PORTFOLIO 2025 by Maria jose Cuellar

portfolio.

Maria José Cuellar

2017-2022

2024-2026

SCAD: Savannah college of art and design

M. Arch professional master of architecture

trained in.

Naska digital

2021 Certification in 3D visualization and marketing in architecture.

Naska digital 2022

Certification in BIM Revit for architects education. Universidad Piloto de Colombia Architect graduate acknowledgments.

2025 currently.

2019 Participation In the exhibition of selected proyects, for the validation process of the “Universidad Piloto de Colombia”, with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

2021

Contexto Urbano

Urbanism visualization (internship) experience.

2021-2022

2022-2024

Sketching

Architecture details

Architectural plans

Rendering

Animation Photography

Rendering

3D modelling

- Adobe Photoshop

- Adobe Illustrator

- Adobe Indesign

- Sketchup

- BIM Revit

- Autocad

- 3D max

Urbanism diagrams and visualizatio n (Barcelona + Bogota Colombia)

Freelance Caleo Arquitectura

Junior architect , Revit BIM modelling

- V-ray

- Twinmotion

SCAD: Career Fair Assistant

Carer fair assistant

2022 , 2021, 2018 Publication Magazine “Mirada Proyectual UPC” acknowledgments.

Native languages.

- Spanish Fluent

- English

SKY CYCLING EXPERIENCE IN BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA

UNION PIER: MASTER PLAN IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH

“Aerial

Bicycles, Paving the Way for a New Urban Perspective”

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

CAROLINA

RUSTIC HOUSE IN SAN FRANSCISCO, CUNDINAMARCA

MATERIAL STUDIES: RAMMED EARTH

“Designing Dreams: A Productive House for Mom”

“Rammed earth as an acoustic panel absorbs sound like the earth absorbs time.”

RENDERS CREATED FROM THE HOUSE “CALA SAONA”

Course “3D visualization and marketing in architecture”

MODEL CREATED FROM “ALLIANCE FRANCAISE . BANGKOK, STONEHENGE”

Course “BIM REVIT for Architects”

DRAWINGS, MODELS AND EXTRA DETAILS

“Drawing and sketching are more than just lines on paper—they are the first whispers of space”

ARCH PROJECTS ARCH PROJECTS

ARCH PROJECTS

1

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

CREATED: Universidad Piloto de Colombia, Thesis project

DESCRIPTION: SkyCycle i s an i nnovative project conceived to address the pressing challenges faced by urban commuters i n Colombia, particularly in B ogotá With t he i ncreasing wear and t ear o n traditional b ike routes, coupled with environmental concerns and the imperative need for safe transportation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, SkyCycle emerges as a beacon o f sustainable mobility, t hat revolutionize u rban t ransportation by introducing an aerial bike ride system

2

PRISM H2O REFLECTION CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

“Union

Pier: A Waterfront Vision”

CREATED: SCAD: Savannah Collage of Art and Desing, 1rst Quarter, 2024

DESCRIPTION: The U nion P ier Master P lan is a 7 0-acre m ixed-use development featuring housing units, 200–250 accommodations, and street-level commercial space. C ivic buildings, including libraries o r theaters, will occupy t wo designated sites. P arking f or v ehicles w ill be discreetly i ntegrated, p rioritizing pedestrians. A bout 1 0% o f the area w ill be a llocated to parks and p lazas, enhancing connectivity and public spaces near the 30-acre waterfront.

RUSTIC HOUSE IN SAN FRANSCISCO, CUNDINAMARCA

“Designing Dreams: A Productive House for Mom”

CREATED: Universidad Piloto de Colombia, 2nd Semester, 2018

MATERIAL STUDIES: RAMMED EARTH

“Rammed

earth as a acoustic panel”

CREATED:

SCAD : Savannah Collage of Art and Design, 2nd Quarter, 2025

DESCRIPTION:

Rammed earth is a sustainable material made by compressing soil, sand, and gravel into form work to create durable walls. Used for centuries, it dates back to ancient civilizations. In this project, we explored rammed earth panels as acoustic elements, utilizing the natural sound-dampening properties of the material.

RAMMED EARTH

LISTENING THROUGH SOIL, HARNESSING THE EARTH’S NATURAL RESONANCE

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

HEAT ABSORB

Soil is a heat-absorbing material that retains the warmth gathered from the sun, helping to regulate indoor temperatures.

IDEAS

For the acoustic insulation, there has to be min 2” thickness

By clay color it can be creating the layers of the panel, creating a different, artful piece of design

DISCOVERY-

MAINTAINING THE ORIGINALITY OF A SPACE WHILE PROVIDING EXCELLENT ACOUSTIC AND AESTHETIC BENEFITS.

AESTHETIC PROPERTIES

Beyond their acoustic function, the panels can serve as a striking aesthetic element, adding texture and natural beauty to any space.

SOUND PROOF

Acoustic Insulation

Rammed earth panels exhibit excellent sound insulation properties due to their density and ability to absorb and deflect sound waves.

• Locally sourced materials

• Easily understood process

• Simple tools ACCESSIBLE

• Cost efficiency

• On-site casting

• Low maintenance ECONOMICAL

• Adaptable design MULTI-FUNCTIONAL

• Aesthetic quality

• Acoustic and thermal properties

PREVIOUS STUDIES / MATERIALS

Rammed earth construction blends compacted soil, clay, sand, and gravel with cement, creating a durable harmony between nature and craftsmanship.

For the creation of our acoustic panel, we focused on lighter materials, as concrete would make the panel too heavy and difficult to hang. Through research, we discovered that gypsum cement, commonly used as a floor underlayment for fire ratings, sound reduction, radiant heating, and leveling, could replace concrete.

Additionally, we replaced gravel stones with perlite, an industrial mineral that expands when heated and offers low density, making the panel lighter and easier to handle. This combination of materials not only improves the panel’s functionality, but also maintains its ecological integrity, making it a sustainable solution for acoustic design. By carefully selecting and integrating these alternatives, we’ve created a product that embodies both innovation and environmental consciousness

HANGING SYSTEMS

PROCESS

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

1FT130 TO 110 POUND MATERIALALUMINUM CLIP SIZE2”

GRAVEL WATER CLAY SAND

CHANGE TO PERLITE CLAY SOIL

CONCRETE

CHANGE TO GYPSUM CEMENT

7. LET IT SET FOR MIN 3 DAYS TO DRY

TAKE IT OUT OF THE FORM TO LET IT BREATHE

WOOD FORM

5. TAMP THE MIXTURE

4. POUR MIXTURE

FASTER,

8. TAKE OUT OF THE FORM

6. PLACE THE PLASTIC SCREW ANCHORS

1. CREATE FORM + GATHER MATERIALS

2. CREATE THE MIXTURE

3. MIX MIXTURE WITH COLOR

1. Creation of the idea

For the panel design, we explored a brick-and-panel system and researched acoustic panels due to soil’s natural soundproofing properties. Soil is a mix from solid particles, air pockets, and moisture which absorbs and weakness sound waves, reducing intensity through friction and energy dissipation.

2. Creation of the panel

3. Reclamation of materials

For material sourcing, we used natural resources: clay soil from Georgia’s Dahlonega site and sand from Tybee Island. We replaced gravel with perlite and cement with gypsum cement to lighten the panel for easier hanging.

7. Final trial

For the final product, we applied our conclusions found in the trials to create a wellproportioned mixture for a 12” x 12” panel

To lighten the panel, we used gypsum, cement, and perlite, instead of concrete and gravel.

For the trials, we created a 6in x 6in panel using plywood planks, nailing them together for easy removal. For the final creation, we made a 1ft x 1ft square form.

We built a tamp base from leftover wood to make tamping easier.

6. Test 02 - Hanging systems

In our second attempt, we experimented with anchor placement by creating a big hole in which we could take it out and to place back into place while the screws where in

TEST 01

TEST 02

4. Test 01 - Orientation panel

The first test aimed to determine the easiest way to stamp the material. We experimented with a horizontal orientation to simplify screw attachment for wall mounting.

THE HORIZONTAL PANEL WAS INEFFECTIVE, MAKING TAMPING MORE DIFFICULT.

HORIZONTAL PANEL

CLAY - 2.5 OZ

SAND - 1 OZ

CEMENT - 0.5 OZ

PERLITE - 1 OZ

WATER - 0.6 OZ

VERTICAL PANEL

CLAY - 2.5 OZ

SAND - 1 OZ

CEMENT - 0.5 OZ

PERLITE - 1 OZ

RATIO RATIO

To ensure the screws align properly, in the form remember to add reference lines.

THIS METHOD FAILED BECAUSE THE ANCHORS CAUSED STRESS IN THE RAMMED EARTH, LEADING TO CRACKS

5. Test 02 - Concrete vs Gypsum

In our second test, we aimed to confirm that gypsum cement is lighter than concrete, making it easier to hang on the wall and move around.

ALTHOUGH CONCRETE HAD BETTER CONSISTENCY, IT WAS TWICE AS HEAVY

Ratios played a crucial role in our process, especially with water.

ADDITIONAL WORK

“3D visualization and marketing in architecture”

CREATED BY: Biombo Architects

Image of the patio at

Designed for flexibility, the space can be fully opened or entirely enclosed, ensuring cross ventilation throughout. At its heart lies our favorite feature—an incredible indoor tropical garden with a soaring double height of 9 meters, embracing a sunken living area.

Photo - House Cala Saona

Cala Saona.

Perhaps the most iconic element of the villa—and the inspiration behind its name—Cala Saona boasts a stunning 17-meter beach pool. Crafted from locally sourced cream marble, the pool transforms the water into a mesmerizing Caribbean-like sandy hue. Encircled by a lush jungle of coconut trees, this paradise-like setting embodies the essence of tropical luxury.

Render - House Cala Saona

On the first floor, three spacious bedrooms offer even more breathtaking views, each featuring its own en-suite bathroom. One of these bedrooms stands out with a striking freestanding black bathtub, seamlessly integrated into the room and positioned to face the rice fields, alongside a large outdoor terrace.

Photo - House Cala Saona Interior

Descending to the basement, a versatile multi-function room with an en-suite bathroom provides endless possibilities—it can be used as a cinema room, kids’ playroom, gym, or office. This level also includes a generous storage room, a dedicated laundry and linen area, and a staff toilet, ensuring both practicality and convenience.

Render - House Cala Saona Interior

“BIM REVIT for Architects”

CREATED BY: Stonehenge

DRAWINGS, PROCESS WORKS, COLLECTION OF THINGS

“To draw is to see, to imagine is to create”

CREATED:

SCAD : Savannah Collage of Art and Design, 2nd Quarter, 2025

DESCRIPTION:

Drawings, collections, models, and artistic pieces—each element contributes to the evolution of my architectural process. This collection offers a glimpse into the creative journey behind my designs, showcasing the ideas, experiments, and inspirations that shape my work.