l arot
architectural portfolio
selected works larot@usc.edu
larot.co melissalarot@gmail.com
2023
table of contents 01 Floral Sensory Garden Spring 2021 | USC SoA 02 Underpass-adena Fall 2021 | USC SoA 03 The Reading Room Spring 2022 | USC SoA
Works included in this portfolio consist of projects made while in the NAAB Accredited Bachelor of Architecture program at University of Southern California, with the exception of work 05.
04 Library of Botany Spring 2022 | USC SoA 05 Selected Renderings Summer 2022 | PGAL Internship 06 Grown and Terraced Fall 2022 | USC SoA
floral sensory garden
Based on Balboa Park in San Diego, California Spring 2021
An analysis of an archway located in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Observational film stills were first taken in familiar environments and then analyzed into illustrations of the enclosure. Finally, an animated analysis of parameters and constants from the original film was created; formally depicting openness through 3D elements. The resultant structure features flowers as the performers and each experience becomes more uncommon as the visitor walks through. The audience members are completely immersed and become more open to viewing flowers differently, similar to how the structure ultimately becomes more open as well.
Programs used: Rhino3D, VRay for Rhino, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Premiere Pro
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5 06 07 08 09 10 16 17 18 19 20 16 17 18 19 20
underpass-adena
Pasadena, California Fall 2021
As an examination of Pasadena’s 710 “ditch” and its income demographics, Underpass-adena was designed to facilitate a sense of community and equity for all income ranges and ages. After research of Pasadena’s public gathering areas, the semi-circular arch shape was used throughout the site’s form. In contrast to the appeal of rooftops that overlook skylines, the hierarchy is challenged through more openings near the bottom to provide for more natural light and sound. Focused on nutritional wellness, the arch shape is manipulated as windows with differentcolor shades. Each shade is unique, encouraging visitors to explore programs that are either for or about eating, and thus combine colors together.
Ultimately, by acknowledging Pasadena’s existing demographics, Underpass-adena creates a colorful safe haven that is approachable and fantastical for all.
Programs used: Rhino3D, VRay for Rhino, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator
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the reading room
Los angeles, California Spring 2022
Based on the words “harmonious” and “blossoming,” authored and vernacular selected joints were redesigned and adapted into a small scale living study. Because of the rotating nature of the joints, the living study could open and close to create either a open or intimate atmosphere. Inspired by the living study, the reading room was designed in the same manner but at a larger scale. The same “harmonious” pivot can be used to “blossom” into a a room full of botanical books or a cultural gathering of different cooked foods using the ingredients from the community garden.
Programs used: Rhino3D, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign
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Californica
Agave
Bumble! Don’t worry, we’ll go to the park and play! We have to wait for my brothers remember? Finally, a place for my husband and to rest. I must say, our walk today was quite the adventure! One more order for the lovely Mrs. Zhao and... Done! My shift is over! Can’t wait to see if the baccharis salicifolia are in bloom!
CALIFORNIA POPPY Eschscholzia
DASYLIRION AGAVE
Dasylirioides
AND SO THE THREE HEADED TO THE LOS ANGELES STATE HISTORIC PARK... SURROUNDED BY RICH CULTURES IN AN EVER-GROWING METROPOLIS.
Look Gus-Gus! When we go home, we can use the tomatoes from the community garden to make sinigang or chilaquiles since they’re finally in season! Time for community meal day! Let’s rotate the walls! A A B C D D C B
A READING ROOM: THE GARDEN OF EAT-EN Driven by wonder and discovery, the reading room embraces the botany of the Los Angeles State Historic Park as well as information about the natural plants of the local area. Treasuring the mix of cultures, the communal marketplace program realizes the importance of a collective. In the stir of urbanism, the park provides a breath of fresh air and smiles for everyone.
library of botany
Los Angeles, California Spring 2022
Acting as an address of how the seemingly never-ending lawns of the Los Angeles State Historic Park are abruptly stopped by fences around the area, the larger library embraces the natural aspect of the park. Similar to drawings illustrated in botanical books, the focus of the library are details within each of its canvases. One of the finishes is a stone veneer with bronze inserts representing the word harmonious. Each module can form into a bronze bird of paradise (LA’s official flower) or artichoke (California’s official vegetable). The centralization ultimately forms an idea of blossoming and opening up. In focusing on details of complexity, visitors can remember that outside of the busy urban environment, lays the beauty of Southern California’s nature.
Programs used: Rhino3D, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign
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selected renderings
*
Mixed-use residential in San Diego, California Hospitality in LAX T3 in Los Angeles, California
Summer 2022
Plan perspectives, elevations, and perspective drawings of a mixed-use residential apartment complex in San Diego, California using Adobe Photoshop to alter given Revit screenshots.
Renders of airport restaurants that will be in Los Angeles International Airport Terminal 3 in Los Angeles, California. 3D model created in SketchUp.
Programs used: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Enscape, and Adobe Photoshop
* Internship work under PGAL in the San Diego office
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EXPOSITION
grown and terraced living
Los Angeles, California Fall 2022
The Community Creative Co-op views the South Los Angeles area as an art desert, hoping to provide sustainable housing and job opportunities via different forms of art. Located in between South Vermont Avenue and West 37th Drive, Site C focuses on addressing the lack of food opportunities via culinary arts and gardening. Using a terraced approach, the south facing communal gardening areas take advantage of the sunlight. The programs in the co-op include a soup kitchen, full service restaurant, and farmers’ market for residents to work in exchange for rent. Overall, the Grown and Terraced Living co-op hopes to shed light on food insecurity and flourish the local community.
Programs used: Rhino3D, VRay for Rhino, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign
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SOUTHVERMONTAVENUE WEST37THDRIVE
WEST37THPLACE
SCALE: 1/16” = 1’-0”
15 BALCONY BALCONY CAVITY INSULATION STUCCO FINISH (FINISH COAT) STUCCO FINISH (BASE COAT) METAL LATH BUILDING PAPER 1 1/2” RIGID INSULATION 1/2” GYPSUM BOARD INTERIOR FINISH SLIDING GLASS DOOR 1 3/4” WOODEN DOOR 3’-0” CEMENT SLURRY FINISH RAMMED EARTH CEMENT CONCRETE BASE CEMENT CONCRETE 6’-8” 6’-8” 3/4” PLYWOOD SUBFLOOR LAMINATE FLOORING 2X10 FLOOR JOIST 1X4 DECKING DECK JOIST
stay in touch
melissa mae larot phone: (619) 218-5634 email (preferred): melissalarot@gmail.com website: larot.co linkedin: linkedin.com/in/melissalarot
