The Reading Well
2023 Tiny Library Competition
Torodi, Niger
In partnership with Aarif Ahmad
The past decade has brought significant growths in the population and development of Torodi, Niger. The Niger river, although stimulating growth, is limited in its fair accessibility in the midst of rapid densification, causing distant rural communities on the outskirts to be severely disadvantaged. The Reading Well catalyzes learning through the integration of the necessity and culture of water by positioning a crucial water pump at the heart of the project, and synthesizing a need within the fabric of learning to create opportunities for educational advancement within the folds of existing cuiture. The elevation articulates openness on the ground level with brick to emphasize the power of the vault. Storage needs are met through a pull-down bookshelf module dedicated to storage; through this technology, an entire floor of space is able to store books, technology, and electricity; while simultaneously creating divisible space to meet a range of public or private needs.
The library is constantly changing — individual spaces are created by pulling a bookcase down to create a physical separation and a more personal reading nook. These bookshelves hold books and media, tools, and other resources. The water pump is available publicly for nearby residents to access. They can bring their kids to pick up a book while waiting to get water. Poetically, the water is pumped up, and the information is pulled down; these productive and perpetuating cycles created by the architecture produce the communal endurance for the Torodi people.
WE Dance
Austin, TX
Comprehensive Studio 2023
Instructed by Kyriakos Kyriakou
In partnership with Aarif Ahmad
The WE Dance Perfomance Center locates at 708 E 4th St. With Interstate 35 to the East and Waller Creek to the West, the project responses by spliting itself into two parts. The East side is opaque, controlled, and enclosed, and the West side is transparent, free flowed, and opened. The East side houses the performance theater and all the back-of-house utilities. It includes restrooms, dressing rooms, mechanical spaces, etc. The West side houses the dance studio, offices, foyer, and reception area and has an all-glass facade that allows for plenty of natural light to flood into the space. A public stair “sew” the two sides together.
WE Dance
Austin, TX
Comprehensive Studio 2023
Instructed by Kyriakos Kyriakou
In partnership with Aarif Ahmad
The WE Dance Perfomance Center locates at 708 E 4th St. With Interstate 35 to the East and Waller Creek to the West, the project responses by spliting itself into two parts. The East side is opaque, controlled, and enclosed, and the West side is transparent, free flowed, and opened. The East side houses the performance theater and all the back-of-house utilities. It includes restrooms, dressing rooms, mechanical spaces, etc. The West side houses the dance studio, offices, foyer, and reception area and has an all-glass facade that allows for plenty of natural light to flood into the space. A public stair “sew” the two sides together.
New Stair
2023 Architecture Topics Course
New York City, New York
Instructed by Tekena Koko
This proposed intervention for the New Museum of Contemporary Art in NYC designed by SANAA seeks to enhance the museum’s connection with the Bowery neighborhood and promote a culture of art appreciation. The project suggests cutting the facade and utility core to create a public stair and elevator, providing a new public circulation path to the 7th-floor - the multipurpose room. This space becomes the People’s Gallery, a free gallery with a public outdoor terrace.
The rainbow square mesh is used to articulate the public circulation on the street facade and invite people of the Bowery neighborhood to come and experience the museum. As visitors circulate upward, they can have a limited viewing experience of the first three paid galleries.