Issuu

PORT FOLIO Vanessa Gallego

CONTENTS Aquascape

The Bail Trail

Harbor Haven Island

03 Aquascape

AquaScape is a roughly 42,375-square-foot community swimming pool and recreation center proposed in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. It responds to the lack of outdoor public space and poor pedestrian movement around the YMCA and nearby school, reimagining the YMCA as a water-inspired landscape. Inspired by the movement of water, the design uses diagonal circulation, stepped terraces, and transparent facades to connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Pools, fitness areas, community rooms, and a café are layered to encourage visibility and social interaction. Three public outdoor zones extend activity beyond the building, while a long-span roof with skylights brings in natural light and ventilation.

EXPLODED AXON

FLOOR PLANS

SECTION

ELEVATION

INTERIOR VIEW

SECTION DETAIL

INTERIOR VIEW

EXTERIOR VIEW

13 The Bail Trail

Stretching from Long Branch to Colts Neck in New Jersey, The Bale Trail dissolves the boundary between preserved farmland and active community life. The project proposes a new regional identity where the “Bale” acts as a common currency for housing, ecology, and social resilience. By integrating cultivation directly into the domestic fabric, the trail ensures that as New Jersey densifies, its agricultural heritage is not just preserved, but actively utilized to house a growing population.

TYPOLOGICAL MASSING STUDY Multi-story mixed use spaces are constructued using straw panel. URBAN

Clusters of housing and storage spaces in rural areas facilitate cultivation

RURAL

Changes in zoning permit shared adu spaces for senior collective living, and open up pockets for backyard wheat cultivation. SUBURBAN

475,575 STRAW BALES

FULL MANHATAN BLOCK

285,000 BALES = 14,000 LINEAR FEET OF WALL 250 FEET = 1 NYC BLOCK

ADU DESIGN A regional framework connecting Long Branch to Colts Neck through housing, cultivation, ecological infrastructure, and public space. The masterplan integrates agricultural production with economic, and cultural catalyst to support equitable growth, strengthen local food systems, and build resilience across urban, suburban, and rural contexts.

COLTS NECK

STRATEGY RURAL AGRICULTURE ZONE

ECOLOGICAL NETWORK

Wheat cultivation, material supply and clustered ADUs.

HOUSING DIVERSITY

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

COMMUNITY NODES

STRAW MANUFACTURING HUB Processing facility, traning center, and community market.

RURAL

SUBURBAN

MANUFACTURING HUB

Agricultural fields and clustered housing

ADUs and community cultivation

Straw panel production and t

training center

SUBURBAN ADU CLUSTERS Backyard cultivation, senior housing, and sharing amenities.

LONG BRANCH

URBAN MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT Straw panel housing, retail, public space, and transit access.

URBAN

COASTAL

Mixed-use development and transit connection

Waterfront, wetlands and public space

ADU DESIGN

METAL RO

A flexible, low carbon ADU designed for multigenerational living. Built with local straw panels, the unit provides an accessible, comfortable home for older adults while integrating directly with the lan dscape and food production systems of the Bale Trail.

Stranding

metal roo

wood fram

STRAW PA

Compress

with earth

AGING IN PLACE MUTLIGENERATIONAL LIVING

STRUCTUR

LOCAL MATERIALS

with steel

Timber co

DAYLIGHT & NATURAL VENTILATION

FOUNDAT

LOW-CARBON

Concrete

CONSTRUCTION

with moist

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC

INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

CRO

FLOOR PLAN

OOF seam

of with

ming

PASSIVE SOLAR ORIENTATION

ANEL

sed straw

hern finish

RAINWATER COLLECTION

RAL JOINT

onnection hardware

ION stern wall

INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE

ture barrier

OSS SECTION

SOUTH ELEVATION

NORTH ELEVATION

EVERYDAY LIFE ON THE BALE TRAIL GROWING MATERIAL

MATERIAL ASSEMBLY

SEASONAL STORAGE

LEARNING IN THE MAKING

COMMUNITY LEARNING

MATERIAL CIRCULATION

WATER AS CONNECTOR

CONNECTION TO PLACE

AGING IN PLACE

Harbor Haven Island

Harbor Haven Island reimagines the former Rikers Island as a residential community that provides migrant adults and families with permanent housing while supporting the development of skills and long-term stability. The island offers both multi-family and communal housing for single adults, complemented by educational programs, job training, ESL classes, wellness services, and shared community spaces. By integrating housing with essential resources and opportunities, Harbor Haven Island creates a supportive environment where residents can build independence, strengthen community connections, and establish a stable future in the United States.

SPATIAL CONCEPT

CIRCULATION CORE Central elevators provide

RESIDENTIAL UNITS

easy and efficent access

2 and 3 bedroom units

for all residents.

organized around the courtyard.

CENTRAL COURTYARD Shared open space with

STAIR ACCESS

playgrounds, seating,

Stairs located at both

and native planting.

ends of the building

DIAGRAMMATIC CONCEPT

1. BUILDING FLORM L-shaped building creates a protected central courtyard and defines the edges.

2. UNIT ORGANIZATION 2 and 3 bedroom units arranged along the perimeter, connected to shared living, dining and

convenient for safe and co vertical circulation.

3. CIRCULATION

4. GROUND FLOOR ACTIVATION

Centralized elevators with

Amenities and community

open lobby space and corridors

space open to the courtyard

connecting all units.

and activate the ground floor.

kitchen spaces.

MASTER PLAN

9 2 3 1

4 3

1” = 40’-0”

9 24

RIKERS ISLAND QUEENS, NEW YORK

LEGEND 1

MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING

CO-LIVING HOUSING

MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL

ADULT LEARNING & VOCATIONAL CENTER

5A PRIMARY ACADEMY

5C 7

INTERMEDIATE ACADEMY

5C SECONDARY ACADEMY 6

WELLNESS & MENTAL HEALTH CENTER

PARK

MUSEUM OF MIGRATION

TRANSIT HUBS & MARITIME GATEWAYS

FAMILY HOUSING The residential component of Harbon Haven Island provides permanent, stable housing for migrant familes while integrating shared amenities, green space, and community resoruces. The design prioritizes safe, healthy and community oriented living environments and accessible courtyards, playgrounds, and shared facilities, supporting residents as they build independent and stable lives. PERMANENT HOUSING FOR FAMILIES ACCESS TO AMENITIES & COMMUNITY SPACES CHILD FRIENDLY COURTYARD & PLAYGROUND NATURAL LIGHT & CROSS VENTILATION GREEN ROOFS & LANDSCAPE INTEGRATION

COURTYARD PERSPECTIVE

TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL FLOOR PLAN

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

ROOF Green roof + solar panels LEVEL 2-5 Residential units

LEVEL 1 Lobby and amenities

BUILDING AXONOMETRIC

GREEN ROOFS Solar panels and stormwater capture 5 STORIES Family housing (2 and 3 bedrooms)

COURTYARD Playground, seating and community garden ACTIVE GROUND FLOOR Lobby, amenities, bike storage, mail, and building entries

UNIT PLANS 2 BEDROOM UNIT 850 SF

3 BEDROOM UNIT 1,200 SF

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNAL HOUSING The communal living buildings provide temporary housing for migrant individuals while fostering a sense of community. Shared kitchens, amenities, and coliving spaces encourage social interaction and support, creating a safe and inclusive environment. AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS SHARED AMENTIES & COMMON SPACES COMMUNAL KITCHENS & DINING SPACES NATURAL LIGHT & CROSS VENTILATION GREEN ROOFS & LANDSCAPE INTEGRATION

COURTYARD PERSPECTIVE

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

TYPICAL COM Entry Lobby Communal Kitchen & Dining Lounge Study Room Laundry Room Multipurpose Room Restrooms Bike Storage Courtyard Access

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

ROOF Green roof + solar panels LEVEL 2-4 Communal living units LEVEL 1 Lobby and communal amenities

MMUNAL LIVING FLOOR PLAN

BUILDING AXONOMETRIC

GREEN ROOFS Solar panels and stormwater capture 3-4 STORIES Communal living units

COURTYARD Seating, gardens and gathering spaces ACTIVE GROUND FLOOR Lobby, communal amenities, kitchen, lounges, laundry and community spaces.

SHARED SUITE

PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION ADULT LEARNING & VOCATION-

Entry Lobby

PRIMARY ACADEMY

ADULT LEARNING CENTER

CHILDREN LEARNING CENTER