About:

This studio project was centered around designing a house for a Visiting Professor on Connecticut College’s Chapel Green. 

With the desire to create a natural and harmonious residence, I played with form through the reworking of natural materials. Through my exploration, I found inspiration in the fluidity of a crochet knot. This organic inspiration guided the floor plan, reflecting the gentle curves and harmony of the knot.

Located in an open green area with limited privacy, I addressed this challenge by incorporating varying clerestory windows on the more public-facing side. This strategic design choice simultaneously maintains privacy and abundant natural light. To complement the environment, I chose wood paneling for the exterior, weaving the house into the surrounding Chapel Green. The result is a thoughtfully crafted space that balances privacy, light, and natural integration, while providing a welcoming and transitional space for visiting academics.

About:

A parking lot once located outside of Connecticut College’s Larabee Dorm, was turned into generic green space in 2012. After the removal of the lot, with a lack of intentional landscaping, the green lacks identity—the space craves a purpose. The walkways throughout the area are disorienting and unintuitive, and create a disjointed experience for those who circulate throughout the space. The green fails to serve the needs of the students who frequent it— its lack of clear design and natural privacy greatly undermine the potential of this area.

The intention behind my project “Larabee Grove”, was to revitalize the space through natural privacy. By increasing the tree cover, integrating social/study alcoves, and structuring paths based on natural circulation patterns, the space finds its purpose.

About:

This project involved designing a dormitory building on campus, situated on the site of a former gravel parking lot. Inspired by the imposing bend in the road beside the site, I responded to this natural curve by reflecting its movement in the building's form, creating a fluid structure that harmonizes with its surroundings.

The design needed to accommodate 150 students while adhering to fire codes, accessibility standards, and other regulations, including exits, elevators, accessible bathrooms and hallways, and a window in each room. While a difficult task without disrupting the initial design, functional requirements were integrated into a cohesive layout with safety, comfort, and convenience in mind.

To complement the surrounding vegetation, I chose wooden paneling for the exterior in order to integrate the building with its natural context. Reflective windows were incorporated to soften the rigidity of multiple window openings, creating a visually appealing facade that balances lightness and privacy. The result is a thoughtfully designed dormitory that meets regulatory needs while offering a welcoming and harmonious living environment.