ALEJANDRA LOPEZ ARCHITECTURAL WORKS
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CONTENTS 04
INCIDENTAL ADAPTATION St. Louis, Missouri
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BETWEEN EARTH + SKY Marfa, Texas
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TWO LINES IN THE DESERT Presidio County, Texas
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COLLECTIVE INHABITATION Jacksonville, Florida
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TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Bimetallic Shutter
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TECHNOLOGY + TECTONIC Water Erosion Analysis
ZENITHAL LIGHT Berkeley, California TENTATIVE RIGIDITY Selma, Alabama
ALEJANDRA LOPEZ
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE 2014 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS BACHELOR OF DESIGN 2012 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
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ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
INCIDENTAL ADAPTATION AQUATIC CENTER + SPA RIVER DES PERES + MISSISSIPPI RIVER Research began with an interest in the Mississippi River and its variability in terms of edge condition. St. Louis has been prone to flooding since its establishment and the community has gone to great lengths to control the river. The concept involves surrendering to the inconsistencies and unpredictabilities and turning the dynamic river into a spectacle. These variable edges of the river produce a beautiful, shifting landscape.
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ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
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INCIDENTAL ADAPTATION Washington University in St. Louis Degree Project Critic: Paul Donnelly Degree Project Award 2014 Incidental Adaptation is an aquatic center and spa that negotiates the river edge by engaging the variable edges that come with a riverfront site. The concept is to bridge the connection between the city and the river and return the riverfront to the community. The building program and aesthetic aim to reject the superficiality of the surrounding industry and take the land and the river back to its basics.
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ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI SITE
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI LEMAY, MISSOURI SITE
SITE
SITE 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN
RIVER DES PERES
VACANT LAND
SITE
RIVER CITY BOULEVARD
MISSISSIPPI RIVER GREENWAY
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
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AQUEOUS SPA 1. LOBBY + JUICE BAR 2. CHECK IN 3. TOWEL ROOM 4. LOCKER ROOM 5. SAUNA 6. THERMAE BATHS 7. PALAESTRA [EXERCISE ROOM] 8. LAUNDRY 9. EMPLOYEE LOCKER ROOM 10. ADMINISTRATION 11. CONSULTATION PUBLIC POOLS 1. LOBBY 2. CAFE 3. EMPLOYEE LOCKER ROOM 4. KITCHEN 5. CHECK IN 6. TOWELS + LAUNDRY 7. LOCKER ROOMS 8. ADMINISTRATION 9. OLYMPIC POOL 10. LAP POOLS 11. POOL STORAGE CHILDRENS’ POOLS + DAYCARE 1. LOBBY 2. SNACK BAR 3. MECHANICAL 4. POOL STORAGE 5. LOCKER ROOMS 6. CHILDRENS’ POOLS 7. PLAY AREA FLOATING SPA + SOLARIUM 1. CHECK IN 2. LOCKER ROOMS 3. MASSAGE ROOMS 4. CONSULTATION 5. CAFE 6. KITCHEN 7. CABANAS 8. RECREATIONAL POOL
The concept for the variable edge condition is absorption. Zones of landscape bleed into the Mississippi River and create a dynamic dialogue between land and water.
FORM
Zones of landscape blur the inside/outside relationship and begin to shift the relationship with the Mississippi River. Various zones become programmed swimming pools and rainwater collection pools.
EDGE
LANDSCAPE
TEXTURE
The building utilizes the texture and longitudinal grain of the Mississippi River and folds up from the land to create a structure within the variable landscape.
The form is divided into two bars: a public and an intimate. A volume on the river floats on the Mississppi River and allows inhabitants to directly experience the river’s variability.
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ATHLETIC POOL
RECREATIONAL POOL
OLYMPIC POOL
CHILDRENS’ POOL
EXTERIOR POOL
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EDGE CONDITION Zones of natural landscape and water weave throughout the building and the site to seamlessly transition into the river. Since the river floods so frequently, various mitigation techniques were employed to design the river edge. Wetlands were introduced to stabilize the edge in order to naturally mitigate flooding. In other areas, a river promenade was constructed above the river edge to view the vastness of the river. A floating barge was redesigned to experience the river and leave the edge undisturbed.
NATURAL
RIVER PROMENADE
EXISTING BARGE
CONSTRUCTED
FLOATING
STABILIZED
WETLANDS
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REFLECTION
WATER
CONCRETE
ABSORPTION
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BEADING
GLASS
LIGHT
SHADOW
VISITING ARTIST + ARCHITECT RESIDENCES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DONALD JUDD FOUNDATION This place is primarily for the installation of art, necessarily for whatever architecture of my own that can be included in an existing situation, for work, and altogether for my idea of living.� -Donald Judd, 1985
PROPOSED SITE
MARFA, TEXAS
BETWEEN EARTH + SKY
JUDD FOUNDATION
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MARFA, TEXAS
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BETWEEN EARTH + SKY Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Semester 3 Critic: Stephen Leet
In order to respond to the growing population of artists in Marfa, Texas, a visiting architect and artist residence and studio has been proposed for the site adjacent to La Mansana: the residence of the modern sculptor Donald Judd. The community was designed around the incidental interaction between artists as well as the opportunity to work in solitude. Visitors are welcomed by a parasol structure that shades the desert sun and leads them to an exhibition space.
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EXHIBIT As the visitor walks through the gate, he or she encounters the most public aspect of the program directly ahead: the exhibition space. It is flanked on either side by public courtyards and is evenly lit by clerestory windows.
GATHER Interaction is encouraged by the abundance of protected exterior space. The courtyard spaces are surrounded by public volumes in order to attract inhabitants.
RESIDE Each artist studio contains a basic living space and exterior courtyard. Basic amenities encourage communal interaction in the public spaces at the culmination of the residential units.
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EXHIBITION
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CIRCULATE
RESIDE
COURTYARD
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DINIE
GATHER
A protective, double-layered parasol structure covers many of the circulatory and gathering spaces. It was designed based on the sun’s properties throughout the harshest times of the area’s climate and specific areas are punctured in order to allow indirect light and dynamic shadow. A muted material palette was selected in order to provide a monochromatic background so as to not distract the artists from their work.
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PRESIDIO, TEXAS
TWO LINES IN THE DESERT ART COLLECTORS’ RESIDENCE
The vastness of the landscape in West Texas provides an intimate serenity. As per the clients’ request, two longitudinal cuts into the desert were to become a place for dwelling, exhibiting art, and swimming toward the horizon. The concept for the linear home involved the clear separation of intimate and shared spaces and careful placement of spaces in order to frame vast views of the landscape and the sky.
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PRESIDIO, TEXAS
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TWO LINES IN THE DESERT Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Semester 3 Critic: Stephen Leet
The concept for the linear place of dwelling within the vast landscape is the periodic interruption of a linear form in order to separate spaces and to display the clients’ extensive art collection. By interrupting a linear form, the inhabitant has the opportunity to frame the landscape and a piece of art. By moving the main structural walls to the interior, the house becomes a porous structure that engages the expansive views.
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LAP POOL
The linear home is separated into two volumes: a private and a shared. The two volumes are pulled apart in order to maximize cross ventilation and provide a covered entry space that gives direct access to the different parts of the home. The home and lap pool are oriented east-west to maximize northern light and exposure for the library and living space.
LAP POOL
The second floor of the linear home consists of a small reading room bathed in northern light and a small skyviewing terrace. As per the clients’ requests, the living spaces are double height in order to maximize northern light and provide a grand space for the display of art.
COURTYARD
ENTRY
READING ROOM
TERRACE
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GUEST BED
COURTYARD
KITCHEN
LIVING + DINING
FOYER
ENTRY
LIBRARY
MASTER BED
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA
ZENITHAL LIGHT
MUSEUM FOR THE WORKS OF RICHARD DIEBENKORN “I would like the colors, their shapes and positions to be arrived at in response to and dictated by the condition of the total space at the time they are considered.” -Richard Diebenkorn, Artist
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BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA
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ZENITHAL LIGHT
Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Semester 2 Critic: Robert McCarter The museum for the works of Richard Diebenkorn is located in Berkeley, California. The main concept of the structure is to create a continuous procession through a series of naturally-lit galleries that culminate in exterior gardens. Paintings are highlighted only by natural top light in order to preserve the integrity of the paintings. The form is sheared into two main, offset galleries that provide gardens of varying scales for the visitor to inhabit throughout their gallery procession.
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PRIVATE GARDEN
CIRCULATION
GALLERY 1
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GALLERY 2
CIRCULATION
PUBLIC GARDEN
SELMA, ALABAMA
TENTATIVE RIGIDITY GALLERY + HOTEL
The concept for the gallery and hotel in Selma, Alabama begins with an analysis of spatial opposites: light and dark, heavy and light, public and private. A contextual facade slowly transforms as the inhabitant approaches the river edge: spatial edges begin to distort in various directions in order to frame various views of the surrounding landscape.
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SELMA, ALABAMA
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TENTATIVE RIGIDITY Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Semester 1 Critic: Christine Yogiaman
Tentative Rigidity consists of fifty guest suites surrounded by community spaces designed for the making and viewing of local art. Large, two story units are flanked on both sides by pedestrian promenades for the viewing of local art and the river and landscape. Two main volumes are staggered and embedded within the riverfront’s cliff condition and provide vast views of the landscape.
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As the guests approach the river by passing through the building, folds and distortions within the volume begin to orient visitors in various directions. After passing through the main volume, guests are presented with a large river promenade amidst volumes that seem to jut out in every direction. Guests transition from city to landscape, or order to disorder, through dynamic volumes that provide unique orientations and views.
CIRCULATION
GUEST UNIT
ALABAMA RIVER
GUEST UNIT
RIVER PROMENADE
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
COLLECTIVE INHABITATION URBAN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT In order to revitalize the historic Springfield neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida, a housing complex was designed to promote social interaction and private dwellings interwoven with community gathering spaces. A mid-rise tower of flat apartments mimics the high-rise typology of downtown Jacksonville and provides a generous space for a community park and garden.
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
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COLLECTIVE INHABITATION University of Florida Undergraduate Semester 8 Critic: Michael Keunstle
Collective Inhabitation is a series of townhomes and flat apartments that culminate at a community wellness center at the street corner. In order to maximize the square footage of the site, the gathering spaces within the block are elevated to a second-story plinth with vehicular circulation underneath. Mid-rise apartment flats allow for the land to fold up into a small park that engages the inhabitants and the community.
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views
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urban entry
views
urban entry
FITNESS CENTER
TOWNHOME
ENTRY
FLATS
RETAIL
COURTYARD
CIRCULATION
DINING
ENTRY + LIVING
RETAIL
Wellness Center
Main Floor Plan
Existing Retail
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Floor 1 living
Floor 2 sleeping
Floor 1 leisure
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BIMETALLIC RESEARCH + PROTOTYPING The combination and application of two metals with different rates of thermal expansion yields a bimetal. When subject to heat, the different rates of expansion cause the metal to distort and curve in a certain direction. By applying a bimetal into a shutter mechanism, the bimetal allows for the movement of the mechanism using zero energy when subject to heat.
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BIMETALLIC SHUTTER
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Bimetal (n) A metal made by the bonding of two different metals, each having a different coefficient of thermal expansion
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Semester 2 Critic: Paul Donnelly In Collaboration With: Trent McGugin By using the natural properties of thermal expansion, a bimetal was applied to a shutter mechanism in order to result in zero energy movement. An arm, containing the bimetal piece extends from a window mullion, and hinges to a lightweight shutter assembly. When subject to changes in temperature, the bimetal curves, rotates an inner rod, and closes the shutter. A bimetal assembly of 2 inches by 4 inches was utilized to ease the manufacturing of the shutter for the possible large-scale application.
ALUMINUM
INVAR CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE
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TECHNOLOGY + TECTONIC WATER EROSION ANALYSIS
The analysis of water’s effect on a coastline has been broken down into a series of lines manipulated by the size and trajectory of circles, or river currents, along a path. By tying the information of the symbolic river current along its path to the curvature of a grid of lines, a pattern of interwoven, shifting topography lines emerge.
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WATER EROSION ANALYSIS
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TECHNOLOGY + TECTONIC Washington University in St. Louis Graduate Semester 4 Critic: Jason Butz
A bus shelter and pavillion was designed in Grasshopper based on the density and structure of the previous drawing. A main set of arches of varying heights are connected by cross members that begin to shade the structure. Steel columns and cables add density and protection from the sun and provide a rigity to offset the fluidity of the arches.
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Plan View
Section View
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SKILLS
EDUCATION
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS St. Louis, MO M.Arch 2014 With Honors UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Gainesville, FL B.Des 2012 Magna Cum Laude VICENZA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE Vicenza, Italy 2011 BISHOP KENNY HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 2008 Summa Cum Laude
DIGITAL AUTODESK SOFTWARE AutoCad Architecture, Revit Architecture RHINOCEROS 3D 4.0 + 5.0 Grasshopper, T-Splines, DIVA, V-Ray ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom SKETCHUP FORM-Z MICROSOFT OFFICE Word, Excel, Powerpoint GIS SOFTWARE ANALOG HAND SKETCHING DRAFTING MODEL MAKING Laser Cutting Fabrication, 3D Printing Fabrication, 3-Axis Mill Fabrication, Knife Plotting Fabrication, Wood Shop Experience FLUENT SPOKEN + WRITTEN SPANISH CONVERSATIONAL ITALIAN
SUBSTANCE ARCHITECURE Des Moines, IA Architectural Intern Summer 2013 STELLAR Jacksonville, FL Architectural Intern Summer 2008-2011 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY St. Louis, MO Graduate Teaching Assistant Architectural Representations I/II Undergraduate Design Studio 2012-2014 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Gainesville, FL Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Undergraduate Design Studio 2011-2012
CURRICULUM VITAE AWARDS + PUBLICATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
ALEJANDRA LOPEZ
DEGREE PROJECT AWARD Incidental Adaptation 2014 ACADEMIC AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Washington University in St. Louis 2014 SMITH + ENTZEROTH SCHOLARSHIP 2013-2014 WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY MERIT SCHOLARSHIP 2012-2014 FLORIDA ACADEMIC SCHOLARS AWARD 2008-2012 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA DEANS’ LIST 2008 - 2012 NOMA NATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION 2nd Place: Detroit [Feed]Back 2012 NOMA NATIONAL MAGAZINE Publication: Detroit [Feed]Back 2013 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ARCHITRAVE Publication: Abitazione Comunale Volume 19: 2012 SAM FOX SCHOOL: APPROACH Publication: Selma Hotel, Judd Foundation Residence Expected: 2015, 2016
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