Hello! My name is Arshia Nikseresht and I am currently a fourth year architecture student at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
My fascination with architecture lies with how it reflects the values of people and the environment it is set in. Good architecture should speak to its context, be innovative, and adaptable for the future.
I aspire to further explore the essence of architecture while actively contributing to the achievements of your firm.
Sketching l Model making l Laser Cutting l Lightroom
Smithe Resiliency Centre
Smith Resiliency Centre is a community outreach centre for vulnerable populations within downtown Vancouver. The project is situated on the intersection of Smithe St and Beatty St, and is an adaptive re-use of an existing heritage warehouse building.
The purpose of this project is to promote a sense of community between different vulnerable user groups, in a way that supports interaction, development, and rehabilitation, through shared communal and outdoor spaces. This is so that people can rehabilitate, redevelop, and reconnect, while fostering relationships and having a supportive community behind them.
Community Resiliency Centre
Fall 2024
Group Project, ARSC 8000 Systems Integration Studio
Roles: Group lead, conceptual design, diagrams and drawings
Site Context
SmitheSt
RobsonSt
BeattySt
CambieSt
Existing conditions
Subtract spaces within the existing shell for common spaces
Add community support space while responding to site constraints
Respond with a skin, a contextual response
Sequential Diagram
Organizational Diagram
Open social spaces, communal and outdoor spaces
Flexible / multifunctional spaces for support and development, hygiene and care spaces
Healing / medical, shared spaces, and outdoor spaces
Staff spaces, mech / elec, washrooms and storage
Community living room
The open layout on each floor allows for optimal flexibility of the spaces, as well as emergency use. Spaces such as the community living room have adequate adjacent storage and are adaptable for emergencies.
Smithe Resiliency Centre
Courtyard
Social steps & outdoor play
The materiality and spatial experience tie back to the question asked in the introduction, “Why cannot everyone have dignified spaces?” Nice, quality spaces should not be limited to only those who can afford them.
Kitsilano Beach Kindergarten
Kitsilano Beach Preschool is an early childhood learning centre with a capacity of up to 60 children split into four cohorts. The project is located on an underutilized parking lot off Arbutus St. in Kitsilano Beach. The Kindergarten’s design addresses the shortage of early childhood learning facilities in the Kitsilano area, as well as chellenging traditional norms of learning environments for children.
Sensory experiences, strong communal bonds, and connections with the exterior environment are central concepts put forth to challenge these traditional norms.
Kits Beach Preschool fosters a new approach to early childhood learning by blending principles of the Reggio Emilia pedagogy with enriching sensory experiences.
Early Childhood Learning
Spring 2024
Invidual Project, ARSC 7100 Tech Studio 4
Instructor: Fernanda Hannah Suarez
Sensory Experiences Light and Scale
This initial parti diagram was a result of the question asked at the introduction, “How can an environment enhance child learning?” User research and case studies showed that children learn so much from their surroundings, so the building should focus on expressing the surroundings and keeping the children connected to their immediate context.
Light and scale were an important consideration that also further the first parti. The scale and of spaces are dictated by use. Activity rooms have high natural daylight flooding nap rooms have low ceilings penetration.
important further complements and light penetration their programmatic high ceilings with the space, while ceilings and little light
Kitsilano Beach Kindergarten
Central Courtyard
Reggio Emilia strongly emphasizes the importance of community within its pedagogy. A layout with a shared central space, typically found in courtyard typologies reinforces this concept - a space which all children of varying age groups share and have a visual connection with.
Exploded Construction Axonometric
Roof system
Metal standing seam roof system, provides acoustic qualities during rainfall, while also being light and durable.
Structural frame
Repetitive structural frame seperate from the building envelope. Elements are prefabricated from locally sourced wood and shipped to site. Structure is left exposed to express its natural qualities.
Upper Floor and lightwells
Open and flexible play / activity area, not within the building’s thermal envelope. Lightwells and openings to classrooms and spaces below.
Walls and envelope
High performance building envelope with openings oriented for views, natural daylight and cross ventilation.
Elevated floor system
In response to the site being located within an area prone to flooding, as well as responding to the existing architectural language of the Kitsilano Beach area.
Entry
Courtyard
Can vernacular forms lead to social integration?
Banaue Guest Lodge
Rooted in the breathtaking landscape of the Banaue rice terraces and rich Ifugao culture, the proposal seeks to immerse visitors in the unique way of life of the locals while supporting community growth and preservation of traditional crafts through sustainable and culturally mindful design.
Taking a sensitive approach to the landscape, a series of independent dwellings are scattered across the site, seamlessly integrating with the natural and built structures allowing the focus to remain on the landscape. This lighter footprint is felt through an open ground level that serves as a communal area, allowing visitors to meander through the open structure and immerse themselves in the scenery and the daily life of the locals.
A traveler’s Lodge
Spring 2024
Type: Group Project with Razelle Reyes, Competition ( Finalist ) Roles: visualizations, concept development, diagrams
1 - Vernacular
Inspired by the Ifugao’s traditional dwellings such as the Bale and Inappal, the structure incorporates an elevated platform and sloping roofs with traditional building materials.
3 -Adaptability
The organization of the structures on the site allows for future additions or extensions to accommodate the village’s evolving needs.
2 - Community
The placement of the structures allows for interactions between locals and visitors through an open ground level, creating meeting points and a space for communal activities.
4 - Standardization
The structural grid, resembling a scaffolding system provides a framework for standardized modules through addition of wall panels.
