My name is Kawshik Murali and I am an Architectural Engineering Student at the University of Waterloo.
Over the course of my undergraduate studies and co-op experiences, I have discovered a passion for building enclosures and sustainable architecture. I enjoy combining architectural creativity with typical engineering practices to generate ideas that compose captivating buildings. I strive to further my understanding of these concepts and develop my technical breadth with a variety of different systems and technologies.
This portfolio is a collection of some work exemplars and projects that I have dedicated numerous hours to over the past few years, with a general focus on detailing building enclosures Please contact me if you have any questions, comments, or general feedback!
Enjoy! Sincerely,
Kawshik Murali
COLONEL DICKSON COMMUNITY CENTER 01
Course: AE 300 Architectural Engineering Studio 1
Team: Aman Chand, Amrit Mangat, Liam Joseph Bray
Software: Revit 2025
Date: June 2024 – August 2024
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
KEY SPACES AND FEATURES
• GYMNASIUM
• MAIN LOBBY
• COMMUNITY LOUNGE
• CHANGEROOMS
• MEETING ROOMS
• LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
KEY SPACES AND FEATURES
• PUBLIC LIBRARY
• VEGETATIVE BALCONY
• VIEWING TRACK
• MULTI-PURPOSE ROOMS
• KITCHEN
The Colonel Dickson Community Center (CDCC) is a new community hub located in Cambridge, Ontario Housing a library, gymnasium, and various communal and corporate spaces, the building is welcoming to all members of the community
The overall design aims to captivate the local neighbourhood and invite pedestrians to experience all that CDCC has to offer With a vegetative balcony and cantilevered library façade, CDCC uses complex enclosure methods to ensure all occupants are surrounded by the unique design choices that define the architectural intent of the building The building is clad with a mix of wood slats, aluminum composite panels, and stone composite panels, with plenty of glass to let occupants connect with the outdoors
ELEVATIONS
NORTH ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION EAST ELEVATION
VEGETATIVE BALCONY
The vegetative balcony is located adjacent to the viewing track surrounding the gymnasium. The balcony is cantilever from the primary structure with a tension cable that connects it to the roof structure, resembling a simply-supported system. The balcony itself is split into two parts: the maintenance walkway and the vegetation itself. The walkway is finished with pavers on pedestals, allowing workers to safely access the vegetation. These two parts of the balcony are lined with modified-bituminous waterproofing and features an aluminum composite (ACM) panel fascia with a wooden panel soffit
LIBRARY BOXOUT FACADE
The library boxout façade is one of the most prominent features in the building enclosure, giving the community center its welcoming character. The white outline of the boxout projects over the sidewalk and identifies the extents of the library located at the east wing of the building. The boxout is clad with aluminum composite panels (ACM) and transitions to a wooden panel soffit. Due to project time constraints, we were unable to include the vertical fins in the detail within the expected timeline to focus on other higher priority deliverables.
The Tiny Library is a project that encourages the consideration of climate variables in making design decisions. Phoenix’s hot, arid climate can provide great benefit in applying passive design strategies to enhance the occupant experience within the library. By analyzing the sun path during the summer and winter months and the wind behaviour in Phoenix, we decided to prioritize sun-shading, natural daylighting and natural ventilation in our library design.
CLIMATE STUDY AND MODEL
Prior to drafting the preliminary design, we examined a sun path and wind analysis using Climate Consultant and CBE Clima Tool. These resources provided the information to base our design decisions.
The project initially required us to create a 3D model of the library using foamcore and other materials. This 3D model must have an overall window-to-wall ratio (WWR) of 30%. The model was further studied on a temporary heliodon with the equipment available.
To best leverage the abundant sunlight in Phoenix, we used vertical fins on the east and west elevations to welcome the early morning sunlight while blocking out the excessive solar heat gains in the mid to late afternoon. The extended roof overhang further aids the prevention of solar penetration in the early afternoon.
FLOOR PLAN
The 18 m x 10 m tiny library design is governed by a central seating area in the shape of a segmented infinity loop. The infinity loop design is projected up into the central light fixture. Beyond the light fixture is a dual-purpose, mechanicallyautomated recessed roofing system that promotes natural daylighting during the day and night-flushing during the night by opening the glazing units to let warm air exit the building. The interior is primarily finished with wood to foster productivity and wellness.
The library includes 40 m of linear bookshelves in varying lengths to meet the project requirements. An exterior seating area is located in the corridor between the exterior wall and shading device on the east elevation.
ELEVATIONS AND SECTIONS
The library design uses a combination of copper, fiber cement, and terracotta cladding around the building. The materials were selected based on architectural vision and thermal performance considering the extreme heat in Arizona. Behind the cladding systems is a concrete masonry backup wall to leverage the benefits of thermal mass to passively cool to interior space.
The renders shown above and below encompass the cladding selections on the west and east façades, respectively. Both elevations use angled vertical fins to mitigate solar heat gain and glare at different times of the day. The render below highlights the vertical fin corridor shading at 7 am (on the right) and 10 am (on the left). By noon, the roof overhang becomes the primary source of shading.
Course: AE 200 Enclosure Design Studio
Team: Aman Chand, Tania Hagopian, Olivia Joyce Lum
Environment 1 (EV1) is the oldest building in the environment faculty at the University of Waterloo. Standing over 50 years, it is home to 2500 students and staff members and features classrooms, office spaces and study rooms.
With evidence of a decaying solid masonry façade, occupants are often uncomfortable due to the poor thermal performance of the enclosure system and opt to work on other parts of campus.
This project aims to revamp the central building of the environment with a striking new façade that improves on performance and aesthetics.
3 Main Design Objectives:
• Energy performance and air tightness
• Low maintenance materials
• Occupant comfort
Please note that the scope of work is limited to the southeast wall, highlighted in red on the right
To kick off the EV1 Reclad Project, we conducted some research using IR imaging to expose the underperforming façade. Images were taken on a day where the exterior temperature was around 0°C. The top two images highlight how the interior temperature seeps to the exterior wall and the bottom shows the reverse operation. The lack of air tightness is a large factor in the occupant discomfort in EV1.
EV1’s brand new enclosure system features an aluminum-composite panel exterior, alternating between grey and green strips. The most distinct feature in the upgrade is the shading device, specifically designed to give the façade function and character. With a vision to incorporate biomimetic design, the cavity in the shading device form a leaf shape, ultimately emphasizing the presence of an environment building.
Situated on the southeast side of the building, the façade will receive an abundance of sunlight throughout the year. The shading device aims to combat the morning sun from the east and the peak sun from the south, allowing occupants to rest assured glare will not impact their workflow.
The southeast part of EV1 is home to office spaces for staff members; one common complaint we received from occupants on all three floors was the lack of natural light entering their offices during the day. The new design has increased the window-to-wall ratio (WWR) from 15% to 26%.
This project aligns with the University of Waterloo’s climate action plan Shift:Neutral to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The design aims to limit the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by creating an enclosure system that prevents the overcompensation of operational procedures.
ELEVATIONS
MODIFIED WALL SECTION
PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION
With the University of Waterloo offering co-op for most of their programs, it is pivotal to finish the retrofit in a short period of time. To accelerate the construction process, the design features prefabricated construction for the second and third floor enclosure system. The prefab panel consists of the ACM panels and windows within a bay of the façade, It also features the hollow structural steel supports for the shading device, allowing for relatively quick installation on site.
SHADING DEVICE
Using hydroforming technology, the shading device is tailored to shade against the sun path hitting the southeast wall of EV1. It allows natural light to enter the office spaces while minimizing glare, ultimately improving workflow and sense of wellness.
INTERIOR SUN STUDY RENDERS
WATERLOO PARK PAVILION PROJECT 04
Course: AE 125 Structural Design Studio
Team: James Wong, Gabriel Codina, Olivia Joyce Lum
Software: AutoCAD 2021, Rhino 3D, Enscape
Date: June 2022 – August 2022
The Waterloo Park Pavilion Project targets improving the cultural identity of the Kitchener-Waterloo region. With a rising tech-hub, cultural festivals and two neighbouring universities, the City of Waterloo lacks a central symbol that encompasses its identity.
The mass timber structure brings a new, central landmark for students, pedestrians and artists to gather and celebrate together. The new pavilion features:
• A seating area to relax from the sun, play board games and share a meal
• A performance stage open to the public for children and singers to share their talent
• Display cases for the City of Waterloo to showcase local artwork
ORTHOGRAPHIC DRAWINGS
FRONT ELEVATION
SECTION
LEFT ELEVATION
RIGHT ELEVATION
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
The pavilion features a glulam structure that is anchored down with a steel plate into the concrete footing to prevent lateral movement and provide a fixed moment connection. The floor layout features a circular ring for the beams to attach to and support the joists running above. The glulam beams sit in a galvanized steel column base to connect to the footing to act as a structural system for the floor joists. The combination of 2 structural systems was to ensure both dead and live loads were sufficiently supported for occupant flow and harsh weather climates.
ROOF FRAME PLAN
FRONT FRAME ELEVATION
DECK FRAME PLAN
LASER CUT 3D MODEL
05
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY GRADUATE RESIDENCE
SOBOTEC ALUMINUM COMPOSITE PANEL STACKS
Company: Sobotec Ltd.
Team: Dale Thring, Alex Dundas
Software: AutoCAD 2022
Date: October 2022– December 2022
The new McMaster University Graduate Residence in Hamilton, Ontario features Sobotec’s ALUCOBOND® panels. Stacks of 4-10 panels make up the striking façade, each panel with a different nosing profile to create a unique appearance. Horizontal panels are also included in the design near the slab to round out the cladding. Panels on this project use a proprietary hook-and-pin system developed by Sobotec Ltd.
VERTICAL STACK PANELS
HORIZONTAL PANELS
ON-SITE IMAGES
This image was taken by UrbanToronto Forum member Lachlan Holmes.
HAND SKETCHES + SKETCHING IN NOTES 06
Course: AE 100, AE 101, AE 125
Hand sketches using pencil and pen for a variety of objects, textures and connections. Sketches within notes were done as part of a weekly lecture requirement in an architectural history course taught by Prof. Terri Meyer Boake
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Thank you for taking the time to view my portfolio. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my work. I would be happy to discuss them with you!
