Parker Russo
2023 Work Sample
All Designs and Work shown are by me unless otherwise noted. All work is confidential and must not be copied or shared in any manner unless given proper consent by Edward Parker Russo. Specific names and information have been intentionally redacted. Thank You for your understanding.
Primary Approach
Image by Atchain
Part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the long-forgotten power plants in San Francisco, the project was to be a central node within the overall masterplan. The site was situated along the primary green spine, which led to the signature water front park anchored by the old “Stack” or chimney. We crafted the architecture to respond to the industrial past of the site and context, playfully resembling “Machines in the Garden” appearing as if they had been reclaimed by nature a harkening back to its present state.
Myself and one other designer produced the entire entry for this competition in which we ultimately placed 2nd. I had a very strong hand in the overall direction and parti of the project and in addition to iterating through the design and massing strategies I was in charge of all modeling and renderer coordination as well as all the diagrams and crafting of the final presentation package.
Location
San Francisco, CA, USA
Project Type
Multi-Family Residential
Size
350,000 ft2
Status
Competition
The tower was lifted and rotated to maximize views of the water and landmarks for the smaller units targeting younger tenants. While the lower, larger podium units were carved away and given access to an intimate and quiet greenspace more suitable for families.
Picturesque Room
Elevation Of Green
Creation Of Green Facade
Urban Block
Insertion Of Green
Green Spacemaking
ALAMEDA
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
“STACK”
OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE
This rendered, grungey, “physical model” aesthetic was something I pioneered on this project. A style the firm has now adopted and used for many competitions.
Center Court
Image by Atchain
The inner canyon formed a unique identity for the project and offered an oasis for the residents to escape from the bustiling neighborhood just beyond
The primary of a two tower complex - The Monolith stands proudly perpendicular to the main highway as it enters over the water to the new masterplanned district. A gateway of sorts, we felt the building wanted to respond differently to the water on one side than to the city on the other. The diagram is two bars cut and offset, one of glass and one of stone. Is there a way then to alter this diagram to allow for maximized views towards the water? Can the diagram be strengthened and clarified so it can be experienced at the pedestrian level? These are the questions I asked as I developed this facade design. Throughout many iterations a new question presented itself as the answer. What if from one side the entire building appeared as stone, and from another appeared entirely as glass?
Location Shenzen, China
Project Type Office Tower + Residential Tower
Size 600,000 ft2 + 275,000 ft2
Status Completed
Much of my focus on this project was developing and documenting the facade. Below are some wall type renderings I did during DD to help explain our strategy to the client. A ground floor plan (right) helps illustrate the double bar concept. And on the far right a completed photograph capturing the elegance of the sawtooth design.
An example of a 100% DD level detail I developed for the typical sawtooth wall type. Below, a rendering of the entry design I did and on the left the final product.
EXTERIOR LIGHT FIXTURE DESIGN BY OTHERS 室外照明灯具，由其他单位
In what was once the epitome of global finance sits the largest unocupied building in the country - and the largest public space on Wall Street. Over the years it has found itself in desperate need of inspiration having becoming a sad and forgotten space. By introducing a green oasis into the cold heart of Wall Street we aim to reinvigorate a lost and confused neighborhood and prepare it for a health and wellness oriented future.
As senior designer I was tasked with designing and coordinating the entirety of this project from DD now into CA. Given its high profile site, difficult existing conditon, historic context, and a complex MTA connection it has been an extremely difficult idea to realize. A skylight pierces the trading floors making way for the worlds largest living wall. This provides a dramatic backdrop which spreads to smaller green moments throughout the now cohesive lobby spaces. This insertion of light, air, and green into a neighborhood known for cold concrete and shadow aims to completely transform and modernize Wall Street’s reputation.
Location
New York, NY, USA
Project Type
Renovation of Public Space, Lobby, Retail, Office Podium
Size
350,000 ft2
Status
Under Construction
Seen here are a few of the major elements I designed, coordinated, and documentated over the course of this project.
The Green Wall is the crown jewel of the design. The architecture is all set up so as to maximize views of the wall from the public realm below, up to the private trading floors up above.
The depth and color of the plants intensify as they approach the center of the wall, drawing you through the space and your eyes up the skylight creating a dynamic experience that changes as you move through it.
Green Wall
Image by Atchain
ELEVATION (UNFOLDED) STALACTITE GEOMETRY -
ELEVATION (UNFOLDED) STALACTITE GEOMETRY WALL ST LOOKING SOUTH
The entire wall is canted at 1.5 degrees, echoing a roman technique which aims to emphasize the drama and scale of the gesture. Working closely with our living wall, structural, and mechanical engineers I have brought what once was just a wild napkin sketch into reality. Every single panel I have meticulously defined, drawn, and coordinated and is ready for fabrication.
(UNFOLDED) STALACTITE GEOMETRY -
Greenwall Axon
The Grand Stair is the gateway to the public space from the MTA and provides an incredible hero shot up the Green Wall and out the skylight. The stair design was meant to embody the feeling of walking through a fine art gallery, a slow marble stair providing moments of rest to take in the views. I have carefully crafted every inch of this moment from the overall gesture down to the millimeter radius of the custom wooden handrail.
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RAILING PLAN @ BOTTOM OF STAIR
RAILING PLAN @ TOP LANDING
Grand Stair
Image by Atchain
Current Image By, Atchain
Originally intended to be a team of 3, the other members were pulled at the last minute leaving it solely in my hands. A 3-week feasibility study for an up and coming local client we had not worked with previously so the stakes were high and we needed to make a good impression. I was responsible for all design, production, and even presentations each week to the client group. The final package was met with immense praise, and we have since been awarded a contract to bring the design through entitlements and discussions are ongoing for DD-CD development.
The corner site was deceptively constrained; with several easements and an existing transit station to the East which had a 3-storey build limit. The primary views were to the NE and SE and the client insisted a 12k bar plate was a must. I kinked the bar so I could achieve the 12k on the site while also maximizing the views east towards the river. I split and shifted the mass into two bars to further maximize these views, this gesture then becomes the core parti and ultimately guides the curtainwall design.
Location Jersey City, NJ
Project Type
Multi-Family Residential
Size
500,000 ft2
Status
Entitletments
The boutique office podium is combined with amenity space in order to lift the amenity deck above the adjacent garage, giving it a view of the water. With my massing strategy I was able to get 9 of 13 units/fl to have optimal views.
After visiting the site, the primary paths of travel in and out of the transit station became my clear driving factors in the ground plane design. A linear bisecting lobby provides flexible accessibility for the residents, jutting out for visibility at Town Sq. Place while concealing loading. Finally, a single anchor retail claims the primary SW corner. RESIDENTIAL 420K / 490 Units
Terrace View
Image By Author
A highly successful civil engineer is retiring. Having designed some of the largest bridges in the world she now wishes to spend the rest of her days in Arizona. She holds a design competition for her dream home. A tertiary family friend I manage to talk my way into an entry. Despite not having any professional work experience in this typology, and up against 3 established local firms who design luxury homes in this area every day - my design was selcted.
The site offers exceptional views at a steep price - a 45° cliff face. My goal was to have the home rest within the desertscape and dissapear within it. The form - A linear bar, is split in half by two monolothic boulders on site which separate the private home (left) from the public entertaining space (right). The private bar is kinked and swung out precariously over the cliff creating a dramatic panorama across the desert plains from the master bedroom. An elegant yet sturdy mass timber truss, just like the ones she had so beautifully engineered throughout her career, anchors the form to the rock below. Ultimately I was offering her an opportunity nobody else had - To take part in the design of her dream home, in her own way.
Location
Tuscon, Arizona
Project Type
Single-Family Residential
Size
5,000+ ft2
Status
Freelance, On Hold
Sun and shadow play are at the forefront of this design, from the macro to the micro scale. Materials and forms play with the light to create dynamic and dramatic moments throughout the massive home giving it intrigue at every scale
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Massive locally sourced stone walls appear to effortlessly hoist the weathered steel planes above providing both an industrial yet warm interior experience. The steel planes are designed to provide shade in the summer and allow sun in the winter. Oversized sliders dissapear into the stones allowing for an incredible indoor/outdoor living experience
A. Weathered Steel
B. Beige Marble
C. Polished Concrete
D. Statuary Bronze
E. Eucalyptus
F. White Marble
G. Manhattan Black Granite
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