-Domini V.J. Cunningham

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Project PageClassification

Repurposing 20th Century InfrastructureAn Exercise in Sprawl RepairHines ULI CompetitionDowntown Parking ImprovementsEpicenter Mixed-Use BuildingSustainable Atoll DevelopmentPhenology ProjectCamacho Gate HouseDeSola ResidenceDomini VJ Cunningham

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ThesisStudio WorkCompetitionProfessionalStudio WorkStudio WorkPhotographyProfessionalProfessionalResume

Scale and seamless integration defi ne the way I approach design. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed working within multiple scales and mixing concepts to generate something new. This drive to create and innovate initially led me to Architecture, in which I explored the built environment and the problems that could be addressed through design. However, before long, my drive to create ventured outside this single dimension, pulling me to create a different level of engagement outside this initial scale. Through adding the unique principles and scope of Landscape Architecture, I have been able to extend the experience for those interacting within the designed envelope to beyond the enclosed package. This also allowed me a better understanding of how both scales interact with each other as well as how people interact with these designed spaces, often leading to the space itself being redefi ned. Greater consideration for the variety of stakeholders that aim to benefi t from these designed spaces as well as how their collective composition infl uence and are infl uenced by individuals, communities, and larger agents solidifi ed my fi nal venture into Community Planning. Taken together, much of the experienced environment is composed through blending Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture. These professions have developed alongside each other; creating unique methods of execution, yet combining to deliver a seamless experience. This integration is often forged through diligent collaboration and intensive translation of the unique goal of each to the other. I, however, have undertaken the task of understanding each and hold all their unique goals in mind throughout conceptualization and execution. The fi nal outcome for much of my work has derived from a host of contextual infl uences and integrations of scale; from using shipping containers in the Port of Miami leading to an interweaving modular unit for a high-rise Mixed Use structure, to extracting sublime forces as a means to infl uence a methodology for creating an experience that still encompassed the features of a rural town.

—As Eliel Saarinen once said “Always design a thing by considering its next larger context.”

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Project

Classification

Location

Scope of Work

Thesis

Repurposing 20th Century Infrastructure

Tallassee, Alabama

Thurlow dam, Located in Tallassee, Alabama, is a massive structure serving multiple purposes including contributing to the state of Alabama’s source of electrical power. The dam currently serves as a visual, inspirational, and emotional link between the east and west sides of Tallassee while state road 14 serves as the physical link between the two. Yet there is no connection between the two that engages individuals to discover the inspirational qualities of this site. Thus the location is observed and not experienced. Through close proximity and an orchestrated procession, individuals can begin to understand how much power the structure possesses. Through experiencing the site in a manner that allows for intense feelings of exhilaration and terror, the structure would cease to be seen only as a functional tool but also as a powerful and imposing force that contributes to an encounter with a sublime industrial landscape.

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Sublime Explorations: Depicted here are a series of exercises intended to capture different characteristics of sublime settings such as:• An overbearing nature• Balance• Abrupt edge conditions• Confl icting edge conditions• Fluid Motion

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In a time when situations of play, swim, enjoy at your own risk provided ample amounts of experiences and inspiration it was common to fi nd sublime landscapes that were untouched by human hands. Today we have come to a point where many experiences have become muted and padded. How do we take these muted, conformed, and restricted areas and once again deliver settings that leaves the viewer breathless?

We seek greater and greater risks.

“Whatever is fi tted in any sort to excite the ideas of pain and danger…or operates in a manner analogous to terror, is a source of the sublime; that is, it is productive of the strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling.”

-Edmund Burke

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Full build-out scenario

Auburn, Al

I-85

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Categories Before AfterIndicators of Urban

Improvement

Site Acreage (Acres) 503 503 1

Total Built Area (Sq. Ft.) 5,019,905 16,336,967 3.25

Total Building Footpring (Sq. Ft.) 1,003,981 3,207,100 3.19

Thoroughfare length (Ft.) 23,747 92,192 3.88

Thoroughfare Area (Sq. Ft.) 1,662,290 4,609,600 2.77

Total Occupant Load 6,526 29,815 4.57

Occupant Density (Capita/Acre) 13 59 4.57

Thoroughfare length per Capita (Ft./Occupant)

3.64 3.09 0.85

Thoroughfare Area/Capita (Sq. Ft./Occupant)

255 155 0.61

Project

Classification

Location

Scope of Work

Studio Work

This project set out to identify issues derived from urban sprawl within the city of Auburn, Alabama, which has been expanding its boundaries since the establishment of Auburn University. The city has maintained some of its small town characteristics relatively close to the downtown core, but moving farther away from that center a number of issues arise. Issues such as excessive street widths, deep lot setbacks, a lack of pedestrian friendly infrastructure, and many neighborhoods designed to accommodate a personal vehicle rather than the people who live there. The focal point of this proposed intervention included a half mile area radius around the intersection of North College Street and Shug Jordan Parkway.

Auburn, Alabama

An Exercise in Sprawl Repair

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Site A

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Cul-de-sacDeep lot setbacksDisconnected street structureExcessive Lane WidthsExcessive parkingLack of parallel parkingLack of bike lanesLack of walkable block structureNo center medianSingle building typeUndefined public frontage

Add bike lanesAdd Center medianAdd parallel parkingCreate through streetsIntroduce mixed use buildingsReduce block sizeReduce lane widths

Add bike lanesAdd Center medianAdd parallel parkingCreate through streetsIntroduce mixed use buildingsReduce block sizeReduce lane widths

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Project

Classification

Location

Scope of Work

Competition

The goal of this competition was to create a new downtown district while reusing some existing structural elements. I participated as a part of a multidisciplinary team comprised of Juan-Diego Donoso Torya, MCP, Stephen Everett, MLA/MCP, Hobie Orton, MRED, Brandi Monsma, MRED, and myself. My primary role on this team was to orchestrate the logistics of completing the project within the two week time frame given. This meant scheduling mini design charettes while generating design content. Once the fi nal design had been agreed upon by all team members I broke the project down for the best method to phase construction so that the MRED students would be able to best generate a fi nancing and profi tability forecast.

Houston, TX

Hines ULI Competition

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43' 13' 20' 123' 18' 24' 18' 18' 24' 18' 25' 20'

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24'

18'10'

167'

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41'

24'

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0’ 60’ 120’ 240’feet

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Project

Classification

Location

Professional

City Of Auburn

Downtown Parking Improvements

Scope of Work

In 2012 the City of Auburn received the results of a citizen survey which highlighted a desire to improved the pedestrian atmosphere and parking conditions in the downtown area. In response to this desire the city created a team of from different departments to tackle the issue. The resulting project aims to increase parking, improve safety of surface parking areas, enhance pedestrian access to downtown, provide space for downtown events, enhance downtown redevelopment opportunities, enhance aesthetics of parking area and rear of buildings on Magnolia and College, provide open spaces, and correct drainage and utility issues. This project has been reviewed and approved by residents, local stakeholders, the City of Auburn Planning Commission, and the City Council. The initial temporary phase of this project was completed in late 2012 and the fi nal phase is set to be implemented through the summer of 2014.

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Project

Classification

Location

Scope of Work

Studio Work

Design a mixed use high-rise with concealed parking that still allows for ventilations. As the market is fl ooded with thousands of condominiums – a highly specifi c and creative concept should be developed to differentiate this product on the market. This concept should be ideally developed from the unit to the common areas and even commercial spaces. There should be a conceptualized mix of units – establishing various sizes and price points. 500SF. Will constitute the minimum unit size. All service areas must be concealed within the building with the transformer room able to be accessed from the street.

Miami, FL

Epicenter Mixed-Use Building

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Contextual Inspiration - Sketch - Final Design

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Classification

Studio Work

Project

Location

Scope of Work

Sustainable Atoll Development

Blackbird Caye, Belize

Set on an atoll just off the coast of Belize, Blackbird Caye was the site for a sustainable community. The design is aimed at enabling humans to cohabitate with a number of threatened species and a coral reef for research purposes. The fi nal design included a facility to be used by the Oceanic Society and seasonal visitors interested in coral growth. Due to the lack of infrastructure dedicated to utilities, the design included understanding how to provide power and running water for extended stay in this remote location.

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One of the key species identifi ed in the area was the black tip shark, which was one of the attractions for tourists in the area. Visitors to this particular Atoll either participated in game fi shing of the species or researching their relationship with the coral reef. The global distribution can be seen in the graphic above.

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The fi nal design capitalizes on an existing area that had been clear cut in an effort to minimize further impact on the atoll during the initial stages of construction. Pre-existing cuts along the east of the caye created a wind tunnel effect which is used to 1) cool the habitable units within the air stream, and 2) generate energy through the use of wind turbines along some of these air fl ows. A preservation buffer has been implemented in front of the proposed developed area in an effort to reintroduce some of the native plant species. This area serves to return some of the natural habitat that had been wiped away by existing clear cutting. It also provides a defensive shield by reducing storm winds coming from the east.

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Design occurs on multiple scales and within this project I was able to investigate the different levels of design intensity required to complete the a master plan for an island development.

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j a n u a r y f e b r u a r y m a r c h a p r i l m a y

Prunus serrulata_Japanese Flowering Cherry

Tortula muralis_Tortula Moss

Fagus grandifolia_American Beech

Project

Classification

Location

Scope of Work

Photography

In an effort to gain greater understanding of the spacial qualities and the dynamics of local plant life, I documented the life cycle of 32 plant species over the course of 2010. The result was a collection of over 15,000 images taken every week for that year as part of a grant prepared by David Hill.

* 2013 ASLA Alabama Merit Award in Research

Auburn, Alabama

Phenology Project

100 shots200 shots300 shots400 shots500 shots600 shots

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j u n e j u l y a u g u s t s e p t e m b e r o c t o b e r n o v e m b e r d e c e m b e r

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Project

Classification

Location

Professional

Firm

JAS Group Architects Planners

Miami, FL

Camacho Gate House

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Project

Location

Scope of Work

Classification

Professional

JAS Group Architects Planners

Miami, FL

DeSola Residence