POR T FO L I O
DIANA
MATEI
architect
DIANA
MATEI
architect
arh.dianamatei@gmail.com +40747221955
ARC H I T E CT U RE
CENTER OF TRADITIONAL ART WITHIN THE TRANSYLVANIAN ETNOGRAPHY MUSEUM Cluj-Napoca, Romania
"It was not without reason that Romania was called the land of folk art." Romanian folk art is, as Ernest Bernea said, a defining element for the Romanian people, with an impressive value that must be sustained and carried forward. Today, the ethnographic museum is one of the most important means of promotion for these values of the Romanian tradition and therefore it was considered the ideal framework for the materialization of these beliefs. Thus, the project aims both to increase the number of visitors and users of the museum and to create a favorable environment for practicing and preserving of endangered crafts through workshops. The project is thus an extension of the Transylvanian Ethnographic Museum, becoming a center of traditional art. Located in the historic city center, the museum presents one of the most important historical buildings. From its early beginnings in the Middle Ages, the fund built on the plot has occupied the land over time in various typologies, from "O", "C" to "U" today. The plot's history is an important argument in the proposal for land occupancy, in the form of an "O", as it is in fact specific to a palace, creating an inner courtyard. Turning to the features of traditional architecture, the new extension will unite with the old body through an outside porch. This way, a continuity of spaces is created, and the actual natural ventilation problem of the museum is solved by removing the old porch carpentry, as it was in the past. Through a natural approach to the principles of popular households, the body on the street will retain its function as a museum, being associated with the "beautiful room" of a traditional house, while the workshops will be placed in the new body behind the courtyard, representing workspaces. The project, having the purpose of employing the visitor in the workshops, after having previously taken an initiation route in the museum, aims to intervene in the existing framework. The reorganization of museum spaces on the principle of a narrative, interactive and calibrated thread is essential in preparing the visitor for workshop processes. It will also make use of the existing building's attic, transforming it in a functional space. The places of employment remain the main actors of the proposal. In addition, the workshops can also take on the role of creative incubators, where visitors, once engaged, have the opportunity of returning to deepen certain crafts. This way, by uniting the museum with the workshops, one of the most interesting places in the city can be obtained: "The workshop is the extension of the house, the museum, and the craftmanship is the extension of the man, the visitor", the diploma project encouraging the valorization of the Romanian cultural heritage.
“THE PERISCOPE” – MUSEUM EXTENSION Montauban, France
Regarding the city scale, the main purpose was to assure a connection between the city and the river. This connection is realized through Museum Ingres Extension and to be more specific, through the main point view that is elongated really close to the river. Another important intervention is the transformation of the parking in a city garden that also facilitates the access to the river and bring closer the residents and the natural element of Montauban, namely River Tarn. Ingres Museum, the new extension and the green area create an important attraction point for this city dedicated not only to the tourists but also to residents.
The main concept is the connection between the city and the river through the Museum Ingres Extension. Another important aspect was the historical elements of the site. The building respects the context by keeping the distance from the historical walls and the buttresses. The same idea was brought inside, that's why all the functions are grouped in volumes that are placed separated from the exterior walls. The whole building is actually an expo gallery. The light is brought inside differently depending on the function inside. On the first floor the big windows assure indirect light for the expo room and also a nice view to the historical elements (buttresses) that are a permanent exhibition. The skylights bring light inside the little expo room and illuminate the stair. The main view point brings the city and the museum closer to the river and is a place where the visitor has the possibility to contemplate what he has seen in the expo and to admire the other side of the city, the bridge, the river, the garden and the church.
Entering from Ingres Museum in the extension, at the left you can admire the extension’ s permanent exposition composed from historical elements like the buttresses. At the right, in the main exposition room you have the opportunity to admire really interesting temporary expositions
If you continue your way in the suspended gallery embellished with contemporary sculptures you arrive in a view point from where you can admire and contemplate the exposition, city, history and nature. Here you can choose the perspective and the chair that suits best with your mood. The expo gallery, actually, connects the city with the river like a periscope.
FACADE RESTORATION Cluj-Napoca, Romania
diagnostic
proposal
COMMUNITY CENTER (+RESTORATION) Rosia Montana, Romania
TEMPORARY ACCOMODATION FOR RESTAURATEURS Rosia Montana, Romania
OFFICE BUILDING Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3 STAR HOTEL Someseni, Romania
COLLECTIVE HOUSING Cluj-Napoca, Romania
HUB –CREATION AND INNOVATION INCUBATOR Cluj-Napoca, Romania
GOTHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER/LIBRARY/SCHOOL Toulouse, France
MULTIFUNCTIONAL CENTER FOR SPENDING FREE TIME - RECONVERSION Cluj-Napoca, Romania
EXISTENZMINIMUM
URB AN PLA NNI NG
CENTER OF TURDA TOWN Turda, Romania
zMATERNA Turda, Romania
The project unfolds a set of interventions aiming to overhaul one of Turda's main public transport stations, known as Materna, as well as its corresponding public space: the station's extended pedestrian area. The goal of these interventions is to transform the urban area, as found, into an attractive and dynamic public space all while attempting to reduce CO2 emissions.
Summer sun study
Winter sun study
URBAN RESIDENTIAL GROUP Cluj-Napoca, Romania
TERRITORIAL INFORMATION, RURAL AREA PLANNING MASTER PLAN AND ADVANCE OF THE STRUCTURAL PLANNING MODIFICATION OF THE URUMEA CORRIDOR Basque Country, Spain
TERRITORIAL STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF URUMEA SITUATION In order to understand the territory of Urumea Corridor we made several analysis, regarding aspects like functionality, green areas, flooding areas, transport, topography or land use. Each analyis highlights different weaknesses, threats but also strenghts and opportunities, very useful for further projects and improvements of the studied site. Dispite all the weaknesses and threats, Urumea Corridor has a high potential in developing and ”growing”, especially outside the cities, its strengths being particulary agriculture and agrotourism. PLANNING PROPOSAL FOR URUMEA CORRIDOR (MASTER PLAN) OUR STRATEGY TO IMPROVE AND TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE OBESERVED ANALYZING URUMEA CORRIDOR IS BASED ON THREE MAIN IDEAS: - FLOODING AREA - CONNECTIONS ALONG THE RIVER, - EMPHASIZING THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE CONSIDERING THE MAIN THREAT OF URUMEA RIVER WE PROPOSED DIFFERENT WAYS TO CONTROL THE FLOOD: - IMPLEMENTING GREEN DIKES WHERE THE EXISTING BUILDINGS ARE CLOSE TO WATER - RAISING THE LEVEL OF THE GROUND IN CASE OF NEW BUILDINGS - CREATING FLOODABLE PARKS - RAISING EXISTING FLOODBANKS TO FACILITATE THE ACCESS TO THE RIVER WE CREATED A COHERENT CONNECTION ALONG THE CORRIDOR BY BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAILS, AND ALSO BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT. THESE CONNECTIONS AND THE NEW GREEN CORRIDOR FACILITATE THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE, BY GATHERING THE FARMERS AND VISITORS IN THE NEW PUBLIC SPACES (MARKET). THE PEDESTRIAN CAN VISIT THE GREEN HOUSES, CIDER HOUSES, FARMS TO OBSERVE OR EVEN TAKE PART IN AGRICULTURE PROCESSES. BY MAKING THE PARK ALONG THE RIVER, THE NATURAL ECOSYSTEM IS INCREASED. IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE NEW RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS AS TXOMIN ENEA, SARRUETA, PARK JARDIN DE LOIOLA WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN OUR PROPOSAL. IMPORTANT BANKS OF THE RIVER WERE OCUPPIED BY INDUSTRY AND ALSO A LOT OF THEM WERE OUT OF USE. WE DIDN'T WANT TO REMOVE ALL THE INDUSTRY, BECAUSE IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF THIS TOWNS SO WE DECIDED TO CONCENTRATE THEM AND ELIBERATE THE PARTS CLOSER TO URUMEA. WE REPLACED THEM WITH LOCAL PRODUCT MARKETS, SPORT CENTRE AND GREEN AREAS. USING ALL THESE STRATEGIES, URUMEA RIVER CAN BECOME A MAIN POINT OF INTEREST OF THE REGION, ATTRACTING NOT ONLY THE TOURISTS, BUT ALSO THE LOCAL PEOPLE BY EMPHASIZING ITS NATURAL POTENTIAL.
After analysing Urumea corridor and planning the master plan of the studied area, we decided to go deeper into Astigarraga municipality, due to its special condition: a lot of weaknesses (floodable, industry etc.), but also several opportunities. Our strategy goes on the same line as the general strategy of the whole Urumea corridor, based on 3 main points: - FLOODING AREA - CONNECTIONS ALONG THE RIVER - EMPHASIZING THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE In order to implement our strategies, we came with several regulations for a better Astigarraga: - the urban area won't surpass the limits established in the land uses plan - the agriculture areas will be promoted and protected - near the river the constructions will be replaced by a green eco corridor that promotes in some parts also the local agriculture - a part of the industry will be kept because is a tradition in the area, but it will be concentrated in smaller surfaces - the agriculture will be promoted by creating bike trail to the cider houses and green houses - in order to protect the floodable park it will be declaired protected area
URBAN RESTRUCTURING Cluj-Napoca, Romania
GROUNDFLOOR PLAN USE ON J.M. BARANDIARAN STREET. URBAN SEQUENCES. LOCAL PUBLIC SPACE RELATION San Sebastian, Spain
URBAN CONDITIONING PROJECT San Sebastian, Spain
I NT E R I OR A RC H I T E C T U R E
3 star HOTEL ROOM Someseni, Romania
POC OFFICE Cluj-Napoca, Romania
ARTIST STUDIO Baia Mare, Romania
COM P E T I
T I
ON S
SPACE CAPSULE La Biennale di Venezia 2018 *2nd prize
The project’s foothold rests on Farrell and McNamara’s (2017) argument that everyone has the right to benefit from architecture, whose role is to give shelter to one’s body and to lift one’s spirit. “A beautiful wall forming a street edge gives pleasure to the passerby, even if they never go inside. So too does a glimpse into a courtyard through an archway, or a place to lean against in the shade or a recess which offers protection from the wind and rain. [...] We are interested in going beyond the visual, emphasising the role of architecture in the choreography of daily life. We believe these qualities sustain the fundamental capacity of architecture to nurture and support meaningful contact between people and place.” All of the above is made possible through architecture’s ability to affect one’s mind and elicit cognitive states characterised by powerful attentional effects, generating significant repercussions in one’s brain processes. The project thus builds around a fundamental neurobiological idea: human beings have a limited attentional capacity. Our project’s ambition is to raise awareness towards the fragility of inter-human and human-place connections in contemporary society and architecture, on the one hand, and, on the other, act as a spatial experiment. The project proposes a triptych spatial strategy as follows: [1] Almost any space, whether public or private, is navigated horizontally with the “aid” of two of the most common architectural elements: the floor and the wall. The latter provides, as Koolhaas (2014) argues, structure and division of space and, as such, organises movement. Taking into consideration the literal sense of the 16th Venice architecture biennale theme, the project aims to free space by creating a “freespace” that avoids any and all space dividers separating the roof/ceiling from the ground/floor. The result is a simple rectangular free space. [2] The free space is infinitely multiplied using floor-to-ceiling mirrors on all of the enclosing walls. The mirrors have a double purpose: - to blur the boundaries of the physical space; - to appeal to one’s narcissistic and increasingly individual social media alter-ego. [3] Even though ceilings cover all indoor spaces, they do not necessarily help one navigate them, nor do they help one navigate outdoor spaces either, whether public or private. The project proposes an upsetting by creating a three-dimensional ceiling, much like an inverted abstract urban landscape whose purpose is thus to affect one’s attentional capacity and raise awareness of people and the immediate surroundings. This upsetting is achieved by implementing a set of uncomfortable ceiling heights, starting at 2.1m at the entrance and varying from as low as 1m to as high as 6.8m. All of the three elements of the spatial strategy unify through colour, lighting concept, and text.
FALLING INTO THE SKY Festival des Architectures Vives 2017 – emotion, Montpellier, France *winner project - built
ENTERING ANOTHER DIMENSION OF THE PATIO -playing with the perception of the visitor- transform the limits and make it seem like you enter in another dimension: surprise -the concept is emphasized by the idea of threshold and trespassing a limit. This is materialized by the most obvious symbol- the door and the three stairs, which also makes you concious about passing from public to private/ intimate, that is the intrinsec characteristic of a patio. - when looking in the mirror and water you see a distorted perspective (changing image depending on the wind) that makes you even more observant, wanting to discover the patio ( looking up and at the facades) and in the end making you concious about the surrounding -also, when being on the stairs and openning the door, you feel like you could fall into the sky, due to the mirror effect that emphasizes the narrow patio and the feeling that you are in a void -after this, you can see that you cannot actually step on the mirror and water (limits), so you have to take it right or left, around the water, observing this way the patio from different angles
project –first phase
execution project –second phase
construction –third phase
HOUSING FOR ARTISTS Baia Mare, Romania *2nd mention at C|A|S|A 2014 (Annual Contest of Architecture Students)
The building has a shape of “L�, following the corner of the square. This way, the corner is highly marked by the solid building, in one volume, so that the square could be properly closed. To maintain this closure, there are no openings, but in order to make a smooth transition from 1mai Street to Piata Cetatii, the corner is perforated and the whole building is a little higher than the next one to it, for announcing the square. From outside, the ateliers and gallery are suggested by the big windows that bring a perfect indirect light in the ateliers. The whole interior space is a game of platforms, a gradation. A perfect relationship between the visitor and the artist is made by the panels in the gallery, that bring the visitor, when the artist wants to, inside the world of his creation. For this opportunity, the visitor has to make a minimal effort and climb one step into the ateliers. The inside part of the building represents an open space, being an inspirational environment.
ZA STREET Cluj-Napoca, Romania *selected project to be exposed
hand made
MOD E L S
DRA WI N GS
DIANA
MATEI