Architecture Portfolio : Xavier Aguon

XA

Xavier Aguon

Architecture Student

Contact

✉ aguon.xavier@gmail.com �� (619)-495-2838

Professional Goal

A full-time, entry-level position in a design oriented firm engaged with sustainability.

Achievements

• 2024 AIA Central Coast - Design Citation

Granted for excellence in the design and presentation of undergraduate thesis work, “Terracycle, Making of Earth”

• 2023 Vellum Furniture Design Competition “Satellite of Love Book Award”

Awarded in recognition of exceptional design of my furniture piece, “Grounded”

College of Architecture and Environmental Design Dean’s List for Fall 2019 - Current

• President’s Honor List 2020 - Current (3.5 GPA or above)

Education

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

• Bachelor of Architecture

• Minor in Sustainable Environments

Minor in Real Property Development

Expected graduation, June 2024

GPA: 3.94

South Korea Study Abroad (Apr - Jun 2023)

• Studied South Korean architecture, religion, and culture

• Designed a religious complex in Insa-dong, Seoul

• Enriched global thinking and developed cross-cultural competency

Experience

domusstudio architecture - San Diego, CA

Summer Internship: (Jul - Sep 2022)

• Developed construction drawings for an outdoor pavilion

Designed and proposed to clients a sacristy room renovation

Studied a project’s phases of design and construction in an outlined report

High School Internship: (January, 2019)

• Designed and developed an independent project

• Revised redlines on drawings sets and plans

• Wrote a report on fire safety and code

Skills

3d Modeling

• Revit, Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper

Graphics

• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Hand Drafting, Sketching

Platforms

Windows and MacOS Operating Systems, Microsoft Office, Google Drive/Docs

Other

• Woodwork, Metalwork, Water Color

Extracurricular Clubs

National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAS) Multiracial Students Association

• Pilipino Cultural Exchange

• Music Production Union

Interests

• Musician / Open Mic Kickboxing Model making

Project 1

Project 2

Grand Canopy Undulation

Project 3

Project 4

Terracycle Making of Earth

Studio Clifford

Senior Architectural Design Project Spring 2024

Project Description

This project seeks to leverage the material and biological aspect of ‘earth’ to promote a more culturally resonant and sustainable architecture. The project approaches this goal by using earth as both a building material and a means of supporting building functions. The project can be separated into three areas:

(1) earthen housing

(2) industrial composting

(3) plant nursery

Each of these elements are meant to be integrated with one another, purposefully engaging the user with earthen material. Through this integration, various applications and activities occur across the site: exporting of finished compost, housing made of earth, storing of runoff into underground aquifers, planting of crops and vegetation, and composting of organic material.

Exporting

The housing element of the project makes use of the constructible aspect of earth. Exterior walls and flooring are composed of earthen materials. The exterior facade is a slurry of dirt, seeds, water, compost, and a binding agent. The growth of vegetation on the housing holds the wall together through its roots. Overtime, the walls will deteriorate but will be ‘repaired’ through continual maintenance.

Users will have direct exposure to a process of industrial composting. Conveyor belts intersect throughout the site, visually signifying the production process of compost. Massive compost towers are interspersed throughout as visual landmarks. The towers themselves are capable of producing tons of compost monthly. Aerated compost vessels are also utilized and are positionally located in the center of the site.

Housing

Compost Conveyor

Packed Dirt Bags for Export

Underground Aquifer

Maturing Compost Pile

An important aspect of the composting process is its significant output of thermal heat. Temperatures can rise to 150 degrees F (66 degrees C) during the composting process. This heat is a result of microbial activity, wherein aerobic bacteria give off energy as they break down organic material. Coiled heating pipes which wrap around the heating towers collect and transfer this heat. A radial floor heating system within the housing units recycles the compost heat.

Plant nurseries provide life to the site. Utilizing the produced compost, various drought tolerant trees, plants, and succulents are grown throughout. An array of plant containers, suspended trees, and vertical farming provide opportunities to interact, perceive, and engage with soil at a tactile level.

Planting Storing

Composting

Hanging Tree Container

Vertical farming containers

Moveable planting containers

Compost Tower

Las Vegas, NV

Coiled Heating Pipes Footing-Leg Connection

Compost Tower Physical Model

Woven Lattace Infill

Rigid Insulation

Steel

Plaster Wall Steel Structure Earth

Planted Stonecrop Succulents

South Facing Louvered Scaffolding

Linseed Oil Finish

1” Earth Mortar

4” Earth Aggregate Base

4” Cork Board Insulation

Corrugated Steel Decking

Wide Flange Beam (Primary Structure)

Section

Plant seed, water, earth sediment, and compost slurry

Infill Slurry Finished Earth Facade

Growth of seeds within soil Natural deterioration of soil

Suspended Orchard

Material Study

An exploration of the spatial and formative properties of earthen material, these physical design charrettes explore applications of clay slip. Clay is defined as soft, loose, earthy material containing particles with a grain size of less than 4 micrometers. Clay slip is a liquefied suspension of these clay particles in water.

A series of complex geometries served as bases on which clay slip could be applied atop of. The following models exhibit the potentials of earthen material in adapting to irregular and involuted forms. The voronoi structure was fabricrated utilizing a 3D printer while the garden tray inserts were obtained from a commercial vendor. The forms were chosen for their unique geometries and conceivable performance potentials.

These pieces could be viewed as models of ceramic technology wherein their materiality and form could allow for environmental responsiveness. For instance, the models below could acclimatize to local temperatures through passive shading and cooling techniques and dampen heat grain through ceramic use. Their forms could protect from wind abrasion while also filtering and funneling cool air. Furthermore, the physical properties of clay material allow it to absorb a considerable amount of moisture. By allowing wind to flow through these forms, hot air could potentially be cooled as it flows along the damp surfaces, creating a form of “swamp cooler”.

Clay Slip Experiments

Voronoi Structure

Grounded is a furniture piece investigating the tactile and structural aspects of soil. Two additives were included in the chair’s mixture: (1) gypsum which acts as a flocculator helping to solidify the clay and (2) coffee grinds providing color and smell. At the end of the chair’s life-cycle, these elements can sustainably return back to the earth. Once returned, the two additives will enhance soil composition. Gypsum provides soil structure, improves drainage, adds nutrients, improves compaction, and reduces metal toxicity. Coffee grinds act as a composting agent providing plants with nitrogen fertilizer, improves soil structure, and works as a natural pesticide.

Coffee Grinds

Clay Sediment

Gypsum

Studio Goodwin

Architectural Design 3.2 Spring 2022 Academic

This project seeks to provide a unique space for the under privileged individuals within our society. Homelessness has been a pervasive issue within our urban centers. Skid Row is emblematic of this disastrous yet very real problem. In recognition of a unique opportunity to create meaningful change on a societal level, the project challenges how architecture can positively address this problem. The project itself works to utilize performance, nightlife, and entertainment as a means of uniting the arts district and skid row. Entertainment will serve as a catalyst to bridge the gap between the chronically homeless and the general population.

The project can be broken into three main parts: residential tower, concert hall, and subterranean performance spaces. Being located in the arts district, the project seeks to embody and give back the creative energy inherent to the city. Performative spaces showcase the music culture found in the neighborhood. The housing tower is pushed against the southern boundary of the site to provide direct solar access to residents while simultaneously affording more daylight to surrounding buildings. The roof of the housing tower also takes advantage of southern exposure through integrated photovoltaics. Furthermore, the resident tower can also take advantage of southern winds for cross-ventilation.

Enlarged Concert Hall Section

Concert Hall

Canopy Plan

Smart Rail

Bubblevator

Arroyo Recreo Section

Moveable Weir

Arroyo Recreo

Canopy Runoff Studio Reich

Grand Canopy

The Grand Canopy is a symbolic structure representing a sustainable future. This project seeks to revitalize the Cal Poly’s campus through its multi-functional purpose.

A space frame structure will be erected upon the existing Performing Arts Center parking garage. This particular area currently exists a node of importance yet is underwhelming in appearance. The addition of the Grand Canopy will enhance the face of the campus.

The Canopy will also provide immense energy to the campus grid. The roof will be completely covered in south sloping photovoltaics. These will be coupled with photovoltaic louvers along the SW and SE facades.

The projects seeks to embrace water as in important resource. Water from the Canopy will be directed along its gutter system into a below-grade water reservoir. Once it has reached capacity it can will be released through a controlled system.

The Canopy is complimented with the addition of the Arroyo Recreo. As a landscape intervention, rainfall runoff from the canopy willl be directed into an artificial channel. Slowing down the pace of the runoff, landscaped vegetation will naturally purify the water.

Below-Grade Water Reservoir

Water Catchment Basin

Xavier Aguon | Cave Studio | Fall 2022

Photovoltaic Panel

Aluminum Extrusion Rail (Quaternary)

Guters

Corugated Steel Deck (Tertiary)

Drainage Sprinkler

Galvanised Steel Channel Beam (Secondary)

Space Frame Truss (Primary)

3/4”

Photovoltaic Louver (standard)

Photovoltaic Louver (white glass fronted)

Collar Wall-Roof Space Frame Bracing

Grand Canopy Roof

Grand Canopy Exploded Roof

Copper

Copper Guter

Threaded Rod

Bolt, Nut, Washer Fastner

The primary structural system of the Grand Canopy is an independent steel space frame. The structure is simplified into an 8x8 grid. The roof and the louvered facades follows this grid pattern creating 64 roof panels and 32 facade columns.

The space truss provides grounded connections along the perimeter of the building with exceptions along the SE facade. In certain areas the space truss vears away from existing Coast Redwood coniferous trees, providing clearance for future growth. The space frame also makes connections between intermediary light wells in the center of the garage. The structure is further supported by connecting directly to the parking garage with column colars.

The SW and SE facades are made up of photovoltaic panels, each slightly tilted and angled towards the south to optimize efficiency. This tilt is accomplished by a intermediary structure between the space frame and the panels.

The roof of the Grand Canopy serves multiple functions. One, it provides surface area for south facing photovoltaics. Each panel is lifted to provide airflow underneath the panels in order to cool and prolong the lifetime of the photovoltaics. A gutter system is then integrated underneath the panels which direct water towards the Arroyo Recreo

Coast Redwoods

Space Frame Wall (Primary)

Facade System (Secondary)

Space Frame Truss (Primary)

Galvanised Steel Channel Beam (Secondary)

Corugated Steel Deck (Tertiary)

Aluminum Extrusion Rail (Quaternary)

Photovoltaic Panel

Xavier Aguon | Cave Studio

Within the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco, CA lies the Mission Creek Channel. The creek is an abnormality in an otherwise highly dense area of the city. Surrounded by a dense mass of urban development, the channel provides an opportunity to provide housing and public spaces.

Within the creek sits an existing community of houseboats. This project seeks to provide an additional nineteen houseboats. In collaboration with my architecture studio, each of my peers designed a houseboat. These houseboats were then arranged within a designed houseboat community.

In connecting an otherwise private community, the houseboats are juxtaposed with a public pedestrian bridge spanning over the Mission Creek. The ends of the bridge connect to a waterside board walk, kayake launch, and community common area.

The houseboat is composed of a curved Glulam structural system. As an homage to the undulating movement of waves, the beams bend outwards, offering support to an overhanging roof. Users are offered a unique experience living on a floating house, watching water reflections bounce off of the ceiling. A green roof filters water runoff as before entering the creek.

Studio Brockett

Contributors

Serena Ang, Mariah Boche, Sid Bokka, Victor Cheung, Diana Gonzalez, Alex Johnson, Garrett Kennedy, Honoka Kishino, Rachel Leong, Tori McLaughlin, Drew Metz, Molly Mulvihill, Katherine Nguyen, Zoe Paris, Ron Patanavin, Miguel Perez, Megan West, Erin Wong