Nathan Salas Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

Nathan Salas

(832)-808-0358 | nathansalas530@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/salasnathan

EDUCATION

Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, University of Houston, Houston, Texas

• Bachelor of Architecture

• Academic work selected for Prospectus publishing

• Store Manager officer for the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)

• Part of Dean’s list from 2021-2024

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, University of Houston, Houston, Texas

• Architecture Design Studio I - VIII

• Design Technology I - VI

• Architectural Construction Detailing

• Architectural Sketching

EXPERIENCE

Entrusted Contracting

• Skilled in stocking and arranging supplies to maintain workflow and organization.

• Experienced in performing equipment maintenance to ensure optimal functionality.

• Proficient in optimizing procedures to enhance overall production efficiency

May 2026

June 2019 - Present

• Committed to ensuring the effectiveness of mitigation strategies and operational improvements

Keeland Design & Fabrication Lab

• Operating fabrication equipment: CNC, laser cutters, 3D printers, and wood & metalworking tools.

• Provide guidance to students and staff on proper equipment use and safety protocols.

• Ensure precision & quality in fabrication projects through expert technical support.

• Schedule & coordinate machine use to maximize efficiency and accommodate high-demand periods.

ACTIVITIES

American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), Store Manager Officer

• Responsible for general management of the store including acquiring volunteers.

• Work with treasurer to buy supplies as needed according to budget.

• Keep and accurate store inventory and budget.

• Maintain relationships with suppliers.

SKILLS & CERTIFICATES

• Rhino

• Autocad

• Revit

• Adobe Illustrator

• Adobe InDesign

• Adobe Photoshop

• Adobe Lightroom

• Physical Modeling

• Sketching

May 2022 - Present June 2024 - Present

• Photography

• 3D Printing

• Bilingual

MOTION HALL 01

Location: Professor:

Typology:

Inspiration:

Software Used: Partner:

3350 W Dallas St, Houston, TX

Kevin Story

Performance Hall

Steven Holl, Alley Theater

Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite

Ashley Gonzalez

Motion Hall is a performance hall situated near Allen Parkway, thoughtfully designed to embrace the Buffalo Bayou views to the north and the vibrant surroundings to the south. The design concept emphasized transparency and connectivity, leading to the development of a curtain wall system. To address the challenge of harsh sunlight, we integrated a kinetic facade an innovative feature that functions as a shading element, enhances acoustics, and serves as a distinctive design element reflective of the building’s typology. Our design was inspired by a personal tour of the Alley Theatre in Downtown Houston, particularly its grand, welcoming circular lobby. Drawing from this, we created a performance hall with an open-span layout and soaring concrete structure Concrete was chosen not only for its durability and ability to achieve large spans but also for its acoustic properties. To balance the coolness of concrete, we introduced acoustic wood panels in the interior, infusing warmth and enhancing the auditory experience. Motion Hall embodies a harmonious blend of sustainability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, making it a landmark space for performance and community engagement.

Iteration Sketches

Concept Diagram

Kinetic Facade Study

WALKTHROUGH TERRACE VESTIBULE UNISEX RESTROOM

LEGEND

A/V ROOM BALCONY SEATING ADMIN SUITE CHECK-IN

LOUNGE IDF ROOM ELECTRICAL ROOM CONFERENCE ROOM COPY

VERTICAL VILLAGE 02

Location:

Professor:

Typology:

Inspiration:

Software Used: Partner:

3611 Montrose Blvd

Sam Clovis

Housing

Bruther, 3XN

Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite

Erada Zeynu

Our high-rise housing project reimagines vertical living by creating a “city within a tower”—a self-sustaining, interconnected environment that fosters community, accessibility, and natural integration. Designed as two interrelated towers, one is rotated strategically to optimize natural wind flow, enhancing passive cooling and ventilation while creating dynamic spatial relationships. The towers are connected through a network of exterior stair pathways, wrapping around the façade and linking various amenities scattered throughout the structure, encouraging outdoor movement and social interaction. Programmatically, the towers are divided based on unit types—one housing studio and one-bedroom units, the other containing two-bedroom units, with amenities tailored to each demographic. This approach ensures that shared spaces cater to the specific needs of the residents, creating a more engaging and functional living environment. By embedding a diverse range of amenities throughout the towers, rather than confining them to a single podium or top floor, the project promotes continuous activation of communal spaces across all levels. The design challenges the conventional high-rise typology by prioritizing openness, connectivity, and user experience, creating a vertical urban ecosystem that fosters a sense of belonging. This “city within a tower” offers a layered, multidimensional living experience, redefining the relationship between high-density housing and urban life.

Initial Iterations

Concept Sketches

Concept Diagram

03

Location:

Professor:

Typology:

Inspiration:

Software Used:

PLASTI-GARDEN OASIS

Brady Island, Houston, TX

Jose Roldan

Recycling Facility + Greenhouse

The Eden Project, Grimshaw Architects

Rhino, Grasshopper, Adobe Creative Suite

When I first thought about recycling, my mind automatically went towards, how can I make the world a greener space. This is further related to my site, as the site is pretty industrial and lacks a lot of greenery, which was something I wanted to change with my design. Firstly looking at the recycling aspect, I went with a building that follows a more circular/loop design, because to me, recycling is a process and a cycle that keeps repeating itself. And what better way to signify that than creating a recycling center where the process follows a circular flow? I focused my recycling on the recycling of plastics, which was delegated to us but I looked at it as a repurpose, by utilizing it as a shade cloth for my building. The shade cloth serves in part of a bigger purpose, which is my plus program. As mentioned before, I wanted to solve the greenery issue that Brady Island has, and I did this by including greenhouses as my plus one program. This in turn, would not only positively impact Brady Island by increasing the greenery count, but also allow the recycling center to provide a space for growing more greenery and would also work as a great communal space for the community in Brady Island. Overall, the design is truly engaging with the environment, and that is an aspect I wanted to push while forwardly thinking about how efficiently I can make the recycling center, which was solved through the loop system. I found that these were some of the ways I could help Brady Island while also creating a design that differs what a recycling center and greenhouse could look like.

Exploded Isometric

Technical Drawings, Photography + Sketching

KEY NOTE LEGEND

1 1/4” sheet copper standing-seam cladding sealing layer

1” perforated orientedstrand board

1.5” battens plastic sheeting

(1” wood-fibre slabs) mineral wool between 2/8” beams

vapour barrier

2” insulation/ battens

1/2” plasterboard

2 Double glazing in aluminium frame: 2x1/4” toughened glass

+ 3/4” cavity

3 6.25/8” lam. timber beam

4 9/40” lam. timber beam

5 1/2” pine boarding

6 2” timber bench

7 1” ash parquet

3” screed

9” polystyrene thermal insulation

10.5” reinforced concrete floor

8 steel I-column

8” deep

Combination Case Studies:

House in Cahuita Villa Verde

KEY NOTE LEGEND

1 Plastic-coated corrugated metal sheeting

2x2” wood battens

2x2” wood distance pieces in short lengths

Two-layer felt roof seal with aluminium foil

1x2” horizontal wood battens

1” multi-layer thermal insulation: wadding fleece/foamed material/ reflecting foil

Polythene sheet vapour barrier

1x6” tongued-and-grooved laurel boarding with staggered joints

2 Corrugated metal form piece at corner, bent to radius

3 2 2x16” laurel edge beams

4 2x8” laurel beams/studding (vertical and raking 10 degrees)

5 Plywood flooring

6 2x2” closing strip

7 1x1” aluminium angle

8 Insect Screen

9 2x8” column

10 Concrete pier

11 Footing

Photography

Architectural Sketching

Sketching

(832)-808-0358 | nathansalas530@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/salasnathan