Thesis Project
Fall 2025 - Spring 2026, Fifth Year
Studio with Professor Regin Schwaen
The Introduction to my Thesis:
At the beginning of the year I asked myself two questions: what drives me, and how can I make an impact.
Most students approach Thesis with their minds set on solving a difficult problem or fixing a systematic issue. There is nothing wrong with this method; it makes for interesting projects that are topical to current day issues — but my priority lies in the impact, and chances are slim that our projects this year are ever implemented as a solution.
So — I have determined that the topic that is most likely to have an impact is improving myself. If I make myself a better architect now, then the impact I'll have through my career will be greater than any other project I could do this year.
How do I make myself the architect that the future needs?
I plan to establish a personal code of values to abide by throughout my career and build an uncompromising determination to make the world a better place. I’ll accomplish this through deep introspection of my beliefs, as well as exploring the architectural beliefs of others through literature. After I have established my personal code, I will put it to the test with a practice client. Even though this exercise won’t match the experience a client would give me, I will take any practice I can get.
In short, my goal is to make myself the architect that the future needs by analyzing current day issues, responding to them with theory, and putting that theory into practice.
Capstone Project
Spring 2025, Fourth Year
Studio with Professor Amar Ali
This year's Capstone project was to design a large 55 and up housing complex in downtown Bismarck.
My focus was to create an environment that makes aging in place a graceful, comfortable process. There is also a mixed-use aspect to this project, as the first floor is all retail to achieve that downtown streetside shopping feel.
In my approach I wanted to emphasize Comfort, Greenery, Lighting, Community, and Sustainability.
Mixed-Use Urban Design Project
Fall 2024, Fourth Year
Studio with Professor Bakr Aly Ahmed
In this group project all 16 of us designed our own mixed-use building for our collaborative neighborhood.
We followed the guidelines of the ten principles of urban design and focused on making a Happy, Green, Smart, and Resilient neighborhood.
I chose to create a residential building with a public library and a small grocery/convenience store.
This project was a reaction to our society's loss of "Third Places", which are social places outside of home or work. This is why I designed my project around a library.
Concrete Project
Spring 2024, Third Year
Studio with Professor Whitney Lee
For this project we were tasked with designing a building for the ceramics department at NDSU. For this we had to make several deliberations about the specialized equipment that is needed in a building of this typology, as well as consider the optimal layout and organization for spaces while taking into account their function and connection to other areas.
Paynesville Library Project
Fall 2023, Third Year
Studio with Professor Nicholas Wickersham
This was one of my favorite projects for the sole reason that it was the most realistic. The small town of Paynesville Minnesota needed a new public library, and my class had the opportunity to design for them.
For this project we were also required to use primarily wood construction, and I found inspiration in local churches.
Steel Project
Spring 2024, Third Year
Studio with Professor Whitney Lee
For this project we were to design a new physical therapy center for Sanford, it was required to be steel construction.
The building skin was a big focus for this project. I derived mine from the concept of metal replacement joints.
Museum Project
Spring 2023, Second Year
Studio with Professor Charlott Greub
I decided to make a distinguished facade for this downtown museum. I opted to make a geological museum that was geared towards children. Because it is for kids, I specifically decided to make the entire museum touch-friendly so they could experience science in a tactile way.
