Po r t f o l i o M agda A nna Z ajac
EDUCATION 2017Academy of Fine Arts Gdańsk master degree in Architecture of Cultural Spaces September- January 2016/17 University of Central Lancashire in United Kingdom Erasmus exchange program in interior design 2014 - 2017 Academy of Fine Arts Gdańsk receiving bachelor degree in Interior Design
Name Magda Anna Zajac Date of birth 06.06.1994 Nationality Polish Contact zajacmagda@op.pl (+48) 510808717
WORKING ENVIRONMENT Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe Indesign SketchUp 3ds Max AutoCAD Lumion
ABILITIES woking in group coping with stress fast learner individual work english language B1 driver's licence B
EXPERIENCE freelance interioir design projects participation in architecture competitions participation in design workshops (graphic, illumination, craft and modeling)
INTERESTS history of art travels hiking volunteer
As a young growing Designer, studying at The University of Fine Arts in Gdansk in Poland. Growing in a content -rich environment, I work with various design approaches, from small-scale residences to big-scale urban and landscape projects, which have been nurturing my architectural understanding.
My projects are characterized by minimalism, simplicity and geometry. I try to build the mood through the play of light and the texture of used materials and also by focusing on showing and adjusting to the value of the designed place. My aim is to gain a strong design conceptualization and digital skill-set that helps me develop and expand my knowledge, understanding, and experience in architecture and design.
Partnership: Sopot City with University of Fine Arts in Gdańsk
Conceptual Design of the Dunes Aleja Wojska Polskiego Street in Sopot After analysis of the area and deepening into the historical context of the place, a project was proposed for the space dedicated to residents and tourists. Each platform contains a symbolic overtone and refers to the history and context of the place. Rescue booths, city swings, fishing nets, wicker baskets and a vast beach were at first inspiration and eventually became a literal or figurative symbol of the whole spatial concept and the concept of a seaside project in an attractive location of the City of Sopot.
The idea of the project is to enter functional forms in the surrounding nature and to emphasize the context of the place referring to its history. View platforms have been proposed, which in their geometry are to refer to the dunes surrounding the formation, as well as to fit into the drawing of the terrain, which forms rounded sand formations, as well as seaside beach. The closeness to nature has been accentuated by the use of wood as a construction material for platforms, and its color has been similar to the sand. Platforms also assume openness of the structure in some places, which will allow the growth of existing vegetation and trees. The project can become an attraction in itself and be a complement to the City’s business card which is the beach and the proximity of the sea.
Partnership: Gdynia City with University of Fine Arts in Gdańsk
POCKET PARK – Podolska Street in Gdynia
The conceptual design assumes the development of Podolska Street in Gdynia. After extensive analysis and social interview, the space was created for the needs of local residents, office staff and students, as well as pedestrians passing between the tunnels. The idea behind the project was to create a woonerf space, emphasizing the improvement of pedestrian and bicycle safety as well as calming traffic. An important point of the concept is to transform the existing grey space into a place that is perfect to stop and spend a nice time in the middle of the city. As well as a place for organizing local events and social gatherings. The change included landscaping stairs with seats and the stage, the arrangement of small pak and greenery with a fountain and finally renovation of gastronomy and underground entrance. The floor has been reduced to one level and the functions are determined by individual colors. Thanks to the removal of curbs, the street is friendly for disabled people and women with prams. The city park in the pedestrian area contains a row of trees, a large number of shrubs and grasses as well as benches for use by passers-by and local residents. The street formerly associated with the dangerous and dark space has changed its character thanks to the additional lanterns, illuminated elements of benches, platforms and the floor marking the car- pedestrian boundaries installed in the pavement. Thanks to the introduced changes, the street has the potential to become interesting public space, worth stopping and encouraging to spend time outside, but above all putting people in the urban space in the first place.
TEAM MEMBERS: Nicola Kasprzak, Magda ZajÄ…c
International Competition: ART PRISON Young Architects Competitions Organisers
THE WAY THROUGH ART
The conceptual project is the answer to issues regarding artists needs, their activietes and the ability to express themselves. The aim of architecture is intended to be the connection between art and human. The architecture evokes emotions, motives, inspires and and stimulates the senses required for creating. The inspiration for the concept was nature itself. It is an ideal contrast to the closed and isolated fortress in which a prison once was. The idea that leads us through this project should enable us to ree and purify the soul and as an effect to descover yourself. The first step is to recognize and encounter the art which constitutes hard work. It is presented in the gallery designed to resemble the motion of butterfly’s wings. In the next step we find ourselves on a path which allows us to experience the process of creating and notice the cyrcle of change in ineself and other participants. On the very bottom there is a bath house with sauna together with an outdoor and indoor swimming pool. It is a place for relax, purification and finding peace. One of the most significant aspects in the project is nature which interchanges witch architecture. The fortress offers different places and spaces and serves as a jurney through which artist can experience the process of creating.
TEAM MEMBERS: Paulina Borysik, Paulina Janusz, Nicola Kasprzak, Daria Przysiężna, Monika Woźniak- Bonk, Magda Zając,
University Competition: GOING UPSTREAM Vastint Developer Sitting Competition
RIVERVIEW
The conceptual design assumes the development of a place of relaxation over the Stępka Canal at the new Riverview housing estate implemented by the organizer - Vastint Poland sp. O.o. After the analysis of the area and deepening into the historical context of the place, a project was proposed for the space dedicated to residents and tourists visiting the City of Gdańsk and the vicinity of the Motława River Canal. The implemented project can become an attraction in itself and be the complement of the City’s business card, which is the proximity of water. The idea of the project is to enter utility forms into the surrounding nature and to emphasize the context of the place when referring to its history. Three different forms of the seat have been proposed, which can be presented as one family or arranged individually. The closeness to nature has been accentuated by the use of an openwork in the detail of the stairs and the perforation of the sheet, which will allow a new frame for the river. Also the color in the shade of brown is associated with nature and refers stylistically to the brick on the facade of the buildings of the Riverview project. The proposed shape of the seats has been transformed from the existing Logo of the dedicated Riverview housing estate, where the seats are to stand. The graphic element used in the logo refers to the shape of the roofs of the investment. Fun with the rotation of the graphic sign allowed the separation of three seats. Then, the surrounding context, and in it the proximity of the three granaries led to three different seats, in different layouts and with different functions. The assumption for the design was a cascade system. The different heights of the development of the housing estate and the dynamics in the arrangement of elements on the façades determined the cascade layout and the various seat heights. TEAM MEMBERS: Paula Cerba, Paulina Janusz, Daria Przysiężna, Magda Zając,
Dyploma Project Bachelor Degree in Interioir Design
OUR SKY SPACE Object devoted to students Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk
The aim of the work is to design a place that will encourage students to spend their free time at the university. It is to be adapted to meetings with friends and to rest between classes, as well as to promote individual and group work on projects. The most important assumption is that this place will give a sense of student unity through interaction and mutual exchange of views and knowledge at the common table. The object with its shape is to be an integral part of the University’s space, therefore its simple, minimalistic body fulfills the specific function of table packaging. The table has been presented as a symbol of community, unity and integration, and its dominant central position in the object reflects the main design idea, which is a meeting at the table. The designed object will be a place for integration and joint activities, and will become a constantly functioning image of architecture representing the views of students of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk.
International Competition: STONE BARN MEDITATION CAMP Bee Breeders architecture competition organisers
MEDITATION CAMP The Latvian Solar Calendar The competition site is situated in rural Vidzeme in the eastern region of Latvia. Known both its cultural heritage and its natural beauty, the location is rich in forests, lakes and grasslands. Ecotourism, as defined by the WCU, is ‘’Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy an appreciate nature that promote conservation, education, traveler responsibility and community participation.’’ To be classified as ecotourism, it must be sustainable and have a positive impact on the environment. It also promotes green acivities, as recycling, energy efficiency, and water conservation, as wll as creating economic opportunites for local communities.
The Latvian Solar Calendar is a reflection of culture. The key issue for the existence of a nation- has been manifesting its culture. It shows the way of life and world outlook of people. With the solar calendar rhythm, people live according to the laws of the space and nature. During the project developing I focus my interest around The Usins’ sign. The force of life and sumbol of the formation of statehood. Usins takes care of bees, symbol of the world order and of horses the power of God. He is personification The summer and the new farming year begin. In my project proposal I decided to restore demolished part of a barn to its original historical design, however with the existing building I added large windows. Keeping the guiding lines of the old ones it opens up the view on the river under the building. I wanted to make dinning room as a gathering space and to give the feeling of social unity, I put there three big communal tables and added an open kitchen. For the new material I used grey oak tree, according to the Unis sign. By the uniformity of the material I wanted the building to blend in with the surrounding nature which is the major asset of this place. The same material in the interior and exterior is used as a symbol to blend mind with the nature and to not distract the eyes during meditation or yoga classes.
ERASMUS+ EXCHANGE PROJECT University of Central Lancashire Interior Design Studies
LIVERPOOL FLYOVER PROJECT
The aim of this project is the process of making. I wanted to make a unique public space to gather people who visit the city as well as the local residents. It is related to the people whom are interested in making this process and desires to be involved in special events, which created around the city and in workshop space. My idea is based on my experience as a visitor in the city of Liverpool. Flyovers are close to the train station, what makes it the perfect spot to begin or finish exploring the city or just to spend some quality time walking around the city that you live in. My design proposal is to make friendly space for tourists and residents. I want to create a space where a visitor can know the city before seeing it but also a workshop area and a place for meetings. First space is for tourists’ -Viewpoint area that enhanced best-known city buildings, monuments, and events around the city. In addition, I wanted to arrange the space for a workshop area. The idea of this place is to organized events for people whom are interested in learning something from a certain topic. It will be a place for people who want to work on their own projects and assignments, a place in which inspiring and creativity is their start for motivation. One of permanent display in this center according to both ideas, viewpoint and workshop, will be city game "Nail and Thread" -the personal narration for people. It will be making process for those who are interested in making this place exceptional. The idea behind this game is to make people mark them on the city map with thread. They can mark which way, which path or buildings they walk into, as during walking through the city or even the residents can mark which streets they usually walk through out the day. I want to make them see their city, because we usually forget to look at our city as a beautiful and interesting place, we are thinking about visiting different cities forgetting about our own ones. Third area will be Coffee Shop in a welcoming and peacefully surrounding area, it will be the place where everyone can come to meet friends or start the day with a cup of coffee or end the day with hot tea after walking around the beautiful city of Liverpool.
ERASMUS+ EXCHANGE PROJECT University of Central Lancashire Interior Design Studies
FREE STANDING CABINET Steven Holl inspiraton
ERASMUS+ EXCHANGE PROJECT University of Central Lancashire Interior Design Studies
STORY OF THE WALK
Installation as a story told from personal observations
ARCHITECTURAL MODELS
prototype and modeling classes
DRAWINGS
linocut and sketches
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