Christos Zantis - Selected Works | Architecture Portfolio and Resume by Chris Zantis

C SELECTED WORKS / APRIL 2014

CHRISTOS ZANTIS

SELECTED WORKS / APRIL 2014

CHRISTOS ZANTIS

SECTION 01 INTRODUCTION

BIOGRAPHY A SHORT INTRODUCTION Born in Canada in 1987, re-located to Cyprus in 1992. Holds an MA in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths University of London with a pathway in Design, a First Class Honours BSc in Architecture and a First Class Honours Diploma in Architectural Engineering (for which he received the “Lambros and Thaleia David” Award for Best Annual Diploma Project in Architectural Engineering). He has worked extensively in architectural practices since 2004, collaborated for submissions in national architectural competitions, lead the Production/Editing Team for the Digital Media used for the participation of Cyprus in the 2010 Architecture Biennale in Venice, and has worked as a consulting architect in the design department of ROOMS, a furniture retail company which also provides turn-key interior design services. In 2012, he co-founded ZANA+ Design Studio, a multi-disciplinary design studio that focuses on Architecture, Interior Design, 3D Visualization, Web Design and Development, Graphic Design and Branding. ZANA+ also acts as an intermediary agency that bridges clientele with young freelance creative talent, increasing the accessibility of the public to design resources at minimal cost. His interests in revolve around Architectural Technology, Digital Design and CG Visualizations, Lightweight Structures and Prefabrication, Structural Engineering, Kinetic Systems, Sustainable Design, Space Syntax, Architectural Theory and Philosophy. He has participated in a number of Exhibitions and Conferences, including the Young Cypriot Architects Exhibition (2011), CMA EDU (2013): Celebrating Design Talent in Mediterranean Schools of Architecture in Greece, BISR Postgraduate Conference: Inside/ Outside/In-Between: Perspectives on Space, Power and Subjectivities at Birkbeck, University of London. He has a passion for Poetry and Creative Writing (First Prize for poem submission for the Cyprus Participation in “International Year of the Planet” Conference, Merit in Panellenian Poetry Contest for the Massacre of Kalavryta, Non-Profit Participation in Poetic Anthology “The Flowers of our Souls” for the SOS Villages in Greece, Merit in the National Annual Greek Embassy Essay Contest).

CHRISTOS ZANTIS ARCHITECT, DESIGNER

48A Harrington Road E11 4QW London, UK www.chriszantis.com czantis@gmail.com +44 (0) 79 2324 6662

Company Hiring Manager Address Post-Code

Dear Sir/Madame, I am writing enquiring for a position in your company. I hold a First Class Honours BSc in Architecture and a First Class Diploma in Architectural Engineering (88.7% and 92.9% respectively) from the University of Cyprus (RIBA Part II Equivalent), where I also earned the award for the best diploma project for my final year, graduating top of my class. The majority of my academic work largely focuses on developing proposals that are based on lightweight, modular design, combined with structural design, digital fabrication, materiality and construction detailing. I also hold a Masters Degree in Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship from Goldsmith's University of London, a career focus that I pursued to build on an understanding of the creative industries, to acquire fundamental business skills and to expand the scope of my arsenal of talents. Over the years, I have striven to develop my skills over a wide range of architecturally related disciplines and to apply myself in positions where I could maximize the utilization of my abilities to the benefit of my employers, my team and myself. During this past year in the UK I have overseen the complete renovation of a high-end residential property in the Hammersmith area as Project Manager, for which I have worked closely with the client, the suppliers and various subcontractors from inception to completion, concurrently with my Master’s Degree. Since 2012, in parallel to my employment and other activities, I have founded ZANA Plus Design Studio, a design studio focusing on Architectural Design, Interior Design, 3D Visualization, Graphic and Web Design. I believe that my varied past work in Architecture, Interior Design, FF&E, Project Management, Restoration of Vernacular Architecture, 3D Visualization, and heading the production of the digital material for the Cyprus Participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2010, amongst others, have equipped me with sensitivities, experiences, knowledge and skills which resonate deeply with multi-faceted approaches to design and will prove a valuable asset within integrated design teams. I have impeccable software proficiency with all the major design tools currently in the market, and I possess a natural aptitude for adapting to new environments and corporate structures. Almost exclusively my latest work has been modeled in Rhino and then rendered either with vRay, Maxwell, Artlantis and Lumion, depending on the type and quality of the final product. If you are looking for a dynamic, experienced young architect with a high achieving background and a strong desire for knowledge and success, please consider me for this position at your company. As you will see from my resume and portfolio, I have an unwavering passion for the work I do, followed by a commitment and dedication to an open-minded, forward looking approach that allows me to generate a constant flow of ideas. You can visit my website www.chriszantis.com to see view my resume and portfolio in High Resolution. I look forward to talking with you soon and learning more about the possibility of working at your company. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincirely, Christos Zantis

CHRISTOS ZANTIS

48A Harrington Road E11 4QW London, UK www.chriszantis.com czantis@gmail.com +44 (0) 79 2324 6662

ARCHITECT, DESIGNER

ABOUT ME

DESIGN SKILLS

Born in Canada in 1987, re-located to Cyprus in 1992. Holds an MA in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths University of London with a pathway in Design, a First Class Honours BSc in Architecture and a First Class Honours Diploma in Architectural Engineering. Over his long employment history, his arsenal of skills has extended beyond the scopes of Architectural Design, into areas such as 3D Visualization, Interior Design, FF&E, Project Management and Coordination for construction projects, interfacing with clients, collaborating closely with product suppliers and bringing multi-disciplinary teams together to create content rich ideas.

Abode Creative Suite CS6 AutoCAD 2004-2007-2010-2013 Rhino 4.0 SR8 and Rhino 5.0 Grasshopper, Paneling Tools V-Ray, Brazil, Maxwell & Neon Artlantis 4.1.8 + Artlantis 5 SketchUp Lumion 3.01 + Lumion 4.0.2 Bentley Microstation V8i Vectorworks

WORK EXPERIENCE

PERSONAL SKILLS

ZANA PLUS DESIGN STUDIO

Social Commitment Organization Creativity Communication Teamwork

Director, Architect and Designer, 2012 - Present

In 2012, I co-founded ZANA+ Design Studio, a multi-disciplinary design studio that focuses on Architecture, Interior Design, 3D Visualization, Web Design and Development, Graphic Design and Branding.

ROOMS / Stefos Evripidou LTD Freelance Project Coordinator / Manager, Architect/Interior Consultant, 2011-2013

During my year studying my MA in Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths, University of London, I was employed by ROOMS, a furniture retail store with a design department that facilitates the custom design of kitchens, bookcases and wardrobes, on a third party basis to initially coordinate, and subsequently to Project Manage a renovation of an existing property in London. The project was a complete refurbishment, changing ﬂooring, wardrobes, lighting, furniture, sanitary ware, kitchen, and the transformation of the garage to a cinema room. At the early stages of my employment, my duties were to provide support for the sales department with the custom design of the aforementioned elements. However, the knowledge and skills I had acquired during my studies quickly found an application when I introduced the design of 3D interiors visualizations of furniture proposals. This resulted into the growth of the scope of services provided by the company to customers, and soon enough we had started preparing them at a large scale. It was indicated that my creative input should be incorporated within the designs, especially when preparing a furniture selection as new proposals for new customers.

STRUKTUR 02 Associate/Team Member for the National Architectural Competition for the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Summer 2010

VENICE ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE 2010 Head of Production/Editing of Digital Media for the Cyprus Participation in the 2010 Architecture Biennale in Venice

LANGUAGES English Greek

AWARDS “LAMBROS AND THALEIA DAVID” AWARD 2012 Nicosia, Cyprus, 2012

For Best Annual Diploma Project in Architectural Engineering for ”Hex Mod”

“INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH” CONFERENCE Unesco, Paris, France, 2008

First Prize Poem Submission for Cyprus Participation

FULL SCHOLARSHIP BY CYPRUS STATE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION Nicosia, Cyprus, 2007

Highest Scoring Candidate in Entrance Exams For BSc Architecture, University of Cyprus

EDUCATION GOLDSMITHS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

London, UK, 2012-2013 MA Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship

Digital Image Archiving/Photography of modernist buildings in Cyprus for MESARCH (Research Group for Modern Architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean)

UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

ANDREAS HADJIZACHARIOU Restoration and Refurbisment of Vernacular Architecture in Cyprus, 2008

MARIA VAKANA Freelance Designer, 2005-2007

Nicosia, Cyprus, 2011-2012 Diploma in Architectural Engineering, (GRADE 9.29/10)

UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS Nicosia, Cyprus, 2007-2011 Diploma in Architectural Engineering, (GRADE 8.87/10)

SECTION 02 PROFESSIONAL WORK

VILLA IN LEFKADA, APRIL 2014

01 VILLA IN LEFKADA, APRIL 2014 3S Architects in London requested a 3D Visualization and Animation of a current project they have running in Lefkada, Greece. The property is situated on a steep slope overlooking the sea. It features a two tiered linear configuration, blending into the landscape, while creating an internal courtyard. between the volumes, an overflow swimming pool, underground parking and a cantilevered water cascade. This project was completely modeled in Rhino and rendered in Lumion.

ZANA+ DESIGN STUDIO

VILLA IN LEFKADA, APRIL 2014

ZANA+ DESIGN STUDIO

VILLA IN HAMMERSMITH, MARCH 2014

03 VILLA IN HAMMERSMITH, MARCH 2014 During my year studying my MA in Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths, University of London, I was employed by ROOMS, a furniture retail store with a design department that facilitates the custom design of kitchens, bookcases and wardrobes, on a third party basis to initially coordinate, and subsequently to Project Manage a renovation of an existing property in London. The project was a complete refurbishment, changing flooring, wardrobes, lighting, furniture, sanitary ware, kitchen, and the transformation of the garage to a cinema room. The house is situated in a gated community in South West London, overlooking the river between Barnes and Hammersmith. Project is due for completion end of August 2013.

ZANA+ DESIGN STUDIO

VILLA IN HAMMERSMITH, MARCH 2014

ZANA+ DESIGN STUDIO

VILLA IN FRANCE, DECEMBER 2013

04 VILLA IN FRANCE, DECEMBER 2013 Complete Villa refurbishment in Mougins, France. Includes replacement of flooring, complete indoor and outdoor furniture and lighting package, custom FF & E, kitchen, doors and wardrobes, full Audio/Video distribution, BMS and Automation Systems.

ZANA+ DESIGN STUDIO

VILLA IN FRANCE, DECEMBER 2013

ZANA+ DESIGN STUDIO

architecture biennale venice 2010

05 architecture biennale venice 2010 In the summer of 2010, I was invited by my tutor Dr. Christakis Hadjichristou, who had been assigned to curate the Cyprus Participation in the International Architecture Biennale in Venice, to be his main assistant in this project. As part of this venture, I was responsible for the organization, manipulation, processing, production and post-production of all the digital material used in the exhibition. Moreover, I was in constant contact with our graphics design team in Greece, regulated the communication and collection of material from the various architects that were exhibited, and I was required to ensure the quality of the processed work in print with the various production lines we used to create the exhibition panels and the associated book available at the exhibition. “The title of the Cyprus Participation was named “Encounters: A Walking Movie”. The montage techniques used to stitch the images together are analogous to the perceptual mechanisms at work when navigating the built environment. Still, while the depiction of encounters of people does not happen through the material exhibited, a number of different encounters do take place in and through the exhibition itself. The visitor is indeed warned that by entering the exhibition, he/she may end up being engaged in encounters in architecture, despite the architecture, for architecture, but more importantly, because of the architecture. Some of these meetings involve the visitor, the projects presented and their architects, while other encounters take place between the visitors themselves. This last type is encouraged if not dictated by the rotating linear elements which require some kind of coordination between the visitors. Another type of encounter occurs between the exhibited projects themselves. The visitor basically walks through an architectural fiction movie which comments on how architectural entities “socialize”. The architectural landscape presented exists, but only through the montage techniques used to create it. So, projects which are in reality kilometers away from each other end up being next to each other while in some cases they even merge into one spatial entity. Rather than basing this stitching together on the relationships contained within the rhizome between the architects, it was allowed to evolve more based on other, more architectural relationships or connections within the projects themselves. And while the architectural story told is basically fiction, it is at times based on actual spaces and forms, and other times on shares histories, collective memories, or fantasies of a more personal nature.” Excerpt from the catalogue of the Cyprus Participation

cyprus participation in international architecture biennale venice 2010

cyprus news agency design competition 2010

06 cyprus news agency design competition 2010 In the summer of 2010, I was invited by my tutor Dr. Marios Phocas, then Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of Cyprus, to join a team to compete in the International Architectural Competition for the Design of the new offices of the Cyprus News Agency. My main duties were the development of the final plans, sections and elevations, as well as the design of the structural system for the facade of the building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The recognition of the complex but important and dynamic relationship between the spatial configuration and work behaviour (cooperation, innovation, efficiency), and the search for balance between the physical, visual and audible accessibility in the working environment was the guiding synthetic parameters for the siting and development of the new offices of CNA Nicosia. Having as a guideline the organizational structure and working model of the CNA, the proposal meets the diverse and distinct ways of working of the different parts that constitute the body of the association, strengthening and expanding both its functional and social character. The organizational differentiation is reflected in the spatial configuration of the working environment, resulting in the readability of spatial entities in an aesthetically and functionally uniform building. Architectural manipulations, such as relations between: drive/stop, individual and collective spaces, empty/full, transparent/translucent and solid surfaces and levels, aimed precisely to consolidate workers and operations, while maintaining privacy and autonomy, where necessary. The architectural morphology proposed to express the social and organizational structure of the building is governed by a functional and aesthetic simplicity, while promoting physical, visual and auditory interaction and differentiations within the interior space and the exterior environment.â&#x20AC;? Excerpt from the Submission Essay

cyprus news agency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; INTERnational architectural competition

SECTION 03 ACADEMIC WORK

The Hive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MA Project

01 The Hive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MA Project THE VISION The Hive is a bussiness model built on the passions of a number of highly talented and driven individuals to create a space brooding with creativity, which would rejuvenate and re-introduce the public to the new generation of Creatives through collaboration and collectivism. It aims to create an ambiance around its identity that will evolve and through time become a hub of communication, networking and thought, capable of fueling the creative industries in Cyprus and exerting social and political influence for positive change. THE MISSION The Hive is a locally targeted cultural centre for the development of contemporary art and design. Conceived in Limassol, Cyprus, it has been designed to house artists, designers, arts organizations and creative businesses, a gallery, lounge and multi-purpose centre to cover a number of fluctuating functions. We aspire for it to become a hub for production, presentation and debate, and offer the public audiences unique opportunities to engage actively and directly with creative practices through participation and discussion. Our mission is to position art and design as central to the contemporary political, economical, and cultural reality, which is achieved by offering a multi-faceted programme of events, exhibitions, workshops and discussions, and by fostering an exciting community of artists and designers. The Hive wishes to collaborate not only with local and regional partners, but to extend its reach, developing synergies with other European and International institutions, cultural centres and universities.

MA Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship Project, goldsmiths, university of london

hexmod | diploma project

02 hexmod | diploma project Hexmod is a project that explores the morphology and feasibility of applying flexible structures in tall buildings, on a functional and constructional level, based on modularity and prefabrication, giving a greater level of customization to the built form from a more performative perspective. As the structural necessities needed to be established from the start, it was decided that the prosthetic modules would come in a variety of uses – residential spaces, office spaces, outdoor vegetation and public spaces. Moreover, it was chosen that in order to have a more efficient response to lateral wind loads, the plan view of the building should be circular in shape, in order to distribute the forces acting on it more evenly. Upon comparison of the structural systems applicable in the design of high-rise developments for interior and exterior structures, it was selected to base the prototype on an outrigger interior, but applying a honeycomb-like structure on the exterior, that would serve a dual purpose: to act as the tension-bearing structure bracing the outrigger trusses together, but also to act as a support for the external modules to attach on the main infrastructural building. The structural systems were chosen based on their structural effectiveness and efficiency, limitations in floor planning, weight and cost of construction. The morphology of the honeycomb structure on the exterior was generated based on a number of factors. The first and foremost set of factors on the selection process was architectural. The search for a morphology that would optimize a number of architectural factors, such as day lighting, natural ventilation, less space consuming connection of independent modules and stronger cross bracing structure (leading to more efficient use of structural material and hence achieve a more lightweight design). By using a hexagonal form, it was possible to pack the plug-in modules more densely, hence making it possible to pack a larger number within the same volume. The length of the modules is variable between 8 and 12m in length, and it is possible to house up to 16 units per floor, residing on a tower of 30m in diameter, with an internal core of 15m in diameter, which houses the vertical circulation of the building and infrastructure of the mechanical systems. The configuration of the tower is entirely modular in sets of 8 floors per outrigger, making it also possible to manufacture and construct the building in an assembled approach.

By using the Grasshopper plug-in for Rhinoceros, it was decided to create an algorithm that would allow the generation of a number of variations in the shape, scale and density of the hexagonal grid, to enable us to test and optimize the architectural expression and structural efficiency of the exoskeleton tube. The parameters that are configurable are the angles of the hexagonal members, the number of faces of the exoskeleton tube, the scale of the hexagons within the predefined height, the total exoskeleton height and the thickness of the structural members.

diploma in architectural engineering, university of cyprus

hexmod | diploma project A monolithic structural tube core is designed in the middle of the building, that encloses the staircases for vertical movement, the service areas of the building and the piping for the mechanical support that runs through the floors to the add-on units. Connections are established axially that secure the external frame to the core. The external frame acts as a tension bearing mechanisms that connect the outrigger structures that protrude from the core, while at the same time acting as support for the connection of the add-on units that are attached externally. Glazing is inserted in the open faces of the frame structure and is detachable upon connecting the external units. 3-Dimensional supports are used to connect the faces of the honeycomb grid structure, while at the same time anchor the edges of the additional units for added support. A Tension/Compression system of tension/compression rods is designed to connect the supports to the grid, to ensure the rigidity of the frame body. The design of the structural system was an integral part of the design process. Variations were executed and calculated in SAP 2000 in order to determine which structural model would be the most efficient in terms of total mass (and hence financial expenditure), and the range of flexibility offered by each structure.

diploma in architectural engineering, university of cyprus

graft-hub | design studio semester 08

03 graft-hub | design studio semester 08 Graft Hub was a project that focused on the interchange of the relationships and dynamics of the activities in the area of the old Xena Gunther Complex in downtown Nicosia, Cyprus. The space syntax encourages the development of “voyeurism” systems between the users. While the parking area seems to be located in an enclosure, the internal courtyard of the complex functions in an introvert way. The form of the design originated from the fusion of two abstract physical models representing these relationships, describing activity fluctuation and intensity. The further development of the form of the building was based on the intention of creating movement flows with direction. The funnel-like shape was selected in order to intensify the sense of perspective and simultaneously create passages of access to the intermediate space of the complex. The morphology allows for the interchange between outdoor uncovered and covered spaces. The proposed building functions as a graft – taking old, abandoned uses from the initial function of the Xena Gunther and assimilating them, acting as an attached implant, rejuvenating and re-activating the area, increasing accessibility and engaging the public. The removal of the ground floor and the opening of the internal courtyard towards the city results into creating a new, intermediate area between internal and external space. The access to the functional areas of the proposal is possible in two ways. The main volume of vertical movement interacts with all levels of the building, and another large ramp for pedestrians which ends on a large plateau which may be used as a public space. The vertical movement core belongs to a wider axis of movement within the building which results to a bridging with the tower at the rear part of the complex.