#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