PORTFOLIO OF SELECTED WORKS 2018
Sebastian Palacios Architect
ÂżHow to read this portfolio? Some tips for a better comprehension.
Most of these pages follow a clear basic structure. Each page shows a different aspect of a project, thus each project is explained in several pages with plenty of white space enhancing the content. The provided images and plans should reach for the understanding of each project. However, if more information is required or desired, the short text below gives a better explanation in case of doubts or general interest.
INTRODUCTION What to expect from this portfolio?
This portfolio attempts to summarize 5 years of study and to represent everything I’ve learned, experienced or discovered. It shows how I have worked on projects of different nature and scale, enjoying the creation process of each one of them. I think that every project can be valuable, if it maintains its focus on the user and understands its future impact. Overall, I hope that this can be a successful approach to show what I find interesting and exciting; as well as to express the relationship I have (and want to have) with Architecture.
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PRESENTATION
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p. 6-7
COMPLEMENTARY
2017
13 WEEKS
TIME OF WORK
Curriculum Vitae
Other interests and skills 2016
MULTIFAMILIAR
2016
4 WEEKS
4 WEEKS
YEAR 2016 4 WEEKS
INSTALLATION
3 WEEKS
SCHOOL 2015
1 WEEKS
SOCIAL HOUSING
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p. 08-17
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p. 18-25
p. 26-31
Neuperlach Connected
Oaxaca Urban Room
Amealco’s Social Unit
PROJECTS
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p. 32-37 Rural School in Aculco
PAVILLION
ACTIVATION
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p. 38-41
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p. 42-45
Morphosis Pavillion
Betweenness: Chicago Biennale
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TYPE AND SIZE
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p. 46-47
2017
PROJECTS 5
SEBASTIAN PALACIOS
ABOUT
EXPERIENCE I define myself as a young architect engaged
ARCHITECT
to a global society. I believe in the duty we have with others and the power of architecture
Aug
2013 -
as a medium of change in society. I procure to include user and inhabitants opinions while designing, as well as the cultural heritage factor. I support sustainable architecture over spectacular architecture, but value the role of innovation and plastic exploration. For me, it is all about “making city” over “making fame”.
May
2017
- PROFESSIONAL Assistant at UrbanLab Querétaro Constant support with urban researchs, graphic design and urban information requests at the UrbanLab, a
AutoCadlaboratory for urban studies and analysis. Aug
2016 - Dec 2016 ArchiCadIntern at G3 Architects
Collaboration with 3D modelling, model making, graphic representation and design at a very recognized and awarded architecture studio, headed by Juan Alfonso Garduño.
Revit
Photoshop
- COLLABORATIVE -
Illustrator
2017 InDesignArchitecture Students Society
Member of the Directive Board. Support in graphic design, events organization ideas generation.
ArcMapStudent Elections Committee 2017 Collaborator in charge of graphic design.
Microsot Office
CURRICULUM VITAE
OpusMember of the Directive Board. Support in events organization and ideas generation.
TECHO Bolivia
Free hand2011 Drawing
Volunteer. Non-profit organization dedicated to the construction of low-budget houses
- BASIC INFO -
ACADEMIC - FORMATION -
Name: Alfredo Sebastián Palacios Born: 6th April 1994 Birth place: Santa Cruz, Bolivia Residence place: Mexico City, MX Final GPA: 96.3 / 100 - LANGUAGES -
Free hand Painting
2013 - 2017
Bachelor of Architecture
2013 - 2017
Management Skills Diploma
2016 2008 - 2012
at the Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) Campus Querétaro
An 8-module course where participants learn how to reach their own full potential and become a highvalue member of their work team
International Exchange Semester at the Technical University Munich
High School Diploma at the German School of Santa Cruz
Spanish: Mother Language English: Advanced
• TOEFL score: 663
German: Advanced
• Deutsches Sprachdiplom C1
- CONTACT
asebastianpalacios@gmail.com +521 5573516550 /sebastianpalaciosarchitect
Model Making
TOOLS
Basic
Medium
Advanced
AutoCad ArchiCad Revit Photoshop
- ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2017 Academic Excelence Award / Highest Average Score of the B.Arch graduates Granted by the outstanding career grades average of 96.4 in a 100 scale over 10 semesters
2017 Student Development Diploma
Granted for the integral development and commited participation in the student community
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General Students Federation
CURRICULUM VITAE
2014
2013 - 2017 High Academic Performance Program (PARA) Scholarship
A 5-year full scholarship intended to recognize outstanding students and develop an integral education in them, complementing their career studies with cultural, athletic and social activities.
2017 Participation at the Chicago Architecture Biennale
Our course project, focused around the social value of the art in the communities, was accepted in the official program of the 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennale, receiving very positive reviews.
2012 Change Agents Program Diploma A select program designed to prepare high-potential students to engage with their community and actively participate in the construction of a better society
Illustrator InDesign ArcMap Microsot Office Opus Free hand Drawing Free hand Painting Model Making Basic
Medium
Advanced
Certified
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PROJECT INFO
NEUPERLACH CONNECTED The mutation of 60’s brutalist buildings into contemporary developments Location: Munich, Germany Year: 2016 Class: 4th year project (13 weeks) Type: Multi-level Housing Team Work (2 members)
Neuperlach is a post-war neighbourhood located in the outskirts of Munich, designed back then to host high density multi-level familiar buildings as a solution for the housing crisis. The buildings in the area share some common characteristics: simple shapes, large scale, brutalist aesthetic, are located in the middle of wide green spaces and exterior circulations cores. All the projects in this course had to use this last aspect as a starting point for their designs: How to reuse this mobility cores as catalyzers for new developments that boost the zone’s desirability?
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Possible expansions due to the presence of a circulation core
MASTER PLAN
SITE
Existing residential developments
Current aspect of some existing buildings.
Due to the time and reason of its development, the neighbourhood is composed of almost entirely old functionalist projects. To follow the course guidelines, we had to take advantage of the multiple stairs blocks located on the exterior of the buildings and use them to create an extension that could use those same blocks for circulation.
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The best location for the expansions is located to the east of the main building. By extending the 3 middle cores, we can guarantee a positive impact of the sun rays. The extensions capture most of the southeast radiation while being protected from undesired radiation by the old construction.
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G R O U N D F LO O R P L A N
SECTIONS
FLOOR PLANS
S I N G L E A P PA R T M E N T P L A N
D U P L E X 1 S T F LO O R P L A N
LO N G I T U D I N A L S E C T I O N
TRANSVERSAL SECTION
D U P L E X 2 N D F LO O R P L A N
The floor plans show as well the main characteristic of these extensions: an extreme slenderness. From the second floor up, the levels are completely used by apartments. While at the ground level, three huge square colums support the whole structure, receiving diagonal loads. Inbetween these columns, bike-parking spaces are distributed.
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The two resulting sections are quite contrasting, especially because of their size. The duplexs have a double height in the common areas and a simple height on the private ones. There are 4 of them on each tower plus a single appartment on the last floor. The transversal section show the clear differences in the openings: while being almost completely open to the south, they are reduced to a minimum facing north.
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ELEVATIONS
ELEVATIONS
E A S T FAC A D E S O U T H FAC A D E
The 3 built elements grant us 3 mega slender facades. These surreal constructions try not to invade the green open space below them, but at the same time show their pressence. These facades are mainly balconies, taking advantage of the green views and the warm morning sun.
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N O R T H FAC A D E
The north facade is covered with prefabricated concrete panels, resembling the brutalist surrounding. The south facade is covered with glass bricks and an concrete/iron structure, adding a contemporary extension with modernist construction materials. These clear differences try to take advantage of the sun and minimize the loss of heat. In the next images we can see the desired interior atmosphere, represented through 1:20 scale models.
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1:20 MODEL VIEW
1:20 MODEL VIEW
Picture of a 1:20 scale model showing the resulting interior atmosphere. 16
Picture of a 1:20 scale model showing a portion of the south facade balconies. 17
PROJECT INFO
OAXACA’S URBAN ROOM A place to express, share and solve community concerns Location: Oaxaca, México Year: 2017 Class: 5th year short project (1 week) Type: Temporary instalation / Social Development Individual work
The city of Oaxaca is recognized, apart from its beauty and culture, for the social problems it constantly faces, confronting the government institutions with the community. This project functions as an intermediary space between these 2 actors: authorities and regular people. It gives public space the relevance and use it should have: a place of enjoyment and rest, but also of social interaction and expression. The so-called “urban room” is not a building, it’s an area designed to serve the community and respond to their needs, through low-resources and versatility.
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CONCEPT
VERSATILITY A design that can adapt its shape to the pressence of existing or future elements.
EXPRESSION Allow people to transmit their opinions and feelings to the community and authorities
The goal was to develop a simple modular design that could achieve 3 main objectives: interaction, versatility and self-expression. This were some crucial points in order to create a temporal installation that could prove effective in both attracting and empowering people.
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CONCEPT
INTERACTION Provide spaces to seat, talk, work, debate or show opinions and points of view
The basic module consists of 3 basic parts: the base, the columns and the roof. The base includes two concrete pedestals and wood benches. Then, the wood columns and wood beams form a rigid frame that supports roof panels when needed, depending on the amount of shade that is required and desired. This module should be replicated as many times as necessary, as shown to the right.
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WORKSHOPS SPACE / RESTING SPACE
CULTURAL EXHIBITION OPTION
PERSONALIZATION OF THE SPACE
POSSIBILITIES
POSSIBILITIES
CULTURAL EXHIBITION OPTION
The modules create spaces where diverse types of exhibitions can happen, allowing a cultural exchange between the inhabitants and the artists. The expositions should include content that activate the community and the reflection around actual or controversial topics.
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It is also possible to install benches and tables, creating small workspaces or dialog centers. People should be able to personalize the space by covering it with color ribbons provided by the Urban Room.The colors of these ribbons represent the way people feel about the topic being discused or exhibited, leaving a mark and providing a hint for future visitors.
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DETAILS
ALTERNATIVES
The heavy concrete pedestals grant stability to the structure. They are also molded to provide support for the columns and the bench tables. The columns are supposed to be carved by the very recognized craftsman of the state, allowing an easy assembly and disassembly of the structure. The omission of third elements for the joins increases the mobility of the structure.
In this image, the same modules are arranged in an open and rural space, showing the adaptability of the project to different conditions. 24
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PROJECT INFO
AMEALCO SOCIAL UNIT A low cost housing project for people in poor indigenous mexican communities Location: Amealco, México Year: 2016 Class: 4th year short project (4 weeks) Type: Social Housing / Rural Team work (3 members)
More than 10% of Mexico´s population is indigenous and is still living under poor conditions and public discrimination. A government housing program builds houses for them with the intention of improving their life quality. Each one of these houses is entirely built with a budget of 6700 US$ but their traditional way of living and cultural differences are ignored, causing them to slowly lose their identity and cultural heritage. This project aims to replace that basic design with an option that reflects the indigenous way of living of the Otomí community, while respecting the same budget.
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Assembly of basic spaces in a simple shape to reduce costs
B’ New covered or uncovered porche
Crops, garden or animal’s space
Separation of public and private spaces, creating an open space between them
E X PA N S I O N 1
CONCEPTION
A’
Enclosing of this inner space to appropiate it and because of security concerns
New bathroon storage and privatization of old bath E X PA N S I O N 2
Family space extension
Creation of a low-cost structure suitable for future expansions
B
B A S I C T Y P O LO GY F LO O R P L A N
New room for multiple purposes
PLAN AND GROWTH
Third bedroom
A
E X PA N S I O N 3
Growth of the basis module according to the family possibilities and needs
GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherVersion 6.1.96.97
The projects responds mainly to the user characteristics and needs, opposite to the previous government´s design. The main goal is to provide a dignified space and to satisfy basic needs, while trying to take advantage of the opportunities given by the context, such as a productive environment, open surroundings and natural materials.
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The basic typology is composed by two main blocks: public (kitchen and familiar space) and private space (bathroom and bedrooms). The relationship between these two is created through exterior corridors. A fundamental characteristic of this design is the pressence of 3 free areas, providing opportunities for the user to transform them and make them productive.
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Ceramic roof tiles
Straw insulation layer
Wood beams and interior plaster covering
Reinforced concrete structure
W E S T E L E VAT I O N
A-A’ S E C T I O N
Structural ashlar walls
Red brick floor
Titles
Wooden door
Straw Metal mesh Layer of plaster
Concrete beam
MATERIALITY
SECTIONS / ELEVATIONS
Non-structural adobe walls
Wooden structural beems that support the roof Concrete beam Sillar wall Textured finish of soil Glass Concrete column Window frame made of wood Sillar wall Wall of stone
B - B’ S E C T I O N
S O U T H E L E VAT I O N
Red brick floor Layer of compressed Tepetate Foundation wall of stone
Footing of natural stone with grout
Plants
Wall of concrete partitions for water retainance
Soil for gardening Natural soil
The sections and facades show the resulting relationship between the closed and open spaces. The created open spaces could work as a productive environment and an integral part of the house. Windows and doors were addapted in height to reduce construction costs. For the same reason, overall heights and dimensions are reduced to a minimum, but keeping in mind the dignification of the space.
One of the biggest diferences with the previously established design is the materiality. Instead of concrete block’s walls and concrete floor, this new approach encourages the use of natural materials.. These materials can be easily found or produced in the region, thus the future users would be capable to assume a self-construction.
GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherVersion 0.2.100.95
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PROJECT INFO
RURAL SCHOOL A private school meant to connect the children with their land Location: Aculco, MĂŠxico Year: 2016 Class: 4th year short project (3 weeks) Type: Rural / Education Individual Work
This project was made for a real client with a specific request: the construction of a private primary school for the small town of Aculco. The given terrain was slightly asymetrical but plain, and was completely surrounded by crops and a small street. Sadly, almost all of the young people emigrate from Amealco once they turn certain age, because of the lack of interest in the town and the limited opportunities it provides. This project aims to create a connection between the childrens and the land they live in, trying to develop a link that might keep the young students in this fertile rural land once they grow up.
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Maximal use of the available space in one level, due to a small terrain and a demanding program
Classrooms Withdrawal from the sides, allowing for circulation and openings
Administration
Creation of an interior courtyard and civic plaza
Multi-purpose space
Covering of the build spaces with an “infinite� earth layer
Storage
Transformation of this layer to satisfy the program and children needs
The building is shaped by 3 main factors: the program, the user requirements and the context. Each one of these factors was determinant to come up with the final mass, always looking for a balance between the rural surroundings and the creation of the best learning conditions. The final result is a project that grants security and high-quality sustainable teaching spaces, giving all of the available space to the main users: the kids.
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Library
PROGRAM
CONCEPTION
Services
The client’s program is composed by just one classroom per grade, and a few more additional spaces. The required parking spaces were located in front of the project, since all of the parents would drive their kids to school and pick them up later. The frontal administration and service areas act as a security barrier for the kids. The classrooms are located on the remaining 3 sides, creating an internal civic plaza.
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CROSS SECTION
SECTIONS / ELEVATIONS
FLOOR PLAN
LO N G I T U D I N A L S E C T I O N
F R O N T E L E VAT I O N
The classrooms are limited to 10 students, based on the population’s demand, so they do not have big dimensions. They include however, openings on both sides of the rooms, allowing enough light on the interior but being protected from direct sunlight by eaves. Childrens are supposed to go out through the exterior door of the classrooms and go to the roof through earth slopes created in the terrain.
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As the sections above show, the height of the interior spaces is always the same. It is also visible how the steps allow the kids to go down to the interior courtyard, but it also allows them to sit on those same steps and use them as bleachers. The facade shows a simple design and a restricted access, focusing the attention on the movement and enjoyment of the kids running on the rooftop.
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PROJECT INFO
MORPHOSIS PAVILLION An itinerant pavillion inspired by the work of LA based studio, Morphosis Location: Multiple Year: 2015 Class: 3rd year short project (4 weeks) Scale: Temporary Pavillion / Culture Individual Work
The objective of this course’s project was to design a multipurpose pavillion which could show the work of Morphosis Architects and host any other desired exposition. The pavillion should be inspired by Morphosis characteristic style and way of work. It should be possible to transport the designed structure between different cities around the world and to be installed in a range of public spaces.
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THE RING
THE WORM
THE LONG ROAD
THE HORNS
SECTION
VERSATILIY
FACADE AND SECTION
THE HOOK
MAIN FACADE
It is easier to understand this project by looking at its sections and elevations. The section clearly shows how the project “evolves“ from one end to another. Inspired by the history of the projects of Morphosis, which show a clear evolution and morphologic development, the pavillion starts as a simple piece and slowly mutates until becoming a complex and expressive structure on the outside, but remaining rational on the inside.
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THE TWO PATHS
One of the most important aspects of the project is its versatility. Due to its non-specific location and its mobile nature, the design should be adaptable to different locations and needs. It is thought to be divided in 4 modules, resulting from the division of the circular floor plant in 4 equal sections. The reconfiguration of these spaces results in a wide-range of possibilities, each one with specific features and potential.
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BETWEENNESS Art, Architecture & Activism
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 4-6pm National MuSEUm of Mexican Art 1852 W. 19th Street Chicago, IL 60608 In 2014, 43 students were kidnapped by the government in Ayotzinapa (State of Guerrero)— this event against human rights caught the world’s attention. Mexican artist FranciscoToledo created a series of 43 kites with the faces of the missing students and asked children to fly them in the streets as a public act of resistance. Flying a kite is a public activity that confronts the user with the surroundings, recognizing a territorial logic that requires encounters with others. This program will recreate that event and engage participants in a collective reflection about art, architecture and their relationship to activism practices. Inspired by the work of Toledo—significant activist in Oaxaca’s civic scene and known for using his art practice as a tool for social and political change, undergraduate architecture students from Tecnologico de Monterrey (Queretaro Campus) are hosting a public program to reflect and challenge the role of artistic and architectural practices as a means for the transformation of the contemporary city and the public realm. This program has been developed as part BETWEENNESS—a research project focused on understanding the political, social, economic, geographical and territorial dynamics of Oaxaca City to design strategies that respond to the its multidimensional character.
Partner program of the Chicago Architecture Biennial.
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PROJECT INFO
EVENT POSTER
FREE ENTRANCE
BETWEENNESS: ART, ARCHITECTURE AND ACTIVISM Debating the real value of public art at the Chicago Architecture Biennale 2017 Location: Chicago, USA Year: 2017 Class: 5th year short project (4 weeks) Scale: Urban activation / Art Class work (6 members)
What’s the role of art in the creation of a community? In Oaxaca, art is a mean of expression and response to all types of situations. Artists show in their work the opinions of the regular people and make this opinion visible, addressing controversial topics and summoning the reaction of the whole community. After seeing the importance that “art” has in Oaxaca, we aimed to show this particular role at the Chicago Biennale, applying some of this forms of expression to the particular case of one of Chicago’s most traditional latin neighbourhoods: Pilsen.
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Si se puede
Remembering a mural painted in 1973.
Remembering a mural painted in 1997, erased 2007.
2 FOLD CORNERS
3 STAPLE BOTH CORNERS
4 TIE THE THREAD
Loomis St.
INSTRUCTIONS
Raymond Patlan
Reforma y Libertad Remembering a mural painted in 1971.
1813 S Bishop St. Chicago, IL
N
Cermak Rd
Blue Island Av. & S Laflin St & W Cullerton St. Chicago, IL
3 STAPLE BOTH CORNERS
INSTRUCTIONS
Loomis St.
2 FOLD CORNERS
Ashland Av.
1 FOLD IN HALF
Blu e
Harrison park
Isla
nd
Av
.
18th St
Betweenness
Cermak Rd
Art, architecture & activism
Ashland Av.
Blu e
Harrison park
Isla nd
Av .
18th St
1 FOLD IN HALF
RESULTS
Alto al desplazamiento Stop Displacement
N
Betweenness
Art, architecture & activism
PRODUCT
1831 S Racine Av. Chicago, IL
Hector Duarte
INSTRUCTIONS
Loomis St.
Cermak Rd
Ashland Av.
Blu e
Harrison park
Isla
nd
Av
.
18th St
Betweenness
Art, architecture & activism
Jose Guerrero
N
By replicating the work of Francisco Toledo (with his previous approval), one of Oaxaca biggest art exponents, we wanted to expose the loss of the artistic heritage in Pilsen. This neighbourhood features big murals in most of its streets, showing their cultural heritage and activism, although many of those murals already dissapeared. We created a kite model which features images of these lost murals, and provide information of its previos location and objectives.
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1 FOLD IN HALF
2 FOLD CORNERS
3 STAPLE BOTH CORNERS
4 TIE THE THREAD
4 TIE THE THREAD
A kid playing with one of the kites in front of a group gathered around the activity center.
The kites grant a “second life” to the dissapeared murals. They create a debate around the problematics that inspired them and socialize this problems between the community. The activity is a way to address real problems in a lighter way, instead of ignoring them. Also, is a way to give the right importance to the artistic heritage of a community and show the fundamental role it plays on the people. The event was a success, and brought together different generations of inhabitants around a simple but fundamental piece: a kite.
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DRAWING / PAINTING I see hand-drawing not only as a technique for architural representation, but also as a way of escape and relaxation method. However, it is also an incredible sensation to create and design in paper. The representation of projects, as well as cities, atmospheres and concepts; through 2D manual techniques is an activity I deeply enjoy and where I try to constantly improve.
OTHER INTERESTS
OTHER INTERESTS
PHOTOGRAPHY Although it is a relatively new activity for me, I have found great satisfaction and interest in photography. I must acknowledge that I am still a beginner and I lack of the technichal knowledge behind adjusting a camera. However, to be able to represent and capture the essence of a place is a challenge-type activity that I find entertaining and valuable.
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THANKS FOR THE ATTENTION! - CONTACT -
asebastianpalacios@gmail.com
+521 4423243804 /sebastianpalaciosarchitect