“Architecture is the learned game,
forms assembled in the
correct and m a g n i f i c e n t,
of
l i g h t ” -Le Corbusier
Included in this portfolio are some selected works, alongside insights into my personal journey with design.
To begin, design was not an obvious pursuit for me. I enjoyed participating in tech theater in high school and found a mentor there that encouraged me to try set and prop design. After graduating high school, I still was not sure what I wanted to study in college. My sister encouraged me to consider architecture. I took an Intro to Architecture course and my world opened up. The following work is a sampling of what I created while receiving my education in design.
Hello! I’m Filza.
The objective of this project was to create a retreat designed for the practice of mindful meditation. It was encouraged to incorporate into the concept specific natural features found on the site.
The three focal points here are a monumental tree in the clearing, a watering hole, and a steady elevation drop of 40 feet from the tree traveling south towards the watering hole.
My design strategy was to weave through the edge of the clearing and utilize the elevation drop as a way to reveal the architecture as you travel down the hill. The roof of the building becomes a walking path that takes the user from the top of the hill to walking through the leaves of the trees as the elevation drops below.
A B C L E G E N D OFFICES | 1 OFFICE BATHROOMS | 2 RECEPTION | 3 PUBLIC BATHROOMS | 4 MULTI - PURPOSE ROOMS | 5 KITCHEN | 6 DINING HALL | 7 PUBLIC BATHROOMS | 8 MEETING ROOM | 9 GROUP MEDITATION HALL | 10 HOTEL ROOMS | 11 - 37 F L O O R P L A N 0 0 20 20 105 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 C R C U L A T I O N P R V A T E V S P U B L C S E C T I O N C U T S L O N G T U D N A E T O N 1” 8’ 01 10 S O U T H E L E V A T I O N
A B C
Impressions of how the practice of mindfulness informs space, as well as precedent into existing structures that were built in harmony with nature inform the aesthetic.
Aquaducts
Vault House
Porch House
ENTRY ENTRYCOURTYARD A C E S C S x x D E S I G N D E V E L O P M E N T C U R R E N T C O N D I T I O N S C O N C E P T D E V E L O P M E N T C O N C E P T + S I T E R E S P O N S E C O N C E P T + S C A L E
Hidden in a residential neighborhood in small town Richmond, Texas, lies the quaint historical campus for The Fort Bend Museum. The campus features a handful of historical structures in conjunction with a primary museum building.
Currently, the primary museum building is unable to accommodate their growing needs.
The current courtyard is under-utilized despite it being centrally located. The strategy implemented
in this concept is to create a ‘U’ shaped organization of the new museum to define the courtyard more intentionally and help to better engage with the auxiliary features the users interact with.
B A S E M E N T E X H I B I T I O N E D U C A T I O N A D M N I S T R A T O N P U B L I C F I R S T F L O O R S E C O N D F L O O R L I B E R T Y S T R E E T H O U S T O N S T R E E T 6TH S T 5TH S T 0’5’10’20’ 40’
The landscape design was key in responding to the unique site conditions. Revitalizing the courtyard would allow for the museum to expand on their offerings and become the primary transitional feature between the museum and the rest of the district.
0’1’5’10’20’ A B CCCC D G H ABC D EE G H F I R S T F L O O R P L A N P R O G R A M A Entry Lobby B | Ticketing C | Store Retail D | Store - Storage E | Restrooms F | Mechanical G | Education Workroom H | Activity Room | Classrooms J | Sunroom P R O G R A M A Reception B | Break Room C | Offices D | Interns E | Docents F | Large Conference Room G | Small Conference Room H | Workroom | Staff Restrooms S E C O N D F L O O R P L A N 6th S T R E E T 01510 20 H O U S T O N S T R E E T H O U S T O N S T R E E T S O U T H E L E V A T I O N E A S T E L E V A T I O N C R O S S S E C T I O N
5th S T R E E T L B E R T Y S T R E E T L B E R T Y S T R E E T
Here you can see how the courtyard becomes central to the way visitors may interact with the campus. Using black zebra granite as the paving for the courtyard creates a nice contrast from the white cladding on the historic Moore House. A similar contrast also applies to the slate tile cladding of the museum, using a tile proportion related to the historical house.
S L A T E T I L E B L A C K Z
E B R A G R A N I T E E P I
The Moore House
Looking out to the courtyard from inside the primary museum building.
Inthisprojectweexploredwaysinwhich a botanical garden and research center could be integrated into the city of Havana,Cuba.
Our process began with acquainting ourselves with the history, politics, and urban development of the city.This was especially important since the site is locatedatthecenterofthecity’spolitical and educational axis. A place where the people of Cuba stood and listened as Fidel Castro gave his celebratory speech declaringCubaaSocialistNation.
L E G E N D In uence of The Republic Territorial Expansion of Havana 1591-1600 1601-1750 1751-1830 1831-1899 1900-1924 1925-1958
H A V A N A, C U B A 1925-1958
First was to carefully consider how the figure ground that began to develop, prerevolution, could have continued on to the site for today’s Havana. Second, I borrowed from the local design strategy of the outdoor courtyard and reconfigured it to suit the building program.
The intention was to create a city center for Havana. Government buildings would be constructed around the new main axis of the city making it the center of the road tra c of the city. P R O P O T H E R E P U B L I C 1902 1933 Construction of the ‘Civic Square’ began during the Republic Era. A brief timeline...
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 3 4 5 6 Palacio de la Revolucion Jose Marti Memorial Ministries of the Interior Ministries of Communication Biblioteca Nacional Jose Marti Teatro Nacional de Cuba Memorials were added to the buildings opposite of the Jose Marti Memorial honoring revolutionary heroes. This addition the the Plaza signi ed the change of a new voice. The Plaza has become lost between two political eras. The development of this site would be to acknowledge the context from which the place came from and adapt it to modern day Cuba, using characteristics that have de ned the growth and development of this city. C U R R E N T SITE PLAN P R O P O S E D THESIS S E D SITE PLAN T H E R E V O L U T I O N 1959 1959Fidel Castro addresses the Cuban people at the Plaza de la Revolucion. Plaza de la Revolucion today.
E A S T F A C N G S E C T I O N
05’10’ 20’ 50’
The images to the right are pictures taken from my visit to Havana. They capture the circulation and outdoor space that inspired the design.
Embracing the islands abundant greenery was an obvious must.
Courtyards
“No, I dont like you, I just thought you
were c u t e enough to kiss you.”
-Frank Ocean
After graduating from what was a vigorous five years of studying, my peers and I were now ready to join the practical world of design.
My first foray in the ‘real world’ was with design build MC2 Architects. It was like being thrown into the deep end of the industry.
MC² Architects
Modeled in SketchUp
MC2 Architects is a design build practice that was built on the belief that design and construction are inseparable. The team at MC2 provide their “client with the benefits of having every project component from design through the construction – informed and directed by a singular vision."
The Pham Residence is a small single family new construction to be built in the Heights Neighborhood of Houston. The bungalow consists of three levels organized as follows; level 1 is the garage and entry; level 2 is the main living space and level 3 is the guest loft. My role was to create the CD set to submit for permitting.
Modeled in SketchUp / Rendered by Second Party
The Townhouses on Colquitt were commissioned by a developer looking to fit as many luxury townhouses as they could into their newest property in the Montrose Neighborhood of Houston.
The new construction, with careful planning could efficiently fit ten townhouses standing at 4 stories tall organized in two attached sets of five. I joined the project during the DD phase, updating drawings as the design evolved.
North Elevation
South Elevation
The Willowbrook Event Center was an old church that had not been in use for many years until the client decided they were ready to transform what appeared to be an abandoned shed into Willowbrooks newest luxury event space.
The building originally consisted of a large auditorium space for worship, office spaces and classrooms. The new design would involve completely gutting the existing structure and organizing the building into a chapel, a large event space that can be split into four spaces and an outdoor event space. I participated in phases SD through CD of this project.
*Completed in 2019
CLIENTS EXISTING BUILDING PROMENADE CHAPEL EVENT SPACE
Updated bathroom details for ADA approval
Modeled in SketchUp
The Bento Box House is a residence that was completed in 2017. The concept behind the home was inspired, as the name suggests, by Japanese bento boxes. This concept is accentuated with the use of red brick walls that intersect the building to create compartments.
My role was to create diagrams and a presentation to submit for the 2018 award season.
SERVICE\HERBCOURT LIGHTCOURT LIGHTCOURT WATERCOURT HOUSE BENTO BOX BENTO BOX + AUTOMOBILECOURT SETBACK Modeled in Rhino
Photo; Stephen Gutierrez
Perkins & Will
Perkins & Will is a global architecture firm founded on the philosophy that “ideas and buildings must always honor the broader goals of society.” The Houston practice, located in Downtown, is a midsize corporate architecture firm with a practice dedicated to Healthcare, Science and Technology, Civic Cultural Commercial Architecture and Corporate Interiors.
The Annenberg Pavilion
Among the 200 forested acres of Eddie D. Jones Nature Park in Keithville, Louisiana resides a sanctuary dedicated to retired biomedical research chimpanzees. More than 300 chimpanzees have come here to live out the rest of their days. Perkins & Will Houston has worked with Chimp Haven in continued expansion efforts as more and more chimps are retired to the haven.
Along with the ongoing expansion, donors of the haven have commissioned a donor experience pavilion in which they can come and view the chimps in their new habitats as well as host small donor events directly on the property.
THE ANNENBERG PAVILION
| /8" = ’-0”
ENCOURAGING THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND Rendered in Revit
Drawn in Illustrator
Smith Research Building
MD Anderson Cancer Center campus in Houston has grown significantly over the years. Before expanding, they looked to improve the efficiency of their existing buildings.
My team was tasked with analyzing the Smith Research Building, an existing structure that has gone through a number of renovations since originally being built as a meat packing facility. The following study of the Smith Research Building demonstrate just one of our resolutions for improving the overall floorplan.
The schematic design process then went through numerous iterations, finally landing on the design above.
UP UP DN DN DN DN DN S&T Legend BREAK BUILDING BUILDING CIRCULATION CONFERENCE GLASS IDF LAB LABORATORY EQUIPMENT LER OFFICE/CONFERENCE SUPPORT TOILET EXIST. SUPPORT 2392 SF BOILER ROOM SRB1.M720 1569 SF FREEZER ROOM SRB1.700 247 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.244E 251 SF TISSUE CULTURE 251 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.244C 366 SF LAB CONNECTOR SRB1.244 100 SF COLD ROOM SRB1.244A 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.244B 122 SF FUME HOOD ALCOVE SRB1.238E 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.238D 369 SF CONNECTOR SRB1.238 123 SF RADIOISOTOPE ROOM SRB1.238A 124 SF FLEX ROOM 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.238C 123 SF FUME HOOD ALCOVE SRB1.233E 124 SF FLEX ROOM 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.233C 371 SF LAB CONNECTOR SRB1.233 437 SF OPEN FLEX LAB SRB1.206 97 SF COLD ROOM SRB1.233A 125 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.233B 123 SF FUME HOOD ALCOVE SRB1.228E SRB1.228D 366 SF LAB CONNECTOR SRB1.228 246 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.228A 250 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.228B 97 SF COLD ROOM SRB1.228C 233 SF GLASS WASH SERVICE AREA SRB1.234A1 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.242E 248 SF SHARED EQUIPMENT SRB1.243 118 SF FUME HOOD ALCOVE SRB1.242D 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.247A 100 SF COLD ROOM 365 SF LAB CONNECTOR SRB1.247 250 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.231A 247 SF SRB1.231B 246 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.231C 364 SF LAB CONNECTOR SRB1.231 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.231E 248 SF SHARED EQUIPMENT 122 SF FUME HOOD ALCOVE SRB1.231D 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.237A 96 SF COLD ROOM 370 SF LAB CONNECTOR SRB1.237 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.237E SRB1.237D 122 SF FUME HOOD ALCOVE SRB1.237C 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.242A 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.242B 119 SF RADIOISOTOPE ROOM SRB1.242C SRB1.129 270 SF WOMENS SRB1.128 1107 SF DOCK SRB1.720A 3759 SF MECHANICAL PUMP ROOM SRB1.722 204 SF SRB1.722A 524 SF SRB1.M721B ELEC SWITCH GEAR SRB1.M721A 714 SF MAIN ELECTRICAL ROOM SRB1.M721 SRB1.M700 242 SF EMERGENCY GENERATOR SRB1.M700A 654 SF LN2 FREEZERS SRB1.126 124 SF FLEX ROOM SRB1.247E 251 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.247D 247 SF TISSUE CULTURE 748 SF OPEN OFFICE SRB1.131 635 SF MECHANICAL ROOM SRB1.M504 419 SF LOBBY SRB1.100 136 SF IDF 965 SF SRB1.178 220 SF MENS SRB1.180 230 SF WOMENS SRB1.179 49 SF CONF. STOR. SRB1.103A 102 SF BLDG STORAGE 364 SF CONFERENCE SRB1.103 2116 SF OPEN OFFICE SRB1.104 1793 SF CORE LAB SRB1.230 415 SF GLASSWARE STORAGE SRB1.234A 89 SF GLASS WASH AUTOCLAVE SRB1.234B 109 SF VET MED OFFICE SRB1.125 693 SF BREAK ROOM SRB1.130 661 SF OPEN OFFICE SRB1.149 2188 SF CORRIDOR SRB1.100C 113 SF OFFICE SRB1.146 111 SF OFFICE SRB1.145 111 SF OFFICE SRB1.144 118 SF OFFICE SRB1.143 126 SF OFFICE SRB1.142 126 SF OFFICE SRB1.141 126 SF OFFICE SRB1.140 126 SF OFFICE SRB1.139 126 SF OFFICE SRB1.138 126 SF OFFICE SRB1.137 122 SF OFFICE SRB1.135 248 SF SHARED EQUIPMENT SRB1.239 248 SF EQUIPMENT SRB1.229 246 SF SHARED EQUIPMENT SRB1.235 SHARED EQUIPMENT SRB1.241 248 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.240B 248 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.240C 124 SF STORAGE SRB1.240A SRB1.236 165 SF HOUSEKEEPING SRB1.181 1807 SF CORE LAB SRB1.245 SRB1.240 368 SF CONNECTOR SRB1.242 131 SF IDF SRB1.227 144 SF OFFICE SRB1.168 126 SF OFFICE SRB1.136 OFFICE SRB1.132 121 SF OFFICE SRB1.133 128 SF IDF SRB1.246 248 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.240D 244 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.245B 98 SF ENVIR. ROOM SRB1.240F 124 SF FUME HOOD ALCOVE SRB1.245A 247 SF TISSUE CULTURE SRB1.240E 121 SF OFFICE SRB1.134 436 SF LABORATORY SRB1.254 140 SF ROOF ACCESS STAIR SRB1.SWD 97 SF ROOF ACCESS STAIR C SRB1.SWC 124 SF ELECTRICAL ROOM SRB1.234C 100 SF VESTIBULE SRB1.100E 76 SF VESTIBULE SRB1.100G 137 SF HUDDLE SRB1.160 401 SF VESTIBULE MOD1.H004 1519 SF OPEN OFFICE 648 SF OPEN OFFICE 712 SF OPEN OFFICE SRB1.150 962 SF OPEN OFFICE SRB1.148 1059 SF GLASS WASH SRB1.234 386 SF OPEN FLEX LAB SRB1.200 439 SF OPEN FLEX LAB 422 SF OPEN FLEX LAB SRB1.204 436 SF OPEN FLEX LAB SRB1.208 420 SF OPEN FLEX LAB SRB1.210 440 SF OPEN FLEX LAB SRB1.212 438 SF OPEN FLEX LAB SRB1.214 SRB1.216 436 SF LABORATORY SRB1.218 436 SF LABORATORY SRB1.220 422 SF LABORATORY SRB1.222 437 SF LABORATORY SRB1.224 387 SF LABORATORY SRB1.226 383 SF LABORATORY SRB1.248 436 SF LABORATORY SRB1.250 420 SF LABORATORY SRB1.252 433 SF LABORATORY SRB1.256 419 SF LABORATORY SRB1.258 SRB1.260 436 SF LABORATORY SRB1.262 420 SF LABORATORY 433 SF LABORATORY SRB1.266 437 SF LABORATORY SRB1.268 416 SF LABORATORY SRB1.270 436 SF LABORATORY SRB1.272 381 SF SRB1.274 90 SF HSE.KEEP. SRB1.127 SRB1.101 SRB1.102 54 SF FOCUS SRB1.107 54 SF FOCUS SRB1.108 54 SF FOCUS SRB1.111 54 SF FOCUS SRB1.112 171 SF BLDG STORAGE SRB1.114 2126 SF CORRIDOR SRB1.100A CORRIDOR SRB1.100B 1537 SF CORRIDOR SRB1.100D 100 SF HUDDLE SRB1.106 100 SF HUDDLE SRB1.109 100 SF HUDDLE SRB1.110 101 SF HUDDLE SRB1.113 205 SF JANITOR/ SUPPLIES 95 SF WASTE SRB1.116B 95 SF BIO WASTE SRB1.116A 129 SF VET MED OFFICE SRB1.124 346 SF VET MED OFFICE SRB1.147 140 SF SPIRIT RM SRB1.151 190 SF MOTHER RM. SRB1.152 130 SF VET MED HUDDLE SRB1.153 ELEC. CLOS. ELEC. CLOS. COPY/PRINT PALLET STAGING 145 SF OFFICE SRB1.178M 142 SF OFFICE SRB1.178N 139 SF OFFICE SRB1.178P 145 SF OFFICE SRB1.178O 145 SF OFFICE SRB1.178Q 143 SF OFFICE SRB1.178R 146 SF OFFICE SRB1.178S 146 SF OFFICE SRB1.178T 143 SF OFFICE SRB1.178U 145 SF OFFICE SRB1.178V 140 SF OFFICE SRB1.178W 146 SF OFFICE SRB1.178X 176 SF COPY/WORK 110 SF VET MED OFFICE SRB1.178I 111 SF VET MED OFFICE SRB1.178J RECEIVING MATERIALS OUT TRASH COMPACTOR OPEN DUMPSTER RECYCLING COMPACTOR MTR. MGMT 6' 0" 6' 0" TOTAL = 29 TOTAL 52 99 SF CYL. STOR. PPB1.858 4' 5" 6' - 0" 6' 0" 6' 0" 7' 7 1/2" 6' 0" 6' 0" 6' 2" 4' 5" 5' 1" 6' 0" 6' 0" 5' 5" 4' 10" 5' 8 1/2" 5' 9" 5' 9" 4' 1/2" 5' - 7" 6' 1" 5' 10" 6' 2" 6' 1/2" 4' 0" COPY/PRINT SRB PROGRAM: OFFICE OPEN WORKSTATION CONFERENCE HUDDLE FOCUS = BREAK ROOM MOTHER'S SPIRITUAL TOILET ROOM VET MED OFFICE OPEN WORKSTATION HUDDLE MOD LAB NOT IN SCOPE SOUTH CAMPUS VIVARIUMNOT IN SCOPE COLOR EXIST. LN2 TANK COPY/PRINT 323 SF CONFERENCE ROOM SRB1.178L FLOOR PLAN (OPT 1) Smith Research Building SCALE:
The documents to the left are examples of the extensive analysis my team and I performed on the existing building.
Texas A&M University, a regular client of Perkins & Will, commissioned the Science and Technology team to design a Biocontainment Research Facility [BRF].
Completed in 2019, the facility program includes laboratories and holding areas that can accommodate large animals, labs with the highest level of containment, as well as offices for the research staff.
My involvement in the project was predominantly during the construction administration phase, with responsibilities including surveying the quality of the construction, a task also known as ‘punch,’ correcting any construction documentation for changes and adjustments made during construction and supporting the interiors team with the glass privacy treatment for the offices.
Texas A&M
Research
Biocontainment
Facility
*Completed in 2019
University of Texas El Paso
Interdisciplinary Research Building
Phase: Construction Administration
3.
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Smithville [the partial relocation of this research park]
Phase: Design Development [equipment inventory]
Chimp Haven
Chiron Building
Phase: Construction Documentation
4.
5.
Colorado School of Mines
Frontiers Building
Phase: Design Development
Caris Life Sciences
Phase: Design Development
6.
Renown Health
South Meadows Renovation + Specialty Care Center
Phase: Design Development
7.
Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
Women’s Imaging Center Renovation
Phase: Design Development, Construction Documentation
Project List of Additional Projects 1. 2.
Social Purpose & Service+
Perkins & Will offers the Social Purpose and Service+ initiative as a means to connect offices with their respective communities through community engagement and pro bono professional services.
I was asked to co-lead the initiative with my coworker Kristen when the position opened up in our office. During my tenure, the company was restructuring the program so that it could better integrate into the workplace and expand impact in Houston.
Our responsibilities included vetting incoming proposed projects, project management, building project teams, preparing and delivering content for the monthly staff meetings, coordinating with office leadership for seeking out projects and finally empowering our coworkers to engage with the community by understanding their interests and passions.
>To the right is an example of monthly staff meeting slides; these slides include how my co-lead and I restructured the program to suit our office
Social Purpose & Service+
Monthly Update
Social Purpose: Success House
Service+: Planning Meeting 2/25
ACE Mentoring Every Wednesday
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your
PROJECTS COMMITTEE
is Social Purpose and Service+? Service+ VOLUNTEERISM EVENTS OFFICE COMMITTEE COLLABORATION EMPOWERMENT NON-PROFITS SEEK US OUT INVESTIGATE COMMUNITY OUTREACH MARTIN ALI JACK Project Vetting Identifying teams Telling our Story Building our Presence YEARLY KICK OFF (2/25/20) MID YEAR CHECK-IN (TBD) MLK SPRING/ SUMMER FALL TOYS FOR TOTS KRISTEN & FILZA
Social Purpose (formerly SRI)
What
Social Purpose
Connect Communities
We joined forces with Connect Community to help create a masterplan spanning 12 acres that will provide housing, community resources, green space, and greater pedestrian connectivity to catalyze revitalization efforts throughout the Gulfton/Sharpstown neighborhood.
Towards A Common Goal
Our Role
With many organizations participating in the project, one of our roles was to counsel stakeholders and inspire them to come together towards a larger community vision while honing in on actionable project goals.
Schemes
5
Planning Analysis
We presented Connect Community with 9 different schemes addressing two different intervention sites. Each scheme addresses and relates back to the team’s “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” agreed upon during the visioning sessions to ensure an integrated community vision.
“The Catalyst”//Project Goal Sparking neighborhood growth and revitalization through a mixed-use project that addresses current community desires and bridges to future aspirations through Green Space, Connectivity, Housing, and Development Resources.
Project Booklet
8
6
Visioning Sessions
Success House is a non-profit organization working towards building a residential substance abuse treatment program specifically for women and their pre-school aged children. Unlike typical recovery programs, this would help to prevent mothers from being separated from their children as they work towards recovery. I participated in the preliminary stages of designing this one-of-a-kind facility.
Selected Scheme // From Corporation to Household
Program Grouping Program Axon
Site Overview Assets
Gigi’s Playhouse is an organization dedicated to offering educational and therapeutic programs to individuals with Down Syndrome and their community. The Sugar Land division had outgrown their facilities when they came to us, seeking design services for their new space.
Gigi's Playhouse - Completed 2021
Service+
^Image from top to bottom- A Service+ community engagement event we participated in with our client Connect Communities; A volunteer event with the ACE Mentorship program
Nothing
is ever guaranteed,
what
do n e x t.” -Maya Lin
and all that came before doesn’t predicate
you might
Although my education and professional background is specifically in architecture, the opportunity for deeply creative endeavors eluded me since graduating college. Broadening my creative horizons felt like a necessary next step. Supporting others in their creative ventures, as well as discovering who I am as a designer, is where I find myself now.
These following projects are endeavors I support my sister and creative partner, Dania Khan, in.
Dania is a talented screenwriter that tells stories that represent our multi-hyphenate background, immigrants, and marginalized people.
Driven by heart and careful attention, she and I seek to create meaningful work that is healing for our community and for anyone that may see themselves in the stories she writes. I can’t show the endless hours we spend discussing the topics she writes about, but what I can show, is how I help her execute her vision.
Undercover Undercover
UNDERCOVER
Undercover is a short film about a young PakistaniMuslim girl, passionate about singing, having to find a space for herself where this budding expression can blossom. Her secret journey leads her to an unsuspecting gospel church youth choir.
L O O K B O O K T H E H O M E
Mama
T H E G I R L S R O O M
In order to develop the look and feel of this story we began by pullingimagerythatrelatedtothe home of South Asian immigrants. This acted as the foundation to build from, including selecting the right colors, decorations, and clothing. A similar approach was taken towards the young girl’s bedroom with references rooted specifically in their personalities.
Appi Sara
These images are side by sides of early storyboarding drawn by me, next to stills pulled from raw footage.
S T O R Y B O A R D I N G
Rearranged is a feature length film about a young Pakistani woman and her complex and somewhat late coming of age story.
In order to sell a script, we had to prepare a Pitch Deck that explains things like theme, genre, aesthetic, and the overall feel and intention behind the script.
< Arrangement
< Stylize
< Final
Title Design Process
Color Pallet Development
< Font Selection
Concept + Design: Dania Khan Execution + Production: Filza Khan
The process of creating a deck first began by collecting imagery that captured the essence of the movie.
P A K I S T A N I - A M E R I C A N V I B E | A T T I T U D E | L O O K H O U S T O N C H I L D R E N O F I M M I G R A N T S
The deck went through an initial iteration that explored different ideas and concepts on how to best visually communicate the movie. 1.0
P I T C H D E C K
The first iteration then went through a complete overhaul once the vision became clearer. Creating a clean, thoughtful composition.
2.0
The slides shown above are pages that I helped to composition and produce however the final iteration of the pitch deck was largely completed by Dania Khan. I provided notes and edits along the way.
“Young architects can change
the w o r l d by not building b u i l d i n g s. ”
Abloh
-Virgil
