Luisa Torres architectural portfolio

Luisa Torres Varas

Architect

+52 4431551986

luisatvaras@gmail.com

Architect with experience in research, design, and urban space.

In search of learning and new challenges. Curious, observant, analytical and sensitive.

Passionate about contemplating different ways of inhabiting, living, and being.

Approaches the discipline with a systemic, transversal, and multidisciplinary perspective.

Presentation at the University of Miami and 10Design/Sb Architects

Final year project selected

Exhibition in Qro City Museum. Devenires del Consumo

Investigation Class winning project

education languages

Architecture - Creative Studies at Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus

Querétaro (2019 - 2023)

University Exchange at Jönköping University, Sweden

Concentration in Urban Space (Jan - Jul, 2022)

Cultural Exchange in Austria (2017 - 2018)

Research and design credential from Tec de Monterrey Proof of transversal skills developed in the degree

Teamwork

Adaptability

Persuasion

Creative thinking

Analytical thinking

softwares

Autocad

Rhinoceros

Revit

Paquete

Adobe

ArcGis

Qgis

Microsoft Office

Spanish mother language

English C1 - TOEFL IBT 2022

German A2

recognitions skills interests

Photography Travel Sports Art

projects

Ixitia, Wine Center | Tequisquiapan, Qro. Planning Program for the Metropolitan Zone of San Juan del Río and Tequisquiapan (2023)

Preliminary draft | Academic Investigation

Diagrams

Maps

Landscaping

Conceptualization

Program

architectural

Suecia. Engineers Without Borders Sweden, Architects Without Borders Sweden (2022)

Academic Investigation

Map creation

C alma, Collective Housing| Qro, Qro. Cuarto Piso (2021)

Zoning

Architectural Floor Plans

Design

Editorial design

Investigation Devenires del consumo | Qro, Qro. INAH (2023)

Exhibited in museum | Academic Investigation

Alternative cartography in wood

Cerrito Colorado Park | Qro, Qro. Cuadrantes Creativos Colegio de Arquitectos Qro (2022)

Preliminary draft | Volunteer

Architectural Floor Plans

Design

Con Sentido, Paisajes

Oportunos | San Miguel de Allende. El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden (2022)

Preliminary draft | Academic Investigation

Conceptualization

Program

Zoning

Architectural Floor Plans

Preliminary draft | Academic Analysis

Conceptualization Program and zoning

Architectural Floor Plans

Design

Model

Casa Sáasil, Single family Home| Sinanché Yucatán. Familia Limón (2021)

Preliminary draft | Academic Analysis

Conceptualization Program and zoning

Architectural Floor Plans

Design

Post-production

Editorial design

Photography Design

Post-production

Cigarren Urban Proposal | Jönköping Suecia. Jönköping University (2022)

Preliminary draft | Academic Investigation

Urban analysis

3D Modeling Conceptualization

Healthy Hospital, Sierra Leone

Preliminary Study | Jönköping

1

Ixitia, Wine and Community Center

Location: Tequisquiapan, Qro

Typology: Tourist Center

Subject: Entrepreneurship in the field of architecture

Teachers:

Daniela Cruz Naranjo, Viviana Barquero Ph.D, Anaisabel

Olvera MVB, María Guadalupe

Ledezma, Dr. Jocelyn Reyes, Dr. Estefanía de la Luz, Tobías

Aguilar

Team: Ana Sofía Lomelí and Santiago Alegría

Softwares used:

Autocad

Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Sketchup

Rhino

Grasshopper

Lumion

It is an immersion experience in the world of wine, through architectural elements that awaken the senses and guide the experience, keeping in mind our values of awakening and harmony. Integral harmony was sought, covering social, environmental, economic and design aspects.

The central element of the building is a spiral staircase that begins on the terrace, where it is accessed. This staircase is surrounded by a lattice that opens to show the landscape from above and gradually closes as it descends, focusing attention on the interior of the building and, finally, on the wine cellar.

Symbology

Ixitia was designed with the objective of being a tourist and economic enhancer in the area. It is an inclusive place with local people, having a trade school that provides them with tools and opportunities, creating a long-term benefit for them.

This staircase not only serves as a guiding element in the circulation, but also adds an artistic and sensory component to the experience of the building, highlighting the importance of wine as a central element of the visit.

Devenires del consumo

Location: Santiago de Querétaro, Qro Investigation

Subject: Multidisciplinary analysis and diagnosis

Teachers: Ximena Ocampo, Francisco Paillie, Blanmi Núñez, María José Vázquez, Paulina

Macías, Lucas Hoops

Team: Daniela Torres, Ana Sofía

Lomelí, Monica Tow, María

Fernanda Caballero

Over time, garbage has been an element perceived as useless, disposable. The product of temporary use that finally ends up in waste. However, garbage is also presented as a sign, a footprint with a locatable trace that denotes more meanings than obvious contamination. These containers, bags, papers are a language, a process and a power.

Inside and outside each residual object there is a beginning and an end. A cycle that we believe we know in depth: consumerism. What would happen if we questioned the true beginning and future of these products? Where do they come from? Who produces them? Where are they going? Who do they affect?

These questions manifest invisible aspects of reality, complex processes and social and biological relationships at different scales, which are explored through symbolic structures, power games and the process as a whole that transforms us as we transform it.

The alternative cartography presented here limits this great phenomenon of consumerism to a

historical emblem of the city of the Querétaro River, through a narrative drawn from the residual traces of liquid containers. Through tours along the riverbed, from Alberca del Capulín in El Marqués to the state border with Guanajuato, evidence of 759 containers of liquid products discarded on the banks or in the river itself was collected. In this way, presenting the River as a subject of study and witness of the cycle of consumerism through pollution, the origin and future of these residual traces were mapped - understood from the big brands and their place of production - to their local transit. and the way in which the individual is affected and participates in this cycle.

Con Sentido

Location: El Charco del Ingenio, San Miguel de Allende

Typology: Community Center

Subject: Opportune

Landscapes

Teachers:

Master in Science. Urb. MAR.

Diana García, Mtro. Architect

Rodrigo Pantoja, Dr. Rubén

Garnica, Architect Agustín

Solórzano, Norma González, Fernanda Peña, Pedro

Mendoza, Andrea Parga

Team:

Autocad

Illustrator

Photoshop

Rhino

Sketchup

Lightroom

Qgis

InDesign

Lumion

Con Sentido is a space designed to promote awareness and the reconnection of human beings with their own nature. This project has been conceived with the intention of guiding people towards an experience that involves their five senses, using natural and design elements.

Through sensory investigations, areas where the five senses and certain emotions were present or absent, along with their intensity, were identified.

The objective was to design an environment that amplifies the connection through interaction with nature, symbols and the perception that people have of the place, thus seeking an enriching and transformative experience for all visitors.

The program is divided into four spaces, three of which are interactive and one is introspective and individual. Contemplation of the natural environment is the primary value of the interactive zone. On the other hand, the introspective zone prioritizes acoustic insulation and immersion in nature.

In the main building of the interactive zone we sought to generate mystery. The view of the glen is not seen at first, one must go down and up stairs and go through a tunnel to obtain it. The small-scale tunnel and the open space with the view generate a contrast in the sensory experience.

The materials chosen were wood and steel. The steel skeleton is covered with vines, so that nature takes over the space. We sought to highlight the seasons and the different landscapes of Charco del Ingenio throughout the year.

Symbology

Cigarren Urban Proposal

Location: Jönköping, Sweden

Typology: Public space

Subject: Urban Space

Teachers: Géza Fischl, Amjad

Al-Musaed

Team: Sereh Nyassi

Softwares used:

Illustrator

Sketchup

Vray

Autocad

The objective was to acquire valuable information to understand the phenomenon of public life and public space.

A design proposal was made to improve the quality of urban life in the area, creating a deserving environment for the people who live there.

It was analyzed according to the methodologies of Jan Gehl, as well as Kevin Lynch. Activities, routes, times, users, quantities, places, voids, waste... were analyzed.

Strandgränd

Dwelling Vättern Lake Bus stop

Commerce

Green area

Vedtorget

Kanalgatan

Föreningsgatan

Östra Storgatan

Norra Strandgatan

Tulportsgatan

Vintergatan

Simbología

Simbología

Protección contra tráfico y accidentes

Protection against traffic and accidents

Opportunity to stand, stay and sit

Oportunidades de pararse, quedarse y sentarse

Protection against violence

Protección contra violencia

Oportunidades de ver

Opportunity to see

+ High High

Oportunidades de disfrutar el clima

Opportunity to enjoy the weather

Positive sensory experience

Experiencia sensorial + positiva

Oportunidades de caminar

Opportunity to walk

protección contra experiencia sensorial negativa

Symbology

Norra Strandgatan

A high influx of people was identified in the area due to the presence of a supermarket and a bus stop, but these visits are out of necessity. Lack of vitality was a perceived.

In response, a park was proposed that invites people to recharge their energy. Two types of space were generated: the introverted and the extroverted. This is defined by the furniture which can be moved; one promotes interactions and another allows more solitude.

To improve the experience of pedestrians and cyclists, changes have been made to the infrastructure, such as the reduction of lanes, the use of different colors and textures on the pavements, the incorporation of green and rest areas, as well as sensory interventions to stimulate the senses.

Redesigning the facades, as well as analyzing the different neighborhoods and working the city together would be essential to complete the project.

At its core, this project aims to connect life, urban space and buildings, with a main focus on the connection between people.

Mean Value of Gehl Analysis of the Area

Before and after

Traffic and accident protection

Positive sensory experience

Opportunity to enjoy positive aspects of the climate

Scale

Opportunity to play and exercise

Opportunity to speak and listen

Opportunity to see

Protection against crime and violence

Protection against unpleasant sensory experience

Opportunity to walk

Opportunity to stop

Opportunity to sit

Traffic and accident protection

Positive sensory experience

Opportunity to enjoy positive aspects of the climate

Scale

Opportunity to play and exercise

Opportunity to speak and listen

Opportunity to see

Protection against crime and violence

Protection against unpleasant sensory experience

Opportunity to walk

Opportunity to stop

Opportunity to sit

Healthy Hospital, Sierra Leone Preliminary Study

Location: Kamakwie, Sierra Leone

Investigation

Subject: GIS

Teacher: Annika Moscati

Team: Faia Touma, Ntali Salmo, Selina Shababibi

Softwares used: Arcgis Pro

It is a project with a collaboration between the hospital, Kamakwie Wesleyan Hospital, Architects

Without Borders, Engineers

Without Borders and the Bombali Health Development Organization.

The main objective of this report is to provide beneficial information about Sierra Leone and its healthcare system. In addition, it is necessary to have an internal view of the infrastructure conditions in the country and the location of the project.

The report includes a complete description of the geology, hydrology and climate of the place.

It was concluded that the challenges facing hospital improvement are big. Climate as well as climate change are a challenge. The hospital must be designed with materials such as mud, rammed earth, straw... but at the same time be resistant to flooding. Design plays an important role for a safe and functional design.

We now know that the infrastructure is extremely poor. Furthermore, as we could see, the social structure in this research and in this project has an important role. All the problems are related, it is systemic.

Many major obstacles would be faced due to the current social structure of Sierra Leone and other external factors. It is important to know these to create a suitable solution and not one that may end up being a superficial temporary solution.

C LMA A

Location: Santiago de Querétaro, Qro

Typology: Collective Housing

Subject: Collective Housing

Teachers: Flavio Rodríguez, Genaro Rosales, M. Architect

Yuriko Silva, Architect Sofía

Rojas

Team: Karla Ríos, Dagoberto Méndez

Softwares used: Autocad

Archicad

Illustrator

Lumion

Photoshop

Lightroom

A C LMA is a mixed-use project made up of commerce, housing and a boutique hotel. It is a space that promotes the deceleration of our current fast lifestyle. Its objective is to try to control our own time instead of living under the tyranny of immediacy. Through the slow culture applied to architecture, where activities that seek the integral development of the person as well as their evolution are prioritized.

Symbology

the user not to use the elevator and go slower and between the streets has been established by creating a traffic, in the middle of the urban environment. Gardens and interior patios that

The circulation in both the housing and commercial areas generates pauses to enjoy the surroundings

Casa Saasil

Location: Sinanché, Yucatán

Typology: Single-family home

Subject: Single-family home

Teachers: M. Arch. Rocío

Hernández Larriba, M. Arch.

Yuriko Silva, Arch. Sofía Rojas

Team: Luis Eduardo Cortés, Teodoro Mercado, Ivan Vega

Softwares used: Autocad

Revit

Lumion Illustrator

Casa Sáasil, designed for the Limón Iglesias family, is intended for both vacations and future retirement. The family is made up of Laura and Horacio (44 and 49 years old respectively), their children Oliver and Leo (8 and 11 years old) and Amanda, their dog.

This residence was conceived as a place that promotes dynamism, as well as reflection and tranquility. The choice of materials focused on key criteria such as sustainability, tradition, aesthetics and comfort.

Casa Sáasil has an extensive hallway that organizes the spaces efficiently, allowing easy lighting and ventilation. This is especially important given the climate of Yucatán.

fotografía

I have a deep passion for photography, a hobby that has transformed the way I look at the world and has given me a special ability to discover beauty in practically anything. I believe that photography is an extraordinarily powerful tool, capable of capturing multiple realities in a single scene and exploring an infinite range of possibilities. In this section, I have the pleasure of sharing some of my favorite photographs taken by me over the past few years.

for more content

Throughout my academic career, the projects previously presented have been developed. However, it is important to note that some of these projects have a significantly larger volume of content. In case you want to go deeper into any of them, I provide you with the possibility of accessing the complete documents. It is worth mentioning that, due to the extension of some files, the information has been divided into two parts in order to facilitate its consultation.

Ixitia, Wine and Community Center

Devenires del Conumo Healthy Hospital, Sierra Leone Preliminary Study

Luisa Torres Varas