architecture portfolio by Christina Bali

bali christina selected work samples

index

PERSONAL DETAILS

CURRICULUM VITAE

research and academic work

plex-e project Bartlett, UCL, London Research & Design Project

kremasta lake NTUA, Athens, Greece Research study & final diploma design project

urban pier NTUA, Athens, Greece Architectural - Urban design studio project

museum in Peireus NTUA, Athens, Greece Architectural design studio & construction studies

professional

house in Schinias pbalis architects private housing project

housing complex in Ekali pbalis architects three housing complex project

rakkan k-studio interior design sushi restraurant

bill and coo k-studio boutique hotel rennovation in Mykonos

bikini k-studio snacks & cocktail bar in Spetses island

workshop & personal work

city revolution XAtelier Summer design advanced workshop

pour some honey on me XAtelier Winter design advanced workshop

kinetic haze AA Athens visiting school

jewelry design

Christina Bali email balis.christina@gmail.com

cell phone +447522723127

address Flat 66, 49 Hallam street London, W1W6JP United Kingdom

references Daniel Widrig Daniel Widrig studio info@danielwidrig.com

Kostantinos & Dimitris Karabatakis owners of k-studio konstantinos@k-studio.gr dimitris@k-studio.gr

Erick Carcamo (Sci-Arc) & Nefeli Chatzimina (USC) owners of XAtelier info@xatelier.gr

education

March Architectural Design, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College of London with Distinction

Sept 2014 – Oct 2015

Thesis title: [plex-e]. An emergent prototype structure as a result of combinatorial self-organising digital applications and physical weaving fabrication techniques Project title: plex-e NTUA National Technical University of Athens, School of Architecture 5year Diploma in Architectural Engineering (grade 8.82 / 10) •

Dissertation : “Building and/or Landscape?” –grade 10/10 (17 Oct 12)

•

Final diploma design project “Lake Kremasta Centre for Cultural Heritage and

Development”. Diploma project was judged by a six –member committee (NTUA professors & professional architects) - grade 10/10 (12 Feb 2014)

Nov 2007 – Feb 2014

Sept 2001 – June 2007

Hellenic American Educational Foundation, Psychico College Athens, Greece Greek Apolytirion grade 19.4/20 Received highest graduate honours.

affiliations

Member of UCL Alumni

Dec 2015

Pending membership in the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE-TCG) (est. in 1923) Member of the Greek women scientists association (Foundation Year 1924)

publications & exhibition

March 2014 Feb 2014

Elected member of local youth party: area of responsibility - natural environment

May 2009

Member of the H.A.E.F.’s ALUMNI Group ( S.A.K.A.), since high school’s graduation

June 2007

plex-e project published in dezeen

Dec 2015

Final b-pro exhibition 2015, at the Bartlett School of Architecture

Oct 2015

multiple publication as intern in k-studio, (eg Monocle, wallpaper)

June 2014

Final design project exhibited in the Averof Building, NTUA, School of Architectural Engi-

Feb 2014

neering. Work sample exhibited in NTUA Deanery Hall. “Building and/or landscape?” Illustrated edition of our dissertation - printed

Oct 2012

Benaki Museum Athens Greece for X|Atelier sweet Architecture Workshop

Dec 2012

Atrium of Benaki Museum Athens Greece for X|Atelier Workshop

July 2012

Gallery room of Averof Building Ntua, School of Architecture, Student exhibition Building surveying in Episkepsi, Corfu. Work published by local municipality.

languages

computer skills

greek, english, french, spanish (basic)

operating systems Windows Macintosh osx

drawing software

other software

Autocad 2D - 3D

Adobe Illustrator

Archicad

Adobe InDesign

Microstation 2D - 3D

Adobe Premier

3DStudio Max

Adobe Photoshop

Rhinoceros

Adobe Dreamweaver

Grasshopper & plugins

Microsoft Office

Maya

Microsoft PowerPoint

Google Sketchup

Microsoft Excel

Keyshot

Keynote

Artlantis

Pages

Processing

March 2012 Feb 2010

professional experience

k-studio architectural project and interior design office (www.k-studio.gr) full time internship – assistant architect Duties include office organization and management, participation in office meeting, 2D &

Nov 2009Jan 2012 & present

3D design, project presentation, illustrated booklets for building presentations, choice of materials and furniture, site supervision and inspection, communication with technicians and clients. Projects include: -

Participation in the closed architectural competition for Future Library

(www.futurelibrary.gr) in Keratsini, Athens

Renovation of a private apartment in London, United Kingdom

Technical drawings of sushi bar restaurant, in Kifissia, Athens , Greece

Table design for a bar - restaurant in Athens, Greece

Renovation and reconstruction of an all-day bar in old port of Spetses

island , Greece

technical drawings for ROOTS & BULBS , South Kensington , London

Bill & Coo, hotel renovation in Mykonos island, Greece

Balis architects – Design & Development (www.balis-architects.gr) Part time internship – assistant architect Duties include administration duties, office organization and management, participation

Jan 2012 – May 2012 & June 2014Aug 2014

in office meetings, 2D & 3D design, drawing, graphic design communication with client, choice of materials, site supervision and inspection, costing, technical reports, interior design. Projects include: -

Legalization of semi-outdoor spaces (private residences and offices in Attica)

This process includes: site measurements, 2D design from drafts to printables, official technical reports and costing and submission to the Regional Planning & Urban Development Department of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change

workshops

Design and construction of a private residence in Dionysos, Athens, Greece

Design and construction of an office building in Kato Kifisia, Athens, Greece

Design and construction of a private residence in Schinias, Attica, Greece

Renovation of a private residence in Lagonisi, Athens Greece

Investment property development project. Design and construction of residen

tial complex in Ekali, Athens, Greece

Grasshopper introduction attractor populated surfaces

May 2014

4day class workshop on visual programming with Grasshopper 3D by formDeCode in Athens, Greece Architectural Association Visiting School in Athens :: Cipher City REVOLUTIONS 9 day workshop on visual programming and modelling

21 Mar – 8 Apr 2014

Sweet X|Architecture design workshop. Advanced architectural design winter workshop in Benaki museum, Athens by Erick Car-

17 – 23 Dec 2012

camo (sci-arc) & Nefeli Chatzimina (usc) under the auspices of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture & the Athens School of Fine Arts X|Atelier Advanced design workshop omni[program] chromatic. Advanced architectural design winter workshop in Benaki museum, Athens by Erick Car-

17 – 31 July 2012

camo(sci-arc & Nefeli Chatzimina (usc) . Odyssey of the Mind, 2006 Europe Finals, Wroclaw, Poland. Problem Solving 3: Initial and creative performance on Ancient Egyptian background.

April 2006

Awarded honors for representing Greece in Odyssey of the mind program, an international educational program that provides problem-solving opportunities for students. UNESCO. Greek Education Symposium.

May 2006

Led the team from Athens College that participated in the UNESCO workshop about world Heritage. Nicosia, Cyrprus UNESCO. Greek Educational Symposium. Workshop Main theme: Hellenic Culture and Heritage in ACS school Athens Greece

March 2005

RESEARCH & ACADEMIC WORK

plex-e

During the Master course Architectural Design (AD) in Bartlett School of Architecture in University College London, we developed a unique technique of applying physical weaving methods into elongated foam tubes and harden them with a composite of resin and concrete. Weaving is a cross-cultural fabrication technique of crafting that started thousands of years ago, which patterns and textures signifies its flexibility and accessibility through history. In this project, weaving is implemented through the use of linear foam tubes, to form different design patterns. The essential purpose of using weaving as a methodology, was to produce a system that supports individual pieces that cannot stand on their own while are able to support to each other. Then, they cooperate into the same structural system and thus, generate parametric membranes and architectural spaces.

design methodology

The lines are used as basic design tools and combined through weaving technique. The network of them is used as a basement for the mess generation of the models. Inspired by the fluffiness of our material system (foam tubes) and the formal language of the system (textile techniques- woven lines), we introduce physics engine based simulation to help our digital design to be more generative. Since this tool uses guide curves as main input, a parametric but controlled design process is achieved. The use of physics engine and spring system allows us to duplicate along curves the messes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; components and shape geometries that are not predictable. It is a form-finding process for our geometries that used phyllotaxis behavior to aggregate the components along the rails. The rule based growth of the messes (type of curves, type of components, digital environment features, like gravity) controls the resulting outcome that is unpredictable and not a mere extrusion along curves. The design methodology of the project produces geometries with complex architectural structures, as the systems of lines and surfaces and the elements of them interact. The elements of the systems are fully merged through the path design system and the rule-based repetition algorithm, but they still have their own singularity. The structure can be analyzed as a whole that consists of different elements (lattice pattern, surface pattern, ornament). The shaping of a path design system that based on the singular topologies of its elements cultivates an architecture of continuity.

lattice typologies

Digital design patterns The surface patterns created are also a form of component of lines. From the aid of digital design, we were able to predict the outcome of these components. We found that the simpler the component used, the more aesthetically pleasing the complex outcome becomes. Generative digital simulation The digital models were produced from a generative simulation that designs new forms based on phyllotactic rules. Agent-based coding was used to produce the 2nd layer of curves as well as the ornamental parts of the models.

furniture studies stool

triangle transformation

For our seating object, we started off with a simple idea of designing stools. We designed three types of stools by raising its complexity from stool one to three. The complexity of the stools are measured by the number of components used. Hence we have the simple stool, the semi complex stool and the complex stool.

A LATTICE stool

B SEMI - COMPLEX stool

C COMPLEX stool

furniture studies chair

BACK surface pattern Going into a more complex chair design, we looked at SEATING area surface pattern

the famous Panton Chair for its simple but effective guide curves. Using similar logic of this chair, we managed to divide the design in layers. The first layer of the thick tubes are used to create structure stability. The second layer, which uses the thinner tubes creates the chairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surfaces that are also generated by the agent based simulator.

structural analysis lattice structure thin tubes

Realising the importance of the human body in regards to the seating object through physical modelling, we re-evaluated the efficiency of the chair through the use of the surface patterns and how the body would mould into it. We also tried to minimise the use of tubes for the legs as illustrated from the physical model, after applying concrete, it

lattice structure thick tubes

has made it thicker and over stable which made the model heavier than it should be.

architecture scale studies columns Column design begun from basic polygons of multiple plan shapes. Their basic edges were kept and generative simulation run along their curvature to form the ornamental parts. After the column studies and their fabrication we ended up on some column series like the ones shown below. These columns are designed with the same process as described above and apart from lattice and surface patterns. The combination of the lattice and surfaces vary in density and form complex geometries with braided lines, branching patterns, bundles and various in type surface patterns (single surface, double surfaces,ornaments).

column sections

upper part linear bundles

core braided lines

basement linear bundles

staircase

straight staircase

This is a type of half landing staircase. The design logic based on the idea that the lines connect the different levels of the composition. The curves are J in shape and combined through techniques(intercept, tangent, concentric, overlap). They connect the staircase geometry with the wall and ceiling structure. On top of that, the surface patterns are added(produced from physical simulation) and combined all the structures in one unit.

round staircase

Each step is designed with two groups of J curves. The first group forms the pole and the step, while the second forms the step and the railing and both of them are interwoven. The lattice geometry is produced by polar aggregation of the step. The physical simulation runs along the curves and creates the surface patterns to intergrate the lattice pattern.

pavillions the observatory The structure of the observatory is developed in three levels. A round staircase connects the floors in section and shape a helix movement between the columns. It is a composition that shaped through the hierarchies that followed in our design (bundles, braids, branches) and combines the different scales regarding to the spatial needs of its element.

ornamentsurface structure

corner branching lines

upper part braiding lines

basement bundles of lines

architectural proposal roof

floor- ceiling

staircase

lake complex

Kremasta Lake is the largest artificial lake in Greece. Four rivers Acheloos, Agrafiotis, Tavropos (Megdovas) and Trikeriotis empty into the lake and the accumulated water (through the Kremasta Dam) supplies electricity to the country .The power station at the dam is the biggest hydroelectric plant in Greece It was constructed in 1966 and is owned by the Public Power Corporation (DEH). The lake is located on the borders of Aitoloakarnania and Evrytania. There are two bridges over the lake ( Tatarna and Episkopi). [info gathered through research] Lake Kremasta was formed after the construction of the dam in 1963 and although in the process it covered villages, settlements and historical monuments of interest, it managed to create a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty. The lake remains an undiscovered and unexplored destination for most, thus creating the perfect opportunity for such a project. Our aim was to create a cultural heritage centre which also enhanced the local area. We designed a complex consisting of 10 guest houses (sleeping 2-4 people), an exhibition centre for permanent and temporary exhibitions, a self-service restaurant area and a sports centre – all interlinked by a network of paths. The units were placed according to the terrain and their height was calculated so as not to exceed a level of relative elevation, therefore leaving the view to the Lake Kremasta unobstructed. Metal structures were chosen whilst the form, the materials (copper, wood) and even the colour maintained the quality of the region. Design and selection incorporated the principles of bioclimatic design.

- accessibility - orientation -relief of the terrain - visual points of interest - historical site - aquatic features of the lake - site for water sports and activities ( swimming, rowing, diving)

SITE PHOTOS

REASONS OF SITE SELECTION

site

a. water is both restricting and connecting factor Where the land stops the water begins. The shore of the lake is undefined and vague, it climbs and descends with the terrain of the land. It defines our limits. The lake is also an important element in the composition of the landscape. Our task is to successfully combine the land and water elements. An existing road carves a route from land to lake. Our aim is to preserve the landscape and to construct the complex according to the relief of the natural terrain, creating parallels along the contour lines. We then create vertical scores in the terrain which lead to the lake. These are either revealed or disappear by a change in elevation. Â

b. design boundaries

The nature of the landscape itself creates certain parameters including: the durability of the road leading to the lake, the mountainous character of the site and the maximum water level of the lake.

facilities 1. reception , information point 2. communal building 3. sports centre 4. parking lot, rear entrance 5. housing 6. restaurant

4 2

5 6

4 c. views and visual points of interest The visual points of interest mentioned previously are a decisive factor in the positioning of both the buildings and the outdoor areas in the complex.

d. positioning and connecting paths We have chosen to develop our construction in accordance with the contour lines, the buildings are positioned along them, in parallel formation with regard to the boundary of the lake.

e. functional units We created three basic functional units which are interlinked, however, can also operate completely independently â&#x20AC;&#x201C; namely: the recreational centre for sporting activities, the cultural heritage centre which includes the museum and the auditorium, and the accommodation unit consisting of the guest house structures.

urban pier

arabic patterns

scattered arabic patterns

housing and public facilities

platforms / levels

This project is an urban planning project in Karakoy, a place near Galata bridge in Istanbul. Our aim was to create a public path which included residential services. Project solution included: Solving the node and give priority to pedestrians. Underground double lane road and design of a platform at ground level. Re-design of the coastal front of Karakoy. Residential accomondation in blocks of flats - light, metallic structrures. Their height imitating Instabuls minarets. Highlighting the historical and architectural significance of the place. Design of a patform which is united with the network of green spaces . We marked specific spots on our site that had to be fixed and connected. We also decided to inverse the Galata bridgeway of transition and give advantage to pedestrians

complex master plan

TOWERS public facilies and housing

Each of the towers is divided into floors according to the pattern of its elevations. The lower part the tower includes public facilities and the upper part it includes apartments of one or two levels. In this example we present a two-level open-plan apartment for two people. On the ground floor there is a kitchen and a living room and on the first floor there is bedroom and a bathroom.

museum in Peireus

The project concerns the design of a museum of Modern art to be located in Mikrolimano, a district of Piraeus. The building will be used for permanent and temporary exhibitions, while it will also be used as a cultural centre where visitors can develop and exchange ideas. Our design consisted of two compositional ideas. The first idea was to create a path (coil formation) connecting the upper part of the road with the level of our site (12 meters). The second idea was to create a void/ atrium within the museum so that we could bring the building closer to the sea (port of Piraeus). As a result, our building was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uâ&#x20AC;? shaped. We also created two bridges above the atrium to facilitate museum circulation. We decided to place the art exhibitions on the ground and first floor, while on the second floor we placed a small library, auditorium and cafe - restaurant. This was a year-long projecet that played a key role in our 5-year diploma and consists of a design that scales from urban design to construction details in 1:10.

ground floor plan

air bridge construction details

PROFESSIONAL WORK

villa in Schinias

About | private residence Location | Schinias Athens Greece Design team | Balis Panagiotis - project architect & constructor Donta Eleni - architect Athanasios Giannopoulos - mechanical engineer Bali Christina - arch. assistant Bali Maria-Eleni - arch. assistant

A three-storey private residence complete with an attic and underground parking area, designed for the needs of a four-person family. It also includes a swimming pool area with view, and special features interiorly such as the rock wall on the master bedroom The three main factors that needed to be taken into consideration whilst planning were: the steep slope, the construction of the residence on rocky ground and the panoramic views of the sea at Schinias (Marathon Beach) In the final solution the rock was the main feature of the design. The windows face onto the sea landscape and hence an infinity type pool was chosen. Regarding the design, the clients, of Arab origin, wanted simple lines with traditional detail in the interior space (Turkish bath, spiral staircases and marble detailing). The materials and the design were decided by the office in collaboration with the client. The maximum size restrictions and guidelines on form were dictated by the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planning regulations e.g. snow roof.

front and right elevation of the residence

ground floor plan

housing complex in Ekali

About | private residence Location | Ekali, Athens Greece Design team | Balis Panagiotis - project architect & constructor Donta Eleni - architect Athanasios Giannopoulos - mechanical engineer Bali Christina - arch. assistant Bali Maria-Eleni - arch. assistant

Project Description An investment property development. Three independent residences were designed for sale. The main feature of the site was that the frontage of the plot was small in relation to its large depth. We wanted to design the houses in such a way so as to have the best possible views. To this purpose we designed a semi-outdoor space in the central area of the site from which the entrance to each residence was accessible. In this way it would function as the central core of the complex. In relation to this space, the first two houses were placed symmetrically on either side and a garden was designed at the front of the plot. The third house was then designed to the rear of the plot and it stretched the length of the entire plot at the back. From each residence a single underground parking area and extra ancillary space are easily accessible by lift. Each residence has three floors, with an independent apartment on the ground floor, plus an attic space and individual garden areas. The triangular metal balcony belongs to the left-residence and is the veranda of a studio on the top floor.The materials and the design were decided on by the office. The maximum size restrictions and guidelines on form are dictated by the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planning regulations.

front elevation

ground floor plan

Roof plan

1st floor plan

Ground level plan

1st basement plan

2ND basement plan

entrance stairs detail

2 residences following type a 1 residence following type b Common space - entrance

bill & coo hotel

About | bootique hotel rennovation in Mykonos, Greece Location | Myconos, Athens Greece Date | oct-may 2013 Design team | Dimitris Karabatakis, Olga Ktena, Bali Christina Already a haven from the bustling crowds of Mykonos Town, the luxury boutique hotel Bill & Coo has just emerged from a makeover that saw Greek architects K-studio redesign some of its 35 bedroom suites. Using their signature warm, crafted aesthetic, the studio took the local architectural vernacular and building techniques as inspiration, incorporating natural materials such as granite stone and oak to create a soothing atmosphere. Lighting comes courtesy of local design firm IFI Group, while chic CEA Design fittings are installed in bathrooms. as published on wallpaper magazine

rakkan

About | luxury and exclusive sushi restaurant in Athens Location | Kifisia, Athens Greece Date | October 2012 - May 2013 Design team | Konstantinos Karabatakis, Thomai Christopoulou, Bali Christina

Rakkan is an exclusive sushi bar restaurant on the Northern suburbs of Athens, Greece. The interior design was made using numerous empty wooden boxes placed on the ceiling to create a sense of clouds and sky. The ceiling pattern continued in the same way to construct the wall behind the bar in which we designed openings to place bottles. Lighting effects were used so that the colour of the ceiling was transformed in order to create a magical atmoshpere whithin the restaurant.

bikini bar

About | cocktail and snack bar in Spetses island Location | Spetses island Athens, Greece Date | may 2013 Design team | Konstantinos Karabatakis, Christina Bali

Bikini is an all day bar in the old port of Spetses Island in Greece. The existing building with its characteristic elements was transformed into a peaceful Greek style bar. In the interior, the bar was box formed and the kitchen was placed behind. An island in the centre of this â&#x20AC;&#x153;boxâ&#x20AC;? was created for placing the bottles on. The exterior was organised into tables to seated four people and some general large wooden tables. The bar is situated in front of the old port. Whilst sitting outside the bar you can admire the view of the old boats floating calmly in the water and witness the wonderful sunset of the island in the early evening

WORKSHOPS

[r]evolution

Our scenario was the design of a mechanism that generates a type of energy. In my project components are used to prevent global warming.This project is about the design of an armature structure placed in Manhattan NY in-between skyscrapers that is capable of regenerating energy to sustain itself. My design strategy is based on Repetition | Multiplication | Mutation of the unit. I conducted research into of Cellular logic and construction of energy production to radicalize my project. The design of the formal systems into which the architecture is embedded is in fact the design of the architectural physiology. Our methodology consisted of STRUCTURE - SKIN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MASS. Recent analyses show that New York City is threatened by rising sea-levels stemming from to global warming.If our heat-trapping emissions continue unabated, scientists project that what is now considered a once-in-a-century coastal flood is likely to occur more often by late this century.This project is about trying to provide a solution to problem of rising sea-levels in New York due to global warming. As the water is not stable, complex in its form and interaction with others, I â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; ve made an attempt to create an armature structure that will be placed in-between Manhattans skyscrapers to build a protective barricade against rising sea-levels.

My first component was made by accumulating a sphere. The sphere is used for converting solar energy that comes from the sun into other types of energy that sourounding buildings will use. Tentacles are used in order to transport the new energy to the buildings. Then I multiplied the components. This structure is placed in-between the buildings. It actually has two uses. The first that it receives hot air and converts it to a colder air ina a process that would change the sites climate and protect it from rising sea levels.The structure can also be used by people to walk on it, which would probably help the citys problem of overpopulation.. The purple components are used for solar energy input and that is why they are placed in variable positions and are rotated differently. After solar energy is absorbed through the purple components it is quickly transformed in the spheres into a new type of energy which is then is transported though the tentacles. Finally the new energy ends up in the skyscrapers

Workshop aim was to design a virtual architectural sweet using maya software. Being inspired by honey , I used hexagon (hive) shapes for structural purposes. Ncloth was used to create the idea of the honey poured in-between the hives. In the end, I added some topping to my sweet using nparticles.

The second time I attended the XAterlier workshop was because I wanted to explore more the animation part of Maya software. That is why I decided to use the ncloth option to simulate the honey poured on some hexagon shapes. In addition , I simulated some sugar balls for toping using particles option. The final structure is divided into base , main rigid structure, liquid structure and toping. Having the hexagon shape as an initial reference the liquid honey and the little balls are generated accordinly.

generative form-finding

base / plate

main rigid structure

liquid structure / honey

toping / particles

12 kinetic haze

void

one attractor

two attractor

attractors in motion

attractors interaction

The 9 day workshop that took place at the National Technical University of Athens was about creating a kinetic prototype and becoming familiar with softwares like processing, arduino and grasshopper. It was based on a wooden frame structure we were provided with and we had to try filling the void between the structure by connecting the frames triangles with elastic making a twist. Moreover, when human presence was sensed from both sides the elastic twists were lifted up so as to let people pass through.

jewelry design