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2025 Study Architecture Student Showcase - Part II

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From red mud and recycled maritime rope to steel and the luffa plant, the projects featured in Part II of the 2025 Study Architecture Student Showcase explore various elements of materiality. These projects look at building materials as more than just elements of construction; they investigate how materials impact a building’s background, structure, and spatial storytelling.

Read on for a closer look.

A Field for the Passerby by Skye Nieves, B.Arch ‘25
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Advisor: Ryosuke Imaeda

Architecture is typically designed to serve and house its participants. Whether emphasizing function or aesthetics, the experience of space is central to design intent. We are immediately aware of materials, forms, and environments as hallmarks of good architecture. But what if architecture is designed to recede from our attention, perhaps to the degree that we become oblivious of its existence? This project explores a close yet passive relationship between architecture and passersby.

To understand this, two sources were studied: Human Centrism, emphasizing people as central to spatial experience; and Thomas Struth’s works, which remove people from scenes to expose their broader community. Between these approaches lies the passerby’s view. They acknowledge architecture without engaging deeply. This uninterestedness seems to lack lively relationships; nevertheless, it gradually becomes a design tool, where misfits in scale, material, and environments capture oddities. The scenes are not theatrical, but reveal strange moments in their daily experience.

The primary material is red mud, a toxic byproduct from the Bayer Process, accumulating near Salasel Castle in Khuzestan, Iran. Though dangerous, the separation of the material into iron and mud yields safe, structural mortar to build mosques, found every 300 feet in the region. On-site, mosque and red mud coexist without interaction. Purification happens behind the mosque, where worshippers focus inward, unaware of the background process.

Arched rooms separate prayers by a red wall that appears to flow. A tower looms, disconnected yet watchful. A central fountain runs smoothly, while the dome traps viscous mud; its true thickness unknown until touched. While prayers and materials exist inside to produce tensions, the everyday street remains as if nothing occurs. From the traces of doors, to vents and weep holes, subtle indications recede from the visions of passersby.

This project studies architecture as a background. It does not call attention to itself, yet it serves participants every day. And just like our daily habits, the material is processed slowly and consistently, from the alarming toxicity to the state we can gently touch. Perceived only in passing by observers, this architecture gains its meaning to serve the culture and environment in the field. 

This project won the RPI: Harriet R. Peck Prize (Best Solution in a Thesis Project in Architecture Design).

Instagram: @nieves_090, @ryoimaeda 

Fiber Locs by Chantal Celis, B.Arch ’25
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Advisor: Ryosuke Imaeda

Architecture is a composite of elements and experiences. Structural logic grounds it, while layers of history accumulate on façades, transforming into cultural ornamentation. Yet, a closer look at columns reveals a tension between structural function and cultural continuity. Columns are placed as part of a larger framing, while separately, they are adorned with crafted ornaments. Their evident independence, however, suggests the possibility of being reimagined into a tangible yet strange dialogue. Raising the question: what if a column, rather than serving only a structural role, could be intentionally crafted with finer materials until it attains a newfound integrity?

This project investigates the reengineering of a column through the use of finer materials, viewing columns as inherent constructs where the process of arranging materials evolves into a structural form. Using recycled maritime rope from the Mersey River, this design ideology aims to reveal a strange domain between stability and delicacy, amalgamation and ornamentation, embedding culture and environment into the process of making. The six-foot column uses hairdressing techniques similar to loc crocheting. While the ropes in the physical model were not sourced directly from the Mersey River, it offered a full-scale test of the material’s capacity and structural potential. The strands vary in length, yet each one interlocks with the next. This system of knotting creates structural integrity without the use of adhesives.

The thesis explores the process and dialogue of making fibers operate structurally and aesthetically, supported by the processes embedded within the building. With no use of blueprint, but with the involvement of local craftsmanship, the material itself begins and participates in the formation of building parts, from the product scale to the transformation of the building itself. Its cultural and environmental essence is expressed through the ambiguous appearance of the column. 

This project was nominated for the RPI Peck Prize.

Instagram: @architecturecc, @ryoimaeda 

The Luffa Commons by Muzzammil Taufik, M.ArchD ’25
Oxford Brookes University | Advisors: Jason Coleman & Mickey Kloihofer

Through the material examination of the luffa plant, which reveals its inherent translucency, layered tectures, and light-filtering properties, this project aims to re-establish a connection between humans and nature.

The design reflects the village-like character of Stoke Newington, London’s heritage, by incorporating natural shapes into the architectural language.

The end effect is a tactile and atmospheric space where light, form, and natural materials combine to create a revitalised feeling of community based on ecology and location.

Instagram: @muzzammiltaufik, @oxarch, @ds4.oxarch

ETHICAL STEEL- A SUSTAINABLE AND NONFORCED LABOR DESIGN APPROACH by Evelyn Palafox & Natalie Sipes, B.Arch ’25
University of Houston | Advisors: Asmaa Olwi, Gabriel Monteleone, Gaston Noriega & Emilia Migali

This project aims to utilize steel in alternative ways through architectural design, by emphasizing sustainability and safety. Our primary goal was to reshape the way steel, a fundamental part of our built environment, functions, but taking on a more ethical and green approach. We began studying the life cycle of steel, from ore to steel, and the process of fabrication to create the world we see today. Researching and studying steel manufacturing and fabrication facilities allowed us to have a deeper understanding of the material’s capabilities, work conditions, and processes, which enabled us to create a design that minimizes work hazards and leaves little to no waste after construction. 

This design explores a near one-point perspective view and its effect on space and those who interact with it. Our device uses steel forms that elongate the view rather than converge it. The view that was captured leads straight to the heart of our University, where festivals and pop-ups occur. The steps invite people in, guiding them to interact with the device and allowing the audience to explore different views from varying heights. We left the device uncoated to allow the steel to leave traces of oxidation from those who have interacted with the design. During fabrication, we used plasma cutting machines and press brakes to cut and bend the sheet metal, utilizing each sheet to its fullest, reducing waste. This process also reduced the emissions and energy that would have otherwise been consumed if the device had been fully welded. The components were assembled with a bolt and wedging system that allowed for quick, safe construction and future adaptability. The device now serves as a viewing point, capturing a nature reserve near the steel fabrication facility. 

Instagram: @nataliesipess, @evepalafox, @olwiasmaa, @gm.baag, @gaston.baag, @estudio.baag

Fractions by GJ Hartsfield, Allan Rangel & Nicholas Santiago, B.Arch ’25
University of Houston | Advisors: Asmaa Olwi, Gabriel Monteleone, Gaston Noriega & Emilia Migali

Fractions is an exploratory architectural device inspired by the materiality of galvanized steel. The device aims to reveal hidden landscapes of steel fabrication, distribution, and waste. As a material, steel is ubiquitous and resilient. Our group focused on these aspects of the material by sourcing building elements, which are usually thin, hidden, or otherwise mask other functions of architecture. We also wanted to focus on the galvanized finish for its ability to fracture reflections into a mosaic.

The frame of the structure is constructed of EMT, tubing used for protecting electrical wiring in buildings, and sourced from a local supplier in Houston. The panels are galvanized steel flashing, used on most commercial buildings, and donated by a local Houston contractor. The fasteners holding everything together are sourced from a small business in South Carolina, which manufactures in the same state. The assemblage requires a framed window and nets two effects. One: the distortion of the outside landscape through the curved sheets placed to reflect specific views. The intention of this is to riff on the fractured, complex, and overlapping nature of the steel sector. Two: diffusion of light provides a new relationship between the user and the window space. No longer a “day/night” relationship between direct light and shadow, but instead a diffused effect similar to tree canopies. Conceptual, practical, and radically simple, the project uses a framed view to expose landscapes outside our immediate view. 

Instagram: @gj_harts_architecture, @ajr.arch, @nikkosvn, @olwiasmaa, @gm.baag, @gaston.baag, @estudio.baag

Building With Bricolage – BRICO and the Art of Reassembly: Building from What Remains – Reuse, Recovery, and Reimagination by Macintyre Schnell, M.Arch ’25
University of Southern California | Advisor: Sascha Delz

Building with Bricolage reimagines adaptive reuse as an active, regenerative process – one that is as much about creative material transformation as it is about collective social empowerment. This thesis proposes a framework where architecture is built not from scratch, but from what already exists: disassembled, deteriorated, and often overlooked structures are carefully taken apart, salvaged, and reassembled into new spatial forms. The resulting architecture is a collage—layered, expressive, and materially honest—where imperfections are not concealed, but celebrated. The visible seams, textures, and traces of former lives become part of the building’s identity, allowing it to tell a rich story of transformation. Rather than limiting adaptive reuse to historically conserved buildings, Building with Bricolage embraces the potential of “non-conservable” structures, reclaiming their materials for renewed construction on the same site. This process not only reduces waste and promotes sustainability, but also fosters hands-on skill-building in deconstruction, reassembly, and low-carbon construction practices. 

In partnership with the adjacent LA Trade and Technical College (LATTC), the project becomes a living classroom—integrating vocational training, experimentation, and community workshops to expand educational curricula and empower local labor. At its core, this framework positions architecture as a participatory act—shaped not only by materials, but by the people who inhabit, maintain, and co-create it. The proposed BRICO co-operative mirrors the material logic of bricolage: a diverse collective of residents and stakeholders, much like the varied components of the building itself, come together to form a unified, resilient whole. In doing so, Building with Bricolage regenerates more than buildings – it rebuilds the social fabric of the city through shared authorship, mutual care, and spatial storytelling. 

Instagram: @coop_urbanism

Stay tuned for Part III!

2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase - Part V

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Welcome to Part V of the 2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase! In today’s installment, materiality plays a pivotal role in the functionality of buildings, designs, and various architectural processes. 

Cork, acrylic, steel, concrete, wood, timber, and wires – for many, they may seem like mere materials for building. However, the projects below invite viewers to think about these materials through a different lens. 

From rethinking raw material standardization to highlighting the benefits of mass timber, viewers are encouraged to think deeply about sustainable production and opportunities for innovation. Other projects focus on the use of cork as a sound-insulative and the integration of natural materials such as clay and man-made elements such as steel. 

L-Shape Modular Cork Shelving System by Suna Choi & Sara Mohamed, B. Arch ‘24
American University of Sharjah | Advisor: Tania Ursomarzo

This installation is designed to create a double-functional partition that provides sound insulation and serves as a shelving system. It will be installed between the open studio spaces in our architecture, art, and design college building (CAAD) to reduce noise while offering students a place to store their items. Additionally, it serves as an aesthetic decoration for the space.

We chose cork as the main material due to its excellent sound-insulative qualities. Plywood was initially selected as the secondary material to create the shelving planes; however, we later decided to use only cork to fulfill both sound insulation and shelving purposes. Cork is not only sound-insulative but also biodegradable and aesthetically pleasing with its natural color.

The L-shaped modules, consisting of three rectangular patterns, are strategically stacked to form a shelving system that can be used on all sides. To connect the cork L-shaped modules together, we experimented with different materials such as thin plywood and acrylic to create simple connectors. After multiple iterations, we chose acrylic for its transparency, which would not distract from the natural aesthetic of the cork, unlike plywood.

Finally, we painted the top view of the model (the shelving surfaces) using primary colors: red, yellow, and blue, inspired by Mondrian’s compositions.

Instagram: @suliman.studio, @suna.choi_i, @triptychnyc

MODULAR CORK ACOUSTIC INSULATION AND FURNITURE SYSTEM by Rabab Al-Ali & Razan Almajid, B. Arch ’24
American University of Sharjah | Advisor: Tania Ursomarzo

In approaching this project, our primary objective was to address the disruptive noise levels at the College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD), where our site will be located. These noise levels are highly distracting for both students and visitors, necessitating an effective solution to enhance the acoustic environment. Our considerations for the site location are based on the noise levels. We identified the two loudest areas as the spaces between studios and the main entrance. These areas are particularly disruptive during pinups and reviews, necessitating a strategic approach to mitigate the noise and improve the overall environment.

Our aim is to design a flexible, easily movable, and rebuildable structure, ensuring multi-functionality. We sought to develop a solution that could be effortlessly relocated and reassembled multiple times, providing adaptability and improved acoustic management throughout the space. An additional benefit of our modular design is its versatility; the modules can be easily reconfigured into different types of furniture, demonstrating their efficiency and practicality.

We have selected cork as the primary material for our project due to its numerous advantages. Firstly, cork possesses excellent sound absorption properties, effectively addressing our main noise concern by significantly reducing noise levels and minimizing sound transmission between spaces. Secondly, its lightweight yet durable nature facilitates the easy construction, deconstruction, and relocation of our structure. Lastly, cork is a natural and sustainable material, harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without causing harm, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Instagram: @ralali.arch, @rnm.arch, @triptychnyc

Wheel House by Tilden Reid Puckett, B.S. Architecture ‘24
University of Virginia | Advisor: Peter Waldman

I designed the Wheel House after experiencing land and water I know to be beautiful. Its sleek, sailboat-inspired lines and lotus flower aesthetics evoke a sense of tranquility and orthogonal organic beauty. The building’s foundation integrates seamlessly with the dam’s robust concrete structures, enhancing the synergy between natural and man-made elements. Inside, large windows and open spaces ensure an abundance of natural light, crafting an atmosphere reminiscent of being on an open ocean or beneath a cascading waterfall. Every detail, from the material strategy of utilizing the natural erosion of corten steel to the proportional light/heaviness that attributes to its vertical and horizontal harmony. 

The design draws inspiration from the works of renowned architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, known for his integration of structures with their natural surroundings; Tadao Ando, whose use of concrete and light creates spaces that are both minimalist and profoundly serene; and Peter Waldman, my studio professor of whom’s work intelligently collages materials into profound sculptures of place. With its placement, the Wheel House defines the nature around it. Built on a steep slope, its terracing and retaining walls allow it to seamlessly rest under, on, and above its environment. This project reimagines the home and presents a more careful architectural attention to beauty and art. I believe that when one looks at this structure, they can start to imagine the coarse roar of the water falling down the dam and feel the rippling wind stream across the reservoir. I designed the Wheel House to express further land and water I know to be beautiful. 

This project won the Duncan J. McCrea Memorial Award.

Instagram: @tilden.reid, @aschool_uva

Epiphytic-Retrofitting: Wooden Structures to Top Out Unfinished Constructions on the Galapagos by Paula Cano-Vergara, M. Arch ’24
University of Texas at Austin | Advisor: David Heymann

Epiphytic-Retrofitting: Wooden Structures to Top Out Unfinished Construction on the Galapagos Research explores potential applications of lightweight timber members to envision design possibilities that might lead to more environmentally responsive architecture, endemic to the Galapagos Island in Ecuador. 

The study focuses on ten wood species, both endemic and introduced—Avocado, Bamboo, Black Carob, Cascarilla Cinchona, Guava, Galapagos Guava, Machinel, Mahogany, Matazarno, and Spanish Cedar—to explore how timber can replace conventional construction methods and address rapid urbanization and the prevalence of unfinished concrete structures.

The title emphasizes two concepts: “Epiphytic,” referring to plants that use other vegetation for physical support rather than nutrients, and “Retrofitting,” a sustainable method for vertical growth and densification. The project aims to protect the fragile ecosystem by reducing the exploitation of natural resources and restoring endemic vegetation. The proposed vertical expansion utilizes lightweight timber from six selected species to complete unfinished buildings, up to 5 floors total.

The structural capacity of each species is determined by grain structure, categorized into three main types: 1) Curvy and wavy, 2) Irregular, and 3) Straight grain. Structural elements are designed based on standard branch and trunk diameters and lengths, with Mahogany and Matazarno ideal for joints, Spanish Cedar and Guava for primary and secondary elements, and Avocado and Carob for cladding and decking planks. The proposal also includes three vertical growth strategies that prioritize efficiency by branching to the nearest points from the top element to the next floor, based on [the types of] tree branching: Dichotomous, Monopodial, and Sympodial. Additionally, trusses integrate the vertical elements and transfer loads to concrete frames ranging from 3x3m to 9x15m.

Despite common perceptions of timber as an unsafe and inferior material compared to its competitors, this research advocates for its potential in developing safe, low-carbon buildings. Timber supports better forest management, curbs deforestation, and promotes the use of locally-sourced materials. Additionally, the research serves to protect and contribute data records of remote geographies like the Galapagos Island, the “living museum and showcase of evolution.”

This thesis was selected for the Innovation and Material category, Fall 2024.

Instagram: @utsoa

De-Framing the Built Environment by Drew Dunphy, M. Arch ’24
University of Miami School of Architecture | Advisors: Christopher Meyer & Joachim Perez

To design is to challenge what has come before to create something new. In today’s modern era of architecture, there has been an explosion of new programs and materials that facilitate the design process and have increased the production rate exponentially. In doing so, the profession has accepted standard practices as rules and allowed material use and industry to become rigid.

Challenging what makes architecture function as a profession is not easy, but it is necessary to continue driving innovation. Using mass timber as a case study, De-Framing the Built Environment looks holistically at manufacturing, architecture, and construction to break down what is immediately accepted as best practice. 

De-Framing the Built Environment breaks the process by which design goes from raw materials to an inhabitable space into three focus areas. Starting with the manufacturing process, it challenges the current centralized system of material sourcing and calls for a regionalist approach that emphasizes sustainable sourcing. From there, it stresses the importance of integrated design that reorients the cost from strictly economic to include ecological and temporal design costs. Finally, De-Framing the Built Environment rejects the accepted lifespan of a building by focusing on architecture that is easy to assemble, inhabit, and disassemble with a low margin of wasted material. 

Design, by its very nature, should be synonymous with innovation. While this thesis focuses on mass timber, questioning the process by which raw materials are transformed into space is a universal principle that must be applied across disciplines and building practices. You, as architects, designers, and construction professionals, are integral to this change.

This project was awarded an Honorable Mention by the University of Miami School of Architecture Faculty Award for Outstanding Thesis Work in the Master of Architecture Program. 

Instagram: @dunphy_27, @LU_lab_miami, @ateliermey 

Turning Tree Forks into Structures: An Experimental Analysis of a Minimally Processed Material Within the Age of Standardization by Zachary Chartrand, M. Arch ’24
Lawrence Technological University | Advisor: Scott Shall

Since the Industrial Revolution, the building industry has dedicated enormous energy to developing processes that can take raw, idiosyncratic materials and produce highly controlled, specifiable products. This has served the building industry well for years. Material standardization allows for standardized structural details and procedures that can be easily followed by the common builder, [allowing them] to produce structures that can be analyzed and designed based on the uniform properties of the building product. Unfortunately, this process rejects those materials that do not meet the uniformity required, regardless of their unique structural potential.

Recent advancements in digital analysis allow for the ability to identify unique qualities within raw materials. Advancements in computational technology allow for the optimization of a structural design to accommodate for these idiosyncratic properties. The development of a platform, involving digital analysis and computational design, would make this method of design available to the common builder and architect. The development of a process, using common construction techniques, would allow the common builder to build structures using these idiosyncratic pieces. The development of this platform for design, and system of construction, would demonstrate that advancements in technology can initiate a movement towards more sustainable architecture by reducing the amount of processing necessary to use raw materials in a structural capacity.

This will be studied by obtaining an inventory of tree forks and scanning them into a digital inventory. A script will then be developed that optimizes fork fitment to different assembly logics for shell structures. Next, a joinery system and system of construction will be developed that processes the forks based on data outputs from the script. Success will be measured in joint precision and structural rigidity.

This thesis won the 2024 CoAD Deans Award. 

Instagram: @scott_shall

Moore Square Indie Music Center by Daniel Knorr, Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture ’24
NC State University | Advisor: Zach Hoffman

Moore Square Indie Music Center gives a home to the indie musicians of Raleigh, fulfilling their three core needs: practicing, recording, and performing. The center contains practice and recording room clusters in addition to a main performance venue space. The center embodies the spirit of the indie music community through the use of rhythm and movement and a familiar gritty materiality that alludes to the idea of “garage” or “basement” bands. 

Interstitial spaces generate chance encounters between musicians and fans. This not only strengthens the indie music community, but more importantly, allows musicians to engage and grow their fan base.

The Stitch / Chance Encounters

The most important elements of the Center are the interstitial spaces that occur between major programmatic elements. These spaces act as an environment where chance encounters can happen between musicians and fans. This is especially important for indie music, a culture that thrives on strong interpersonal connections, and a strong dedicated fanbase. 

The entire Center is split down the middle, with the left theater half belonging to the community, and the right practice and recording half belonging to the musicians. The atrium space, “the stitch,” bridges the two halves of the Center together.

Materiality

The idea of a garage band has pervaded indie music culture since its inception. To capture this spirit, the Center uses materials such as cast-in-place concrete and raw metal, alluding to the origins of indie music. On the other hand, wood is used in the interiors of the practice studios to create a homey atmosphere, alluding to the idea of a sole musician practicing in their bedroom.

Texture and material are also used to signify the function of the spaces within the Center. The interiors of both the theater and the studios have highly textured acoustic paneling systems, whereas their exteriors are seamless and perfect. The exterior wood cladding of the theater serves to create an inviting presence that guides visitors into the theater. On the other hand, the monolithic concrete used in the exterior of the studios creates a fortress-like feeling, “protecting” the musicians inside.

This project won the ​​2024 AIA Triangle Student Design Award.

Instagram: @daniel.knorrr 

The Clay Huts and Metal Shed by Shixian Zhang & Ruozhao Cui, B. Arch ’24
Cal Poly University – Pomona | Advisor: Claudia Wainer

The Clay Huts and Metal Shed is a community-oriented ceramic arts and design center located in Elysian Valley. It is positioned with its north side facing the LA River and the future Taylor Yard development, and its south side overlooking the Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park. The rich history of Elysian Valley, marked by a blend of manufacturing facilities, single-family homes, and a flourishing artist community, forms a distinctive backdrop for this project. The design merges existing industrial elements with new, organically inspired clay volume, aiming to create not just an artistic space for ceramic artists but also a vibrant community hub for the Elysian Valley neighborhood. 

This project involves the adaptive reuse of an existing industrial building, which serves as a shell for the newly proposed clay volumes. The design strategy begins by categorizing program spaces into enclosed and loose types. Each clay volume, distinct in its form, encompasses a variety of enclosed functions. The interstitial spaces between these volumes, designated as loose programs fostering interaction and community engagement. Additionally, the design incorporates two sculptural gardens within these volumes. The clay huts deform the metal shed perimeter and break down the scale of the building, making it more approachable and relatable to the community.   

The material palette is a harmonious blend of clay and steel, symbolizing the integration of traditional craftsmanship with industrial production. The clay walls, constructed of rammed earth, feature a scalloped facade that lends a tactile, organic feel to the design. The primary structure utilizes the existing metal framework, altered and updated to support the new programmatic volumes. This interplay of materials is a defining characteristic of the design, with some areas showcasing an overlap of clay and steel through openings, while in others, the metal shell stops short, allowing the clay volumes to peek through. 

The juxtaposition of the clay huts against the metal shed highlights the contrast between stereotomic and tectonic, creating varied transitions in different spaces. For instance, upon approaching the building, one can see both the clay and corrugated metal cladding simultaneously. Entering the building through the open programs, visitors experience the interplay of the metal shed, steel structure, and clay huts. Once inside a clay volume, the surroundings are entirely enveloped by clay finish, offering a distinct spatial experience.

Instagram: @claudwain

Debunking the Myths of Wood: Mass Timber Contemporary Architecture to the Rescue of Cultural Heritage by Neftalí X. Luciano-Castillo, B. Arch ’24
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico | Advisors: Manuel De Lemos-Zuazaga & Pedro A. Rosario-Torres

Wooden architectural heritage represents an invaluable asset in the cultural and historical narrative of Puerto Rico. With its unique characteristics, craftsmanship and carpentry of a bygone era, it stands out from other architectural styles. Moreover, wooden heritage serves as a catalyst for reevaluating our approaches to designing and constructing buildings. As society gravitates towards sustainable practices, the resurgence of wood as a primary construction material offers a promising opportunity. This resurgence not only revitalizes historical structures but also enables a harmonious coexistence between traditional wooden architecture and contemporary design. However, this traditional architecture is often misjudged and misunderstood due to the poor knowledge and involvement of people in their culture, and the lack of legislations in favor of heritage preservation. Due to these and other external threats, these structures have begun to disappear from our urban fabric, leaving not only a void in space, but also in our culture and identity.

As a response to these factors, the proposal seeks to promote the preservation of wooden architectural heritage through community engagement, tourism, education, testing and manufacturing, in a design that serves as a living laboratory that combines historic structures with mass timber construction. The synergy between historic preservation and the incorporation of contemporary architecture signifies a unique chance to embrace the past while paving the way for a more sustainable future. The project’s location is the Central Aguirre Historic District in Salinas, Puerto Rico, an old sugar cane company town that houses a collection of historic wooden structures. The design is organized into three main volumes: a restored and repurposed historic building that houses museum spaces; a second volume that contains a manufacturing laboratory; and a taller volume that functions as a school of wooden architecture design and conservation. The main goal of this project is to serve as a catalyst for the preservation and restoration of historic wooden structures in Aguirre and all around Puerto Rico.

Instagram: @neftalixavier

Harmonic Convergence by Nicholas Owens, M. Arch ’24
Lawrence Technological University | Advisor: Masataka Yoshikawa

This project explores spatial and structural design, inspired by the concept of a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ and music. The initial phase focused on finding objects and integrating music, using guitar strings and thick wire to symbolize sheet music, representing order in chaos.

In the representation phase, the project incorporated methodologies from Neil Denari and Borges. The transition to 2D representation utilized Maya to create music stand models linked by chains, with six layers of wire illustrating chaos and order visually.

During development, Rhino was used for initial designs and Zbrush for refinement, creating a wire mesh structure. This phase emphasized materiality and spatial dynamics, resulting in a unique architectural design facilitating gallery spaces and visitor pathways.

The final phase integrated the structure with its landscape, showcasing LED wires and spatial potential. Interior renders highlighted the gallery space’s unique characteristics, creating a quasi-moiré effect with overlapping glass structures. The project envisioned future enhancements, including wire animation to visualize music flow, enhancing the visitor experience and reflecting the project’s foundation in music and organized chaos.

Overall, the project is a sophisticated blend of design, representation, and development, creating an innovative space that intertwines musical and structural elements to find order in chaos.

Instagram: @owensarchitecturaldesign, @masataka.yoshikawa

Stay tuned for Part VI!