Christopher C. Torres Estrada Selected Designs 2013 - 2015
Westport Waterfront Proposal ARPL 302: Architectural Design III - Spring 2015 The Catholic University of America Professor Carlos Reimers
2050 Athenaeum: The Future Relic ARPL 301: Architectural Design II - Fall 2014 The Catholic University of America Professor Tonya Ohnstad
Thermal Baths Vals: Full-Scale Detailed Wall Section Model ARPL 333: Construction I: Assemblies and Detailing - Fall 2014 The Catholic University of America Professor Julie Ju - Youn Kim
PreFabricated Retreat CT 201: Intro to Arch. Design - Fall 2013 Montgomery College, Rockville Campus Professor Shorieh Talaat
Georgetown Waterfont Proposal: Creating the Proper Destination ARPL 401: Architectural Design IV - Fall 2015 The Catholic University of America Professor Douglas Palladino
Westport Waterfront Proposal ARPL 302: Architectural Design III - Spring 2014 AIA Baltimore Exhibit
Westport Waterfront Proposal ARPL 302: Architectural Design III - Spring 2015 The Catholic University of America Professor Carlos Reimers AIA Baltimore Exhibit The main focus of ARPL 302 is an “introduction to the design of cities and the design of buildings within cities.� Vyt Gureckas This course works at a scale larger than the individual building, bringing together the spatial concerns of architecture, the public policy issues of planning, and the broad range of determinants that shape urban space. It explores how the architectural concerns of the individual building can be adapted for the scale and complexity of the urban condition, looking at spatial strategies for the design of the public corridors and outdoor rooms that define a city, with a focus on appropriate use, building typologies and density for a given location.
Existing Site of Westport Waterfront
The semester long project was broken down into three major phases:
Urban Site Analysis- 2 weeks
We analyzed as a section an area comprising 20 - 30 city blocks with a mix of problems in urban space and mass definition.
Urban Design Project- 4 weeks
With the information produced in the previous assignment, students organized in teams proposed urban interventions that can contribute to assert or redefine the characteristics of the city segment and the full potential of the city area with emphasis in improving the qualities of the urban space and the urban-architectural continuum.
Master Plan of Proposal
Multi-Unit Urban Housing Project- 6 weeks
In this final exercise students developed one of the residential buildings included in the urban proposal. The goal was to demonstrate, through thoughtful design, how innovative housing design in the proposed area could contribute to an active, pleasant neighborhood with sufficient density to attract local economic activity and contribute to better public and private spaces. Students were expected to propose innovative ways to approach housing design. Contemporary variations on existing types and combination of residential with other uses that contribute to the dynamics and sustainability of the area were encouraged. Utilizing the lessons learned in the previous exercises concerning the dual relationship between public spaces and the buildings defining them was expected. Activate Main Street
Bridge Connection Through Sub Station Proposed Buildings Height Increase Building Alignment Proposed Plaza Axis Main Access Cat Walk
Proposal Explained
Highlighted Building
50 25
Continuation of Building Typology
200 100
16
64
8
32
Ground Floor Plan
Program Distribution
Angled Walls Facade
Light grey = retail space Grey = Apartment Units Dark Grey = Rowhouse Units
Walls on the south elevation are angled 45 degrees to provide not only a pleasent design feature but in addition provide shading to the apartment units.
East Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation 16 8
64 32
16 8
64
16
32
8
Second Floor Plan
Rowhouse Second Floor
64 32
Third Floor Plan
Three Bedroom Unit
Kloman St.
Two Bedroom Unit
One Bedroom Unit
Studio Unit
Train Tracks 16 8
64 32
View of Rowhouse from Courtyard
Section of Rowhouse
One Bedroom Duplex Unit
Physical Model
2050 Athenaeum: The Future Relic ARPL 301: Architectural Design II- Fall 2014
2050 Athenaeum: The Future Relic ARPL 301: Architectural Design II - Fall 2014 The Catholic University of America Professor Tonya Ohnstad
Structure
The Athenaeum of 2050 is a place where members can step back from all the blinding technology and enjoy the true way of studying and learning. In a high-tech growing future where technology’s rate of growth is exponential, we run the risk of having constant interaction with technology and not finding an escape from it. The Athenaeum, the heart of preservation, will be the place where we preserve documents and move back to the traditional “Library. The building’s Cantilevers is a metaphor for the separation from the technologic world. A Refuge.
Glazing
The 2050 Athenaeum is a Refuge, a future relic of the reading space, carefully crafted and emblematic of the historic way of libraries, spaces and the drawings within. In the year 2050, the notion of going to a library to read or check out a book will be something of the past. This strong drive for advanced technology will force older generations to adapt and learn the new way of learning. Younger generations will have a small understanding of how books and traditional libraries were like.
Concrete Facade
Cirrculation Core
45 22.5
180 90
Fourth Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
16 8
64 32
Ground Floor Plan
S 6th St. 16 8
64 32
View of Exhibition Space
View of Library Space
Physical Section Model
Physical Model of Library and Office Spaces
Shota Vashakmadze
Thermal Baths Vals: Full-Scale Detailed Wall Section Model ARPL 333 : Construction I: Assemblies and Detailing - Fall 2014 Catholic University of America Accreditation 2015
Thermal Baths Vals: Wall Section Model ARPL 333: Construction I: Assemblies and Detailing - Fall 2014 The Catholic University of America Professor Julie Ju - Youn Kim Catholic University of America Accreditation 2015 This construction project was a group project in which four students researched a well-known building. The building we focused on was Peter Zumthor’s, Therme Vals, located in Switzerland. The objective of the class was to construct a full scale section model along with a 1/32 scale model of the building, in addition to a detailed Powerpoint presentation where we made diagrams and detailed wall section drawings. As a group, we chose to recreate one of the illumination roof joints for our full scale model. This model shows all the components that went into the construction of the roof.
Stone Arrangement Plan / View
8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8
0
6
18
30
1011
12
1- Grass 2- Top Soil 3- Gravel 10-20 cm 4- Steel Angle 5- Enkadrain 2 cm (drainage mat) 6- Styrofoam Insulation 14 cm 7- Water Proofing Barrier 0.3 cm 8- Reinforced Concrete Roof Slab 48 cm 9- Sandwiched Glass 1.7 cm 10- Glazing 11- Double Glazing Heated Glass 12- Spring
PreFabricated Retreat CT 201: Intro to Arch. Design - Fall 2013
PreFabricated Retreat CT 201: Intro to Arch. Design - Fall 2013 Montgomery College, Rockville Campus Professor Shorieh Talaat
The prefabricated retreat for two is located on the bank of the Potomac River in Virginia. It is an ideal get-away location for a vacation with an intimate feel to the house. The house is elevated on piers to avoid flood damage from the Potomac River and to allow for great scenic views of the surrounding nature. There is incorporation of sustainable features, such as photovoltaic panels angled to the ideal degree for the site, operable windows for natural ventilation and to optimize natural lighting, and a trombe wall on the western facade for passive solar heating and cooling. In addition, the walls of the building are made from Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS).
North Elevation
Private Space
Public Space
South Elevation
East Elevation
Photo Voltaic
Trombe Wall
8 4
32 16
Clerestory
View From the River
View of the Trombe Wall
Georgetown Waterfont Proposal ARPL 401: Architectural Design IV - Fall 2015 Runner-Up in Fourth Year Design Competition
Creating the Proper Destination ARPL 401: Architectural Design IV - Fall 2015 The Catholic University of America Professor Douglas Palladino Runner-Up in fourth year Design Competition The fall semester of fourth year was a design competition semester where my project placed runner-up. The site of the project was on the Georgetown Waterfront, currently occupied by the Thompson Boat Center. The new facility was to compliment the program functions of the current boathouse and add a health food restaurant and student housing to accommodate collegiate athletes and students visiting for short durations.
Parti: Phase 1
Parti: Phase 2
Parti: Phase 3
The Building must accommodate a series of three different programs. A boathouse facility, student/ athlete housing for visiting teams, and incorporation of food. A large building mass is required.
The program necessitated two buildings on a small footprint
The housing tower is rotated at a 45 degree angle to adjust to the site limit and to allow for maximum view down river. The Long south facade, facing the Potomac river doesn’t receive much direct sunlight during the summer months, optimizing the energy performance.
The Site
Public vs Private
Program Distribution
The site is the final destination of the Georgetown Waterfront. It will provide a plaza for pedestrians and bikers. Buildings must directly correlate with the destination.
Due to the program of the project, most public spaces are along the Potomac River. Private programs are situated adjacent to Rock Creek.
Each program directly correlates to its location on the site. Boathouse near parking lot and unloading station. Restaurant at the very end to activate peninsula and allow for desirable views down river.
Natural Ventilation
30 15
60
Ground Floor Plan 53 18
230 88
Flood Areas
Green Spaces
Pedestrian Path
The buildings are intended to be flooded at certain points. Boat storage room will embrace the floods. Floodable landscape and elevated housing will protect the complex.
Green spaces allow for nice gathering spot for pedestrians and to lower the amount of rain water runoff into the Potomac River.
Connectivity of bike path and a proper destination allowed for pedestrians and bikers visiting Georgetown.
100 Year Flood
Second Floor Plan 135
45 75
15
Typical First Floor Unit
Housing First Floor (Coaches Suites) 21 7
49
View From Potomac River
Housing Student Dorms
Roof Top Plan
View From Potomac River
View From Rock Creek
View of Proposed Development
Section showing Boat Storage, Locker Room, Office
Education The Catholic University of America -Bachelors of Science: Architecture -Design GPA: 3.76
September 2014 - Present
Washington, DC
Montgomery College
-Associates of Arts and Sciences Degree: Architecture -CAD for the Building Professional Certificate -Sustainability Letter of Recognition
September 2011 - May 2014
Rockville, MD
University of Delaware
-Major: Human Geography -Withdrew to persue degree in Architecture
September 2010 - May 2011
Newark, DE
Experience Division1 Architects
May 2015 - Present
-Intern Architect
House Doctors
Washington, DC
May 2014 - September 2014
-Carpentar Assistant
EMC2, Inc
May 2014 - September 2014
-Concrete Construction Inspector
Rockville, MD
Gaithersburg, MD
Skills Software Skills
-Adobe Photoshop -Adobe InDesign -Adobe Illustrator -Able to Laser Cut
Work Enviroment Skills -Autodesk Revit -Autodesk AutoCAD -SketchUP
-English: Excellent Reading and Writing skills -Spanish: Excellent Reading and Writing skills -Model Making
Academic Awards and Recognition -Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society -2nd Place in The Sustainable Growth Challenge, sponsored by the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission -2nd Place in Fourth Year Design Competition 2015 -Montgomery College: Dean’s List 2012 -Montgomery College: Vice President of the Student Architecture Club, 2012
Exhibition
-AIA Baltimore Exhibit: Westport Waterfront Masterplan -The Catholic University of America Accreditation: Thermal Baths Vals, Full-Scale Detailed Wall Section Model
May 2015 December 2014
Washington, DC Washington, DC
Volunteer
- Hands on DC: Elementary School Mural Painting - Earth Day: Sligo Creek Clean up - Martha’s Table: Taste of Summer
October 2011 May 2012 May 2015
Washington, DC Silver Spring, MD Washington D.C
Christopher C. Torres Estrada 1926 Lewis Avenue Rockville, MD 20851 301-272-4257
Thank You