MARIA KUZMINSKAIA ARCHITECTURAL
PORTFOLIO
After graduating from high school, I choose architecture as my profession. My early studies have an emphasis on mathematics and art. With time, my interest grows bigger as I become aware of ways geometrical objects and design influence people’s morale, mood and movement, the same way fine arts would. Therefore, I find architecture rewarding to me. It allows for a natural balance between art and science in our lives. I study design and architecture at State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Saint Petersburg, Russia. I have the opportunity to learn from great professors and architects. The city of Saint Petersburg itself offers a unique architectural ensemble in its own right. It is an ideal city to explore and learn about architecture, and urban planning. Also, there is a constant demand for architectural competitions. I enthusiastically and often successfully participate in several of such competitions. For instance, my thesis is awarded the first price at the International Competition of Diplomas and Works in Architecture in 2005. In fact, I embrace competition. It pushes me to innovate and improve my design, and my theories.
MARIA KUZMINSKAIA
During my studies, I work for one of the leading architectural office studios in the city. I work as architect assistant in 2003 for architect Miturev. It is an important first step in my carrier as a young architect, and it is one of my most valuable professional experiences. In fact, Mr. Miturev was appointed Chief Architect of St. Petersburg in 2008. During this time, I participate mainly in mixed-use building projects cooperating with architects, engineers and construction professionals for the first time. I develop drawings and 3D modeling for client presentation and meetings. I gain strong teamwork skills. After graduation, I join my thesis adviser's design team. I work assisting him on various architectural projects. We share similar views in architecture, therefore I am involved in projects from start to finish. I have responsibilities that would have never been given to me in any of the large offices. As a member of this young team, I design various building types ranging from car show rooms to 30-storey buildings. During this time, our company wins several competitions, and it is prestigiously recognized every year since in The Architectural Annual in Saint Petersburg. Having worked three years as an architect and two years as a lead architect, I gain valuable hands-on experience in architectural design. I prepare all drawings and the necessary paperwork. I become lead architect in this office. In order to reach my future professional objectives, I decide to gain extended professional knowledge in the USA. In New York, I study at the Metropolitan College where I find two internship positions at Studio Caracciolo and at AER Design Associates. Following, I am accepted into the Southern California Institute of Architecture's post-professional program in Los Angeles, California. It is an experimental program that tests design ideas with the aid of new technology. During this time, I experiment with robots, cutting edge software and new construction materials implementing them to sound design theories. Fabrication and aesthetic explorations become my main focus. I graduate in 2013.
PHONE: 213-265-2563 E-MAIL: maria.kuzminskaya@gmail.com
EXPERIENCE
ARCHITECT AT ARABTEC CONSTRUCTION LLC, SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
2011
INTERN ARCHITECT AT STUDIO CARACCIOLO, NEW YORK, USA
2010
SKYSCRAPER (86 STOREY OFFICE BUILDING) ‘GAZPROM’, LAKHTA, SPb UNDER CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR SPACE IN ‘NOLITA HOLIDAY MARKET’, 262 MOTT ST., NEW YORK
LEAD ARCHITECT AT ARCHITECTURAL WORKGROUP B2, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
DWELLING HOUSE ‘TOKIO’ (25 STOREY APARTMENT TOWERS, 1-2 STOREY OFFICES),SPb BUILT 1ST PRIZE OF ANNUAL COMPETITION ‘BEST BUILT DWELLING HOUSE IN ST PETERSBURG’
COMPETITIONS AWARDS PUBLISHED PROJECTS
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION ‘CHANGING THE FACE 2013 ROTUNDA WARSAW’
ORGANIZERS: UNION OF POLISH ARCHITECTS (OW SARP), PKO BANK POLSKI, DuPont, THE POLISH GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL AND ARCHITIZER
2013
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ‘ARCHITECTURAL PHOTO’
2009
APARTMENT INTERIOR SPACE IN DWELLING HOUSE ‘HOUSE AT THE SEA’ ST PETERSBURG
2006
APARTMENT INTERIOR SPACE IN DWELLING HOUSE ‘CITY OF YACHTS’ MOSCOW
2006
1ST PRIZE ORGANIZER: ST PETERSBURG UNION OF ARCHITECTS
2008 - 2010 ORGANIZER: DESIGN GALLERY ‘NEUHAUS’
MULTIFUNCTIONAL OFFICE COMPLEX (30 STOREY), SPb BUSINESS CENTER ‘INTERCOM’ (11 STOREY), SPb
SHORT-LIST (5 BEST PROJECTS) PUBLISHED IN MAGAZINE ‘WORLD OF NEW SETTLER’ (#64 JULY 2006)
INTERIOR SPACE OF THE MAIN HALL OF DWELLING HOUSE, SPb BUILT
BACHELOR PROJECT ‘DESIGN OF CITY BLOCK AND DWELLING HOUSE’
JUNIOR ARCHITECT AT ARCHITECTURAL WORKGROUP B2, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
COMPLEX OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOUNDED AT BONCH-BRUEVICH STATE UNIVERSITY OF TELECOMMUNICATION, SPb COMPETITION, 2ND PRIZE (2006)
2006 - 2008
ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT OF BUSINESS CENTER, SPb URBAN PLANNING OF TWO COMP, SPb INTERIOR MITSUBISHI|MAZDA CAR SALONS, SPb BUILT
ARCHITECT ASSISTANT AT ARCHITECTURAL WORKGROUP B2, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
MULTIFUNCTIONAL OFFICE COMPLEX (25 STOREY), SPb PRIZE WINNER AT ‘ARCHITECTON-2005’ OF ST PETERSBURG UNION OF ARCHITECTS
2004 - 2006
1ST PRIZE AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF DIPLOMAS AND WORK IN ARCHITECTURE ORGANIZER: INTERREGIONAL SOCIAL ORGANIZATION FOR ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
2005
EDUCATION
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE, LOS ANGELES, CA
2013
STATE UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
2006
MASTER OF DESIGN RESEARCH STYDIES (POST-GRADUATE, 3 SEMESTER PROGRAM) EMERGING SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES/MEDIA (ESTm) THESIS: MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURE, LACMA, LOS ANGELES, CA
DIPLOMA OF SPECIALIZED STUDIES (GRADUATE, 1,5 YEAR PROGRAM) FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE THESIS: REORGANIZATION OF TERRITORY BAYS IN SEVASTOPOL, CRIMEA, UKRAIN
STATE UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
BACHELOR (UNDERGRADUATE, 4,5 YEAR PROGRAM) FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE THESIS: DESIGN OF CITY BLOCK AND DWELLING HOUSE, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
SCHOOL OF ARTS, NORILSK, RUSSIA
MAJOR FIELDS: DRAWING, HISTORY OF ARTS, SCULPTURE
SECONDARY / HIGH SCHOOL, NORILSK, RUSSIA
PROFESSIONAL TRANING IN MATHEMATICS
COMPUTER SKILLS
3DS MAX, V-RAY, REVIT RHINO MAYA ADOBE PHOTOSHOP, ADOBE ACROBAT, ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR, ADOBE AFTER EFFECT, ADOBE INDESIGN AUTOCAD
DIGITAL PROJECT COREL DRAW PROCESSING
2005
1996 - 1999
1990-2000
LANGUAGES
RUSSIAN - NATIVE ENGLISH - ADVANCED
ADVANCED
BASIC
ARCHITECTURAL WORKGROUP B2,SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
DWELLING HOUSE ‘TOKIO’
2007-2011
THE DWELLING HOUSE IS LOCATED IN A NEW DEVELOPING DISTRICT IN THE NORTHERN SIDE OF SAINT PETERSBURG. THE COMPLEX CONSISTS OF THREE 25 - STOREY TOWERS. THEY ARE LOCATED ABOVE A PODIUM OFFERING PARKING, COMMERCIAL SPACES, A KINDERGARTEN, AND 1 TO 2-STOREY OFFICE UNITS. THE‘TOKIO’ HOUSES 711 APARTMENTS. MAINLY, THE BUILDING CONSISTS OF SMALL 1 AND 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. IT ALSO HAS 3 AND 4 BEDROOM DWELLINGS. THE THREE 25-STOREY TOWERS HAVE A RARE DESIGN COMBINATION OF ‘BUSINESS CLASS’ FACADES WITH ‘ECONOMY CLASS’ APARTMENTS. BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE FINSKY GULF OPEN UP FROM THEIR 17 TH FLOORS AND HIGHER. A VARIETY OF PLAYGROUNDS, SPORTS GROUNDS AND RECREATION AREAS ARE LOCATED AT THE PODIUM’S ROOF.
JOB TITLE: ARCHITECT. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: - DEVELOPING IDEAS WITH THE CLIENT; - 3D MODELING, CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS (PLANS, SECTIONS, MASTER PLAN, DETAILS); - APPLICATION FOR PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL DEPARTMENT; - COOPERATION WITH CONSTRUCTORS, SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS; - CONTROLLING THE PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH; - SOLVING ISSUES THAT ARISE DURING CONSTRUCTION
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE
DIGITAL PROJECT BICYCLE PARKING RACK NEXT TO PTERODACTYL STRUCTURE
2013
THE BASIC GEOMETRY OF THIS DESIGN DERIVES FROM A BUILDING LOCATED AT THE PROJECT’S SITE. IT IS A BICYCLE RACK. IT IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO PTERODACTYL PARKING STRUCTURE, A BUILDING DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT ERIC OWEN MOSS. THE BICYCLE RACK’S STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS ARE CONCEIVED FOLLOWING THE STRUCTURAL PRINCIPALS OF THE ADJACENT BUILDING. THE BICYCLE RACK STRUCTURE HAS DEFINED PARAMETERS DICTATING ITS FORM. A VARIETY OF STRUCTURAL CONFIGURATIONS TURNS IT INTO A COMPLEX GEOMETRY. THE FIRST AND THE LAST FRAMES ARE TRANSFORMED SIGNIFICANTLY IN ORDER TO CREATE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS FOR SHADING ABOVE (AWNING SYSTEM) AND A PENALIZATION SYSTEM WITH TRIANGULAR ELEMENTS COVERING IT. SITE: CULVER CITY, CA FACUTY: MARIA ZARMINE NIGOHOS
MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURE, LACMA, LOS ANGELES, CA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE
MOTION AND MONOLITHICITY IN ARCHITECTURE
2013
THIS PROJECT INVESTIGATES THE QUESTIONABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTION AND MONOLITHICITY, TWO CONCEPTS THAT TYPICALLY DO NOT COEXIST IN ARCHITECTURE. AFTER RESEARCHING WHAT IS THE NOTION OF A MONOLITH OBJECT MEANS FOR A BUILDING, THE MAIN FOCUS BECOMES OUR MOST QUESTIONED CONCEPTS - BEING THE TECTONICS OF A MONOLITH OBJECT. THE GEOMETRY IS AN OUTCOME OF DISTORTING AND ANIMATING A TRADITIONAL GRID, WHICH RESULTS IN A COMPOSITION OF COMPRESSED, THREE - DIMENSIONAL LAYERS. THE CHALLENGE IS TO FIND A DENSITY THAT SWITCHES FROM SOLIDITY TO POROSITY. IT CHANGES ACCORDINGLY ITS PERSPECTIVE AND IT ALLOWS CERTAIN DEPTH, REDEFINING THE IDEA OF POCHE IN ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS. THE REFINEMENT OF THE LAYERING INSPIRED A MATERIAL RESEARCH EXERCISE FOCUSED ON METHODS OF DEPOSITION. THE SELECTION OF MODELS REPRESENTS DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF THE FACADE, INVESTIGATING NOT ONLY THE IDEA OF MOTION, BUT ALSO LIGHT, SHADOW, DEPTH AND CONDENSATION. FACULTY: MARCELO SPINA ANDREW ATWOOD
MUSEUM, BARCELONA, SPAIN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE
MONSTROUS LUST
2013
THE STUDIO PROPOSES TO RE-EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITIES OF FORM GENERATION AS AN AUTONOMOUS ENTITY. IN THE CONTEXT OF THESE CONDITIONS, THE STUDIO FOCUSES IN THE GENERATION AND PRODUCTION OF MUTANT MICRO BEHAVIORS THAT ACCUMULATES TO CREATE SPECIES FROM SYSTEMS. THE PROJECTS AMBITION IS TO PRODUCE A S ERIES OF ARCHITECTURE ‘ORGANS’ THAT ESTABLISH THE POTENTIAL FOR ARCHITECTURE SYSTEMS SUCH AS STRUCTURE, ENVELOPE, FLOOR PLATES ETC. FACULTY:
HERNAN DIAZ ALONSO
ARABTEC CONSTRUCTION LLC, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
2011
THIS 460 METER HIGH TOWER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR GAZPROM HEADQUARTER OFFICES. IT IS A LANDMARK IN THE CITY OF SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF PARKING FACILITIES, A CONFERENCE AND SPORTS CENTER AND OFFICE BUILDINGS. AT THE TOP OF THE TOWER THERE WILL BE A VIEWING AREA OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
LAKHTA CENTER
THE GEOMETRY OF THE TOWER IS FORMED BY 5 SQUARES, WHICH ROTATE AROUND ITS CENTER POINT AS IT RISES. ITS FLOOR PLAN’S PROFILE REDUCES INCREMENTALLY AT EVERY LEVEL. THE SQUARES ARE SMALLER AND THEIR CENTERS SHIFT TO THE POINT OF INTERSECTION OF ITS AXES (CORE). THE BUILDING’S DOUBLE SKIN SYSTEM WORKS AS A THERMAL INSULATOR, AND PART OF THE BUILDING’S AIR VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE EXTERNAL FACADE DEVELOPS AS A GEOMETRICAL PATTERN OF HEXAGONAL MULLION LAYOUT. THE SKIN OF THE TOWER HAS TRANSPARENT AND REFLECTIVE GLASS. THE PURPOSE IS TO CREATE A RICHLY LAYERED FACADE THAT CATCHES LIGHT, COLORS, REFLECTION. JOB TITLE: ARCHITECT MAIN IRRESPONSIBILITY: -
ADJUSTING THE PROJECT ACCORDING RUSSIAN CODES; SOLVING ISSUES AND PROVIDING MISSING INFORMATION; COORDINATION WITH CONSTRUCTORS AND ENGINEERS; COORDINATION BMU SYSTEM WITH FACADE SYSTEM; COORDINATION WITH MATERIAL SUPPLIERS; FINISHES OF PUBLIC AREAS.
ARCHITECTURAL WORKGROUP B2,SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
BUSINESS CENTER
THE BUSINESS CENTER IS LOCATED PETERSBURG.
CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN
2009
OF SAINT
JOB TITLE: ARCHITECT. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: - DEVELOPING IDEAS WITH THE CLIENT; - 3D MODELING, DESIGN DRAWINGS (PLANS, SECTIONS, MASTER PLAN); - APPLICATION FOR PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL DEPARTMENT;
ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION, SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
MULLTIFUNCTIONAL BUSINESS CENTER
2008
THIS IS A MULTIFUNCTIONAL BUSINESS CENTER LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. THE COMPLEX PROVIDES OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACES. IT ALSO PROVIDE NEW PUBLIC RESTING AREAS AND SPACE FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THE COMPLEX CONSISTS OF A 25STOREY OFFICE TOWER AND 1 TO 2 STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. THEY FORM AN OPEN PUBLIC PLAZA. ITS GLASS FACADE STRUCTURE PARTIALLY COVERS THE TOWER AND IT CONTINUES BECOMING A ROOF STRUCTURE ABOVE THE PUBLIC OPEN SPACES. THIS ROOF IS DESIGNED AS A SURFACE FOR OUTDOOR SPORT ACTIVITIES AND EXHIBITIONS AREAS.
STATE UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
CITY BLOCK AND DWELLING HOUSE
2005
BACHELOR DEGREE THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SAINT PETERSBURG. THE MAIN IDEA IS TO CREATE LOW DENSITY GREEN LIVING AREAS. THE PROJECT OFFERS DIFFERENT PUBLIC SPACES INCLUDING SPORT PLAYGROUNDS, WALKING TRAILS, COVERED RESTING AREAS AND A SMALL LAKE WORKING AS THE BLOCK’S COMPOSITIONAL CORE. THE DWELLING HOUSES HAVE TERRACES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS, WHICH ALSO CORRESPONDS WITH THE IDEA OF CREATING LIVING AREAS WITH A HEIGHT LEVEL OF COMFORT.
ARCHITECTURAL WORKGROUP B2,SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
BUSINESS CENTER
2009
THE BUSINESS CENTER IS LOCATED IN THE DOWNTOWN OF SAINT PETERSBURG. THE 11 STOREY BUILDING PROVIDES OFFICE SPACES FOR THE INTERCOM COMPANY. IT ALSO HAS AN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT, A BANK AND A RESTAURANT AT ITS GROUND LEVEL. ITS COMPLICATED NARROW SITE BECOMES A CHALLENGE PROVIDING UNFORESEEN DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES. JOB TITLE: ARCHITECT. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: - DEVELOPING IDEAS WITH THE CLIENT; - 3D MODELING, DESIGN DRAWINGS (PLANS, SECTIONS, MASTER PLAN); - APPLICATION FOR PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL DEPARTMENT;
URBAN ANALYSIS AND DESIGN PROPOSAL FOR WESTERN PART OF LOS ANGELES, CA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE 2012
SCIFI STUDIO
FREED FROM DATASCAPING, VERSIONING, ARRAYING, MODULATION OR SWARMIG AND DELIVERED FROM THE DIFFICULT TASK OF BUILDING UP TOTAL EXPERTISE THIS STUDIO SOUGHT TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE THE CRISIS OF TEXTURE AND THE PREDICAMENT OF THE OBJECT. THE STUDIO SOUGHT TO MOVE BEYOND THE DILEMMA OF THE OVERLY FORMED CITY AND TO RE-ORGANIZE ITS COMPLEXITIES WITH NEW TOOLS AND NEW ATTITUDES TOWARDS A FORMLESS CITY. WORKING AT THE SCALE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A BLOCK AND A DISTRICT THE STUDIO PROPOSED FIGURES AND FIELDS, OBJECTS AND SPACES, TRANSITS AND NETWORKS WITH THE AIM OF EXPLORING THE CITY AS A FORMLESS PROCESS. FACULRY:
PETER ZELLNER
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE
ROBOTIC FABRICATION
2013
THESE SERIES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS INSPIRED BY ROBOTIC FABRICATION IN ARCHITECTURE, ART,AND DESIGN. THE PROJECTS SHOW THE WIDE RANGE OF ADVANCED CAPABILITIES OF ROBOTS IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY -FROM SHADOW INSTALLATION TO CUTTING-EDGE ROBOTIC MILLING AND METHOD OF DEPOSITION.
ARCHITECTURAL WORKGROUP B2, SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
INTERIOR SPACE OF THE MAIN LOBBY OF DWELLING HOUSE
2010
THE DWELLING HOUSE IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN OF SAINT PETERSBURG. THE LOBBY AS A MAIN WELCOMING SPACE WAS DESIGNED WITH HIGH-QUALITY FINISHES. NATURAL STONE AS A MAIN MATERIAL CORRESPONDS WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING. LIGHT INSTALLATION HIDING TWO COLUMNS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOBBY IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THIS INTERIOR SPACE DIVIDING THE SPACE TO TWO AREAS. JOB TITLE: ARCHITECT. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: - DEVELOPING IDEAS WITH THE CLIENT; - 3D MODELING, CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS (PLANS, ELEVATIONS, DETAILS); - COOPERATION WITH CONSTRUCTORS, SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS; - SOLVING ISSUES THAT ARISE DURING CONSTRUCTION
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
2006
INTERIOR SPACE OF CAR SALON’S SHOWROOMS.
MAZDA
-
MITSUBISHI
JOB TITLE: ARCHITECT. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: -
SELECTION OF MATERIALS; 3D MODELING,CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS(PLANS,DETAILS); COOPERATION WITH SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS; CONTROLLING THE PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH; SOLVING SSUES THAT ARRISE DURING CONSTRUCTION