Aseel Mohammed Ibrahim Architecture Portfolio
CONTENTS
01 02 - 09 02 10 - 17 03 18 - 23 04 24 - 29 05 30 - 37
[Buoyant] Chicago, IL
[Envelope] Champaign, IL
[Void] Champaign, IL
[Curved Light] Chicago, IL
[Retreat] Urbana, IL
[Buoyant]
Year: Fall 2022
Location: Chicago, IL
The site is located on the southeast corner of Jackson and Green in Chicago, IL. Primarily focused on being a theatre for the local community, preliminary site analysis made it apparent that this theatre had to be unique if it stood a chance of being a plausible project that could actually be built. With this in mind, a decision was made to stray away from a large opera house design to a more intimate and personal experience. The theatre is designed to seat 110 and will act as an amplifying voice for local musicians and dancers.
The name comes from the floating nature of the theatre itself. The design leads to users slowly uncovering the scale of the theatre through the triple-height spacing in the lobby along with the theatre being dead center of the entire building.
[Envelope]
Year: Fall 2021
Location: Champaign, IL
The purpose of the intervention was centered around bringing more foot traffic to this area. One of the main issues of Champaign, as a whole, is that the city does not have a lot of day-time entertainment spaces, for children especially.
To try to fix this problem, the suggested intervention was an entertainment center that consisted of a theatre alongside a playground. The intervention also included a café next to the playground to have parents rest and relax while their children are occupied. The theatre could be a place for plays or movie screenings while the observation deck on top of the theatre provided a good view of the surrounding historical landmarks.
The combination of these three entertainment spaces ensured that the intervention could be in use at any time of the day and year since Champaign does have extreme temperatures during winter and summer. The site is also surrounded by parking lots on two sides which allows easy access, as well as open space for temporary expansion, in case of larger events.
33 East Main Street is the largest structure on the street.
It has overhangs outside all of it’s stores which help pedestrians find shelter from the sun or rain. The greenery upfront also helps in promoting necessary and optional activities. This helps the businesses in the building as well, since they are mostly bars.
North Market Street is a multipurpose road. On normal days, the street is open for normal vehicular traffic, however, during special occations, the street is closed for various events. The closed street usually becomes a seating area accesible for all. This promotes optional activities in the area while small businesses also set up shop
53 East Main Street is a newly renovated building. It was previously an abandoned building that was falling apart. Post renovation, it has been turned into a high-end event planning office. The space also serves as an event host. Although located at the end of the street, with not much traffic, the renovation has promoted necessary activities in the area.
48 East Main Street is an abandoned senior citizen nursing home.
Being located at the end of the street and having poorly maintained footpaths discourages people from visiting this area on the street regardless of the ample greenery present near the structure.
The Lincoln Building is one of the oldest buildings in Champaign and is the second largest structure on the street.
The first floor is a retail space while the second floor consists of a restaurant. The parking lot adjacent also helps in promoting necessary activities along with the businesses in the building.
34 East Main street is right across 55 E. and is adjacent to a major junction.
The presence of well maintained footpaths and ample parking space, infront and next to, aid in improving circulation of people to the building.
The abundance of street lighting aound the building promotes nightlife for the bar in it.
Volumetric Concept
Safe play area for children.
Grass and fauna to create ambiance.
Concept Sketch of Theatre
Cafe with seating for parents.
North-west view
The physical design went through several conceptual iterations before landing on the final design.
[Void]
Year: Fall 2022
Location: Champaign, IL
100 N. Chestnut St. is a site located in downtown Champaign, IL that presents a specific set of design problems that needs to be tackled. The project was to design a bookstore and an entertainment center for several different users of varying demographics. The specific surroundings of the site make it especially challenging to provide structure that enusres that the users do not feel clustered or claustrophobic. With the clever use of skylights and several openings in the walls and floor slabs allow natural light to enter the building and provide a more welcoming environment coupled with the outdoor spaces and the different work areas for different users.
Pat
- Fashion focused - Interested in art - bold - Wants the store to be unique - Looking forward to play on lighting and shadows Arthur - College student - Appreciates technology - Loves outdoor and nature
Renee
- Middle-aged - Lawyer - Mother of 2 - Likes order in her life - Organized and sticks to a schedule
Appreciates the simple things in life. the outdoors/nature, but also appreciates Appreciates the simple things in life. the outdoors/nature, but also appreciates
The project was centered around three individuals that the client described to be potential users of the space.
[Curved
Light]
Year: Spring 2022
Location: Chicago, IL
Located in the west loop of Chicago, IL, the goal was to design a 4-floor restaurant and office space on an existing site. Using the direct sunlight the site receives, the design utilizes the subtraction of volumes to provide natural lighting through most of the structure while also standing out from its surroundings using curves in its silhouette. Additionally, the structure was designed with mass timber to reduce its carbon footprint while simultaneously having individuality and providing a break from its brick and mortar surroundings.
1st Floor 2nd Floor
4th Floor 3rd Floor
Shading device along curtain wall used to reduce the intensity of daylight. Range: 0.0628 - 16.295 Avg: 1.979
Avg: 2.237
Avg: 1.979
Shading device along curtain wall used to reduce the intensity of daylight. Range: 0.037 - 15.494 Avg: 1.626
Avg: 2.184
Avg: 1.626
Shading device and sky light, equipped with fins, used to reduce intensity and also increase lighting in the back.
Range: 0.058 - 20.216 Avg: 5.962
Avg: 8.061
Avg: 5.962
Shading device, sky light, and louvres along the curved curtain wall used to reduce intensity and also increase ligting in the back.
Range: 0.151 - 40.013 Avg: 7.139
Avg: 8.391 Avg: 7.139
[Retreat]
Year: Fall 2022
Location: Urbana, IL
The intervention consists of a cafe that sits on the east side of the Annex and a park that occupies the entirety of the south side of the building.
The cafe is designed to look like a part of the Annex instead of appearing like an afterthought. To ensure this, the structure is designed to be on the same roof line as the Annex along with using similar appearing bricks to blend in with other campus buildings.
The south-facing park consists of greenery and a pond to provide a break from the monotonous scenery inside the building along with its surroundings. It is designed to be a peaceful retreat where students can unwind and take a break from their long studio classes while also not having to walk much to do so since it is right behind the building.
Volumetric Concept Sketch
North-east render
