TOM LICHTY
ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO
University of Arizona M.ARCH. III Program
Selected Works (August 2023 - December 2024)
Project 01
Phoenix Town Center
Design Studio VI
Project 02
Tangled Waters Plaza
Design Studio V
Project 03
Superfund Site Design
Design Studio IV
Phoenix Town Center 01
Located in the rapidly expanding North Gateway Village of Phoenix, Arizona, the Phoenix Town Center addresses the needs of one of the state’s fastest-growing regions. Commissioned by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), this project serves as a dynamic urban hub, providing essential civic infrastructure and fostering community connection in an area poised for significant growth.
The design establishes a center of gravity for mid-21st-century civic life in the American Southwest, offering multi-use, flexible spaces for town meetings, exhibitions, educational events, and cultural gatherings such as concerts and fairs. The program also includes a fire station, police station, town administrative offices, a public library, and a café, supporting both public services and community engagement
Sustainability is central to the project, with a focus on achieving net-zero energy through the integration of passive and active design strategies. Thoughtful materiality grounds the building in its environment, using rammed earth and sandstone at its base to symbolize the earth and the region’s historical building practices. As the structure rises, it transitions to sleek white metal cladding, evoking a sense of ascent into the clouds and symbolizing the aspirations of the growing community.
By blending traditional materials with innovative design solutions, the North Gateway Town Center redefines urban infrastructure for a thriving region, creating a sustainable and enduring civic landmark for generations to come.
1. Multipurpose Gathering Space
Library 3. Town Administration Offices
Police Station
Fire Station
PERIMETER BEAM
REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS & RAFTERS
REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS
STRIP FOOTING FOUNDATION
2” X 4” PURLINS
TRUSSES (2.5’ - 4’ DEPTH)
FACING SOUTH
FACING EAST
5’ 10’ 20’
5’ 10’ 20’
Openings in roof to bring light into the parking area cutting down on energy use
skylight only allowing direct sunlight in the winter
Louvered clerestory windows on east and west only allowing direct sunlight in the winter. Light shelf guides the low light through the entire space
Light Shelves
Light shelve on South, East, and West to bring in as much indirect sunlight as possible
Cross Ventilation
Slim windows on Southwest with large windows on Northeast to create vacuum effect
Louvered
Solar Panels
panels contributing to a net-positive design
Rainwater Harvesting
Water from roofs, parking, and natural runoff stored in outdoor water basins until needed
Large Overhangs
Overhangs over 10’ covering all of the South side of th buildings, over 20’ on East and West.
Reflective Envelope
Titanium Zinc-Alloy with White Coating envelope reflects the heat reducing the building’s heat conduction
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Vertical Geothermal System negating all HVAC energy costs
ENERGY USE CALCULATIONS
Police Station
Town Administration
Interior Gathering Space
Cafe Library
Shipping & Recieving
Miscellaneous (mechanical, storage, restooms ...) TOTAL
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR PANELS
Solar Panel Specifications:
Total Number of Solar Panels - 683
Average Dimensions:
Panel Wattage: 375W per panel
Total System Capacity: 256kW
Location Efficiency:
Phoenix, AZ Peak Sun Hours : 6.4 hrs/day (most in U.S.)
Excellent Solar Irradiance
Panel Orientation: South Facing: 10% Southwest Facing:90%
Orientation Losses: South Facing: 10% reduction Southwest Facing: 15-20% reduction
Estimated Loss: 90,000 kWh
System Losses:
Inverter Efficiency: 95-97%
Wiring/Connection: 2-3%
Dust/Dirt Collection: 2-5% Temperature Effects: 5-10%
Estimated Loss: 30,000-60,000 kWh
Refined Calculations:
Gross
System
Estimated
Tesla Megapack Integration: 3.9 MWh Storage Capacity
Enables: Peak shaving Energy time-shifting Backup power Smoothing solar intermittency
Vertical Closed-Loop Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)
Energy Transfer Mechanism:
Winter Operation: Extracts heat from ground to building
Summer Operation: Transfers building heat back into ground Continuous heat exchange without combustion
Environmental Impact:
CO2 Reduction: Approximately 150-200 tons annually
Zero on-site combustion
Minimal ecological disruption
Physical Specifications:
Number of Boreholes: 24 vertical wells
Borehole Depth: 400 feet
Borehole Diameter: 5 inches
Total Ground Loop Length: 9,600 linear feet
Borehole Spacing: 20 feet between wells
Ground Loop Material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes
Circulating Fluid: Water-based solution with propylene glycol antifreeze
Thermal Performance:
Coefficient of Performance (COP): 4-5
Heating Efficiency: 400-500% compared to traditional systems
Cooling Efficiency: 300-400% compared to traditional systems
TANGLED WATER PLAZA 02
Tuba City, known as the land of tangled water, a forgotten oasis, nestled in the southern part of the Navajo Nation, located in Northern Arizona, is home to an inherent beauty that can only be found in Tuba City. The honesty and rawness of the natural landscape is inspiring yet humbling at the same time.
After visiting Tuba City and gaining a deep understanding of the Navajo Nation, I was inspired by the intelligence, hard work, and artistic talents of the people within the reservation. The concept behind the design revolves around empowering these individuals by providing them with the tools and resources to succeed as entrepreneurs. The community market serves as a showcase for the exquisite arts and crafts produced by the local community, allowing them to directly sell their creations to tourists and locals alike. However, we recognized a crucial missing piece in the ecosystem - a space for these artisans and budding entrepreneurs to establish their businesses after receiving support from Change Labs, where they take their first steps towards entrepreneurship, secure loans, and connect with mentors. The enterprise parcel fills this gap by providing a nurturing environment where these craftsmen and entrepreneurs can flourish and find a permanent home for their businesses. Located adjacent to the market, the enterprise site serves as a beacon of success. As vendors from the market see these businesses thriving, it ignites a spark in their hearts, inspiring them to aspire for greater heights and potentially transition to the enterprise parcel, taking their first steps towards owning and operating their own businesses. This can generate many jobs and give people of the reservation an opportunity to better support their family
With all these considerations in mind, the goal for the Enterprise parcel is to first and foremost satisfy and provide the community of Tuba City with a program that is beneficiary to not only the traveling visitor, but ultimately to the community of Tuba City at large. To achieve this goal, by listening and utilizing community feedback, spaces were crafted with retention and revitalization in mind.
THE START
CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY GATHERING
TRADE OF LOCAL GOODS AND PRODUCE
THE LEAP
CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY GATHERING
CIVIC PARCEL
CIVIC PARCEL
ENTREPRENEURIAL EMPOWERMENT
TRADE OF LOCAL GOODS AND PRODUCE
ENTREPRENEURIAL EMPOWERMENT
THE DESTINATION
CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY GATHERING
CIVIC PARCEL
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
TRADE OF LOCAL GOODS AND PRODUCE
MARKET
PLAZA:
BUSINESS
CIRCULATION: GROUND LEVEL
CIRCULATION: SECOND LEVEL
SKILLION ROOF WITH METAL DECKING
3” CORRUGATED STEEL PAN FLOOR SYSTEM- TYP
TAPERED RIGID INSULATION W/ CORTEN METAL ROOF FLASHING
LOAD BEARING 8” ICF WALLS
COMMERCE AND CREATION CENTER: STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
3” CORRUGATED STEEL PAN FLOOR SYSTEM -TYP
ALTERNATE SIZE GLAZING (TINTED VARIOUS BLUE)
BELOW-GRADE SPREAD FOOTINGS, WITH 8’ PILES, WITH A 24” DIAMETER
STEEL SUBSTRUCTURE FOR 50MM TRANSLUCENT POLYCARBONATE PANEL FRAMING TYP
8” CLT FLOORING W/ 2” CONCRETE FINISH
12” CONCRETE SLAB
GLULAM DIAGONAL BRACING
RIGID GLULAM MOMENT FRAME, 20’ BAYS
GLULAM FLOOR JOISTS
COMMERCE AND CREATION CENTER
COMMERCE AND CREATION CENTER: MICRO RETAIL
DINE BUSINESS PLAZA: PUBLIC WORKSPACE
DINE BUSINESS PLAZA
SUPERFUND SITE DESIGN 03
Located in Tucson, the Superfund Site, a legacy of military activities, poses a unique architectural challenge due to subsurface groundwater contamination with Trichlorethylene (TCE) and 1,4-Dioxane. Compounded by the emergence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in 2021, the Tucson Airport Remediation Project (TARP) closure underscores the pressing concerns at the intersection of environmental, political, and social dimensions. For years, the Tucson community has unknowingly faced health risks from these contaminants in drinking water and airborne vapors, lacking awareness of the severity of the situation. The absence of urgency for remediation stems from this unawareness and necessitates a comprehensive approach to address both environmental threats and community education.
In response, my architectural project aims to bridge this awareness gap while proposing practical solutions. The envisioned “Community Resilience and Revitalization Center” integrates a Research and Education Center to empower the community with knowledge and the means to address groundwater and soil contaminants. The design includes a community park seamlessly merging into a large open courtyard enclosed by a curtain wall, facilitating a visual connection to the research and education centers. This deliberate design choice ensures that visitors of the park can witness ongoing efforts within the facilities, fostering a transparent and engaged atmosphere. A significant component of the park is a large phytoremediation area featuring grassy knolls with elevated walkways adorned with educational signs. This interactive space not only provides a unique moment for park-goers but also serves as an educational tool, enhancing the community’s understanding of the contamination issue. Extending from Rudy Garcia Park, known for its sports facilities, the project establishes a central hub within the community. A GSR-bridge over Nogales Highway connects both parks, creating a cohesive and accessible space where community members can gather, play, and actively participate in addressing environmental challenges.
Through a thoughtful synthesis of architectural design, environmental solutions, and community engagement, the project envisions a resilient and revitalized Tucson. By raising awareness and providing tangible ways for the community to contribute, the proposed center becomes a beacon for change, fostering a sense of responsibility and collective action.
Drexel Rd
Irvington Rd
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER GROUND FLOOR PLAN
LAB TRAINING
GLASS WASH
SAFETY
RAINWATER HARVESTING
DRY LAB
OFFICES
PROFESSIONAL LAB
COMMUNITY / COLLABORATIVE LAB
BREAK AREA
MECHANICAL
SAMPLE PREPARATION AREA WAIT AREA
WATER AND SOIL SAMPLE STORAGE
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER PROGRAM PLAN
RAINWATER HARVESTING
COMMUNITY GARDEN
LOUNGE / REST AREA
COMMUNITY GARDEN BIKE STORAGE
ROOM
10’
Meeting House
Phytoremediation Area
Research & Education Center
Excavation Section
SITE AXONOMETRIC
TYP. GRASS BURM
Open Central Courtyard
Rudy Garcia Park
Dog Park
Walking Paths
2’ layers of compressed soil
Geotextile layers between each layer of compressed soil
Precast concrete footing
Structural Ribbed Steel Plate
Anchor Rods
Wire Form
Retaining wall and guardrail
