RAINA KANARI ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
RAINA KANARI Jonstorpsvägen 12, 171 55 Solna, Sweden T: 070 35 45 888 E: raina.kanari@gmail.com
Contents Summer House
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Nicosia, Cyprus
Stasikratous 30 café
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Nicosia, Cyprus
Offices Annex Building
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Nicosia, Cyprus
Resort Hotel “Houses of Light”
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Syracuse, Italy
3x3 Mixed-use towers
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Monterrey, Mexico
New Cyprus Library
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Nicosia, Cyprus
Favignana Cultural Center Favignana, Italy
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SUMMER HOUSE Location Karmi, Cyprus Year 2017 Status Unbuilt Architect Raina Kanari
I designed this villa as a summer home for my family. For this project I was inspired by Mexican architecture, with its open and closed spaces, full of color and always in a playful mood with light. At the same time I saw many similarities with the traditional architecture of my own country Cyprus, a small Mediterranean island. I feel like this was driving my thought subconsciously while I was sketching the concept for this family summer house. At the begging of this project, I did not have a clear idea of where the location of this house would be. As the concept was progressing the best location for it became clear. I wanted this house to be surrounded by nature, but at the same time I did not want to be in a completely isolated place away from civilization. Also I wanted to have a view of mountains and the sea. I decided to place my villa in the village of Karmi, in the northern part of Cyprus. Karmi was the village of my grandfather and where my father has had many beautiful memories as a child. 4
During the design process the building form evolved. From a simple volume that was to contain all the uses of the villa, the building was split into four separate volumes, each containing a different function of a house. The volumes were shifted around in order to create external spaces and also allow for a visual axis from the entrance of the house to the sea view. The four volumes host the kitchen, the living room, the library and two bedrooms. The kitchen and living room are placed in front of the house with big wide openings for enjoying the beautiful view of the surroundings. The bedrooms are stacked, with the master bedroom being on the first floor and the secondary bedroom on the ground floor. The library, is the only volume that differs significantly in appearance, with small openings allowing limited light and view in the south. A big pergola is connecting all the volumes while at the same time offering a much needed shaded courtyard, especially for the hot summer months.
Plan 5
STASIKRATOUS 30 CAFÉ Location Nicosia, Cyprus Year 2015 Status Built Architects FORUM Architects
The main feature of this interior refurbishment project is the multi-functional 8 metres long countertop/bar. In addition to its various functions as being a welcoming desk, main service counter and cold display, this element animates the entire dining space, provides graphical and spatial identity and welcomes guests. The bar’s main feature is its multi-layered surface which is cladded with planks of swedish wood, colored in three different tones. Other elements such as the architectural lighting and the floor pattern emphasizes the bar and help it establish an anchor for the entire space. The Stasikratous 30, is located on the busy shopping district of central Nicosia and consists of 2 floors and a large backyard. 6
Details of Involvement: Led the conceptual design, design development and construction documentation. Oversaw the manufacturing and supervised the job site. Worked together with clients from the initiation of the project until the completion. Monitored the post-completion issues.
Axonometric 7
OFFICES ANNEX BUILDING Location Nicosia, Cyprus Year 2016 Status In progress Architects FORUM Architects
Law offices annex building’s site is situated in the city center of Nicosia. The annex building is designed on an empty plot adjacent to the existing office building of the same company. The ways of connecting the old and the new buildings were defined by the local building and town planning regulations. However, visually connecting the two and searching for a meaningful dialogue between the new building and the existing office block was achieved by creating the new structure as a neutral, muted background building. While the old building’s facade carries mannerisms of mid-eighties, the new building exists as a stark surface thus creating a strong contrast between the two. In result, the facade of the new structure is conceived as high-performing, double-skin minimally-patterned surfaces. The different levels of perforations on the external panels are based on the solar heat gains creating seemingly random effects. The functional layouts of two office floors and one residential floor maximizes the efficiency and the performance of these areas. 8
The ground level is designed with maximum flexibility allowing the floor to be used for offices, educational seminars, social gatherings and exhibitions. The glass tunnel on the ground level connecting the two buildings also becomes an exhibition space, contributing the public and civil uses of the main entrance level. The ground level also opens up with operable panels to the courtyard, joining the interiors with the exterior. This strategy transforms the ground levels flexible open area to become part of the public courtyard and the main street beyond; allowing this space to act as an “exterior room”. Details of Involvement: Performed research and assisted the conceptual design at the initial stages. Later worked on the design development and produced the presentation package while joining the presentation meetings with clients. Finally, generated town planning application drawings and continued the design development.
6 1
4 2 3
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5 Existing building
1 Entrance 2 Reception 3 Lobby 4 Multipurpose room 5 Garden 6 Parking 7 Connecting corridor
Ground floor 9
Mezzanine
South elevation
First floor
North elevation
Second floor
Section B-B Third floor 10
PLANS & EVELATIONS & SECTIONS
5 1
4
3 1 1
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7 2
7
Section 1:50
Elevation 1:50
Legend 1 Reinforced concrete structural slab 2 Suspended gypsum board false ceiling 3 Raised floor system 4 Galvanized steel grating catwalk 5 Extruded aluminum mullion
3 1
6 Thermal insulation 7 Tempered exterior glass outer glazed screen providing solar
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4
shading 7
Plan 1:50
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RESORT HOTEL ‘‘HOUSES OF LIGHT’’ Location Syracuse, Sicily - Italy Year 2016 Status Competition proposal Architects Raina Kanari & Emre Bozatli
This competition proposal for a resort hotel is situated on a preserved natural park near Syracuse in Sicily, Italy. The competition site included an abandoned albeit still functional light house and its auxiliary buildings located on the unique rock cropping formations. The brief of the competition limited the area of the entire complex to 3000 square meters and to only one story in height. Development of the main concept and the entire layout derived from the ways of responding to the context. Master planning of the functions, spreading the hotel rooms as individual units rather than blocks containing groups of rooms all rationalized from a contextual point of view. Positioning of each hotel room unit and grouping the units within a zone where rock formations would be least affected also came from a sensitivity to the site. The main strategies which started to drive the concept were: - Preserving the existing public areas and protecting the public use. - Preserving the rockscape. Conservation of the topography. The main hotel building was conceived as a continuation of the existing main auxiliary building serving as a base for the lighthouse. While preserving the original, existing 12
symmetrical approach, the roof of the main hotel building became the viewing platform. The roof level platform gave the area taken by the hotel building back to the park and to the public. The 22 individual units of the hotel rooms were scattered through the chosen zone. Each unit is positioned to maximize its view and the privacy of the guests. For “minimum intervention” to the site in order to protect the topography, all structures are raised on poles, elevating the units over the ground surface. Finally, the specifically positioned skylights in each unit and in the main hotel building not only provide neutral light and cross ventilation but they also catch the light from the lighthouse creating a connection between all the new development and existing lighthouse. Each skylight rotates to find the specific angle where it connects to the lighthouse. The special architectural lighting can be used when it is dark to create the houses of light, making all the pieces of the complex as one. Details of Involvement: Co-created the architectural concept led the design and performed research. Prepared the presentation.
EXISTING Existing Buildings & Existing Paths. Existing Axis and Symmetrical Configuration
ZONES Areas To Be Protected and Areas To Be Developed
COMMON AREAS Expansion of the Existing
HOTEL ROOMS & SUITES To Be Situated In The Private Zone
CIRCULATION New Pathways and Piers
VIEWS Best Possible Views For All The Rooms
Site plan
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Section A-A
Section B-B
Section C-C
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Axonomentric
Room Typologies
Room Section
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3X3 MIXED-USE TOWERS Location Monterrey, Mexico Year 2014 Status Fifth year project Architects Raina Kanari, Cecilia Porras, Marcela Alonso, Mariana Hernandez
The project consists in the creation of a new mixed-use building that would host offices, residences and commercial spaces in the area of Centrito in San Pedro, Monterrey. Sustainability, was a key issue for this project and big part of the design process. Attention was given to the buildings orientation, creation of green areas, the collection of grey-water, low energy consumption, natural air flow, and the use of alternative energy sources for covering the buildings energy needs. Public green areas are located on both sides of the building opening the ground floor to the pedestrians on the street level. Stores, 16
coffee shops and restaurants are all located on the ground and first floor for easy access to the public. From the second floor and up the building rises as three semi-independent blocks that host office spaces and residences. Like a game of jenga, volumes are extruded or intruded from the structure, creating movement, while serving the internal spacial needs of the building. Details of Involvement: Co-created the architectural concept, led the design and performed research. Prepared parts of the presentation.
Site plan 17
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Ground floor
First floor
Second floor
Third floor
Fourth floor
Fifth floor
Sixth floor
Roof
East facade
South facade
West facade
North facade
Natural lighting
Natural air flow circulation
Grey water collection 19
NEW CYPRUS LIBRARY Location Nicosia, Cyprus Year 2014 Status Diploma project Architect Raina Kanari
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus. In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus with the excuse to defend the Turkish Cypriot community from the frequent ethnic clashes between Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriots. This invasion led to the division of the island, with Turkey occupying about 1/3 of Cyprus. As a result of this division, Nicosia was split in two, with the north part of the city being inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the South part of the city remaining to the Greek Cypriot population. With the opening the first checkpoints in 2003, allowing passage of populations from one side of the island to the other, hopes for the unification of the island were renewed and this has led to the revival of the old town, public projects especially those of cultural relevance, can finally find, after decades of neglect, fertile soil. The site for the library has a strategic presence in urban fabric, close to the Municipal Theatre, the parliament building and the Archaeological Museum and only a few minutes away from the historic city centre, that will allow it become a pole for the cultural and social life of the two communities. The building is not trying to be invasive. Placed on the northeast corner of the triangular site it makes its presence visible from 20
the street while creating a buffer for the park on the other side. The shape of the building allowed for a smooth and functional separation of spaces. The ground floor of the building offers services for the public with exhibitions halls, a restaurant, and coffee shop. The first and second floor of the building are dedicated to the library functions. The North wing of the building hosts the storage area for the main book collection. The public book and magazine collection is located on the main wing of the building, which on one side overlooks the park with a large glass facade and on the other side offers beautiful views of the internal garden of the building. Bookcases and reading areas are spread around in an open plan, allowing the reader to walk around and explore the space. Offices and other services of the library, like computer rooms, a small auditorium and workshops are located in the South wing of the building. The library opens up towards the park, where an open-air theatre, sitting areas, and other services provide the visitors with a much needed green oasis for escaping the hot summer days.
Green areas & Public buildings
Viability
Nolli diagram
Site plan 21
Ground floor
First floor
Second floor 22
West facade
North facade
Section A-A
Section B-B
Section C-C
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FAVIGNANA CULTURAL CENTER Location Favignana, Italy Year 2018 Status Competition Architect Raina Kanari, Emre Bozatli
The architectural concept derives from the geometry of the existing pathways leading up to the Santa Caterina Castle. The four new triangular plots are created within the leftover areas between the pathway’s ramps. The old circulation system of the hilltop landscape becomes the circulation system of the new building complex creating various spatial opportunities and advantages. Creating an attractive place while carefully preserving the entire hilltop, taking advantage of the views, making the new development part of the landscape are some of the aims of this concept. Separating the main functions of the cultural center to four individual buildings brings the whole complex closer to the human scale. At the same time this fragmentation creates dynamic approaches and a strong identity for the new building complex. Another objective is to protect the castle from any intervention and preserve it as it is. 24
In addition to the castle, the protection of the entire landscape of the hilltop and the original experience of the approach is both protected and augmented at the same time. All four new units of the cultural center function differently. The top unit is designed as a restaurant, the second unit consists of two small residences. The third building has an auditorium and offers the breathtaking views of the site both from its scene and its atriums. The lowest unit welcomes the visitors to an open-air museum with cascading levels. Terracing of the floors for the new buildings are created using the existing site’s levels. The triangular roofs are animated by folding up and down opening and closing the buildings. The way in which the roofs are covered with local plants and landscaping makes the roofs blend in with the hill. In the end the new floating roofscapes hover above the natural slope of the terrain very much like butterflies flying over.
Exploded axonometric 25
Existing site
Excavation
Building plan
Roofs following the slope of the site
DIAGRAMS
Open air museum
Auditorium 26
TACK!
RAINA KANARI Jonstorpsvägen 12, 171 55 Solna, Sweden T: 070 35 45 888 E: raina.kanari@gmail.com