PHASE 2: research & development
Building upon the groundwork of Phase 1, this phase expands the thesis through deeper research and analysis. By studying influential architectural designers and theoretical frameworks, I continue to refine my perspective and test the boundaries of my thesis inquiry. This stage emphasizes critical engagement, precedent analysis, and the ongoing development of a coherent research trajectory that will inform the final thesis project.
INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS
This section is a running log of my thesis investigation. As sheets are created, they’ll be posted here in order, serving as a growing record of ideas, experiments, and reflections.
Design Flexibility
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Consider relinquishing the strict modularity requirement to allow for greater architectural freedom.
Guiding Voices
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Research Peter Calthorpe as a potential addition to the list of guiding voices.
Site Documentation
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Incorporate images of the proposed sites and their adjacent streetscapes.
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Include parcel lot lines in future presentations for clarity.
Typology & Programming
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Conduct a typology study of the current plazas’ programming to better understand existing conditions.
Intro Pin-Up
09.19.2025
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Figure/Ground Analysis
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Prepare a figure/ground study for the proposed half-mile radius.
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Prepare a figure/ground study for the downtown historic district.
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Emphasize comparisons between these two studies to highlight spatial contrasts.
Urban Scale & Frontage
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Investigate the proposed sites within a broader urban context.
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Reconsider or reverse the current plaza frontage layout for improved connectivity and activation.
CRITIQUE
COMMENTS:
Progress Pin-Up: Hemp Intro
10.01.2025
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CRITIQUE
COMMENTS:
Material Strategy
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Clearly emphasize the distinction between hempcrete and traditional concrete: Why hempcrete? What’s the point?
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Articulate the broader impact of this choice, including its potential to generate jobs, tourism, and sustainable industry
Context & Site Documentation
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Call out existing facilities of interest within and surrounding the implementation area/district.
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Display minor roads in the figure/ground study for finer-grain context.
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Show larger extents in the figure/ground study first (overall view of the city including both downtown and the implementation area), then zoom in on each separately.
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Position the downtown and implementation figure/grounds so that the continuity of Highway 90 between them is clearly legible.
Daily Life & Urban Experience
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Emphasize transitions between work and live functions — the rhythm of daily life and how movement operates within the proposed district.
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Introduce walkways that mirror the walkability and connectivity of downtown.
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Consider framing the proposal as a phased development, with each phase having its own rhythm and logic.
Representation & Graphics
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Include a large-scale figure/ground of roads and blocks only for clarity.
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Ensure that important research questions are displayed in a larger, more legible font.
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Provide detailed development of design elements, such as:
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New streets and pathways
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Parking strategies
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Front porch community layouts
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Shaded walkways
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Factory locations
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Retail and restaurant spaces
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Progress Pin-Up: Hemp Narrative Expansion
11.07.2025
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CRITIQUE
COMMENTS:
Scope & Feasibility
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Scale down the project scope to ensure the proposal is fully achievable within the remaining timeline.
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Prioritize depth over breadth — fewer interventions, more detailed spatial development.
Graphics & 3D Development
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Move beyond research-heavy content and begin generating graphics, diagrams, and 3D iterations of proposed design interventions.
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Show what the ideas look like, not just what they mean.
Mapping & Representation
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Create multiple maps, each isolating a specific type of information, such as:
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Current land use
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Parcel boundaries
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Proposed spatial additions/interventions
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Circulation networks
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Public vs. private realm
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Include keys, scales, labels, and north arrows on all maps for clarity and professionalism.