NINA BUDDRIUS
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
INDEX
TEXTILE TENSION
SAVANNAH INFILL APARTMENTS
NAVIGANTI
NYC HVAC FACILITY & JAZZ CENTER
BIOSYNC TOWER
URBAN RE:CONNECT
TEXTILE TENSION
The form resulting from the enlogation of an elastic body.
The state of being stretched or strained, typically resulting from pulling or stretching force applied to an object or substance; tension can shape and define fabric.
SAVANNAH INFILL APARTMENTS
Savannah, Georgia.
Located in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, this multifamily residential project merges tradition and innovation, balancing the city’s rich architectural heritage with contemporary design. The project incorporates a mix of residential units and ground-floor commercial space on a challenging corner lot, where considerations of natural light, spatial organization, and urban context were critical.
Inspired by Savannah's historical charm and the layered forms of its iconic Candler Oak Trees, the design utilizes shifting rectangular volumes to create a dynamic and engaging architectural composition. These shifting forms define the facades and interior spaces, allowing for a variety of layouts that emphasize openness, connectivity, and flexibility. The resulting design fosters a balance between private, intimate corners and communal, shared areas that encourage interaction among residents.
Brick, a material deeply rooted in Savannah's architectural legacy, was employed in a contemporary way to enhance visual interest through intricate patterns and textures. This reinterpretation allows the facade to interact with light and shadow, creating a sense of movement and vibrancy. Expansive windows were carefully positioned to optimize natural light and frame views of the surrounding city, establishing a dialogue between the building and its urban context.
This project not only celebrates Savannah’s architectural identity but also emphasizes functionality and adaptability in urban living. The design integrates traditional materials with modern forms, providing spaces that reflect the evolving lifestyles of its residents while staying rooted in the city’s unique cultural and historical narrative.
NAVIGANTI
Cultural Center at Genoa’s Edge
Done in collaboration with Henry Bordon
Located at the historic port of Genoa, Naviganti is a cultural center that celebrates the city’s rich maritime heritage and its role as a gateway for migration and cultural exchange. Inspired by the movement of ships and the stories of those who have passed through the port, the design incorporates sweeping ship hull canopies, positioned as if sailing, evoking a sense of perpetual journey. The structure, formed by dynamic, flowing lines, reflects the ebb and flow of the sea, while materials such as steel, wood, and glass create a modern yet timeless connection to naval craftsmanship.
Naviganti offers flexible spaces, including exhibition halls, a waterfront amphitheater, and interactive installations, all designed to foster connection and cultural dialogue. Situated at the edge where the city meets the water, it invites visitors to explore the relationship between past and present, movement and stasis, land and sea.
NYC HVAC FACILITY & JAZZ CENTER
656 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
The Campus HVAC and Jazz Facility at 656 W 125th St in New York integrates the cultural legacy of the historic Cotton Club with modern functionality. The design features a distinctive perforated metal facade inspired by theater curtains, which wraps around the building and continues inside to highlight the main circulation via processional stairs. This facade not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also allows light and visibility, maintaining a connection between interior activities and the exterior environment. The facility hosts music-related activities, including performances in a state-of-the-art auditorium, while also providing HVAC services to an adjacent building, thereby blending tradition with innovation in the vibrant Harlem and Manhattanville community.
AUDITORIUM AXONOMETRIC
STRUCTURAL AXONOMETRIC
BIOSYNC TOWER
Done in collaboration with Henry Bordon
BioSync Tower is a modular, biophilic architectural project designed to adapt to any location in the world. Composed of three interlocking hexagonal structures, the tower can be stacked vertically or arranged horizontally, offering flexibility in form and function. A central "pocket of life" pierces through the design, integrating planters, natural textures, and stairways that promote greenery, circulation, and community interaction.
Constructed using an innovative 3D-printed material made from wood waste and bioresins, the project is entirely sustainable and recyclable. Each module features rooftop solar panels and water collection systems, enabling self-sufficiency while supporting plant growth and even food production. With its seamless assembly process and focus on connecting people to nature, BioSync Tower is a forward-thinking model for adaptable, eco-conscious living.
URBAN RE:CONNECT
444 SW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33130
Urban Re:Connect transforms the City of Miami Building Department and its surrounding park into a vibrant, sustainable hub that bridges community, nature, and architecture. The building retrofit revitalizes underutilized areas with a public rooftop, and offering commercial spaces, an educational pavilion, an open-air gym, and scenic viewing points. A dynamic façade design integrates greenery to enhance cooling, diffuse sunlight, and foster social interaction.
The redesigned park addresses Miami’s dual challenges of flooding and pollution with forward-thinking ecological strategies, including a "live double seawall," bioretention systems, constructed wetlands, and native vegetation. Additional features such as solar panels, a green roof, and pervious paving improve energy efficiency and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Together, the building and park establish a resilient, interconnected environment that exemplifies the potential of adaptive retrofitting in coastal cities.
WATER FLOW DIAGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS
LIVE DOUBLE SEAWALL
