Joaquin Lee Vargas Portfolio 2024

portfolio. architecture // design

joaquin lee vargas

welcome.

My name is Joaquin Lee Vargas.

I am a designer/visioner/manager in my fifth and final year of my bachelors of architecture at the Syracuse University School of Architecture.

My passion roots from my very young self who invisioned himself as a designer, creator, and innovator. Following the footsteps of my family of architects, I too shared the dream of creating a new future that will guide the experiences of tomorrow.

Here are some of the things I’ve created.

I hope you are pleased.

- j.l.v

honey convent1.

This project highlights within its procession, the twelve steps of chirst while providing a space for nuns and visitors to use the space in a harmonious symphony. The workng and sleeping faces of the nuns intersect with the public spaces of the convent. The procession towards the elevated chapel serves as a way for people and nuns to experience a narrative of christianity. At the same time, visitors and residents are able to get a visual experience of the working nuns. With its honey resembling glass bricks, the project pursues experimental materiality to give visitors a more immersive experience to what the project is about.

the honey convent celebrates the transparency of glass, accentuating the colors of the honey making nuns that reside in the project location eveux, france course arc 409 | comp studio instruction richard rosa

Cutaway Axon | Crystal Chapel

Enlarged Plans | Convent Dormitories, First Floor

Enlarged Plans | Convent Dormitories, Second Floor

Detailed Section | Concrete, Glass, and Steel

rigid insulation

insulation

concrete reinforcement

slab reinforcement

steel substructure

cast glass blocks

steel frame

steel structure cast glass blocks hvac water piping anchor screw

Enlarged Section | Crystal Chapel

Enlarged Plan | Crystal Chapel

echo’s archive2.

the project hopes to create an open and continuous trail of memories that visitors can experience and interact with

This project seeks to celebrate various subcultures of italy with a focus on the mélange of identities found in sicily. Sound as artifacts hold far greater potential to create lasting impressions compared to static relics that are oftentimes inaccessible, tucked away behind protective screens. Visiting residents are encouraged to contribute with their knowledge and production of sound whether it be through music, spoken word, and everything in between. This archive leads visitors and locals alike through a variety of spaces each tailored to provide specific sensory experiences we hope will create opportunities for learning and reflection. While interior forms provide a level of complexity necessary for our acoustic ambitions, separated by strategic thresholds, the design intends to preserve the simplistic volumetric aesthetic of the surrounding properties. Lastly, the project aims so that both residents and visitors can leave their imprint by leaving their recordings behind in hopes of accumulating an ever-growing archive of sound.

Interior Views

student abroad center3.

this project focuses on three different schemes of exploring the same archetype. the archetype follows themes of striation, pursuing spaces of work, study, and living location

Expansive planar surfaces allow flexibility in terms of modularity both horizontally and vertically. Experimentation with a variety of vertical cavities and punctures break up the masses allowing for daylighting deep into the space. This vaulted repetitive tectonic strategy acted as a foundation for the archetype, naturally forming a strict array of striations following the same y-axis. Breaking up these long corridors in the x-axis and inserting a secondary, less dominant system allowed us to create a variety of spaces while still remaining loyal to the striated archetype Voids are reintroduced, reemphasizing the striations in the indoor and outdoor spaces that flow into one another, creating inviting, intimate, healthy spaces for students to live in.

london, england course

arc 407 | abroad studio

instruction davide sacconi

Exploded Axon | Archetype

Archetype 1 Section | Auditorium and Classrooms

Archetype 1 Section | Public Space and Living

Archetype 1 Sectional Axon | Overall

Archetype 2 Plans | Overall

Archetype 2 Sections | Overall

Archetype 3 Plans | Overall

Archetype 3 Sections | Overall

space exploration4.

the search for creating visual spaces that are intricate is found through a series of models ranging in scales, resulting in the pursuit for visual stimulation and logic.

By exploring different ways to visualize space in a conceptual manner, one can extract the qualities from derived from the study models into a project. This exploration was done by using different methods of modeling and materials. By combining software with manual labor, the exploration was able to reach a higher standard of design while retaining the freedom of modeling by hand. Utilizing wood and 3D printed material, the project was able to experiment the intricacies of perpendicular space, conversing with one another, allowing for a visual flow and circulation around its spaces. Scaling up the design language, poured concrete was used to observe the materiality as it would look on a full scale project. This exploration ultimately allowed for a better understanding of how carfully designed spaces can flow and communicate with each other.

david ingalls ice rink5.

understanding the systems of a project is imperative to one’s ability to design and visualize a project that is functinal and innovative in its design

The David Ingalls Ice Rink at Yale university is a project which includes various systems that are imperative for its design and function. The intricacies of the roof structure and design ambitions drive the project as an innovation in design. This design, however, calls for a deeper insight in designing it’s systems to keep the ice rink in proper conditions for all players and teams utilizing the facilities as well as for visitors enjoying games. By analyzing this project, we were able to understnad how cooling, heating, and structural systems collaborate with each other to bring forward a successful design that will bring utility and sastisfying experiences together.

Sectional Physical Model

Sectional

hand sketches6.

hand sketches are the purest form for initial design and it is imperative to have an agile hand to deliver quick ideas

Hand sketching remains a vital skill in architecture, transcending the digital age. Beyond mere lines on paper, it fosters a deeper connection between architect and design, facilitating exploration, iteration, and expression of ideas. Sketching allows architects to swiftly capture fleeting concepts, manipulate spatial relationships, and communicate nuanced design intentions with immediacy. It serves as a versatile tool for brainstorming, problem-solving, and collaboration, enabling a more organic and intuitive design process.