PORTFOLIO | Alexandra Morales

ALEXANDRA MORALES

Between Built + Natural

OVERVIEW

This body of work highlights my exploration of Memory, Light, and Geometry to implement architectural design strategies. Rather than focusing on outcome, I have found that focusing on the architectural process and documentation of that process yields unexpected and more beautiful results.

While my strategy approaching each project is unique, I find myself always starting with nature: it is the key element in each work. Because of this, my work focuses on the intersection between what is Made (the natural world) and what is built (humanity’s contribution to this world). What is Built should improve and extend the existing condition of this natural world; this portfolio documents my approach.

HILL HOUSE

Sectional Study to Orient to Views

PROGRAM: A residential project designed to maximize views towards the creek below.

STRATEGY: Two volumes are intersected by an intersitial space. The interstitial space is a circulatory node guiding the transition from exterior to interior. The two volumes are proportionally scaled to address separate programmatic requirements: the smaller serves as storage, the larger serves as a place to live.

Within the larger volume, creek-facing partitions on the first floor are not walls but sliding glass doors that act as transformative physical barriers while providing visual transparency to the surrounding landscape.

MONASTIC CENTER + REFUGE

Comprehensive Studio

PROGRAM: A monastic center and refuge located at a significant yet neglected intersection in downtown Fort Worth, TX.

STRATEGY: An extruded section functions as an ascending promenade of interior urban space. As one ascends up the monumental ramp, the hierarchical importance of spatial programming increases.

The North and West elevations reflect the sectional organization of interior spaces to dialogue with the community and serve as an invitation to participate.

The L-shaped building wraps around an existing parking garage. The facade is pulled away from the structure, allowing for meditative public spaces within the voids.

HG THRASH CLOTHIER

Circulation as the driving factor

PROGRAM: A high-end menswear store located in Lubbbock, TX.

STRATEGY: To capitalize on the unique corner location of the existing space by incorporating a rotational circulatory pathway. The circulation is reinforced through the use of materiality in the floor and the ceiling, as well as through the pushing and pulling of ceiling heights to imply smaller spaces within the whole.

THE FITZHUGH GARDENS

A study of strategy in a mixed-use project

PROGRAM: A mixed-use boutique hotel located on the corner of Fitzhugh and Buena Vista, adjaent to the Katy Trail. Programmatic elements include: a coffee Shop, a restaurant, coworking spaces, and hotel services.

STRATEGY: To provide an urban connection to the Katy Trail by carving voids from a solid and replacing them with gardens. The connection to the Katy Trail is both horizontal and vertical. Gardens on the ground plane extend the trail to Buena Vista. The gardens continue vertically, filling each void to create microclimates.

BASSWOOD 1/16”=1’

FOAM 1/32”=1’

3D PRINT 1/50”=1’ X BOARD 1/8”=1’ PROCESS

The basic form consists of two shifted rectilinear bars that relate to the neighboring town homes in width, and dialogue with the apartment complex across the street. By shifting the bars, space was created for a garden on the street facing corner as well as an outdoor rest area facing the Katy Trail.

COLE SCHOTZ LAW FIRM

An exercise in spatial planning

PROGRAM: Interior buildout for a law firm branch in Baltimore, Maryland.

STRATEGY: To strategically layout spaces with density that have access to naturally light and that equally serve the attorneys, paralegals, and clients.

To achieve this, the program has three types of space: private(black), interstitial(grey), and public(white).The interstitial spaces programmaticallyform the bridge between the employees and their clients.

BREAK ROOM - WEST

BOARD ROOM - CEILING

LIGHT COVE DETAIL

DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT

Urban Revitalization

PROGRAM: Analysis of the Dallas Arts District led to the conclusion that the combined lack of accessible public spaces with high concrete density has isolated the district from the community.

STRATEGY: To transform the Dallas Arts District into a pedestrian hub that welcomes both artists and tourists. This is done by redesigning the streets and replacing key parking lots with publically accessible programming.

CARROL AVENUE TOWNHOMES

Crafted Elevations with a Minimal Budget

PROGRAM: A pair of townhomes on adjacent sites with a joint drive in Dallas, TX.

STRATEGY: To utilize a minimal number of materials across a largely consistent cross section with repetitive yet carefully crafted geometry.

FLOOR PLAN | BUILDING I

ELEVATION | SOUTH

FUTURE LEARNING SPACES

A study of solid + void in an educational system

PROGRAM: An elementary school with a non-linear teaching model that requires students to have autonomy over their education.

STRATEGY: Use negative space to create a “Placeless” educational model that can be replicated in any context.

NATURE: Each void contains a unique exterior atmosphere. The maze-like configuration of the voids causes students to rely on natural landmarks for directions.

COMMUNITY GARDEN

SOCCER FIELD

MEDITATIVE GARDEN

AMPHITHEATER LEADING DOWN TO THEATER

1. FUNCTIONAL CIRCULATION

2. THEATER OPENING TO AMPHITHEATER

3. CAFETERIA

4. LIBRARY 5. LEARNING SPACE

NON-LINEAR TEACHING MODEL:

Students understand their learning styles and partner with teachers to design a customized curriculum.

TRADITIONAL NON-LINEAR

FLEXIBLE SPACES:

Educational spaces can be made smaller or expanded using various mechanisms. Sliding glass doors connect every space to a courtyard and every item of furniture can tranform to meet the student’s needs.

INTERACTIVE SPACES:

The rammed- earth building is entirely solid on the exterior, yet each interior room contains sliding glass doors so that each space interacts with the next.

TYPOLOGY.

Three types of educational rooms exist to accomodate individual study, small group learning, and lecture or recreational environments.

6. GYMNASIUM

RESIDENTIAL REVERSAL

A diagrammatic study of the Rietveld-Schroder House

PROGRAM: To create a non-anthropromorphic program by extracting a reversal of the Rietveld-Schroder House.

STRATEGY: A three-fold process was prescribed.

[1] Reversal of the floor plan typology- enfilade.

[2] Tectonically alter the nature of the new structure.

[3] Adjust the scale of the building to apply a non-anthropomorphic program.

The reversal was designed to form a dialogue between new volumes and exterior voids. Multiplication of the reversal revealed a new form: an ocean filtration system designed to clean polluted waters.

PROGRAM: An elementary school with a non-linear teaching model that requires students to have autonomy over their education.

STRATEGY: Use negative space to create a “Placeless” educational model that can be replicated in any context.

NATURE: Each void contains a unique exterior atmosphere. The maze-like configuration of the voids causes students to rely on natural landmarks for directions.

OCEAN FILTRATION FACILITY

It is estimated that 1.15-2.1M Tonnes of plastic enters the ocean each year. This waste has accumulated in 5 large zones, one being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located between California and Hawaii which measures 1.6M sq. km.

This proposal is for abandoned oil rigs to be converted into filtration systems. The scaffolding collects microplastics floating on the surface of the ocean. Adjacent towers will convert the waste into energy to power the facility.

CULINARY INSTITUTE

Cultural Significance of New Urbanism

PROGRAM: An elementary school with a non-linear teaching model that requires students to have autonomy over their education.

STRATEGY: Use negative space to create a “Placeless” educational model that can be replicated in any context.

NATURE: Each void contains a unique exterior atmosphere. The maze-like configuration of the voids causes students to rely on natural landmarks for directions.