DANIEL RANOSTAJ B.Arch, University of Houston, 2014
1
To Whom It May Concern, I am an architecture professional and recent graduate from the University of Houston as of May 2014 with a Bachelor of Architecture. I have been an architectural intern working at a modern residential architecture firm in Houston. Recently, under the supervision of my principal, I was selected to lead one our office’s projects through the entire phase of schematic design, design development, and construction drawings, collaborating with the principal on possible design solutions, leading client meetings, producing 2D and 3D drawings, and coordinating construction drawings with local governmental agencies. This has been great learning experience and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my next position. My education at the University of Houston has involved studies that focus on digital processes, sustainability and materiality in architectural design which address how to utilize these strategies to manage an array of complex building typologies and contextual issues. These ideas are evident in my work coming from studios in the college, as this work emphasizes a capability to graphically convey architectural concepts and ideas visually through illustrations and models. In June 2012, I had the opportunity to study aboard as part of a fall studio at UH to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and meet with researchers to study the city’s history and learn about ecological challenges the city is facing. With rapid urbanization in Phnom Penh and lacking available technology, the studio applied these issues towards an urban landscape project that mitigates flooding and environmental protection issues along the capitals flood prone canals. My most significant accomplishment and demonstration of my design skills and leadership has been recognized through my endeavor in completing an undergraduate honors thesis in conjunction with the Honors College at UH. This opportunity has allowed me to research independently and identify complex issues seen in a built environment and demonstrate how these are a resultant of historical, social, and cultural determinants. This independent research discusses these ideas evident in Tlatelolco, a modernist housing development in Mexico City and how these observations are able to demonstrate architecture’s ability to reinforce historical and cultural foundations. I am passionately curious about the process of the professional practice and how it relates to design with exposure in multiple components of the field, such as programming, schematic design, and graphic design. I would highly value to be able to apply my leadership and design skills to learn and work on all aspects of the firms design projects. I am seeking out firms that utilize and promote a collaborative, creative culture within the organization that values the product as a process. My résumé contains additional information regarding my past positions and skills, as well as a link to my digital portfolio and thesis proposal. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this potential opportunity with you further and get to know more about your organization. Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this prospect and I look forward to speaking with you. Sincerely, Daniel Ranostaj
2
Daniel Ranostaj
d.ranostaj@gmail.com 713.834.2716 portfolio: www.danielranostaj.com Employment Intern Architect Allen Bianchi Architects May 2013 - May 2014 Houston, Texas In a residential architecture office, providing schematic design, construction documents, 3D modeling, and rendering services. Working with team of 4 taking direction from owner and principal, Allen Bianchi. Responsibilities: - 3D modeling in Rhinoceros for schematic and design development - Review documents - invoices, AIA contracts, legal documents and client proposals, and construction documents - 2D Drafting with AutoCAD - Participated in client meetings and consultations - Coordination with local governmental agencies Production/Research Analyst The Whitaker Companies July 2012 - April 2013 Houston, Texas Working in an information technology consulting firm with duties that primarily dealt with data collection and research management. Responsibilities: - Utilize internet tools for research - Utilize social media for marketing purposes - Correspond with clients and candidates - Schedule interviews and interview preps - Review documents - contracts, resumes, legal documents, job descriptions, and references - Data Entry
Education Architecture (B. Arch) Honors in Major, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, May 2014 Undergraduate Honors Thesis Program : “Boundaries : Mexico City� Magna Cum Laude Architectural focus on urban design with integration of digital processes and sustainability
Software Skills AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Rhinocerous, Adobe Creative Suites CS5 (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Bridge), Artlantis Studio 4, Google Sketchup, Microsoft Office, V-Ray, ArcMap, 3DSMax, ArchiCAD, Autodesk Revit, Grasshopper
Recognition SMART CITY: The Next Generation, AEDES, Southeast Asia, May 2013., published as part of exhibition. Studio Work selected for college accreditation review : Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2013 Deans List: Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Spring 2013
3
4
Education
Professional
Boundaries :: Mexico City Senior Honors Thesis, 2014.
........................................... p.7
[GAP] Water Infrastructure, Phnom Penh
......................................... p.23
Sugar Hill House Tanglewood, Houston, Texas
......................................... p.31
Oxford St. House “The Triangle”
......................................... p.35
5
Historical city growth and the drainage of Lake Texcoco.
6
Boundaries :: Mexico City
Boundaries, formed as a construct of federal mismanagement, cultural identity, and environmental Senior Honors Thesis 2014 challenges, reinforce the instability and uncertainty Mexico City faces, “The history of Mexico City is the story of its seen through the historical layers successive destructions.� of the Aztec settlement, Spanish colonization, and modern day - Ruben Gallo urban city. Tlatelolco, containing the largest urban housing settlement in Mexico City, was designed as one object by all three cultures, partially, but not completely razing traces of the past built form. The partial destruction creates dissonance between the historical layers of the city.
This investigation examines the psychological, physical and historical boundaries of Mexico City to suggest that these interconnected elements do not have to simultaneously compete, further straining relationships of existing boundaries but are able to be used as precedent to dissolve negative boundaries that exist in the between Tlatelolco and its surroundings. This investigation examines and challenges the psychological, physical and historical idea of the boundary within Tlatelolco by analyzing historical housing typologies in order to challenge the destructive model of development while utilizing cultural and historical determinants in the architecture.
7
10
2241 catedral cuauhtemoc
subsidence (cm/yr.)
elevation (ft.)
iztapalapa alvaro obregon
benito juarez
water extraction
2228
4 cm/yr
8
1935
1960
2
1985
Urban Edges Object ::City
1910
Mexico City, 1500.
Mexico City, 1524.
Mexico City, 1703.
Mexico City, 1520.
Mexico City, 1628.
Mexico City, 2008.
Water Edges Object :: City
Historical Palimpsest of the 3 Cultures
1891
10 cm/yr
25 cm/yr
2000
The Fragmented Palimpsest. This irregular tabula rasa model in the city’s development is consistent throughout its history, demonstrating that “culture were not a business of accumulation so much as of displacement”. These historical layers, however, are never completely erased, creating an impure slate for the new city layer. This historical inconsistency is seen in the city’s developments, where these layers create boundaries between urban space.
1325
1440
Aztecs claim island on Lake Texcoco
1487
1519
1521
Templo Mayor constructed Montezuma becomes ruler
1522
Cortes conquers Aztecs
Hernan Cortes arrives in Mexico
1629
Mexico City experiences torrential flooding from drained Lake Texcoco
Mexico City rebuilt and named New Spain
Aztec Settlement
~1675
1810
1824
Grand Drainage Canal completed : Lake Texcoco drained Mexican Republic formed
War of Independence with Spain
Templo de Santiago constructed
1900
~1920
1950
1963
Tlatelolco housing project constructed Civil War erupts in Mexico
Spanish Colonization
1968
1985
Tlatelolco Massacre
Mexico City wins bid for 1968 Olympics
Mexico City Earthquake 8.1 Richter scale
20th Century Mexico City
Nonoalco Tlatelolco
Nonoalco Tlatelolco
17th century cathedral
Aztec city-state
Housing Typologies
Aztec city-state
1700, Vecindad, Roma Norte.
1750, Vecindad, Colonia Roma.
1942,Casa Barragan, Tacubaya.
1950, Presidente Juarez Urban Housing, Cuauhtemoc.
1985, Tlaloc, Cuauhtemoc.
9
10
The modernist city. Tlatelolco, containing the largest urban housing settlement in Mexico City, was built through inconsistent planning by incompletely razing traces of the Aztec and Spanish colonization inside the modernist development. These fragmented historical layers are a direct result of the inconsistent tabula rasa model of the city’s destructive and development growth cycle and demonstrate the cultural and historical dissonance that exists between these metaphysical elements of the city’s history.
“was not victory, nor defeat, that was the painful birth of this mestizo town that is today Mexico”
August 13, 1521 :: Defeat of the Aztecs
January 15, 1522 :: Santiago de Tlatelolco
October 2, 1968 :: Tlatelolco Massacre
May 28, 1985 :: Mexico City Earthquake
11
Vecindad housing projects. These structures were result of upper class migration to suburbs in the 1940’s, which led to the creation of multifamily housing inside Mexico City, redeveloped from existing upper class residences. These projects, while following the physical plan of old mansions, are centered around a central patio that acts as the energy core of the residences, where people interact and hold communal activities.
Vecindad :: ~1750
Casa Barragan :: 1942 interior
housing
housing
exterior
patio
public space
public space
recreation
recreation
12
Tlaloc compromises a multi-family housing project adjacent to Tlatelolco in the Cuauhtemoc neighborhood in Mexico City. These apartments are structured around a central courtyard on three sides with parking garage beneath and on the adjacent side of the garden courtyard space. The individual units are organized so that each share a core stair with only one other unit, reinforcing intimacy while private staircases provide access in the two story unit.
Tlaloc :: 1985
unit housing recreation
patio
public space
zahuan
13
1
2
4
3
14
traces
modernist housing
Tlatelolco, northwest of central Mexico City, compromises the largest and most dense single urban housing project. Developed as a new modernist city by Mario Pani during a time of economic expansion in the 1960s, Tlatelolco was meant to be a city within a city, complete with hospitals, educational facilities, and abundant housing for the growing population.
traces
Aztec ruins
Catholic church
15
16
Indivisible boundaries. Individual layers in the site, such as parking, landscape, park space, and housing structures occupy the space as hyper objects, creating invisible psychological volumes of space inside the modernist development. The project’s site intersects each of the hyper objects seen in Tlatelolco and occupies the landscape in order to realign the historical palimpsest within the site and challenge the psychological boundary of scale of the housing structures.
17
Objectified boundaries. These modernist projects, designed around local cultural preferences, are seen in the modus viviendi of Mexican people. With the urbanization of Mexico City in the 1960’s, these spaces were meant to appeal to families moving from the rural areas by responding to their needs of city living. Pani separated interior volumes by providing bedrooms and public living spaces on separate levels, with private interior stairs. The privatized interior patio and zahuan are objectified from past typologies.
Tlatelolco :: 1950 patio
unit
zahuan
18
Light and Volume as Transition. This project aims combine cultural characteristics from these housing typologies and implement these ideas in order to engage the hyper objects in the site by using light and volume as a transitional element within the architecture of the housing units and surrounding urban space.
Light + Volume :: Transition
garden transition
living
private living
kitchen + bath transition
bedroom 19
20
el patio
21
22
GAP :: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
GAP is an investigation in Phnom Penh that analyzes voids in informal interaction and city infrastructure within Khmer culture. A VLG (very large gap) exists in the identity of public urban spaces in Phnom Penh where social spaces bleed into the streets, mixing public interaction into loosely defined economic zones. The lack of green space and viable infrastructure in the city, deepened by the rapid and spotty unregulated urban development, is creating a disjointed and uneven layering of public interaction, creating unintended gap spaces through the urban areas. This investigation questions and mends the relationship between urban spaces and neglected gaps along the Meanchey Canal, which take advantage of informal density to intermediate flood control and provide public space.
This proposal includes the creation of nodes in neglected urban spaces that begin to create social and economic spaces in the neighborhood context, creating social urban spaces that people flow through. These spaces create small hubs that interact with each other that when linked together that creates viable infrastructure to handle flooding and rain catchment and utilizes pre-existing urban zones for social interaction.
23
unused gap spaces
24
STREET
SHOP
social
SHOP
RESIDENTIAL
[
[
INCONSISTENT CONNECTION
highway 271
INCONSISTENT CONNECTION
NEGLECTED URBAN ZONE
LIMITED INFRASTRUCTURE
[
[
[
[
access
access
[
[ INCONSISTENT CONNECTION
access
RESIDENTIAL
social
INDUSTRY
social
CANAL
social
INDUSTRY
INCONSISTENT CONNECTION
PUBLIC + COMMERCE
URBAN DIAGRAM
NEGLECTED URBAN ZONE
DEVELOPMENT SITES
HIGH TRAFFIC
[
[
[
HIGH TRAFFIC + COMMERCE
INCONSISTENT CONNECTION
ESTABLISH MOVEMENT BY CREATING NODES
site + filter
[
UTILIZE EXISTING URBAN GAPS CONNECT URBAN ZONES ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
mediation
CREATE NEIGHBORHOOD INTERACTION
25
26
Urban Infrastructure Systems : Water infrastruture designate and reinforce the interior spacial volumes while defining the structural systems. Canals that run through the neighborhood act as a flooding prevention system, leading water to the individual nodes, flooding the buildings and the subsequent water filtration instead of the neighborhood.
flooding
catchment through reserviors + gutter canals
filter walls create privacy in program zones
rain
sedimentation/ retention in waffle slabs
operable vertical gardens
27
marketing visualization for Kipling St. project.
28
Professional Experience
Inter n Architect Allen Bianchi Architects Houston, Texas April 2013 - May 2014
29
schematic renderings for client meeting, realized with Vray for Rhino and photoshop.
30
Sugar Hill House : Schematic Design + Process Tanglewood, Houston, Texas
courtyard house : The residence, in Houston’s west side, is comprised of a U-shaped plan framed by a separate second floor apartment, to create a centralized pool and outdoor space. the principal and client would work together during the schematic phase by refining hand drawn sketches of plans and elevations.
Schematic renderings were created for client meetings to aid the client’s visualization of space, which detailed the use of material finishes for the walls and flooring.
31
below : schematic sketch of the street facade, along with a section through the main living and public pool spaces. right : the ground floor plan frames the central courtyard and pool, created with AutoCAD Architecture.
north elevation
4'-0" SILVER TRAVERTINE STONE CLADDING
33'-6" 22'-117" 8
33'-6"
17'-2"
cross elevation
32
SECTION 1 1/4" - 1'-0"
allen
SILVER TRAVERTINE STONE CLADDING
6'-61" 8
SILVER TRAVERTINE STONE CLADDING
13'-0"
2'-0"
SKYLIGHT
91'-37" 8 9'-23" 8
15'-61 2"
6'-31 2"
21'-23 4"
7'-51 2"
GENERAL 25'-71 4"
6'-0"
1. ALL MATERIA CONTRACT SHAL NOTED.
2. ALL WORK SH DEFECTIVE MAT PERIOD OF ONE SUBSTANTIAL C
24'-0"
8'-87" 8
21'-23 4"
15'-0"
3. THE GENERA RESPONSIBLE FO PROTECTING AL AGAINST DAMAG MISALIGNMENT STANDARDS AN PRACTICE.
13'-0"
4. THE GENERA ALL MECHANICA FOR A COMPLET REQUIRED. ALL NECESSARY, RE CUSTOMARILY I AND EVERY ITEM OUT, SHOWN, O SHALL BE PROVI
23'-55" 8
CARPET
23'-0" CEILING
18'-0"
CARPET
22'-65" 8
13'-8"
TILE SHOWER
CONCRETE
TILE
WOOD 12'-0" CEILING
5. ALL MATERIA SHALL BE INSTA MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATI SERVICE INTEND MATERIALS, EQU PERFORMED BY NEAT, WORKMAN
9' 0.H. DOOR TILE
9' 0.H. DOOR
TILE FUTURE GAS GRILL
GLASS COVERED WALKWAY
6. PRIOR TO TH BUILDER WILL P NOTICE TO INSP COMPLIANCE WI SURVEY REQUIR
10'-15" 8
8'-41 2"
TUB
WOOD DECK SCREEN WALL & GATES
7. THE LOCATIO ITEMS SHOWN O VERIFIED WITH ARCHITECT PRIO INSTALLATION.
8. THE FINAL D ALL FLATWORK VERIFIED WITH CONSTRUCTION
28'-10"
WOOD DECK
9. ALL CONTRA DAILY BASIS, FO OR DISPOSAL TO CONSTRUCTION GENERATED BY
WOOD DECK
15'-101" 8
12'-0" CEILING
10. ALL CONSTR APPLICABLE ENE
80'-5"
TILE
96'-115" 8
11. VERIFY ALL
6'-71 4"
CEILING ABOVE
SCREEN WALL & GATES
WOOD DECK
12. ALL SLEEPIN OPERABLE ESCA MINIMUM CLEAR HEIGHT 24" A.F. 20" MIN. CLEAR FLOOR OPENING OPENING OF 5 S R310.1.3 IRC 20
13. ALL GUARD AND COMPLY W/ NOT ALLOW A 4 GUARDRAILS TO
CEILING ABOVE
12'-21" 2
9'-101" 2
STRUCT. FOR LO CONSTRUCTED W CREATE LADDER
14. SPIRAL STAI SECTION R311.5 7 1/2" MINIMUM NARROWER EDG IDENTICAL.
15. ALL HANDR ABOVE NOSING. BOTTOM RISERS
WALKWAY ABOVE
WALKWAY ABOVE
16. ALL WINDO ANODIZED ALUM LOW E GLASS U WINDOW SCHED CASEMENT WIND TEMP. GLASS AS
12'-0" CEILING
TILE
16'-81" 2
19'-8"
TILE
TILE
TILE
17'-0" CEILING PARTITION SCREEN
17' RAISED CEILING COVE
12'-0"
TILE
LINE OF WINDOW ABOVE
LINE OF OVERHANG ABOVE
6'-51" 2
17'-117" 8
6'-51" 2
8'-0"
6'-51" 2
16'-01" 2
6'-51" 2
9'-81 4"
6'-51" 2
LINE OF OVERHANG ABOVE
84'-0"
ground floor plan
FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1/4" - 1'-0"
N
33
marketing rendering for client.
34
Oxford St. : Design through Construction Documents The Heights, Houston, Texas
the triangle house : Comissioned by an artist for his home and studio, the unique lot allows for an irregular plan and elevation along the hike and bike trail in the Houston Heights.
35
below : construction document of cross section. the third floor consisted of the artist’s studio with an open plan and sloped roof.
12'-11" 8
18'-11" 8
2'-113" 8
3'-211" 16
right : construction photograph, December 2013, featured on Swamplot.
2'-0"
10'-11 " 8
5 41'-1 " 8
10'-11 " 8
47'-415" 16
2'-0"
2'-0"
2'-0"
3'-0"
11'-0"
11'-0"
1'-0"
1'-0"
cross section
WEST
36
37
6'-211" 16
3'-0"
12'-0"
3'-0"
11 " 8
47'-415" 16
2'-0"
11 " 8
713.523.4800 (T)
10'-0"
2'-0"
3'-0"
11'-0"
EAST ELEVATION
7'-811" 16
AIA
allen
east elevation
2111 RICHMOND AVE.
architects
1'-0"
BIANCHI
1/4"=1'-0"
COHEN RESIDENCE 530 OXFORD STREET HOUSTON, TX, 77007
1'-11 9 " 16
11 " 8
12'-0"
10'-0"
47'-415" 16
2'-0"
11 " 8
2'-0"
11'-0"
06.27.2013
FOR REVIE
07.29.2013
FOR REVIE
08.05.2013
FOR REVIE
1'-0"
08.13.2013 ISSUED FOR P
south elevation
08.30.2013
REVISION
09.10.2013
REVISION
DRAWN BY:
D.RANOS J.JAWDA R.VO
PROJECT NO:
SHEET TITLE:
EXTERIOR ELEVATIO
38
SOUTH ELEVATION 1/4"=1'-0"
SHEET NO.
A3.2
11'-11 4"
3" 54 '-
13
℄
℄
1" 92 '-
12
3'-7 9 " 16
3'-413" 16
℄
5'-1013" 16
3" 54
'-
69
41'-37 " 8
1" -7 2
7'
℄
"
-1
7'
℄
℄
6"
PROP. LINE
5'-93 4"
2'-81 4"
℄
13'-913" 16
℄
5'-8 3 " 16
2'-11"
5'-515" 16
℄
3'-0"
8'-6" 2'-6"
PROP. LINE
" 13 7 16
" 15 6 -5 1
6'-0"
7'
9 " 6 -7 1
2'
5'-7"
1" -7 4
1T @ 12" 2R @ 6"
9'
4'-21" 2
℄
℄
3'-0"
7'-5" 2'-41 2"
1" -1 2
1'-11"
8'
℄ 1'-9"
4'-7"
5'-0 5 " 16
48'-5 1 " 16
ground floor plan
39
DANIEL RANOSTAJ p. 713. 834. 2716 e. d.ranostaj@gmail.com
40