Karine Sarkissian Portfolio

KARINE SARKISSIAN d e s i g n e r

t h i n k e r

p l a n n e r

+1 857.445.5423

sarkissian.karine@gmail.com w w w. k a r i n e s a r k i s s i a n . c o m

CONTENT

recalling cultural identity

01

from the in-berween

baltimore open city

09

block-works

02

participluie

10

modern break-through

03

drip drop

11

spool seat

04

community synthesizer

12

springth

05

fedra sans type specimen

13

bent-wood shelter

06

artwork

14

redesign connections

07

urban dweller

08

IDEO

professional portfolio

RECALLING CULTURAL IDENTITY FROM THE IN BETWEEN Urban design Beirut, Lebanon Beirut is a city inherent with layers of meaning. A fifteen-year Civil War has lead to a life focused indoors rather than one out in the streets. As a response, in-between public spaces have been often entirely neglected and discarded as wasted terrain vague. The investigation of my own city manifested itself in multiple perceptions re-scripting while understanding the over arching stages of its history.

01

Most important elements of the culture are portrayed through the people and the street-scape.

This was further studied by extracting the various layers of the city: social, political, and strong connections to memory in areas faced with constant conflict.

Recordings of the in-betweens and life on the streets.

The exploration includes a record of sensory elements (sounds, smells, viewpoints, and interactions) Influential parts of the design.

Find full thesis here: http://issuu.com/ksarkissian/docs/karine_sarkissian_thesis_lulu/1

From a single neglected space...

from a single neglected space

To an activated public space...

to an activated public space.

To a network of pu

to a network of p

The in-between spaces are designed with local characteristics, responsive to

sensory

recordings

surrounding

each. They cater to the people in creating

pedestrian

the urban dweller.

experiences

for

ublic spaces...

public spaces

with infinite possibilities...

with infinite possibilities...

Sensory recordings I captured walking around the streets. I compiled them in a model-this investigation influenced the design of each one of my spaces.

The interactions with the people I met on the streets really stood out to me. The Hayy spaces were rarely occupied, sometimes by the people who live around the area, otherwise, the dwellers and vendors were mostly on the main streets.

The vendors are the ones who sustain us- they are part of our daily routines and they all have a story and have been around their particular street corner for some time. In a way, their legacy and their presence has a fundamental presence in the streets of Beirut.

They represent the culture that is worth sustaining and keeping alive.

My Hayy interventions encourage the connections between the regular urban dweller and the street vendors and artisans.

PROCESS EXPLORATIONS

recording life on the streets. Understanding the surroundings and all the special elements that make them unique.

02

BLOCK-WORKS

Urban planning Islands Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark

SITE CONTEXT

1920 ØRESTED POWER STATION

(largest power station in Denmark) 1932

Largest diesel engine 1941 ROWING CLUB 1995 ELLO SUPERMARCO

FISKETORVET Shopping Center

HOUSING OFFICES

CITYWIDE EFFORT better waterfront in absence of shipping industry

WATERFRONT TRAIN TRACKS

STREET ART

BROWN FIELDS known as LOW QUALITY OF LIFE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPENDANT

HISTORY + IDENTITY

DESIGN GOALS

From a car oriented site..

...to a site that puts people first

From a deserted brownfield...

... to a dense mixed-use community

From a low bicycle priority...

...to a bicycle friendly site

From an isolated site...

...to a site linked to its surrounding

From an industrial brownfield...

... to a giant green park

From a forgotten waterfront...

...to an activated moving waterfront

Block Works is an urban planning project in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located next to Enghave Brygge, by the Ă˜rsted Power Plant (one of the largest Diesel plants in Denmark). While trying to revive the area and salvaging an old brown field, I activate the waterfront and create a set program with housing blocks and commercial spaces.

SECTION-ELEVATION AA’

2 1

brewery and bar area

3

connecting bridge and bus stop

commercial district underground car park market space

car and bicycle access

4

row club

wooden blocks added on the existing edge can change over time and move on the existing train tracks activate surfaces on water and land

5

mixed housing community

TODAY

green roofs and courtyards private and public spaces harbor baths

vary no car access

central bicycle path bicycle parking existing edge

A

A’ ferry stop

1 MONTH

water sports

power plant

center rail road tracks

6

artificial canal connects to the harbor on both ends

3 MONTHS

PLAN

private

public

PLAN DIAGRAM

FUTURE

MODERN BREAK-THROUGH

03

Urban design Israels Plads, Copenhagen, Denmark

CONCEPT COLLAGE

LAKE

BOTANICAL GARDENS

in

1

s

in m

5m

NØRREPORT STATION

m

8

ins

MARKET

s

3 min

1m

in

ISRAELS PLADS

Commercial

ØRSTEDSPARKEN

SITE CONTEXT

45%

Housing

32%

Education

17%

Cultural

4%

Hotel

2%

FUNCTION - URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

ACTIVITIES AND CONCENTRATION OF PEOPLE

Central element to the founding of Copenhagen, Israels Plads draws a connection to the three historical gates; Nørreport, Vesterport, and Østerport.

The site is defined by physical and historical landmarks: the Botanical Gardens, the Lakes, and Ørstedsparken.

The design revolves around triangular shapes. Each incorporates different types of activities relating to the context of the site. Graffiti walls, grass areas, and skate parks are some of these many elements. Additionally, stairs are utilized to create level change and impromptu seating. Different heights and textures create various layers and focal points in the space.

This public space values the past of Israel Plads while encouraging a new vision for its future. It considers all ages and activities as it becomes a ‘montage of possibilities.’

SPOOL SEAT

04

published in Intramuros Design Magazine September 2010 issue, n. 150

“Spool Swing” and “Spool Seat” are made out of Jute, an organic material; and fish glue used as a natural bonding agent. After many tests and studies, I created a giant wool-winding mechanism (using a lamp shade, a turn table, and a trash can). In turn, I was able to spin the thread into giant spools by the simple turn of a handle.

The Maryland Institute College of Art was invited to participate at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC, May 2010.

We presented our work as part of MICA, “Material Inspired Concepts and Artifacts”.

MICA was awarded “Best Design School” for the strong concept and products. The materials used for this exhibit were all natural, including bonding agents, glues, and other used elements

SPRINGTH

05

wearable product: ankle strengthener The weakness of the ankle joints causes ankle impingement, an injury particularly common with ballet Dancers.

This ankle strengthener, “SPRINGTH� works with the design of springs. By interchanging springs, different people can attach this product to their ankle to strengthen their joints with the desired, customized tension needed.

explorations and prototypes

explorations

BENT WOOD SHELTER

06

Digital fabrication/ CNC milled shelter

The Bent-Wood Shelter was a two person collaboration created using Grasshopper scripting and digitally fabricated with a CNC mill. Through multiple experiments, we managed to find the correct way to make wood bend and warp without breaking. The entire structure is collapsible and does not use any hardware to stay up- various types of joints keep the structure sturdy and assembled. In effect, the inner skeleton also serves as shelves, adding more function to the cozy cave-like form.

REDESIGN CONNECTIONS

07

installation design for the Brown Center, MICA, Baltimore, Maryland Redesign Connections is a design created for the Maryland Institute College of Art Brown Center, a glass modern building designed by Ziger/Snead Architects.

The structure was designed on AutoCAD, 3D printed (for prototyping), and animated using Rhino 3D and 3ds Max.

URBAN DWELLER site explorations

08

design interventions throughout baltimore

This project consists of creating a series of markers around Baltimore City. These interventions cater to the ‘Urban Dweller’ to create a network in adopting various areas within the city.

They allow the dweller to embrace, escape, find shelter, rejoice, and explore.

The following interventions serve as a model to create more spaces around the city (conceived by various designers).

Three different sites were undertaken to represent the model in mind.

Studies about the neighborhood including transportation, building use, and edges were conducted.

explorations

BALTIMORE OPEN CITY curated exhibition in baltimore

The exhibition was created by 29 students.

From curation to exhibition design and promotion, we took on: architecture of the gallery space, graphic design and language, call for entry, series of lectures and events, workshops, student projects, and press releases.

Opening of 500 people and more.

Click here for more information. eds.mica.edu

09

I scheduled and organized workshops with students from various schools around the city. They got to experience the space and take part of some of the activities to better understand Baltimore City.

PARTICIPLUIE

10

Design competition - Lille for Change, Lille, France.

Participluie is a system that was created as part of a competition to better the city of Lille, France. Our team who consisted of Jackie Littman, Jaime Carusi, Michael Chiarella, and myself, proposed an umbrella share system for the constant weather changes known throughout Lille.

It functions through a phone app and various umbrella kiosks placed throughout transit points and important squares within the city.

This system was designed to encourage sharing within the city of Lille, while keeping it’s citizens and visitors comfortable, dry, and shaded.

This program also eliminates the hassle of carrying around umbrellas while in and outdoors.

Watch video at: karinesarkissian.com/participluie

“About 95 percent of the “About 95 percent of the water entering ourour homes water entering homes goes down the the drain” goes down drain” Water: Use Less-Save More by jon clift and Amanda Cuthbert Water: Use Less-Save More by jon clift and Amanda Cuthbert

“I want to be more aware of my “Iconsumptionsee how much I am using and saving.

I much I am using and saving. I want to be more aware of my consumptionsee how definitely would love to see thatdefinitely information.

I can’t of that anything that does that think of anything that does that would lovethink to see information.

I can’t now.” now.”

ELDA, designer, NYC, 22 yrs J H

E

ELDA, designer, NYC, 22 yrs J H

E

“If I payed for water, then I’d use“Ifthe deviceforthat helpsthen me I’d save. live in athat helps me save. But I live in a I payed water, useBut theI device tenement building so my landlordtenement should pay for it because it’ll help him save for itsure. building so my landlord should pay for because it’ll help him save for sure.

It would benefit him.”

It would benefit him.”

E

H

J

JOSE, building concierge, NYC, 46 yrs JOSE, building concierge, NYC, 46 yrs E

H

J

Digital display tablet

Sensor

“I love sensor sinks! It’s less, germs, effort, it’s perfect.

“I loveless sensor sinks!

It’s less,I don’t germs,understand less effort,why it’s perfect. I don’t understand why DripDrop is an app designed help control water consumption people don’t have them in theirthe homes. people don’t have them in their homes. in an average household.

It consists of two parts. The first is a measuring tool, it indicates E the amount of water used by tap and warns the user if the set limit is approaching. It comes in the form of a phone app as well as its own tablet that can be kept in the home. The second is a sensor tool that can be attached to any faucet, it is activated by hand motion, while still allowing the user to turn it off and on on command, as well as adjusting temperature and pressure.

H

HADI, banker, NYC, 27 yrs J

E

H

HADI, banker, NYC, 27 yrs J

DRIP DROP

11

Controlling over consumption of water

SKETCHES

drip drop drip drop drip drop drip drop drip drop

4 quarts 8 pints 16 cups 128 ounces 3.8 liters

COMMUNITY SYNTHESIZER

12

OpenIdeo refugee education challenge

This document is intended to inform the community and our partners, UNHCR and UNICEF, what the community has provided the platform during the research phase.

Joe Silva and I have coded and themed all of the data. We categorized OpenIDEO members’ posts into 6 “buckets”- so that the user of this document can easily interpret what this community has produced.

Many research posts can fall into one or more buckets. We took a step back from each post and determined which theme was most prevalent to the central ideas in the research post.

Learn more at https://openideo.com/blog/refugee-education-challenge-whatwe-learned-in-the-research-phase

FEDRA SANS TYPE SPECIMEN Graphic and book design This book was created to showcase Fedra Sans typeface.

It features the regular font and its Arabic versions as well.

The book can be read from its two ends: left to right in English and right to left in Arabic.

13

ARTWORK

CLAIR-OBSCUR SELF-PORTRAIT COLLAGE

Created using hole-punched magazine cutouts.

MEMORIES OF A PEOPLE

Represents the struggles of the Armenian Genocide- loss of a people

14

RIYAL SOLES Riyal Soles incorporates my perception of the Saudi Arabian society, after having lived there for thirteen years. The restrictions set on women are voiced through resolutions of consumerism and the addiction to trends. This piece explores the views of an insider to comprehend and give voice to the hidden reality faced by local women.

While all the women are dressed to look identical, they are distinguished by their choice of shoes. Made of molded copies of Saudi Arabian Riyals (local currency).

HELMET DESIGN

Helmet design for Formula Renault Racer, Shahan Sarkissian

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO // SAMPLE PROJECTS Courtesy of Carlos Zapata Studio

TURNBERRY OCEAN CLUB, MIAMI, FLORIDA

HIGH TECH TOWERS, LUANDA, ANGOLA

KARINE SARKISSIAN d e s i g n e r

t h i n k e r

p l a n n e r

+1 857.445.5423

sarkissian.karine@gmail.com w w w. k a r i n e s a r k i s s i a n . c o m

MORE WORK AND PROJECTS @ karinesarkissian.com