Eleni Katsas Portfolio Spring21

Eleni Katsas Kent State University Undergraduate Architecture Student Portfolio

Table of Contents -

Resume (pg 4-5)

01 - Drawdle (pg 6-9)

02 - Escape (pg 10-17)

03 -Art Gallery (pg 18-23)

04 - The Interlocking House (pg 24-33)

05 - May 4th Competition (pg 34-39)

06 - Precedent Joint Study (pg 40-53)

About: I am currently an undergrad at Kent State University working towards my Bachelor of Science degree with a major in architecture and a minor in construction management. Through my education and experience I understand the importance of working as a team not only with design professionals, but with all roles in given projects such as contractors.

I am eager to learn and gain experience from professionals within the modern field of architecture.

Eleni Katsas Kent State University Sophomore Standing Cumulative GPA 3.95

Contact ekatsas@kent.edu www.linkedin.com/in/eleni-katsas-9b627b193

Experience Internship .. DiMarco Construction Company .. Clairton, PA

Summer 2020

At this contruction company I organized spec files along with architectural drawings, and communicated with subcontractors for bidding projects.

Customer Service .. Learning Express.. Wexford, PA

April 2016 - December 2019

At this privately owned toy store, I checked people out at the register, stocked, cleaned and closed the store.

Floral Arrangement .. Giant Eagle .. Pittsburgh, PA

December 2020 - Present

At this store I organize floral orders and display the product in a presentable manner that best suits the customers.

Activites Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society Spring 2020 - Present American Institute of Architecture Students Fall 2020 - Present Construction Management Organization Spring 2020 University Math Tutor Spring 2021

Achievement Kent State Honors College Member Kent State Dean’s List

Software Skills

Rhino .. Average Revit .. Working Knowledge

Adobe Photoshop .. Average AutoDesk Maya .. Average

Fall 2019 - Present Fall 2019 - Fall 2020

01

Foundations Studio I - Fall 2019 Professor Forney Final Project Drawdle

The Drawdle was created by selecting an object, image, and drawing from the duration of the semester. I selected my surface pattern construct, color compositional strip, and unfolded elevation drawing from my surface cube model.

The items share similar connections, but also come together to create new spatial relationship.

Design Process

unfolded elevation drawing from surface cube model

Within each project, similar rectangular voids are present. I use the varying aperture design from my model to show changing densities or elevations, like the design in my image.

My image and drawing happen to contain the same figure ground morph, so I selected multiple moments where the connections are strongest. I create a new

spatial relationship by incorporating scaling the rectangular apertures and analogous colored elevation changes, while also including the strong moments of shape connections that highlight the continuity from the figure ground strip seen in my image and drawing.

color compositional transformation strip

The color compositional transformation strip employs the use of gradient, texture, and pattern with analogous colors red, blue and purple. Within this color media I focus on variable intensities of blue and red to convey a transforming elevation. The shapes within this strip generated from morphing two figure grounds.

surface pattern construct

The surface pattern construct exhibits increasing apertures of rectangular shapes from multiple views. The use of scaling creates an emphasis in a corner of the model. The varying angles of the rectangular voids by row exhibit specific movements which establish an overall rhythm in the model. Connections along the motif’s edges create illusions of continuous lines and shapes.

The motif being both reflected and inverted forms a mirrored relationship between each row.

02

Foundations Studio II - Spring 2020 Professor Zheng Escape

The Escape project was created from a material study of clothespins, and a hybridization of two models made from that material. The result was developed from creating an escape for myself and an escape for someone else. The concept that influenced my project was how I defined relaxation and finding peace away from distractions. In the escape for my self I focused on exlporation and creating a relationship within nature, while in the other escape I focused on seclusion and rest.

In the final “Escape Together” I combined the two models to create a place of varying options for escape.

Material and Motif Investigation

In order for each space to be habitable, a strong motif was needed to create each escape.

I achieved a spiral-like motif throughout each escape by breaking apart clothes pins and wedging a single wood piece into a whole clothes pin. This sprial effect creates a staircase pattern for movement throughtout the space, and also places to sit and

relax. In each escape I used the motif for a differing purpose. In the “Escape for Me”, I focus on creating a more open and fluid space for easy movement and exploration. In the “Escape for You”, I created a more enclosed space for seclusion. I used the spring wire from the brokes pins for decoration along the facades.

Escape for You

Escape for Me

Escape For Me

Escape For You

Escape Together

In joining my two designs, I focused on creating a continuous transition between the escapes.

I connected them to mirror the spiral motif in the front view. I unite the escapes as one, but

still have a sense of privacy within each given area. One side is set aside for relaxing and comfort, while the other side is open for exploration.

03

Computer Applications Arch I - Fall 2020 Professor Poustinchi Gallery

The Gallery was achieved through applying techniques in Rhino software such as grasshopper, and rendering in Maya software.

Main focuses were developing plan and section based on the massing form of the building, and designing a facade with a populating technique.

Model Development

The process of the model’s massing included overlapping polygon shapes and utilyzing a misfit shape. A portion of the massing is populated with spheres of differing scales.

Plan

Section

04

Second-Year Design Studio I - Fall 2020 Professor Zook The Interlocking House

The Interlocking House is a media program-based building, with a facade of a repeating motif with differing scales. Program composition is based on the stimulation or excitement that each program offered. The base form of the building allows certain programs of the building to be more visually prevalent on the outside.

Form and Composition

The inspiration for the base form comes from the Star of the West Milling Company Building in downtown Kent, Ohio. Through shearing and multiple forms of varying scales, I used its iconic roof form to create an interlocking program composition. My main focuses include the duality of maintaining separation of

program while keeping them interlocked, and development of a pronounced facade based on the stimulation of the program itself.To create the interlocking relationship, I drew inspiration from the symbol of ying-yang.

Half of a block is oriented 90 degrees from the other half to represent the distinction, along with the opposing color choices.

High Stimulation Black Box Theater

Low Stimulation Control Room Audio Room

Low Stimulation Conference Room Work Stations Distance Learning

High Stimulation

The interlocking strategy allows certain aspects of the program to stand out, but also maintain a flow between the programs.

The programs themselves are grouped together based on function and procession. Within the procession, the less stimulating programs branch into their successively increasing programs. In addressing

stimulation within the composition, it is measured by the level of engagement, focus, and creativity within the program. With this in mind, it has the largest affect on the black box and studio spaces.

Since stimulation may vary, it cannot be defined by rigid ends. The interlocking technique allows the programs and stimulation to flow and possibly overlap.

Studio Space Editing Studio

Plan and Section

First Floor Program List 1 .. Entry Lobby 2.. Cafe 3.. Restrooms 4 .. Resource Center 5 .. Data Center 6 .. Set Storage

The stimulation of each program is addressed with a range of hatch lines within the programs.

The more visible hatch indicates a higher excitement level.

Section A Program List 1 .. Library 2.. Set Storage 3.. Media Editing Studio 4 .. Conference Room 5 .. Shared Work Stations 6 .. Black Box 7.. Audio Studio and Control Room

Most Excitement

Less Excitement

Plan and Section

Second Floor Program List 1 .. Workshops 2.. Media Editing Studio 3.. Conference Room 4 .. Shared Work Stations 5 .. Distance Learning Studios 6 .. Restroom

Section B Program List 1 .. Data Center and Archive 2.. Gallery 3.. Workshops 4 .. Audio Studio and Control Room

Most Excitement

Less Excitement

Facade Development

Section Chunk

The facade of the building also responds to the program compostion, in which more stimulating sections of the building have an interlocking bump pattern and slight increase in elevation, while the others have a concrete material.

05

Second-Year Design Studio I - Fall 2020 Professor Zook Bubbled Life Memorial

In this studio competition, students were challeged to rethink the Kent State May 4th Memorial in relation to current civil unrest among the United States. In 1970, Kent State students spoke their minds about injustice within the Vietnam War. Speaking out about social injustice is something to learn from these students, as the United States is in need of a social awakening. In society today, many have the privilege to live in their own bubble, ignoring social injustice that does not affect them. Through the Bubbled Life Memorial, while reflecting on this thought I hope to initiate conversations on forming a more accepting future.

Design Development

Plastic Dome

Metal Rod

Plastic Seat The hardscape is multi-colored concrete, with shapes and form that reflects the bubble-like domes.

The Bubble-like enclosures represent the feeling of living in ones own bubble. The shell of the dome further represents how a person views the needed change in morality and right in social injustice today. The outer domes represent a lesser awareness of social injustice, and domes moving inward represent a fuller awareness. Moving into the

cluster of colorful domes in the center allows for group conversations. The Transformation from dull and transparent to colorful and more solid demonstrates how a person can break out of their own bubble to inform themselves of social injustice and come together with others.

06

Second-Year Design Studio II - Spring 2021 Professor Ho Partner - Sahvanna Morris Precedent Joint Study

In this precedent project, while studying the massing and form of the Vitra Design Museum and spatial experiments with joints, we created a model that is capable of three programs by three different orientations. This was made possible by the techniques of shelling, pin joints, and color with texture to generate spacial relationships between exterior and interior space.

ART EXHIBITION

FASHION EXHIBITION

FASHION EXHIBITION

CINEMA THEATER

Design Process

Massing Forms

A study of joints within a toy model inspired the spatial relationships within the project.

The utilization of pin joints reveals the spaces in the interior and display the link between shells. This creates conditions of interior spaces looking into each other within certain rotations.

Through the method of shelling we began to create loose courtyard conditions that formed a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces. The geometric masses developed were then formed together in various orientations to create more depth and value to the spaces.

Assigning color to each program alongside the shelling method allows an availability of viewing the colors in other programming. Viewing the colors in other orientations and programs creates an index of where pieces have been and begins to raise the question of where fragments were.

Bringing a ribbed roof texture from the exterior into the interior allows for a relationship of similarity to form while the color variation then comes in and defines the line between the interior and exterior spaces.

Art Exhibition

1

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Art Exhibition Plan 1 - Art Placement 2 - Viewer Space 1/8 “ = 1’

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15 FT

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Art Exhibition Section 1 - Art Placement 2 - Viewer Space 1/8 “ = 1’

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For the Art Exhibition, the shells act as a shelving mechanism or a place to hang and hold art pieces.

In the Fashion Exhibition, the same shells turn into a habitable space that becomes part of the circulation for the runway.

Fashion Exhibtion

2

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Fashion Exhibition Plan 1 - Runway 2 - Dressing Rooms 1/8 “ = 1’

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Fashion Exhibition Section 1 - Runway 2 - Dressing Rooms 1/8 “ = 1’

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In the Cinema Theater, the shells become a pit for an orchestra to occupy and bring the space to life.

Cinema + Theater

2

1

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Cinema + Theater Plan 1 - Seating 2 - Screen 3 - Orchestra Pit 1/8 “ = 1’

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4

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1

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Cinema + Theater Section 1 - Seating 2 - Screen 3 - Orchestra Pit 4 - Lighting 1/8 “ = 1’

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15 FT