George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Generally, adults grow out of playing. Why? Play is inherently human, fulfilling a need for expression resulting in mental and physical health benefits. Play releases endorphins – the body’s natural feel-good chemical. Play is contained, curated, and only acceptable in specific spaces. However, it is a necessary component for our everyday happiness. Should we have to seek playgrounds or parks to fulfill our playful desires? Imagine if we encountered playful design in our daily, everyday spaces? What would these architectural details and elements look like? The focus of my thesis is to figure out how to design playful elements into our everyday spaces to promote and provide more opportunities for adults to play.

This thesis proposes a blending of built and natural environments in the urban fabric. The design blends both physical elements and features as well as social relationships between people. Blending is a way of thinking about the shared experience of the city, incorporating people, landscape, and the built environment.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

The evolution of the office and corporate workplace solutions have predominantly been an exclusive process. This thesis will take an outside-in approach to include the community directly into the professional corporate spaces. Combining these “markets” will create new definitions of territory and foster a place for increased collaboration under one roof.

This thesis explores the idea of place identity and its role in communities that have a focus on place-experience such as Disney or professional sports venues. Aspects to explore include the formation of community through social bonding and shared experiences, how narrative and storytelling help shape a community, and how these communities provide a healthy sense of escapism from everyday life through immersive experiences.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

Immigration to the United States causes challenges and hardships that are associated with a cultural transition. I plan to address how the engagement and interaction of public space can facilitate openness and inclusivity.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

This thesis explores constructed experience through atmosphere, light and color. Research conducted includes a technical understanding of light and color perception, along with translucency and transparency as a method of veiling. A greenhouse, the selected site for this project, provides the stage for a sensorial progression highlighting mood and materiality. Inspired by Holi, brew HUE serves explosion of color, meditation on light, and quality seasonal micro-brews. An included sit down restaurant highlights the practicality of the greenhouse, encouraging patrons to dine among the hops used to brew their beer, which has been paired with seasonal cuisine.

Design of the Kiosk/Pavilion is generated at the intersection of 3 separate areas of work: 1) Biology, 2) Design and 3) Fabrication. The project explores use of Mycelium, Bacterial Cellulose with aluminum as the frame in a temporary structure.

Exploring ways to blur the division between interior and exterior spaces, promoting a sense of curiosity towards the natural world.

This thesis has explored the concepts of global and digital nomads – in that, due to factors such as globalization and technology, we are able to live location-independent lifestyles.

Mino is a large entertainment and leisure art mall. It is built in the abandoned PECO power station which located in Fishtown.

This thesis project explores how traditional rectilinear buildings can be modified and designed to support d/Deaf students.

Exploring the pure aesthetic perception of minimalism as both an architectural style and as a rising lifestyle trend, re.house focuses on creating opportunities for sustainability through retail, recycle awareness and community involvement.

This thesis will inform viewers of the on-going issues with gentrification in the low-income community of Kensington, Philadelphia.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder see the world in a very different way. Many have hypersensitivities and sensory integration issues which can cause the environment they are in to have a great impact on their mental and physical state.

This thesis interweaves the conceptual approach of parametricism with the haptic experience of phenomenology. It takes the program of a museum, going beyond the exhibition of artwork to consider it as a destination site and tourist attraction.