Mustang Ranch
In this project, we were tasked with designing a resort situated within a mustang sanctuary. Through extensive site research and analysis—including hydrology, viewsheds, existing amenities, slope, topography, vegetation, circulation patterns, and adjacent land uses—we identified the most suitable areas for development. This analytical process informed a design approach that balances site sensitivity with programmatic goals. I am currently in the process of developing my final master plan, with further refinement and detailing still to come.
Project 1 - Infographic
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For this portion of the assignment, we researched the controversial issue of wild mustang population control in the western United States and developed potential solutions. We were then tasked with designing a poster for Wild Mustang Ranch to communicate our ideas effectively. The goal of this exercise was not only to strengthen our graphic layout and visual communication skills but also to deepen our understanding of the issue we would be addressing throughout the larger project.
Project 2 - Understanding Existing Precedents
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This phase of the project involved researching an existing mustang ranch to better understand how similar facilities are designed and organized. We analyzed key design decisions such as the placement and types of facilities, the services and experiences offered, rate structures, site boundaries, and access points including roadways and entrances. Additionally, we studied the views and visual relationships within and beyond the site to understand how they influenced layout and visitor experience.
Our research also examined the ranch’s regional context, focusing on its proximity to major roadways, airports, and surrounding land uses. Using GIS analysis, we assessed topography and elevation changes, incorporating geographical and environmental conditions into our understanding of how the site was shaped by natural processes and how those factors influence drainage, vegetation patterns, and potential design opportunities.
Project 3A - Context Analysis
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For Project 3, we began by conducting a comprehensive site analysis of the location we would be working with for the remainder of the semester. Using satellite imagery and Google Maps, we examined the existing site conditions and the functions of adjacent parcels. We also developed a regional context map to evaluate transportation accessibility and the site’s proximity to major cities. In addition, we analyzed entry points, existing structures, and roadway networks to gain a clearer understanding of how the site connects to its surrounding environment.
Project 3B - Site Inventory & Analysis
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In the second part of this project, we created maps analyzing the site's slope, elevation, features, and hydrology
Project 3C - Analysis & Synthesis
For this phase of the project, we conducted a comprehensive site suitability analysis by overlaying multiple thematic maps, including elevation, hydrology, topography, slope, solar aspect, vegetation, viewsheds, existing features, and circulation. This process allowed us to identify spatial relationships and determine which areas of the site were most appropriate for development versus those better suited for preservation.
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By synthesizing these layers, we produced a development suitability plan that guided our future design decisions, ensuring that proposed interventions were both environmentally sensitive and strategically located within the broader landscape.
Project 4 - Master Plan
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For this part of the project, I created three quick conceptual master plan sketches to explore different possibilities for how the site could be organized. In each sketch, I tested a unique layout—placing the main lodge at high, mid, and low elevations—to see how the design might change in terms of views, access, and relationships between program elements. These were loose, exploratory drawings where I experimented with different circulation patterns, facility placements, and spatial organizations before moving forward with a more refined concept.
In the next phase, I worked collaboratively with my group to combine elements we liked from each of our individual concepts into one cohesive master plan. We refined our shared design using hand graphics to communicate the layout, spatial relationships, and key features of the final plan.
Main Lodge + ADA Cabin Grading Plan​
