Fragments of Vision - an architectural journey -
Andreea-Laura Nica Portfolio 2015
Fragments of Vision ‘Give me a goal to achieve. Reach whatever you can! Give me a more challenging one. Reach the impossible.’
Who is to say that the impossibility of today won’t become the ordinary of tomorrow? Just imagine what it would be like if for one day everything we draw becomes real; what a mad and intriguing world it would be....
Information I was born in 1992 in Bucharest, Romania. I earned my bachellor degree in architecture in July 2014 from University of Westminster with a First Class Honours. During my education I had the opportunity to deepen in the subjects of architectural design, technical studies, urbanism, architectural history and theory. For me, architecture represents a sense of wonder, a world where ideas of chaos and order are combined, an amazing world which captures imagination and engages with our deepest emotions. I aspire to continue my studies to develop my visions and my need of spatial understanding, linking fragments to my architectural journey.
EDUCATION Sept 2011- July 2014
WORK EXPERIENCE BA Architecture (First Class Honours) -University of Westminster-
Aug 2014- present (* until July 2014)
School of Recycling and Experimental Building - Dr. Constance Lau aCROPolis- The Urban farm - Michael Guy The Invisible Weaving Gallery(*) - Natalie Newey Sept 2009- June 2011
Bucharest, Romania
Feb 2014
Shadowing the process of large and diverse projects Special focus on the Project Management services. Attending several meetings and site visits. Design and production of Photoshop graphics for concept presentation; Attendance at design meetings shadowing the project Services Department.
AWARDS The President Medal Awards -Bronze Medal Shortlisted-
-Royal Institute of British ArchitectsJan 2013 + 2014
July 2013- Aug 2013
Assisting the Director in several projects and formal meetings. Repeated site visits (Masterplan of beach villas near Grand Baie, Mauritius; apartment refurbishments, commercial building in Rose-Hill) and design concept for a mixed-use proposal.
Awarded for the best overall academic results.
Polyport- International Collaboration -Royal Institute of British ArchitectsCreative workshop held in Rome, Italy.
May 2013
Feb 2013- Aug 2013
Assisting the Senior Architect and Interior Designer from early stages up to construction of a residential extension in Nottinghill, London. (In charge of editing the feasibility report, prepare the planning application, working drawings and client meetings).
CLAWSA Prize
-Nominated for the Best Portfolio in First Year Architecture-
Visiting a site construction (Hotel development in Old Street, London) and documenting the process of works. Gain basic understanding of the people involved in the built environment and main documents required.
VOLUNTEER WORK Dec 2014
Architectural Assistant -5Plus Architects-
Student Charrette Certificate
-American Institute of Architects (AIA)May 2012
Architectural Assistant
-Teelock Associates, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius-
Achivement Award
-University of Westminster-
Oct 2013
Intern
-PRP Architects-
Mathematics and Computer Science Class Final Sore: 9.91/10 and Final exam: 9.1/10
July 2014
-Wilkinson Eyre Architects-
Architectural Assistant for a new crossing over Hudson River in north of New York. The new bridge will replace an existing structure and improve rail and road access between New Jersey and New York. WEA are currently developing design options for ‘signature bridge’.
Romanian and International Baccalaureate -Bilingüal Highschool ‘Miguel de Cervantes’-
Part I Architectural Assistant
Livable Cities Workshop
-Engineering for Global and Societal Wellbeing-
Aug. 2012- Sept 2012 Nov 2014
-Circular Jam- FabLab Global Sustainability workshop using Circular Economy Aug 2012- Sept 2012
Sept 2008- Sept 2011
Assisting the Senior Architect, the Landscape Architects and Interior Designer from early stages of the project, on a large retail development in Perm, Russia. In charge of image editing and preparing the feasibility report and the advert brochure. Production of working drawings and general massing.
Building volunteer
-KREODThe pavilion exhibited between during the London Olympic Games. Winner of the Structural Awards 2013.
Volunteer Youth Coordinator
-CISV International Global Sustainability workshop using Circular Economy
OTHER Aug 2013- July 2014
Adobe Creative Suite CS5
Laser Cutting 3D Printing ECDL Certification Driving Licence
Microstation V8i Vectorworks 2014 Rhinocerous 5.0 V-Ray
Romanian (Native proficiency) English( Full Professional Proficiency) Spanish (Bilingual Proficiency) German (Elementary proficiency)
Laser- cut technician
-University of WestminsterAug 2012- July 2014
SKILLS
Architectural Assistant -The Buchan Group-
Graphic Designer
Marketing and Sales Assistant -Marylebone Bookshop Ltd.-
Sept 2011- Sept 2014
Student Ambassador
-University of WestminsterSept 2012- July 2013
Art & Design Teaching Assistant -Westminster Academy-
The School of Recycling & Experimental Building - Cycles of architectural re-configuration-
Most works of architecture are considered to be ‘finished’ upon the completion of building works. This however does not take into account issues of mobility and adaptability which are prerequisites for sustainability in a constantly changing environment. The concept of Recycling, which involves occupation, subsequent alterations, decoration and personalisation by users are key considerations for a building’s prolonged existence. Hence the ideas of spatial evolution and modification should be prioritised over demolition and ruin. This is especially important in London where land scarcity necessitates the need to deliver reusable spaces. The interest in recycling, building materials and flexible spaces are explored in the School of Recycling and Experimental Building, located in Camden Market. This site has been chosen for its strong relations to trading. The proposed scheme presents a six-stage programme, which sees the School as an educational platform that celebrates the notion of a recycling facility. The design proposal is composed around the notion of an ephemeral versus a permanent architecture. The School expands on the idea of a bazaar which records the surrounding activities in order to establish the development of future spatial requirements and programs. One key feature of the School is the Breaking Chamber, which is designed as an allegorical crane. This structure is placed in the middle of the proposal and is responsible for dismantling and reassembling the recycled construction materials. By accommodating the disassembling process and by re-considering the boundaries between private and public space, the historically rich Gilbey’s Bond will function dually as a theatre. This labyrinth of habitable spaces accommodates the construction courses in the School which include architectural workshops for material experimentation, galleries of recycled objects and the temporary depository. By enhancing the apparent layered and multi-faceted qualities of the existing site, the project is a design for disassembly and celebrates ideas of change and future adaptability for an improved built environment. The building platform is continuously shifting and adapting to new conditions, and the potential for new spaces and use are integral to the architecture.
Aerial view of the Recycling Facility
Location and Context Camden Town- material circulation
Dismantling Camden Market Phases of Material Removal
Assembling the Building School- material expiration
Wood primary structure Engineering Glulam frames
Timeline of sequential additions and process diagrams
Flooring Larch floorboards
Circulation Tower
The Amphitheatre
Breaking Chamber
Parts of the modern development are broken. Roofs from the Tack Rooms and Gilbery’ Bond are removed.
A metaphorical grid is placed on the existing mall. This acts as a superimpossed gridwhich helps in the material circulation.
The installation of the Breaking Chamber uses cranes and mechanical devices to pull the modules inside and start the recycling process.
The ongoing project stops at middle-stage, where parts of the existing mall are dismantled.
Glazing
The Depositorium
Timber Secondary Structure
2D Site analysis Cantilevered circulation platform Supporting Anchorage joint
Flooring
Amphitheatre
3D Site analysis
Aerial view of the Building Bazaar Phases IV of recycling configuration
Experimental Modulation- technical flexibility
Allegorical Crane
Short Section through main Dismantling Space
Experimental Gallery
View from the Tack Rooms towards the Breaking Chamber
The Breaking Chamber
View from the Building Yard towards the Atrium
Practice Experience Wilkinson Eyre Architects
PRP Architects
Architectural Assistant for a new crossing over Hudson River in north of New York. The new bridge will replace an existing structure and improve rail and road access between New Jersey and New York. WEA are currently developing design options for ‘signature bridge’.
Shadowing the process of large and diverse projects Special focus on the Project Management services. Attending several meetings and site visits. Design and production of Photoshop graphics for concept presentation; Attendance at design meetings shadowing the project Services Department. Claire’s School is an existing secondary school and educational facility for primary classes to experience school. This is a potential job to renovate and redesign another campus area for more effective usage.
SKILLS KREOD Pavillion -drawings, construction-
Teelock Associates Assisting the Director in several projects and formal meetings. Repeated site visits (Masterplan of beach villas near Grand Baie, Mauritius; apartment refurbishments, commercial building in Rose-Hill) and design concept for a mixed-use proposal.
Water Temple
tion entry-
Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop 5plus Architects - Illustrator Assisting the Senior Architect and Interior-DeInDesign signer from early stages
Adobe Acrobat Vectorworks AutoCad Rhinoceros
up to construction of a residential extension in Nottinghill, London. (In charge of editing the feasibility report, prepare the planning application, working drawings and client meetings).
MicroStation Rhinoceros Laser Cutting Massing Visiting a siteAnalysis construcSite tion (Hotel development in Old Street, London) Experimental Photography and documenting the process works. Gain 3Dof Printing basic understanding of Brewery Installation -second year project-
the people involved in the built environment and main documents required.
City Road Hotel
ECDL Certification (Word, Excell) - site visit, planning brochure,PowerPoint, drawingsDriving Licence Romanian (Native proficiency)Beach Village, Grand Baie, Mauritius -presentation, visualisation, site visitEnglish (Full professional proficiency) Spanish (Bilingual proficiency) German (Elementary proficiency)
REFEREES Dr. Constance Lau
Andrea Cesati
e.: C.Lau01@westminster.ac.uk t.: + 44 (0)20 7911 5000 a.: University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LS
e.: acesati@5plusarchitects.com t.: +44 (0)207 492 1827 a.: 31-35 Kirby Street, London, EC1N 8TE
-Architect, Lecturer and Design Studio Leader-
Beach Village, Grand Baie, Mauritius -presentation, visualisation, site visit-
-Architect, Associate at 5plus architects-
Thank you! Andreea-Laura Nica ID: 203027
January 2015