|ursulamendo
|motivation letter The excitement of doing master dissertation project abroad can be a tempting reason to choose an exotic project location. Nevertheless, being reasonable and thinking about my true middle term goals I have come to the conclusion that developing my master project in Belgium is the best I can do if I want to have a professional career here. Giving the fact that I would like to deeply understand Belgian clients, architecture and building codes I have chosen for the studios of Martino Tattara and Luc Eeckhout which seem to have a realistic approach to tangible problems in Belgium. Coming from a large city like Mexico City and discovering Belgian house typologies has been a big shock for me. I have struggled to understand why Belgians feel comfortable having in a good middle class house awkward configurations such as: narrow and steep staircases, one bathroom for the whole family, small rooms, etc. These are facts that have truly impacted me and concerned me even more when I started looking to buy a house with my Belgian boyfriend. I have thought that not only configurations are strange for my background but affordability is also a questionable matter. That is why Martino Tattara’s studio closely relates to my personal perspective and real interests. Developing newer and more dynamic house models for Belgium is certainly a topic I would like to work on. Martino also implied that the development of a new house model for Flanders would have a close look at detail leading to the development of (built-in)furniture that would mold the way the house is used. This once again is linked to my personal interest; after studying my bachelor in architecture in Mexico I have studied one year of Interior Design to target my passion for interiors in a professional way. I have personally work in house remodeling thinking always in the interiors. I find Martino Tattara’s professional background very interesting and I believe that we share similar perspectives , I consider that a good “connection” with your academic promotor is essential for a successful development of your project. Due to his academic background he could guide me into developing a project I truly understand upside down. On the other hand, I found the studio of Luc Eeckhout interesting because empty spaces are a relevant an existing problem that cities all over the world suffer and finding viable solutions to improve this situations can have impact in many levels. Luc Eeckhout’s background motivates me because I am certain that he can help me develop sustainable alternatives to the given problem and I would learn about the latest technology available for making sustainable projects. The following booklet includes my CV and examples of my previous designs: two Design Studio projects and two residential interior design interventions.
Contetnt About Me
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Brickology Design Studio 1 Project
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Borderless Design Studio 2 Project
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Teenagers Bathroom Built Project
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Portx CafĂŠ Concept Project
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Therapist Studio Concept Project
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|aboutme Ambitious | Commited |Enthusiastic Proactive | Hard worker | Team player Open minded | Reliable | Curious
|education 2006-2011 Bachelor in Architecture Instituto TecnolĂłgico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Mexico 2009
Bachelor in Architecture Exchange Program Cenicacelaya-SaloĂąa Studio Spain
2010 Interior Design Diploma Universidad Iberoamericana Mexico
2012 Interior Architecture Diploma Universidad Anahuac Mexico 2015-2018 International Master in Architecture ongoing KU Leuven Campus Sint Lucas Gent Belgium
|skills Photoshop | Autocad 3D Modeling| Sketchup | Spanish | English | Italian | Dutch native
proficient
proficient
intermediate
|workexperience 2016 summer job
TRANS Architectuur|Belgium Part of the editorial team for summer workshop booklet. Booklet editing / graphic design. CAD drawings editing. Foam cut models.
2011-2016 Grace Construction Products Mexico Spec-building of waterproofing materials. Waterproofing detailing for high-end international architectural firms. Deliverables include application processes, datasheets, construction details and plans. Digital communication design for promotional material and datasheets. Tradeshow participation design and organization.
2013-2015 Independent Architect Design, management and construction of residential projects for private clients. Procurement of contractors, workers and materials, management and planning. Architectural design. Interior design and consultancy. 2012-2014 CCA de Mexico |ConstrucciĂłn Civil y Arquitectura de MĂŠxico Architect for the architecture and interior design office. Client , suppliers relationship and follow up. Public clients - Urban scale projects such as parks, public spaces and interior design. Private clients - Home design and residential interior design consultancy.
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|extracurricular activities
2014 Toastmasters International, Vox Líder Club President, Mexico City 2013 Università di Bologna, Contemporary Architecture Workshop, Austria 2012 Architectural Association of London, Politics of Fabrication Summer Workshop, Cuba http://havana.aaschool.ac.uk/ 2009 Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Urban Intervention Workshop , Italy
|references contacts
Grace Construction Products Applied Technologies Ana González Building Envelope Sales Manager for México, Colombia and Panama. Ana.Gonzalez@gcpat.com https://gcpat.com/
CCA de México José de Jesús Alcántara Owner/Main architect jesus.alcantara@ccademexico.com www.ccademexico.com
|academic projects
|schematic overview
|brickology
respecting the brick history of Hemiksem
Belonging to the Rupelstreek area ,a former brick industry region,Hemiksem is now a suburban town looking to switch from its industrial background into a much denser town. Currently many housing projects are being developed but supporting services need are lacking. This project reuses an existing warehouse and factory site to incorporate services such as a bio supermarket, office space, tourist information center, enhancing three of Hemiksem’s biggest prides: nature its proximity to the river Schelde and brick work. Only the original walls of the former factory will be preserved in order to accomplish a functional open space, but all removed materials will be reused again in the same project.
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|project overview 32,000m2 intervention
|inner courtyards
|green yard
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north | main bio-supermarket facade
west | Schelde facade
|cross section
Gypsum board wall Insulation Panel Cement mortar LED lamp brick detail Rat Trap bond brick wall Stretcher bond brick wall
|facde detail
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|borderless
turning garage boxes into a communal park
Garage boxes occupy more than 20% of land space of the Dampoort area in Gent and is a condition easily found in other Belgian cities. The spaces designated to garage boxes can be better reutilized by relocating parking areas, reinforcing a mobility program in the city and giving back to the city well-deserved public spaces. Based on the possibility to relocate garage boxes, this project aims to integrate the community by opening its borders to an already existing common area in the middle of the block. The different borders are designed to be flexible and allow users to adequate them according to their privacy needs. A park in the middle of the block works as buffer providing a natural gradient between the private, collective and public spaces. As a solution for the growing demand of affordable working areas in Gent and considering the community’s needs, a co-working office building is located facing the main commercial street. |courtyard park
29,000m2
29,000m2
55% housing 34% garage boxes 8% private gardens 3% commerce 0% public space
|current situation
55% housing 3% parking 10% private gardens 5% commerce 27% public space |proposal
re-defining the space
creating a park
adding workspace
bringing life
|process
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Dynamic fences are interactive borders that can be adapted to the user’s needs. Some have the possibility to transform into tables, shading systems or simply a see-through fence, expanding the private area into the collective zone where neighbors can interact. Parklets are alternative amenities built in the same area a parking spot would occupy, its different configurations invite people to relate socially.
|interactive parklets
|dynamic fences
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|ground floor
|first floor
|co-working space
south|park facade
|longitudinal section
north|street facade
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INTERIOR DESIGN a Mexican architect living in Belgium. I have put together a selection of personal architecture Academic, Built, & Concept projects that speak of who I am and what i have done as a designer.
|interiordesign
|teenagers bathroom All grey walls, floors and furniture in a clean modern shared bathroom. With a glimpse of color inside the counter drawers
Colored glass panelsfor counter top & drawers
Concrete-like ceramictile 45x90 cm. Interceramic
Kohler Bluetooth speaker shower head
White ceramic and fiberglassaccessories .
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|therapist studio Present the materials as natural as posible with basic treatment to achieve a neutral and calm space suitable for a psychologist studio.
Apparent concrete with horizontal 10cm wood form.
Mature Chechen hardwood floors and shelves.
Dappled black leather upholstery.
Semi-gloss Vinimex vinylic paint Jubilie color. .
*Render by CCA de México
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ursulamendo@gmail.com (+32)0484 5678 23