Architecture Portfolio of Stephanie Mamouzellos BArch '20

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

STEPHANIE MAMOUZELLOS

Hello!

My name is Stephanie Mamouzellos.

I am a recent graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s accredited Bachelor of Architecture program.

The work that I’ve selected to feature in this portfolio aims to showcase my innovative design concepts and illustrative techniques I’ve developed to present them. The evolved relationships between communities and buildings that my projects aspire towards encompass themes such as: accessibility to art and technology, social interdependence, and climate change. Though the particular studios have come to a close, I consider these as works in progress, not definitive answers, to the design questions and societial issues that are important to me as I move forward into my architectural career.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope to have the opportunity to further discuss my work and professional goals with you. email: steph.mamouzellos@gmail.com

Table of Contents

20-25

4-11

12-19

26-31

34-37

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1 Archi-GEO Communication Matrix: Final Project This thesis is an architectural response to urban risk imposed on communities particularly vulnerable to extreme geological conditions. This project utilizes the Icelandic island, Heimaey, as a case study for the design and proposed implementation of an “archi-geo communication matrix.� The proposal is for a communicative network, powered by mesh technology and maintained by traditional physical contingencies, that hosts and distributes site information in three architectural scales: handheld object, inhabitable structure, and field condition. The medium scale intervention and primary design components of this thesis, are two hubs, accompanied by a series of monitoring sensors.

Each hub aims to address a particular risk: flooding and volcanic activity. Through an experiential and deeply integrated approach, this project ultimately aims to redefine the relationship between community and potentially volatile environments.

Island of Heimaey Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland Left: Roof plan rendering of lava hub

Right: Aerial map of Iceland with the island of Heimaey highlighted

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The urban risk imposed on the community of Heimaey by the island’s volatile geological conditions leaves the people and infrastructure vulnerable to systemic threats to their safety and livelihood. The proposal for intervention is within the red box. This area is in the cross hairs of both risks (flooding in red and volcanic eruption in orange) and require immediate mediation through increased autonomy, resilency, and communication with the landscape.

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The limited egress is a clear concern that timely rely of information and action should mitigate. The activation of the proposed network during a critical volcanic event is demonstrated on the right. In the next spreads, the hubs are further architecturally developed within their immediate contexts.

N NW

10%

NE

5%

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1.1 mil

E

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Left: Urban risk map of Heimaey, Iceland

Right: Activation of archi-communication matrix by volcanic threat

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Left: Collage rendering of lava hub in it’s immediate volcanic context

Right: Section collage, roof plan, rendering of critical visual moment of volcano

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Left: Rendering collage of water hub in the island’s harbor

Right: Section of water hub, roof plan, rendering of interior cavernous space from aquatic rotary

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2 Collegiate Gateway: Rensselaer Science Center This project establishes a welcoming entryway onto Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s campus while also providing the university with a new interdisciplinary multi-use hub for all students, faculty, and visitors. Formally the buiding is two bent bars that overlap one another. They are oriented to address the equally important street and campus elevations that bring people onto the site. This is where the more rigid program of classrooms, research laboratories, and faculty office space is located.

The void that runs through them is an atrium that acts as a bridge from central campus to its southeast corner. Other than circulation, flexible social spaces are hosted here. A single-story grade change that previously existed on the site is modified to have a more gradual slope. It mimics the landscape contours and extends them into the central atrium space to promote the continuity of nature from the exterior to interior, supplemented by indoor vegetation.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th Street, Troy, NY, USA Left: Rendering of campus-side entrance

Right: Facade study model

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Left: Site plan with campus context

Right: Ground floor plan at east entrance level, typical cantilever floor plan of offices and study space, parti diagram

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CLT Flooring

Glulam Beam Steel Angle

Glulam Column

Steel Column Footing

CLT Core

These efforts are also reflected in the selection of CLT and glulam structural members which are more sustainable as compared to the traditionally used materials concrete and steel. Details of the facade, structure, and MEP have been explored in depth to maximize the efficiency of the building with the design perspective of highly regulated lab spaces.

Equally important however is providing individuals with a sense of openness and tranquility that is not always readily experienced within the rigid daily routine that one has at RPI.

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Left: Facade/structural/MEP section model, exploded structural diagram

Right: facade details & section, elevation of detailed model showcasing facade

arD

digiR R eyaL 5 5 etaW

R

Parapet detail

odniW W naP elpirT elpirT odniW leetS W arDleetS

Window detail

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aB TLC reyaL 3 LC reyaL 3 reyaL 5 5 leiM etS ooW odW S latnoziroH leetS noziroH leetS acaF reeneV dooW reeneV dooW

olF

Overhang detail

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Reading nooks overlooking atrium

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Research lab hallway

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Green social spaces in atrium

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Roof B 84’ - 0” Level 7 72’ - 0” Level 6 60’ - 0”

Roof A 60’ -0” Level 5 48’ -0” Level 4 36’ -0” Level 3 24’ -0” E. Level 2 12’ -0” E. Level 1 0’ -0”

Left: Rendering of central atrium from perspective of elevated walkway

Right: Renderings of critical spaces, longitudinal section through atrium

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3 Constructive Views: Boston Museum of Science Boston, Massachusetts is a highly pedestrian city characterized by dynamic elevational visual relationships between parks, apartment buildings, office buildings, storefronts and more.

This project is commissioned by Boston University for an integrated school of science and technology museum for the campus, that which combines the private elements of lectures and and public program of educational galleries. These hybrid spaces are carved by the different scales of viewing between the site on which this building sits along Commonwealth Avenue and the surrounding buildings on different elevations. In this way, Bostonians are able to in their apartments, in cafes, on the train, etc. witness science and technology without having to be within the spaces themselves. These interactions are not one sided, people within the structure interact similarly, creating this all immersive and collaborative environment.

Boston University Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, USA Left: Aerial collage rendering of museum

Right: North elevation of museum

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A A A

B

B

B

B

B

A A

A

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B

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Fourth Floor

Roof 84’ - 0”

Level 5 64’ - 0”

Level 4 44’ - 0”

Level 3

Third Floor

32’ - 0”

Level 2 20’ - 0”

Basement 1 -11’ - 0” Basement 2 -22’ - 0”

Section A

Left: Site plan with ground level

Right: Short building section, selected floor plans

A

Second Floor

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Section B

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Left: Massing model with site context, longitudinal section

Right: Detailed section of facade proposal, facade study model

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4 The Music Matrix: Co-operative Living The prompt for this studio was to design a micro-community within the business district of downtown Troy. Studio-wide, we designed a singular fabric that slopes up and down to create a dynamic pedestrian experience within the community, in addition to an elevated walkway that connects the eight residences. The continuity of the site condition allows for the individual dwelling forms and programmatic contributions to be showcased. The social experiment proposed here is for cooperative living. Each dwelling, other than provide housing for its selection of residents, must also serve a unique social program. Examples include: a community kitchen, garden, skate park, bathing pools, etc. Social interpendence is attained by making each element vital to the success of the community.

SITE SECTION SW SCALE: 1’= 1/4�

Downtown Troy Business Improvement District Frear Alley, Troy, New York, USA Left: Night rendering of the Music Matrix during musical performance

Right: Section of community site

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BROADWAY

ST RI

R VE

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FREAR ALLEY

FIRST ST.

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ATMOSPHERIC LIVING

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RAUMHOME

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CORE HOUSE

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PASSAGEWAY

THE TONGUE

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LINK HOUSE

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MUSIC MATRIX

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CITY AMUSEMENT PARK

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE: 1’= 1/4”

Left: Site plan

Right: Ground and second level plans of community site, exploded axonometric of individual dwellings

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The Music Matrix is a residence for musicians. For six months to a year, musicians can choose to live here to develop their talent alongside colleagues with whom they can network and collaborate. The goal is to provide the community and outward city with entertain by rotating artists from varying backgrounds.

Movable structures and adjustable modes of circulation parallel how a musician is introduced to, learns, then eventually masters their instrument. The inhabitants are provided with an open-ended set of instructions on how to operate within the dwelling, with which they then proceed to learn to move in the space based on how they individually see fit. This encourages them to develop a personal method of living in the space similar to how a musician develops an individual style or sound on their respective instruments.

Left: Aerial rendering of Music Matrix dwelling within co-operative living development & existing context

Right: Roof plan and section, living space diagram

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5 Life as Art: Downtown Troy Residential Complex Life in Troy is characterized by dynamic experiences at which the contrasting poles are technology and art. There is a balance that has long been teetered towards technology by the presence of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but within the past decade downtown Troy, aka the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District, has encouraged increased experience of and participation in the arts.

This residential and mixed use complex is an attempt to integrate art into the everday lives of students and Troy residents within close quarters by framing life as art itself. The otherwise mundane activities of everyday life are framed within the context of a movie or play, marked by the vibrant color red in interactive areas throughout the building.

Downtown Troy Business Improvement District River Street, Troy, New York, USA Left: Massing model (street entrance view)

Right: Perspective section rendering of units and publicly accessible space

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SINGLE

DOUBLE

TRIPLE

N OTN S- SI NT G U LDEE N TNSOI N G - SLTEU D E N T S I N G L ES T U D E N T S SI NT G U LDEE N T S I N GSLTEU D E N T S I N G L ES T U D E N T DSOTUUBDLEEN T D O U SB TL U E D E N T D OSUTBULDE E N T T SR TI PULDEE N T T R I P SL TE U D E N T T R I P L E O N TN -SSI N TU GD L E N TNSOI NNG- SL TE U D E N T S I N G L ES T U D E N T SSI N TU GD L E N T S I N G SL TE U D E N T S I N G L ES T U D E N T DSOT U U BDLEEN T D O U BS LT EU D E N T D OSUTBULDE E N T T SRTI P U LDEE N T T R I P LS ET U D E N T T R I P L E

NOTNS- ISNT G U LDEE N T N S IONNG- LS ET U D E N T S I N G L SE T U D E N T S ISNT G U LDEE N T S I N G LS ET U D E N T S I N G LSET U D E N T D SOTUUBDL EE N T D O U BSLTEU D E N T D O S TUUBDL E N T T RS ITPULDE E N T T R I P LSET U D E N T T R I P L E NON-STUDENT SINGLE STUDENT SINGLE STUDENT DOUBLE STUDENT TRIPLE

L OL OL W LO W OW W

NI I TNN N ET T TE E R ERR M M R EM M DE E EDD D AI I TAA A ET T TE E E

E E X EEX TXT X R TT R ER E R M EEM M EE M EE

L O W

M O D E R A T E

E X T R E M E

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Apartments are designed within a scale of public viewing that range from low to extreme visual interactions. Low interactions include fixed punched opening that allow for fragments of viewing, while extreme ones include pivoting windows which can be controlled at the public’s will.

While widing access to art within the community and fabricating a new perspective from which to appreciate daily routine, this complex also aims to create affordable housing. Rent for residents is subsidized to a degree which depends on the level of interactions they are willing to allow in their otherwise private space.

Higher levels of exposure is rewarded accordingly.

Left: Residential unit configurations

Right: Typical floor plan of a residential/exhibition program level

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Thank you for your consideration.

Stephanie Mamouzellos Bachelor of Architecture ‘20 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute steph.mamouzellos@gmail.com

Left: Massing/site model images, longitudinal section

Right: Detailed section model

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