I’m Maisy Chase, an architecture student at Syracuse University with a deep appreciation for thoughtful, effective design. My passion lies in blending simplicity with purpose to create spaces that resonate. Beyond my architectural studies, I’m fascinated by the enduring influence of historical art and architecture on how we live and shape our world today, exploring that understanding through my Art History Minor. As well as my dual minor in Real Estate, understanding logistics and numbers of space itself.
This portfolio showcases the journey of my academic work at Syracuse University. Each project represents a step in my growth, a reflection of both exploration and learning. As someone who is continually evolving as a designer, this collection is a snapshot of where I am in my academic career—a work in progress, just like me. I invite you to explore my efforts and insights so far, and I’m excited to share this part of my journey with you.
Vaulted Veilscape
Professor Corso - 208 Tectonic Studio - SPRING 2025 - Syracuse University
Location : Downtown Syracuse, NY
Inspired by the interplay of mass and truss in the Mopti Center of Earth Architecture and the immersive spatial experiences of James Turrell’s work, this project investigates the relationship between geometry and structural systems, particularly the space frame. Situated on a 10’ by 10’ grid within a site in downtown Syracuse, the design explores how ratios and geometries interact with a truss system. Masses emerge from the datum-like truss, rotating, cantilevering, and tapering in dynamic ways, challenging the rigidity of the structural framework.
The project questions how mass can be shaped and influenced within a controlled, strict environment—and how it can simultaneously break free from these constraints. Sectionally, a serpentine space weaves through the truss across two floors, creating moments of tension and release. Planarly, the truss is exaggerated and fetishized, its purpose amplified to become both a structural and aesthetic focal point.
Internally, the truss occasionally cuts through spaces, creating unexpected and rare interactions that highlight its presence and redefine its role within the architectural experience. This project ultimately explores the duality of structure and space, pushing the boundaries of how geometry, mass, and truss systems can coexist and inform one another in a dynamic and thought-provoking way.
Modeling
Relief Collage - 1 Point
Shifting & Sliding
Professor Williams - 108 Studio - SPRING 2024 - Syracuse University
Location : Downtown Syracuse, NY
This project began with an analysis of traditional grid facades, focusing on patterns, repetition, and the rhythmic interplay of apertures. Inspired by these observations, I abstracted and reinterpreted these rhythms in a study model, where rows of elements slide in and out of planar facades. By simplifying these rows and facades into a series of operations—uniform, stretching, shrinking, twisting, and shearing—I introduced the concept of a datum. These manipulated solids, though distinct, now exist on a continuous plane, challenging the conventional role of a datum as a static, unifying element.
Instead of maintaining its rigidity, I explored how the datum—or the objects juxtaposed against it—could be transformed through sliding, twisting, and shearing. This approach creates dynamic relationships between previously separate or unrelated elements, redefining the datum as a flexible and adaptable construct rather than a fixed organizational tool.
The project evolved into a programmatic recreational building in Downtown Syracuse, where these conceptual ideas were grounded into a stable, functional structure. By considering site-specific conditions and structural integrity, I investigated how a datum could become habitable and serve as a connective tissue between all programs. This exploration not only reimagines the role of the datum but also demonstrates how abstract architectural concepts can be translated into tangible, inhabitable spaces.
Model Analysis
Site Analysis Collage
Interlocking Links
Professor Sho - 107 Site Studio - FALL 2023 - Syracuse University
Location : N/A
Material : Chipboard and Bristol
Interlocking Links is an architectural exploration inspired by the serene landscapes of Robert Ducanson’s Land of the Lotus Eaters and informed by a meticulous analysis of Thomas Phifer’s Glenstone Pavilion. The project is structured on a strict 10x10-foot grid, within which three primary programs are geometrically articulated. At its core, Interlocking Links investigates the distinction between circulation and room what defines each, and how they interact.
Programmatically, the design separates individual “rooms” and connects them through the conceptual framework of a hallway. Sectionally, the rooms cascade down the landscape, creating a dynamic interplay with the terrain. Externally, the three programmatic volumes interlock planarly, forming cohesive outdoor spaces. Apertures are strategically employed to reveal overlaps within the grid, while also delineating the transition between hallway and room. This project challenges conventional spatial boundaries, offering a nuanced dialogue between form, function, and the natural environment.
Study and Site Modeling
Planar Study Modeling
An Even Longer Longhouse
Professor Anwar - 207 Site Studio - FALL 2024 - Syracuse University
Location : Onondaga lake, Syracuse, NY
Software: Rhino 3D, Adobe Illustrator, EnScape
This Project of the Onondaga Nation serves as an Education and Exhibition hub, drawing inspiration from traditional longhouse struc-
This Project of the Nation serves as an Education and Exhibition hub, inspiration from traditional structures Set beside Onondaga Lake, the Design respects cultural and environmental contexts, showcasing local history and ecology though a seg- tures. Set beside Lake, the respects cultural and environmental contexts, local and a segmented, site responsive structure The space is organized into mented, site responsive structure. The space is into 5 distinct masses 5 distinct masses, each dedicated to a different programmatic function - labora- , each dedicated to a di erent programmatic function - laboratories, classrooms, archival spaces, and exhibitions - following the angles of nearby “longhouses” and echoing their elongated proportions tories, classrooms, archival spaces, and exhibitions - the of and their proportions.
The retaining walls, multifunctional elements of this design, define the circulation pathways as well as storage, hosting exhibits walls, elements this design, de ne the circulation pathways as well as storage, exhibits and creating thresholds between distinct zones. and thresholds between distinct zones. These walls also connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, establishing both continuity and These walls also connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, both continuity and separation across the site By carving out areas from the landscape, they create pockets of open air environments that enhance the visitors’ separation across the site. By carving out areas from the create pockets of open air environments that enhance visitors’ experimental journey This structure not only honors the longhouses’ open plan inspiration, but advances its functional adaptability, fostering experimental journey. This structure not only honors the longhouses’ open plan inspiration, but advances its functional adaptability, spaces that blend education, cultural immersion, and ecological reverence spaces that blend education, cultural immersion, and reverence.
