RThroughout my career I have cultivated a fascination with technological systems and strategic sustainable design, concepts that continue to shape my portfolio. I am driven by curiosity and a strong desire to visualize ideas. I recognize the high stakes of the field I work in and I do not take that responsibility lightly.
COVER TO COVER HOUSING
In Mexico, the roof is more than shelter. It is a gesture of protection without confinement, an open system connecting public and private, formal and informal, individual and collective. This project reimagines the block around Mercado de San Cosme as a shared framework for vendors, fonda owners, and working class residents.
Rather than replacing existing dynamics, the proposal builds upon them. A new civic infrastructure emerges, anchored by a roof that collects and distributes essential resources. This canopy becomes a shared asset, delivering water, electricity, shade, and other services across spaces, redistributing value between areas often divided by front and back of house functions.
Inspired by the spirit of traditional Mexican markets, the project softens boundaries to support both formal and informal economies while integrating affordable housing for young families. It addresses inequality through unity, offering dignity, shared purpose, and a renewed sense of belonging rooted in cultural life.
Location: San Rafael, Mexico City
Course: ADV Studio VI
Partner: Seong Hyun Leem
Professor: Gabriela Carrillo & Thomas De Monchaux
Term: Spring 2025
Filling the Gaps
We approached Mercado de San Cosme by looking beyond its existing roof and into the spaces between. The market’s layout revealed underused pockets and overlooked edges, offering the opportunity to insert new structures that would both fill these gaps and create new ones for gathering, circulation, and exchange. These insertions aim to extend the market’s activity into surrounding streets while introducing housing that benefits from and contributes to the daily life of the market. By stitching together these spaces, the project forms a network of living, working, and public areas that evolve with the community over time.
Section Drawing
Section Cut
KINETIC FACADE
Exterior Render Perspective
Conceptual Model Photograph
This conceptual model is inspired by the reflected ceiling plan of Mercado de San Cosme, which informs both the façade and the interior programming of the building. Made from found objects, it explores how the roof’s open and connective logic can extend vertically. A kinetic element allows the model to shift, generating multiple spatial configurations that mirror the adaptable and ever-changing character of the market
Interior Render Perspective
Model Photograph
Reflected Ceiling Plan
Exterior Render Perspective
HARLEM TOWER
HOUSING
A new approach to affordable housing that challenges traditional design limits to re-imagine what “home” can feel like in the urban context of Harlem. The project offers an innovative perspective on space, focusing not only on square footage but on height, volume, and inventive spatial strategies. It moves beyond conventional apartment layouts to create residences that are compact yet full of possibilities.
In New York City, where space is precious and every inch matters, the question arose: how can affordable housing feel as luxurious as it is accessible? This project answers by rethinking the living experience within limited dimensions. Through a three-dimensional design approach, interiors feel expansive and open, capturing the airiness and flow typically associated with larger homes. Elevated ceilings, flexible layouts, and multipurpose furniture transform spaces with ease. Every wall, corner, and view is intentionally designed to enhance comfort, efficiency, and a sense of belonging— offering residents a home that feels both generous and welcoming.
Location: Harlem, NY
Course: Core Studio III
Partner: Nicholas Richards
Professor: Garry Bates Term: Fall 2023
The Block - Section Drawing
The architectural concept extends beyond the individual units to actively engage with the surrounding Harlem block. At street level, the project introduces public spaces that foster community interaction and a sense of unity within the neighborhood. These inclusive areas invite people of all ages and backgrounds to gather, connect, and participate in shared activities, setting the building apart from its surroundings. Programs dedicated to wellness, the arts, and education are interwoven throughout the design, creating an environment that not only serves residents but also enriches the cultural and social fabric of the community.
Our Model
This model was an early exploration of how varied unit sizes and configurations could shape the architecture itself. From a slim three-story volume to a generous onebedroom, these diverse layouts initially presented structural challenges. By embracing a modular design, we transformed those challenges into strengths, allowing each distinct space to coexist seamlessly within a unified framework.
What If? - Interior Render
What if we measured housing by volume instead of just square footage? This question inspired a design that is flexible, adaptable, and deeply responsive to its residents’ needs. Imagine exchanging ceiling height with a neighbor to gain an extra room in your apartment. This approach not only makes housing more enjoyable, it ensures that every cubic inch of space holds value and meaning for someone.
Axonometric Drawing
Volumetric Living
Glazed Terracotta Panel Module
Open-Web Steel Joists
Corrugated Metal Deck Wood
Cladding Support Brackets
Facade Axonometric Detail Model
E.L.M Species Habitat
Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Terreform ONE is a nonprofit architecture and design research group dedicated to shaping a socio ecological future. Guided by the motto design against extinction, the studio integrates biotechnology into architecture to promote biodiversity in cities.
One of their explorations, ELM, envisions living architecture: structures grown from living materials that serve both human needs and ecological functions. The project proposes a pavilion or “all natural pergola” with planters and habitat spaces that support birds, insects, squirrels, and other species.
As co-founder Mitchell Joachim explains, “It is a multi tiered structure that cares for avian species, insects, squirrels, and all our friends on the outside of our building. It starts with scaffolding and multi species facades. We fit the scaffolding with willows from farms, and after a year or two we remove the scaffolding, reuse it elsewhere, and we have a multi species system held together by living structures.”
ELM redefines architecture as an active participant in ecological regeneration.
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Course: Summer Internship
Professor: TERREFORM ONE
Term: Summer 2023
Implementation
I created a Grasshopper script that simulates natural growth patterns to guide the organic form of the habitat modules. This algorithmic method generated complex geometries inspired by the intricate structures found in nature, ensuring that each module blends harmoniously with its surroundings. Once the designs were finalized, they were produced using a precise 3D printing process, translating the digital models into tangible, durable structures capable of supporting a variety of species. This approach not only rooted the design in natural logic but also ensured a seamless transition from computational concept to functional, ecologically integrated architecture.
Progress Photography
Materializing Habitats
The research focused on developing a 3D printing solution capable of withstanding harsh weather while maintaining structural integrity over time. The goal was to identify a coating, process, or material that ensures long term durability. These printed forms, potentially crafted from ceramics or other environmentally responsible materials, are intended to host species for decades. As noted during the design process, “If we want this structure to last a minimum of fifteen years, the time needed for the trees to establish, we cannot simply leave raw fibers exposed to the elements.” The finalized forms are designed to be suspended within the wooden modules shown to the right, each acting as a cradle for future habitats. Together, they create a resilient and protective system that supports biodiversity while blending with its natural environment.
https://www.terreform.org/fab-tree-hab
https://www.terreform.org/fab-tree-hab
Carbon Capture Park
Adaptive Reuse of Land
The Re-Fresh-Kills project envisions an alternative reality for Staten Island’s Fresh Kills Park, embedding carbon capture and sequestration processes within the urban landscape. The proposal aligns with the studio’s emphasis on territorial dependency, translating ecological dynamics into architectural form and rethinking the consequences of machine-driven ecological programs.
Stretching over 500 feet, the structure integrates air carbon capture machines with hydroponic gardens, forming a living, breathing edifice devoted to purifying air and storing carbon. These public stations shape the landscape while educating visitors on environmental stewardship, strengthening Staten Island’s community through the synergy of nature and innovation.
The system measurably improves air quality and carbon storage, optimizing environmental impact. The design encourages public engagement, fostering awareness and participation, and demonstrates how architectural interventions can drive change. Acting as a large urban engine, the project catalyzes both societal and ecological transformation.
The towering structure aspires to serve as a beacon of restoration, seamlessly merging advanced technology with a thriving urban ecosystem.
Location: Staten Island, NY
Course: Design Studio IV
Professor: Esteban de Backer
Term: Spring 2024
AIR QUALITY & GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS
In modern times, globalization and urbanization have led to rapid production and consumption, which results in a stream of waste. The intricate relationship between human technologies and environmental sustainability is under intense scrutiny as the effects of uncontrolled development manifest themselves in various forms of pollution, climate change and deteriorating air quality. This project located in Fresh Kills is set to uncover and monitor hidden air flows and its immense potential contribution to mitigate premature deaths and our detachment with earth.
The Earth, a planet that has existed for billions of years and has experienced many important events throughout its history. Within this delicate balance of natural systems, humanity has evolved to rely on essential elements such as air and water. However, with the technological advances that have propelled human civilizations forward, we have become increasingly detached from our central dependencies on the Earth. This detachment carries significant risks, as disregarding our fundamental relationship with the planet could lead to the premature demise of human existence and other living organisms.
Staten Island Population
Freshkills Landfill Area
Global Emissions
Staten Island
Analyzing historical data on air quality and carbon emissions is essential to pinpoint pollution sources and understand their health impacts. Factors such as wildfires, toxic spills, landfill accidents, industrial activity, and prevailing wind patterns all contribute to shaping the island’s environmental conditions.
Axonometric
It was important for to visualize this project in a smaller scale to really grasp the size of the entire project and how this carbon capture machines are not just an industrial site, but rather how we can interact with them, making an new urban fabric where building and structures contribute to each other
Model Photograph
Exterior Perspective
The Fresh Kills landfill in New York serves as a compelling case study for air quality issues. Once for examining the environmental impacts of waste on the atmosphere. This project envisions an alternate Re-framing its identity as a place of ecological restoration and forward-looking design.
the largest landfill in the world, its long history of waste management makes it an exemplary site alternate present in which the site transforms from a toxic legacy into a green, innovative landscape.
Feasibility or Fantasy?
The Freshkills case serves as a microcosm of the broader environmental challenges we face worldwide. Studying its history and ongoing issues offers valuable insights into the strategies required to improve air quality and safeguard the planet’s long-term health. This research highlights the critical need for sustainable practices, robust policy frameworks, and global collaboration to confront the urgent realities of air pollution and its profound effects on both human health and ecological systems.
Carbon Removal
Rating Technologies
This project proposes a global facility managed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to transform carbon removal technologies into scalable, proven solutions. By testing different technologies in diverse, controlled environments, the facility will rate their efficiency, price, embodied carbon, resilience, and carbon capture capacity.
This initiative addresses urgent climate needs by ensuring solutions are ready for global deployment, tailored to diverse conditions around the world. Bridging technology and policy, the facility creates a foundation for a thriving, equitable carbon removal market and offers hope to avoid irreversible global
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Course: ADV Studio V
Individual
Professor: David Benjamin
Term: Fall 2024
Photography
I took the following images when visiting Bandelier, once home to the Tewa and Keres Pueblo people, two groups with distinct languages but shared cultural practices provides a glimpse into how architecture and design can respond to both environmental and social challenges. An ideal site for this project, due to its extreme weather and historic resilience.
The Structure is drawn from Buckminster Fuller. His geodesic dome is known for lightweight structure, energy efficiency, even structural stress, no need for internal supports, modular design.
Biome 01
What will be tested? - Engineer Solutions Comparison
Direct Air Capture
Scalability in the Next 10 Years: DAC: 60% – High scalability, but costly.
Dependencies on this technique?
Dependencies on this technique? Carbon Mineralization
Scalability in the Next 10 Years: Carbon Mineralization: 30% – Limited by geography.
Enhanced Weathering
Scalability in the Next 10 Years: 12% Slower due to material handling.
Dependencies on this technique?
Wind Tunnel
Taos Trail
Map - Site
Our paths are firm and stable with acessible grades. Trails have varying terrain and are designed to be experienced on foot in comfortable shoes.
The Trails connect with the larger site of Taos (14 miles) and with the Bandelier Monument trail (6 miles) with this one being more challenging due to it’s steep inclination.
Residencies
This project builds on global frameworks like the UNFCCC to create a scalable model for sustainability. By incorporating closed-loop systems and public engagement, it seeks to bridge technological innovation with accessible design for a sustainable future.
Biome 1
Bandelier Trail
TERRARIUMS
I created these terrarium from recycle materials to reflect the elegance of closed-loop systems, where everything is re-purposed and sustained within a continuous cycle. Water, air, and nutrients circulate without external input, allowing life to thrive independently.
Care Difficulty Water Light Container Ingredients in order
• 1.5 Cups - Leca Clay Pebbles
• Window Metal Mesh
• 2 Cups - Sphagnum Moss (mix)
• .25 Cup - Orchid Bark (mix)
• .25 Cup - Charcoal (mix)
• 1 Cup - Coco Fibre (mix)
• .25 Cup - Worm Castings (mix)
• Spider Wood
Recycled glass jar Measuring cup Plant mister Small siccors
• Dragon Stones
• Cushion Moss
• Air Plants
• Springtails Supplies
Peperomia
Fitonia
Asparagus Falcatus
Ming Fern
My making of this terrariums reflects closed-loop ecosystems, offering insights into how sustainable systems can support urban living in the future
Standard View
Rating Absorption
Imagine a rainforest glowing with reds and oranges. Each tree and plant revealing how much carbon it absorbs. In contrast, a cold tundra glows faintly blue, showing slower but steady sequestration. This color-coded world makes carbon capture visible, turning climate data into something people can see, feel, and act on.
https://www.uncarbonrating.com/
The Forgotten Island
Ecological Restoration Project
Ossabaw Island, located off the coast of Georgia, is a protected barrier island known for its rich biodiversity and cultural history. Despite its significance, access is currently limited to a small group of people at certain times of the year due to ecological imbalances caused by invasive species.
This project seeks to restore the island’s fragile ecosystem while opening it to a wider audience through carefully managed access. In collaboration with the Ossabaw Island Foundation, it integrates sustainable practices that protect habitats, improve resilience, and enhance the visitor experience.
Educational initiatives connect guests with the island’s unique wildlife, landscapes, and history, fostering a sense of stewardship. Architectural interventions provide spaces that support conservation and responsible living. By improving both ecological health and public understanding, the project positions Ossabaw Island as a living example of how thoughtful design can balance preservation with accessibility, inspiring a renewed commitment to environmental care and cultural appreciation.
Location: Ossabaw, Georgia
Course: Design Studio V
Professor: Brent White
Term: Winter 2022
A study was conducted to understand the main user groups and their activities on Ossabaw Island. Four primary types were identified: government officials, researchers, campers, and hunters. Each group’s needs and responsibilities informed the project’s architectural and programmatic direction, ensuring spaces were tailored to their functions. The study also identified suitable zones for each activity, allowing resources to be used efficiently while protecting the island’s ecological balance and preserving its natural and cultural heritage.
Ossabaw Users
Interaction
Hunting
Indigo Dyeing
Unpacking
Camping
Yaupon Holly
Cooking
Ossabaw’s Terrain
The design for Ossabaw Island prioritizes self-sufficiency and harmony with the environment. Site layout responds to local weather patterns, roofs are shaped to harvest rainwater, and walls are oriented to maximize natural ventilation. Every material and surface is chosen for efficiency and resilience.
Located off the coast of Georgia, Ossabaw is a protected barrier island with 13 miles of undeveloped beaches accessible only by boat. It serves as a sanctuary for species like loggerhead sea turtles and endangered wood storks, while also offering a place for research, education, and cultural inspiration.
A portable pod extends the capabilities of the main structure into the field. Towed by car and unfolding into a compact shelter, it draws water, power, and supplies from the primary building before venturing into remote areas. Equipped with its own rainwater collection and renewable energy systems, the pod supports extended stays while minimizing impact on the island’s fragile ecosystems.
Fabrication
To bring the project to its most complete stage, I decided to build a full-scale version of the portable pod. The process began with assembling a small trailer, chosen for its dimensions to match standard 4-by-8-foot plywood sheets for the walls. This made construction straightforward, reduced material waste, and kept the design practical. Careful planning and steady execution allowed the structure to come together efficiently and remain adaptable for future use. The images document the process from initial assembly to the finished setup, showing how the concept translated from design to a working prototype.
BROADWAY’S HARMONY
Adaptive Reuse
This project addresses the issue of overbuilding through the creative reuse of materials and the recycling of their energy, transforming an existing structure into a working instrument. The site, a bank located at the intersection of Broadway and Spring Street, is treated not only as a building but as a material inventory ready to be re-imagined. The design uses the existing systems, including the air conditioning network and the subway lines beneath the building, to generate sound. Materials with distinct properties vibrate at different frequencies, producing unique tones, while changes in pipe size create variations in resonance. Visitors can interact with these elements, becoming composers within the space. The concept is rooted in the cognitive and therapeutic value of music. By allowing people to create their own melodies, the project fosters play, learning, and mental stimulation. The re-imagined bank becomes both an instrument and an immersive architectural experience that encourages creativity and deepens engagement with the built environment.
Location: Manhattan, NY
Course: Design Studio I
Professor: Lindsey Wilkstrom
Term: Winter 2022
Model Photography
Broadway Stories
The project is situated at the bustling crossroads of Spring Street and Broadway, a nexus throbbing with the pulse of thousands daily. This particular junction resonates with a symphony of urban clamor, partly due to the nearby Nike store and the subway’s heartbeat rumbling beneath. Despite the cacophony, havens of quietude are scarce. This is precisely where our building comes into play, offering a respite from the relentless roar.
SPRING STREET
Sound Distribution
This innovative metamorphosis into an interactive soundscape is designed to have a profound impact on the city’s denizens. By allowing people to engage with the building’s materials to compose and experience music, it intertwines the urban fabric with the therapeutic and cognitive benefits of music, fostering a unique sensory and emotional connection with the space, enriching the lives of New Yorkers, and redefining the intersection as a hub of cultural and creative rejuvenation.
United Atmospheres
Biophilic Air Purifier
United Atmospheres is a biophilic air purifier developed in our GSAPP class as a response to the growing urgency of indoor air pollution. The project centers on 3D-printable hydroponic pods designed to improve air quality while integrating natural systems into interior spaces. Each pod contains fans and expanded clay balls that draw air through the plants, capturing fine particles and reducing harmful gases such as VOCs. Installed at GSAPP, the system harnesses both photosynthesis and the filtering power of plant roots, while also enabling edible plant growth. Low-maintenance and adaptable, it offers a sustainable, scalable approach to cleaner indoor environments. With most of the global population living in areas exceeding WHO air quality guidelines, such solutions are critical for promoting health, well-being, and environmental resilience.
Location: Manhattan, NY
Course: Tech Elective
Professor: Andreas Theodoridis
Term: Winter 2023
Case Study: My Apartment
Identifying Air Pollution Contributers
Fabric Softeners And Perfumes
Cleaners
Furniture
Electronics
Common Hvac & Window Ac Filters
Gas Stoves
Particle Board
Animals
Cleaners
Furniture
Particle Board
Animals
Fabric softeners & Perfumes Electronics
stoves
Common HVAC and Window AC Unit Filters
Edible Plants
While also purifying the air of Carbon Dioxide via photosynthesis, the plant will provide an extra layer of available nutrients by producing edible fruit.
Expanded clay balls are used in lieu of soil to accommodate for better airflow through the root system of the plant. By using expanded clay, the water remains cleaner for a longer duration of time and prevents mold and mildew from growing requiring minimal maintenance.
The water dispenser allows for the purification system to be self sustainable and low maintenance
A fan is used to push the polluted air through the root system which is more successful in purifying the air rather than pulling air through the root system
A barrier system is put in place to separate the excess water and expanded clay soil
The funnel is used to capture excess water and is recirculated back into the system to avoid any water waste
Expanded Clay Balls
Fan
Funnel
Soil Barrier
Water Dispenser
Digital Odyssey
In a series of architectural drawings and renderings, I reimagined the Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City, a structure renowned for its monumental scale and futuristic ambiance.
Through 3D modeling, the library was depicted with a technological edge that speaks to the evolving concept of the library itself.
Beyond a mere repository for books. This vision addresses the decline of traditional print while opening a dialogue about the new roles a library might play in the digital age, whether as a hub for digital archives, a community space for interactive learning, or a sanctuary for diverse forms of knowledge preservation and exploration. The renderings challenge the it’s program and invite us to wonder about the future of libraries in a world where information transcends the page and becomes an immersive experience.
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Course: ADR I
Individual
Professor: Joshua Uhl
Term: Fall 2022
Render
Model
I took these images, at the Vasconcelos Library as a vast, boundless reservoir of knowledge. Its monumental scale inspired my project’s core idea: a library that transcends physical space. Here, every shelf and digital portal becomes a gateway to infinite learning, reflecting the limitless potential of a modern library in the information age.
Photography
My passion for audio and my partner’s interest in textiles led us to create a speaker that merges sound with touch. Inspired by retro radios, the design combines soft, tactile fabric with a compact, sculptural form. Three central buttons control power and volume, each designed to be recognized by feel alone. We learned to wire speakers and program Arduinos, making the object both technically functional and creatively expressive. The exposed stitching and components celebrate the fusion of craft and technology, turning the speaker into a playful, immersive experience rather than just a device.
