andrea porras portfolio Rhode Island School of Design
Her natural sense of curiosity Led her to ask more questions. So she asked, She wondered, She saw. And so, She understood.
Andrea Porras BFA Interior Architecture Rhode Island School of Design aporras@risd.edu My journey as an artist began with an urge to make sense of the world around me. Design, as a field that constantly challenges my perception, has allowed me to explore ideas as abstract as movement and senses to our changing relationship to the built environment. I am passionate about work that transcends into multiple fields of design and aim to use art as a tool to redefine the world of architecture and spatial perception.
chapters
3
adaptability and resilience How can fading art and architecture reclaim their meaning in a changing world? Does resilience come merely from transformation? the batch; adapting an industrial structure gradient; modernizing the traditional tile
2
designing for the human form How has the study of ergonomics changed the fields of architecture and design? Can anthropometric ideas be implemented into the construction and design of an object? bend; capturing movement through design wire chair; challenging the look of comfort
1
dialogues between temporalities What does it mean to occupy and transform an existing structure? What architectural systems can carry over from the past into a building's future? recreate; from library to artist in residency program framed; redefining the arts storefront
1
dialogues between temporalities Today, existing buildings serve as host structures to architectural interventions that ultimately redefine how spaces are occupuied and used. Adaptive reuse does not only allow us to extend the lives of buildings; it also serves as a platform to discuss how the passage of time can manifest itself through our built environment and its architectural systems. project 1: Recreate; from library to artist-in-residency project 2: Framed; redefining the arts storefront
re create from library to artistin-residency program Recreate is a project that commemorates the distinct architectural identity of Harvard University's historical district. The design studio focused on adapting one of the school's libraries (Hilles) into a unique Artist-in-Residency space.
Art Venues in the City of Cambridge MA Harvard Campus
1 Hilles' unique character, defined by its deeply recessed windows, vaulted ceilings and site cast concrete, is ultimately what inspired the language of the new design.
2 This concept model captures the essence of the
intervention as it studies the relationship between solid and void. The design proposal, consisting of a series of insertions and voids, within the dimensions of the existing ceiling beams, aims to create a new experience of the building while highlighting the special moments of the original architecture.
3 The design intent was to create a space
where artists could enjoy all the amenities of an A-in-R program (workshops, private studios, etc.) while having access to nature and private living spaces for a full recreational experience.
3 Left: Glass intervention on Garden St faรงade. Right: Section through courtyard, art gallery (level 1) artists' studios (level 3) and residential units (level 4 + rooftop)
DO UBLE -H E IG H T ATR IUM O N LE V E L 4
GL ASS INTER VENTION TH ROU GH ENTIRE FAÇAD E
NEW EN TRAN C E O N GARD EN S T
4 Hilles' existing ceiling structure served
as a guideline to define the language of the new intervention. In the art gallery, a series of movable panels (alligned with the ceiling beams) create various flexible spaces that can be enclosed and adapted as needed.
Level 3
Level 1
5 The fourth level intervention
consists of a series of dobleheight insertions that function as residential units peeking up into a new roof garden.
Rooftop
Level 4
28
L-1
B-1
L-1
Consultan Address Address Address Phone
U.O. ROOFTOP CLG 63' - 0" L-1
Consultan Address Address Address Phone
T-1
Consultan Address Address Address Phone
ROOFTOP. 51' - 0"
24' - 0"
T-1
L-1
U.O. LEVEL 4 CLG 50' - 0"
Consultan Address Address Address Phone
3' - 0 5/8"
Consultan Address Address Address Phone
LEVEL 4. 39' - 0" 22R @ 0' - 6 17/32"
16' - 0"
2
BUILDING SECTION (3) 1/4" = 1'-0"
No.
GLAZED PANEL U.O. ROOFTOP CLG 63' - 0"
SOLID PANEL
ROOFTOP. 51' - 0" U.O. LEVEL 4 CLG 50' - 0"
AND
R LEVEL 4. 39' - 0"
REV
Project Numbe Date Drawn By Checked By
3
{3D} Copy 1
1
BUILDING ELEVATION 1/4" = 1'-0" Scale
6 Typical residential unit
7 The materials chosen for the
intervention include double-glazed glass, soft woods, ceramic tiles and concrete.
framed redefining the arts storefront The project explores how the interior architecture of a mid-century building in the city of Cambridge, MA could be re-imagined to celebrate the “arts”. With a special focus on the idea of “spatial transitions” and “display”, the new system celebrates the existing structure as it sets a new dynamic between the world of art and the world of architecture.
How can a host structure inform the language of a new design?
1 Inspired by the building's iconic waffle
ceiling, the intervention consists of a series of aluminum scaffolds that extend vertically from the existing grid. The intent (and challenge) was to work with a single system that could have many different functions in one space.
“service”
“served”
The spatial organization derived from a study of Louis Kahn's concept of "service" and "served" spaces; separating the building's mechanics (storage, bathrooms, stairs, etc) from the space's main attraction (in this case, the art gallery).
the coffee shop
the art gallery
2
designing for the human form The human body has always been a protagonist in the world of design and architecture. Objects are constantly re-designed to better accomodate the human form. This chapter explores our relationship to architecture when studied in a more intimate scale. project 1: bend; capturing movement through design project 2: wire chair; challenging the look of comfort
bend capturing movement through design Bend is a dual-purpose artifact that accomodates the human body as it moves through two optimal yoga poses that target back pain. Bend optimizes the outcome of the two stretching positions as it provides essential support through comfortable angles.
2 STRETCH
HCTERTS 2
wire chair challenging the look of comfort The design aims to juxtapose two materials that look similar but function in almost opposite ways; metal and polypropylene rope. Metal as a rigid structural frame and rope as a softer medium that adjusts to the human body.
1 Materials used in final piece: stained metal and 140m of polypropylene rope
3
adaptability and resilience Resilience, as the ability of something to come back into shape and claim a new place, has become one of the major protagonists in the world of architecture and adaptive reuse. This chapter explores ways in which design has allowed for places and ideas to return in a new, revitalized form. project 1: the batch; adapting industrial structures project 2: gradient; modernizing the traditional tile
the batch adapting industrial structures Following the global trends of future work environments, the design studio explored strategies to convert an industrial warehouse in Brooklyn, NY, into a coworking space. Due to the site's location and high pedestrian traffic, turning the warehouse into a culinary incubator became the perfect adaptive reuse strategy.
location of intervention
1 Industry City, one of Brooklyn's cultural hubs, serves as the perfect platform to host a food incubator as it allows enough
southwest elevation
N
natural systems
food venues
accessible streets
220 36th Street Suite #2-A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
kitchen
office
elevation
plan
2 The intervention offers a unique
combination of amenities including, shared and individual office spaces, shared and individual kitchens and a long "market-like" atrium that invites community members to engage in a culinary experience.
level 2
ground level
gradient modernizing the traditional tile Inspired by the ornamental cement tiles that once adorned Guatemalan homes, the installation aims to capture Guatemala's architectural heritage by revitalizing one of its iconic elements. *The installation was designed for the architecture firm SUR Desarrollos in Guatemala City.
On the primary location of the intervention, the design intent was to create a gradient effect as one entered the space, simply through the arrangement of the tiles.
BALDONE
GRADAS
COLUMNAS
DETALLE DE PISO
13.32 m
ENTRADA
ÁREA VERDE
Location of Intervention
Especificaciones:
Color
Diseño A
Diseño B
Tamaño:
Negro
20 cm
20 cm
Sólidos
Pieza blanca
Andrea Porras
@andreaporras.d.signs
aporras.myportfolio.com
aporras@risd.edu