2019 - 2020 Certificate in University Teaching 2019 - 2020 Bachelor of Civil Engineering 2019 - 2020 Bachelor of Architecture
Feb. 2024 - Present Architectural Designer David Burke Architects
Nov. 2023 - May 2024 Project Architect Ortega Design
Oct. 2022 - Aug. 2023 Architectural Designer Edge Architects
Feb. 2021 - Jun. 2022 Architectural Designer David Burke Architects
Aug. 2019 - Dec. 2020 Teaching Assistant Syracuse University
-
Jan. 2015 - Jun. 2019
Research
I chose architecture as a career to create unique spaces, but more than a career, it’s my life motivation: To make the next project better than the last. There is no small project, as there is no limit to imagination.
I like to describe myself as a double-facet designer. I have a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and an architecture degree. Therefore, each line I draw is driven by creativity and measured by constructability and feasibility.
During my master’s, I discovered that practicing architecture can not rely on what others are doing. I have researched the conception of sustainable materials and their usage, as well as environmentally driven practices. Designing for the future is a primary objective for my career path.
My career has seen me in roles as a designer and a construction manager, providing me with invaluable experiences and the chance to learn from a diverse team. I am a proactive individual, always seeking new knowledge and eager to share what I’ve learned. I believe in the power of continuous learning and the value of learning from others.
Digital Skills Awards
Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, ArchiCAD, SketchUp
Enscape, V-Ray
Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign SAP 2000, Etabs, ArcGIS, Microsoft Project
Licensure
Eligible to take ARE for NY jurisdiction
Passed exams: Practice Managment
Jun. 2019 Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship
Aug. 2019 International Chapter P.E.O. Sisterhood Scholarship Recipient
Jun. 2014 Graduated with Honors Bachelor of Architecture, University of Guayaquil
Contents Table of
Planning Design Research
Vassar College Libraries
Poughkeepsie, USA, 2021 Architectural Designer at DBA Responsibilities: Report, diagrams, 3D model, rendering.
New Paltz Housing Adaptive Reuse
New Paltz, NY, USA, 2024 Architectural Designer at DBA Responsibilities: DD drawings, 3D model.
The Cottage
Pine Plains, NY, USA, 2024 Architectural Designer at DBA Responsibilities: SD / DD / CD (Revit), presentations, rendering.
Samanes Cultural Center
Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2014 Academic project - BA. of Architecture.
Washington, DC, USA, 2024 Project Arch. at Ortega Design Responsibilities: Diagrams, 3D model.
Interior Design
North Carolina, USA, 2024 Project Arch. at Ortega Design Responsibilities: DD-CD(Revit)
New Mexico, USA, 2024 Arch. Designer at Edge Arch. Responsibilities: 3D, rendering.
Syracuse, NY, USA, 2020 Research Project - MSc. in Architecture.
Food Urbanism
Xiong’an, Hebei, China, 2020 Research Project - MSc. in Architecture. In collaboration with Sena Gokkus. Responsibilities: Research, diagrams, rendering.
The Shape of Water
Oroville, CA, USA, 2020 Research Project - MSc. in Architecture
In collaboration with Ishita Parmar. Responsibilities: Research, 3D model, rendering, diagrams.
Poughkeepsie, NY, USA, 2024
Vassar College Libraries
While doing this study, I found a passionate community that advocates for collaboration, accessibility, and inclusion. Therefore, the study highlights these principles to continue transforming higher education.
Vassar was one of the first colleges in the US to set a revolutionary idea at the time: Give women access to higher education.
Although 160 years seems too recent to have included women as professional degree-eligible recipients, it's also fair to say that the world has changed drastically since then; everyone can easily access a platform to be heard and hopefully understood.
The study underscores the pivotal role of three critical areas in the library: the Archives and Special Collections,
1the collaborative spaces, and a new and inclusive entrance area to the building itself.
During the assessment and programming phase, efficiencies and deficiencies were revealed by understanding the library’s existing condition. These became drivers for the planning phase, which produced three options, each with a distinct level of intervention. These options are potential pathways that will shape the future of the library.
Site Analysis
Location of New Entrance
Collaborative Spaces
Archives and Special Collections
Administrative Spaces
Option 1
New Entry at Archives and Special Collections
Option 1 proposes a new entrance at Archives and Special Collections, servicing the ground floor and located north of Thompson Library within Ingram Library.
This new entrance will not only enhance the visibility and accessibility of the Archives and Special Collections but also create a series of landscape areas, fostering a welcoming and inspiring environment for all visitors.
This option’s main goal is to promote the Archives and Special Collections section by providing an independent location and dedicated access. This ensures that the Archives and Special Collections receive the attention and focus they deserve, reassuring all stakeholders about the proposal’s commitment to this section.
RaymondAvenue
Community
Building
Campus
Gallery at Entrance
Archives and Special Collections Gallery
“ The Town Square”
Option 2
New Entry and Atrium at Ingram
Option 2 consolidates all collaboration activities to make these areas a destination for students and faculty. A key feature of this option is the proposed enlarged atrium as an entrance at this location. This design element not only provides visibility and a center of gravity but also significantly enhances the overall aesthetic of the space.
The main goal of this option is to include new areas for students and faculty to collaborate in a large, open, daylit space. The openness and clarity of the spaces not only make way-finding throughout the library intuitive but also create a user-friendly environment that enhances the overall experience.
Existing mechanical bulkhead to be removed and relocated
New Entrance Atrium Proposed collaborative spaces
Extended Special Collections
Campus “ The Town Square”
Natural Day Lighting
Open spaces for gathering
Vassar
Square”
Atrium
Option 3
New Entry and Atrium at Ingram and Lockwood
Option 3 presents a new atrium that spans between Thompson and Ingram/Lockwood, reaching from campus to Raymond Avenue. This design is not just a ‘link’ between the exterior campus and the main quad, but a welcoming space that embraces both students and the community, making everyone feel a part of the campus.
The atrium will not only promote Archives and Special Collections and serve as a new collaboration hub, but it will also be a place that celebrates its own legacy and future growth. This emphasis on the atrium’s journey will inspire all who use it.
Existing mechanical bulkhead to be removed and relocated
New Entrance Atrium
RaymondAvenue
Proposed collaboration spaces
Extended Special Collections
Campus “The Town Square”
Vassar
Sun Shading
Raymond Avenue
While option 1 is a comprehensive upgrade, its limited scope hinders tangible improvements to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This option, though reserved, may not fully meet the desired goals in these areas.
Option 2, with its focus on the library and college’s goals, is adaptable and flexible. It not only provides a visible street address for Archives and Special Collections but also allows for expansion, ensuring it can meet evolving needs.
Option 3 is the most ambitious proposal, offering a significant intervention to the existing library. This comprehensive approach goes the farthest in achieving the library’s and the college’s goals of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Diversity
Option 1
New Entry at Archives and Special Collections
Option 2
New Entry and Atrium at Ingram
Option 3
New Entry and Atrium at Ingram and Lockwood
New Paltz Housing
New Paltz, NY, USA, 2024
In a way, we have allowed and excused ourselves to have the minor human interaction possible, and isolation is now a possible option. However, quality living is rooted in establishing connections, feeling safe, and belonging.
Why do some places make us feel more attached than others? Is it because of the place itself or the people living there? In my research, I realized that our grandparents’ housing ideal was based on fostering connections within the community.
Healthy social interactions are an ideal that should be considered in housing developments since they are linked to mental health. Therefore, in this housing development, our primary objective is to form a community.
This mixed-use residential is a new ground-up 3-story with residential rental apartments and a first floor with residential amenities and commercial and service uses. The scope of the work leads to getting approval from the Village Planning Board.
The main goal of the building shape is to have a central courtyard that acts as a sponge hub, capturing rainwater and creating a habitat.
The building is conceived as a mass timber construction with a modular prefabricated facade. The module is 12’x12’ for the second and third floors. The retail space is located on the ground floor along side the road, as well as a plaza that serves as a buffer.
At the roof level, looking at the mountains, the green roof functions as a community space and serves as a thermal barrier.
Option 1 - Floor to Ceiling Window Units
Option 2 - Window Units with Different Size
Option 3 - Modular Window Units
Glazing
Analysis
with retail
Glazing options were studied according to required ventilation, daylight, constructability, and aesthetic feel.
Facade
Fiber Cement PanelsLight Color Corrugated Metal Panels
Material Study
Facade with retail spaces
The material for the core atrium on the north facade was studied to contrast the wood siding, which provides a notorious location for access to the lobby.
Dark Color Corrugated Metal Panels
Our design philosophy is centered around integrating nature and community into the housing development. To this end, the building is designed to promote ‘complete street’ practices, ensuring mobility for all users, including pedestrians, bikers, and public transportation users.
Also, the building is strategically connected to the Rail Trail, a key feature that enhances its accessibility and promotes a healthy, active lifestyle.
In addition, the two wings of the building form a courtyard where a smart landscape design takes place: native plantings, no irrigation, and leverages on-site stormwater management systems, such as bio-swales stormwater planters, that maximize infiltration and minimize runoff.
We have also carefully considered passive design strategies to maintain interior comfort while letting daylight in, ensuring that residents and visitors feel comfortable and at ease in our development.
More than just a housing development, the project is a vibrant community hub. Our vision is to create a health and wellness destination that fosters a strong sense of community among residents and visitors.
The building is designed to offer a variety of interior and exterior amenities, including spaces for co-working, social gatherings, and retail. These amenities are strategically placed to encourage interaction and a sense of belonging, further enhancing the building’s role as a community hub.
Outdoor spaces
Co-working spaces
Cottage Pine Plains, NY, USA, 2021
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) encourage us designers to create functional spaces that use less square footage, with energy efficiency as a primary design consideration.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are smaller, independent residential dwelling units located on the same lot as detached single-family homes. Many cities and counties across the US have adopted ADUs into their zoning ordinances to help alleviate the US housing shortage and enable seniors to stay near family.
Given the zoning ordinance restrictions and the client program, this ADU was a design challenge. Therefore, the layout optimizes floor area and daylight. A daylight analysis was done so that the social core benefited from daylight while being energy efficient.
The south-facing glazing facade
frames the social core, which leads to an outdoor connection to the courtyard. The courtyard is delimited by the wings and becomes a flexible space fully integrated with the landscape.
The design process was a collaborative effort, with the clients being presented multiple layouts and exterior options. Their feedback and preferences were integral to the evolution of the design, leading to a concept that met their vision and needs.
This project is from my undergraduate studies. As a personal thought, our initial design steps are as relevant as our most recent ones. At that time, I was contemplating the influence of how a building presents itself to the different user types and how design can facilitate navigation.
The cultural center is located in Samanes Park (“Parque Samanes”) in Guayaquil, Ecuador. This park is the third largest in Latin America and has become an attraction for the city’s younger population.
With a dearth of spaces in the city that encourage cultural expression, the cultural center is a beacon for artistic expression and production, particularly for the younger population, inspiring and motivating them to explore their creativity.
Keeping navigation a first priority, I used axes intersecting at different angles. These circulation axes guide visitors from learning and professional workshops to a library, cinema, exhibits, and galleries.
Whether you’re an artist, a student, or simply enjoying a stroll in the park, the center is designed for easy navigation, allowing you to explore at your own pace and feel a part of our vibrant community.
Outdoor sculpture exhibit
Administration
General Exhibit
Sculpture Exhibit
Workshops
Performance Exhibits
Galleries
Library
Artists Workshops
Teaching Workshops
ADMINISTRATION AND MANTAINANCE
Administration and Maintenance
The volumes on the west side correspond to the area of massive exhibition and art galleries in different levels accessible by ramps. The service and administration are located in the semi basement below the art galleries. The area for massive display ends with an exit to the platforms for sculpture exhibit overlooking the lagoon. Also, from the library located on the upper level the visitors can look down to the exhibits taking place.
Galleries
The volumes on the west side correspond to the area of massive exhibitions and art galleries on different levels accessible by ramps. The service and administration are located below the art galleries.
The area for the massive display ends with an exit to the platforms for the sculpture exhibit overlooking the lagoon.
GALLERIES
Media Library
A library and media library are located above the exhibition area on the third and fourth levels.
The cultural center’s layout is designed with the visitor’s convenience in mind. The spaces are arranged so that visitors can view the exhibits from various vantage points, even if they are not on the exhibit floor.
The library and media library, located above the exhibition area, provide a convenient way to view the general exhibit. Both floors also offer outdoor spaces for a unique view of the sculpture exhibit and lagoon.
On the third and fourth level a library and media library are located above the exhibition area.
The area for massive display ends with an exit to the platforms for sculpture exhibit overlooking the lagoon. Also, from the library located on the upper level the visitors can look down to the exhibits taking place.
The intersection of the volumes distributes the visitor to the different areas, and it is where stairs and elevators are located.
The volumes on the east side constitutes on professional and training workshops. The structural conception was to use self-supporting concrete walls for the workshops. Leaving them as mural displays on the ground floor, conceiving an art display for the park visitors, without entering to the building itself.
Murals under Workshops
Workshops
The intersection of the volumes distributes the visitor to the different areas where stairs and elevators are located.
The volumes on the east side constitute professional and training workshops. The structural conception was to use self-supporting concrete walls for the workshops, leaving them as mural displays on the ground floor, conceiving an art display for the park visitors without entering the building itself.
WORKSHOPS
MURALS UNDER WORKSHOPS
Adaptive Reuse
Washington, DC, USA, 2023
Office and business buildings are sitting vacant in light of the widespread acceptance of remote work. As a result, there is a growing trend of housing developments incorporating co-working spaces.
While some cities have space to continue expanding, denser ones like Washington D.C. may face the prospect of empty buildings in central areas.
The following diagrams were presented to developers, showcasing the potential benefits and outlining solutions for adapting office spaces into residential and mixed-use buildings.
It’s important to note that this initiative is not just about reducing our ecological footprint, but also about demonstrating our unwavering commitment to responsible and forward-thinking urban planning.
1 Original Office Building
Structural 4 Balconies and Terraces
3 Subtraction: Let light and air in
6 Addition of Sqf to Rooftop
Original Program: Business
Proposed Program: Residential, Hospitality and Business
Interior Design
North Carolina and New Mexico, USA, 2021-2023
I have worked remotely for two architecture and interior design firms using collaborative tools like BIM and work-from-home platforms like Microsoft Teams.
My preference for projects with existing condition restrictions is Revit, which enables us to overlay different construction phases, incorporate design iterations within the same base model, and rapidly generate interior render visualizations.
These projects include custom single-family homes and the design of amenities for multifamily housing developments.
Client input was not just a part of the process but a crucial element in selecting finishes and adjusting the overall style.
By sharing a 3D visualization model with clients, we significantly enhanced their feedback, making them feel valued and integral to the project, as they could easily navigate the model.
Existing + Demolition
Existing + New Construction: RCP Furniture Plan
Our Home at Smokey Hollow
Syracuse, NY, USA, 2023
Promoting and serving the public interest is an ethical canon of architectural practice I take pride in following. Creating a sensory-safe design became a key priority, and passive and active design strategies were utilized to achieve Net Zero standards.
Our Home at Smokey Hollow is a 12 ADA unit for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) residents.
The project, submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon (2020), is not just a potential net-zero building. It’s a potential game-changer for the ASD community.
This unique building, designed specifically for ASD residents, earned an honorable mention, showcasing its potential to inspire change and innovation.
One of the reasons I decided to join the competition was the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse and passionate team. This multidisciplinary team, consisting of engineering, landscape design, construction management, and business students, was instrumental in bringing this project to life.
The community the project is for also played a significant role, motivating me to invest time and effort. Families of the upcoming residents asked the developer to build a home for them to give them long-wanted independence, but with a design that acknowledges and caters to the needs of those within the autism spectrum.
The building, Our Home at Smokey Hollow, is located on land northwest of the Baldwinsville School District, 13.3 miles outside Syracuse. The site is an 8-acre green field surrounded by single-family homes, providing residents with a peaceful and scenic environment.
Design Impact
BIOPHILIC
Biophilic Design
Net Zero
Sensory Safe Energy Efficiency
Health and
Wellness
Durability
Our Home at Smokey Hollow project follows the following design drivers and impacts: Conceiving an energy-efficient building that achieves Net Zero, providing a sensory-safe space for people on the Autism spectrum, using design strategies like Biophilic design, choosing durable materials and equipment, and overall promoting health and wellness for the residents.
The building is optimally oriented due south, allowing it to receive full sunlight on December 21st when the sun is lowest in the sky.
The site planning reinforces a sensory experience for the residents without overwhelming them, minimizes road noise, and allows privacy.
Stormwater management measures were taken to retain runoff on-site. Garden beds absorb roof runoff, while grasses absorb runoff from the driveway and parking lot. A bike path, a therapeutic farm, and a greenhouse are a few of the most unique design elements.
The greenhouse allows for horticultural therapy and the growing of cold-tolerant plants like herbs, spinach, and lettuce almost all year round.
The solar panel array mounted on the south-facing roofs will have an angle of 35 degrees, and the 241 panels on the north-facing roofs will have a tilt of 0 degrees. Altogether, the solar system will output 214,710 kWh annually.
The building features a dedicated outdoor air system that provides the inhabitants with 100% outdoor air. The air enters the building via an HRV, which thermally mixes the bathroom exhaust and supply air to temper the incoming air.
Passive Design Strategies
HRV System
Indoor Greenhouse and Vertical Gardens
Design
Sensory Safe
Our design goals were established with a clear focus on creating an affordable, resilient, and efficient net-zero design. These goals were set to meet all the specific requirements of the intended occupants and client, with a particular emphasis on a sensory-safe design to ensure your well-being and comfort.
Residents are empowered with the freedom to choose between retreating and engaging in social interaction. This is why common areas have multiple exits, and nooks are strategically placed within the residential area, offering residents the autonomy to decide their level of interaction.
The design incorporates double-height common areas and circulation spaces to maximize the entry of natural light. This not only reduces the need for artificial lighting but also creates a bright and inviting atmosphere, fostering a sense of comfort and well-being, and encouraging social interaction.
PVC Nest Pavilion
Syracuse, NY, USA, 2020
I was motivated to pursue a master’s degree in architecture because I wondered what knowledge I needed to design for the future. I discovered that there is only one path, and it is through research that we fully embrace the future.
This research project focused on materiality. I realized I had selected project materials without fully understanding their properties, following only conventional wisdom.
I discovered how important it is to thoroughly understand a material, from its fabrication process to its end use, to unlock its unique qualities and potential.
The research objective was to uncover the truth about PVC and creatively apply it to design a pavilion.
The Pavilion idea came from altering the extrusion process to produce pipes in a nonlinear shape. On the pavilion, the resulting pipes are connected by simple fittings on tubular rings at different heights.
Given its lightweight arrangement, the structure will stand on its own. Heat and cold air will circulate and diffuse to expose the material’s functionality clearly.
PVC compound is a versatile material that offers many possible applications. It is used as a pipe material because it is rigid but can also flex under pressure. Also, given its durability and lightweight, it is used for exterior purposes in window and door profiles. To give the qualities mentioned above, PVC resin is mixed with additives that give it plasticity, for example. The manufacturing process of PVC pipes relies on heat and extrusion.
Ohio
North
New
Alaska
Kansas
Utah
Louisiana
Ohio
Michigan
New
Florida
Shandong
Henan
Hubei
Laizhou
Inner
Shaanxi
Shanxi
Oil
Most is used for power production, but the fastest-growing sector is the conversion of coal to a wide range of c
ls. 86% of PVC production in China is based on acetylene, 14% on Eth yle ne Sugar can be an opt ion for a Bio-ethylene production
Product extraction locations in USA and China
Percentage produced by China and USA of world production 2017
China and USA are the major producers of vinyl chloride. PVC is made from the polymerization of vinyl chloride. Most of the countries uses Elylene as feedstock, except for China that mostly uses Acetylene.
Since Hydrocarbons are needed, there is a possibility
Roofing and flooring
Health products
Automotive parts
Signs and displays
Clothing
to employ sugarcane as a derived instead of petroleum oil.
PVC is rigid, but it can also flex under pressure, there42% - Pipes and fittings
PVC is rigid, but it can also flex under pressure, therefore is a ductile material. Also, PVC is resistant to chemicals and alkalis, and water absorption ratio making it durable. Moreover, is a good electrical and thermal insulator. PVC is mixed with compounds and by a extrusion process can be formed into a continuous profile, like PVC pipes. This continuous profile section depending on the die. Currently a PVC-based filament is used for 3D printing in order to make interior and exterior organic shapes (03, 04, 05)
Concrete pipe Coated GFK pipe
Engineering stress (MPa) Engineering stress (MPa)
Two bilayer tubes were tested, the first one a low-carbon steel pipe and a Schedule 80 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe, both specimens were tested under tensile forces to generate stress-strain curves for both specimens. The diagram shows on the elastic range that steel has a higher elastic modulus than PVC. However, PVC exhibits a longer plastic region and therefore higher ductility than the steel.
erosion, material degradation and subsequent loss and/or other service conditions.(Lester, Durability and precursor to accelerated corrosion, Abrasives in sewage result in a mechanical wearing away of the pipe. The to abrade through PVC than concrete and metallic
ratio making it durable. Moreover, is a good electrical and thermal insulator. PVC is mixed with additives to make PVC extrusion process can be formed into a continuous profile, like PVC pipes. This continuous profile can have a different cross die. Currently a PVC-based filament is used for 3D printing in order to make interior and exterior panels with more
Mixture of PVC resin and additives (A) is put into an extruder, The material is gradually melted by turning screws and by heaters arranged along the barrel (B). The compound is then forced into a die (C), which gives the polymer a shape (D) that hardens during cooling.
PVC have large elongations (>100%) because the molecules can stretch out and slide over one another also flex under pressure, therefore is a ductile material. Also, PVC is resistant to chemicals and alkalis, has a low abrasion
solutions.
Water absorption
PVC have large elongations (>100%) because the molecules can stretch out and slide over one another
PVC is a good electrical and thermal insulator because the electrons are all tightly bound
fore is a ductile material. Also, PVC is resistant to chemicals and alkalis, has a low abrasion and water absorption ratio making it durable. Moreover, is a good electrical and thermal insulator. PVC is mixed with additives to make PVC compounds and by a extrusion process can be formed into a continuous
profile, like PVC pipes. This continuous profile can have a different cross section. Currently a PVC-based filament is used for 3D printing in order to make interior and exterior panels with more organic shapes.
Ring 5 D=125 mm
Ring 4 D=125 mm
Ring 3
D= 180 mm
Ring 7
D=125 mm
Ring 6 D=125 mm
Water reservoir for cooler
Ring 2
D= 225 mm
Ring 1
D= 225 mm
Perforations for
Path for pipes
Cool flow
Perforations in rings for fittings
Environment 2: Warm
Environment 1: Cool
Connections at the top
Perforations in rings for fittings
Heat flow in loop
Connections at the bottom Control Board
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
The Pavilion will have two different environments. For that, two shapes are developed, the bigger owe for a warm environment, and the small one for a cold environment.
The structural conceptions for both shapes are the same. The curvilinear extruded PVC pipes will connect to tubular rings by simple fittings. These rings will be at different heights. The different pipe sections that goes from one ring to the other will form one single pipeline.
Connections at the top
Perforations in rings for fittings
For the heat environment the pipelines will work as a loop since they will be connected at the top and bottom. Therefore, it will work as a radiant heating system. For the cold environment the cold air will flow form each pipeline connected at the bottom ring. Both tubular shapes will be connected to a cooler and heating system.
Heat flow in loop
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5 F5
Fitting at ring
Pipe 2
Diffusers
Pipe 1
Xiong’an, China, 2019
Food Urbanism
Pollution
Enforcing building and zoning codes that promote environmentally friendly practices is crucial. Equally important is the need for education to raise awareness about sustainable waste reduction and utilization solutions.
In a previous project, I emphasized the pivotal role of community in ensuring high living standards. This concept of community, when combined with a commitment to a healthy lifestyle and a mindful approach to our environmental impact, forms the cornerstone of a wholesome urban life.
The availability of good-quality water and nutritious food is a key determinant of our ability to maintain this lifestyle.
ization of food production is linked to the distrust of agricultural chemicals.
Therefore, our research focuses on bringing food production into urban areas and composting as a solution to minimize the incoming waste in landfills.
Nevertheless, urban overpopulation and the resulting exponential increase in waste generation make it harder to address the goal of a healthy urban lifestyle.
The other problem resulting from overpopulation is the increase in food needs in urban areas. The industrial-
The city of Xiong’an is the location of our research. Our proposal involves architectural interventions that introduce different typologies of food urbanism, each tailored to the specific land use, composting method, user type, and species grown.
This innovative approach aims to redefine the food production cycle and inspire hope for a more sustainable urban future.
The problematics to overcome with the project are the rated urban growth and its need of food, the necessity minimize the incoming waste to landfills or other waste ment facilities, and the general distrust of China in the trial system that uses agriculture chemicals.
The city plan was divided in residential areas and mixed areas, therefore ithe different typologies of the food chain will follow the land use, method of composting, user and the species grown. The main goal is to include
The waste management law requiring reduce, reuse and Switzerland bans landfilling
The Basel Convention is adopted by 105 states to movement of hazardous waste from one country to another Due to the Basel Convention many countries legislation enlisting waste that can not be
Billion
Tons per year Tons per year
Good such as nylon, rubber and many metals are rationed and recycled to help support the war effort 1940
The waste hirearchy concept is introduced as a waste policy: The importance to reduce waste 1975
The first recycling mill is built in Conshohocken, Pensylvania 1972
The Mobius Loop is introduced as the symbol for Reduce, Reuse,Recycle 1965
Cans are made of recycled aluminium 1964
The waste hirearchy waste policy: The importance The first Conshohocken,
The Mobius Loop is introduced symbol for Reduce, Reuse,Recycle Cans are made of recycled aluminium
ASCE publishes a standard guide to sanitary landfills Good such as nylon, rubber and many metals are rationed and recycled to help support the war effort
The Garwood Load Packer becomes the 1st truck to incorporate a hydraulic compactor 1938 ASCE publishes a standard guide to sanitary landfills 1959
invented
The most used resin for plastic bags (low density propylene) is developed
The Garwood Load Packer becomes the 1st truck to incorporate a hydraulic compactor
Dumpsters are invented
The most used resin for plastic bags (low density propylene) is developed
The production of plastic tripled due to war, public funding,and the material's versality
The most used resin for plastic bottles (high density polyethylene) was invented IBM 650 is the first mass produced computer Chester Carlson develops the xerography process
Chester Carlson develops the xerography process
The production of plastic tripled due to war, public funding,and the material's versality
The most used resin for plastic bottles (high density polyethylene) was invented IBM 650 is the first mass produced computer
PET is often used in beverage and food containers Motorola was the 1st company to mass produce the 1st handheld mobile phone
PET is often used containers
Motorola was the produce the 1st 1953
Due to the Basel Convention many countries pass legislation enlisting waste that can not be imported 1992 The waste management law is promulgated in Japan requiring reduce, reuse and recycle (3R) Switzerland bans landfilling
The Basel Convention is adopted by 105 states to stop movement of hazardous waste from one country to another 1989
hirearchy concept is introduced as a importance to reduce waste
first recycling mill is built in Conshohocken, Pensylvania
as the
used in beverage and food the 1st company to mass 1st handheld mobile phone
China, India and Pakistan are importing waste
A waste sorting technology is developed in France called MIR
How much of MSW is organic waste?
Do you practice composting? 3%
Do you practice composting? 3%
lb / capita per day
The problematics to overcome with the project are the accelerated urban growth and its need of food, the necessity to minimize the incoming waste to landfills or other waste treatment facilities, and the general distrust of China in the industrial system that uses agriculture chemicals.
The city plan was divided in residential areas and mixed used areas, therefore ithe different typologies of the food urbanism chain will follow the land use, method of composting, type of user and the species grown. The main goal is to include food production in the daily life of the habitants and to build a concept of a food produc-
Current Master PlanProposed
In April 2017, China announced the establishment of Xiong’an New Area, spanning three counties in Hebei Province. The area acts a “core region” that contains economic, social and cultural features. It is meant to ease the pressure on Beijing, the capital.
The Building code doesn’t allow, for example high-rise buildings and encourages mid rise buildings with courtyards. The relation between buildings and public spaces define the characteristic of the city.
Although the current master plan provides wetland access areas, it should be taken in consideration the pollutants present, since this location was once a farm an agriculture area. Therefore, it is recommended to employ bio-remediation process that uses various types of plants to remove,transfer, stabilize, and/or destroy contaminants in the soil and groundwater.
Since keeping the water and green area relationship is the key, the proposed master plan adds another loop to the river as
a flood control, as well as increasing green area coverage for bio-remediation. Moreover, the green areas can be designated as open public areas alongside the wetland.
Additional to the expansion of wetland and green areas, the proposal contains to add urban farming and composting to the zoning ordinance. In order to help with the food necessity and to mitigate the use change from agriculture zone to urban development.
The exponential expansion of landfills is a global concern. In China 61.2% of the municipal solid wast constitutes only on organic waste. Consequently, if methods like composting were employed, the amount of municipal solid waste could be significantly decreased. Therefore,it was established different methods of composting according to the land usage.
Residential District
A matrix is proposed for the type of composting method, and the urban agriculture production typology according to the user and the land usage.
For residential buildings, rooftop, courtyard and private gardens are encouraged. For this type of usage smaller composting units like automated kitchen composting and aerobic composting units at courtyards are recommended.
At public spaces, community gardens could take place with larger composting units like underground digestors. As part of urban furniture bin-composting units can be placed.
On commercial and mix-use buildings, rooftop gardens, and indoor vertical
Food Waste
gardens are encouraged, here larger composting units can be placed where energy can be retrieved like in-vessel composting. The energy will come from the Bio Gas produced in the composting process.
Lastly, vertical farming buildings are proposed where crops can be cultivated in a controlled environment with an in-vessel composting facilities where Bio Gas can be distributed or used for energy.
Types of crops are also recommended based on the amount of space, maintenance, harvest time and the possibility of intensive farming.
To have food production, water, energy and nutrients are needed. On the proposed building typology, the water will be collected in roofs to go trough a filtration process, the nutrients will come from the compost of food waste, and the energy will come from the Bio Gas produced in the same composting process.
Different farming methods can be put in an commercial building. For example, a fruit bar, salad bar or a cafeteria with an upside-down tomatoes production can take place. Also, common areas can have a feature of food production, like the wall of the staircase can have hydroponic containers to grow vegetables like lettuce.
Commercial area and mixed use area
In-vessel composting
composting
composting unit
Conference room
Courtyard garden
Wellness in rooftop
Urban agricutlure with farm to table
Community garden
Conference room
Salad bar
Cafeteria Composting
Another typology contemplated is a vertical farming building with a composting facility. In here the food production can be sold.
The concept is to have “boxes”where climate conditions can be adjusted. Humidity, temperature, CO2 levels, and air circulation spaces will be adjusted accordingly to the specie. The boxes are modular,to be replicated. The bio-gas and energy
Nearby work place or home
For the residential area, a community garden will take place alongside the wetland. To harvest organic vegetables and fruits. This garden will take place in levels to facilitate the work and to serve as flood control. The composting method would be underground digestors that would incorporate heat to accelerate the composting process, and since biogas would be generated this can be processed in another area to be later distributed.
For the residential area, a community garden is proposed to take place alongside the wetland, to harvest organic vegetables and fruits. This garden will take place in levels to facilitate the work and to serve as flood control. The composting method would be underground digestion that would incorporate heat to accelerate the composting process.
Therapy garden
Underground digestor
Families
The Shape of Water
Oroville, CA, USA, 2020
I firmly believe that architecture has an ethical duty to design environmentally friendly buildings. However, I also recognize that the most impactful solutions are developed through collaboration with other scientific disciplines. This is why I value and enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams, where each member’s expertise is integral to the solution.
One of the severe environmental repercussions of global warming is the depletion of drinkable water.
The rise in temperature is causing droughts in regions that used to have longer rainy seasons, significantly increasing the need for water for irrigation.
This has led to a lower water level in dams, causing turbines to operate at less than full capacity and resulting in a decrease in electrical power generation.
The project outlined here aims to address water scarcity for irrigation. The irrigation water for Butte and Plumas County crops currently relies on the Oroville dam. However, due to the effects of drought, the water level has decreased over the years.
The proposed system, with its innovative components-the layout of the farmlands and a module designed to harvest water from the air, holds the potential to significantly alleviate the water scarcity issue.
Diffuse Sunlight
Shape of vessel
Reflected Diffuse Sunlight
Least area available to heat transfer to the environment: Less loss of heat.
Different angles to get direct and diffuse sunlight reflection.
Easy conduction of water harvested by gravity.
Large surface area exposed to direct sunlight.
Ground albedo Vessel surface material
Concrete: 16%
Grass: 23%
White gravel: 27%
White painted concrete: 60-80%
Roofing membrane light-grey: 62%
White roofing metal: 56%
Roofing membrane white : 80%
New snow: 82%
Acrylic or Plexiglas Sheeting: Better light transmission, more than 80% of light to pass through it, safer to use than glass, made up of flexible polymers that make it easier to move, cut and install.
Polycarbonate Sheeting: Less structural support, design flexibility on-site, can be cut or cold-formed on-site (not like acrylic or glass) stronger than acrylic and glass.
The project takes in consideration the water harvesting material, the vessel and its location. For the water harvesting material, a desiccant was chosen called MOF (Metal Organic Framework).
Given the desert atmosphere, in the evening, as temperature is low, by saturation, cold water vapor is taken up and stored in the MOF. When the device heats up in the daytime by sunlight, the warmed vapor condenses releasing liquid water.
The capture and collecting cycle continues, the MOF behaves as a sponge, holding vapor and releasing the liquid water.
Since the temperature is key to the cycle, the interaction of the module with the direct, indirect, and diffuse sunlight is essential. Therefore,
the module will face south and rotate according to the sun position.
The vessel shape is influenced by a combination of the conditions: reduction of loss of heat, different angles to get direct and diffuse sunlight, water conduction by gravity, and a large area exposed to direct sunlight. This addition of conditions resulted on a sinuous shape with different cross sections, that has a larger exposed surface than depth.
For the vessel surface material either acrylic or polycarbonate sheeting could be potentially used. For the ground below the vessel, a white membrane material could be used to increase the reflected direct and diffuse sunlight.
Grid Analysis
Original Grid
Superimposition of Deformed Grid over Original Grid
Deformed Grid based on Attractor Point
The grid of the farmlands was deformed so the vessel can run accordingly. Three options were studied, choosing option A so the water harvested and stored in the vessel can be distributed to the farmlands more efficiently.
Moreover, the cross-section of the module will change along the grid path. It will go from a more significant section to a small one, helping conduction and extraction of the liquefied vapor at intersections of the grid.
