This project reimagined the Chicago Two-Flat as Co-Living spaces, focusing on making them more Space-Efficient and Energy-Efficient while respecting their Historical context. It updated 19th-century Homes to meet 20th-century needs, enhancing space use and Community Habits. The design increased natural light and energy efficiency in the Narrow, Long Urban Lots typical of these buildings.

Demographic studies guided the design to serve a varied resident population, adjusting Shared and Private spaces to suit Different Groups. For instance, the Albany Park location catered to young adults with many communal areas, the Belmont site balanced spaces for families and students, and the Hermosa site offered more privacy for older residents.

Energy-Saving was key, especially in Lighting. Buildings featured design elements like Atriums and Curved Walls to bring in more Natural Light, alongside Green features like HVAC systems, Solar Panels, and Water Recycling, all integrated within the traditional Chicago building style. Techniques like Atriums in Dim areas and Curved Walls with Arched openings improved light access and aesthetics. The project also optimized Air Flow and used a basement Water treatment system for Recycling.

Overall, the project blended Co-Living concepts, Efficient Space layout, and Green Design in renovating Historic Homes.

The Industrial Revolution's modification of Urban Lighting resulted in Disrupted Daily Routines, causing Insomnia and subsequent Health Issues. In response, this project champions the revival of aligning Rest With the Sunset, blending this healthful tradition with contemporary demands to enhance the Quality of City Life and restore Natural Sleep Cycles. To actualize this vision, I converted an abandoned Waterfront cement factory at the crossroads of urban activity and residential serenity into a Thermal Bath.

Grounded in comprehensive Sleep Science study, it employs Facade Renovations to Modulate Light, Temperature, And Sunlight Color, designs the Interior Circulation to Facilitate Pre-Sleep Preparation, and enriches the setting with Water-aligned Green Spaces, seamlessly merging Natural tranquility with the Urban environment.

EXTERIOR: The Facade's Openings decrease in Size from Top to Bottom, reducing Indoor Light Intensity. Orange ETFE material covering these Openings adjusts Indoor Sunlight Color from 5000K for Work, 4000K for Leisure, to 3300K for Pre-Sleep, simulating the Sunset Process. Additionally, to balance Temperature differences between the North and South sides, the north facade has larger openings to increase Sunlight Heat Gain.

INTERIOR: The visitor's movement from entry to Sleep Preparation Circulation follows a scientifically based sequence from Top to Bottom: F1 Reception - F17 Changing Rooms - F6 Showers - F5 Thermal Baths - F4 Functional Pools - F3 Prime Unit - F2 Spa Room and Sleeping Pods, including an outdoor lawn - F1 Garden Pool - LL1 Public Market.

Emerging from a century of transformation and the quiet of the pandemic, the Art Institute of Chicago faces the future with a novel Parabolic Entrance Bridge. This project revitalizes the Museum's Urban Setting, offering new views of South Chicago and integrating Public Amenities for the community and media. The design encourages Visitor Flow, immersing them in the city's Dynamic Movement and Symbolizing a Vibrant Future.

FUNCTIONALITY: The new double-deck bridge Merges Functional Areas: Special Exhibitions, Lecture spaces, Flexible Discussion areas, Lounges, and Dining, Directly addressing the museum’s Prior Issues with Dispersed Public Spaces, Hard-to-find Special Exhibition areas, and a Lack of Rest Spots. It strategically Connects the southern entrance to the Alsdorf Galleries at the Museum’s Core, Optimizing Visitor Flow and access to exhibitions, and overcoming Previous challenges of Extensive Cross-museum Distances.

FORM: The Parabolic bridge's design emphasizes South Chicago's development, guiding Visitors on an Emotional Journey: From Entrance Anticipation, Climbing Expectations, Excitement Peaks in Public Areas, transforms to Exhibition Tranquility, and descends to Leisurely Calm before reaching the Alsdorf Galleries. This Parabolic pathway enriches the visit, promoting a dynamic flow that syncs visitors with the City's Rhythm and observing the South Urban Pulse. Such integration strengthens the museum's bond with the city, anticipating mutual prosperity.

Pas De Deux explores the relationship between the body, clothing, movement, and landscape through two removable high-heel shoe skins designed for Illinois Beach. Inspired by the shared protective function of clothing and architecture, the project transforms environmental obstacles into new physical experiences, creating a new form of dance through the interaction between wearable objects, the body, and the natural landscape.

EXPERIMENT: I tested high-heel shoes of different Heights, Shapes, and Levels of Enclosure across multiple landscape conditions at Illinois Beach, including Gravel Paths, Grass, Marshland, Flower Fields, Forest, Beach, and Shallow Water. These experiments revealed different physical obstacles: sand and small rocks entered the shoes on gravel paths, while tall grass in the marshland blocked movement and forced changes in walking direction. Through these observations, the landscape became an active element influencing the body's movement.

DESIGN: In response to these conditions, I developed two removable shoe skins: Sara and Stewart. Designed for the gravel path, Sara uses a Smooth Form with Wing-Like Extensions on both sides to block and rebound sand and rocks. Designed for the marshland, Stewart uses a Pointed Form to separate tall grass and make movement through the landscape faster and more direct.

MOVEMENT: Wearing Sara and Stewart transformed ordinary walking into a new choreography. Sara encourages Small, Controlled Steps while allowing smooth directional changes, Spinning and Small Jumps. Stewart requires stronger forward movement to separate the grass, generating larger gestures such as a 360-Degree Body Turn, Sideways Leg Raise, and Long Jump. The two shoe skins therefore create distinct movement patterns, transforming walking through Illinois Beach into a dialogue between Body, Object, Movement, and Landscape.

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