SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
CONTENTS 1. The Bartlett Summer Foundation 2. Winter Fairy Tale 3. Art and photography
T E C H N I C A L
the bartlett summer foundation
The Bartlett School of Engineering and Architecture Summer Foundation Course introduced me to a vibrant and diverse world of architecture. We completed fives different workshops in five weeks, what gave me an insight into a variety of issues that architecture deals with, the process of designing and communicating ideas, and how architecture helps to improve our everyday lives.
D R A W I N G
COLLAPSIBLE PAVILION The concept of my project was to create a light-weight, cheap and transportable pavilion for parks and other public spaces. As in England the weather changes very quickly, and there can be sunshine and rain on the same day, the pavilion could be used as a platform and a shelter in one. My aim was to create an object using as little material as possible, and taking advantage of the technologies that we have in order to create an ergonomic and aesthetic product for the different types of users. I decided to combine functionality and pleasant use in one product. This would help to create a link between people, a place to relax and socialise. I also aimed to transform the concept into a work of art.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
The material I would use to manufacture the pavilion would be any waterproof fabric that can be woven together with fiber optics in order to make the walls light in the night. Fluorescent dyes could be used for the walls, that light up with application of UV light or photochromic dyes which require tiny application of electricity, allowing the creation of patterns and colourful effects on the walls. As I researched the shape of my initial model, I realised that the shape allowed the use of every inch of the space inside, which could be a very practical and efficient use of material. The shape of the pavilion would be a shelter from wind, rain or any environmental impact on the user and the structure would facilitate transportation, combination of elements and easy use.
The structure could be made from metal tubes (e.g lightweight aluminum) which would be able to support the fabric. There would be four tubes that would be always straight and four that would have to be folded in order to make the whole structure collapse. This could be achieved by using piezoelectric energy combined with the tubes. It would work in the way that with an application of pressure, (caused by electrical impulse) the tube collapses in the direction programmed and then reversibly, when the pressure is taken away, it comes back to its initial shape.
C O L L A G E & P A I N T I N G
In the second week of the course we used 10 pages from magazines and our imagination and painting skills in order to create collages. I started by experimenting with different images and then combined them to create a new and creative piece of art. As the task was very open, it was very difficult to achieve the objective at first. I experimented with different surfaces and textures, real ones as well as 2D printed pictures. I tried to express different emotions and concepts using specific details, for example the repetitive use of fire elements, contrasting with cold elements,in my 3D model, capturing the viewers attention and creating a contrast between chaotic placement of other pictures and these little details.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
My aim was to be able to transmit and convey the hidden message of my work- the contrast between the beautiful and the ugly, lusciousness and simplicity, madness and logic. I succeeded in combining colours and pictures in a way that helped me to achieve harmony and unity in my work. I explored themes such as nature and the urbanscape, electricity and fire, fashion and classical art.
F A S H I O N
Photography credit Joshua Crane
W O R K S H O P
This workshop was intended to create a piece of clothing that would make the surrounding environment better in any way and be multi-functional. As a group (Josh Crane, Tommas Vischer, Isabela Crema and Sofya Abramchuk), we came up with an idea of creating some kind of jacket that would allow a person to stay cool in hot weather and be warm when it is cold. As a result we achieved a piece that can be completely personalised, that can light up in the night time and still have the initial functions. Using crocheting techniques, we were able to achieve a structural piece that when tightened or loosen can be completely transformed. It was very difficult and expensive to get real fibre optics (which we intended to use as threads so the jacket can also light up in the night) so we used different pieces of fabric cut in strips and then inserted christmas lights and some portable lights to illustrate the jacket’s lighting properties. The outcome was very futuristic and quite fashionable, what will make it suitable for younger people, as well as anyone who wants a practical and stylish piece of clothing. Although the piece needs some development, it responds to our initial aim and has the functions we wanted it to have. In order to implement the design, we created a fashionable hood, that would shelter the user from the rain and add some individuality to the jacket. It was made out of fabric and card triangles and PVA.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK ABRAMCHUK SOFYA PORTFOLIO 2013 2013 || 2014 2014 PORTFOLIO
F U R N I T U R E M A K I N G
This piece of furniture was intended to explore the theme of socializing in a public space and was created by a group of students (Alex Clarry, Cati Balinisteanu, Tom Visscher and Sofya Abramchuk) as a part of the fourth week workshop. The materials we were given at the start of the week were the metal mesh, wooden twigs, sunflower oil and black paint. In order to use the materials and make an organic piece we decided to create a chair that when combined with other identical chairs create a big nest that would create private space that will allow people to socialise in a closed nest. The center of the piece when assembled with others, would create a space that can be used for a table or may be a portable fire that will develop the idea of socializing.
Process of making: We started off by creating a mock up made out of paper, in order to measure and scale the proportions needed for a person to seat on the chair comfortably before going into manufaturing itself. SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
We started by creating a leaf-like shape from the paper as a mock up, measuring the dimensions and figuring out the best size for the chair. Then we recreated the same shape from the metal mesh, and using a plastic chair as a base started weaving the twigs into the mesh. It was very labour intensive work, which required a lot of attention to use the properties of the twigs and the metal mesh. When releasing from the plastic chair, the structure held itself but in order for a person to sit on the chair, it needed additional support. For this, we created a wooden structure that when fixed allowed the chair to rest on it and be attached to the legs of the chair. Also, the shape allowed the person to swing on this chair when it is on the floor, as well as it allows to rest on it in laying position. In order to allow the chair to be flexible and be transported, we created wooden wheels, painted black. The time was our only issue, and because of this we were not able to create more than one chair to illustrate our idea, which would fully help to visualize the concept of socializing in such a natural, organic and pleasant environment.
M O D E L M A K I N G
In this final workshop I was given the theme floating/home. When I was designing I concentrated on the idea of sustainability and making the environment greener. I thought of farming, and how agriculture affected the life on earth. In 25-45 years time, there will be 3 billion people more to come, and a land as big as Brazil will be required to feed this people using conventional farming methods. And we just don’t have a piece of land like this on Earth. My idea was to use any kind of water surface, such as lakes, rivers or seas in order to build the farms upon them and grow the food using hydroponics and aeroponics systems. For this I created and developed a concept for a floating farm on a lake, that then can be transformed in any kind of infrastructure, such as a city or even to a floating country. As my farm will be fully self-sustainable (alternative energy resources, water filtration and waste elimination systems) it will allow people to live all the time on water. In order to create my model I used spray foam insulation leftovers, and bought some as well, and then built the whole environment on it. It allowed the whole farm to float as well as created an organic and innovative piece. All the pieces can be attached and detached from each other, and are connected by bridges between them. I have a bedroom area (a spherical shape with big green bridge), living space with mini-garden and a kitchen (another unit with black covering sheets that can be folded and unfolded) and a real farm and a storage unit (the golden and plastic one). Each of the farming units will have special irrigation systems (red and black cables in the model) and rain collection tanks with water filtration systems. Kitchen allows open space, where fishing can be done. In the bedroom there is a little unit attached to the structure for the toilet. Although the whole concept might seem to be unrealistic, with application of similar construction techniques (spray foam or any similar mass produced material) a whole city of these units can be created. A scale could be much bigger, having restaurants, cinemas, animal farms, etc attaching to the living units. As a transportation boats and ships can be used. In order to illustrate how the whole model would float, I used vacuum foaming technique to create a pair of clear water tanks. These were then used in a video to show the model in use. Although the tanks were not big enough to fit all of the pieces, I captured each of the separately floating.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014 PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
2 winter fairy tale
The project illustrated in this section was a concept of a Russian cafe that would be located in London. I anted to explore the idea of changing the perception of foreign customers and educating them about “real” Russia through food, and in particular cakes and traditional Russian sweets. My idea was to create an interesting, entertaining and attractive Russian cafe, making it popular to visit, as foreigners usually visit Chines or Italian restaurants. I started off by researching eating products, the context for my design and different ideas about how my final outcome would look like. I looked at different target market groups, and according to their needs and their interests i came up with several designs, that then i developed into one and refined it. This pages illustrate the final 3D model creating in the SketchUp, helping to visualise the final concept. The final concept is a cafe in a traditional Russian, wooden log house style. There will be interactive menus on the table where customer will be able to chose what is the eating option he prefers: cooking themselves Russian food, following instructions on the screen; learning about Russian food and experimenting with it; or simply enjoying already made meal. The cooking option would include, for example, already made dough for Russian crepes with a portable stove, pan and every necessary tools for cooking. Also there will be different filling available, like caviar or traditional Russian jam. In my believe in this interesting and entertaining way customers would be able to enjoy their experience of getting to know Russian food through a memorable process or game of food preparation. In order to continue with the idea, I would have a chain of Russian cafes, but all with different concepts behind them, for example a cafe with separate floors for women and men, or student, economical cafe, all in Russian traditional, not perceptive style. I decided to build my design on the idea of snow and winter, because these are the only image I associate with the “real” Russian traditional way of living, our culture and mentality, and this is what I wanted to convey to foreigners in other countries.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
In order to be able to convey the idea of space and visualise the interior of the concept of the cafe, i created its model based on the sketchup drawing that I did. I used balsa wood for the objects that would be in reality made out of wood, extruded polystyrene painted silver to represent metal objects and white to show other objects, PVC sheet for transparent details and foam board for the base and the walls. The final outcome represents purely the oganisation of cafe, how much space is left and occupied and it perfectly helps to understand the real size and dimensions of the objects in relation ot each other in real life. I did not have an aim of representing the interior of the cafe, but recreate functional side of the interior. The model will be only understood with a reference to the 3D SketchUp model, where the location of each of the objects and their dimensions correspond exactly yo the physical model.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
Further link to see the full project: http://issuu.com/sophiaabramchuk/docs/winter_fairy-tale_cw_copy
3 art and photography
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
These photographs are part of my own project and investigation about metamorphosis and the space, i.e. universe. Through the use of the abilities of my camera (on the left and above) without using Photoshop I was able to explore space, movement and change in state all in one. The pictures on the right, I had manipulated in Photoshop in order to achieve a combination between a person and universe and how such a simple image can emphasize the model’s beauty and gaze.
These images were taken as a part of my traveling routine as a part of Cities and Places series. These are just few best, and my favourite photographs, being taken in London, Valencia, Portugal and Singapore. On the next two pages I have some photographs from photoshoots I have been paying a lot of attention to the light in order to get the best from the models’ beauty. SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
Sketchbook pages shown on this page are few examples of the drawings and paintings that I create in my spare time as a preparation for final pieces. Paintings on the right are some of my best work that I was commissioned to create.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
These pages contain my current work for A2 Art and Design Course. They include yet the reproductions of J.M.W. Turners works as well as pieces where I applied his painting and drawing techniques to my own scenes as a preparing for final oil paintings.
These pages include some of the artwork I did for my AS Art and Design course. It includes two themes, “Human Conditions: Self-destruction” and “Covert and Obscure”. It is possible to see a variety of media explored, starting from pencil drawings finishing with oil paints. On the page on the right, the pages from the sketchbook from the course are included. They demonstrate a variety of artists studies, experimenting and development, what is very essential in creating the most diverse and meaningful outcomes.
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014
“Everything inspires me, sometimes I think i see things others don’t” - Norman Foster
SOFYA ABRAMCHUK PORTFOLIO 2013 | 2014