Madiha Urban Design Portfolio

madiha syed

Academic Projects

/ Charlton Riverside Redevelopment

University of Westminster, London, U.K.

/ Intergenerational Public Park

University of Westminster, London, U.K.

/ T. Nagar Neighbourhood

MEASI Academy of Architecture, Chennai, India

Work Experience

/ UTM Hub

Veritas Design Group Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

/ Indian High Commission

Veritas Design Group Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

/ Saloma Bridge

Veritas Design Group Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

/ Cementric Experience Store

FRDC, Bengaluru, India

/ Bandung Central Mixed-Use

/ Architectural Illustrations

Veritas Design Group Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The Liberty Project, Remote

3D Render in Enscape and post-production on Adobe Photoshop

/ Charlton Riverside Development

M.A.U.D., 2022

University of Westminster, London, U.K.

Regenerating the underused brownfields of East London provides a unique opportunity of tackling the rising housing crisis of the city — located just a mile away from key cultural landmarks in Greenwich such as the O2 and the Design District, the chosen site is surrounded by a rich maritime heritage and a vibrant artistic atmosphere. This gave rise to the idea of an industrial symbiosis with the site, creating the Maritime Creative Quarter — a dynamic mixed-use site that pays homage to its historical significance.

My role

Design Concept | Ideation | Vision | Design Development | 2D and 3D drawings | Quantity Surveying

AutoCAD | Sketchup | ArchGIS | Photoshop | Illustrator | InDesign | Enscape Softwares Used

A study of the wider site-context of the Charlton Riverfront highlights just how well-connected the brownfield is to existing artistic quarters, new communities, transport nodes, and richly historic industrial heritage landmarks. These conditions create a plethora of opportunities to revitalise the land in a way to combat London’s housing crisis while connecting the site to the larger industrial context.

Site context — Greenwich

Opportunities of the area

Challenges of the area

Average Greenwich Peninsula Demographics AGE

y/o

DESIGN PROGRAM

The amalgamation of uses between different groups sets the course for a mix of uses based on the Neighbourhood Unit Concept by Clarence Perry. The main aim was to incorporate a mix of activities, including mixed-use residential and retail spaces, anchor tenants, and multi-story office buildings.

Additionally, a food and beverage spine is proposed that includes shopping, leisure, and tourism, terminating at a node that will idealy act as the civic center of the neighbourhood. To the east of the site, a vibrant night economy is proposed by the river, with the objective of providing a range of entertainment, from the repurposed Cory’s Wharf Barge to the Anchor & Hope Pub.

The mobility hub located in the southwestern corner of the site will play a crucial rolein ensuring easy accessibility to the site, and turning into a transport oriented development.

Conceptual bubble diagram with design precedents — Sketched in Procreate

The movement network has been carefully planned keeping in mind the Mobility Hub on the southwestern corner of the site. Since it caters to a vareity of carbon neutral vehicles such as buses, cycles, and potentially car sharing servies, an alternate bus route has been established through the newly designed east-west tertiary corridor cutting the site in half.

Furthermore, North-south movement through the repurposed railway line has been fully pedestrianised to provide safe and secure access to the town square, promoting its role as a central gathering place in the Maritime Creative Quarter.

3D Render in Enscape and post-production on Adobe Photoshop

/ Intergenerational Public Park

London Festival of Architecture, 2022

University of Westminster, London, U.K.

There is a hidden treasure in London’s bustling Church Street neighborhood — a tranquil churchyard that is steeped in history, yet longs for new life and purpose. This context was the root of the idea behind St. Mary’s Intergenerational Park, a vibrant centre for intergenerational interaction and convivial place for the entire neighbourhood.

This was envisioned as a sanctuary where the young and old could mingle, interact, learn, and play together. The main aim of this proposal is to elevate the health and well-being of the community, give caregivers a chance to experience the outdoors with their wards, create a dynamic space that will invigorate the existing Churchyard, and boost locale morale.

My role

Softwares Used

Design Concept | Ideation | Vision | Design Development | 2D and 3D drawings AutoCAD | Sketchup

3D Render in Enscape and post-production on Adobe Photoshop

Render in Enscape and post-production on Adobe Photoshop

In terms of the place identity, many locals identified with feeling misplaced due to the increased gentrification of the area.

Taking into account the western part of the Church Street area, there are hardly any public recreational grounds for the residents of the area. The St. Mary’s Churchyard is one of the few open spaces in this part of the neighbourhood, bordering the Westminster College.

Local user mapping also identified that the area was largely occupied by white British males — hardly any women or young girls were to be found. This may be owned to the poor lightining, unremarkable points of interest, uneven pavement, and an increase in anti-social behaviour due to its proximity to the college.

By introducing an intergenerational public place in the area, the key stakeholders — those mentioned in the graphic — benefit from an elevated health and well-being, increased local relationships with each other as well as a steady increase in diversity, and a boosting of the local economy by providing business opportunities for locals.

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Proposed Design Programme DEGREE OF ACTIVITY

Westminster College

3D Render in Lumion and post-production on Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Firely

/ T.Nagar Neighbourhood

B.Arch, 2021

MEASI Academy of Architecture, Chennai, India

The regeneration of the T.Nagar neighbourhood of Chennai required a sustainable growth proposal; thus, the vision includes an incubatory dense edge around the neighbourhood that acts as a transverse zone, serving a connection between fast paced arterial roads and inner streets. This is done through ecological and biodiverse design elements such as swales, solar panels, energy-efficient charging points, and healthy streets.

Project Scope

City branding | Urban design | Master-planning | 2D & 3D Drawings | 3D Rendering | Public place design | Placemaking design

Softwares Used

AutoCAD | Sketchup | Lumion | Photoshop | Illustrator | InDesign

Solar panels a key theme throughout the Eco-Spine vision

The Eco-Spine will serve as a connection between the fast-paced sub-arterial roads to the slower paced inner streets — these streets have already been densified due to existing residential land use.

Thus, the Eco-Spine turns into a seed that that connects the lost community of the T.Nagar area, as the previously existing thoroughfare traffic will be reduced due to redirection.

Ten years from now, the Eco-Spine will ideally act as the arterial road, with its sub-arterial roads becoming heavily pedestrianised and bicycle friendly.

A key aspect of this spine is larger civic nodes, such as the revitalisation of the Jeeva Park, which creates a synergy within the residential corridor and further enhancing liveability and place experience.

Existing community at T. Nagar

Focal point: Jeeva Park regeneration as a node for the T.Nagar area

3D Render in Cinema 4D + Redshift, post-production in Adobe Photoshop

/ UTM Hub

Junior Architect, 2020

Veritas Design Group Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The UTM Hub is a groundbreaking Transport Oriented Development (TOD) project situated in Malaysia, specifically part of the Skudai Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This visionary project serves as a paradigm shift in urban mobility and real estate integration.

My role

Concept development | Design development | Urban Planning | 2D drawings | 3D Modeling

Softwares Used

AutoCAD | Sketchup | Revit | Photoshop | Enscape | ArcGIS

Conceptual elevation through BRT Station AA’ Conceptual section through BRT Station BB’

Elevated Median Station: PLATFORM Level Plan

Elevated Median Station: Roof Plan

PLATFORM 2 (BRT)

PLATFORM 21 (BRT)

Elevated Median Station: CONCOURSE Level Plan

My vision was to seamlessly blend innovative design concepts with functionality, ensuring that the transport hub not only met the highest standards of efficiency but also created a unique and inviting space for commuters. My input on the design development and individual UTM Hub’s concept and ideation significantly contributed to the project’s success and its ability to provide an exceptional experience for users. It is currently under construction and Phase 1 is set to open in late 2024.

3D Render in Cinema 4D + Redshift, post-production in Adobe Photoshop

/ Bandung Central Mixed-Use

Junior Architect, 2020

Veritas Design Group Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Located in the south-eastern part of Jakarta, the Bandung Central Station is a competetion project my team won with this conceptual proposal. The area boasts a thriving arts, shopping and cafe scene in reclaimed colonial Dutch relics. Our proposal aspired the mixed-used TOD to be a “Pancawarna” — an abundance of colors; this translated into envisioning a public place that builds the community together by creating economic and social opportunities.

My role

Concept + design development | Urban Planning | 2D drawings | 3D Modeling | Rendering + Post-Production

Softwares Used

AutoCAD | Sketchup | Photoshop | Cinema 4D | Redshift | ArcGIS

3D Render in Cinema 4D + Redshift, post-production in Adobe Photoshop

Site Analysis: Local Pedestrian Routes

Main access parallel to main road subdivides plot into two, creating a perpendicular axis to connect the main road with the station. Thus, retail frontage is maximised along main and central streets

Block shapes are adapted to pedestrian circulation allowing smooth connections. Main nodes are widened to receive commuters, allowing trading functions and cultural events.

Blocks are subdivided to open to more pedestrian access and visual connection from public streets towards internal spine. Adjacent streets define the opening rhythm.

Smaller blocks along main road evolve into bigger blocks parallel to railways. Program is identified by color and distributed to suit from small stalls to big tenants according to block proportions.

Development Components

The central spine works as a host of cultural events such as night market, designing exhibitions and open-air concerts, becoming a meeting point for locals and travelers.

Parallel service road to Jalan Kebon Kawing, allows a sequence of drop offs of private vehicles and public transport, such as taxis and angkots. Access to basement parking is provided at both ends of the plot.

The overall green area was alloted to 60% of the total site area. This was done to pay homage to the tropical nature of the city and create a balanced atmosphere with retail spaces. The pleasant open space connects locals and travelers through cultural activities and creates more opportunities for economic and social growth.

Green Spine Area Diagram

Sustainable approach on building strategies and technologies

Site section across east-west through the different blocks

Project completed in 2020

/ Saloma Bridge

Junior Architect, 2020

Veritas Design Group Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Saloma Bridge stands as a testament to urban integration and community connectivity in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Linking the affluent city-center of Kuala Lumpur to the historically rich, yet less affluent residential district of Kampung Baru, this visionary project redefines urban mobility and fosters an inclusive public place.

My role

Signage Design | Sketching | Wayfinding Design | 2D Drawings | City-branding

Softwares Used

AutoCAD | Sketchup | Photoshop | Illustrator

Initial Branding Sketches : Logo Design Options

This vision translated into a logo and signage design that not only provided clear wayfinding but also celebrated the cultural richness of the site. By harmonizing form and function, my contributions enhanced the project’s aesthetic appeal while ensuring effective communication and navigation for the community.

Wayfinding detail design

Wayfinding detail design

Street furniture detail design

I worked on the detailed design of each wayfinding element, both along the Saloma bridge and on the pedestrian plazas leading to the bridge from either side. My vision for the main logo was to depict the bridge itself, which symbolised marriage the between two starkly contrasting neighbourhoods of Kuala Lumpur. This was done by mimicing the arrangement of flowers given to the bride from the groom at traditional Malaysian weddings.

3D Render in Cinema 4D + Redshift and Post-production on Adobe Photoshop

/ Indian High Commission

Junior Architect, 2020

Veritas Design Group

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The India High Commission stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India while embracing cutting-edge sustainability principles, designed to meet the Green Building Index. At its core, the “Brahmastana” courtyard symbolizes community and culture, while the Chancery’s futuristic design pays homage to India’s heritage, and the Cultural Centre celebrates the nation’s rich artistic traditions.

My role

2D and 3D Drawings | BIM | 3D Modelling | Facade Design Development

Softwares Used

Revit | Cinema 4D | Redshift| Photoshop

Conceptual section sketch across stepwells and parking

Stepwells of inner courtyard designed to symbolise the stepwells of India

IHC Complex: Site Level Plan

IHC Complex: First Floor Plan

IHC Complex: Overall Section AA’

IHC Complex: Overall Section BB’

IHC Complex: Post-Production on Site Section

IHC Complex: Post-production on Site Section

facade rendering

I brought my knowledge of Revit and BIM Systems to this design project with in-depth detailed drawings of over 5 floors of the different blocks in terms of plans, sections and elevations. The facade of the cultural center was also a part of my vision to highlight the rich traditional tapestry of India, with a jaali screen cut in intricate motifs of the Tree of Life, which further emphasises the Commission’s homage to its rich heritage.

IHC Complex: Post-production on

IHC Complex: Post-production on facade rendering

IHC Complex: Post-production overall site

IHC Complex: Post-production on stepwells

3D Model: Sketchup View

/ DKP Cementric Experience Store

Architectural Intern, 2019

FRDC, Bengaluru, India

The main concept behind this project was to create a sensory experience for clients, and we mapped out the consumer journey through four distinct areas of the store — Awareness (of the brand), Discovery, Exploration, and Accomplishment (pay points). I assisted in the design of the facade and spearheaded the 3D modeling of the entire store, including interior fixtures, facade design, and exterior touchpoints. Thus, the outcome is a fully immersive experience store celebrating the stages of construction.

My role

Detailed Interior Drawings | 3D Modeling | Furniture and Fixture Design | Facade Design

Softwares Used

AutoCAD | Sketchup | Photoshop | Illustrator

3D Model: Sketchup Front View

3D Model: Fixture Detail

300X300 MM HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCKS

300X300 MM SOLID CONCRETE BLOCK

12 MM GLASS, SAINT GOBAIN

8 MM VIROC BOARD

TO BE DISCUSSED WITH STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT/LOCAL ARCHITECT AS WE HAVE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO TAKE THE FACADE LOAD. SCHEMATIC

300X300 MM SOLID CONCRETE BLOCK

12 MM GLASS, SAINT GOBAIN MANUAL PIVOTED GLASS DOOR

300X300 MM HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCKS

GLASS DOOR 12 MM GLASS, SAINT GOBAIN

300X300 MM SOLID CONCRETE BLOCK

Each fixture was modelled in detail according to the set dimensions, including the centerpiece with a diorama of cement trucks hard at work. The materials I have used on the walls and furniture in the model have been inserted using photographs from the material board, which was also curated by me and my associate architect.

3D Model: Sketchup Interior View

25MM THK.

10MM THK. ZINC

ELECTROPLATED MS ROUND PIPE

THK. ZINC

MS ROUND PIPE

3D Model: Fixture Detail

/ Interior Illustrations

Illustrator: Cafe Interior “Blue”

Illustrator: Powder Room 1

Illustrator: Cafe Interior “Pink”

Illustrator: Powder Room 2

/ Architectural Illustrations

Illustrator: Lotus Gate, Jaipur

Illustrator: Riomaggiore Dockyard

Illustrator: Holland Park, London

Illustrator: Jodhpur Gateway

Illustrator: Halstatt, Austria

Illustrator: Oman Fort

Patrika Gate Illustration / Jaipur, India

ArchiSource 2020 Competetion: HomeTown Scene depicting a sea-side villa during the 2020 lockdown