Situated with scenic views of the downtown Little Rock skyline, the new recreation center provides the North Little Rock community with a new recreational facility geared towards creating a social network through intentional design. This developed site provides public recreational spaces, adult and youth educational programming, strengthened community infrastructure, and access to public amenities through its integration and sensitivity to existing public trails.
The resulting form utilizes a mass timber structure and expressive integrated systems to provide a new understanding of construction and design to all those that pass through. The site’s connection to the Arkansas River Trail and the imposed pathways allow for runners and bikers to pass through the site’s programming, further integrating the community with natural ecology and building intrigue. This building offers a new outlook on what the North Little Rock region can offer and forms a new foundation for community engagement in the area.
Deconstructed Exterior Perspective
The envisioned form utilizes an overarching canopy to define 3 seperate masses of programming and direct the resulting pathway views toward the downtown Little Rock skyline. Existing pathways such as the Arkansas River Trail are integrated into the program, providing options to continue the trail on the water’s edge or under the protection of the buiding’s shade.
This underutilized parcel sits with stunning views toward the Little Rock skyline. In giving the water’s edge back to its ecological roots, we create a deeper connection to the city and lay the foundation for rationalized programmatic masses to form.
Concept Diagram
SouthEast Wall Section
Designing a mass timber recreational facility on the water’s edge came with the challenge of designing for multiple flood levels. Concrete pillars and guard railings were designed to protect the building from a one hundred year flood plane.
NorthEast Wall Section
To make this mass timber building a reality, this project uses glulam steel flitch beams and wrapped glulam columns around rigid steel pipes.This project also utilizes a plenum floor system to house HVAC and electrical systems.
Ground Level Plan
This floor plan rationalized three seperate masses to house various recreational activities: adaptable basketball court, rock climbing facility, and library/coffee shop. These three seperate functions connect under an extended roof to encourage a greater connection to natural functions.
Exploded Structure Diagram
To embrace the flood levels we were challenged to combat in this project, we created different levels of pathways along the water’s edge: some meant to be submerged with other were meant to provide relief. Water is further embraced through sculpting the topography between main programmatic spaces.
Exploded Axon: Water Collection and Structure Diagram
Normal River Level: 234’
Flood River Level: 246’
Stormwater Cistern: Used for Building and Irrigation
Purlins: 8” x 5” Typ. 8’ O.C.
Beams: 1’6” x 2’- 4’ Varied 15’ O.C.
Girders: 1’6” x 2’-4’ Varied
Columns: 1’ 6” Diameter Typ. 30’ O.C.
Perspective Looking Toward the Little Rock Skyline
Utilizing an image taken from the site, this collage begins to depict how the unique form and protected exterior programming of the recreational facility allow for a direct relationship to downtown Little Rock.
Stormwater Collection Perspective
Utilizing the massive creases in the roof canopy’s design allowed for the opportunity to expressively display water collection, further promoting the use of stormwater cisterns in everyday buildings.
While an overarching roof canopy was a central ethos to the project, allowing pockets of light to pierce through its layers created a greater show of control over the natural elements
Buildner Affordable Housing Competition: Shortlisted Submission Fall 2023
As L.A. real-estate prices skyrocket, cynical developers are capitalizing on the increased residential densities allowed by well-intentioned policies like California SB-9. By utilizing these policies to a greater advantage, how can homeowners undertake a generous initiative to create affordable, supportive housing in single-family neighborhoods that leverages the equity of their own underutilized land?
This proposal reimagines the foundations of low-density residential neighborhoods into a rich and diverse social landscape that weaves into a metabolizing pedestrian bungalow. It envisions a scalable framework to promote new homes and new sociabilities within the fabric of any community. This network can be achieved by establishing a community land trust in partnership with a non-profit affordable house developer to create low income housing that operates within existing local zoning laws.
Proposed is a scalable system of prefabricated additional dwelling units (ADUs) realized across a community that allows development to achieve a tax credit for its density. This project effectively allows existing residents to maintain the fabric of their homes while contributing to an environment of social integration.
SOCIA
SOCIA.. FABRIC FABRIC
INCENTIVIZING SUBURBAN SHIFTS
Consolidated afFordable living, while sucCesSful in producing efFicient and cost-efFective housing, is prone to creating socialLy-isolated residential environments. Low-income and homelesS residents not only neEd achievable housing but also a supPortive comMunity in which they can grow. this project argues that If the densification of afFordable living could be redistributed acrosS a larger area, low-density, low-cost housing could be achieved. Proposed is a scalable system of prefabricated AdDitional dwelLing units (ADUs) realized acrosS a comMunity that alLows development to achieve a tax credit for its density. this project efFectively alLows existing residents to maintain the fabric of their homes while contributing to an environment of social integration.
THE HOMEOWNER AND THE NON-PROFIT
As L.A. real-estate prices skyrocket, cynical developers are capitalizing on the increased residential densities alLowed by welL-intentioned policies like California SB-9. by utilizing these policies to a greater advantage, how can homeowners undertake a generous initiative to create afFordable, supPortive housing in single-family neighborhoOds that leverages the equity of their own underutilized land?
This proposal reimagines the foundations of low-density residential neighborhoOds into a rich and diverse social landscape that weaves into a metabolizing pedestrian bungalow. It envisions a scalable framework to promote new homes and new sociabilities within the fabric of any comMunity.
This network can be achieved by establishing a comMunity land trust in partnership with a non-profit afFordable house developer to create low income housing that operates within existing local zoning laws.
ADUS, AMENITIES, AND GREENWAYS
participating residents can contribute in difFerent ways by providing land for ADUs, built-in amenities, or greEnway space to be constructed. Each adDition creates the opPortunity to foster supPortive relationships and incentivises residents to buy into the land trust.
residents that provide adus on their property utilize Built-in porch space to foster relationships in previously private areas.
The pedestrian greEnway creates residential relationships by conNecting formerly isolated areas into comMunity-centric spaces.
Amenities, such as a donated library or technology lab, built within existing structures cultivate supPortive living and create jobs for its own residents.
As a final project for this studio, teams of two were challenged with the task to design a competition board panel. Through an internal competition, this project was selected to enter into the international Buildner Competition which was recognized as one of forty Shortlisted projects.
Site Axonometric
PREFABRICATED
For suburban communities wanting to keep their homes from developers, this proposal provides an adaptable framework to best fit each neighborhood. Regardless of participation, the system begins to break the original isolation of typical suburban environments while providing affordable transitional housing to communities in need.
EMBEDdED IN
TYPICAL STUDIO ADU
TYPICAL SINGLE FAMILY ADU NWAY AMENITY
Unit Typology: Plan + Section
The two unit plans, Studio Unit (left) and Single Family Unit (right,) accomodate for the most needed transitional housing types in the area. Easy aggregation and variation in the skyline can be achieved as both unit types utilize the same square footage.
Massing Model: Plan
In addition to the project’s competition board, each group was asked to create a detailed model. Being that this was an ‘ideas’ competition, the model best presented itself as a conceptual interpretation, allowing for an abstracted and playful representation. This process resulted in an exploration of new materials, a greater understanding of the project’s approach to community, and a newfound interest in creative representation.
Massing Model: Detail
By utilizing a wide array of modeling materials, this model results in a compelling contrast of parts that work to highlight both the old and the new. Through building this model, our team explored how using a 3D printer could create contrast through filament and how layering fabrics could represent clear lines of circulation.
Reflection
Lakeside Wellness Sauna Retreat
FJS Core Studio
First Completed Architectural Project Spring 2022
Emerging in a response to the natural environment it is situated within, the Lake Wilson Sauna seeks to utilize built form in a reflection of the existing terrain while building from previous modular studies. The project seeks to elevate the natural experience through an imposition of stereotomic manipulation.
An explorative procession of this plan allows one to discover the building in a series of dictated natural experiences. From a man-made forest to an exposed gravel field, the program is finally found through its sculpted entrance. The natural procession of the sauna draws one from each secluded space to the next with an abundance of natural light and picturesque views.
Advancement within the interior centers around the peaceful courtyard built with a still reflecting pool and manipulated masonry to play with the dominant light. The processional control of diffused light advances through intentional cuts. In contrast, the open terrace and secluded plunge pool coexist with the topography while imposing a new character.
Site Section
In designing a wellness sauna, mindful circulation and balance was key to balancing public and private zones while allowing the building to noninvasively rest within the site.
West
Ground Level Plan
Hand-Drawn Exterior Perspective
Hand-Drawn Interior Perspective
These early renderings drew inspiration from Paul Rudolph’s architectural drawings. Focusing on compositional layering of building and natural components began an early study of balance.
Working Model: Plan
These model photographs show a working model used to inform the project’s design and composition. From the initial topography model to the final proposal, this iterative process allowed for a greater depth in understanding of how a project fits within an existing site.
Working Model: Detail Perspective
By creating a model meant to be cut up, torn apart, and reconfigured, the process of design becomes one of continuous discovery and adaptation. The ‘final’ form can then be understood as something continually evolving.
Fulcrum
Mass Timber School in New York
FJS Core Studio
2024 COTE Competition Submission Spring 2024
Hell’s Kitchen New York, an area known for its ethnically diverse residential population and abundance of lively participation, creates opportunities for public engagement found in unconventional forms. Proposed for the vacant lot at the corner of 10th Avenue and 48th Street is a Synergistic Environmental Education Center, this higher education program integrates four disciplines: environmental engineering, plant ecology, architecture, and landscape architecture. This educational environment aims to not only integrate four quintessential disciplines but also to leverage a cross-axial programmatic greenway as a hub for flows of energies, ideas, and the larger community.
This site hinges ecological movement as the binding agent of cross-disciplinary and crossgenerational immersion. By utilizing its unique plan to house environmental educational programs, the community of Hell’s Kitchen gains access to public amenities including a community garden, public seating, stormwater collection, and educational planting areas. In drawing from frequent flows of pedestrian traffic, the building can then give back to the greater community while also fostering generations of students engaged with both proactive design and their surrounding community.
Ground Level Site Plan
In designing for a COTE Competition, one pillar kept in mind was designing for discovery. By intentionally creating a cross-axial path dictated by branching ecological programming, the internal procession coordinates traffic within the site to engage the broader public community. This central site entrance evokes curiosity in the user to explore the site’s binding ecological hub.
While
NorthEast Site Section
Visual and physical connections to the natural and built world create a sense of place essential to productivity. Lever-operated perforated metal panels utilize a sensitivity to light and flexibility of space that allow the user to adapt their environment for physical and mental well-being.
OPERABLE MECHANIZATION OF FACADE PANELS REQUIRE A FUNCTIONAL MULLION SYSTEM
HAND-OPERABLE SHADING SCREENS ALLOW USERS TO DIRECTLY IMPACT THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND THE PROJECT’S BUILT FORM
ERGONOMIC FORM MADE FOR DIRECT CONTACT CREATES A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BUILDING AND THE USER
VEGETATIVE ROOF INTEGRATES INTO THERMAL BOUNDARY OF THE BUILDING ENVELOPE
MASS TIMBER STRUCTURE UTILIZES GLULAM BEAMS AND DOWEL-LAMINATED TIMBER TO INTEGRATE ACOUSTIC PANELING INTO STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
RAISED PLENUM FLOOR SYSTEM ALLOWS HVAC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATE INTO THE BUILDING’S STRUCTURE
Mechanical Detail
This project aims to foster an environment that not only encourages sustainable stewardship but allows students and the public alike to engage with the site. Amenities such as operable perforated metal panels, built-in ergonomic seating, and combined systems allow the user to feel connected with the built form, creating more proactive, engaged citizens.
Greenway Perspective
The native ecology that binds the site together allows public grenway access near the residential neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen. By implementing easy public access to lecture spaces, gallery studios, outdoor communal vegetation, and outdoor programming, intentional areas of connection can host new conversations and ambitions across both generation and class.
CONIFEROUS TREES PLACED THROUGHOUT THE ECOLOGICAL PATHWAY HELP MITIGATE WIND TUNNEL EFFECTS
Greenway Section
Utilizing a stormwater collection system creates opportunities for research and site irrigation. The built slope of the site allows natural run-off to be filtered through native ecology or be collected at the site’s grate. An above-ground stormwater research basin allows educational research and public inquiry to meet once again.
Abstracted Building Model
The goal of this model was to produce a simplified representation that expressed the major components of our design. Utilizing plywood, wire mesh, and cardboard, represented the three main systems of this project: mass timber structure, operable perforated metal panels, and a central ecological hub.
CNC Site Model
An added challenge for this semester project was to create a mass timber model. Our CNC base and laminated building masses proved to be an immersive group challenge that allowed opportunity for growth and curiosity.
DARCIA BURRIS
Education
University of Arkansas: Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design
Major: Bachelor of Architecture
Minor: History of Architecture and Design
Anticipated Graduation: May 2026
Cumulative GPA: 3.96
Conway High School
Graduated: May 22, 2021
Class Rank: 18/627 | Distinguished High Honors
Cumulative GPA: 4 31/4 0
Work Experience
Summer Architecture Intern: Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects
Worked directly with Principal Architects to produce Revit models and documents for multiple projects local to the area
Shadowed major project meetings and job site visits
drburris@uark edu (501) 499-4138
Fayetteville, AR
May 2024-Aug 2024
Honors + Awards
Semester Student Teaching Assistant Aug 2023-Present
ARCH 2233 History of Architecture I | ARCH 2123 Architectural Structures II |
ARCH 1003 Basic Course in the Arts | UNIV 1001 University Perspectives
Aided course Professors by holding office hours and grading course assignments
Worked closely with underclassmen to develop a strong mentor position
Summer Student Teaching Assistant
ARCH 1015/1025 Design Studio | ARCH 1212/1222 Design Thinking
Assisted course Professors in teaching fundamental digital and analog design skills Led software tutorials, created class quizzes, and provided feedback for students