Amanda Castro Portfolio

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I am open to architectural and design-related opportunities in Canada, including architectural design, drafting, and design support roles. I am particularly interested in collaborative environments where I can contribute my skills while continuing to grow within the Canadian architecture industry.

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Final thesis project exploring strategies to improve energy and food self-sufficiency in a historic urban context in Centro Habana. The proposal operates at both urban and architectural scales, including the redesign of a four-block area and the development of a new residential building on a deteriorated site. The project integrates environmental strategies, spatial reorganization, and rooftop systems to support sustainable urban living.

Short Description:

The project addresses the challenges of historic, high-density urban areas, focusing on improving living conditions through strategies that enhance local self-sufficiency in energy and food production.

Project Context:

The proposal operates at two scales: an urban strategy for the revitalization of a four-block area, and the design of a new residential building within a deteriorated site. This dual approach allows the integration of broader urban interventions with specific architectural solutions.

Design Approach:

At the urban level, the project proposes spatial reorganization and interventions aimed at improving environmental performance, accessibility, and community functionality within a compact historic environment.

Urban Strategy:

At the building scale, the design explores adaptive infill strategies, optimizing limited space through vertical organization, duplex units, and efficient layouts while maintaining continuity with the surrounding context.

Architectural Strategy:

The project incorporates passive design strategies such as solar protection systems, optimized natural ventilation, and the integration of patios to enhance climatic performance. Rooftop areas are utilized for energy generation, urban agriculture, and social interaction, contributing to increased self-sufficiency.

Environmental / Sustainability Strategy:

Interior spaces are organized to maximize efficiency and livability, including the use of duplex configurations and the vertical alignment of service areas to improve functionality and reduce infrastructure complexity.

Spatial Strategy: