Design Portfolio - Gabriella Cruz-Solano

PORTFOLIO Gabriella Cruz-Solano.

Sustainable Planning and Design | November 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

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02

03

Bio.

Resume.

Skills & Courses.

04

05

Selected Works.

Creative Pursuits.

BIO. My name is Gabriella Cruz-Solano, I have my undergraduate degree in International Studies in Global Sustainability and Development, with a minor in Sustainable Materials and Technology. I am Brazilian and am English/Portuguese/Spanish trilingual.

I am curious and always want to expand my knowledge; I am a problem-solver, great at figuring out what can improve; and I embrace life with optimism, excited about what I can achieve.

My ultimate goal is to become a skilled urban designer dedicated to transforming urban centers into sustainable environments through innovative city design. My passion for this field is always driving me to learn more. I intend to pursue a master’s degree in Urban Design with a focus on environmental planning.

Outside of work, I enjoy creative pursuits like ceramics and painting, and I am an avid reader and outdoor enthusiast.

Gabriella Cruz-Solano gocruzsolano@gmail.com

“I strive for excellence. I am detailed-oriented, curious and resourceful. I believe in the power of collaboration and love to connect with others.”

Experience Oct.Town of Sustainability Present Zebulon Planning Intern ● Analyze, research and propose sustainable action items for the town. ● Work with stakeholders and community engagement.

Jan.- Mar. 2023

Strategy Analysis Greenpeace Extern ● Conduct comparative research to improve accessibility solutions. ● Provide actionable solutions to stakeholders.

May- Dec Part-time Charles Aris 2022 Researcher Executive ● Motivating and leading team members in tasks. ● Setting clear objectives and goals for the team.

Education 20202023

International Studies Degree: Global Development and Sustainability

● Research ● Communication ● Adaptability

Skills & Courses.

Technical

Transferable

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English Portuguese Spanish

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Organized Creative Research Curiosity

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Adobe Creative Cloud Adobe Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Google Earth Pro OpenLCA Posit (R programming language)

Courses ❏ ❏ ❏

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Sustainable Design + Development Environmental Life-Cycle Analysis Senior Seminar: Sustainable Urban Design Solutions Renewable Energy Assessment

SELECTED WORKS. “Instead of doing less damage to the environment, it is necessary to learn how one can participate with the environment by using the health of ecological systems as a basis for design. The shift from a fragmented to a whole systems model is the cultural leap our society needs to make – through framing and understanding living system interrelationships in an integrated way. A place-based approach is one way to achieve this understanding. The design process begins by attempting to understand how the systems of life work in each unique place. The role of designers and stakeholders is to create a whole system of mutually beneficial relationships.”

- Bill Reed Architect, Planning Consultant and Founding Board Member of US Green Building Council

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Carowinds Amusement Park Regenerative Design, Stormwater Management

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Fred Fletcher Park Sustainable + Environmental Design

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Town of Zebulon [01] Peer Town Analysis [02] Master Plan Analysis Planning, Policy, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Energy Efficiency

Carowinds Amusement Park A landscape architecture academic project, I conducted, to assess and improve Carowind’s ability to manage stormwater.

Issues with managing stormwater arose from the high amount of impermeable surfaces, occupying more than 50% of the site. Through case-study research, I was able to propose solutions such as green infrastructure, vegetation/green space, permeable surfaces and paving.

Arizona State Orange Mall Project

Los Angeles Wilmington Waterfront Park

Taylor 28

My design strategy employs the use of bioswales (blue) and rain gardens (green) located throughout the parking lot to collect rainwater. Additionally, permeable pavement (red), lines the parking lot to absorb and redirect water to constructed wetland (textured blue). Additionally, vegetation was added to open spaces to aid in infiltration for the site.

Future re-use of the non-potable water collected in the constructed wetland is suggested to improve the sustainability of the water system in the park.

Fred Fletcher Park A landscape architecture academic project, I conducted, to assess issues and propose solutions for a neighborhood park in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Through case-study research, I identified areas of improvement such as storing rainwater for non-potable use, permeable pavements, permaculture and feelings of safety.

Town of Zebulon Peer Town Analysis Conducted in my internship for the Town of Zebulon, this chart reviews sustainability initiatives of three towns within the research triangle.

These towns are chosen because of similar demographics and growth rates to Zebulon.

Master Plan Analysis Conducted in my internship for the Town of Zebulon, this chart provides a summary of an in-depth review and comparison of three different Sustainability Master Plans from several towns in the Research Triangle.

I compare vital stages, focus areas, goals, prioritization criteria and policy creation.

The goal is to utilize this review to propose action items and goals for the Town of Zebulon’s own sustainability planning efforts.

CREATIVE PURSUITS. CLAY WORKS AND SKETCHES

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Lid of Petals Wheel-Thrown and Carved

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Angular Vase Extruder and Hand-Built

03

Aroma Keeper Wheel-Thrown and Hand-Built

Lid of Petals This vase was created on the wheel with star-white clay. The original sketch shows a round shape with petal-like patterns on the opening of the vase, resembling a flower from the aerial view.

Angular Vase Created with an extruder, this six-sided vessel embodies an architectural style. It is functional as well as beautiful.

Aroma Keeper Created on the wheel with hand-built additions, this incense dish combines both form and function.

Thank You Questions? gocruzsolano@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-cruz-solano