Cecilia Dobos
selected works 2008-2014
content
essential information curriculum vitae
selected academic works selected professional works few personal interests
Cirriculum Viate Cecilia Dobos
Zuidhoek 262 a02, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
e: ceciliadobos@gmail.com p: +31 621.358.507 Nationality: Hungarian EDUCATION
Delft University of Technology Delft, The Netherlands Master in Architecture, focus on Public Buildings
2012 - 2014
- received honor for my graduation, nominated to Archiprix and TU Delft Best Graduation Projects 1999 - 2002
University of PĂŠcs PĂŠcs, Hungary Department of Architecture and Urban Design, Bachelor in Urbanism - received a nationwide academic award for my diploma project PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Sou Fujimoto Architects Tokyo, Japan
Jun-July 2015
Architect Intern Involved in the House of Hungarian Music schemetic design development. HP Architecten Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Jan-May 2015
Junior Architect Responsible for the TU Delft Electric Power Laboratory design development. Responsibilities - sketch and develop schematic design ideas; - translate concept ideas into architectural drawings, plans, sections, elevations - responsibility of 3D modelling, physical model making - client meetings, present the design to different groups involved in decision making Group A Rotterdam, The Netherlands
May-Dec 2012
Assistant Architect Participated in a different scale ranging from extra large to small, national and international competitions from design to visualization.
Responsibilities - sketch schematic design ideas; - transmit concept and schematic design ideas into architectural and technical drawings, plans, sections, elevations, details; - responsibility of 3D modelling for the European Patent Office competition tender - physical model making, overall and interior - prepare presentation documents for meetings and competitions MAKS Architecture & Urbanism Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Oct 2011- Mar 2012
Architectural Design Trainee Participated in social housing renewal from research to design. I was fully involved in an international competition for the extension of the University of Iceland. Responsibilities - sketch schematic design ideas; - draw out architectural and technical documents; - prepare presentation documents for meetings and competitions; - model making both, physical and 3D Froelich Kim Architecture Chicago IL, USA
VOLUNTEER CONSTRUCTION WORK EXPERIENCE Pisco Sin Fronteras Pisco, Peru
April - Jun 2010
I volunteered to rebuild the city that was hit by a devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake in 2007. The epicenter of the quake was very near to Pisco and it destroyed 80% of the city’s built environment. I designed a playground (project is on hold) and participated in a mobile home project using recycled materials. 2006 - 2011
Project Architect, Architectural Designer My work at FKA bridged architecture and interior design from schematic design to construction documentation beyond project specific construction management from time to time. In addition to my daily design and documentation briefs, I worked on several national and international architectural competitions with a group of designers involved and connected to FKA. Responsibilities - sketch schematic design ideas; - translate design intent into architectural and technical documents (permit and construction); - create necessary construction details; - prepare presentation documents for meetings and competitions; - research sustainable materials; - interior design, with focus on kitchen and bathrooms; - 3D study and final modeling and documentation Müépítész Architecture LTD Miskolc, Hungary
Responsibilities - sketched multiple urban master plan schematics and carried them out until the final design; - created all the supporting documents for master plans; - outlined urban planning concepts, schematics and final town zoning; - composed zoning codes and built environment restriction for each urban plan; - worked on many multi-disciplinary designs that addressed developing public space: renovating historical buildings, designing public buildings and creating new green public areas; - prepared presentations for competitions, meetings and exhibitions; - involved in schematic design and drafting of residential and small commercial architectural projects.
2003 - 2005
Urban Designer, Staff Architect During this years my concentration was on urbanism, master planning and small scale public space design. I was involved - together with a major architecture and urbanism firm VATI - in a regional urban planning design that addressed the rehabilitation of the lake Balaton region. These project developed into several smaller urban rehabilitation and small to large scale master planning.
SKILLS computer AutoCad (proficient); Rhino5 (advanced); SketchUp (advanced); Adobe Master Suite: Ps, Ai, Id, Ae, Pr (advanced); Kerkythea 3D Image Renderer (basic); Artlantis 3D (basic); V-ray (basic); Precise and quick in physical model making; Advanced in MS applications. design & professional skill Explore and develop unconventional ideas into rich spatial design; Ability to translate conceptual ideas into spatial design; Communicating design concepts through sketches and technical drawings; Well organized with project drawings and able to quickly revise them; Maintaining a positive attitude in any situation; Highly motivated with a strong work ethic; Easily communicate with others in team works, cooperative attitude in any situation; Intercultural skill: work and connect with people from different backgrounds without difficulty. LANGUAGES English (fluent); Hungarian (native); German (basic), Dutch (learning) AWARDS, DISTINCTIONS TU Delft Best Graduation/ Honorable mentioned Diploma Award from the Hungarian Urbanism Society
2014 2002
EXHIBITIONS U Play: Column Pavilion: Sound, Space & Body | TU Delft BK Expo Vertical Spa | Berlin, Sachsen-Anhalt State House Come In: Digital Photography featuring Peru | Beans & Bagels, Chicago IL USA Space & Form: B&W Darkroom Photography Truman College, Chicago IL USA
2014 2013 2011 2009
selected
academic works
Column Labyrinth pavilion for sound space and body | Istanbul | Master of Architecture | TU Delft Best Graduation 2014
“Wherever we are, what we hear is mostly noise. When we ignore it, it disturbs us. When we listen to it, we find it fascinating.” John Cage. The Future of Music: Credo
From research to design, my graduation project focused on exploring one of the immaterial phenomena of space: sound. In this project I studied and tested how sound challenges the limits of architecture and how architecture affects the sound of space. During the research and design I was seeking to explore the aesthetic significance of sound in relation to space and body. Having taken from the research the phenomena of absorption and amplification (reflection), I used experimental models to test how these opposing qualities can be spatialized. I concluded that absorption is layering. Amplification as a spatial phenomenon can be understood as a multiplication or repetition of a single architectural element which not only visually but also sonically amplifying (extending) the perceived space. The recurrence of the same spatial element not only amplifies the space, but it also dissolves boundaries, blurs where material and the immaterial begins and ends, binding the invisible and the visible character of space into one notion: space, sound and body. Columns, a fundamental architectural element that defines the solids and voids in the space, is by nature a theatrical spatial artifact. Sound created by the reverberation of the columns is an interactive, emotive and performative medium of space. The thin structure of the columns blur boundaries and create a sense of disorientation in a similar way to the overlapping of many sounds in space, especially in the case of Istanbul. The column pavilion is a dynamic pause in the urban dissonance emphasizes the relationship between sound, space and body, engaging the public in a playful kinetic spatial design while offering an immersive ‘silence’. It genuinely invites the visitor for interaction, for a play, while creating a rich visual and sonic atmosphere.
Space distorted by reflection: reflection, whether material or immaterial, is the amplification of space existing in both the visual and the sonic world.
Space distorted by absorption: absorption is layering that consumes all material and immaterial matters of space, creates fading away and isolates elements on a complex structure.
movie still: amplification (expansion) and absorption (contraction) of space as sound interacts with space, it expands or constrains the perceived space through reflection and absorption
Deformation of space: amplification of space by multiplication of one single element.
In the perception of sound in space, the observer is the vantage point, the ‘center’ of space, and based on his position sound is able to deform and distort the perceived space. In the material and im-material matter of space reflective surfaces amplify the percieved physical space visually as well as sonically, while absorptive materials have a constraining effect. Based on these two opposing effects, sound is able to deform, distort and reshape the perceived physical world.
3. Thin canopies Intersecting pillars with canopies of different size to emphasize the relation of body and sound by capturing the space.
1c, fading by height variation
1b, densification to create voids in the “solid�
1a, amplification by one architectural element 1. Spatial amplification and absorption: The repitition of one single foundamental element amplifies and at the same time absorbs components and objects (body) of the space.
Exploration and Design Principles
2. Column labyrinth: - absorbing the visible and the invisible of space; - amplifing spatial effect by a single foundamental architectural element - a structure for creative play; - a blurring through its gentle devision of solids and voids
7. thin canopy with perforation: the absolute absence of columns at level +0.00 projected to the canopies
6. diversified columns on a grid: concrete seating; steel and glass fibre; kinetic and structural 5. absolute absence (negative space) of columns are location for water and light 4. grid 3600mm: structural columns 3. grid 900mm: seating columns and ‘stage’ for dancing 2. grid 600mm: kinetic, structural & performance stage columns 1. grid 300mm: kinetic columns, base for ‘dislocation’ of columns from their own grids to create densification
The Columns are of varying types. Each column type is set on its own grid, but responds to the other grids to create structuring densification and softening. These grids, together, allow the methodical playfulness of the design. Each column type is organized and layered on a labyrinth-like structure, not only creating absorption, but also generating a dynamic space. The structure of the labyrinth suits for constructive organization, and structures the creative method of the design, while spatially rendering a noble dialectic between solids and voids, a constraint (absorption) or expansion (amplification) of the percieved space allowing solitude and communion. Construction of space by columns:
model S=1:100, layered columns are defining the solids and the voids, creating spaces for gathering, platforms for a play and ‘stages’ for the urban performing arts
Drawing of the overlapped plans at +9.00, +1.20 and 0.00 ground plan with lighting
model spaceS=1:100, constructed the space by diverse is composed columns:ofconcrete 2320 of seating varied columns, columns,which kineticissteel enhanced and glass with fibre 2320columns, fixed andwater kinetic columns, lightlight and columns 680 water jet columns creating a dynamic, visually and sonically rich ambiguous space.
up: longitudinal (south) elevation, down: cross section with basement for facilities and water cisten
model S=1:100, a dynamic pause in the urban dissonance, a space with reverberation of human activities, a vibrant public space with rich visual and sonic atmosphere composed by one fundamental element: columns.
up and down: appropriation of the column pavilion at day and night
pavilion as an interactive performing space engaging the body while producing a rich visual and sonic atmosphere
Detail: kinetic column footing detail with movement responding water column connected to water cistern S=nts
model S=1:100, the absence of columns define the lighting which form a constellation field of fixed and kinetic in-ground fixtures activated by the movement of the columns. At night the pavilion is like walking on the milky-way among columns. The space is open to gathering, performances or for a play.
Vertical Spa Schierke Germany | Master of Architecture | TU Delft University 2013 | Exhibited work in Berlin
Our design propsal addressed to create a spa or a wellness center that will regenerate Schierke, a small dead end town in the middle of the Harz Mountains, once used to be a vibrant village but now struggling with population decay and unemployment. The nature in and around the town is very impressive and dominant. The “verticality’ of the pine trees inhabiting the entire landscape, the gorgeous view above tree levels was the main inspiration for this project. These characteristics of the site arose the idea to create a narrow water tower like spa that leads the visitor above the tree levels that opens up to the magnificent view of the adjacent and far ahead landscape. The tower intents to blend into the landscape, be part of it. To create a vertical structure for the spa the construction of water towers were taken as examples and become the main structural design that allowed to create a bowl like floor structure for the pools and to ‘free’ the facade for framing the view towards nature. The program of the spa is based on Turkish baths as a ritual bathing and therefore composed of three main parts. The lower levels are turkish tea house open to the public all times. These levels are an important starting point of the bathing ritual. Middle part of the tower is the reception, changing rooms, followed by hot dry rooms to prepare the body for the hot water tubs. The water ritual is a progression through circulation along the outer perimeter of the spa that gradually changes your view to the landscape. The dynamic of the facade constantly reveals or hides and therefore very specifically frames the visitor’s perception of the outside landscape and the inside of the bathing ritual. The design proposal was selected for an exhibition in Berlin, published in a Sachsen-Anhalt magazine and discussed at a round table forum as a possible pivot hinge proposal in the life of Schierke.
left: visual of the vertical spa at level 13, observation pool reaching above the tree levels opening to the magnificent view of the surrounding mountains.
site plan model S=1:2000
visual of approaching the building from the mountains: a hidden tower among the trees rising tall from the valley
site section S=1:2000
visual of a snowy day looking through the public lobby, shop and tea house: indestructible continuity of nature is allowed by the thin “water tower core� structure for circulation up to the spa at the tree trunk levels
11 Observation pool 28-30C
10 Steam bath 36-42C
09 Steam baths 32-36C
08 Steam baths 28-32C
07 Dry hot room 24-28C
bathing ritual: circulation through steam baths up to the observation pool
model 1:100, columns and slabs of the tower rendered into the surrounding environment. Walking up to the observation pool along the perimeter of the tower engages the visitor with an ever changing perspective.
custom groove for overflow conncected to water filtering system
W1 W2
F1 F2 spyder frame 100/600/5
W1 waterproof epoxy finishing layer 5 mm reinforced concrete 100 mm MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) 2* 80 mm reinforced concrete 100 mm MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) 2* 80 mm galvanized metal sheet 0.3 mm W2 double layerd glazing 2 mm cement panels reinforced with glass fibres 13 mm ventilated layer 40 mm MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) 2* 80 mm reinforced concrete 100 mm MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) 2* 80 mm stucco 20 mm W3 double layerd glazing cement panels reinforced w/ glass fibres ventilated layer MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) reinforced concrete MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) reinforced concrete waterproof epoxy finishing layer
2 mm 13 mm 40 mm 2* 80 mm 100 mm 2* 80 mm 100 mm 5 mm
W4 double layerd glazing cement panels reinforced w/ glass fibres ventilated layer MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) reinforced concrete
2 mm 13 mm 40 mm 2* 80 mm 100 mm
W5 uncompressed ground layer geotextile clinging synthetic indented membrane XPS insulation panels waterproof membrane (bitumen based) reinforced concrete
900 mm 1 mm 10 mm 2* 80 mm 1 mm 200 mm
W3
insulation only around warm baths
F3
structural steel frame with thermal brake 100/150/5 such as schüco parallel window systems
F4
W4
F1 waterproof epoxy finishing layer 5 mm reinforced concrete 150 mm MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) 2* 80 mm reinforced concrete 150 mm F2 sealed cedar wood decking 50 mm subconstruction IPN 80 80 mm synthetic waterproof membrane (such as ‘Rhepanol) 1 mm MW insulation panels (mineral wool w/ wood fibres) 2* 80 mm cement topping slopped 100 mm reinforced concrete 150 mm F3 waterproof epoxy finishing layer reinforced concrete MW soft insulation (mineral wool) reinforced concrete
steel frame with thermal brake 100/150/5 such as schüco vertical sliding window systems
5 mm 150 mm 2* 80 mm 150 mm
F4 polished cement topping elastic layer (EEPS elastic expanded polystyrene) vapor membrane (polyethylene foil) reinforced concrete
100 mm 30 mm 1 mm 150 mm
F5 polished cement topping elastic layer (EEPS elastic expanded polystyrene) vapor membrane (polyethylene foil) reinforced concrete XPS insulation panels
150 mm 30 mm 1 mm 150 mm 2* 80 mm
F5
W5
visual of level 8 to 10: routing through the steam baths with narrow and wide window opening to create ever changing perception of the spa as well as the surrounded nature.
Woven Media Mediatheque of Marseille | Master of Architecture | TU Delft University 2012 | with Kelly Otter & Martine Duijvis
The starting point to this project was a hypothesis that public spaces of the city are highly articulted by the pavement as we were given to analyse and design on a significant public square. Through the thory of Semper we concluded that pavement is an abstract progression from immaterial to mosaics that articulates a public sphere. The theory of Semper and the outcome of the research lead us throughout our design for the Mediatheque of Marseille. Because of the charming ambience of the square with a beautiful view to the harbour attention was paid to avoid the destruction of this existing vivid outdoor public life adding new meaning and experience for its inhabitants. A mediatheque weaves media and people into a social, cultural and intellectual tactile. The mediatheque is woven into the stereotomic fragment of the square connecting the above ground temporary gallery and sculpture park with the below ground experience of intellectual density. The two main entrances, seen from the harbour, circulate throughout the building creating a storyboard with experience involving the senses through intensified natural lighting and materials for touch and sounds. Spatial experience is amplified from wide open space to narrow walkways and stairs that link each programmatic space into one fluid plan from social interactive space to an individual space and visa versa as a continues woven textile. The excavated limestone is used for all tectonic elements inside as well as outside. The reinforced inside retaining wall and the lowest level’s floor are bare concrete contrasting its stereotomic work from the tectonic which pilled up by limestone. The limestone roof sculptures, which are also light shafts with its form and material create a connection between inside and outside. By the differing heights of the light shafts the roof become a sculpture garden in the public square with temporary exhibitions on display. After end of the Cultural Capital the rooftop will be released from the temporary program providing seating steps for the public. The pulled up light wells remain on the square becoming a sculptures themselves and offering local art display though its urban vitrine openings. The mediatheque not only itself provides media, but it also provides an experience, therefore it becomes a medium itself.
model S=1:100, mediatheque carved into the slopped site to cause no destruction to this existing vibrant urban public square overlooking to the historical harbour of Marseilles. On the public rooftop temporary pavilions provide exhibition space for the time of the cultural capital.
the abstract progression of the design based on the research
1a. stereotomy 1b. tectonic knots 1. pavement material progression
1d. tectonic joints
1c. textile
Hypothesis: Pavement is a progression from immaterial to mosaics that articulates a public sphere. The progression is, according to Semper, the fundamental motivation of the technical arts, such as textiles, stereotomy, ceramics and tectonics. Among those arts, textile lends many aspects to the other three. It defines the knots and joints (the tectonics), the methods (the stereotomy) and the form (the ceramics). The knots and joints are the most significant elements of these technical arts that bind all the different compartments together into one coherent homogenous one.
model S=1:100 , the rooftop as a lively public square with the light wells as permanent urban exhibition space overlooking to the historical harbour.
plans S=1:2000 left: level +0.00, main level with grand cafe, gallery; middle: level -2.00, exhibition hall, library study spaces; right: level -4.00, cinema, bar, lounge, in background: siteplan 1:1000
left up: entry form the rooftop; left middle: view towards the harbour from the highest point of the roof; left bottom: carved out main entry in level with the harbour walk; right up: permanent gallery space; right middle: study spaced of the library lit by light-wells from the square; right bottom: view toward the hanging reading book area
cross section
south elevation
east elevation
longitudinal section S=1:1000
carved out main entry lit at night, temporary exhibition pavilions on the rooftop square
Vineyard Nests Dwellings in a vertical garden | Amsterdam | Studio Workshop Rotterdam Academy of Architecture 2012
The project is located on a vacant block in Amsterdam Oud-West, few minutes from the ring-canal. The site is confined from one side with a canel and from other side by an old tram garage planned to host a tram museum, a hotel and a covered market. The project aimed to achieve a set of goals; one is to transform the traditional back yard gardens into a variety of green space accessible to all residence, and the other hand to create flexibility both on the site and in the dwellings. To the context the dwelling complex’s volumentry responds with its height and follows the rhythm of the windows and the building width. Flexibility and the transformation of the traditional gardens into variety of greens gave the basis for a vertical garden solution, where public, collective and private gardens appear in different directions, horizontally and vertically. The combination of housings and gardens on a vertically level allows each user to access variety of green spaces that are directly connected with their living environment, but not necessary attached to their inner living space. The housings are a cluster of larger and smaller dwellings plugged into the vertical garden’s I-beam ‘mega’ structure. The structure of the garden defines the width of the dwellings creating typical “narrow” housing typologies that are stretching out vertically. The dwellings are flexible to different configurations, giving opportunity to divide or combine. Extending the units are eased by the vertically aligned stair layout as well as by locating them mirrored on the horizontal plate. The open floor plan gives opportunity to each dwellers to create their living style.The floor to ceiling windows provides maximal daylight and natural ventilation. The ground level park’s landscape is limited to gravel and grass to keep the focus on the climbing green. In spite of the publically accessible ground floor, the upper level decks are only reachable by the habitants giving privacy and security. The upper floor decks are themed differently by the variety of green surrounded and by the wide range of deck furnishing. Each habitant pleased to live in an urban vineyard that creates different atmosphere in each season by the colors and the density of the leaves and flowers. This merriment ambiance is elevated by the play of light and shadows created by the ‘sky-rise garden’ impaired with the sounds of birds, flies and bees inhabiting the garden. left: model S=1:200, vertical inner garden with steel structure and hanging collective decks. The seasonal climbing greens not only creates a dynamic nature dominated garden, but also provides shading from the summer heat, while after leaves fall the open steel structure allows the winter sun to reach the living spaces.
circulation: gallery type routing to the dwellings through the frame structure of the garden. Circulation is set minimum 5 meter from the dwellings to allow privacy.
Living-living connection: puzzling the dwellings to connect day and night time activities as adjacent to reduce noise annoyance. This setting of the complex creates dwellings where the living on the upper floor, while the night time spaces are in the lower level giving the sensation of going back to a bunker, an earthy space to be restored.
Climbing greens surrounding the complex to provide private ‘hanging garden’ deck to each dwelling Design Principles
model S=1:200, vertical garden at each level provides a different ‘podiums’ to observe man made ‘urban nature’: the ground level is a place of a semi-public garden, upper levels has different size over hanging decks furnished with diverse garden furnishings to indicate specific use but not limited to.
site section
cross section
longitudinal section
model S=1:200, housing in a vertical garden in its context. The dwellings are facing to towards the canal and the inner gardens, enclosing the gardens with a grid structure of climbing greens from the two side elevation.
selected
professional works
ESP electric sustainable power laboratory | research and design development | Technical University Delft | HP Architecten
The project started from a winning of an invited competition. The project started with rethinking of the competition entry which approached to design the lab as a static, sterilized space. After visiting the lab, a new image of the space appeared that was filled with vibrant, atmosphere and dynamics. The project calls to renovate an existing high electric research laboratory. The challenge of the design was to bring into this extensive hall many different electric research labs: power electric, PV cell, electric smart grid, e-mobility and high electric voltage. During the process we have learned that the main issue of combining these by research lab programs is the electric magnetic interference that cause destruction between the different electric testing. From a thou research on protection and nullification of electro magnetic radiation I found our that layering of materials reduce the strength of the radiation. The layering of materials not merely possible by solid shielding, but it is also effective to use layered meshes of diverse sizes, which is able to block out electric radiation waves. Concept of layering as a protective shielding took form from the result of the research. Because of the need of transparency, flexibility the design evolved into a layering of diverse size of sliding meshes that provides transparency, flexibility to configure the research lab to many diverse sizes. The mesh also provides possibility to organize cables, create security for open voltage testings, and creates a protective layer between high electric testing and other testing areas.
Goparaju Residence Completed 2008 | Chicago USA | Froelich Kim Architecture
Our starting point for this project was two crowded homes with a very narrow 4m interior span, which we had to combine into a single family home. From the very beginning, the key focus of our design was allowing as much natural light as possible into the central part of the house. Large east/west windows at each end provide sunlight in the morning and from mid-afternoon until sunset, as well as natural ventilation. The recently renovated private home with a large garden on the side of our lot gave us an opportunity to place large glazing systems on the south side of the building, providing plenty of light in the center of the home. The entire ground floor serves as a daytime living area, with the entry, formal living room, dining area and kitchen. The wood panel wrapped elevator box separates the formal living space from the informal family room that faces the back yard. On the first floor, bedrooms are placed in a long wood-covered architectural “container” that is stacked into the building and overhangs the first floor. In the centre, a gallery divides the office and guest area from the kids’ bedroom and bathroom. The double height open space also brings natural light into the middle floor hallway. The uppermost floor is completely occupied by the master suite. This flows out to a large semi-covered terrace that gives a gorgeous view of the city’s skyline. The entire house’s interior as well as the exterior was custom made which required us to detail all elements of the design. In this project I was involved from the concept and schematic design to the construction documentation and management. In addition, I coordinated the team and oversaw the design and project development at Froelich Kim Architecture.
Green360 Loft Towers | Cerros de Camacho Peru | Competition 2009 in collebaration with Froelich Kim Architecture
This competition called us to design 8 luxurious towers with 4 apartments occupying each floor. The project needed to address sustainability in an undefined way that was left open to the designers. Following the local topography, we arranged the towers in a fan like formation, affording dramatic views of the city and sea beyond. Pushing the towers slightly into the hillside opens up a view for the public from the park behind our site. The section line of the hill inspired the roof garden entry to each apartment. The orientations and entries of the buildings make them blend harmoniously with their natural setting. As one approaches the towers from the road they have the appearance of a series of private villas low and demure, each with its own private driveway and pedestrian bridge. In between the buildings there is a semi-public garden, and a reflecting pool which spills over the edge and fills the space with the sounds of falling water. The repetition of a 1.6 m x 1.6 m grid throughout the apartments keeps the design clean and rigid. Simple yet elegant wood paneling compensates for this rigidity, filling the space with warmth. A continuous retaining wall that gently follows the road curve is topped with an indigenous vegetation filled planter. It is tiered and planted at each of the floor levels, and provides an arboretum light well between the rear of each tower and the road.
Towards main entry
Each residential tower has its own private front garden that provides a pleasant welcome to residents or visitors. The towers are constructed from three environmentally responsible materials: concrete, steel and glass. The site cast concrete construction common to the region is both cost effective and environmentally responsible due to the natural source and the re-useable nature of the material. I worked on the concept and schematic design with Fausto Ferrara. We prepared all the drawings and renderings with Sig Froelich and Aaron Gist.
view of living/dining
South Dwell housings | research and design developments 2008-2010 | South Chicago, Chicago USA | Froelich Kim Architecture
exiting situation at the time of the research The project is a result of a winning proposal for an urban renewal and development on the south side of Chicago, a highly problematic area with low quality housings, low income residents. The draft asked for housing that partially site constructed and partially prefabricated to reduce site waste. Our proposal created an easily transformable variation of dwellings, which were set on a open ground level concrete or brick construction extending the foundation of the building. On these masonry set and connected the prefabricated modules of the upper levels with a final finishes. The inside of the dwelling are highly flexible with the only necessary sheering cross walls to the two side walls, keeping the structure stiff. All the interior are tailored then my the need and wishes of the dwellers. The project include two housing types: a multiple apartment complex in a three story building, and a two story low cost family housings. Both types extend to several blocks occupying all the vacant lots adding 150 new housings. I work on this project from research to the final design and documentation with Sig Froelich and Martin Kim. left: visual of the housing type inhabiting the appartment complexes expending over the entire floor
KW2 City Hall | competition renovation & extension 2012 | Leidschendam NL | GROUPA
The extension of the city hall focused on creating an open workspace for the bureaucrats .The renovation of the ground level lobby was necessary after the reorganization of the offices. It was important to enhance with the design the existing three story high void in the lobby allowing visual contact between the visitors and the office workers. The extension of the offices was chosen as a parasite that contrast with the existing main building and uplifting the character of the brick work on the main facade. I worked on the design and documentation with a team of four.
Lobby
Office space
EPO European Patent Office | competition 2012 | Rijswijk NL | GROUPA
Among five other selected architects Group A was shortlisted for the second round of the international competition to design/build the new headquarters of the European Patent Office in Rijkswijk. The required size of the program of 80,000 sqm would have generate a building that has a significant impact on its surroundings. In orientation to the urban context the two horse shoe shape volumes were carefully chosen with its position, composition and appearance in combinantion to the function. The tower of the headquarter intends to act as an urban sign along the busy highway to the business district of the area. The tower act in the urban setting with its extensive public/semi-public garden as a dominant actor and transformer of the business district. I worked on this project from Group A with Maarten van Bremen, Maarten Lever, Pia Fischer, Dennis Berger, along the office of Cordeel (NL) and Art & Build (BE).
Bevewaard dwellings | research and design developments 2011-2012 | Bevewaard Rotterdam | MAKS Architecture and Urbanism
exiting situation at the time of the research This urban renewal project is a product of a new housing type after a in depth research. Renewal projects often emerge out of necessity to preserve or salvage existing infrastructure, rather than act as an opportunity to improve living conditions. This predisposition is even more apparent in poorer, unattractive and socially problematic areas. In The Netherlands, approximately 25% of all housing was built during the 70’s and 80’s according to the “Bloemkoolwijk” or “Cauliflower” planning model. Now after 35 years, many of these housing areas are in drastic need for physical and “social” updates.
model S=1:200 an alternative restoration design for studios and one bedroom single apartments model S=1:200 an alternative restoration design for kangaroo dwellings for cross-generational living
Starting an ambitious master plan for the entire area, Woonbron decided to focus their energy and investment on three pivotal blocks in the neighborhood, one of them the De Haerestraat intoduced here. Our team researched various options to transform, update and optimize these blocks as well as their immediate surroundings. The team pushed the limits of what to preserve and change in order to balance existing qualities while creating new opportunities. I work on this project from research to the final design and documentation with Marieke Kums, Maartje Franse, Christiaan Harmse, Adriana Suarez.
left: model S=1:200 an alternative restoration design for single parents dwellings as an answer to a current social problem
University of Island Language Center | Competition 2012 | Reykjavik | MAKS Architecture and Urbanism
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This competition was called to design a building to house The Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages at the University of Iceland’s School of Humanities. The design proposal needed to create a new center in 3.000 sq meters in addition to a car park and a connection to the University Centre, while it required a master plan proposal with a new posible extension up to a 7.200 sq meter building. The banding floor plan around a center courtyard provide transparency and interaction through an entierly glass facade. The ground floor courtyard host different activities, such as outdoor concerts, summer theather, and ice-skating in the winter. The yard is a semi-public park, used by the campus residence and the visitors. One the ground floor publicly accessable auditorium, cafe, exhibition room and central desk awaiting for all. The inner activities are transmitted into the court yard by the transparent facade and the large double doors. The building acts as a band around this central area, where all activities take place all year around.
Ground plan
The first floor hosts large classrooms as well as the library with a narrow corridor on the south, where sitting is provided with a perfect view towards the city’s center. The most upper floor is allign the teachers’ offices with a clearness and transparency to stimulate interaction and collebaration. I work on this project from schemetic design to the final presentation documentation with Marieke Kums, Thanasis Ikonomou, Christiaan Harmse, Adriana Suarez. View of the coffee hall
House of Hungarian Music | Sketch Design 2015 | Budapest | Sou Fujimoto Architects
This winning competition was called to design a museum and cultural center for music with teaching facilities for children. The building is situated in the central park of Budapest next to a small man made lake facing to the historical castle used today as a museum. The building sits on ground floor columns that allows transparency to the landscape. The design is composed of a light structure, transparent ground floor with a canopy that hosted the offices spaces and teaching facilities. The other programs, exhibition hall and utility rooms located in the three story underground levels. I work on this project after winning the competition and therefore I was involved into the preliminary design, mainly developing the plans and the canopy to meet client’s requirements. My tasks included working in AutoCad and Rhino.
First Floor Plan
birds eye view towards the roof garden
few
personal interests
Traveling seeing the world I enjoy exploring new unfamiliar worlds. I see each of my trip as stepping towards new knowledge, learning about new culture, a world that I have not yet contacted with that with an open eyes and ears I want to explore.
Art of cooking Japanese ginger. shiitake mushroom Udon I am passionate about cooking and dinning that connect people. I find a stong relationship between architecture and food as both connects people in a special way.
Interactive art Otto Piene: Proliferation of the Sun, Berlin summer 2014 I am passionate about art and installation art that engages our perception, and enriches our spatial experience while also reconfigure the inhabited space into a new spatial composition, bringing new ideas into the space.
Canopy of our world natural phenomenas, such as storms, clouds, forest and their spatial relationship to architecture When I was eight years old I wanted to be a meteorologist. I wanted to figure out the structure of the clouds, their movement, their power and layers. I saw it as a fascinating natural phenomena that still intrigues me today.
Graphic Design natural phenomenas, such as storms, clouds, forest and their spatial relationship to architecture When I was eight years old I wanted to be a meteorologist. I wanted to figure out the structure of the clouds, their movement, their power and layers. I saw it as a fascinating natural phenomena that still intrigues me today.
Photography Gelatin Print Chicago, 2007 Due to richness and depth of shades combined with simplicity, black and white photography greatly interests me. I am fascinated with capturing forms and feelings of the city and the way people interact with it.
Waves of Space science of sound and light rays in relation to space Rays of light and sound determine our sensible space. I am deeply interested how waves behaving and interacting with elements, and how these physical phenomenas influencing, changing and expending our known world.
Music John Cage graphic score I am fascinated with the process of composing a musical piece as I find it very similar to composing a piece of space, an architecture. A composer through drawings creates and foreseen a spatial experience yet intangible.
contact: +31 (0)6 21 358 507
ceciliadobos@gmail.com