email: safa.shkry@gmail.com
phone: +1 (810) 241-3336
linkedin: safa-shukairy
education
2016-2020
2022-2025 University of Michigan
bachelors of arts in communication
Illinois Institute of Technology
masters of architecture
software proficiency
adobe suites rhino
climate studio autoCAD
revit
enscape lumion
vray
the “c” museum of sound and music
spring 2024
location: northerly island, chicago, il group: m. iraqi, i. mazur
This project is a museum and school of sound and music, situated on Chicago’s museum campus, occupying the space previously designated as a parking lot on Northerly Island. Positioned between Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium, both monumental landmarks, the building commands its own sense of grandeur. With channel glass adorning the north facade and a curtain wall enveloping the south facade, the primary objective of this structure revolved around transparency and creating an inviting atmosphere. The building has a curved design, with its southern facade opening up to a courtyard that extends towards the rest of Northerly Island.
A key focus of the design was to create a serene environment that shields visitors from the distractions of the city, allowing them to immerse themselves fully in the experience of sound and music. Serving as a filter, the architecture guides individuals arriving for different purposes- whether for school activities, museum exploration, or attending performances- while simultaneously blocking out distractions from the urban surroundings. The intentional filtration allows visitors to concentrate and fully appreciate the richness of the sound and music experience within the building. Designed to cater to diverse demographics, the project accommodates various programs, including students, museum visitors, and performance guests. A front plaza offers a communal space for relaxation, complemented by stairs and a ramp leading to one of the main entrances, set ten feet below grade, which opens onto a mezzanine level. From here, wide stairs provide access to the museum level below, the school floors to the right, or the performance area to the left. The floorplates feature strategic shifts to promote openness and flexibility. The lower portion of the building is dedicated to the museum program, including large open space for permanent and temporary exhibits, administration, storage, and a restaurant. On the opposite end, the performance halls, including two smaller recital halls and one larger auditorium. The upper floors on the right side accommodate the school program, featuring classrooms, practice rooms, administrative offices, storage, a music shop, and a recording studio. At the building’s far end sits a double height library, connected by a large stairway that facilitates movement between school levels.
elevation 1
elevation 2
elevation 2
elevation 2
hybrid-mixed the future of mixed-income highrise housing
fall 2023
location: logan square, chicago, il group: a wetter, k. sonco, v. reyes
Our proposal prioritizes spatial design as a transitional space between interconnecting social programs where people can move comfortably and intuitively. The goal was to create transitional spaces inspired by pathways that would feed people into specific areas not to force connections, but to inspire moments for these opportunities. A principal concept behind the design are these spanning bridges which aim to create multiple elevated plazas or social spaces.
Comprising two towers, the multi-use building seamlessly integrates affordable apartments and pod hotels in a residential tower. A smaller secondary tower serves as a welcome center, strategically separated from residential programs, dedicated to providing essential amenities for newly arrived immigrants. This center, located at the southeast corner of Milwaukee Blvd. and Kedzie Blvd., adjacent to Logan Square Park and the blue line subway station, aims to create a collaborative dialogue with the transit and park system. The overarching concept revolves around extensive community outreach and spatial design that prioritizes transitional spaces, inspired by pathways, encouraging comfortable and intuitive movement between interconnecting social programs. The design is anchored by massive level-spanning bridges, connecting both towers to create elevated plazas and social spaces, fostering a sense of connectivity and inclusivity. The addition of arches directs hierarchy and emphasizes the significance of these communal spaces in promoting successful integration and community interaction.
ground floor
third floor
eighth floor
the submarine an aquatic center for north avenue beach
spring 2023
location: north avenue beach, chicago, il group: j. arets
The site is located on North Avenue beach in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, IL. Situated on the shore of Lake Michigan and surrounded by a beautiful park, the site is one of the most popular beaches in Chicago. It is approximately a 360 ft. long, narrow strip of land that offers visitors a convenient location near the chess pavilion and Castaways, as well as a nearby parking lot and public transportation.
The aquatic center offers different programs related to aquatic activities and recreation. The individual buildings all have their own separate function and guests are welcomed at a reception area in each building. The four buildings are all connected by a subterranean level and also by the landscape created in between. Visitors always enter the site through a garden and also have the chance to enjoy the area without having to enter a building. The all year round program, mostly indoors, keeps the buildings always in connection with the outside. The shape of the buildings was chosen to direct the views of visitors to the skyline and to the lake, offering a unique experience. The buildings all get enough natural light through the use of skylights, voids and the way the windows are positioned.
The aquatic center is divided into four separate buildings, each with its own unique function. They act as entrances for different uses, such as spa, pool, and cafe. Each of the buildings are connected by a subterranean level that houses all of the aquatic functions. The first building is a spa that offers a variety of different services such as massages, saunas, and other spa treatments. The second floor of the spa includes a terrace that overlooks Lake Michigan and is used for yoga in the summertime. The second building is the entrance to the family pool, including a reception area and an opening to see down to the subterranean floor. The third building is the cafe, which has seating on two floors and also includes terraces with views of the city and lake. The final building is the largest of the four and functions as the gym. It includes different types of equipment and a studio space for different classes such as barre or yoga. It also includes a track that goes around an opening that allows visitors to see into the subterranean level.
top floor
ground floor
hot tubs pool
kids pool lap pool big pool
pool party
a chinese new year poolscape festival
spring 2023
location: north avenue beach, chicago, il group: d. magada-ward
The goal of the project was to design a poolscape that investigates a relational scenario that integrates the pool with a selected theme, the chinese new year. using organic shapes and curves to create the final design, the goal in the design of the poolscape was to establish a choreography, creating a relationship between the building and the landscape. Tadanori yokoo’s asahi beer ad and grace farms by sanaa were the primary precedents during the design process. There are 3 primary structures that are connected by open walkways. The first building is a welcome center that includes a terrace for a cafe that it sits atop. The bridge that runs above the largest pool connects it to the 2 story spa center. A set of stairs from the second floor creates an opportunity to occupy the roof as well. The following walkway then connects the spa center to the final pavilion, leading to the pool at the end. The design process included 3d modeling the structure using rhinoceros. After transporting the linework into adobe illustrator, color, texture, figures, and shadows were incorporated. The color palette, as well as the inclusion of different scenes happening throughout the drawings were inspired by yokoo’s asahi beer ad. The end resulted in an axonometric drawing and a section perspective.
koi in crown hall
an anamorphic projection
spring 2023
location: chicago, il
Using various 3d modeling techniques in rhino, an image was projected onto the walls of Crown Hall by Mies Van Der Rohe. The image reveals itself completely only when viewed from a specific vantage point, creating an interesting visual experience. The image features two graceful koi fish circling a radiant sun. The panels within Crown Hall serve as the canvas, giving life to collages inspired by this projection. Floor plans and elevations of the project envision the image painted on both walls and floors.
floor plan
