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contents
02 | Miguel Perez
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Urban Transitional Living Center 4-17
02 ECOWAS Cultural Center of Kansas 18-29
03 Alma Public Library 30-37
04 NoHo Collective Housing 38-47
05 CERAS Agriculture Innovation Center 48-55
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Urban Transitional Living Center 04 | Miguel Perez
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Urban Transitional Living Center Finalist | MANKO Design Competition
Goal | Using Nature and connections the building heals those who inhabit it and heals the world it inhabits. Description | The Urban Transitional Living Center in Kansas City, Missouri, stands as a beacon of hope and transformation for atrisk youth. This innovative non-profit initiative goes beyond mere accommodation, offering a comprehensive support system that includes housing along with training in practical skills like Culinary Arts, Woodworking, and Visual Arts. Located within Gillham Park, the Center breaks away from the traditional isolation of Transitional Living Centers by fostering a sense of community integration. Central to the Center’s philosophy is the concept of healing. Every aspect of its design, from the placement of buildings to the choice of materials, is imbued with this ethos. The incorporation of biophilic elements ensures that residents are constantly in touch with nature, with all interior spaces offering views of the surrounding gardens. These gardens play a crucial role in creating a tranquil and therapeutic environment. In its construction, the Center utilizes materials such as wood, metal, and concrete, chosen specifically for their ability to reduce anxiety and enhance productivity. These materials not only contribute to a peaceful ambiance but are also aligned with ecofriendly practices. The building’s design includes green roofs and bioswales, reflecting a commitment to environmental sustainability and underscoring the project’s dual goal of healing individuals and the planet. The Urban Transitional Living Center is more than just a housing facility; it’s a holistic environment designed to nurture and empower at-risk youth. By integrating therapeutic architecture, environmental consciousness, and community engagement, the Center sets a new standard in how buildings can be used as tools for social change and personal growth. This project stands as a powerful example of how architecture can heal.
Fall 2023 Focal Design Studio 06 | Miguel Perez
Healing though connection
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Public V. Private Residential units are placed on the north closest to the residential neighbourhood for privacy and to further create a connection with the neighbours. The more public program is placed along the south closest to the park
Connect A bridge was places to not have the residences live in isolation but interact with the general public. Inviting the public to interact.
Outdoor program The bridge formed three different outdoor spaces: a public plaza, a semiprivate amphitheatre garden and a private sensory garden. The remaining program then wrapped around the bridge.
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Site analysis
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Seating and planters serve as a privacy screen for the residents
Vegetable garden seating as well as all wooden benches are made in the wood shop. This helps the residents take pride in their work
Section CC 10 | Miguel Perez
Skylight serves a dual purpose to light the room below and provide privacy
Bioswales help mitigate storm water as the site sits in a flood plane
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Communal living Where the indoors merges with the outdoors
Farmers Market where the residents can invite the public to interact Vegetable garden and Amphitheatre where the residents learn to take pride in their work
Entry plaza Gracious space to welcome all to interact to learn and to grow
First floor plan and site plan 12 | Miguel Perez
Sensory garden Where residents disconnect from work and decompress
Residential units Though the use of passive cooling and heating the rooms heal not only the residents but the planet. Rooms cater to both sensory avoidant residents and sensory seeking residents
Flower garden A third space where residents and the community can interact
Workplace Where the residents learn valuable skills and showcase their talents
Second floor plan and site plan 13
Section BB
1. Flashing 2. Metal Panel 3. Rigid insulation 4. Weather barrier 5. Sheathing 6. Batting Insulation 7. Concrete slab 8. Filter Fleece 9. Drainage Layer 10. Water Proof Membrane 12. Concrete decking 13. Mass Timber beam 14. Steel beam 15. Break metal 16. Mass Timber Column 17. Clear insulating glass 18. Steel plate 19. Concrete slab foundation
Residential unit plan 14 | Miguel Perez
Detail wall section 15
Section AA
Entry plaza 16 | Miguel Perez
Flower garden 17
ECOWAS 18 | Miguel Perez
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ECOWAS Cultural Center of Kansas Merit Award | Bowman Design Forum
Goal | The Ecowas Cultual Center of Kansas connect the building to the context of Topeka and celebrates the culture of the ECOWAS though sectional Relationships. Description | The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is embarking on a significant initiative to deepen its ties with the Midwest by creating a central hub in Topeka, Kansas. This facility, encompassing both a consulate and a cultural center, is intended to be a lively focal point for political, economic, and educational exchanges between ECOWAS countries and the communities of Topeka and beyond. Not merely a diplomatic space, the center is designed to be a dynamic venue for a wide range of activities, from cultural festivals and dignitary visits to language classes and academic endeavors focused on the ECOWAS region. The architectural design draws inspiration from African vernacular traditions, with private spaces shaping public areas to create a secure yet inviting environment for community events. Additionally, the project aims to blend the dense urban landscape of Topeka with the openness of its natural surroundings, creating a harmonious and vibrant space for all participants in the ECOWAS initiative.
Fall 2022 Prof. Adriana Molina 20 | Miguel Perez
Culture + Context
Congregate
Celebrate
Live
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Program
Function
Security
A single mass is divided into 3 programmatic sections: 1. Cultural center 2. Consulate 3. Residence
The sections are moved based off function. Residence: private space away from public street. Cultural Center: on the public corner
The consulate is p grade to create a The gallery is plac middle to unite th and cultural cent the cultural cente
Section AA
The ur The urba ban n de desi sig g the th e en encl clos osed ed,, co the th e st stre reet etss to tthe he sens se nse e of tthe he par refl re flec ecti ting ng TTop opek ek jour jo urne ney y fr from om n na a spac sp acio ious us a are rea. a.
22 | Miguel Perez
placed below a secure space. ced in the he consulate er and to divide er from the
gn ttra rans nsit itio ions ns ffro rom m omp mpre ress ssed ed ffee eell of eo ope pen, n, e exp xpan ansi sive ve rk an and d ca capi pita tal,l, a’ss ci a’ city tysc scap ape e wi with th a rro row w co confi nfin nes es tto oa
Access to light
Cultural Celebration
Space is subtracted in the consulate and in the residence to provide access to light.
The cultural center is emphasized by subtracting space around it. This space is then subdivided using the cultural program to design the facade of the building.
Section BB Tradit Trad itio iona nall Af Afri rica can n co comm mmun unit itie iess feat fe atur ure e a cent centra rall pu publ blic ic spac sp ace e en encl clos osed ed b by y soli solid d ma mass ss and an d pr priv ivat ate e ar area eas, s, m mir irro rori ring ng the th e secu securi rity ty-f -foc ocus used ed llay ayou outt of ECO ECOWA WAS S co coun untr trie iess an and d repl re plic icat atin ing g the the la laye yere red d effe effect ct typi ty pica call in tra tradi diti tion onal al v vililla lage ges. s.
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Site Plan
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Entry
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Dignita
parking
Open office space
Counsule’s office
Private core
Residential Cour
Gallery Gallery
Consulate lobby
UP
DOWN
Library
Entry
Public core
Director’s office
Community Room
Floor -1
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Floor 1
Floor 2
ary Suite Artist suite
Counsul suite
t
Gallery
Gallery
Auditorium
Auditorium
Floor 3
Floor 4
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Consulate
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Descending into the consulate, you are greeted with art. This gallery spans the entirety of the building connecting the consulate with the cultural center. This secure space, while below grade, is graciously lit by floor to ceiling windows adjacent to a courtyard.
Cultural center
Ascending from the first floor, this space is the core of the building. The central celebrated space. It is from here where you are immersed in the culture of the ECOWAS. Where one can see, touch, and learn about the West African culture though art, literature, and community.
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Alma Library 30 | Miguel Perez
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Alma Library
Goal | The design capitalizes on the preexistent connection between main street and city park using the library as a conduit for circulation. Description | In an era where digitalization has revolutionized access to knowledge and information, the Alma Public Library Board recognizes the enduring value of books and the importance of a physical space to celebrate reading. They have proposed a modern library for Alma, a close-knit community in northeastern Kansas with about 1,000 residents, where public spaces are limited. This library is not just envisioned as a repository of books; it’s designed to be a technologically advanced resource center that will serve Alma and its surrounding areas for decades to come. The library’s design is particularly innovative in how it integrates with the local environment. Situated on a site that serves as a conduit between the city’s main street and its sole park, the library is designed to enhance this connection. The concept involves creating a new public pathway through the library, seamlessly linking Main Street and City Park. This design approach makes the library a central, unifying element in the town, transforming it into a hub of community activity and interaction, not just a place for books but a living, breathing part of Alma’s social and cultural fabric.
Spring 2022 Prof. Chris Fein 32 | Miguel Perez
Section AA
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Our design addressed the challenge of maintaining user privacy and program adjacencies: the ground floor is accessible to all and communityfocused, the second floor is dedicated to teens and adults for privacy, and the children’s library on the lower floor combines safety and privacy, ensuring thoughtful adjacencies to meet each group’s needs.
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n Dow
Floor 2
UP
Do
wn
Floor 1
Floor -1
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Secction BB
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Central Reading Room
Children’s Library
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NoHo Collective Housing 38 | Miguel Perez
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NoHo Collective Housing
Goal | The Building uses the idea of splitting to create public spaces connecting residences and community. Description | Located in the vibrant NOHO area of New York City, this building project is uniquely tailored for digital independent artists and emerging content creators. It offers a design that balances work and life, featuring versatile units split into distinct living and working spaces. These spaces are cleverly separated by thick walls, which serve dual purposes of ensuring privacy and incorporating built-in storage, thus facilitating a blend of solitude and community connectivity. The building’s design is particularly focused on creating communal spaces that connect residents with each other and the broader NOHO community. This is achieved through the clear segregation of public and private areas within the building. A standout feature is the large public amphitheater, a thoughtful addition that addresses the scarcity of green spaces in urban New York City. The building’s exterior is marked by a unique gradient screen, offering a balance between privacy and engagement with the bustling city life of NOHO. Internally, the building houses a variety of shared and private spaces. These include communal areas for socializing and collaboration, which alternate with private spaces designed for creative activities. The ground floor introduces a dynamic blend of private and public zones, including street-facing amenities like coffee shops, retail stores, and galleries, encouraging interaction with the NOHO community. The central lobby serves as a communal nucleus, reinforcing the building’s commitment to fostering a connected and vibrant community within one of New York City’s most culturally rich neighborhoods.
Spring 2023 Prof. Jongwan Kwon 40 | Miguel Perez
Maximum mass The maximum allowable mass per code, and regulations in New York City.
Unit aggregation
Subtraction
Sun shading
The units interlock to create a seamless block.
Mass is subtracted to create outdoor space, as well as fit the context of the site.
A gradient sun shading system is placed to provide shade and privacy.
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Studio (A)
Two Bed
Studio (B)
One Bed
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Floor 6
Floor 3
Floor 1
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Section AA
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Section BB
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Amphitheater
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CERAS 48 | Miguel Perez
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CERAS
Goal | Fostering innovation through a deep connection with culture, nature, and community, guiding the design of the new agricultural innovation center in Thies, Senegal. Description | MBOLO, embodying the Wolof concept of unity and collaboration, encapsulates the spirit behind the expansion of the Center for the Improvement of the Adaptation to Drought (CERAAS) in Thies, a significant cultural and manufacturing hub in Senegal. CERAAS, a research center dedicated to developing drought-resistant crops, aims to bring together global experts to tackle agricultural challenges, necessitating an expansion due to its evolving mission. The project’s design responds to the climatic challenges of the Sahel region, where Thies is located, by employing passive design strategies. The new agricultural innovation center will feature two primary components: four innovation hubs and a large forum, supported by additional spaces. Drawing from traditional Sahel architecture, which uses private modular structures around a central public space and blends with the landscape, the design plans to complete an array of buildings encircling an existing central plaza. This approach aims to create a cohesive, inviting central area, reinforcing the project’s goal of uniting culture, nature, and community to spur innovation.
Fall 2022 Prof. Adriana Molina 50 | Miguel Perez
Itf tf
TIF T F
E THINK
Mass More solid masses are placed on the northeast corner of the site, to block the hot winds coming from the Sahara Desert. The more open and tectonic green house is located at the southern end welcoming the cool southern winds
Submerge To further enhance the site’s micro-climate, the solid structures were partially submerged to create a more comfortable environment for the public forum.
Shift These structures were also divided to create both public and private spaces within each hub, generating additional opportunities for shade and intimate outdoor areas
Connect to unify the various structures and provide a seamless connection between them, a series of outdoor breezeways were created
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Floor -1 the public part of the innovation hubs, a central forum, and a cafe. The four hubs are divided into two spaces to encourage interaction and collaboration among scientists and researchers, while the forum serves as an extension of the main plaza. This creates a dynamic public space that promotes innovation and community.
52 | Miguel Perez
Floor 1
The first floor of our design serves the private offices of the innovat offering privacy, also open up outdoor courtyards, providing opp office to connect and innovate.
s as the private floor, housing ion hubs. These offices, while to outdoor breezeways and portunities for individuals in the
Floor 2 The second floor of our design serves as an exclusive area dedicated to research on drought-resistant crops. The large tectonic structure is strategically positioned to be the first thing visitors see when approaching the building, immediately communicating the purpose of the building. This floor is located at a higher level to allow for air flow into the public floor below, helping to maintain a comfortable and pleasant environment throughout the site.
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Section AA
Section BB
54 | Miguel Perez
Brick Perforated brick is a key feature of our design, used throughout the project to cool the building naturally. This sustainable strategy is a common feature in the area and helps to keep buildings cool while allowing for natural light and views. The bricks were strategically placed in areas where the sun would be the most intense and where cool winds would be most beneficial, ensuring maximum effectiveness.
Breezeway In addition to connecting the different hubs, the breezeways in our design act as a unifying element for the entire project. These outdoor spaces provide a means for cool winds to enter specific parts of the building, promoting natural ventilation and creating comfortable, shaded areas. By incorporating these breezeways, we aim to provide a sustainable and cohesive design that enhances the user experience while minimizing the environmental impact of the project.
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56 | Miguel Migu Mi g el gu e P Perez e ez er