Fernando Licea
Edgewater Pavilion
Fall 2024 pp. 1-8 02 Summer 2024 pp. 9-16
Los 24
Escalones
Rogers Park 03
Little Library
Spring 2024 pp. 17-24
Cavity Wall
Chicago, IL
Fall 2025 pp. 25-28
01
Edgewater Pavilion
Spring 2024
The city of Chicago received a donation to commemorate the Edgewater Beach Hotel with a pavilion along the Edgewater lakefront. The Edgewater Pavilion represents three main ideas: strength, admiration of the horizon, and hierarchy.
These qualities once defined the original Edgewater Beach Hotel before its demolition during the lakefront expansion. Nearly a century later, the pavilion celebrates what the hotel once stood for, continuing its role as a landmark along the shore.
The pavilion is built with stainless steel rising at an upward angle that transitions into a cantilever, creating a unified symbol of strength. This approach is repeated in hierarchy through three distinct structures.
The largest structure extends the cantilever toward Lake Michigan, framing the horizon. Together, the three forms create a tunnel-like view toward the water, capturing the sense of reflection and admiration that defines the Edgewater Pavilion.
Chicago, IL Edgewater Lakefront
Structural Framework Social Gathering Space
Innovative use of angled supports for stability
Designed for community interaction and events
JUNE 20 2:00 PM
Modular Roof Design
Structure designed for shade and aesthetics
Edgewater Pavilion
WEST ELEVATION
EAST ELEVATION
10’ 20’
10’ 20’
Edgewater Pavilion
NORTH SECTION
SOUTH SECTION
Edgewater Pavilion
10’ 20’
10’ 20’
ISOMETRIC VIEW
The Edgewater Pavilion cantilevers toward Lake Michigan to admire the horizon. The lake plays a vital role into the identity of the structure and its hierarchy.
Edgewater Pavilion
02
Los 24 Escalones
Summer 2024
In a residential neighborhood of Guadalajara, Cumbre International School offers dedicated students the opportunity to live in walkable apartments. Los 24 Escalones provides adaptable living spaces that blend with the surrounding urban context and promote community among students and families.
The building consists of twelve apartments divided into four sections with a shared primary entrance. Each section features alternating levels that form a stepped composition, giving rise to its name, Los 24 Escalones.
Balcony garden beds invite families to cultivate plants, reflecting the vegetation and growth that characterize the neighborhood. The exterior is finished with Venetian-style plaster composed of natural materials, strengthened with an acrylic polymer for durability and a wax coating for water resistance. This finish is environmentally friendly with low VOC emissions and naturally resistant to mold and mildew.
Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico
Los 24 Escalones is a residential structure integrated into the community of Cumbre International School.
The school offers multiple academic specializations and a strong athletic program. This project was designed to provide efficiency and convenience for students and their families who seek to deepen their engagement with the school.
Located within walking distance, the building offers one- and two-bedroom apartments featuring a flexible, multi-use first floor to support both living and study needs.
CAMPUS
Plaster With Acrylic
16” x 6”Columns - 14’ Spacing
Raised Garden Bed
Plaster With Wax Coating
Curved Picket Balcony Railing
Palladian Window
Polymer
THIRD FLOOR UNIT
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BATHROOM
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM
BALCONY
In figure 1 the shape of the structure is created to relate to the mountains in the surrounding site.
The shape is then intergrated to provide space for living in figure 2. The first level becomes a space for multi-use to accommodate for students of cumbres international school as shown in figure 3.
Balconies and garden beds are used in exterior spacest to create a identity for the units. Together the stacking of units and exterior spaces adapt to the urban context
03
Little Library - Rogers Park
Winter 2024
The Little Library at Rogers Park is a vibrant structure that serves as a welcoming space for reading and learning. It is supported by twelve W12x72 steel columns enclosed by an ACM panel envelope. In addition, a custom metal façade extends along the ends of the building, joining at the entry corner to unify its form.
The composite structure of ACM panels stands out through its distinct Chicago blue tone. These panels act as both insulators and soundproofing, providing a quiet and comfortable environment ideal for reading. Exposed steel beams serve as an educational element, revealing the library’s structure to those inside.
Perpendicular to the beams hang blue acoustic panels that absorb sound and visually continue the blue façade throughout the interior. Together, this composition and color palette make the library a vibrant and cohesive space.
The color scheme plays a vital role in shaping the atmosphere of the library. The selection of blue connects to the city of Chicago and evokes a bright, uplifting, and motivational environment.
Durable and modern material for weather resistance and vibrance
Transparent Reading Area
Blue ACM Panel Facade
Sloped Envelope Design
Maximizes natural light and spatial dynamics while adding vibrance to the entry
Panel Clip
W10x49 Steel Column
6” Galvanized Cold Formed Steel Studs @16” O.C.
R-21 Mineral Wool Batt Insulation
Prosoco R-guard Cat 5
5/8” DensGlass fastened to steel studs with ballistic pins
1” Cavity
4mm ACM Panel
WALL SECTION
Flashing
Blue ACM Panel
Hanging Acoustic Panels
Little Library - Rogers Park
SECTION PERSPECTIVE
Little Library - Rogers Park
Cavity Wall Construction
Fall 2025
The Cavity Wall Construction Study investigates the detailing and performance of a traditional Chicago brick veneer wall adapted for modern residential construction. The study dissects each layer of the envelope from reclaimed Chicago Common brick and lime mortar to air cavity, flashing, and insulated stud framing to illustrate how the wall manages moisture, supports ventilation, and meets current energy codes.
The section highlights a drained and back-ventilated design, integrating stainless steel flashing with weep holes, adjustable veneer anchors, and R-21 mineral wool insulation. Through precise documentation, the drawing demonstrates how material layers interlock to achieve durability, breathability, and thermal performance while maintaining the visual character of Chicago masonry.
This project serves as both a technical exploration and an educational diagram, bridging architectural representation with building science fundamentals.
Chicago / Des Plaines River
Chicago Common Brick
Air Cavity
Concave Lime Mortar (Type O)
Reclaimed Chicago Common Brick
10” Exposed Concrete Foundation Above Grade
Weep Holes @ 24” O.C.
Stainless Steel Flashing With Drip Edge
2×6 Wood Stud Framing @ 16” O.C.
2 x 6 Sill Plate
½" Galvanized J-Bolt @ 32” O.C. (7” Deep)
Stainless Steel Adjustable Veneer Anchor
Sill Sealer
2 x 10 Rim Joist
Gysum Wallboard
Tyvek Commercial Wrap Joint Compound, Prime and Paint
R-21 Mineral Wool Batt Insulation
¾″ Oak Hardwood Plywood
2 x 10 Floor Joist
¾″ Plywood Subfloor
Mortar Trap
