ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS AND SKETCHES

ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS

ARCHITECTURE AND I

For me as a student, architecture is about experimenting and trying different approaches. I love this never-ending exploration and the complexity of architecture, it never runs out of things to surprise and enrich us. Architecture requires dedication, passion in its multifaceted nature, from philosophy to technical detailing, and all of these elements make me excited.

On this page, a variety of my architecture university projects is represented. Some of them are the results of the workshops, while others - a part of the curriculum. Other than pure architecture, this page displays artifacts, nevertheless important for the same spatial exploration.

SPACE FOR YOUNG CREATIVES

Space for young creatives – a residential complex with ICT offices and communal spaces created during the Multidisciplinary project at the university, situated in the city center of Breda. There is a currently located Mols parking in the area next to the monument Achter De Lange Stallen, which was taken into account.

East-west connections of the site dictate the zoning, while north-south axis arranged the main circulation. Starting with the landmark – a residential tower – it slowly transitions into a variety of living spaces: from studios to luxurious apartments. Abundance of shared spaces such as roof terraces, courtyards or shared balconies, creates a comfortable living environment. Materials take into account the energy demands of the building with the use of timber and solar panels, both at the façade and rooftops.

The goal of the project was to conceive an integrated design in a group of 6 people. Each student had personal responsibilities in one of the fields: Architecture, Urbanism, Real Estate, Structural Design and Building physics. I took the lead for the part of architecture that we developed with one another student. The process resembled the real-life work of architecture as the crossroads of all the construction, urban, and real-estate requirements.

Analog drawing as the means of visualization was a conscious choice, where each elevation and the overall perspective were thought through in every detail. All the elevations, site plans and perspectives visuals were done by me, where every timber plank – or the steel trusses – are carefully considered in the visuals.

HIZENHAMA-SHUKU

The Hizenhama workshop happening at Saga Univeristy, Japan, focused on the existing task of renovating an old sake brewery building in the culturally significant district of Hizen Hamashuku, in the city of Kashima. It is an old, currently abandoned, building formerly used as a sake brewery.
The assignment is an existing issue: the current owner of the building is searching for ideas for reorganizing the space, therefore, the proposals of the workshop can be used and further implemented. Currently, the building is connected to an event hall, where nowadays various festivals and music concerts occur.

The final proposal of our group was to create an interactive sake brewery museum, connecting past and future. Visitors could become active participants of the sake brewery process, themselves. The proposal also included a bar where the one could taste the local specialties, and a traditional premium accommodation with tatami rooms that could be rented for the authentic Japanese experience.
During this workshop, much knowledge is gained about the local traditional Japanese architecture and its preservation. Architecture tours, collaboration with locals and Japanese students, site observations and company visits – all of it brought a lot of valuable experience in the field of architecture in a completely different, hitherto unknown context.

METAMORPHOSIS

The seminar part of the course Spatial Imagination was an open-ended project with the task of investigating the relationship between space and sound. While we intuitively react to music, and a body, therefore, becomes a mind, it comprises an infinite sequence of moments that together form melodies and harmonies, but in one exact moment can only be seen as individual notes.
The main research question then becomes how we can capture music in one moment and what is then the result to preserve the essence of the song as a whole. This intention to capture music in one moment led to in-depth discussions, numerous references and the transformation of sound – the four songs that were selected – into sculptures and spaces. By staying responsive to music, the reaction manifested itself physically in four gypsum models, with each of them displaying a certain emotion, and the combination of them building a sequence, a storyline of this consciousness.

The songs used to capture music in one moment and create the gypsum models were as following: Soft Cell – Tainted Love; Depeche Mode – See you; Radiohead – High and Dry; Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride. Within the process the whole group contributed to the concept development, however, my participation was more evident in designing a space from the song of Break My Stride. The model shows the highly rhythmic nature of the song and represents its dynamism and constant movement in the physical – gypsum model – representation.

A STAIR TO THERE AND A STAIR TO NOWHERE

The project was the task given by MIT professor William O'Brien Jr. as the resemblance of a Graduate course at the Massachusetts University of Technology. The goal was then to design a Stair to There and a Stair to Nowhere, that were to be presented in two forms: an axonometric and a gypsum model, following the Golden Ratio.

The exercise is concerned with the relationship between different modes of representation, as different means allow exploring different sets of questions that are fundamental to architecture. The task was then investigating the possibilities of the two and the questions each answers. While the plaster cast model provides more information due to its physical nature, it removes abstractions possible in 2D drawings. Thus, in comparison with the physical model, axonometric possesses the ambiguity that can give the power to create deceiving and illusionary visuals.

The task was completed in the groups of 3 people, where everyone could equally contribute to the process and actively participate in every step. Other than making the plaster cast model itself, I focused on the axonometric drawings that become an illusion, as the colored ones displayed above.

LIBRARY PERSONA

The library in the city center of Eindhoven next to the railway accommodates a complex program: various reading rooms, study and meeting spaces, a bookshop and an exhibition space, creating multiple options not only for work and study, but also for leisure and communication. Such a library would serve as a social heart of Eindhoven, showing its technological nature and representing a welcoming and lively public space. Seeing the central location as a place where the new and the old intersects, it was the opportunity to have a conceptual gradient – from public to private spaces, which inspired me towards the name of the project – the Persona library (which comes from latin as human).

Library Persona resembles the way people experience interpersonal communication; we get to know the library as we get to know others. Relation between the library and the site resonates with the idea of a society: dynamic and lively architectural character is enclosed in organic envelope of artificial leveled landscape. Three main concepts of the building enhance the core: a personal character shines under different angles; main direction axis represents an individual's stem and strength. The so called Privacy gradient describes the space alluring to human interaction – from the first meeting (the public entrance) to friendships (private study cubicles and work offices at the top floors).

COHOUSING ARTISTS

'Cohousing artists' is a residential project, accommodating three apartment blocks developed in Midelland, Rotterdam, which accommodate in total 30 dwellings.

The project had an integral approach – starting with the urbanism scale of the whole neihbourhood and getting to the scale of individual apartments and detailing - was key for creating a comfortable, well-organized living space. Site observations gave the basis for the final design concept: living space for artists. Comfortable public spaces and communal areas balance the privacy created by the apartments. While the bigger building is open to residents of various interests and careers, the smaller ones are intended for artists. Artists come together, organizing their exhibitions, create events where each resident can get a say - or simply enjoy the charm and beauty of the world.

WHISPER PAVILION

The Whisper pavilion is demountable after 7 years and accommodates 20 visitors, contains the researcher's space and a sheltered area with a view. Located on island Texel in the Netherlands which is windy and humid but definitely serene, it is surrounded by Nature Reserves, the Wadden Sea and is placed along the dike. Thus, such a pavilion would become a wonderful pit-stop option for travellers.

The structure is kept simple, at its bare essence - timber frame construction combined with curved glulam beam makes the design be easily assembled at the site. All the elements are prefabricated and the joints are organized with nails, for walls - the plywood boards. The extended volume is arranged with truss system which accounts for stability. The structure is visible from the inside, showing the honesty of architecture.

The gradual development of the space is represented by the staircase; the heart of the building. Varying in height and width of steps, it is not made to be a vertical transportation unit. It makes one pay attention, be mindful and present in the moment. Be aware of steps, stop on each one of them and look around – this is where the exhibition space comes from. Starting sharply, with a great courage they are almost dissipating – this is the whisper. The staircase makes you follow the speech of the place, and with every step it brings you to…silence.

CAFETERIA 'ICEBREAKER'

The project required organizing a public space in a specific area of Chisinau. The capacity of the сafeteria is 50 people. The functional zoning includes two parts: one for clients and another one for kitchen and staff. Cafeteria is merged with the spacious playground.
The name of the cafeteria refers to its dynamic triangle shape which attracts attention.
This project taught me creating appealing and inviting cafeterias together with good functional planning.

CONCEPTUAL HOUSE HYGGE

The goal of the project consisted in creating a house for a family with the working space for an artist/architect.
The location of the project was chosen to be the beach in Assens, Denmark. It represents the concept of bionic architecture and symbolizes harmony in nature.
With the "Hygge" House I learned to organize a comfortable living space and get the best combination of function and aesthetics.
The project was completed in hand-drawing technique, the posters demonstrate essential drawings for understanding the house.

PARK PAVILION

A small park pavilion is arranged next to the Maranatha Church in Eindhoven and makes use of the existing surroundings, enveloping around the church. The pavilion included exhibision and meeting spaces and would become an attractive place for people to spend time together with friends or family. As the first project at the university of Eindhoven, it taught me to respond to the immediate context with architecture.

ARCHITECTURE DRAWINGS

Analogue drawing and architecture, while seemingly losing its necessity, are still deeply interconnected. It is then the means of architectural communication, an inalienable part of 'thinking on paper' process, and the connection point between the mind and the building.
I have my passion in analogue drawing when it comes to architecture. I love the consciousness and never-ending investigation that come together with the need to draw, thus, I would love to continue using this approach.