PORTFOLIO
Kwatchila Costa
Application for Master of Architecture
W17313043
Through a different Lens | Selected Works
Design Development
Bringing the City to the Site
Right at the beginning of the exhibit. Shows how this exhibit is important to the idea of the creation of a home
No connection between exhibits, one is at the beginning and the other one at the end
Main museum entrance
Exhibit and statue are at different levels, not creating a connection
Start and end of exhibition
Intersecting Shoreditch with the site, creating a narrative and design through relevant references.
Perhaps the fact that this is the back of the building shift some of the focus. However, it is a public entrance and a public garden, making it accessible to everyone
Through A Different Lens
The African Visual Art Centre and Museum
Course: 3rd Year Design, Second semester
Location: Museum of the Home, Shoreditch, London
Typology: Art Centre and Museum
“A museum focused on sharing African Art and its history, connected through an underground passage to my Design 3A project: The New Face of the Museum of the Home – African Art Archive. Simultaneously, it is an art centre for ceramics, sculpture, textile making and painting, with the intent of incentivising black artists, by providing them with a space to be creative. Additionally, the building has an auditorium for educational purposes.”
Through a different Lens | Selected Works
Design Development
Experimentation with physical models
Visual connection between the buildings, inform its materiality
The left curve responds to the existing landscape, as well as to the location of the statue.
The new building still allows the archive to be the main attraction when first entering the garden.
The tree justifies the right side curve of the building, creating a symbol for gathering –Amphithatre
1:50 model and sketches of design and structural development.
Context analysis through a 1:200 concept model, in order to create an appropriate response to the existing buildings, landscape, materiality and the statue.
Through a different Lens
Design Development
Creating a Visual Lens
Finding weaving inside an African home and rationalising how this technique translates on a larger scale. The weaving cladding symbolises a visual lens that allows visitors to see things through the black community’s eyes.
1:200 experiment of interior cladding.
Front Elevation
EXTERNAL WALL TO FLOOR DETAIL
1. Polycarbonate sheet
2.Steel attachment
3.Vapour retarder
4. Rigid insulation
5. Anchor bolts
6. Concrete foundation wall
7. Reinforcing
8. Concrete footing
GARDEN DRAINAGE DETAIL
Vegetation
Earth
Media
KSE Inspection Box
5. Gravel Board 6. Filter layer 7. Drainage
8. Mechanical protection layer
Vegetation
Mechanical Protection Layer
Waterproofing
Thermal Insulation
weaving cladding
walls and foundation
Office Campus
Excerpts of significance contribution as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant at Foster + Partners
Location: United States of America
Typololy: Offices
“ This project blends a contemporary industrial architectural look within a natural park setting, emphasizing harmony between built environments and nature. The park works as an amenity for the employees and city. Interior spaces are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for a variety of uses while maintaining a strong connection to the outdoors.”
Design Riverside Pavilions
Designed in Rhino riverside pavilions with a floating mechanism for the case of flooding.
Diagrams of the mechanism made on Illustrate.
Enhancing Workspace Connectivity
Developed core study, with another colleague, I specifically worked on WCs and stairs and rationalising the circulation and distribution of primary and secondary spaces within an office building and respective diagrams.
Void Placement analysis in plan across three levels.
10 feet wide and 15 feet tall clearance is required for voids for fire safety. In cases where the void is under a double height area, as per the section, and the 15 feet height clearance is not met, the ceiling soffit must be fire rated.
Facade condition 1
10 feet setback required between the void and the facade.
Scenario 1: Clearance is not met, requiring facade setback 10 feet (Red).
This requirement would still be applicable in cases where the void meets the facade in one single corner.
Scenario 2: Clearance is not met, requiring facade to be setback 10 feet (Red) and bridge soffit to be fire rated (Blue).
Hanging Volume with External Flush
Personal Project
Dona Eulalia
Voluntary Work
Location: Luanda, Angola
Typology: Primary School
“Experience as volunteer for the design team for the Dona Eulalia Primary School. This projects was created with intent of providing education to the children from the surrounding neighbourhoods. Aiming for a simple yet effective design, providing all the necessary facilities, classrooms, offices, indoor and outdoor canteen and library, and free extracurricular activities rooms.”
Environmental education was given to the surrounding neighbourhoods and trees were planted down the school’s street.
Annual activities are organized for the neighbourhood’s children, including the primary school students.
Site Plan
Section B | School closeup
Traditional Housing
Social Housing
Voluntary Work
Location: Luanda, Angola
Typology: Residential
Research for housing project to be constructed in Luanda, Angola. Studios, one and two bedroom homes targeted to first home owners, with the intent of being affordable and suitable to low income earners. (Work in progress)
The research will be used to design a housing project for one/two bedrooms for first time home owners in Luanda. The aim is to reduce costs by using locally sourced material and an efficient design sustainable acclimatization.
Thank You.