Portfolio vera betancourt
1
SELECTED WORKS
2
Better Homes and Cistern Gardens
4
1 1/2 Chair 12 Compatible Opposites 16 Up and Loon 22 Aerials 26 Holmes County 32 Professional Work 38
3
Better Homes & Cistern Gardens Spring 2018 Instructor: Beth Blostein Group Project: Caroline Proffit
The form of this live/work apartment complex started with a 2D image of a clip art house. Once the 2D image was modeled as a 3D object, it was modified by mirroring and pinching its form. The pinching of the form generated a series of interior spaces that funnel into different programs of the unit. These spatial transformations allow accommodating different live or working programs according to the dwellers needs. The roof line of the house was mirrored along the X axis to create an underground cistern garden. As the inhabitants exit the cistern gardens they are redirected to the green garden. The landscape mirrors the profile of the apartment faรงade creating green spaces and gathering areas for the dwellers and the people from the neighborhood.
4
Project chosen for Knowlton School of Architecture accreditation archives
5
Apartment Apartment Division Apartment DivisionDivision
House House IconHouse IconIcon
Live
Apartment Division
6
Site Site PlanP Site Plan
Axis of Symmetry of Symmetry Axis of Axis Symmetry
Work
Reflection Reflection Reflection
Both
Site Pla
tion
Site Plan
Site Plan
Pinching
Pinching
Modules
Modules
7
8
Section Scale1/8”=1’
Section Scale1/8”=1’
9
Sectional Model 10
11
1 1/2 Chair Spring 2018 Instructor: Beth Blostein Group Project: Caroline Proffit
The form of this chair is the result of the exploration and study of symmetry. The idea consists of understanding how symmetry works and how to break away from its rigidity and perfection. An axis of symmetry was given to a clip art chair. Once the chair was divided in to two equal parts, one of the parts was mirrored along the same axis. As the chair gets mirrored it begins to warp, breaking away from the initial perfection. To balance out the flaws of the resulting form, a perfect geometry was introduced in a series of layered patterns on the surface of the chair. While the warped form of the chair celebrates the imperfect, the circular pattern reminds us of the initial perfectly symmetrical form.
12
Project chosen for Knowlton School of Architecture accreditation archives
13
1/2 CHAIR 1/2 CHAIR 1/2 CHAIR
MIRROR MIRROR MIRROR
MIRROR MIRROR AGAIN MIRROR AGAIN AGAIN
WARP
SYMMETRY SYMMETRY SYMMETRY 1/2 CHAIR 1/2 1/2 CHAIR CHAIR
SYMMETRY SYMMETRY SYMMETRY
14
MIRROR MIRROR MIRROR
MIRROR AGAIN MIRROR MIRROR AGAIN AGAIN
WARP
AGAIN
GAIN
MIRROR AGAIN
MIRROR AGAIN
WARP
WARP
WARP
WARP
1 1/2 CHAIR
1 1/2 CHAIR
1 1/2 CHAIR
1 1/2 CHAIR
15
Compatible Opposites Fall 2017 Instructor: Kay Bea Jones
The form of this US embassy in Mexico City emerges from two opposing ideas that come together in harmony to provide a space where diplomatic relationships between countries occur. The first object lies horizontally on the ground. It stretches from the bodega side of the city toward the main street. As it moves forward it turns toward the Independence Angel lifting itself off the ground revealing the entrance to the embassy. This area houses the semi-private program. The second object consists of a tower. As this object emerges from the ground, it begins to twist towards the main street looking back at the entrance of the embassy. The Landscape begins to move up and down to create occupiable and contemplative landscapes. The transparency between landscapes and the interior spaces create the visual relationships between interior and exterior and public and private.
16
17
Vertical object emphasizes horizontality and vice versa
18
Tower emerges from the ground twisting upward
Second object moves forward as it twists towards the tower
Objects looking back at each other
19
Sectional Model
20
21
UP AND LOON Spring 2017 Instructor: Galo Canizares Group Project: Rachel Wallace
The desire of humans to be able to fly has been a dream that many have had for a long time. Ever since the Wright brothers flew the first plane, this ambition has pushed limits that we never thought where possible. The two projects studied consist on the different ways humans have explored the airspace as a habitable environment. Loon project consists of a network of balloons traveling in the stratosphere. Its mission is to provide internet connection to people in rural areas around the world. A house in flight was an experiment inspired on the movie “UP”. National Geographic built a small scale wooden house that was lifted by balloons. This house was able to fly while transporting one person. The combination of these two concepts allowed for the creation of my junior year project “Aerials” which plays with the idea of humans occupying the air space.
22
23
Floating devices communicating with eachother
24
Floating devices traveling around the globe
Personal bubble
Interior of a real house in flight
25
Aerials Spring 2017 Instructor: Galo Canizares Group Project: Rachel Wallace
Occupying the air space was once an idea that became a reality in the blue world. Humans have exploited all the natural resources. All that remains are the toxic gases created by the massive pollution. The masses commenced to flee to the stratosphere, unfortunately not everyone can afford to live in the airspace. In the need for preserving humankind, Aerials was created. A group of radicals came together and created a community that seeks for the right of all humans to occupy the airspace. Aerials consist of four structures made up by an outer shell and interior structure. The outer shell contains helium whack is the main fuel of the city. These helium structures work as the blending device that is activated at night when the sun rays don’t hit the surface reflecting light. This shell houses four independent worlds that ultimately depend on each other to function and survive. These four worlds consist of the quarters, oasis, infirmary and the stock-pile. To continue to float, this new city requires stealing the helium from the large corporations and elite societies. The only thing Aerials must to do is blend in.
26
Project chosen for Knowlton School of Architecture accreditation archives
27
Floating devices communicating with each other in the airspace
28
Floating devices traveling together
29
30
31
Holmes County Arts Center Fall 2016 Instructor: Steven Turk
The design of the Holmes County Arts Center emerged from the union of programmatic boxes perforated by iconic figures seen in the rural landscape. The barns, silos, farmhouses and sheds in combination with the boxes lead to the creation of interesting spaces. These interior spaces reveal figures which resemble the farm icons. The fusion of these forms allowed for the development and organization of the building’s program. The lobby divides the visual and performing art rooms from the sports and wellness center. The many rooms wrap around a central courtyard where activities such as theatrical plays and gardening take place. The geometric shapes seen throughout the landscape are a reflection of the interior spaces of the building.
32
Project chosen for Knowlton School of Architecture accreditation archives
33
Programmatic boxes
Programmatic boxes intersected by iconic rural landscape forms
Bounding box edge triming
Bounding box negative
Octree arrangement
34
Octree on plateau
Octree shaping landscape
35
36
37
38
PROFESSIONAL WORK
39
1037 Parsons Ave The Neighborhood Design Center 2017 Proposal for the repurpose of a storage space in to retail or the rehabilitation center “UNbar�. Changes include paint, addition of garage doors, signage and lighting.
Proposed Scheme For Retail Space
Proposed Scheme For UNbar
Current Conditions
40
Bexley Natural Market The Neighborhood Design Center 2018 Proposal for the facade improvements include roof painting, bike rack installation, automatic door and signage. *Project under construction
Proposed Scheme
Future Additions
Current Conditions
41
1386 E Main St The Neighborhood Design Center 2017 Proposal for building renovations consist on creating a residential space on the second floor and commercial area in the first floor. Facade improvements include replacement of windows, landscaping, and awnings.
Proposed Scheme
Current Conditions
42
Worthington ReCap The Neighborhood Design Center 2018 Proposal for facade renovations of office building includes change of materials and landscaping.
438
Proposed Scheme A
Proposed Scheme B
Current Conditions
43
44
(614) 531-2958 verabetancourts7@gmail.com 6646 Fessenden St Portland,OR 97203
45