CHANDA TERRY CHISHIMBA 2024 PORTFOLIO

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO.

2022-2024 SELECTED WORKS

CHANDA TERRY CHISHIMBA

HELLO, I’M CHANDA TERRY CHISHIMBA

I am currently a second-year student of architecture at the University of Oklahoma. From from Lusaka, Zambia to Freiburg German, and now Norman Oklahoma I feel like my life has been a journey through a series of new cultures. I have always been attentive to the built environment and through my travels, I have learned of the stories that walls can tell. My architectural philosophy is centered around creating spaces that tell the stories of our time through history and ensuring the future of our world through sustainable design. My journey through architecture has been more of an exploration of how we can take advantage of innovation to create built environments that gravitate towards in-between spaces that emphasize the beauty of nature. My goal has been to educate myself and acquire skills that can enable me to think critically and responsibly in my design process. Considering my role in ensuring our buildings are healthy and stable and give equal opportunities to all its inhabitants as a designer.

CONTACT

terry.c.chishimba-1@ou.edu

www.linkedin.com/in/terry-chishimba

psycheddesign/ instagram

https://www.behance.net/psychedStudio

+1 (405) 223 8503

EDUCATION

Pestalozzi Education Centre

Senior secondary education certificate with 9 distinction

Lusaka, Zambia

2014 - 2019

UWC Robert Bosch College

International Baccalaureate Diploma, with focus in:

• Creative art

• Language and Literature

• European History

Freiburg, Germany

2020 - 2022

University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture

Bachelor’s of Architecture

Norman, Oklahoma

2022 - Present

WORK EXPERIENCE

Senior Graphic Designer

Student Media, OU DAILY

Jan 2023 - Present

Architecture Intern Fijan Design

May 2022 - July 2022

Office of Finance Manager Assistant

Kucetekela Foundation

Jan 2020 - Sep 2020

ACTIVITIES

Model African Union Social Media Manager

Oklahoma University student organization 2021 - 2022

Freiburg and Colonialism Exhibition Curation team

Freiburg Museum

2021 - 2022

Event Planner and Social Media manager for Black Culture Week.

Robert Bosch College 2021 - 2022

Member of the Entertainment committee.

Robert Bosch College 2021 - 2022

SKILLS

Design Visualization

Visual Communications

Lesser-cutting

3D Printing Collage Rendering Drafting

Softwares: Advanced

Adobe Applications (Ai, Ps, Id)

Sketch Up

Rhino 7 & 8

AWARDS

Proficient Revit Grasshopper Auto CAD (Amateur)

2023 CMBAM annual competition

UNDER WORK FOR OUDAILY

• 1st Place Best Self-Promotional ad

• 2nd Place Best Sales Promotional Material

“There is a role and function for beauty in our time.”

TADAO ANDO

FESTIVAL HOUSE

LOCATION, CAPITAL HILL, OKLAHOMA MENTOR, ANDREW STONE SPRING 2024

The Festival House project is an endeavor aimed at honoring the community’s culture and history, particularly centered around the Oklahoma Opry Theater in Oklahoma City’s Capital Hill district. This historic theater, once a vibrant hub, now stands as a symbol of faded warmth in the area. In our design approach, we integrate the theater into a new sustainable building, preserving its significance while revitalizing the space. Our focus lies in crafting spaces that cater to the community’s needs while embracing the dynamic elements of light, transparency, and form. Modular structures serve as the foundation, allowing for the creation of unique spaces that facilitate controlled interaction and inclusion. Through deliberate placement and design, we foster a sense of connection and community within the building, culminating in a central piazza that acts as a focal point for gatherings and engagement.

LIGHT, ATRIUM AND SLANTED WALLS

The ground floor layout of the building is intentionally porous, inviting the community in and showcasing its mercantile program with openness. Upstairs, a spacious area awaits, perfect for exhibitions and community gatherings. The building’s character is defined by its zigzag entrance, leading visitors into a courtyard, atriums adorned with perforated brick, and slanting walls.

These entrances are crafted to conceal paths while enticing visitors to explore further. Inside, transparent views reveal incubator stores, adding to the unique experience. The courtyard is an intimate area that allows for outdoor performances and socialization. Atriums flood the building with light, expanding both the spatial and visual aspects of the second floor. Perforated brick housing inner glazing serves as the source of this

light, while also supporting sustainable passive design.

Designed to deflect harsh summer rays and welcome gentle winter sun, the slanting walls serve dual purposes. They enhance the striking entrance design and aid in passive sustainability, providing shade and spatial definition to the ground floor entrances while harmonizing with the building’s overall aesthetic.

Perspective Section

Urban context map, the map shows buildings and spaces along the commercially historical street of Capital hill. The street is a significant part of the story of Capital hills glory days and its fall during the 1980s.

Festival House first floor plan, the first floor of the building consists of mercantile commercial spaces that are aimed to promote business and draw people into the space. Mixed with the Western block which contains small creative workshop spaces that promote after school activities and creativity.

COMMUNITY CONTEXT

Originally an independent city, Capital Hill was absorbed by Oklahoma City in 1909, but its vibrant spirit endured. Flourishing with infrastructure and commerce, particularly from stockyards and oil companies, it reached its zenith in the 1950s with bustling department stores lin-

ing 25th Street. However, the 1980s brought challenges: malls rose, and the oil industry faltered. Today, a renaissance is underway. The annual Latino American Festival highlights the community’s cultural vitality. Despite economic setbacks, Capital Hill pulses with resilience. Plans for a

plaza between 25th and 24th streets symbolize its rejuvenation. As an architect, my goal is to honor its rich heritage while fostering its future. Capital Hill’s history, culture, and indomitable spirit inspire every design choice, ensuring its enduring legacy.

FORM

Formulation of modular form, the diagram illustrates the process used to create a firm that both responded to the community context and created unique architecture that focused on penetration, transparency and light.

Collage of community engagement activities, created as an analysis of the communities culture and celebrated activities

Second floor plan, designed to have a large open space for easy circulations and respond to its program as a temporary exhibition space and celebratory event hall. The South-east part is open to the first floor creating more seating space for the theater.

Rooftop plan, the rooftop serves as a significant part of the building’s conceptual design. It allows the occupants to enjoy views in and out of Capital hill.

Festival House 3/32”=1’-0” physical model , the mode is made of 1/8” inch plywood.

Collage rendering, outdoot performance space that can be used for public events and socalization gatherings

Axonometric view of building and site context, the drawing is simple and aims to illustrate the building’s position in the community

THE OPEN CAVE PAVILION

LOCATION, NORMAN OKLAHOMA MENTOR, SHOOKA MOTAMEDI FALL 2022

The Open Cave pavilion celebrates the intriguing concept of caves, our most peculiar habitats. Its design, characterized by the robust use of concrete, embraces the essence of solidity, safety, and warmth, while also inviting an appreciation for natural light and the environment. This pavilion ingeniously echoes the architectural essence of Herb Greene’s Prairie house by integrating triangles and meticulous attention to openings. The heavy materiality not only evokes a sense of stability but also serves as a canvas for the interplay of light, fostering an environment that encourages introspection and admiration for the natural world. Through its thoughtful design, the pavilion establishes a harmonious relationship between the primal allure of caves and the modern architectural principles, creating a space that engages the senses and captivates the imagination.

THE MODERN CAVE

The pavilion encapsulates a striking narrative of simplicity and cultural connectivity. Its unassuming entrance guides visitors into an intimate seating area, inspired by my personal cultural experiences of communal storytelling seated on the floor. This deliberate design encourages close-knit interactions, fostering meaningful conversations within its confined yet inviting space.

The deliberate absence of raised furniture in this area cleverly accentuates the pavilion’s vertically creating an illusion of expansive safety and openness. Notably, transparent glass delineates the passage, ingeniously integrating it into the spatial narrative while maintaining its distinct functional purpose.

Beyond its purpose as a passage, this transitional zone becomes a poignant in-between space. Circular glass windows strategically usher natural light, enveloping both seated occupants and onlookers in a play of light and shadow. This deliberate choreography of light not only bathes the seating area but also invites admiration for the pavilion’s depth and openness, blurring boundaries between inside and outside.

The “Modern Cave” becomes a testament to the architect’s adeptness in intertwining cultural influences with architectural finesse, inviting occupants to partake in shared experiences while evoking a sense of rootedness and spatial harmony.

Perspective Section

HOSPITALITY AND WEATHER

The pavilion’s design prioritized weather considerations, aiming to shield occupants from extreme conditions while fostering a delightful interaction with the elements. Specifically tailored for snowy weather, the concept centered on the cave as a protective haven. Robust, insulating walls and snug spaces exude a comforting warmth, effectively countering the cold.

Distinctive slanting walls facilitate snow sliding off to form playful piles, inviting outdoor engagements like spirited snowball fights. Moreover, the cave-like structure integrates numerous openings that offer picturesque views of the snowy landscape, allowing sunlight to filter in, enveloping the space in a serene wintry ambiance.

This distinctive design amalgamates weather enjoyment with a sense of snug security. The pavilion stands as a refuge to relish the winter scenery, fostering a cozy retreat for indulging in hot tea while basking in the enchanting embrace of the snow.

Vicinity map (note to scale), the map shows the location of the pavilion in relation to the Prairie House.

Pavilion floor plan, the drawing shows the thick concrete walls along with measurements

Hand drawn render , the drawing shows the view of the pavilion from the west with the Prairie house in view

ENVIRONMENTAL/ HISTORICAL

This site proudly hosts the Prairie house, a creation attributed to the visionary Herb Greene. Standing boldly amidst the Oklahoma landscape, this structure defies conventional luxury architecture with its sculpted form, a remarkable embodiment of architectural audacity.

The house’s design, intricately woven into the surrounding terrain, has earned it the moniker “Prairie Chicken House” due to

its purported resemblance to the majestic prairie chicken. Its distinctive form stands as a tribute to Greene’s inventive approach, harmonizing architectural aesthetics with the natural environment.

In a commendable initiative, the year 2023 saw the establishment of the Prairie House Preservation Society, a non-profit organization committed to safeguarding this architectural marvel. This society champions the cause of preserving and ensuring public access to

the structure, fostering community engagement and appreciation for its historical and architectural significance.

The Prairie House, with its rich legacy and unique design, serves as a beacon of architectural prowess and cultural heritage, now safeguarded for future generations through the dedicated efforts of the preservation society.

Photo of Prairie House , source

Prairie House 1st floor plan , simple plan of the floor plan to shows the form of the contextual built environment on the site.

ATRIUM GARDENS

LOCATION, NORMAN OKLAHOMA MENTOR, JACOB STINSON SPRING 2023

The Atrium Gardens’ innovative design fosters an interspecies environment for humans and solitary leaf-cutter bees. It intricately intertwines natural elements into the building’s structure, emphasizing controlled circulation for deliberate interactions between species. The bees’ habitat, ingeniously integrated within the building facade, transforms the courtyard into a vital space for these creatures. Accessible to humans from the interior, the Atrium serve as meeting points with the bees, while exterior openings allow the insects to enter these spaces. This intentional linkage between the two species encourages harmonious coexistence and mutual respect. The design exemplifies a symbiotic relationship, showcasing how architecture can harmoniously merge with the environment and cater to diverse inhabitants’ needs.

IN-BETWEEN SPACE

The atriums are conceived as living exhibitions. Alfalfa flowers planted within these spaces entice leaf-cutter bees, creating a mesmerizing spectacle as the bees flutter within the transparent open cylinders. The deliberate design ensures controlled human circulation, allowing individuals to interact with these gardens. These spaces act as captivating environments, seamlessly blending the allure of nature into the building. Through this intentional setup, humans engage with the atriums as immersive showcases, where the presence of bees and flourishing plant life brings the essence of the natural world vividly indoors.

Perspective Section

CONCEPT

The building’s design stems from the deliberate westward orientation of the courtyard, discreetly concealing the North by slightly shifting the Northern block towards the South. This alignment forms cohesive South and North blocks interconnected by a reception corridor. Atriums punctuate these blocks, facilitating effortless circulation and enhancing the building’s exhibition theme. The rooftop’s dynamic porous structure optimizes usability, introducing ambient light into the atriums and courtyard, ensuring a play of light and space within the architectural layout.

The building’s programming incorporates a research laboratory and designated offices for researchers. Alongside these facilities, there are provisions for a kitchenette and a gathering area capable of accommodating up to 20 individuals, serving as a versatile space for lessons and events. Designed to foster movement and serve as an exhibition area, the building is partitioned into public and private sections. The northern block houses private spaces like offices, while the southern block comprises public spaces, including gathering areas, fostering interaction and engagement.

Bee Habitat Brick Facade, the brick facade with hollow space through it to allows occupation of the leaf cutter bee.

Concept diagram, illustration of form formation with conceptual context

PROGRAM/ CIRCULATION

Public Rooftop

Porous Roof

Vicinity map, showing site conditions of and environmental context of the site

SITE/ DESIGN

During the initial phases of designing both the building and the interactive landscape, a comprehensive site analysis was conducted. The location, situated between the Loyd Noble parking lot and Oliver Woodland Preserve, despite being altered for use as a drone airport, held immense potential for ecological rejuvenation.

The site’s notable feature was its commanding view of the sunset, where the sun gracefully descended behind the unyielding tree line to the west. Thus, I deliberately ori-

ented the landscape design towards the west, focusing on controlled circulation and optimizing site vistas. To shield and confine the northern parking lot, the land was elevated on the north, and walls strategically introduced at the turning points. Gardens were ingeniously integrated into these turning points, creating engaging focal areas to encourage movement and interaction with the surroundings. Thoughtfully incorporated seating spaces provided restful spots, fostering human interaction within the landscape. The

design meticulous adhered to ADA policies, ensuring ramps and ample space for inclusion and access for all individuals to enjoy the spaces.

Overall, the landscape design aimed to facilitate and stimulate the interaction between two species. The gardens served as dynamic meeting points outdoors, fostering encounters between leaf-cutter bees and humans, accentuating the harmonious coexistence of both within the broader environment.

Site plan, the proposed design for the site to in-cooperate the building in to the environmental context

Lab

Offices

Unisex Bathroom

Utilities/ Storage room

Kitchenette

Elevator

Gathering space

Atrium gardens

Courtyard

Interior Space render, The collage render showcases an atrium garden, capturing a distinct interaction between individuals and the meticulously crafted gardens, akin to an exhibition inviting observation and engagement.

Landscape render, The collage render presents the public-accessible landscape, highlighting gardens that reinforce the concept of intersection between human and bee habitats. These harmonized spaces create moments of beauty encapsulating the essence of collaboration between two species.

THE BEE SPHERE

LOCATION, NORMAN OKLAHOMA MENTOR, JACOB STINSON SPRING 2023

Within the context of a bug habitat assignment at my school, the Bee Sphere project was born. Its primary aim was to construct an artificial habitat tailored specifically for the solitary leaf-cutter bee. This species requires hollow spaces for egg-laying and dedicated housing for female bees. The Bee Sphere’s design uniquely addresses these necessities by providing areas conducive to reproduction while also fostering communal environments within the habitat. This approach ensures not only the solitary bee’s breeding needs but also promotes interactions and community dynamics among the inhabitants. The project stands as a testament to the intricate balance struck between fulfilling the fundamental requirements of the leaf-cutter bee and creating a space that encourages social interactions and communal living within their habitat.

Perspective section(not to scale), the section shows the sphere within a scene that illustrate its use.

Horizontal Section cut, showing measurements and view from the top

The Bee

The leaf-cutter bee is a solitary and industrious pollinator found across various continents, known for its distinctive nesting behaviors and cutting leaf fragments to build its nests. With an average size of about half an inch, these bees showcase a remarkable ability to carve precise circles from leaves, which they then use to line and protect their nest chambers. Leaf-cutter bees are solitary bees, each female independently creating

her nests rather than living in hives. They typically prefer nesting in existing cavities or constructing nests in hollow plant stems, wood, or even in the ground. As essential pollinators, leaf-cutter bees play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and the health of many plant species, contributing significantly to agricultural and natural ecosystems alike.

The Concept

This innovative bee habitat design integrates the distinct preferences of male and female bees into a unified living environment. Male bees, favoring shaded spaces, find refuge under leaf-like structures, while females seek out hollow cavities for nesting. The design features a grid layout, with shaded squares for males and non-shaded squares for females, ensuring adjacency of at least five shaded spaces for males. Crafted from curved wood panels, these faces serve as landmarks for navigation and nesting. Japanese-inspired joinery ensures structural integrity, with

purpose-built racks holding nesting cells for females. By considering the bees’ individual needs and behaviors, this holistic design fosters harmony and functionality within the bee community, offering a shelter that caters to their natural instincts and activities.

Concept diagram, the diagram shows the transition of the concept to the form. A grid is created with hatched spaces distinguishing between male and females spaces withing the spherical face.

Leaf cutter bee, the subject of the bee sphere

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC

Structure components, the drawing shows all the pieces that hold the structure together including special joints that are accompanied with air tight cuts that fit the piece into each other.

Collage render, the rendering shows a close view of spaces between the wooden parts as occupied by the bees

Physical model, 1’=1’-0”, the photo shows a real world built sphere according to the design

ADDITIONAL WORKS

In my creative journey, I’ve embraced an interdisciplinary approach, aiming to acquire diverse skills, from visual arts to communications. Engaging in spaces like the school’s student media as a graphic designer has been instrumental in my growth. This portfolio section highlights additional talents honed over the years, showcasing their significance through contextualized work.

Graphic Design Works

Having accumulated six years of experience in graphic design, I’ve engaged in a multitude of projects spanning from song covers, poster design, branding, logos, to advertisements. Among these, I proudly present a selection of my notable works.

THANK YOU