In 2009, I planned to pursue saxophone performance at the University of Michigan. Accepting a full scholarship to North Carolina State University changed that course, and I enrolled in both Civil Engineering and Physics to explore interests in building and mathematics.

I became very involved with the university, co-founding a statewide leadership program that engages high school students in community problem-solving. Through developing this curriculum, I became close friends with an architecture student who exposed me to the College of Design, where I immediately saw my niche. So during my free time as a research intern with the U.S. Department of Energy that summer, I created my first portfolio and was accepted.

My design interests became very broad. I started a business in South Africa, researched water quality in Liberia, and became a graphic designer for several start-up companies. This eclectic progression fuels my developing interests and, in the studio, my process.

My projects evolve through tinkering, perhaps just as my mind attempts to resolve this diverse range of influences.

Introduction +A Note on Process

4. THE

FRANCOUZSKA

WALL

1. EXIBITING

PRODUCTION

3. BRIDGE

TO THE

SOUND

2. LOFTED

5. TEACHING

DAIRY

BARN

Institute of theContemporary Art Museum (CAM):Exhibiting Production

Unlike a museum, the Institute is a facility for the production of art. Display is secondary.

The production of artifacts, rather than the artifacts themselves, then, becomes a public

exhibition to face the city.

The galleries are submerged beneath the site and lit by translucent, luminous glass

boxes puncturing the exterior sculpture plaza above. The studios and instructional

spaces are elevated above the site in a glass tower, displayed to the surrounding city

from behind a veil of corrugated, perforated aluminum panels. This maximizes site

available for a public sculpture plaza.

A 35’ tall sculpture studio is on-grade with North Street, facilitating both public display

of sculptural production and easy maneuvering of large sculptures to the plaza above.

Core program is stored in an adjacent opaque volume connected by a series of bridges,

exposing the hurried circulation of artists-in-motion. The void between the two volumes

cuts through the site to create a clandestine gallery entrance.

All light-sensitive facilities such as darkrooms are housed in an opaque extension on

the glass tower’s south, the face of which becomes a surface for large-scale digital art

projection, viewable from downtown. A glass extension on the opaque tower’s north

contains a panoramic conference room.

ARC 501 / FALL 2015

PublicSculpturePlaza

Study ModelsConstructed at 1/64” = 1’

Site Model from SoutheastConstructed at 1/16” = 1’

Parti:SectionDisplay of Artifacts

Production of Artifacts

Proposed:

Institute

Typical:

Museum

DISPLAY

Section Detail ModelConstructed at 1/8” = 1’

PRO-DUCTION

Corner of Northand West StreetsConstructed at

1/16 “ = 1’

SITE:CAM

SITE:CAMINSTITUTE

Site PlanDowntown Raleigh

W. North Street

N. W

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Tucker Street

W. Lane Street

W. Jones Street

Willard Place

Hillsborough Street

W. Morgan Street

W. Hargett Street

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W.NORTH

STREET

1 Individual studios

2 Administrative offi ce

3 Drawing studio

4 Printmaking laboratory

5 Acid booth

6 Digital + media studios

7 Film laboratory

8 Presentation Room

9 Library

10 Gang laboratory

11 Technical support

12 Lecture hall

13 Entry + reception

14 Public sculpture plaza

15 Sculpture studio

16 Mechanical

17 WC

18 Galleries

19 Classroom

1

3

7

8 9

2

4 5

10

6

11

12

13 14

15 16 17

Longitudinal Site Section

Longitudinal Site SectionConcept Sketch11000 SQ FT

PUBLIC SCULPTUREPLAZA

18 19

GalleriesConcept Sketch

Galleries

North SiteEntrance

West ElevationConcept Sketch

Second Floor Plan

N.WESTSTREET

W.NORTH

STREET

1 Mechanical

2 Technical support

3 Elevator

4 Lecture hall

21

3 4

Fifth Floor Plan

Site PlanConcept Sketch

1 Conference

2 Administrative offi ces

3 Drawing studio

4 Elevator

5 Director’s offi ce

6 Printmaking laboratory

7 Beater booth

8 Acid booth

3

1 2

45

6

7 8

Site ModelConstructed at 1/16” = 1’

Transverse SiteSection

N.WESTSTREET

1 WC

2 Lobby

3 Faculty studio

4 Individual studios

5 Director’s offi ce

6 Drawing studio

7 Faculty studio

8 Digital + media studios

9 Library

10 Lecture Hall

11 Sculpture studio

12 Mechanical

1 3 4

5 6

7 8

9

10

11

12

2

Assembly Detail ModelConstructed at 3/8” = 1’

Wall Section

Insulated metal stud wall

Aluminum rainscreen panel

Steel cable

Perforated corrugated aluminum panel

Metal grate service catwalk

14” post-tensioned concrete slab

Perforated corrugated aluminum panel

2’ diameter concrete column

Frosted insulated glass

Insulated glass

Soil for local shrubs

4” precast concrete paver

Insulated metal stud wall

18” post-tensioned concrete slab

Continuous control joint

1.5” polished concrete topping slab

The Coastal Studies Institute is located on a vast coastal plain that is dramatic and

picturesque, but fully exposed to hurricanes. The absence of shelter drove this housing

proposal into an adjacent wooded site, where the architectural language would become

one of verticality rather than the endless horizon of the plain: a loft.

Separate housing structures are embedded in the woods and lifted upon piles to escape

flooding hazards. Their triangular forms pragmatically shed water quickly and shield one

another from strong wind and debris, while abstracting the geometries of the trees. The

peaks of each become lofted study and reading nooks.

The Coastal Studies Institute’s diverse range of visitors, researchers, and students - all

requiring different longevities and styles of on-campus residence - necessitated versatile

programing. 11 residential structures of varying size and capacity accommodate both

temporary and long-term needs, for both families and students. Bedrooms are flexible

for individual researchers, couples, and student roommates.

These structures are placed along a proposed greenway linking the city of Manteo

to the campus. They are consolidated along a common, accessible boardwalk, each

arranged to maximize views of the woods to the North and the Croatan Sound to the

South. The scheme includes a screened-in community pavilion for residents’ use.

ARC 402 / SPRING 2015WITH COURTNEY RICHESON (ARCHITECTURE)+ ABHILASH KUNNATOOR MARGABANDU (CONSTRUCTION + ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT)+ CARLOS VEGA (CIVIL ENGINEERING)

Housing for the UNCCoastal Studies Institute (CSI):Lofted

56 TWO STORYH.E.R.S.44% more energy effi cient than a standard new home

53 THREE STORYH.E.R.S.47% more energy effi cient than a standard new home

57 ONE STORYH.E.R.S.43% more energy effi cient than a standard new home

View from North

PROPOSEDWIND TURBINES

Site Plan

COASTAL STUDIES INSTITUTE

PROPOSEDHOUSING

ROOFTOP PHOTOVOLTAICARRAY

Existing Coastal Studies Institute

Existing Marine Laboratory

To Manteo

PROPOSEDWIND TURBINES

85%ANNUAL ENERGYNEEDS GENERATED

ROOFTOP PHOTOVOLTAICARRAY

Path From CoastalStudies InstituteCampus

ONE STORY

2-4 PERSONS

TWO STORY

3-4 PERSONS

THREE STORY

6-8 PERSONS

THREE STORY

6-8 PERSONSTWO STORY

3-4 PERSONS

COMMUNITY

PAVILION

THREE STORY

6-8 PERSONS

COMMUNITY

PAVILION

ONE STORY

2-4 PERSONS

TWO STORY

3-4 PERSONS

THREE STORY

6-8 PERSONS

THREE STORY

6-8 PERSONS

THREE STORY

6-8 PERSONS

TWO STORY

3-4 PERSONS

64TOTAL CAPACITYOF STUDENTSAND FAMILIES

Site Plan

Site Model from SouthConstructed at 1/16” = 1’

0 FTSEA LEVEL

+ 8 FTBASE FLOOD ELEVATION

+ 9 FTCOASTAL AFLOOD ZONE

+ 10 FTDARE COUNTYFREEBOARD

+ 11.5 FTACCOUNTING FOR80 YR SEA LEVEL RISE

Accessible One StorySection

1 Kitchen

2 Living

3 Bedroom

1 2 3

Two StorySection

Three StorySection

2 11111111111

3

44444444

4

21111111111

3333

3333

4

44444444444

1 Kitchen

2 Living

3 Bedroom

4 Lofted study nook

1 Kitchen

2 Living

3 Bedroom

4 Lofted study nook

1

3

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

1 Impact-resistant, refl ective Impact-resistant, refl ective

standing seam aluminum

(8% glazed-to-opaque ratio) (8% glazed-to-opaque ratio)

2 South protected by fi ber cement South protected by fi ber cement

board rainscreen

3 Double-insulated glass

4 Opaque door

5 South protected by louvers South protected by louvers

6 Cross ventilation

7 Continuous insulation

8 Rock infi ltration pit

9 Stack-effect ventilation

Sustainable Strategies

LivingFirst Floor (three-story scheme)

Lofted Reading NookSecond Floor (three-story scheme)

1

2

3

4

5

Coastal Hazard Mitigation Strategies

1 Interdependent

wind diversion

2 Impact-resistant

aluminum louvers

3 Elevation above fl ood zone

4 Safe tree distance

5 Steep slope for

haste water shedding

FoundationConcrete piles with pile caps

First FloorSteel frame with moment connections

Concrete fl oor slab

Upper FloorsSteel frame with pin connections

Concrete fl oor slabs

Lateral ReinforcementSteel beams with pin connections

Hurricane-ResistantStructure

Site Model from SouthwestConstructed at 1/16” = 1’

This proposal for an educational boardwalk creates a public connection between the

community of Roanoke Island and the Croatan Sound. A segment bridging a tidal

waterway is programmed and sheltered to store kayaks and life safety equipment,

allowing small groups to explore the marshes and Sound off-foot.

The bridge is surrounded by a slatted membrane of dimensional lumber. This accounts

for the need for shade rather than enclosure, and better resists hurricane-force winds.

Its longitudinal form is an expression of both the boardwalk within and the endless

horizon of the surrounding coastal landscape.

It is structured as a box truss of dimensional lumber, the module of which is spaced at

10’ to accommodate differing sizes of kayaks supported along vertical truss members.

ARC 402 / SPRING 2015WITH COURTNEY RICHESON (ARCHITECTURE)

Boathouse for the UNCCoastal Studies Institute (CSI):Bridge to the Sound

Site Plan

PROPOSEDBRIDGE

PROPOSEDGREENWAY

COASTAL STUDIES INSTITUTE

Croatan Sound

SiteTidal waterway

BridgeConnect proposed greenway to sound

StorageStore kayaks and life safety equipment

StructureStructureBox truss of dimensional lumber

Shading + ViewShading + ViewSlatted dimensional lumber to resist wind

AccessAccessRamp to water for boat access

ConceptualDevelopment

View fromTidal Waterway

Site ModelConstructed at 1/4” = 1’

Facing East

20TOTALKAYAKCAPACITYExploded Axonometric

Life safety equipment:

Weathering steel enclosure

Slatted enclosure:

dimensional lumber

Box truss structure:

dimensional lumber

Kayak storage fi xed

to vertical truss members

Accessible

boat ramp

Proposed greenway

Elevated walkway

This extensive public park in Prague’s Vinohrady is retained by a continuous 2400’ long

stone wall, punctuated only twice by stairs. This isolates the northern and southern

perimeters of what should be an important public space in the city fabric. But the wall,

however problematic, is also an important part of the site’s identity.

Rather than modifying the wall, this scheme proposes a commodity to give people reason

to scale the wall and bridge this urban void: a small café. This is a common solution

among parks in urban Prague, but it risks commodifying and privatizing space that should

be public. The challenge became to create a commodity without commodifying.

To accomplish this, the commodity’s volume is embedded within the ground to create

additional public space without eliminating any existing public space.

The volume contains a public elevator from a proposed tram stop below, making the

entire park accessible from Francouzská. The proposed public path along the south of

the volume offers an opportunity to traverse the park from a lower elevation between the

West and East stairs, encouraging an easier climb into the park and therefore transverse

circulation toward Slovenská.

The roof of the proposed volume becomes a level plane for viewing the surrounding

cityscape from its elevated position. The original site was too steep to be occupied.

ARC 490 / FALL 2014

Creating a Commoditywithout Commodifying:The Francouzská Wall

Site PlanPrague Vinohrady

Francouzská

Slovenská

FRANCOUZSKA WALL

SITE

2400 FTCONTINUOUSRETAININGWALL

Francouzská Retaining Wall (segment):Photographic collage

WESTSTAIR

EASTSTAIR

SITE

ADDITIONALPUBLICSPACEACCESSIBLE

PUBLICPATH

FRANCOUZSKA

CAFESLOVENSKA

ACCESSIBLEPUBLIC

ELEVATOR

Site Section

EAST STAIR

Café InteriorFacing East

Facing WestAlong Francouzská

Facing WestWithin Park

3300 SQ FTADDITIONAL PUBLIC,ACCESSIBLE,UNCOMMODIFIEDPARK SPACE

This teaching dairy complex is programmed in three pieces: a free-stall barn for non-

lactating cows, a free-stall barn for lactating cows, and educational / health facilities.

These are linked by a 280’ long suspended observatory deck that allows students

and educators to traverse the divide between where the cows live and how they are

supported. This cantilevers beyond the end of the enclosure for a panoramic view of

the cows’ habitat

Forklifts hauling food and waste pass freely beneath this observatory deck to transit

between the stalls and storage, which is below grade on the facility’s south.

Dramatic wooden membranes are pushed to the exterior and fold over the southern

facade, protecting the cows from heat and light and creating a natural stack-effect

strategy for passive ventilation. The southern membrane is broken at the point where

cows enter the facility from the north and trucks from the south. This exposes a wide

view for those along the observatory deck to the veterinary campus located South.

ARC 301 / FALL 2013

North Carolina State UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine:Teaching Dairy Barn

Study ModelsConstructed at various scales

Site Plan

Passive VentilationStrategy

Site Model from NorthwestSite Model from Northwest(Northern Roof Removed)Constructed at 1/16” = 1’

Site Model from SoutheastConstructed at 1/16” = 1’

280 FTSUSPENDEDOBSERVATORYDECKFacing East

Section ModelConstructed at 3/8” = 1’

adamcdunn8@ gmail.com / 919 602 1006