Hello, I am eZEKIEL bLOUNT. I am a 1st - year grad scholar, attending Florida A&M University. This portfolio is comprised of works from Grad and Undergrad studios. Throughout my work, I aim to convey that architecture is a powerful form of expression. That it not only shapes the physical world, but it influences the way we live, interact with, and experience our environment.
“...architecture... should be able to excite you, calm you, to make you think.”
- Zaha Hadid
Project Synopsis
This project envisions the design of a medium-sized hotel and workshare space in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. Located on Monroe Street, just south of the pedestrian bridge at Cascades Park, the proposed 20,000 sq. ft. development seeks to catalyze the ongoing revitalization efforts for the south side of downtown. This urban intervention aims to integrate innovative design solutions while responding to the city’s unique context, history, and culture. The project not only offers spaces for lodging and collaboration but also features cutting-edge amenities such as an automated parking system and an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) landing pad—both seamlessly woven into the urban fabric.
The design prioritizes a thoughtful response to Tallahassee’s urban and ecological environment, addressing key contextual factors such as climate, site topography, and surrounding architectural patterns. Massing studies and site positioning reflect a careful balance between enhancing pedestrian connectivity and framing views toward Cascades Park. The building adheres to life safety and accessibility standards, ensuring that all spaces are welcoming and secure for diverse users.
At the outset of the conceptual design phase, I utilized AI to generate imagery that would serve as the foundation for our design approach. Using MidJourney, the task involved creating four distinct AI-generated mood concepts, ultimately narrowing them down to two that would define the project’s direction. The selected images played a crucial role in shaping my vision—guiding how the design meets the ground, how visitors transition seamlessly from Monroe Street, and how the facade takes form.
The site is confined by a mix of influences, from the lively Cascades Park to the uninspired government buildings that dominate downtown Tallahassee—repetitive in their tan brick and glass facades, lacking distinction. The challenge is to design a project that sparks the architectural change we want to see in the city. Research conducted through site analysis, studying key viewpoints, pedestrian and vehicular flows, and the surrounding urban fabric became the foundation for a design that breaks from the ordinary, offering a fresh and meaningful architectural identity for Tallahassee.
Selected Conceptual Design Inspirations
In this refined final conceptual model, I integrated key elements from the initial iterations, thoughtfully combining them to create a cohesive and well-defined design.
The final conceptual challenge before advancing this design was to graphically illustrate potential elevations and sections, layering them to convey their spatial relationships effectively.
Executive Offices
Rooftop Patio
UAV Landing Pad Ground
This study focused on the exploration of fractals within Rhino using Grasshopper, a process that delves into the intersection of mathematics and architectural design. Fractals, in architecture, are intricate, self-replicating patterns that exist at multiple scales, often drawing inspiration from natural formations. They offer a unique approach to design, allowing for the creation of complex yet harmonious geometries that can inform structure, ornamentation, and spatial organization.
For this experiment, I chose to work with the Dragon Curve, a fractal known for its recursive complexity and striking visual rhythm. Its interlocking, nonrepeating pattern presented a challenge that pushed my understanding of parametric design. Unlike conventional geometric forms, the Dragon Curve evolves through a series of transformations, creating a dynamic structure that can be applied to both two-dimensional surfaces and three-dimensional architectural compositions.This exploration was particularly compelling because it was an entirely new approach for me—one that continued to intrigue and challenge my perception of form and pattern generation. The final product embodies the intersection of computation, iteration, and design, serving as both an aesthetic study and a potential framework for architectural applications.
After familiarizing myself with Rhino and Grasshopper, the next step was advancing to form generation. This phase focused on creating parametric designs that could suggest building facades, not finalizing a design but mastering control over the code. The goal was to manipulate patterns and structures, exploring how computational design can shape architectural expression.
Project Synopsis
For this final project, I pushed my exploration further by creating two distinct iterations. Now proficient in Rhino and Grasshopper, I introduced Python scripting to expand my control over parametric design. This shift allowed me to manipulate attractors, which dynamically influence geometric formations by altering density, curvature, and spatial distribution. By leveraging these computational techniques, I crafted intricate facade designs that showcase the potential of algorithmic design in shaping architecture. This experiment not only refined my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of how digital tools can drive innovative, responsive architectural solutions.
Python Scripting Code
