T e r r a A r t i |p h| y c i a l i s

T E R R A A RT I P H Y C I A L I S material intermediations between the natural and the artif icial

diploma project Collaboration: Katerina Vasileiou, Nina Hatzitheofilou Supervisor: Stavros Vergopoulos

T E R R A A RT I P H Y C I A L I S material intermediations between the natural and the artif icial

Central axis of this thesis project is the dialectical relationship between natural and artificial, accompanied by a simultaneous obsession around the primary, fundamental nature of the material.

The building is the result of its materials’ embedded “expression�, instead of a materialized version of abstract graphic imagery.

Its form is constantly changing over time within the sequential transformation of its material. The final topology evolves as a designed probabilistic event through correlations of time and environmental factors, incorporating the intelligence of the natural.

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P A RT I : DESIGN PROCESS 6

materiality 8

context 10

f unction 12

making 14

representations

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P A RT I I : T E R R A A RT I P HY C I A L I S 18

terra artiphycialis i 20

t e r r a a r t i p h y c i a l i s ii 22

t e r r a a r t i p h y c i a l i s iii 24

terra artiphycialis v

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T E R R A A RT I P H Y C I A L I S material intermediations between the natural and the artif icial

Our diploma project was ignited by rethinking an architecture that is somehow primitive yet contemporary, familiar yet alien, simple yet complex.

An architecture less sterile and driven by form, less emblematic and spectacular and instead more essential and genuine.

An architecture brutally direct and naturally simple.

Unblemished by mimetic intent, showing nothing but itself, through its material manifestation.

An architecture, that arises as a product of our inner necessity instead of a materialized version of abstract graphic imagery. By ensuring its existence and interaction with human need and desire, until the latter ceases to exist.

An architecture capable of interacting with its environment, while at the same time being incorporated among it, as a part of a whole larger system.

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“ The isle of Alatas ”

October 2015