Leila Rashidian Selected Works

LEILA RASHIDIAN

SELECTED WORKS

01 PRISM MINARET

Tools I Worked with - Laser Cutter •Belt Sander

Materials - Plywood•MDF•Wooden Dowells

Veneer Wood•Cello Sheets

ARC280: Modelling and Fabrication in Design Instructor Nicholas Hoban

This tower is a visionary art and cultural hub nestled in the heart of a bustling city. Inspired by the vibrant hues of stained glass tiles in the Pink Mosque in Shiraz, Iran, the tower's facade is adorned with primary colors, casting a mesmerizing spectrum of light. Embracing the rich heritage of the Middle Eastern community, Prism Minaret symbolizes unity amidst diversity, where tradition meets innovation, celebrating inclusion and harmony in every corner.

02 Prism Minaret Leila Rashidian

extrude a polygon base

pull/push mid-points of each polygon to replicate islamic tiles.

scale to replicate a minaret and rotate for dynamic facades

divide shape into 3 sets of facades + layer the facades to overlap colors

assign parametric Islamic pattern to opaque walls and assign diamond tiling to the stained glass facade

divide tower into 30 floors combine everything for an atrium at the base and recreational spaces and galleries at the top

x2 x2

Panels controlled based on sunlight

Panels controlled based on sunlight

Diamond tiling to refract light in various directions

Base Triangle Duplicate and Stretch Scale and Torsion Facade Tiling Structure Assembly

Prism Minaret Leila Rashidian

02 WISE WATCHER

Tools I Worked with - Jointer • Planer • Table Saw

Miter Saw • CNC • Dremel

Materials - Cherry Wood•Wood Stain•Clear Varnish

ARC384: Machine Design Practices

Instructor Nicholas Hoban

In collaboration with Han Cherry

A component of an exquisite corpse, this owl sculpture demonstrates the capabilities of 4-Axis CNC technology, using a 0.5’’ flat bit and 0.375’’ ball bit to achieve intricate design details.

Inspired by the sculpture of Van Gogh titled “Van Gogh Observes,” the negative of the owl’s expression is carved out of the back. I designed the 3D model, organized the milling operations, and prepared the stock and its dual-sided carving. The statue mirrors the perpetual observation of an owl, capturing its characteristic ability to rotate its head 180 degrees. After sanding the surface down to the desired texture, I experimented with multiple stains and varnishes to produce our final model. Furthermore, I proposed and designed the representation of the parallel finishing at 0 ° and 180 ° rotation of the stock using stacked acrylic sheets and paint.

Wise Watcher Leila Rashidian

Simulation shows collision with solid block of wood

Using dado blades, create space between drive region and grip stock

Space allows milling bit to avoid collision with the stock

Lowest

Stock at the start of milling Parallel finishing texture

Wise Watcher Leila Rashidian

03 FLUID FRAGMENTATION

Tools I Worked with - Miter Saw •Drill Materials - Timber•Plywood TimberFever 2023 Competition

In collaboration with Architecture students Andi Lim, Hamna Imtiaz, Karishma Deosaran, Vivian Nguyen, and Civil Engineering student Erwin Orban

Fluid Fragmentation is a collaborative TimberFever submission by students from McGill, TMU, and UofT. My primary role was the design of the shelter with Andi Lim, the allocation of the limited material, and construction. I found myself taking on a leadership role and worked with my team to divide tasks for efficient progression.

This shelter aims to disrupt the architectural formality of the Financial District by rotating linear geometry like a spiral. While providing a fresh perspective that breaks the repetitive norm of worklife, the bus shelter introduces a divergence from unity and control by embracing fluidity and satisfies the dual purpose of comfort and aesthetic.

Cutting 2” x 4” blocks of timber for the seat leg

Karishma Deosaran and Vivian Nguyen creating the frame for the seats

Leila Rashidian

Observation

Rigid buildings; monotone with harsh corners

Intention of Design

Fluidity: Deconstruct the “aggressive” or “norm of Financial District

Situated along Bay street and is oriented to frame the the street view, which allows users to stop and interact with their surroundings.

North facing elevation

1” x 2” blocks placed at increasingly longer distances apart to create a material gradient

Reclined backrest for relaxation

Isometric view

Leila Rashidian

04 TimberPod

ARC112: Design + Engineering I

Instructor Jennifer Davis & Milan Graovac

In collaboration with Dolly Zheng, Luisa Yu, Nicholas Zhang, and Tiffany Tan

In collboration with fellow architecture and engineering students, our team created a backyard office pod that is optimized for transportation and pre-assembled upon arrival. Our client, Nicola Casciato, Principal of WZMH Architects envisioned an office pod in his backyard that embodies the convenience of Apple products.

To address the energy and aesthetic needs of the client, all 3 architecture students were tasked with proposing a potential design, and my curvilinear design proposal was approved to produce a compact studio that doubles as a gathering space for the family.

Living things diagram

WILDLIFE

FOLDING WALLS

08 TimberPod Leila Rashidian

05 SERPENTINE PLY

Tools I Worked with - Table Saw • CNC • Dremel •Drill

Materials - Plywood•Oil-based Clear Finish

ARC384: Machine Design Practices

Instructor Nicholas Hoban

In collaboration with Han Cherry

Inspired by tambour door rolling cabinets, I proposed the design of this project, prepped the plywood stock and a wooden frame in the workshop, organized the 3-axis CNC milling operations, and executed post-processing operations. This project fuses plywood offcuts to form a dense, textured surface. The synthetic leather backing allows for fluid motion, reminiscent of undulating waves which allow a set of scales to sway along. The motion produces an entrancing "breathing" effect—a symphony of movement and sound, evoking the slithering of serpents.

Leila Rashidian

According to Fabrication Lab Technicians, by using a frame to hold the plywood pieces tightly, this project became the first of its kind to mill an unlaminated surface in the John H.

Daniels Fabrication Lab.

Leila Rashidian