WORKS
Ghislaine Garcia design portfolio
PORTFOLIO
Ghislaine Garcia 2024 compilation of design works
mobile: email: website: 708.743.2249 ghislainelgarcia@gmail.com www.issuu.com/glgarcia
GHISLAINE GARCIA EDUCATION
t. 708.743.2249
e. ghislainelgarcia@gmail.com
w. archinect.com/garciaghislaine issuu.com/glgarcia
REFERENCES
Thomas Kerwin
bKL Architecture - Founding Principal tkerwin@bklarch.com 312.469.8131
Angela Spadoni
bKL Architecture - Principal aspadoni@bklarch.com 773.999.7178
Danielle Tillman
bKL Architecture - Managing Principal dtillman@bklarch.com 312.661.2916
Jon Gately
bKL Architecture - Principal jgately@bklarch.com 210.363.4994
Juan Robles
bKL Architecture - Principal jrobles@bklarch.com 312.469.8077
Michael Rose
bKL Architecture - Director mrose@bklarch.com 312.469.8015
AIA Chicago EDI Beta Test Commitee
ACE Mentor Program Mentor
University of Cincinnati Master of Architecture
University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Bachelor of Science, Architectural Studies
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
bKL Architecture LLC | Associate | Chicago, IL
Spearheaded the design and development of an innovative exterior wall system for a complex precast building, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic excellence.
Orchestrated and streamlined daily collaboration with consultants to navigate critical design challenges, driving precision and alignment at every project phase to meet tight deadlines and complex requirements.
Executed numerous production efforts for DPD intake requirements for high-profile projects.
Krueck Sexton Partners | Technical Architectural Designer | Chicago, IL
Developed comprehensive construction documents for CME Center*. Contributed to bridging documents for sensitive but unclassified project in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lead the firm’s efforts, contribution and involvement with the ACE mentor program. Executed a RFP submission for a local project in Chicago. Heavily involved in the marketing department and social media platforms for daily outreach.
ZGF Architects | Architectural Design Intern | Portland, OR
Supported schematic design phase for the 11W Mixed-Use Residential Tower. Delivered compelling, client-facing presentations and participated in client strategy meetings, fostering strong partnerships and exceeding project milestones.
Costa Brown Architecture | Architectural Design Intern | San Francisco, CA
Edited construction document sets for various interior renovations and residential housing projects. Prepared detailed construction documentation for client meetings.
Engaged in schematic design for a single-family residence, producing high-quality renderings and graphic presentations for client reviews.
University of Cincinnati | SAID Graduate Research Assistant | Cincinnati, OH
Co-edited the School of Architecture and Interior Design Book “Echos”
Edited MetroLab publications, contributing to the university’s research initiatives.
HDR Inc. | Architectural Design Intern | Chicago, IL
Instrumental in the schematic design for the Advocate Christ Emergency Department Enclosure, producing impactful visuals and material boards that advanced client decision-making processes. Contributed to construction documents for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Goettsch Partners | Architectural Designer Intern | Chicago, IL
Collaborated on high-stakes international competitions and high-profile projects, crafting models and visual media that showcased design innovation and strategic problem-solving. Developed presentations for the CAF, engaging educators across the U.S.
Distinguished Thesis Research Award
1st Place Daktronics Environmental Graphics - Graphic Design Competition
Graduate Research Assistant Award
George Fabe Scholarship Recipient
ECHOS - University of Cincinnati SAID Publication - Co-Edited Graduate Assistant Award
1st Place GAB Competition - “modulos de la lluvia” - Design Competition
1415 S. EADS ST.
LOCATION
Arlington, VA
DESIGN
bKL Achitecture
CONSTRUCTION
Estimated to break ground early 2025
This 19-story multi-family tower, will be neighboring Amazon’s HQ2 campus. Adjacent to Richmond Highway this corporate campus is setting the tone for the future land use. The site’s narrow 90-foot frontage and 500-foot depth presented unique challenges. Additionally, the tower’s height limit of 19 stories, due to its proximity to Reagan National Airport, greatly influenced the design. Due to these constraints led to the development of facade relief by introducing folds. The facade is made up of intricate pre-cast stepping, metal and glass, bringing an elevated feel for the new build. Introducing approximately 600 units to Eads St. this tower seamlessly integrates into its neighborhood.
SPRINKLER PIPING,
HAZEL NATIONAL LANDING ARLINGTON
LOCATION
Arlington, VA
DESIGN
bKL Achitecture
CONSTRUCTION
Estimated Completion 2024
RACEWAY FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICAL RACEWAY SERVING THE INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY AND RAMP & TERMINATING AT A STEEL BOX NOT EXCEEDING 16 SQIN. SUCH PENETRATIONS SHALL BE PROTECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH VCC SECTION 714. THERE SHALL NOT BE PENETRATIONS OR COMMUNICATION OPENINGS, WHETHER PROTECTED OR NOT, BETWEEN ADJACENT INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS.
ISSUES
REV #
DATEDESCRIPTION
2021.01.19ISSUED FOR DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
2021.04.16ISSUE FOR IN-PROGRESS CDs
2021.05.14ISSUE FOR IN-PROGRESS CDs
2021.06.15ISSUE FOR BID
2021.08.03ISSUE FOR BLDG PERMIT
A2021.08.04GMP
Hazel National Landing sits within the National Landing neighborhood, in a prominent location in Arlington, soon to be home to Amazon’s HQ2.
12021.10.29PERMIT REVISION 1
22022.01.11PERMIT REVISION 2
C2022.01.26BULLETIN 1
The site is made up of two cohesive buildings expressing its segmented massing throughout the facade. These mixeduse buildings make up 15 and 11 stories respectively with a total of 527,000 SF.
32022.04.08PERMIT REVISION 3
F2022.05.04BULLETIN 4
K2023.01.13BULLETIN 10
M2023.04.14IFC - BUILIDNG 1
Hazel National Landing will provide nearly 500 apartment units and an extension of the Potomac Yards Central Park. An integrated landscape design will allow for residents and visitors to enjoy the natural environment of the park. The design of the ground level includes a mixture of public and private programs, activating the space throughout.
CRYSTALDR
3030 & 3130 POTOMAC AVE. ARLINGTON, VA
ZMA DEVELOPMENT, LP
7900 WESTPARK DRIVE, SUITE T605, MCLEAN, VA
PANORAMA CHICAGO
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
DESIGN
bKL Achitecture
CONSTRUCTION
Completed 2021
With its curved facade, Panorama, a 8 story mixed-use residential building is centrally located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Located one block away from the Belmont “L” station and two blocks from Wrigleyville and Boystown. Its curved facade softens its southeast corner for pedestrian flow on School Street. Panorama is comprised of 140 residential units, setting back at its 8th story for a terrace relief and grandiose views of the cityscape.
Ghislaine Garcia
CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE - LOBBY RENOVATION
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
DESIGN
Krueck Sexton Partners
CONSTRUCTION
Completed 2020
CME’s finished lobby serves as a welcoming, modern gateway that reflects the Exchange’s innovative spirit while fostering a professional and approachable atmosphere. The project involved modernizing existing infrastructure while integrating high-quality materials, state-of-the-art lighting, and functional layouts to enhance user experience.
11W
LOCATION
Portland, OR
DESIGN
ZGF Architects Completed 2023
CONSTRUCTION
The goal was to design a mixed-use tower that responds to the housing needs of the downtown pearl district commercial area and for it to become a model of what the next towers in the developing area should strive to be.
ADVOCATE CHRIST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DROP-OFF
LOCATION
Oak Lawn, IL
DESIGN
HDR Inc.
CONSTRUCTION
Completed 2017
Providing an intuitive and structurally sound emergency-drop off center for Advocate Christ Hospital. An iterative process was taken to make sure the best way-finding solutions were implemented.
SENSORY KINEMATICS - SMART HOUSE
PROJECT
Thesis Project [fall 2016 - spring 2017] - Distinguished Thesis Award*
LOCATION
East Price Hill, Cincinnati, OH
SOFTWARE
rhino, grasshopper, sketchup, vray, illustrator, photoshop, c++, arduino uno, laser
As our involvement with the technological world grows rapidly and personalized digital mediums are pushing past hand held devices onto our immediate surroundings, the platform for designing these heightened sensorial spaces awaits an architectural application. The balance must find the architectural solution. Gestural communication and interaction with the built environment will dictate this architectural manifestation. In doing so, designers can implement these emerging technologies into our immediate surroundings, leaving the user with an ethereal connection to his or her spatial ambient.
TECHNOLOGY + SENSORS
The idea behind the folding techniques was to be able to move in all three axes and an option that would also become a flat surface.
EXPERIMENTATION
The idea behind the folding techniques was to be able to create an expanding and contracting mass in the x, y, and z direction.
FOLDING ITERATIONS
This origami folding pattern was chosen to be the most successful due to its ability to expand and contract in the x, y, and z axes while also giving the ability to folding into a flat surface.
KINETIC WALL
By using an origami pattern, custom gears, dc motors, sensors, and arduino uno boards the composition of these objects resulted in a kinetic wall installation. The kinetic wall is activated upon motion detected by the PIR (infrared motion sensor). The dc stepper motor is triggered once the PIR sensor detects an environmental stimulus. The custom gear pushes the wall out and reals it back in creating a breathing affect.
FOLDING ITERATION I
FOLDING ITERATION II
FOLDING ITERATION III
SCENARIO I: WORKING FROM HOME
Person A has an opportunity to work from home. He gets the entire house to himself and decides to open up the house into three main dome shapes indicating the work area, bathroom / kitchen, and the bedrooms. Person A is able to see the entirety of his house from one end of the house overlooking Cincinnati’s beautiful topographic landscape.
SCENARIO II: KIDS PLAY DATE
During this play date three kids require a shape changing, fortlike nooks that they can massage into place how they want. The nooks the kids want are more personal spaces and separated from the rest of the house. In this scenario the bedrooms were unfolded and the furniture was moved to the basement of the house using a lift. The clothes that they are wearing allows them to make gestures to allow for the shape changes they desire. Smart phones then are required for a manual override that the owners of the house have ultimate control of the entirety of the moving house.
SCENARIO III: FAMILY GATHERING
During family gatherings like these, the house should be able to keep a constant temperature of 72F. This would call for the possibility of changes in roof height due to the air conditions in the house. The ceiling will have to rise to allow for more air circulation. Because the house is changing do to the needs of the occupants the shape of the house and room arrangements.
Ghislaine Garcia
AFTER SANDY : THE NEW RED HOOK
PROJECT
Urban Planning for the future Red Hook
LOCATION
Red Hook, NY
SOFTWARE
rhino, sketchup, grasshoper, vray, illustrator, photoshop, laser cutter, 3D ABS printer
Sea levels are rising and real estate is only increasing in value. Looking at a cemetery in Brooklyn for the development of the new Red Hook for its displaced citizens. Research was done on three major factors, walk-ability in the new town, transportation for the new residents, and water retention systems to help alleviate with future flooding.
NEW YORK CITY, NY
STREETSCAPE
x 200’
x 275’
x 200’
Looking at three different walkable street sizes, the packed streets of New York City, the hilly streets of San Francisco, and the preferred size walkable streets of Portland, Oregon. Portaland’s street size is a relative 200’ x 200’ where are pedestrians are the focus of the city’s streetscape.
Ghislaine Garcia
BRIDGING WILSON AVENUE
FOREGROUND BUILDINGS CAMPUS
MEDIUM + HIGH DENSITY BUILDINGS HOUSING
BACKGROUND BUILDINGS HOUSING
SECTIONS - HOUSING
B] HIGH DENSITY
A] MEDIUM DENSITY
C] HIGH DENSITY
MEMORY PALACE
PROJECT
Ossuary Design Charrette [spring 2016]
LOCATION
Red Hook, NY
SOFTWARE
rhino, sketchup, vray, illustrator, photoshop
COLLABORATORS
Erin Kline
Looking at alternative methods of remembering our dead, a Memory Palace (an ossuary / catacomb system) was designed to hold the ashes in individual earns and niches as well as a catacomb system below ground. as a way to develop a vertical burial system as opposed to a horizontal cemetery.
Ghislaine Garcia