teach on the beach
EDUCATION CENTER
Site: Busua, Ghana
Duration: One Month
TOB (Teach on Beach) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated and passionate about improving the lives of students in Busua, Ghana. They strongly believe that education is not only about acquiring knowledge, but also about promoting social and emotional development.
The project aims to create inviting spaces that blend beach views with community engagement. Two courtyards serve as gathering spaces, while the proposed architecture utilizes existing trees to keep the courtyards cool and refreshing. A community garden and orchard are displayed to extend the project’s reach beyond core visitors. The main hub connects the site with open, breathable spaces, offering direct circulation and stunning ocean views. A leisure area is located on the second story, offering activities while taking in the ocean view.
Located on the outskirts of Ghana, the plot is conveniently positioned within a short walking distance of the beach and nearby private and public schools, facilitating easy access for children to attend. It is also
adult classroom
orchard
community garden
courtyard 01. main entrance
volunteer living
outdoor kitchen
summer hut
main courtyard
main classroom
main hub
Within the entrance upon the community center, the intention is to see through the site to make it as open and welcoming as possible. From here, one may see the orchards and community gardens, while also seeing into the back of the site to the volunteer’s courtyard.
Through the diagrams was the analysis of finding ways to keep the existing conditions and build around them. With the grid plan it is possible to see alignments and available open spaces, keeping the buildings on the lines and the voids in place for outdoor gathering. In turn, connections to each space are very easily made as none of the spaces are meant to secluded
The main hub’s structure looks to act as the primary gathering space promote natural ventilation between the gardening and volunteer space.
The volunteer space looks to allow daylighting from the roof on one structure and entrance of the other while also allowing cross ventilation.
main entrance
volunteer living
outdoor kitchen
summer hut
adult classroom
orchard
community garden
courtyard
main courtyard
main classroom
secondary entrance
main hub
The pavilion structure is less complex allowing cross ventilation and larger entry for daylighting into the space. summer hut/outdoor kitchen
The classroom’s structure allows light to enter from the southwest along with a cool breeze due to the tree standing near adult classroom
lives we foster
NURSERY/URBAN FARM
site: New York City, New York
Duration: Four Months awarD: First Place Senior Earl Prize
Lives We Foster employs the concept of materiality to create a compelling contrast with the historical structure, integrating the Smallpox Disease theme into the design. The utilization of timber is metaphorically presented as a ‘disease’ gradually overtaking the building, simultaneously restoring what was lost in the original structure. The functionality of the space is envisioned to be a valuable resource, encompassing a nursery and urban farm to foster growth and development within the city.
The design incorporates a structural grid system, featuring nets that complement climbing walls. On the opposite side, these nets serve as platforms for food baskets and gardening spaces. The interior of the building will encapsulate innovative ideas, extending beyond its walls to visually convey the activities transpiring inside.
The site is located on Roosevelt Island and neighbors the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and Cornell Tech campus. The new addition can be seen to be dropped on top of the existing structure, patching up all broken and corroded space upon the facade of the historic building. The exterior is in response to the memorial and acts as an entrance from the site into the tourist attraction with presenting and community gardens with outdoor play/gathering spaces.
The detail represents a moment that takes place on the front facade. The moment being the clash of the exisiting stone and the new materials being wood and glass.
06. mechanical 07. work bench
01. dining 02. soil
06. kitchen 07. composting
11. nets 12. staff room
06. climbing wall
07. storage
11. elevator 12. gathering
right wing
left wing
nurserY net
column detail
food/garden basket assemblY
The nursery net lies in between the structural grid to ensure strength of net. Acts as play and resting space for the nursery. Structural grid fluctuates in size, however, stretches around 11 feet in width and 15 feet in length, with 8x10 members. The structural grid plays off the existing steel that eliminates inward collapse of the stone walls.
The stairs that lead into the existing structure and carries on to the new addition are designed as floating stairs to add to the playfulness of the space. The stairs are attached to the wall and hung from the ceiling by a steel rod.
Within the new addition are gathering spaces, primarily expected to be used for teaching with possible demonstrations. These spaces come with views of the city and the gardens housed in the bounds of the structure.
international housing
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING
Site: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Duration: Four Months
The project focused on four studios; all in different locations. We had the possibility of San Juan, Barcelona, Berlin, and Halifax. Each studio group started by being assigned to one location and moved to another to begin what would be our final project. For both locations we created a threshold image that captures a space that may highlight the elements of the given location. My studio group was assigned San Juan, Puerto Rico to start and moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The structure is 10 stories captivating and reflects Halifax culture. The facade is finished with dark wood and has sliding louvered shutters to prevent debris from impacting the glazing without negative effects from heavy winds. The lower portion is given a cut where lighter wood is highlighted. The design is extremely compact while offering direct sunlight in each living space for all units.
Puerto Rico being a located on the Caribbean, makes for yearround hot climate and prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and landslides. The threshold model shows the connection between rooms where the shower is outdoors with the washer nearby to avoid humidity build-up. The balcony space is gated and the shower has a curtain to prevent views inside while allowing air flow throughout the space. With heat being a primary concern, more openings and less walls are considered.
Nova Scotia is a port city and construction due to its local accessibility. in Canada but still cold. The threshold the bathroom into the living space looking out to the city. In this case, each grant direct sunlight into corridors and prevent a disconnect space to the living space
san jaun, puerto rico
halifax, nova scotia
scotia, canada and heavily involved in timber accessibility. The climate is the warmest threshold highlights a passing through space to the kitchen and dining space case, all units are on the corner and every room. The goal is to limit disconnect of the kitchen and dining space for adaptability.
01. main entrance
front desk
mail
package storage 05. computer/print lab 06. bike parking 07. main stair 08. elevator 09. egress stair (scissor)
outdoor dining
storage
cafe
mx toilet room
loading dock
secondary enterance
plaza
single storY unit
double
01. main stair
gym
bar & grill
theatre
game lounge
fire place
sauna
pool
turf
Dancing light
PERFORMING ART CENTER
Site: Chicago, Illinois
Duration: Two Months
awarD: First Place Junior Earl Prize
Located at the intersection of Green Street and Jackson Boulevard, in Chicago’s Greek Town neighborhood, lies the site for the proposed performance hall. This structure not only catches the eye with its glowing facade but also incorporates sustainable elements at both the building and urban scale.
One of the hall’s notable features is its translucent skin panels, which serve multiple purposes. They allow natural daylight to filter through, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere inside. Additionally, these panels are designed to double as planters, contributing to the cooling of the building’s surface.
The concept given is the feeling that skin of building is being peeled off to reveal whats inside. The peel allows the building to be versatile and serve few more benefiting purposes
NAV Near public stairways, panels have small windows for views. Translucent glass material and emerging strips illuminate the facade using an under-light.
main entrance
ticket WindoW
ticket office
securitY
service elevator
main lobbY
For more structured events, there is a main hall seating at a capacity of 155.
This versatile space will host to theatrical productions and music recitals
