Fall 2014 . Studio IV . UCD
Hinterland is located on the western edge of the new Sloan's Lake development. It was designed to be a contrast to the typical method of developing land, focusing on density, cost, environmental impact, and resident well-being.
The materials are all carefully chosen and the units are designed to maximize space and minimize material and energy use. Residents become informed consumers as the units clearly define square footage, occupancy, storage space, and number of trees needed to create their specific unit, as well as how many trees they are saving by choosing that unit.
Each residential cluster allows up to 24 full time residents and 2 guests per unit. All within the footprint of an average American home (2600 sq ft).
Fall 2013 . Studio II . UCD
A flexible community gallery space at the corner of 13th and Cherokee.
A parking lot gets a makeover as a community gallery in Denver's Golden Triangle Museum district.
Spring 2014 . Studio III . UCD
A current under-utilized park transforms into a mixed use community space with room and amenities for all. Serves as a music venue, farmers market, trolley station, park, transitional/homeless housing, studio space, and hydroponic farm.
There were several site and contextual constraints and opportunities that heavily influenced the project. The site today is a park, to the north is a parking lot currently in use by the Denver Aquarium. There is a proposal to build a mixed residential and commercial multi-story building on the current parking lot.
The neighborhood south of the site is an affluent urban neighborhood close to the main downtown Denver area. The neighborhood to the south is a lower income neighborhood currently undergoing gentrification.
Fall 2014 . Studio IV . UCD
Fall 2014 . Studio IV . UCD
Fall 2014 . Studio IV . UCD
Spring 2015 . Studio V . UCD
The Chanda Plan has outgrown it's existing home and needed a larger space to accommodate the increase in clientele and program. The ideal site would be located in a neighborhood with a strong integrative therapy community. This proposal is an adaptive reuse of a 1924 Baptist church on the northeast corner 44th Avenue and Irving. The .78 acre site, reasonable price, large existing volumes, ideal neighborhood, and undeniable character were all contributing factors to the ultimate selection of this site.
The existing building has many of the original 1924 features, including the original copper wiring, boiler system, and stucco. The goal was to keep the character while creating a new sustainably functioning and inviting home tailored to Chanda and her foundation's needs. The existing systems would all be replaced with newer, more efficient options, including radiant heat flooring, trombe wall systems, a wind catcher, grey water reuse, and composting toilets.
The sanctuary and gym would be modified, but left intact, while the center volume would be completely replaced. The sanctuary becomes a flex space, serving as office space folding away to make room for adaptive yoga and events. On the south end of the flex space is a kitchen that is available for employee, client, class, and event use. There is also a large mezzanine with catwalks providing access to the roof deck, the private space above the board room, and the stairs. The north side holds the board room that opens and doubles as a stage during events.
In the current gym, primary care rooms are offset from openings creating a procession to the treatment rooms, extruded glass volumes overlooking the east garden. The north end of the gym functions as an enclosed veranda that can be opened up for passive ventilation when need as well as access to the zen garden. The second floor of the gym mirrors the mezzanine of the sanctuary volume, as well as the catwalks accessing the roof deck. There are also indoor sensory and herb gardens above the primary care rooms with an additional catwalk providing access to the second floor indoor deck.
The center volume is currently subdivided into multiple small spaces with disjointed circulation. The new center volume would open up the entire area, allowing for social interaction and allowing reception to receive clients from both entrances, to accommodate clients using public transport as well as those who drive themselves. The roof of the current volume is unused space, as is the bell tower. Pneumatic elevators and their glass enclosure replace the existing bell tower, delivering clients to an enclosed walkway connecting the second floor of the sanctuary and the gym and opening onto the roof deck. The roof deck itself bleeds into the larger volumes, overlooking the spaces and providing daylighting. It provides the foundation with additional useable space that can facilitate activities like fundraisers or outdoor yoga.
Southeast Perspective
Second Floor East Wing
Roof Deck
Main Floor West Wing
Northwest Exterior Perspective
Competition Winner
Fall 2012 . Studio III . ACC
Ross-Barnum is a Denver Public Library branch in a lower income neighborhood in west Denver.
The existing library struggles to address the needs of the community with limited space and funding.
Creating a space that could accommodate a variety of activities that cater to the pressing needs of the area.
To start the design process, students were required to choose a song, mine was "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men. From the song, I derived a ship as a parti. I drew several parallels between ships and libraries. Ships with sails became obsolete with developing technology, and libraries are now on the verge as technology continues to advance.
The curtain walls "billow" like sails, dividing and enclosing the interior spaces. The cantilevered deck is supported by a "mast" where all the curtain walls connect.
Spring 2014 . Daylighting . UCD
The objective of the project was to design an office space. The site for the space was an open lawn area at an unspecified park in Denver, CO. The dimensions for the floor area were 30' x 30' and bathrooms, storage, and maintenance areas were not necessary for this project.
One of my personal objectives was to create an office space that incorporated phenomenology, specifically elements of nature and light. Electrochromic glass was used for the roof and south facade, creating two significant advantages. One, the adjustability of the light transmission and solar heat gain coefficient levels create an environment that is flexible enough to cater to varying occupant preferences and tasks. Two, the system can be automated to keep the footcandle levels at predetermined levels throughout the day.
Fall 2013 . Studio II . UCD
A pavilion response to threshold design.
The class was tasked with designing a space with a threshold element. The process included using verbs from a specified list, this project reflects the actions of folding and intersecting. The glass enclosure creates a physical distinction between interior and exterior for the user while the "folded" members create several smaller thresholds within the space.