Academic Projects
Here a quick show of some of my favorite academic projects that I have managed not to loose.
Transportation City
(La Ciudad del Transporte)
I could easily talk for hours about the multifaceted concept behind, as well as the various socio-economic ideas underpinning this proposal for the year 1996 in Caracas. After all, it represented a comprehensive thesis project that involved considerable research and detailed planning, and my actual university thesis. There was an entire theoretical framework meticulously laid out, which was complemented by well-defined urban design principles and meticulous engineering design practices that were essential to its realization.
Ultimately, I proposed a pivotal center, strategically situated in a specifically designated area of the city, which would serve as the central terminal for the newly envisioned train network on the east side of the city. Additionally, it would house the new bus terminal, facilitating long-distance trips toward the eastern regions of the country, alongside the terminal for the subway line, thereby enhancing overall connectivity of all land tranportation networks. In this location, I also envisioned a series of civic and commercial spaces, thoughtfully integrated and directly associated with this transportation hub.
Of course, the political and economic climate evolved far too rapidly following that proposal, but it facilitated an extensive exploration of transportation in all its diverse forms, along with the essential connections to engineering, architecture, and urban development that are crucial to understanding complex systems.
During my time at UC Berkeley, I had the privilege of traveling to Asia to engage with architecture, design, and diverse cultures. One of the most impactful experiences was working on a project in collaboration with the architecture faculty at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Our focus was on a traditional community of direct descendants of the original builders of the Summer Palace. These families were being relocated to modern apartment facilities, and our task was to ensure that their new homes respected the vernacular design of their historic courtyard residences (Hutongs) while honoring their cultural traditions.
The project involved a thorough analysis of the traditional Hutong communities, including their spatial organization, social interactions, and building materials. We sought to reinterpret these elements using modern engineering techniques, ensuring that the new development maintained the essence of the community's identity. Our assignment also focused on revitalizing underutilized urban spaces and fostering connections within the small community, ensuring that residents were actively involved in the redevelopment process and that the transition preserved their heritage.
China Studio
Green Mix-use Urban Towers in San Francisco
This was the comprehensive master thesis conducted during the 2003-04 academic year. It involved a thorough and extensive deep dive into the study and application of sustainability principles within the realms of construction, architecture, and urbanism, focusing on innovative materials and effective strategies. The culmination of this extensive research and analysis resulted in the conceptualization and schematic design together with an environmental impact study of a mixed-use, self-sufficient tower situated in the vibrant South of Market district in San Francisco, California.
