Architecture Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

EDUCATION

University of Texas at San Antonio

College of Architecture, Construction, and Planning

Masters of Architecture (May 2023)

Bachelors of Science in Architecture (December 2021)

Minor in Art History & Criticism

GPA: 3.75/4, Dean’s List (6 semesters)

Universitad de Urbino

(Aug 2019 - Dec 2019)

Study Abroad Program, Colegio Architectura

El Paso Community College

Associate of Arts (December 2018)

Architecture Program, AIAS Organization

GPA: 3.26/4, Dean’s List (1semester)

ACHIEVEMENTS

Finalist Certificate of Achievement

“HOPE Dental Clinic & Training Facility”

Archstorming International Design Competition

Certificate of Excellence in Design

“Maxwell House Sustainable Retrofit”

UTSA Architecture Design Awards

Peterson Prize Honorable Mention

“Taliesin West, William Wesley Peter’s Conference Room”

Heritage Documentation Program, National Park Service, AIA, Association for Preservation Technology

HABS Student Competition

EXPERIENCE

Spaulding Structural Engineering - CAD/BIM Drafter

Residential Framing/Roofing/Foundation, Architectural Drafting

(Jan 2021 - Current)

Translated architectural drawings from PDF and CAD files into construction documents & drawings. Designed preliminary structural beam layouts, roof framing, and foundations for construction. Collaborated with engineers to achieve desired aesthetic architectural goals in a practical and logical matter.

Collaborated with architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals to ensure effective project management and coordination.

Gained extensive knowledge of architectural design in relation to construction documentation.

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation - Building Surveyor

UTSA Architecture Graduate Program, Taliesin West, Wesley Peter’s Conference Room (May 2022 - July 2022)

Conducted measured surveys and producing accurate floor plans, elevations, and sections of existing buildings.

Prepared comprehensive reports and providing professional advice on building maintenance, repairs, and renovations.

Conducted detailed inspections of buildings to assess their condition, identifying any defects, and evaluating their overall structural integrity.

Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) - Architectural Designer

M 1/2 Avenue Urban Infill - Residential / Multi-Family Housing

(May 2020 - July 2020)

Lead team in site research and analysis to apply appropriate design standards for a historical neighborhood through each design proposal.

Worked with the Galveston Historical Foundation to contact city developers, architects, team partners, city officials, and historic preservation through email or remote video chat to ensure project production & collaborative process.

Produced 11x17 graphic booklet with team to display a unique composition of individual Design Proposals & Research on the M 1/2 Avenue lot.

Unearthing Trauma

Housing / Sustainability / Healthcare / Master Thesis, Spring 2023

UTSA, Mentor: Vincent Canizzaro

El Paso, Texas, USA

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Today we experience life in a constantly changing world where injuries inflicted upon humanity are becoming more and more obscured. So much has become undetectable, almost as if it was even invisible. Commonly referred to by the U.S. Military, invisible injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have affected the very structure of living in a healthy and safe environment. The way we experience architecture in our public healthcare facilities plays an essential role in solving these issues of what is seen and, more importantly, what we cannot. It is important to treat not only the physiological aspects of human beings but also the psychological parts. Modern Architecture has evoked architectural design to a purely visual ideal form that lacks a deeper connection to the human psyche.

West Texas Region

The site selection was chosen based on the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) strategy to open their Spirit Center in Fort Bliss. With many location already completed construction, the choice to bring a mental health facility targeting PTSD and TBI in the Chihuhuan Region was then chosen and further analyzed. The context of the area is a dry and arid climate. Fort Bliss is the primary Army Post in El Paso, Texas. PTSD is often referred to as an Invisible Injuries according to Nueroscientist specializing in Military demographics. To relate to this, Hueco Tank Historical Site was also highlighted. The idea of a sacred land that has been historically preserved through out time directly relates to how Spiritual the site is and how spiritual the design should reflect.

Site Context

To better understand the site, a series of views were analyzed to suggest what certain landmarks and references are to be preserved or high-lightened in the design.

Some discoveries of the were to utilize the earthen materials found on the building site. The tones of the building should reflect and blend with the tone of Hueco Tanks.

The Franklin Mountains 24 miles to the west contain chert as well as quartzite and rhyolite. Soledad rhyolite is available in the southern Organ Mountains. Obsidian is the only commonly chipped stone that does not occur in the rock formations of the Hueco Bolson region.

To further relate to the local vernacular materiality, the design suggest to build from the locally quarried Hueco Quartzite in slabs or rock formations to be landscaped.

75% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of trauma in their lives.

20% of these people go on to develop PTSD . As of today, that approximates to 66.4 million people that are struggling with PTSD

20% of these people go on to develop PTSD . As of today, that approximates to 66.4 million people that are struggling with PTSD

s en se of ex pl or ati o n

8% of Americans26.5 million - have PTSD at any given time. That is equal to the population of Texas.

8% of Americans26.5 million - have PTSD at any given time. That is equal to the population of Texas.

20% of these people go on to develop PTSD . As of today, that approximates to 66.4 million people that are struggling with PTSD .

20% of these people go on to develop PTSD . As of today, that approximates to 66.4 million people that are struggling with PTSD .

20% of these people go on to develop PTSD . As of today, that approximates to 66.4 million people that are struggling with PTSD

An estimated 1 out of every 9 women develops PTSD, making them twice as likely as men.

An estimated 1 out of every 9 women develops PTSD, making them twice as likely as men.

An estimated 1 out of every 9 women develops PTSD, making them twice as likely as men.

An estimated 1 out of every 9 women develops PTSD, making them twice as likely as men.

An estimated 1 out of every 9 women develops PTSD, making them twice as likely as

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PTSD Study 1Grocery Store

The diagram focuses on how to soften the edge of the soldier experience in the everyday civilian’s environment of El Paso, Texas. Walmart is the primary convenience and grocery store in the city which is why this particular study was chosen.

PTSD Study 2Medical Facility

The diagram focuses on how to soften the edge of the El Paso Citizen experience. A common medical facility is compared to a localized traumatic event, such as the 2019 Walmart shooting.

Landscape & Contextual Analysis

The landscape is predominately a dry rural desert with almost no trees and natural vegetation beyond cacti. Most of the water runoff is shed from the mountains (including Hueco Tanks). There is a stream of run off that is channeled from the eastern portion of the site. The stream can be suggestive to propose a dam or some type of strategy to retain water and utilize the water in this area. The flow of water circulation/run off is generically traveling from the east to west.

Program Schematics

These diagrams are an early exploration of integrating the site and its dynamic topography with the design program derived from the NIoCE’s Spirit Center. The program spaces are categorized into eight types:

Imaging

Clinic Intake

Education

Administration

General Therapy

Physical Therapy

Workshop

Public Support Space

Nomadic Desert Pavilion

Throughout the desert landscape are designed Nomadic Pavilions, that serve as a place for rest and reflection for the patients that are housed at the Spirit Center. These Pavilion take formal precedent from Native American Tepees commonly found by the Tigua tribe. The Tigua Tribe is part of the natural and historical aspects of the site, which directly relates to the sacred land of Hueco Tanks. The trails from Hueco Tanks and throughout the land are to be integrated with the trails from the proposed thesis. These pavilion then should recall and blend with this context in a respectful and sensible method.

Nomadic Desert Dwellings

These dwellings suggest a vernacular and spiritual aspect to compliment the Spirit Center. Although these dwellings are suggest to be so, the intended program focuses on allowing the patient to actually build these dwellings themselves as a part of their healing process for PTSD and TBI.

Site Section A

Mezzanine Level

Clinic & Imaging Level

Therapy Level

Experiential Way-findings

The diagram shows a series of vignettes that the patient experiences while being housed at the Spirit Center. Throughout the day there is a series of emotions that the patients feels and experiences. Although these emotions are constantly changing and subjective, the purpose of the diagram is to evoke a sense of tone and emotion that the user might feel while experiencing these vignettes.

Master Plan

Weslaco Modular Housing

Housing / Sustainability / Urban Planning / Advanced Design Studio, Fall 2021

UTSA, Mentor: Ian Caine

Weslaco, Texas, USA

For more than a century, mobile and manufactured homes have offered occupants an accessible and affordable alternative to traditional housing. In Weslaco, Texas there are no fewer than a dozen mobile home and RV parks, many of which serve the “winter Texans” who migrate south for the warm weather and exceptional bird watching. Weslaco is located in Hidalgo County, the 7th largest and 11th fastest growing county in Texas between 2018-19. Hidalgo County comprises one of three counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a trans-border region located in the floodplain of the Rio Grande River and adjacent to the Mexican State of Tamaulipas.

Designed using Mass Timber specifications, Weslaco Modular Housing takes extracted timber from deforestation and hybridizes it with contemporary construction methods. The concept takes a tree to a panelized system, a module to the unit, and the unit to a cluster. In contrasts the typical suburban subdivision in America, this leads to an urban development that is in constant relation to the natural environment.

Environmental Unit - Front Elevation

Environmental Unit - Rear Elevation

Environmental Unit - Section A

Right Elevation Left Elevation Section B

Environmental Unit - Floor Plan

1. Accessible Ramp

2. Courtyard

3. Parking

4. Deck

5. Stairs

6. Walkable Pathway

7. Paved Walkway

8. Family Unit

5.

7.

3.

6. 6.

5.

1.

3. 3. 3.

MODULES PER UNITS: 6 - 12

OCCUPANTS PER UNIT: 2 - 4

BEDS PER UNIT: 1 - 4

UNIT FOOT PRINT: 316 sq ft OR 636 sq ft

Cluster

UNITS PER CLUSTER: 8

UNIT TYPES: 4 FAMILY, 4 EVNIORNMENTAL

TOTAL OCCUPANTS: 24

TOTAL FOOTPRINT: 3,808 sq ft

Development

CLUSTER PER ACRE: 4

UNITS PER ACRE : 32

FOOT PRINT PER ACRE: 15,240 sq ft

TOTAL SITE OCCUPANCY: 4,200

Weslaco Mobile Home Lots

PRODUCED

Wien Wein Naschmarkt Extension

Hospitality / Cultural / Retail /

Technical Building Design Studio, Spring 2022

UTSA, Mentor: Taeg Nishimoto

Vienna, Austria

Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most popular market that has diverse culinary offerings and common meeting points for young and older people. The large parking lot at the end of Naschmarkt is used every Saturday for flea markets. The building proposal is an open-air market, winery, and social hub. There are a series of four courtyards that are framed by the building program. The program volumes are scattered across the site and are used for wine taverns, grocery shops, cafes, restaurants, bakeries, wine tastings, wine making, and local pop-up food stands. The building is surrounded by 4 walls cladded in zinc corrugation. Each courtyard is cladded in a different material to give identity to each outdoor space. At night taller volumes, cladded in polycarbonate, illuminate the courtyard spaces within the building.

EXISTING KETTENBRUGENGASSE SUBWAY STATION

Wien Wein - Vienna Wine

Slow Food Foundation - Earth Markets MANIFESTO

EXISTING NASCHMARKT

MANIFESTO

TAVERN Space where local winemakers serve their new wine under a special licence in alternate months during the growing season.

LOCAL RESTERAUNT Resteraunts selling the Viennese cuisine. Offers traditional Veinnese specalities and organic ingredients,

WINE TASTING Includes 8 -5 wines from a range with in the region. Costs €15 per person Optionally with Heurigen delicacies.

DELI MEAT/BUTCHER SHOP Butcher Shop that sells deli meat in the market.

DISTRIBUTION Space for unloading heavy equipment and products such as local produce, wine, and other merchanidise with in the market.

POP UP FOOD STANDS

Meat Shop stands and pop up food stands that sells organic ingredients from the market such as kabobs.

WINE MAKING Place for customers and wine enthusaist to get hands on expierence in the process of making wine.

ORGANIC GROCERY STORE Store that sells local produce that is grown in Vienna and also sourced in the region.

WINE LEARNING Place to learn interesting facts about Austrian wine on five consecutive evenings or in blocks over 2 days: wine sensory and wine approach, the wine country of Austria and its history, wine-growing areas and varietals, working in the vineyard, vinification methods, the Austrian wine law, table and drinking culture as well as tasting typical Austrian wines are topics of the seminar series.

LOCAL BAKERY Shops on market that sources flour 100% from Austria. Relies on partnership with Earth Market and Manifesto. Only uses raw materials in bread and baked goods.

LOCAL CAFE Shops within the market that relies on day 1 fresh ingredients from the market. Provides food and an inviting atmosphere along with local coffee.

FISH SHOP Specialist for fresh fish in Vienna. Sells frozen products and fresh fish as well as live fish, live shellfish and crustaceans and hand-picked caviar.

View from existing Rechte Wienzeile Parking Lot approach.

Perspective view from Interior Courtyard space with narrows walkways leading to other programmatic spaces.

View from Naschmarkt across Kettenbrugengasse Street.

The primary structural system is framed by steel post and beam structural elements. The facade is cladded in diverse materials that give identity to each public courtyard. The white-stained spruce is a transitional intimate courtyard, the natural spruce finish is an amphitheater courtyard, the yellow-stained is a dining courtyard, and the dark reclaimed spruce is a locally grown vineyard.

Section B

Section A

The building is framed by steel post and beam structural systems and is cladded in diverse materials that give identity to each public courtyard. The white-stained spruce is a transitional intimate courtyard, the natural spruce finish is an amphitheater courtyard, the yellow-stained is a dining courtyard, and the dark reclaimed spruce is a locally grown vineyard. Each courtyard is connected through a labyrinth-like walkway where people can explore and wander throughout the market. The taller volumes within the courtyard are cladded in a polycarbonate material in order to provide light to the courtyard spaces during nighttime. This cladding is done by providing a double screen facade to be integrated with LEDs The design utilizes the railing system from Kettenbrugenasse, designed by known architect Otto Wagner to emphasize labyrinth-like walkways that lead to four courtyards.