11 It Takes a Village: S.T.E.M. School

Montessori K-5 school to enhance active learning

Year 4 | Spring 2021

Site: Montgomery, AL

Professor Randal Vaughn

The main design principles is connectivity, with community and contextual history. The site is full of greenery, open spaces, gardens, and play spaces. Designed a site and community that maintains and integrates a balance between historic legacy and advancing contemporary relevance.

The site draws from the grid format of Montgomery and the immediate surrounding context of district community. The site is designed as a village or ‘neighborhood’ of academic houses and communal spaces. Agricultural lots, gardens, play areas, study spaces, gym, cafetorium, and fields set with the natural environment.

The buildings are modular grid design with a basic open concept connecting program through circulation. The design and orientation aim to create a synergy between external and internal environments. Visual connection to landmarks of Montgomery and the orientation follows urban grid pattern and emphasized towards the historically significant Alabama River. The height of the buildings and open spaces enable visual to urban downtown, specifically the Capitol.

The specialized lab of the STEM school is the Agricultural Field Labs. This is significant in understanding and educating the students of Alabama, and in particular Montgomery’s, history as a hub for commerce because rich ground for agriculture and access to River. Students study and research evolution, sustainability, and ecology to gain an understanding of our impact on the larger ecosystem. While these main agricultural research lots are centrally located in the academic village, there are additional lots on the southwest corner of the site for neighborhood community to actively participate.

Montgomery STEM Village Academy

Ground Plan -- Contour Grade Existing Contours Proposed Contours

Site plan with contours and public and academic green spaces articulated

Campus Footpath

Public Footpath

Vehicular Path

Site circulation diagram

033000 cast-in-place concrete structure

095123 acoustic tile ceiling

085113 aluminum windows

088000 glazing

092900 gypsum board

061600 sheathing

072100 batt insulation

072100 rigid foam insulation (4”)

072729 vapor barrier

034713 tilt-up concrete

053100 steel decking

055819 heating-cooling covers

072100 thermal insulation

051200 structural steel framing

Market 2 Market

Art Urbain International Competition (Paris, FR)

Year 3 | Spring 2020

Site: Rome, Italy

Professor Carla Keyvanian

The Flaminio is an area north of Rome and with many neglected, partially abandoned spaces, the neighborhood is in need of revitalization. Initially found hidden gems, neglected or inaccessible nodes in the Flaminio area, that offer cultural importance. The two main gems are the Mercato Borghetto Flaminio and the Mercato Rionale. The existing spaces lack accessibility and connections to the city. Prominently located near Piazza del Popolo, the Consolar Road of Via Flaminia, and a major transportation hub, they have potential for revitalization. Markets are traditionally nodes for community engagement. Maintaining its integrity, the redesign reflects the values of the community, to bring more cultural integration and energy within the Flaminio. The proposal uses the existing urban fabric to create visual and physical connectivity within the district.

Program and urban connection diagrams of The Flaminio. Zone and illustrate existing markets, proposed transformative connection paths, and renovate sites

Floor 1 Market zoned stalls. Organization layout determined by complimentary senses to create the best experience, floor sectioned by savory & sweet

The market holds different vending stations. Community is able to buy produce, breads, dairy products, cured meats, nuts, oils, spices, and condiments. The market is designed to give visitors the feeling they are immersed in nature with a strong relation of inside outside. Ambiance of open-air, fresh, cultivating, rejuvenating, sustainable community hub. Supports vendors to improve their businesses and the design of their stalls. Focus on the products so have to be well-displayed on clean, well-lit, well-functioning stalls.

Floor 2 is a mezzanine with zoned planters, community seating, and makerspace learning spaces