Undergraduate Architectural Design Portfolio

about me..

The product of two architects, raised in the culturally rich, and vibrant fabric of New Yor City, I’ve been inspired by my architectural surrounding from a young age. I relish in the diverse range of inspirational forms, building materials and innovation all around me.

Graduating in May 2024, with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver. I intend to pursue higher education, Master of Architecture, in the future, as I know there’s a lot more to learn about the design process, principles and the exploration of designing responsibly to improve the way we live and experience the world. Prior to this, I received my high school degree from Fordham Preparatory School, in the Bronx, as the pandemic peaked in 2020.

My interests outside of architecture lie in evolutionary biology and geopolitics. I am passionate about understanding how and why things are the way they are. Whether it’s why Greece and Turkey don’t get along, why peacocks have dazzling feathers, or how mineral deposits can shape voting patterns; I strive to achieve the answer and comprehend it. I believe these eccentric interests make me a better-informed and well-rounded aspiring architect. I’ve been told that an architect is ‘a jack of all trades and a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one’. I embody this mindset when it comes to growing and building my knowledge and skillsets.

LONG HOUSE

BALANCED five points ARTS CO-OP

bessemer COMMUNITY SOLAR MILL

LIFE CYCLE cherry creek

new china town other works

FURNITURE + PHYSIVCAL MODELS

new china town

LONG HOUSE

On October 31, 1880, a white mob attacked Chinese people, their homes, and their businesses, virtually destroying the entirety of Denver’s Chinatown and its history. This site is at the core of where this historical neighborhood once stood, in the block area between 15th and 16th; and Blake and Wazee in what is now Denver’s gentrified downtown market area.

The aim of this project is to revive and promote a once-booming immigrant community that played a vital role in Denver’s history during the late 19th century. One of the programs proposed for a cultural center is to construct low-income worker housing on the roof of an existing two-story building on Denver Blake Street. This project presents many challenges, such as integrating the new structure with the existing one and designing it to maximize space while keeping the low-income aspect in mind.

This communal housing concept aims to attack the “suppressed interior” by breaking apart the spatial rigidity that defines traditional American housing by empowering both dwelling, and resident, to evolve, metabolize, and adapt in parallel.

This project frames our dwellings as an extension of our human selves and furniture as the ultimate enabler of space. It is our belief that our emotions and familial ties should not be superseded by our built-environment nor an architect’s will to stipulate.

negotiated

The occupant can personalize the program of their poche based on their changing needs by using a simple system of notch-in-groove paneled walls. Amenities like shelves, desks, storage, and lounge can be easily added, removed, or even combined.

The project’s main principle is to highlight the adaptability of poche’s design by utilizing various modules that can be adjusted as per the changing needs of the occupants and the space itself.

This design fosters a balance between privacy and communal interaction, drawing inspiration from the vibrant communal interactions that took place in Denver’s old Chinatown despite the confined conditions. By making communal interaction the core of the home and providing spaces for negotiation and privacy, occupants can utilize every square foot of the space to its fullest potential, fostering a dynamic living environment.

Utilities such as gas, electric, and water are also designed to be modulated without hassle through various strategically placed concealments within the flexible poche.

BALANCED 02. five points ARTS CO-OP

The focus of this project is on the issue of gentrification, with a particular emphasis on Denver, which is the second most gentrified city in the United States. The project highlights the transformation of neighborhoods such as Five Points, where high rent prices and a decrease in African American populations indicate the impact of gentrification.

By exploring the history of these areas, the project traces the evolution of industrial areas into vibrant artist communities, which were eventually redeveloped by wealthy real estate developers. By freezing this timeline at the shift from industry to artistry, the project aims to preserve the sense of community and creativity in the midst of urban development.

The design of the building centers around the requirements and undertakings of two different types of artists - industrial sculptors and aerial sculptors. The architectural idea pays homage to the changeover from industrial to artistic spaces by incorporating elements that remind us of the past buildings in the RiNo and Five Points area.

The structure’s arrangement caters to the diverse needs of heavy and light artists, providing specialized workshops and public viewing platforms. Furthermore, the residential units are thoughtfully designed to offer flexibility, in line with the varied ways artists work, live, and balance their lives.

The project proposes a multifunctional space that goes beyond the usual narrative of gentrification. It suggests repurposing industrial buildings into hubs for creativity and community.

This design showcases an alternative approach to urban development. Instead of destroying cultural heritage to make a profit, the project advocates for preserving the essence of neighborhoods and fostering human connections amidst urban transformation.

COMMUNITY SOLAR MILL

The goal of this project is to transform a previously barren concrete area into a thriving community center that celebrates Bessemer, Colorado’s strong workingclass history. Its purpose is to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the blue-collar workers who played a significant role in shaping the town’s identity, especially through the coal and iron industry.

As Bessemer’s economic landscape shifts towards the promising prospects of solar energy farms, a question arises: how can we respectfully embody the hardworking, resilient spirit of the area’s past while also highlighting the bright prospects for its residents?

This project incorporates three main programs with carefully curated spaces that encourage the residents of Bessemer to come together in diverse and meaningful ways.

The communal pillars of dining, recreation, and social engagement are all catered to, making it an enticing destination. Once a barren lot with nothing but weeds pushing through cracked concrete, it is now a cornerstone of the community. The project looks towards the future of solar technology while respecting the roots of Bessemer’s historic coal and steel industries.

eat play

The café provides a space for community members to gather, share food and drink, and foster connections similar to those we have with our loved ones.

interact

The central open-air courtyard provides free public access to the grassy area in the middle and the native ecology that thrives there, connecting the community to both the sun and the ground.

Finally, the theater serves as a space for community members to formally voice themselves and hear the voices of others in gatherings such as community boards, HOA meetings, and local arts performances.

LIFE CYCLE

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The Big Green Bike Pavilion in Downtown Denver serves as a symbol for pedestrians and cyclists. It looks like a massive, 35-foot cycle covered in greenery and stands tall over Speer. It creates a new space that was once occupied by vehicles, providing pedestrians, locals, city-goers, and students with a safe and accessible area to walk.

The project aims to address the issues caused by cars and promote pedestrian circulation in and around the city. This will help to create a more vibrant and bustling downtown market atmosphere.

interactive model REALIZED

PHYSICAL MODELS

university building

bessemer community SOLAR MILL

new china town LONGHOUSE