Architecture Portfolio 2023

Architectural Portfolio

The University of Texas at Austin - 2023

Alexandra Matute-Blanco

Index

Graduate Studies

Boats & Bats

Allihies Campsite

Waldorf School of Music for Girls C-House Hverfjall Point

Professional Work

Metal Work Shop

Undergraduate Studies

Soul Center

Boats & Bats

critic: Professor Cisco Gomez year: Fall 2022 location: Tom Miller Damn, Austin TX

The Boats and Bats structure on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas, offers both recreational activities and wildlife conservation efforts. The rentals of kayaks and paddle boards, as well as the preservation of the Mexican Free-Tail Bats, renders it a sought-after destination among the public. In order to maintain a balance between the enjoyment of visitors and the well-being of the bats, the structure has implemented several measures. These include the creation of a bat roost nest by the Tom Miller Dam for privacy and the consolidation of all commercial kayak rentals to a single location on the lake. Both nocturnal and diurnal hours are available to accommodate a variety of schedules and ensure the preservation of the bats and their habitat.

paddle board/kayak structure bat roost structure

public circulation car circulation

view points water access

elevation of kayak facade

Square hss steel tube Beam 6”x 6”x 3/25” Reinforced

Gravity Load

Lateral Loads

structural detail study of boat structure

Square hss steel tube column

12” x 12” x 3/4” Square end plate steel connections

Cross-Brace Square hss steel tube

3” x 3”x 3/25”

Cross-Brace Square hss steel tube 3”x 3”x 3/25”

Inverted V-Brace Square hss steel tube 5”x 5”x 3/25”

Cross-Brace Square hss steel tube underground 6”x 6”x 3/25”

Concrete Piers

Steel ramp attached to bottom beams

Allihies Campsite

critic: Professor Cisco Gomez year: Fall 2022 location: Allihies Village, Ireland

The Allies Campsite is nestled atop a repurposed copper mine in Allihies, Ireland. The landscape is characterized by the effects of 19th century mining, with the Engine house standing at its summit. Once used to aid miners and power a man-lift, the structure now serves as a unique vertical camping experience. The grounds are situated around the rim of the Engine house and feature train trestles that mimic the surrounding terrain. Restored artistic representations of the mine’s previous mechanical systems are also present, evoking memories of the mine’s past.

Tresel train tressel connection

train tressel ground detail

Waldorf School of Music for Girls

critic: Professor Elizabeth Danze year: Fall 2021 location: Red Bud Bridge, Austin TX

The Waldorf School of Music for Girls cultivates each girl’s capacity to think clearly, feel compassionately, and act purposely in the world. The school is devoted to enhancing and exploring the sensitivity of music while following the educational movement of Australian philosopher Rudolf Stainer. The age groups focus from k – 4th grade, providing a wellrounded meaningful child-development of the mind, by creating spaces of a balance dynamic curriculum, an inclusive community, and a active spiritual life.

C-House

critic: Professor Danelle Briscoe year: Spring 2022 location: Tokyo Japan case study

For more than half of the semester, we constantly explored different visual communications to illustrate the C-House by Tele Design in Tokyo Japan. This series of drawings developed an understanding of technical drawing to better help immerse architectural elements in various programs. This gave an introduction to Revit, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD and Grasshopper.

isonometric drawings

felt lazer cut model

Hvjerfjall Point

critic: Professor Elizabeth Danze year: Fall 2021 group member: Emma Schnelle location: Hvjerfjall, Iceland recognition: Bee Breeder Architecture Competition; short listed

The Hverfjall Point creates a unique experience of the natural landforms that surround the volcano. The architectural intervention moves the visitor through a series of restrictions to enhance moments of reveal towards Myvatn Lake and the Dimmuborgir rock formations that are adjacent to the site.

Large-scale steel walls spark curiosity and demand interaction as the visitor can approach either side of the structure. The visitor is woven through dark compressed spaces created by tall dark walls into lighter exposed spaces that reveal specific moments in the landscape.

Hverfjall Point embodies its surroundings, while creating moments of space that suggest - darkness, compression, exposure, reveal and hierarchy. These notions will create a unique and unforgettable experience of the volcano.

plan

front section

side section

Metal Work Shop

offices: Alarife Architects year: Summer Internship 2022 location: Schunlenburg, TX collaboration: E. Logan Wagner PhD, FAIA

During my first architecture internship, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a specialist in historical building preservation on a project to renovate an old Cotton Gin Factory from the early 19th century. The clients wanted to transform the interior into a metal workshop while maintaining the exterior’s original veneer. My responsibilities included developing drawings and conducting research on the building’s historical culture during our site visits. The project was completed using AutoCAD, Rhino, and Adobe Illustrator.

cotton gin factory 1806

original building south section

steel interior structure

concrete foundation

1’0” reinforced concrete cylinder piers

steel exterior sheds

2” metal rods connection with piers

Soul Center

critic: Professor Golnar Ahmadi year: Spring 2021 location: Yungsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

recognition: Senior Superlative in Process Award, Senior Achievement Award in Architectural Design

Seoul, South Korea is a hot spot of development and incredible work ethic, however the near perfect city has its faults. Modern S. Korea is a consumerous society, mainly driven by appearance and socio-economic status, while underrating the need of mental wellbeing. Covid-19 brought an uncertainty that highlighted the significance of mental health. This Soul Center located in Yongsan-gu family park is open to a public who wish to retreat from a overwhelming city environment. As it encourages a pleasant change in senary of the mind.

ground plan

model

education

aug ‘21 - current

aug ‘18 - may ‘21

aug ‘16 - may ‘18

work experience

sept 22’ - current

may ‘22 - sept ‘22

honors & awards

jan ‘17 - aug ‘19

may ‘21

nov 21’

skills

Alexandra Matute-Blanco

matuteas@utexas.edu (571) 279-2715 https://alexandramatuteblanco.myportfolio.com

The University of Texas at Austin Masters of Architecture First Professional

James Madison University

BFAArchitectural Design, with highest honors Environmental Studies Minor

Northern Virginia Community College General Studies, with highest honors

School of Architecture - UTSOA Student Worker - Build Lab

Responsible for providing guidance to students in utilizing tools and machinery. Creating graphics and managing social media platform for the Build Lab. Additionally, being in charge of monitoring the front desk and maintaining accurate records of student training using Excel.

Alarife Architects Architectural Intern

Completed a 19th century building conversion in East Texas for a private couple. Presented drawing sets to the clients and contractors on a biweekly basis. Duties include reporting to lead architect, 3D Modeling on Rhino, creating graphics, AutoCAD drawings, calculations and client communication.

Mason Recreation Manager on Duty (MOD)

As the manager of a 85,000 square foot, two-story recreational facility, I oversaw a team of 11 individuals and the operation of a full Olympic-sized pool. Responsibilities included serving as the first aid responder and ensuring accurate reconciliation of financial reports, specifically the tender summary and daily accounting summary.

Senior Achievement Award in Architectural Design

Competitive award given to five graduating seniors for excellent art discipline in the College of Art, Design, and Art History.

Senior Superlative in Process Award Award given to a senior for the developing process throughout thesis project.

Service Certificate

Awarded this certificate for being part of the leadership group for NOMAS.

Shortlisted for Icelandic Volcano Look-out Point Competition Partner and I were shortlisted for a competition to create a look-out point in Hverfjall, Iceland.

Rhino, AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Suit, Enscape, ArcGIS, Grasshopper, Model Building, Drafting, CNC, Welding, Woodwork, and Laser Cutting

AIA, NOMAS and NCARB affiliated

Fluent in English and Spanish