PORTFOLIO 2025

portfolio.

Maria José Cuellar

architecture.

2022 - 2025

Hand picked proyects

hi! hi!

I’m Maria José Cuellar, a M.Arch student at SCAD. My experience ranges from residential design and visualization to urban strategies that address community needs. I’m passionate about creating architecture that shapes meaningful experiences, fosters belonging, and adapts to future challenges.

Education.

2017-2022 Universidad Piloto de Colombia B.F.A in Architecture 2024-2026

currently.

SCAD: Savannah college of art and design M.Arch. Professional master of architecture

Experience.

2021 Contexto Urbano (Intership) Visualization urbanism 2021 - 2022

2021

Naska digital Autodesk 3ds Max Certification in 3d visualization and marketing in architecture 2022 Naska digital Autodesk Revit Certification in BIM Revit for architecture

Acknowledgments.

2022, 2021, 2018 Publication Magazine “Mirada Proyectual UPC” 2022, 2021, 2018 Participation In the exhibition of selected projects for the validation by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Volunteer wrk.

2025 SCAD: Career Fair Career Fair assistant

Animation

2D Rendering

2022- 2024

Accreditations.

Photography

Architectural plans

Free lance Urban diagrams and visualization Caleo arquitectura Junior architect, Revit BIM modeling

Sketching

Architecture details

Rendering 3D modelling

Languages.

• •

Spanish English

2025 In situ - Real Matter Collaborative Design Workshop 2022- 2024 Habitat for humanity Volunteer as Design Proposal assistant

Softwares skills.

- Adobe Photoshop - Adobe Illustrator - Adobe Indesign - Sketchip - BIM Revit - AutoCAD - 3Ds Max - Vray

/Curriculum

SKY CYCLING EXPERIENCE IN BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA

1 “Aerial Bicycles, Paving the Way for a New Urban Perspective”

UNION PIER: MASTER PLAN IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

2 “Prism H2O Reflection: Where water meets design, reflection becomes innovation”

CULTURAL CENTER IN DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA

3 ““Guided by light, shaped by a stone”

ADDITIONAL WORKS

4 Rammed earth and models

/ Table of contents

ARCH PROJECTS

1 “Aerial Bicycles, Paving the Way for a New Urban Perspective”

SITE AREA: 21.12 km / LOCATION: Bogotá Colombia DESCRIPTION: SkyCycle is a sustainable aerial bike system aimed at improving urban commuting in Bogotá, addressing safety, environmental, and infrastructure challenges.

SKY CYCLE

NAVIGATING THROUGH THE CITY IN 2 WHEELS

SMALL SPACE Bogotá struggles to find space for new bicycle trails due to high congestion.

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS The close proximity of vehicles to cyclists creates safety risks and CO2 absorption.

SAFETY HAZARDS Bogotá’s deteriorating bicycle trails endanger cyclists’ safety and increase accident risks.

BENEFITS “The bicycle stands out as one of the most effective forms of aerobic exercise, accessible to nearly everyone regardless of age or fitness level”

/ Why it was created

INFORMATION

TRANSPORTATION

VEGETATION

LOCATION

In Bogotá, most cyclists are students aged 18–25 who rely on bicycles for commuting to school or work. Our project focuses on Chapinero and Teusaquillo, which host over 33,000 students across 40 institutions, including Javeriana, Católica, La Piloto, La Salle, and EAN.

/ Analysis

...

“Egan Bernal”

01

“Nairo Quintana”

The SkyCycle project had two stages: designing the aerial trail and creating its stations.

“Rigoberto Urán”

The 27.12 km bicycle trail starts at Street 127, follows the highway to NQS, continues along Streets 72, 64, and 45 eastward to 7th Street, and loops back to Street 127.

General squares

Subways stations

The aerial trail will be built 14 meters above the road, aligned with the proposed Bogotá subway, to maximize connectivity between transportation modes.

SPACES CREATED The project includes three spaces named after renowned Colombian cyclists to create a sense of connection for users.

02

04

03

“ RIGOBERTO URÁN ”

“ NAIRO QUINTANA ”

“ EGAN BERNAL ”

SQUARES

MINI STATIONS

PRINCIPAL STATIONS

/ Path

CONNECTION

AREA OF RELAXATION

Tiny green spaces serving as pockets of vegetation

Small square

Interconnection

Link to the existing bicycle trail

VEGETATION

Reunion points

SHOP

Stores offering essential necessities

Dangling foliage with water collection

Shops providing sports equipment

RIGOBERTO URÁN The ‘Rigoberto Urán’ squares are piazzas, placed every 2,000 meters between main and mini-stations along the trail. “ RIGOBERTO URÁN ” SQUARES

NAIRO QUINTANA The ‘Nairo Quintana’ mini-stations, placed every 900 meters between main stations, provide rest areas and access to the road level.

“ NAIRO QUINTANA ”

The stations will enhance the trail with recreational zones, educational areas, cleaning stations, and amenities like shops, pharmacies, and restaurants, all with parking and charging facilities.

MINI STATIONS

Bicycle shop

Exterior libraries

Exterior tables Info graphic

LUDIC ZONES

Exterior tables

COMMERCIAL ZONES

Elevator Bathroom

CLEANING ZONES

CONNECTION ZONES

/ Plazas

3RD LEVEL

3RD LEVEL

BIKE PARKING Area - 239.22 m2

EGAN BERNAL The stations serve as gathering points for cyclists and the public, with four key locations along the route: Calle 124 with 45, Carrera 7 with 108, Calle 62 with 7, and Calle 46 with 45. They share a common design, though some uses and public spaces may vary.

RECEPTION Area - 21.81 m2

BIKE PARKING Area - 204.882 m2

RESTROOMS Area - 43.94 m2

RESTAURANTS

2ND LEVEL

Area - 129.53 m2

2ND LEVEL

Area - 672.3149 m2

1ST FLOOR

Area - 144.25 m2

2ND LEVEL 1ST FLOOR 2ND LEVEL 1ST FLOOR

SHOPS

3RD LEVEL

TERRACE SHOPS

WORKSHOP

Area - 70.23 m2

RESTROOMS

1ST FLOOR

Area - 70.23 m2

SHOPS

Area - 296.06 m2

çr ea - 217.79 m2

VEGETATION VEHICULAR FORM

ORGANIC

PEDESTRIAN

CONCEPTS The station’s design emphasizes three key concepts: circulation and staying, allowing users to access the aerial trail while lingering for dining or shopping; visual connectivity, creating a new visual level and linking with the surrounding context; and overall integration with the environment.

MATERIALS + SUSTAINABILITY concrete brake shoes

Soft plazas with selected trees enhance sustainability, reduce CO2, and improve the project’s urban environment.

GUAYACÁN MANIZALES

LIGUSTRO

CARBONERO

CAUCHO TEQUENDAMA

/ Renders

2

PRISM H2O REFLECTION CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

“Union Pier: A waterfront vision”

SITE AREA: 70 Acres / LOCATION: Charleston, South Carolina DESCRIPTION: The Union Pier Master Plan is a 70-acre mixeduse development with housing, 200–250 accommodations, commercial spaces, civic buildings, and discreet parking, with 10% dedicated to parks and plazas near the 30-acre waterfront.

PRISM H2O REFLECTION UNION PIER

SOUTH CAROLINA

CHARLESTON

UNION PIER

UNDERSTANDING THE SITE Union Pier in Charleston, South Carolina, is a historic waterfront along the Cooper River, formerly serving as a hub for trade, shipping, and passenger travel, contributing significantly to the city’s economy.

/ Site

UNDERSTANDING THE SITE STRENGTH • Central positioning to the downtown area • Historic and Cultural significance • Existing platform infrastructure • Harbor city WEAKNESS • No attractions currently • Historic Preservation Concerns • Market fluctuations OPPORTUNITIES • Waterfront Restoration • Public Outdoor Open Space • Urban Revitalization • Community Amenities THREATS • Soil Stability / Groundwater levels • Emergency Preparedness • Gentrification • Environmental Threat

/ Analysis

Union Pier in Charleston is an industrial, vegetation-free area with limited local transportation, contrasting the city’s rich biodiversity. It faces flooding risks, while Charleston emphasizes historic preservation and protective infrastructure.

COMERCIAL

RESIDENTIAL DESCRIPTION

THE GRID

Historic District grid

This area is more organic and irregular

Central Peninsula

You'll find more of a regular grid.

Meeting, King, and East Bay run parallel to one another

Northern Peninsula

Grid becomes even more regularized with larger blocks

Harleston Village g

Squared grid, organized plots

The site’s design combines Charleston’s rectangular grid with organic lines inspired by water and marshes to showcase the landscape’s natural beauty.

UNDERSTANDING THE SITE The Union Pier: Prism H2O Reflection project was designed around Charleston residents’ needs, using grids to organize the site into functional blocks for commercial, residential, and recreational uses.

Combining hardscapes and open areas, the design fosters public engagement and reflects the city’s character.

WHY IT WAS CREATED?

GRID

BLOCKS

/ The site

PRISM H2O REFLECTION

PRIMARY ROAD

SECONDARY ROAD

PEDESTRIAN ROAD

CULTURAL CENTER IN DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA

“Guided by light, shaped by the crystal”

SITE AREA: 19,907ft2 / LOCATION: Dahlonega, GA DESCRIPTION: Lumen Quartz in Dahlonega celebrates the town’s gold rush heritage, supporting local artisans and tourism while fostering community pride.

PRISM H2O REFLECTION

WHERE LIGHT CONNECTS + FORMS WAS CREATED Lumen Quartz in Dahlonega celebrates the city’s gold rush heritage, supporting local artisans, fostering community pride, and promoting tourism.

QUARTZ

SUBTRACTION

CONCEPT

SHAPE

LIGHT

COLOR

PROJECT

DESIGN FOR INTEGRATION

DESIGN FOR DISCOVERY

DESIGN FOR COMMUNITIES

DESIGN FOR CHANGE

DESIGN FOR WELL BEING

DESIGN FOR ECONOMY

GOING THROUGH THE PROJECT Visitors navigate the project along pathways defined by light, materials, and water, experiencing cascading water stairs and glowing quartz-filled corridors that change with the sun.

DESIGN FOR ENERGY

DESIGN FOR WATER

H-STEEL COLUMN ANCHOR BOLT STEEL BASE PLATE

04 03

TRIANGULAR AND DIAMOND SHAPED GLASS PANELS

02

CAST IN PLACE WITH FOOTING WITH STEEL REBAR REINFORCEMENT

COLUMN DETAIL FOOTING

VAPOR BARRIER

CIRCULAR 7” STEEL COLUMNS

METALLIC JOIST METALLIC WIDE FLANGE

CONCRETE PLATE

GYP BD

SOUND ATTENUATION BLANKET

01

ANCHOR BOLT

CONTINUOUS WALL SEALANT

COLUMN DETAIL FACADE

TWO THICK CIRCULAR END PLATE

PLATE STIFFENERSFILLET WELD THICK SUPPORT PLATE FILLET WELD

TWO THICK CIRCULAR END PLATE

FACADE- METALLIC TRIANGULAR FRAME

SHEAR CONNECTION

VERTICAL DIAGONAL X- BRACING

CONCRETE SLAB STEEL H - COLUMNS

CONCRETE SLAB

CONNECTION FACADE

FLOORS

SHEET NOTES

STAIR 04

E

4

G

3

2

STEEL H - COLUMNS

HEIGHT TOTAL = 180' CEILING HEIGHT = 7' 6" EXITS X2 DOORS > 32"

1

*SPACES SHOWN IN PLAN ARE USED ONLY IN THE SECTIONS SELECTED IN THE PLAN VIEW 09 - Level 09 1645' - 0" 1645' - 6"

09 - Level 09 1645' - 0" 1645' - 6"

08 - Level 08 1635' - 0" 1635' - 0"

08 - Level 08 1635' - 0" 1635' - 0"

02

*EACH GRADE-LEVEL EXTERIOR EXIT DOOR SHALL BE IDENTIFIED BY A TACTILE EXIT SIGN WITH THE WORD "EXIT"

10' - 6"

*ALL DIMENSIONS MUST BE VERIFIED ON SITE PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY CONSTRUCTION OR FABRICATION. REPORT ANY DISCREPANCIES TO THE ARCHITECT IMMEDIATELY.

27' - 4 1/2"

Consultant Address Address Phone Fax e-mail

15' - 0"

05

07 - Level 07 1620' - 0" 1620' - 0"

LEGEND 04

15' - 0"

15' - 0"

13' - 1 1/2"

07 - Level 07 1620' - 0" 1620' - 0"

05

03

43' - 1 1/2"

15' - 0"

9' - 1"

06 - Level 06 1605' - 0" 1605' - 0"

03

15' - 0"

13' - 10"

8' - 8"

06 - Level 06 1605' - 0" 1605' - 0"

13' - 4"

05 - Level 05 1590' - 0" 1590' - 0"

03

05

02

05 - Level 05 1590' - 0" 1590' - 0"

01

STRUCTURAL RETAINING CONCRETE WALL 12"

02

STRUCTURAL CONCRETE WALL 12"

03

METALIC RAILING ⌀1/2" + ANTICORROSION PAINT (BLACK)

04

CONCRETE STAIRS FOLLOWING THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN

05

ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS - GLASS FIRE RESISTANCE

06

METALLIC COLUMN H 12"x 12"

Consultant Address Address Phone Fax e-mail

CONCRETE SLABS

Consultant Address Address Phone Fax e-mail Consultant Address Address Phone Fax e-mail

05

15' - 0"

03

15' - 0"

16' - 2"

04

04

135' - 6"

8' - 0"

05 04 - Level 04 1575' - 0" 1575' - 0"

04 - Level 04 1575' - 0" 1575' - 0"

04

03 8' - 1"

15' - 0"

04

05

27' - 1"

03 - Level 03 1560' - 0" 1560' - 0"

15' - 0"

No.

05

Description

Date

110' - 0"

15' - 0"

15' - 7"

STRUCTURAL RETAINING WALL 12”

03 05

03

05

03 - Level 03 1560' - 0" 1560' - 0"

AREA OF REFUGEE (30"MIN X 48" MIN) 04 WOOD FLOOR

05

15' - 0"

15' - 0"

CONCRETE

03

TILES

02 - Level 02 1545' - 0" 1545' - 0"

13' - 10"

1' - 0"

02

8' - 0"

04

03

WATER FLOW

5' - 11"

03

02 - Level 02 1545' - 0" 1545' - 0"

04

05

05

8' - 1"

11' - 0"

03

5' - 0"

5' - 0"

1' - 0"

12' - 1"

01 - Ground Floor 1530' - 0" 1530' - 0" 00 - Level 01 Ceiling 1525' - 0" 1525' - 0"

GENERAL NOTES

04

15' - 0"

15' - 0"

14' - 0"

04

01 - Ground Floor 1530' - 0" 1530' - 0"

*ALL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SHALL COMPLY WITH THE LATEST EDITIONS OF APPLICABLE BUILDING CODES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC), NFPA, ADA STANDARDS, AND ALL LOCAL AUTHORITY REGULATIONS.

03

00 - Level 01 Ceiling 1525' - 0" 1525' - 0"

*STAIR DIMENSIONS, INCLUDING TREAD WIDTH, RISER HEIGHT, AND OVERALL CLEARANCES, MUST STRICTLY CONFORM TO WHAT IS SPECIFIED IN THE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS AND DETAILED DRAWINGS.

03 20' - 0"

02

*COORDINATE ALL FIELD CONDITIONS WITH THE DRAWINGS. DO NOT SCALE DRAWINGS —USE WRITTEN DIMENSIONS ONLY.

15' - 0"

15' - 0"

01

01

00 - Underground 1510' - 0" 1510' - 0"

04

8' - 0"

16' - 0"

02

00 - Underground 1510' - 0" 1510' - 0"

*ENSURE THAT DOOR AND WINDOW OPENINGS MATCH THE SPECIFIED DIMENSIONS, ELEVATIONS, AND CLEARANCES INDICATED IN THE PLANS AND SCHEDULES.

03

*ALL MATERIALS AND FINISHES MUST COMPLY WITH THE SPECIFIED SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STANDARDS, INCLUDING THE USE OF REUSED WOOD, SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE, AND GREEN ROOF ASSEMBLIES AS APPLICABLE.

04

02

1

Stair 04 - Section 01 1/8" = 1'-0"

2

Stair 04 - Section 02 1/8" = 1'-0"

3

STAIR 04

LUMENZ QUARTZ ACCESIBILITY STAIR 04

*MAINTAIN ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN ALL APPLICABLE AREAS PER ADA AND LOCAL CODE REGULATIONS. *CONTRACTOR SHALL ENSURE PROPER WATERPROOFING AND FLASHING AT ALL PENETRATIONS, WINDOWS, AND TRANSITIONS BETWEEN MATERIALS.

Project number

*REFER TO STRUCTURAL, MEP, AND LANDSCAPE DRAWINGS FOR ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND COORDINATION.

Checked by

Date Drawn by

A508 Scale

STAIRS

1000 28.04.2025 MJCP MH

As indicated

28/04/2025 1:53:10 a. m.

14' - 5"

02 03

CONCRETE FOOTING + CONCRETE PILES

ADDITIONAL WORK

RAMMED EARTH

This project utilizes rammed earth to create acoustic panels, leveraging its natural density to absorb and deflect sound.

The panels will be mounted with two Z-clips each, ensuring secure, seamless installation and easy removal.

1FT -

HEAT ABSORB

130 TO 110 POUND

Soil absorbs and retains solar heat, helping to regulate indoor temperatures.

MATERIAL ALUMINUM CLIP SIZE 2” PROCESS 1. CREATE FORM + GATHER MATERIALS

2. CREATE THE MIXTURE

3. MIX MIXTURE WITH COLOR

4. POUR MIXTURE

5. TAMP THE MIXTURE

6. PLACE THE SCREW

AESTHETIC PROPERTIES

Besides improving acoustics, the panels add texture and natural beauty to a space.

SOUND PROOF

Rammed earth panels provide strong sound insulation by absorbing and deflecting sound waves.

MAINTAINING THE ORIGINALITY OF A SPACE WHILE PROVIDING EXCELLENT ACOUSTIC AND AESTHETIC BENEFITS. 7. LET IT SET FOR MIN 3 DAYS

8. TAKE OUT OF THE FORM

TO DRY FASTER, TAKE IT OUT OF THE FORM TO LET IT BREATHE

TOUCH IT TO SEE IF ITS WET AND THEN HANG IT

00 SECTION MODEL

MODELS

Development of models involves creating initial concepts, refining the process, and producing final models.

MARIA JOSÉ CUELLAR EMAIL

PHONE

Mariajosecuellar99@gmail.com

+1 3215126371

INSTAGRAM @arq.mariajosec

LINK-IN https://www.linkedin.com/in/ arch-maria-cuellar09/