Therapeutic Expression: An Architectural Path to Mind and Body

To design with the intent to influence a user’s psychological and physical well-being. Neuroarchitecture constructs an understanding of how the brain of its occupants works. This is designed by providing users with spaces that arouse their stimuli. When correctly done a space can effectively influence behavior, well-being, cognition, emotion, and perception. In attempts to grow our built environment, neuroarchitecture will help enhance our connection to the natural world as well as create the importance of human health and well-being. By implementing natural light, views/access to nature, materials, spatial layout, acoustics, temperature, and air quality, these principles will promote positive emotions and sensory experience. These design principles will be shown throughout the project. Allowing the user to connect with their mind and body where one can find their therapeutic expression. Although this does not present a cure but based on research with architecture and neuroscience at play, it can positively affect the outcome of human stress levels and mood. All of which are goals that will be set throughout this therapeutic retreat

Envisioning the Future at Prince George's Plaza, MD

Final project for ARCH 407: Graduate Architecture and Urban Design Studio IV (Spring 2021). University of Maryland, College Park.The semester was divided in 3 projects. For project 3, the studio worked with Prince George's Planning Department on creating urban design schemes for the Prince George's Plaza Transit District including analyzing relvevant case studies, site visit to Prince George's Plaza, site documentation/analysis, and design proposals rooted from historical research while responding to complex contemporary issues (social inequality, safety, climate change, urban ecology, public health, local/global economies) in order to produce urban design master plans, street sections, perspectives vignettes for near-term and long-term 2035 year plans.Prince George's County Planning Department (PGPD

Bioclimatic Design: Research at Assateague State Park

Final project for ARCH600/611: Urban Studies and Planning Studio (Fall 2021). University of Maryland, College Park.Through their work with the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland (UMD), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources commissioned this report from the university’s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). This research study, conducted in a graduate level design studio, began with a shared vision that people and nature can co-exist in a mutually beneficial relationship. Angela Baldwin, Park Manager at Assateague State Park, and her colleagues from NOAA, the Maryland Park Service, the Chesapeake Coastal Service, and other DNR offices, challenged the University of Maryland team to test this vision in the design of a new day use facility for Assateague State Park, a much-beloved, special place that is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The climate crisis requires architects to deepen their understanding of resilient design strategies. These range from place-based climate-responsive knowledge rarely taught in schools of architecture, to more technically advanced tools such as computer energy modeling, efficient mechanical equipment and on-site renewable energy.Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR