In architecture I am able to find a space that alows me to explore the many different ways of inhabiting. It allows me to understand people and it lets me reflect about my day to day, about what makes us, us. In every project it was intended to evoke a sense of belonging in the space, wether it be public or private. The intention was to manifest the idea that in good design we can find a tool that other than creating beautiful landscapes or buildings, we can also create solutions and strategy for the problems we face everyday. To know how to propose a well designed space its to understand that every little detail has a meaning, every decision has a reason, and finally with all these we can relate to a sense of indentity that connects us personally.
Centro Galilea is a shelter that protects and takes care of homeless people and drug or alcohol addicts. It is one of the biggest facilities there is in Sonora, supporting the people that walks in with therapy, medical aid and education. Centro Galilea directives were looking to modifying the design of the facility with the objective of improving the quality of living of the people there.
For this project, one of the most important matters to look for was the budget and that the spaces where functional for diverse activities. This is why we opted for analyzing circulation systems, furniture placements and space distribution before even proposing materials or aesthetic lines. We realized that the initial distribution had trouble looking too pent, the natural lighting was not coming through because of the lack of windows, the artificial illuminations was not enough, the furniture was too heavy to be carried when needed for extra activities, and the ceilings were very low.
These type of facilities relly a lot on their enviornments to help improve the mental health state of the people living there, so it was important to transmit peacefullness and calmness through every choice made, from distribution to materials.
In the end, we proposed a monotone space, with only three different materials: clay, white cement and cedar wood. This would reduce the final budget and bring that sense of calmness we were looking for. The enclosed spaces were opened, letting natural light through and giving spaces for people to interact with each other, promoting a sense of community and belonging within the people sharing the same experience of living there.
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Fuji is a japanese izakaya-styled restaurant located underneath one of the newest apartment complexes in Guadalajara. The concept found inspiration in Hayao Miyazaki's beautiful landscapes and rooms, specifically from the movies Chihiro and Howl's moving castle. I wanted to aesthetically represent that harmonic clash between occidental styles like art nouveau and art decó with the rawness of japanese traditional homes. The experience needed to transmit the same friendly and fast vibe felt in Tokyo streets izakayas.
The main materials used for the proposal were natural stone and granite for the floor and kitchen countertops, wall and detail finishes on brass and teca wood, traditional paper doors and lamps, and stained glass.
The floor distribution required three main spaces: the bar and open kitchen, the close kitchen and the private tatami styled room. The designated space was long with almost 11 meters to the back, giving us space to distribute it vertically, where the public area was seen all from the entrance and the back would be completley hidden, giving the privacy needed away from the noise of the bar.
This quick evaluation project was for the intervention of an apartment in one of Mexico City's most beloved neighborhoods, Colonia Roma. The client was a orchestra director, mother of two daughters, who was moving to the city for work.
The concept found inspiration in motherhood and feminism, giving these three female individuals a space to connect with each other in a very vulnerable, but protected and sensitive space. I wanted to emphazise the love for music from the mother, interacting with the conext of the city and its everyday sounds, but also leaving room for the passions and likes of the daughters who would be growing to become their own.
The materials, decoration and furniture selections altogether were chosen with the mere purpose to adapt to the family's daily activities, as well as being acoustic and soundproof for their liking.
Through this analyzing project I was able to reflect about the city I live in and the spaces me, and many other women encounter every day. The main purpose of it was to understand how cities and their design are inherently patriarchal, from reduced or non existent sidewalks, to the lack of access to public spaces for mothers, and the influence that gender roles have on our day to day activities and managment of time.
After various interviews and surveys regarding women's day to day movements I made changes to improve the security and utility of these public spaces, giving access to faster and safer public transportation stations, parks and street lighting, sidewalks and bike lanes, and shared commercial, private and public spaces.
