Zana Kentish Brade: Architecture Portfolio

Portfolio

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ZANA KENTISH BRADE

Part II Architectural Assistant

Nottingham, United Kingdom NG6

+44 7415 717386

zanakentishbrade@gmail.com

zanakentishbrade.wixsite.com/ portfolio

@zana-kentish-brade

@zana.arch

MY PROFILE

An accomplished RIBA Part II architecture graduate with a passion for sustainable design, conservation, and heritage preservation. I am seeking a challenging and rewarding role where I can apply my knowledge, skills, and creative problemsolving abilities to contribute to innovative and environmentally and socially conscious architectural projects. With a keen interest in integrating well-being and biophilic design principles, I aspire to collaborate with a forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping a built environment that harmonizes with nature, enhances user well-being, and honours architectural heritage.

OBJECTIVE

To contribute my passion and expertise to a progressive architectural firm that shares my values. I am eager to make a positive impact on the built environment and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future.

REFERENCES

Available Upon Request

KEY

SKILLS

AutoCAD

SketchUp

VRay

Revit

Adobe Photoshop Teamwork

Adobe InDesign Communication

Illustration Organization

Sketching Problem-Solving

DesignBuilder Model Making Project Management

EXPERIENCE

TUTOR in ARCHITECTURE (Present) - NottinghamTrentUniversity

- Conducting group and individual design tutoring

- Providing written formative feedback during tutorials and reviews

- Marking and moderation of student work.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT (September – November 2023) - Nottingham Trent University

- Conducting research on Circular Economy and Design Studio Signature Pedagogy alongside tutors.

- Researching sustainable design and well-being solutions to improve the design studio experience for the students and tutors

FREELANCE ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN & DESIGNER (2004 – Present)Antigua,Montserrat,andSt.Maarten - WestIndies

- Designing and Producing Technical Drawings for Clients and Architects.

- Set up client meetings, prepare briefs and manage residential and commercial construction projects.

COURSE REPRESENTATIVE (2022 - 2023) - NottinghamTrentUniversity

- Conveyed the comments and concerns of the students to the appropriate members of staff throughout the year and conveyed the responses back to students

- Direct students to the appropriate university resources

GRADUATE MENTOR (2022 - 2023) - NottinghamTrentUniversity

- Have open conversations with students about wellbeing issues.

- Advise students on planning presentations.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT (Summer 2022) - NottinghamTrentUniversity

- Designed and conducted primary research on various topics alongside tutors to collate and present visualisations of collected primary data.

TECHNICAL DRAWING TEACHER (2007 – 2015)

ClareHallSecondarySchool – Antigua,WestIndies

- Preparing and teaching daily lessons.

- Preparing students for external examinations and internships

EDUCATION

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY (2021 – 2023)

MArch(Hons)Architecture

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY (2018 – 2021)

BArch(Hons) Architecture

INTERACTIVE DESIGN INSTITUTE (2014 – 2018)

BA(Hons) Interior ArchitectureandDesign

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

- NDSA Student Awards Winner (2023)

- Architect’s Journal Student Awards Nominee (2023)

- Nottingham Trent University Best Sustainable Design Award (2023)

- Nottingham Trent University Best Historic/Contextual Intervention Award (2023)

- Nottingham Trent University Best Studio Project Award (2022)

- Nottingham Trent University Hand Drawn Award (2021)

- Nottingham and Derby RIBA Women in Architecture Student Awards Nominee (2021)

The People’s Assembly:

Working Together for a Sustainable Future

Awards: Nottingham and Derby Society of Architects Student Awards Winner

Architects’ Journal Student Awards Nominee

Arc Partnership - Best Sustainable Design Award Leonard Design Architects - Historic/Contextual Intervention Award

Year: 2023 (MArch Year 2)

Module: Design Thesis

Software Used: SketchUp | VRay | AutoCAD | Photoshop

Site Location: 99 Manvers St., Nottingham

Project Summary:

Once known as the Boots manufacturing base, the Island Quarter site is surrounded by communities that date back to the early 19th century, and is intended to be a catalyst for revitalization. Having gone through several industrial stages and development proposals over the years, my proposal is not only a building intervention, but also an ecological intervention which will ensure that the needs and desires of the local community are at the forefront. This could bring the local community into dialogue with the larger communities throughout the UK. The physical condition of the site and its natural processes provide opportunities to create new as well as old ecologies while promoting ways to cope with the emerging climate emergency and indulge in the requirements of the evolving natural systems and its cohabiting urban systems.

My adaptive re-use proposal will be open to the public and will also include the planting of trees around the site, gardens, wetlands, a community park and, farm. The existing buildings on site were re-purposed and retrofitted with timber interiors to include temporary accommodations, a senate library, lobby and indoor garden, offices and site management. The new-built additions to the site will be the debating chamber pavilion and the greenhouse. The public areas are created by soft landscaping and lined with trees. Materials were chosen to harmonize with the scenery, particularly stone which is used for the floor and timber which was used throughout the chamber and the existing building interventions for the structure, walls and furniture. The use of locally sourced materials, including the brick that will be used for repairs of the existing buildings, ensure a reduction of carbon footprint during the construction phase.

The Facade - Garden

Haven

Heritage and Conservation Intervention for the Nottingham Council House and The Exchange Arcade

Award: High Distinction

Year: 2023 (MArch Year 2)

Module: Heritage and Conservation

Software Used: SketchUp | VRay | AutoCAD | Photoshop

Site Location: Nottingham, UK

Project Summary:

On any given day while walking through the city, the issue of homelessness is very evident. Many times, I’ve come across individuals sleeping in the cold, or asking for change for food. Therefore, my proposed intervention for the Nottingham Council House and The Exchange Arcade site is a Haven for the homeless or anyone in need of temporary shelter. Potential users will be welcomed without judgement or prejudice and will receive well-being support that can help them to be reintegrated into society

According to data collected in 2022 by Shelter, over 1614 persons will have been identified as homeless in Nottingham on any given night. These statistics include those who rough sleep, live in temporary housing provided by the municipality, are “homeless at home,” and are in privately organised temporary housing. While there are other shelters within Nottingham, The Council House is a well-known and easily found building within the city. As a beacon, it will be easily found by anyone in need of aid. Haven will offer temporary refuge, acceptance, mental, physical, and emotional support, as well as encouragement to make healthy adjustments, such as finding long-term housing options.

The proposal will mainly occupy the underutilised upper levels of the Exchange Arcade, from the second floor upwardsleaving the first floor for potential future commercial use. The main materials to be used are timber, glass and aluminium

The Arcade Atrium

Aerial of Proposed Interventions on Nottingham Council House Site

Access Staircase

The new external staircase grants access to the second floor while serving as a beacon for the potential users and passers-by. The timber structure will be attached to the facade on Long Row. The bold colour used is meant to draw positive attention and also bring awareness to the on-going issue of homelessness in Nottingham. It provides an easy-tofind access point for the users.

Bridges

The bridges located in the Atrium both physically and metaphorically represent making connections - bridging the gap. They are noticeable within the atrium but not overpowering the space. They connect the northern and southern side of the building.

The Roof

The Roof for the fourth floor was removed to accommodate gardens. A new lightweight timber and glass structure will replace the old roof, providing natural light for growing and bringing the outside inside. The structure covers only part of the fourth floor, allowing for a full outdoor experience.

Long Row Approach

View of Atrium from Bridge Outdoor and Indoor Roof Garden

Multi-Use Space - Group Therapy Sessions and Workshops

Long Row Approach - Night Visual Workshops Sleeping Area

Multi-Use Space - Market

Meditate and Grow

Rethinking Education for Building Sustainable Communities

Award: Allan Joyce Architects - Best Studio Project

Year: 2022 (MArch Year 1)

Module: Intervening in the City

Software Used: SketchUp | VRay | AutoCAD | Photoshop

Site Location: Granton, Scotland

Project Summary:

Sustainability challenges demand built environment solutions that will address concerns such as health and well-being, energy efficiency, waste and carbon reduction. It can be argued that conventional education is not designed to cultivate wellbeing. Rethinking education helps address the challenges we currently face globally. Meditation and Sustainable Farming as a form of education can contribute to sustainability and wellbeing in communities. Farming contributes to biodiversity and ecosystem services by providing habitats, reducing food miles and creating more green spaces, reducing the carbon footprint left by our everyday activities while Meditation contributes to mindfulness, social and emotional well-being.

My proposal for the Madelvic site in Granton, Edinburgh is one of adaptive re-use, with its main purpose to create an environment which promotes the health and well-being of its residents and with learning activities that include Meditation to Grow, Vertical Farming, Traditional Farming and Soil-free Growing with opportunities to develop and create their own variations or species of plants.

The Atrium

Tropical Indoor Garden

Bridge Cafe

Meditation Space

Sustainable Farming Education

Greening the City for Well-being

Award: NTU - Best Hand Drawing

Year: 2021 (BArch Year 3)

Module: Atelier 5 - Civic Architecture and Design

Software Used: AutoCAD | SketchUp | Photoshop

Medium: Technical Pens | Markers

Site Location: Nottingham, UK

Project Summary:

The project undertaken here is a centre for Knowledge Exchange based in Nottingham, UK, which will challenge current learning methodologies and education typologies. The goal of my proposal, SUSTAINABLE FARMING EDUCATION, is to create a liveable educational space that fosters both personal and communal interaction and development through sustainable farming education. It encourages community engagement and interaction with a diverse range of learners who will learn Vertical Farming methods, Traditional Farming methods, Botany, Bee-keeping and making products from bee-keeping and, Food Preparation on site and how to apply what they’ve learned within their own living spaces. There will also be opportunities to exhibit what they’ve learned in a designated Market/Exhibition space, giving them an opportunity to also teach the wider community. The community will also be given opportunities to exhibit and market their own products here.

The proposed structure is to be Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and GLU-LAM for the canopy, columns and beams. The third floor will be encased in cedar slats that will be filtering light into the glass insulated rooms. The slats cover the full height windows up to eye level, framing views from the top floor. The missing slats will give the appearance of structural instability, with some of the spaces filled with epiphytic plants. The glass panels for the canopy are removable to allow plants to grow through. The covering gives the space an inside - outside feel, with open air learning. The learning spaces are merged with social and private spaces to encourage interaction

The urban farm will be operated and maintained by the people who live in the communal areas on the top two floors of the building. They will be responsible for all teaching activities that take place on the site as well as the community engagement in the café and outdoor spaces.

Site Location

St. Ann’s Well Road Elevation

Ground Floor Layout

Learning Space - Traditional Farming

Curzon Place Elevation

Stairwell

Learning Space - Balcony

The Void

PARAPET CAPPING (ON 300 - 1000MM HIGH PARAPET WALL)

VEGETATION

EARTH (300 - 800 MM)

DRAINAGE LAYER

PROTECTIVE LAYERS

100MM INSULATION

200MM CLT

PERIMETER CHANNEL

VERTICAL BATTONS (150mm)

INSULATION

PLASTERBOARD DPM

CLT (150mm)

CEDAR SLATS

FIRE SAFETY ASSEMBLY

HEAD MEMBER

DETAIL A

FLOOR FINISH (25mm)

80MM CONCRETE SCREED

30MM IMPACT INSULATION

200MM CLT

120M SUSPENDED CEILING JOISTS 80MM INSULATION

SEALING VERTICAL BATTONS (150mm)

THERMAL INSULATED GLASS CLT (150mm)

DETAIL C

DETAIL E

Pringle’s Apartments

Year: 2016

Software Used: AutoCAD

Site Location: Antigua, West Indies

Project Summary: The two-storey apartment building contains two two-bedroom units on the ground floor and three one-bedroom units on the upper level. The finished building is of concrete construction with a timber-framed pitched roof for water harvesting and timber railings.

Brade

Freelance Residential Project

Software Used: AutoCAD | Photoshop

Site Location: Montserrat, West Indies

Project Summary:

Nestled in the hillside, this concrete residence has two levels with the ground floor containing a studio and the main level containing two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Some additions were later made to the original design to include a workshop and more deck space to absorb the ocean and hillside views. There is a perfect view of the sunset every day.