Portfolio Joaquin Rivas

Tulane University B.Arch 2021-2025

JRA

Architecture Portfolio The Great Dome Worm's Eyes Joaquin Rivas

By: Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

The objective for this integrated studio is the design and resolution

of

a

mid-scale

normative

building

commodations level

with

in

building an

program

urban

and

context

for

travelers

developed

hostel

functions

and

building

with

over

adjacent

a

–

type

ac-

temporary public

ground

spaces.

outdoor

a

The

New Orleans. My goal was to create a flexible

site is located in

hostle, which my main focus was how there could be diferent layouts

whithin

certain

have a maximum of

seasons.

Mid

season

more

communal

space

where

where

you

able

are

high

seasonlayout

would

15 bunk beds where it’s more of a private

room.

individual

A

to

layout it

watch

begins

becomes movies.

to

rooms

low

incorporate with

season

it

a

projectors has

more

space where you are able to change it however it wants and it could

turn

into

a

playroom

and

two

private

living

rooms

for

each of the rooms.

And last an extremely low season where it

transforms

a

into

ball

room,

or

an

empty

strip.

High Season

Mid Season

01 Entry Perspective

Low Season

Extremely Low Season 02 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

1

Four Seasons Hostel Spring 2023 - Studio Project Professor - Juan Medina New Orleans - Louisiana 03

21'-0"

21'-0"

20'-6"

20'-6"

21'-0"

21'-0"

21'-0"

20'-6"

20'-6"

21'-0"

23'-0"

25'-0"

Fire Protection Water Pump

Mechanical Room

26'-6"

Trash/Housekeeping

26'-6"

21'-0"

1st Floor

23'-0"

25'-0"

Trash/Housekeeping

26'-6"

Room

21'-0"

Mechanical

Laundry

26'-6"

2nd Floor 04 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

Parapet

57'-6"

Roof

54'-11"

Flexicable Room Turned Into a Game Room

Movable Wall

Movable Wood Doors

Third Floor

42'-0"

Normal Dorm Room

Movable Wall

Movable Wood Doors

Second Floor

30'-0"

Flexicable Room Turned Into Movie Night

Movable Wall

Movable Wood Doors

First Floor

18'-0"

Ground Floor

3'-0"

Street Floor

0'-0"

Mineral Fiber Firestop Gypsum Board Insulation Support Welded to Pannel Concrete Pannel 05

A

C

B

21'

26'6"

D

26'6"

E

25'

23'

123'

South Elevation

A

5'

B

21'

C

26'6"

D

26'6" 123'

South Section 06 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

10'

20'

E

25'

23'

F 57'6" 51'0"

38'3"

26'3"

57'6"

14'3"

3'0" 0'0"

Zoomin Courtyard 50'

F

51'0"

105'0" 38'3"

57'6"

26'3"

51'0"

14'3"

3'0" 0'0"

20'0"

38'3"

26'3"

14'3"

51'0"

38'3"

26'3"

14'3"

3'0"

3'0" 0'0"

0'0"

Zoomin Entrance

Exploded Axon

07

Communal Kitchen

Interior Courtyard

08 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

Low Season Room

Low Season Room

09

Modular Light Fall 2024 - Studio Project Professor - BJ Siegel New Orleans - Louisiana This project investigates how productization—the strategic standardization of design elements— can reshape multifamily housing to deliver more than just financial efficiency.

By focusing on

the quality of natural light, this work proposes

a modular housing system where light becomes

the driving force behind design decisions, spatial experience, and long-term value creation.

At the heart of the proposal is a series of customizable

louver

orientation,

adapt

to

hance

daylight

resident needs.

components

designed

to

comfort

but

unit configuration, and These elements not only enpenetration

and

also serve as repeatable building blocks within a flexible and scalable development model.

The final board illustrates a comprehensive design process—from urban context and site analysis, to unit layouts and component detailing, and finally to interior and exterior visualizations. Each element is organized to demonstrate

how

thoughtful

repetition

and

modularity can reduce complexity, improve build quality, and create inspiring, light-filled homes.

02

By designing with light as a measurable and meaningful asset, this project aims to elevate the living

experience while making real estate development more sustainable, efficient, and human-centered.

10 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

11

4

1

1

2

1

1

4

3

5

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-9"

14'-9"

12'-9"

12'-9" F 14'-9" 15'-6" Ground loor

Andrew Higgins Bldv

15'-6"

Constance St

Constance St

3

1st Floor

Section Perspective 12 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-9"

27'-6"

12'-9"

14'-9"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

14'-9"

12'-9"

2 Bed Unit:

2 Bed Unit:

2 Bed Unit: 896 sqft

12'-9"

12'-9" 14'-9"

15'-6"

14'-9"

15'-6"

24 B Beded Unit:Module

15'-6"

1344 sqft 44 Bed BUnit: ed Module

15'-6"

15'-6"

15'-6"

12'-9"

1 4B Beded Unit:Module

1 Bed Unit:

1 Bed Unit:

14'-9"

1 Bed Unit: 448 sqft

Knowling Drawing 13

1 Bed Perspective

2 Bed Perspective

14 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

Exterior Perspective

Exterior Perspective

15

This project was developed as part of Tulane’s URBANbuild program, a long-standing design-build studio committed to creating highquality, affordable housing prototypes in collaboration with

New

Orleans’ underserved communities. The program emphasizes both conceptual exploration and hands-on construction, combining student innovation with local partnerships to address real-world housing needs.

Following the mid-review and the selection of the final housing scheme, I chose to focus on the development of interior design strategies, specifically centered on modular cabinet systems.

Inspired by previous

URBANbuild lessons—particularly the need for better kitchen and storage solutions—I designed a flexible system of cabinets that can adapt as units are combined into duplexes or larger configurations.

Each component is designed to connect easily without screws, allowing for quick assembly and reconfiguration. I also prioritized the integration of recycled plastic materials, not only to support sustainability but also to introduce vibrant color and character into each living space.

Starting from a single-unit layout, the system is scalable, supporting both individual use and multi-unit combinations while maintaining visual and functional coherence.

This approach reflects URBANbuild’s

mission: to push the boundaries of affordable design while responding to cultural context, construction realities, and community needs.

Starting with a single unit, I designed a set of core cabinet components that could expand and shift based on different unit combinations. The result is a flexible, system-based approach to interior design—one that balances adaptability, sustainability, and identity in modular housing.

16 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

03

Cabinets Display - Kitchen + Ro

3

oom Divider

Adapting Spaces Fall 2024 - Studio Project Professor - Byron Mouton New Orleans - Louisiana 17

Assembly Of Cabinets 1. Scheme 1

2. Scheme 2

1. Scheme 3

1.1

2.1

3.1

1.2

2.2

3.2

1.3

2.3

3.3

1.4

2.4

3.4

1.5

2.5

Materials 1.Recycled Plastic 2.Attachable Hinges 3.Attachable Tops 4.Easy and Quick

18 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

Color Options

Cranberry

Mistral

Ceramic

Oak

Cabinets Display - Bedroom Storage 19

Cabinets Display - Office + Living Room

Cabinets Display - Living Room

20 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

21

This air

thesis

how

the

strategic

in

Manhattan

can

be

City’s

escalating

rights

York

explores

identifying and

underbuilt

unlocking

project

proposes

context-sensitive stock.

The

zoning

solution

districts

transferred

and

complexity

influence

introducing and

how

air

preservation

systems,

and

new

the

of

existing

light

massing

adjustments

human-scale

experience.

how tool—can

air be

wells to

to

to

be

preserve

fabric

of

the

units

that

are

Key

solar

exposure

and

circulation

maintain

Ultimately,

rights—an reimagined

can

sustainable. of

of

distinct

rights

housing

integration

housing

two

aims

environmentally

include

analysis,

demonstrates

across

cultural

strategies

regulatory

the

and

design

and

exemplifies sitting

the and

city’s

identity

economically

potential,

the

proposal

while

neighborhoods

scalable,

The

both

access

By

developed.

architectural

neighborhood

crisis.

increase

to

site

that

housing

development

landscape,

zoning

New

sustainable,

a

chosen

Manhattan’s

the

vertical

unused

address

high-demand

in

of

to

leveraged

affordable

sites

their

utilization

daylight

this

project

often-overlooked promote

equitable

urban growth, resilience, and inclusive community development in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.

Permited Floor Area

h

0t 11

St

h

W

0t 11

St

h

W

0t 11

St

130'-0"

h

W

0t 11

St

22 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

h

W

0t 11

St

h

W

04

New + Exsisting Buildings

Permited Floor Area

140'-0"

W

0t 11

St

4

The Air Apt Spring 2025 - Studio Project Professor - Cordula Roser New York - Manhattan 23

FAR=1.0 10.000 SF Building Covering 100% of Lot

FAR=1.0 10.000 SF Building Covering 50% of Lot

FAR=1.0 10.000 SF Building Covering 25% of Lot

Air Rights Allocated To Lot B

Unused Air Rights

Maxed Used Develpment Rights

Used Develpment Rights

t Lo

Air Rights

t Lo

A

Zo

t Lo ing

B

r rge Me

n

Unused Development Rights 5,000 sq

2,100,000 sq

NYCHA TRD Status Development Rights With Viable Receiving Landlock Development Rights No Available Development Rights

Site Analysis Unused Development Rights

Unused Development Rights

100'-0" Permited Floor Area on Zonning

40'-0"

Unused Development Rights

Lot A

Lot B Merged Lots

Exsisting North Elevation

24 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

Lot C

Lot D Merged Lots

Lot E

Recidential District: R7

Lot F

Merged Lots

Lot G

Lot H

Merged Lots

Lot I

4 3 2

19-48 Units

19-48 Units

19-48 Units

Exterior Corridor Connector Between

North And South Facade

Extended Fire Stairs

From Existing To New

1 0

19-48 Units

Shared Amenities Existing

Exploded Axon

Shared Amenities

25

W 111th St

W 110th St

16'-0"

1 Bed Module

2 Bed Module

South Elevation 26 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

1 Bed Module Plan

7'-0"

8'-9"

12'-4"

20'-0"

8'-9"

5'-6"

1st Floor

32'-0"

2 Bed Module Plan

Experience Of The Above

27

Section

28 | Joaquin Rivas Alvarez

50'-5 41 "

84'-4" 33'-10 43 "

149'-10" 16'-0"

16'-0"

64'-0" 16'-0"

16'-0"

29

84'-4"

72'-621 "

117'-10"

11'-9 43 "

16'-0" 32'-0"

16'-0"

TULANE UNIVERSITY B.ARCH 2021-2025

JRA

Joaquin Rivas Alvarez Bachalor Of Architecture May 2025 Graduation Tualne University School Of Architecture Joaqorivas@gmail.com +1 7866422255