COURSEWORK
3 OF MY FAVORITES
THE ESCAPE
Summer 2022 | Professor Veruska Vasconez
Our submission for GO FRIDAY’s 2022 Floating House Competition is set in the rapidly growing city of Austin, Texas, specifically on the picturesque Lake Travis. Known for its prime location just 45 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Lake Travis offers a temperate climate with consistent weather and the occasional rainfall that helps maintain steady water levels.
As Austin experiences significant growth, with major tech companies relocating to the area, Lake Travis presents an ideal setting for a floating house. Our proposal provides a versatile solution for a range of users, offering an opportunity for vacationers, long-term escapes, or a profitable rental property. With 20 launch ramps around the lake, access is seamless, and the boat can easily be launched closer to downtown Austin, with Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake connecting to Lake Travis.
We have carefully considered consumer needs and developed three design options: Studio, One Bedroom, and Two Bedroom units, each maximizing space and fostering a strong connection to the surrounding environment. Our boat is equipped with a docking system designed for anchoring in Lake Travis, offering guests a serene retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Aptly named The Escape, it provides the perfect getaway, set against the tranquil backdrop of Austin’s waters.
Partner: Miranda Posey
This studio was a sponsored competition in collaboration with GOFRIDAY. The project received Honorable Mention.
STUDIO | 1 BATH
1 BED | 1 BATH
2 BED | 1 BATH
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC
WALL SECTION
SECTION PERSPECTIVE
EXTERIOR RENDER
EXTERIOR RENDER
EXTERIOR RENDER
EXTERIOR RENDER
EXTERIOR RENDER
EXTERIOR RENDER
INTERIOR RENDER
INTERIOR RENDER
INTERIOR RENDER
THE SAWYER SCHOOL
Fall 2021 | Professor Charlotte Von Moos
The Sawyer School is strategically oriented to face the conveniently located Sawyer’s Walk, just north of the site, which serves as the primary access route for students. The design prioritizes cohesion, organizing the classrooms around a central gymnasium and auditorium, creating an enclosed arcade that fosters connectivity. By studying key architectural references, we maximized both natural light and square footage in each classroom to enhance the learning environment.
The building’s form is intentionally designed to create a secluded central courtyard, providing a peaceful retreat for students and faculty while shielding the school from the surrounding urban context. In response to the subtropical climate, the shading of the building’s glazing was a key focus. This led to the development of a distinctive breezeblock shading system that wraps around the building and arcade, offering both function and aesthetic appeal. Through careful research, sketching, and model-making, the Sawyer School has evolved into a refined and purposeful design.
Partner: Andrey Nash
SITE PLAN
GROUND FLOOR
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
SECTION
SECTION
PHYSICAL MODEL
PHYSICAL MODEL
PHYSICAL CLASSROOM MODEL
PHYSICAL CLASSROOM MODEL
MIAMI BEACH ARCHITECTURE CENTER
Fall 2020 | Professor Roberto Behar
The City of Miami Beach has undertaken the creation of a Miami Beach Architecture Center, a new public facility designed to celebrate the significance of architecture and urbanism as a discipline, while highlighting the distinctive architectural character of Miami Beach. This space will function as both a visitor center and an architecture research hub.
The City envisions the center as a resource for tourists and a vibrant gathering place for both the local and visiting architecture and design community. The project site is located at the southwest corner of Alton Rd. and Lincoln Rd., encompassing two lots measuring approximately 50’ x 150’ each, totaling 15,000 square feet. The site is bordered by Alton Rd., Lincoln Rd., Lincoln Court, and a newly constructed mixed-use building on the south side, featuring commercial spaces and parking facilities.
After conducting an urban and architectural analysis of the site, including programming, site documentation, zoning and code review, and other essential elements of the design process, the class will proceed with the design project for the remainder of the semester.
Partner: Amy Agne
LOCATION
GROUND FLOOR
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
ELEVATION
SECTION - ELEVATION
EXTERIOR RENDER
EXTERIOR RENDER
INTERIOR RENDER