VIOLETA LIZAMA Architecture Portfolio University of Florida
Selected Works
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Metropolitan Lounge VOLT- An Exploration of the Built Environment
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Door Window Stair
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Chiaro Oscuro
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Recovery Oasis
Ascending Intricacy
Creating Daily Life for the Shibanpo District
Desert Intervention
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Urban Recreation
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Field of Influence
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Ruins Developme
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Mega Mix Gainesv
VOLT New York City, N
Imperceptible Flows Fort Island Park, Cryst
An Emerging Retreat
Gallery - Gainesville, F
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NY
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石头河 - River Stones
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Void & Occupancy Interaction Charleston, SC
tal River, Fl
ent
ville Urban Infill
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Daily Life in the Shibanpo District
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MAT Landscape
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Special Collections Pavilion
Edge Morphologies of the Florida Landscape Fort Island Park, Crystal River, Fl
Gainesville, Fl
Metropolitan Lounge
VOLT- An Exploration of the Built Environment Design Studio 8 - Fall 2012 Critic: Donna Cohen Partner: Taylor Orsini This project was strictly based on the New York City Codes, and regulated that the site be created as a mixed-use project; including housing, a school, and spaces for small business. The integration of a school into the city block came as an important discussion about how the program meets the street and how the occupants of this space can be cradled within the safety of an isolated context. To create this degree of isolation, the school program takes up the majority of our R8 area along 10th Avenue, and is elevated off the ground to further emphasize the separation of the school from the street. From there, building heights were portioned to allow the students to easily move between classes, without mixing the middle and elementary schools together, and without having to provide elevator access for the upper floor. The school however is not entirely isolated, as the large transition space between it and the residential portion of the site allow for multiple people to traverse at the same time. This horizontal movement across the site frames a view that leads through the urban park and against the walls of the residential complexes at 11th avenue, before hinting at a mixed-use skyscraper. This urban park is the theme of our block, as the process of identifying paths and arranging building programs helped develop a linear system of movement that shapes the buildings around it. Finalizing this encouragement of the wanderer is a system of elevated foot bridges that connect the buildings together at various floors of the site.
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Section Perspective
Process Diagrams 5
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View from School towards Complex
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The main urban rooms, which are visible and open to the general public are located in two and a half of our buildings. The fourth floor of the second building become open air event spaces. The first one houses a performance space with a stage area for formal events, concerts, or general meetings; this space was determined based on proximity to the main tower, and expected traffic of people at a large degree. This space obviously will not be occupied all the time, so there will be a separation of circulation that cuts into the building in a way as to use the perimeter of the space. The fourth floor of the second building links by bridge to the other open event space which houses an outdoor playground for young children and attached picnic area. This is a family space for occupants of the building that want a more isolated area to monitor the safety of their children while providing overhead coverage for play at all times of the year under any weather condition. This will be a medium traffic density area depending on the time of year and the number of building occupants that have children, or enjoy private picnic spaces.
Section through Circulation Bridges
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Physical Model
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Physical Model showing lower le
evel towers
Playground Area
Recreation Space in between Buildings
Digital Sketch of Proposed Site Intervention
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The other urban rooms are those which are connected together by way of bridge. Some of them will be circulation, while others will be programmed events that encourage the circulation of people between buildings. The buildings themselves separate the occupants by family size and price range, and the bridges that link buildings will provide programs specific to the combination of links so that occupants who live by themselves won’t be mismatched with a program that doesn’t suit their interests.
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Door Window Stair Ascending Intricacy Design Studio 3 - Fall 2010 Critic: Martin Gundersen This project explores the definition of some of the most basic concepts in Architecture; those of door, window and stair mainly seen as thresholds. This project delves into the different perceptions of threshold. Loosely based on the development and interaction of the characters in the movie “Amélie “ the project was created as an ascending structure with a open terrace on top and an observatory extruding off to one side. The main staircase in the middle represents the path the main character, Amélie follows during the movie throughout her different adventures. The whole structure is supported by a main vertical component to which all levels are attached to, in a way this main wall represent Amélie, and the different levels are the interactions she has with different characters. Besides the main staircase and central wall, there is also a secondary component in the project. This space was perceived as an isolated observatory and is therefore offset from the rest of the structure, being supported only on linear components. The observatory represents the mind of Amélie and how through small slits placed in the walls, and ceilings she is able to perceive the world and her surroundings in a different light.
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Final Model
Main Structure System
Rendered Model on Potential Site Linear & Plexi System
Circulation System
Transtition from Tectonic to Stereotomic Spaces
Hovering Observation Tower
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Final Model
Process Models
Final Model
Once the main level is reached, there is an opening that allows the views to gaze backwards on the path just traveled, or if so desired the viewer can move forward and reach the last level, which is only accessible through a translucent stair. This stair and some of the other components of the project encompass the idea of transparency, whereas the main staircase and floor define solidity. When the viewer has reached the top level they are able to appreciate their entire journey through different viewpoints and degrees of transparency placed throughout the threshold spaces.
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Chiaro Oscuro
Creating Daily Life for the Shibanpo District Design Studio 8- Summer A 2012, Chongqing, China Critic: Albertus Wang & Hui Zou Partners: Charles Green, Shelly Yang, Cat Ying The main idea for this project was how to connect two separate districts in an urban area without destroying its past. We approached the site based on the influence light had over the mountain space. Our site had a clear skyline of residential towers on one side, heavily contrasted by the high rise offices on the other side. These two separate factors, man-made towers and mountains cape, further allowed us to study the light and shadow condition on the site, and it also allowed us to better understand how it affects the urban lifestyle in Chongqing, China. The initial site analysis consisted of studying how the water tower influenced the movement of people on the site; a study of the mountainous landscape also allowed us to better understand how residents move and dwell in Shibanpo. The further we developed our ideas for the site, the more we realized that the water tower was our main driving force. We decided to use the tower as our anchor to create a sense of community in the Shibanpo District. The tower became the main focus of our “park�, an open space, which served mainly as a gathering point for visitors to be able to remember the history of their city, while still being surrounded by the modern architecture of the site.
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Longitudinal Section Study of Existing Site Conditions
Historical Elements on Surrounding Site
Cross Sectional Study of Existing Site Conditions
Benefits of Slanting Roof View in relation to Main Roads
Increase of Green Spaces and Better views
High Rise study focusing around Water Tower
Benefits of Slanting Roof View in relation to Adjacent Buildings
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Study Diagrams exploring Programmatic Ideas
Main Public Spaces Park/ Retail
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Water Factory Re-use
Circulation Study
Mid-Rise Housing Circulation and Public Area Connections
High Rise Circulation to Surrounding Site
Higher Elevation Public Circulation to Lower Levels
Located in Shibanpo, near the Tongyuan Gate, at the highest point of the site, is the Daqiangba Water Plant; the first formal large-scale water plant in Chongqing. Historically illuminated a majority of the Shibanpo District; preserving this element and its presence in the master plan was a major consideration; and an approximated replica was designed.
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Recovery Oasis
Desert Intervention Design Studio 4 - Spring 2011 Critic: Prof. Lee Su-Huang The driving idea behind this project was that of a hidden, underground space; A place that would be hard to find and access. The idea for this desert intervention was a mental institution/recovery center. The recovery center has wide open spaces for staff and patients, and provides easy surveillance and circulation. The roof was created to merge and connect both sides of the intervention. People can move to the other side of the desert by going across the roof. The roof merges with the desert landscape, making it a seamless transition. The entrance to the institution is located in an opening in the ground. From the entrance people move in a single direction, across the main spaces for therapy and meetings, and onto an open inner courtyard. There is also a small side corridor which leads to more private spaces. From this courtyard they can go to the underground relaxation space, which resembles a cave. Pass the courtyard the living spaces are located on the other side of the ground depression.
View from overhead walkway
Night view of Recovery room
The living spaces have a south facing double facade made of glass, to allow light and sun to come in. The rest of the building is embedded within the desert. People can also access the living spaces through a terrace, which connects to the main building. As one emerges from the living spaces, they can access the desert ground and move over the underground recovery “cave�, and onto the main area roof. The recovery institution is mostly underground, providing residents with a sense of security and invisibility.
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Aerial view of Main Spaces
Recovery Center and Open Spaces
Longitudinal Section
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Main Entrance situated in Ground Depression
South Entrance
Aerial view of Site
Aerial Drawing of Site showing Underground Spaces
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Urban Recreation
VOLT New York City, NY Design Studio 8 - Fall 2012 Critic: Donna Cohen Partner: Taylor Orsini Our building is a proposal to New York for the enjoyment and recreation of tennis. The building is specifically designed to maximize the sport for occupants and the public through the implementation of three separate regulation size courts at various floors of the building. Each tennis court is elevated in such a way as to be programmed towards various occupants of the building, becoming more private as the occupant reaches higher floors. A system of glass panels surround the tennis courts in a manner of action from the sport itself; represented by the movement of the ball as it bounces against the confines of the space. From there it wraps into the roof and bleeds into the remaining facade of the building which is shaped in a diamond pattern to emulate the net that divides the court into a representation of the divide between interior and exterior. The form of the building itself is shaped through various means to emphasize and focus views on three main sources of our site: The sun, which arcs across the sky directly east to west of our southern corner; the Queensboro bridge, which passes immediately across the street to the south west from our building; and the East River, which lies to the east of our building from which a great view of the water and the neighboring city can be seen.
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Site Analysis
Section Perspective 29
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View of Tower and Tennis Cour
rts from under Bridge
Program Breakdown
Building Shaping Process
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Circulation Systems
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Structure Analysis, Detail & Render
View from one of the Tennis Courts
Facade panels development
Render of Proposed Intervention on Site
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Field of Influence Imperceptible Flows Fort Island Park, Crystal River, Fl
Design Studio 5 - Fall 2011 Critic: Michael Kuenstle
Process Works
To create the interwoven and extruded surface in this project, the ground was transformed by using a Voronoi diagram. This diagram was influenced by the different components of the original landscape and their location; grass, marshes, open ocean, sand, fish, birds, etc. Once the Voronoi ground was created the site was prepared to integrate a pavilion and smaller recreational areas. The location of the pavilion and the smaller areas was chosen by the alignment of the voronoi-ground with the shore, and a mat design was implemented. From this matting, the orthogonal rib system was created and integrated with the voronoi-created ground, changing its original form in the process. The orthogonal grid also helped shape the overall form and movement of the pavilions. The mat was influenced by both ground systems and transformed with the programmatic idea of the waves.
Process Diagram of Ground
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Section Perspective of Main Domes
The concept for the new pavilion, situated in Fort Island Park, Florida, consists of one main pavilion, a recreation area, and a smaller water-located intervention. The interventions were created by extruding carefully selected zones from the mat. The different sizes and heights of the ‘pavilions’ are based on the wave motion the zone experiments; which is relatively peaceful. The wave motion transfers energy from one point to another, making the wave move onwards and eventually dissipate.
View from Restroom Pavillion
View from Restroom Pavillion
View from Water-Based Pavillion
View from Inside Main Pavillion
Light and shade were taken into consideration for the creation of the pavilions ‘shells’. The use of a semi-transparent material and a solid material was alternated in the two ground-based interventions, while the water-based intervention consist of a purely semitransparent material. The alternation of materials allows for light to filter throughout the structure while providing shelter from rain, wind and sand.
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Skin of Domes
Domed Structures
Extruded Ground
Water
Marsh Ground
Grid system from Voronoi
Final Voronoi
Extruded Ground
Original Voronoi Diagram
Finalized Pavilions in Fort Island Park
Exploded Axonometric Drawing
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Ruins Development An Emerging Retreat Design Studio 3 - Fall 2010 Critic: William Tilson Originating from the ruins of an Irish castle situated on the shore, this project focuses on the development of a site that would allow visitors to experience the remains of the castle while dwelling in a new structure. This project began with the site plan of the castle, from here the floor was modified and the structure was developed through the folding of planes. The new site was then conceived as a retreat for visitors; a place where they could relax and enjoy the landscape while studying the ruins.
Ruins D
The intervention was created as an “inserting pod” that fits into the existing landscape; it consists of three levels and an outside terrace. The underground levels allows visitors to interact with the exploration and excavation of the site, the main level or ground floors serves as the link between the existing structure and the new intervention. Visitors are able to walk through the “pod” to get from one level to another; from here the path moves upwards towards the last level, which contains the researchers study space and a roofed terrace.
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Process Diagrams
Development
Longitudinal Section
Intervention Detail
Main Entrance View Cross Section
Section Perspective
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First Floor Plan
Main Access to Underground Ruins and view from Suspended Terrace
Second Floor Plan
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Mega Mix Gainesville Urban Infill Gallery - Gainesville, Fl Design Studio 6 - Spring 2012 Critic: Brian Smith
The purpose of this project is the exploration on the use of a light-well as a mean of natural light and circulation. By using large glass panels the building invites people in and it interacts with the outside during day and night; during the day people can see from and towards the inside. During the night the atmosphere changes, people on the inside become silhouettes, and the artificial light connects the building with the rest if the urban landscape, making it part of the downtown experience. This project focuses on the exploration of the way sun light interacts with the building and how it affects the activities held inside. By using large open spaces, the building can be used as an art gallery; the main circulation is enclosed by the light-well, allowing visitors to experience the different floors while moving in a single space. The large open spaces, allow for the light coming through the lightwell to expand better, this combined with the natural sunlight coming in would allow the building to function during the day without the need for light bulbs or other sources of light and energy. To achieve the goal of using natural Illumination as a light source, I will study the sun’s position and path and how it affects the building’s structure and function. The wide light-well, also functions as the main circulation system. By employing large glass panels I intend to increase the intake of natural sunlight coming in and the large spaces could function as different galleries; whether it be permanent or temporary exhibits of varied styles. The gallery is meant to be perceived as the melting point of modern and classical art in the downtown area of Gainesville.
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Structural System
Lightwell System
Skin System
Circulation
View from Second Floor towards Mezzanine
Glass Enclosure
Site Intervention
Exploded Axonometric Diagram
View from Main Entrance towards Back Gallery
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Longitudinal Section of Gallery
Top View Floor Plan
Cross Section
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石头河 - River Stones Daily Life in the Shibanpo District Design Studio 8- Summer B 2012 Critic: Albertus Wang & Hui Zou Taking inspiration from the city of Chongqing in North-Central China, this project focuses on the commercial aspect of the Shibanpo District, and how people use the landscape for their activities. The main ideas explored in this project were those of carving, embedding, cantilever, and extruding. The main inspiration for the shape of the interventions came from the shape and texture a stone acquires after being smoothed out by the flowing waters of a river, and the main idea for the program was that of an architecture that works as a link between building and ground. The river taken into consideration is the Yangtze River, which travels directly next to the Shibanpo district.
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Longitudinal Section Showing Different Living and Woking Spaces
Zoomed View of Area to be Developed
The relationship between building and ground was explored in different ways in each intervention, varying from the purpose and location of the structure. Even though each intervention serves a different purpose, they were all created as a complex that would allow both younger and older residents to gather here and experience different aspects of their city, at any time of day or night.
Site Longitudinal Section Diagram
Site Cross Section Diagram
Render of Proposed New Site Development 47
Rendering of Proposed Water Park
The further we developed our ideas for the site, the more we realized that the water tower was our main driving force. We decided to use the tower as our anchor to create a sense of community in the Shibanpo District. The tower became the main focus of our “park�, an open space, which served mainly as a gathering point for visitors to be able to remember the history of their city, while still being surrounded by the modern architecture of the site.
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Top View of Proposed Site Development and Water Park foucsed on Water Tower
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Bird’s Ey
ye View of Newly Developed Site and Water Park
The first structure consists of a shopping area with office spaces and was created with the higher rise buildings, that are located adjacent to the site, in mind. This structure consists of an extruded tower that as it comes down it becomes embedded within the landscape, this allows people to walk on the roof of the lower levels, and also creates a seamless effect with the ground. The top levels of the tower were conceived as a conglomerate of office spaces that would be used by residents of the area, and on the lower levels would be shopping stores that both residents and tourists can visit.
The next intervention was thought of as a small gallery that would allow both older and younger people to merge and interact with each other in a relaxing space. This gallery was meant to exhibit local art and in this way attract not only visitors but also locals. The gallery space is carved out of the mountain floor, and access to it is from a lower level. Only the front facade of the building extrudes forward and is therefore the main source of light; light wells situated on the roof allow for secondary input of light.
The last intervention was focused on the younger demographic, and it consists of a lounge/ club/ bar. This intervention consists of a three level space that is cantilevered from the edge of the mountainous site. The top floor is mainly a balcony space, that flows seamlessly from the existing landscape and allows access to the lower levels of the intervention. The middle floor acts as the main cantilevered space and it was created as the “dancing space�; the ground floor was thought of as the lounge area and it is connected to the landscape by a cantilevered bridge through which people travel to get to their different destination points within the group of interventions. 51
Void & Occupancy Interaction Charleston, SC
Design Studio 6 - Spring 2012 Critic: Brian Smith The idea behind this project was to create two different experiences and spaces that intertwined in the middle, providing a different experience. These spaces consist of a solid monolithic area; which is where the learning takes place, and a more open, lightweight structure, which was designed as a rest or recreational area. These two different zones or areas are linked together through circulation cutting right through the middle building. The stairs provide access to both zones while keeping them separated. My program consists of the contrast of solid/monolithic spaces divided by an open, light framed space; which encases the main circulation space. My approach towards the culinary institute was based on the contrast created in the city itself. On one side there is the historic district that forms most of downtown, and on the other are the modern, refitted spaces, situated near the shore, but still within the historic district. This contrast led me to the idea of two different elements that are trying to coexist within the same space. One of them, older and with a more widespread focus and the other element formed of newer, smaller components; one is heavy and unmovable, and the other one is lighter and in occasions more appealing.
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Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Cross Section showing Main Structure and Circulation
Top View Plan 53
One of the main structural ideas was a building that used pouredin concrete, and decreased the use of columns as much as possible; to accomplish this, portal frames were implemented, providing support for many rooms and long span spaces ( library, lecture hall). The rest of the building is mainly supported by the structure provided by the core of the elevators and fire escape stairs. The portal frames also provide some details for the exterior facades and how people can experience the building from the outside; adding a different type of experience. The exterior of the building is composed of a set of shifting ‘boxes’ that are broken down the middle by the glass intervention. This shifting is very slight but just enough to be visible and cause the visitor to notice the building, wonder about it and ultimately invite them in. By splitting the new Culinary Institute through the middle with the open circulation space, I am trying to create a connection between the old historic district of Charleston and its future in the culinary arts. The new Culinary Institute is intended mainly for young students, but it also provides access to citizens and visitors alike.
Cross Section 54
Culinary Institute Program Breakdown
Longitudinal Section 55
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Proposal for Culinary Institute in Charleston, SC
The restaurant is the perfect place where students, citizens, and visitors come together and experience the old and new Charleston. I took the idea of heavy vs. light spaces further on, by arranging the spaces within the program according to the different intensities of activity that take place within that space. In order for people to experience these spaces in a unique way, glass was used to encase the main stairs, giving them a lightweight and transparent feeling, while remaining the main space divider. The experience in the kitchens is different from the one in the library or lecture hall. All the kitchens are interconnected; providing easy access and mobility between them.
Mesh Skin
Glass Enclosure and Exterior Walls
Enclosure
Floor Plates
Exploded Axonometric
Section showing Structural Detail
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MAT Landscape
Edge Morphologies of the Florida Landscape Fort Island Park, Crystal River, Fl
Design Studio 5 - Fall 2011 Critic: Michael Kuenstle Based on the original idea of the mat landscape, this project further develops the ideas conceived during the “Field of Influence� project. The idea for this project was the creation of a gallery by the shore, located in Fort Island Park, Florida. This gallery is the second part of the project, and it takes on the same voronoi concept and moves forward with it. The gallery is the last stop for a visitor in Fort Island Park; once the visitor has traveled through the different domes and experienced them, they are guided to the main area where the gallery is situated.
Process Diagrams
Site Plan
The next step on the development of the project was to create a skin and facade for the project. In order to develop the skin, several topographical elements of the site were triangulated and a voronoi grid was created, from here it evolved into the final skin that wraps around the entirety of the building. The skin also acts as a structural element towards the shore; in this area the skin created a roofed module that allows visitors to relax in a shaded space while still being in direct contact with the beach. Rather than wrapping the structure entirely, the skin was created with the purpose of highlighting certain areas of the building; it acts as a ribbon, loosely wrapping around the structure with a waving pattern, this pattern is meant to represent the waving motion of the ocean, and once again ties the project to its earlier development phases, linking it to the structure of the domes and the adjacent pier.
Lobby Rendering 58
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Skin Structure 60
Exoskeleton Structure 61
Cross Section
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Longitudinal Section
Front View of Gallery
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Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
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Special Collections Pavilion Gainesville, Fl
Methods & Materials II Spring 2013 Critic: Mark McGlothin Partners: Liem Ngo, Rolando Lopez, Bryant Nguyen The Gainesville Special Collections Pavilion is an addition to an existing community library; it consists of a space totaling 600 square feet and is linked to the library through a garden space and paved walkway. Access to the new building is through this walkway. The pavilion consists of a reading and studying area, bookcase shelf area, circulation desk, computer area and mezzanine. The addition has to be compliant with the Florida Building Code. The main elements assigned for the intervention were a glass facade and steel structure. In collaboration with other students the Pavilion was developed according to a set of guidelines and rules devised in the Florida Building Code. The main structure was developed as a cantilevered one, with only two anchors, leaving the ground floor open to foot transit.
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Violeta Lizama
E-Mail: tomoyo65@gmail.com
Experience
Work Experience
Habitat for Humanity- Architecture Intern Spring 2013 Assisting with the planning and construction of a Humanity house. Continuous collaboration with the Construction Manager to determine material costs; overview components of the construction process.
BJ’s Restaurant 03/2009- Current Restaurant Line Cook Preparing food, stacking up stations, cleaning restaurant
Architrave 19 Fall 2012 Collaborated in the creation of UF School of Architecture Architrave Publication. Organized students projects on different layouts ranging from lower division to grad level. Gained knowledge on public relations and other school organizations. Published work. Teaching Assistant Architecture Design IV Independent Study
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Spring 2013 Spring 2013
McDonald’s Restaurant 8/2008-03/2009 Restaurant Crew Member/ Shift Manager Provide customer service, taking orders in front counter and drive-thru, food preparation, and maintaining the store clean
Education
Skills
University of Florida Gainesville, Fl 2010- 2013 Bachelor of Arts w/focus on Architecture Minor in Urban and Regional Planning Santa Fe College Gainesville, Fl 2008- 2010 Associate of Arts Degree w/focus on Architecture
Proficient in: Rhinoceros 4.0 and 5.0, V-Ray Render, Brazil Render, Grasshopper, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Revit, MS Office, Windows and Mac OS, Hand Modeling and Drawing General Knowledge: Sketch Up, AutoCAD
Competitons Charleston Culinary Institute Design Faculty Sponsored Luminaire Competiton Lamp Design and Creation
Currently Learning: Maya, 3DSMax, array of Rhino/ Grasshopper Plug-ins Spring 2012 Fluent in Spanish, basic knowledge of French; currently learning Japanese. Spring 2013 Knowledge of Macintosh and Windows OS.
Steel Competition Spring 2012 Design VI studio competition based on the use of steel for a Culinary Institute situated in Charleston. Knowledge of building materials and structure was reinforced and utilized towards this event.
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I want to dedicate this portfolio to my family who has supported me through all my strugles and decisions during my Architectural Carrer; To my friends and co-workers who have been there for me whenever I needed advice or support, and To my professor who taught me the beauty of Architecture and guided me on my way to become an Architect
Thank you all.
Violeta Lizama
E-Mail: tomoyo65@gmail.com