ALMA AGUIRRE ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO 2022
Graduate 01 RE-CONNECT Fall 2021
02 RELATED VERACITY Spring 2022
03 BIRD COTE FACADE Spring 2022
Undergraduate 04 ANACUA Spring 2021
05 THE EWING MUSEUM Fall 2020
06 LAND AND HUMAN Fall 2018
Artwork
01 RE-CONNECT Fall 2021
DESIGN III: URBAN QUALITIES & MATERIALITIES Location: FARRAGUT HOUSES, BROOKLYN, NY 11201, USA Project Type: Residential building Collaboration: Ayesha Nathani Re-Connect is an apartment building proposed as an addition to an existing Historic Housing Complex. The core idea of the design revolves around reimagining the changes in life due to the post-pandemic scenarios at many levels in our daily lives. Our design is a step toward exploring architecture in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We expect that in this era, there will be a gradual “re-connection” of communities with a tinge of cautious optimism. This new idea of architecture that we want to portray in our design is not just about a monumental structure but more about celebrating life and developing connections more healthily and safely. The shape of the building was informed by the existing boundaries of the surrounding edifices and the opportunity for views and natural lighting. The building is composed of three towers connected by large bridges that at the same time act as a symbolic gate to the Farragut complex.
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Re-Connect | Fall 2021 | Graduate
We propose a design that embraces human experiences at various scales (Macro, Micro, and Domestic) on a day-to-day basis. The design promotes a safer interaction by the means of different architectural features. Being the first one a hierarchy of spaces that goes from the private balcony to a semi-private outdoor atrium, to semi-public terraces, and ends with the public landscape at the ground level. As well, there is a game of transparency happening in the skin of the building, where the corners of the building become a strategic moment for panoramic views, while the sides of each façade extrusion of the building become a more constrained view mainly used to allow natural light inside the building.
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Re-Connect | Fall 2021 | Graduate
Re-Connect | Fall 2021 | Graduate
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Re-Connect | Fall 2021 | Graduate
At the end of this journey of exploring architecture in response to the pandemic experience, we created a monument to remember this crucial moment of history that we lived through together.
Re-Connect | Fall 2021 | Graduate
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Re-Connect | Fall 2021 | Graduate
Balcony| Extrution|Pixelation|Private-Public|Inside-Outside|Experimentation.
Re-Connect| Fall 2021 | Graduate
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02 RELATED VERACITY Spring 2022
EXHIBITION
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DESIGN IV: INTEGRATED STUDIO Location: 42-16 VERNON BLVD, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101, USA Project type: Waste to Energy Plant, Recycling Center, and Vertical Farming Facility. Collaboration: Jennifer Boswell Related Veracity is a multi-purpose project that generated energy from waste, sorts recyclable materials, and grows food. The building’s immediate aesthetic is inspired by its industrial context and program. The building acts as a visual medium of communication between the outside and inside. The composition of the rectilinear sectors reflects the project’s functionality; while the organic design directly relates to the existing geometry of the site’s topography and street boundaries. This was a collaborative project, where design decisions were made as a team, however, my focus was on the Waste to Energy Plant and Recycling Center’s interior and exterior accommodations. My main design contributions to this project consisted of the building’s structure, facade material composition, mechanical system, circulation paths, section drawings, section details, elevations, and more.
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Related Veracity | Spring 2022 | Graduate
The accommodation of the geometric volumes follows the processes of the machinery. At the same time, the translucent skin of such gives the viewer an impression of the equipment in the interior.
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Related Veracity | Spring 2022 | Graduate
This project emphasizes the aesthetic contrast between the rigidity and verticality of the industrial program with the organic freeform over the vertical farming to underline the importance of such coexistence to create a stronger, more resilient community.
In the end, the building stays true to itself and creates a safe space for people to gather, breathe, learn, and reconnect with reality.
Related Veracity | Spring 2022 | Graduate
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Related Veracity | Spring 2022 | Graduate
GRAVEL
EXTENSIVE SOIL MIXSOIL MIX RIGID INSULATION
FILTER FABRIC 1/8”
GRAVEL
DRAINAGE RETENTION BOARD 1 3/4 “
CHANNEL GLASS TRANSLUCENT INSULATION
ROOT BARRIER
ALUMINUM PANEL
RIGID INSULATION
RIGID INSULATION
EXTENSIVE SOIL MIXSOIL MIX WATERPROOF MEMBRANE FILTER FABRIC 1/8” 2” CONCRETE DRAINAGE RETENTION OVER 4” METAL DECK BOARD 1 3/4 “
STORAGE MAT 1/4”
STORAGE MAT 1/4”
CHANNEL GLASS TRANSLUCENT INSULATION
ROOT BARRIER
ALUMINUM PANEL
RIGID INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 2” CONCRETE OVER 4” METAL DECK
CHANNEL GLASS AIR GAP TRANSLUCENT INSULATION
FLOOR FINISH
RIGID INSULATION ALUMINUM PANEL CHANNEL GLASS SLAB CAST CONCRETE AIR GAP TRANSLUCENT INSULATION RIGID INSULATION
WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 2” CONCRETE OVER METAL DECK FLOOR4”FINISH SPRAYED INSULATION
RIGID INSULATION ALUMINUM PANEL ALUMINUM PANEL CAST CONCRETE SLAB
RIGID INSULATION
WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 2” CONCRETE OVER 4” METAL DECK SPRAYED INSULATION
ALUMINUM PANEL
Related Veracity | Spring 2022 | Graduate
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Related Veracity | Spring 2022 | Graduate
Related Veracity | Spring 2022 | Graduate
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03 BIRDCOTE FACADE Spring 2022
ARCH 713 MEDIA III: COMMUNICATION Location: 590 MADISON AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10022, USA Project Type: Multi-functional Facade System The purpose of this project was to generate a facade system that would improve the performance of the 590 Madison building in Manhattan. The facade consists of a series of panels composed of 3 operable diamond elements and a chevron-shaped frame, which is offset back by two feet from the diamond grid. Each diamond element opens from the middle and rotates on its horizontal axis. The rotation allows for the louver to act as a shading device and light shelf. Each chevron frame is comprised of several modular pockets attached in a diagonal organization. Each pocket is hollow and has an opening at the upper corner, intended for birds to enter and form their nest inside. Some of these modular frames are specific for bird nests and some are for planting purposes. This way, the green modules act as an interstitial space between birdhouse modules. Furthermore, vegetation attracts birds and provides material for their nest-making. The tubular structure used to hold the diamond components forming the double skin facade, act as perches for birds to stand.
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Birdcote | Spring 2022 | Graduate
UNIT Movement
Fin A
Axis
Max. and min.
Fin B
COMBINED FINS- Opposite Directions
Right view
Front view
Closed
Open
COMBINED FINS- Same Directions
Right view
Front view
Look up
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Birdcote | Spring 2022 | Graduate
Look down
Birdcote | Spring 2022 | Graduate
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Drivers: Habitecture; Solar shading; Vegetated pockets. Materials: SEFAR Architecture Tenara Fabric; Terra Cotta/ Ceramic,
Slab Rainscreen Frame Fin Structure Fins
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Birdcote | Spring 2022 | Graduate
Modular manufacturing units for plants and bird nesting.
Birdcote | Spring 2022 | Graduate
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04 ANACUA Spring 2021
BUILDING DESIGN STUDIO Location: DAVIS PARk E MULBERRY AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78212, USA Project Type: Pre-school, Kindergarden, and Elementary school Anacua is a place for children to explore their potential through an understanding of their natural environment. The building is intended to be used as a learning tool, evoking different kinds of sensations that accommodate various interpretations from a child’s perspective. The ultimate goal is to awaken children’s curiosity about the way humans and nature interact, taking into account the diversity in children’s preferred learning medium (touch, sight, smell, taste, etc) and their varied findings. The project compares how plants acquire knowledge through their leaves and roots and react to it to create their path of survival. Humans also absorb information from their environment through the senses creating their paths as they go, giving meaning and purpose to their existence, and growing towards their interests. 26
Anacua | Spring 2021 | Undergraduate
Office/Admin 1 Reception 2 Office Psychologis 3 Office of Admissions 4 Admission Testing 5 Admissions Waiting 6 Breakroom/ Copy 7 Office Early Childhood Coordinator 8 Office- Assistant AHS 9 Office- Assistant Head Lower School 10 Office- Assistant Head of School 11 Office- Head of School 12 Office of Technology 13 Flexible Conference room Health 14 Office/Exam room 15 Patient room Cafetorium (Cafeteria+Gym) 16 Dining Commons 17 Servery 18 Tray Drop-Off 18 Storage dinning Physical Education 19 Collaborative Work space- PE Teachers 20 Storage-PE Early childhood 21 Beginner Classroon 22 PreK3 Classroom 23 Neighborhood Commons PreK+Biginner 24 PreK4 Classroom 25 Kinder Classroom 26 Neighborhood Commons -K Elementary 27 Artist studio Kiln Storage 28 Maker Space 29 Worlds Language Center 30 Science center 31 Harmony Studio Stage 32 Actor’s Stage 33 A/V
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Anacua | Spring 2021 | Undergraduate
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Inside outside relationship; Organic outdoor movement; Respect towards existing natural features; Topographic relation.
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Anacua | Spring 2021 | Undergraduate
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Anacua | Spring 2021 | Undergraduate
Anacua | Spring 2021 | Undergraduate
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04 THE EWING MUSEUM
Weston Center
San Anton io
Office space and rental agency
Ri v e r wa lk
The Milam Building
The original blanco cafe
E. Travis St. P
IBC Bank
P Proper use of space
N St Mary’s St
Jewelery store Gift shop
corporate campus
Fall 2020
Tex-Mex restaurant
System proport
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SYSTEMS DESIGN STUDIO
Proper use of space
System of proportions
Allusion to egyptian p
Location: 147 E TRAVIS ST, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205, USA Project Type: Mediterranean Art Museum The Ewing Museum holds a vast collection of Proper use of space Mediterranean Art, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman. The buildings are meant to portray allusions to the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations’ architecture, beliefs, and customs in a contemporary representation. The building’s form starts by following the site’s shape and size; then it uses a mathematical system of proportions base-height; third, the building gets divided by a partial aperSystem of Proper use of ture that gets narrower asspace it goes up; oneproportions side of the building also tilts towards itself following golden ratio parameters; next, the river level and street level get unified with a double height section used as community space; finally the full left side of the building gets covered in a triangulated fabric. The design process was strongly informed by a series of historical buildings, mainly The Karnak Allusion to use of Temple, Proper which inspired System theof journey experience; proportions egyptian pylons space the Parthenon, which motivated a mathematical design approach; and the Pantheon, which encouraged the use of light and innovative elements. 32
The Ewing Museum | Fall 2020 | Undergraduate
System of proportions
Allusion to egyptian pylons
Community space/ Connect levels
Allusion to egyptian pylons
Community space/ Connect levels
Double skin facade
Commu Connec
Doub
The facade is composed of a translucent fabric held by a steel structure and slightly separated from a curtain of operable windows. All together it serves for optimal natural ventilation, controlled natural lighting, and direct sun rays protection.
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The Ewing Museum | Fall 2020 | Undergraduate
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The Ewing Museum | Fall 2020 | Undergraduate
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Section 36
The Ewing Museum | Fall 2020 | Undergraduate
The Ewing Museum | Fall 2020 | Undergraduate
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04 LAND AND HUMAN Fall 2018
DIGITAL DESIGN STUDIO Location: O.P. SCHNABEL PARk, 9606 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78240, USA Project Type: Learning Center Land and Human Learning Center is a space meant for children to learn about the beauty of nature and how to preserve it. The building highlights the relationship between the natural environment and humans from different perspectives. The building’s form creates an inspiring journey for all guests: by situating the main entrance to the building underground, people are invited to come down through a wide staircase and experience the complexity of nature from an internal point of view. In other words, the first extreme of the building integrates humans into the land allowing it to be part of a whole. Once inside, the stair system continues to guide people up branching into the classrooms. Finally, the journey ends at the fourth level, with an extensive transparent aperture with views of the surrounding landscape. Such a finish point places visitors above ground, allowing for a moment of self-awareness and individualism. 38
Land and Man | Fall 2018 | Undergraduate
FOURTH LEVEL
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THIRTH LEVEL
7
SECOND LEVEL FIRST LEVEL FLOOR PLANS 6
4
2
2 1
3 3
AREAS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
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Meeting room kids’ restroom adults’ restroom storage CLASSROOM ONE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM SMALL CLASSROOM TWO CLASSROOM THREE
Land and Man | Fall 2018 | Undergraduate
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Land and Man | Fall 2018 | Undergraduate
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Both extremes of the design provide a space for reflection on the relationship held between humans and other natural elements from an internal and external approach.
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Land and Man | Fall 2018 | Undergraduate
Underground Entrance
Land and Man | Fall 2018 | Undergraduate
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01 ARTWORK
Spring 2017- Spring 2022 Watercolor; Graphite; Ink.
Little Villa 44
Watercolor | Spring 2020 | Artwork
Reading room Watercolor | Spring 2022 | Artwork
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Cold room 46
Watercolor | Fall 2021 | Artwork
Study room Watercolor | Fall 2021 | Artwork
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Object Composition 48
Graphite | Fall 2020 | Artwork
Self-portrait Graphite | Fall 2020 | Artwork
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Concept Development 50
Ink | Fall 2021 | Artwork
Life Thumbnails Ink & Watercolor | Fall 2021 | Artwork
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FIN.