P
O
R
T
E F T H Y M I A
F .
O
L
I
O
K A S I M A T I
D I PLO M A O F A R C H I T EC T U R E A R I S TOT L E U N I V ER S I T Y O F T H E S S A LO N I K I
M A S T ER
O F
A R C H I T EC T U R E
NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSIT Y OF ATHENS
PR O F I L E
PER S O N A L I N F O R M AT I O N
name. Efthymia Kasimati address. Koutsafta 3, Ano Kypseli, Athens, 11363 email. efikasimati@gmail.com tel mobile. +306948980480
E D U C AT I O N
National Technical University of Athens. 2015 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. 2013
PR O F E S S I O N A L E X PER I EN C E
Intern architect. Studio 75 Architects. 2015 Project architect. Urban Regeneration Project, Property area POSPEN. 2014 External collaborator. 1ID architects. 2014 Intern architect. TTDZ architects. 2011
CO M P U T ER S K I L L S
Autodesk - autocad, 3ds max, ecotect | Rhino - grasshopper | Sketch Up Adobe Suit CS6, Microsoft Office Processing | Arduino
L A N G UAG E S
greek . english. german
SMALL SCALE
L ARGE SCALE
BUILDING SCALE
D E S I G N W O R K S A M PL E
[a]
[b]
[c]
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / DER BAU
Der Bau
Synergetic Tropisms
Type: Thesis Project Collaboration: Kasimati E., Panagoulia E. Host: A.U.T.H. Year: 2013
Can we orient the production of nature to produce architecture as a “natural” artifice? Contemporary architecture tools manifest the certainty of determinist procedures, planning rigid mechanisms based on predictability. Urban transformations are supposed to follow closed scenarios that can not deviate from their pre-programmed representations. We can now envision something different, structures driven by human, technological and environmental contingencies. We can work out adaptive scenarios that accept unpredictability and uncertainty as modi operandi. In this context, the project proposes a “fragile” symbiotic system that operates within an ecology of human, technological and biotic interactions. Drawing from the increasing interest in renewable raw materials as alternative energy resources, we design a structure which acts as a scaffold for a photocatalytic biodegradable polymer (PLA) that is able to reduce atmospheric pollutants and then naturally be utilized as fertilizer. The use of active composite materials can establish the consecutive exchange of information at all levels, from the analogue to digital and material realm. In this way, the project extends beyond any earlier distinction between mechanical and organic, generating modes of continuous exchanges and flows; a complex network of relations between an organism and its host environment. To conclude, assimilating such criticalities for the production of adaptive systems that operate morphogenetic and metabolic processes and exploiting them in the field of architecture is considered the key to a performative, technology driven, more ecologically aware and integrated architecture.
01
03
02 04
01 inside view of the structure 02 density patterns (a,b,c) 03 circle of life_diagram of the procedural composition and decomposition of the structure 04 photos of the fabricated physical model
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
node material distribution
Node reinforcement
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / DER BAU
05 photos of physical models 06 growth protocol development 07 stages of material distribution along the branches of the structure 08 topology optimisation method in Topostruct software 09 material distribution mechanism 10 stages of material accumulation 11 diagram of the ways of PLA application and material behaviour 12 PLA properties_biodegration
[1]
[2]
[3]
fibrous biological polymer [ PLA ]
[4]
fibrous characteristics growth anisotropy photocatalysis decomposition
05
06
10 11
08
07 09
12
formwork
human labour
raw material
scaffolding
reinforceing bars (rebar)
assemblage
reinforced concrete column
reinforcing steel connection
steel structure
steel column
wooden beams
masonry
cement
bricks
wire m
products
esh
gravel
workers
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / CONSTRUCTING METABOLISM
Constructing metabolism Type: Student competition Collaboration: Kasimati E., Grozopoulos D., Corbize A. Host: SNFCC Year: 2013
The project addresses how a building could be sustainable through sourcing available materials for its construction. The process focuses on the development of the construction site itself; the recycling and reuse of the used materials form a low-cost assembled structure. After experimenting on different combinations of elements, the process results into the composition of a reinforcing wire mesh and steel columns. The 50x50cm mesh creates a three dimensional grid and defines the scale of the whole construction.
Drawing on the idea of hallucination, through the use of horizontal layers, the concept of the traditional structure is transformed into a transparent object. A carved out space is created inside the volume, which is shaped by the contours that form the main space, as well as protrusions and openings. Depending on the perspective of the viewer, the pavilion is either perceived as a massive building, or dissolves, partly or completely, into the site. The pavilion functions as a “mediatheque” by providing high tech systems. “Smart” boxes are implemented in the three dimensional grid, which could act as furniture (lighting, siting), audiovisual display screens and QR signs, enabling the interaction with the visitors. These boxes can be rearranged inside to even outside the pavilion. At the same time, a paradox of materiality is implied, by enclosing these high-tech systems into a low-tech, raw material infrastructure.
01 site panoramic view 02 “material” archive 03 intervention diagrams 04 site plan 05 smart boxes_modules construction site
01
03
02 04
05
Building 2 roof construction detail
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / RESTORATION PROJECT
01 buidling 2_ roof details 02 building 2_ plan 03 perspective view 04 proposal diagrams 05 photo of the site 06 strategic diagrams
Building diagram
At the same time, another basic strategy is the integration of the three buildings in the modern environment. This goes in hand with the general character of the site, and moreover, it points towards the dynamic application of the buildings to their new role. In this context, the first building becomes a library that refers to the industrial heritage of the city, the second turns into an exhibition space, and the last one becomes an open restaurant/market hall.
04 05
02 03
Drawing from the history of the region and the three buildings of the old gas company in particular, as well as the data derived from the analysis of the typology, morphology and pathology of the building complex, the project aims at the design of an open, semi-public space that would address both the local (at the scale of the neighbourhood) and the city level. The proposal is organised through the application of a unifying pattern that connects the three buildings in the given area. Taking as our starting point the urban flows and pedestrian movements, we develop a pattern of circles of variable diameter, which finally define the green spaces, the new modes of circulation and urban infrastructure.
Building 3
01
Type: Academic studio Collaboration: Kasimati E., Apostolinas A., Kyriakidis P., Panagoulia E. Host: A.U.T.H. Year: 2011
Building 2
Building 1
Green pattern
Circualtion
Restoration project
06
Circulation diagram
Density diagram
Proposal
Green element
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / ASPRA SPITIA
Aspra Spitia Type: Workshop Collaboration: Patsavos N., Giannoudis S. Host: Ctrl Space Lab Year: 2015 http://controlspacelab.blogspot.gr
The industrial village Aspra Spitia designed by C.A.Doxiadis is one of the few post-war paradigms of industrial architecture in Greece, which delves into avantgarde concepts on urban space in the context of a postmodern re-evaluation of modernism. The project was built by “Aluminion Hellas” in the previous place of Distomitika village and continues to accommodate the company’s staff. Although the importance of this project is globally recognised, there is still a lot of room for the development of a solid framework in terms of education and research. The workshop was divided in two semesters. The former focused on the analysis of the space, its organisation and use by the residents, taking into consideration the legislation, its relation with the factory, its structure and position. At the same time, the workshop examined the architect’s initial intentions and design principles, in order to validate them in regard with the current situation.
01
01 photo from the factory 02 Aspra Spitia village 03 still from the movie “Attenberg” filmed in the Aspra Spitia village 04 landmark buildings
03
02
04
The second workshop builds upon the former one, to propose solutions based on the concept of sustainability (economic, social and environmental). Under this framework, it explored the potential ways of the development of the village, as a part of a circle of production that involves the aluminion factory, as well as a symbolic monument of Doxiadis urbanism. Our aim is to develop strategic plans, so that the village would constitute a part of a general european and global network of production and dissemination of knowledge through the direct communication and information exchange between persons, companies and organisations. In this context, drawing on the theory of economic development models, it is approached as a knowledge cluster. The ultimate goal is to render the place a superlocal production center of exchange (of products and knowledge) with an emphasis on innovative aluminium applications.
Ecumenopolis: the world-city of tomorrow
04 “Ecumenopolis� circa 2100 by C.A. Doxiadis 05 knowledge hubs network (education, research, industry,finance, IT) 06 knowledge cluster diagram 07 knowledge cluster and hub development scenario
06
04
05
07
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / ASPRA SPITIA
3
Aspra spitia as a knowledge cluster
IT media
sports
education
industry
culture
3
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / ACTIVE MOSAIC
Active Mosaic Type: Architectural Competition Collaboration: TTDZ architects Host: T.E.E. Year: 2012
The design proposal sets off from a perceptional experience of public space within the limits of Agia Sophia axis. Humans, whether residents of the historic centre or visitors to the city, become the epicenter of the synthetic process. The way that urban qualities and experiences are perceived by people constitutes the key analytic and synthetic mechanism. The initial reading of the city, in the area of the Agia Sophia axis, ‘tints’ an urban tapestry according to emotional impacts and psychological effects of public space. The range of influnce to the user is coded on a diagram of four distinctive sections. These sections are: a. recalling: contains the notion of memory and historic reference, b. exposing: relates to contemporary activities of the city, c. isolating: concerns the personal reading of the city and the need for temporary ‘withdrawal’, d. loving: relates to subtle, emotionally special moments and experiences. These four sections appear in different colors within the synthetic process. The way they correspond with existing and proposed urban qualities exceed geometric characteristics of urban space. A new fragmentation of space derives as a result of the application of this new ‘tinted’ topology on urban scales. This continuous selfsubdivision of urban tapestry reaches the very personal human scale. The tiniest urban dot becomes the fundamental synthetic and structural element of the design proposal. This tiny urban dot is described as the MOSAIC*. A number of mixed, hybrid spaces is generated. These spaces bear a distinct functional identity while at the same time they materialize a level of surplus spatial, emotional, psychological and experiential value.
01
01 codification diagram according to the four features (love, recall, isolate, expose) 02 masterplan 03 longitudal section
02 06 03
* MOSAIC is the art of creating images with an assemblage
of small pieces of coloured glass, stone, or other materials. Small individual tiles, usually formed in the shape of a cube, known as tesserae, are used to create a pattern or a picture.
“I get through the plate and meet my friends. I stand inside and observe.”
Active plate
“When it rains, I watch from outside. The town is reflecting in the water.”
“In the summer I watch the vapor cloud. It is cool inside.”
04 Agia Sophia Square from above 05 seasonal circumstances in the central square 06 urban equipment 07 evolution through time 08 metro entrance configuration 09 personal involvement for micro-farming 10 circulation organisation diagrams
04
05
Mediterranean mosaic The species proposed are native, so that they are able to adjust to the climatic changes of the ecosystem of the city.
Mosaic fragments / tesserae
Active shelter
traffic regulations
temporary parking
pedestrian flows
tourist routes
06
07
08
09
10
area of intervention
built environment
areas of architectural interest
pedestrian circulation
bike routes
02
04
01
03
05
01 general perspective view of the site model 02 site program layering 03 scenario map 04 green element integration strategy _terrace activation 05 detail of urban planning at local/neighbourhood level
green infrastructure
local intervention points (wi-fi spots, recycling units)
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / URBAN SYMBIOSIS
Urban Symbiosis Type: Academic studio Collaboration: Kasimati E., Apostolinas A., Panagoulia E. Host: A.U.T.H. Year: 2012
The proposal is based on a decentralised spatial model, which acts as a distribution network between nodes that refer to the different areas of interest. These areas present their own characteristics and urban features. As a result, the suggested network is developed around the old Railway Station of Thessaloniki, which is considered nowadays an urban void. Through the project, this void is activated, transformed from a passive element that divided the area into an open unifying green space. The proposed network is basically enhanced by providing accessibility to and through the whole area. Cross roads and different pedestrian pathways, along with cycle routes, are developed, so that the inhabitants are welcomed to visit and explore the area, which is now threatened by abandonment.
Building unit
The main objective is the reinforcement of the housing areas, in order to attract residents, as well as the development of other activities, such as retail, services etc. Thus, each district hosts various usesm so that the space becomes a field of local interactions and relationships. Moreover, in a local/neighbourhood level, the terraces are activated through the application of urban hydroponics. In this way, the green element gets fully integrated, and public and semi-public spaces are created that produce informal modes of habitation.
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / URBAN FABRIC
Urban Fabric Type: Installation/workshop Collaboration: Sopeoglou E. Host: Ecoweek 2011 Year: 2011 Exhibition Design 2012 @ DreamSpace gallery, London
Our approach to ecology engages a low energy architectural design in order to activate public space for social interaction addressingthe concept of environmental comfortbetween inside and outside, light and shade. We experimented with the spatial, social and perceptive qualities ofshadows as transient, dynamic architectural bodies. We adopted techniques from textile and fashion design like weaving, multi-layering and folding and the range between the shaded and the non-shaded. The intervention is set in the park on the axis of Aristotelous street and the church of Aghios Dimitrios. From the vantage point of an apartment overlooking the park we set up a camera obscura turning an interiorroom into an urban room. This shift in scale enables a realtimemulti-scalar design. The proposed installation consists of inter-woven intelligent elementsproviding shade according to seasonal shading patterns and during the course of the day. This intelligent passive solar shading systemis regulated according to thermodynamic phenomena. Inflatable components expose their dark surface to the sun. The air inside them is heated and the cushions rise and start to hover, moving in a synchronized motion. Because of localized microclimatic conditions shading will change in shape, patterns, height and size according to weather and seasons. The user is taken into account, where people can inhabit the adaptable wearable shadow fabric.
01 the exhibited material in DreamSpace gallery, London 02, 03 camera obscura (photos taken inside the room) 01 02 03
01,02 photo of the installation 03 lighting patterned panels 04 Arduino components 05 generative form finding procedure 06 digital simulation of the Kinetic Interactive model 07 interaction with the visitor_ reaction modes
03
01
04 05 06
02 07
KASIMATI EFTHYMIA / PORTFOLIO / KINETIC HAZE
Kinetic Haze Type: Installation/workshop Host: AA Athens Visiting School Year: 2014 http://ai.aaschool.ac.uk/athens/
The Architectural Association Visiting School in Athens, as part of the AI research agenda, has continued its investigations to challenge the static built environment with its 2014 installation entitled Kinetic Haze. The project investigates the possibilities of architectural modeling via scripting, digital fabrication, and large scale installations. This interactive installation seeks to redefine the concept of the architectural pathway. Standing at 2.5m tall, 1.2m wide, and 4.5m long, the structure is made of wooden frames and elastic strings wired with motion sensors and actuators. The pattern of the woven elastic cords is designed to affect the visual perception of the viewer and respond to their movements. The life-size prototype “bears the behavior signature of that of a primal organism.” When an initial user appears, the structure is put into a hostile state in which “its flexible muscle-type strings vibrating nervously, blocking the entrance.” When a second user appears the prototype shifts into a “friendly mode” allowing the two users to walk into the structure and interact. Time and light are also utilized to augment the perception of space in the structure. Vivid flickering lights encourage the users to move out of the structure after a period of time and the overall experience promotes communication between the users experiencing and those viewing the prototype.
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]