E-Hauze" by Isabel Rodriguez. Studio Instructors Teddy Slowik and Yasushi Ishida

B.Arch graduate Isabel Rodriguez of Woodbury University explored alternative housing possibilities for Los Angeles in her thesis, E-Hauze. Rodriguez explains her project "explores the positive effects of hybridizing housing and an industrialized facility [...] The typical way we live in Los Angeles needs to change. The way we design our build environment should reflect our intention to integrate."

Students across the globe have persisted during a year filled with challenges due to the pandemic. To highlight their work, we connected with students like Rodriquez to learn about her thesis project and how it responds to Los Angeles's housing crisis, her perspectives on the industry, and her experience with hunting for a job after graduating.

Archinect's Spotlight on 2020 Thesis Projects: 2020 has been an extraordinarily challenging year for architecture graduates. Students were displaced as schools shut down, academic communities had to adapt to a new virtual format, end-of-year celebrations were canceled or changed dramatically, and now these students are graduating into an extremely challenging employment market. To support the 2020 class we're launching a summer series of features highlighting the work of thesis students during this unique time of remote learning amid COVID-19. Be sure to follow our 2020 thesis tag to stay up to date as we release new project highlights.

Using the underground metro station as an opportunity, I designed a circulation core connecting the subway and building circulation. The distinct movements bring life to the interior and exterior by becoming a social condenser.

A social condenser causes the intersection of different programs by bringing people together. Interlocking these programs begins addressing the social interaction happening within the core at a fundamental level.

Briefly describe your thesis.

My degree project explores the positive effects of hybridizing housing and an industrialized facility. There is a high demand of housing in Los Angeles. Housing is becoming extremely expensive to own or rent. Implementing a battery recycling plant can introduce economic revenues. Housing cost would be subsidized while also serving as an environmental benefit. Combining different typologies creates interstitial spaces. Simultaneously it evolves into a new programmatic relationship that adds performative and social integration features. Simple techniques such as additive and subtractive operations can result in the reorganization of traditional space. We start to see the reorganization of space revealing itself in the interior and exterior. Taking a closer look into the shared spaces, I questioned their validity. Society is becoming more isolated as technology advances and so is our build spaces. 

Using the underground metro station as an opportunity, I designed a circulation core connecting the subway and building circulation. The distinct movements bring life to the interior and exterior by becoming a social condenser. A social condenser causes the intersection of different programs by bringing people together. Interlocking these programs begins addressing the social interaction happening within the core at a fundamental level. A lack of multi-functional space erases the social experiences, that would otherwise occur in a functional environment. 

The typical way we live in Los Angeles needs to change. The way we design our build environment should reflect our intention to integrate. The pandemic is devastating low income families. Los Angeles residents are struggling to pay mortgages and rent. Housing is changing dramatically. Housing should become affordable and a potential solution could be the integration of an industrial typology.

How did your project change as studios transitioned to remote learning?

The transition to remote learning was a struggle due to the lack of communication with my professors. I needed to adapt and learn new ways to interact with my colleagues and professors.

Any tips for students as they continue to work on their thesis?

This the time to change the way we see things digitally. Explaining our ideas through drawing is important, but now with remote learning students can find new ways to demonstrate their visions.

This the time to change the way we see things digitally. Explaining our ideas through drawing is important, but now with remote learning students can find new ways to demonstrate their visions.

As a recent graduate experiencing the direct effects of the pandemic, how do you feel about the architecture industry right now?

The architecture industry is drawn to the economy. But with this halt architects are learning new ways of living spaces. The current housing typologies are not working. Once the economic goes back to normal then we can see the changes the pandemic has put on architects.

What has helped prepare you for the workforce?

What has helped me prepare for the workforce was learning several software skills during my educational period. During the stay at home order I have been learning new software skills that are new in the architecture discipline.