Portfolio

Paula Calixto Egues

PAULA CALIXTO EGUES

I am a dedicated Master of Architecture student deeply invested in integrating innovative climate adaptation and mitigation approaches in my designs. I am determined to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment and adapt premises to extreme weather conditions, therefore enhancing overall sustainability.

Having travelled to 57 countries and lived in 3 continents, I possess a diverse understanding of international culture and have passion for life, learning and adventure. I have been fortunate to work for major businesses in Australia, the UK and Peru, where with pride and enthusiasm I delivered unique experiences. My capacity to both lead and collaborate effectively in a team, coupled with my unwavering motivation and strong ethic, underscores my professional dedication.

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE CONTACT

Gold Coast, Australia

+61 451 699 624

paulacegues@hotmail.com

paulacegues.myportfolio.com

EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN WITH DISTINCTION

Griffith University | Gold Coast - Australia | Jul 2020 - Nov 2023

• DBI Design Award - highest overall result in final Bachelor’s year

• Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2021, 2022 and 2023. GPA 6.88

• Project selected for Griffith Study Guide 2023 and 2024

• Project selected for the HOTA End of Year Exhibition 2021, 2022 and 2023

• Recipient of Binna Burra Lodge Award 2023

Griffith Honours College Alumni

Golden Key International Honour Society Member

Recipient of Griffith Brighter Future Scholarship 2023

• Recipient of Griffith Futures Scholarship 2022

• Recipient of Undergraduate Achievement Award Scholarship from Golden Key International Honours Society 2022

WORK EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP (recent) SOFTWARES LANGUAGES

AIA NGCE MEMBER

AIA National Committee for Gender Equity | Jun 2024 - Present

GRIFFITH BUILT AND ENVIRONMENT MENTOR

Griffith University | Mar 2023 - Present

STUDENT VOICE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE

Griffith University | Mar 2022 - Present

ADMISSIONS OFFICER

Griffith University | Jul 2019 - Present

ENLISTMENT COORDINATOR

Australian Defence Force Recruiting | Mar 2018 - Jul 2019

DUTY MANAGER

Aloft Hotel (Marriott Hotels) | London - UK | Mar 2016 - Sep 2017

Autocad Sketchup

• Revit

• Archicad

• Twinmotion

• Photoshop

• Illustrator

Indesign Procreate

• Peoplesoft

• CRM

• Opera

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Microsoft 365

English: bilingual Spanish: native

• Portuguese: basic

• Italian: basic

NUCLEUS

WATER BEYOND PRACTICALITY

CONNECTED PATHS

THE PEOPLE’S ROOFTOP BUILDING

Energy

Materials and design decisions based on BAL-FZ and protection Gutter system collects rainwater to harvesting tank (explained in sections)

Rainwater used for irrigation and sprinkler system (explained in sections)

Main building blocks strong South-West winds

Buildings placed around the Nucleus to protect it

SouthWestWinds

Info Centre Reception

Bushfire Pavillion

Productive spaces placed North-East for sunlight

Minimal tree removal between the Barn and Nucleus for protection

Main windows facing North to maximise sunlight and warmth

Opposite openings allow cross ventilation in all buildings

01. NUCLEUS

The emotional fragmented journey towards a safe nucleus

Year 3 Trimester 2- 2023

Project: Binna Burra’s Museum Bushfire

Memorial

Site: Binna Burra

Area: 500 sqm

Just like a Nucleus, community is crucial for the proper functioning and growth of Binna Burra. Community is the cornerstone of society and ensures its survival and functionality. This concept uses the nucleus as a metaphor to create a multipurpose environment, that welcomes all people and fosters cooperation, information sharing, and general well-being. The centre acts as a catalyst for good change by enticing locals to take an active role in the expansion and improvement of their neighbourhood. The journey to arrive to the Nucleus is emotional and fragmented, remembering the 2019 bushfire events; before, during and after. It is a narrative of Binna Burra’s people, their identity and resilience.

PERSPECTIVE

02. WATER BEYOND PRACTICALITY

The use of water in architecture to improve well-being while caring for country.

Year 3 Trimester 1- 2023

Project: Women’s Transitional Facility

Site: Red Hill - Brisbane Area: 27550 sqm

For millions of years Australian Aboriginal people have considered water to be a sacred element. Water is sacred to First Nations because it embodies life, cultural practises, spirituality, and their deep relationship to the land. It represents the past, their identity, and continuing connection with their ancestors.

Water Beyond Practicality has been Designed with Country, to improve health and well-being, welcome community and protect nature. The use of water through architecture will aid mental health and provide social nodes, edges, natural paths, educational opportunities, work districts and infrastructure to the landscape.

Passive design and sustainable systems play a vital role in the design. The implementation of a water treatment plant, creek and architectural water structures will invite the public and enhance the site. The following proposal acknowledges and respects the Turrbal People, the traditional Aboriginal owners of Brisbane’s Red Hill neighbourhood..

SECTION A-A

Natural Edges Creek, space, trees and vegetation

Infrastructure

Water treatment plant

Infrastructure / Node Architectural waterfall

Cultural & Religious District / Node Infrastructure Incorporation of the management

Infrastructure Incorporation of creek within the site for water management

Protecting vegetation Topography, flooding and passive design Water retention system

Architectural waterfall Infrastructure / node

Infrastructure / Node Pond for water retention

Landmark Fig tree

Node Ithaca Creek restoration

Sacred trees: Eucalyptus / Gum and Bunya Pine

Landmark trees: Fig (20m) and Gum (15m)

Other native trees: Paper Bark and Bottle Brush

SITE AND FLOOR PLANS

(floor plans cut at 1.2m)

ACCOMMODATION PLANS

Each accommodation type presents two levels with one unit per floor. All units and stairs have been designed following NCC guidelines.

NewTechWood for exterior cladding and shading batten screen. Composite product made from 95% recycled materials.

for ramp, decking and exterior stairs. Composite product made recycled materials

for balcony areas and rooftop. Waterproof and eco-friendly material.

buildings.

SECTION B-B

Staff Node

Accessible Water Journey Infrastructure / Node Water Fountain Welcoming Entrance Natural Edges made out of bush, trees and creek

Rooftop area

Resting Place

ModWood

Terrazo

Solar Panels will be installed facing north, in all major

Bamboo Plywood for interior walls. Durable and eco-friendly material.

Accessible unit and toilet as per AS 1428.1 guidelines.Each accommodation type will have an accessible unit on ground level.

DETAIL PLAN

Timber Floor Boards

Bamboo Plywood

Triple Glazed Sliding Doors Energy efficient Thermal control Windows and doors will provide cross ventilation

Triple Glazed Windows Energy efficient Thermal control

NewTechWood Exterior Cladding. Composite product made from 95% recycled ma-

KNAUF Earthwool R2.7 insulation

Terrazo

VISITOR FACILITIES PLAN

ISOMETRIC DIAGRAM

CONNECTED PATHS

Year 2 Trimester 2- 2022

Project: Mental Health Prevention Centre

Site: Murwillumbah - Northern NSW

Area: 2867 sqm

Connected Paths has been designed to Care for Country, embrace community, and improve health and well-being, offering an open space sanctuary that invites the public and facilitates human interaction. The journey within the site takes you through a narrative of the land and the importance of protecting nature. The use of cedar wood, water canals, native plants and trees, natural light, and the creation of several public spaces, will aid mental health prevention and are based on Design with Country. Outside the site, the story goes beyond its walls and connects the place to its origins with paths from Wollumbin through Murwillumbah, and all the way to Cudgera and Joongarrabah. Past, present, and future are equally significant in Connected Paths. Learning about ancestors and stories from elders in the story-telling room, caring for the land we inhabit in the present, and building a future where harmony between humans and the environment is of utmost importance.

CONNECTION BEYOND THE WALLS

CONCEPT DIAGRAM

Creation of treks in Bundjalung Country

LAND: Cudgen / Goodjing | Cudgen Plateau: Platform showcasing weaving baskets made by patients from Connected Paths.

LINK: Murwillumbah - Site: Connected Paths: Patients will produce weaving baskets, paintings and carved rocks.

SEA: Cudgera | Hastings Point: paintings made by patients will be displayed.

SKY | HEAVENS: Wollumbin: carved rocks made by patients will be displayed along Wollumbin hike.

1. Raised up for views to Wollumbin

2. Split for creation of outdoors

3. Spaced out for better ventilation

4. Circular form to promote inclusion and 360 views

5. Positions moved to create pathways and journey

PERSPECTIVE: BALCONY AREA

PERSPECTIVE: LIBRARY

Pivoting screens ,made out of Aboriginal weaving mats, will block the unwanted sun and provide a luminosity show. Each weaving mat will tell a Bundjalung story.

DETAIL SECTION

Handrail capping

Metal planter box

Drainage

Soil and pebbles

Timber balustrade

Gutter (water tank collection)

PFL 40 pivot

Pivoting screens

Timber frame

15mm Terrazzo

2mm waterproof membrane

Gutter (water tank collection)

Cavity

200 x 45 LVL (joist)

10mm moisture resistant plasterboard Aboriginal Weaving

15mm Terrazzo

2mm Waterproof membrane

300 x 45 LVL (joist)

Rock-wool insulation

Timber beam

50mm Bamboo plywood

Nogging

Rock-wool insulation

2mm Hydro-wind proof membrane

19mm Red cedar cladding

Set down to balcony

19mm Red cedar timber

2mm Waterproof membrane

Rock-wool insulation

300 x 45 LVL (joist)

10mm moisture resistant plasterboard

SECTION A-A

AXONOMETRIC DRAWING

SUSTAINABILITY AND PASSIVE DESIGN

Natural light: double glazed windows and glass doors to allow daylight

Visual comfort: trees, vegetation and green walls all around the site

Air quality: greenery and trees will filter air from pollutants

Cross ventilation: glass doors and windows on opposite sides

Pool located on north side to allow sun throughout the day

PV Solar Panels on all roofs and battery placed underground

Water tanks located underground for water collection

Thermal comfort: pivoting screens and operable windows to control temperature

Windbreak trees at front entrance will break strong south-east winds

Noise: insulation and trees will block noise from the streets

Use of local and recycled materials (Five Miles Radius, Bamboo Australia)

Organic waste to be used as compost for veggie garden

04. THE PEOPLE’S ROOFTOP BUILDING

Year 2 Trimester 1- 2022

Project: Social Condenser as Architectural

Disruptor

Site: Southport - Gold Coast

Area: 400 sqm

Over the years skyscrapers have divided humanity, making us believe that some people are better than others, losing the sense of community and union. The People’s Rooftop Building has been designed to break that mentality, placing the community above all else, creating an inviting rooftop public space where individuals and families can gather, interact, celebrate and connect. The majestic architectural pieces on the roof will exhibit colourful artistic displays, attracting people from all directions; including government entities, public, visitors and residents.