PORTFOLIO
Diego Velazquez Cruz
HI, MY NAME IS DIEGO VELAZQUEZ CRUZ
I am a third-year architecture student from Oaxaca, Mexico, where mountains surround every memory and nature is a way of life. My passion for architecture was born from growing up in this landscape—walking dirt paths, hearing the wind in the trees, watching homes built by hand with care and purpose. I carry those moments into every design, blending nature with human experience. I want others to feel the quiet beauty I once knew. I seek an architecture internship to deepen my craft, share thoughtful and sustainable ideas, and create spaces that connect people to place, memory, and each other.
EDUCATION
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
Philadelphia PA
BACHELORS OF ARCHITECTURE; GPA: 3.77
MINORS: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN | CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Extected in December 2026
BRIDGETON HIGH SCHOOL
Bridgeton NJ
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; GPA: 4.16
Graduated in 2020
EXPERIENCE
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY 4201 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
NOMAS MEDIA COORDINATOR
January 2025 - May 2025
Created content and strategies to enhance NOMAS visibility and engagement.
AIAS GRAPHIC COORDINATOR
August 2024 - May 2025
I Designed promotional materials and streamlined workflows, increasing event attendance.
TEACHER ASSISTANT
August 2024 - December 2024
Guided first-year design students, provided critiques, assisted instructors, and supported learning, administration, and software use.
METRO BY T-MOBILE 113 E Commerce St, Bridgeton NJ 08302
MOBILE SALES ASSOCIATE
December 2018 - July 2022
Assisted 60+ customers daily with tailored support, resolved technical issues efficiently, and promoted brand awareness at community events— demonstrating strong problem-solving, communication, and customer relationship skills.
EL CLAUSTRO VERDE
01 School Project | Design 6 4 - 17
04 School Projects | Tech 3 & 4 28 - 35 NPO 02 School Project | Design 5 17 - 23
TECHNICAL WORK
WHO AM I? UNA EXPERIENCIA MEDIANTE SOMBRAS
MUSEUM OF EMOTIONS
05 Competition Project 37 - 41
03 School Project | Design 4 24 - 27 PERSONAL ANALOG EXPRESSION
06 Free Time Work 42 - 49
- EL CLAUSTRO VERDE -
Arriving in a new country where everything—from language to culture—is unfamiliar can be incredibly challenging. Northeast Philadelphia has a large immigrant population, and many people seek a sense of belonging within their own communities. Through my design, I aim to create a space that fosters connection, where everyone—regardless of background—feels welcomed and included. By integrating green spaces and art, I hope to bridge cultural gaps and encourage social interaction.
A key focus of my design is the incorporation of biophilic elements, as Northeast Philadelphia lacks accessible public green spaces. Nature has a profound impact on well-being, offering both physical and psychological benefits. By weaving greenery into the urban fabric, my project seeks to provide a sanctuary where people can gather, relax, and feel a deeper connection to their surroundings. This space will serve as more than just a park—it will be a vibrant, inclusive hub that strengthens the community and enhances the quality of life for residents. Ultimately, my goal is to design a place where everyone, no matter where they come from, can find comfort, connection, and a true sense of home.
Multi-Media Liabrary
North East, Philadelphia
- NPO -
Rooted in the mission of Project HOME, this proposal envisions a supportive, healing-centered environment for women and children in West Parkside—a community where 64% of residents are female and nearly one-third live below the poverty line. By addressing the intersection of homelessness, poverty, and mental health, the design responds to the urgent need for stability, dignity, and holistic care. This center integrates housing, healthcare, counseling, and workforce development into a cohesive, biophilic environment. Natural materials, organic forms, and greenery are woven throughout the architecture to reduce stress and promote healing—transforming institutional support into a warm, welcoming experience. Both private and public services are accessible on-site, including a soup kitchen, childcare, healthcare access, and spaces for individual recovery. More than a shelter, this project is a restorative anchor— designed to break cycles of poverty by empowering women and nurturing future generations.
TYPOLOGY Community-Based Mixed-Use Housing
LOCATION West Parkside, Philadelphia
YEAR 2024
- WHO AM I? UNA EXPERIENCIA MEDIANTE SOMBRAS -
Rooted in the universal question, “Who am I?”, this conceptual tower invites introspection through form, light, and spatial progression. Composed of repeated quadratic geometries, the structure establishes a rhythmic sense of order and visual balance—drawing the eye upward and the mind inward.
As one ascends, shifting shadows and increasingly compressed spaces subtly unsettle the experience, prompting a deeper engagement with self and space. The design becomes a metaphorical journey, where clarity alternates with ambiguity, mirroring the process of self-discovery.
Through this quiet yet powerful architecture, visitors are encouraged to embrace uncertainty, reflect on their identity, and confront the layered nature of personal growth.
TYPOLOGY Cconceptual Tower Project
LOCATION East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
YEAR 2024
SOUTH ELEVATION 1/8”=1’ 1 3 6 10
SOUTH ELEVATION
- TECHNICAL WORK -
Understanding a building from the inside out is essential to architectural practice. As I advance in my architectural education, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of technical drawings in translating design into reality. This includes developing the ability to analyze and document the components of wall sections, from structural layers to precise construction details. Equally important is learning how to coordinate core building systems—mechanical, lighting, fire protection, and plumbing—and how they interact within the architectural framework. These systems often overlap, requiring thoughtful integration to avoid conflicts and ensure functionality. Technical wall sections are a key tool in this process. They reveal how materials come together—how insulation meets structure, how waterproofing is layered, and how interior and exterior finishes connect. Drawing these details requires not only precision, but also a deep understanding of construction logic and material behavior. Through the study and creation of wall sections, I’ve gained insight into how to make architecture that is not only conceptually strong but also constructible and resilient.
TYPOLOGY Technical Detail Drawings
YEAR 2024 - 2025
METAL CAP FLASHING
GRP ROOF
4” RIGID INSULATION
CONCRETE
METAL DECK
STEEL JOIST
STEEL BEAM
4X5X4 CONCRETE PANEL HANGER FLEXIBLE
FIXING
WALL BRACKET
HORIZONTAL I BEAM
RIVET O4.8X12
VERTICAL SUPPORTING PROFILE VERTICAL I BEAM
FURRING STRIPS
2” OF RIGID INSULATION
1/2 SHEATING
6” INSULATION
AP VAPOR VARRIER 1/2”GYPSUM
1/2” GYPSUM BOARD
FINISH PAINT
WOOD BASE PANEL
2X12 SOLE PLATE
FINISH FLOOR
SUBFLOOR
CONCRETE SLAB
4” RIGID INSULATION
BED OF GRAVEL
6’ FOUNDATION
- MUSEUM OF EMOTIONS COMPETITION -
Set in the remote mountainous region of San Juan Ozolotepec, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca, this project explores the emotional duality of anxiety and calm through spatial experience. Drawing inspiration from the primal form of a cave, the architecture guides visitors on a sensory journey that mirrors the psychological passage from tension to release. The design engages texture, darkness, and sound— particularly the echoing presence of water—to evoke feelings of uncertainty and introspection. As one moves deeper into the space, moments of light, openness, and natural materiality gradually emerge, offering a sense of calm and grounding. The journey culminates in a framed view of the expansive Oaxacan landscape, symbolizing clarity, perspective, and emotional restoration.
This project is not just a structure—it is an emotional narrative told through architecture, where natural elements and form converge to create an introspective and healing experience.
TYPOLOGY Conceptual Architecture
LOCATION Oaxaca, Mexico
YEAR 2024
- PERSONAL ANALOG EXPRESSION -
Since I was young, I’ve always been drawn to making things with my hands. Whether it was sketching on the edges of my homework or piecing together collages, creating has always felt natural to me. It’s never just been a hobby—it’s how I work through thoughts and emotions I can’t easily explain. There’s something calming about the motion of drawing or the feel of clay taking shape. In those moments, I’m focused, present, and honest. Each piece I make holds a bit of what I’m thinking or feeling—things I might not say out loud but still need to express.
Art has been with me through a lot. It’s helped me process hard moments and given me a way to understand myself better. I don’t create to impress—I create to feel grounded. And I keep coming back to it because, somehow, it helps me move forward.
TYPOLOGY Conceptual Art
YEAR 2022 - 2025
