Micaela Torres Portfolio

MICAELA TORRES

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO I 2024

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Transparent City | Spring 2024

Working in groups, our urban design project, located at the intersection of Mission Hill, Roxbury, and public housing, aims to create a student-focused space with a campus-like atmosphere. The concept, Transparent City, emphasizes visibility and community interaction, encouraging both “to see and be seen.” The design integrates public amenities with residences to foster inclusivity and vibrancy. A core principle is promoting safety and connectivity, achieved through architectural elements like clear sightlines and visual transparency.

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Urban Walk-Up Housing Design Proposal I Fall 2023

Residential project situated on the Northeastern campus, featuring four-story dormitory buildings. The core concept of this project revolves around nurturing a vibrant sense of com- munity within the campus environment. To achieve this, the design integrates communal spaces both inside and outside the building. This creates a sense of engagement and be- longing for residents.

Precedent Housing Analysis & Exploration | Quinta Monroy by Elemental

Architect Alejandro Aravena’s 2003 Elemental/Quinta Monroy housing project in Iquique, Chile, creatively addresses limited government subsidies by involving the community. Residents participate in constructing their concrete apartments, granting ownership and adaptability within budget constraints. Exterior Circulation

Analyzing Urban Form and

System in the Boston Area

Our mapping analysis of South Fenway (Northeastern Campus), conducted prior to my Urban Walk-up housing project, provided profound insights into Northeastern’s surrounding environment. Understanding factors such as proximity to highways and the characteristics of interior streets allowed for informed design decisions tailored to the specific context of the area.

Model Photos of Walk-Up Housing I Fall 2023

I created an exploded model to illustrate the spatial layout of the building. This approach highlights the distinct floors of my design, making it easier for viewers to identify different programs and manipulate each floor individually. By understanding the building’s structure and programmatic elements, viewers can grasp its functionality as a multifamily home.

Watchtower Project | Spring 2023

For my Spring 2023 Architectonics course, I designed a watchtower with an irregular roof and a wooden frame with an overhang. The project involved both conceptualizing the unique structure and creating a scaled model using wood. I focused on studying wooden building systems and developing supporting construction documents, gaining valuable hands-on experience with the complexities of wood construction.

Personal Work I 2022

This project I took on before college is a sculpture that symbolizes the countries I’ve called home—Peru and the US. Using laser cutting, I crafted the outlines of each country. Then, I went a step further, refining the shapes of individual cities or states, cutting them into multiple pieces. This hands-on process allowed me to play with these pieces, forming a piece that speaks to my dual identity as both an American and Peruvian.

Personal Work I 2022

The first project, “Staircase,” inspired by Picasso’s Blue Period, symbolized feelings of depression during my transition to a new home. Using colors to convey emotion, the staircase represented a downward emotional spiral. The second project, “Light,” captured the tension between sadness and hope. Through its curved forms, the project illustrated life’s changes and imperfections, ultimately conveying hope as I navigated the uncertainties of this transformative period.

micaelatorresraffo@gmail.com

+1.857.437.2333