2026 Portfolio

WILLIAM NEAL COULTER JR Academic Portfolio - Selected Works NC State University M.Arch l

Hello!

I am William Coulter, and my journey into architecture began during childhood through an early love for drawing and using my imagination. From a very young age, I discovered a natural talent for drawing pictures, using it as a way to visualize ideas and give form to the images and scenes that I imagined in my head. As this passion for drawing developed, it naturally evolved into a fascination with buildings, constantly wondering how they stood, functioned, and remained upright. Growing up, I became more interested in construction through model-making and building with Lincoln Logs, experiences that introduced me to structural logic, material relationships, and the process of transforming abstract ideas into built form. The blend of creativity, hands-on construction, and real-world impact ultimately led me to pursue architecture as my ideal career path. For me, architecture is not just about buildings, but about creating places that enrich people’s lives and bring ideas to life. I realized this field uniquely unites my skills, passions, and desire to make a lasting impact on the communities I serve.

I began my architectural path at Clemson University, where I studied and graduated in four years with a Bachelor’s degree in architecture. Through my undergraduate experience, I recognized a growing interest in larger-scale buildings that positively impact the public and shape communities at the urban level. This led me to pursue graduate school in a larger city, where I saw NC State University and the city of Raleigh as the ideal environment to continue my path toward architectural licensure.

My design philosophy centers on balancing function and aesthetics, with a strong emphasis on structural integrity and buildability. I strive to create spaces that foster a sense of belonging and enhance the human experience in meaningful ways, while promoting cultural growth, social cohesion, and a more inclusive and equitable built environment.

Resonance Performing Arts Center Fall 2025 - NC State Raleigh, NC 01-12

Commonground Community Resource Center Spring 2025 - Clemson El Paso, Texas 13-22

Unified Modular Office Tower Fall 2023 - Clemson Chelsea, NY 23-32

2131 Slighs Avenue

Urban Townhome Complex Summer 2024 - MPS Columbia, SC 33-36

Evolution Hand-drawing to a Career 2019-2021 - Wilson Hall 37-40

Resonance A Performing Arts Center

Location: Footprint: Semester: Professor: Partner:

Raleigh, North Carolina 45,000 SQFT Fall 2025 - NC State Jianxin Hu Trey Cook

To

In this studio, my partner and I designed a performing arts center located just moments from the NC State campus. The project explored how site, cultural context, construction methods, and sustainable systems informed the integration of a music and performance venue within an existing arts campus, reinforcing its identity as both a cultural and educational environment.

PULLEN CIRCLE

THEATER IN THE PARK

CURRENT BASEBALL FIELD

We chose the larger site along Pullen Park’s central traffic circle to maximize visibility and campus presence.

A central void is executed to separate the orchestra hall and School of Arts while unifying both programs around a shared core.

This void serves as a connective space, bringing students, performers, and visitors together within a shared community

An entry courtyard, central atrium, and rear amphitheater activate the space into a community hub.

This project was sited on the larger site option for its capacity for future expansion and its existing flat baseball field, which minimized topographic constraints and allowed greater flexibility in massing and circulation. Its prominent location within Pullen Park reinforces the building’s role as a visible civic and cultural anchor. Centered on community engagement, the design responds to Raleigh’s rapid growth in the performing arts by proposing a dedicated orchestra hall, an architectural and cultural program notably absent from the city. The project is organized around a central void that separates the School of Arts and the orchestra hall while acting as a spatial and social mediator. This void generates a sequence of shared spaces, including a welcoming entry courtyard, a central atrium for collective gathering, and a rear amphitheater supporting outdoor performances and informal events. Together, these spaces position the project as a catalyst for public life and a precedent for future arts-focused development in the NC Triangle.

Wake County’s 25–44 popula demand for co performing a

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op local musicians are showcased through performance and education

Advanced acoustic isolation and sound-absorbing systems to precisely control noise

s median age ation drives ontemporary arts venues

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Integrated greenery frames walkways, enhancing the pedestrian experience

Wake County’s nonprofit arts sector contributes over $543 million annually to the local economy

Dark interiors contrasted with bright lighting evoke classic orchestral atmospheres

Powerful symphonic moments are experienced through a shared sense of immersion

Integrated regional bus networks provide accessible transportation directly to the site.

About 56% of Raleigh residents hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, supporting strong arts participation

The space limits distractions, absorbing audiences into the performance

Signage guides movement while reinforcing the building’s architectural identity

Research Triangle Park fuels population growth, attracting larger audiences for Raleigh’s performing

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The atrium plays a central role in th es typically occur. The contrast betw heightens the approach to the conce

The central atrium uses glass facades to flood the space with natural daylight, illuminating circulation and gathering areas. Each interior element is intentionally designed to establish the atrium as the project’s vibrant social core, seamlessly connecting circulation, gathering, and performance.

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Longitudinal Section Perspective

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Orchestra halls are often conceived as singular performance spaces, where the role of public gathering is secondary to the concert itself. This design challenges that convention by surrounding the hall with active communal spaces that encourage social interaction before and after performances, redefining the orchestra hall as a civic destination rather than an isolated venue.

he experience at night, when orchestra performancween darker colors and bright lighting and banners ert hall, creating a memorable arrival sequence.

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Orchestra Hall Catwalk Womens Changing Room Tech Offices IT Room

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Pre-performance Rehearsal Circulation Reception Lobby Central Atrium Restrooms 04

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GROUND LEVEL 05

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Instrumental Space Choral Practice Space Office Office Office Office Office Office Secondary Lobby Orchestra Riser Stage Equipment Concessions Performance Hall Ticket Booth Mens Changing Room Womens Changing Room Pre-Performance Lounge Ticket Operations Office

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Storage Music Library Large Practice Space Small Practice Space Seminar Administrative Suite Reception Lobby Gift Shop Gallery Janitor Closet Electrical Room Understage Support Orchestra Pit Operations Office Chamber Electronic Percussion Pre-performance Rehearsal IT Room Tech Office Tech Office Bulk Storage Unloading Entry Courtyard Outdoor Ampitheater

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Large Teaching Studio Small Teaching Studio Student/Faculty Lounge Kitchen Concessions Balcony Seating Ticket Booth Ticket Operations Office

LEVEL 3

The project’s floor plans were designed to create a clear, intentional spatial sequence. On the ground floor, the entry courtyard initiates the experience and guides visitors into the central atrium, which serves as the primary community gathering space. Theater support spaces and rehearsal rooms are located directly beneath the main hall, allowing the second floor to function as the primary performance level. The third floor accommodates the theater balcony, reinforcing vertical engagement within the hall. To the left of the central atrium, the School of Arts and administration spaces are organized to maintain a strong connection to the project’s communal core.

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The balcony offers an elevated per tween the audience and the orches hance intimacy and maintain clear v

The grand orchestra hall provides seating for 450 audience members, with a performance platform sized to accommodate a 50-member symphony orchestra. The stage incorporates a series of adjustable risers, allowing flexible configurations to support a wide range of performance types.

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Theater Section Perspective

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The hall is designed to balance clarity, intimacy, spaciousness, loudness, and reverberation through a contemporary wood acoustic panel system. These panels are carefully tuned to reflect, absorb, and diffuse sound while integrating a variable absorption system (VABS) that allows the space to adapt to different performance types. Together, the system ensures acoustic precision while reinforcing the warmth and modern character of the interior.

rspective that strengthens the visual connection bestra. Wraparound seating and layered sightlines enviews throughout the hall.

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Outdoor Ampitheater Unloading and Mechanical Catwalk Wooden Acoustic Panels Balcony Seating Musicians Lounge Level 2 Seating Orchestra Riser Stage Storage/Support Orchestra Pit Understage Support

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Entry Courtyard Perspective

The entry courtyard serves as the opening movement of the orchestra hall experience, setting the tone before audiences enter the performance spaces. By incorporating generous greenspace, a rarely emphasized element in orchestra hall design, the courtyard establishes a calm, welcoming threshold between city and performance. Thoughtfully designed meeting areas and shaded seating create places for gathering and pause, encouraging social interaction before events. This landscape-driven approach frames the arrival sequence as an integral part of the overall orchestral experience, not just a passage to the hall.

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METAL COPING

1/2” PROTECTION BOARD

TERRACOTTA PANELS

4” RIGID INSULATION

BATT INSULATION

3/4” SHEATHING PLENUM FOR DUCTWORK

SOFFIT SPANDREL GLASS

METAL DECKING PRIMARY BEAM SECONDARY BEAM CEILING

TERRACOTTA SUNSCREEN

L-3

MULLION SPANDREL GLASS INSULATION

PLENUM FOR DUCTWORK

CEILING

5/8” DRYWALL

L-2 METAL FLASHING 6” METAL STUD STEEL BEAM SHEATHING

PLENUM FOR DUCTWORK

SHEATHING

L-1 CEILING AIR VAPOR BARRIER CONCRETE FOOTING

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DAYLIGHTING Daylighting reduces the need for artificial lighting by bringing abundant natural light into interior spaces, cutting energy use while creating a more comfortable environment.

BRACED FRAMES

LOUVER SYSTEM

STEEL BEAMS, GIRDERS, TRUSSES

Shading louvers reflect a significant portion of incoming solar radiation, reducing heat gain and helping maintain cooler interior temperatures.

ECOLOGY Courtyards and integrated ecological systems enhance a building’s energy performance by bringing in natural ventilation, daylight, and microclimate cooling that reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

STEEL COLUMNS

CAST IN PLACE SLAB ON GRADE

THERMAL MASS Thermal mass absorbs and stores heat during the day, reducing radiant heat indoors and enabling natural cooling as it slowly releases that heat when temperatures drop.

CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS

FULL STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME

Structural Axonometric

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SOLAR PV PANELS Solar panels reduce solar heat gain by absorbing and converting sunlight into electricity rather than allowing it to heat the building, while simultaneously helping meet overall energy demand.

STEEL STRUCTURE We chose steel framing for the building because its strength allows for longer structural spans and it aligns with the predominant construction approach used across the NC State campus.

CANOPIES The use of canopies improves sustainability by reducing solar heat gain and lowering cooling demands. Shaded outdoor spaces enhance comfort while minimizing reliance on mechanical systems.

HVAC DUCTS Our HVAC system delivers consistently strong air conditioning throughout the building because its high-efficiency, variable-air-volume distribution actively adjusts airflow to match each zone’s cooling demand.

Our building performance analysis demonstrates that the design achieves a high level of environmental efficiency through integrated passive and active strategies. Strategic shading, daylighting, and material selection significantly reduce energy demand while maintaining occupant comfort. Landscape integration and canopy systems further improve thermal performance and microclimate conditions throughout the site.

Collectively, these measures ensure the building operates at a top-tier performance level both environmentally and experientially.

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Commonground A Community Resource Center

Location: Footprint: Semester: Professor: Partner:

El Paso, Texas 76,000 SQFT Spring 2025 - Clemson Kendall Roberts Colby Ruple

For our final undergraduate synthesis studio, each team selected one of four sites to develop an architectural project addressing food insecurity within its city. Teams created a self-generated program that responded to complex challenges regarding food insecurity, including preparing and distributing up to 900 meals per day for the food-insecure public.

SITE SELECTION

DIVISION

ALIGNMENT

Chose El Paso as our site location due to our interest in Texas and the unique social and cultural complexities it presents

Divided our site with a central walkway aligned to connect with the pedestrian bridge crossing I-10

Organized our site layout based on the city grid, using the original path of Missouri Avenue

SUBTRACTION

CONNECTION

ACTIVATION

Subtracted areas for green space and parking, balancing functionality with openness on the site

Oriented each building’s entry toward one another to form a central plaza that encourages gathering

Refined and integrated program elements to create a cohesive design with well-defined massing

We selected El Paso as the project site due to our interest in Texas and the city’s distinct social, cultural, and economic complexities shaped by its border context. “The Common Ground” is envisioned as a centralized resource center serving El Paso’s Mexican American and immigrant communities, where nearly 80% of residents identify as Mexican American and almost 25% face food insecurity. As population growth and demand for essential services increase, many existing resources are scattered across the city, creating barriers to access and reducing their overall effectiveness. This project responds by going beyond immediate food relief to address the root causes of food insecurity, including unemployment, language barriers, limited education access, and mental health challenges. By bringing together a food bank, event center, dining hall, job assistance programs, mental health and educational services, language instruction, and nutrition education within one cohesive site, the center creates a more efficient and supportive service network. “The Common Ground” aims to function not only as a place of aid, but as a welcoming civic anchor that empowers individuals, strengthens community connections, and promotes long-term self-sufficiency and resilience.

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HISPANIC/LATINO POPULATION IN EL PASO

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EL PASO HISPANICS FACING FOOD INSECURITY

Demographic and food insecurity data identified Hispanic residents as most vulnerable

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

Mental related insecur Paso ex $300 m by dep

We designed the complex with a warm, non-institutional atmosphere, focusing on creating a comfortable, welcoming space where individuals feel supported rather than intimidated.

610 N. Mesa - Site St - Site 610 N. StMesa

RESOURCE CENTRALIZATION Non-profits Local Non-profits

Grocery/Markets Grocery/Markets

Educational Venues Educational Route to Siteto Site Route

l health– d food rity in El xceeded million led pression

Language barriers and limited education drive El Paso’s $70 million food insecurity cost

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

21.5% HISPANIC POVERTY RATE

El Paso’s high Hispanic poverty rate intensifies food insecurity and limited resource access

6.4%

HISPANIC UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

El Paso Hispanics face higher unemployment due to language, education, and opportunity barriers

Food insecurity in El Paso limits access to nutritious foods, increasing long-term health risks

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DESIGN FOR WELL-BEING In our design, we implemented several elements to create a welcoming atmosphere for those in need of attaining r their vulnerability. To address this, we designed the complex with a warm, non-institutional atmosphere, focusing on creating a comfortable, welco

Reflection ponds enhance wellness with a calming visual experience.

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Plaza spaces are integrated to encourage social interaction.

A central walkway with selected plants centers on the pedestrian.

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1. COVERED PAVILLION 2. EVENT SPACE 3. DINING HALL AND KITCHEN 4. FOOD BANK 5. MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 6. EMPLOYMENT CENTER 7. LANGUAGE AND LITERACY CENTER

resources. Many Mexican Americans and immigrants experience insecurity about their access to food and resources, often feeling anxious about oming space where individuals feel supported rather than intimidated.

Tree parks are integrated to provide shade and leisure space.

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

Glass facades are used for natural light and provide open atmosphere.

Timber screen tunnels provide a fascinating pedestrian experience.

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DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY We designed a central plaza within our building as a vibrant gathering space, fostering connection and cultural expression for El Paso’s Mexican American community. Our building was intentionally designed to transform into a lively market space on weekends, providing local vendors and artisans a place to sell goods while fostering economic growth and community engagement.

WELLNESS RESOURCE LIBRARY

MARKET PLAZA

GROUP THERAPY ROOM

Section A

Sections B & C

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DINING HALL

OUTDOOR SEATING

CENTRAL PATHWAY

The dining hall mezzanine fosters connection, nourishing both body and spirit while strengthening community.

The outdoor seating area transitions between the dining hall and commons, fostering gathering and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

The central pathway divides the site while creating a dynamic, connected space that enhances the pedestrian experience.

GROCERY-STYLE FOOD BANK The food bank supports the dining hall by offering take-home resources, providing vital relief for El Paso’s food-insecure community.

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

IMMEDIATE RELIEF

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS El Paso nonprofits tackle food insecurity with immediate aid and long-term support through jobs, mental health, and education.

FUTURE STABILITY

DESIGN FOR GROWTH This center is not just a response to food insecurity but also a catalyst for El Paso’s growth and resilience. By partnering with local nonprofits, the community event space becomes a shared hub for collaboration and collective solutions that help the city thrive.

LEARNING COMMONS

MULTIPURPOSE EVENT CENTER

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE LIBRARY

GROUP THERAPY SPACE

PUBLIC COMPUTER LAB

RESOURCE AND NETWORKING

CLASSROOM SPACE

SELF-LEARNING COMPUTER LAB

NUTRITION DISPLAY AREA

The mental health resource library provides a supportive space with information and tools for emotional well-being.

The group therapy space offers a safe, supportive setting for individuals to address mental health challenges together.

The computer lab provides free internet access to help unemployed individuals search for jobs and employment resources.

The resource and networking room provides a flexible space for career fairs, linking individuals to jobs and professional support.

Our service centers feature classrooms for workshops, language learning, and skill-building to prevent future food insecurity.

Our public computer lab supports Mexican Americans in building English skills at their own pace to overcome language barriers.

The nutrition display provides interactive tools to educate visitors on healthy eating and balanced meals.

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

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DESIGN FOR STABILITY The project’s service departments were selected for their direct role in addressing the root causes of food insecurity and promoting long-term stability in El Paso.

FOOD INSECURITY

DESIGN FOR CLIMATE The projec sponsive building strategies to mitig enhance comfort within El Paso’s hot,

NA DA Red arti

LONG-TERM STABILITY

IMMIGRATION

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

El Paso is a gateway for immigrants, shaped by its large Mexican and Latin American

Our center fosters community engagement through green spaces and an event center

LACK OF RESOURCES High immigration in El Paso strains resources, worsening food insecurity.

HEALTHY DIET We provide dietary services and nutritious food to promote healthy eating and fight food insecurity.

LACK OF LITERACY, MENTAL FORTITUDE, AND JOBS

MAJOR AWNING SYSTEM

MINOR AWNING SYSTEM LITERACY, MENTAL FORTITUDE, AND EMPLOYMENT Our literacy, mental health, and employment center intend to prevent further food insecurity.

Mental health, language barriers, and joblessness fuel food insecurity in El Paso’s Mexican American community.

UNBALANCED DIET

TIMBER ROD

Many food-insecure Mexican Americans in El Paso lack access to nutritious, affordable food.

RESOURCE SERVICES We designed a center uniting food, job, education, and health services in one space.

DINING AND GROCERY SERVICES

CENTRAL HUB

We added a dining hall and a food bank to provide temporary relief.

A central hub is established to provide food, education, jobs, and healthcare in one place.

SHADING STRUCTURE Reflect solar radiation and heat gain

TEMPORARY RELIEF

THERMAL MASS Decreases radiant heat and allows natural cooling

SHRUBS

TREES

CACTI

Texas Sage Desert Marigold Red Yucca

Desert Willow Honey Mesquite Texas Ebony

Prickly Pear Hedgehog Barrel

DESIGN FOR ECOSYSTEMS We selected plants that thrive in both El Paso and various regions of Mexico to create a familiar environment for Hispanic and immigrant visitors. By incorporating vegetation that many may recognize, we aim to evoke a sense of comfort and belonging. These plants are well-suited to the arid climate, ensuring sustainability and low maintenance. This landscaping approach bridges cultural connections and reinforces that the resource center is a space designed with their needs and experiences in mind.

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CONCRETE SIDEWALK STEEL JOINT ANCHOR TURNED DOWN FOOTER AND SLAB

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

ct employs multiple climate-regate heat, reduce solar gain, and dry desert environment.

ATURAL AYLIGHTING duces need for ificial lighting

HEAT REDUCTION Reduces energy consumption and provides thermal comfort

SOLAR PV PANELS Reduce solar heat impact and help energy demand

GALVANIZED STEEL STANDING SEAM ROOF THERMAL INSULATION WOOD ROOF DECKING STRUCTURAL MASS TIMBER BEAM STEEL CONNECTION PLATE

STRUCTURAL MASS TIMBER COLUMN

CURTAIN WALL CONCRETE SLAB STEEL CAP PLATE STEEL COVER AND SHADING DEVICE

WOOD FLOOR SUBFLOOR COMPACT FILL

Wall section

SIMPSON CPST TURNED DOWN FOOTER AND SLAB ANCHOR ROD

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

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Site and Structural Axonometric

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Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

Green park spaces are woven throughout the complex to provide areas for rest, gathering, and everyday leisure within a calm, landscaped environment. Oriented toward the central pedestrian walkway, these parks are designed to visually draw people across Interstate 10, reinforcing the site as an inviting civic destination.

The central walkway is aligned directly with the Interstate 10 pedestrian path to strengthen visual continuity and encourage movement through the site. Wood slat canopy tunnels line the corridor, providing shade while creating a warm, human-scaled atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than institutional.

Commonground ~ Academic Portfolio

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Unified A Modular Office Tower

Location: Chelsea, New York Footprint: 260,000 SQFT Semester: Fall 2023 - Clemson Faculty: Clarissa Mendez Partner: CJ Duff

My partner and I collaborated on the design of an office building along New York City’s iconic High Line, developing our concept through in-depth research into contemporary urban environments, evolving workplace typologies, and a series of relevant architectural case studies. This research informed key decisions related to massing, materiality, and program, ensuring the building integrates seamlessly with its urban context while responding to the diverse needs of today’s workforce.

My partner and I chose to develop a modular system as the driving framework for this building, recognizing that adaptability, efficiency, and responsiveness are essential qualities of contemporary architecture in New York City. We meticulously designed repeatable base units, treating it as the fundamental building block from which the entire project emerges. Each unit was carefully studied, tested, and refined to create an optimal workplace for the modern New York City resident, balancing flexibility, comfort, and identity within a dense urban environment. By starting with a single, highly intentional module, we were able to scale the system vertically and horizontally, allowing the building to grow organically while responding to the diverse needs of artists, designers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This approach embraces a capitalistic design logic rooted in efficiency, repetition, and market responsiveness, yet elevates it through thoughtful customization and spatial quality. As units accumulate, the building transforms from a simple modular system into a larger architectural statement, one that celebrates individuality, supports economic productivity, and stands as a beacon for an architecture that meaningfully responds to the diversity of both the city and the evolving workplace.

45%

employed in creative or knowledge industries

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employed in small teams or independent practices

70%

live without direct access to public green space

Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

Repeatable modular units enable customization with efficient, adaptable construction

Continuous green stair connects workspaces, terraces, and rooftop plaza

Glazed ground level plaza activates street and public engagement

Terraces implemented to carve ample space for vegetation in a dense city

Multiple workspace types support New York’s diverse creative economy

The High Line Site: 289 10th Avenue

Early 1900s

1930s-1980s

1960s-2000s

2000 - present

Early manufacturing trades established occupation-specific workplaces, later evolving into New York’s creative labor

Elevated freight rail embodied New York’s industrial efficiency before becoming obsolete urban infrastructure

Abandoned industrial buildings transformed into flexible artist lofts supporting New York’s emerging creative industries

West Side mixed-use development reflects demand for dense, socially connected hybrid work environments

Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

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THE ARTIST “Where creativity ignores deadlines.”

THE ARCHITECT “Designed fueled by caffeine.”

THE MR OLD SCHOOL “Paper files, firm handshakes only.”

THE INNOVATOR “Where big ideas break rules.”

THE TECH WIZ “Where ideas scale into reality.”

THE GLOBAL CITIZEN “Built for everywhere, grounded

THE TREND SETTER “Tomorrow’s trends, created today.”

THE NETWORKER “Where connections matter more.”

THE MR. WONDERFUL “Built for deals, not dreams.

THE FASHIONISTA “Runway energy meets workday THE SELF-MADE “Built by hustle, fueled by ambition.”

Section Perspective THE HUSTLER “Designed for nonstop ambition.”

THE SCHOLAR “Where overthinking feels productive.”

Unit Introductions

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Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

We designed 13 distinct office units, each tailored to a specific occupant type, ranging from artists and scholars to innovators and designers. Responding to the diverse working styles of New York City’s workforce, every unit is uniquely configured and categorized into one of three workspace typologies: collaborative, incubator, or speculative. Collaborative units utilize warm wood finishes to encourage interaction and flexibility, incubator spaces employ concrete to promote focus and privacy, and speculative units feature white plaster to provide a neutral, adaptable setting. Together, these varied environments celebrate individual identity while unifying occupants within a cohesive architectural system that supports a wide range of professional needs.

Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

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Office

Corridor

AAC BLOCK IN LIGHT FILLING Serves as a non-structural infill that improves thermal performance while reducing overall floor and roof weight CLIP ANGLE STEEL TIE Connects the steel framing components while allowing for constructability tolerances and thermal movement STEEL TUBE ROOF FRAME Provides primary roof support, transferring gravity and lateral loads between columns EXTERNAL CLADDING Wood, stucco, or precast concrete STEEL BEAM Transfers floor loads to the vertical structural system, forming the primary horizontal framing element SYSTEMS BOX Conceals mechanical, electrical, and plumbing distribution to maintain clean interior ceiling planes LINEAR DIFFUSER Provides integrated lighting and air distribution for a streamlined, unobtrusive ceiling condition SUSPENDED CEILING Creates a finished interior surface while allowing space above for building systems and acoustic control LINE OF FINISH FLOOR Primary support spanning between structural members COMPOSITE STEEL DECKING Spanning element supporting floor loads with added durability

Wall Section

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Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

Core The building’s structural system is organized around two central cores, with precast concrete circulation corridors supported by an exposed steel beam and column framework. This system establishes a clear structural spine for the project while allowing the architecture to remain flexible and modular.

Each office module is designed to “clip” onto the central steel column system, enabling efficient onsite construction and phased assembly. Once fabricated and completed on the ground, the modules are lifted by crane and secured to the primary structure, reducing construction time and minimizing disruption within the dense urban context of New York City.

Modular Construction Render

This approach allows the building to adapt over time as modules can be reconfigured to meet changing tenant needs. The exposed structural system reinforces the building’s architectural expression while supporting a scalable, efficient model of urban development.

Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

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ROOFTOP PLAZA

LEVEL 10

PERMANENCE UNIT

LEVEL 9

LEVEL 8

LEVEL 7

Column COLUMN

Beam BEAM

WALL

Wall

WINDOW Window Window

Floor FLOOR Floor

Facade Material FACADE MATERIAL Facade Material

LEVEL 6

LEVEL 5

LEVEL 4

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 2

GROUND PLAZA

Floor Axonometric

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The design responds to New York City’s post-COVID shift toward remote and hybrid work by prioritizing flexible, modular units capable of evolving beyond traditional office use.

As demand for office space fluctuates, underutilized units can be transformed into apartments, educational spaces, studios, or other uses without compromising structural permanence or architectural integrity. This adaptability ensures the building remains relevant over time, supporting urban resilience while addressing the city’s changing economic and social needs. By embracing reuse and programmatic flexibility, the project positions architecture as an active participant in the city’s future rather than a fixed, single-purpose solution.

Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

IMPERMANENCE

CROSS BRACE

OFFICE

DWELLING

GYM

DOOR

RETAIL

EDUCATION

CAFE

INTERIOR STAIR

GALLERY

SPORTS

CLINIC

Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

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Highline and Stairway Perspective

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Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

We responded directly to the site conditions at 289 10th Avenue by prioritizing the preservation and enhancement of New York City’s urban atmosphere.

Through the strategic stacking and overlapping of modular units, the design creates generous exterior balconies that extend workspaces into the open air.

A continuous stair wrapping around the building rises to the rooftop, echoing the movement and experience of the High Line while establishing a strong visual and spatial connection to its surroundings. Together, the balconies and stairway provide workers with frequent opportunities to engage with the city, acknowledging that their productivity and well-being are deeply influenced by the urban environment they inhabit.

Unified ~ Academic Portfolio

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2131 Slighs Avenue An Urban Townhome Complex

Location: Session: Office: Architects: Office Location:

Columbia, South Carolina Summer 2024 McMillan Pazdan Smith Rob Couch, Daniel Taylor Greenville, SC

During my first internship experience at McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture in Greenville, SC, I worked in the Living Department on several high-profile projects. The experience introduced me to the fast-paced nature of full-time practice, with my primary contributions focused on the Slighs Avenue townhomes in Columbia, SC.

I contributed heavily to several presentation drawings for the Slighs Avenue apartment complex in downtown Columbia, a project shaped by its urban infill context and surrounding residential fabric. Located within a walkable, transitioning neighborhood, the design responds to Columbia’s growing demand for density while maintaining a scale and character that blends seamlessly with adjacent homes, fostering a strong sense of resident belonging. The project is composed of both quadplexes and townhomes, with the quadplexes utilizing mirrored two-bedroom units to promote construction efficiency, accessibility, and cost effectiveness. The townhomes introduce three-bedroom units that support family living within an urban setting. Across all unit types, the layouts emphasize spacious kitchens and living areas paired with generous front porches, reinforcing street engagement, community interaction, and a strong relationship between private living spaces and the public realm.

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2131 Slighs Avenue ~ Academic Portfolio

2131 Slighs Avenue ~ Academic Portfolio

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The material palette and façade composition for the quadplexes and townhomes were developed to create a warm, comfortable, and unmistakably homelike atmosphere that reinforces a sense of belonging within the surrounding neighborhood. By using familiar, durable materials such as brick and wood, the buildings draw from the existing architectural language of the area, allowing the development to feel rooted in its context rather than imposed upon it. The townhomes employ symmetrical façades to evoke the rhythm and order of traditional single-family residences, promoting a sense of stability and long-term living, while the quadplexes introduce asymmetrical front elevations with balconies to clearly distinguish housing types while maintaining a residential scale. Material transitions are used to articulate building levels, grounding the structures with heavier masonry below and lighter materials above to enhance human scale and visual comfort. Together, these design decisions emphasize the townhomes’ verticality, differentiate the quadplexes, and create an inviting environment that encourages pride of place, everyday interaction, and a strong connection to the surrounding neighborhood community.

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2131 Slighs Avenue ~ Academic Portfolio

TOWNHOME

QUADPLEX

Level 1

Level 1

Level 2

Level 2

Front Elevation

Front Elevation

2131 Slighs Avenue ~ Academic Portfolio

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Evolution Hand-drawing to a Career

Location: Session: School: Instructor: School Location:

N/A Fall 2019 - Spring 2021 Wilson Hall School Tara Schumacher Sumter, SC

From an early age, free-hand drawing served as my primary lens for understanding the world around me. As a child, I enjoyed sketching buildings, objects, and imagined spaces, unknowingly developing an intuition for proportion, spatial relationships, and visual hierarchy. These drawings were not just creative exercises, they were my first encounters with form, balance, and composition, all of which would later become foundational to my architectural thinking.

This interest continued to mature through my high school years, where formal drawing and art courses refined my ability to translate ideas into clear visual representations. Through structured critiques and iterative design work, I began to understand drawing as both an artistic and analytical tool, revealing direct connections between my work and the built environment, how perspective, line weight, material expression, and scale shape spatial experience. Together, my early childhood exploration and high school training transformed drawing from a creative hobby into a disciplined method of problem-solving, sparking my interest in architecture as a field that bridges creativity and technical rigor. Architecture ultimately became the natural extension of the skills I had been developing for years, leading me to pursue it as a career centered on the intersection of design, structure, and human experience.

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Evolution ~ Academic Portfolio

Evolution ~ Academic Portfolio

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Evolution ~ Academic Portfolio

In my senior year AP Drawing class, the intensive focus on metals and reflective surfaces pushed me to think critically about precision, materiality, and three-dimensional representation. Accurately capturing light, shadow, and reflection required close observation, deliberate mark-making, and a highly iterative process that emphasized refinement through constant sketching and revision. As projects progressed, feedback from both teachers and peers became a crucial part of my development, challenging me to defend design decisions, incorporate critique, and continuously improve the clarity and depth of my work. Balancing these expectations with strict deadlines taught me how to manage time effectively while maintaining a high level of detail and craftsmanship.

The combination of critique, iteration, and timely execution instilled a strong sense of discipline and pride in the final product, preparing me for the realities of architectural education and practice, where collaboration, precision, and delivering thoughtful outcomes within defined timelines are essential.

Evolution ~ Academic Portfolio

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