DESPOINA RIGA
DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS
PROFILE
PERSONAL INFORMATION name
Despoina Riga
despoinariga@gmail.com
nationality
Greek, EU Citizen
cellphone
0655529289
www.linkedin.com/in/despoina-riga
EDUCATION TU Delft, 2019
MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Building Sciences Heritage & Architecture specialization
National Technical University of Athens, 2016 Dipl Arch - Architecture Engineering
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Freelance Architect, 2019-present N.Rigas Technical Office Junior Architect, 2015-2017 N.Rigas Technical Office Intern Architect, 2014 Betsi Renata & Koutzpis Panagiotis Technical Office
COMPUTER SKILLS Autocad 2D & 3D Revit | Vray
Sketchup | Vray 3ds max | Vray
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office Suite
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE Core Relief | Humanitarian Design Workshop Latra Innovation Lab, Lesvos, Greece, 2016 “Castraki” | Architectural Ideas Competition Municipality of Keratsini, Greece, 2016 Honorable Mention - Team Collaboration Open House Athens | Architectural Guide Open House Greece, Athens, 2016 “Site Effects 22” | Student Exhibition 2015 SNFCC Visitors Center, Athens, Greece Aspra Spitia_2015 | Architectural Workshop Technical University of Crete, Aluminium of Greece, Ctrl_Space Lab, Boeotia & Athens, Greece, 2015 Mani 2012 | Analysis of Traditional Buildings and Complexes Workshop, Team Collaboration School of Architecture, NTUA and NSRF 120 HOURS_2014 | International Architectural Competition - Team Collaboration
LANGUAGES Greek (Native) English (Professional working proficiency) Dutch (Limited working proficiency)
AFFILIATIONS Member of TICCIH Member of TU Delft Alumni
RESEARCH & ACADEMIC WORK
‘KNIL’ Magazijnen Community Center: Community Based Transformation Towards a Resilient Future Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft, Netherlands Research & Design Graduation Project
Pireos 256_ Re-designing the Athens School of Fine Arts
School of Architecture, NTUA, Greece Research & Design Graduation Project
The New Museum of Athens in Klafthmonos Square School of Architecture, NTUA, Greece Architecture & Building Sciences Design Studio
Architectural Ideas Competition for “Castraki” Area
Municipality of Keratsini-Drapetsona, Piraeus, Greece Competition Entry, for which received an honourable mention
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City_Layers
School of Architecture, NTUA, Greece Architecture & Urbanism Design Studio
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arts & crafts
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‘KNIL’ MAGAZIJNEN Community Center About │ Master Thesis, Heritage & Architecture, Shared Heritage Lab, TU Delft Location │ Bandung, Indonesia Date│ Sep 2018-July 2019 Tutors │ Job Roos, Nicholas Clarke, Paddy Tomesen Research team │ Despoina Riga, Electra Pangalou, Allend Bamerni Design team │ Despoina Riga
PREFACE During my Master thesis, which was part of the Heritage & Architecture team in the Shared Heritage Lab of TU Delft, crucial built heritage issues were investigated in the city of Bandung, Indonesia. The challenge was to give new meaning and use to this environment, in order to realize an inclusive, thriving and healthy city, taking past, present and future into account. Map of Bandung with selected area
Urban Farm Educational Unit SERVICE ROOM
CHILDREN AREA
WC
BOOKS
STUDYING ROOM COMPUTERS/ PRINTING
-1.20
OPEN STACKS
BOOKS
LECTURE ROOM
±0.00
WC
MFA
STORAGE ROOM
INFO
EXHIBITION SPACE
SERVICE ROOM
DIGI LAB
FX 2
FX 1
15/16
13/14
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MON 1
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MON 2
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LOCKERS
WC POTTERY & CERAMICS
LOUNGE
MAIN 1
2
1
TEXTILE & PRINTING MONO
19/20 17/18
HOT DESK AREA
STUDIO WC
ISOLATION BOOTH
MUSIC ROOM
SOUND LOCK
Recreational Unit
PAINTING
REGISTRATION & RENTAL OFFICE
MATERIAL STORAGE
THEORY ROOM
DANCE ROOM
WC WOOD WORKS
INSTALLATIONS ROOM
MULTIPURPOSE SPACE
ARTIST'S LOUNGE
WC
Existing Creative Community
ARTIST'S LOUNGE STAGE +0.45
EMERGENCY EXIT
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FOYER
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The ‘KNIL’ Magazijnen, where my project is located, is a former military complex, built from the Dutch army between 1904-1910 to be used as a storage space. The site holds both tangible and intangible values of the shared past and is transformed in order to serve current societal needs. Through the merging of traditional and modern activities with education, the aim of this Creative Community Center was to maintain and develop the cultural identity and critical cultural knowledge and practices of the community, and to create the necessary environment to equip locals with skills and motivation towards their future.
STORAGE SPACE
WC
INSTALLATIONS ROOM
MEETING ROOM
DESIGN STRATEGY | Complex Deriving from the idea that whenever more space was needed within the complex, the previously open space between two buildings would be transformed simply into a closed area, I worked mainly on the “in-between” space, and created smaller “neighborhoods” within the complex, each one focusing on different activities, but all together forming a big interactive community.
Day-Care Unit
3-6 AGE GROUP
0-3 AGE GROUP
READING CORNER
OFFICE WC
Food corner PLAY AREA
WC STORAGE 6-12 AGE GROUP
DINING AREA
KITCHEN
INSTALLATIONS ROOM
Masterplan
Design tools | Autocad, 3ds max & Vray, Sketchup, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign)
Master Graduation Project / ‘KNIL’ Magazijnen Community Center
DESIGN STRATEGY | Day-Care & Educational Units The idea behind these interventions, was to transform a previously empty space into a place of meeting, a place of merging the different activities happening in the two adjacent buildings in each case. The space that is created is not entirely closed, yet, it offers protection from the humid and hot weather of Bandung and a pleasant environment for people to hang out. Integral part of the project, were ways in which sustainable decisions could permeate everyday life, and influence the habits and lifestyle choices of future generations. Within the context of a developing country, the proposal addressed issues of water supply, energy provision, and passive thermal comfort. Traditional building methods, were enhanced through practical and conscious application of technology, creating a “new” local architecture that is climate responsive. Local residents would be involved in the construction process of the new community center and would thereby be educated through practice. The project promoted a bottom-up approach for a more resilient and sustainable future, with the potential to transfer the approach to many other regions.
bamboo pole 150 integrated solar p bamboo poles 50m epdm layer bamboo poles 80m bamboo structure
“a place t
0mm for rain protection pv panels mm
mm for roofing e
DETAILS OF THE UMBRELLA STRUCTURE
solar pv panels bamboo poles 50mm metal mesh for rain chain epdm layer bamboo poles 80mm for roofing bamboo structure
to gather” ‘UMBRELLA’ STRUCTURE - INTEGRATED SOLAR PANELS - BAMBOO ROOFING
- BAMBOO CONSTRUCTION WITH TRADITIONAL
BAMBOO CONNECTIONS WITH DOWELS &ROPE
- GALVANIZED STEEL BRACKETS ATTACHED TO THE CONCRETE BASE
- ΒAMBOO FLOORING
- REUSED TIRES FOR FLOODING PROTECTION - CONCRETE BASE
Master Graduation Project / ‘KNIL’ Magazijnen Community Center
DESIGN STRATEGY | Recreational Unit A similar idea was also used for already existing units. Instead of creating a totally new space, though, alterations were made to the existing ones according to the needs of new activities. The central space of this complex, would again be used to bring people together, only this time this would be an enclosed space. The already existing timber roof structure was highly valued, and offered a prestigious feeling in the space, making it suitable for an auditorium. For the requirements of the new auditorium, however, bigger room height was necessary, as well as more daylight. This led to the decision to raise the timber roof-structure and create more openings, so that more light could enter from above. The two adjacent buildings were transformed for more recreational activities, and their dilapidated roof structures were replaced by new bamboo constructions, with integrated solar panels and skylights for more daylight. Sustainabilty issues were integral part of the design process in this unit as well. Another important question stressed here, but also in the whole project, was the connection between old and new. An effort was made to keep the DNA of the space, yet to create a contemporary design that could answer the multiple climate-related questions.
corrugated bamboo roofing counter battens 50x50mm epdm layer insulation 70mm vapor retarder wooden boards 25mm counter battens 75x100mm existing timber roof construction with rought iron joints
solar pv panels counter battens 50x75mm epdm layer insulation 70mm vapor retarder wooden boards 25mm counter battens 75x100mm laminated bamboo lumber gutter from recycled plastic epdm layer high efficiency insulation for creating slope insulation 40mm laminated bamboo boards laminated bamboo lumber
CONNECTION BETWEEN OLD & NEW
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Pireos 256_ Re-designing the Athens School of Fine Arts About │ Diploma Thesis, School of Architecture, NTUA Location │ Athens, Greece Date│ Sep 2014-July 2015 Tutors │ Irene Efesiou, Stavros Gyftopoulos Design team │ Despoina Riga, Maria Stathi
PREFACE The aim of this diploma thesis was to efficiently resolve the problems that the Athens School of Fine Arts is currently facing. The complex, which formerly constituted a Textile Factory, consists of two listed buildings, from the late 19th century, five industrial buildings from the 20th century, and some new additions made in the 21st century for the operation of the site as an educational institution.
Some of the basic problems that were identified during the research were the abandonment of the existing listed buildings, the lack of outdoor space, the adequate lighting at the various school premises, and the lack of required space to house all functions. In order to address the above problems, a series of interventions were made. With this proposal, an attempt was made to create a basis for a modern framework for the operation of the Athens School of Fine Arts.
Lack of connection between the front and the back part of the school’s site. Creation of a main route through the complex.
Design tools | Autocad, 3ds max & Vray, Sketchup, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign)
ARCHITECTURAL MODEL SCALE 1:200
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
DESIGN STRATEGY
Interventions in the open space of the school, using water elements and proper planting, in order to create the apt environment for the students.
Restoration of the two listed buildings, with some alterations that optimize the functionality and that mark a new era for the complex.
Interventions in the existing Library Building, in order to create spaces for Music and Dance classes, which would be added in the school’s curriculum. Also, a new event hall was created within this building in order to host performances of this new department.
An attempt was made to achieve the best possible natural lighting of all laboratories. More openings were designed, and holes were created to the buildings’ slabs. That, also, allowed the communication between different levels. Sliding panels were placed between labs to allow isolation. Planning of a new, smaller exhibition and work space for Sculpture studios. Restoration and reuse of the old, wooden, listed building.
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
Diploma Thesis / Pireos 256_ Re-designing the Athens School of Fine Arts
Reuse of the listed metal roof, symbol of the prior industrial age of the complex. Creation of an 'open' exhibition space, with boxes in different sizes and heights for projection and for special exhibits. A bigger box constituted the new cafe, and the whole building formed the center of the school.
The biggest intervention was to remove part of the existing building of the Painting Department, in order to connect the front and the back part of the complex. A new facade was designed for that building, and also an inner ramp. Two new bridges were created between the buildings of the school’s majors, to enhance the communication between the two. These also serve as reminders of the pre-existing industrial bridge.
3D VIEW OF THE BRIDGES
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The New Museum of Athens in Klafthmonos Square About │ Architectural Design Studio 7&8, School of Architecture, NTUA Location │ Athens, Greece Date│ Sep 2012-July 2013 Tutors │ Spyros Rogan, Irene Efesiou Design team │ Despoina Riga, Maria Stathi
PREFACE The project of this one year course was to design the New Museum of Athens in Klafthmonos Square, at the centre of Athens, as a sequence of choices in all scales of architectural construction. The purpose was to explore the relationship of the proposed building shell within the urban environment and to identify the basic synthetic & structural options, which would include the simultaneous functional, structural and morphological resolve of the synthesis. Issues relating to the design of interior and outdoor space into a synthetic cohesion of public use, and also matters concerning the combination of architectural design and construction expression were raised. Formation and design of the supporting structure, parameters affecting construction and technology options, and environmental design parameters were also issues that we had to deal with.
DIAGRAM OF THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS CONSTITUTING THE COMPLEX
DESIGN STRATEGY The building consists of three basic volumes, and secondary movement areas. A rectangular volume constitutes the main one, to which two cubes with different height are attached. These cubes are parallel to the ancient wall of Athens, part of which is burried at the site and is visible from the lower level of the museum. The smaller cube hosts the most important exhibit, the “Map of the City of Athens”, and also the entrance to the museum. The other one hosts the temporary exhibitions. We wanted these two sections of the museum to distinguish from the other, permanent functions. Metal structures are added to the complex, in order to connect the three different volumes, and, also metal scaffolds are added in order to support them.
Design tools | Autocad, 3ds max & Vray, Sketchup, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign)
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
DETAIL IN 3D VIEW
DETAIL OF METAL CUBE’S ROOF & OF THE UPPER CONNECTION POINT BETWEEN THE CUBE AND THE METAL STRUCTURE
DETAIL OF METAL CUBE’S GLASS FLOOR & THE CONNECTION POINT BETWEEN THE CUBE AND THE METAL STRUCTURE
Architectural Design Studio / The New Museum of Athens in Klafthmonos Square
A continuous ramp starting from the ground floor level leads visitors all the way up to the last exhibition floor, while it also gives spectacular views over the city of Athens & Klafthmonos Square.
Configuration of outdoor space in order to link the New Museum with the pre-existing adjacent Museum of Athens. Creation of a path where visitors can explore the ancient wall and outdoor exhibits.
The entrance to the museum follows the direction of the ancient wall, which “penetrates� the main exhibition building.
CROSS SECTION
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“Castraki”
About│Competition Entry Location│Castraki, Keratsini-Drapetsona, Greece Date│Feb 2016-May 2016 Prize│Honourable Mention Design team │ Despoina Riga, Eirini Androutsopoulou, Giota Chala, Orestis Chatzistefanou PREFACE The purpose of this competition was to establish a design for the “Castraki” area, which would host a specific range of activities, such as playground, open-air theatre and cafe and would be accessible to the citizens and tourists. DESIGN STRATEGY Focusing on the spatial characteristics which constitute the distinctive identity of the study area (proximity with the archaeological site of Ietioneia Gate and the port of Piraeus, the geomorphology of the area, its position in relation to the urban fabric), our proposal focused on their strengthening and reinterpretation, in a manner that would unify the study area with the archaeological site, both perceptually and spatially.
The exploitation of the differentiated views was achieved through a sliding process which was applied to the different levels of the terrain, producing a set of exterior-referenced areas (the square, the balconies), while the individual treatment of specific areas generated leisure and rest units which were more internal and self-referential (the hanging garden, the “forest”, the playground). The suspension over the harbor area, in combination with the need to underline the limits of the area to the port and the railway lines, leaded to the creation of a route which was designed as a dislocated fortress wall and as a new linear “edge” of the city.
terain unification
sliding
the balconies
underlying the “edge”of the city
urban flow
possible movement
Design tools | Autocad, 3ds max & Vray, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
Competition Entry / “Castraki”
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
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City_Layers About │ Architectural Design Studio 9, School of Architecture, NTUA Location │ Athens, Greece Date│ Feb 2014-July 2014 Tutors │ Ariadni Vozani, Andreas Kourkoulas Design team │ Despoina Riga, Maria Stathi
PREFACE The New Cultural Centre in southern Athens is expected to drastically change the "identity" of the surrounding area and the organization of the built and unbuilt space. This project intended to define the terms and conditions under which such a transformation could happen. DESIGN STRATEGY Our proposal included the creation of a supralocal pole on the area behind the Cultural Centre, and the invigoration of the local character of the neighborhood on the left. At the point where the two axes meet, a tower was designed as a landmark, that unifies the two individual actions. The size of the building block was maintained and redesigned, while our key planning tool
was the mixture of different uses (residential, commercial, recreation) in each block. In this way there wouldn’t be any areas of desolation throughout the day. At the area behind the Centre, each volume was developed around an inner open space, so that a bigger green area could be created for the residents. At the highest level of each building block was the entertainment area, with the greatest view of the park and the city, and at ground level was the commercial part. At the area on the left of the Centre, our proposal included interventions with local character, such as pedestrian zones and redesigning of the building stock, in order to maintain the mixture of uses, at a more local level though.
ARCHITECTURAL MODEL
Design tools | Autocad, 3ds max & Vray, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign), Hand Sketching SCALE_ 1:2000
At the next level of our project, we had to select a particular area of the plan for further analysis. We chose to deal with the area behind the park and to design the typical building block, which could be repeated with small alterations to the rest of the area. The idea was that we would enhance the already existing trade market at street level, create more residences for various social layers, and create new entertainment spaces at the highest level of each block.
zones of movement seperate the different volumes of each building block and allocate the movements of residents and visitors
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SELECTED AREA FOR ELABORATION
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
Architectural Design Studio / City_Layers
ONE UNIT - BUILDING BLOCK FROM THE AREA BEHIND THE PARK
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