“Municipal Design Guide for Public Spaces in Guatemala City”
The "Municipal Design Guide for Public Spaces in Guatemala City" is a guide developed by Rafael Aycinena Arquitectos and the Urban Planning Department of the Municipality of Guatemala. I collaborated with them to create the schemes, diagrams, drawings, models, and renders that visually support the guide in communicating the proposed concepts for the city's urban development.
Freelance Work with RAA and Muni Guatemala
CURRENT SITUATION IDEAL SITUATION
Modeled in Rhinoceros and later illustrated in Illustrator, this diagram represents the current situation of many streets in Guatemala: narrow sidewalks, pedestrians lacking priority, and a scarcity of shade and protection.
This diagram illustrates what the guide aims to teach and instill in future designs and developments in the city: streets where vehicles are not the priority, but pedestrians are. Wide, inclusive sidewalks accommodate people with limited abilities, ample vegetation, pocket parks, bike lanes, and panic buttons. The guide includes various diagrams explaining how to achieve these outcomes.
COVERS FOR THE CHAPTERS
The guide includes various chapters based on the four pillars of the city:
1. Inclusive City
2. Safe City
3. Connected City
4. Healthy City
These chapters outline the elements that Guatemala’s streets should have to become more inclusive and safer for its residents.
For these chapters, I created 3D models of different streets in Guatemala and integrated the proposed elements to transform them into their ideal form. After modeling in Rhinoceros, I illustrated the designs in Illustrator, adding details such as people, colors, and ambiance. Once the illustrations were completed, Rafael Aycinena incorporated them into his work to begin developing the theoretical framework and explaining the diagrams.
DIAGRAMS
With the support of Rafael Aycinena’s hand-drawn sketches, I illustrated various diagrams to explain the different concepts discussed in the guide, including sidewalk distribution in parks, types of lighting, and the different street typologies based on their size.
Find the guide here:
https://www.muniguate.com/vecindario-prospero/
Find the guide here:
https://www.muniguate.com/vecindario-prospero/
Nominated for best project 2022 UFM
area to be intervened
FORM PROCESS
ELEVACIÓN ESTE
VERTICA 15
VERTICA 15 is an exclusive apartment building designed for DINKS couples. It is a modern and youthful architectural proposal focused on verticality to achieve views of the city and incorporate spaces such as terraces that function as social areas. This allows residents to enjoy the surrounding landscape while creating memorable experiences.
Fifth Year Project
Calle
POCKET PARA
LOSA DE CONCRETO PRECOLADA ARMADA CON MALLA ELECTROSOLDADA
DRENAJE 2% PENDIENTE
RIEGO POR
DESAGUE DE JARDINERA PVC 2" CON COLADERA Y FILTRO CAPA DE TIERRA TEPETATE PARA JARDINERÍA
NEGRA ABONADA
GEOTEXTIL NO TEJIDO
TAMIZA DEØ1" A Ø2"
DRENAJE FRANCES
PAÑUELOS DE DREANJE
PLACA ARTICULADORA LOUVER CON MULLION
PLACA ARTICULADORA LOUVER CON MULLION
LOUVER DE ALUMINIO PINTADO BLANCO
TIRA LED EMPOTRADA DE 3000K
PLACA ARTICULADORA LOUVER CON MULLION LOUVER DE ALUMINIO PINTADO BLANCO
RIEGO POR GOTEO
MURETES DE CONCRETO PRECOLADO, ARMADOS CON VARILLAS
3/8" @ 15CM EN AMBOS SENTIDOS Y ALAMBRÓN 1/4" FC 150 KG/CM2
LOSA DE CONCRETO PRECOLADA ARMADA CON MALLA ELECTROSOLDADA FC 150KG/CM2 SELLADA EN LOS BORDES CON MORTERO Y UNIDOR PARA CONCRETO
TIRA LED EMPOTRADA DE 3000K
RIEGO POR GOTEO
DRENAJE FRANCES
TIERRA NEGRA ABONADA
MANTA GEOTEXTIL NO TEJIDO
GRANZA TAMIZA DEØ1" A Ø2"
MEDITEC
MEDITEC is a technical university focused on health sciences. Its technological facilities enable students to develop as professionals. Its connection to other projects in the master plan supports advanced research, the training of highly skilled healthcare professionals, and the implementation of specialized academic programs.
Fifth Year Project
Samsung HQ
Samsung HQ is a mixed-use development located in Zone 10. It is situated across from Avenida La Reforma on one of the most sought-after plots in Guatemala. It houses the offices and workshops of Samsung. The development includes residential units and dorms to enable an educational program through Samsung's workshops.
Fourth Year Project - Winner of best Project 2022 UFM
PROGRAM
The program consists of a mixed-use development with offices, apartments, workshops, dorms, and commercial spaces. The main offices are located in the oval building, which offers a 360-degree view of Zone 10 and Zone 9 in Guatemala.
In the center, there is a plaza that accommodates the first-level commerce, which is illuminated at night to bring life even after office hours.
Dorms
FACADE
The facade of the main building is kinetic, responding to the angle and position of the sun in Guatemala.
This allows the offices to be protected from the sun's exposure and promotes reduced use of air conditioning. It is anchored to the main curtain wall facade.
The objective of this intervention in the historic center was to rehabilitate and help Zone 1 attract more tourism and local commerce. The design involved taking a plot currently used as parking and creating a mixed-use building that integrates and connects with the area.
Third Year Project - Nominated for best project 2021 UFM
Edificio el Centro
HISTORIC CENTER
ZONA 1, GUATEMALA CITY
The Historic Center of Guatemala is located in Zone 1, primarily within the 8 blocks, which contain iconic buildings such as the palace, the commercial portal, the Centennial Park, and the main square. Development has stalled in this area; however, this proposal aims to convert a plot used for parking into a mixed-use building, following the local regulations and integrating with the urban image of the zone.
Analysis
Key Axes
The area has important characteristics that are repeated in almost all the architecture of the place. For this reason, the facades and architecture of the neighboring buildings were analyzed to establish a foundation for the design and image of the proposal.
facade of the building to connect with this axis. A repetition of vertical elements was also observed in both buildings, and this element was also incorporated into the facade design. Through these analyses, the program and design of the building were developed.
Third Block Light crown through overhangs.
Crown that finishes the second block. Setback facade, aligned with the facade of the Centenario Hotel.
Glass pergola, connects with the axis of the cornice of the Centenario Hotel.
The stripe marks the most important axis. It connects with the frieze of the Lucky building and the balconies of the Centenario Hotel.
Stripe that marks the commercial axis on the block.
Toh Oolal is a wellness hotel for users seeking to disconnect from reality and focus on their personal well-being. The design is inspired by Mayan culture, its worldview, and wellness treatments, to provide guests with the experience of the Mayan healing process.
Third Year Project
Toh Oolal
LOCATION
Monterrico is a town located on the Pacific coast of Guamala, in the southern part of the department of Santa Rosa.
The complex is divided into three blocks: the reception and office block, the space where users are welcomed; the treatments block, where the massages and temazcales are located; and finally, the room block, where the different room types are distributed.
MATERIALS
and helps regulate the temperature during the day.
To provide shade to the roofs, tall vegetation is used so that it casts its shadow
For solar control, roofs with overhangs were used to provide protection from the sun: December 21, winter solstice, 45 degrees; June 21, summer solstice, 60 degrees.
IQ' SUITE
The nahual IQ´ means wind, the air of the human spirit. It is the wind that cleanses our house and body. This is why in the room design, the path to rest is important, and how before reaching the room, one must pass through these semi-open pathways that allow the free entry of air to cleanse us and help us rest peacefully.
We can observe how there are two hallways where we can walk between the bamboo, which allows the wind to enter and purify us. The room includes a main room, a full bathroom, and a jacuzzi, which can be used with either cold or hot water, depending on the treatment desired. The design also allows for a chimney effect to ventilate and assist with the room's climate, through the opening located above it.
Q’ANIL CONECTADA
The nahual QANIL represents the four cardinal points of the universe. It is a day to give thanks to the divinity of the earth. For this reason, the design incorporates a meditation room, which has openings toward the four cardinal points. The four main spaces are also positioned as the points of the nahual.
This design includes two rooms, both double and spacious. They share a meditation room in the middle, which is aligned with the four cardinal points, allowing a connection with the outside without necessarily being in the open air. The rooms feature a skylight to allow natural light into both rooms.
RESTAURANT
An outdoor restaurant on the beach of Monterrico, featuring two modules with different transparencies in their walls and a fully equipped mini bar. The design is inspired by the national tree of Guatemala.
This restaurant is located near the beach, allowing for activities close to the sea and its views. It has both covered and outdoor tables. Its structure is made of clad wood and a palm roof. Its shape mimics that of a ceiba tree
SOBADAS
The sobadas are Mayan treatments that focus on private therapeutic massages related to pregnancy, reproductive health, and well-being. The design of the "Private Massage Pods" consists of three spaces: a bathroom, a vestibule, and the massage area. A bamboo wall provides transparency to the massage room.
The Pods are located in a set before reaching the rooms, marking the first step of the treatment. They are for private use and are used by one person at a time. Each pod includes a "sobadas" room, a bathroom, and a transitional space that allows for relaxation and stress relief before the sobada. The Pods are made of bamboo and feature a palm roof.
