carla salas
architecture portfolio 2019 1
My name is Carla Salas. I am a second year student at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. My first approach to architecture and design is always about what it feels like to experience it. I’m an admirer of the power architecture has in shaping how we feel, think, and connect. I strive to bring in different skills and perspectives gained from different avenues and people with the goal of exploring this idea and learning to design in a way that will truly impact and inspire people. Some of these other avenues I draw from include my interests in art, literature, theatre, film and travel. This portfolio is a collection of my work, in which I’ve started to introduce and explore these ideas. Please enjoy! 2
table of contents cv the textile core polaris spider’s nest weaving ascent selected works letter of recommendation
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carla salas | curriculum viate 289 400 6804 csalas@uwaterloo.ca
Year 2 Bachelor of Architectural Studies
DIGITAL SKILLS
MANUAL SKILLS
LANGUAGES
Rhino 6 V-Ray for Rhino Adobe Suite ͳ Illustrator ͳ InDesign ͳ Photoshop ͳ Lightroom Microsoft Office
Hand Drafting Physical Model Making Laser Cutting CNC Milling 3D Printing
English | Fluent Spanish | Fluent
WORK EXPERIENCE
summer camp counselor ymca of oakville | oakville, on ͳ Creatively devised and curated a schedule of activities and projects for a children’s summer art camp in collaboration with a team, producing a successfully programmed and carried out series of events every week. ͳ Led a group of 8 to 12 year old children in camp activites with a fellow counselor, promoting an environment of inclusivity, teamwork, enthusiasm, and creativity.
July - August 2018
math tutor September 2015 - April 2017 oakville, on ͳ Developed students’ understanding of their respective math curriculum (grades 6 to 11) by explaining and working through lessons and problems from class. EDUCATION
Candidate for Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Honours University of Waterloo | Cambridge, ON
September 2018 - present
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
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mcphie family architecture scholarship Outstanding high school record and involvement in extracurricular activites
2018
university of waterloo president’s scholarship Admission academic average between 90% - 94.9% hcdsb father f. fergus duffy award Outstanding achievement during the 2017-2018 school year st. ignatius of loyola catholic secondary school grade 9 - 12 honour roll Over 80% academic average
2018 2018 2015 - 2018
VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE
orientation leader + food coordinator university of waterloo 2019 undergraduate orientation | cambridge, on ͳ Led groups of about 16 incoming first year students within a larger group 80 in orientation events as part of a team, establishing relationships and avenues to resources to better integrate them into the community. ͳ Coordinated meals during the week and conducted organizational and creative tasks prior in preparation.
September 2019
featured writer bridge + iron warrior ͳ co-wrote articles for both publications.
October 2019
uwsa open house volunteer university of waterloo school of architecture | cambridge, on ͳ Introduced to and promoted university and program to visitors and potential applicants by conducting tours around the school building. ͳ Administered information and advice on the admissions process and portfolios.
November 2018 + March 2019
annual art show volunteer st. ignatius of loyola catholic secondary school | oakville, on ͳ Conducted drawing and painting demonstrations during the show to showcase work in development to the attendees. ͳ Arranged, set up, and took down artwork with a team.
2015 - 2018
library summer reading program volunteer oakville public library | oakville, on ͳ Advocated for and registered dozens of children into the library’s summer reading program. ͳ Sparked children’s’ interest and love of reading by interacting with them on a regular basis to set goals, discuss their progress and interests, as well as give out prizes.
June - August 2015
ACTIVITES AND INTERESTS
UWSA Sustainability Collective Member ͳ Part of a student initiative starting conversations and seeking action to more environmentally responsibly live and work as individuals, as a university and as architects. Actor and Singer in Main Role in “Lock & Key” Musical Production St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School ͳ Participated and collaborated with cast and crew during 6 hours of rehearsal per week. ͳ Performed in production 6 times, 2 of which were in the National Theatre School Drama Festival competition. Visual Art: Reading | Writing Film | Theatre Travelling
acrylic | watercolour
clay sculpture
September 2019 - present
November 2018 - April 2019
pencil | charcoal
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THE TEXTILE CORE
supervised by maya przybylski and cam parkin Located on Dundas St West, at the foot of the pedestrian bridge crossing West Toronto Rail Path, The Textile Core is what its name implies. Both library and textile studio in one spacious and graciously lit building, it is comprised of a series of staggered programmed floors that together create a space for reading, learning, working and creating. These levels are connected by a central core. An elevator core around which stairs wrap and climb to each level, surrounded by a metal system of bars and rails that house the building’s textile display - acting as storage of raw material and an exhibit of textile art and works.
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fourth floor plan wet studio silk screening + fabric dyeing
third floor plan dry studio sewing + weaving + embroideryÂ
second floor plan library + reading space
ground floor plan lecture + reading space A
A
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top to bottom: section aa, front elevation
composition, frame and facade models basswood, museum board, trace paper
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perspective elevation of core 12
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POLARIS
with stephanie miller supervised by terri meyer boake Polaris is a small, off-grid research station located on the southeast arm of Yellowstone Lake, in Yellowstone National Park. Meant for two inhabitants, an astronomer and a photographer, it is designed to accommodate daily life as well as professional equipment such as telescopes and cameras. Due to Yellowstone’s geographic location and unique position on a raised plateau among the higher peaks of the Rocky Mountains, it experiences peculiar and extreme climate conditions such as almost year round winters with recorded temperatures below -40°C, as well as short, temperate summers. Polaris uses many passive design strategies such as a sloped roof, specifically located windows, and thermal masses, as well as active systems such as photovoltaics, its own grey water system, and radiant floor heating powered by the park’s natural geothermal wells to deal with its surrounding conditions. Ultimately, it is meant to be a small, unimposing building, for the occupants to fully experience Yellowstone’s National Park’s natural beauty.
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loft level plan
ground floor plan
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section bb
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section aa
june 21st solar noon
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march/september 21st solar noon
light and wind studies
december 21st solar noon
ventilation through operable windows
ventilation through crawl space in summer
top to bottom: north, east, south elevations 19
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detail wall section
north, east, south elevations 21
SPIDER’S WEB with niara van gaalen entry for cisc steel competition supervised by terri meyer boake Located in Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia, Spider’s Nest is a lookout rooted on the rocky cliff beside Helmcken Falls. The platform is surrounded by a series of overlapping, woven steel cables that define the space within. At a distance they merge to form an intricate and illusive surface. In contrast, the light and open effect of the enclosure seen from within gives way to the natural views all around. Inspired by studies in biomimicry, such as bird and spider nests, the pavilion uses galvanized steel to blend with the cool tones of the rock below. The cantilevered design demonstrates the strength of steel and imitates the strength of spider silk in tension.
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back entrance elevation
front lookout elevation
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LONG & CROSS SECTION
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top elevation
DETAIL AXONOMETRIC
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WEAVING
supervised by rick andrighetti This installation, designed to be set up at the BRIDGE storefront, is the result of a study in the tension of string brought to a larger scale. Made up of metal scaffolding tubes and rope, the installation uses tension and patterns to create a tunnel and partition to separate spaced as well as create a visual and tactile experience for the people going and seeing through it.
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PLAN 30
dd
d c b a
d c b a
cc
bb
aa detail
sections 31
ASCENT
supervised by derek revington and david correa
Exploring the relationship between cinema and architecture, Ascent explores an architectural promenade made up of 3 distinct spaces connected, each seeking to replicate the atmosphere and affect evoked by 3 different films: The Mirror, directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, Blade Runner by Ridley Scott, and In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-Wai. It begins in a winding hallway that gently guides the occupant to wind through the rough, concrete walls to see what lies beyond. This path eventually turns smooth and reflective, slowly becoming translucent as one turns into the next space. Heavy walls tower above the occupant as they run up the flights of stairs, the single pointed light exposing in an otherwise dark room. At the end of this rapid ascent, the occupant is met with a dark wall and is forced to turn and walk along a dark hallway towards the warm glow beyond, creeping around to the last space. Warm and closer than the previous space, this last place invites the viewer to wander through a scene of controlled views. Where the occupant can see directly through the room at one point, and whose vision is obscured through light or screens in the next.
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the mirror_andrei tarkovsky Tarkovsky’s film evokes an atmosphere that feels mystifying and confusing, carrying out into a prolonged process of discovery. The dimly lit setting evokes a cold feeling, the small room revealed to be wet and worn. However, these qualities are only exposed to the viewer as they are introduced to the character, and never in their full scope. From the beginning of the clip, the vision of character and viewer are obscured in a disorienting coming to. The size and peculiarities of the surroundings are slowly uncovered and navigated through in a daze in which as basic questions are answered, more complex questions arise. blade runner_ridley scott There is a simultaneous sense of urgency and caution in this scene. The atmospheric light provides a dim and constant glow in the space while the constantly moving lights are searching and exposing in this otherwise dark setting. The grand size of this atrium-like space, shot from an angle that emphasizes its height, makes it feel open and revealing. Simultaneously, the heavy walls and decorated stairs and balconies add a new layer to the scene that somewhat enclose and structure the previously mentioned spacious setting. Together, the components of the room create a space that never feels small or limited, but rather lends places to hide and places to go.
in the mood for love_wong kar-wai In the Mood for Love feels delicate. Rather than inviting the viewer into this scene freely, its approach feels deliberate in its warmth and intimacy. The slow rhythm and warm colours are passively welcoming to the viewer, whilst the very close shots through mirrors and windows limit the viewer’s perception into this atmosphere. This intricate weaving of elements and scenes in a sort of montage make the scenes feel like smaller pieces to a larger, hidden story. The parallel imagery that exists in shots using reflections also contributes to this atmosphere and sense of limited display – both literally in the shot and emotionally in the characters.
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final model
material and light studies concrete, cardboard, basswood, museum board, fabric
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SELECTED WORKS Works from 2018 and 2019 in various mediums including photography, model making, clay sculpture, and pencil drawing. I feel that ideas and skill sets coming from these mediums and others can help inspire and develop design.
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Valerie Harris
139 Tuliptree Rd. Thorold, Ontario L2V 0A5 (905) 616-0904 vh16un@brocku.ca Friday, September 6th, 2019 Dear Hiring Team: My name is Valerie Harris and I am the Director of YMCA of Oakville Summer Camps for River Oaks. Carla Salas was one of my counsellors for the Art Camp Program offered during the Summer of 2019. I have no doubt that Carla would be an excellent candidate for this Co-op Position. Throughout the Summer of 2019 I was blown away by Carla’s work ethic and creativity in inventing, preparing, and executing an art curriculum for campers aged 8-12. Using minimal supplies and time to prepare she exceed both the campers and my expectations, always going above and beyond creating an environment for campers to have fun and develop their skills as artists. Her knowledge in the arts is very impressive and she is always ready and excited to share this knowledge with others. Carla is one of the most dependable, responsible and reliable people I have worked with. I never had any doubt putting my full trust in her to carry out the day to day tasks of camp. She was an amazing member of the camp team, balancing the ability to work independently and with others. This summer she showcased her ability to adapt to any and all situations, always with a positive attitude and ready to solve any problems that arose. Through her time at camp she worked alongside people of all ages and abilities and was always able to make everyone feeling valued and included. I can say with confidence that Carla would be an excellent fit for this role. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards,
Valerie Harris
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thank you
csalas@uwaterloo.ca 289 400 6804
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