Anita Rahman - Urban Design Portfolio

URBAN DESIGN

PORTFOLIO ANITA RAHMAN

email: rahman.anita@gmail.com; cell:+1 778 867 5504

Anita Rahman Urban Designer

Summary An urban designer/ architect with 7 years of experience working in both public and private sectors.

Broad academic experience in Canada, Singapore and Bangladesh helped develop required skills and holistic understanding of urban design discipline. Excellent interpersonal and time management skills that ensured project delivery with highest quality.

Core Proficiencies • • • •

Strong conceptual design ability at an urban scale and 3D spatial design, graphic representation and software skills Demonstrated knowledge of urban design and planning processes, urban history and theory, planning and environmental policy Stay current on zoning bylaws, policies, guidelines and other environmental regulation Software proficiencies as follows:

Autodesk Autocad | Bentley Microstation | Google Sketchup | Adobe Indesign | Adobe Photoshop | STEPS pedestrian modeling simulation | Microsoft Word | Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Powerpoint

Work Experience Land Transport Authority, Singapore Feb 2016 to Aug 2018 EXECUTIVE ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATE - Responded to public feedback on a daily basis - Took charge of site survey and feasibility study of existing stations - Prepared tender drawings of existing station refurbishment - Reviewed consultants’ submission drawings based on local codes - Arranged and participated in meetings with different stakeholders - Developed pedestrian modelling simulation to analyze pedestrian flow Urbnarc, Singapore Jul 2012 to Apr 2014 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER - Carried out initial research on socio-economic, cultural and geographical aspects - Generated conceptual design package and 3D model - Assembled construction documentation package

Contact Information: 8537 Karrman Avenue, Burnaby, BC V3N2M3, Canada email: rahman.anita@gmail.com cell: 778 867 5504 linkedin.com/in/anita-rahman-bba94148

Horizon Architects, Bangladesh ARCHITECT

Feb 2010 to May 2011

- Completed interior design for apartment projects - Produced furniture design ideas and drawings - Arranged working drawing sets for construction - Supervised on-site field reviews GKA & Associates, Bangladesh ARCHITECT

Jul 2009 to Dec 2009

- Worked on residential apartment building design as the project architect - Was involved in designing a hotel as the project architect Atelier Robin Architects, Bangladesh ARCHITECT

Oct 2008 to Jun 2009

- Drafted presentation for client meetings - Undertook interior design package - Initiated furniture design detail drawings - Evaluated cost estimation for projects

Professional Courses/ Programs - 2-day course - “Powering up- Pathway to higher personal competence” - 2-day course - “Lead team to implement change” - 4-day course - “STEPS pedestrian modelling software by Mott MacDonald company” - 4-day certification course for “Green Mark Professional (Energy modeling)”

Jan 2017 Sep 2017 Nov 2016 Mar 2014

Education Urban Design Certification in Urban Design (Partial completion) Simon Fraser University, Canada

Sep 2019 to Feb 2020

Master of Arts in Urban Design National University of Singapore

2014 to 2015

Bachelor of Architecture 2003 to 2008 BRAC University, Bangladesh

CURRICULUM VITAE

PROJECT_1 CREATING URBAN THIRD PLACE

PROJECT_2 VISION TOWARDS A COMPLETE COMMUNITY

BRITISH COLUMBIA LOWER MAINLAND MAP

PROJECT_3 REJUVENATING LIBRARY SQUARE

URBAN DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE PARTIAL COMPLETION 2019-2020 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, VANCOUVER

PROJECT_ 1

CREATING URBAN THIRD PLACE The purpose of this course was to review the history and principles of urban design and place-making, learn methodologies for site evaluation and apply them on a hypothetical site in the form of a design report.

This report articulates the overall site assessment of a “place” to determine an Urban Design plan of that particular area. It also provides detailed site analysis based on nine key Urban design elements and improvement recommendations on the basis of Urban design principles discussed in the book ‘Dynamic Urban Design.’

Based on the bylaws, place test questions and site analysis, this proposal has mainly divided the site into three plazas - Retail plaza, Lookout plaza and Entertainment plaza.

The place demands the streets to be fully pedestrianized.

It’s also conveniently accessible in terms of public transportation as there’s a MRT station at close proximity.

Moveable furnitures would act as key components for all the three plazas. The main idea is to create a ‘third place’, beside just home and workplace, for people to learn, experience and celebrate the history of the place.

CONCEPTUAL URBAN DESIGN PLAN LOCATION MAP

COURSE:

THEORY & PRACTICE

BUBBLE DIAGRAM

SITE ANALYSIS LAYERS OF SITE ANALYSIS

HERITAGE

LAND USE

ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

PEDESTRIAN

URBAN MAGNET

VEHICULAR

2. FOOD TRUCK/ STALLS ALONG WATER STREET

3. TRANSITION BETWEEN HARD & SOFTSCAPE

1. LANDSCAPED GREEN WITH SEATING AT MAPLE TREE SQUARE

1. LANDSCAPED GREEN WITH SEATING AT MAPLE TREE SQUARE

5. BICYCLE PATH

2. ROAD SIDE SEATING

4. ELEVATED LOOK-OUT DECK

PROJECT_ 2

VISION TOWARDS A COMPLETE COMMUNITY This course examined three trends that have emerged over the past ten years: • retrofitting existing suburbs to become integrated neighbourhoods • designing integrated neighbourhoods on Greenfield sites, and • redeveloping urban centres through intensification.

The course also examine the key elements and principles of integrated neighbourhoods, the issues confronting innovation, design requirements, key tools and techniques and practical methods.

The vision for this report is to evaluate and improve an existing neighbourhood on the basis of performing as a complete community. The goal is to make the selected neighbourhood unique, diverse and thriving that complements its surroundings, connect to its neighbours, provide for housing choice and adds value to the greater community.

LOCATION

COURSE:

SITE SELECTION The site selected for this exercise is located in the South East Quadrant of Burnaby.

It is part of the Planning Study Area 18 – Cariboo-Armstrong which is bounded

by Highway 1 to the north, North Road to the east, 10th Avenue to the south and Newcombe Street and Hill Avenue to the west. The reason for which this particular location is selected is because as a resident of this neighbourhood, I have observed this place on a daily basis. And from my first hand experience, I have felt some strength and weaknesses of the neighbourhood for which it falls short of being a ‘complete community’. This is the reason I am taking this opportunity to assess and propose some design solution which may be taken as a prototype to deal with similar urban/ suburban neighbourhoods elsewhere.

DESIGNING INTEGRATED NEIGHBOURHOODS

SITE ANALYSIS

PROJECT PROPOSAL - STRATEGIES

CONCEPT PLAN

PROPOSED SECTIONS

SECTION A-A

SECTION A-A BLOW UP

The park on the east block will have community garden where residents will engage in social interaction and activities. The park on the west will be on elevated ground with car park underneath. The mixed use buildings will have commercial at the ground and rental housing on the upper floors. The buildings will have connected bridge for ease of residents.

Organization of multiple uses both horizontally and vertically will increase density and create a thriving and exciting community. The introduction of green and dedicated bike lane along the primary road will soften the neighbourhood even more. More parking facility will ease the off street parking demand while hiding it under an activity park.

The variety of park, building and usage types will make the community exciting, convenient and self-sustaining and also will give the neighbourhood an unique character. This prototypical design can be repeated to any single use suburban block or blocks to create a complete community.

PROPOSED URBAN DESIGN PLAN

COMMUNITY SCORECARD AS ASSESSMENT TOOL

DESIGN PROPOSAL SUMMARY This design proposal will lay a path for suburban block design/ redesign to create a complete community. It will support facilities to live, work, play and learn in close proximity. To summarize the attempts this proposal tries to discuss, it can be stated as follows: Expand Housing Mix - Residents within a community should have choice of different type of housing mix which will range in terms of affordability.

Provide Necessary Support Services - A community should have all basic needs within close proximity. This makes residents feel self sustained as well as proud of the community where they live.

Encourgae people to use Green - Green spaces should encourage people of all ages to engage in activities which will strengthen the social bond within a community.

Softer Roads - Roads does not necessarily have to be all hard surfaced. Some green on pedestrian walkways as well as the medi-an of the road will soften the road and make it more liveable.

AXONOMETRIC VIEW KEY PLAN

1. STREET & PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY

2. COMMUNITY GARDEN

3. ACTIVITY PARK - CHILDREN

4. ACTIVITY PARK - ADULTS

PROJECT_ 3

REJUVENATING LIBRARY SQUARE The objective of this course was to improve visual awareness and understanding the city through drawing tools and techniques. The design report was expected to be presented as a realistic urban design proposal of an imaginary firm, Visual Dream Works Communications, in this instance.

Visual Dream Works Communications has been hired to create an urban design presentation for the City of Vancouver.

This presentation is part of a future hypothetical redevelopment vision targeted to rejuvenate prominent urban centres.

The site for this presentation is the iconic Library square located at the heart of downtown Vancouver. In 1992, Vancouver Public Library building was commissioned by Vancouver City Council to prominent architect Moshe Safdie & Associates and local partners Downs/Archambault. The building is still considered as one of the most radical design in comparison to other buildings in the city.

Besides encompassing Vancouver Public Library Central Branch & the Federal Office Tower, the building has public spaces surrounding the library. The particular area selected for this presentation is the northern plaza along the intersection of West Georgia Street and Homer Street.

URBAN DESIGN PLAN

COURSE:

VISUAL COMMUNICATION BUBBLE DIAGRAM

HERITAGE

LAND USE

ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

CIRCULATION

SITE ANALYSIS LAYERS This site analysis diagram combines all the layers to better understand the site. It also helps realize that the site is surrounded by predominantly commercial land-use, so the plaza has the potential to act as a congregating centre for employees. The accessibility and heritage sites around it makes the plaza an attractive public gathering place as well.

SWOT ANALYSIS

1. CONNECTION PLAZA INSTALLATION - DAY SECTION A

2. TRANSITION PLAZA - SEATING SECTION B

Food trucks and canopies are intended to attract a lot of people mostly during workdays.

The connecting plaza light installation will create a unique feature for the site and will glow during night.

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

KEY PLAN

3. CANOPY

4. TRANSITION PLAZA - NIGHT

5. CONNECTION PLAZA INSTALLATION - NIGHT

PROJECT_4 SYNERGISED JURONG

PROJECT_5 REVIVE QUEENSTOWN

MASTERS OF ARTS IN URBAN DESIGN 2014-2015 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

PROJECT_ 4

SYNERGISED JURONG This urban design project was a team project at the beginning and afterwards the proposal was divided into each of the team members as individual projects. This project required a futuristic proposal for Jurong district, Singapore.

Our vision for Jurong 2050 is to design a rational transportation system which promotes walkability and enhances living quality. The mobility system will have the right mix of transport which benefits both people and environment. The system will be followed while designing well connected city centres and food industries.

Taking advantage from the mobility system, there is an opportunity to birth new centres. Besides Jurong East Sub-city Centre, there will be two new Jurong Regional centres for new residents. The centres will have mixed use developments and generate an optimal condition for future living.

The food industry will create employment opportunity, enhance social connection and allow people to produce their own food. Jurong Agricultural Park will increase the local food production through vertical farming and save costs through providing food industry chain.

CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES

COURSE:

STUDIO 2 ROAD NETWORK

GOODS MOVING SYSTEM

LAND USE

GREEN & BLUE

CONCEPTUAL VIEWS

LAYERS OF RESIDENTIAL AREA DEVELOPMENT

RESIDENTIAL AREA DEVELOPMENT

PLOT SIZE

The residential area development focused on the transport system. Plot area derived from the walking distance of residences to public transport. Design guidelines were proposed to organize the low, mid & high plot ratios. Some of the proposed guidelines were: • Regardless of function, the whole area will be walk-able and cycle friendly.​ • Private ownership of vehicles will be phased out, rented EVs will replace private owned cars.​ • No surface or street parking allowed.​ • Residential areas will have a transportation hub to either rent EV or hop on a public transport within walking distance. (500m)​ • Elevated decks will comprise of food deck, entertainment deck, education deck , exhibition deck and will also have retail function.​Elevated decks will be car-free but will have bicycle track and travelators.​ • Waterfront development will have park and recreational facilities overlooking the water.​ • Each neighbourhood should have their own community farms.​ • Different block shapes used to give each zone an unique identity.

• All public transport are accessible within comfortable walking distance(250m)Pedestrian connections also introduced in higher level other than ground.

PLOT RATIO

LOW

MID

MOVING IN THE CITY_WALK TO RIDE

HIGH

ROAD NETWORK

GROUND LEVEL

SOILD VOID DIAGRAM

GREEN & BLUE

KEY PLAN

BUILDING TYPOLOGY

BUILDING TYPOLOGY REFERENCE IMAGES

PROJECT_ 5

REVIVE QUEENSTOWN Queenstown was one of the early housing estates in Singapore and was a test bed for much of public housing that we see today in rest of the areas. Today Queenstown is regarded as a sleeping town, apart from the issue of aging population, Queenstown main concern is the loss of identity. Most of the present urban expression is mundane and uniform.

The strengths of Queenstown are its location, the fact that it is well connected by MRT and Road and its rich heritage, that if developed can be a factor that renders.

The proposal Revive Queenstown looks at opportunities that would uplift the overall character of the place by reconfiguring the land use and developing the areas that are of heritage importance.

Besides this the proposal also looks at build-ing a spine that would connect the two sides of the MRT line and the rest of the area around. This spine is a green corridor that holds essential public functions cohesively.

This was a team project at first and afterwards was divided into team members as individual projects.

KEY PLAN

URBAN DESIGN MASTER PLAN

AIMS & OBJECTIVE

COURSE:

STUDIO 1

• Preserve significant existing buildings​

• Defining a commercial edge along the main road​

• Linking the heritage ​

• Integrating the green network​

INITIAL STUDY SECTIONS

REFERENCE IMAGES

HERITAGE AS A TOOL TO DEFINE INTERSPATIAL RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIES • Strengthen the heritage link with the surrounding • Intensify the land use • Enhance the community activity (ex. park, community farming experience)

PROGRAMME

CONCEPT SKETCH

KEY PLAN

MODEL PHOTOS

URBAN DESIGN PORTFOLIO ANITA RAHMAN email:rahman.anita@gmail.com; cell:+1 778 867 5504