As an architect driven by purpose, I am committed to shaping spaces that harmonize with nature and elevate everyday living. My work seeks to transform the way we experience the built environment, creating thoughtful, functional designs that leave a lasting, positive impact on the world.
EXPERIENCE
Evol Studio - Architect Designer (Self Practice)
Nomada - Designer (Part-time)
Scope : 1 Billion Summit - Designing and drafting plans for the social spaces.
Heriot Watt University - Architectural Assistant
Scope : Fabrication | Tutoring | Research and Development | Event and social-media management at D6 Arch.
ArchiSense - Jr. Architect
Scope : Delivering floorplans | Design concepts | Site supevision | Hosting design discussions with the client.
NeoArc - Landscape Designer (Intern)
Scope : 3D visuals and 2D drawings | Diagramming
Coalasce - Architect (Intern)
Projects : Conducting Research | Construction methodology | Materiality
AWARDS
UNI Huddle
People’s Choice Award
Riba Sketch Competition-23
Runner up
SKILLS
CAD ADOBE SUITE VISUALS OTHER HOBBIES
Photoshop Indesign
Illustrator
Rhino 3d Grasshopper
Sketchup
Autocad
Lumion Vray
D5
Management
Communication
Documentation
Teamwork 3D Printing Travelling Research
Experiencing capricious Facades; From mass block to arbitrary streets, The silhouetted boundaries
Communities atop of communities; Contagious behaviour of man. Persuasive architecture and metanarrativevs; Aphonic aesthetic waves
Crossing through suburban naves Universal space?
Egalitarian culture raising amongst the youth; What is the universal space?
~Rafia Mohsin
UNCOVERING URBAN ROOTS
Paradigms of human behavior
The project uncovers the true essence of an experiential space from human to building scale. It aims to create awareness about climatic conditions through space technologies forming a sustainable future for upcoming generations. Exploring in vertical dimensions to deal with extreme climatic shifts and land scarcity.
To create underground is to create above ground better allowing the landscapes to be a part of human daily routes. The interlinked metro allows an easy yet experiential journey from below to above ground.
LIVING MECHANISM
EXPLORATION THROUGH SKETCHES: ANTS CHAMBER
The different iterations were a test of vertical and horizontal movements which create chambers that resonate to how ants build up their interior spaces. The journey creates an experience though untangible spaces through transparency of walls.
SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS
URBAN SURFACE
The hierarchy between the functions is demonstrated by the corridor paths connected to each space. Above ground the envelope of the structure extrudes out in various faces to capture sunlight for below functions.
SANDSCAPE
Embracing the winds of Change
PROJECT
Lumion, Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
The project embraces UAE context, taking the sand dunes as an inspiration to create an artistic form to hold identity as a museum on Shaikh Zayed road. The museum is an open door for citizens and tourists, it shows cultural history and allows functions for user to have fun with an indulging experience. The two peaks correspond to the formation of the dunes which gradually
flows into the landscape, hence the slip face. The functions based in the theme are nested under the form. The academy functions involve dry painting, meditation classes (inspired from the Japanese culture where they form lines through sand resulting in relaxation) they also call it zen garden on a larger scale which is incorporated in the academy.
Softwares/Skills:Rhino,
Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Pedestrian movement around the site.
Low-rise Buildings- mass and void relationship.
High-rise Buildings- most buildings on SZR are highrise towers.
Visual connection from the site are marked from front.
Vehicular density is seen at all times for it to be a spine of Dubai.
THE TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE
The museum function involves the large-scale sand sculptures that convey messages in different ways, connected interface through a variety of computational simulations using sand. Users view these simulations which frame the history as they walk through.
The sand dunes formed by the winds acts as the design driver for the shape of the building.
The winds from the south have a greater impact causing the winds to raise and dropping towards the north.
The slip face through the wind creates drop hence, elevation of the building. The study shows how winds create the dunescapes of UAE.
SENSORY - SUSTAINABLE - STRUCTURES
The walk towards the Amphitheatre is laced with attractive experiences to enhance the journey throughout the festival.
CONSTRUCTION OF WOVEN’22
Implementing a Hybrid construction method that utilizes PVC pipes and fittings along with Bamboo allows us to achieve a flexible and sound structure. The placement of the supports the structure as welll as add spatial qualities to it.
INTERSTITIAL SPACES
Dissertation
DESIGN STUDIO IV
PROJECT LOCATION
Deira, Dubai
Abstract
The veins of districts in Deira located in Dubai have been known for their tight spans, changing human behaviour, accumulating of tensile shadings (reducing solar gain), channelling winds and continuous activity. As Kahn narrates about the supremacy of streets, this thesis also evaluates the dynamic of interstitial spaces in Al-Ras, Deira. Human behaviour through every space is different due the wideness of a sikka, the cool temperature that differs from space to space, the walls that rise high along the adjacencies of the narrow pathways, and the functions that exist next to those walls. The sky acts as the roof to those alleys. People, their emotions and interactions that exist in those spaces dismantles the need of connectivity from alleyways, (sikkak). This spontaneously diverges the sikka (plu. Sikkak) into more than just a connection or a walkthrough space.
Following upon the methodology of investigating public spaces from known architects, Jan Gehl and William Whyte. This research analyses and evaluates the interstitial spaces along the nodes of Al-Ras. Unravelling the two cities Dubai and New York. The emerging urban growth rate escorts to rehumanize the element of space allowing sense of belonging and comfort to the community in-between urban blocks. A series of time timelapse and interviews from the dwellers were captured to draw a well-researched perspective. This demonstrates the phenomenology of public realm.
These scenarios examine the direct relation between functions and outdoor space. It is observed that in each sikkak activity influences movement patterns. The other factors of climate, sitting, societal – are examined further. To understand the interstitial space on a better scale the typologies chosen are different in nature and a union of Whyte and Gehl’s methodology of observing interstitial spaces.
How interstitial spaces work and its effect on the pedestrian flux ?
Sikka 30
Sikka 7
Sikka 22b
The approach combines a dedication to sustainability, thoughtful exploration, and the belief that architecture has the power to shape a better future.
CONSTRUCTION
The walls are generated from raw earth to reduce carbon footprint.The walls are 3D printed in 128 modules, playing a major role to save 60% time and labor costs.
DESIGN OPTIONS
option 3 - the dunes
existing situation
Existing situation
reclaimation and construction phase
ADDITIVE APPROACH
minimal disruption to existing Yas bay promenade
THE MOVEMENT
The development explores architecture as a copendium to inhabit inspirational activities,with a focal view of reinstalling informal social interactions for the residents in consideration with the context of the site, connecting the presence with the temporal fragments.
Reclaimation and construction phase
project completion
Project completion
Through my lens, a journey full of adventures and explorations unfolds, each frame capturing not just places, but moments that whisper stories untold. From hidden corners of bustling cities to the quiet magic of untouched landscapes, every image is a testament to curiosity, courage, and the beauty found in the unexpected.
