DANIELA MARENTES
ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO
University of Southern California
Selected Works 2021-2024
MULTI_GENERATIONAL
01 Technical Drawings
M.ARCH 2ND YEAR, PROFESSOR ERIC NULMAN
02 Social Justice Center
M.ARCH 2ND YEAR, PROFESSOR CHARLES LAGRECO
03 Frida Kahlo Gallery
M.ARCH 1 ST YEAR, PROFESSOR LEE OLVERA
04 On_Below
M.ARCH 1ST YEAR, PROFESSOR KATE CHIU SHARED SHARED
05 The ADU
M.ARCH 2ND YEAR, PROFESSOR JOHN SOUTHERN
DESCRIPTION
06 10x10 Bedroom
M.ARCH 2ND YEAR, PROFESSOR JOHN SOUTHERN tf
By designing a connection between the exsisting social space and proposed, both generations can come together in one social space. The future generation will have more privacy with their own bedrooms, avoiding many problems that are caused with living under the same roof. The two spaces are seprated to completely seperate from what is private and what is used for social interations. This housing allows for future generations to utilize and still serve for more generations to come.
07 Lifting Heights
M.ARCH 2ND YEAR, PROFESSOR JOHN SOUTHERN
08 Deployable Services
M.ARCH 3RD YEAR, PROFESSOR OPPERMANN + HERRASTIC
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DANIELA MARENTES
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2021-2024
01| Technical Drawings
Project Type: Mass Timber Mid-Rise
For this project the designing of a mass timber mid-rise office building was the focus of the course. Apart from having a studio to learn about the abilities of wood, the building systems course helped understand the basics of constructing a building. This covered the basic understanding of construction, as well as coving ADA compliant design. Understanding how the building meets the ground, window openings and roof designs.
Micheal Hricak
02| Social Justice Center
Project Type: Mass Timber, Mid-rise
As part of the curriculum converting our 2nd year project into a revit model was required to understand real world implications. Basic sheets of the Social Justice Center were to be completed illustrating floor plans, site plans, sections. Understanding the overall cost of the building, ADA compliant spaces, and square footage.
VICINITY
Ground floor plan noting exits and entrances to the mid-rise building. Main entrance is located on the east side of the plan.
Typical floor floor plan showing office space, meeting rooms, restrooms, egress, and elevators.
03| Frida Kahlo Gallery
Project Type: Gallery
“Frida Kahlo Gallery ‘’ is based on the Mexican painter known for her portrait artwork. Kahlo often used painting as a form of therapeutic art throughout her life, depicting her experiences in a realism style of painting. This gallery provides a space where people in the community can use art rooms to express themselves through their life experiences, and utilize it as a form of therapy.
A gallery is placed on the West and South of the site, while the various sizes of art rooms are located on the East and North side of the site. While a small courtyard is located at the center of the site which allows for a private and public space for visitors
Section A
FRIDA KAHLO (1907-1954)
Frida Kahlo was a visionary Mexican artist known for her deeply personal and symbolic self-portraits. Born in Coyoacán, her work explored themes of identity, pain, love, and resilience, often influenced by Mexican folk art and surrealism. A tragic accident at 18 left her with lifelong physical challenges, which profoundly shaped her art. Kahlo’s vivid paintings reflect her passion for Mexican culture, her turbulent marriage to muralist Diego Rivera, and her fierce individuality. Today, she stands as a global icon of empowerment and creativity, celebrated for transforming personal suffering into timeless masterpieces that resonate across cultures and generations.
with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
as a
Design for Interior Wall
1_ Gallery 2_ Reception 3_ Restrooms
Small Art Rooms
04| ON_BELOW
Project Type: Visitors Center
Located in Joshua Joshua Tree National Park, ON_BELOW provides visitors a place to take a break from hiking, traveling, and camping. Providing a cafe on the first floor, and providing services, bookstore, and small gallery space. The visitor’s center is partially underground to provide a landscape view from the local mountain. Rather than abstract the view from the mountain, continuing a view of landscape.
To enter the visitor’s center, the user must enter from the North side of the site. Walking downwards to the underground level, then walking upwards to the view of the mountain range. The design of the center is mainly focused on the experience the visitors will have with the natural environment.
05| The ADU
Project Type: ADU
It is often hard for many individuals to find housing after graduating college, or in general not being able to afford to live on their own. Many end up staying with their parents or a short while, some even lasting longer not being able to fully move out. Can multigenerational housing design help with these economic issues young adults face? Can a blend of private and shared space be made to fully satisfy multiple generations? By designing a connection between the exsisting social space and proposed, both generations can come together in one social space. The future generation will have more privacy with their own bedrooms, avoiding many problems that are caused with living under the same roof. The two spaces are seprated to completely seperate from what is private and what is used for social interations. This housing allows forfuture generations to utilize and still serve for more generations to come.
PERSPECTIVE VIEW TOWARD ADU FROM HOUSE
605a - The ADU | Daniela Marentes/Southern
many individuals to find housing after or in general not being able to afford Many end up staying with their parwhile, some even lasting longer not move out. Can multigenerational with these economic issues young blend of private and shared space satisfy multiple generations?
SITE PLAN
MULTI_GENERATIONAL
DESCRIPTION
By designing a connection between the exsisting social space and proposed, both generations together in one social space. The future generation will have more privacy with their own avoiding many problems that are caused with living under the same roof. The two spaces completely seperate from what is private and what is used for social interations. This housing future generations to utilize and still serve for more generations to come.
POSITION/ARGUMENT
It is often hard for many individuals to find housing after graduating college, or in general not being able to afford to live on their own. Many end up staying with their parents for a short while, some even lasting longer not being able to fully move out. Can multigenerational housing design help with these economic issues young adults face? Can a blend of private and shared space be made to fully satisfy multiple generations?
DESCRIPTION
By designing a connection between the exsisting social space and proposed, both generations can come together in one social space. The future generation will have more privacy with their own bedrooms, avoiding many problems that are caused with living under the same roof. The two spaces are seprated to completely seperate from what is private and what is used for social interations. This housing allows for future generations to utilize and still serve for more generations to come.
605a - The ADU | Daniela Marentes/Southern
605a - The ADU | Daniela Marentes/Southern
Collage
06| 10x10 Bedroom
Project Type: Residential
The 10x10 bedroom provides all necessary items that are used in a bedroom. Often having pets and living in a small room can be difficult. All the furniture can fold and shift into each other to provide two thirds of the room for activity between a pet and human. The furniture can be shifted and folded into a module that can be used in another bedroom, allowing for easy transportation of belongings.
07| Lifting Heights
Project Type: Residential
What would a “voideristic” approach to bodybuilding look like? Lifting Heights takes inspiration from Santa Monica Beach, specifically the original Muscle Beach. Interests in the performative acts that occur, Lifting Heights takes these performative acts into a “voideristic” approach. Placing performative stages on each floor allows for the passersby to interact with these spaces both inside and outside of the building. Occupied by students, lifting heights uses its voids to house, and store students’ needs, while using its punctures to allow light to come inside the living spaces.
YOU LIFT, WE WATCH
WEIGHTLIFTING IS A “VOIDERISTIC” ACTIVITY
Modular bedrooms with built in components.
Type A Pod
Type B Pod
Presentation Board
Lifting Heights
08| Deployable Services
Project
Type: Community Center
For this studio a place of belonging became the assignment in creating a space for this site. Exploring my own identity played a significant role in this project, being a first generation student with a rich background and strong bond with the women in my life. I decided to focus my project on the latino community and what this space could provided for them. Indepth research on the current services provided for women and the latino community was taken into consideration, and noting the services that are missing in the area.
The spaces provided for the community allow them to grow in terms of sharing, movement and learning. The close proximity to schools allows for all generations to take advantage of the services.
To help the Latino community I wanted to create a space were services that many lationo communities lack specifically in the Boyle Heights area. Spaces for sharing, movement, and learning.
Sharing- To share stories and knowledge amoungst themselves, done through large gathering, and cooking areas.
Movement- To move around in terms of sport or through dance.
Learning- to help Latino community ajust to a new ay of living, helping immigrant families with services.
*The following schools are located east of the site, in which they are connected by the 6th street bridge in Los Angeles Bus stops are located in close proximity to the schools.*
*Selected Study Model*
A proposed park is planned by the city of Los Angeles to be placed below the 6th Street bridge, as well as adjecent to the site location.
Model with Kit of Parts assembled
*Can be used to create pop-up parks, service areas for immigrants, gathering areas, and etc.*
DANIELA MARENTES
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2021-2024