salvador_cortez

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anisotropic_formations

SCI-Arc ESTm Fall 2013 | Testa Vertical Studio

Salvador Cortez | Cheng Lu | Avra Tomara | Nikita Troufanov

Instructor: Peter Testa


Robot Lab Coordinator: Jake Newsum

an· i· so· tro· py : the property of being directionally dependent, as opposed to isotropy, which implies identical properties in all directions.

Anisotropic Formations is a proto-architectural exploration of anisotropic aesthetics and structures through vector based 3d printing. Taking inspiration from 3d printed fashion, composite sail manufacturing and experimental application of 6-axis robotics, the project takes the anisotropic approach as both an aesthetic and a fabrication logic. Anisotropic geometry is vector-based and is directionally dependent. Combinations of these vectors result in rich surface and 3d qualities of varied densities, hierarchies and multi-directional layering.

There was an imperative to pursue this design research in a post-digital platform, stepping out from the Euclidean flatness of the computer screen onto the non-Euclidean platform of the physical.Plastic extrusion provided direct access to vector geometry in physical space, enriching it with material agency. Flexibility of the scaffold allowed for multiple configurations and other possibilities. The project was realized through a series of iterations that subjected the design agenda to a series of different machining workspaces and digital-to-physical workflows. From Cartesian workspace of a conventional 3d printer to spherical workspace of multi-axis collaborative robotics and from vector based workflows of 3d modeling to motion based work flows of animation.

--VIDEO--

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paper_panels

SCI-Arc ESTm Fall 2013 | Coding Form

Salvador Cortez | Daniel Caven | Avra Tomara

Instructor: Satoru Sugihara

Panelization on a minimal surface like geometry with a parametric system developed in Grasshopper.

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attractive_surface

SCI-Arc 2011

Salvador Cortez

Instructor: Satoru Sugihara

Swarm behavioral agents bounce through a boundary box attracting and repelling the control points of a nurbs surface, thus creating a swarm reactive form.

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impossible_objects//

double_perspective

SCI-Arc 2013

Salvador Cortez | Neils Long | Brennen Huller | Uri Wegman

Instructors: Brandon Kruysman, Jonathan Proto

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parametric_experiments

SCI-Arc 2013

Salvador Cortez

Instructor: Satoru Sugihara

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heavy_living

Mexico DF 2008

Salvador Cortez

Jorge Yazpik is a sculptor known for his work in perforated rocks, having strong and heavy pieces manipulated to create space inside. Using paper as the main strategy, the get-away house maintains the characteristic heavyness that Yazpik pieces do, but at the same time a light structure perfect for inhabiting.

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teleton_slope

Mexico DF 2011

Salvador Cortez | Luis Jaimes

Instructors: Julio Gaeta | Daniel Mastretta

Teleton Foundation is an important philanthropic society created to help kids with physical implications.

The building has the obligation to perform according to al accessibility standards, in this case we decided to re-think possibilities and proposed a building designed for handicap kids and adapted for anybody else.

It works as a loop twisted on itself allowing to rise up to 3 levels without needing a single step, this way the kids can get to the top by their own means even on a wheelchair.

The program is organized in such a way that it follows the rehabilitation process of a kid.

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dendrocube

SCI-Arc 2011

Salvador Cortez

Instructor: Tom Wiscombe

Surface to volume morphologies are presented in a so called Dragon-Skull diagram, by this means the concept for this project is to explore the way different geometries (Dodecahedron+Cube) come together and create a fluid yet differentiated geometry with specific spatial qualities. At the same time a cellular-like pattern, based on the ones seen in dendrobates, creates articulation between the parts while emphasizing their very different spatial and programmatic qualities.

As a Dendrobate the Project aims to match articulation, geometry and performance within the same organism.

On the other hand, using the same program that Renzo Piano set for his own extension to the LACMA museum, the project turns around the performance of the building by giving the amenities a special and attractive place in the site and at the same time creating a public plaza under the building holding the main exhibition.

Sun and environmental issues are solved by the use of the same geometry making the amenities turn into shades for the building and the public space.

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marilyn_drawings

SCI-Arc 2011

Salvador Cortez | Peter Vikar | Pablo Osorio | Francisco Moure

Instructor: Andrew Atwood

Experimentations on the levels of accidentality with 6 axis robots doing feltpen graphics. The gradient value of the image translates to rotation values(6th joint) of a flat nose pen. Image 'resolution' 33 by 33 pixel.

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arts_market

Mexico DF 2010

Salvador Cortez | David Cherem | Arturo Hans

Instructor: Javier Sanchez

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urban_rattlesnake

Mexico DF 2011

Salvador Cortez | Luis Jaimes

Instructors: Julio Gaeta | Daniel Mastretta

Mexico city is one of the biggest cities in the world, and as such, it is one of the most important destinations for artists and performers from every corner of the planet. Due to the increasing demand for venues that can house the amount of spectators a major concert attracts, the government has found itself in the need to supply areas for this events to take place. In such a way, baseball fields (as Foro Sol) and basketball arenas (as Palacio de los Deportes) have come to place as responses for these urban needs.

The RattleSnake is an events venue located few blocks away from both Foro Sol and Palacio de los Deportes, and offers a double space in one same building, in order for it to house both high demand (55,000 seatting) outer space and medium demand (20,000 seating) inner space, where the celling of one is the floor of the other one. At the same it time creates a pedestrian link between both sides of Viaducto Highway, improving the accessibility to the arena and avoiding traffic and street problems during different events. The program includes a hotel specifically aimed for the spectators coming from out of town, and a shopping mall that could eventually house a museum. This way improving the events panorama in the city and also returning sports venues the real means for what they were originally designed and built for.

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ijk_panels

SCI-Arc 2011

Instructor: Satoru Sugihara

The use of an Euclidean system of coordinates applied to a given surface, allows the application of three-dimensional panels, controlled by normal vectors, on a surface. Using second-degree curves it is possible to create circular panels as well as structure and spherical-like supports.

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punto.XOLA

Mexico DF 2012

Salvador Cortez | Luis Jaimes | Ramon Helfon

Instructors: Benjamin Romano | Diego Ricalde | Jorge Arvizu

Located in one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas, Punto.Xola is an underground project  winner of the Cátedra Blanca Cemex Award. Designed as final year project by architects Ramón Helfon, Luis Jaimes and Salvador Cortéz, the project proposes solutions for the complex urban context of Mexico City.

The old Ethiopia Roundabout used to be located in the intersection between Eje 4 Xola and Av.Cuauhtémoc. Years later, the rapid growth of the city demanded it to be redefined and transformed into 4 small squares.

Besides being an important vehicular and pedestrian junction, this square gives the metropolis a transfer point between different modes of transport; the city subway has a line under Av.Cuauhtémoc which connects with the Metrobús (a high capacity public transportation network).

In PUNTO XOLA the pedestrian has its own space. The roads are raised some feet above the sidewalk level avoiding the need for pedestrian bridges. This is, in short, a separation contrary to what usually happens between pedestrians and cars, promoting a quick cross from one point to another without the need to wait for the traffic lights or passing cars.

Separated entirely by a Metro station built in 1980, the mall has two wings: The west wing, which houses 44 shops, 9 fast food restaurants, movie theaters, and a gambling house, and the east wing, with 47 stores, a gym, and 3 levels of parking. Without affecting the existing Metro foundation, the mall stands on two divided parallel walls and 4 triangulated columns, allowing visual transparency and ensuring the solidity of the structural scheme.

Raising the street will generate a large square greater in size than the old Ethiopia Roundabout, which will return the public space that had been lost for many years.

punto.XOLA on archdaily