FOCUS
HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH PROJECT
CULTURE,HERITAGE, CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
[ COMBINATION
M.ARCH RESEARCH
M.ARCH DESIGN PROJECTS
COMMUNITY WORK & COMPETITION
WORK EXPERIENCE UNITED KINGDOM
WORK EXPERIENCE
MALAYSIA
URBAN REGENERATION & MIX DEVELOPMENT
pg 4-5
RESEARCH DISSERTATION
PASSIVE THERMAL DESIGN IN EARTHSHIPS AND PASSIVHAUS
Comparative study of passive design thermal strategies in Earthship & Passivhaus
pg 6-7
RESEARCH METHODS
WARRINGTON NEW TOWN
Case Study of Housing & Landscape Predictions in Oakwood, Birchwood District, Warrington in the year of 1968 - 1991 (New Town era)
pg 8 - 10
CPU & AI STUDIO
ADAPTIVE REUSE
A Makerspace Hub in a Grade II Listed Righton Building
pg 11-16
&ARCH STUDIO
FYP - DESIGN THESIS
‘SAMA INSTRUMENTS’
Re-constructing Marginalised Spaces (Ethnographic research of Sama-Bajau Community)
pg 17
KOSOVO ARCHITECTURE
COMPETITION
PRISTINA ARTIST HUB
A processing facility and cultural event spaces with a focus on mobility and modular architecture
pg 19-20
HOWELLS ARCHITECTS
RESIDENTIAL
Campbell Park Glenbrook
Milton Keynes
pg 26
ATELIER ALAN TEH ARCHITECTS MASTERPLAN
Pengerang Eco-Industrial Park
Johor Bharu
pg 27
ADA DESIGN INTERNATIONALE MASTERPLAN & MIXED DEVELOPMENT
Residential, Retail and Hotel
Petaling Jaya
OTHER INTERESTS
PROJECT TECHNICALITY & DELIVERY INTERESTS & FREELANCING
pg 18
LAKAR DESIGN STUDIO
TTDI COMMUNITY GARDEN SHED
pg 21-23
HOWELLS ARCHITECTS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
Pershore Junction, Stirchley
pg 24-25
HOWELLS ARCHITECTS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
Guildhall Place , Nottingham
pg 28
BINA INITIATIVES
MASS RAPID TRANSIT (MRT)
National Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
Kuala Lumpur
pg 29
LAKAR DESIGN STUDIO
RENOVATIONS & VISUALISING
Kuala Lumpur
pg 30
TRAVEL & PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos from my travels
MODELLING & SKETCHES
Hand drawn sketches , Model making and Rhino Nurbs Modeling
DISSERTATION . PASSIVE THERMAL DESIGN
FOCUS : COMPARING PASSIVE TEHRMAL DESIGN METHODS
CASE STUDY :
Comparative study of passive design thermal strategies in Earthship and Passivhaus
CASE STUDY OVERVIEW
SUPERVISORS :
Dr Stephen Walker
2.1 EARTHSHIP
AIM & OBJECTIVES :
A study to evaluate the design approach used by Earthship and Passivhaus to achieve thermal heating and the viability of each concept for UK housing agenda
SOFTWARE :
Revit
Ladybug
Photoshop
EARTHSHIP BRIGHTON
This dissertation aims to understand and compare the passive thermal design strategies applied in Earthship and Passivhaus. The UK Government agenda for a Net Zero Carbon housing by 2050 requires a low-carbon, sustainable home.
Biot ecture Arch itect, Michael Reynolds, graduated from University of Cincinnati in 1969 . birth of Thumb house and Earthships was for him, a way to respon d to the news in the 1970s, that reported huge environmental problems such as increasing wastes from consumerism and ‘major energy crunch’. (Hewitt et al., 2007) Earthships are off-grid sustainable homes that are built using mostly waste materials – a lot of these are of cans and old car tyres . It is also a building that utilise s the natural resources : sun, earth , rain and wind. Mike’s experiment started in a highly harsh environment in Taos County, New Mexico where it is located, 2000m above sea level, and extreme temperature between 40 °���� (104℉ ) in summer and -10℃ (14℉) in winter, that had an annual precipitation of approximately 300mm.(Hewitt et al., 2007) .
The research aims to inform readers of the sustainable housing solutions that have been adapted into the UK climate from the foreign establishment of these concepts. The research looks into two case study buildings for each concept. The Earthship Brighton, in Stanmer Park, Brighton and the Zetland Passivhaus in Chorlton, Manchester and compare these
two buildings to understand the approach of design techniques in a similar UK climate. The methods applied to this dissertation are qualitative design-based approach that is based on primary and secondary collection data methods.
The Brighton Earthship was chosen as it is among the few Earthship in UK, and is a show house that has alot of data from previous research since it was built in 2000. Earthships are fundamentally designed that it’s mass structure could heat and cool itself without mechanical heating and burning of wood or fossil fuels.
The usage of solar gain and thermal mass ensure that Earthships are able to maintain a comfortable temperature in any climate condition. Besides these features, Earthships have other interesting features that makes them one of the more interesting environmentally friendly and self-sustaining houses :
3. Water harvested from rain and snow melt which is stored in cisterns located at the north side, behind the Thermal Wall.
The principle of Earthship concept as referred from the earthship global website highlights 6 main principles :
1. Building with repurposed and natural materials
1. Building with re-purposed and natural materials.
4. Sewage are contained and treated, whilst the gray water flows to botanical cells in the interior garden and these is further filtered to be collected in a well at the end of a planter and pumped to the toilet tank for flushing.
The building of an earthship comprise of many na tural and reclaimed or upcycled ma terials in the construction. Old tires are perfect to hold in ramme d earth and forms a rammed earth br ick. Tires considered a ‘natural resource’ as it is globally available. Although most Earthships have the distinct brick wall, material su ch as cans and bottles a s an option. These materials are then packe d and plastered with adobe mud or concrete. Mud could be also used in flooring, besides reclaimed wood and metal. Carbon Trust, 2015)
2. Electricity generated from solar and wind Renewable energy source is provided via usage of photovoltaic panels.
5. Produce organic food by home farming methods.
Thermal or solar heating and cooling arthships are fundamentally designed that it’s structure could heat and cool itself without mechanical heating and burning of wood or fossil fuels The usage of solar gain and thermal mass ensure that Earthships are able to maintain a comfortable temperature in any climate condition. The compacted rammed earth in old tires, cre ates a thermal mass and is thick enough to be a retaining wall and provide structural support, eliminating the need for concrete foundations. These self -supporting monolithic function as thermal mass that retain hea t or cold, and the idea is to surro und the living space within sides of the thermal wall. The windows are placed on the south side as to allow the winter sun to pass through the windo w, and heat up the living space’s floor and walls. At night, the thermal wall will release ly retained heat back into the living area. The sun in the summer, is located high in the sky, the sunlight will only heat the roof instead of the in terior, ensuring constant cool temperature. The enhanced with natural ventilation t hrough operable vent box and buried cooling tubes.
Figure 1 & 2 : one of the greater world Earthship Community buildings in Taos, New Mexico during summer and winter
Passivhaus by Ecospheric ltd
ZETLAND PASSIVHAUS
While the Zetland Passivhaus was built according to the principles which are super-insulation, avoidance of thermal bridges, very low air-leakage, mechanically ventilated (with heat recovery) and passive solar with solar shading.
Zetland Passivhaus was chosen as a case study as the project complies passivhaus standards and gained awards making an exemplary show house with more accessible and information. As both these building are situated in the UK it is a fair comparison to make within the same climatic conditions.
Diagram on the right showing a cut section of a typical the Passive Thermal envelope that is achieved through a continuous insulation is termed as Superinsulation to prevent heat loss and retain air tightness of interior. Further comparisons were made based on a few main passive thermal design characteristics that could effect a building thermal performance :
Building shape
Optimising sun gain and sun shading by orientation and window design
Building treatment
Regulating heat by Infiltration
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) as mentioned before have highlighted the fact that there are 29 million existing UK housing stocks that need to be made low carbon and sustainable. Although new build housing is possible, the existing housing represent a very large portion that need a solution that could change and retrofit the existing modern and historical buildings.
1. Super-Insulation and Avoidance of thermal bridges
Passivhaus is located at 6 & 8 horlton, Manchester. It was d esigned Guy Taylor Associates and the Ecospheric ltd . This project in volves applying passivhaus princ iples to two townhouses (built in 1894). These Enerphit Plus standard . The Autumn/Winter 2018 with an £1.83m (an estimate). Alth ough the is expensive, it is estimated that around £43 per year. (Craden, chosen as a case study as the project complies passivhaus standards and gained awards attention. It is also an exemplary show house making access for site visit and gaining possible. Architectural drawings as shared here are obtained from Ecospheric ltd .
The Zetland Passivhaus is located at 6 & 8 Road, Chorlton, Manchester. It was d esigned Knowles under Guy Taylor Associates and the Developer is the Ecospheric ltd . This project in volves retrofitting and applying passivhaus princ iples to two historical Victorian townhouses (built in 1894). These ldings comply to Enerphit Plus standard . The completed in Autumn/Winter 2018 with an estimate cost of £1.83m (an estimate). Alth ough the and selling price is expensive, it is estimated that cost would be around £43 per year. (Craden, ilding was chosen as a case study as the project complies passivhaus standards and gained awards significant media attention. It is also an exemplary show house making access for site visit and gaining information possible. Architectural drawings as shared here are obtained from Ecospheric ltd .
It was expressed by Sutherland Lyall in AJ Specification, that an Earthship does not make a bold claim to solve the UK sustainable housing issue and might not be the go to solution for the UK housing agenda. However it acts as a provocative agent of change in the thinking of what a sustainable home could be. (Hewitt
et al., 2007) Earthships are also expensive and labour intensive. (Hewitt et al., 2007) and (Prinz, 2015). This is due to the fact that it is time consuming and needs high labour costs unless it is self-built. Taking into consideration of the labour intensiveness, time and difficulty in obtaining the material and approval, Earthship methods in a bigger scale like the UK housing which are mostly in an urban setting would not be viable and feasible. Though experimenting with the holistic idea of utilising sun, rain and discarded material are interesting and are noble concepts, perhaps certain approach could be adopted to create a new design that maybe combines both Earthship and Passivhaus concepts.
High importance is placed in ensuring the ri ght material is used that lasts and ensur e that the Insulation is wrapped continuously all around the building to ensure there are no thermal bridges . t of roof, wall, and ceilings. That also includes the edges, connections, corners a g the envelope is to prevent thermal heatloss and as energy ca gh these thermal bridge points. is is an additional factor highlighted in the Passivha trust website. Form factor refers to the building shape. It looks into the r area to treated floor area or interna standard with a more compact design, as the intern
M.ARCH . RESEARCH. ARCH LAND AND INFRA GROUP
RESEARCH METHODS . CASE STUDY OF HOUSING LANDSCAPE IN BIRCHWOOD FOCUS : NEW TOWN URBAN DEVELOPMENT : GARDEN CITIES
CASE STUDY :
A Short Case Study of Housing and Landscape Predictions in Oakwood, Birchwood District, Warrington in the year of 1968 - 1991 (New Town era)
SUPERVISORS :
Dr Laura Coucill
Dr. Luca Csepely-Knorr
Dr. Richard Brook
Dr. Janina Gosseye
Victoria Jolley
TEAM :
Cezara Misca
Aifa Binti Muthuraman
Alexander Hughes
Jack Carter
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITY :
Organise trip to Library
Request for Archival records
Collating data
Prepare visuals
Alias with interviewees
Write up
Understanding concepts
Oakwood 13 : Rented Housing : Parallel lanes , each one outward-looking to scrub and meadow landscapes
Oakwood 52 Rented Housing : Extending the Woodland Edge. This approach is to bring narrow ‘fingers’ of nature-like planting into the housing environment.
GARDEN CITIES
The concept of garden cities was coined by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1898 with his publication of Garden cities of to-morrow. The book lead to a series of projects to be undertaken in the late 19th and early 20th century. The notion of the garden city was to create contained settlements within the green belt of cities. This would allow people to escape the noise and pollution of inner city environments. This was demonstrated via his three-magnet concept.
This scheme is has a little communal open space and a close link is created between houses. The nearby semi-natural and nature-like landscapes is preserved as much of the scrub and the housing is concentrated to the northern part of the site and formal layout of parallel lanes employed to make more efficient use of the area and easy access to the linked green meadows.
This research method was set out to review the design approaches formulated by post war new town development corporation, where we focused on Warrington’s New Town development.
We then narrowed our case study to Oakwood, where we analyse the wider social framework including; infrastructure, economics and varying cultural components and later focus on the landscaping techniques adopted in Oakwood within the Birchwood District. Warrington is one of
the first examples of third wave new towns, which are characterised by their garden city inspiration. Within the wider enquiry we set out to look into the specific landscaping techniques.
Our research then proceeded to acquire richer resources within Warrington’s library and the Cheshire Archives and Local Studies It was in these archives we began to collate the specific material on the landscaping practises found in Birchwood.
Warrington’s garden city concept creates green linkages that connects different districts while filtering motorway congestion and noise pollution. Hence an isolated park does not work in an ecological woodland approach as the mycelium could only benefit from a continuous woodland that allows for all flora and fauna to coexist together. Other approaches was also in replenishing the water levels in the Peat bogs as these prevents from forest fire and are among the best methods for Carbon sequestration from the atmosphere.
We interviewed Professor Robert Tregay, who was the Deputy Chief Landscape Architect for the Warrington New Town Development. He explained to us about the various approaches that was implemented to the Warrington and Birchwood development and explained about the ‘Ecological Woodland Approach’ that seeks to replenish the natural landscape by having native plants and trees within the woodland encroaching into the housing. Plants and trees were planted according to the secondary and tertiary functions, from creating a border to a dense centre of trees. This helps in protecting the plant and trees on root level and allow for a secluded walk-able space for the animals. These method also helps in distinguishing areas within the landscape that is crossable and create public and private pocket spaces.
M.ARCH . CPU & AI STUDIO
ADAPTIVE REUSE PROJECT . MAKERSPACE
FOCUS : HERITAGE & CONSERVATION : MODELLING & VISUALISATION
PROJECTS : ‘Makerspace’
Grade II Listed
Righton Building
TUTORS :
Rob Hyde
Enrique Alonso Blanco
Filippos Filippidis
TEAM :
Tere Sagay
Jin Yu Liu
Seenam Bhagat
Aifa Muthuraman
SOFTWARE :
Revit
Rhino Nurbs
Photoshop
Indesign
The Righton Building, a Grade II Listed structure under the ownership of the Estate Management at the University of Manchester, is strategically situated at the junction of prominent MMU university buildings, facing the All Saints Park and along pedestrian walkways.
The final design aimed to preserve the Grade II listed elements, but with a design twist of splitting the Grade II listed facade in half and elevating the first floor to create a taller atrium with larger display windows. The primary exhibition space is strategically placed within the atrium to accommodate a majestic staircase.
This split facade is supported through the implementation of a Vierendeel truss system.The objective is to enhance the influx of sunlight into the premises, since the site experiences shading in winter and limited sunlight during spring and summer.
Simultaneously, this design facilitates a substantial “storefront” window for the maker space, inviting observers to have an insight into the creative process and to showcase the completed designs in these expansive exhibition areas.
The
Our objective was to establish a Maker-space for students, referred to as ‘Makers.’ In addressing this goal, we delved into the concept of enhancing users’ creative capabilities to promote efficiency in both individual and collective creative processes.
Consequently, we divided the creative process into four main stages: Brainstorming, Prototyping, Finishing, and Display. The spatial design was crafted in accordance with this workflow.
M.ARCH . &ARCH STUDIO
RE-CONSTRUCTING MARGINALISED SPACES . SAMA INSTRUMENTS
FOCUS : HERITAGE & SUSTAINABILITY : URBAN REGENERATION
FINAL YEAR PROJECT :
‘Sama Instruments ‘
Ethnographic research of Sama-Bajau Community in Semporna
TUTORS :
Dr Mark Hammond
Professor Stefan White
Dr Victoria Jolley
Dr Angela Connelly
Kasia Nawratek
SOFTWARE : Sketchup Rhino
Lumion Photoshop
The Bajau Laut or Sama Bajau are known to be expert seafarers and lived nomadically within the coastal waters of the Coral Triangle since 800AD. Due to the Nomadic lifestyle, it is hard for state governments to identify their citizenship and overtime they fall into statelessness. This means that they do not belong to any country and find difficulty to obtain identification, legal jobs, education, and medical. Conducting research amid the Covid pandemic proved to be a formidable task, yet not insurmountable. I successfully established contact with Mr. Sanen Marshall, a specialist in SamaBajau cultural and anthropological studies.
This connection facilitated a deeper understanding of the community’s lifestyle and challenges. Additionally, Ms. Syakila, a voluntary teacher at an Alternative School in Kg Bangau Bangau under the auspices of Borneo Komrad, offered valuable insights into Sama-Bajau education and lifestyle.
This project uses ethnographic research to reconstruct and record digital models of their settlements, lifestyles and experiences and uses architectural research as a tool to explore ways to create the ‘Sama Instruments’. Together, these instruments aims to celebrate the Sama-Bajau’s Seafaring Nomadic lifestyle and improve the facilities of the Sama-Bajau without losing their liminal heritage.
The issues that were identified are representation of the Bajau people, education and facility such as clean water, sewerage. These issues were identified through key persons in Sabah as mentioned earlier.
Bajaus Laut are skilled boat makers, passing down their knwoledge Mobile classes are more feasible for a community that lives nomadically
To provide a boat makers hub for servicing the mobile floating instruments
Creating facility solutions with the lack of running water, electricity and gas, in a more
A place where the Bajau could gather and use as their own facility
To Provide a place to showcase and exhibit the Bajau Laut culture to create social understanding
Instrument intervention : Referencing Parc De La Villet Instruments are spread out like follies with an interval distance
As the village surrounds the island, the walkways and pathways connect from the main roads of the ciry and continue to walk into the village. The pattern would be more life a growth and finger like pattern and walkway mostly beig single with not too many deviation.
And based on the land toporaphy it is clear that they find shallow waters to builf the houses. As the village sits cose to the city thus shows the villagers it’s reliance to the city’s amenities.And from the videos most of the houses are 3-5m apart to allow boats to pass through. The village pattern is supported by the next page where H. Arlo Nimmo explains that the Tawi Tawi Bajau community is seperated to 3 categories. with the sedentary more permanent house in the centre.
The semi nomadic houses sits on the reef as moorage points where occupants come to moor 6 months in a year when the monsoon season hits. The nomadic Bajau Laut do use these moorage points but rely mostly on their Lepa houseboats and travel more extensively
There are 4 main strongholds of the Bajau Laut community in Sabah, namely the Kg Bangau- Bangau, Omadal, Danawan and Labuan Haji. other famous islands are the Mabul Island due to tourism to scuba dive in the coral reef area.
The reason for this pattern of dispersion is due to the act of the Bajau Laut in order to escape the Birtish steam Gunships that couldn’t sail through the more shallow reefed waters. Thus why these villages are called ‘strongholds’.
Kampung Bangau - Bangau is unique due to the scale of the growth of the whole village. With a mix of modern and traditional style Bajau houses. The burial island is located within the village area but on a separate island that also houses the SK Bangau School Where the Bangau kids do learn some basic education.
Most efforts to help the Kg BangauBangau community does not come from the government but from the locals especially during covid.
As you can see in the middle geometric diagram is an impression of the growth of Kg Bangau-Bangau in Semporna where the main village grows in a continuous walkway from the main island to the tip of the two smaller islands north of village.
I’ve extracted these forms based on style and the spatial functions or cultural narratives of the Sama Bajau. The outcome is a catalogue of ‘Sama- Instruments’, which may be a mobile or static architectural follies. These geometric shapes were collaged together from the characters that I had identified earlier to create these Sama Instruments that seek to address the facilities issues within the Sempoerna community and the wider Sama Bajau community around the coast of Sabah.
The Boat School (above) : The modular design features dual-level spaces.The interchangeable modules on the upper floors can be easily switched, while the lower half of the boat school offers open walls, creating a larger platform with expansive areas for crowds and users to freely navigate and utilize.
The Facility Hub
The Facility hub acts as a central service centre for the mobile & modular workshops and instruments. Above is the Interior space of the Facility hub’s exchange area where items of trade are stored or lowered down to boats with pulleys and movable rails to allow for easy and flexible movement of large items.
Service area of Facility Hub.
The Mobile workshop and mobile school has components that are modular and removable. Hence the Facility Hub acts as a service centre to allow these components to be interchangeable. It also acts as a hub for fixing and maintaining these instruments like a car workshop.
The Biofuel Facility
It starts with Biomass, which comes from sources like plants, algae, animals, or human waste. As these raw materials can be easily replenished, biofuels serve as a renewable energy source, distinguishing them from non-renewable fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas.
In addressing the sanitation challenges within the Bajau settlement at Kg Bangau Bangau, where proper toilet and sewerage management is lacking, utilizing waste for biofuel production becomes a viable solution for powering their engine boats. The processed waste can also yield methane gas for use in gas stoves, while the liquid residue from anaerobic digesters can be pumped or utilized as fertilizer for the soil.
While the rainwater is harvested through water catchment and stored within the tank which pumps clean water to the toilet facility and the green patch.
COMPETITION
PRISTINA ARTIST HUB
FOCUS : CULTURE,SUSTAINABILITY & URBAN REGENERATION
The Pristina Artist Hub encompasses a processing facility and cultural event spaces with a focus on mobility and modular architecture. Our engagement with the initiative stemmed from the competition by Carlo Ratti Architects and the Municipality of Pristina for the revitalization of the city during Manifesta 14.
Our research revealed Pristina’s commitment to reducing pollution, promoting artistic and cultural values to attract tourism, and honoring its liminal heritage. In response, we conceived the Pristina Artist Hub—a Processing facility and cultural event spaces. This hub allows artists and patrons to visit the processing facility, borrow from the ‘Library of Things,’ and engage in constant waste reuse for creative endeavors, fostering a platform for artists of all ages.
The strategic connection unfolds along the old train track from the Brick Factory to the Stadium, where our Modular Train collects usable waste and materials from the city and its surroundings, transporting them conveniently to the centrally located Brick Factory. This site proves ideal for the Artist and cultural hub. The train employs a modular system, allowing interchangeable shelves and compartments.
This design concept extends to the Train Platform, Processing recycle and upcycle facility, and the Brick factory event space. A suspended ceiling, wall, and floor grid system facilitates flexible space configuration, catering to diverse usage and events within the Brick Factory.
COMMUNITY WORK
LAKAR DESIGN STUDIO
FOCUS :TECHNICAL DRAWINGS AND 3D MODELLING WORK
PROJECTS : Planning application drawings
Pop-up Container
TEAM :
Adam M.raman
Aifa Muthuraman
SOFTWARE : Sketchup Pro
Lumion
AutoCAD
Photoshop
Assisted in preparing planning application drawings for the TTDI Community. There was a 70 year old architect designing and needing technical Auto CAD assistance in realising his hand drawn sketches of the garden shed and small hall.
Key frame animation of the Pop-up container sequence. Providing a mobile classroom for a chairty organisation we were assisting
WORK EXPERIENCE . UNITED KINGDOM
PART II ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT HOWELLS ARCHITECTS
FOCUS : URBAN REGENERATION : DESIGN & VISUALISATION
PROJECT :
Campbell Park Glenbrook
Residential, Milton Keynes
CLIENT :
VITA Group
STAGE : 1-2 RIBA Development
TEAM : Matthew Westly Dhanesh Lakha
Aifa Muthuraman
SOFTWARE : Sketchup
Enscape
Vectorworks
Photoshop
Book-ended by Central Milton Keynes (CMK) at one end and the Grand Union Canal at the other, the site benefits from a gently sloping south-facing aspect. Top view is from the Canal overlooking the development.
For the second project in Howells, I was given the task to assist on preparing a proposal for the development of Campbell Park, which is a part of the Milton Keynes development. In the early stages of the project, the pace was quick with weekly updates and design options. Which proves to be exciting but challenging as well. I was assigned to assist in preparing Models and Schematic drawings.
The undulating landscape creates a leisurely walk along the slope, hence an opportunity to activate the lower ground level by creating double height open spaces.
A taller residential sits behind the site to allow views to the canal below and each building block sits on a separate elevation to follow the existing sloping hill that gradually slopes, which the cyclist and pedestrian could ascend down along the gardens to the canal.
The mobility hub became my main design challenge as I designed the carpark and spaces that were to be the retail area on the ground floor of the mobility hub where cyclist and e-scooters could be fixed, charged and stored.
PART II ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT HOWELLS ARCHITECTS [2022-2023]
FOCUS : PROJECT TECHNICALITY & DELIVERY
PROJECTS :
Pershore Junction
Student Accomodation (£13.5m)
CLIENT : Alumno Development
STAGE : 4-5 RIBA Development
TEAM :
Giedre Jonuskaite
Kaumba Sakuwaha
Joshua Blount-Powell
Ryan Bulled
Ieva Kubiliute
Aifa Muthuraman
SOFTWARE :
Revit
Sketchup
Enscape
Photoshop
In this particular project it has pushed my limits and tested my sensibility in technical understanding and staying true to the original design intent by ensuring any design changes or solutions is in line with the original visual language.
I have learnt alot from this particular project in terms of managing time, expectations, filing and submitting construction drawings through Viewpoint and updating the Issue Sheets. This all made sense in ensuring a smooth flow of work and ensuring no dociments were missed out and are kept in record incase there are issues arising along the way.
Besides preparing tender drawing packages using Revit, I was also assigned to update the Sketchup model for visuals and render using Enscape. As I am also interested in sustainability, I was also assigned to prepare the BREEAM Report
Working closely with Alumno developments and GMI Construction, This purpose built student accommodation sits at the junction between Pershore Road and Dogpool Lane, Stirchley. The objective is to redevelop the area and utilise an underused former BT brownfield site for the student and wider community.
The design approach for the facade and massing brings forward a clear language to the base, middle and top of the scheme. The base sits on a strong masonry plinth comprising stretcher course laid brickwork creating a robust defined base to the building. An Autumn Russet brick was chosen to reflect the adjacent Church.
Profiled terracotta is brought forward as a signature material framing the tall window profile similar to surrounding buildings. The terracotta surrounds dressed to each window at the top storey of the building adds interest and craft to the elevation.
In this particular project, the convergence of my role as a designer and BIM technician comes into play, and I assumed a more substantial role during the project’s implementation phase, contributing technical and construction drawings with a specific emphasis on utilizing Revit. My collaborative experiences in teamoriented settings have sharpened my ability to effectively coordinate design discussions, manage inquiries, foster open dialogues among diverse team members to address challenges, and ensure seamless teamwork to uphold project compliance and achieve overall success.
Despite its outward simplicity, there were coordination issues. It’s especially vital to highlight the importance of Stages 3-4 to avoid impacting the construction schedule on-site. Here are some Revit Model snippets of clashes in M&E services with Architectural elements and the need for possibly in the future for the clients to invest in Naviswork to ensure clash detection could be done earlier.
28 Room layouts were generated by the end of stage 4-5 for construction due to slight variations in design when the window bays sits differently in each room especially when the grid slightly changes due to the curved section if the building and to accommodate certain M&E risers and rooms. Back and forth discussions was necessary to ensure we were in the right track and the same page with the rest of the design team and had been a great experience in ensuring quality of work, clear communication and compliance.
My team, myself, Giedre (Project lead/Senior Architectural Designer) and Kaumba (Architectural Technologist). This project, with its myriad complexities, served as a valuable learning experience for both myself and the team. This was us on-site doing routine site inspection and discussion with our client GMI Construction.
WORK EXPERIENCE . UNITED KINGDOM
PART II ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT HOWELLS ARCHITECTS [2022-2023]
FOCUS : HERITAGE & CONSERVATION : FACADE & VISUALISATION
PROJECT :
Guildhall Place
High-rise Student
Accomodation
CLIENT :
VITA Group
STAGE : 1-2 RIBA Development
TEAM :
Simon Pope
Rob Tsang
Dot Zhang
Aifa Muthuraman
SOFTWARE :
Revit
Sketchup
Enscape
Photoshop
The proposal is to provide 534 studios within the VITA Student brand. The south of the site is home to the Grade II listed Guildhall and Guildhall Fire House. View overlooking VITA Student from infront of Guildhall from Shakespeare Street.
This was my first project in Howells Architects. Studio 4 had fully utilised Sketchup and Vectorworks for their early stage 1-2 proposals. As the project was picking up quickly, Rob suggested to use Revit from the beginning whilst also developing the Sketchup hand in hand. I was assigned straight away for an intense month of preparing the Stage 2 Planning drawing application. Utilising Revit curtain wall system to create façades and resolve any modelling discrepancies between the conceptual proposed model in sketchup with the Revit model. One lesson I’ve learnt is that in early stages of the project it might be wise to focus on using Sketchup and Rhino as the need for detailed modelling might not be necessary at this point. And Revit would be useful in later stages of the project when design is more defined.
This project is also challenging as the building sits on a historical cave system. In the end the project did not carry forward as the cave was then registered to be Grade listed.
I was also tasked in preparing visuals for the Design Access Statement and prepared BREEAM report to show design compliance to project goals.
The whole development sits on major road frontages and is an opportunity to create a beautiful facade that reflects the Guildhall and Guildhall Fire house, two buildings adjacent to the site. Learning from the lace market, providing depth and interest to the window reveals is the most important trait which combined with the Chamfered columns allow for more daylight to come in and also provide uninhibited views out. The chamfer columns uses textured concrete, with fine ribs that respond to the fluting of the Guildhall colonnade. This articulation and texture provides a contrast to the smooth precast frame.
Whilst The dark brick, gridded facade is relieved by the metallic finished spandrels that provide contrast. The spandrels help to hide the bed that is positioned underneath the window, and also creates a different window proportion to further add contrast to VITA Student. The dark brick facade of House of Social contrasts the pale, precast tones of VITA Student. This provides variety along Shakespeare Street and announces the building as a different brand. The ground floor is dominated by the market hall, with large glazed frontages onto Shakespeare Street to showcase the activity within.
WORK EXPERIENCE . MALAYSIA
PART I ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT . ATELIER ALAN TEH ARCHITECT [2017-2018]
FOCUS : MIXED DEVELOPMENT : MODELLING, VISUALISATION & TECHNICAL
PROJECT :
Pengerang eco-Industrial Park (PeIP) Mixed Development [£152m]
CLIENT :
Serba Dinamik
STAGE : 1-2 RIBA Development
TEAM :
Melvin Tang
Ar Alan Teh
You Sheng Foong
SOFTWARE :
Sketchup
AutoCAD
LUMION
Photoshop
At AATA I worked alongside the senior graduate architect and was assigned to develop the hotel unit and renderings of this Highrise Mixed Development.
below images :
The Pengerang Eco Industrial Park serves as a self contained development that provides work and living to the various types of business and industries whilst also boasting some highrise housing, hotel and office tower. I’ve assisted by preparing facade options, 3D models, drawings and renderings of Industrial park buildings.
WORK EXPERIENCE . MALAYSIA
INTERNSHIP . ADA DESIGN INTERNATIONALE [2016-2017]
FOCUS : MIXED DEVELOPMENT : MODELLING, VISUALISATION & TECHNICAL
PROJECTS :
Mixed Development
Apartment & Hotel
CLIENT :
Repoh Developments
STAGE :
2-3 RIBA Development
TEAM :
Bakhtiar Amir
Ezyan Amnie Izzat
Aifa Muthuraman
SOFTWARE :
Sketchup Pro
Lumion Photoshop
AutoCAD
During my Part 1 education in UiTM (MARA Technology University), we were required to work a 6 months placment with an architecture firm to gain work experience and ADA Design Internationale was the best experience I had as the directors were kind to teach me the concepts of design and how to create proposals. After finishing my degree, I came back to work here for awhile on a part time basis.
Among the tasks that I’ve worked on was assisting architectural designers on Site Market analysis, Sketchup Modelling and rendering using Lumion and post rendering in Photoshop. Also as most projects were in early stages, I had also assisted in preparing schematic diagrams, plan drawings and unit layouts.
WORK EXPERIENCE . MALAYSIA
ARCHITECTURAL REVIT BIM MODELLER . BINA INITIATIVES [2018-2019]
FOCUS : INFRASTRUCTURE : PROJECT TECHNICALITY & DELIVERY
PROJECTS :
Mass Rapid Transit - Line 2
KVMRT for MMC-GAMUDA
National Infrastructure [£ 472m]
STAGE :
4-5 RIBA Development
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
BIM Modelling
QAQC with Naviswork
Produce report
Coordination with M&E
SOFTWARE : Revit Naviswork
The Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Project is a rail-based public transport network, envisaged to radically improve and transform Kuala Lumpur’s public transportation coverage.
My involvement in this project has given me the opportunity to improve my Revit skillset within the multidisciplinary team.It has also alowed me to experience first hand the importance of streamlining the 3D model files in order to share and communicate the design with engineers and contractors alike.
Coordination within the BIM Modelling between different disciplines was a key aspect in this project. My role in this project was to develop the BIM Model and communicate the design and prepare quality assessment of BIM models.
WORK EXPERIENCE . MALAYSIA
FREELANCE . LAKAR DESIGN STUDIO [2016-2017]
FOCUS : RESIDENTIAL & OTHERS : MODELLING, VISUALISATION & TECHNICAL
PROJECTS : Interior Design
Detailed drawing
Site Measured Drawing
STAGE : 1-2 RIBA Development
TEAM : Adam M.raman
Aifa Muthuraman
SOFTWARE : Revit
Sketchup Pro
Lumion
AutoCAD
Before I landed my first Part 1 Architectural Assistant job, I was doing a lot of Freelance work for a year and had collaborated with my brother Adam for his Design and Build studio. Acting as a self employed designer, we met clients and did our own proposal and prepared measured drawings and modelling work for interior works, renovation and prepared technical drawing for our housing community’s urban farm shed. We also proposed a mobile Pop-up classroom using a container that would have been transported with a trailer.
OTHERS.INTERESTS
Looking back on my body of work, I find myself desiring to continue on my creative exploration and self-expression which I had since childhood. I aspire to continue to observe and travel the world with the intention of creating something beautiful and meaningful in my lifetime.
If you enjoyed reading through my Portfolio and have any questions, please reach me as per details below. Thank you.
AIFA MUTHURAMAN
[+44 737 929 2197]
[aifamraman@outlook.com]
