PORTFOLIO

Pm a

I am originally from San Juan, where I performed my undergraduate studies in Environmental Design at the University of Puerto Rico. I was awarded a Graduate College Fellowship to perform a Master of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I discovered my curios-ity for the transformation of the built environment, my passion for research-based design and desire to explore the tangencies between architecture and art. This led me to further my academic studies at the Rhode Island School of Design where I was awarded the Presidents Scholar Award to perform a specialized degree in adaptive reuse (MA in Interior Architecture). It is with a strong knowledge in sustainability, sensitivity for the memory of buildings, interior interventions and installations, that I now pursue my professional career with a richer interdisciplinary awareness.

2012 Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Master of Arts in Interior Architecture.

Danish Institute of Study Abroad. Summer Study Abroad Program, Copenhagen.

2011 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Master of Architecture.

Technische Universitat Munchen, (TUM). Summer Study Abroad Program, Munich.

2009 University of Puerto Rico (UPR). Bachelor in Environmental Design.

Stanford University. Project Based Learning Program. Joint academic studio, California.

contact. more info.

e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. +1.787.462.2948website: http://monicaalicea.com

monica alicea.portfolio.

education. about.

fan-light-wall. Prototyping the domestic environmentdrawing. Perception and emotion

on light and lightness. Articulation and Tectonicswoven seating. From immaterial to material

reuse. interior.

architecture. urban.

art. fabrication.

strobe motion. Isla Grande Airport Terminalon typology. Four Square House Design

arquitecturas de agua. Urban Growth Porposal for the Cadiz Salinas land and water. New Ferry Terminal for Ho Chi Mihn Cityterrain detox. Redevelopment of the San Juan City Landfill

adaptive reuse in the midwest. The Round Barns of UIUCpumpehuset student hostel. Revitalizing an abandoned water pump facility

the jane pickens theater. Weaving the layers of history

fan-light-wall. Prototyping the domestic environmentdrawing. Perception and emotion

on light and lightness. Articulation and Tectonicswoven seating. From immaterial to material

1020353842

102035

20353842

reuse. interior.

architecture. urban.

art. fabrication.

Architecture/Urban

8echo the terminal as if the green plat-forms irradiate from the building. In-creasing height in some areas, this artificial landscape can hide parts of the program such as service, storage and loading dock. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and in-tends to avoid the use of columns, making each frame a giant beam in itself.

year: 2006location: San Juan, PR

size: 21,000 sq.ft.duration: 2 months

The proposal for the Isla Grande Air-port Terminal is based on the study of motion. The building tries to capture the progressive elevation of a plane and a mans journey from the entrance to the take off, just as a photographic frame would do it. To achieve this ef-fect, the shell of the building was de-signed as a series of concrete pieces allusive to the movement captured in stroboscopic photography. Artists like Muybridge and Marey were inspira-tion for the conceptual development.

The current terminal, dedicated to business and private filghts, is locat-ed in the historical site of San Juan, capital of P.R. Visually connected to the sea and other new architec-tural interventions, the approximately 20,000 sq.ft. proposed terminal, tries to become a formal icon and attraction to travelers. The program includes commercial establishments, restaurants and exterior plazas. The adjacent landscape was designed to

Architecture/Urban | 9

Isla Grande Airport Terminal, Puerto Rico

strobe motion

B.eD. Undergraduate Studio UPR

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Muybridges The Horse in Motion, 1878

Time could truly be made to stand still. Texture

sudden violent movement. -Marey can be retained despite


longitudinal section

concept development: study of motion

10

10

5 50

site plan

ground floor plan

1. drop-off2. reception3. cafe kitchen4. exterior cafe5. offices6. store7. baggage claim8. staff lounge9. restaurant10. security11. gate

1

2

3

4

5

7

6

8

8

9

1110


10

50

100

200

10

5 50

100FT

FT

14

The Four Square House design exer-cise proposes the integration of He-jduks 9 square grid problem into a hypothetical garden city block of 36mx36m. This proposal considers the grid as a flexible tissue, a mem-brane, capable of being manipu-lated. This interpretation allows for a study of conditions of densifica-tion and permeability that, diagram-matically, establish parameters for spatial structure, form and proximity.

These explorations respond to social interaction dynamics, such as levels of sociability and activity, and inform the levels of exposure of each house and the desirable visual relationships with-in the block. Using models or stereo-types for different life stages, new pro-grammatic integrations to each house are established: office, study or com-merce. The garden city is reinterpreted through the use of green roofs in dif-ferent levels, creating a topographic illusion and a connection with nature.

year: 2008location: n/a



Four Square House Design

on typology

Shinkenchiku Residential Design Competition

AA

BB

roof level 286

second level 200

ground level 00

rst level 100

roof level 286

second level 200

ground level 00

rst level 100

pattern overlap

concept site model section A

site constraints

Subtle mechanisms in the relationshipsare observed and must be addressed withtypological explanations- Rafael Moneo

16

10

5

1

20FT

AA

BB

roof level 286

second level 200

ground level 00

rst level 100

roof level 286

second level 200

ground level 00

rst level 100

ground floor plan A A Afirst level floor plan second level floor plan


FT10 40

20 80FT

10 40

20 80FT

10 40

20 80

3

18M

36

permeability

artificial landscape

single resident/handicappedelderly couple/ commercial spacestudio/single familylarge family/small family+officepermanent commercial spacepublic space

programmatic elements in the block

section detail of building skin

3IN

6

12

24

18

section detail of building skin


20

The design proposes a solution of permeable urban growth on the marsh to encourage the interconnec-tions between it and the people of San Fernando. The marshes would be preserved and reactivated, not for production, but as an urban park and recreation area for people. Just as production was generated with the existing media, the city would grow into the marshes. A new layer is added to an already fascinating ecosystem, not imposing but follow-ing the rules of what is underlying.

Arquitecturas de Agua introduces us to an experimental field where water appears in different ways as-sociated with the vital construction of architecture and the medium that provides the formal conditions to de-fine it. The site chosen for the proj-ect is the Bay of Cadiz in southern Spain. An area that changes its ap-pearance fluctuating with the tides of the Atlantic Ocean and home to water, salt and two towns, San Fer-nando and Chiclana de la Frontera.

This project works specifically in the urban border of San Fernando and its relationship with the marshes. The current urban boundary is a ring road still unfinished, with the presence of new buildings of medium height, some fishermens cottages and empty and abandoned defensive batter-ies, tailings and tidal mills. This ring road clearly delimits the town of San Fernando with the marsh, two op-posing views with few relationships.

year: 2010location: Cadiz, Spainsize: 1,550,000 sq.m.

duration: 3 months


Urban growth proposal for San Fernando, Cadiz

arquitecturas de agua

Study Abroad at TUM, Munich

How can two elementsin contiguity communicateby the exchange of properties?

San Fernando, Cadiz, Spain

Salt production in San Fernando: historic depiction

active saltworkssalt marshesaquicultural instalations

Active and non-active saltworks in the Cadiz Bay

Cadiz maritime limit

Proposed border disolution between San Fernando City and the salt marsh ecosystem

San Fernando salt marshsalt marsh

Existing city section: A city that ignores the ecosystem that surrounds it

housingmixed-useschools/elderly homesgovernment/institutionalreligiousunder constructioncommercialpublic

existing ring road

existing uses

salt marsh

22

M100

500

1000

recreation

flora sightseeingfauna sightseeing

limonium medicago marinaromuleacarpobroto

caledris alpinatringa ochropusegretta garzetta

agriturismmud bathscycling

Active and non-active saltworks in the Cadiz Bay

Existing city section: A city that ignores the ecosystem that surrounds it

water watermud flooding zonespathways muderoded terrain shaded areasflood zones vegetation type 1vegetation vegetation type 2saltwork houses vegetation type 3san fernando city

san fernando citysaltwork houses

existing salt marsh condition transformed condition

Existing view of ring road dividing the built and the natural landscape

Inspiration: Joseph Beuys, Lemon Light, 1969Architecture/Urban | 23

M100

500

1000M

100

500

1000

existing transit

domestic embarcation route

urban development areashorseback riding

new market

new pathwaysnew vehicular roads

embarcations route flora/fauna sightseeingaqua sports route new port and public area

open amphitheater

aqua sports area

new layers of urban park

existing salt evaporation pond

transportation and empty channels

new uses (refer to p.22)

urban development

transformation of landscape

Possible urban development over former salt evaporation ponds24

M20

10

5

M40

20

10

M40

20

10

M40

20

10

urban developmentphase 1

master plan

View of transformed city border

Living BELOW the salt landscape

Section

Section

Plan

Plan

Living OVER the salt landscapephase 1


M100

500

1000

100M

50

25

26

within the landscape they are part of.

The structural concept is based on lightness, detracting attention from the structure to make the experience with the water the focus of travel. An interplay between mass and water and variation in the degrees of proximity and types of senso-rial experiences intends to gener-ate a more intimate relationship be-tween the passenger and the site.

The design of a Ferry terminal for Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon City) in Viet-nam was preceded by an analysis and urban reconfiguration of the wa-terfront. The organization of the water-front was planned with the intention of allowing pedestrian access and revi-talizing nodes within the urban fabric. The border had a central role in the development of the concept for the terminal. The ferry terminal was de-termined to be located in what origi-nally was an island, an abandoned shipyard in the upper part of the wa-terfront area. This area is adjacent to the greenest area of the city: the zoo.

The proposed ferry terminal for Ho Chi Mihn City originates from the idea of exploring a new and contigu-ous relationship between surface and water. For this reason, the terminal is not conceived as an enclosed ob-ject or a visual icon, but more as a series of pieces that subtly rise from the water and are almost concealed

year: 2010location: Cadiz, Spain

size: 25,000 sq.m.duration: 4 months


New Ferry Terminal for Ho chi Mihn City

land and water

M.Arch. Graduate Studio UIUC

Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam

precipitation:torrential rains caused by monsoon

maximum temperatures: can reach 95 F

average temperature: 80-85F

relative humidity: very humid cilmate

Rain is taken as a starting point for thedevelopment of a new and contiguous relationship

between land, water and man.

28

density transition node connection new urban configuration

former shipyard : selected as ideal location for transporta-tion hub

residential/commercial area: reconfigured to artculate node within fabric (medium density)

historic/ cultural quarter: structures are preserverd and new ones limited to a 25 m cap

commercial/economic hub: highrise bldgs.

city zoo: largest green area in the city adjacent to new development


M200

100 500

1000

1. plaza (pedestrian access)2. parking

3. lobby and access to subway station below

3. bus drop-off4. concourse (open)

5. restaurant6. water-taxi terminal (cafe,

services, waiting area)7. security offices

8. arrivals(gift shops)

9. ferry terminal (loading dock, shops, services, waiting

area)10. access to boats

11. ticketing12. cafe

13. navigation center14.ferry terminal restaurant

15. cyber-cafe

ground floor plan

2

1

3

4 5

6

78

9

10

10

B

A

30M

10

3 50 100

Traslucid shafts collect rainwater and act as a visual and au-ditive ammenity. Flowing rainwater is released to a pond and later to the river. Still water, streaming water and falling water

are used to evoque unique phenomenological experiences.

second level floor plan

section A

11 1312

14

15

BB

AA


M10

3 50 100

M101

3 25

section B

typical detail

projecting roof appears light with a slanted profile

and minimizes sun exposure

corrosion resistant steel tube section columns are

in charge of structural support

partially operabe curtain wall

allows warm air exhaust

load uniformly spread on piled raft foundation

hidden shafts and hvac systems

75-solar altitude june 21st

M1

3.5

.25

32

M101

3 50

section B

typical detail


34

cation technology for waste disposal. The plant would potentially start op-eration with the economical support of pharmaceutical companies, which need to process toxic waste and could benefit from this new technology. This plant would not only support the ef-fort to improve the islands waste and energy crisis, but it will dispose of the waste that will be recovered from the opening of the SJ. landfill. The plant will be designed to process 4,000 tons per day of MSW and it is esti-mated that it could produce 160MW of energy a day. Additionally, the fa-cility would incluide an engineered wetland to process the leach-ate from the landfill. It is expect-ed that after an approximatelyTwenty year process, the site could becompletely clean and the void could become and extended natu-ral wetland and public amenity.

Puerto Ricos dependence on foreign oil has become the greatest obstacle to the Islands economic develop-ment and ability to compete globally. Additionally, the Governor of Puer-to Rico declared a state of emergency in relation to the waste disposal crisis in the island. Currently, the island is dependent of 22 landfills but it is expected that in 2030 only 8 landfills will be taking care of the islands solid waste. The Authority of Solid Waste indicated that PR needs to augment the recycling of solid waste from 13% to 35% to be able to handle the volume that the island is producing and avoid millionaire fines.

Officially closed in December of 2000 after nearly 50 years of op-eration, the San Juan city landfill is one of the more scenic pieces of real estate in the metropolitan area. Considering the waste crisis in the island and taking an oppor-tunity to receive funding from the

tunity to receive funding from the recently implemented American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the proposal for re-developing this property takes the solid waste crisis as the starting point for a new and re-newable industry. An urban void in a centralized location has the potential to become a knot that reconfigures the encounter of a collage of spontaneous-ly and unplanned set of urban fabrics.

The reutilization of the San Juan land-fill for the generation of renewable energy becomes a starting point to not only turn waste-space into a production-space, but an opportu-nity to reconfigure an unplanned, spontaneously generated and dis-connected urban fabric using a centralized location to attract atten-tion to the islands energetic crisis.

An Eco-Industrial Park would include a renewable energy and material re-covery plant that uses plasma gasifi-

year: 2011location: San Juan, Puerto Rico

size: 30,000,000 sq.ft.duration: 4 months


Redevelopment of the San Juan City Landfill

terrain detox

Investigation project , M.Arch. UIUC.

Collaborator: C. Rodriguez

maritime

pedestrian/park

vehicular

landfill

golf course

mangroveferry boat/cruise docks

exist

ing

prop

osed

landfill

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

NOX SO2 PM

31.05

94.6

9 6.3

17.15.3

GasificationIncinerationLandfill

54

65

toxic emmisions by waste disposal medium

waste generation per capita

Puerto Rico

USA

Germany

5.6 lb/person/day

4.6 lb/person/day

3.9 lb/person/day

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

NOX SO2 PM

31.05

94.6

9 6.3

17.15.3

GasificationIncinerationLandfill

54

65

toxic emmisions by waste disposal medium

waste generation per capita

Puerto Rico

USA

Germany

5.6 lb/person/day

4.6 lb/person/day

3.9 lb/person/day

site: San Juan City landfill data: unemployment rate in PR vs USA

persons per km2

proposed site connectivity


toxic emissions by disposal medium

waste generation per capita36

M500

1000 4000

2000

149,027

HUMACAO

15,784

696,433

ISABELA

FAJARDO

SALINA

PONCE

YAUCO

JUNCOS

154,023

136,574 283,277

132,619

NEW PENUELA

183,826

VIEQUES

63,211

177,835

HUMACAO

18,417

56,919

298,401

82,169

97,528

14,820

12,501

1,094,912

AGUADILLA

ISABELLA

MOCA

ARECIBOVEGA BAJA CAROLINA

FAJARDO

GUAYAMA

SALINA

JUANA DIAZ

PONCE

PENUELA

JAYUYA

YAUCO

LAJAS

HORMIGUEROS

MAYAGUEZ

CABO ROJO

JUNCOS

255,990

10,597

13,040 44,707

159,580

45,228

22,768

99,763 338,036

124,187

143,436

AASCO

33,737

NEW PENUELA

population density

available landfills 2010available landfills in 2030

allergan

abbott

johnson and johnson

pzer merck

bristol-myers

bristol-myers

bristol-myers abbottabbott

amgen

astrazeneca

aventis

baxter

becton dickinson

becton dickinson

biovailcardinal health

ceph intl

glaxoivax

mova

mutchler

mylan

novartisp&g

Schering-Plough

wyeth

wyeth

watsonicn

monsanto

faulding pharmacia

Schering-Plough

american home products

searle

pzer

eli lilly

18% of the pharmaceutical products in the US are manufactured in PR

$27,43 billions$61,90 billions$30,76 billions

$50,01 billions

$18,81 billions

15% of the jobs in the island $12.29/hr

$16.42/hr

pharmaceutical companies

t o p s o i l

c o m p a c t e d c l a y

g r a v e l o r s a n d l a y e r

l e a c h a t e c o l l e c t i o n p i p e

c l a y l i n e r

c o m p a c t e d s o i l

w a s t e

g a s e x t r a c t i o n p i p e

149,027

HUMACAO

15,784

696,433

ISABELA

FAJARDO

SALINA

PONCE

YAUCO

JUNCOS

154,023

136,574 283,277

132,619

NEW PENUELA

183,826

VIEQUES

63,211

177,835

HUMACAO

18,417

56,919

298,401

82,169

97,528

14,820

12,501

1,094,912

AGUADILLA

ISABELLA

MOCA

ARECIBOVEGA BAJA CAROLINA

FAJARDO

GUAYAMA

SALINA

JUANA DIAZ

PONCE

PENUELA

JAYUYA

YAUCO

LAJAS

HORMIGUEROS

MAYAGUEZ

CABO ROJO

JUNCOS

255,990

10,597

13,040 44,707

159,580

45,228

22,768

99,763 338,036

124,187

143,436

AASCO

33,737

NEW PENUELA

population density

available landfills 2010available landfills in 2030

available landfills in 2010

toxic waste generation: data of pharmaceutical companies in the island

available ladfills in 2030

population density

San Juan (capital)

1,000 2,000 5,000persons per km2 500

The process of opening up thelandfill and converting the waste into

energy would be part of transformation of the site into a public use.

(waste- tons/yr)

(waste- tons/yr)

active landfill

non-active landfill


KM10 50

20

BRISE SOLEIL functions as a odor control device for landfill opening period

20412015Use of methane from landfill as energy source for the construction of a plasma arc waste to energy plant

Waste excavation and construction of a material recovery center

Landfill site completely clean and MRC used to receive outside waste from adjacent municipalities

2020

WIND

STAGE 1: BUILDING COMPLETELY ENCLOSED

LEACHATE

FLOATING AND EMERGENT PLANTS

SUBMERGED GROWTH PLANTS

PLASTIC MEMBRANE

TREATED WATER

OXYGEN TRANSFER TO ROOT LEACHATE



PLASTIC MEMBRANE

TREATED WATER

OXYGEN TRANSFER TO ROOT

BRISE SOLEIL functions as a water mist sprayer and helps cool down the building with the help of natural ventilation

STAGE 2: BUILDING IS OPEN

LANDFILL

LANDFILL VOID=NEW WETLAND

TRADE WINDS E-NE





2020

WIND


LEACHATE



PLASTIC MEMBRANE

TREATED WATER




PLASTIC MEMBRANE

TREATED WATER




LANDFILL


TRADE WINDS E-NE





2020

WIND


LEACHATE



PLASTIC MEMBRANE

TREATED WATER




PLASTIC MEMBRANE

TREATED WATER




LANDFILL


TRADE WINDS E-NE

Was

te p

roce

ssin

gTransformation of the enclosure

Site section in 2020 (A): Opening the landfill38

site plan 2041

tipping floor

material recovery center

recovered material storages

visitors center

plasma arc facility

distilled water storage

syngas storage

interior view of water storage

floor plan and north-west elevation

Transformation of the enclosure

Site section in 2020 (A): Opening the landfill

C

A B


FT50 250

10 100

FT100

250 1000

500

site selection criteria for waste to energy facilities

waste to energy process

building circulation analysis

waste

leachate treatment

160 MW energy/day

4,000 tons/day

visitors

Building section (C)

tipping floor

material recovery center

material storages

40

FT25050

10 100

syngas

water

plasma arc facility

Site section in 2041(B): Landfill site completely clean and facility used to process waste from adjacent municipalities


Reuse/Interior

44

vantage of the sloped site to accom-modate the new building, allowing for an innovative and radical new design without destroying the special character of the Round Barns site.

The form of the new addition was determined using radial guidelines that irradiate from each circular struc-ture in plan. As well, the structural concept for the new building was based on the existing barns con-struction method as balloon-frame structures. The use of exposed engi-neered wood beams would allow for large spans and a shape variation would allow for a dynamic journey.The exterior would expose a metal shingle roof allusive to the shingles of the barns, making the addition more compatible with the historic site.

The three Round Barns of the Univer-sity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, built between 1907 and 1913, were used as a teaching tool dem-onstrating the efficiency of round structures in dairy production and food storage. Being part of an ag-ricultural station, the round barns influenced farming and promoted round barn design throughout the state of Illinois and the Midwest.

Today they are part of the Na-tional Register but are not in use.The main design intention consists on building a new agricultural museum that can return the barns to its pur-pose as a teaching tool and provide profit for UIUC. An addition would serve as a connector that would in-tegrate the whole complex. The strat-egy consists on enhancing the view of the round barns from the south side and preserving the historical iconic image of the north view of the site. The concept is based on taking ad-

year: 2009location: Champaign, Illinois


Reuse/Interior | 45

The Historic Round Barns of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Chapaign

preservation and adaptation

M.Arch. Graduate Studio UIUC

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Can we preservethe historic view and make a cutting-edgenew intervention?

site transformation

NS

concept sketches

site

46

FT200 1000

100 500

Urbana, Illinois, USA

north view unaffected: hidden new intervention

1

2

3

Current conditions of the Round Barns site (2009)

site

Reuse/Interior | 47

NW WIND

barn no.3: restaurant

barn no.2: auditorium barn no.1: illini welcome center

new addition: agricultural museum

the green wall

amphitheater

stables

SUMMER SUN 74

B

48

barn no.1: illini welcome center

BB

A

C

A

C

section A

ground floor plan

Reuse/Interior | 49

FT10 50

30 100

FT10 50

305

longitudinal section10 20 50 100

1.5 drywall

1.5 drywall

new stud wall with added insulation:6 of recycled denim, R=3.0 per inch

existing envelope with added insulation:6 of recycled denim, R=3.0 per inch

existing exterior clapboard

existing concrete slab

SeriousWindows(Dual Pane filled with Argon)commercial awningU= .22 R=4.8 VLT= .47 SHGC= .40

3.5 of waxed screed

radiant flooring

pvc membrane

4 Polyso-cianurateinsulation R=6.3

summer 74 spring 50

winter 26

conditioned spaceVAV box (variable air volume)AHU (air handing unit)ERV (energy recovery ventilator) fresh air supply supply return natural ventilation hot air (stack effect)

conditioned spacewellswater source heat pumpbackup boiler supply for radiant flooring

natural ventilation and cooling

barn no.3 energy retrofit

heating

section C

section C

section B50

IN61 24

123

FT10 50

30 100

FT101

5

30

FT101

5

30

summer 74 spring 50

winter 26

natural ventilation and cooling

heating

section C

section C

section BReuse/Interior | 51

52

An abandoned water pump facil-ity located at the heart of the old city quarters in Copenhagen was adapted into a youth hostel for 100 people. The unique qualities of the building as found; a dark space com-plimented by strokes of light from a broken down ceiling; became the inspiration elements for the new de-sign. Natural light, being such an important element in Scandinavian design (because of the lack of it during most of the year), was to be provided in every room. Three main strategies were followed: stripping down the building to its main structur-al bones, opening light shafts in the ceiling and making sure the new ele-ments would be recognizable as vol-umes floating within the old structure.

year: 2011location: Copenhagen, Denmark-

size: 1,300 sq.m.duration: 3 weeks

Reuse/Interior | 53

Revitalizing an abandoned water pump facility

pumpehuset student hostel

Study Abroad at DIS, Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

how can we bringlight into the building while makingan efficient use of the interior

space?

site plan current site conditions

B

54

M10

5 50

section A

floor plan third levelfloor plan second level

floor plan ground level

Program (occupation 100 persons)

1. Toilets and showers2. Dinning hall3. Kitchen4. Lounge space5. Bar6. Pond (to observation deck)7. Outdoor terrace8. Readind Area9. Rooms

B 2

4

1

56

8

7

7

76

5 2

9

9

9 9

3

A

1

Reuse/Interior | 55

M1 10

3

20

M1 10

3

20

M1 10

3

20

M3.5

1

10

Photographs of existing conditions:The quality and expression of light coming into the dark space was emulated in the architectural design

south elevation

section B

99

2

56

M51

10

20

M3.5

1

10

Reuse/Interior | 57

58

elements mediate between the static and the moved, and are clearly distin-guishable. The theater is understood as a whole that can be subdivided, contracted or expanded for separate functions according to daytime and nighttime activities. The new and al-tered building should be understood in all of its layers, from the voids that evoke the destroyed classical por-tico to the existing structure and the new fabric, making evident the past, present and future of the building.

The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Cen-ter is the center for film and cultural hap-penings in the Newport area. Built as the Zion Episcopal Church in 1834, the Pickens has operated as a theater since 1923 and is one of the oldest theater buildings in America. It was designed by Russel Warren, architect of the Arcade in Providence, RI, which is said to be the first mall of America.

The new adaptation design intends to recover the historic layers of the build-ing by conceptually and physically interweaving them. The idea of shift-ing is used as a strategy to allow for this interweaving to become a spatial phenomenon. Existing classical ele-ments, such as the windows and pilas-ters are cut and shifted. Voids are re-vealed as a window to the past, while exterior elements are not removed but become part of the interior interven-tion. The shifted elements are carefully placed to allow for entrances or to demarcate room divisions while new

year: 2012location: Newport, RI


Reuse/Interior | 59

Weaving the layers of history

jane pickens theater

Final degree project M.A. Interior Architecture RISD

_analysis of existing site uses [who are the potential users?]

janes pickens theatereducationalbars/nightlifecommercialculturalparks

potential nightime userspotential daytime/evening userspotential daytime users

_analysis of existing site uses [who are the potential users?]

janes pickens theatereducationalbars/nightlifecommercialculturalparks

potential nightime userspotential daytime/evening userspotential daytime users

jane pickens theatereducationalbars/nightlifecommercialculturalparks

potential daytime userspotential daytime/evening userspotential nighttime users

Newport, RI

1835 201219661926

Is it possible to, conceptually and physically,

interweave the historic layers of the building?

site and uses

60

FT100 500

300

layer 1: church selective shifting of partsoverlapped layerslayer 2: theater

AMconfiguration 1: full theater/childrens classes/gallery

AM/PMconfiguration 2: separate theaters/gallery

PMconfiguration 3: all spaces are joined for a night lounge

full capacity cinema

available cinema screens

programmatic configurations

secondary small cinemaperformance theaterchildrens theater classroomnight loungegallery

9 12 15 18 21 24 27

9 12 15 18 21 24 27

cinema gallery

kids workshops

performance space

seating area

lounge

bar

prog

ram

(adj

acen

cies

and

mag

nitu

de)

use

inte

nsity

hours of day

hours of day

use

inte

nsity

program

structure=cinema

weaved surfaces=new program

Reuse/Interior | 61

existing plan and section

preservation attitude

parti (plan and section)

existing portion of wall,cut and shifted into the interior

continuously hinged panel acoustic wall partition

motorized rolling screen

drop seal

concept sktech: bi-directional theater62

FT1 10

5 30

ground floor plan second floor plan

section A

view showing transition from theater to night loungeA

B B

A

Reuse/Interior | 63

FT1 10

5 30

fold-down chairs ontop of scissor lifts

allow for day/nightprogrammatictransformation

acoustic insulation barrier

acoustic hinged panel wall

seating detailsection B

acoustic hinged panel wall details

panel joint

track system

drop seal

64

FT1 10

5 30

IN3 12

6

IN12

486

seating detail

view of night lounge

Reuse/Interior | 65

Art/Fabrication

68

The cube is an exploration of light, articulations and the proper-ties of materiality. It is composed of acrylic pieces that were cut in the band saw and drilled to allowbent metal rods to connect the pieces. No glue was used on the piece. It is a testimony on the qualities of light and a play of structural bal-ance and appearance of lightness.

year: 2006location: n/asize: 1x1x1

duration: 2 weeks

Art/Fabrication | 69

Articulation and tectonics

on light and lightness

B.eD. Undergraduate Studio UPR

72

This selection of drawings inclu-ides abstraction and documenta-tion of space, nature and the hu-man body. They were performed in various settings in Puerto Rico, incluiding the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, and the Universidad del Turabo in Caguas.

year: 2006/2007location: Puerto Rico

size: 24x36duration: n/a


Perception and emotion

drawing

Selection of hand-made drawings in charcoal and ink

76

The design concept responded to the ideal of achieving a seating device that could be as lightweight as pos-sible while still being functional. The chair is made from 3/4 plywood that was cut in the table saw, lami-nated in three layers and joined by sections to create two frames. As part of the design concept, it was impor-tant that the frames would hold the weight of a person without having any vertical supports in the middle. The frames were drilled multiple times and joined by wood dowels. Finally, the wood was sanded and painted and the frames were wo-ven together with yarn. The weaving process took 9 hours and, although the string trajectories were designed, it became a very intuitive process.


size: 510x33x22duration: 4 weeks


From immaterial to material: design and fabrication

woven seating

M.A. Interior Architecture RISD

Is it possible to make a strutural loop without the need

projected inflection: weight applieddictated the need for triple lamination and joint reinforcement

of internal supports?

process

78

process


80

Fan-Light-Wall is a multi-functional and kinetic piece of furniture ex-hibited at the Salone Satellite in the 2012 Milan Furniture Fair.

The project takes a typical domestic object and abstracts it towards the development of a spatial element. The ceiling fan was chosen and ab-stracted through a process of formal transformations and converted into modules that when interconnected become a lamp and wall partition. Metal fins are moveable and offer the possibility to control privacy and dif-fuse or direct light. The wall is self sup-porting and can become as wide as how many modules are added and, because of structural reasons, as tall as six feet. The piece was fabricated in standard sheet metal and powder coated. The fabrication process in-cludes: laser cutting, sanding, bend-ing, assembling and wire connection.


size: module (open) -11x2420duration: 4 weeks


Prototyping the domestic environment

fan light wall

Salone Satellite 2012, Milan Furniture Fair

Collaborators: A. Verma, B.cardona

original element: ceiling fan

wall assembly

floor lamp assembly

final module

82

floor lamp assembly

final module

How can a piece of furniture become aspatial element?

module views and wall assembly

Exhibition at Milan Furniture Fair 2012

Concept model

24

11


14

2

5

3

6

laser cutting

installation of lighting

metal bending

packing and shipping

module assembly

module connection

3/8 diameter hollow steel threaded rod (two per module) and hard fiber washers)

14 gauge steel (2 per module)

22 gauge steel (20 per module)

steel binding posts(located at 3 points)

fabrication process

MILAN

Instructions for assembly FanLightWall

A- OutletB- Connection between rowsC- Module_Begginning of rowD- Module_Middle of rowE- Module_End of row

*NOTE: Each module is pre-assembled with socket, wires and nuts. Only connection between modules and rows is needed. PLEASE CHECK THOROUGHLY THAT HOT AND NEUTRAL CABLES ARE NOT CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER.

HOT CABLENEUTRAL CABLEWIRE NUTSHOLLOW THREADED RODSOCKET

Wiring diagram

Pieces

ROW 3

ROW 2

ROW 1

WA

LL

WIREHOT

NEUTRAL

Diagram

B

AC D DDDD

E

C DDDDE

C D

D

D

DDD E

B

A C D E

B

Instructions for assembly FanLightWall

A- OutletB- Connection between rowsC- Module_Begginning of rowD- Module_Middle of rowE- Module_End of row

*NOTE: Each module is pre-assembled with socket, wires and nuts. Only connection between modules and rows is needed. PLEASE CHECK THOROUGHLY THAT HOT AND NEUTRAL CABLES ARE NOT CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER.

HOT CABLENEUTRAL CABLEWIRE NUTSHOLLOW THREADED RODSOCKET

Wiring diagram

Pieces

ROW 3

ROW 2

ROW 1

WA

LL

WIREHOT

NEUTRAL

Diagram

B

AC D DDDD

E

C DDDDE

C D

D

D

DDD E

B

A C D E

B

84

module assembly

module connection


Documents

PORTFOLIO