Urban design portfolio

/about me

CONTACT

reka.tundokova@gmail.com

+421911185792

www.linkedin.com/in/rekatundokova-a3a367109v

I am a research assistant at the University of Hong Kong, where I coordinate and conduct projects on the environmental driving factors of urban form. I also pursued a master’s degree in urban design at the same institution, after graduating from UCL with a BSc in urban planning, design and management. I have a keen interest in exploring how urban design can enhance the quality of life, health, and sustainability of cities and communities.

In addition to my academic and research work, I have gained valuable experience in the fields of AI, public participation, and public space design through various internships and work placements. I have worked as an associate at a platform that creates an ecosystem for career development, as a part of the department of participatory planning at the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava, and as a recipient of the LDA Design Bursary. Through these roles, I have developed skills in business development, urban framework design, environmental analysis, and simulation. I am passionate about applying my knowledge and skills to create innovative and inclusive solutions for urban challenges. I believe I can bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the team, as well as a collaborative and supportive attitude.

RECENT OCCUPATION

Coordinator and researcher in projects evaluating the environmental driving factors of urban form, i.e. health and comfort, building energy, urban heat island, etc.

EDUCATION

Research assistant at HKU Master in Urban Design

UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE

BSc in Urban Planning, Design and Management

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, THE BARTLETT SCHOOL OF PLANNING

SOFTWARE PROFICIENCY

HOLLOWAY - PLACE OF BELONGING AND RESILIENCE

From floods and wildfires to a global pandemic, 2020 has highlighted the importance of sustainability and effective planning to help protect the Earth and ensure the wellbeing of city dwellers. Drawing lessons from the national lockdown and sustainable practices to mitigate development impacts on climate change, this proposal addresses the urgent need to create cohesive, sustainable and liveable neighbourhoods with low input, big impact strategies that ca be easily adapted and applied across neighbourhoods globally.

Former prison site to be demolished

London, 2020 | UCL, BSc UPDM, Y3 |Supervisor - Dr. Martins, Juliana

London, UK - Islington District - Holloway prison site

Public space

Landuse

• predominantly residential area with few public spaces

• lack of playgrounds and community gardens

Evident lack of green infrastructure - no major open spaces in close vicinity to the site. Islington is one of the boroughs with the least amount of green space area per person. Existing and additional greenery can be considered to mitigate much of the noise and air pollution caused by the busy road next to site.

Framework development

Creating adaptable spaces with social infrastructure and green open spaces

Site post-demolition with context road access

Extending access with connected grid

Green space unites the grid

Catalysing local programs

Spreading social pockets

Connected and lively social structure

Street hierarchy with new connections

Mixed-use residential living Series of nodes with active frontages

Building type

Combinations which encourage social interraction in various open spaces

Traditional block

Incorporated green pockets

Flexible living

Efficient and adaptable development model

Modular unit representing one standard room size

Adaptable floorplan on different levels restaurant indoor play space for children daycare facility

Redistributed mass

Permeable block with social pockets

Modular units connected into living apartment units

Variations of 1-bed 2-bed 3-bed 4-bed housing units

grocery store

shared workspace

indoor sports facility

local coffee shop

community space

1 bedroom

2 bathroom

3 living room / common space

4 kitchen

5 balcony

1 bedroom

2 bathroom

3 living room / common space with kitchen

1 bedroom

2 bathroom

3 living room / common space

4 kitchen

5 balcony

Toolbox of typologies

Fostering different types of living for a functioning mixed-use community

Mixed-use pixel house Townhouse

Zig-zag house

Modern townhouse

Achieved strategies

A community that is able to absorb, recover and prepare for future economic, environmental and social shocks

Provide more entrance options and improve navigation

Ensure permeability and accessibility for all users

Distribute uses and activities

Embrace organic movement layout

Maximise sunlight and ventilation providing dual aspect units and smaller blocks

Extend green space and its integration

SMART GREEN HOUSE PROTOTYPE |

LAI CHI WO 02

Hong Kong, 2022 | HKU, MUD |Superviso - Dr. Jianxiang Huang

The proposed Smart Green House (SGH) serves the need of eco-tourism in Lai Chi Wo and the rest of Hong Kong’s countryside areas. A joint MIT Node and HKU team aims to collaborate on developing and testing a prototype of SGH 1.0, to be used for accommodation, management, and tourism services. The house uses rapidly renewable materials, such as bamboo, timber, earth, and rely on local supply chains for pre-fabricated modules, and it can be assembled quickly.

The multi-disciplinary team consists of architects, urban planners, building scientist, and IT specialists, drawing expertise from a university-industry partnership both locally and internationally.

house prototype site

1

water streams

Unique natural setting with cultural and environmental significance with a long-term interraction between humans and the natural environment.

3

fung shui wood

2

agricultural wetland

4

shrub land

mudflat 5

6

mangrove & sea grass

7

rocky shores

8

inner sea

West gate entrance

Ancestral hall

East gate entrance

Lai Chi Wo was set up by the Hakka nearly 400 years ago

Rich cultural history attracts visitors a boosts toursim in the area

Hip Tin temple house prototype site

Hok Shan Monastery

Existing structure

small footprint area on a narrow site

existing structure remains with new additional open space, roofing system and raingarden

Post-intervention

existing structure remains with new additional open space, roofing system and raingarden

drought tolerant grasses and wildflowers

rainwater storage and collection to grow vegetation

Structural details

The building is a small house with two-level concrete frame structure. It is currently vacant with decent structural quality. It occupies a prominent location with good views. It can serve as the focus of the first stage intervention of smart and green retrofit.

photovoltaic panels integrated in the roofing

bamboo roof skeleton inspired by traditional hakka roof design

rooftop terarce to allow movement on building top

modular scaffolding structure

timber planks for steps and seats

additional staircase for easy access

The proposal carefully considers local design features, a modern reinterpretation of traditional elements. The new roof, which is one of the key element, adapts a traditional Hakka village roof design style. While resembling tradition, the design is playful with alternative materials, respecting the local culture while embracing more sustainable conditions at the same time.

03

LIVEABILITY AND INTENSIFICATION | REIMAGINED NEIGHBOURHOOD

London, 2018 | UCL, BSc UPDM, Y1 |Superviso - Cidre, Elisabete

Located in King’s Cross, Site 28 was at the time a vacant site, situated between the British Library and the Francis Crick Institute. The research institute, train station and housing estates surrounding the site provide for its potential to bridge the gap between different land uses, becoming a common space for diverse users

Site 28 was often taken as a shortcut to and from St Pancras International. This project focused on designing a public open space which seeks to transform an underutilised site into a destination for workers, residents or travellers passing by. The main elements of this space is transformable and mobile street furniture

before / after

Eastern entrance

Residential area

Commercial area

Education

Green space

Major road

Minor road

Railway

Noise pollution

Node

Focal point

Transport Studied site

Western entrance

Main

Main pedestrain routes

Street furniture design toolkit

Bench system on rotatin platforms, adjustable for more intimate or open space

leveled seating on scaffolding style step box system

/

terrace style seating with roofing to protect on rainy days

box system for various uses, including playing, seating

Community gardening within the surrounding estate courtyards

New public square behind the British Library

Space for everyone

1:1 WORKSHOP WOVEN STUDIO 04

Slovakia, 2020 | [1:1] WORKSHOP | Woven studio

[1:1] WORKSHOP organized in Slovakia since 2013 is a design & build workshop for international students of architecture and design eager to learn and get experienced in the field of timber construction. Led by professional tutors and organized by the creative platform woven.

The workshop was led in the summer of 2020, in Moravany nad Váhom. The project site was located just behind the Moravany Castle, in the beatiful ambient park. The designed structure still sits on the little uphill of the park, surrounded by tall trees and direct view on the castle.The workshop explored the use of Japanese joints in woodworking photocredits: @Woven team

Conceptual design

Applied structural detail

Half blind dovetail Japanese joint style structure with a supporting beam

PING CHE |

NORTHERN AGROPOLIS

Hong Kong, 2022 | HKU, MUD |Superviso - Dr. Alain Chiaradia

Ping Che is located on the east of North New Town in Hong Kong. While the area itself is relatively flat, it is surrounded by the mountains. The land is characterized by grasslands, farmlands, river channels and paths leading towards the hills. The current local population are villagers and farmers. Ping Che is also next to a regional corridor which makes it a lucrative area for future interconnections between Hong Kong and Shenzhen

This project aims to transform Ping Che into an ecological hub, balancing a low-density population with a landscape restoration strategy, enhancing and building on the existing land and natural assets and supporting agricultural production. The existing natural conditions guide the vision for Ping Che – a landscape led and people centric strategy

Existing water channels

Primary water catchment direction

Water catchment and risk assessment

Integrating and re-naturalizing water

Water system and flooding

Integrating water into the ecosystem

Increased biodiversity

Carbon sequestration

Improved water quality

Wildlife habitat

Natural setting and connection to waterfront

Formal setting with stairs and platforms

Pedestrian-oriented network

Creating distinct areas

PHASE 1: 2022-2030

Landscape restoration and conservation

Allowing forests to regrow, restoring to restorative agricultural practices

PHASE 2: 2025-2035

Transportation, population and

Rain infrastructure and housing sustainable living through local food environmental restoration

PHASE 3: 2032-2052

Expansion, blending and distinctiveness

Environmental and technological production and education

provision, focused on more food production, job creation and innovations within agricultural

Sceneric views on the farmlands from the public housing residential neighbourhoods.

Public housing

Restored farmland

Mixed-use development

Sports ground

Modern campus

Private housing

06

MAPPING PEDESTRIAN HEAT STRESS

Jianxiang Huang, Xu Tang, Phil Jones, Tongping Hao, Reka Tundokova, Clive Walmsley, Simon Lannon, Peter Frost, Josie Jackson, (2024), Mapping Pedestrian Heat Stress in Current and Future Heatwaves in Cardiff, Newport, and Wrexham in Wales, UK, ScienceDirect

The research paper describes the mapping of heat stress experienced by pedestrians during past and future heat wave events. Computer simulation was used to assess the extent of heat stress experienced by pedestrians in three Welsh cities - Cardiff, Newport, and Wrexham.

CityComfort+ was used to assess urban environmental parameters – it uses inputs of 3D urban geometries, localize radiant temperature, wind speed, air temperature, metabolic rate and clothing insulation. Results show significant implications for town planning and the model can serve as decision-making tool or planning-tool to evaluate human thermal comfort of public open spaces.

Responsibilities:

Land surface temperature mapping with Landsat data

Land surface temperature in Cardiff, 1984

(a) Simulated Pedestrian Heat Stress

(b) Land Surafce Temperature

Model can serve as decision-making tool or planning-tool to evaluate human thermal comfort of public open spaces

Can be used to assess spatial-temporal comfort of public open spaces & spatial-temporal patterns of heat stress on an existing space as well as a proposed one

Can quantify the impact on heat stress from proposed development and assist decisionsmaking

Can reveal future risks from climate change and urge preventative measures to be taken in advance

thank

thank you.