Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center’s Master Plan
The “Clerc Center”, which includes the primary and secondary schools of Gallaudet University—a premier institution for Deaf education—engaged us to create a comprehensive campus master plan. To achieve this, we conducted faculty surveys, hosted workshops, and familiarized ourselves with the curriculum to identify the school's and students' primary needs. Based on these findings, we developed two options that effectively utilized the site's sloping geography while meeting program requirements.
When designing space for Deaf users one must follow a specific spatial framework defined by the “Deaf Space Guidelines”. Since Deaf individuals primary means of spatial awareness are visual and tactile, elements such as proximity, visual contrast for all skin tones, and vibrational resonance have to be considered in every decision. This empathetic approach to creating environments for users who experience the world differently has been immensely rewarding and has significantly broadened my perspective on design.
Lower Campus Option
Transit Diagram
Upper Campus Option
Both options were presented to the administration and after multiple rounds of discussion, geotechnical site review, and coordination across other departments across campus it was decided to move forward with the Upper Campus option.
Upper Campus Site Plan
Sight lines and views Diagram
Programatic Diagram
Solar gain and permeable surface Diagram
The proposed Campus Master Plan is currently under congressional appropriations review.
Entry Rendering, done in collaboration with team
Farragut Square Pavilion
To activate Farragut Square in downtown Washington DC this temporary pavilion was proposed to breathe new life and reshape the identity of the park. This winning entry was born from simple gestures following the geometry of the immediate paths and distinct city grid. The oscillating form of the 112 metal arches plays with the central statue and orientation of the intersecting streets, concealing the Admiral from the South revealing it from hill to the North. As the arches peel away at the intersection of each path, the amorphous structure welcomes visitors in to circulate through and experience the scale shift from an intimate tunnel to a grand envelope.
As Design Team Lead I was responsible for guiding design charrettes, client engagement, contractor coordination, and producing the construction documentation.
Spatial Anxiety
This temporary room installation explores the correlation between a manipulated spatial field and the occupants emotive response. Twenty-five thin shell plaster vessels rest precariously on a matrix of fibers. As the matrix shifts in elevation occupants are forced to reorient themselves to a new way of navigating the space to avoid colliding with the precious objects. This scenographic project attempts to demonstrate the effects of a spatial intervention to each occupants behavior, posture, and emotion.
What is the correlation between space and emotion?
Can we design to evoke a specific emotion?
How do physical aspects like movement, posture, and proximity affect visceral space?
Scattered throughout the room were fragments of broken vessel. Their sharp crackling underfoot connecting occupants' movements with sound, and accentuating the perceived fragility of the pieces.
“If the Audience feels trusted, then they dare to get involved”
- Olafur Eliasson
Swimmer’s House
The client for this proposal had one specific requirement: the project must have a half size lane pool. Instead of simply featuring the pool I chose to make it the spatial datum that connects the entire house. Every room is influenced by this pool physically or indirectly though its soft reflections from the water. Set in South Florida the impacts of climate change are felt daily in the form of more regular flooding and increasing temperatures. Inspired by tradition building techniques in flood prone locations, the house was raised. This protects it from flooding, increase air circulation, and creates a beautiful shaded space below for the occupant to enjoy.
Exploded Axonometric Diagram
Spanning the length of the house, an array of timber louvers is offset from the roof providing additional protection from the unforgiving Florida sun. The exterior walls were intentionally left featureless to become a canvas for the textures projected on to it by the movement of water and sharp rhythm of shadows.
