MON I CA ME N D OZ A
contact/ mmendo31@calpoly.edu for a more detailed portfolio/ www.monicamendozaportfolio.com
A BO U T T H E P L AYGROUND D EN S I T I ES COAL ES CE
i find myself able to express myself through my work. my passion is derived from a constant amazement at our world and it’s occupants. this sample is a glimpse of a curiosity in architecture and people.
MONICA MENDOZA PORTFOLIO/
monicamendozaportfolio.com
E D U CAT I O N /
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo B.A. in Architecture, June 2019 GPA 3.24
E X P E R I E N C E / Architectural Intern 2016
Choate Parking Consultants worked with revit , worked on construction documents, drew floorplans and details, assisted with design development Architectural Intern 2015 OTIS Architecture produced material boards, coordinated between clients and associates, assisted with office tasks Orientation Leader 2016 Week of Welcome, Cal Poly lead incoming students in organized events, coordinated meetings Student Volunteer National Conference on the Beginning Design Student designed displays for signage
HONORS/
SKILLS/
The Plaground 2017 Best of Show- “Best Section Drawing” California Polytechnic State University Dean’s List 2016 Drought Spa 2015 For use In the National Architectural Accrediting Board process Featured in the National Conference on the Beginning Design Student Motion Studio 2015 For use In the National Architectural Accrediting Board process Parasite Project 2015 Featured in the Cal Poly Open House Display Merit Award 2013 Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo Architecture High School Workshop Rhino, Revit Certified , SketchUp, Toucan, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Hand drafting, Model making, Rendering, Watercolor,
concept collage
T H E P L AY G R O U N D PART 1 The Playground inspires both children and adults to explore without boundary through learning and playing encouraging growth. ​ We are curious people. Children are especially naturally curious. It is in our nature to ask questions, to find the answers, to have fun. We are naturally inclined to explore. Therefore how do we explore? We are given many opportunities on a regular basis. Whether in school, in our jobs, in our personal activities, we often find ourselves in our own personal explorations. The playground takes our personal explorations and creates the opportunity for us to further delve into them. The playground builds upon our curiosity. This project was developed in 2 parts. The first part focused on the conceptual idea of the project. The second part focused on the design and practice of the playground.
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
CONCEPTUAL SECTION
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
sectional development by hand
CONCEPT PROCESS
sectional development by modeling
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
CONCEPT COLLAGES
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1 play
programming ordered activity single living units
zz z z
single living units
4
living community kitchen individual living units
learning labs lectures kitchen
offices metal and wood shops
3
learning
2
exploring
1
making
classrooms lecture room digital fabrication library reading room making room
learning kitchen cafe gallery public labs lounge area
learning kitchen cafe gallery public labs lounge area
PA RT 2
raincollection
play garden
circulation
explorations! the action of traveling in or though an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it egress
T H E P L AY G R O U N D
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
sectional drawing
A P P L I C AT I O N
“play surface” application
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
systems
A P P L I C AT I O N
structure
envelope
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
A P P L I C AT I O N
sectional drawing
exterior experience
process prints
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
MODELS
1/4” section model
1/4� section model
T H E P L AY G R O U N D 0 1
interior view of playsurface
EXPERIENCE
interior view of learning cafe
1/4” = 1’ section model
DENSITIES growing with the sea the densities of seagrass shift and fluctuate The site of our project is located at the Romberg Tiburon Research Center in the Bay Area. The site has been of multiple uses in the past from military bases to fishing ports. We were asked to redesign the existing theater to incorporate a new theater, amphitheater, a green roof, a space for research exhibits, and an atrium. These were shaped into the project using seagrass as inspiration. Seagrass exists along the coast of Tiburon which has been disappearing due to change. My research into densities of seagrass developed my project. I discovered that the densities of seagrass are constantly moving, creating different openings and closings, that effect ecosystems within the grass. This movement inspired the opening and closing structure which changes the program within.
DENSITIES 02
EXPERIENCE
DENSITIES 02 closed
open
theater
circulation
exhibit
atrium
green roof
PROGRAM
closed research exhibit
open green roof
amphitheater
DENSITIES 02
PROCESS
site
inspiration
DENSITIES 02 changing structure
fixed structure
circulation
“densities”
site
A N A LY S I S
0’
5’
15’
35’
longitudinal section drawing
0’
5’
15’
short section drawing
35’
DENSITIES 02
closed
open
1/8” = 1’ moving model
MODELS
1/4” = 1’ moving section model
DENSITIES 02
open
EXPERIENCE
closed
DENSITIES 02
open
EXPERIENCE
closed
axonometric
COALESCE Coalesce is a blend in between the natural and built environment, an ecotone. The building is located at Heron Head’s Park in the bay area. The building is composed of three main programs: housing, working, and wildlife rehabilitation. All three programs are connected through a ramp which not only physically connects but also connects the people. The ramp becomes a public space where the different communities can interact. The connection is accessible allowing all users to have a similar experience. The accessible slope gives everyone an equal opportunity to connect back to the site. The experience of the building is shaped by the path one takes on the ramp. The breaks in the ramp are positioned for programming and viewpoints. The transition between the natural site and the built environment come together in experience. One is constantly exposed to the site’s environment through sight and interactions. The project was mostly inspired by the existing site which consists of marsh ecosystems and the ocean. Retaining the life of these ecosystems was a dominating factor in design. The building merely touches the existing marshes and park areas through the use of columns. The form allows sunlight below the building which prevents the destruction of existing ecosystems. The form connects the users to the surrounding views and environment due to its longevity. The transition from the environment is constant, therefore creating an ecotone for all to experience.
COALESCE 03
EXPERIENCE
COALESCE 03
EXPERIENCE
ascending view
COALESCE 03 touch
CONNECTION TO SITE
light
nature
CONCEPT
housing
working
animal rehabilitation
COALESCE 03
EXPERIENCE
COALESCE 03
S E C T I O N D R AW I N G S
COALESCE 03
SECTION MODEL