PORTFOLIO
natalia albalat zaragozรก
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selection of projects
Natalia Albalat Zaragozá August 11th 1990, Valencia, Spain
albalatnatalia@gmail.com (0034)662537894
Arquitecto Arnau 59-11, 46020, Valencia, Spain http://issuu.com/n.albalat
contact
EDUCATION 2009-2015
Degree in Architecture Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura (ETSAV) University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain (UPV)
2013-2014
International Mobility Scholarship for Architecture & Engineering Shool of Architecture (SOA) Oklahoma State University, USA (OSU)
2007-2009
Abitur (International Baccalaureate) German School of Valencia, Spain (DSV)
WORK EXPERIENCE 2014 Jun-Au
Architecture and Urbanism Studio in Valencia Llorens Fornés Navarro Summer internship at the Project Design and Development deparment working on the different phases of the design and execution pro- cess and visiting the projects while under construction.
2013 City Hall of Valencia Jun-Au Summer internship at the Technical and Construction department performing tasks of supervising public building renovations and construction pathologies. 2007-2015 Revision Tutor and Au Pair (German, English, Maths and Physics)
SKILLS Autocad
Photoshop
Mac OSX
Grasshopper
Illustrator
M. Office
Windows
InDesign
Rhinoceros
Social Media
Lightroom
Revit
Internet
Imageready
3DMax
LANGUAGES & TRAVELS GERMAN
SPANISH
proficiency C2
native
FRENCH *Goethe’s ZOP Certificate
CHINESE
ENGLISH
CATALAN
proficiency C2
native
good B1
2015
Backpacking Trip around India
2014
Roadtrip around Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, California and Illinois
2013 2011
UK·Germany·Switzerland ·France·Netherland·Portugal·Norway ·Czech Republic·Morocco
2012
Interrail around Italy
notions
*Cambridge Proficiency Exam
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 2014 Jan-May
Urban, cultural and social development Entrepreneurship and Archi tecture project in South Africa (Oklahoma State University)
2014
Biomimicry Research Workshop (Oklahoma State University)
2013
Sustainable Interior Design Workshop (Oklahoma State University)
Jan-May
Sept-Dec
2013 Volunteer in Building Reconstruction of the city of Moore (Oklaho Aug ma) after the Tornado. 2008-2006 Academic language exchanges in Reutlingen,Stadtlohn (Germany) & Nîmes (France) 5
architectural
01 TITLE
Terra Ferma
DATE
4th Year Studio_2012/2013
LOCATION
Benimaclet, Valencia_Spain
TYPE mixed use plan
DESCRIPTION
The main goal of this project was to regenerate a current abandonned area in a strong cultural and historical valuable neighborhood of the city of Valencia, Benimaclet. The lack of residential as well as cultural, social equipments and quality urban open spaces, required to draw a development plan to solve all these issues, intervining with a strong sensitivity for nature and sustainability, due to its proximity to the valencian orchad.
Development Plan. Ground level
Development Plan. Basement level
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CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FACILITY
The cultural equipment is located in the underground level, composed by a series of volumes creating connected spaces, such us exhibition hall or open workspaces.
SPORTS FACILITY
Formed by a main prismatic volume half burried, traversed by three others in the highest level, creating original light effects drawing on the interplay of shadows and lights.
RESIDENTIAL AREA. SOCIAL HOUSING.
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02 TITLE
Block development for the Transbay Redevelopment Plan
DATE
5th Year Studio_2013/2014
LOCATION
San Francisco, California_ USA
TYPE mixed use plan
DESCRIPTION
The main purpose of the Transbay Redevelopment Plan is to create two zoning areas that permit the formation of a new downtown community and enhance the connection between the city center and the Transbay Terminal. The project is focused in one of the available blocks located in a high-density, mixed-use residential neighborhood. The requirements, then were very similar to the surroundings, yet emphasizing the connection with the other plots as well as with the new urban open spaces.
THE CLOUD. PUBLIC AREA.
The essence of this project is the balance between public and private spaces among the different floors, thanks to the great outdoor patios linking everything.
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THE CLOUD. RESIDENTIAL AREA.
The housing units are projected as boxes that are added to the main structure, interacting and engaging with the public open space.
The volume is elevated from the ground floor, creating a public open park and emphasizing the flow of people in the new urban area. The green areas appear along the structure, up to the urban park on the rooftop.
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03 TITLE
Light Shelter
DATE
4th Year Studio_2012/2013
LOCATION
Benimaclet, Valencia_Spain
TYPE
urban park & cultural facility
DESCRIPTION
The selected area for this project is an urban park in the north area of Valencia, mainly centered in sport activities. The idea is to create a public equipment that complements the current athletic activities of the park, covering other needs. So, the proposed design is an outdoor-indoor versatil building with open function.
LOCATION
The irregular shape of the design is inspired in the broken shape of the different paths that composed the urban park.
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DESIGN PROCESS
The idea originates from a series of angled surfaces that create singular outdoor-indoor spaces and welcomes you to discover the place.
The building has a strong identity with its subtle play of planes, accentuated by the light, which is a key element that participates in the understanding of the projected space.
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04 TITLE
Save Haven
DATE
5th Year Studio_2013/2014
LOCATION
Southafrica
TYPE
collaborative project_residential
DESCRIPTION
Architecture and Entrepreneurship students worked together as a multidisciplinary team in order to design a better community for a town in Southafrica. The main purposes of this project were to asses the cultural and social needs of the community as well as coming up with the most optimal shack design in terms of functionality, feseability and sensitivity towards the cultural environment.
TOWNSHIP DEVELOPMENT
COST ESTIMATE
SHACK PROTOTYPES
PRIORITIES
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SHACK FLOORPLAN
The proposed shack design is a very flexible and adaptative prototype, built with only one plywood profile. The size and complexion than can vary due to its modular concept and ease of construction. The interior can be designed with flexibility, where the owner would take part of.
PLYWOOD SHACK DESIGN
The materials used are accesible, inexpensive and create a unique customizable home. Our sustainable homes will create a sense of safety and comfortability. The walls come together like Legos, but lock in from the inside. This creates ease of construction as well as ease in expansion later on. The shacks are a blank slate that allow their tenants to cutomize them however they like, creating a sense of pride and culture within their communities.
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urban
05 TITLE
Urban Needles
DATE
Thesis Project_2014/2015
LOCATION
Campanar, Valencia_Spain
TYPE urban regeneration
DESCRIPTION
The intervention area is located in what was one of the main Hospitals in Valencia, nowadays abandonned and without use. The main purpose of the project is to give a new use to the pre-existing buildings as well as regenerating the whole area that has been losing value over the years, creating quality open spaces as well as new activities with a strong connection to the ancient riverside of Valencia, one of the greatest activity epicenter of the city.
The main layout of the masterplan is to develop a new street network, well connected to the riverside park.
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URBAN NEEDLES
The new projected urban area is an extension of the riverside on the south part of the intervention sector, incorporating small elements, following the urban acupuncture ideas.
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These “urban needles� that colonize the designed space are composed by . There are five different prototypes that follow the same structure and construction pattern and give identity to the whole area, regenerating the neighborhood activity as well as becoming a great city equipment and epicenter of sports and cultural activities.
INTERVENTION PROCESS
PRE-EXISTING BUILDING INTERVENTION
The idea was to preserve the identity of the buildings, improving the function of the interiors. The main intervention is focused on the ground level, which is liberated to improve the flow of the new projected urban space. Continuous glass volumes are added to include related activity program in them.
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06 TITLE
Intervention in Marine Terrain, Amsterdam
DATE
3th Year Studio_2012/2013
LOCATION
Amsterdam_The Netherlands
TYPE masterplan
DESCRIPTION
Amsterdam is a city surrounded by water, so it has a high building density. The main purpose of the project has been to provide the intervention area with some free open spaces, as well as improve the residential area accompaigned with some public facilities. The intervention area is located in a recent developed zone, well communicated with the city center and very close to some important buildings in Amsterdam, such as the Central Station.
Railway
Tramway
DESIGN PROCESS
The proposal includes, creation of a pedestrian axis with a free open space with an important landmark in a garden with views to the canals, reduction of the canal surface to increase the cohesion and the addition of some more bridges. There is an existing lack of public green spaces, so the design incorporates two new open spaces.
Maritime Museum Pedestrian Axis Historic Center
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HOUSINGSTATE
The projected buildings are a mix from different type of buildings such as maisonettes and laminar buildings, to give heterogenity to each plot. There are also two differenciate areas in the plots, the central zone for commercial use and the perimetral zone for residential use
The main promenade has a curved layout and connects the whole area with different uses, such as commercial, recreation and cultural activities. The head of the proposal is colonised by a tower as a landmark
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competitions
07 TITLE
39ยบ 27N
DATE
December 2014
LOCATION
Valencia_Spain
TYPE Revolving Bridge Design
DESCRIPTION
The competition consisted in designing a revolving bridge that liks both sides of the marine dock of Valencia. The current bridge was projected for the Formula 1 race circuit and is no longer being used because of its complexity. So the challenge is to create a new connection that is both functional and aesthetic and concerning its structure is able to turn on itself, so it enables all kind of boats to enter the dock.
BRIDGE STRUCTURE
In floorplan the bridge is symmetric and it has two main traffic lanes. Next to them, in both sides, a thin concrete volume in shape of a bench, separates the pedestrian and bicycle lanes, creating a great and pleasant promenade with great sea views. The bridge design is blended into its surroundings because of the selected materials and the curvy shapes inspired in the organic and natural movements of the water. The image of the whole is subtle and delicate
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CONCEPTION PROCESS
After brainstorming about different structures, the final and most appopiate design was a bridge that is able to turn on itself due to the extension of the main structural element that works as a revolving mechanism in the lower part.
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08 TITLE
Spectrum Zero
DATE
5th Year Studio_2013/2014
LOCATION
San Francisco, California_ USA
TYPE
net zero_residential building
DESCRIPTION
The project’s goal is to create a zero energy design for one mixed-use building located in San Francisco. The building is a mix of 150 affordable housing units and a full neighborhood-serving grocery store on the ground floor. The design of the building focuses on the energy issue as well as on creating high quuality standards for the housing units. Moreover, one of the most important aspects of the design is the street treatment on the ground floor.
The outdoor spaces interacting with the indoor spaces become a central composition element of the project. These spaces contribute to provide natural sunlight and ventilation to all of the units. The final massing is the result of a courtyard pattern with irregular volumes surrounding the big open space in the middle, that provides a nice public space that maximizes the daylight and ventilation in the whole building.
MASSING DEVELOPMENT
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OPEN OUTDOOR PATIO
The big ipen space in the middle of the building offers the possibility of having more than one faรงade facing south.
HOUSING UNITS The faรงade design incorporates PV panels, that work together with the ones located on the roofs. The building is then composed by three different towers connected with a corridor communication space facing the big opening gathering area. It establishes an interesting and suggestive relationship between the spaces.
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branding & design
09 TITLE
La Forqueta
DATE
October 2014
LOCATION
Valencia_Spain
TYPE branding & concept design
DESCRIPTION
The request was to help create an identity and image for a new restaurant in the city of Valencia. The main feature of the restaurant was the elaborated menu from the best quality products of the authentic and typical valencian culture. So the client wanted to show the perfect mix and balance between the authentic valencian gastronomy and the state-of-the art cuisine. The name and logo show this equilibrium between old and new.
10 TITLE
El armario de Mila
DATE
Oct-April 2014/2015
LOCATION
Benimaclet, Valencia_Spain
TYPE branding & interior design
DESCRIPTION
El armario de Mila is a small fashion boutique with an exquisite and delicate taste and style that required a very thoughtful and sensitive interior design and corporate image, taking special care of the details. The design atmosphere was then very cosy and inspired in the clothing line, where the main idea was to make the clients feel like home while shopping. The logo is the perfect image of the shop identity and style.
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thank you!