“Around the Tree”

The “Around the Tree” proposal uses simple construction methods so that it can be built by unskilled laborers and serve as an example of future building techniques in the Marsassoum area and beyond.

To construct the project, the first step is simple flat concrete foundations. To prep the foundations for the vertical bamboo structure footing later on, voids in the foundation are left open by wood blocking with holes drilled for small bamboo rebar to run through. Constructed on the surface of the concrete, next, are the sheet metal roofs with bamboo rafters of the seven buildings. The skylight details in the main building’s roof are simple enough so they can be built by local works or staff. After the assembly is finished, workers can lift and attach the roof in place with and to bamboo columns. The columns are secured in place by pouring concrete around the base of the columns which sit in the holes left by the wood blocking earlier, and the small bamboo rod rebar making for a rigid frame attached to the foundation.

After the roof structures are secured, students and staff learn to build rammed earth walls around the butterfly roofs with the same wood used for the foundation. At the same time a Mason could come in and build the clay brick walls in the main building, later to be water proofed and finished with a laterite coating. Last, ferro-concrete tanks, wall tops, and window sills are cast, again, with the same wood to reduce cost.

The “Around the Tree” proposal uses only 60% of the budget, leaving the rest to go to furniture, staff, and educational improvements. Simplicity of contraction reduces overall time, and a more cost effective building.

Colors of the earth are angled and compressed around the site. Juxtaposed with butterfly sheet metal roofs and bamboo leave earthy color pallets hyper organized into lines and walls The viewer has a sense of order throughout, even though trees and building lines are scattered throughout the site. Rainwater collection by the butterfly roofs, separate buildings and large openings in the classrooms for and cross ventilation, and a grid of light wells above the school puts sustainability as the front runner for this design. Curving around the existing tree, the main building hugs the children's nostalgic treasure, creating an intimate and permanent relationship.

Undulating Brick Wall buttresses on a new building at 377 Johnston Street. Beautiful brick waves juxtaposed to glass and wood trim. From the side one sees an orchestra of movement, while the brick buttresses proved privacy.

In progress.

High end accent slab in Positano Villas, Hollywood FL. After assisting client with selection of slab, Popular Architecture Studio corridinated and designed seeming and sizing to ensure a beautiful finish on the wrap around fire place section. The airiness of the peice was decided upon to juxtapose and accent a dark wood wine wall in the room. One Way Contractors in Jacksonville Fl installed the slab.

Interior design idea - Client in Jupiter, Florida.

3D Printed tea tree candle holder. Contemporary geometry brings a contemporary feel into any room.

Ortega 1826 Hooper Ave, Toms River NJ is a new and excited modern addition to the local mexican cuisin in an area that is currently expanding its ethnic food market. Popular Architecture Studio was asked to do to do document the store layout, doing the first recording drawing of the space, and to design a new display case for bakery specialty cakes. The design for the case utilizes plywood and local craftsman to put together a display that showcases the pride in which these owners take in there food. Curved shelves undulating on top of each other in a criss cross pattern make it so each colored bread tray is celebrated in full. Often the client has seen children touching the displayed bread so a squishy playdoh like material is incorporated in the bottom section to distract themselves with with something tactile. The beautiful speciality cakes baked at Ortega will sit on top of the case.

Rt 46, Kenvil, NJ, America

Worked to fit a recording studio into an existing grain silo.

Hi-end Condominium in south FL. Residents were tired of looking at garage upon entry to building lobby. POP Architecture Studio reworked this problem by adding a motion sensor-operated ivy curtain at the threshold of the lobby and garage. The ivy curtain door has a projection of the residents stable image, two dolphins jumping out of the ocean. Of the the requirements was that certain furniture, such as a pool table must fit through at any time making a built in door a less acceptable solution. The ivy door takes up no extra dimensions at the threshold and a beautiful addition. The curtain is an inexpensive and easy to change out installation, requiring to physical changes to the architecture. The lobby’s ventilation comes from the garage so free flowing air through the ivy makes it imperative over a door that blocks flow

Coffee Shop Business concept and design in Toms River NJ

Buy.it.Free Coffee, where Freedom still has space. Located at 1776 Hooper Ave, Toms River NJ

Pop worked to design a system where logos where posted around the shop of local businesses, sponsoring the price of the coffee, making it $1.00.

Traveling Open Mic Pavilion for beachy areas in and around Brick, NJ at the Jersey Shore. The pavilion’s purpose is to help fill the need for venues for the growing open mic / music culture in the area.

Coming Soon

Wine + Garden’s beautiful atmosphere serves trendy customers in the Fort Lauderdale area. Though, because of awkward existing conditions it can not operate under rainy conditions. The outdoor seating and garden main aesthetic foliage are the string lit trees that anchor the four edges of the site. The canopies go up over the building roof at places making a draping awning almost spatially impossible. Popular Architecture Studio proposed rain screens that are under the canopy and slope to trees roots to irrigate.

The client wanted a piece that did not attach to the buildings or interfere with the trees. The geometry of the rain screen mitigates this problem, and all supports tough down within the boundaries of the outdoor seating area. To tie into the existing aesthetic more angled white supports mimic the angle of trees.

Excerpt From Popular Architecture Studio’s Letter to the Governor of NY and Mayor of New York City 4/01, the start of the COVID 19 hospital use apex -

“Since there is limited space in Manhattan, and I have noticed the presence of pop up hospital tents I wanted to propose a helpful design for a “hospital” quickly built on top of pilings, be removable later, get an extra floor or two higher then the tent, and not take up city land - being built over the water.” … “ Also the design can be retro fitted for docks that are not to far apart where the floor joist can nail to the tops of pilings similarly to the design in this document . I know Comfort (navy ship) has come in, so I hope this is of no need.“ ….

Timber totally built onsite using milling machines to developed glue lam beams on site, and using the building foundation as a factory to build the wood members. This would reduce milling costs to zero and give beautiful architectural features all finished by the contracting team, no outsourcing.

As waters heat up, an important economy swims farther north than American can handle. Science says that in 20 years lobsters will be out of reach to American fisherman. After that, we will be forced to grow lobsters in America using farming. This project investigated the problem and urban solution to the lobster migration of the 2000’s

UNITED STATES PAVILION

The United States has made the world question its attitude on boarders. More importantly, the construction and or deconstruction of a feeling of belonging and being accepted.

Boundaries are necessary to having a governed body. Though, sometimes overlooked, the feeling of exclusion can be more significant than a physical boundary! How do implicit boundaries manipulate one’s perception of belonging? No exterior boundaries define the extent of the United States Pavilion. Though, an extended roof line implies one, similar to the lack of physical structure typically dividing political boundaries. The space of the Worlds Fair will pass deformed translucent ball structures that house different genres of culture; art, culinary, and performance. These pods will be filled by people from around the world, like America. The ball-like form continues to deconstruct the idea of defined space.

To play on the idea of tourism, one of the countries best attractions, our national parks are tastefully reconstructed upside-down on the roof. The park reconstruction intends to make one feel at once belonging to the USA while walking through the pavilion, yet feel under the tension of elusion by never actually entering the pavilion.

When Architecture tells a story. Where architecture meets nature. When architecture becomes art. Where architecture meets landscape. Where architecture can work productively. Where Architecture can work? Where architectural ideas have an impact on culture. How architecture creates creativity. How architects reflect culture. How architecture affects us. Architecture who try’s to be more responsible then it’s neighbors! How is architecture an art that speaks to cultural phenomenon. Why architecture matters?

Childrens Playground Designed for International Design Competition, design sought to sink an organic geometric playground a few feet below grade so forms did not visually compete with historical victorian architecture town was known for