https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorpinkney/ w. https://taylorpinkney13.myportfolio.com/
About Me
My decision to pursue architecture started with a childhood obsession: touring model homes with my family after church on Sunday’s. Early on, I became fascinated with the way thoughtful design impacts the well-being of its users. This passion led me to the University of Houston, where I’ve explored various architectural sectors. An early internship in interior design deepened my appreciation for personalized spaces, reinforcing my belief that great architecture is about the people who experience it. Managing a demanding workload has strengthened my discipline and work ethic, preparing me to thrive in professional environments. I’m eager to keep learning, refining my skills, and contributing to designs that enhance everyday life.
Harmonic Hall
Professor Luis Ayala
Project Overview
Rhino | Adobe Illustrator | SketchUp | Indesign | Climate Studio
Harmonic Hall focuses on integrating three distinct programs within the reimagined Cage Elementary: art, music, and special education & behavioral classrooms. While each program retains its individual focus, the layout allows for harmonic transitions through a central corridor, enabling students to move effortlessly between creative and educational experiences. The design integrates materials, lighting, sound, and spatial movement to cultivate an inclusive and inspiring environment that emphasizes safety and creativity. The assignment was heavily rooted in materials research and building system integration, with me and my teammate, Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras, conducting an in-depth exploration of the music room. Unless otherwise noted, all drawings uploaded are my original work.
Parapet
Roof Decking
Thermal Insulation
6” Concrete
Metal Decking
HARMONIC HALL
Wood Ceiling Joists
AcousTech™ Ceiling Clouds
Carrier VAV System
Tonewood™ Natural Wood-Faced Panel System
15” W Flange Steel Beam
Viva Railings Metal Panel Railing System
Sierra Pacific Wooden Double-glazed Standard Casement
TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking
Insulated Metal Studs
Vapor Barrier
3” Rigid Insulation
Rainscreen Cladding
Sound Solution Acoustical Underlayment
Taylor Pinkney & Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras
CUPACLAD
Chunk Axonometric
SNOW OR ROOF LL FOR NON-SNOW AREAS
USE AND OCCUPANCY
SELF-WEIGHT OF STRUCTURE
GROUND REACTION
Enlarged Music Room Section
Concept Diagram
Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras
Concept Render
Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras
Drawing Title
Music Room Render Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras
Physical Model
Taylor Pinkney & Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras
Ciclo Professor Ronnie Self
Project Overview
Rhinoceros 3D | Adobe Illustrator | Enscape
CICLO is a design concept that emphasizes the cyclical nature of the mulching process, guiding visitors through the site to explore and learn about the journey from waste to food production. The journey begins at the Visitor Center, located on the west end of the site, facing the retention pond and Recycling Facility. Here, visitors can walk through and experience the entire site, gaining insight into the processes at each stage. From the Visitor Center, they move to the Recycling Center, where organic waste is collected, processed, and sold, with a compost field behind it to efficiently connect the recycling center, garden, and restaurant. The compost produced is then used in the garden and restaurant for sustainable gardening practices, promoting local and organic food production. The strategic separation of the program into three main buildings enhances the overall functionality and efficiency of the system.
3’ x 3’ Physical Site Model
Recycling Center Render
Restaurant Render
Site Section
Recycling Center Rendering
West Elevation
EMPLOYEE CIRCUIT
MULCH
RESTAURANT & GARDEN
RECYCLING
VISITOR CENTER
RETENTION POND
MULCHING FIELD
RESTAURANT & GARDEN
PHYSICAL
Apex Professor Cara Murray
Project Overview
Rhino | Illustrator
The Apex, located on the Menil Campus in Houston, explores the concept of vertical hierarchy and spatial intimacy, drawing inspiration from the Netherlands Embassy by OMA. The design hybridizes an indoor sports field, student dormitory, bookstore, and cozy coffee shop, with a programmatic journey that becomes increasingly private as one ascends. The building’s progression mirrors the idea of an apex—moving from the communal sports field and coffee shop on the lower levels to the serene dormitories above. This upward shift emphasizes both physical elevation and a metaphorical ascent toward privacy and self-reflection.
The
Program Diagram
Public vs. Private
Solid vs. Void
Circulation Diagram
Court / Track
Locker Rooms/ Bathrooms
MEP/ Elevator Cafe Library
Dorms
Structutral Diagram
The Porous Home
Professor Mario Medina
Project Overview
Rhinoceros 3D | Adobe Illustrator |
Located in the heart of Downtown Houston, this project reimagines the concept of home, specifically designed to house refugees. After researching the historical growth of homes in the U.S., contemporary living arrangements, site analysis, and refugee needs, I developed a design that accommodates 4-10 people with private housing, a shared communal area, and a programmatic addition. Tailored for Afghan refugees in Houston, I incorporated vertical gardening as a “plus program,” combining a food market and garden to help refugees feel at home while fostering cultural exchange and community connections with Houstonians.
Porous openings create moments where new culture can seep into the city.
Concept: Porosity
Enclosure Diagram
KITCHEN
RESTAURANT
NEW FACADE
KITCHEN
EXISTING FACADE
NEW FACADE
South Elevation
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS
ARTWORK
