ARCHITEC TURE POR TFOLIO 2021
ELENA CUCCURU
ARCHITEC TURE POR TFOLIO 2021
ELENA CUCCURU
ELENA CUCCURU
PROFILE, EXPERIENCES, SKILLS
Profile
Education
Working Experience
An ambitious, creative and hard-working graduate who has completed Architecture studies at The University of Salford.
SEPTEMBER 17 – JULY 20 BSc (Hons) Architecture | The University of Salford This three year study course at Salford has allowed me to deepen my architectural knowledge together with architecture software’s skills. The academic method at the University of Salford has allowed me to become a qualified RIBA Architectural Assistant, Part 1 with First Class Honours Degree.
MAY 21 – CURRENT DATE Architectural Assistant | Gaunt Francis Architects
Having moved to the United Kingdom in 2016 has allowed me to grow independently and has permitted me to face and conquer challenges on my own. I describe myself as a confident, motivated and determined individual, who can easily communicate with people, possesses excellent interpersonal skills and works efficiently in a team.
Architecture Graduate Part 1
Nationality Italian DOB 18.02 Phone +44740******* Email elena.c.arch@gmail.com Address Cardiff, United Kingdom
As a Part 1 without experience yet, I am eager to learn new skills and professionally grow.
9 SEPTEMBER 11 – 6 JUNE 16 Architecture Diploma | Liceo Artistico Francesco Costantino This study course is the equivalent of GCSE and A Levels in the UK. I obtained a diploma that scored 97/100.
Collaboration
Interest in Architecture
JANUARY 19 – JUNE 20 Maker Space | The University of Salford Student Ambassador I helped other students within the 3D model making, by using laser-cut machines and 3D printers. JANUARY 19 – JUNE 20 Circada LTD | Live Brief Project @The University of Salford Project Designer for Circada LTD in the making of an hospital bedroom with lighting testing on the ceiling following the Circadian rhythm.
Working as an Architectural Assistant, I have supported the team in the preparation of both architectural and legal materials. Gaunt Francis Architects has given me the opportunity to see how a project is led from tender to construction phase. SEPTEMBER 18 – MAY 21 Receptionist | Gino D’Acampo Worldwide Restaurants Ltd Arndale This position has allowed me to improve my organisational skills and taught me how to manage deadlines. `
Skills Revit Sketchup Lumion
Sustainable
AutoCAD Photoshop Indesign 3D Model Making
Residential
Modern
References
elena-cuccuru-ba958b122
Languages
Dr. Claudia Trillo
Sam Lewtas
University of Salford Lecturer Specialised on Urban Planning and sustainable development. c.trillo2@salford.ac.uk +44 (0)161 295 6652
Director of Circada Limited w: circada.life circadaltd@gmail.com +44 (0)7579 026429
ITALIAN Native
ENGLISH Professional
FRENCH Conversational
SELECTED WORKS
In this portfolio you will find a selection of my work produced during the academic experience at the University of Salford and outside.
NMA GREENGATE | NORTHERN MUSIC ARCHIVE
MHC ELMIRA | MANCHESTER’S HEALTH CENTRE
PROJECT GENERATE | RECYCLING CENTRE REFURBISHMENT
CHRISTCHURCH PRIMARY SCHOOL | ECOLOGICAL SCHOOL
SCALE MODELS | DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS
January 20 - May 20 3rd Year Project
September 19 - December 20 3rd Year Project
January 19 - May 19 2nd Year Project
January 19 - May 19 2nd Year Project
Selection of scale models 2015 to 2020. Collection of digital
hand-drawn illustrations.
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NMA GREENGATE | NORTHERN MUSIC ARCHIVE
Location: Greengate Square, Victoria Bridge St. Salford, Manchester M3 5AS
The proposal intends to renovate the existing arches below Victoria Approach Bridge, that was once used as a ticket office and it is where the main archive will be stored. The addition of private spaces such as offices in the rear of the bridge, and the provision of a new building will take place on the public square. The archive will host several events that will both include the local community and everyone coming from the various schools of music. It also aims to invite the University of Salford as a second partner, giving students the opportunity to perform their music in the building. Nonetheless, the new structure will host students from other artistic courses that will benefit from a peculiar space, expressly designed for art exhibitions.
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NMA GREENGATE | CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Perforated Metal Cladding
Low Iron Glazing
Fibre Cement Cladding
Green Wall
Steel Construction
Steel Connection
The development has been worked out following some key aspects such as: sun exposure, views towards the river, and enhancement of the existing viaduct.
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The inclusion of the exterior has to do with the events related to the archive itself. The main idea is to connect various types of arts to include all kind of people.
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NMA GREENGATE | FLOORPLANS
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Ground Floor Plan Scale 1:100 @ A1
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Reception and Retail
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Exhibition Area
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Toilets
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Acoustics’ Archive
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Theatre
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Theatre Storage
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Archive
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Offices
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First Floor Plan Scale 1:100 @ A1
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Individual Studios
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Staff Spaces
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Preservation Room
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Cafeteria & Partner Area
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Temporary Exhibition Area
NMA GREENGATE | CROSS SECTION
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West Section Scale 1:100 @ A1
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NMA GREENGATE | CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
In terms of materiality I have chosen some materials which would allow me to create a Cradle to Cradle (C2C) design, that would consent to dismantle the building when its life cycle will come to an end. The façade is composed by two main rainscreen cladding: fibre cement and aluminium panels. The fibre cement façade cladding from Wienerberger, is the most appropriate material within our building texture offering durability and safety. The choice of the aluminium cladding derives from both a design feature along its performances, hence Proteus panel systems are lightweight, extremely flat and highly cost effective. Wall Assembly 1
Perforated Metal Cladding
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Vertical Railing
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Screws
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Waterproofing Membrane
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Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation
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Magply
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Sheep’s Wool Insulation
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Light Gauge Steel Frame
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Intello Vapour control Layer
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Gypsum Board
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Plywood Finish
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Wall Assembly n.t.s.
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NMA GREENGATE | RENDERS
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Render of the building facing Greengate Square
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NMA GREENGATE |
03.1 Assembly Details CONSTRUCTION DETAILS 10 mm Plywood Finish 20 mm Gypsum Board
10 mm Plywood Finish
5 mm INTELLO Hydrosafe high-performance
20 mm Gypsum Board 5 mm INTELLO Hydrosafe high-performance vapour retarder
200 mm Sheep s Wool Insulation
200 mm Sheep s Wool Insulation 5 mm Magply Non Combustible Board 100 mm Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation 5 mm Damp Proof Membrane L Section Vertical Rail Support for Cladding Vapour Barrier Perforated Aluminium Cladding by Proteus
5 mm Magply Non Combustible Board 100 mm Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation 5 mm Damp Proof Membrane L Section Vertical Rail Support for Cladding Vapour Barrier Perforated Aluminium Cladding by Proteus 190 mm Ventilation Cavity Vertical Railing Bracket 10 mm Floor Skirting 10 mm Oak Flooring - Indigenous 150 mm Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation
D1
190 mm Ventilation Cavity Vertical Railing Bracket 10 mm Floor Skirting 35 mm Oak Flooring - Indigenous 90 mm Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation
Stainless Steel Slot Drainage Channel 380 mm Steel Plate Soft Soil Pile Cap Foundation
10 mm C Section
10 mm Z Section 195 x 108 mm Timber Bottom
5 mm Damp Proof Membrane
5 mm Damp Proof Membrane 125 mm Concrete Slab
210 mm Concrete Slab
50 mm Screed
165 x 450 mm I-Beam F17. Section Detail of the ground floor to foundation junction made with Revit and edited on Photoshop.
03.2 Assembly Details
460 x 280 mm Castellated Beam
Environmental Architecture Technology 2020
Elena Cuccuru Architecture
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03.2 Assembly Details
50 mm Plywood Seal 10 mm Plywood Finish
30 x 50 mm Drip Battens Natural Zinc Parapet Coping WBP Plywood Parapet
20 mm Gypsum Board 5 mm INTELLO Hydrosafe high-performance 200 mm Sheep s Wool Insulation
Waterproof Membrane 25.5 mm Ventilation Gap
5 mm Magply Non Combustible Board 100 mm Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation 5 mm Damp Proof Membrane L Section Vertical Rail Support for Cladding Vapour Barrier Perforated Aluminium Cladding by Proteus 190 mm Ventilation Cavity Vertical Railing Bracket 10 mm Floor Skirting 10 mm Oak Flooring - Indigenous 150 mm Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation
20 mm Gypsum Board Copper Counter-flashCoping Wedge 150 mm Engineered Soil with Planting 25 mm Filter Fabric 50 mm Drainage Layer
D3
10 mm C Section
10 mm Moisture Retention Layer 10 mm Aeration Layer
D2
5 mm Damp Proof Membrane 210 mm Concrete Slab
200 mm Sheep s Wool Insulation
30 mm Plywood Seal
5 mm Magply Non Combustible Board 150 mm Wood Fibre Rigid Insulation 5 mm Damp Proof Membrane 185 mm Concrete Slab 10 mm Root Barrier
165 x 450 mm I-Beam 460 x 280 mm Castellated Beam 50 mm Plywood Seal
L Section Vertical Rail Support for Cladding Vapour Barrier Perforated Aluminium Cladding by Proteus 190 mm Ventilation Cavity
30 mm Plywood Seal
Vertical Railing Bracket 165 x 450 mm I-Beam 460 x 280 mm Castellated Beam
F18. junc
50 mm Plywood Seal
10 mm C Section
F19. Section Detail of the roof junction made with Revit and edited on Photoshop.
F18. Section Detail of the upper floor to wall junction made with Revit and edited on Photoshop.
Environmental Architecture Technology 2020 Environmental Architecture Technology 2020
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Elena Cuccuru Architecture Environmental Architecture Technology 2020
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Elena Cuccuru Architecture
In the above pictures you can see the procedure for the making of a single H Column and for the Castellated beams. The columns are made out of 1.5 mm white mount-board, I have drawn multiple strips of 60 mm x 70mm , cut them out with a scalpel, then coloured them with a marker and glued them together to make the columns and beams. While making my model, I have tried to test the balance and forces: I have added cross bracing and extra supports where needed, trying to find the optimal balance.
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MHC ELMIRA | MANCHESTER HEALTH CENTRE
Location: Salford Ordsall Park, Trafford Rd, Salford M5 3AD
Edited Site Plan Scale 1:500 @A2 Manchester Healing Complex is a support centre for people suffering from stress disorders and anxiety. Recent research suggests that as many as 1 in 6 young people will experience an anxiety condition at some point in their lives. The proposed design aims to create a space for the local community of Salford Ordsall and a place where also students from nearby colleges and The university of Salford could go and spend some time to talk about their anxiety issues with experts and eventually solve them. My research was based on the inclusion of spaces such as meditation rooms, group counselling spaces and a sculpture lab which will help decorating the surrounding area of the main building. The idea is to use the lab as a recreational space where sculptures will be exposed in the outdoor area of the site. Render View of the Elmira Centre from the Botanical Garden
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Concept development - From sketches to 3D model
MHC ELMIRA | CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
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MHC ELMIRA | FLOORPLANS
Ground Floor Plan Scale 1:100 @ A1
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First Floor Plan Scale 1:100 @ A1
MHC ELMIRA | ELEVATIONS
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North Elevation 1:250 @ A1
South Elevation 1:250 @ A1
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MHC ELMIRA | ASSEMBLY
Exploded Axonometric Assembly Slanted Roof
Timber Trusses
Timber Screens
Staircase and Main Core
Walls and Floors
Pavement Ground
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In order to facilitate the patient’s experience in the building I have decided to use soft tones with major attention to natural elements. The external appearance has been ruled out by the use of whitewashed bricks and timber screens to create a more naturalistic effect. The timber screens also provide the function of thermal shading.
MHC ELMIRA | RENDERS
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PROJECT GENERATE | RECYCLING CENTRE REFURBISHMENT
Location: Hammerstone Rd, Manchester M18 8EQ
Project Generate was a Multidisciplinary assignment and aimed to refurbish an old Engine Shed to be converted in a museum and modern recycling centre. In order to achieve the best result we looked for sustainable materials and latest ecological arrangements to facilitate the development of the whole project. My contribution to the project was dedicated to the central part of the building in which I have developed 5 main areas to be used from both visitors and workers. The central area of the building wants to follow the concept of a public walkway, creating meeting spaces that vary from refreshment zone to commercial areas. General arrangement of the refurbished area.
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PROJECT GENERATE | PROJECT OVERVIEW & DETAILS
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Reading Zone Render
Staircase Render
Reading Zone Arrangement Scale 1:75
Staircase Section Scale 1:75
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CHRISTCHURCH PRIMARY SCHOOL | ECOLOGICAL SCHOOL
Location: Christchurch Avenue, Trafford Rd, Salford M5 4NY
Brief: The local education department has requested to build a Primary School in the car park premises with specific features. It has to be inspiring, healthy, well planned and has to follow relevant Green Measures.
North Elevation Scale 1:250 @A2
Key factors: Indoor air quality, daylight, thermal comfort and natural ventilation. The school was designed to offer an internal corridor as recreation area, making the school a safe and enclosed environment. The internal oval corridor is made of glazed ceiling and the reason behind it, is that students exposed to daylighting are found to have 7-18% higher scores than those with the least; the natural light in this case serves as a ‘booster’. The glazed solution for the ceiling also guarantees a passive ventilation throughout the building. I have also chosen natural tones and pastel colours for the cladding, that match the earthy aspect of the site and inspire children to enjoy their journey. Site Plan Scale 1:250 @A2
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CHRISTCHURCH PRIMARY SCHOOL | DEVELOPMENT
Phase 1
Phase 3
Phase 2
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Axonometric cut through
Phase 4
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SCALE MODELS | SELECTION OF PHOTOS
SCALE MODELS | SELECTION OF PHOTOS In the following pictures you can find a selection of hand-made scale models of various project. I particularly enjoy making scale models as it gives me a better understanding of the dimensions and spaces.
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SCALE MODELS | SELECTION OF PHOTOS
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1:100 Scale model of a private house.
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SCALE MODELS | SELECTION OF PHOTOS
1:50 Scale model from a 700’s building reproduction in Milan.
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1:50 Reproduction of an alternative material solution for the Cantilevered Barn House.by MVRDV
1:200 Structural solution for a Research Centre for The University of Salford.
1:100 Scale model of a house for a fictional character with main interest to external anodised aluminium cladding and internal result, that mimics sea-waves.
SCALE MODELS | SELECTION OF PHOTOS
1:100 Scale model of an artists’ colony in Northern Quarter, Manchester. The model shows a picture from above and an overlook to the accommodation area.
1:12 Scale model of a Hospital Room for Circada. Project Live Brief. Find more info at circada.life
1:200 Scale model of the external cladding of the Northern Music Archive.
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1:50 Scale model of a structural solution for the Northern Music Archive.
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DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS | COLLECTION
DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS | COLLECTION The Covid-19 Pandemic has been very hard and challenging for everyone on this planet. Since I was furlough(ed) and forced to work from home part-time, I have spent the rest of my time producing architectural digital illustrations by hand.
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DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS | COLLECTION
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This is a thanking note to all those people that have supported me within the last five years. Therefore, I wish to express my sincere appreciation. I would like to thank my friends and colleagues that have supported me during all the tough moments, by making every day better with their unconditional love. Last but not least, I wish to express gratitude to my family and my partner, that have given me the necessary strength to begin and pursue this remarkable journey. Thank you
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Thank you
elena.c.arch@gmail.com 2021