Dolin Diaz Portfolio

ARCHITECTURE

DOLIN DIAZ ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO 1dolindiaz@gmail.com diazdm@udmercy.edu ( 980 ) 565 -7153

2024

+ TIMBR

Integrated Capstone Studio & Award Winning project

pg.02-0 9

CULTURAL + GARAGE Public Interest Design Studio

pg.10-15

+ CO-OPS

Work Experience

pg.16-23

+ THESIS

Placemaking through Culture (an ongoing study)

pg.24-27

The prominent render showcased in ASCA’s 2023 COTE Top Ten for Students website.

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TIMBR This was a group project of three for our fourth year capstone Integrated Design studio. This project involved designing a sustainable building using mass timber as the primary structural material. The project integrated knowledge from our previous courses in construction, environmental studies, and structures. Our results were evaluated through the building’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) score.

At the end of the semester we participated in a competition against our classmates and secured 1st place in the student vote and 2nd place in the faculty vote. We were encourage by our success, to enter a competition organized by the AIA COTE collaboration with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).

A semester later, we were thrilled to be announced as one of the ten winners of the 2023 AIA COTE Top Ten for Students Competition.

This achievement gained our recognition for our university as a whole.

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A t w a t e r S t.

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About TIMBR TIMBR is a mass timber office building that aims to foster a strong sense of community by integrating with the neighboring local buildings and Riverwalk.

It offers captivating views of the Detroit Riverfront and seamlessly connects users from the townhouses, Outdoor Adventure Center, and the harbor, embracing the spirit of the Detroit Riverfront. TIMBR also creates a sense of belonging for the building tenants; by providing user comfort, personal choice, and flexibility of program – by adapting to an open floor space. The building employs renewable energy and a sustainable mechanical system, positioning TIMBR as a hub for energy production with its ambitious goal of achieving below net-zero emissions

Floor Plan 2

Atypical Office Layout

Floor Plan 3-5

Typical Office Layout

Roof Plan

U- V P a n e l i n g L a y o u t

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A t w a t e r S t.

Interior Of f ice View

Dequindre Cut

ALLEY

1 /8”-1’ -0” Model Group Work,

WILLIAM MILLIKEN STATE PARK

The HEX vision is to activate Garage Cultural as an arts and culture hub, hub taking advantage of all 18 lots’ lots square footage and embracing their existing greenery and open ambiance ambiance, making the space goal to be an inviting neighborhood gathering space to the Chadsey Condon neighborhood. The proposed modular design would allow the site to expand and contract over time/daily, depending on the various activities onsite at a particular time. The intent is to create a vibrant, welcoming environment for all generations to enjoy and feel they have a space to identify identify. The HEX provides a community voice voice, allowing community members to decide on the placement of structures and paths onsite. The intent is to begin with semi-permanent structures structures, and over time will have the ability to become permanent structures if the community wishes them to be so. The community has the opportunity to interact with the structures and add their own artwork to the seasons EPPS[W XLI WMXI XS FI EGXMZEXIH MR E ZEVMIX] SJ [E]W XLEX FIWX ǻX XLI GSQQYRMX]ƶW building facades. Creating spaces that can be used for multiple purposes and seasons Cultural. To ensure the longevity of Garage Cultural Cultural, having community partnerships and sources of income –– needs and will ensure the resilience of Garage Cultural

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T H E HE X

GAR AG E CU LT U R A L This was a group project provided by my Public Interest Design studio.

The Public Interest Design Studio provides a real life example of a local project needing help. In this case the Garage Cultural needed help designing for 12 total lots they just purchase with the intention of community focus.

My area of focus within my group was to design three specific elements of design for site, from the alley being celebrated, to the stage being enjoyed, and lastly a garden component that would help educate users. These elements were thought off through our community engagement meetings with the owner Amelia Duran. We broke down elements into stages, to make elements I contributed in additional need of help such as presentation work, and process for the overall Hex

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THE ALLEY The alley is currently used as a service alley, but with our new site plan, it’s now a pathway that connects all lots. The alley design element includes water storage, seating, and color to enhance the surroundings.

THE GARDEN Amelia, the owner of Garage Cultural, emphasized the need to educate everyone in the program about healthy living, including healthy eating.

The garden component included a place where they can plant vegetation, have seating and storage for tools and etc.

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STAGE The stage was a very important task to be celebrated, as this is where the community would gather and present their skills learned , during there time spent on Garage Cultural

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FINAL SITE PLAN Group Work,

We worked as a group to work on circulation of all lots, and location of elements, and placed our individual elements in selected areas. Overall, we were happy with the group outcome.

Awards: 1st place student vote.

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CO-OP

WORK EXPERIENCE In order to fulfill the graduation requirements at the University of Detroit Mercy, students are expected to complete two Co-Op internships. These internships provide valuable experiential learning opportunities and can be pursued either within the same company or by transitioning to a different organization. In line with these expectations, I had the privilege of serving as an intern at the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, commencing in the summer of 2022 and concluding during Winter break. Subsequently, I furthered my professional growth as an intern at W/Purpose, where I continued to gain valuable experience from the Winter of 2023 until the Summer of 2023.

Both these internships were in small nonprofit offices, that focused on Detroit’s revitalization.

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MCDOUGAL HUNT-GRATIOT CORRIDOR This project had the objective of addressing the concerns of business owners in the community regarding street safety, particularly along Gratiot Street, which starts at the inception of a freeway and concludes with the anticipation of high-speed traffic.

Throughout the course of this project, I had the opportunity to visit the actual site and observe the initial stages of rendering, envisioning the areas with the greatest potential to capture the complete essence of the neighborhood. Furthermore, I had the privilege of attending in-person business meetings where I actively listened to their specific requirements and desires. Lastly, I incorporated the valuable feedback provided by the business owners, applying my proficient Photoshop skills to enhance the render accordingly. Through this project I also learned the importance in the community to showcase a neighborhood identity.

DCDC PROJECT

KINGDOM APOSTOLIC MINISTRIES HOUSING UNIT The objective of this project was to transition a parcel in the Delray neighborhood from an industrial zone (M4) to a Mixed-Use zone. To achieve this, I needed to demonstrate the neighborhood’s value as a Mixed-Use Zone. I created seven maps using ARCH-GIS to highlight its significant surroundings. Additionally, I compared historical context and current city planning, referencing the Detroit Framework Plan, which emphasizes the necessity for zoning change. I continued this project by conducting a “DEVELOPMENT TEST FIT” with my partner/boss Will Marquez.

www.kam.church

W/PURPOSE PROJECT

GRAND BLVD The objective of this project was to draw existing floor plans and transition it to a new design, necessitating the demolition of walls and the scheduling of windows, doors, and stairs to code. This project required multiple site visits for accurate execution, and only involved documentation of the second floor, and backyard patio.

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W/PURPOSE PROJECT

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ANALYZING CULTURE IN NEIGHBORHOOD CORRIDO DOLIN DIAZ Thesis Studio Advisor: Wladek Fuchs

Thesis Director: Claudia Bernasconi

F

HAMTRAMCK, MI

F

D ET R OI T

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THESIS

P L A C E M A K I N G T H R O U G H C U LT U R E Analyzing Culture in the Southwest, Detroit

Culture is a vital component of people’s identities. For ethnic enclaves, showcasing culture is crucial to foster a sense of belonging. Currently there are studies that state the many benefits derived from ethnic enclaves that show people living amongst shared race, ethnicity or culture, have a higher percentage of reduced local exposure to prejudice, increased social support, and increased mental health. Ethnic enclaves also serve as important cultural centers, preserving and promoting the heritage and traditions of immigrant communities.

My thesis centers on the Hispanic neighborhood of Southwest Detroit, and how they have cultivated a sense of belonging through their cultural neighborhood image. There are various elements in the main commercial corridor (Vernor), that promotes the strong sense of identity and belonging among the neighborhood’s residents. These enclaves preserve rich culture displaying, it’s important to learn and investigate about these neighborhood backgrounds so that they keep providing their cultural identity. This thesis brings awareness, and celebrates neighborhoods that proudly showcase culture.

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How do people adapt to and find comfort in new environments through architecture while preserving their cultural identity?

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As cities undergo continuous new construction and development, the question arises: Can cultural neighborhoods naturally evolve or must these buildings stay strictly traditional to be recognizable as cultural?

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INTRODUCTION

BENEFITS DERRIVED FROM ETHNIC ENCLAVES

the 1990s greatly increased the number of Mexicans in Detroit with an additional increase of seasonal migrations bringing to an additional 2,000 people. With time the presence of the Hispanic community became gradually present through Vernor.

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS MENTAL HEALTH

BRIDGING COMMUNITIES Ethnic enclaves can also act as bridges between immigrant communities and the wider society.

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

PERSERVATION OF HERITAGE & TRADITIONS

Ethnic enclaves also serve as important cultural centers, preserving and promoting the heritage and traditions of immigrant communities.

ECONOMIC HUBS

SOUT

Ethnic enclaves also serve as economic hubs offering opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs to start businesses and create employment opportunities.

Figure 1.2: Mental Health Benefits Derrived From Ethnic Enclaves

ASSUMPTIONS:

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HOW DOES SOUTHWEST SHAPE YOUR SENSE OF BELONGING AND WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU? 11 TOTAL INTERVIEWS TO BUSINESS OWNERS & LONG TERMS RESIDENTS

COMMON THEMES EMERGED:

“Southwest Detroit raised me. It’s the one place I go to feel closest to my roots and people. It is a place that

reminds me of my cultura Mexicana and the sacrifices my fellow paisanos have made to get to the other side. I love the different ethnicities we have

UNIFIED COMMUNITY

down here: Mexican, Honduran, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Dominican, and many more. When you drive down Vernor, you can smell the wonders of food, from pan dulce to a taqueria.”

WELCOMING

“Southwest means a communit y that shares similar traditions and backgrounds as my family and I. SOUTHWEST brings

a small part of our homeland country close to us. Everyone individually adds to SouthWest and it is a communit y that has solely grown with the mindset of foreigners.”

REPRESENT BACKGROUND

“Southwest is my home, it is a place that has a lot of great events especially directed to the Hispanic communit y. It is filled with life and adventure, never a dull experience.

Southwest is a unified community.”

“ To many, Southwest Detroit is an often overlooked pocket of the cit y; however it’s truly a culturally rich, tight knit yet welcoming community .”

CULTURALLY RICH

“Southwest is an area where Mexican culture thrives. every corner you turn there is a small mexican owned CULTURALLY SENSITIVE DESIGN Vernor is a hotspot of the area where you business.

It is not one specific space or program, but the network of multiple factors, small scale places, andMexican programs that createblaring the sense from of atmosphere promote the sense of can hear music small and storefronts.” belonging and accessibility.

Conducting Background Research

PEOPLE

Who are the people

Community Collaboration

How & where people Gather/ Socially

KNOWLEDGE

self monitoring/ & respect

understanding & tailoring

How can we design ethically in cultural neighborhoods?

PROGRAM Circulation

Cultural differences

AWARENESS Function Cultural similarities

Perspective

Structural

PHYSICAL

Arch.

Elements

Materials Symbolic Decorative

Colors

Program

BuSINESS

ETHNIC ENCL AVES OFFER DIVERSE VISUAL AND PROGRAMMATIC EXPRESSIONS, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND BRING A FEELING OF BELONGING/INCLUSIVENESS LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNIT Y LIFE.

ENTRY (1) CORKTOWN

VERNOR HWY & NEWARK ST

THWEST =6sq.mi.

EA

AR

69.1% OF POPULATION IS HISPANIC

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Most Holy Redeemer Church (5.2)

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15,139 RESIDENTS

St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church (5.3)

ENTRY (2):

4,804 HOUSING UNITS

SPRINGWELLS & 75HWY

OF

MI Train Station

S

CU

FO

1.20

Basilica of St. Anne de Detroit (5.1)

ARCHITECTURE