Portfolio- Luis Francisco Labastida

FRANCISCO LABASTIDA

PERSONAL PROJECTS

CURRICULUM VITAE

LUIS FRANCISCO LABASTIDA

Calgary, AB, Canada.

chico.labastida@gmail.com

+1 (368) 997-7771

DESIGN, THE MEANS THROUGH WHICH OUR DREAMS IMPACT THE WORLD

The world is small, our time is short. And I am not afraid to dream. Not afraid to learn, nor to explore. To grab a pencil and draw, wherever my mind walks I go. For me, architecture a tool has been, to set our memory in stone. It is our heritage, our tombs, our buildings, our temples, our streets, and our cities. But our true home lies beyond the sunset, my heart belongs in the deepest of oceans, the highest of mountains, the tallest of trees. I am an architect, yes, a designer, I hope. But I am a human too.

SOLARPUNK BLOOM-0

ACADEMIC TERM: WINTER 2023

PROFESSOR: JOCELI MACEDO

TYPE: COMPETITION

SITE:NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA

Harmoniously blooming between the Cooper River, Park Circle, and Riverfront Park, Bloom is actualizing a sustainable future through the integration of Chinampas and Mixed-use/Mixed-income communities. Composed around three key pillars, Promote, Produce, and Preserve, this Solarpunk design will flourish within the City of North Charleston.

The Chinampas are a response to the 100-year flood plain, and act as part of flood prevention on the South End, by inviting water into the South end of the site. By contrast, water is blocked on the North end through the design of a flood bunker. The design of the North District also includes a Bioswale in the Community Park, which slopes to collect stormwater at the lowest point in the centre.

Our Vision is to promote connection and the history of North Charleston, produce revenue through agricultural activities, and preserve a self-sustaining community. Our Mission is to achieve our goals through densification, diversification, and design.

SOURCE: preventionweb.net

the Aztecs.

The chinampas agricultural system is a set of artificial floating islands, primarily used in southern Mexico; lake area Xochimilco in Mexico has the most famous presentday chinampas system. Chinampas are traditionally built based on oral wisdom transmitted since the time of

UTOPIAN CITY FENIX-1

ACADEMIC TERM: FINAL PROJECT | 2022

PROFESSOR: DANIEL SAVEDRA

TYPE: RESEARCH/THESIS

SITE:MEXICO

01. MANIFESTO

The final project of my undergrad in architecture was quite different from what I expected. We had to imagine a not so distant future based on actual problems. Setting my own universe gave me the opportunity to imagine a utopian city. I took inspiration from many sci-fi movies like Dune, Star-Wars, Ready Player One, etc. This project was a way to express my way of thinking at the moment, my aspirations regarding architecture and what I think a city, a home should be.

For me, my thesis was not only about an architectural project but also about

telling a story from the point of view of person who actually lives in this city. So, the project for me was a visual journal, a story that made the city feel more personal. I wanted people to understand the space I was drawing and live it in their minds, just like a book.

My visual journal had of course to not be only explained with word but with a mix of visual tools. I took my personal style of drawing and painting and mixed it with architectural graphic representation, I think the balance between two different types of drawing made my project so personal and creative.

“When we read, when we imagine and get lost in our minds, all our senses awaken. That’s why for me adding this factor to the equation of my project, this narrative, made it richer and more immersive for me and I hope for the reader as well.”

SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE REACH-2

ACADEMIC TERM: SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE | 2020

PROFESSOR: ANDREA PARIGI

TYPE: MIXED USE/RESIDENTIAL

SITE: FLORENCE, ITALY

01. MANIFESTO

The project is conceived from en earlier concept I made from a videogame. I of course adapted the design to fit the needs of the context and the project.

But I tried to keep the same atmosphere as my vision, embracing the interaction between the buildings and nature. The project simply manifests

the complex nature and needs of the site into a built form, result in a chain reaction of unexpected events and situations.

The purpose of this project is to create a sustainable community of students, with a sense of connection with the environment.

It is sort of a mini campus where each module works seemlesly with the others in terms of energy production and consumption.

Taking advantage from the river San Gervasio the village can create energy and store it in tesla batteries.

The project makes use of photovoltaic

solar panels to also help fullfill the energy demands. The exceeding energy may be sold to external parties. Using natural objects a microclimate is created to lessen the impact to environment while maintaining a high level of comfort.

Other strategies are implemented as well such as heatpumps, sustainable

insulation and many other passive strategies. The objective regarding the houses was to reduce as much as we can the carbon footprint of the students through passive and active strategies. The desing of the houses helps them adapt to the different weather conditions of winter and summer.

FROM CONCEPT TO MODEL TO PROJECT

My design process was quite interesting in this course. After studying my concept art I translated certain aspects to create a habitable space, transitioning to a more current style of architecture. The architectural program and the implemented strategies helped to further develop the house. Some of the strategies used were ground pre-cooling/heating, triple glazing low emission windows, cross ventilation and geothermic heatpumps.

TALCA-3

HOLISTIC COMMUNITY

ACADEMIC TERM: PROYECTOS 4 | 2020

PROFESSOR: JOSÉ LUIS SANUY

TYPE: MIXED USE/RESIDENTIAL

SITE: TALCA, CHILE

01. MANIFESTO

The premise of the project was quite interesting. A prison in the middle of a city, currently abandoned but nevertheless part Chile´s history. Our aim was to create a versatile space, free for people to cross, the opposite of what a prison is. The design process for this project started with a thorough investigation of the site, the different facades, typologies, materials, and atmospheres which create the environment.

I did my best at trying to determine what type of atmosphere was best to portray. The result was a combination of shadows and lights. Like a prison the project showcases a dark exterior, but within, life thrives in dynamic terrain.

Much like a playground, people may go down, up, across, right, left. Spatial awareness was a key concept in the elaboration of the project.

“When I start, my first idea for a building is with the material. I believe architecture is about that. It´s not about paper, it´s not about forms. It´s about space and material.”

- Peter Zumthor.

The result was a mixed use/residential project that unifies the main avenues of Talca City. A convergence point for people to meet and live. Where once was a site that expressed oppression of liberty now lies a space that exudes freedom.

A MAN IN ALASKA // ONLINE COURSE

TYPE: CONCEPT ART

TOOLS & PROGRAMS: PHOTOSHOP

+ I learned to prepare a piece of concept art taking into account the particularities when working for video games, such as level design, textures and animation.

+I learned to use different tools and techniques to optimize my work and to use brushes that simulate traditional painting.

Project description:

In this project I learned what is the work of the concept artist in the world of video games and in what production phases these professionals are involved.

I began by studying the briefing of the course and to extract the key ideas to be able to shape my design. I got to know as well about the tools that artists usually use to create their scenarios.

Once clear about the needs that I must take into account, I made my own custom shapes, a very versatile technique that helped me generate quick compositions. Afterwards, I developed and added color and texture to those compositions and lastly I learned from the instructor about some advice on the most attractive way to present my work to the art director or the client.

TYPE: CONCEPT ART

TOOLS & PROGRAMS: PHOTOSHOP

+ I expanded my knowledge to create illustrated worlds and environments for audiovisual productions.

+ I continued learning techniques and tools to develop professionally as a concept artist, creating visually attractive universes rich in history.

Project description:

I learned about the artist’s learning curve and the different stages of his evolution, from aspiring to professional through various videos and tutorial.

I studied about volume and how to represent shapes in a three-dimensional way. I also learned to deal with perspective.

I learned how to add style to your shapes to make them more interesting and to create balance and visual interest through composition.

I also analyzed the elements that add narrative value to an image and with this you was able to tell my own story. Finally I learned how to take advantage of color to make impressive images. Through this, I become familiar with the factors that compose it, favor its balance and guarantee colorful and harmonious creations.

WOMAN IN FLOWERS // PERSONAL

TYPE: WATERCOLOUR PORTRAIT TOOLS & PROGRAMS: PHOTOSHOP

+ I learned to experiment with illustration, to create portraits from a photograph, to complete them with analog techniques and to colour them with digital watercolors in Adobe Photoshop with a graphic tablet.

Project description:

I saw in depth the possibilities of Photoshop brushes and learned how to take full advantage of the different settings.

I learned as well how to create a digital brush that simulates graphite to create the base of the portrait, and then to create personalized digital watercolor brushes starting from watercolor stains, India ink and watercolour graphite.

I learned to create a moodboard, which inspired me and helped me create the final composition of my project. From reference photographs I made the sketch with the graphite brush.

Then I applied colour and used digital watercolor brushes to add depth and dynamism to the illustration.

Finally, I applied textures, filters and effects.

TYPE: PHOTOREALISTIC RENDER TOOLS & PROGRAMS: 3DS MAX//V-RAY & PHOTOSHOP

+ In this course I learned how to use the 3D Studio Max program, its plugins, I discovered composition tricks, framing and how to integrate the project with Photoshop.

Project description:

Through a course I learned key tips on 3D modeling when raising the basic structure of a construction (walls, pavement, ceilings, partitions). I was also guided in the elaboration of the carpentry tasks from scratch and to create some details such as the furniture to achieve a more realistic result.

Once the home was designed, I created the environment closest to the house and a particular atmosphere.

At this point, it was time to play with the composition and lighting of the final photo, the position of the camera and the basic VRAY presets to obtain quick images that allowed me to do light tests.

Later I learned to texturize the elements of architecture and define the environment by adding interior furniture (sofas, chairs, lamps, books, cups) in the scene.

Finally, I carried out the final render and post-production touch-ups in Photoshop to finish adjusting colors, contrasts, materials or adding people to the snapshot.

GLASS HOUSE // ONLINE COURSE

CURRICULUM VITAE

SKILLS SUMMARY

3DS Max: 3D modeling experience in conceptual and design development phases (2018 - 2022)

Autocad: seamless collaboration proficiency with various standards and departments (2017 - 2022)

Adobe Suite: masterful use of photoshop, illustrator, indesign. Compelling graphics for presentation since (2019 - 2022)

Languages: fluent in english, spanish, french, italian and german since (2010-2022)

Digital Illustration: Keen in digital painting, concept art, matte painting (2019-2022)

EDUCATION

Instituto Botticelli, Cuernavaca, Mexico. Freehand drawing and Painting courses | August 2010 - June 2014

First child under 15 accepted in the Institute | 2010

Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Puebla, Bachelor of Architecture | August 2017 - May 2022

Principal Entrance Scholarship | 2017

Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici, Florence, Certificate “Architecture In Urban Context” | January 2020 - June 2020

University of Calgary, Master of Landscape Architecture | September 2022 - May 2025

Chancellor Cuthbertson Environmental Design Graduate Entrance Scholarship | Fall 2022

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

EL ALTO, Puebla | August 2019 - November 2019

Assistant to Architectural Designer

Measured interior dimensions of buildings for renovations. Helped with concept designs for a market in downtown Puebla. Drawn architectural plans and sections. Record management. Resource management and budgeting. Quality Assurance.

RC 6.7°GL ARQUITECTURA, PUEBLA, MEXICO | February 2022 - May 2022

Architectural Draftsman

Revised project plans, corrected mistakes. Organized structural, electrical, and mechanical designs. Prepared architectural designs and drawings using AutoCAD and Revit, ensuring that design drawings conform to specifications provided.

Center for Civilization, Calgary, Canada | January 2023 - Present Graduate Research Assistant. Part time position.

Working on GIS (Geographic Information System) on ArcGIS Pro. Developing maps and graphics for different projects across southern Alberta (Airdrie, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Okotoks)

ACHIEVEMENTS

Cátedra Infonavit-ITESM séptima edición | February 2021- May 2021

Fifth place of the national competition. 23 Teams participated.

Final Battle Winter Semester School, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Puebla. | February 2019 - May 2019

First place winner of the 3 stage design competition

Individual project to achieve and experiment on iconic and feasible design solutions for a utopic vertical household in downtown Puebla.

Fifth Place

First Place