ARCHITECTURE + PROCESS

ARCHITECTURE + PROCESS

Alvaro Gutierrez|M. Arch Selected Work 2011-2014

Resting Inside the Taj Mahal|Agra, India Photograph by Author

Erosion by the beach Photograph manipulated with Photoshop

ARCHITECTURE Informal Architecture

Re-Interpretation of the Informal Market Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

Suburban Library

An Integration to the Neighborhood Savannah, United States

Between The Folds

River Edge Revitalization Paris, France

Industrial Arts Center

Live + Work Cincinnati, United States

Photography

Observing human behavior

A Sensitivity to the Environment As architects, it is crucial to look at every detail and process of a project. Starting with a successful relationship with a client, to a holistic understanding of the purpose of our project. It has presently become very relevant, the world has a lack of consideration to the user and its environment. Architects many times design without analyzing how the building will affect its environment and users, Eventually as future designers of the built environment, we have to consider current issues, and incorporate them to our projects.

RE-INTERPRETING INFORMAL MARKETS Thesis Project

This thesis explores informal markets in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and the participation of the female vendor. Through public infrastructure merged with a responsive design to circulation and movement within the site, a successful linkage to the urban fabric and adaptive market for informal and formal settlements is accomplished. By creating a potential catalyst as a mayor nexus for interconnectivity, this corridor located within a void between plantations and a dense urban fabric, would successfully avoid all traffic congestion.

Swelling of Informal Market in Santa Cruz Photograph taken by author

Plan View of Analyzed Market Vehicular Circulation in Relation to the Market This congested and hazardous condition for the market was created by the organic growth of the structures at this location. Growing within a predominant boulevard caused vehicular and pedestrian circulation to merge in an unsafe pattern.

Focal Point

The informal layout of the market grew around a node located at a predominant intersection with high vehicular circulation. This was also the only gathering space market users where provided by the municipality.

Areas of Densification

A densifying of the stalls occurs the closer you get to the node. This organized chaos brings sanitation and congestion issues that provide an understanding of the unsuccessful traits of this layout.

Informal Storefronts

A unique function is provided by every one of these small businesses.

From a barber shop to a restaurant, these are vital organs for the essence of the neighborhood.

Densification Analysis.

Market Stalls in relation to urban fabric

Contrasting Existing and Proposed Market

The canopy structure implies an organization for the market circulation. It connects to an urban circulation strategy that lines with the markets context. By not over designing the spaces and leaving an opportunity for further participation from the vendor, a possibility to further organize and refine the layout of the market is implied.

Informal Market Analyzed

Re-interpretation of the Storefront

Corrugated metal

Steel structural framing system

Site design in relation to market structure

Implementing Green Spaces

Gathering Spaces|Water features

SUBURBAN LIBRARY Savannah, Georgia

Texture exploration Wood manipulation through the laser cuter

Response to its Context

This project involved a thorough exploration of form, materiality and their incorporation to the building. Surrounded by vegetation and the iconic spanish moss of Savannah, the buildings facades respond with large open windows, framed by a wooden grid. This limits direct sunlight to reach interior spaces, but at the same time maintaining a visual connection the environment.

Interweaving between the vegetation

Form Exploration A series of exploratory models allowed me to have a physical understanding of the building and its context. Constantly referring to the site model, this provided an accurate response to scale, form and circulation of the building in relation to the suburban environment.

Site Model Building in relation to the suburban environment

Facade studies

Response to Site boundaries

Structural Studies

Final Section Model Plywood & Tacky glue

BETWEEN THE FOLDS River Edge revitalization Paris, France

Landscape Exploration Colors created by the process of printmaking and paper folding

Observing the Existing During my visit to the site, an observation of the users behavior along the Seine River provided a basic understanding of what the user look for. The incorporation of the basic flood resistant elements, would be implemented within the continuous landscape proposed between the street and river edge.

Bringing back a true river edge condition

LANDSCAPE EXPLORATION Bristol Paper

Pathways

LANDSCAPE EXPLORATION A series of models inspired on the continuous landscape of my project provided an exploration of form and response to the street, boat and river levels.

Connecting the street to the river

INDUSTRIAL ARTS CENTER

STRUCTURE PENETRATING THE MOUNTAIN

Meeting personally artists in Cincinnati, an inspiration to their methods of work influenced my process. During the development of this project, a personal incorporation of designing purely by hand was intended. This artistic approach allowed me to work with the users perspective and truly experience their appoach to art and design.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Cincinnati, Ohio

SERVICE CIRCULATION

VIEWING TOWERS

STOREFRONTS AND ART GALLERY’S

LIVE

WORK

LIVE

HOW I SEE IT Portraying my perspective through photography allows me to express what I see to others. This a reflection of me and a appreciation to my surroundings Mumbai, India

Observing Human Behavior, Agra, India Photographs by Author

Praying at the Market Mumbai, India Photograph by Author

Blue and White Salar de Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia Photograph by Author

Edge Conditon, Freeport, Bahamas Photograph by Author

ARCHITECTURE + PROCESS

Alvaro Gutierrez|M. Arch alvguti20@gmail.com