KARINE SARKISSIANd e s i g n e r t h i n k e r p l a n n e r

+1 857.445.5423 sarkissian.karine@gmail.comwww.kar inesark i ss ian .com

DESIGN EXPERIENCE

Carlos Zapata StudioNew York, NYArchitectural Designer // Jul 2013- Present

Design for ChangeLille, FranceSelected Design Correspondent // Aug-March 2013Institutional representative of the competition submission from MICA

American University of Beirut, Neighborhood InitiativeBeirut, LBMapping Intern // Jul-Aug 2012Investigated the neighborhood, created database maps with ArcGis

Zaha Hadid ArchitectsLondon, UKDesign Intern // Jun-July 2012Built an installation for London Architecture week modeled on Rhinoceros 3D

Ismael Leyva Architects New York, NYArchitecture and Design Intern // Jun-Aug 2011Architectural drawings, project books, assisted the principal

Baltimore: Open CityBaltimore, MDCuratorial and Communications team // Sept-May 2011Architectural design for the exhibition, collaborating curatorbaltimoreopencity.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Selected Jury Member / Baltimore, MDStudent Space Gallery Jury // Sept-May 2012Selected student artists for monthly exhibitions at MICA

Art Therapist and Program Leader / Baltimore, MDSister Together and Reaching (STAR) // Sept-Dec 2010Created and ran a weekly art workshop for female African American AIDS victims

Marketing and Communications Intern / Beirut, LebanonBeirut Art Center // Jun-Aug 2010Assembled press releases, gallery catalogs, assisted and communicated with artists

Art Therapist and Program Leader / Baltimore, MDWomen Healing Our Lives Entirely (WHOLE) // Jan-May 2010Directed weekly art therapy workshops for National Women’s Prison Project for trauma survivors

Art Teacher and Program Leader / Baltimore, MDMount Royal Elementary and Middle School // Sept-Dec 2009Taught weekly art class to 3rd graders

Founder and Organizer / Beirut, Lebanon“Grow Green Campaign” for Forests of Lebanon // Sept - June 2009Created the program, raised funds to plant trees in the Red Cross vicinity of Lebanon

EDUCATION

General Assembly, New York, NYProduct Management // April-June 2015

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Baltimore, MDBFA in Environmental Design // Minors: Art History, Curatorial StudiesMay 2013, GPA 3.98/4.0

MICA - Art in Berlin after 1989 Summer exchange - Art History in Berlin // Summer 2012

Danish Institute for Study Abroad, Copenhagen, DenmarkSemester Intensive in Urban Design // Spring 2012

HONORS

Mark Stempel Thesis Prize in Environmental Design // 2013Art History and Criticism Departmental Recognition Award // 2011France Merrick Special Project Fund // 2011Student Affairs Community Service Fund // 2011Foundation Recognition Award // 2010Dean’s List // 2009 - 2013Trustee Scholar, MICA // 2009 - 2013

SKILLS

Product Design, Architecture, Architectural Drafting, AutoCAD, Urban Design and Planning Model Making, 3D Modeling and Printing (CNC), Sustainable Design, Graphics, Wood and Metal working

Mac and PC platforms, MS Office Suite, Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, 3dsMax, Rhino 5

English, French, Arabic, Armenian

EXHIBITIONS

American Institute of Architects (AIA), Baltimore, MD // 2010

Artists Ball, ICO Chelsea Gallery, NY, NY // 2010Eco Friendly Expo, NY, NY // 2010

International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), Jacobs Javits Center, NY, NY // 2010

Intramuros International Design Magazine // September 2010 issue

Meet-up facilitator for OpenIDEO challenges in NYC.

CONTENT

recalling cultural identity 01

from the in-berween

urban dweller 08

block-works 02

baltimore open city 09

modern break-through 03

participluie 10

drip drop 11

spool seat 04

fedra sans type specimen 13

IDEO

community synthesizer 12

springth 05

artwork 14bent-wood shelter 06

professional portfolio redesign connections 07

RECALLING CULTURAL IDENTITY FROM THE IN BETWEEN 01Urban design

Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut is a city inherent with layers of meaning. A fifteen-year Civil War has lead to a life focused

indoors rather than one out in the streets. As a response, in-between public spaces have been often

entirely neglected and discarded as wasted terrain vague. The investigation of my own city manifested

itself in multiple perceptions re-scripting while understanding the over arching stages of its history.

Most important elements of the culture are portrayed through the people and the street-scape.

This was further studied by extracting the various layers of the city: social, political, and strong

connections to memory in areas faced with constant conflict.

Recordings of the in-betweens and life on the streets.

The exploration includes a record of sensory elements

(sounds, smells, viewpoints, and interactions)

Influential parts of the design.

Find full thesis here:

http://issuu.com/ksarkissian/docs/karine_sarkissian_thesis_lulu/1

From a single neglected space... To an activated public space...

To a network of public spaces... with in�nite possibilities...from a single neglected space

to an activated public space.

to a network of public spaces

The in-between spaces are designed

with local characteristics, responsive

to sensory recordings surrounding

each. They cater to the people in

creating pedestrian experiences for

the urban dweller.

From a single neglected space... To an activated public space...

To a network of public spaces... with in�nite possibilities...

to a network of public spaces with infinite possibilities...

Sensory recordings I captured walking around the

streets. I compiled them in a model-this investigation

influenced the design of each one of my spaces.

The interactions with the people I met on the streets

really stood out to me. The Hayy spaces were rarely

occupied, sometimes by the people who live around

the area, otherwise, the dwellers and vendors were

mostly on the main streets.

The vendors are the ones who sustain us- they are

part of our daily routines and they all have a story

and have been around their particular street corner for

some time. In a way, their legacy and their presence

has a fundamental presence in the streets of Beirut.

They represent the culture that is worth sustaining

and keeping alive.

My Hayy interventions encourage the connections

between the regular urban dweller and the street

vendors and artisans.

recording life on the streets. Understanding

the surroundings and all the special elements

that make them unique.

PROCESS EXPLORATIONS

BLOCK-WORKS 02Urban planning

Islands Brygge, Copenhagen, Denmark

FISKETORVET Shopping Center

HOUSING

OFFICES

STREET ART

WATERFRONT

1995ELLO SUPERMARCO

1920ØRESTED POWER STATION(largest power station in Denmark)

1941ROWING CLUB

TRAIN TRACKSBROWN FIELDSknown as LOW QUALITY OF LIFE - SOCIAL WELFARE DEPENDANT

CITYWIDE EFFORTbetter waterfront in absence of shipping industry

1932Largest diesel engine

SITE CONTEXT

HISTORY + IDENTITY

From a car oriented site.. ...to a site that puts people �rst From a low bicycle priority... ...to a bicycle friendly site

From a deserted brown�eld... ... to a dense mixed-use community From an industrial brown�eld... ... to a giant green park From a forgotten waterfront... ...to an activated moving waterfront

From an isolated site... ...to a site linked to its surrounding

DESIGN GOALS

SECTION-ELEVATION AA’

Block Works is an urban planning project in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located next

to Enghave Brygge, by the Ørsted Power Plant (one of the largest Diesel plants in

Denmark). While trying to revive the area and salvaging an old brown field, I activate

the waterfront and create a set program with housing blocks and commercial spaces.

FUTURE

A A’

RaIl ROaD TRaCkS

CaR aND bICYClE aCCESS

CONNECTINg bRIDgEaND buS STOp

ROw Club

maRkET SpaCE

bREwERY aNDbaR aREa

waTER SpORTS

CENTER

CENTRal bICYClE paTH

bICYClE paRkINg

wOODEN blOCkS aDDED ON THE EXIST-INg EDgE CaN CHaNgE OvER TImE aND mOvE ON THE EXISTINg TRaIN TRaCkS

aCTIvaTE SuRfaCES ON waTER aND laND

EXISTINg EDgE

mIXED HOuSINg COmmuNITY

gREEN ROOfS aND COuRTYaRDS

pRIvaTE aND publIC SpaCES vaRY

NO CaR aCCESS

aRTIfICIal CaNal CONNECTS TO THE HaRbOR ON bOTH ENDS

pOwER plaNT

4

5

6

COmmERCIal DISTRICTuNDERgROuND CaR paRk

21

3

HaRbOR baTHS

fERRY STOp

TODAY

1 MONTH

3 MONTHS

PLAN DIAGRAMpublICpRIvaTE

PLAN

MODERN BREAK-THROUGH 03Urban design

Israels Plads, Copenhagen, Denmark

CONCEpT COllagE

CONCEPT COLLAGE

SITE CONTEXT FUNCTION - URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

3 mins

1 min5 m

ins8 mins

1 min

BOTANICAL GARDENS

ØRSTEDSPARKEN

NØRREPORT

STATION

MARKET

LAKE

ISRAELS PLADS

Commercial 45%

Housing

Education 17%

Cultural 4%

Hotel 2%

32%

ACTIVITIES AND CONCENTRATION OF PEOPLE

Central element to the founding of Copenhagen, Israels Plads draws a

connection to the three historical gates; Nørreport, Vesterport, and Østerport.

The site is defined by physical and historical landmarks: the Botanical

Gardens, the Lakes, and Ørstedsparken.

The design revolves around triangular shapes. Each incorporates different

types of activities relating to the context of the site. Graffiti walls, grass

areas, and skate parks are some of these many elements. Additionally, stairs

are utilized to create level change and impromptu seating. Different heights

and textures create various layers and focal points in the space.

This public space values the past of Israel Plads while encouraging a new

vision for its future. It considers all ages and activities as it becomes a

‘montage of possibilities.’

“Spool Swing” and “Spool Seat” are made

out of Jute, an organic material; and fish

glue used as a natural bonding agent. After

many tests and studies, I created a giant

wool-winding mechanism (using a lamp

shade, a turn table, and a trash can). In

turn, I was able to spin the thread into

giant spools by the simple turn of a handle.

The Maryland Institute College of Art was

invited to participate at the International

Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at

the Jacob Javits Center in NYC, May 2010.

We presented our work as part of MICA,

“Material Inspired Concepts and Artifacts”.

MICA was awarded “Best Design School”

for the strong concept and products. The

materials used for this exhibit were all

natural, including bonding agents, glues,

and other used elements

SPOOL SEAT 04published in Intramuros Design Magazine

September 2010 issue, n. 150

SPRINGTH 05

The weakness of the ankle joints causes ankle impingement, an

injury particularly common with ballet Dancers.

This ankle strengthener, “SPRINGTH” works with the design of

springs. By interchanging springs, different people can attach this

product to their ankle to strengthen their joints with the desired,

customized tension needed.

wearable product: ankle strengthener

SPRINGTH 05

explorations and prototypes

The Bent-Wood Shelter was a two person collaboration created

using Grasshopper scripting and digitally fabricated with a CNC

mill. Through multiple experiments, we managed to find the

correct way to make wood bend and warp without breaking. The

entire structure is collapsible and does not use any hardware to

stay up- various types of joints keep the structure sturdy and

assembled. In effect, the inner skeleton also serves as shelves,

adding more function to the cozy cave-like form.

BENT WOOD SHELTER 06Digital fabrication/ CNC milled shelter

explorations

Redesign Connections is a design created for the Maryland Institute College of

Art Brown Center, a glass modern building designed by Ziger/Snead Architects.

The structure was designed on AutoCAD, 3D printed (for prototyping), and

animated using Rhino 3D and 3ds Max.

REDESIGN CONNECTIONS 07installation design for the Brown Center, MICA, Baltimore, Maryland

URBAN DWELLER 08design interventions throughout baltimore

This project consists of creating a series

of markers around Baltimore City. These

interventions cater to the ‘Urban Dweller’

to create a network in adopting various

areas within the city.

They allow the dweller to embrace, escape,

find shelter, rejoice, and explore.

The following interventions serve as a

model to create more spaces around the

city (conceived by various designers).

Three different sites were undertaken to

represent the model in mind.

Studies about the neighborhood including

transportation, building use, and edges

were conducted.

site explorations

URBAN DWELLER 08design interventions throughout baltimore

explorations

The exhibition was created by 29 students.

From curation to exhibition design and promotion,

we took on: architecture of the gallery space, graphic

design and language, call for entry, series of lectures

and events, workshops, student projects, and press

releases.

Opening of 500 people and more.

Click here for more information.

eds.mica.edu

BALTIMORE OPEN CITY 09curated exhibition in baltimore

I scheduled and organized workshops with students from

various schools around the city. They got to experience

the space and take part of some of the activities to better

understand Baltimore City.

PARTICIPLUIE 10Design competition - Lille for Change, Lille, France.

Participluie is a system that was created as part of a competition to

better the city of Lille, France. Our team who consisted of Jackie Litt-

man, Jaime Carusi, Michael Chiarella, and myself, proposed an umbrella

share system for the constant weather changes known throughout Lille.

It functions through a phone app and various umbrella kiosks placed

throughout transit points and important squares within the city.

This system was designed to encourage sharing within the city of Lille,

while keeping it’s citizens and visitors comfortable, dry, and shaded.

This program also eliminates the hassle of carrying around umbrellas

while in and outdoors.

Watch video at:

karinesarkissian.com/participluie

“I want to be more aware of my consumption- see how much I am using and saving. I definitely would love to see that information. I can’t think of anything that does that now.”

ELDA, designer, NYC, 22 yrsE H J

“If I payed for water, then I’d use the device that helps me save. But I live in a tenement building so my landlord should pay for it because it’ll help him save for sure. It would benefit him.”

JOSE, building concierge, NYC, 46 yrsE H J

“I love sensor sinks! It’s less, germs, less effort, it’s perfect. I don’t understand why people don’t have them in their homes.

HADI, banker, NYC, 27 yrsE H J

“I want to be more aware of my consumption- see how much I am using and saving. I definitely would love to see that information. I can’t think of anything that does that now.”

ELDA, designer, NYC, 22 yrsE H J

“If I payed for water, then I’d use the device that helps me save. But I live in a tenement building so my landlord should pay for it because it’ll help him save for sure. It would benefit him.”

JOSE, building concierge, NYC, 46 yrsE H J

“I love sensor sinks! It’s less, germs, less effort, it’s perfect. I don’t understand why people don’t have them in their homes.

HADI, banker, NYC, 27 yrsE H J

Sensor Digital display tablet

SENSOR

“About 95 percent of the water entering our homes

goes down the drain” Water: Use Less-Save More by jon clift and Amanda Cuthbert

“About 95 percent of the water entering our homes

goes down the drain” Water: Use Less-Save More by jon clift and Amanda Cuthbert

DripDrop is an app designed the help control water consumption

in an average household.

It consists of two parts. The first is a measuring tool, it indicates

the amount of water used by tap and warns the user if the set

limit is approaching. It comes in the form of a phone app as well

as its own tablet that can be kept in the home. The second is a

sensor tool that can be attached to any faucet, it is activated by

hand motion, while still allowing the user to turn it off and on on

command, as well as adjusting temperature and pressure.

“I want to be more aware of my consumption- see how much I am using and saving. I definitely would love to see that information. I can’t think of anything that does that now.”

ELDA, designer, NYC, 22 yrsE H J

“If I payed for water, then I’d use the device that helps me save. But I live in a tenement building so my landlord should pay for it because it’ll help him save for sure. It would benefit him.”

JOSE, building concierge, NYC, 46 yrsE H J

“I love sensor sinks! It’s less, germs, less effort, it’s perfect. I don’t understand why people don’t have them in their homes.

HADI, banker, NYC, 27 yrsE H J

drip dropdrip dropdrip dropdrip dropdrip drop

4 quarts8 pints16 cups128 ounces3.8 liters

DRIP DROP 11Controlling over consumption of water

SKETCHES

COMMUNITY SYNTHESIZER 12OpenIdeo refugee education challenge

This document is intended to inform the community and

our partners, UNHCR and UNICEF, what the community has

provided the platform during the research phase.

Joe Silva and I have coded and themed all of the data. We

categorized OpenIDEO members’ posts into 6 “buckets”- so

that the user of this document can easily interpret what this

community has produced.

Many research posts can fall into one or more buckets. We took

a step back from each post and determined which theme was

most prevalent to the central ideas in the research post.

Learn more at

https://openideo.com/blog/refugee-education-challenge-what-

we-learned-in-the-research-phase

FEDRA SANS TYPE SPECIMEN 13Graphic and book design

This book was created to showcase Fedra Sans typeface.

It features the regular font and its Arabic versions as well.

The book can be read from its two ends: left to right in English

and right to left in Arabic.

CLAIR-OBSCUR SELF-PORTRAIT COLLAGE

Created using hole-punched magazine cutouts.

MEMORIES OF A PEOPLE

Represents the struggles of the Armenian Genocide- loss of a people

ARTWORK 14

RIYAL SOLES

Riyal Soles incorporates my perception of the Saudi Arabian

society, after having lived there for thirteen years. The

restrictions set on women are voiced through resolutions of

consumerism and the addiction to trends. This piece explores

the views of an insider to comprehend and give voice to the

hidden reality faced by local women.

While all the women are dressed to look identical, they are

distinguished by their choice of shoes. Made of molded copies

of Saudi Arabian Riyals (local currency).

HELMET DESIGN

Helmet design for Formula Renault Racer, Shahan Sarkissian

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO // SAMPLE PROJECTSCourtesy of Carlos Zapata Studio

TURNBERRY OCEAN CLUB, MIAMI, FLORIDA

HIGH TECH TOWERS, LUANDA, ANGOLA

KARINE SARKISSIANd e s i g n e r t h i n k e r p l a n n e r

+1 857.445.5423 sarkissian.karine@gmail.comwww.kar inesark i ss ian .com MORE WORK AND PROJECTS @ karinesarkissian.com