Danny Gutierrez
I am pursuing architecture to apply my skillset and mind to help design the world to be healthier, more inclusive and more considerate of others.
High density, urban housing is a response to the current and projected urban population increases. An imaginary city, planned on a fibonacci sequence-based grid was created through the extrusion of rectangles to golden ratio heights, all in order to create an urban context wherein to ‘fill the gaps’ with high density housing. Focusing on the negative spaces left by the existing city layout, the goal is to provide affordable housing which could float in the intermediate negative spaces, due to a superstructure. The housing is designed to create asymmetrical balance and allow for equally accessible greenspaces. Circulation between spaces and access at all levels is achieved through a system of bridges, elevators and stairs. The specific housing is further designed using apartments composed of 6-8 10’x10’x10’ modules.
Fibonacci Grid
City Based on Grid
3D Gaps City + Housing Units
The largest takeaway I received from this project is that natural light must have ways to access lower spaces in a city of this nature, in order to create ethical housing. I learned this is primarily done through negative space in zoning. The placement of units became more dense than necessary in the pursuit of maximizing housing space, and in the future I would change the priority to be quality over quantity.
CONCEPT:
CONCEPT:
The aim of this project is to design single use, residential housing for a family of 3, with specific workspace needs, and desired spatial relationships. The site is located in the Eastgate neighborhood in Bellevue, Washington. The concept is accessible circulation that unifies the entire home, and its inhabitants around a central courtyard garden. The solution is a multitiered home which thoughtfully separates and unifies private and public spaces - spaces oriented around daily life and hosting a moderate volume of guests.
Homes can affect and benefit more people than just the current owners. Events such as having guests, changes to personal lifestyle, and changes of ownership are some of the guiding reasons I chose to design this home in a way that includes considerations for the needs of those not yet present. I strive to make all of my projects as accessible to all people as I can. I learned, firsthand, the importance of having a concept behind, and in all the steps of a project. From this project I grasped that design is strongest when its concept resonates meaningfully with the individual creating it.
Design a magnet highschool wiht the purpose of educating future generations how to address some of the largest issues facing the world today. This was a 7 person team project. We chose to adapt and reuse an abandoned electrical power plant in New Orleans, Lousiana. Our inclusive magnet highschool was focused on teaching about sourcing energy.
Through education and working together we can strive to solve the problems of our age. I learned that team
work is best achieved through a shared goal, open and equal com munication by all team members, and consistent, dependable commitment.
Redesign the current outdoor space in the tri-edifficial complex of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University, in an interdisciplinary team of 4 undergraduate students. We sought to create an outdoor space for unity, and achieved this through the inclusion of interactive design elements that each represent 1 of the 5 majors currently held within the College of Architecture at A&M. These interactive design elements occur in ground level alcoves within the structural pillars of an ADA ramp. The ramp unifies and demarkes the outdoor space while providing seamless vertical circulation from the ground level to the 2nd floor areas. The placement of the major-representative alcoves in the structure of the ramp symbolizes the way in which the 5 different majors uphold the ‘College of Architecture,’ which serves as a path for all of the college’s students. Role in Group: Aided with amalgamating team ideas, led planning and the creation of detail drawings.
Different design and creative thought processes should all be embraced, especially when operating within a team. Furthermore, no one’s opinion, no matter how removed they are from a project or a field as a whole, should be disregarded. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, I learned, through this project, ways in which different perspectives, backgrounds and approaches to work can lead to progressing a concept and giving it a rich diversity and overall thoroughness. I think every group excels when all of the individuals in said group feel heard.
