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Design Portfolio

MAUR R

713.301.4961

Mauro Rodriguez Diaz

SCAD : GSAPP

DRIGUEZ

rodrixmau@hotmail.com

Manhattan, NY

United Atmospheres Air Purifier Installation This installation began as a class project in fabrication: a family of 3D-printable hydroponic pods, each a sculptural vessel developed through Rhino and printed in-house. The pods pair an exposed fan with a bed of expanded clay balls, a soilless system that keeps the form light, legible, and fully visible as an object. Installed at GSAPP, the pods hang as a suspended cluster of plant, root, and mechanism all on display, turning a functional device into something closer to a specimen. Growing edible plants hydroponically let the piece double as a small working ecology, while the roots and airflow quietly do the work of cleaning the air around them.

Location: Manhattan, NY Course: United Atmospheres Professor: Andreas Theodoridis Term: Spring 2023

Case Study: My Apartment

Gas stoves

HVAC & AC Unit Filters

Furniture

Fabric & Perfumes

Cleaners Animals Electronics

Particle Board

Identifying Air Pollution Contributers • • • • • • • •

Fabric softeners and perfumes Cleaners Furniture Electronics Common HVAC & window ac filters Gas stoves Particle board Animals

Case Study: Columbia University

Recorded Data

Classroom of Recorded Data

Particulate Matter Data

Lack of Ventilation

Carbon Dioxide Data

Increase in Capacity

Edible Plants While also purifying the air of Carbon Dioxide via photosynthesis, the plant will provide an extra layer of available nutrients by producing edible fruit.

Water Dispenser The water dispenser allows for the purification system to be self sustainable and low maintenance

Fan A fan is used to push the polluted air through the root system which is more successful in purifying the air rather than pulling air through the root system

Expanded Clay Balls Soil Barrier

Expanded clay balls are used in lieu of soil to accommodate for better airflow through the root system of the plant. By using expanded clay, the water remains cleaner for a longer duration of time and prevents mold and mildew from growing requiring minimal maintenance.

A barrier system is put in place to separate the excess water and expanded clay soil

Funnel The funnel is used to capture excess water and is recirculated back into the system to avoid any water waste

LA SOBREMESA Dining Table and Chairs / In development

Location: Private residence, Mexico Role: Furniture design, Art direction Collaborators: Rory Peckham, designer Emete Design Studio, Mexico Status: In development, 2026

Sobremesa is a dining table and chair set being designed for a private residence in Mexico, to be fabricated with a furniture maker there, and developed with Rory Peckham, a woodworker I studied with at Columbia GSAPP. The table is sized to the family’s dining room and built around how they actually use it: long meals, full seating, the hours of sobremesa that give the piece its name. The brief was warmth. A table you want to sit at and stay. The design draws on a lineage of Mexican furniture and interior work, from figures who shaped it decades ago to makers working today. Honey-toned wood carries the structure, with leather at the joints and seats for softness and contrast. The material palette is tuned to the interiors of the house it’s going into. This is the first piece in a longer collaboration with the client, with more furniture and interior objects to follow.

Size Material Construction Wood Option

90” L × 42” W × 30” H Solid wood with leather detail Spindle back, solid wood frame Parota with black leather detail

Size Material Construction Wood Option

22.5” L × 16” W × 40.5” H Solid wood with leather detail Spindle back, solid wood frame Parota with black leather detail

Concept Sketches

Home Alive Project Species Habitat Location: Brooklyn, New York Employer: TERREFORM ONE ROLE: Architectural Design Intern Term: Summer 2023

Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Terreform ONE is a nonprofit architecture and design research group dedicated to advancing a socio ecological future. Guided by the principle design against extinction, the studio integrates biotechnology and architecture to support biodiversity within urban environments. One of their explorations, Home Alive Project, envisions living architecture as a system grown from biological materials that serve both human use and ecological function. The project proposes an all natural pergola that incorporates planters and habitat spaces to support birds, insects, squirrels, and other species. As co-founder Mitchell Joachim explains, “It is a multi tiered structure that cares for avian species, insects, squirrels, and all our friends on the outside of our building. It begins with scaffolding and multi species facades. We fit the scaffolding with willows from farms, and after a year or two we remove the scaffolding and reuse it elsewhere, arriving at a multi species system held together by living structures.”

I developed a Grasshopper script that simulates natural growth patterns to inform the organic form of each habitat module. This algorithmic process generated complex geometries derived from biological structures, allowing the modules to integrate seamlessly with their surrounding environment. Once the designs were finalized, they were

fabricated through a precise 3D printing process, translating digital models into durable physical components capable of supporting multiple species. This workflow grounded the project in natural logic while enabling a direct and continuous transition from computational design to ecologically integrated architecture.

The research centered on developing a 3D printed system capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions while maintaining structural integrity over time. The objective was to identify a material, coating, or fabrication process that ensures long term durability. These printed elements, potentially made from ceramics or other environmentally responsible materials, are designed to support plant and animal life for decades. As noted during the design

process, “If we want this structure to last a minimum of fifteen years, the time required for trees to establish, we cannot leave raw fibers exposed to the elements.” The finalized components are suspended within the wooden modules shown to the right, each acting as a protective cradle for future habitats. Together, they form a resilient system that integrates durability, ecological performance, and long term environmental stewardship.

MAK8 Stereo Patent Speaker My passion for audio and my partner’s interest in textiles led us to create a speaker that merges sound with touch. Inspired by retro radios, the design combines soft, tactile fabric with a compact, sculptural form. Three central buttons control power and volume, each designed to be recognized by feel alone. We learned to wire speakers and program Arduinos, making the object both technically functional and creatively expressive. The exposed stitching and components celebrate the fusion of craft and technology, turning the speaker into a playful, immersive experience rather than just a device.

Location: Manhattan, NY Course: Making Senses Partner: Valery Kate Perez Professor: James Nanasca Term: Spring 2025

MAK8 Stereo Patent (01)

4 / 23 / 2025

M. RODRIGUEZ V. PEREZ

FIG 1.

FIG 2.

FIG 3.

FIG 4.

MAUR R

VKP

DRIGUEZ

Fig 1. Fig 2. Fig 3. Fig 4.

Front Plate _ Driver and Tweeter Frame _ Plywood Structure Back Plate _ Electrical Systems Stand _ Wood Planks

INVENTORS

Play Time Adaptive Reuse: Daycare This project proposes the adaptive reuse of an existing government facility in Veracruz to create a daycare for the children of public employees. Many parents working in the building face extended work hours while local schools dismiss students earlier in the day. As a result, children often remain in offices and corridors without appropriate spaces to play, learn, or stay engaged. Although a daycare currently exists within the facility, its interior conditions are inadequate due to poor material choices and environments not designed with children in mind. The proposal focuses on rethinking the interior architecture to create a safer and more stimulating environment. Material selection prioritized child safety and indoor air quality: natural linoleum flooring, FSC plywood millwork in low-VOC hardwax oil, soft rounded wall panels, and OEKO-TEX textiles. The design also promotes natural light, ventilation, and visual connections to the outdoors, creating distinct zones for play, learning, rest, and social interaction.

Location: Veracruz, Mexico Employer: TTProces Role: Architectural Designer Year: 2025, Proposal

PLANO LUDOTECA

A 20.20

2.20

20.20

4.4000

4.19

1 4.00

2.20

4.4000 2.12

2.12

1 4.19

2.12

4.00

10.85

10.70

28.40 24.40

28.40

24.40

13.85

4.00

13.70

4 A

This slide compares the existing floor plan with the proposed intervention. While the overall building layout remains largely unchanged, the project rethinks the interior organization through material choices, furniture layout, and more efficient use of space. The existing plan functions as a single open area where different activities overlap, while the proposal introduces flexible zones that support sleeping, learning, and play for children of different ages. The new plan also strengthens the relationship with the adjacent garden, allowing interior spaces to extend toward the outdoors.

3 A

Learning Zone Area with computers, desks, and seating to support children’s study.

Birch Plywood

Kvadrat Textile

FSC-certified millwork in low-VOC oil. Soft, warm, and safe for small hands.

OEKO-TEX certified upholstery. Hardwearing, low-toxicity, and warm to the touch.

Reading Zone Area with bookshelves and a resting space for listening, reading, and conversation.

Larger

Play Zone Slide area, art area, and table games area.

Girls’ Bathroom

South Elevation

Wood-Wool Acoustic Panel

Marmoleum Linoleum

Softens sound in active rooms and rounds off hard edges for child safety.

Natural, non-toxic, and warm underfoot. Durable enough for constant play and easy to clean.

North Elevation

Children’s Zone

Boys’ Bathroom

area for younger children with books, toys, and activities.

Cover to Cover Housing In Mexico, the roof is more than shelter. It is a gesture of protection without restriction, an open system connecting public and private, formal and informal, individual and collective. This project reimagines the unique block around Mercado de San Cosme as a shared framework for vendors, fonda owners, and working class residents. Rather than replacing existing dynamics, the proposal builds upon them. A new civic infrastructure becomes visible, anchored by a roof that collects and distributes essential resources. This canopy becomes a shared asset, delivering water, electricity, shade, and other services across spaces, redistributing value between areas often divided by front and back of house functions. Inspired by the traditional Mexican markets, the project blurred thresholds to support both formal and informal economies while integrating affordable housing for young families. It addresses inequality through unity, offering dignity, shared purpose, and a renewed sense of belonging rooted in cultural life.

Location: San Rafael, Mexico City Course: ADV Studio VI Partner: Seong Hyun Leem Professor: Gabriela Carrillo & Thomas De Monchaux Term: Spring 2025

Ground Floor Plan

1st Floor Plan

We opened the San Cosme to the public by prioritizing human and pedestrian movement over cars, extending the market outward and blurring the boundaries between formal and informal, public and private. In Mexico, markets reflect a culture shaped by warmth, joy, and generosity, where social life naturally extends beyond walls. Mercados are home to many forms of talent. Beyond selling food, people repair cars, offer care, provide therapy, friendship, and healing. It is common for individuals

to embody multiple skills, and this layered normality became central to the project. We translated this mentality into architecture by designing a building that is as complex, adaptive, and performative as its users. Mercados also bring together all generations, from infants resting with their parents, to children playing after school, to grandparents shopping for their families. The project creates a welcoming environment for all ages, reflecting the concept of “cover to cover” as both a spatial and social condition.

This conceptual model is inspired by the reflected ceiling plan of Mercado de San Cosme, which informs both the facade and the interior programming of the building. Constructed from found objects, the model explores how the roof ’s open and connective logic can extend vertically. A kinetic element allows the structure to shift, generating multiple spatial configurations that reflect the adaptable and ever changing character of the market.

The project proposes a redefinition of housing. Rather than understanding housing solely as shelter, it is envisioned as an extension of the individual. With this idea in mind, the residential unit is treated as a market stall. By maximizing usable surface, residents are able to transform and personalize their homes according to evolving needs. The space can support selling goods, teaching, or functioning as a more traditional dwelling.

Lab Imprint Research Station Minimal space does not mean minimal care. The project proposes a modular, off-site research station designed for disassembly, approaching architecture from its end of life toward its beginning. Recognizing the temporary nature of inhabitation, the structure redefines minimalism by introducing comfort, warmth, and familiarity within an otherwise unlivable environment. This project questions conventional approaches to inhabiting extreme environments by designing with the site rather than against it. The modular, off-site research station embraces Antarctica’s conditions, using snow as insulation and protection instead of treating it as an obstacle. By merging architecture with the environment, the station redefines minimalism through comfort, warmth, and familiarity within an otherwise uninhabitable landscape. In a territory indifferent to human presence, architecture becomes the sole mediator between humans and their surroundings, transforming isolation into belonging. The station stands as a contemporary monument to human presence grounded in endurance and coexistence.

Location: Antarctica Course: YACADEMY - Offsite Technologies Tutor: Nicola Scaranaro / Foster + Partners Term: Nov 2025 - Feb 2026

17 18 9

10 11

19 13

14 3 4 1

7 1.

Steel frame partition / bulkhead

Isofrozen sandwich panel, 200 mm

Corrugated sheet metal

Double UPN 300 channels

RHS steel structure (Rectangular Hollow Section

10. Castellated beam (IPE 250)

IPE 250 steel beam

11. Intermediate-floor insulation panel

EPS insulation layer, 300 mm

12. Resilient flooring

Welded and bolted joint – interlocking connection

13. External window sill with enhanced thermal insu

Steel foundation “ski-type” base

14. Ceiling hanger

4 12 8

5 15. Inspectable suspended ceiling 16. Precast driveable floor slab (vehicular-rated) 17. External ring beam / edge beam capping 18. Insulated precast ring beam / edge beam 19. PVC window frame with low-E triple-glazed insulated unit (triple pane)

ulation performance 0m

Terrariums Self-directed. Design & Research

These terrariums were constructed from recycled materials to explore the logic and elegance of closed loop systems, where resources are continuously reused and sustained within a contained environment. Water, air, and nutrients circulate internally, allowing life to thrive independently without external input.

Peperomia

Fitonia

The process of making these terrariums mirrors the behavior of closed loop ecosystems and offers insight into how resilient, self sustaining systems can inform future approaches to sustainable urban living and environmental design. The goal, to understand and control parameters.

Asparagus Falcatus

Care

Ingredients in order

Difficulty Water Light Container

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Supplies Recycled glass jar Measuring cup Plant mister Small scissors

Ming Fern

1.5 Cups - Leca Clay Pebbles Window Metal Mesh 2 Cups - Sphagnum Moss (mix) .25 Cup - Orchid Bark (mix) .25 Cup - Charcoal (mix) 1 Cup - Coco Fibre (mix) .25 Cup - Worm Castings (mix) Spider Wood Dragon Stones Cushion Moss Air Plants Spring-tails

Form & Finish Studies Self-directed 3D Modeling & Rendering — Rhino & Keyshot

Both pieces are self-directed studio work, modeled from scratch in Rhino and rendered in Keyshot, nothing downloaded or pulled from an asset library. The headphone family let me test how one housing form reads across different finishes and colorways, from matte red to brushed metal. The hammer study pushed me on

surfacing and material contrast, cast metal against a wrapped leather grip. Together they’re where I practice moving from a single form idea to a full family of finish and material options, the same instinct that goes into speccing wood and leather on a finished piece.

Role: Self-directed, independent study Software: Rhino, Keyshot Year: 2022

Turntable & Speaker Self-directed 3D Modeling, Rendering & Animation — Rhino & Keyshot

Another self-directed pair, a turntable and a floor-standing speaker, fully modeled in Rhino, rendered in Keyshot, and animated to show how the parts come together. I built out the internal components too, drivers, wiring, circuit boards, not just the outer shell, since working out how a piece goes together

usually shapes how I decide it should look. The finish was a deliberate choice, warm wood veneer over black casing, closer to a piece of furniture than to consumer electronics, which is the direction I’d rather be designing in.