01 Precedent Analysis: Alvaro Siza House and Brion Cemetary
Fall 2020 page 05
Bessie Coleman School of Aviation
Fall 2020 page 08
African Urban School
Fall 2021 page 14
Fire Station 5
Fall 2022 page 16
AI and Object Analysis
Fall 2023 page 24
Architectural Elements
Fall 2023 page 28
Austin CACE: Center for Arts, Culture, and Education
Fall 2023 page 32
Villas on Willow
Fall 2024 page 40
Collaboration: Isabela Ferrero
Professor: Gabriel Esquivel
Term: Fall 2020
School: Texas A&M University
In the first stages of this project we began researching different concept for spatial organization. Through our reserach we came across Suprematist art, which utilizes abstract forms and space. With this technique in mind we researched Zaha Hadid’s work, mainly Malevich’s Tectonik. She was influenced by a Russian suprematist artist, Kasimir Malevich, who was also the leader of the Suprematist movement. His work can be characterized by four principles: abstraction, distortion, fragmentation, and the absence of gravity. Zaha used his work as inspiration by liberating the link with the earth and ungrounding architecture. Zaha’s take on suprematism in architecture allowed her to create structures that were not static and solid but rather transformative and fluid.
Furthermore, we also analyzed the work of Nikolai Suetin, a Russian Suprematism artist. We specifically researched his artwork called Suprematism. He was an artist who looked up to his master and teacher Kasimir Malevich. When Malevich began being drawn to the art of Suprematism so was Suetin. He believed that suprematism was an art in which he could express his ideas and translate them in their purest and cleanest form.
Drawing from these influences, our iterations aim to encapsulate the essence of Suprematism, emphasizing strong yet pure shapes to convey overarching meanings and unbounded spatial expressions. Through meticulous analysis, we developed two distinct iterations that illustrate persistent elements such as datum, perimeter, parts-to-whole relationships, and the L-condition.
Collaboration: Isabela Ferrero & Emily Acosta
Professor: Gabriel Esquivel
Term: Fall 2020
School: Texas A&M University
This aviation school for women conveys the idea of simpler compositions through the strong implication of mass and abstraction, ground condition, and material. Our articulations are inspired by Colin Rowe, Donald Judd, Micheal Rojkind’s Foro Boca, and “Learning From Las Vegas” by Denise Scott Brown.
The idealization of what seems to be only “blocky” and concrete structures changes as the built environment begins interacting with the masses, creating a different understanding of the whole site. This project incorporates the ontology of the site in which the project is being built. Rather than demolishing its history we value it and incorporate it into a single language of Architecture.
Additionally, our aim was to create a smooth transition between the masses and the built-in ground condition. Throughout the project, there is a composition of interpenetrating planes created by the incorporation of natural elements, such as water, grass, and wheat, that relate to the Texas landscape. The trails and planes follow a pattern that inerconnects them, through this expressing the idea of continuity and linkage between the architecture and landscape. Not only did we accommodate our structures into the built environment, but emphasized them through the field condition with the use of boulders that are blocky and purposely mundane, varying spatially and in scale. Through this, both massing and landscape fit in and stand apart from the vernacular structures surrounding it.
Collaboration: Quinn McCormack & Cassandra Moseley
Professor: Andrew Tripp
Term: Fall 2021
School: Texas A&M University
Our project involved the design of a middle school tailored to the needs of children in Bamako, Mali. I assumed primary responsibility for mapping, a pivotal aspect in comprehending the project’s objectives. Through mapping, our aim was to elucidate the ongoing discourse surrounding the impact of high fertility rates and population growth on Bamako, Mali.
The aerial view provided a comprehensive overview of the city’s landscape and topography, aiding in the identification of densely populated areas and regions with more dispersed populations. The graphical representation depicted along the y-axis delineated changes in fertility rates, while the x-axis denoted the establishment years of various schools in Bamako. This correlation allowed us to discern a pattern between declining fertility rates and increased school construction, indicative of greater resource allocation towards education and a consequent reduction in child labor.
Our analysis suggests that addressing this issue necessitates enhanced access to health and education services in Bamako. By improving accessibility to these vital resources, we anticipate a positive shift towards lower fertility rates, thereby fostering an environment conducive to the expansion of educational infrastructure and the mitigation of child labor concerns.
Collaboration: Savannah McDougal
Professor: Marcel Erminy
Term: Fall 2022
School: Texas A&M Univeristy
Located in College Station, Texas, this project tasked my teammate and me with the design of a fire station that caters to the multifaceted needs of firefighters as both responders and individuals. Drawing inspiration from the art movement of Suprematism, we embarked on a journey of conceptualization, utilizing a series of fragmentations to delineate the layout for various programs within the station.
Beyond mere design considerations, we were compelled to address environmental concerns integral to the well-being of occupants. Our approach began with the strategic separation of spaces into green, yellow, and red zones, aimed at minimizing exposure to high toxin levels. To further bolster our environmental strategy, we implemented a brise soleil system throughout the building envelope.
This shading device served a dual purpose: mitigating solar heat gain in critical areas while imbuing the interior spaces with a nuanced spatial quality. By harmonizing the interplay between exterior and interior realms, the brise soleil emerged as a pivotal component in the architectural language of the fire station. The strategic placement of glazing along the most sun-exposed facades underscored the indispensability of the shading system, thereby ensuring the building’s functional efficacy and environmental sustainability.
Color Study
Typical Wall Section Detail
Envelope to Column Connection Detail
Collaboration: Stephanie Shupak
Professor: Kory Bieg
Term: Fall 2023
School: University of Texas at Austin
In the initial phase of crafting this object, we commenced by referencing a precedent, namely the Anthony Timberland Center. This precedent served as a foundational reference point from which we embarked on a process involving the utilization of AI technology.
With this we extracted a series of architectural concepts encapsulated within geometric compositions. Our overarching objective was to encapsulate the diverse instances generated by the AI images, whether through massing, geometry, or light, within our compositional framework. Drawing from the analyzed factors, we discerned and delineated a spectrum of concepts. These concepts encompassed various aspects such as light as mass, mass transformations, offset voids, mass transitions, void forms, and the incorporation of slices as connections.
Term: Fall 2023
Professor: Kory Bieg For this particular project, I conceptualized two architectural elements commonly encountered in our daily experiences. The primary objective guiding my design endeavor was to create architectural components characterized by differing scales yet unified by shared principles of process and geometry.
School: University of Texas at Austin
With a focused perspective, I developed a lounge chair representing an XS scale element and a stair embodying an S scale element. The origin of these designs stemmed from a structured approach, governed by a predefined set of principles. Central to the design process were elements of circular geometry, dynamic shifting patterns, and adherence to a threefoot clearance axis. These principles served as the foundational framework for the realization of both architectural entities, contributing to their cohesive integration within diverse spatial contexts.
S Scale: Stair
Lounge Chair Process
Professor: Kory Bieg
Term: Fall 2023
School: University of Texas at Austin
Situated in Austin, Texas, this project was designed with the intention of creating a multifaceted structure accommodating spaces for arts, educational endeavors, and serving as a communal hub for the Austin community.
Drawing from techniques honed in the prior project, I integrated elements of circular geometry, grid systems, offsets, and kitbashing of columns into the architectural framework. These techniques, proven effective in previous endeavors, served as foundational principles guiding the development of this project.
Central to the design ethos was the seamless integration of these architectural elements, facilitating the creation of varied and engaging interstitial spaces between floors. By leveraging these elements, the project not only achieved functional coherence but also fostered a sense of connectivity and fluidity throughout the vertical expanse.
Space
Men’s Restroom
Emergency Stairs
Key:
1. Exhibition Space
2. Technology Lab
3. Exterior Gathering/Exhibition Space
4. Women’s Restroom
5. Emergency Stairs
Key:
1. Exhibition Space
2. Auditorium
3. Control Booth
4. Storage Space
5. Men’s Restroom
6. Women’s Restroom
7. Emergency Stairs
Key:
1. Gathering Space
3. Oustide Gathering Space
4. Waiting Area
5. Unisex Restroom
6. Emergency Stairs
Key:
1. Conference Room
2. Copy/Server Room
3. Storage Room
Longitudinal Section B
Collaboration: Christopher Mejia
Professor: Maertin Haettasch
Term: Fall 2024
School: University of Texas at Austin
Our project comprises a collection of 16 rowhouse typologies situated in East Austin. In response to the area’s limited natural density, we aimed to prioritize the integration of nature within our design, enhancing the residential appeal. Our intent is to weave nature as a fundamental element throughout the spaces of each typology and in the interstitial areas.
Key considerations in our design approach include the necessity for privacy and the creation of distinct private spaces for each residence. To achieve this, we employed three primary design techniques in our massing development: the use of filleted and straight edges, the implementation of shear walls, and a deliberate balance between natural integration and the square footage of each unit.
Additionally, through the strategic selection and application of materials, we aimed to further enhance the relationship between the built environment and its natural surroundings, optimizing light and natural ventilation within the spaces. Through this architectural strategy, we aspire to offer residents diverse experiences of space, volume, and connectivity to nature within their own home.
FLOOR PLANS 1/4” = 1’ - 0”
1. LIVING ROOM
2. DINING ROOM
KEY:
3. KITCHEN
4. LAUNDRY ROOM
5. MECHANICAL ROOM
6. STORAGE ROOM
7. ADA COMPLIANT BEDROOM
8. ADA COMPLIANT RESTROOM
9. STAIRS
10. CARPORT
FIRST FLOOR PLANS 1/4” = 1’ - 0”
FIRST FLOOR PLANS
THANK YOU