My name is Bryant Phares II, and I’m a 2019 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be part of the design world—shaped in part by my parents: my dad, a concrete mason, grounded me in the physicality of building, while my mom, who worked in an office with a view, gave me an early appreciation for space and perspective. That mix helped spark my passion for architecture and its impact on people’s everyday lives.
Outside of work, I find inspiration in traveling—likely tied to my love of urbanism—and in creative outlets like cooking, spending time with friends and family, and listening to music, especially R&B and Hip-Hop. I’m fascinated by how music is sampled and layered—an art form not unlike architecture itself. Looking ahead, I hope to contribute to projects that positively impact the inner-city community I come from, using design as a tool to uplift and create lasting value.
In this portfolio, I’ve included a selection of professional work that reflects my role in shaping thoughtful, real-world projects, as well as an undergraduate project that continues to resonate with my design values and interests.
MILFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL
INDEX
ARETHA FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS
KINGS
HIGH SCHOOL
SPRINGBORO COMMUNITY CITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT ANALYSIS
MILFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL
MILFORD,
OH SHP
2022-2025
For Milford Middle School, I focused on the exterior design, working to break down the scale of a large building facade without over-complicating the architecture. By playing with the varying heights of programmatic volumes, I introduced visual interest and a sense of rhythm to the massing. A key design move was creating a prominent entry canopy—functional and welcoming—that anchors the front of the school while blending naturally with the overall form. Material selection, proportion, and simplicity were central to the design approach, all developed within a strict budget. The result is a clean, cohesive exterior that feels appropriately scaled for the new school.
ARETHA FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL
FOR THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS
DETROIT,MI OSU AUTUMN 2018
Aretha Franklin High School for the Performing and Visual Arts displays how I was able to take the form a previous project and re-purpose its function. Using my Craigslist Library, designed in Autumn '17 studio as a precedent, I expanded on its form to create new courtyards and additional spaces for a high school. I also kept the tower and made it one of my focus points for the social impact this school would have on the student body that would inhabit it. With the tower, I wanted to give students a chance to see the world. It offers a view that some students may have never had before, it is meant to inspire and show there is a world beyond the neighborhoods they may come from.
Flush Overlap: - Change of foor height
Resting -Spaces created under bar
Subtractive: - Entry
Overlap Reactions
Extruded Shapes - Study Carrels - Auditorium
ADMINISTRATIVE
KINGS HIGH SCHOOL
KINGS MILL, OH
With enrollment projected to grow significantly, Kings Local School District began planning a new 280,000 SF high school to serve approximately 1,700 students. My involvement began with site analysis and selection on an active campus that includes the existing high school to the north, the original high school (now a junior high) at the center, and athletic facilities and transportation infrastructure to the south. I helped evaluate three potential building locations, each with unique constraints, ultimately supporting the selection of the centrally located site.
Site Selection
Kings HS, Kings JHS and several athletic fields share a large campus. This provided us with a number of options to build the high school. With this graphic we can see pros and cons to each site.
North-Campus
Pros:
- Pre-developed flat land
- Close to original high school
- Great visibility from main roads
Cons:
- Practice fields need to be relocated
- Tightest building area
- Furthest from athletic fields
Mid-Campus
Pros:
- Pre-developed flat land
- Close to athletic fields
- Good visibility from main road
Cons:
- Baseball + softball fields need to be relocated
- Tight building area
South-Campus
Pros:
- Largest site
- Little Miami River to the east
- Close to athletic fields
Con:
- Undeveloped sloped land
- Poor visibility from main road
- Tax implications due to it being in a different municipality
ACSite Circulation Study – Kings High School
This diagrammatic site analysis illustrates the proposed vehicular drop-off route for the new high school, with a focus on maximizing queuing distance. The design goal was to provide approximately 1,200 feet of internal stacking space to prevent traffic from backing up onto the adjacent main road. The layout strategically routes vehicles through the site to manage congestion and maintain safe, efficient access during peak times.
B
Parking Analysis – Kings High School
This diagram highlights the planned addition of new parking areas across the campus. The design ensures sufficient capacity to meet daytime student parking needs, while also accommodating after-hours event parking for athletics and community use. Strategic placement and distribution support both daily operations and peak traffic periods
CProximity Analysis – Kings High School Site Selection
This diagram illustrates the chosen site's central location between the existing high school (700 feet away) and the junior high school (300 feet away). The goal was to minimize walking distances for students and staff, as well as shared programming, reinforcing connectivity across the campus. Alternative north or south site options would have resulted in significantly longer travel distances.
Following site selection, I assisted with early programming and spatial planning. As the design progressed, I transitioned into MEP coordination—working closely with engineers to route systems efficiently, maintain ceiling clearances, and design architectural soffits that integrated with the building's structural and mechanical framework.
SPRINGBORO COMMUNITY CITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT ANALYSIS
SPRINGBORO COMMUNITY CITY SCHOOLS
SPRINGBORO, OH SHP
Springboro Community City School District engaged SHP to conduct a comprehensive facilities analysis to inform long-term planning and accommodate potential future growth. As part of this effort, I developed a series of graphics and visual tools designed to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to the Board of Education and other stakeholders. These visuals included district-wide maps highlighting municipal boundaries, major transportation corridors, and growth areas within the region. I also produced more detailed breakdowns of individual school sites, showcasing key data points such as enrollment trends, building age, and historical context. The goal was to distill large volumes of information into digestible, visually engaging content that could support strategic decision-making.
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Municipalities Map
District Map
Roads Map
Aerial Map
Springboro HS
-Construction: 1997. 2006
-Total sqft: 268,820
-Grade: 9-12th
-Current Enrollment: 1,880
-Capacity: 1,841
-Site: 178.5 acres including admin. office + fields to the south
