PORTFOLIO architectural projects by
Vera Gkoufa
STUDY OF TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENT IN MESSINIA 3rd year of studies in Architecture School, NTUA
MAP OF KASTANIA, MESSINIA, PELOPONNESE
TOWER OF KASTANIA
BUILDING TYPOLOGIES ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF ROOMS ELEVATION OF THE TOWER
GROUND FLOOR PLAN OF THE TOWER
STRUCTURAL DETAILS
STUDY OF TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENT IN MESSINIA 3rd year Project, NTUA 2011-2012
TOWER OF KASTANIA
Kastania Messinias is a village that has kept its traditional character unchanged to a large extent. Most of the buildings depict the elements of traditional architecture: thick stone walls, wooden interior partitions and roof tiles made of the local stone. After the analysis of a significant number of buildings inside the settlement, the project team studied in detail the structural methods used in their construction and the other important elements of each house, such as the windows and the roofs. Finally, our interest was focused on the tower of the village, a 18th century tower built in the central square of Kastania that was originally serving as a defensive point against intruders.
INTERACTIVE ZONES 4th year Project: Gkoufa Varvara, Lenta Foteini, Zisopoulou Filothei, NTUA 2011-2012
LAYERS DIAGRAM
3D VISUALISATION OF THE SQUARE Varvakeios is a closed market in the centre of Athens. In front of the market there is a rectangular square that currently hosts temporary kiosks. In order too form a regeneration proposal for this square, the current uses were analysed alongside the multi-cultural character of the area. In the proposed project, a system of elongated strips organizes the urban space, forming closed spaces and walking trails. The different height of these strips creates versatile perceptions of the space and transforms the square into a vivid space.
PLAN OF THE SQUARE
In the context of sustainable development, the existing parking lot was maintained and transformed into a multinational market. This function provides human presence in the square throughout the day and enhances the existing dynamics of the neighborhood.
DETAILED SECTIONS
MOSAIC OF CULTURES AROUND THE SQUARE
Greece Pakistan Bangladesh Nigeria China Others
MODEL SCALE 1:100
ELONGATED SECTION
REUSE OF DERELICT HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN METAXOURGIO Dissertation, Gkoufa Varvara, UCL MSc Sustainable Heritage, 2016
MAP OF VACANT NEOCLASSICAL BUILDINGS METAXOURGIO, ATHENS DERELICT BUILDINGS
ANALYSIS OF THE AREA
CONDITION SURVEY RESULTS
The aim of this research is to explore the potential of built heritage as a tool for social sustainability, through the rehabilitation of empty historic buildings. It will focus on highlighting that social housing and historic preservation are two civic goals towards a diverse and inclusive society. The ultimate outcome of this research is to provide certain guidance for bringing vacant historic properties back into use in Athens, drawing information from case studies and literature research in the UK. After analysing, through literature references, the historic background of Metaxourgio and the phenomena that formed its current social dynamics and influenced the condition of its building stock, it was crucial to document its current circumstances in a more practical approach. For that reason, a visual inspection with a consequent condition survey was identified as the appropriate method for evolving a deep understanding of the extent of vacant neoclassical buildings and their actual conditions.
OVERALL BUILDING CONDITION
IN THE WOODS | ALTERABLE LIVING CONDITIONS IN AN EVERGREEN LANDSCAPE Diploma Project: Gkoufa Varvara, Thanasi Mirto, Zisopoulou Filothei, NTUA 2014-2015
ANALYSIS This diploma project concerns a set of interventions in mount Kallidromo. Despite its low altitude, the mountain special geographical features with elevations and hollows. The landscape is composed of variable and invariant elements, and gives a different perception to the visitor, depending on the season: the forest of conifers surrounding the lakes is the fixed reference point and contrasts with the existence and absence of water all over the year. The snowmelt is concentrated in the hollows of the mountain, with the water being at the highest of levels and evaporates gradually until it disappears completely at the beginning of autumn, turning basins in grazing pastures. Along with the variability of the landscape, we noticed a change in the activities that occur on the mountain depending on the season, such as camping and hiking. From these activities, we focused on a recording of hiking paths, which ensure the presence of users throughout the year with a non-invasive way and allow identification of the mountain with experiential way. The routes vary in difficulty level, are applied throughout the mountain linking the settlements and take advantage of the entire road network, from the asphalt to the rugged walking trails.
- amphitheatrical perception of the landscape - points for pause and leisure
Lake Nevropoli | Seasonal Alterability
- settlements interlinked with various pathways - escalated difficulty of paths
- theatrical landscape - contrasts in landscape: seasonal lakes and evergreen forest
STRUCTURES
MASTERPLAN FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER
WINTER SHELTER
WINTER SHELTER
SECTION
PLAN
communal space dorms beds Construction material: CLT wood
CAMPSITE
PLAN
SECTION
people
x 2-people units
CANAL
Construction material: pine timber
CANAL
PLAN
SECTION
m length
m3 water
0m
CAMPSITE
1 on 2 secti
n io ct e s
x 3-people units
200m
SECTION 1
Construction material: Accoya Wood
FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER
PLAN
SECTION 2
SECTION
people cabin Construction material: pine timber
KEY MAP
CANAL
CAMPSITE
WINTER SHELTER
FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER
CANAL
CAMPSITE
WINTER SHELTER
FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER
WINTER
SPRING
AUTUMN
SUMMER
CANAL
1
2
3
4
5
6
WINTER
SPRING
AUTUMN
SUMMER
The construction inside the lake was based on the emergence of the variability of the water element, operating inversely from it. Specifically, when the lake water has evaporated, the structure functions as spouted drinking trough for animals, in which is chanelled the water from the spring and when the lake is full, it is a passage for walkers, with spring water pourring into the lake. The linear form of the structure functions as an emphasis of the landscape. Despite the gradual seasonal change of the environment, the construction from viewing bridge converts to a linear reminder of the liquid element even during the dry months. Regarding the form of construction, we chose the shape of a container in section, the repetition of which constitutes the channel of 142 meters length, that follows the slope of the lake bottom. The formation of the inclination of the construction in sequence with the bottom, creates different perceptions for the hikers with the water level by varying the angle and the reflection image. Furthermore, the elevation of the floor of the channel allows the free passage of the lake water from one side to the other without being converted into a barrier. For the construction we selected enforced wood, with extra tolerance in an aquatic environment [accoya wood].
MODEL SCALE 1:100
7
8
9
10
CAMPSITE
sleeping units
net of beams
elevated pathway
3
2 1 CAMPSITE PLAN VIEW
0m
10m
The outdoor camping is placed on the south shore of the lake, where the forest is composed of high trunk trees with naked logs, in a location already used for overnight stay on the mountain. Unlike the strict geometry of the canal in the lake, the form of camping is defined by the entropy of the forest and the randomness of the logs. Within this disordered grid of logs, we selected some dominant axes of movement, which are arranged on either side of the units of residence for two or three people, always perpendicular to the secondary alignments-beams of 6-10 meters. The net of the axes in not based on the ground but releases the ground for the hiker and uses the logs themselves as the primary structural system.
PLAN OF CAMPING’S PART
el ev at io n
0m
ELEVATION OF CAMPING’S PART 0m
2m
2m
WINTER SHELTER ELEVATIONS
WINTER
SPRING
AUTUMN
SUMMER
WINTER
SPRING
AUTUMN
SUMMER
0m
10m
WINTER SHELTER SECTIONS
WINTER SHELTER
The third construction is a winter shelter in the location of the old abandoned one. As to the basic principles of its design the aim was to create a shell in order to house the basic needs of 32 users [weather protection, accommodation and food] with minimal intervention to the topography. Furthermore, it is a shell that indicates its function as a mountain refuge and with its long and narrow shape will be seen as a human intervention from the climber to reach. Alongside its low height and position behind the trees, it will highlight and not intervene in the landscape. Synthetically, the elongated volume of rectangular plan of the refuge turns to the south and is located in the node two paths while permitting the uninterrupted passage from its interior, even if the visitor does not intend to stay in it. Morphologically, it is composed of a wooden frame which is mounted perpendicularly on the one side to stone walls and on the other to the ground. This design choice allows the perception of only one face at a time, depending on the direction from which it is ap proached.