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ANAGRAMS
The name of the studio is inspired by the meaning of the word anagram that characterizes words that the reshuffling of their letters produces a new meaning. The reshuffling of the word anagrams produces the word Ars Magna that in Latin means Great Art. The reshuffling of a meaningless word as anagram can eventually produce a totally new meaning that can highlight something. In the same way architecture has the chance to highlight or invent hidden spatial qualities.
This describes the design process of the studio. In our case the urban context, the history of the place, the given assignment and the spatial typology are the elements (letters) that the reshuffling of them could produce a new meaning and eventual produce architecture.
The studio has a broad spectrum of assignments and competition entries from public buildings such as museums and libraries up to transformation of existing buildings, housing and open public spaces.

PRINCIPAL

Marina Kounavi is an architect and urban designer. She is based in Rotterdam since 2012. She founded the studio ANAGRAM A-U in 2017. Her working experience includes offices as OMA/ Rem Koolhaas, MVRDV and Mecanoo which have a strong influence in her shaping as an architect. Marina co-authored many award-winning international & national competition projects including the Varna Regional Library (1st prize), the Souda Passenger Terminal (2nd Prize),  the Woonen in Winkels (1st prize), Urban Park of Ioannina (2nd Prize) and Social Housing in Larnaca (1st prize). Marina completed the design development of the Varna Regional Library in 2017 which is expected to break ground in 2022.
Marina Kounavi received her Master degree at the Technical University of Delft and her Diploma of Architecture from Patras Technical University in Greece. Marina participated in the biennale of architecture in Venice and worked as a researcher in the institute of architecture of Buenos Aires.

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