Professor: Gisela Baurmann graduate Group project (2 members)
The waterfront composting and greenhouse center ties together other themes of recycling with the incorporation of the sustainable fashion center. Community is at the core of the project and aims to unite residents in New York City. The center will raise awareness of sustainable practices and of transforming urban food waste into usable fuel and soil. The site is bordered by industrial infrastructure and Queensboro Park. The location presents a unique opportunity to integrate industrial processing with public space. The two types of programs coexist with people and processes flowing throughout the various spaces.
This idea of grounded sustainability and machine processes manifests as pebble-like forms that are both a homage to industrial machinery and a return to our natural landscape. These soft, rounded volumes sit within the landscape as both decorative and functional buildings. There is a contrast between the natural landscape and man-made infrastructure throughout the proposal, with water even becoming part of the main design concept. The concept of flow is central to the design, but this is drawing inspiration from both the idea of flow throughout processes and the gradual flowing of water. The water within the landscape varies depending on the time of day, as it is affected by the tide. The water then becomes a mediator between the architectural design and the East River. This concept is echoed in the façade, which incorporates flowing pipes as both opaque walls and shading devices. Finally, a rippling walkway leads visitors deeper into the site from the adjacent park and invites people to discover what activities are hosted by the peaceful pebble forms. Work included are the drawings and visuals I developed as part of a collaborative design and working process.
QUEENSBORO BRIDGE
WATER
ROOSEVELTISLAND
QUEENSBORO PARK STREET
TERRACOTTA HOUSE
COMMUNITY
MARKET & COMMERCE
FERRY TERINAL
SUSTAINABLE FASHION CENTER
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION
PARKING
MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRY
COMPOSTING
Cold storage
Chemical storage
Mechanical room
Restroom
Outdoor vegetation
Flood reservoir
Truck entry & deliveries
Weighing station
Material drop-off
Truck washing station
Reception (composting)
drop-off
Secondary Greenhouse
Main Greenhouse
Storage
Restroom
Office & administration COMPOSTING
Office (composting)
Break room
Viewing area
Composting exhibition COMMUNITY & SUSTAINABLE FASHION
10. Waiting area
Dining 12. Reception (sustainable fashion)
Material & textile store
2F
SHADING DEVICE SYSTEM: METAL RODS AS LOUVERS
VERTICAL RODS (East-West
ELEVATION: NORTHWEST
Floor 1 0’-0”
Basement -19’-10”
1: Stainless steel tube, 2 3/4” diameter
2: Stainless steel mounting rail
3: Threaded titanium rod
4: Stainless steel subframe
5: Stainless steel h-profile
6: Stainless steel RHS
7: Standing seam aluminium roofing sheet
8: Sheathing board
9: Waterproof layer (EPDM)
10: Rigid insulation: 8 1/4” (3 layers, between purlins)
11: Vapour control layer
12: Sheathing board
13: Steel roof deck
14: Steel beam: 12” x 18”
15: Ceiling fixing (to composite deck)
16: Suspended ceiling system (service zone, fire-retardent, acoustically insulated)
1: Stainless steel tube, 2 3/4” diameter
2: Stainless steel mounting rail
3: Threaded titanium rod
4: Stainless steel subframe
5: Stainless steel h-profile
6: Stainless steel RHS
7: Standing seam aluminium sheet
8: Airtight layer & waterproof membrane
9: Rigid insulation: 9” (2 layers, between purlins)
Town centers in the United Kingdom were once the social and retail heart of communities. Dealing with the threat of rising vacant properties, Swindon High Street was sadly rated the 5th worst out of 50 of the UK’s largest towns and cities in 2019. The proposed site will help to revive the intersection point where the two streets cross. The primary aim of this project was to prompt rejuvenation within the area, allowing the streets to evolve rather than deteriorate.
The project hopes to breathe new life into the local community by proposing open-access workshops dedicated to the traditional craft techniques of print and papermaking. These workshops will serve as a hub for creativity and sustainability and a symbol of future growth. Accessible to all, the building will encourage artistic exploration, learning, and skill development. The program fosters sustainability by reusing the existing basement structure and integrating an outreach program using Swindon’s waste paper for hand-crafting. The reuse of the previous building’s concrete basement promotes refurbishment as a way to reduce carbon emissions. The approach also presents the opportunity to showcase the interplay between Swindon’s past and present. Inspired by origami, the folding façade pays homage to papercraft while embodying the functions and purpose of the building. This narrative is consistent throughout the design, with structural features leaning into the idea of folding and paper’s transformative qualities. Exploring the material theme further, visitors are taken on a journey through the building as each floor represents a part of paper’s story and life cycle.
Sustainable drainage systems (permeable paving & stormwater planters)
SURFACE TENSION
façade system exploration & visualization
Year: 2025
Site: 500 Park Ave, MANHATTAN, NY, USA
Professor: Ramon Pena Toledo graduate project
Surface Tension explores ways to develop ideas for façade systems through image-making and visualization techniques. The proposal is a reinterpretation of the existing 500 Park Avenue building. The corner location and existing glazing become a basis for adapting the building’s massing and structure to create a conceptual architectural skin. I have always been drawn to forms that appear soft or fluid because of their illusion of continuous movement. I wanted to investigate this idea by emphasizing the tension brought about when a solid material can have an implied weightlessness through its form. This tension questions the idea of ephemerality and permanence.
Contrast and layering in these images display the façade as a device for igniting curiosity about what is contained within the building. Inside is a dynamic, multi level retail and concept store where creators from various creative fields can come together to showcase their work in an ever-changing landscape of experiential installations. The exterior responds to this environment by revealing glimpses of the vibrant interior through strategic openings and materiality that frame curated display moments. The existing concrete structure is draped in a clear, softly distorted skin. These two materialities are in deliberate opposition: heavy versus light, fixed versus seemingly fluid. The soft fabric-like façade follows the form of bay windows, which shift in and out of the building’s skin and serve as display opportunities. The secondary sheer façade varies in opacity and reflectivity to catch the light differently throughout the day while revealing selected interior spaces.
The bubble-like forms give a sense of visual rhythm, guiding the eye upward and in. The temporal nature of bubbles hints at the dynamic, ever-changing interior installations. Ultimately, the façade begins to blur the boundary between display and engagement.
PHYSICAL MODEL
NYCHA HOUSING RENOVATION
Year: 2024
Site: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Professor: James Garrison
Graduate Project
Project showcased at the RE:AL ESTATES RESTRUCTURED LIVING EXHIBITION (2025)
The refurbishment of the Bushwick NYCHA housing project redefines urban community living by transforming isolated blocks into interconnected, inward-facing courtyard clusters. The design activates the street level with communal spaces and landscaped areas, fostering interaction and belonging among residents. The design links existing residential blocks in pairs with new additions, forming courtyards lined with curved terraces. These terraces serve as circulation routes for the apartments and communal spaces, overlooking a shared courtyard. This arrangement promotes community engagement while maintaining privacy for the residents. The building forms are kept simple to ensure cost-efficiency and consistency. This approach supports the project’s function as housing and allows for repeatable elements. While the form adapts to different site contexts, the architecture remains minimalist, acting as a backdrop for community activities. While creating enclosed courtyards, the design maintains open visual connections and lines of sight through strategic openings. This openness preserves the site’s connection to the surrounding urban environment and ensures the housing complex remains welcoming to residents and the community.
The aims of the amenities provides are to promote Community, Healthy & Sustainable Lifestyles, and Intergenerational Living. These are all essential in fostering a holistic environment that benefits the wellbeing of residents. The amenities have a focus towards long-term environmental and social sustainability. Community strengthens social ties and creates shared spaces for interaction. Prioritizing healthy & sustainable lifestyles will improve overall physical and mental health of residents. This encompasses the provision of community exercise/activity spaces and shared food production allotments. Intergenerational living encourages diverse age groups to coexist and benefit one another. From the initial research, it was noteworthy that many lived alone in the existing apartments. Flexible living will enable families to grow over time and to downsize later if necessary while providing facilities catering to all ages will help preventing feelings of isolation. The housing proposal presents flexible and dynamic spaces that will form the basis of a supportive community that evolves with residents’ changing needs.
Existing apartment buildings
Demolished
ENCLOSED COURTYARDS SOLID VS. VOID
STREET LEVEL AMENITIES
SHARED SPACES & CONNECTION
COMMUNITY, SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES & INTERGENERATIONAL LIVING
8: Suspended ceiling system (fire-retardent, acoustically insulated, timber finish)
9: Glulam Beam
10: Insulated glass door (double glazed with low-e coating and argon gas infill)
11: Aluminium door frame
12: Sill sealer
13: Timber door sill and deck
14: Timber-finish panel
15: Pre-cast concrete plank (Hollowcore concrete)
16: Steel support angle (bolted to CLT)
17: Steel angle for wood siding support
18: Vapour permeable membrane
19: Rigid insulation
20: OSB
21: Airtight layer and waterproof membrane
22: Cedar cladding (vertical)
23: Metal flashing
24: Wood head jamb
25: Aluminium window system with insulated glazing (double glazed with low-e coating and argon gas infill)
26: Aluminium window system with insulated glazing (double glazed with low-e coating and argon gas infill)
27: Timber Window sill
28: Sill sealer
29: Steel support angle
30: Steel angle for wood siding support
31: Gymsum board
32: Batt insulation
33: Exterior plywood sheathing
34: Vapour permeable membrane
35: Rigid insulation (extruded polystyrene)
36: OSB
37: Airtight layer and waterproof membrane
38: Cedar cladding (vertical)
1: Raised terrace system (adjustable pedestal heights, timber porcelain finish decking)
2: Waterproof layer and breather membrane
3: Pre-cast concrete plank (hollowcore concrete)
4: Tension cable
5: Concrete planter edge
6: Planter soil
7: Substrate
8: Drainage channel
9: Concrete render finish
10: Pre-cast concrete plank (hollowcore concrete)
11: Concrete cap (with render finish)
12: Steel support beam
13: Shim and grout
14: Welded beam attachment (tab welded to W section bottom flange)
15: Clevis
16: Adjustment/tightener for (tenson cable)
17: Tension cable
PHYSICAL MODEL: CHUNK
c.r.a.f.t.
CenteR for Renewable AdvanceD Fabrication of TimbeR
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTE
Year: 2023
Site: Swindon, United Kingdom
Professor: ROBERT GROVER
Undergraduate Group project (4 members)
Finalist for TED HAPPOLD PRIZE
The work for this project is from the Happold Foundation Project which is an annual collaborative project at the University of Bath for final-year architecture and engineering students. The primary goal of this jointdegree project is to promote integrated ways of thinking within construction and architecture. The project site was located in Swindon. The brief is to design a STEAM institute in Swindon with a focus on two subjects. The institute will be attended by 6000 students, of which 120 will have on-site accommodation. As a group, we collectively thought it was imperative that we design spaces that enhance the existing context. Therefore, our primary focus was on creating a scheme that gives back to the local community through regenerative design principles. This belief forms the foundation of our design to enhance Swindon socially, economically, and environmentally.
In response to the prevailing challenges in Swindon, we created CRAFT (Center for Renewable Advanced Fabrication of Timber). The center emerged as a solution to address a significant skills gap and the overemphasis on a singular industry. The town’s reliance on a specific sector has rendered it vulnerable, resulting in limited diversification of skills and industries. Recognizing this skills gap, we have designed a scheme that integrates practical skills with theoretical research to equip individuals with a versatile skill set. CRAFT’s focus on Timber Engineering and Mechanical & Electrical Engineering is intended to enrich Swindon socially, economically, and environmentally, paving the way for a new industry aligned with the town’s tradition of innovation. This initiative is poised to shape Swindon’s future and play a pivotal role in revitalizing the construction industry, particularly in pre-fabricated housing. As housing is a widespread issue both locally in Swindon and nationally across the UK, our combination of subjects will have long-term benefits for tackling this crisis. I have included the drawings and visuals I developed, the concept and design were developed collaboratively.
PHASE 1: STRUCTURAL CORES & SITE PREP
STUDENT VILLAGE
PHASE 2: WORKSHOP
3:
30 years post-completion of design proposal (Housing for students)
PHASE
FRONT OF HOUSE
PHASE 4: ACCOMMODATION
PHASE 5: AUDITORIUM
PHASE 6: REMAINING EDUCATION BLOCK & ATRIUM
RECYCLING FACILITY
20 years post-completion of design proposal (Research lab in collaboration with recycled clt)
LEARNING & WORKING PLAN 1F
Delivery Bay
Timber/M&E Machine Workshop
Goods Lift
Student Work Storage 5. Secondary Exhibition Space
Female WC
Male WC
Accessible WC
Shared Large Machine Workshop
Plant room
Female Changing
Male Changing
Main Exhibition Space
Food Storage
Kitchen
Staff Changing
Gender Neutral Toilets
Cleaning Store
Dining Hall
LEARNING & WORKING
HOUSING & LIVING
Planning permission & site preparation
Excavation & concrete foundation cores
glulam frame construction
CLT MODULE construction
Glulam frame construction
interiors & services
Workshop construction
Educational construction
HOUSING & living PLAN 5F 1.
Plant 2. Terrace Access and Storage
3. Flat of 8
4. Flat of 12
(With x1 accessible bedroom)
5. Kitchen
6. Cleaning storage
Module type 1: x2 large bedrooms
Module type 2: corridor x2 bedrooms
Bedroom Module Type 2
Bedroom Module Type 1
NOMAD
PORTABLE origami SHELTER
Year: 2020
Art & Design Foundation
Functionality and transportability were the key aims throughout this project. I aimed to craft a folding shelter with the exploration of core origami principles. I wished to explore the collapsible nature of origami and its potential use for creating temporary structures that are easy to transport. There was a challenge in designing a structure which is stable during use yet can be compacted and light when folded. I created a 1:2 prototype model to trial whether the idea indeed functions in real life. The final result was successful in providing both practicality in its deployed state and compressible for convenience during transportation or storage. I hope to always come back to this idea of converting between 2D and 3D. This conversion between sheet material and structural forms intrigues me. These ideas are also particularly relevant to using materials resourcefully when thinking about sustainability.
THE ONE THEATER
INTERCULTURAL THEATER
Year: 2022
Site: OXFORD, United Kingdom
Professor: Mark Wray
Undergraduate project
Theatre productions should reflect the communities they perform in. In turn, promoting diversity of interest and representation within the industry. This project is set in the city of Oxford which has the third highest population of ethnic minorities within the South East of England. There is also an extreme disparity in wealth in the same city which further indicates a degree of inequality which may not immediately be associated with Oxford. As a response, I chose to design an intercultural theatre which serves as a platform for narratives and stories from people of various cultural backgrounds to be shared with one another. Part of this project will be addressing this disparity, by understanding how architecture might represent and support marginalised communities. Many theatres already exist in Oxford but there is not currently a theatre which represents the multicultural demographic of Oxford.
The building simultaneously acts as a community hub with the provision of a film and theatre workshop spaces. Public access to these facilities and classes enables more opportunities for people to get involved with the film and theatre industry. This in turn encourages representation. Creating an environment which focuses on community helps to foster connections between people. The theatre will boost individuals’ sense of belonging, encouraging unity among the residents of Oxford. The workshop, public amenities and intercultural theatre are combined under one roof to become architecture that is of, and for, the people of Oxford. The site is bordered by two busy streets. The design addresses these two frontages by treating the ground floor as an extension of the external street both in the north and the south. The stone façade of the existing south elevation will be preserved due to it being a Grade I listed building. The notional floor levels of the Georgian stone exterior are used as a guide for the internal floor heights. Existing masonry is paired with a copper roof which is inspired by vernacular architecture of Oxford which features many patinated copper roofs. The patinated copper roof stretches across the building and is met with copper standing seam cladding. The variation in copper’s aging is an expression of the existing masonry being integrated with the new-build in the north of the site.
INTEGRATION OF NEW AND OLD
EXTENSION OF both STREET FRONTAGES
COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE
Existing walls to be kept
Foyer
Reception
Cloakroom
Bar
WC
Photography & film studio
Photography Dark Room
Drama studio & rehearsal space
Media & postproduction
Workshop space
Café
Staff & cast entrance
Storage (stage equipment)
Control room
Breakout area
Auditorium
Dressing room (main)
Dressing room (green room)
19. Roof garden
Prayer room
Administration
Break room
ELEVATION: NORTH
ELEVATION: SOUTH
ENVIRONMENTAL
STRATEGIES:
COPPER ROOF
GLULAM TIMBER FRAME
roof structure
GLULAM TIMBER FRAME
3f structure
CLT
3f floor plate
GLULAM TIMBER FRAME
2f STRUCTURE
CLT
2f floor plate
GLULAM TIMBER FRAME
1f STRUCTURE
STONE FACADE (existing)
CONCRETE FLOOR GROUND BEARING SLAB
PROFESSIONAL WORK
Transit & Infrastructure
architecture INTERNSHIP STANTEC, 2025 - present
At Stantec, I have been working on the transit and infrastructure team. Their projects are mostly involved with agencies such as MTA, NJ Transit, and PANYNJ. I supported the overall production of drawings across a diverse set of projects at various stages of completion. I also helped with 3D models and rendering. I’ve also become more aware of the regulations and submission processes for the design package associated with several transit agencies. The experience has definitely felt rewarding as I’m able to contribute to the infrastructure of New York City and the surrounding areas. Specific drawings and further project information cannot be shared for confidentiality reasons, but I have shown renders I produced using a shared BIM model.
COMMERCIAL & Residential
architecture VISUALIZATION INTERNSHIP Hayes Davidson, 2023
My internship at Hayes Davidson involved assisting with the production of high-end architectural visualizations for commercial and residential projects. I contributed to the overall scene composition and setup, but mostly to material refinement and post-production. I enjoyed working alongside senior visualization artists to deliver professional renders for clients. My work aimed to create the desired atmosphere and accurate realism of materials within the final image. Ultimately, I learned the impact of an image on communicating spatial intent and an overall architectural design narrative. The renders displayed below were assigned to me individually, but they form part of a larger portfolio of images. Details of these projects are withheld for confidentiality reasons.
Mansard insulation (unseen in this image)
Pitch roof insulation (unseen in this image)
RETROFIT REPORTS
architecture INTERNSHIP RAFT, 2023
My role as a Part I Architectural Assistant at RAFT involved supporting tasks across various retrofit projects. These projects mostly ranged from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) stages 0-3 and enabled me to form a well-rounded understanding of approaches to retrofit. I was introduced to PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) software and learned how evidence-based data analysis can be a tool when making design decisions as well as recommendations. I enjoyed seeing how sustainable approaches within architecture have real potential to improve our health while also reducing energy costs.
Although I worked on various projects for the deep-retrofit of schools, I was fortunate to be a part of the SBDE-14 project. The project involved producing heat decarbonisation plans, airtightness reports and thermography reports for 14 schools within the London Borough of Southwark. I was tasked with creating architectural diagrams and data-related graphics for reports across 3 of the 14 schools. Working on various reports taught me the importance of in-depth energy performance analysis when aiming for truly sustainable buildings. I also saw how each retrofit scenario is unique and there is not a universal solution to achieving zero-carbon based on building typology. These reports would be the first step for each school’s journey towards a low-carbon future. They could serve as a guide for what building measures to implement and which of these should be prioritized. I learned how the information within the reports is crucial as a tool to secure funding for the recommended measures. Retrofit contributes to reducing costs and energy usage while optimizing existing infrastructure. As an approach, retrofitting helps schools to manage their energy demands, saving money which enables schools to allocate the funds towards education. With budget constraints and cuts in education funding, removing excessive energy expenses and fostering sustainability will hopefully have benefits towards the local community beyond the school itself. Below and to the right is work from the St Saviour’s & St Olave’s School heat decarbonisation plan as an example. The school had eight blocks in total but the work and research shown here is focused on Block B only.
The graph on the left illustrates the school’s total annual carbon emissions, and how these will be reduced year on year from 2023-2030. In the short term the school may see a slight increase in its energy bills due to electrification of services but will see it reduce significantly once the building fabric is upgraded and ASHPs (air source heat pumps) are introduced.
Annual running costs are calculated based on an average unit price of 10.7p/kWh for Gas and 30.2 p/kWh for Electricity. No standing charges are taken into account.
long TERM RETROFIT WORKS
NEWPOOL FARM
Newpool Farm is a disused area of agricultural land which a commercial land owner is looking to transform into a local tourism destination. This would involve the conversion of the existing long barn to the north-west of the site into two short-stay holiday lets, the demolition of existing dilapidated barns to allow for the provision of a single-story reception building with storage facilities, and the provision of 8 glamping cabins surrounding the ponds to the north east. The client was mindful from the beginning of the project to engage and take advice from a diverse consultant team to ensure that the proposals for the site would be viable and with a strong business case, but also sympathetic to the ecologically and environmentally sensitive site.
The majority of my time on placement was focused on work for the Newpool Farm project. I assisted in the design for the glamping cabins, two holiday let barn conversion homes and two car ports to go with each holiday home. This design process initially involved producing hand-drawn notional sketches before progressing onto digital technical drawings. Using a similar design process, I helped finalize the glamping cabin locations and the site’s board-walk connectivity strategy. My role within the scheme’s overall branding and marketing was to research possible branding options for the project as a whole as well as to create indicative visuals. The goal of the visuals was to help achieve successful planning application and to sell the designs as a viable tourism experience. This project’s planning application has since been approved.
