Sample Works Q3 2023

Paolo Mendoza

Associate AIA, LEED AP® ND

Paolo Mendoza

Associate AIA, LEED AP® ND

London, UK

pmmendoza.03@gmail.com

experience.

Urban Designer at Arcadis

2021 - Present London, UK

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams and engaged stakeholders to integrate community preferences, resulting in an award-winning project for community engagement.

• Led and managed diverse urban design projects, overseeing a small team of designers and ensuring the seamless integration of urban design principles.

• Utilized advanced design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite to produce high-quality design presentations and proposals, resulting in a 20% increase in client satisfaction and project wins.

Visiting Design Critic at New York Institute of Technology

2020 - Present New York City, USA

• Conducted comprehensive evaluations of student design projects in the Bachelor of Architecture program, offering tailored feedback that significantly improved the overall quality of designs.

• Provided mentorship to aspiring architects, guiding them in understanding urban design concepts and refining their design processes.

• Collaborated with educators to improve the design curriculum, ensuring alignment with current industry trends and best practices.

Architecture Intern at Perkins Eastman Architects

2019 - 2020

New York City, USA

• Actively contributed to the design and development of healthcare projects with a focus on patient-centric design elements. Collaborated with the team to create layouts and spaces that enhance patient comfort and satisfaction.

• Conducted extensive site analysis and research to understand the unique requirements and challenges of healthcare projects.

• Actively coordinated with project teams, including architects, engineers, and interior designers, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration.

01 Westerhill Regeneration Area Masterplan.

Date: 2021 - Current

Client: East Dunbartonshire Council

Location: Bishopbriggs, Scotland

Westerhill Masterplan project has been identified as a regeneration site at the East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC)’s Local Development Plan. This entails the preparation of a vision, framework masterplan, associated technical assessments including SEA, economic analysis and market assessment, and masterplan options to inform an Outline Business Case for the regeneration of a 370-hectare Westerhill Regeneration Area. The masterplan will act as an overarching framework for the sustainable development of land parcels and will be adopted as an SPG.

It is a landscape-led masterplan framework that creates over 3000+ green sector and manufacturing jobs, housing, 2km long arterial road, 12.5km active travel network with a mobility hub, diversified energy network powered by renewable energy, and conservation and enhancement of peatland, mature woodland, meltwater channel and habitats as 170 ha local nature reserve for leisure and recreation for the surrounding communities.

I worked as an urban designer and technical design support in producing multiple client presentations and reports. I have also worked in the capacity of an assistant project manager responsible for technical management of visualisations and renderings and maintaining the project’s risk register.

Software used:

Urban Design Strategy

Open Space, Leisure, and Rercreation Strategy

Movement, Access, and Sustainable Transport Strategy

Framework Masterplan

Extensive stakeholder engagement has been undertaken, which has highlighted core reoccurring themes, which informed the development of vision scenarios. The preferred vision is a result of a culmination of these scenarios, and a list of eight placemaking objectives for the site were created - under broad themes of Climate Resilience, Quality and Innovation, and Leisure and Connectivity.

Clyde Connectivity - Liveable Neighbourhood.

Date: 2022

Client: Glasgow City Council

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

The Clyde Connectivity - Liveable Neighbourhoods project will connect communities in one of the most deprived areas in Scotland with nationally important employment and economic development sites through improvements to active travel routes and key infrastructure such as the Clyde Tunnel.

The transformational interventions underpin a robust placemaking approach on the A739 and Govan Road through removal 1960s style highway infrastructure and enabling active travel and creating an attractive and green urban boulevard. In addition, the project will enhance the resilience of traffic flows on the A739 and Govan Road, prioritise walking and cycling and contribute to decarbonisation and biodiversity net gain. The project will also extend the life of the Clyde Tunnel a strategically important transport link.

I was the lead technical designer of the project and produced sketch options and detailed design drawings for the proposals. I also worked on the development of 3D buildings for the visualisation of the project.

Software used:

AutoCAD — SketchUp — Illustrator — Photoshop — InDesign

03 NYC Urban Mixtape.

Date: 2021

Client: AA Visiting School

Location: New York City, US

Turning New York’s vocabulary into space making building elements, I investigated the process of creating digital tools generating cultural/ architectural components out of New York’s iconography to form innovative and inventive computational/urbanistic visions that are acting at the interface between physical and digital. With the help of generative design tools I have developed building logics and assembly systems and transformed them into augmented models that can be called upon anywhere in the world.

The project covers several design phases and build techniques, blurring the boundaries from physical to digital as well as from highly local to global. The essential focus of this project is experimentation. Through this project I have sought to question the norms and develop unconventional design solutions.

Software used:

Rhino — Grasshopper — Enscape — Photoshop

— Fologram AR

Discovery Aggregation of Parts Design Space Exploration

Recombining the parts Deployment

Infilling vertical shared public space

Testing for Urban Deployment

Hybridisation of architectural styles

Using Augmented Reality for Urban Deployment

Utilising AR tools for visualisation

04 Calder Riverside Masterplan and Design Guide.

Date: 2022 - Current

Client: Carlisle City Council, Homes England

Location: Carlisle, England

The Caldew Riverside site is designated by Carlisle City Council as an area that has the potential to be regenerated. Arcadis have been commissioned on behalf of Homes England to produce a Concept Masterplan, Design Guide closely aligning the site to the wider regeneration aspirations of the City Centre.

The Concept Masterplan is required to enable the infrastructure to be advanced to align with site remediation. The Design Guide will consider Homes England’s Building for a Healthy Life and Streets for a Healthy Life and Building with Nature guidance.

I was responsible in developing multiple concept masterplan options for the 3-hectare riverfront site. I am also primary responsible in developing the digital twin model that aids the site and layout analysis through Autodesk Forma.

Software used:

AutoCAD — Autodesk Forma — Illustrator — Photoshop — 3DS Max — Vray — InDesign

Framework Masterplan

The adjacent preferred concept option is characterised by a central greenspace enhancing views to Carlisle Cathedral and the Caldew River; a new road running alongside the eastern part of the central greenspace and a footpath along the west; a retirement apartment block with nonresidential space i.e. lobby, dining hall and reception to the north west of the site; apartments proposed at the corners of blocks to create wayfinding nodes and a variation in the built form on the central development parcel; apartments proposed to the south east.

Visualisation

Proposed development along Viaduct Estate Road activating the old railway arches and providing an traffic calming and active travel measures.

Micro-climate Analysis

The proposed scale, massing and building height of the new development has an impact on a range of microclimate and environmental factors.

The adjacent diagrams show conceptual outputs from Autodesk Forma software. This analysis is indicative only in order to provide a high level analysis of noise, wind, temperature. Future masterplanning work are advised to consider micro-climate analysis to inform the layout, typology and height to achieve a desirable result.

Porthcawl Historic Square.

Date: 2022

Client: Bridgend County Borough Council

Location: Bridgend, Wales

The project site is centred on Porthcawl’s Historic Square. It has an area approximately 2.41 hectares in size and is situated on the “turn point” of the eastern Promenade/ Esplanade and is bounded by the Portway on the east, the Esplanade on the southwest, John Street on the west and Dock Street on the north.

The enhancement of public realm and enhanced connectivity is highlighted as amongst the primary objectives in the emerging BCBC Porthcawl Placemaking Strategy 2021/22. The site is located within the Porthcawl Conservation Area and is identified as a key site for enhancement in the strategy.

I was responsible in the development of the public realm options, spatial analysis, wider strategic opportunities and the delivery of the options appraisal report.

Software used:

AutoCAD — Rhino 3D — Illustrator — Photoshop — InDesign

Sketch Plan of the Scheme 01

Sketch Plan of the Scheme 02

Illustrative Sketch of the Preferred Option

06 Castleford Connections.

Date: 2022

Client: Wakefield Council

Location: Castleford, England

Castleford Connections is a project intervention that is part of the wider Castleford Strategic Regeneration Framework Masterplan. The project aims to improve pedestrian movement through new wayfinding and signage between the train and bus station, Henry Moore Square, Sagar Street, and Riverside to increase footfall and improve dwell time in the town centre.

I primarily worked on the development and preliminary studies on the wayfinding strategy for the project. I’ve explored and mapped experience lines which identifies key areas where major footfall is expected. I also worked on the development of 3D buildings for the visualisation of the project and 2D diagrams of the wayfinding proposals.

Software used: AutoCAD — SketchUp — Illustrator — Photoshop — InDesign

The aim is to improve the visitor experience to Castleford. The experience lines illustrate how visitors to Castleford will perceive their environment. It show the key areas to focus placemaking interventions to contribute to urban regeneration and to promote new activities and uses.

Aire Street Riverside Experience Line

This route is the centre of Castleford’s redevelopment, connecting the various interventions along the riverside with enhancement to public realm and a mix of uses.

Creating synergy across a legible Castleford

07 Bridgend Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Date: 2022

Client: Bridgend County Borough Council

Location: Bridgend, Wales

The proposed Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy Action Plan for Bridgend Town Centre has been prepared on behalf of BCBC to support and inform current and future town regeneration. The project incorporates the GI audit, GI project proposals based on the Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan’s site-wide recommendations, benefits, a costed action plan of projects and best practice GI design specifications that can be fully utilised to inform future schemes within the County Borough’s town centres.

The project goal is to develop an overarching strategy and action plan that guides design, safeguarding, improvement and management of green spaces and active travel assets through Nature Based Solutions in and around Bridgend town centre.

I was primarily responsible in the creation of the strategy and action plan document. I have also created the sketch plans and visualisations that aids the proposed interventions in key areas of the town centre. I have also assisted in the creation of planting schedule and public realm improvements in various project areas.

Software used:

AutoCAD — Rhino — Illustrator — Photoshop —

InDesign

Nature Based Solutions

Urban Street Trees, Shrubs & Hedges

Bridgend Town Centre Landscape Context

Bridgend Town Centre is surrounded by a number of landscape and green and blue infrastructure assets. The most significant and accessible is the Ogmore River corridor and the green spaces immediately adjoining the town centre from the south west, providing a ‘SW green blue spine’ that connects the heart of Bridgend to the A48 almost 2km away and, beyond, to the nearby coast at Ogmore-by-Sea.

Key

Study Area Boundary

Bridgend Town Centre Landscape Context

Distance from Town Centre

Primary Roads

Railway

National Cycle Network

Major Water Course / Blue Assets

Groundcover, Grasses & Bulbs

Wildflowers

Green Walls

Riparian Planting

Key

Existing

Existing tree

Existing lighting column location (column to be retained)

Proposed

Proposed tree in planter

View of proposed intervention along Adare Street

Knottingley and Ferrybridge Design Code.

Date: 2023

Client: Wakefield Council

Location: Knottingley, South Yorkshire

Arcadis produced the Design Code for Knottingley and Ferrybridge masterplan, which includes the proposed urban expansion and connections to the existing town of Knottingley to the north and west. It builds upon the strategic masterplanning principles and strategies of the masterplan.

I developed the character area section of the design code which highlights modern character and sustainability-focused design whilst acknowledging and celebrating the current context and character of the existing community I was also responsible in developing the design code checklist that establishes the ‘must-have’, ‘should-have’ and ‘could-have’.

Software used:

AutoCAD — Illustrator — Photoshop — InDesign

The Coding Plan is based on the 2021 Knottingley and Ferrybridge masterplan, and reflects the parameters and design principles that are set out in the masterplan document.

The main aim is to steer the detailed design of the masterplan and ensure the proposals’ aspirations are fulfilled across all stages of the project. However, the plan may give flexibility to vary the configuration and structure of the parcels from the illustrative masterplan, the design intention and principles are transferable.

Greenspace Checklist (Extract from the Design Code)

Attractive and Suitable Boundary Treatment

Play areas must be visible from residential streets. The boundary walls / fences / hedges overlooking the space must not exceed 0.60 m in height.

Hedge planting must be used for boundary edges along driveways between retained fields / countryside and residential development to provide amenity and biodiversity.

Boundary treatments should be designed to ensure accessibility to open spaces at appropriate locations from streets.

Allotments should be secured through boundary fences.

Variation in Materials, Planting, and Street Furniture

Play areas must be highlighted through variation in materials and colour.

Open spaces must be designed to show variation in colour and planting between character areas.

Segregated cycleways and footpaths should be demarcated through colour and/or material (or a buffer strip or a stepped kerb)

Public space should be distinctive through use of bespoke street furniture and lighting, variation in paving and formal planting.

Use of Low Carbon / Recycled Materials

For further guidance on boundary treatments, please refer to Wakefield Residential Design Guide Part 2, Section 1.08 Design Relation to the Street

Materials must be sourced sustainably where possible, from local manufacturers committed to minimising environmental impact.

Materials must be reused / recycled as much as possible.

Cycle and Pedestrian Connections Through and To Open Spaces

Open spaces should link to the wider cycleway network and pedestrian footpaths and be connected to residential streets.

All active travel routes must be designed in line with inclusive design standards.

All cycleways and pedestrian footpaths must be designed to increase the experiential value of open spaces for the users.

Ensure Stewardship and Management

A stewardship and management strategy must be submitted as part of outline and detailed planning applications explaining the maintenance options, roles and responsibilities and long-term care of open spaces.