Partnered Project in collaboration with Marissa Gomez Almanza. Integrated Graduate Studio, ARC 608

University of Miami, Spring 2020

Professor Jose Gelabert-Navia

Marsh Harbor located in the Bahamas was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. The objective was to build a rehabilitation/shelter center on a particular chosen site in Marsh Harbor. We chose to design a hospital, considering my partner and I figured this program choice would make the most sense for the people of the Bahamas. Our project has been named the butterfly effect because of the chaos theory. A very small localized change in an overarching system can have large effects elsewhere, such as a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a typhoon across the world. It also draws a parallel between the theory of the building, and the large butterfly roof structure on each of the 4 sections of the hospital.

Our site strategy here looking at the site plan was to create a series of linked buildings that is place linear on the site. this means the buildings are perpendicular to the ocean, which works as a resilience strategy during a storm surge, the water can flow with the building, instead of against. There is an interior and exterior component in each of the 4 buildings, the terrace and spaces in between the buildings are outdoors with a trellis covering. The main strategy there is a biophillic healthcare design, with plenty of vegetation and outdoor healing spaces.

ARC 607

University of Miami, Fall 2020

Professor Allan Shulman

WHY DOES A CAR PARK MAKE A GOOD FIT FOR DISASTER RELIEF?

The garage is a fully open concrete structure. At 1111, ceiling heights vary between standard parking height and double or even triple height, in order to accommodate other programs. In this case, the other programs are situated at levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. This parking garage is a post tension structure, and can withstand high winds. The first floor is retail and floor to ceiling measures 25 feet. In the case of extreme flooding, the implemented program would remain unharmed.

Fluid Studio

Clemson University, Fall 2017

Professor Douglas Hecker

Imagine waking up to the sound of garbage trucks early in the morning. You hear the noise they make while they dump tons of non biodegradable trash onto our soiled Earth. It is the year 2067, and the heaps of garbage seem to increase by the day. The planet has become so hot, that your pristine home in LA is the only place safe enough to be. There is drought, pollution and waste everywhere. Under the Hollywood sign, your home has become your refuge. Despite the harsh conditions, your home can self-sustain. Structural glass is used along the edges of the printed concrete slabs. Dirt is used as the infill formwork that the 3D printer extrudes on top of. This method prevents wasteful 3D printed supports. 3D Printing technology allows for complex geometries and integrated systems within the home. You step out of bed onto the concrete and its slightly cooled from the integrated geothermal system. You go down to the grow floor to pick some breakfast from your in-home crops. There’s plenty to choose from, since the soils have been imported from less impacted parts of the country and stored in the soil chamber. All of this specificity of space within your home is thanks to 3D printing technology.

Intro to Architecture 1010

Clemson University, Fall 2014

Professor Clarissa Mendez

This design operation was intended to help create awareness of what light can do for a space. I knew I wanted to create a space with warm, honey like lighting, so I chose materials that would allow for that effect. A vessel of light can be described best as an object or building that captures the qualities of light to the best of its ability. The hexagonal properties in this project allowed light to be found in multiple ways. The stairs in the center of the model were added to have a sense of scale. Photographing the model in direct sunlight was essential to its color scheme and warmth. At this stage in my design career, it was extremely important to use knowledge of lighting and architecture moving forward. I value this project because it taught me invaluable ideas of the way light can impact a space.

Architecture Foundations I

Clemson University, Fall 2014

Professor Joseph Choma

Using mathematics to create curves in particular locations was the most challenging aspect of this operation. Over 1,000 strings were hand glued onto a basswood frame to create this ruled surface model. A combination of high strength glue secured the strings in place along with notches on the basswood frame. There are 16 surfaces total to create a cohesive curve on all faces. I calculated the position of each string along the edge of each dowel to ensure a smooth curve along each face. This project also had drawings to accompany the 12” x 12” white string model.

Architecture Foundations I

Clemson University, Fall 2015

Professor Joseph Choma

The project objective is carving shapes into shapes, and how subtraction could reveal architectural elements. George Boole first defined Boolean as an algebraic system of logic in the mid 19th century. In architecture, the boolean operation can be defined as subtracting the volume of one set of objects from another. Rhino 5.0 allows the boolean operation to work effortlessly. The 3D Rhino model assists in the creation of the physical 12” x 12” boolean model. Three wireframe model iterations were used to chose the final solid void model. The wireframe models were the first step in the process of making a solid boolean model. The parameters included one 12” x 12” x 12” cube with 3 or more smaller intersecting rectangular prisms of any size. A drawing, shown above, was also included to show the motion of the smaller intersecting shapes.

Architecture Foundations I

Clemson University, Fall 2015

Professor Joesph Choma

The project objective is finding structure and architectural elements within nature. Nature’s Behavior is inspired by the bark on a dogwood tree. Folded plate structures are a staple in foundational architecture techniques. My interest sparked from a photo I captured of bark on a tree of interlocking patterns with sinusoidal lines. Next, I created an abstract drawing of the pattern. I then devised a way to represent the pattern through folding paper. I chose to fold several sized interlocking prisms to create a 3 dimensional representation of the inspiration.

Direct Digital Manufacturing

Clemson University, Fall 2016

Professor Dave Lee

This class focused on creating and manufacturing a Weaire-Phelan mathematical model using 3D printing technologies. All of the printing was done on Ultimaker 2 printers, using a specific printing material called NinjaFlex. This rubber-like printing material allowed us to print moulds for what we wanted to cast in Rockite. Once the mould printed (typically after 30 hours), we would pour liquid Rockite into it and produce a cast. Each segment was then designed to connect with a magnet, to complete the Weaire-Phelan model.