Architecture Portfolio

sebastian cucuportfolio

index

69 - 70 the spaces between - idea competitionoffice architecture competition 2013

pedestrian and bicycle walkwayoffice project 2012

rehabilitation of the johannes honterus courtyardarchitecture contest 2011

urban development in bucharestacademic project 2011

master plan and school in padovaacademic project 2010

restoration of tempio duomo pozzuoliacademic project 2010

photography studioacademic project 2010

pinhole camera workshop 2011

what’s in my bagphotography contest 2011

bunesti summer schoolworkshop 2009-2012

69 - 70 the spaces between - ideas competitionsalt lake city | united states of america

Function: public spaceType: office competitionYear: 2013Semester: 10thOffice: Metaspace, BucharestTeam: arch Emil Foger, arch Andrei Marginean, Vlad Podoleanu, Coord: dr. arch. Horia Bejan

THE VISION

At the heart of the cultural setting lies the cathartic experience, which can be broken down in its perceptual components: visual, olfactory, tactile, auditory, gustatory etc. Our vision envelops the segmentation of the proposed pathway in urban rooms, each with its distinct character at a perceptual level, which will act as liaisons between both existing

and future planned cultural amenities. However, where the cultural venues offer carefully elaborated scripted events, the in-between spaces should offer synaesthetic, flexible experiences, that can change according to the urban dynamic of its inhabitants.

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THE PROPOSALOne of the critical points

of the proposal is coherence, namely the bringing together of its two main components: the interstitial pathway and the Main Street segment. The first measure taken in this regard is the transformation the part of Main Street, spanning the width of the two city blocks, into a pedestrian zone, where the automotive traffic, with the exception of the existing railway, is being redirected underground. Taking advantage of the existing square to the south of block 70, the two intersecting paths mentioned above can be turned into a pedestrian loop littered with synaesthetic experiences.

At a morphological level, the in-between spaces can be interpreted as a sequence of rectangular sub-spaces that glide transversally to the main pedestrian flow. This is translated in the creation of linear architectural and urban elements that generate the diverse experiences the proposal is aiming for.

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The garden was designed out of the desire to create an olfactory urban experience coped with visual and spatially rhythmic stimuli. The attractiveness of the space is being created by contrasting itself from the western block and its built environment. The floral elements displaced transversally to the pedestrian flow result in experiences unique to the chosen trajectory of each passerby.

This room caters to auditory stimuli,

where each passerby can listen

or perform to their leisure, reinforcing

the urban stage present in the

southern block below. The square

itself also creates musical stimuli

interactively with the each passerby

traversing the space.

Main Street is the dominant element in the spatial configuration, and as such posed a significant problem in the design of the area since it divides not only block 69 from 70, but also the proposed interstitial path. Given the strong visual character at an urban level, this element was designed not only to provide visual and virtual connectivity between it and the rest of the interstitial rooms, but also reunite the rest of the characters the whole ensemble.

Catering to the ludic traversal of urban

space is the playpen, containing installations

that cater to both children and adult

activities.

Given the large amounts of surrounding stage

performance amenities, the need for a reconfigurable

urban stage was being strongly felt. Here, various

gliding seating and separation elements grant the possibility

of an infinite number of urban configurations,

catering to needs such as outdoor performances,

urban lounges, recitals etc., resulting in a tactile

experience of space.

The built borders of this square are composed of large visual projection surfaces, which can nullify the building mass by displaying live feed images of either what’s directly on the other side, images from other areas inside the block, or even images from halfway across the world in other cities. The virtual scenery is practically endless.

pedestrian and bicycle walkwaybucuresti | romania

Function: public space, parkingType: job assignmentYear: 2012Semester: 9thOffice: Metaspace, BucharestTeam: Vlad Podoleanu, Cristina NeaguCoord: dr. arch. Horia Bejan

The public walkway project is meant to connect two important parks of the city of Bucharest: Carol Park and Tineretului Park, segregated by a very busy road.

The stake is to make the parks more accessible from one another without interrupting the traffic and by creating a lively connection, that can attract

people into the parks.The project is composed of

several parts that contribute to the final object. The walkway crosses the road, towards the Carol park it spreads to an open theatre and a skylight. The public space is enclosed by a restaurant and café. Underneath the walkway we have placed the underground parking and a commercial area, to complete the intervention.

The skylight will light the parking lot by day and the public space above by night, with the light from inside.

The whole intervention is for the people who use the park, weather they are pedestrians, cyclists or drivers, who come to the park by car.

The project will be integrated into a larger program based on green space studies of Bucharest and the new 2035 Concept Strategy developed for the city.

The Urban Green Ring sustains the connection of the existing green areas by developing new ones, thus creating a green, equipped and permanently used connection between the inner and outer city.

Opportunities (as stated in the strategy)1. the possibility of creating

a coherent and unitary green system at municipal scale.

2. the existence of viable green systems

3. the existence of free areas or of those that permit functional conversion

5. residence’ concern of environmental issues

6. promoting activities in urban spaces (sports, recreation, leisure) + cultural + social + commercial

Threats(as stated in the strategy)1. the lack of landmarks in the

green spaces

1 2 3view towards carol park view towards tineretului park view along the street between

walkway

outdoor “theatre“

café and restaurant

walkway and parking structure

underground parking

commercial space

translucent skylight

the walkway becomes a landmark on the street

the green path crosses the street from one park to another

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the parking spaces underneath the walkway get most light from outside

the public space is lit from beneath

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rehabilitation of the johannes honterus courtyardbrasov | romania

Function: public spaceType: contestYear: 2011Semester: 7thTeam: Stefan Nechita, Tudor Munteanu

In the same way in which the Tampa mountain flows over the old city of Brasov, the gothic Black Church throws it’s mantle over the Johannes Honterus Courtyard. Inside the courtyard, the views are cut by this massive colossus which keeps you close to it, always at its base looking up from always the same distance, sensing the tension between it and the surrounding buildings. The courtyard flourishes as a circumscribed space, at the border between public and

private, between the religious and the profane.

The competition proposes the revival of this space by means of subtle interventions, as it belongs both to the church, the german school situated here and most importantly, to the city.

The shape of the courtyard shows a series of pockets with a role not only in connecting the adjacent spaces, but also in the softening of the access inside

the site. Some are hidden behind walls and carry their duty with respect to the core of the court. Therefore, a morphological development of the surrounding space is proposed, offering it the identity required, but not by the exclusion of there pockets, but by their potential empowerment within the entire composition.

location on cultural, touristic and religious axis of Brasov

relationship between void and filled space in the fabric surrounding the site

the proposed site-property of the Evangeline Church-shared space between the Church and the German School- mixed nature: religious and secular

the excluded pockets are defined by subtle architectural elements, serving as forerunners to the court entrance

the Black Church next to the Rathaus Square, central points of interest within the old fortified citadel of Brasov

the Black Church: independent volume within the urban fabric, must not become adjunct to the Rathaus Square

the refinement of the urban gothic square through the determination of an area of proximityaccentuation of the disproportion, specific of medieval church squares

the pavement of the main space, perpendicular to the direction of the church reveals the tension between the church and the surrounding fabric

Detailing-urban furnishing-pavement-drainage-lighting

1. spotlight 2. Schreder light pole, Aura model, anodized aluminium, dark grey h=6m3. Anodised aluminium trash can, dark grey, h=0.8m, d=0.3m4. Underground plastic tube - continuation of roof draining system5. Basalt block 10x20x10cm, white and grey6. Sandy earth fitting h=4cm, unfitting

for vegetal growth7. Sand layer h=3.5-9cm8. Geotextile layer9. Drainage gravel layer h=24cm10. Water insulation11. Natural soil layer12. Drainage duct, iron, 42x38x22cm13. Underground sewage system link14. Sitting spots, basalt, variable sizes, correlated with pavement pattern,

h=0.4m15. Small ditch elements, basalt, 20x20x3cm16. Existing cubical stone in front of the church, 16x16x16cm17. existing stone 34x16x15cm18. Drainage duct, iron 26x16x20cm19. Buried lighting element, Phillips, model Pompei 505

before: the statue of Johannes Honterus points towards the main school building, enclosed in a fenced perimeter

after: the statue returns to its original state of way point and sitting place

before: the southern side of the courtyard serves as the main yard for the German School

after: preserving this function, children are now playing on a clean, paved space; stone benches are scattered throughout

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before: the old bookshop, completely secluded from the main court

after: the niches in the wall become permeable and the small pocket a coffee & book shop

before: the space in front of the school building, unfriendly and distasteful

after: the pocket becomes an open classroom, with two trees framing a small podium

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before: the linking pocket between the Rathaus Square and the Johannes Honterus Courtyard

after: the pocket becomes a convergence and distribution space, for pausing, for sitting down and having a sip of water

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the nocturnal lighting scheme employs both a series of lighting poles and pin lights at the base of the church.

the lighting poles are placed around the perimeter of the square, offering both direct and indirect light for the court, and are equipped with reflectors illuminating the church.

the pin lights are placed so as to stress the verticality of the gothic structure.

direct lighting indirect lighting church lights

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urban development in bucharestbucuresti | romania

Function: urban planningType: school assignmentYear: 2011Semester: 7thTeam: Ioana MitricaCoord.: prof. dr. arch. Sebastian Botic

The studied site is currently surrounded by peripheries generated by the near-by neighbourhoods.

In a larger context they take part in building the specific heterogenous urban tissue of Bucharest, for which the surprise is the main element.

Taking these bits into consideration and analysing their impact on the studied site is the generator of this project’s solution.

exterior influences traffic continuation proximity units

the exterior energy of the site is used for generating a response for the new functions and heights

the circulations have the same characteristic of being generated as defined routes of the exterior ones.

the main route will be the Brasov Boulevard, completed by an outer ring for traffic fluidization.

the radius of the proximity units will be 300m, bringing together most of the mandatory functions from a given area.

voronoi algorithm the grid cell development

the algorithm generates cells from given points. the cells correspond to the proximity units, given that every location in the cell is closest to the point that generated the cell.

placing the generative points on the circulations maximum accessibility is obtained for every one of the cells

for completing the main circulation a grid of 3rd rang circulation will be used for greatening accessibility and for giving coherence to the whole assembly.

the used module is a 95x 153 m rectangle, given that each one of these will be further split to fit local needs.

the functional and spatial development is based on the cellular automata rule, each result becoming the base for the next stage.

the cells will be developed from the outside in, each proximity unit at a time, influencing each other and attracting at the intersections compatible functions.

the purpose of the proposal is to regenerate the peripheries and to direct the assembly towards a sustainable development

the creation of other peripheries will be avoided through a polycentric approach

the main circulations will be taken over and systemised, then completed with a grid

the development will consist of cells - proximity units - which will assure all the connected functions needed for living

the cells will be generated with the voronoi algorithm, by some points placed on the main circulations, to assure maximum accessibility to each one of them

the proximity units will develop based on the cellular automata (the last result will be used to determine

the next) starting from the influences given to the site both functional and of height

the joints of the cells will attract groups of compatible functions that will work as urban squares

the squares will be connected through roads but as well through pedestrian and bicycle paths

the paths are taken as well from the voronoi algorithm to assure easy access form inside the neighbourhood

the purpose of the squares is to give the intervention the urban character and to create room for activities in public space

the pedestrian pathways connects the squares with one another but as well the margins of the studied site, collecting the residents from the near by neighbourhoods and suggesting further development

main route

individual housing max 3 levels

mixed housing-services-commerce

education

2nd category street

row houses max 3 levels

mixed services-offices-commerce

municipal

3nd category street

collective housing max 4 levels

commerce

production

pedestrian circulation

collective housing max 6 levels

culture

high point

master plan and school in padovapadova | italy

Function: mater plan - public space, residential and educationType: school assignmentYear: 2011Semester: 6thTeam: Ioana Tilicea, Javier SanchezCoord.: prof. arch. Maria Chiara Tosi

The project seeks to sort out a de-structured area of Padova, Italy, right in the heart of the old city centre, next to the Prato della Valle, the second biggest square in Europe.

The big parking lot right behind Foro Boario will become a public magnet, bringing together cafés, restaurants, museums, conference halls, services, commerce and the ruins of the old church.

The nearby velodrome is kept in its position and rehabilitated,

generating a public space around it and exhibiting sports, remaining an embedded way point in the residents’ mind.

Our proposal will create the permanence in the area with the introduction of the collective housing quarters.

The school completes the master plan, binding together all the functions of the proximity unit. The shape of the school glides along the velodrome giving it space to ‘perform‘ but as well creating the surprise

element in the path of the pedestrian.

The spaces in between sew buildings together, creating spaces for people to express their life in.

The principle that guided this project from beginning to end was the human scale.

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2 32santa giustina cathedral

monastic complex

ex military base

ex foro boario

prato della valle

parking lots

velodrome

stadium

collective housing

santa giustina cathedral

prato della valle

medieval church ruins

velodrome

residential development

monastic complex

residential development

school

foro boario

commerce, services, culture

collective housing

direction analysis

horizontal development

vertical development

function integration

main square - services, commerce, culture

direction analysis

horizontal development

vertical development

function integration

residential development - eastern side

direction analysis

horizontal development

vertical development

function integration

residential development - western side

master plan integration first floor

ground floorfunctional distribution

the school

restoration of tempio duomo pozzuolipozzuoli, napoli | italy

Function: restorationType: school assignmentYear: 2010Semester: 5thTeam: Ioana Tilicea, Bianca PinedaCoord.: prof. dr. arch. E. Vassallo

The context in which the ‘Tempio Duomo di Pozzuoli‘ is found during the ages has determined an approach that does not want to show the temple as a single object, but more as a symbol that physically loses itself in a larger context.

Therefore the sacred space is hidden in the ordinary, and shows itself only by the means of the campanile.

The light is the symbol of the religious function of the edifice, and defines the internal space of

the church.We have constructed this

suggestion by recomposing the existing internal space with plans of translucent marble, in fact, plans of light.

‘The artist that works with the earth works with time’

Walter de Maria

connections between potential archeological sites

1967|79 - the restoration of de Felice

[the fire of 1964]

1632 - the sixteenth century restoration Bartolomeo Picchiatti

[16th century - the connection between the cathedral and the nearby church Corpo di Cristo]

[D’Ambrosio: the first private chapels were build at the end of the 13th century, on the outside, cutting the marble walls]

1591 - reproduction of the plan - after the pastoral visit

[1538 - the earthquake of Tripergole - the walls were consolidated]

new temple structure, pseudo peripter esastilo, graphic reconstruction of Giuliano da Sangallo - 15th century

2nd century b.c. - stone temple podium, partially dug into the hill, oriented N-S

The relationship between the two functions of the

building, the religious one and the archeological one, has

determined us to decompose the layers that we’ve discovered through time and to recompose

them.

The result consists of three instances of the external space.

A space of the ordinary, determined by the temple and

the surrounding urban tissue.

A space of close cognition of the edifice and it’s memory, in the

ancient ante-temple

A space of the past, that materialises itself in the

archeological route.

existing layer structure layer

marble layer all the layers together

photography studiovenezia | italy

Subject: ‘where am I’Type: school assignmentYear: 2011Semester: 6thCoord.: prof. Guido Guidi

While exploring a new space, a new territory, we try to find landmarks that can provide us with a sense of reality and a means of comparison.

The points of reference that we choose for our new experiences may influence our whole perception of the space, therefore every decision we make in such a case is very important.

For this exercise I found a

rather deserted part of a park outside Venice, next to the lagoon shore where this old billboard was abandoned.

I used it as a frame, to get to know the space around me.

photography workshopbucuresti | romania

Subject: my name is neighbourhoodYear: 2011Coord.: Make a Point Association

The pinhole camera reflects the essence of the film camera principle - hand made out of a match case, some duct tape and the film itself, it captures reality in a very different way.

“my name is neighbourhood“ was meant to explore a part of the city, an unexplored one for most of the participants, through the means of pinhole photography.

The way you think about what you want to capture changes when you handle such a basic

camera.The result was made up of

bits and pieces that together talked about how life goes on in the neighbourhood.

what’s in my baginternet

Type: photography contestYear: 2012

The idea behind this photograph was to show bits of personality in a different kind of way.

It’s in fact an anonymous portrait, meant to tell a story

The fact that all the objects are frozen suggests a particular moment, but one that can be extended in time, that may not pass by.

bunesti summer schoolbunesti | romania

Type: workshopYear: 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012Coord.: arch. Ana-Maria Goilav,prof. Petre Guraninvolvement: participant and assistant coordinator

The summer school of Bunesti takes place every summer since 2008 (and recently every spring). It is organised in groups around 30 people each, changing every 10 days.

Generally speaking, the contemporary European educational system needs a change. The project’s main purpose is to bring a Romanian alternative to the crisis of the European educational system through the creation of an

alternative school meant for youths just out of high-school.

The Bunesti summer schools take place before the actual school will begin, in order to build the whole campus.

The project aims to build models on a scale of 1:1 from various materials using often forgotten methods.

Due to the fact that each building is executed in different

styles, every year, the participants are faced with new problems which aid in the understanding of the fundamental aspects of the act of building.

the wooden house - it is now the wood workshop

the clay house - will host the student dormitories

the brick house - will be the future indoor cafeteria

the shower cabin - made in our wood workshop

sebastian cucu

studies 2011- present 2010 - 2011 2008 - 2010 2004 - 2008

languages

skills

“Ion Mincu“ University of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bucuresti, RomaniaInstitute of Urban Planning and Architecture of Venice, IUAV, Italy“Ion Mincu“ University of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bucuresti, Romania“Dr. I. Mesota“ National College, Computer Science, Brasov, Romania

romanian - nativeenglish - fluentitalian - advanced

AutoCAD Architecture, Revit Architecture, 3ds Studio Max (renderings), Google SketchUP, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom, Microsoft Office

seb icucu@gmai l . com0 0 4 0 7 4 9 5 1 3 3 2 0born 20 february 1989

thank you