Part 2 Portfolio - March 2024

Sustainable Urban Futures: Unlocking Value From Plastic Waste and Improving Liveability in Kerala

I contributed to the Liveable Urbanism research project using complex systems analysis to understand how the urban form of growing cities in Kerala afects quality of life. Supported by the Keralan Government and Calicut Mayor’s Ofce, we produced an in depth research booklet presenting data and analysis of liveability in Calicut. Our holistic urban strategy included densifcation within a green belt, new public transport systems, mobile childcare units, and a new waste collection system with a network of decentralised waste processing facilities.

As a result of this, I have a very strong understanding of the knock-on efects of even small architectural interventions on the social, economic and environmental quality of life and sustainability of the city.

The plastics processing facility is located on the edge of a residential area next to a polluted canal. From here it collects household waste as well as removing pollution from and purifying the canal before it reaches the ocean. A centre for community upcycling is entwined with the industrial plastic processing taking place, exposing visitors to the process and encouraging them to take more responsibility of their waste.

The plastics processing facility in the style of BV Doshi’s traditional Indian miniatures.

The layout of this plastics recycling scheme is designed around the processes and fows of people, plastic and water through the site, enabling efcient operation.

The coastal facility is detailed to adapt to future challenges.

In 2023, the concrete base functions as a hard wearing factory foor with high ceilings.

In 2070, after water level has risen and there is no need for a plastics recycling centre, beams can rest on top of the concrete base and form a new, raised foor to repurpose the interior spaces. MArch

Revit + Photoshop

Hand drawn + Photoshop

This is not my drawing but shows the scheme!

Somer’s Orchard: A

Mixed Tenure Housing Scheme

Somer’s Orchard is a mixed tenure housing regeneration scheme providing 450+ mixed tenure homes in Portsmouth and aiming for Passivhaus certifcation. Joining at the start of RIBA Stage 3 as one of a team of 4, I took on responsibilities above those of a Part 1, and as the team grew I became a core member with deep knowledge of the project.

I helped to design and test diferent unit layouts using the space requirements from the London Housing Design Guide, including annotating units with accessibility requirements from Approved Document M4(3). I used sketching and modelling to iterate, communicate 3D ideas and gather feedback from the clients and community members at regular panels and events. Karakusevic

I produced many elevation studies to develop the facade design and materials, as well as extracting from Revit and refning many plan, section and elevation drawings for issue at various stages.

Part of my Passivhaus responsibility was correctly assigning wall types in Revit to produce plan drawings. This gave me a strong understanding of how diferent wall requirements (e.g. thermal insulation and fre resistance) interface with structural elements in the plan.

Right upper: Increased insulation for the Passivhaus envelope resulted in changes to foor to ceiling height under terrace levels, and introduced deep layers to the facade designs. I understand the implications that Passivhaus can have, and the need to design from the beginning with it in mind.

Right lower: Using Rhino I modelled shading studies to maximise solar shading in summer and allow sunlight in during winter, testing chamfered window reveals, vertical and horizontal shading across diferent sized windows and orientations.

Karakusevic

Levels Study: Typical Terrace Condition

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Drainage/Waterproofng:

Technical Design of Hillside Eco-Garage with Terraced Planters

Nestled into the steep hillside, the structure features a sedum roof upheld by graceful curved glulam beams, echoing the existing house form. I developed and detailed the landscape design, responding to the clients’ desire for a planter wall reminiscent of the ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon’. Two curved retaining walls with built in planters captured the vision in the challenging and limited space. Throughout the process, I coordinated regularly with clients and a structural engineer to ensure a seamless realization of their vision.

Batterham

Hand sketching

I used Revit to put together the Stage 4 technical design package for the garage outbuilding adjacent to an eco-house designed by BSA years earlier.

Batterham

Redefning Rural Education after COVID19

COVID-19 imposed new ways of working fexibly and remotely, opening the door for migration to rural areas for access to space and nature. This project explores how this could afect rural communities and how architectural intervention can facilitate this transition.

Cymmer is a former coal mining town in South Wales.This proposal replaces the failed traditional school with a vocational education facility and social spaces. During term time, the school teaches technical skills and links with local businesses to support the growing resident population. During summer, the same spaces support the sports tourism industry and local community.

Local materials including timber and rammed earth anchor the proposal in the beautiful landscape and further amplify the connection to the environment sought after by new residents. Existing and forgotten features like the river and historic viaduct are highlighted by a new axis of travel from the road to the water’s edge.

Taking advantage of the stunning natural and heritage features was a key driver to the design concept of the school. These included the historic viaduct, steep valley to the river, and existing access paths through the forest.

Right: The scheme optimally utilizes timber cladding and exterior insulation to leverage the earth’s high thermal mass in strategic spaces. Where earth is exposed externally, erosion check tiles eliminate the need for a roof overhang.

Metal coping

Concrete ringbeam

Sedum roof

Reed insulation

Granulated earth and trass

Local log beams

Concrete lintel

Rammed earth structural wall

Breathable reed insulation

Breathable membrane

Air cavity

Burnt timber cladding

Breathable clay plaster

Reed insulation

Clay erosion checks

Concrete lintel

Damp proof course

Concrete plinth

AutoCAD + Photoshop

Crafted for duality: the Forest Retreat is designed for tranquil solitude and self refection in the daytime, and vibrant communal gatherings around a campfre after nightfall.

Models were used to understand the role that light plays during both phases. Rammed earth is a very tactile material, where shadows over the layers and rough surface can change the feeling of the material hugely.

Concrete + cardboard

Model Making at KCA

Timber, acrylic, sprayed foam 1:2000