Architectural Design Portfolio by Mercedes Cuvi

Mercedes Cuvi

architectural design Work

T a b l e of C o n t e n ts

‘Brooklyn- Plugged In’, OPerA-Studio Architecture, Brooklyn, New York, Ongoing research ‘Bushwick Tops- Weirfield’, OPerA-Studio Architecture, Brooklyn, New York, Under Construction ‘Kangaroo House’, OPerA-Studio Architecture, Brooklyn, New York, Completed 2016 ‘Brooklyn Brownstone Renovation’, OPerA-Studio Architecture, Brooklyn, New York, Completed 2018 ‘Read 718’, OPerA-Studio Architecture, Brooklyn, New York, Completed 2015 ‘School House South Africa’, Johannesburg, South Africa Cornell University Sustainable Design (CUSD), Design-built Project, Summer 2011 ‘Kunsthal’, Buffalo NY Cornell University, ARCH 2101, Professor Henry Richardson, Fall 2009 ‘Fight Fire with Water’, Ithaca NY Cornell University, ARCH 3101: Comprehensive, Professor George Hascup, Fall 2010 ‘A Library and the Hill’, Stockholm Sweden ARCH 3102, Professor Jim Williamson, Spring 2011, and ARCH Representation 4509, Luben Dimcheff, Spring 2012 ‘Grand Central Skate Park’, Grand Central NYC Cornell University, DBox: Cornell in NYC, Professor Matthew Bannister and Leah White, Fall 2011 ‘Brooklyn Bridge Park’, New York City, Cornell University, ARCH 4101, Professor Henry Smith Miller, Fall 2011 ‘Nature Does Not Exist’, Theoretical Cornell University, ARCH 4102, Professor Kevin Pratt, Spring 2012 ‘Fishing For Housing’, Venice Italy Cornell University, ARCH 5101: Cornell In Rome, Professor Jerry Wells, Fall 2012 ‘Social Re[define]/ Network Im[position], Union Square, NYC Cornell University, Thesis, Advisors: Kevin Pratt, Maria Hurtado de Mendoza, and Lenny Mirin Spring 2013

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Red Hook Gallery, Opera Studio Architecture, Brooklyn New York, Under Construction Project Role: Project Manager / Lead Designer Currently under construction, this gallery is located in the up and coming area of Red Hook in Brooklyn, NY. Despite some residences and housing complex, Red Hook is predominently defined by its manufacturing and industrial qualities. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proximity to the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge and its distance from public transit (subway) gives this area a feeling of a caribbean gem on the edge of Brooklyn. The design of The Red Hook Gallery was commisioned by the Tribeca Pediatrics as a non profit exhibition and event space for the support

OPerA-Studio Architecture

the Arts. The design was inspired by the shipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sails. The feelings evoked by the openess and light encaptured by the design is comparable to that experienced in the open ocean. A feeling of peace and freedom. The simple form is designed to allow indirect north light into the upper level gallery spaces through a series of repetitive roof monitors, with deep side lights at the first and second floor that allow for a measure of southern sunlight to enter the space. The form is deceptively complex due to the interdepencies of the parts. The design really investigated the ideas of pre-fabrication and effieciency

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Building community presence Different Hats

Fire Escapes

Front Porch/

Garden Entrance

Super graphics

Exhibition wall

Alumni Association

Exchange Place

Work Share

Teaching Space

Conference Room

Relaxation Facilities

Lounges

cafe area

Tenant Identity Virtual Presence

Social Chalkboard

Professinal services Online Presence

Active

social media events

S o c i a l amenities Pet Wash/ Laundry

Apartment Components

Community Garden

service

Convertable spaces

Adaptable Furniture

Individual bathrooms

Lockable Studio Storage

Outdoor Mural Wall

Projection

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Brooklyn- Plugged inâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, OPerA- Studio Architecture, Brooklyn New York, Ongoing research

An on-going research project at OPerA-Studio Architecture is dealing with the extension of the typical rowhouse. In New York, these are often referred to as Brownstones. The current re-zoning of Brooklyn and the unused Floor area of the existing Brownstones, permit for taller structures. In some instances adding to the existing Brownstone requires to completely gut out the existing structure and add new structural support, in which case it is less costly to build from the ground up than to renovate. These ground up renovations are plugged into the series of rowhouses. The density found in urban cities such as New York, requires efficiency. Additionally, it is common for many people to share an apartment in the city. The branding strategies for these houses are to provide amenaties for the young adults and freelances and to facilitate their work-related goals.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Kangeroo House, Opera Studio Architecture, Brooklyn New York, Completed 2016 Project Role: Designer / graphic representation Kangeroo House is located in Brooklyn, New York. Traditional construction of Brownstones/ Rowhouses was a result of efficiency and profitability. In these abutting structures, the shared party wall (in most cases) meant less spent in cladding material, windows, and doors. Additionally, the long narrow structure creates efficiciency in heating the space. Traditionally, the service quarters were in the basement floor below the stoop. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modification of the Brooklyn Brownstone is a reflection of the density in the city and the way of life. Rowhouses today accomodate two or more families; this project is designed for two families. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom in the renters house, and a fourbedroom, three-bathrooms in the owners house. The skylight and stairs create the backbone of the second house, bringing in light and uniting the yard to the roof terrace.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

‘Weirfield’, OPerA-Studio Architecture, Brooklyn New York, Under construction Project Role: Project Architect and Lead Designer Weirfield is one of a series of Bushwick projects completed by OPerA-Studio Architecture for a Brooklyn developer looking to create a network of residential apartments around the world. Incorporating many of the ideas of “Brooklyn Plug-in”, this project was the renovation of a Brooklyn two family into a multi-family dwelling of six units. Specifically designed for young adults, The marketing strategy is to provide living arrangements for apartment shared by two or more people. In addition to the design work and construction drawings, the scope of work included reviewing structural and mechanical, to ensure coordination with the architectural. Currently under the construction, site visits and client meetings occur weekly to review construction progress and to finalize any necessary construction/finishes decisions. The “addition” design proposal is a branding strategy relating all the Bushwick projects. The perforated panels “box” allow for a light to radiate into the apartment during the day and glow during the night.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Read 718, Opera Studio Architecture, Brooklyn New York, Completed 2015 Project Role: Project Architect and Lead Designer

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Read 718 is a not-for-profit reading and tutoring center for middle school and young teen students. This reading center combines a ground and cellar commercial space located on Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn, New York. The design features a â&#x20AC;&#x153;habitable bookshelfâ&#x20AC;? with a built in reading nook and informal seating platform for group activities. The original design included a series of felt wrapped baffles to provide acoustic absorption, on the ground floor, and a new areaway with floor to ceiling windows connecting to an outdoor stepped seating area for informal reading and gathering, on the cellar.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Brooklyn Brownstone, Opera Studio Architecture, Brooklyn New York, Completed 2018 Project Role: Project Architect and Lead Designer This renovation is a two-family dwelling with a renterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unit at the basement. The design intent was to retain the character and detail of the traditional townhouse while upgrading it with new systems from the inside out. The scope of work included leveling and replacing the floors, restoring and replacing interior woodwork, designing new interior kitchens and bathrooms, integrating new mechanical and plumbing work, replacing exterior windows and doors, restoring the exterior faĂ§ade, and proposing a new exterior garden space at front/ rear yard with a new Parlour terrace. The scope of work required landmarks and department of buildings (DOB) approval. An important aspect of the design process was surveying and identifying key features to retain throughout the house. During the pre-construction and demolition phase, an evaluation of the original woodwork and ornaments was conducted, preserving all those which remained in good condition.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Throughout the construction process, special care was taken to work around the existing remaining woodwork, especially at the stairs and fireplaces. While the stair allows for the visual connection between the floors, the fireplace is the centerpiece of the rooms. The basement bedroom, Parlour level living room and third floor bedrooms maintained their fireplace. The second fireplace located at the parlor floor was relocated to the 2nd floor study, which was devoid of fireplaces. A particular effort was made in maintaining the character of the original fireplace, which had a distinctive use of mosaic tile at the hearth and at the fireplace surround. The selected mosaic tile from Mosaic House located in New York City, are reminiscent of those initially found in the house. Carefully hand crafted in Morocco, the design offers a contemporary and timeless feel through the more abstract tile design.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

The Kitchens were a moment of new design expression. The kitchen, despite the contemporary feel of the clean linear shelves and cabinets, negotiates the traditional feel of the house by maintaining a similar tone in wood to that of the wood casing/ trims found in the house. On the Parlour floor the base cabinets are reminiscent of the commonly found wainscot and would be stained to match existing wood work, while using very simple and clean flush inset cabinets with a linear cabinet pull. On the Basement level, for the renters unit the dark stained white oak weaves in and out of the proposal, acting as both part of the entrance threshold and kitchen backsplash. The lacquer white painted cabinets offer a simple and clean design.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Guggenheim Proposal- Rendering

Core Vertical circulation connecting lower, entry

Core portion of gallery.

Vertical circulation connecting lower, entry Top of Gallery portion gallery. The top gallery is framed by the view of the city Topcenter. Gallery Panel System The top gallery is framed Panels that rotate by the view of the city and shift allow center. Panel System museum to control Panels that rotate the light within the andgallery. shift allow museum to control the light within the gallery.

Skylight System

A panel system hanging from the structural frames allows for

Skylight System a ranging degree of diffused light

Mid-Level Gallery

A panel system hanging from to illuminate the galleries. the structural frames allows for a ranging degree of diffused light to illuminate the galleries.

The Mid-Level gallery is framed by the view of the

Mid-Level Gallery city center.

The Mid-Level gallery is framed by the view of the city center.

2 2

Wall Panel System

Connection to Park Connection to Park

Program and Events

Flexible space could be opened to make public.

Program and Events

Flexible space could be opened to make public.

Wall panels vary in space, frequency and density based on interior Wall Panel System programmatic needs and direct solar Walllighting panelsanalysis. vary in space, frequency Panel spacing also andenables density water basedcollection on interiorand helps with programmatic drainage. needs and direct solar Restaurant and Retaillighting analysis. Panel spacing also enables water collection and helps with drainage. Axonometric of Gallery Spaces Restaurant and Retail The general structural organization Deck area with view of Harbor of the galleries is a combination of Axonometric Gallery Spaces prefabricatedoftechnologies and simple Thetimber generalconstruction. structural organization Sitting area/ views of Harbor A standard interval is Deck area with view of Harbor of the galleries is a combination of mass used throughout to accommodate prefabricated and simple productiontechnologies while the ordering of columns, Sitting area/ views of Harbor timber construction. standardaround interval pillars and supportA revolve a is used throughoutoftoHorton’s accommodate mass modification ratio for general production while the ordering of columns, hydrology. pillars and support revolve around a modification of Horton’s ratio for general Ticketed Galleries 4 hydrology. A continuous circulation system which primarily functions Ticketed Galleries with ramps allows for equal Museum Atrium and Entry 4 A continuous enjoyment circulation of galleriessystem to all which primarily functions patrons. with ramps allows for equal Museum Atrium and Entry 3 enjoyment of galleries to all patrons.

1 5

Indoor and outdoor Promenade The atrium mediates between Indoor and outdoor the promenade and the gallery Promenadeallowing for a visual Restaurant and Retail Thespaces, atrium mediates between

Restaurant and Retail Deck area with view of Harbor

connection of the two. the promenade and the gallery spaces, allowing for a visual connection of the two.

Deck area with view of Harbor Axonometric of Promenade space

Sitting area with view of Harbor Informal Indoor sitting Sitting areaspace with view of Harbor Connection to Port Offices/ Collections Connection to Port storage and management At ground level, the offices Offices/ Collections and storage facilities are at storage and management a convenient location to At ground receive,level, ship,the andoffices store art. and storage facilities are at a convenient location to receive, ship, and store art.

Space to host informal events such as movies, etc.

Informal Indoor sitting space Space to host informal events such as movies, etc.

The general structural organization of the galleries is a combination of prefabricated Axonometric Promenade technologiesof and simple timberspace construction. TheAgeneral structural of the to standard interval organization is used throughout galleries is a combination of prefabricated accommodate mass production while the technologies simple pillars timber and construction. ordering ofand columns, support A standard intervalaismodification used throughout to revolve around of Horton’s accommodate masshydrology. production while the ratio for general ordering of columns, pillars and support revolve around a modification of Horton’s ratio for general hydrology.

Guggenheim Competition, Opera Studio Architecture, Helsinki, Competition Project Role: Collaborative design effort involved in design and representation This was the design proposal for the international competition of the Helsinki Guggenheim Museum. Understanding the site context helped us to provide an interface between the space for the display of art and the public space of the city. The architectural solution hinges around the intersection of two key components: a non-ticketed all weather promenade, and a single bar of flexible gallery space that twists, bends, and wraps around the promenade. The public promenade can be used year round by citizens and visitors to Helsinki. This space is the core of the museum: a climate controlled interior ‘living room’ for the city leading out to an open air deck that overlooks the waterfront. Laminated timber structural columns dot a gently sloped multi-functional zone. The casual visitor can meander through this space and experience the programmed and accidental moments, but ultimately this design is a lence by which to experience the city.

OPerA-Studio Architecture

Gowanus tower, Opera Studio Architecture, Brooklyn New York, Conceptial Design Project Role: Designer This initial design for the Gowanus Tower is an eight-story tower with a manufacturing use at base (lower 5 floors) and a caretakers apartment at penthouse (top two floors). The design really looked at the concept of the villa on the “mountain”. This is represented through the design materials; the heaviness of the concrete at the base in contrast with the warm and inviting penthouse floating on top. Projects such as Villa Dall’Ava by Rem Koolhass influence the purpose and goal of the Villa. Facing Manhattan this would become the “tallest” house in the city.

CUSD- Design Built

‘School House South Africa’, Design-built Project, Cornell University Sustainable Design, Summer 2011 Project Role: Research, Funderaiser and Construction work It was a blessing having the opportunity to participate in the research and construction of this project, not just because of the design and building experience attained but because of the project’s social implications. The impact this project will have on thousands of children lives, goes beyond the structure. This structure is not just walls and a roof, its a symbol of hope. It is architecture with a social purpose. Image (Top Left): On-site construction, (Bottom Left): School House South Africa completed

In the summer of 2011, Cornell University Sustainable Design (CUSD), went to South Africa to build a school-house project designed by the Cornell University second year architecture students (class of 2014). This project had three major phases: Research, Fundraising, and Design/construction. The year prior to its construction was spent researching Johannesburgs and Cosmo City, as well as, sustainable design and construction strategies. Understanding local customs was essential to designing a school that was responsive to its surroundings and functional within the inhabitant’s way of life.

Buffalo Kunsthall

‘Buffalo Kunsthall’, Buffalo New York, Fall 2009 In choosing a site for the new Kunsthall proposal for the city, an opportunity to engage with nature played a major factor. The chosen site offered many unique opportunities: the varying scales of the surrounding structures, the relationship between the structure and the void, the directional flow of traffic and people, the way the sun will be affecting the site and the site’s proximity to the park. A structure on this site offers a unique design opportunity of a symbiotic relationship between structure and park. The building is concrete in an attempts to translate the current feel of Buffalo. A feeling of

Buffalo Kunsthall

Longitudinal section

elevation

nostalgia as you walk its deserted streets. Affected by the industrial silos, the structure is intentionally composed of long horizontal elements, where the visitors is initially compressed in entering and ultimately released into the Kunsthall. The structure is oriented towards the park. It is designed to give the appearance of a storefront in the commercial street, and begins to breakdown and reduce in scale towards the park area slowly intergrating within the residential scale (shown as white in physical model). These small pavilions will house a sculpture garden, free to the residents

and the visitors. The vertical circulation, culminates in a view oriented towards the park. Were the programatic activities would include the screening of cinegraphics from across the park. Located north/south on the site the sun plays an intergal part in the experience as it will enhance the small strategic slits oriented towards the park and the storefront which will be predominantly glass and will receive the low southern sun light in the winter.

Ithaca Fire Station

Plans

Site Analysis a

Plan: 3rd level a

Plan: Ground level

‘Fire Station’, Ithaca NY, Fall 2010

Located in Ithaca,New york, The firestation allows for timely access to any area in town. The water emphasizing the naturally opposing elements of “Water” and “Fire”. The building’s horizontal form compliments the movement of the firetrucks as they drive through the space, reducing the idling time. Above the trucks, within the bays are the firefighters living quarters. Easy access to the trucks was essential to the design. The design is composed of three bays. Two concrete bays are for the firefighters and the trucks, where they live and work. The firestation’s office is located in the glass bay by the water. The design includes a path to allow pedestrians to have continual access to the water’s edge, where ultimately the path will be a part of a town proposed six- mile long trail along the water way.

Ithaca Fire Station

Longitudinal section, A

Latitudinal section, B

Stockholm Library

Path Level

3rd Floor level

‘A Library and the Hill’, Stockholm Sweden Spring 2011

Ground Level

Subway Level

Within the design, the Hill plays a unique role as it continues within the building and into the subway level. This underground hill offers visitors an opportunity to sit, read a book, and enjoying nature while waiting for your train. In response Asplund’s Stockholm library, the cylinder (now tubes) is transformed into circulation, intersecting the library “bars”, as well as, enlarged to allow for programmatic spaces such as study areas and auditorium assembly. Ultimately these tubes are intending to direct your view to the city. Metaphorically it is a response to knowledge, or to the furthering of knowledge as it does not neatly organize into subject matter as the “Bars” do, but rather it allows for a free navigation throughout the areas of study, it transcends that which is regulated by the “bars”, to allow for a free interpretation of space, and symbolically knowledge. The tube intercepts and is structurally and metaphorically supported by the concrete “bars”. These bars are arranged by subject matter. The Bars offers a more intimate relationship with the written word. Vertical circulation through stairs and escalator will ultimately open into the tube above.

Grand Central Skate Park

‘Grand Central Skate Park’, Grand Central, NYC Fall 2011 Work published in “Moleskine Sketchbook, Grand Central Centennial Edition” December 2012. Image to the lower right was exhibited at the New York City museum of transportation from June to December 2013. For this project we were asked to photograph and use 3D software to modify a space of interest. The ultimate goal was to be able to adequately represent an idea in an image. This proposal was a result of a personal interest and history with skating. Grand Central’s formal and grand spatial quality is above all a transportation hub, with train services expanding beyond NYC. Skating is a commonly used means of transportation in NYC, adequate for a city like NYC where parking is scarce and everything is near. Nevertheless, it is often critized as an unfit means of transportation, reflectant of a specific type of person: young and reckless. These proposals question what would happen if this stigma was no more and we embraced skating as a socially acceptable means of transportation.

Grand Central Skate Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park

‘Brooklyn Bridge Park’, New York City, Fall 2011 Captivated by the way different modes of transportation traverse each other yet don’t really interact and desiring to capitalize on the existing systems in place, this investigation really considers the connection of these systems. Responding to the physical and climatic conditions of the site, the structure must maintain a symbiotic relationship with nature. Case Study #1 looks at the park, and how this structure could seamlessly integrate within this system. The structure is located on the pier, however, its form generated to integrate within the existing pathway of the park, this would allow for the walker, cyclist or runner to proceed on their park experience while also providing public spaces that could generate other activities. Case Study #2 Looks to form a physical connection between the subway station, The East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and ferry. This project also forms a visual connection with the sky, reminiscent of the Oculus found in the pantheon(Rome). Case study #3 looks at forging a physical connection between Brooklyn Heights, BQE, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the subway station.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Render images: case study two

Section of case study 2: the Platform

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Section of case study 1: the Pathway (Below). Section of case study 3: the Clip (above)

Nature Does Not Exist

Otto’s and Kenzo Tange, Project for Arctic City, 1971

Spectacle within an autonomous condition, based on Otto’s and v ‘Arctic City’

‘Nature Does Not Exist’, Theoretical Spring 2012

Prototype 1

Otto and Tange designed ‘Arctic City’ in 1971, in an era where automation was beginning to inspire utopian theories of design. ‘Arctic City’ proposes a dome condition providing comfort in an extremely cold environment. Through prototypes, this project looks at automation and sensor technology, as it provides a controlled environment but also as a means of fun and spectacle within that environment. The first prototype was to deform the membrane, a fabric was placed within a wooden test bed with the purpose of being pulled and controlled by an arduino and sensor technology. The light sensors would detect changes in light due to the environment or physical proximity. As a response the sensors would pull the thread and pull the fabric. The feedback response gives this object animalistic characteristics, inducing feelings of empathy, affection and even protection toward this object. Exploring ideas of spectacle, scale and human interactions. Initiating with the city, this project was based on a regular grid (similar to that of Manhattan). A flexible version of the grid was cast in silicon and hanged above the rigid grid made in plexy. The thread would connect the corresponding intersections of the two grid and facilitate the deformation of the hung silicon membrane. The light system below the rigid grid is representative of city light and splendor.

Nature Does Not Exist

Fishing For Housing

Located in the Venice Laguna below the Giudecca, this housing unit would be located on water. Immediately recalling projects like ‘New Babylon’ by Constant (1959) and ‘Tokyo Bay Project’ by Kenzo Tange (1960); project above water is of most interest in architecture because of the limited space in some metrapolis coast cities with constantly rising number of inhabitants. Today, Rising water level are forcing us as designer to consider that in many cities designing with water in mind will be inevitable. The physical and functional attributes if this

‘Fishing For Housing’, Venice Italy Cornell University, ARCH 5101: Cornell In Rome, Professor Jerry Wells, Fall 2012

Fishing For Housing

regular/ Ideal

Variations on the Ideal Housing Unit

project began by looking at the fishing culture. Intended for fisherman, the design of the city and the circulation through the city are resemblant of the fishing net. The houses are irregular in form adding to the uniqueness of each individual house structure. The fisherman would occupy a 1-3 floor house. The living/ family activities are located on the top level. As the water rises the apartment becomes smaller but still functional, allowing family activities to continue despite forcing a more compress living situation. The boat is the predominant transportation system, which could be stored below the apartment. Cultural and social activities are emphasized by the Soccer field, Schools , A Church, Recreational park and Piazzas, and the Market Place, additionally becoming nodes of interest on the net. Sea Food caught from the nets and Soccer games at the stadium would generate the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income and allow for a more leisurely way of life.

Social Re[define]/ Network Im[position]

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Social Re[define]/ Network Im[position], Union Square, NYC, Spring 2013

Social Networks are continuously redefining human relationships. The combination of social media and 3D mappings of our surroundings, has changed the way people perceive the city, both in the present and in memory. Ironically, technology is wasted on an era of inconsequential interactions. The virtual world, though reflective of the physical world has yet to fully redefine the new frontier in the imagination of the general population. Though an arguable success, technology has the potential to form stronger human interactions, to redefine space, widen the dispersal of information and reintroduce spectacle within our cities. New York City is the superimposition of virtual and physical exchanges. Broadway, a major street which cuts through Manhattanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s street grid, magnifies the strata of cultural richness that makes up this city. Through a reorganization of the residual spaces on Broadway, there is possibility to connect the physical and virtual world and to facilitate more robust discourse within the members of the community.

Social Re[define]/ Network Im[position]