Portfolio //
sam ghantous
2015
M.Arch’17, MIT // B.ArchSci’11, Ryerson e samtous@mit.edu // samghantous@gmail.com a 310 Western Ave., Cambridge, MA, USA 02139 c 617.599.9780 w samghantous.com/blog // linkedin.com/samghantous // pinterest.com/samtous
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sam n. ghantous M.Arch’17, MIT // B.ArchSci’11, Ryerson samtous@mit.edu // samghantous@gmail.com c 617.599.9780 a 310 Western Ave., Cambridge, MA, USA 02139 samghantous.com/blog // linkedin.com/samghantous // pinterest.com/samtous e
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Education
Selected Exhibitions
2013-2017 Master of Architecture (Candidate), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
2014
“OfficeUS”, Venice Biennale 2014, Venice, Italy OfficeUS Researcher, Graphic Designer
2007-2011 Bachelor of Architectural Science, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
2012
“Paragon Table”, Woudenberg Paragon Collection
Professional Practice
2012
“Terra Fabricata”, Come Up To My Room 2012, Toronto, ON
2013 Architectural Designer, (May-Aug) Partisans, Toronto 2012-2103 Graduate Intern Architect, (Jan-May) ssg architecture inc., Toronto 2012
Urban Planning and Visualization Freelance Consultancy, Toronto
2011 Competition Designer, (Sep-Dec) JET Architecture Inc., Toronto
[R]ED[U]X Lab Designer, fabricator, Co-Manager
Honors 2014
“Merit Award”,Full Scholarship Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2011
“Scute”, Steel Structures Education Foundation Award valued at $1500, Ryerson University
2011
“Terra Fabricata”, P-FACS grant, $5000 Ryerson University Awarded with [R]ED[U]X Lab
2011
“Variable Plaza”, reStore Competition Second Place valued at $500, Ryerson U. Awarded with Faiyaz Khan
2010 Summer Intern, (May-Aug) OPEN Architects Inc., Toronto Academic Employment and Teaching 2015 (Feb-)
Dean’s Space Planning Study With Hashim Sarkis and Joel Lamere Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2014-15 RA + TA for Workshop on Chongqing (May-Jan) Facade Systems with Joel Lamere Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2014 (Aug)
Instructor for Pre Orientation Workshop on Architectural Representation Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2014 Research Assistant for US Exhibition at (Jan-Dec) the Venice Biennale with Ana Miljacki MIT + Office US 2013 (Apr.)
Visiting Critic;“ASC401:Design Studio 3”, Ryerson University
2013 Part Time Instructor; “Building (Jan-May) Information Modeling and Revit” Ryerson University, Chang School 2012 (Mar)
Visiting Critic; “ARC 820: Studio in Subtlety and Spectacle”, Ryerson University
2010-11 Research Assistant to Vincent Hui, (Sep-Sep) Ryerson University
Toronto, ON, Canada Independent Designer/Maker
Software Rhino
Grasshopper/Vray/Kangaroo/Weaverbird/Tsplines
Adobe
Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign/After Effects
AutoDesk
Revit/Autocad/3Ds Max
Hardware Laser Cutting/3D Printing/Vacuum Forming/CNC References Ana Miljački
Associate Professor, MIT, Cambridge, MA miljacki@mit.edu
Joel Lamere
Associate Professor, MIT, Cambridge, MA jlamere@mit.edu
Yew-Thong Leong Managing Director, ssg Architecture Toronto, Canada 416/712/6489 Vincent Hui
Associate Professor, Ryerson University Toronto, Canada 416/669/8666
Fiber Space a worship space addition to the Kresge Chapel Graduate Core Studio Instructor: William O’Brien Jr., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013
04
A collection of fibers grow in a Cartesian arrangement from a found floor condition; their lengths give way to a self-organized aggregation of platforms above, and further a roof-scape above that. These elements are subject to ambient and environmental forces, serve as a portal to the exterior condition, and are deployed with a netting that acts as vertical access to the informal terrain of the multi faith space that congeals above.
Platforms overlap, touch, and budge to create a multi faith space
Section [c]
Physical model of chapel intervention
06
Section [a]
a
b
c
a
b
Ground level plan
c
Second level plan
Section [b]
Model detail of roof layer
Stack Hut a Warming Hut along a frozen Winnipeg river Warming Huts Competition Sam Ghantous + RedUx Lab Toronto, 2012
08
Based on the primitive act of stacking wood, layers of various-shaped plywood are vertically stratified. The layers bend organically to suggest views between the interior and exterior, diffusing light. The formal differentiation speaks to the elemental and temporary nature of the river, it shifts and creases engaging in a dialogue with its physical context and the those ice skating near by.
Interior space suggests views on the river, and creates an interlude for gathering
3360 mm
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Assembly logistics are designed for mass customization, easy delivery and serial assembly
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StudioScape an extension to the MIT SA+P in a cloistered courtyard Graduate Core Studio Instructor: William O’Brien Jr., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013
010
Studio Scape is an occupiable surface programmed as a continuous and pedestrianized studio space of an urban scale. It is an extension of the networked corridor of the existing building. The scheme simultaneously helps to promote connections between departments, create an open studio culture, perpetuate activity and engagement, and expose the spirit of the discipline to the public.
Long section through Studio Scape’s continuous and networked condition
The surface terraces to form studio work spaces, while circulation runs parallel on either side\
courtyard
Connection Points
Programmatic Singularities
Cross Departmental Connections
Surface Scape
Continuous Surface
Striated Roof Scape
Envelope
012
A continous and pliable surface initiates connections across the courtyard, while hosting various departmental and public programs
level 4
level 3
Envelope
Surface, Circulation, and Program
level 2
Striated Louvers
Striated Louvers
Crit Pits
Crit Pits
Auditorium
Auditorium
Gallery
Gallery
Cafe
Cafe
Skin
level 1
Scute Shelter a Skytrain shelter for a station in Vancouver Design Option Studio Instructor: Vincent Hui Ryerson University, 2011
014
The armadillo’s scute and carapace embodies the ability to shield and shelter itself by means of an armour that is flexible enough to accommodate various bodily contortions. In order to facilitate a platform accessible to the public, providing views to the shore and a reconceived canopy structure for the station, these properties of the armadillo’s scute are adopted. The armature’s structure is defined by a “universal” ball-joint detail that activates flexibility rather than mass customizing it.
Exterior armature of skytrain station
longitudinal section
AESS TEE SECTION
STIFFENER/BOLT PLATE, WELDED
PLATE, WELDED
TRUSS ROD, SCREWED CAST ADJUSTMENT JOINT, WELDED CAST BALL JOINT, WELDED HINGED JOINT, WELDED WEATHERED STEEL SHEETS, WELDED
PLATE, WELDED
AESS HOLLOW STEEL SECTION, BOLTED Exploded perspective of universal detail joint
Terra Fabricata transforming a room in a victorian hotel Come Up To My Room Exhibition [R]ed[U]x Lab Toronto, 2012
022
The installation at the yearly Toronto gallery event went beyond digital craftsmanship and explored the creation of artificial, interactive environments. Greeted by a fabricated membrane that precariously bifurcates the room, visitors explored and interacted with two environments. Proximity and acoustic changes beneath the membrane corresponded to reactions by components above it, engaging light as a currency in a primitive ecosystem. The immersive environment both stimulates the senses and simulates living systems, responding to its audience and context.
Photo courtesy Agata Piskunowicz
sample of membrane network in neutral position
Photo courtesy Rannie Turnigan
Lechmere Wet Roof a vaulted roof for a Green Line station Graduate Core Studio Instructor: Ana Miljacki Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2014
016
The new canopy celebrates the dark, wet, and frosty effects of Cambridge winters. The structural typology of the vault is used and abused as a performative type to invite interaction with the climatic changes rather than to simply shield from them. A generative process aggregates and opens the vaulted units based on urban and climatic stimuli.
Perspective of roof shaping new public space
warming hut
wet lounge
jet stream winter skating
watering hole
Performative sectional morphologies
rainy day rail platform
flooidng square
018
Reflected ceiling plan of roof scape
Scale model of proposed station
Foam House mixed-use commercial/residential development Design Studio Instructor: Colin Ripley Ryerson University, 2010
020
Density and activity are generated on this corner site through a mix of multi-family residential units and a Brewpub/ Performance Theatre at grade. By methods of subtraction and perforation, the building acts as a foam that absorbs, amplifies, and restricts flows of energy: sound, air, light, and people. This porosity culminates at the raised residential courtyard that overlooks the park while also mediating a level of transparency with the third place below it.
Raised courtyard as porous space
green roof
residential unit courtyard balcony
courtyard greenroof light tunnel
waffle slab construction brew pub
performance seating
Detail section of raised courtyard
YU Life Sciences construction and performance innovation for York University Design Intern ssg architecture inc. Toronto, 2012
028
In designing the facade, the simulation of a cellular automata run spoke well to the department that the skin conceals. Innovative building technologies were integrated for light weight construction and accommodating differentiation. I was tasked at documenting and representing these for marketing purposes.
Prefabricated pixelated facade
Integrated building systems
Hollow-core concrete floors
Canopy
Prefabricated facade panels
Virtual Pier a harbourfront for the age of the cloud Graduate Core Studio Instructor: Sheila Kennedy Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2014
024
Virtual Pier seeks to rethink the image of the New Bedford State Pier through the materiality of marine manufacturing technology. The focus of this is a lightweight and occupiable torsion ring made of composites, films, and pumped air, that straddles a site of load-bearing granite landforms. What was once the home to internationally renowned fishing industry has faced a changing economic context including a focus on energy production and composite boat building – how does this regionally important node respond to this architecturally? The materiality lends itself to a carbon strategy that focuses on reduced material quantities, while increasing strength to weight ratios for structural sparseness; an urban strategy connects the city to the waterfront.
Visitors and vessel workers circulate through the ramped interior of The Ring, housing programmatic organs, panoramic views of the water and itself, all while shielded by thin layers pneumatically inflated fritted plastic
Envelope
Structure
Zones
Pneumatically Inflated Transparent Skiin
Diagonal box Truss Ring on stilts
Thermally controlled Organs
Raw Bar
Cloud Auction
Circulation
Arrivals/Departures
urban mezzanine
Dipping Pool
Transport Hub Landform
Urban Axis
Shipping/ Storage
Site is a granite-clad landform that interfaces directly with vessels, sculpting spaces for public functions, while maintaining a view corridor from the city to the water
Circulatory Axes
Pavilion Orientation
Ciruculatory Axes
Landform Site
Panoramic Ring
Pavilion Orientation
Landform Site Panoramic Ring
026
A series of axes and views link the city to the harbourfront through the pier
Physical model demonstrates the structural sparseness afforded by the torsion ring system while allowing circulation to snake through
Detail Section through a portion of the ring frames the duality between the heavy landform that houses “dirty� processes, and the light weight ring bove that hosts service-based functions