As a graduate of the UMKC-KSU Cooperative Master of Architecture program, I have cultivated a passion for design shaped by a diverse range of educational contexts, from the complexities of large urban centers to the nuanced challenges of smaller, rural communities. These varied experiences have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how architecture interacts with distinct social, cultural, and environmental frameworks. This perspective has sharpened my ability to approach design as a means of creating spaces that are not only functional but profoundly impactful, leaving a lasting contribution to the built environment.
I am motivated by a relentless drive to learn and master new skills that refine and expand my approach to design. My particular focus lies in learning and understanding the built environment, where I find deep fulfillment in shaping spaces that enhance the daily lives of individuals and families. With each project, I aim to create environments that seamlessly integrate elegance, practicality, and a profound sense of purpose. Through ongoing professional development, collaborative opportunities, and creative exploration, I remain dedicated to evolving as a designer and contributing meaningfully to the field of architecture.
HĀ Summit Piko
Typology | Community center & school
Location | Anahola, Kauai Hawaii
Date | May 2022 - August 2022
Course | Architectural Design Studio 5
Instructor | Genevieve Baudoin
HĀ Summit Piko serves as a community center and schoolhouse, embodying the spirit of connection and learning in the bay of Anahola. Piko means “center” or “connection” in Hawaiian, symbolizing the heart of the community, while in Hawaii, a “gathering for learning” is often referred to as a “HĀ Summit.” Designed to focus on cultural preservation and educational growth, the project offers versatile spaces for workshops, gatherings, and traditional practices, nurturing the community’s collective aspirations and future generations.
Nestled within a site of exceptional natural beauty, HĀ Summit Piko is surrounded by the lush, dense, green foliage that defines Anahola’s landscape. This vibrant greenery not only enhances the area’s aesthetic appeal but also serves as a natural barrier, offering protection and a sense of enclosure for the built environment. The site’s design harmonizes with its surroundings, ensuring the structures integrate seamlessly into the environment while fostering a deep connection between the community and the land.
Anahola Bay
Conception and intent
The objective of this project is to design a space within the lush, dense forest that both frames views and fosters a sense of community, providing a place where children can attend school and residents can gather for events.
To highlight the contrast between the served and servant, the site is divided in two masses, framing views while emphasizing served and servant.
Considering the climate and the desires of the occupants, the masses are carved to create outdoor spaces. These areas are transitional and inherently occupiable in nature.
To create contrast on the site and minimize visual distractions, the northwest mass is shifted north. This adjustment helps frame views from opposing thresholds. Shed roofs are added to provide covered walkways.
The center of the site is carved out, creating functional and occupiable spaces where occupants can eat and relax. The location is important because it allows school staff to have views of students.
The Garden Tower
Urban Co Housing Complex
Typology | Mixed-use Tower
Location | Downtown Kansas City
Date | January 2022- May 2022
Course | Architectural Design Studio 4
Instructor | Michael McGlynn
The urban co-housing complex is aimed at fostering community engagement and sustainability. Located in downtown Kansas City, MO, the complex consists of both standard and micro-unit apartments, with shared areas intentionally designed to promote communal interaction. The building’s focus on inward-facing spaces encourages residents to engage in activities that enhance social cohesion, creating an environment that nurtures a strong sense of belonging and collective purpose.
A unique feature of the project is the integration of farming spaces, including a community garden that provides residents with the opportunity to grow and harvest their own food. This sustainable approach not only supports environmental responsibility but also serves as a retreat where residents can gather, collaborate, and cultivate a shared resource. The project is specifically tailored to middle-income workers facing the challenges of high rent and limited affordable housing, offering them an affordable, supportive living environment that aligns with their financial needs and professional commitments.
RESEARCH 02
INTRODUCTION 01 OUTCOME
This studio focused on exploring cohousing, acknowledging diverse individual approaches while aiming for collective success. Projects emphasized two core aspects: providing comfortable living spaces and fostering communal areas for social interaction. These spaces could be internally oriented, supporting personal activities like workspaces, or externally focused, promoting community engagement. The project features two interconnected components, including a mix of unit types: 2-bedroom, 1-bedroom, micro 1-bedroom, and micro studio apartments. These units accommodate various residential stages, from newcomers needing immediate housing to those seeking incremental upgrades. As the project evolved, fostering a community centered on a shared goal, such as sustainable food sourcing, became pivotal, shaping the design direction.
My concept of a ‘community’ is centered around sustainable farming which stems from my own fascination. These spaces not only foster interpersonal connections but also promote broader community engagement and shared purpose. My vision is to create a living environment where residents can grow and enjoy food on-site, inspired by experiences with organizations like Kansas City Community Garden (KCCG). This approach integrates food production with housing, addressing basic needs like food and shelter while reducing environmental impact. By alleviating barriers such as cost and accessibility to fresh produce, this model enhances the community’s connection to healthy living and nature, making residential spaces more engaging and sustainable.
The outcome of the project is a residential complex that integrates sustainable farming practices with a diverse housing typology, including 2-bedroom, 1-bedroom, micro 1-bedroom, and micro studio units. These units address various residential needs, supporting a flexible and adaptive living environment. The design emphasizes the dual function of communal spaces: internally oriented areas facilitate individual activities, such as workspaces, while externally focused spaces foster collective engagement, strengthening community ties. Architecturally, the building’s massing is articulated through a stepped form, complying with zoning regulations while adding visual interest to the skyline. This terracing incorporates green spaces and urban gardens, enhancing the building’s environmental integration and contributing to the urban landscape’s vitality.
Mosaic in Motion
Bethany Park Master Plan
Typology | Master Plan and typology exploration
Location | Kansas City, Kansas
Date | August 2023- May 2024
Course | Architectural Design Studio 7 & 8
Instructor | Chris Fein & Michael Gibson
Bethany Park, a vibrant neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas, thrives on the rich cultural heritage of its predominantly Hispanic community. Despite facing economic challenges and aging infrastructure, the area’s strategic location near Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, offers immense potential, giving residents access to job opportunities, educational institutions, and urban amenities.
The Bethany Park Mosaic Master plan envisions revitalizing this community through sustainable design, cultural celebration, and economic empowerment. Anchored by the vibrant Central Avenue corridor, the plan aims to foster community cohesion through enhanced public spaces, greenery, and public art. By supporting local entrepreneurship and increasing housing density, the initiative seeks to attract new residents and businesses while addressing infrastructure needs.
Through resilience, innovation, and community-driven progress, Bethany Park is poised to become a model of equitable and sustainable urban development, celebrating its cultural roots while paving the way for a prosperous future.
Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, MO
GOALS
The Bethany Park Mosaic Masterplan is an initiative aimed at revitalizing Kansas City, Kansas. Sited and adjacent to Central Ave, Bethany Park thrives due to the cultural richness of its predominantly Hispanic community. This cultural mosaic naturally fosters a diverse array of Hispanic-focused businesses, imparting a unique charm to the neighborhood. Located near Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, Bethany Park enjoys the dual benefits of proximity and picturesque skyline views. Many residents commute daily into downtown KCMO, contributing significantly to the area’s economic vitality.
OBJECTIVES
Develop housing solutions for the Central Area and Kansas City, Kansas by prposing mixed-use developments and employing prefabricated building systems
Enhance the neighborhood economy and identity through the implementation of the newly proposed programs
INTRODUCTION 01 DEMOGRAPHICS
KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
INCOME
Median household income (2020) Central Area (Area of study):$24,688 County: $48,093
The State of Kansas: $61,091
HOME VALUE
Median home value (owner-occupied units)
Central Area (Area of study):$48,900
Kansas City, Kansas : $107,00
Kansas City, Missouri: $139,900
The State of Kansas: $157,600
UP-WARD MOBILITY 03
01 02 03 04
OUTCOME 04
The masterplan is designed to fortify community bonds, invigorate economic prosperity, celebrate cultural diversity, and promote sustainable urban development. Irritative enhancements will transform Central Ave into a welcoming hub, adorned with greenery and public art, fostering community cohesion. Economic empowerment initiatives will support local entrepreneurship, while cultural programs will celebrate the heritage of the Hispanic population.
Moreover, the masterplan’s overarching goal is to create more job opportunities and bring in additional tax revenue to address the area’s decaying infrastructure. By increasing housing density, Bethany Park aims to attract new residents and businesses, thus bolstering the local economy and providing a pathway for upward mobility for its residents. Through sustainable design principles, Bethany Park will flourish as a model of equitable and environmentally conscious development, inspiring communities far and wide. In essence, the Bethany Park Mosaic Masterplan represents a shared vision of prosperity, inclusive, and vibrancy for Kansas City, Kansas.
Panel production can be commercialized through major retailers and distributed nationwide as prefab systems adaptable to urban, suburban, and rural settings
Accelerate local infill housing by seeding construction startups with the knowledge, skills, and technology to create new higher-paying jobs for community members.
Mixed density
achieved by mixed housing typology
This project is structured around two elements: housing and communal spaces. The residential portion of this project includes a mix of 1-bedroom apartments and 2- to 3-bedroom homes, designed to support a range of living needs. The apartments provide options for individuals or couples, while the larger homes accommodate families or those seeking more space. This variety allows for flexibility and long-term residency, enabling residents to transition within the community as their needs evolve. The integration of communal spaces further strengthens connections among neighbors, fostering a balanced environment of private living and shared experiences.
‘Austin’
3 BD/3 BA + DOUBLE GARAGE + 2 BD ADU 2,112 SQ. FT.
‘Dallas’ -Type A 3 BD/3 BA, 2,112 SQ. FT.
‘Berlin’ 3 BD/3 BA + SINGLE GARAGE + STUDIO ADU 1,536 SQ. FT.
‘Dallas’ -Type B 2 BD/2 BA 1,414 SQ. FT.
‘York’ 2 BD/2.5 BA + SINGLE GARAGE + STUDIO ADU 1,172 SQ. FT.
11thStreet
12thStreet
trade school fabrication warehouse
trade school education facility (pre-existing on proposesed site)
open air farmers market food hall
community center (pre-existing on proposed site)
basketball court (2x)
futsal court
playground
office building (pre-existing on site)
community greenhouse and garden plots
mixed density housing
view of basketball court looking north down main promenade
view of open air farmers market
of open air farmers market
view of basketball court & main promenade
of open air farmers market
view
view
aerial view of basketball court & main promenade
aerial view of playground
aerial view from central ave. & 12th Street
professional experience
Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) - San Francisco, CA
The UCSD Pepper Canyon Charette
San Diego, CA
The UCSD Pepper Canyon charette represented a comprehensive design exercise to scrutinize and gain an understanding of the potential housing and mixed-use opportunities that could materialize on site. This analytical process involved a systematic exploration of various density schemes, which were subsequently correlated with the potential for increased housing capacity and expanded commercial space.
It is worth noting that the site in question already accommodates existing student housing, which, as per one of the three proposed schemes, are slated for replacement. Pepper Canyon East, in its envisioned role, serves as a novel gateway to UC San Diego, offering a dynamic and engaging neighborhood that serves as a celebration of the collective and individual identities of Tritons. It is deeply rooted in the principles of seamlessly integrating a transit-connected lifestyle.
aerial view perspective view hand sketched perspective view rendered
Scheme 1 achieves the goal of lower density while accommodating the max proposed commercial space but also places a distinct emphasis on the in-between space, conceived as a vibrant public area intended to function as a piazza. The intention behind this piazza is to create a dynamic and inviting environment, where individuals can gather, socialize, and partake in various activities, ultimately enhancing the sense of place within the development. It serves as an essential hub for both residents and visitors.
Scheme 1
Scheme 2
Scheme 3
Scheme 2, with its mid-density configuration, aligns with the overarching design of the rest of the campus, thus mirroring the familiar atmosphere. This thoughtful choice in density not only allows for the maximum proposed commercial space but also ensures that the development blends seamlessly with the existing campus landscape.
Scheme 3, characterized by its high-density layout, aligns with the design philosophy of the future plans for the UCSD campus, thus positioning itself to seamlessly integrate into the university’s evolving vision. By maintaining a density akin to the envisioned growth of the campus, Scheme 03 positions itself as an integral part of the university’s forward-looking development strategy.
Gardens
Berkely, CA
Woolsey Gardens is a replicable, sustainable, and financially viable model for mixed-use development on compact, infill sites near major transit. Guided by principles of the right to return, stay, and own, the project prioritizes permanently affordable homeownership for low- to moderate-income households, with a focus on those earning 30–80% of AMI.
All residential units are dedicated to affordable ownership, enabling displaced households to build equity and regain access to essential services. Sustainability is central to the design: the project targets LEED Platinum, net-zero energy through solar generation, and enhanced grid resilience. Mass timber/CLT construction supports both environmental goals and efficient build timelines, particularly on constrained urban sites.
As an alternative to large-scale urban renewal, Woolsey Gardens offers a scalable approach to equitable development that centers affordability, sustainability, and community reinvestment.
