YASSI KAZEMZADEH
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN PORTFOLIO
YASSI KAZEMZADEH
yassi.kazem@gmail.com +34672225556
Drafted architectural drawings using Vectorworks
Contributed to international design competition submission
Produced physical architectural models to scale
Conducted site visits and field measurements for
Product Design Engineer at CARVART, New York, NY, Dec 2017-May 2019
Worked directly with clients to develop concept and design
Standardized company’s product offering catalogue, supporting both internal and client-facing purposes
Produced digital and physical study models for Performa
Worked directly with clients to design and engineer custom solutions tailored to their specific needs
Developed and prototyped new and existing hardware systems in collaboration with manufacturers
EDUCATION
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
Shop Technician at Columbia GSAPP Output Print Shop, New Operated 3D printers, laser cutters, plotters
Assistant Project Manager at Serett Metalworks, Brooklyn, NY, July-Sept 2017
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Drafted shop drawings for fabrication using AutoCAD and Rhino
The Bartlett, University College London Bio-Integrated Design, Sept 2021-June 2022
Generated estimates for private and commercial architectural projects
Masters of Advanced Architecture, graduating June 2024
Managed sales, inventory, print orders
YASSI KAZEMZADEH
Intern at Hariri & Hariri Architects, New York, NY, June-July 2015
EXPERIENCE
yassi.kazem@gmail.com
Intern at SOLID NYC, Brooklyn, NY, June-July 2017
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
MITxPro
Drafted architectural drawings using Vectorworks
Contributed to international design competition submission
+34672225556
Design Consultant at SOLID NYC, Washington, DC, June 2021
Product Design Engineer at CARVART, New York, NY, Dec 2017-May 2019
Standardized company’s product offering catalogue, supporting both internal and client-facing purposes
EXPERIENCE
Worked directly with clients to design and engineer custom solutions tailored to their specific needs
Developed and prototyped new and existing hardware systems in collaboration with manufacturers
Design Consultant at SOLID NYC, Washington, DC, June 2021
Assistant Project Manager at Serett Metalworks, Brooklyn, NY, July-Sept 2017
Drafted shop drawings in AutoCAD and digital 3D models in Rhino
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, May 2017
SKILLS
Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production, May-Aug 2020
Conducted site visits and field measurements for ongoing projects
Worked directly with clients to develop concept and design
Produced digital and physical study models for Performa 17 NYC installation
Produced physical architectural models to scale
EDUCATION
Shop Technician at Columbia GSAPP Output Print Shop, New York, NY, Sept 2016-May 2017
Fabrication
Operated 3D printers, laser cutters, plotters
CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing Woodcraft, Sewing, Printmaking
Managed sales, inventory, print orders
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Masters of Advanced Architecture, graduating June 2024
Drafted shop drawings for fabrication using AutoCAD and Rhino
Product Design Engineer at CARVART, New York, NY, Dec 2017-May 2019
Generated estimates for private and commercial architectural projects
Standardized company’s product offering catalogue, supporting both internal and client-facing purposes
Worked directly with clients to design and engineer custom solutions tailored to their specific needs
Developed and prototyped new and existing hardware systems in collaboration with manufacturers
Intern at SOLID NYC, Brooklyn, NY, June-July 2017
Drafted shop drawings in AutoCAD and digital 3D models in Rhino
Digital
Intern at Hariri & Hariri Architects, New York, NY, June-July 2015 & June-July 2016
Drafted architectural drawings using Vectorworks
Advanced in Rhino, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace
Contributed to international design competition submission
Produced physical architectural models to scale
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, May 2017
Conducted site visits and field measurements for ongoing projects
Assistant Project Manager at Serett Metalworks, Brooklyn, NY, July-Sept 2017
Intermediate in Grasshopper, RhinoCAM, Photoshop Beginner in Python
Drafted shop drawings for fabrication using AutoCAD and Rhino
Worked directly with clients to develop concept and design
SKILLS
Generated estimates for private and commercial architectural projects
Produced digital and physical study models for Performa 17 NYC installation
EDUCATION
Language
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
Fabrication
Shop Technician at Columbia GSAPP Output Print Shop, New York, NY, Sept 2016-May 2017
Intern at SOLID NYC, Brooklyn, NY, June-July 2017
Native Fluency in English, French, Farsi Proficient in Spanish
Operated 3D printers, laser cutters, plotters
Drafted shop drawings in AutoCAD and digital 3D models in Rhino
Conducted site visits and field measurements for ongoing projects
Managed sales, inventory, print orders
Worked directly with clients to develop concept and design
Produced digital and physical study models for Performa 17 NYC installation
Intern at Hariri & Hariri Architects, New York, NY, June-July 2015 & June-July 2016
Drafted architectural drawings using Vectorworks
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Masters of Advanced Architecture, graduating June 2024
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, May 2017
CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing Woodcraft, Sewing, Printmaking
The Bartlett, University College London Bio-Integrated Design, Sept 2021-June 2022
Digital
MITxPro
Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production, May-Aug 2020
Advanced in Rhino, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace
Shop Technician at Columbia GSAPP Output Print Shop, New York, NY, Sept 2016-May 2017
Contributed to international design competition submission
Operated 3D printers, laser cutters, plotters
Produced physical architectural models to scale
Managed sales, inventory, print orders
Intern at Hariri & Hariri Architects, New York, NY, June-July 2015 & June-July 2016
EDUCATION
Drafted architectural drawings using Vectorworks
Contributed to international design competition submission
Produced physical architectural models to scale
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Masters of Advanced Architecture, graduating June 2024
EDUCATION
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, May 2017
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Masters of Advanced Architecture, graduating June 2024
SKILLS
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Fabrication
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, May 2017
CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing Woodcraft, Sewing, Printmaking
Digital
Advanced in Rhino, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace
Intermediate in Grasshopper, RhinoCAM, Photoshop
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
The Bartlett, University College London
Bio-Integrated Design, Sept 2021-June 2022
MITxPro
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
SKILLS
Fabrication
CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing Woodcraft, Sewing, Printmaking
Digital
Advanced in Rhino, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office, Google
Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production, May-Aug 2020
The Bartlett, University College London
Bio-Integrated Design, Sept 2021-June 2022
MITxPro
Workspace
Intermediate in Grasshopper, RhinoCAM, Photoshop Beginner in Python
Language
Native Fluency in English, French, Farsi Proficient in Spanish
Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production, May-Aug 2020
Intermediate in Grasshopper, RhinoCAM, Photoshop Beginner in Python
Language
Native Fluency in English, French, Farsi Proficient in Spanish
CONTENTS
STUDIO PROJECTS
BREEZIN SITE SPECIFICITY
PRESCRIBED DECAY VALLCARCA CANE PARK NATIONAL BLACK THEATER
PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS GLASSCUBE
MINI PROJECTS VALLDAURA BENCH NESTED
STUDIO PROJECTS
BREEZIN
Mallorca, Spain
Instructors: Edouard Cabay, Raimund Krenmueller, Yue Wu
Partners: Sbusiso Bhembe, Anouk Eil
2023
BreezIn is located in Talaia D’Albertux on the NE coast of Mallorca, a popular windsurfing location where 4 strong winds meet. The space features rotating walls that adjust to airflow, resulting in a variety of spatial conditions according to the wind’s direction, speed, and frequency. A thick fabric connects the panels, creating a system that simultaneously harnesses and manipulates the wind in order to create predetermined and predictable configurations.
This study model explores the relationship between wind, light, and space. A series of rotating reflective panels installed on a floating grid interact with surrounding light and airflow, producing patterns of movement and reflection. The standardized grid and panel dimensions impose a framework onto the system that renders its seemingly random and chaotic performance trackable and almost predictable.
Wind-Based Spatial Program
SITE SPECIFICITY
New York, NY
Instructor: Pooneh Maghazehe 2017
Installed in the stairwell between the third and fourth floors of Columbia University’s Prentis Hall, this piece amplifies its surrounding environment by interacting with the various combinations of light, wind, and sound that move through the space. Each metal sheet has a rod welded exactly at its centerline, allowing the panels to balance horizontally when suspended.
PRESCRIBED DECAY
Instructors : Nina Jotanovic, Javier Ruiz Rodriguez, Andreas Korner, Pradeep Devadass, Anete Salmane
Partners: Laetitia Morlie, Natalia Piorecka
Nov 2021 - Feb 2022
Prescribed Decay explores the concept of time-based architecture, only reaching its final form through the process of its own degradation. The enzymes embedded in its construction materials act as catalysts for this transformation, as they eat away at the initial structure and reveal a new, yet expected result. This method of subtractive manufacturing takes place at a biological scale and invites new growth such as fungi and bacteria to colonize the eroded building. Located in Dungeness, UK, this project, over time, becomes fully integrated into its environment’s unique topography and microclimate by way of decay and bioreceptivity.
Starch-Based Biomaterial, acts as main structure
Carrier Material, introduces amylase enzyme that breaks starch down
The amylase enzyme breaks starch down into glucose molecules (simple sugars)
The enzyme is not itself consumed in the chemical reaction. So long as it is in a favorable environment, it will continue to further break down the substrate
Starch-Based Biomaterial
Parameters: high strength (to survive wind pressure), high starch presence (to achieve a more accentuated decay), insoluble state (to be decayed by enzymes and not water), 3D printability for fabrication purposes.
In further explorations, the material’s pH should also be taken into account as this affects enzyme activity. All enzymes have different pH and temperature conditions and necessitate the presence of water to reach optimum activity. The optimal pH for a-amylase from bacillys lichenform, used here, is approx. 6.0-6.5 (Ivanova, Dobreva and Emanuilova, n.d.)
Starch Breakdown
Testing how temperature affects the amylase enzyme’s efficacy in degrading the starch into glucose molecules. Iodine was used as an indicator as it becomes a dark color in the presence of starch and returns to its original color once the starch is fully broken down, highlighting starch presence and enzyme activity.
Observations:
At 10 degrees Celcius, the starch did not break down after 16 mins. At 20 degrees Celcius, all starch was broken down after approximately 9.5 mins.
Wind Simulations
After studying the local architecture and landscape, we conducted wind simulations on a variety of iterations of fisherman’s huts to better understand their abilities to withstand the strong Dungeness winds. These were done using the highest mean wind speed at 10m on the site of 13.51 knots in the month of January. The lowest is of 9.49 knots in the month of July.
LOCAL ARCHITECTURE
INITIAL FORM + FABRICATION
Based on CFD studies
WIND EROSION
Abrasion and Deflation, Mechanical erosion
DECAY - ENZYMES
Activation of the enzymatic degradation, breaking down the carrier material
INHABITABLE FORM
Result of complementary studies, enzymatic and wind degradation simulations
(UN)WANTED GROWTH
Accumulation of broken down by enzymes nutrients
NEW HOME FOR MICROBES
Continuous growth breaks down the structure, creating a new habitat for other organisms and vegetation
Barcelona, Spain
Instructors: Rodrigo Aguirre, Uri Lewis
Partners: Rocio Sagastegui, Maryam Ashraf, Dimitra Roumelioti, Miguel Gimenez Perez
2022
The Vallcarca Cane Park is an urban farm aimed towards reconnecting the communities that make up its diverse and historically fragmented neighborhood. Located in an urban void north of the Ronda de Dalt in Barcelona, the structure is built using cane, a vernacular material, and traditional fabrication methods such as active bending. The farm is primarily irrigated by the seasonal river that runs directly through the site. Often posing a threat of flooding to the area, this river has been redirected using computational tools to optimize water flow based on direction, slope, and spatial programming. This project would eventually develop into a modular system to connect local urban voids and cultivate a communal farming network unified by water distribution.
Prescribed Decay explores the concept of time-based architecture, only reaching its final form through the process of its own degradation. The enzymes embedded in its construction materials act as catalysts for this transformation, as they eat away at the initial structure and reveal a new, yet expected result. This method of subtractive manufacturing takes place at a biological scale and invites new growth such as fungi and bacteria to colonize the eroded building. Located in Dungeness, UK, this project, over time, becomes fully integrated into its environment’s unique topography and microclimate by way of decay and bioreceptivity.
41.418612, 2.135477
Existing vegetation and access points
Engage the community
Provide a space for dialogue and exchange within the neighborhood
Sustainable land rehabilitation
Create a continuous and cohesive network of urban gardens
Address flooding problem
Redirect and slow down the water flow, integrate hydroponic water system
Local means and methods
Use vernacular materials such as cane and building techniques like active bending
Form Finding Aggregation Material
Donax
• perennial herbaceous: fast-growing + long-lasting
• “invasive” specie native to site
• hollow: lightweight + sturdy
• 2-8m height
NATIONAL BLACK THEATER
Instructor: Bradley Samuels
Partners: Samina Gagne, Nicole Staake 2016
The National Black Theater is a historical landmark, located at the corner of 125th street and 5th avenue in Harlem, NY that has served as both a performance space and community center since 1968. Their performances and exhibits are centered around creating moments of interaction and exchange between artists and spectators, fostering transformation and growth through shared experience. To celebrate and foster more transformative interactions, this design proposal focuses on circulation throughout the theater. The NBT’s entry plaza becomes an extension of the sidewalk, part of the street’s natural flow. It mirrors the iconic Harlem stoop, as it functions both as private property and a public space to convene. The community is invited to move organically through the building as it is a part of their neighborhood’s landscape and cultural identity.
Organic flexibility of community RAMPS Actors, spectators, visitors collide
Drawing 3.1
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Institutional presence of NBT
New York, NY
Company: Carvart
Carvart’s glassCUBE is a freestanding wall system, perfect for creating semi-private spaces in larger communal areas. The ease of install, variety of accessories, and flexible configurations are unique features of this system. The glassCUBE brochure, detailing the entire product profile from technical details to performance capabilities, is part of a larger catalogue produced during an overall effort to standardize Carvart’s full product offering. We developed a set of standard dimensions, configurations, applications for each system. The following pages are excerpts of the glassCUBE brochure.
