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Gabriela Marquez Leon Bachelor of Architecture - 2026

ABOUT SKILLS

CONTACT INFO

856-842-7424

gabmarquezleon@gmail.com

5028 Greene St Unit 2, Philadelphia PA 19144

-AutoCAD

-Revit

-Rhino -SketchUp

-Photoshop

EDUCATION

-InDesign -Illustrator -Lumion -Blender -Grasshopper

-Bilingual (Spanish and English)

-Thomas Jefferson University Bachelor of Architecture

Expected graduation date: May 2026

Current GPA: 3.92

-Community College of Philadelphia A.A in Architecture and A.A in Interior Design

May 2023 - 4.0 GPA

-Universidad de Carabobo Bachelor in Chemical Engineering

2014-2018 - 2.5 years of coursework

Incomplete due to university strike and personal immigration.

I was born and raised in Venezuela. I lived in my childhood home until I was 20 years old when I made the choice to come to the United States by myself, leaving my family, friends and half a Chemical Engineering degree behind. I wanted a greater future for myself and due to social and political circumstances outside of my control, I could no longer see that in my home country.

Once I got a second chance at a degree, I knew I wanted to pursue architecture. I have been interested in designing spaces for a while as it combines artistic creativity with practical solutions. With each year of my education, I feel more and more passionate about this career.

Aside from school, I thoroughly enjoy performance arts - singing, dancing, acrobatics and circus classes. As well as, writing, knitting, yoga, and baking.

01. SANCTUARY AT BLUE BELL PARK

For the design of this non-denominational church at Blue Bell Park located in West Walnut Lane, we decided to honor the presence of trees as a delinatong factor for the placement and form of the building.

Further connecting with the site, the facade’s custom panel system was inspired by the dapple effect the trees create on grass as light shines through the leaves and branches.

The structure consists of Mass timber elements, with a concrete 3’-6” foundation wall and concrete slab on grade.

The main structural architectural feature is the custom arched beams that also work as columns. These are sloped according to its position meet flush with the 6”x24” beams placed perpendicular - creating a waffle effect. Thanks to the malleability of the CLT Panels the walls are able to bend preserving the radiating grid.

In collaboration with Anna Lineburger and Jim Sontag

Design 8 - Fall 2024 - Thomas Jefferson University

SITE ANALYSIS AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

In clearing behind the line of trees we decided to place the chapel/ quiet space, and create an experience that will lead you to it. Using this as a central point, a radiating grid aids in the organization and scale of spaces. The desired path found between the trees is used an organizational axis separating the program depending on their function. The lobby/vestibule connects both of these nodes and works as a compression moment leading to taller and larger rooms.

Interior View - Chapel

Approach - North Facade

Approach to Chapel - Close up

Approach to Chapel

Interior View - Circulatory spaces

West Elevation North Elevation

Transverse Section

Longitudinal Section

Custom Curtain Wall System - two individual panels welded together by horizontal channels. Each panel pattern is randomly arrange with both with the same consistent size openings, to achieve a higher level of translucency the panels also have micro perforations throughout that create a screen like effect. This “box” of panels is then drop and lock into place in the curtain wall system.

02. NWA IMMIGRANT

INTEGRATION CENTER

Design 5 - Fall 2023 - Thomas Jefferson University

For this semester long project located in 2100 Benson St as a site, located in Northeast Philadelphia, the goal was to design a space that would support the primary function of the New World Association (NPO) with an additional housing component.

This organization aims to make a positive difference in our community by giving practical help to immigrants and refugees. Like ESL classes, financial literacy classes, etc. This helped inform and develop the program. This research was conducted in groups.

Later the design phase was done individually. My main focuses were: site consciousness in both geometry, scale and materiality. As well as providing lingering spaces (courtyards) for both the community and the residents.

Bird’s eye view

DEMOGRAPHICS AND NPO RESEARCH

The areas of Northeast Philadelphia that contain the greatest concentrations of foreign communities are the same ones that have the lowest rates of available housing. Incoming immigrants may have issues finding their way into welcoming communities of the same background.

PHILADELPHIA

Occupancy of Philadelphia Occupancy of Northeast Philadelphia

SITE ANALYSIS

Macro - Mobility

Micro - Boundaries and Thresholds

Micro - Site Access

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

Components of the program are grouped together by their function and exploration focuses on the general form of these volumes. The decisions are informed by the site analysis – access points, sun and noise patterns, visibility - and the context - scale and geometry of surrounding buildings.

Test fittings

Final conceptual sketch

Zoomed in section perspective A-A

Section D-D

Section C-C

Materiality - brick experimentation for variety, texture and contextual relationship.

West elevation

North elevation

South elevation

Approaching north corner

Private courtyard view Event space

Approaching south corner

03. MEDIATHEQUE IN SHARSWOOD

Design 6 - Spring 2024 - Thomas Jefferson University

In this multimedia library proposal in Sharswood, I focused on designing a lively experience where playful stacks of program carve out curious circulation spaces that provide connectivity between each built element, as well as central connection to nature in order to provide the community a space that foster togetherness.

With an added focus on sustainability, the form also had to be very dynamic and create depth with spaces for people to linger. The structure that allows this is a mixed system of stainless steel beams and CLT walls and columns.

The facade consists of 3’ and 6’ long terracotta panels organized in groups of 4, the pattern changes their direction adding to the playfulness of the building. The smaller panels appear in area where people occupy like the first floor and the balconies for a more human scale.

Main Facade - Street Facing

SITE ANALYSIS AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

The site is in the middle of an urban environment, with the majority of the architecture being row homes. The design takes the existing vertical and horizontal planes and breaks them, as seen by pushing in/out the building facing Ridge Ave and its larger height and scale.

Additionally this area notoriously lacks public green space, so providing access to a quiet courtyard was an important factor of the overall massing.

Conceptual skeches and models

Connectivity of spaces dictated by program + idea of procession.

Parti Diagram

Sustainability Diagram

Site Plan

Final Model at 1/8” = 1’-0”

Section A-A

Section B-B

Section C-C

Wall Section Model - 1/2” = 1’-0”

Close Up - Green Roof Layers

Close Up - Structural Layers

Section Drawing

04. CENTER FOR CONVERSATION

Design 4 - Spring 2023 - Community College of Philadelphia

I was tasked with creating a center for conversation for a community, part of the CCCAP yearly competition.

As conversation and connection is a recurring theme, I wanted to focus on connection with nature and the calming and welcoming effects it has on the human experience. The building is C shaped to allow for a central courtyard full of lush and colorful greenery, bring interior and exterior together. Different volumes to create a heriarchy and differenciating spaces.

The emphasis on timber structure bring rhythm, order and natural flow of spaces, paired up with the use of soft colors and natural materials for a approachable and friendly space, and pitched roofs for familiarity and context cohesion.

Approaching - view from gardens

Bubble diagram - layout

Site anaylisis conclusion Perspective

Rain garden

Section B-B

Section A-A

Front Entrance Outdoor plaza

Rain garden - approaching east

05. A Smiley PlacePediatric Dentistry

4 for Int. Design - Spring 2025 - Thomas Jefferson University

For this project the goal was to design a pediatric dental office that fosters a sense of safety and comfort by carefully considering the separation and circulation of spaces with the implementation of a grid, where the dominating form creates an intuitive flow that guides the patients effortlessly through the environment.

As well as creating an ambiance of serenity, warmth and playfulness by the filtration of light, soothing colors, textures, and interactive elements.