2. 6974 Rothchild Drive Charlotte, NC 28270 | mzubilla@uncc.edu | (732) 309-7570
ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Undergraduate Selected Works
MARIA F. ZUBILLAGA GONZALEZ
3. CONTACT
SKILLS
Maria F. Zubillaga Gonzalez
6974 Rothchild Drive, Charlotte NC 28270
From: Barquisimeto, Venezuela
English
Spanish
Portuguese
Fluent
Native
Beginner
mzubilla@uncc.edu
LANGUAGES
EDUCATION
AWARDS
CERTIFICATES
INVOLVEMENT
EXPERIENCE
mf.zubillaga@gmail.com
(732) 309-7570
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariazubillagagonzalez
issuu.com/mf.zubillaga
Digital
Grasshopper
Sketchup
Revit
Vray
Microsoft Office
Photoshop
InDesign
Illustrator
Rhino
AutoCad
Flooring
Tiling
Framing
Model Making
Drawing
Painting
Sketching
Painting
Plumbing
Construction
Analog
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC.
Program: Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. Minor: Urban Studies.
Expected Date of Graduation: May 14th 2016. GPA: 3.7
Relevant Courses: Comprehensive Design Studios, Recording Observations, Urban Studies,
Architecture history, Structural Principles, Solar Decathlon Seminar,
Computational Methods, Urban Sustainability, Environmental System principles, Environmental Ethic.
Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, NC
Degree Obtained: Associates in Arts, May 2013. GPA: 3.8
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Dean’s list.
Wake Technical Community College Dean’s list.
Fall 2013 - Present
Spring 2013
Spring - Fall 2012
2009
2009
2008
2015
2011
2011
2011
2016
2014 - 2016
2015 - 2016
2011 - 2016
2010 - 2016
2006 - 2016
Recipient of Honorable Mention Award for the Northwood Ravin Housing Design Competition
Certificate of Completion Revit Architecture, Autodesk.
Certificate of Completion AutoCAD 2D, Autodesk.
Certificate of Completion AutoCAD 3D, Autodesk.
Gerencia De Proyectos 6052 C.A: Internship, Architect Assistant.
M.M C.A: Store Manager.
NICKELS C.A: Operating System Manager
Member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
Member of The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
Mentor of the Adult Mentoring Program for Students (AMPS)
Volunteer at Habitat For Humanity
Society of Hispanic Professional
Volunteer at the Children's With Cancer Foundation
MFZ
4. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Selected Projects
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REI Warehouse Complex
Reactions to noise and grain
Dallas, Texas
Third Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
Uptown Charlotte Art Center
Coexisting Art Forms
Charlotte, North Carolina
Second Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
The Dead Letters Monument
USPS Pavilion
Davidson, North Carolina
Second Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
University Fabrication lab
Reactions to noise and grain
Chicago, Illinois
Second Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
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Steel Warehouse
Breaking the Arch
Second Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
Wood Warehouse
Visual Kinetics
Third Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
Northwood Ravin Charette
Activating communities
Arquitectural Intervention
Third Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
Selected Artwork
Art Exhibitions
Personal Art Exploration
Raleigh-Charlotte, NC
5. ART SPACES THAT COEXIST
The Ultimate Art Center
Final Project
Second Year Architectural Studio
Uptown Charlotte
6th and 7th Tryon Street,
Charlotte, NC
This project was developed from a series of com-
positional drawings and diagrams that lead into
modernistic shapes and forms. The initial stage
started with a photo grid exploration of Uptown
Charlotte in search for clues of what the city
needed. After careful analysis and diagraming of
the site and context, the key element was deter-
mined as the connectivity of the skyland mall and
its bridges to the existing site. Therefore, a deep
exploration was set in motion about the connec-
tivity of such bridges while also considering their
individual architectural style, circulation, program,
affluence, among other factors. The analysis
brought out interesting theories about the existing
site and the future it holds in downtown charlotte.
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6. Movement towards the coreHierarchy of Paths
Thresholds among pathsSkywalks in Realtion to SiteSkywalks affecting privacy levels among buildingsLine that separates Privacy levels
Public Vs Privat Buildings Skywalks that connect buildings
Business
Future
Historic
Comercial
Merging Cultures and Programs
Differences in Districts
The Future of Overstreet Mall in Relation to site
Future Expansion area in Downtown
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Pedestrian Circulation
Relationships among height and privacy levelsPrivacy Levels
Traffic Density
Business Circulation Differences in Scales
Traffic in Contrast to siteVehicular Circulation
Site Analysis Diagrams
Understanding Culture and Context
Site Analysis Photogrids
Analyzing Architectural Context
The site given was placed in an area where it had the possibility of
becoming a Node and landmark. According to the analysis, the site
lays in between the old development and the future development of
the city. Therefore, the building had the potential for greatness. After
understanding the culture where the site was embedded, it was no-
ticeable that Uptown Charlotte was lacking an innovative Art Center
that would activate the neighborhood and bring young life as well.
The building became a center of all art forms by mixing different art
practices into one cohesive building.
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7. Program Analysis Diagrams
Program functionality influencing design
The event spaces for this project consisted in six art events that were con-
nected among them. The events portrayed in the photo grids represent
a type of art form while not exactly being the same. The building would
encompass music, fashion, dance, film, culinary, and sculptural art form.
My goal was to make them coexist with one another but without interrupting
their functions. Since the project would host artistic facilities, the main gen-
erator for its form developed from abstract compositional drawings. These
compositional diagrams were the drivers for the shapes of my irregular floor
plates and the compositional section diagrams were the drivers for the ver-
tical circulation throughout the building.
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Site Analysis Photogrids
Analyzing Architectural Context
8. The Future of Overstreet Mall in Relation to sitePedestrian CirculationTraffic Density Traffic in Contrast to siteVehicular Circulation
Program Analysis Diagrams
Program functionality influencing design
The lines and the points from
the compositional drawings
were connected to one an-
other in order to define floor
plans, programmatic spac-
es, circulation, and structural
members. After the best com-
positional set was selected
the programmatic elements
were placed throughout the
building with the idea of how
people would be attracted to
the building. Therefore, the
more attractive spaces would
be located at the top with the
aim of people inviting peo-
ple to travel throughout the
structure. The dynamism and
process of this project helped
create an sculptural architec-
ture that clearly reflects the
program that houses.
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Compositional Diagramatic Drawings
Forms shaped by artwork
11. REI Warehouse Complex
Distribution Center with Outdoors Complex
Third Year Architectural Studio Project
Dallas, Texas
This project developed from the inspiration of the giv-
en site’s topography and the nature that surrounded the
place. Since the first visit to the site, the idea of including
both nature and the community into the project became
the driver. My customer then became the REI outdoors
company. With this in mind, the project intends to create
an outdoors complex in order for customers to be able to
utilize as much as the exterior space as employees use the
interior areas of the project. Inspired by the topography
a series of diagrams were made in which the landscape
was studied. Therefore, after thorough diagrammatic anal-
ysis the existing topography was exaggerated to immerse
the warehouse within the new landscape.
Since REI stores are separated into categories the ware-
house was separated into these components: Hiking,
Climbing, Biking, Camping, and Kayaking. The ware-
house/storage space is the piece that unites the five build-
ings making it a whole entity. People would be able to ac-
cess the five separate structures to access each individual
Customer Contact Center while having a real REI outdoors
experience. The majority of the building was buried within
the landscape in order for the activity complex not to be
drastically interrupted. Thus, keeping the integrity of the
REI outdoors style.
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12. Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Analyzing the site’s topography created the fol-
lowing sets of generative diagrams. Sections of
the given site in Dallas Texas were taken to ex-
plore the shifts between the current space and
the adjacent levy system. After obtaining the
existing curve levels the comparison between
the highest and lowest points were represented
diagrammatically. In order to take the explora-
tion further, the site was placed within a reticu-
lar grid were the main topographic points were
placed. Thus, creating comparisons and what I
have called the Topographic Density map. After
rigorous analysis an exaggeration of the current
topography was made creating new topograph-
ic levels in order for the project to be immersed
within it. After the new “landscape” was devel-
oped, the buildings were immersed within the
ground. The shape and form of the buildings
were influenced by how the landscape would
interact with the structure. Even though the five
buildings had the same program and structur-
al principles, they developed into five different
shapes due to the areas of the structure that
would peak out of the earth to reveal their form.
Site Plan
1/200” =1’-0’
Diagrams that reflect the density and
hierarchical spaces to shape topography
Diagrams that reflect how the topography affects the
building formation 1/64” =1’-0’
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13. Diagramatic Program Exploded Model showing correlation of levels
1/50” = 1’-0’
Detailed Bay Model
1/4” = 1’-0’Building Model
1/16” = 1’-0’
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15. University Fabrication Lab
Reactions to noise and grain influences
Chicago, Illin
Second Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
This project consists in breaking the grain patterns and utilizing ele-
ments of the Prairie style to acknowledge The Robie House that is lo-
cated next to the site. The Prairie style elements utilized are the aspect
of the Reaching out element, horizontality, the path of discovery, the
compression and expansion, the organic architecture, and the privacy
levels.
The building is shaped into an elongated rectangle to break the axial
rhythm of the surrounding buildings in order to have an open plan with
horizontal influences. The buildings shape took form by analyzing the
views from the site towards the Robie house and using this point to
resemble the reaching out aspect the Prairie style entails.
The building developed into two wedges that scissor and create two
different experiences. The outdoor public experience and the interior
more private experience. To access the building people have to ac-
cess the pathways resembling the path of discovery. Since the building
is mostly underground, the impression is that you will access the build-
ing to go up. However, the building does the opposite by forcing you
to go downward in order to access the fab lab.The fabrication lab was
buried inside the ground in order to react to the noise the machines
would produce. With this in mind, the building would not disturb the
surrounding architectural attraction The Robie House while also per-
forming as a full scale Fabrication lab for the school.
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16. Site Plan and Section
Floorplan
Development of Form Diagram
Breaking the Grain Patterns
Public and Private Spaces Above Ground Public and Private Spaces Under Ground Levels of Privacy Above and Under Ground
Path of Discovery Secondary Paths Tertiary Paths
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21. The Dead Letters Monument
USPS PAVILION
Narrative Assignment
Jackson St, Davidson, NC
Second Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
As we die we leave pieces behind as a reminder of where we
stood, what we were, and our essence. Layers of our past lives
lay there untouched as a memorial of who we were as entities.
Sometimes as memories or as an effect of mourning. These
layers of our character can be peeled away so we could see
the bigger picture or can act as a barrier to separate what is
dead and what has survived.
This pavilion represents a memorial for the deceased post of-
fice. Its demise was the effect of Davidson’s culture. The post
office was immersed in a culture in which they would pass
without noticing their surroundings. The emptiness of the en-
trance of the site acted as an implied wall that people would
not dare to cross.
The pavilion represents the extrusion of these implied walls
from the post office as a criticism for people’s attitude towards
this institution. Throughout the pavilion curiosity is reward-
ed since it is one of the most important assets in life. For the
curious people the courtyard in the center would represent
a space for reflexion where people could meditate about the
post office life and how we experience life in general.
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22. Parti Elevation DiagramParti Floorplan Diagram
Human Scale and Changes in the Wall HeightsMovement among wallsCompression and Expansion
Extrusion of Walls and Angles
Process Diagrams
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25. This project’s consisted in creating a wood model representing a
warehouse design. As inspiration we searched for an artist as our
client to design our warehouse. The parti for this project consisted
in incorporating wood to this artist’s warehouse/studio. Therefore,
transferring the essence of his work into the architecture. The artist
chosen was Carlos Cruz-Diez, a Venezuelan artist characterized by
his visually kinetic artworks in particular his physically kinetic paint-
ings and sculptures.
With this in mind, the driver in this project was to create a state-
ment within the architecture that would portray the artist influence.
The roof became this kinetic piece that is meant to form a sculptur-
al characteristic to his warehouse. The roof is meant to create a
visually dynamic gesture that allows the program to be guided from
entrance to exit by spatial arrangements. Where the peaks are the
highest is where the most important pieces of program as placed,
and the lowest peaks are for circulation.
In order to reflect his artwork in the façade, every aspect of the fa-
cade treatment was carried through with the idea that light would
change the interior of the space all throughout the day. This aspect
mimics his idea of kinetic paintings.
Wood Warehouse
Visual Kinetics
Third Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
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27. For this project the program remained the same as the wood
warehouse assignment. Even though it was the same pro-
gram, it gave us the opportunity to better understand how
materiality could change the overall design. It was very inter-
esting to see how the introduction of steel changed the out-
come of the warehouse.
Our given system was the 3-Pin arch. Our main inspiration
was the idea of having triangular arches that were united by a
single pin. Therefore, giving the impression that the removal of
such pins would force the arches to fall apart outwards. This
premise would challenge the idea of arches in general. The
form of the warehouse gives a structural statement as well as
giving a visual experience much like Cruz-Diez artwork.
Steel Warehouse
Breaking the Arch
Third Year Architectural Studio
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
School of Architecture
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28. EAST ELEVATIONLONG ELEVATION
SHORT SECTION with LIGHT
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SHORT ELEVATION
Wall Section
INITIAL ARCH CONCEPT
ENTRANCE PERSPECTIVE RENDER
29. ACTIVATING COMMUNITY
Northwood Ravin Charette
Arquitectural Intervention
Morningside Village, Plaza Midwood
Charlotte, NC
This project explores the idea of an architectural intervention throughout a
neighborhood. The Northwood Ravin developing group created this hous-
ing inquiry to help design the urban fabric of a developing neighborhood.
This Charette asked its participants to consider how architectural elements
would operate and affect the context of the new housing project named
Morningside Village in Plaza Midwood. The project currently under con-
struction is a band of linear apartments that would be separated by these
empty spaces. The goal of the assignment was to activate these spaces to
create communal spaces and invigorate the social interaction of the neigh-
borhood. Driven by a conceptual framework, this project attempted to en-
gage the residents by using a canopy system that spanned in between the
buildings, as well as having components that extended in and around the
building. This created a social environment that would provide a dynamic
and vibrant component to an otherwise static and underutilized space. The
canopies have a tactile component that allow users to manipulate them
with a pulley system, effectively creating their own space rather than hav-
ing it dictated by the conditions of their assigned apartment.
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30. DISJUNCTIONS
Interpretation of Tschumi’s
Manhattan Transcripts
School of Architecture, Stoors, UNCC
Charlotte, NC
Disjunctions is a project that celebrates the work of Bernard Tschumi and deeply relates with his text The Manhattan Transcripts. The aim was to
design and construct a project that would have a response or interpretation of Bernard Tschumi’s projects. Throughout the activity the ideas and
concepts of space, intervention, program, event, and object where analyzed leading to our final installation of columns. The following drawings are
a reinterpretation of the Manhattan Transcripts into our lives as architects, specifically inside the Stoors building. The first drawings study the place-
ment of columns throughout the building and the consequences this placement would implicate. The columns created this intervention in the spaces
that would challenge the spectators to think about the idea of space and program. The last drawings represents a set of diagrams that exemplifies
the hectic life of the salon as well as the lives of the architects that occupy the space. In this drawing the accelerated pace of architectural reviews
is translated into diagrams that express the movement, program, and circulation our main salon experiments during our day to day review sessions.
SELECTED ARTWORK
StillLife Study | Charcoal
Self Portrait With study of Textures | Ink and Paper Stillife and watercolor study | Paper and watercolor
4 sisters | Ink and Paper
Study of Nature | Charcoal
Gestalt Studies | Cardboard
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31. Gestalt Studies | Cardboard
Stillife | Cardboard and pencil
Lonely Couches in Nature | Charcoal
Abstract Stillife composition | Cardboard
Exploring Textures | Ink and Cardboard
Stillife | Charcoal
United As One
They claimed that we could not be together
And carried on with their lives
People tried to keep us away
From enjoying each other’s stay
But we always had faith
Never being completely done or erased
Then again would come the chase
The hatred, the jealousy
One that became a never ending race
Every now and then when the darkness sets
We would sneak to meet each other
Our hearts would melt into each other’s chest
In a tight embrace we wept
Before leaving and up came the sunset
The months continues
The clouds passed through the sky
With faith every moment, not a single one went by
Our good moments stayed in our minds
Other people’s days were happy
Celebrating anniversaries
Reciting famous nurseries
Kids excitedly playing left and right
Mothers holding their babies tight
We both imagined what it would be like
To live with the one you love
To have it all in front of you
Knowing you won’t lose
One world, sharing a pair of shoes
Oh, how the water would gently flow
Making small waves, but it would never overflow
The surface, how it gleams in the sun
Smooth as a marble
Yet, rough like the seeds on top of a hamburger bun
A few years went by
We somehow made it together
Made it through the storm
We made it through
We made it through
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