Designing, teaching, and learning with empathy
Waterloo University / M.Arch
SEPTEMBER 2021 - APRIL 2023, CAMBRIDGE ON
The Bartlett UCL / M.Arch Bio-Integrated Design
SEPTEMBER 2020 - FEBRUARY 2021, LONDON UK
Waterloo University / B.A. in Architecture, Co-op
SEPTEMBER 2013 - OCTOBER 2018, CAMBRIDGE ON
• My research at Waterloo University was on natural plant fibers and specifically the Common Milkweed Plant, Asclepias Syriaca, and it’s potential to be used as a natural insulative material. Researching ways of creating a sensorial human connection with the plant silk fibers and exploring sewing methods to achieve thermal delight to show the potential of the plant. As the sole host plant for the Monarch Butterfly, ethical ways of harvesting and growing milkweed plant for butterfly conservation are also explored.
• My research at the Bartlett involved the study of maple leaves’ response to losing sunlight in the fall through extensive documentation for five consecutive days. The research was carried out at multiple scales comparing elevation, sun direction and location of leaves, resulting in a video documentation
UWSA / Teaching Assistant
SEPTEMBER 2022 - DECEMBER 2022, CAMBRIDGE ON
• Assisted in teaching a second year core design studio titled Architecture Against Housing Alienation alongside a teaching team of seven, led by professor Adrian Blackwell
• Attended reviews, assisting in grading projects, and provided office hours to students
• Completed bi-weekly class schedules and assisted in course writing
CSV Architects / Intern Architect
MARCH 2021 - JANUARY 2022, OTTAWA ON
• Worked on a daycare renovation in Ottawa, ON, documenting existing building conditions and overseeing concept design stage
• Assisted in various multi-unit affordable housing projects in Kingston and Kemptville Ontario, developing skills in large scale design and construction documentation
• Led the design and project development of a single family home addition in Ottawa, ON, 3D modeling existing house and design addition
Colizza Bruni Architecture / Intern Architect
JANUARY 2018 - SEPTEMBER 2020, OTTAWA ON
• Assisted in the design development of two major projects in Ottawa, City View Centre Daycare and Laroche Park community centre, overseeing the daycare from design to construction completion
• Conducted site visits with engineers and general contractors while closely working with all disciplines involved and ensuring the coordination of construction drawings
• Independently and efficiently represented design ideas through producing high quality renderings under tight deadlines for client meetings
• Established a new representation standard for project presentations and proposals by designing templates through InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop
• Gained experience in working with the Ontario Building Code and in completing minor variance applications and planning rationale presentations
• Assisted in completing construction documentation of private and public projects including City View Centre Daycare and Castle Hill home renovation, closely involved in all phases of the project
Freelance / Landscape Designer
SEPTEMBER 2020 - AUGUST 2022, OTTAWA ON
• Successfully completed the design and construction of a singlefamily home’s landscaping
• Enhanced my communication skills with clients and contractors, while efficiently translating design concepts into visualizations and final construction
• Independently over saw the construction of the project while innovatively resolving design challenges by working on-site with contractors
Rice+Lipka Architects / Architectural Designer
JANUARY 2017 - AUGUST 2017, NEW YORK CITY NY
• Independently led all phases of the traveling exhibition World on the Horizon: Swahili Arts Across the Indian Ocean in the Krannert Art Museum including the schematic design, design development, and production of construction documentation
• Documented over 200 artworks while contacting client and working with fabricators to design 26 humidity-moderated cases
• Worked as a part of the design team on the award winning 10,000sf NYPD Bomb Squad Building developing construction documentation
• Fabricated and installed wooden slats at the Parsons New School of Constructed Environment
Stantec / Architectural Designer
MAY 2016 - AUGUST 2016, VANCOUVER BC
• Designed and fabricated physical models of different railing design options for a tower located in Brentwood utilizing a Rhino, Grasshopper and the laser cutter
• Designed and fabricated physical models of different column designs for the Vancouver International Airports’ upcoming West Chevron expansion
• Produced high quality presentation drawings for a company book publication representing Stantec’s airport design portfolio
Kraaijvanger / Architectural Intern
SEPTEMBER 2015 - DECEMBER 2015, ROTTERDAM NDL
• Assisted in the design and visualization development of the Floating Office design, the school of Zeist renovation, and the MPCFlexparking design
• Developed visualizations of design studies, colour, material and facade studies for the Rabobank design, the Steenjeskerk Church renovation, the TU Delft design addition
• Developed skills in Revit in TU Delft design addition, preparing drawings for clients
• Assisted in winning two design competitions including Rabobank Design and the School of Zeist renovation
• Canada*
• United States*
• Mexico
• Jordan*
• Qatar*
• Germany
Collaborative Design
Client Meeting
Physical Modeling
3D modeling
Proposal Development
Storyboarding
Concept Sketches
Presentations
Photography
Graphic Design
Rapid Visual Representations
Site Documentation
Permit Application
Tender Documents
Construction Documents
Tools
Revit / AutoCAD / Sketchup / Rhino / V-ray / Grasshopper / ArchiCAD / ArcGIS / Adobe Creative Suite / 3D Printing / Laser Cutting / HTML & CSS
Coding
Publications
2023 - “Transient Skin(s)” in UCLA’s POOL Residue edition
CURRENT - “Ephemeral Embraces” in UWSA’s g.alt seeds edition
Volunteer
2022 - Co-lectured to first year students on Architecture and Advocacy
2022 - Co-designed syllabus centering Advocacy and Architecture
2022 - Initiated green bin collection through Waterloo Waste Management
2023 - Masonry Council of Ontario: The Longevity of Masonry (2nd prize) valued at $2000
2023 - Excellence in Architecture TA Award valued at $500
2023 - Student Engagement Award: Environmental Action valued at $250
• Holland*
• Italy*
• Portugal
• Spain
• United Arab Emirates*
* places residing in for 3 months or more fluent in Arabic and English
2022 - 3D printed clay project, Nestling, selected for exhibition at Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery
2017 - International Experience Award valued at $2500 for studying abroad in Rome
2015 - International Experience Award valued at $1000 for working abroad in Rotterdam
Freelance | Landscape | Ottawa, ON | 2020
Landscape design of the backyard and frontyard of a single family home
Located on a corner unit lot in a beautiful suburban neighborhood of Ottawa, ON, the client’s vision was to transform their spacious backyard into an inviting space that could accommodate gatherings with family and friends. The project focused on the harmony between warm and cool tones, utilizing an elegant blend of stone and brick. The result was a serene zen garden design that seamlessly incorporated greenery and decorative stones throughout the walkways and edges.
To encourage socializing and relaxation, designated areas of the backyard included a grand gazebo with a stunning central stone fireplace, a comfortable six-person dining space, and a stone deck surrounded by a variety of planter heights, adding convenience and excitement. Overall, the project created an oasis of tranquility in a bustling suburban neighborhood, perfect for entertaining and making memories with loved ones.
Skills used: Rhino, Sketchup, Autocad, Photoshop
The lighting scheme of the project is meticulously crafted to enhance the beauty of the stonework, which includes pathways, steps, and stairs. The stone deck and the feature stairway are further accentuated by surrounding them with planters of varying heights, serving both as a handrail and a means of privacy and shading. Additionally, the planters provide an opportunity for the client to grow her favorite herbs conveniently located near the entry of the kitchen.
The spacious deck landing is thoughtfully designed to accommodate an intimate gathering space with two cozy chairs and a small coffee table, ideal for enjoying the beautiful surroundings while sipping on a cup of coffee or engaging in a lively conversation with a close friend. The result is a seamless blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal that elevates the overall experience of the outdoor living space.
Floor plan and lighting scheme
Colizza Bruni | Fulltime | Addition | Ottawa, ON | 2019
A single storey 387m2 daycare addition for the City View Centre For Child & Family Services providing 24hr support for children of various age groups
The existing City View Centre Daycare on 1099 Longfields drive is a single storey building with a red brick facade and a dark pitched roof, fitting with the suburbs of Barrhaven. It operates during the day for the families and kids in the neighbourhood. The client, City View Centre, wanted to provide a space within the facility for kids that require a 24hr care service. This presented challenges and formal approvals within the ministry as well as the committee of adjustment. The final constructed design is an addition to the south of
the existing daycare, along Deercroft Avenue that maintains the surrounding urban fabric of the neighbourhood while presenting a new and sleek addition complementing the existing daycare. A combination of dark windows and wood siding with a light colour brick results in an addition that stands out while commending the existing structure.
Skills used: Research, Sketchup, Autocad, Photoshop
Section of existing and new
SW view of construction completion
East Elevation
RICE+LIPKA | CO-OP | Exhibition | Krannert Art Museum, IL, Multiple Venues, | 2017
Leading all phases from schematic design to construction documentation of the first major traveling exhibition dedicated to the arts of the Swahili Coast
The Krannert Art Museum galleries contained two permanent galleries that were merged by the design and overlay of a third, a rotated room that organizes four curatorial sections around it. The third rotated gallery introduces a new axes, giving a new flow to the space. It also allows for the organization of the 5 curatorial sections of the exhibition: Architecture of the Port, Between Land and Sea: Objects in Motion, In the Presence of Words, Ocean of Adornment, and Trading the Gaze: East African Coast Photography. A series of cantilevered pedestals were designed to showcase over 200 artworks. 26 cases were designed to moderate humidity and maintain the quality of the artworks. The exhibition ran through March 24, 2018 at Krannert Art Museum and will travel to the new National Museum of African Art/Smithsonian Institution is Washington DC and The Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles CA.
Skills used: Research, Rhino, Autocad, Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketching
The art works inside the rotated designed gallery, In the Presence of Words, contain objects that include Islamic script. These objects are given importance by enclosing the room and centering it between the two permanent galleries.
UWSA | Material Studies | M.ARCH | 2023
Research, harvest, and propose the native common milkweed plant fibre as an alternative to typical insulating material for clothes and buildings with the fabrication of a garment
Garments historically originate from organic fibres harvested from the Earth, however the visual and physical qualities of materials and their origins are not typically foregrounded in modern garment architecture. This research studies the common milkweed plant in situ, as a species on the land, and ex situ, as a harvested fibre, extending traditional ideas of thermal performance to include delight. Architect and researcher Lisa Heschong describes thermal delight in architecture as the joy found in the experience of temperature variation on the skin, which is as applicable to architecture as it is to garment design. The design of a transforming garment made from organic fibres provides contrasting thermal experiences on different parts of the body. Taking inspiration from the biological and morphological transformations of the milkweed plant across seasons, a garment for the human body is designed for thermal delight through visual, tactile, structural, and adaptable encounters.
Through the fabrication of a milkweed fibre-filled garment, this research explores the potential to design for thermal delight through the following parameters: material origin (connection between body and land), material intimacy (visual and tactile pleasure), material warmth (structured warmth), and material adaptability (climatic variation). The garment material and function invite a conversation about the future of envelopes in fashion and architecture mirroring the constant changing environments humans are situated in, more intimately connecting human experience back to the land.
Skills used: AutoCAD, Rhino, Sketching, Sewing, Harvesting, Researching
The thesis defense took place on April 11, 2023, in the Design at Riverside Gallery in Cambridge. The space was designed as an exhibition and divided into three sections: a final designed garment with a video projection, a presentation projection in the centre, and milkweed plant and fibre studies. A black curtain backdrop was used to create a cinematiclike atmosphere, emphasizing the garment and projection. The video projected onto the garment featured hundreds of thousands of monarch butterflies roosting in their overwintering sites in Mexico, juxtaposed with harvested milkweed fibres. This highlighted the importance of considering all species involved when working with organic materials. The garment’s softness and translucency invited audience members to touch and wear the garment, engaging directly with the warm embrace of the fibres.
Warmth of garment transferring to warmth of torso, arms, and upper legs
UWSA | In collaboration with Stephanie Florence, Hania Shehab, & Parastoo Varshosaz | M.ARCH | 2023
Bringing a home to life with Nestling bricks by providing 3D-printed homes for native bird species
Nestling is a transformation of the rectilinear brick into a parametric form that brings life into any brick wall by providing habitats for birds, insects, and plants. Ceramic unique pieces are designed and 3D-printed to be dynamically incorporated within a masonry wall while providing various sized openings for various species habitats. The assembly is designed to attract smaller birds that are native to the region like chickadees and the red breasted nuthatch, while allowing seeds and plants to grow on the lower edges integrating living organisms and human habitats. Since the size is based on a generic masonry unit, the wall can be assembled in two different applications; a free-standing façade system that connects indoor and outdoor spaces or as hung pieces incorporated within an existing double masonry wall. Habitat
biodiversity is enhanced through the integration of living organisms into the daily life of humans and bringing inert homes and façades to life. The symbiotic relationships Nestling achieves represent a future of architectural design systems embodying sustainable inter-species relationships. The curved & organic shape creates habitats for a diversity of organisms including birds & plants. The size of the designed brick in height is twice the size of a modular brick to adequately house the species while fitting within a traditional masonry façade.
Skills used: AutoCAD, Rhino, Sketching, Simplify3D, Clay 3D Printing
A lodge that combines the experience of the spa and dining in the forest of Hokkaido, Japan
Shojin Ryori is the traditional dining style of Japanese Buddhism. It’s fundamental principle is living in harmony with nature and consuming and preparing food as a source of mental and physical clarity. This lodge is an escape to the traditional way of dining, combining the relaxation of bathing and eating.
The Shojin Ryori Lodge in Oyunuma is a series of simply constructed wooden sheds along a heavy linear concrete wall. The humble qualities of the Shojin Ryori life style is echoed in the architecture by utilizing simple construction methods. The wall is multifaceted and acts as a thermal mass heating the sheds, a retaining wall holding the earth, a structural wall, a mechanical wall and most importantly, a program and experience divider. Visitors experience dining, cooking and bathing separately to maintain the element of surprise when passing through the walls’ openings. Subtle sensorial experiences are designed to connect the baths with food preparation and dining, allowing
visitors to smell, view, touch and taste different ingredients while experiencing the bathing programs. Visitors are encouraged to take part in the food preparation as a meditative act as well as a learning experience. The kitchen is the heart- a classroom, where the chef on site teaches the visitors methods of cooking and food preservation. The carefully organized spaces based off temperature, humidity, light and winds allows for a relaxing and comfortable experience. The spaces are meant to be experienced one after the other, to feel the gradient in climatic change and subtle connections with ingredients. The spatial organization also allows moving past specific climatic zones in order to experience a major change in temperature from one space to the next, acting as hydrotherapy for the body, mind and soul.
Skills used: Research, ARC Gis, Rhino, Vray, Autocad, Illustrator, Photoshop, Physical Modeling, Sketching
summer
By orienting the building SW, a concrete wall acting as a thermal mass stores heat during the day and releases it at night.
The prevailing winds are NW and SE which align with the multifaceted wall that connects to that multiple spaces. The winds blow threw the ventilated spaces designed.
Rain
Water catchment systems are designed on the roofs of the buildings, as well as impervious walkways that collect rain water. The designed garden limits runoff.
UWSA | Nablus, WBG | 2016
Bazariya is a village in the West Bank in located in Nablus that relies heavily on agriculture for economic goods. While the WHO recommends a usage of 100L/capita, the West Bank, on average, utilizes 70L, and only 40L in Bazariya. This is due to limited access to wells and the inability to pump water from the Mountain Aquifer, causing Bazariya, and many other villages in the West Bank, to buy water from the Israeli water company named Mekorot, which is over priced and often contaminated. This project proposes a decentralized and autonomous rain water collection and distribution system, at the scale of
the Bazariya village - 2218 people. In a village where Islam is the main religion, the main public program of the proposed design is a Mosque. The site is located atop a mountain slope, and its main elements include spiritual, social, agricultural and spaces to learn all designed along a retaining wall. The mountain becomes the representation of Islamic beliefs and practices, where Islam is presented on the mountain as a way of life. The wall becomes the main element that distributes water across all programs and back to the city. The design becomes a space for prayer, social gathering, and learning, all centered around one thing that brings the people together - water.
Skills used: ARC Gis, Rhino, Vray, Autocad, Illustrator, Photoshop, Physical Modeling, Sketching
Rain water is captured by the mountain top cistern system following the topography Cultivated rain water runs through various types of cisterns that make up spiritual, social, agricultural, energy cultivating and social spaces
Using gravity, the rain water simply flows down the pipes towards the Minaret Electricity cultivated from the stirling dish collector is used to power the pumps, thereby pumping up the collected rain water, where it gets filtered and stored Waste water treated in the Minaret is distributed down to the village using gravity
hot air is brought up the Minaret directly from the prayer hall, and pushed out through large windows on the Eastern side, cooling the spaces below
the minaret: a wind catcher for passive cooling
electricity output: 236.11 kwh/day
irrigation water tank capacity: 12,000L a closed cycle regenerative heat engine that turns 34% of the suns energy into electricity, producing 85,000 Kwh per year
the dome: stirling dish collector water wells: irrigation water tank
water for irrigation is brought to the village through pipes and stored in 3 different water wells across the village for the citizens use at any time
Section bb
Minaret water tower
Village plan and water well locations
Bazariya wind rose
Average annual temperature of 18 ° Celsius
Bazariya annual rainfall
West Bank: potential water pumping areas relative to settlements
West Bank: annual rainfall relative to settlements and governorates
Prayer hall at Fajir prayer time
Ablution courtyard at Maghreb prayer time
Designing a biological system in an architectural context
Evolving monolith explores challenging permanence in architecture while redefining the architectural monolith as a transforming and living object, changing with its environment.
Decay is a fundamental cycle in nature that facilitates regenerative power. With decay always comes new growth. This project questions and explores how decay can be designed to allow the birth of new organisms. The design embraces the biological process of decay and its unpredictability while adapting and changing with environmental conditions. An undulating wall acting as a scaffold is designed to decay and facilitate the growth of a secondary organism. The scaffold allows for new life to grow in architecturally what is meant to be a non-sterile environment, questioning the sterile
architecture designed today and embracing the changing processes of nature.
Designing varied growth and decay cycles required a visual indication of environmental changes that allowed for the phenomena to occur. The work in progress focused on experimenting multiple ways of designed decay as well as growth while visually showing the environmental changes and its impact on the pavilion. The main research in developing the concept involved an understanding of the existing cycle of decay in nature and implementing it as a designed cycle in the built environment.
Skills used: Houdini, Redshift, Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketching
Autumn/Winter - Decay
Spring - New Growth
UCL | Collaboration with Ebyan Rezgui | Nabeul, TUN | 2020
A modular and decentralized method of growing Tomatoes in hot-arid environments utilizing vernacular architecture techniques and novel agricultural & sustainable solutions
This project is a modular and decentralized method of growing Tomatoes in hot-arid environments by combining vernacular architectural techniques with novel and sustainable agricultural solutions In addition, the project aims to bring communities together by creating intersections of various cultural practices such as textile weaving with low-tech vernacular building practices like rammed earth and reed construction. The use of on-site tomato agricultural waste in creating a decaying hydrogel material that facilitates growth was essential.
Tunisia has the highest tomato consumption in the world with 70kg/ year/person. With lessening arable lands in the north, the existing arable soil is vulnerable to degradation which will heavily impact the agriculture economy, in which 16% of the population is employed in. Nabeul, sited in the north is the highest tomato production region in the country accounting for 36% of national production.
Skills used: Collaborative Research, Collaborative design work, Experimentation, Houdini, Redshift, Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketching
Absorbent textiles by local weavers
Hydrogel made out of tomato waste, pectin and degradable ingredients
Reed Frame
Textiles
Hydrogel
Reeds used as a light weight structure
This structure is multi-functional throughout the year and changes according to the environmental conditions. During the hot summer days, from May to October, tomato growing and harvesting takes place with little rainfall, 0 to 25mm and the basin designed on the left is used for temporary tomato storage before manufacturing. The hydrogel on the reed frame during these months will decay at a much slower pace and provide shading for the tomatoes and protection against extreme sun. The translucency on the hydrogel will change over time as water evaporates from the hydrogel.
During the colder months from November to April, the soil will be replenished and fertilized where 400 to 500mm of rainwater per month is expected. The basin on the right will be used for on-site hydrogel production, and rainwater will be directed by the hydrogel panels on the wings and collected and distributed through the central element. A grate will be placed to filter out heavy chunks of hydrogel that may fall off the panels. With heavy rainfall comes a faster pace of decay for the hydrogel, which will allow more distribution of nutrients.
Rainfall season and decaying hydrogel
Modular scaling up of structure based on size of agricultural field, becoming a new typology of a greenhouse
