PORTFOLIO
SELECT WORKS
ARCHITECTURE + ART SERINA VALDES B.A. ARCHITECTURE 2014-2018
ABOUT MYSELF
SERINA RYAN VALDES My name is Serina Ryan Valdes and I am currently a senior architecture student at Clemson University in the upstate of South Carolina. When I am not in the architecture studio in Clemson, I am at home in Orlando, Florida where I was born and raised. In grade school my favorite subjects were art and math, it was only after somebody suggested I research architecture did my penchant for the field thrive. Since then, my world has revolved around architecture with an outlet in an expression of art. Here at Clemson I am minoring in sustainability hoping to use what I learn to design sustainable architecture. I think that this is extremely important for our future and has already began to make an impact on the architecture world.
OBJECTIVE This portfolio will give you a glimpse of my architecture beginnings and progression through my undergraduate degree. Over the years I have striven to take on sustainable methods with small changes such as green roofs and solar panels. The objective to my portfolio is to display the work that I have done thus far at Clemson University’s undergraduate architecture program in Clemson, South Carolina as well as off campus in the Barcelona Architecture Center. Clemson’s architecture program is unique and intensely hands-on; it advocates the improvement of built, natural and social environments, through design activism, public ser vice and public education– all methods for which I am extremely fortunate enough to have been trained.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 01
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CULTURAL ARTS CENTER BICEFS LABORATORY BARCELONA PAVILION RE[zone] DETROIT THE 606 BIKE TRAIL PRECEDENT + SCIENCE CETNER ON THE EDGE ART RESUME
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
COLUMBIA CULTURAL ARTS CENTER COTTONTOWN, SOUTH CAROLINA
01 ARCH 4520 Synthesis Studio Spring 2018 Clemson University This project was the senior design competition at Clemson, which was a solo project for a Cultural Arts Center in Cottontown, Columbia, South Carolina funded by One Columbia. The proposal required a variety of cultural programs such as cafes, learning centers, business centers, auditoriums, cafes, and a gallery. My proposal concept was to design a community building which serves as a threshold between public entertainment and private education in order to please both the residents of Cottontown and the visitors of The Columbia Cultural Arts Center. Visitors and residents alike will come together to work, dine, and learn with a design that promotes a sense of collaboration, interaction, and entertainment throughout a series of unobstructed and organically flowing program.
PRIVATE EDUCATION + PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT Design for Collaboration Two bars represent two different programs with a collaborative courtyard that enhances fluidity of the program and access to both bars from a intimately-spaced courtyard. The parti diagrams above represent the form of the building’s: form, direction, and fluidity. Vert. Circ.
Cafe
Classrooms
Mech.
Bar
Workshop
Restroom
Theater
Meeting Rooms
One Columbia
Blackbox
Business Center
Courtyard
Gallery
Studios
Ground Floor
Second Floor Public Entertainment Private Education Vertical Circulation
BUS DROP OFF
+288 ft
Collaborative Courtyard Topography Lobby Access
WORKSHOP
GALLERY
CLASS ROOMS
CAFE BAR
+260 ft BUSINESS CENTER
PARKING
+270 ft
LOBBY
LOBBY
AUDITORIUM
BLACK BOX
FOOD GARDEN ART The Columbia Cultural Art Center is a partnership of socializing through dining, entertainment, and learning. Working as a threshold between the busy Main Street and linear street line of Sumpter Avenue, the installation presents a hospitable atmosphere that allows various activities to come together and enjoy the visionar y culture in Columbia.
MONUMENTAL MUSEUM The Monumental Museum is designed to become a place for visitors to not only enjoy the grand artwork, but to also use socialize and dine with the open floor plan of the bar and cafe. The towering canvases can be seen from the outside within, and also rotate 90 degrees in order to take full advantage of the artwork underneath the sunlights.
SUMPTER STREET EDGE This Sumpter Street is strengthened with the open facade of the Cultural Arts Center, which invites both Cottontown residents and Cultural Center visitors inside the building through the lobbys on both ends. The large glass windows on the facade allow interactions between outdoor and indoor activities. The materiality of the building exaggerates the industrial feel of the existing site and mimics the pallet of the existing Jim Moore building.
Design for Distance Context
Range of Vision
Park St.
Clark St.
Rembert St.
City
Main St.
Sumpter St.
Marion St.
Wallace St.
Franklin St.
Neighborhood
COLLABORATIVE COURTYARD The Collaborative Cour tyard is meant to be an intimate place of Departure from or arrival to the programmatically separated bars. Going with the sites strong industrial feel, the materiality further enhances the fluidity of the building within it’s context.
Neighborhood
Scott St.
Farmer’s Market
Outdoor Workshop
Cottontown Public Park
Franklin St.
Neighborhood
Design for Local Context
BICEFS LABORATORY
GEORGETOWN, SOUTH CAROLINA
02 ARCH 4520 Synthesis Studio Fall 2017 Clemson University A 16,000 acre research reserve, Hobcaw Barony is one of the few undeveloped tracts on the Waccamaw Neck. The Native Americans called it “hobcaw,” meaning between the waters. Hobcaw Barony has been dedicated to research by South Carolina’s institutions of higher education for over five decades. The primary project objective was to create a comprehensive Campus Site Plan for the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science. We were essentially tasked with addressing the programmatic needs of the client, the relationship between future buildings and existing buildings, the interaction between the Institute, and its neighbors, and the best build and management solutions to accommodate these needs considering the Baruch Institute's mission to support sustainable resource management and to set an example and the standard in sustainability. Other Group Members: Logan White, Summer Anderson, RJ Wilson, and Austin Allen
SITE INTERACTION The Spine Our proposed design for a new laborator y was enclosed in a large 50 foot by 220 foot barn-like structure. The two levels are almost entirely made up of new lab space with the exception of a 10 foot wide block that acts as a spine to the building and contained offices, mechanical, vertical circulation, and storage, which can be seen in the section cut along the roof center below. Ventilation diagram to the right displays an HVAC System with a central return duct supplies that cold air from two supply registers in the ground. The warm air rises back to the return duct and is channeled to the exterior of the building or recycled into cool air again.
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES A design dictated by linear pathways, on the interior and exterior, creates a campus feel throughout the site. We created adjacent lab and support spaces to illustrate an open working environment that invites collaboration between all disciplines. The site design is based around functionality of outdoor and indoor spaces while creating a natural experience in the environment. The design includes outdoor multipurpose space as well as circulation through the new lab.
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FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
Hydrology
Garage
Vert. Circulation
Instrument.
Flex space
Mech.
Wildlife
Ventilation
Restroom
Biochem
Balcony
Office
Plant/soil
Shed
Storage
CAMPUS-WIDE THRESHOLD Flex Space is the large unconditioned work area that provides an immediate destination from dirty lab space. The space provides not only a great open workspace, but also an area to consolidate vehicle storage and equipment. Being completely open on three sides to the site it provides great circulation and is extremely accessible to people and vehicles.
Linearity The Linear arrangement of our building on our site creates a large courtyard with the other two existing structures. This space is the new campus of Hobcaw and is emphasized by the addition of new vegetation and a gentle swale. The relationship between our linear building and the existing lab creates a space that houses a shed and several storage areas, consolidating the equipment space.
ILLUMINATION Fenestration Slit-shaped windows that double as skylights illuminate the upper laboratories. A large curtain window frames out the gable and offers views of the campus that surround the new lab while bringing in more natural light to the collaborative lab spaces on the second floor.
BEACHSIDE RECREATIONAL PAVILION BARCELONETA, SPAIN
03 Fluid Campus Studio Spring 2017 Barcelona Architecture Center During my semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain, we were given a unique site on the Barceloneta coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Inspired by the recreational use of the beaches in Barcelona, our design was a multipurpose structure that contained yoga studios, various spas, cafeterias, relaxation lounges, and other programming that promote a healthy lifestyle. Inspired by a coral reef and the holes within this marine life structure, we designed a building with various voids that let nature spill into the building. The goal was to embrace the beach culture of the site and extend the nature of the surrounding area through the manipulation of solids, voids, sunlight, materiality, and public vs. private space throughout our building. Other Group Members: Olivia Sipler
PROGRAM + LIFESTYLE Using hexagons that var y in size we were able to mimic the organic form of the coral reef while connecting interior spaces with the smooth connections of a hexagonal tessellation. The yoga studios and spa benefit from the views of the beach and Mediterranean Sea, while the various pools ser ve as a threshold between the street and the beach. Atop our structure we strategically placed both green spaces which add natural life to an area that is mostly artificial. The center of the building is the most private and intimate space– the main pool, which was designed to mimic an underground caved-in spring. A void in the center of the ‘cave’ illuminates the main pool furthering the spring effect.
ROOF PLAN
+2
+1
GROUND FLOOR
MATERIALITY + SITE The use of materiality further incorporated and introduced nature into the site. We used a gradient of materials to achieve this threshold using a spectrum of concrete, wood, ceramic, and vertical green walls. Ceramic is an extremely common architectural tool in Spain because of its sustainability, durability, and versatility. Two main access points for the public: the atrium reception and the public cafeteria and restaurant, which connect the building with the site’s pedestrian walkways.
Re[ZONE] DETROIT DETROIT, MICHIGAN
04 Architecture 351 Fall 2016 Clemson University The culminating project of the semester was to site and design a small, permanent building that will provide the infrastructure and space for budding entrepreneurs to temporarily house, market and test their restaurant concept to the public in Detroit, Michigan. For my intervention, I looked through the lens of greenspace: where I took the empty lots that had reverted into natural prairies and changed them into intentional greenspaces. Detroit is a degrading city in dire need of new development and intentional design. We studied the declining city through a series of figure ground maps that led us Investigating which infill sites would suit the city best to be filled with our restaurant.
MATERIALITY + CONSTRUCTION Using 3 main materials: wood, green-roof, and concrete, I was able to create a threshold between the street spine in the South side of the building and the green prairie behind the building. An open atrium with a glass skylight allows natural lighting to the building that flows through the porous facades broken up with wood panneling on fenestration.
Construction Parti Diagrams
Final Design A simple two level ‘cube’ in which I used materiality to show the gradient of greenspace from the strict urban spine of the street-side to the wild prairie on the south side of my infill site. I used wood and glass to show how my building could be a threshold between Detroit’s urban spine and intentional greenspace.
FIRST FLOOR Entrance Waiting Area Atrium Indoor Dining Open Kitchen Outdoor Dining Grand Stairway Exit Stairway Restroom
SECOND FLOOR Entrance Outdoor Bar Atrium Indoor Dining Indoor Bar Restrooms Grand Stairway Exit Stairway
THE 606 BIKE TRAIL CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
05 Architecture 351 Fall 2016 Clemson University The 606 is an elevated pedestrian and cyclist trail in Chicago suburb that runs East West along West Bloomingdale Avenue. The 606 was originally an elevated rail that cut through the suburbs to the factories downtown. The city of Chicago would envision the rail to be converted into usable public space in 2003, and the 606 officially opened in 2013. Today, the trail services exercising cyclists and runners, as well as leisure walkers.  Other Group Members: Diego Bazzini, Eric Bell, Michael King, Maria Mesa, Derek Williams
SITE + CULTURE INTERACTION
N. Kedzie Ave
Bloomingdale Ave.
N. Kimball Ave
Our site was one of the most unique sections of the long 606 trail; found between the intersecting streets below of N. Kimball Avenue and N. Kedzie Avenue. Featuring one of the only elevation changes on the trail as well as grass burm, we had the opportunity for a pedestrian bridge accessing a proposed future park on the North end. The area is also an emerging art district, with a strong artistic culture, which we wanted to emphasize in our project in order to enhance this strong artisan culture.
Final Render A concrete structure with uniquely cur ved facades to mimic the fluidity of the public art and graffiti around our site. The concrete holds a small air-conditioned portion as a rest stop for pedestrians and bike-riders.
N
N Blank Canvas In order to promote appropriate public art, my team incorporated coves in the elevated walking paths that would ser ve as a blank canvas for local public artists.
C D
A
A
B
C
Sections Taken from the South and West elevations, these sections reveal the different interaction that our structure has with the street below as well as the pedestrians on the trail.
D
B
PRECEDENT STUDIES + CAMPUS MUSEUM WERKENDAM, NETHERLANDS | CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
06 Architecture Foundations II Spring 2016 Clemson University During the second semester of my sophomore year at Clemson University we were assigned a project during which we had to create a museum on a site on our own campus. After much site analysis we were given a precedent study to analyze and draw similarities from. My precedent was the Biesbosch Museum Island by Studio Marco Vermuluen. This museum is extremely sustainable with a grass roof and water filtering system– an aspect I found very important. Moving forward with this I design the Clemson University Environmental Science Center.
BIESBOSCH MUSEUM ISLAND Studio Marco Vermeulen designed this exciting and unique museum island in Werkendam, Netherlands. Featuring extensive areas of fenestration, the wings opes to the museum garden on the island. The extension houses an organic restaurant that offers views of the adjacent water and landscape, and space for temporar y exhibitions. To the right is a 1/2 scale 8-foor hand drawn wall section of the Biesbosch.
Digital Drawing floating axon that depicts the hexagonal floor plans and maze-like programming
tessellated forms
hexagonal exhibition
Skeleton Using my precedent, I adopted a ver y organic geometric shape that would mimic the unique walking paths of the Biesbosch as well as maintaining a sustainable building with green roofs and fenestration.
grass-covered shell
CLEMSON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER Program Five dodecahedrons connected at their faces made up the form of my building. Then by using digital programs, I sliced the form into four different floors each with unique programming, wall shapes, and volume heights.
CafĂŠ/Gift Shop
Back of House
Exhibit
Exhibit
Education
Lobby
Admin.
Back of House
Site Our site was on our on campus adjacent to the architecture studio. Highlighted in green is the footprint of my building.
NORTH ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
SOUTH SECTION
EAST ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
Final Render Organic geometric form invading the ground to creating a passageway underneath connecting the rest of the campus with the West elevation and main entrance on the South side.
EAST SECTION
ON THE EDGE
UNKNOWN LOCATION
07 Architecture Foundations 1 Fall 2015 Clemson University During my second year of undergrad, we were assigned to create a viewing apparatus atop a cliff-like site using one of the fundamental tools we were taught during the beginning of the semester. I chose to use ruled surfaces, which is the process of arraying straight lines so that they begin to create three dimensional curves. Requirements such as seating area and several viewing portals were set so that we would learn how to manipulate the arrangement of straight lines in order to develop curves that could form both walls and seating. Hundreds of hand drawings and three dimensional models led to my final project entitled, “On the Edge�.
Viewing Apparatus Final model consisted of hundreds of 1/16� dowels arrayed and pieced together to create unique viewing frames and seating for tranquil obser vations
EAST ELEVATION
ruled surface
viewing port
simple wooden joint
WEST ELEVATION
EAST SECTION
WEST SECTION
Final Drawing 1:1 drawing in pen of the North Elevation of my final model.
ART
08 Expression Through Art 2014-2018 Growing up in a family of artists has always affected how I express myself through both art and architecture. I find the two fields so closely related and feel as if experience with one benefits on the development with the other. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I have found an outlet from stressful semesters worth of projects and constant deadlines with an expression of art. This chapter of my portfolio shows selected works that I have done in my free time with a variety of different mediums and subject material. Enjoy.
CR USHED CAN SERIES 2015-2017
3 DAUGHTERS 15x15 acrylic on wood
BUDLIGHT
15x15 acrylic on wood
COCA-COLA
15x20 acrylic on canvas
ICONS
2014-2017
RHCP
4 12x12 mixed media + acrylic
TRIPPY TWIGGY 15x15 acrylic on wood
27 CLUB
18x24 acrylic on denim
PORTRAITS 2014-2018
LITTLE PRINCE
30x10 acrylic + pen on wood
PALMER
20x20 marker on bristol
BIRTH OF VENUS 24x18 marker on bristol
VARIED MEDIUMS 2014-2018
SIGN LANGUAGE 24x18 multimedia
EYE CANDY
5x7 graphite + pen on bristol
LEE III
18x24 marker on bristol
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RESUME
EDUCATION
AWARDS + ACHIEVEMENTS
AFFILIATIONS Clemson University GPA: 3.68 BA in Architecture + Minor in Sustainability Graduated May 2018 101 Calhoun Dr, Clemson, SC 29634 (864) 656-3311
American Institute of Architecture Students 2014-Present
Bishop Moore Catholic High School GPA: 4.0 Graduation - May 2014 3901 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 (407) 293-7561
Chi Omega 2014-2017
Clemson Undergraduate Architecture Studio Tour Guide Spring 2015
Tau Sigma Delta Top 5% Architecture Class Women in Architecture- Students (WIAS) Graphic + Marketing Chair Spring 2016-Spring 2018
Clemson University Presidents List Fall 2014/15 and Spring 2015 Clemson University Dean’s List Spring 2015/17 and Fall 2016/16
SKILLS
Out-of-State Academic Scholarship 2014-Present
Bishop Moore Catholic High School Art Honors Society- President 2013-2014 Rho Kappa- Social Studies Honor Society Mu Alpha- Math Honor Society National English Honors Society
H C Mickel & L C Mickel Grant Spring 2017
Varsity Bowling Team Captain 2013-2014
REFERENCES
Language Basic Understanding of Spanish
George J. Schafer, RA, Ph.D Lecturer, Ph.d in Planning, Design + the Built Environment, Clemson University (2017) Clemson University, Lee Hall, Clemson, SC 29634 schafer@clemson.edu
Adobe Creative Cloud Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign Drafting + Modeling Autocad, Sketchup, Podium, Rhinoceros 3D Printing + Laser Cutting
EXPERIENCE
Sallie Hambright-Belue, AIA Leed AP Co-Director, Undergraduate Studies / Professor Clemson University, Lee 3-121, Clemson, SC 29634 shambri@clemson.edu 864-656-3906
Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Powerpoint The Gravity Company Intern Summer 2015, Winter 2015 6675 Westwood Blvd, Suite 140 Orlando, Florida 32821 407-351-8787 Architects Lewis + Whitlock Intern Summer 2017 206 W Virginia St, Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 942-1718
CONTACT
Clarissa Mendez Lecturer, Professor Clemson University, Lee 1-158, Clemson, SC 29634 cmendez@clemson.edu 1333 Windsong Rd. Orlando, FL serinavaldes@yahoo.com 407-353-1122 www.SerinaValdes.com
The Gravity Company Intern- Summer 2015, Winter 2015 Westwood Corporate Center 6675 Westwood Blvd, Suite 140 Orlando, Florida 32821 407-351-8787 Architects Lewis + Whitlock Intern- Summer 2017 206 W. Virginia Street Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-942-1718