Londonbreno@gmail.com • 86 Mount Pleasant Road, NW10 3EJ • 07453027094
Architecture BA Honours - University of Westminster [First Class Hons]
A-Levels - St Augustine’s Sixth Form [A*CC] in Fine Art, Chemistry & Physics
GCSE’s - St Augustine’s C of E High School [9 GCSE’s grades 9-5]
Open 2024 Show, UoW, London End of Year work Exhibition.
In my final year of architecture studies, I took a lead role in organizing exhibitions, designing temporary sculptures, and curating engaging spaces. My responsibilities included overseeing setup, team coordination, and creating functional, visually appealing layouts.
Kier
As part of a 3 month Site Diary module with Kier, collaborated with partners to document and track changes and experiences at Marylebone Square (RIBA stages 0-7), achieving the highest grade in my year for this module (88/100).
Co Production Imperial College London participated in interdisciplinary workshops with UoW and ICL to redesign St Mary’s emergency department, enhancing the experience for people facing homelessness by addressing stigma, accessibility, and design.
Open 2023 Show, UoW, London End of Year work Exhibition.
In my second year of architecture studies, led exhibition organization, designed temporary sculptures, coordinated teams, and created functional, visually appealing spaces.
V&A Ramadan Pavilion
During my second year at architecture school, had the privilege of collaborating with my tutor Shahed Saleem on the Ramadan Pavilion 2023 project. Through my involvement in co-production and curation, I contributed to the realization of this dynamic and culturally significant project.
Mace participated in a two-day work experience program with Mace, where explored the impact of technology on the construction industry, specifically through the use of virtual reality (VR), at the 6 Marble Arch site.
Construction Youth Trust participated in a two-day work experience program with Mace, where explored the impact of technology on the construction industry, specifically through the
Dr Constance Lau
Languages Fluent in Portuguese and English
Architect, Senior Lecturer, Design Studio Leader Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) C.Lau@westminster.ac.uk
& collaboration within a
Contemporary Ideas of Ruins
Unveiling Stories of Antiquarianism at Somerset House
This project explores the dynamic evolution of architecture, taking inspiration from the rich history of Somerset House and imagining speculative futures shaped by natural and human-induced events. Central to the design is the concept of “managed decay,” symbolized by Brighton Pier’s decline, where the organic interaction between architecture and its environment leads to new narratives.
I propose the partial demolition of Somerset House’s north wing, reusing neoclassical elements to bridge the past and future. The design envisions a timeline from 2030 to 2080, where Somerset House transforms in response to rising temperatures and water events, such as the 2024 UAE floods. The debating chamber becomes the “Garden of Ruins” over time, with nature gradually reclaiming the space, blending historic architecture with a fluid, ever-changing landscape. Additionally, I examine the “Antiquavolution” of architectural elements and imagine an alchemical laboratory where materials transform into architectural components.
The Fortress serves as an educational hub, preserving Somerset House’s legacy while allowing visitors to interact with its evolving facade. This project celebrates the transformation of built environments, encouraging reflection on how architecture can honor the past while adapting to future challenges.
What happens when the primary occupant of a building changes?
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Antiquarian as Primary Occupant
Inside the Living Fortress
Educational Activities in the Fortress:
Archaeological Playground: The Fortress offers an interactive space where visitors, particularly students and enthusiasts, can participate in simulated archaeological digs. This hands-on experience allows individuals to uncover artifacts and learn about excavation techniques and the importance of preserving historical remains.
One-to-One Studies: Scholars and students can engage in focused one-to-one studies within the Fortress. This setup provides an intimate environment for detailed examinations of artifacts, architectural elements, and historical documents, promoting in-depth learning and personalized educational experiences.
Facade Study Program: A unique aspect of the Fortress is its changing facade, which serves as a live study subject. Participants can monitor and document the effects of weathering, erosion, and other natural processes on the structure. This ongoing project helps to illustrate the dynamic nature of architecture and the importance of conservation efforts.
Workshops and Lectures: The Fortress can host a variety of workshops and lectures on topics such as historical preservation, restoration techniques, and the history of Somerset House. Experts in the field can share their knowledge and insights, fostering a community of learning and appreciation for heritage.
Exhibitions and Displays: Temporary exhibitions can be set up within the Fortress, showcasing artifacts discovered in the archaeological playground or studies conducted on the facade. These displays can change periodically, keeping the content fresh and engaging for repeat visitors.
The AnthropoceneAntiquarian’s
Using Plan Drawings to map Antiqua[volution]
01 - Ground Floor Plan showing the evolution of the building after the primary occupant of the building changes
02 - First Floor Plan showing enclosures
03 - Roof Plan
01 - Description of the Debating Chamber in Plan:
This page unveils the detailed plan of the Debating Chamber within the broader context of the building, illustrating how this pivotal space interacts with its surroundings and reacts to environmental changes. From left to right, the plan contrasts the chamber's condition before and after a significant flooding event, showcasing its adaptive design and resilience. The detailed plan highlights structural elements, materials, and spatial arrangements, emphasizing the chamber's dynamic response to fluctuating conditions.
Before the flooding, the Debating Chamber is a place of intellectual tension and anticipation, where light plays a crucial role in creating an atmosphere of contemplation and focus. The intricate interplay of natural light and shadows enhances the room's historical character, adding depth to the discussions held within. As the flooding event progresses, the chamber's transformation is evident, depicting a space that embraces change and evolves with its environment, further enriching the debates it hosts.
Temporal Confluence
Unveiling Stories of Antiquarianism through the Debating Chamber
Antiquarian as Primary Occupant
Water as Primary Occupant
Debating Chamber Garden of Ruins
Unveiling Stories of Antiquarianism
01 02 03
Levels of Pressure and Architectural Revelation:
Level 1: The Surface (0-10 meters)
Pressure: Low
Architectural Revelation:
The upper portions of columns and arches are visible, showcasing intricate carvings and designs.
Sunlight penetrates the water, creating dappled light effects and illuminating the space with a warm glow.
Level 2: Mid-Depth (10-20 meters)
Pressure: Medium
Architectural Revelation:
Mid-level columns and walls show signs of further material evolution, with marine growths adding new textures and colors. The light quality changes, becoming more diffuse, adding a mystical aura to the chamber.
Level 3: The Depths (20-30 meters)
4:00
Pressure: High Architectural Revelation: The deepest parts of the chamber reveal the most profound transformations, with columns and structures encrusted with coral and marine life. The atmosphere is darker and more serene, with artificial lighting highlighting specific architectural features.
Timeline and Oscillation Patterns:
Morning Ripples: At dawn, gentle undulations grace the surface of the water, reflecting the soft hues of sunrise. Waves oscillate with a low frequency, creating a soothing rhythm that lulls the senses into tranquility.
Noon Crests: As the day progresses, the waves gain momentum, cresting with greater intensity and frequency. Midday sun bathes the scene in vibrant light, casting dynamic patterns of shadow and illumination across the water’s surface.
Afternoon Swells: With the sun reaching its zenith, the waves surge with heightened vigor, their rhythmic cadence echoing the pulse of life. Oscillation patterns become more pronounced, offering a sense of invigoration amidst the maritime embrace.
Evening Calm: As dusk descends, the waves begin to ebb, their once-energetic movements yielding to a sense of peaceful reprieve. Twilight hues paint the horizon, casting a tranquil glow over the tranquil scene.
Nighttime Whispers: Under the veil of night, the waves whisper softly against the shore, their gentle oscillations imbued with an ethereal quality. Moonlight dances upon the water’s surface, casting a spellbinding aura of mystery and enchantment.
The central drawing is a detailed plan and section of the Debating Chamber, isolating and speculating on its future through a series of speculative scenarios. This atemporal representation captures the chamber inundated with water, illustrating the effects of fluctuating environmental conditions over time. It envisions the space in various states—submerged, emerging, and dry—across multiple seasons. This speculative approach highlights the chamber's resilience and adaptability, reinforcing the notion that ideas and debates are fluid and ever-changing, much like the space they inhabit.
The Alchemical Laboratory
Using the intellectual qualities of ‘Ruin’ to re-interpret the role of the
Classical column
The Intellectual Qualities of ‘Ruin’ & how they play into the Architecture/Programme
Fluctuation
The columns undergo transformations, symbolizing the fluidity and adaptability of architectural forms.
Construction and Deconstruction
Each iteration represents a stage in the process of creation and dismantling, highlighting the cyclical nature of architectural
Recombination and Combination
Elements from different iterations are combined to create new forms, demonstrating the potential for innovation through the reinterpretation
Imagination
The column iterations inspire creativity and imagination, encouraging viewers to envision new possibilities in architectural design.
Multiple Interpretation and Alternative Interpretation
The varied interpretations of the column iterations invite viewers to explore different
Unfinished
The exploration of unfinished forms underscores the idea of perpetual change and the continuous quest for architectural perfection.
Morphing Column Apparatus
This intricate machinery orchestrates the evolution of the Antiquarian's signature columns, seamlessly transitioning between states of construction and deconstruction.
Contribution
Symbolizes the fluidity of architectural narratives, showcasing the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation.
Phantasmagoric Light Emitters
These specialized light fixtures cast dynamic hues across the laboratory, enveloping the space in a kaleidoscope of colors inspired by the surreal landscapes of Somerset Phantasmagoria.
Contribution
Enhances the atmosphere, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination, and infusing the space with a sense of otherworldly enchantment.
B C 02 03 04 05 06
Aquatic Chronicles: Unveiling Through Water
Explores the interaction between water and the antiquarian column capturing 12 distinct moments as water cascades over the structure. Each moment tells a unique story, revealing hidden aspects of the column and creating a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, texture, sound, and movement. This investigation highlights water as a transformative force, the primary occupant that alters and unveils new narratives within the ruins of the building.
Antiquarian's Workbench
A central fixture for experimentation and assembly, the workbench serves as the nucleus of creative endeavors, facilitating the synthesis of historical fragments into contemporary forms.
Contribution
Anchors the space, fostering collaboration and craftsmanship.
Sanctuary of Antiquity Exploring the Private Realm
How does the fusion of technology, historical depth, and practicality in the Private Room redefine Antiquavolution?
Technological Complexity
Historical Significance
Practical Utility
Following Inundation, the private room undergoes a remarkable evolution, as the pulsating panels of the activated pulley system control the flow of water, transforming the once-enclosed sanctum into a dynamic space of adaptation and preservation.
Temporal Disengagement
What secrets emerge when structures begin to decay and transform?
The Shifting Evolution of
By 2050, the Debating Chamber embodies the slow dissolution of architectural permanence, inviting a temporal disengagement that reveals the fragility of human structures. Natural light seeps through widening cracks, illuminating dust and decayed materials as stone erodes and metal corrodes. As the chamber leans and volumes shift, the architecture transitions, mirroring the ebb and flow of time’s influence. Here, light and material degradation dissolve the boundaries of built form, allowing viewers to witness a structure caught between stability and collapse.
The Alchemical Theatre transforms Somerset House’s courtyard into a stage where architecture takes the lead, challenging traditional concepts of theatre. Columns act as dynamic, interactive performers, experienced from multiple angles, inviting viewers to disengage from linear time and explore a constantly shifting interplay of light, shadow, and water. This evolving space immerses the audience in a sensory experience that transcends conventional engagement, drawing them into a realm where the elements drive an everchanging narrative.
As buildings shift from stability to deterioration, they reveal the layers of their history—stories of those who built, inhabited, and abandoned them. The peeling paint, eroding stone, and rusting metal become physical traces of time’s passage, unveiling both the vulnerability and resilience of human creation. Decay allows us to see beyond the polished surfaces and rigid forms, exposing the raw, unplanned beauty that emerges when nature reclaims what was once meticulously designed. This transformation evokes questions about permanence, memory, and the fleeting nature of human effort in the face of time's relentless push forward. 01 02
The Courtyard Theatre of Voluminous Insight
By 2050, the Debating Chamber embodies the slow dissolution of architectural permanence, inviting a temporal disengagement that reveals the fragility of human structures. Natural light seeps through widening cracks, illuminating dust and decayed materials as stone erodes and metal corrodes. As the chamber leans and volumes shift, the architecture transitions, mirroring the ebb and flow of time’s influence. Here, light and material degradation dissolve the boundaries of built form, allowing viewers to witness a structure caught between stability and collapse.
The Shifting Evolution of the Debating Chamber, 2050
The
Theatre transforms Somerset House’s courtyard into a stage where architecture takes the lead, challenging traditional concepts of theatre. Columns act as dynamic, interactive performers, experienced from multiple angles, inviting viewers to disengage from linear time and explore a constantly shifting interplay of light, shadow, and water. This evolving space immerses the audience in a sensory experience that transcends conventional engagement, drawing them into a realm where the elements drive an ever-changing narrative.
The Courtyard Theatre of Voluminous Insight
Alchemical
Operational Energy Efficiency through Material Selection:
This section focuses on optimizing the operational energy efficiency of the building by strategically selecting materials such as steel, stone, concrete, and copper. Each material choice is evaluated based on its contribution to reducing energy consumption during the building’s day-today operation. For instance, incorporating low-carbon or zero-carbon renewable energy technologies into the design helps achieve the target of net-zero energy consumption. Additionally, the design prioritizes materials with high thermal performance and durability to minimize heating, cooling, and maintenance energy requirements.
Embodied Carbon Reduction Strategies in Material Usage:
Here, the emphasis is on minimizing embodied carbon in construction materials, particularly steel, stone, concrete, and copper. The design strategy involves carefully assessing the energyintensive processes involved in extracting, fabricating, and transporting these materials. To reduce embodied carbon, the project explores opportunities for material reuse, recycling, and selecting locally sourced materials to minimize transportation emissions. Furthermore, innovative construction techniques are employed to optimize material efficiency and reduce waste generation throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Maximizing Life Cycle Value through Sustainable Material Practices:
This section highlights the project’s commitment to achieving economic sustainability by maximizing the life cycle value of materials such as steel, stone, concrete, and copper. By integrating structural and environmental strategies, the design aims to create a holistic outcome that balances economic viability with environmental performance. Strategies include prolonging the lifespan of materials through durable design, implementing maintenance programs to extend service life, and exploring circular economy principles to promote material reuse and repurposing. Additionally, life cycle costing analysis informs decisionmaking processes to ensure longterm economic benefits while meeting sustainability targets.
History through the Ages of Architectural Manipulation 2030 Antiquarianism
In this design proposal, reimagine 19thcentury antiquarianism within Somerset House’s North Wing, currently occupied by the Courtauld Gallery, by assuming the role of a 2030 antiquarian. My aim is to manipulate architectural elements to redefine antiquarianism for the 21st century, drawing on the philosophies of William Chambers and John Soane.
Through the persona of the “Theatrical Reverie,” inspired by Soane’s Spectacular Theatre, I explore a poetic deconstruction of architectural components using shadow puppeteering. This persona represents a transformative, small-scale approach that uses architectural destruction as a tool to impart historical lessons to future communities. The second persona, the “Neoclassical Alchemist,” engages in a constructive process, reassembling the elements deconstructed by the Theatrical Reverie—like Somerset House’s entrance columns—by blending tradition and innovation through model-making and large-scale marionette puppeteering.
Both personas converge into the antiqua[morph] engine, a conceptual machine capable of redefining the experiential, visual, and educational aspects of Neoclassical architecture. This collaboration symbolizes a paradigm shift in antiquarianism, offering a forward-looking interpretation of architectural heritage in 2030.
Somerset House polytriptych
Somerset Phantasmagoria (Left) The 2030 antiquarian as a Theatrical Reverie (Right)
This innovative creation engages in a mesmerizing dance, deconstructing the composite column with theatrical flair reminiscent of Theatrical Reverie. Simultaneously, it executes a precise and constructive process, mirroring the precision of the Neoclassical Alchemist.
The Traditional Antiquarian The Eclectic Antiquarian
In my design for Multiversity, I sought to redefine the conventional educational environment by crafting a fluid, boundaryfree space that fosters freedom of learning and creative expression. Drawing inspiration from the metaphor of the “fountain of knowledge,” Multiversity embodies a setting where education flows organically, unconstrained by traditional frameworks. Influences such as the Fun Palace, Reggio School, and Pompidou Centre informed its design, integrating adaptability, openness, and a vibrant, modular aesthetic.
Positioned at the heart of Elephant and Castle, this public educational and cultural hub features four suspended platforms for collaborative activities and three secluded pods, facilitating diverse, serendipitous learning experiences. The structure incorporates a sophisticated modular panel system, designed for soundproofing and energy efficiency, while the use of sustainable, locally sourced materials significantly reduces the carbon footprint. Multiversity operates as a reconfigurable summer school, offering an evolving educational landscape that adapts to the needs of its users, symbolizing a progressive vision for learning in the 21st century.
▶ Multiversity’s Educational Theory
Illustration Based On The Idea Of A Fountain Of Knowledge
Pathway Of Possibilities
Enhancing The Museum Experience Fragmented Perspectives
This project is driven by the exploration and relationship between the user and object in a particular narrative expressed architecturally. Introducing an alternative entrance to the Imperial War Museum and an enhanced experience to objects displayed around the current structure, my proposal aims to have users experience the narratives through their journey through the fragmented views of objects.
The chaotic and non-traditional positioning of curved walls around museum objects are aimed to critique the current museum display and the relationship users have to the complex narratives behind each object. My expressive and abstract approach to my drawings are present to have viewers interpret the drawings for themselves through their unique frame and perspective on them. This way, narratives of objects and experiences are more unique, valuable and represented in each individual.
▶ Imperial War Museum: Dynamic Experiential Final Plan [Hand Drawing + Iterations + Model]
Introducing An Alternative Entrance To The I.W.M
▶ Dynamic Experiential Sections [Hand Drawn] Fragmentation Exploration Model
The Art of Bathing as Experience Hydrosphere
The project explores the profound relationship between bathing and the human experience, emphasizing the dramatic and immersive qualities of bathing houses across cultures. Central to my design is the concept of shared experiences within a dynamic, atmospheric environment, where varied room shapes and hidden spaces create a theatrical ambiance. Through the use of casting techniques, I aimed to embrace the unpredictability of form, allowing for organic shapes that contribute to the therapeutic nature of the space. The proposal features a series of pools at different levels, each designed to offer unique bathing experiences, from invigorating cold water immersion to tranquil warm baths.
Inspired by the staged experiences found in traditional Turkish hammams and modern architectural precedents such as The Vessel by Thomas Heatherwick, my design incorporates a horizontal circulation of steps that guide users through a journey of sensory exploration. The interplay of geometry, informed by the works of Carlo Scarpa, introduces a rich spatial complexity that enhances the experience of movement and interaction with water. The design thoughtfully
integrates the landscape, addressing the challenges of tidal fluctuations in Deptford while creating decorative pools that harmonize with the natural environment.
Sustainability is a key consideration, with the bath house constructed from cast-in-situ concrete, ensuring longevity and minimal maintenance. The design incorporates solar paths for passive heating, while ventilation strategies optimize comfort and air quality. Ultimately, this project seeks to redefine the bathing experience as an accessible, multi-sensory journey, celebrating the transformative power of water in a space that is both contemplative and engaging.
▶ Above the Waters: Aerial Serenity Over Deptford Creek [Physical model]
▶ Photographs of the Model Atmospheric Pathways: Experiencing the Bathhouse Through Light and Form
1. Gelatine, 20% Plaster & Clay
2. Straw, Plaster & Clay
3. Plaster & Clay
4. 20% Egg Shells, Plaster & Clay
▶ ▶ On Site View of Marylebone Square Sketches And Model Of Basement Construction Sequence
Marylebone Square A Site Diary Exploration
Over a three-month period, I had the privilege of visiting Marylebone Square on multiple occasions, where I meticulously documented the progress of the project from its initial planning phases through to its completion. Throughout this process, I maintained close communication with the Senior Project Engineer and Design Manager, which provided me with invaluable insights into the intricate layers involved in a project of this magnitude and historical significance. This experience deepened my understanding of the various responsibilities encompassed within the RIBA stages of work. Achieving a commendable grade of 88/100 for this module reflects the substantial knowledge and skills gained from this enriching experience.
Y2 Project 2022 -23
Timeline illustrating most significant movements and developments in society that would’ve influenced Soane’s eclecticism.
John Soane: The Birth of an Eclectic Antiquarian DISSERTATION
Investigating how Soane’s architectural journey unfolds to reveal a unique fusion of classical traditions and experimental innovation, challenging the established norms of his time and laying the groundwork for an eclectic approach that transcends conventional boundaries.
In 18th-century Neoclassical London, John Soane (1753-1837) emerged as a pioneering architect known for his innovative reinterpretation of Classicism.
Raised in Oxfordshire by a bricklayer father, Soane’s early life was steeped in craftsmanship, fueling his passion for architecture. Claiming an innate drive to pursue the field, he embarked on an intellectually rich career that left an enduring impact on Neoclassical design.
Soane’s work, particularly evident in the eclectic style of “John Soane’s Museum,” defies traditional Neoclassical principles of linearity, symmetry, and
Y3 Project 2024
order. Influenced by Baroque and Rococo aesthetics, he blended diverse styles into a unique architectural language, challenging and redefining conventional architectural norms.
1 Introduction
The Age of Enlightenment
A re-evaluation of Antiquity
Soane’s emphasis on architecture as part of an environment 2 3 4 5 6 7
The Age of Antiquity
The Grand Tour’s influence on Soane
Somerset House
The start of Soane’s Eclecticism
Soane’s Unconventional Neoclassicism Crafting 13 Lincoln’s Inn Field
The Baroque movement
Soane use of unconventional elements for dramatic atmospheres
The Picturesque movement
The Picturesque John Soane (1753 - 1837)
Revolution
▶
▶ On Site Painting Sections Of The Pavilion Before Assembly With My Colleagues
The Ramadan Pavilion is a specially designed architectural structure that serves as a biannual showcase of creative art, design, and architectural innovation inspired by the holy month of Ramadan. It is accompanied by a diverse range of public programming centered around the arts and creativity, featuring events, workshops, performances, and Open Iftars.
The primary purpose of the biannual Ramadan Pavilion is to honor the lived experiences of Muslims both in the UK and around the world during the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. It aims to highlight the core values and traditions of Ramadan through architectural expression, experimental design, and a related public arts and culture initiative.
Designed by Shahed Saleem, the Pavilion evokes the essence of an abstracted mosque. The design draws inspiration
from the V&A’s Prints and Drawings collection, reflecting the historical significance of mosques and depicting the experiences of Muslims in Britain.
During the final stages of the Pavilion’s development, had the privilege of working closely with Shahed, my tutor from my second year. This experience involved extensive collaboration, including painting, filing, and contributing to team dynamics and leadership roles. I was also present on-site during the assembly process which allowed me to gain hands-on experience in the practical aspects of bringing the Pavilion to life.
Y2 Project 2023
Ramadan Pavilion
Throughout both my second and final year of undergraduate architecture studies, played an integral role in the organization and execution of various exhibitions. was heavily involved in all aspects of the exhibition process, from the design and creation of temporary sculptures to curating a cohesive and engaging exhibition space. My responsibilities included overseeing the build-up, coordinating with teams, and ensuring that the spatial layout was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This experience allowed me to develop a range of skills, including project management, creative problem-solving, and attention to detail, all while fostering collaboration and teamwork. My involvement in these exhibitions has strengthened my ability to translate design concepts into immersive physical environments, enhancing the overall experience for visitors and participants alike.
