ARCHITECTURE
PORTFOLIO MELINA TORRES
RESUME
SUMMER 2023 JAPAN STUDY ABROAD
MELINA TORRES (713)-515-5766
May 2023 - Aug 2023 Visit historic and urban cities in Japan Explore and learn about japanese architecture
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
EDUCATION
SKILLS
Aug 2019 - Dec 2023
University of Houston Bachelors of Architecture
Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Acrobat AutoCAD Enscape Microsoft Word Microsoft Powerpoint Microsoft Excel Revit Rhino Sketchup Pro Bilingual (Spanish and English)
WORK / ACTIVITIES
DESIGN INTERN, HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION Mar 2021 - Present Create and present design packages to clients Create floor plans and renderings for design packages Collaborate with co-workers to develop design concepts Attend and document site visits Collaborate with the clients Research materials and finishes for clients
ACHIEVEMENTS Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2019 Scholar Rotary Club of Harrisburg 2019 Scholar
FUTURE WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE May 2021 - Present Attend monthly meetings Collaborate with members of the club
03
TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 Houston Design Construction
Spa Houston 22 Organic Houston Design Construction
07 Houston Design Construction
Elevated 25 Pierce ARCH 3501 - Architecture Design Studio VI
Crawfish Cafe - San Antonio Scoop - Railway Heights Market
House 28 Marfa ARCH 5500 - Architecture Design Studio IX
Cafe - Woodlands 10 Crawfish Houston Design Construction
Manor 31 Montrose ARCH 5500- Architecture Design Studio IX
- Spring Branch 13 Cosmic Houston Design Construction
Living 34 Collective ARCH 5500- Architecture Design Studio X
Fix 16 Pho Houston Design Construction Fix and Crawfish Cafe HLSR Booths 19 Pho Houston Design Construction
03
CRAWFISH CAFE SAN ANTONIO
04 HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
CRAWFISH CAFE SAN ANTONIO
12485 I-10 Suite 108, San Antonio, TX 78230
Crawfish Cafe is a wellknown seafood restaurant chain based in Texas. The objective of this location was to expand its franchise with a new modern look by implementing simplistic materials and a monochromatic color palette while still keeping its well-known faux brick style. Designed the lighting fixture in the dining area. Render by Tony Nguyen
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
05
BEGAN: MAR 2021 COMPLETED: OCT 2021
CRAWFISH CAFE SAN ANTONIO
12485 I-10 Suite 108, San Antonio, TX 78230
Sketches of custom lighting fixture for client
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
Photograph from Yelp
06
BEGAN: MAR 2021 COMPLETED: OCT 2021
SCOOP - RAILWAY HEIGHTS MARKET
07 HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
SCOOP - RAILWAY HEIGHTS MARKET
8200 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Render of stand with a custom ice cream drip wallpaper
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
08
Scoop is a small-business ice cream shop based in Houston, TX. It was renamed "Cosmic" in October 2022. Cosmic specializes in unusual kinds of artisan ice cream flavors. The client requested a clean, yet basic modern appearance with a "nature" touch for this design. This stand operated in Railway Heights Market for 8 months until its closure in June 2022.
BEGAN: JUN 2021 COMPLETED: OCT 2021
SCOOP - RAILWAY HEIGHTS MARKET
8200 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
09
BEGAN: JUN 2021 COMPLETED: OCT 2021
CRAWFISH CAFE WOODLANDS
10 HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
CRAWFISH CAFE WOODLANDS
8850 Metropark Dr Suite 100, Shenandoah, TX 77385
Crawfish Cafe is a wellknown seafood restaurant chain based in Texas. The objective of this location was to expand its franchise with a new modern look by implementing simplistic materials and a monochromatic color palette while still keeping its well-known faux brick style.
Render of Dining Area
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
11
BEGAN: DEC 2021 COMPLETED: JUL 2022
CRAWFISH CAFE WOODLANDS
8850 Metropark Dr Suite 100, Shenandoah, TX 77385
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
12
BEGAN: DEC 2021 COMPLETED: JUL 2022
COSMIC - SPRING BRANCH
13 HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
COSMIC - SPRING BRANCH
8133-8247 Long Point Houston, TX 77055
This is Cosmic (formally known as "Scoop") 2nd location in the Houston area. Cosmic specializes in unusual kinds of artisan ice cream flavors. The client requested to continue the clean/basic modern appearance but to add galaxy theme components. The wallpaper above the booth seating is a placeholder. The wall will be a custom mural done by a local Houston artist . Render of dining area and order station
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
14
BEGAN: FEB 2022 COMPLETED: FEB 2023
COSMIC - SPRING BRANCH
8133-8247 Long Point Houston, TX 77055
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
15
BEGAN: FEB 2022 COMPLETED: FEB 2023
PHO FIX
16 HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
PHO FIX
1223 W 34TH ST SUITE C-3XX, HOUSTON, TX 77018
Pho Fix is a Vietnamese restaurant based in Houston, TX. They serve the Houston area with the most savory and flavorful Vietnamese Pho broths in the world. The concept of Pho Fix revolves around having an edgy/modern space while using dark monochromatic colors while using their signature pop of lime green.
Render of dining area and order station
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
17
BEGAN: JUNE 2022 COMPLETED: TBA
PHO FIX
1223 W 34TH ST SUITE C-3XX, HOUSTON, TX 77018
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
18
BEGAN: JUNE 2022 COMPLETED: TBA
PHO FIX AND CRAWFISH CAFE HLSR BOOTHS
19 HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
PHO FIX AND CRAWFISH CAFE HLSR BOOTHS
NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
Proposed food stands for Crawfish Cafe and Pho Fix in the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Both franchises want to keep the same concepts but minimize them based on the given square footage. Pho Fix: 10'x10' sqft Crawfish Cafe: 20'x10' sqft
Renders of different proposed Crawfish Cafe station
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
20
BEGAN: JUNE 2022 COMPLETED: N/A
PHO FIX AND CRAWFISH CAFE HLSR BOOTHS
NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
21
BEGAN: JUNE 2022 COMPLETED: N/A
ORGANIC SPA HOUSTON
22 HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
ORGANIC SPA HOUSTON
5305 JACKSON ST HOUSTON, TX 77004
Organic Spa Houston is a spa boutique that specializes in advanced skincare and beauty treatments in Houston. The client requested a modern, chic, yet clean aesthetic that is composed of 4 treatment rooms
Render of entrance and waiting area
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
23
BEGAN: FEB 2023 COMPLETED: OCT 2023
ORGANIC SPA HOUSTON
5305 JACKSON ST HOUSTON, TX 77004
HOUSTON DESIGN CONSTRUCTION MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
24
BEGAN: FEB 2023 COMPLETED: OCT 2023
PIERCE ELEVATED
25 ARCH 3501 ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO VI MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
PIERCE ELEVATED
800 Pierce St, Houston, TX 77002
ARCH 3501 ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO VI MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
The studio was based on creating an urban landscape design along with a designated program on Pierce Elevated. My assigned program was a grocery/marketplace. The concept of my program was to create a space that represents modern trading ideals in the food industry, where handmade items and individuality are appreciated. Additionally, it was important to represent a synthesis of Houston's culture and history in a place where Houstonians buy and sell essential goods. Instead of the typical linear layout of a longspan steel structure, the market provides a continuous organic wave roof form that unites indoor and outdoor spaces.
26
BEGAN: JAN 2022 COMPLETED: MAY 2022
PIERCE ELEVATED
800 Pierce St, Houston, TX 77002
ARCH 3501 ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO VI MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
27
BEGAN: JAN 2022 COMPLETED: MAY 2022
MARFA HOUSE
28 ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO IX MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
MARFA HOUSE Marfa, TX
Render of living room and dining room
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO IX MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
29
The Marfa House is a hybrid of the traditional Mexican hacienda house and the modern home; it is situated on a nine-square grid structure and incorporates multiple room units inspired by family dynamics. This project was developed to create a home that pays homage to this type of construction, which is distinguished by its clear and solid volumes, aligned to the sidewalk and closed to the exterior. The concept is arranged around a central patio, forming an enclosure of divided volumes displayed on rustic stucco that enact light and shadow dances, enhanced by stone pavers and wood structures. The materials in the project are inspired by the colors and textures found in the terrain and topography of Marfa, TX BEGAN: JAN 2023 COMPLETED: MAY 2023
MARFA HOUSE Marfa, TX
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO IX MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
30
BEGAN: JAN 2023 COMPLETED: MAY 2023
MONTROSE MANOR
31 ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO IX MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
MONTROSE MANOR
1302 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77006
The Montrose Manor is a collective housing complex with a hybrid of small, medium, and large housing situated on a 3x3 feet grid system. It incorporates multiple amenities to accommodate a proper living space. This project was developed to create a residential building for living, working, and leisure on a lot between the Menil Campus and the University of St. Thomas campus. The degrees of flexibility and intimacy will help to shape the exterior presence and urban relationship to circulation elements, collective spaces, and typologies of dwelling units.
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO IX MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
32
BEGAN: JAN 2023 COMPLETED: MAY 2023
MONTROSE MANOR
1302 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77006
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO IX MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
33
BEGAN: JAN 2023 COMPLETED: MAY 2023
COLLECTIVE LIVING
34 ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO X MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
COLLECTIVE LIVING
5514 Bandera St, Los Angeles 90058
Partner: Natalia Oliveira
Given the task to create a collective housing living based in Los Angeles, CA, our main focus is how people can experience different types of intimacy within the usage of terraces which establishes a 'village-like' community in the complex beyond its physical shelter. Taking the greenhouse concept of Lacaton & Vassal, we finalized having 5 typologies of different square footage each having access to a terrace. We organized the units based on a 5’x5’ grid which facilitated the arrangements between housing and landscape in how a user can go from interior to exterior in an organic circulation. The complex comprises terracotta and polycarbonate walls to meet affordability and human comfort. Overall, the project shows how exterior living and interior living become interconnected and important to its users which creates a unique community of terrace living.
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO X MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
35
BEGAN: AUG 2023 COMPLETED: TBA
COLLECTIVE LIVING
5514 Bandera St, Los Angeles 90058
Partner: Natalia Oliveira
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO X MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
36
BEGAN: AUG 2023 COMPLETED: DEC 2023
COLLECTIVE LIVING
5514 Bandera St, Los Angeles 90058
Partner: Natalia Oliveira
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO X MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
37
BEGAN: AUG 2023 COMPLETED: DEC 2023
COLLECTIVE LIVING
5514 Bandera St, Los Angeles 90058
Partner: Natalia Oliveira
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO X MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
38
BEGAN: AUG 2023 COMPLETED: DEC 2023
COLLECTIVE LIVING
5514 Bandera St, Los Angeles 90058
Partner: Natalia Oliveira
ARCH 5500ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO X MELINA TORRES
TMELINA248@GMAIL.COM
(713)-515-5766
39
BEGAN: AUG 2023 COMPLETED: DEC 2023