Rita Irina Pljusznyin Portfolio

RITA IRINA PLJUSZNYIN

Portfolio

University of Waterloo, M.Arch

School of Engineering, Department of Architecture, Fall 2022 - Spring 2024

New York Skyline Graphic Concept Image Ink, Photoshop, Illustrator

ARCHITECTURE STUDIES

“THE BRIDGE”: A CROSS CULTURAL LEARNING CENTRE

FIRST YEAR GRADUATE STUDIO (MA Year)

University of Waterloo

URBAN CHROMOTHERAPY

ARCHITECTURE AS A CONDUIT TO MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY

SCAD - Savannah College of Art and Design, SENIOR PROJECT

H2O SKYSCRAPER

EVOLO COMPETITION

SCAD - Savannah College of Art and Design, Undergraduate Competition

URBAN REVITALIZATION

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM - MOCA

SCAD - Savannah College of Art and Design, Undergraduate Studio

RE-LIGARE INSTITUTE

THE POETICS OF ARCHITECTURE AND LIGHT

SCAD - Savannah College of Art and Design, Undergraduate Studio

ARCHITECTURE PROFESSIONAL

SELECTED PROJECTS - POST STRUCTURES

Construction Documents, Renderings, Construction Administration

CD - Private Equestrian Facility

Bank Barn Renovation

Revit

Left: Private Home, Georgian Bay, Schematic Design Stage Rendering: Lumion, Drawing Set: Revit

Right: Royal City Nursery, Construction - Completion Spring 2023

45 MUNICIPAL, CITY OF GUELPH

Interior Renovation Project

scale: 1:2000

Responsibilities included project management, client communications and design execution. My team (part time Junior Designer) developed interior renovation concepts, material finishes matrices and material boards. Held client meetings, prepared time schedules. Designed and executed in Revit reviewed and supervised by Elisia Neves, principal architect.

scale: 1:500

scale: 1:200

scale: 1:200

scale: 1:200

scale: 1:200

scale: 1:200

COVID PILOT PROJECT, CITY OF GUELPH Research Project

FLEXIBILITY

Empowered employees: more autonomy & better well-being

INCREASED ACTIVITY

Sustainability initiatives

INCREASED COLLABORATION

Team morale, social interactions

ADAPTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Meeting the needs of hybrid work environment

RESEARCH BASED DESIGN

Activity based & balanced micro environments for maximizing work task efficiency

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

EMPLOYER BENEFITS

RESEARCH

DESIGN STRATEGY

CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE FOOTPRINT

Operational savings

REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Sustainability initiatives

ABILITY TO EVOLVE

Convertible spaces

FUTURE FORWARD ORGANIZATION

Attracting and keeping talent

RESEARCH BASED DESIGN

Activity based & balanced micro environments for maximizing efficiency

THE NEED: RE-DEFINED OFFICE SPACE | worldwide

COVID-19 THE DRIVERS:

COVID-19 SUSTAINABILITYAGILE WORKSPACE

circulation proposed partial walls

Responsibilities included research project management, client communications and design execution. My team (part time Coop student) executed conceptual framework for a new office design for City of Guelph, Internal teams to present to City Council. Designed and executed in Revit & Adobe Illustrator; reviewed and supervised by Elisia Neves, principal architect.

BARNDOMINIUM

Preservation Project, Campbelville, ON, 2022 Winter

Responsibilities included project management, client communications and design execution. My team (2 University of Waterloo Co-op students) developed 3 concepts, from which this was designed and executed in Revit and Adobe Illustrator by me, reviewed and supervised by Elisia Neves, principal architect.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

scale: 1:500 (Revit, Adobe Illustrator)

1.SITE DIAGRAM

scale 1:200

135 George St

(open above)

OUTDOOR LIVING ADAPTIVE PRESERVATION

LIVING (open above)

NORTH-EAST ELEVATION scale 1: 500 (Revit, Illustrator)

1. NORTH-EAST ELEVATION scale 1:100

NORTH-WEST ELEVATION scale 1: 500

1. NORTH-WEST ELEVATION scale 1:100

SOUTH-WEST ELEVATION scale 1: 500

OUTDOOR BATH OUTDOOR

BATH MASTER MUDROOM STORAGE

KITCHEN (open above)

1. SOUTH-WEST ELEVATION scale 1:100

DINING (open above) KITCHEN

NORTH-EAST ELEVATION scale 1: 500

|T. 519-743-0608

CONCEPTUAL SPATIAL DIAGRAM

CONCEPTUAL RENDERING (Lumion)

TIANJIN OPEN VIP & VVIP SKYBOX DESIGN

Tianjin, China, 2014

Design of VIP and VVIP Skyboxes, from concept through schematic design, presented to Developer Firm, who was responsible for stadium design, and we worked together on Western standards and WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) rules and regulations, and requirements. Supervised by Hu Jidong, President at Tuanbo Haomai.

(AutoCAD, Sketchup, Adobe Illustrator)

Logo Design: Importance of colour to Tianjin’s culture, and Phoenix as mythological creature of high importance (“power sent from the heavens to the Empress.

Fig

Fig

Photo of Sky-Box during tournament (left) - Photo credit: Paul Zimmer

Photo of Caroline Garcia (right) during 2018 Tournament, credit WTA

Fig

Fig 4

TIANJIN OPEN STADIUM ZONING & BRANDING

Tianjin, China, 2014

Press and Media Area

L1-4 - Media Manager Office

L1-5/A - Media & Press Work Area

L1-5/B - Press Conference Room

L1-5/C - Exclusive Interview Room

Organization Committee

L1-14 - Organization Office (T.H) Creative/Website/Marketing)

E2 - Organization Committee & Guang Meng elevator

VIP Area

BA1- Business Development Lounge

VVIP Area

BA2 - VVIP Official Lounge

Rest Rooms

L1-13 - Rest Room

L1-15 - Rest Room

Player Area

L1-3 - Athletes Assistance

L1-2 - Physio Room

L1-1 - Massage Room

Photo of Center Court, 2014 (Credit: Paul Zimmer)

L1-8 - Doctors Office

Photo of Player’s Party (iPhone photo)

L1-7 - Fire Control

L1-6 - Accreditation Room

HEAD Tournament official Ball

E1 - Player Elevator

Rest Rooms

L1-12 - Rest Room (Women)

L1- 9 - Rest Room (Men)

Photo of First Tianjin Open Winner, 2014

Alison Riske- Amritraj

Credit: Paul Zimmer

Trophy Design: Irina Pljusznyin

TIANJIN OPEN OFFICE DESIGN/BRANDING

Tianjin, China, 2014

Tianjin Open Long-term staff office branding/design. Carried out full branding for tournament, which included the office design, presentation to the stakeholders. (Sketchup, Adobe Illustrator)

Tournament permanent office reception

SketchUp, Adobe Illustrator

Logo design - Rita Irina Pljusznyin, process (not the final logo)

Chinese Text by design intern Zheng Ying

Chinese Text by design intern

Zheng Ying

Tournament slogan wall

Visualisation made with SketchUp and Illustrator

ARCHITECTURE STUDIES

Urban Chromotherapy

Concept Image, Architecture Studio VIII

Ink, Watercolor, Photoshop

COMMUNITY & LEARNING CENTER FOR NEWCOMERS

1st year Graduate Studio (MA term, University of Waterloo)

Professor: Dr. Mohamad Araji

“THE BRIDGE”

“a structure carrying a road, path, railroad, or canal across a river, ravine, road, railroad, or other obstacle”

“the elevated, enclosed platform on a ship from which the captain and officers direct operations”

”

“something that is intended to reconcile or form a connection between two things”

PROJECT SUMMARY:

185 Queens Quay East, Toronto

RESILIENCE: The design demonstrates the power of culture and aims to create an attractive, functional, and inclusive and resilient cross cultural learning center for newcomers to Canada. With the refugee count of the world reaching over 100,000 million inclusivity becomes critical in our world.

SUSTAINABILITY: Designing for the future means a net zero approach, through embodied & operational carbon reduction strategies. The programming is based on urban planning demonstrated in Toronto for a better city center, therefore emphasizing new opportunities for collaboration and creativity by activating the street level for pedestrians and connecting to Toronto’s Park infrastructure. From building form through building materials, the future of architecture - net zero approach was taken into consideration at every step of the process.

LIFE CYCLE: This building design joins the movement of new scale in mass timber for Toronto to redefine the city’s identity, knowledge, and tradition with a focus on wood as a building material, and a structural grid that can be easily re-purposed for future use.

part i

FORM: The building form was influenced by the site, as well as the urban movement of building higher for denser cities. The view over George Brown College was also considered as a huge asset over Lake Ontario.

TORONTO RAVINE MAP WITH SITE LOCATION GENERATED WITH ARCGis

FORM MORPHOLOGY THROUGH SITE ORIENTATION STRATEGIES (Rhino and Adobe Illustrator)

NORTHERN WIN D

LAKE ONTARIO MICROCLIMAT E

SITE STRATEGIES AS PART OF COMPREHENSIVE DESIGN STUDIO (Rhino, Illustrator)

GROUND FLOOR AXONOMETRIC FLOOR PLAN AND SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

1.ATRIUM (ENCLOSED)

DIRECTIONAL LINE FOR MAIN ENTRANCE FROM PARK

FLEXIBLE SPACES FOR RE-PURPOSE POSSIBILITY

2. VESTIBULE

3. GALLERY/OPEN ABOVE

4. MICRO RETAIL

5. OUTDOOR SEATING

6, EGRESS + ELEVATORS

7. WASHROOMS

8. FLEX EVENT SPACE

9. MEZZANINE - WITH NOOKS

1. ATRIUM (ENCLOSED)

2. VESTIBULE

3. GALLERY (OPEN ABOVE)

4. MICRO RETAIL

5. OUTDOOR SEATING

6. EGRESS (SCISSOR STAIRS)

7. WASHROOMS

8. FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE

9. MEZZANINE WITH STUDY NOOKS

COMMUNITY & LEARNING CENTER FOR NEWCOMERS

MECHANICAL FLOOR, MECHANICAL CLOSETS PER FL. (11)

OFFICES PRIVATE - EACH WITH IND. THERMAL CONTROL (8)

APARTMENTS/PENTHOUSE (8)

CLASSROOMS (8) + LIBRARY (1) + DAYCARE (1)

RETAIL (4)

DINING/RESTAURANT/CAFE/MEZZANINE COMMON SPACE (3)

ENTRY HALL/ATRIA (1)

AUDITORIUM (FLEX SPACE) (2)

OFFICES (OPEN CONCEPT) (1)

EGRESS (2)

RENDERING: Lumion, Photoshop, Lightroom

ENTRANCE FROM PARK VIEW CORNER OF DOCKSIDE DRIVE AND QUEENS QUAY EAST

RENDERING: Lumion, Photoshop, Lightroom

ENTRANCE FROM PARK VIEW CORNER OF DOCKSIDE DRIVE AND QUEENS QUAY EAST

RENDERING: Lumion, Photoshop, Lightroom

OVERHANG CANOPY ABOVE ENTRANCE AND REVEALED VIEWS INTO FLEXIBLE AUDITORIUM

1.MAXIMUM WINDOW HEIGHT MINIMIZED GLAZING % ACHIEVED WITH CLADDING LOCATION/DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY

2. DOUBLE FACADE SOLAR CHIMNEY VIA 10% TILT STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTED FACING THE SUN, WITH A DARK-COLOURED, MATTE SURFACE DESIGNED TO ABSORB SOLAR RADIATION. AS THE CHIMNEY BECOMES HOT, IT HEATS THE AIR INSIDE IT. THE HOT AIR RISES UP THE CHIMNEY AND IS VENTED OUT OF THE TOP. AS THIS WARMED AIR RISES, IT DRAWS MORE AIR IN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHIMNEY, IN A PROCESS KNOWN AS CONVECTION. THIS CAN BE USED TO DRIVE PASSIVE VENTILATION IN BUILDING TO AVOID USING ENERGY-CONSUMING MECHANICAL VENTILATION.

TO BEST REPRESENT THE DESIGN & PASSIVE STRATEGIES I CREATED A CUSTOM REVIT VIEW TEMPLATE.

SOME KEY PASSIVE STRATEGIES:

PASSIVE SYSTEMS

1. PREFABRICATED BUILDING ENVELOPE

2. BUILDING PROGRAMMING + SOLAR CHIMNEY

Zoning per activity for optimal daylight and thermal comfort.

PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGY OVERVIEW Section Revit, Illustrator)

RENDERING: Lumion, Photoshop, Lightroom

FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE

COMMUNITY ZONE

RENDERING: Lumion, Photoshop, Lightroom

GROUND FLOOR MEZZANINE WITH READING NOOKS

COMMUNITY & LEARNING CENTER FOR NEWCOMERS

WALL ASSEMBLY:

CLADDING: NAKAMOTO FRORESTRY

GENDAI CHARRED CEDAR VERTICAL SIDING

8" CLOSED SCREEN CLEAR GRADE

TRIPLE GLAZE GLASS

CELLULOSE INSULATION

POLYISO RIGID INSULATION

CLT PANEL

STEEL ATTACHEMENTS

NORTH ELEVATION (NORTH-EAST)

scale: 1:200

WEST ELEVATION (SOUTH-WEST)

1:200

GENDAI NAKAMOTO FRORESTRY SUYAKI CHARRED CEDAR VERTICAL SIDING 8" CLOSED SCREEN CLEAR GRADE

1.COVERED ENTRANCE WEATHER PROTECTION + CONNECTION

2. VESTIBULE

3. “BRIDGE”

4. EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF

5. POCKET PARK

6, PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE SYSTEM

7. PARK & LAKE ONTARIO VIEWS

8. EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF

9. INTENSIVE GREEN ROOF WITH ROOF PATIO FOR THE PENTHOUSE

WALL SECTION DETAIL DIAGRAM: SCALE 1;25

COMMUNITY & LEARNING CENTER FOR NEWCOMERS

1

STEEL REINFORCED CONCRETE CORE

5 PLY CLT STRUCTURAL SHEAR WALL

5 PLY CLT STRUCTURAL SHEAR WALL

7 PLY CLT STRUCTURAL SHEAR WALL 10 DEGREE TILT

STEEL REINFORCED CONCRETE CORE

FLAT ROOF TO BEAM TO WALL CONNECTION CLT PANEL GLULAM BEAM 5 PLY CLT WALL/ROOF & FLOOR PANELS CONCRETE GROUND FLOOR SCREED FOR IN-FLOOR RADIANT HEATING STEEL CONNECTORS

COLUMN & BEAM SIZING:

Formula:

DEPTH: (span lenght in ft x 12) / 20 WIDTH: depth / 3 Round up to available size.

C1: 450 mm

C2: 550 mm

TYP. GL BM 140 mm

ATRIUM GL BM 286 mm

AUDITORIUM GL BM 286 mm

CLT PANEL ORIENTATION - PRIMARY SPAN *245 (5 PLY) PF#2 & Btr J-Grade Dfir L3

MEZZANINE STRUCTURAL DIAGRAM s cale 1:200

Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.

Urban Chromotherapy

Architecture as a Conduit to Mental Health Therapy

Exterior Rendering of street front New mental hospital fitting the urban environment Rhino, 3ds Max, Photoshop

20 week studio project - focusing on healthcare architecture

The problem:

Consequences of untreated adolescents are life-long disorders and segregation from society (Milken Institute, 2010)

Direct treatment expenditures and indirect economic impact for mental health substance abuse is $217 billion in the US every given year (Milken Institute)

Each day more than 13 000 children and teens take their first alcoholic drink (CASA)

“There is Hope” - Collage Summary of background research Photoshop

fig.1 Teen depression

fig.2 Consequences

fig.3 teenage drinking

fig.4 Happy teenager

The research:

Behavioral disorders - encompassing psychiatric, psychological, and addiction treatment services - affect millions of people of all ages and all backgrounds in the US. and worldwide. All types of mental disorders, from severe to relatively mild, affect a full 22 percent of the population in the US. in any given year.

The attention dedicated to adolescents has not been commensurate with that dedicated to adults and elderly. Consequences of untreated adolescents are lifelong disorders

The solution:

Physical space contains the measurable elements of light, sound, temperature, airflow, colour, and movement (activity). Architecture and the specific field of spatial design can manipulate these elements to influence and control the overall characteristic of space.

carried through adulthood. Architectural space combined with chromotherapy can affect the mental healing process. Color elicits a total response from human beings because the energy produced by light that carries color effects to our body functions; and therefore influences our mind and emotions. Once students transition into adolescence, however, the cooler colors and more subdued hues provide enough stimulation to them without proving distracting or stress-inducing.

The external environment has been demonstrated to have an effect on the human brain. Placing the hospital in an urban environment challenges the stigma associated with mental health, and aims to break down the current status quo.

Mental health hospitals are monochromatic, dark and depressive spaces in isolated settings

Double loaded corridor; no natural light, dark monochromatic rooms with negative cognitive effects

INCREASED DISORDERS, DEPRESSION

I

S T G M A

gnorance

top he iven to ental ffiliations

FUTURE

Inpatient room interior rendering When mixed color are used for therapy Rhino, 3ds Max, Photoshop

Inpatient room safe-balcony rendering Yellow therapy - safe environment while experiencing Sunlight and fresh air Rhino, 3ds Max, Photoshop

Diagrams:

Building Form:

NOW FUTURE

1. STIGMA AND LOCATION THEN & NOW:

Concept & Theory:

1. SPACE, COLOUR AND LIGHT:

Mental hospital

CITY CITY Mental hospital

2. DAYLIGHT QUALITY THEN & NOW

double loaded corridor

modern envelope

3. AMOUNT OF GREEN-SPACE THEN & NOW

Architectural space, colour and light affect mental functions, physical functions, memory and behaviour

2. COLOUR SCALES:

typical central courtyard

maximized area for courtyards derived from building form

cool colour scale /Lowes/ warm colour scale /Lowes/ colours applied to architecture

3. APPLIED COLOURS:

ARCHITECTURE AS A CONDUIT TO MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY

Floor Plans & Sections

1 - sliding glass door

2 - closed glass panel in front of Narima panels for safety

3 - Narima glass panels digitally manipulated for color options

Section perspective : inpatient bedroom Demonstrating track for the bed and structure for the balconies 3ds Max, Rhino, Photoshop

Chromotherapy in Practice:

TREATING DEPRESSION, INDUCING MENTAL ALERTNESS

Stimulates neurons, the adrenal (endocrine) glands and the sensory nerves; enhances the circulation and reactivity of the blood

SOOTHING EMOTIONS, INDUCING ENTHUSIASM, ENHANCING LEARNING ABILITY

Increases the body’s resistance against infections; augments the metabolism rate and strengthens the lungs, spleen and pancreas

FOCUSING ATTENTION, ENHANCING COGNITIVE ABILITY

Fortifies the muscles; upkeeps the digestive functions; stimulates brain and nervous system, brings mental alertness; activates energy supply to the cerebrum

Narima coloured glass

TREATING EATING DISORDERS

Maintains potassium concentration gradients in the body; balances metabolism; specific high frequency radiations of this color inhibits tumor group; activates the heart

Digital experience sketch

Rhino, 3ds Max, Photoshop

PROMOTING MENTAL STABILITY

Soothing effects on the mind; supports awakening of the subtle intellect; increases metabolic reaction rates

BRINGING TRANQUILITY

Lowers blood pressure; effects thyroid glands and circulation; calms strong emotions like anger, aggression or hysteria; brings tranquility

MANAGING STRESS, RELAXATION

Activates energy supply to the cerebrum; promotes healthy heart activity by balancing circulation

Programming:

promoting social life and continuum of care by the circulation

OUTPATIENT

CIRCULATION

INPATIENT

Main Colour Zones:

1 - sensory rooms for group therapy

2 - patient rooms

3 - courtyard

4 - light shafts filled with color

Zoning:

Courtyard experience sketch

Circulation - corridors experience sketch

1. PATIENT ZONE

2. SEVERE PATIENT ZONE

3. STAFF LOUNGE- provides views to courtyard

4. EDUCATION ZONE

5. INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

6. DINING

7. CHANGING COLOR SENSORY TREATMENT ROOM

8. LIGHT SHAFTS

9. EGRESS

Exploded Axonometric Diagram Structure and building envelope 3ds Max, Rhino, V-Ray

H2O Skyscraper

Evolo Competition: Manhattan in 2100, New Urbanism

Topic Development: Sea-level rise due to Global Warming

Civilization has always flourished near the water, and communities have found ways of overcoming fluctuations in water levels - but making architecture that is floodproof is a different matter. If, as seems to be the case, we are facing a drastically more aquatic landscape, we should be looking for solutions before it is too late. This project starts with Manhattan.

Competition project - focusing on the urban environment creating a flood proof architecture to protect Manhattan from sea-level rise due to Global Warming.

10 week studio project - competition entry

SITE + CONCEPT

Abandoned Hudson Yards to become flood gates and water filtering skyscraper system

Illustration of affected areas due to sea-level rise Adobe Illustrator, hand - drawing/paintingwatercolor and ink

Flood gates + Skyscraper

Water is challenging our society in many ways, and it will remain a global issue in the future. One of the most pronounced issues is climate change and sea-level rise caused by the melting of masses of ice in the Arctic.

While there are many challenges to projecting future sea level rise, even a seemingly small increase in water

levels can have a dramatic impact on many coastal environments. Over 600 million people live in coastal areas that are less than 10 meters above sea level, and twothirds of the world’s cities that have populations over five million are located in these high risk areas.

HUDSON

redefining the edge

flood gates and transportation system hub at new hub - Hudson Yards

new elevated transportation lines along Manhattan

H2O Skyscraper and Flood Gates (red gates with train stop) Rendering placed into original New York City Scape Rhino, 3ds Max, V-Ray, Photoshop

Green + Transportation

Rebuilding Manhattan’s Parks: Creating a new elevated park system throughout Manhattan will help channeling access water due to heavy storms. Bringing back nature will be critical.

HUDSON

Gradually elevating New York’s Transportation:

New York’s underground system is vulnerable to heavy storm and flooding, therefore an urban concept of lifting the underground system was addressed on a conceptual level.

Instead of water bring in green

Graphic visual of elevated high-lines instead of underground systems as the new urban scape - creating new parks and green space on the skyline - projected date of first line 2013 as step one of gradual high-line construction

Ink, Watercolor, Photoshop

step1flood gates

transportationhigh-line along the edge of Manhattan

step 2water channeling/filtering system

step 3water tower, purification system

hightrainline

H2O Tower Lobby

Rhino, Photoshop

High Train Line

Concept graphics Rhino, Photoshop

riefkohl_brian rogers_billy leisy

Existing building pattern, site plan study Jacksonville, FL

Proposed site marked red AutoCad, Illustrator

MOCA exterior rendering Interactive screen - augmented reality Maya, Adobe Photoshop

site conditions

Urban Revitalisation:

A dynamic dialogue was created with the surrounding to revitalize the downtown area of Jacksonville, Florida. This being considered, the program of the museum was part of the solution. My MOCA became a children’s museum with various programs targeting different ages. The playfulness of children will bring life back to the downtown area of the city.

The museum’s site was chosen to become a foci, and with the ability to see the facade with the interactive screen, showing the actions on the inside, from the highways when entering the city via I-95.

MOCA

Over 40% of the buildings throughout downtown Jacksonville are parking garages; contributing to an abandoned, grey lifeless urban city scape. In this AutoCAD urban research diagram parking garages are coloured yellow; demonstrating that Jacksonville has ample amount of buildings that can be revitalised and re-imagined. This concept makes it possible to create a new pedestrian promenade and a new urban oasis with greenspace and storefronts.

Urban plan study

Jacksonville, FL

Parking garages highlighted in yellow AutoCad, Adobe Illustrator

Pedestrian Promenade:

New Proposed Pedestrian Promenade to revitalise the urban revitalisation with street fronts and creating green space instead of multiple vehicle lanes

Sketch of revitalized downtown street leading to MOCA

Inspired by intersecting planes, as the meeting point of the old and new downtown, MOCA represents the new life and future by giving dynamics to the area.

Maya, Photoshop

Velux Design Competition - Re-Ligare Institute, Spa & Wellness Centre

10 week studio project - exploring the “poetics of architecture”

Site: Boulder, Colorado

Concept:

“ A journey through the sequence of light”

This studio was focusing on the poetics of architecture. In my opinion light and building form - space created by light both natural and artificial is the most poetic rendition that can create this “poetical” experience while occupying the space.

Light is what architecture is about. The role of light in the design of the Re-Ligare Institute, a holistic wellness center is the main essence of the poetry of space articulation. The goal was to create atmospheres that are taking the visitors on a journey towards their inner self, “BEING” as they experience the architecture.

A sequential drama created by light and ‘sublime’ will enhance the journey that leads to nature. By providing a therapeutic environment in multiple ways such as; assistance in the treatment of the physical body and supporting the spiritual needs of the visitors will be fulfilled. Various healing principles, adopted mainly from healthcare design will support the goals mentioned above. These will include the integration of color theory, sustainable design, the connection to nature and the constant seeking for an “architecture that presents drama of construction silenced into matter and space” through the effects of light, where architecture becomes the “art of petrified silence”.

Concept Drawing Watercolor section perspective through the Wellness Center showing the sequential play of light in the different spaces

Light Studies:

Study models with Lightroom photo editing and filters added for light study

Building Form Model:

The building form is inspired as a journey to nature - with soft and organic shapes and curves to follow a sequence getting closer to nature. The journey is ending with a meditation garden built into the foothills of the mountains, providing total relaxation the perfect escape from everyday life and the fast pace lifestyle.

The building form was inspired by play of light, the mountains and the shape is mimicking the curvatures of mountains and hills to fit into the terrain poetically.

This studio was strongly focusing on the poetics of architectural space, and how to achieve space that is inspiring to the human experience through buildings.

Study model of building form concept

Building Renderings:

West Elevation Rendering Revit

East Elevation Rendering Revit

The building materials were inspired by the mountains of Colorado. Concrete walls.

The building form was inspired by play of light, the mountains and the shape is

mimicking the curvatures of mountains and hills to fit into the terrain poetically. There is nothing that brings more serenity than nature and the mountains.

Meditation Garden Rendering Revit

Floor plans:

Poetic Experiences:

Play of light on wood installation - entry to the spa area - watercolor, Photoshop

Spa lobby area - Revit, Watercolor, Adobe Photoshop

Light studies - Day/Night, AutoCAD, Watercolor

Light studies - Day/Night AutoCAD, Watercolor

Colors remain instrumental in the design and are used not only for way finding but also to invoke certain moods and settings that are suggestive of healing. The spa continues to the outdoors framed by

a sculptural element that holds the exterior hot tub. The bouncing light, reflection and emission spectra will be studied to create the correct color effects at a specific time of the day, or at a specific place.

Aqua glass, veluna and glass ore will be installed near and certain positions of the openings to absorb Sunlight and emit filtered light that contains color. During the night the collected sunlight will be released with color.

As the Sun moves the space changes. The Sun-light bounces on a light-shelf that reflects it to the ceiling, where colored glass tiles are lined up in order to provide the color that is playing a role to enhance the occupants well being.

The veluna, aqua glass and glass ore tile panels are collecting the daylight that is released at night. When they run out of luminescence they only need to be lit by fluorescent light for 15-20 minutes to lit the space for two hours.

Wall section through spa area, AutoCAD, Illustrator

ARCHITECTURE ADVENTURES

Tianjin, China

Rome, Italy

Innsbruck, Austria

Florence, Italy

My Adventures Around Europe

As a professional junior tennis player I had the opportunity to travel to many countries to play international ETA and ITF tennis tournaments. My sketchbook always accompanied me on my travels, and still is a part of my carry-on suitcase. My sketchbook is now filled with sketches from many other continents, but Europe will always have a special place in my heart.