ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO Zbigniew Krzysztof Czaja tel: (+48) 500 461 707 email: zczaja908@gmail.com
Introduction
Selected works 2017-2020
Please note, I have studied architecture on Bachelor level (as a fully enrolled students) on 2 different Universities. In 2016 I started to study architecture at Warsaw University of Technology. However, after two years I took a year off and went to the UK to practice architecture in London-based architecture studio - Methodic Practice. After a year spent in the UK, I decided to transfer to University of Westminster, which accepted me to start studying from 2nd year. You will find further information in my CV.
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Overall I have experience of studying architecture in two countries for 4 years and practicing architecture in London and Manchester for year. 02
Presented Portfolio is a chronological selection of university, professional and competion works.
Timeline 03
2016
2019
Warsaw University of Technology Architecture BSc
2021
2+2 Family House Komsin, Poland student design 2017 p. 1-6
Visitor Pavilion Powsin, Poland student design 2018 p. 7-12
InNature 8 Lake Bogoria, Kenya Competition design 2019 p. 13-18
University of Westminster Architecture BA (Hons)
Workshops: RIBA Mentoring Scheme at Sheppard Robson, Architecture Media Workshop ‘20 at SOM, Wooden Architecture Workshop in Barlinek Competions: Kemeri Bog Internation Competion, 120H Comp, InNature 8 International Competition
04
East Dulwich Family House London, UK professional work 2019 p. 19-24
Arch. Assistant, Methodic Practice, London, UK Arch. Visualizer, NorthEdge Arch, Manchester, UK
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School of Bookmaking Manchester, UK Student work 2019 p. 25-31
2+2 SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE
Location: Komsin, Poland Type of work: Individual academic work Year: 2017, Y2, sem I, Warsaw University of Technology Grade: 5/5
Brief
The house is located in Komsin in the middle of the agricultural countryside. The aim was to design a home for a family of 4 people (2+2) with a garage for 2 cars that is energy efficient and affordable. The residence is stretched out across the parcel dividing it into two parts. The first has access to the road and entrance while the second with fruit trees, flower beds and plants is more private and safe. In the independent boxes, there are private rooms for family members, garage and kitchen. Space between the boxes is dedicated to social activities: a playground for kids, living room.
Concept sketch Building blending with nature
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2.
Back garden
Conceptual process
Garden
Parcel division Dividing of the parcel into two zones - southern one with an access from the road and northern quite and safe garden.
road
Garden
Streching out Stretching out the house across the parcel. Exploring possibilities of designing a building which form can both blend strongly into nature and has functional layout.
road
Analysis Conductiong an analysis of different types of plans which includes energy efficiency, children safety and privacy of family members.
1. Garage 2. Living room 3. Study room 4. Kitchen 5. Bedroom + wardrobe 6. Toilet 7. Children playground 8. Children bedrooms
Front garden
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Garden
Final form All the steps that has been taken influence not only the form of the building but also materials that are used. Private boxes can be arranged individually be each person. In contrary, social spaces are made completely of plywood what distincs them from private ones.
Neighbouring site not occupied
Neighbouring site not occupied
road
Road
Plan
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Embodied & operational energy The concept of dividing the building into small boxes has its consequence in buildings materiality and sustainability. Building respectfully responds to issues regarding acoustics, sunlight, embodied and operational energy (e.g. White brick that covers the structure externally comes from demolishing of the shed that occupies the project location). Section A-A
Economy of building, affordability in architecture As the house is designed for a small family, I have carefully considered its affordability. The calculations showed that the project if built would overall cost 37% less than standard houses similar house in the area.
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MULTIPUROPOSE VISITOR PAVILION
Brief
Location: Powsin, Poland Type of work: Individual academic work Year: 2018, Y2, sem II, Warsaw University of Technology Grade: 5/5
The project is located in Powsin, a big park situated near Warsaw, Poland in which in the ’70s, ’80s and 90’s families used to spend their spare time. During the last 20 years, the number of visitors has been systematically decreasing so the administrator decided to revitalize it starting with a new visitor centre building. Proposed building consists of two independent parts. Long lengthwise cuboid separates park area from the road and is covered by 3 roofs under which rooms for visitors are hidden. This simple but strong idea resolved almost every design problems I faced starting with functionality and energy efficiency, ending with interior design. As a result, the final form is not only expressive and comprehensible but also respects the natural environment. Many sustainability aims have been archived as well. The bulding is designed to minimize operational and embodied energy.
Concept sketch exploring sustainable possibilities & human experience
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Conceptual process
forest road park
1. Store rooms 2. Utility room 3. Store roomss 4. Toilets 5. Reception 6. Kitchen 7. Meeting room (for staff) 8. Office rooms 9. Entertainment/ Lecture room 10. Bar
Road - choice of project location From the area of 35 hectares, as a students we were encoureged to choose the right location for our project. I have chosen space that is close to the low-crowded road that communicates park with main road national road.
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Ground floor plan
separator
roofs
Separetor Long lenghtwise cuboid splits park area from the road. Thanks to that visitors can enjoy this side of the park without any interruptions. This part contains every staff and utility rooms (WCs, storage spaces etc).
Roofs Three roofs cover the separator ‘floating’ above them. Each of them makrs different room dedicated to use for visitors of the park (Foyer, entertainment & lecture room, bar). Section B-B Cut through seperator
aisle
Circulation One isle that links all the rooms is created by splitting the separator and slight relocation of the roofs. As a result, there is no collison between staff, deliveries and visitors entering the venue.
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Front elevation studies, 3D render
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Operational energy principles
Solar panels
Modularity
Thermal mass
Section A-A
Water Harvesting system
Concrete Columns
Roof module structure consists of CLT Beams, insulation layers and blinds protecting the building from being overheated. The usage of concrete is reduced to absolute miniumum (Foundation and concrete columns). Modular, off-site manufacturing will significantly reduce amount of embodied energy.
Section B-B
Physical model, front elevation To investigate how materials and construction decisions would affect the architectural qualities of the space.
Floating roof
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Construction beams
Construction beams Insulation layers
Construction beams Insulation layers Blinds
12.
FILL THE CRACK - THE GLOBAL PROBLEM OF SOIL EROSION
Problem recognition
Location: Kenya Type of work: Conceptual international competition Year: 2019 Awarded: 4th place (amongst 160 international entries) Work in group, my responsibilities: concept design, visualisations, diagrams
”Essentially, all life depends upon the soil. There can be no life without soil and no soil without life; they have evolved together” - Charles Kellogg Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process that affects all landforms. In agriculture, soil erosion refers to the wearing away of a field's topsoil by the natural physical forces of water and wind or through forces associated with farming activities such as tillage. Erosion, whether it is by water, wind or tillage, involves three distinct actions – soil detachment, movement and deposition. Degradation reduces cropland productivity and contributes to changes in food prices and global economy. Imagine, what if one day the land could not raise cops anymore? Climate migration have recently become a common problem for people living in degradated areas such as China, Africa or India. Until 2050 there will be 200 million displacements due to environmental reasons. Where will these people go if our environment is still degradating? Where WE will go if it happens to our land?
Development sketch
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2019 World soil condition mapping as a part of architecture design process drylands
arid areas
semi-arid areas
main croplands
Conceptual process
causes Lake Bogoria in Kenya is known for its natural park opened in 1970 which attracts tousands of tourists annually. Its waters contain the blue-green algae which gather thousands of flamingoes seasonally. Due to intensive coffee cultivation and using chemical fertilizers the lake is polluted which in consequence influences on the whole land.
Kenya - case study
main
coffe
flowers
tea
potatoes
corn
bananas
population growth expansion of agicultural areas climate migration
sources of soil degra-
Farming is the most important economic sector in Ke n y a - a l m o s t 7 5 % o f habitants make their living by feed production and export.
erosion In one year 72 tons of fertile soil is lost due to water erosion. The soil condition impacts on food prices and later - people migrations looking for a better place to live.
fertile soil
museum main path
materials
progressing erosion
Main reasons of soil degradation 2019
antropological 26% mismanagement 50% overgrazing
52 millions
10% overexploitation
2050
14% deforestation
museum degradated area
95 millions
natural
46% water erosion
In 30 years from now our population will increase of two more billion people whereas only 11% of global land surface will remain fertile.
4% physical causes 14% chemical causes 36% wind erosion
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corten wall degradeted soil
Lake Bogoria
CRACK LOCATION
main path
Section A-A
Section B-B
private corridor
bedrooms
museum’s facilities café
SPACE DIVISION
parking
RETURN PATH
Concept plan
Key visualisation, visitors aproaching museum
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Single family house extension
Location: East Dulwich Grove, London, UK Type of work: Professional work Year: 2019, architectural assistant work Work in collaboration with Colin Smith (Methodic Practice director)
Brief
The clients asked Methodic Practice office to design and deliver full renovation and extension of an old single-family house in a prestigious London area of East Dulwich. Main issues were caused by very limited access to the site, difficult ground conditions and historical protection of the building. Apart from the refurbishment of 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor, the main works considered an extension of the ground floor and massive excavation of basement. Underground floor area has been increased from 10sqm to over 70sqm which required a very well-considered structural design. Both the ground floor extension and excavation of the ground floor are designed to meet the highest design and sustainability qualities.
Concept drawing light penetrating basement and house extension
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rwp
RECEPTION
32.9 sq m
21.3 sq m
KITCHEN/DINING
3.1 sq m
CLOAKROOM
A
A
A
A
Responsibilities
rwp
HALL
20.6 sq m
LIVING
34.5 sq m 10.6 sq m
Through working on this project I learnt in depth what is the nature of delivering the project from the concept design to the technical stage. Being the main architectural assistant that helped the main architects to deliver the project I could be engaged in concept, development and technical design stages of the project.
STUDY 1
- Researching and developing solutions to architectural problems - Preparation of sketch, working BIM and presentation models of the project - Drafting and amending concept and detail designs by CAD and by hand - Developing solutions to technical issues - Assisting in preparing measured surveys and site reports.
rwp
svp
Ground floor plan
1. Reception 2. WC 3. Kitchen 4. Living room 5. Entertainment room 6. Master bedroom 7. Master toilet 8. Kids bedroom 9. Kids bedroom
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svp
Section A-A
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1
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Detail section cut through extansion and basement
svp
rwp
Key interior views Developed using Vectorworks BIM models to convince client to key spatial decisions Fully individual worked supervised by main architect
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South elevation
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MARGATE CENTRE FOR BOOK ARTS
Location: Margate, UK Type of work: Student design Year: 2020, Y3, sem I, University of Westminster (most recent work) Fully individual work Grade: 76% (>70% Distinction)
Brief
The brief was to design Margate Centre for Book Arts, an public insitutioninstitution educating teenagers from 16 to 18 years old. School as a public institution provides education programmes for the local community of Margate and access to resources for artists, designers and hobbyists. The school aims to promote book arts and artist-led publishing in the UK through collaboration, education, and by providing open-access to printing and binding facilities; a space for hands-on experience, knowledge sharing and skills exchange. Students after finishing a course could continue studying on tertiary level or start working in the book and publishing industry, producing books, Along the school, Margate Centre for Book Arts runs a small publishing house, which productions will be sold in the bookshop which is a part of the park. Object should be available for students and local community, as well as attract tourists. It ought to be adapted to accommodate 80 people at the same moment..
Conceptual sketches To explore conceptual relationship between the site and idea
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26.
A
3.
2. Proposal diagram
painting tower
The Treetop walkway Treetop, a walkway connects different parts of Margate Center for Book Arts. There is a bookshop on the one end of the path and school on the other. The path goes through rooftop terraces and trees.
B
computer room
B
Painting & Printing rooms reading rooms
entrance
bookshop
Margate Center For Book Arts All facilities of the building are situated in the garden and strongly linked to it. Structure was divided into series of small buildings. Each section of the building both in School, Publishing House and Bookstore are different in terms of size, views and light coming in. This makes the space more intimate appealing and fun for young people who tend to get bored very quickly. The Secret Garden A common space where students, tourists and locals can potentially meet with each other. The garden was designed to provide bigger, public spaces where people could gather but also small, intimate almost secret zen-like zone to enjoy reading books.
A First floor plan
Existing site arieal photo Currently there is a big car park sho
reli n
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e
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Platform division concept - physical model
Embodied energy principles Analysis of construction methods and used of materials to minimize embodied energy, and negative impact on neighborhood.
Building division concept 'UDZLQJ [ PP 7KURXJK WKLV PRGHO , GLVFRYHUHG KRZ big monolith box could be divided into a VHULHV RI VPDOO LQWLPDWH VSDFHV ZKHUH students are thought in small groups and have access to green rooftops. 7KH ŤUVW PRGHO EXLOW RQ VLWH PRGHO pushed me to consider redevelopment of the whole site.
Construction sequance of hybrid CLT + concrete blockwork structure. Minimized size of elements helps to erect the school without big machines and extensive ground works. Testing concept on site model, scale 1:50 View from New Street
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Development models and sketches 3 out of 60 Pinup notes sketches and illustrations drawn during the development of the project
Operational Energy principles Ventilation, heating & cooling - Typical summer day
Shading analysis 21st March/23rd September
22nd June
23rd December
School entrance
Public entrance Cross Ventilation
Section A-A
Trees between the buildings cool the space down and protect building from cold Margate sea winds
Development of elevation
Solar panels
Detail drawing, first floor Hybrid construction (CLT+ concrete blockwork)
Section B-B
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Thank you for reviewing my portfolio If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to conctact me. Zbigniew Czaja zczaja908@gmail.com