We do quality work from the beginning of concept design to construction administration.

Founded in 2009 upon graduating from Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation. We like to touch and make most everything we design. From self-built shacks made from reclaimed agrarian structures to objects made with chewing gum or human hair, our methodology is very tactile, very hands-on, and very DIY.

We seek out projects that encourage material and spatial experimentation. Much of our built work is constructed by us—allowing design and construction to inform each other. This includes a series of rural structures in South Carolina where McDowell acted as designer and builder, allowing much of the design to emerge directly from the materials at hand. If we cannot build the projects ourselves, we deploy Building Information Modeling to construct precise, virtual buildings prior to construction in effort to minimize uncertainty.

While small buildings and objects are the core component of our work, mcdowellespinosa started with an urban design project called Water Fuel: The Plan for a Self-Sustaining New York. Initially a research project at Columbia University, Water Fuel earned first place in the Self-Sufficient City competition sponsored by the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. We continue to develop speculative visions for future cities in projects like City of Blubber and Drift City. Our work continously examines material transformations at all scales from object to building to city.

Founded: 2009

Work Terms

Based out of Brooklyn, NY and Charlottesville, VA we are happy to collaborate with you remotely on your design project.