Historical Building and Urban Design —— Revitalizing Cádiz’s Waterfront with a Garden, Community Hub, and Underground Transport Infrastructure
Architecture Design —— A Community Gallery with Flowing Curves in Boyle Heights
Architecture and Urban Design —— Reimagining Brooklyn’s Industrial Legacy with a Professional Food Pantry, Community Kitchen, and Sustainable Residential Solutions
Architecture Design —— A pilgrimage temple on the peak of Yarochambo, where ancient Tibetan rituals guide the soul through purification and rebirth
Architecture and Urban Design —— Modern Living in a Historic Context, Integrating Pedestrian-Friendly Streets with High-Density and Mixed-Use Towers
Architecture Design —— A Mirror-Like Structure Combining Retail Above and Manufacturing Below
01 Bubble Oasis
UVA | ARCH 8010 | Fall 2024
Instructor: Ines Martin Robles
Individual work
Site: Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain
With the growth of tourism in Cádiz and the challenges from the epidemic, public space in the city has become more limited, especially green and sustainable leisure spaces. This project aims to transform an unused site in a university town into a community oasis that combines historical and modern functions. As an architect, the site's transformation should not only focus on its physical changes but also respond to the urban context and the needs of the community.
The University of Cádiz site is rich in history but its potential is underused due to empty buildings and squares occupied by cars. The centuries-old FIG trees surrounding the project are a symbol of nature and culture and should be the core of the site’s story.
The design focuses on adding green infrastructure while integrating flamenco art education, performance space, and residential areas. It aims to bring cultural vitality and ecological balance to the site through a cross-scale design. The design preserves historic buildings and gives them new cultural and educational functions, with Flamenco art at its center. It creates spaces for teaching, performance, community events, and beach services, while providing a green public space around the two century-old FIG trees, offering a unique combination of culture and ecology for residents and visitors.
COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
It is not only a landscape landmark but also a function-driven space. The underground bubble structure eases parking pressure while creating a shaded plaza with facilities and open spaces for the university. It also enhances urban infrastructure by improving the campus environment.
SERVICE CENTER
COMMUNITY BUBBLE GARDEN
The project benefits the community and beach, providing a shared space for residents and visitors. In tourist seasons, it functions as a cultural hub, linking the city to the sea. In non-tourist seasons, it supports community gatherings, crafts, and beach services, adapting to users' needs.
BUBBLE GARDEN
02 Bottleneck Canopy
UVA | ARCH 7020 | Spring 2024
The Boyle Heights Community Ceramic Gallery is an experimental project designed to explore new possibilities in construction. This project focuses on prefabricated components and modular assembly, aiming to push the boundaries of architectural practices.
Spanning approximately 37,000 sqm, the community center is divided into two main sections: the southern part primarily houses public exhibition spaces, while the northern section includes ceramic studios, office spaces, a library, and a rooftop terrace. The building's volume takes the form of clustered cylinders, influenced by three key factors: the surrounding circular historical music square and arc-shaped plaza paving; the functional context of a ceramic gallery, inspired by traditional kiln shapes; and the vibrant urban culture of Los Angeles, where flexibility and color are integral to the artistic expression.
Instructor: Peter Stec
Individual work
Site: Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California
EXPLODED AXON FACADE DETAILS
03 Urban Stir
UVA | ARCH 7010 | Fall 2023
Instructor: Ila Berman
Collaborator: Eleanor Ying Dedrick Site: South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York
Personal Involvement: Urban Fabric Research and Study:60%, Conceptual Design and Development (Residential Bars):50% , Digital Modeling:60%, Diagram:40%, Physical Modeling:40%, Rendering:100%
The connection between industrial areas and modern metropolitan zones, along with the resettlement and employment of residents, has consistently been a significant concern in urban renewal and development.
In the current context of the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY) in NewYork, there is an imminent need to address emerging challenges related to industrial space. This project is aims to revitalize the community surrounding BNY, while simultaneously creating more employment opportunities and providing additional affordable housing for the city.
The mixed-use complex strategically places industrial functionson lower levels to address environmental concerns and risingwater levels. The upper levels use a modular approach to facilitate the rapid construction of residential communities.
The project prioritizes naturallight for energy efficiency and incorporates facade louvers at specific angles. Volume adjustments in the residential portion are based on the winter solstice light angles, with extensive testing of three densityand angle configurations for the louver systems.
The growth of consumerism has led to the emergence of new consumption spaces and intensifying people's desire to consume. Some believethat purchasing power signifies access to social resources,reflecting one's social status.
Drawing from Jungian archetypes, individuals possess both a persona and a shadow. When beliefs such as 'I shop, therefore I exist' and 'Greater spending power means higher status' take hold, people shop excessively to conform, gradually eroding their individuality.
This project explores architectural typology to create diverse spaces,categorizing shopping patterns across different eras and extracting prototypes.The above-ground portion of the mall functions as a shopping center, while the mirrored underground serves as a factory. The project highlights how the intensification of the persona can diminish individuality in the absurd world of excessive consumption.
