Fostering Identity

The Latin-x population is the largest of any one minority group in Oregon at 12%. The Fiesta Mexicana held in Woodburn every year brings together more than 15,000 people and has recently been included into the registry of Oregon heritage traditions. However this once a year event is not enough to cultivate a feeling of inclusion, community, and identity for those looking to make Oregon home. This thesis project provides a permanent location in Portland to serve the growing Latin-x population and become a symbol of diversity in the state.

La Plaza Central allows for large formal events and both physical and visual engagement by the immediate residents and local community.

Section detail of the apartment building construction, and unit relationships.

Plaza section elevation showing vertical intersection of art gallery, performance, and sculpture installation spaces.

La Plaza Central stays active throughout the day and week by providing a space for street performers, vendors, and 3rd spaces for the surrounding activity spaces.

La Experiencia Visual creates a space below the plaza for a permanent art  and exhibit collection to showcase Latino and Hispanic Culture. 

Additional Work

Related Work

Integrating Cultures
A 10 week studio designing a block in Essen, Germany to house Syrian refugees. The design provides a place where refugees can establish their own community and relationships through the use of flexible dwelling units, shared courtyards, workshops and gardening spaces. The concept centers on opportunity, choice, and flexibility as means of giving power and ownership to those who historically have not had it.
2017
Housing Typologies
A 10 week design studio studying various housing typologies in a series of 9-11 day projects. The studio concluded with a 3 week project developing 4 blocks in the Portland area. My own goal was to explore how existing typologies could be altered in a way to provide the same amenities that residents come to expect but in a fashion that would allow for higher densities and greater opportunities for communal interaction. The end design produced 215 units and 80% of the parking.
2016
Parametric Exploration
An 8 week design studio focusing on a new master plan for the waterfront in Eugene, Oregon. The process began with the creation of a catalogue of 2d patterns from which 3d forms were created using a system of parameters. This led to the formation of a prototypical space that could be recreated from the base pattern. The prototype and base pattern were then adjusted to fit within the site. This design method has the potential to systematically scale up or down as necessary.
2016
International Communication
A 2 day design charette with M.W.Steel and ULI looking at the border crossing between San Ysidro and Tijuana. The goal was to explore ways that could create a more integrated and mutually beneficial resident/tourist interaction on both the U.S. and Mexico sides. The plan focuses on creating a seamless, intuitive, and engaging transition when crossing from one side to the other.
2018
Efficient Living
A personal project in developing and detailing a starter home. The goal was to create a highly functional home by limiting circulation and maintaining clearly defined spaces. In order to stay within a small footprint it was essential to make every space serve multiple functions. This gives the user choice in how to occupy the home. The flexibility of this design is seen again in the way it can easily accommodate future additions without disrupting the core design.
2018
Forgotten Spaces
A 3 week group competition submittal posing an integration strategy for the refugees in Amman, Jordan. The goal of this proposal was to establish the refugee community in Amman as a valuable asset to the existing city. By allowing them the opportunity to bring life back into the forgotten spaces of Amman, the native residents would be able to see, better understand, and more deeply appreciate the refugee community not as outsiders, but as human beings.
2018
Transit Adaptations
An ongoing process developing visuals for the city of Mission Valley with M.W.Steele. These graphics represent future possibilities within Mission Valley's proposed transit improvements.
2018
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