Selected Works: Undergraduate + Additional Work
50gparra@gmail.com
"But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself."
Integration: Configuring a Dense Community
Sustainable Living
Urban Evolution
Geometry of Space: Unifying a Community
Project Type: Academic | Clemson University
Project Year: 2023
Team: Gabriela Parra + Kendall Sanders
Role: I was responsible for conducting a site analysis by studying the local context, demographics, and rising issues, developing initial design concepts based off of site research, and creating plans, sections, and diagrams using Revit and Adobe Suites, as well as assisting in developing renderings.
Collaborated with a partner in conducting a site analysis by studying the local context, developed site created plans, sections, and diagrams using
Located on the Atlanta Beltline, this project addresses the city's housing crisis and influx of tenants by re-imagining communal living through innovative micro-apartment design. Inspired by Tetris blocks, the configuration maximizes space efficiency, thus encouraging minimalist lifestyles. Interlocking units create communal spaces that foster neighborly bonds and community integration, promoting shared experiences and energy. By integrating vertical building and micro-apartments, we successfully provide affordable housing while minimizing the building footprint, offering a sustainable solution to urban density challenges in Atlanta, Georgia.
the beltline 22 mile long trail around the city of atlanta, designed to reconnect communities.
project significantly of units; our
project site the surrounding apartment buildings take up a significantly larger footprint with limited quantity of units. Our design enables future vertical expansion, thus maintaining a reduced footprint.
micro-apartments compact apartments to efficiently utilize site area. vertical building solution to managing dense populations with a reduced building footprint.
micro-apartment
standard apartment vertical building add vertically to minimize and control building footprint
minimize the square footage to only include necessary space
repetition repeat this process horizontally and vertically to efficiently utilize the site area
configuring different layouts to accommodate the different tenant unit layouts, blocks will shift horizontally
filling the voids the voids created by these shifts will become shared spaces for the tenants residing on each floor; this allows the building to keep its small footprint, and offers spaces for tenants to connect with each other
artists + creatives
atlanta homes a booming creative economy
young professionals top ranked career development city
students atlanta has over 50 colleges within the city
small families
38% families in atlanta are in poverty; average family size is 2 prospective home-buyer significant resurgence due to beltline and ponce city market retirees
1:5 residents will be over the age of 60 by 2030; property taxes in atlanta are below national average
couples unit encourages co-living between 2 couples
singles average person in atlanta lives alone
small family unit Integration: Configuring a Dense
shared space
The building is designed to utilize the sunlight and air to its benefit. Windows have built in louvers that rotate 180 degrees to control sunlight coming into the building, to efficiently add or reduce heat in the tenants apartment. Balconies allow for offset windows to avoid harsh sun. Facades are also designed to have open areas for wind to pass through the building.
Balconies are included for all apartment units, to encourage tenants to spend time outside and engage with people that live around them. Balconies connect floors, bedrooms, and units on the same floor to give people the opportunity to network and sprout relationships with each other.
Project Type: Undergraduate Work
Project Year: Spring 2022
Team: Gabriela Parra + Algeno Jackson
Role: I was responsible for cohesively analyzing the site, researching sustainable technology, and developing the concept for sustainable residential units. I also assisted in creating the model using Rhino 3D. I used Adobe Suites to develop plans, axons, and diagrams to support the concept and Lumion to develop renderings.
Collaborated with a partner on cohesively analyzing the site and developing the concept for sustainable residential units, and researched sustainable technology. Utilized Rhino 3D to create the model, Adobe Suites to develop plans,
This project in Los Angeles tackles affordability and sustainability in an expensive and sought after neighborhood in California. By integrating sustainable and efficient systems, we aim to create a self-sustaining home that maximizes space utilization and gives appreciation and recognition to the Los Angeles hills. Our design also transforms its cost into a valuable investment by incorporating Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This innovative approach not only provides a natural and unique living environment, but also offers opportunities for additional income generation, making it an iconic and practical solution for urban living in LA.
site boundary
the site lays on a steep hill in the heart of the woodland hills
site division
the site is divided into 3 sections for 3 separate ADU's to utilize the space at its most efficient capacity
hills
each section is raised vertically to create 'opening' for each unit, resembling the hills of the site
pools
the site is pulled down to create pools for each unit, which will be utilized for water retention
water retention when it rains, the curves of the units will guide the water through the site and to the pools to be reused within the site
01. sedum
02. soil
03. stormwater detention
07. 3d print sandstone material 07.
04. waterproofing membrane
05. insulation
06. green roof grid
system diagram 06.
exterior stairs
water system
The water system integrated into the design takes advantage of the hills by collecting rainwater runoff and storing it for reuse. The dips and curves are designed to circulate and collect this water to promote water conservation, decrease water costs, and reduce flooding and erosion in the surrounding area.
HOT AIR IS FORCED DOWN INTO AN AREA WHERE IT IS AGAIN PUSHED OVER THE OVERFLOW WATER AREA AS COOL AIR. THE WATER IN THE OVERFLOW AREA EVAPORATES , REMOVING HEAT FROM THE AIR AND ADDING MOISTURE. AS IT EVAPORATES, IT DRAWS ENERGY FROM ITS SURROUNDINGS, THUS PRODUCING A COOLING EFFECT.
WATER CIRCULATES THROUGH THE FLOORS WHILE ALSO BEING HEATED, ALLOWING FOR HEATED FLOORS FOR THE COOL NIGHTS OR MONTHS OF
THE WATER SYSTEM IMPLEMENTED IN THE DESIGN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE SURROUNDING HILLS BY COLLECTING RAINWATER RUNOFF AND STORING IT FOR FUTURE REUSE. AS WATER FALLS FROM THE TOP OF THE HILLS, IT IS CIRCULATED AND COLLECTED IN THE DIPS DESIGNED IN THE CURVES OF THE HOUSE. IT IS USED FOR RECREATIONAL POOLS OR IS FILTERED AND REUSED WITHIN THE HOUSE TO PROMOTE WATER CONSERVATION, DECREASE
HROUGH THE D FLOORS FOR
01. rainwater considering los angeles has minimal rain throughout the year it is important the entire site is designed to gatther as much as possible when it does
year it is important the entire site is designed to gather
WITH NATURA CONSTANTLY USE OF PUMPS, TO NATURALLY AS WATER FLO FILTERING PLAN PROTRUDES OU THESE PLANTS KEEPING SWIM THESE FILTER PROMOTE NAT FREE POOLS, POPULATIONS AVOID ALGAE G PROMOTING A AND ANIMALS.
WATEWATER FROM SHOWERS, SINKS, LAUNDRY, AND DISHWASHERS IS REPURPOSED INTO GREYWATER TANKS, WHERE IT IS THEN RECYCLED FOR TOILET AND LAWN USE TO ULTIMATELY CONSERVE WATER USAGE IN THE HOUSE AND DECREASE WATER BILLS.
02. exterior steps used for circulation around the site, as well as guides rainwater to the pools
WATER CIRCULATES TH FLOORS WHILE ALSO B ALLOWING FOR HEATED THE COOL NIGHTS OR
WITH NATURAL POOLS, WATER IS CONSTANTLY FLOWING WITH THE USE OF PUMPS, ALLOWING THE POOL TO NATURALLY CLEAN/FILTER ITSELF AS WATER FLOWS IN AND OUT OF FILTERING PLANTS. A RETAINING WALL PROTRUDES OUT OF THE ROOF TO KEEP THESE PLANTS IN THEIR FILTER ZONES, KEEPING SWIMMING ZONES CLEAN. THESE FILTER ZONES ULTIMATELY PROMOTE NATURAL AND CHEMICAL FREE POOLS, PREVENT MOSQUITO POPULATIONS FROM INFESTING, AND AVOID ALGAE GROWTH, WHILE ALSO PROMOTING A HABITAT FOR PLANTS AND ANIMALS.
03. pools recreational amenity and the end stage of water retention of the site. water remains in the pools until it overflows into the water conservation system integrated within the design
green roof the greenroof naturally insulates the units below it while offering recreational space for the unit
natural pool filter aquatic plants are kept behind a retaining wall as pumps keep the water flowing through it, naturally filtering the water from bacteria, insects, and algae
heated floors water circulates through floors to heat or cool them E
initial water filtration excess rainwater is collected and filtered from the natural pools. this water will be used for showers, sinks, laundry, or dishwasher
water storage water is stored in water tanks below the units after being filtered. this water will be used for multiple purposes throughout the unit
evaporative cooling hot air circulates through the floors into where filtered overflow water is stored, ultimately cooling the hot air as it evaporates, removing heat from the air as it is released back into the space
grey water recycling
wastewater from showers, sinks, laundry, and dishwashers is recycled for toilet and lawn use for water conservation. reused water reaches its end-of-life after toilet and garden/outdoor use
Project Type: Academic | Clemson University
Project Year: Fall 2022
Team: Gabriela Parra + Algeno Jackson + Jacob Zeeveld + Will Nickles
Collaborated with two architecture majors and a landscape architecture major to develop the concept and urban layout of the design.
Revit to model the design and Adobe Suites to create supporting diagrams, assisted in creating drawings, and used Lumion to develop renderings.
Role: I cohesively worked with two architecture majors and a landscape architecture major to develop the concept and urban layout of the design. I used Revit to model the design and Adobe Suites to create supporting diagrams, assisted in creating drawings, and used Lumion to develop renderings.
Our project in the heart of Genoa, Italy, focuses on designing a public house that integrates seamlessly with the city's historic fabric. By blending elements from traditional Italian building typologies the palazzo and the villa we orchestrate a spatial journey that harmonizes private and public realms. Situated on a former public park, our design maximizes land use by introducing an urban center that fosters community engagement, alongside a lush garden to enrich the cityscape with greenery amidst its urban density.
site | genoa, italy
|
palazzo urban grid villa urban garden evolution urban grid + urban garden
evolution of palazzo + villa precedent analysis
integration into design
integration into design
analysis + precedent
The site is located on an existing public park near Genoa's city center. Rather than build in place of the park, our design incorporates the park by integrating it within the design.
The public house design incorporates common typologies of a palazzo: the piazza, a central gathering space; and the loggia, a covered exterior corridor, as well as typologies of an Italian villa: the garden, typically surrounding the building for privacy.
its shape from the urban fabric that
The public house takes its' shape from the urban fabric that surrounds it in order to better mesh with the city's urban grid.
urban grid
public house boundary is influenced by the urban grid
External shape is influenced by the URBAN GRID.
HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL AXIS are introduced.
axis horizontal and vertical axis create cuts and an internal grid
void
e of the site, creating views of the garden
maining ‘U’ shape is SPLIT into five different blo
program
open to the garden
a void is cut from the center to be a public piazza, that will be open to the garden
remaining blocks are split into five different buildings, defining hierarchy among programs
loggia the loggia is added, connecting the separate buildings and unifying them
Project Type: Undergraduate Work
Project Year: Spring 2021
Team: Gabriela Parra
This project design for an Art Center in Cayce, South Carolina, is a conceptual exploration of geometry as both a design tool and a means to foster community engagement. This project reimagines the typical boundary between interior and exterior space, utilizing the site as an anchor for development. The result is a dynamic, immersive environment that invites the public to interact, create, and collaborate.
We begin with a simple geometry, and allow the site boundary to shape the initial geometry of the design. Establishing linear priority creates the secondary geometry of the design. Irregular shapes, created by the voids made by these linear cuts, give appreciation to the rigidity of geometry. The concept is to invite external forces and the uncontrollable to shape our world and bring us together.
iterations of spatial layout
The outdoor, below-grade community space was designed to intentionally allocate an outdoor area as it's own program for the art center. Having this space below-grade gives a sense of enclosure and encourages people to gather within the space to interact, create, and collaborate. It also offers space for artists to showcase their work, a place for children to play, or a place for community engagement activities to take place.
The geometry of the outdoor community space is open at the community steps, but pinches in to invite people in and gather. It then opens up to the central area of the space to give people the space they need to create.
east elevation
west elevation
section a
section b
thank you.