Imran Haque - UCL Portfolio

Imran Haque UCL Application Portfolio The ‘Jhol’ Museum and Weaving 02 Narratives of Bengal A Town That Was 14 Outside The Glass Box 18 Professional Practice 20 Personal Projects 24

The ‘Jhol’ Museum and Weaving Narratives of Bengal Year 03 - Final Studio Project Tutors - Dr. C. Lau & S. Harty Location - Hoxton, Hackney

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BA Architecture Experimental Design Prize Dezeen Student Awards RIBA Bronze Medal Long-list Nominee

The design revolves around the history of jute in Bengali culture. First being located in the front lawns of the Museum of The Home; later re-locating along the Regent’s Canal as it passes through Hackney. Issues of colonisation, power, control and most importantly identity, are retold through a production line of jute processing and wood carving that emphasises the relationship with nature. A fragmented timber frame is used to articulate the possibilities of a modern, displaced, architectural vernacular that is inclusive and reflects the Bengali heritage, language, and culture as embedded into the urban fabric of Hackney. The processes of jute production and wood carving form the basis of this ‘Jhol’ Museum of Bengali Language. The programs further unites the local Hoxton community through language exchange and participation in uniquely Bengali activities. As the community and their contributions have long been overlooked, the design accommodates, encourages and updates a way of life that includes the languages spoken and activities that make the culture.

This architectural language is then juxtaposed with a solid base that sits within the canal, lowering the user to be eye-level with the growing jute. The wooden frame intersects with steel beams to create a dynamic and ever-changing use of space, light and programme.

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Plans through the building showing the lighting qualities at different times of the day. The activity of the canal going up to the building and the programmes within vary season-by-season, dayby-day.

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[Far Left] Jute Federation Map - this drawing retells the story and history of jute and of colonial Bengal through the iconography, style and colouring of the British Federation Map of 1880; the peak of SubContinental Colonialism [Left] Sketching Lightness a first iteration into seeing how jute can be dried naturally

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[Above] Compounding Interests - This piece shows the processes of jute production overlaid on the canal site in Hoxton, Hackney

Cutting a map of the site revealed how much of it has changed since the 1880s; yet the museum and mindset are still stagnant in its colonial ways

Taking positives and negatives and overlaying it with a grid structure revealed the years of change and stagnation in and around Hoxton

Through reading ‘Taking Measures Across the American Landscape’, I learnt that grids, mapmaking and urban planning are more often than not designed for control, subjugation and manipulation.

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Layers of history from the 1800s to the 21st Century are discussed and intersected in this collage. I then translated this piece over into an architectural form that is a centre of jute recycling and reweaving; bringing the processes that led to Bengali colonisation into a modern, more equal context.

[Above] A section through the initial pavilion in a Mughal Art style. It uses traditional Bengali materials to recreate sounds, sights and textures that showcase Bengali heritage [Far Left] A piece showing the fundamental ideas I sought to engage with: freedom, language, colonialism, jute, grids, mapping, and more [Left] Sun study using natural daylight to demonstrate the principle of projecting solid lines over large surfaces, regardless of the surface - a commentary on the British Partition of India

The refinement of the design first led to adding in a tea-house element to the structure, given that this is a common cultural thread between the British and Bengali.

But I then took a step back and looked at how I can make a more real and meaningful architectural statement, rather than a more light-treading pavilion.

The piece on the left showcases the elements I sought to further incorporate: freedom, the history of Bengal, mapping as a tool for control, etc.

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Through making, carving, stamping, imprinting and more, I sought to find a harmonious balance between modern methods of construction that defines The West, with more sensitive, adhoc, and vernacular forms that make up Bengal.

To better incorporate Bengali practices within the intervention, I learnt to do wood carve by hand and produce printing blocks for block printing on fabrics, a Bengali tradition since antiquity

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[Model] This model sets out the basic premise of the proposal in terms of structure, process and materiality [Plan] Using the same play on perspectives that the Mughals are well-known for, I produced this detailed and accurate drawing of site and my intervention 09

The primary structure is made of robust steel frames. This allows for large cavernous spaces to be made within, allowing for larger pieces of timber to be sawn and worked with. This is then intersected by a more delicate wooden frame that creates smaller, more intimate spaces. These spaces allow for traditional wood carving by hand to take place.

Timber Drying Tower

Timber Interior Structure

The rigid grid of the column structures start to fragment as the building rises, providing more opportunity to hang sheets of jute for drying. This is helped by having stepped terraces, reminiscent of Bengali Tea Gardens, which allow for more drying space to make use of the full sun as it moves across the site; reducing dependency on mechanical drying methods.

Timber Platforms for Hand-Carving Wood Timber Sun and Wind Drying Screens

Recycled Brick Lift Core Timber Pontoon Timber Wrap-Around Terrace and Walkway Steel Grid Façade Structure Recycled Brick Wood Workshop

Plans showing how the central vista allows for maximum sunlight to enter the site, helping with climate control and drying jute

Hempcrete Classes and Offices

Concrete Base

No jute occupation

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Full jute occupation

1:50 facade study in relation to the view from the canal

Primary Structure Steel Beams

Secondary Structure Square-Cut Timber Beams

Tertiary (Façade) Structure Steel Grid

These drawings show the summer (above) and winter (below) airflows within the building.

The opening and closing of the kinetic screens allows for the climate to be controlled using the prevailing North-South winds.

This not only cools the building in summer, but also allows for small particles from the wood workshops to be effectively and safely removed from the building.

The sheets of jute also serve two purposes: the first being a way of recycling existing jute textiles from this part of London, and the other being a way to provide shading in the summer, while being removed in the winter to allow the full winter sun to enter.

[Far Right] This image shows the light conditions of the late-afternoon in summer. The openings throughout the west facade have been covered with jute screens, for both its aesthetic light and climate control qualities

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The building consists of two landscapes, the kinetic jute drying screens that form the canal-facing facade of the building, and the interior drying, splicing, and carving spaces that form the central U shape of the building. The project has a dense core and base indicative of modern construction and Western ideas of architecture, but is then intersected and broken up by a more delicate wooden-frame method of construction, indicative of Bengali methods building. The lines between these two, and the subsequent spaces they create are blurred; just as the lines between the colonised and the coloniser are too in the programmatic use of the space.

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A Town That Was Year 02 - Second Sem. Tutors - S. Saleem & B. Irwin Location - Tilbury, Essex What good is a museum if the town won’t exist in 25 years? That’s the question I first asked myself when reading the brief.

I wanted to look at how I can try and create a museum that is able to give back to the underfunded and oft-overlooked community that surrounds it. This led me to making a proposal that created a new greenheart in the town, that will also then become a fortress against the rising sea-levels that are forecast to arrive soon.

This project helped me to consider other factors relating to the climate, environment, socio-economic integrity and more when approaching a project, and how architecture can be used as a tool to enrich all of this and more.

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Through models, drawings, sketches and digital renders I was able to come to a design conclusion that would be of use both now and in the future.

The proposal has two key aspects. The at-grade part of the museum is a public park, with the culturally significant war-memorial being moved into the centre of it. The existing library structure would be retained for regular museum services and amenities, while an underground exhibition hall would allow local residents to bring in their personal belongings for display; for what is an artefact except a really old shoe or cooking utensil?

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[Above] A render from the new town square showing how it is able to inject greenery into what is currently a wasteland [Opposite] The ground floor plan showing the integration of the protective mound and the existing library

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Outside The Glass Box Year 02 - First Sem. Tutors - S. Saleem & B. Irwin Location - The British Museum, Holborn The British Museum houses hordes of goods from across the world, but it fails to capture the complex connections between communities, that transcended culture, faith, race and place. This proposal sought to break through the walls that forces us to have a homogenised view of the world by creating new connections between existing exhibits.

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Final proposal in place

Designing solidity through materiality and colour

Solidity of the museum vs. fluidity of its artefacts

Investigating influences through decomposition

Investigating the influences of Islamic art through collage

A museum full of connections, broken by walls

Investigating the depth of Islamic patterns

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21.54m

21.52m

21.54m 21.10m

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20.97m

Slate tiles to match existing

Timber fascia 19.47m

19.65m

19.64m

Lead coloured zinc

Timber-framed windows

Lead cheeks Timber lining to dormer Lead cladding

Existing stock brick Dark tone brick

Proposed extension to existing brick detailing

Dark PPC metal balustrade

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Zinc gutter and RWP

Proposed window to match existing

Dark PPC aluminium framed glazing

Existing building

A

1. All Dimensions in mm unless stated otherwise.

2. Do not scale this drawing. All dimensions to be verified by the contractor befor work is commenced.

3. Architect to be notified immediately if any discrepancies are found.

4. All shop drawings to be approved by Architect before work commences.

5. All details to be in accordance with relevant British Standards and manufactures recommendations and specification.

6. This drawing is the property of Stolon Studio Ltd, copyright reserved. This drawing is not to be copied, reproduced, retained or disclosed to any unauthorised person either wholly or in part without the specific consent in writting of Stolon Studio.

7. All work to be carried out by a competent contractor working, where appropriate, to an agreed method statement

The Studio, Unit A, Willow House, Dragonfly Place, London, SE4 2FJ | 020 3355 9533 | mail@stolon.co.uk

NOTE: This drawing is produced based upon Survey information by others and Stolon Studio Ltd take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

Drawing Title

Proposed West Elevation (Rear) Project Details Project No. 023 High Street Rochester 38-40 High Street Rochester Kent ME1 1LD

It is proposed fire protection will be through the means of a mist sprinkler system. This is to be assessed by a indepentant fire consultant and/or in conjunction with building control.

Notes, including Significant Health, Safety & Environmental information relating to CDM:

Scale:

1 : 100 @ A3

First Issue: Status:

Drawing No.

06/09/19 Planning

023-S3-P301 rev B

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Stolon Studio Ltd Unit A, Willow House, Dragonfly Place, London, SE4 2FJ 020 3355 9533 mail@stolon.co.uk

PROJECT DETAILS

Project No. 023 High Street Rochester

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Please note that all details shown on GAs are generated Rev automatically by the computer software, and are not to A be used for reference or construction. For all interface details, please refer to 1:5 drawings.

This drawing is produced based on Survey information by others and Stolon Studio Ltd take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

4 Date 24/08/2023

5m Description Planning Issue

DRW CHK

CLIENT

FIRST ISSUE

SCALE

1:50 @ A3 @ DRAWING TITLE

DRAWING TITLE

023-S3-P205

Application A - Proposed No.38 Coloured Elevation

Professional Practice Stolon Studio Stages 2-6

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[This Page] Located in Rochester, the client wanted to add a new floor to an existing building and create new housing in a vacant plot next door; all in a conservation area and in clear site of a scheduled monument.

[Opposite] In Hereford, multiple barns that had been in a state of disrepair have been converted into high-spec, sustainable housing. It fosters new connections through a shared landscape and central courtyard, while still providing ample space for wildlife to thrive.

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A200

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A300

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A200

1. All Dimensions in mm unless stated otherwise.

2. Do not scale this drawing. All dimensions to be verified by the contractor befor work is commenced.

3. Architect to be notified immediately if any discrepancies are found.

4. All shop drawings to be approved by Architect before work commences.

5. All details to be in accordance with relevant British Standards and manufactures recommendations and specification.

6. This drawing is the property of Stolon Studio Ltd, copyright reserved. This drawing is not to be copied, reproduced, retained or disclosed to any unauthorised person either wholly or in part without the specific consent in writting of Stolon Studio.

7. All work to be carried out by a competent contractor working, where appropriate, to an agreed method statement 8. This drawing is produced based on Survey information by others and Stolon Studio Ltd take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

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Notes, including Significant Health, Safety & Environmental information relating to CDM

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Roof

Roof

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8000

Please note that all details shown on GAs are generated automatically by the computer software, and are not to be used for reference or construction. For all interface details, please refer to 1:5 drawings.

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1. All Dimensions in mm unless stated otherwise.

2. Do not scale this drawing. All dimensions to be verified by the contractor befor work is commenced.

3. Architect to be notified immediately if any discrepancies are found.

4. All shop drawings to be approved by Architect before work commences.

5. All details to be in accordance with relevant British Standards and manufactures recommendations and specification.

6. This drawing is the property of Stolon Studio Ltd, copyright reserved. This drawing is not to be copied, reproduced, retained or disclosed to any unauthorised person either wholly or in part without the specific consent in writting of Stolon Studio.

7. All work to be carried out by a competent contractor working, where appropriate, to an agreed method statement 8. This drawing is produced based on Survey information by others and Stolon Studio Ltd take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

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Notes, including Significant Health, Safety & Environmental information relating to CDM Please note that all details shown on GAs are generated automatically by the computer software, and are not to be used for reference or construction. For all interface details, please refer to 1:5 drawings.

Bedroom

Kitchen/Living/Dining

11.53 m²

28.84 m²

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7 038-FLOOR_Cassette 4800

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6 Storage 2.09 m²

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5 Bathroom

A300

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A300

A300

3.96 m²

4 900

3.08 m²

02_Eaves 5275

Circulation

4.22 m²

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038-FLOOR_Beam 4 4800

WC

02_Eaves 5275

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038-STAIRS_Stright 900mm 038-FLOOR_Cassette 2 3600

12.34 m²

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A300

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Project Name: Project Adress: Scale:

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Plans

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Revision 2 First issue Description

000 BYGO Enter address here 1 : 50 @ A3 09/18/23 Project Status A100

Rev. :

B

00_Ground Floor SSL 0 -270 Unit A, Willow House, Dragonfly Place, London SE4 2FJ 020 3355 9533 mail@stolon.co.uk

00_Ground Floor SSL 0 -270

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Rev

Drawing Title:

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Scale:

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Sections 000 BYGO Enter address here 1 : 50 @ A3 09/25/23 Project Status A200

Rev. : B

Unit A, Willow House, Dragonfly Place, London SE4 2FJ 020 3355 9533 mail@stolon.co.uk

23/10/2023 13:29:28

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Principal Bedroom

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Not Enclosed

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23/10/2023 13:29:27

Circulation

Welcomes you to the future of construction, where you’re in charge.

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SE Axo - Top

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Professional Practice Stolon Studio Stages 3-5 [This Page] I’m helping to develop a modular housing system which is capable of being built by two people using only a hammer. It has heavy implications, in that it can easily be rolled out to disaster-struck parts of the world with ease.

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BYGO by Abode Industries, is the first fully

[Opposite] In Norwich, this housing development caters to various housing desires of those in the local community and beyond. Being on a functional flood-plain meant creative solutions and design to facilitate water retention.

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Town Hall of OURS - Watercolour, pen

Personal Projects

Who Am Us? - Watercolour, pen

Various Years The projects shown here speak to my innate desire to want to learn about myself, and through it, about the world. I’m intrigued to see what colours, languages, art styles, sacrifices, pain, suffering, love and hope those around me go through and associate with. I believe that this intrinsic desire I have is what propelled me to wanting to become an architect, where I can take the lessons I’ve learnt to design beautiful, functional and nuanced responses to the problems we all face.

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Muktijoddha - Acrylic, pen, pastel, pencil

Words of Mine - Photography, pen, collage

A Silent Poem - Pencil, pen

Hear Me Out - Photography, pen

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