The intention of this Graduate Thesis Project is to experiment with architectural design and planning tools in order to create an architectural environment where a live-work community of artists would have a chance to be established and thrive.

I am interested to understand how to design dwellings and plan residential developments that would provide privacy and comfort for their residents, while becoming an integral and sustainable part of a larger community. A client (either a developer, or a committee of future residents), as well as local authorities are crucial in bringing the vision of a community to a fruition. However, an architect's idea, convincing opinion and knowledge about how a community can work are very necessary elements of any community development process. Architect's knowledge of the subject is a result of experience, as well as extensive research and self-education. Since I want to practice residential architecture, I decided to use my Graduate Thesis Project as a tool to research and explore issues related to the design of urban housing.

Therefore, for my Thesis Project I have chosen to design a high-density residential/commercial complex for an artisan's community in Old Town Alexandria. The Project is set to explore these design issues:

1. urban live-work housing community, and how architecture can enhance it;

2. relation of private, public and transitional spaces;

3. pedestrian versus vehicular circulation;

4. modern building materials in the context of historic urban fabric;

5. use of a computer as a design and presentation tool.