David Zúñiga is #SDLivingTheDream: 'A true simulation of real-world architectural practice'
Name: David Zúñiga
Year participated in Solar Decathlon: 2022
University team: University of Arizona
Organization/ employer: Nelsen Partners
Role: Designer
How did participation in the Solar Decathlon affect the trajectory of your career?
Participating in the Solar Decathlon was the most pivotal experience of my undergraduate career. The fast-paced, immersive nature of the design competition was a true simulation of real-world architectural practice. It exposed me to the complexities of synchronizing architectural design, structural engineering and mechanical/passive systems. The competition’s holistic approach to design sharpened my problem-solving and public speaking skills. It reinforced my passion for design that prioritizes sustainability and social equity. I didn't realize it then, but as I reflect on my experience, participating in the competition propelled my skills as an architecture professional.
Describe a work outcome, building project or other achievement you are most proud of and how (if) it relates to your experience with Solar Decathlon.
The attached housing proposal my teammates and I developed for the SD competition, Teacher's Row, included the adaptive reuse of an existing motel. This exercise catalyzed a deeper passion for repurposing existing buildings. As an intern architect at Holly Street Studio in Phoenix, Arizona, I had the opportunity to leverage my experience in the SD competition by contributing to the renovation of the City of Glendale, Downtown Campus Reinvestment Project through the development of an interactive physical model for the project. Reusing existing buildings has remained a fascination and I hope to work on similar projects in the future.
University of Arizona, Attached Housing Team, Teachers' Row: Nicole Peterson, Sofia Raffaeli, Jesus Nava, David Zúñiga, with two grade-school teachers from a local school district. "There is a short story behind this photo," David says. "As we were waiting in the lobby before heading out from the hotel on the day of our presentation, the two women seen in the photo approached us and asked about the interesting model I had in my hands. My team and I described the model and how our project was aimed at providing affordable housing for teachers in the Tucson, AZ school district and it just so happened that both of these women were retired school teachers from a local school district and were at the Marriott hotel to attend a district teacher conference! That seemed like a crazy coincidence so our professor Jonathan Bean captured this photo of us. Another fun fact: the University of Arizona teams took home the grand prize for our physical model exhibition, which included that model seen in the photo."