The proposed campus will be located in the heart of Chinatown and will consist of a four-story building with a total area of approximately 150,000 square feet. The building will be designed to blend in with the surrounding historic buildings and will feature a modern and functional design.
The ground floor of the building will be dedicated to public spaces, including a lobby, a community center, a gallery, and a cafe. The first and second floors will house the maker spaces and workshops, which will be equipped with state-ofthe-art tools and equipment for students to use in their technical courses. The third and fourth floors will be dedicated to student
housing, providing affordable and convenient accommodation for students attending the college.
The building will be designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing green building technologies to reduce energy consumption and minimize the environmental impact. Additionally, the design will incorporate elements of Chinese culture and architecture, such as a courtyard garden and traditional building materials.
Overall, the project aims to create a hub for technical education and innovation that serves the local Chinese-American community, providing opportunities for education, creativity, and social interaction.
The proposed museum will be a five-story building that cantilevers over the footprint of the existing building, creating floor space for various exhibits and galleries. The unique design will allow visitors to experience the museum from different angles and perspectives as they walk through the various floors.
One of the main design features of the museum will be the use of light wells that dramatically travel from floor to floor, bringing natural light throughout the space and creating a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors. The museum will also feature various indoor and outdoor spaces, including a rooftop garden and terrace, allowing visitors to experience the greenery and trees in a variety of settings.
In terms of the exhibits, the museum will showcase a variety of plants and trees from around the world, with a focus on educating visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. Interactive exhibits and multimedia displays will help engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
The building’s design will incorporate sustainable materials and technologies, utilizing natural ventilation and daylighting to reduce energy consumption and minimize the environmental impact. The museum will be a landmark destination for locals and tourists alike, providing a unique and immersive experience that celebrates the beauty of nature and the importance of preserving it.
The primary goal of the project was to create a focal point for the Las Vegas community that promotes accessible education and lifelong learning. The design concept involves transforming the site into a mixed-use development with public green spaces, recreational areas, and gathering spaces that promote a strong sense of community.
To achieve this goal, the design includes three spiral ramps that lead the user through a series of unique spaces. Each ramp features a circular courtyard at its center, each with its own unique program. For example, one courtyard includes a rock climbing wall that runs vertically through each floor, while another features a children’s playground. The third
courtyard is a desert garden that introduces biophilia in the reading spaces, promoting relaxation and mindfulness.
The design approach aims to give the public a unique experience by inviting users to explore the building and make use of all its resources. The hope is to influence not just knowledge and education but also promote good health and encourage participation in recreational activities.
Overall, the design concept for the Huntridge Theater site aims to transform the historic building into a community hub that encourages lifelong learning and healthy living, providing a unique and engaging experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Working in a design+build architectural studio was an incredible experience, and one that I will always treasure. Being a part of the Mojave Bloom team, a sustainable salute by UNLV Students, for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon was a unique opportunity. As a part of the construction team, I was responsible for picking up where previous students left off with their completed design and construction kick off. Our team visited the construction site weekly, learning different components of what it takes to make a building come to life. We contacted software companies, suppliers, and installers, gaining invaluable knowledge in the process.
Over the course of sixteen weeks, we were involved in various tasks, such as building a deck, installing louvers and doors in the mechanical room, installing steel window boxes, placing window flashings, preparing the sub-floor for the installation of a linoleum floor, painting, filing down welds in preparation for glazing installation, creating, assembling, and installing a ceiling panel support system, assembling
cabinets, and much more. Alongside our tasks, we witnessed the work of professionals who helped with installations such as dry-wall, glazing, siding, and so forth.
I was fortunate enough to lead the Life Cycle Assessment, in collaboration with our team. We collected information on every material that makes up the building, hoping to see the minimal environmental impact of our construction and the building’s life cycle analysis. This project increased my knowledge of the ecological impact that buildings have on the environment, which further reassured my goals as an Architect, designing architecture that is environmentally responsible and receptive.
Overall, working in a design+build architectural studio was an enriching experience that allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the construction process, collaborate with professionals and fellow students, and learn more about designing architecture that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
During my architectural internship with Cuningham, I was excited to work in the Heal Studio, which focuses on healthcare architecture. This was my first experience working in a professional setting, so I was eager to learn as much as I could from the professionals around me.
The Heal Studio was working on several hospital projects, and I was fortunate enough to work on three of them. One of the primary projects was the Banner Desert Medical Center, which was a massive undertaking involving significant renovations, demolition, and the construction of a new women’s tower. It was exciting to be part of such a large project, and I was thrilled to be involved in the process from the early stages.
Working in the healthcare industry, I had the opportunity to work closely with Owners, Architects, Engineers, and Contractors. I was involved in day-to-day activities, including in-wall, overhead, and punch walks. These activities
allowed me to see firsthand how the design process works in realworld situations.
I utilized Revit and AutoCAD to prepare drawings, model structures, fix red-lines, review RFI’s and Submittals. As an intern, I was eager to learn new software and improve my skills, and working on these projects allowed me to do just that. I was able to gain valuable experience and earn AXP hours, which are required to become a licensed architect.
Overall, the internship was a fantastic learning experience that allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the industry and the intricacies of healthcare design. Working with experienced professionals in the field was an incredible opportunity, and I am grateful for the experience. I now have a newfound appreciation for the work that goes into creating and maintaining healthcare facilities and am excited to continue my career in architecture.
M. Arch Student at Arizona State University
+ Email: rjriver8@asu.edu // rebecajrivera@gmail.com
+ Phone: 1.702.271.9503
Master of Architecture
Arizona State University
// Aug 2021 - May 2023
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
University of Nevada, Las Vegas // 2016 - 2021
Advanced Honor of Architectural Engineering Southeast Career Technical Academy
Las Vegas, Nevada // 2012 - 2016
Graduate Teaching Assistant at Arizona State University
//2021 - Present
+ Intro to Computer Modeling, Adobe Suite, Rhino 3D || Fall 2021
+ Religious Studies || Spring 2021 - Fall 2022
+ Architectural History || Spring 2023
Architectural Designer at Camber & True Collective
//Oct - Dec 2023
+ Drafting Construction Documents
Architectural Intern at Cuningham PHX Heal Studio
//June - Aug 2022
+ Working in collaboration with Architects, Engineers, Owners, and Contractors
Construction at Design+Build Solar Decathlon
//Aug - Dec 2020
+ On-site construction of UNLV Mojave Bloom House, working in communication and scheduling management amongst material suppliers
CAD-Operating Intern at Southeast Career Technical Academy
//2014 - 2016
+ Preparing layouts, drawings, and designs from detailed sketches and drawings
Passionate about architecture, regenerative, and thoughtful design. Detail-oriented and hard-working Architecture graduate student adept at designing commercial/ residential projects, providing professional creative concept solutions, and conducting presentations on the progress of projects. Offers strong attention to accuracy, extensive knowledge of multiple architecture software programs, and great teamwork abilities.
+ ASU Graduate College Fellowship Award || 2022-23
+ Deans Honor List || Fall 2021 ASU
+ ASU Design School Scholarship || Sring 2021
+ Published Works in ASU Student Catalog || Fall 2021
+ Solar Decathlon Competition at UNLV || 2021
+ Deans Honor List || Spring 2021 UNLV
+ OSHA-10 Hour Certification || 2020
+ Deans Honor List || Spring 2020 UNLV
+ AIAS Member || 2020 - present
+ Las Vegas Make-A-Thon Competition || 2018
+ The Nevada Millennium Scholarship || 2016-2021
+ RHINO //Advanced
+ REVIT // Intermediate
+ AUTOCAD // Intermediate
+ LUMION // Intermediate
+ ADOBE PHOTOSHOP //Advanced
+ ADOBE INDESIGN //Advanced
+ ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR //Advanced
+ REVU BLUEBEAM // Intermediate
+ MICROSOFT SUITE // Intermediate
