To whom it may concern Hernán González has been studying for the ‘Máster Habilitante’ Enabling Master at the ETS Arquitectura UPM this year, in the teaching unit that I am chairing. Over the course of the past year, I have had the opportunity to review his project on numerous occasions. His work has consistently demonstrated enthusiasm and a commitment to precision. He has demonstrated remarkable interest in his work, an exceptional aptitude for visual communication, and has acquired the technical proficiency that is expected of an architect.
The project, developed in the vicinity of the Fábrica de Armas in the city of Toledo, considers the various historical periods and landscape features of the site, identifying and extracting its most significant values. Hernán has conducted a comprehensive analysis of this intricate territory, which has informed the development of the project's core arguments, as presented in the Master´s Thesis [TFM] His TFM has been graded with an excellent mark, which places him in the top 15% of all his peers. Hernán is well educated and has the capacity to make a valuable and innovative contribution to architecture.
I´m delighted to write this recommenda>on le?er for Hernán González. I have been the teacher of Hernán in Proyectos 6 course, during the first semester (2020-2021) and Proyectos 7, during the second semester (2021-2022) course of his degree in Fundamentos de la Arquitectura at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
Hernán has proved to be a hard-working and conscien>ous student that has assisted to all lessons and that accepts favourably correc>ons and sugges>ons to his work. He has also demonstrated good communica>on skills, explaining his views concisely and defending his projects in a clear and persuasive way.
Hernán always tries to solve the problems that arise in an affable and coopera>ve way with teachers and colleagues to reach the best result. Hernán has always been a coopera>ve person in class and very ac>ve when asking his doubts.
Based on Hernán’s a?endance, class par>cipa>on, aXtude and grades, I would rate his academic performance in our class as excellent.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Hernán González Alonso for any professional or academic environment. If you should need any addi>onal informa>on, you can feel free to contact me by e-mail at carmen.mar>nez@upm.es any>me.
Sincerely,
Carmen Mar/nez Arroyo Professor with permanent tenure
ETSAM 910675120
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain carmen.mar>nez@upm.es
Madrid, July 16, 2024
To whom it may concern,
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Hernán González. As his university professor, I have had the opportunity to supervise Hernán during a workshop on architectural acoustics. I have also tutored his Bachelor Thesis, for which he obtained the highest grade of Honors. Hernán has consistently demonstrated that he is a highly responsible and dedicated individual. He has an outstanding academic record, exhibiting excellence in his coursework, intellectual curiosity, and a strong commitment to his studies. It is evident that Hernán possesses marked persistence in pursuing his objectives, and he presents a great capacity to take on challenges with a positive attitude and an open mind. He has shown the ability to lead projects effectively and work collaboratively with his peers. I am confident that he will be an excellent addition to any academic or professional environment. He has the potential to make significant contributions and excel in his future endeavours. Therefore, I recommend Hernán with the utmost confidence. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Yours sincerely,
NAVACERRADA
SATURIO MARIA DE LOS ANGELES - 07486233D
Firmado digitalmente por NAVACERRADA SATURIO MARIA DE LOS ANGELES - 07486233D Fecha: 2024.07.17 07:50:03 +02'00'
María Ángeles Navacerrada
Professor of the Department of Structures and Building Physics Universidad Politécnica de Madrid mdelosangeles.navacerrada@upm.es
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura
Avda. Juan de Herrera, 4. Ciudad Universitaria 28040
DEPARTAMENTO DE CONSTRUCCIÓN Y TECNOLOGÍA ARQUITECTÓNICAS ETS DE ARQUITECTURA
CATEDRÁTICO
Madrid, July 17, 2024
Dr. Alfonso García Santos, Ph.D. Architect. Full Professor of University, and Coordinator of the subject "Constructive and Technological Systems Project". Department of Construction and Architectural Technology of the Higher Technical School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM-UPM).
I EXPOSE:
That Mr. Hernán González Alonso took the subject "Constructive and Technological Systems Project" of the Department of Construction and Architectural Technology of the Higher Technical School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM-UPM), in the fall semester of the academic year 2022-2023, obtaining a grade of "Outstanding 9.5".
The subject "Constructive and Technological Systems Project" is the last construction subject of the title "Degree in Fundamentals of Architecture" of the 2010 Plan of the ETSAM. The subject, in accordance with the descriptors and general objective specified in the approval document of the "Degree in Fundamentals of Architecture" title, has the goal of applying the student's constructive knowledge to the development of a complete building, designed by the student and approved in the Department of Architectural Projects, guaranteeing that the student is capable of using and putting into practice his construction knowledge.
Hernán has been a hard-working and thorough student, and throughout the course, Hernán has shown great perseverance and initiative. He always pays attention to the corrections made to his work, and the great work he had done on the course got reflected on his grades. Not only was he interested in learning the material, but he also put great work into assimilate it to his own experience and developing his own ideas.
Hernán has demonstrated that he has acquired knowledge of the design criteria of the different construction systems based on the materials used and the foundations of construction science, highlighting the relationships between form, materials and the processes necessary to define constructively an idea of architecture and the construction of a building understood as a global system.
Given his personal scientific and technological interest, his commitment to the academic activities of the subject, complemented with a capacity for work and dedication, as well as the level of constructive development of his project, are the reasons why he has obtained the aforementioned qualification.
For the record for the appropriate purposes.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alfonso García Santos. Ph.D.
M.ARCH (2024)
FACTORÍA HINTERLAND
B. ARCH (2017-2023)
NUBE ROJA
CAMINA
BARROCO URBANO
DE OCHO A DOS SEGUNDOS: ACÚSTICA EFÍMERA EN EL PALACIO DE CRISTAL
MÁS ALLÁ DE MADRID RÍO: RECONEXIÓN ACACIASCOMILLAS
OTHERS
CIVITAS SOLIS, CIVITAS SOLUM
OTHER SPATIAL/MATERIAL EXPERIMENTATIONS
FACTORÍA HINTERLAND
Hinterland: Term created by Neil Brenner, refers to any type of landscape that is used productively. These places are generally located far from cities, as the urban lifestyle was considered incompatible with the productive modes that sustain it.
Considering this, the need to create an architecture school in Toledo addresses the possibility of filling the urban voids that exist between the historic center and the generic city. These voids, derived from the planning concept of “visual cones”, intended to visually protect the historic center of Toledo, are losing their function, isolating each part of the city.
The project offers a way to bring both areas closer and raise public awareness of this urban issue by creating a repertoire of tools for colonizing these voids, with a particular focus on the relationship between architecture and territory and the relationship between city and land. This way, the architecture school becomes a factory of landscapes, serving as the center for decisions taken for the other voids in the city.
Master Thesis
Type: University project
Professor: Ginés Garrido (ETSAM)
Grade: 8/10
Program: Architecture school, experimental crop field
The project stems from the desire to create an icon of the university and knowledge of the 21st century, renewing both the image and the synergies of the University City. It seeks to unite the branches of knowledge in a single space, allowing versatility in learning methods: from individual study of bibliographic references to a more relaxed and flexible collective exchange of knowledge, incorporating new technologies and collaborative work.
To achieve these objectives, a unique and striking element is created within the University District landscape in a 200 x 200 m square, clearly distinguishable from any point: a floating red cloud. This container of complex geometry houses all activities within a single envelope, ensuring that the architecture provides an integrative approach to all possible forms of learning.
Design Studio
Type: University project
Professor: Carmen Martínez Arroyo + Rodrigo Pemjean (ETSAM)
Grade: 9.5/10 (With Honors)
Program: Interuniversity library
Size: L (7950 + 40000 m2)
Location: University District (Madrid)
Construction Studio
Professor: Alfonso García Santos (ETSAM)
Grade: 9.5/10
Work: Structural optimization, façade definition
1. ETFE cushion: Upper layer (high superficial tension ETFE, transparent finish with 30% density dotted print)
2. ETFE cushion: Middle layer (high superficial tension ETFE, transparent finish with 30% density dotted print)
17. Curved glass (fire resistance EI 120) 18. Curved glass (fire resistance EI 60)
19. Glued neoprene (to profiles)
12. Die cut anodized aluminum sheet (0,3 mm thickness)
13. Upright profile
14. Anchoring plate
15. Plug with epoxi resin
16. UPN 200
17. 20 mm diametre reinforcement
18. Articulation plate welded to upright
19. Brace with adjustable ends
20. Neoprene joint between profiles
21. Profiling joint: passing screw
22. Inox steel sheet
23. 10 20 steel tube
24. Glass lever anchoring
25. Glass panel (fire resistance EI 120)
26. Double-faced auto-glued sealing band
CAMINA
This project seeks to provide an integrative response to the concept of a museum at the Roman site of Segóbriga: not only are the found sculptures worthy of exhibition, but it is also of interest to structure the exploration of the site, with which the museum is combined, to see the contemporary agricultural landscape surrounding the extinct metropolis, and even to watch the work of researchers and archaeologists.
To combine all these different ideas, the concept of the path is used to dictate the order of the experience. This path sinks to house the works that cannot be exposed outdoors and to accommodate the study area for researchers or classrooms for visitor activities. This sinking plays with dimensions along the route, distorting perspective, inspired by the transparent gypsum mines in the area that the Romans exploited.
Type: University project
Professor: Rodrigo Pemjean (ETSAM)
Grade: 8/10
Program: Archaeology museum
Size: L (3200 m2)
Location: Segóbriga Roman Site (Cuenca)
BARROCO URBANO
“The project arises from the analysis of the problems in the most consolidated urban fabric of the Imperial neighborhood in Madrid, in order to propose a block that remedies them, that is, one that creates more comfortable housing and provides public space to the neighborhood, as well as more dynamic activity through the introduction of a media library. The combination of functions in one place seeks to create a node in the neighborhood; the block will be a place composed of many different places and stories.
To provide this solution, the main formal driver is the facades of the old brick buildings in the block, with templates to generate richer elevations and small balconies overlooking the street. Observing this facade, one realizes that it can serve as a tool to generate variety, create common space, or provide more public space where there is none. The variety of uses corresponds to a variety of elevations, thus creating a formally varied ensemble, the neighborhood within the neighborhood.”
Design Studio
Type: University project
Professor: María Langarita (ETSAM)
Grade: 8/10
Program: Urban refurbishment, housing, hotel,
Size: XL/L (7600 m2 (block) + 12000 m2 (new development))
Location: Imperial District (Madrid)
DE OCHO A DOS SEGUNDOS: ACÚSTICA EFÍMERA EN EL PALACIO DE
CRISTAL
The Palacio de Cristal is an exhibiting pavilion built in the Parque del Retiro for the Philippines Exposition of 1887 in Madrid. Since then, this building has been object of various repurposes and various restorations, remaining a diaphanous and light space similar to the original building of 1887. Nowadays, it is used for temporal exhibitions organised by the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.Without any doubt, it is a singular building due to its architecture, transparencies and placement, that allows a great purpose flexibility.
In order to doing a preliminary analysis of the acoustical properties of the interior, in situ measurements had to be performed. Thanks to virtual acoustics, these measurements could be implemented in a model that permitted simulating different acoustical and ephemeral proposals.
With this virtual model, different acoustic situations are simulated, and studying the obtained data, different ephemeral acoustic interventions are designed with acoustic textiles, depending on the purpose.
Central stage (typical distribution)
4 s
Bachelor Thesis
Type: University project
Professor: María Ángeles Navacerrada (ETSAM)
Grade: 10/10 (Awarded with Honors)
Program: Ephemeral acoustic intervention
Size: M (750 m2)
Location: Palacio de Cristal, Parque del Retiro (Madrid)
Perimetral stage (as Renzo Piano and Luigi Nono’s Prometeo)
3 s
Central stage (typical distribution)
TR= 2,4 s, 422 m2
TR= 1,75 s, 506 m2
TR= 1,5 s, 1362 m2
Perimetral stage (as Renzo Piano and Luigi Nono’s Prometeo
TR= 2,1 s, 316 m2
TR= 1,6 s, 484 m2
TR= 1,5 s, 706 m2
MÁS ALLÁ DE MADRID RÍO:
RECONEXIÓN ACACIAS-COMILLAS
This analysis stems from the desire to conduct an in-depth examination of the Madrid Río intervention. This transformation of a significant part of the city of Madrid, connected to the Manzanares River, has proven to be successful both on a neighborhood level and for the entire city. Without diminishing the recognition of such a complex and successful project, this analysis seeks to determine whether the Manzanares River remains a barrier, not only physically but also socioeconomically, a decade after the intervention.
After analyzing the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of two neighborhoods on opposite banks, different solutions are proposed to address the problems they present. Additionally, these solutions aim to enhance the connection between the two neighborhoods, considering that interconnectivity between them is fundamental to promoting a healthy urban lifestyle in both neighborhoods from a social, economic, cultural, and health perspective.
Urbanism Studio
Type: University project
Exhibited: New European Bauhaus 2022
Professor: Ester Higueras García
Coauthors: Manuel Gómez Díaz, Thais Martínez, Maria Turco, Camila Gabay de Sá, Victoria García Flores, Ersilia Ramazza, Valeria Ramírez Vázquez, Guilia Pinato, Assunta Scognamiglio
Grade: 8/10
Program: Urban analysis and strategies
Size: XL (174,02 ha)
Location: Acacias and Comillas districts (Madrid)
CIVITAS SOLIS, CIVITAS SOLUM
Creating a void to be filled in the city involves updating the city, allowing for an alternative future to be envisioned for the city itself. The chosen site for this symbolic action is a real void that was done in the city of Madrid (Spain) and is currently being completed: the Mahou-Calderón urban development project.
This project involves the demolition of the Vicente Calderón stadium, home of the Atlético de Madrid football club, and the adjacent properties of the Mahou brewery, primarily to build housing and to bury the section of the M-30 highway that runs along the edge of the cut near the Manzanares River. This completes the Madrid Río operation, the largest urban development in consolidated Madrid so far in the 21st century, consisting of the landscaping of the Manzanares riverbanks over 5 kilometers, which was interrupted by the stadium itself.
While the Mahou-Calderón operation proposes an uninnovative city model, the action of making a cut is used to propose a different urban conversion, envisioning the city model that could have been but never was. To achieve this, the proposal is based on the two most fundamental variables for life: the land, as a scarce resource that allows us to interact symbiotically with the territory, and the sun, as a defining element of the city’s form.
