[OUTDATED] Megan Sousa Architecture Portfolio / University of Waterloo Architecture Fall/Winter 2021

selected works

megan sousa FALL 2021

(289) 387-2778 megansousa08@gmail.com

nice to meet you, I am currently a second year student studying at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture.

To me, Architecture is the crossroads between creativity and critical thinking, two of what I believe to be my strongest facets in a skillset.

I enjoy painting, cars, and music production in my down time. I am someone who is always eager to learn, passionate, and driven to achieve my goals.

This portfolio is a curation of my personal and academic work.

CUTE REFERENCE LETTER FROM RICKY BOY

PROJECTS

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the creation station

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superseclusion

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Stair into the world

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re entry

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project galelei

the creation station _PROJECT: LIBRARY+ _ARCH 193 1B DESIGN STUDIO _SUPERVISED BY: CAM PARKIN

Located off of the Don River on Queen St. and Davies Ave. in Toronto, Ontario, The Creation Station acts as a creative refuge for the youth of the area, offering the means to learn and create music to those who otherwise do not have the means themselves.

Unlike traditional libraries, The Creation Station offers catalogues of vinyl records, cd’s and sheet music opposed to traditional book stacks. The Library is organized in section to circulate around the experiences of learning, creating, and applying, guiding the occupant through a musical experience as they circulate the library. Various informal “jam” spaces occupy the library to inspire the environment of creation and expression, as well as an outdoor amphitheatre-esque performance space, for youth to showcase their talent, adjacent to the library’s cafe.

EXTERIOR RENDER

CREATION STATION_ Arch 193 Design Studio | 2021

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CREATION STATION_ Arch 193 Design Studio | 2021

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CREATION STATION_ Arch 193 Design Studio | 2021

the facade.

Inpired by harmonic curves, the wooden facade reiterates both the musical thesis as well as well as the sectional representation of the building’s program. The harmonic curves climb the building and reach toward the performance area, demonstrating the programmic transitions of the occupant.

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soundproofing.

A high level of detail was considered in the construction of specific rooms, as some need to stay competely silent during occupation.

Soundproof rooms in the building has been constructed using double stud construction, with an extra layer of fibreglass batt insulation between the two walls soundproof recording booth

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Super-Seclusion _PROJECT: CONCEPT INSTALLATION PAVILLION _ARCH 292 2A DESIGN STUDIO _SUPERVISED BY: ERIC HALDENBY _IN COLLABORATION WITH: AVINA GONEN AND SOEUN PARK

Loosely based off historic designs of meditative zen walks, Superseclusion uses its claustrophobic design to make a commentary on modern ideas of relaxation.

Situated on University of Waterloo’s main campus, a place typically associated with rigid work structure and time management, Superseclusion proposes the question of: What is relaxation?

The occupant enters a large and narrow hall of highly reflective curtain walls, slowly decreasing in height as the occupant nears the relaxation pod, causing a slightly claustrophobic experience. This is designed to mimic the stress which some often feel when they take time away from productivity.

The soundproof pod, at first appearing relaxing, soon becomes apparent that as people, we are not programmed to sit still void of distraction and stimulation for long before we rush to find something else to do.

SITE PLAN Graphics TO BE used on official UWSA merchandise

SUPERSECLUSION_ Arch 292 Design Studio | 2021

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SUPERSECLUSION_ Arch 292 Design Studio | 2021

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material lottery

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3 materials were selected at random for this project, limiting the construction of this pavillion to only electronic signage, curtain wall, and a single concrete, soundproof room.

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SUPERSECLUSION_ Arch 292 Design Studio | 2021

UNFOLDED SECTION

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stair into the world _PROJECT: STUDENT HOUSING _ARCH 192 1A DESIGN STUDIO _SUPERVISED BY: FIONA LIM TUNG

Stair into the world is an architecture student residence project designed to embody the most important aspects which aid in the development of young architecture students in this new transition of their lives.

The house embodies the idea of transition through the repeated motif of the stair, relating an architectural transition to that of a major life transition.

An understanding of the surrounding site and environment is of equal importance to the building itself. the house is modelled as an extension of the site itself, playing off of the site’s natual slope and stepping upwards, creating a fusion between both the built environment and the natural environment. The green roof terrace also allows for a submersion into a natural environmental space while still allowing a private patio feel

Views from the house are carefully positioned to frame both the surrounding nature, as well as the adjacent Grand House, another student residence, aiming to provide a sense of familiarity and comfort for the students.

Selected for feature on Waterloo Architecture Instragram and website

STAIR INTO THE WORLD_ Arch 192 Design Studio | 2020

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GRA USE

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STAIR INTO THE WORLD_ Arch 192 Design Studio | 2020

what makes a re a home?

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esidence Bedroom Unit x3

Kitchen/Living Area

Studio Space

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STAIR INTO THE WORLD_ Arch 192 Design Studio | 2020

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sectio

on aa

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RE ENTRY _PROJECT: HIGH-DENSITY ADAPTIVE REUSE _ARCH 292 2A DESIGN STUDIO _SUPERVISED BY: ERIC HALDENBY

In these post pandemic times, people are beginning to reach back out into surrounding communities, whether hesitantly or not. Posed with the redesign of two half floors of a 16 storey apartment block located at 53 Water St North, Kitchener, Ontario. The resolution to this complex was to confront sustainability, maximize the utility of floor area, increase accommodation, and create a community.

Creating single rooms joined by shared bathrooms to the adjacent neighbour aids in the post pandemic struggle of reaching back out into the community. At the end of the long, widened hallway lies a large double height community space, allowing the space to develop whichever program meets tenants’ needs the most.

A living facade is created on the exterior and the brick from the previous construction is reused to bring the old architecture into the modern day expectation of sustainability.

RE ENTRY_ Arch 292 Design Studio | 2021

ORIGINAL FLOOR PLAN

revisions - Widened hallway - Double height, open, community space to allow ambient light to penetrate the hallway - Smaller more flexible units to lower living cost and accomodate modern fast-paced lifestyle - Added in-building laundry area - Double height green space in hallway

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REVISED FLOOR PLANS

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RE ENTRY_ Arch 292 Design Studio | 2021

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RE ENTRY_ Arch 292 Design Studio | 2021

SECTIO

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ON AA

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RE ENTRY_ Arch 292 Design Studio | 2021

Green walls are utilized on the facade to bring the building out of its outdaded state and into the modern standard of sustainability in architecture.

Not only do they bring a more natural connection to the outside world, but also reduce CO2 in the surrounding environment, and aid in insulation performance.

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LEFT ELEVATION

FRONT ELEVATION

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project galilei _PROJECT: JACQUES ROUGERIE FOUNDATION 2021 INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION _FOCUS: AN ORBITAL _SUPERVISED BY: FIONA LIM TUNG _IN COLLABORATION WITH: JAKE FARQUHARSON

As humanity begins to settle worlds beyond our own, the Galilei project will jumpstart the beginning of a solar system-wide economy and transit system. The Galilei cycler will then embark on endless voyages between Earth and Mars. Utilizing the Aldrin cycler orbital path between mars and earth the Galilei will act as a ferry where passengers can live comfortably on the long journey to and from Mars.

Creating such an isolated habitat away from Earth’s environment allows for much more flexibility in terms of environment.

A customizable light schedule is allowed by adjustable solar mirrors to control the length of day shifting from an earth schedule to a mars schedule as necessary.

Open concept homes branching toward the outdoors are also conceivable, as the lack of unpredictable weather allows the merge of outdoor space with that of the interior.

FINALIST entry

PROJECT GALILEI_ Frances Rougiere Competition | 2021 CREATION STATION_ Arch 192 Design Studio | 2020

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PROJECT GALILEI_ Frances Rougiere Competition | 2021

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PROJECT GALILEI_ Frances Rougiere Competition | 2021

SECTION HOUSES Upper rotating section houses for laboratories and storage of goods which require certain gravitational pull

CHEMICAL PROPELLANT THRUSTERS Thrusters used to slow down or speed up at cycler terminus

SECTION HOUSES Lower rotating section houses for engineers to work on the craft while stilll under rotational gravity

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AUXILERY CRAFT The Cycler will travel with a contigent of smaller craft to assist in the loading and unloading of both people and cargo.

EVAPORANT RADIATORS Used to cool the spine of the cycler given that it is where the core engines and key electrics are located and will be a large portion of generated heat

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PROJECT GALELEI_ Arch 192 Design Studio | 2020

A controlled environment allows for more open concept architecture. Doors/windows not required to shield from external weather factors

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Vertical Hydroponics used to capitalize on available agricultural area. Plants which can grow under low gravity environments are able to be grown close to the zero-gravity center

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megansousa08@gmail.com (289) 387-2778