THE ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH CENTER [A.R.C]

In Fall 2010, the Department of Architecture moved into new facilities that have been designed specifically to fulfil the needs of the program. The new building, a converted shoe factory, will allows faculty and students to work together and continue to build the architectural program according to our mission statement. The architecture office of Associate Professor Yiorgos Hadjichristou (Yiorgos Hadjichristou, Petros Konstan­tinou, Veronika Antoniou, Teigas Joao, internal collaborators: Ioanna Iosef, Michalis Thrasyvoulou and Nasios Varnava) and Alessandra Swiny as an external advisor de­signed the building, which includes: ten main studio spaces (two per year), an entrance foyer, and a central amphitheatre. All are designed to be easily converted into one ex­pansive open-plan space for special events, such as final year exhibitions, major public lectures, large workshops, and recreational events. Additional facilities include a com­puter lab, printer room, library, workshop, classrooms, faculty offices, study rooms, and administrative rooms. There is also a cafeteria, a student lounge, and a rooftop terrace.

The [A.R.C] Labs are equipped with cutting edge hardware and software for both stu­dents and faculty. The use of the Labs is also part of several courses and workshops within the architectural and interior programs such as the Architecture and Interior Studios, the Digital Design Courses and the Architectural Catalysts.

Students have access to the Department’s Digital Fabrication Workshop (F-LAB), the Wood Workshop (W-LAB) and the Computer facilities(C-LAB)

The F-LAB and W-LAB are operating in dedicated spaces in [ARC] basement and Fine Arts buildings ground floor. These Workshops are University facilities containing Digital prototyping equipment and Wood-Workshop Tools and machinery, which in­dividual students or groups of students can use to produce architectural models and prototypes on their request. The use of the technologies is part of several courses and workshops within the architectural and interior programs such as the Architec­ture and Interior Studios, the Digital Design Courses and the Architectural Catalysts. In addition the Workshops organize inductions on H&S, and using the equipment. The Workshops currently employ an A0 laser cutting machine, a CNC milling machine, 3 x 3D printers and a large series of Hand tools and Power Tools in wood processing. Staff, currently consists of two experienced LAB operators and two student assis­tants under the general supervision of a Lab-Manager.

The computer lab (C-LAB) is situated in [ARC] first floor and it is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software providing modern facilities for both students and faculty. Software cover all range of digital design needs including 2D drafting, 3D modeling, parametric modeling, animation, rendering and for software for image processing. Staff, currently consists of three student assistants under the general supervision of an experienced Lab-Manager. The laboratories are well supervised and maintained by a very efficient and experienced support team. The Department is in the process of developing a Digital Design and Fabrication unit, in order to enhance further the infrastructure for digital design expertise and to establish a research-ori­ented and development facility for the academic environment

All laboratories are well supervised and maintained by an experienced support team. Regular inductions are organized to assist the students and faculty with the use of the labs.