Material Composites Tests. Surface/Strands

Texas A&M University. College of Architecture.
Mitchell Lab 2012. House of the Future. Roland Snooks. Kokkugia.
First surface studies using fiberglass.
Material Consultant Chris Moore. Texas Customz.
Built at "The Ranch" Bryan, Texas.

Catedra Barragan. Tec of Monterrey. Blurring Limits

Mike Szivos from softLab

Catedra Luis Barragan. Tecnologico De Monterrey. Mexico City. October 28th, 2011.

Blurring Limits. Architecture, Digital Fabrication and Industrial Design. Metropolitan Theater. 

Photos: Carmina Salcedo.

Car Showroom 1 and Public Space, Houston, TX

Texas A&M University. First Year Graduate Studio. Fall 2011.  Student: Jing Zhang

Critic: Gabriel Esquivel

Ferrari Showroom. Downtown Houston, TX. 

The idea behind this project was to equate the social status of car culture with the culture of architecture, which unfortunately is not considered as a prominent culture anymore. At the same to negotiate with the city in the creation of public, extremely necessary in cities like Houston. Another important part of the project was the relationship between infrastructure and architecture, not a new topic, however we tend to forget this relationship. The project was interesting in the production of spectacle as an essential retail aspect in the car culture.

One site was the area of the Houston Galleria in the corner of Westheimer and 610, the corner site could operate as a gateway to the shopping area as well as a connector to the different shopping sites including the Galleria itself, by the way, this area has no public space.

The other site was in the Downtown area the selected site was directly under I-45, currently misused an this are is desperate need for the creation of public space. This site is socially complex, it is basically a leftover space, mainly occupied by the homeless. This area includes programs like a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a church, a hospital an a car dealership. The idea was that the showroom with ignite a negotiation with the city in the production of public space, the integration of infrastructure and program diversity.

Maybe a bit hopeful or naive but we must find ways to reinstate architecture's social and cultural status. 

Car Showroom 2

Texas A&M University. First Year Graduate Studio. Fall 2011.  Student: Lei Shao 

Critic: Gabriel Esquivel

Lamborghini Showroom. Westheimer Galleria. Westheimer Ave. and I-610.

Houston, TX. 

Car Showroom 3

Texas A&M University. First Year Graduate Studio. Fall 2011.  Student: Chao Sun

Critic: Gabriel Esquivel

Bugatti Showroom. Westheimer Galleria. Westheimer Ave. and I-610.

Houston, TX.