Reference Paradigms

Reference Paradigms

by Luis Arturo García-Bazán

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Reference Paradigms

by Luis Arturo García-Bazán

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CREDITS. Reference Paradigms is a work portfolio representative of the projects conceptualized and developed by Luis Arturo García during his independent career. The publication has been edited in his own office –Estrategias para el Desarrollo de Arquitectura or EDAA–, which he founded in 2007. He is currently in association with Jahir Villanueva. Luis Arturo García takes full credit for the various projects presented in this portfolio while EDAA takes credit for the work dated from 2007 to the present day. All credits from other collaborators are mentioned in each individual project.

INTRODUCTION.

The human experience of living is obtained through sensations and, therefore, perceptions. Perception determines our reality, our world, our social interactions and our relationship with the objects that surround us, the environment and with ourselves.

Perception is about sensual connections –the body– with the intellect –the mind–.

Architecture plays a major role in our relationship with the physical world, being that it can determine our perception of the immediate physical reality. Therefore, it becomes the task of architecture to conceive a building, not only as an object, but also as a phenomenological artifice of sensations and perceptions of the users’ experience. Both the artist and the architect have appropriated the field of perception as the most suitable mean to reach the masses, captivating and approaching them into an emotion experimentation laboratory (Scardamaglia, B., 2009).

Reference Paradigms is a graphic essay of projects. Classification is not important; yet, certain common intentions are the grouping leitmotif.

Projects sharing the same typology do not necessarily share the same intentions. One house can be about urban living, while another can be about the relationship between the architectural structure and nature. Therefore, cataloguing them within strict parameters would not only be vague but erroneous. Each work is singular in its expression and means of contextualization, given that situations are always unique.

Leisure as Destiny, The Pleasure of Comfort, Domestic Space as a Necessity, Urban Space as a Necessity, A Rush for Sustainability, The Urban Scene, and Graphics as Research are the different chapters/sections/intentions from which the book approaches a single or a group of projects.

There is no specific order for reading this compilation of projects.

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INDEX. Leisure as Destiny relax_dais Casa Meztitla The Pleasure of Comfort Lord Byron Apartment Campos ElĂ­seos Apartment Tres Picos Apartment 2 Cajas Domestic Space as a Necessity MAD Urban Space as a Necessity Mixcoac A Rush for Sustainability Puerto de Veracruz Opportunities The Urban Scene Two Walls Screen Yerevan Intercontinental Graphics as Research QuerĂŠtaro Real Estate

8 10 24

50 52 60 66 72

78 80

96 98

112 114 132

138 140 148 156

168 170

Leisure as Destiny

In the realm of leisure, a double-edged role. T would be when archit interpret the context, b maximize its sensorial Architecture would th dramatizer‌ 10

, architecture can play The ultimate situation tecture could not only but also reinterpret and l experience. hen be a catalyst‌ a

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Status: Competition for the Venice Biennale 2008 Typology: Landscape Intervention Year: 2008 Construction Area: Undefined In collaboration with Jesse Garlick

relax-dais

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Relax_dais creates a new type of public territory on the island of Cyprus. The intervention reinterprets the beach as a major public space in the Mediterranean culture.

Scattered throughout the landscape, elements in the shape of circular platforms redefine the beach, giving it new meaning and perception, while asking residents and tourists to reconsider how they occupy the tidal zone. These precast concrete platforms adapt to a variety of conditions: from land, to rock, to sand, to sea, creating an archipelago of activities. New gatherings and multifunctional spaces wait to be discovered and defined. Opaque by day and luminescent by night, these circular stages contribute to a new layer of history.

relax-dais

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relax-dais

18

relax-dais

20

relax-dais

22

relax-dais

24

relax-dais

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Status: Under Construction Typology: Housing Year: 2011 Construction Area: 400 m2 In collaboration with Jahir Villanueva

Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

30

Casa Meztitla

32

Casa Meztitla

PANORAMIC PATIO

ENTRANCE

34

” O EC ZT PO TE L “E TO S EW VI

social area

PANORAMIC PATIO

Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

Casa Meztitla is an intervention of a natural scenario. It showcases the luxurious value of leisure, the tropical weather, the intense sunlight, the smells of nature, the over 500 year-old landscaped terraces and the ever-present rock mountain: El Tepozteco. It is context in itself. The house, built out of rough stone, crawls low under the trees, aligned with the vegetated-covered stone slopes.

It is the creation of pure space within the natural space (Paz, O., 1987). It has an introverted living yet is continually open to its surroundings. Only two elements reveal its existence to the outside world: the colorful bougainvillea flowers showing randomly through the trees’ dense foliage, which mark the plot’s perimeter; and the massive and monolithic white box that emerges through the treetops.

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Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

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Casa Meztitla

The Pleasure of Comfort

“Light is an emotional issue,� Jean Nou If urban living is about sophistication le then urban dwelling should consider inte projects verse on pleasure and comfo most luxurious materials in dense urba The following section features four inter located in some of the most prestigiou group is characterized by an incessa constant reference to the outside world within these urban dwellings seeks the not the theme. It is the sensorial interv thus, the shapes become physical matt 52

uvel. eading to seek experience and comfort, egrating the same values. This section’s rt achieved through the use of the two an centers: space and light. r ior interventions in apartment buildings us neighborhoods in Mexico City. The nt search for continuous space and a d. Just like in the natural world, the life path of light. Architectural solutions are vention that structures the experience; ter.

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Status: Built Typology: Housing Year: 2009 Construction Area: 300 m2

Lord Byron Apartment

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Lord Byron Apartment

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Lord Byron Apartment

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Lord Byron Apartment

Status: Built Typology: Housing Year: 2009 Construction Area: 150 m2

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Campos Eliseos Apartment

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Campos Eliseos Apartment

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Campos Eliseos Apartment

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Status: Built Typology: Housing Year: 2007 Construction Area: 220 m2

Tres Picos Apartment

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Tres Picos Apartment

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Tres Picos Apartment

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Status: Concept Typology: Housing Year: 2011 Construction Area: 80 m2 In collaboration with Jahir Villanueva

Dos Cajas

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Dos Cajas

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

vegetation

shed

patio

social area

closet

office services t.v.

room entrance

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STAGE 3

STAGE 4

GEOMETRIES AND PERCENTAGES

20 % 58 %

48 % 10 %

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

52 %

34 %

4 % 4%

15 % 10 %

STAGE 3

STAGE 4

Dos Cajas

Domestic Space as a Nec

Materializing a rural dw area and budget in Mexic thinking beyond containe In this scenery, a fine bala and a contemporary spir from industrialized proce strategy, they must no idiosyncrasy-nature relat 80

cessity

welling within a reduced co’s countryside requires ers or habitable shelters. ance between a traditional rit must prevail. To profit esses, as a cost-reducing ot contravene the mantionship.

A luxurious space is often defined first by its extension and then by the materials employed for its construction. If a minimum house has high ceilings and the possibility of space continuation to the outside, then it has the potential to achieve a luxurious space condition.

In an attempt to build social housing and to avoid unplanned or undesired settlings, Mexico’s Federal Government, through the CONAFOR (National Forestry Commission), launched a public competition to design minimum housing for mass construction in rural areas. The commission was to design houses using wood as a sustainable material, to ensure the possibility of future house expansion with the use of a limited budget and area.

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Status: Competition Typology: Housing Year: 2009 Constructed Area: 54 m2 In collaboration with Juvencio Núñez

MAD

84

MAD

86

MAD

88

MAD

0.20

0.10

0.80

0.10

4.00

0.10

0.80

0.10

0.90

4.10

1.00

6.00

90

0.88 2.05 2.05 0.90

2.40

MAD 2.40

4.55

2.15

92

GROWTH POTENTIAL

MAD

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MAD

96

This proposal is neither a refuge, nor a module, nor a minimum habitable unit. It is a dwelling, a house in every sense of the word. It is a home.

It is a space that unfolds until it merges with its surroundings and then folds back again creating its own microcosms.

It is a room for introversion, meditation, family cohesion and organic merging with the context. This proposal examines transparency and intimacy, as well as permanency, transcendence and identity.

MAD

Urban Space as a Necess

The need for urban public sp of the urban condition. The launched Mexico City as a m Consolidation of the urban the country’s political agend an urban reality. Time is ofte Urban space must be creat and ever y possible square 98

sity

pace is one of the main traits demographic explosion that egacity has shown its havoc. core is now a main theme in da, and is still far from being en too slow for urban needs. ted out of every opportunity meter of the metropolis.

This project is based on research and reflections on the urban environment and the way architecture, with its own scale, ‘makes cities’. By combining different uses and urban scales (neighborhood-city), it proposes how bus-to-metro stations in Mexico City could shift from being a negative symbol in the urban imaginary to a public area of enjoyment and infrastructure.

A plaza or square articulates countless uses: fixed and popular commerce, public forum, local library, bookstore and access to underground bus station and parking. The library tower stands as a local landmark in the low-rise avenue. Tree lines build the main façade, creating a green promenade in this non-park urban area.

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Status: Concept Typology: Infrastructure Year: 2005 Constructed Area: 25,500 m2 In collaboration with Liliana PĂŠrez

Mixcoac

SUBWAY ENTRANCE

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CIRCUITO INTERIOR (MAIN AVENUE)

SIDEWALK

COMMERCIA PROMENADE (ABOVE: OPEN GALLERIA) PUBLIC LIBRARY

PUBLIC FORUM

LOCAL STREET

PLAZA

PARK

Mixcoac

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Mixcoac

SUBWAY ENTRANCE

STREET

SUBWAY

PUBLIC FORUM

PUBLIC LIBRARY

LOOKOUT TERRACE

BUS TERMINAL PARKING PARKING PARKING

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S

COMMERCE

PUBLIC FORUM

STREET

BUS TERMINAL PARKING PARKING PARKING

CIRCUITO INTERIOR (MAIN AVENUE)

SUBWAY

Mixcoac

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Mixcoac

110

Mixcoac

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Mixcoac

A Rush for Sustainability

Sustainability: the world’s new Quality of life: the world’s new desirable or undesirable.

In the age of global rankings and for laid-back cities. Cities that w catwalk must follow the global their own. Mexico is no except from the local standpoint. Every 114

w political flag. parameter to classify a city as

d competitions, there is no room want a place in the international discourse and make its values ion. Challenges must be taken y scenario has a unique quality.

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Status: Competition – 1st Prize Award Typology: Master Plan Year: 2005 Construction Area: 485,000 m2

Puerto de Veracruz

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On a yearly basis, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) summons a national competition in which one student from every Faculty of Architecture in Mexico is selected to compete in a twostage process.

Urban recycling at Veracruz was the exercise subject. Its objective was to rehabilitate the port area, the old train station and the trains’ steer rail area, which partly surround Veracruz’ historical center, and turn them into a new recreational, tourist and financial center.

The proposal is based on four main aspects: the urban green, the seafront, the pedestrian connection with the city center and the new city-port frontier.

Puerto de Veracruz

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Puerto de Veracruz

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Puerto de Veracruz

Antigua Te

+ oficina de ec + centro de las + andenes (ga

General Program:

Museo

1. Park 2. Culture and Leisure 3. Financial Center 4. Housing and Offices 5. Tourism and Commerce

Centro de las Artes Escénicas y Vis Antiguo edificio de Correos + museo de artes plásticas

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Antiguo edificio de Aduana zoning

+ museo de historia del puerto de veracruz

circulation

Terminal de cruceros + café - mirador + servicios turísticos + dutty-free

Malecón + mobiliario urbano, arte y publicidad + actividades diversas; alimentos, bebidas y bares

Faro Siglo XXI + emblema del rescate del puerto marítimo

Public Semi-public Controlled Access

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Club de Yates + Museo Náutico + restaurante - bar

erminal de Ferrocarriles

cología urbana y administración del parque s artes experimentales alería-café con vista a los viveros)

Vivienda + Oficinas + uso comercial en planta baja

del Ferrocarril Redonda + Bodegas

suales

+ centro comunitario (talleres y oficios) + instalaciones para el deporte

Antiguos almacenes + centro comercial (tiendas) + centro de convenciones + hotel ejecutivo

Nuevos almacenes + centro comercial (tiendas, restaurantes, discotecas) + centro de convenciones + hotel ejecutivo

Puerto de Veracruz

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Puerto de Veracruz

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Puerto de Veracruz

130

Puerto de Veracruz

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Puerto de Veracruz

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Status: Competition – 1st Prize Award Typology: Master Plan, Regional Planning Year: 2006 In collaboration with: Jahir Villanueva, Fernando Tepichin and Marie Rogalle

Opportunities

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“Opportunities for Development in Mexico City� was a public competition, launched by the Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA), to generate progressive development proposals for megacities in a sixyear political agenda.

Our proposal is to integrate Mexico City’s west mountain range, named Sierra de las Cruces, into the urban context as a way of establishing a dialogue between the city and its natural context. The proposal creates a system in which wild flora and fauna, water, urban green, urban agriculture and eco-friendly transportation interact with the actual urban fabric. The creation of greenways running from the natural to the urban environment would generate alternative public spaces and environmental fluxes, while increasing the quality of life and hopefully minimizing ecological devastation.

Opportunities

natural green 3 - 6 years 138

H2O transition area 0 - 3 years

peripherial hwy 3 - 6 years

urban green 6 ------> years

1

2

3

rivers

dams

gorges

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Opportunities

The Urban Scene

Urban scenarios a timely intervention can vary from th ephemeral to the c new urban icons. It position and propo 140

are diverse. The of the urbanscape e meticulous and creation of massive is a matter of size, rtion.

In the aftermath of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, many parts of the city were devastated and lost their unique character. Such is the case of the Roma neighborhood. This phenomenon led to an urban analysis of the neighborhood, focusing on the underutilized terrains that resulted from the tragic event. The intention was to propose an alternative function to their actual parkinglot use. The terrains’ selection and their new use had to have a positive impact on the area.

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Status: Concept Typology: Services Year: 2004 Construction Area: 300 m2

Two Walls

144

Six corner-terrains were chosen, which altogether worked as a student or shortterm accommodation complex.

Extruded in a 12m by 12m plot, Two Walls was intended to be the administrative and service building. The proposal seeks refuge from the outside, not at a physical but at an experience level. The building revolves around a vertical patio. The stairs revolve around a wall.

The patio is the spatial bridge between the two entities.

Nothing but light and people walking up and down stairs can be seen from the inside. This is about the urban boundary, physical displacement and light.

Two Walls

Ground and Basement Level

INTERNAL PATIO

146

First Level

Second Level

Roof Level

Two Walls

148

Two Walls

150

Status: Concept Typology: Art Installation Year: 2009 Construction Area: 200 m2 In collaboration with Juvencio Núñez

Makken Screen

152

Beauty and light are tempting.

An intervention of a beautiful, ever-changing, luminous and ephemeral shape in one of Mexico City’s most historic and fashionable neighborhoods would be a welcoming and attractive reference from the park and within. The cuttingedge reputation of Makken as a media agency would be highlighted by the introduction of a retractile screen that shelters high-end fashion exhibits within its facilities. This is a chance to merge fashion’s clothing spirit with architecture.

In this particular intervention, architecture is about urban beauty. It wants to be seen, to be unique and different.

Makken Screen

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VISTA DESDE LA ENTRADA PEATONA

Makken Screen

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Makken Screen

The urban geometry of Yerevan is the inspirational motif for this proposal. The structure’s façade is meant to depict the region’s complex and contrasting layers of history. It is set to be overlooking Yerevan, and Yerevan looking back at it. The tower’s privileged location within the city positions it as a 21st century urban icon.

Our proposal was to be Yerevan’s new jewel. Pure geometry; an abstract plane floating above the city. It is not a building that is proposed, but a luminous abstract piece lacking volume. This urban art piece is to be located at the auction of Teryan Street. It venerates the city’s history and is eager to blend into Mount Ararat’s breathtaking scenario.

158

Status: Competition Typology: Master Plan, Services, Housing Year: 2009 Construction Area: 9,500 m2 In collaboration with 128Arquitectura y Dise単o Urbano S.C.

Yerevan Intercontinental

SKY BAR, LOUNGE & DINING + PH Floor 20 + 1,300 m2 + Yerevan panoramic views + Building services and equipment

HOTEL DELUXE SUIT FLOORS + Floors 18 - 19 + 2,600 m2

HOTEL SUIT FLOORS + Floors 9 -17 + 11,700 m2

FLAT APARTMENT FLOORS + Floors 1 - 8 + 10,400 m2

RESTAURANTS AREA + 900 m2 + Service Elevator

BACK OF THE HOUSE + 2,700 m2 + Service Elevator

MAIN LOBBY FRONT DESK

160

+ 1,100 m2 + Front Desk Lobby + Front Desk Administration + Services + Retail

IBC

+ Ball Room700 m2 + Meeting Rooms 400m2

RESIDENTIAL PARK

RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (4)

+ 1,400 m2 + Arboretum

+ Lobby and Amenities on grade podium + 5 apartment stories + 10 apartment units (2 per floor) + 200 m2 per unit

HOTEL PARK + 3,500 m2 + Green lawn

RESIDENTIAL PARKING (4)

+ Semi underground parking podium per building + Capacity of 80 vehicles each (2 per unit)

FITNESS & SPA

+ 1,300 m2 + Outdoor plunge pool + Indoor swimming pool + Panoramic massage pavilions

MAIN LOBBY, GALLERIA & EXHIBITION HALLS

FUTURE EXPANSION + 900 m2

+ Piano Nobile + 1,700 m2 of public area + Panoramic views to city and gardens + Panoramic Lobbies + Open art galleria + Open bars and cafes

EXISTING BUILDING

RETAIL LOBBY + 500 m2 + 4 Retail Areas

Yerevan Intercontinental

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Yerevan Intercontinental

HOTEL TOWER

T

EE

N YA R E

T

164

R ST

HOTEL COMPLEX

HOUSING COMPLEX

Yerevan Intercontinental

166

Yerevan Intercontinental

168

PANORAMIC LOBBY

Yerevan Intercontinental

Graphics as Research

QuerĂŠtaro, a fast-growing indust center, was the subject of this to pursue a real estate opport statements was the main elem morphology of the city played a m space. The combination of hard field surveys resulted in a grap W urban and real estate analysis city was the main guideline of investment can be found swimm 170

rial city in Mexico’s geographical urban investigation that sought unity. The creation of graphic ent of this research. The visual major role in the interpretation of d data from various sources and Whical, statistical, demographic, s. The growing tendency of the the proposal. Opportunities of ming upstream.

172

Status: Research Typology: Urban - Real Estate Year: 2010 In collaboration with Lorena Sicilia

QuerĂŠtaro Real Estate

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QuerĂŠtaro Real Estate

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QuerĂŠtaro Real Estate

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QuerĂŠtaro Real Estate

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QuerĂŠtaro Real Estate

A special thanks to Gabriela Hernรกndez and Natalia Herrero for their support in the editorial task.