Sumaq Wasi
su:mæk wa.si beautifulhome
Sumaq Wasi, in Quechua, the language of the Incas, means beautiful home. This portfolio pays tribute to my heritage, and is a collection of the projects and teachings that I have acquired throughout my time in undergrad.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO GRADUATE 24’
“Architecture has the power to change lives. As an aspiring architect, I strive to explore the potential of vernacular design in the form of affordable housing for marginalized communities. Challenging the current notion of architecture for the elite, these sustainable solutions will nurture resilient communities and address the current housing crises and environmental challenges that developing countries, such as my own, face today.”
+1 416 435 0677 antonio.vergara@utoronto.ca
From Lima, Peru Residing in Toronto, ON
EDUCATION
University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty BA (Hons). Architectural Studies
+ Graduate with High Distinction
+ GPA: 3.76
+ Minor in Human Geography
+ Certificates in Sustainability & Global Studies
EXPERIENCE
Infrastructure Planning, University of Toronto Design Assistant
AGBU Innovation Studios
Architecture & Digital Fabrication Coach
Mallol Arquitectos
Architectural Intern
Larkin Architects
Architectural Intern
Toronto, ON 2020 - 2024
Toronto, ON May 2024 - Present
Toronto, ON March 2024 - Present
Panama City, Panama May 2023 - August 2023
Toronto, ON July 2022 - September 2022
SKILLS
Software
Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper, V-Ray, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Adobe PremierePro, AutoCAD, Revit, ArcGIS
Model Making
Laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC milling, Casting, Woodworking (Bandsaw, Tablesaw)
Languages English Spanish French Native Mother tongue Working Proficiency
Sanctuary 01
Protectionorsafeplace.
Adaptability 02
Beingabletoadjusttonewconditions.
Waves 03
Movementwithanundulatingmotion.
Duality 04
Aninstanceofcontrastbetweentwoconcepts.
Habitat 05
Thenaturalenvironmentofalivingbeing.
Housing 06
Housesandapartmentsconsideredcollectively
Campus 07
Thegroundsofauniversity.
Leading a proposal to build new student housing for the University of Toronto campus, this stateof-the-art residence becomes a sanctuary of green areas, sports courts and gathering spaces that foster community and improve the mental health and well-being of 350 students. In terms of its architecture, the project explores the themes of public engagement and circulation, the duality of solid and void, and the aggregation of units. Furthermore, the addition of an adjustable louvered facade empowers students to adapt their units to their liking by tailoring views, natural light and enhancing privacy, while also giving a sense of dynamism to the design. The building features three large atriums in the form of voids, created from the subtraction of units. These accomodate a cafeteria, library, and a vertical garden with ample terraces to enjoy the views of downtown Toronto.
The form of this building was achieved through the aggregation and subtraction of units. The units were initially stacked to create a solid, and then subtracted from the massing, leaving voids in the building that would organically serve as social programming. Finally, the building was elevated on pilotis and surrounded by the envelope.
site plan ground floor plan
Students in the eastern cafeteria atrium can enjoy overlooking onto the beautiful Philosopher’s Walk, a passageway transformed from a previously existing ravine below; residents in the southern garden terrace can enjoy views of downtown Toronto; to the west we find Devonshire Place, and to the north Varsity stadium.
The building is elevated on pilotis to allow for a free circulation of pedestrians on the ground level. As such, this open-concept ground floor layout allows students walking between classes to traverse the site with ease while the cantilevers protect the U of T community from rain and snow during Toronto’s crude winters.
Inspired by Kengo Kuma’s Grand Morillon residence, each unit features a manually-adjustable louvered facade which allows for the regulation of natural light, views, and privacy to the students’ desire.
This mechanism also transforms the overall envelope of the building, providing movement and an element of randomness to an otherwise static facade. To provide ample and flexible living space, each single-bedroom unit includes an ensuite washroom, a walk-in closet and a built-in desk.
The massing model for this project depicts the adjustable louvered facade and pilotis made out of basswood dowels. We can see less density of the louvers in the three atrium areas of the building allowing for increased natural light and views in these communal gathering areas. Moreover, the rooftop garden receives increased sunlight and fresh air - two aspects proven to improve the mental health and well-being of students.
Adaptability
INTERACTIVE LIBRARY | AZIZA CHAOUNI ARC465: DESIGNING FOR THE 99% FALL 2023 | ACADEMIC | COLLABORATORS: TEJ DHILLON
In partnership with Lamalif, an NGO that supports the educational development of children within impoverished regions of Morocco, an adaptable bookshelf furniture was designed as a solution to the limited space and lack of furniture to store books in local schools. The design encourages reading and other student activities by engaging with students in a fun and innovative way. Inspired by the accordion, the Qira’a (Arabic for reading), is able to expand and compress depending on its use and environment, creating a unique interior space. As such, it can be placed in interior environments with more limited space as well as in exterior conditions given its resistant, transluscent waterproof material. Replicating the vernacular Moroccan architecture, the colourful arch design empowers the local community by representing the rich heritage of their culture, while also providing a creative solution that successfully meets their needs.
This study space within the University of Toronto’s downtown campus embodies light, openness, and flow. Inspired by the concept of waves, an organic form was developed to contrast the rigidity of the conventional rectilinear buildings that exist on campus. Creating a sense of motion and flow, students are invited to explore this eccentric design while studying, researching and reading. The building consists of five floors connected by stairs and bridges, with an outer shell supported by columns. The interior features an open-concept layout with vast natural light from the side openings and large skylight above.
Inspired by the free-form properties of waves, the form was reached by drawing a series of NURBS curves which were then converted to 3D by using the loft command. Then, the contour function was used to further segment the form into additional surfaces. Finally, some of these surfaces were removed to allow natural light to enter the building. The concept model allows us to fully visualize and grasp the unique form of the building. concept
Aninstanceofcontrastbetweentwoconcepts..
SCISSOR HOUSE CAROL MOUKHEIBER ARC361: ARCHITECTURE STUDIO III FALL 2022 ACADEMIC KENSINGTON MARKET
After investigating the precedent of Tadao Ando’s Row House, students were given a narrow site within the high-density neighbourhood of Kensington Market in Toronto. The Scissor House responds to its context by integrating both a private residence and a street-food restaurant within the same space. Given the limited area available, the concept of scissor staircases is implemented in order to maximize the floor space, natural light, and views for the residents and customers alike. As such, both parties share each floor of the house, while still maintaining a sense of privacy and duality that the clients require. Furthermore, through a light-shadow study, a skylight penetrating the whole building and a series of adjustable flaps were created to maximize natural light flowing into the spaces, while still maintaining a sense of privacy from the bohemian neighbourhood.
This diagram depicts the concept of scissor staircases - two interlocking stairways providing two separate paths of circulation located within one stairwell enclosure. Scissor stairs are particularly effective at reducing the floor area required for circulation and save on the cost of building two distinct stair enclosures. scissor staircases
The house successfully blends into the landscape given its opaque concrete finishes and low height due to regulations of the area, while also representing a beacon for modernity in a neighbourhood filled with traditional architecture and masonry facades. The lowerlevel adjacent to the street opens up as a bar/ delivery booth, integrating the public with the private and inviting the Kensington Market residents to try the food.
Thenaturalenvironmentofalivingbeing.
PROJECT LLAMA CLAIRE ZIMMERMAN ARC451: ANIMALS, ARCHITECTURE, ECOSYSTEMS FALL 2023 ACADEMIC SOUTHERN US
Large packs of llamas and alpacas, originally from the Andean region of Peru, have recently been displaced around various regions of the globe to face adverse climates. In response to the growing stress and hyperthermia that llamas and alpacas endure due to excessive heat and humidity of the Southern US region, Project Llama seeks to provide a shelter for these displaced animals that find themselves battling for survival. This architectural intervention is successful in creating a new habitat that features abundant cooling techniques proven to be effective. Inspired by the vernacular hacienda-style architecture of the South, the building is able to generate a microclimate through passive cooling system composed of thick clay walls for insulation, high ceilings, small louvered windows and rotating doors allowing for cross-ventilation. The lush vegetation, interior courtyard with a pool, drinking and shearing stations also directly benefit these animals.
This isometric drawing shows the interaction between animals and building. It shows how llamas and alpacas can use the space, creating a new habitat away from home. It also depicts the successful integration of vernacular hacienda-style architecture with a modern twist. vernacular architecture
While developing this project, a website was created to share the ways in which Project Llama is working towards improving the quality of life of these animals, and future projects in the works! Check out: https://sites.google.com/view/projectllama. website
Seven different stations have been identified within the layout of this architectural intervention. They serve the purposes of cooling, shearing, drinking, feeding, moving, and resting. floor plan
Housesandapartmentsconsideredcollectively.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING REZA NIK ARC200: DRAWING AND REPRESENTATION II FALL 2021 ACADEMIC FINCH HYDRO CORRIDOR
In an effort to combat Toronto’s current housing crisis, a series of affordable housing interventions were designed to meet the requirements of the Yellowbelt - an area of land designated as suburban neighbourhoods by the City of Toronto that prevents high-density development. Focusing on the Finch Hydro Corridor, a neighbourhood to the north of Toronto, a series of roof additions were proposed as rental units for each single-family detached house. These units follow their respective roof typologies to stay in line with the architecture of a typical suburban North American nieghbourhood. Furthermore, these units receive vast amounts of sunlight, are adjacent to green spaces and are located at a close proximity to Toronto’s Line 1 subway. This intervention would generate a positive return to the local economy as the owners would make profit while renting at an affordable price for students and young professionals alike.
Above, I researched and studies the four roof typologies that exist within the Finch hydro corridor: hip, gable, mixed and flat roofs. In order to increase density due to the growing demand of affordable housing in Toronto, a framework of adding modular and sustainable roof additions was proposed.
These roof additions would be privately and independently accessible from a secondary entrance on the sides of the homes, would harness solar energy given the vast sunlight they receive, and would have easy access to the surrounding natural areas. This low-cost solution would also create interesting pockets within Toronto’s urban fabric where diverse lives and stories converge. roof typologies
Thegroundsandbuildingsofauniversity.
MALLOL ARQUITECTOS PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP SUMMER 2023 PANAMA CITY | COLLABORATOR: KENNY VALDESPINO
The INADEH (National Institute of Professional Training for Human Development) is a college in Panama that aims to nurture, educate and develop young professionals with technical skills and applicable capacities to prepare them for the workforce. It mainly tailors to lower income sectors of the population given its location in an impoverished sector called Tocumen, in the outskirts of Panama City. As part of the Comprehensive Transformation and Improvement Plan, INADEH commissioned Mallol Arquitectos, a leading architectural firm of the region, to develop a new masterplan for the campus. Working alongside the design team of Mallol, helped with 3D modeling of the masterplan on Rhino, particularly with the canopy design and entrance guardhouse. On a smaller scale, I developed a series of recyclable kiosks for students to sell their products made in their courses, and parametric benches to be placed all across the campus.
eco-friendly kiosks
In order to reduce their carbon footprint and make their campus eco-friendly, the clients required that several furniture pieces were made from recyclable materials. As such, both the kiosk and benches were designed using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) - sheets made by compressing recycled plastic.
The bench design was achieved through changing parameters of a simple Grasshopper script. Here, we can see two prototypes for benches and a prototype for a front desk, also made out of HDPE sheets outsourced from Clandestino Labs. parametric benches
thank you. gracias. yusulpayki.