PIOTR TOMANEK
FOUND MECHANISM PATTERN + SURFACE MODEL PERFORMATIVE URBAN MACHINE ISKRA STUDIO FIRST NATIONS HOUSING CHBA COMPETITION PHOTOGRAPHY PAINTING DRAWING
THE FOUND MECHANISM 2012-Academic UC Berkeley-Summer Session Instructor-Melanie Kaba Independent Work Canon Rebel T3i 18-55mm, Graphite College of Environmental Design Wurster Hall
I
Sprouting from a selection of objects presented by UC Berkeley faculty then chosen at random by students, we begin analysis of a found object through comprehensive drawings focusing on representation as well as mechanical function. Reproducing elevations of the bicycle buzzer on paper creates a familiarity with the object while carefully selected scientific cuts reveal the hidden geometry within the bicycle buzzer. Superimpositions made by overlapping elements provide a provocative environment within the drawing. This exercise exposed the remarkable within the ordinary, through a process of reduction, repetition and rearrangement new and complex series of forms come to life.
FOUND MECHANISM
PATTERN + SURFACE 2012-Academic UC Berkeley-Summer Session Instructor-Melanie Kaba Independent Work Graphite, Tracing Paper, X-acto College of Environmental Design Wurster Hall
III
Elaborating on the concepts that the Found Mechanism established; we begin designing a 2D “dress pattern” from a selected portion of our drawing. This selected portion is overlapped and rotated becoming a module, which is moved and repeated according to a set of rules. The nature of these established rules result in the formation of dynamic relationships between lines or “seams”. These rules are not absolute being allowing for slight variation, however they provide instructions for a multi-combinational architectural surface capable of evoking surprising forms through superimposition. Line types and weights become a code, instructions for cutting, folding or punching the paper partially enclosing space in a manner that is complex, diverse and architecturally suggestive. The transition from 2-dimesions to 3-dimensions is achieved by carefully analyzing structural relationships, experimentation and execution creating a visible harmony bounded by each surface.
PATTERN+SURFACE
PERFORMATIVE URBAN MACHINE 2012-Academic UC Berkeley-Summer Session Instructor-Melanie Kaba Independent Work Graphite, Foam Core, X-acto Site Location: Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower Filbert St. at Sansome St. San Francisco
V
Situated on a steep incline complimenting a set of stairs leading up to Coit tower in San Francisco, a proposed sculptural installation explores the dynamic nature of events and processes inherent in urbanity. Built as a space intended for creative pursuits, this design allows for a showcase of cultural eccentricity gathered from the surrounding community and visiting artists. Multiple visits to the site permitted the flexible evolution of design intention while supporting the underlying metaphoric program of the installation. Cast in place concrete slabs hold a stoic presence, projecting the idea of a blank canvas or backdrop for impromptu performances. Ideas of decay, parasitical relationships between active and inert incidents, and erosion are explored through a series of study models. Sculptural experimentation eventually led to a spiral design with fractured jetting pieces forming a stepping stone pathway and seating area for dancing, poetry and spontaneous urban narratives.
P.U.M.
PARTI
STUDIO BED
KITCHEN
STORAGE
BATH
ENTRY
PATIO
PLAN
FRONT
SITE
ISKRA STUDIO 2016-Academic SAIT-ARCH 252-Arch. Design & Pres. II Instructor-Bill Stang Independent Work Sketch Up, Photoshop Sooke, BC Canada 440 Sq. Ft.
VII
N
LEFT
The initial program of this space is narrated by my passion to draw and paint. The title of my studio retreat is “Iskra”, the polish word for “Spark” relating to my parti: a campfire. A spark is an impetus for fire, similarly I see my studio as being a catalyst for creativity. The design is based around the notion that a fire unites those that surround it through a shared experience, functioning as an autonomous zone separate from the outside world. Considering this concept, I consolidated the parti with the program from which a rough plan emerged resembling an animal footprint. This radial design with lateral lines converging to a single point created a V shape which I used as a guide for the side elevations, these are defined by a corrugated metal roof with Douglas-Fir Larch beams set at 1.5 meter intervals from one end to the other. The entire structure is supported by stilts sitting 5 meters above the ground doubling as a lookout, utilizing the surrounding views of Vancouver Island.
ISKRA
FIRST FLOOR DECK
BATH 1
LIVING
SECOND FLOOR DECK
BATH 2
MASTER BED
DINING
ENTRY
MAIN FLOOR
KITCHEN
ENSUITE
OPEN TO
BEDROOM
BELOW
2
SECOND FLOOR
LOCATION
PARTI
FIRST NATIONS HOUSING 2016-Academic SAIT-ARCH 252-Arch. Design & Pres. II Instructor-Bill Stang Team Work-Development,Design,Render Sketch Up, Illustrator, Photoshop Aboriginal Housing Design Competition Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Resource Centre Morley, AB Private Residence 1250 Sq. Ft.
IX
The main challenge of this project was to serve the communities infrastructure pragmatically, meanwhile respecting the tribes’ history and deeply rooted culture. The Stoney Nakoda people hold an analogous understanding between land and spirituality; aiming to capture this dichotomy through a physical structure we began interpreting the environmental characteristics of the area. The bow river serves as backdrop to the many narratives of the community so we decided to use its interaction with land as the element that drives our parti. Visitors are greeted by a large atrium allowing in maximum light, this welcoming sentiment is continued with an open main floor extending to the backyard patio. A glulam timber frame construction draping over the main mass serves as a metaphorical icon, becoming a unifying motif visible anywhere around the house. Encapsulating the needs of the community and evoking nostalgia, this house design proudly stands as a representative of Stoney Nakoda culture.
FRAME
SECOND
MAIN FLOOR
FIRST NATIONS
PLANS
PARTI
CHBA COMPETITION 2016-Academic SAIT-ARCH 252-Arch. Design & Pres. II Instructor-Bill Stang Independent Work-Schematic,Development Sketch Up, Illustrator, Photoshop Canadian House Builders Association Single Family Residential Competition Private Residence Calgary, AB 4721 Sq. Ft.
XI
FRONT ELEVATION
VENTILATION
This house has been designed as a place where a young professional couple can live and work, it stands as a pragmatic solution to energy wasted on commuting by effectively eliminating the need to commute entirely. Sunny Studio House functions as a comfortable living space and a catalyst for creativity; a shallow foundation allows natural light to penetrate each level, reducing cost of excavation while maintaining a connection to the outside. The loft on the second floor creates an intergential space between interior and exterior, warm summer nights can be spent here watching movies or enjoying a drink with friends. During the summer days, tall walls and sun shades incorporated into the roof as well as a solar chimney utilize natural ventilation allow for a cool respite from the heat. Despite being crooked in elevation, this house is active in that zone between private and public through actual and implied partitions, allowing for a balanced and healthy relationship between business and pleasure.
CHBA
PHOTOGRAPHY 2012-2015-Academic/Personal UCB Research-Summer Session ACAD Travel Group Independent Work Canon Rebel T3i 18-55mm Sony Xperia Z3 compact
XIII
Inherently I’ve always had a connection to the natural and built environment, from Europe to America I’ve seen a variety of landscapes for which I feel a deep appreciation. Traveling compels me to create, with each new place I visit I feel more grounded enabling me to further develop my ideas without barriers. The freedom innately linked with travel ignites my passion for life, providing the momentum to pursue new ideas in my work and study. My aim is to awaken the senses through stimulating sensory memory eliciting a shared nostalgia, allowing the observer to become a part of an otherwise esoteric moment. By capturing and interpreting the physical world, we can better place our creations within it and discern how one might navigate it.
PHOTOGRAPHY
PAINTING 2008-2014-Academic/Personal ACAD-DRWG 415-Senior Studio Independent Work Acrylic & Aerosol
XV
My paintings revolve around a street art aesthetic dominated by character studies, I try to use the full palette of colors with a propensity for higher tones but mostly color choices are intuitive. In this sense my style is fauvist, I look at color with a sense of equality. As I paint objects or faces, shapes assume tectonic properties as they collide, transitioning from one plane to another like mountains meeting the plains. Long flowing, organic lines allude to the motion of the body meanwhile short repetitive marks demonstrate rhythm like notes in a musical composition. These elements are separated into distinct zones, retaining a figurative appearance however at times resembling an abstract reduction.
PAINTING
DRAWING 2012-2016-Academic/Professional UCB-Summer Session SAIT-ARCH 241-Arch. Design & Pres. ACAD-PRNT 312-Intro to Silk Screen JGDesign Commission Independent Work Graphite & Ink
XVII
In both Fine Art and Design, drawing is a critical tool that can be applied quickly to convey instructions, describe environment or movement to efficiently aid in resolving virtually any problem. After years of exploring various media, drawing with graphite has remained the starting point of any project ranging from a gesture to a meticulous composition. Drawing for design utilizes my artistic intuition in an informed and contextually considered manner, directly applying knowledge of light behavior, depth and perspective allowing for effective visual communication. Innate and original drawing techniques become more important as design programs become progressively intuitive, we as creators have an obligation to push the possibilities of emerging technology through experimentation.
Commission for JGDesign - Calgary, AB
DRAWING
PIOTR TOMANEK