2021
Portfolio
DIAZ - VICENTE Robert s. Diaz - Vicente
rd /
architectural designer
pref·ace
professional
01 72 Lincoln Ave Apt 1 New London, CT 06320
860 - 514 - 3998 robertdiazvicente@gmail.com
academic
INDEX
This portfolio contains a selection of works developed throughout both my professional experience with Centerbrook Architects and Planners and my academic career as an architect student at Rhode Island School of Design. These samples aim to illustrate an overview of technical, and conceptual skills throughout the different phases of planning and design along with physical fabrications, diagrammatic artifacts, and renderings.
Brook House
Private Residential Phased Renovation
Yale University
Peabody Museum Renovation
Madeira School
The Madeira School STEAM Building
Wolf Conservation Center
Outdoor Freezer | Restroom Pavilion
Deprivitizing the Theater
Bluring the line between public and privillege
Anchor and Field
Creating spaces of learning, inclution and community
Urban Acupuncture: Theoretical
Tactical problem solving within disingfranchaized communities
Urban Acupuncture: Practical
Connecticut Center for Advance Tech.
Case study: Brazil
Shepherd’s Run
Case study: Dominican Rep.
Building F South - Lab Renovation Hotel | Vineyard
Yale University
Peabody Museum Main entrance Handle
Urban Acupuncture: Practical Urban Acupuncture: Practical
Case study: Lagos
Brook Family
2021
Brooks House - Private Residential | preliminary Level 1 Floor Plan
Render - Exterior - Perspective view of the West facade.
The Brook house project presents an interesting set of parameters that promises both a great site - a peninsula water front property, a family composed of both nuclear and extended family, and finally a vast array of programmatic opportunities.
The client requested that a the spaces created the potential for both personal intimacy, and large gatherings as they are constantly hosting gatherings. This required that the schemes, and programmatic distribution take into account where programs were located.
The first design option distributes the home into two areas of privacy at both ends while the more public spaces are in between. The scheme focused on a long porch along the West facade - a cherished architectural typology for the family.
Brandford, CT
Brook Family
Brooks House - Private Residential | preliminary Level 2 Floor Plan
Render - Exterior view facing waterfront
The East Facade of the building utilizes symmetrical gables, with a central secondary porch for both guest bedrooms. The open ended quality of this stage allows for future possibilities for highlighting specific views.
Brandford, CT
2021
Yale University
2018
Peabody Museum - Renovation | design development Lower Level - Floor Plan
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Render - Interior - New Exhibition gallery. Revitalizing the museum into a contemporary context, finding a place of compromise between the existing, and the new.
The Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University is among the oldest, largest, and most prolific university natural history museums in the world.
This project presented many challenges as exploration of existing site conditions both within the building, site, and context were crucial to the success of the project. This project required a disciplined and exact level of coordination and phasing in order to
Add a completely new gallery highlighting the many new artifacts, and exhibitions along with expanding lab spaces, meeting rooms, and event halls. New Haven, CT
Yale University
Peabody Museum - Renovation | design development Sample - Lower Level - Furniture Plan
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Render - Exterior - View of central plaza.
New Haven, CT
2018
MADEIRA SCHOOL
2021
Madeira STEAM Building - Education | Science | design development Level 1 - Floor Plan
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Render - Corridor View 2nd Floor Corridor.
The Madeira School is a private, day and boarding college-preparatory school for girls in McLean, Virginia, United States. It was established in 1906 by Lucy Madeira Wing.
The design evolved from its previous iteration after undergoing several VE decisions, budget adjustments, and sessions with the user and client into a more refine contemporary version of its predecessor. McLean, VA
MADEIRA SCHOOL
Madeira STEAM Building - Education | Science | design development Level 2 - Floor Plan
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Render - Main Lobby for Madeira School.
The lobby is now a beacon to the campus inviting in, and displaying out the programmatic functions via the use of projection and events.
McLean, VA
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2021
MADEIRA SCHOOL
Madeira STEAM Building - Education | Science | design development Level 3 - Floor Plan
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Render - View into lobby from third floor. A projecting screen exposes the endeavors of the students within whether it be robotics, sculptures, or art. This space can function as a gathering space alike.
McLean, VA
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2021
MADEIRA SCHOOL
Madeira STEAM Building - Education | Science | design development Wall Sections
Render - Frontal view of the main entrance, and bays.
Render - Exterior view of the glass lobby.
McLean, VA
2021
MADEIRA SCHOOL
Madeira STEAM Building - Education | Science | design development Exterior Wall Details
Render - Exterior view - Courtyard entrance into multi-purpose room.
Render - Exterior view of North Facade.
McLean, VA
2021
MADEIRA SCHOOL
Madeira STEAM Building - Education | Science | design development Enlarged Bathroom Plans and Elevations
Render - Interior View - Lobby facing 2nd and 3rd floor from grand stair.
Render - Interior View - Lounge and study face overlooking math classroom.
McLean, VA
2021
WOLF CONSERVATION CENTER
2020
Compost Toilet | Outdoor Pavilion | design development Level 1 - Floor Plan
Render - Perspective view of path, and compost toilet.
Animal protection organization in South Salem, New York
The client envisioned the further outreach to its audience by creating a more intimate hands-on experience with the wolves by developing “cubs” or camping cabins for visitors. Along with the cabins, the programmatic needs required a restroom,
Providing the opportunity not only to create a WC, but also to pay tribute to one of the conservation center’s most beloved wolf who recently passed away. South Salem, NY
WOLF CONSERVATION CENTER
2020
Freezer Zoo |Back of Program | design development Level 1 - Floor Plan
Render - Perspective view of Freeze food storage.
The Conservation Center needed a revitalization to its back of house programmatic space such as: food storage, prep spaces, and equipment storage.
The render found at the bottom left displayed the possible look of the cabins as abstracted wolves utilizing the same language as the toilet compost.
Render - Perspective view of toilet compost and “pups” cabins. South Salem, NY
CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY INC. Building F South - Laboratory | design development Demolition Plan
The Connecticut Center for Advance Technology requested for restructuring, and reorganization of the scope in order to create a more open, fluid, working environment. The project was a simple renovation job aiming to spear head a new Lab/ Office layout for the organization.
East Hartford, CT
2020
CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY INC. Building F South - Laboratory | design development New First Floor Plan and RCP
East Hartford, CT
2020
SHEPHERD’S RUN
Shepherd;s Run - Hotel, Spa, Vineyard | Construction Documents
2020
Phase 1A - Specs
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Render - Exterior - Aerial view of gardens, and central courtyard space for hotel.
Located in South Kingston Rhode Island this project aims to expand the local industry by creating a one of a kind Vineyard boutique hotel on the North East. A Phased renovation project, the structure originally served as a Manor, then a place of worship
was added, and finally a boarding house. The approach for this project was to maintain the historically important elements of the Manor, while revitalizing the remaining infrastructure on phase 1A. This involved restoring some of the existing
Rooms, and finalizing the vineyard, restaurant and spa.
South Kingston, RI
SHEPHERD’S RUN
Shepherd;s Run - Hotel, Spa, Vineyard | Construction Documents Phase 1A - Specs
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Render - Conceptual render for great hall
This multi-purpose space aims to serve beyond the hotel guest, but also be available for external programmatic activities such as weddings, formal events, and visitors for the restaurant, vineyard, bar, or the spa.
South Kingston, RI
2020
YALE UNIVERSITY
2019
Grand Entrance Door | Handle | Fabrication Process and finished product
Photo - Close Shot highlighting detail of door handle .
The evolution of the handle from a typical door accessory to the main entrance for the Peabody museum served as a fantastic design exercise utilizing the abstraction of dinosaur bones. The process played with form, length, functionality, and materiality.
Photo - Process of evolution for main entrance door handle
New Haven, CT
BOWDOIN COLLEGE
Bowdoin Gathering Hall | Sustainability drawing
This drawing is part of an on going series of sustainable diagrammatic illustrations that depict and highlight the benefits and sustainable assets of projects completed. This initiative aims to crate a clear visual language for all to understand with the purpose of educating, and promoting sustainable building habits.
Brunswick, MN
2021
DEPRIVITIZING THE THEATER Historically a public program, through the passage of time the theater has been radically transformed into a classist, privatize event reserved only to the few. Through the use of materiality, programmatic organization, and the architectural typology of the “alley” the theater once more becomes open for all, creating a new experience of interaction between the audience, and the performance. Simultaneously the building aims to supplement the existing heavily commercial corridors within the site creating intimate spaces that are both spatially, and visually connected.
Human scale, and visual connections are guides to creating comfortable spaces for habitation.
ENTERING_ Render | Relationship between
Program: Photoshop, illustrator, + V-ray
existing alley space, and the insertion of theater illustrating physical experience within the Alley.*
Massing_ Programmatic, and spatial exploration through Mass Model sketches.*
Seeded with numerous commercial, and communal programmatic spaces, the implementation of the theater aims to supplement the Site by creating commercial corridors activating the intimate language already in Place.
*Material: foam | Program: Photoshop
PRIVATE SEMI PUB. PUBLIC Program List_ 1. Lobby 2. Back of House | Lounge 3. Workshop | Loading Dock 4. Gallery Space 5. Retail 6. Cafe | Diner 7. Rehearsal 8. Plaza 9. Theater 2 10. Park
Diagrammatic Exploded Axon_ Through the use of materiality,
and spatial composition deliberate delegation of exposure, and concealment of program redefines the theater as a communal hot spot. Drastically public programs are in contact with the more private intimate spaces visually, and in some cases physically while still maintaining a sense of identity, and accessibility.
CIRCULATION
AUDIENCE + PERFORMER_ Render | displaying informal performances, and public response using a theatrical style of illustration.
STAGE_ Render | This style aims to superimpose the Mythic poetic nature of the theater itself, inviting the user to revive notions such as imagination, and creative thinking.
Program: Photoshop, Illustrator + Vray
SITE MODEL_ Image | Canal View of Theater
Materials: Museum board, Chipboard, Dowels + Foam
ANCHOR + FIELD Serving as a point of rendezvous, the site currently a Salvation Army finds itself as mitigator between two parties in a community experiencing turmoil. Miscommunication, and distrust between the homeless destitute, and the residential portion of Upper South Providence has created a dysfunctional space with conditions charged with opportunity. The school as an institution that is both private, and communal serves as an interesting solution as it offers an organizational structure formally, and simultaneously is able to be an incubator for solutions/programs that aim to suture together both the dysfunctional site it occupies, and the relationship of its inhabitants.
CIRCULATION_
PROGRAM ORGANIZATION_ Diagrams | Taking as inspiration the current services, and aid provided to the community surrounding the site by different organizations began to dictate where the large programmatic elements or “Anchors” would be placed within the school. ANCHOR | FIELD RELATIONSHIP_
INCUBATOR_ Render | Learning, and community outreach is supplemented with the use of a “field” that mitigates and provides generic programing spaces that offer the possibility for a diverse number of specific uses by both school and community.
Programs: Photoshop, Illustrator + Lumion
*Material : foam | Program: Photoshop
SITE MODEL_ Image | First and Second Floor Exposed
Materials: Museum board, Chipboard, Dowels + Foam
SEASONAL_Render | Illustrating adaptability, and multi use of the Field
Programs: Photoshop, Illustrator + Lumion
U R B A N ACUPUNCTURE: Theoretical application
URGENCY_
Easy Assembly
Locally Sourced
Due to the rapid development of informal settlements, essential urban conditions such as public spaces, infrastructure, and amiable living conditions are lacking from the urban context. These hyper urban communities lack an overall organizational strategy that preserve their successes i.e. human scale, community interrelations, hyper functionality while addressing its downfalls organic chaotic growth and lack of general systems. Conventional design and planning used in “formal’ urban spaces focus on long lasting strokes of urbanization, this means that the built geography moves slow, and are designed for this slow pace changing. Informal Settlements are dynamic and perpetually rearranging themselves to suit the needs of the user/s. This calls for informal methods of tactics that address issues such as the relationship between public space, and the existing housing counterpart, waste collection, essential programmatic gaps, energy production, and water management in ways that does not involve removing, cutting or clearing.
Metamorphic Strategy
Easy Assembly Rapid simple assembly of self-built structures can make it easier for communities to shape their physical environment. By using design and construction strategies with participatory schemes, will enable a sense of ownership, and the distribution of knowledge.
Community Impact
Both in building typology, and problem solving attributes, the tactic should be able to evolve from an informal temporal implementation of an idea into a more permanent solution for the community tackling several Problematiques within the space it occupies.
Looking beyond the built into a more political, sociological, and ecological spectrum. The tactic should not just appropriate itself from the advantages available within the site, and its surrounding context, but should also stride to create new opportunities for the community generating growth.
INFORMAL_ Informal as an adjective describes having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style, manner, or nature. It evokes a sense of familiarity, mundane, yet it can be extraordinary when applied through the eye of a designer. Informality dissolves the structure in place and begins to enable the possibility to reimagine the status quo. Conceptually, I believe that the “informal” dogma could be an effective approach of design that begins to produce meaningful changes within urbanity, creating new systems -- adapted to the societal demands, extreme climate shifts, and the direction of our own discipline.
Composition of a Tactic Diagram - These are critical attributes that construct the behavior of a tactic within an informal space.
Locally sourced, and accessible materials are vital when Applying a materiality to a tactic. It is important to analyze the context the intervention will be occupying in order to select the appropriate materials leading to a more conscious design implementation, and appropriate construction techniques.
Metamorphic Strategy
Community impact
Therefore it is necessary to have an alternative mode of intervention that introduces new tactics of addressing informal settlements problematiques. The goal is to improve living conditions for the occupants, while still maintaining the experiential essence of the urban fabric within the settlement itself. These interventions would be small in scale, and will start a conversation pertaining to space activation within the informal fabric, and would redefine the language of current spaces.
Locally Sourced
TACTIC_ A tactic should situate itself into the site unpossessibly, without overtaking the essence of the context completely. What at first glance seem as disadvantages become monumental sources of potential. Whether it may be the lack of a fix scope/site, the rapidly changing environment, or its distance from the application quickly reverses the narrative To an efficient intervention that can be applied to numerous scenarios. These interventions take advantage of the changing situations, and local resources to serve its core purpose, and what first seems as detachment and neutral, a tactic through its dynamic behavior and absorption of resources rapidly becomes familiar, and local.
U R B A N ACUPUNCTURE: Practical application
HELIOMORPHISM_
SITE(S)_
Utilizing water, wind, sun, and as foundation architecture typology as design factors the final design proposition attempts to utilize what was once a stagnant resource within the site, as a crucial opportunity for both the practice and the community. Shaping the structure utilizing the movement of the sun, and atmospheric events hast exist within the site the tactic succeed both in program and functional application.
The sites selected to test, and present the efficiency of the tactic are: Rocinha, Makoko, and Rivera del Ozama. These neighborhoods possess reoccurring similarities and problematiques while still contributing distinct characteristics that Challenges and shapes the idea of the tactic. From drastic topography changes, to establishing a community over a lagoon, the site offers unique extreme conditions that create space for the tactic design to grow and expand. These spaces also contain site specific architectural typologies, based on external factors and systems that ultimately shape the site composition.
ROSINHA_ The approach utilize for Rocinha strongly depended on the unspoken zoning techniques used by the occupants. From the vertically extended form, to the material selection. The use of solar/water collection led to the shearing and implementation of a membrane that provided both a water reservoir, and shading device. The building also adapted a flexible facade system that perforated the building that aided in natural ventilation. Massing_ Form, and material exploration through Mass Model sketches.*
*Material: Clay | Program: Photoshop
MATERIAL EXPLORATION_ Model |application of site specific material in order to fit the body it inhabits (Rosinha).
MATERIAL EXPLORATION_ Model | Form exploration utilizing familiar site specific typology, voids and heliomorphic studies.
GATHERING_ Render | Spatial/ground relationship within Rocinha intervention.
Program: Photoshop, Illustrator + Vray
BELONGING_Render | Intervention aggregation within favela
U R B A N ACUPUNCTURE: Practical application
MAKOKO_ The tactic application in Makoko aimed to create a place a both commerce and leisure while still providing protection from the strong solar radiation from both North and South. The intervention uses 3 masses or chambers that create interior spaces for both programing, or trade post while still providing a public gathering place, and shading device through the use of fabrics.
VISUALIZATION_ The aesthetic utilize to visualize the tactics applied within the research is meant to reflect the way historically the third world has been depicted; exotic, untainted. The interventions are being shown in both section, and perspective highlighting their spatial attributes with their context.
Massing_ Form, and material exploration through Mass Model sketches.* *Material: Wood | Program: Photoshop
EXISTING CONDITIONS_
GATHERING_ Render | Commerce and Leisure Program: Photoshop, Illustrator + Vray
U R B A N ACUPUNCTURE: Practical application
RIVERA DE EL OZAMA_ This programmatic ensemble begins to simply but elegantly claim program through the use of the roof. The roof/ intervention is made with replaceable modular bamboo system that can alter the program occurring underneath. Whether the necessity is a communal farm, or a space for a satellite school the roof is able to change depending on the need and volume of needed activity.
MATERIAL | FORM EXPLORATION_
PROGRAM ORGANIZATION_
WORK | SOCIAL RELATIONS_
Model | Form exploration utilizing familiar site typology, heliomorphic applications, and site specific materials.
Diagram | Organization focused on maintaining a system of both private and public spaces that are able to be both modular, and specific to the horizontal form.
Diagram | Timeline showcasing the evolving solutions propelled by the tactic within the Makoko specific cite.
Classroom I
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Classroom II Kirchen Workshop Shared Bathrooms
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Urban Farm Aquaponics Water Management Market
VISUALIZATION_ The aesthetic utilize to visualize the tactics applied within the research is meant to reflect the way historically the third world has been depicted; exotic, untainted. The interventions are being shown in both section, and perspective highlighting their spatial attributes with their context.
Public
Common Space
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Programmatic Diagram - programmatic relationship and organization for Makoko and Rep. Dom.
Classroom I Classroom II Kirchen Workshop Shared Bathrooms
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Urban Farm Aquaponics
CHICHIGUA_ Render | Harvest, and Interactions en el barrio Program: Photoshop, Illustrator + Vray
SHADE AND SILHOUETTES_ Render | Community hot spot.
Program: Photoshop, Illustrator + Vray