“Aim for the moon, and even if you miss, you’ll at least land among the stars” has been the guiding philosophy of my architectural journey. I am a graduate with dual master’s degrees in Architecture and Urban Design committed to continuous learning and growth, always challenging myself and pushing beyond my limits to achieve new heights. My work is driven by a passion for creating architecture that is socially, culturally, and environmentally conscious, and I aspire to contribute to a generation of architects dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. Additionally, my travels across four continents have allowed me to experience emblematic architectural landmarks, broadening my perspective and deepening my appreciation for how diverse cultures influence the built environment. With a proactive and organized approach, I am eager to bring my skills and enthusiasm to your creative and supportive team.
References Pasquale De Paola, Ph.D., LEED AP
Program Chair, Associate Professor
Louisiana Tech University e: pdepaola@latech.edu
Monica Rivera
Program Chair, Graduate Architecture
JoAnne Stolaroff Cotsen Professor of Architecture
Washington University in St. Louis e: m.rivera@wustl.edu
William May, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Architect, Principal Porche | May Architects e: william@pmarchitects.design
Eric Mumford, Ph.D
Rebecca and John Voyles Professor of Architecture
Washington University in St. Louis e: epm@wustl.edu
Education
Washington University in St. Louis, Sam Fox
Master of Architecture, 2024
Selected Coursework:
Professional Experience
Additional Experience
Awards & Selected Publications
Languages & Travel
Software Proficiency
Other Skills
School of Design & Visual Arts, St. Louis, MO
Calibrating Latencies [Studio]: Adaptive reuse project tasking students with reimagining Levittown homes for San Juan’s climate, social, and cultural contexts. Tutor: Monica Rivera
Environmental Systems: Explored energy conservation, human comfort, and climate-responsive design, focusing on passive design strategies, site planning, and energy analysis. Tutor: Hongxi Yin
Making Space [Studio]: Reclaiming place from dis\placemaking in Brownsville, Atlanta. Tutor: Patty Heyda
Louisiana Tech University, School of Design, Ruston, LA
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, 2022 | Magna Cum Laude, GPA: 3.89
Selected Coursework:
Planning and Urban Design Theory: A course focusing on the social, cultural, and political meanings of space, and issues of equity and justice in the built environment. Tutor: Windy Zhao
Principles of Environmental Design: A course exploring the ways energy simulation can be applied in the design process to develop buildings that are energy and resource efficient. Tutor: Brad Deal
Porche | May Architects, Lake Charles, LA, Summer 2021
Architectural Design Intern: Collaborated with principal architects on various residential and commercial projects; Assisted in the development of architectural designs and preparation of construction documents using Revit; Conducted on-site surveys and field measuring; Participated in client and bid meetings. Selected projects:
Lynn Residence: A 10,077 sf family residence in a suburb of Lake Charles, LA
Reynaud Middle School: A 41,638 sf middle school rehabilitation project in Lake Charles, LA
SOM Global Winter Shadowship 2025, San Francisco, CA, 2025
A week-long program offering an immersive professional experience, mentorship, and guidance to students pursuing careers in architecture, engineering, urban planning, graphic design, or interior design.
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 2023
Research Assistant: Prepared lecture slides for Architectural History II and was invited by the professor as a guest lecturer to present the chapter on Modern Africa. Supervisor: Eric Mumford
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, 2021-2022
Lab Coordinator: Managed and supervised the schedules of the lab workers and provided front desk assistance for the lT Coordinator and Network Administrator. Supervisor: Eddy Darrell
Danforth Scholarship Award - Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design, 2022-2024
APPROACH: Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts Student Work, 2023
Project: The Porch House | International Housing Studio: Designing multifamily housing in Halifax, CA
Dezeen School Show: Ten architecture projects by students at Washington University in St. Louis, 2023
Project: “Calibrating Latencies”: An adaptive reuse project in San Juan, Puerto Rico
MUD (Master of Urban Design) Faculty Book Award, 2024
Project Design | Presentation Skills | Communication | Teamwork | Critical Thinking | Attention to Detail Organization Skills | Graphics Skills | Problem Solving | Construction Documentation | Pro Active | Empathy | Fast Learning Ability | Flexibility | Multi-Tasking | Hand Drawing | Model-Making
Porch House at King’s Wharf Housing
Le Pre-Haut Housing San Juan, PR
Riverside Reflections: Embracing History, Empowering Community Interpretive Center Gowanus, NY
The Mood House Modular Home Unspecified Location
Bird’s Eye View of Shelter Unit Clusters and Outdoor Communal Spaces
Beyond Shelter
On-Site Living and Learning Facility for the Unhoused St. Louis, MO
This project addresses the pressing need for dignified shelter and social reintegration for the unhoused population in St. Louis, drawing on Francis Kéré’s principles of sustainability, social impact, and community empowerment. The design introduces an affordable, modular shelter system that residents can assemble themselves on-site, using a kit-of-parts model.
In addition to providing immediate shelter, the project incorporates educational programs to equip residents with practical skills, supporting their reintegration into society. Key facilities include classrooms, workshops, and administrative spaces where social workers offer guidance and resources. The design fosters community building, both within the shelter and through initiatives that connect residents with the surrounding neighborhoods.
A unique feature of the project is its integration of an existing building, repurposed into a greenhouse that supports an on-site restaurant. The restaurant and an adjacent store are operated by residents, creating opportunities for employment and interaction with the broader community. These enterprises not only provide job training but also generate revenue to support the shelter’s long-term sustainability, while strengthening ties between the unhoused and local residents.
By combining sustainable architecture, skill-building programs, and economic initiatives, this project offers a dignified, scalable solution to homelessness that promotes self-sufficiency, community involvement, and social reintegration.
Critic: Adrian Luchini, Degree Project, Washington University in St. Louis, Fall 2024
Architecture as A Catalyst for Social Change | Tackling A Pressing Issue in St. Louis
Revocation of the New Life Evangelistic’s Center Permit (one of the largest shelters and outreach centers in STL)
Enactment of House Bill 1606 (Illegal to camp on state-owned land)
“HOMELESS NEED HOMES, NOT HARASSMENT. THEY ARE PROTESTING THE LACK OF SHELTER.”
Pros:
- Individual units: privacy, security, sense of ownership
- Democratically self-administrated, self-governed, and self-operated (micro business revenues and donations to cover operating costs)
- Communal spaces
- Low environmental impact (minimal use of resources)
Cons:
- Limited resources (electricity, water)
- Villagers pay $50/month as “insurance payment” (contribution to operating expenses)
Pros:
- Individual units: privacy, security, sense of ownership
- Variety of services: onsite meals, showers, case management, housing navigation, mental health services, job training and placement
-Communal spaces
Cons:
- Highly restricted (curfew from 9pm6am) and check ins/outs
- Gated and security control
- Common restrooms/bathrooms
Pros:
- Individual units: sense of ownership, privacy, and security with a number/ address and key)
- Personalizable units
- Services: onsite meals, assistance for job search and counseling
Cons:
- Limited services for residents
- Restrictions (not allowed to have guests, etc)
- Lack of communal space/Dull design
Dignity Village Portland, OR
Chandler Blvd Tiny Home Village Los Angeles, CA
Magdala Tiny Homes St. Louis, MO
Site: 5901 Kennerly Ave, St. Louis, MO
Proposing a program that reposes on these three words:
SHELTER + +
- 92 Dwelling units (1)
- Laundry facility (2)
- Administration and Social Services (3)
EDUCATION
- Product design workshops (4)
- Culinary classroom (5)
- Appliance repair workshop (6)
- Gardening (Greenhouse) (7)
COMMUNITY
- Restaurant (8)
- Cafeteria (9)
- Shop (10)
- Shaded outdoor space for community events (11)
Shelter Units Cluster
A view of the shelter units and the communal outdoor space their cluster create
A view of the larger units made of polycarbonate
Restaurant’s Outdoor Area
Education and Community (larger) units
Architecture inspired by the “kit of parts” model
As a city-funded project, budget constraints were a key factor in opting for a kit-of-parts model. This approach ensures the buildings are both cost-effective and designed for easy transportation and on-site assembly.
Shelter (small) units
Shelter units
Educational buildings: Wood & metal shops, Appliance repair shop,
Shelter units
Laundry
Cafeteria
Culinary classes
Greenhouse
Shop
View of the Pathway Leading to the Central Courtyard
Interior View of the Greenhouse
Interior View of one of the Shelter Units
Interior View of the Wood Shop
Section-Elevation Drawing
Porch House at King’s Wharf
International Housing Studio
Halifax, Canada
The Porch House is a response to Halifax’s maritime culture in its mass, materiality, and form. It engages with the sea from a point of prospect, boldly overlooking Halifax Harbor and the Halifax peninsula.
Halifax is the second largest coastal city in Canada. Its urban core is home to many regional landmark buildings among which are the well-preserved wooden residential houses with notable architectural features such as the Halifax Porch. The Halifax Porch is an unheated and fully enclosed space that acts as a vestibule to the residence and can serve many purposes such as a mudroom, a greenhouse, or a place to engage with neighbors.
In this project, the Halifax porch is revisited and applied to a multi-family housing context where it is used as a private entrance for residents at an aggregation level; and is used at a unit level as an extruded and fully glazed space that is about providing outdoor space to the units and which can be seasonally opened in nice weather and be an extension to sunlight exposure that can be greatly needed in cold seasons.
The project proposes a series of units that are characterized by an open plan to allow flexibility and movements throughout the units and the use of pocket doors allow rooms to offer a variety of uses.
Critic: Donald Koster and Julie Bauer (Berlin rotation), International Housing Studio, Washington University in St. Louis, Fall 2022
An Architectural Feature: The Halifax Storm Porch
The Halifax Storm Porch is a side-entrance porch perfectly adapted to the cold Canadian climate. It acts as a vestibule keeping the cold exterior air from entering into the warm interiors. It is a transitional space where one could stamp the snow off their boots before accessing the hall, look up and down the street to passersby, or talk to a neighbor without having to invite them in.
5’ elevation: Flooding mitigation Interior door
Exterior door
Staircase
Awning window ventilationfor
Outdoor Lamp Mail slot
A Modern Adaptation of the Halifax Architectural Feature
The wooden facade was purposefully chosen for its enduring aesthetic, allowing it to develop character as it weathers naturally with time and exposure to sea water
Exterior view of Porch House at King’s Wharf from the Halifax harbor
Ground Floor: An Adaptation
(Penthouse Level 1 + Rooftop)
Fifth Floor Plan
(Penthouse Level 2)
Direct Exterior Exposure/Views
Transverse Section (Top) | East Elevation (Bottom)
Physical Site Model | Scale: The physical site model was a collective work of the entire studio own project.
Scale: 1/32” : 1’-0”, Aerial Views studio section. Each student was responsible for the model of their project.
Exterior Elevation
Showing the the series of autonomous spaces in front of the pre-existing structure. The spaces have been designed with versatility in mind, offering the property owner the option to utilize them for personal use or lease them out.
Le Pre-Haut
Calibrating Latencies Studio San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Pre-Haut is a proposal for reusing and transforming isolated and climatically inadequate structures into socially meaningful and energy-independent places by addressing six fundamentals: Environment, Program, Tectonics, Landscape, Strategy, and Social Context.
One characteristic of this proposal is the incorporation of a series of autonomous units in front of the pre-existing structure’s plot, which add a layer of privacy and security from the street. These units are designed with versatility in mind, offering the owner the option to utilize them for personal use or to lease them out. The dimensions of the units are carefully calibrated to accommodate a diverse range of functions, ranging from storage facilities to small stores.
Another characteristic is the additional level on top of the pre-existing structure. This addition is composed of two enclosable volumes serving as shelters in case of a hurricane or storm, and a completely open space covered by a steel structured roof creating a comfortable micro-climate within the warm and humid climate of San Juan.
This studio suggests to investigate existing latencies (hidden or dormant possibilities of use) in architecture and meticulously calibrate them to propose new ways to reuse and transform Levittown Houses in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Critic: Monica Rivera, Calibrating Latencies Studio, Washington University in St. Louis, Spring 2023
Transforming the Levittown House: Adaptation to Cultural, Social, and Climatic Contexts
Levittown homes became popular for their affordability and convenience, spreading across the U.S., including Puerto Rico. However, their standardized design failed to adapt to local climates and cultural contexts, particularly in San Juan. The challenge now is to transform these structures into more climate-responsive architecture while addressing flexibility of use, privacy, security, and functionality.
House brochure provided by studio professor to use as the existing house model:
EXISTING HOUSE
MODIFICATIONS (Demo):
Removal of some of the existing walls
MODIFICATIONS (New):
Addition of new walls to create a new spatial arrangement
ADDITION TO THE PLOT:
Incorporating independent (12ftx12ft) units in the front edge of the plot and laying out open and enclosed spaces on the second floor
LARGE ROOF STEEL STRUCTURE:
Expansive roof covering the entirety of the house
FINAL BUILDING DESIGN PROPOSAL
Process Axonometric Diagram of the Design Proposal
The axonometric diagram shows the project’s process from the analysis of the existing conditions to the final design proposal including structural strategy.
Step 1 : Existing House - Identifying structural and nonstructural members.
Step 2 : Modifications - Adjusting layout for better ventilation and flexible use while minimizing demolition.
Existing Structural Wall
Existing Non-structural Wall
New Wall
ROAD
SIDEWALK
ROAD
SIDEWALK
Plot
Step 3 : Addition - Ground floor - Incorporating independent (12ftx12ft) units in the front edge of the plot and laying out communal and private points of access.
Addition - Second floor - Laying out open and enclosed spaces on the second floor and incorporating an access indepedant from existing structure.
ROAD
ROAD
View from second floor open area looking into enclosable room
Physical Model Photo | Scale: 1/2” : 1’-0”, Second Floor Open Area
Physical Model Photo | Scale: 1/2” : 1’-0”, Exterior Elevation
View from the back of house
Ground Floor - Alternative Use: Restaurant
Ground Floor - Alternative Use: Daycare
Second Floor - Alternative Use: Daycare
Second Floor - Alternative Use: Massage & Yoga Studio
the series of autonomous units activating the street the
Urban Block
Showing
dwelling.
Block Plan street and providing a layer of security between the street and dwelling.
Urban Block
Exterior View of the Project within Context (East view)
Autocad
Lumion
Photoshop
Riverside Reflections: Embracing History, Empowering Community
Reviving Gowanus Studio Gowanus, New York
The project site is an old industrial plot located on the edge of the Gowanus Canal. The canal itself was formed through the widening of the Gowanus Bay to facilitate commercial access. However, the development of the surrounding area led to severe pollution and contamination of the canal, primarily due to the disposal of sewage, chemicals, and industrial waste. This pollution poses a significant threat to both the Gowanus community and the aquatic ecosystem.
The goal of this studio is to design a medium-scale building with a clear concept and a practical structure that integrates materials and resolves functional needs.
This proposal addresses the area’s environmental challenges and focuses on remediation strategies by prioritizing green spaces in the landscape and incorporating roof gardens to restore the natural space displaced by the building. Additionally, the canal is partially carved into the site, creating a fluid connection between the green landscape and the waterway.
1. Bubble Diagram: Organizing Program and Adjacencies based on size and function
2. Vertical extrusion of the two main spaces: The Gallery (8,000 sf) and Interpretive Center area (3,000 sf)
3. Separation of Public and Private spaces connected with a shaded walkway
Restroom(s)
PRIVATE
View of Gowanus from Third Floor Roof
Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Exterior View under the Shaded Walkway Transverse
View of Local Flora Exhibition Space
Surface Loft
Grasshopper Definition for the Parametric Building Envelope
Louvers
Horizontal Louvers Expansion
Exterior View of the Project within Site Context (South view)
Interior view of the “Mood Room”
The Mood Room is a multi-functional room which can serve as a workout, meditation, or prayer space, and even as a guest room with the capability to fix a bed in its expansive underfloor space. The Mood Room, a main feature of the Mood House, can be whatever the occupants decide it to be.
The Mood House
Modular Home Design
Unspecified Location
The Mood House is a practical, flexible, and adaptable house in which the magic lies within its modular walls, floors, and ceilings; allowing the occupants the complete freedom to modify and adjust the house’s layout and feeling according to their specific liking.
While a modular, pre-fabricated, wooden stud wall serves as a basic enclosure and thermal barrier around the perimeter of the house, the client has the option to add thicker walls which serve to house and hide all of the homes utilities and amenities. Likewise, the floor and ceiling of the house are also modular and are designed with underfloor spaces that can become new programmatic areas or serve as extra storage spaces.
Through the incorporation of foldable doors to separate or unite the hallway with the other programmatic areas, the Mood House can be completely opened or closed off, maximizing the user-defined experience.
The Mood House is designed to be the perfect place for those that are constantly seeking change, freedom, and wellness in their lived-in environment.
Roof Assembly
Kitchen/Living room Assembly (modular walls, roof and floor)
Hallway Assembly: modular walls equiped with floor-to-ceiling jalousie window and fitted tinted glass. Hallway can be indefinitely elongated with the addition of new modules.
Mood House Modules and Parts
Roof
Outdoor cladding envelope
Assembled house
Concrete support
House’s Program and Activities
Mood House Full Assembly and Program Organization
Closed floor allowing multi-purpose usage of the room
Closed floor
Open floor with integrated bed turning the space into a guest room
Open floor showing underfloor storage and living space
Closed wall
Closed wall hiding kitchen amenities
Open wall showing integrated and foldable murphy bed
Open wall showing all kitchen amenities
Longitudinal Rendered Showing the interior spaces
Longitudinal Detailed Showing the creation of a long corridor leading
Rendered Section cutting along Hallway spaces when the foldable doors are open
Detailed Section cutting along Hallway leading to the “Mood Room” when foldable doors are closed
Flooring
Plywood decking
Solar panels
Wood joists
Insulation between joists
Roof finish decking with 1” gaps
Sloped sleepers notched at gutter
Concealed stainless steel gutter
Section Detail cutting through the Mood Room
Single top plate
Insulation in wall cavity
2x6 stud wall
Waterproofing membrane
Stainless steel flashing
Taped and painted gypsum wall board as interior finish
Horizontal furring strips
Vertical timber cladding
Single bottom plate
Insulation
Timber beams
Support battens
Plasterboard
Interior view of the Corridor Leading to the “Mood Room”
A key defining feature that makes the Mood House special is its colorful hallway which serves to link all the spaces, including the multi-functional “Mood Room” together. Every exterior wall module constituting the hallway is equipped with an operable floor-to-ceiling jalousie window, fitted with tinted glass, which allows a change in light and mood throughout the day depending on the sun’s orientation and user preference.
Washington University in St. Louis Master of Architecture, 2024 Master of Urban Design, 2024
Louisiana Tech University Bachelor of Science in Architecture, 2022
