Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
PORTFOLIO ///////////////
N.PAPPAS ////////////////
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
office: Gensler | year: 2015 | status: built
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
U.S. Bank Tower Lobby Renovation I worked on the design development and construction documentation of the main lobby as part of an extensive $50 million renovation to the iconic downtown Los Angeles skyscraper. The face-lift given to the ground floor lobby includes an expanse of 30’ tall curved structural glass, custom terrazzo flooring, a fresh palette of stone and stainless steel, and the integration of a 126’ long digital art wall. The unique existing radial geometry guided the design development as every joint and line was scrutinized over in its relationship to both old and new elements. The design was intended to be simple and clean with an incredible amount of attention paid to the smallest of details while striving for a jewel-like perfection.
Before Photo
After Photo
Entry Portal
The 30 year-old design had felt dated, dark, and closed off from it’s environment. By expanding the space physically and visually with a massive expanse of glass, our goal was to create a light filled open lobby that felt to be a part of the vibrant city that lay outside it’s invisible walls.
I worked with a small team in Revit to model, detail, and document the design for many areas of the project such as the floors, the entry systems, and interior walls. I coordinated with various consultants and engineers to develop the highly custom systems we used throughout the project.
One of my responsibilities on the project included the design, detailing, and documentation of the building’s main entry portals which create a near seamless arrival experience between outside and in with oversized automatic sliding doors that almost disappear.
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
office: Gensler | year: 2014 | status: in construction
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
Metropolis | Phase I A 3.5 million square foot mixed-use development in downtown Los Angeles with residential, hotel, office, and retail space. The finished project will include four towers sitting atop a 66’ tall podium. This construction was designed to be completed in two phases. As part of the phase I team from schematic design through the end of design development, I worked on developing the facade of the 38-story residential tower. Each of the four towers share a similar design language, but are individual in their expression requiring great cooperation and coordination between a large design team. I designed several iterations of both digital and physical models of the tower facade and ultimately documented the designs using Revit.
previous scheme
construction photo
Some of the goals for the facade included creating a strong texture that appeared randomized while maintaining great efficiency and responding to the interior conditions. This rendering was an earlier scheme that was developed for the client which evolved into the final design.
The final facade design utilizes a system of steel panels, glass curtain wall, and operable windows. The paneling pattern changes across the floors of the tower creating rich variety with a limited kit of parts.
facade photo
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
office: Gensler | year: 2016 | status: in construction
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
Hard Rock Hotel | Riviera Cancun An 1,800 key all-inclusive resort in Riviera Cancun, Mexico. I began the project in schematic design and worked through the completion of design development focused on the interior architecture of the public spaces. While the design was a large team effort, I took a leadership role as the Revit coordinator responsible for maintaining consistent standards across team members working from multiple offices and in different countries. At nearly 1 Km long, the ground floor of the property features a continuous promenade of public guest amenities extending outward from a central main lobby. Each wing of the promenade includes numerous themed restaurants, bars, retail experiences, and entertainment venues for day and night activities.
rendering
entry experience
lobby section
The design drew inspiration from the concepts of water, sound, and rhythm, while striving to integrate the local heritage and culture. The building took on the form of a wave in order to fit the required room count on the restrictive site while giving ocean views from every room.
The project site is secluded from the town behind a protected mangrove forest with limited access. Designing the entire entry experience from the airport landing all the way into the guest room played a important role in crafting the desired sense of arrival.
Much of my effort on the project went into designing the main lobby as a grand open space that connects from the entry straight outdoors toward the ocean. I also helped to design the experience along the promenade as well as two of the large 3-meal restaurants.
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
partner: Cory Walker | year: 2013 | status: built mock-up
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
Flex Pavilion Designed as an entry into the International Festival of Art and Construction’s (IFAC) Sunshade Competition, the Flex Pavilion is an adaptable modular system that can accommodate a variety of programs and functions. As the winning entry in the international competition, my partner and I were invited to Spain to lead a week long workshop to build a prototype of our design. Working with an extremely limited budget, we used readily available and inexpensive materials such as bamboo and concrete to create a sculptural shading device. The repetition of the module allows for several potential pavilion forms to be created based on user needs.
module
configurations
mock-up construction
Attending the festival were nearly 300 architecture students from around the world who were able to participate in any of the multiple workshops offered. As a workshop instructor we taught the students about construction methods and materials through hands-on fabrication of our design.
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
professor: Karen Lange | year: 2012 | status: built
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
White | Studio 400 Bookshow Woven from 80,000 sq.ft. of plastic, White employs traditional tectonics along side contemporary ideas of form. The structurally supportive web transformed the Berg Gallery into an interactive environment for the display of our studio’s thesis books. Two distinct spaces were formed: above and below, each providing a comfortable setting for the enjoyment of our books. The underside was filled with woven pillow seating to provide communal gathering spaces beneath the columns of light. Above provided a fun and active canopy that accommodated climbing, rolling, crawling, and sitting. The deformable surface responded to the movement and distribution of users creating a dynamic interaction between the two spaces.
design concept
The installation was a collaboration of our thesis studio that began with individual concept submissions. This diagram was my contribution to our initial ideas session.
assembly diagram
final photography
The final installation incorporated much of the essence of my submission, adapting the form to fit the specific conditions of the existing gallery space.
We developed a system of modular components along with a methodology of assembly. A series of tubes were woven and hung from the existing structure of the gallery. The five tubes were then connected to form a continuos surface that could be engaged from all directions. The single surface served as seating, ceiling, wall, and floor all at once, adapting to the functions of it’s users.
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
professor: Tom Fowler | year: 2010 | status: built
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
SWARMbrella I designed and built this installation as part of the Re-Kinetic exhibit displayed in Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library. The goal was to create a kinetic sculpture from re-purposed materials. Using only umbrellas, I developed a modular system inspired by the behavior of swarms. Acting as a flexible skin, the movement of each umbrella affects the behavior of its neighbors as would a swarm. The surface can twist and turn into countless forms without sacrificing structural rigidity. The installation was selected to remain on permanent display in the library’s atrium after the conclusion of the exhibit. I then entered the design into the Architecture for Humanity Street Furniture Competition in Chicago where it was selected as a finalist.
module
assembly
The modular system was developed through the re-configuration of a simple umbrella. By re-imagining what the found object could become, the umbrella took on a new life as the building block of the installation. The potential of the system was further explored as street furniture in a competition submission for which I rendered the image to the right.
rendering
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
office: Ball-Nogues Studio | year: 2011 | status: built
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
Yucca Crater | Talus Dome My internship at Ball-Nogues Studio focused on the fabrication and construction of the Talus Dome and resulting Yucca Crater. Two projects were created from one construction process, re-utilizing the necessary form work of the Talus Dome into its own project, Yucca Crater. The plywood formwork was initially fabricated and assembled in Burbank, California. The form was then filled with a variety of stainless-steel balls which were structurally welded to one another in place. The welded sections were shipped up to Edmonton, Alberta to be installed along the Quesnell Bridge as a sculptural mirror to the landscape. The formwork was then re-purposed as a recreational amenity out near Joshua Tree National Park.
plan drawing
construction
final photography
The design was developed digitally in 3D Studio Max to create the desired form and modulation of the spheres. I helped to translate the digital model into files we could use for fabrication. After I set up the new CNC router on site we were able to begin cutting the forms.
We cut and assembled all of the wood formwork pieces based on the files generated from the digital model. This was my first experience working on the construction end of a project. I learned first-hand how what I design in the computer impacts the reality out in the field.
Much of the summer was spent building the 28’ tall wooden inverse mold. Using this formwork that I helped detail and fabricate, a team of welders came in to connect the spheres to one another and finish the reflective steel sculpture shown above called Talus Dome.
Nicolas C. Pappas | portfolio
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
office: IwamotoScott Architecture | year: 2010 | status: built
Obscura Wall My internship at IwamotoScott Architecture focused on the design development and technical documentation of the Obscura Wall. The 30’ steel screen functions as a book case and spatial divider between the shared office space of IwamotoScott and Obscura Digital. The undulating wall is composed of 186 unique steel boxes hanging from 31 custom vertical ribs. The spacing between the laser-cut boxes changes based on curvature, creating a dynamic visual effect as you move across the space. From one side the wall appears opaque while allowing visual connection from the other. To create the desired porosity, each box had to be individually detailed to create the proper connections between neighboring modules.
plan & elevations
My work on the project began in schematic design and carried through the completion of the fabrication drawings. I modeled the project using Rhino and developed the design through several iterations to meet the project goals of the client.
concept rendering
From the 3D model I generated all the files used to digitally fabricate the individual boxes and ribs. Each box was then folded into shape from a flat sheet, powder coated and assembled with custom designed connections.
This project was my first dive into digital fabrication which turned into a passion that I have continued to explore in my design work. Tools such as CNC routers, laser cutters, and 3D printers have since become an integral piece of my design process.
founder & owner | year: 2013 | status: in business
Love Your Feet | Socks for the Heart & Sole I started my own business called Love Your Feet, LLC which designs and sells socks both online and in stores internationally. The geometric patterns are inspired by architectural explorations of scaling and transformations. The business began as a personal design project and has evolved over the past few years with an entrepreneurial drive and constant learning along the way. I’ve been able to personally design and build every aspect of the company from the logo, to the website, the business plan, advertisements, packaging, all the way to the socks themselves with a signature heart on the soles.
Design
Marketing
Business
As the designer, I have released three lines of unique patterned fashion socks for men and women. I created a website and online store to showcase my sock designs and build a brand image.
Utilizing several Social and marketing strategies I used both Instagram and Facebook to garner an organic and paid following worldwide. I also created a sock subscription service along with more traditional retail sales.
I established and managed overseas manufacturing to meet my business goals. I set up distribution systems for wholesale clients and direct consumer customers. Under my leadership the company was able to reach profitability in under two years.
3lur.com
Nicolas C. Pappas
pappas.nicolasc@gmail.com | 818.451.8000
summer 2012 - summer 2016
Gensler | Los Angeles | architectural designer
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Developed designs through all phases with digital & physical presentation materials and technical documentation Hospitality Studio | 1 year | Hard Rock Hotel Cancun: SD-DD | Historic Mayfair Hotel Renovation: CDs Institutional Studio | 1 year | Biola University, Center for Science, Technology & Health: DD-CD Commercial Office Buildings Studio | 2 years | US Bank Tower Renovation: DD-CD | Metropolis: SD-DD
fall 2016 - present
Architectural Registration Exams | California
Began studying for and passed all 7 ARE’s, currently preparing for the CSE to become a licensed architect
winter 2013 - present
Love Your Feet, LLC | Los Angeles | founder & owner
Started my own line of architecturally inspired socks that are sold internationally both online and in stores. In charge of all operations including design, manufacturing, marketing, sales, distribution, and business development.
spring 2012
Morphosis Architects | Culver City | architecture intern
winter 2012
Eric Owen Moss Architects | Culver City | architecture intern
Digital and physical modeling for large mixed-use project
Crafted physical presentation models for a creative office project
summer 2011
Ball-Nogues Studio | Los Angeles | design & fabrication intern Digital design coordination and construction of a public art sculpture
winter 2011 - spring 2011
SPaCe Architects | Los Angeles | architecture & interiors intern Interior specs and CDs for a 8,500 sqft Beverly Hills residential remodel
fall 2010
IwamotoScott Architecture | San Francisco | architecture & design intern
RECOGNITION
E D U C AT I O N
DD-CDs for a digitally fabricated custom steel screen
fall 2007 - summer 2012
California Polytechnic State University | San Luis Obispo | Bachelor of Architecture Magna cum laude | President’s Honors List 4 years | Dean’s Honors List 14 quarters
spring 2011 fall 2010
Cal Poly L.A. Metro Program | Los Angeles | independent study design studio San Francisco Urban Design Program | San Francisco | design studio & case study
summer 2010
Switzerland Off-Campus Program | Ticino | study abroad design studio
summer 2013
1st Place | IFAC Sunshade Competition | Madrid, Spain
Winning design entitled Flex Pavilion, a reconfigurable modular bamboo structure
spring 2012
1st Place | Archive Competition: Event Space | San Luis Obispo
1st place video submission of the hanging plastic immersive environment entitled White
spring 2012
Press Coverage | White: Studio 400 Bookshow Installation | San Luis Obispo
featured in numerous publications around the world both online & in print including: ArchDaily, Archinect, Detail (DE), Journal du Design (FR), The Architect’s Journal (UK), & dozens more
winter 2011
Finalist | Architecture for Humanity: Street Furniture Competition | Chicago
spring 2010
Installation selected for permanent display | ReKinetic Exhibit | San Luis Obispo
Designed a low-cost flexible canopy intended to help activate pockets of underutilized urban areas
SKILLS
LEADERSHIP
Designed and fabricated a kinetic installation made from recycled materials entitled SWARMbrella
summer 2014 - summer 2016
Co-Editor | Gensler Craft Book | Los Angeles
a regional publication showcasing innovative examples of craft around the firm
spring 2015 - summer 2016
Co-Founder | Gensler gFit | Los Angeles
an office-wide committee leading activities and programs focused on the health & wellness of it’s employees
summer 2013
Workshop Instructor | International Festival of Art & Construction | Madrid, Spain led a team of international architecture students to construct a full scale mock-up of the Flex Pavilion
fall 2009 - summer 2010
Treasurer | American Institute of Architecture Students | San Luis Obispo
fall 2008 - summer 2009
Vice President | College Based Fees Steering Committee | San Luis Obispo
3D
Revit | Rhino | SketchUp | 3D Studio Max | T-Splines | Maya | Grasshopper
2D
Photoshop | Illustrator | InDesign | V-Ray | AutoCAD | Excel
Physical
fabrication | CNC | 3D printing | laser cutting | model making | wood working | welding | drawing