ebahena020@gmail.com
(847) 757-2078
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-bahena
My name is Elizabeth Bahena and I’m a college graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Architectural Studies. I was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, but during my educational career, resided in Urbana-Champaign as well as Spain.
Architecture has always been a fascinating subject for me because I believe it effectively integrates STEM and art to enhance our environment and therefore improve the quality of life. I find there is an essential interdependency between these subjects in the field of Architecture. Practicality and fine art may vary in relation to each other, but in the end come together as a whole. Without one or the other, it is impossible for people to comfortably partake in and inspire human activities within a space. As I continued my education at university, I found this theory to be true as I discovered how all the components in a building can have a major impact on people’s emotions and how they react to their surroundings. For that reason I believe it is fundamental to account for people of different ages, genders, culture, and abilities when designing spaces. This sensitivity to design for people of all backgrounds is one of my greatest driving forces in architectural design.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
August 2015 - May 2019
B.S. in Architectural Studies
Vallès School of Architecture (ETSAV - UPC)
September 2018 - May 2019
Study Abroad in Spain
A yearlong academic program aimed to further improve personal and professional development. Provided a comprehensive and dynamic architecture education through curricular and extracurricular activities with Western Europe as its backdrop.
AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Women in Architecture
Treasurer: 2017-2018
Active Participant: 2015-2018
Responsible for managing the organization's budget. This included allocating and reimbursing expenditure for food, supplies and gas for group tours. Attended meetings with other architecture student organizations to discuss the status of the school budget. Assisted other officers when needed.
Habitat for Humanity
Active Participant: 2015-2019
Helped improve the local community neighboring the university through volunteer labor. Specifically, assisted poverty stricken-families in the building of decent and affordable housing. In turn, learned on site experience on mechanics of constructing a single-family house.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Portillo’s - Expeditor
Took orders and payment quickly and accurately. Served completed orders to customers in a timely fashion. Ensured proper sanitation practices took place by maintaining a clean workspace. Prepared food and other necessary stock before shift in order to efficiently assist customers.
Diminuendo
Neighborhood of El Poblenou
Barcelona, Spain
Chicago, IL
Allerton, IL
Farmer’s
Champaign, IL
Suite Stacks
Barecelona, Spain
Selected Works From Study Abroad
Diminuendo
Barecelona, Spain
Music has the power to transform and empower the lives of people from all backgrounds, therefore a music school within the city of Barcelona would be incredibly beneficial to the community. The main concept for this school is to create a core that would hold all the public spaces while having instructional spaces encircle it. This created two void spaces that could be used as courtyards. One is enclosed while the other is opened to the elements. They are important not only for natural light and ventilation but also as a gathering space on the ground floor. Consequently, the voids reduced the amount of workable space, therefore it was necessary to extend some of the floor levels out of the site line to accommodate the surrounding practice rooms. The core is rectangular in shape and constructed out of polycarbonate panels and glass. These materials allow people to look out into the voids but also have some privacy due to the translucent property of the panels. A stone accent wall runs throughout the core and can be used as backdrop according to how the space is used. The school would be lifted to create an open space on the ground floor allowing greater accessibility for the public coming in from the street. Taking advantage of the corner site, student lounges are added on every level for relaxing and taking in the view of the city.
Exterior Perspective
East Elevation
South Elevation
Site Plan
Fourth Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
South Section
East Section
Amidst Chicago, IL
With the rising gap of knowledge due to unequal access, public institutions, such as libraries, are more important now than ever. Thus, positioning this library within the city of chicago becomes convenient for people of all different backgrounds to form a community in search of knowledge. In order to create a comforting environment with a plentiful amount of natural light, reinforced concrete construction was used to allow for the application of glass windows all around the library. In order to balance out the cold material of concrete, warm wood finishings was used for floors, ceilings, and railings. As visitors move from the ground floor up, there is a shift in the program in which spaces that can accommodate higher noise levels/groupings convert into quieter areas/private spaces. A cylindrical space that runs throughout the core of the library mirrors this concept as well while also facilitating conversation at various social degrees.
Site Plan
Exterior Render
South Elevation
South Section
East Section
Extension
Allerton, IL
Aptly settled within the University of Illinois’s Arboretum, this new interpretive center is set up to educate its visitors on its botanical collection through research, exhibits, and educational programs. In order to arrive at this facility, visitors can take a leisurely stroll on the walkway surrounding the pond. This particular interpretive center includes spaces for classrooms and a small-scale auditorium perfect for facilitating conversations about plant science and research. With a gallery overlooking the pond, this space is perfect for formal events in which students and staff of the university can exhibit their research findings to the general public. In the center of it all, is an open courtyard to further convey the notion that the facility is really just an extension of its surroundings. People and nature can continue to coexist if we take the time to educate ourselves and raise awareness on the importance of conserving the landscape and its plant life.
Exterior Perspective
Arrival Perspective
Courtyard Perspective
Gallery Perspective
