Ariadna A. Lopez Rodriguez Selected Works 2010 - 2018
Cloud Living proposes subscription living as a model of collaborative consumption, where the cost of living is not borne by an individual, but rather negotiated within a larger group. The aim is to build a dynamic community in Inner City London which is fostered by technologies which enable data-driven design and combinatorial spatial customization. This yields a contemporary living model which adapts to the increasingly complex lifestyle of the subscriber in high density cities. Cloud Living explores the benefits of subscription, including scalability and exchangeability of home functions which are transformed by data collection on usage and peer-to-peer space exchange.
Architectural Association, Design Research Lab. London, UK Tutors: A. Nahmad and S. Bhooshan Design Research: 2017-2018 Team: L. Bieling, B. Elshimy
Cloud Living
Cloud Living implements seven subscription categories, which are derived from BBC’s social survey of 2011. Each subscription category is physicalized based on lifestyle requirements. The spatial manifestation of these subscriptions follows a combinatorial logic in which the spaces are able to change in size and geometrical complexity.
Essential Subscription
Detached Subscription
Extensive Subscription
Sociable Subscription
Standard Subscription
Comprehensive Subscription
Cloud Living targets underutilised plots dispersed through East-Central London requiring phased construction to exploit the potential of infill sites. The proposal makes use of infill sites to create a progressive architecture that meets the demands temporal living in high density cities.
The priorities of digital fabrication within the context of Cloud Living is to generate hybrid system made of reinforced fibreglass components that get delivered to the site in combination with on-site assembly of flat-packed developable surfaces.
Developale Surfaces
Hollow Timber Node and Surface Weaving
Node-to-Node Connection
Hollow Timber Node and Hyperbolic Paraboloid Reinforced Resin Weaving
Autodesk BuildSpace is a research and fabrication workshop in Boston, Massachusetts. The facilities served as a platform for Cloud Living to begin prototyping at a structural component at full scale.The 1:1 prototype is a hollow timber nodes assembled out of 12 developable timber strips surfaces. The aim of the residency is to refine a building process would require low-skills to assemble on site. The prototype was successfully constructed and robotically woven in a short period of time by three people. The residency at BuildSpace served as a platform to investigate techniques and method of construction and assembly, which otherwise would not have been possible.
Autodesk BuildSpace. Boston, MA Tutors: A. Nahmad and S. Bhooshan Residency: 3 weeks, June 2017 Team: L. Bieling, B. Elshimy
Residency at Autodesk BuildSpace
1.5 mm plywood, scored Arbitrary connection size Dry bending Screwed together Bent using formwork 0.7 mm polypropylene Merging two surfaces
1.9 mm zipper connection
1.5 mm zipper connection
1.7 mm zipper connection
1.5 mm plywood, dry b ending 1.5 mm finger connection
5.5 mm plywood, wet bending Zip tie holes
5.5 mm finger connect Connection and bending 3 mm plywood, wet bending 3 mm finger connection Connection using zip ties Face-face connection
Connection and bending
Additional holes for weaving and tensioning
Full loop assembly
3 layers of Birch veneer Wet bending in a formwork
Added openings for weaving Eliminate unnecessary openings Alignment marks
Labeled pieces
Asymmetrical node
Adjusted finger joint
Zip ties replaced with wood screws and washers
Evolution of Developable Surfaces for Node Assembly
1:1 Hollow Timber Node Prototype
The design research focuses on learning to distill a natural phenomenon to its geometric characteristics and actions. The actions are used as parameters for coding procedures which demonstrate and elaborate how a natural phenomenon functions. The graphs are used to produce three-dimensional prints that provoke thinking about how written code can be translated into three-dimensional objects through the use of a robotic arm and clay printing.
Architectural Association, Design Research Lab. London, UK Tutors: S. Bhooshan and A. Nahmad Design Research: 2016 Team: L. Bieling, B. Elshimy, A. Gyuloyan
Clay Hive
This family of graphs investigates the initial formation of hexagonal geometry in the beehive. The iterations reflect the systematic addition of circles in order to achieve diversified patterns. The graphs were generated using C++ and later translated to Nachi language for printing purposes.
Iterations of printable geometry
Simulation of printing path
16.7 9.6 7.1
16.7 16.7 5.3
16.7
6.0 16.7
5.3 3.8 4.9
11.8
11.9
16.7
4.7
9.6
16.7
16.7
5.2
11.6
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15.0 9.5
11.6
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14.5
2.3 16.7
9.8 6.9
16.7
1.9
5.1
14.6
5.3
11.4
4.7
16.7
2.0
10.6
11.8
16.7
2.3 16.7
11.9
3.8 4.9
16.7
7.2
14.5
5.3
6.0
16.7
16.7
11.0
7.1
16.7
1.9
5.1
16.7
16.7 4.1
16.7
11.0
16.7
16.7
5.3
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7.4 9.3
16.7
16.7
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15.0
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128
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Analysis of printed outcome
The design research focuses on the investigation of morphing a two-dimensional plane into a three-dimensional surface through developing stitching patterns in nylon fabric and casting them in plaster. The investigation focused on developing patterns which upon casting would perform structurally. The parameters set by the stitching pattern allowed for the control of flow as well as deformation of the nylon fabric. The research begins by recreating curvature through the placement of inflection points in two-dimensional parameters and concluding with the placement of points of torsion to create three-dimensional curvature.
Architectural Association, Design Research Lab. London, UK Tutors: M. ElSayed and A. Despotidis Design Research: 2016 Team: L. Bieling, R. Yang,
Curvature Topology
Each cast explored the parametrization of curvature through the control of fold stitches and pressure points on the pattern. The variation of these parameters within a stitching pattern, allowed the cast to shift between different curvature profiles.
PATTERN PRESSURE POINT A
Fold stitch: 11 Pressure point A: 10 Pressure point B: 6
Fold stitch: 24 Pressure point A: 24 Pressure point B: 23
Fold stitch: 11 Pressure point A: 10 Pressure point B: 6
Fold stitch: 3 Pressure point A: 3 Pressure point B: 2
FOLD STITCHES PRESSURE POINT B
PRESSURE FOLDBSTITCHES POINT B PRESSURE POINT
PRESSURE PRESSUREPOINT POINTBA PLASTER FLOW
PLASTER FLOW
EXPANSION 1X
EXPANSION 2X
EXPANSION 1X
PRESSURE
Family of nylon and plaster casts
My professional experience has allowed me to understand that architecture can exists even in the smallest construction details. Working at an architectural office developing construction drawings has allowed me to recognize that the intricacies of both construction and design are just as important as the big formal gestures. This work sample showcases an office space for a modeling agency in New York City. The space is conceptualized as a set of volumes each hosting a different program. A steel enclosure runs above the circulation, hosting all necessary systems such as HVAC and lighting in order to maintain clean lines through out the space.
Rafael de Cardenas // Architecture At Large. New York, NY 2015 - 2016 Team: W. Villacorta, C. Faury
Professional Work
DINING ROOM
SALON
DAYBED
EXTERIOR DINING TABLE
Axonometric Diagram of Main Deck
This work sample showcases the development of a yacht designed for a private client. The project focuses on designing the interior spaces throughout all 5 decks. The scope of work include spatial design, custom furniture design and specification of materials to communicate with the naval architect.
Visualization of Main Deck Salon
The photographs showcase the office in New York City of the international modeling agency, Ford Models. The space consists of 10,000 sqf in Madison Square Park. The scope of work included construction drawings, and selection of interior furniture and art work.
Photograph of Entrance Lobby
Photograph of Meeting Area
The Intermediate Space sets itself in New York City 2050 as an adaptive reuse intervention along Broadway, which challenges the physical boundaries of architectural control. The proposal aims to re-materialize the street-scape of the future as a typology which is bound to a new work environment for the citizen of 2050. The architectural opportunity resides on a new found flexibility residing in energetic developments and material energies, which allow spatial boundaries to be re-designed.
Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY Tutors: M. Chen and J. Lee Degree Project: 2014 - 2015 Nicole Mattos Partner: N. Mattos TojaToja
The Intermediate Space
A large part of architectural practice resides on the ability to establish control as a tangible measure of organization. In our conception of the year 2050, we challenge a dematerialization of the edge by means of re-locating building systems. The aim is to explore the possibilities of architectural permeability.
Edge Dematerialization
Field: Regulated Environment
Contained: Controlled Environment
Hybrid Environment
The site is pier 17 on the East River, NY. After Hurricane Sandy, the site now is prone to up to eight feet of flooding. The design is broken up into two: public and private, above sea level and below sea level. The bottom is a series of three dams which, like a sea sponge, intakes and exhales water through turbines located along its walls. Inside the dams are aggregations of 200 watertight vaults meant for private use. Above is a public promenade which end in city view ports in the form of suspended piers. Top and bottom, are connected by trussed towers which serve as circulation.
Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY Tutors: D. Zoric Advanced Design: 2014 Partner: P. Caubel
Poro[City]
Flooding Scenarios
+0’
-25’
-15’
Sea Level: + 15 ft ( Expected Rise by 2050 )
-35’
Sea Level: + 25 ft ( Hurricane Sandy )
+15’
Conceptual Longitudinal Section
Sea Level: + 50 ft ( 100 Years Flood)
In order to mitigate the flooding zone around Pier 17, the project provides three large vats or tubs which intake the changing water levels. The diagram illustrates three possible scenarios for Manhattan.
The project was developed based on the investigation of growing vertices through the study of water freezing. The material study was analyzed as it changed through time. A series of parametric drawings was derived from the material evolution, which provided the pavilion with its form. The densification of lines and nodes provide an organizational strategy while the addition of the mesh provides the temporary pavilion with a virtual surface for public entertainment.
Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY Tutors: E. Blasetti Comprehensive Design: 2011 Partner: C. Kim
The Intermediate Space
Freezing water served as a material investigation to develop a generative C# script in Grasshopper. The sequence of freezing nodes and growing vertices directly informed the design of the structure and the mesh for the pavilion.
Material Studies
Digital Design Sequence Plan View: Node Mapping
Nodes and Vertices at 30 minutes
Nodes and Vertices at 60 minutes
Nodes and Vertices at 90 minutes
Axonometric: Skeleton
Axonometric: Mesh
Located on the Hudson River at the bottom of a hill, the project began with the distinction of conditioned and unconditioned space as a programmatic strategy. The division of program is based on the occupancy of students and boats. The two programs are placed on different axes according to water access trajectories; giving the students a direct exit route from the boat storage to the waterfront. The programmatic merger is achieved through circulation bringing the two wings of the building together in a double height space while still keeping a sense of separation.
Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY Tutors: G. Fiorenzolli Intermediate Design: 2013 Partner: P. Caubel
Boathouse for Columbia University
Facade Details
Density A: Private
Density B: Circulation
Glazing Corner Detail
Density C: Public
Roof Details
This design studio was linked with a construction documents seminar, leading to the development of plan and section details showing material assembly. The facade of the boathouse is made up of glass and wood panels changing in density according to program as shown in the drawings.
Beam Connection Detail
Facade Connection Detail
Based on the fiction by Borges “Library of Babel�, a modular system that could be multiplied infinitely was developed in order to inform the formal strategy of the project. The process consisted on the overlapping and simultaneously pivoting long horizontal spaces around a single vertical circulation. The overlap and pivoting created an invisible core by which the program such as reading spaces and leisure lounges were arranged. Bookshelves were located along the long horizontal spaces in order to emphasize the spatial qualities of the fictional story by Borges.
Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY Tutors: P. Baumann Comprehensive Design: 2011
Public Library
The organizational strategy aims to accommodate large amounts of bookshelves while maintaining a cohesive circulation, open public space and resting areas for the user. The bookshelves become a design tool to subdivide each floor. The bookshelves are pivoted around the main staircase to create variation of spaces on each floor.
Fourth Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Conceptual Model
Second Floor Plan
The use and manipulation of the simple geometry of the cube allowed for the representation of different drawing techniques while exploring the possibilities of spatial representation embedded. Dissection, rotation and folding were some of the procedures applied in order to better explore the spatial versatility of the cube. The course was divided in both technical and conceptual representation.
Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY Tutors: M. Gorman | C. Kumpusch Representation: 2010
Spatial Representation
Hand Drawing, Mylar and Graphite.
The drawings on the left make use of the basic geometry of the cube to explore technical and conceptual techniques of drafting. The conceptual drawing on this page, is a direct interpretation of such technical explorations.
Hand Drawing, Mylar and Graphite.
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