Undergraduate portfolio - Summary

PORTFOLIO Undergraduate Portfolio Irina-Elena Popescu 2019-2022

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IRINA-ELENA POPESCU email: irina.arhitectura@gmail.com telephone : +447831242931

My name is Irina-Elena Popescu. I am a BA Architecture student currently finishing my final year at Manchester School of Architecture. I am based in Manchester and currently seeking a Part I placement starting in Summer/Autumn. Being part of the atelier &rchitecture made me discover a particular interest in conservation and heritage schemes, as I find that oftentimes the constraints imposed by the site provide an engaging problem to solve. I am an enthusiastic, hard-working individual with an ability to communicate effectively and develop a project from concept to final design through iterative testing and 3D modelling.

During university I have relied on my time-management skills and self-motivation and was able to see my work ethic reflected into my final year module results. I am very comfortable working in groups, having the ability to think creatively, problem solve and communicate effectively.

EDUCATION

BA Architecture Manchester School of Architecture 2019-2022

ON-CAMPUS PRACTICE

Forgotten Citizens, MSA Live 21 May 2021 I researched the causes and implications of homelessnes in Manchester and produced numerous maps in the process, attended frequent meetings and site-visits with the representatives of Cornerstone, a charity centered around homelessness. Having the opportunity to attend meetings in a professional matter developed my understanding of the process and tasks carried out within a practice which made me more confident in my skills and professionalism.

WORKSHOP

Bunești School August 2021 Bunești was featured in ‘‘The Architectural Review’’ as ‘‘the univerity built by students’’ and I had the unique opportunity to spend a week on the construction site learning more about Romanian and Japanese vernacular architecture. Discipline and teamwork were essential in order to make sure that our group met every requirement of our schedule. Lectures and talks were offered on site by architect Ana-Maria Goilav oftem discussing sustainability, material cost and local availability, which enriched my understanding of the process undertaken to complete a project.

WORK EXPERIENCE

SC Ferma Sorin SRL, Part Time Work Various Roles 2016-Present While working both in food production and customer service I had to handle individual tasks efficiently and communicate well with a larger team, which greatly improved my confidence, communication skills and professionalism. Whilst unrelated to architecture, my work helped build my character, work ethic and time management skills.

LANGUAGES

Romanian (Native) English (C1) German (B2)

Diploma de Bacalaureat ( equivalent to A Levels) Colegiul National ‘‘Petru Rares’’ Suceava 2015-2019 Romanian Language and Literature 10 (equivalent to A*) Mathematics 9,6 (equivalent to A*) Physics 10 (equivalent to A*)

SKILLS

Digital: Developing schemes using 2D and 3D computer CAD programmes (AutoCAD, Sketchup, Revit).

Rendering and visualisation (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Enscape) Print and digital communication design (Adobe InDesign) Digital fabrication: Laser cutting 3D printing Analog: Drawing and sketching design solutions by hand Model Making

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Member of the MSSA Zine Society January 2022-Present I participated in several metings related to the Issue 9 of the MSSA Zine discussing the design and layout of the spread. My entry was chosen for the cover and was afterwards perfected by the design team and I.

Contents

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Curriculum Vitae

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Curiosity &rchitecture // BA3 Final Year Studio Project

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Office Building in Munich // BA3 Technologies Design Project

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80 Oldham Street // BA2 Studio Project

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Bunesti School // Workshop

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MSSA Zine // On Campus Practice

EMMAUS BURNLEY

BARLEY VILLAGE HALL

MAKING SPACE

ACTION

Curiosity and architecture -the preschool and children’s theatre2022, BA3 Atelier: &rchitecture Location: Burnley, Lancashire Client: Burnley Empire Trust Project Type: Education, Conservation, Reuse

BURNLEY COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

ST PETERS CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL SCHOL ST MARY ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL SCHOL

Former industrial towns in the North have long lost their vibrance but are still left with traces of an important past and a strong community. While the government launched the ‘‘Levelling up’’ scheme in order to generate more revenue for towns like Burnley, it is clear that the working middle class is targeted to increase their opportunities while other demographics are left with little.

MARKET

The Burnley Empire Trust is taking action in order to bring heritage back to life in Burnley and give it back to its community. We need to be aware that a project is not standing on its own but it is embedded in the social network of the town. As part of the brief, the Burnley Empire Trust had to be connected to a target demographic group in Burnley that might benefit the most out of its reopening. The preschool and children’s theatre will welcome children of all backgrounds with an emphasis on single parent families, as it has a key position being surrounded by numerous primary schools.

PRINCE’S TRUST

CHURCH ON THE STREET

AGE UK TURF MOOR

T.E.A.M.R.I.S.E BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

The concept of the project is strongly linked to reuse, discovery and the refurbishment of old heritage. The preschool and children’s theatre uses exploration as the main creative driver. Therefore, the journey through the building feels like a continuous game of hide and seek as the visitor can catch glimpses of everything that is behind the walls depending on their perspective. The atrium acts as both a foyer and a play area depending of the time of day and the timber lining is used to frame certain views inside the atrium area forming a strong visual connection with the theatre space and leading the visitors to its entrance.

HOLY TRINITY PRIMARY SCHOOL THE SALVATION ARMY

SPINNINGFIELD COMMUNITY PRIMARYSCHOOL SCHOL BURNLEY ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

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FRESHFIELDS

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FOR ASD

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1. Play area 2. Large group room 3. Art room 4. Wardrobe 5. Small group room 6. Theatre pub 7. Atrium

1. Play area 2. Large group room 3. Art room 4. Wardrobe 5. Small group room 6. Plant room 7. Backstage for children’s shows 8.Cloakroom // Tickets Office 9. Atrium

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Image Key: 01 Actor-Network-Theory Mapping (Autocad, Adobe Illustrator) // RIBA first stage: Site Analysis 02 Collage illustrating the concept of exploration (Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA first stage: The Brief 03 Site Model (team leader, groupwork) // RIBA first stage: Site Analysis 04 Space exploration through sketch models // RIBA second stage: Key Interventions 05 Space exploration through sketch models // RIBA second stage: Key Interventions 06 Ground Floor Plan (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA third stage: Final Design 07 First Floor (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA third stage: Final Design 08 Section aa ( Revit, Sketchup, Enscape, A dobe Photoshop) // RIBA second stage: Final Design

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Image Key: 09 Sectional Perspective cc (Sketchup, Autocad, Photoshop) // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details 10 Section bb ( Revit, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA second stage: Final Design 11 Atrium ground floor (Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop) This image highlights the play/foyer area.

12 Atrium first floor (Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop) The image highlights the acoustic timber lining which allows for views inside the classrooms and offers the building its unique feel.

13 Outdoor play area on third floor (Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop) This image highlights how skylights can become an interesting play element.

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14 Exploded exonometric drawing (Sketchup, Autocad, Photoshop) This image shows the construction stages of the progect. // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details 15 Exterior view from West (Revit, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA second stage: Final Design 16 Exterior view from South (Revit, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA second stage: Final Design

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Office Building in Munich -a sustainable approach to architecture2022, BA3 Atelier: &rchitecture Location: Munich, Germany Project Type: Office Building For this year’s Technologies Design Project, the brief was very forward. We were asked to develop a concept for a small, sustainable, multi-storey workplace and a detailed design for its building envelope. Sustainability was the key driver of the project and therefore the design was thorougly assessed against various climatic factors such as light, temperature, wind velocity and precipitation so that the final design would be in accordance with the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide.

The final design features a double-skin facade in order to make sure that the interior gets enough sunlight without losing too much heat in the colder seasons therefore, reducing operational costs considerably. Louvres and a chilled-beams system protect the project against overheating proving that the users comfort is prioritised. The atrium not only brings more sunlight inside but also allows for multiple interior views across the offices and levels of the building therefore, encouraging communication amongst the users and making the interior atmosphere more welcoming. Moreover, installations such as a rainwater harvesting system and an earth duct were accomodated in order to assure energy efficiency.

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Image Key:

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01 Exterior View 9 am (Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop) The building is located next to a busy Road in Munich.

08 Interior view featuring the Cafe on the groundfloor at 10 am ( Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop)

02 Section (Autocad,Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA third stage: Final Design

09 Interior view featuring the roof garden at 3 pm (Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop)

03 Typical Office plan (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA third stage: Final Design

10 Exterior view featuring the building at night (Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop)

04 Climatic considerations at a conceptual level (Rhino, Adobe Photoshop) //RIBA second stage 05 Climatic considerations at a conceptual level (Rhino, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA second stage 06 Climatic Considerations at a conceptual level (Rhino, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA second stage 07 Interior view featuring the atrium from the first floor at 3 pm (Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop)

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metal walkway louvres single glazing//safety glass

green roof: 100 mm vegetation layer and filter mat 50 mm drainage and waterstorage element water-retention mat three-layer bituminous roof seal 380 mm thermal insulation bituminous vapour barrier 250 mm reinforced concrete chilled beams + services

12 Annotated External Wall section (Sketchup, Rhino) // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details

15 Louvres acting against overheating (Rhino, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details

13 The Double skin facade is ventilated through automatic louvres situated at the top. The louvres are open during warmer seasons but stay closed during winter creating a buffer zone. (Rhino, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details

16 Sefaira Daylight analysis showing the average sunlight levels inside proving that the building is indeed very well lit. (Sefaira) // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details 17 Initial environmental analysis results (Sefaira)

14 User comfort explained (Rhino, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details

double glazing single glazing//outer skin 80/80/4 galvanised steel SHS post aluminium prefabricated sandwich panel 50/50/4 aluminium SHS suction anchor 40 mm colouredpolycarbonate sheet

walkway//louvres

floor: wood block parquet calcium sulfate panel raised floor 220 mm precast unit installations zone 65 mm concrete screed with underfloor heating 40 mm acoustic insulation I-beam//primary structure fireproofing

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101 curtain wall//double glazing

20 mm ERS impact sound insulation 50 mm thermal insulation damp proof membrane 150 mm ground floor slab

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80 Oldham Street -making coliving possible for students and retired residents2021, BA2 Location: Manchester, United Kingdom Project Type: Residential, Daycare for the elderly The age groups most affected by loneliness are 16 to 24-year-olds and people over 75 years old. While Northern Quarter is notoriously known as a place for young people, the elderly feel most isolated in such busy areas. The aim of this project is to design a space where these two age groups can cohabitate and change the views on what life in city centre is like. By incorporating community gardens into the design, it is expected that both the physical and mental health of the older residents will improve while caring for the allotments. Youngsters will build self-confidence and learn about sustainability in a hands-on approach by helping as well.

This design features 12 living units and multiple shared facilities such as the rooftop garden, a gaming area, a library, a multipurpose room and a daycare centre at the groundfloor.

Allotments were added to the scheme alongside a bike storage area. The courtyard is at the heart of the scheme acting as an outdoor meditation garden offering tranquility in a busy, fastchanging area of Manchester.

Image Key: 01 Courtyard View (Sketchup, Adobe Photoshop) 02 Ground Floor Plan (Hand drawing, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA third stage: Final Design 03 First Floor plan (Hand drawing, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA third stage: Final Design 04 Conceptual Collage (Adobe Photoshop) // Riba second stage: Concept

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LEGEND: 1. Music/Dance Hall 2. Toilets 3. Changing Room 4. Administration 5. Treatment Room 6. Garbage disposal area 7. Craftsroom 8. Shared Kitchen 9. Lounge area 10. Activities Room 11. Greenhouse 12. Covered cycle parking 13. Allotments

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LEGEND: 1. Apartment Unit 2. TV/Gaming Room 3. Laundry Room a 4. Chat Area 5. IT Area 6. Library 7. Balcony

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Image Key: 05 Sectional perspective (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) This drawing shows part of the daycare centre on the groundfloor and the living units above.// RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details 06 Section bb (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) // Riba third stage: Final Design 07 Elevation day time (Adobe Photoshop) The design does not disrupt the general aesthetic of the street adding an unique element to the street view.

08 Elevation night time (Adobe Photoshop) 09 Single Unit first floor plan (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) // RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details 10 Single Unit second floor plan (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) //RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details 11 Section aa (Autocad, Adobe Photoshop) This drawing shows both the concrete and timber parts of the building and how they are combined into one hybrid structure// RIBA fourth stage: Technical Details

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Bunești School -building with vernacular techniques in a modern context2021, august Location: Bunești, Romania Project Type: Educational Bunești was referred to in ‘‘The Architectural Review’’ as ‘‘the univerity built by students’’ and this describes it perfectly as the construction site is open only during summer vacation where more than 60 students get the opportunity to work on the project. The concept explores how vernacular architecture may be the answer to a world heavily affected by climate change. What is interesting about this project is that the idea of vernacular architecture is not exclusively expressed through Romanian tradition but other cultures as well such as Armenian and Japanese.

Discipline and teamwork are the most important as everyone wakes up at seven to start work before it gets hot, have lunch at 12 and then resume work at three. After dinner, lectures are delievered at the table by architect Ana-Maria Goilav.

Bunești was an amazing experience not only because of all the knowledge that I gained but also it proved to me how little people actually need to live. Living in a tent for a week, showering in water warmed up by the sun and eating from the garden taught me how wasteful modern life is.

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This is me!

MSSA Zine -illustrating a concept through collages2022, january Location: Manchester, United Kingdom Project Type: Design Given the fact that Covid-19 deprived us of a lot of on campus experience, this year’s theme of the MSSA Zine was ‘Reconnect’. I participated in multiple meetings discussing te layout and design of the magazine, especially related to the cover of the issue. In our team, we individually delivered multiple iterations and I was very grateful that my entry was chosen as the cover of this year’s issue.

The collage was inspired by an old Japanese legend of a man who lives on the moon and comes out every night to search among kin spirits to reunite them on Earth, who have something to learn from each other, and when he finds them he ties a red thread to their little fingers as a symbol of unbreakable spiritual bond. Therefore, the message that I was trying to convey was that despite the pandemic making us feel lonelier than ever, that innate connection between people cannot be broken by anything and we will always find our way to one another.

Working alongside passionate friends was very rewarding as I gained confidence in my design skills and and was able to communicate efficiently in a professional environment.

Drafts submitted to the Design Team

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