#10 SpiderGoth

Human intelligence inhabits physical space. But it also augments physical space with virtual qualities; mythology, religion, fairy tails, monsters and dragons. The human world is neither natural, nor virtual; it is at the intersection of the two, where everyday life happens : reality generates myths, and inversely, myths dictate modes of behavior to people.

New York is the birthplace of the Contemporary Virtual, the intriguing cityscape where human imagination constantly generates new urban myths. New York is more than the physical metropolis of our times; it is the epicenter of modern mythology. Here, countless superheroes live and work. Extraordinary figures rule the skyline and the citizens' imagination : they symbolize and protect the ideals of the entire western world.

In the NY context, it would be an interesting experiment to invert the process of physical producing virtual. What if virtual figures worked together to construct a protective structure for the citizens of NY? What if, say, Spiderman and Batman, engineered a shed that combines the symbolic and even structural characteristics of each ones' identity? How would that structure look like ? How would it work?

A modular webby, lightweight construction with a Batman/Gotham inspired geometry, could be the synthetic answer. Spider-goth.

Copyright : Kostas Poulopoulos 2009

#9 Ancient Pop: an Olive Oil label

The "Elaikon Extra Virgin Olive Oil" is meant to appeal to markets outside Greece.

The product's visual impact needs to express strong presence that will allow it to stand out at the supermarket shelves, and to differentiate its look from competing Spanish and Italian products, by incorporating an esay to grasp, yet stylish re-interpretation of its identity.

In order to achieve this, the theme of ancient red-figure pottery was exhaustively researched, as a departure point that both addresses the issues of impact and origin. A Cretan scene of olive harvesting was an ideal cover image for a pop-style review of the classical themes: the naked, "superficial" image becomes the visual bridge between the new content and the classical values.

copyright : Kostas Poulopoulos 2009

#8 The Pacifier (for adults)

Have you ever felt that everything is out of place? That, no matter you do, nothing fits and nothing works?

When things look that desperate, wouldn’t you give everything for even the faintest notion of harmony? Could that “something” give a fresh departure point to your tired mind, your broken heart or your confused inner self? Introducing the PACIFIER(FOR ADULTS) , an object with the sole purpose to fit perfectly in your palm, and fill you with hope that things can actually fall in place, and that even the darkest night is followed by morning light.

The pacifier is custom-made, using the user's palm as a mold. It can be made out of clay, and then translated into any moldable material (e.g. PVC, silver, titanium, etc.) according to the taste of the user.

Pacifier(for adults) TM : all content copyright of the author
Kostas Poulopoulos 2008

#7 upto35 competition : D_Transpose

Transposition (or metathesis) : the change of place.
Transposition (music) : the process of moving a collection of notes up or down in pitch by a constant interval, while maintaining their original relation.

This project explores the transposition of the number D (Δ, in the Greek building code, here 4.55 m) throughout the 9 plots; its structural potential, its formal language and the possibilities of creating a new typology. The 2 main objectives are : a. the creation of a network of voids that are architecturally and socially meaningful; b. the invention of a synergistic building type that exists symbiotically with both its siblings and the host environment.

A rigorous investigation of the 9 plots yields a typology with stable DNA, that can be easily transformed to fit in all cases. These transformations are: 'stretch' and 'mirror'. By stretching, the building fits the plot; by mirroring, it creates communal voids of 2Dx2D.

Each building has 3 apartments and a common kitchen per floor, while the top floors have mezzanines. The roofs of the buildings create an undulating surface that is ideal for a fresh and relaxing (horizontal, as opposed to vertical) Athenian roof scape.

To view the entire presentation material, download from:

http://rapidshare.com/files/281251988/SUBMISSION_MATERIAL.zip

copyright : Kostas Poulopoulos 2009
Design Team : Kostas Poulopoulos, Eva Poulopoulou

#6 Dunes /Caves

The project Dunes/Caves received 2^nd place among 107 participations at the competition “In Cyprus relax: as architects reinterpret” , for the 11^th Venice Bienalle of Architecture, under the title “Out there: Architecture Beyond Building” and was ehxhibited on the Cyprus Pavillion of the 2008 Biennalle.

The aim of the project Dunes/Caves is the interpretation of the man-made landscape in terms of synthesis and not contradiction, of the human and the natural realms. Let alone the philosophical, ethical and ecological issues that can be addressed by such an approach, economies that are tourism and culture-based, might have important economical benefits.

The case scenario here is the habitation of a deserted beach (Akrotiri, South Cyprus) in such a way that human provisions be made for the users. This is possible through the invention of an undulating semi-artificial, semi-natural surface, that provides a minimal, camouflaged shelter from the hard Cypriot sun. Each dune/cave is constructed by prefabricated concrete elements that can be easily assembled in-situ (4 pieces). Consequently, they can easily be removed, without any trace of construction left. Sand and local vegetation are covering the dune/caves creating a uniform appearance ,that resembles the original status of the landscape, which , however, is hereafter transformed into a habitat.

This lanscape "perceives" people as ants that disappear and reappear in the sun.

copyright: Kostas Poulopoulos 2008

#5 Plantronics Future Sound Competition

This proposal for a "tech-cessory "blue-tooth device was made for a competition, launched by Designboom and Plantronics. The effort here is to design a sharp object, where no decorative elements present themselves. Instead, it is the configuration of the primitive lines of the object that create "beauty", by contrasting with the lines of the ear and the jaw; this object wants to look like a stealth airplane, a monolith, an earring and a microphone at the same time.

copyright : Kostas Poulopoulos 2008

#4 U. Tokyo Master Thesis: " Advantages of CAD/CAM/CAE Digital Systems in Design Exploration and Development"

The thesis proposes that the integration of CAD (Computer Aided Design)/CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) /CAE (Computer aided Engineering) digital systems in the design process:

• accelerates the information production pace, or infogenesis: faster redesigns allow more design iterations, therefore, better knowledge of the design problem. (ACCELERATION)
  

• liberates designers from the burden of production, making time for more creative thinking. (AUTOMATION)
  

• introduces the concept of "Serious Play" (M. Schrage, 2000) in the design process, which liberates creativity and promotes innovative thinking. (PLAYFULLNESS) Innovation is possible thanks to advanced "playing" tools and behaviors that allow designers to follow rather than pull ideas.
  

• formalizes design knowledge that is produced during the design exploration; this is possible through capturing, organizing and re-distributing transparent information (Knowledge Based Systems) , rather than allowing implicit knowledge to be "stuck" in the neurons of specialists (KNOWLEDGE).

In this work, the above concepts of Acceleration, Automation, Playfulness and Knowledge, are approached with the implementation of Procedural Design (Rhino software) ; Parametric Design (Grasshopper plugin for Rhino) ; Finite Elements Analysis (SAP 2000); and Rapid Prototyping (standard flatbed laser cutter). This is done through the case study scenario of a roof structure.

To download an explanatory visual presentation, follow this link :

http://rapidshare.com/files/268315841/THESIS_PRESENTATION_kostas_poulopoulos_16.2.09.pdf

To download the thesis abstract, follow this link:
http://rapidshare.com/files/268301447/Konstantinos_Poulopoulos_Thesis_Abstract.pdf

Copyright :Kostas Poulopoulos 2009, University of Tokyo.
Supervising Professors : Chiba Manabu,Ukai Tetsya
Special thanks to: Keisuke Toyoda (Noiz Architects, principal)
Rezza Sobhanninejad PhD Str. Eng.
Hande Unlu PhD cand. PM.

#3 Three vacation houses, Mani

These 3 houses will be erected on an olive-tree planted slope that overlooks the sea of Mani.

This composition is inspired by the dry and sharp host environment. There is conscious effort to blend architecture in it, yet not entirely. In order to achieve this ambiguity, sharp geometries (lines, prisms, planes) are used, but they are composed in an organic way, that complies with the rule of the site. The plot is organized by the introduction of a primitive element of architecture: the wall. Stone walls (A) that run parallel to the plot, define circulation and create levels. A second set of walls (B) extend perpendicular to the A walls, aiming towards the view. The intersection of A and B walls define the position of each house. Consequently, each house casts a dual glaze towards the view.

The plot and the three houses are accessed by a winding path that is defined by the A and B walls. At the deepest point, the path becomes a "stairway to nature".

Project status: permit clearance

Joint project with Aris Kordas (akp architects)
copyright: Kostas Poulopoulos, Aris Kordas, 2009

#2 OlympicAir logo

A logo is a compact composition of meanings important to the company it portrays. Its primary aim is to communicate those meanings in a clear and direct way. Then, a good logo seeks to install itself in the memory of the consumer, like a virus.

With the above in mind, this proposal for the new logo of Olympic Air (competition) features : custom designed fonts, dynamic yet static, in order to express safety and dominance; one, attractive and clearly defined color (cyan 100,0,0) , that wants to become itself a symbol for OA; the traditional rings of OA, in order to evoke a sense of continuity and integrity, whereas their monochromatic simplified appearance seeks to express boldness and self-confidence in redefining brand identity.

Visit www.oalogo.gr to see what was the opinion of the jury and the public vote (greek only).

copyright: Kostas Poulopoulos , 2009

#1 The watchmen of Nezu-Yanaka

This project's objective is to investigate sustainable ways of protecting the traditional "roji" lifestyle that crumbles within Tokyo megapolis.

Roji (露地) reads "exposed ground", which, in medieval Japan meant the dense circulation network of alleys amongst wooden houses. Today still, everyday life within roji is friendly, soft and informal, due to the small width of the streets (3 m.), the gardens and heavily planted yards. Modernity, however, threatens such an atmosphere, seeking to bring car and fire-brigade access everywhere (by widening streets up to 5 m), and substitute traditional wood housing with concrete or steel frame construction.

Even though safety is the top priority for engineers, it so happens that often, solutions are approached with lack of subtlety and socio-ecological responsibility. The "Watchmen of Nezu-Yanaka" are trying to insert a composite yet focused response to the issues that concern roji-style life.

Each of these towers contain a chain parking mechanism, from the ones that are actually very popular in Tokyo . They are scattered in vacant lots all over the study area, thus saving yards from being transformed into parking lots. They are also water towers, bearing a tank that collects water from the rainy Tokyo sky: this is meant to provide water immediately in case of fire. Three sides are covered with climbing ivy, while the south facade is clad with solar panels. On the top, wind turbines collect clean energy. The towers are symbols of sustainability, protectors of the soft, old and fragile roji environment.

The project was published among others at "Another Tokyo", a 2008 U. Tokyo publication supervised by professor Darko Radovic.

project copyright : Kostas Poulopoulos , University of Tokyo 2008