Arch Portfolio | Manuela Luna

Spanish 11 / feb / 1998

Barcelona, Spain (open to relocation)

mmluna.arch@gmail.com

mluna.1198@gmail.com

LinkedIn /manuela-luna-alonso-098494207/ contact!

education

jun 2022

feb 2016

Bachelor of Architecture / Universidad Central de Venezuela

• Outstanding overall GPA recognition | 16.52 / 20

• Final project with the highest grade

may 2023

sep 2018

Architect at IDO Estudio | Caracas, Venezuela

• Participation in the process of design, execution and supervision of medium scale residential, office and restaurant projects

• Production of technical plans, 3D models, visualizations, and physical models

• Creation of the studio’s logo and graphic identity

www.instagram.com/ido.arquitectura/

may 2023

oct 2018

Graphic designer (pt) at Bimedia 21 Editorial Design | Caracas, Venezuela

• Creation of graphic pieces for different media

• Image capturing and editing, video editing

• Book layout assistance

mar 2019

oct 2018

experience award / volunteering

Intern at Manrique & Tamayo Arquitectos | Caracas, Venezuela

• Re-edition of the book “La Plaza: Forma y espacio” by Guadalupe Tamayo

• Digitalization of texts and redrawing of images.

• Final editing and presentation in InDesign

mar 2019

ene 2020

sep 2019

Workshop Ecology, Landscape and Architecture

2nd runner-up

Trazando Espacios Públicos | Caracas, Venezuela

Community Service

• Documentation and participation in the intervention project of the stairs of El Calvario neighborhood, El Hatillo.

languages

Spanish - Native | English - Advanced | French - Fluid

skills

• AutoCAD | Revit (basic)

• Sketchup | Vray | Enscape

• Adobe Photoshop | Illustrator | InDesign |

Lightroom | Premiere Pro

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Willingness to learn

• Communication skills

• Teamwork

• Receptiveness

• Work ethic and motivation

• Adaptability

3 families

1 house x 11

2022

Residential Bachelor Thesis

Profs. Javier Caricatto / Enrique Rojas

The project had to respond to the need for housing for 3 low-income families, totaling 11 people. For the approach it was of vital importance to understand the functioning of the dynamics of their context, of informal settlements.

In general, in order to maximize the space and break with the technical construction schemes of the houses in their context, a metallic structure was proposed, seeking speed in the process, easy transportation and assembly.

Being an unstable terrain located next to a water descent, a reused rubber wall was proposed in search of an affordable solution.

Family units

South facade

Barrio aereal view

The dynamics of the barrio

Connection of the house with its environment

Adaptability: - Mixed uses

- Progressive construction

Suitable physical conditions for well-being

Leveraging the local labor force

Differences in the mode of inhabitation

Diagram of installations

Rainwater harvesting for purification

Detail of reinforced metal staircase Detail of structural diagonal joint node

Detail of slab assembly

The ground floor was conceived as an open space, transformable and integrated with the kitchen to avoid divisions.

The installations are left in view to gain height and for easy access to them.

On the top floor, wood partitions were designed to be easy to install and modify in the future depending on the configuration. Towards the corridor, the closets were designed to create a separating surface with a material that provides warmth.

The sloping roof generates a greater sense of spaciousness and allows better ventilation, raising the hot air.

/// Ground floor view

/// Cabins view

/// Physical model in scale 1:25 _ Front view

/// Physical model in scale 1:25 _ Side view

community center

2018

Public_ communal 5th semester

Profs. José Guerrero / Andreina Linares

The proposal is located on a site perpendicular to a historic center with its square, comprising a steep slope with a disused square.

To take advantage of the same slope it was decided to follow the scheme with a succession of spaces, elevated in order to create different levels and uses for them. The circulation is a mirror of the street but within a large roof that covers them, creating a microclimate and matching its context.

The program is designed to be a multiple space for work with cubicles, as well as an exhibition and meeting space.

terraced - serialized - multipurpose nesting

/// Upper floor

/// Co-work and cubicles space

Longitudinal section

Internal circulation

/// Last floor exposition space

3 TVA house

2021

Residential

9th semester

Profs. Javier Caricatto / Enrique Rojas

The proposal is located on a 6m x 6m plot of land where there was originally an 16 person house, in precarious conditions, located in an area of informal settlements.

A scheme of grouped services was explored, allowing variations of organization depending on occupancy. Using the furniture as a separator, thinking in soft divisions for future adaptability.

Folding enclosures to minimize space, mesh enclosure for greater connection with its surroundings and ventilation. Finally, a terrace for common use for washing and recreation.

/// Ground floor

/// Third floor

Render by: @rocola.arq

4 bridge building

2020

Public space

8th semesther

Team: Carlos Díaz

Profs. Fernando Rangel / J, A. Guerrero

The premise was to generate a north-south connection, which is pedestrian deficient in Caracas, to link two large shopping centers that border one of the most important roads in the city. In order to generate as few supports as possible in 90 meters of the road, 3 metal boxes with large diagonals were proposed, a central one and an auxiliary one of double height, and an additional simple one, with an open terrace.

In the central piece, the idea was to generate an open space with a perimeter structure, so that it could be used for itinerant activities such as exhibitions and to accommodate different types of speeds, from a stroll to a walk to work. Four bodies were suspended to accommodate more private activities, with different heights to create different atmospheres.

In the double-height auxiliary, two small amphitheatrical rooms were designed to host screenings and lectures. In the simple secondary one, a terrace with green areas was planned for a space for permanence. The three bodies are connected by large bridges on both levels.

The 3 bodies are supported by U-shaped concrete castings, which also provide access to these units by means of stairs and elevators to save the height that had to be maintained by the expressway.

/// Terrace space

/// Perspective from the highway

Upper floor of the central body

Main building perspective

5 lifeguard’s refuge

2020

Public space

8th semesther

Team: Rodrigo Colimodio Prof. Filia Suárez

For the Construction Practices elective, an enclosing system had to be proposed. In this case the proposal was presented in a multifunctional beach tower for sales and lifeguard point.

Since the coast is a location where any material used must fight against the action of humidity, sodium chloride (salt residue), erosion due to strong winds, among others, aluminum was proposed as the main material.

An alloy of aluminum, zinc and silicon was chosen to coat the surface of a steel sheet, known in the market as Aluzinc or Galvaume. It has reflective and luminous properties, is resistant to saltpeter and heat, and helps to climate control the project.

Manuela Luna | 2023

Pieces of the system

Z-profile 1.5mm

Steel angle 2mm

Cross section

Lateral view

Group section

Connecting plate 2mm

Front

System

Connecting plate 2 mm

Z-profile 1.5mm

Tubular profile 100 mm x 50 mm

Aluzinc pannel 2 mm 280 mm x 1000 mm

Steel angle 2mm

Top clamping with multiple panels

Vertical overlap between panels

Details of system joints

restaurant

The concept was born from the intention of the chef who designed the menu, to be a gastronomic journey through the dishes, both Ecuadorian and main dishes, as well as other destinations.

Physically the idea is expressed through the windows and the classic curves of the interior of an airplane cabin. From curved chairs with red fabric inspired by the aesthetics of the 70s and the TWA terminal, long benches, backlit maps thinking of airport bars, to the space separator inspired by the boarding bridge.

Traveling through the flavors of the destinations of origin of each dish

Main area

Women’s restroom

Staircase and private area

7 print shop

A company that manufactures large graphic materials and assemblies it wanted to create a space where they could offer some of their smaller scale services and add new ones.

The main idea was to generate a reception and lounge to create a different relationship with the client, being a transformable space to host events and talks.

Translucent divisions are proposed to allow clients to see the process. At the back, a blackboard is proposed to give privacy to the kitchenette and table for future meetings.

The general idea was to play with colors and graphic patterns but using light tones to create amplitude.

2023

Professional

@ IDO Arquitectura_ Principal Project phase

Reception + lounge

8 round table

For the remodeling of this small office, a large table was needed to accommodate the employees, which due to space issues, had to be one piece.

Since it was round, we looked for a way to reduce the material and the supports in order to have freedom of movement and space.

The piece of MDF was conditioned to create a 2 meters solid top piece.

IDO Arquitectura Built - Part of Venepos office renovation

/// Metal base

/// View from the entrance

9 barrel furniture

@ IDO Arquitectura_ Principal Part built - Part of Creative Lab project

In addition to the renovation of their offices, Manpica asked us to think of new uses for the paint barrels that they didn’t want to sell but didn’t want to get rid of either.

In this case different elements were proposed, from a curved paraban for their products, stacked pieces to cover a shelf-like wall, desks with a touch and an armchair with different versions.

Although not all the pieces were later produced due to their cost and questioning their future use, a first prototype of the armchair was made, foreseeing changes for improvement and correcting details.

/// Curved displayer

/// Round stacked shelving

/// Desk with round

/// Barrel chair 1st prototype

/// Barrel lamp

/// Support detail

round piece

/// Barrel chairs

It was born from the fascination for the chunky round structures and the line of the chaise longue by Agnoli, inspired by the statement pieces of the 70s.

The intention is to make a piece that works for indoors or outdoors, mixing it with some cushioned element. The chaise longue because it functions as an individual piece of different ways, as well as a bench for several people.