Anì Sevinyan | portfolio 2021 by Ani Sevinyan

Anì Sevinyan | portfolio architecture & urban design

2021

About me I was born in Armenia, a country of people with a large variety of characters and habits despite the mostly monoethnic nature of the population. For me, one of the best things about being Armenian is to know our unique language with a unique alphabet, which I believe is my strength, offering great opportunities in broadening my perspectives. Since childhood, I have been curious about exploring the world outside my country of origin, and that motivated me to learn foreign languages, starting from Italian. However, I usually see languages as tools to achieve other goals rather than as goals per se. Architecture became my chosen field as a result of my attraction to composition and the mathematics of it, and the more I studied it, the bigger became my admiration for its multidisciplinary essence. Thanks to my linguistic skills, during my bachelor’s, I had the chance to participate in several international workshops, as well as carrying out a 1-month internship in a French architecture studio experiences with a series of topics ranging from urban design to architectural preservation, which broadened my professional vision with respect to what I had learned in Armenia by that time. My current major interest is in urban regeneration and public realm. Therefore, I would be glad to work in relation to these fields, hoping to find good opportunities for professional and personal growth.

CURRICULUM VITAE personal information

work | volunteering | competition

hometown birth date mobile email LinkedIn hobbies

Jun 2017 Jun 2018

Yerevan, Armenia 20.08.1995 +393493021625 ani.sevinyan@gmail.com; ani.sevinyan@mail.polimi.it www.linkedin.com/in/ani-sevinyan/ cooking, baking, travelling, street photography

education Sep 2018 Apr 2021

Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy Graduated with 108/110 points

2013-2017

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Design Faculty of Architecture, National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia

training | research May - Jul 2020

Training studio - “The changing neighbourhood. Housing challenges and the social meaning of urban regeneration”, research group on demographic dynamics in NIL 20 Milan Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

Feb 2020

“Milano Cortina 2027: strategies and guidelines for postevent sustainable living”, Inti I., Mazzoni R., Toselli I. et al., 2020, co-authored publication Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

Jan 2020

MIAW 2020 - Milan International Architectural Workshop Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

Feb - May 2018

“Parametric design skills: Rhinoceros3D + Grasshopper” course Skillshop, Yerevan, Armenia

Oct - Dec 2016

“BIM skills: Revit” course Skillshop, Yerevan, Armenia

Apr-May 2016

Workshop “Sport culture and urban history” Clermont-Ferrand, France / Yerevan, Armenia

Nov 2014

Workshop “Natural stone in the architecture of florentine palaces”, Florence, Italy

20162020

Intern “NST Architects” studio, Yerevan, Armenia Freelance work Graphic design & architectural drafting Upwork; Tatulian Studios Inc., California, USA

Jul 2018 Jul 2015

Volunteer “Golden Apricot” international film festival

Apr 2017

Trainee “ACA Architectes et Associés”, granted by Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, Clermont-Ferrand, France

Jul 2016

Reuse project of a former paper factory in Marzabotto, Italy Competition by YAC

Jul 2014

Drafting assistant, volunteer “NST Architects” studio, Yerevan, Armenia

Jul 2008

Volunteer Sergei Paradjanov museum, Yerevan, Armenia

awards May 2018; Jun 2019

Italian Government Grant (MAECI) for foreign students studying in Italy a.y. 2018-2019, renewed for 2019-2020

Aug 2018; Aug 2019

AGBU International Scholarship a.y. 2018-2019, renewed for 2019-2020

Oct 2011

Presidential Educational Award, Armenia Best high school student

language skills Armenian native Englisհh C1 French B2 German A1 Italian C1 Polish A1 Russian C1

software skills Adobe Illustrator Adobe Indesign Adobe Photoshop AutoCAD Autodesk Revit MS Office Suite Rhino+Grasshopper

Documentation centre for the history of fascism in Milan պ․p. 18

Il Cortile - Via Padova p. 28

Cortile Vivo - final work p. 38

BACHELOR’S

Healingscapes. Ex Macello di Milano պ․p. 6

OTHER

MASTER’S

LIST OF WORKS

Northern axis - final work p. 52

Hand models & sketches p. 58

Digital modelling p. 70

Healingscapes. Ex Macello di Milano Final studio, Politecnico di Milano, Jul 2020 Professors: Emilio Faroldi, Stefano Capolongo, Silvia Sbattella Colleagues: Antonio Piga, Michael Bekele Deribe Participation: production of schemes & diagrams for the analysis, 2D drafting, production of collage views

The urban regeneration project of Ex Macello, the former slaughterhouse of Milan, is a theme of the international competition “Reinventing Cities” aiming to transform the area into a mixed-use district with social housing, student residences, and a functional mix to be proposed by the contestants. In the Final Studio 2020, this challenge is addressed with a united approach of urban health and cultural development. Our project represents the ensemble of cityscapes and landscapes that we want to achieve for Ex Macello, with a character of a healing space in multiple senses: for its users - physically, mentally and spiritually; and for Milan - curing the “wound” of abandonment and decay, and integrating the area within the existing living organism of the city to make them work smoothly together. It is important to consider sustainability not only in terms of energy and environmental aspects but in its broader sense too: social cohesion, along with high quality environmental design, are among the key features through which urban health could be achieved. click here for detailed concept & project walkthrough

< water plaza, via Lombroso - via Vismara corner 8

vision of the project

a variety of cultural & leisure activities

leisure areas in green & blue environment

physical activities for all ages

clubs, coworking studios & workshops

proposal of functional mixité Healingscapes. Ex Macello di Milano

buildings to reuse

0 25 50 75 existing situation

roads and main connections

125 m existing greenery

secondary connections

schematic zoning

masterplan development 10

100 m

proposed masterplan Healingscapes. Ex Macello di Milano

competition requirements

project proposal

construction footprint 32% - 52550 m2

constructed area 121344 m2

construction footprint 28% - 44205 m2

TOTAL 165300 m2

constructed area 117737 m2

functional mix 50% - 60672 m2

TOTAL 165300 m2

functional mix 44% - 52093 m2

residential (social housing) 50% - 60672 m2

open spaces 68% - 112450 m2

open spaces 73% - 121095 m2

residential (social housing) 56% - 65644 m2

existing situation construction footprint 46% - 76317 m2

TOTAL 165300 m2

greenery roads

open spaces 54% - 88983 m2

pavement/asphalt

greenery

39%

pavement with green

sports fields & tracks

water

roads

15%

30%

other pavement

30%

15%

comparison between competition requirements & our proposal 12

roof garden

Permeable Permeable Permeable paving Permeable paving paving paving wooden brise-soleil community gardens

community corridor

sports facilities

solar panels

shared community spaces

Brushed Brushed concrete Brushed concrete Brushed concrete Concrete concrete Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete/grass paving Concrete/grass Concrete/grass brushed concrete concrete paving concrete paving concrete / grass Brushed Brushed concrete Brushed concrete Brushed concrete Concrete concrete Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete paving Concrete/grass pavingConcrete/grass Concrete/grass Concrete/grass Concrete/grass

100% 100% 100% 100% 75% 75% 75% 75% 50% 50% 50% 50% 25% 25% 25% 25% 100% solid 75% 50% solid 25% 100% solid solid 100% solid solid 100% solid solid 100% solid solid 75% solid solid 75% solid solid 75% solid solid 75% solid solid 50% solid solid 50% solid solid 50% solid solid 50% solid solid 25% solid solid 25% solid solid 25% solid solid 25% solid solid 25% 25% permeable 25% 25% 50% 50% 50% 50% 75% 75% 75% 75% permeable 25% 50% permeable 75% 25% permeable permeable 25% permeable permeable 25% permeable permeable 25% permeable permeable 50% permeable permeable 50% permeable permeable 50% permeable permeable 50% permeable permeable 75% permeable permeable 75% permeable permeable 75% permeable permeable 75% permeable permeable

social & environmental sustainability system Healingscapes. Ex Macello di Milano

detailed ground floor plan 14

Healingscapes. Ex Macello di Milano

50 m

market boulevard near viale Molise - via Lombroso corner

pedestrian gallery

Healingscapes. Ex Macello di Milano

Documentation centre for the history of fascism in Milan Architectural Design studio, Politecnico di Milano, Jun 2019 Professors: Pier Paolo Tamburelli, Fabrizia Berlingieri, Alessandro Emilio Carrera Colleagues: Linda Mochsen, Alfred Nowina Konopka Participation: digital 3D modelling, physical modelling of the project, seismic resistance calculations, physical modelling of the context (a collaboration of the class)

The project is designed for the crossroad between viale Tunisia and via Lecco in Milan, in front of Lazzaretto church. The functions in the building are permanent and temporary exhibition halls, a historical archive, a reading hall/mediatheque, offices, cafeteria, auditorium, seminar rooms, as well as reception and service/technical spaces. Considering this variety of functions, our group made an attempt to propose a design that would have a strong identity suitable for a documentation centre also as a possible landmark. We came up with the solution of an inverted glass pyramid that would be covered with an expanded aluminium semi-transparent skin.

south elevation

< south facade, view from the church 20

10 m

south elevation

Documentation centre for the history of fascism in Milan

ground floor plan with reception & bookstore

1° floor with historical archive 0

10 m

section A-A

Documentation centre for the history of fascism in Milan

section B-B

view from Lazzaretto church towards via Lecco 24

view along viale Tunisia Documentation centre for the history of fascism in Milan

view from viale Tunisia 26

physical model 1:50

Documentation centre for the history of fascism in Milan

Il Cortile - Via Padova Urban Design studio, Politecnico di Milano, Jan 2019 Professors: Francesco Garofalo, Alessandro Coppola Colleague: Anthony Antonios Participation: production of schematic plans for the analysis, 3D modelling of the parametric roof, production of 3D views

Il Cortile is a project of public space in via Padova, a vibrant location remarkable for its demographic & social diversity. Analyzing the area, we deduced that there are scarcity and inefficiency of existing public urban spaces despite the presence of several parks in the proximity. Since we are dealing with an inhomogeneous population with predominately young immigrants and single elderly people, one of the challenges in our area is to provide possibilities for activities without conflict between these groups of people. Another crucial point, to avoid ‘dead’ urban zones causing criminality, is to take into count the activities’ timing to keep each part of the area active through different times of the day/week/year. Considering the overall investigation and the understanding of the macro and micro areas, we can safely assume that the main goal of the project is to transform the unused spaces within the urban block, aiming to bring the people from different cultures, origins, and age together into a hotspot of active social life.

Guardia di Finanza Publicly owned land Privately owned land Church owned land Abandoned area

120

200 m

The intervention consists of two main parts - the public square surrounded by the vibrant roof, and the existing sport facilities subject to a transformation and integration within the urban block. The roof creates an identity for the area while being functional at the same time. The varying height of the roof implies different activities, particularly in the buffer zone between the two main areas. Moreover, the structure creates a unique circulation between the main entrances of two sides. Within the enclosure of the roof, the visitor is greeted by a glimpse of the entire space. Following the food court, there is a public space with greenery and water, as well as a skate park. Under the elevated part of the roof, an arrangement of walls is provided for the visitors to express themselves through. Artists can use them as their canvas, and the area has the potential of becoming a true urban icon.

< zoom-in to the public square surrounded by the roof 30

analysis of land ownership in the intervention area

Education Religion Public housing Healthcare

Site of intervention Residential buildings Main axes

50 100 150

250 m

analysis of public functions in the neighborhood of via Padova Il Cortile - Via Padova

Asphalt road Stone pavement (vehicles) Stone pavement (pedestrian) Fine gravel Pavillion Concrete pavement Park greenery Pool Water surfaces in the park

0 10 20 30

50 m

masterplan 32

aerial view

section A-A

section B-B

25 m

section C-C

Il Cortile - Via Padova

creative artistic space / game zone

public park surrounded by marketplace under the roof structure

Il Cortile - Via Padova

active lifestyle zone - skatepark

Il Cortile - Via Padova

Cortile Vivo. Enhancing spatial quality & social cohesion in Milanese residential courtyards Master’s thesis, Politecnico di Milano, Apr 2021 Supervisors: Alessandro Coppola, Mario Paris Individual work

Courtyards of Milanese residential buildings are typically among the urban spaces least taken advantage of. Even during the lockdown, most of them are barely used, sometimes only by children playing outdoor games. A common argument explaining the poor use of courtyards is that people are often obsessed with the idea of privacy and therefore, avoid spending time in front of their home where they might be observed. However, with the same logic of thinking, they should be avoiding all public spaces, otherwise, they “risk” being observed anyway. Instead, which are the strongest factors preventing the residential courtyards from becoming a lively urban space? This research aims to analyse the role of residential courtyards in the daily life of the residents in Milan; understand the reasons behind the weakness of courtyard use, from formal limitations to less rigid social and spatial criticalities; and explore the potential of courtyards as more efficiently used collective spaces.

The research on residential courtyards addresses two principal questions - improvement of spatial resources’ quality in dense urban contexts and promotion of social cohesion – and is not a necessary but advantageous experimental project aimed at intensifying the vitality in residential courtyards. For the study, the district of NoLo has been chosen, being a typical European dense working-class district with a central position. The character of this neighbourhood with a dynamic diverse population and numerous social initiatives makes NoLo an interesting camp of experimentation within the domain of urban policies. First of all, the key concepts are studied on the general level of Milan and more specifically of NoLo, preparing a base for the case study. Afterwards, through a focus on NoLo, a taxonomy of courtyards in the district is developed, which will then help to propose strategic guidelines with toolkits of actions in three dimensions of intervention.

< dance party in a Type 3 courtyard 40

100

200

300

500 m

figure ground plan of NoLo

social entrepreneurship

social housing

environmental activities

social cohesion

education & information cultural events & dialogue urban recovery plan of a condominium garden as public space keywords of the research & case study

ViaPadova36 ©Fondazione Housing Sociale

Cinema di Ringhiera ©Nuovo Armenia

Cortile Vivo. Enhancing spatial quality & social cohesion in Milanese residential courtyards

Cenni di cambiamento ©Rossiprodi Associati 41

40.0%

< 1.1% < 0.9%

40.0%

total area

buildings

400.000 m2

open spaces

600.000 m2

public spaces for a restricted use of public interest

10.500 m2

Parco Trotter at school hrs; schools & kindergartens private spaces of public use

1 km

9.420 m2

churches; petrol station; store parking; urban farm

18.0% 60.0%

public spaces of public use

400.000 m2

Parco Trotter out of school hrs; gardens; streets; squares private spaces of private use

180.080 m2

residential courtyards & gardens; other services

open spaces: use & ownership 42

100

200

300

500m

Type 1 | introverted, closed courtyards

Type 3 | open, multilevel courtyards with automatic fragmentation

Safety and privacy

Lack of visibility

Safety and privacy

Complication of management

Green environment

Complication of Safety and privacy management

Green environment

Fragmentation

Gre

Type 4 | open, plain courtyards with manual fragmentation

Complication of management

Complication of Safety and privacy management

Fra Partial vi

Partial vis Complication of Partial management visibility

Safety and privacy

Type 2 | introverted, permeable courtyards

Green environment

Safety and privacy

Lack of visibility

Complication of management

Fragmentation Safety and privacy

Safety and

Complication of Safety and privacy management

Lack of visibility

Green environment

Lack of visibility

Safety and privacy

Complication of management

Fragmentation

Green environment

Project flexibility

Fragmentation Partial visibility

Fragmentation

Project flexibil

Project flexibility

Fragmentation Partial visibility

Project flexibility

Green environment

Complication of management

taxonomy of main courtyard categories in NoLo based on observations through site visits Cortile Vivo. Enhancing spatial quality & social cohesion in Milanese residential courtyards

Co m

Com ma

strategy | Dimension 1 The series of soft interventions on an existing spatial configuration of a courtyard is the easiest to realize in terms of technical and financial possibilities. These actions include the design of places-to be & leisure for all ages – benches, flexible furniture, playgrounds – floor game designs in small courtyards that along with introducing a new function still maintain the flexibility for vehicle manoeuvres, and volumetric playground equipment in larger courtyards, such as swings, not requiring a major structural modification of the courtyard. This kind of interventions, especially the floor game playground designs, can become highly impactful at a local level during times of sanitary lockdown because they offer a next-door handsfree leisure space for the residents’ children; in regular times, these actions may have a medium local impact as alternatives to larger but relatively more distant public parks & gardens.

Existing spatial configuration In some cases, such as large fragmented plain courtyards, an improvement can be done even at zero cost financially, only through the collective effort of negotiation to open locked fences & gates between courtyard fragments, and through the collaborative management of the large courtyard in its integrity. This action has the potential of a medium-high impact on the local level, as it not only provides to all residents more efficient and equitable access to its spatial and functional resources but also optimises the inner pedestrian mobility system in the courtyard and the access to the courtyard through different entrances, with a possible positive effect on the traffic & street parking occupation in the district.

schematic hypothesis of an intervention in Dimension 1 on an introverted courtyard 44

Floor games

Collaborative management

Dimension 1 Courtyard

Potential

Limitations

playgrounds & leisure areas within the possibilities of the spatial configuration

density of basic functions (e.g. waste collection, technical equipment, parking lots) that if poorly organized, will not be appealing as a placeto-be; lack of space for fixed playgrounds/ urban furniture; for commercial activities, disagreement of residents due to the discomfort caused

Type 1

Type 2

lack of space within each courtyard fragment, leaving little space for soft interventions

Type 3

Type 4

functional integrity between the courtyard fragments, allowing residents of different fragments to share services present in the whole courtyard

Impact

Toolkit

sanitary lockdown high local impact as nearby handsfree playgrounds

floor game playgrounds & leisure areas

normal times medium local impact as nearby playgrounds

volumetric playgrounds

privatisation, hence the manual fragmentation; regulations allowing the residents of neighboring buildings to ban each others’ access to their courtyard fragment

collaborative management

fluid inner mobility medium/high local impact

Type 1: introverted, closed courtyards Type 2: introverted, permeable courtyards Type 3: open, multilevel courtyards with automatic fragmentation Type 4: open, plain courtyards with manual fragmentation

strategic guidelines for Dimension 1 Cortile Vivo. Enhancing spatial quality & social cohesion in Milanese residential courtyards

strategy | Dimension 2 Modification of a courtyard can be carried out through hard and soft interventions, i.e., both through structural transformation and regulated application of new functions. These interventions require more careful planning and design to comply with the regulations in force. The main potential in this dimension is minimising fragmentation in courtyards to achieve more space to requalify. The demolition of boundary walls and gates can free up space for a landscape design intervention, creating greenery or enhancing the existing one, if any. Also, it offers possibilities for the functional enrichment of the courtyards through services shared between all the residents of former fragments, and in some cases, a limited Floor games expansion of nearby commercial activities into the courtyard.

Modification of a courtyard The impact of the interventions in Dim. 2 generally correlates with the scale of the courtyards on which they are carried out. In smaller courtyards, the reduction of fragmentation may free up places for staying, creating an alternative to public parks, but the demolition of eventual internal small structures, such as concierge rooms or storage spaces, might not always be efficient and would rather add problems in the condominium than resolve them. In Type 3 courtyards, defragmentation implies a radical structural intervention, therefore, if realized, it may have a high local & urban impact as a precedent of a large courtyard transformation, however, it is unlikely to be implemented due to the complexity & cost of the project. As a result, Type 3 fragments are more likely to become subject to minor transformations like smaller courtyards, Collaborative management and the largest possible impact in this dimension is achievable in Type 4 courtyards.

schematic hypothesis of an intervention in Dimension 2 on an open multilevel courtyard 46

Dimension 1 Courtyard

Potential

Limitations

installation of playgrounds for all ages; internal space expansion; limited commercial expansion (in Type 2 only)

the enhancement of the landscape; functional enrichment; spatial integrity

limited possibility of spatial integrity due to default level barriers; lack of financial resources; lack of collaborative management

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

Type 4

spatial & functional integrity between the courtyard fragments, allowing their residents to share services, both present and future, in the whole courtyard

Impact

Toolkit

volumetric playgrounds minimisation of barriers medium/high local impact

defragmentation & landscape intervention

privatisation, hence the manual fragmentation; regulations allowing the residents of neighboring buildings to ban each others’ access to their courtyard fragment

radicality of intervention high local/urban impact, if realised

collaborative management

fluid inner mobility medium/high local impact

strategic guidelines for Dimension 2 Cortile Vivo. Enhancing spatial quality & social cohesion in Milanese residential courtyards

strategy | Dimension 3 The vitality in residential courtyards can be achieved not only through building relationships between residents through the spatial enhancement of courtyards, but also by bringing external visitors into play, for temporary openings related to events held in courtyards. The capacity of courtyards to host initiatives depends on their identified type, i.e., configuration and permeability. Type 1 courtyards represent the only category of low suitability for any kind of event unless it is targeted at residents only since an introverted impermeable courtyard does not have a proper arrangement to be ‘inviting’ to external visitors. Therefore, these courtyards may only host events described further for Type 2 but involving only residents. On the contrary, Type 2 courtyards, being introverted but with partial visual permeability, can be seen from street level and therefore, have a more welcoming

Temporary opening environment. Here, small events can be hosted due to the limited space available: the courtyard acts as a combination of the stage and parterre, while the windows and balconies become tribunes for the spectators. In the courtyards of Type 3 & 4, the possibility of organizing activities depends on the condition of fragmentation: the more actions of spatial quality improvement are carried out, the more extensive programs can be developed in these courtyards. Excluding the case of a radical major modification on Type 3, it is possible to organize small and medium events, punctual or scattered. Type 4, being the courtyard category with the biggest potential of spatial integrity thanks to the minor level differences in it, therefore, is the only one with a possibility of hosting a large event in case of preceding regeneration in Dimension 2.

schematic hypothesis of an intervention in Dimension 3 on an open plain courtyard 48

Dimension 1 Courtyard

Potential

Type 1

low potential of hosting events due to visual isolation

Type 2

small events, offering the possibility to follow from windows/ balconies and ground level

Type 3

small/medium scale events, punctual or scattered, based on an enhanced landscape and/or integrity through levels’ connection

Type 4

small/medium/large scale events, punctual or scattered, based on an enhanced landscape and/or abolished internal barriers

Limitations disapproval of residents due to the discomfort caused & privacy issues; density of basic functions (e.g. waste collection, technical equipment, parking lots) that if poorly organized, will not be appealing as a place-to-be; low visual accessibility (in Type 1 only)

Impact

Toolkit

small-scale events: artistic workshops, classes, dance nights social cohesion small/medium events: medium/high local impact

medium-scale events: workshops, masterclasses, disapproval of residents film screenings... due to the discomfort caused & privacy issues; lack of collaboration; complication of security management; limited possibility of spatial integrity due to default social cohesion level barriers (in Type 3 only) medium/large events: large-scale events: medium/high urban impact thematic markets & fairs, expositions, contests

strategic guidelines for Dimension 3 Cortile Vivo. Enhancing spatial quality & social cohesion in Milanese residential courtyards

soft interventions on a Type 1 courtyard 50

temporary opening of a Type 2 courtyard for a small event Cortile Vivo. Enhancing spatial quality & social cohesion in Milanese residential courtyards

Northern axis. Urban regeneration strategy in Arabkir administrative district of Yerevan Bachelor’s final project, NUACA, May 2017 Individual work Supervisor: Suzanna Jilavyan

Yerevan consists of 12 districts that tend not to develop evenly. The city centre, Kentron, is overloaded both as the heart of social life and as a transport hub, while other districts are far less active in all aspects. Despite being the second significant district after Kentron in terms of historical value and development level, Arabkir does not have a public/social centre as an urban structure. Situated to the north of Kentron, Arabkir is linked to the city centre via the compositional axis of Yerevan - the northern axis. This project aims to reduce the load on Kentron district by creating a public centre in Arabkir that would include recreational and leisure activities’ zones available for residents of all districts. The site is located in the central part of the Arabkir district, on the northern axis, total area - 55,5 hectares. It is characterized by the presence of mixeduse urban blocks, as well as a former industrial area. The aluminium factory of Yerevan, isolated from the residential blocks by sanitary green zone, shut down after the collapse of the USSR when energetical and economical crisis struck Armenia resulting in industry collapse throughout the country. The area got abandoned, the sanitary green zone turned unnecessary for industrial purpose, so the trees were cut for fuel. The majority of its buildings later became used as automobile service stations while at the same time, a lot of irregular unplanned construction took place. Another key factor is the presence of “The Factory of the Blind” in the area where visually impaired people can participate in small production and cultural activities. Given the fact that that the northern axis reaches here from Kentron without having a logical conclusion, an attempt has been made to terminate the axis. A green recreation zone that gathers the adjacent blocks is proposed as a conclusion of the northern axis, emphasizing its importance. In the northern part of the area, the proposal is to substitute the former industrial zone with a mixed-use quarter embedding new residential blocks, a rehabilitation centre for visually impaired people, as well as reusing several former industrial buildings as offices. The southern part of the area is prevailingly a public zone including the public centre. Low-rise private housing is to be demolished throughout the whole site, firstly because it does not respect the regulations for construction in terms of its quality, also because it ruins the compositional integrity of the existing quarters.

< aerial view to northeast 54

Northern axis Arabkir district Kentron district (city center)

site location Northern axis. Urban regeneration strategy in Arabkir administrative district of Yerevan

base plan 56

20 40

100 m

Mid-rise residential buildings Private houses Offices Service buildings Educational buildings Administrative buildings Industrial buildings Garages Public greenery Private greenery Obsolete land Fountains and pools Main road Lane/secondary road

Existing buildings Proposed buildings

20 40

100 m

proposed masterplan Northern axis. Urban regeneration strategy in Arabkir administrative district of Yerevan

Handmade models & sketches Workshop & studio outcome, 2020 Course assignments 2013-2014 Individual work

MIAW 2020 - Milan International Architecture Workshop The workshop aims to investigate and experiment with the relationship between the urban and historic context, infrastructure, environment and mobility along the M4 metro line of Milan. The general aim of the course is to investigate the area Giambellino - Lorenteggio Washington, searching for inherent qualities, special situations, buildings, landscape elements, borders, materials, etc, and use the findings as a stepping stone for new narratives. My interest in the chosen architectural element - the facade on via Privata G.Favretto 2/4 - is based on the peculiar symmetry: we can “read” this facade and understand that behind it, there are two independent buildings with adjacent staircase blocks. Regardless of the mobility systems detaching the buildings from each other, the facade envelops both of them smoothly, as if trying to unite two parallel universes. The model continues the study, attempting to convert the facade into a 3D shape: how would the building possibly look if we were to look at it in the construction phase, or as if it were a ruin?

< detail of a chosen architectural element drawing 60

study model, plasticine modelling clay, 20x30cm

b/w representation of the chosen architectural element, hand drawing, black marker on tracing paper, 40x40cm Handmade models & sketches

Thematic Studio 2019 at PoliMi aimed at exploring strategies and guidelines for post-event sustainable living of Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Our team worked on the design of a scattered Olympic village in Livigno, which would later work as extended accommodation integrated into the current urban tissue. The below-presented model illustrates an example of a residential unit inspired by alpine architecture and made of local materials.

physical model of a house in Livigno, 1:100 62

Handmade models & sketches

One of the most important aspects of knowledge that I gained during my Bachelor’s studies (1st and 2nd years) is the basics of composition. In the first three semesters, we have been explained the fundamentals of how shapes relate to each other, through a series of abstract modelling exercises divided into three categories: frontal composition, volumetric composition, and spatial composition. Special attention has been paid to the articulation of nuances/contrasts of shapes, materials and colours, pattern rhythm, rigidity/plasticity of forms. These models are typically made of thick paper, in some cases with an addition of 5mm foam or transparent film.

spatial composition, A4 base 64

spatial composition, A4 base

spatial composition, 37x57cm base

volumetric composition, A4 base Handmade models & sketches

residential building concept sketch, ink & watercolour pencils, A3 format, Bachelor’s 2nd year 66

study of Haghpat monastery belfry , 13th century, ink wash technique, A1 format, Bachelor’s 1st year Handmade models & sketches

design improvement proposal of Children’s park in Yerevan, ink & watercolour, A2 format, Bachelor’s 2nd year

small architecture form (fountain) design within the improvement project of Children’s park in Yerevan, black & white ink on grey paper, A3 format, Bachelor’s 2nd year

Handmade models & sketches

Digital modelling Works from the parametric design software course Skillshop center, Yerevan, Feb-Apr 2018

During the gap year between the Bachelor’s graduation and starting the Master’s, along with the internship, I had some free time that I decided to invest in learning a new software program. Since I had already basic experience with BIM, I decided to acquire skills in parametric design. The reason for my fascination with parametric design is that it is a very accurate illustration of mathematics. Apart from the abstract beauty of the possibilities offered by Grasshopper, it can also be a powerful tool in architectural and urban projects by providing better control over various tasks.

< surface subdivision study : modeling - Rhino+Grasshopper, rendering - Keyshot 72

attractors study : modeling - Rhino+Grasshopper

curvature study : modeling - Rhino+Grasshopper, rendering - Keyshot Digital modelling

thank you for your attention!