Abel Ejiro 2023 Portfolio by Abel Ejiro

PORTFOLIO ABEL EJIRO

CONTENT

RESUME

About Designer Professional Experience

PROFESSIONAL

Anambra Twin Towers

Year | 2022

Educational History

Catergory | Mixed Use

Design Expertise

Four Points by Sheraton, Uyo

Technical Skills

Year | 2022

Interests

Catergory | Hospitality

Achievements

Protea Marriott Hotel, Asaba

Year | 2022 Catergory | Hospitality

Anambra Minimalist Villa

ACADEMIC

Year | 2021

The Blur of Lancaster

Catergory | Residential

Year | 2023 Catergory | Communal Services

Habitation Center for Displaced People

Year | 2020 Catergory | Communal Services

Ugursal Dormitory Student Park

Year | 2019 Catergory | Leisure

ABEL EJIRO Architectural Designer +447393135651

Urban Designer

Landscape Designer

ejiroabel23@gmail.com

Abel Ejiro

Conceptual Designer Liverpool, England

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Project Designer | 2021-2022 Arc De Vinci Consulting | Abuja, Nigeria

Project designer for Twin Towers in Anambra State which included masterplanning, architectural design and landscaping of the project Project designer for Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Akwa Ibom State, responsible for the siite masterplan to the architectural design proposal. Project designer for Protea Marriott Hotel in Delta State which the responbility was creating two alternatives designs from the site plan, architectural design to the working drawings production and visualization of the project for client’s approval. Project designer for Minimalistic Villa in Anambra State and Rivers Minimalist in Rivers State. Landscape designer for Abia Minimalist Home which included the front lawn, swimming pool area and private courtyard. Design of a private agricultural plantation in Ondo state, which included the Palm plantation, orchard and private gathering spaces. Design of project for the user experience from the urban scale to the architectural scale with the required drawings and documents. Creation of presentation drawings for client meetings and its attendance for their approval and feedback

EDUCATION

DESIGN EXPERTISE

TECHNICAL SKILLS

INTERESTS

M.A Architecture+Urbanism

Commercial Design Hospitality Design High Rise Design Public building Design Residential Design Iconography Design Masterplanning Urban Design Landscape Design Conceptual Design Research Modelling

AutoCad

Utopian Cities

Revit

Transformational Cities

ArchiCad

Cities of the Future

Sketchup

15 Minutes Walk Cities

Rhino

Multifunctional Use of Space

Lumion

Transitional Use of River Edges

3ds Max

Optimization of abandoned spaces

Vray Render

Neo-Modernism

TwinMotion

Fluid Architecture

Adobe Photoshop

Vernacular Architecture

Adobe Illustrator

Building Envelopes + Facade

Adobe Indesign

Ecological Urbanism

Adobe Lightroom

History of Cities + Architecture

Physical Model Making

Nature Based Design Solutions

Manchester School of Architecture 2022-2023 | United Kingdom Distinction (Currently Ranked the 5th Best Architecture School in the World) Dissertation: Temporal UrbanismCould we live with water? A case of Kumbh Mela in India. Design Project: The Blur of Lancaster - A 21st Century Riverside City.

B.Arch Architecture Eastern Mediterranean University 2016-2020 | Turkey High Honour (Currently Ranked the 6th Best University in Turkey) Graduation Project: Gateway to the Future - Re-imagining habitation centers for displaced people in the Mediterranean region focused on Self-Sustenance.

CNC Techincal Drawing Freehand Sketching Microsoft Office

Producing multiple design concepts according the initial client’s brief and selection of the best suited design solution.

HOBBIES

Three dimension modelling with BIM softwares and its visualization. Production of working drawings for design with the construction details for implementing on site. Responsible for liasing with engineers and consultants for the engineering and service drawings. Supervision of a third year undergraduate intern for three months. Site supervision of ongoing projects and report of progress to the office. Site visitation of new projects and taking of measured drawings for renovation.

Project Designer | 2022 Freelance | Abuja, Nigeria

Reading

Sketching

Watching Movies

Visiting Museums

Playing Football

Walking

Travelling

ACHIEVEMENTS

Architectural Designer for a Country Home in Anambra State, 3 Star Hotel in Delta State, Terraced Housing Estate in Abuja, Terraced Housing in Rivers State , Minimalistic redesign of a residential house in Abuja and redesign of a Euston University Administrative Block in Ebonyi State. Site visitation to the historic Sokoto Hotel for measured drawings and redesign of the Hotel to meet contemporary standard while preserving its historic value. Responsible for the entire design process and the architectural drawings for the projects. Presentation of drawings to clients and revision according to their feedback. Coordinating with engineers for engineering drawings for the submission of the project for approval. Modelling of project three dimenisionally and its rendering. Supervision of project construction on site

Masters Project exhibited at the Manchester School of Architecture 2023 Exhibition | 2023 Best Graduating Student of Faculty of Architecture at EMU | 2020 Best Graduating Student of the Department of Architecture at EMU | 2020 Highest ever graduating CGPA of the Department of Architecture 3.81/4.0 at EMU | 2020 Most Innovative Graduating Project at EMU | 2020 Nominated for the Archiprix Award in Turkey | 2020 No.1 Ranked student in the Overall Faculty of Architecture at EMU | 2016-2018 No.4 Ranked student in the Overall Faculty of Architecture at EMU | 2018 No.7 Ranked student in the Overall Faculty of Architecture at EMU| 2019 Best Nigerian Student of Architecture at EMU | 2016 | 2017 | 2019

Junior Architect | 2020-2021 Otseme Studio | Benue, Nigeria

Modelling of hand drawn proposal by lead architect to create two and three dimesnional drawings. Rendering and providing presentation drawings for client meetings. Producing working drawings with its system details for on site construction. Site visitation and supervision with senior architects to inspect the overall progress. Revision of drawings according to the site conditions when there are changes to the initial finalized design.

Architectural Intern | 2017 | 2019 Arscope Consultancy | Benue, Nigeria

Initial research for design ideas which offers solutions to the client’s brief. Learning three dimensional modelling, presentation techniques and rendering. Producing working drawings according to the design of the project lead. Attending meetings with senior architects and clients during the initial design meeting and then at the final presentation. Site visitation of ongoing projects of the firm.

ACADEMIC PROJECTs

It is a design for a 21st-century Riverside City located at the River Lune waterfront in Lancaster, United Kingdom. The site selected for this project is a desolated part of the city, and the solution created here was creating a walkable City with sequential experiences as people walk and using legibility theories as a way to keep them moving while attracting visiting tourists to the waterfront to boost eco-tourism and celebrates its rich cultural heritage. It is a place where the fragmentation of the built and natural environment and the permanent and temporal users within its context are blurred.

CONCEPTUAL RESPONSE TO IMAGE OF THE CITY THEORIES

MASTERPLAN DESIGN STRATEGIES

DISTRICT MASTERPLAN

AXONOMETRIC DRAWING SHOWING SUSTAINABILITY IDEAs

FORM DEVELOPMENT OF SITE AREA

AERIAL VIEW SHOWING THE RIVER LUNE WATERFRONT

It shows a revitalized waterfront of River Lune connected by a habitable bridge that takes people through it, over it, and to the desolated island that becomes a cultural hub attracting people from both sides of the city with social, economic, and recreational activities. This project serves as a point of attraction to the waterfront as workers walk from their homes to their places of work, and residents socialize and bring nearby tourists for eco-tourism. Theoretical this project argues to prove the point that iconography is a means of activating under-utilized areas of cities. 10

FLOOR PLANS OF THE HABITABLE BRIDGE GROUND FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

SECTION PERSPECTIVE SHOWING TOWER AND HABITABLE BRIDGE

The project is organized into three distinct levels; the lower level serves mainly for the permanent residents of Lancaster, and the upper level is designed primarily for the temporal users with the observatory and accommodation. The habitable bridge serves as the blur where the two distinct user groups are brought together with different functions designed to meet their interconnected needs. 12

SERIAL VISION OF A TOURIST

APPROACH PERSPECTIVES

The approach from the Canton Warehouse and Lancaster Business Park illustrates a social and recreational area at the waterfront of the River Lune where workers could sit and enjoy themselves after a long day of work.

The approach of tourists from the City Center serves a captivating and attractive view revealing itself to them as they walk about 15 minutes from the coach station to the waterfront. 13

HABITATION CENTER FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE YEAR OF DESIGN | 2020 [Fourth year 2nd Semester]

It is a design for a center for people displaced from their home countries due to eco-

nomic, social, political, and natural issues. Famagusta sits at a location that serves as a hub for people fleeing challenges. The brief of the project requires the architectural response to re-imagine what a habitation center for these people could be by breaking the existing boundaries between refugees and the existing indigenes of host communities by bringing these people from different socio-economic backgrounds together.

DESIGN CONCEPT

SITE LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT

GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE A center for people displaced from their home countries serves as a link between where they currently are and their final destination when they are granted asylum after their stay within the area. It acts as a transitional space between their past and future by creating a clear distinction between here and there by different privacy and functions.

AXONOMETRIC DRAWING SHOWING SUSTAINABILITY IDEAS This project is designed as a Self-Suffi-

KEY

cient center that uses the most recent self-sufficiency models of refugee centers with education, handicrafts, and com-

munal urban farms. Self-sustenance as a 4

model is quite popular in some refugee centers like the Dadaab Complex in Ken-

URBAN FARMING

PRIVATE FARM AREA

SOLAR PV PANELS

RAIN WATER COLLECTION

WATER RESERVOIR

HI-PERF WINDOW

NATURAL DAYLIGHTING

HEAT PUMPS

GREEN ROOF

10 PERMEABLE PAVEMENT 9

ya, where the people grow their own food

and electricity to reduce reliance on the host government.

6 2

It also serves as an Urban Gateway which holds a psychological and symbolical 10

meaning.

SITE PLAN

7 29

15 13 20

10 29

KEY

10 10

24 17 21 25

ENTRY POINT

ENTRANCE GATEWAY

AUDITORIUM

OUTDOOR THEATRE

ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK

BAZAAR

RETAIL CENTER

PRODUCTION CENTER

INDOOR SPORT CENTER

10 OUTDOOR SPORT AREA 23 22

EDUCATIONAL CENTER

LIBRARY

HEALTH CENTER

14 MOSQUE 19

CAFE

16 SUNKEN PLAZA

10 25

SOLAR FARM

URBAN FARM

19 GREEN HOUSE 18

20 CAR PARK 21

COMMON KITCHEN

22 CENTRAL PLAY AREA 23 COMMON GATHERING AREA 24 PRIVATE SHARED SPACE 25 RESIDENTIAL BLOCK 26 MODULAR RESIDENTIAL UNIT 27 DIRECTORS RESIDENCE 28 WATER PARK 29 SECURITY

AERIAL VIEW OF SUNKEN PLAZA

The sunken plaza is the central urban space of this habitation center integrating the green and blue structure into the built architectural form while bringing both the guests and the permanent residents into a common area. This urban space is activated by the sunken café which provides activities that spill into the outdoor area, and the other functional spaces around this space are the security office controlling the movement of people from the public zone to the private residents, health center, educational center and a basement car park serving as an outdoor foyer bringing people into it. 17

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

6 10

7 15

13 10 29

10 10

KEY

9 26

17 25

26 23

ENTRY POINT

ENTRANCE GATEWAY

AUDITORIUM

OUTDOOR THEATRE

ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK

BAZAAR

RETAIL CENTER

PRODUCTION CENTER

INDOOR SPORT CENTER

10 OUTDOOR SPORT AREA 22

WORKSHOP

LEARNING CENTER

HEALTH CENTER

14 MOSQUE PRAYER ROOM 15

19 27

26 10

26 25

CAFE ROOF TERRACE

16 SUNKEN PLAZA 17

SOLAR FARM

URBAN FARM

19 GREEN HOUSE 20 CAR PARK 18

COMMON KITCHEN TERRACE

22 CENTRAL PLAY AREA 23 COMMON GATHERING AREA 24 PRIVATE SHARED SPACE 25 RESIDENTIAL BLOCK 26 MODULAR RESIDENTIAL UNIT 27 DIRECTORS RESIDENCE 28 WATER PARK 29 SECURITY

SYSTEM DETAIL OF MOSQUE

SYSTEM DETAIL OF RESIDENTIAL BLOCK

UGURSAL DORMITORY STUDENT PARK YEAR OF DESIGN | 2020 [Fourth year 1st Semester]

It is a design of the outdoor surrounding area of a university dormitory on the Eastern

Mediterranean University Campus. It is a student hub after classes attracting people

COLLABORATORS | Ameer Abubakar Gimba | Salem Haroun

from all of the residential areas of the campus to engage in various activities at different times of the day and their different purposes. The design is created using curvilinear forms which connect the main pedestrian axes of the campus taking people from the educational heart of the campus and creating an atmosphere where they can learn, relax, socialize, and have fun within a short walking distance of their residence. The design considers the entrance to the existing building and the existing infrastructure which the design screens, buffers, and tries to integrate aesthetically into the entire design. SITE SECTION A-A

SITE SECTION B-B

SITE SECTION C-C

SITE SECTION D-D

PROPOSED SITE PLAN 11

8 3

12 11

KEY 2

4 14

3 11 13

INCLINED SITTING AREA

CAFE OUTDOOR AREA

TEMPORAL CAFE

AMPHITHEATER

SKATING RINK

TABLE TENNIS COURT

INTEGRATED BENCH

LABRYINTH PATTERN

GARDEN

10 CAR PARK 11

ENTRY POINTS

UGURSAL DORMITORY

COVERED WALKWAY

14 CENTRALIZED TREE

POINT DETAILS OF LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS CENTRALIZED SEATING AREA

INCLINED SITTING AREA

INTEGRATED BENCH TO SKATING RINK

PROFESSIONAL PROJECTs

It is a design of mixed development, made up of a commercial podium on the lower level and two high-rise towers serving as a Five-star hotel and governmental office individually. The design is created to be a statement by the new incumbent government symbolizing the revival of the economic trajectory of the state and it is meant to be one of the tallest buildings in Nigeria at 150 meters. The simplicity of the design was due to the construction time required by the client for its implementation.

DESIGN CONCEPT

FORM DEVELOPMENT

TO A GROWING FUTURE The mixed-use development is a center attracting people of different classes, professions, and needs to this new Landmark within the city. It serves as a destination for people giving them spaces for both indoor activities with the green open spaces and the indoor areas catering to the introverted functions.

AERIAL VIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT

The form of the building is inspired by the vision for the state which is toward the future filled with growth and a sense of renewed hope for the state. The sweeping form of the building starts from the West of the building with the basement car parking area and rises up to the fifth-floor slants to symbolize that the growth for such a place has endless possibilities.

The continuity in the general layout both the built form and the urban design of the project serves to showcase how different parts come together to create GROWTH.

APPROACH VIEW FROM THE SECONDARY ENTRANCE

It shows the rising form of the building as it starts from the West of the building sweeping and rising to the fifth floor and creating outdoor green spaces for people to sit and enjoy here. 26

VIEW FROM THE OUTDOOR CAR PARK

It is the view of the rear part of the development showing the Office Tower and the Hotel with the podium serving as a commercial mall with a Cinema, Department store, and others. 27

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, UYO YEAR OF DESIGN | 2021 [ Proposed Design]

It is a Four-star luxurious hotel designed for the Sheraton brand with 120 keys for differ-

ent room types from the standard rooms on the lower level up to the Presidential suite on the Pent floor of the Hotel with its swimming pool and terrace on that level. The design of this project covers; the architectural design of the project, the outdoor landscaping of the project, and outdoor spaces such as the swimming pool, outdoor bar area with its lounge, a badminton court, and the car parking zone for 60 cars within it.

DESIGN CONCEPT

FORM DEVELOPMENT

UNIFYING DIVERSITY This conceptual idea of the project is inspired by the unity and diversity of the different cultures of Nigeria represented by the NIGERIAN KNOT, which is interwoven in different directions. The abstraction of this symbol brought about the architectural form which, is oriented in three main directions, and at every three floors, the building counter-cantilevers in and

AERIAL VIEW OF THE SITE

reduces in form, as it rises higher to meet the architectural brief and hierarchical arrangement of spaces.

The lower level of the project hosts the reception, multi-purpose hall/event center, and a restaurant open for all visiting guests. The first floor of the building has a Gym, Laundry Room, Kitchen, Meeting Rooms, and a seafood restaurant with an outdoor area that covers the terrace of the first floor and thus serves as the overspill for the restaurant during different seasons of the year.

These views show the main hotel building with its central atrium bringing light into the central area of the building with a skylight and vertical greenery inside. The surrounding functions of the building are an outdoor bar, swimming pool, and car park area. 29

PERSPECTIVES OF THE BUILDING

View from the South East of the site showing the complex.

The approach of the Hotel from the main service road shows the main entrance gate and the view from the West side.

View of the Swimming Pool side of the North West. 30

ASABA PROTEA MARRIOTT HOTEL YEAR OF DESIGN | 2021 [Under Construction]

It is a Four-star luxurious hotel designed for the Protea Marriott brand with 51 keys for

standard rooms, companion suites, junior suites, and the Presidential suite on the Pent floor of the hotel. The design of this project covers the architectural design of the project, the outdoor landscaping of the project, and outdoor spaces such as the swimming pool, outdoor bar area with its lounge, and an annexed event center situated next to the site designed for different activities that are connected to the hotel.

DESIGN CONCEPT

FORM DEVELOPMENT

INTERCONNECTING VOLUMES The conceptual idea of the project is inspired by the design brief by the client which created a height restriction for the project and basically divided it into two levels - the service area and then the hotel rooms. The idea of creating a simple yet interesting building would be defined by the six distinct volumes which individually might be separated, but these volumes

AERIAL VIEW OF THE SITE

would be interwoven into each other harmonious by using four distinct materials for its grey allucoboard, timber panels, white concrete, and glass.

The alternation of these simple materials that are easily found and manufactured within the context creates an ease in the implementation phase of the project and the pace for its construction. The checkered facade of the building gives a rich sense of material and light, especially at night when it’s properly lit as it serves as a spectacle attracting people.

FLOOR PLANS GROUND FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

SECTION A-A OF HOTEL

NORTH ELEVATION OF HOTEL

PERSPECTIVES OF THE BUILDING

View from the North West of the site showing the entrance canopy area and pool entry area.

Approach View from the gatehouse showing the main entrance area and the Hotel building.

A distant view showing the North Elevation of the building at night as the relationship between the solid parts covered by allucoboard and timber and transparent parts with glass are shown vividly. 35

ANAMBRA MINIMALIST VILLA YEAR OF DESIGN | 2021 [Proposed Design]

It is a residential project located on a site with about a meter height difference from the

front of the site to the rear of the site. The project is designed on four levels; a basement level, ground floor level, first-floor level, and pent-floor.The brief of the project includes the main building with six bedrooms and four living rooms, a guest chalet with a living room, and two bedrooms with adjoining obi area (open meeting area), outdoor kitchen, car parking space, swimming pool with outdoor sitting area and a gatehouse.

DESIGN CONCEPT

FORM DEVELOPMENT

COUNTER-CANTILEVER FORM The brief of the design does require the project does require the building to taper as it goes higher and this is considered by using a form that centralizes the common spaces which here includes the swimming pool and the outdoor terrace. In order to make the most of the topography of the site the basement level of the building is created in order to take cars directly to it

AERIAL VIEW OF THE SITE

from the gate, and on the upper levels the functions of the building reduce as it rises up to the pent floor having just the master bedroom, master lounge, and an outdoor terrace to support these spaces.

The facade of the building using the broken lines does create a new typology which is uncommon in this area where by these slanted walls, the design is able to conceal the mechanical system used for the HVAC and the toilet windows, provide shading, and also create spaces for terrace for each room where occupants can enjoy.

AERIAL VIEW OF THE SITE

An aerial view showing the site from the South East with the swimming pool and its outdoor sitting lounge at the center of the project and building as it recedes gradually to the pent floor. 38

PERSPECTIVES OF THE BUILDING

The approach to the site from the main road shows the gatehouse and the facade of the main building which have both been designed to have the same language and material palette.

View from the South West looking at the main building with its skewered concrete corner window.

View of the North West showing; the inverted roof which is designed for water collection. 39