portfolio of work 2009-2019
ALEJANDRO DIAZ
FERAL ARCHITECTURE graduate Florida International University
undergraduate Southern California Institute of Architecture
2019
2
expressing ARCHITECTURE through the CONSEQUENTIAL LIFE of THE IMAGINARY BUILDING.
HELLO, My name is Alejandro Diaz, I am a graduate of architecture from FIU and I would like to present you my collections of works from the beginning of my studies until graduation. The selected projects express my passion and appreciation for architecture and design as well as different design solutions to given scenarios I hope to extend the same passion into your firm. Thank you! alejandrodiazarchitecture.com aledz01@gmail.com +1 (786) 554 0618
4
E D U C AT I O N : 2014-2018 Florida International University (FIU) Miami, Florida Masters of Architecture
2009-2012 Southern California Institute of Arcitecture (SCI-Arc) Los Angeles, California Undergraduate Degree Program
2007-2009 Design + Architecture Senior High School (DASH) Miami, Florida Architecture Strand + Art
2005-2006 Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes Havana, Cuba Fine Arts
C O M P U T E R A R T I S T R Y: Drawing: AutoCAD, Revit 3D Modeling: Maya, 3ds Max, Rhinoceros/Grasshopper, Sketchup. Rendering: Maxwell, V-ray, Mental-ray, Lumion, Keyshot Graphic design: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Premiere Pro
INTERESTS: #Architecture #ParametricDesign #GraphicDesign #Fabrication #ArchitecuralForms #InteriorDesign #3dPrinting #Minimalism #ModelMaking #SustainableEnvelopes #FreeForm #FurnitureDesign #Photography #Simplicity #LandscapeArchitecture #ArtInstallations #ArchitecturalMorphology #FashionDesign #Sustainability
WORK EXPERIENCE: 2018 - Present - Francois Frossard Desgin Project Manager, Interior Design, Architectural Design 2015 - 2018 Thirlwall Design Project Manager, Architectural Design, Interior Design 2014 - 2015 Max Strang Architecture [ Intership ] AutoCAD drawings, 3D Modeling, Rendering, Graphic Design, Interior Design 2013 - 2014 Freelance Drafting [ Architectural Drafter ] AutoCAD drawings, engineering dwg(s), surveys + other. 2012 John Brevard Inc. [ Graphic Technitian ] 3D modeling, graphic design, product design, photography, photo editing. 2009-2012 SCI-Arc Shop. [ Assistant ] - wood works, steel works, 3D printing, laser cutting, milling, vacuum forming + more.
EXHIBITIONS + AWARDS: 2017- Master Project Award Excellence in Master Project 2016- Selected Works for NAAB Showcase Studio Project Exhibited 2015- Selected Works for NAAB Showcase Studio Project Exhibited 2012-Spring Show @SCI-Arc Model + Drawings 3rd year exhibited 2011-Spring Show @SCI-Arc Model + Drawings 2nd year exhibited 2010-Spring Show @SCI-Arc Model + Drawings 1st year exhibited 2009-Waterwork Senior Exhibit @DASH Architeture project exhibited - Won Best Presentation 2009-The Scholastic Art + Writing Award (Gold Key) for excellence in visual arts 2008-AIA Architecture Student of the Year Award for excellence in architecture
TA BLE O F C O N T E N T S : PROJECT TYPES: re si dent ial mi x us e e col o g ical e ducat ional o ffi ce spor ts c omm ercial pa rk
01 PG 8
03 PG 22
6
THESIS ecological facility FIU - 2017
DESIGN 10 art museum FIU - 2016
02 PG 16
04 PG 26
COMPREHENSIVE mix use building FIU - 2016
LANDSCAPING urban park FIU - 2018
05 PG
30
2A education facility SCI-Arc - 2010
06 PG 36
09 PG 54
12 PG 68
DESIGN 7 PART 2 low income housing FIU - 2015
DESIGN 5 PART 1 artist home FIU - 2014
3A sports facility SCI-Arc - 2011
07 PG 42
10 PG 58
13 PG
72
DESIGN 9 urban park and office FIU - 2016
DESIGN 7 PART 1 waterfront park FIU - 2015
3B art museum SCI-Arc - 2012
08 PG
48
DESIGN 5 PART 4 atelier & retail FIU - 2014
11 PG 62
DESIGN 6 infill housing FIU - 2015
ECO BANKS STUDIO: THESIS RECOGNITION: B E S T T H E S I S AWA R D
Eco Banks is an ecological project proposed for downtown Mia m i a i m i n g t o r e s t o r e t h e c i t y ’s natural habitat and lower pollution levels. The tower is located o n t h e w a t e r, a t t h e m o u t h o f t h e Miami river collecting all polluted water and filtering it--thus c l e a n i n g t h e w a t e r s a n d r e s t o ring marine life. The tower also acts as a vacuum, extracting the co2 emitted from cars and using it for algae generation along with the nutrients from polluted water and sunlight. The produced algae is then dried and pressed to create biofuel to s e l f s u s t a i n t h e b u i l d i n g ’s e n e rgy consumption. Lastly the the filtered waters are thrown into artificial marine ponds created in the bay to promote coral colonization and bring back marine l i f e i n t o t h e c i t y.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Maya Rhinoceros Premiere pro Illustrator Lumion Photoshop
8
FA C I L I T Y
M.ARCH | fifth year | 2017
BRICKELL, FL
Florida International University |SOA
01
10
12
14
CORNER HOUSE STUDIO: COMP RECOGNITION: SELECTED FOR SHOWCASE EXHIBITED IN NAAB A C C R E D I TAT I O N R E V I E W
Miami Beach Hybrid Systems in a project in which I learned how to create basic design development drawings and design a code based building that works with city standards. The project was also challenging from a community stand point, since t h e p r o g r a m i n c l u d e s a c u l t u ra l c e n t e r, c o m m e r c i a l s p a c e s as well as residential. Learning how to combine these 3 different uses into one building was very mind opening for me The concept for developing this building came from the idea of erosion. In other words, taking a rectangular volume and carving the inside to allow for circulation. The challenge of this concept was at how to create a smooth circulation inside the building and have that reflect on the facade, thus creating open courtyard spaces for the comm u n i t y.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Revit Rhinoceros Sketchup Illustrator Lumion AutoCAD
16
MIXED USED BUILDING
M.ARCH | fifth year | 2016
MIAMI BEACH, FL
Florida International University |SOA
02
18
20
ART MUSEUM STUDIO D10 OUTCOME: X P I N C O N C E P T U A L S PA C E S , PERCEPTION AND MINIMALIST DESIGN
The proposed art museum is loc a t e d i n t h e i s l a n d o f Te s h i m a , Japan where there are existing museums that portray minimalism and simplicity in design. The intention for this project was to create an additional museum similar to the ones on the island but with its own significance. The idea and concept for my proposal is the distortion of a grid and using topographical principals found in the islands terrain to translate to an “art space”. In this “art space” you are invited to feel the softness of the floors and relate that to t h e h o r i z o n v i e w. T h i s s t r u c t u r e s are designed to span without any columns, like a suspended bride, giving the impression of sheets of paper that are floating o n a i r.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Rhinoceros Illustrator Lumion Photoshop
22
MUSEUM
M.ARCH | fourth year | 2016
T E S H I M A , J A PA N
Florida International University |SOA
03
24
R A I L - L O C AT E STUDIO: LANDSCAPE RECOGNITION: IN-CLASS COMPETITION WINNER
This project is a direct response to the new “wall” built in overtown that acts as a separator of downtown and overtown. The “wall” was built as a new railroad to Miami Central, but has overtown residents feeling detached f r o m t h e c i t y. I n t h e 8 0 s , t h e new highways built cut off the city and left it enclosed, now the same happens on the only side left that had a connection t o t h e c i t y. My proposal includes a park along the railroad, reflecting the wall on the ground, creating an environment for people t o c o m e t o g e t h e r, u l t i m a t e l y blurring the lines between the city and the “wall”.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Sketchup Rhinoceros Illustrator V- r a y Photoshop
26
PA R K
M.ARCH | fifth year | 2017
MIAMI, FL
Florida International University |SOA
04
The pattern was inspired from the new wall built and translated into a geometrical canopy that creates shadows on the grownd and on train as it pases. It is then projected on the park to create its landscape.
28
FILM SCHOOL STUDIO: 2B OUTCOME: XP IN HIGH RISE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AS WELL AS PROGRAM
This project is an addition to the Hollywood Film School in Hollywood, California. Its concept is drawn from a sliced rectangular box, a morphological prototype that includes a courtyard inside. The prototype was then rotate from side up allowing for the creating of a vertical inner space. The resulting 3 shapes of the prototype were assigned to different types of program. thus being classrooms, viewing rooms and a vertical park. The idea behind the openness of the building is tied to the notion of the human being engaging back to nature. There is no skin and no facade. The structure is the skin and remains open to the a i r.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Maya Rhinoceros Illustrator Maxwell Photoshop
30
E D U C AT I O N FA C I L I T Y
B.ARCH | second year | 2010
LOS ANGELES, CA
Southern California Institute of Architecture |SCI-Arc
05
32
34
LOW INCOME HOUSING STUDIO: D7-P2 RECOGNITION: FINALIST SELECTED BY DEVELOPER
While land value rises in developing areas of Miami such as Little Havana, Wynwood, Little H a i t i a n d E d g e w a t e r, t h e p e o ple who reside in these areas are becoming unable to afford the rent. In response to these emerging issues, this project was proposed in Little Havana. A residential 5 story building that includes small units of affordable price. The idea is to accommodate more people in smaller spaces while allowing them to share outdoor areas with adjacent units. Meeting the minimum requirements from the Miami 21 code for parking and maximizing the spaces that could be used to create a shared community courtyard.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Rhinoceros Sketchup Illustrator V- r a y Photoshop
36
RESIDENTIAL
M.ARCH | third year | 2015
MIAMI, FL
Florida International University |SOA
06
The building concept is drawn from the play of c u b e s , w i t h d i f f e r e n t i t e rations of units. How can these units be attached to create shared outdoor spaces while saving space and maximizing coverage. The cubes were places in different areas that had access to circulation and main house core. The shifting of the cubes allows to form spaces like balconies and terraces. This solution lets the design gain more outdoors spaces while keeping the same square footage.
38
40
M I A M I W AT E R K E E P E R S STUDIO: D9 OUTCOME: X P I N PA R K D E S I G N A S W E L L AS BUILDING AND PROGRAM
The concept behind the park is the flow from land to sea --as in the everglades or river deltas. Tr a c i n g l i n e s f r o m s i d e w a l k s and roads angled to direct to park, new shapes are formed. These drawn shapes result in the development of the park divisions and its uses. The areas closer to the river would become lower and water will reach land creating a mash in the urban park. While these guidelines form shapes, walking paths are also forged, as seen in the above drawing, paths bridge over the marshes and look back at the sidewalks. This grid connects with the building in a smooth manner and park continues on the buildings rooftop in an attempt to morph landscape and architecture into one.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Maya Rhinoceros Illustrator AutoCAD Lumion Photoshop
42
PA R K + O F F I C E
M.ARCH | fourth year | 2016
MIAMI, FL
Florida International University |SOA
07
44
46
P R A D A AT E L I E R STUDIO: D5-P4 OUTCOME: X P I N FA C A D E D E S I G N A S WELL AS COMMERCIAL BUILDING
This project adds a skin/facade system to 1111 parking lot in Lincoln road, additional retail stores and a private studio/ atelier for renowned fashion d e s i g n e r. T h e m a i n p l a n e m p h a sizes on symmetrical and fast paced circulation, this is key to the store since the person is exposed to get a glimpsed of the p r o j e c t i n a d i r e c t w a y. The skin is made of aluminum and holds itself up. It wraps around the store creating a nest-like effect, tying it together with the rest of the program. The form creates a cohesive enclosing envelope, making the circulation around it seem more clear and intentional. The angle of the panels are directed to face the sun, it absorbs sunlight and filters it to the bottom color glass to create colorful reflections on floor surfaces as stain glass does in cathedrals.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Maya Rhinoceros Illustrator Keyshot Photoshop
48
R E TA I L + S T U D I O
M.ARCH | fifth year | 2016
MIAMI BEACH,FL
Florida International University |SOA
08
50
52
ARTIST HOUSE STUDIO: D5-P1 OUTCOME: XP IN CONCEPTUAL DESING FA B R I C AT I O N A N D 3 D S O F T WA R E
This projects is an addition to L e C o r b u s i e r ’s V i l l a “ L e L a c ” which counter argues his statement of modernization and simplification. The concept behind the proposal is to play with geometrical complexity and challenge the orthogonal plan creating an inspiring space for the an artist to live and work in full of geometrical opportunities. The outer structure was created using a computer generated tessellation system, as well as the inner walls. Opaque material was used in areas where the sun was stronger and translucent material in opposite sides to let light in.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Grasshopper Rhinoceros Illustrator V- r a y Photoshop
54
RESIDENTIAL
M.ARCH | first year | 2016
CORSEAUX, SWITZERLAND
Florida International University |SOA
09
56
THE EDGELINE STUDIO D7-P1 OUTCOME: X P I N U R B A N A N D PA R K DESIGN AS WELL AS CITY G R O W T H P R O B L E M S O LV I N G .
The Edge Line Park, is a proposal for a new Biscayne Bay park which is located on the Edgew a t e r s h o r e l i n e . M i a m i ’s l a c k o f p u b l i c s p a c e s c a l l s f o r n e w u rban parks that connect the city a n d g i v e b a c k t o t h e c o m m u n i t y. Being a city mainly ruled by cars it is slowing emerging into a m o r e u r b a n c i t y. This park involves 3 different paths, including running, biking and walking. Each path has its own loop and elevation allowing visitors to enjoy the park without obstructions from other activities. The threshold between the green areas and the paths become a boardwalk where people can stop by to take fresh air or e n j o y a p i c n i c d a y.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Rhinoceros AutoCAD Illustrator Keyshot Photoshop
58
PA R K
M.ARCH | third year | 2015
MIAMI, FL
Florida International University |SOA
10
60
The park was layed out with 3 radial clusters which had 9 medium and 27 small pivots within its range limit. This system allowed the design to balance the path turns and resulting thresholds throughout the park. The levels and spaces of the park resulted from connecting lines to these p i v o t s a s s e e n i n d i a g r a m s b e l o w.
INFILL HOUSING STUDIO: D6 OUTCOME: XP IN RESIDENTIAL INFILL BUILDING DESIGN AS WELL A S T R A N S L AT I N G F R O M VERNACULAR DESIGN TO MODERN
This project was conducted in strive to create an urban condition in the north Miami beach neighborhood. The idea of infill b u i l d i n g i n t r o d u c e d t o M i a m i ’s suburban areas one condition that does not currently exist. The aim was to design a building prototype that could be reproduced alone a street block, each infill building would create a facade similar to brownstones in new England. The designs were adapted directly from traditional infill buildings found in Savannah, GA where we studied late 19th century architecture and took inspiration to design modern infill apartments in North Miami Beach.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Rhinoceros Illustrator V- r a y Photoshop AutoCAD
62
RESIDENTIAL
M.ARCH | second year | 2015
MIAMI BEACH,FL
Florida International University |SOA
11
The building facade was designed as a unit that can connect to the next and thus create broader one. Horizontal louvers were laid and designed as railings where they compress to become balconies and separate to shade bedroom windows.
64
66
COLISEUM ADDITION STUDIO 3A OUTCOME: X P I N S TA D I U M D E S I G N A N D M O D E L I N G S O F T WA R E
Los Angeles Coliseum renovation intention was to continue to expand the stadium that has been somehow neglected in present times. With a very rich history of Olympics and s u p e r- b o w l s t h i s s t a d i u m h a s growing since its construction. As you can see in the diagram above, the stadium has had different additions over the years. In spite of adding one more layer of engineering and architecture I proposed additional seats, retail shops, shade, a rooftop park and more. The concept is drawn from symm e t r y a n d a n e t w o r k o f d i f f e re n t p a t h w a y s t o u n i t e t h e s u rroundings of the stadium. A new approach to stadium design was experimented, creating a spanning highway structure like roof, which would house numerous retail stores, restaurants and additional seats.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Maya Rhinoceros Illustrator Maxwell Photoshop
68
S P O R T S FA C I L I T Y
B.ARCH | third year | 2011
LOS ANGELES, CA
Southern California Institute of Architecture |SCI-Arc
12
70
THE CAPILLUS STUDIO: 3B RECOGNITION: MODEL SHOWCASED EXHIBITED IN SCHOOL
The “Capillus” Art Museum follows the behavior of modern art m u s e u m s i n N e w Yo r k C i t y s u c h as the MoMA, The Guggenheim and the New Museum. With its vertical circulation, the audience is driven to follow a path from exhibit to exhibit, traveling through an organic space that is created inside to filter light in and provoque you in a spacial and geometrical dance with the e x t e r i o r. The building features an inner atrium that gives a sense of scale and orientation, much like a m a m m a l ’s b o d y, h o l l o w i n s i d e with a layer of skin and outer p o r o s i t y.
S O F T WA R E U S E D :
Maya Rhinoceros Illustrator Maxwell Photoshop
72
MUSEUM
B.ARCH | third year | 2012
NEW YORK,NY
Southern California Institute of Architecture |SCI-Arc
13
74
76
ALEJANDRO DIAZ a l e j a n d ro d i a z a rch i t e c t u re. c o m aledz01@gmail.com +1 (786) 554 0618
78