KAILEE QUANG
REVERSE-TREK THROUGH COLONIZATION
ARCHITECTURE IN DEFIANCE
[H]ARKEN
FORCED INTROSPECTION THROUGH SILENCE
REVEAL TRINIDA ENCASED
THE UNIFICATION OF A HYBRID LANDSCAPE
THE BEE SANCTUARY
THE STUDY OF REPRESENTATION AND THEORY
Hunters Point, San Francisco, CA
In Trinida, a “pre-extraction machine” resists humans through a bait and switch, multilayered warning system. The machine engages extractors through a sequence of defenses where the humans are ultimately transformed into poppies—a new form of life silenced to the urge to extract. their environment.
This work challenges architecture to move beyond complicity in oppressive systems, advocating for design as a means of resistance and restoration, where the land and atmosphere can fight back.
Collaborators: Abby Klostermann, Katlyn Aikin, Katie Bolkcom | Fall 2024 | Instructor: Mitchell Squire
Hunters Point, San Francisco Manifesto
“Perhaps looking at the inversions of systemic harm, we can better recognize their true expression. After all, sometimes you must look at the world upside down to see how it sits up...”
- Maria Faciolince Martina & Daniel Macmillen Voskoboynik in “Reimagining Landscape of Loss”
/tri-NAHY-duh/
Noun
1. The sacred trinity
Introducing: Trinida. The bountiful waters vocalize their presence as they crash along the shore. The realm of isolation keeps its identity nearly unseen. Nestled between mountains and uninhabited land, Trinida has only its view of the water to allow traces of life to enter. Encompassing miles of flat, rich land, Trinida provides a prominent location for life.
Being one with the land, the inhabitants move with the motion of the water, and the sway of the trees. Synchronously, their breaths rise and fall with the tide of the waves. This community relies on the land, and the land on the community.
Not to be forgotten, is the most important piece in the trinity, the unseen and unknown: the underground. Here, lies the souls of the aboveground, housing the knowledge and history of the realm, the underground is the centermost being of the land and inhabitants. By holding the souls of the deceased, a sacred presence is embodied, where the inhabitants fear but also worship the underground. This sacred, untouched entity is the cornerstone of the realm — it is believed that if one dies, their bodies and knowledge become sacrificed to the underground. Holding this unknown power and knowledge, the underground remains untouched, protected yet vulnerable to intrusion. This delicate balance is the underground’s weakness.
In Trinida, the community focuses on the common good of shielding the most sacred and unknowingly vulnerable part of the trinity. Working only with the sun, and sleeping with the moon, this community truly abides by the natural cycle of the land. Operating together in harmony to sustain life, this trinity between the land, people, and the underground to survive and prosper.
Trinida
To protect Trinida and its identity, a machine was designed to resist those with an extractive agenda.
The machine as a whole is composed of three parts, each part triggering the next defense into action as the underground root system
communicates with its counterparts. Using a bait and switch system, extractors are coaxed further into the site, where their greed ultimately leads to their demise. This trixter mentality further feeds the machine, deepening the underground’s knowledge and rebirthing the extractive humans as poppies — reaching enlightenment.
Section highlighting the progression through each stage
Serene perspective of Trinida with glimpses of machine during extraction
Phase 1
Cajole Berries
Phase 2 Mushrooms
Phase 3 Pods
extractors with its shiny surface and grandeur size, only to engulf them in a disorienting fog upon engagement.
the extractors inland with a piercing light, drawing them toward the freshwater and the final stage.
Swallows the intruders whole and descends their bodies into the underground, reviving their souls as poppies united with the trinity.
TRINIDA
Although Trinida is a fantastical land, the message still runs true: Human’s natural inclination to extract will ultimately lead to their demise.
Prior to emerging as a poppy, extractors enter believing the freshwater will lead them to what they believe they truly want: capitalistic gain. When in reality, it perpetuates the cycle of unfulfillment and suffering.
Being awakened to see the world in reverse, and using inversion as a form of correction, these new inhabitants see where desires become misaligned. The hierarchy that defines our lives becomes unmasked and the power it has held on us until this point vanishes. In Trinida, the land and atmosphere finally have the power to fight back, silencing the voice of the extractor as we know it today.
REVEAL
ARCHITECTURE IN DEFIANCE
Denver, CO
The discussions centered on social justice are often informal, a discussion amongst friends, a discussion amongst family set in your home, your church, or carried out via social media. REVEAL aids in making discussion visible and accessible by serving as a destination point for Colorado’s protesters, activists, and radicals.
Appearing unassuming, humble, and timid, REVEAL portrays itself as harmless and motionless; however, the true complex network of researchers and advocates are only found once you join in the conversation of the protesters below. In the underground lower level is where protesters can reconvene, unite, and rise up to challenge the typical neoclassical capitol
in protest. Ultimately becoming the public’s voice, REVEAL acts as a self-sustaining social justice beacon for downtown Denver, creating transparency with the public.
Collaborator: Gabriella Saholt | Fall 2023 | Instructor: Brian Warthen
Level One
Permaculture Organization
Guilded landscape acts in resistance with defensive vegetation according to site location.
Expansion of Public Space
Building fully opens and expands to the courtyard when serving a protest, closed when not.
Section through underground level and its relationship to the courtyard
Lower Level Flex Space
Flex space changes according to socio-political climate—from lecturing, learning, to protesting.
Overlapping of Public Space
Middle-ground is created for communication between non-profit workers and the community.
Section model — view from top of ramp/stairs looking into courtyard
Approach to courtyard with view of the digital screen
Section model — view from courtyard
Armored Assemblage
attuned to the surrounding noises. Ultimately, encouraging one to listen and embrace the comfortable and uncomfortable silence.
Focusing efforts on capturing silence, [H]Arken intends to merge two generations and towns in one, rejuvenating the life of two small, dying
Collaborator: Andrea Muchori | Spring 2023 | Instructor: Peter Goche
Section cut through the procession of silence: living quarters, library, and sanctuary
View of sanctuary from courtyard
Section cut showing the relationship between the sanctuary and courtyard
Approach into sanctuary space
Sound Diagram
Chipboard site model (left) | Concrete sanctuary model (right)
ENCASED
THE UNIFICATION OF A HYBRID LANDSCAPE
Ledges State Park, IA
Addressing the issue of dying landscapes, the objective of Encased is to disrupt and merge the ever-growing surrounding vegetation. Unifying the three landscapes found at Ledges State Park (farm/cultivated land, prairie, and forest), a meeting point is curated where the inherently different foliage thrives in unison. The stark contrast of the design within the surrounding landscape encourages visitors to stop, relax, and interact with the natural topography.
Placed in the deepest part of the ravine, the nature of the structure is noninvasive while showcasing various parasitic elements. Although starkly different, these elements firmly ground itself within the site, creating points of
interruption and discovery within the building. There, vegetation is able to naturally inhabit the interior and exterior building space, reuniting the outdoors with the built environment. Bridging the surrounding vegetation, the site is fully engulfed and encased with Iowa’s reoccurring landscapes.
Collaborator: Andrea Muchori | Fall 2022 | Instructor: Consuelo Nunez
Ciuffa
Researching
Existing vegetation mapping at Ledges Sate Park
Hybrid vegetation mapping of Encased
the vegetation located around the site, there was a clear divide between the artificial (farmland) and natural (prairie & forest).
Master plan of Encased bridges both the natural and artificial landscape, creating a hybrid scene where the foliage coexists as one.
Level Two
perforated corrugated metal paneling doublepaned glazing
THE BEE SANCTUARY
THE STUDY OF REPRESENTATION AND THEORY
Bees are at the forefront of every ecosystem and food source — yet humans have been quick to neglect the species for decades. One in four native bee species is at risk of extinction, and the number continues to rise year after year. Without bees, fresh produce would decline substantially, human nutrition would suffer, countries would become economically unstable, and the world would struggle feeding itself.
Simply put, a world without bees would be a world without humans.
Habitat loss and climate change are leading factors in the rapid rate of decline. The Bee
Sanctuary critically challenges traditional roles of architecture through creating built environments for non-humans. Serving as a habitat, breeding ground, and food source, The Bee Sanctuary allows for the colony to thrive as one. In the sanctuary, bees are protected, healthy, and able to flourish in the hierarchical environment.
Individual Work | Fall 2021 | Instructor: Nick Senske
Section highlighting interior hierarchy and organization
Iowa State University
Bachelor of Architecture Ames, IA
Minor in Sustainability
Graduation: May 2025 | 3.91 GPA
College of Design Rome Program Spring 2024 Rome, Italy
Education Achievements
RDG-Bussard Competition: Second Place Fall 2024
Karol J. Kocimski and Lila Z. Furman Kocimski Endowment Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
Lyle E. & Anna M. Lightfoot Scholarship Summer 2023 & 2024
Cardinal Key Honor Society April 2023 - Present
ISU Dean’s List Fall 2020 - Present
Skills
Experience
Venice Biennale Sessions Curator / Participant Jan 2025 - May 2025
+ Intending to analyze and respond to the Venice Biennale 2025 brief, culminating in a twoday workshop and installation in Venice.
DLR Group Architectural Intern Summer 2023 Summer 2024 Minneapolis, MN
+ Conducted comprehensive code research across diverse projects, ensuring compliance to industry best practices.
+ Formatted construction documents for clear communication and submittal.
SPS+ Architects Architectural Intern Summer 2022 Phoenix, AZ
+ Maintained project files and conducted research on construction sites regarding zoning laws and regulations. + Pursued projects in the
Extra Curricular
Iowa Women in Architecture Secretary, 2021 - 2023 Aug 2021 - Present
+ Plan and execute events for around 50 students and professionals to expand connections.
Chi Omega Sorority Social Justice Chair, 2021 Personnel Chair, 2022 Aug 2020 - Aug 2023
+ Served on the Executive Board to enforce and uphold the Chi Omega Rules and standards for all chapter members.
Greeks Go Green Director of Events and Outreach Dec 2021 - Dec 2023
+ Serve as a lead in efforts to provide outreach in the community for an increase in membership engagement and project tasks.
Students Helping Our Peers Volunteer May 2021 - Present
+ Provided non-perishable goods to ISU students suffering from food
