Publications & research / Εκδόσεις και έρευνα
Research on design: monographs
Apartment block design: Massing Matters
Routledge, London, 2024
Urban living changes rapidly due to unforeseen factors such as the latest covid pandemic. Because of these factors, the “ideal” inhabitant of a housing scheme is also rapidly changing. The most flexible housing design model, which can also adjust to current and future urban living conditions, is the apartment block. This architectural design book focuses on massing studies for multi-unit housing projects; namely apartment blocks. The main objective is to provide a fresh look on architectural synthesis for architects and students looking to design a multi-unit housing project. The book re-examines the apartment block as a design model, for today and tomorrow, through a simple, flexible and explicit design approach.
The innovation of this book lies in the fact that this is the first time, which any type of apartment block, can be designed and understood, using only three basic design elements: Housing Units, Circulation and Communal Spaces. The book demonstrates in a clear and explicit way, multiple combinations for the main three fundamental programmatic areas, in order to design multiple multi-unit housing projects.
Innovative Architecture Strategies
BIS, Amsterdam, 2017
The book presents a series of contemporary, diverse and innovative design strategies that vary in form, function and design intent. The common denominator of all projects is the alternative and/or experimental approach of combining both private and public spaces. Diverse, innovative design approaches with complex programme are combined with socially and financially sustainable strategies.
‘Innovative Architecture Strategies’ aims to help understand the different design approaches that can be followed when called to propose a concept and design for an innovative mixed-use building. It’s also a guide, point of reference, and inspiration book. The book demonstrates an analytical and clear way to conceptualize, explain and present a mixed-use design project.
Each project in the book is selected for its different form, function, technique and design intent. They all offer a clear example of a design project. The diverse design approaches are presented in ten chapters. Each chapter begins with explaining the main concept behind the specific design approach and with a reference to a built precedent.
Composing Architecture & Interior Design
BIS, Amsterdam, 2019
The book demonstrates how generative design can be applied in architectural practice, regardless of having any knowledge of digital design software. If explained in one sentence, the base of generative digital design is the design logic of transformations.
The book starts by introducing different spatial configurations using basic elements, being walls, floors and ceilings, in order to create spaces with different architectural qualities, such as collective or transition spaces.
Throughout the book, the most contemporary approaches of composing space, such as folding surfaces or combining curves are explained step by step with diagrams and physical models. Each chapter begins with a globally acknowledged, built project.
Research on design & CAM: projects
Jewel / PhD research / NTUA
Athens, 2013
This is a travelling jewelry exhibition. The ephemeral nature of the proposal called for minimal interventions of the building envelope: most functions related to the exhibition are enclosed in a series of "items - objets". The objets can be arranged in different ways depending on the site dimensions.
The design is influenced by micro human body characteristics, like knots and dimples. In a holistic design gesture, the objets are wrapped in an artificial skin that contains different programmatic areas. The objets host showcases for jewelry, seating and hidden lighting, and can even receive secondary elements such as mirrors, small screens and printed material. These functional requirements are translated into specific sub-areas on each objet's skin, creating a micro "topography".
Rapid prototyping methods were used for the fabrication of a scale of 1:25 mock ups. The objets were fabricated using 3axis CNC miling and then vacuum forming of ABS plastic.
students: A.Verteouri,A.Chazapi,P.Vasilaki,D.Marcetic,E.Ifanti,K.Galaktiou,P.Vardoulaki
students: A.Verteouri,A.Chazapi,P.Vasilaki,D.Marcetic,E.Ifanti,K.Galaktiou,P.Vardoulaki
Special design topics 9, NTUA / teaching
National Technical University of Athens, 2008-11
Students are asked to design and fabricate a small scale installation with specific programmatic demands, using only computer aided design and manufacturing software. The project varies each semester; our last scheme was a multifunctional public bench that was designed for architecture and art schools. The focus of this course is exploring the morphological and programmatic abilities and limitations of digital design tools, combined with the current methods of prototype fabrication using CAM hardware.
The bench had to have seating, lying down and reading / desk areas, as well as bike and poster stands. Again, the students were asked to analyze and present in class built precedents, like the AA DRL pavilions or the “Element” installation by architect Marcelo Spina. The deliverables included illustrations, diagrams and drawings as well a physical model that was fabricated on a scale of 1:1 using the in school 3axis CNC milling machine. Midterm models were fabricated using 3d printing and laser cutting, allowing them to become acquainted and experiment with different prototype fabrication methods.
the student project won the first prize at the "Future Bench" competition held by the Athens municipality in 2010
Hollywood Hills House proposal / research
University of California, Los Angeles, 2005
with S.Patel & D.Guerrero
Case Study Houses in american residential architecture sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine in the early ‘50s and ’60s, have become reference points in architecture on a global level, bringing up questions regarding what could a contemporary case study house stand for nowdays.
As an effort to answer the what a contemporary case study house would stand for nowdays, we were inspired by the suburban and film industry culture of Los Angeles itslef. The search of the perfect proportions in a female model, the media exposure or the embellishment of movie stars, were few of the abstract - and even banal- notions that could be embedded in the design process. The morphology and physiology of this experiment were informed by such ideas, depicting a side of the current pop culture condition of Los Angeles.
As an alternative to common stabilization strategies, we deployed structural and “envelope” systems capable of finessed, graduatd transitions from horizontal to vertical. These included studying grid shells, lattices, cable nets and structurally formed skins. Finally, the house was founded using reinforced concrete spikes that formed floor plates. A structure of metal tubes was used to form the exo-skeleton of the building, while ETFE pouches were used throughout the exterior .