KUBE Architecture Portfolio by KUBE Architecture

PUBLICATION CREDITS creative direction Richard Loosle KUBE architecture design Kevin Reardon Graphic Designer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEW BEGINNINGS

YOUNG FAMILIES

BACHELOR PADS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

WORK

SALT + PEPPER

APERTURE

MI CASITA

CASA ABIERTA

Q PLACE RESIDENCE

FOREST HOUSE

SKY LOFT

URBAN RETREAT

KARR PAD

KLUB KITCHEN

CORCORAN HOUSE

SEE-THROUGH HOUSE

N STREET RESIDENCE

PROJECT PLANS

CREDITS

FIRM PROFILE

EMPTY NESTERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This collection of projects is possible because of the trust, talents and skills of our clients, contractors, engineers and office colleagues who have contributed to the creation of the works represented in this volume as well as those to come.

KUBE architecture is a collaborative studio, and the role of our employees, whom we see more as colleagues, has always been critical to our success. Our current staff continues this tradition and includes Andrew Baldwin, who has been with KUBE the longest of any of our interns, and whose contribution as a designer and project assistant is evident in many of the projects in this collection. New to KUBE are Jorge Conception, Matt Dougherty and Matthias Arauco-Shapiro, all talented designers. The projects in this collection represent not only the design efforts of KUBE, but also the dreams and wishes of our clients. We want to thank our many clients (who are now friends) for placing their trust in KUBE, and who were willing to work with us as a team to achieve the level of design seen in these works. We also want to thank our photographers who understood our vision, and worked with us to capture it for these pages: Paul Burk and Greg Powers. In addition, thanks to our graphics consultant Kevin Reardon, for his contributions to this book. A special thanks and recognition is extended to Stanley I Hallet, FAIA, professor emeritus and former Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at The Catholic University of America. Stanley was responsible for hiring both of us to teach architectural design, and introduced us to each other the summer of 1999. Stanley has been a constant supporter of KUBE from the founding of the firm in 2005, and a friend and mentor to Rich for over 35 years. Finally we want to thank our respective parents and families, who have always supported us. This volume is dedicated to them.

PREFACE STANLEY I HALLET. FAIA

I have always followed the many ways studio critics in design move between the lofty explorations pursued in the academy and the every day realities of practice. Richard LoosleOrtega and Janet Bloomberg are such examples. I recall their work in our studios where like a chess master playing a round of aspiring players, they patiently moved from desk to desk commenting upon the proposals presented. Through example, encouragement, commentary and critical editing, both teachers and their students seemed to grow in their continued exploration of the language of architecture.

After ten years in practice, Richard and Janet continue the process, however this time student becomes the client and the new context provides equally new challenges. Fortunately, the critical dialogue once initiated in studio only continues to grow. While their studio exploration of context, space, transparency, light and materials still inform their work, two new challenges found in practice further inspire their final architectural proposals. The first explores the often unique and intimate stories of their clients while the second responds to the very real act of construction. As founders of the inventive KUBE architecture, these two strong personalities have found common ground as they develop enduring relationships with their clients with the same patience once exhibited in the studio. They move beyond satisfying the critical programmatic and budget needs of their patrons to reveal in their work the underlying stories that define their clients. Three of many such examples demonstrate the success of such an approach. A close family from Argentina now constructing a house in the suburbs seeks a sanctuary for their children who will eventually leave to explore a widening world. In response, a suburban home is transformed into a wondrous house and garden designed to nourish their children as well as provide a place they can always return to find comfort (Casa Abierta). A Puerto Rican transplant is thrilled to see her new home, a townhouse in DC exhibiting the vibrant colors and materials that she still longs for (Mi Casita). And finally, an entertaining couple celebrates their new married life in an urban structure that fuses outdoor and indoor gathering spaces into one exuberant testimony to their outgoing support of cultural causes (Salt + Pepper House) And as for the ultimate act of building, imbedded in all of their work, one finds an enthusiastic attention to detail, materials and their assembly that continues to grow in innovation and purpose with every new commission. It is always with pride that I look forward to each new work, a reminder that the questions once raised in the academy still inform and enrich their contributions to our profession. In many ways they still remain our best teachers. Stanley I Hallet, FAIA is Professor Emeritus and Founding Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at the Catholic University of America.

INTRODUCTION Janet Bloomberg and Richard Loosle-Ortega

We formed KUBE architecture in 2005 after years of teaching, traveling and working. We both had traveled extensively in Europe, South America, and South Asia, and our minimal, warm, design style has been greatly influenced by these travels. In addition, the focus on simplicity and clean lines, with an emphasis on color and texture, is important in our work – materials are clearly expressed and juxtaposed, and the meeting of different materials is celebrated. With an extensive academic background, we find it critical to combine theoretical generative ideas with a rigorous execution of details and materials to create projects that are layered and tactile. KUBE is attempting to bring a fresh modernism to the city, and we ask our clients to look at their context in a new way, challenging the everyday way we live, work and play in the urban environment. We utilize sustainable materials and building systems in all of our projects, educating our clients about the importance of building “green.” We emphasize both the critical need for sustainability in general, as well as the design opportunities these new green materials offer. Examples of this include LED lighting, which is now commonly used to replace incandescent, no VOC paints, recycled rubber for floors or renewable resource flooring such as bamboo. Low maintenance materials such as steel, concrete and Viroc also contribute to the longevity of the project. Examples of these materials are visible in all of the works in this volume. Finally, as a creative team, each member of the firm brings a unique set of experiences, talents, and passions to the design process. Every new challenge is considered in the most creative way possible. Our clients are partners in the design process, and we work to create customized spaces that suit their lifestyle, desires, functional needs, and budget. This collection of works is organized on this concept: New Beginnings, Young Families, Bachelor Pads and Empty Nesters.

NEW BEGINNINGS

SALT + PEPPER

NEW BEGINNINGS

APERTURE MI CASITA

NEW BEGINNINGS 11

SALT + PEPPER HOUSE

New Beginnings

WASHINGTON DC

The Owners, a couple in their mid-70s, purchased this home to start their

Steel structure was inserted to allow for a full glass wall to the rear.

lives together. They got engaged after they bought the house, and got

The kitchen sits at the center of the house facing the garden, and an

married in the house while it was under construction. They love to cook and

indoor-outdoor dining table with bench (both custom-designed by the

collect art, so the palette of white walls and black steel is both a metaphor

architect) create a strong interdependence of cooking, eating, and

for salt and pepper, as well as a setting for framing their artwork. Pops of

enjoying the outdoor space. A Corten steel fountain provides the calming

color highlight the colors in their art collection.

sound of water.

The house is organized around a central core containing service spaces,

Aging in place was an important design factor. An elevator is concealed

which creates a seamless flow along the perimeter, with major spaces

within the central core, and all circulation routes are wide enough for a

facing front and back. The existing house was stripped down to its basic

wheelchair. The master bathroom has custom stainless grab bars and an

elements: brick walls, structural framing members, and outdoor space.

open shower for roll-in access.

The rear second floor was removed to create a two-story living/dining

New Beginnings

room facing the rear garden.

BEFORE KUBE

New Beginnings

APERTURE WASHINGTON DC

The Owners of this Washington DC Residence decided that the best place to create a get-away vacation space was in the privacy of their own home. Their idea was to make their lower level a relaxing escape from their busy everyday lives. The new space consists of a media/family room, bathroom, and laundry room. The concept was to create a refined “wooden box” with a teak media wall, concealing all TV and stereo equipment. Each piece of cabinetry “unfolds” to reveal hidden storage. Radiant heat is concealed in the floor slab, and all lighting is indirect. The wall to the bathroom is floor-to-ceiling frameless glass, with adjacent glass stair treads. A teak slatted ceiling with LED lighting above creates the illusion of sun overhead. The teak continues

New Beginnings

to the exterior where it provides shade within a minimal stainless steel pavilion.

19 19

MI CASITA: CARMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PLACE WASHINGTON DC

New Beginnings

Carmen grew up and lived her formative years in Puerto Rico.

LIGHT: Most of the interior walls were removed and large

As a young woman she moved to the United States to pursue

windows placed on both levels of the rear facade, accentuating

a career. After more than 30 years of traveling and living away

a double height space. A center skylight was enlarged and the

from Puerto Rico, Carmen decided she wanted her DC row

stairs designed with open risers. Casement windows replaced

house to be reminiscent of her island home. KUBE’sr response

all the original double hung windows, and light colors highlight

consisted of three key strategies: Color, Light, and Materiality.

surrounding ceilings and walls.

COLOR: Colors used are traditional to Puerto Rico, and the

MATERIALITY: The living space flooring is white porcelain tile,

composition acts as a 3-dimensional collage within the house.

while the second floor is a dark bamboo. The wood “mampara”

The east wall is lined with large sculptural storage elements

screen at the stairs is white-washed poplar, and is framed with

painted orange and yellow. Other elements are neutral black

blackened steel. The poplar reappears on the second level and at

to contrast the rich colors. The west wall is lined with colorful

the rear “bridge,” terminating at the Juliette balcony. Pendant

artwork from Carmen’s collection of local and island artists.

lights are fabricated with bamboo and coated papers.

BEFORE KUBE

New Beginnings

CREDITS

YOUNG FAMILIES

CASA ABIERTA

YOUNG FAMILIES

Q PLACE FOREST HOUSE

PROJECT TITLE CASA ABIERTA

Young Families

CHEVY CHASE MD

The Owners are from Costa Rica. After the second meeting, their

The solution was to create a courtyard house, with large sliding

second child was born. At the third meeting, their house was filled

glass doors to bring the inside out and outside in. The existing

with family and friends – a common occurrence in their home.

house was completely opened up, and a cathedral ceiling created in the living room. Programmatically, two new wings were add-

The suburban “box” did not at all fit their lifestyle. It was closed,

ed – kitchen/dining and master suite. Ipe from the deck contin-

dark, and divided into very small rooms. They said that there was not

ues into the central interior space, creating warmth and texture

one space in which they felt comfortable. Nor did they feel it was

at the heart of the house. Exposed concrete block defines pe-

sufficient for their growing family. They wanted a house of openness

rimeter walls, and Viroc, a sustainable cement board, serves as

and light, where their children could be free to explore and play

a feature wall.

Young Families

independently, and still be within view of their parents.

BEFORE KUBE

Young Families

Q PLACE RESIDENCE

Young Families

WASHINGTON DC

The owners desired a modern “loft-like” living space with as

The new stair between public and private zones is light, with open

few interior dividing walls as possible, yet still maintaining the

risers in order to maintain the visual connection through the house.

programmatic sense of each room. The existing brick home was

A series of screens tie the spatial sequence together, from the wood

originally divided into separate rooms, making it feel dark and en-

and steel screen at the entry courtyard to the translucent screen

closed. The resulting design opens the various spaces as much

between the dining room and stairs. New glass doors and side lites

as possible, unifying the rooms and creating a visual connec-

open the interior space to the rear deck. In addition, large sliding

tion from the entry through to the rear deck and garden. The

“wall” panels hide deep storage areas in both the family room and

entrance, which previously had been separated by a wall from

dining areas. A custom dining room table was designed with eco-

the living spaces, was re-configured, and directed into the living

friendly wood, and serves as eating, game playing and working desk

room, allowing the previous entrance area to become the dining

top for all family members through out the day.

room. The kitchen, which had been completely closed from other

Young Families

spaces, was opened up to dining and living areas.

BEFORE KUBE

MATERIAL / DESIGN STRATEGY

03- Recycled rubber was used in the form of flooring in the kitchen,

The Owners were interested in using as many sustainable materials

giving the owners both comfort and durability in a high traffic area.

as possible, and the architects capitalized on the qualities of each

04- Recycled plastics make up the translucent screens which

to further enhance the design strategy of openness and definition:

help separate the distinct spaces, while still allowing light to filter throughout the home.

01- Richly colored pre-finished bamboo floors were chosen

05- Cementitious board, by Viroc, was used as the platform

throughout the main level, as a way of tying the rooms together.

steps in the family room. The panels are made of recycled paper and

02- Low VOC paint was used whenever possible, and the

wood products.

colors applied in such a way as to unify both horizontal and

Young Families

vertical planes.

FOREST HOUSE GREAT FALLS VA

A “tower in the forest” this house sits on a 3-acre wooded site in

The media room and office are open to each other through a two-story

Great Falls, Virginia. Although the tower is a separate structure from

space, and a large bookcase running along the staircase connects

the existing house on the site, they are connected by a 2-story link.

each space vertically. While the new tower is unique and different

The overall design concept was to create a “house as frame” for the

architecturally from the existing house, the two are connected by

landscape. As one ascends higher and higher in the tower, framed views

a plinth on the ground level, which sets up a continuous rhythm from

of the surrounding forest are revealed in each direction through large

one building to the next. However, on the floors above, the tower

window openings. The program consists of a playroom and bedroom

departs from the main house completely, establishing its own place in

suite on the lower level, master bedroom suite on the first floor, media

the landscape.

room above, and office on the top floor.

BACHELOR PADS

SKY LOFT URBAN RETREAT

BACHELOR PADS

KARR PAD KLUB KITCHEN CORCORAN HOUSE

SKY LOFT WASHINGTON DC

Bachelor Pads

“The central skylight provides natural daylight to every room due to the transparency of the design.”

This two-story loft in Dupont Circle was completely transformed into an open space filled with light. The verticality of the existing living/dining area is enhanced with a large opening in the floor above, which was made to feel larger with a frameless transparent glass railing (replacing a previous drywall enclosure). All ancillary rooms (kitchen, bathroom, closets, and staircase) are “hidden away” to preserve the purity of the primary two-story volume. The kitchen was enlarged for function, and can “disappear” behind sliding doors. Decorative shelving can also be exposed or hidden away. Bathroom, closets, and staircase) are “hidden away” to preserve the purity of the primary two-story volume.

47 47

On the second floor a line of closets that runs the length of the apartment are concealed behind white pivot doors, allowing for a great deal of unexpected storage. The master bathroom is veiled behind large frosted glass panels, which serve as a visual focal point from the living room space below. The central skylight provides natural daylight to every room due to the transparency

Bachelor Pads

of the design.

URBAN RETREAT WASHINGTON DC

The 364 square foot lower level of this historic row house in Georgetown is intended to be an “urban retreat” for an eternal bachelor. The overall goal was to create a sanctuary of modern living: efficient, clean, and minimal. One of the greatest challenges was to fit a large amount of program into the narrow 14’ width, including kitchen, powder room, sitting space, mechanical area, and washer / dryer, while maintaining as much open floor area as possible. The other challenge was to create an effect of light and openness, within what had previously been a dark and uninviting basement.

Design Strategy Two storage volumes define either side of the space: along one edge glossy white kitchen cabinets line the wall, terminating in a cantilevered wine bar, and along the opposite edge a series of sliding doors conceal the more functional aspects of program: powder room,

Bachelor Pads

mechanical units, and washer-dryer. The existing chimney along this wall was retrofitted

to accommodate the television and custom cabinetry, including additional wine storage below. These two linear volumes serve to frame the space, while glass planes traverse at each end. A sliding wall of backlit translucent panels hides the existing basement windows along the street facade, and a folding glass wall opens onto the rear garden. The result is a light, airy space that visually expands from interior to exterior.

KARR PAD WASHINGTON DC

This basement apartment is located in the family home of the young owner, who wished to create his own “bachelor pad” separate from his parent’s row house above. He is an avid cook, and frequently holds dinner parties and entertains, so a large kitchen open to the rest of the space was a priority. In order to transform the dark low basement into a “singles” home, extensive digging and underpinning were required, resulting in 9’ ceilings. New windows and LED strips were added for additional light and atmosphere. The apartment was divided longitudinally into two zones, one more fluid for cooking and lounging (kitchen and living); the other more formal, defined by green storage “cubes” : entry, dining, and den. Durable materials were selected for longevity, and include exposed and painted brick and steel, heated concrete floors, and Viroc panels. Splashes of color (green and red) play against the mostly neutral black and white palette. DIAGRAM

KITCHEN

Bachelor Pads

MSTR BATH

BEDROOM

DEN

DINING

LIVING

ENTRY

KLUB KITCHEN WASHINGTON DC

The interior of this Washington DC row house, built in 2002, was a typical developer house with dark interiors, heavy traditional cabinets and small windows. The client, recently divorced, requested an open light-filled space for entertaining and enjoying his new found freedom. All the interior walls on the main level were knocked out, all cabinets and finishes removed, and the small windows and doors were replaced with full height glass. A new bamboo floor replaced the tired oak flooring, and custom cabinets made of natural and stained ash were designed to unify the living, kitchen and sitting areas. A 14 foot island in â&#x20AC;&#x153;martini greenâ&#x20AC;? at the center of the space is surrounded by color-changing LED lights set for a variety of moods. A new balcony was created by pushing in the front living space, further connecting interior and exterior. The new front is clad in dark Viroc (cement board) and laminate panels. A minimalist front yard was put in place which

Bachelor Pads

includes artificial grass and steel railings.

Bachelor Pads

BEFORE KUBE

CORCORAN HOUSE

Bachelor Pads

WASHINGTON DC

The owner of this Washington DC row house requested a totally

spaces . The remaining â&#x20AC;&#x153;envelopeâ&#x20AC;? remains neutral with door panels

open space for entertaining, with a modern and warm ambiance.

concealing a powder room and coat closet, while simultaneously

The fireplace wall and kitchen island become two focal points that

acting as partial stair rails.

define the formal and informal gathering spaces. Dark porcelain tile and fumed larch surround the fireplace, while contrasting glossy white cabinets and a 15â&#x20AC;&#x2122; long Equatro marble island top centers the kitchen zone. The rear wall was replaced with sliding glass doors in order to

Bachelor Pads

physically and visually link the new rear deck with the interior

Upstairs the same material and color selections are used in the new open master bedroom suite and office area, creating a visually cohesive flow between public and private areas.

BEFORE KUBE

EMPTY NESTERS

SEE-THROUGH HOUSE

EMPTY NESTERS N STREET RESIDENCE

SEE-THROUGH HOUSE WASHINGTON DC

The Owners of this traditional Washington row house desired a space of

The large glass openings provide such a vast amount of natural light

openness and light: “un petit bijou.” KUBE’s challenge was to completely

that there is very little need for artificial light sources. Through simple

transform the narrow, dark building with almost no natural light, into a

ceiling fans and natural cross-ventilation, air moves freely through the

modern light-filled space.

space, requiring very little mechanical ventilation. LED lighting lines the

In order to achieve this, a simple floor plan was established, with no dividing walls and all programmatic elements running along the party walls. Glass floors are aligned on every level as a transparent “volume of light,” piercing the roof and creating a tapestry of solid and void inside the house. Floor plates are fully functional, allowing light and views to run

Empty Nesters

vertically unobstructed throughout the house.

perimeter of the glass openings, so they glow at night. In addition to sustainable systems, “green” materials include bamboo flooring and no-VOC paint.

67 BEFORE KUBE

N STREET RESIDENCE WASHINGTON WASHINGTON DC DC

When manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aspiration is the sky, the ground is only a resistance. Sverre Fehn

From a grounded lower level, with concrete, cork, and warm finishes, an abstract composition of crisp forms emerges. The kitchen sits at the center of the house as a hearth, establishing the line between dark and light. Service spaces such as bathrooms and closets are hidden within the thickness of walls, contributing to the overall simplicity of the design. A new central staircase serves as the backbone of the composition, bordered by a cable wall tensioned top and bottom, connecting the solid base of the house with the light steel structure above. A glass roof hovers overhead, as gravity recedes and walls seem to rise up and float. The overall effect is clean and minimal, transforming vertically from dark to light, warm to cool, grounded to weightless, and culminating in a space composed of line and plane,

Empty Nesters

shadows and light.

BEFORE KUBE

PROJECT PLANS

APERTURE

SALT +PEPP

SALT & PEPPER

Q PLACE

CASA ABIERTA

About

FOREST HOUSE

KARR PAD

KLUB KITCHEN

CORCORAN HOUSE

URBAN RETREAT

SKY LOFT

MI CASITA

N STREET RESIDENCE

SEE-THROUGH HOUSE

PROJECT CREDITS

APERTURE

FOREST HOUSE

N STREET

SKY LOFT

project architect

Janet Bloomberg

design assistant

Dan Carlson

Ryan Novi

Andrew Baldwin

contractor

Mark Lawrence Laura Sinn

Madden Construction

contractor

millworker

MT Puskar Construction

Potomac Woodwork

millworker

steel fabricator

Aellegheny Wood Works

Metal Specialties

photos

Paul Burk Photography

Greg Powers Photography KARR PAD CASA ABIERTA

project architect

Richard Loosle-Ortega

Janet Bloomberg

design assistant

Andrew Baldwin

millworker

Potomac Woodwork steel fabricator

AK Metals photos

Greg Powers Photography SALT & PEPPER project architect

Janet Bloomberg contractor

Housecraft

contractor

photos

Housecraft

Greg Powers Photography

steel fabricator

KLUB KITCHEN

photos

Paul Burk Photography

Coyle Construction

project architect

millwork

Mersoa Woodwork & Design Metal Specialties Greg Powers Photography

CORCORAN HOUSE

Richard Loosle-Ortega

project architect

design assistant

Richard Loosle-Ortega

Mateusz Dzierzanowski

design assistant

contractor

Andrew Baldwin

Lenny Ilkovitch (owner)

contractor

millwork

ThinkMakeBuild

Potomac Woodwork

millwork

photos

Potomac Woodwork

Greg Powers Photography

millwork

Elemental Steel

MI CASITA

steel fabricator

glass fabricator

project architect

Gaithersburg Glass

Richard Loosle-Ortega

photos

design assistant

Greg Powers Photography

Andrew Baldwin

steel fabricator

contractor

Metrix Construction steel fabricator

Metal Specialties photos

Paul Burk Photography

About

Madden Construction

Ryan Novi Dan Carlson

photos

contractor

Metrix Construction millworker

Mersoa Woodwork & Design glass fabricator

Gaithersburg Glass photos

Greg Powers Photography Q PLACE project architect

Richard Loosle-Ortega contractor

DMI Development Group millwork

Burger Woodwork steel fabricator

Metal Specialties photos

Paul Burk Photography Boris Feldblyum Photography

SEE THROUGH HOUSE project architect

Richard Loosle-Ortega design assistant

Mateusz Dzierzanowski contractor

ThinkMakeBuild Potomac Woodwork

URBAN RETREAT project architect

Richard Loosle-Ortega design assistant

Mateusz Dzierzanowski contractor

Sthalheber Construction millwork

Gutierrez Studios

Potomac Woodwork Boffi Kitchen

photos

lighting

Greg Powers Photography

Sense Lighting photos

Paul Burk Photography

JANET BLOOMBERG PRINCIPAL

Janet Bloomberg is a partner and founder of KUBE architecture in Washington DC. She has over 25 years of experience in both commercial and residential architecture. She is a native of the Washington area, and attended the University of Virginia for her Bachelor of Science degree and Columbia University for her Master of Architecture. While a student at Columbia, she was awarded the SOM Traveling Fellowship, with which she traveled to India and Nepal for research on ritual space. She has taught architectural design at a number of universities around the country, including the University of Virginia and The Catholic University of America. Janet has gained her architectural experience in a variety of cities, including New York, Vancouver, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Brighton, England. She is licensed to practice architecture in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and she is a member of the American Institute of Architects. In 2012 Janet founded the Design in Action program, which places DC high school students into architecture offices for their spring break - she now directs the program, which is in its fifth year. In 2014 Janet became the president of the Washington Architectural Foundation.

RICHARD LOOSLE-ORTEGA PRINCIPAL

Richard Loosle-Ortega is a partner and founder of KUBE architecture in Washington DC. He has over 35 years of experience in both commercial and residential architecture. Rich received his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Utah, after receiving a B.S. in psychology from BYU. He has studied and lived in the western United States, South Pacific and Central and South America. Rich was an assistant professor of architecture at The Catholic University of America where he headed both graduate and undergraduate design studios for over 20 years. He also has offered seminars and studios addressing the relationship of film and architecture, Funerary architecture and sacred space, and Graphic representation. Rich taught as a visiting critic at the University of Puerto Rico and has served on design reviews at the University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, and the Corcoran School of Art. Rich has presented papers at academic forums both nationally and internationally on Cinematic Space, Sacred Space, Funerary Design, and Drawing. In addition, Richâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art and design works have been exhibited at the Washington Design Center and the Salt Lake City Art Center.

assistant designers

Andrew Baldwin Jorge Concepcion Matthew Dougherty Matthias Arauco-Shapiro