PORTFOLIO
JULIA NAWA
UNDERGRADUATE 2020-2024
JULIA NAWA
I have always been passionate about exploring the dynamic relationship between people, place, and structure. My work is deeply rooted in research, whether it's delving into social and political contexts, designing immersive interiors, or capturing the essence of a space through sketching and photography. Each project is an opportunity to craft environments that evoke feeling, curiosity, and foster connection
This portfolio is a collection of my undergraduate works, reflecting my journey of blending my studies in architecture, urban design, interior design, and my personal artwork.
Contact me:
630-488-9126
juliasharon5@gmail.com
www.linkdin.com/in/julia-nawa
01 RESTAURANT MAAEMO
Cincinnati, Ohio
Year 3
Fall Interior Design Studio
Michelin Chef Esben Holmboe Bang owns a worldrenowned restaurant in Oslo, Norway. He focuses on traditional and organic food sourced in Norway. Our project was to design a new restaurant for the chef in Cincinnati, OH, creating a new space and a branding concept for the chef to bring to the US representing the chef’s style and cuisine
Maaemo is the traditional Finnish word for “mother earth”. The chef’s focus on combining traditional Norwegian food with a modern twist is represented by the strong use of wood, traditional Scandinavian patterns, and comfortable atmosphere. Drawing from Chef Bang’s danish background, the restaurant design is rooted in Hygge, the danish practice of togetherness, comfort, and well-being.
LOGO CREATION
Phase 1 of the project involved in-depth research into the chef, his culinary approach, and his cultural background. I examined the use of organic Norwegian ingredients, traditional and modern Norwegian architecture, and the chef's Danish roots. This research informed the restaurant's branding, where I derived the logo from the forms of Norway's abundant pine trees.
The vibrant natural colors of the dishes inspired a muted, natural interior palette, ensuring the cuisine remains the focal point. The overall ambiance reflects the Danish concept of 'hygge,' fostering comfort and warmth. Additionally, the dishes were studied for compostion and form, them custom place settings were designed to complement the theme and structure
TRADITIONAL NORDIC + MODERN NORDIC
THE CHEF +THE DISH
Digital oil painting of dish study
Phase 2 focused on designing the "ideal dining room," a private space tailored to enhance the dining experience and complement the serving style. Drawing inspiration from Hygge, the room features a central hearth, fostering warmth and communal connection around the fire, food, and company.
Surrounding the hearth, intimate seating allows guests to retreat into private gatherings. The contrast between the central communal area and the private seating reflects a balance between community and solitude, social interaction and personal intimacy.
THE IDEAL DINING ROOM
02 TRIANGLE TRANSIT
Oxford, Ohio
Year 2
Fall Architecture Studio
Triangle Transit is a transit shelter located in Artz Park, a small triangular park in Oxford, Ohio. The concept guiding my project is inspired by origami, focusing on the creation of spaces through folds to explore themes of interconnection. The design, influenced by the site's unique shape, features dramatic angles that harmonize with the surrounding environment while providing a protective shelter over the train platform.
The shelter's design contrasts open and enclosed spaces, reflecting the interplay of folds and their relationship with the train tracks, park, and bus stop. This approach not only enhances the functionality of the space but also visually integrates the structure with its context, creating a cohesive and dynamic architectural statement.
1.Bike Rack
Restroom
Bus Stop
Train Platform
South Entrance
Public Park Area
03 URBAN ENCLAVE
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Year 3
Fall Luxembourg Studio
The Urban Enclave is a habitat for digital cosmopolites, imagined in a collaborative project developed during a study abroad program in Luxembourg. The goal was to design a self-sustaining facility to house political refugees, quarantined individuals, and teleworkers. The site, a 15-story Brutalist building in the heart of Luxembourg’s business district, serves as the canvas for this adaptive reuses project.
Our design process began by exploring the concept of the enclave, translating these insights into a building that merges space, time, and human interaction. As one enters the structure, guiding walls and pathways draw them deeper into the enclave, restricting egress like a clockwork mechanism. Each shift in movement is precisely measured, with public spaces remaining accessible, while private apartments and quarantine areas become increasingly secluded. This strategic layering not only enhances privacy but also fosters a sense of community at every level, while keeping safety a priority for the quarentined residents.
Team Members: Lilli Kleeman & Caroline Szekely
In the design, there is a convergence of spaces, time, and people. As one enters the building, guiding walls and paths bring individuals into the enclave, and limit their ability to exit. Like a clockwork mechanism, each change in movement is guided by a measured amount.
The floors ascend based on the time individuals spend in a space and how they use it. Public spaces remain more accessible, while apartments and quarantine spaces remain less accessible. This causes a marble effect, where the smallest portion of the population is at the highest point and the largest pools at the bottom.
DIAGRAM PROCESS
Original Enclave: Magok Plaza, South Korea
04 BORDERS & BOUNDARIES
Del Rio, Texas
Year 3
Spring Architecture Studio
“Borders & Boundaries” explores the multifaceted concept of boundaries through three distinct phases: "The Self," "The Each Other Collective," and "Borders, Boundaries, and the Imaginary."
1. “The Self”: A reflection on personal heritage and experiences with borders, culminating in individual art installations. These were later merged into a collective mural in collaboration with a local Del Rio artist, symbolizing the intersection of personal boundaries within the group.
2. :The Each Other Collective”: In-depth research into the political, historical, and social context of the sister cities Del Rio, TX, and Acuña, MX. The class visited the border, engaging with government officials and locals to understand the border's significance to the communities.
3. “Borders, Boundaries, and the Imaginary”: Project proposals to address the needs of Del Rio. My contribution is the transformation of a deteriorating public park into a Migrant Respite Center, a Guatemalan Consulate, and a Cultural Center, all centered around a revitalized community park.
The “Self” project explores the boundaries of memory, inspired by Alzheimer's and the contrast between my family's welldocumented German heritage and the absence of records on the other side. I created a sculpture of books that narrate my life and ancestry, with ink splotches and torn pages gradually obscuring the text to symbolize the fading of memories, much like the effects of Alzheimer's. The project questions what happens when past stories become unreadable, and our own stories risk being lost.
After our presentations, my classmates and I collaborated with Del Rio artist Adrian Falcon on a mural that integrated elements from each of our "Self" projects. This mural was featured in the 2023 Venice Biennale as part of the "Time, Space, Existence" exhibition highlighting the intersection of personal stories with borders and boundaries.
THE SELF
“The Self” Personal Exhibit Venice Bienalle Exhibit
LEVEL 1 FLOOR PLAN
Sketch Perspective: Courtyard of Migrant Shelter
Sketch Perspective: Connection between Consulate and Cultural Center
05 PACIFIC RESILIENCE INSTITUTE
Vancouver, Canada
Year 4
Spring Architecture Studio
After Vancouver has faced the rain, the city is flooded 100 feet. The marine environment is disrupted, people are displaced, and life in the city is forever changed. A research institute is founded to explore and analyze the aftermath of the rain apocalypse and is tasked with rehabilitating Vancouver’s coastal ecosystem. Collaboration between the public, the government, and the private sector is necessary to restore a balanced environment in Vancouver.
The institute is built into the remaining cliffside of Stanley Park. Broken up by function, the structure consists of extruding boxes from the cliffside, all centered around a hinge, acting as the central circulation. Each ‘box’ drops down the cliff. Giving access to the water while doing little to disrupt the natural environment of the park.
Our studio was challenged to conceptualize an apocalyptic scenario as the foundation for our aftermath design project. Through a creative and analytical approach, I visually represented this narrative using photo collage, capturing the thematic essence of a post-apocalyptic world in which Vancouver faces a 100 foot rise in sea level. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive site analysis, focusing on the areas most likely to be affected, ensuring our designs were contextually grounded.
THE PROCESS
PRIVATE SECTOR FLOOD
LOCAL CITIZENS
PUBLIC SECTOR
STANLEY PARK
-1,001 acre park
-Highest point: 296 ft above sea level
-1500 native species of plants, fungi, and -animals
-National historic site of Canada
-Over 400 species of fish
LIONSGATEBRIDGE
06 PERSONAL ARTWORK
This collection showcases my exploration of various artistic mediums, including graphite, colored pencil, digital collage, oil painting, watercolor, and photography. Each medium offers a unique way to convey emotion, narrative, and texture, allowing me to experiment with different techniques and perspectives. Through this body of work, I seek to expand my creative range and deepen my understanding of visual expression.
Santorini - Oil Paint
Lips - GraphiteGreek
Street - Watercolor
Eye - Graphite
Station 11 - Mixed Media
Gattica - Photo Collage
I lived in Luxembourg for a semester to study abroad. Each weekend, as I travelled with my classmates to a new country, I brought my camera. Walking around, we would find spots to stop and take everything in: the views, the sounds, languages being spoken, the smell of local food.
I wanted to capture these moments - display the living beings as I saw them in the moment. A women keeping her newspaper dry in the rain, a boy watching his little brother play, a young girl standing in the river of her small town In Southern France, a rowing team setting up for practice in Florence, a cat napping in the shade.
It is the moments like these: natural, unplanned, and a need to pay close attention, that I remember my time abroad.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Rainy Day in Belgium Sicilian Woman on her balcony
Rowing Team in Florence
Brothers in Sicily
Cat Naps in Greece
