Ahnaf Chowdhury Design Portfolio

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY | SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

DESIGN PORTFOLIO | 2019

AHNAF CHOWDHURY

Ahnaf chowdhury ABOUT

The agency of architecture has always been a continuous exploration of mine. My institution has allowed me explore the multiple facets architects can situate themselves and intervene in social, economic and ecological conditions. As a fifth year architecture student at Syracuse University, I am conducting my final year research investigating the role of architecture in Mumbai by unraveling the layers of complexities between the formal and informal built environment.

Throughout my time at Syracuse, I have had the opportunity to develop my technical, conceptual and critical thinking skills and enhance my education with unique electives such as Real Estate Development, study abroad opportunities and research positions. I’ve learned that research and design are not separate entities but are part of one process. Architectural research has been an ongoing pursuit in my career as I seek out new opportunities to create meaningful design. My interest in urban issues and designing solutions for them stems from master planning and research experience at CallisonRTKL, KOL/MAC LLC, and the Department of City Planning in New York City. This interest has continued to influence the way I think about Architecture as a tool for social and economic change. The creative mind must speculate on possibilities and such a process is what leads to profound and impactful design.

The designer that I am today is a result of many things, but I would credit the fact that I have called many different cultures and places home. Bangladesh, Singapore, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the United States- though different in many ways more than one, have collectively helped me develop an open mindset when approaching issues that have cultural and environmental implications as I believe all urban issues do. I am fascinated and equally motivated by the opportunities of architecture in today’s climate. Engaging in an interdisciplinary and cooperative environment suits me best as I am eager to learn from others and expand on how architectural research and design is defined and what it can become.

CONTACT

131 Clarendon Street Syracuse, NY 13210 315-728-8116 aschowdh@syr.edu

Content ACADEMIC

1. Station 99 2. GOwanus Shared Economy 3. Out With The 81 4. PRATO DELLA VALLE 5. URBAN LIBRARY

PROFESSIONAL

6. VERNACULAR VOIDS 7. Planning & Design

Exploration

8. SELECTED WORK

ACADEMIC

1. Station 99

IN COLLABORATION WITH ANURADHA DESAI

The fire station is an efficient and high performance structure that hosts various activities. In Plan, Station 99 is organized in accordance to typical fire stations allowing for easy circulation. The identity for the project is established by the architectural language that is created through the articulation of structure. The exoskeleton creates a layered effect on the exterior and holds up the roof through a tensile system. This idea of layering is apparent beyond the organization of the building as well. Acting as a solar chimney, the main garage space instigates a stacked ventilation effect. Smaller rooms such as the fire-fighter’s dorms are much easier controlled through mechanical systems. Overall, the combination of mechanical and passive systems in the station creates a unique hierarchy between the spaces and a layered concept for both the building systems and organization is formed.

Course: ARC 409 Comprehensive Studio Instructor: Professor Gregory Corso Location: Syracuse, New York.

Scope: 20,000 square feet Program: Fire Station

The project development focused on the firefighters’ daily routine and equipments used. Sketching spatial sequences became an effective technique to fully deploy a consistent architectural language throughout the many programs of the fire station. This was exercised in multiple scales to design spatial experiences as well as architectural details.

STRUCTURAL EXOSKELETON

HVAC SYSTEMS RADIANT HEATING

SUPPLY EXHUAUSTS

EXHAUSTS

THERMAL COMFORT

EXTERIOR

SEMI-EXTERIOR

SEMI-INTERIOR

INTERIOR

THERMAL COMFORT

EXTERIOR

SEMI-EXTERIOR

SEMI-INTERIOR

INTERIOR

ACADEMIC

2. gowanus shared economy IN COLLABORATION WITH RICARDO RODRIGUEZ

The project proposes a residential complex that is comprised of work-live units, which are configurable based on the owner’s needs. The project focuses on the assets of the Gowanus neighborhood and promotes activities that will foster healthy relationships through its new community center.

To keep the development desirable from both a developer’s and resident’s standpoint, a shared economy and coop business model is utilized. This ensures that there is always an appropriate number of volunteers running the community center and thereby continuing to offer activities that bring the neighborhood together. Moreover, residents are encouraged to start their own businesses in the configurable units on the elevated streets. This promotion of entrepreneurship is a continuation of the informal businesses already present in the adjacent NYCHA housing complexes.

Course: ARC 408 Studio Instructor: Professor Angie Co Location: Gowanus, New York.

Scope: 125,000 square feet Program: Recreational Center and Retail

As new developments start changing the urban and community qualities of Gowanus, it becomes crucial to preserve and empower the artist community and residents. The site is located at the end of canal, which is proposed to have a waterfront walkway. The proximity to essential amenities such as schools and shops create a strong argument for housing and also a community hub that the nearby schools can benefit from.

The site strategy prioritized flood mitigation and a mixed use ground floor in the design. With the anticipation of a cleaner Gowanus Canal, the structure had to display public waterfront through the articulation of the landscape.

The modular units allow for configurations of studio, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments. Regardless of the configuration, each unit receives natural light and cross ventilation.

Circulation ribbons also serve every unit. These alternate between public and private access, each hosting either entrances to the units or fronts of the tenant’s businesses.

The models were used to study the building’s tectonics and how the units would be configured all together. The larger scale models show the structure of the building that would be built first. Then individual units could be placed on top of each other with integrated infrastructure.

The vignettes show the communal aspects of the complex. The design utilizes architectural elements to negotiate the public and private life.

ACADEMIC

3. Out with the 81 IN COLLABORATION WITH SARAH BEAUDOIN

This project responds to the urban barrier that the I-81 viaduct has created in Syracuse. The removal of the viaduct gives the site new potential, allowing for a more sustainable, walkable and engaging urban setting. Replacing the viaduct with a depressed highway takes away unwanted elements of the site and offers an interest challenge to densify the block. Our project is located at a important intersection between Downtown Syracuse and the University area. As a result it was important to implement key programs that would engage the diverse demographic and serve as a catalyst for urban development and engagement. Combining Commercial programs to recreational programs responds to the economic and social factors of the site.

Course: ARC 307 Studio: Strategic Density Instructor: Professor Daekwon Park Location: Syracuse, New York.

Scope: 120,000 square feet Program: Recreational Center and Retail

Development Plan

SUperblock Plan

HUB

SITE HUB

PARK RESIDENTIAL 1

RESIDENTIAL 3

Residential Development Parameters Residential 1 Max Footprint = 8,000 sqft Max Height = 100 ft Residential 2 Max Footprint = 10,000 sqft Max Height = 200 ft

Mixed Use Development 100,000 sqft Residential Amenities - 60,000 sqft Gym/Rec Services Wellness “Hot Spots” Dynamic Retail/Food Strip Convenience Store Communitty Engagement - 30,000 sqft Gallery/Exhibition Space Cafe Amenities - 10,000 sqft Public Bathrooms Lobby/Atrium

“Dynamic” Outdoor Public Space Public Engagement “Shaping Parks into Experiences” Outdoor Recreation Area Market Space Water Features Bike Lanes Event Plaza PlayGround Amenities Information Hubs Bike Racks Public Bathrooms Sitting Areas - Sheltered and Unsheltered

Transportation Hub 10,000 sqft Sitting Area - Sheltered and Unsheltered Public Bathrooms Bike Rentals Bike Racks Light Rail Station Tourism Kiosks

Projection Study Models

Virtual Reality Render

ACADEMIC

4. PRATO DELLA VALLE IN COLLABORATION WITH RASAN TAHER

Today, Prato della Valle’s identity remains the result of its 18th century planning. The irregular shape contains an elliptical island that lacks a connection with its urban context. The scale of the piazza poses a design challenge of properly intervening in order to revitalize the urban experience of the piazza. This project tackles the challenge by reimagining the water feature as an dynamic element to the site that influence activity and program. The surrounding elements of this new “urban beach” created are designed for informal gatherings as well as hosting specific program, while leaving enough space for future developments to take place.

Course: Public Spaces Instructor: Professor Matilde Cassani Location: Prato, Italy

1. 18th Century drawings of the proposed piazza

2. Current conditions of Prato Della Valle

3. Intervention to reimagine piazza and canal as an urban beach

A large scale move to zone the site into quadrants for programmatic distinction was the first design implementation.

The quadrants had physical borders that would host activity such as markets and live music.

The water feature is broken from its original mold and allowed to take a more organic shape. This creates the idea of the urban beach where the water level determines the program of the site. Materiality and the use of texture was also an important design driver in order to revitalize the massive plaza.

ACADEMIC

5. URBAN LIBRARY The organization of this project is driven by circulation. Urban activity on the ground floor is brought up vertically through two cores. The library programs and offices are initially isolated in each cores but as ramps start to wrap both towers together on the upper half, the two programs alternate between each core creating dynamic spaces and experiences.

Course: ARC 208 Studio: Program Matters Instructor: Professor Molly Hunker Location: 5th Ave & E 40th St, New York.

Scope: 100,000 square feet Program: Public Library & WeWork Office Spaces

The design of the urban library started with a focus on circulation. A graphic narrative was used as a tool to develop the desired experience and multiple paths of circulation the library would offer. The ground condition is also articulated to prioritize pedestrian movement by creating space for spontaneous activity. This ground floor condition splits the building into two cores to distinguish program.

The two cores of the structure provide separate circulation to each program. They are rotated and connected on the upper half to provide more structural stability. The gesture of the circulation elements connecting and wrapping at the top shows an overall momentum of the building.

The placement of program in plan also conforms to the concept of momentum. The private and public programs are kept separate on the ground floor and then start to interlace towards the upper floors allowing for interactions

6. Vernacular voidscapes

PROFESSIONAL

DESIGN ASSISTANT AT MATR STUDIO LED BY PROFESSOR DAEKWON PARK

Vernacular Voidscape stems from the desire to reinvigorate new life into the AlUloum Library and promote learning within a meaningful public space. While the current cultural climate in Sakaka follows traditional views in gender exclusivity, we promote a future of gender desegregation. Through this, we propose a series of interconnected public spaces accessible by all genders, in an effort to assist in the progression to inclusive spaces in Sakaka over the coming years. The themes of connectivity and inclusiveness are carried throughout the design proposal with an aim to (1) create a holistic campus that promotes a future of inclusivity and public engagement; (2) maximize the community and educational spaces; (3) and effectively consolidate and expand the library collections.

This competition entry was shortlisted as one of the top 10 finalists. The team was the only American design team to be shortlisted.

7. PLANNING & DESIGN

PROFESSIONAL

ARCHITECTURAL INTERN AT CALLISONRTKL

Iterative sketches for the ETFE canopy

Photography by Kiyohide Mori

Joy City Mall clients were exploring unique roof designs during the concept phase. I was tasked to model an ETFE roof canopy that would shade a elevated park within the mall.

Master plan iterations

Truck screening analysis

Facility building concept sketches

ALTERNATIVE C AERIAL VIEW

This government facility master plan included multiple iterations in a report that also analyzed transportation, security and phasing.

8.

SELECTED WORK

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EXPLORATION

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4.

1. Brion Cemetery 2. Villa Barbaro 3. Castelvecchio Museum 4. Santa Maria della Salute

2.

1.

3.

The Three Gorges Seminar 1. Qutang Gorge site map 2. Three Gorges collage 3. Qutang Gorge model

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2.

3.

4.

1. Toy Analysis 2. Firenze Iterrota 3. Never Built in New York Graphic 4. Erector Set Pieces Digital Graphic

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4.

1. Instanbul 2. Castelvecchio Museum 3. Graphic, Never Built in New York 4. Ithra

ContacT aschowdh@syr.edu 315.728.8116