portfolio julia almeida

2012portfolioJulia Almeida

2012portfolioJulia Almeida

[email protected]: +44(0) 7526 474 959home: +44(0) 1908 233 389

professional

academic

Bloom_24

PA Atelier_26

Jewellery_28

Natural Prosthesis_2

Plus Minimal_12

4 Soft_8

Fabrica de Cultura da Luz_16

Collective Housing_20

academic Natural Prosthesis_2

Plus Minimal_12

4 Soft_8

Fabrica de Cultura da Luz_16

Collective Housing_20

This research investigated the potentials of

architecture as a complex living organism

constantly negotiating with nature. Based in

an estuary, it explored the constantly changing

dynamics of its environment such as the water

flow and sedimentation.

Through agent-based systems, data from the

scenario informs the growth of the structure in

a bottom up approach. In a first moment the

position of the anchoring points is determined,

then evolves into the structure. Under the water,

the grass field structure is responsible for the

redistribution of water forces, sedimentation

enhancement and fish farming. Above the

water only a small percentage of the system

is developed for human use. The “inhabitable”

spaces are artificial topographies that can

evolve programmatically, thus enabling different

uses or events. From a visiting platform it can

evolve to research or educational centres or

ultimately, housing.

Wax Lake Delta_sedimentationReferences

Structure studies

Species enhancement_birds, fish and bivalves_biorock growth

1951 2005

Water flow analysis Structures impact in the water_water flow and sedimentation

Natural Prosthesis

AADRL Master Research

Architectural Association

2011-2012

London, UK

in collaboration with: Jose Cadilhe, Michail

Desyllas and Salih Topal

Tutors: Alisa Andrasek / Jose Sanchez

2

Water flow Agents rules_anchoring points definition Prototype

Grass Field

Inhabitable Space

Oyster Farming

Agents highlighting different potentials in the siteGrass Field_Oyster Farming_Inhabitable Spaces

Grass Field structure Oyster Farming structure Zoom of the Prototype

Structures impact in the water flow

3

In order to answer the non-linear dynamics

of the river, a series of experiments were

done with metal structures. Just like in the

mangroves, the models explored collective

behaviour and redundancy. The articulation

of metal fibres was done through weaving,

entanglement and rotation to achieve a system

with no need of a mechanical fix joint.

Metal fibres structure

Resistance increased by entanglement

4

Expandable foam was explored as a material

that can present very interesting opportunities to

design. Apart from its well know characteristics

such as lightweight, resilience, insulation and

flexibility, foam has an extraordinary ability to

self-organize and to emphasize its flow pattern.

Many study models were done to catalogue

foam behaviours when released through

fibres (pipes with holes) allowing an emergent

process to happen.

Foam Foam catalogue_pipes with different patterns of holes releasing foam

1:1 sweating pipes model

Foam as a translucent material

Detailsl

5

250 cm

250 cm

30 cm 30 cm

70 cm

30 cm 30 cm

100 cm

Fabrication

Sweating system_expandable foam with pipes Enclosed space definition

Foam cushion placement

Anchoring slab structure

Foundation anchoring

Anchoring System

Lightweight slab

Bended reebars

Grassfield Anchor

Biorock

Slab system_expandable foam and fabric

Slab system_reebar

Grass field_reebar

6

This workshop was developed using Maya Hair

Dynamics firstly exploring a 2d universe that

later on evolved into a 3d environment searching

for different configurations of line. Rings on faces

of simple volumes such as a cube or a pyramid

were used as a way to determine points in space

that afterwards would be connected with lines

according to specific rules. The images in the

right were generated with this logic.

Later on, this system evolved even more using

the Weaire-Phelan structure (composed by

dodecahedron and tetradecahedron assemblies)

to define a structure that could grow in different

directions.

The systems created had a big differentiation

in the nodes with a variety of configurations. In

response, the Soft Joints were created, capable

of responding to different organisations and

force distributions avoiding standard fix joints.

Rules

Structure generations

Generation I_a Generation I_b Generation II Generation III

4 Soft

AADRL Workshop II


2010

London, UK



Tutor: Theodore Spyropoulos

8

Generation I_node analysis

Generation II Generation III

9

Generative process _linear organisationWeaire-Phelan structure and rules to define structure

Model I Model III

Model II

10

Nodes rules

Soft Joints generation

11

Minimal surface experiment with lycra Articulation between digital and physical experiments

Plus Minimal

AADRL Workshop I


2010

London, UK



Tutor: Theodore Spyropoulos

Plus Minimal combined casting systems with

minimal surfaces by articulating material

properties, flow patterns, manufacturing and

structure. The main challenge was to find the

best combination of stitching pattern and fabric

elasticity to allow a homogeneous casting

system. 3d software such as Maya and Rhino

were used to test and simulate dynamics and to

assist in the physical experimentations.

The goal was to fill a structure with the minimum

amount of pouring points possible using only

gravity. The result was a unique radial flow

distribution only possible by a minimal surface

initial configuration.

12

Casted model

Casted model

Testing flow redistribution zone Redistribution zone Flow pattern

13

Upper partTripod wood frame

Midle part

Lower part

14

Stitching pattern and flow distribution

Lower part casted

pouring point

redistribution zone

radial pattern

15

IMPLANTAÇÃO COM TÉRREOesc. 1/1000

ESQUEMA ESTRUTURAL

PILARES DE CONCRETO NA PERIFERIADO EDIFÍCIO

TRELIÇAS LONGITUDINAIS APOIADAS NAS CAIXAS DE CIRCULAÇÃO VERTICAL.

GRELHA ESTRUTURAL DA COBERTUTA. TRELIÇAS TRANSVERSAIS

TIRANTES RESPONSÁVEIS POR ATIRANTAR A TRELIÇA LON-GITUDINAL O 1° E 2° PAVI-MENTO

CORTE TRANSVERSALESC. 1/500

ELEVAÇÃO NORTEESC. 1/500

ESQUEMA DOS PAVIMENTOS - USOS E ACESSOS

FOTOS DA REGIÃO ESTUDOS DE COBERTURAS MAQUETES DE ESTUDO

IMPLANTAÇÃO

COBERTURA FINAL

PERSPECTIVA CAFÉ E BIBLIOTECA PAVIMENTOS ATIRANTADOS

PERSPECTIVA ESCADA DE ACESSO AO 1° PAVIMENTO E SUA RELAÇÃO COM A GRANDE COBERTURA

PERSPECTIVA INTERNA DO MUSEU.ABERTURAS DA COBERTURA PERMITEM UMA PERMEABILDADE VISUAL ENTRE INTERIOR E EXTERIOR.

PERSPECTIVA NOTURNAS

In this project, the boundary between interior

and exterior is broken by a great cantilevered

structure that articulates different spaces in a

dialog with the city. Located in an important zone

of São Paulo, now degraded, but historically

recognised by its arts and fashion activities, this

cultural centre brings back to the area some of

the values and traditions lost. Ultimately it acts

as a catalyst for an urban reinvigoration of the

“Parque da Luz” and surroundings.

The cantilever roof projects a missing pedestrian

walkway that connects the closest tube station

to a park, therefore redistributing the circulation.

The cantilevered metal structure containing the

museum gives the visitors the opportunity to

have a direct contact with the outside space,

whilst at the same time allowing pedestrians

passing by to see part of the exhibition. The

most demanding challenge in this project was

the structure itself, where the big cantilever,

supported by a metal truss frame, was also

responsible for sustaining the storeys below it.


ESQUEMA ESTRUTURAL









IMPLANTAÇÃO

COBERTURA FINAL





cover

programme

parking lotgroung floorpublic circulationservice circulationrestaurant / bar

administrationauditoriumlibrary

museumschool


ESQUEMA ESTRUTURAL









IMPLANTAÇÃO

COBERTURA FINAL





access to the publicemergency exitrestrict access – authorized peoplerestrict access – employees vertical circulation

circulation

Elevation north

Study sketches of the cantilever roof

Study models of the cantilever roof openings _ relation museum and the city

Elevation south

Fabrica de Cultura da Luz

Undergraduate Final Year Project

Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie

2009

São Paulo, Brazil

Tutor: Guilherme Motta

16

13,5

13,5

Fourth floor_museum Composition sketches of museum openings

Third floor

Elevation west17

TRANSvERSAL METAL TRUSS FRAMECANTILEvER STRUCTURE_MUSEUM

LONGITUDINAL METAL TRUSS FRAME

METAL STRUCTURE

HIGTH TENSION CABLE STRUCTURE

CONCRETE PILLARS

DETAIL SECTION

Detail sectionArticulation between concrete and metal structure

Study modelsRelation between truss frame and museum

Structural diagram

Transversal section

19

Casa da Música, Rem Koolhaas

Casa da Música tube station, Eduardo Souto de Moura

officeopened street

commercecollective housing

Ground FloorTypical PlanSite Plan Sketch Site Plan

Sketch Section AASketch Section BB

Collective Housing

Erasmus programme

FAUP

2006

Oporto, Portugal

This project operates in two scales. In a first

moment, the surrounding areas of the “Casa

da Música” by architect Rem Koolhaas were

considered, especially the area between the

“Casa da Música” tube station by architect

Eduardo Souto de Moura and the music centre

itself. Circulation, accessibility and visual

contact were the key ingredients to the project

that consists of multiple mixed use buildings:

collective housing, office, commercial and public

space. Moreover, the magnitude of the proposed

development required new streets to be opened

to enhance the access and circulation by both

pedestrians and vehicles.

In a second moment and changing the scale,

a collective housing building was selected for

further development and detailing. Several types

of organisations and flat distributions were tested

until finally reaching a fine level of constructive

details and material research.

20

1

2

3

4 6

5 7

Typical residential Plan

Transversal section

1

2 4 6

5 7

8

3

Typical Section Detail

21

professional Bloom_24

PA Atelier_26

Jewellery_28

structural testing

pattern recognition

material behaviour_flexibility and resilience

Bloom

Bloom - the Game

2012

London, UK

The interactive pavilions were commissioned by

the Mayor of London as part of the “Incredible

Installations” programme for London during

the Olympic and Paralympic games. They were

allocated initially in victoria Park and the UCL

main quad and after migrated to the Cutty Sark.

Bloom was built out of thousands of recyclable

plastic components creating an urban garden, a

social game. Together with a team of designers,

we created structures, spaces and benches that

could be appropriated by people. Spare pieces

were available so the visitors could interact with

the installation assembling they own structures.

The result is an urban toy constantly negotiating

with its surrounding.

24

UCL main quad

Cutty Sark25

1

The PA Atelier was aimed as an environment of

multiple and flexible use comprised initially of

a ceramic workshop, store and pottery school.

The client wanted a very bright space with open

plan and the minimum amount of divisions. The

development was split up in two blocks divided

and at the same time connected by a small

garden. The front block has the store and office

whereas the back one provides the space for the

ceramic studio and its working areas. The blocks

are physically connected by a small footbridge

in the first level which highlights the interesting

game of volumes between both buildings.

The steel structure not just guaranteed a faster

construction but also created an interesting

connection between the roughness of the pottery

and a more high-tech design. The option of white

as a background works as a discreet scenario

allowing the ceramic pieces and sculptures to

emerge as the protagonists of the space.

Award:

PA atelier was selected to participate in the

Seventh International Architecture Biennal of

São Paulo, 2007.

1-Garage2-Store3-Basement

4-Toilet5-Kitchen6-Access

7-Stairs8-Kiln area9-Jewellery atelier

10-Ceramic workshop11-Ceramic workshop12-Garden

13-Reception14-Office15-Footbridge

16-Mezzanine17-Music studio

first floor

ground floor

lower floor

PA Atelier

2005-2006

São Paulo, Brazil

26

longitudinal section

27

As an Architect, my endeavor towards design,

materiality, manufacturing and details made me

start quite early working in parallel with jewellery.

The engagement with it took place initially in my

home country where the fundamental techniques

were acquired through apprenticeships that

eventually culminated into a solid formation in

Portugal, my second homeland.

My work generally incorporates architecture

features into small scale objects always

exploring material properties. The uniqueness

of each piece is achieved by different types

of finishing such as textures and patterns. The

introduction of gold in my pieces was done

through a technique called “Marriage of Metals”

that merges silver and gold, highlighting the

contrast between them.

Jewellery

Julia Almeida Jewellery

2007-today

São Paulo, Brazil / London, UK

28

The opportunity of taking the master Design

Research Laboratory at the Architectural

Association, London, put me in contact with

new design and manufacturing technologies.

Materials previously worked such as silver and

gold were temporarily put aside. Through avant-

garde processes, contemporary materials such

as MDF, walnut wood and acrylic were explored.

A recent trip to Milos, Greece, greatly inspired

me by its beautiful natural rock formations. The

horizontal patterns of layers found in the rocks

are key aspects of this collection as well as the

overlapping of colors.

30

Julia Almeida

[email protected]: +44(0) 7526 474 959home: +44(0) 1908 233 389

portfolio julia almeida

Documents

foam foam catalogue

expandable foam

fibres pipes

foam behaviours

redistribution of water

water flow3in order

flow pattern

collective housing