Paula Velez Architecture and Urban Design Portfolio

P A U L A A R C H I T E C T U R E

V E L E Z &

U R B A N

P O R T F O L I O

D E S I G N

C O N T E N T S

01

PUBLIC TRANSIT CORRIDORS FOR THE PUBLIC REALM Master Thesis

02

22 @ DISTRICT

03

STRATEGIES FOR THE GARRAF TERRITORY

04

TWO BRIDGES AFFORDABLE HOUSING

05

RED HOOK URBAN DESIGN

06

RED HOOK LIBRARY

07

REVITALIZATION OF WILLETS POINT Undergrad Thesis

Rethinking transit corridors for the use of the public realm Queens This thesis work focuses on NYC Queens, it’s transit and urban development history as well as Queens’ current spatial characteristics. The research analyzes its public mobility, land use, and public space. It studies Queens’ current challenges with the public realm and mobility, specifically the public space distribution by transit areas.

This study aims to shed light on the importance of public space as well as the importance of sustainable mobility in growing communities. A theoretical framework including concepts of New Urbanism, Transit Oriented Development and Urbanity were studied in order to understand these current challenges and to seek possible solutions for the case study of the 7 subway line corridor.

7’ 5’

62’ Pedestrian space

5’ 7’

42’

11’

Car lanes

Sidewalk

42’ Car lanes

Bike lane Sidewalk

18’ Sidewalk

Connecting modes of transport

Sidewalk Bike lane

Public Space coverage

33rd St - Under the viaduct

22@ District

Barcelona, Spain

22@ District in Barcelona began in 2000 as an initiative to tranform a decaying historic cotton district into a booming technology and knowledge center. As of 2017, the district continues in the process of renewal while facing both opportunities and challenges. The 22@ district has important heritage value because of its historic warehouses and urban fabric, however there is still an insufficient amount of housing in the district. Due to the lack of housing, there is a low population density and not enough pedestrian traffic and activity to generate vitality throughout the streets. The 22@ government plan’s land use called for 70% Tech activity, 10% Public space, 10% Housing per block.

The plan we propose differs by requesting 40% Tech activity, 20% Public space and 40% Housing per block in order to activate social movement and stimulate commercial activity. The master plan focuses on 3 main avenues, Pere IV, Cristobal de Moura and Marroc. Each avenue has its own distinct identity and qualities which play a role in this proposal. The avenue of Pere IV as it is, serves as an important avenue at metropolitan scale where large public facilities are situated. The avenue of Cristobal de Moura is proposed as a commercial avenue at a grand scale where businesses and offices are expected to generate activity. The avenue of Marroc is proposed as a green street for the neighborhood where a few small scale public facilities will be located. This main public space will serve as an environmental buffer between the 2 main avenues.

PERE

IV

MARROC

CRISTOBAL DE MOURA

Housing

Ground level of superblock

Tech offices

Public facilities

Ordinances of typical block

Garraf

1 Vision – 3 Strategies for the region of Garraf

Spain

RIERA DE VILLAFRANCA

COGULLADA

DALTMAR

CANYELLES

LES PALMERES

CALIFORNIA

Our vision is to use Green Infrastructure to structure the region’s landscape ecology and to transform the challenges of the region’s settlements into an opportunity to create a new balanced and sustainable model of development.

For centuries, the region of Garraf functioned as an agricultural territory. In the 1900s, the conversion of the ancient fields into dispersed housing developments began. The current model of the territory is composed of a linear system that came to be from the necessity to transport merchandise from the port of Villanova to Villafranca in the Valley of el Penedes. This connection has adapted to the mountainous terrain of Garraf, located between these 2 plains. In the 20th century, as the automobile was on the rise, a more efficient route with less integration of the landscape was developed. Later on, the route was turned into tunnels, changing the territory and avoiding contact with it entirely.

The strategy of Green Infrastructure is made up of 3 layers: Itineraries (historical trails connecting patrimony) Mobility (public transport systems to reduce auto emissions) Environmental sustainability (treatment plants to collect and purify gray water - reverted to streams to increase flow and biodiversity)

Villafranca

Canyelles

Villanova

The strategy of Landscape Ecology proposes to revitalize the region’s environment by integrating landscape ecology and the settlements.

Permeability through the borders of the settlements in order to coexist with flora and fauna Biodiversity reinforced by the continuity of ecological areas such as agricultural areas and the creation of humid areas for the flourishment of new species.

The strategy of Activities is to increase densification in settlements with good living conditions and reduce densification in those with poor conditions in order to reduce sprawl over the territory.

Densifying some settlement areas to create centers will support low density transport system that will connect the nodes of these settlements.

Enhancing agricultural areas to promote the region’s environmental resources and economical systems.

Affordable Housing

Two Bridges

MA AN ATT

NH BR E

IDG

YN

KL

OO

BR GE

ID

BR

The Two Bridges District in Lower Manhattan is the site for this affordable housing project. The design of the building revolves around the idea of a simple system. A system of bars makeup the entire building. The bar is made up of the studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and large shared terrace space. The bars interlock at the cores of the building and creates a stepping down form towards the south. This form also allows for two large open green spaces on the site. The inner courtyard is mainly for the use of the daycare which is open to the children of the apartments along with the children of the neighborhood. The green space along the south side opens up the space to the street side creating a plaza area for the people walking along. The shared terrace space has large folding windows allowing the space to be truly open to the outside when the weather permits and also allows the space to b closed off while still having a view.

Studio

1 Bedroom

2 Bedroom

Red Hook

Brooklyn

Red Hook is Brooklyn’s hidden potential. It is a rapidly evolving mixed use neighborhood with stunning waterfront views, a working waterfront, artists colonies and urban farming. It is home to New York’s second largest public housing projects.

Its history filled streets are waiting to be rediscovered. The lack of accessibility have hindered its growth. The pollution of water, soil and air have kept its residents from making use of their own neighborhood. The increasing flood levels have contributed to the lack of development in Red Hook.

We propose to re-introduce Red Hook to the metropolitan area. This will be done by activating the waterfront, increasing the transportation and providing a controlled flooding environment.

Furthermore, we will provide increased productive land and allow residents to grow with their community.

Our proposal includes a series of steps in which Red Hook will gradually transform into a resilient neighborhood through a system that resembles a sponge. Our approach is comprised of islands, marshes, an eco resilient pathway, gated basins and a green waterfront extending inland to existing spaces. Bringing the “sponge” into the grid.

Node 1

VAN BRUNT ST

Node 2

Inland islands

Islands

Marshes

Raised topography

Eco Pathway

Basins

Forests

Urban Farming

Eco Pathway

Transportation

Brooklyn rooklyn

W

OL

CO

ST

T

ST

TT

IG H

A library is a place where one goes to expand their knowledge and grow. It is the stem of knowledge in a community. Programmaticaly, the design of this library spaces branch out from the main space, the General Reading Room. This space is extruded vertically throughout 3 levels and contains an atrium in the center which allows the space to feel like one continuous space. Ramps connect each level of the room which allows people to revolve around the Reading Room as they go to the next level. From there, people can also enter the next adjacent space once coming off the ramp. The atrium space is a reading area, circulation and essentially the heart of the building for it holds a majority of the library’s stacks which give the building its character and true purpose.

DW

Red Hook Library

Ground Floor

First Floor

Second Floor

1600

Willets Point

Queens

1645

1891

1683

Willets Point is a neglected industrial area that is home to auto repair shops and scrap metal companies. The low rise shops of Willets Point are juxtaposed by Citi Field, a large sports complex and Flushing Meadow Park which are in close proximity.

The thesis exploration focuses on the history of this site and uncovering its hidden potentials. As inheritors of the urban fabric, it is important to understand the intentions of our ancestors before making our mark. Even though Willets Point may be described as an eyesore by many, it is a place of diversity, immigrant labor, craftsmanship, and chaotic nature.

The plan proposes to revitalize and transform Willets Point into a mixed use, live & work neighborhood where creative entrepreneurship continues to be welcomed. The proposal challenges the NYC grid and supports organic growth. It is envisioned to be pedestrian focused where buildngs will define paths and space and incremental development will keep the essence of Willets Point. By proposing commercial spaces on ground floors and residential above, it will be a place of urban vitality. An open public space network runs through the neighborhood allowing paths to lead into plazas and gardens. Situated in and around these spaces are different art programs including art walls, galleries, exhibition spaces and sculpture parks, creating an art walk throughout the neighborhood. Density is achieved by having buildings at a minimum of 6 stories. The density of the neighborhood is balanced out by its open space network. Resilient strategies are also included to protect from flooding. A sloped green park to the east of the neighborhood protects it from the overflowing waters of the Flushing Creek. Lastly, by incorporating more areas of greenery, water is more easily absorbed and puts less tension on the strained NYC sewer system.

1898

1924 1931

1951 1946

1958

1939

Demolition

Eliminate

1964

Pedestrian friendly

2009