Located in Seocheon, South Korea, The Ecoplex ecological park is a government led initiative to preserve the natural environment of the region and to create a national hub to gather a variety of ecologically valuables for advanced research. Prior to the construction of the site, the Korean government commissioned a design competition for the Ecoplex and its various facilities. Because of this, throughout the park one could see the culmination of many different designs from many different architecture firms. Within the Ecoplex (and pictured above) is the Ecorium. The Ecorium was designed by Grimshaw Architects, and is the most notable structure in the park. The Ecorium houses not only many different species of plants but also many different climates / biomes used to support the health of those species. According to the architecture firm, the different climates in the Ecorium range from lush tropical rainforest all the way to polar environments and everywhere in between. The Explex was finished in 2013 and since then has received thousands of visitors and critical acclaim for their scientific research.

Shanghai Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Pudong, Shanghai, China, that is part of the Shanghai Disney Resort. Much like the Disney resorts that can be found throughout the U.S, the Shanghai Disneyland Park features several different themed parks that are inspired by Disney’s films, cartoons, etc. The themed areas include: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land. Pictured above is the arching ETFE canopy that welcomes patrons to the Tomorrowland park. This canopy was designed by the Grimshaw Architecture firm, and is one of the largest installations / attractions to the park. The curving paths of the canopy are inlaid by a diverse collection of native plants that create a very unique and otherworldly landscape which truly allows the park goers to be immersed in the theme of the park.

The Eden Project is the largest botanical garden in the world. Located in Cornwall, UK the garden is deemed a scientific experiment for its use of highly innovative technology to create different climates for the various species of plant found inside. The project was established by Tim Smit and designed by Nicholas Grimshaw and his firm, Grimshaw Architects. The project was started in the late 1990s and opened its doors in March 2001 with the first two (of 4) phases fully finished. The project itself lays on 23,000 SQ M and the most notable structures in the property are the large geodesic domes invented by Buckminster Fuller U.S. These domes were inspired through nature and are the most effective way to contain the different microclimates. Since its opening, the project has attracted over 13 million visitors, and contributed over $1 billion to the Cornish economy. 

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science began as a junior museum of Miami in 1949. Since its inception, the museum has undergone many different renovations to accommodate for their numerous expansions. With help from the Grimshaw Architect firm, The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum was designed to bring together an aquarium, planetarium, and science museum all in a single complex in downtown Miami, Florida’s Museum Park. The complex is comprised of four different buildings, each specifically and dynamically designed to take advantage of wind, rain, and sunlight to produce or mitigate the energy needs of the complex. The prevailing winds from the south west are used to cool the building, with use of wind foils and open atriums. Fitted on the roof of the complex are solar panels that are used to fill a portion of the energy demands of the facility.  Due to these sustainable and efficient design features the Museum was awarded LEED-certification, and opened with critical acclaim in May 2017. 

Over the summer, my family and I had the opportunity to go to Lebanon where our ancestors immigrated from in the 1920s. We were the first of our family to ever return to Lebanon and see where our family originally lived in Zahle, Lebanon. After a cool day of touring around we eventually headed to Baalbek which is most known for the Temple of Jupiter. These ancient Roman ruins are among the largest in the world and dates back to circa 16 BC. The design and attention to detail in every piece of stone really stood out to me as well as the functionality and endurance of the architecture despite multiple civil wars occurring around the monument. Our day spent at the temple is something that I will never forget and it works to tie together our Lebanese heritage. 

Since 1912 Fenway Park has been home to the Boston Redsox. Located near Kenmore Square is Boston, Massachusetts, it is one of the oldest and most notable ballparks in the MLB. Over the years the park has undergone massive renovations including the addition of the infamous “Green Monster”, a large 37.2 foot high left field wall. When people think of Fenway, they think of the “Green Monster”. Fenway Park is an important place for me not only because I have a passion for Red Sox baseball but also because Boston is where my father went to law school. For two years, my mother, brother and I would get to fly out to see him for weeks at a time and we would always go to Red Sox games. Apart from that, the ballpark itself is extremely immersive and creates a great atmosphere to enjoy a game.

1. Located in Crown Heights, Oklahoma City, Westminster Presbyterian was where I went to elementary school and where my family and I went to church. The outside of the building is not much to write home about however the large double doors lead you into a beautiful chapel where my family and I would celebrate Easter and Christmas almost every year. As far as education, Westminster was one of the best schooling experiences I could have asked for and introduced me to teachers, subjects, and friends I will never forget. 

Located in downtown Oklahoma City, The Chesapeake Energy Arena has served as the home for the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008. Initially named the Ford center from its opening in 2002 later renamed the Chesapeake Energy Arena or “The Peake” in 2010, this arena has been a place for more than 18,000 fans to congregate multiple times a week during the NBA season. To me, this place is the perfect embodiment of Oklahoma City’s passion for athletics and specifically basketball. The electricity in this arena during a playoff basketball game is something that cannot easily be described, even though we are more than likely not going to be able to experience this for a couple of years as the Thunder begins their reboot.  The space inside the arena is very versatile and can be configured to house whatever event is needed. Other than the Thunder, Chesapeake Arena also acts as a concert venue (my first concert), convention center, and civic event hall. Throughout my time growing up in Oklahoma City I’ve seen the city grow exponentially and no other building can represent that better than the Chesapeake Energy Arena.