2017_Space and Furniture Design

DESIGN PORTFOLIO

oana-maria paraschiv

ABSTRACT

This portfolio serves as a visual testament to my involvement in object design, graphic design, and event organization. It showcases my passion for creative endeavors through a compilation of projects undertaken as part of A.R.T.A - “The Romanian Association of Young Architects” and my role as Editor/Event Organizer/PR for the Romanian Architecture Magazine AdeP - “Atelierul de Proiectare” or “Design Studio”. Transitioning from organizer to designer, these experiences have honed my adaptability, allowing me to design across various scales – from urban to interior spaces, and from magazine layouts to object design.

As a designer, my commitment lies in crafting objects that are not only aesthetically captivating but, more importantly, functionally revealed. Anchored in a deeprooted identity tied to their core function, these objects are designed to narrate their own story through a robust design that serves their intended purpose.

ATELIERUL DE PROIECTARE

Romanian Architecture Magazine by ARTA, Bucharest, Romania, 2011-2014

Atelierul de Proiectare stands as Romania’s inaugural printed architecture magazine in the past four decades, exclusively tailored for students and faculty across architecture and arts universities. A student-driven initiative, it emerged as an independent, unbiased platform devoid of political affiliations, distributed free of charge within educational institutions throughout Romania. The magazine derives its name from the quintessential “Design Studio,” the foundational studio within the field of Architecture.

Dedicated to students and crafted by students, Atelierul de Proiectare aimed to provide a voice to emerging professionals, delivering the latest information within the architectural realm. It served as a response to a perceived necessity — the need to spotlight valuable content previously unavailable to architecture students. The publication actively promoted Romanian cultural values, architectural traditions, authenticity, talent, and the future Romanian architect.

Atelierul de Proiectare actively engaged in the promotion and organization of architecture-related events and contests. With a clear focus on fostering inter-university communication, the magazine sought to amplify the voices of young professionals, recognizing the inherent benefits that arise from such collaboration. The ultimate aspiration was to cultivate a high-profile, interconnected university environment, reflecting the magazine’s commitment to elevating the discourse within the architectural community

UNDER-the-GROUND

The Architecture Annual 2012, part of A.R.T.A, Bucharest, Romania

This project was an event orchestrated by the A.R.T.A (The Association of Young Architects) team as a part of the Romanian Architecture Annual 2012, centered around the theme of Sustainable Architecture. Engaged with the ARTA team, I was involved in the entire organizational process, ranging from conceiving the exhibition to crafting the interior design for the space. The chosen venue was the basement of Stirbei Palace, an aging neoclassical structure. Designated by the main organizers of the Architecture Annual as a particularly challenging exhibition space due to the building’s damp condition, it was handed over to the young association, presenting an opportunity for young architects to showcase fresh ideas on designing and revitalizing the space. This challenge inspired the concept of “Sub-Sol” or “Under-the-ground,” symbolizing the act of bringing nature below the surface in an amorphous space.

“Green signifies freshness, green signifies life... it’s a well-known fact that greenery flourishes under the sun... but what if we were to reverse this process? How about bringing the green under the ground? Perhaps, by daring to ignore the impossible, WE | A.R.T.A can make it possible!”

THE HOPE CHEST

3rd Price, Creative Studio, Bucharest, Romania 2012

The Hope Chest, a quintessential element in traditional furniture, typically positioned at the end of the traditional bench (lavita), serves as a storage space for celebratory clothing, traditional jewelry, necklaces, beads, important documents, money, and other valuable items. Inspired by the geometric shape of the pentagon, this concept influenced the overall form of the bookshelf.

The regular dodecahedron, with its changing faces while maintaining equal angles between them, serves as the fundamental structure. The traditional patterns adorning the object’s faces undergo reinterpretation, showcasing authentic Romanian motifs in a parametric fashion.

Design | Oana-Maria Paraschiv & A.R.T.A

Material | Lamellar

Technical Details | Pressing and Gluing

Function | Bookshelf

Dimensions | 1600x800 mm

Producer | Atipic Design

EXPO | BIFE 2012

Year | 2012

Prizes: 3rd Place in the National Competition for Traditional Design, awarded by The National Museum of the Romanian Peasant

THE WINE CHEST

Creative Studio by ARTA, Bucharest,Romania, 2012

While modernism has ushered in rapid changes, influencing preferences in furniture pieces and home decor, it’s essential to pay homage to objects that have brought joy to our childhood and connect us to countless memories. This holds true, especially for younger generations, to help them understand and appreciate the traditions and customs that define our Romanian identity.

“The Hope Chest” has seamlessly adapted to contemporary times. Leveraging current 3D modeling techniques, modern materials, and advancements in the furniture industry, this Dowry Chest has evolved into a more intricate object. The corian model, tailored to the needs of the modern individual, now features enhanced outdoor storage. The corrugated racks, recreating traditional motifs, not only serve as an exhibition space but also provide an “on-demand” storage solution for valuables. This fusion of tradition and modernity encapsulates the evolution of a cherished piece into a multifunctional and aesthetically pleasing object for today’s lifestyle.

Design | Oana Maria PARASCHIV & ARTA

Material | Corian 12 mm

Technical details | Thermoforming

Function | Wine Stack

Dimensions | 1570x370x350 mm

Producer | Theta Design

Exhibited | BIFE 2012

Year | 2011

LIGHT CHEST

Creative Studio by A.R.T.A, Bucharest, Romania 2012

Atelierul de Proiectare marked a significant milestone as Romania’s first printed architecture magazine in the past four decades. Exclusively tailored for students and teaching staff across all architecture and arts faculties/universities, it was a student-led initiative, created by students and for students. As an independent and impartial publication, free of any political color, the magazine was distributed without charge to architecture and arts universities throughout Romania.

The magazine’s name, “Atelierul de Proiectare,” embodies the essence of the classic “Design Studio,” a foundational studio within the field of Architecture. With a primary focus on promoting and organizing architecture-related events or contests, the publication served as a platform exclusively designed by and for students. Targeting a well-known and understood audience, Atelierul de Proiectare aimed to give voice to young professionals, providing them with the latest and up-to-date information within the architectural profession.

Emerging in response to a perceived necessity, the magazine sought to highlight useful content that was previously unavailable to all architecture students. At its inception, Atelierul de Proiectare actively promoted Romanian cultural values, architectural traditions, authenticity, and the talent of the future Romanian architect. Encouraging inter-university communication, the magazine recognized the inherent benefits of giving a voice to the young. Ultimately, its overarching goal was to create a high-profile, interconnected university environment.

MOVING STRUCTURES

1st price, Fashion Competition, Bucharest, Romania, 2012

“Moving Structures” encompassed a workshop and competition dedicated to raising awareness about socially conscious and environmentally friendly fashion. Supported by the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, the initiative aimed to craft a one-piece garment by repurposing materials from architecture students, specifically those used in models or drawings.

This dynamic workshop spanned a week and culminated in a captivating fashion show at the Annual Festival of Architecture. Furthermore, the project found a showcase at ROCAD - the Romanian Convention of Architecture and Design in Bucharest, May 2012.

Our conceptual garment, titled “Modern Lolita,” sought to redefine modern fashion by accentuating key aspects of the female form through sharp peaks. The design process was rooted in architectural methods, employing parametric design tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper. The garment’s structure comprised pyramids with varying base dimensions and heights. The entire assembly was affixed to a base constructed from mosquito netting and wires, ensuring the structure conformed to the contours of the body.