OSVALDO HERRERA GARCIA
PORTFOLIO
GreenCore
Spring 2022
Austin, TX
The Twist and Shout
Spring 2023
Nacogdoches, TX
TSBVI Expansion
Fall 2021
Austin, TX
Accordion Rowhouse
Spring 2021
Austin, TX
GreenCore
*Design Excellence Award
Spring 2022
Instructors: Jing Liu + Claire Townley
As climate change ravages our world, it is imperative that architectural design tackle sustainability across the various disciplines — from the formal to the system, from the material to the energetic — of the practice. Although sustainability practices have long existed within the architectural profession, progressive technologies are usually implemented in large-scale civic and commercial projects. There is a severe bottleneck in this area where single-family homes are concerned and ripe for architectural innovation.
In this studio, we worked on a modest physical scale, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), but sought to address large questions about density, resources, and the earth system. We sought tangible ways to harness sustainable energy in residential building design from the inside out. The result of this endeavor is GreenCore. GreenCore is a modular, adaptable, ready-made energy system that harnesses existing technology, including solar energy, rainwater collection, geothermal heating systems, waste digestion and filtration, and green walls to produce a house that acts like a battery, powering itself.
GreenCore is a one-stop-shop for homeowners and developers seeking to create homes that make energy rather than consume it. Being modular in design, it is infinitely expandable and adaptable, applicable both for new construction and in rescuing, resuscitating, and resurrecting existing structures. The GreenCore studio is the second edition with the first one taking place in an abandoned duplex building on the Governors Island in New York City. It is our ambition to accumulate research and design exploration undertaken in an academic environment into the real world in the near future. Therefore, a formal prototype was one of the key productions of the studio.
Collaborators:
Brinton Freeze
Nikki Gendelman
Claire Greene
Varsha Iyer
Alex Kelley
Campbell Kraemer
Charlie Kuok
Christine Lee
Shen Ni
Noland Summerhill
Amelia Webb
Ania Yee-Boguinskiaia
Our studio team was divided into three groups to address the collaborative design project of a modular ADU that could adapt and create three different iterations. My team was specifically focused on developing an ADU layout that could accommodate the needs of two people. This unit utilized the same assembly parts as the other two groups, but with a key difference. It required two fewer columns per connection, while maintaining structural stability and permitting the installation of sliding panels in their place instead, creating versatility and flexibility within the structure. This requirement also resulted in the roof naturally taking an M-shape form, enabling the effortless collection of water through its gutters and the filtration of light through skylights.
Sliding panels in closed position
Sliding panels in open position
1/2” Scale model
1/2” Scale model interior
1/2” Scale model side
1/2” Scale model front
1/2” Scale model back
GreenCore Half Scale Prototype
Building a half-scale prototype was crucial for the studio’s collective effort to have a reference for the attainability of the project. The prototype was created using plywood sheets cut with a CNC machine, grinding and welding metal sheets for corner connections and bolts for fastening. The process took approximately two weeks for cutting and production, with assembly taking one week. This served as a tangible representation of the final design and allowed the team to identify any potential challenges through the build process. By doing so, the team could ensure that the final project would be attainable in further iterations.
3. Exterior clipped panels + roof finish
4. Pier to floor structure connection
1. Columns + ceiling structure connection
2. Column corner connection
Roof structure
Laminated columns
SIP panels
Floor structure
Pier foundation
Prototype axonometric
The Twist & Shout
Spring 2023
Instructors: Tyler Swingle
Nacogdoches, a historic Texas town, is witnessing a surge in its young adult population, with one of the primary reasons being Stephen F. Austin State University. The town recognizes the need to adapt to its changing demographics and has begun prioritizing the creation of spaces that cater to younger residents. These include new recreational areas, bars and restaurants, parks, and community initiatives that encourage young people to get involved. By creating these spaces, Nacogdoches hopes to foster a sense of community and ensure its younger residents feel valued and invested in the town’s future. For this reason, Nacogdoches was chosen as the ideal location to envision how this change in demographic would guide the design of a contemporary dance hall in a place with a diverse culture and rich history.
The specific site for the project would have our team design a community dancing space in the heart of town, meeting the needs and desires of local residents and providing a platform for individual expression. Our research and exploration helped us identify key features for the project, including a large open area for dancing, shaded seating for spectators, a small cafe for lingering, and educational spaces for learning and studying. Consequently, the proposed structure would involve acquiring the current farmers market site. As such, we have incorporated a provision to make available spaces for the vendors to continue using the area as a farmers market.
Our final vision for this project was to create a sustainable environment that fosters creativity and promotes energy efficiency. By incorporating sustainable practices such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), we aimed to create an infrastructure that minimizes its environmental impact while maximizing the overall experience of the space by enhancing ventilation and natural lighting. As a commitment to creating innovative and sustainable structures that leave a positive impact on both the environment and the community, we sought to tackle these challenges through innovative construction practices.
Collaborators: Mariana Avina Curtis Lechner
The studio project was focused on investigating the potential of CLT and its implications for the construction industry. The team conducted research to explore the effects of changing the grain direction in CLT. This experimentation aimed to enhance the development of CLT construction techniques when using this sustainable and versatile material. The investigation discovered that rotating the grain direction in wooden members caused them to rotate during the curing process after adhesive was applied. This information led to further exploration of the potential applications at a larger scale. Study case
With the goal of using rotating CLT members, we set out to design a system that could be easily assembled and integrated with existing CLT construction. We conducted extensive research and tested prototypes until we arrived at a design that met our criteria for efficiency, durability, and sustainability. The final system allows for quick and easy installation of rotating CLT that would align with the rest of the structure while addressing ventilation, lighting, and circulation.
1/8” Assembly model
On-site assembly process
Elevation
Sections
TSBVI Expansion
Fall 2021
Instructors: Andrew Stone + Claire Townley
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) was established in 1856 and is dedicated to providing education to visually impaired students throughout the country. Over time, it has become a leading institution in bridging the gap between the sighted and visually impaired by developing educational programs that allow visually impaired students to learn in a visual world, while also providing a comprehensive educational experience that creates a leveled playing field of opportunities. As a result, its efforts have set a national standard in the field of education for visually impaired individuals.
To address the absence of support for TSBVI students after graduating from the school at age 18, a proposal was developed to establish a transitional environment for its graduates in cooperation with the school and surrounding community. Our team worked together with students and faculty members at TSBVI to create a vision for the proposal. This vision was to create a space for TSBVI graduates to receive support towards a successful transition to independent living and employment which could then create a network of opportunities in the community that would help these graduates thrive beyond their time at TSBVI.
Our proposed campus addition at Burnet and 45th will offer new facilities to aid student transition and educate the public. By connecting students’ learning with the real world, the space will enable students to apply their knowledge and skills while also educating and engaging community members. This project seeks to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, providing an immersive and valuable learning experience for students. By integrating the latest technologies, green building practices, and sustainable design principles, the new addition will serve as a beacon of innovation and learning for generations to come.
Collaborators:
Wilkie Miller
Courtyard/indoor theater wall section
Parapet coping Vegetation
Protective screed mortar
Rigid insulation
Vapor barrier
Steel beam
Loose fill insulation
Ivy covering
Concrete wall
Structural concrete column
Accoustic Tile Finish Sheetrock
Cement board
Brick pavers
Accoustical insulation
Concrete floor finish Screed
Reinforced concrete foundation
Fine gravel
1. Bedroom
2. Kitchen/Dining
3. Living Room
4. Bathroom
5. Laundry Room
Studio Unit
Three Bedroom Unit
Accordion Rowhouse
*Design Excellence Award
Spring 2022
Instructor: Piergianna Mazzocca
Throughout history, we have witnessed the changes in human relationships within the typical universal household and the impact it has created within architectural design. After examining several case studies which have addressed these changes in unique ways, I conceptualized a way to utilize the idea of kinship as the main point of renovating the classic design of the row house typology, adapting the row house’s form to create an invitation for the city and community to engage in togetherness.
Given that the site is a residential zone within one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Austin, I took into consideration how this project could be an influence in the near and distant future as an infilled condition. How accessible would the building become for pedestrians? How would large and towering surroundings affect the living environment of the occupants? Will this enclosed space be sufficient for sunlight and ventilation?
By exploring these limitations of accessibility, spatial quality, daylighting, and ventilation, I developed the proposal to create intermediate outdoor spaces in between each unit which would serve as patios and points of entry for each individual dwelling. The goal of achieving natural lighting in the row house units was accomplished by rotating them slightly, allowing for filtration of light. Additionally, these areas became open spaces where passersby could experience a moment of sonder as they viewed each housing unit when traversing the perimeter.
By rotating the dwelling units and having them intersect at alternating ends, the row house typology begins to stretch throughout the space, allowing for intermediate gaps to be established between the units. These open spaces enable the structure to have means of circulation all through its perimeter, forming alleys that could serve as direct secured passages for the community.
Order of operations
Unit separation
Unit rotation
Rowhouse units
Ground floor
Second floor
Second and half floor
Third floor
Third and half floor
To optimize the living space of the units, a split level system was implemented resulting in a larger floor to ceiling space in the living room and a more expansive feel to the residence. Additionally, this design approach facilitated the alignment of the roof with the interior configuration ensuring no space was wasted.
Cross section
Construction details
Tertiary structural system -Floor Decking (15/32” plywood sheets)
Primary structural system -8” CMU blocks -2”x6” Studs and plates
Secondary structural system -2”X12” Joists
Concrete foundation
15/32” Rib steel roof panels
15/32” OSB Sheating
15/32” OSB Sheating
2”x10” Rafters
Metal cladding finish
