PORTFOLIO ISABELLA HOFFMAN
2022-2024
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN LUIS OBISPO
UNDERGRADUATE ARCHITECTURE
ABOUT
Having grown up in Los Angeles, I have always been immersed in a culture that values individuality and creativity. My artistic passions include drawing, sketching, and taking on intricate projects, as well as artistically journaling my daily experiences. Along with my love for the arts, I also enjoy scrapbooking and collaging, preserving memories in unique and creative ways.
My enthusiasm for exploration drives me to travel, hike, and tour both familiar and new destinations, where I like to discover art, architecture, and diverse cultures.
I am an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy books, often losing myself in their imaginative worlds. Trivia games are also a fun way for me to constantly expand my general knowledge.
I recently graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in June 2024.
THE CENTER OF INTENTION
5TH YEAR UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT
LOCATION: CAL POLY, SLO, CA
As my architectural education comes to a close, I have chosen to dedicate my senior project to studying a topic and people close to my heart: Judaism and the Jewish people. This thesis intends to defend the right to an architectural space on campus that protects and empowers Jewish students.
UNITING JEWISH COMMUNITIES THROUGH ELEVATED ARCHITECTURE
DROP-OFF
SLACK STREET
CORE/ HEART
CORE/ HEART
GARDEN
Flexibility in the space is prominently showcased in the heart of the project—an outdoor area designed to facilitate both communal gatherings and moments of quiet contemplation. By fulfilling these dual roles, this space remains functional throughout the day, catering to a wide range of activities.
This versatility extends to the two main buildings framing the central outdoor area: a multipurpose dining hall and a prayer space. Both feature expansive, flexible layouts complemented by adjustable furnishings.
The multipurpose building serves as a hub for cooking, dining, learning, socializing, and various other activities. Its open layout offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, enhancing the overall experience.
Exploded Axonometric
Experiential Collage
College is a span of years in which many Jewish students take back their freedom after the perceived confinement of the “Jewish bubble” in their parent’s home. Yet, this is also a prime time for young adults to develop themselves as individuals and solidify their values.
To explore the effectiveness of an architectural solution to this issue, a Jewish Community Center adjacent to the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo is proposed to help encourage the possibility of longer-lasting relationship with the religion and even inspire others to connect and to be less discriminatory and more interested in educating themselves on the topic.
Through adaptable spaces, the blending of diff erent energies into single spaces, and illuminating and accentuating special places, this project intentionally devises a design that will hopefully shift the narrative placed on these students and reveal the true intentions of the Jewish students in SLO, which is to preserve and protect the Jewish identity and help the community thrive and expand into the future.
BRIDGED CAL WESTERN UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL: LIBRARY AND CLINIC
3RD YEAR
LOCATION: SAN DIEGO, CA
The Cal Western School of Law will play a crucial role in serving the evolving communities of San Diego and providing high quality education to shape future lawyers.
Detailed Wall Section West Elevation
The primary structural system chosen for this project was mass timber. This solution reduces the building’s carbon footprint, and the natural qualities that improve student performance and aesthetic qualities which provide an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, mass timber was the natural choice for the structure. The structure itself is composed of 12” x 12” CLT columns supporting 8” x 24” Glulam Beams underneath 7-ply (9”) CLT panels. In areas where loads exceeded materials limits, such as the library portion of the building, steel was used.
This building acts as a catalyst for interaction between students and the community they serve. Thus, the building serves law students, faculty, and visitors of the six clinics which include community members, the elderly, veterans, immigrants, falsely incarcerated, and those seeking media rights related justice.
Floor Plans
Form Development
The objective of this project is to respond to the requirements of California Western School of Law’s need for a new campus. In their new location, the California Western School of Law are hoping to reflect their school motto through the campus experience. Rethinking the physical presence of the law school can act as a catalyst in serving immigrants justice, protection, and upliftment to aim towards a brighter future.
Experiential Narrative Collage
Performance Goals and Accomplishments
EUI Benchmark Comparision + Model History
Renders
Final Models Completed by Isabella + Holly
INTERLOCK 03
5TH YEAR
On the way to proposing a thesis project, making and exploring other things can help spur on the design process. During this thesis project, “Interlock” came to life. The challenge was to seriously consider the meaning of the words “elements” and “elemental” in the context of the proposed thesis.
VELLUM FURNITURE PROJECT
INTERLOCK is a purposeful piece of furniture made entirely of plywood (partially recycled wood) designed specifically to hold holy Jewish texts for the thesis project The Center of Intention. The furniture features shelves that are distinctively rotated at a 45-degree angle to enhance the visibility of the book titles and improve accessibility to the texts.
The shelves are slotted into cutouts on the two side pieces, ensuring stability and durability. What makes this work truly special are the extra cutouts framing the shape of the books. This design element enables people to not only see the books but also feel their important presence, adding a profound dimension to the furniture.
CONTACT 04
AFFORDABLE SUPPORTIVE AND FAMILY HOUSING PROJECT
4TH YEAR
LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO, CA
This project will povide quality affordable housing that cultivates a sense of belonging and interaction between residents to create a community that celebrates the Mission District.
VERTICAL CIRCULATION ARCADE AND PASEO GROUND FLOOR RETAIL
East Elevation
OFFICE EXPERIENCE
4TH YEAR
PERKINS & WILL, SF OFFICE
The San Francisco Urban Program provided Cal Poly students with the opportunity to work at a multitude of
firms during their fourth year. During this time, industry professionals assisted budding designers develop their skills and guided them through everyday standard practices that will benefit them in their future careers.
Trammell Crow-490 Brannan Illustrative Site Plan (Perkins & Will) | 2023
Caltrain Diridon Project Illustrative Site Plan (Perkins & Will) | 2023
Wareham-Emery Station V Garage Bioretention Planter Sections (Perkins & Will) | 2023
DRAWINGS 06
Charcoal on Newsprint Plaster Cast Study
Charcoal on Newsprint (after John Singer Sargent)