graduate architecture portfolio
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CV
karla p. padilla
contact information
education
| padilla10karla@gmail. com
texas a&m university | Master of Architecture | 2020-2022
address | 2001 Holleman Dr Apt 917 College Station, TX 88740
phone
| (575) 805-0453
Texas Architectural Foundation Scholarship | Helping Hands Scholarship | GPA: 3.57
texas tech university, El Paso | Bachelor of Science in Architecture | 2018-2020
President’s list | summa cum laude |TTU Proven Achievers Scholarship |Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts Recipient | GPA: 3.9
dona ana community college | Associate of Applied Science Pre-Archiecture |2014-2017 Meritorious |Dual Credit Scholarship |
experience habitat for humanity Bryan/College Station | Construction Assistant 09/2021-Current | perform construction activities of all assigned projects
texas a&m university | Graduate Assistant 01/2021-Current | assisting professor Marcelo-Lopez Dinardi
hss inc. | Security Officer 11/2016-08/2021 | monitor patients, patrolling hospital, dispatcher duties
texas tech university | Undergraduate Research Assistant
01/2020-08/2020 | assisting architects Stephen Mueller and Ersela Kripa
references
skills
Marcelo Lopez-Dinardi | Texas A&M University email: mlopez-dinardi@arch. tamu.edu
software
Stephen Mueller | Texas Tech University email: s.mueller@ttu.edu Ersela Kripa | Texas Tech University email: ersela.kripa@ttu.edu
Rhinoceros | Advanced Grasshopper | Intermediate AutoDesk |Revit | Intermediate AutoDesk |Dynamo | Intermediate AutoDesk |AutoCad | Advanced Adobe | Ai | Id | Advanced Lumion | Intermediate ArcGIS | Intermediate Microsoft Office |Advanced languages English Spanish | Native
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01|bathhouse
TEXAS TECH EL PASO, TX |2019 INSTRUCTOR: ERSELA KRIPA
02|urban library TEXAS TECH EL PASO, TX |2019 INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN MUELLER
03|plastic-play-plant
TEXAS TECH EL PASO, TX |2020 INSTRUCTOR: CATHERINE SODERBERG-ESPER
04|urban housing
TEXAS A&M COLLEGE STATION, TX |2021 INSTRUCTOR: DAVI XAVIER-LIMA
05|bi-national connection TEXAS A&M COLLEGE STATION, TX |2022 INSTRUCTOR: MARCEL ERMINY COMMITTEE CHAIR: MARCELO LOPEZ-DINARDI CO-CHAIR: TYRENE CALVESBERT MEMBER: EDELMIRO ESCAMILLA
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bathhouse
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The re-introduction of the bathhouse to a modern society. The studio was asked to analyze Roman bathhouses, during the search I took an interest on the amount mass needed to travel to one condition to another. I began my research by locating three conditions present at the bathhouse: hot, room temperature and cold pools. By masses I am referring to walls and columns, I was able to conclude that hot conditions required far more enclosure by these masses. A design decision in order to maintain water and room temperature. My design includes a collection of column prototypes and its identities. With the alteration of the columns and its components the design encloses a series of environmental conditions such as heat humidity and wind. The columns also served as structural and inhabitable components.
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site timeline
As part of the research, we were asked to visit the site and analyze its conditions. I was able to conclude and diagram the amount of water present at the site. Arroyos located in a side hill next to the site are evidence of the amount of water (mostly rainwater) received by the site.
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site analysis
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sectional isometric drawing
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The design approach for this project consisted in understanding the properties of the column. In Roman Baths in order to retain humidity and keep the space on a high temperature masses of materials were used. In the case of Roman baths these masses were walls and columns. For this project I has similar intent, using columns I created a series of clusters in the areas that needed to retain heat and humidity. Having these cluster of columns allowed me to retain heat and humidity but I needed to release some the humidity and heat, for that, I used the roof and the floor. For the roof I created a system of domes that opened and close accordingly. For the floor I decided to use the foundations of each column as the opening to release heat and humidity. 11
section a
section b
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column prototype
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urban library
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What does it mean to have informational equity, “the quality of being fair and impartial.” Understanding that all information “held” in the library must be distribute fairly to its users. However, information might not be equity to its users depending on the content of its information. My potential forms have created a series of layers that change its curvature with higher elevation. Curvature that can be used to signify the change of information. For example, a child’s interest in information may not be the same as an adult, therefore the access to both varies. Both users have access to a source of information, but the information if different. Traditionally a library had one way in and one way out, that is a way to maintain a system for who and what information is taken out. What my potential forms propose is each layer to have its own security “barriers” to differentiate its level of information. I propose that the complexity of my surfaces and layers to be used as “barriers” and as organizations system.
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grid distortion
At the beginning of the semester we began by studying an existing library, in my case I decided to study the Rolex Center by SANAA. In this case I began my interest on the curvature of each floor. I analyzed each column and how each column touched the surface. (Top left drawing) shows the type of curvature each column has. (double, single or none)
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To further my research I began to annotate the level of security a library has. I began to treat this design as a ‘fact checking’ device. Using the curvature as barriers . (Bottom drawing)A diagram with possible forms and its layers.
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isometric drawing- circulation-structure
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floor plan level 1
floor plan level 2
above and below-study diagrams
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study models
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(Top left) study models created during this process. Understanding that I wanted to create a series of layers with different curvature.
(Below)A long section of final design.
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plastic play plant
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The studio was asked to identify the main sources of plastic in my case any plastic related to the security area. Then we were asked to provide a recycling machine that can handle the regions plastic waste. The end goal was to produce a manufacturing facility in downtown El Paso. The facility would also serve as a play-space made entirely of recycled plastic waste. The facility would serve as a museum space for plastic related art/panels could be displayed. The goal of the project was to seize a waste of problematic material and apply it to raw material.
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grid distortion
enclosement
Above the placement of the recycling machine on the site parameters. Also, a series of diagrams representing the process of enclosing the recycling machine. To the right panels created by plastic waste and a representation of assembly and interaction.
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panel representation
panel assembly
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panel interaction
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regional analysis map |plastic trace
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global analysis map | plastic trace
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The mass enclosing the recycling machine has a double purpose. Not only it provided the space for the machine to function properly, but it served as a display area. The idea is to attach the panels to the exterior surface and let the public interact with them.
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urban housing
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This project aims to reflect upon urban density as a new ground for housing in the 21st century. With people moving primarily to areas where infrastructure is already established, the cost of living, the required commuting, and the range of quality-of-life options afforded by living near the urban core become a necessity. Hence, rethinking the relationships between housing and the urban fabric are a crucial task for architects. It is required, however, for the site to be in a dense urban context, close to public transportation and city amenities.
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Above the tion , Texas. sun study
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location of the project With amenities such as
in a high density area of restaurants, parks, and public
College Statransportation.
accesibility-circulation
design diagram
underground parkin
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1 PLYWOOD UPSTAND CAP 2 INSULATION 3 RIGID METAL AIR + VAPOUR BARRIER 4 ALUMINIUM SHEET CLADDING 5 CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER 6 ACCOUSTICINSULATION 7 INSULATION 8 TIMBER CLADDING 9 STEEL ANGLE
Above the aim of this project is for each unit to be elevated above the existing amenities of the site. Each unit is designed in a way that the user can expand as needed. underground parking
floor plan-level 1
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floor plan-level 3
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final perspective section
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bi-national connection
BORDER USA-MEX
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political boundary
physical barriers
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natural barrier
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For this final study, I took an interest on the border. Specifically the border between the USA-Mexico. I wanted to incorporate to my design issues that are currently occurring at the border, issues that deal with the land, river and the actual border wall. The border itself is compose/defined of different elements, natural barrier (river) physical barrier (wall). To narrow down to a specific location I began to conduct this analysis of taking different points along the better and look at areas were most if not all these issues occurred. This analysis narrowed down to the city of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez.
combination
usa
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To analyze the border zone I created a series of one mile diameter circles from the border. I wanted to see what are the conditions of each side. For the most part El Paso and Ciudad Juarez have a mix composition of residential and commercial areas. To narrow down even further and understanding all the characteristic of each circle I decided to focus on the middle one (see drawing left) In this area theres is a combination of residential, commercial and industrial areas. Also, there is an existing international border crossing. (El Paso del Norte) (Below) Site analysis Sun Wind direction
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To begin making connections between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez and started by projecting street grids to each side. Conducting this exercise allowed me to produce connections that related back to my initial approach. (land, river and wall) Taking a deeper approach to analyze the site, I conducted an analysis that demonstrated the level of security the site has. This being a border zone the area is highly monitored. Information
1943 Water treatment plant Robertson open. 800 Canal St. El Paso, TX
Proposed Site
1967 Plant expanded. Additional water supply to support growing Fort Bliss.
Permeability Study Water treatment plant handles 40 MGD (million gallons per day)
Low Permeability
High Permeability
Medium Permeability
Medium Access
No Access/Authorized Per
Access
Accessibility Study
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Person 1 Student living in Ciudad Juarez attends UTEP in El Paso, TX
Rio Grande source Colorado/New Mexico Mountains
Person 2 Nurse living in Ciudad Juarez works at The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus
Elephant Butte Caballo Lake
The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus
Irrigation Dona Ana/Texas/Mexico El Paso/Ciudad Juarez
Ciudad Ci d d Juarez J
Population
841,286 8
UTEP
1,539,758 7
2020
El Paso
Rio Grande Shift
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Paso del Norte International Bridge
Paso del Norte International Bridge
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Ciudad Juarez Point location
Ciudad Juarez Point location
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1 1/2 1 2 ho hours h ours rs
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1 hou hour ou pedestrian vehicle
30 m 3 min
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average border wait times El Paso del Norte
Another element I wanted to incorporate to this design was my personal experience. I am from El Paso, Texas with the majority of my family living in Ciudad Juarez. (Top left drawing) A digram of the distance and travel time of two people living in Ciudad Juarez and working or studying in El Paso, Texas. For many this is the reality of living in a border city. After creating the connection points I decided to not only project street grid lines to each side but also to modify these street grid lines to have a stronger connection. (Bottom left) original site
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site modification
rio grande shift 1852
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water treatment
public access crossing
water treatment equipment
apartment units
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CIUDAD JUAREZ, CHIHUAHUA
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EL PASO, TEXAS
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floor plan-level 3
floor plan-level 4
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floor plan-level 5
facade detail
metal mesh
window
column
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detail
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detail
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detail
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overall axon drawing
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thank you.
contact information : padilla10karla@gmail.com | (575) 805-0453 karpadil_02@tamu.edu
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