British Columbia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Architectural Science
Architecture Portfolio
Selected Works 2023-2024
graphic cover by portfolio author
Academic
Smithe Resiliency Centre
kitsilano Beach Kindergarten
Competition
Banaue Guest Lodge - Finalist
Personal
What is remembered from places lost in memory? Ruins of Persepolis
Reconstructing a Childhood Journey
Wood frame single family residential
Pre-fab
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
Instructor: Fernanda Hannah Suarez, Jody Patterson, Jens Voshage
Roles: Group lead, conceptual design, diagrams and drawings
Site Context
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 Existing conditions
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
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.
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 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
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
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
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
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.
The organization of the structures on the site allows for future additions or extensions to accommodate the village’s evolving needs.
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.
The structural grid, resembling a scaffolding system provides a framework for standardized modules through addition of wall panels.
1
Persepolis, the ancient ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, was once widely renowned for its scale and magnificence. What now remains are small remnants of its great past, but one can still feel its true size and atmosphere by traversing through the space and the ruins that remain.
It’s been many years since I last visited, and my memory of the place has been shaped by unforgettable elements. What is left to be remembered? What elements hold prominence in memory when an individual experiences a space from so long ago? Is it the imposing and monotheistic stone base or the gates in all directions? A series of hand sketches explore how I now perceive the ruins of Persepolis and understand what elements made the space significant and why I was drawn to this place.
Ink on Paper
2024 Personal Project
Stairs, Plinths, and Gates - an isometric study of composition
Forest of Endless Columns - a perspective study of atmosphere
I spent every summer of my childhood in the longstanding villages in northern Iran. The mountainous countryside adjacent to the Caspian Sea was known for its cragged and wooded landscapes, with staggered and stepped buildings adapted to this rugged land.
An exploration of this landscape is meant to recreate the journey I would take from my place of stay to my cousin’s residence. A journey through a small mountain village with its prominent characteristics blended with a childhood adventure taken so frequently, emerges a reconstruction of this journey and landscape, portrayed in a conceptual study model.
Clay, Paper, Wood, Aluminum Foil
Summer 2024
Personal Project
Initial Study Sketches - path, topography, trees, and buildings
Study Model Views - 12x8in size, aluminum foil, clay, card, and wood
FLASHING TAPE INSECT SCREEN 2X6" P.T. SILL PLATE SILL GASKET
ANCHOR BOLT, 1/2"(12.7mm) DIAMETER, @ 7'-6 1/2" (2.3m) O.C., EMBEDDED 4" (100mm) AS PER 9.23.6.1.(b) 2X4" P.T. SILL PLATE SILL GASKET
POLYETHYLENE MEMBRANE TO FRAMING & SHEATHING USING CONTINUOUS ACOUSTIC SEALANT
1/2" SEMI-RIGID BATT INSULATION (R24)
ANCHOR BOLT, 1/2"(12.7mm) DIAMETER, @ 7'-6 1/2" (2.3m) O.C., EMBEDDED 4" (100mm) AS PER 9.23.6.1.(b)
WALL
(R24)
(R24)
ENGINEERED FLUSH BEAM
ENGINEERED FLUSH BEAM
INSECT SCREENS
FLASHING TAPE 2X4" NAILER
PRE-FINISHED METAL FLASHING
INSECT SCREENS
FLASHING TAPE 2X4" NAILER
PRE-FINISHED METAL FLASHING
VENTILATION BAFFLE
VENTILATION BAFFLE
LEDGER
PRE-FINISHED METAL FLASHING
INSECT SCREEN
PRE-FINISHED METAL FLASHING
SCREEN
ALUMINUM GUTTER
1 A-7 ROOF SECTION DETAIL 1 1/2"=1'-0"
2X6" P.T. SILL PLATE
FLASHING TAPE
FLASHING TAPE
INSECT SCREEN SILL GASKET ANCHOR BOLT, 1/2"(12.7mm)
INSECT SCREEN SILL GASKET ANCHOR BOLT, 1/2"(12.7mm) DIAMETER, @ 7'-6 1/2" (2.3m) O.C., EMBEDDED 4" (100mm) AS PER 9.23.6.1.(b) 3X3" XPS INSULATION
PRE-FINISHED METAL FLASHING
SEAL POLYETHYLENE MEMBRANE TO FRAMING & SHEATHING USING CONTINUOUS ACOUSTIC SEALANT
5 1/2" SEMI-RIGID BATT INSULATION (R24)