Posts

2025 Study Architecture Student Showcase - Part XI

/in , , /by

Architecture has the power to transform a space. In Part XI of the 2025 Study Architecture Student Showcase, we put a spotlight on revitalized spaces. These projects take their pre-existing sites and create new spaces that promote sustainability, community connection, accessibility, and resiliency. The transformed sites include naval bases, power plants, industrial sites, local landmarks, abandoned city centers, underserved neighborhoods, and more. Each project incorporates design, construction, policy, and infrastructure to reimagine new spaces that serve their communities. 

Take a closer look below!

The Greenest Building, The One That is Already Built by Audrey Barnhart, M.Arch ’25
Roger Williams University | Advisor: Rubén Alcolea

This thesis explores adaptive reuse and sustainability by transforming a retired coal-fired power plant into a conservation center. With over 300 decommissioned coal plants across the U.S., the project asks: Should these monumental industrial relics be demolished, or reimagined to serve communities once again? The selected site is located on Mare Island, California, a former naval base now undergoing revitalization. Positioned near polluted waters and existing conservation efforts, the site becomes a strategic place for ecological restoration.

The design preserves the historic brick and concrete shell of the power plant, inserting a self-supporting mass timber structure within. This new framework uses sustainably sourced CLT panels and glulam beams, forming a light-filled, naturally ventilated interior that supports vegetation between the old and new structures. Only at vertical circulation points do the two structures physically meet, symbolizing a transition between past and future.

Programmatically, the conservation center includes public education spaces, research labs, and residential units. A rewilded landscape replaces paved surfaces, reducing the urban heat island effect and encouraging biodiversity. A narrow water channel brings Bay water into the site for ecological engagement, while a nearby storage hangar is converted into a ferry terminal to enhance sustainable transportation.

Passive design strategies guide the intervention, with large open-air windows providing daylight and ventilation. Prefabricated timber elements reduce site impact. Overall, the project demonstrates how industrial heritage can support ecological recovery, creating a dialogue between decay and renewal, nature and structure, and the old and the new.

This project won the Thesis Honor Award.

Instagram: @rwu_cummingsarch, @alcoleatarrago

Turning Tides: Holistic Remediation by Hannah Moore, B.Arch ‘25
Academy of Art University | Advisors: Simon McKenzie, Philip Ra & Ricardo Solar

Through identifying areas of neglect, the revitalization of Harris Shipyards can emerge as a place of social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and urban renewal.

The repurposing of materials and structure found on the site accommodates transitional housing, job-training, and programs for public reconnection for those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. In addition, the project restores the surrounding beaches in order to protect at-risk species.

These parallel stories, of once-thriving characters who have since fallen into dereliction, can be provided remediation through this intervention, reigniting their significance and resilience within their contexts.

This project won the B.Arch Thesis Award. 

Click here to learn more.

Instagram: @hannah.3, @smckenzie23, @ricardo_solar_architecture

Rebuild From Decay: An Industrial Solution for A Post-Industrial Age by Kyle Sylvester, M.Arch ’25
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Advisors: Lauren McQuistion & Tom Chung

Mass timber presents an opportunity to redefine the future of abandoned industrial sites through the introduction of a new industry. While many of these sites have been repurposed as cultural and landscape parks, this approach often reduces their industrial identity to just a facade for new programs, disconnecting them from their manufacturing past. By integrating mass timber manufacturing and education within the fabric of an industrial wasteland, this model preserves the site’s historical significance while also creating a hub for sustainable industry, ensuring its continued use in the 21st century. 

This thesis revitalizes Machine Shop No. 2 at Bethlehem Steel Mill by maintaining and reinterpreting its industrial legacy. Typically, industrial wastelands are repurposed as landscape parks or cultural centers, stripping away the site’s industrial memory and using its infrastructure as a facade. By integrating sustainable mass timber construction, this proposal offers a forward-thinking approach to revitalizing post-industrial spaces through the use of mass timber construction. The existing machine shop has been transformed into a mass timber manufacturing facility and educational center for renewable materials, blending production and education through layered programming. This approach preserves the site’s identity while addressing the need for sustainable construction practices.

This project won the Wentworth School of Architecture and Design: Design Excellence Award. 

Instagram: @ksly5, @mc.quistion

From Wrecks to Wonders: Reclaiming Shorelines, Enriching Communities by Karunia Ayu, Hongxiang Wang & Tianqi Zhao (Enoch), MSAUD (Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design) ’25
Columbia University | Advisors: Kate Orff, Geeta Mehta, Emanuel Admassu, Sebastian Delpino, Gabriel Vergara, Lucas Coelho Netto & Shrey Patel

WHAT IF THE WATERWAY IS REOPENED, BROUGHT COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO ITS SHORES, AND REIMAGINED THE ECONOMY AND INDUSTRY ALONG THE BANKS?

In the past, the island of Ilha da Conceição was composed of three separate islets located within Guanabara Bay. The construction of Niterói’s port and the later Rio–Niterói Bridge, which was driven by the expanding oil industry, filled in the channels that separated the two islands. This effectively annexes the islands to the city while also obstructing the natural flow of water. In addition to the accumulation of derelict ships, this land reclamation has resulted in the accumulation of wastewater and industrial runoff, which has resulted in the transformation of once-clean currents into polluted pools that are stagnant.

The shoreline is now dominated by industrial activity, which has cut off communities from the water and undermined both the quality of the catch and traditional ways of making a living. Local fishermen used to thrive in this area previously.

The ‘what if’ scenario that we have envisioned involves reestablishing water circulation without displacing any industry. By relocating factories to nearby locations and innovatively repurposing vessels that have been abandoned, we could bring back a canal that is cleaner and flows more freely. Residents of Ilha da Conceição and Niterói would be brought together through the creation of new public spaces along its banks. These spaces would serve as natural filtration zones and social connectors.

What is the end result? improved water quality, revitalized community fishing, and parks along the water’s edge that are very inviting. The demonstration that industry, ecology, and community can coexist in harmony would be [highlighted] by the fact that improved access to the bay would stimulate the creation of jobs, broaden access to goods and services, and ignite local economic growth.

Click here to learn more. 

Instagram: @runikarunia, @enoxizi, @mehtageeta999 @eadmassu, @sdelpino_arq, @gabrielvergarag, @lucascoelhonetto, @cauecapille, @shrey_patel1999

City Within a Shell, Reclaiming underutilized buildings for living learning and belonging. by Kush Choganwala, M.Arch ’25
Boston Architectural College | Advisors: Ralph Jackson &  Ian F. Taberner

In a city defined by knowledge and ambition, where students arrive with dreams larger than their square footage, a quieter truth rises between the lines of the skyline: vacancy. Beneath the towers of Back Bay, amid the noise of commerce and culture, stand buildings built for another time empty, waiting, still. “City Within a Shell” is a thesis rooted in this urban contradiction. It asks: What if the city’s forgotten rooms could be reimagined for those still finding their place within it? What if architecture, instead of beginning with demolition, began with listening to the structures that remain, and the lives that need them?

This project proposes the adaptive reuse of the Sheraton Boston Hotel’s South Wing, transforming a vacated hospitality structure into a vertical co-living environment for students. Located in the academic epicenter of Boston, surrounded by institutions like Northeastern, Berklee, and the Boston Architectural College, the site holds the potential to serve the very population it has long overlooked. 

The design strategy centers on a modular four-story stacking system that integrates living units with shared kitchens, study lounges, wellness pods, and green terraces. These clusters spiral around a central spine, a vertical social core that weaves moments of interaction into the daily rhythm of living. The new facade becomes a living skin: softened with balconies, filtered with light, wrapped in green, inviting the city to witness a transformation not just of form, but of purpose. Methodologically, the thesis draws from precedent case studies in New York, Philadelphia, and Berlin, where adaptive reuse and cooperative housing models have reshaped the residential landscape. Site analysis, zoning and policy review, economic feasibility studies, and environmental performance simulations ground the proposal in practical viability while guiding its architectural expression. But beyond numbers and plans, this work is a meditation on belonging. It acknowledges that housing is not just a commodity, but a condition for well-being. It positions design as a tool not only for efficiency, but for empathy. And it offers a replicable framework—both spatial and strategic for cities grappling with similar imbalances between abundance and need.

City Within a Shell challenges the idea that buildings expire when their original function fades. Instead, it proposes that architecture can evolve layered, resilient, and generous. It suggests that within the walls we inherit, there is room to imagine something better: a city where vacancy is not a failure, but a beginning. Through this thesis, architecture becomes an act of reclamation of space, of purpose, and of the right to belong.

This project won the Edwin T. Steffian Award, Best of M.Arch Thesis. 

the informal Formal: a third way out by Yamen al Mohtar, B.Arch ’25
American University of Beirut | Advisor: Makram Al Kadi

In today’s world, where architecture is designed down to every small detail, spontaneity has been cast aside in favor of control. However, while being true in certain cities, this reality is in no way universal. That is because in most countries and cities, designed architecture is only a fraction of what is built. Most buildings are built without architects, without engineers or professionals, sometimes even without builders. This language of architecture is embodied in various informalities, ranging from informal neighborhoods and slums to temporary structures and “spontaneous” buildings built out of necessity.

This thesis exploration delves into questions regarding this untapped space, asking questions like: What if informality emerges not as a product of circumstance, but as a personalized method of design? What if different classes of society can be brought together through the incorporation of the informal into formal design? How can we use informality as a design method that could be applied universally, providing unique spatial qualities that would otherwise be exclusive to a few? What if there’s a new design process? One which is neither formal nor informal, but one which has the virtues of both and the downsides of none?

The Corridor, Neighborhood Center by Alejandro Rodríguez Torres, B.Arch ’25
Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro | Advisors: Guillermo Márquez, Patricia Cutiño & Jorge Javier

The goal of the project is to meet the need for a dignified central space that honors the history and cultural legacy of the San Francisquito neighborhood. It seeks to strengthen community unity through a specialized program that will position the project as a local and regional landmark. This space will integrate areas dedicated to recreation, culture, gastronomy and coexistence, key aspects to revitalize and strengthen the social fabric of the community.

Located in front of the Divina Pastora parish church, ‘El Corredor’ will become the main square of the neighborhood, housing a food market, culinary workshops and a multi-purpose esplanade. This space will host sporting, cultural, religious and recreational events, consolidating, together with the parish church, as the main cultural and social centre of the San Francisquito neighborhood.

The architectural approach focuses on creating a vibrant and cohesive neighborhood centre that not only revitalizes a neglected environment, but also becomes the beating heart of the community. Designed to bring residents together, our space promotes coexistence and collaboration, while driving local economic development and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the neighborhood. By integrating recreational, commercial and cultural zones, we have conceived a place where every corner invites interaction, learning and creativity. This project will not only transform the urban landscape but also strengthen community ties, providing an environment where everyone feels included and valued.

Instagram: @atorres025, @arquitectura_anahuac

The Urban Ecology Center by Sydney Tucker, M.Arch ’25
Kansas State University | Advisor: Chad Schwartz

Situated along the dry Salt River corridor near Tempe Town Lake Dam, this Urban Ecology Center serves as a restorative retreat, not only for the urban community, but for the native ecologies that once sustained the riverbed. Grounded in historical research and indigenous knowledge, particularly the Hohokam’s advanced canal systems, the design reclaims the site’s legacy of environmental ingenuity. The project frames architecture as a medium for ecological education, offering spaces that reveal the riverbed’s hydrological function and potential for regeneration. The center looks to reconnect the public to the origins of Tempe and Phoenix, inviting reflection on how design can reconcile disruptions of urbanization and foster a more resilient future in Tempe.

Instagram: @sydneytucker1, @cjs_arch

Eco-corridor by Tinarith Tann, B.Arch ’25
New York Institute of Technology | Advisor: Jeannette Sordi

Far Rockaway, located at the eastern end of the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York, is a coastal community uniquely situated between two bodies of water: Jamaica Bay to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Despite offering natural beauty, its geographical setting is vulnerable to flooding, especially during extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, nor’easters, and intense coastal storms.

This thesis project designs eco-corridors—living pathways that transform unused urban spaces into a continuous green network stretching from downtown Far Rockaway to the water. These connections will revive neglected areas while addressing multiple challenges at once: managing stormwater and providing people with beautiful, functional natural and indoor spaces.

Click here to learn more.

This project was featured in the NYC Design Week, NYIT Exhibition.

Instagram:  @narith___, @jeannettesordi

BARN REIMAGINED: Adaptive Reuse as Environmental Stewardship by Kevin Johnson & Leanne Vera, M.Arch ’25
University of Notre Dame | Advisor: Ming Hu

This design aims to propose a barn complex that addresses LEEF’s mission of “Science Serving Society”, creating a functional complex that meets the need for public and private uses, enhances user views towards the Eagle’s Nest, and responds sensitively to the climatic conditions of the site while integrating into the landscape with minimal interventions to appear as if it were always there. At the core of the project, we sought to integrate sustainable design strategies as a link between LEEF’s mission and the architect’s duty to the environment.

We decided to orient the barn’s front facade, which contains the large triangular window, directly towards the existing Eagle’s Nest, which is a mainstay of the existing LEEF site. This orients the building roughly SE and maximizes the barn’s solar capabilities. The Solarium takes the orientation of the existing pavilion in order to maximize solar gain.

By keeping the building footprints small and separating the massings, we were able to reduce excessive heating, cooling and energy expenses. We also emphasized the importance of the natural prairie habitat as the predominant landscape and tried to minimize additional landscaping. Additionally, we propose utilizing local materials and adding a rainwater collection system for reuse in the LEEF facilities.

Our project embodies a holistic approach to adaptive reuse by thoughtfully preserving the historic Gothic arch barn and integrating it within a sustainably designed complex that supports LEEF’s mission of “Science Serving Society.” By achieving net-zero energy usage, implementing rainwater harvesting, restoring prairie ecosystems, and utilizing locally sourced materials, our proposal not only preserves the historic barn but also sets a precedent for future environmentally conscious adaptive reuse projects. 

La Factoría del Pueblo, Artist’s temporary internship by Estefania Vizcaya, B.Arch ’25
Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro | Advisors: Guillermo Márquez, Patricia Cutiño & Jorge Javier

The project “La Factoría del Pueblo” is about La Santa Cruz, and [was] created to provide temporary housing for artists seeking support to grow in the creative sector of the visual arts (painting and sculpture), in addition to creating a community among people who are interested in this subject and want to learn and soak up this art.

The design is sectioned to create different buildings and between them, small niches that help creativity and environment, all of them are united by a central square that has different ways of use, all with the purpose of uniting people who live there or visit the space to create a community. 

The materiality was chosen to minimize maintenance requirements for the space, as it is social. Therefore, we also created modules with frosted glass brick featuring thermal insulation to provide privacy and comfort to the space. We also have the steel rusted so that the spaces have more color; on the other hand, the materiality of slabs and walls is of apparent concrete. But also with the exteriors, the circulation is of paving stone, which is used locally for the different spaces.

Finally, the construction system is very important; the concrete was fused with steel, which led to having columns of HSS beams that are poured with concrete and perimeter beams covered with CPS profiles. In this way, it is possible to make a union with the apparent ribbed slab that has a support for the concrete retaining wall.

Instagram: @fannyvizcaya, @arquitectura_anahuac, @arqwave

VARIANT MINDS: DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSITY IN OFFICES by Maya Schiltz, B.Arch ’25
Kennesaw State University | Advisor: Robin Puttock

As society progresses, the stigma around neurodiversity is gradually fading, yet full acceptance and accommodation remain a work in progress. While programs exist for low- and medium-functioning neurodiverse individuals, high-functioning adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder often find themselves struggling to navigate environments designed for neurotypical minds. This thesis explores how workplace design can better accommodate the needs of neurodiverse employees, enhancing productivity, well-being, and inclusion.

Neurodiversity refers to the natural diversity in human cognition, encompassing the wide range of how people think, learn, and process the world around them, including conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Estimates suggest that 15-20% of the population may have a neurodivergent condition. The conditions this thesis will be focusing on are ADHD, which involves challenges with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, as well as autism, which involves difficulties in social communication and repetitive behaviors. These conditions were chosen due to how frequently they overlap, both in diagnostic criteria and social diagnosis. There are many benefits to embracing neurodiverse individuals, such as unique perspectives, innovative thinking, and heightened attention to detail. Research shows that neurodiverse teams can even outperform neurotypical ones. For example, Hewlett Packard Enterprise found that

their neurodiverse teams were 30% more productive than neurotypical ones when given the resources to succeed. Despite their potential, neurodiverse individuals face significant barriers to employment. In the United States, the unemployment rate for individuals on the autism spectrum exceeds 90% and 30% for ADHD, compared to the 4.2% national average.

This thesis proposes a framework to achieve inclusive office design with three key zones: individual workspaces with reduced distractions, collaboration areas supporting varied communication styles, and restoration spaces for stress management and sensory recovery. To find the optimal layout of these zones, precedents were chosen based on their positive performance in post-occupancy surveys and analyzed for their programmatic spatial ratios and sequence, then synthesized with existing neurodiverse design research. Redesigning oces to support neurodiversity comes with challenges, including costs, space constraints, and cultural resistance. However, prioritizing inclusivity in workplace design is not only a matter of fairness but also a practical strategy to enhance creativity, innovation, and organizational performance for neurodiverse and neurotypical employees alike.

This project was recognized as a Thesis Finalist (Top 5 of 90+).

Click here to learn more.

Instagram: @mayaschiltz, @robinzputtock

Urban Poverty: The Villas in Argentina by Lizbeth M. Padilla-González, B.Arch ’25
Pontifical Catholica University of Puerto Rico | Advisors: Jesús O. García-Beauchamp & Pedro A. Rosario-Torres

Urban poverty has emerged as a complex challenge affecting millions globally, profoundly impacting residents of informal settlements and marginalized neighborhoods. This multifaceted issue extends beyond economic deprivation to encompass inadequate access to essential services, substandard housing, food insecurity, limited educational opportunities, and systemic social exclusion. These challenges are intrinsically linked to economic inequality, spatial segregation, and evolving urban structures.

This architectural proposal addresses these challenges within Villa 21-24 (Villa Zavaleta) in Argentina through a comprehensive urban master plan that reimagines the existing urban fabric. Drawing inspiration from the consolidated city’s formal grid system, the design introduces strategic reorganization that enhances spatial articulation, improves connectivity, and establishes a foundation for transformative architectural interventions.

The project’s cornerstone is a major linear park traversing the settlement from north to south, serving as both an organizing spine and vital public space for community cohesion. Three strategically positioned mixed-use buildings line this central corridor, creating a dynamic interface between public and private realms. The ground and second levels house essential community programs, including dining facilities, technology education centers, libraries, vocational workshops, gymnasiums, children’s recreation areas, and flexible rental spaces for local entrepreneurs. These elements were selected through comprehensive community needs assessments to strengthen social networks, enhance quality of life, and foster comprehensive development pathways.

The upper levels accommodate diverse residential typologies, from studio units to three-bedroom apartments, serving varied family structures within the community. Each dwelling incorporates terraces and balconies strategically oriented toward recreational areas, fostering visual connections with green infrastructure and reinforcing the relationship between private living spaces and communal areas. The buildings employ a brick façade system providing effective solar protection and thermal regulation while maintaining authentic integration with the existing urban landscape, where brick represents one of the most prevalent and culturally significant building materials in the region. This material choice exemplifies the project’s commitment to environmental responsiveness and contextual sensitivity.

Click here to learn more.

Instagram: @Lizbethmarie_1

Quintero Bay: A Breakthrough by Georgia Fernandes, Maïssa Eid, Patricio Munoz & Dutt Patel, M.S.AUD (Masters of Science in Architecture and Urban Design) ’25
Columbia University | Advisors: Kate Orff, Geeta Mehta, Gabriel Vergara, Sebastian Delpino, Emanuel Admassu & Lucas Coelho

Quintero Bay, once a thriving coastal ecosystem in Chile, has become one of the country’s most heavily polluted sacrifice zones. Years of industrial activity have contaminated the air, land, and sea, deeply impacting the health and livelihoods of its residents. The region powers 7% of Chile’s energy, yet the communities living here have received only environmental harm in return.

Our project, inspired by the work of local feminist collective MUZOSARE, envisions a future rooted in healing and co-existence. Rather than erase the industrial past, we aim to repurpose it. The phased closure of the Codelco copper smelter offers a unique opportunity to restore wetlands, uncover buried sand dunes, and adapt former factories into community hubs for housing, research, culture, and ecological stewardship.

Guided by the principles of revitalizing, repurposing, and community development, the design introduces green corridors, nature-based ports, and SLAG LABS to transform industrial waste into public infrastructure. Residents can participate in restoration through income or social credit-based programs, reactivating the local economy while building environmental resilience.

This is not just a vision for Quintero Bay—it’s a model for all sacrifice zones. By integrating policy, ecology, and community leadership, the project offers a blueprint for transforming places of harm into living territories of shared futures.

This project won the Lucille Smyser Lownfish Memorial Prize.

Instagram: @g__fernandes, @misssoouuuu, @pamb.070, @duttpatel108, @mehtageeta999, @sdelpino_arq, @gabrielvergarag, @lucascoelhonetto, @eadmassu

Rhythmic Ribbons by Tadhg McDonald, M.Arch ’25
Lawrence Technological University | Advisor: Masataka Yoshikawa

The goal of this design was to highlight the site’s seclusion from the rest of Belle Isle and how it is reinforced by the relationship between the existing built and natural environments. This relationship influenced the formal design elements through the utilization of both orthogonal and curved walls. The orthogonal walls represent the built environment, while the curved walls represent the natural [environment.] The main generator for the site’s seclusion was the journey that any site visitors have to travel in order to reach the secluded core of the site. From the parking lot, the visitor can partially see all of the stunning views of the site, but they do not get the full experience until they have passed through the lines of trees and the Kresge Pavilion. This idea of Path vs. Goal was heavily influential for the interior design of this new construction. Overall, the site’s inherent seclusion, journey, and built and natural confines create a uniquely private experience for all visitors.

Instagram: @ta.dhg, @masataka.yoshikawa

Urban Apex Hub – Sustainable Tourism: A Path to the Reconstruction of Urban Spaces by Louis Y. Sepúlveda-Homs, B.Arch ’25
Pontifical Catholica University of Puerto Rico | Advisors: Jesús O. García-Beauchamp, Pilarín Ferrer-Viscasillas & Pedro A. Rosario-Torres

Urban decay is a persistent condition in many contemporary cities, leading to the deterioration of physical infrastructure, the disappearance of cultural identity, and the disconnection between communities and their environments. This capstone investigates the potential of sustainable tourism as a catalyst for the reconstruction of such spaces, proposing an architectural and urban intervention that integrates ecological, cultural, and economic dimensions. Titled “Urban Apex Hub – Sustainable Tourism: A Path to the Reconstruction of Urban Spaces,” the project is located in the deteriorated historic center of Río Grande, Puerto Rico, a site marked by abandonment, weak pedestrian infrastructure, and lack of public activation.

This research explores the intersection between landscape urbanism, urban obsolescence, and ecotourism as strategic tools to regenerate neglected urban cores. Drawing from the theories of Charles Waldheim on landscape as a framework for urbanization, Kevin Lynch’s concept of urban obsolescence, and Richard Butler’s tourism area lifecycle model, the proposal envisions a hybrid public space that merges architecture and nature. The program includes an eco-conscious hotel, a cultural center for local expression and education, and a public market that supports local entrepreneurship and food sustainability.

The methodology combines site analysis, ecological mapping, and community engagement to develop a masterplan focused on walkability, stormwater management, cultural preservation, and green infrastructure. Key spatial strategies include the use of interior gardens, green roofs, permeable surfaces, and open-air courtyards that enhance microclimates and support social interaction. The project also addresses tourism from a critical lens, proposing a model that attracts ecotourists to under-visited urban areas while empowering local communities.

Urban Apex Hub reimagines tourism as more than a temporary activity; it becomes a long-term drive for environmental stewardship, cultural resilience, and economic regeneration. By rooting the architectural proposal in the specific ecological and social context of Río Grande, the project demonstrates how sustainable tourism can actively participate in reconfiguring urban identity and restoring meaning to forgotten spaces. Ultimately, this research advocates for an architecture that is not only responsive to climate and place, but also capable of reshaping the narrative of urban decline into one of collective renewal.

Click here to learn more.

Instagram: @arch.louis_yarell

Ecologies of Extraction: Reclaiming Industrial Landscapes for Ecological and Social Renewal by Anna MacDonald, B.Arch ’25
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Advisor: Lauren McQuistion

The remediation of declining industrial landscapes in cities can serve as a catalyst for reimagining the urban fabric through the establishment of resilient infrastructure and renewed community connections. Newark’s industrial zone exemplifies the tensions and possibilities of this transformation, revealing how design, policy, and environmental strategies can converge to reshape industrial spaces. Industrial landscapes have long been shaped by economic shifts, ecological negligence, and urban expansion. As industries shrink or relocate, their physical remnants—factories, warehouses, rail lines, and contaminated land—present both challenges and opportunities for urban and ecological transformation. 

The transition to sustainable, post-industrial cities requires strategies that integrate environmental remediation, adaptive reuse, and equitable redevelopment. Newark, NJ, serves as just one extreme example of the contaminated, underutilized industrial landscapes that permeate U.S. cities, and regulatory agencies must implement a framework for transforming modern industrial zones through sustainable infrastructure, ecological restoration, and social equity. Strategic interventions explored in this study establish a model for cities to move beyond extractive histories toward climate-conscious and socially inclusive futures, demonstrating how industrial spaces can evolve into regenerative landscapes.

This project won the ARCC King Award, Wentworth School of Architecture and Design: Design Excellence Award.

Instagram:@annarmacdonald, @mc.quistion

WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE by Madisyn Hunter, M.Arch ’25
Florida A&M University | Advisors: George Epolito, Andrew Chin & Ronald B. Lumpkin

WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE: THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE KATRINA ON THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF MUSICIANS AND THE EVALUATION OF ARCHITECTURAL LANDSCAPES

This thesis examines the intersection of architectural innovation and cultural resilience in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, focusing specifically on its impact on the creative processes of young musicians in New Orleans. The project investigates how architectural design can serve as both a physical and emotional safeguard against future natural disasters, while simultaneously nurturing cultural expression and healing.

Following Katrina’s devastation, rebuilding efforts largely favored traditional architecture over progressive design solutions—often reinforcing systemic inequities and overlooking the creative lifeblood of the city’s youth. Yet, in the face of limited resources and widespread destruction, many musicians returned to their craft, channeling trauma into vibrant, transformative art. This thesis argues that their resilience and creativity were not merely responses to adversity but vital threads in New Orleans’ cultural recovery.

The research combines case studies, archival data, and design analysis to explore how architecture can support post-disaster recovery by integrating cultural spaces within resilient infrastructure. The proposed design envisions floating structures that act as creative havens—spaces for performance, collaboration, and remembrance. These architectural interventions respond not only to storm surge patterns and environmental threats but also to the need for safe, inclusive places that honor the city’s musical heritage and provide psychological support.

Ultimately, “When the Levees Broke” presents a vision for architecture that does more than mitigate disaster—it becomes a catalyst for cultural preservation, artistic growth, and long-term community healing. The thesis underscores that in a city where music is a lifeline, architecture must rise to meet both environmental and emotional needs with equal care.

Instagram: @famusaet, @famu_masterofarch

Lazo by Rafael Martínez Marín, B.Arch ’25
Tecnológico de Monterrey | Advisor: Claudia Berenice Muciño García

The abandonment of Puebla’s Historic Center stems from urban, economic, and social transformations that, since the city’s founding, have triggered segregation and displacement, altering its residential character. In the 20th century, urban sprawl and the creation of new housing zones pushed residents out of the center. This trend was deepened by economic crises, weak public policy, and a lack of housing incentives, leaving many buildings in disrepair and community life fractured.

In recent decades, the city’s designation as a World Heritage Site and the growth of tourism have transformed the center into a commercial hub, further reinforcing residential abandonment and neglecting the development of its original neighborhoods.

This study focuses on the Analco neighborhood, a place deeply affected by these dynamics. It now faces advanced deterioration and insecurity. Through documentary research, interviews, comparative analysis, and analogous case studies, the project identifies patterns, challenges, and opportunities that have shaped Analco’s transformation.

As a response, the architectural project “Lazo” proposes a strategy to reconnect the neighborhood with its people. Situated on two plots separated by a street, the design links them through a habitable bridge that becomes both a symbolic and functional connector. This elevated structure hosts cultural, educational, and social programs that strengthen community bonds.

More than a finished object, the project is conceived as an open and adaptable system, shaped through community involvement. Public space is the core of the proposal, with plazas, open workshops, and shared courtyards designed to encourage interaction and daily use. The program includes classrooms, artisan workshops, a communal kitchen, and exhibition areas—spaces that promote learning, creativity, and the transmission of local knowledge.

The bridge redefines the street not as a boundary but as a space of encounter, promoting pedestrian movement and intergenerational exchange. “Lazo” becomes not just a building, but an infrastructure of care, identity, and continuity—an active agent in the regeneration of one of Puebla’s most historic yet neglected neighborhoods.

The capstone was recognized as Best Generation Project by Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Instagram: @rafamtz._, @arq.pue.tec

Empowering Communities by Carlos Victor Coelho, M.Arch ’25
Boston Architectural College | Advisors: Ralph Jackson & Ian F. Taberner

SOCIAL ARCHITECTURE’S IMPACT ON URBAN BARRIERS IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

This thesis proposal focuses on the tension between formal and informal settlements in Latin American countries, particularly in Brazil, where urban barriers contribute to sociocultural inequality. These barriers, including spatial, economic, and political exclusions, create challenges for informal settlements, such as infrastructure disadvantages and limited access to opportunities. By asking the following questions, this proposal suggests establishing a social hub in a low-income community within informal settlements, emphasizing the importance of considering its unique conditions and challenges in planning urban interventions. 

The Social Hub aims to break down social and cultural barriers through social architectural intervention. This intervention will act as a powerful tool to provide equal access to essential resources and services, such as food and water. The initiative also aims to promote social equality and inclusion. This proposal suggests establishing the social hub in an informal settlement in Vitoria, ES, Brazil. To achieve its goal, the proposed site, approximately 1.8 acres, is situated in a sloped informal neighborhood within the heart of the city and the Historical center, rich in cultural and historical relevance.

Methods of Inquiry:

– How can social architecture in informal settlements increase the quality of life and social equality?

– What challenges and barriers do urban barriers within low-income communities bring to them?

– How can deconstructing urban barriers through architecture help guarantee needy community residents’ right to the city and ensure integration and equality?

Term of Criticism:

– Does the proposal project help overcome challenges such as the urban barrier within the community?

– Does the proposal present a structure that fulfills the community’s significant needs, such as food access, education, and public space?

– Does the project offer a structure that encourages the community’s involvement and inspires pride and opportunities

This project received Commends for Thesis.

Power In Displacement by Raneen Alaani, M.Arch ’25
Boston Architectural College | Advisors: Lorraine Kung & Ian F. Taberner

Planting roots in extended exile – Disintegrating refugee camp boundaries.

This research investigates establishing a sense of security, resilience, and preservation of cultural identity for Palestinian refugee communities in the Middle East. These communities have been struggling with instability and feeling that they have been uprooted from their homes for many decades. The political status of most of these refugees complicates the issue even further. Palestinian refugees in many Middle Eastern countries fall under the status of “stateless”. This dilemma is not only affecting their social and economic lives, but it is detrimental to their psychological and emotional wellbeing as they continue to feel imprisoned within the intangible boundaries of their refugee camps.

  • Creation of a safe haven to exhibit communal memory that reminisces the homeland
  • A place of attachment that empowers the culture, religion and heritage
  • The use of natural light to invoke healing – peace – tranquility

Methods of Inquiry:

  • Sense of security and stability is restored
  • Refugee community’s youth have aspirations for their future
  • Self-esteem and self worth is restored

Terms of Criticism:

Alzarqaa refugee camp is only a few kilometers outside of Amman, Jordan. It is one of the oldest refugee camps in the region (UNRWA Jordan). Alzarqaa camp struggles with density and lack of job opportunities in addition to water scarcity, lack of resources, and lack of natural light. This thesis proposes a resilience center of approximately 9000 SF just outside the bounds of the camp that acts as a continuation of the community extending just beyond the boundaries of the camp.”

This project received Commends for Thesis.

Stay tuned for Part XII!

2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase - Part XII

/in , , /by

Now more than ever, sustainability is a top concern in architecture as we continue to witness the impacts of climate change. Part XII of the 2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase features projects that promote sustainable, eco-friendly practices.

From design solutions to reduce the production of harmful greenhouse gases to innovative use of green technologies such as rainwater harvesting, solar cells, etc), this showcase presents various strategies to address sustainability concerns. The featured projects seek to support not only humankind but the flora and fauna that share the planet as well. The award-winning designs also emphasize the importance of community preservation, integration, and education.

Spirit of Water, Empire of Sun Designing for Desert Living by Nate Dansie, BS in Architecture ‘24
University of Virginia | Advisor: Mona El Khafif

Historically, the Southwest [of the] United States has been defined as a place of rampant westward expansion by American citizens in one of the most iconic landscapes on this planet. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southwest has gone through a renewal of rapid growth, where the landscape of mountains and sand has transformed from monuments of nature to backdrops for newly planned communities. 

Through a society driven by individual and economic success, these large development projects in growing towns are made as cheaply and quickly as possible. This becomes a plastic city in a landscape that is losing its identity as it continues to fill with more and more people. In hand with this increasing population, the Southwest is facing some of the most prominent climate change effects in the world. From rising temperatures, spreading desertification, and uncontrollable wildfire, to the most severe drought in the last 1,200 years, the future of desert living will be defined by how we adapt to climate change’s outcomes. This unsustainable growth of capital-driven small-town populations in juxtaposition to the increasing effects of climate change provides a dangerous future that we are heading towards. The city of St. George, Utah typifies these conditions and serves as the site for this thesis proposal. Known as one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States, it is dealing with one of the most severe water crises- with the demand for water expected to pass the supply by the year 2030.

The story of this town needs to shift from a one-directional water system into a cyclical and sustainable metabolism that addresses all scales of design. The proposed solution comes through a duality of increasing the water supply through a new master-planned housing typology at the community scale, and a sociological shift in our relationship with water through the architectural and individual scale to conserve what we have. We must reinvent how we live in a place to accommodate sustainable urban growth and amplify the original identity and ecology of the desert landscape.

This project was recognized as the Best Project of the 2023 Thesis Cohort.

Instagram: @natedansie.design, @aschool_uva

Skyscraper/ Megastructure Design Studio by Ko Harmes, B. Arch ’24
Endicott College | Advisor: Robert Augustine

Concept Brief: Eco-Portal to a Sustainable Future in the City of Boston

Located on a waterfront site, near the Charlestown Naval Yard, this advanced Mega Structure / Skyscraper / “Eco-Ark” serves as an inspiration for a sustainable, green future.

These two, organic-shaped, net zero towers, serve as stewards of the environment, featuring living green roofs and balconies that mitigate urban heat island effects. Special features include large, multi-story green-walled atriums, rainwater harvesting systems, and thin solar cell glass windows that generate over 25% of the power used by the facilities.

Built, in part, from the recycled remnants of the adjacent Tobin Bridge, currently slated for demolition, these organic-shaped towers celebrate advancements in environmentally responsive, sustainable, green technologies. 

The Site: One of potentially the most important landmark sites along Boston’s harborfront, the existing site can currently be described as mostly “a parking lot”… a hardscape/ industrial wasteland. The proposal re-establishs an eco-system that re-introduces nature back into this brittle area that once was home to native species of plants like the Sugar Maple, Eastern White Pine, Highbush Blueberry and Woodland Sunflower also helping re-introduce wildlife and pollinators back into the ecosystem.

Program: Mixed-use apartments, shopping malls, hospitality/ hotel space and a large informational eco-sphere / sky bridge, suspended between the two towers provide a green sky garden and a digital communication outer sphere. 

Structure

A mega core with an outrigger framing system, similar to that used in the construction of the Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest skyscraper standing today. The mega core system requires larger cross sections in addition to a shear wall that is part of a composite core or reinforced concrete. This allows for the system to have no column or shear walls on the outer perimeter because the mega core can resist all the vertical and lateral loads.

Facilitating Extrastructure by Reilly Walker, M. Arch ‘24
University of Toronto | Advisor: Jeannie Kim

Amidst a megadrought, Arizona has announced water-saving plans that include direct potable reuse: upgrading municipal wastewater treatment facilities to produce effluent suitable for processing into drinking water. In this high-risk decision, how can these new additions create spaces that are interwoven with the communities they serve? This thesis focuses upon the fenceline as the experiential threshold of these typically off-limits facilities: interlacing fence and building to provide new vantage points; manipulating border and landscape to provide new visual access; and transforming the boundary into an infrastructure of maintenance and care.
Instagram: @reindustrial

Village of the Levy: Switchgrass by  Brenda R. Castillo, B. Arch ’24
University of Houston | Advisor: Roya Plauche

“The Village of the Levy” is a visionary project dedicated to nurturing and caring for the Earth by creating a machine composed of natural systems and ecosystems that fulfill environmental, architectural, and cultural roles. This project centers around switchgrass, a perennial grass with incredible potential for improving soil health, flood control, and carbon sequestration. Through detailed micro and macro studies, the project explores the morphology, structure, and growth of switchgrass and its suitability for producing cellulosic ethanol, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ethanol sources.

The project conceptualizes “Switchgrass Pods,” establishing a village of programmed framed systems within one of the many placement areas proposed by Project 9 on the Houston Ship Channel. These systems protest against the existing refinery infrastructure along Buffalo Bayou, highlighting the need for sustainable practices. The site integrates human, natural, and industrial ecology, by programmatically offering a research and nature center for the adjacent communities. 

The project includes potential site planning and urban/architectural responses, culminating in detailed floor plans, sections, and isometric views of the “machines.” “The Village of the Levy” aims to create a system between nature and urban development, demonstrating the potential for ecological innovation in addressing environmental challenges.

This project won the Super Jury First Place prize.

Instagram: @brcarq, @rocio.arq, @royaplauche

ReGen Hall by Lexi Hudson, Saba Abdolshahi, Michael Alada, Dariya Fallon, Catherine Graubard, Marcell Hajmuhammad, Qin He, Ruiqi Huang, Zane Johnson & Sarah Rosseau, MSSD (Sustainable Design) / M. Arch / B. Arch / Chemical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering ’24
University of Texas at Austin | Advisor: Michael Garrison

Addressing the pressing need for student housing at UT, ReGen Hall integrates ecological sustainability and affordability while meeting the housing requirements of Dell Medical students and the adjacent neighborhood. Positioned at a unique edge between Austin’s East Campus and the historic Blackland neighborhood, ReGen Hall prioritizes health through its design, program, materials, and environmental considerations. The design promotes collaborative living, encouraging community interaction and adaptability through interconnected spaces.

The design features seven courtyards, providing medical students with outdoor access and spaces for respite. Optimal cross-ventilation is ensured through thoughtful window placement and modular design, enhancing air quality within residences and communal areas. To accommodate varying schedules, bedrooms are equipped with rolling exterior shading systems for daylight control, while sound insulation was considered to ensure residents’ sleep quality. 

Sustainable practices are integral, incorporating Passive House level insulation as well as a photovoltaic system on the roof and western facade to achieve net zero operational energy. ReGen Hall exemplifies a holistic approach to sustainable architecture through both design and engineering.

Further enriching community engagement, the ground floor hosts a free clinic staffed by medical residents, offering essential services to the historically underserved Blackland neighborhood. The project’s modular construction reduces costs, absorbing the upfront cost of high-performance insulation and photovoltaics. Designed with consideration for neighborhood scale, the building steps in height from two stories along the neighborhood side to six stories facing the university, responding to community feedback for enhanced integration and preservation of local character.

This project was a 2024 Solar Decathlon Design Challenge Finalist. 

Instagram: @utsolarhorns, @utsoa

Fort Point Channel: Gillette Site by William Prout, BS in Architecture ’24
Roger Williams University | Advisor: Edgar Adams

The planned movement of manufacturing facilities from Gillette’s Boston headquarters to a remote site provides a unique opportunity to explore the potential of this crucial site as an exploration of the issues of sustainable density and coastal resilience. The site is a vulnerable pathway for the flooding of the Fort Point Neighborhood and a crucial link between the Seaport and South Boston.

Suburban Symbiosis: Balancing Ecology and Economics in Suburban Development by Diego Courtney, M. Arch ’24
Lawrence Technological University | Advisor: Scott Shall

Following World War II, a mass exodus from cities to suburbs necessitated new building patterns that prioritized economics and speed over environmental considerations, changing landscapes and having a negative influence on ecosystems. This growth, which we now know as sprawl, combined with profit-driven motives, has led to an emphasis on quick, low-cost construction methods like stick framing, which frequently ignore the impact on the local environment and result in significant waste. In the profit-driven model, the residential development process begins with street layout, then lot/parcel maximization, with ecological and landscaping considerations as afterthoughts. This foregrounds the concerns of the car over the environment, prompting developers to sterilize the environment, resulting in fragmented habitats and homogeneous ecosystems that are detrimental to regional biodiversity. 

The consequences of this uncontained sprawl, which are already significant, will be exposed by the inevitable natural disasters, which are anticipated to become more frequent as a result of climate change. The current suburban development pattern is flawed, outdated, and unprepared for these environmental changes which we must contend with as architects.

To investigate this concern, this thesis will investigate an alternative development pattern, tested within the parameters of a neighborhood located within the rapidly sprawling city of Austin, Texas. This development strategy is intended to balance economic needs with environmental sustainability, with the goal of establishing a widely adopted, US-based model that corresponds with current economic proformas while regenerating and preserving the surrounding ecology. This thesis aims to address the concerns of both profit and the environment by attempting to achieve symbiosis with the environment at the suburban scale using the Living Building Challenge.

Instagram: @diego_courtney, @scott_shall

Choreography of Topography: Dalieh’s Calibrated Auto-Datum & E-co Interplay by Doria Doubal, B. Arch ’24
American University of Beirut | Advisors: Dr. Howayda Al-Harithy & Sinan Hassan

“Choreography of Topography: Dalieh’s Calibrated Auto-Datum & E-co Interplay” redefines the concept of ground by exploring its philosophical and spatial dimensions. Ground is not just a physical foundation but a dynamic entity influenced by the interaction of natural and artificial forces. This thesis examines Dalieh, a site in Beirut known for its historical significance as a vineyard, characterized by perpetual transformation.

The architecture harnesses humidity for irrigation, uses solar and wind energy to generate movement, and incorporates systems that expand, contract, inflate, and deflate in response to environmental conditions.

Central to this approach are the metaphors of the pergola and fishnet, reflecting Dalieh’s identity and the daily lives of local fishermen. The interventions are connected physically and conceptually by a temporal grid put throughout the site that interacts with the ground, people, and birds. Key interventions include:

  1. Reintegrating Lost Identity: Revitalizing the site by planting a vineyard and restoring Dalieh’s historical significance as a “vineyard” in Arabic.
  2. Vegetation Restoration: Addressing areas ruined by construction, this intervention includes:
  • Mist & Propel: Harvests atmospheric moisture to cool the air and disperse seeds.
  • Eco-Kinetic Soil Revive: Uses kinetic mechanisms to aerate the soil and inject nutrients.
  • Seed Shooter: Disperses native seeds to promote biodiversity.
  • AquaBloom Irrigator: Collects fog moisture for irrigation.

These systems regenerate the soil and enhance flora and fauna for public use.

  1. Vegetation Conservation: Attracting birds and providing feeding and shelter areas, ensuring ecological balance and integrating human interaction through designed seating spaces.
  2. Fishermen Strip: Supporting the primary users of the site, this area creates a fluid connection between the corniche and the water, facilitating economic activities by day and transforming into cultural spaces by night.
  3. Temporal Grid: A flexible structure throughout the site, used by the public for various activities depending on the season, festivals, weather, and time of day.

This project embraces the temporality and ephemerality of Dalieh, creating an ever-evolving architecture that responds to the rhythms of nature and human activity. It reimagines ground as a multilayered, dynamic entity, fostering a harmonious interplay between the environment and its users.

This project was the 3rd Place Winner of the Areen Projects Awards for Excellence in Architecture.

Instagram: @ard_aub

From Waste to Wealth: Food and Community Nexus by Fatema Dula & Rachel Aronbayev, M. Arch ’24
New York Institute of Technology | Advisors: Marcela Del Signore & Evan Shieh

The food waste processing facility is strategically designed to bridge both the literal and metaphorical divide between the hilltop favela residents in São Cristóvão, and the bustling food market below, a critical cultural hub. Situated on a hill, the facility not only connects these separate communities but also aims to serve as a vital nexus, enhancing interactions and mutual benefits between the informal settlements and the market. The facility is envisioned as a symbol of unity, sustainability, and progress, bringing together diverse groups for a common purpose.

The building is structured into three clusters, each dedicated to a specific treatment type: Composting, Anaerobic Digestion, and Recycling. Within each cluster, there are three distinct areas: a waste zone for processing, a communal area for collaborative activities, and a recreational space for leisure and relaxation. The design of these clusters ensures that the facility is not just a processing plant but a community center that encourages participation, education, and engagement in sustainable practices.

The three clusters are linked by a versatile circulation path that ranges from fully outdoor to semi-outdoor and indoor segments, enabling traversal from the hilltop down to the food market level. This path is designed to be accessible and inviting, with shaded walkways, benches, and educational signage about waste management and environmental stewardship. It serves as a continuous thread weaving through the facility, fostering a sense of connection and flow.

In addition to its primary function of waste processing, the facility is intended to host workshops, community meetings, and educational programs focused on sustainability. It aims to empower residents with the knowledge and tools to reduce waste, recycle more effectively, and participate in a circular economy. Through these initiatives, the facility aspires to create a more resilient and interconnected community.

Instagram: @fatty_2109, @marcelladelsi, @ev07

Natural Reflection: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Architecture through Biomimetic Design by Keenan Doricent, B. Arch ’24
Kennesaw State University | Advisor: Robin Puttock

The use of biomimetic design can be used to develop construction techniques and integrated building systems that reduce the increased amount of operational and embodied energy consumed by contemporary approaches to building. Factors like material production, site preparation, and equipment use are just a few examples of contributors to the amount of embodied energy consumed by a structure before it is even completed, while active building systems consume energy throughout the life of an occupied building. Because of greenhouse gasses, the long-term effects of historical and current architectural and infrastructural strategies have had a detrimental effect on the climate. The forest, desert, tundra, mountain, and aquatic biomes are all home to countless types of plant and animal life that adapted to their respective surroundings to become a part of the natural cycles that occur within any given area. This thesis project strives to study plants and animals that occupy and interact with the environment in order to reduce energy consumption and the ecological footprint of typical buildings.

This project was a finalist for the ARCC King Student Medal Award.

Instagram: @thenumber1fun, @xkdesign1

Powering Equality: Teaching Clean Energy on Multiple Grounds by Sabrina Innamorato, M. Arch ’24
New York Institute of Technology | Advisors: Marcella Del Signore & Evan Shieh

Due to the complex nature of the São Cristóvão neighborhood, in-depth research and an understanding of the mounting spatial and social issues were paramount prior to the development of an urban intervention for the city. Resiliency and vulnerability at the urban and human scale were analyzed through three interconnected lenses: social/cultural, environmental/ecological, and infrastructural/networked.

The proposal looks to develop public, peaceful nodes that operate on “urban collision” sites by hybridizing clean energy infrastructure with social programs. The proposal transforms former “pass-through” sites into places that are productive and social.

The concept is to allow the site context to inform an organizational armature. Building near the coast requires an attitude about not just having multiple floors of a building, but also about offsetting multiple ground planes. A diagrid column system acts not only as the main structure but also creates light wells and, at times, is occupied by supporting programs like egress cores or plumbing chases. There are a series of small pavilions for 5 clean energy systems: Geothermal, Hydro, Biogas, Wind, and Solar. The systems function on the site and the pavilions include teaching space to inform community members and stakeholders about the operation and importance of clean energy, while the space between is a public park. Ultimately the project is an infrastructural playscape.

Through a series of teaching pavilions, observable clean energy infrastructure, and public green space, the architecture provides a physical ground for knowledge building, where community members can become ambassadors for spatial and social change in São Cristóvão and beyond. The project looks to acknowledge and adapt to the already irreversible effects of climate change by offsetting and creating multiple grounds that anticipate and accept sea level rise, and simultaneously address the importance of mitigating future climate change. The park is a prototype for a larger strategy that can begin to bridge social and spatial divides and heal communities at an urban scale, by teaching clean energy on multiple grounds.

The project was presented at NYCxDesign 2024 Student Showcase at F.I.T., and the cartographic model was exhibited at Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy, along with the Gold Certificate of Excellence in Design and the ARCC King Medal.

Instagram: @sabrinainnamorato, @si_archidesign, @marcelladelsi, @ev07

UrbanSymbio by Bharat Satish & Nicholas Reid, M. Arch ’24
New York Institute of Technology | Advisors: Marcella Del Signore & Evan Shieh

The UrbanSymbio can be viewed as a self-sustaining and carbon-neutral organism that coexists harmoniously with its surrounding urban environment, promoting energy circularity in São Cristóvão. Its growth is guided by the cellular automation algorithm, which mimics natural processes of organic growth and adaptation, ensuring a sustainable and efficient use of resources. Like living organisms that evolve in response to their environment, this kit of parts expands and transforms itself based on the changing needs of its inhabitants and the available space within the urban fabric.

Its modular and flexible nature allows it to seamlessly infill and occupy underutilized or vacant spaces, repurposing and revitalizing them without causing significant demolition or displacement. This minimizes waste and maximizes the use of existing resources. The system’s self-organizing capabilities and sensitivity to changes within itself and its surroundings enable it to grow sustainably by utilizing renewable energy sources and implementing circular processes that minimize resource consumption and carbon footprint. Its adaptive nature ensures that as the city evolves, the system can continuously reconfigure itself to optimize energy efficiency and resource utilization, avoiding the creation of obsolete or redundant structures that contribute to urban blight and environmental degradation. This system could act as a prototype that could be implemented in any city worldwide.

Instagram: @0ero_persepctive, @unruly.don_, @marcelladelsi, @ev07

Dataism Motion Exhibition Center by Begimai Baibachaeva, B. Arch ’24
Boston Architectural College | Advisors: David Eccleston & Robert Gillig

Location: 40 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101 

Project: Exhibition Center

Site Description: Portland is a center of connectivity, equity, sustainability, and authenticity. Portland’s Eastern Waterfront is one of the primary economic hubs that serve as a center for travel, fishing, commerce, and shipping. Thus, it’s essential to continue supporting the waterfront in a rapidly changing world. The concept of the project is to revive Portland’s waterfront while celebrating its heritage and innovation. 

Considering that our site is a center of various activities, my vision was to create a seamless connection between the distinct boundaries of land and water, particularly through the exhibition hall experience, visually at the heart of the building. But also mimicking the freedom and fluidity of water, envisioning a scenario where these two natural elements (land and water) coexist harmoniously. The approach included providing people with access to water through strategic landscape design.

Concept: The architectural thesis envisions a dynamic synthesis of Umberto Boccioni’s “Development of a Bottle in Space” and the progressive essence of artificial intelligence, merging seemingly disparate concepts through the lens of time and motion. Set in Portland, Maine, the design employs curves in both the facade and interior spaces, integrating intelligent program design and enhancing the user experience. The primary structure, a space frame, supports the organic design, while a cylindrical curtain wall pays homage to Boccioni’s sculpture, marrying the rhythmic dance of form with the seamless interconnectivity of data.

This project received Commendations: Bachelor’s Degree Project in Architecture and the Edwin T. Steffian Centennial Award: Bachelor’s Degree Project in Architecture.

Instagram: @begimay_b_, @thebacboston

Walking with Gentle Giants by Manshi Manojkumar Parikh, M. Arch ’24
Boston Architectural College | Advisor: Ralph Jackson, FAIA

Humans have long sought to dominate and exploit every corner of the planet. As civilization advances, coexistence with other species becomes increasingly dystopian thought. Humans have harmed the environment and imposed our presence on the voiceless, including the majestic Asiatic elephants, who face abuse and exploitation, with some populations nearing extinction. Elephants act as ecosystem architects, playing a vital role as keystone species in creating forests and maintaining biodiversity. The endangerment of these critical species signals a potential loss of other interconnected species, jeopardizing nature’s essential services. Preserving nature and developing strategies to adapt to climate change is crucial for the survival of endangered species. Caring for animals and plants is about safeguarding the Earth’s natural caretakers. 

At the beginning of the last century, the world had 100,000 Asian elephants. Over the past three generations, their population has dwindled by at least 50 percent. India is home to more than 50 percent of the elephant population. Habitat reduction, fragmentation, commercial poaching, and the illegal trade of live elephants drive these nomadic creatures to near extinction. In December 2022, India reported the loss of almost 500 elephants due to electrocution, train collisions, poaching, and poisoning. This data underscores the challenges of protecting elephants, with most deaths in West Bengal caused by train collisions between 2012 and 2017. Since 2018, 379 elephants died from electrocution, 80 from train accidents, 40 from poaching, and 25 from poisoning. 

The aim [of this thesis] is to create a safe haven for these gentle giants, protecting them and the environment that makes our planet unique. A holistic design approach can bridge our worlds, fostering understanding and shared living. Through architecture, we can create a space where humanity’s impact shifts from exploitation to harmonious coexistence. This thesis explores solutions for conserving Asiatic elephants in the West Bengal region of India focusing on one of the elephant corridors situated between the Apalchand forest and the Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary, by designing a facility that serves as a refuge for elephants in need, inspiring, educating, and providing a research base for conservation. The goal is to enhance the well-being of these gentle giants with a holistic approach, creating a coexisting environment. This sanctuary aims to go beyond traditional conservation models, reviving the migration corridor and positively impacting both humans and elephants. 

This project received the M. Arch Thesis Commends.

Bio-Encapsulation by Justin Wolkenstein-Giuliano & Crystal Hope Giard, B. Arch ’24
Syracuse University | Advisors: Britt Eversole & Julie Larsen

Harmful freshwater and saltwater algae blooms, which are caused by phosphorous and nitrate from agricultural and wastewater runoff mixing with increasingly warm waters, constitute a widespread environmental crisis. As a response, architecture must develop environmentally responsible construction and innovate with novel materials. We propose that, in navigating ongoing ecological degradation from harmful algae blooms, we can develop a unique design language and material expression that captures problematic substances and redirects them toward literally constructive ends. 

Our design research explores the bio-material robotic fabrication possibilities that might arise from intervening in the environmental cycle of agricultural production, runoff, and algae growth. To give form to the formless and explore the aesthetics of the toxic, we built a prototype 3D algae printer that extracts algae from the environment and, using a proprietary admixture that we developed, redirects it to build novel architectural assemblies. Agricultural industries use a hydrogel called sodium polyacrylate to mitigate liquid runoff. When combined with liquid, this dry powder will absorb and expand, creating a gel. Our 3D printer makes use of existing sodium polyacrylate and existing toxic algae; when combined and then applied to sand mold formworks and allowed to cure, the algae hardens into three-dimensional forms and thin folded and warped surfaces. 

Our design research operates at a 1:1 scale, rather than analogs or models. In terms of size, we have managed to produce large-format components, approaching 3’-0” in length. However, the system, chemical combinations, and logic of manufacturing can scale up. The system we have created will serve to index a degrading ecology but also offer the possibility of creating a new cycle of pollution remediation and growth: one where design is not a solution to the toxicity of our world, but rather an opportunity to collaborate with toxins, resulting in a new formal language of bio-encapsulation.

Instagram: @syr_arch, @jmlarsen, @g_britt_eversole, @justinwg64

Saltscapes: Architectural Systems for Salt Reuse by Peiyu Luo & Shengxuan Yu, B. Arch ’24
Syracuse University | Advisors: Britt Eversole & Julie Larsen

Our design research investigates the many scales—local, regional, and continental—of the material and environmental economy of salt. Salt is both a naturally occurring and manmade substance that is entangled with the human environment. Salt is in and on our bodies and food. It is found in masonry, stucco, mortar, and cement. It is an essential substance in countless industries. Its most harmful application, however, is the massive amount of salt deployed on roads and highways during the winter to melt snow and prevent ice buildup. High concentrations of road salt circulate through the environment, leaching into the watershed where it harms plants and animals, especially amphibians.

Our project speculates on the role of architecture, infrastructure, and design in remediating the ongoing problem of salinization caused by road salt usage in the United States’s transportation infrastructure system. The salt used for wintertime road treatment is either extracted from mining or formed from the natural crystallization of salt flats. The enormous quantity of road salt used in the United States taps into a complex shipping network that moves salt around the Nation and even imports salt from multiple countries. Throughout the northeastern states, storage facilities for keeping and spreading the salt serve as the local nodes of this network, which underlines the architectural and infrastructural possibilities for intervening in this economy.

After visualizing the global and regional economies of salt, as well as the ways in which it reenters and pollutes local environments, we explored the possibility of building infrastructural interventions that would capture runoff and crystalize the road salt, making visible the enormous quantities of an otherwise invisible substance. We imagine occupying the medians of interstate freeways, where we would rebuild the architectural infrastructure of salt distribution and, more importantly, capture runoff and construct saltwater habitats. We explored different crystallization methods as well as substrates for the constructions, ultimately settling on engineered timber tetrapod units that could be structurally stacked or linked in predetermined geometric configurations, or piled and accumulated to create structures that rely on friction for their structural stability. Salt would accrue on the units and collect underneath them, while saltwater plant species would flourish and animals would take over other areas as habitats. However, given climate change, we project that the need for road salt will decrease as snowfall in the Northeast declines. Our project therefore has a lifespan of 50 to 100 years, by which time the wood units will decay, and the medians can return to being non-saline environments.

Lastly, we explored visualization strategies—using both physical and digital modeling—to represent the constantly forming and unforming state of the matter in construction. During the summer, the assemblies would largely be devoid of salt, whereas during the winter the medians would become saline environments, requiring us to develop particle-based drawing and modeling strategies that represent material and environmental change over time. Our final model assemblages and architecture drawings were created as a means of epitomizing all our research on salt, providing a detailed visualization connecting all the research information we found on road salt usage, and picturing a design response to our research subject.

This project won the Dean’s Citation for Excellence in Design.

Instagram: @syr_arch, @jmlarsen, @g_britt_eversole, @cass_peiyu

Stay tuned for Part XIII!