PORTFOLIO
Vicente Gasco Gomez
Design Projects -Seating Apparatus -Brise-Soleil for a Rio Piedras Police Headquarters -Affordable Housing Charrette Competition: “The Living Façade” -AIAS/Kawneer Competition: “Library for the XXI Century” -”Interdisciplinary Link”: Walkable Master Plan for the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus -Luquillo Master Plan -”Casas de la Selva” Sawmill Renovation & Expansion -Cities of the Future Charrette Competition 2011: Navieras / Abarca Research -Coastal Tourism Development: Blessing or Nemesis of Traditional Coastal Towns Photography C.V.
SEATING APPARATUS
Layering process
Design Fundamentals II Prof. Arnaldo Sanchez
Aiming for lightness and based on Santiago Calatrava’s cube sculptures studies, the ‘Seating Apparatus’ takes advantage of the tension and compression structural qualities of its materials to maximize carrying capacity while staying light. (Weight: 4.3lbs (1.95kg), holds up to 250lbs (115kg). The PVC structure is covered with a nylon yarn skin 1/16 in. (1.58 mm) thick, reaching just over 2,500 feet (762 m) long across the apparatus. Even though it looks like an abstract composition, it’s achieved after a continuous repetitive layering process.
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Section cut
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1” = 5 1/4”
BRISE-SOLEIL FOR A RIO PIEDRAS POLICE HEADQUARTERS Elemental Architectural Design II.
Arq. Ernesto Rodriguez
Project translates graphic art elements in the patrol cars and building insitu conditions to conceptualize a brise-soleil screen that not only protects the west facade from thermal gain during the afternoon but also brings aestethic uniformity to the modernist inspired building. The project also pays special attention to modular design to cheapen manufacturing, transportation and installation costs.
“THE LIVING FAÇADE” Reliable Mortgage’s Affordable Housing Competition 2008 In collaboration with Juan Carlos Rodríguez and architect César Vissepó. “The Living Façade” pretends to solve the unattractiveness of apartment living for the Puerto Rican culture. The user has the opportunity to control public (circulation) and private (home) relationships through a sliding front façade. This will encourage interaction between neighbors without sacrificing privacy. The proposal densifies a corner lot on Domenech ave in Rio Piedras with mixed use (underground parking, first floor commercial and retail space and housing in the subsequent floors.) The building is a six floors north oriented U-shaped block that scalonates towards the low scale suburbs. It also incorporates passive and active technologies like cross ventilation, brise-soleils and solar powered panels for water heating.
Second floor
Third floor
Fourth floor
Fifth floor
Sixth floor Two bedrooms One bedrooms Studio Apartment composition per floor 3’
6’
12’
24’
Second Floor Plan
Section cut AA 2’
5’
10’
20’
Floor Plan. Two Bedroom Apartments 1,060 sq. ft. (98 sq. m.) 1/16” = 1’-0”
Floor Plan. One Bedroom Apartments 528 sq. ft. (50 sq. m.) 1/16” = 1’-0”
Floor Plan. Studio Apartments 468 sq. ft. (43 sq. m.) 1/16” = 1’-0”
“LIBRARY FOR THE XXI CENTURY” Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico AIAS / Kawneer Competition
Intermediate Architectural Design I Prof. Jorge Ramírez Buxeda The competition sponsored by the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) and Kawneer seeks creativity through the use of Kawneer curtain-wall products and architectural innovation towards the library of the future. The proposal exposes the wide visual perspective product of the intersection between the Robles, Aguada and Brambaugh streets to propose an attractive-shaped library as a cultural and educational landmark for Rio Piedras. Technically, the building adapts Kawneer technology to efficiently perform under tropical weather harsh conditions, sun shading, and preventing high thermal gains through the glass façade.
First Floor Plan 1/32” = 1’-0”
Second Floor Plan 1/32” = 1’-0”
Fourth Floor Plan 1/32” = 1’-0”
Section Cut 1/32” = 1’-0”
INTERDISCIPLINARY LINK Walkable Master Plan for the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus Technology III. Prof. Arq. Pedro Muñiz Team work with: Luis Alonso, Jesús Aponte, and Carlos Vigo
The concept is based on a series of small scale pedestrian interventions through the main street of the university. Originally, the routes most used by pedestrians are informal ones, already marked by erosion due to continuous walking. The proposal does not intend to reinvent the wheel, just make it work. By extending and connecting existing sidewalks with informal routes, the proposal creates a better spatial rationale for the passersby. The connections between faculties become more evident, and provides a medium for social interaction. Finally we provide spaces where life can sporadically stop to encourage college experience and social interaction. Analysis of existing conditions, pedestrian traffic flow, vegetation, primary and secondary areas.
Furniture Luminaires
Delta Light Statu T-42 Delta Light Labyrinth
Miscellaneous
Manprover Cuarzo
Manprover Icáro
Bicycle Parking Mein Dom
Analytical diagrams. Flow of bodies in motion
Proposed pedestrian flow diagram This diagram shows the main pedestrian flow is proposed as part of this project.
Existing pedestrian flow diagram Existing pedestrian flow was analyzed and integrated into the plan as an complementary supplement to the main circulation. To achieve an efficient flow, cross-connections were made across the main datum. Vehicular flow diagram The main traffic flow have the ability to percolate into the pedestrian area when necessary in case of an emergency, delivery or thrash collection.
Mixed flow diagram With our intervention we can achieve harmony between pedestrian flow and traffic flow.
Benches
Manprover Febo
Manprover Ambar
Gazebo
LUQUILLO MASTER PLAN
and a propousal for touristic development in the town Intermediate Architectural Design II Prof. Arq. Fernando Lugo The proposed master plan addresses the current segregation between the tourist area and the town center of Luquillo, improving the pedestrian and vehicular flows between them to promote economic, cultural and social exchange between the two. The project is based on a series of small scale interventions within the town of Luquillo like parks and landmarks. A vegetative band reorganizes pedestrian and vehicular circulation much more consistently than it’s current condition. Finally, a new pedestrian boardwalk is proposed by the sea, from the beach to “The Wall”, (an area known nationally for surfing) and into the town square. The latter is expanded and returned to its original historical condition to improve relationship between the Town Hall, the square and the church.
Proposed circulation
New construction
Demolition plan
Vegetation
Luquillo’s walkability 900m width, aprox. 15min walking
Network of public spaces
‘Casas de la Selva’ SAWMILL RENOVATION Patillas, Puerto Rico Intermediate Architectural Design III Taller de Diseño Comunitario 2009 Prof. Arq. Elio M. Joffre
The proposal was generated as part of a master plan to develop an ecological wood harvesting undustry for private organization, “Casas de la Selva”. The proposal is developed around an existing structure that is used as a sawmill. It wraps the existing building and not only provides additional footage but reorganizes the existing program in a linear and efficient manner. Conceptualization We propose two bands that wrap around the existing building which form follows function. To the west the logs are downloaded and stored while through south the wood is cut and sanded. The west façcade is a wooden structure that traps solar heat to dry the recently sanded wood. The interior of the existing structure is reorganized for storage and craft workshop. Passive technologies The design takes advantage of cross ventilation to remove the sawdust from the southern area where cutting is done, the sun to provides a natural oven and water collection is also used.
South faรงade
North faรงade
West faรงade
Section cut C-C
Wood joists
Steel beams and columns
C-shaped joists
Type-E translucent panels Steel plate with fit screws
Membrane Drainage membrane
Perforated drain (4�)
CITIES OF THE FUTURE CHARRETTE COMPETITION2011: NAVIERAS / ABARCA Competition Studio Arq. Francisco J. Rodriguez With Cristina Villa, Gabriella Rodríguez and Verónica Redondo
Analysis
The charrette is an initiative of the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico and invites participants to rethink the reality of the “Cities of the Future” on the island of Puerto Rico.
Missing connections
Public transportation
Places of public interest isla de cabras
Municipalities toa baja
el morro
playas fabrica bacardi
cataño
guaynabo
san juan
viejo san juan: 7,963
playas
viejo san juan
club nautico
toa baja: 94,085
centro de convenciones santurce, condado: 94,067
parque central cataño: 30,071
museo de vida silvestre guaynabo: 100,053
plaza las americas
Nivel de agua (+1m, +2m, +3m)
Terreno ocupado (+1m, +2m, +3m)
Mix-touristic development
Comercial-residential development
Mix development
Train stations
Green belt (vegetation)
Sport development
Proposal
Current San Juan Bay
hato rey: 48,196
PROBLEM How would the San Juan Bay be if the sea levels rise and submerged it partially under water? The proposal addresses the possibility that by 2100 sea level rise by 1.3m, by connecting the various elements that compose it and redirecting and channeling the water.
Isleta de San Juan
Isla Grande
Cata単o
Kennedy
CATAÑO
0’ 15’
30’
Espacio Público
Residencial y Comercial
Cataño is currently below sea level, in order to control possible water floods we decided to channel the water around the town. The urban scale is kept low for residential and commercial development. We also took into consideration the possibility for Cataño in becoming an arts and music district.
60’
Corte diagramático. Cataño
ISLA GRANDE
0’ 15’
30’
60’
Espacio público
Centro de Convenciones
Uso Mixto Turístico
Bulevar
La bahía de Isla Grande becomes a high-density mixed district for tourism around the recently finished Convention Center.
120’
Corte diagramático. Isla Grande
NAVIERAS / ABARCA / KENNEDY
0’ 15’
30’
60’
120’
Corte diagramático. Abarca / Navieras
Expreso de Diego
Laguna
Corredor Verde
Multi-Uso
Bulevar
In case of a 1.3m rise in sea level, the new waterfront for the Abarca / Navieras area would run along the Kennedy avenue. The proposal takes this opportunity to develop a new waterfront / boardwalk with high-density mixeduse development. The ‘Laguna del Condado’ is used to channel sea water and develop a green corridor parallel to it.
COASTAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: Blessing or Nemesis of Traditional Coastal Towns STUDY SUBJECT: Luquillo, Puerto Rico Research Seminar, Interdisciplinary Urban Studies Program Prof. Jorge L. Lizardi and Prof. Carmen A. Peréz SUMMARY
PROBLEM
It is common for small coastal towns to prefer touristic development as an economy model. The intention is to revive the activity within these small towns. Sometimes this ends up being negative attention as it ends to deflect attention from the town towards the coast and instead to revitalize it, destroys it. Why does this happen?, is precisely the problem of this research.
Second stage: The tourist destination acquires mainstream recognition, strong publicity campaigns are used and new infraestructure is built.
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Understanding the industry: Touristic-Industrial System
Many of the theoretical models in tourism further mentioned, consider the structure of tourism as an industry and as an experience, this is important from the view of the tourist but also from the view of the host. Also, it is worth mentioning that most of the theories related to tourism were written by practitioners and not just by academics.
Third stage: Destination gets massive touristic atention . Fourth stage: The destinations reaches massive carriage capacity and fails to protect ambiental and social assets, eventually it collapses.
Neil
Leiper’s
Theories
-Support Platform -Cautious Platform -Adaptation Platform -Knowledge-based Platform
UNDERSTANDING THE INDUSTRY
Understanding the process: Butler’s Life Cycle Basically, Butler’s theory divides tourist development in 4 stages. First stage: Simple and limited facilities, in this stages tourists are looking for new “virgin” touristic destinations out of the mainstream. Paradoxically, this tourists carry with them the ‘seed of change’.
Touristic Motivators: Dann’s “Push-Pull” Factors Dann considered a series of social-psycological motivators that encourages someone to travel and abandon his common routine or context. For example, vacation needs due to highlevels of stress, family travel, etc. These are considered push factors that reacts to anomie (feeling of social alienation), or the need for a self-esteem boost (Dann considered that tourism could provide a psycological stimulus to fulfill a personal fantasy). On the other hand, promotions and publicity campaigns are considered “pull factors” that influenced over which destinations are chosen to visit.
1886 STUDY SUBJECT: LUQUILLO
Build in the 50’s, we can infere that Luquillo is part of Jafari’s support platform, where tourist development without proper planning, expeculating over it’s growth opportunities without analizing nor considering possible side effects. This alone could be the principal reason for Luquillo’s failed tourist development. To the west of Luquillo’s town along road #2, the beach and the famous ‘kioskos’ are succesfully located, attracting visitors daily due to its location and easy entry.
1936
SEASONALITY, ACCESIBILITY AND MOBILITY
The most attractive assets of coastal development are the beaches and the sun, which are exlusively related to summer. This condition causes coastal towns to meet their maximum carring capacity during the summer while developed infraestructure and services stand almost empty for the rest of the year. The challenge is to promote further alternative tourism assets, and diversify the entertainment options away from the beaches.
1955
The seasonality issue comes together with other factors that could be considered apart but are closely related. Infraestructure development (roads, buildings, etc) are limited on coastal tows and become clogged when big masses of tourists feel attracted to the summer assets of this towns causing massive traffic and circulation problems and heavy contamination. .
2000 Luquillo’s Morphological Tourist Development
Photography
Basílicia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia Arq. Pierre Dupré and André Dunoyer Higüey, Dom. Rep.
Left
Casa Batllo, Antoni Gaudí
Interior of the Iglesia Primada de América Santo Domingo, RD
Inferior
Basílicia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, Dom. Rep.
Cabo Rojo Lighthouse, Puerto Rico
Roma from St. Peiter’s dome, Italy
Interior of St. Peter’s, Italy
Currículum vítae
Vicente Gascó Gómez
AK-75 Rio La Plata st. Urb. Rio Hondo II Bayamon, Puerto Rico 00961 939.645.1244 | gasco922@gmail.com Education Bachelor in Environmental Design School of Architecture University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
2010
Interdisciplinary Urban Studies Certificate General Studies Faculty University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus
2009
Pre-college Engineering Program (during high school) Faculty of Engineering Interamerican University, Bayamon
2004
Experience RMA Architects, PSC 2011 - presente U.S. Census Bureau Puerto Rico Area Office 2010 Drafter (freelance) 2009 - 2010 Photographer (freelance) 2007 - 2010 Memberships AIAS UPR (American Institute for Architecture Students) OPEA (Puerto Rican Organization of Architecture Students) US Green Building Council Caribbean USGBC Students Proficiency Languages Spanish English Computer Windows and Mac systems Google Sketch-Up Microsoft Office Wordpress publishing platform
Autodesk AutoCAD & 3D Studio Rhinoceros NURBS modeling software Graphisoft ArchiCAD BIM modeling software Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign
Leadership AIAS: Secretary 2009 Student Council: Public Relations 2010 Research work (Interdisciplinary Urban Studies Certificate) Plaza Las Americas: Show City or the Theater of the Absurd Puerto Rico Urban Mapping: “Anti-urbanism: From Frank Lloyd Wright to Venturi” Coastal Tourism Development: Blessing or Nemesis of Traditional Coastal Towns