ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
Valerie Felarca
DEVONPORT TOMORROW
CONNECT : LANEWAY TRANSFORMATION AND ACTIVATION
The urban strategy was proposed in the belief that architecture can become an integral part of the change in society, a tool to address a social agenda for producing a more equitable society. Identifying the social, economic and ecological imperatives for change in the urban strategy suggests urban growth can no longer continue based on its current synthetic linear processes. The current economic order is premised on capital accumulation with scant regard to social well-being and employment, leading to extreme socio-economic differentiation and a fractured society of the privileged and dispossessed. The strategic goals of the urban strategy are focused on empowering the individual by giving them the tools to construct a new and more equitable society based on the power of networks of trust, cooperation, symbiosis and mutual agenda. It is a facilitator, providing a platform for the citizens of Devonport to shape and determine their sustainable future.
This multi use o ce complex aims to creating not only new architectural reference to the site but also a new destination for the town of devonport. There are three di erent uses, hospitality area with cafe’s restaurants and bars, o ce spaces, and modular o ces and multi-uses paces. This new complex creates a landmark in the landscape, values the surroundings, and establishes a new foodservice or hospitality destination.With a daring design, it emphasizes the public and private open spaces, which are one of the main structural elements of the architectonic proposal. Thus, it is outlined as an attractive and seductive space, open for the local way and isolated from the expressway noise, able to attract pedestrians and drivers to get to know the beautiful square embraced by a building which corkscrews all around it. At the same time, a gradual system of permeability around the shops and living spaces takes advantage of an important ow of pedestrians.
Biophilic design philosophy encourages the use of natural systems and processes in design to allow for exposure to nature. Exposure to nature has been found to have a positive response on human psychology and physiology in contribution to improved health and well being. Humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature, regardless of the physical or geographical conditions in which we nd ourselves, as we becoming increasingly detached from the wilderness, we developed means and strategies to bring nature back into our daily lives.
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HOUHERE CONSERVATORY
PARK AND LIBRARY CENTRE
We live in an age where our collective knowledge of the world around us, and the world that has come before us, grows everyday, and yet with all these informations we are still unable to adequately respond to the critical issues of our time. We know about ourenvironment’s limits and are aware about environmental issues and the rise of intergenerational inequity, but we still don’t seem to make the link between the two; the city, our city.
The purpose and use of this garden exhibition space is to showcase different native plants and the indigenous ecosystem of the city. Christchurch has always been known as the Garden City of New Zealand, and the idea was to extend the Botanical Gardens to the Central City allowing for a biophylic public realm, and this exhibition space will provide knowledge about the ecosystem of Christchurch, from the past to present showcasing the identity of Christchurch being a Garden City, allowing for a beautiful collision of old contemporary architectural style and a garden in the city.
VILLA ON THE HILL PROJECT
Separate vehicle storage, a workshop and connecting outdoor spaces were added to convert this house into a contemporary family residence.
The internal plan focuses on the opportunities created through the circulation. A clear hierar-chy of external forms allows the house to maintain a singularity of form. The overall composi-tion is very much an extension of the hill topography and strongly retains the original sixties aesthetic.
The idea was to provide a arm, crafted interior, and a restrained palette of materials such as blackwood and tasmanian ash veneer, gypsum plaster, paint laquer, hebel cladding and natu-ral black mild steel steel that provides a de nition of spaces.
SUMNER MIXED-USE
SUMNER IS ONE OF THE OLDEST EUROPEAN SETLEMENTS IN CHRISTCHURCH AREA. AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE THAT CAUSED SUMNER’S ICONIC CLIFFS TO COLLAPSE , THE CLIFFS AROUND SUMNER WERE CONDONED OFF WITH TRADITIONAL FENCES ANDSTORAGE CONTAINERS .
THE PROPOSED CONCEPT FOR 2 WAKEFIELD AVENUE IN SUMNER FOR A MIXED USE COMMERCIAL BUILDING CAME FROM THIS IDEA.
THE DESIGN DRIVER OF THIS CONCEPT WERE THE QUALITIES THATTHE RESIDENT LIKES AND DESLIKES ABOUT SUMNER VILLAGE CENTRE.THE QUALITIES THAT THEY LIKE ARE THE VILLAGE’S INTIMATE AN RELAXED ATMOSPHERE AND SENSE OF UNIQUENESS. BUILDINGS AROUND SUMNER ARE LOW SCALE, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL INDEPENDENT SHOPS AND BUSINESSES, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE, LEARNIG, AND INTERACTION PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, MUSEUM , LIBRARY AND YOUTH CAFE’S AS THE VILLAGE WANTS TO ATTRACT MORE YOUTHS TO VISIT AND COME. AND LASTLY THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE COAST AND HILLS.
THE CONTAINERS HAVE HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE AS A TEMPORARY SAFETY MEASURE, AND EVEN LOOKED GREAT AND ADORNED WITH ART WORK FOR A TIME, CALLED POP UP ART FOR SUMNER.
FLOORPLANS
DEVELOPED HOSPITALITY SPACE
TOWNHOUSE PROJECT
SUMNER IS ONE OF THE OLDEST EUROPEAN SETLEMENTS IN CHRISTCHURCH AREA. AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE THAT CAUSED SUMNER’S ICONIC CLIFFS TO COLLAPSE , THE CLIFFS AROUND SUMNER WERE CONDONED OFF WITH TRADITIONAL FENCES ANDSTORAGE CONTAINERS . THE PROPOSED CONCEPT FOR 2 WAKEFIELD AVENUE IN SUMNER FOR A MIXED USE COMMERCIAL BUILDING CAME FROM THIS IDEA.
GROUND FLOORPLAN
FIRST FLOORPLAN
SECOND FLOORPLAN
EAST ELEVATION
NORTH ELEVATION
TURANGAWAEWAE THEATRE
A PLACE TO STAND
ARE PLACES WHERE WE FEEL EMPOWERED AND CONNECTED
SKENE IS A BUILDING BEHIND THE ORCHESTRA OR THE PERFORMERS IN A GREEK THEATRE. IT IS ORIGINALLY USED FOR STORAGE BUT PROVIDED A CONVENIENT BACKING FOR PERFORMANCES, AND IS ALSO USED AS A WAITING AREA, DRESSING ROOMS FOR ACTORS. ITS EVOLUTION
INCLUDED DOOR-WAYS AND COVERED, HIGH STAGE FOR PERFORMANCES AND CORRESPONDS TO THE ROMAN SCAENAE.
I WANTED TO INCORPORATE THIS IDEA OF A SKENE SITTING ON TOP OF A LEGION OR A STAGE ON MY CONCEPT, AS IT ILLUSTRATES THE IDEA OF TURANGAWAWA OR A PLACE TO STAND. THE IDEA WAS TO HAVE THE AUDI-TORIUM AND THE MAIN THEATRE SPACE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING, SEPARAT-ING THE BUILDING INTO THREE DIFFERENT SECTIONS TO GIVE EMPHASIS TO IT BEING A
Public section (Foyer)
Auditorium (Theatre)
Wall Sytem
-Rodeca panel systems re extruded thermo plastic ulti-cell polycarbonate .
- This system has a high re safety rated B1 Low in ammbility and B2 Normal Flammability.
- The thermal insulation for these panels are as high as R1.42 .
- sound insulation of upto 43 dB.
- These panels are suitbable for temperatures upto 110 degrees celcius
- Co-extruded UV-protection layer or harsh New Zealand conditions
- Reduces sun ray heat by 60%
Floor System
Slab-on-grade foundation, is a single layer of concrete in 200mm thick, and an integral footing of 400mm thick on the edges with reinforcing rods to strengthen the the thickened edge.
- Rib and In ll ooring system incorporates pre-stressed concrete ribs, permanent formwork and in situ concrete topping to give a lightweight and versatile suspended oor.
- This system is economical and is a good alternative for timber oors and have a good acoustic transmission and re ratings.
- The estimated thermal resistance rating is 0.23 Rm2 °c/.
- The acoustic provides a Standard Transmission Class (STC) rating of 52dB.
- This oor system is quali ed for a re rating of 2 hours with 90 mm of topping and 1.5 hours with 75 mm of topping.
- This sytem is also durable and meets the exposure classi cations of A1,A2,B1 and B2 and have a 50 year life.
SEASIDE CO-HOUSING VILLAGE
New Brighton is a coastal suburb located towards the east side of Christchurch’s city centre. It is one of Christchurch main entertainment, shopping and tourist centre with its unique pier and scenic coastline. The suburb is divided into three sections spread along the southern coast of Pegasus Bay which are the North New Brighton, New Brighton and South New Brighton. In 2011 the Christchurch earthquake caused a significant damage in the area . And due to the liquefaction of the ground on which it was built, some residents were forced to leave their homes and the suburb. Which affected its local economy and resulted for New Brighton to be on a lower socio-economic area and left the commercial centre to be vacant and spread over a large dead space, with regard to its historical development as a shopping and tourist destination. Today, the centre’s function is focused locally, such as supplying goods and services to its local residents. The centre has a supermarket, banks, convenience shopping retailers, cafe’s. A post office, a police station, a Work and Income New Zealand office, and a saturday market. Eventhough the beach, pier and the library have attracted visitors
APARTMENT
THE INCREMENTAL DESIGN HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FOR DESIGNING FOR SMALL
FAMILIES WHICH MAY GROW IN THE FUTURE. THE DWELLING IS DESIGNED TO BE FUNCTIONAL AND
FLEXIBLE SPACE WHCIH MEANS IT CAN BE CONVERTED INTO VARIOUS USES IN THE FUTURE.
BRIGHTON PEIR
RAKAU PAVILLION 08
Many of the facilities inside the inner city of Christchurch are provided out of buildings of historical architectural and cultural significance and their use for a range of cultural, educational, spiritual, recreational, and other compatible activities will further enriches the experience within the city.
Whakapapa is embedded in the landscape and is inherit in understanding the relationship between Maori and the natural world. It is also about creating spaces and environment that supports and promotes Whanau and community togetherness.
The aim is to create a place for arts, crafts, hospitality, and entertainment that local residents will frequently visit and use. This is designed to be a flexible architectural open space that invites people to come inn and spend time in it. Is used as a shelter, seating, meeting point, theatre, a space for lecture events, exhibitions, plays, relaxation and other forms of performing arts. There are outdoor and indoor stages for both formal and informal events and performances. The outdoor stages under a sound canopies are for informal performances.
REFLECTION & FLUIDITY
As you make your journey towards the Bridle path walk, to the top of Summit Road, looking towards to Lyttleton Harbour, hidden amongst the contour of the hills, two bunkers are unraveled. Bunker 1 being hidden and covered amongst the long grass. Bunker 2 is unraveled as you make your way up to the top of the Summit Road.
TE NGUTUAWA RAKAU
RESEARCH CENTRE
CHRISTCHURCH’S AVON HEATHCOTE
ESTUARY IS RECOGNIZED AS A SAFE HAVEN FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS.THE TE
IHUTAI ESTUARY IS THE CHRISTCHURCHS FRONT DOOR FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS TO BE VISIBLE , THE
TE nGUTUAWA RAKAU RESEARCH
CENTRE IS IDEAL FOR RESIDENT’S AND VISITORS TO ENJOY AND UNDERSTAND THE ESTUARY’S NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFI-
THE CONCEPT DESIGN FOR THE TE NGUTUAWA RAKAU RESEARCH CENTRE
CAME FROM TWO CUT TREE TRUNKS PLACED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER WITH A VOID PLACED AT THE CENTRE OF THE TWO TRUNKS WHICH SIGNIFIES THE PITH
THE AVICENNIA MARINA SUBSP. AUSTRALASICAMOSTLY KNOWN AS MAN-
CANCE, AND ALSO TO BE ABLE TO GET TO KNOW ABOUT THE MIGRATORY BIRDS AND THE SOROUNDING
GROVE IS A NEW ZEALAND INDIGENOUS TREE IS PLANTED AT THE CENTRE OF
THE CENTRE FOR RESIDENTS TO DO RESEARCH. THIS IS WHY THE CENTRE WAS
NAMED AS TE NGUTUAWA RAKAU RESEARCH CENTRE AS IT IS A BIRD AND TREE
