Cesar rojas portfolio final draft by David Sherwin

C E S A R R O J A S

C E S A R R O J A S 269.815.2163 rojasc@andrews.edu

SOLI DEO GLORIA

Why? Hi! I’m Cesar, aspiring architect, lover of all things beautiful yet practical, musician on the side, and above all, a passionate follower of Christ. This is a compilation of years of effort with God’s guidance; thus, it is my goal to serve Him and humanity as the Scriptures state, “all for the glory of God.” Dig in!

TWIN CITIES HARBOR

Unlock a Vision. Benton Harbor and St. Joseph are only Twin Cities by name: separated-at-birth-style, the former has grown into an affluent tourist town, while the latter has sharply plunged into a replica of Detroitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fate. Social clashes have separated them for decades, with a steady decline of commercial port usage playing along. No one envisioned the harbor as the agent that would bring these Twins together. Until now.

Existing conditions

Existing site plan

Conceptual site plan

Early conceptual scheme

The Conditions

The Process

The Vision

Opposite page, above: The current site of

Below: Urban Design Studio, led by Andrew

Above and next spread: work was delegated

the Berrien County Courthouse, amidst a

von Maur, held meetings with stakeholders,

among students to provide finished renderings

“charming” parking lot and surrounded by the

concerned citizens, and city and county

and informational spreads for a 80-page

jail and underused space.

authorities to discuss the vision. A minicharrete

document freely available to the public; I was

and a port-city-tour of the US East Coast

commissioned to develop the Courthouse aerial

Opposite page, below from left: A ‘60s urban

amplified and informed the process. (Photos

view. The Studio’s work has been covered in the

renewal plan is no obstacle for a vision.

courtesy of Andrew von Maur)

Herald Palladium and Moody on the Market.

T H E S A LT O F T H E E A R T H

Urban Agriculture. As a capital of Dutch Reformed Christianity and in a central location within the Western Michigan fruit belt, Grand Rapids poses an excellent location to design Salt of the Earth: an Urban Agriculture Mission Center. With its greenhouse as a crown, the Salt of the Earth oozes with its main mission: To promote a balanced development of body, mind, and spirit around Christ through urban agriculture and healthy eating.

175' - 0" 14' - 0"

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1 2 A B

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A B C D

W16X26

28' - 6"

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G 6

7 8

Structural Axonometric View

The Context

ARCH 442 Prof. Seibold, Solis, Ockerman

Left: Watercolor of an earlier design stage,

T.O.B. Level 9 Food Processing 1" = 40'-0"

W16X26 W16X26

E F

W16X26

W30X90

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W18X76

W18X106

W36X194 W16X26

T.O.B. Level 8 Auditorium 1" = 40'-0"

A B

W16X26

E F G

T.O.B Level 10 Greenhouse 1" = 40'-0"

The Process T H E S A L T O F T H The E ESalt ARTH Above: Structural axonometric and plans were

With a restaurant at the main level, auditorium,

which would fit the architectural context of

part of the comprehensive process, which

administration and food processing at the top,

Grand Rapids. By placing the greenhouse as a

included some mechanical design, zoning and

fresh produce can be provided every day for

“crown”, the mission of the Urban Agriculture

building code research and application; the

the restaurant. Employment can be given to

Center and its attempt to connect humans with

design was finalized using Autodesk Revit.

students and other interested folks, who can

nature would appear obvious yet intriguing.

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E F G

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7 8 W16X26

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W18X71

W18X50

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W18X71

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A B

W16X26

11' - 0"

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1 2

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T.O.B. Level 7 Apts 1" = 40'-0"

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5 W16X26 W16X26

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1 2

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Level 6 Office 1" = 40'-0"

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11' - 0" W16X26

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1 2

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12' - 6"

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13' - 6"

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35' - 0"

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30' - 0"

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12' - 0"16' - 6"

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A B

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Level 2 Parking 1" = 40'-0"

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16' - 6"12' - 0"

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1 2

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12' - 6"

1 2

Level 1 1" = 40'-0"

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Basement 1" = 40'-0"

30' - 0"

W16X26

26' - 6" 13' - 6"

35' - 0"

31' - 0"

3' - 10" 20' - 0" 3' - 10"

be housed in the extended-stay apartments.

Cesar Ro

Top 123' - 0"

South-North partial section with detailing

T.O.B Level 10 Greenhouse 103' - 0"

T.O.B. Level 9 Food Processing 91' - 0"

2 S.3

T.O.B. Level 8 Auditorium 79' - 0"

T.O.B. Level 7 Apts 67' - 0"

Level 6 Office 55' - 0"

3 S.3

Auditorium N-S 1/4" = 1'-0"

3 S.4

Top 123' - 0"

Zinc Coping Cant Strip

2x6 Blocking

Zinc Coping Cant Strip 2x6 Blocking

T.O.B. Level 8 Auditorium 79' - 0"

5" Organic Mineral Soil Mix 3" Drainage Aggregate Draincore© Drainage Layer EPDM Rubber Roofing Membrane T.O.B. Level 8 2" Polystyrene Rigid Insulation Auditorium 1.5 VLR 22 Steel 79'Deck - 0" W/3" Concrete

5" Organic Mineral Soil Mix 3" Drainage Aggregate Draincore© Drainage Layer EPDM Rubber Roofing Membrane 2" Polystyrene Rigid Insulation 1.5 VLR 22 Steel Deck W/3" Concrete T.O.B Level 10 Greenhouse 103' - 0" 16K7 Steel Joist W16X26 Flashing Oak Trim TRACO® 8450 ISOLOCK Double-glazed Window Metal Wire Tie Metal Furring Channel 5/8" Gypsum Board Ceiling

16K7 Steel Joist W16X26 Flashing Oak Trim TRACO® 8450 ISOLOCK Double-glazed Window Metal Wire Tie Metal Furring Channel 5/8" Gypsum Board Ceiling

T.O.B. Level 9 Food Processing 91' - 0"

Limestone Cap 8" CMU Wood Seat 2' Soil Medium Drop Irrigation Line 8" Face Split CMU

BISON® Wood Tiles BISON Screwjack® BLF Zinc Flashing Level 6 Office 55' - 0"

APARTMENT APARTMENT

Draincore® Drainage Layer

T.O.B. Level 8 Auditorium 79' - 0"

Filter Fabric EPDM Rubber Membrane Drain

Wood Cant Drain 10" Concrete Slab Concrete Drop Cap

Oak Trim 1/2" Gypsum Board Zinc Flashing T.O.B. Level 7 Apts 67' - 0"

Oak Trim 1/2" Gypsum Board Zinc Flashing

3/4" Oak Baseboard 1.5 VLR 22 Steel Deck W/3" Concrete (Polished Finish)

3/4" Oak Baseboard 1.5 VLR 22 Steel Deck W/3" Concrete (Polished Finish) T.O.B. Level 7 Apts 67' - 0" T.O.B. Level 7 Apts 67' - 0"

Dri-Design® VM-ZINC Panels Dens Glass® 5/8" Sheathing Soy Foam® Spray Insulation 1" Polystyrene Rigid Insulation

Dri-Design® VM-ZINC Panels Dens Glass® 5/8" Sheathing Soy Foam® Spray Insulation 1" Polystyrene Rigid InsulationLevel 6 Office 55' - 0"

3 S.3

STORAGE STORAGE 3

Auditorium N-S - Callout 2 1" = 1'-0"

ARCH 442

Prof. Seibold, Solis, Ockerman

Auditorium N-S - Callout 1 1" = 1'-0"

Auditorium N-S 1/4" = 1'-0"

Cesar Rojas

SPRING

South Side: Terraces with plants and dwarf apples

Auditorium: Uses thermal displacement and green wall air purification for AC

Perspective approach from the northwest

4 3 9 W. B E L D E N A V E N U E

Think sketching. Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like to draw by freehand? (I certainly love it!) By concentrating an entire design within one sketchbook, the focus was shifted to well-informed sketches rather than poorly researched pretty-drafted sheets in order to have a fuller understanding of dense townhouse design. This project, located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, gives homage to its historic neighbors while restraining itself from luscious ornamentation.

The Challenge

The Process

The Townhouse

Above, left: Final Section and floor plans of

Above, center and right: Detailed wall section

The output was a well-researched townhouse

the townhouse, which was given as a challenge

through the front bay. Wall assembly is solid

design which establishes durability and beauty

project to detail entirely in a sketchbook. Not

reinforced brick masonry with a limestone

as a driving principle. Vertical proportions,

only was the whole process to be freehand

base, floored by hollow core precast concrete

jack arches, and an inviting staircase all add to

drawing, but it also had to comply with Chicago

slabs. A vapor-permeable foam insulation with

the final product.

City Ordinance, which adds regulations to

wall finishes of similar characteristic ensure

historic districts, such as here.

bricks donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pop out due to trapped moisture.

Perspective â&#x20AC;&#x201C; walking approach

Above: Interior perspective, looking towards bay.

F OUR NAT ION S BUILDING

Revitalize a City. When the City Hall of Niles, Michigan, moved out of its historic mansion into a modernist bank building facing fields of parking lots and decay, the administrators knew that they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep that view forever. After some master planning for the block facing the river, the students of Background Building Studio developed several proposals for mixed-use retail, commercial, and residential buildingsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; including the Four Nations Building.

The Process Left, above and center: A corner full of possibilities was the chosen location for the Four Nations building. After a master planning process involving meetings with city representatives and building programming for the whole block, a corner restaurant with a side retail and office spaces was designated for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;first phaseâ&#x20AC;?, or the icon building that would attract developers.

The Deal Midwestern towns are characterized by tidy rows of exposed brick buildings. Keeping with tradition, a structural insulated CMU exterior wall is the exoskeleton of the frame which holds inside a heavy timber frame with wood decking, and adding an authentic touch with true-divided-lite steel double-glazed windows.

The Result This building reflects its name: By showing a stylization of the four flags of the countries that had a hold of Niles, and by reflecting the character of its traditional downtown, this building is sure to blend in with its urban fabric.

South Elevation

Interior perspective inside of restaurant.

Exterior - looking to a new, revitalized corner

UNAC DESIGN GUIDELINES

Service at Home. Papaya and mango abound in South America, but that’s not the main reason why the Adventist University of Colombia called upon a design team from Andrews University. UNAC wants to move its campus to a rural location and support Christian education values in the country with brand new grounds — and that’s when the Andrews team comes in to establish construction patterns, as well as to do a schematic design of the new Adventist Clinic.

Site Plan of Clinic proposal in three stages

Phase II: Health Park

Phase I: External Medicine

Phase III: Internal Medicine

The Meetings Above and below: While we enjoyed delicious smoothies, we also did serious meetings with the UNAC administrators. We toured their campus and got a detailed program description and vision for the new facilities. Being a native Spanish speaker myself, I was able to connect better during the meetings.

The Process After the meetings and returning to the United States, the team proceeded to expound a full architectural program and basic design concepts and arrangements for new construction. Research and development of a pattern book is, as of the time of this writing, still in progress.

The Clinic Left: While the new site is sought after and the current grounds are sold in piecemeal portions, a section of the current site was devised to be a clinic complex, for which our design team did an schematic design and programming. This final axonometric was done by Edith GarcĂa.

Adventist University of Colombia: Design Guidelines

View towards the Clinicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Phase I from parking

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EAST HILLS, GRAND RAPIDS

Architecture as Craft. What do heavy timber, SIP panels, and Grand Rapids, Michigan have in common? They all come together in this residential design in the neighborhood of East Hills. By following the desires of the client for a simple brick masonry facade, yet using timeless principles as patterned around the site, a House in East Hills seeks to display the craft that goes into architectural design. Done in collaboration with Edith GarcĂa.

F U LT ON S T R E E T

Site Plan + First Floor Plan (uppermost plan)

IVE

The Site

The Materials

The Process

Left: In a busy corner in the intersection of

A brick veneer exterior with limestone lintels

The beginning stages involved a site analysis

Fulton and Lake, lies Baldwin Park. What

and the use of a heavy timber frame joined with

and visit, which transitioned into site design

many people don’t know is that a good portion

the use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

that involved outdoor living and landscaping

of this “park” happens to be private property,

convey the main structure. It is “capped” by

(other than grassing everything). Collaborating

and formerly, the site of a residence. The client

asphalt shingles on the main roof and standing-

with Edith, we proceeded to individual house

desired to split this land into two residences,

seam metal on porch roofs. To act as an anchor,

designs. Each house had the challenge of

each facing its own street. Collaborating with

the chimney is cast-in-place concrete.

having two fronts, so the west elevations were

the adjacent house design, the carriage houses

coordinated aesthetically to look as “siblings.”

stagger in order to create a visual axis with the parking courts of each house and create a sense of enclosure.

Roof Plan

Second Floor Plan

North Elevation

Partial Elevation & Section

South Elevation

East Elevation

East-West Section

North-South Section

West Elevation View from Baldwin Park

SKE TCHE S+ WAT ERCOLOR S

Learning on the go. From Europe to Maine, from studio watercolors to on-site painting, from tectonic evaluations to aesthetic interpretations, sketching and watercolor painting are an invaluable process of learning from everything around us. Now that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve said the fancy prose, let us dig into a few samples of this work.

In Situ Watercolor of Nethery Hall, Andrews University

Trusses in Bibliothèque St. Genevieve & Iron on 124 Rue Réaumour, Paris

Spiritual Pavilion design, Andrews University

Section & Floor Plan of Stockholm Stadsbibliotek

Founders Hall in Atlantic Union College, MA

Tectonic from 124 Rue RĂŠaumour and a commercial passage, Paris

Bracket Study and Modernist housing sketch, Paris

Abandoned Waldensian Village, Clo de Main, Northern Italy

Window & Color Analysis in Vaxholm, Sweden

A landscape in Vaxholm, Sweden

Sketch from a Pew in St. Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church, London

C E S A R R O J A S 269.815.2163

rojasc@andrews.edu INSERT TEXT HERE

SOLI DEO GLORIA