SELECTED WORKS FROM B.S. ARCH AND M. ARCH PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
ISABELLE FLORES MARTINS
e: ifm3mw@virginia.edu | c: 703-395-8429
Architecture presents the opportunity to gather and connect people that might not normally on a day to day. It is a realm that offers innovative and unique spaces, which abide by no singular rule. I am a firm believer that architecture is meant to be a form of expression. One that benefits the community it is situated in, and also looks to the future of the world and its well-being. In my aspiration to become a professional designer and architect, I hope to follow a sustainable path. My path will be inspired by the hopes that people of different cultures can come and connect, and learn from each other. Whether these be private or public spaces, every square foot deserves a sense of individuality.
Place identity is a theme strive to follow in many of my projects, because it is no secret that sites are thick with stories. These stories must consider the different qualities, such as spatial, geographical, climatic, and tectonic.
My overarching goal is to unite people through the experience of a place; a place that is always sustainable and connected to the surrounding environment.
CEQUIN HEADQUARTERS
BRIDGING THE GAP
BRIDGING THE GAP
UYUNI, BOLIVIA
MONA EL KHAFIF | SPRING 2024 | ARCH 4020|
This thesis contends ing Uyuni miss out on experiencing the authen tic Bolivian culture and lifestyle. Similarly, it ar gues that the locals of Uyuni don’t reap substantial benefits from the enchanting salt flats or the tourism industry. Hence, the primary objective of this thesis is to bridge the gap between tour ists and locals to facilitate development in the city of Uyuni. The this project involved intervening in the local tourist route across the entire area, with a spe cific focus on the town identified as crucial urban development sites, though detailed designs were crafted for only three. These designs as water harvesting, local agriculture, farm er’s markets, and hybrid nal courtyards. The enact incremental improvements on vacant lots through strategic street interventions, alongside gradual enhancements to the city infra structure, including the addition of bus stops and extensive tree planting initiatives.
Uyuni Satellite
This plaza is an investment for the community of Uyuni because it brings upon several benefits for the city in the short and long term future. The main purpose is to harvest water from rainfall so that it may be used for other purposes, such as irrigating farm fields or laundry water. It is always meant to give back to the community and that is also done by giving them a space of leisure and gathering. The surface of this plaza holds several programs that encourage this, such as soccer fields, elevated stages, and even peaceful seating
This plaza is inspired by the current agriculture sector in Uyuni that thrives from the growth of quinoa and potatoes. To strengthen the tourist path, the design implements a permanent and temporary market with a restaurant on the upper level to invite tourists to experience local cuisines.
This implemented housing system plays on the current density in the city grid, while also maintaining the importance of courtyards. The hopes of this plaza is to allow tourists and locals to interact while also giving them the simple amenities they currently lack.
Permanent and temporary farmer market
Rooftop function for laundry
Water Plaza Gathering
Cultural Gathering Space
These three plazas bring a sense of community amongst the locals and tourists by connecting their local industries and the products or services they introduce. A lot of these spaces create job opportunities, giving meaning to the lives of these poor inhabitants.
In such a poor area with limited resources, it is critical that these community members practice sustainable habits so that their environment and energy is conserved. Such practices that are present in these designs mainly root from water harvesting. This therefore applies to many other activities, such as using water to cook or do laundry at home, or irrigating plants on the farmland.
While designing this, materiality was a large component since it must have cultural important but also something with easy access. These plazas were also opportunities for people to engage with one another without having to spend much money at all. It also was an attempt to make the route walkable and also safe for families and children to move around.
This affordable housing complex is specifically designed for three different constituent groups in NW DC area: elderly people, small families, and young working/ studying adults. This therefore presents intergenerational relationships, with a variety of needs that are covered by unique spaces. In this design, there is a shared courtyard, but there are also semi-private/public spaces as you go up the floors, such as gardens, courtyards, lounges, and study rooms.
The retail takes place on the front towers of the building on two floors, and there is a daycare that is on the third floor. This is an important aspect because it gives access to the residents and their kids to play and be cared for while they work. There are a total of 65 units, that can account for around 150 residents.
The two unit types above are considered small with the square footage ranging from around 500 - 700 square feet. There are two types considered due to the different needs within constituent groups, such as an individual/couple which requires less privacy compared to two roommates cohabitating.
The two unit types above are considered medium with the square footage ranging from around 700 - 1000 square feet. There are two types considered due to the different needs within constituent groups, such as a couple with a child versus 2-3 roommates cohabitating.
The two unit types above are considered large with the square footage ranging from around 1000 - 1250 square feet. There are two types considered due to the different needs within constituent groups, such as a small family with children and grandparent(s) versus individuals cohabitating that might need remote working space.
CEQUIN HEADQUARTERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA
MARIA ARANGUREN AND PANKAJ VIR GUPTA | FALL 2023 | ARCH 4010|
Partner Project with Aesha Patel
The community of Noor Nagar in Delhi, India is one that lives with the constant struggles that are brought upon by poverty. Such issues include the lack of fresh and running water, bathrooms, stable homes, and job opportunities. A NGO, called Cequin, works in close proximity to this community and over the past ten years, has been able to gain their trust. This was most significant through their organization, “KickStart for Equality”. It is an opportunity for young girls to play soccer and gain an independence away from home and learn to become more confidence.
In talks with the members of Noor Nagar, it was unfortunate to discover that they lack green space and fields in their area. This design is therefore a simple approach that provides a field for these girls, and also for the community, so that they may engage in something as pure as soccer. It also provides spaces for women to recieve counseling, for students to receive tutoring, and more educational opportunites. The rooms function for more than one program, utilizing the space limitations to the fullest capacity.
Noor Nagar Site Plan
Dynamic affordable furniture diagrams (Diagrams completed by both
Nighttime Soccer Game (Completed by me)
Public Seating Spaces
(Completed by
SCHOOL STRATEGY
IZIUM, UKRAINE
SUZANNE MOOMAW| FALL 2023| PLAN 5500|
Partner Project with Thomas Ryan
The city of Izium was seized by Russia in April 2022, with many important aspects of the communitu destroyed. Our group decided to focus on schools, specifically School No. 4. Schools play a vital role in communities. They serve many functions alongside providing learning and development opportunities for youth. Schools can act as centers of the community by bringing people together, providing a sense of purpose, and creating common ground. Formal and informal education activities have also been shown to be useful in response to significant disruptions of family and community networks due to loss, displacement, family separation, community fears and distrust.
We aim to provided a wide array of ideas at different scales of severity, with different levels of change to what was previously there. We have had our share of introspection, and understand that our suggestions, ideas, and responses are limited in scope. By no means is this a projection of what we believe the future of the city to look like, rather we are providing options we firmly believe in. It is up to the citizens of Izium to take what we have produced, pull moments from it and decide if, how, and when they wish to apply it.
2023 Updated Image of Exterior
2023 Updated Image of Interior
Reconstruction Process Diagram (Completed by both partners)
I have embraced art and its unlimited boundaries since I was a child and have constantly looked for new and creative ways to visually represent moments of life. It is what led me to my passion of architecture because I see design as a form of art, that caters more to the user and its experience. In a way, it felt like bringing my paintings and drawings to life because people could then inhabit the spaces.
From the ages of 8 - 17, portraiture was a strong interest of mine. I began drawing people I knew, celebrities, and magazines. Throughout the years, my skills developed greatly and it was enjoyable to do. Below is a drawing of a young boy my aunt had photographed on her travels. On the top right is a drawing of US Goalkeeper, Hope Solo. From ages 18 - 22, wanted to strengthen my painting skills, especially with acrylic paint and occasionally oil. This also aligned with penship skills, which is demonstrated in this drawing in the bottom right.
Lastly, modelmaking has been a technique acquired over the years , especially through the studio spaces. This model on the far right is of my father’s family home in Braga, Portugal, made in clay and then painted in glaze.
