EDUCATION • Polytechnic University Timisoara, Romania Current major: Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism • Université catholique du Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium Erasmus programme - 1 semester
RÉSUMÉ sep 2014 - july 2020 sep 2018 - feb 2019
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE • Editura Allegria, RO sept 2017 - present Children’s book illustrator • 903 Studio Arh, Timisoara, RO oct 2019 - nov 2019 Architectural internship EXTRA-CURRICULARS • PACT - Asociatie pentru Patrimoniu Activ, RO mar 2019 - present (Association for an Active Heritage) NGO board member • Art Encounters - Contemporary Art Biennial, RO oct 2017 Exhibition custodian • Ambulanta pentru Monumente (Ambulance for Monuments) july 2017 - present Volunteer in vernacular restoration project • European Architecture Students’ Assembly, DK/HR/FI/BY july 2017 - present Volunteer, Workshop Tutor • Casa cu Har (House of Grace), RO july 2016 Volunteer in vernacular restoration summer school • Asociatia de la 4 (Architecture Students Association) feb 2015 - 2018 Project coordinator / team leader / volunteer CONTESTS • East Centric Architecture Triennale, Bucharest, RO oct 2019 Finalist - Critical Discourses • Proposal for outdoor relaxation space - Continental Romania may 2019 2nd prize • Fredericia Health Center Entrance, DK aug 2017 1st prize
SKILLS • Computer Software Archicad, Adobe Photoshop / InDesign, Lumion 10, Enscape, OfficeSuite, know-how in handling 3D pointcloud documents • Academic Site analysis, theoretical approach, conceptual thinking, holistic thinking, teamwork, effective communication, model making, graphic design
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CONTENT
ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS • Social Playground - a restored Ice Factory, RO • Uszoda - the ruined swimming pool, RO • Strategy for the Eastern Cantons, BE • Restoration of a Baroque roof framing, RO • Renovation of a Kindergarten, RO CONTESTS • Proposal for an outdoor relaxation space - 2nd • Fredericia Health Center Entrance - 1st • Theoretical Discourses - finalist EXTRACURRICULAR / WORKSHOPS • Ambulance for Monuments, RO • Values Workshop, HR • Na(rra)tions Workshop, BY • Casa cu Har, RO PERSONAL WORKS • Object design and model making • Illustration and design
Architecture, for me, is a process of constantly examining, analyzing and reinterpreting reality. I think architecture is about reaction and decision but also dealing with a lot of questions between what you do and what you do not know. It’s like rephrasing the same question over and over again, without knowing what the next answer is going to be. I have come to understand architecture as the communication of a story - an ancient practice of transmitting experience, an story which takes place between the man (the dynamic) and the space (the static). Architecture has to address some of the most difficult questions that we face today without neglecting the imagination, the past and not least, a penchant for storytelling. Although still young in the field, I came to understand the importance of domesticity in architecture, by this referring to places that have the capacity to anticipate, to adapt, to evolve together with its inhabitants. Spaces that, in the end, acquire a place for themselves in the life of the dweller. Considering this, I became mostly interested in regeneration and restoration projects, situations where the vast background can serve as the conceptual basis for a rebirth. I believe in a transdisciplinary approach to architecture; thus, this portfolio is a collection of a domestic storytelling, acting as a browsing “hand” through various processes and products performed in mixed “media” including architecture projects, contest, but also a relevant amount of field work and summer school practice.
ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
01
Social Playground - a revitalized ice factory Restoration & Refunctionalization project 4th year Design studio
Coordinators: Mihai Danciu, Oana Simionescu, Andrei Racolta
THE TASK: The ex-”ice factory”, built in 1910, is in a degraded shape currently, but its evolving surroundings open up a window of opportuniy for a new life. Situated in the Iosefin neighbourhood of Timisoara, this area is set to become the city’s new corporate and business district. Our task was to work in a small team and detine a strategy for the mentionned historical district, and later on, to individually propose a specific scenario to four existing sites. THE PROPOSAL: ”Fabrica de gheata” - the ice facotry, will embrace a new and emerging group of users and, after the restoration, it will inhabit a Social Playground for adults, practically an afterwork facility: a public house with a touch of domesticity. This programme will include an deli bistro, a wine bar, relaxation spaces equipped with pool game, foosball and a workshop space with a library.
The structural system of the interior walls and columns; The exterior “shell” acts as a mixed system though the co-operation of elements such as columns and structural brick walls.
Before a complete restoration, an temporary refunctionalization is proposed so that the building can become a cultural center with the occasion of hosting European Capital of Culture events - TM 2021. • temporary art exhibition space • projections area / digital media
GROUND FLOOR
• performance space • spaces for cultural manifestations
FIRST FLOOR
• art film cinema • exhibition space
MANSARD
PROPOSALS FOR PERMANENT FUNCTIONING
GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
BASEMENT
MANSARD
02
Uszoda - the ruined swimming pool Adaptive reuse project 4th year Design studio
Coordinators: Mihai Danciu, Oana Simionescu, Diana Belci
THE TASK: As a continuation of the beforementionned project, we were given the task to extend the proposed strategy of the historical district towards the center of Timisoara, while identifying potential opportunities along the way. Uszoda is a place filled with history in the eyes of the citizens of Timisoara. Left neglected for years after the Revolution of 1989, considering its ultra-central location, I chose to explore the opportunity of its revitalization. THE PROPOSAL: Considering the historical memory of the place, I proposed a strucutre that blends nature, past and present and in equal parts shade, water and trees as key elements. My proposal included the reopening of the old swimming pool to the public, in an upgraded version which doesn’t negate the abandonment phase but instead, it celebrates it. This will be made possible through a dramatic experience thanks to trees, the sunlight and the shadows created though the interplay of penetrations and opaque surfaces.
A-A’ SECTION
East Facade
North Facade
Brick pavillions - resting and socializing places
Built surface: 160 sqm
Floor plan
Considering the history of the place, I considered that keeping the ruined brick walls would be an appropriate way to pay respect to the structure. The brick walls would be reinforced and consolidated (though a hidden reinforcement mesh with cement mortar). The facades of the new inserted volumes are made of pre-oxidized copper plates, treated with an anti-corrosive patina, suitable for humid atmosphere but also resisting really high temperature conditions. The non-toxic material ensures a long life without deformation or corrosion and has excellent antimicrobial qualities, making the material safe to the touch.
The swimming pool occupies a central position in Timisoara, being placed in the Central Park and surrounded by dense vegetation; thus, the feeling of safe heaven is created, cancelling all the city noises.
03
Strategy for the Eastern Cantons, Belgium Rural development strategy project Master 1 & Master 2 Design studio, Erasmus programme Coordinators: E. Belards, C. Gillis, B. Thielemans Teammates: Kathleen Schick (BE), Victoire Storder (BE)
THE TASK: Les Cantons-de-l’Est, or the Eastern Cantons, is a small, predominantly German-speaking region in eastern Belgium, becoming part of this country in the aftermath of the First World War. While presenting a few smaller cities, the area is predominantly rural with villages where the number of inhabitants is in constast decrease. Our task was to work in a small team and identify the authentic charecteristics of a village of choice and propose a rural development strategy. THE PROPOSAL: The main theme of our proposal was the reconversion of empty spaces, left behind and abandoned by the inhabitants, into spaces that can accomodate new uses and users. This project had the intention to propose ephemeral but constantly renewable fuctions through a sustainable architecture. Our strategy also included an ecoturism opportunity, given the rich architectural heritage and local availability of natural resources.
04
Restoration of a Baroque roof framing
Degradation analysis and conservation proposal
5th year Restoration project
Coordinators: Bogdan Demetrescu, Gabriela Pascu Teammates: Dunca Irina, Gribincea Paul, Maciulschi Daiana, Nica Madalina, Santiago Fernandez Perez (ES), Juan Vicente Cuesta Medina (ES)
THE TASK: The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Timisoara was built between 1744-1748. The interior of the Cathedral presents certain Baroque elements which were included with the agreement of the Orthodox Church. The edifice did not have part of any serious reparations and maintnance through the XXth century, leading to the apparition and evolution of structural and surface degradations. Our task was to analyse the roofing structure, identify the degradations and propose viable restoration and conservation methods. THE PROPOSAL: We approached this restoration project as a real opportunity to get a closer look of a more than a 250 year old timber framing and to analyze it carefully, recomposing the structure with its details in order to understand the origin of the degradations that we identified. The most important discovery we made during our study was the identification of a biological degradation (fungus) at an early stage of development on a rather hidden element, but which could have had serious consequences in the case where it would have remained undiscovered.
schematic of effort and deformation transmission vertical efforts: tiles, snow horizontal efforts: wind, seismic activity Compressed elements Stretched elements
Detail 2
Detail 1
Essence of wood:
Detail 2 (inferior)
Pine elements Oak elements
Detail 1
Detail 3
05
Renovation of a kindergarten
Redesigning and adaptation project 5th year Design Studio - 24h short project
Existing situation - site photos
THE TASK: The kindergarten was one of the main preschool education centers, serving two of the most densly populated communist neighbourhoods of the city. Given the fact that the building was long overdue for the current requirements, our task was to propose solutions to upgrade the buliding and the programme to contemporary standards and health requirements. THE PROPOSAL: After identifying the main characteristics of the site and natural surroundings, havign a really short time to define a complex proposal, I concentrated on a series of elements which could improve the current situation by eliminating only what was necessary. My proposal included the addition of a new exterior “shell” made out of polycarbonate sheets - reducing the apparent “weight” of the building, matching the roofing materials to the new facade, redefining the acces routes, improving drastically the outdoor playing areas and, last but not least, adding a (metallic structure) extenion which will serve as a multifunctional and multimedia room.
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
S-S Section
West Facade
CONTESTS
06
Proposal for an outdoor relaxation space 2nd prize
Continental Automotive Romania, Timisoara Team mate: Anastasia Legan
THE TASK: The given narrow site was a former green space between the Continental production hall and a large-scale parking lot. The site didn’t offer valuable perspectives as it was more of a residual space and it was also exposed to critical weather conditions, burning heat in the summer due to the absence of shade and heavy winds, due to the absence of obstacles. The competition task was to propose a pleasant relaxation space for the employees of the company and a multifuncitonal pavillion which would normally be used on lunch breaks. THE PROPOSAL: Our porposal started out wiht a logical narration, given the shape of the site. We proposed an acces to the “park” by both short sides of the side, facilitating the access to the main pavillion; this short alley became animated by a series of attention-grabbing elements such as gazebos, diverse vegetation, seating places and activities zone, defining a dinamic scenario.
07
Fredericia Health Center Entrance Proposal 1st prize
Municipality of Fredericia, Denmark Team mates: Rune Arleth (DK), Sebastian Bidault (MEX)
THE TASK: Once the municipal hospital of Fredericia, Denmark, the building was set out to become Denmark’s best healthcare center. This center, besides creating synergies and cooperation between the various operators that can help to create a comprehensive boost for citizens’ health, the requirements also implied the need of defining the new programme as a gathering space for multiple citizen groups. The 24 h competition task was to propose a new entrace structure to the Health Center, to redesign the main hall and lobby and to propose a new exterior identity by possible lanscaping interventions. THE PROPOSAL: Our response for the competition drew inspiration from the history of Fredericia, embedding the structural and sculptural aspect of the old rusty H-type steel railways that were left behind at the abandoned train station. The proposal emphasizes the experience of the moment and place, nature and people. One of our main intentions was to create a visual flow that connects the city to the seaside by converting the main hallway into a transparent volume but also by playing around with the surrounding terrain and landscape; thus, we eliminated the rigid physical limit that separated the interior space from the exterior and now acts as an extention of the architectural scenario.
Transversal section through the new entrance hall. Although the previous entrace has been only one story high, we extended its height and kept the upper floor only as a “bridge� that crosses over an open lobby and ground floor.
1.
4.
2. 3.
1. Rails - reused from local tracks 2. Thermo-panes, 3 layers, 6mm glass 3. Wooden frames 4. Insulation
Our response for the competition drew inspiration from the history of Fredericia, embedding the structural and sculptural aspect of the old rusty H-type steel railways that were left behind at the abandoned train station. The proposal is the result of the convergence of ideas that emphasize the experience of the moment and place, nature and people. One of our main intentions was to create a visual flow that connects the city to the seaside, first of all by converting the main hallway into a transparent volume but also with playing around the surrounding terrain and landscape; thus we eliminated the rigid physical limit that separated the interior space from the exterior and now acts as an extension of the architectural scenario.
08
Theoretical Discourses: Architecture as Permission Finalist
East Centric Architecture Triennale, Bucharest, Romania
THE TASK: The Critical Discourses contest is an act of theoretical and critical analysis of the phenomenon of architecture and built environment in general, in Cenrtal and Eastern Europe, and an interdisciplinary approach aimed at reflecting the ideas, opinions, visions and philosophies that subtend the material expression of the built envirnment and imbue the cultural space of the region. THE PROPOSAL: My essay, entitled “Architecture as Permission: A Utopia of No Man’s Land” treats the theme of a reform of the direction in which contemporary architecture is headed by proposing the creation of a bare and blank architecture which only defines the framework of possible future evolutions, practically spaces that acquire a place for themselves through their inhabitants. This could be made possible by the capacity of anticipation and though adopting a permissive attitude by the architects towards the ever-vernacular dwellers, possibly leaving a large margin of error in the apparently perfectly defined living scenarios.
EXTRACURRICULAR
09
Ambulance for Monuments
Restoration & Conservation Workshops Volunteer, PR coordinator
Coordinators: Eugen Vaida, Diana Belci
Workshop Description: Eager to save monuments that fell pray to degradtion and abandonment, several young architects and students embarked on a beatiful adventure in which we ask the local community to join us. We act like a real „ambulance”, except the fact the in our case, the ”patients” are water mills, wooden churches or mansions. We even have an “ambulance” equipped with everything that is necessary for the resuscitation. This project is based on volunteering and involvment of local communities which benefit of our support in carrying out the interventions and further care. The Ambulance for Monuments project started out in the Transilvania region of Romania but today it is spread out to multiplre regions, having 5 main branches. Although having different management, we organize common meetings frequently to discuss about further strategies and to get to know eachother. Through this project, we learn to use traditional construction methods and we also play a huge role in the education of rural communities by showing a positive example in handling vernacular built heritage.
10
Values workshop - RE:EASA 2018 (HR) Rethinking the Underlying Process Workshop Tutor
Tutoring team: Pablo Encinas Alonso (ES), Remi Buscot (FR), Camille Morin (FR)
Workshop Description: In a society where every process is limited to its economic impact, the social and environmental matter only play a minor role in a global market ruled by the neoliberal rules of economics. But mentalities are changing, and there is nowadays a growing interest for the social and environmental impact projects have. Despite this, ecology is still being supplanted by economics. “Values” proposes to create a new system of values that will underline the role of processes that are nowadays ignored by the rules of economics, giving them visibility and therefore a role to play in society. Though research, statistics, graphics and real life experimentations, “Values” wants to rethink what is really important in our projects and in the decision making to help us rethink the way we conceive the world. During the two weeks of the EASA summer camp, we proposed various events: lectures, performances, debates, seeking interactivity with the whole EASA community and transform the collected data into visual diagrams.
11
Na(rra)tions - SESAM EX-NIHILO, 2018 (BY) Graphical Storytelling Workshop Workshop Tutor
Tutoring teammate: Sergiu Timut (RO)
Workshop Description: We all have a mental need to grasp that we are rooted in the continuity of time, and in the man-made world, it is the task of architecture to facilitate this experience. Considering this, “house” and “home” are two different notions: house is a material and spatial concept, whereas home is a unique setting and product of the dwelling itself, charged with subjective meanings. By exploring these meanings, based on the local stories and personal interpretation, each of us “adopted” a house/home and defined its possible past and future utopia trough preferred media. Each day of the workshop started out with a different strategy and philosophical horizon and we worked together to create a new page of our story and to mold the character (aka the house) into a creative graphic narration.
12
Casa cu Har / House with Grace
Vernacular Architecture Restoration Workshop
Volunteer
Coordinators: Eugen Vaida, Diana Belci, Gabriela Pascu
Workshop Description: This house “with graceâ€? is a traditional Saxon house located in the small village of Topârcea in Transylvania. Although abandonned, this building represent the birthplace of a nationally known Orthodox priest. Through the efforts of professionals and specialists in the architectural domain, they established a summer school which has the main purpose of restoring this house using only traditional methods and materials, with the intention of transforming it into a museum. While volunteering with multiple occasions, I took part in the partial restoration of the main facade (mortar, plaster, cornice, windows) , porch and the main barn of the site. Although being a serious restoration summer school, our intention is also to educate the rural communities in how to care for their valuable built heritage, to create connetions, to show a positive example and to lift the spirit of the locals by organising communal events such as feasts, dances and music evenings in the village.
PERSONAL WORKS
Object Design / Model Making / Illustration
Sorceress, 2016
Vegetal Fauna #1, 2019
Vegetal Fauna Freedom, 2018 #1, 2019
Leaves, 2018
Surprise of the mountain - tale illustration, 2019
Maths book cover, 2019 Timisoara Abbatoir, 2016
Vegetal Fauna #3, 2019
“Piarist� Church - Timisoara, 2016
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