Iselin Bast, artist iselinbast@gmail.com (+47) 920 91 509
ACHIEVEMENTS
CEO of AutoHang UB, won several prices for innovation and sustainable thinking, through the “Youth Entrepreneurship” programme
Visual arts course, with reknown tutor Iselin Bast
Competitive swimmer, national level
Performing pianist
SOFTWARE
AutoCad
ArchiCad
Rhinoceros 3D
Twinmotion
Enscape
Forma
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Premier
Windows OS
Microsoft Office
Mac OS
Project 1
CHANGING TIDES
Project 2
Project 3
LES PAS DE DEUX
Project 4
FROM IRL TO URL
Project 5
PROJECTS FROM PRACTICE HEALING ATMOSPHERES
Dissertation
Urban Prototypes
Tutors
Joaquim Tarraso
Maja Hjertén Knutson
Carl-Johan Vesterlund
Kengo Skorick
Project 1
CHANGING TIDES
Chalmers School of Architecture
Year 4 Semester 1
2024
HIGH TIDE
Only the top layer is over water, creating a “claustrophobic” feeling for the users on the island. The water runs through the stream in the middle of the pavillion.
Urban Prototype
An urban prototype is an experimental architectural or urban design concept developed to address complex urban challenges and test new ideas for spatial configurations and systems. It serves as a preliminary model or solution, exploring innovative ways to shape urban spaces while considering ecological, social, cultural, and economic factors. An urban prototype differs from a normal architectural project in its experimental and speculative nature, focusing on testing innovative ideas rather than delivering fully resolved solutions. It prioritises adaptability, scalability, and interdisciplinary integration, addressing complex urban challenges such as sustainability, ecological restoration, and public engagement. Unlike traditional architectural projects, urban prototypes emphasise iterative development, responding dynamically to sitespecific conditions and evolving needs.
The water covers the bottom level of the structure.
LOW TIDE
The pavillion is fully free from water and operates at maximum size.
MIDDLE TIDE
Redefining Ringöns Riverbank
This project seeks to reclaim the riverbank for the species that belong there. By mimicking healthy, natural riverbeds, the prototype provides a habitat for intertidal species while aiming to purify the water, soil, and air in its vicinity over time. The stepping nature of the design creates a dynamic interplay between land and water, responding to the tidal range, and parasol structures moving up and down with the tide, makes an environment in constant change. Through this, the project raises awareness about tides and biodiversity, reminding visitors that we share the river, the land, and our planet with other species.
THE ISLAND
The island displays several species of intertidal organisms in small pools facilitated for the relevant species. This allows visitors to come close to the peculiar life forms which is to be found in the intertidal zone.
THE PATH
Contrasting to the rigid grid form of the foundation, the pedestrian path takes the users on an organic journey through the intertidal zone.
THE FOUNDATION
Stones taken from the municipal storage adjacent to the urban prototype forms the base of the project. The stones steps down into the water to enhance the experience of the tide.
THE TOPOGRAPHY
Landfill from local construction sites is poured into the water to avoid using any of the contamined soil. The new landfill forms a topography that facilitates for intertidal species
CONSTRUCTION
The island consists of three pre-casted concrete slabs which sits on a reinforced concrete wall and columns fixed in the new landfill. Concrete is the only durable material which can withstand constant exposing to water over time.
HUMAN INTERACTION
Specially designed pools imitates perfect living conditions for certain intertidal species. Each pool facilitate for a different species. This allows visitors to get a close up look of the organisms in their natural habitat, without disturbing them.
PARASOL STRUCTURES
The parasol structures provide climate comfort for all species. The structures also collects solar energy to power the lights in the park. The parasol structures lights up at night, which attracts both humans and other species.
BIODIVERSITY
Because of the Urban Prototype’s dynamic nature, the island facilitate for a vast amount of different species. There are dark and light spaces, wet and dry spaces, and the island is designed to imitate the intertidal zone.
CLEAN SOIL
As the existing soil and water is heavily polluted by years of industrial activity, the project proposes to fill the entire “pool” with landfill from local projects in Gothenburg. Several layers of different landfills create a stable foundation for the prototype, and optimal conditions for non-human species.
A newly planted tree line creates a boundary between the project and the surrounding industrial activity. This has benefits like reduction of noise pollution, clean air, clean soil, clean water and biophilia.
NEW GREENERY
A sturdy timber frame (45x45mm) supports the parasol, and sits on the floating element underneath the prototype.
SOLAR POWERED LIGHT
The fabric collects solarenergy during the day and lights up at night.
Interaction with the Tide
The parasol structures on the “island” respond dynamically to the tide, moving upward and opening like flowers as the water level rises. When the tide recedes, the parasols close, creating a constantly shifting environment that reflects the natural rhythms of the river. These structures not only serve as visual markers of tidal changes but also offer shade, shelter, and a sense of wonder, enhancing the spatial and ecological experience of the prototype.
Press link to see animation of the dynamic parasol structures:
https://youtu.be/YEffg06-80o
Timber panels conceal the inner structure of the parasols. These are fixed to the concrete slab.
FLOATING ELEMENT
The floating element floats on the water surface and moves up and down with the tide.
TIMBER PANELS
TIMBER FRAME
REUSED ROCKS
The reused stones steps down into the water to enhance the user experience of the tidal changes. These steps also facilitate for intertidal species.
RESTING SPACE
Built in benches are placed around the scheme to encourage people to slow down and observe the tide. Being close to water and nature is proved to benefit health.
VIEW POINTS
Several spaces are designated viewing points. These provide an overview over the prototype, and information boards teach visitors about the tide in Götälv.
ACCESSIBILITY
Ramps provide stepless access to the pier to facilitate for all people. Strip lights guide way through the project to aid people with vision impairments.
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
To preserve the industrial heritage of Ringön, there has been used mainly rough, industrial and reclaimed materials, like; concrete, rocks, corten steel, and reclaimed timber.
NATURAL BREAKS
Natural breaks has been implemented in the pier to slow down pedestrians and visitors, to enhance the interaction with the prototype. These spaces also encourage social interaction.
Unit M
Project 2
DOWN WITH THE TIDE
Oxford School of Architecture
Year 2 Semester 1 2021
Tutors
Louis Mayes
Luke Vouckelatou
Temporary Architectural Intervention
The Thames, the iconic and world-renowned river that divides London, holds a central place in the city’s urban landscape. The river has played a pivotal role in London’s history and is considered the city’s largest public space. However, the riverbanks are at risk of privatization due to London’s extensive development in recent years. This small project aims to give the river back to the city’s residents by providing a new access point to the riverbank.
With a tidal range of up to 7 meters twice a day, the most significant design challenge was to provide a constant access point to the river. By cutting a hole in the existing historic pier and allowing the structure’s foundation to float freely on the Thames, the building will rise and fall in harmony with the river’s natural cycles (see diagram and animation on the next page).
Animation: https://youtu.be/IiPcaDh8e9U
Tide range of the Thames in London, showing the dramatic 7m fall and rise of the infamous river throughout the day
Model Making
Physical and digital models have been central to my design process since I started architecture school. I believe that feeling and seeing how materials interact outside the computer screen is essential to understanding the project’s overall vision. The construction in this project is a simple timber structure, assembled using traditional Japanese joinery. The timber framework is then wrapped in a translucent fabric, allowing the beams and columns to shine through the material and illuminate the building like a beacon along the Thames riverbank.
In the design process, I actively look at historical precedents, such as these fishermen’s huts in Hastings, England. The tall timber buildings were used for various purposes, including drying fishing nets. Simple illustrations, sketches, and sketchbook thinking have been crucial as the building’s movement has been a significant part of the project’s design constraints but also an important opportunity.
Fisherman Huts
Hastings, England
Historical precedent
FISHERMEN HUTS
The all black wooden sheds, located in Hastings Old Town were built to provide a weather-proof store for the fishing gear to prevent them from rotting in wet weather. The sheds were originally built on posts to allow the sea to go underneath. The beach area on which the Sheds stand was built up after groynes were erected in 1834, however, the limited space meant the sheds had to grow upwards.
Fisherman Huts Hastings, England
Fisherman Huts Hastings, England
Historic precedent: Fishermen Huts Hastings, England
Joining timber without the use of steel, screws, or nails is an art. In this project, I have turned to Japanese traditional carpentry to reduce the use of materials with high greenhouse gas emissions. By exploring construction details at a 1:1 scale, I have acquired insights into historical methods of joining materials. In the years to come, the focus on recycling, material usage, and sustainability will be central in architecture.
”Don`t try to join wood based on measurements alone, but utilize the wood´s personality aswell”
(Brown, 2013)
The Art of Japanese Joinery
Plans cutting through the building from roof to base, showing the intricate stairs and where the building opens.
Plans // Section
Thinking in plan, section and 3D has been essential to make this project work. The section shows how the structure moves up and down with the tide.
Illustrations/collages made with rhino, photoshop, and physical models to show the proposal during daytime, night time and in context.
Unit M
Tutors
Project 3
DANCE FOR PARKINSON’S
Oxford School of Architecture
Year 2 Semester 2 2022
Louis Mayes
Luke Vouckelatou
Transformation and Healing Architecture
The unforgiving diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease has seen a dramatic increase in recent years. One of its most debilitating symptoms is the loss of movement, body coordination, and mobility. Recent research indicates that dance can be a source of improvement for people with this condition. Therefore, I aim to create a center where individuals with Parkinson’s can come together, dance, and socialize in safe and inspiring surroundings.
The project is located at Trinity Buoy Wharf, where London’s only lighthouse is situated. In the project, I propose transforming this historic building into a dance center. Interventions in the existing architecture are kept to a minimum, and the new structures harmonize gently with the brick building. The building’s fluid forms are inspired by the movements of dancers, as well as the constant flow of the River Thames through the city.
Reflecting Dancer’s Movements
NATALIA OSIPOVA
The Royal Ballet
The Dying Swan, Swan Lake L`attitude Study
In my design process I studied dance, ballet and dancer’s movements. I wanted the building to reflect the fluidity of a dancer’s body and encourage the user to move their body - with the building. Through interviews with a professional ballet dancer, I explored terms, poses, expressions in this beautiful form of art. Osipova’s performance in the last act of the Swan Lake was the main influence and inspiration for the building’s structure and form.
Study of poses in ballet. The movements of dancers has inspired the shape of the undulating roof in the performance space
Acoustic Studies // working with precedents
Learning from architectural precedents is central to this building. In this project, I have actively studied the works of two renowned architects, the Danish Jørn Utzon and the Finnish legend Alvar Aalto, with their iconic undulating roofs. Utzon’s Bagsværd Church and its church space create a religious architectural experience, playing with both natural light and acoustics. Aalto’s library has contributed to various acoustic studies for my project to explore how roof construction can enhance acoustics within a space.
Another precedent I have looked into is Sarah Wigglesworth’s Shioban Dance Studio located in London, which is a dance center designed within the shell of a historic building. The roof here takes inspiration from the movements of dancers and aims to mirror their flexibility and mobility.
Precedent studies - looking at dance centers, undulating roofs and how the acoustics are affected by materials and shapes
Plaster of Paris and fabric sketch models to explore arches
Physical models (plaster of paris) testing different roof structures. Drawings of how the wavy, fluid, organic movements and shapes is a constant feature in the building.
Recycled Galvanised Flat Steel Sheets
to reflect movements of visitors, dancers and the river. Because of the claddings reflectivity the building will play with light, movements and reflections - making the building and it´s users interact with eachother and its context.
Arch of Timber Battens with Soundproofing Insulation for better acoustics both in the performance space as well as the foyer. The roofs structure reflects the movements of dancers and the waves of the river Thames.
Public First Floor
the first floor is public, making the visitors enter through the historic lighthouse, and interact with the fluid roof structure
Private + Semi-Public Ground Floor
the groundfloor is mostly private with its dance studio, backstage area, orchestra pit, changing rooms and storage. Visitors will enter through the lighthouse in the south corner of the building. This will not be a heated space.
Walls of Existing Lighthouse From 1864
the dance centre is built within the walls of the existing lighthouse. The ”new” building is set back 800mm from the existing walls, making it possible to walk inbetween the historic walls of the lighthouse and the steel cladded walls of the dance centre all the way around. You can also peak in on the dancers through the glass walls of the dance studio in the west.
Views and moments showing the building in use and inhabited. Moments from performance space, practice rooms and foyer.
Unit B
Tutors
Project 4
FROM IRL TO URL
Oxford School of Architecture
Year 3 Semester 2 2023
Aditya Aachi
Diego Grisalena
Ting-Ting Ruotsalainen
Escaping a Bleak Reality
Envision a world where the boundaries between reality and dreams become indistinguishable. As technology evolves at immense speed, our connection with the tangible world gradually fades. With digital platforms becoming ever more immersive, we spend more time communicating on the internet than engaging in real life interactions. This project envisions a dystopian future where Artificial Intelligence dominates the workforce, we suffer the fatal consequences of global warming, and virtual reality becomes our escape from a bleak reality.
Perspectives and sectional axonometric showing materiality, construction and inhabitation. the drawings focus on how the new proposal sits within the walls of the existing weavers house.
Drawings showing the “route” through the building. By walking through this route the user is stripped by their senses and slowly reintroduced one by one to make the user reconnect with reality.
Sectional Axonometric
1:25 @ A1 3d Cut away
ROOF BUILD UP
200mm CLT Roof Panel
Vapor Barrier
120mm Insulation
Breather Membrane
VMZ Sliding Clips
VMZINC Standing Seam Roof Finish
WALL BUILD UP for NEW WALL
(20mm plywood panels)
(30mm fire rated plasterboard)
200mm CLT wall panel (with intumescent coating where the CLT is exposed to always allow 60 min fire resistance)
100mm Insulation
Breather Membrane
Airgap, Timber Battons
20mm VIROC Cement Bonded Particle
Board Red VM
200 x 40 Timber Fins
U - Value: 0.181 W/m²K
WALL BUILD UP for EXISTING WALL
20mm plywood panels
30mm fire rated plasterboard
Vapor Barrier
100mm Insulation
50mm Rigid Insulation
Breather Membrane
300-400mmExisting Brick Wall
U - Value: 0.168 W/m²K
Sensory Deprivation Pool
Additional
50mm Rigid Acoustic Insulation
30mm Fire Rated Plasterboard
30mm Water Resistant Plasterboard
The rehabilitation centre situated in a dystopian future where the population has grown addicted to virtual reality and lost conncetion with their senses.
Located in the midst of a small pine forest on the southeast coast of Norway lies Lundenåsen. An idyllic natural landscape with unique elements that have been essential to our perception of the place. With the concept of “a walk in altering terrain,” we aimed to create a community living space that harmonizes with nature, where residents feel integrated into the local community and its surrounding forest.
Social sustainability and community have been central keywords in the development of the project. Several communal houses will contribute to bonding families, generations, and different groups of people together.
Working alongside a junior architect, I played a pivotal role in the development of this project, participating in everything from concept to final delivery. The illustrations from the project in this portfolio were created by me.
The proposal won the competition.
PV Arkitekter
Architectural Assistant
2023
Supervisors
Ida Garvik Villadsen (ida.garvik.villadsen@pvarkitekter.no)
During my time at PV Arkitekter, I have worked on a wide range of tasks and projects. I have contributed to concrete tasks in all the different phases of the projects’ lifecycles.
The most valuable experiences I carry with me come from the several architectural competitions I have participated in. In these projects, I played a central role, being actively involved from the early concept phase to delivery.
My responsibility has been to develop concepts, diagrams, floor plans, main strategies, footprints, and more. I have also created numerous illustrations for various projects, ranging from simple single-family homes to large commercial buildings.
The illustrations on this page are all my work and showcase the diversity of projects I have been involved with, as well as my development during my time at the office.
PV Arkitekter Architectural Assistant
2023
Supervisors
Ida Garvik Villadsen (ida.garvik.villadsen@pvarkitekter.no)
Marte Marie Cosgrove (martemarie@pvarkitekter.no)
HEALING ATMOSPHERES
Oxford School of Architecture 2023
Year 3
Undergraduate Dissertation
Module Leader
Philip Baker
Supervisor
Zoe Jordan
Designing for an inclusive future: Can implementing autism design principles in the indoor built environment reduce the segregation people with ASD often face?
How architecture influences humans, our mental and physical health, and the sociological aspects of the built environment has always fascinated me. In my dissertation, I explore the responsibility architects have in creating environments that cater to everyone, including individuals with disabilities and conditions that may not be immediately visible. We tend to limit the term “universal design” to accommodating wheelchair users, often overlooking people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, mobility challenges, or neurodiverse individuals, among others. I believe that as architects, we must expand the concept of inclusive design to accommodate as many people as possible.
I am happy to share my full dissertation upon request.
HEALING ATMOSPHERES
Towards an Inclusive Future
An Overwhelming World
“I want you to imagine a world where the light is too bright, where every colour is too agitating, where every pattern is too distracting. Imagine not being able to ignore the constant monotone buzzing of the air-conditioning, the shrill sound of the fluorescent lights, or the sound of the people surrounding you with footsteps like elephants and constant blathering like annoying birds outside your bedroom window. Imagine if you constantly were hearing the cars whizzing by outside on the streets or even the rustle of the fabric of the person sitting next to you. I want you to imagine if you could feel all the places your clothes touch your body, be aware of every time you blink, the click in your ears every time you swallow. And lastly, imagine if the words you want to communicate always were stuck on your tongue”.
(Bjønnes, 2022, p. 7)
“Now imagine what kind of world that would be, where very few people could understand you and the reasons why you behave differently resulting from the disparate way you sense the world. This is the reality millions of people diagnosed on the spectrum of autism are experiencing every day”.
(Bjønnes, 2022, p. 7)
String Fairy
“My design often reflects the autistic mind – being drawn to detail and order. Creating order counteracts feeling fragmented.”
