Aya Shadan, 2024 Architecture Portfolio

aya takagi shadan | ayshadan@calpoly.edu

ARCHITECTURAL EXPLORATIONS. place-making & storytelling

aya takagi shadan.

DESIGNING TOWARD AN ECO-SYSTEMICALLY AWARE AND experience.

MICHAEL REX ARCHITECTS

ARCHITECTURE INTERN | june 2022 - september 2022, june 2019 - august 2019 • Compiled multiple neighboring projects to visualize pedestrian plaza expansion • Collaborated with SWA on Ilustrated Site Plan for City Plaza • Communicated with City Planning and Cal Tranto reactivate City Entrymarker project • Spearheaded Metadata organization, led and taught team

ROBERT FEDERIGHI DESIGN

DESIGN INTERN | july 2023 - september 2023 • Visualized renovation potential within existing electrical & mechanical conditions • Developed and iterated design concept boards for clients • Rendered Landscape Site Drawings • Assisted in Staging of Interior Spaces

YOGA INSTRUCTION

HATHA YOGA INSTRUCTOR | september 2021 - present • Weekly Classes at Cal Poly Recreation Center, Seasonal Classes at Embrace Yoga & Private/Small Group

GROUND GOODS

PLANT & INTERIOR SALES SPECIALIST | june 2020 - may 2022 • Researched & organized plant information for employee database • Collaborated with customers towards interior design visions integrating local artist works and plants

education.

CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN LUIS OBISPO ARCHITECTURE WITH MINOR IN SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTS | september 2020 - present • Architecture Study Abroad at the California State University Florence Center, 2023-2024 • President & Dean’s Honor List

FOLK SF REGISTERED YOGA TRAINING | july 2021-august 2021 • RYT 200 hour intersectional yoga teacher training.

• Studied yoga as a physical practice, philosophical practice, and intersectionalities of the body and environment.

REDWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, LARKSPUR | August 2016 - June 2020 •

Developed academic research project assessing the how sustainable elements in low income housing influence psychological sense of community amongst residents.

skills.

DIGITAL: Rhino 3D, Revit (beginner), Twinmotion, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Grasshopper, 3D Printi, ArchiCAD DESIGN: Visual Storytelling, Research, Interdiscpinary Problem Solving, Multi-Media Integration LANUGAGES: English, Spanish, Italian (beginner) contact. ayshadan@calpoly.edu

D INTERSECTIONAL FUTURE.

01

Where will the forest grow?

02 Boundary Embrace 03

Suspended in Void

04 Interweave 05 (E)co-existence 06 Interdisciplinary Studies

01 where will the forest grow? in partnership with Aliza Nazir

Site: Piazza Dei Ciompi, Florence, Italy Brief: Revival of Piazza, Library & Kindergarten Understanding that human movement navigates the memory of what once was and what is, this study aims to frame present day human circulation in order to further liberate human movement at the Piazza.

Recognizing the comfort in the existing historical Loggia on site, the design develops 4 modules through study of its column rhythm and negative inhabited space. Ultimately, a grid that combines the loggia column spacing and orthagonal neighborhood block allows the modules to be placed to create a forest-like condition on the ground with intentional grid shifts informed by circulation observed on site. Opportunities for free movement and permeability of programmatic space (clearings) are optimized on the ground floor. On the second floor, the modules the programmatic density of the loggia’s negative space is expanded upon, lifting it up, scaling and aggregating it to speak to the loggia and expanded programmatic needs. Through modular play, the project practices modular personalization for programmatic and circulation needs as well as explores the possibility of the projects expansion over time in accordance with future needs.

01 | where will the forest grow?

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Through understanding of the past uses of the piazza and observation of present day navigation on site, the project employs a grid of modules to frame what exists and expand its possibilities into the future.

01 | where will the forest grow?

Structural modules, prioritizing permeability and opportunity on the ground floor and comfort & familiarity on the second floor (utilizing the negative space of the existing loggia as the scale for programmatic spaces) communicate with existing human circulation paths on site and reach towards the existing loggia and the hubs of human movement on the piazzas perimeter.

The structural columns and framing are in corten steel, the arched dome roof is made of double insulated concrete, and the grid defining the walls of each module allow for a combination of wood panelling and glass windows were inserted according to privacy, programmatic light needs and visual connection points.

01 | where will the forest grow?

01 | where will the forest grow?

01 | where will the forest grow?

02 boundary embrace

in partnership with Phoebe Cannon Site: Sutro Baths, San Francisco, California Brief: NOAAA Office & Education Center Boundary Embrace is an exploration of how to navigate a site of ruins.

The site gesture is to move around and hold the site in a timeless embrace of all that is ever-changing, honoring the accumilation of history and contributing new programmatic spaces to hold. Within each of the three programmatic clusters on site, each programmatic space acts as a individual extrusion of a honeycomb erosion hole in rock. Adapting climate strategies from the honeycombing process, each module is cut, angled and apertured according to the sun and wind. Much like the veins of the rock that define the network of holes, the site and circulation move around and define the program spaces through study of the mathematics of the local gartner snakes navigation of the terrain.

02 | boundary embrace

02 | boundary embrace

02 | boundary embrace

02 | boundary embrace

02 | boundary embrace

03 Suspended by Void Site: Portrero Power Plant, San Francisco, CA Brief: Save the Bay, Community Center and Research Sediment’s resilience is rooted in an ability to constantly fill the voids of a dynamic world, transitioning between solidity and fluidity as conditions shift. Inspired by the centrality of the void, this structural system is built from maintaining a central opening. The modules host a ground floor that invites visitors to embody a flowing nature and reflect as they navigate the voids. The program is suspended from the structure, intersecting occasionally to create hybrid program spaces, an homage to two pieces of sediment meeting in space and joining to become the beginning of a new land mass.

03 | suspended by void

04 Interweave Site: University of California, Santa Barbara Brief: Student Housing Community (30,000 sq.ft) Nestled within the trees on the Northern end of the UCSB campus, Interweave takes inspiration from the intimate nature of the site and responds through an uncovered language of choice. Grounded in solar and spatial equtiy within the unit plans, Interweave moves beyond to prioritize a personal journey of weaving a sense of belonging at residents own pace. The project explores 3 levels of intimacy within the space through pathing systems (wander, flow, and purpose) and materiality.

04 | interweave

04 | interweave

05 (E)co-Existence Site: Paso Robles, CA Brief: Shoe Recycling & Rehab Center Eco-Existence draws a parallel between the program’s ecosystem and the site ecosystem, drawing attention to their similar circular and interwoven nature.

Continuing the language of fluidity, poetry, and sound synergy derived from the site, the design lifts and conceals the cobblers the same way the birds and sounds in the diagrammed site sound density corner cannot be seen, only heard. The material collection, sorting and commerce elements of the program are accessible, and open like the open landscape, holding both visual and auditory connections. Their open amplification megaphone design both invite in exterior visual connections and sounds, synergizes with internal program sounds and expels and radiates towards the “cobblers nest”, ultimately finding a verse in the greater song with the gently sloping greenspace site.

05 | (E)co-Existence (E)co-existence

05 | (E)co-Existence

06 Interdisciplinary Studies

6.1 Dappeled Light 6.2 Parametric Narratives 6.3 Water Movement 6.4 Pattern in Process

6.1 Dappeled Light Study Medium: Rhino3D, Laser Cutting Sensation: Layered & Curious Encounters

06 | Interdisciplinary Studies

6.2 Gestural Restoration Medium: Grasshopper, 3D Printing, Copper Wire Sensation: In face of percieved fragmentation, small gestures can make a difference

6.21 Wandering River Rocks Medium: Grasshopper, Rhino 3D, 3D Printing, Fishwire Sensation: River Rocks trickle down while flow lines remain, continuing to move around the voids of where the rocks once sat.

06 | Interdisciplinary Studies

6.1 Braided River Study Medium: Acrylic Paint, Recycled Paper Textures Sensation: When one rivers splits into two, splitting infinitely to navigate obstacles we find curiousity and

6.12 Estuary Study Medium: Acrylic Paint, Cardboard, Recycled Packaging Sensation: Where the ocean and rivers collide, a place of transition and integration

06 | Interdisciplinary Studies

6.4 Pattern in Process Medium: Digital Photography Sensation: Uncovering the essence of artists unique processes, loosing the distinction between process and pattern/product.

06 | Interdisciplinary Studies