PLANETARIO GALILEI: A PLANETARIUM FOR THE MUSEO GALILEI FALL 2024
GATEWAY SOUTH: IS MATERIAL A FACT? SPRING 2024
PROFESSIONAL WORK
FOUR SEASONS BOSTON HOTEL - RESI. CONVERSION SUMMER 2024
MEDICAL CAMPUS DESIGN CONCEPT HANDBOOK FALL 2023 - SPRING 2024
SPATIAL ABSTRACT MODEL | 3D print, acrylic, metal dowels, plywood, and wire
TÓ NAAZNILÍ - THE WATER FLOWS AGAIN
Spring 2025 - Architectural Design VI
Instructor: Derek Hoeferlin
Gallup, New Mexico
The San Juan River, flowing through the arid landscapes of the American Southwest, forms the northern boundary of the Navajo Nation. For generations, this river has been far more than a geographic marker; it has served as a crucial life source for the Diné people. Its waters have supported traditional agriculture, sustained livestock, provided drinking water, and held cultural and spiritual significance deeply rooted in Navajo cosmology. The river represents the continuity of life and the deep connection the Diné maintain with their ancestral homeland. However, this vital lifeline has been imperiled by historical injustices and environmental exploitation. In the aftermath of World War II and throughout the Cold War era, the United States vastly expanded its nuclear arsenal, fueling a high demand for uranium. For decades, Navajo workers extracted uranium with little to no protection, and abandoned mines were left open to the elements. This toxic legacy has resulted in widespread contamination of soil and water. In many areas, the land and water once central to Navajo traditions are now tainted, severing critical ties between people and land. Today, nearly 30% of residents on the Navajo reservation still do not have access to clean, safe drinking water—an ongoing crisis that underscores the lingering effects of past exploitation and systemic neglect. In light of these challenges, architecture has a unique role to play—not just as shelter or infrastructure, but as a medium of healing and reconnection. This proposal envisions a facility that empowers the Navajo community to monitor and study the environmental conditions of their territory firsthand. It will serve as a center for research, education, and dialogue—supporting efforts to reclaim environmental sovereignty and promote resilience. More than a technical solution, this project offers a chance to reestablish cultural continuity and reaffirm a worldview that honors interdependence among land, water, and people. It is a step toward environmental justice and the restoration of balance—a physical and symbolic space where healing can begin and where the sacred connection between the Diné and their homeland can be renewed.
The study model shown to the left is composed of three conceptual layers: air, earth, and water. This layered system served as the foundation for the final tower-like proposal, which materially echoes the abandoned mines of the Moab mountain range in Utah. The top layer, representing “air,” illustrates a vernacular architectural form designed to gradually decay back into the landscape.
Beneath it lies the “earth” layer, which introduces a spatial system located below the primary living area. The lowest section of the model represents an abstraction of an underground aquifer—conceived both as a potential water source and as a possible space for scientific research.
CONNECTING BACK TO THE LAND
The space features an open floor plan organized around a central spiral staircase. Entry into the living area occurs on the eastern side of the tower, honoring Navajo traditions that associate the east with creation and spiritual renewal. In Navajo culture, hogans are always oriented to face the rising sun, a direction rich in symbolic meaning. The east signifies beginnings, the cycle of life, and harmony with nature. This orientation welcomes the first light of day into the space, supporting morning rituals and ceremonies that foster a deep connection to the Earth and the sacred order of the universe. Rooted in the philosophy of Hózhó—which emphasizes balance, beauty, and well-being—this design reflects the Navajo commitment to living in alignment with both natural and spiritual forces.
The bedroom is positioned on the western side of the living area, continuing the traditional layout of a Navajo hogan. At the center of the structure lies a sudatory, or steam chamber, which releases steam throughout the space. This element serves as a reconnection to Navajo spiritual and wellness practices, promoting physical and cultural healing.
SUBGRADE
LIVING AREA
ROOF GARDEN
SECTION MODEL | 1/2”=1’-0”
ITS OWN LIVING ORGANISM
The space relies on multiple sustainably passive systems as the facade works as it’s own living being providing space for plants to filtrate the air that is allowed into the space. A wooded movable screen is put infront of sliding glass doors on all four sides. A rain collecting water filtration system is used to support the water needs of the individuals in the space and also waters the plants too.
FABRICATION PHOTO | 5’ X 11’ Panel
FACADE PANEL DESIGN
Spring 2025 - Precast Concrete Enclosures
Instructor: Pablo Moyano
Ashland, TN
This seminar was in collaboration with myself an three other of my classmates.
This seminar was sponsored by Gate Precast, a leading manufacturer of precast concrete products in the United States. The company specializes in architectural precast concrete, structural precast, and pre-stressed concrete systems used in a wide range of building and infrastructure projects. As part of the seminar, students were challenged to design a single precast concrete facade panel intended to function as part of a modular system for a building of their choice. This proposed panel is envisioned for use on a warehouse facility, incorporating various panel types that differ in opacity and the ratio of solid to open areas. The design is inspired by the facade of Studio Gang’s Populus Hotel in Denver, Colorado, which draws from the form and structure of local Aspen trees. The resulting panel design features three trapezoidal sections paired with recessed areas created through the use of surface retarders to expose the concrete aggregate and also acts as a facade drainage system for rainwater. The use of the surface retarders allows for focused areas of material ware.
Perforated Condition
Solid Condition
Doorway Condition 1
Doorway Condition 2 Solid Condition
Perforated Condition
Semi Perforated Condition
Panel Color Coding
West Elevation
Elevation
Retarder
Concrete cast Panel
3D Print PLA
1/2 “ Plywood
1/2 “ Plywood
FINAL MODEL | Detail photo of facade
PLANETARIO GALILEI: A PLANETARIUM FOR THE MEUSEO GALILEO
Fall 2024 - Architectural Design V
Instructors: Patrick Hatheway, Kelly Murphy, Aaron Shump, Shavari Mhatre Florence, IT
This studio project was completed as a trio with me and two of my classmates.
Florence, Italy, is a city rich in architectural and art history, dating back to the early fifteenth century with the rise of the Renaissance style. Among the individuals whose work we still study today is the famous astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei. Situated along the Arno River is a museum dedicated to his achievements. However, a question arises: how could one add more spaces to this museum, which houses such uniquely crafted tools? This proposal addresses the question in a circular and symbolic manner, drawing inspiration from Galileo’s fascination with the universe. It creates a space that offers a harmonic metaphor for the inhabitant’s journey, symbolizing the act of circulating around the center the universe while remaining grounded on Earth. A planetarium is central to achieving this vision as it’s spherical shape allows for the surrounding programs to spiral upward through the building, thereby modernizing the medieval urban fabric of this historic city.
Uffizi, Galileo, Palazzo and Ponte Vecchio
Parks
Planetario Galilei
SITE PLAN
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND SITE
Settled along the Arno River, the Museo Galileo blends into the surrounding tourist gems of the Uffizi and the Palazzo Vecchio making it a primary destination for foreigners to gather and appreciate the countless achievements of the Renaissance. Just across the museum lays a parking lot with two major ways of car circulation that allow delivery trucks to move in and out accordingly. Along with being a primary meeting point for automobile transportation, this lot is also a major point of dispertion for individuals leaving the Uffizi and heading over to the beautiful views of the river.
Starting off by gathering a handful of objects from the Museo Galileo, the idea of keeping the detailed proportioanlity of the objects, but scaling their functions came into play with the creation of a mobile sun powered shading device. This would then be set as a base for our initial massing iteration that consisted of various shading mechanisms.
The final facade system stems from the orbtal rings of the Aristotelian Planetarium on display at the museum. The decision to make it copper and parts of the rest of the exterior highlight this idea of weaving, juxtaposing Florence’s history of red brick.
PERSPECTIVE FROM EAST SIDE STREET
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
The final design of the museum’s extension creates an experience centered around the main attraction—the planetarium. On the ground level, two curved, triangle-framed corridors sweep into the building, guiding visitors inside. From there, they are led down to the subgrade gallery space. As they ascend through the building, they encounter additional exhibition spaces, object preservation and restoration labs, observation decks, and, of course, the planetarium. This space serves not only as an extension for modern-day research but also as a metaphorical journey that encapsulates the discoveries of Galileo Galilei.
OBSERVATION
THIRD FLOOR
1. Planetarium
Restoration Lab
Observation Deck
Restroom
Bridge
BUILDING INFORMATION MODEL | 3D print, acrylic, and wood
GATEWAY SOUTH: IS MATERIAL A FACT?
Spring 2024 - Architectural Design IV
Instructor: Bruce Lindsey
St. Louis, MO
This studio was in cooperation with a studio at Kansas State University that focused on the Gateway South development project happening just south of the Arch Grounds in downtown St. Louis. The building of focus was once used by Cruden Martin Co. that produced kites and eventually tin helmets during World War II. As of now, the building serves as the office space for a local construction company. Good Development Group, a St. Louis construction development company, decided to buy the building and most of the area south of the Arch, with the intention to make the area a construction hub for the U.S. with its convient location. Cruden Martin would serve as a modular construction space, but what else would it serve? With the idea of getting the public more involved with the downtown scenary, Cruden Martin would also serve as a material library: a space in which the public can come and learn about various materials and also experience the construction and architectural advancements happening in real time.
MATERIAL RESEARCH: CUBE STUDIES
This research exercise expored the idea of how materials could be represented and organized. Through the exploration of making multiple 2x2x2 inch cubes out of various materials, one could gain more knowledge of how a material library at the scale of the current space could be organized. After making at least four cubes, the task of creating a digital replica or doppelganger came into the picture. How can someone who’s not in the space still get the full experience of feeling, smelling, hearing, or even tasting the material?
PHYSICAL MODEL
DOPPELGANGER
WATER
Water, a fundamental element for life, holds remarkable capabilities that have been harnessed creatively in architecture for centuries. Its fluidity and reflective properties make it a captivating design element, often incorporated in features like fountains, ponds, and reflective pools.
SPONGE
Sponge, a commonplace and seemingly mundane item, holds a fascinating materiality that is both simple and ingenious. Typically composed of a porous structure, sponges are primarily made from a variety of synthetic or natural materials, including cellulose, polyurethane, and even sea sponges harvested from the ocean.
GRASS
Grass, traditionally seen as a natural element of landscapes, has gained attention for its potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly building material. Grasses possess several characteristics that make them suitable for construction purposes.
CHARCOAL
Charcoal is a versatile carbon-rich material that has been used by humans for various purposes throughout history. Produced by heating wood or other organic substances in the absence of air, charcoal is known for its porous and lightweight nature. One of its primary uses is as a fuel source, where it has been employed for cooking, heating, and blacksmithing for centuries.
PLASTIC
Plastic, a versatile material, has revolutionized both architecture and manufacturing industries with its adaptability. In architecture, plastics find applications in various forms, from translucent panels for natural light diffusion to exterior cladding materials. Its moldability allows for intricate designs and shapes, enabling architects to push the boundaries of creativity.
ARCHIVE LIBRARY
MATERIALITY AS A TOOL
TRANSLUCENT
YELLOW PETG
ACRYLIC
The concept of adaptive reuse in terms of architecture isn’t new, but it has been incorporated throughout the years with the increased influence of sustainable practices on the rise. The idea of turning something that may be looked on as worn out or no longer up to current standards and adjusting it to fit current needs is a beautiful concept in the realm of architecture and design. The building represented in this 1/32 scaled model not only displays the purpose and role of adaptive reuse in Cruden Martin but also allows it to become a spatial tool in which someone can play around with what will change: the building’s program and interior layout.
CLEAR PLA
CNC BASSWOOD
Material Library
Storage
Material Store
Office
Virtual Reality Space
Restroom 7. Glass Blowing
Ceramic Studio
Metal Working Shop
Masonry Space
Woodworking Shop
Fabrication Lab
Artist Studios
Gallery
Administrative Offices
Cafe Lounge
Classrooms
Kitchen
Rooftop Garden and Bar
PROGRAM MAP
PRIVATE PUBLIC COMMUNAL
MATERIAL LIBRARY DESIGN PROPOSAL
CIRCULATION DIAGRAM
This proposal stems from a business plan based off of the AutoDesk Makerspace located in Boston, MA in which various work shops provide research spaces for AutoDesk employees and the opportunity for local architectural firms who need space to build models. The idea was to create this fully immersive space in which the public, local education institutions, and professional construction companies and architects could use the space to fullfill their interests. The vision was for Cruden Martin to provide tools to these groups for a set fee, either monthly or yearly, and allow them to use the spaces however they wanted along with a full set material library and home depot style material store where individuals could order products straight from the space. This proposal would be located on the top floor of the building and have the addition of a subtly designed exterior stairwell made of stacked shipping containers.
FOUR SEASONS BOSTON HOTEL - RESI. CONVERSION
2024 - CambridgeSeven Summer Intern Concept Plan Proposal
Boston, MA
Four Seasons Boston Hotel sits in downtown Boston’s historic Back Bay community. This luxury five-star hotel, surrounded by Victorian-style brick apartments, provides a retreat for its residents to escape from the busy streets of the downtown scenery after a long day of visiting historic sites and shopping. FSBH wanted CambridgeSeven to develop a design for converting some hotel rooms on the seventh floor to luxury apartments that could provide longer-stay amenities. Like all major cities within the United States, housing has become more of an issue with limited space for buildings, so the use of mixed-use style buildings has become more of a trend. This concept proposal allowed the client to understand the possible space distribution within their chosen area requirements. Each apartment tries to mimic one another in terms of layout with one or two bedrooms, a powder room, a master bath, a walkin closet, a kitchen, and a combined dining and living space. The hard part about this project was trying to figure out how to minimally touch the existing plumbing and electrical fixtures as these systems go continuously throughout the building.
UNIT TYPE 4
UNIT TYPE 3
UNIT TYPE 1
UNIT TYPE 5
UNIT TYPE 1 OH
UNIT TYPE 2
MEDICAL CAMPUS DESIGN CONCEPT HANDBOOK
2023–2024 - HOK Student Intern
Design Concept Handbook
Location: Indianapolis, IN
These diagrams were included in a design concept handbook that was eventually given to the client in order for them to further understand what each buildings relationship and contributions to the overall site. The three site composite plans display not only what programs are in each of the buildings, given by the color blocking, but also how each building is physically connected. Part of the task of this project was to explore how the campus could be involved with the surrounding community, and these three plans explore that concept. The exploded axon diagram goes further in-depth on a specific building in the master plan. This information diagram explores how each floor corresponds to one another, not only program-wise but also through circulation, emphasizing the elevator shafts and central stairways.
