DESIGN PROJECT 2
Urban Design Core Studio,
“Middle Grounds,” Professor - Liang Wang, Partner - Sripoorani Srinivasan
Fall 2023
“Middle Grounds” attempts to address active mobility, blue-green access, and diverse housing needs, whilst working within the East side’s predominantly industrial context. The project preserves the site’s industrial character through means such as adaptive reuse, as well as the retention of certain light industries through hybrid typologies. In thinking about the site as a potential economic “activity center,” Middle Grounds creates links to Austin’s larger research market while pulling upon existing socially relevant activities such as art.
The nodes of public spaces, activated by the central pedestrian spine, are a central part of the design. The spine links diverse programmatic clusters along the site, flowing movement towards the bus plaza and waterfront. Furthermore, housing typology/ density is meant to respond to existing community demographics, as well as the projected populations to come.
Metropolitan Analysis - Missing Middle
Synthesis of tracts with predominantly missing middle unit counts (2-20 units)
- 05
Site Analysis - Demographics
Demographic composition, consisting of young singles and family households
(5)
SITE ANALYSIS
Site specific analyses of land ownership and zoning indicate highly privatized uses, further reinforced by design elements such as fencing. Mobility network and commuter analysis reinforce the lack of connectivity and highly automobile centric realm. These are reflected in the lack of workers and residents utilizing active or public transportation to move to, from, and within the site.
Privatized Character
Industrial, office, and single family zoning dictating the site, inhibiting the public realm. Adaptive reuse can be expanded.
Mobility Network + Gaps
High intensity mobility networks catering to industry break site. Lack of N-S connection.
Worker + Commuter Profile
Majority of commuter and workers utilize a car to get to work.
hybrid zoning + stacked typologies identifying nodes + public realm increasing waterfront access
Design Concepts
Active mobility, vitality + memory, green link + access, community as main components.
Programmatic Site Axon
Form and program create clusters within site dedicated to different core components.
01, 02
Built form responds to active spine of public space, catering to diverse programmatic and demographic/housing needs.
Site Axon and Ground Plan
- 06
Detailed Axon + Perspective
Extension of existing indsutrial architecture, connectivity and activity along spine.
DESIGN PROJECT 3
Advanced Design Studio,
“Caring Cities + Hybrid Infrastructures”
Professor - Juana Salcedo, Partners - Liz Liberatore, Hayley Brant
Spring 2024 - Bogota, Colombia
“The Station & The Switch” grapples with the intersection of care and transportation, and how to design to reduce time poverty and cater to caregivers’ complex travel patterns, enhancing access, proximity, and efficiency. This project acts in partnership with Bogota’s existing care blocks, utilzing design to promote an interconnected care network at the scale of a single care facility.
Through the introduction of a cable car station typology and “switch” points to alternate modes of transport within site (CDC Lourdes Care Node), the project aims to offer broader metropolitan connections to care. Within site, connections to care are enhanced horizontally, focusing on active mobility and public space enhancements, making the site a destination and landmark for Bogota’s broader community.
ANALYSIS: CARE BLOCK & TRANSPORTATION NETWORK OVERLAP
01
Metropolitan Analysis - Care Node + Transportation Gaps
Analysis locating existing and proposed care nodes in relation to the transmilenio network, showing a need for connectivity.
STUD Y AREA: CDC L OURDE S
METROPOLITAN
What are Bogota’s Care Nodes?
“Manzana s del Cuidado, are a network of care centers that provide se rvices to caregivers, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and families. The Care Blocks are part of the city’s Care System, which aims to achieve gender equality by redistributing care responsibilities and reducing unpaid care”
Urban Analysis - Care Node + Transportation Gaps
Analysis of different modes of transit in site urban periphery, showing opportunity for improved access to care node.
6)
Site Section - Bridging Program Over Topography
Detailed section showing varied programming, going from the highest point of access (original entry), down to the cable car entrance plaza.
Site Perspective - Elevated Care Network
View from the elevated pathway which connects the Care Center to the Cable Car Station, as a means to offer security + deal with topography.
Site Axon - Mobility Overlap
Isonometric view showing the various types of transportation and their switch points on site, connecting interior to exterior.
WORK SAMPLE 1
Northeast Gateway Redevelopment Plan, College Station
Project with the City of College Station regarding area on Texas Avenue & University Drive (FM 60) Redevelopment Area. The planning effort eaimed to create a cohesive district that incorporated vertical and horizonal mixed-uses, supports existing commercial uses, and provides a greater mix of housing options to support the growing population seeking to live, work, and play near Texas A&M University.
The plan imagines changes to the area to better serve the two major corridors that intersect within the redevelopment area and complement the nearby hospitality corridor, Eastgate area, and Texas A&M University campus through active mobility interventions.
Examples of various options provided for major and minor corridrs within the site, previously four-lane roadways.
Asakura Robinson, PM Andrew Knuppel Summer 2023
Street Section Ideation
JOBS NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES + 3,583 DWELLINGS
BUILD UP ON UNIVERSITY DRIVE PRIORTIZING TALLER FLEXIBLE COMMERCIAL/OFFICE SPACE ON UNIVERSITY DRIVE LEAVES ROOM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO GROW IN COLLEGE STATION
CONNECT TO BILLIE MADELEY PARK REIMAGINE EXISTING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY AND PROVIDE A TRAIL CONNECTION TO BILLIE MADELEY PARK
SITE DENSE HOUSING FOR ACCESS AND AMENITIES RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH GROUND-FLOOR RETAIL OR AMENITY SPACES CAN ACTIVATE FOOT TRAFFIC AND SERVE RESIDENTS AND WORKERS
CREATE A SECOND BICYCLE CROSSING AT UNIVERSITY DRIVE IMPROVED BICYCLE FACILITIES ON NIMITZ STREET CAN HELP CYCLISTS CROSS SAFELY AT THE NIMITZ/UNIVERSITY INTERSECTION
EXTEND FOSTER AVENUE AND ASH STREET CREATE AN URBAN STREET GRID WITH IMPROVED BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
REIMAGINE EASTGATE PARK AS COLLEGE STATION’S “FRONT PORCH” PLAZA IMPROVE PUBLIC SPACE CONDITIONS TO CREATE A VIBRANT SPACE FOR EVENTS AND GATHERINGS
ENTRANCE
Development Scenario
Overview of selected development scenario, catering to vertical density + MU housing.
Future Concept Plan
Conceptualization of future land use and key sites within plan visualization.
WORK SAMPLE 2
“Navigate 2044” Aransas Pass Comprehensive Plan
Asakura Robinson, PM Andrew Knuppel
Summer 2024
Project with the City of Aransas Pass to assist in the development of the city’s long-range comprehensive plan. Navigate 2044 looks at a set of elements that will influence the future development of Aransas Pass, including land use, transportation, housing, and the environment.
01, 02
Harborside Vision Plan
Key connections and gateways direct visitors to Harborside and Conn Brown Harbor.
STORM SURGE + FLOODING
This area is subject to flooding due to storm surge and drainage from the rest of the city. Water collects behind the seawall, is drained via a series of ditches, and is discharged to Redfish Bay by the pump station on Maddox Avenue.
WETLANDS + WATER FLOW
The area contains extensive wetland areas, some of which dry and refill over time. Many of these wetlands were historically connected to Redfish Bay before the seawall was built, receiving water with tidal flows.
ECOSYSTEMS + HABITATS
The area is home to distinct plant communities and ecosystems which have been shaped by human development, drainage patterns, and underlying soils. Invasive plant species have displaced some native plants, impacting habitat + water quality.
SOIL TYPES
The underlying soils shape how quickly water drains and what types of plants can thrive. The distribution of ecosystems and habitats mirror these soil types and provide clues for what types of ecosystems they can successfully support.
ROAD NETWORKS
The area consists of minor arterial and minor collector roadways, with Commercial Street as major corridor to surrounding areas. Commercial Street and Goodnight Avenue help connect inland to Downtown, and to Conn Brown Harbor off the coast.
Environmental Conditions Exploded Axon
Overlay of various environmental qualities in Harborside, to understand predominant ecosystems, ecology, and systems.
WATER FLOW
UNACCREDITED LEVEE SYSTEM
INUNDATION ZONE
STORM SURGE + FLOODING
FRESHWATER EMERGENT WETLANDS
DRAINAGE PATTERNS
FRESHWATER PONDING
DEEP SAND LIVE OAKS, GRASSLANDS, SHRUBLANDS
INVASIVE SPECIES
TIDAL MARSHES + FLATS
MUSTANG FIRE SAND
GALVESTON MUSTANG COMPLEX
NUECES FINE SAND
DIANOLA SOILS
MAJOR CORRIDOR
RAILROAD
WORK SAMPLE 3
Asakura Robinson - Metro Gulfton Rapid Transit Study
PM - Mary Allen
Summer 2023
Comprehensive research study and design visioning for the 8 metro rapid transit stations located within the Gulfton area, in which the proposed line will be implemented. Focus on development potential, improvement of rider conditions, and pedestrian realm enhancements. Only individual contributions shown - graphic representation chosen by myself and another intern, and replicated for all 8 stations.
Context Map (Featuring Gulfton Station)
Gulfton Population Density Map
Gulfton Transportation Network Map
Analyses proceeding from this base map identify trends falling within the .25 and .5 walkshed from the proposed bus station.
Gulfton Road Network
Gulfton Sidewalk Network
Gulfton High Injury Network
Gulfton Pedestrian Flow
Vacancy Parcels
- 09
BRT Station Persepctives - Gulfton, Renwick, and Chimney Rock
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
M.S. Community Regional Planning, Urban Design
University of Texas, Austin
Class of 2025
B.A. Sociology, Urban Studies
Trinity University, San Antonio
2017-2021
Honors: Alpha Kappa Delta, Cum Laude
RESEARCH/FIELD EXPERIENCE
Planning Professional Report
UT Austin, Bjorn Sletto
Austin (Aug 2024 - Aug 2025)
Planning Practicum in Dove Springs
UT Austin, City of Austin, GAVA
Austin (Aug 2024 - May 2025)
Austin Climate Resilience Hubs + Corridor/Metrics Project
UT Austin & City of Austin
SKILLS
Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
ArcGIS Pro, QGIS
AutoCAD / Rhino
Social Statistics (SPSS)
Microsoft Office
English (Proficient)
Spanish (Intermediate)Greek (Advanced)
Austin (Jan 2023 - May 2023, Aug 2024 - Dec 2024)
Urban Studies Senior Capstone - SPCCP
Trinity University
San Antonio (Jan 2021 - May 2021)
LIHTC Qualification Housing Project
Trinity University & Alamo Community Group
San Antonio (Aug 2020 - May 2021)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Project Coordinator (Part-Time)
City of Austin Transportation Public Works
Austin (October 2025 - Current)
Urban Planning + Design Intern
Asakura Robinson
Austin (May 2023/24 - August 2023/24)
Urban Planner
City of San Antonio, Development Services
San Antonio (Sep 2021 - May 2022)
Urban Planning Intern
Harris County Engineering Department
Houston (May 2021 - August 2021)
e: tessmatzakos@utexas.edu
w: linkedin.com/in/despinamatzakos
DESPINA MATZAKOS
