary installations that transform underutilized street areas into vibrant social hubs. This hands-on experience provides students with a holistic understanding of the design process, from conceptualization and client interaction to material sourcing, fabrication within Parsons’ Making Center, and on-site installation. The program emphasizes urban social and environmental sustainability, encouraging students to consider material lifecycles and community impact. This practical approach allows students to directly engage with real-world urban challenges and contribute tangible solutions to the cityscape.

Find out more information by searching “design+build” in their course catalog here


(2017 New School Parsons School of Design & NY Department of Transportation Street Seats , Image Credit: The New School and students Finnegan Harries and Alyson Thompson)

8. University of Tennessee—Knoxville

UTK’s College of Architecture and Design has built a national reputation for its deeply integrated, community-focused Design-Build Program, making it one of the oldest in the country. The program’s impact is evident in its extensive project portfolio, with over 200 completed structures—from public pavilions to community centers. One recent example includes the Trillium pavilion, a biologically inspired 3D-printed structure designed and built by students in 2022. The Trillium pavilion showcases the potential of recycled polymers to create lightweight, high-strength forms inspired by nature, pointing to a future where architecture draws lessons from biological structures and fosters sustainable building practices.

Learn more: https://archdesign.utk.edu/academics/school-of-architecture/


(2022 Trilium Pavilion , Image Credit: University of Tennessee—Knoxville)

9. University of North Carolina—Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a comprehensive suite of architectural and urban design degrees. A key component of its practical education is the City.Building.Lab, which serves as a hub for action-based research and community engagement. Beyond this dedicated lab, the School of Architecture integrates design-build experiences through various seminars, providing students with direct, hands-on opportunities to apply their skills to real-world challenges. UNCC students have notably engaged in impactful projects in both Salisbury and Chicago, collaborating with urban planners to develop tangible solutions for urban environments. This emphasis on community-engaged design and interdisciplinary partnerships prepares graduates to be effective and socially responsible practitioners.

Learn more: https://citybuildinglab.charlotte.edu/ 


(City.Building.Lab Parklets, Image Credit: University of North Carolina—Charlotte)

10. University of Washington

The University of Washington offers a diverse range of degrees within the built environment. While the university is home to the Design Machine Group, which explores digital fabrication and smart environments, its most prominent design-build presence for hands-on construction is within the Landscape Architecture program. This robust design/build initiative was notably established in 1995 by Professor Daniel Winterbottom and provides both undergraduate and graduate students with unique opportunities to engage in the full cycle of design and construction. Projects often involve creating community amenities, emphasizing sustainable practices, and working collaboratively with local groups, both domestically and internationally. This approach ensures students develop a deep understanding of the relationship between design, materials, and real-world impact.

Learn more: https://larch.be.uw.edu/portfolio/designbuild/.


(University of Washington Summer Design Build 2022 in Traena, Norway, Image Credit: Maron Bernardino, Heather Fortunato, Jenna Simpson)

11. Drury University

Drury University stands out with its distinctive “Whole-School” approach to design-build projects, a method believed to be unique in the United States. This integrated curriculum ensures that design-build is not just an elective or a single studio, but a pervasive element throughout the architectural education, involving numerous students and often a broad base of volunteers. The program consistently engages with cutting-edge technology and community needs. For instance, a current initiative sees Drury students working at full-scale with a concrete 3D printer, pioneering the development of low-income housing. This ambitious project is made possible through a partnership with The Gathering Tree, a local nonprofit dedicated to combating homelessness. With this partnership, Drury showcases its commitment to innovation, practical application, and social impact in addressing real-world challenges.

Learn more: https://www.drury.edu/architecture/design-build/.


( 2023 Design-Build Project: Stomp the Blues Out of Homelessness: Cottage for the Unsheltered, Image Credit: Drury University)

12. University of Miami 

A notable component of The University of Miami’s practical education is their Design/Build Program, which focuses on developing leaders for complex building projects with an emphasis on resiliency, sustainability, and innovative project delivery. This approach underscores the idea that architecture is a civic endeavor, fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration. The School of Architecture has showcased nine featured projects undertaken by students, demonstrating their commitment to translating design concepts into tangible, impactful built works. 

Learn more: https://www.arc.miami.edu/academics/graduate/design-build/index.html and see featured projects here: https://issuu.com/umsoa/docs/designbuild-book-10.15.18.


( 2012 Everglades Eco Tent Project, Image Credit: University of Miami)

13. North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University’s College of Design offers a long-standing and public-serving Design + Build program that actively engages students in real-world projects for community clients. The Summer Design + Build Studio is particularly notable, leading student teams through an intensive eleven-week process from inception to completion, encompassing client relations, site planning, design development, construction documentation, permitting, budgeting, and actual construction. This “design-make-design” cycle, as lead instructor Randy Lanou describes it, allows students to immediately experience the tangible consequences of their design decisions, fostering a deeper understanding of the built environment. This dedication to practical, impactful work has garnered significant recognition, including a prestigious Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance in the Landscape Design category for their Syme Hall landscape project. NCSU’s Design + Build program is celebrated for its ability to transform conceptual ideas into award-winning, functional, and beautiful spaces that serve the community. 

Learn more: https://design.ncsu.edu/student-enrichment/design-build/ .


( 2019 Syme Hall Landscape Design, Image Credit: North Carolina State University)

14. University of Idaho

The University of Idaho provides valuable design/build opportunities through a multifaceted approach within its architecture program. Students can gain hands-on experience through a dedicated six-credit upper-division and graduate-level studio course, where they work with real clients on real-world projects. Examples of their work include the Hat Ranch Winery and the Moose Creek Warming Hut, demonstrating a commitment to impactful community projects across Idaho. Complementing this, the Idaho Architecture Collaborative, an internal organization within the architecture program, further incubates and facilitates projects that offer practical, tangible building experience. This collaborative spirit ensures that students are deeply involved in the process “from conception to construction,” as the university highlights, developing critical skills in budgeting, client interaction, and material assembly, all while contributing positively to local communities. 

Learn more: https://www.uidaho.edu/caa/programs/architecture/student-opportunities/design-build-program


( 2023 Neuman Forest Environmental Learning Pavilions, Image Credit: University of Idaho)

15. Tulane University

Tulane University offers a unique and impactful design/build experience through its acclaimed URBANbuild program. Established in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this award-winning initiative allows students to gain firsthand experience designing and constructing homes for New Orleans’ neighborhoods. The two-semester program immerses students in the entire home-building process, from in-depth research and planning to full construction. URBANbuild emphasizes social responsibility, partnering with local non-profits to address critical housing needs for underserved communities, often focusing on sustainable and affordable solutions. Students learn to translate conceptual designs into tangible structures, gaining vital understanding of the construction process and the role of community engagement in architecture.

Learn more https://studyarchitecture.com/blog/program-spotlight-urbanbuild/ and https://urbanbuild.tulane.edu/.


( Tulane University Urban Build 20 5618 N Miro St, Image Credit: Tulane University)

Whether it’s the pursuit of perfection or the permanence of learned skills, the consistent thread in all these programs is the power of practice. As these 16 design-build programs across the U.S. demonstrate, practical education means getting your hands dirty, iterating, and building. It’s through this immersive, practical application that students not only hone their craft but also solidify the foundations of a successful and impactful career in the built environment.

What Makes Your Hometown Distinct? 12 North American Cities With Unique Architectural Fingerprints

You know that feeling in GeoGuessr when a place just feels familiar—even if you’ve never been there? That’s the power of architecture. Whether it’s the color of the rooftops, the silhouette of the skyline, or the rhythm of the street layout, built environments leave behind a signature. These 12 cities and towns across the United States and Canada stand out for their instantly recognizable architectural styles, local building laws, or cultural histories that shaped how they look (and feel) today.

1. Washington, D.C.

There’s a reason D.C. feels so different from other U.S. capitals: no skyscrapers. Thanks to the 1910 Height of Buildings Act, no structure in D.C. can be taller than 130ft on commercial streets or 90ft on residential streets, with a few exceptions up to 160ft along NW Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s a common misconception that the visibility of the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building were the catalysts for these regulations. However, no height of any existing structure was mentioned in the Act, and the true impetus of the legislation was Congressional concerns over fire safety! Regardless of the motivations, the impacts of the federal law have led to a unique urban landscape that is easily recognizable. 


2. Sedona, Arizona

Amid the red rock cliffs and rust-colored desert, golden arches would’ve clashed. So Sedona’s strict design codes gave the local McDonald’s a makeover: teal arches instead of yellow, to blend with the red earth backdrop. It’s the only McDonald’s like it on the planet, a perpetual reminder of Sedona’s commitment to visual harmony and the power of design to fingerprint a place.


3. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe doesn’t just look old-world Southwest—it’s required by law. The 1957 Historical Zoning Ordinance mandates that buildings within the historic district or “H Zone”, which comprises ¼ of the city of Santa Fe,  follow the adobe-like Pueblo Revival or Spanish Territorial Revival style. Think rounded walls, earthy tones, wooden beams, and a look you won’t see anywhere else.


4. Nantucket, Massachusetts

This tiny island is a masterclass in uniform charm– the intense prevalence of grey shingles has even earned the town its nickname of “Grey Lady”. Strict preservation codes and Nantucket’s status as the largest National Historic Landmark District in the contiguous United States means that around 5,000 buildings on the island feature weathered grey cedar shingles, white trim, and colonial designs that harken back centuries to the heyday of Nantucket whalers. Fun fact: Nantucket Island doesn’t have any stoplights on the island, it relies on the flow of traffic to facilitate itself (and its cobblestone streets).


5. San Francisco, California

Though now a quintessential SF landmark, the “Painted Ladies” of San Francisco—Victorian rowhouses in pastel hues—weren’t always as iconic. The “Painted Ladies” initially were a collection of 48,000 homes built in the latter half of the 19th century and the first couple decades of the 20th century. Their polychrome exteriors were even called ‘uncouth’ by architecture critics in 1885! But after damages from the 1906 earthquake, maintenance issues due to two periods of rationing paint during the World Wars, and of course, the changing of styles over the decades, most of the houses lost their pops of color. That was until the 1970s colorist movement that brought the style back to SF, where it persists today. Further popularized through media (Full House anyone?), the “Painted Ladies” are unmistakable as being a signature of The Golden City. In addition to the Painted Ladies, the rest of SF’s architecture is shaped by steep hills, narrow lots, and bay windows.


6. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper and a proving ground for bold architectural ideas. After the Great Fire of 1871, the city rebuilt with innovation in mind—leading to steel-frame construction, the ten-story Home Insurance Building, and the rise of the Chicago School, which is also known as the American Rennaissance style. Its skyline is a patchwork of styles, from Gothic Revival to sleek modernism to postmodern icons like the Aqua Tower. Add in the elevated “L” trains weaving through the streets, and Chicago becomes instantly recognizable as a city where architecture isn’t just scenery, it’s an identity. I mean– the “Windy City” nickname is attributed to its architecture, with winds off of Lake Michigan being channeled through the tall buildings and narrow streets!


7. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston feels like a city frozen in time, and that’s its goal. In 1931, it became the first U.S. city to establish a historic district, setting strict preservation rules that still shape the city’s look today. Its signature “single houses,” narrow homes with long side piazzas, were built to catch the coastal breeze, a clever response to the Lowcountry climate. Then there’s Rainbow Row,  a series of pastel Georgian townhouses restored in the 1930s that have become one of Charleston’s most photographed spots. From gas lanterns and wrought-iron gates to cobblestone streets and church steeples, Charleston’s charm is intentional, regulated, and fingerprinted into its architectural identity.


8. Vancouver, British Columbia

When the city is known for a particular urban planning phenomenon, you know its skyline will be instantly recognizable. For Vancouver, that is a city filled with glass and greenery that reaches for the clouds. “Vancouverism,” is a homegrown urban planning philosophy, prioritizing dense, mixed-use development with slender high-rises atop low-rise podiums. This keeps views of the mountains and water intact while maximizing livability. The result? A city that feels both vertical and breathable. Vancouver’s glass towers aren’t just aesthetic—they reflect the surrounding sea and sky, blending the built environment with the natural one. Add in a deep respect for Indigenous design elements, such as the post and beam architecture common in First Peoples’ designs, and you get a city that’s sleek, sustainable, and undeniably one-of-a-kind.


9. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans’ architecture is a vibrant reflection of the city’s diverse cultural history. The French Quarter is instantly recognizable with its wrought-iron balconies, stucco facades, and colorful Creole townhouses, blending French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. The “shotgun house” is another quintessential New Orleans style, a long, narrow dwelling designed for efficiency on tight lots and to promote airflow in the humid climate. Beyond the Quarter, the Garden District boasts grand antebellum mansions in Greek Revival and Italianate styles. Architectural features like raised foundations and wide verandas are common, adaptations to the city’s subtropical climate. New Orleans’ architectural styles are truly tailored to the rich tapestry formed by its heritage and environment!


10. Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City stands out as a North American anomaly, a fortified city whose architecture distinctly harkens back to its European roots. As the only walled city north of Mexico, its stone ramparts and cobblestone streets immediately transport visitors to a bygone North American era— or present-day European city. The Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is dominated by well-preserved 17th and 18th-century buildings, showcasing a blend of French Colonial and British architectural styles. Steep, winding streets and narrow staircases connect the Upper and Lower Towns, while features like mansard roofs, dormer windows, and thick stone walls speak to its enduring defensive past and a climate that demands robust construction.


11. Palm Springs, California

Anyone seen Don’t Worry Darling, the blockbuster hit starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles? If you haven’t, you’re not alone; I haven’t either. But even through just watching the trailers, I clocked Palm Springs as their filming location– and you will too, it’s that iconic. The full embrace of the mid-century modernism style perfectly captures the optimism and innovation of post-war America that the movie uses as a facade for the dystopian! Unlike in the film, Palm Springs remains idyllic, featuring low-slung, rectilinear homes with flat roofs and vast expanses of glass. Natural materials and pops of color are common. The sunny climate led to integral features like breezeways, carports, and swimming pools. This focus on one iconic era, blended with its resort vibe, gives Palm Springs an instantly recognizable and desirable aesthetic.


12. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts a distinct architectural fingerprint rooted in its British Colonial past. Its grid street plan remains largely unchanged since the 18th century, lined with brightly colored wooden clapboard houses. The town’s waterfront buildings further emphasize its historic charm, appearing much as they did centuries ago. This exceptional preservation of its original layout and vibrant, traditional maritime architecture makes Lunenburg instantly recognizable.


So, what does your hometown look like—and why? Every city tells a story through its design. From zoning laws to climate, cultural history to creative rebellion, these places prove architecture is more than aesthetics—it’s identity made visible.

Celebrate Architecture Week 2025 with AIA

This week (April 13-19, 2025), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) celebrates Architecture Week, a nationwide campaign that aims to inspire the next generation of architects (including you!). Architecture Week invites architects and design professionals to share the wonders of architecture with their local communities–with a special focus on K-12 students. 

This year, AIA set a goal to reach over 15,000 K-12 students through outreach and activities. The organization plans to engage students through at least 60 chapters, 120 architecture firms, 350 AIA members, educators, parents, community members, and social media (via AIA). 

Here are three ways you can join the festivities:

1) Connect With Your Local AIA Chapter

AIA has over 200 chapters in the United States and abroad. Many chapters are planning exciting activations and events for K-12 students in their communities. 

20 AIA chapters received 2025 Architecture Week grants to support their community initiatives. AIA California’s Architecture by the Book program introduces children to the world of architecture through classroom visits, book readings, presentations from diverse architects, and other creative activities. AIA Blue Ridge is hosting their annual Kidstruction LEGO event at the Taubman Museum of Art. This free event invites students of all ages to create a city using over 40,000 LEGOs and 300 cardboard bricks. Over in Missouri, AIA St. Louis has various activities scheduled throughout the entire week, ranging from student educational workshops to coffee chats with architects. 

These are just a few examples of the amazing events happening during Architecture Week. Click here to find your local chapter and see what they have planned!

2) Join a Mentorship or Ambassador Program

AIA supports various mentorship programs, including the ACE Mentor Program and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)’s Project Pipeline. According to its website, ACE has a mission to “engage, excite, and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and continued support for their advancement into the industry.” The organization achieves its goal by providing scholarships, internships, and mentoring for students as they pursue career pathways in the industry.

Project Pipeline empowers students by providing hands-on experience through fun exercises where they draw, build models, do research, go on site visits, and more. The program exposes students to the cultural, social, and historical implications of architecture, along with the many ways architecture plays a role in their everyday lives. Through Project Pipeline, NOMA provides summer camps for 6th-12th graders of color across the country. Click here to find a Project Pipeline summer camp near you. 

AIA also supports the She Built Foundation, which offers an Ambassador Program for young girls interested in learning more about the building and construction industry. She Built provides student ambassadors with books and other resources that will allow them to introduce stories and activities to elementary school students. 

These programs can give students like you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. By pairing with a mentor or becoming an ambassador, you’ll be able to gain firsthand knowledge of the field and develop lifelong relationships. You never know—these connections may even help you as you apply for colleges, internships, and jobs.

3) Browse AIA’s K-12 Resources 

If you’re looking for fun, interactive architecture and design resources, AIA has just what you need! The organization’s K-12 Initiatives Page includes a treasure trove of activities, YouTube channels, online courses, and more. Having access to this resource library will allow you to build your skills and learn more about the field on your own time. The site also includes an interactive map where you can find opportunities near you.

Overall, Architecture Week is a great way to learn more about the field and participate in local events. Whether it’s a meet and greet with an architect in your area or signing up for a mentorship program, we hope this week encourages you on your architecture journey. Be sure to follow AIA on Instagram to stay tuned for updates!

Study Architecture Program Spotlight: Tulane University’s URBANbuild Program

As an architecture student, you have the opportunity to access various programs that will expand your skills and provide you with hands-on experience. At Tulane University, URBANbuild is an award-winning design-build program that allows students to gain firsthand experience building homes in their local community in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The program was founded in 2005, with plans to launch that fall semester. However, the city of New Orleans was devastated when Hurricane Katrina made landfall later that August. Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. According to URBANbuild’s website, “the city was left 80 percent damaged with the population immediately reduced to one-third.”

(Image Credit: Tulane University)

“[Hurricane Katrina] really messed up our plans to start this new program, but more importantly and more rewardingly, it gave our program a new mission,” said Byron J. Mouton, Senior Professor of Practice at the Tulane University School of Architecture and Director of URBANbuild.

As New Orleans prioritized rebuilding, URBANBuild shifted its gears to not only assist in revitalizing the city but to also address New Orleans’ pre-Katrina problems including hesitancy to accept change. “When we first stepped into these communities, they were hesitant to buy into what we were doing,” said Mouton. “But then the second year came around and we returned and they were a little more receptive. And then it wasn’t really until we were there for three or four years that the community felt comfortable enough to engage with us.”

Community engagement and involvement is one of the most important qualities of URBANbuild. The program partners with local organizations including Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans (NHS), and Urban Fabric. “We had to build that trust,” explained Mouton. “We also worked with an organization called Neighborhood Housing Services, which had been around before Katrina, and they specialized in helping people find ways to get homes. They were really the great connection between what we were doing as researchers and what the community needed.”

The URBANbuild program spans the fall and spring semesters, offering students the opportunity to engage in the home-building process from concept to construction. The fall semester focuses on planning and research. Participating students are tasked to investigate housing strategies, permitting regulations, drafting construction documents, the cultural fabric of the community, and other key considerations.

“[During the fall semester,] we get together with the students and we have a little in-studio competition. We identify our topic of research. They each develop a strategy, and then one is chosen. They select one at midterm, and then they work on the construction documents between midterm and the end of the semester,” explains Mouton.

Students get hands-on building experience as they begin the construction process during the spring semester. “We break ground in January of the spring semester and build the house by May,” Mouton continues.

(Image Credit: URBANbuild)

(Image Credit: URBANbuild)

Over the span of 16 weeks, students learn construction techniques, communicate with tradespeople, and watch their project come to life. “[The students don’t come in with construction experience], but they do have the desire to learn and they work hard,” says Mouton. “And to be clear, they do everything except I have to hire an electrician, a plumber, and an air conditioning consultant installer. And then once in a while I’ll have a crew hang the sheetrock, but they do everything else.”

By the end of the semester, students are able to celebrate the product of their research, construction, and teamwork: a fully built home. Finished projects include tiny houses, single-family homes, duplexes, mixed-use facilities, and more.

(Image Credit: URBANbuild)

According to UrbanBuild’s website, it’s during the spring semester that students develop strong bonds with the community’s residents. “Getting to work with NHS, I got to know the family [we worked with] very well, and I’ve been able to visit them years after,” shared URBANbuild alumna Karla Valdivia. “It’s great to get to know the family because you are creating something that really affects them. It has a very personal feel.”

(Image Credit: CBS News)

Recently, URBANbuild garnered national attention when the program was featured on CBS News. Aired in October 2024, the segment highlighted 63-year-old Benjamin Henry moving into his new home, thanks to the work of Tulane students. In four months, the students transformed a vacant plot of land into Henry’s “forever home.” Formerly unhoused for over a decade, Henry shared his excitement for the new chapter and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the students. “Building someone’s forever home is crazy and so rewarding,” said Tulane graduate Elliot Slovis.

Graduates of the URBANbuild program have gone on to become licensed architects and designers. They credit the program for providing them with an in-depth understanding of the construction process and emphasizing the importance of community engagement. “[URBANbuild] gives you the real-life experience of what life is like after school,” shared Valdivia. 

Design-build programs like URBANBuild are a great way to expand your skillsets and gain real-world experience before graduation. Visit the URBANBuild website to learn more about the program, browse the curriculum, and view finished projects.

Interested in learning more about Tulane University’s School of Architecture? Click here!

Questions about the URBANbuild program? Please contact Byron Mouton (bmouton@tulane.edu).

2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase - Part XVI

Welcome to the final installment of the 2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase! It’s been a pleasure to celebrate these inspiring student projects.

Part XVI features student work that reimagines various housing typologies. From high-rise developments and mixed-use buildings to affordable single-family units, each project thoughtfully addresses critical housing issues. The presented design solutions involve incorporating machine learning into the design process, integrating various housing types, and much more. Scroll down for a closer look!

Reducing Architecture by Thomas Steven Tencer, M. Arch ‘24
University of Toronto | Advisor: Carol Moukheiber

Reducing Architecture is a system-based design approach that strives to make the expression of architectural identity more accessible. Architectural discourse often critiques suburban sprawl and the suburban aesthetic (it is unaffordable in an urban context, lacks density, projects outdated images of domesticity, and promotes land ownership which some consider criminal). However, since architecture is so disconnected from the development and design of single-family homes (influencing the design of less than ten percent of this housing type), 1) the practice is incapable of engaging with, disrupting, or affecting the future of the single-family medium.

Reducing Architecture proposes that architecture re-engage single-family housing, which remains Canada’s predominant housing type. 2) By disconnecting architectural expression from longer-lasting building layers, the creation of longer-lasting, higher

performing, and less costly houses is enabled; “A Primed Canvas.” 3) Onto this “canvas” distilled and articulated architectural expressions can be applied, at smaller scales and lower costs, so as not to disrupt the economies of scale achieved by mass-produced developer-built single-family housing. The result is a novel method for the expression of architectural identity, which is accessible, affordable, and efficient. Re-engaging single-family housing enables a discourse that may allow architecture to begin to influence the suburban aesthetic and morphology, rather than ignoring the medium in an act of architectural complacency.

Through Reducing Architecture, the single-family home could become more beautiful, more efficient, more culturally relevant, or more environmentally sensitive, so long as the architectural expressions that result from these objectives remain efficient, affordable, accessible, and desirable to consumers.

1. John Brown, “The Architect and the Single-family House,” Canadian Architect, September 30, 2002.

2. Government of Canada, “Type of Dwelling Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021,” Statistics Canada, 2022.

3. Bernard Leupen, essay, in “Frame and Generic Space a Study into the Changeable Dwelling; Proceeding from the Permanent,” 010 Publishers, 2009, 33-34.

Instagram: @tommytencer

UrbanBots by Karan Patel, Mike Saad & Jacob Sam, M.SC in Architecture ‘24
New York Institute of Technology | Advisor: Sandra Manninger

Overview:

ARCH 702B is the second Advanced Architecture Design Studio in the Master of Science in Architecture, Digital Technologies program at the School of Architecture & Design at the New York Institute of Technology. The studio adopts an applied research approach, focusing on computational design through the development of digital experiments. Depending on the project, students engage with architectural challenges via expert and learning systems in individual, group, or class-wide projects. The studio critically examines the impact of technological advancements on design and fabrication patterns.

Project Focus:

This term, the studio’s focus is on mixed-use housing projects in Manhattan’s Garment District, inspired by the City of Yes initiative by the Department of City Planning. The initiative aims to update New York City’s zoning regulations to support small businesses and create affordable housing. One key strategy is converting underused office spaces and other non-residential areas into mixed-use housing, particularly targeting buildings constructed post-1961.

Motivation:

With hybrid work models becoming the norm, cities must adapt to address escalating housing shortages and rising rents. This transformation is crucial, especially given the national office vacancy rate of 18.6%, as reported by Cushman & Wakefield. The NYC Office Conversion Accelerator program has enrolled 46 buildings, with four already undergoing transformation to yield over 2,100 housing units.

Scope of the Project:

Location: Manhattan, New York

Boundaries: 23rd Street to 40th Street and 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue.

Methods of Assessment:

The assessment methods integrate machine learning (ML) techniques into the design protocol. The process involves three key stages:

Data Retrieval and Dataset Generation:

Collecting and organizing data relevant to the project

Creating comprehensive datasets to inform the design process.

Developing Protocols for 2D Information/Data:

Generating 2D representations and analysis from the datasets

Utilizing computational tools to explore design iterations and visualizations.

Developing Protocols for 2.5D Information/Data:

Extending 2D data into 2.5D models, adding depth and complexity to the visualizations

Applying ML techniques to refine and adapt these models to specific project requirements.

This structured approach ensures that students not only engage with advanced computational tools but also develop practical skills in generating and manipulating data for architectural design. Through this project, students gain valuable experience in leveraging generative AI and ML to address real-world urban challenges, positioning them at the forefront of technological innovation in architecture.

Instagram:@msact_nyit, @sandramanninger_studio

Ascending Worlds by Jose Power, M. Arch ’24
University of Toronto | Advisor: Jeannie Kim

The social landscape of the residential high-rise has precipitated a disinterested and isolated vertical microcosm. The elevator, facilitator of this smooth vertical metropolitan condition, emerges as a pivotal yet neglected architectural space. Despite the expected brevity of our occupation of this instrument of density, the elevator also serves as a momentary junction where the anonymous lives of residents converge. This thesis delves into the elevator’s history and spatial conditions – including its velocity, scale, and temporality – to unveil a space rich in social potential. It aims to redefine the elevator as an instrument of architectural invention capable of reshaping the communal dynamics within residential high-rises.

Instagram: @jose_power21

Leveraging Density –  A proposal for increased density permissions in exchange for affordable housing in Toronto’s Missing Middle by Joshua Giovinazzo, M. Arch ‘24
University of Toronto | Advisor: Carol Moukheiber

This thesis focuses on the intersection between the study of small-scale multi-unit housing typologies and a proposed new planning policy to directly create affordable housing in Toronto’s emerging missing middle. 

Working off existing conceptions of the transition zone, the S.M.U.R.B (Small Multi-Unit Residential Building) is proposed to help fill the density gradient between the existing multiplex and the upcoming Major Street Apartment. This formal solution is then complemented by the proposition of an as-of-right density bonus to systematically increase the supply of affordable units in our neighborhoods as they experience such a significant morphological change.

This policy-based solution is a response to Canada’s current myopic attempt to solve affordability through increased supply. Their approach, which embraces blanket upzoning – fails to define clear affordability targets, resulting in more of the same market-rate development. Learning from precedent policies in Seattle, Texas and Vancouver, the density bonus applied to small-scale housing looks to leverage these increases in density permissions by requiring a portion of the development as affordable housing.

‘Leveraging Density’ is rooted heavily in planning policy and construction finance, because housing is fundamentally the result of city planning and financial decision-making. This work does not focus strictly on an architectural resolution but rather looks to define a realistic framework for multi-unit housing affordability. This project is about the powerful systems that determine the built environment – defining what gets built and who benefits from it

This project won the Daniels Graduating Award. 

Instagram: @joshua.giovinazzo.realtor, @UofTDaniels

The Half-House by Elodie Price, BS in Architecture ’24
University of Virginia | Advisor: Mona El Khafif

The Half House is a generative housing community that expands and contracts depending on changing needs and demographics within a community. The Half House intends to respond to the increasing socio-economic and environmental pressures the world is facing at a global and local scale while promoting the agency of the individual residents in conjunction with community enrichment. In contrast to the typical US house, the Half House minimizes itself in size, material usage, embodied energy, associated carbon emissions, and waste, while maintaining the same amenities and utilities as its counterpart. 

This project takes a stance on neighborhood planning, including shared spaces and the potential for growth and densification over time. Organized into housing groups, a combination of units co-exist below a collective roof, sharing exterior spaces, amenities and resources to contribute to a more environmentally and economically responsible lifestyle. In each housing group, there are solar panels collecting renewable energy, rainwater stored for gray water usage and irrigation, bamboo gardens that sequester carbon and naturally create privacy screens, and vegetable gardens to feed the community and provide healthy outdoor activities. Each unit follows a standardized set of dimensions in such a way that necessary additions (and redactions) can be easily made. The design of the individual unit is firmly based on precedent research and an investigation of the spatial strategies employed throughout a vast array of projects, including nesting rooms within each other, carving into a thickened wall, and flexible furniture. This project negotiates at the scale of the furniture module up to neighborhood planning, and furthermore, as a siteless, deployable object utilized for emergency housing, urban infill sites, or even accessory dwelling units (ADU’s) to densify suburbia. 

The Half House embodies the idea that there is value in less. In a spotlighted prototype of a housing group arrangement that is a focus of this project, fractional units make up the square footage of an average American house, yet can accommodate as much as 4x the amount of people. This is achieved through space-saving strategies, flexibility and modulation, and an intentional design of the space between the units as equally important as the space inside each unit. The housing group has the ability to change over time, reflecting the shifting needs and demographics of the residents. Thus, it is a housing intervention that responds to the social, economic, and environmental needs of its occupants as well as the ecological site.

Instagram: @aschool_uva, @elodiemprice

Miami Made: Housing in the Tropics by Felipe Palacio Trujillo & Nicole Niava, M. Arch ’24
Yale University | Advisors: Adib Cure, Carrie Penabad & Deborah Garcia

Housing in Miami primarily features two typologies: the single-family detached home and the multi-story apartment block. The large gaps in the housing market prompted our studio to explore alternative solutions by imagining new housing typologies. Our project finds a middle ground, envisioning a mid-density housing typology inspired by the back bay townhouse and influenced by the “casa patio”—a traditional housing style of Latin America. 

The studio selected a 30-acre site located between Little Havana and Flagami. This site presented a tabula rasa condition which allowed us to rethink urbanism for these new typologies. Our design extends the Miami grid to integrate the site into the city while halving the typical Miami lot width from 50′ to 25′. This increased density facilitated the inclusion of a public park in the center of the lot, achieving greater density than typical Miami blocks. We envisioned urbanism as incremental, with each block functioning as a micro-neighborhood that could be built by small developers, thereby supporting incremental urbanism in the city. The arrangement of the block also decreases overall parking space while ensuring at least one parking spot per unit.

Within the block, we proposed two distinct housing typologies to foster diversity in sizes, ages, and incomes: a townhouse and an apartment building. The townhouse layout includes two areas: one for living, kitchen, and dining, and another for bedrooms and support spaces, connected by a courtyard. This design allows for cross-ventilation and access to nature. While designed for mechanical ventilation, the architecture encourages the use of passive systems for most of the year. The units are constructed using local materials and techniques, such as concrete block, precast vaults, tile, metalwork, and keystone. Emphasis on material and vegetation ensured a connection to the weather, nature, and culture of Miami.

The apartment block adapts features from the townhouse, tailored for communal living. The 25′ lot width remains consistent, with the townhouse elevated into a podium. This configuration creates six apartments on the first floor and six double-height apartments above, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units. The courtyard, featuring a water element and lush vegetation, provides a communal gathering space that ensures cross-ventilation while maintaining privacy for residents.

This project was published in Retrospecta 47. 

Instagram: @fptrujillo, @nicoleniava, @cureandpenabad

Parkside Avenue: Transforming Toronto’s Mid-Central Residential Neighbourhood by Oluwatobiloba Babalola Oluwaseun, M. Arch ’24
University of Waterloo | Advisors: Val Rynnimeri & Samantha Eby

The Parkside Avenue project addresses critical housing issues in Toronto’s mid-central residential neighborhoods, particularly within the “Yellow Belt,” known for its older single-family homes. This initiative aims to create a balanced urban solution that integrates market-based residential buildings with non-profit cooperative housing and other alternative models. The primary objective is to enhance housing affordability and mitigate the shortage of affordable housing options in the area.

Located between Pape Avenue and Gerrard Street, the project site encompasses approximately 50 private single-family homes. Its strategic location, near the high-traffic Gerrard Station and adjacent to Blake Street Junior School and Pape Avenue Junior School, makes it a prime area for redevelopment. The Parkside Avenue project plans to replace the existing 50 single-family units with 109 new residential units.

This development represents a significant shift in urban planning for the neighborhood, aiming to accommodate a diverse range of residents and provide more inclusive housing solutions. By integrating various housing types and focusing on affordability, the project seeks to foster a more vibrant, sustainable, and accessible community. The Parkside Avenue project stands as a model for addressing urban housing challenges while preserving the character and livability of Toronto’s established neighborhoods.

This project won the Design Studio Award, the Highest standing in ARCH 690 in the MB semester.

Instagram: @oluwatobilobababalola_

The Room is the Building is the City: Open-Ended Approach to Miami’s Housing Crisis by Sharona Cramer & Yotam Oron, M. Arch ’24
Yale University | Advisors: Adib Cúre, Carie Penabad & Deborah Garcia

Introduction (The Site, the Brief, and Our Approach):

Miami, currently the most unaffordable major city in America, faces a housing crisis with limited and unsuitable options for its growing needs. The city is dominated by detached single-family homes and high-rise condos, contributing to suburban sprawl and high land costs. Mid-rise housing models, offering innovative urban living solutions, have been largely overlooked.

The studio’s task was twofold: to propose a master plan for a 38-acre vacant parcel on the outskirts of Little Havana, addressing Miami’s urban morphology, and to design a new mid-rise urban housing typology for Miami, featuring mixed-use buildings with commercial/office spaces at ground level and various apartment types above.

To tackle these issues, which characterize Miami but are not limited to, the project operates at a wide range of scales, from the single room to the urban fabric, promoting an approach of open-ended locality. This combines consideration of climate, materiality, culture, and economy with flexible, rational, and modular architectural solutions.

The City:

Due to its limitations and restrictions, Miami’s current zoning, led by its parking regulation, makes building complicated and expensive. The market lacks competition, which makes housing unaffordable and attracts mainly big developers, prioritizing profit-making over building and architectural quality. The typical development project is done by conglomerating lots to develop ‘luxurious’ huge-scale anti-urban and anti-social residential compounds.

By suggesting a much more flexible and open alternative zoning system and limiting the conglomeration of lots, the project seeks to invite multiple players to participate in the city’s future development, creating quality, affordable, and diverse urban spaces and housing stock.

Additionally, the project proposes a series of site-specific design decisions: To connect the site to Miami’s urban fabric, we decided to continue the grid through the site and divide it into urban blocks similar in size to the adjacent blocks, then divide each block into lots in the typical Miami lot size: 50* 100 feet. Learning from successful urban spaces in the city, we propose a series of pedestrian streets and a linear park connecting all blocks from south to north. 

The Building:

In the project, we developed a mid-rise courtyard infill type. While the flexible zoning system allows multiple typologies, we chose to develop an infill building since Miami currently lacks this type. Furthermore, we believe that infill typologies offer potential in terms of high density, and the sort of streets they generate.

Inspired by similar typologies like the Berlin courtyard houses, the Mexican Vecindad, and the Creole townhouses, we created a local interpretation that reacts to the regional tropical climate and contemporary Miami standards. On one single lot, two relatively thin volumes are positioned, leaving a space for a central courtyard. The interior rooms, which have two orientations, are cross-ventilated and naturally cooled.

The building is designed using repetitive modules, thus increasing affordability and efficiency, making it easy to construct. Through sensitivity to details, use of materials, and small, subtle architectural gestures, these are realized without sacrificing architectural and spatial quality.

The building is divided into two distinct sections: “service” wings; housing private rooms, and an open flexible central “served” space. These sections are treated differently in terms of materials and construction techniques. The service wings hold all systems, structures, and storage, allowing the central area to remain free of these elements. This central space features light concrete precast vaulted slabs, which give the building its unique architectural character. The thicker floor sections in the service wings provide flexibility for plumbing fixtures, enabling them to drain through the floors to the vertical pipes that are located along the party walls – maximizing flexibility and allowing multiple apartment layouts.

The Room:

Instead of conventional drywall partitions, the project incorporates a modular furniture system that maximizes usable open space and provides flexibility. These modules can serve as walls, partitions, storage spaces, or even house plumbing fixtures. The variety and placement of these modules enable different floor plan configurations, allowing the housing units to be divided into two separate units—a main apartment and a studio—or to modify the internal layout of the apartment itself. 

The central open living space is designed to respond to and take advantage of the local tropical climate. Drawing inspiration from traditional and vernacular tropical architecture, deep loggias and shaders provide protection from the harsh sun during certain hours, while also serving as outdoor rooms that integrate the outdoors into daily life. The central living space opens up to the loggias, creating a cross-ventilated indoor-outdoor environment.

This project was Nominated for the Feldman Prize at Yale School of Architecture.

Morphological Growth of Raleigh by Raja Manikam Bandari, M. Arch, PhD in Design Candidate ’24
North Carolina State University | Advisors: Sara Queen & Tania Allen

Across the US, we are witnessing a housing crisis catalyzed by a pandemic-related housing shortage and exaggerated by income inequality resulting in a disproportionate burden on the poor and non-homeowners. This visual essay examines historic and contemporary data to interrogate many of the complex factors that have contributed to the current state of housing in Raleigh, the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US. The primary aim of this research is to create more equitable, effective and innovative design and planning approaches to the future of housing and urban development writ large.

Spatial Morphology (1)

This map series charts Raleigh’s historical expansion, tracing how the city’s footprint has expanded over time. Historical context illuminates pivotal moments of growth and development, showcasing the transformation of rural landscapes into urban areas and residential neighborhoods.

Temporal Morphology of Raleigh (2) 

This map illustrates the city’s expansion over time, showcasing the interplay between population influx and territorial expansion. Since its master planning by William Christmas in 1792, Raleigh has undergone significant transformation driven by diverse factors such as commerce, education, trade and natural opportunities. This timeline serves as a chronological thread, connecting historical milestones with the city’s expanding boundaries and changing demographics.

Proximity Growth Analysis of Raleigh (3) 

This map reveals a detailed analysis of Raleigh’s morphological growth pattern from 1792 to 2019 through proximity radar charts centered on the State Capitol Building which tracks annexed lands in relation to the city’s geographical center. Each radar chart depicts the distance in miles between the State Capitol and annexed parcels of land during a specific time period. The central graph illustrates the cumulative annexations over time.

Morphological Growth of Boylan Heights (4)

This map offers an intimate exploration of the morphological characteristics and unique layout of Boylan Heights, a neighborhood distinguished by its sloping topography and curvilinear street design. Situated on elevated terrain, Boylan Heights descends gradually from its highest point at Montfort Hall towards the east, south and west directions. Unlike the traditional right-angle grid common in earlier Raleigh developments, Boylan Heights features the city’s first curvilinear street grid, designed to harmonize with the natural slope of the land.

This project was selected as a finalist for the APDU Data Story Telling Award, AIA ASPIRE Student Design Award, and NC State Research Image Award.

Instagram: @raja_manikam_brv, @tanialeighallen, @rainrainqueen

Zoning Policy & Housing by Kole Retterath, B. Arch ’24
North Carolina State University | Advisors: Sara Queen & Tania Allen

Across the US, we are witnessing a housing crisis catalyzed by a pandemic-related housing shortage and exaggerated by income inequality resulting in a disproportionate burden on the poor and non-homeowners. This visual essay examines historic and contemporary data to interrogate many of the complex factors that have contributed to the current state of housing in Raleigh, the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US. The primary aim of this research is to create more equitable, effective and innovative design and planning approaches to the future of housing and urban development writ large.

Zoning and Affordability Incentives (1)

This map series explores the influential forces of zoning and affordable development policies on the current housing crisis. Zoning has major implications for cost, availability and affordability by indirectly impacting the supply and demand of housing stock. By highlighting how restrictive zoning policies historically privileged single-family typologies and reduced the opportunity for diverse affordable housing units, these maps illustrate how we have arrived at our current “Missing Middle” condition.

Residential Zoning in Raleigh (2)

This map isolates residential zoning categories and illustrates the dominance of residential single-family zoning (R-1 to R-10) in a purple gradient in contrast to the emerging pockets of residential mixed-use zoning (RX) in orange. The white negative space of the map indicates large institutional footprints and transportation corridors with industrial and commercial land uses.

Understanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (3)

This map visualizes all LIHTC projects in Raleigh and their respective values. Created in 1986, LIHTC is a method of financing rental unit development that caps rent amounts in exchange for equity-building tax credits. LIHTC remains one of the most important tools to finance affordable rental units, but drawbacks include that rent amounts are not permanently capped and very low-income renters often still require assistance to pay rent.

Perceptions of Zoning Policy: Oakwood Ave (4)

This perceptual collage depicts the diverse conditions along Oakwood Avenue which runs east-west from College Park and Washington Terrace neighborhoods to the Historic Oakwood neighborhood and exemplifies the impact of zoning overlay districts and preservation incentives in appearance and investment.

This project was selected as a finalist for the APDU Data Storytelling National Award, AIA ASPIRE Regional Student Design Award, and NC State Research Image Award.

Instagram: @tanialeighallen, @rainrainqueen

Homeownership & Economic Prosperity by Dillon Patel, B. Arch ’24
North Carolina State University | Advisors: Sara Queen & Tania Allen

Across the US, we are witnessing a housing crisis catalyzed by a pandemic-related housing shortage and exaggerated by income inequality resulting in a disproportionate burden on the poor and non-homeowners. This visual essay examines historic and contemporary data to interrogate many of the complex factors that have contributed to the current state of housing in Raleigh, the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US. The primary aim of this research is to create more equitable, effective and innovative design and planning approaches to the future of housing and urban development writ large.

Homeownership, Median Income and Urbanity (1)

This map series highlights the intricate relationship between homeownership rates and median income levels at four different scales. Nationally, urban areas are concentrated alongside major infrastructure, enhancing economic prospects. In NC, rural regions exhibit significantly higher homeownership rates, despite lower median incomes, compared to urban counterparts that attract higher incomes but fewer homeowners.

Median Income and Housing Affordability (2)

This map sheds light on contrasting economic landscapes within NC while highlighting the intricate interplay between income, housing costs, and the pursuit of homeownership. The graph traces the evolution of median incomes and average house listing prices to underscore the stark economic disparities within the state. It reveals Wake County as an apex of economic and housing market vitality as compared to Raleigh, the broader state, and Bertie County.

A History of Economic Disparities In Wake County NC (3)

This timeline charts how Wake County’s economic vibrancy stems from the distinct developmental patterns of its towns and the surrounding counties. Western Wake towns and cities have remained ahead of eastern towns due to the western-focused development toward the Research Triangle Park, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Average housing values are higher in western towns and cities of Wake County, and these are correlated with higher population counts and higher median income levels.

Old Roots, New Rises: Transitions of Architecture (4)

This investigative, on-the-ground mapping project delves into the architectural transformations in Raleigh’s Farrier Hills and Lakemont neighborhoods by documenting the evolution from traditional ranch-style homes to modern, multi-story residences, reflecting a complex interplay of tradition and modernization.”

This project was selected as a finalist for the APDU Data Storytelling National Award, AIA ASPIRE Regional Student Design Award, and NC State Research Image Award.

Instagram: @dilpickle01, @tanialeighallen, @rainrainqueen

Growth & Vulnerability by Gabrielle Schiltz, B. Arch ’24
North Carolina State University | Advisors: Sara Queen & Tania Allen

Across the US, we are witnessing a housing crisis catalyzed by a pandemic-related housing shortage and exaggerated by income inequality resulting in a disproportionate burden on the poor and non-homeowners. This visual essay examines historic and contemporary data to interrogate many of the complex factors that have contributed to the current state of housing in Raleigh, the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US. The primary aim of this research is to create more equitable, effective and innovative design and planning approaches to the future of housing and urban development writ large.

Growth & Vulnerability: Examining Development and Marginalized Groups (1)

This map series explores the complex relationship between redevelopment and marginalized communities. The concentration of recent building permits and opportunity zones illustrates foreseeable development with loose correlative patterns between growth and marginalized populations.

Growth & Vulnerability: The Disproportionate Rise of Housing Prices (2)

This map explores the potential correlation between residential development and marginalized demographics, questioning if historical patterns persist or are becoming increasingly obsolete. There are many factors that determine if a population is considered marginalized, prime factors articulated through this series include race, income, employment status, and housing burden.

Growth & Vulnerability: A Study of Housing Flux Within Wake County (3)

This visualization explores the relationship between population density, housing unit density and population growth within socially vulnerable communities using the CDC’s Socioeconomic Vulnerability Index (SVI). The map categorizes Census Tracts per SVI percentile with the least vulnerable census tracts at the top and the most vulnerable tracks at the bottom. Each string articulates the population and housing unit growth or decline from left to right.

Growth & Vulnerability: Erasure of Neighborhood Identity: South Park (4)

This map offers a human-centric counter-narrative to the statistical analysis of redevelopment featured in earlier maps and considers: Who is represented within neighborhood data and how do their lives weave into the greater tapestry of the community? The map illustrates the in-progress erasure of South Park’s historically rooted identities due to contemporary redevelopment patterns.

This project was selected as a finalist for the APDU Data Storytelling National Award, AIA ASPIRE Regional Student Design Award, and NC State Research Image Award.

Instagram: @gabrielle.schiltz, @tanialeighallen, @rainrainqueen

Are Opportunity Zones Helping or Hurting? by Maggie Kroening, B. Arch ’24
North Carolina State University | Advisors: Sara Queen & Tania Allen

Across the US, we are witnessing a housing crisis catalyzed by a pandemic-related housing shortage and exaggerated by income inequality resulting in a disproportionate burden on the poor and non-homeowners. This visual essay examines historic and contemporary data to interrogate many of the complex factors that have contributed to the current state of housing in Raleigh, the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US. The primary aim of this research is to create more equitable, effective and innovative design and planning approaches to the future of housing and urban development writ large.

Examining Income and Rentership within OZs (1)

This map series looks at the impact of Opportunity Zone designations on neighborhood displacement and overall housing burden. Signed into law by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Opportunity Zones (OZs) were originally launched as a place-based tax credit to encourage investment in impoverished communities, but have since faced a large degree of controversy.

Are Ozs Helping or Hurting? (2) 

This map features two contrasting cases, Erie, PA and Washington DC, exemplify the debate around OZs. US Treasury analysis reveals that 48% of zones do attract investment, but funds are often concentrated in isolated fractions of the whole zone. According to the NLIHC, targeted OZs often experience economic growth and renter displacement prior to investment. For Wake County, tracking OZ developments is crucial to examine who they serve and if they are contributing to equitable development.

Renter Cost Burden in OZs (3)

This map highlights change in rates of rent cost burden within OZs from three disparate countries, Wake (Raleigh), Washington DC, and Hennepin (Minneapolis), from 2017 to 2022 through box plots and beeswarm visualizations. The most extreme cases of either an increase or decrease of cost burden within each county are shown by tract.

Delineating the Fringe: OZs and Housing (4) 

This map records observations of the Southern Gateway OZ along the Lake Wheeler corridor in Raleigh NC. Within a half mile three extremes of housing conditions were observed: new high-rise apartments, existing single-family homes, and people experiencing homelessness. This map raises complex questions concerning the impacts and opportunities of increased density and redevelopment fueled by OZs.

This project was selected as a finalist for the APDU Data Storytelling National Award, AIA ASPIRE Regional Student Design Award, and NC State Research Image Award.

Instagram: @maggie.k, @tanialeighallen, @rainrainqueen

Predatory Development by Lucas Stott, B. Arch ’24
North Carolina State University | Advisors: Sara Queen & Tania Allen

Across the US, we are witnessing a housing crisis catalyzed by a pandemic-related housing shortage and exaggerated by income inequality resulting in a disproportionate burden on the poor and non-homeowners. This visual essay examines historic and contemporary data to interrogate many of the complex factors that have contributed to the current state of housing in Raleigh, the Triangle, North Carolina, and the US. The primary aim of this research is to create more equitable, effective and innovative design and planning approaches to the future of housing and urban development writ large.

What Makes a Neighborhood Vulnerable? (1)

This map series illustrates markers for housing vulnerability (race, housing burden, age, and occupancy status) to identify tracts as more/less vulnerable. These measures of vulnerability are overlaid with measures of population growth and the areas of overlap suggest the neighborhoods most vulnerable to the threats of gentrification.

Predatory Development (2)

This map visualized patterns of redevelopment in Southeast Raleigh which has historically had low-income residents and under-valued properties. By plotting building permit data, we see a distinct pattern of developers active solely within Southeast Raleigh versus developers that avoid it completely.

Speculative Real Estate and Community Vitality (3)

This graphic aims to raise questions about the ethics of modern-day, speculative property sales. Southeast Raleigh, a region with high housing vulnerability, has seen drastic changes in the ownership and popularity of its land. Over time it transformed from an affordable, black neighborhood into a threatened historic district torn apart by redevelopment, rising housing costs, and speculative real estate.

Urban Squeeze: The Weight of Gentrification (4)

Walking through the South Park neighborhoods reveals a shift from shotgun houses and net-less basketball hoops to two-story contemporary houses flanked by Teslas and neon playgrounds. At this map’s core is a weather-worn, dilapidated house—a relic of South Park’s past and a poignant symbol of the challenges faced by its residents. Street photographs of recently constructed housing developments, all within 500 feet, are meticulously collaged to convey the experience of ongoing social suffocation and displacement.

This project was selected as a finalist for the APDU Data Storytelling National Award, AIA ASPIRE Regional Student Design Award, and NC State Research Image Award.

Instagram: @tanialeighallen, @rainrainqueen

Live, Laugh Learn: Affordable Housing in Honolulu by Marco Zhou, B. Arch ’24
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Advisor: Pablo La Roche

Live Laugh Learn is a sustainable affordable housing project in Honolulu to provide housing for educators and researchers. Due to the high cost of living in Hawaii, there are poor retention rates for teachers, and schools rely on emergency hires. This project, located between an elementary, middle, and high school, provides an option to alleviate this issue. There are 120 units, and the ground floor fosters well-being and education. The project also aligns with the University of Hawaii’s core value, Aloha “Aina. The project aims to create a social hub that harmonizes surrounding amenities and infrastructure, promoting biodiversity in a dense urban area. AIA’s COTE framework for design excellence was integrated into the design. Energy modeling and carbon calculations were an integral part of the design process from the beginning. 

Instagram: @marcozhou_, @pmlaroche

Interested in being featured in next year’s showcase? Stay tuned for updates this summer!

2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase - Part XV

Part XV of the 2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase highlights various intersections of the natural and built environments. The featured projects provide design solutions that address various environmental elements and ecosystems. Scroll down to learn more!

Lake Meredith Aquatic Research Institute by Carlos Cepeda Gomez, B.S. in Architecture ‘24
Washington University in St. Louis | Advisor: Zahra Safaverdi

Lake Meredith Aquatic Research Institute is a center that investigates water management, desalination, and local biodiversity in a man-made reservoir near Amarillo, in the Texas Panhandle. The lake contends with geological challenges from the Ogallala aquifer, Permian salt basin, and climate change. These features have caused diffusion points across the American arid regions, where the aquifer erodes the salt basin, forming brine pockets that then percolate into the water system through artesian pressure.

Salinification, lax water regulations, desertification efforts, and climate change effects have made the water reliance on the lake unreliable. During the emergency 2010-2014 drought, the lake dropped from 105 feet to a record low of 25 feet.

A diverse team of biologists, engineers, geologists, ecologists, and other specialists reside and collaborate at the institute. They engage local communities to educate them about the research conducted on-site while interacting with each other and the lake. The institute’s focus, systems, and research directions are decided sociocratically ensuring inclusivity, effective governance, and equity.

The Institute’s center around water, geology, and erosion was determined via an importance matrix—using six data sets affecting the lake’s surroundings: Weather, Salinity, Human Factors, Biodiversity, Water Levels, and Geology. The data sets and intersections were translated into a three-dimensional spider chart study. The concluding “blobs” created through data analysis were used through Boolean operations to develop an architectural language.

The building reflects its function, interior programming, and residents’ ethos, resulting in a blend of efficient, desalination, and scientific areas that develop research to protect the reservoir’s ecology. Its geological, cavernous structures diverge from contemporary architecture, allowing scientists to make eco-political statements on humanity’s abusive relationship with nature and advocating for dismantling systems of eco-exploitation and resource mismanagement. They address environmental catastrophes and innovative architecture and reconceptualize governance systems. The Institute’s community and purpose channel the scientists’ energy into activism, policy-making, and technological development, rather than self-radicalization, within the context of post-colonial and capitalistic frameworks.

This study focuses on water, sedimentation, and erosion, utilizing locally sourced materials to address local issues, enhance the local environment, and redefine the relationship between humans, nature, and architecture promoting intersectionalism between justice, equity, and environment.

Stó:lō Relationalities: Exploring Infrastructures of Climate Adaptation along the Fraser River by Wilson Tian Zhi Jiang, M. Arch ’24
Carleton UniversityAdvisor: Jake Chakasim

This thesis confronts the issue of climate-induced flooding along Stó:lō, or the Fraser River in British Columbia. In November of 2021, the Sumas Prairie near Chilliwack flooded, creating what the agricultural minister Lana Popham described as the “largest agricultural disaster in BC.”  Many instances of flooding predate 2021, notably in 1894 and 1948, more recorded in Dirk Septer’s 2007 report Flooding and Landslide Events Southern British 1808-2006, and as old as 12,000 years ago. A conventional modern response to flooding is to build infrastructures like dykes that preserve the economic function of the land, perpetuating a colonial relationship to land dependent on technical, extractive processes which overlook existing cultural connections essential to climate adaptation. For its First Nations, Stó:lō has always been a formidable force, an interconnected ecosystem over 1300 kilometres long and home to migrating salmon for 9,500 years. Land sovereignty, defined through Indigenous cultural practices and ecologies, becomes a framework for approaching climate adaptation and decolonization, built on marginalized narratives from Indigenous and non-indigenous communities. The methodology follows three phases – encountering, entangling, and engaging – of indigeneity from a Chinese-Canadian perspective.

Encountering Stó:lō – Mapping exercises from the scale of the river to regional story maps. Macroscopic drawings document themes of climate, community, and infrastructure. Story maps of  ‘touch-down points’ document oral histories and anecdotes on architecture, infrastructure, and migrant labour.

Entangling Stó:lō – Explorations of embodied knowledge of Stó:lō by making, weaving, and interpreting. Initialized with a cedar basket-making workshop in Seattle, Washington, followed by weaving exercises on a custom-built Salish loom. This section concludes with a ‘Weirloom’ apparatus that interprets Coast Salish and Chinese Canadian history through craft.

Engaging Stó:lō – Design of a socio-ecological infrastructure over a creek near the Musqueam Cultural Center in Musqueam territory. Its program builds on the shared history of two marginalized groups on Musqueam-Chinese farms, synthesizing earlier research. The resulting structure combines indigenous basketry with an underlying beam-woven structure common to traditional Chinese bridges with a continuous space for exhibits and resting spaces, reminding users of entangled histories of place, cultural connections to water, and a fluid relationship to water and climate change.

This project won Carleton University’s 2024 OAA Guild Medal and was nominated for the Canadian Architect Student Award of Excellence.

Instagram: @wilson.tz.jiang, @jakechakasim

On the Edge: A Climate Adaptive Park for Battleship NC Memorial by Josh Gogan, Maggie Kroening & Stella Wang, M. Arch & B. Arch ‘24
North Carolina State University | Advisors: Andrew Fox & David Hill

On the Edge proposes a redesign for the parklands surrounding the Battleship North Carolina. The reimagined site celebrates a challenging narrative of place that reveals and highlights multifaceted histories while embracing infiltrating water. The new park transcends physical composition, serving as a dynamic memorial space connecting people, time, ecology, and climate through the goals of integration, adaptability, preservation, and restoration. The design proposes numerous site-specific community amenities, including a visitor center, a moveable tidal pavilion, a memorial bridge, and a hybrid shoreline. The result is a destination park that adapts to water as the climate and site shift, allowing the memorial to withstand the test of time.

Battleship Park in Wilmington, NC presents a contrast between the natural and built environment. Through our experience and analysis of the site, we asked ourselves as designers how this could adapt to consider people, time, ecology, and climate more cohesively for the greater community of Eagles Island. On the Edge explores Battleship Park as a space of education through experiences of integration, adaptation, preservation, and restoration. The site’s adjacency to the USS NC and views to Wilmington highlight the need to convert the current parking lot into five additional acres of park space. The new design elevates portions of the site by five feet and depresses areas for water to escape, allowing the site to embrace water over time with the construction of wetlands and rain gardens. Hydrologic remembrances are revealed at points along the path, staining the timber elements to remind visitors of sea level rise. At moments where the path converges, existing memorials are placed to provide contemplation. Within these explorations, users will engage with the site’s native species; encouraging the prosperity of the site as it continues to change. Native plantings act as wildlife attractions, softening edge conditions and generating educational opportunities. 

Over time, sea level rise and climate conditions will infiltrate the site. On the Edge allows users to experience the amenities of the park and the Battleship as water overtakes. 

This project won the 2023 National ASLA Award of Excellence in Student Collaboration, the 2024 North Carolina ASLA Student Award of Excellence in General Design, and the 2023 AIA Aspire Student Design Award. 

Instagram: @kroening.3dm, @davidhillarch, @stellawang_2 

High Seas, Low Lands: When Water Creates Spaces by Aya Youssef, B. Arch ’24
American University of Beirut | Advisor: Trevor Patt

Understanding the relationship between architecture and climate change necessitates a detailed scientific comprehension of their causality. Collaborating with the National Geographic Society, this initiative explores how architecture can mitigate climate change impacts through innovative building practices. Central to this approach is the integration of biorock technology, a process that forms solidified building materials underwater using mineral accretion. This technique not only produces materials with a zero carbon footprint but also harnesses the ocean as a novel construction medium.

Biorock technology leverages natural electrochemical processes to precipitate minerals from seawater, creating strong, durable materials akin to limestone. This environmentally friendly method significantly reduces carbon emissions traditionally associated with concrete and steel production. Furthermore, the biorock structures support marine ecosystems, promoting coral growth and enhancing biodiversity.

The design process is inherently adaptive, taking into account site-specific environmental and geographic conditions. This allows for procedural iterations, ensuring each project is tailored to its unique context. The result is architecture that harmonizes with its surroundings, minimizing ecological disruption and maximizing sustainability.

At its core, this approach is both planet and human-centered, emphasizing the importance of ecological balance and human well-being. By utilizing the sea as a construction medium, this initiative opens up new possibilities for sustainable architecture that not only reduces carbon footprints but also contributes positively to marine environments. This paradigm shift in building design signifies a promising step towards addressing climate change, showcasing how innovative architectural practices can lead to sustainable and resilient built environments.

This project was recognized as the Best Degree Project of 2023/2024.

Instagram: @ard_aub

BREAKWATER – Breaking the Cycle by Adrian Mora, M. Arch ’24
University of Maryland, College Park | Advisors: Julie Gabrielli, Brian Kelly & Marcus Cross

A significant portion of the world’s population is concentrated along coastlines. Climate change has produced hazardous environmental conditions that threaten coastal populations, including many poor, vulnerable communities. The built and natural environment within this diverse boundary zone must be redeveloped as a self-resilient system that can protect its inhabitants from climate-induced hazards. 

This project acts as a testbed for the ecological urban renewal of the Baseco Compound, a high-density urban neighborhood located on an artificial island within Manila Bay. An underutilized lot adjacent to the island’s beach and a small mangrove nursery has been transformed into a series of urban spaces defined by three distinct modules inspired by vernacular stilt housing. The modules also feature traditional and experimental construction techniques being pioneered in the Philippines, including structural bamboo, recycled plastic cladding and bamboo-reinforced concrete. Two residential modules, the Bahay Patayo and the Bahay Kublihan, explore different configurations of two-bedroom units that offer varied levels of density. The Kapwa Community Center module will serve as the new focal point for the neighborhood, providing multi-functional amenity spaces for public use and shelter during emergencies. 

The renewal of the built environment will be coupled with the restoration of the natural mangrove forests that previously occupied Manila Bay. The new buffer zone will also create an adaptable living barrier that will mitigate the impact of storms and flooding on the community and the rest of the Baseco Compound. The proposal will provide amenities that promote activities to support the neighborhood’s self-resilience and environmentalism within the urban context. Establishing a critical connection between new residents and the emerging grove will encourage active stewardship of the local environment.

This project won the UMD Architecture Thesis Award.

Instagram: @amora.art.photos, @umdmappschool

Building Biodiversity: Architectural Interventions for Mangrove Restoration and Community Engagement by Emily Bigelow, M. Arch ’24
Lawrence Technological University | Advisor: Scott Shall

Biodiverse ecosystems play a critical role in maintaining the health of the world. They help to combat climate change, prevent natural disasters, and mitigate the spread of diseases among other benefits. Mangrove ecosystems are biodiverse habitats that provide more important benefits including carbon sequestration, water filtration, and coastal erosion mitigation.

However, these habitats are frequently threatened by human development and construction practices that prioritize speed and profit over sustainability. Current conservation strategies, which involve regional-scale coexistence, struggle to address this issue because the demand for more human settlements remains higher than the demand for wildlife preservation. As more ecosystems are compromised by urban landscapes, the regional balance between the two shifts in favor of humans at the expense of the environment.

These problems are worsened by the imposition of building strategies that are foreign to a climate region. This practice not only reduces occupant comfort and increases energy demands, but also disrupts natural processes like the flow of water and predation patterns. Vernacular architecture, on the other hand, has an intimate relationship with the surrounding environment and has been adapted to provide comfort within the given conditions. These practices can provide insider knowledge of the local climate and ecosystem to produce new developments that aid in restorative projects rather than harming them.

This thesis seeks to find a symbiotic development strategy, wherein architectural interventions benefit biodiverse ecosystems along with human constituents. It explores innovative and indigenous strategies for urban integration with mangrove ecosystems which reduce habitat destruction and promote restoration. This project recommends a transformative strategy for urban development that makes use of indigenous building techniques and ecological principles to guarantee a symbiotic coexistence of mangrove ecosystems and human infrastructure.

This project won the CoAD Chairs Award, 2024. 

Instagram: @emilybigelow_designs, @scott_shall

Disrupting the Global Supply Chain in Architecture – A Hyper-local Approach to the Built Environment by Frangiscos Hinoporos, M. Arch ’24
Carleton University | Advisor: Sheryl Boyle

The building industry has come to rely heavily on the global supply chain with materials such as concrete, glass and steel becoming ubiquitous. From manufacture to construction, these materials adversely contribute to climate change. This thesis embraces a circular economy and uses data and design to inform how a hyper-local materials ecosystem for construction could be achieved locally; proposing how, over the next century, steps towards circularity can be achieved in Ottawa. By establishing hyper-local supply chains that only use materials local to the region, the goal of this thesis is for Ottawa to become minimally reliant on the global supply chain. Local materials in this case are defined as materials extracted from the Ottawa area and ones extracted from existing built structures. Through experimentation, prototyping, design, and research this thesis explores concepts and presents a design proposal that enables Ottawa’s future to become unshackled from the global supply chain.

This thesis is separated into three distinct parts. Part I envisions a Regenerative Building Center that helps facilitate the move away from the Global Supply Chain. Situated on the footprint of a soon-to-be-demolished public works building in Ottawa, the design utilizes the existing foundation as well as other building components to create a center that espouses the ideas that this thesis stands for, bio-based local materials, radical reuse, design for disassembly and more.

Part II explores materials, locality, and supply chains, going in-depth on broader global scales as well as focusing on Ottawa. In this part, a rough account of potential materials diverted from landfill in the Ottawa area is taken, and local availability is assessed.

The last part, Part III imagines speculative futures, in the form of 3 distinct typologies each one 25, 50, and 100 years into the future. Here a future that is gradually less and less reliant on the Global Supply Chain is imagined, to the point where minimal reliance is required and Ottawa’s architectural ecosystem is fully circular and self-sufficient.

This project won the Maxwell Taylor Prize, through Carleton University’s Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism. It was also awarded the CAGBC Scholarship for Sustainable Design and Research, through the RAIC Foundation

Instagram: @frankhinoporos, @csaltarchitecture, @carleton_architecture

Aquatic Bio-Park: Harmonizing Public Space and Water Treatment by Andrew Hertz, M. Arch ’24
New York Institute of Technology | Advisors: Marcella Del Signore & Evan Shieh

The relationship between water and the built environment continues to challenge designers. Water, although an obstacle in design, is a defining element among many urban environments; it influences ecology, building typography, social equity, social gathering and economy. Sao Cristovao of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is no exception. 

The Aquatic Bio-Park is designed to serve the community of Sao Cristovao. Rivers emanating from the mountains to the west merge with the city’s urban systems and canals and out to the Guanabara Bay to the east. The canals carve through the urban fabric, often running parallel to major roads, highways, and places of gathering and commercialism. While rich in culture and industry, Sao Cristovao’s inequities, access to urban systems and green space burden the community and environment.  

The bio-park addresses the challenges of inequity, access to water, purification of water bodies, urban heat, and so on. While confronting these issues, the bio-park also celebrates the local culture, ecology, and the utility of water. Using three different grounds: the lowest ground treats the canal water, which is channeled into the site, and purified through simulated marshlands through multiple filtration stages. The highest ground provides the public with open space, vegetation supported by the processed water, and visual connections to the filtration ponds below. Lastly, the middle ground merges the public space with water treatment. Bridging across the ponds creates a physical connection and understanding of the processes of filtration. At the destination of all grounds, whether water treatment, park or spectacle, they unify. At this point of celebration, the results of the journey are on full display: flourishing vegetation, purified water, and a place to gather, observe and learn. These grounds taper off into the urban landscape extending public space into the site. 

Throughout Sao Cristovao, there are numerous canals and implementation opportunities. Different canals carrying varying quantities of water can adjust the scale of each bio-park, as required. Servicing multiple areas throughout the region would theoretically reduce the urban heat concentration, provide public space and clean water, all while celebrating the culture and ecology of the local community. 

Instagram: @marcelladelsi, @ev07

Building Resilience: Innovative Architectural and Planning Strategies for Ecological Restoration in Qinghai’s Deserted Landscapes by Bochuan Zheng, B. Arch ’24
Rhode Island School of Design | Advisors: Junko Yamamoto & Leeland McPhail

This thesis explores the interplay between architectural innovation and planning strategies for ecological restoration in Qinghai, China, a high-altitude grassland region severely impacted by desertification. The area, primarily dependent on herding, faces challenges from overgrazing, over-cultivation, and sparse rainfall, which threaten the livelihoods of pastoralists and lead to conflicts over resources like land and water. The study proposes integrated architectural and planning approaches focused on sustainable land management and resilient infrastructure development to mitigate these threats and ensure stable, sustainable habitats for local communities. Particularly, the research emphasizes cultivating two resilient plant species, Saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron) and Cistanche Deserticola, which are well-suited to harsh climates. It details how tailored architectural solutions enhance planting efficiency and safety, accelerating ecological restoration and improving community living conditions. The findings provide a blueprint for addressing similar environmental challenges globally, demonstrating that merging ecological science with architectural and planning ingenuity is crucial for enhancing community resilience and socio-economic development and mitigating the impacts of desertification and climate change.

This project was recognized as a Thesis Award Nominee.

Instagram: @innerpeacechuan, @junkoyamamoto_, @risdarch

Stay tuned for the final installment, Part XVI!

2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase - Part XIV

Architecture plays a large role in the restoration and preservation of buildings. The projects featured in Part XIV of the 2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase focus on revitalizing spaces. 

Today, we look at various sites, including areas impacted by natural disasters, former industrial zones, federal buildings, and more. Each project blends old and new, demonstrating the ability to recover and reclaim using architecture and design.

Reclaiming Antakya: Post Disaster Community Recovery for Resilient Futures by Zeynep Dila Demircan, M. Arch ‘24
University of Maryland | Advisor: Ken Filler

The earthquakes that struck Southwestern Turkey and Northern Syria in February 2023 caused extensive damage, ranking among Turkey’s worst disasters in its history. The city of Antakya, especially, suffered severe destruction in its center, resulting in significant losses of lives, culture, and history.

This thesis presents a comprehensive plan to recover and reclaim Antakya’s center, enhancing community resilience through proactive design strategies. It focuses on a specific urban block, a key commercial, residential, and administrative hub across the Asi River and the historical district. The proposal outlines a multi-phased approach to transform this urban block, starting from the post-disaster period and concluding with its complete redevelopment. The phases include recovery, reclamation, reconstruction, and reconnection.

For the recovery phase, temporary shelter and gathering spaces are provided for residents within the grove area existing on the site, while efforts to engage stakeholders in the recovery process begin. Reclamation involves reforming the cleared area based on existing and new street systems, integrating new public streets and courtyards that make up the green infrastructure. Reconstruction involves rebuilding the site in smaller blocks, starting from the middle section and expanding to the upper and lower sections. The reconnection phase focuses on finalizing building blocks and reintegrating them into the larger context. 

This includes the creation of a new urban plaza and the introduction of programs aimed at fostering cultural and social resilience, as well as commemorating the earthquake through a memorial space within a community center. The proposal introduces two main building types: The Block, a mixed-use structure with a courtyard for residents, and The Hub, a community center featuring public spaces, a museum, gathering areas, and studios for local crafts practices.

In essence, this thesis aims to not only reconstruct Antakya’s physical infrastructure but also to cultivate resilient communities through place-making strategies. It endeavors to revitalize cultural and social life while fostering trust and collaboration, ultimately laying the groundwork for a robust and resilient future.

This project won the UMD Architecture Thesis – Director’s Award and the ARCC 2023-2024 King Student Medal for Excellence in Architectural + Environmental Design Research.

The Topographical Reactivation by Yanbo Zhu, M. Arch ’24
University of Waterloo | Advisors: Mohamad Araji & Shiyu Wei

Community Center Design at Kitchener

This design features three keywords: nature, history, and topography.

  1. NATURE: The site is located in the center of Kitchener, with the expansive Victoria Park to the south. However, due to roadways and parking areas interrupting the flow, it’s challenging for this landscape to permeate the site effectively. Simultaneously, with a site area of 15,000 square meters and a required building area of only 1,500 square meters according to the project brief, the strategy involves integrating small-scale structures with the landscape to address the issue of the site’s excessive scale.
  2. HISTORY: Within the site, there is an abandoned Charles bus terminal, with its main hall building well-preserved, but the historical elements of its platforms, bus lanes, and connecting corridors are poorly maintained. In the design, preserving the original waiting hall while removing other elements yet continuing its multi-linear spatial configuration is a critical historical stance.
  3. TOPOGRAPHY: On the eastern side of the site, there is an elevation difference of nearly four meters. In the design, a planted roof is utilized to seamlessly connect, allowing individuals to enter the building from the roof. Simultaneously, the height difference is employed to create outdoor stepped activity areas or sloped gardens. Additionally, to respect historical architecture, a partial sunken approach is employed in spaces like the art gallery and lecture hall, forming various topographical experiences.

This project won the Edward Allen BTES Award and the Second Prize SOPREMA Award. 

Instagram: @yanbo_zhu

Amending the Capitol by Garrett Krueger, M. Arch ‘24
Virginia Tech | Advisors: Susan Piedmont-Palladino, Paul Emmons & Scott Archer

The United States Capitol Building has long been an iconic symbol of the American government and democracy worldwide. Despite this, the United States has had many major events since 1892, and the Capitol has not had any representation of those events.

One example of stalled symbols of change is the number of representatives in the House. Since 1913, the House of Representatives in Congress has had 435 representatives, despite the population more than tripling since then. Many have had the idea to increase this number and expand the House. This idea gives an opportunity to design a new, larger chamber for the House to meet in. This thesis proposes a new chamber to redefine the architecture of the Capitol Building and symbolize the century of history that has yet to be represented in the Capitol.

The idea of making a new expansion to the iconic Capitol Building comes with challenges. This thesis was done amid historic turmoil and record lows in productivity in the House. This thesis also begs the question of whether the building that Congress meets in can be part of the solution. The House Chamber, when completed, had no electric lighting, let alone C-SPAN cameras and smartphones in every lawmaker’s pocket. This new extension aims to provide Congress with a workplace designed to address the difficulties it faces in keeping itself in order. As a whole, this thesis is about the idea of representing change. The nature of a democratic government is one of changing ideas and laws, and this project seeks to have the Capitol Building embody that aspect. Thomas Jefferson himself is known for saying rejecting change is like “requiring a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when he was a boy.” Congress needs a new coat. 

This project won the WAAC Crystal Award. 

Instagram: @vt_waac

Life, Death, and the Eternal Recurrence of Architecture by Geri Roa Kim & Kelvin Hu, B. Arch ’24
Pratt Institute | Advisors: Adam Elstein, Frank Gesualdi & Ashley Simone

Life, Death, and the Eternal Recurrence of Architecture proposes building anew as a form of preservation. Situated along the Arakawa River Island in Tokyo, this project is a story of a building that has grown over time since 1946. The building undergoes successive replication and revision every few years, each edition is built next to its predecessor, eventually becoming an endless, linear, horizontal skyscraper that constantly reinvents itself through time. 

This architectural approach, rooted in preservation, provides a tangible way to experience changes that normally unfold over centuries. Architecture, then, becomes a device to register time.

This project won the Best Degree Project of 2023/2024.

Instagram: @g.eroaii, @kelv.hu

Unbound Beirut: Reimagining Boundaries & Transforming Realities by Sima Fayad, B. Arch ’24
American University of Beirut | Advisor: Makram Al Kadi

This architectural thesis culminates in transforming Beirut’s iconic dome, The Egg, located in Solidere, into a multifaceted public space. It seamlessly integrates medical, educational, and cultural uses through a harmonious fusion of virtual and physical elements. This design transcends Solidere’s boundaries, fostering interaction among diverse user groups within a dynamic environment. Symbolizing Beirut’s resilience and revival, The Egg blends history with a vibrant future, redefining spatial inhabitation by bridging physical and virtual realms.

At its core, this thesis explores the intersection of physical and virtual spaces, emphasizing the enduring significance of tangible structures while delving into the growing realm of digital environments. It investigates how architects can utilize digital technology to craft emotionally and socially resonant spaces that transcend traditional boundaries. Envisioning a future where architecture integrates seamlessly with digital elements, the study challenges architects to reimagine spatial design.

The introduction lays the foundation by recognizing the pivotal role of physical spaces in our spatial understanding, positioning the thesis at the confluence of the tangible and intangible. As digital technologies increasingly influence our physical reality, this thesis calls on architects to incorporate digital elements such as virtual reality and internet connectivity into their designs. It highlights how these once futuristic concepts are now essential tools for creating visually striking, functional, and socially impactful architectural spaces. 

The thesis examines the redevelopment of Beirut’s downtown area, specifically focusing on The Egg, a striking dome in the Solidere district. This site symbolizes Beirut’s resilience and revival post-war, embodying the city’s enduring spirit while highlighting the economic barriers that modern urban landscapes can create. The Egg stands as a testament to Beirut’s cultural heritage, illustrating how architecture can blend the past with a vibrant future, bridging physical and virtual realms to redefine our concept of inhabiting space.

Instagram: @ard_aub

PENINSULAR PAPER CO. by Chase Dietrich, B.S. Arch ’24
Lawrence Technological University | Advisor: Masataka Yoshikawa

The project, PENINSULAR PAPER CO., began with an in-depth site analysis. The design was initially inspired by the natural gathering spots surrounding the existing building. This project aims to renovate and expand the existing structure, guided by the logic of these natural gathering points and the acute angles they form. The contemporary vision for the building’s renovation leverages these convergent points, ensuring the new design seamlessly integrates with the environment while enhancing functionality and aesthetic appeal. By focusing on these natural elements, the project promises a harmonious blend of old and new, creating a revitalized space that respects its historical context and serves modern needs.

This project won the Lawrence Technological University Chair’s Award.

Instagram: @chase.a.dietrich, @masataka.yoshikawa

Steamtown Revival by Mason Ramsey, James Gentilesco & Dalton Metzger, B. Arch ’24
Marywood University | Advisors: Jodi La Coe & James Eckler

The Joseph Biden Presidential Library uses various design concepts to best represent our president’s values. Green walls, aquaponics, water reuse, and bioswales all work together to visually demonstrate President Biden’s environmental priorities. These are new concepts for the proposed site in Scranton, Pennsylvania, currently occupied by the Steamtown Mall, a development that only hurt the economy and environment of the city, as Jane Jacobs argued. The entire site is to be replaced with biking and walking trails to best integrate the cityscape with nature. Inside this presidential library, one may visit Biden’s museum collection, browse through his personal selection of books, and even request access to presidential archives in this new landmark in a regrowing city.

Instagram: @ramsey_architecture, @gentilesco_architecture, @jodilacoe

“Navigating Uncertainty” in Lebanon by Karly Abou Dib, B. Arch ’24
American University of Beirut | Advisors: Trevor Ryan Patt & Rana Haddad

“Navigating Uncertainty” embarks on a detailed exploration of oil terminals, delving into their structural intricacies and temporal dimensions. By examining the historical significance, contemporary functionalities, and future uncertainties of these terminals, the study unfolds a narrative that seeks to craft a transformative blueprint for their decommissioning and sustainable future.

At the heart of this exploration is the concept of transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation through human collaboration. The uncertainty surrounding oil terminals is reimagined as a productive force, driving the evolution of a resilient and environmentally conscious infrastructure. The study proposes a shift from impermeable industrial containers to porous courtyards or “voids” that invite nature to reclaim and transform these spaces. This transformation symbolizes a transition from industrial to ecological, where past structures are enveloped by greenery and become communal spaces that foster biodiversity and community interaction.

Strategically designed “solids” are introduced within these voids, serving as eco-friendly program holders that benefit the environment. These solids house activities such as labs and workshops, green markets, and human energy-powered gyms, directly engage with and enhance their natural surroundings. The design and proportion of these solids vary based on their environmental impact, with programs that have a significant positive effect on nature occupying more prominent spaces.

The interface between the new solids and the voids is filled with community engagement opportunities and pathways that foster educational and cultural experiences. Visitors navigate through these transformed spaces, engaging with layers of information and activity that promote a deeper understanding of sustainability and its impact. This dynamic environment educates and inspires, cultivating a greener mindset among its visitors.

The project transforms an industrial site into a vibrant green space through the development of a porous wetland. This wetland enhances social well-being, supports biodiversity, and aids in natural water treatment and flood mitigation. It serves as an educational hub promoting environmental sustainability and highlights the role of wetlands in urban ecosystems. By integrating water into the site, the wetland mitigates flood risks and improves urban microclimates, showcasing how industrial areas can be reclaimed by nature

Instagram: @ard_aub

Global Educational Center for IT Specialists and Migrants in Istanbul by Anatolii Savoskin, Diploma in Strategic Interior Design / Private Master Degree ’24
IE University | Advisor: Elvira Munoz

For my graduate project, I tackled the challenges faced by skilled migrants, drawing from my own experience and that of friends worldwide. Using design tools, I aimed to provide solutions by identifying a real client in crisis and repurposing an underused building. Researching the client’s needs and challenges was pivotal in shaping our design strategy. We chose a historic building in central European Istanbul, strategically located near public amenities and transportation hubs to cater to our target audience: migrants with IT backgrounds. Detailed user mapping helped to understand their expectations and needs. My design concept focused on four key elements: an Al educational center, a rebranding campaign for Blackberry, integration of multicultural design elements reflecting migrants’ cultures, and a transition from classical to modern styles throughout the building’s floors.
Instagram: @iearchdesign, @anatolii_savoskin

Extending The Patchwork | The Pier by Jillian Sproul & Olivia Nunn, M. Arch ’24
Toronto Metropolitan University | Advisors: Joey Giaimo & Julia Jamrozik

Located in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, a tourist beach town, the project proposes an extension of the current pier providing opportunities for vendor expansion. The new pier proposal is achieved through the implementation of subtractive and additive heritage strategies. It provides locals with the agency to expand their business onto the structural modules that will aggregate as needed based on future growth, extending the existing vendor and architectural patchwork. The existing main pavilion has been opened up as a midpoint for resting and [eating]. The newly designed end pavilion embraces the past entertainment values of the site, showcasing live performances and expansive views out to the water. The form of the performance structure is shifted to align with the main street of the town, inviting visitors to adventure through the entirety of the pier, especially during sunset, when sun rays reflect off of the metallic panels. The two-storey performance pavilion is accessible with the feature ramp leading tourists on a journey separated from the busy vendor stalls. The total pier addition allows the current architectural and vendor patchwork to be valued as a key component to the pier’s long-standing success since 1899.

The physical model utilizes three types of wood to visualize the architectural patchwork of the current pier and the proposed extension. The burnt maple represents existing components of the pier, while the cherry represents existing components that have undergone renovations. This is contrasted with the basswood that represents the proposed patchwork extension.

Instagram: @jilliansproul, @olivianunn14

Reshaping Red Hook: Creative Placemaking and Connective Infrastructure. by Matthew Tepper, B.S. Architecture ’24
University of Virginia | Advisor: Mona El Khafif

From a manufacturing and transporting port to a refined and vibrant community hub, the masterplan analyzes the demand to unify the Red Hook, Brooklyn neighborhood to its adjacent post-industrialized, underutilized waterfront. It looks at a series of 19th-century waterfront warehouses as a symbolic reference to its connection with shipping and connectivity within the New York Harbor and a dilapidated water’s edge to activate opportunities for public engagement and hospitable, engaging programming. 

Red Hook, named by the Dutch in the 17th century, references its red clay soil and brick construction methods, as well as its jutting peninsula forming into the Upper New York Bay. In the late 19th century, Red Hook was the busiest freight port in the world, serving as the center of the city’s cotton trade. Later on, with the rise of Robert Moses, the Gowanus Expressway and the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel were built in the 1940s, followed by the first federally funded public housing projects in New York City. While Red Hook’s socioeconomic status declined due to a decline in maritime trade and employment access, its economic outlook is rising again as new businesses, artists, and artisans are beginning to bring vitality.

The program explores indoor, outdoor, and interstitial moments as means for a creative ecosystem, expanding a sense of connectivity through the Cobble Hill Tunnel within neighborhood bounds. The Cobble Hill Tunnel, the oldest tunnel in New York City, was rediscovered in the 1990s after being inactive for over 120 years in Downtown Brooklyn. It was imagined to stretch to Red Hook but was never fulfilled. In reimagining the existing lack of public infrastructure within Red Hook, this physical and symbolic representation would allow for connectivity across Red Hook while recognizing the neighborhood’s rich history. 

Forming an experiential approach to this connectivity aims to foster and maintain local, community-driven growth. The proposal intends to re-establish the water’s edge with a realignment of the existing Red Hook gridded organization and shift vehicular traffic to prioritize pedestrian experiences and modes of public transportation. To enable economic incentives for development, existing two-story warehouse buildings will expand upon their mass-timber structure as an extension of contemporary mass-timber building codes to provide a relationship between working and living environments. The existing parking lot will transform into Red Hook’s public square to support local artists, and a central amphitheater will serve as the concluding nexus of the tunnel. These transversal relationships can ensure dialogue between above- and below-ground environments as a new typology for untapped programming and real estate investment.

Instagram: @mattportfolio, @aschool_uva

Fluid Landscape: A Speculation on Edge by Marla Stephens, M. Arch ’24
University of Florida | Advisors: Charlie Hailey & Jeff Carney

Architecture for a Fluid Landscape: A Speculation on Edge, addresses the ephemeral nature of dwelling on Florida’s coastal edge. This project aims to unearth Florida’s fluid strata to resurface a forgotten timeline of architectural ruins and stories lost at sea and to reinterpret future coastal habitation for an accreting landscape. Using Wilbur-by-the-Sea and Cape Canaveral, Florida as stations for witnessing and recording the evolution of an edge, this project will begin to negotiate the nature of impermanence and symbiosis of architecture along the shore. 

As time passes, layers of stories, artifacts, ecologies, and technologies are embedded within the anthropogenic landscape. Is time as fluid as the littoral edge? Is there a way to work between the layers, to establish a permanent marker of change, to record the unfolding of time on an uncertain edge? Time moves quicker and shorter here, each day is a different coast. On the edge, change is felt at a more alarming rate. Here we bear witness to the ecological impact we have made; impacts which are felt slowly, suddenly, or all at once. Can architecture make us notice more? Notice the imprint of a seashell along the shore, and the fluttering of the saturated sand made by a sand flea hiding beneath the surface; to the detrimental effects of toxic runoff which tarnishes the shore with a nauseating green film, and the infrastructural damage inflicted by hurricanes and rising tides. We must notice more, to slow down time once again and decelerate our current path towards exponential degradation, to restore Mother Nature’s natural procession.

This project will collect and unearth objects and stories found along the fluid landscape while using the Florida Houses of Refuge as a generative part for testing markers on the coast. The Houses of Refuge were ten stations along the east coast of Florida constructed for the sole purpose of saving the lives of shipwrecked persons, yet they evolved into much more. This project uses the forgotten coast of Chester Shoal as a proving ground for ever-evolving iterations of stations that witness the transformations of an ephemeral landscape.

Instagram: @charlie.hailey, @marla.stephens

Conservatory of Theater: A Spot Light in the User by John M. Campis-Bobe, B. Arch ’24
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico | Advisor: Pedro A. Rosario-Torres

The decline of performing arts in contemporary culture can be attributed to a lack of cultural identity. Historically, theater served as a platform for societal reflection and discussion of political and sociocultural issues. Today, this art form has lost its prominence in many countries, necessitating a revival to inspire a new generation. To address this, the project employs the concept of a perfect prism to contrast its surroundings, highlighting the performance space as a vital expression of cultural identity.

Located in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, near the urban train’s last station, the project identifies existing entities and highlights those proposed for improvement. By linking the urban core, it establishes a new theatrical district with an axis running from the town hall through Marti Street to the Theater Conservatory. The conservatory’s design incorporates six strategies from modern theater culture, seamlessly integrated into the urban context, emphasizing both external and internal engagement. Its purpose is to create a series of encounters between performances and spectators, inviting exploration and contemplation throughout the city. For example, urban niches carve fenestration within each façade, showcasing rehearsal rooms, foyers, and terraces to residents and visitors passing by. The black box theater is cantilevered from the building façade, marking the culmination of the theatrical district axis. Inside, there are adaptable spaces for various scenarios that aren’t restricted by a fixed arrangement. This expands on the versatility to reconfigure to the constant changes in our contemporary culture. To improve the user experience and accessibility, an elevated urban plaza is created, bridging the conservatory with the surrounding urban fabric and inviting community interaction. Due to the tropical climate, sustainable features include natural ventilation on all floors, permeable pavement, solar panels, and an underground cistern for water storage.

The final model reveals the axis that unifies the new theatrical district and an alternative route from the train station, designed to enhance pedestrian access. By integrating urban connectivity, cultural engagement, and sustainable design elements, the conservatory sets a new standard for functionality and environmental stewardship, marking a transformative icon for new cultural expression. 


Instagram: @johncampiss

Archi-eulogy: Negotiating Ruination in the Urban Void by Glory Nasr, B. Arch ’24
American University of Beirut | Advisor: Sinan Hassan

In a dense alleyway of a residential suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, lies a neighbourhood-sized construction site, halted at the excavation stage. Where once stood the Laziza Factory, the first brewery in the Levant that was demolished in 2017, remains a 20-meter-deep manufactured chasm, vestiges of the unfinished construction of a high-end, Starchitect-made residential project. The chasm resembles a tomb with no capstone, a tomb for the demolished brewery and the immaterialized lofts, but more importantly for the notion of architecture as a practice above the human realms of economic crisis. The result is an absurd condition caught between architecture, geology, and ruin. 

With this urban condition as the site of the project, Archi-eulogy stands as a manifesto 

critiquing the method with which we build, developing an architecture that is inherently one of nonarchitecture. Building on the image of the site as an urban tomb, Archi-Eulogy proposes the acceptance of death through a lowering of a literal and metaphorical capstone onto the construction site over a 100-year cycle, corresponding to the average lifespan of a building. The capstone houses an art gallery and archival space, preserving the memory of the original brewery. Each height above the street level corresponds to a year, creating a geological stratification of the building height. As the capstone descends 0.5 cm a week 

for a century, matter accumulates and decumulates in the pit. The pit houses a parking space on the upper two floors, while the bottom three floors are left as public space for the residents of the neighbourhood. Once the capstone closes and the excavation is remediated, the project enters its second phase, becoming a curated ruin-scape, allowing for informal uses of the public park. Finally, hundreds of years into the future, archaeologists descend into the pit through its towers, exhuming the archaeological body buried in the tomb. By literally and metaphorically closing the urban tomb, the project aims to remediate the violence the unfinished construction inflicted on the neighborhood. 

This project was the 2nd Prize Winner of the Areen Projects Award for Excellence in Architecture and won the Dean’s Award for Creative Achievement.

Instagram: @ard_aub

Stay tuned for Part XV!