I am in the final year of my undergraduate Architecture degree at the University of Cambridge, driven by a fervent passion for creativity, design, and the built environment.
I believe architecture serves as a powerful avenue to address pressing global challenges, including climate change, homelessness, and mental health issues such as depression.
I have also been an entrepreneur for two years, honing strong business management and finance skills as the Founder & Creative Director of LUVV GOD.
PERSONAL GOALS
In my architectural pursuits, I aim to imbue each space with added significance, fostering a deeper connection for those who experience it. My focus leans toward commercial architecture, where a single project holds the power to reshape entire cities, communities, and perceptions. I am driven by the prospect of utilising computational design to push the boundaries of traditional architectural forms.
WORK EXPERIENCE & AWARDS
Architectural Intern - Morrow + Lorraine, London
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• Completed a summer internship at Morrow + Lorraine, focusing on retrofitting office buildings in London to contemporary standards through a sensitive and sustainable design approach.
Facade Engineering Intern - Buro Happold, London
• Completed an 8-week internship at Buro Happold, gaining hands-on experience on cutting-edge global projects and deepening my technical understanding of the built environment.
Micro Prize Award 2024 - Gensler, London
• After a rigorous application process, I was awarded Gensler’s Architecture Micro Prize, supporting designers from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Architectural Intern - JM Architects, Glasgow
• Two weeks of unpaid work at JM Architects greatly expanded my knowledge and fueled my passion for designing within the built environment.
RIBA Mentoring Programme - Brown & Co Architects, Norwich
2019
• Designed to support aspiring architects, the programme paired me with a RIBA architect from Brown & Co. providing insights into architectural practice.
PoC In Architecture Mentorship
• I participated in a mentorship programme tailored for students from underrepresented backgrounds. I was paired up with a mentor who provided valuable tips on navigating the industry.
Professional Career Development - ArchK
• I engaged in an architecture career coaching program, refining my portfolio, software skills, and industry readiness through mentorship from Ivy league graduates.
Founder & Fashion/Graphic Designer - LUVV GOD
damilolafadun@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Dami Fadun
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• I founded and direct a Christian-based apparel business and associated non-profit, managing finances, marketing, design, customer service and events. (Website: luvvgodclothing.com)
CONTENTS
The projects in this portfolio highlight the evolution of my architectural language and interests over time. My recent works reflect my ongoing efforts to challenge and expand my design skills, pushing the boundaries of creativity and functionality.
Belonging at Homerton
Cyber Pavilion
Fluidity in Architecture
A Raisin in the Sun Professional
Fluidity In Architecture
Autodesk Maya course taught by Mariana Cabugueira
MAYA + D5 RENDER
Design Inspiration
The villa features three entrances that converge to create a central atrium space. The challenging yet rewarding modeling process equipped me with valuable design tools. I mastered commands like bridging, creasing, edge loops, and detaching, and learned to export smooth preview models from Maya for rendering in D5.
Design Process
I frequently made copies of the model, allowing me to revisit and continue refining specific areas of development if they don’t turn out as desired. Additionally, I make sure to leverage Maya’s Catmull-Clark algorithm, frequently switching between levels 1 and 3 to the smooth mesh preview to aid the free modelling process.
‘Money Shots’
The term ‘money shot’ refers to specific architectural moments in the design that effectively sell the project. Below are screenshots of the sketch model nearing completion.
Final Proposal
The villa harmonises beautifully with the landscape - wrapping around the trees. The white colour also reduces the perceived mass of the building while also serving as a blank canvas, allowing nature to shape and define its character.
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Belonging at Homerton College
This brief entails proposing a masterplan for Homerton College, Cambridge University. After thorough research and in-person consultations, the project naturally aligned with the theme of belonging, as the college boasts a strong community of diverse people and one of its core values is inclusivity.
Homerton is also centrally located, surrounded by schools, communities, and organisations, making it an ideal hub for outreach initiatives. The current needs and requests of the students highlight the necessity for a cultural centre - a space dedicated to celebrating the arts holistically.
RHINO + PHOTOSHOP + PROCREATE
Porter’s Lodge
The proposed porters’ lodge, adorned with pink concrete coupled with wood, foreshadows the material of the new dining hall, that will be encountered later in the college.
Student Accomodation
1. Site Identification
The space outside South Court has been identified as a potential site for further accommodation development.
A ‘L’ block extends from the square site, forming a courtyard and central green space.
The L-block is broken up to create spaces that frame the landscape and form a pathway through.
The new cultural center will serve as a civic landmark.
are
from the fragmented blocks to provide shading and reduce solar gain.
3. Fragmentation
4. Sun Shading Strategy Balconies
recessed
2. Form Extrusion
Transforming Spaces
The brief entails increasing density without demolishing any structures within the Mill Road community in Cambridge. I proposed designing a community market and a back-of-house creative development dedicated to the Mill Road Traders Association, comprising all independent shop owners in the area.
The proposal aims to breathe life and positively transform the local community into a space of belonging. I wondered how the refurbishment could vividly convey the vibrant cultural melting pot present in Mill Road.
A central theme of belonging emerges, rooted in the diversity and inclusion evident within the community. Additionally, there is a clear need for a space that offers financial support to business owners.
Form Iterations exploring ways to increase density.
Disassembly and Recyclability
The modular roof design is built for easy disassembly, allowing individual components to be taken apart efficiently. This approach prioritises sustainability by enabling the reuse and recycling of materials, reducing waste and supporting a more circular construction process.
Precedent Study
Inspired by the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona, designed by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, the project draws on the vibrant and dynamic nature of the space. The market’s colorful design and its integration into the existing community create a lively hub that adds value to the surrounding area.
Cyber Pavilion
In this project I envisioned a space featuring multiple benches, all oriented to face the ocean. The structure is at a specific height low enough to create a sense of horizontality that frames the landscape in front. This design also ensures an unobstructed view, enhancing the user’s connection to the ocean.
Design Sensation
The pavilion is designed to foster relaxation and tranquility. Its structure envelops visitors, creating a sense of security and protection while promoting calmness.
Workflow
I utilised an iterative workflow to track the evolution of my work. I also adopted a bottom-up approach by starting the design process with furniture design, then transitioning to the main architecture.
Modelling Process
Edge loops were used to model the glass frames, ensuring smooth, continuous curvature and structural fluidity. This technique is successful because it allows for precise control over the geometry.
Glass Framing
Architecture Flyer
I used my personal project to create a conceptual render for an event poster for an architecture event focused on future living. The event featured discussions on the future of architecture - how it will evolve and what it will entail.
I had to consider various design principles, such as composition and balance, while creating the poster. I decided to use an elevation reflection mirroring effect, creating a visually striking and symmetrical design.
A Raisin In The Sun
Having analysed the play “A raisin in the sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, I extracted its main themes and interpreted it in the form of a temporary theatre - where the play itself would be acted in.
The play explores the struggles of a black family in the south side of Chicago in the 1950s as they wrestle with discrimination, racism and assimilation.
Existing site section
There were three main themes that appear continually thoughout the play and one of the main themes was racism and how it starts small and grows if not addressed. The stairs and pyramid form symbolise the plethora of stumbling blocks the Younger family, in the play has to endure.
As the audience arrives and climbs the stairs, they are invited to step into the shoes of the characters in the play, experiencing their constant struggles to reach their desired destinations.
The temporary theater fully responds to and leverages the site’s unique conditions, with three staircases strategically converging at the center. This design not only creates a cohesive and dynamic focal point but also enhances the overall flow, encouraging movement and interaction among the audience.
Actor’s backstage / changing room
Additional point of entry increases accessibility to the underground space
Fitzroy St City Rd
Burleigh St
Design Concept
The stage is set, and the play is about to begin. Trusses descend from the ceiling to support the stage lights, and symbolise the complexity of the play’s themes.
The flooring of the tunnel space is the same as the street brick floor to achieve a smooth transition when navigating through the structure.
A ticket office is situated within the tunnel beneath the structure.
Professional Experience
at Buro Happold
Nature, China
During my placement as a facade engineering intern at Buro Happold, I worked on a project in China designed by Heatherwick Studio. I developed a versatile Grasshopper script for the structural elements of the skylights, which can be applied throughout the building.
Chengdu Lake City, China
I worked on a Stage 3 project also located in China designed by BIG Architects. This model was challenging and required a high level of attention to detail, as the building’s design featured a very complex corner.
Fenwick Bond Street, London
Lastly, I worked on this retrofit project of Fenwick, designed by Foster + Partners. I was tasked with modelling the facade system to identify potential clashes and areas where the facade system might not work as intended.
RHINO
Hand Drawings
I am a strong advocate for sketching as a tool to develop concepts and effectively communicate the narrative of a project. I carry a sketchbook with me wherever I go, allowing me to capture buildings and architectural details I come across.
Fashion Designer
I founded and currently direct a Christian-based apparel business and its associated non-profit called LUVV GOD. I manage various aspects, including finances, marketing, customer service, design and events.
So far, I have designed a total of 24 products, applying all the skills I’ve developed throughout my architectural journey. We have also put on 3 successful events to foster a sense of belonging.
Website: luvvgodclothing.com
Instagram: @luvv_clothing
Graphic Designer
I have a strong passion for graphic design and visualisation in general. I love communicating joy through design, which is why I consistently incorporate vibrant, energetic, and bold qualities into my work.
Logo design has helped me translate my architectural design skills to a smaller scale. It challenges me to distill complex ideas into simple, impactful visuals while maintaining balance, structure, and creativity.
Just like in architecture, I focus on composition, proportion, and functionality to create logos that are both aesthetically compelling and meaningful.
