PORTFOLIO by constantina_kartsounis

CONSTANTINA KARTSOUNIS ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORKS (2018-2020)

01 REDFERN STUDENT HOUSING (2019)

With a passion for sustainability and an interest in the intertwined relationship between us the built form, my architectural/environmental studies have deepened my interest and understanding in the importance of good design; specifically the profound impact it has on the quality of our lives and of the plant we are living on. Thus, key to my design approach is a careful consideration of climate, function and place in order to create spaces that truly belong in their context and socially bring people together. I believe that this sense of belonging and social cohesion connects us to our environment and deepens our awareness forcing us into the present, which now in this technological age is as important as ever. Equally as pressing is the significant environmental challenges and responsibilities that individuals working in the built environment will have to face in the coming years. In the future I would like to further my understanding of the way in which design can improve the quality of our lives and be involved in the multidisciplinary approach that will reduce the effects of climate change through the use of passive design.

03 KRINKLEWOOD WINERY (2020)

04 IN THE BETWEEN (2020)

CONTENTS

02 WILKONSONS STUDIO RETROFIT(2020)

Group Project

REDFERN STUDENT HOUSING

BAEN2002 - Design Intergration Lab : Energy (2019) The brief for this project was to design a zero-net energy residential building. The site was situated on an existing staff parking lot located in the University of Sydney’s Darlington campus’s. Due to the large demographic of young students in the area and the sites close proximity to the vibrant social hubs of Newtown and Redfern, affordable student accommodation was the most suitable residential design for this project. Designed within the frame work of the triple bottom line approach; financial, social and environmental sustainability were the main focus for this project. The student accommodation includes a non for profit communal kitchen which was designed in order to aid financial and social sustainability within the area. Accommodation in Sydney is extremely expensive (especially for students who are studying full time) which has led to a new phenomena called “housing stress”. To tackle this issue the project includes a financial scheme whereby residents of the student accommodation are provided with subsided rent in return for their volunteer work in the communal kitchen. This kitchen is open to the public and works of a “pay by what you can” arrangement in order to promote social cohesion, accessibility and inclusion to ultimately enrich and connect the community. In order to ensure environmental sustainability, the student accommodation was designed with careful consideration to climate and site in order to maximise passive heating and cooling opportunities. An in-depth climate and site analysis highlighted that the main passive design strategies of the project must, utilise winds tunnels in order to control humidity/thermal comfort, allow for solar access free from the obstruction of surrounding building on the northern site which overshadows the site and incorporate high mass walls on the western, northern and eastern walls. In order to ensure solar gains in winter and cooling in summer an extensive shading plan is at the forefront of the design which incorporates green walls, pergolas with deciduous vines, adjustable sun shade awing’s and overhangs on all windows. The parasol skillion roof which angles down to the north strengthens this strategy as it completely shades the building in summer, whilst simultaneously allowing the penetration of the low hanging winter sun to ensure passive solar heating in the cooler months.

Porduced by Partner

Communal Kitchen

Outdoor eating

Porduced by Constantina

Southern Elevation

Outdoor study

Community entrance

Upstairs private area

Bedrooms + Ensuite

Toilets Bedrooms

Living area

Laundry

Void

Breeze way

Private entrance

Level 1

Porduced by Constantina

Western Section

Ground Floor

Upstairs private area

Bedrooms + Ensuite

Void

Porduced by Constantina

Second Floor

Level 1

Porduced by Constantina

Western Section

The building successfully finds harmony between passive design strategies, aesthetics and functionality. The design incorporates a series of intermediate spaces that blur the lines between indoor/outdoor living. The beauty of nature is extremely important within the design as provides the building with relaxed atmosphere. The floor plan configuration creates a building which aids social connection and communal living for young students and the community. The main living space opens to the north to receive optimal daylight and thermal comfort making this space the most desirable to spend time in. Bedrooms are small forcing occupants to utilise shared living spaces. Northern Facade

Southern Facade Brick column Matte PVC Agro pipe to irrigation drip line Steel SHC frame to support boxes

Reverse brick veneer Light metal creeper frame Deciduous vertical creeper Drip irrigation pipe

Cor-ten steel boxing frame, waterproof panel mesh /root guard, growing mesh, plants (low light/ medium light NZ & AUS Ferns).

Porduced by Partner

Both the northern and southern wall of the building incorporate green walls. The green wall on the southern facade includes evergreen vegetation in order to provides a pleasing green aesthetic to the footpath all year round. This not only improves the atmosphere of the street but additionally helps to tackle the urban heat island effect. As the skillion roof does not shade the northern ground floor wall in summer deciduous leaf coverage provides shading and prevents unwanted heat gain, while allow solar access in winter for heating through the high thermal mass walls. The difference in surface temperature between a bare wall and vegetated is 5.5 degrees and can be as high as 15 degrees. This leads to a considerably cooler conditions aiding thermal comfort during summer and to an annual reduction in electricity consumption by 17-25% due to limited air conditioning use.

Porduced by Partner

Upstairs Private Area

Group Project On level 5 the main division is allowing for both social, community aspects as well as giving occupants the option to have quiet deep focus work spaces. Further it highlights the focus of biophilia and screen free spaces to ensure occupants wellness in their body and mind. It also highlights group work spaces that give occupants a “home” within the workspace.

WILKONSONS STUDIO RETROFIT

ill

Coding Computer work

Individual Booths Deep Focus

Finance Human Research

Inside Relax Zone

BADP3001 Designing for Environemental Quality (2020)

Approachable Human Touch

Mind

This project proposes retrofit strategies/additions to level 4/5 of the Wilkinson’s building that are centred around increasing physical/mental wellbeing of occupants in order to increase productivity. The levels were redesigned for a gaming company called “Momentun Games” which have a key focus on office community and innovation. Therefore when redesigning the layout of the levels there was a focus to create an office environment that balanced having specific zones tailored to the needs of each team with spaces that aid community building between these teams. To ensure physical/mental wellbeing and increase productivity within the office retrofit strategies with the following focus were implemented:

MIXED ZONES

e Scre

n Fre

QUIET SPACE Outside Garden

Function room

Movement Mind

Formal Meeting

Collab Space

SOCIAL ZONES

Creative

Advertising

1. Increase Indoor Environemtal Quality(IQE): Through an analysis of the existing IQE of level 4/5 and following the WELL guidelines retrofit strategies where implemented worked to improved sunlight, thermal Control, ventilation and acoustics in order to ensure occuapnt comfortbality.

Collaborative

Kitchenette Nutrition

2. Introduce Biophilia: An extesnive biohpia strategies was implemeneted in order to connect the occupants to nature. These strategies included green walls, planter boxes, window sill plants and hanging plants.

Informal Meeting

Group Booths

Audio

Computer work

Small meeting

or W k

3. Aid Physical Fitness and Mental Relaxation: Within the guidelines of the Fitwell Strategies acitve worksations (sit stand desks), conntective staircase, exersise balcony and meditation rooms were implemented. 4. Have Dedicated Quiet, Shared and Socail Spaces. Across both levels individual working booths, group socail booths and one on one pods are implemented. A large cafe/eatery is located on level 4 while smallershared kictenettes are located on level 5.

Level 5

Porduced by Constantina

Ideas Team Zone

Bioph

illia

ee n Fr

ree

Porduced by Constantina

Inside Relax Zone

Indoor Relaxation Zone (Screan Free)

Level 4

Outside Relax Zone

Restoritive

Individual Booths

Movement

Deep Focus

QUIET SPACE

Porduced by Constantina Design Team Collaborative Indiviual

On level 4 main two distinctions of space that were a prime consideration in designing the level was quiet and social areas. All the allocated zones within this floor fell into one of these two categorises depending on their functional requirements. The next consideration was the connection between each zones. As seen in the diagram the cafe, social eatery and testing area require connection to each other to fulling their functions seamlessly. Similar the design team and ideas team need to be connected as collaborative work and ideas can flow easily from each zone. The final distinction in space was the areas that needed promote biophilia and a screen free policy. As seen in the diagram these areas promote relaxation and restoration, focusing on the individual. Porduced by Constantina

Indoor Environmental Quality Strategies

Cafe

Health Nutrition

SOCIAL SPACE IDEAS TEAM

Social Eatery

Collaborative

Informal Meetings Community

Creative

Testing Collaborative Creative

IT Human Touch

Public connection

Group Project

KRINKLEWOOD WINERY

DISTRIBUTION OF SPACE

FLOW DIAGRAMS

INITAL SKETCHES

Trucks

BDES3023 - Architectural Technologies 3 (2020)

Workers

This project proposes a redesign for the Krinklewood Winery in the Hunter Valley which focuses on sustainability, utilisation of existing spaces and creating a connection to the wine making process and landscape. The winery consist of 5 large spaces each dedicated to the stages of the wine making process. The consecutive layout of these spaces follows the flow of this wine making process starting from grape analysis, grape drying, fermentation, maturation, bolting and finally wine tasting/selling. This layout and flow runs along the buildings NE to SW orientation allowing for easy transition between zones and connection to the existing cellar and function space at the end of the process.

Visitors Faciltiies

(E) Event Area

Vinyards

ELEVATIONS

SNAPE - LINE CORRUGATED ZINCALUME CLADDING

SNAPE - LINE CORRUGATED ZINCALUME ROOF CLADDING

LOW E GLAZNG GLASS AND LOUVERS IN HARDWOOD TIMBER FRAME.

680

370

Visitors

On site visitors walk through the patio to the cellar door which has a platform lift down to the winery. By walking through the patio the visitors are presented with views of the beautiful landscape, connecting them to the origins of the wine. The platform lift allows for easy access from the cellar door to the wine production area. This invites the visitors who are buying wine to take a look at how it is produced. People who work on site mainly access the site from the eastern doors. These doors connect the vineyards to the 5 main spaces within the winery all with varying functions to allow for workers to directly enter the spaces they require to work in, without having to walk through the whole winery.

The entry of trucks and cars are completely divided. Trucks carrying supplies for wine production or exporting wine enter the site from its northernmost entrance. Trucks can enter the winery from 5 different doors which open to a hall which is utilised for a specific function. This allows for supplies to be dropped off directly to where they need to be and allows for bottled wine to be easily picked up by distributors straight from the bottle age storage area. The entrance of cars that hold visitors or workers is on the southern side of the site near the existing cellar door and event area. This allows for guests to easily find the bottle store and or staff.

Porduced by Constantina

Porduced by Partner

(E) Cellar Door

Vistors Patio

Cars

The site is divided into 3 main functions that are closely connected to each other. The vineyards are in close proximity to the wine production zone to allow the easy transportation of grapes. The visitors zone is just south of the wine production area creating a fluid flow of wine making to wine tasting, intercon- necting both experiences.

PLAN B

Production Area

(E) Cellar (E) Event Door Area

The wineries construction includes a primary structure comprising of sandstone walls and steel post and beam skeleton which is encased by corrugated zincalume roof and wall cladding. The façade of winery has been designed with careful consideration to the landscape, climate and designed in order to aid the wine making process through passive means. As a cool temperature is required in order to produce wine, natural cooling methods are at the forefront of the designs passive design strategies. On the eastern façade each zone has a large timber sliding door allow the winery to be naturally cooled by capturing the south-easterly breeze. Furthermore timber louvers are located on both western and eastern facades of each zone in order to promote natural ventilation. To ensure the cooling effect of the natural ventilation sandstone along the western facade also works to control overheating, as its high thermal mass cools the interior of the building to regulate indoor temperatures. As parts of the façade are cut into the terian and surrounded by compact soil the external walls are protected by the sun, providing a shading effect. Additionally the areas of these walls that are surrounded by soil have the same temperature as the ground which can be as 15 degrees less than above ground. Not only do the choice in materials facilitate passive design methods but additionally provide the winery a shed-like look. This understated design approach is simple and honest, and refers back to a classic style Australian farm. This design does not take over the landscape, instead fits humbly into the terrain and existing buildings. The sandstone used on the facade walls is from site and relates to the stone used in the existing buildings. This relationship between the winery, the existing buildings and the landscape provides the visitors with a rich experience whereby the roots of the wine is architecturally explored.

Workers

Production Area

Wine Production

123

105

200

10 D

LAB

800

120

(E) CELLAR DOOR

120

(E) FUCNTION AREA

Southern Elevation

RL 0

D 1 D 2

SUPPLY LOADING AREA D 6

220

GRAPE DRYING HALL RA

RL 0

SLIDING TIMBER DOOR

TIMBER LOUVERS

H SECTION GAL STEEL BEAM AND POST

RL 400

D 3

D 7

(E) CELLAR DOOR D 8 W

FEERMENTATION HALL 220

RA M

RL 800

10 D

D 9

BARREL ELEVATOR

Eastern Elevation

FEERMENTATION HALL

D 10

RA M

RL 800

D 4

RA M

D 5

200

MATURATION HALL

26 W

(E) FUCNTION AREA

RL1000

BOTTLING LINE

Northern Elevation

(E) FUNCTION AREA RL1450

BOTTLE AGING STORAGE D 11

BARREL ELEVATOR

(E)CELLAR DOOR

7000

RL1000

SANDSTONE .

8000

20 W

RL1450

26 W

Porduced by Constantina

LOW E GLAZING GLASS IN HARDWOOD TIMBER FRAME.

Porduced by Constantina

(E) FUCNTION AREA (E) CELLAR DOOR

Western Elevation

SECTIONS 4

CORRUGATED ZINCALUME ROOF WITH CUSTOM V GUTTER, C SECTION CORSS BRACING, C SECTION RAFTERS WITH MINERAL WOOL INSULATION AND PLASTER BOARD. ALL SUPPORTED BY H SECTION STEEL BEAM.

D 1

D 3

FEERMENTATION HALL

SLIDING TIMBER DOOR SUPPORTED BY H SECTION GAL STEEL BEAM AND POST 400

D 4

FINISHED REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB WITH NON-SLIP FINISH.

400mm INCLINE CONRETE RAMP

Section 1

SNAPE - LINE CORRUGATED ZINCALUME CLADDING, MINERAL WOOL INSULATION WITH LIGHT STEEL FRAME, PLASTERBOARD ON TOP OF STANDSTONE. (EXTERNAL WALL)

FEERMENTATION HALL

MATURATION HALL

Hardware- Timber Barn doors, louvers, and windows

D 4

FEERMENTATION HALL

LOW E GLAXING GLASS AND LOUVERS IN HARDWOOD TIMBER FRAME.

GRAPE DRYING HALL D 3

Interior wallsOrientated strand board, 200mm mineral wool insulation with light steel framing, orientated strand board.

PLASTERBOARD AND FRAME INTERNAL WALL

SUPPLY LOADING AREA

TIMBER

LAB

8000

PLASTERBOARD, MINERAL WOOL INSULATION WITH LIGHT STEEL FRAME, CORRUGATED ZINCALUME CLADDING

7400

CORRUGATED ZINCALUME ROOF WITH CUSTOM V GUTTER, C SECTION CORSS BRACING, C SECTION RAFTERS WITH MINERAL WOOL INSULATION AND PLASTER BOARD. ALL SUPPORTED BY H SECTION STEEL BEAM.

Section 2

6000

SLIDING TIMBER DOOR SUPPORTED BY H SECTION GAL STEEL BEAM AND POST

400mm INCLINE CONRETE RAMP

5500

FINISHED REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB WITH NON-SLIP FINISH.

Porduced by Constantina

Tertiary structure- SNAP-LINE 45mm corrugated zincalume cladding, 19mm plywood board with waterproofing, 200mm mineral wool insulation with light steel framing, 12mm orientated strand board.

1100

gutters

STRUCUTRAL H SECTION GAL STEEL POST (PRIMARY STRUCUTRE)

8000

INDUSTRIAL PLATFORM LIFT

6500

Porduced by Constantina

G Gutter- V section main source

MATURATION HALL

9100

BOTTLE AGING STORAGE

450

Roof - 30mm Corrugated zincalume roof sheeting, waterproofing & vapour barrier, Flexible fire grade sealant. C section rafters, mineral wool insulation and plasterboard ceiling.

D 2

8400

3120

6000

SNAPE - LINE CORRUGATED ZINCALUME CLADDING, MINERAL WOOL INSULATION WITH LIGHT STEEL FRAME, PLASTERBOARD ON TOP OF STANDSTONE. (EXTERNAL WALL)

(E) SANDSTONE WALL

1100

8000

(E)CELLAR DOOR

3000

EXPLODED STRCUTRAL AXO

D 2

Section 2 Continued

Porduced by Constantina

TECHNICAL DRAWIWINGS Secondary structure – light steel frame and addition horizontal support.

Western Facade

Roof 30mm Corrugated zincalume roof sheeting, waterproofing & vapour barrier, Flexible fire grade sealant. C section 100 mm cross bracing C Section 400mm Rafter, mineral wool insulation, Screw fixed 30mm plasterboard Custom V gutter 600mm (w), Flashing, gutter matt, Timber supporting/ V frame box out bottom.

Sling rock pully ceiling mounted and wall, part of the window shading system. 12m orientated strand board, 120mm mineral wool insulation with light steel frame, SNAP-LINE 45mm corrugated zincalume cladding

Primary structure- Sandstone wall, H section powder coated steel beams.

Main H section steel powder coated girder 500*500, chem fixed and bolted

Fixed point timber block housing for timber square frame with double skin dacron fabric, rope tubing and bearing holder.

Northern Facade/Flooring Treated timber batten, Hard wood trim board, low e glazing glass rail and sealant

Timber batten, hardwood sill and waterproofing, low e glazing glass rail and sealant

Floor – Reinforced concrete slab

Sandstone cap with inlayed notch and fixing point for wall sandwich, treated timber batten and lead flashing. New Sandstone external wall Porduced by Partner Porduced by Partner

SNAP-LINE 45mm corrugated zincalume cladding, 19mm plywood board with waterproofing,200mm mineral wool insulation with light steel framing, 12mm orientated strand board.

External water gutter formed concrete gravel pit. Finished reinforced concrete slab (mixed with recycled glass) with non-slip finish on top of structural reinforce concrete slab.

Individual Project

IN THE BETWEEN BAEN3002 Design Integration Lab: Capstone (2020) Located on the most western point of Cockatoo island the design of this oral history library was influenced by Italo Calvino’s Invisible City of “Desire”, specially the desire to discover that arises when one’s environment partially concealed from view. The playful relationship of concealing and slowly revealing is seen throughout the site, in relation to way in which the remnants of the colonial buildings create viewpoints that provide glimpses of the Harbour, specially the arched windows of the existing Powerhouse. This language of arches was adopted from site and translated into the design as a key function to frame the landscape and circulation of the building. By concealing parts of view and highlighting others the sight “in the between” becomes the focus. By only showing fragments the power of implication is at work, whereby the imagined is much richer an experience than seeking the whole. This anticipation that is created by the slow reveal of partial views stirs the occupants desire to discover more, guiding the circulation throughout the building. This notion of framing in order to highlight the central element was translated directly into the circulatory experience of the building. The entry and exist points function¬ as two interposing elements that work the frame and draw attention to the library center. To function sufficiently spaces within the entry and exist points (temporary exhibition, reception and auditorium) require occupants to linger within these areas for an extended period of time. In order to facilitate this function these spaces are designed with a clear and unobstructed layout. To further this composed circulatory experience classical arched windows are located on the facade of these areas as they promote occupants to stay longer due to their visual association with pellucidity. Moreover, due to their form and position, these classical arches frame the landscape in a softer way and reveal more than their parabolic counterpart. As a result, the desire to discover more of the building and context is not present and the focus is shifted to the events and functions within the space. The library centre and main circulation paths that connect this space to the entry and exist points utilise parabolic arches to create an experience that stirs the occupants desire to discover more. Due to their dynamic form parabolic arches frame the landscape and architecture in a sharp way that conceals most of what is in view. The desire to discovery what is being concealed, in addition to the meandering layout influences the occupant to turn the corner and continue through the building. These arches emphasise the lively experience within the library centre, specifically the social second level.

3 EXIST POINT

CIRCULATORY SECTION

GROUND FLOOR

sECOND FLOOR

Tem

rar

xhib

itio

ptio

Toilets (F) Lockers

Toilets (M)

Rec

ord

Stu

dio

Outdoor Story Telling

Permanent Exhibition

Object Storage

Auditorium

R a mp

Perm

ane

nt E

xhib

ition

ing

Outdoor Story Telling

LIBRARY LISTENING BOTHS

The arches that span across the heritage wall create two spaces, the transition zone and listing booths, which are enclosed by a row of arches either side. This seamless form brings the heritage wall to the centre of both spaces and provides a sense of transparency within the two zones through the framed viewing of each other

TRANSITION ZONE TO AUDITORIUM

OVERALL PROJECT AXO