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j a g a m b o a @ c a l p o l y. e d u architecture student californiapolytechnic
born in the philippines, jack moved to the united states at the young age of six years old. being the youngest of five children helped him learn very quickly the right opportunities to lead and to follow. ever since he was a young boy, jack knew he wanted to be an architect. part of this was because of the influence of his father who studied architecture in the philippines but went on to pursue another career path. three years into his professional education, jack has never been more sure of his decision to become an architect. his love of design, coupled with an intense desire to serve those around him come together in this profession. one of jack's standing principles is that architecture is a service industry. if your client is not happy, then you have failed as an architect, no matter how beautiful the space may be. in the future, jack hopes to become licensed and eventually open up a small practice in southern california. he loves God, family, and filipino food.
one of the great things about going to one of the top architecture programs in the country is the hands on learning experience we are given at school. this learn by doing way of learning is perhaps embodied most in a first year project called the paraSITE project. after being placed in teams of four, students are given a "site" on the architecture building - usually a column or a wall or a balcony railing. the purpose of paraSITE is to design a spatial object which would attach to the building in some meaningful way. students set their own budgets, design, and build the paraSITE over a period of a few weeks and learn simple lessons is code requirements such as minimum clearance heights and codes for tripping hazards. students also learn construction techniques and direct correlations between designing and building.
paraSITE
site
abstract analysis of area 51 provided us with a base to start designing our paraSITE. time lapse photography (above) shows the view of the coral gum tree and adjacent courtyard at each hour of the day. we then returned to the area during the night to test wind conditions. this was achieved by placing LED lights in the branches of the tree, and using exposures lasting eight to ten seconds to capture the movement of the wind. from our constant visits to the site, we also came to the conclusion that the area possessed a high flow of traffic from students and faculty walking to and from class. from these analyses, we concluded that it was necessary for the design to include ways to stop passers-by and aid them in watching the beautiful views from our site.
diagram of parts
the initial design of our paraSITE was a bench which would fit perfectly onto the retaining wall which was our site. the bench was made up of ten pieces which we gave names to depending on their function. users could sit on the bench and lean back or use the table to read or eat lunch. the wing piece held mirrors so that a person sitting on the bench would be able to look up at the tree behind them without having to turn their heads. void spaces in the wing also enabled someone sitting to see through the wing as well as behind them. (below) to aid in the construction process, my group and i decided to have every piece labeled and each part measured so that we could plan out the building process. (right)
Wing
Back Blade
Table
Root
Bench
Wall Base
Fence
Kickstand
cut list The Bench 1a: (4’ 2.50” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 1b: (4’ 4.75” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 1c: (4’ 7.25” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 1d: (4’ 9.25” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 1e: (5’ x 1.25” x 1.25”)
Wedges W1-W4: (2” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 4
The Back 2a - 2e: (3’ x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 5
Wedges W5-W9: (2” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 4
The Table 4a: (4’ 9 9/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4b: (2 13/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4c: (4’ 11 11/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4d: (4’ 10 9/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4e: (4’ 9 3/8” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4f: (4’ 8 3/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4g: (4’ 7” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4h: (4’ 5 13/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 4i: (4’ 4 11/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) The Root 5a - 5c: (2.5’ x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 3
Wedges W21-W24: (2” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 4 The Fence 3a - 3c: (2’ 3” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 3 3e - 3f : (1’ 7.75” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 2 The Kickstand 3g - 3h : (6.25” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 2 6a - 6c: (3.5’ x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 3 Wedges W10-W20: (2” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 11
The Blade 7a: (7’ 2 13/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7b: (7’ 4” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7c: (7’ 5 3/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7d: (7’ 6 3/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7e: (7’ 7 9/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7f: (7.5’ x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7g: (7’ 9 7/8” x 1.25” x 1.25”)
Wedges W25-W27: (2” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 4
The Wing 7a, 7d, 7g, 7j: (3’ x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 3 7b: (4 11/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7c: (1’ 10.5” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7e, 7f: (1’ 1.5” x 1.25” x 1.25”) X 2 7h: (1’ 10 9/16” x 1.25” x 1.25”) 7i: ( 4 5/8” x 1.25” x 1.25”)
paraSITE 51 grew out of a need for relaxation. upon discovery that our site was a huge traffic area for (potentially stressed) students and faculty walking to and from class, we decided to create a space where they could sit, recline, and relax. the shade provided by the adjacent coral gum tree assures cool temperatures, and helps create an environment perfect for relaxing (and napping). the shape of the paraSITE is directly related to the shape and dimensions of the wall, as well as proportions of the human body. passers by are usually caught off guard by the presence of mirrors, which serve two functions. one is to grab the attention of whoever is walking by, and the other is to create a "third eye" which lets you see the tree behind you as you are sitting and relaxing on the bench. we hoped to create a space that was beautiful in its design, yet was purposeful in helping to relieve stress and anxiety. so we invite you to come, sit, and recline. allow the space we have created to help you become a better, more relaxed, you.
HAYES VALLEY
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SAN FRANCISCO
7.7730째 N 122.4283째 W
SPLAY is a mixed occupancy chocolate factory, beer garden, and housing complex designed for hayes valley in san francisco, ca. it takes its main form from the cut created by the old freeway which ran through Hayes Valley. Instead of just stacking the three main programmatic requirements of the building, Splay intertwines them. Chocolate in the chocolate factory starts off being produced in the basement level and is then brought up via a glass elevator into an upper chocolate factory. This process is visible from the surrounding park. Floor to ceiling glass walls
allow the public to see into the chocolate making process. The beer garden starts off from ground level and ascends in layers which intertwine with the chocolate factory. The final beer garden level is shared space for chocolate tasting. After all, what better combination is there than beer and chocolate? The housing levels, all two story loft spaces, occupy the upper two levels of the design. A metal screen inspired by the microscopic cross section of a cocoa bean shell allows for privacy while providing views of the hayes valley park.
site
hayes valley in san francisco is an up and coming neighborhood for the young, modern, individual. filled with small boutiques, endless restaurants, and a green space in the middle of san francisco, hayes valley is becoming an eclectic mix of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. the weather there is mild with a cool breeze most of the day. the atmosphere is energetic with young children, young adults and all kinds of people playing and strolling through the park. currently, the site is home to biergarten, a beer garden which is only open for a few hours a few days a week. part of the project was to incorporate them into the design of a new building
circulation
pedestrian vehicular
from the park, pedestrians can see each level of the building clearly as the form steps back. on the ground floor there is a bar which would incorporate the current brewery on the site right now. two levels of patios would become the beer garden which transitions into the upper level of the chocolate factory on the second level. here, people would be able to tour the chocolate making process and see how chocolate goes from bean to bar. the upper two levels contain three units of loft housing for those who wish to be closer to all the action hayes valley has to offer.
beer garden
chocolate factory - lower level
loft housing
chocolate factory - upper level
bar
loft housing
chocolate factory - upper level
bar
1
chocolate factory
2
beer garden
3
bar
4
public restroom
5
office
6
storage
7
loft apartment
8
sleep
9
bathe
10 balcony
9
8 8 9 8
10
7 7 9
1
2
1
20'
5
4
4
1
10'
6 3
2
5'
7
the chocolate factory level on the second floor has a large expanse of glass on one side. this is to help daylight the space as well as to provide a visual connection from the park into the chocolate factory. people enjoying the park can get glimpses of how chocolate is melted, tempered, molded, and packaged without necessarily going inside the factory.
a view into one of the loft housing units. there is a sleeping area on the loft level and all the common levels are situated beneath. the building's screening system is an abstraction of the microscopic cross section of a cocoa bean shell. it seemed appropriate to design the shading device for the building after the cocoa bean shell which protects the cocoa bean.
intertwine is a library and youth center located in sunny grover beach, ca. we were given the task of designing a space which would be geared towards the youth of the community as a place where they could come after school and on weekends. the building was to be a safe haven for youth - a place where they could come without fear of being judged and somewhere a kid could just be a kid!
Grover Beach Library + Youth Center
"To provide Grover Beach's Youth Community with a unique library/media platform where exploring, creating, researching, studying and learning are fostered - more self immersed learning/exploring environment - as well as a youth center where they can gather, mingle, connect, exchange, play, express and bond at the same time - group learning/bonding environment."
Site Analysis: The two yellow boxes mark out the two site options our studio had. The bigger site on the western side is one block closer to the beach, but is surrounded by small residential homes as well as a parking lot across the street. The smaller site, on Ramona and 9th St. is situated on the park and also has views of the ocean as well as direct park access. The bus stop is also very near by and the site is at the intersection of the roadways leading to the closest schools.
concepts
intertwine (v) : connect or link two or more things closely part of the concept was to not only intertwine the programming within the structure, but also to link together the building with the adjacent park and nearby ocean views
converge (v) : come together from different directions so as eventually to meet the library + youth center was meant as a place that youth from around the area could come together, and through those interactions, create something more complex and meaningful
malleable (adj) : able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking. the spaces inside the library + youth center would be multi-functional and changeable - because of the usage of the small site, this was both a necessity as well as a desire
gestures
open to gymnasium below
weight room
office library [1]
M F
level 1
gymnasium + multipurpose room
gym library storage storage
cardio room
M F
subgrade N N
the building has a rather unique floor plan. there is a level which is completely below grade which houses storage, workout facilities, as well as a multipurpose gym. upon entering level 1, there is a small library to the right hand side as well as a balcony overlooking the gymnasium to the left. the 2nd level is the main library space as well as a cafe. from this level, the youth would be able to access the garden rooftop ramp which is a feature that extends the surrounding park all the way up the building. in the 3rd level, the cantilevered portion houses a media lab as well as a reading room with views of the ocean as well as views of the park.
reading room media lab
level 3
garden rooftop ramp
rooftop level
garden rooftop ramp
cafe library [2]
level 2
kitchen
sustainability the vast garden roof ramp not only gives park space back to the city, but is also a great insulator. at the very height of the structure the roof is covered with photo-voltaic panels for energy generation.
building skin system the majority of the building skin is a layer of insulated glazing units (IGUs) which are then covered with a perforated metal screen to maximize sunlight but still reduce solar heat gain. both the metal screens and the glass would be operable to maintain flexibility to the user. service core service spaces such as bathrooms, circulation stair towers, and offices are highlighted to show proximity to "served" spaces. bathroom clusters are stacked for efficiency while the office is located near the entrance with views into the main gymnasium space for visual security. programming massing orange highlights the youth center spaces while green shows the library spaces. in most spaces, the connection is only visual, but in the upper most level, the two programming requirements are placed side by side to create a mix of spaces
egress diagram two exit stair towers - one from basement level to ground level and another which reaches the height of the building - lead occupants to exterior locations in case of emergency. occupants on the upper most level have the option of going down the stair tower or onto the roof ramp and down the pathways to reach a safer location.
site plan pedestrian vehicular public transportation
section perspective this section shows the relationship between all the different spaces in the library + youth center. all the library spaces have a visual connection to the main gymnasium space. the yellow tones signify the more active spaces while the cool blue tones signify the more passive spaces.
final renderings below is the view approaching the building. the cantilever is meant to attract and act as a beacon, allowing youth from all over to converge in one place. the ramp intertwines the building with the park, and the multi functionality of the spaces inside incorporates the original malleability concept.
approach from 9th st.
overview + detail the model photos depict the southern approach, the park approach, and a detail shot of the upper room. in the upper room, large trusses flank the room to take the load of the cantilever. inside the space, the building connects full circle to the ocean and park through the use of views.
final model the final model (left) and one of the initial 2d concept drawings (right) incorporate the idea of intertwining. the drawing to the right shows an intertwining of lines which creates a complex geometry in the center while the model shows the ramp which intertwines the park with the building, creating a more complex experience in the building
site + section model the site model, done at 1" = 50'-0" scale, shows the building in context with the rest of Grover Beach. The white material continues up the building to signify the park ascending the ramp. the detail model shows all the layers needed to support a green roof. to scale, the thickness of the roof reaches almost 3ft. at its thickest portion!
special thanks to my family, my friends, my professors, and everyone in studio who I have had the pleasure of designing with - all of whom have had a profound impact in my design career thus far.
this portfolio contains works from jack david gamboa's first three years at california polytechnic state university san luis obispo sept. 2012 - dec. 2014