University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesBachelor of Degree in ArchitectureCollege of Design

1414 6th Street SE. Apt. 203Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414

robux003@umn.edu

612.876.6436

Vitalie Robu

(ad)dressing the body

knot architecture

market lab competition

case sudy

redesigning the comunity

architectural photography

precedent analysis

provocativ facade

Design Work|Contents

mar

ket l

ab c

ompet

ition Project Description

This is a team entry to the Paris Market Lab competition, organized by ArchMe-dium. Our team consisted of: Jyngyi Feng, Jonathan Jacobs, Nicholas Kram-er, Vitalie Robu, and Floyd Lemon. The objective was to create a new restaurant concept in which the dining experience is augmented. Customer interaction is created within the kitchen to exist as a restaurant and cooking school in situ to develop into the best in the world for food and learning. The “Market Lab” will transform into a new experience every night so everyone could enjoy it.

Project ThesisIn the heart of the Luxemburg, the so-phistication of the left bank saturates the air between the aging walls. Adjacent to the St. German market, the liberal mind of Paris embraces her Gastronomy Market Lab with full appreciation of the pioneering exploration of food. Trans-Foodsion caters to the ever-changing perception of gastronomy while jux-taposing traditional Parisian patterns. The interior maintains a tangible trans-parency from the street, and evolves along the building’s skin—light is re-processed by colored ceramic. Indeed, it is the experience of delectable cooking.

Interior representationSite Plan Site Model Facade detail

Project SolutionThe analysis of site began the process of the design. This revealed cultural aspects of the site that were highly considered during the process. The fo-cus was to attract people via curiosity to the site so that the building is suc-cessful and functional within the pro-gram for which it is intended. Reflect-ing on various monumental aspects of the site, the desire was to connect the building to them by creating intentional views from balconies and openings.

x-trusion tor-sion d-vision

re-unificationin-tegrationx-ertion

Level 1 Level 3 Level 4

Offices

Extensive green roof provides garden area

Translucent ceramic tiles

Patio/ Exterior gathering space

Salon/ Classroom

PlazaRetail/ Reception Area

redes

igni

ng th

e co

mun

ity Project DescriptionThe tornado of May 2011 caused multi-ple buildings enormous damage. Some were repaiable, some not. In this case, the building was completely demolished. The proposal was for population growth and community redevelopment. The five members consisted of: Olga Berkovska-ya, Vitalie Robu, Lorren Mueller, Mandi Tauferner, and Matthew Thompson.

Project SolutionThe focus was to reinterpret existing neighborhood features and exemplify attractive features. The long but narrow site allowed a design for two family siz-es. This is to serve as a model for other tornado-stricken homes and communi-ties. The development of ideas enabled community interaction for an integrated design process that values community.

Level 1

Level 1 Level 2

(ad)d

ress

ing

the

body

Project DescriptionThe purpose is to think analogously across scales, materials and contexts by examining the relationship between architecture and fashion. Select a build-ing and make a strong analysis of the building’s envelope then design a paper jacket that will demonstrate a profound understanding of the building’s facade. The jacket must be made of paper joinery only, no glue or tape allowed.

Project SolutionBy analyzing Banca Popolare de Lodi, by Piano Rossi, I discovered that the build-ing has a multi functional facade. The structural wall serves as an envelope that functions as protection from the en-vironment. The second wall serves as an ornamental facade. Based on the analy-sis, cardboard paper is used to design the jacket, since two different sections, protection and ornamentation define the structure of the cardboard. By defining a joinery type for this material, a strong jack-et that could fit my body was designed.

pro

voca

tiv fa

cade

Project DescriptionThe intention is to use wood at its limit. Pushing to the maximum capac-ity will create a project that represents the program to be developed by the characteristics of the wood. The focus is on ingrained material possibilities rather than the design. The material is to define the program and to construct the conceptual purpose rather than the purpose defining the limitaions.

Project SolutionThe process of making this project con-sists of bending the wood to its extent. It was found that bending causes gradual cracks in the material. A restriction was created to the wood limit so no cracks ex-ist. The edges of wood are shifted to the center of its bend, and an interesting form is created. The form is unique to each piece of material; it cannot be recreated.

Project DescriptionA continuation of a previous project, different possibilities for design is ex-amined. Three options for its use are considered. The bent form could be part of or an entire façade in which larger openings are created to allow more light to enter to the building through glaz-ing. The next approach uses a tighter pattern that does not allow ample light passing through. This maintains the affect of light and shadow. The most basic attachment is to each window and light quality will still be provoked.

Project DescriptionThe use of this façade creates an amaz-ing shadow and light condition inside the building making the space highly quali-tative. Those who inhabit the space will have a great experience in the space.

kn o

t arc

hite

ctur

e

Above is the monkey fist knot. Below represents the knot in its moments. The represen-tation through sketches gives a realization of the process translated into wireframe.

Project DescriptionThe knot architecture project consists of depicting a knot and conceptualizing a wireframe model to represent the knot, giving mass to the wireframe to further analyze the process of the knot, then extracting mass from a model made out cardboard to further understand the spatial quality of the knot. The idea behind this process illustrates different media for analysis, creation, and refor-mation of the space implied by the knot.

Project SolutionConsidered an advanced knot, the monkey fist knot was scrutinized. The knot consists of three limitations to mak-ing it—each different in size and tech-nique. This notion is introduced to the wireframe; creating three moments in the model. Implied, but indirect, vol-ume is added to the wireframe then constructed in positive and negative forms with different media to reflect the mass occupancy of space then trans-formed into architectural inhabitance by the addition of human silhouettes.

Above, the chipboard model in its final form of volumetric space implied by the wireframe. To the right—void space defined by the volumetric model. Silhouettes are added to characterize the space created.

case

stu

dy Project Description

The case study is a representational analysis of The Contemporary Arts Center, by Zaha Hadid, in Cinccinnatti, Ohio. This case study is chosen since Zaha is one of my most dominant and inspiring architects through her dynamic architecture. A first in the United States, the center became popular and is of big importance to the architectural field.

Project SolutionThe Contemporary Arts Center func-tions as a model for museums world-wide due to its success. Located in an urban context, the center serves as a focal point to downtown Cincinnati. A 3D model was made then rendered to have an enhanced appreciation for the elements that make the project successful as a museum and of how people use it. Diagrams, floor plans, and sections function as representa-tional aspects of the building quality.

Project DescriptionThe exterior renderings of the building show the context in relation to the city. This helps to understand how the ar-chitect related different aspects of the city to the building. This is a dominant point of interest for building analy-ses since it teaches how site features are incorporated for building designs. The interior render corresponds to the program, and how people cultivate the space of the building. This rep-resents diverse qualities of buildings, and tells the story of the success of each individual element of the design.

Project DescriptionEvaluation and reproduction of tech-nical drawings for a building is an es-sential importance to a building’s analysis. It assists the designer to rec-ognize the spatial quality of the build-ings, the ideas behind their creation, the purpose, and the program of each space created by the architect.

Level 2 Level 4

Level 1

prec

eden

t ana

lysi

s Project DescriptionA building type is chosen, Home De-pot, to examine through representation. Analyzing its architectural elements, these ideas are represented through an abstract and conceptual analysis through block printing. Blocks of wood are selected and strategically trimmed so that the ink behaves a certain way.

Project SolutionTwelve images analyzing Home Depot are represented by the block printing technique. These are labeled: 1-Line and Plane, 2-Line and Plane, 3-Light, 4-Light, 5- Organization and Order-ing, 6-Layering, 7-Organization and Ordering, 8-Layering, 9-Proportion and Scale, 10-Space and Volume, 11- Space and Volume, 12-Proportion and Scale. “Good design comes from point of view. Point of view is initiated by creative analysis” (Author unknown)

1 2

87

3 4 5 6

1211109

arch

itect

ural

pho

togra

phy Project Description

A series of photographs are developed that represent the intentions of a pro-posed theme. Pictures are taken of dif-ferent moments to strengthen the theme.

Project Theme“The time is right to turn Nothingness into Somethingness.”If Somethingness involves evoking cre-ativity by stimulating the sense, Noth-ingness is the exact opposite. It involves clearing your mind so you have room for new ideas. We live in a fast paced world that we often fail to pay attention to small details that can leave long last-ing effects on us. In other words, these details can make people wonder, reflect on them from a definite but not speci-fied or identified angle. Perhaps these details guide the reader in a certain type of thinking. Therefore these details trans-form into something more, something bigger and of superior purpose. Details might enclose complete story lines asso-ciated with particular designs that them-selves may contain passionate moments in a seductive curve or a jagged edge.

Project SolutionThe focus is to depict special moments of my own interest in a way that few have seen. Those observing the photos rethink their judgement of what is at-tractive, interesting, and what is worth being appreciated. Photos on this page are different from each other, but they all carry a consistent conceptual idea of the theme: The transformation of Noth-ingness into Somethingness.” Below is, “For an instance,” in which the photo is taken in a perspectival manner that represents the particular architectural elements of the building’s envelope.

Thank you