I present not only my work but also my way of thinking. my approach to projects is rooted in detail-oriented strategies that help me intimately understand design challenges. I value the diverse range of media I use to express the tectonics and poetics of the built environment. through thoughtful engagement, I seek to explore new possibilities and uncover even more facets of creative wonders.
thank you for viewing—I would be happy to discuss any questions or thoughts you may have.
Tamia, Spring 2025
In collaboration with Berk Oral
In the heart of North End’s embrace, Where cobbled streets and stories trace, A haven hides in forms aglow, A dwelling shared, a vibrant show.
Through shifting realms and thresholds passed, A secret core, where sunlight’s cast, Cafés, shops, and laughter blend, A gift to all, our spirits mend.
Facade may hint, but does not speak, Of realms unique that lie unseen, Thresholds crossed with knowing eyes, Reveal the core, where beauty lies.
At Hanover’s cross, where paths converge, A dance of forms, a subtle urge, To wander through the shared delight, Discovering realms bathed in light.
For those who live, and breathe, and dream, This dwelling holds a sacred gleam, A tapestry of life entwined, In shifting forms, community defined.
Mass
Slice SHIFT
1/8" Model with Site, South-Facing: Situated within the site context, the model highlights the unique street facade and the occupiable roof plane atop the front-most massing. The project directly engages the sidewalk and street while maintaining circulation at the ground level between neighboring buildings.
Our intervention in Boston’s North End embeds itself within the site context, engages multiple scales of connectivity, and encourages groundlevel interaction and circulation. Occupying a former parking lot—a “leftover” space within this dense urban fabric—SHIFT introduces five compact living units that maximize efficiency while embracing minimalism.
The design juxtaposes traditional red brick with glass brick, creating a bold and dynamic façade. Six sheer brick walls frame the structure, infilled with channel glass to enhance both transparency and texture. To optimize spatial efficiency, each unit features a core that supports structural integrity while integrating essential building systems.
1. CLT Panel
2. Timber Stud Wall with Plywood Facing 3. Return Air
Supply Air
Plumbing
Electrical
Drop Ceiling
Ceiling Hanger
Experience: Moments of the Project, Design Aspirations, and Collaboration
These sketches represent the preliminary concepts that fueled our early design process, particularly in developing massing strategies unique to the site. Each idea engages with one of our major design considerations: scales of connectivity. This guiding principle remained integral throughout the entire process and was ultimately realized in our final design. The hidden courtyards foster more intimate connections among a few neighbors, while the corridor allows for more individualistic engagement with the project. Lastly, the numerous occupiable roof planes accommodate larger gatherings. The diverse interactions across different elevational planes create visual interest for the public who experience the space.
The collaboration between my partner and me was instrumental in developing our thorough concept. While we worked together to conceptualize aspirations for the project, I translated some of our ideas into sketches. In the later stages of development, my partner created rendered views that corresponded to these preliminary sketches.
Small, Hidden Courtyards in the Dense Urban Fabric
Corridors that contrast Open Spaces
Roof Planes that leverages Outdoor, Occupiable Space
“SHIFT”ing Model, 1/4” Scale: A conceptual representation where five units are modeled as individual masses that slide apart from the original footprint, creating uninterrupted views into the interior living spaces. This explores the relationship between how the units exist in relation to each other but also within in the context of the site, generating further ideating about open spaces on the ground plane for connection and interaction. Actual position [bottom left], in motion SHIFTing [top], and fully open, SHIFTed units [bottom right].
Full Scale Mock-Up Model [1’-0” = 1’-0] of Street Facing Facade: Integration of glass brick [acrylic] with typical red brick [styrofoam] with a wood frame [next page].
Library + Residence
This project is a living space for a writer, featuring a private book collection and a dedicated meeting area. It engages with the existing space and boundaries, defining three distinct programmatic areas along a continuous path—a gathering space, a library, and a residence. Through variations in volume and plane, the design creates a labyrinth-like experience, evoking moments of mystery followed by discovery.
Water plays an integral role in the design, with roof structures directing rainwater into concrete basins, enhancing both function and aesthetics. Along the journey, spatial contrasts emerge—narrow walkways give way to open green spaces exposed to the sky, creating moments of compression and release.
The interplay of wood, plaster, masonry, and glass defines the character of each space, subtly hinting at its purpose. From entrance to exit, the architecture guides visitors through a sequence of evolving experiences, shaping their perception of movement, enclosure, and openness.
Existing Conditions, Site Plan [Sketch]
of Project
Massing
A continuous central path connects the entrance at the street facade to the exit of the project, serving as a carefully curated journey that passes through every part of the design. This path is intentionally designed to guide visitors and residents, framing poetic views by aligning the walkway in a deliberate manner. It begins as a narrow passage and then widens near the residence, acknowledging the more leisurely nature of that program.
The series of images below showcases perspective and conceptual sketches that capture key moments of the project—views through glazing, the way water falls, and the long corridors formed by pergola structures.
Gathering Space + Path
Just beyond the existing building facade, a gathering space for ten people is strategically positioned as the most public program of the project. The path passes along two sides of this space, offering a view of the nearby courtyard and, further in the background, the library.
Wooden Pergola: A three-part structure frames the pathway, reinforcing the concept of progression. As one moves away from the gathering space, the columns increase in girth, emphasizing a sense of transition and movement.
Roof Plane of Gathering Space: The four-part skylight system enhances the central focus of the space. Taking advantage of the butterfly-sloped roof, a drain at the horizontal center collects rainwater and channels it into a basin. This collected water serves as a feature adjacent to the gathering space before flowing to the other side, helping to define the pathway.
A Series of Sections: The height of the gathering space and pathway is compared to the enclosing wall and the library beyond. The walkway incorporates stairs to elevate and extend over the basin.
Plan of Gathering Space: A rectangular space designed to complement a central conference table. The glazed openings provide views of both the pathway and the water collection basin.
Wall Detail + Roof Detail w/ Embedded Rain Gutter: Stucco finish on the exterior, wood structure, and drywall interior finish.
Library
The spectacle of the project to climax the progression through the space. The library is visble from the other two programsthe Gathering Space and the Residence. Anchored towards the middle of the existing site footprint due to public and private qualities of being a private library of a writer.
Plan of Library and Connecting Courtyard: The plan is square with a structured, gridded hierarchy. A central curved wall evenly divides the library into two distinct areas—one for book storage and the other for work. Glazed openings establish a connection to the courtyard's natural surroundings and the residence beyond. On the ground plane, the walls are offset from the existing brick walls, allowing for movement around the entire building.
Roof Plane of Library: The low-slope roof directs water to a drain at the building's edge, which collects and channels it into an adjacent basin. A skinny skylight, integrated into the spatial daylighting system.
A Series of Sections: A building section through the library and walkway. The library features a partial second floor, with its mass slightly elevated above the surrounding conditions. The second section presents an elevation of the library from the courtyard, emphasizing the library's water collection basin.
Section and Axon of Stairs + Daylighting Strategy: A modified U-turn stair leads to the partial second floor. The daylighting strategy introduces a skinny, horizontal beam of light through a constructed shaft. This daylighting system is cantilevered over the walkway, positioned near the existing brick wall.
The Residence
The final stage of the journey through the project concludes in the living space. The massing is elongated, positioning each room adjacent to the existing brick wall. This alignment reinforces privacy while allowing light to filter through the pergola over the walkway. The intersection of this massing with the library creates a direct connection between the two programs.
Wooden Pergola + Side Elevation: A two-part structure frames the latter portion of the walkway, using repetitive elements to reinforce the concept of progression. The height aligns with the lower part of the roof slope in the space. The elevation features the glazed wall, roof drain, and water collection basin.
Roof Plane of Residence: The roof angles upward toward the existing brick wall. A drain runs along the building’s perimeter, directing water toward the side of the writer's room, where it falls into the water collection basin. This view also highlights the rectangular skylight located above the bedroom.
A Series of Sections: The residence features two distinct spatial conditions: an open courtyard leading to an enclosed space beyond, and the interior of a bedroom. These views emphasize the project's exit, framed by the existing brick wall, as well as the skylights positioned near the center of each bedroom.
Plan of Residence: This area includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a community kitchen, a dining room, storage, and a courtyard. The bedrooms are positioned on opposite sides, separated by the shared courtyard and amenities. The writer's room, located just across from the library, features a glazed wall that overlooks the water collection basin.
Section and Elevation: These views showcase the series of rooms within the residence space. The drain runs from the additional bedroom, across the courtyard, and to the other side of the writer's bedroom. The series of narrow windows in the writer's bedroom reflect the rhythm of the wooden pergola and its characteristics.
Digi-Quilt Square
This piece interprets a site map of Boston’s North End, where “negative” volumes represent roads, and “positive” volumes depict the city’s built environment. The design was inspired by a spinning wind device observed at the market, with its segmented progression informed by a triangular arithmetic sequence that determined the degrees of rotation for each component.
The square represents just a fragment of a larger quilt of digital squares, collectively forming a more complete site map. This quilt was fabricated using three distinct materials and techniques: 3D printing with PLA, CNC milling with high-density foam, and laser cutting with chipboard.
Boston, Massachusetts
OpenLab Studio at Payette Fabrication Study Fall 2023
Process of assemblying the lasercut chipbaord model. Pictured is a 3D printed jig with the lasercut-chipboard base depicting the “roads” of the quilt square.
Process of assemblying the lasercut chipbaord model. Pictured is the program of “built area” volumes. These pieces utilize the customized, stepped shape of the jig to achieve flat plane for the bottom of the tilted volumes.
AIA Competition 2023 04
This submission creates a space to engage the community, to create art, and to live. From first floor to third floor, a progression from public to private. The exhibition space and education space oriented to encourage movement from one side to the building to the other. A portion of the back wall setback from the existing wall to create an outdoor space, a space the brings sunlight deep into the site and to all levels of the building.
DETAILS
Urban Charlottesville, Virginia Spring 2023
Duration: 3 Days
Context + Facade Studies of DC
A collection of preliminary work on a facade-based project located in Chinatown of DC. It was a series of studies that explored the connection tension between the neoclassical and traditional Chinese architecture.
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
House
Capital One Arena
Implications of Space
This representation capitalizes on the experience of Cowgill Hall: textures, colors, and images that exist in the relative location of where one would see them in the actual building. A vibrant spirit and overwhelming creativity blurs together to create the overall mood. The layers create hierarchy, as well as working abstractly to define particular structures and boundaries -implications of a space(s).
Physical study-models of cubic space from basswood and bristol paper that explores the transition between planes and deconstructed volumes.
A Writer’s Space + Pavillion
Located in the swamp forest of northeast North Carolina, this project emphasizes upon the journey of a writer. The entry of the space plays on permeability of volumes, creating spaces like the central corridor and outdoor entertainment area. The writer’s experience is enhanced by the rhythm of filtered light as they travel deeper into seclusion. This rhythm, a decreasing gradient of voids, encourages movement through the corridor. As one turns a corner, hidden spaces are revealed to them. Where volumes overlap, openings align to provide a view from the front facade to the back tree line.
the making of public spaces
work in progress thesis
this narrative explores the dynamics of reexamining how we perceive public space. what does it mean to be a public space? what does a public space look like? what qualities should a public space have? what should be considered when defining the parameters of a good public space? addressing these questions forms the foundation of my curiosity about spaces for people.
the concept of a public program is as old as the human race itself— a primal instinct. there are many reasons that drive people to congregate: to gather, collaborate, share, and exchange ideas. however, the dominant force behind this primal instinct is culture. culture connects individuals to something greater than themselves. without culture, we would have no sense of belonging, leading to a loss of identity. everyone wants to belong somewhere.
architecture should recognize and respond to a space’s public responsibility by firstly addressing its context. public spaces must acknowledge and embody qualities of flexibility, ownership, monumentality, permanence, and dimensionality to encourage spatial stewardship. stewardship is what will determine the success of a public space.
this study has led me to analyze many precedents, continuously sketch in a quest to untangle my thoughts, and ultimately question what makes a good public space.
terms of criticism
These five terms of criticism help distinguish a bad public space from a good one. They are recurring themes that serve as a potential framework for assessing and evaluating the degree of inherent public qualities. The abstraction of ideas ensures a well-rounded judgment that embraces the concept of a particular project while also respecting its physical architectural elements.
The challenge of creating spaces that can lend itself to many different program [and potentially all necessary programs] flexibility is necessary to inspire belonging, spontaneity, and curiosity.
dimensionality
Dimensionality is the act of engaging the physical world on multiple elevations to increase surprising interactions between people. A space activated by a diversity of dimensions draws pleasant attention.
ownership flexibility
Ownership is to describe the privatization of spaces that should belong to the many instead of the few. Whoever owns a space makes the rules and ultimately has a certain level of control over how a space can be utilized. This limit of spontaneity is public’s hostile attacker.
permanence
Physical structures emphasize their fixedness by possessing remnants (or artifacts) that inevitably track inhabitants through time.
monument
Monumental architectural elements indicate public program, or rather that is the bias perception. The grandness and ornamentation makes people feel dignified, special, and important. This recognition encourages the public experience a sense of welcomeness. Additionally, monumentality is expressed through the identity of a place, through location's choosen landmark.
SITE INFORMATION + OBSERVATIONS
site plan - fredericksburg market square
The city of Fredericksburg was founded in 1728 and has many significant ties to American history - and draws in some tourists. The town is now a small urban hub with small businesses centralizied on the main axes and residential throughout. Most of the buildings are retrofited brick homes, which add a great deal of character to the town, that the people of Fredericksburg take pride in maintaining.
The city of Fredericksburg was founded in 1728 and has many significant ties to American history, and the American Revolution, which helps to attract tourists. The town is a small urban hub with small businesses centralized on the main axes and residential program spread throughout. Most of the buildings are retrofitted brick homes, which add a great deal of character to the town, that the people of Fredericksburg take pride in maintaining. The town square served as an integral part of early life in this town. When the city was in the beginning stages of its planning, there was space at the center of the city specifically set aside for the purposes of an open, community square.
4-way site approach
scenic urban approach
Fredericksburg’s Town Square is unique in the way it is placed in the context of the downtown area. One could approach the square four different ways - each experience differing greatly from the others. The experience of progression when approaching the town square offers many opportunities frame important views, capture people’s attention, and draw them closer to this public curiousity.
The square currently is an open space with little obstacles and perimeter seating, all within the boundaries defined by an apparent grid marked by the materials of stone and brick pavers. The program of the square has morphed over time, adapting to the needs of the people at the time. Its open design makes the space flexible in purpose and program. The wide diversity of how the space is activated gives the space an ephemeral quality.
corner courtyard approach
wide alley approach
fredericksburg area museum approach
corner courtyard approach
wide alley approach
These images illustrate the intentions behind this narrative: the spirit of public space. A space like Fredericksburg Town Square is contextualized by an enclosed threshold created by its surrounding buildings. However, the square still, in itself, maintains physical openness. Its openness lends itself to be occupied by many different people, all with different reasons to gather in this central location. The desire of this illustration is to reveal the endless potential of what the space can be used for. One who might wander of the street to discover a seven by four grid might encounter on of these people in this square. Unplanned encounters and unexpended findings are apart of the core of public space.
