Portfolio by Jaleel Ahmad

Jaleel Ahmad

Best selected works 2018-21

Portfolio.

Professional experience

Resume.

Architect: Site Concepts International, Bangalore, Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2019 • Assisting in preparing design presentation slides as & when required. • Preparing working drawings and detailing during design, development stage, tender stage & construction drawing stage. • Participating in the selection & approval of materials for the project, preparing material board, imagery boards. • Attending design review meetings & participating in discussions • Co-ordinating on services for the project. • Site inspection to ensure the works executed is in line with the design intent. • Preparing site reports, minutes of the meeting. Volunteer: Auroville Botanical Garden, 2017 Workshop: Bamboo Center, Auroville , April 2017 • Learnt bamboo joinery and construction techniques and worked with a team to make a habitable living hut and a temple, out of bamboo. Architect: Sunlit Future, Auroville, Feb 2017 • Handled drafting & 3d modeling for solar panel installation drawings • Handled graphic designing, and created illustrations and presentations for multiple projects and posters. Architect: Rajender Kamakshi & Associates, Jammu, 2016 - 17 • Worked on renovation/ interior design of State Bank of India, Srinagar. • Worked on Bank House, State Bank of India, Srinagar. • Worked on a housing colony for National Agriculture and Rural Bank (NABARD). • Handled architectural drawings, developed design concepts & digital models, and monitoring the site work execution. Architect: STUDIO62, Srinagar 2016 - 17 • Worked on several commissions - designing and renovating residences, interior and furniture design. Architectural Intern: RLDA Studios, Delhi, Sept. - Nov 2013 Architectural Intern: Waseem and Associates, Srinagar, May - Aug 2013 Contact Groenlinglaan 8 3722 VA Bilthoven, Utrecht jaleelahmad62@gmail.com +31-610440858

Education M.Arch: Cracow University of Technology, Kraków, 2020-21 B.Arch: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, India, 2010-15

Skills Languages: English (fluent), Dutch (elementary), Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri Manual: Construction drawings/ sketching, photography. Technical: Autocad, Revit, Sketchup, Adobe Suite, Lumion, TwinMotion, Microsoft Office. Building construction: Building systems, construction administration, installation, new construction,preservation and renovation/ rehabilitation. Project management: Analysis, collaboration, conceptualization, problem solving

About me I have graduated in Masters in Architecture and Urban design from the Cracow University of Technology (with a 4.5 grade on a 5 point scale). I offer 5 years of experience in the field of architecture. I spent these few years, after my graduation, working in India – architect/ graphic designer at a solar company, workshops at a bamboo construction centre, volunteering at a botanical garden, architect at a landscape design organization. I have good communication skills and an efficient team member. I carry out my tasks with commitment. I am open minded to critical and helpful opinions. I am inquisitive, and willing to learn and explore new opportunities. I am enthusiastic about architecture and solving problems with design and architecture. The right portion of my attached resume highlights my career profile and my significant accomplishments that are also in alignment with this position.

Cover letter.

I feel I am a strong candidate for this opening. I welcome the opportunity to speak with you if you feel that I would be a strong candidate for this or any other opening in your organization.

Personal My name is Jaleel Ahmad and I was born and raised in the beautiful valley of Kashmir, India. My childhood was filled with trips to beautifully designed gardens (from the Mughal empire), vernacular traditional architectural design (in the Old historic Town), architectural monuments and the like. My introduction to architecture was thorugh my architectural studies in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, India. The journey made me more curious about the whole process of design construction – from concept and the birth of an idea to its realization. After my graduation, I got the opportunity to design a few individual projects. But soon after, I felt the desire to travel and increase my experience more. I am also a hobbyist photographer, and I enjoy taking portraits of people. Here is a link to my profile, you are welcome to check it out – https://www.instagram.com/jaleelahmad62/ I am available to join. I live in Bilthoven. I have a legal work permit and I don't require sponsorship.

Index.

Cracow University of Technology | Public Library (2020)

Architecture Design

Cracow University of Technology | Masters Thesis - A spiritual and physical healing retreat center, Lage Vuursche (2021)

Architecture Design

Site Concepts International, Bengaluru, India | Professional work experience | Residence for Mr. Raj Menda (2018-19)

Landscape Design

Architectural competition results On 2 March 2021, the contest for the design of the public utility building of Generator Brzegi: House of Literature has been decided. The inspiration for the project's theme was Olga Tokarczuk's Nobelow speech, and the feature involved a library connecting the cultural center. At the same time, during the project works, students paid attention to the implementation of ecological solutions. The competition was held under the honorable patronage of the Mayor of the City and the Borough of Wieliczka Arthur Kozio ła and in collaboration with Peter Krupa, with the mayor of the Investment. The Jury led by the Wieliczka authorities awarded awards and distinctions - recognizing the high level of study and appreciating the diversity in approach to the subject, while also appreciating those works, which addressed the environment in a clear way and appealing to the landscape of the Banks.

Public Library.

Jaleel Ahmed received second place, who created a composition of scattered, smaller and larger spaces, creating an impressive multitude of space for the recipient. In this project, the surrounding green was drawn between the buildings.

Description of the project The subject of the study is the architectural design of a public utility building, Generator Brzegi - HOUSE OF LITERATURE, along with comprehensive site development. The theme is inspired by the words of Olga Tokarczuk, which are a fragment of the Nobel Prize speech entitled, which she delivered in December 2019, receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. The cited speech deals with a series of issues that concern each of us. It summarizes the recent years and the achievements of culture, technology and social issues. It asks questions about the further development of the world and calls for awakening before it is too late. The dimension of Tokarczuk's speech is not only deeply humanistic, but also ecological. It is also a message for architects who should take care of the highest quality of the designed space, being aware that their actions often have an irreversible effect for the world and future generations.

Design concept The site is located in the village of Brzegi, near the Wieliczka. In Brzegi, the Serafa River flows into the Vistula just below the Przewóz Water Barrage. It borders Krakow from the west. The area is not currently used, it does not have significant slopes, it is covered with low greenery. In the negbourhood there is one of the 5 ponds created after flooding the former gravel mine. Ponds are primarily used as fishing grounds. The building is located on the waterfront in a less developed area of the city/town. The building is designed to be more than just a place to read books, but it is also a place for people to work, hold meetings, The HOUSE OF LITERATURE has a customized set of spaces (e.g. rooms, green roof, courtyard, etc.) that combine various functions, and encourage people to form and shape social bonds. As the main building material for the look of the facade and the interiors of the building, I wanted to use concrete and compose a design using concrete, glass and wood. Keeping in mind the carbon footprint of the “infamous building material - concrete”, I implied the use of newer building material technology that involves “curing” concrete and giving it another chance. The texture that concrete provides and the raw feeling is important to the soul of the design of the building facade and its interior. Following are different solutions to the concrete problem that have been developed/ are being developed: Green concrete, Self healing concrete, Concrete reinforced with recycled plastic, Photocatalytic concrete, Earth friendly concrete, Ashcrete, Aggregate replacement, Papercrete, CLT, etc. Instead of normal glass for my building I would like to use transparent solar panels (Photovoltaic glass). Photovoltaic glass is probably one of the most cutting edge new solar panel technology that promises to be a gamechanger in expanding the scope of solar power industry. These are transparent solar panels that can literally generate electricity from windows - in offices, homes, car sunroofs or even smart phones. Blinds are another part of a building's window that can generate electricity using these panels. Finally I wanted to add as much green in my design as poosible. I have added a green coutyard encased in glass in the main corridor of the building and provided vistas/ views out into the green cut-outs or small courtyards that are designed between the rooms on the outside, surrounding the building. They allow sunlight to come inside the building and give a sense of being in nature while being inside. Almost every window looks out onto a nice view with beautiful greenry and a view.

Retreat center.

Introduction The practice of going to places of solace and quietude for meditation, recollection of thoughts and rejuvenation of the human soul is very old in human tradition. Nowadays, people go to retreat centres to be with nature, meditate, or interact with like-minds and socialize. From spiritual/ religious retreats to health/ wellness, from fun/ adventure to peace-seeking retreats, today there are choices for every person. Philosophy The subject of my masters thesis is a retreat center. The Oxford dictionary defines a retreat centre as a place where people go and spend time in prayer, study or relaxation. Retreat centres offer an escape from the daily routine and distractions in the life of the individual to take a step back, rethink and evaluate their purpose in life, or simply meet and socialize with like-minded people. Whatever the challenge or stress that the visitors face, the healing and nurturing environment of the retreats help you heal and feel a sense of connectedness. This is achieved by various body- mind and mindfulness practices and techniques that enable people to be in connection with themselves. Retreats are common in many religions/ faiths, etc. No matter the gender, belief, or nationality of the individual, they realize and hone this greatness existing inside that they rarely experienced in their daily busy lives. They return home with a greater sense of understanding of who they are, a greater sense of self-love and connectedness, and their lives change, and their relationships improve as well. How can architectural design help? Architectural design of human spaces and environment has a much bigger impact than most of such institutions realize. In today’s world, our interaction with nature has reduced to being almost minimal, our nature retreats are reduced to walks on the weekends and vacations/ picnics. Research has shown that patients with window views in their rooms healed quicker and also needed less medication to heal. Test scores in schools improved by 25% where there was good daylight in the classrooms. This shouldn’t be surprising but today, almost 45% of global workers today have no access to daylight and spend their days working in dark and stressful environments. Another study showed that people living adjacent to forests and nature have healthier amygdalas – a part of the brain that deals with emotions, fear, and memories. Using nature and design can therefore be used to help people lead a healthier, happier and more productive life.

Urban analysis The site is located in Nonnenland , a nature sanctuary to the north of Utrecht city, around 17 km away. At present, the site is a part of Landgoed Venwoude, a 16 hectare estate with a villa and other buildings. The estate, at present, houses Venwoude. Venwoude is a training, reflection and retreat centre. Beech and pine trees are some of the types of trees present on the site. This nature preserve is located in the village of Lage Vuursche.15 It has an estimated population of 139 inhabitants. According to a study in 2001, the town’s built up area was 0.04 km² and consisted of only 61 residences. The village is mostly covered by woods and has deciduous, heath and coniferous forests. There are animals and birds living in the forests, as well as roaming cattle. It is located in the center of Netherlands, and is a tourist attraction. There are local walking trails, cycling trails, mini golf and horseback riding for the tourists to enjoy. It is a house to dozens of nationals monuments and historic 18th century architecture houses. The Drakensteyn Castle, private residence to Beatrix, the former queen of Netherlands, is also in the village. The site was selected because it is in close proximity to the city and in close connection with nature. The site is cutoff from the main road. Nestled amongst huge trees and on the edge of a wetland, the site offers promising scope for a well-designed retreat center that takes full advantage of the surrounding nature.

The parking space is hidden from view from the rest of the site.

The parking bays are designed around a “golden-spiral” water feature that ascends towards the sky.

People walking to the building’s entrance pass by a public space in front of the building. This space acts as a buffer between the functions inside the building facility and the functions on the site.

The “open-to-sky” wooden framework also permits the existing trees to continue their life uninterrupted. This has been achieved by creating voids in the wooden platform that serves as the public space.

The above picture shows a clearer view of the public space on the other side.

The below picture shows a view of the elevation. It shows how the corten steel panel are wrapped around the building’s facade.

The users pass through the wooded area, guided on a wooden platform. The scene is almost magical. The path leads to a wooden deck in the center of the labyrinth and the site. This is a meditation zone and a gathering space.

The above picture shows a clearer view of the lake, the deck and the main building.

The wooden path starts from the drop-off area near the entrance and goes over the lake. The path is wide enough for people to walk by and some to stop and take a moment to look at the sun rising/ setting over the horizon. It is one of the most scenic spots in the site.

The main entrance leads directly to the courtyard – a scene of tranquility and a feeling of zen enters the visitor/ user’s body as soon as they enter and “sense” or “feel” the space inside the building’s walls. Below the water body is a “special meditation room for the visitors/ users” where they go one level below and get an opportunity to meditate while looking into the water. The water is filled with aquatic life and can also house focusing elements for the users to gaze and meditate on. Around this water body, there are different rooms allotted to different purposes. There is the admin zone, social zone, and the eating zone. On the other side of the building, the other part of the facility starts – physical wellness and healing area. It is connected to the rest of the building via a corridor that leads to a waiting room. This waiting rooms acts as a buffer between the locker and changing rooms for the wellness facility and the different activity rooms like yoga, massage therapy room, swimming pool, etc. There are three entrance/ exits on the east side of the facility that lead to different zones in the site.

The exposed wooden framework and flooring on a blank white wall and ceiling canvas is meant to create an earthy and grounding energy in the building. It is inspired by Japanese architecture and the works of Kengo Kuma and Shigeru Ban.

The open food court at the north of the facility looks out onto the rest of the facility. It serves the staff and the visitors/ users of the building.

A “modern interior design setting“ in the midst of Japanese inspired architecture brought together by adding greenery.

The picture shows a view of the waiting room from the corridor. From this space, one can further go on to access the locker and changing rooms and the rest of the physical wellness and healing facility.

This picture shows a view of the lounge near the entrance and reception area. The users have a direct view of the open gardens and swimming pool on one side and the water body in the courtyard on the other.

This picture shows a view inside the yoga room on the east end of the facility.

This picture shows a view from the outdoor yoga/ mediation garden.

This shows a view of the courtyard from the admin area and the elevator. Please note how the users are guided through out the building’s circulation with the wooden framework in the design.

This picture shows a view of the courtyard from the main entrance. The viewers get this view as soon as they enter the site.

This picture is a view of the courtyard from the lounge and the reception area.

The picture is a view of the swimming pool where the water therapies shall take place, The pool is an easy-access pool with steps leading to the pool bed. The pool although open-air enjoys privacy from the rest of the site by a modernism-inspired structure. This acts as a screen from the rest of the site and provides the users with a shelter in cases of extreme weather.

There are two ways to get to the swimming pool area – through the building (see white ramp on right side), and through the grounds (see arched entryway made of corten steel).

The picture is of the underwater meditation room below the main courtyard. It looks directly into the water body. The water body will be filled with sculptures to focus on, aquatic life and aquatic plants.

The view shown here is a view of the building from the lake deck, (The view has been captured by the author of this project after hiding the trees layer to give a clearer understanding and view of the building).

This is a detailed section of the single hinge pivot door used for the shown rooms.

This view of the rooms are of the offices of the chairmen/ chairwomen of the facility opening out onto the balcony that looks out into the site.

F44 Bungalow.