Mauro Rodriguez Architecture Portfolio 2023

MAURO RODRIGUEZ SELECTED WORKS 2023

SCAD GSAPP ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

rodrixmau@hotmail.com (713)301-4961 @arch_0x8

SELECTED WORKS 2023

I am Mauro Rodriguez, an architect and a designer at heart. I am passionate about the process of discovery and the joy of making. My mind is a playground of questions, always chasing the reasons behind the functionality of objects and spaces; while trying to decipher how well they work or don’t.

My relentless curiosity can be reflected in the following selected designs.

Throughout my career, I have cultivated a fascination with technology, structures, and materiality, all concepts that have shaped my portfolio. I believe in designing with reason, which reflects my interests and deliberate design choices. Creating spaces, for me, goes beyond the physical—it tells a hidden, lasting story that I am eager to visualize and capture in my work. I acknowledge the high stakes my field functions in and I don’t take that lightly.

I’m dedicated to purposeful design, always stretching the limits of what’s possible.

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01

BROADWAY’S HARMONY CORE I. Adaptive Reuse Pages (4-13)

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WHISPERING WALLS CORE II. Adaptive Reuse Pages (14-25)

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THE FORGOTTEN ISLAND Arch 302. Environment Awareness Center Pages (26-41)

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FRAGMENTS OF HISTORY Arch 303. Historical Pavillion Pages (42-51)

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MOTOWN VILLAGE Barbara G. Laurie Competition. Urban Master Plan Pages (52-63)

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E.L.M.W Summer Intership. Species Habitat Pages (64-71)

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DIGITAL ODYSSEY ADR I. Architectural Argument Pages (72-79)

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UNITED ATMOSPHERES Research. Biophilic Air Purifier Pages (80-89)

BROADWAY’S HARMONY Adaptive Reuse

The issue of overbuilding is addressed in this project through the innovative reuse of materials and the recycling of their energy, transforming them into a unique instrument. The site chosen for this endeavor is a bank located at the intersection of Broadway and Spring Street. Rather than seeing it solely as a structure, the goal was to view the bank as a material inventory and re-purpose it into an instrument.

The project harnesses the existing infrastructure, such as the air conditioning system and the subway running beneath the building, to power the symphony of sounds.

Each material used possesses distinctive properties, vibrating at different rates and creating distinct sounds. By modifying the pipe’s radius, further variations in resonance are achieved. The vision is to allow visitors to interact with the building, becoming composers themselves and creating melodies through their interactions.

Music plays a vital role in our cognitive development. Whether playing, listening to, or composing music, it has significant benefits for our brains, particularly for children and older adults. The proposal aims to create a space where people can not only enjoy the experience of listening to music but also actively engage in composing their own melodies. It becomes a place where visitors can stimulate their brains and tap into the therapeutic and cognitive benefits of music.

By re-purposing the bank as an instrument and fostering musical creativity, the project offers a unique opportunity for individuals to engage with their surroundings, experience the joy of music-making, and enhance their cognitive well-being.

Location: Manhattan, NY Course: Design Studio I Professor: Lindsey Wilkstrom Term: Winter 2022

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Broadway Stories

The project is situated at the bustling crossroads of Spring Street and Broadway, a nexus throbbing with the pulse of thousands daily.

This particular junction resonates with a symphony of urban clamor, partly due to the nearby Nike store and the subway’s heartbeat rumbling beneath. Despite the cacophony, havens of quietude are scarce. This is precisely where our building comes into play, offering a respite from the relentless roar.

SPRING STREET

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The Material Inventory The Chase Bank building, standing at the vibrant intersection of Broadway and Spring Street in NYC, presents itself as a veritable material inventory, its varied materiality and grand scale offering untapped potential for radical transformation. Envisioning the bank not merely as a structure but as a repository of resources, the architectural vision seeks to re-purpose its abundant materials, such as metals from the air conditioning system and structural steel, to serve an entirely novel purpose: converting the building into a living musical instrument. .

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FRONTAL LOBE

FORTE

USED IN THINKING, DECISION-MAKING AND PLANNING

TEMPORAL LOBE PROCESSES WHAT WE HEAR

PITCH TEMPO BROCA’S AREA

ENABLES US TO PRODUCE SPEECH

WREKNICKE’S AREA COMPREHENDS WRITTEN AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE

OCCIPITAL LOBE PROCESSES WHAT WE SEE

CEREBELLUM COORDINATES MOVEMENT AND STORES PHYSICAL MEMORY

HARMONY

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS

ENSEMBLE SEEKS PLEASURE AND REWARD AND PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN ADDICTION, AS IT RELEASES DOPAMINE

AMYGDALA PROCESSES AND TRIGGERS EMOTIONS

HYPOTHALAMUS

PRODUCES AND RETRIEVES MEMORIES, REGULATES EMOTIONAL RESPONSES

HYPPOCAMPUS LINKS THE ENDOCRINE AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. RELEASES ESSENTIAL HORMONES

CORPUS CALLOSUM

+ BASS ENABLES THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEMISPHERES TO COMMUNICATE, ALLOWING FOR COORDINATED BODY

PUTAMEN

PROCESSES RHYTHM AND REGULATES BODY MOVEMENT AND COORDINATION

Sound Distribution

This innovative metamorphosis into an interactive soundscape is designed to have a profound impact on the city’s denizens. By allowing people to engage with the building’s materials to compose and experience music, it intertwines the urban fabric with the therapeutic and cognitive benefits of music, fostering a unique sensory and emotional connection with the space, enriching the lives of New Yorkers, and redefining the intersection as a hub of cultural and creative rejuvenation.

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WHISPERING WALLS Adaptive Reuse

At the corner of 125th Street, the Jerome L. Greene Science Center Building, a creation of Renzo Piano, has undergone a transformation that redefines its relationship with the urban soundscape. The project embraces the surrounding symphonies of trains and city traffic, capturing these elements to compose an ambient white noise that envelops the interior in a calming acoustic layer. Aluminum becomes a pivotal material in this metamorphosis, selected for its dual role in enhancing sound while ensuring thermal control within the air conditioning systems.

The redesign of the building’s interior is a deliberate shift from traditional layouts, with curves that gently guide the flow of sound waves, softening and diffusing what was once disruptive noise. This subtle orchestration of sound is echoed in the building’s exterior where aluminum cables are strung across the facade.

These cables catch the vibrations from the subway trains below and transform them into a hushed, rhythmic pulse, akin to the sound of a gentle rain shower.

This architectural intervention is more than a mere redesign; it’s an immersive experience that turns the building into a sanctuary where the relentless energy of the city is translated into a tranquil hum. The result is a space not only defined by its visual aesthetics but by its sonic ambiance, creating a haven of tranquility in the midst of the city’s hustle and providing its inhabitants with an environment that supports relaxation and mental clarity.

Location: Manhattan, NY Course: Design Studio II Professor: Regina Teng Term: Winter 2023

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Color Noises

Different color noises — white, pink, brown — each have unique frequencies that define their sou and focused environment.

und. White noise, in particular, combines all frequencies to create a consistent, soothing backdrop that masks other sounds, creating a calm

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- Materiality The Jerome L. Greene Science Center With its contemporary design, features a blend of glass, steel, and concrete that forms its core infrastructure. These materials, inherently durable and acoustically reflective, provide an opportunity to be re-engineered for a new auditory function. By fine-tuning the properties of glass for sound diffusion, leveraging the steel structure for resonance, and using the concrete’s mass to absorb and re-emit sound, the building’s materiality can be thoughtfully adapted to create a harmonious soundscape of white noise within its walls.

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- VibrationsThe Jerome L. Greene Science Center The facade, a composition of glass and metal, is positioned to capture the vibrational energy of the ‘one’ train that courses in front of it. This proximity to the train presents a unique opportunity: the facade can be re-envisioned to act not just as a barrier but as a dynamic interface that interacts with the train’s vibrations. By employing materials and design techniques that harness these vibrations, the facade could transform the kinetic energy of the passing train into a source of white noise, contributing to the building’s ambient soundscape and turning a potential disturbance into an asset for acoustic modulation.

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- Physical Model The new facade system’s model uses wood and guitar strings to mimic how the actual building would respond to the nearby train. The wood frames the structure, while the strings, vibrating with the train’s rumble, preview how the facade could convert movement into a harmonious sound element, integrating the urban pulse into the building’s acoustic identity.

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THE FORGOTTEN ISLAND Environment Awareness Center

Ossabaw Island serves as a compelling reminder of the need for humans to better interact with nature. Through an innovative architectural project, efforts are underway to address ecological imbalances and restore the island’s delicate ecosystem. By collaborating with the Ossabaw Island Foundation and implementing sustainable practices, the project aims to educate visitors, promote conservation, and integrate responsible living. This endeavor serves as a model for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, inspiring a broader shift in our approach to environmental stewardship.

Location: Ossabaw, Georgia Course: Design Studio V Professor: Brent White Term: Winter 2022 GA

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Savannah

Charham Tybee Island

Bryan Wassaw Island

Liberty Ossabaw Island

Midway

St. Catherines Island

Meltnosh

Sapelo Island

Darien

Glynn Little St. Simons Island Brunswick

Sea Island St. Simons Island

Jeckyll Island

Camden

Cumberland Island

St. Marys

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Ossabaw Island History Ossabaw Island is a truly special place, carefully preserved by the State of Georgia as a heritage preserve dedicated to natural, scientific, and cultural exploration. Despite its diligent care and limited human activity, the island’s ecosystem has become imbalanced due to past human interactions. Once privately owned by Eleanor in 1924, a remarkable steward of the island, Ossabaw unfortunately fell victim to the introduction of invasive species such as donkeys and wild hogs. These species have multiplied rapidly, causing disruptions to the local wildlife. On a brighter note, Ossabaw’s 13 miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches are open to the public up to the high tide line, providing a chance for visitors to enjoy its natural beauty. However, keep in mind that access to the island is restricted to certain times of the year and can only be reached by boat.

To address the ecological challenges and promote educational experiences, a thoughtful plan has been proposed. Collaborating with Ossabaw Island Foundation, the goal is to develop engaging educational programming on the island. These programs would be facilitated by the foundation, which already manages seasonal hunts for deer and feral hogs to control their populations—a necessary step to support the proposed initiatives. .

Ossabaw, GA Timeline

5000 YEARS AGO Late Archaic Period St. Simons Phase

MID - 1700S

3000 YEARS AGO

Creeks and English Settlers

Woodland Period

1500 YEARS AGO Mississippian Period

460 YEARS AGO

Historic Altamaha Phase

LATE 1700S

First Plantations & Ship Building

1866-1878

The Freedmen Era

LA

Hur

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ATE 1800S

rricanes, Hunters & Migration

Early 1900S Consolidation

2000 Onward

1924 - 1959

Henry Norton Torrey & Nell Ford Torrey

1961 - 2000

Eleanor “Sandy” West & The Ossabaw Island Foundation

The Ossabaw Island Foundation and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources work collaboratively to manage the island and fulfill the mission of the Heritage Preserve.

Hunters

Campers

Researchers

Gov. Officials

Arrival

Transportable Tent

Hunter’s Meeting

Scouting Island

Arrival

Tourist Walk

Arrival

Studying Ecosystem

Arrival

Scouting Island

Art Making

Exterior Interaction

Studying Ecosystem

Interactive Discussions

Ind

Indoor Inte

Exterior Interaction

Days of Stay

Group Sizes

Sleeping

Food Intake

Approx Age

4 days

35 people

Outdoors

Local

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3 hrs - 4 days

20 people

Both

Local / Outsider

40

3 days

15 people

Both

Local

35

5 hrs

10 people

None

Local / Outsider

40

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Hunting

digo Dyeing

Unpacking

Camping

Cooking

Yaupon Holly

eraction

Ossabaw Users A study was conducted to examine different user groups and their activities on Ossabaw Island. The findings identified four main user types: Government Officials, Researchers, Campers, and Hunters. These user profiles influenced the architectural and program development of the project. Additionally, the study determined suitable areas on the island for specific activities, ensuring optimal utilization of resources while preserving the island’s natural environment.

Cane, Patch Creek Entrance, Georgia Time Range: 6hrs High Tide: 8ft Low Tide: 2ft

Low and High Tides 00

03

06

09

12

15

18

21

00

03

06

Thursday

Wednesday 8 FT

2 FT

09

12

15

18

21

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Approximate Area: 1,348,820 Ft

Approximate Perimeter: 5,000 Ft

Site

Selected area: Middle Place Field

Here, the Genesis Project took place from 1970 to 1983. Where college students lived here for weeks, a quarter or a semester. Residents were selected from a variety of disciplines, ranging from the creative and liberal arts to the sciences to agriculture and forestry. Currently the area of Middle Place is unoccupied with small vacant student made structures.

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Ossabaw Island History An unspoiled place set aside by the State of Georgia as a heritage preserve for natural, scientific, and cultural study, research, and education.

Educational programming is offered on the island through the Ossabaw Island Foundation or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Ga DNR also manages seasonal deer and feral hog hunts for population control.

Additionally, Ossabaw’s 13 miles of undeveloped beaches are open to the public up to the high tide line. The island is only accessible by boat. Moreover, the Island is where loggerhead sea turtles and endangered wood storks nest. Here, students learn research techniques and the value of an unspoiled place. Where historic cultures are studied. Where photographers, writers, painters and musicians find inspiration.

Here, students learn research techniques and the value of an unspoiled place.

Where historic cultures are studied. Where photographers, writers, painters and musicians find inspiration. Here, students learn research techniques and the value of an unspoiled place. Where historic cultures are studied.

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FRAGMENTS OF HISTORY Mixed-Use Event Pavilion

The Fragments of History event pavilion is strategically positioned adjacent to the footprint of the Estate House, establishing a close connection with the designed landscape. Its purpose is to enrich the visitor experience and serve as a platform for community gatherings, family events, and celebratory occasions, welcoming both new and familiar visitors to the Ames Estate.

The pavilion not only enhances the visitor experience but also holds symbolic significance in relation to the existing architecture. It diligently preserves, restores, and celebrates the historical vistas found throughout the property, including the water features, rolling terrain, and picturesque designed landscape. By doing so, it pays homage to the estate’s rich history while offering a captivating setting for events and gatherings.

Ultimately, the Fragments of History event pavilion is designed to create a seamless blend of past and present, inviting people to engage with the estate’s heritage and bask in the beauty of its carefully crafted surroundings.

Competition: Lyceum Travel Fellowship Location: North Eaton, Massachusetts Course: Design Studio III Professor: Hsu-Jen Huang Term: Spring 2021

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- Concept -

Representation of History Through Modularity The purpose of this pavilion is to bring people together and tell the story of the Ames Shovel Company, a significant part of the site’s history. Inspired by the graceful formation of bird flocks, the design takes cues from their ability to unite as individuals and create a mesmerizing spectacle as a collective whole. This concept is reflected in the pavilion’s envelope, which consists of a single module repeated multiple times to form the complete structure.

45 Ames Shovel Company Timeline

2020

SEPT 13, 2013 The Ames Shovel Works transformed its factory into apartments to keep the tradition alive.

OCT 28, 1931 The Empire State Building was built during the Great Depression. They used Ames shovels to clear the area and build the foundation of the Empire State Building. They had a dedication to the Ames Foundation for helping with the building.

1930 OCT 28, 1914 The Ames shovels played a huge part in building trenches during WWI. They could be used as a tool or a weapon to help defend a base.

OCT 28, 1886 Is the Statue of Liberty. The shovels they used to build the statue were Ames brand. This is the day the statue was dedicated.

JAN 1, 1837 Ames Shovels used to build B & O Railroad.

1840

JAN 1, 1817 Oliver Ames invents first backstrap shovel.

JAN 1, 1812

JAN 1, 1774

Ames shovels used by US troops during the war

John Ames manufactures first ever metal shovel.

of 1812.

1750

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4

5

Site Plan Design

The design preserves the original arrangement while increasing the interaction with the architectur is located between the cube house and the pavilion will allow flexibility for larger events.

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Carriage House

4

Interactive Wall

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2

N

1

re around it. The pavilion is situated to maximize the views of the park while giving direction to the rest of the programs on the site. A plaza

3

Cube Hose

2

Event Place

1

Pavilion

- Implementation The Pavilion blends in with the Cube House from every point of view, increasing its presence within the immense site. Additionally, the Pavilion also creates movement, improving the visitor’s experience. The program of the Cube house will provide the required spaces to make the pavilion work smoothly due to its close proximity.

Storage Storage

Catering Kitchen

Storage

Crawl Space RR

Basement

South Elevation

Ground Level

RR

Second Level

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- Implementation The Carriage House’s program will showcase the history of the Ames Estate. The basement houses majority of storage used in the facility. The ground floor hosts the lectures and interactive space. In addition, the second floor contains the gallery, mix-use space, and additional storage. Lastly, the interactive wall is located in the exterior north wall, alongside a playground for kids.

East Elevation

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Completed Structure

Steel Structure

Steel Pipes

The Form

The Rise

Structure

Exploration form.

The single form is raised, creating an opening.

Steel framing takes shape of form.

Shovels

Shovels Shovels are welded in the steel frame.

Form Becomes Space The From is mirrored and shifted back to create Interior.

MOTOWN VILLAGE Urban Master Plan

Motown Village is a complete master plan for the city of Detroit, which provides access to jobs, shopping, learning, open spaces, and recreation, with the NOMA Legacy Headquarters as the anchor. Additionally, the project aims to work for future city planning and to promote human and public transportation while reducing car traffic. Furthermore, the project is meant to celebrate and commemorate the rich history of Detroit and the NOMA organization.

Role: - Lead design mind in the program and building layout.

- The main creator of visual representation through still renders and animations.

- Mediator over team’s schedule during the course of the design process.

- Lead 3D modeler.

Team Members: Mauro Rodriguez: Team Captain Kirk Damtse Prah: Team Co- Captain Emily Eatmon Faith Andrew

Keeana Heredia Lauren Peterson Maya Schumpert Jordyn Pinder

Competition: Barbara G. Laurie Student Design Awards: Second Place Award & First Place ACADIA+Auto desk+NOMA Computational Design Award Location: Detroit, Michigan Course: Summer Competition Mentor: Cristina Gutierrez Term: Summer 2021

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2

A

3

1

Eastern Market

2

Site

3

Downtown (People Mover)

A

Propose Pedestrian Bridge Extension

B

Q Line

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1

B

N

2

5

3 1

4

6

Eastern Market Connection

7 6

6

Downtown Connection N

MoGo Bike Share Pop-up Event Plaza Food Trucks Bus Stops

Graffiti Walkway Bridge Retail Access Electric Scooter

1 2 3 4

Legacy Headquarters Retro Townhouses Start-up Showcase Cultural Tech Hub

5 6 7

Education Building Motown Apartments Commercial Building

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- Concept For The Record As outsiders to Detroit, our approach is not to impose something new, but rather to merge the old with the new. Our master plan serves as an incubator for change, respecting the city’s rich history while embracing the influence of NOMA and Motown Records. We aim to create a space where residents and visitors can collaborate and create, honoring Detroit’s cultural legacy.

Live and Work

Green Movement The design creates a space that educates and leads towards green living and sustainable practices and partnerships with existing Eco-friendly transportation services.

The design avails an opportunity them owning a porti

Perforated Steel Panels With Steel Mullions and Steel Rail Vernacular Material: Brick, Steel, and Concrete

Photo-voltaic Glass and So Panels to Maximize Solar G

Cultural Tech Hub

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Changing times have resulted in the distancing of people physically. However, with the aid of the tech hub, people would be given access to electronic devices to expand their horizons.

y for the residents to be a part of the project by ion of retail to promote themselves.

olar Gain

Parametric Louvers to Harness Natural Daylighting

Lobby and Semi Private Spaces

Retail and Leisure Space

Rainwater Storage and Water Pump

Expansion of bridge to elevate the pedestrian expe

Mosaic Pedestrian and Bike Pathway

Housing ADA Housing Levels Retail Pavilion Cultural Hub/Library Commercial

Eastern M Bridge

Art Showcase Pavilion

9ft

9ft

15ft

22ft

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erience and further link the site to the city of Detroit.

Market Connection

Green Outdoor Space in Commercial Space

Green Leisure Plaza

8ft

Multi-Purpose Court and Food Truck Spot

Pop-up Art and Performance Space

24ft

5ft

22ft

Our Community We designed with our surroundings in mind to create and connect with Detroit’s community. Our site is surrounded by numerous resources and activities, which we have made accessible through several vital pathways and entries.

The Bridge: The bridge to the North East connects our site with shopping and education buildings that allow an entry point to Detroit’s residents and visitors.

Streets: There is one car entry point throughout our site, with two exits. These roads are limited to encourage other mediums of transportations.

Walking and Bikes Paths: There are walking and biking paths all around the edge of our site, with several vital entries, points strategically placed to be visible from famous locations in Detroit.

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E.L.M.

SPECIES HABITAT

Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Terreform ONE is a non-profit architecture and design research group utilizing innovative technology and design aimed at shaping a socio-ecological future. Their motto, “design against extinction,” clearly articulates their innovative use of bio-technology to increase biodiversity. There are many different narratives of what an ecological future will look like. Living architecture is one of these narratives. ELM is based on the idea that structures suitable for human habitation can be engineered out of living materials, making them conducive to other species while minimizing adverse ecological effects. The result will be a pavilion or ‘all-natural pergola’ with habitats and planters encouraging more biodiversity in the environment.

Mitchell Joachim, co-founder of Terreform ONE explained, “It is a multi-tiered structure that cares for avian species, insects, squirrels, and all our friends on the outside of our building. It starts with scaffolding and multi-species facades. It then gets populated, we fit those scaffolding with willows from farms, and after a year or two we remove the scaffolding, reuse it elsewhere and we’ve got a multi-species system that’s held together by living structures.”

Location: Brooklyn, New York Course: Summer Intership Professor: TERREFORM ONE Term: Summer 2023

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Materializing Habitats The research task was to devise a 3D printing solution capable of enduring harsh weather conditions, with an emphasis on a coating, process, or material that maintains its integrity over time. These 3D printed structures, potentially made from ceramics or eco-friendly materials, are entrusted with hosting species for decades to come. “If we want this structure to last a minimum of 15 years – the length of time for the trees to establish their growth – we can’t just leave raw fibers out in the elements,” underlines the durability requirement. Additionally, the envisioned forms are to be suspended within the wooden modules exhibited to the right, each module serving as a cradle for future species habitats.

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- Implementation I developed a Grasshopper script that emulates natural growth patterns to justify the organic form and shape of the habitat modules.

This algorithmic approach allowed for the creation of complex geometries that mirror the intricate structures found in nature, ensuring each module integrates seamlessly into the environment. The final forms were then brought to life through a precise 3D printing process, materializing the digital designs into tangible, resilient structures ready to support diverse species.

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Digital Odyssey

Rethinking Vasconcelos Library

In a series of architectural drawings and renderings, I re-imagined the Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City, a structure renowned for its monumental scale and futuristic ambiance. Through 3D modeling, the library was depicted with a technological edge that speaks to the evolving concept of the library itself—beyond a mere repository for books. This vision addresses the decline of traditional print while opening a dialogue about the new roles a library might play in the digital age, whether as a hub for digital archives, a community space for interactive learning, or a sanctuary for diverse forms of knowledge preservation and exploration. The renderings challenge the it’s program and invite us to wonder about the future of libraries in a world where information transcends the page and becomes an immersive experience.

Location: Mexico City Course: ADR Professor: Joshua Uhl Term: Fall 2022

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Collage

I drew inspiration from a series of existing images, which I sourced, that showcased the Vasconce that shaped my re-imagining of the library in the context of a digitally evolving world.

elos Library’s unique architectural and futuristic character. These visuals guided my 3D renderings, providing a foundational atmosphere

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Envisioning the Vasconcelos Library with its vast scale and grand design, its potential as an infinite reservoir of knowledge. This architecture could transcend its physical boundaries, symbolizing an endless well of learning and information.

In my project, this idea of boundlessness is central—where each corner, each shelf, and each digital interface serves as a portal to the immeasurable depth of human understanding, reflecting the limitless possibilities of what a modern library can house and offer in the age of information.

UNITED ATMOSPHERES BIOPHILIC AIR PURIFIER

In our class project, we tackled the challenge of air purification by designing 3D-printable pods that integrate hydroponics to filter indoor air. These pods, equipped with fans and filled with expanded clay balls, enhance airflow through the plants, targeting fine particles and harmful gases like VOCs that typical filters miss. Installed at GSAPP, the system not only leverages photosynthesis but also the potent purifying properties of plant roots to clean the air, providing additional benefits like edible produce. This low-maintenance, self-sustaining solution aims to improve indoor air quality, contributing to the well-being of the space’s occupants and emphasizing the significance of clean air in our environments.

Location: Manhattan, New York Course: United Atmospheres Professor: Andreas Theodoridis Term: Winter 2023

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AIR POLLUTION CONTRIBUTERS The world is experiencing a time where the air we breathe is having a direct impact on our health. Often which goes unnoticed, air quality as a parameter to define quality of life should be important when it comes to designing not just for the indoors, but also the outdoors. With roughly 90% of the world population living in air pollution levels exceeding the WHO guidelines, let’s have a look at the indoor air pollutants that we can control in our surroundings to begin with. Many Common household products are the cause of poor air quality in the home and any interior spaces. When chemicals are used in the process of production, especially affordable furniture, the adhesives and plastics slowly off gas post-production which become recirculated throughout interior spaces.

Here are some examples of the same shown in the figure to the side of the page: • • • • • • • •

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

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INDOOR AIR POLLUTION CONTRIBUTERS

Electronics

Fabric softeners & Perfumes

Common HVAC and Window AC Unit Filters

Gas stoves Cleaners

Particle Board

Furniture Animals

To understand the complexities of the topic, the class looked into various precedences selected from across the globe and used a matrix to compare the findings based on a particular set of criteria. To further analyze the findings through the semester, we installed air quality sensors in selected spaces to see the dataset and understand its implications on the mind and our health. Through the semester, we installed air quality sensors in selected spaces to see the dataset and understand its implications on the mind and our health. Given we study in the building it was important to first study our context.

MARKER, Air Ink

SARGABLOCK, Omar Vazquez

Air Purifying towers to be integrated throughout Delhi at multiple scales to address air quality concerns.

Captured carbon is concentrated and used as a medium for ink that can be re-purposed in markers and other products for art and writing

Sargablock is a construction material made from sargassum seaweed, brown algae that washes up on Caribbean beaches and costs a fortune to the tourism industry.

ALGAE CURTAIN, EcoLogicStudio

CARBON TILES, Carbon Craft

PhotoSynthetica Curtains use the power of algae to absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

Captured pollution is used as a bounding agent for cement blocks that help the absorption of excess CO2 from the air

INTERVENTION

POINTS OF THE PROJECT

SITES OF INTERVENTION

ABOUT

SIZE

AURA TOWERS, Studio Symbiosis

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CASE STUDY: GSAPP, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COMMON CONTRIBUTORS WITHIN THE SCHOOL

Deteriorating Walls

Compound Board Surfaces

RECORDED DATA

PARTICULATE MATTER DATA

CARBON DIOXIDE DATA

Spray paint

Decomposing trash and excess materials

Printers

Computers

CLASSROOM OF RECORDED DATA

Lack of Ventilation

Increase in Capacity

BIOPHILIC AIR PURIFIER Many air filters available for purchase currently are often not

this air purification system utilizes the roots of the plant which has been

designed to capture very small particles. For example, some filters

proven to effectively remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

may not be effective at removing gases like radon or volatile organic

and other smaller particulate matter otherwise left unfiltered by on

compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to health. So to address the

the market purification systems and basic filtration systems in HVAC

urgency surrounding the topic of the class, the elective performed

systems.

as a lab where the students and professor designed a biophilic air purifying system that is installed in GSAPP to counter the influences of indoor air quality of the space. The idea of a biophilic air purifier is to enhance both the physical and psychological health of occupants by creating a healthier and more natural indoor environment while bringing about a much needed visual attention towards the effects of the kind of air we are all breathing today. In addition to the process of photosynthesis, which uses the upper part of the plant to purify air, GROW LIGHTS

WATER TANK

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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 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.

SOIL BARRIER 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

- United Atmospheres Vital Exploration Into Air Purification By merging nature with technology, our design not only offers a fresh solution to indoor air quality issues but also educates and raises awareness about alternative purification methods. The practical benefits, like producing edible plants, combined with the system’s lowmaintenance approach, highlight its potential for largerscale applications. As it garners attention for its innovative integration within an educational setting, this project paves the way for broader implementation, inspiring a shift towards greener, more self-sufficient architectural

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MAURO RODRIGUEZ SELECTED WORKS 2023

rodrixmau@hotmail.com (713)301-4961 @arch_0x8