MSA_MArch Architecture_Application

portfolio. noun

Contents

a collection of selected projects by reni koycheva

- 01 -

p. 2 / ONE WEISSENHOF

- 02 -

p. 8 / BLACK SEA ENCOUNTERS

- 03 -

p. 14 / RE-IMAGINING E-87

- 04 -

p. 25 / 66 BARING ST

- 05 -

p. 29

/ EYES TO THE CITY - 06 -

p. 34 / BONUS

- O1 RE-IMAGINING WEISSENHOF Project Type: Work Site: Weissenhofsiedlung, Stuttgart Date: April - May, 2022 Role: Individual and group work

Brief Weissenhof is a symbol of innovation in architecture, ma-

terials, technology, space organization and lifestyle in the dawn of Modernism. A century later, the territory has a chance to be again an example of innovative development, meeting the need for renewal and functional saturation of the built environment and enrichment of public spaces in cities.

IBA’27 allows this experience to be transferred to other cities and countries, which will increase the impact of the implemented projects.

Project Summary The main goal of our proposal is to pre-

serve the heritage of Weisenhof and its development over the last 100 years, while contributing to meet current and future needs and challenges to be an example and inspiration for the next 100 years.

Our solution reflects the focus of IBA’27 - Mixed-use productive city & productive city region in which the housing – leisure – work trinity co-exists in liveable and sustainable spaces.

A rendered view of the concept for the new reception building within the estate

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Site plan and Diagrams Site plan and diagrams

Productive city

Integration

Porosity and connectivity

Public spaces

Site plan 1:500

The site plan explores the Weissenhof Estate within the main site, as well as, the campus buildings, the public areas, streets and road transitions, pedestrian and vehicle traffic, vegetation and surrounding context.

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Axonometric Drawings

Axonometric drawing accounting for site context

Mobility Axonometric Drawing

Pedestrian crossing Bicycle path Bicycle parking space Public transport stop Coach short-term parking Subway Underground car park Children’s playground

Urban planning concept

Mobility concept and accessibility

Our concept is based on the idea of ​​spatially and functionally uniting the Weissenhofsiedlung and the Academy of Fine Arts. The two areas have evolved in parallel over time, but there is now a sense of isolation and independent functioning. For this reason, we see the added value of the competition in the possibility of spatial transformation that reflects the ideas of coexistence, multifunctionality, sustainability, quality of life and productivity.

Our concept aims to introduce bicycle streets in large parts of the area by reducing car traffic in Weissenhof.

Therefore, more traffic-calmed areas will be created. The main focus is on transforming “Am Weissenhof” into a “shared space” street and reducing the number of parking spaces on it, organizing more space for comfortable and safe movement of pedestrians and cyclists. In redesigning the road, we are keeping the asphalt pavement typical of modernity, but bringing sustainability and innovative technologies - replacing it with permeable asphalt to meet the challenges of climate change.

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Diagrams

Sustainability diagram

Public areas diagram

Sustainability concept

Open space concept and public space

This drawing explores the green corridors on and around the site, the existing and new vegetation, the green roofs, and the overall concept of the proposal which aims for a more sustainable future as a way of living.

Through greener ways of commuting which are also explained and shown on the left diagram, through engaging students from the campus with the surrounding communities and enriching the habitats of both humans and other species.

We see great potential to enrich the public open spaces in the Weissenhofsiedlung and on the Academy campus and thus improve the recreational and leisure qualities in the quarter. Increasing the green area will help drain rainwater better and reduce heating of the sealed areas during the summer months. Reducing car traffic in the area helps create quality and friendly public spaces that encourage people to stay and spend time outdoors longer.

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New Academy Program

One Weissenhof Program

3 2

Art Office Design Work

Showroom

Office restoration

Building Core

Library restoration Seminar restoration Workshop restoration Art Seminar Building Core

2 1

Office Restoration

Administration

Seminar Design Building Core

Design Office Restoration Seminar Art Workshop Hall

1

Foyer + Exhibition Restoration Office

0

Restoration Seminar Art Seminar Building Core Restoration Workshop Foyer

Museum Cafe Foyer with cash desk + Shop Stairway

0

Administration Restoration Office Art Workshop

-1

Archive

-1

Wardrobe + WC Foyer with Shop Stairway Technical room Archive + Store Media room

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Plans, Views and Sections Plans and Section 1:100 and 1:200

Basement

Basement

1. Ground floor

2. First floor Figure ground plan of the whole site emphasizing the location of two new buildings in circles - One Weissenhof and the New Academy.

1. Ground floor

Section 2. First floor

Section 3. Second floor

Section

A rendered view of the One Weissenhof reception building. Softwares used - ArchiCAD, Rhino, Enscape.

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- O2 BLACK SEA ENCOUNTERS Project Type: Academic Site: Burgas, Bulgaria Date: Feb 2021 - May 2021 Role: Individual work Academic Year: 3 - Studio 3.2 Tutors: L. Rossi, R. Marini

- O1 -

Brief The principal design objective is to investigate and pro-

pose architecture that activates and sustains a state of change for a time frame of 50+ years.

Project Summary Located in the heart of Burgas city’s Wet-

lands area, the project involves a Visitor Centre building with Exhibition spaces, an Observation tower and an indoor Cafeteria.

It invites people to reconnect with nature by being submerged in its beauty while acknowledging the dangers that it faces. The building serves as a transition point between the main road E-87 and the existing Birdwatching centre, allowing passengers to take a slower approach to the city and observe the patterns of nature. The time spent there aims to improve their well-being and strengthen their connection and understanding of other species.

The construction suggests a life-long building cycle with materials whose sustainability lies in their durability and up-cycling capabilities.

BLACK SEA ENCOUNTERS Academic Work / May 2021

“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced” - Sir David Attenborough

ION Nature Conservation Centre Poda, Burgas, Bulgaria goo.gl/maps/bwK82pTUsEpGpsGJ8

Public / Educational / Recreational / Urban realm r centre with observatory tower and exhibiton spaces

The principal design objective is to investigate and propose arure that activates and sustains a state of change for a time frame years.

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An Axonometric Drawing

The visitor centre within the landscape

An axonometric view of the main architectural structure from project 01. A Visitor centre building connecting the city to the existing Birdwatching centre. The building also serves as an observation experience of the surroundings and includes a gallery and a cafeteria. Created with SketchUp, Lumion and Photoshop.

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Interior and Exterior Views Experiencing the visitor centre

The Water Exploration Room

The building within the landscape where the salt waters from the Black Sea meet with the sweet waters from Mandra dam.

1:20 Section drawing through the Water exploration room using hand-drawing and Photoshop.

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Building Regulations and Programmes Studies

First Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan (+Underwater room)

Access for people with difficulties - providing enough distance and space + platforms and lifts Fire Exits (+ entrances that can be used for escape depending on the fire location)

Ground Floor Plan (+Underwater room)

Main staircases - 2700mm wide, 150mm rise, 250mm going in accordance with Building Regulations document M Longest escape routes checked to be no longer than 18m in accordance with the Building Regulations document B.

First Floor Plan

Exit Reception

Water observation / Exhibition space

Main Entrance

Coffee bar

Exhibition space Open terrace

WC

St.

Lift

Entrance / Exit

Indoor Cafeteria WC

Lift

St.

Small Library

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Buildability Studies Precedent Structural strategy and material selection

Official source: Archinect

This is a reference study exploring the use of rammed earth. It shows the structural strategy and the reason for the material selection.

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A rendered view of the entrance to the visitor centre and the existing main road. Work produced with Lumion and SketchUp

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- O3 RE-IMAGINING E-87 Project Type: Academic Site: Burgas, Bulgaria Date: Oct 2020 - Feb 2021 Role: Individual work Academic Year: 3 - Studio 3.1 Tutors: L. Rossi, R. Marini

Brief The design objective is to investigate and propose a strat-

egy for the E-87 Road as a whole and design a series of temporary interventions. The public realm in contemporary cities needs to be re-purposed to prioritize the relationship between people and everyday life rather than being primarily to accommodate the movement of cars.

Project Summary The project aims to re-imagine a main road

in the city of Burgas and re-connect the divided areas alongside by reconsidering the urban traffic and the human scale. The three interventions - a Floating Walkway, a Lake-Sea Sidewalk and accessing a Birdwatching centre, respond to the environmental emergency which we are facing nowadays by making sites within nature enjoyable, accessible and safe for people. This aims to focus on improving people’s well-being in the midst of a pandemic and raises important questions on protecting nature.

“Designing a dream city is easy; rebuilding a living one takes imagination.” - Jane Jacobs

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Transition of sites and climates From Manchester to Burgas

Location within the context of the world

Within the climate context

NEW SITE City: Burgas Country: Bulgaria

Location within the context Bulgaria

Region: Burgas Area: 7,748km2 Population: 409, 018 Density: 53/km2

Location within the context of Burgas region

City: Burgas Area: 253.644km2 Population: 202, 694 District: Burgas district

Manchester - cityscape

Burgas - cityscape

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The city within the bigger context Mapping the site

A hand-drawn masterplan of the city of Burgas

European road e-87

Neighbourhoods

Industrial areas

Educational buildings and hospitals

Water areas

Greenery

The Bird Migratory Route “Via Pontica” in the context of the world

“Via Pontica” passing through Burgas, Bulgaria

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E-87 Road

Temporary interventions

A Master plan showing the three temporary interventions on the E-87 road in the city of Burgas. They allow people to reconnect with and observe nature in a safe and inclusive environment. Work was produced with Google Earth and Photoshop.

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Intervention 01 What is the quality of the area that people use for fishing or walking?

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The Floating Walkway A collage response to site 1

The collage was produced with site photography & Photoshop and was inspired by the art installation of Christo & Jean-Claude.

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Conceptual and Structural Studies The Floating Walkway

A quick sketch of the initial idea for Intervention 1

An isometric drawing exploring the build-up of the floatin walkway device

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Intervention 03 Is the city area accessible for non car-users?

Site visit from a citizen point of view During this site visit I wanted to explore how citizens can access the Nature Conservation centre by using public transport. So after taking the bus which stops 500m away from the centre, I found out many other challenges for getting to the site. In fact, it was life threatening and almost impossible. Here are my observations:

1

Getting out of the bus, just to realise that it is impossible to cross the road to the other side where the Birdwatching centre is located. (non-humane)

2

After waiting patiently for 10 minutes to cross, there was unfortunate evidence of the dangers that this road brings. (time-demanding, highly dangerous, non-inclusive)

3

A lane that is supposed to be used from both people and cyclists. (dangerous, non-inclusive)

4

Moreover, there are falling rocks and no protection from them! (dangerous, non-inclusive)

According to the ‘Average walking speed by age’ information, it is impossible for humans and non-humans to cross such road where cars move with a speed of over 90km/h. Thus, the point of the third intervention is to provide a safer journey and bring the attention to the many challenges that non-drivers face on daily basis.

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Intervention 03 Short section 1:50

1:20 Section Drawing

A plan showing the section cut 1. Timber beams 2. Timber plank floor finish 3. Existing concrete walkway 4. Nominal 2x2 baluster 5. 2x4 sub-rail 6. 2x6 pt cap 7. Additional handrail 8. Concrete structure

A Section Detail at 1:10

6 5 7 4

2 8

3

8 1

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The Three Temporary Interventions Sections 1:200 / Masterlan 1:1000

Initial elevations of the three temporary interventions in use

1

Creating the Floating Walkway

2

Re-establishing the Lake-Sea Sidewalk

3

Accessing the Birdwatching Centre

Hand-drawn plan of the city at 1:1000

*Intervention 3 transforms an existing walkway under the bridge, however, what I would do differently is to try and establish an easier way for people to cross the road itself by transfomring the traffic lanes.

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Sketchbook Pages

Sketching and journalling new ideas is a key part of the design process to me. Journalling helps me to capture current states of the places I visit and also allows the mind to unravel and travel to new destinations, non-existent beforehand.

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- O4 66 BARING ST Project Type: Academic Site: Manchester, United Kingdom Date: Jan 2020 - May 2020 Role: Individual work Academic Year: 2 - Studio 2.2 Tutors: N. Allan, R. Dargavel

Brief Design housing suitable for both living and working on a given site - 66 Baring St, Mayfield.

Project Summary 66 Baring St is a place which has under-

gone significant changes throughout its history - from serving as public Victorian Baths in the 1850s to agencies in the 1950s and a public parking for the last few years. The central location within the heart of the city of Manchester and its connection to River Medlock provides a great opportunity for citizens to have their homes and offices within a walking distance to some of the main services and facilities within a city.

The project provides a proposal to build homes and offices for sustainability experts .with a minimum of 8 units and pays particular attention to considerations of climate change, typology, sustainability, materials, orientation, history, demographics.

“Will working from home be the norm again?”

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Site Context and Site Analysis Explorative and development studies

The site within the context of the urban landscape

Year round solar studies made with SketchUp and Sefaira

Orientation and structural studies based on sunlight, privacy and risk of flooding

Building uses and transport links studies

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Living Unit

Elevations and a section West elevation of a home unit at 1:100

1:50 section of a home unit

South elevation of a home unit at 1:100

River Medlock

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Live and Work Units Plans at 1:100

Ground floor plan of a home unit

First floor plan of a home unit

Ground floor plan of a work unit

First floor plan of a work unit

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- O5 EYES TO THE CITY Project Type: Academic Site: Mayfield, Manchester, UK Date: Oct 2019 - Dec 2019 Role: Individual work + group site model Academic Year: 2 - Studio 2.1 Tutors: A. Hunt, D. Opacic Wilkinson

Brief Mayfield has been Manchester’s blind-spot for years, but it has entered into a state of change. The project aims to create architecture for Mayfield that offers eyes and ears to the city of Manchester by designing a building that challenges the ‘blind spot’ that Mayfield has become.

Project Summary The proposal for the project involves the concept of ‘Old&New’ and the idea of ‘Rebirth’. By investigating a historic analysis of the site, the project resolves into a bridge which serves not only as a connecting point between an old and a contemporary train stations but is also an experience itself including a gallery with a cafe, places for rest and a small auditorium.

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The site within the city context Mayfield, Manchester

5

1

3

4

2

1.“Everything is connected” facade view

2. Street view from Baring St

3. External structure of the platforms

4. An arch within the old warehouse

5. An outside view from Travis St

The map shows the given site within the city of Manchester, UK. The photos were taken during a site visit of the Mayfield warehouse and aim to provide different perspectives to the “blind-spot”.

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Historical Timeline

Development and uses of the factory

19th century

1920

1960

1986

Feb 2013

The Mayfield Print Works were demolished.

Five platforms were provided and passengers could reach London Road Statio directly via a high level footbridge.

Mayfield operated as an overflow station until August 1960 when additional capacity at Piccadilly renedered Mayfield redundant.

The depot closed in 1986 following the decision to abandon rail transport in favour of road haulage.

The tracks were removed three years later.

The station roof was desmantled. After that the site used for an International Festival.

1782

August 1910

1940

1970

2003-2005

Mayfield Print Works was established on a former country house estate. The site was chosen because of the ready access to the water provided by the River Medlock

Mayfield Train Station was opened to alleviate the pressure of increasing passenger numbers on the London Road Station.

Mayfield suffered the effects of bombing during World War II, when it was hit by a parachute mine in December 1940.

The buildings remained unused until they were re-opened as a parcel depot in 1970 due to the easy access to the rail network.

The parcel conveyor bridge was removed in 2003 and the station building itself was gutted by fire in 2005.

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Site Model

Mayfield Train Station (group work)

Site model created with the help of laser-cutter. The model explores the existing site, its context and the possible locations of the architectural intervention

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The Pedestrian Bridge Section drawing 1:20

This section drawing shows the construction of the bridge structure on a scale 1:20 and some of the programmes.

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- O6 PHOTOGRAPHY

A Gate to the Unknown

Midsummer Night

Paper Towns

Lockdown View

A Postcard

Birds

In my free time, I enjoy exploring places, taking photographs, and allowing my creativity to unfold.

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Thank you!

Contact information: Name: Reni Koycheva T: + 359884335678 reni.koycheva1@gmail.com

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