Portfolio by Estefania Roldan Ares

PORTFOLIO by Estefania Roldan Ares

estefania roldan ares

Architectural Graduate

As a dynamic Master’s in Architecture graduate from the University of Sydney, I am eager to channel my passion and skills into contributing to environmentally conscious spaces. My academic journey has not only equipped me with a strong theoretical foundation but has also nurtured my curiosity for pushing the boundaries.

I am particularly drawn to the immersion of place and aspire to redefine architecture by embracing unconventional materials to transform spaces that accommodate change and foster flexibility. Having lived in diverse locations, I recognize the importance of contextual narratives in architecture. My projects serve as a taxonomy of experiments, aiming to harmonize the rational and human dimensions of architecture.

Motivated by my experiences in various cultural settings, I am enthusiastic and passionate about learning from Australian craftsmanship, seeking better ways of living through thoughtful design.

Education

University of Sydney

Master in Architecture – Dean’s List 2021, Nominated Thesis by the University for Sustainability RIBA Awards

2021 - 2023

• Economics for the Built Environment

• Code to Production

• Computational Design

• Design Thinking

University of Kent 2016 - 2019

• University of Kent Polo Team

• University of Kent Ski Society

• Social Secretary for Spanish Society

Bachelor in Architecture with Honours - Upper Second Class Fomento Fundacion 2014 - 2016

Spanish Scientific Baccalaurette 8.76/10

• Technical Drawing and Physics

Volunteering

AIPC Pandora India

Assist local school to deploy environmentally friendly solutions using limited resources to improve building structure and educating students to improve sanitation and knowledge.

Profesional Experience

Enpecado Brand

Co-founder

JAN. 2021 - DEC. 2023 SPAIN

Embarked on an entrepreneurial journey to conceptualize, launch, and grow a unique fashion brand, combining my passion for architecture and fashion with strategic business acumen. Competencies included Graphic Design, Social Media, Marketing and Project Management.

J. Enrique Fombella Estudio

APR. 2021 - JUL. 2021 SPAIN

Architectural Designer

My role involved creating a detailed 3D model with renders to facilitate effective client communication and enhance the architect’s presentation. The project was located in the outskirts of Madrid, on a vast 3-hectare land marked by challenging vegetation, rock sediment, and hot summer temperatures, the project required a thoughtful blend of functionality and natural integration.

Sustainable Transport Graduate Consultant

SEPT. 2020 –OCT. 2020 AUS

Management and delivery of consulting projects across the Infrastructure and Building Sector. Support and lead tender submissions.

CPB Contractors

Project Management and Design Architect

MAR.2020–SEPT. 2020 AUS

NORTH AND SOUTH PITT STREET, SYDNEY METRO AND OSD DEVELOPMENT

My responsibilities included preparing hard dollar tenders in various procurement methods; design management; feasibility studies; design optimisation and risk management assessments; deisgn changes; new office fit out preparations.

Casas Chic Real Estate

Real Estate Associate

SEP.2019–FEB. 2020 SPAIN

Digitalise co-living housing market through social media. Liaising with construction professionals about the feasibility of potential projects. Working around constraining factors: town planning legislation, environmental impact and project budget. Adapting plans according to circumstances and resolving problems that arise during construction.

J. Enrique Fombella Estudio

Architectural Designer

JUN. 2019 SPAIN

Exploring the different stages of construction and introduction to CAD/Modelling software. Concept and Technical drawings for Centro Nacional de Microbiologia.

Technical Skills

• Software:

Design and Documentation:

Rhinoceros (4 years)

AutoCad (3 years)

Grasshopper (1 year)

Revit (0.5 year)

Sketch Up (2 years)

Bluebeam (1 year)

Visualisation:

Enscape, Vray

Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premier)

• Project Management

• Hand Drawing

• Artifical Inteligence (OpenAI, Midjourney)

• Teamwork and problem solving

Languages

Spanish (Native)

English (Proficient)

French (IGCSE)

01

CPB CONTRACTORS

STATUS

PROGRAM

ACHITECTURE STUDIO

PROGRAM

STATUS

Work Practice

Station and OSD Towers Team Office

Under Construction

Residential and Office Building (XL)

Jose Enrique Fombella Estudio

Residential (S)

Under Construction

At CPB Contractors, I contributed to the design and construction management of two key metro stations and their over-station developments in Sydney. Collaborating with the lead design engineer, I oversaw design submissions and resolved issues with renowned architects like Foster, Cox, and Bates Smart. Additionally, I helped managed procurement, prepared sample boards for client presentations, and led the fit-out of a new project office. This experience deepened my project management skills and enhanced my ability to navigate complex construction projects effectively.

During my tenure at a small architecture studio in Madrid, I gained invaluable experience contributing to the construction of a countryside residence located on the outskirts of the city. Working closely with the lead architect, I played a pivotal role in various aspects of the project. This included crafting mood boards, sketches, and 3D renderings to effectively communicate design concepts. Additionally, I conducted extensive research and sourced materials, furniture, and fixtures to complement the design vision. Active participation in on-site visits and meetings provided firsthand insights into project requirements and constraints. I also played a key role in preparing presentation materials for client meetings and contributed to the development of detailed drawings, specifications, and schedules essential for project execution. This experience not only honed my skills but also deepened my understanding of the architectural process within a collaborative studio environment.

Bushfire Protected House

Country House in Torrelodones

Plastic Evolution 02

Nominated by the University for RIBA Student Awards

Aimi Berton

Sydney harbour is currently confronted with a pervasive invasion of persistent waste, and little we know about the ecological consequences stemming from the accumulation of these stressors over time. Consequently, it is paramount to rectify management of waste in the habour to uphold the sanctity of Sydney’s marine flora and encourage people to envision a world where we can coexist with plastic.

To counter the increasing threats of urbanisation and overburdening of the marine disposal system, the project explores the potential of reutilizing waste as key building components. Located between the Government House and the iconic Sydney Opera House, the design draws inspiration from an imaginary futuristic fish that has adapted to plastic pollution, generated using AI technology. The design of the building translates the fish evolutionary changes into architectural elements.

The fish becomes instrumental in comprehending the project’s conceptual framework and functionality. In this symbolic representation, the mouth signifies the gateway through which plastic infiltrates the body and the collection point where people can deposit waste using kayaks. The public pool equipped with filters to collect microplastics, represents the fish gills which extract waste. Subsequently, the collected plastic is sorted and processed into smaller fragments in the liver, making it easier for the fish to digest. Finally, the workshop mirrors the stomach which plays a transformative role by metabolizing the waste into useful building components with potential future adaptation of the fish’s anatomy.

This conceptual narrative is a metaphor to the project’s architectural design where the forms embrace the innate irregularities of the fish, converging them into plastic potentiality to survive future challenges.

Central to the architectural resolution is an active community engagement, with passionate locals actively involved in collecting and recycling marine plastic waste. This collective participatory approach not only instigates political action but also encourages public involvement, fostering interest and propelling the transition towards a circular economy.

Waste found in Sydney Harbour Plastic infested Fish Plan

Capturing the essence of Sidney Harbour: A conceptual drawing juxtaposing the present and an envisioned future.

The project aims to provide an interactive and educational experience, encouraging visitors to actively contribute to combat plastic pollution, envisioning waste as valuable resource rather than a threat.

Pool Showers: Interior View

DESIGN YEAR

TUTOR LOCATION

PROGRAM AWARDS

Surreal Symbiosis

2022

Simon Weir and Andre Frino

Isle of Man, United Kingdom

Theatre and Accomodation HD

Nestled on the eroding coast of the Isle of Man, this architectural marvel seamlessly blends a theater and accommodation, addressing extreme weather challenges. Embracing Surrealism, the design draws inspiration from chaos and perspective play, resulting in a structure that appears as a distant waterfall. However, as one approaches, the building transforms into a realistic and functional entity.

Incorporating a marina for weekend ferry access during public theater events, the design embodies Andre Breton’s transparency and levitation concepts. It skillfully manages water, turning it into an integral element that contributes to the illusion. The building harnesses the energy of active waves and constant rain, achieving self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability.

Vegetable gardens thrive within cliff intrusions, further enhancing self-sufficiency. With the aid of AI, the project explores these concepts, creating an architecturally innovative and environmentally conscious space on the isolated Isle of Man coast.

Exposed from the Sea

Detail Vegetable Garden Wall Image Image created using AI

Hidden from the Land

Controlled Chaos

Tunnel Skylight Detail

Image created using AI

Image created using AI

Image created using AI

Urban Tree School 04

Prince Alfred Park, Syndey Vertical School

Aimi Berton, Lynatte Chen HD

In response to the escalating urban heat crisis in Sydney, exacerbated by urbanization and climate change, our vertical school design emerges as a innovative solution. Sydney has witnessed a significant 1.4-degree temperature rise since 1914, primarily attributed to human activities and the scarcity of permeable green spaces within the city.

Our proposal revolves around the pivotal concept of canopy coverage, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. Taking inspiration from the city’s initiative to combat urban heat through increased canopy coverage, we’ve translated this into architectural language. The design mimics the overlapping leaves of a canopy, transforming them into functional rooms. When these leaf-like spaces overlap, they create a translucent effect, allowing natural light to penetrate.

This theme extends to the materials used for the floors, mirroring the translucent quality. The central vertical circulation is ingeniously incorporated as the “tree trunk,” facilitating movement through the school. Drawing inspiration from the varied heights of trees, the building’s volumes overlap and shift dynamically, akin to a tumbling tower game. This deliberate arrangement optimizes temperatures and creates open green spaces, prioritizing the well-being of the school’s occupants.

In essence, our vertical canopy school stands as a testament to sustainable and innovative design, offering a holistic approach to counteracting urban heat in Sydney.

Embracing heritage and sustainability, our vertical school seamlessly blends the old and the new, allowing natural light to cascade into the modern extension. Each room breathes with cross ventilation during warmer months, merging with the park’s lush surroundings. Vertical gardens, inspired by native flora, become living canvases, harmonizing with the green expanse, embodying a contemporary vision for education.

Utilizing Revit, a comprehensive solar analysis was performed to evaluate heat gain across different sections of the building. The findings indicated minimal solar heat gains in the majority of indoor areas. In a strategic move to boost the building’s energy and water efficiency, the rooftop on the top floor was exclusively designated for solar panels and rainwater collection. This initiative was a deliberate step towards enhancing the building’s self-sufficiency in both energy and water consumption.

Architecture as an Instrument 05

DESIGN YEAR

TUTOR LOCATION PROGRAM

COLLABORATION

2022

Catherine Lassen

Cockatoo Island

Coral Farm Pavillion and Research Centre

Madhumita Rameesh

Commencing our exploration, the studio delves deep into the architectural symphony of Glen Murcutt’s House, likening it to the versatile nature of a flute. Similar to a musical instrument that offers numerous permutations, Murcutt redefines the limits of architectural expression within its location, emphasizing the active engagement of its ‘player.’ This metaphorical inspired by Murcutt’s reconfiguration of the instrument, the project mirrors this approach, encapsulating sound and silence, light and shadow, day and night, control and autonomy, and the temporal and spatial dimensions.

Parallelly, in response to the urgent challenges posed by pollution and reef degradation, our project, Operation Coral Farm, emerges as a response to conventional approaches to marine restoration. Seeking to reclaim control of the Harbour and stimulate positive renewal, the project establishes a crucial dialogue between private and public spaces. The corals, functioning as a metaphorical microphone, amplify the urgency for change, making the island a focal point for discussions on its past, present, and future.

Our project unfolds within the historic Shipwright building, once a vital dockyard for Southern Hemisphere ship repair. In an era where extravagance often defines architecture, our design ethos emphasizes doing the most with the least. Focused on coral conservation to address harbour pollution, the project serves as a platform for discourse and awareness. The island, with its unique ability to swiftly adapt to change, shifts from vacant to full, echoing its historic background to impending urban renewal.

Examining flow, water, sun, shade, activity, and connection, our project embraces the intrinsic characteristics of Cockatoo Island, breathing new life into its abandoned spaces and propelling it towards a purposeful future beyond historical tourism.

Angular Louvers are introduced under the proposed polycarbonate roof bands inorder to achieve optimal day light while ensuring shading from mid summer sun intensity. the louvers are a simple addition to the existing truss structure and are spaced and scaled to ensure less-hindered views.

JOINER CAP WITH PE PROFILE CLOSER

150X50 MS BOX SECTION BOLTED TO EXISTING RAFTER

10MM MS PLATE CHARCOAL GREY POWDER COAT FINISH

50X50 MS BOX SECTION SUPPORTED FROM EXISTING STRUCTURE USING CONNECTOR PLATES

10MM MS PLATE CHARCOAL

GREY POWDER COAT FINISH

20MM TOUGHENED LAMINATED DOUBLE GLAZING

20MM MS PLATE CHARCOAL GREY POWDER COAT FINISH

TOP FIXED PIVOT FOR GLASS DOOR

20MM TOUGHENED LAMINATED GLASS DOOR

Cafeteria Transverse Section