mauricio ochoa portfolio 2015
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Undergraduate and Professional Work 2010-2015TRANSCRIPT
Mauricio OchoaArchitecture Portfolio
MaterialityCeramic Showroom & Factory
MillingMississippi River Park
ConnectionsLake of the Isles Pavilion
StructureSan Francisco International Airport
ConnectionsTextile Center of Minnesota
Table of Content
Lake of theIsles
WarehouseDistrict
ProspectPark
MississippiRiver
ObjectiveWe were given a site in downtown Minneapolis and tasked with designing a factory and exhibiton space for ceramics made on site. The focus of this project was using various materials to express space and mass.
ProcessI started by exploring how various materials affected how space is perceived. I divided materials into those that are visually heavy (concrete, asphalt) and those that are lighter (steel, wood, glass). In the exhibition hall (right), where the walls are the main form of organization, I used heavy materials that guided the visitors through all the gathering spaces. In the factory (left), where the trusses are the main form of organization, I used light materials that allowed the roof to move freely overhead. In some instances, contrasting materials were used together to mark important areas in the buildings.
Another key aspect was exploring how vertical and horizontal surfaces could be used to create spaces that would attract people. I started by observing the movement of people in a public space. In fields with no defined planes, people tend to wander around. As you incorporate more walls and roofs, people gravitate towards planes and corners where they feel more protected. Gazebos and pergolas achieve similar results by bringing the overhead planes lower and through this, making people feel protected. I used this knowlege to influence the two spaces.
In the exhibition hall, I used walls to create various corners where people could come together and where ceramics would be showcased. This made natural gathering spaces. In the factory, where large open space is required, I brought the trusses down to a lower height, where the working spaces are located, to achieve similar results.
MaterialityCeramics Factory and Exhibition HallInstructors: Martha McQuade, Dan Clark, Andrew Dull
Heavy Materials Light Materials
Light Materials
Steel Trusses Standing Seem Metal Roof Wood Flooring Glazing Metal Siding
Heavy Materials
Precast Concrete StoneAsphalt
Study on how materials affect the form of the building and perception of interior spaces
Understanding how planes can be used to attract people and where people tend to congregate in different scenarios
View from Third Avenue showing relationship of buildings
Factory Interior
ObjectiveThis project is a public park located on a site stretching from the Minneapolis Mill District into the Mississippi River. The goal was to make a landscaped space where office workers could go for lunch or after work.
ProcessI used the historic surroundings to draw inspiration for this park. The city of Minneapolis grew in the nineteenth century in large part because of lumber and flour milling. The mills were powered by a complex grid of mechanical systems that transfered the energy from the St. Anthony Falls, into the mills. Gears like the ones pictured below were used in this process.
The idea for the form of the park came from these gears. Two objects varied in size, but working together as one. The larger gear is elevated over the rest of the site and provides larger gathering spaces and scenic overviews of both the mills and the falls. The smaller gear has more intimate spaces for smaller groups of people. Located in the green areas surrounding the two gears, there are also many gathering spaces of different sizes. At the heart of the park is a pool of water that, like the Mississippi, cuts through the landscape connecting different spaces.
MillingSite DesignInstructor: Brad Agee
Using the site context to draw inspiration for the form of the building
Using gears as inspiration for large and small gathering spaces and their relationships
Combination of large public spaces and small intimate areas
ObjectiveThis project is a Parks and Recreation building located on the Lake of the Isles neighborhood in Minneapolis, MN. The goal of the project was to create a pavillion that was inspired by the scenic lake, as well as the surrounding park space.
ProcessWhat initially grabbed my attention was the multiple methods of transportation that exist on the site. I was interested in making a building that was able to serve people that were driving, biking, walking, or canoeing around the lake, as well as letting these activities influence the form of the building. To achieve this, the paths that circulate the lake were allowed to run through the space, and the new program was placed to accomodate the existing movement.
Another important aspect in the development of this building was to create an interior rest place that is seperate from the surrounding physical activities. Two large masses on either end create a shelter were people can rest and appreciate the natural beauty. The concrete blocks house the services spaces, while the glass and wood section of the building are large open spaces for people to move freely. The public spaces were also positioned to allow the people inside to watch hockey games that take place during the winter on the frozen lake.
MovementLake of the Isles PavillionInstructor: Bob Ganser
Lake ofthe Isles
Site
Lake ofthe IslesParkway
25th St
26th St
Lake
Pl
Oliver Pl
New
ton
Ave
SeasonalIce Rink &Warming House
WalkingTrail
BikingTrail
Existing movement through park forming the building
Existing
Different ways of moving through the site help give the building its form
Kayaking
Driving
Biking
Walking
Pavillion floor plan
Lakeside Facade
Structure helps guide movement through space
ObjectiveThe goal of this project was to build a model of an existing building that showed innovative construction methods and through this understand how architects and engineers have dealt with structural challenges.
ProcessWe chose to model the San Francisco International Airport by SOM because it was a successful blend of concrete, steel and glass to create large volumes of space that people could inhabit. Using various modeling materials we replicated the environment while learning how SOM had dealt with a natural disaster prone site in the Bay Area. We gained skills in understanding complex structures as well as the importance of precision and craft to portray ideas.
StructuresSFO International TerminalInstructor: Jim Lutz
Collaboration: Kyle Palzer
Structure of Canopy
International Terminal San Francisco
International Terminal Entrance
ConnectionsMinnesota Textile CenterInstructor: Nina Ebbighausen
ObjectiveWe started with a site at Prospect Park in Minneapolis and were asked to completely redesign an existing Textile Center that serves as a hub for various textile artists. While redesigning this center we were asked to think about how different programmatic spaces relate with each other, and how this internal logic relates to exterior forces affecting the site.
ProcessThe condition that grabbed my attention initially was how this site is located right in the intersection of a residential neighborhood and a busy industrial park. Therefore, I split my program between those areas that related to the busyness of the North Industrial side, and those that were geared more towards the quiet residential area. This led to two blocks, one private and one public, that were oriented in opposite directions and connected only by a winding path that led the visitor through these two distinct blocks. The path was a different material that remained unchanging as it jumped from block to block and eventually lead to a third story overlook of both the residential and the industrial context.
Another driving factor in the layout of spaces in the building was the example of Tower Hill located nearby. At the foot of the hill there is a lot of activity with schools, tennis courts and streets. As one rises towards the water tower, space becomes more open and less defined by the built environment.
North SideIndustrial Park
South SideProspect Park
Neighborhood
Pratt Elementary School Seymour Avenue Tower Hill Park
ADM Grain Silo Harris Machinery Co. Johnson Equipment
Two blocks that relate to the two distinct areas in Propsect Park with a path, like University Avenue, connecting them both
Study models showing different possible arrangements for the two masses
The change in elevation in both Prospect Park and in the Textile Center leads the visitor from private to public spaces
Library
Weaver’sGuild
Classrooms
Third Floor
LibraryExhibition Hall
Lounge
Second Floor
Weavers GuildExhibition Space
Work SpaceLounge
First Floor
ClassroomsAdministration
Gift ShopVestibule
Public spaces increases as one progresses vertically through the building
Spray FoamInsulation
MetalCounterflashing
Spray Foam Insulation
Roof Insulation
Floor Sheathing
Gypsum Wall Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Gypsum Wall Panel
XPS Insulation
2x6 Shoe
Concrete Slab on Grade
Air Space
Wall Sheathing
Mortar Net
Concrete FoundationWall
Flashing
Flashing
Flashing
Roof Membrane
Insulation
Rafter
Metal Deck
Weep Vent
XPS Insulation
WaterproofMembrane
Weep Vent
Finished Floor
Gypsum Wall Board
Construction detail of the exterior wall facing the industrialarea
North Facade West Facade
Bridges linking the two blocks
Ground Floor Lobby
Relevant Experience
Other Experience
Technical Skills
References
Mauricio OchoaUniversity of Minnnesota (Twin Cities)Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Class of 2014GPA: 3.477
NoVA Lab- Research AssistantMinneapolis, MNOctober 2012- April 2014
Mercado Central- TranslatorMinneapolis, MNAugust 2015- December 2015
Office: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)Design: AutoCAD, Revit, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Sketch Up, Sefaira
Chris Huston VP of Architecture- Breadloaf Corporation Email: [email protected] Phone: (802) 388 9872
Tom Karlhuber Project Architect- Breadloaf Corporation Email: [email protected] Phone: (802) 388 9872
Zane Thimmesch-Gill Lead Researcher- Allina Health Email: [email protected] Phone: (612) 615 2747
-Collaborated with a team of scientists, engineers,and students from 28 institutions around the US to manufacture a $300 million detector optimized forneutrino detection
-Assisted Latino immigrants with their transition to theUS by helping them navigate federal and localinstitutions. Translated documents and conversations from English to Spanish, and vice versa
-Supervised student in order to maximize theirefficiency. At the same time, assuring the quality of their work by paying immense attention to detail
Breadloaf ArchitectsArchitectural Designer
Middlebury, VTJune 2014- August 2015
Allina HealthDesign Intern
Minneapolis, MNJanuary 2014-June 2014
Yojoa ConstructionSummer Intern
Tegucigalpa, HondurasJune 2009-August 2011
-Participated in all aspects of design, bidding, and construction at a design-buildfirm focused on medium sized commercial buildings in Vermont and New England
-Utilized design and drafting software to develop long term master plans for clients,in order to present them with innovative possibilities for their facilities
-Assisted in a research project aimed at redesigning the built environment of a town in southwest Minnesota to promote behavioral changes in regard to children’s health and well-being
-Conducted observations and interviews with local residents, keeping a detailedaccount of their experiences with their surroundings
-Collaborated with researchers, psychologists, medical experts, professors, and designers to brainstorm ideas to improve the town
-Worked with architects, contractors, subcontractors, clients, MEP experts, and engineers in the design and construction of buildings, including hospitals, schools,development initiatives, universities, and town plans
-Prepared construction documents, for a small design build firm, using AutoCAD and Revit, for residential and small commercial buildings
-Worked with Excel budgets, Word documents, and publications promoting the company using the Adobe Creative Suite
-Assisted the architect and engineers in site inspections, drawing production, and customer service
Fluent in English and Spanish