Zoraida Rivera :: Architecture Portfolio

ZORAIDA INES RIVERA RIVERA

ZRIVER20@GMAIL.COM

787.246.8802

ARCHITECTURE

This portfolio is the proof of my journey discovering architecture. With the guidance of Savannah College of Art and Design faculty and studio culture, I’ve been able to create this conglomerate of works.

This portfolio represents the evolution of my process of design. The process transformed from basic design strategies, like form and geometry, to more elaborated factors like environmental responses and human experience.

Design is a very complex process to demonstrate in pages, however this portfolio displays the product of the architectural design process and some of the analysis behind it.

INTRODUCTION

GEOMETRY

SYMMETRY

FORM

VIEWS

HUMAN PROPOR-

NATURE

SITE PROSPECT

PROMENADE

PHASING

PROPORTIONS

TEAM WORK

URBAN DESIGN

THRESHOLD

PROPORTIONS

URBAN SCALE

SITE

SITE RESPONSE

COLLABORATION

DRAFTING

SITE

EMPHASIS

GREEN DESIGN

NATURAL LIGHT

PASIVE DESIGN

SITE

SITE

<=> CLIENT

TRANSFORMATION

SIMPLICITY

1 TIME MANAGEMENT

STRUCTURE

INHABITOR

Projects Library of Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 House of Dichotomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Biblioteca di Compagni. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Bywater Market Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Landscape Above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Maison Basse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Ariza Residence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Oasis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SITE

SITE

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SITE

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LIBRARY OF LIGHT / GEOMETRY / SYMMETRY / FORM

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Conceptual models

During my first quarter in the building arts department my first project, the Library of Light was born. This trial and error design process was focused on the design fundamentals. Geometry, symmetry and form were the dominant elements during this project. I chose to design a library due to the desperate need for public libraries in my community. Under the guidance of Professor Ronaszegi the project evolved from conceptual paper models to symmetrical floor plans and finally a fully designed basswood model. Other concepts learned this quarter were threedimensional relationships, research and case studies and the balance between art, function and structure.

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Conceptual models

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Principles of Design applied to Corbusierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Villa Savoye

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Plan to section relationship drawing

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Final model photos

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Final model photos

Final model photos

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Without darkness, light is unbearable, and darkness without light is incoherent.

The human spirit shares a quality with nature that is the complementary opposites that form a whole. The dichotomy found in nature creates a balance in every aspect of the world that defines one with the other. This duality found in the human spirit gives a new dimension to life. The contrast of the human spirit that is innate in everyone can be compared with good and evil.

Deciding when to indulge in each is what life is about.

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HOUSE OF DICHOTOMY / PROSPECT / PROMENADE / THRESHOLD

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To begin the process of design in the House of Dichotomy I studied Factor’s Walk in Savannah GA and it’s qualities. The linear component of the site provided a very controlled study environment. The street had repetition of bridges above that played with the light and provided a sense of relief with a view of the sky. The materiality had a character of it’s own and provided a specific feeling of the space. These and many other qualities affected the final design of The House of Dichotomy.

Factor’s Walk floor plan

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Organisational principles models Analysis of Factorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Walk, Savannah GA

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The house of Dichotomy was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. The complementary nature of the characters was an inspiration for the contrast between the spaces of this residence. Different circulation patterns were design for a specific character resulting in spaces that were reflective of them. Dr. Jekyll was defined with organized, logical and pleasant spaces, while Mr. Hyde was defined with unbalanced, mysterious and uncomfortable spaces. Other design strategies explored in this project was the relationship of the structure with prospect, promenade toward the residence and the different thresholds and their importance.

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Floor plan grade level

Floor plan level 1

Floor plan level 3

Final model photos

Final Model

The tree of life is where all life begun. To have a complete meaningful life one must continue learning and evolving, and what better way to grow than to read.

This is why the concept of La Biblioteca di Compagni in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;tree of lifeâ&#x20AC;?. This library located in Rome, Italy provides reading spaces for individuals and for visitors. The simple shape of the structure of the atrium resembles a tree trunk.

The atrium provides a view from the bottom to the open sky, similar to the Pantheon across the street, as well as providing a circulation method that creates an experience surrounding the central axis of the structure.

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BIBLIOTECA DI COMPAGNI / PROPORTIONS / SCALE / SITE

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The Biblioteca di Compagni is a monument dedicated to the heroes and is located in the heart of Rome, facing the Roman Pantheon. This library is arranged with a collection of individual spaces designed to the comfort of each student in the studio of Prof.

Thange during fall 2011. This project was an opportunity to practice all the fundamental ideas that guide the design process. The materials were taken from the site. The form was reflective of the geometry of the pantheon.

The site analysis depicted the function, structure, geometry and inspired the concept â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tree of Lifeâ&#x20AC;?. The proportions of the exterior were taken from the Pantheon and the interior proportions were taken from the individuals that were to inhabit the space.

Conceptual sketches

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Site analysis diagrams

Flora

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Geometry

Axis

Boundaries

The site analysis of the city of Rome, Italy provided much information that later influenced the design process. The rhythm of the fenestrations surrounding the site provided a grid used for the heights of the reading spaces. The geometry taken from the Pantheon was used as the basic geometry in the section of the project.

Movement

Prospects

Public vs. Private

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Via della Rotonda elevation

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Geometry diagram

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Ground level

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Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

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The concept of La Biblioteca di Compagni, â&#x20AC;&#x153;tree of lifeâ&#x20AC;?, was inspired by the culture, function and urban form. The culture regulates people to gather in piazzas that were mostly framing a water source however lacking any green elements. The need for this natural component defined the main element in the library, the atrium. The form of the atrium resembles a tree trunk that carries the loads of the main stairs surrounding it and creates a spiral view to the sky that contrasts the radial view of the pantheon.

Final massing model collaboration with: Elizabeth Shminkey, James Gallucci and Pedro Perez

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Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view

View from the Pantheon

Piazza della Rotonda

Aerial view of Piazza della Rotonda

View of the Atrium

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Via della Rotonda Panorama

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The Bywater Market Park Community was affected greatly by hurricane Katrina.

The site was destroyed, the population dropped and the economy was injured, however the residents that stayed kept on fighting for their community. This valiant spirit is commonly found in New Orleans, therefore it was easy to be inspired to create a design for this site.

The Bywater Market Park focuses on rehabilitating the community with a series of phases of new development that would transform the site and attract new residents.

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BYWATER MARKET PARK / PHASING / PROPORTIONS / SITE RESPONSE

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Image by collaboration group: Demo-

ZONING DIAGRAM

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The Bywater Market Park Community Centre is a response to the site needs. The project focuses on solving the limitations of the site through architecture. The social and physical restrictions of the site influenced the form and function of the spaces.

The materials were chosen from the surroundings and applied in a coherent facade treatment responding to the function behind the wall. The proportions were taken from phase one of the Market Park. Finally the concept of transparency was inspired by the Mississippi river that greatly influences the community.

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The Bywater Market Park is divided in phases of development that would transform the existing site into a place for shopping, entertainment and education.

Phase 1 would attract visitors by providing a retail space for artists and farmers, therefore being a source of income of the site.

The second phase would strengthen the community identity by providing an area of entertainment and performances. The las phase would be the community centre that would provide a centre for education in the arts and music, where the community members could teach and learn.

Site phasing diagram

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Site problem model: ground level

Transverse section

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Site problem model: humidity

Site problem model: security

Longitudinal section

Site problem model: temperature

Site problem model: accessibility

Programming diagram

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Level 1

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Level 2

Level 3

Roof plan

Site plan

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Final model pictures

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The view of the valley from the village of Lacoste is a remarkable experience.

The different patterns, textures and colors found in the landscape seems like patches of fabric laid over the fields. In reality these grids of green spaces define the boundaries of the farmers territory. These collection of patches paint a beautiful landscape that can only be fully appreciated from an elevated view. However this view cannot be appreciated from the Cardin Quarry. To remember this precious view unique to this village I used the concept of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Landscape Aboveâ&#x20AC;?.

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LANDSCAPE ABOVE / TIME MANAGEMENT / STRUCTURE / NATURE

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The Landscape above project is a roof structure for an exterior quarry theatre that celebrates the landscape view of France. This quarry is located in a mountain in Lacoste France. The basic function of the space requires a roof structure that would protect from the sun and rain, allow ventilation and could be opened at night to celebrate the starry sky. With the design of individual partitions that could be opened at will the roof provided a new dimension for creativity as well becomes an architecture statement that celebrates the nature and culture of the french surroundings.

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The roof structure of the quarry is designed to be opened or closed by choice.

The modular grid has a series of panels that can be closed during overwhelming heat and opened at night to release the heat and enjoy the stars. The grid creates possibility for thermal comfort, protection from the elements and creative opportunity. The frames would be filled with vines that could be rooted to the frame.

Roof modular diagram

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Parti

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Entrance view

Interior perspective

View of the stage

View from above

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The history narrates that the village of Bonnieux was known for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s catholic rituals and in contrast, Lacoste was known for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liberal views. Therefore villagers would commune between these two sites acording to their plans for the day. The juxtaposition of this villages relate to the behaviour of a graduate student. The time management between working on a thesis and time for exploring the site must become a skill for students before confronting the world.

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Sketch by Madison Welsh

MAISON BASSE LACOSTE / COLLABORATION / DRAFTING / SITE

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Control

Site analysis diagrams

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Adventure

Experience sketches

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Level 1

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Level 2

Level 3

Roof plan

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Maison Basse reflects the concept of balance by being aligned to the villages axis, and these influencing the program of the buildings.

Each room would have a view of the sunrise or sunset, therefore celebrating the landscape. Once again the decision of action is enhanced by the circulation path inside the Maison Basse complex.

Concept diagram Lacoste

Bonnieux View from Lacoste

Section

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Interior courtyard view

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The first project that I was part of when starting my internship at Ramirez Buxeda Arquitectos, was the reconstruction of a backyard of a family residence. The Ariza family had a 900 sq. ft.

Backyard and wanted a new design for the whole family to enjoy. With the help of my co workers and the process of design learned in SCAD I designed a space that would accommodate the activities that the client required.

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ARIZA RESIDENCE / CLIENT / TRANSFORMATION / SIMPLICITY

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Floor plan level 1

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Section

The Ariza Residence project was focused on changing the experience of the backyard of the Ariza family house.

The journey working at the Ramirez Buxeda architecture firm was educational in many ways, but mostly in the revealing experience of working with a client. Also the concept of renovating an existing structure is significantly more restricted than starting with a white canvas. Finally embracing the style of the firm and keeping in mind the budget of the client resulted in a more elegant and simple design.

Budgeting diagram

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Daytime rendering of the pool fountain

Daytime rendering of yard area

Daytime rendering of BBQ area

Night rendering of the pool fountain

Night rendering of yard area

Night rendering of BBQ area

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Night rendering of the pool

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Water is an element of nature that either give life or destroy it. The project Oasis was inspired by a story written

by Janette Gregor that narrates the journey of a family that migrated after a great hurricane in Cuba. After a catastrophe the people looked for refuge in an oasis guarded by mountains and started a new life in this new paradise. The concept â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oasisâ&#x20AC;? is incorporated in the urban form of the project, the use of a canal and the aesthetics of the buildings.

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OASIS / COLLABORATION / URBAN DESIGN / EMPHASIS

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Site model

Site plan

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Model pictures, collaborative work with James Gallucci and Sofia Vizcaino

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Multi- media renderings

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The project â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oasisâ&#x20AC;? was a collaboration project of group Converge 3. The idea behind the project was to renew the experience at the site by using the different properties of water. This element was used in the canals as a means of transportation and motivating movement, at the entrance water walls to define the beginning of a new experience and provide comfort and as visual icons for direction and resting place. The concept was also the inspiration for the facade treatments of the gondola stations and parking structures. In conclusion this project was a new way of designing a site and a new experience of collaborative work between different departments of design.

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180 view of Sponsored Studio project: Oasis

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Water is an element of nature that either give life or destroy it.

The project Oasis was inspired by a story written by Janette Gregor that narrates the journey of a family that migrated after a great hurricane in Cuba. After a catastrophe the people looked for refuge in an oasis guarded by mountains and started a new life in this new paradise. The concept â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oasisâ&#x20AC;? is incorporated in the urban form of the project, the use of a canal and the aesthetics of the buildings.

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SAVANNAH MUSIC CONSERVATORY / THEATER DESIGN / ACCOUSTICS / VIEWS

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Media: Ink wash drawings

ART / PORTFOLIO

Media: Ink

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Architecture is more than art, it is a medium for transformation, social evolution and education.

Architecture transforms the physical and cultural aspects of a city. Architecture motivates social evolution by providing structures that celebrate values, education and progress. Architecture also educates the visitor by providing a new experience. The height of a cathedral ceiling, the proportions of a long corridor and the views from a skyscraper are some elements that make a building become architecture. After learning the architecture design process I plan to enhance my knowledge on architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with human behaviour and social changes. To design a structure that is beautiful and functional is excellent, however to design one that also transforms the visitor with the experience is my intent in architecture.

Media: Paper

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