Design is my language, and this portfolio is my story.
Hi, I’m David Somay. I recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. I draw inspiration from my diverse cultural background, which brings a unique perspective to my work.
My passion lies in community driven projects because I believe certain structures are capable of shaping and enriching lives. My architecture journey has been a journey of growth, exploration, and passion. I hope to one day, not just become a great architect, but rather a positive/creative influence on the world.
EDUCATION
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Bachelors of Science in Architectre [Minor: Spanish]
GPA: 3.5
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
January 2024 - May 2024 / Studio 1 Teaching Assistant
- Facilitated design discussion groups, providing guidance, critiques, and mentorship to students.
-Encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and the development of technical skills in the design process.
Perkins Eastman - Washington, DC
June 2023 - August 2023 / Intern
- Produced site plan renders, perspective renders, interior elevations, and floor finishes for various K-12 studio proposals.
- Collaborated on a conceptual plan for DC’s Downtown Action Plan, which was presented to city stakeholders.
VOLUNTEERING
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 2024 / Experiencing Architecture Program Assistant
- Taught foundational design skills including sketching, drawing, and model-making.
- Guided students through design projects, organized office tours, and conducted construction site visits and walking tours of Pittsburgh architecture.
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 2021 - 2024 / Mascot
- Represented the University at sports games and community events, engaging with audiences of all ages for over 15 hours weekly while managing full-time studies.
- Assisted coaches during events and helped train new mascots.
Reimagining Resilience and Redefining Urban Living GBBN Architects - Gallery
Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA | Dec 2024
Collaborative project with Georgia Barry, Erika Do
BNY Mellon Building, Pittsburgh
This studio project envisions the adaptation and revitalization of the BNY Mellon Building into a dynamic Civic Center that integrates Civic, Commercial, and Residential uses at the heart of Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle. Situated in a post-pandemic era defined by shifting cultural norms and challenges—such as a volatile housing market and the decline of traditional office space—this proposal seeks to address these issues through innovative architectural solutions.
The design transforms the BNY Mellon Tower into a vibrant residential and mixed-use complex by introducing strategic interventions that "breathe" new life into the structure. Key to the proposal is the removal of select floors to create three distinct zones, each fostering community interaction and urban engagement, and a split in the building to These open spaces feature outdoor public amenities that draw residents and visitors alike, promoting connection and vitality. The project also integrates essential services such as a hotel, grocery store, and recreational facilities, celebrating Pittsburgh’s unique sports culture while addressing contemporary needs. This reimagined tower becomes a cornerstone for urban revitalization, blending functionality with community-oriented design to shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for downtown Pittsburgh.
HISTORIC WYLIE AVE EXISTING CONDITION PROPOSAL
HYDROPONIC FARMING ALLOWS FOR FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE YEAR-AROUND. NO SOIL, NO GROWING SEASONS.
VERTICAL FARMS
AXONOMETRIC OF UNIQUE HOTEL ROOM
HOTEL ROOM DETAILS STANDARD ROOM
UNIQUE ROOM
VILLAGE HEIGHTS
ACTIVATED TERRACES
VARIETY OF STREETSCAPES
SHARED CIRCULATION
Village Heights: Affordable Living, Vibrant Communities
By prioritizing sustainability, architects can create affordable, long-lasting homes that not only lower living costs but also foster healthier, more resilient communities. In the design that Anusha Thompson and I proposed, the stairwells play a pivotal role in promoting healthy lifestyles by encouraging physical movement and creating an active circulation path throughout the building. These staircases are more than just functional—they act as a catalyst, drawing dwellers upward towards specialized terraces that are each activated by unique programs, such as community gardens, reading spaces, or social gathering areas.
Additionally, the design incorporates varied streetscapes that provide dwellers with a range of experiences. Not only do these streetscapes offer public and private spaces at the ground level, but they also extend vertically through the use of balconies. Each level engages the dweller in a different interaction with the urban environment, offering both openness and privacy depending on the spatial design, thereby enriching daily living experiences.
This low-rise high density housing design is situated on the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland. This design also took inspiration from Riken Yamamoto’s Hotakubu Housing Complex, which focuses on modular spaces, shared community spaces, and terraced design.
MAIN DESIGN FEATURE
MAIN DESIGN FEATURE
HEATING & COOLING
MODULARITY
Compact like cubes reduce the surface-to-volume ratio, minimising heat loss in the colder cliamate and reducing the need for heating.
NATURAL VENTILATION
NATURAL VENTILATION
Placement of windows promotes cross ventilation through units
DAYLIGHT
Placement
DAYLIGHTING
HEATING AND COOLING
Placement of deciduous
WINDOW OPENINGS INSPIRED BY THE DELICATE ORGANIC PATTERNS OF BURNT PAPER EDGES
MUSEUM OF PAPER
A Journey Through Time and Temporality
This Museum of Paper explores the enduring significance of paper, a material both timeless and under threat from modern technology. The concept revolves around time and temporality, highlighting paper’s delicate nature and the uncertainty of its permanence. To discover the building’s form, I experimented with burning paper, capturing the moment right before it fully disappeared. This fleeting transformation became a metaphor for the fragility of paper in our digital age.
Inspired by paper in its most organic form, I looked to leaves and their roots. The branching paths of roots informed the circulation routes within the museum complex, creating a dynamic flow of exploration. The 4 pavilions, each with its own character, guide visitors through the various stages of paper’s history, use, and cultural impact.
As part of the River Lifes proposal, a large ramp was incorporated into the design. I reimagined it as a buffer, using its length to slow down visitors and create a meditative transition before entering the museum complex.
MULTIPLE ENTRY PATHS SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATE WITH MY INTERVENTION WITHIN RIVERLIFES PROPOSED PLAN
FOUR DISTINCT PAVILIONS, EACH WITH IT’S OWN UNIQUE CHARACTER
THE PAVILION’S DESIGN WAS INFORMED BY A STUDY OF PAPER COMBUSTION. BY ANALYZING THE ORGANIC PATTERNS OF A CONTROLLED BURN, A UNIQUE SPATIAL EXPERIENCE WAS CREATED
SITE
(( ECHOS STUDIO ))
Museum of Music and Dance: Revitalizing the Urban Fabric Through Sound and Movement Annual Architecture Student Exhibition
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA | April 2024
This project was conceived as a response to the vacancy in Braddock, PA, with the aim of “repairing” the urban fabric. The building’s design was created through a series of folds, that are meant to engage the community, spark curiosity and interaction.
Expansive windows invite passersby to peer inside, encouraging a connection between the internal performances and the outside world. A large overhang shades a prominent stage at the building’s entrance, creating a versatile space for local artists to perform, further enriching the communal experience. At the heart of the design is an open atrium that allows sound to travel throughout the building, spilling out into the surrounding environment, and inviting guests to experience the vibrant culture within.
