Architectural Portfolio of Selected Works | 2024 by Rifat Ara Islam

Portfolio

Rifat Ara Islam

Architecture for Resilient and Sustainable Communities

About Me

Architecture, for me, is where creativity, resilience, and problem-solving converge to shape meaningful environments. My early fascination with self-sufficient habitats—sparked by stories like Robinson Crusoe—instilled a deep appreciation for the power of design to support human adaptability and harmony with nature.

Until recently, my academic and professional journey had been rooted in urban contexts—designing dense, multi-functional spaces for growing cities. However, an incredible opportunity to work on rural architectural projects in Ontario has expanded my perspective. I now embrace both urban and rural design as equally vital to our future.

Like many visionary architects, from Rem Koolhaas—who explored the countryside as the next frontier of architecture—to Uttam Saha, who reflected after 35 years of practice that “Cities can no longer accommodate us all—but villages still can”—I too believe rural environments hold transformative potential. They are places where sustainability, culture, and community can thrive through sensitive, contextual design.

This dual lens now guides my work: Combining the rigour of urban systems thinking with the intimacy and ecological awareness of rural life. Whether revitalizing historic barns or crafting visionary towers, I strive to design spaces that serve people, place, and planet with equal care.

DeBoer Agritourism Barn

Location: Hamilton, ON, Canada

Supervisor: Krista Hulshof, Principal at VELD Architect Inc.

Scale: 374 m2 | Budget: $2,000,000

Completion: 2025

Typology: Hospitality | Occupancy: Assembly Design Concept: Adaptive re-use

Phases: SD, DD, CD - Permit Documentation & AHJ Coordination

Media: Zoho, MS office, Revit 2025

Goals & Methodology:

The project aimed to transform an existing agricultural property into a multi-phase agritourism facility while meeting zoning, and environmental requirements. I coordinated with AHJs during the schematic design and construction documentation phases to support zoning clearance, building permit submission, and compliance with the Ontario Building Code and local regulations. Under the supervision of the principal architect, I managed project tracking tools and maintained ongoing communication with the client and consultants. I was responsible for organizing and integrating consultant reports—including traffic, noise, civil, archaeological, and environmental studies—ensuring they aligned with project timelines and

Garden Musing

Location: Waterloo, ON, Canada

Instructor: Val Rynnimeri, Professor at University of Waterloo

Scale: 2,450 m2 | Budget: $10,000,000

Academic Term: Fall’ 2021

Typology: Multi-unit | Occupancy: Co-Housing Design Concept: Adaptive re-use

Phases: SD, DD | MB Comprehensive Design Studio Media: Adobe suite, Rhino 7, Twinmotion, Revit 2020

Goals & Methodology:

Garden Musing is a co-housing facility originally envisioned for long-hauler COVID-19 patients, with flexible potential for post-pandemic uses such as wellness retreats, seniors’ living, or transitional housing. Rooted in biophilic design, the project aims to foster healing, resilience, and community well-being through nature-integrated architecture.

Key design strategies include:

Therapeutic Landscapes: Preserving mature trees and introducing medicinal gardens that support communal rituals like brewing herbal teas and seasonal harvesting.

Biophilic Principles: Emphasizing daylight, forest views, natural ventilation, and tactile materials to reduce stress, promote circadian rhythm, and enhance emotional well-being.

Sustainable Rehabilitation: Merging restorative healthcare with adaptive reuse strategies to create a low-impact, community-focused living model.

By intertwining nature and built form, the project reimagines healing as a shared, immersive, and sustainable experience.

Public Appearance

Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Instructor: Elena Manferdini, Professor at SCI-Arc

Scale: 115,200 m2 | Budget: $576,000,000,000

Academic Term: Spring’ 2016

Typology: Federal Courthouse | Occupancy: Assembly Design Concept: Speculative Sci-Fi

Phases: SD, DD | 2GBX Design Studio

Media: Adobe suite, Rhino 5, Keyshot

Goals & Methodology:

Many people suffer for years because of monotonous practice of courthouses.The intention was to break the monotony of its usual practice and create a warmrelationship between public and justice through this new courthouse which will be sited in an undulated site and its four corners has three different height. So the orientation and Shape of the building was derived from different angles of site lines facing all directions. For the grounds, use of fuzzy reflective material was to get the image of the changing society. People get it while in looking and walking as soon as they enter the premise.

Building is enveloped by colorful textured glasses. The purpose of glass surface is to get maximum natural light in entire space. The reason of using colors is that it has always played an important role in the process of human evolution. It’s psychological influence and effects on the surface are aspects of our perceptual judgement system. Colors can speed up our thinking. When Orange, Blue, Beige colors are mixed together on glass surfaces it gives greenish effect to the environment. Which makes the ambience soothing and calm that is essential for a federal building. Also, it gives the new building visual separation from the neighboring gray buildings of the city.

Sardar Heights

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Supervisor: Uttam Saha, Principal at Nandan Architects Ltd.

Scale: 1,114 m2 | Budget: $5,000,000

Completion: 2022

Typology: Mixed-use | Occupancy: Commercial Design Concept: New Construction

Phases: SD, DD, CD - Permit Documentation & AHJ Coordination

Media: AutoCAD 2022, Revit 2020, V-Ray

Goals & Methodology:

The project is situated in Dhaka’s bustling city center, where space constraints and historical significance demanded a design that maximized height while preserving cultural heritage. The building’s form integrates an old gate as the main entrance, blending contemporary aesthetics with the site’s historic character to honor the Sardar family’s legacy.

To achieve these objectives, the design incorporates a mixed-use highrise with:

Ground Floor: Rehabilitated existing shops, creating continuity with the site’s past.

1st–3rd Floors: Exclusive jewelry shops accessed via a dedicated stairway, ensuring a premium experience.

4th Floor: An entertainment hub featuring restaurants and a community center, fostering social engagement.

5th–23rd Floors: Flexible office spaces with green terrace gardens, enhancing natural ventilation and luxury.

24th–25th Floors: Optional residential units for adaptable usage.

Rooftop Garden: Vertical greenery and an open rooftop garden promote sustainability and offer an iconic visual appeal.

This project balances luxury, functionality, and sustainability, transforming a constrained urban site into a landmark that reflects both innovation and cultural pride.

1st-4th Floor Plan [Shopping]

Ground Floor Plan [Shopping]

5th-23rd Floor Plan [Offices]

24th-25th Floor Plan [Residences]

Gopibag Bliss

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Supervisor: Uttam Saha, Principal at Nandan Architects Ltd.

Scale: 930 m2 | Budget: $3,000,000

Completion: 2022

Typology: Multi-family | Occupancy: Residential Design Concept: New Construction

Phases: SD, DD, CD - Permit Documentation & AHJ Coordination

Media: AutoCAD 2022, Revit 2020, Twinmotion

Goals & Methodology:

As Dhaka rapidly grows into one of the world’s densest urban centers, Bliss addresses the challenge of maximizing functionality and connectivity on a constrained 1400 SFT plot. Situated near the city’s largest flyover and the vibrant Jorpukur Math playground, the project leverages its prime location to enhance urban accessibility while catering to the dynamic lifestyles of its residents.

Key design solutions included:

Optimal Space Utilization: Developed a multi-family residential building that optimizes vertical space while providing functional living units for urban families.

Connectivity and Accessibility: Integrated proximity to essential urban amenities such as educational institutions, healthcare facilities, shopping centers, and public transportation.

Community Integration: Designed shared spaces that promote a sense of community within the development while maintaining strong ties to the surrounding urban fabric.

This project exemplifies how thoughtful design and efficient planning can transform small urban plots into thriving residential spaces that enhance connectivity, convenience, and the quality of life for residents.

Site Context

Level 1-6 Plan

Roof Plan

Annex to the Bibilotheque

Location: Paris, France

Instructor: Florencial Pita, Professor at SCI-Arc | Team-mate: Kun Wang

Scale: 1,176 m2 | Budget: $15,000,000

Academic Term: Fall’ 2015

Typology: Federal Courthouse | Occupancy: Assembly

Design Concept: Speculative Sci-Fi

Phases: SD, Project Narration & Coordination | 2GAX Design Studio

Media: Adobe suite, Rhino 5, 3D Coat, 3D Maya

Goals & Methodology:

Set at the corner of Rue Valette and Place du Panthéon in Paris, the Annex to the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève explores speculative interventions within a rich historical context.

The design draws inspiration from site-specific elements, merging references such as façade textures, colors, and shadows with abstract forms derived from photographs of a candy jar. This juxtaposition creates a unique architectural identity:

Form and Texture: The building’s sharp curvature profile reflects the candy jar’s shape, while its textures incorporate details of windows and neighboring façades, blending seamlessly into the urban fabric.

Integration with Context: Solids and voids are scaled to complement the surrounding architecture, with corners cut to fit the site and openings designed to echo Parisian aesthetics.

Abstract Aesthetics: Vertical and horizontal mullion lines, along with textured façade openings, reinterpret traditional Parisian architectural elements through a contemporary lens.

This speculative project balances abstraction and heritage, offering a provocative vision of how public architecture can engage with history and context.