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[G]onzalo J. Lopez//PORTFOLIO//
Architectural[M]ixtures
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[S]chool of Theater & Student Dormitory//LIVING THE ARTS//
Final Diploma Project//Barcelona School of Architecture// Prof. Alfred Linares//2009
[I] want to live in a House with Garden//DENSIFICATION//
Europan 11//CompetitionToulousse//2011
[T]he Stripe//SPREAD CENTER//
Klaksvik City Center//CompetitionKlaksvik//2012
[T]hree Projects//MECANOO.ARCH//
Mecanoo Architecten//Delft//2011-2012
[R]ecovering the City//BRINGING BACK//
VIZZION Europe Awards//H.MENTIONBarcelona//2009
[T]he Social Grid//LAYER THE GRID//
The Architectural League of NY Call for Ideas//PROJECT SELECTED TO BE EXHIBITED AT MCNY//New York//2011
[C]urrent TV Offices//BADESTAGECOX//
Bade Stageberg Cox//New York//2011-2012
[E]mergency Building 112 Reus//ACXTARCHITECT//
ACXT Architects//Barcelona//2008-2009
[T]he TypEvolution//WRITTEN IDEAS//
Acontecimientos Arquitectónicos//México//2013
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GJLPORTFOLIO
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LIVINGTHEARTS
[S]chool of Theater & Student Dormitory
Final Diploma Project //
Barcelona School of Architecture // Tampere University of Technology // HELSINKI [Finland]2009
[M]ixture 1
The project seeks to explore the big scale of a public building as a theatre is and the small and private scale of a housing program for students.
All mixed in one building inserted the urban fabric of Helsinki, a place with small tradition in communal student residences and in need of
protected public spaces due to the strong weather conditions.
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1. Hakaniemi Square. Market Building.
2. Helsinki. Site plan.
3. Site model.
The program defines clearly three parts inside the building; the THEATER, the CLASSROOMS and the
ROOMS for the students.From there comes the idea of create three
independent volumes easily recognizable, whose relationship comes through an “in between”
space, a big space that aims to continue the public space of the square inside the building at the same time that, through different levels, the
relationship between the volumes.
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1 2
1. Hakaniemi Square. Site Plan.
2. Concept Diagrams. The Process
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1
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1. General Plan.
2. Transverse Section.
3. Building model.
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Facade [F]F1. Corten Steel Plates. Thickness: 6mm F2. Metalic sub-estructure for the facade. Vertical girder. section 40x40 F3. Air SpaceF4. Prefabricates concrete panel with inner insulation.F5. Insulation. Thickness: 50mmF6. Metalic guideF7. Drilled corten Steel sliding window. Acts as solar protection. Thickness: 50mmF8. Aluminium Frames.F9. Corten Steel gutter.F1o. Anchoring piece.F11. Metalic sub-estructure for the facade. Horizontal grider. Section in Z.F12. Grille to close the facade. for ventilation.F13. Drilled Corten Steel folding shutter. Thickness: 50mm.F14. Drilled Corten Steel fixed shutter. Thickness: 50mm.F15. Rise of the facade, to keep the snow in the roof avoiding the risk of detachment.F16. Double Glass Climalit.
Roof [C]C1. Sheet gutter.C2. Empty metalic section. 70x40mm and 5mm thickness.C3. Concrete for the roof slopes.C4. Waterproof layer.C5. Polystyrene. Thickness: 40mmC6. Mortar Layer.C7. Structure_gutter. Omega shape, 100x50x25C8. Corten Steel Sheet. Thickness: 60mm.C9. Roof Support. waterproof wooden board.C10. Corrugated iron roof.
Pavements [P]P1. Insulation Layer. Thickness: 30mmP2. Waterproof layer.P3. Mortar Layer.P4. Water pipe.P5. Granite tiled floors.P6. Laminated wood floor.
False Roof [T]T1. Plasted sheet false roof with insulation.T2. Air conditiones pipes.T3. Platter for instalation pass.T4. Drain pipe.
Structure [E]E1. Concrete Structure.E2. Metallic structure. Roof support for the bedroom block.E3. Metallic Roof Truss made with tubular sections.E4. Corrugated Steel bar.
Foundations [M]M1. Waterproof layer, double.M2. Granulated filling, for water filtration.M3. Drain Tube.M4. Retaining wall.
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1. Detail of the Roof Structure.
2. Model of the Roof Structure.
3. Structural Calculation of a Portico.
Roof Structure [Dc]
Dc1. Upper metallic tube. Diameter: 175mm, thickness: 8mm Dc2. Vertical metallic tube. Diameter: 125mm, thickness: 6mmDc3. Diagonal metallic tube. Diameter: 125mm, thickness: 6mmDc4. Lower metallic tube. Diameter: 175mm, thickness: 8mm Dc5. Metallic profile. Joining the wooden boards to the thrusses. Dc6. Zinc Roof.Dc7. Roof support. waterproof wooden board.Dc8. Waterproof layer.Dc9. Corten Steel gutter.Dc1o. Air chamber.Dc11. Wooden crossbars to anchor the zinc plates.Dc12. Aluminium frames. Dc13. Neoprene elastic joint. Dc14. Zinc gutter.
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1. Section of the student room.
2. Plan of the student room.
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Student Room [Hs]
Hs1. Metallic railing. Hs2. Polished granite tile pavement. 450x200 mmHs3. Installations locker. Accesible from the common corridor, on locker every two rooms. Hs4. Dry wall. Pladur, 120 mm thick Hs5. Ceramic tile pavement. Hs6. Laminated wood pavement.Hs7. Special furniture. Along the walls, with closets, drawers and space for the bed, leaving the other wall free to optimize the space.Hs8. Drawer/seat. a resting space close to the window.Hs9. Folding table.Hs1o. Mirror wall.Hs11. Wooden self. Hs12. Hangers. Hs13. Ventilation duct. Hs14. False Roof with isolation.Hs15. Underfloor heating.
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1. Student rooms. Model
2. Student room. Inner elevation.
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[I] want to live in a House with Garden
Europan 11 //
Colaboration with // Diana Cristóbal//Tania Oramas//Belen Hernandez//
TOULOUSE [France]2011
DENSIFICATION
[M]ixture 2
The EUROPAN 11 objective was to create a new city habitat that is consistent with the concept of a sustainable city. Most of the surroundings of the site are single familly houses that do not generate
dense city.Would it be possible to mix the concept of the
single family house with a dense proposal?
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[P]ile Up [M]ove Up [J]oin Up
We apply a series of modifications to the typical suburban growth:
1. PILE UP. Increasing the number of housing units.2. MOVE UP. Relocating the green private spaces in the upper floors.3. JOIN UP. The open spaces in the street level are not closed, creating more common space.
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2 3 41
1. Housing Units.
2. Common Spaces.
3. Vertical cores.
4. Commercial Basement.
5. Access to the Houses.
6. Housing Units.
7. Solar Panels.
8. Accessible Roofs.
9. Stairs and elevators.
1o. Housing Blocks.
11. Common Gardens.
12. Offices + Hotel.
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5 6 7 8 9 1o 11 12
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1 2
1. Groundfloor Plan.
2. Different Typologies.
3. Modules.
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Following the three simple rules, we propose a typology of urban growth with a density similar to Toulousse city centre and with more green spaces than the existing suburban growths.
As a result, five different typologies are proposed, to reach a wide range of future inhabitants. They are combined to reach a high density fabric giving a new meening to the idea of having a single-family house with garden.
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[T]he Stripe
Klaksvik City Center Competition//
Colaboration with // Diana Cristóbal//Federica Russo//Nicolo Lewanski//
KLAKSVIK [Faroe Islands]2012
SPREADCENTRE
[M]ixture 3
The municipality of Klaksvik is looking for a Center to give a strong identity to the city.
The project proposes to mix the local elements on the landscape (The mountains and the sea) to em-
power their presence and make them the actual shaping agent for a new city center.
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The new center of Klaskvik should understand the genius loci of the city and be in relationship with
the main elements that configure the “spirit “ of the place: the mountains and the sea.
As a response to such an statement, the poposal is informed by the development of a band that
puts in direct relationship the highest and the lowest parts of the city. The band is situated in this
location because of the multiple opportunities that the section provides in this point and stimulates the
economic development of the port.
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1. Klaksvik. 30’s // Now
2. Intentions.
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1. Sailing Club.
2. Fishing Area.
3. Commercial Galleries.
4. Central Square.
5. Sea Museum outside exhibition.
6. Sea Museum Building.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1o
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Meeting Point .1 Cafe and Restaurant
Auditorium. 2
Cultural House. 3
Library. 4
Shops. 5
Transportation system. 6
Sailing Club. 7
Fiching Area. 8
Shops / Administration. 9
Sea Museum. 10
Climbing Wall. 11
Camping Area. 12
Clubs and Bars. 13
Tourist Info. 14
Ski Track. 15
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11 12 13 14
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6 87 1o9
1. Location of the Band
2. Densification of the Limits.
3. New entry for the city.
4. New links. Transportation.
5. Preservation of Green Spaces.
6. Interaction existing/proposed.
7. Compact three-polar intervention.
8. Cultural, Social & Sports.
9. Connection with the mountains.
1o. Future Housing densification.
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[3] Projects//[3] Countries//[3] Programs//
Mecanoo Architecten//
DELFT [The Netherlands]2011//2012
[M]ixture 4Projects while working as an Architect at Mecanoo
Architecten. Gave me the chance to learn from an International firm, with a wide scope of projects,
learning the Dutch design concepts and applying them in projects for the Netherlands, U.K. or China.
MECANOO.ARCH
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1. Site Plan.
2. Sketch of the Building.
The competition asks to join all the military museums spread throughout the country in one single location.
The proposal consists in two buildings, one SQUARE, TRANSPARENT and PUBLIC to host the entrance, library, shop, cafe and restaurant; and another one ROUND, CLOSED, PRIVATE to host the exhibition. Big objects as planes, tanks, weapons will be in exhibition. Those objects need a quiet and dark atmosphere, that is why the program of the building was so clearly separated.
National Military Museum [1]Soesterberg, The Netherlands
Competition, Third Prize
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1. Axonometric//Circulation.
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paltzer poort soesterbergnationaal militair museum
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materialen en details entreegebouw
glazen pui entree / publieke ruimten)
Door de transparantie van het publieke deel - met entree, KIC, museumrestaurant, informatiecentrum van het hart van de heuvelrug, ticketing en de museumwinkel - is het gebouw overzichtelijk, maar wordt ook het ernaast gelegen tentoonstellingsgebouw onderdeel van het entreegebouw.
doorsnede 1A
DOORSNEDE 1A DOORSNEDE 1B
8 8
DOORSNEDE 2 DOORSNEDE 3
G G
noordpijlschaal30-01-2012datum
tekeningonderdeelhoofdstuk
inschrijving 1e deel
schema
architectuur.interieur inrichting
dialoogfase 3
geveldoorsnedes
1:50 op A1
DO
OR
SN
EDE 1B
DOORSNEDE 2
DO
OR
SN
EDE 1A
DOORSNEDE 3
DOORSNEDE 1A DOORSNEDE 1B
8 8
DOORSNEDE 2 DOORSNEDE 3
G G
noordpijlschaal30-01-2012datum
tekeningonderdeelhoofdstuk
inschrijving 1e deel
schema
architectuur.interieur inrichting
dialoogfase 3
geveldoorsnedes
1:50 op A1
DO
OR
SN
EDE 1B
DOORSNEDE 2
DO
OR
SN
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DOORSNEDE 3
paltzer poort soesterbergnationaal militair museum
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DOORSNEDE 1A DOORSNEDE 1B
8 8
DOORSNEDE 2 DOORSNEDE 3
G G
noordpijlschaal30-01-2012datum
tekeningonderdeelhoofdstuk
inschrijving 1e deel
schema
architectuur.interieur inrichting
dialoogfase 3
geveldoorsnedes
1:50 op A1
DO
OR
SN
EDE 1B
DOORSNEDE 2
DO
OR
SN
EDE 1A
DOORSNEDE 3
doorsnede 2
3. a
rchi
tect
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doorsnede 1B doorsnede 3
Detail 11 Detail 12
detailleringarchitectuur.interieur inrichting
schema
dialoogfase 3inschrijving 1e deel
hoofdstuk tekeningonderdeel
datum30-01-2012
schaal1.10 op A3
noordpijl
2 3
1. Round Building Facade. Detail
2. Square Building Facade. Detail_1
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3. Square Building Facade. Detail_2
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香港中文大学(深圳)整体一期规划及建筑设计Master Plan and Phase One Construction of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK/SZ)
香港中文大学(深圳)整体一期规划及建筑设计Master Plan and Phase One Construction of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK/SZ)
6564
一层总平面 Ground Floor Master Plan 1:3000
地下总平面 Underground Master Plan 1:3000
下园 Lower Campus
通往启动区to start up zone
重外观与秩序main entrance
龙翔大道Longxiang rd
通往上园to upper campus
龙兴大道to Longxing rd
停车场ecarpark E(4500sqm)
停车场dcarpark D(6,000sqm)
停车场bcarpark B(8500sqm)
停车场acarpark A(10000 sqm)
停车场ccarpark C(15,000sqm)
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香港中文大学(深圳)整体一期规划及建筑设计Master Plan and Phase One Construction of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK/SZ)
香港中文大学(深圳)整体一期规划及建筑设计Master Plan and Phase One Construction of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK/SZ)
6564
一层总平面 Ground Floor Master Plan 1:3000
地下总平面 Underground Master Plan 1:3000
下园 Lower Campus
通往启动区to start up zone
重外观与秩序main entrance
龙翔大道Longxiang rd
通往上园to upper campus
龙兴大道to Longxing rd
停车场ecarpark E(4500sqm)
停车场dcarpark D(6,000sqm)
停车场bcarpark B(8500sqm)
停车场acarpark A(10000 sqm)
停车场ccarpark C(15,000sqm)
Chinese University of Hong Kong CUHK [2]Shenzhen, China
Competition, Second PrizeThe Chinese University of Hong Kong is renowned for its tradition of treating humanities at the core value of its
educational beliefs.
The university education acts as the main framework while the 4 colleges further branch off and complete the system
as a whole for a profound humanity education.
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1
1. Episode 1. Curiosity. Connection with the city.
2. Episode 2. Enlightenment. Culture for everybody.
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3. Episode 3. Propriety. A place for the students.
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香港中文大学(深圳)整体一期规划及建筑设计Master Plan and Phase One Construction of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK/SZ)
香港中文大学(深圳)整体一期规划及建筑设计Master Plan and Phase One Construction of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK/SZ)
5150
总体规划 Master Plan
书院与宿舍Colleges and Housing
功能分布 Funtional Layout
公共空间Public Facilities
大学设施University Facilities
现有启动区Existing Start Up Zone
本科学院 undergraduate college
研究生学院 postgraduate college
公共设施 public facilities
公共教育设施 public educational facilities
教职员宿舍 staff housing
大学基础设施 university facilities
地面停车 street level parking
地下停车 underground parking
地方公共交通 local public transport
校园交通环路 campus transport loop
到地铁站to Universia (2km)
到龙岗城市中心to Longgang city centre (5km)
到深圳to Shenzhen downtown (20km)
到东莞to Dongguan (20km)
地面停车 street level parking
地下停车 underground parking
地方公共交通 local public transport
校园交通环路 campus transport loop
到地铁站to Universia (2km)
到龙岗城市中心to Longgang city centre (5km)
到深圳to Shenzhen downtown (20km)
到东莞to Dongguan (20km)
自行车停车 bike parking
人行道 public pedestrian path
地方公共交通 public transport
校园交通环路 campus transport loop
大运上城生态脉络Dayun Uptown eco thread
到地铁站to Universia (2km)
到龙岗城市中心to Longgang city centre (5km)
P
P P
P
P
P
P P
P
P
P P
自行车停车 bike parking
人行道 public pedestrian path
地方公共交通 public transport
校园交通环路 campus transport loop
大运上城生态脉络Dayun Uptown eco thread
到地铁站to Universia (2km)
到龙岗城市中心to Longgang city centre (5km)
P
P P
P
P
P
P P
P
P
P P
车行流线 Vehicle Circulation
校园内部通过一个巨大的地下停车场解决停车问题.内部交通环路同时联系大运公园和港中大上下两个园区,同时允许龙岗社区和校园生活的进一步发展
Campus vehicle entries are serviced with a large underground network of parking spaces. A inner loop servicing the Dayun Natural Park and linkages to both campuses allow for increased interaction between the Longgang community and Campus life
人行和自行车流线Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation
校园设置自行车系统和教学设施所有底层公共空间步行体系统,系统贯穿学校和大运公园,形成一种新的休闲交通体系。下园的各个学院和教学设施通过一个高效亲切的公共空间体系相连接。
A system of bike parking located throughout the campus and Dayun Natural Park allows for a new kind of leisure possibilities. Colleges located through-out the lower campus are connected with a sustain-able friendly efficient network of public open space
2
1. Campus Master Plan. Axonometric view.
2. View of the entrance of the Library.
1
the urban challenge lies in making the two campus (lower and upper) function as one, benefit from
each other, and enable new extension to generate further change, growth and positive development in its adjacent areas. We established that the most
suitable response would be the “Campus 3.0” concept.
The concept is to reserve land for the next phase in development. We envisage that it will not only
grow on its own, but also sustainably expand alongside the future development of the municipal
center, to allow for different scenarios to happen for a flexible and suitable response to the future of
Longgang.
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Library of Birmingham [3]Birmingham, United Kingdom
Comission
INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROJECT
I took part in the Construction Phase, defining construction documents, working in interior layouts and going to construction site to check the status of the works.
1
1. Construction site. Interior.
2. Construction site. Facade Detail.
2
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[R]ecovering the City
VIZZION Europe Award//HONOURIFIC MENTION
Colaboration with // Diana Cristóbal//
BARCELONA [Spain]2009
BRINGINGBACK
[M]ixture 5A project for a wide range of users, from artists
to families and office spaces. In the heart of Barcelona’s old district, mixing traditional ways of
building with modern concepts of flexible space, in a search for a sustainable Architecture.
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1. Site Plan.
2. Housing plan. Block 1
1 2
3
3. Housing plan. Block 2
We understand that the energy effi ciency has to be achieved through values as orientation,
materials, construction, and using factors as sunlight, wind, rain water...
Because of that, orientation and ventilation became the main objective in the basic design.
Every apartment opens up to two opposite orientations, so that cross ventilation is possible. At
the same time, facade and roof play a key role on energy effi ciency, such as working with the facade
thickness for a different confi guration summer/winter, rain water collection and integrated solar
panels in the roof.
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Facade [F]F1. PVC Plate, fixed to the roof. thickness: 6mm F2. Sliding PVC plate thickness: 6mmF3. Metal guide for the PVC sliding plate. F4. Metallic Sub-structure to support the solar protection blinds. Section: 80x40mm F5. Metallic Sub-structure Section: 80x40mm F6. Anchoring piece.F7. Blind box. F8. Guide for the blind.F9. Aluminium frames.F1o. Glass Rail.F11. Metallic Rail.F12. Dry wall. thickness: 100mm F13. Isolation. thickness: 50mmF14. Local brick. thickness: 120mmF15. Paint to cover brick.F16. Metallic “L” shape to join concrete and sub-structure.F17. Dry wall with isolation.F18. Metallic edging.
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07 “RECOVERING THE CITY”
DETAILS
VIZZION Europe Awards
DETAIL 1_SUMMER 1:50
DETAIL 1_WINTER 1:50
DETAIL 2 1:50
Detalle 1
Detalle 2
THE DETAILS
In the details of both pacades (to the public square and to the inner street) we can go deeper in terms of energy
efficiency, showing how it works in different seasons or in the case of the roof.
07 “RECOVERING THE CITY”
DETAILS
VIZZION Europe Awards
DETAIL 1_SUMMER 1:50
DETAIL 1_WINTER 1:50
DETAIL 2 1:50
Detalle 1
Detalle 2
THE DETAILS
In the details of both pacades (to the public square and to the inner street) we can go deeper in terms of energy
efficiency, showing how it works in different seasons or in the case of the roof.
07 “RECOVERING THE CITY”
DETAILS
VIZZION Europe Awards
DETAIL 1_SUMMER 1:50
DETAIL 1_WINTER 1:50
DETAIL 2 1:50
Detalle 1
Detalle 2
THE DETAILS
In the details of both pacades (to the public square and to the inner street) we can go deeper in terms of energy
efficiency, showing how it works in different seasons or in the case of the roof.
07 “RECOVERING THE CITY”
DETAILS
VIZZION Europe Awards
DETAIL 1_SUMMER 1:50
DETAIL 1_WINTER 1:50
DETAIL 2 1:50
Detalle 1
Detalle 2
THE DETAILS
In the details of both pacades (to the public square and to the inner street) we can go deeper in terms of energy
efficiency, showing how it works in different seasons or in the case of the roof.
1. Back Facade. Summer Situation
2. Front Facade. Summer Situation
1 2
3
3. Back Facade. Winter Situation
4
4. Front Facade. Winter Situation
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[T]he Social Grid
The Architectural League of NY Call for Ideas//PROJECT SELECTED TO BE EXHIBITED AT MCNY
NEW YORK [US]2011
LAYERTHEGRID
[M]ixture 6How will Manhattan’s grid evolve in the future?
This project seeks to answer that question proposing an overlap mixing the current grid with a
new layer for pedestrian and bikes, aiming to call back spaces from the tall skyscrapers for public
use.
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1 2 3 4 5
1. Restaurant.
2. Vertical Connection.
3. Connection between the highest buildings.
4. Open-air cinema.
5. Footbridge for pedestrian and bikes.
6. Common Spaces.
7. Cafe.
8. Bike Parking.
9. Observation Deck.
1o. Retail.
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87 9 1o
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2
1. Evolution Diagram.
2. Outdoor Cinema.
1
The project proposes to overlay a series of vertical connection points, to develop an elevated infrastructure to communicate the different blocks of Manhattan. Is conceived as a “new layer” for the city, giving a second horizontal connection, something really necessary for a city that has grown tremendously in vertical as is New York.
The basic infrastructure, formed by vertical connections and footbridges, will start to act in the buildings where it passes by, generating a change of use and creating new spaces for social interaction.
The system will be based on pedestrian and bike movement, so is smooth and fast. It also gives the possibility to attach to it some kind of electric public transportation to make people movements even easier and faster.
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1. Bike Parking
2. Vertical connection
1 2
3
3. Building “infection”
4
4. Footbridge
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[C]urrent TV Offices
Bade Stageberg Cox Architecture//
NEW YORK [US]2010//2011
[M]ixture 7One of the projects I worked during my time at Bade
Stageberg Cox in New York, US. Working with the small scale for an office space, the conference room became an identity from wich the rest of the space is defined. The
most special piece is precisely the one in which people will gather and mix to discuss any office issue.
BADESTAGECOX
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[T]he Small Scale
The office is organized around an open plan that maximizes natural day-lighting throughout the space. Inspired by Current TV’s mission of providing a multiplicity of perspectives, the main conference room, with its angled openings, provides indirect lighting while maintaining privacy.
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ACXTARCHITECT
[E]mergency Building 112 Reus
ACXT Architects//FIRST LEED CERTIFIED BUIDLING IN SPAIN
BARCELONA [SPAIN]2008//2009
[M]ixture 8This project represents a new and centralized way of
organizing emergency systems. By gathering and mixing the different services in one building, efficiency gets
multiplied. There was an added chalenge, to get the first ever LEED Certification for a building in Spain.
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[A] New kind of Building
The Emergency Management Center 112 of Reus is a new type of operative building. In it we gather all the corps and organizations involved in the management of emergencies to give an efficient and coordinated answer.
The complex is insterted as an architectonic reference in a territory dominated by industrial and touristic landmarks. The measures taken in the field of sustainability and energy have given to be the first public facility in the country with LEED Certification.
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[T]he TypEvolution
Acontecimientos Arquitectónicos//Essay Competition//FIRST PRIZE
2013
[M]ixture 9The last of the Architectural Mixtures is about the role of an architect. Besides practice, I write and publish
critical texts about Architecture and Urbanism through a website: www.opensourceurbanism.wordpress.com.
I consider important to develop a solid theoretical knowledge at the same time than a practical one.
WRITTENIDEAS
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Is it possible to think about living in a home when you are young, another during your adulthood, and another when you grow old? I’m not talking about owning them, not even rent just one specific space; I am talking about a wider and more open housing system that enriches both the individuals and the city.
Our society is more diverse than ever, mobility is a concept increasingly present in our lives; it changes, evolves and creates very different profiles of citizens. Is Architecture, Urbanism or Real Estate Market responding to this situation?
Is it sustainable to buy a home when you are thirty years old, pay for it thirty more, and never move from it?
The current real state market responds to a model of individual who is increasingly scarce in our society. Average age, with family, a fixed job and a medium / high salary, which may allow for various reasons (economic, social, professional, etc…) to buy a home and pay for it for an excessively long period of time. What this text pretends is to propose an alternative, based on a more extensive analysis of population groups.
What does it mean for a person to grow older seeing how your needs are changing, but the architectural space around stays still?
Life expectancy has grown considerably. The oldest sector of population demands adaptable housing, and needs help with everyday tasks; is it a politics of dependence issue or Architecture has something to say?
If the property in which you have always lived could get a quick and easy adaptation to the needs, in terms of size, furnishings, accommodating extra people to take charge of their care, they would gain in quality of life and would enhance efficiency in the care of older people.
The same reasoning could be applied to the population group between twenty-five - thirty years. The model has changed quickly in a short time, due to the globalization and currently to the economic situation: high qualified profiles for precarious jobs and wages, mobility caused either by necessity or desire of experience in different cultures…
Is impossible to generate a demand that meets the expectations of the Real Estate Market the way it operates today.
Is the solution to keep waiting for the past situation to come back or it’s time to push for a change?
A change less based on land occupation and economical profit, and more user driven, responding to their heterogeneity. Instead of blocks of apartments we could talk about containers of habitable typologies, having
“Is it sustainable to buy a home when you are thirty years old,
pay for it thirty more, and never move from it?...”
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housing inside one building able to be adapted to the different range of age of the users, their culture and their needs.
This could be possible with a system that could be arranged in two ways, either the house is reconfigurable in time and the user remains there or the typology is static and what changes is the user.
the house is reconfigurable in time and the user remains there or the typology is static and what changes is the user.
The first option would allow more a management system based on private property, in which you own a house adaptable overtime. Likewise, it would enrich the heterogeneity of the community of users and the neighborhood in which is situated.
The second one would be based on a more flexible market, in the exchange of users and mobility (you would not necessarily own an specific house but being part of a “housing network”), option probably more applicable to our way of life, even though it would need a deeper reform in mentality and financial system.
It is important to realize that the present circumstances of our society are the best to bring about a change. In the current environment of financial crisis, and even political beliefs, is when it appears more strongly the need for an architecture, urbanism, an approach to the built environment as an active user, starting from the bottom, listening and responding to needs.
The time for big masterplan interventions is coming to an end; it is time to make the user aware of your living space, their neighborhood, their city. Conscious and responsible, open the source of a profession that today more than ever needs direct contact with social reality.
What this essay proposes is touching only one of the many areas in which to make a deeper thinking, but serves as an example of how the user and their demands can help shaping the future of our cities.
“This could be possible with a system that could be arranged
in two ways, either the house is reconfigurable in time and the user remains there or the
typology is static and what changes is the user.....”