Portfolio by Alejandro Nuñez

PORTFOLIO M.ARCH | MAA | ALEJANDRO NUÃ&#x2018;EZ

BIO Alejandro has based his professional development on three main values: discipline, passion and hard work. He is always looking for new opportunities to grow and innovate, a pursuit that led him to graduate with honors and successfully achieve 2 master degrees, the first one in Advanced Architecture, in the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya, and the second one in Structural Engineering in the Polytechnic University of Catalunya. He has had many chances to work and interact with amazing professionals in and out of the architectural world, acquiring a global perspective and open mind to solve any situation he encounters. Alejandro is a team player, always trying to collaborate, always minded to teach and learn. Defining and keeping an eye on the main objective allows him to achieve a better efficiency and improve the overall results of any project he is working on. He knows his limitations and strengths, and this helps him select the best strategy in each scenario. Having a happy client is always first, and exceeding his expectations is mandatory.

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INDEX Gensler Projects During his time in Gensler, Alejandro worked on 17 different projects in 7 different countries, developing a practical expertise in areas like retail, entertainment, theme parks, F&B (restaurants and food courts), office buildings (core & shell and interiors) retail centers, master planning, aviation, hospitality and digital design. Here are two examples of this work, most of the projects canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be published because of privacy restrictions. The Garden 6 Makkah 12 Professional Selection A selection of two relevant professional projects developed between the years 2015 and 2017, both under construction. As an independent architect, Alejandro has developed more than 15 professional projects on multiple scales, from product design to residential towers; some of them only to the concept stage, others to construction. Casa Guardia 20 Aqua Roma 32 Academic Selection A light collection of examples of the abilities learned through both master degree courses: Advanced Architecture and Structural Engineering. IAAC Experimental 46 Liberia Project 56 04 | 05

THE GARDEN Guachipelin, San Jose, Costa Rica Mixed Use Development

*Personal publication authorized by Olga Mora, as the project manager and client relationship owner, the day 10/06/2017. Grant of limited use signed the day 31/05/2017 in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Gensler Team Manager: Olga Mora Design: Alex Fernandez Gael Audic Jim Jacobs Ronald Fonseca Alberto Chinchilla Gustavo GutiĂŠrrez Alejandro NuĂąez Giovanna Pucci Visualization: Dario Carrillo Christian Zuniga

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The project emerges from the site’s main natural features: mature trees situated along the east-west axis and a gentle river along the western edge. Architectural components define the project’s heart with an ample courtyard and garden. The presence of the car is overtaken by a place of repose, a pedestrian garden, where mature tree canopies offer cover and respite from the busy urban surroundings. The Garden is a new paradigm of retail experience for Costa Rica, with health and wellness in communion with nature. The Master Plan is developed to maximize the site’s built potential while respecting its key natural elements and trees. The overall massing is broken down to create intimate spaces and terraces connecting the first, second and third levels of retail and F&B. The commercial towers facing the 310 road will announce the project’s presence while providing unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and cityscape. Residential towers were located deeper into the site to take advantage of the river views and peaceful nature. The Garden is the heart of the project, giving meaning to the desired lifestyle experience. A calming environment, appropriately scaled for family interactions, the garden connects the urban scene with the river. Retail and F&B defines the garden space with a flowing geometry leading the eye deep into the site. Overhead bridges connect both sides of the project creating a loop sequence and diverse vantage viewpoints.

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The site is accessible via three entries, with the main one facing the 310 road. A series of dynamic volumes, facades and textures offer a welcoming approach to the buildings, with public activities on the three main levels. A system of landscaped terraces offers visitors an opportunity to engage diverse Food & Beverage venues with views of the landscape. The River side of the project is anchored by two residential towers and its associated lobbies. A vehicular connection from 121 road leads to a central drop off area and garage entry for residents. A stepped amphitheater connects the main garden with the exclusive riverfront space for residents to enjoy the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural beauties.

The River side of the project is anchored by two residential towers and its associated lobbies. A vehicular connection from 121 road leads to a central drop off area and garage entry for residents. A stepped amphitheater connects the main garden with the exclusive riverfront space for residents to enjoy the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural beauties. 10 | 11

JABAL OMAR Makkah Al Mukaramah, Saudi Arabia Development Project Competition

*Personal publication authorized by Ana Luisa Alfaro as the project manager and client relationship owner, the day 09/06/2017. Grant of limited use signed the day 31/05/2017 in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Gensler Team Manager: Ana Luisa Alfaro Design: George Miller Ramos Richard Hammond David Darlington Alejandro NuĂąez Mariana Madriz Andres Lara Gabriela Molina Juliana Vargas Yara Toruno Priscilla Cambronero

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This is such a significant place on earth where one fifth of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population will visit at least once in their lifetime. The Pilgrimage or Hajj itself is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. It serves to unite all people as one for the single purpose of worshiping the creator. They come together in the wonderful concept of Ummah or togetherness regardless of ethnicity or background. We have endeavored to understand this historic site its environs in order to create a building that is both appropriate for the location but also forward looking, embracing a bold vision for a future Makkah that will cater for many more pilgrims in the future. We have studied the master plan and followed the direction it establishes. We have complied with the area and complex program requirements. In doing so, we have sought to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result that seeks to delight the visitor with a number of varied and interesting experiences. The podium is capped with a stepping landscape that represents all the provinces of Saudi Arabia and celebrates the variety of flora, geology and topography of the country. One of the challenges of the project was to integrate a very large podium with the towers. Gensler took the novel approach of moving the Axial ramp to the side of the building, thus freeing up the center of the project for a multi-level sahn space that brings natural light, views and ventilation into the deepest parts of the Musalla. The Four Seasons hotel takes the most prominent part of the site that is located closest to the Haram. By creating a slender, single loaded building, views are afforded of the Kaaba and/or the Haram to all the rooms, no exception. The rotation of the hotel tower also opens up the residential towers and gateway towers to Haram/Kaaba views. The result is a project where 84% of all rooms and apartments have Kaaba and Haram views and 42% have Kaaba views. This desire for maximizing views was a central driver of our design as the experience of being able to see this holy site is pivotal to the experience of the pilgrim. The facade of the building is a textured element caused but the direct need to enhance the views towards the Kaaba. By pushing out each room facade, a texture results that gives the surface a shimmering effect in the light. These projecting elements also have the added advantage of self shading the building during periods of high sun angles. This results in significant energy savings and serves the sustainability goals of the project. The module of the building is very regular to help with speed of construction and aids in prefabrication of elements. We envision a mostly â&#x20AC;&#x153;kit of partsâ&#x20AC;? concrete building enclosed with a unitized curtain wall system. This combination of regularity and modularity will greatly reduce construction time and reduce cost. We have created a building that is logical and beautiful that will be a simple yet iconic addition to the skyline of Makkah and will help to inform the architecture to come. We believe this will be a destination within one of the worlds greatest destinations, a place where people will return time and time again. The radial spine ramp The radial spine that passed between the gateway towers brings large amounts of pilgrims to the Haram. Our belief is that a zig-zag ramp will create pinch point that may be unsafe. We propose a 1:20 ramp that take the form of a spiral ramp that is 18m wide. The benefit is a smooth flow of pedestrians while providing an interesting journey. We have been able to keep the ramp to the north of the property and as a result have been able. We have also place the clinic below a portion of the ramp and place a garden with in the central void of the spiral onto which the clinic looks. In this ways we maximize the use of space and create a pleasant experience for the pilgrims on the ramp as well as the clinic visitors. By way of comparison, the zig-zag ramp under the building will use approximately 15,000m2 of space while the spiral ramp will utilize 2,300m2 of gross area. This is a significant saving area. We have chose to utilize some of this area to create openings and stepping in the building to create a much more functional and architecturally composed podium for the project.

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SITE

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THE APPLICATION OF ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS FOR THE LARGER DEVELOPMENT.

PROJECT DRIVERS

We believe that this project sets the stage for the future building in the development but can also be a catalyst for design thinking beyond this development. We believe that the attributes of this project that can be used are: Podium and base integration. A faced treatment allow the different facades to react and respond differently to the orientation. Let the podium have topography to prevent it from become too large of an uninterrupted space that is impersonal and function-less. Allow the building to be an assembly of volumes based on the internal functions. It make a space public that has very important views.

Humility and respect Deliver the pilgrim: the flow Maximize the views to the kaaba Exclusive experience is internal Efficiency

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CASA GUARDIA Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Private Residence

Design: Alejandro Nuñez Fiorella D’Alaimo Visualization: Alejandro Nuñez

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^ OPEN KITCHEN / GARDEN VIEW < LOUNGE AREA / SOCIAL SPACE / MAIN ENTRY

The social component of the house integrates a little lounge area, as a welcoming space, with the dining room, the kitchen, and the pool terrace. The dining room is designed based on a 2.2m x 2.2m table for 12 persons and can be integrated with the tables on the terrace and the kitchen isle to allow big activities to take place.

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^ MAIN ENTRY / GARDEN VIEW < DINING ROOM / LOUNGE AREA / INTERIOR BALCONY

The double height ceilings and the window triple rail system allow the house to maintain a comfortable temperature when open, with minimal use of the centralized air conditioning system when the windows are closed.

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^ FIRST FLOOR BEDROOMS / BACK GARDEN VIEW < FAMILY ROOM / POOL VIEW

The first floor bedrooms distribution guarantees their privacy and individuality. The family room is designed to be an intimate space, that can be projected to the pool or the garden.

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^ MASTER BATHROOM < MASTER BEDROOM / POOL, TERRACE & GARDEN VIEWS

The second floor is basically a big individual component; this with the objective of maximizing the privacy of the master bedroom. It is serviced by two big walking closets, a kitchenette, office space and a master bathroom with individual space for the toilet. Also, a terrace that goes all around the room.

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^ INTERNAL ACCESS ROAD & DROP OFF < POOL, TERRACE & GARDEN

The project has been designed to welcome the user since the moment he crosses the access gate. The drop off allows them to get off the car directly to the house during the raining season or whenever is needed. The garage building contains an individual 2 bedroom apartment on his second floor. The pool terrace transition and integrate the interior social space with the pool area.

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AQUA ROMA Sabana Norte, San José, Costa Rica Condominium

Design: Alejandro Nuñez Fiorella D’Alaimo Visualization: Alejandro Nuñez

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^ KIDS PLAYGROUND & GYMNASIUM < ACCESS GATE & SECURITY

Aqua Roma consists of 8 mini towers, with 4 apartments each, and as his name remark, the design is focused on the use, reuse, collection and management of water; as the use of the energy and sustainable materials. Another key element of this project is the user experience, trying to generate a warm and welcoming infrastructure, where the inhabitants can feel at home.

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^ INTERNAL ROAD & INDIVIDUAL GARAGES < MAIN FOUNTAIN & MINI PLAZA

A lot of attention have been put on the details and selection of materials of the project to achieve a pleasant experience. The 2.6m height big fountain is designed to produce a certain sound, to produce a peaceful atmosphere on the mini plaza and the apartments. The design promote interactions in the street level, but the apartments have been carefully study to maximize their privacy.

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^ POOL & SKYLIGHT < LOBBY, SECOND LEVEL ACCESS RAMP & POLL

The club house allows parties and other social activities to happen without invading the privacy of the apartments. The pool is big enough to practice water sports and is open to a beautiful city view thanks to the topography of the site.

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^ GYMNASIUM < MULTI-PORPOISE HALL

The gym next to the pool allow the residents to get in shape in a nice open space. The second level is a big multi-porpoise hall with kitchen, bar, BBQ and great views of the city.

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^ FIRST & SECOND FLOOR BASE KITCHEN < FIRST & SECOND FLOOR OPEN SPACE DISTRIBUTION

The interior social space of the apartments is designed on an open plan base to optimize its uses and flows. The materials, details and finishes have been carefully selected to achieve a nice, warm, but somehow modern feeling.

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^ TYPICAL BATHROOM < MASTER BEDROOMS

The amplitude of the master bedroom have been a very important design topic and feature. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed for growing families, allowing some flexibility for different activities, or the need of space for any auxiliary furniture needed.

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IAAC EXPERIMENTAL Master in Advanced Architecture Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya

Design: Alejandro Nuñez Fiorella D’Alaimo Visualization: Alejandro Nuñez

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Generation of topographic and spatial configurations.

Spatial analysis.

Definition of the high resolution zones parameters.

Definition of the high resolution zones.

Definition of the application area.

1m2

4m2

9m2

16m2

GRID GENERATION PROCESS AND BASIC REACTIONS Time

Time

06:00

10:00

14:00

18:00

22:00

Ship (x2)

Container (Full)

Ship (x0)

Container (Medium)

Container (Empty)

Container (Medium)

Ship (x1)

Ship (x0)

Input

Response (Behaviors)

A-01

B-01

B-03

A-01

Waterfront

Public Space

Waterfront

B-01

B-03

B-02

A-02

Public Space

Waterfront

B-03

B-02

Public Space

B-03 Public Space

HYPERBORDERED PORT CONCEPT The IAACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master in Advanced Architecture final project is a chance to experiment and imagine a whole new reality, breaking the limits of the traditional architecture. Our team re-imagines the city as a living organism with the capacity to adapt itself constantly based on the real time data generated by his inhabitants. Actually, the contemporary city do adapt itself depending on the needs of the people, but very slowly. By the time a necessity is fulfilled it is already outdated. What if this response could happen faster? What if the city could have the capacity to generate strategic public spaces that dynamically and automatically adapt themselves to different activities during the day. This is what this conceptual project is about, testing this basic theory on the Barcelona Port. 48 | 49

GRID BEHAVIOR DETAIL / SATURDAY

B-02

Scenarios and seating configurations

Time:

22:00 Container storage area

Inputs:

Water harvesting for energy generation

Container (Medium)

Ship (x0)

Container storage area

Water harvesting for energy generation

A02

Random topography generation

Response: Waterfront A-01 / A-02 Public Space B-02 / B-03

Events: Beach simulation Spatial use enhancer Random topography generation Multi-functional topography generation Scenarios and seating configurations Spatial control and subdivision Pedestrian and vehicular path definitions

A-01

Script A-01: Beach Basic

Waterfront

Functions: Beach simulation Spatial use enhancer Scenarios and seating configurations Multi-functional topography generation

A-02

Script A-02: Beach Random

Waterfront

Vegetation

Shadows and public space

Functions: Spatial control Random topography generation

B-01

Script B-01: Public Random Pools

Public Space

Functions: Spatial control and subdivision Multiple public pools generation Semi-random and behavior

Heavy Circulation

B-02

Script B-02: Public Point Cloud

Public Space

Functions: Spatial control and subdivision Pedestrian and vehicular path definitions Scenarios and seating configurations Multi-functional topography generation

B-03

Script B-03: Public Random Space

Public Space

Functions: Spatial control and definition Pedestrian and vehicular path definitions Random topography generation Market space configurations

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GRID BASIC REACTIONS / SATURDAY Time:

22:00

B-02

Control limits

Inputs: At zero

Container (Medium)

Ship (x0)

Logistics and circulation space

B-02

Scenario

S05

A-02 Spatial control and public space

Container storage area Water harvesting for energy generation

Response: Waterfront A-01 / A-02 Public Space B-02 / B-03

Vegetation

Shadows and public space

B-02 Public Space

A-02 Waterfront

B-02 Public Space

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We developed a set of prototypes to understand the potentials and limitations of the proposed grid. The simple concept of action-reaction became really interesting and full of new possibilities when we start conceptualizing the possible inputs and outputs, and how to translate them to a urban scale.

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LIBERIA PROJECT Master in Structural Engineering Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya

Design: Alejandro Nuñez

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MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING D10 This project’s first intention is to reinterpret the way of life of the Liberia city’s residents and adapt it to a vertical housing scheme. We developed a vertical neighborhood concept, creating spaces that enable interactions among the housing units’ users. The levels of interaction and proximity among the people of Liberia is very high, and we tried to promote this community behavior, attempting to provide also a certain level of privacy to expand the project’s market angle. The common areas provide a space to generate vertical flows and green shaded public spaces, creating micro-climates between the housing blocks. We decided to summarize our intentions in 4 words:

CONTRAPOSITION PARALLELISM CONTENTION FLUIDITY In order to explain these 4 four concepts, we first defined the contraposition as the way we seek to link the commercial activity with the residential area, generating direction changes in formal and functional terms in the set, with the objective of achieving blocking the massive commerce invasion inside the new neighborhood: the “urban infiltration”. In the case the parallelism, it would be implemented regarding the residential and commercial buildings’ distribution, to generate double loaded blocks with the same direction and a shared circulation line. The fluidity refers to the general behavior that we seek for the multiple routes, covering the entire field, defining the space and form of the multi-family blocks, and generating direct and continuous connections. The concept of linearity can be seen reflected in these connections, and also a way to establish the program within the site.

Working area

Geometrizing by golden section

Distribution of radios

Set distribution

Housing blocks distribution

SERVICES + COMMERCE + HOUSING As a first step in the set developing process, playing with the social networksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concept, we define a series of intentions that we apply directly in an intuitive manner on the site defining the main the access points, and later based on them, and using the line, point, and plane theory, we developed all the routes (both pedestrian and vehicular), nodes and architectural programs. A network is defined as a set of nodes linked by lines. This network no only defines the relations between the components and subcomponents that compose it, but also their behavior and intensity. A component is a subset of nodes and relations. 58 | 59

COMPONENT The component is developed in different design areas, trying to perform accurately in all of them in every way, from the concept, to space and structure. In this graphic, the component is shown in its western and northern facades, showing a solid and strong facade that protects the interiors from the eastern sun, and a much lighter one to the north; also the continuity and dynamism in the concept proposed.

PROTECTION The louvers, in addition to solar protection also provide also a virtual boundary that gives more privacy to the internal spaces. The structure functions as an envelope of concrete floors and walls. The roofs attempt to express the function of space: the form the program.

STRUCTURE The structural designs basic principle is the continuity, allowing the space to fluctuate: sometimes setting itself free with a double height, connecting other single or triple height spaces, and sometimes compressing and adapting itself in low circulation or intentional smaller areas. It introduces a game of thin and thick walls, depending on the structural or design needs, distributing also the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mechanic system. 60 | 61

GENERAL CLIMATIC ANALYSIS The energy efficiency and general human comfort inside and near the building are two key elements that can be tested and achieved successfully through the use of different software simulations and analysis. The graphic represents the temperature behavior of the different rooms in the building during the day.

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VOLUMETRIC CONFIGURATION With all the information collected from the climate analysis, programming, master plan intentions, and local regulations, the block is evaluated, reshaped and adapted to achieve a maximum efficiency in all the mentioned aspects.

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40%

cocina NPT 9.00

44%

PLAN SET UP Having fished the programming exercise, a final and careful review of the plan drawing is done to be sure that all the metrics are working well, selecting real furniture with real dimensions to add a new dimension to the process.

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STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS & DESIGN Taking this process that starts in the 4th year of the architecture school one step further, the Liberia Project is structurally tested and designed, as the final project of the Master degree in Structural Engineering. You can read the whole document on issuu.com/alenunez/docs/proyecto_estructural.

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STRUCTURAL CONSTRUCTION DETAILS The structural optimization is critical in the budget of any project. Actually, optimization in every aspect is what makes projects successful and real. The graphics show the second floor slab analysis. This information is translated in an optimal and efficient reinforcement pattern.

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^ PHYSICAL MODEL < DIGITAL MODEL

Physical and digital models have been used as design tools to better understand the space and the architectural volume. To achieve the brutalist look wanted, and dynamic interiors spaces.

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PORTFOLIO M.ARCH | MAA | ALEJANDRO NUÃ&#x2018;EZ