ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
IOANA-MIHAELA BURCĂ
2024
IOANA - MIHAELA BURCĂ
Contact
Email: ioanaburca725@gmail.com
Phone number: +40747737208
Location: Iasi, Romania
Hello! I am a recent graduate with six years of architectural studies from Romania, complemented by an enriching year of Erasmus at Politecnico di Torino in Italy. My academic journey has equipped me with a solid foundation in architectural design, technical skills, and an appreciation for cultural diversity in architecture. I am highly motivated and dedicated to my work, always striving for excellence and eager to expand my knowledge. I am now seeking an internship where I can apply my skills, gain practical experience, and continue to grow professionally in the field of architecture.
Education
High School
Institution: Colegiul Național “Roman-Vodă” 2014-2018
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree
Institution: Universitatea Tehnică Gheorghe Asachi
Facultatea de Arhitectură “GM Cantacuzino” 2018 - 2024
Master’s Degree -Erasmus Student
Institution: Politecnico di Torino
Architecture Construction City Master’s feb 2022 - feb 2023
Software Skills
• ArchiCAD - advanced
• Lumion - advanced
• Autodesk AutoCAD - intermediate
• SketchUP - intermediate
• Rhino - intermediate
• Grasshopper - intermediate
• Revit - beginner
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
Work Experience
Intern Architect
SC REALITIS SRL
07.2021 - 12.2021
• Drafted 5 design concepts approved by the senior and clients
• Created 2D and 3D conceptual designs
Intern Architect
SC NEW SPACE SRL
06.2023-11.2023
• Managed and delivired 9 architectural projects
• Created 2D and 3D conceptual designs
• Discussed project feasibility in line with client objectives to identify the best and most optimal solutions
Achievements
• CASA Contest 2020
• ERASMUS PROJECT - Common Space
Right to the City (Direito à Cidade_D@C) Porto, Portugal 22-26 May 2023
• Native Romanian
• Advanced English
• Beginner Italian
• Beginner French Language Skills
• OAR PROJECT - Iașul își deschide curțile May 2023
CONTETS 01 GASTRONOMIC HUB
/diploma project
02 03 04 05
COMPLEX RESIDENTIAL BUILDING USING
PARAMETRIC TOOLS
/academic project
MIDDLE GROUND
/academic project
URBAN HOUSING WITH A RECREATION CENTER
/academic project
RESIDENTIAL HOUSE
/professional project
GASTRONOMIC HUB
/diploma project
TYPE - academic, single project
PERIOD - 6th year
PLOT AREA - 7000 mp
LOCALION - Piazzale Amelia Puccinini, Torino, Italy
For my diploma project I aimed to design a gastronomic hub in Torino, specifically in Piazzale Amelia Piccinini. I began by analyzing different buildings and urban spaces, focusing on how they integrate culinary traditions and public engagement. The design includes various functional groups, such as public spaces on the ground floor for restaurants and cafes, educational areas on the first and second floors for a culinary school, and exhibition spaces. This hub is strategically positioned near Porta Palazzo, one of Europe’s largest food markets, and aligns with Torino’s reputation for hosting major gastronomic events like Salone del Gusto and CioccolaTÒ. By respecting the local architectural typology, the project aims to revitalize the area, promote local culinary heritage, and foster a sustainable, informed community.
/axonometric view
plan
AA
BB
/ground floor
/first floor
/section
/section
/master
The open kitchen concept is a central feature of the gastronomic hub, symbolizing transparency and engagement between chefs and visitors. Situated on the ground floor, it acts as a dynamic interface where culinary arts are not only performed but also observed and appreciated in real-time. This design choice fosters an interactive environment, encouraging visitors to connect with the culinary process and the ingredients used. The open kitchen seamlessly integrates with the building’s overall layout, enhancing the public spaces such as restaurants and cafes by creating a sense of openness and inclusivity. It also complements the educational areas on the upper floors, where culinary students can observe professional techniques up close, bridging the gap between learning and practice. This integration highlights the hub’s mission to celebrate and educate about local culinary traditions while promoting community interaction and transparency.
/restaurant
/the relationship between the open kitchen, the bar and the seating area
/physical model
COMPLEX RESIDENTIAL BUILDING USING PARAMETRIC TOOLS
/studio
TYPE - academic, group project/ Erasmus mobility- Politecnico di Torino Architecture Construction City
PERIOD - 1st semester, second year of master’s degree
DATE - 13/10/2022-10/02/2023
PLOT AREA - 11502 mp
This project was carried out during my second mobility at Politecnico di Torino, Architecture Construction City Master’s, in the first semester of the second year.
The aim of this atelier was to design a residential complex building with existing apartment units and combining them using Rhino and Grasshopper. The site location and its analysis were given by the professors.
We started by analysing different buildings, looking at the distribution systems, apartment units and circulations. Afterwards we selected 5 units that will be featured in our design. In total we have used the module from Quarter Schutzenstrasse, Aldo Rossi, 34 times, V House, BIG, 19 times, 40 Housing Units, LAN Architecture 30 times, Social Housing in Cornello, Peris Toral 14 times, and only once the module
/view from inner courtyard
/creating the base - commercial /forcing the shape inwards, extruding volumes
/adding apartment units
/shaping the structure
/view from the main street
/adding walkable roof path
/external gallery
We strated our idea by studying the needs on the pople, questioning a possibility on how to create a place that meets their expectations. Therefore we created a tnner system on a waklable roof path with connects all types of leisure activities and it’s accesible to everyone. Besides that, we also integrated on the gound floor level public spaces.
The shape of the complex follows the area in which it is located, hosting a public space in the middle.
In order to combine perfectly the apartment units we created an agorithm using Grasshopper, which helped us in the form figgling process.
MIDDLE GROUND
/studio
TYPE - academic, group project
ERASMUS MOBILITY - Politenico di Torino Architecture Construction City
PERIOD - 2nd semester, first year of master’s degree
LOCATION - Chengxiang, Chengdu, China
The aim of the project is to find a way for suburbs to adapt to their new context while maintaining their values. The problem of suburbanization will be adresed and China will be our case study. It will evaluate the quality of urban space and architecture.
Our project’s focus was to create a new relationship with the current built environment, materials, and cultural values in the Linpan Settlements.
We chose to focus on the Linpan Settlements, in the east side of the town, it is an agricultural area, full of tradition and small houses, most of them abandoned The Linpan area is intended to be preserved by this proposal, called “Middle Ground.” utilizing it as a bridge between tradition and technology, assisting in Chenxiang’s peaceful coexistence of the two.
/Chengdu masterplan - open spaces
Sichuan province, heavily populated, and situated in southwets China, is a large island province known for its argicultural production.
FARMLAND
2022
Mass production and industrialization in the Chengdu area have taken over the rural landscape in the past decade, creating a new urban trafic.
BUILDINGS 2007
In the past, the settlements surounding Chengxiang Old Town were mostly agricultural villages surounded by large open fields.
BUILDINGS 2022
In present day, the traditional agricultural vilages are threatened by the new urban developments, which extend further into the rural scene.
FARMLAND
Even though suburbanization had a major impact on the area of Chengxiang, it avoided a strip of agricultural land outside the Old Town, where we find the Linpan Settlements.
OTHER BUILDINGS
New residential buildings were built further into the rural landscape, the Linpan area becoming a “middle ground” betwen the Old Town and the modern developments.
WATER SYSTEM AND VILLAGES
The villages have a very organic morphology, usually forming around sources of water, from which derive irrigation canals necesary for the practice of agriculture.
SYSTEM OF CONNECTIONS
This project titled “Middle ground” aims to preserve the area of the Linpan. using it to connect modernity and tradition, helping them co-exist harmoniously in Chenxiang.
ROADS
From an infrastructural point of view, the Linpan needed a more rigorous system of roads to connect the two areas that surround it.
PEDESTRIAN AREA
To accompany the public facilities introduced in the village, we added a set of pedestrian paths that lead people through the points of interest on our site.
FARMLAND
Preserving the agricultural nature of the settlements, we took advantage of the existing farmland and designed new producion areas, storage spaces and farming workshops.
FUNCTIONAL SYSTEM
Our urban intervention is focused on the new public facilities inside the Linpan, combining education, leisure, housing and production spaces, all referencing the tradition of the area.
EDUCATION CENTER
The education center takes inspiration from the surrounding architecture to create a multifunctional space consisting of workshops, an exhibition and a performance hall. The high structure acts as aplayground and a watchtower over the entire area.
DORMITORY
The dormitory represents the rehabilitation of the existing and abandoned residential buildings on our site. It provides the visitors with the authentic rural living experience in a more modern setting.
WORKSHOP
The farming workshop is designed to educate visitors on the traditional agriculture techniques and the various crops that are being cultivated in Sichuan.
PUBLIC PLAZA
The plaza represents the common public leisure space for the locals, combining green spaces, playgrounds and sitting areas.
/physical model
URBAN HOUSING WITH A RECREATION CENTER
/studio
TYPE - academic, group project Technical University Gheorghe Asachi Faculty of architecture “GM Cantacuzino”
PLOT AREA- 6000 mp
RESIDENTIAL AREA- 1550mp
RECREATION CENTER AREA- 540mp
LOCATION- Timisoara, Romania
The aim of the project was to create a new building complex for people living in that area, combining entertaiment, comercial and recreation facilities. Our proposal consists in one residential tower, and three different types of apartament buildings, next to one of them being the recreational center. The latter mentioned is design to host art exhibitions, cultre and leisure activities, as well as a variety of workshops.
The focus was the understanding of shared spaces, the needs of the individuals, the sense of identity and ownership.
/axonometric view
/concept /diagram
We took into consideration the existing buildings in our proposal and we designed green spaces that benefit everyone.
The entire ground floor areas are public spaces, accesible to both residents and non residents. The first level of the tower host coworking spaces.
/tower
RESIDENTIAL HOUSE
/project
TYPE - professional project
PLOT AREA- 1300 mp
LOCATION- Neamt, Romania
The objective of the project was to develop a contemporary residential home with an annex that seamlessly blends functionality and aesthetics. The proposed site, currently occupied by two small buildings slated for demolition, will be transformed into a modern single-story house. This home will feature an open-plan living area with a kitchen and dining space that opens onto a terrace, a night area with three bedrooms including a master bedroom with a dressing area, and a utility room.
The focus was on creating a harmonious living environment that connects indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring that each room receives ample natural light and ventilation. Throughout the project, every effort was made to meet the clients’ needs, from the initial concept phase to the detailed plans and renderings, ensuring a home that reflects their lifestyle and preferences.
/render from the courtyard
NOTĂ:
-nu se va multiplica documentația în vederea folosirii pentru alte lucrari. -se vor urmări cotele indicate pe desen și nu cele măsurate pe desen.
-înainte de procurarea tâmplăriei se vor măsura golurile de montaj.
-executantul este obligat să verifice dimensiunile din planșe înainte de procurarea materialelor și începerea execuției și va anunța proiectantul general dacă vor apărea neclarități dacă lipsesc din desen cote sau detalii. -prezenta documentație se va folosi doar pentru obținerea Autorizației de Construire, nu ține loc de Proiect Tehnic.
BUCĂTĂRIE + DINING HOL
ioanaburca725@gmail.com
+40747737208
