Manuel Ródenas - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Manuel Ródenas
In 2019, the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHCH) completed the restoration of th... more In 2019, the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHCH) completed the restoration of the National Capitol of Cuba. It had begun in 2010. The architectural intervention on this monument is, so far, the largest restoration project the country has ever faced, due to its size, importance and large scale. This article describes its history and construction methods, emphasising the construction and technical innovation that made it possible to complete the work in a very short time for the conditions and techniques of the time: only three years (1926 to 1929) for a building that had 13,483 m2 of construction and 26,391 m2 of parks and gardens, covering a total area of approximately 43,600 m2 [1]. The research goal is to provide information on the construction solutions and materials used to build the monument, based on the extensive graphic and photographic documentation located in the different archives in Havana, consulted by staff from the University of Alicante and the Polyt...
EGE-Expresión Gráfica en la Edificación, 2003
La extraordinaria difusión del dibujo y modelado por ordenador en la última década, hasta llegar ... more La extraordinaria difusión del dibujo y modelado por ordenador en la última década, hasta llegar a hacerlos prácticamente universales, ofrece la oportunidad de una reforma profunda de los métodos y los programas docentes de las materias que giran alrededor de la representación de la arquitectura, y de la Geometría Descriptiva en. particular. A grandes rasgos, se están dando dos reacciones opuestas ante esta situación. Algunos profesores parecen entender que este estado de cosas no afecta a la docencia de la Geometría Descriptiva, puesto que los métodos de la disciplina son igualmente válidos si se materializan por medio del lápiz o del dibujo por ordenador en dos dimensiones.
International Journal of Architectural Heritage
The National Capitol of Cuba was built between 1926 and 1929, with very short completion terms fo... more The National Capitol of Cuba was built between 1926 and 1929, with very short completion terms for the technical-construction means of that time. The historic-technological article describes its do...
Buildings, 2021
The public housing built under the Franco regime in Spain (1939–1975) brought about the largest u... more The public housing built under the Franco regime in Spain (1939–1975) brought about the largest urban growth in the country’s recent history. It shares similar characteristics with other public housing built in Europe during the 20th century, and today it houses a predominantly multicultural and socioeconomically precarious population. This study analyses and evaluates three estates that make up a new urban axis in the city of Murcia. The objective is to evaluate the benefits and shortcomings of these developments in order to establish rehabilitation plans, which will seek to improve the lives of their inhabitants and enhance their experience of the urban area from environmental, functional and interactive perspectives. The methodology used for this study is based on the application of three systems of indicators in order to obtain a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of each neighborhood. The quantitative analysis evaluates the urban area in terms of environmental sustainabili...
Opposite to the ideation processes that follow the sequence ‘sketch-scale drawing-model-plans’, w... more Opposite to the ideation processes that follow the sequence ‘sketch-scale drawing-model-plans’, we propose the experience of starting out directly with the physical model to, using the low cost photogrammetry method, obtain its projection views (in CAD format) and the development of the production drawings of the idea or project.
Graphic Imprints, 2018
Through parameterizing masterpieces of ‘Arte Concreta’ movement, we will try to reproduce these o... more Through parameterizing masterpieces of ‘Arte Concreta’ movement, we will try to reproduce these ones and their possible variations. With this methodology, the computer copies the shape; the graphic language without the stylistic meaning and multiple possibilities can be explored. Thus might seem nonsense but allows us to find which are the limits of the computer, those qualities that cannot be copied or parameterized from the graphic masterpiece. In this way, it will let us know therefore what remains of authentic in the work. Furthermore, when it comes to provide the outline conditions to generate proposals according to a previous defined graphic language, we are implicitly analyzing the language that the author used, its own geometrical rules, repetitions or patterns. Somehow, we are codifying or parameterizing a manifesto or poetics, an attitude. We will start it out by the selection of authors and works belonging to the ‘Arte Concreta’ manifesto at diverse stages. Afterwards we ...
The development of deployable structures began its journey in the early 1960s. Spain’s input in t... more The development of deployable structures began its journey in the early 1960s. Spain’s input in this area was pivotal on a global level, with the architects Emilio Perez Pinero and Felix Escrig leading the charge. Unfortunately, the graphical legacy underpinning their work is somewhat scant and in the main relates to the specifications of the patents for which they applied. That said, the drawings submitted along with their patents reflect a complex architectural school that forms part of Spain’s architectural heritage from the second half of the 20th Century. Our goal in this paper is to analyse the drawings and sketches contained in their patents that help define architectural projects in which geometric development is key to their dynamic functioning. From this material, a graphical depiction using parametrical design tools will be devised, representing their kinematic behaviour. The findings address aspects related to the graphical representation of an architectural legacy speci...
Nexus Network Journal, 2019
This paper compares four systems of deployable scissor-like structures (also known as double laye... more This paper compares four systems of deployable scissor-like structures (also known as double layer grid-articulated joint systems). Its aim is to understand which of these require fewer elements to cover/span a given area. The results are assessed for five cases of the same area but with different geometry. As part of the research, two different methods have been used, contrasting the precision and convenience of each one simultaneously. On the one hand, we have used mathematical equations that allow us to quantify the amount of rods and joints needed in each system. On the other hand, in carrying out these evaluations, we have also used several digital models made with Grasshopper, a software that offers us tools to create algorithms. To conclude, we then evaluate the results obtained via both procedures.
EGA. Revista de expresión gráfica arquitectónica, 2012
In our communication we aim to describe different tools the architect has when designing and repr... more In our communication we aim to describe different tools the architect has when designing and representing Architecture. His/her knowledge can be contemplated in learning frameworks of Architecture schools. We will describe them jointly providing a general overview: from the use of traditional techniques such as freehand drawing, the model or collage, to the latest technologies in the field of design and architectural graphic representation such as the Generative Design and Augmented Reality. We will discuss the experience developed over three years in the workshop: "Augmented Reality and Generative Design. A tour through print media for designing and Representing Architecture", where nursery, primary and secondary students worked together. The workshop was held under the Engineering Campus organized by the Technical University of Cartagena (Spain).
In 2019, the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHCH) completed the restoration of th... more In 2019, the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHCH) completed the restoration of the National Capitol of Cuba. It had begun in 2010. The architectural intervention on this monument is, so far, the largest restoration project the country has ever faced, due to its size, importance and large scale. This article describes its history and construction methods, emphasising the construction and technical innovation that made it possible to complete the work in a very short time for the conditions and techniques of the time: only three years (1926 to 1929) for a building that had 13,483 m2 of construction and 26,391 m2 of parks and gardens, covering a total area of approximately 43,600 m2 [1]. The research goal is to provide information on the construction solutions and materials used to build the monument, based on the extensive graphic and photographic documentation located in the different archives in Havana, consulted by staff from the University of Alicante and the Polyt...
EGE-Expresión Gráfica en la Edificación, 2003
La extraordinaria difusión del dibujo y modelado por ordenador en la última década, hasta llegar ... more La extraordinaria difusión del dibujo y modelado por ordenador en la última década, hasta llegar a hacerlos prácticamente universales, ofrece la oportunidad de una reforma profunda de los métodos y los programas docentes de las materias que giran alrededor de la representación de la arquitectura, y de la Geometría Descriptiva en. particular. A grandes rasgos, se están dando dos reacciones opuestas ante esta situación. Algunos profesores parecen entender que este estado de cosas no afecta a la docencia de la Geometría Descriptiva, puesto que los métodos de la disciplina son igualmente válidos si se materializan por medio del lápiz o del dibujo por ordenador en dos dimensiones.
International Journal of Architectural Heritage
The National Capitol of Cuba was built between 1926 and 1929, with very short completion terms fo... more The National Capitol of Cuba was built between 1926 and 1929, with very short completion terms for the technical-construction means of that time. The historic-technological article describes its do...
Buildings, 2021
The public housing built under the Franco regime in Spain (1939–1975) brought about the largest u... more The public housing built under the Franco regime in Spain (1939–1975) brought about the largest urban growth in the country’s recent history. It shares similar characteristics with other public housing built in Europe during the 20th century, and today it houses a predominantly multicultural and socioeconomically precarious population. This study analyses and evaluates three estates that make up a new urban axis in the city of Murcia. The objective is to evaluate the benefits and shortcomings of these developments in order to establish rehabilitation plans, which will seek to improve the lives of their inhabitants and enhance their experience of the urban area from environmental, functional and interactive perspectives. The methodology used for this study is based on the application of three systems of indicators in order to obtain a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of each neighborhood. The quantitative analysis evaluates the urban area in terms of environmental sustainabili...
Opposite to the ideation processes that follow the sequence ‘sketch-scale drawing-model-plans’, w... more Opposite to the ideation processes that follow the sequence ‘sketch-scale drawing-model-plans’, we propose the experience of starting out directly with the physical model to, using the low cost photogrammetry method, obtain its projection views (in CAD format) and the development of the production drawings of the idea or project.
Graphic Imprints, 2018
Through parameterizing masterpieces of ‘Arte Concreta’ movement, we will try to reproduce these o... more Through parameterizing masterpieces of ‘Arte Concreta’ movement, we will try to reproduce these ones and their possible variations. With this methodology, the computer copies the shape; the graphic language without the stylistic meaning and multiple possibilities can be explored. Thus might seem nonsense but allows us to find which are the limits of the computer, those qualities that cannot be copied or parameterized from the graphic masterpiece. In this way, it will let us know therefore what remains of authentic in the work. Furthermore, when it comes to provide the outline conditions to generate proposals according to a previous defined graphic language, we are implicitly analyzing the language that the author used, its own geometrical rules, repetitions or patterns. Somehow, we are codifying or parameterizing a manifesto or poetics, an attitude. We will start it out by the selection of authors and works belonging to the ‘Arte Concreta’ manifesto at diverse stages. Afterwards we ...
The development of deployable structures began its journey in the early 1960s. Spain’s input in t... more The development of deployable structures began its journey in the early 1960s. Spain’s input in this area was pivotal on a global level, with the architects Emilio Perez Pinero and Felix Escrig leading the charge. Unfortunately, the graphical legacy underpinning their work is somewhat scant and in the main relates to the specifications of the patents for which they applied. That said, the drawings submitted along with their patents reflect a complex architectural school that forms part of Spain’s architectural heritage from the second half of the 20th Century. Our goal in this paper is to analyse the drawings and sketches contained in their patents that help define architectural projects in which geometric development is key to their dynamic functioning. From this material, a graphical depiction using parametrical design tools will be devised, representing their kinematic behaviour. The findings address aspects related to the graphical representation of an architectural legacy speci...
Nexus Network Journal, 2019
This paper compares four systems of deployable scissor-like structures (also known as double laye... more This paper compares four systems of deployable scissor-like structures (also known as double layer grid-articulated joint systems). Its aim is to understand which of these require fewer elements to cover/span a given area. The results are assessed for five cases of the same area but with different geometry. As part of the research, two different methods have been used, contrasting the precision and convenience of each one simultaneously. On the one hand, we have used mathematical equations that allow us to quantify the amount of rods and joints needed in each system. On the other hand, in carrying out these evaluations, we have also used several digital models made with Grasshopper, a software that offers us tools to create algorithms. To conclude, we then evaluate the results obtained via both procedures.
EGA. Revista de expresión gráfica arquitectónica, 2012
In our communication we aim to describe different tools the architect has when designing and repr... more In our communication we aim to describe different tools the architect has when designing and representing Architecture. His/her knowledge can be contemplated in learning frameworks of Architecture schools. We will describe them jointly providing a general overview: from the use of traditional techniques such as freehand drawing, the model or collage, to the latest technologies in the field of design and architectural graphic representation such as the Generative Design and Augmented Reality. We will discuss the experience developed over three years in the workshop: "Augmented Reality and Generative Design. A tour through print media for designing and Representing Architecture", where nursery, primary and secondary students worked together. The workshop was held under the Engineering Campus organized by the Technical University of Cartagena (Spain).