TAMAR SARKISSIAN
+44 7471 326 441 tamar.sark@gmail.com
@tamar.sark_architecture linkedin.com/in/tamar-sarkissian/
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
T.SARKISSIAN
RUMINATION GALLERY & RETREAT
SITUATED WITHIN MERCHISTON PARK ALONG EDINBURGH’S UNION CANAL, MY PROJECT IS A COMBINATION OF AN ART GALLERY [LVL -2], AND A RETREAT SPACE, WITH PRIVATE ROOMS FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS [LVL -1] AND MEDITATION ROOMS [LVLS -3 & -4].
THE COMPLEX IS MEANT TO SERVE AS A SPACE OF TRANQUILLITY AWAY FROM THE BUSY URBAN HUB SURROUNDING—A REFUGE FOR PEOPLE TO SELFREFLECT, TO RUMINATE VIA ART, VIA SOCIAL, OR INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY.
TO EMBODY THIS SACRED TRANQUILLITY I LOOK TOWARDS THE NATURAL—PARTICULARLY TOWARDS LIGHT AND WATER. NOT WANTING TO DISTURB THE SERENE PARK, I DECIDED TO BUILD UNDERGROUND. WATER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SACRED ELEMENT, A TRANSITIONAL THRESHOLD, AND SO I PULLED THE CANAL INTO THE PARK, CREATING A GLAZED WATERCHANNEL SKYLIGHT ABOVE MY CIRCULATION, BOTH WATERWAY AND PATHWAY SPIRALLING DOWN AROUND THE CENTRAL COURTYARD.
EACH LEVEL IS DIVIDED INTO 4 ZONES OF OCTAGONAL ROOMS. IN THE GALLERY [-2], EACH ZONE IS DEDICATED TO EXPERIENCING THE ARTWORK THROUGH ONE OF 4 CORE BODILY MOVEMENTS: WALKING, STANDING, SITTING DOWN, AND LYING DOWN. IN THE RETREAT [-3&-4], EACH ZONE IS DEDICATED TO ONE OF 4 CONTRASTING SENSORY THEMES: LIGHT VS DARK, AND SOUND VS SILENCE.
[ STAGE 3 FINAL DESIGN PROJECT ]
05101520m LEVEL 0
[ STAGE 3 FINAL DESIGN PROJECT
KEY SECTION AA
[KEY SECTION CUTTING THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND RETREAT AND GALLERY ENTRANCES]
5101520 m
]
SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE RETREAT ZONE 4, WATER FALLING IN SILENCE ROOM GALLERY ZONE 3, SITTING DOWN IN NICHES TO VIEW ART RETREAT ZONE 1, BATHING IN DARKNESS
SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE CUTTING THROUGH ZONE 1, CENTRAL COURTYARD & ZONE 3
[ STAGE 3 FINAL DESIGN PROJECT ]
GALLERY ENTRANCE HALL & PATHWAY
GALLERY PATHWAY
ENTRANCE HALL BRIDGE OVERLOOKING GALLERY PATHWAY
GALLERY ENTRANCE HALL
[VIDEO OF MODEL DEMONSTRATING THE WATER CAUSTICS LIGHTING EFFECT OF THE SKYLIGHT WITHIN THE GALLERY PATHWAY]
SCAN FOR VIDEO
LEVEL -1
RETREAT ROOMS
1. ENTRANCE
2. ENTRANCE LOBBY
3. ADMINISTRATION ROOMS
4. INFIRMARY
5. PRIVATE RETREAT ROOMS
6. PRIVATE RETREAT ROOM COURTYARDS
7. CENTRAL COURTYARD CIRCULATION
8. RETREAT PRESENTATION ROOM
9. STAFF ROOM
10. CHANGING ROOMS
11. VENTILATION ROOM
12. PRIVATE ROOM STAIRWELLS TO REACH THE MEDITATION ROOMS IN LVL -3
13. BRIDGE
14. VOID AROUND CENTRAL COURTYARD FOR LVL -2 DOUBLE VOLUME
15. EARTH
16. CENTRAL COURTYARD VOID
17. LIGHT WELL VOIDS REACHING DOWN TO LEVEL -3
[PROGRAMME]
+ 3200 - 800 - 1600 - 2400 - 3200 + 05101520m 1 2 3 4 5 6 12 13 14 15 17 7 16 8 10 9 11 17
LEVEL -2
GALLERY
[PROGRAMME]
1. ENTRANCE TO GALLERY
2. ENTRANCE LOBBY
3. CLOAKROOM
4. WATER TANK AND FILTRATION ROOM
5. VIEWPOINT DOWN TO ZONE 4 LYING DOWN GALLERY
6. GIFT STORE AND LIBRARY
7. RAMP CIRCULATION BEGINNING
8. ZONE 1 WALKING GALLERY
9. SUN TUNNEL LIGHT WELL, THE SHAFT IS COVERED IN REFLECTIVE MATERIAL TO SHINE LIGHT ONTO THE ARTWORK DISPLAY WITHIN IT
10. FIRE ESCAPE CORRIDOR
11. ADMINISTRATION ROOMS
12. PRIVATE ROOM STAIRWELLS TO REACH THE MEDITATION ROOMS IN LVL -3, WITH SEATED VIEWING PORTS LOOKING INTO THE GALLERIES, HIDDEN BEHIND A TWO-WAY WINDOW
13. ZONE 2 STANDING GALLERY
14. PRESENTATION ROOMS
15. ZONE 3 SITTING DOWN GALLERY
16. CENTRAL COURTYARD
17. LIGHT WELL VOIDS REACHING DOWN TO LEVEL -3
18. ZONE 4 LYING DOWN GALLERY
19. WATER BASIN WHERE RAIN CHAIN FROM CANTILEVERS ON LEVEL 0 DRIP WATER, WHICH THEN FALLS DOWN AGAIN THROUGH THE BASIN VOID TO -4
20. ART DISPLAY, CHANGES WITH EVERY NEW EXHIBITION
21. BRIDGE FROM ZONE 1 ONTO AND OVER ZONE 4, LOOKING ONTO LYING DOWN GALLERY
22. EARTH
- 800 - 1600 - 2400 - 3200 0---- 3200+ 0 - 800 - 2400 05101520m 1 2 3 4 5 6 12 13 14 15 17 18 21 22 7 16 19 20 8 10 9 11 17
LEVEL -3 RETREAT MEDITATION ROOMS
[PROGRAMME]
1. ENTRANCE FROM COURTYARD CIRCULATION
2. WATER TANK, FILTER AND PUMP ROOM FOR THE WATER BASIN OF LEVEL -4
3. ZONE 1 BATHING IN THE DARK ROOMS
4. ZONE 2 SITTING IN THE LIGHT ROOMS
5. ZONE 3 GROUP ACTIVITY ROOM, WITH STAIRWELL PASSAGE TO NOISE ROOM ON LEVEL -4
6. ZONE 4 GROUP ACTIVITY ROOMS WITH PASSAGE TO 7
7. ZONE 4 SILENCE ROOM, WELL LIT FROM THE WINDOWS AT THE CENTRE, WATCHING THERE THE WATER FALL FROM ABOVE IN SILENCE
8. STAIRWELLS FROM PRIVATE RETREAT ROOMS ON LEVEL -1
9. LIGHT-WELLS ABOVE
10. EARTH
- 4000 - 4900 - 5800 - 6700- 4300 - 4600-- 6700 -- 6700 05101520m 1 2 3 4 7 5 6 8 10
9
AUDITORIUM BUILDING ALONG CANAL AUDITORIUM ENTRANCE TO RETREAT, LVL -1
GALLERY ZONE 4, LYING DOWN IN NICHES TO VIEW ART
1:20 SECTION
400 mm CONTIGUOUS PILING WALL 70 mm SHOTCRETE WATERPROOF TANKING MEMBRANE DRAINAGE PROTECTIVE BOARD TO WATERPROOFING 200 mm REINFORCED CONCRETE WALL 150 mm RIGID FOAM INSULATION 200 mm FAIR-FACED REINFORCED CONCRETE WALL 50 mm PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANEL 100 mm INSULATION 200 mm REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB 50 mm SCREED WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING PIPES CONTIGUOUS PILING WALL CAP 400 mm CONTIGUOUS PILING WALL CONTINUES INTO THE GROUND ANOTHER 2-3 METERS WATERSTOP 100 mm CONCRETE BLINDING WATERPROOF TANKING MEMBRANE 200 mm CONCRETE SLAB FOUNDATION 100 mm INSULATION VCL 75 mm CONCRETE SCREED WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING PIPES 200 mm REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB 100 mm CONCRETE SCREED WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING PIPES 200 mm REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB VCL 100 mm INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE DRAINAGE PROTECTIVE BOARD TO WATERPROOFING 50 mm CONCRETE SCREED 50 mm GRAVEL 2 mm ALUMINIUM PLATE FILTER FABRIC GRILL POLYURETHANE PUTTY TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN THE ALUMINIUM PLATES ROOF LIGHT, TEMPERED TRIPLE LAMINATED GLASS. THE GLASS IS COVERED IN SHALLOW WATER, BROUGHT BY THE RAIN CHAIN. ROOF LIGHT, TEMPERED TRIPLE LAMINATED GLASS. THE GLASS IS COVERED IN SHALLOW WATER. Ø 50 mm DRAINAGE PIPE RAIN CHAIN, HOOKED ONTO THE SCREED BELOW THE GRAVEL. POLYURETHANE PUTTY FILLS THE GAP WITH THE ALUMINIUM PLATE WHERE THE HOOK IS EMBEDDED. ‘L’ ALUMINIUM FLASHING ALUMINIUM PLATE DOUBLE LAMTIMBRE SILL 1:20 SECTION
[ STAGE 3 FINAL DESIGN PROJECT ] 013m 2 50 mm SCREED WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING PIPES 100 mm CONCRETE BLINDING WATERPROOF TANKING MEMBRANE DRAINAGE PROTECTIVE BOARD TO WATERPROOFING 300 mm CONCRETE SLAB FOUNDATION 150 mm CONCRETE SCREED 200 mm REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB 2 mm ALUMINIUM PLATE FILTER FABRIC GRILL POLYURETHANE PUTTY TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN THE ALUMINIUM PLATES ROOF LIGHT, TEMPERED TRIPLE LAMINATED GLASS. THE GLASS IS COVERED IN SHALLOW WATER, BROUGHT BY THE RAIN CHAIN. ROOF LIGHT, TEMPERED TRIPLE LAMINATED GLASS. THE GLASS IS COVERED IN SHALLOW WATER. 50 mm OVERFLOW PIPE ALUMINIUM PLATE Ø100 mm DRAINAGE PIPE FOR WATER BASIN WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 150 mm SCREED WATERPROOFING PAINT 20 mm FIBER CEMENT BOARD 50 mm INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 20 mm FIBER CEMENT BOARD ALUMINIUM CHANNEL TO FIX THE FIBER CEMENT LAYERS ONTO THE CONCRETE WALL AND BEAM 4 mm ACP (ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE PANEL) 70 mm INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE CONCRETE BEAM ALUMINIUM CHANNEL TO FIX THE ACP & INSULATION LAYER TRIPLE GLAZED FIXED WINDOW WITH 52 mm ALUMINIUM FRAME 50 mm PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANEL 100 mm INSULATION VAPOUR CONTROL LAYER (VCL) 230 mm REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB 40 mm SCREED TO FALLS VCL 100 mm RIGID INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE DRAINAGE GEODRAIN ROOT BARRIER FILTER FABRIC 100 mm EXTENSIVE SUBSTRATE 300 mm GRAVEL RETENTION TRIM 8 mm BRONZE PLATE RAIN CHAIN V-HOOK BRONZE PLATE CONTINUES, BECOMING 3 mm WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE OVERFLOW DRAIN 40mm DRAINAGE PIPE GUTTER 50 mm CONCRETE SCREED 50 mm PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANEL WATERPROOFING L-SHAPED STEEL FLASHING 200 mm TIMBRE SILL 70 mm PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANEL 150 mm INSULATION PRE-CAST WATER RESISTANT CONCRETE BASIN BRONZE RAIN CHAINS, HOOKED ONTO THE CONCRETE BASIN. POLYURETHANE PUTTY FILLS THE GAP WHERE THE HOOKS ARE EMBEDDED. RAIN CHAIN, HOOKED ONTO THE SCREED BELOW THE GRAVEL. POLYURETHANE PUTTY FILLS THE GAP WITH THE ALUMINIUM PLATE WHERE THE HOOK IS EMBEDDED. ‘L’ ALUMINIUM FLASHING ALUMINIUM PLATE STONE DOOR SILL DOUBLE LAMINATED GLASS RAIL EMBEDDED TIMBRE SILL DOUBLE LAMINATED GLASS RAIL
TECHNICAL DETAILING
1:20 300 mm GRAVEL RETENTION TRIM L-SHAPED STEEL FLASHING PRE-CAST WATER RESISTANT CONCRETE BASIN BRONZE RAIN CHAINS, HOOKED ONTO THE CONCRETE BASIN. POLYURETHANE PUTTY FILLS THE GAP WHERE THE HOOKS ARE EMBEDDED. PLAN LEVEL -2 SECTION LINE ELEVATION LINE 1:20 TECHNICAL SECTION TECHNICAL SECTION ZONE
THE CENTRAL COURTYARD, FROM ABOVE
LOOKING UP AT THE RAIN CHAIN CANTILEVERS WITHIN THE CENTRAL COURTYARD
013m 2 100 mm CONCRETE BLINDING WATERPROOF TANKING MEMBRANE DRAINAGE PROTECTIVE BOARD TO WATERPROOFING 300 mm CONCRETE SLAB FOUNDATION 150 mm CONCRETE SCREED Ø100 mm DRAINAGE PIPE FOR WATER BASIN WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 150 mm SCREED WATERPROOFING PAINT 20 mm FIBER CEMENT BOARD 50 mm INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 20 mm FIBER CEMENT BOARD ALUMINIUM CHANNEL TO FIX THE FIBER CEMENT LAYERS ONTO THE CONCRETE WALL AND BEAM 4 mm ACP (ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE PANEL) 70 mm INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE CONCRETE BEAM ALUMINIUM CHANNEL TO FIX THE ACP & INSULATION LAYER TRIPLE GLAZED FIXED WINDOW WITH 52 mm ALUMINIUM FRAME 50 mm PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANEL 100 mm INSULATION VAPOUR CONTROL LAYER (VCL) 230 mm REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB 40 mm SCREED TO FALLS VCL 100 mm RIGID INSULATION WATERPROOF MEMBRANE DRAINAGE GEODRAIN ROOT BARRIER FILTER FABRIC 100 mm EXTENSIVE SUBSTRATE 300 mm GRAVEL RETENTION TRIM 8 mm BRONZE PLATE RAIN CHAIN V-HOOK BRONZE PLATE CONTINUES, BECOMING 3 mm WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE OVERFLOW DRAIN 40mm DRAINAGE PIPE mm PRE-CAST CONCRETE WATERPROOFING L-SHAPED STEEL FLASHING 200 mm TIMBRE SILL 70 mm PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANEL 150 mm INSULATION PRE-CAST WATER RESISTANT CONCRETE BASIN BRONZE RAIN CHAINS, HOOKED ONTO THE CONCRETE BASIN. POLYURETHANE PUTTY FILLS THE GAP WHERE THE HOOKS ARE EMBEDDED. PERIMETER INSULATION DOUBLE LAMINATED GLASS RAIL
SHIELDFIELD HOUSING
CREATING A PSEUDO-STREET: A LONG CORRIDOR OF ALTERNATING BARREL VAULTED SPACES & LIGHT WELLS. A SAFE COMMUNAL CORRIDOR FOR ELDER RESIDENTS TO RELAX IN & YOUNGER RESIDENTS TO PLAY IN, WHILE THEIR CARERS OVERLOOK FROM VIEWS WITHIN THE HOUSING UNITS.
[YEAR 2 DESIGN PROJECT]
BACK VIEW ‘PSEUDO-STREET’
COMMUNAL CORRIDOR
FRONT VIEW
BALCONY IN BETWEEN HOUSING UNITS, WITH VIEW DOWN INTO THE COMMUNAL CORRIDOR
SHIELDFIELD HOUSING
INTERNAL VIEWS INTO THE COMMUNAL CORRIDOR ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE HOUSING UNITS.
PLAN FLOOR_0
GROUND FLOOR SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
PLAN FLOOR_1
PLAN FLOOR_2
KEY SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
MARITIME GALLERY
INSPIRED BY THE SITE’S PROXIMITY TO THE SEA, AND THE EFFECTS OF SAID PROXIMITY, I AIMED TO EXPERIMENT WITH THE CONCEPT OF WEATHERING.
ALONGSIDE BEING HOSTS TO A LOCAL MARKET, MY STRUCTURES PRIMARILY FUNCTION AS ART EXHIBITS, WITH ADVENTUROUS ROUTES, AND ARTWORK DISPLAYED BOTH INDOORS AND OUT. THOSE OUTDOORS WILL BE ENCASED WITHIN BLOCKS OF MATERIAL THAT, COMPLETELY EXPOSED TO THE NATURAL ELEMENTS, WEATHER AWAY TO SLOWLY EXPOSE THE ARTWORK EMBEDDED WITHIN.
WITH THIS, NATURE TAKES ON THE ROLE OF SCULPTOR ALONGSIDE THE EXHIBITION’S HUMAN ARTISTRY.
[YEAR 2
DESIGN PROJECT]
INVITING THE SEA INSIDE
[ALLOWING THE TIDE TO CHANGE THE SPACE AT VARYING TIMES OF DAY]
AT HIGH TIDE THE PYTHAGORAS CUP MECHANISM BRINGS SEA WATER INTO THE DISPLAY, ALLOWING IT TO SLOWLY CORRODE THE BLOCKS OF ENTOMBED ARTWORK.
PYTHAGORAS CUP MECHANISM SECTION
KEY SECTION [THROUGH THE CIRCULAR VIEWING BAY]
ARCHITECTONIC MORPHOGENESIS
RESIDENCE OF INDULGENCE — STALAGMITES, JANUS, AND A CUPPED HAND
[YEAR 1 DESIGN PROJECT—AUB]
MODEL-MAKING
HAND-DRAWING
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CONTACT
Byron Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 1XH 07471326441
tamar.sark@gmail.com
Greek & Lebanese linkedin.com/in/tamarsarkissian/
SKILLS
• Completed a workshop in Rhino and Grasshopper on Algorithmic Design.
Confident user of AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Enscape.
• Proficient at hand-drawing, model making.
• Competent in using Microsoft packages including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Native in English and Arabic.
• Conversational in French and Armenian.
TAMAR SARKISSIAN
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Part 1 Architecture graduate with design experience, seeking a yearlong placement leading to the Certificate of Architectural Practice. Interested in international architecture, and integrating animation with architectural representation.
EDUCATION
Architecture BA Honours : Architecture, 09/2020 – 06/2023
Newcastle University – Newcastle upon Tyne, NET – 2:1 Hons
• Achieved an A in Design.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) [Part I equivalent] and Architects Registration Board (ARB) accredited course.
• Worked on complex design projects throughout the course.
• Completed an 8,000 word dissertation on Architecture and the Unconscious, titled: Strangeness & Familiarity, Superimposed. (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xukqrAm5Zb09fmYbq9N9GamUA-HULM7?usp=sharing)
•
Bachelor of Architecture : Architecture, 09/2019 – 07/2020
American University of Beirut – Beirut, Lebanon
• Completed first year of the American U niversity of Beirut's BArch programme with a 3.98 gpa and an A in Architecture Design.
• Completed the Summer semester of the second year of the BArch programme, completed the Surveying Regional Architecture Course (A).
• Completed the following courses: Architectural Representation Drawing I & II (A), History of Art and Architecture I & II (A+), Statics & Mechanics of Solids (A+), Introduction to Engineer ing and Architecture (P), Academic English (A+), Basic Design (B+), Architecture Design I (A).
•
• Visited the sites of 6 residential projects over the years, at varying stages of development.
Recurrent mentoring at AD & D Sarkissian Partners in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Attended and participated in various meetings within the practice for the discussion of the projects' design concept and development.
• Attended meetings with clients on site for the discussion of design development.
• Attended meetings with site engineers for the construction and design development.
• Observed in detail the numerous processes and phases of construction behind the development and completion of buildings, on site.
• Observed in detail the numerous processes and phases of design behind the development and completion of buildings, on site and in the office.
• Observed in detail the practice's management and organization of roles.
Student Mentoring
11/2021 - 03/2022
MawsonKerr Architects - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
• Successfully completed the RIBA North East Student Mentoring Programme 21/22 at MawsonKerr Architects, Newcastle.
• Visited MawsonKerr Architects office in Newcastle, found out about life in practice.
• Looked in detail at successful projects by MawsonKerr Architects.
• Followed through a live project.
• Visited the site of MawsonKerr Architect's Godwit House project at its late almost completed stages, toured the house.
• Observed in detail and on site the passivhaus strategy of the Godwit House project.
INTERESTS
•
Secondary Education , 09/2004 – 06/2019
International College – Beirut, Lebanon – High Distinction
• Passed years 9,10,11 & 12 with high distinction.
• Graduated the final year (year 12) with a 19.91/20 high distinction.
• Obtained the Maths award in year 12.
• Obtained the Arts awards and English Writing awards years 10 & 11.
• SAT score of 1530/1600, achieved a 99th percentile.
ARCHITECTURE EXPERIENCE
Student Mentoring
AD & D Sarkissian Partners - Beirut, Lebanon
01/2019 - 04/2023
An interest in learning how to integrate animation with architectural representation, in an attempt to capture the movement within spaces.
• An interest in learning algorithmic design with grasshopper.
