The following are selected works produced during my Undergraduate studies at the University of Nottingham.
My design approach is rooted in context led thinking, with a focus on creating balance between the built environment and its surroundings, while prioritising user experience and historical context.
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00 Community Limpopo, South Africa
Matshela Créche
01
Umbambo Creation
Mixed Use Johannesburg, South Africa
02
ReCraft Nottingham
Adaptive Reuse Nottingham, UK
Limpopo, South Africa
Studio: Design/build 23/24
A nursery designed with a focus on the Montessori approach to learning, located in Limpopo, South Africa, as part of the ‘Design/Build’ studio module.
This project was developed for a design competition, where we participated in both the design phase (October–April) and the build phase (April–May 2024).
The following pages present selected work produced for the competition, and later finalised design including design development and detailed construction drawings of the crèche.
Position Analysis
(Texture ) Morning sun(AM)
= Morning Sun Shade = Afternoon Sun Shade
= Existing Buildings (Old School + Toilet)
10MMSTEELSHEET
BREATHERMEMBRANE
18MMROOFSHEATHING
FULLFILLINSULATIONBETWEEN38X152MMRAFTER
FIRERETARDANT
GUTTER
EDGEGRIP
TIMBERFASCIA RAFTER
38X114MMTOPPLATE
VERTICALFIBRECEMENTCLADDING
BREATHERMEMBRANE 10MMPLASTERBOARD
FULLFILLMINERALWOOLINSULATIONBETWEEN114MM STUDS
18MMOSBPLYWOODWALLSHEATHING
BOTTOMPLATE
38X152MMTIMBERDECKING FLASHING BOLTS JOISTHANGER
WALLSKIRTING 10MMTILEFLOORFINISH 4MMFIBREBOARD 18MMSUBFLOOR 38X228MMTIMBERJOIST
38X152MMSOLEPLATE DPC PLINTH M12ANCHORBOLT STRIPFOUNDATION
Kitchen
On-site Limpopo, South Africa
Studio: Design/build 23/24
This proposal envisions a residential and studio space designed for students, teachers, and collaborators participating in a future 6 month Design/Build module in South Africa.
The building combines co-living and co-learning functions, with a woodworking and collaborative workshop space on the ground floor and mixed use residential spaces above.
By integrating live learn environments with active community engagement, the project fosters hands on, context driven architectural education.
The collaboration between students and local craftspeople strengthens human centred design outcomes, building meaningful connections and mutual learning opportunities.
Puzzle based concept where contrasting spaces fit together through difference, with negative and interstitial spaces mediating between activity and restoration and seamlessly
Nottingham,UK
Studio: Adapt/Adept
ReCraft Nottingham addresses the urgent rise in homelessness by re imagining the abandoned (heritage listed) former Fire and Police station located in the heart of Nottingham city centre, into a woodcraft and residential space through adaptive reuse
The project establishes a community woodcraft workshop that designs and produces flat pack microhomes using reclaimed timber and Japanese joinery. These dignified, flexible living units are built for those in need reviving a place of public service as a cultural space that continues to serve and support its community.
(Belonging + Esteem)
0.1 First Floor
Maslow’s Hierarchy as spatial sequence
→ Upper floors = Independent making, exhibition, reflection
BELONGING +NEED SelfActualisation
Physiological + Safety
→FIRST/SECOND = Shared studios, learning spaces, collaboration
→Ground / Entry=Workshops, welfare spaces, secure access
Inspired by Metabolic Architecture, the building operates as a living architectural organism, where plug-in elements act as adaptable organs that enable growth and change over time while preserving the listed structure.
‘ReCraft Nottingham’ (Woodcraft Centre for homeless individuals)
KEY:
=Additions
=Removed
=Retained (Structural)
EAST WING
Nottingham Former Fire & Police Station
EXISTING STRUCTURE
Prefabricated toilet blocks are stacked on top of one another, each connecting to wall openings on every floor in both the East and West Wings, and each unit containing three toilets.
Original listed structure retained as a permanent architectural host.
Existing / Dormant
Activated / Plug-in Phase
Floating louvres are installed mainly on the West side as well as East, easily fixed on either sides to provide essential shading and balconies provide quiet retreat spaces and allow connection of users to their surroundings
Reversible plug-in elements inserted within the permanent structural host, enabling new programmatic uses without permanent alteration to the historic fabric.
A dedicated material movement lift enables easy transport across all floors, including flat-pack microhome components, which are later test-assembled in the courtyard.
Removal of plug-in elements allows the building to return to its original massing, preserving the listed structure intact.
North-facing windows bring soft light into the workshop, overcoming shadows cast by the staircase. Set within original openings, the frames respect the structure while meeting new needs and allow a neutral light into the main workshop spaces
