Architecture Portfolio GSA DipArch Alesia Berahavaya

A L E S I A B E R A H AVAYA PORTFOLIO

DIPLOMA OF ARHCITECURE

URBAN

LIVING

FOR

ARTS

Long Section

Diploma project, Glasgow, Scotland

An modern urban building requires space for labour and domesticity. It is ev i d e n t i a l t ha t w e a l r e a d y i n ha b i t o u r d w e l l i n g s i n s u c h m a n n e r, w i t h d i g i t a l p ro g r e s s p l a y i n g b i g ro l e i n s u c h a d a p t a t i o n . The q u e s t i o n b e c o m e s w h i c h labour is appropriate to include in spaces we dwell in, and which are better to be put aside. With this in mind, the line between public and private becomes the most crucial aspect in the varying the types of labour in urban building, and I have studied its implications on three different scales:

Urban scale –

Building scale –

Cell Scale-

Fo r t he s i t e g i v e n – M e r c ha n t C i t y, I a n a l ys e d t ha t t he a r e a ha s l o t s of different groups of people present, however is lacking dynamic and vibrant places for community to gather in an exciting and safe way. Given that it is a historical centre of city and is located on the main retail route of Glasgow, golden Z, my intent was to populate the area and make it an active place for dif ferent communities. Site had few places of similar intent, however was known for landmarks and visual corridors leading up to them. I wanted to look into how to create a landmark build on the congregation of dif ferent communities. Establishing desired urban Implications , I looked into which activities make a public space exciting, connected and safe. In terms of the given brief, I wanted to address the topic of labour and domestic inhabitation in urban conditions by analysing ho w p e o p l e c u r r e n t l y l i v e i n M e r c ha n t c i t y. The s e p a r a t i o n o f p u b l i c labour is achieved vertically throughout the site so I wanted adapt these settings further to my own urban proposition.

On closer scale I wanted to look into how to bring a particular group of people - artists, onto the site, as I felt that would be a logical community to inhabit part of the site to make it active and v i b r a n t . The r e a r e u n i v e rs i t y c a m p u s e s a l r e a d y l o c a t e d t o t he n o r t h of the site and having galleries as the cultural activity, would invite people to gather from other areas of the city, making the area lively a g a i n . To s t u d y t h e l a b o u r a n d d o m e s t i c i t y f o r a r t i s t s , I a n a l y s e d m y o w n p e r c e p t i o n o n t he m a t t e r, a l o n g s i d e o f t he o p i n i o n s o f a r t i s t s . I concluded to locate the two activities: studios and housing, on two opposing sides of the building, however keeping the two together in o n e r e s o l v e d u r b a n b u i l d i n g . The c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n a r t l a b o u r a n d domestic living is designed with series of outdoor bridges thought an exterior covered area, to celebrate the change of state for the artists and make the public once again feel the vibrant movement on the site.

In terms of the domestic side of the building I wanted to allow ro o m o n l y f o r l i g ht d i g i t a l l a b o u r, b u t m a i n l y e n c o u ra g e a w a y f ro m - p ro d u c t i o n o r i e n t a t e d t y p e o f l i v i n g . The c e l l i s d e s i g n e d to allow 4 people at a time to co-live with 1 shared kitchen and b a t hro o m . The d e s i g n o f c i r c u l a t i o n b e t w e e n c e l l ho u s e s w i l l a l l o w people to socialise and create stronger co-living community, whilst o v e r l o o k i n g t he m a i n s q u a r e a n d n e i g h b o u r i n g c e l l s . The d e s i g n o f front yard through the ground floor entrance, allows the inhabitants to have the sense of privacy, whilst actively interacting with it to get to their housing areas.

Street View - Site Edge Design

Site Analyses

Location of functions in accordance to solar position

Upper Levels Floor Plan

Overlooking concept integrating stepping-down geometry

Domestic circulation for overlooking on residential scale

Site plan

View from the Public Square

Lower Level Cell Layout

Cell Section

Upper Level Cell Layout

Model

of the Cell

Domestic Overlooking Strategy

Circulation Strategies

Model 1:200

INDUSTRY WORK & BACHELOR STUDIES

Apartments

Galo

Freelance Project, Minsk, Belarus Design by Alesia Berahavaya

Th i s p ro j e c t w a s m y i n d i v i d u a l w o r k u n d e r t he c o n s u l t a t i o n o f t he a r c h i t e c t . The c l i e n t w a s l o o k i n g f o r a s o l u t i o n f o r h i s a p a r t m e n t located in Minsk, so it could be given away for rent quickly, in t he n e a r f u t u r e . The c l i e n t w a n t e d a n i n d i v i d u a l a p p ro a c h o n t he project, thus being involved and ready for discussion at every stage of the decision. I was looking for such client orientated project.

My aim was to participate in design orientated around inhabitation project, where the client has the time and desire to explain his w i s he s f o r t he f i n a l o u t c o m e o f t he s p a c e . Th i s p ro j e c t a l l o w e d me not to only learn all the stages of the project, but also some essential strategies around successful design of the human-scale living apartment.

Vessel Competition Project, The College of William & Mary, US Design by S-MU

Th i s w a s t he Co m p e t i t i o n Pro j e c t w h i c h ha s a s ke d f o r a d e s i g n of Memorial to African Americans Enslaved by William & Mary.

Our strategy was to shape an experience within the small area, which would infuse respect and understanding of the past to the participants . Our final design proposed a vessel to commemorate the enslaved as individuals and dignify the enforced contribution to this institution. On the perimeter of this vessel , people would rest . It provides place to contemplate in solitude or gather for c o n v e rs a t i o n . The m e m o r i a l s u r ro u n d e d b y a c o m m u n i t y t ha t i s a l w a y s a w a r e o f t h i s g ro u n d ’s h i s t o r y. A l a s t i n g t r i b u t e t o t he e n s l a v e d a n d a p r o m i s e t o o p t i m i s m a n d i d e a l s . To b r i n g t h e i d e n t i t i e s o f e n s l a v e d t o l i f e , t he v e s s e l ’s b o d y ho l d s s m a l l spheres of dif ferent weights and surface textures. Every now and then one of the spheres reveals from a groove -like hole at the top edge of the vessel and slowly spirals down, allowing viewers to appreciate the moment . I strongly associate with this project as it proposes experience derived space.

United

Nation

Campus

Competition Project, Bonn, Germany Design by S-MU

Th i s w a s o u r s t u d i o’s d e s i g n f o r U n i t e d N a t i o n Ca m p u s Co m p e t i t i o n i n B o n n , a n d I w a s r e s p o n s i b l e for providing an external render which would sell the idea of cutting through modern structure with flowing-in, inviting landscape at the reception. Here I concentrate more on presentation and imagery aesthetics skills which would market the project for future commissions.

Inner

City

Residential

District

Competition Project, Cottbus, Germany Design by S-MU

Fo r t hi s c o m p e t i t i o n p ro j e c t i n Cottbus, Germany , we have been asked to develop residential complex to connect and compliment nearby districts of the city. Our strategy was to allow the proposal to provide a developed continuity to the geometry of the city, as well as having an inviting opening to the greenery w i t h i n . We a l s o ha d t o c a r e f u l l y conciser the living arrangements between the four groups that we had to include : elderly living, social housing, apartments for sale and apartments for rent.

Fo r e a c h i n d i v i d u a l g ro u p w e carefully thought though the layout of the flat and how it would be connected to the project on the larger scheme , for all the groups to feel welcome and comfortable within. It was also important to think of the factors such as costs and fire safety, to provide affordable, realistic and usable living arrangements.

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT THROUGH THE SITE

STREET GEOMETRY CONTINUATION

CAR MOVEMENT THROUGH THE SITE

INHABITATION UNITS ORGANISATION

GREEN AREAS CONNECTION

VIEW ORIENTATION

School

for

Visual

Arts

Bachelor Stage 3 Project, Newcastle upon Tyne

Fo r t he G ra d u a t i o n Pro j e c t i n m y B a c he l o r S t u d i e s , I ha v e b e e n d ev e l o p i n g i d e a s o n i n f l u e n c e o n p e o p l e ’s b e ha v i o u r t hro u g h a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d t he c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n m a t t e r a n d t he m i n d . The brief asked for designing of an institution where a particular craft is taught. I have been interested in the process and ritual of drawing and the ways in which the architecture can be used to stimulate the learning process in a field of a creative subject. I have studied the topic by looking at ‘theory of af fordances’ on promotion of specific behaviour by physical surroundings by psychologist James J. Gibson and also by undertaking the art classes myself with analytical perspective. I have further developed my studies by looking into how the students can be influenced to perform well not only physically but also mentally. I have recorded my finding in my own written p i e c e ‘ Th e o r y o f M e n t a l A f f o r d a n c e s ’. I u s e d t h i s t h e o r e t i c a l s t u d y to arrange the internal spaces in my scheme and organised them around the central route meandering through a sloping site. I chose this type of circulation to encourage the natural movement through the proposed building and trigger visitors’ awareness of the activity held at the end of the route. My external objectives for the project were to integrate contradicting geometries between natural landscape and man-made structures, enabling my proposal to compliment the site characteristics.

Long Section

Plan 1:100

Visualisations of the Active Circulation Route

Visualisation of Main Drawing Spaces

Visualisations of the Passive Circulation Route

research arranged in terms of proposal on s

final proposal drawn onto the site model

proposal shown on the site model

Sketch of the Proposal Over site Model

C o n c e p t u a l M o d e l s ho w i n g I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t he The o r y

Development Sketches

Exploring

Experience

Bachelor Stage 2 Project, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Th i s p ro j e c t f o c u s e s o n s t u d y i n g o f a particular material and developing an understanding on how this material can be used to portray a certain atmospheric i m a g e . Fo r t hi s p ro j e c t w e w e r e a s ke d to design a gallery with permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, which can be used during Berwick Film and Media Arts Fe s t i v a l . The b r i e f a l s o i n c l u d e d p r i v a t e areas such as workshops for the students and accommodations. So the task was to incorporate the two carefully, without loosing the boundary between public and p r i v a t e . The w ho l e p ro j e c t w a s b a s e d a ro u n d one material,which we had to include in b o t h : s t ru c t u r e a n d ex h i b i t s . M y g ro u p’s material was stone, which meant we had to thoroughly analyse how it can be used in terms of design, sculpture and overall experience. It also included exploring the methods of transfer and storage of the stone, and how it should we used when worked w i t h o n a s m a l l s c a l e w he n s c u l p t i n g . Th i s project gave me an understanding about how the arrangements of materials can evoke dif ferent emotions and atmospheres within a project.

Model of Proposal

Close-up Section

Dwelling

Plus

Bachelor Stage 2 Project,

Project involved looking at architecture a s a s t ru c t u r e w i t h a c ha ra c t e r, a n a l ys i n g the building from its internal experience, rather than only structurally. In Dwelling Plus, the aim was to provide a deepened living experience by looking at how people interact with space and direct their behaviour in required manner. When creating a space from a perspective of its intended features and activities, the design becomes far more suited to its purpose. In project Brief we have been asked to propose a structure which would be inhabited by people of different ages, such as elderly a n d y o u n g p ro f e s s i o n a l s . The b u i l d i n g a l s o h a d t o i n c l u d e To l b o t h , s o t h a t t h e c i t i z e n s around the area are attracted to engage with the development. Project asked us to consider how the form and other features of the design can be used to attract pedestrians visually.

DWELLING PLUS

first

semester of stage

developmental sketches

2

involved

looking at architecture as a structure

with a character, making us analyse the building from

its internal experience, rather than

structurally or its exterior.

in dwelling

plus, the aim was to provide a deepened living experience, looking at how the

people interact With spaces and direct theM in required Manner.

by

creating a

space from a perspective of its

features

and activities, the design is far more suited to its purpose.

we

have been asked

to propose a structure which would be inhabited by people of different ages,

such as elderly and young professionals.

the building also had to include a tolboth, so that the people around

the

area are attracted to engage With it.

this

task required us to think of the

Marketing tactics to make the structure popular among the locals.

my

design

intentions were to propose something that

fits well with the rest of the

existing environment, as well as subtly directing the pedestrians to its entrance by using the light and geometrical approaches.

section through the site

section of the proposal

ART

Ar t-Work

participating the belarus national school of art of arts from young age, i have developed my passion for painting and drawing as a way of expressing myself

H a v i n g a t t e n d e d The B e l a ru s i a n S c ho o l o f Art from young age, I have developed my passion for painting and drawing as a way of expressing myself and have been able to carry and use this skill in architecture. In my art pieces I concentrate on the purpose of the image, the message it delivers to our society and the potential influence it m a y ha v e o n i t s a u d i e n c e . The p a i n t i n g series shown on the right, were drawn to reflect the idea of social masking and hoe people sometimes feel forced to act different in order to fit into a social group and surrounding environment. I attempted to deliver the idea by allowing people to look at my art-work and potentially relate and experience the expressions, which would question whether they own an outer shell and if there is a positive necessity for it. With my art I practice bold, innovative and imaginative approaches, which I try to incorporate also in architecture and attempt to always relate back to society.Wยง

and capturing different influential moments in my life.

in

my pieces

i

concentrate on the purpose of the image, the Message it delivers to our society and the potential influence it may have on its audience.

the

painting series shown

on the right, were drawn to promote the idea of social Masking and how people feel forced to act different to fit into the environment surrounding them.

attempted to bring this idea across,

i

by making the audience experience the eMotions of the people presented on the drawings themselves and be willing to act towards the removal of the outer shell.

i

bring innovative, bold and imaginative

approaches developed then into my

architectural design, attempting to deliver an important social Message through them.