urban design
& architecture
portfolio
james varas
Ring of Fire About 90% of the world’s earthquakes and about 81% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. All but three of the world’s 25 largest volcanic eruptions of the last 11,700 years occurred at volcanoes in the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is a direct result of plate tectonics.
A large 40,000 km (25,000 mi) horseshoe shape, it is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and plate movements. It has 452 volcanoes (more than 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes).
Maritime routes. Corridors of a few kilometers in width trying to avoid the discontinuities of land transport by linking ports, the main elements of the maritime-land interface.
Pacific Rim; Routes Among Unpredictable Tides
01| Cumulative commercial shipping activity 02| Historical Tsunami Event Locations 04| Historical Earthquake Event Locations
In the 20th century, maritime transport grew exponentially as changes in international trade and seaborne trade became interrelated. Maritime routes are a function of obligatory points of passage, which are strategic places, of physical constraints (coasts, winds, marine currents, depth, reefs, ice) and of political borders. As a result, maritime routes draw arcs on the earth water surface as intercontinental maritime transportation tries to follow the great circle distance. Maritime routes are linking maritime ranges representing main commercial areas between and within which maritime shipping services are established. Pacific routes inside the Ring of Fire (also known as the Rim of Fire or the Circum-Pacific belt) are inscribed in a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
Datasets: 01| Cumulative commercial shipping activity in the twelve months beginning October 2004, NCEAS report A Global Map of Human Impacts to Marine Ecosystems. 02| Historical Tsunami Event Locations, 01/29/2020, DHS.GOV DHS GII FGDC.GOV HIFLD GEOPLATFORM. 03| World Ocean Base, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), arcgis.com 04| Quakes part of the “Analyzing Our World” lessons from Esri press. Originally downloaded from the USGS earthquake search engine and filtered to be larger than 5.7 magnitude.
Project Book 2020
Projects uc berkeley 1
San Francisco Central Waterfront
2
Advanced Design Project
3
Environmental Performance
4
ValparaĂso 4
Cachagua Masterplan
Cachagua Seasonal House
5
Patagonia 5
Pirihueico Lake Urbanization
Lake shelter
1
san francisco central waterfront prof. John G. Ellis AIA, RIBA | UC Berkeley urban design toolkit
context The San Francisco Central Waterfront site is part of the emerging development corridor along Third Street Light Rail line that connects downtown San Francisco, Mission
St a cke d f l a t s
Co m m u n i t y G a rde n
PDR
P DR
Town H o u s e s
Co m m u n i t y B u i l di n g
DENSITY 75 Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
Tow n Ho u se s
DENSITY 75Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
DENSITY 75Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
DENSITY 75Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
DENSITY 75Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
Bay with the Bayview District. It incorporates the Dogpatch and Pier 70 Districts, former shipyards and the legacy of the City’s industrial heritage. The challenge was to respect the
St a c ke d f l a t s
Tow n H ou s e s
PDR
Town H o u s e s
Sta c ke d flats
Tow n H o u s e s
DENSITY 82 Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
St a cke d f l a t s
DENSITY 82 Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
DENSITY 82 Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
DENSITY 75Du/ACRE OPEN SPACE 40%
small scale character of the Dogpatch with the large scale industrial buildings around Pier 70.
masterplan
I N FI L L & U RBAN REPAI R PROPOSAL
urban repair and infill
HISTO RICAL BUILDING S (IN RED) AS ENCLAV ES TO BE CONNECTED
Project The Central Waterfront site combines the fine grained scale Dogpatch District and the large scale warehouse and industrial buildings along the waterfront. Much of the proposed development is infill and urban repair, extending the street grid and creating a new canal to connect Third Street to the water at 23rd St. Proposals include a new outboard sea wall similar to that in Lisbon to protect from sea level rise as well as creating a new waterWARM WATER’ S COV E: ECO LOGICAL CANAL
front destination at Pier 80.
MASTERPL AN . U RBAN REPAI R (GREY) AN D I N FI L L (W H ITE)
2
osaka food district advanced thesis project | UC Berkeley
urban repair proposal
VF Urban Room PV Panel Canopy
Urban Forest
Freeway Re-use
VF Building
DU Building
Freeway Re-use
MASTERP LAN. URBAN REPAIR (G REEN AND Y ELLOW)
context Japan has been implementing
Dotonbori is an iconic part of
this compact city approach
the city, it is a man-made canal
for the last 18 years. During
that was built in order to ex-
that time Japan has been den-
tend the commercial activities
sifying what is known as the
to the southern area of the city,
Tōkaidō Belt; a region of fifty
becoming an entertainment
million people in the core of the
center. Today is a worldwide
country. This is a unique condi-
recognized food district.
tion where cities keep growing
I chose the city of Osaka be-
but not sprawling.
cause it is considered the “Kitchen of Japan”, however food production has been affected by the national compaction process.
P ROPOS ED STRUCTURE . PVS PANELS AND HANG ING G ARDEN
masterplan
4. Vertical Farming on Roofs
3. Affordable Housing
2. PV panel Canopy
1. Freeway Fragments Re-use
Project The project redevelops 9,8
ban forest. The new food pro-
Acres near Osaka’s food dis-
duction district can produce
trict, using vertical farming
the same as 17 hundred Acres
typologies in an urban repair
of traditional farming, feed-
proposal.
Dwelling
ing more than 600 thousand
units and working spaces are
people with locally produced
integrated in the farming ac-
Food.
Where
tivities. Wooden buildings that have a programmed life and small dwelling units near an ur-
3
environmental performance studies prof. Harrison Fraker, FAIA Emeritus | UC Berkeley 14th Street, new york city
The concept for Houston and
It can also be seen as an upside
14th streets is to create a light
down version of the Highline,
weight steel trellace 3 stories
where the green material is
above the street that supports
suspended under the structure
photo voltaic (PV) collectors
rather than planted above.
above, and a hanging garden
Together the transparent PV
below. (footnote see MFO
collectors and the hanging
Park in Zurich as precedent)
garden generate energy, pro-
It can be seen as a reversal of
vide shade, dappled light and
the proposal for Placa Reial, in
a much-needed cooling effect.
that the middle of the space is covered rather than the edges.
EN V I RON MENTAL PERFORMAN CE I MPROV EMENT I N 14 TH STREET
Facades shaded by a tall canopy, topped with PV collectors
AERIAL V IEW O F 14 TH STREET
The result is a crystalline hang-
At the average cost of elec-
ing garden that could reduce
tricity in NYC of $.21/kWh, it
the temperature of the street
would generate approximate-
by as much as 4-6 degrees C.
ly $4 million per year, more
The PV’s running the full length
than enough to finance con-
of each cross street could
struction and maintenance
generate as much as 18 mil-
and would become more valu-
lion kWh/year, or could be the
able as the cost of electricity
equivalent of an 18 -megawatt
escalates. If combined, the 6
power station in the middle of
streets would be the equiva-
the city.
lent of a 100-megawatt power station.
P ROPOSED STRU CTU RE. PVS PAN ELS AN D HAN GI N G GARDEN
Placa reial , barcelona
context Situated just off the Rambla, the Placa gains identity in part from the formal neoclassical façade that lines the space on all four sides, in contrast to the informal Gothic era buildings in which it is embedded. The façade is only one bay deep,
PL ACA REIAL PROPOSED CAN OPY.
approximately 5 meters in depth, and at the ground level a vaulted arcade encircles the square, the only arcade of its type in Barcelona.
P LACA REIAL E X ISTING CONDITION NE X T TO RAMBLA .
chalenge The arcade that encircles the
light on the facades. The tall
The Placa is shaded at the
Placa provides much needed
slender structure is matched to
south end by a retractable
shade for pedestrians and the
the rhythm of the neoclassical
fabric canopy. A floor ‘misting’
local shops, cafes and restau-
faced at every other bay creat-
system delivers evaporative
rants that front the space. The
ing a sympathetic ‘giant’ order
cooling that operates intermit-
cafes and restaurants have
around the whole plaza.
tently affording opportunities
added awnings outside the
PL ACA REIAL PROPOSED ORCHARD.
for play.
arcade to extend the area of
The Placa floor is shaded by
shade for more seating. These
an orchard at the north end,
Together these systems not
measures are an effort to pro-
recalling the 14th century or-
only transform the microcli-
vide comfort and adapt to the
chard that preceded it. It is
mate, reducing temperatures
hot climate, which will only be-
flood irrigated at night by rain-
by as much as 8C, they also
come more severe with climate
water that is collected from the
transform the sensorial ex-
change.
plaza and canopy and stored
perience of the space giving
for reuse. The flooded orchard
it a whole new identity and
project
at night brings reflections of
meaning.
The facades are shaded by a
the night sky and the orchard
tall canopy, topped with PV
canopy into the experience of
collectors that not only provide
the plaza, while also proving
renewable energy for all the
evaporative cooling.
energy demands of the plaza, but also create ‘dappled’
PL ACA REIAL COOL I N G STRATEGY.
masterplan cachagua
34
cachagua PriVate community (architect)
anteproyecto de loteo
descriPtion The villages located along the coast in the north of the
subdiVision Plan
Valparaíso region are mostly holiday towns, although the population that permanently resides in this place is very small, the floating population is immense during the summer. This development responds to the need for holiday homes in the area, developing one of the last available land with proximi-
location
ty and view to the coast.
context
Project
Zapallar, at Valparaíso region,
IIn the south side of Zapallar,
is a quaint and elegant seaside
a location named Cachagua is
resort town, which has played a
a small but very visited coastal
significant role as a playground
pueblo. Ten miles from the
for Chile’s economic and po-
coastline, the project is located
litical elites. Together with its
on the tops of a series of hills
neighbouring towns of Cacha-
with partial views of the sea.
gua and Maitencillo, Zapallar
Avoiding placing the sites on
represents the heart of one
the slopes, the development
of Chile’s most attractive and
extends into the few plains,
exclusive vacation areas. The
leaving much of the land as a
town is built on steep hills along
green area. The densification
a protected horseshoe bay,
of the high tableland allows this
around the town the hills that
urbanization does not spread
look out to sea are almost all
into the territory turning the
developed.
edge of the slopes into a natural greenbelt
lane tyPe design
location
west View from the Project site
seasonal house tunquén
tunquén house (architect and builder)
descriPtion Near the city of Algarrobo, the sector of Tunquén is a place of soft hills and beautiful sea sight. This house is part of the previous project, it is located in a sector that will be populated with modern style homes and a beach character, forming a group of houses very close to each other.
context The beach of Tunquén, is a place of coastal paths near a very contained beach between the hills. The sector is very pleasant to walk through the hills, beach and wetland. There
east facade
is a network of trails for horses, bikes and trekking.
interior design
Project This modern 2000 square feet house gives view to the coast in each of its rooms, the west facade is completely glazed. All the rooms open onto a large terrace overlooking the coast. Kitchen, dining and living room are united in a large common space. A modern house, with materials from the Chilean coast, is a reminiscence of Casa Errázuriz of Le Corbusier. ortho frontal facade (west)
urbanization & masterplan pirihueico
lake Pirihueico PriVate community (architect and deVeloPer)
65
context The place is a piece of the very southern nature of Patagonia, but located in the central-south zone of Chile. Pirihueico Lake is one of Seven Lakes in Panguipulli Commune, southern Chile. The lake is of glacial origin and it is enclosed by the mountains of the Andes. Located in a geological fault that includes Panguipulli Lake and Lácar Lake in Argentina. Pirihueico Lake is used as a waterway due to its elongated shape. It is used mostly by vehicles traveling to or from Argentina by the nearby Huahum Pass. For that reason there is a ferry operating between Puerto Fuy and Puerto Pirihueico in each extreme of the lake. original masterplan
The Lake is long, thin and
at the toP: inner lagoon, at the bottom border: lake Pirihueico.
mountainous, it is like a wide river. Those are optimal conditions for navigation witch is the main way of transportation in
MASTERPLAN PIRIHUEICO
MASTERPLAN PIRIHUEICO
the area. Because of the lack of
descriPtion This project consists of the de-
roads the only way to get into
PARQUE PIRIHUEICO
PARQUE PIRIHUEICO
velopment of 250 acres located
this development is by boat. HUILO - HUILO
in the Chilean Patagonia, In the
FUNDO CARRANCO
Pirihueico harbor is closer to
middle of austral forests at a
argentinian ski center of San LAGO PURIHUEICO
LAGO PURIHUEICO
mountain lake near Argentina,
Martin de Los Andes than to
this holiday houses community
any other city, which is a big
development was concentrated
attraction.
at peace of the lake’s border, leaving a mayor area preserved as a natural park.
KLAUS KNOPP
KLAUS KNOPP
FORESTAL PIRIHUEICO FORESTAL PIRIHUEICO
PLANTA GENERAL PIRIHUEICO Escala 1 : 1 0 . 0 0 0
Anteproyecto:
URBANIZACIÓN PARQUE PURIHUEICO LOTEO CON CONCENTRACIÓN DE DENSIDADES
Contenido:
PLANTA GENERAL URBANIZACIÓN
lake Pirihueico exPanded Project — zoning Plan Identificación de la Lámina
PP-URB-002
Norte
PLANTA GENERAL PIRIHUEICO Escala 1 : 1 0 . 0 0 0
Anteproyecto:
URBANIZACIÓN PARQUE PURIHUEICO LOTEO CON CONCENTRACIÓN DE DENSIDADES
exPanded Project — new deVeloPments. Contenido:
PLANTA GENERAL URBANIZACIÓN
Identificación de la Lámina
PP-URB-002
Norte
marina and inner lagoon
lake shelter covacevich
Pirihueico shelter (architect and builder)
descriPtion As part of the previous development, located in the Andes ESTAR
mountain range, the first house
16 m2
DORMITORIO 2
of the project was built, a win-
15 m2
ter shelter.
CL DORMITORIO 1
BAÑO 2
25 m2
7,5 m2
context BAÑO 1
CL
Located on a plateau, gained
7,5 m2
ELEVACIÓN ORIENTE Esc. 1:75
height above the level of the lake, the house is located 55 yards from the edge of the lake
ELEVACIÓN PONIENTE Esc. 1:75
eleVation designs second floor final design
PLANTA NIVEL 2
SUPERFICIE 81,7 m2
PLANTA NIVEL 2
SUPERFICIE INTERIOR 86,7 m2 SUPERFICIE EXTERIOR 27 m2 TOTAL NIVE 1 = 113,7 m2
Esc. 1:50
in a sector with very old oaks
ELEVACIÓN SUR
and safe height.
Esc. 1:75
Esc. 1:50
Project
TOTAL NIVEL 1 + NIVEL 2 =
195,4 m2
TERRAZA
A 2500 square feet barn-type
46 m2 (/2)
house, without eaves. A volume of two levels, rectangular plant
CASA PIRIHUEICO
with tall and elongated windows
CABAÑA EN LAGO PIRIHUEICO, PANGUIPULLI SUPERFICIE 195,4 m2
DESP. 2 m2
that allow the trees to be seen
LIVING 21 m2
in their full magnitude from the
COMEDOR 18 m2
COCINA
Proyecto:
12 m2
CABAÑA EN LAGO PIRIHUEICO PUERTO PIRIHUEICO, PANGUIPULLI, LOS RIOS
BAÑO
inside. An isolated house with
ELEVACIÓN NORTE Esc. 1:75
4,5 m2
the latest technology and great
Contenido:
UBICACIÓN - PLANTAS - ELEVACIONES - CORTES
Propietario: Sergio Covacevich Concha.
thermal efficiency.
ZAGUÁN 4,5 m2
TERRAZA 8 m2 (/2)
Rol
Dibujo
: P.I.R.
Reviso
: A.V.M
Archivo Cad : CP-ARQ-3
interior with western lighting
west, east, south, north, and interior Views — winter
CP-ARQ-3
: Camino Interior s/n, Puerto Pirihueico
: 00-000
Reemplaza a Plano: CP-ARQ-2
first floor final design
Norte
Identificación de la Lámina
Proyecto : Jaime Varas Madrigal. Dirección
Fecha :
01 - 10 - 16
Escala
Est. Revisión
1 : 50
B
N° Lámina
1 De 1
publications on urban design
9
huerfanos architects Pulications
HuérFanos arcHitects I co-founded Huerfanos Architects with other PUCV partners, a group that provides advisory to municipalities in urban design by organizing, directing and managing architecture public contests. In Chile, municipalities outside of the main cities are making decisions on the city growth with little or no knowledge of urbanism, specially those with few resources. We publicated various books with our projects.
river Park san FeliPe
The project is an initiative of
This was about the design
Huérfanos Arquitectos, fi-
and production of a National
nanced by the National Council
Competition of Architectural
of Culture and the Arts (CNCA)
Pre-projects aimed at students
through the FONDART (a gov-
and young architects; whose
ernment fund) National Line
main objective were to promote
of Promotion for Architecture
ideas, points of view and crite-
2013, in collaboration with the
ria on how the new public space
municipality of San Felipe and
should be in Chilean cities.
SEREMI (Ministry of building)
The Parque Estero San Felipe
of the region of Valparaíso.
contest invites us to think about
Initiatives like this one were
the transformation of the river
very significant to the central
into a linear park incorporating
region of Chile, winning national
this territorial limit as a new
awards. we diagnosed various
urban value—intervening it’s
problems of the chilean cities in
channel, it’s banks and it’s en-
the central region of the coun-
counter with the city with the
try. Urban design is needed in
purpose of consolidating this
municipalities of developing
edge as a place of recreation
cities where infrastructure and
and walk.
land use patterns are being established.