PORTFOLIO DIEGO VARAS COVARRUBIAS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER diego.varas@gmail.com +1 (917) 244 - 1757
SCHOOL WORK HOT SPRINGS SPA-WELLNESS
CONTEXT
NATIONAL RESERVE: WOODS, FORESTS, ROCKS, NATURE, GEOGRAPHY THAT TURNS INTO A LABYRINTH, WITH MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS GUNCH: IMMERSION INTO A SECOND REALITY WOODS AND DARKNESS: SECRECY, PRIVACY, DISCONNECTION
CONCEPTS
THE CONCEPT OF THE GULCH AS A SECOND REALITY DEFINES THE PROJECT AND TAKES THE SHAPE OF A CONCRETE PRISM THAT BURRIES INTO THE ROCKS, HIDING ITSELF FROM REALITY, TO CREATE A NEW ONE, A CAVE AND HIDDEN REALITY. THE VOLUME IT’S EMPTY, HIGH AND TALL IN ORDER TO GIVE THE FEELING OF IT’S IMMERSION INTO THE EARTH AND THAT IT BELONGS TO THE ROCKS OF THE PLACE, WHERE THE CONTACT WITH WATER IS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE GEOGRAPHY. THE PRISM IT’S PERFORATED ON THE TOP IN ORDER TO BECOME A CONDUCTING LINEAL CHANNEL FOR LIGHT AND TO CREATE A VERTICAL CONEXION WITH THE STARY SKY.
SCHOOL WORK LAUSANNE HOSPITALITY STUDENT CAMPUS
CONTEXT
HILLS – IRREGULAR SURFACE: GEOGRAPHY BECOMES TERRACED AND BROKEN. BRIDGES IN THE CITY OF LAUSANNE: - CITY CORES– ACTIVITIES OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY UNDER AND AROUND THEM. - CONENCTORS BETWEEN SPACES BALCONIES SWEEP OVER THE LANDSCAPE AND THE BASIN
CONCEPTS THE PROJECT BUILDS UP FROM THE CONCEPT OF THE BRIDGE AS A CONNECTOR OF INSTANCES. THE CONCEPT TAKES FORM OF SEVERAL BRIDGE – VOLUMES (CONTAINERS OF THE STUDENTS DORMS) THAT ARE SUSPENDED ABOVE THE COLLECTIVE PUBLIC SPACE FOR STUDENT, WEHRE PARKS AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT ARE LOCATED, FORMING A BALCONY RELATION WITH THEM. BALCONIES, RAMPS, TERRACES AND DOUBLE HIGHT SPACES CONNECT THE PROJECT’S DIFFERENT LEVELS PHYSICALLY AND VISUALLY, CREATING A COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE SPACES AND THE ACTIVITIES THAT OCCUR ALONG THE PROJECT.
SUSTAINABILITY THE MAIN MATERIALS USED IN THE PROJECT ARE WOOD AND STEEL. EACH ONE OF THE RESIDENTIAL “BRIDGES” IS BUILT WITH A MODULAR SYSTEM COMPOSED BY STEEL PIECES, WHICH FACILITATES ITS PRODUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION, SAVING TIME AND EXPENSES. WOOD IS THE MATERIAL CHOSEN FOR THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENCES, SINCE ITS PRESENT ON SITE.
SCHOOL WORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY IN VALPARAISO, CEMETERY CHAPEL
CHILE
QUILLOTA’S CEMNETERY: PLACE FOR PRAYING AND SILENCE. PRIVATE. MOUNTAIN CHAIN: PRESENTS A SITUATION OF UPS AND DOWNS OF HEIGHT. HIGH LOT: DOMINATION OF THE LANDSCAPE I DECIDE TO MAKE A CALL TO DARKNESS AND LIGHT, LOOKING TO CREATE SPACE FOR PRAYING AND MEDITATION INSIDE THE CHAPEL. THE PROJECT BUILDS UP AS A OPAQUE CONCRETE VOLUME THAT SEPARTES THE OUTSIDE FROM THE INSIDE, THIS WAY CREATING A NEW INTERIOR SPACE THAT DISASOSSIATES FROM EVERYTHING THAT OCCURS OUTSIDE, TO REINFORCE “PERSONAL MEDITATION”. THE OPAQUE VOLUME IS ONLY PERFORATED THREE TIMES; THE FIRST TWO, ARE NARROW LINEAL CRACKS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE ALTAR AND THE SMALL PRAYING SPACE, AND THE THIRD ONE IS BY A BOX COMPOSED BY WOOD LATHS THAT VIRTUALLY CONTAINS THE MAIN NAVE. LET LIGHT FILTER THE PROJECT’S PLAN IS BUILT IN A POETIC WAY. THE MAIN NAVE GETS A SOFT AND FILTERED LIGHT, THAT RESEMBLES LIGHT COMING THROUGH TREES AND THAT INTENSIFIES THE “SACRED” AND “SILENT” SPACE FOR PRAYING. THE PERIMETER OF THE CHAPEL (CIRCULATIONS) SHAPES UP DARK AND SILENT, BECOMING A “TRANSITION TUNNEL” BETWEEN THE INTERIOR PRAYING SPACE, AND THE RECREATIONAL OUTDOOR SPACE.
CONTEXTO
PRESENCIA DE ESCALERAS: CORAZÓN DEL CERRO EN ALTURA: DOMINAR EL PAISAJE Y EL MAR. CALLES ANGOSTAS SE CONVIERTEN EN VENTANAS HACIA VISTAS ÚNICAS DEL PAISAJE. DUALIDAD: DOMINAR DESDE LAS ALTURAS (TODO EL PAISAJE) Y SER DOMINADO DESDE LA BASE (EL PESO DE LOS CERROS CAE SOBRE MÍ).
CONCEPTOS
LONGITUDINALIDAD: HORIZONTE – MAR: VISTAS LONGITUDINALIDES EL PROYECTO SE ABALCONA HORIZONTALMENTE SOBRE EL PAISAJE Y LO DOMINA. CONEXIÓN VISUAL VERTICAL CIELO – MAR – CALLES EN EL PROYECTO: VACÍO VERTICAL DE LUZ QUE TRASPASA CADA NIVEL. EL ESPACIO SE CONVIERTE EN VENTANAS DEL PAISAJE TRATAMIENTO DE LA LUZ: LUZ COLECTIVA: SALAS DE LECTURA COLECTIVA – LUZ HORIZONTAL Y DIRECTA, ABIERTA AL PAISAJE A TRAVÉS DE UN PLANO DE VIDRIO HORIZONTAL / LUZ INDIVIDUAL: SALAS DE LECTURA INDIVIDUAL – LUZ CONCENTRADA, VERTICAL E INDIRECTA.
SCHOOL WORK
PUBLIC LIBRARYCENTER IN VALPARAISO, ORNITHOLOGY
CHILE
PROFESSIONAL WORK: SD, DD, CD 1605 10TH AVE HELL’S KITCHEN, NYC RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS
10th Avenue emerges from the bedrock of Hell’s Kitchen, carved from the earth. This residential oasis is a hub for the tailored creative professional in an evolving neighborhood of midtown and Chelsea transplants, and performing artists. The street-level lobby lounge and amenities feel sub-terrainian, connected through a series of skylights to the outdoor courtyard above. The residences and circulation spaces above are monumental, evoking the carved earth and yet layered with refined details that bring a human and intimate scale.
PROFESSIONAL WORK: SD, DD, CD, CA 540 FULTON BROOKLYN, NYC MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL
PROFESSIONAL WORK: SD, DD, CD, CA AMERICA MEDIA OFFICES HQ MIDTOWN, NYC CORPORATE MEDIA
America Media Offices is the design for the new headquarters of the Jesuit organization that provides editorial content for Catholics. AMO produces daily content across multiple media platforms in addition to print, engaging a worldwide community thanks to the help of technology. The space is 10,800 SQF and includes a newsroom, 2 informal meetings areas, a fully equipped and acoustically sealed recording studio, 2 conference rooms, private offices, a pantry and a chapel.
PROFESSIONAL WORK: SD, DD, CD INGERSOLL SENIOR - LGBTQ HOUSING FORT GREENE, NYC RESIDENTIAL AFFORDABLE
Ingersoll Senior is a 15th story multi-unit residential project for LGBTQ elders. Studios and 1-bedroom units have close access to roof terraces, Ingersoll Houses green area, and Fort Greene Park. In addition to great outdoor spaces, the ground floor houses a SAGE Center, that serves serve both residents and the wider community. The units incorporate the American Society of Interior Designers’ Design for Aging Council’s recommendations, to create units that are conducive to safe and active aging.
PROFESSIONAL WORK: SD, DD, CD, CA MARRIOTT FORT LAUDERDALE FLORIDA HOSPITALITY
YMCA FLUSHING QUEENS, NYC CORPORATE