Portfolio

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dima ‘24

ARKIT E KT MA A , ARB/RIBA II Portfolio

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a note to the

I am more than just an architect.

reader

From a young age, I was captivated by my dad’s work as a civil engineer. Watching him solve complex problems and bring projects to life sparked my own passion for design and construction. At a young age, I was already sketching designs and rearranging my surroundings to better suit my space. I often accompanied my dad to job sites, which furhter deepened my fascination with architecture and engineering.

I began my studies in architecture in Jordan, where I quickly developed a solid foundation in design principles and building construction. However, I craved a more challenging and dynamic environment, so I transferred to the UK to push myself further and immerse myself in a global architectural perspective. The change allowed me to gain independancy, exposure to diverse architectural styles, and expand on innovative solutions, honing down my understanding of how design can shape the world.

For my Master’s degree, I specialized in liveable urbanism; a field that focuses on designing cities and spaces that are not only functional but also enhance quality of life for residents. My academic journey reached a highlight when my group was nominated for the prestigious RIBA Silver Medal awards. This recognition further solidified my commitment to using architecture as a tool to create more sustainable, liveable spaces.

A while after completing my studies in the UK, I moved to Denmark, where I continued to develop my career as an architect. Denmark’s strong emphasis on sustainability and design excellence aligns with my ethos for creating spaces that are environmentally conscious. In addition, I have nearly three years of experience as an architect, working on a variety of projects. My work has primarily focused on addressing sustainability, and creating humancentric designs that have a positive impact. I believe that architecture should not only meet functional needs but also serve as a canvas for human stories to unfold.

Architecture is just one part of my journey. My passion for visualization and graphic design has been a key asset, allowing me to stand out in my studies and in my professional work.

I’ve found that curating the narrative of a space shares many of the same fundamentals as curating the narrative of a page. I believe in the power of graphical material in the field and as architects we ought to present our work in an clear, yet visually pleasing way.

Architecture is my passion, and I am excited to push the boundaries of my career with you by contributing to your success.

With appreciation,

Dima Jensen Saca +

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table of

05 COMMUNITY HUB

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Medium scale project that focuses on building technology and sustainability.

09 KOCHI CACOPHONY Large scale project focusing on masterplanning and design circularity.

17 PLAY DUNES Landscape project that focuses on narrative.

19 LIVE + WORK MODULE Residential project that focuses on functionality and liveability.

21 MIXED-USE HUB Large scale project focusing on form development and innovation.

24 WORK OUTPOST Small scale project focusing on building technology.

26 THE RECEPTION Medium Scale project focusing on building materials.

28 RENDER EXPLORATIONS 3d modelling and render studies.

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The relationship between the new and old.

COMMUNITY HUB The proposal seeks to create strong relationships between the elderly community and the school children, resulting in educational benefits for the children and improved well-being for the elders through a range of activities. When deciding upon materials, it was important to compliment the historic fabric by using solid and monolithic materials, but also ensuring the sustainability of the building through its thermal efficiency and its ability to adapt in the future. Therefore, the structure is built with solid materials and lightweight internal divides using Hempcrete. Also, a leave no trace construction approach is adopted, so that the historic fabric can be returned to its existing state which is the responsible way to approach when dealing with historical structures.

Introduction of a new entrance.

Art Studios

Filling in the gaps between new and old walls.

Theatre

Cafeteria & Gallery Relationship of curtain wall to historic fabric.

Concept Sketches

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Plan

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Green Roof Soil for planting Substrate Layer Drainage Board Protection Layer Insulation Vapour Control Layer Roof Deck Joist Hempcrete Blocks

Gutter Louvres

Joint angle bracket

20mm Decking 120mm Hempcrete insulation 170mm Timber joists

Double glazed windows

Glulam exposed beam

EX IST ING H ISTO RICA L WA L L

Exposed hempcrete

Lime plaster

Roof

Plywood cladding

Floor 50mm Finish and Sand Layer 100mm Hempcrete blocks Water Vapour Insulation 200mm Gravel Exterior Wall 20mm Finish Water vapour insulation 120mm Studs 200mm Hempcrete blocks 12mm Finish Interior Wall

Art studio

Indoor nook

O u t door nook

12mm Lime plaster 100mm Hempcrete insulation 12mm Plywood

Foam glass Brick blocks Drain pipe

Section The art studios allow the elderly community to enhance their life quality through art. The spaces surrounding the studios provide integration between children and the elderly community through these informal interactions whilst keeping in touch with the historical elements of the site.

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Interior Elevation

Perspective Section

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KOCHI CACOPHONY A liveable city is one where non-human life is audible and where a healthy soundscape is achieved to improve the well-being of all forms of life. Sound can be much more than noise that pollutes, it can positively impact the way spaces are lived in. The sound-considered city is a more memorable, more sustainable, and more liveable place. The destruction of natural soundscapes is not just damaging to wildlife; it is harming to the well-being of humans as well.

Intro Video

Design Thesis

Strategy

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+ Urban Analysis A series of maps looking into noise pollution, air quality, tree cover, congestion, and urban use. These maps study and analyse the urban fabric to accordingly propose urban strategies that combat these issues.

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+ Urban Strategy The project’s agenda is to enhance and restore the phonic identity of Kochi to increase the well-being of humans and ecosystems. This is achieved through a continuous green spine that runs through the city alongside the Kochi metro line.

These spines will help screen noise, restore, and enhance degraded birdsong, whilst mitigating climate change.

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Urban Strategy The project highlights the importance of a sound considered city in urban planning and the direct and indirect impacts of noise pollution on the quality of life. Therefore, we need to reduce urban stress on humans and species by reducing unnatural sound and emphasising natural sound. Thus, enhancing the phonic identity of Kochi.

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Elevation

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Circular Design An important aspect of the project Kochi Cacophony is zero waste and the circularity of materials used to in the urban intervention. The diagram depicts the life cycles of the materials chosen based on local availability and life-cycle. This allows the intervention to be self-sustaining and embracing to the natural environment.

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+ Tyre Foundations Detail Kochi has a current fleet of 934,041 registered motor vehicles, which means a potential of 3,600,000 scrapped tyres in 4 to 5 years. Tyres are the most abundant and environmentally persistent volumetric waste around cities. Therefore, it emerges the interest of finding ways to reuse tyres in construction. In this case, the use of tyres for moulding the foundation appears to be appropriate; given the availability of material and the construction speed that this method can achieve with local labour and unsophisticated tools.

The tyre footing foundation represents a viable and affordable alternative method to using concrete.

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Neoprene Cushion Ø80mm Stoppers L50mm Bamboo L500mm, Ø80mm

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Mortar

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Temporary Tie

Tie & secure together.

To keep bamboo stable whilst inserting the aluminium brackets, this is not a necessary step.

Mortar & Anchor Bolt

Bamboo L500mm, Ø80mm

Increases bamboo stiffness, durability.

Using same length of bamboo poles to achieve standardization and best quality control.

Scrap Rubber Tyres

Anchor Bolt

Threaded Rods L260mm, Ø20mm

Threaded Bolt L260mm, Ø20mm

CNC Aluminium Mounting Brackets

Mounting Bracket Ø80mm

Brackets are CNC-ed for easy, dry-mounted, and standardised assembly.

Infill Mix Water Membrane

Makes use of waste material as a step closer to achieving a circular economy.

Infill Mix May contain gravel and broken old bricks depending on local availability.

Also, contains sand and cement (mortar) mix used as a binder.

Scrap Rubber Tyres Base Plate

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260

Temporary Tie

Base Plate 5 195 / 5 R 16

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Covers the bottom to protect from moisture and insects.

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5 195 / 5 R 16

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Exploded Axonometric

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Section A-A

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Bamboo L3m, Ø80mm Neoprene Cushion Mounting Brackets Threaded Rod L350mm, Ø10mm

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Bamboo L3m, Ø80mm Using same length of bamboo components to achieve standardization and quick assembly.

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Coupler Bracket A bracelet to join bamboo culm bundle together.

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Threaded Rods 4x L350mm, Ø5mm 4x L350mm, Ø10mm

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CNC Aluminium Mounting Brackets

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Section A-A

Brackets are CNC-ed for easy, dry-mounted, and standardised assembly.

Also allows for quick replacement of damaged bamboo, and a higher installation tolerance.

Neoprene Cushions Increases tolerance and softens impact on bamboo.

Exploded Axonometric

Bamboo Joint Detail Sustainability for this project is not only for the use of natural materials such as bamboo but to design an appropriate construction solution. The aim is to create modular elements with the scope of creating an innovative industrialized bamboo construction system. For the structure of new ways of building connecting bamboo were explored.

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PLAY DUNES Being a transient city, Dubai creates feelings of estrangement within society, and so, the landscape design approach was to create an urban space that aims to strengthen the community bond and experience through play. The design narrative focuses on participatory design, sustainability and social cohesion.

Visualisation

Equipment area Gathering area Circulation Base outline

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Contours of Sand dunes in the Arabian desert.

Fractal shape from traditional Arabic patterns.

Spatial adjustment to accommodate equipment.

Process of shape simplification.

Concept

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Socialize Greenery

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Play

Carousel Pathway

Main Play Area

Seating Bird Nest Swing

Excavator

Playground

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Trampoline Secondary Pathway

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Gather

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Agility

Starting Point

Agility

Greenery

Water Fountain

Lighting Feature

Narrative & Programme The proposed outcome is best represented by the renders. Our approach draws homage to simple, low-budget solutions such as increased vegetation and shading devices. In conclusion, this proposal aims to give back to the members of the community. Given the trend of commercialization, the result is a collection of safe, sustainable, and inclusive public spaces that allow for a preservation of identity, culture, and community.

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LIVE+WORK MODULE The design proposes live/work housing units each containing a greenhouse attachment that is integrated into the interior of the house. The families living in there can harvest from their produce and sell it in the local farmers’ markets for an income.

3D Model

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Exploded Axonometric After a thorough site analysis, all greenhouses are oriented facing away from the main street to create a forest-like atmosphere in the middle of the site.

To make use of maximum sunlight, each unit has a light well that the main stairs wrap around, as to allow light to penetrate to all the rooms. Moreover, the house is made up of split levels, thus separating functions through hierarchy.

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MIXED-USE HUB This project aims to integrate corporate diversified development strategy and to probe the way to utilize the space more diversely and more efficiently by combining education with related functions and commerce. The brief called out to cater for multiple users, most importantly students. But, still including spaces that cater to small business owners and bigger companies.

Form Finding & Programme

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Plans

Elevations

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Sections The brief also set out to solve Amman’s lack of parking spaces by introducing vertical parking and two underground parking levels. While keeping the ground floor packed with functions that are very accessible to students, the top levels include different types of offices and firms.

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WORK OUTPOST The work outpost project located at the Margate Harbour Arm was a response to a maker/living unit for one person who is an arboriculturist. This project required to look at the ‘maker end’ and ‘home’ from the viewpoint of an individual user.

Exploring ways in which this individual might seek to influence the wider world with his/her craft. This project entailed a comprehensive development of the narrative, mapping and diagrammatic analysis and full set of drawings to illustrate the story of the maker.

Concept Collage

Site Axonometric

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Section & Plan

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THE RECEPTION The Immigrant Reception, in Barcelona, seeks to nurture arrivals by granting them the facilities to overcome barriers to vital, resourceful, and existential equality. The use of rammed earth as a sustainable solution for a structural wall system formed from local soil. The system starts with secured reusable forms that are filled with the mixture. Once compacted, the structural rammed earth walls will last several lifetimes without the need for maintenance.

Sketch Plan

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+ A RECIPE TO RAMMED EATHWORKS

A CLOSER LOOK INTO SIREWALLS

Rammed earth is a constructive technique with raw earth used for centuries in buildings construction in Catalonia. Changes occurred during the 18th century in the field of construction in Barcelona were the basis of the disappearance of rammed earth as a usual constructive technique.

Even so, there is still much local heritage built on earth. Buildings that have rammed earth structural elements in Barcelona province, like the stables of Gaudi's Güell Country Estate, and Ca La D o n a b u i l d i n g , a fo u r- sto re y building located in Ciutat Vella, in the Center of Barcelona.

Structural Insulated Rammed Earth is a structural sandwich wall system typically 500 mm to 60 mm think. Local soils combined with 9 % c e m e nt a re c o m p a cte d o n either side of a hidden insulation core. Stabilized with compacted earth ea and rebar, with 100mm of rigid insulation hidden in the centre of the wall (rebar is used in seismic zones). The system starts with secured reusable forms that are filled with a mixture of damp earth. The soil blend, once compacted, cre ates structural rammed earth walls that will last several lifetimes without the need for maintenance.

/ Construction of a rammed earth wall on foundation

SECTION THROUGH RAMMED EARTH WALL

...curves mean no exposed joints.

Similar radii means formwork can be reused for other part of the build Formwork for rounded and curved

It has been proven the existence of rammed earth buildings in almost all the Catalan territory. An important part of earth heritage has been lost by abandonment.

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The Telenor HQ in Islamabad, constructed using Sirewall rammed earth

300mm | 100mm | 200mm SIREWALL SLAB

Metal flashing

FOAMGLAS

FOOTING GRAVEL DRAINAGE

RIGID INSULATION

SITE LOCATION

E Rammed earth has low manufacturing impact, contingent on the amount of cement...

ANCHOR BOLTS

Landscaped roof -Native plants -Native soil growing medium -Root resistant membrane -Drainage panel + filter fabric -Rigid insulation she -Cap sheet -Base sheet

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...and the amount that is locally sourced; it is often quarried aggregates rather than "earth"

Concrete slab beyond HSS frame in wall beyond Continuous double glazed sealed frameless window Continuous clear finish solid ash with window stop and trim

Details 2x10 trusses 30mm plywood bulkhead ply 30mm plywood forms faced with tempered 6mm masonite clamps fit through holes in form ca cast concrete foundation with ledge for forms

DRAIN

COMPACTED ROAD BASE

Trass-lime check Wall -Rammed earth wall, 250mm - reinforced -Polyisocyanurate insulation, 100mm -Rammed earth, 250mm - reinforced 600MM

Solid ash window stop and trim 400x400 double glazed frameless window

SECOND FLOOR DETAIL AND ROOF DETAIL

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LOCAL QUARRIES & EXCAVATIONS

WALL SYSTEM

/ Structural insulated rammed earth wall

The visual appeal of rammed earth walls can enhance the appeal of the location and facility. People want to go to places that are unique, beautiful, and memorable in some way.

NO THERMAL BRIDGING AT JOINTS!!!

Epoxy bolts

Floor slab -Concrete floor slab on grade -Vapour barrier -Rigid insulation -Gravel base

Tensile spacers

ELEVATED FLOORS CAN BE EITHER WOOD OR CONCRETE, SUPPORTED ON THE INNER WYTHE ENSURING CONTINUITY OF THE THERMAL ENVELOPE.

Climbing formwork

Sloping continuous water through

Fill

Compress

Fill

Compress

Remove

Material & Structure Study

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Modelled with 3ds Max, and rendered with Corona.

THE SALT BOX Based on the work of Atelier l’Abri, the house was modelled from reference images. The most challenging part of this visualisation was making sure that the exterior landscaping had enough scatters and randomness to imitate the unpredictability of nature.

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Modelled with 3ds Max, and rendered with Corona.

THE FLOW Based on the work of Neuman Hayner Architects, most of the 3d elements are efficiently modelled to be lightweight. The visualisation was produced through a series of light and material studies to get the perfect photorealistic effect as it was challenging to get the right reflections.

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Modelled with 3ds Max, and rendered with Corona.

THE SERENITY Based on the work of Nildo José, the most challenging part of the render was getting the correct light and material settings to achieve an overcast environment whilst maintaining the sheerness material of the sheets and curtains.

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Modelled with Grasshopper, Rhino, and rendered with Lumion.

THE FOLLY Based on the work of Daniel Caven, this project was an experimentation into parametric form finding through Grasshopper and Rhino.

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A R K IT E KT M A A , ARB/RI BA I I Husk at kontakte mig.

32 +45 51920468

5000 ODENSE C

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SACADIMA.DS@GMAIL.COM

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