Lyndon Johnston
LYNDON JOHNSTON
Jersey City, New Jersey
Phone - 651 - 242 - 1105
Email - Lejohnston24@gmail.com
LinkedIn - Lyndon Johnston
In May 2025 I completed a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree at NJIT’s Hillier College, where I built a strong foundation in design, sustainability, and architectural theory. Prior to my academic studies, I worked in fire and flood reconstruction, gaining practical experience with a wide range of building types and conditions. As a student, I served as a research assistant focused on material sourcing and environmental impact. In 2024 I spent a term studying abroad in Krems, Austria, collaborating with local officials on urban planning initiatives. These experiences have deepened my commitment to community-centered design and shaped my belief in architecture as a tool for meaningful, sustainable change. I hope to join a firm that shares this vision.
EDUCATION
New Jersey Institute of Techinology
B.Arch 2025 2020 - 2025
Austria Study Abroad
Summer 2024
A collaborative design studio with the Kuntsmeile of Krems designing urban furniture proposals
Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis MN 2015 - 2019
WORK / EXPERIENCE
CONSTRUCTION
Full time
SKILLS
Worked in demolition crew removing/ remodeling damaged buildings and houses
Clean Response FIRE AND WATER TECHNICIAN
Paul Davis STUDENT RESEARCHER
“Understanding the cost of Building With Tyvek”
Jan2020Sep 2020 Summer work May 2022Sep 2022 Dec 2022Oct 2023
Worked on recovery and resotriation of buildings that were damaged due to fires and floods.
AIA associate membership
Adobe
Assisted a faculty member investigating environmental impact of building materials. The work resulted in a paper that was published and presented at the ACSA/AIA Intersections Model Making 3D Printing Laser-cutting Woodworking Construction Equipment
Project I
Options Studio
Jersey City Bathhouse
- Developing a new public facility that encourages iiifurther development of people centered cities.
- Historic preservation of existing conditions iiiwhile still making new public space
Project II
Studio V
Project III Salt Marsh Research Lab
Summer Options
Studio
- Combine salt marsh revitalisation project with iiiresearch facility
- Using parametric tools to generate form
- Working with the local government on hdesigning and proposing a set of urban furniture iiithat connects cities’ art museums together.
- Using AI to develop and create interactive urban i furniture
Project IV Four Freedoms Library
Advanced + Synthesis Studio
- Equitable design that represent Roosevelt’s four iiifreedoms speech
- Exploring massing and circulation through iiiplacement of program
Jersey City Bathhouse
Jersey City has a long history of public spaces and civic amenities, with parks scattered throughout its neighborhoods, offering space for its residents to spend time in the city. Yet, beyond these open spaces, another form of public life once existed, the bathhouse. The Cole Street Bathhouse, opened in 1904, is a reminder of a time when these facilities were essential to city living, providing a communal space for hygiene, social connection, and eventually, relaxation and healing. As indoor plumbing became widespread and car culture reshaped the urban landscape, these vital spaces disappeared, and the streets were overtaken by vehicles.
Today, Jersey City is beginning to reclaim its streets for the people through initiatives like the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza and street art such as Mr. AbiLLity’s Monopoly mural. My project builds on this growing momentum by reintroducing the public bathhouse as a central, human-centered landmark that honors history while addressing contemporary urban needs. Situated near existing pedestrian-focused developments, the bathhouse and hotel hybrid not only revives a lost form of public space, but also helps shift the neighborhood’s identity toward a more inclusive, walkable, and restorative urban future.
Perspective: Main bath hall located in former trust company building
The site is defined by two key elements: its location at the intersection of Jersey Avenue and Newark Avenue is directly across from the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, and the historic Trust Company building. My design aims to extend the pedestrian plaza into the site while preserving the bank’s historic exterior, blending public space and architectural heritage.
FORPEOPLE FORCARS FORPEOPLE FORPEOPLE
Site map
Section perspective:
4-8
Ground floor
Floors
Salt Marsh Research Lab
Once a vital shipping route that fueled Brooklyn’s industrial rise in the mid 19th century, the Gowanus Canal has since become one of the most polluted waterways in New York City. Decades of industrial activity and poor waste management left behind a toxic legacy with surrounding neighborhoods, like Red Hook, bearing the consequences through flooding, water contamination, and exposure to hazardous materials.
Long before urban infrastructure transformed the landscape, Brooklyn’s coastline was lined with salt marshes, natural systems that helped regulate water levels and filter pollutants. This project reimagines the canal’s edge by reintroducing these ecosystems. By elevating human activity above a restored marshland, my proposal creates a shared space for people, plants, and wildlife, all contributing to a cleaner, more resilient Gowanus Canal.
The modules are designed to serve as accessible platforms for researchers to actively monitor and study the salt marsh and surrounding water. Integrated lab spaces within the modules allow for real-time observation, while the elevated design makes it easy to access the marshland directly below for sampling and hands-on research. This setup enables scientists to track ecological changes, water quality, and plant growth efficiently, supporting ongoing environmental restoration and data collection efforts.
Perspective: View of marsh under proposed design
The proposed site sits between the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Red Hook and Gowanus, two historically industrial areas now undergoing significant transformation. The zoning around the site reflects a rich mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses within a small radius, creating a layered and diverse urban fabric. Warehouses, small businesses, and apartment buildings coexist, contributing to the area’s active atmosphere. This convergence of different functions and communities gives the site a unique energy, shaped by its industrial past and its evolving role within Brooklyn’s broader urban landscape. Understanding this complex context was essential in shaping a design that responds to both the physical character and social dynamics of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Site map of Gowanus canal
I identified three key spatial characteristics that shaped the foundation of my design: Multiply, Void, and Stretch. Multiply reflects how layers of infrastructure such as bridges, elevated tracks, and stacked buildings, allow multiple users to engage with the same space simultaneously. Void refers to the Gowanus Canal itself, a dividing element that both separates and connects the neighborhoods through water flow and boat traffic. Stretch captures the way streets and walkways expand and contract public space, shaping how people move through and occupy space. These three characteristics were the basis for how the form of the proposal was created.
Exploded axonometric of module
Parametric design tools, specifically Grasshopper, were integral in generating the form of the project. The design process began with a series of expanding circles that, once they intersected and compressed against one another, formed a network of interlocking platforms. To enhance environmental performance, the platforms were then adjusted vertically based on sun path data, ensuring that more sunlight could reach the water below and support ecological restoration efforts. Each resulting module consists of precast concrete panels, designed for efficient on-site assembly atop concrete pillars.
Kunstmeile Urban Wayfinding
Located in the city of Krems, Austria, a city known for its historic archietcture and wine culture. The Kunstmeile is a mile-long corridor of art museums and installations that collectively strive to add art the city’s cultural identity. Though each institution stands strong on its own, their close proximity offers a unique opportunity for collaboration. After discussions with local government and Kunstmeile representatives, a three-phase strategy was developed to gradually introduce the idea of a more connected Kunstmeile.
Phase One introduces the idea of a connected kunstmeile by projecting an interactive “wine spill” along the most frequently used paths between art spaces. As visitors walk through the projection, the spill responds and spreads, creating a playful, visual link between institutions.
Phase Two focuses on establishing locations for wayfinding nodes along the Kunstmeile. By analyzing where the most interaction occurred with the Phase One spill projections, key hotspots were identified as ideal locations for physical interventions. Tables, chairs, and signs are introduced in these areas, transforming them into small gathering points that not only offer a place to rest and socialize but also guide visitors toward the various installations.
Phase Three centers on the design and installation of permanent urban furniture in the most active areas identified in previous phases. A key focus was strengthening the connection between the local art scene and Krems’ wine industry. To achieve this, the structures include integrated spaces for local wineries to showcase and sell their wine. These multifunctional elements not only provide seating and orientation but also create a tangible link between cultural and agricultural heritage, fostering a deeper, more immersive experience along the Kunstmeile.
Perspective: Phase III seating and shade
The city of Krems is located in the heart of Lower Austria, an area renowned for its rich wine growing regions. It is located on the edge of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its medieval vineyards and centuries-old wineries. Because of its close proximity to Vienna, Krems has become a tourist destination for those taking the ferries down the Danube river.
Salzburg
Innsbruck
Bregenz
Map of Austria:
Linz
Sankt Polten Vienna
Eisenstadt
Graz
Klagenfurt
Salzburg
Krems
My concept blended Austrian culture, particularly heurigers, with the local art community. I was inspired by the joy and sense of belonging found in heurigers, especially the act of spilling wine, which I saw as a playful expression of happiness and shared experience. This idea shaped the atmosphere I aimed to create—one that celebrates community, creativity, and togetherness.
“Heuriger” A place where local winemakers sell their new wine. “Gemutlichkeit” , the idea or state of feeling warmth, friendliness, good cheer and a sense of belonging.
Phase II
Phase I interactive projection of wine spill on street
additonal projection and seating added
Phase III
A major component of the studio involved integrating AI into the design process. The key takeaway was learning how to guide the AI to generate the forms we envisioned. Instead of using general terms like “urban furniture,” I broke ideas down into their core characteristics. I also discovered that including unexpected or unrelated terms helped disrupt the AI’s assumptions and led to more unique and creative results.
AI prompt
A conceptual blend of art, technology, ferment, and community that is based around an urban street that has been converted into a space for pedestrians. Wire, Space for people to rest and interact with technology, organic, wine, layering, shade.
The final phase of the project introduces the interactive urban furniture. Visitors can buy and enjoy local wine and sit down in the shade while they walk to their next
Four Freedoms Library
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 “Four Freedoms” speech outlined essential human rights: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. He envisioned a world rooted in dignity, happiness, and compassion. The Roosevelt Monument in New York City was established to honor and share this vision with all who visit the island.
My proposal seeks to highlight and expand on these ideals, not only by acknowledging the monument, but by embedding the spirit of the Four Freedoms into the architectural design itself. The Four Freedoms Library integrates accessibility, inclusivity, and freedom of movement at every level. Its primary circulation flows through a series of winding ramps, beginning at the Foundation Hall and ascending continuously to the final library space, symbolizing an open and uninterrupted journey of learning.
Perspective: exterior courtyard
The design began with the acknowledgment of the Roosevelt Memorial. The building’s program was first laid out along a straight axis from the monument to the park entrance, creating a conceptual spine. As this line was bent to meet spatial needs, it shaped the architecture and defined circulation. This bending naturally formed secondary paths and courtyards, allowing visitors to explore the library freely. With no fixed route, each experience is shaped by personal choice, reflecting the spirit of Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms.
In each library room, the book stacks are located beneath the main reading areas. This layered design represents how learning is foundational for progress and enlightenment. Each room is thematically curated, with stacks organized according to the room’s name and focus. Some spaces are designed to encourage conversation and group interaction, while others provide quiet, private areas for individual reading and study. Visitors may choose to request assistance from a librarian or explore the lower-level stacks themselves, ensuring both guided and self-directed access to knowledge.
Axonometric section of the fine and graphic arts library
Perspective: Fine and graphic arts library