portfolio.
Rhinoceros
Enscape
Grasshopper
lopez.mark1125@gmail.com
Education
Aug 2024 - May 2026
University of Texas at San Antonio I School of Architecture and Planning
Master of Architecture (M. Arch 2)
Aug 2020 - May 2024 University of Texas at San Antonio I School of Architecture and Planning
Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture
GPA: 3.62/4.0 - Cum Laude
Study Abroad Program - Universitad di Urbino Carlo Bo (Aug 2022 - Dec 2022)
Experience
Jan 2025 - present
Sept 2024 - present
Sept 2021 - May 2024
Other Experience
Student Organizations
2024 - present
2023 - 2024
2022 - 2023
2021 - 2022
2021 - present
2024 - present
2024 - present
2023 - 2024
Architectural Drafter I I Macaw Custom Homes
Residential Company
Graduate Assistant I The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Student Assistant I The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Academic Advising
NOMAS
National Organization of Minority Architect Students - University of Texas at San Antonio Chapter
Public Relations / Communications Chair
Treasurer
AIAS
American Institute of Architect Students - University of Texas at San Antonio Chapter
Klesse Student Advisory Council
Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design
Representative Vice President of Downtown Affairs
Student Leadership Council
School of Architecture and Planning - University of Texas at San Antonio
KSAC Representative
NOMAS Representative President Vice - President
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01
Road to Freedom
Forks of the Road Slave Market and Interpretive Center
Academic Spring 2024
Professor Diane Hays
Individual Project
The Forks of the Road in Natchez, Mississippi, was a major hub for slave trading from 1833 to 1863, with an estimated 437,000 individuals sold during its operation. Despite immense oppression, enslaved individuals resisted through acts of rebellion and clandestine efforts toward freedom. This design preserves the historical significance of the site through an interpretive center and memorial, which highlight the enslaved experience, the economic motivations behind slavery, and the enduring pursuit of emancipation that shaped American history.
Concept Diagram
The Log Cabin quilt pattern symbolizes safety and is incorporated throughout the site as a guiding “Red Square” path. The interpretive center takes visitors through chronological events of slavery, highlighting key moments in history. This journey transitions to the idea of emancipation at the centerpiece’s end. The path then leads directly into the memorial space, representing the freedom enslaved people aspired to. The memorial provides spaces for reflection on the Emancipation Act and the progress made since slavery. Visitors are encouraged to understand the historical significance of these events. The final section of the center incorporates the “True Square,” symbolizing safety and hope. Together, these elements honor the enslaved and their pursuit of freedom.
Lob Cabin Quilt Pattern
Quilt Pattern Used
Lobby
Interpretive Center
Memorial
Rotation
CIRCULATION OF SPACES
Concrete
Air Space
Rigid Insulation
Steel Joist
Column Space
C.M.U
Concrete
Interior Finish (varies)
SECTION A
FIRST LEVEL
Floor Finish (varies)
Insulation
Gypsum Board
Reinforced Concrete
Crawl Space
Insulation
Concrete
Concrete Footing Ground
SECTION B
SUB LEVEL
EXHIBITION AREA 1 I COFFLE MARCH
This is where visitors will understand what it was like to be part of the coffle march. This trail was over a thousand miles long and was a four month long journey. The enslaved were chained to each other to ensure no one was able to escape. They were within close proximity to each other and needed to be in a single file line to guarantee all of the enslaved were one unit.
LOBBY
When the visitor initially enters the interpretive center they are greeted by extrusions from the walls with a back lit surface. These are to show the resourcefulness the enslaved used when creating different quilt patterns. These were used from many different scraps with different shapes and sizes.
02
Community Within Pairs
Proposal for a mixed-use high-rise building with coworking and community gardening in Les Batignolles
Academic Fall 2024
Professor Taeg Nishimoto Individual Project
This project in Paris’s 17th arrondissement combines coworking spaces with urban gardening to reflect the city’s green ambitions. The nine-story building offers flexible workspaces for digital nomads, with vertical gardens spanning from the third to ninth floors to encourage interaction with nature. Inspired by local initiatives like La Canopée, the design highlights community gardening as a tool for education and connection. Its ribbon-shaped steel façade with curved glass adds a striking feature for locals and visitors alike. This project bridges work and nature, supporting Paris’s vision for sustainability and social engagement.
Neighborhoods:
Plaine Monceau
Site Plan with a display of existing building in black and white with proposed design in opaque green
FIRST FLOOR
NINTH FLOOR
FOURTH FLOOR
ROOF LEVEL
3D PRINTED MODEL OF PLANTERS
Perspective on ninth floor looking out at the streetscape and greenery that occurs inside and out
Fourth floor walkway in between planters
03
La Ruta
Resource Center for Indigenous Community in Guatemala
Academic Fall 2023
Professor Armando Araiza Group Project; Partners with Kimberly Zapata
Guatemala’s highlands are where vibrant traditions and nature blend harmoniously. Indigenous communities here are deeply connected to their Mayan culture, which is reflected in their structures and way of life. While each village has unique customs, their shared bond is a deep respect for the land and nature. Agriculture, like growing corn and beans, is vital but challenging, as many families face poverty and lack resources like education and food. Farming is essential for survival, but everyday life remains difficult. Efforts are underway to break language barriers, as Spanish is predominantly spoken in the region.
Santa Lucia Utatlan Graduates become teachers
LEGEND:
Learning
Communal
Churches
Housing Site
Santa Lucia Utatlan, Guatemala
CONCEPT DIAGRAM
SPACE PLANNING
DEER DANCE OUTLINE
SPACE PLANNING
1
3
5
SECOND FLOOR
LEGEND:
1 - Library
2 - Private Technology Room
3 - Cafeteria
Pyramid Extrusion
the hierarchy of the city and its inhabitants
diamond extrusion signifies the craft of meshing into societal standards
Angle 4-corners
four edges of the universe weaving with the evolving community
Module
creating a dialogue between the sky and the ground
COMMUNITY SPACE
This community space is a vibrant hub where Indigenous knowledge and culture thrive, surrounded by classrooms that foster education and growth. It integrates modern technology with traditional practices, creating a unique learning environment that honors heritage while embracing innovation. By blending culture, technology, and learning, it empowers the community and inspires collaboration across generations.
CLASSROOM
These classrooms empower Indigenous communities to learn, grow, and reshape their future while honoring their cultural identity. They provide opportunities to learn English, a key skill in today’s globalized world, and access to technology and unlocking new possibilities. By blending traditional knowledge with modern tools, this space fosters personal growth, community development, and a stronger connection to both local heritage and global opportunities.
