Carlos Huerta Portfolio 2022

PORTFOLIO

CARLOS HUERTA FERNANDEZ

THIS IS ME

CONTACT INFORMATION

Carlos Huerta Fernandez 07713907568 carlos.huert.f@gmail.com

But wait, there’s more: Instagram Linkedin

EDUCATION

LANGUAGES

Spanish Native English Fluent

2021-2022 The Bartlett, UCL. Ma. Architecture and Historic Urban Environments, Distinction

2015-2020 University of Monterrey, Mexico. Architect Licenciatura (Licensed Architect), Cum Laude

ARCHITECTURAL WORK EXPERIENCE

2020 Freelance Architect Inmaterial

Conducted design projects including residential, office, interior renovation, and landscape.

2019 Summer Internship Scandurra Studio, Milano

Participated in the design process of several projects including Porta Vigentina 9, Arco 2, and IFI stand 2019.

2019 Part time construction supervisor DICO, Monterrey

Supervised large-scale landscape project for university campus.

2018 Part time Architectural Designer Formal Architects, Monterrey.

Prepared detailed construction drawings for residential and office projects and produced rendered images.

2016 Summer Internship

Mario Talamás taller de Arquitectura, Torreón.

Construction supervision, CAD drawing, and image post-production.

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

October 2022

MoHoA Modern Heritage in the Anthropocene Symposium UCL, London

Organizing team, event photographer/videographer.

April 2022

Re-topia International Architecture Summer School, KTU, Kaunas Tutor and organizing team.

June 2017

Post earthquake reconstruction programme FAHHO, Oaxaca

Surveying and mapping of damaged heritage homes

RESEARCH

Interdisciplinary project: Clean air, water and energy Directed by artist Daan Roosegaarde

Landscape and strategic planning project: Rio-Ciudad Monterrey Directed by Former dean of Harvard GSD Prof. Peter Rowe and Prof. Roberto Pasini

Urban Research project: Puli research program (Post urban living innovation) Directed by Shunchiro Higashi, In collaboration with Chiba university, Tokyo

AWARDS

+ Exceptional Graduation project award at UDEM University.

+ 36th Alberto J. Pani National competition finalist.

+ XX Biennale of Nuevo León. First place (Urban design catgory winner and overall winner).

+ ArchDaily Top 50 built architecture projects 2016.

PUBLISHED WORK

+ Post-Urban sites in Japan and Mexico -Line drawings, maps and photo editor.

+ Rio Ciudad Monterrey -Layout compositor and chapter co-author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

*Greyed out circles are not in this portfolio version

Click on the circles to go to each project----> link to WEBSITE

M-PL-----------------The Macro-Plaza

C-SH--------------The Cleaning Shed

VX-M-------------The Vauxhall Maze V-D----------------------Void Dynamics R-C----------------------------Rio-Ciudad

9E-L------------------9 Elms Left-overs

B-IV-----------------------------Bicho IV

M-L-----------Memory Landscapes

C-D---------Clinica de Diagnostico

HC-C--------------Huachichil Cabin

P-V9----------------Porta Vigentina 9

LP-M--------La Purisima Museum

LF-C-----------------La Fama Centre

S-SH--------------------Silent Shadows

HY-C-----------Huayacocotla cabin

I-L-------------------------------------Ice-land K-SS----------Kaunas Summer School MO-H--------------------------------MoHoA SF-L---------------------Sci-fi landscapes B-B-------------------------------Beton-brut R-T---------------------------------Roof-tops

F-T--------------------------------Fairytales

M-T-------------------Set Remake, Tron M-EX------Set Remake, Ex-Machina M-P--------------Set Remake, Parasite V-A2-----------------------------Via Arco 2

THE MACRO-PLAZA

link to shorfilms

This project reconceptualizes the past and future of the Macroplaza through a series of three short films that narrate alternative and contrasting visions of the square and culminate in a strategic proposal for the future of this controversial territory.

Imposed by the State Government, Monterrey’s city square required the demolition of 40 hectares of the historic city centre in order to meet an agenda of progress and modernity. Short after its construction, the square proved to be unsuccessful in attracting the redevelopment and private investment that justified its existence. In only four decades, evidence of abandonment and years of neglect can be found all throughout this concrete megastructure. Nonetheless, a closer examination of its history and present state reveal that the square plays a vital role in the construction of the identity of the city, undertaking functions that are closely tied to a longer past of the city centre pre-dating the square.

The value of this project is in presenting a way in which modern mega-structures can be studied and reimagined, moving away from their totalizing vision which, as this project demonstrates, hardly represents the lived experience of the space. As an alternative, the story of the Macroplaza is presented simultaneously through the macro, micro and multi, and through its past, present and future. These focal shifts in the way this space can be understood allows for overlooked details to surface and even become protagonists of new narrations which challenge the seemingly obvious history of this big square.

Physical Macroplaza model, Above is the original masterplan from circa 1980 which was never realized. Below it is a 3D reconstruction of Monterrey’s city centre before demolition to build the Macroplaza.

SQUARE CHARACTERIZATION

LEFT PAGE:

Defining a square:

Despite the broad diversity of squares on a global scale, squares play a major role in the constuction of power and identity of cities.

Diagram showing the eight blocks that were demolished to build the Macroplaza, which would connect the State Government palace to the Municipal Palace.

Comparison graph of several squares around the world.

RIGHT PAGE:

Historic photograph of the streets of downtown monterrey before it underwent radical change to build the new square.

Monterrey City growth map and displacement of families living in the city centre to build the Macroplaza.

Isometric drawing of the Macroplaza masterplan, which included several state buildings, parks and underground spaces.

MACROPLAZA ISOMETRIC KEY MAP

METROPOLITAN AREA GROWTH AND CITY CENTRE DISPLACEMENT MAP

ARCHIVE PICTURE OF PRE-MACROPLAZA CITY CENTRE OF MONTERREY

THE NEGLECTED STATE OF THE MACROPLAZA STRUCTURES

DRY FOUNTAINS DUE TO UNPRECEDENTED DROUGHT

DRY GRASS LAWNS AND WORKERS SLEEPING DURING LUNCH

INFORMAL STREET PERFORMANCES

LEFT PAGE:

Stills from film, docummenting and recording the current state of the macroplaza, as well as the thoughts of the Macroplaza visitors and users.

RIGHT PAGE:

Stills from animations, series of proposed strategies to adress the historic and current issues surrounding the Macroplaza.

VOID DYNAMICS

link to project shortfilm

The general objective of the project is to demonstrate that the void can be designed as a strategic disturbance, which detonates the dynamics of urban succession and the proliferation of new activities within a stagnant city context. This approach stems from understanding the city as a system of complexity and diversity, which is comparable in its behaviour (mainly of spatial configuration) to natural systems. The premise is supported by previous research that leads to the multifaceted study of the urban void, its possibilities, and its potential to create new intensities and alternative occupation dynamics, according to the theory, “void dynamics”.

The proposed methodology combines the theoretical foundations of landscape ecology and its study of void dynamics, to then map and analyse the contextual situation of the urban mosaic of the city centre of Monterrey, Mexico.

The formulation of the project focuses on the succession of economic, social and physical dynamics, which are by-products of urban disturbances. A cellular automata simulation is used to test various scenarios in which voids are placed as disturbances, which affect the configuration and quality of the space over time. From the data of these tests, the morphological recognition of the void and its impact arises, which allows their classification as intervention typologies. Further efforts were made to develop detailed urban projects where promising voids occurred within the simulation.

THESIS PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH ANA GARRIDO CHAVEZ AND DANIEL FRANCO PEREZ

THESIS PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH ANA GARRIDO CHAVEZ AND DANIEL FRANCO PEREZ

URBAN SUCCESSION SIMULATION: ALGORYTHM DIAGRAM

GAP DYNAMICS ROLE IN NATURAL SUCCESSION

FLORIDA MANGROVES AND SHIBUYA (TOKYO) CASE STUDIES

VOID DYNAMICS ROLE IN URBAN SUCCESSION

LEFT PAGE:

Gap Dynamics case study in natural environments: Florida Mangroves.

Void Dynamics case study in urban environments, Shibuya, Tokyo.

Elevation diagrams of Gap Dynamics theory in natural environments (left) and Void Dynamics in urban environments (Right)

Implemented algorythm diagram (simplified version of the grashopper algorythm)

RIGHT PAGE:

Information maps used to feed the cellular automata initial cell states. Each color representing a value that can react to the immediate context through time

HEIGHT MAP

HABITAT PATCH

STRUCTURAL PATCH MAP

CAPITAL GAIN MAP

CORRIDOR PATCH

LAND USE

SOCIO-ECONOMIC MAP RESOURCE PATCH

THESIS PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH ANA GARRIDO CHAVEZ AND DANIEL FRANCO PEREZ

Strategic proposal resulting from the cellular automata simmulation results

OBELISK OF MONTERREY

THESIS PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH ANA GARRIDO CHAVEZ AND DANIEL FRANCO

LA PURISIA PLAZA

OCA MEDICAL CENTRE DISCTRICT

LEFT PAGE:

Monterrey Obelisk current state and Void Dynamics proposal

La Purisima square current state and Void Dynamics proposal

OCA Hospita disctrict current state and Void Dynamics proposal

RIGHT PAGE: Monterrey Obelisk proposal section

La Purisima square proposal section

OCA Hospital disctrict proposal section

MEMORY LANDSCAPES

FIRST PLACE IN THE XX ARCHITECTURE BIENNIAL OF NUEVO LEON

The development of the Adolfo Prieto neighbourhood in Monterrey is representative of the ideals of progress of the 50’s that were gaining popularity in post-war United States. Almost on par with the first American suburban developments, this urban project was constructed as an attempt to generate equal life conditions for the labour class of our ancestors, thus being one of the very first sub-urban projects of Mexico. Adolfo Prieto is therefore of immense value to the collective memory of North-eastern Mexico and thus the decay of such an important heritage must be addressed. This intervention project seeks to provide a strategic plan for the future of this neighbourhood and avoid the extinction of its legacy.

The foundation on which this proposal is supported is the reconnection with the fauna; Recognizing the role of pollinators as key players in the production of food and economic resources. In the memory of the rural inhabitant of Monterrey, processes of symbiosis with living beings were the habitual way of life used by generations, where local economy, nutrition and wellbeing were part of an intimate relationship with local flora and fauna. This project suggests that returning to this identity, traditions and mutuality is necessary more than ever to cope with today’s unbearable circumstances.

The riparian element that crosses the suburb was key to establish the character of this project, developing wet zones through the manipulation of the topography in order to generate biological and functional processes that promote public life and the reconnection of the citizen with its natural surroundings.

Proposal Illustration

WINNER IN COLLABORATION WITH ANA GARRIDO AND DANIEL FRANCO

HIGH STREET ISOMETRIC SAMPLE

HIGH STREET SECTION SAMPLE LOCAL STREET SECTION SAMPLE LOCAL STREET ISOMETRIC SAMPLE

CHANNEL AREA ISOMETRIC SAMPLE

CHANNEL AREA SECTION SAMPLE

LINEAR PARK AREA SECTION SAMPLE

LINEAR PARK AREA ISOMETRIC SAMPLE

LEFT PAGE:

A selection of four urban samples with proposed interventions and strategies.

RIGHT PAGE:

Bee sanctuary within the Adolfo Prieto linear park proposal.

Street typology 1: Streetscape and community gardens proposal.

LINEAR PARK BEE SANCTUARY PERSECTIVE

LOCAL STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN

WITH ANA GARRIDO AND DANIEL FRANCO

Adolfo Prieto neighbourhood master plan, highlighting several landscape sections adopted throughout the urban scheme.

BICHO VI

ARCHDAILY TOP 50 STUDENT-BUILT PROJECTS 2016

“Bicho VI” is a parametric pavilion that originates from internal logics and the study of flexible elements, whose conformation, rather than being a top-down process, arises from a long series of material bottom-up form finding experimentations.

The flexible nature of the design iterations for this pavilion gave place to the exploration of timber shaping limits through bending and laser cutting techniques. 3D model isocurves were studied and compared to timber sheet streaks in order to push the timber’s bending capabilities further. This method allowed the development of complex and unconventional uses for this material.

As the sixth version of the “Bicho” Pavilion explorations, this project builds upon previous prototypes and seeks to further explore the capabilities of timber structures and the design of aggregative and parametric systems.

The form-finding process for this pavilion started with a series of analogue explorations using thin sheets of various materials, which would then have to translate into a timber one-to-one scale structure. The resulting explorations led to a three-dimensional matrix aggregation system based on a singular parametric unit. The system was then translated from analogue to digital using Grasshopper. The parametric system would be then further optimized digitally adding thickness, and joints, and optimizing its form and load distribution before preparing the digital fabrication files for laser cutting. In comparison to previous Bicho versions, this build would require complex timber bending using unconventional methods.

Bicho VI pavilion picture, back view.

FINAL PAVILION

LEFT PAGE:

Isometric aggregation diagrams

Pavilion front elevation drawing

RIGHT PAGE:

Laser cutting of a component section using kerf cutting strategy to increase timber bending capabilities

Bicho VI Pavilion picture, back to front view.

COMPONENT PIECE LASER CUTTING

HUACHICHIL CABIN

Several years after constructing its foundations, the clients decided to retake their plan to build a cabin in the outskirts of Arteaga forest, which will eventually become their retirement home. The project required a new design for the cabin, incorporating additional spaces not originally planned when the foundation was constructed.

The scheme for the new design incorporates passive sustainable strategies as well as local construction techniques and materials.

We had the opportunity to work with the clients from the concept design to construction details, finishes, and carpentry design, making sure we covered all their needs while creating a resilient and sustainable home. Some of the main design challenges stem from the pre-existence of a foundation, which conditioned the footprint of the building.

As part of the sustainable features incorporated to the scheme are a dry toilet that can be used as composting material, rainwater harvesting, and the use of locally sourced wood and traditional ashlar masonry, which provides greater thermal comfort than other common construction methods.

BESPOKE SEATING AND BOOKSHELF DETAIL

KITCHEN PERSPECTIVE

SCREEN AND SLIDING DOOR CARPENTRY DETAIL

BACK OF CABIN AND DECK AREA PERSPECTIVE

LEFT PAGE:

Carpentry detail for bespoke reading bench and bookshelves

Sliding door and screen carpentry detail

Back of cabin and deck area render image Kitchen and back of cabin access to the deck area render image

RIGHT PAGE: Rainwater harvesting detail drawing

Cabin section drawing

CLINICA DE DIAGNOSTICO

As our first freelance project conducted in full from design to construction, this 40m2 dermatologist office required an interior refurbishment to allow the doctor to have a better space distribution with two distinct areas; One for patient consultation and one to conduct small medical procedures and patient exploration.

Both me and Ana Garrido visited Japan to do attend an academic workshop with Chiba University. We had the opportunity to learn from the traditional architecture of Nagaya neighbourhood. The proposal for this project drew inspiration from the Japanese management of small spaces and use of soji sliding doors to effectively divide the programme without compromising small footprints. Since sliding doors are uncommon in this region of Mexico we worked closely with local craftsmen and carpenters to achieve the look and functionality that had been envisioned.

The furnishing of the space was done with clinic requirements in consideration. antibacterial paint and smooth, resistant finishes were used to allow thorough cleaning of the space using strong chemicals often used in hospitals and clinics.

Dermatologist office picture, Patient exploration area.

LEFT PAGE:

Plan detail drawing including bespoke sliding doors, stoage and bookshelf.

Section detail drawing including bespoke dresser, sliding doors and storage space.

RIGHT PAGE:

Dermatologist office picture, Patient consultation area

isometric drawing for integrated sliding doors, book shelves and storage unit

LA PURISIMA MUSEUM

The project is located in the Purísima area in Monterrey, a neighbourhood that has seen the loss of numerous exemplars of 19th-century north-eastern vernacular architecture. The project arises as a cultural and artistic space that enhances the creative spirit of the Purísima neighbourhood, while also adaptively reusing two abandoned 19th-century houses.

This museum, workshop and gallery integrates new spaces for the creation of art, including interactive rooms for children, workshop spaces and temporal galleries for local artists.

The formal and structural solution of the project proposal accommodates the complexity of adding extensive new program to a pre-existing building, generating a contrast that respects the character and visual weight of the old facades. The use of steel frames and prefabricated systems allow for a less invasive integration with the pre-existing architectural elements, including ashlar walls.

Proposal Illustration. Salvaged 19th Century housing fronts and museum extension

CONERVATION OF

BUILDINGS

ACADEMIC PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH ANA GARRIDO CHAVEZ

HERITAGE

REFINING OF NEW PROGRAMME ADDITIONS FACADE SKIN MUSEUM FRON FACADE PERSPECTIVE

LEFT PAGE:

Isometric drawings showing the museum extension and its relationship to the preexisting build environment.

Rendered proposal image, Front facade in relation to the rear extension.

LANDSCAPING INTEGRATION TO CONCRETE SLAB DETAIL

RIGHT PAGE:

Detail section of underground parking space and landscapign integration with the concrete slab.

Detailed section of steel frame structure and suspended ceiling.

ACADEMIC PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH ANA

La Purisima Museum floor plan, ground level.

PORTA VIGENTINA 9

While working at Scandurra Studio Architettura as an intern, I was assigned as one of three people to develop an adaptive reuse proposal for a building in the city centre of Milan, Italy. The competition brief was to develop an office building that optimized the usable workspace area and integrated seamlessly to the urban fabric of downtown Milan.

Working on this competition in all aspects of the project from start to finish allowed me to learn about the unique local approaches that deal with new buildings in the existing urban environment. Strategizing in the way the building integrates to the city is especially important in cities like Milan, for they allow innovation in architecture, while still maintaining coherence and harmony with closeby heritage buildings and plazas.

Porta Vigentina facade and main acess render image

RETROFITTING PROPOSAL SECTION

RETROFITTING PROPOSAL PLAN: GROUND FLOOR

LEFT PAGE:

Retrofitting proposal section AA-AA’

Retrofitting ground floor poposal plan

PROPOSAL ISOMETRIC DRAWING

RIGHT PAGE:

Retrofitting proposal isometric drawing

Vertical circulation and emergency exit diagram

LA FAMA CENTRE

The proposed cultural and community centre is located in what currently is a parking lot used for an event venue located on Hidalgo I. Costilla street. The proposal pretends to make use of the ground space for a community centre and locate parking space at underground level. In return, the ground level is liberated to work as a square that relates to the identity of “La Fama” neighbourhood.

Designing spaces based on a principle of volume fragmentation causes constant transition between interior and exterior spaces which is particularly useful for natural ventilation in these climate conditions. Many of the brick lattices, visible from ground level, extend into underground gardens, bringing in sunlight and ventilation. The red brick lattice panels are armed with steel frames and bars to provide a flexible prefabricated system that can be used as vertical or horizontal sunlight filters.

The programme for this proposal includes an open-air auditorium, a garden for temporary art exhibitions, a nursery and a café as well as permanent exhibition rooms, and a library which are connected through underground pathways.

Proposal rendered image from ground level.

CENTRO CULTURAL Y COMUNITARIO DE

El barrio de la fama en el municipio de Santa Catarina es unico en su vida comunitaria. gracias a la varidad en su tejido y el tamaño relativamente pequeño de sus manzanas se ha ido entretejiendo una vida en comunidad enriquecida con un uso de suelo diverso que a su vez propicia de colectividad y apropiación de los lugares. Existen sin embargo, intervenciones en el barrio que le han ido restando fuerza al espacio quitado posibilidades al tranceunte que recorre las calles de la fama, tal es el caso de distintas privadas residenciales, planchas de estacionamiento naves industriales.

LIBRARY ACESS PERSPECTIVE

SUNKEN GARDEN PERSPECTIVE

LEFT PAGE:

Rendered image of underground garden and brick lattice

Rendered image of public library acess.

Proposal section drawing.

RIGHT PAGE:

El barrio de la fama en el municipio de Santa Catarina pequeño de sus manzanas se ha ido entretejiendo de colectividad y apropiación de los lugares. Existen quitado posibilidades al tranceunte que recorre naves industriales.

La propuesta de centro comunitario se emplaza costilla, trasladando el previo aparcamiento de reconoce la identidad de la fama y que invita a transisión entre el espacio interior, el exterior sorpresa de encontrarse con patios ocultos y corazon del proyecto es el caracter cultural que al aire libre y desde donde se interpreta la plaza Anexo a el un jardin de obras temporales que tan los espacios a traves de pasillos acompañados cafetería, las salas polivalentes y la guarderia proyecto.

Series of isometric drawings showing the interior programme of the ground and underground levels.

SILENT SHADOWS

COMPETITION FIRST ROUND WINNER

The brief for this competition was to design a temporary pavilion in a historic square of Merida, Yucatan, to raise awareness of the many forms of violence that women suffer in Mexico.

This pavilion proposal invites pass goers to reflect through the ephemeral nature of shadows, using them as a means of communication; an entity that exists but cannot be touched, just as verbal and psychological violence.

The shadows inhabit the space and extend outside the limits of the pavilion at certain hours of the day. The messages are intended to be strong, but also reflective; Statistical data shows that gender gaps and violence against women exist in abundance, these numbers and facts are also accompanied by messages of empowerment.

The arrangement and rhythm of the pavilion and its openings are intricately informed by the ex-Penitenciaria Juarez, a historic 19th-century Jail right in front of the “park of peace”. Without physically engaging with the historic Jail, the pavilion’s shadows reach onto the walls of the fortress, creating an interesting dialogue between the longlasting and the ephemeral.

Pavilion proposal illustration. Shadow projection onto the pavement at noon.

LEFT PAGE:

Pavilion front elevation drawing and relation to the 19th Century former jail windows and openings.

Series of isometric drawings showing the development of the proposal.

RIGHT PAGE:

Isometric drawing showing the differences in shadow projection throughout the day.

Pavilion illustration showing the children play area.

Pavilion illustration showing the temporal workshop area.

SHADOW PROJECTIONS THROUGH THE DAY

PAVILION PERSPECTIVE DRAWING

PAVILION PERSPECTIVE DRAWING