Architectural Portfolio by Kotryna Urbonaite

A

R

C H I P O R

T T

E F

C O

by Kotr y na UrbonaitÄ—

T L

U R I O

A

L

C U R R I C U L U M V I TA E

01

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

02

G R A D UAT I O N P R O J E C T S

03

(M) SPATIAL AND PROGRAMMATIC ARCHITECTURE

04

DERIVATION FROM ABSTRACT URBAN COLLAGES (B) REGENERATION OF URBAN STRUCTURES

PUBLIC BUILDING

09 13

POLICE STATION

14

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN BUCHAREST

16

COMPETITIONS

19

LINDENAU MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPLEX

20

MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPLEX

23

EXHIBITIONS

25

EXHIBITION DESIGN AT ROOSENBERG ABBEY

26

EXHIBITION SPACES FOR STEIM

28

Graduation Projects The section contains academic theses written for both the Bachelor's an the Master's degrees. They are rather distinct from one another which speaks for architect's versatility. The bachelor thesis is an urban project on regeneration, while the master thesis is a thorough theoretical work eventually translated into an architectural language.

3

Spatial and Programmatic Architecture Derivation from Abstract Urban Collages Master thesis

Animal Life Cycle Center The method is based on the ‘rewriting’ of certain, sometimes obsolete, yet intrinsic urban moments captured in super-exposed photographs into a completely new program. Therefore, the design is intended to maintain urban continuity in a different, almost subconscious-driven, manner with respect to the unique character of a city. The method was carried out by superimposing the collected photographs which resulted in a single drawing with the most appealing spatial and visual potential [pic.].

Project details: Architectural research and design Site: Yerevan, Armenia Type: Academic/Individual (TU Delft) Year: 2017/2018 4

The spatiality in the photo collage was extracted and organized to form a structure. It was then rendered by hand using a single technique in order to connect its distant parts and simultaneously adapt it to the emerging

natural,

geographical,

sometimes even local speculative conditions. Thus, the territory for an architectural intervention was suggested regarding the drawing taking into account the valley, the river, the hills.

(right) Final hand drawn render of the entire structure carefully planted on a speculative site.

A part of the “Animal Life Cycle Center” that deals with the breeding of the birds - The Bird Tower

SPATIAL AND PRO GRAMMATIC ARCHITECTURE DERIVATION FROM ABSTRACT URBAN COLLAGES

_Location

_Program Programmatically, the different elements of the drawing were treated as separate buildings altogether constituting a building complex of a single theme. That theme was chosen to be the ‘Animal Life Cycle Center’. The name already implies that animals are the main target of the project. Humans, on the other hand, become the secondary figure when it comes to making desicions in the design, although the complex involves the accessibility of the public, yet on a very subtle and discreet level, keeping in mind the dominance of the animal.

(left) Carcass Re-Production Department 5

SPATIAL AND PRO GRAMMATIC ARCHITECTURE DERIVATION FROM ABSTRACT URBAN COLLAGES

The programmatic distribution of the Carcass Re-Production Department was highly affected by the two pedestrian tunnels that were in fact utilized as the main axes for circulation. The park at one end of the tunnels was assigned with accommodating the arriving near-death animals. The tunnels, representing two directions, two phases (one being used, the other being closed), were assigned with the circulation of the people in one tunnel and the animals in another.

However, at certain moments of that circulation a juncture was introduced emphasizing the human-animal relationship embodied through an expressive architectural gesture.

The discussed drawing revealed another dimension regarding the ground - the vertical continuity between the below and the above.

This

implied

a

new

concept

that was lying in the drawing the amplitude of interchanging positive and negative, overground and underground, appearing and disappearing. Consequently, these subjects were finally formulated into a concept to be elaborated on - a CYCLE, which became the main criteria for making programmatic, spatial, architectural decisions. The program involved animal research, breeding facilities, taxidermy art and carcass re-production. (right) Carcass Re-Production Department 6

SPATIAL AND PRO GRAMMATIC ARCHITECTURE DERIVATION FROM ABSTRACT URBAN COLLAGES The end of the tunnels which lies in the center of Yerevan is the main part that deals with the arrival of the animals and providing medical care to them (building above ground) as well as the procedures after their death (building below ground).

7

The relation of the building with the ground, imposed in the final research drawing, required excavation as the main building method.

SPATIAL AND PRO GRAMMATIC ARCHITECTURE DERIVATION FROM ABSTRACT URBAN COLLAGES

[bird’s eye view]

Experiment on the excavation technique carried out by the initiated flow of acid water (on gypsum).

3D section and visualisation (Escher-style) [worm’s eye view] 8

Regeneration of Urban Structures Bachelor thesis

The territory of the project is located in the city center of Kaunas. It has an important role in the city, however, it doesn’t function well. There are both bus and train stations, the riverside is nearby and it is a potential place for cultural, architectural, spatial structures to be developed. The aim is to create a well-organised urban structure restoring some previous structures, creating functional public and green spaces as well as forming new well-arranged pedestrian paths, avenues etc.

Project details: Urban design Site: Kaunas, Lithuania Type: Academic/Individual (VGTU Vilnius) Year: 2014/2015 9

of visual, spacial axis between

REGENERATION OF URBAN STRUCTURES

Since there was a significant lack the train station and the rest of the city, two main axes were generated: a green one from the steep slopes to the Nemunas river formed following the recovered historical river watercourse and a commercial one that connects the station area to the city. At the crossing of these two axes there was a public space created with buildings of higher architectural value so that the square had become dominant

and

had

represented

the identity of the New Town.

The area is reached in multiple ways: via the bridge or subway from the station, via the green pedestrian path from the Oak Tree Park viewpoint and via the commercial passage

established

underneath.

Interior view of the underground structure

10

REGENERATION OF URBAN STRUCTURES Conclusive scheme of the urban analysis of the territory Eksplikacija Nagrinėjama teritorija Analyzed territory Teritorijos dominantės Vertical dominants Svarbiausiųjų gatvių tinklas Main street network Galimas apžvalgos taškas

Space shaping street Erdvę formuojantys pastatų fasadai facades Erdvę formuojančios Space shaping fences aukštos tvoros Nesuformuotos erdvės Unformed spaces Vidinės kvartalų erdvės Inner quarter space

Upper terrace Aukštesnioji relief reljefo terasa Organizuoti želdynai Organized green areas Galima gamtinė jungtis į Recovered Girstupis river paviršių iškeliant kanalizuotą Girstupio upelį

vadinė analizės schema

Site and ground floor planning system

Section through the Main Square 11

REGENERATION OF URBAN STRUCTURES

EXPLOITED ROOF

SE C O N D F L O O R

F I R ST F L O O R

GROUND FLOOR

People flow scheme e v a c u at i on aux i l i ar y c om me rc e c u lture

-1 FLOOR

The complex urban building has spatial structure based on vertical and horizontal relations. There are four people flow directions: evacuation, auxiliary, subway, commercial and cultural. Functional zoning is also distributed by levels: the underground levels are commercial, the ground level - the main square, and the exploitable roof are -2 FLOOR

recreational, the rest upper levels - cultural.

By adding an entire shopping mall to the existing subway a new planning system is created that has two underground levels

Main Square structural arrangement

that are mostly assigned with commerce.

12

Public Building This section represents a dual approach to a public space. One is the conventional public building that represents some facility for certain people. Another one is more of a theoretical statement embodied in an architectural form. The former is for the public, the latter is of the public.

13

Police Station Academic Project

Since the site of the project has a very unique longitudinal shape, the building accordingly had to be adapted. Thus, the shape of the building is oblong. The main idea of other details of the volume came out of the philosophical aspect. The function of the building is to serve police officers.

It immediately brings out the thought of arrest or a prison. Having developed these thoughts the

Project details: Architectural design Site: Vilnius, Lithuania

image of a catching hand came out. These aspects

Type: Academic/Individual (VGTU)

contributed to the form and planning of the building.

Year: 2013/2014

14

+5.000

Another important quality of the site is its dislevel - from the lowest point to the highest there is 5 metres difference.

POLICE STATION

The site has three really unique features: its oblong shape, trees array behind it and two crossroads at the ends of it.

Ground floor plan

Âą0.000

For the building to be proportionate in all of its dimensions, it occupies half of the area and is extruded upwards.

In order not to change the existing surface part of the building is dug in the ground, the rest is placed on top.

To visually extend the building 8 beams are added that strongly express the emotional aspect of a police station.

First floor plan

Second floor plan

15

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN BUCHAREST

Apostolic Nunciature in Bucharest Academic Project

The current skin of the city of Bucharest is a result of both the accumulation and the weathering of the remnants of each era, regime, invasion, retreat that created a thick layering on the buildings facades.

The concept of the design of the nunciature is to have no background influences from the past, to be only affected by the current moment, to initiate a fresh start. It represents a progressive manner to interact with a place leaving the common architect’s desire to intrude behind.

Project details: Architectural research and design Site: Bucharest, Romania Type: Academic/Individual (TU Delft) Year: 2016 16

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN BUCHAREST

Intuitive development of the structure following the urban layout scheme (next page) and the conventional structural principles.

Sketch model experimenting on the density, transparency, light and openness of the structure.

_Function The

structure

only

meets

its

function on a metaphorical level.

The need for yet another nunciature in town was considered irrelevant.

However,

it

does

stand

as

a

monument for such an institution and religion as it correlates with its values of openness, communality, transparency, purity. _Design The building is, thus, ready to be weathered or applied as one pleases, therefore the process of designing it was stopped at any moment of its

development.

Consequently,

the only problem it evoked was the

densification

which

was

accomplished both with an urban analysis and intuitive thinking.

The diagram above reveals that the project location (boundary in the center) - park - happened to be at the collision of the two types of urban planning with different methods of densification: the rational, regular, calculated one and the accidental, random, chaotic one. The park basically merges the two disciplines, therefore, the structure starts with a precise urban analysis to place the base layout and is then continued with the intuitive approach.

17

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN BUCHAREST

Reference points emerge from the intersections of the extended axes.

Orthogonal lines drawn from the reference points make the foundation for the grid and, in turn, create new intersections with the axes.

A secondary grid emerges from these intersecting points making the diagram dynamic and diverse in intensity.

The conclusive scheme of the plan regarding the urban analysis. The layout as well as the structural density of the building refer directly to the grid dynamics.

18

Competitions The projects in this chapter are the examples of well-disciplined teamwork done over a relatively short time. The results were achieved through the right cooperation, dedication, focus that come as in handy for architect's individual qualities.

19

Lindenau Multifunctional Complex Wo r k P r o j e c t

The complex accommodates both the commercial and residential functions. The unifying base as well as the harbour tower is occupied with commerce while the longitudinal volumes and the smaller tower provide residences. The unique expression of the building lies in its thematic duality: the unifying facade design of the base that is sequentially extended on the corner towers versus the dynamics and motion of the top volumes. The emphasized trusses refer to the surrounding urban silhouette.

Project details: Architectural design Site: Klaipėda, Lithuania Type: Competition/Teamwork (Studio “Arches�)

Part in: Concept developments; schemes; site plan; model making; Year: 2019 20

LINDENAU MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPLEX

1820

1913

1939

1942

The scheme comparing urban development of the area in different times. It revealed that there was a common practice to orientate the longitudinal facade of the building to the river. Thus, this phenomenon was incorporated in the design.

(upper) The scheme showing the predominant shifts of direction of both the buildings and the embankment. (lower) The scheme showing the predominant modules of length of the buildings along the river.

The key idea for the building layout came out regarding the conclusions taken from the historic maps of the urban development of the area as well as the requirement to maintain the quality of the visual relations both at the site and through it. Therefore, there was a series of urban analysis made to find the right layout and position for the buildings of the complex.

(right) The scheme showing the viewpoints that need to be maintained in order to protect the visual relations between the objects of cultural heritage, the scenery and the environment itself. The spaces between the volumes of the complex are made accordingly.

21

LINDENAU MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPLEX Site and rooftop landscape plan

22

Multifunctional Complex Wo r k P r o j e c t

One of the main tasks for the project to fulfill was the building layout. The site itself and the surroundings did not really concur with one another. Therefore, the complex was assigned to complete the open end of the currently formed new quarter. Thus, the design was highly affected by the demands of the urban assignment - the L-shaped building both acts as the “head” of the quarter and opens up to the panoramic views of the city.

An important street axis splits the structure in half making a visual tunnel.

Project details: Architectural design Site: Vilnius, Lithuania Type: Competition/Teamwork (Studio “Arches”) Part in: concept development; schemes; sections; facade design; 3D modelling; Year: 2019 23

MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPLEX Visualization of the facade

Another

important

aspect

Exploded 3D facade system

that

made an impact for the building appearance was the programmatic fulfillment. The building being placed in a relatively small site had to possess a heavy amount

+28.30

of

+21.00

residences

and

commercial

facilities. The facade design solved this problem: a heavy solid regular base was combined with a light detailed chaotic top bristled with a range of slanted columns and

+17.80

+14.60

+11.40

+8.20

5.00

Âą0.00

uneven balconies.

24

Exhibitions This section represents close-up architecture that is the nearest to the human scale and is observed in the most detail. The works show an ability to adapt an interior space to a certain theme which requires creative intelligence.

25

Exhibition Design at Roosenberg Abbey Academic Project

Singing Silence The main challenge for the exhibition was finding a way to incorporate three thematic components into a single event: the work of the Triangular Studio Roosenberg Abbey 2016-2017 where they suggested programs of extension for the monastery, then the work of the exhibition curators in which they exposed the venue in different manners and, finally, the architecture of Dom Hans Van Der Laan itself.

Project details: Exhibition curation and design Site: Waasmunster, Belgium Type: Academic/Groupwork (TU Delft) Part in: Exhibition design; exhibition curation; furniture design; Year: 2017 26

EXHIBITION DESIGN AT RO OSENBERG ABBEY

The on

exhibits existing

were or

displayed

custom-made

furniture all around the abbey.

Each piece was designed with reference to the unique building and its angles, materials, colors, mood. The standing and leaning lecterns, the bench as well as the furniture for display were designed according to the authentic system of proportions by van der Laan.

27

Exhibition Spaces For Steim Wo r k P r o j e c t

The exhibition spaces for sound artists of Steim was an experimental project, a preview, for the first phase of development of their future headquarters.

The work involved an expansive research on sound art in general, the work of sound artists from the founders to the most recent ones and the search for the new potential spaces for the organization to grow. Eventually, the proposal for the exhibition spaces was to place them inside an exisiting venue while the rest of the project is developed elsewhere.

Project details: Research and exhibition design proposal Site: Amsterdam, Netherlands Type: Professional/Teamwork (“NIO Architecten�)

Part in: Sketch design; design proposal; research; Year: 2016 28

designed for each sound art project separately.

The

selection

was

carefully made but could be easily adjusted. Each design expressed the principle of how the specific sound could best adapt to the space and the space - to the sound while it was performed. The rooms were placed in geometric or regularly-

EXHIBITION SPACE FOR STEIM

The exhibition spaces were custom-

shaped modules that could be easily attached, detached an reattached.

Section A-A scheme

Plan scheme Section B-B scheme

Skecthes

29

Thank you!

KOTRYNA URB ONAITĖ VAKARŲ 13-1 KAUNAS 0037061455810 kotryna.urbonaite@gmail.com