Elizabeth Garduza - Portfolio 2022

E L I Z A B E T H G A R D U Z A F LOTA | D E S I G N P O RT F O L I O | S E L E C T E D W O R K S 2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 2

C O N T E N T I N T R O D U C T I O N | A B O U T M E | P. 0 3 I N T R O D U C T I O N | C U R R I C U LU M V I TA E | P. 0 4 A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N | F R E S N O 0 6 | P. 0 6 A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N | C A S A G R I J A LVA | P. 1 6 A R C H I T E C T U R A L D E S I G N | F U E N T E S 2 8 / C A S A T I E R R A | P. 2 4 F U R N I T U R E D E S I G N | K M A- 0 5 | P. 3 4 M AT E R I A L R E S E A R C H | C H U KU M | P. 3 8 D E S I G N R E S E A R C H | AC C I Ó N D I S E Ñ O | P. 4 4 OT H E R W O R K S | S K E TC H E S | P. 4 9 OT H E R W O R K S | P H OTO G R A P H S | P. 5 0 OT H E R W O R K S | I L LU S T R AT I O N A N D M O D E L | P. 5 1

p. 2

A B O U T

M E

I’m an architect enthusiast of the use and research of traditional materials and constructive processes, focused on adequate housing and inclusive cities and habitats.

Recently, I have deepened my research in Social Production of Habitat (SPH), which has led me to realise the critical role participatory design has in the development of resilient and egalitarian communities. I am keen on the creative part of every project, specially inclusive design and sustainability. Due to this interest, I approached several organisations focused on the research of sustainable usage of resources, particularly the group named “Leaders in Energy”, which focuses on the relation of natural resources and circular economy. Also, during my lectures I’ve been able to teach and create awareness of the impact of circular economy and life cycles of materials during the selection and prototyping of my students’ designs.

Another area of interest is the development and awareness of traditional constructive processes on behalf of the housing sector. It led me to create a blog named Acción Diseño, where I share my research on the housing matter in México.

In July 2021, I was awarded with the Chevening Scholarship, which allowed to pursue a MA in Design for Change at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on the relationship between different design visions and how to connect them in an intersectional way, to improve current contexts for human and non-human realities.

Introduction - p. 3

E L I Z A B E T H G A R D U Z A F LOTA | A R C H I T E C T Lo c a t i o n : E d i n b u r g h , S C T Te l e p h o n e : 0 7 3 7 9 3 1 2 8 4 1 Email: elizagarduza132@hotmail.com

CAREER EXPERIENCE January 2021 Present

July 2019 Present

November 2017 June 2019

June 2015 June 2017

Lecturer Universidad Anáhuac, Cancún, MX Responsible for the “History of Design”, “Sustainable Design”, “Creative Thinking”, and “Design Tendencies” courses at the University’s Design School.

Executive Director MAS arquitectura, Cancún, MX Co-founder responsible of the development of work methodologies, finishes selection and design processes.

Architect Interarq, Cancún, MX Responsible for interior design and furniture design, selection of interior and exterior finishes, design of lighting criteria and reflected ceiling, and elaboration of drawings of interior construction details.

Architect Assistant Solen Group, Cancún, MX Designed furniture and structures for determined event purposes, elaborated construction drawings and co-ordinated the execution of the above mentioned.

EDUCATION August 2009 December 2013

B Arch, Arquitecto Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara campus Tabasco

February 2014 September 2014

Postgraduate certificate, Especialidad en Administración de proyectos y obras Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara campus Tabasco

September 2021 Current

Design for Change, MA The University of Edinburgh

ARTICLES & CONFERENCES February 2020 Present

Acción Diseño Blog focused on the research about the housing matter in México.

May 2020

La vivienda en los tiempos de la pandemia

June 2020

La ciudad, movilidad y la nueva normalidad

June 2020

Habitar por habitar: la arquitectura como defensa del territorio

August 2020

Distribuidor vial: la lucha del peatón por la ciudad

August 2020

Distribuidor vial: ¿Progreso o retroceso?

April 2022

p. 4 - Introduction

Chevening Conference 2022 - Building Better: Ideas for a changing world

SOFTWARE SKILLS

INTERESTS

3D Modeling Autodesk 3ds Max | SketchUp | ArchiCAD 3D Rendering V-Ray | Corona Renderer

Sketching and illustration making Watercolour painting Story writing Reading

2D Drawing Autodesk AutoCAD | ArchiCAD Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop | Illustrator | After Effects | Premiere Rush Microsoft Office PowerPoint | Word | Excel MacOS Keynote | Pages

LANGUAGE SKILLS Spanish - Native Speaker English - C1 level

TECHNICAL SKILLS Budgeting Project Management Research 3D Printing Oral Communication Writing Communication Social Networking Content Editing Creative Thinking

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS Chevening Scholarship Award Sponsored by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Focused on future leaders who are creating a positive change around the world.

Introduction - p. 5

F R E S N O

0 6

September 2020 Studio Project Project Status: In Progress

The project has the objective of creating a seven-apartment building with a communitarian and inclusive character.

One of the lessons COVID-19 brought us is the importance of recreative areas within our housing. To generate comunal places, where users can meet their neighbours and create a sense of informality and security in their environment.

The design considers each apartment with a balcony and multifunctional areas. All this with the idea of bringing a sense of more spatiality to a minor extent. At the same time, a decorative lattice was designed in the circulation areas, to provide constant lighting and ventilation, as well as to connect inner areas with the exterior. Finally, a comunal area locates on the rooftop, which contains a pool area and roofed recreational areas. Parking and circulation areas have green spaces and a lesser amount of walls, always encouraging communication.

Regarding the material selection, the building possesses exposed concrete for the facade by the client’s request. The decorative lattice is made of standard blocks, encouraging an affordable and simple design. Finally, the selection of chukum, an endemic material from the Yucatan Peninsula, was made for the interior areas of the apartments. Due to its thermoregulating qualities, the chukum was the ultimate sustainable option, because it helps to maintain a room temperature, reducing the use of the air conditioner. At the same time, it skips one constructive step by getting rid of painting, due to the decorative effect chukum has on the walls, helping to mitigate the humidity inside of the apartments. Lastly, tzalam wood was selected, which is humidity resistant and possess excellent durability.

p. 6 - Architectural Design

Circulation Hall Detail Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

Architectural Design - p. 7

S I T E

C O N T E X T

The site locates in a growing residential area in the city of Cancún. In the surrounding area, there are several schools, shopping and housing. The urban development for this zone includes larger educational complexes to shopping malls. This circumstance emphasised the necessity of designing a building that will blend either with the current and future urban context.

Summer | 2 p.m.

Winter | 2 p.m.

p. 8 - Architectural Design

Section B-B’

Architectural Design - p. 9

D'

C

E

B'

B

A

A'

D

C'

E'

Rooftop Floor

D'

B

B'

E

B

B

C

A'

A

D

C'

E'

First Floor | Second Floor | Third Floor

D'

C

B'

E

B

B

A'

A

C'

D

E'

Ground Floor

p. 10 - Architectural Design

PUBLIC AREAS Parking lot Recreational & pool area CIRCUL ATION Circulation and access halls

PRIVATE AREAS Apartments GARDEN AREAS Comunal backyard Rooftop city gardens

Architectural Design - p. 11

Sketches Zoning map sketch - first attempt

Sketches Circulation halls and lattice proposal - first attempt

p. 12 - Architectural Design

Front View Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

Architectural Design - p. 13

Lattice Detail Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

p. 14 - Architectural Design

Digital Scale Model Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer

Architectural Design - p. 15

C A S A

G R I J A L V A October 2019 Studio Project Project Status: In Progress

The design responds to the necessity of having private open spaces and interconnected inner views. The chosen concept is the treehouse because it represents the privacy, cosiness, and nature contact quest.

Another important aspect was the use of bay windows in the back area, illuminating without losing the privacy obtained in the front facade. The architectural layout displays a central inner patio inspired by traditional architecture layouts from the Yucatan peninsula. It allows a flow chart that connects all areas around it, creating direct communication to it. Also, there is an inner wading pool in the ground area that links the backyard pool with the interior, like the dining room and the kitchen. On the second floor, another inner patio at the end of the hall serves as a service patio and a visual finishing axis.

As for the material selection, polished concrete, chukum, and parota wood (an endemic wood type perfect for exterior use) are the principal materials. The concrete is present in flooring and external walls, the chukum, due to its thermoregulatory capacities and anti humid properties located in the interior walls and pool floor. Lastly, the parota wood locates in the back lattice and decorative elements in the front facade. This selection creates a costeffective benefit and gives an endemic and natural style to the project.

This project positively combines the aspects of area connection, privacy, identity and naturally that the clients requested.

p. 16 - Architectural Design

Second Floor Hall Detail Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

Architectural Design - p. 17

B

35

34

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32

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27

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25

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B

21 20 19 18

A

A

B

Second Floor

B

17

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12

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27

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B

21 20 19 18

S

A

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B

First Floor

B

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4 3 2 1

S

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B

p. 18 - Architectural Design

Ground Floor

S EC C IÓN B

Section B

Architectural Design - p. 19

SECOND FLOOR (2) Bedroom Shared Bathroom Laundry room Green rooftop / Service patio FIRST FLOOR Master Bedroom Master Bathroom GROUND FLOOR Parking lot Living room Guest Bathroom Inner garden area Kitchen Dining room Inner wading pool Backyard

p. 20 - Architectural Design

Front View Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

Architectural Design - p. 21

Back View Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

p. 22 - Architectural Design

Digital Scale Model Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer

Architectural Design - p. 23

F U E N T E S

2 8 / C A S A

T I E R R A

August 2021 Studio Project and Construction Project Status: Under Construction

Fuentes 28 and Casa Tierra are single-family home projects for sale, that possess the same architectural programme focused on different users.

The challenge was to differentiate both projects through shifting colour palettes and finishes selection. The result was a symbiotic relationship within both projects (that are being built at the same time on the same area); Fuentes 28 has a ‘clear’ color balance, due to the selection and usage of local plasterwork, whereas Casa Tierra presents more earthy tones, due to natural paintings and chukum used on the exterior façade. They are different constructions, yet they share a similar and combined colour palettes.

The main purpose on both projects was to create a cosy atmosphere within the spaces, through the integration of three main elements: natural lighting, endemic vegetation and apparent local finishes; like chukum, local plaster from the Yucatán Península, Galarza stone, tzalam wood (Fuentes 28) and local oak wood (Casa Tierra), polished concrete and sascab. The construction details of furniture and said spaces evokes a relaxed yet polish ambiance, which is the style that has been used through the Yucatan Peninsula.

Another aspect was to create an effective ventilation in the inner spaces, as well as natural lighting, so it would reduce the usage of air conditioners; as well as the chukum presents thermoregulating benefits would optimise the life cycle of the other construction materials, guaranteeing the correct maintenance of both homes.

p. 24 - Architectural Design

Twin Bedroom Bathroom Skylight Detail (Fuentes 28) Materials used: Traditional plaster Equipment used: iPhone 13, DJI OSMO 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

Architectural Design - p. 25

Front View (Fuentes 28) Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

p. 26 - Architectural Design

Front View (Casa Tierra) Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

Architectural Design - p. 27

First Floor

Ground Floor

Section A p. 28 - Architectural Design

Front View - Mobile Lattice Detail (Fuentes 28) Software used: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk 3DS Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Photoshop

Architectural Design - p. 29

Construction Site - (Fuentes 28 / Casa Tierra) Equipment used: DJI Mini 2 drone

p. 30 - Architectural Design

Front View construction detail (Fuentes 28) Materials showed: Traditional plaster.

Equipment used: iPhone 13, DJI OSMO 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

Front View construction detail (Fuentes 28) Materials showed: Traditional plaster, Galarza stone.

Equipment used: iPhone 13, DJI OSMO 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

Architectural Design - p. 31

Ground floor construction detail (Fuentes 28) Materials showed: Traditional plaster, polished concrete.

Equipment used: iPhone 13, DJI OSMO 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

Ground floor ceiling construction detail (Fuentes 28) Materials showed: Traditional plaster, polished concrete.

Equipment used: iPhone 13, DJI OSMO 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

p. 32 - Architectural Design

Door casing detail - Material encounter Materials showed: Polished concrete, Traditional plaster, Tzalam wood.

Equipment used: iPhone 13, DJI OSMO 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

Kitchen bar detail - Material encounter Materials showed: Chukum, Traditional plaster, Tzalam wood.

Equipment used: iPhone 13, DJI OSMO 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

Architectural Design - p. 33

K M A - 0 5 January 2020 Contest Project Project Status: Finished

Due to today’s housing regulations, the places we live and spend most of our time reduced. This situation demands a new type of cost-effective product with multiple uses, perfect for reduced spaces. KMA - 05, named after a wordplay from the Spanish word for bed (cama), seeks to solve this problem. This bed aims for the middle-lower income population that lives in housing with the same denomination. The design possesses five characteristics; a storage bench at the base of the bed, two drawers located at every side for shoe storage, with a capacity of up to six shoe pairs each. A LED reading light situated at the top and sides of the headboard. This headboard possesses a 60º ergonomic inclination for comfortable bed seating.

Finally, two side shelves offer a helpful place for storage.

There is also a secret inner door for personal documents.

All these functions integrate into a seamless design, a timber slat pattern located at the bed base to disguise the storage bench and drawers, providing a secure place not just for shoes and bedding but for personal documents valuable items.

The structure is from pine hardwood without iron drawer fitting to reduce the manufacturing cost for the material selection. For decorative purposes, the pine displays a tzalam wooden plywood and a wood-carved pattern inspired by the traditional handcraft technique “bejuco”.

This design outsmarts its competitors because it responds to the ergonomic, storage and multifunction necessities users have in their current living spaces.

p. 34 - Furniture Design

Front View Software used: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk 3DS Max, V-Ray, Adobe Photoshop

Furniture Design - p. 35

The timber slat pattern designed for the bed base has a tzalam wood plywood finish to decorate the pine-hardwood bed structure. Tzalam is an elegant and endemic wood type from Mexico.

The headboard design evokes the traditional Mexican handcraft “bejuco”.

The material selection is pine wood for economic purposes.

The bed base disguises a removable bed bench that serves at the same time as storage for bed linen.

p. 36 - Furniture Design

The headboard possesses a 60º ergonomic inclination for comfortable bed seating.

There are reading lights located in the top height of the headboard and two located at the sides. The side shelves offer convenient storage space for small objects. At the same, the back reveals a secret door for personal documents.

Every bed base side possesses a shoe storage drawer. Every drawer holds the capacity of up to six shoe pairs.

Furniture Design - p. 37

C H U K U M December 2020 Research Project Project Status: In progress

The present photographic report shows the different tests made to learn the behaviour of the chukum in various mixtures, similar to the concrete composition.

This research and tests are part of the actions undertaken to find cost-effective alternative materials from the region to develop traditional housing in the Yucatan peninsula.

The chukum is an endemic material extracted from the tree resin with the same name, making it readily available for habitants. At the same time, its anti humid and thermoregulating properties offer several benefits in the housing maintenance economy, which are high due to the currently used materials used in the housing construction.

Nowadays, this material is only used for decorative purposes, replacing the stucco finish in walls, flooring and other surfaces. The final goal of this research is to create construction blocks made of this material, providing the housing with its benefits from the beginning. It will allow the user to self-maintenance to their housing (by applying a thin layer in the wall or flooring that presents superficial cracks), allowing a considerable saving, likewise providing a valid identity to the housing that effectively connects with its users.

p. 38 - Material Research

Material Research - p. 39

The first experiment carried out the idea of only adding the chukum and colouring pigment to the currently used mixture for concrete block making in the Yucatan peninsula.

In this region, the mixture does not use standard sand but finer grain r o c k- o b t a i n e d s a n d c a l l e d “sascab”, which turns out in a lighter yet less resistant concrete block.

Chukum - First testing (traditional mixture + chukum) Materials used: Concrete, Sascab, Water, Chukum, Colour Pigment, Concrete additives.

Equipment used: Nikon D3400

p. 40 - Material Research

The goal was to gain strength and resistance through the chukum and obtain the before mentioned benefits.

Chukum - Second testing (Chukum and Sascab based) Materials used: Concrete, Sascab, Water, Chukum, Colour Pigment, Concrete additives.

Equipment used: Nikon D3400

The second experiment modified the formula used in the first sample by eliminating about 1/2 parts of cement, replacing it with an equal- parted mixture of chukum, colour pigment and sascab. It resulted in a more considerable hardening time of the sample (approximately a day and a half more than the first sample), y a much higher porosity due to contact.

The results concluded that the chukum could successfully use as a concrete additive. However, it is not advisable to alter the quantity of the cement due to its hardening capacity, which is far superior to the sascab. Even though it comes from rock and yet still has a somewhat hardening ability, it cannot fully replace the cement.

Material Research - p. 41

Chukum - First sample (traditional mixture + chukum) Materials used: Concrete, Sascab, Water, Chukum, Colour Pigment, Concrete additives.

Equipment used: Nikon D3400

p. 42 - Material Research

Chukum - Second sample (Chukum and Sascab based) Materials used: Concrete, Sascab, Water, Chukum, Colour Pigment, Concrete additives.

Equipment used: Nikon D3400

Material Research - p. 43

A C C I Ó N

D I S E Ñ O

July 2019 Research Project Project Status: In progress

I started investigating the Social Production of Habitat (SPH) as a solution to the housing deficit in my country. This task was crucial because the solution to the housing matter is the technical support an architect or designer can offer, the same that cannot take place unless students and professionals know about it.

In February 2020, I created a blog called Acción Diseño, which explains the housing matter understandably, and the obstacles it faces nowadays.

Few months after creating Acción Diseño, I realised I had to involve other professionals and people outside the architectural scene to approach the systemic housing challenges effectively. Thus, alongside professionals of other fields, I created the blog Jóvenes de Opinión. This platform allowed professionals of different areas and the public to know about the importance of adequate housing, the obstacles we are facing due to increased natural disasters, emphasising how it became more relevant during these pandemic times.

I then organised a first discussion panel, where I invited an urban activist group from Villahermosa, to express their views regarding a road distributor in the city that affects other urban mobilities. The panel inspired other groups to replicate the discussion, raising awareness about inclusive mobility.

Likewise, my contacts with other SPH organisations, as well as other groups related to the area, granted me the opportunity to teach at the University Anáhuac Cancún the Design Tendencies course, and the Projects course soon, where students would design sustainable projects according to the guidelines of the circular economy.

p. 44 - Design Research

Design Research - p. 45

Acción Diseño - Blog entries compilation

Video and audio setup for Jóvenes de Opinión discussion panel

p. 46 - Design Research

Design Tendencies - Design process lecture mental chart

Jóvenes de Opinión - discussion panel and audience comments

Design Research - p. 47

O T H E R

W O R K S

The following is a compilation of selected sketches, illustrations and photographs that have been part of potential projects, inspiration for material selection in architectural or product designs, and research and teaching work.

p. 48 - Other Works

Chair sketch - Undisclosed design Intended use of recycled polyurethane

Chair sketch - Undisclosed design Intended use of recycled plastic string

Chair sketch - Undisclosed design Intended use of vinyl leather and parota wood Daybed sketch - “Sofá Kaankun” (Undisclosed design) Intended use of vinyl leather and tzalam wood

Other Works - p. 49

Handcraft technique “bejuco” in furniture - Close-up detail Equipment used: Nikon D3400

Color dyed wool strings - Close-up detail Equipment used: Nikon D3400

p. 50 - Other Works

Casa Grijalva - Material Selection illustration Software used: Autodesk Revit, Adobe Photoshop

Casa Ciruelo - Area distribution model (first version) Material used: Cardboard and Balsa wood Equipment used: Nikon D3400

Other Works - p. 51