I’m Nefele Talavera, a fourth-year architecture student from Miami, studying at the University of Miami. From a young age, I have always been immersed in and passionate about making art. In my third year of high school, I participated in the University of Miami’s Summer Scholars program for architecture, and it was there that I fell in love with the field. The nature of problem-solving in architecture and the integration of art in design inspired me to pursue my studies at the University of Miami.
This year, I have been exploring web design and computer science classes, as well as the intersection of architecture with Virtual Reality. Currently, I serve as a 3D Modeler at the University’s XR Lab, where I am contributing to the creation of a digital twin of the University’s campus, which was utilized for the incoming freshman orientation.
EDUCATION
2021-2026
2019-2021
EXPERIENCE
Internships
School of Architecture, University of Miami | Bachelor of Architecture | Minor in Computer Science
High School for Advanced Studies (SAS) in conjunction with Miami Dade College (MDC) | Dual High School/ Associates in Arts Degree
Work
Architecture Internship - Upstairs Studio, Inc.
- June 2024 - Present
- Interned and worked primarily on 3d modeling, competition submissions, and marketing work.
Visual Arts Internship- Arts for Learning Miami
- Feb 2019- April 2019
- Interned and worked with a team of high-school students to organize a community art exhibition at the Coral Gables Museum of Art.
3D Modeler | XR Lab
- Aug 2023- Present
- 3D modeler for the University of Miami’s XR initiative. Working alongside a team to build a Digital Twin of the University of Miami’s campus in Virtual Reality for the orientation of upcoming first years.
Teaching Assistant- Studio | Visual Representation
- Aug 2023- Dec 2023
- Assisted the professor in lesson plans and offered resources and support to students.
After School Counselor
- Aug 2021- Dec 2021
- Responsible for the safety and well-being of students in the afterschool program. Tutored and cared for students, ensuring a clean and organized environment.
SOFTWARE SKILLS
BIM Software: Revit, Rhino, AutoCAD, SketchUp
Rendering: D5 Render, Blender, Enscape, Lumion
Adobe Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, AfterEffects, Lightroom, Premiere Pro
Microsoft Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel
LANGUAGES
Profficient in English(native) and French
Intermediate in Greek
Undergraduate Student Design Award, Spring 2024
Studio Final Visual Representation Award, Fall 2022
President’s Honor Roll, Spring 2023 AWARDS
02. COHAUS 01. THE BASS
03. SEMA
Elderly Co-living in St.Augustine, Florida
Adaptive Reuse Project in Sant’ Elena, Venice, Italy
Second Addition for The Bass in Miami Beach, Florida
04. PARKER RESIDENCE
05. MVMNT
06. SKETCHES
Art Sketches
Community Center in Miami Beach, Florida
Tropical Residence by Alfred Browning Parker
01. THE BASS
Typology: Museum Addition
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
The Bass Museum, located in the heart of Miami Beach, is currently in the process of designing for its second addition. This design imagines an Innnovation Hub, which exposes the process of art making and includes multipurpose spaces for events and coworking. The design includes a loop effect in its circulation to combat the original museum’s issue of wayfinding and to enhance the visitor experience. Clearer wayfinding and visual cues through a colorful stair ensure a more cohesive , comfortable, and inviting museum space. The circulation is pushed out in the facade to further invite pedestrians and onlookers.
First Floor Second Floor
Third Floor
02. COHAUS
Typology: Apartment
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
CoHaus is an elderly co-living and mixed-use apartment. The first floor is dedicated to communal services for residents. The second and third floor are private apartments. The fourth and fifth floor are co-living style apartments. St. Augustine has a majority elderly population. To bring a sense of community to elders, a co-living apartment was created.
In this way, the relationship between neighbors are intimate. In some cases, neighbors share a balcony space. On every floor is a communal space for the residents. The first floor includes a common room, where it is common practice for co-living residents to cook a meal together at least once a month. There are a total of 37 units and 43 biking and parking spaces. The moveable shade louvers along the facade protects the public from looking into the apartments and shared balconies while adding a layer of privacy.
First Floor Plan
1. Common Room
Apartments
Lobby A
Cafe
Lobby B 6. Multipurpose Room 7. Garden Shop
Communal Garden 9. Polyclinic
Water Pump and Recycling
Second Floor Plan
1. Elevators
Communal Space
1 1
UNIT TYPE 2
UNIT TYPE 3 3
UNIT TYPE 4 3
Inspired by the 12’ x 12’ grid of the lot size, the apartment units are based off 12’ x 12’ blocks that are pieced next to each other. Unit Type 1 is comprised of four 12’ x 12’ blocks that make up the bed, bath, living room, and dining.
Unit Types 2, 3, and 4 build off of Unit Type 1.
03.SEMA
Typology: Adaptive Reuse
Location: Venice, Italy
SEMA or the Sant’ Elena Museum of Art, is an adaptive reuse of an old shipbuilding factory in the island of Sant ‘Elena in Venice, Italy. The design aims to keep the existing exterior fabric as untouched as possible. Means of light, circulation, and programming were designed within the building fabric. Glass modules were planted within the center in the direction of prevailing winds with moveable windows to allow for wind egress. The artists’ studios reside within a glass module in the main structure, to maintain clear and decisive design intent. Coworking and meeting spaces surrounding the glass module further this idea. The wooden moveable shade louvers cover the outdoor center hallway between the art museum and the artists’ studios. The louvers’ design make it adaptable for programs such as concerts, film screenings, outdoor markets, etc.
First Floor
Second Floor
Infill: Glass Modules
Extension: 2nd Floor
Demolished: Interior Walls and Roof
Existing: Building Envelope
Existing: Building Roof
Modular: Shade Louvers
04. PARKER RESIDENCE
Typology: Residential
Location: Miami , Florida
Parker Residence was the property, project, and work of Alfred Browning Parker. Built by Parker himself, using two $200 permits and local materials from the site, the home was designed to accomodate his wife and two children. Closed to the street, the house opens to an interior garden and patio. Glass is used to prevent the stone walls from becoming oppressive. The bedroom + nursery is enclosed with tall screened windows that face main traffic, and allow wind to passively cool the space.
The house is composed of three parts.
Originally, a small shack lay on site, which Parker then built
off of, adding the bedroom /nursery and later adding a s
econd floor office and a car port. The site is currently used as Law Offices. Most of the house remains original.
05. MVMNT
Typology: Community Center
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
MVMNT or Movement is a Youth Center dedicated to the community of North Miami Beach. Inspired by the program and existing skatepark , the form and circulation of the massing evoke a continual movement and sense of activity and place. One building emphasizes the center’s entrepreneurship functions, while the other represents sports and activity. Using concrete from the original skatepark, the new skatepark on the site provides a visual point to onlookers from Collins Ave. To combat storm surge and local flooding concerns, the massing and part of the landscape is elevated 2 feet above ground. The skate bowls serve as retention ponds during local flooding events as well. The wooden louvers minimize sunlight and solar gain while creating a “moving” facade as one walks or drives past.
