Design Philosphy
I value design that revolves around the belief that the built environment should serve as a tool for human connection and fostering communities, and as a bridge to restore society’s relationship to nature. I strive to create inclusive spaces that enhances the well-being and experience of its occupants; as buildings are more than just structure but an environment where people live, work, learn, and interact. With this in mind, I have a special interest in landscape architecture, interior architecture, and sustainability.
Full Portfolio
QR Code
To see all the projects I have done throughout my academic career (including personal art projects) scan the QR code below:
Center for Urban Ecology
Assignment: Originally titled “Building within a Landscape”, the project called for a response to the existing site, by changing the topography and responding to the existing building on site
Level: Undergraduate - Yr 4 - November 2022
Project Type: Cultural - Academic / Institutional - Landscape Architecture
Location: Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Software/Skills: Revit, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Suite - Illustrator/ Photoshop, Draft/Sketching
This project located on the corner of MacArthur Blvd. and Elliot Pl. in Washington, DC is loosely based on the Statue of Liberty museum on Liberty Island as it has a strong relationship between building and site. As the Georgetown Reservoir is positioned directly north of the site, the design references the tranquil journey and natural elements that an occupant can experience through the site and the building.
PRECEDENT ANALYSIS: STATUE OF LIBERTY MUSEUM
EXISTING ELEMENTS CIRCULATION
CENTER V EDGE
SITE PLAN
VIEW OF FRONT FACADE
VIE W OF THE LOBBY
VIEW OF THE LOBBY FROM THE 2ND FLOOR
The design uses the landscape to promote and teach the occupants about sustainable techniques and methods. By introducing these technologies to the general public, the commitment to rebuilding our natural environment and its resources are reinforced and brought to their attention.
2. Water Collection through Columns for Centers Own Reuse
7. Natural Vegetation Garden Helps mitigate sunlight with natural vegetation and tall grass
3. Green Roof 4. Photovoltaic Glass Canopy 6. Man-Made Water Collection Pond on Sites Low Point
5. Permeable Paving along Main Circulation Path and Exhibition Space
1. Radiant Heating
1ST FLOOR PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
VIEWOFEXHIBITION SPACE
THROUGH THE SITE
VIEW OF PLAZA
VIEW OF MAIN PATH
VIEWFROM PLAZA OVERPOND
VIEW OF OUTDOORSANCTUARY
The orchestrated journey through the site offers various meandering paths that adheres to the mission of the center and their values on educating teh public on ecology and promoting teh value of eth natural environment. By providing spaces outdoor exhibition spaces, classrooms, and seting spaces, teaching becomes interactive with nature whilst providing restorative elements indirectly to those who occupy them.
VIEW OF SANCTUARY ENTRANCE TO THE CENTER
VIEW OF
02
New Building Institute
Assignment: Project called for the design of a new office building for the New Building Institute East Headquarters with a building design that achieves Net Zero.
Level: Graduate - Yr 1 - November 2023
Project Type: Commercial / Office - Sustainable / Green DesignLandscape Architecture
Location: Kensington, MD
Collaborator(s): Leticia Ramirez Granados
Responsible for: Sketchup Sefaira, Sustainable Methods Research and Implemenation, MEP [Revit], Orthographics, Diagrams, & Landscaping
Software/Skills: Revit, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Suite - Illustrator / Photoshop / Indesign, Draft/Sketching
*All drawings included are done by me unless stated otherwise
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
PARTI
This project is titled ECO-Core due to the central promenade that serves as the heart of the building and is emphasized by a solar umbrella. The design adheres to NBI’s mission by using design elements that aim to educate the public through visible and interactive sustainable features.
The lush vegetation allows for the outdoor space to be comfortably used throughout the seasons, especially with an emphasis on placing native plants that preserve the existing ecological environment. By incorporating multiple outdoor spaces with a diverse array of functions, the employees and residents of the area can utilize the outdoor spaces for leisure and events outside of business hours.
VIEW OF PATHWAY TO OUTDOOR EVENT SPACE
VIEW OF OUTDOOR CAFE
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
VIEW OF EXHIBIT SPACE
VIEW OF EVENT SPACE FROM BRIDGE
Dwelling in the City 03
Assignment: This project called for a design of an apartment complex for self-sufficient seniors and families with Level: Undergraduate - Yr 3 - May 2022
Project Type: Mixed-Use, Residential Location: U Street, Washington, D.C.
Software/Skills: Revit, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Illustrator, Draft/ Sketching
Located on the corner of Swann St NW and 14th St NW, this playful addition to the historic U Street provides ample outdoor space and communal spaces to promote the idea of community and intergenerational relationships. These large community spaces allow the residents to build a community by sharing spaces and building relationships with each other.
The complex provides two separate stories of community spaces where one story acts as a work/play space for both kids and adults and the other is an outdoor grilling courtyard where families can spend time together. The work/play space allows both the adults and kids to escape the close proximity that are attached to the apartment units.
FACADE ON SWANN ST NW
14th St NW
Swann St
VIEW OF MULTIPURPOSE ROOM
FACADE ON 14TH ST NW
VIEW OF KID’S AREA
2ND FLOOR
ROOF TOP 3RD FLOOR
GROUND FLOOR
VIEW OF 5TH FLOOR COURTYARD
1ST FLOOR
VIEW OF ROOFTOP
Mondawmin Village
Assignment: To create a Master Plan along the Liberty Heights Avenue, specifically for Mondawmin Mall and its surrounding areas.
Level: Graduate - Yr 2 - November 2024
Project Type: Urban Planning
Location: Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD
Collaborator(s): Surani Gunawardana & Enzo Macha de la Cruz
Responsible for: Illustrative Plan, Landscape Designs, Perspectives, Civil Engineering, Travel Posters
Software/Skills: Adobe Suite - Illustrator, Procreate, Sketchbook Pro, AI, Draft/Sketching
*All drawings included are done by me unless stated otherwise
*AXONMETRIC drawn by Surani Gunawardana
Mondawmin Village focuses on connecting the nearby educational institutions to the Mondawmin Metro Stop which has proved itself to be a crucial resource for the Liberty Heights community. The design introduces a dense mixed use development that is programmed with residential, commercial, and work spaces to promote a pedestrian friendly environment.
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN OF MONDAWMIN VILLAGE
PLACE DIAGRAM*
PROPOSED SITE CONNECTIONS*
PARK & PEOPLE ENTRYBEFORE
PARK & PEOPLE ENTRYAFTER GREEN CORRIDOR ENTRYBEFORE GREEN CORRIDOR ENTRYAFTER
PARK & PEOPLE LANDSCAPE PLAN
MONDAWMIN DISCOVERY PARK PLAN
CENTRAL PLAZA LANDSCAPE PLAN
In addition to redesigning the metro station, our design focused on redesigning and providing additional public spaces for the local community and visitors in the area. These designs allow for not only various events to happen but also provide accessible features that appeal to all age groups. After analyzing the issues of our site, we noticed that wayfinding and third spaces were needed to enhance the community’s environment.
Through our design, we are enriching the Liberty Heights community with healthy living amenities and sustainable techniques that will encourage pedestrian activity between local residents and students whilst nurturing the community’s development for longevity.
BUS TERMINAL PLAZA LANDSCAPE PLAN
*progress diagram by myself and final image by Surani Gunawardana
Thesis [In-Progress]
Topic: The thesis asks the question: How can we enhance the contemporary film experience to foster social engagement and support media literacy? Originally titled, ‘Cinema Paradiso: Get Out[side] - Urban Revitalization through Film and Natural Environments’, the thesis explores how film can be a tool to promote socialisation and education. This advocates for society to become more integrated with their community and reinforces the importance of human relationships.
Level: Graduate - Yr 2 - May 2025
Project Type: Cultural - Academic / Institutional
Location: Santa Ana, Panama City, Panama
Software/Skills: Rhino, Adobe Suite - Illustrator/Photoshop, Draft/ Sketching, TBD
The thesis is placed in along Santa Ana Avenue, Panama City, Panama, which is directly northwest of Panama’s historic disrict, Casco Viejo. With such an important site and collection of cultural institutions that demonstrate Panama’s culture, it is important to design a building that not only continues to show the rich cultural and historical value of the country, but also a space that can amplify the experiences and voices of Central Americans.
BEACON DIAGRAM
PANAMA CITY SITE ANALYSIS
THESIS MIND MAP
VISUALIZED CINEMA EXPERIENCES & FEATURES
As a preliminary exercise to the design schemes, various studies and analyses were completed. From visualizing multiple cinema programmes throughout history to drafting mind maps, examining precedents, researching site characteristics, and studying film production processes, an understanding of how to approach the design came to fruition. These explorations can help determine key aspects of the design that could support the thesis.
PRECEDENT STUDYMOLLE ANTONELLIANA
PRECEDENT STUDY - OSLO OPERA HOUSE
INTIAL MASSING STUDIES
PRECEDENT STUDYCONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER CORDOBA
The mallet scheme implements some of the architectural features seen in Panama’s building typologies.
The plug scheme is a derivative of the mallet scheme, where the shape of the entry further pulls in the occupant.
WATERFRONT SITE - PYRAMID SCHEME
WATERFRONT SITE - TERRACE(-ING) SCHEME
INFILL SITE - PLUG SCHEME
INFILL SITE - MALLET SCHEME