alexandra . marie ruiz . rivera

iowa . state . universityalexmruizrivera@gmail.com

Personal ManifestoArchitecture was first presented to me in a dream when I was about nine years of age and I had a dream about my “dream house.” I went over to my mother and presented her with three drawings of the house that I had pictured in my head. One drawing was a façade representation of the house, the second a floor plan, and the third a section cut of the house. After that day I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Before studying architecture, I thought it was just the study of designing houses. After reading and learning about design I finally came up with my own definition for architecture: the study of designing a design. Architecture for me is the fundamentals for design. By learning all the basics, making decisions about design problems might become easier. With the knowledge learned when studying architecture one can design anything, from buildings to clothing, which will help me accomplish a lot in life.

What I wish to pursue in my architectural career is to learn more about environmental design. Today the new color is green, and applying my knowledge about environmentally friendly design might help improve the way of living and our surroundings. For me architecture should be a friend to the environment. The decisions that I would make about design would depend on how environmentally friendly it would be and the function that the design decision would have. I believe that every design should have a function and a purpose. The whole design should blend together just as it should blend with nature.

alexandra . marie ruiz . rivera

iowa . state . universityalexmruizrivera@gmail.com

Objective Acquire a job in the field of architecture where I can put in practice my talents and interests in sustainability and green design practices.

Work October 2013 Macy’s 937-320-2312Experience Sales Associate Fairfield Commons Mall, Beavercreek, Ohio

June 2011 Camp Adventure 319-273-5960 Camp Counselor US Marine Base, Iwakuni, Japan Counselor and leader for children of ages 5 and 6. Responsible for the children’s safety, planning daily activities, and organizing field trips. Implemented leadership and customer service skills while out on field trip throughout Japan and when interacting with parents. June 2010 Iowa State University Phone Center Made calls to Iowa State University alumni and asked for donations to repair facilities and to establish new amenities for students. Put in practice conversational and persuading skills to obtain the donations.

Education August 2007-May 2013 Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Double Major in Architecture Professional Degree and Environmental Studies Graduated- May 2013

August 2004- May 2007 Antilles High School Fort Buchanan, P.R.

Language English, Spanish

Awards George Washington Carver Scholarship- 2007-2012Received For leadership and academic accomplishments National Leadership and Honors Organization- Sigma Alpha Lambda- 2009-Present Iowa State Presidential Leadership Award- 2007 For leadership roles demonstrated during high school years Dean’s List- College of Design- 2008 National Society of High School Scholars- 2006-2007 President’s Award- 2007

Extracurricular iaWia (Iowa Women in Architecture)- 2012-2013Activities ISU Ballroom Club- 2013 Iowa State Lyrica Choir- 2007-2008 Antilles High School Choir- 2006-2007 National Honor Society- 2006-2007 Humacao Municipal Band- 2003-2006

Volunteer Youth Activity Center, Naval Station Roosevelt Roads- 2001-2003Experience Group Leader for Kindergartens. Supervised and helped with their homework.

Church Summer Camp, Las Piedras, PR- 2001-2003 Group leader for children ages 6 and 7. Planned and implemented daily activities. Responsible for children’s safety

Skills Microsoft Office, Revit, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Laser Cutter Machines

Trainings Leadership and Planning – 64 hours, University of Northern Iowa

This design was done for a sustainable housing class. We were given fictional clients. Buffet and Gates are

the daughters of the famous millionaires and who wanted to live together with their significant other. The

challenge was to design a house that was both separated but yet together. Both clients enjoyed having company and hosting parties, which is why I decided to

place the kitchen in the center of the house. It is the focal point. On each side is each individual room with

their own bathroom and upstairs is the gym.

The challenge of the site was that on the North side was a lake. In order to give view to the North and blocking the North wind I decided to design a wall that can also

be lifted and used as canopies. The South side is completely glass to let all the sun penetrate through the house. The house was designed as a passive solar

house with cross ventilation and high ceilings.

Buffet-Gates House

South and East Side Perspective

South and East Side Perspective

First Floor Second Floor Scale 1/8” = 1’

First Floor Scale 1/8” = 1’

North and West Side Perspective

North and West Side Perspective

Second FloorScale 1/8” = 1’

The Columbus Museum of Machines is a museum where the Cumins Company can exhibit their old engines and machinery. Cumins is a very important company in Columbus, Indiana. After the company was established the town flourished, so this museum also exhibits some of the towns history.

The building is composed of three sections. The first is the public section, which holds a gift shop, cafe, class rooms and a conference room. The second part is the semi-public. This is the main part of the building, the exhibition area. Engines, cars, photographs and models are located in this section. The third section is the private area, back of the house.

The sections are separated by 30 feet high space with a butterfly style roof. This roof is used to collect grey water, which is used to flush the toilets.

Columbus Museum of Machines

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GS

SES

OUND FLOORcale 1/16” = 1’

OND FLOORcale 1/16” = 1’

NORTH ELEVATIONScale 1/16” = 1’

SECTION 1Scale 1/8” = 1’

SECTION 2Scale 1/8” = 1’

EAST ELEVATIONScale 1/8” = 1’

Refugee Housing

This simple project was a two day project done in Rome, Italy. The assignment was to design cheap housing for

refugees arriving in Rome. The site is located next to the ancient Rome aqueducts. The purpose to take advantage of the aqueducts and this was done by actually balancing the

housing on top of the aqueducts.

The houses were designed inside old and used shipping containers, which were divided in two. Opening were cut out

for doors, but the original doors were used as an ventilation when opened. On one side of the wall were all the houses

located and the other side was a shop area.

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solar panelssolar panels

perspective section