MICHAEL COST
Michael Constantinides Portfolio
This Portfolio is dedicated to Chichi, who’s study sessions, friendship and kindness got me through my Undergraduate Degree. I will continue my studies in honour of her memory because not succeeding will be a mockery to her life and the time she invested in me and my friends.
Chilambwe “Chi-Chi” Mofu 8th - April 1990 - 19th October 2014
CONTENT PAGE: - PERSONAL STATEMENT - UNIVERISTY WORK 2011-2013 - PRACTICAL YEAR EXPERIENCE 2014 - AFTER 8-5
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Personal Statement / Letter of Intent of Michael Constantinides When asked to create these two items, I found it hard to cast my entire being into a few words and to separate who I am with what my intention and future goals are. To therefore reach a solution I will combined it all. By starting this personal statement with how it all began, where I am now and where I see myself going. While I was still a child we ran into financial problems, my parents lost their business and my mom had to find employment urgently to keep us going. She started working as the accounts lady at my uncle’s architectural firm. I was too young for school and my Mom could not afford crèche, and so, I was in the fortunate position of having to go to work with my Mom. An architect’s office can be a very inspiring, adventurous and creative space for a small child. Sheets of paper flowing from one desk to another, creating a road of lines and symbols connecting the office; huge drawing tables create the heights through this office’s city blocks; colour pens and pallets that become the city’s night lights and billboards; models of buildings that create details and art sculptures in the office’s public squares. All these elements became beyond amusing for a child and amused I was indeed. Upon arrival one day, I remember my uncle handing me two line drawings, which were perspectives of two separate houses, he then gave me the all-important task of colouring in the drawings, as he needed them urgently for the next day. I, to this day, remember how important I felt, how, without these two drawings (which I needed to render), that without me, the project would fail. This is when my passion started, my passion for design. It started in the age of architecture when computers were still not used and architects used their hands to create and imagine instead of using their figures to click and type. My passion is rooted in the crinkle of paper, the crunch of ‘bumf’, lines across a sheet that talk of buildings, homes and cities, drawing boards and ‘copic’ pens, and of course deadlines. My passion for creative arts grew exponentially from that point onwards. When applying for University, I knew that my passion was design and I applied for several different degrees with this in mind. Thinking that I would only be accepted to one, this would help narrow my choices and in essence make the decision for me. However after being accepted to each one, I was now stuck with the hard task of deciding which path to take. What may have seemed to be a hard decision was actually not, because I realized that architecture was the field where I could best excel, as this was the highest form of art. This appealed to me and made me understand that with this degree I would be able to expand my mind, my creativity and it would push me beyond my limits like no other degree could. A new desire began to grow within me, the desire to become a polymath. A polymath is a person, whose knowledge crosses over many different fields and is able to bring all areas together to create a solution. One could say that an architect is a polymath, in essence; however, to become an individual that is able to develop many abilities in different design fields is a complete dissimilar idea. Being able to achieve whatever your heart desires is something instilled in my DNA through my family. Becoming a Modern Polymath does not mean that I will not be an architect but rather an architect, a graphic designer, a painter, a jewellery designer, a furniture designer and an artist, all combined in one. A polymath draws from different disciplines to solve certain difficulties. I have come to the point in my life were I need to develop one skill at a time, and the biggest and most challenging, is to become an architect. Being able to design, create and execute art that people can walk through, live in and enjoy the space that I am responsible for. Structures that rise to the green expectation that is required, that includes sustainable and conscious design. I started jewellery design near the end of my Bachelors of Architecture Studies degree. I took the skills learnt through my second year model making course and design knowledge and started to create, by mistake, wearable art. This fun little task was merely a side activity but slowly grew into a student being able to create an object that can be exchanged for money. I quickly learnt the business of having a client, creating a brief, designing, constructing, and selling, on a micro level but skills that would be handy for many years to come. Unlike an immovable structure that an architect would design, I created small moveable designs that would be sold in stores nationwide. In the final all-nighters, which is part of any architectural degree, I reflected back on the countless hours without rest and I enjoyed the experience. I look back on the degree I have obtained and I can see and attest that no other degree would have had the capability of
transforming my mind and establishing my imagination in a way that almost seems impossible. I stood on the edge of past and future, and was excited for the adventure that was to follow: my work experience year. With glazed eyes, I for saw 2014 being a year of promise and ease. A year of promise and ease was not what 2014 held but rather a year of seismic personal hardship, and trauma. The year started off with a friend of 15 years dying suddenly in a car accident like his brother before him. Shaken by the loss it took me some time to bounce back and look at life with positive and hopeful eyes again. I continued not realizing the hardship I would face to secure a job. I then found a job working for an Interior Decorator, where I had to do architectural drawings and finishing schedules for architects in Mozambique. My next assignment was with Paul Swart Architects, where my first day was spent on a plane being flown to a game reserve, famous for housing the Big 5. This trip was merely for a site inspection; on foot, with no protection from the wildlife or the elements. Surprisingly I survived the entire ‘bundu-bashing’ experience; all was going well until I was retrenched suddenly after my second month. Another hard knock and definitely not something you plan to happen. This knocks not only my momentum but my confidence too, something that hit me while I was not wearing my hard hat. I took this retrenchment personally and I felt responsible for this unfortunate situation. Desperate to be working and to be working towards the career I was so eager to build, I started apply for a job yet again. On the eve of my 21st Birthday, I witnessed a teenage boy being flung in the air by a metal structure; a car. Undesired front row tickets to this body bashing, as I watched his body fly into the air as if he had cranes lifting him. His body created shapes and forms that I did not know the human body could clench. He landed on the ground and rolled like a piece of aggregate thrown up a hill and yet still survived. I stayed there by his side for hours and had my right-sided brain bioscope the event over and over in my brain for days to come. I was employed by Venter, Human + Strydom Architects where I soon found happiness, consistency and the ability to work on a sizable variety of architectural projects from several diverse aspects and roles. I was able to experience architecture from different angles, and to understand it from different perspectives. I have experience knowledge, the application thereof, and the curves of creating. As all seemed to finally be going well life dealt me another brick to the head. A very close friend, Chi-Chi, was killed a week before her final exams by a drunken driver. Someone’s death on paper to the reader can be insignificant unless the person who has died is honestly exemplified. Chi-Chi was an amazing, beautiful and extremely clever young lady who not only chose me as a friend but also helped pull me through my undergraduate. Chi-Chi, through her kindness, humour and selflessness, held Civil Engineering (which was a course taken in both second and third year of my degree) study sessions for myself and our other architecture friends. I know that without her constant explaining of simple graphs and equations I would have not been able to pass the subject. I am still trying to recover from the loss, devastation and trauma of the year; a year which has also been filled with excitement at the power of my work. I am reminded by a quote from Leonardo Da Vinci (one of the biggest polymaths of our time, a Renaissance Man); “I love those who can smile in Trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” I am a designer by heart, body, and soul. I live to design and to create no matter how small or large the artwork may be. I strive to become an architect and am moving to open my own architectural firm which will have many different design branches but all connected. I want to further my studies because I know that I have reached the point were furthering my studies is the only way to continue the expansion on my intellect, my design, my abilities and capabilities, my imagination and the possibilities that lie ahead of me. Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it”. In a work experience capacity I have learnt so much that I feel I have gained more knowledge and experience in one year than I did in three years of theory. On a personal level, I have learnt that life is never certain. Life changes so quickly and one can always draw up plans but the client always has corrections and alterations and you need to adapt, be flexible but always stay true to who you are. My personal difficulties have made me stronger and this can only help me in my future studies and in business one day. With this having been said, I will pursue my principles; as I know what future I want to create.
UNIVERSITY WORK 2011-2013
Exhibition Gallery: South West Elevation
Artist’s Studio: South Elevation
Design 1: Artist’s Studio Description: Final Project of First Year Design Course in 2011. The brief was to design an Exhibition Gallery, Artist Studio, House for the Artist, and a Public Cafe. The point of the project was to apply construction and design knowledge gained from that year. Also to create a space that would accommodate the specific artists work through careful study of the artist medium and needs to create.
Exhibition Gallery: Section
Artist’s Studio: West Elevation
Exhibition Gallery: Living Wall Plant Schedule
Artist’s House: Section
Exhibition Gallery: Model
Artist’s House: North East Elevation
Birds Eye View of Concept Development Design 3: Human Rights Museum Description: Design Project which was carried into Construction 3. The brief was to design a Human Rights Museum which came with a large requirements to test the students to be able to design around constraints and program.
Conceptual Service Core Analysis and Space Development
The aim of this project is to create a new development on the West of Juta Street; to spark a new development scheme on this side of Braamfontein! Juta Street on the East of Jan Smut Street has become a social, entertainment and pedestrian hub , the development that is occurring here as well as the activities have created a city renewal however this has not yet poured over Jan Smut into the west side for the street is cut and unconnected. This new development is a building which draws from the typologies of its surrounding area but does not mimic or duplicates but merely translates a common language that is adapted into a new dictionary. A sustainable, green space to draw in pedestrians into its surrounding area but also into itself. To achieve this the direct pavements around the site will be developed to be more pedestrian friendly and enhance the greenery in the area with a grand stair case to the main entrance which acts as a pulling mechanism.
The point of the project was to apply construction and design knowledge but to think broader than the site at hand. To create a space that would accommodate the needs the client had to have a constantly busy working building.
The building will create the allusion of a multi- façade building. This will be achieved by a vast glazed box as the climatic façade which will wrap around the sides of the building. The interior of the building will be the next ‘façade’. Each floor will have a angular plan which is not connected to the exterior glazing and to the floors above and below it thus creating a multilayered effect which is influenced by the concept of diversity and how all the rights and different people of South Africa come together in unison!
Conceptual Development Sketches
The courtyard is a common design element used in cities to allow natural light to infiltrate the building. This design typology has been adapted where an artistic circulation between the floors will web the sides of the atrium. The concept of connection from different walks of life. The atrium will be enclosed with a glazed roof with lager concrete fins for climatic control and the idealism of the light of the future.
Conceptual Service Core Analysis and Space Development
Mapping of Exhibition Spaces
Conceptual Mapping on Figure Ground to Connect all surrounding Museums
This indicates the relation of exhibition Spaces / Museums that are in Braamfontein and its immediate surrounding area. Although there may seem like many, there are very few and are mostly small. Majority of these spaces are closed off and are not on street level therefore there is less pedestrian suction into them. Since they are not as easily accessible in comparison to directly on the street, the interest in them is lessened and therefore the connection between them all is less stronger. By not creating a easily accessible exhibition space or building with exhibition spaces in side of it, therefore it does not become public knowledge that such a space is there ultimating in the space not being visited by the public. Since the Museum’s exhibition will be based on Human Rights it immediately sets it apart to all the others because there are no others like it in its surroundings. It will also be one of the few that are pointed out which will have a research / archive facilities; because of this function as well, not only art lovers will be drawn to the building but also researchers and students. The bus stop on site will also be allocated in such a place that could be a on route exhibition space tour that could start from East Juta Street then drive either through the Smit Service Road then up Station Street, stoping at the Museum, then to Wits Art Museum; or it could start on East Juta Str, then Birds Eye View of Final Design heading to the Wits Art Museum and then ending at the Human Rights
Birds Eye View of Design and Relationship development with public park. Design 3: 3 Castle’s Studio Description: Final Project of First Year Design Course in 2011. The brief was to design an Exhibition Gallery, Artist Studio, House for the Artist, and a Public Cafe.
Artistic Sketch of Interior Public Space
The point of the project was to apply construction and design knowledge gained from that year. Also to create a space that would accommodate the specific artists work through careful study of the artist medium and needs to create.
Conceptual Development Sketches
Conceptual Development Sketches
Conceptual Development Sketch
Conceptual Development Sketch
Pedestrian Highway
Radio Station
Park
3 CASTLE STUDIO
Radio Station
movement through it. Marshal Road is paved in front of the studio to create a fluid link between the two blocks. The park has a mixture of materials with Glazedincircular is what theisradio station isshape comprised of. Aout double system of glazing nature cellulartubes shapes which a common through the production and structural makeproposed the outer site shellfor of the radiotoilets stations. The cavity studio. The parkmullions has a new public as well as twobetween bus the drop zones, Street and Street. The centre of within the park two off systems actsonasMarshal a sound barrier with Anderson sound proofing membranes inlaid it so that homestation to retail spaces for informal tradersThe to set uptoshop. These short are sliding theisradio becomes completely transparent. doors the radio stations concrete walls create a communal space which forces people to gravitate doors which once closed become flush with the rest of the structure. Each radio station is attowards theindividual centre ofproducers the park.station A similar design has been for a to green tached to its and in turn attached toused each other form a chain pocket on the Northern proposed site. Lights surround the park so that it of 6 tubes. These tubes become flush with the underside of the floor slab above. A ceiling becomes a useful place through out the day and night. A portion in front of the is placed within them to help with acoustics and lighting. Theses cylinders are placed on a production studio has been left open so that public viewings can take part. suspended floor which is at the same the ground this or flooring Films can either be projected ontolevel the at building forfloor. nightThrough functions a 3Msystem ventilation the stationsFilm as well as the between the two This shape Vikuiti RearofProjection (RPF) cancavity be placed within theglazing glazingsystems. of the first is continued in theIfpark layoutmounted for the park traders. floor to have a 24 hour experience. a screen onto the building was desired then that would be possible as well.
Exhibition Gallery: South West Elevation The design intention was to explore theconnection between the exiting building with the new design, through the use of lines. By continuing the lines created by the existing 3 Castles Building, the existing became one with the new design and helped create vast vertical forms. The other exploration was circulation and movement through the building. This was achieved by accentuating the circulation spaces and by creating a open ground floor to allow large thoroughfare. Also by connecting the the urban fabric to the building itself.
3 CASTLE STUDIO
A highway is defined as a main road for vehicles which connects major towns and cities, therefore a ‘pedestrian highway’ is a main platform / road for people to move between major spaces and buildings. This concept is used within the design to create a connection between all the buildings surrounding site. This is why it is proposed to connect the new developments on the northern side Glazed circular tubes is what the radio station is comprised of. A double system of glazing of the block. The proposed highway starts on the third floor of the production and structural mullions make the outer shell of the radio stations. The cavity between the studio and pours out the northern facade and then will penetrate the two two systems acts as a sound barrier with sound proofing membranes inlaid within it so that proposed buildings. The highway is an external and internal concept. The the radio station becomes completely transparent. The doors to the radio stations are sliding reason for it being raised is so that it does not disturb ground movement design doors which once closed become flush with the rest of the structure. Each radio station is atand so that there is then a two layered movement system operating. The tached to its individual producers station and in turn attached to each other to form a chain highway is intended to connect public functions within the buildings. of 6 tubes. These tubes become flush with the underside of the floor slab above. A ceiling is placed within them to help with acoustics and lighting. Theses cylinders are placed on a suspended floor which is at the same level at the ground floor. Through this flooring system ventilation of the stations as well as the cavity between the two glazing systems. This shape The park is a continuation of the ground floor and the proposed site. The ground is continued in the park layout for the park traders. floor of the production studio is open plan so that there is a free north to south
Exhibition Gallery: Section
WORK EXPERIENCE 2014
House Renovation Job Description: - Surveying - Renovation Design - 3D Modelling - Overall Project Proposal - Council Drawing Submission
House Renovation Job Description: - Surveying - Council Drawing and Submission - SDP Drawing and Submission
Multi-Religious Church Precinct + Framework: Area 1
Multi-Religious Church Precinct + Framework: Area 2
Job Description: - Church and Precinct Design - Mapping and Locality Mapping - Design Proposal - Urban Renewal Framework Design - 3D Modelling - Overall Project Proposal Brochure
Job Description: - Church and Precinct Design - Mapping and Locality Mapping - Design Proposal - Urban Renewal Framework Design - 3D Modelling - Overall Project Proposal Brochure
Shopping Centre Renewal
Shopping Centre Renewal
Job Description: - Locality Mapping - Design Proposal - 3D Modelling - Overall Project Proposal Brochure -Logo Design
Job Description: - Locality Mapping - Design Proposal - 3D Modelling - Overall Project Proposal Brochure - Logo Design
Social Housing Job Description: - Overall Design - Locality Mapping - 3D Modelling - Design Proposal - Architectural Plans - Overall Design Proposal Brochure
AFTER 8-5
Seven.Five: Rosebank
Michael Cost Co.
Job Description: - New Shop Design - 3D Renders - Design Proposal - Architectural Plans - Plans Submission
Specialised Wooden Jewellery Designs in Stores in all Big Blue Store Nation wide and any laser cutting needs. Established 2013.
“I walk, I look, I see, I stop, I photograph.� (Leon Levinstein) ... I sketch!