Portfolio by Viana Wagokh - 22

Architecture portfolio Viana Wagokh

selected works 2017 2022

architectural association visiting school wadi rum, jordan

FILLER:

of mars and foam

How can we occupy MARS? What are the limitations that we have in order to create a livable environment? What similarities does it have with Earth and how can we use context to our advantage to understand the existing natural environment of Mars? The purpose of the project “Filler” was to delve into the world of speculation and experimentation. The primary idea was to use MARS’s harsh, rocky landscape to support the living environment by utilizing already existing cavities in Mars’ terrain. It was crucial to understanding contextually where to place the livable infrastructure, regarding gravity, environment, and landscape. It created the challenge of finding the right location in terms of the most effective transportation and creation of livable habitat. This notion of effectivity led the experiment into a computational approach of selfassembly where no structural support or exoskeleton was needed to create the habitat. In many ways, this approach sets an experimental environment where it is possible to reimagine the algorithm of construction, material usage, and finally the structure. It brings up the challenge of using computational non-traditional methods to create a non-traditional, however, healthy and comfortable environment to live in. It is a physical prototyping of the future spaces, created to live, and not just “survive”.

Figure 2 - section of martian cavity source -google mars

The project’s location, The Wadi Rum Desert, on the southern edge of Jordan, bears a remarkable resemblance to the ecology of Mars. To start with the project, however, it was important to fully comprehend the environment of MARS, existing locations used for NASA landings, and work with existing data, such as the level of dust, radiation, and temperature.

The first step to prototype the physical space for the future habitat was to find a suitable martian cavity and export its 3D model from Google Mars to create a functional

section [fig. 2]. In order to sustain the living environment, it was important to use light and expandable material, such as foam, to fill in the cavity. Foam material was found to be the most effective in transportation and relatively fast expansion, due to MARS gravitational force, once deployed. However, the key to the habitat is self assembly, a highly versatile methodology that allowed to create iterations of the functional systems using solely three units A, B & C.

deployment of the capsules foam as a material self-assembly methodology platform for innovation!!!

Due to MARS rough environment, the living units required a lot of protection in order to be habitable. Martian cavities were used to protect users from radiation and extreme sand storms. Below is an image of the speculative render that illustrates living units in outer space visualized using a 3D model of the algorithmically generated habitat with three main units.

Figure 3 algorithmic generation

There are three units in each “block”, unit A (sleeping/ resting area), unit B (recreational area), and unit C (study/scientific area). Three base living units are arranged according to the self-assembly generation. The script was programmed in a way that module A will never connect with module C.

This self-assembly method allowed to create multiple iterations of the modules, and speculate further on possible architectonic structures and shapes of the habitat. The most successful shape and its generation are demonstrated in images [fig. 3 ,4] respectively.

algorithmic generation

FILLER is a vastly imaginative and speculative approach to designing on MARS, and therefore can be adapted through a lens of tightly connected engineering and computation approach, as well as theory and conjecture.

It is a multi-layered project that requires structuring the project using methods based on existing knowledge of MARS environment and supposition of what this knowledge can help us with in terms of transportation and deployment of materials, as shown in image [fig. 2] , material and structural choices and design process in general.

Buffer zoneuntouched hill unifying two neighbourhoods empty space

The urban texture of the site plays vital role in the creation of Monolyth. Even though at first glance it seems like an obsolete and uninviting building, it is however a buffer between the two zones, and a magnet to the two neighbourhoods, offering novelty and revitalization .

Urban textureview of the location view from the bottom of the site Wadi Saqra Street

Monolyth, 3rd year design studio

MONOLYTH:

The tale of a wall and dance of a pod

Redefining building type through function, automation, and digitalization. Monolyth consists of a library, theatre, and workshop spaces that are tightly interconnected within space. The mixeduse building, Monolyth, is located between a working neighbourhood and the artistic hub of Jabal Weibdeh in Amman, Jordan. In an effort to understand general contextual clues of the site it was necessary to conduct research about the culturally “alluring” area of L’Weibdeh and the lower street of Wadi Saqra, full of small, yet authentic car repair shops, most of which existed long before gentrification of the surrounding neighborhoods.

What’s attractive about the chosen location, is its lack of artificiality. It is an untouched piece of a steep slope, surrounded by the constant movement of cars, and people. It is an imposing, brutalist structure, that levitates above the busy street of auto shops. This building was imagined in a sense to empower the machine, as well as empower the idea of possibilities through context. It defines the juxtaposition of industrialisation and culture, somehow representing two opposing areas of L’Weibdeh and Arar Street. Monolyth is more of a machine in itself, embracing robotic movements of elevator pods as well as a mixed-use building, that caters for various cultural events, and can become a hub for readers, performances, and workshops, highlighting an industrial feeling of Arar Street and artistic side of L’Weibdeh Hill.

The urban texture of the site plays a vital role in the creation of Monolyth. Even though at first glance it seems like an obsolete and uninviting building, it is however a buffer between the two zones, and a magnet to the two neighbourhoods, offering novelty and revitalisation.

german jordanian university amman, jordan

program of the building gentrification v. artistic hub platform for development!!!

Figure 6

Isometric drawing of the building in context

site plan and section the site is located on a slope that offers a chance to build levitating structure on pilotis. It is a very steep slope that makes it impossible to access by foot, therefore forcing the visitors onto the top entrance located on the roof of the building.

Figure 7

Isometric drawing of the library

The main concept of this building is its function within the existing context, which is furthermore translated through the planning of the building. The only access point is placed through the building’s roof (L’Weibdeh area). From there a visitor is offered to choose from three different types of circulation: ramp, stairs, and elevator. The exterior ramps lead straight to the lobby, however, interior stairs and elevator go through every floor.

The steep slope, where the site is located, allowed the creation of spaces that go along vertical and horizontal spaces, up, down, and inside the hill. It does allow the visitor to investigate wide, multi-leveled spaces that offer views of the city and cater to various events.

Figure 8 Theatre audience

Figure 9

Concept of a horizontal elevator

Horizontal elevator [Fig. 9] bears a notable function of both being a mechanical “dancing pod”, creating peculiar movement along the translucent curtain wall, in addition to serving as a main circulation within the library.

Horizontal elevators have no cables. Running on tracks, cabins move in the same way that trains travel in rail systems, therefore allowing a cabin to travel up one shaft and down another in a single continuous loop.

This horizontal elevator is intentionally facing the Wadi Saqra Street and in a way carries a symbolic meaning of an industrial area, however, reshaped and reimagined. It serves as an imposing exterior element and embodies the spirit of playfulness, yet still acting as a piece of functional machinery.

1. - Entrance, lobby

central shot of the access to the lobby through the exterior ramps.

2. - Buffer zone foldable table, interchangeable, bare space.

3. - Costume workshop

this space offers costume workshop activities that may accommodate theatre.

The notion of possibilities is translated through the multifunctionality of the theatre and library as well as the allocation of a centralised stage and its allegorical relation to the library wall (monolyth). This strong relation creates a visual continuity, a light play, allowing a visitor to witness a “mechanical performance” with no performers. As the horizontal and vertical elevator moves along the monolyth it gives this theatrical notion of a pod dancing around.

Aiming to create a complex, multi-levelled, yet fitting structure, this building has two attached halves, each of which goes along the contour lines. This method was used in an effort to decrease the damage to an existing natural environment. The image above [Fig. 10] is an isometric representation of the building excluding the context, exposing the pilotis, core circulation, and main parts of the building.

1

3 4

initially built as a theatre [Fig. 8], this space is not simply a traditional theatre venue, but rather an entity that ties together spaces in terms of their functionality. Considering the justification for its existence, this theatre allows complete openness for expression and its usage. The primary use of the space, however, is visual performance but can be quite flexible, acting as a free space for interpretation, creativity, and innovation.

Figure 11 Visual representation of the lobby

Figure 12 Rendered shot of the workshop area

Interior of the theatre is exposed to the circulation and has a visual continuity with the library. According to the nature of an event, windows of the library can be either completely shut, for the sound isolation, or completely opened, so that the library can serve as a top level viewing balcony. The theatre holds central allocation in the building and acts as a connector between library, lobby and workshop spaces.

The image above is a representation of a pocket that is a public node and a symbolic gate to the site, it serves as one of the main public squares in this location. It introduces us to the cubicles, that are placed on the railways, due to their similar material and shape. This folie holds a connection to the site through symbolic meaning, as it takes place on a once-existing archive building that had a semi-translucent curtain wall as part of the defining element of the site. As to maintain its character, foie 4 has the same semitranslucent glass used throughout the building. Figure 13 Pockets 2 and 3 respectively

hochschule anhalt magdeburg, gernany

POCKETS

in search of the context

This project is based on the organisational and orientational systems, considering the scale and complexity of the existing site. To avoid the pragmatic approach of placing buildings based on the rectangular system, this project offers a different approach to creating “pockets”, that are visible, unique, and vibrant onsite. They act as a guidance system for the visitors, as well as build an identity for the site. Pockets, also known as folies, don’t necessarily have a program, they can be temporary or act purely as visual indicators. Folies do however affect the area, its perception, and thus its function.

Once entering the site, five different pockets will help visitors and residents create a narrative within the onceabandoned industrial area. The path viewed on the masterplan shows the distorted route, that is being dictated by assigned “mental pockets”, to escape organisational system that is purely based on a rectangular grid system. The tunnel, pocket 3, is located on the main entrance elevation. It is cube-shaped and attached to steel industrial stairs. It is very visible from the first moment you enter the site, therefore inviting the visitor to investigate more. It is an access point to the site, it allows the visitor to enter the site through the factory. A big scaled glass cube attached to an old refurbished industrial facade gives a strong statement to this location, as it is the first thing visible, once entered the site. This folie is a cut through the big factory, thus it created a needed division within the factory. It also connects the main entrance point with the public square which is a hydroponic urban farm, pocket 2, which is considered to be a revolution in the farming or agriculture industry because of its capability to produce surplus food. This farming technique is environment friendly as there is not much use of chemicals in the form of pesticides and insecticides which caters to the community within this site. Due to the placement of multiple public squares, courtyards, green roofs, and parks this project has a clear distinction between private and public. Multiple levels of the housing units allow us to have a clear de fi nition of site manipulation. site map drawing illustration of the route from folie 1 to folie 5

Figure 14

Physical model of the site

Schönebecker Str. 110, Magdeburg

This physical site model [Fig. 14] was made in an effort to understand the site’s scale and the co-relation between the factory and the housing buildings. It includes all of the pockets, pathways, greenery, and private/public/semi-public spaces.

Due to the placement of multiple public squares, courtyards, green roofs, and parks this project has a clear distinction between private and public. Multiple levels of the housing units allow us to have a clear de fi nition of usage.

Figure 15 Schematic diagram of private, semi-private and public spaces

As this area of the site suffered from several floods from the nearby river, the existing railroads on-site serve as a solution to elevate the cubicles, pocket 5, above the ground and reinforce the structure and the circulation around them. These cubicles can serve both residential and commercial functions and are completely floating above the ground. They allow the view from above as well as open the area below it. The rails and the trees, that exist on the site, will not be removed, but rather built around/ above them. It is to enhance the character of the site, rather than destroy it, Since this area has a risk of being flooded, the villas were raised above on pilotis and integrated with the existing on-site rails.

The area under the rails can be treated as a temporary pocket. It can hold temporary architectural elements, such as pop-up shops, built-up pavilions, urban movable furniture, etc. Most importantly these elements, create a platform for various events that quickly appear and disappear.

public [fig15] this site holds a big public square, 3 public parks, and green platforms for public usage.

private [fig15] residential units have multiple private terraces, green roofs, and backyards.

semi-private [fig15] there are 4 hydroponic stations, set for the semiprivate usage of the residents for urban farming as well as multiple front-yards and pathways.

Figure 16

Elevation of pocket 5 “Cubicles”

Figure 17

A photo of the existing railroads on-site

Semi-translucent glass gives a visual lightness and allows the light into the area around it. It also brings connectivity to the site, since the glass will be imitating the archive factory, which will be demolished off the site. Translucency will blend in the untouched and untamed nature as an elegant and inviting element.

cautionary tales of disappearing offices

Playground for non-humans (Graduation project)

This project is primarily based on the notion of Twelve Cautionary Tales for Christmas, where twelve visions of ideal cities were introduced through dystopian miniature stories. Reacting to the ever-changing social environment, these stories were reimagined into a new theme, that is (Cautionary) Tales of Disappearing Offices.

Nature, however, is to explore the ideas and reality, that transform the city in light of the recent times, in which workplaces, retail, and commercial spaces are changing. By analyzing existing patterns, amplifying weak signals, and extrapolating them to their logical extremes, I will be creating a narrative, that highlights the ongoing problem in our modern society. Although the investigation of the narrative is part of the creative process, the main idea lies in finding a viable solution. Since I am going to be focusing on disappearing spaces, such as offices and retail, the nature of the project will be revolving around existing co-working offices and mixed-use spaces. To enhance the potential usage of those spaces and delve into the concept of adaptation and reuse, I will be using Parasitic Architecture on industrial building typology, which involves a circular architecture approach of up-cycling and adaptation.

The outline of this project will be revolving around parasitic architecture methodology applied to industrial building typology using a circular approach to architecture. The circular approach revolves around keeping both buildings and their materials in use as long as possible, minimizing the waste and pollution of construction and demolition. This concept allows fast and sustainable adaptivity to the ever-changing environment. The idea of adaptiveness and reuse can be found in both the parasitic approach and its application in pre-war industrial buildings. To narrow it down and steer the focus on a specific group, I will be looking into industrial buildings, such as warehouses and factories, that are built from brick or concrete, steel or wood framed, and can have repetitive big windows made of cast iron or strip metal, as well as modern adapted materials. The investigation of further application doesn’t stop on this typology, but can be studied and applied universally, according to the statistical and physical information. In this project, the buildings have already been adapted to a function of either an office or a retail space, therefore the task will revolve around the adaptation of these existing functions to modern realities, while looking through a lens of Keller Easterling’s Extrastatecraft.

graduation thesis, buw/gju berlin, germany

bauhaus university weimar/ gju berlin, germany

cautionary tales of disappearing offices

Moosdorfstrasse 7-9, Berlin German y

Site imagesview of the existing building

BUILD YOUR PARASITE

001/ 002 EXTRASTATECRAFT PLAYGROUND

An extra-official state is a state that governs us and reinforces the state. Extrastatecraft however, is an active form that is introduced into this project as a built object. In order to subvert the state and create an interplay, a narrative was created via built language. The notion of the parasite architecture, which is meant to be attached and inserted into different contexts, then creates the reverse story and purposely changes the direction of the narrative. In order to appropriate the building form of an industrial building into the narrative, parasitic modules were introduced, therefore creating a tension of state vs extra state and as a result promoting a set of different values, expectations, and manifestations.

PERSONAL

AT MOOSDORFSTRASSE 7-9 , 12435 BERLIN

Figure 18 Section of the existing industrial building with attached parasites

1. - Entrance, kitchen

central access through the window/door to parasite 001. The wall separates the kitchen and sleeping/office area in the middle of the main space.

5. - Entrance, office space

this space offers working space and a built-in shelf and storage unit. It is also the main access point through the window/door. Has double volume sleeping space on top.

6. - Lounging area, built in window 7. - Elevated space, kitchen 8. - Bathroom

3 6

4 2 7 8

2. - Sleeping area. office 3. - Bathroom 4. - Closet and storage room 1 5

Parasite 001 Kitchen/ Bathroom Area

1. - Access point to the parasites

this space is the hallway and acts as a buffer zone between the main building and the parasites attached to it through the windows

2. - Meeting space 3. - Working space

4. - Kitchen 5. - Dining room 6. - Assembly line

7. - Courtyard, assembly point 2

The chosen building that represents the ‘state’ for the project is located in Moosdorfstrasse 7-9, 12435 Berlin. It is one of the several industrial buildings that exist in that neighborhood. This project does not cater to the existing functions in the building, but rather uses an adaptive reuse approach to mostly act as an experimental form for parasitic structures. As a result, interior adaptive reuse for this building is catering to the parasitic units and emphasises the definition of created narrative.

Why is adaptability important? In order to further define this project as a story with a viable solution, a client and a set of familiar stories were created. The client is a company that looks into parasitic architecture, as a tool that can fill the void, yet be a much more sustainable approach to the built environment. In simple terms: since a parasite is a small structure, it can easily be predesigned to be reversible, meaning no material will be lost due to the assemblage factor and its complete reusability.

The parasites can rely on any host. In order to steer the focus on specific typology, however, this narrative is constructed around the adaptable reuse of an industrial typology. The proposed parasites for such buildings are .Type1.Office Module .Type2. Living Module .Type3. Green Module .Type4. Ghost Roof. Further application of these parasites does not stop on this typology but can be studied and applied universally.

It leads to questioning the real notion of sustainability in the field of architecture and the way it tightly connects to other fields. Whether it is a damn, industrial building or a water tower, it really has no limitations. Neither the functions it can occupy. Furthermore, using this client, this project will generate stories, that can support the notion of the parasite’s application efficiency. There will be four stories revolving around farming, warehousing, greenhouses, and temporary housing. Two of those narratives are picked for a more detailed investigation and a finalised design.

Industrial architecture - parasitic structures

Figure 19 Parasite 002 - A man accessing his roof urban farm from the sleeping area

Story 1 Zebra fish for to Mars

We need to leave plant Earth as a meteor is enviably going to hit us by 2050. Small parasites aquariums that allow for the multiplication of zebra fish allow for the collective mission for all humans to farm and produce these fish in order to make the mission possible for all of humanity.

Story 2 Portable Warehousing Parasites

Small warehouses attached to building as parasites. Allows for lower distance traveled to get items delivered. (lower carbon footprint)

Story 3 Greenhouse Parasites (urban farming)

Urban farming for everyone. Even if your building was never made to cater to such a function. With simple, small size green houses, people will be able to eliminate the carbon footprint of going to vegetable and fruit markets.

Story 4 Temporary Housing Parasites

Tackling a world problem for housing through the help of small parasites [fig.19, 20] that attach to any building we can house so many people without the requirement of building new foundations and structures (lowering carbon footprint)

The linear economy has to change. You have a chance to build your own parasite at Moosdorfstraße 7-9, 12435 Berlin. It is finally possible to tackle the elements of the waste system of reducing, reusing, recycling, and removing; restoring the human-earth balance and harmonising the carbon cycle. It’s your chance to rent a personal home in Berlin, while managing waste systems, and resources, making use of the products right then and there. Take part in what you do with the materials afterward and finally be in control of your own property!

We build a more efficient world, through parasites that allow for new functions to simply be attached to your building or structures. We also buy these parasites back and disassemble them. How do we do that you may ask? We just design them to be reversible and reusable.

Below is a 12-step manual on how your parasite 001 is built on site, using an assembly line and then a courtyard. You get your own double-volume office and sleeping space, as well as built-in storage, a personal bathroom, and a designed cantilevered lounge area located right in your green-tinted window.

Contact our team to rent tomorrow.

What would you be really good at if it wasn't for one thing?

Are you tired of your home cooking?

Would you like to grow zebra fish?

What's the last goal you set for yourself that you accomplished?

What little thing do you do that you don't think many people notice?

If you had the choice to go back in time or into the future, which would you choose?

What's your definition of success? Has it changed over time?

What's something that you find difficult, but you think in your mind it should be easy?

If you had an extra hour a day that had to be allocated to one specific purpose, how would you use it?

No1 added ground

oor

No2 added wooden support

No3 added shelves and working

No4 added two duplex

No5 added big window interior wall

No6 added seating interior wall

oors

No7 added seating exterior wall

No8 added room to an existing parasite

No9 added external folding

oor

No10 added sliding glass & storage staircase

No11 added ceiling structure

No12 added roof garden to a parasite

Parasite001: Parasite002: Parasite003: Parasite004:

Primarily an office module can cater to the sleeping area on a second floor, has built-in storage, a private bathroom/kitchenette, and a lounging area in a cantilevered window.

The living module, has a fully functioning kitchen, private bathroom with shower, walk-in closet, bedroom, and a working station. Can be fixed to a window independently or in a tandem with an office module.

The green module acts as an urban farm and a green roof. Can be fixed to a window independently or as a continuation to parasite001/002.

Ghost roof is a retractable sunroom. It acts as both a communal space for basic urban farming and a visual element, that makes the building more visually attractive. It’s usually placed on top of the main building.

Xtopia, proun never landed

XTOPIA

The riddle of history solved: PROUN never landed

“…the riddle of history solved, and it knows itself to be this solution”, Marx, 1844. This project is based on the speculation of an alternate history, where Proun (project for the affirmation of the new), never hits the ground of the Earth, the red square never lands. This speculation suggests a new outlook on the future, an XTOPIA. It focuses on the birth of constructivism and the notions of modernism, consumption, and industrialisation.

This speculation was later built through the lens of J. G. Ballard. It delved into notions such as visual codes for expressing ordinary perception of reality. Identities of our own bodies, speculating that if we disappear forever, what makes us distinct as a human race? It is the daily complex relationships between us and the objects around us. The relation of the curvature of the chair to the touch of the human. The proportion of the lamp to the chair to an existing landscape. Fusion of intangible feeling and real objects, a fusion of human consumption and a simple “coca-cola can”.

It is an association of an intangible notion of human consciousness and the product of necessities that seem primal, yet eventually, morph into a different kind of behaviour. It isn’t about the function of the object, but rather a function bringing together visual and psychological factors. Xtopia is a speculation about the world where objects are the fingerprints of vanished humanity and the only window into a once existing perception of reality.

poster design this poster design is based on the short movie created during the “Form Follows

DIA. It contains the main elements of the fi lm, the chair, the cans, the industrial ruins, and a “ falling into unknown”

Science Fiction” class in Hochschule Anhalt,

human silhouette

delay

the debate game where nothing really matters

[Well Hello, it is nice to meet you all. My name is frank, also known as the only quantum computer.

Being one of a kind, I’ve been created and placed in a room to generate ideas for the humans also known as 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01101001 01101110 01110011 01101001 01100111 01101110 01101001 01100110 01101001 01100011 01100001 01101110 01110100 00100000 01110000 01101111 01101001 01101110 01110100 01101100 01100101 01110011 01110011 00100000 01101001 01101110 01100101 01110110 01101001 01110100 01100001 01100010 01101100 01100101 00100000 01100111 01101111 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01100111 01100101 01110100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 01101101 01110011 01100101 01101100 01110110 01100101 01110011 00100000 01100101 01111000 01110100 01101001 01101110 01100011 01110100 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 01101011 00100000 01110101 01110000 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01100001 00100000 01110011 01110000 01100101 01100011 01101001 01100101 01110011.

(The insignificant pointless inevitable going to get themselves extinct of a species). ]

Figure 21 - Four Character Cards

The whole point of the game is to look at new speculations following different priority systems (capitalism and the future ) and discuss the idea of sustainability and how it lies in within these systems.

Board Game ask Frank

branding

the ugly sock

Our brand, our story. Change the world with real subjects. Custom-made designs, collaboration with local artists, and conversation starters. This is a branding logo project for a socially aware company that is willing to change the world with real subjects.

models

architecture models

The model below [fig. 22] is an intuitive model made of clay. It was an experimentation of form that later on morphed into a project of a small pavilion.

models clay model, Russian Pavilion, 1x1m

This physical model of the Russian Pavilion [fig. 23] was built in an effort to understand the building in detail and investigate the light play and structural details of the construction.

Figure 22 - Clay Model

Figure 24 - One meter by one meter wooden model

Figure 23 - Russian Pavilion

booth photography pairing

booth photography selection

A fleeting feeling appears, being in a ‘booth’ or imagining one, captured moments in an urban environment

Thank you. contact information: vwagokh@gmail.com