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Nicholas Best Architect

@n.bestarchitect

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“When in doubt shoot for EXCELLENCE” - Kothke

The Bands Housing Complex -
The Bands is a 46-unit affordable housing project in downtown Phoenix, just west of ASU. Designed around an existing pedestrian path, the project creates a shaded central passage that connects housing, community, and the city.

Offset bands shape the building, create privacy between units, and form shared spaces for residents. In response to Phoenix’s harsh sun, open-air circulation, wood screens, overhangs, and limited east/west windows help provide shade, airflow, and comfort.

With a simple palette of concrete, CMU, kelbonized wood, and black metal, The Bands focuses on affordability, durability, and climate-responsive design. Solar panels, passive strategies, and shared spaces come together to create housing that is efficient, attainable, and community-focused. by @n.bestarchitect

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5 months ago

ARC 301 FINAL REVIEW:
“Saving the best for last” - Eddie by @n.bestarchitect

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10 months ago

ARC 202 FINAL REVIEW by @n.bestarchitect

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a year ago

ARC 401 P1 Pre-Design

A nice way to start the semester with a site analysis of this semester’s project, CAPLA South. Shoutout to @logankyger and @ethandoudna for great work in this group project. by @n.bestarchitect

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More than just a summer internship…

I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work under Bill Mackey with the Drachman Institute this summer on a civic design project in Willcox, Arizona.

While I can’t show much yet, this experience taught me more than I could have imagined. From leading project meetings with clients and visiting the site, to developing the design and learning about the real world costs and processes behind a building, I was able to experience the architectural process from beginning to end.

Being able to take a project from an initial concept through design development and presentation gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to practice architecture.

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be continuing this position with the Drachman Institute throughout the fall semester, where I’ll be focusing on a large-scale master plan. by @n.bestarchitect

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2 months ago

a little bit of this, a little bit of that… by @n.bestarchitect

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6 months ago

It’s not the pursuit of happiness. It’s the happiness of pursuit.

ARC 302 – Module C: Affordable Housing Massing

I am excited to present the final massing for this affordable housing project, designed to support a community of approximately 80 residents. The program includes a ground floor with a mix of public and private amenities that encourage interaction and daily living.

The massing responds to passive design strategies, including solar orientation for daylighting, green roofs to support microclimates, and open circulation that allows natural air movement through the building. Balconies are arranged so each unit has its own outward view rather than facing directly into another unit’s patio, helping create privacy while maintaining openness. While there is still work ahead, this massing establishes a strong foundation for the project. by @n.bestarchitect

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7 months ago

It’s not the pursuit of happiness. It’s the happiness of pursuit.

Arc 302: Downtown Phoenix Site Model
Group project defining the site of our next studio project, affordable housing complex.

#architecture #capla #design #architect #modelmaking by @n.bestarchitect

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8 months ago

New year, new semester, same mission.

ARC 302: Module A by @n.bestarchitect

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9 months ago

The art of design…

#architecture #design #capla #architect #arch #timelapse #modelmaking by @n.bestarchitect

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a year ago

Took the E off of emotion and been on go ever since…

Module D: Echos of the Desert Performance Arts Center. This theater was created using a 36,000 foot program and houses 3 Theaters. A wide fan, an outdoor amphitheater, and a black box theater. by @n.bestarchitect

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a year ago

The distance between insanity and genius is only measured by success

Module C: Site Mapping
Tumamoc Hill, Tucson AZ
This site mapping of Tumamoc Hill in Tucson highlights the area’s terrain and geological character through a series of layered drawings. Ten-foot contour intervals trace the steep slopes and capture the dramatic rise of the landscape, while a geological overlay distinguishes the different bedrock types found across the site. To better understand elevation changes, section cuts are drawn every 100 feet, their hatched patterns giving a clear sense of slope and ground conditions. A zoomed-in circle emphasizes the immediate project area, showing how existing buildings, roads, and circulation routes sit in contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. At the bottom of the sheet, a full geological section reveals the stratification of the hill, exposing the depth and variety of rock layers beneath the surface. Together, these diagrams build a layered reading of Tumamoc Hill, tying surface features to the geology below and framing the site within its broader natural context. by @n.bestarchitect

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a year ago