faith tootle portfolio selected works 2023-2026: academic & professional
experience
contact information
05/2025- 08/2025 Architectural Intern Redline Design Group Charlotte, NC Responsibilities: Assisted project teams in the conceptual and schematic design phases, contributing drawings, diagrams, and research to support architectural development.
name:
faith tootle
email:
faithtootle@rocketmail.com
link:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-tootle/
08/2024- 05/2026 SoA Teaching Assistant Charlotte, NC Responsibilities: Facilitating mentorship for writing consultants, aiding in assignment planning, and grading students’ work. 10/2023- 08/2024 SoA Integrated Design Charlotte, NC Research Lab RA Responsibilities: Assisted in the fabrication and assembly of components for a patent-pending building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system, supporting innovation in renewable energy and architectural integration.
education
01/2023- 05/2024 ARCH 1602 Writing Consultant Charlotte, NC Responsibilities: Developed and implemented lesson plans tailored to architectural discourse, fostering students’ ability to articulate design concepts effectively.
2020- May 2024 University of North Charlotte, NC Carolina at Charlotte coaa.charlotte.edu Program: B.A. in Architecture 3.49 GPA
08/2022- 05/2024 UNC Charlotte Research Charlotte, NC Scholar & Intern & TA Responsibilities: Prepared and executed 3D printing of the building model, translating digital design into physical form for study and presentation. 06/2023-06/2026 UNCC Summer Charlotte, NC Design Academy TA Responsibilities: Introducing architectural design fundamentals to prospective students, while they experience campus living for a week, including staying in an on-campus dorm.
2016- 2020 East Wake High School Wendell, NC
2024- August 2026 Charlotte, NC coaa.charlotte.edu
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Programs: M. Arch M.S. Arch.- Sustainable Building Technology 3.76 GPA
interests
accreditations
- graphic design
- video editing
- artificial intelligence
- sim racing
- web design
- 3D printing
LEED AP BD+C
- industrial design
software skills operating system
rendering
BIM/modeling
artificial intelligence
editing
software
continuum
hexus
juneberry: ecosubterrane
dichotomy: form & void
architecture that hacks climate and wellness
eco-facade reborn through a structural exoskeleton
subterranean inn rooted in the community of juneberry ridge
mass and void interrogate the use of serial progression
P. 1- P. 4
P. 5- P. 8
P. 9- P. 12
P. 13- P. 16
architecture
c o n te n t s
bipv solar panels
algae bioreactor
dead time
enclosure: perception of space
advancing and building solar skins
merging aesthetic clarity with biological purpose in bioreactors
a mechanistic ritual of voluntary surrender
scale as the instrument of enclosure
P. 19- P. 20
P. 21- P. 22
P. 25- P. 28
P. 29- P. 32
research
conceptual
a rc h ite c t u re
southeast elevation
southwest elevation
continuum architecture that hacks climate and wellness This project transforms biohacking from a personal habit into an architectural agenda, one where space adapts to people, microclimates shift intelligently, and wellness becomes a spatial experience. Through climate hacking, the project creates adaptive environments shaped by solar performance, an extensive landscape, and hybrid indoor–outdoor zones. Nature becomes an active design partner, offering restorative biophilic spaces alongside speculative mental-health interventions that range from subtle atmospheric support to advanced therapeutic technology. Wellness extends beyond the human body and includes the environment itself. The building employs glulam and CLT to drastically lower embodied carbon, achieving net-zero carbon for nearly twelve years. Through bioclimatic design, we reduce EUI, optimize solar gains, and produce more on-site energy than the building requires. The design acknowledges a closed-loop relationship between people and place: we shape buildings and buildings shape us. academic | fall 2025 collaborative: Balinase Kaonga mediums: - digital: Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, VRay - physical: 3D printing, foamcore awards: David R. Ravin Student Design Award 2
NET ZERO ENERGY structural system
Reduce: Building Management System - Senses internal and external conditions and engages the appropriate system - Responsible for heating/cooling, passive/active ventilation, daylighting, etc. - Consistent metering
Exhaust air taken out
Cool air in Exhaust air taken out
Triple-pane Glass
Triple-pane Glass
Heat supplied in floors Insulation
Insulation
Water System
Reuse: Regenerative Elevator - Motor atop the elevator converts energy into electricity
Summer Sun Path
Regenerate: Photovoltaics - Utilizing roof as PV modules (PV cell efficiency = .25) - Bending surfaces for greater southern exposure - Total Irradiance (kWh): 6,069,228 - Potential Power Production (kWh): 1,252,398
glulam columns
Air & Hydronic Vertical Closed-Loop Geothermal Heating & Cooling - Radiant floor system - 26 wells under the building are placed 400 ft deep
Equinox Sun Path
Total Energy Consumption: 323,812 kWh (1,104,522 kBtu) Net Zero Status: -928,586.39 kWh
Winter Sun Path
Recycled Aluminum
glulam beams
Monocrystalline PV Modules Recycled Concrete Aggregate
NET ZERO WATER Reduce: - Ultra-low flow fixtures - Vacuum Toilets (~26 toilets) Reuse: Greywater System Collection & Reuse - Water from sinks, showers, and dishwashers is drained to 1,500 gal cistern before treatment - The water is directed to a purification system, later to be stored in a 1,500 gal treated water cistern - Treated water is used in vacuum toilets and fixtures Rainwater Harvesting - Water is collected via the entirety of the roof, which acts as a rainscreen, directing water to gutters spaced interstitially - The water is then directed to the green roof terraces for filtration and a 2,000 gal cistern and, finally, going through a purification process - Site Surface Area Sloping Towards Gutters: 25,345 ft2 Aluminum Panel Skin - Retention Pond Surface Area: 1,600 ft2 Baseline Water Consumption: 17,575.68 gal/use period
CLT & concrete floors
Net Zero Status: -1,713.54 gal/reserve period
Monocrystalline PV Gap for Water Collection Waterproof Membrane CLT Decking Glulam Beam
ROOF PANEL DETAIL
Glulam Columns & Beams
2,000 gal Rainwater Tank
9’ D x 10’ H
Initial Rainwater Filtration
NET ZERO CARBON
Grass/Moss Planter Drainage Gap CLT Decking
Reduce/Reuse: Green Roof Terraces - Plants store released CO2
Downspout Glulam Beam
Air System
Constructed Wetlands - Living plants store released CO2 - Decomposing plants capture CO2 for long periods of time
EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF DETAIL
Square footage: 8,316 ft2 Carbon sequestered: 3,326 kgCO2/yr
CLT & Glulam Construction - Wood stores carbon - Displaces high-carbon materials - Embodied Carbon (kgCO2/yr): -1,398,482.35 - Total Operational Carbon (kgCO2/yr): 163,283.52 Excess water replenishes aquifer beneath the site
Inlet Pipe
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND DETAIL
Regenerate: - Native vegetation is planted throughout, serving the purpose of storing carbon or for their filtration properties - Building Level Carbon Seq.: 3,326.40 kgCO2/yr - Site Level Carbon Seq.: 549,652.72 kgCO2/yr Net Zero Status: -1,788,177.94 kgCO2 (net zero carbon for 11.95 years)
Square footage: 23,500 ft2 Carbon sequestered: 549,652 kgCO2/yr
d m Panels
Bioclimatic Strategies
Systems Integration
PREVIOUS EUI: 80.33 kWh/m2-yr
CURRENT EUI: 63.46 kWh/m2-yr
CLT Flooring
1,500 gal Rainwater Tanks (2)
8.5’ D x 10’ H
Regenerative Elevator
HVAC Hidden in Drop Ceiling
Geothermal
Wells & Heat
Pump
400’ Depth
NET ZERO WASTE Reduce: Compostable Trash Compartments - Compost trash bins placed around building Reuse: Reused Concrete Aggregate - Debris from demolished concrete as aggregate Modular Panels - Modular, white powder-coated recycled aluminum panels
4
cascading algae cells
concourse; between office spaces & the expansive algae facade
nutrients + young algae
water mature algae
spirulina end use: concrete & food applications chlorella vulgaris end use: removal of micro-plastics
cell extrusion diagram
micro-algae types
Each culture type is in a grouping of four cells, and is cultivated and harvested with the intent to control shading and serve their end use.
hexus eco-facade reborn through a structural exoskeleton The retrofitted eco-facade addresses key urban challenges, focusing on solar over-exposure. The design features an exoskeleton of hexagonal modules, each housing algae cells that dynamically extend or retract based on the sun’s position and intensity. On the Southeast facade, several double-height concourses are positioned immediately behind the cells on alternating floors, creating a vegetated reprieve for occupants, providing shade, oxygen-rich air, and increased thermal comfort. On the building’s other three sides, the (h)exoskeleton now frames new, expansive windows, optimizing daylight access and views in previously cavernous, light-starved spaces. On the roof level, an occupiable green space captures and filters rainwater, which is repurposed for replenishing the building’s vegetation, including the algae cells, reinforcing the project’s commitment to ecological versatility. At night, that same space becomes host to a vibrant rooftop bar, providing a welcome escape for the building’s occupants. academic | spring 2025 collaborative: Nathan King & Savannah Cherry mediums: - digital: Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Lumion
6
exploded axonometric
interior elevation 01
interior elevation 02
prefabricated W-shape structure
double-pane glass ETFE algae photobioreactor
cell pivot structure
building sections
new hexagonal windows on northern facades
precast perforated algae concrete acoustic panel
operable algae cells, concourse, & office spaces
precast algae concrete panels
10ft 8
juneberry: eco-subterrane subterranean inn rooted in the community of juneberry ridge Embedded. A word often tied to the quiet immersion we feel in nature, to the rare moments when we dissolve into our surroundings. EcoSubterrane not only embraces this feeling, it drives it deeper, asking what it means to truly inhabit the land rather than simply rest upon it. The inn is submerged, carved meticulously from the earth so that its presence reads as continuation rather than construction. Guest rooms unfold as individual pods traced along the site’s natural contours, each entered discreetly from the rear at grade, preserving the untouched rhythm of the landscape. Guests descend beneath the surface into a shared gathering hall where light pools softly from above, a subterranean commons that anchors the experience. Inside, carved concrete walls steady the atmosphere with a cool, grounded calm, while operable glass opens both front and back to the shifting landscape—allowing the terrain, the daylight, and the night air to flow through uninterrupted. It is a place where immersion becomes architecture, and architecture folds back into the earth’s own quiet breath. academic | spring 2024 individual mediums: - digital: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Rhino 3D, Enscape - physical: pine wood, acrylic, 3D printing, resin, steel 10
form metamorphosis
6 room pod floor plan
4 room pod floor plan
extensive living wall system delivery pipe water barrier
washed gravel drainage pipe
hand rail
overflow pipe
water collection
retaining wall & cistern detail 12
section A-A
dichotomy: form & void mass and void interrogate the use of serial progression By reducing form to the fundamental relationship between mass and void, the indistinguishable becomes indisputable. The manipulation of solid and empty space establishes a dynamic tension that challenges the linear progression of movement within and around a building. Through the metal building system’s emphasis on modularity, repetition, and efficiency, a framework emerges where these opposing conditions can be clearly articulated. Mass is expressed through monolithic steel frames and structural density, while void is revealed through expansive, open spaces and moments of release. Although serial progression can guide movement through a space, it is continuously disrupted and redefined by the interplay between compression and openness. Together, mass, void, and the metal building system create a spatial rhythm that extends beyond sequence—becoming simultaneously sculptural, experiential, and reflective. academic | fall 2024 individual mediums: - digital: Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Enscape
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A
A
form versus void
1. mechanical 2. rock climbing 3. Esports 4. staffing 5. multi-sport court 6. dance studio
basement floor
7. retail space 8. cafe 9. spectating 10. lockers & changing 11. pickleball courts 12. lobby & reception
, UNCC, Charlotte, NC
11.
2. 4.
7.
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10. 12. 11.
ground floor
6.
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re s e a rc h
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oculus 3D mockup
solar panel mockup
solar panel FOV simulation
sensor/ ventilation mount
solar cavity ventilation tube
potentiometer mount v1
Our team is exploring how energy-generating buildings can balance performance with aesthetic quality. We are developing architectural forms that meet visual goals while remaining efficient in capturing energy. My primary role is fabrication. I design and 3D-print small-scale components, including attachment mechanisms and ventilation elements. I have also produced solar-panel mockups to be tested.
potentiometer mount v2
potentiometer installation
bipv solar panels advancing and building solar skins Working alongside the UNCC IDRL and Charlotte’s engineering department, multiple small-scale, patent-pending BIPV systems are being designed and manufactured with the intention of redefining how energy can be gathered, distributed, and integrated into architectural surfaces. The work moves between research, prototyping, and handson fabrication, each step contributing to a growing library of adaptable solar components. My tasks for the project include building precision fixtures for small rotaries used in the testing process, soldering delicate connection wires to ensure stable electrical pathways, and designing as well as 3D printing custom attachment and connection pieces that allow the modules to interface with different materials. I am also responsible for designing and fabricating full and partial mock-ups that simulate realworld conditions, enabling us to study durability, efficiency, and assembly techniques. Together, these efforts help push the project from conceptual exploration into functional, testable technology. professional collaborative: NSF Sponsored Research Project Led by: Kyoung-Hee Kim
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9.75”
2.5”
.25” ID bioreactor containing algae
9.25”
foam-based bioreactor design
algae concrete & formwork
Algae was cultivated over five weeks in a 3D-printed bioreactor to produce sufficient biomass for a fly-ash–andalgae concrete mix. The resulting concrete panel was designed to clad the bioreactor itself, serving as a prototype for potential architectural-scale applications.
microscopic images- algae growth
algae photobioreactor merging aesthetic clarity with biological purpose in bioreactors Designing a small-scale photobioreactor for algae cultivation requires a deliberate balance of light, nutrients, and gas exchange. At its core, the system relies on a transparent chamber to maximize light penetration while maintaining a sealed, contamination-resistant environment. Within this chamber, an aeration or bubbling system continuously circulates CO2, providing both the carbon source and the gentle agitation needed to prevent algal cells from settling at the bottom. This mockup functions not only as a research tool but as a prototype for the future of bioreactor materiality, due to its 3D printed construction. By refining these parameters at a small scale, the design lays the groundwork for algae-based outputs such as biofuel, food supplements, environmental remediation, and, in this case, algae-infused concrete—opening a pathway toward more sustainable, carbon-responsive building materials. academic | spring 2025 individual mediums: - digital: Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator - physical: 3D printing featured in: Dezeen
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conceptual
24
dead time a mechanistic ritual of voluntary surrender In an era where attention has become currency, lost time is transformed into a resource to be recovered, processed, and consumed. Within this system, users encounter memories they never lived and futures they never reached, experiencing the possibility of a life that could have existed. The architecture promises reflection, awareness, and the recovery of forgotten moments, yet each experience becomes another opportunity for measurement, prediction, and extraction. What appears as healing becomes participation; what appears as freedom becomes another layer of control. The space does not preserve time. It reshapes it, converting absence into experience and awareness into data. As users navigate environments designed to prolong engagement, they become both consumer and resource, questioning whether lost time is truly being returned or simply transformed into another form of value.
academic | spring 2026 individual mediums: - digital: Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney
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InstantGrat
YOUR
TIME
IS
DEAD
therealmarcus_zuckerberger
TIME Monetization of TIME TIME as currency TIME as labor TIME as waste TIME as extraction TIME as memory 4.3m
1.4k
24k
therealmarcus_zuckerberger Tick Tock...
InstantGrat
YOUR
TIME
IS
DEAD
therealmarcus_zuckerberger
Debt TIME as DEBT
Monetary DEBT Temporal DEBT
4.3m
1.4k
24k
therealmarcus_zuckerberger Tick Tock...
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1
To perceive space through the lens of scale, we first examine the site in its purest form—devoid of context. This initial exploration serves as an independent study, laying the foundation for a deeper analysis once planar walls are introduced.
2
A solitary border wall embodies a sense of absolute enclosure, establishing an unyielding threshold that maintains continuity and fortifies security against external intrusion. It stands as a physical boundary, defining the limits of space.
3
concept_01 sketches
The enclosing wall has transformed into a railing, while planar walls intersect the train frame, fragmenting the former space into a series of more intimate enclosures. Subtle variations in thickness and height among the planes create layered spatial experiences.
enclosure: perception of space scale as the instrument of enclosure The perception of space begins with sensing enclosure or release- feeling whether the world gathers close or opens outward. Scale becomes the instrument shaping this awareness: walls are thickened to anchor a space, thinned to ease it, extended to guide movement, or shortened to invite it. Their height and mass shift the atmosphere, transforming a place from refuge to threshold, from corridor to clearing. On an abandoned train frame in New York City, walls of varying scales pierce the skeletal structure, carving pockets of intimacy or dividing what was once a single expanse. They frame views, interrupt paths, and create a rhythm of compression and openness. How do they shape our instinctive reading of enclosure- should the realization be immediate, or slowly felt as one crosses an unseen boundary? These investigations treat walls as authors of enclosure, beginning with emptiness, then a single plane, and eventually a layered constellation of surfaces. Through these shifts, the walls form a spatial language that reveals how subtle changes in scale can transform the experience of being within or beyond. academic | fall 2023 individual mediums: - digital: Adobe Illustrator, Rhino 3D - physical: MDF board, museum board, 3D printing 30
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concept_02 sketches
Planar walls are introduced, whether to foster intimacy or simply segment the enclosure. Meanwhile, a series of cantilevered canopies interweave with surrounding walls, offering a dynamic interplay of structure and openness.
How does an excess of planar walls redefine enclosure? At this stage, distinctions between inside and outside, containment and openness, blur. A user may be unaware of their shelter, as the absence of walls evokes exposure, while their presence obscures openness.
As the proliferation of planar walls continues, spaces become increasingly individualized. Does a user experience a heightened sense of enclosure beside a monolithic, imposing wall, or does a structure with a shell-like delicacy alter their perception of spatial containment?
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faith tootle | faithtootle@rocketmail.com