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Julia LaRow

Selected Works 2026

Julia LaRow Syracuse University B. Arch 2026 Jclarow@syr.edu (518)888-2445

CONTENTS YY 01

02 03 04 05 06

YYarehouse

Mushroom Forest

Gardens of Preservation

Growing Together

Gowanus Aquatics

Creative Works

YYarehouse

Spring 2025 ARC 408 Prof. Il Hwan Kim In collaboration with Gabrielle Knauf Nominated for the Integrated Design Studio Prize YYarehouse proposes a circular economic approach in order to reduce the amount of demolition waste through the reuse of structural concrete elements as well as its programming as a material reuse warehouse in south Boston. Buildings are often demolished prematurely after being determined functionally obsolete due to the evolving ecology and spatial desires of urban life, resulting in the discarding of load bearing components prior to the end of their usable life cycle. Concrete accounts for 30% of demolition waste. To minimize this, reuse takes advantage of existing structural components, giving them a second life outside of their original structure. YYarehouse draws on precedents of macro-scale, load-bearing concrete element reuse through the integration of reused concrete elements throughout the structural system.

YYarehouse

Reused versus New Worm’s Eye Axon

Government Center Parking Garage

12'-6"

BCBS Building

2'-6"

2'-0"

32'-0"

17'-0" 3'-2"

2'-8"

89'-5"

17'-0"

7'-11"

3'-7"

47'-11"

1'-6"

1'-0"

1'-11"

2'-0"

3'-6"

2'-0"

80'-0"

12'-0"

1'-1"

1'-5"

Concrete elements are sourced from two buildings: the Government Center Parking Garage (demolished in 2024) and Paul Rudolph’s Blue Cross Blue Shield building (repeatedly up for demolition before becoming landmarked). We propose the strategic demolition of these two buildings, minimizing the amount of material waste produced by conventional demolition processes, as well as preserving some of the architectural heritage. These harvested elements form a kit of parts from which YYarehouse’s tectonic structural system is composed.

96'-1"

2'-0"

Kit of Parts for Reuse

Double-T slabs rotate 90 degrees and stack atop C-shaped wall slabs to create spaces for smaller programs. Additional lightweight new elements are added to continue the stacked system.

Discarded Models

YYarehouse

Study Models

The column rotates 90 degrees, sitting atop the Y-columns. Recognizing that the former column bears compression loads down its length, a cable system is added, increasing the tensile capacity of the reused column as it transitions to the function of a beam.

Demonstrating a similar material reuse process at a smaller scale, discarded models from previous studios were carefully deconstructed to allow for their materials to be reused in a new model. Slab-like elements are stacked (forming the tectonic system used in YYarehouse) and built upwards, creating a totem of material reuse. Totem of Material Reuse

HSS BEAM MOISTURE BARRIER METAL SHEATHING VAPOR BARRIER RIGID INSULATION CONCRETE REUSE DOUBLE TEE

2" X 2 3/4"

RIGID INSULATION STEEL ANGLE METAL FRAMING GLAZING 1

4" 2" X 3.75" 1 1/2" X 2"

1/8" 3" 3" 5 1/2"

A-508

RF-2

OFFICE ROOF EL. +30.88'

12'-5"

GL-1

Reused Double-T Slab Expression on Facade Detail

EL. +18.46'

A-508

CAST IN PLACE FOUNDATION REUSE C-SLAB 4" VAPOR BARRIER RIGID INSULATION

6" 5 1/2" 1/2" 2" X 9"

18'-5 21"

SCREED REUSED DOUBLE T SLAB SEALANT ANCHOR

Reveal Below C-Slab at Ground Detail 01 A-508 L1 EL. +0.00

1.1

3.1

48'-7 41"

11'-0 21"

45'-0"

MECHANICAL ROOM EL. -11.04'

PACE FACADE C

Makerspace Stacked Facade Wall Section

YYarehouse

1.1

Makerspace Stacked Facade Elevation

3.1

A-202 02

29'-3 41"

29'-2 43 "

29'-3 41"

29'-2 43 "

35'-6"

29'-3"

29'-2 43 "

35'-6"

01 A-202

72'-2 43 "

01 A-301

A-202 02

9'-3 41"

4'-3 41"

76'-4 43 "

02 A-301

35'-6"

02 A-302

01 A-202

01 A-302

First Floor Plan

The stacked system of reused concrete slabs create spaces for smaller maker spaces and ofﬁce programs. Detailing expresses the reused parking garage elements on the facade anad promotes the aesthetic of material reuse.

4.1

6.1

48'-11 34 "

7.1

46'-2 41"

9.1

47'-9 34 "

10.1

46'-2 41 " WAREHOUSE ROOF 2 EL. +42.6'

WAREHOUSE ROOF 1 EL. +36.03'

OFFICE ROOF EL. +31.15'

L2 EL. +18.46'

L1 EL. +0.00

MECHANICAL ROOM EL. -11.04'

4.1

6.1

7.1

9.1

10.1

71'-6"

R-1

4'-1 41"

10'-2"

75'-9 21"

02 A-401

02 A-502

WT-1

RF-2

GL-1

WT-2

02 A-401

Short Section RF-1

12 12

A-506

10.1

9.1

03 A-402

R-5 5'-7 41"

35'-6"

23'-7 43 "

22'-7"

6'-8"

WT-1

04 A-506

10.1

9.1

10.1

9.1

Warehouse Section

A-506

45'-6 41"

WT-2

R-3

Loading Dock Wall Section

YYarehouse

Warehouse Elevation

10.1

6'-7 41"

WAREHOUSE ROOF 2 EL. +42.6'

4'-10 21"

WAREHOUSE ROOF 1 EL. +36.03'

OFFICE ROOF EL. +31.15'

12'-8 41"

01 A-401

18'-5 21"

L2 EL. +18.46'

STEEL BRACKET SMOOTHING LINER TENSION CABLE 2" DIAMETER

L1 EL. +0.00

11'-0 21"

MECHANICAL ROOM EL. -11.04'

Tension Cable Bracket Elevation

7.1

5'-7 34 "

35'-6"

23'-7 41"

6.1

22'-7"

6'-8"

35'-6"

Tension Cable Bracket Section

4.1

6'-11"

22'-4"

3.1

22'-7"

6'-8"

1.1

6'-5 41"

35'-6"

21'-9 43 "

WAREHOUSE ROOF 2 EL. +42.6'

05 A-502

6'-7 41"

02 A-402

06 A-502

4'-10 21"

WAREHOUSE ROOF 1 EL. +36.03'

12'-8 41"

OFFICE ROOF EL. +31.15'

18'-5 21"

L2 EL. +18.46'

11'-0 21"

L1 EL. +0.00

MECHANICAL ROOM EL. -11.04'

7.1

6.1

4.1

2.2

7.1

6.1

4.1

3.1

50'-2 41"

43'-9 34 "

50'-2 41"

43'-9 34 "

1.1

49'-7"

WAREHOUSE ROOF 2 EL. +42.6'

WAREHOUSE ROOF 1 EL. +36.03'

25'-1 41"

OFFICE ROOF EL. +31.15' WT-1

L2 EL. +18.46'

17'-7 21"

WT-2

L1 EL. +0.00

MECHANICAL ROOM EL. -11.04'

7.1

6.1

4.1

2.2

1.1

Quater Scale Model - Wareho

Quater Scale Model - Loading Warehouse Facade

YYarehouse

Quater Scale Model - Wareho

ouse

ouse Floor

Quater Scale Model - Catwalk

Mushroom Forest Fall 2024 ARC 407 Prof. Amber Bartosh and Vanessa Lastrucci In collaboration with Jiayi (Aries) Sheng and Monica Yee Mushroom Forest host garden allotments for families to use. Our project is interested in the decay of building materials over time. Interventions are constructed primarily of bio-materials, allowing for both deliberate and speculative decay. Compostable bio-materials enable a circular return to the environment and contrast with the ruins of Highgate Station below. As the module ages, the mycellium panels decay ﬁrst, followed by the timber structure. The byproduct of their decomposition enriches the soil and encourages biodiversity as nature reclaims the space. The ground level is one of decay and darkness while the uppermost level of allotments is bright and open. Experiential Renders (Lumion, Adobe Photoshop) Decaying Elevations

Mushroom Forest

Clusters of modules are placed across the site according to existing sun lighting conditions, with the tallest and highest density of modules in areas of maximum lighting. Clusters are accessed via two levels of service paths which are connected to the lower public pathways by vertical circulation cores.

Site Plan

Mushroom Forest

Post Module Decay Enlarged Plan

The treated wood of the public path and the steel grating of the service paths, allows for circulation throughout the site to remain after the modules decay.

Enlarged Module System Section

Site Section

Mushroom Forest

mycellium panel wooden mycellium panel frame

wood ramp 14.23 cm steel I-beam

steel extrusion

steel grating bolted to I-beam

Module to Path Connection Detail

Raised allotment modules are composed of a timber wafﬂe structure with a stepped timber bowl holding soil. Mycellium panels are attached to the structure.

Gardens of Preservation Spring 2024 ARC 308 Prof. Rami Abou-Khalil In collaboration with Juinkye (Kyle) Chiang Located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Gardens of Preservation contends with the frameworks of NYC’s Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) and the community history of landmarked P.S. 64. The abandoned site will be redeveloped as a community garden in addition to becoming the new LPC headquarters. Research on other landmarked sites informs an intervention that preserves the historic fabric of landmarked P.S. 64 while reactivating the abandoned interiors. An enclosure winterizes once seasonal courtyards. Given the signiﬁcance of community and grassroots movements in the building’s history and the surrounding context, as well as the lack of community power and inability to preserve cultural context within the current LPC frameworks, Gardens of Preservation is inherently focused on community. Community programs like gardening and workshop space draw on the history of the Lower East Side.

Gardens of Preservation

Community Spaces Section

The modular framework of the courtyard garden and community space allows for adaptation to community needs.

Second Floor Plan

Within the newly enclosed building, the community will occupy the center and roof while the LPC will operate in the two sides of the H, forcing engagement of the LPC with the community.

Gardens of Preservation

Gardens Axon

Garden Module Render (V-Ray)

Growing Together Fall 2023 ARC 307 Prof. Pablo Sequero Individual Project Growing Together is a cooperative housing project located along the Rua Venelzeula in Lisbon, Portugal. It aims to provide affordable housing for locals, creating a community centered around caring and growing together. Shared spaces dispersed throughout the building include spaces for childcare, study, work, and gardening. Community gardens on rooftop terraces and in winter gardens on each ﬂoor, foster interaction between residents through shared responsibility. Flexible units distributed throughout the building allow for the alteration of units to accommodate the changing demographic of inhabitants. The length of the units allow for minimal circulation and separation of programs without partition walls, encouraging inhabitant customization.

Growing Together

Terrace Gardens Collage

Ground Floor Plan

The higher porosity of the ground ﬂoor encourages neighbors to pass through the building to access the greenspace as well as the extension of interior space to the outdoor area. The stepping of the ground ﬂoor reacts to the topography of the site and allows for a variation of ceiling heights in shared spaces.

Growing Together

Chunk Model (Foam Core, Museum Board, Basswood, Chipboard)

Rooftop Plan

Shearing in plan, running in a northeast to southwest direction, allows for cross-ventilation, optimum solar orientation, a rotation away from the view of the railroad, and outdoor balconies for each unit.

Third Floor Plan

Growing Together

Units are accessed via a southern gallery. The sequence in programming from the gallery, to the semi-private outdoor space, to the interior daytime programming, protects the northern nighttime programs from the noise of the railroad.

CONCRETE ROOF

GLASS AND STEEL STRUCTURE

PERFORATED BRICK WALL

GROUND, WALLS, FLOORS, AND CONCRETE FOUNDATION

Gowanus Aquatics Fall 2022 ARC 207 Prof. Marie Stargala Individual Project Located along the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, Gowanus Aquatics is inspired by local history and materials, while contending with the ecological factors of being a contaminated site. Gowanus Aquatics intends to foster a respect for and value of water through public engagement in the pools, which will encourage the cleanup of the canal and conservation of water. The incorporation of the local materiality of brick creates a continuation with the surrounding neighborhood, while approaching the material in a different way through the perforated brick walls of the curved ﬁns. The perforated brick creates a lightness with a material that is normally heavy.

Gowanus Aquatics

Exploded Chunk Axon

Model (Museum Board, Dura-Lar Plastic, Printed Brick Pattern)

SECTION 1

The polluted canal water will be drawn into the sit building, and re-enter the canal as clean water th Aquatics also includes a rainwater collection and Elevation 2 Down

Down

SECTION 2

Plan 1: 1’ = 1/8”

Model (Museum Board, Dura-Lar Plastic, Printed Brick Pattern)

Ground Floor Plan SECTION 1

SECTION 2

Plan 2: 1’ = 1/16”

Basement Plan

Gowanus Aquatics

Water Systems Section

te where it will pass through a filtration system, be used within the hrough channels integrated into the landscape design. Gowanus d filtration system which takes advantage of the butterfly roofs.

Ground Floor Plan

Growing Together

Creative Works Ongoing Individual Projects Various exercises in visual representation exploring diverse media and compositions. The strengths and limits of media ranging from hand drawing, digital vector drawings and rendering are tested. Compositionally, these images are expressive and communicative. Based on research on the New York City landmarked Pepsi-Cola Sign, these images reveal the dramatic change in context while the sign remains unchanged.

Creative Works

Pepsi-Cola Sign Contextual Evolution (Vector Draw

wing; Rhino & Illustrator)

Pepsi-Cola Sign Current Context (V-Ray Rendering)

The Lake (Graphite Pencils)

Expressive Self Portrait

Hand Drawing Ongoing Individual Projects These drawings explore the creation of a wide range of values and textures to compose compelling images.

Slocum Hall “Triptych” (Graphite Pencil)

This drawing explores the creative seqeuncing and composition of the spaces of Slocum Hall, Syracuse University.

Creative Works

(Graphite Pencil)

Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Die On (Charcoal)

This series of drawings are part of a larger class project depicting Amanda Gorman’s poem recitation at the 2021 presidential inauguration .

Julia LaRow Syracuse University B. Arch 2026 Jclarow@syr.edu (518)888-2445