Sarah Valenzuela | Portfolio 2024.

Landscape + Architecture

PORTFOLIO

Sarah Virginia Valenzuela Victoriá

ACADEMIC WORK

RETHINKING INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

Designing a Socio-cultural Reintegration Network

Through Public Spaces in Gualey, Dominican Republic.

BRUJUELAS

A Living Complex for Water Research and Sustainable Residences in Boca Chica.

TETRIS RESIDENCES

Shaping Urban Living with Tetris-inspired Architecture.

A FLOODABLE PARK

Restoring Gualey’s Riverside through Resilient Design.

PROFESSIONAL WORK

EVA’S HEALING GARDEN

Her first garden and experience meeting wellness.

CONTENT

FOOD TRUCK PARK GARDEN

Restoring lost vegetation in Santo Domingo’s streets using Central Park, NYC, as a guiding concept.

DRY TO TROPICAL

Mixed ecosystem intervention located at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

MUSEUM EXHIBITION: PATRIA MIRABAL’S HOUSE

A mural exhibition depicting Patria Mirabal’s house during Trujillo’s dictatorship.

EVEREST PLACE MASTERPLAN

Masterplan rendering and conceptual design.

BOOK BINDING

Publishing architectural magazines.

HANDMADE MODELS

Light exploration: Coral Reef inspired lamp and modular pavilion.

INTRODUCTION

I’m a designer with a passion for shaping vibrant and sustainable communities. My focus lies in urban planning and landscape architecture, where I design environments that seamlessly integrate with nature. While I enjoy working across various design disciplines, including architecture and graphic representation, my true strength is in fostering a connection between people and the natural world. My projects incorporate ecological principles to create balanced, functional spaces that promote a healthy relationship between the built and natural environments.

This portfolio showcases a selection of my work, highlighting my design skills and my commitment to sustainable practices.

For more information please visit my website: https://selvanativa.com

ACADEMIC WORK

RETHINKING INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

Designing a Socio-cultural Reintegration Network Through Public Spaces in Gualey, Dominican Republic.

Urbanism - Planning - Mixed-use

The Sociocultural Integration Network aims to improve the quality of life by creating public spaces, green areas, civic centers, recreational and sociocultural areas. It will simultaneously dynamize the local economy and promote social development, taking into account its connectivity to the context.

This proposed network will revitalize six public spaces for recreation and social cohesion, serving as models for future interventions. The selected spaces are currently in public use or have the potential to be converted into public use.

Point F will be intervened with a mixed use center (detailed on pages 7-10).

Informal Settlements

Located next to creeks.

Land use

Residential and commercial with no public space.

Topography

Rugged topography as closer to the river.

Altimetry

Heights are taller next to the city center, gradually decreasing as approaching the river.

Vegetation + Hidrology

Rich creeks and humid forest formations were lost due to urbanization.

Streets

Have emerged with precarious conditions forming irregular city blocks.

Relocating Vulnerable families.

Strategic concept development implemented desired visuals, existing vegetation, and user experience. Interior parks enhance the journey connecting humans to nature, while varying heights integrates lights and shadow for a pleasant experience.

The user experience prioritizes nature, evident in the linkage between ramps that define the building’s form, connecting exterior and interior spaces.

Resilient Riverfront Park as an urban milestone.

Parks

Concept Development

Floor Plan Level 1

Floor Plan Level 2

The Sociocultural Integration Complex is designed to meet the needs of residents both now and in the future. It will include flexible spaces, three macro areas (educational, commercial, cultural) and a River front Park with a sports area.

To boost the local economy, a permeable commercial space will house new businesses. The project emphasizes cultural and educational opportunities by designing the cultural center and a vocational training center.

Vulnerable residents living next to the river will be relocated at a main building. A den and a pier are also planned. Improved road connections and an OMSA bus station will integrate the community to its context.

Green spaces will be restored, a riverfront park will expand, and a public square with a gym will be built.

Through community engagement and interviews, the program for the complex was created. A fun daycare center, integrated with the park, services, and a diverse commercial area, sits on the first level.

This essential area serves families and supports the local economy, with accessible entry points from various locations within the project. The complex includes spaces for formalized informal businesses like beauty salons, barbershops, a community pharmacy, markets, restaurants, an artisan shop, a bookstore, and kiosks.

Natural Spring

Permeable entrance / commercial area

Ozama River

BRUJUELAS

A Living Complex for Scientific Water Research in Boca Chica.

Urbanism - Planning - Hospitality

Brujuelas emerges as a fusion of landscape, architecture and technology, revolutionizing the way we interact with our environment. Named after the subterranean river that flows beneath its terrain, this project embodies a transformative mixeduse master plan with a futuristic twist. Positioned adjacent to the San Andres lagoon, it serves as a hub for pioneering scientists from around the globe, united in their mission to restore ecological balance to the region.

The master plan features an intricate network of walkable paths and bicycle lanes, integrated with lush vegetation, fostering connectivity and ecological preservation.

Architecture of the winds Layers

Dominant winds’ pressure: South 1st Concept: Street design

Dominant winds’ pressure: North 2nd Concept: Human + Nature interaction

Dominant winds’ direction: North and south 3rd Concept: Architecture + Landscape

Axes established by the winds Use

Fluid vehicular traffic movement. Street infrastructure

Landscape design towards the seaside. Pedestrian areas receive refreshing breezes while streets are shielded.

Organic architecture as a concept to explore in the built environment.

Integrated the wind’s influence by orienting structures to maximize natural ventilation.

Urban

Utilizing prevailing winds’ direction and pressure informed site layout, prioritizing natural ventilation, energy efficiency, and abundant nature. North-south orientation influenced building placement, open spaces, and circulation for optimal comfort and sustainability. Axonometric Diagram

Dense

Dispersed

Asfalt

Paving

Pedestrian route Stone

Pedestrian

Floor Plan: Level 1

Floor Plan: Level 2

The scientific villas, showcase a blend between futuristic design and environmental sensitivity. Inspired by the region’s prevailing winds, the proposal introduces innovative villa designs equipped with state-of-the-art wind-harnessing technology, capable of dynamically responding to atmospheric conditions.

Schematic Section

TETRIS RESIDENCES

Shaping Urban Living with Tetris-inspired Architecture..

Residential

With the premise of designing a vertical residence rich in typological diversity, the Tetris Residences are designed, a group of apartments located in the Serrallés sector of the city of Santo Domingo, National District.

The Tetris typologies, consisting of a two-level apartment, adopt a spatial character, finishes and dimensions that are observed in traditional residences.

Two squares are unified forming a staggered shape.

A partir de análizar el asoleamiento y ventilación, se conforma un conjunto de rectángulos que funcionan de acorde a la luz y el viento.

Addition of a vertical core for optimal circulation.

Forma original parte de la descomposición de un rectángulo.

Merged the shapes into a single floor plan considering exterior vegetation.

Morfológicamente se realuza la separación de los rectángulos. Se unen creando un volúmen escalonado en el eje horizontal.

Combining the buildings program with tetris typologies.

Se adiciona un módulo para el núcleo vertical para generar una comunicación vertical efectiva.

Nivel 17

Nivel 16

Nivel 15

Nivel 14

Nivel 13

9 Nivel 10 Nivel 11 Nivel 12

2 Nivel 3 Nivel 4 Nivel 5 Nivel 6 Nivel 7 Nivel 8

1

Tetris type C - Level 7

Tetris type C - Level 8

Tetris type apartments - consisting of one level which includes the social areas (kitchen, studio and terrace) + a half second level including the private areas (two bedrooms).

Section A- Transversal Section B- Transversal

A FLOODABLE PARK FOR GUALEY

Restoring Gualey’s Riverside through Resilient Design.

Landscape Architecture

Through elevated platforms and sustainable strategies such as water management and lowmaintanance native species selection, Gualey’s Floodable Riverside Park is revolutionizing the way we interact with our environment. The project’s main goal is to promote social cohesion, community life, revitalize the riverside and improve human intercation with nature.

The Ozama River in its natural state, before it became contaminated.

Lush riparian vegetation: Ceiba, native Javilla, Guama, Royal Palm, guasuma, and caimito trees.

Natural spring: A natural spring feeding into the river.

Natural ravine: A natural ravine running alongside the river.

The quality of the water and soils began to deteriorate due to discharges from Santo Domingo’s sewage system. Pollution and informal settlements began to take a toll on the riparian vegetation. New informal settlements encroached on the area, building over the ravine, causing its disappearance.

Informal settlements poses challenges to riparian vegetation.

The area became increasingly flood-prone as the river’s floodplain expanded due to increased water flow. The introduction of a tilapia farm for the surrounding population led to the loss of native fauna. Vegetation was lost due to informal settlements and new interventions by the city council. Solid waste from the marginal neighborhoods located on the banks of the river was dumped into the water.

Solid waste and actual conditions of the riverside.

Natural Sping: Actual conditions of the Tilapia farm.

Key

1- Farmers Market

2- Plaza

3- Natural Spring / Conservation Area

4- Urban Gym

5- Creek Restoration / Conservation Area

6- Plant Nursery

7- Floodable Amphitheatre

8- Elevated Platform Walkway

9- Dock

10- Kayak School

The concept focuses on the recovery of this lost landscape / the primary forest by reintroducing native species. The park was designed using the leaf and bark of our national tree, which is mahogany. This translates into an organic and fluid design that seeks to imitate the fractal patterns found in nature, with interconnected nodes that offer visitors diverse experiences.

Elevated platforms ensure the usability of the park even in storm season scenarios. Integrating bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways, the park is designed to enhance the communities quality of life offering a dynamic approach in connection to abundant nature.

Elevated Platforms

Non - Elevated Routes

Pedestrian Walkway

Bicycle Lane

Accesibilidad / Puntos de acceso

Accessibility

Access Points

Puntos de acceso desde las vías adyacentes

Floodable Areas Vegetation

Floodable area

Zona Inundable

Extension - Floodable area

Paseo Ribereño

Main road

Acceso longitudinal vía principal

Paseo en Ciclovía

Secondary Road

Acceso transversal vía principal

Pavimento blando (arena)

Acceso desde nuevo proyecto en curso - Domingo Savio.

Access point through Domingo Savio’s park

Pavimento adoquinado

Secciónes Esquemáticas

Area

Comercial - Uso Libre Vivero de especies endémicas

Anfiteatro Inundable

Sparced vegetation

Vegetación esparcida / Zona inundable

Vegetación densa / Areas de conservación

Semi - dense vegetation

Vegetación densa / Buffer

Dense vegetation

Vegetación densa / Areas de Conservación Vegetación esparcida / Area inundable

Paseo ribereño

I designed a system that carries water from the amphitheater to the spring. It functions by directing rainwater through a gutter, separating debris, then passing it through a filter before pumping it to the spring. There, through phytoremediation, clean water can be returned to the river.

Revitalizing the spring with endemic vegetation and a phytoremediating plants. Elevated platforms that enhance user experience during floods.

Floodable

Renders

The floodable amphitheatre promotes cultural experiences while serving as a rainwater collector during flood season.

Amphitheatre

The farmer’s market is equipped with popup furniture as it serves for multiple activities throughout the year.

PROFESSIONAL WORK

EVA’S HEALING GARDEN

Her first garden and experience meeting wellness.

Professional Work - Landscape Architecture

Section A Section B

This garden design goes beyond sight, aiming to stimulate all five senses. Textures will vary, inviting touch. Sweet oranges and fragrant plants will tantalize taste and smell. A colorful palette and wind-rustling flora will engage sight and hearing. Monarch butterflies, crucial to the ecosystem, will find a haven here, completing their life cycle amidst the blooms. This design prioritizes aesthetics, biodiversity, and sensory engagement.

Nombre científico

- Palma

Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeeck Naranja dulce

Allamanda cathartica Flor de mantequilla

Alpinia purpurata Ginger rojo

Alocasia odora Oreja de elefante

Cymbopogon citratus Citronela

Drypteris affinis Helecho macho

JARDIN CALENDARIO ESTACIONAL

Árboles

Herbáceas / Arbustos

Plumbago auriculata Isabel segunda Colgantes

Ipomea alba Dama de noche

Cynodon dactylon Grama bermuda enana Wedelia trilobata Wedelia

Un Jardín Atemporal

Cubre suelos

Este jardín es un espectáculo perpetuo de vida y color, donde en cada momento del año, se verán florecer distintas especies de plantas.

This flowering season calendar serves as a guide to anticipate the vibrant display of native plants throughout the year. With a focus on local flora, it fosters a harmonious garden ecosystem while providing a stunning visual spectacle. It showcases a continuous burst of color throughout the year attracting vital pollinators. This approach promotes biodiversity and creates a low-maintenance, sustainable garden.

Florecen todos los meses del año

Florecen de verano a otoño

Florecen de otoño a primavera

FOOD TRUCK PARK GARDEN

(project ongoing)

Restoring lost vegetation in Santo Domingo’s streets using Central Park, NYC, as a guiding concept.

Professional Work - Landscape Architecture

Project is updated until May 30th, currently under development for construction phase.

Oaks were chosen as the main trees, resembling the texture of the pines found in Central Park, New York.

Paisaje / Estrato Alto

Creating a captivating green entrance for the city by integrating lush vegetation and winding pathways. The design invites visitors on an organic journey towards the food truck park. This natural experience revitalizes the urban landscape while fostering community interaction.

El contraste entre la robustez de los robles y la suavidad del camino peatonal resalta la belleza de la naturaleza, invitando a una conexión armoniosa entre el entorno y quienes lo recorren.

Plant Palette

Entrance

DRY TO TROPICAL FOREST - CASA OLMO

Mixed ecosystem intervention located at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Professional Work - Landscape Architecture

(project ongoing)

Confidential documents. Credits to the firm Estudio Eco.

A selection of unique dry forest species, such as agaves, grasses, rocks and suculents were implemented to provide a dry forest experience found in intricate zones of Punta Cana.

Entrance

A lush vegetation intervention for the garden. A selection of tropical rainforest vegetation will be implemented to complement the backyard. Stone cladding walls and a continuous seating will elevate the pool area to a fresh experience. Hanginn vegetation and a natural cascade harmonize the ambient.

Confidential documents. Credits to the firm Estudio Eco.

Professional Work

I designed a mural honoring one of my country’s most revolutionary women, Patria Mirabal. The mural depicts the house where Patria hid during the years of Trujillo’s dictatorship. It was presented to the Mirabal family and the Museum of Resistance in August 2023 and was on display for one month.

EVEREST PLACE

Masterplan rendering and conceptual design.

Professional Work

I had an active role in the creation of Nickelodeon Hotel and Residences recognized by Real Estate Development Awards, Florida. Obtaining Hospitality Architecture Project of the Year (2024).

Professional Work

An architectural magazine for a Transfer Center in Jimaní, Dominican Republic.

An architectural magazine for a Cultural Center in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic.

CORAL REEF INSPIRED LAMP

Light exploration using coral reefs bleaching as inspiration.

Hand-made models

Designed a lamp prototype inspired by the organic shapes of coral reefs, drawing attention to the threat of coral bleaching.

MODULAR PAVILION

Light exploration using origami as inspiration.

Hand-made models

Designed a pavilion prototype inspired by the strong foldings in the japanese art of Origami, with the use of a single 8.5 x 11 paper.

Hand-made models

Landscape + Architecture

PORTFOLIO

Sarah Virginia Valenzuela Victoriá