PORTFOLIO OF SELECTED WORKS 2020
Alfredo Sebastian Palacios Romero
TABLE OF CONTENTS: This portfolio aims to summarize 14 semesters of work. Despite I am showing less than 20% of the projects I have developed in this time, I selected those which had a bigger impact on my development because of the meaning they could have in the community where they are placed and because their design is based on real conditions, budgets and problems; rather than being forged by aesthethic or plastic intentions. Some of these projects might be small or simple, but they maintain their focus on the user and understand their future impact. Overall, I hope that this compilation can be a successful approach to express the relationship I have, and want to have, with architecture.
TYPE
TIME
SCALE
PRESENTED
p. 4-5
Curriculum Vitae
1
p. 6-11
Transition Space Munich, Germany
Public Space Social Housing
Oct 2020
2
p. 12-15
House in Can Picafort
Individual Housing
Jan 2020
Mallorca, Spain
3
p. 16-20
HUB+
Munich, Germany
Public Space - Temporary Housing
Jan 2019
4
p. 21-23
U-Bahn-Station Martinsried
Infrastructure
Jul 2019
Munich, Germany
5
p. 24-27
Neuperlach Connected
Housing
Jul 2016
Munich, Germany
6
p. 28-33
The Inverted Factory
Urban reactivation
Dec 2017
Oaxaca, Mexico
7
p. 15
Betweenness: Chicago Biennale Chicago, USA
Installation
Sept 2017
ALFREDO SEBASTIAN PALACIOS ROMERO I define myself as a young architect engaged to a global society. I believe in the duty we have with others and the power of architecture as a medium of change in society. I procure to prioritize users and inhabitants needs, as well as the cultural heritage aspect, over formal wishes. I support sustainable architecture over spectacular architecture, but value the role of creativity, innovation and plastic exploration. I believe that architecture does not give us an obligation to improve our society, but it certainly give us an important opportunity to do it.
- BASIC INFORMATION -
- CONTACT -
sebastian.palacios@tum.de
+49 15237715842
/sebastianpalaciosarchitect
- LANGUAGES -
Name: Alfredo Sebastián Palacios Romero
Spanish: Native speaker
Born: 6th April 1994
English: Advanced
Birth place: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• TOEFL ITP score: 663/677
Current residence: Munich, Germany
• TOEFL iBT score: 109/120
Bachelor average grade: 96.3 / 100 Master average grade: 1,2
German: Advanced
• Deutsches Sprachdiplom C1
EDUCATION - FORMATION Oct 2018 - Oct 2020
Master in Architecture - TUM
Jan 2013 - Dec 2017
Bachelor in Architecture - ITESM
Place: Munich, A 4-semester Master of Arts program at the Technische Universität München
Place: Queretaro, Mexico A 10-semester program at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM)
Jan 2013 - Dec 2017
Management Skills Diplomate
Feb 2016 - Sep 2016
International Exchange semester at TUM
Jan 1998 - Nov 2012
Baccalaureate at the German School of Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Place: ITESM Queretaro, Mexico An 8-module course where participants learn how to reach their own full potential, manage leadership in an effective way and become a high-value member of their work team
Place: TU Munich, Germany
Place: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
- RECOGNITIONS Dec 2017
Academic Excellence Award / Highest Average Score among B.Arch graduates Place: ITESM Queretaro, Mexico Granted by the grades average of 96.4 in a 100 scale over 10 semesters
Dec 2017
Student Development Diploma Place: ITESM Queretaro, Mexico A diploma granted for the participation and support in different study government groups over 3 years.
Jan 2013 - Dec 2017
4
High Academic Performance Program (PARA) Scholarship Place: ITESM Queretaro, Mexico A 5-year full scholarship intended to recognize outstanding students and promote an integral education; complementing the studies with cultural, athletic and social engagement activities.
EXPERIENCE - PROFESSIONAL Jun 2018 - Present
Working Student and Intern at HENN Gmbh Place: Munich, Germany Part-time position as support in different areas, mainly in design and related tasks: models, drawings and representation.
Mar 2018 - May 2018
Architectural Designer at DBOV Studio Place: Mexico City, Mexico In this short time I was in charge of the design and creation of a familiar house in Mexico, which includes the conception of the project, creation of plans and material for presentation with clients.
Aug 2013 - May 2017
AutoCad
Aug 2016 - Dec 2016
ArchiCad Revit
Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Jan 2017 - Sep 2017 ArcMap Microsot Office
Aug 2016 - Dec 2017
Opus Free hand Drawing
Jan 2014 - Dec 2015
Free hand Painting Model Jan 2015 - MayMaking 2015
Assistant at UrbanLab Place: Queretaro, Mexico Constant support with urban researchs, graphic design, SIG/ArcMap use and urban information requests at the UrbanLab, which is a laboratory for urban studies and analysis being managed by the university researchers.
Intern at G3 Architects Place: Queretaro, Mexico Collaboration with 3D modelling, model making, graphic representation and design in multiple projects at G3 architecture studio, headed by Juan Alfonso GarduĂąo.
- COLLABORATIVE Participation at the Chicago Architecture Biennale Place: Chicago, USA Designed a course project, together with 6 students and 2 teachers, focused around the social value of the art in the communities and its political relevance.
Architecture Students Society - Image Coordinator Place: ITESM Queretaro, Mexico Member of the Directive Board in charge of the graphic design and image creation.
General Students Federation - Ecology Coordinator Place: ITESM Queretaro, Mexico Member of the Directive Board in charge of environment plans on the campus and reforestation events.
Social Service at Qronos Place: Queretaro, Mexico Required social service redrawing this vital information. Basic old plans from public buildings, Medium in order to avoid losing Advanced
TOOLS Vectorworks Archicad Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Rhino AutoCad Sketch Up Revit V- Ray ArcMap Office suite Free hand drawing Model making Basic
Medium
Advanced
5
TRANSITION SPACE
The need for housing and the preservation of the common space: a contradiction? Location: Munich, Germany Year: 2020 Class: Master thesis (24 weeks) Studio: Prof. Kerè Type: Social housing and public space Individual work
1 The year is 1972 and the Olympic park in Munich will receive thousands of guests from all over the world who came for the Olympic experience. The arrival point is the Olympiastadion S Bahn station located next to it and built specifically for the occasion. 50 years later, it has been abandoned for 40 years. However, Munich is a success story and an exception of the modern Olympics. All of the built structures are still used. Except for one, the S Bahn station. How can a much-needed social housing project be built here, without erasing the value of what is already there? REPLICATE EXPERIENCE
HORIZONTAL PUBLIC PATH
RHYTHM AND PERMEABILITY
This project aims to answer this question by using the S-Bahn station as the starting point for the design. Shape, uses and even style, are some of the aspects that surged by looking and respecting what is already built.The shape of the station is replicated five times to the north, following the direction of the train tracks, and emphasizing the horizontality of the existing train platforms. By using the same dimensions, the experience of walking under the station can be replicated and the existing station is integrated. At the same time, by using the whole length of the platforms a horizontal public path is created, and the station is the entry to it. The constant rhythm of the placement brings a certain monumentality. And thanks to the free space between the volumes, the site doesn’t become a barrier. But there are 3 goals which defined the functioning of the project and what it had to be. First, it has to be a public space and keep the public character. For 40 years it has been unofficially a public space and that first public layer needs to remain there. Therefore, the footprint of the building is reduced to a minimum. Second, it has to be an infrastructure space. A city will always need infrastructure. Therefore, I decided to create a bike path in the central lane, where the train rails used to be. And the station, will now work as a bike station. Third, it has to be a transition space. A place of arrival and departure, showing constant movement. Perspective view from the Landshutter Allee 1 1:2000 site model picture 2 1:500 site model picture 3
6
B L AC K P L A N 0
500m
2 S TA R T I N G G OA L S
SITE PL AN 0
120m
B’
AN INFRASTRUCTURE SPACE
A
A’
A PUBLIC SPACE
A TRANSITION SPACE
CONTEXT SECTIONS 0
B
120m
SECTION A
SECTION B
7
P L AT F O R M L E V E L 0
S TAT I O N L E V E L
24m
0
24m
2 CAFE SPORT EQUIPMENT RENT PAVILLION
ICE CREAM SHOP
BOOK SHOP
3
8
C O M M O N C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S
F LO O R P L A N S 0
10m
Housing at the perimeter
A B
C
C
B A
A : 2X THIRD AGE PEOPLE 28 M2
Central service areas
B : 2X 4 - 6 PEOPLE FAMILIES 87 M2 C : 2X 3 - 4 PEOPLE FAMILIES 71 M2
Exterior acceses connected around a courtyard
1. & 2. FLOOR
S
D
E
F D
Social areas (private and public) at the corners
D F E
D
S
D : 4X SINGLES 22 M2
To recover the use as connective infrastructure, a bike path is now located along the train tracks and between the platforms. This bike path goes through the S-Bahn station, where a circular ramp creates a connection with the first level, both for bikers and for pedestrians. The station changes therefore slightly its use, from a train station to a bike station. It hosts in the ground level parking spaces for guests, who now arrive to the place, leave their bikes and can continue by foot to the Olympiapark. The old control room is adapted to work as a bike store. A small pavilion is located under the old station. Its circular shape and fragile appearance, covered by mirrors, contrasts with the one from the station, emphasizing that it is not an extension from it or a modification. The increased movement will activate the plaza at this level, without the need of adding more features. Only a discrete area with sitting places and a water feature were added in between the tree rows, respecting the same rhythm of the project.
E : 2X 2 - 4 PEOPLE FAMILIES 62 M2 F : 2X COUPLES OR STUDIO 35 M2
3. & 4. FLOOR
S
G
H H
H
H
H
H
The role of the train platforms as part of the public space is strenghtened. They work as a connection between south and north, with the existing station working as the entry or the exit for the pedestrians. New connections for pedestrians are created, connecting the buildings and streets to the west of the project. A green stripe of vegetation, remainings of the growing nature that grew in the place for the past years will be kept as a biotope on the left border. Small “pockets� are located next to the buildings, where different sport-related activities take place, such as small sport fields, sport tables, open-air gyms or playgrounds for kids. Along the tracks, old repurposed train wagons are located on the remaining train tracks, keeping the original character of the station alive.
G
S
G : 2X STUDENTS 79 M2 H : 6X STUDENTS 18 M2
5. & 6. FLOOR
9
S E C T I O N S / E L E VAT I O N S 0
10m
+25.10m
+21.90m
+18.80m
+15.70m
+12.60m
+9.50m
+6.40m
+1.00m +0.00m
S O U T H E L E VAT I O N
SECTION A
+25.10m
+21.90m
+18.80m
+15.70m
+12.60m
+9.50m
+6.40m
+1.00m +0.00m
E A S T E L E VAT I O N
4
SECTION B
The buildings host temporary emergency social housing, in order to avoid the privatization of the space by the same users for long periods of time. The objective of this kind of social housing, is to offer a relief for people in a vulnerable situation that are in urgent need for a place to stay. People can stay here for a time of up to a year, while an available long-time social apartment is being searched. Therefore, the housing becomes a service for vulnerable groups of the city, regardless of their age. There are three different floor configurations, each one of them focusing on a different age group, according to their needs and way of life. The changing floor plans are balanced with a series of common characteristics present in every floor, making the design more rational. At the same time, the structure repeats itself in every floor, adapted to a raster grid of 1.20 m. Four central columns are the ones in charge of carrying all the loads. Thick solid slabs every 3.10 meters help transport the vertical loads to these columns, which integrate space for installations between them. The design of the multiple types of apartments is also adapted to this raster. Altogether, each building has 44 apartments. The whole project is capable of hosting up to 560 people at maximum capacity.
1:100 section model 4 1:200 structure model 5 1:500 site model picture 6 10
5
D E TA I L E D D R AW I N G S 0
5m
+25.50 m +25.15 m
+2.35 m
+2.60 m
+24.60 m
+22.00 m
+21.60 m
+19.00 m
+18.60 m
+16.00 m
+25.50 m +15.60 m
+25.15 m
6
+24.60 m
+13.00 m
+2.35 m
+2.60 m
+12.60 m
+10.00 m
+9.60 m
+22.00 m
+21.60 m
+7.00 m
+19.00 m
+18.60 m
+1.00 m
+0.00 m
+16.00 m
+15.60 m
+13.00 m
+12.60 m
Given the conditions of the place, at first sight unsuitable for proper housing, the building is covered in a double skin. The first skin of the building is composed of the concrete structure and big glazed openings, which connect the interior space with the exterior. A thin continuous balcony, made with a metallic structure in order to reduce weight, is positioned along the perimeter of each floor. This area works as an intermediate space between interior and exterior, allowing for an extension of the living space during the warm months. It also works as a sun shading device, reducing the amount of direct sun coming inside the apartments. +10.00 m
+9.60 m
Moreover, it supports the double facade, which is composed of a metallic raster grid. Movable panels are attached to the grid, allowing the users to adapt the interior conditions based on their needs and the exterior conditions. Because of this adaptability, the facade is under constant change throughout the day and the seasons. While the grid grants the building with a homogeneous look, the panels change in each one of the facades. Their design is based on the needs and problems of each side. Horizontal fins for the south, vertical fins for the west, perforated acoustic panels for the east, and translucent acoustic panels for the north. +7.00 m
This project is an exercise of thinking how things could have been done better. An exercise of looking at the past when designing for the future, learning from it and preserving it. And an exercise of finding balance. Because for me the “Other city� is one, which recognizes that the open free public space is just as important for its inhabitants as the private space. 11
HOUSE IN CAN PICAFORT A site, a house, a room, a corner, an element. Location: Can Picafort, Spain Year: 2019 Class: 3rd semester master project (13 weeks) Studio: Guest lecturers Ted’A Arquitectes Type: Single family housing Individual work
1
2 The project objective was to build a familiar house in Can Picafort, a small village on the east side of Mallorca. The specific program was up to us, but the way to present the house was already defined by the guest professors Irene Pèrez and Jaume Mayol. We had to work on 5 different scales: 1/250, 1/50, 1/20, 1/10 and 1/5. This assures that we get an understanding of the house in the context, but also of the material characteristics in the house. Exactly 6 drawings and 6 models had to be our tools to explain our ideas. A house defined by the topography. The plot features a difference of 5 meters height from one side to the other, which gives the question: how to deal with the topography? The site is strongly influenced by the coast’s topography, which is right in front. Along the coast it is possible to see the remainings of old vaulted structures, where the fishermen used to store their boats. They used to carve a ramp on the ground, building then the rest of the structure in a lighter way, compared to the massiveness of the carved ground. Following that method, I decided to design a house defined by the topography and its modifications. Every function of the house is reflected on the treatment of the ground. Even without any walls, the ground itself would dictate what can functions can occur, how people moves and how people lives. Stairs, furniture, sitting spaces or room divisions are some of the aspects that are built as part of the ground, using the same material: mud bricks. The dimensions of the material were also a crucial factor. Not a single brick has to be cut put in a different position. By removing bricks from different parts, all of the functions are defined, and the walls on top adapt to the new shape of the ground and the remaining possibilities.
3 12
Human made structures along the coast of Can Picafort 1 A room: 1:20 model image of the interior 2 Photo series of topography adaptation 3 A site: Fragment of a 1:250 model 4 A house: 1:50 gypsum model of the carved ground 5
SITE PL AN 0
S I T E FAC A D E S 100m
25m
0
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
SITEPLAN & FACADES 1:1000 & 1:250
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
4
5 F LO O R P L A N
4
1:50
FLOOR PLAN
D C B
GSPublisherVersion 0.1.100.100
A
3
2
4m
1
0
13
I N T E R I O R RO O M S E C T I O N S 0
E X T E R I O R PAT I O S S E C T I O N S
2.4m
0
2.4m
L I V I N G RO O M PAT I O N E X T TO L I V I N G RO O M
E AT I N G RO O M
PAT I O N E X T TO B E D RO O M EXTERIOR SECTIONS 1:20
INTERIOR SECTIONS 1:20
6
The house got 2 fronts, one facing the beach and the boulevard and one facing the street, a more urban and less touristic area. The one facing the beach acts as the public one, while the one facing the city is the private one and is more closed. There is a straight corridor connecting both of them, which acts as a distributor and grants access to every room. Next to this corridor and on the central part, there is a “service strip”, where the kitchen, bathroom and laundry are located next to each other and against the wall, simplifying construction. It is possible to consider every “explanade” of the ground as a possible room. The walls break these explanades and divide them into an interior and exterior zone. The exterior parts become complements of the interior ones, enriching the use possibilities. Because of this, multiple patios are created, each one of them with a different character, but stronly linked to the interior of the house. The materiality and the built-in furniture continuous in the exterior, without being affected by the presence of the walls. The patios play an important role in the comfort improvement of the house, together with the presence of solid lattices, made of glazed bricks. These lattices cover the doors and windows, and grant protection against the strong sun of the island. Since we had to work also in some big scales, as 1/10 and 1/5, this project pays special attention to the detail. How the materials are modified and used in different rooms, was a crucial point of the project. For example, some bricks in the kitchen and bathroom are glazed, signaling the parts in contact with water. At the same time, the common materiality expands to the cabinets and the furniture, as glazed tiles with the same dimensions as the bricks. Overall it can be said that this project is one which was solved in multiple levels. It compresses a lot of thinking, starting from the urban scale and finishing in the smallest possible interior details. The house is as interesting as it is consequent, because each corner is different and offer a creative play of materials. Good architecture should work in the same way, paying as much attention to the “big picture” as to the small one.
An exterior room: 1:20 model of the central patio 6 A corner: 1:10 model of bathroom 7 An element: 1:5 model of the window lattice 8 14
K I TC H E N D E TA I L 0
BAT H RO O M 1 : 10 M O D E L D E TA I L
1m
S U N P ROT E C T I O N L AT T I C E S 0
0.6 m
7
8
15
HUB+
Creation of an identity for the Kunstareal through temporary housing for artists Location: Munich, Germany Year: 2018 Class: 1st semester master project (13 weeks) Studio: Prof. Kerè Type: Temporary housing and public space Team work in collaboration with Elisa Maschmeier
1 2
The objective of this course was to create a Hub for artistic production and temporary housing for artists in the center of Munich. Specifically in the Kunstareal, which is the zone where several of the most important cultural buildings of the city are located. However, the project had to offer something else, a plus. They have to create an identity for the zone. The are welcomes thousands of tourists and is a central point for the city, but there isn’t a central character which can link the different cultural institutions. Our idea was to analize the existing use of the space in the area. Quickly we realized that the open green space was there, but there wasn’t anything linking it. In several points, people make use of the steps around the buildings in order to have a surface to sit on or to lay on and enjoy the space. We decided to take this important urban feature and make them our concept: stairs. Stairs are a place where people can sit on, walk on, lay on or climb; offering multiple possibilities. Moreover, the space under the stairs creates a protected space which we wanted to use to host our needed functions. We thought about 3 different scales in terms of size, all linked by the concept: S, M and L. The 3 scales are spred along the whole area, on relevant sites, creating a common identity. The Arcisst. becomes a pedestrian boulevard connecting the area with Karlsplatz, and the building of the Old Botanical Garden becomes the landmark at the end of the road.
3
The L modules integrate the artist housing and working space. They are located to the sides of the Alte Pinakothek. They got the shape of a stepped pyramid. Therefore, the whole surface works as an extension of the public space and can be used and climbed by the people. On one side there is an entry, which leads to the interior space. This space is divided by a structural central wall. The wall splits the space into housing space and working space. In the housing side there’s space for 4 rooms and a common kitchen. The working space is an open plan surface. On the whole perimeter there is storage space, and the structural wall is covered in gypsum, making it a suitable surface to work on.
1:100 model picture 1 Steps at Königsplatz used by people 2 Steps at Königsplatz used by people 3 16
SITE PL AN 140m
0
WHAT?
• Artists housing • Artists working space • Public space WHERE?
• Central spot of the Kunstareal (both sides of the Alte Pinakothek)
WHAT?
• Exhibition space • Public use rooms • Public space WHERE?
• Selected relevant spots (usually next to cultural landmarks)
WHAT?
• Sitting possibilities • Public space WHERE?
• All around the Kunstareal (and integrated to L and M modules)
L - F LO O R P L A N
L - TO P V I E W
10m
0
10m
0
15m
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
0
L - E L E VAT I O N S
F
A
A’
17
L - S I D E E L E VAT I O N 0
24m
L - D E TA I L E D S E C T I O N A - A’ 0
4
4m
Their balanced position strenghtens the symmetry of the Alte Pinakothek and increase the quality of the public space around it. The steps on top, facing the open green areas, creates a watching point for the multiple activities happening there. Most of the building is made out of wood, with exception of the central structural wall. The central wall features a discrete pivotal door, which is the main connection between the housing and working area. Wooden plates lay on top of thick wooden beams supported by the wall. But, the vertical part of the steps is filled with translucent windows, which allow light and air to come inside the structure. In front of the windows, a wooden lattice has been installed. This lattice grants not only privacy, but also protection again any possible hits of people climbing. The lattice becomes thinner in the top parts of the structure, increasing the amount of light coming in. The steps over the housing area are much bigger, making them impossible to climb on and providing privacy to the artists living there. The storage spaces are integrated into the lower steps, covering the area that would be otherwise impossible to acess and making a smart use of the space. The M modules are positioned in different spots of the Kunstareal, always next to cultural buildings of relevance. The module is very simple, a triangular room with a stepped roof. The structure works in the same way as in the L room. However, two sides are covered with a translucent polycarbonate facade. When the lights inside are on, the iluminated buildings become light for the Kunstareal. The rooms are multipurpose. They can be used as exhibition rooms, workshops room, classrooms for yoga or dance, or other public uses.
L - 1:20 interior model picture 4 M - Possible configurations in the open space 5 M - 1:20 interior model picture 6 18
M - F LO O R P L A N 0
6 m
M - TO P V I E W 0
M - F RO N T E L E VAT I O N 0
6 m
M - S I D E E L E VAT I O N 6 m
0
6 m
5
M - D E TA I L E D S E C T I O N 0
6
250m
19
S - DIMENSIONS 0
50cm
8
7
9 The triangular modules can be arranged in different ways according to the needs and possibilities of the space where they are located. Different configurations enables a different use of the structure and makes the public space a playful changing space. And finally, the S modules are the smaller part of the project. They are triangular sitting features, made of plastic and light in weight. They are positioned all around the Kunstareal and can be moved by the same users. The can also be positioned on top of the L and M modules, creating a strong connection between the whole area and these structures. They got a vibrant color, which makes them noticeable to the public and creates a color identity for the place. The appearance of the modules is quite uncommon, specially for this area. They don’t look like buildings, but more like objects. They are “sculptures” placed across the open space. The plastic language remains consistant, but the project still can cover a wide program. In this project, one of the most common elements in architecture becomes the star, making a “homage” to the people’s appropiation of the public space.
M and S - Model picture of possible configuration 7 1:500 group model of the site (fragment) 8 L and S - Model picture with the Pinakothek in the background 9 M and S - Possible configuration adapted to existing vegetation 10 20
10
U-BAHN MARTINSRIED Challenging the common idea of a subway station Location: Martinsried, Germany Year: 2019 Class: 2nd semester master project (13 weeks) Studio: Prof. Deubzer Type: U-Bahn station Team work in collaboration with Ineke Beysens
1
2
CENTRAL CONNECTION POINT
Munich is a city experiencing constant growth. The public transport network should expand at the same time. The plans for the expansion of the U6, towards Martinsried, a new educational hub of the LMU, is expected to happen in the upcoming years. This is an opprtunity to rethink how the new U-Bahn stations in the city could look like. What does work and what should be improved? We wanted to design a station which reacts to what happens above it and which is connected to the surface. The new U-Bahn line is going to ride on an east-west axis. However, on the site there is already a vertical axis connecting the university buildings. This north-south axis could be even strenghtened and expanded across the buildings to the south of the station. Our idea is to work with an intermediate level, which helps in changing the direction of the movement and redirects it. At the same time, openings of different size create a connection between the surface and the underground level.
EXTENSION OF PUBLIC SPACE
CHANGE OF MOVEMENT’S DIRECTION
There are two staircases, which act as “light towers”on the site. It could be said that these towers pin the different levels on their position. They bring light to the station and mark the way to people on the surface. Thanks to their translucent appearance, they also transmit the movement of the people on the inside. The intermediate level includes a supermarket, a cafe and bus a station. Increasing the use possibilities of an U-Bahn station and transforming it partially into an extension of the public space. There are three openings which connect the surface with the lowest levels and offer sitting spaces. They are used to bring light and air to a space which is commonly dark and closed. This project is an exercice which questions our preconceptions of a space. Is a U-Bahn station just a hidden place to arrive and leave, or can it become part of the public space and the character of a site? Visualization of the multiple layers 1 Site plan showing the vertical axis connecting the place 2 Model pictures 3
21
G RO U N D F LO O R P L A N 0
24m
- 1 L E V E L F LO O R P L A N B’
A’
0
24m B’
C
C’
B
SECTIONS 0
SECTION A
SECTION B
SECTION C
22
24m
A
A’
C
C’
B
A
- 2 L E V E L F LO O R P L A N 24m
0
B’
A’
C
C’
B
A
D E TA I L E D S E C T I O N S 0
7m
LIGHTNING CONCEPT
3 23
NEUPERLACH CONNECTED
The mutation of 60’s brutalist housing developments towards contemporary Location: Munich, Germany Year: 2016 Class: 4th year project (13 weeks) Studio: Prof. Hild Type: Multi-level Housing Team work in collaboration with Mui Sadler
1
2
Neuperlach is a post-war neighbourhood located on the outskirts of Munich, designed to host high density buildings as a solution for the housing crisis. Due to the time and reason of its development, the neighbourhood is composed of almost entirely old functionalist projects who share some common characteristics: simple shapes, large scales, brutalist aesthetic and exterior circulations cores. That last aspect gave origin to the main question of this course: “Is it possible to reuse these mobility cores in order to generate extensions that boost the zone’s quality and desirability?” In this particular case, 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. The floor plans show as well the main characteristic of these extensions: an extreme slenderness. From the second floor up, the levels are occupied by apartments. The ground level remains free, with the exception of a few bike spaces, avoiding the creation of an obstacle. Therefore, just three huge concrete colums support the whole structure, receiving the loads from smaller columns distributed on the south and north facade.
Possible expansions
Existing buildings
3 24
Model 1:100 and visualization of the finished design 1 Current aspect of the housing buildings in Neuperlach 2 Plan of the buildings in the designated area and the possibilities 3
MASTER PL AN 0
30m
PL ANS 0
7m
G R O U N D F LO O R P L A N
B’ A
A’
B
D U P L E X 1 S T F LO O R P L A N
D U P L E X 2 N D F LO O R P L A N
25
E L E VAT I O N S 0
12m
E A S T E L E VAT I O N
These “surreal” constructions try not to invade the green open space below them, but at the same time have a strong pressence. The east facades are mainly balconies, taking advantage of the green views and the warm morning sun. The north facade is covered with prefabricated concrete panels, resembling the brutalist surrounding. On the other hand, the south facade is covered with glass bricks and a concrete/iron structure, creating a contemporary extension with modernist construction materials. These clear differences try to take advantage of the sun and minimize the loss of heat, preserving the privacy of the other towers and the existing building. The two resulting sections are quite contrasting, because of the tower’s shape. There are 4 duplex on each tower plus a single appartment on the last floor. The duplexs have a double height in the common area and a simple height on the private one. 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. S O U T H E L E VAT I O N
In the model pictures the desired atmosphere is represented through 1:20 scale models. The resulting space resembles the modernist appartments of the 1930’s, very influenced by the use of iron, glass and light at the Maison de Verre in Paris, but slightly adjusted to contemporary times.
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N O R T H E L E VAT I O N
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Balcony detail in plan view 4 1:20 scale model showing the interior atmosphere 5 Lehrstuhl für Entwerfen Umbau und Denkmalpflege, TU München - Mui J. Sadler und 1:20 scale model showing the south facade Neuperlach and balconies 6 - Building 5 Connected
SECTIONS 0
12m
S E C T I O N B - B’
S E C T I O N A-A’ Lehrstuhl für Entwerfen Umbau und Denkmalpflege, TU München - Mui J. Sadler und A. Sebastian Palacios - SS 2016
Neuperlach Connected - Building 5
Lehrstuhl für Entwerfen Umbau und Denkmalpflege, TU München - Mui J. Sadler und A. Sebastian Palacios - SS 2016
Neuperlach Connected - Building 5
5
6
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THE INVERTED FACTORY
A urban reactivation strategy for a town facing environmental and cultural degradation Location: Arrazola, México Year: 2017 Class: 5th year final project (13 weeks) Studio: Prof. Garnica & Solórzano Type: Restoration / UrbanPlan Team Work with Cecilia Villamil
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CURRENT STATE “The typical abandoned factory”
COMMON RESTORATION “The huge monster fabric”
CHOSEN RESTORATION “The natural resources factory”
The final course focuses around analysis and the cappacity to generate solutions. After Analyzing a designated metropolitan area, each team has to generate a vision, choose a problem, find a place to work and develop an integral solution according to their findings. Arrazola is a town located in the southeast of Mexico, close to Oaxaca city. It is the place where the industry of oaxacan alebrijes started. Since that “Golden Age” in the 70s, the town lost its relevance and has been forgotten, partially because of a terrible management of their skills and resources. This project targets the aspects which should improve in order to reactivate this town through a plan with different stages and scales. As the center of this strategy, we chose an abandoned factory located at the entry of the town. This building has the perfect location and history to act as a symbol of the revival of this community through a different approach. The factory spreads for over 3500 m2 of surface, despite just about 30% stays in decent conditions. To restore the factory back to its original design would not be the right approach, because of the unsustainable scale it has and the required investment. But recovering the factory and rebuilding just certain spaces, it is possible to create a project which produces resources, instead of consuming them. Despite being extremely closed to the touristic site of Monte Albán, visited by every tourist on the region, Arrazola has some serious conectivity problems. It is a town of about 1000 inhabitants, where the 80% of the population creates and sells handcrafts. The program is divided in multiple areas addressing different working points: the reforestation, the selling of pieces in an adequate environment, the revalorization of this activity, the creation of public space for the community and the creation of a space cappable of generat monetary resources. Conceptual collage showing the proposed factory-trees symbiosis 1 Connectivity of Arrazola with the city of Oaxaca 2 Nolli Plan showing the pre-existences and the chosen site 3 Picture of the factory and its current state 4
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C O N N E C T I V I T Y A N A LYS I S 0
2000m
NOLLI PL AN OF ARRAZOL A 0
250m
CHOSEN SITE
3
2
4
P RO G R A M D I S T R I B U T I O N
R E I N F O RC E M E N T VS C O N S T RU C T I O N
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N E W S T RU C T U R E S 6m
0
CAFETERIA
MUSEUM
COMMUNITY ROOM
EVENTS ROOM
TREE NURSERY
C O N S T RU C T I V E P L A N S 5m
0
Corrugated steel sheet Corrugated steel sheet
Blade angles to support the windproof joints
Blade angles to support the windproof joints PVC window Triangular steel structure
Steel batten
Steel batten Red brick vault
Stainless steel plate
Air chamber
Air chamber Pluvial gutter Concrete footing 30x60cm Brick guard rail settled with cement and sand in a proportion 1:4
Red brick lattice 7x14x21cm
Red brick lattice 7x14x21cm Triangular steel structure
Steel tensil
Concrete footing 30x60cm Brick footing Concrete footing 30x25cm
Red brick lattice wall Existing adobe wall
Existing adobe wall
Boiled clay floor 15x15cm
Boiled clay floor 15x15cm Waterproof floor glue
Waterproof floor glue
Rainforced subfloor Boulder stone and limestone foundation Boulder stone foundation
MUSEUM
Boulder stone and limestone foundation
CAFETERIA
COMMUNITY ROOM
AT M O S P H E R E S GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherVersion 1.3.84.96
GSEducationalVersion GSPublisherVersion 1.3.84.96
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4
Five different roofs had to be developed for spaces that had lost them because of the abandon. Each one of these roofs is different, and share the characteristics of being simple and viable in such context. The creation process started by analyzing the current conditions, the expected use and the orientation, aiming to develop a bioclimatic design and abandoning the old monumental scale of the factory. Where it was necessary, the heights were reduced or the floor area was divided, in order to make a rational use of the space available.
PL ANS
Most of the used materials are iron joists and natural fibers. However, certain spaces are covered with brick vaults and wood structures. Most of these covers adapt to the existing thick adobe walls. These walls, which need to be reinforced, are crowned with a concrete running beam, which adds resistance and support for the new roofs. The desired atmospheres are simple and functional. We want spaces that promote cross ventilation and natural lightning, where the character is given by the used natural materials such as: brick, wood and adobe. Since they use just a few elements, they could even be built by the same community. The lower level hosts the public community space, the private event garden and other highly transited areas, like the cafeteria or the offices. The higher one hosts more private spaces, like the museum, the tree nursery or the handcrafts exposition. We are promoting circulation from every side of the building and integration of the different users. Besides that, we encourage an intense internal reforestation. The entry is located to the south, just in front of the proposed bus stop. The sections show how each space has a different height, as well as how we intend to distribute trees in every open space in the project. Our intervention is discrete, but we believe that its effect can be a turning point for the community.
50m
0
UPPER LEVEL
LOW E R L E V E L
C O M PA R I S O N 0
50m
B
B’
5 Interior model 1:20 of the common space 6 Interior model 1:20 of the cafeteria
A
A’
SECTIONS C U R R E N T S TAT E
0
P RO P O S A L
15m
SECTION A
SECTION B
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7
8
9 R E F O R E S TAT I O N P L A N 0
2500m
The factory is perhaps the central point of the strategy, but it is supported by projects of bigger scale. The closest one is a park located just in front, which currently is an empty lot. Both spaces should act as an integral project. The park hosts the parking space and will be a natural public space for the community, besides an icon of the reforestation efforts being held. The park design was reached through the juxtaposition of 3 main layers: circulation, topography and vegetation. The main goal of the design is to clearly express, through a partially artificial landscape, how there is people and strong efforts behind the reforestation plans and the overall project, as well as a full community expecting to change its future. This strategy is accompanied by a long term plan. It is possible that the creation of this center greatly increases the number of visitors in the town, increasing as well the number of services required. In order to develop a better town image, we designed a plan showing the new hierarchy of streets and their adaptation to sustainable urbanism practices. Another important aspect to improve on the long term is the urban connectivity. It is possible to potentialize the accessibility and arrival of tourists through 2 main routes: one going through all the urban suburbia located to the south of the mountain and another one taking advantage of the proximity to Monte Alban. Finally, the biggest plan is the reforestation and resource management program. The crisis in Arrazola started because of a terrible resource management still present. Therefore, any possible solution should address this problem. The plan is divided in 3 main stages, starting close to the town and expanding while covering the protected Monte Alban’s area with a protective natural barrier which can be used for productive purposes, to reduce the destructive erotion and to stop the increasing illegal settlements.
Different layers used for the park design: roads, topography & vegetation 7 Final park design explaining the multiple elements 8 Scheme of species used in the park and the reforestation 9 Four different streets schemes to implement in Arrazola 10 Four different street schemes used to improve Arrazola’s connectivity 11 32
U R BA N I M P ROV E M E N T 0
160m
MAIN STREET - SOUTH ENTRANCE
M A I N S T R E E T - C O L L I D I N G FAC TO RY
SHARED STREETS
PEDESTRIAN STREET
10
NEW CONNECTIVIT Y 0
1800m
S O U T H RO U T E - U R B A N PA RT
S O U T H RO U T H - E N T RY TO TO W N
N O R T H RO U T E - H I L L
N O R T H RO U T E - R U R A L PA RT
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BETWEENNESS: ART, ARCHITECTURE AND ACTIVISM Debating the real value of public art at the Chicago Architecture Biennial 2017 Location: Chicago, USA Year: 2017 Class: 5th year parallel project (16 weeks) Studio: Prof. Garnica & Solórzano Scale: Urban activation Class project (6 members and 2 teachers))
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4 As part of our last studio, whily trying to represent the value of art for the Oaxacan society at the Chicago Architecture Biennial, we came to a question: 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 of “art” in Oaxaca, we aimed to show this particular role at the Chicago Biennale and to apply some of this forms of expression to the particular case of one of Chicago’s most traditional latin neighbourhoods: Pilsen. Through the replication of Francisco Toledo’s work (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 culture and pride. However, many of those murals already dissapeared, mostly because of commercial interests and lack of heritage preservation. Inspired by the famous Toledo kites, we created a kite model which features images of these lost murals, and provide information of its previos location and objectives. The kites grant a “second life” to the dissapeared murals. They create a debate around the problem that inspired them and socialize it between the 34
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 fundamental role the artistic heritage plays in a community. The event was a success, receiving very positive reviews by the visitors and the Biennial Directors. But most importantly, it brought together different generations of inhabitants around a simple but fundamental piece: a kite. I think that this is the right project to close this portfolio. It is the one with the largest team involved, the longest development time and perhaps the smaller scale, since it doesn’t include any construction or space design. However, it implied a huge challenge and its results show the impact that a commited group of people can have. As architects, our interest in the space can strenghten a community, even without designing buildings or landscapes. I believe that our understanding of the space, its history and its reality, allow us to work on strategies that impact directly on the transformation and the improvement of our society.
Designation as official partner program of the Biennial 1 Back side of the kites, contaning information and instructions 2 A kid participating of the activity in front of more visitors 3 Four dissapeared murals chosen for this activity 4
THANKS FOR THE ATTENTION