ArchitectureDesert Observatory
Foundations of Architecture P6
2024
The Desert Observatory in Saguaro National Park offers visitors an immersive desert experience. Upon entering, visitors are drawn to a framed opening that faces the western mountains, with a ground-level platform in a low dip to encourage close observation of native plants and animals. As visitors move to the second platform, a northern view helps them orient themselves within the desert landscape. The highest platform offers a framed view of downtown Tucson, allowing visitors to place themselves within the larger Tucson area.
Row House
Foundations of Architecture P5
2024
Located in a quiet, underdeveloped neighborhood, the row house aims to foster a sense of community by promoting indoor-outdoor living. An expansive garden helps shield the house from neighboring properties and provides a shaded area for sitting. The front yard features half walls along the sidewalk to offer privacy while maintaining openness between units. Inside, a central hallway and high ceilings lead to the back living room, with eastern-facing windows for morning light and a courtyard opening for consistent afternoon sunlight.
Shadow Garden
Foundations of Architecture P4
2024
This project explores the sun's power for tracking time and direction by using a gnomon to cast shadows. A gnomon is the part of a sundial that helps indicate the time of day by projecting shadows. The structure has a "T" shaped path with a flat wall that provides shaded seating areas and distinct gathering spaces. The gnomon projects shadows that move with the sun's East-West path, and when repeated 36 times, the units form a spiral pattern, creating a shadow garden.
Garden Pavillion
Foundations of Architecture P3
2023
Located in the University of Arizona Highland Bowl, this project focused on changing levels, improving planning, and refining previous skills. During the site analysis, I noticed many underused areas, especially in the Northwest, Center, and Southeast sections, which lacked benches. To address this, I placed two low gathering spaces in these less popular areas and two higher spaces in busier spots to create a sense of refuge. The entrances were positioned along heavily traveled paths to draw people in, while trees were strategically placed to enhance the experience without overcrowding the central space. This project successfully revitalized the area, creating a more useful and welcoming space for the community.
