PORTFOLIO Fatma Mhmood Urban Design - Architecture - Development
CONTENTS
Urban Design
Academic (Columbia University)
Varanasi in Flux
Studio III Water Urbanism
Piermont Pier Redevelopment
Ecological Infrastructure Seminar
Urban Sites and Scenarios: Making Knowledge
Urban Design Studio I
Urban Spaces: Seamless Access
Urban Design Studio I
Poughkeepsie Root Cellar
Urban Design Studio II
A Place of Serenity: Freshkills Park
Readings in New York Urbanism
Rhythmic Memories Composite Modelling The Mesopotamian Marshes
Architecture
Academic (American University of Sharjah)
Geographic Information Systems
UnSound Design Build Suburban Housing Comprehensive Cloud Seeding Complex: Research Center and Faculty Housing Units
Studio V
Warehouse Studio IV Up Studio IV
Development + Urban Design
Professional Work (Emaar Properties + Dominique Perrault Architecture)
Material Explorations
Survey of Materials
Quartier del L’etang Geneva
Urban Design Team
Vida Hills Hotel and Residences
Hospitality Development
The Address hotel Istanbul
Hospitality Development
VIDA Residences Downtown
Hospitality Development
Urban Design
Academic (Columbia University)
Varanasi in Flux
Studio III Water Urbanism
Piermont Pier Redevelopment
Ecological Infrastructure Seminar
Urban Sites and Scenarios: Making Knowledge
Urban Design Studio I
Urban Spaces: Seamless Access
Urban Design Studio I
Poughkeepsie Root Cellar
Urban Design Studio II
A Place of Serenity: Freshkills Park
Readings in New York Urbanism
Rhythmic Memories Composite Modelling The Mesopotamian Marshes
Geographic Information Systems
ACCOMM VARANASI IN FLUX
Varanasi, India Studio III Water Urbanism, Prof. Kate Orff, Columbia University, New York. Group Project Varanasi is a place of ‘cosmic hospitality’ with an influx and outflow of people, fauna and flora. This flux can also be observed through the dynamic landscape and its relationship to the water, reflecting cycles of monsoon, migration, cultivation, and celebration. By challenging the formal notions of reading the city as a stagnant and permanent entity, this project portrays Varanasi as an oscillating city in relation to time, preparing Varanasi as a city that could better absorb the flux of humans, fauna, flora and water. By intervening in selected trajectories, an infrastructural system is proposed to create resilience strategies by having loosely programed spaces for temporary shelters, markets and natural habitats. This infrastructure will synthesis these new spaces in ecological communities that form beneficial transactions between locals, transient populations (nomads, pilgrims, tourists and migrants) and ecosystems creating dynamic functions that shift with seasons and time.
WHAT IF VARANASI WAS A MODEL FOR MODATING FLUX (HUMANS, FLORA, FAUNA, WATER)?
D
Research: Rainfall in India and Monsoon Onset
INDIA AVERAGE RAINFALL OVER 250 250 - 150 150 - 100 100 - 50 50 - 40 40 - 20 Under 20 No Data Water Bodies
0
Bay of Bengal VARANASI
Arabian Sea
Bay of Bengal
Arabian Sea
FRAMEWORK
Bay of Bengal
INTERVENTION
125 250
500 Miles
2
1
4
3
5
7
m
be
ra
nd
De
ce m
be
r
Research: Flux through India
ri be
n aa
d
sia lA ra nt e c
n ee tw be
ve No
323 Migratory birds species BIRDS SPECIES PASSING THROUGH INDIA: 1.Common Crane 2. Demoiselle Crane 3. Demoiselle Crane 4. Bar Headed Goose 5. Crane 6. Falcon 7. Northern Wheatar 8. Amur Falcon 9. Goose and Coots 10. Ducks
Si ing m pr Fro til s un
Amarnath Yatra AMRITSAR
Dehradun HARIDWAR
Kumbh Mela
Major Cities
Badrinath Temple
6
Narayanpur Kalan
40 million
Festivals, indicating occurrence and attendance
Bheerpur
Kanwar Yatra GAYA
Kumbh Mela 120 million
ALLAHABAD
Kumbh Mela
VARANASI
4
Panchkroshi Yatra
Pilgrimage circuits and temples
Dev Deepawali 150 million
Breeding wetlands
Pilgrimage route
Deoghar Yatra
UJJAIN
75 million
Nomad stops
KOLKATA
Dwarakadeesh Temple
Durga Puja 50 million
Kumbh Mela 40 million
NASHIK
Ratha Yatra
MUMBAI
Jagannath Temple
Ganesh Chaturthi 2 million
Pandharpur Yatra Sangam
Bay of Bengal
Sirsi Thrissur Pooram 1 million Durga Puja
Attukal 2.5 million 10
BACKGROUND
LEGEND
Mansarov Yatra
Hola Mohalla 1 million
8 FRAMEWORK
INTERVENTION
9
Migratory birds route
0
125 250
500 Miles
Research: Cycles of Flux
December
People r be vem No
Fauna
Marigold Mustard Wheat
ry
Water
Jan ua
Flora
Ma Mu rigo Ric sta ld e rd
8.4mm
ry
rua
Oc
Feb
er
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us
Pausa
a
A
an
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Lat e-
gh
ng
h Ag
Ma
Ga
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De
rtik
Ka
Ashvin
Bh
ad
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M on s oo
9.6
ra seh
September
mn Autu
Spring
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March
ha sht Jye Ashadha
raa van a
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Ramlila
a un alg Ph Chaitra Va isa kh a
e mm Su
30.3m
W in t
er
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206mm
ah a
ri at ivr Sh
ee
M
r eat Wh umbe Cuc plant 8.4mm Egg
pa wa li
1.2m
Ap ri
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Shrav an M
m
m
as
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ust
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m
6m
31
27.6m
m
y Ma
y
Jul m
June
547m
Research: Spatializing Flux
Vegetation
Water
Urban Areas
Elements of Socio-ecological Community
Fro m
Sib eri a
an dC en tra
Cotton Teal Size: 12-15 in
Black-Headed Gull size:6–18 in
Mallard size:20–26 in
Reddish Shelduck size: 23-28 in
Northern Pintail size:20–25 in
Golden Pheasant size:24–31 in
Bar-headed Geese size: 28-30 in
Large Cormorant size:45–48 in
lA sia
Migratory Birds Himalaya
Siberia
Sangam Wetland
Sandi Wetland
Varanasi Ghats
Edge: ghats and pilgrims
Inland: Beniya Park
Dynamic Landscape: temporary settlements
Transient Populations
Banjara Tribe: From Rajstan
Pilgrims
Inland: fields
Edge
Dynamic Landscape: loose aquatic flora
Contribution of different geographical regions to the invasive flora of Varanasi:
Flora
Tropical America: 62.50% South America: 15% Tropical Africa: 10.83% Mediterranean Region: 2.5% Europe: 3.33% Calla Lilies Inland: Kund
iris tectorum
cana generalis
Marigold
Rice Field
Acorus Calamus
Typha Orientalis Edge
Lemongrass
Zizania Latifolia
Water Lilies
Indian Lotus
Hyacinth
West Indies: 1.67%
Lemna Minor
Malaysia: 0.83% Afghanistan: 0.83% North America: 0.83%
Dynamic Landscape: fragile soil
Australia: 0.83%
To the
Ganga F
ro mt he Him
alaya
en Bay of B
g al
Beneficial Transactions in a Socio-ecological Community
migratory birds - boatman - flora - sandbank - Introducing temporary settlements for the transient populations with roofs/structures that revive birds habitat. - Revival of aquatic flora at wetlands and the sandbank. - Revival of wetlands and flora is essential for birds habitat.
Migratory Birds
MIGRATORY BIRDS
migratory birds - boatman - flora - wetlands - Migratory birds attract birdwatchers and tourists. - Income source for boatman. - Revival of wetlands and flora is essential for birds habitat.
Transient Populations TRANSIENT POPULATIONS
pilgrims - rituals - marigold fields - Extending marigold fields to support local farmers nomads - pilgrims - fields - kund - Festivals and rituals attract nomad to sell their crafts.
FloraFLORA
Rice field - sandbank - Extending the agricultural lands and rice fields from inland to create an economic connection between the sandbank and ghats. - Rice fields are important too revive birds habitat.
Ganga GANGA
Flora - edge - kund - Reviving water purification plants
Framework: Six Trajectories Across Varanasi
A
G AN
HG
NC PA A TR C JE RY TO
MA N
IKA
DAS H
RN
IKA
TR
AJ
EC
TO RY
ASH
WA ME
DH
SHIVALA TR
JEC
TOR Y
AJECTORY
RAJEC
ASSI T
TRA
TORY
R TRA
NAGA
RAM
Open Space Ghat Park Artificial Kund Natural Pond
ORY JECT
Intervention: Dashashwamedh Trajectory
Chakara Tal
Sonia Pokhara
Rehabilitation to wetland
Community garden (greywater reuse)
Structure as: Service Hub Observation deck
Structure as: Shelter Service Hub Market Stalls
Existing Condition
Lakshmi Kund Softening the edge to access Service Hub (by Residents’ Welfare Association) Flower Stalls for religious needs
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Sandbank
Extending the edge through building dock on the bank and regenerating the market
Watermelon production
Structure as: Bamboo Dock Railings Umbrellas Merchant’s House
Regular Time
FRAMEWORK
Lacking resilient public spaces and infrastructure
Structure as: Shelter Grain store
Monsoon Time
INTERVENTION
Extending the edge through creating docks and observation decks
Resilient ghats to accommodate social activities during the monsoon season
PIERMONT PIER REDEVELOPMENT
Piermont, New York. Ecological Infrastructure Seminar, Prof. Kate Orff, Columbia University, New York. Group Project A revival the Piermont pier by treating it as a natural and softer structure that serves as a public space and an element that revives the shoreline plantation. The proposal aims to reduce amount of paving, to introduce more plants on the edge and to visually integrate the pier with existing marshes. An educational and visitors center will be introduced at the edge of the pier to engage the visitors with the landscape surrounding the pier. The flagpole will serve as a memorial centrally located at the end of the pier where the public space is located.
Site: Ecology and Transportation
Risk Areas From Flooding - Current Condition Extreme Risk High Risk Medium Risk
Sea Level Rise Projection Reach of High Tide
12” of Sea Level Rise
30” of Sea Level Rise
72” of Sea Level Rise
100 Year of flood zone
Current Conditions: Phragmatis - Invasive Plant occupies 90% of the marshes which killed other native plants around it by omitting galic acid.
Native Plants
cordgrasses
spartina patents
Spartina alterniflora
Visitors and Education Center
Paving Materials
Memorial and gathering place
Past
Present Completely flooded areas in the pier can become habitats for plants and animal life
Openings become natural habitats for species Openings in pier allow for redirection of water flow
Memorial portion of pier becomes a destination
Future
Inland
URBAN SITES AND SCENARIOS: MAKING KNOWLEDGE Stapleton, Staten Island, New York Studio I , Prof. Kaja Kuhl, Columbia University, New York. Group Project
Investigating the physical and non-physical layers of the urban fabric at Stapleton including the geographic, historical, socioeconomic and landscape aspects of the neighborhood. Noise levels
Industrial and Commercial
Water front
TRANSPORTATION METHODS TO WORK INSIDE STATEN ISLAND 75% 20%
5% source: american fact finder
TRANSPORTATION METHODS TO WORK OUTSIDE STATEN ISLAND 43% 55%
2% source: american fact finder
Transportation and Elevation Height
Three different urban fabrics in one neighborhood
Tompkensville
URBAN SPACES: SEAMLESS ACCESS
Stapleton and Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York Studio I , Prof. Kaja Kuhl, Columbia University, New York. Group Project The elevated parts of the Staten Island rail create a physical barrier between the new developments at the waterfront and the existing neighborhoods making pedestrian access inconvenient. By converting the Staten Island rail into a tram that is integrated within the streets, a seamless pedestrian access is created from the inland neighborhoods to the waterfront development. The new transverse pedestrian pathways provide a continuous surface of public spaces that consolidate different transportation means allowing convenient accessibility to the waterfront.
Site Plan
Stapleton
Bike Route
Tram Route
Bus Route
Population Density and Transportation
Existing
Transforming the rail at Tompkinsville
Proposed
Transforming the rail at Stapleton
Tram Stop and Public Space at Tompkinsville
Tram Stop and Public Space at Stapleton
POUGHKEEPSIE ROOT CELLAR
Poughkeepsie, New York. Studio II , Prof. Lee Altman, Columbia University, New York. Group Project The Hudson Valley has long been known for its rich and diverse agricultural production, yet food insecurity persists in Poughkeepsie affecting 26% of households. This project re-purposes the underground reservoir at College Hill Park to a storage and distribution center to bring fresh food to the residents. Gleaned crops from local farms in the Hudson Valley region will be stored and processed in the reservoir to provide a consistent supply of fresh food throughout the year at affordable prices. This system expands on Poughkeepsie Plenty Mobile Market by including two new routes dedicated for schools and neighborhood parks . The reservoir will also serve as a destination for the visitors to educate them about using and processing leftover crops, and it will serve as a recreation area to activate College Hill Park. Â Â
Regional Map
Harvesting Schedule
LEGEND Farms around Poughkeepsie Water Crops Pasture
System Flow
Steps
College Hill Park
Percentage of students from Low Income Families
New distribution route and existing locations of Poughkeepsie Plenty Fresh Market
Hudson Valley Farms
College Hill Park to Root Cellar
Mobile Market
Seed Library
Botanical Garden
Poughkeepsie Root Cellar
Mobile Market at School
Mobile Market at Neighborhood Park
Link to Video: https://vimeo.com/250997456
A Place of Serenity: Freshkills Park
Staten Island, New York. Reading in New York Urbanism , Prof. Cassim Shepard, Columbia University, New York. Group Project This documentary was created to shed the light on an extraordinary place in New York and to show its natural beauty; Freshkills Park in Staten Island. Great efforts were made to transform the site from a landfill to a park, by restoring the ecology and embracing the natural processes. We revealed how the change has improved the biodiversity, brought habitats back into life and created a strong bond between the community and the neighborhood. Link to Video: https://vimeo.com/235075886
Link to Video: https://vimeo.com/250997456
RHYTHMIC MEMORIES
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Composite Modeling , Prof. Joshua Jordan and Jacqueline Martinez, Columbia University, New York.
This is a study of intangible forces that shape and change our natural environment. The site captures the flow of sediments and sand in Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates. Revealing the tension between the land and water. The relationship between these forces form a set of patterns that, with time, reveal layers of gradual change leaving us with rhythmic memories that we, as humans, recognize as the form of the land. The acting forces in the site which are water, soil and air were extracted in order to study how they influence, inform and control each other leaving us with visual images. The process through which the patterns were made, capture a moment of time when these forces reacted to each other. The sections are solidifying these moments and translating them to a physical form.
Satellite image of sediments and wetlands
Acting Acting Force: Force: Water Water Drops Drops Force Force Frequency: Frequency: 1 Drop 1 Drop Per Per Second Second Actors: Actors: Plaster Plaster andand Ink Ink
Capture
0.10 0.10Seconds Seconds
0.20 0.20Seconds Seconds
Solidify
Capture
Extract
Extract
Solidify
Recognize
0.30 Seconds
0.40 Seconds
Remain
0.50 Seconds
RESEARCH: THE MESOPOTAMIAN MARSHES Iraq
Geographic Information Systems, Prof. Grga Basic and Leah Meisterlin, Columbia University, New York. Group Project
Through manipulation of dams along Tigris and Euphrates rivers, can we recover the wetlands lost in the Mesopotamian Marshes? The research and mapping scope of this project aims to evaluate the possibility of a full recovery of the Mesopotamian Marshes through studying the wetland loss from 1990 to 2017 and identifying the location of the dams that are along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Turkey and Syria, which interrupt the flow of water, sediments and nutrients. The scope also aims to identify the current hydrological system that feeds these marshes in order to define solutions and suggest alternative methods of generating hydroelectricity.
Full report to be shared upon request.
Wetland and Vegetation Water
Water, wetland and Vegetation loss.
1990
2000
2017
Wetland and Vegetation Loss Wetland and Vegetation Gain
1990 - 2000
2000 - 2017
Interruption of Flow: Location of all dams and streams
Marshes
Dams that cause the most interruption of flow and the watershed of each.
Architecture
Academic (American University of Sharjah)
UnSound Design Build Suburban Housing Comprehensive Cloud Seeding Complex: Research Center and Faculty Housing Units
Studio V
Warehouse Studio IV Up Studio IV Material Explorations
Survey of Materials
UNSOUND
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Design Build Studio VIII, Prof. Emily Baker, AUS, Sharja, UAE. Group Project
A design-build studio that focused on fabricating an acoustic system using prototyping as a tool to develop a wall that is an absorbing system and an aesthetic element in the interior space. We started the process with form experiments using paper followed by experiments with steel to create modular elements that can be assembled. Many iterations were made along with experiments in using the module as an element to construct ceilings and walls. The final module allowed to create an acoustic partition with direct and acute views transforming the noisy space in the studio into a pleasant one while preserving the openness of the space.
Form explorations in paper and steel
The components of the final module including the absorbent material.
Fabrication Process
SUBURBAN HOUSING Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Comprehensive Studio VI, Prof. jaime Miguel, AUS, Sharja, UAE. Creating a compound of villas in a limited area while addressing the existing urban conditions. The challenge was to create pleasant spaces within the given boundaries and requirements. The studio focused on the process of creating required design documentation from concept to construction documents and on design details.
Floor Plans
Section and Elevation
Unit Plans
roof cap gravel drip edge shading device vapor membrane insulation screed
concrete roof beam hanger wire
plaster finish glass
circulation
electricity
structure
wood floor floor supports poured concrete roof
concrete finish vapor membrane
roof
roof
second floor
second floor
second floor
first floor
first floor
first floor
concrete finish poured concrete concrete slab
vapor membrane level 2 circuit level 1 circuit
level 0 circuit
ground floor
ground floor
ground floor
beams
vertical circulation
load bearing walls
horizontal circulation
Circulation vertical circulation
Structure beams
electricity panel
main supply
flashing
Electricity load bearing wall
air gap structural beam
level 2 circuit
brick wall insulation concrete backup wall
horizontal circulation
load bearing walls
level 1 circuit
plaster finish
level 0 circuit
electricity panel
drainage membrane
main supply
footing beam
drainage pipe footing gravel
CLOUD SEEDING COMPLEX: RESEARCH CENTER AND FACULTY HOUSING UNITS Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Architecture Studio V, Prof. Joe Colistra, AUS, Sharja, UAE.
The project focused on creating a strong connection between the architecture and the natural environment in terms of form and materiality. Transparency of spaces was a tool to connect the users to the surrounding environment. The position of the two buildings intentionally created a glimpse of the cliff view at the entry and then a panoramic view closer to the cliff.
Conceptual Sketches
Site Plan
A B
C
C
A
C
Site model
C
reseach center + housing units ground floor plan 1 : 75 B
Model making process and explorations on facade textures.
Elevation of the research center
Section of the research centre
WAREHOUSE
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Studio IV, Prof. Faysal Tabbarah, AUS, Sharja, UAE. A warehouse design with an observation centre. The project focused on exploring and pushing the boundaries in designing the structural elements of the warehouse and how to integrate other programs like a visiting centre.
A
B
B
0
2
5
scale 1:2000
Site Plan
0
plan view
scale 1:200
2
5
A
Structural Elements
Section through the storage area
up water tower
twisting skin
vertical ribs
UP
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Studio IV, Prof. Faysal Tabbarah, AUS, Sharja, UAE. The project challenged moving away from a typical design skin deformation of a wind tower by brining a sculptural quality to the structural and by incorporating an observation deck.
Structural studies and explorations were made through 3D modelling to understand how the structural components fit together.
water tank
vertical + horizontal ribs
up water tower
8m
22 m A
up
14 m observation deck plan scale: 1:50
A
Axon showing the structural components
11 m
A
3.5 m down
entry plan scale: 1:50
Section
00 m
00 m
Plan View
A
MATERIAL EXPLORATIONS
Survey of Materials, Prof. Ginger Dosier, AUS, Sharja, UAE.
This project focused on understanding the properties of concrete and wood to explore the full potential of the material. Research on creating different types of joints with wood were explored and then fabricated in the woodshop. Fabric was used as a main element to create a pattern that could be on facades. The fabric was used in the form work in order to create water paths to direct rain water when it flows down the building. The fabric also allowed the concrete to look malleable rather than hard and rigid,
Development
Professional Work (Emaar Properties)
Quartier del L’etang Geneva
Urban Design Team
Vida Hills Hotel and Residences
Hospitality Development
The Address hotel Istanbul
Hospitality Development
VIDA Residences Downtown
Hospitality Development
Quartier del L’etang Geneva Geneva, Switzerland. Dominique Perrault Architecture
150cm x 150cm model showing the existing urban fabric and the new proposed development in Geneva. This model went through iterations to show the new development configurations and study the relationship between the existing fabric and the new proposal. The relationship between the existing forest area, transporation infrastructure and new development was also studied through this model and then exhibited in Gevena to show the public the progress and to get their feedback.
Process models and iterations
Final Model
VIDA HILLS HOTEL AND RESIDENCES Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hospitality Development, Emaar Properties. 2014 - 2017
A mixed used master development that consists of four residential buildings; Vida Hotel, Vida branded serviced apartments and a retail area overlooking the golf course in Emirates Hills. Liaised with the project’s architects, designers, and engineers to technically review and manage the design development process and bring the end-product to the desired quality. My role also involved ensuring the design complied with Vida standards and the operations requirements and assisted to resolve design issues throughout the construction phase. Site supervisions to ensure the construction is aligned with the design. Supervision and inspection of the 1:1 mock up room for final evaluation of the interior design.
Rendering of the master development overlooking the golf course
An aerial view of the development during construction
Millwork and carpet strike-offs
1:1 off site mock up room
Interior rendering of the hotel lobby
VIDA RESIDENCES
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Hospitality Development, Emaar Properties. 2014 - 2017 Vida branded serviced apartments building, located opposite to the existing Vida Hotel Downtown. My role was to handle value Engineering of the interior design, facade materials and landscape to bring the construction costs to the approved budget, while preserving the quality and aesthetics. Approval and review of all the selected materials for the project to control the quality and to ensure the project is executed as per the design. Supervision of the 1:1 off site mock up to evaluate and review the interior design. Technical review with consultants of all the drawings and construction documentations. Interior Renderings
1:1 off-site mock up room construction progress
THE ADDRESS HOTEL
Istanbul, Turkey Hospitality Development, Emaar Properties. 2014 - 2017 Located at the centre of the Asian side of the city as part of the master development, Emaar Square in Istanbul. The Hotel occupies the first 9 floors and the rest are luxury Serviced Apartments. My role involved representing the hotel operator, The Address Hotels and Resorts - a brand developed by Emaar Hospitality Group. Review of the design to ensure it is complied with The Address brand standards and technical review of the drawings to ensure the design provides an easy flow of hotel operations. Site visits for inspection of the 1:1 mock up room and construction progress of the hotel.
Facade rendering and facade mock up.
Off-site mock up room