Architecture has its own realm. It has a special physical relationship with life. I do not think of it primarily as either a message or a symbol, but as an envelope and background for life which goes on in and around it, a sensitive container for the rhythm of footsteps on the floor, for the concentration of work, for the silence of sleep.
archana.karunan8@gmail.com | +971523114843
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
As a creative and passionate architect with a Master’s in Architecture (M.Arch) from the University of Melbourne, I aspire to enhance the world around me through design. I have six years of experience, including four in Dubai, specializing in large-scale residential developments and private villa designs, where I excel in creating comprehensive design presentations, producing technical drawings, and identifying practical, innovative design solutions. I have collaborated with leading developers such as Aldar, Nakheel, and Modon on large-scale residential projects as a lead design consultant. My expertise includes concept design, detailed presentations, and technical documentation, ensuring seamless project execution. I am adept at managing design processes, liaising with clients and contractors, and maintaining high-quality standards.
The University of Melbourne, Australia
Master of Architecture | 2017 - 2019
National Institute of Technology - Calicut, India
Bachelor of Architecture | 2010 - 2015
Nordic Office Architects (NOA), Dubai
Architect | 2022 - Present
LAMI Architects, Dubai
Architect | 2020 - 2021 | 1.3 Years
Amar Architecture and Designs Pvt Ltd, Chennai, India
Architect | 2015 - 2017 | 1.3 Years
Crossroads - National Architecture Awards, India
Organizer, Event & Venue Co-ordinator | 2016 | 3 months
DesignWorks, Navi Mumbai, India
Architecture Intern | 2014 | 6 months
NestCraft, Calicut, India
Architecture Intern | 2013 | 2 months
SKILLS
Verbal and Graphical Presentation, Physical Model Making, Hand Drawing, Detail Oriented.
Software: AutoCAD, Sketchup, Revit (BIM), InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Enscape, Lumion, Rhino, Ai Tools (Rendering)
Work Experience | Dubai | 2022
Nordic Office Architects (NOA)
Stages Involved: Concept Design, Design Competition | 3 Months
The project brief was to design a high-end residential buildings on Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai. Guided by a commitment to timeless elegance and modern architecture, the design ethos focused on creating a harmonious blend of pure architectural forms and a strong connection to nature.
Each element reflects a balance between modernity and sustainability, prioritizing environmentally conscious materials and technologies while maintaining a distinct architectural identity. The result is a development that seamlessly integrates with its unique coastal surroundings, offering an unparalleled living experience.
1. Create porosity. Avoid the wall effect.
3. The podium defines the site perimeter, hides parking, connects buildings, provides amenities and encircles the beach.
2. Create three stratigic anchors.
4. Three “Gateways” that create an address and sense of arrival.
Formation Diagrams
Work Experience | Dubai | 2022-2023
Nordic Office Architects (NOA)
Stages Involved: Pre-Concept & Concept Design, Design Development
This project involved the master planning and concept design of a vibrant residential development on Yas Island. The scope included designing a well-balanced community comprising villas, apartments, and a centrally located community center with integrated amenities. During the subsequent stage, we developed detailed concept designs for the villas, offering two distinct facade options that harmonize with the overall architectural theme. The community center was envisioned to take full advantage of its prime canal-facing location, with spectacular views enhancing its role as a focal point for residents. This cohesive design aimed to create a modern, sustainable, and engaging living environment.
Yas North Marina - Master Planning
The
OPTION A
BOATHOUSE VILLAS CONFIGURATION
LUXURY CLUSTER CONDITION
PORTE
The masterplan focused on creating an exclusive community featuring high-end canal-front villas, each with a private boathouse and direct marina access. The plan also integrated green pockets and thoughtfully designed parks to enhance the community’s ambiance, making it more welcoming and inviting for residents.
Pre-Concept Renders of the Residential Masterplan (Conceptual Render: Sketchup & Lumion)
6 Bed Canal Villa - Design Development (Theme: Horizontal Massing Strategy)
The canal villa design emphasized horizontal elements, highlighted by a minimal white organic canopy that defined its sleek profile. The earthy tones of wood and light gray cladding on the facade created a harmonious look that complemented the canal-edge development.
The proposed community center is carefully designed to harmonize with the architectural character of the surrounding canal villas, fostering a seamless connection with its context. The building embraces three primary programs: retail, spa, and gym, creating a versatile hub for wellness, leisure, and lifestyle.
Work Experience | Dubai | 2024
Nordic Office Architects (NOA)
Stages Involved: Pre-Concept Design
The primary objective was to develop a new residential master plan for Shakhbout City, incorporating villas, townhomes, and essential amenities tailored to the community’s needs. The design also required a robust phasing strategy to ensure seamless future development. Following the initial master plan, the client requested further development of the villa façade designs to align with the overall vision and community aesthetics.
Masterplan - Phasing Study
Masterplam - Zoning and Test-fit Study
The project aimed to design a unique residential development in Shakhbout City, featuring 4-bedroom villas, 5-bedroom villas, and townhouses. The focus was on maximizing the site’s potential through a detailed test-fit study and creating a distinctive masterplan that includes community parks and amenities.
This contemporary villa design features a play of light and voids, creating a minimal yet striking facade with a monochromatic palette. Its simplicity makes it ideal for easy mass production within the masterplan.
Mirrored Condition
Two adjacent villas, mirrored in orientation, seamlessly blend their facades to form a unified, monolithic structure. This design enhances the street view, creating a more striking and dramatic visual impact.
The townhouse design is minimal yet creative, interlocking seamlessly to form a rhythmic and harmonious facade when grouped. This approach ensures privacy for each unit while maintaining a visually balanced appearance.
Townhouses
(NOA DESIGN)
Townhouses are grouped into 4-plex, 6-plex and 8-plex clusters, separated by sikkas featuring green spaces.
Work Experience | Dubai | 2021
LAMI Architects
Stages Involved: Design Development, Structural Co-ordination, Building Permit Submission, Tender Drawings Preparation.
The design started with creating spaces generated by various inclined walls, giving moments of ambiguity. While going with simple flooring finishes, the villa design prioritizes wall claddings and facade screens. I worked on design updates and creating the final drawing package.
Work Experience | Dubai | 2021
LAMI Architects
Stages Involved: Design Development, Building Permit Submission, Tender Drawings Preparation.
While the villa design would appear minimal it tries to conceal a complicated design structure with multiple courtyards and double-height voids. Feature stone walls and vertical louvers are the main design elements complementing the horizontal canopy design.
University of Melbourne
Publications
Designboom (Milan, New York)
WebUrbanist
Architecture & Design (Australia)
Gooood.cn (China)
Admagazine (Russia)
Designraid
The Design Writer (Australia)
E-Architect (UK)
Exhibition
Melbourne Design Week, Exhibited at Melbourne School of Design, March 2019
The design was aimed to create a highly detailed model interpretation of the interior of Flourish and Blotts (from Harry Potter books) using rapid prototyping (laser-cutting), digital fabrication techniques hand modeling and lights. Utilizing spatial analysis of film sets and miniature set design, the final design features vaulted ceilings with intricate pattern to play light and shadow in space. The 50x50x50cm physical model was made using 0.6mm and 1mm mountboards.
Elements
Masters | Studio E | 2018
University of Melbourne
By borrowing the backyard spaces of the existing houses and placing an elevated unit with minimal footprint, creates a meaningful solution for the housing shortage issues of the Dandenong suburb.
Incorporating the elements of a suburban dream house, the main functions are stacked vertically. The unit has a mid-level semi-open space for social interactions and a rooftop garden.
The idea is to retrofit new dwelling units with the existing housing fabric to reformulate suburban housing in Dandenong suburb. The new units are strategically positioned in the backyard spaces of the existing separate houses. Each house is defined by its unique foliage and contextual orientation. The old and new knit together to create a more social and activated neighborhood.
Master Plan Layout Option
Unit Design: The vertical circulation as the main core, supports the cantilevered house. Additional support is provided by the tension strings with mesh screens, which eventually will be covered by vegetation. Thus, integrating the new unit with the landscape and reducing the dominant appearance of the elevated structure.
Unit Section
The section highlights how the vertical connection divides the function of the spaces with various levels of privacy and socializing zones.
Standing 345 meter tall, the building is located at the junction of Exhibition Street and La Trobe Street in Melbourne. The aim of the project is to design a complex high-rise building incorporating economic feasibility, environmental design, materiality, current industry practice and assembly of different construction systems.
Plan & Section
The high-rise building design is divided into three parts - The Podium, the tower and the crown.
Masters | Studio D | 2018
University
of Melbourne
This library is about the journey, not the destination. The architecture is designed to create a space which facilitates movement into certain spaces, yet within these spaces, the journey is ambiguous and left up the users; the children. The kids’ library focuses on four steps; the entrance, donating or returning, following and finding.
Site Analysis Matrix
This matrix is the inference of selected features of site study, analyzed in 5 categories - Lines, Surface, Volume, Terrain and Form
A major influence on the key ideas of the building was the robotic drawing process, which we undertook prior to design. Through careful instructions, we could output a drawing we anticipated completely. As novice programmers, a lot of the time, the output lines seemed random. To emulate this, we have designed tubes and a conveyor system, in which the children will place their returned or donated items inside. These will then begin their journey through a complex system which is very difficult to follow at a human scale, similar to the ambiguity we felt when programming the robots.
Robotic Drawings
The plan shows the tubes running through different zones of the library, carrying the toys for the kids.
