POR TFOLIO
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
LAURA COLLAZOS U N I V E R S I T Y O F F LO R I DA
LAURA EDUCATION
collazos Junior Landscape Architecture Student
My passion comes from my dream to see prospering and sustainable communities. I have learned to foresee a problem and plan its solution. Now I want to give answers to unexpected problems in a realistic firm setting.
2012 - Present Enrolled in the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Program in the University of Florida.
2012
Awarded the International Baccaulereate Bilingual Diploma.
EXPERIENCE
2013 Summer Voodoo BBQ and Grill My work as a waitress observing traffic patterns showed me the factors that help new businesses thrive in a growing mall.
2011 Summer Carrie Brazer Center for Autism & Alternative Approaches My time with these kids taught me what elements are necessary for kids to begin friendly interactions in public settings.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Society of Landscape Architects
I stay informed of the new trends in design and converse about movements arising in the Landscape field.
Students for New Urbanism We share observations of current developments in planning and continue the push for a more urbanized Gainesville.
LANGUAGES
Proficient
Learning
English
Portuguese
Spanish
SKILLS
Adobe
Drafting
Phtotoshop
Autocad
Indesign
Sketchup
Illustrator
Hand Sketch
Contact me (786) 348-1834 collazosl64@gmail.com
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TA B L E OF CON TE N TS
Digital Communication Parque de Cabecera Valencia Concept Development Space Exploration Nourishville Boulevard Mall Construction
PA R Q U E DE C A BECER A
The systems thinking in Parque de Cabecera helped me think of landscape architecture as the designed response to a site’s characteristics. The designers compartmentalized the park into layers. Visitors circulate through the park longitudinally from north to south. Meanwhile, stormwater travels horizontally from west to east into the wet retention pond. Located in the park’s core, the pond extends through the park and offers visitors fun activities such as boat riding and duck feeding. Thus, the pond becomes the main feature of the park.
Digital Communication
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A A’
PA R Q U E DE C A BECER A
B
B’
A
B Sections. Stormwater runoff quickly infiltrates through the permeable pavement into a subdrainage collection pipe that connects to the ponds.
defines the experience. A segment of the park can feel isolated when it is wrapped in between tall walls while another nearby space opens up to
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B’ Once the pavement reaches its absorbtion limit, the rock walls lead the excess stormwater into the retention pond. The walls also serve to contain the space and the pond. In the end, the form of the park develops after the design of a functional stormwater management system.
Digital Communication 4
PA R Q U E DE C A BECER A
Sketch. Large rock walls direct focus into the retention pond.
Sketch. Small trees and narrow walkways create intimate spaces.
Regional Map of Spain. Park is located near the coast, where its weather is subject to the wind coastal effects from the Mediterranean Sea.
Sketch. The walkways form large group spaces thanks to the park’s waved geometry.
Perspective. The Mediterranean woodland is revived in Valencia’s Parque de Cabecera to allow visitors to enjoy Spain’s forestry trees.
Digital Communication 6
Key Interstate Major Road
Bus Route Green Space Body of Water 0
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300
600
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150
300
600
Map of Valencia. The road system gets more complex and the streets become more urban towards the North. This helps downtown stay active.
de l Passeig
tina a Pex
Bus Stop
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60
Day Attraction
Crosswalk
Church
120
240
Taberner
Night Attraction
Green space
Car rer de
l Br asil
Carrer de Torres Torres
Bus Route Parque de Cabecera
Carrer de L’ovireta
Bike Parking
Carrer de San Tobias
Buildings
Bike Route
Carrer de Manolo
Courtyard
Roads
id el C ad
Key Interstate
id en Av
Carrer de Tabernes
Tobellas e Castan Carrer d
Carrer de Go ya
VA LENC IA
Minor Road
rre Ca
age art eC rd
na
Map of L’ovierta. The need for a park becomes apparent when the nearby block system is analyzed. The streets are crowded and there are few open spaces.
Perspective. A street front is the perfect place for a pocket park in L’overeta. Visitors can finally enjoy the breeze and a more extensie view
Digital Communication 8
VA LENC IA Perspective. The pocket park increases traffic in this urban street. Unlike most of the other busy streets in Valencia, this street encourages visitors to
sit down and enjoy a coffee underneath the shade. The plaza space provides a relief for passerbys who are confined within the narrow streets.
Digital Communication 10
S PAC E EXP LO R AT IO N
In my first exploration of space, I use abstract systems thinking and problem solving skills to construct a cube. Like in a tree, the space expands as the elements move away from the central node and throughout the armature. Then, the space settles in an exterior layer. I achieved a further understanding of space through the matrix. Three whirlwools direct the force into different directions. An axonometric draft reveals the force created by the first level.
Idea Development 12
N O U R IS HV ILLE
Nourishville is a Culinary Arts Institute, designed to be located in Downtown Gainesville. Visitors are invited into a journey to adopt a wholesome lifestyle. Through gardening, fruit picking and food tasting, visitors grow spiritually. The journey starts with individual contemplation and then a gentle transition into a refreshing garden experience. Then, visitos can disperse and either observe interactions or make their own memories underneath the tree canopy.
Idea Development 14
N O U R IS HV ILLE
Model. The terrace seating and the rock walls hug the large group space and bring visitors close together.
Contour Plan. The topography gently slopes to signify a transition between the three experiences.
A Elevation. The rock walls encourage visitors to
B
Elevation. Nourishville encourages
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A’ partake in therapeutic gardening for their own personal growth before they can enjoy communal activities that influence their thoughts and behavior.
B’ people of all ages and conditions to live comfortably. The slow pace itinerary, modified amenities and trolley system make the site very accessible.
Idea Development 16
BO UL E VARD M ALL
Boulevard Mall is the entertainment core of Gainesville. It follows the New Urbanism principle. Through a linear railroad theme, visitors can enjoy entertainment facilities on one side and on the other they can enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants and retail. The linear system is intersected with a more natural flowing path that extends from Depot Park. The pedestrian streets are divided by planters to allow a slow paced experience.
0’ 30’ 60’
90’
Landscape Design 18
2nd Ave
Key Future Land Use Zoning Industrial Single Family Pedestrian circulation Point of Interest Dedicated Bike Lane
B OU LE VA R D MALL
St 4th
Main St
De
e pot Av
Haw tho
rne T rail
Site Analysis. Common circulation patterns are identified to create an accessible site
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Downtown Public/Institutional Vehicular circulation RTS anchor Bike Trail
Notes *Site is underneath the largest nearby area of greenscape and water -Opportunity: Carry natural features through site. *Located a few blocks away from Gainesville’s urban core -Constraint: Site cannot limit itself to mixed used buildings, it would poorly compete with downtown -Opportunity: Integrate entertainment features scattered around sprawl regions of Gainesville, such as bowling alley, movie theaters... -Site is mostly surrounded by Industrial land, opportunity to teach about industrial progress.
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A Section. The specimen tree celebrates nature and unites the park experience with the pedestrian streets to make the scene more lively.
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Pedestrian roundabouts as tree specimens
Concept. The primary goal is to create streets that make walking the most comfortable experience. The block size is small to allow for several entrances and variety.
Process. Tree specimens guide visitors to the nearby entertainment facilties.
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B Section. The divided paths for cars, bikes, and pedestrians povide safer circulation. Menahile, the canopy and architecture make the routes more interesting.
Landscape Design 20
B OU LE VA R D MALL Perspective. Boulevard Mall is a pedestrian dominated site. It brings people in by connecting the nearby modes of transportation. Then, it maintains create the entertainment district in Gainesville.
active by carrying the natural playful experience from Depot Park with the urban qualities of downtown Gainesville. Ultimately, these characteristics
Landscape Design 22
CO NS T R U C T I O N
Landscape Design 24
LAU R A COL LA ZO S COLLAZOSL64@GMAIL.COM 7 8 6 - 3 4 8 - 1 8 3 4
U N I V E R S I T Y O F F LO R I DA