TSC: Downtown Urban Infill Project

Texas Southmost College hosted a design studio presentation for a downtown urban infill project on the evening of December 10, 2014. The project is part of an ongoing collaboration between the TSC Architecture Program and the City of Brownsville to support the revitalization of the Brownsville Downtown District. The TSC Architectural Design Studio group of Fall 2014 presented conceptual designs for various types of buildings on vacant lots that are scattered throughout the area. The goal was to fill in those vacant lots with new buildings that improve the living conditions within the downtown area and serve local residences and general  pubic of the city. In addition, the new structures were designed to  serve as concepts for structures that could bridge historic and contemporary design concepts and create new dynamics for the district. Our own MG'er, Hector Rene Garcia, Architect/Partner,  served as one of the jurors reviewing student work. "The concepts were well researched and developed. Each project could inject the downtown area with economic and architectural impact. Dr. Abusalim and his students did not disappoint."

Model of downtown Brownsville; the three student project sites are a mixed-use art supply, art gallery, student housing complex (upper center), a Chess Academy (upper right) and a Mobile Food Truck Plaza (lower right.)

L to R:  Juan Ramon Cantu, Oscar Olvera and Eduardo Elizondo pitch their proposal for a Mobile Food Truck Plaza, a two level shaded parking structure that utilized ramps, stairs and roof areas as multiple seating options for patrons.

Concept model of a Mobile Food Truck Plaza by Cantu / Olvera / Elizondo. The plaza area (white base) opens the site to passersby with the food trucks parked under the elevated slabs and patrons taking advantage of shaded and open areas along the north and east edges of the property. Jurors recommended varying the ramp and stairs to provide additional seating and shading options.

Presentation board of the Mobile Food Truck Plaza.

Armando Sosa (left), Jose Gonzalez (right) and Jesus Hernandez (not pictured) presented a  mixed-use proposal for an art center consisting of an art gallery, an art supply store and housing units. The three story project layered the different uses establish public and private zones as well as variable experiences for the tenants. A courtyard for contemplation was placed on the north edge of the property, adjacent to the historic fire station next door.

Concept model of the mixed-use Art Center by Sosa/Gonzalez/Hernandez. Jurors suggested relocating the courtyard to the center of the property, thus allowing the visitor and resident experience to be enhanced.

Pedro Rodriguez (l), Wilbert Lopez (r) and Diana Melissa Andrade (below) proposed a Chess Academy, a facility to train the championship caliber chess teams from Brownsville that have won state and national honors.

Diana Melissa Andrade with the presentation board of her teams Chess Academy.

The Chess Academy's floor plan pinwheels around a central core. A cafe, for waiting parents, and administration areas anchor the first floor, while the upper floors contain the "training rooms."  Jurors were in agreement that while the concept was sound the orientation of the building needed further study in order to address aesthetic street side issues.

Murad Abusalim, Ph.D., director of the Architecture Program at Texas Southmost College, poses with students (l to r) Jesus Hernandez, Diana Melissa Andrade, Oscar Olvera and Juan Ramon Cantu after their presentations of urban infill projects to community leaders.  Congratulations to all! 

On the Boards: Office/Warehouse

MG'er Rey Zamora, Architect, has designed an office/warehouse for a development firm in McAllen. The 10,000 SF facility is a part of the second phase of a master planned office/warehouse complex owned by the firm and contains several sustainable features to optimize working conditions.

Texas Southmost College - Architecture Department - Student Design Work on Affordable Housing

Our own Chris Collins, AIA and Hector Rene Garcia, Architect/Partner took part in a design review session for the students of Murad Abusalim, Ph.D., at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville. Their project was single family affordable housing. Other jurors included:  Jesse Miller of BCWorkshop; Oscar Atkinson of the Brownsville Housing Authority; John Pearcy of Megamorphosis Architects; Mick Mitchell Bennet of the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville (CDCB); Ramiro Gonzalez of the City of Brownsville Planning Department and Erick Darbo Diaz of Orange Made Architects.

Juan Ramon Cantu (left), Wilbert Lopez (second from right) and Jesus Hernandez (right) present their class research on affordable housing and the sites selected for their projects. 

Jesus Hernandez present his design, a compact plan with a wrap-around porch, highlighted by the use of clearstory windows and exposed structural elements.

Juan Ramon Cantu's concept had a functional floor plan with his main emphasis on the manipulation of the angles and various orientations of the roof 

 Oscar Olvera divided the public and private areas of his house into pods that opened up to patio areas, a modular plan that can be adapted into various layouts.

Pedro Rodriguez based his concept on an H-Plan that separated public and private areas.

Armando Sosa's concept was based on a C-Plan; all rooms having access to a central courtyard.  Clerestory windows and sliding glass doors deliver light to the interior.

Jose Gonzalez designed a compact plan that featured two deck areas, one public, one private.  The main feature was a clerestory window that would bring natural lighting into the interior of the house.

Diana Melissa Andrade presented a design that will dictate a different lifestyle for the inhabitants of the house.  The public areas (living, dining, kitchen) have their own unit while the private spaces (bedrooms and bathrooms) are in a separate unit.  The two units are joined by porches.  Clerestory windows bring daylight deep into the interior spaces.

Wilbert Lopez provided conceptual sketches and models of his design.

An excellent presentation by the students of Texas Southmost College - Architecture Program.  These second year students (first year design studio) are on track to transfer at the end of their second year to Texas Tech University in Lubbock.  Continued success to all!

Sustainability - Permaculture Design

The University of Texas - Pan American's Office of Sustainability (led by Marianella Franklin and her staff) offered Part One of a two part series - Permaculture Design Intensive Workshop - October 30th through November 2nd.  Mata+Garcia's own Hector Rene Garcia attended this fascinating workshop.

The course covered sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It included the application of permaculture principles to food production, home design & construction, energy conservation and generation, and explored the social and economic structures that support a culture that cares for the planet and all its inhabitants. Part I: October 30th to November 2nd, 2014. Part II: January 8th to 12th, 2015.

Topics included in the first workshop were:  Permaculture Ethics and Principles; Observation and Pattern Understanding; Concepts, Themes and Methods of Design; Climate; Landform and Earthworks; Measuring Tools, The Backyard Farmer; Water  & Keyline, Access and Circulation; Vegetation & Wildlife; Plants, Gardening and Farming; Seed Saving; Plant Propagation, Grafting; Gardening & Farming Systems; Plants and Trees; Plant Walk, Plant Guilds; Health use of Animals in Permaculture Systems. 

The funding for this workshop was provided by an anonymous donor. Many thanks to the foundation and the Office of Sustainability for offering this workshop, course material and meals at no cost to the attendees. Garcia said: "Everything was top notch and I met some incredible people that are practicing a sustainable lifestyle right here in the Rio Grande Valley."

   

Dedication of City of Mercedes Fire Department

Article by Kristen Mosbrucker from the October 22nd edition of The Monitor newspaper:

MERCEDES — Gleaming red fire trucks sat behind a row of firefighters who stood at attention Wednesday, saluting the American and Texas flags hanging outside the city’s new firehouse.

The $2.6 million, 17,500-square-foot fire station designed by Mata+Garcia Architects is the Mercedes’ new crown jewel for first responders. It replaces the former station four blocks away, built in 1927 and designed by architect Newell Waters, whose firm drew the plans for many Rio Grande Valley buildings, including Weslaco’s former city hall and the Hidalgo County Courthouse.

Mercedes’ fire department employs six paid firefighters supported by17 volunteers, said Fire Chief Jaime Garcia.  Four times larger than the old fire station, the new building will allow the city to add three new paid positions in the next year, the chief said.

“The new facility has dorms, showers, and restrooms that will allow us to staff 24/7,” he said of the two dormitories that can accommodate up to 14 firefighters and kitchen area. “The old living space and building did not meet current code.”

The new fire station will allow for around-the-clock protection, and could reduce fire insurance premiums for business owners in the city — something officials hope will spur more economic development.

“Projects like this aren’t just for protecting the lives of our fellow residents, but they are also imperative for continued business expansion,” said U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, speaking in his hometown.

The $2.6 million project was funded in part by a $500,000 federal stimulus grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and a low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture worth more than $1.5 million.

City, State and National officials cut the ribbon at the dedication of the City of Mercedes Fire Department facility. Front row: Paco Valentin - USDA State Director, Ruben Hinojosa - Congressman for the 15th Congressional District, Jaime Garcia - City of Mercedes Fire Chief, Henry Hinojosa - Mayor, City of Mercedes; and Miss Mercedes - Victoria Barroso.

Program

Congratulations to the City of Mercedes!

El Bombero Newsletter - Issue No. 1

The first issue of El Bombero, our monthly newsletter for the Linn-San Manuel Emergency Services Facility, has been published.  The newsletter keeps our clients and their constituents informed as to the monthly progress of the project.  To get on our mailing list, contact Hector Rene Garcia at hector@matagarcia-architects.com. 

Permaculture Leaders

I had the pleasure of meeting these gentlemen at the UTPA Permaculture Design & Education Workshop, held July 7th - 10th at various RGV locations.  (Information is from their websites.) They are (left to right):

Ing. Gerardo González Garibay

Gonzalez graduated from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Nuevo Leon as Forest Engineer in 2013. His first encounter with Permaculture was an introductory course in Tulum, Quintana Roo, learning system design and living philosophy, then deciding to transform his life and stop being a designer / developer of websites and advertising to jump into the development of sustainable systems; Gonzalez obtained his certificate in Permaculture Design (PCD) in Australia by Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton in 2009.  He is currently in charge of the Huerta Project, La Loma Agri-Culture-Permanente, implementing and developing techniques according to the principles of design. Gonzalez seeks to provide tools and knowledge to system design and Permaculture Organic Farming for all those interested, creating Permaculture Mexico (www.permacultura.mx) and organizing information and training to all those who require knowledge.

Wayne Weiseman

An international leader in permaculture design, Weiseman has taught hundreds of Permaculture Design Certificate courses, designed numerous master plans, consulted for educators for curriculum and professional development, taught ecological construction methods, and worked as a contractor, herbalist, renewable energy expert, and farmer over the past thirty years. His new book, Integrated Forest Gardens: The Complete Guide to Polycultures and Plant Guilds in Permaculture Systems will be published August 2014.

Ing. José Gómez Dib 

(Designer, consultant, instructor, translator, representative)  Studies:  May 2014 Regenerative Agriculture and Living Design Course (RAD), taught by Darren Doherty, Muskerry, Australia; July 2012 - Internship Permaculture, Permaculture Farmstay Perak, Lenggong, Malaysia; February 2012 - construction Superadobe Workshop , taught by  Cal Earth Institute , Hesperia, California. October 2009 - Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC Permaculture Design Certificate) , given by Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton , Melbourne, Australia. November 2008 - University of Queensland. Bachelor of Information Technology.  Collaborating with Walter Pty Alchemy – New Zealand – worldwide leader in aquaculture systems, biogas and algal production; collaborating with Gaiacraft (www.gaiacraft.com) – Canada – development of techniques and educational programs for sustainability and permaculture.

Permaculture Design/Education: Community Gardens

Designing a Community Garden (Part 1):  Leo Pena Placita Park, Mission, Texas.

Our host this morning, Ray Perez, has the City of Mission's backing in his quest to possibly turn the amphitheater section of the park into a permaculture community garden. While Perez has yet to start formal planning, leading to a presentation to the city commission, he asked for ideas with which to start the planning process from those in attendance. Hector Rene Garcia, Architect and Partner, of Mata+Garcia Architects offered to produce the graphics needed to get the project approved.

 Ray Perez talks about his vision for a community garden in downtown Mission. He asked attendees about the best way to treat ground level fill, how to reduce weeds and provide nutrients, good places to get decent soil/mulch, ideas for plants that would do well in this terraced setting, noting a need for plant color and typical plant  types for hummingbirds and butterflies.

A view of the amphitheater stage, center, with both semi-circular (west) and elliptical (east) seating levels.

It was suggested that Perez propose the community garden on the terraced elliptical portion of the amphitheater and leave the semi-circular portion as functioning amphitheater seating for community events.

Designing a Community Garden (Part 2): Trinity Community Garden - Pharr, Texas

Our final stop was at 210 West Caffery (Bluebonnet corner), a lot being developed as a community garden by Alice Lee Williams Penrod, Steven Johnson and Virginia Costilla.  

The group has planted lab-lab in preparing the soil for the future community garden.  The goals are to have "anchor" families that are dedicated to permaculture as a part of life and diet and taking care of self and family. The group hopes to have corporate sponsors for each family with a community harvest, followed by a potluck supper, after each season.

It was suggested that a portion of the property use native plants as a way to attract butterflies and birds.

The UTPA Permaculture Design and Education Workshop close with yet another outstanding meal from Empanadas Argentinas, Sara Alicia Larronde, a permaculture enthusiast as well!

Permaculture Workshop: Edcouch-Elsa/Harlingen

Building Communities in the Ecological Epoch: 400 Adkins Street, Edcouch, Texas.

This morning we started off in Edcouch, at a subdivision project undertaken by Proyecto Azteca Inc., a self-housing program adapted to the colonia tradition of owner-built homes.  While Proyecto Azteca usually works on individual homes in colonias, this subdivision is the first time the organization tackles a complete neighborhood. The project will be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver subdivision south of Austin.

Ann Williams Cass, Executive Director of Proyecto Azteca noted that once completed, the neighborhood will be home to 32 families, with hike and bike trails, a community center and a park.

The families are required to put in 550 "sweat equity" working hours into building their homes as well as taking classes on sustainable living, financial education, home repair, organic gardening, budgeting and building skills as a trade-off for living in the neighborhood.

The LEED Silver homes line the streets of Dolores Huerta and Rebecca 

Flores, longtime leaders of the United Farm Workers.

With 3,800 families on waiting lists, this particular neighborhood will 

house 32 families in 2 bedroom/2 bath (1,000 SF), 3 bedroom/2 bath

(1,200 SF) and 4 bedroom/2 bath (1,400 SF) homes. The homes were 

built with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and metal roofs. All of the 

homes have rainwater harvesting and a few are fitted with solar panels.

Wayne Weiseman stated that he would like to see the families garden individually rather than as a community. He said the families will be able to see their own money "free-up", money that they can see in their own pockets. Noting that good leadership is necessary, Weiseman said it would occur little by little, common interests, community interests, seeing what is marketable. Refering to the learning of skills, Weiseman said "It starts at the back door."

Saying he was totally into the project; Weiseman closed by asking, "What inspires you and how do you facilitate that?"

Further information on Proyecto Azteca can be found at: www.proyectoazteca.org

The Llano Grande Center for Research and Development, Elsa, Texas.

The center is a non-profit that works to revitalize the local community through its youth.  Its goals are to create access to higher education, engaging students in community change initiatives and developing leadership that respects local history and culture.

The center's multi-tasked director, Orlando Salinas, presented the organization's vision to create an organic demonstration farm along with the local school district (Edcouch-Elsa ISD). Salinas led a tour of the property as Weisemen and workshop attendees provided suggestions on how to best utilize the property.

Orlando Salinas, Llano Grande Center Director give workshop attendees 

a tour of the property where the goal is to build an organic demonstration

farm for local public school student to learn about permaculture principles.

Salinas has done an initial layout of the property which will start with a 

reservoir on the west end and extend to the eastern edge with a mixture

of plot sizes and crop plantings.

Further information on the Llano Grande Center can be found at: www.llanogrande.org

Homestead Permaculture:  Cortez Property, 40 Acres West of Harlingen

Carlos Cortez, an Agroecology student at the University of Texas Pan American, gave us a tour of his family's property and how he plans to use the 40 acres, with complete backing from his family, to practice permaculture.  Cortez said "I want to restore the land and make it productive again."

Carlos Cortez descibes how he plans to practice permaculture on his 

family's property west of Harlingen.  The UTPA student has ambitious 

plans but plans to start with a small plot and expand from there.

Cortez's initial planting is a vegetable crop circle from which he will

expand to surrounding circles for companion planting.

Cortez stands next to his composting area; the property extends to 

the line of palm trees in the background.

Permaculture and Farming

Yahweh's All Natural Farm & Garden, 19741 Morris Road, Harlingen, Texas

Our final stop was at the Yahweh's All Natural Farm and Garden in Harlingen.  Owned and managed by Saul and Diana Padilla for the past ten years producing organically grown seasonal fruits and vegetables. There are also pecan, orange, grapefruit and peach trees on the property. The Padilla's also offer an sophisticated alternative for raising livestock by working with nature rather than against it.  They offer pasture and free range chickens, goats, rabbits and farm fresh eggs.

Diana Padilla leads a tour of her farm's various fruit trees.

Among the trees on the property are: pecan, orange, 

grapefruit, banana and peach trees

Bananas hang from the tree.

 The Padilla's have two green houses; one that they built (shown) 

and one that they bought.

 A line of bamboo acts as a windbreak for the citrus trees.

Organically fed chickens....

....and livestock.

Asparagus vegetable plants in the community garden.

Padilla asked Weiseman what his thoughts were regarding Yahweh's Farm and what she and her husband are striving for, he said one word, "Exquisite!"

Kate McSwain, co-founder with the Padilla's of the Hope Project for Small Farm Sustainability, spoke about their goal to renovate the existing farm house and acreage into public farm plots - 36 plots at 20'x20' each - and a farmers market store with a commercial kitchen.  Coolers will be available for local growers to store their produce.  McSwain said that they intend to be "economically sound and ecologically viable."

Additional information on Yahweh's Farms can be found at: www.yahwehsallnaturalfarm.com

Drawings for the HOPE Project can be found at:

www.behance.net/gallery/3120693/HOPE-for-Sustainable-Small-Farms-Project