kadeem thomas UNDERGRADUATE ARCHITECT PORTFOLIO
//CONTENTS
about
selected works academic cmca mmoj gnla
professional rbl-tu casa tortuga
miscellaneous projects: visualisations + built
01 04 10 16 24 30 36
//ABOUT
hello, My name is Kadeem Thomas and I am a highly creative and multifaceted designer with experience in multimedia, print and other design mediums from Trinidad and Tobago. I joined the Caribbean architectural firm ACLA architecture in 2018 as an undergraduate architect after obtaining my Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies with Upper Second Class Honours from the Caribbean School of Architecture at the University of Technology, Jamaica. I am also a collaborator for the digital publication Designer Island, which is curated by a team of Caribbean creatives to promote contemporary, creativity and culture in the Caribbean.
01
ACADEMIC
Caribbean School of Architecture
2015 - 2017
CMCA
exterior view: willem leestraat street elevation
04
third year studio - semester II - 2015
low traffic moderate traffic high traffic parking
CMCA // CURAÇAO MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART “art + architecture” Willemstad is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Dutch colonial trading settlement. Due to the interchange of cultures, it shares a common cultural history with other counterpart cities in the Caribbean region. The city’s architecture is a blend of Dutch and Spanish colonial styles producing a wide range of historic buildings in and around Willemstad, thus resulting in the capital being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
commercial / civic government medical residential / mixed use institutional
context map: vehicular circulation
The Curaçao Museum of Contemporary Art is a civic intervention in the Pietermaai District, a core region in the historic area of Willemstad. The proposal is a response to the absence of a central cultural hub in the city that recognises and promotes local visual artists and their work. Through research and analysis of the urban evolution, character and density of the context, it was observed to be a significant missing element that could assist in transforming the city’s image and allowing more dynamic engagement for locals and tourists within the city.
circulation parking
Museums and galleries exist to conserve the best works of the past and present. We have found pleasures and gained insights from the works of the past and have a moral responsibility to ensure that the same is possible in the future. The concept was to create spaces that epitomized “co-existence”. This was achieved by creating subtle relationships and connections with the galleries, the commercial areas and residential zones by allowing the circulation to be seamless and interconnected throughout the building. However, certain boundaries still needed to be preserved and maintained to allow the various zones to operate effectively as private and public realms when necessary. The overall surface area is approximately 950 m2 which houses the Contemporary Art Gallery. A direct relationship to an open-to-sky space and the Gallery allowed air to circulate passively through the building. This was strategically oriented and placed within the layout to enhance the overall harmonious experience for the user. Other key strategically designed spaces in the layout of the museum are the sculpture corridor which acts as a secondary entrance and/or exit to the public square which is also adjoined by the museum bar which functions beyond the Gallery hours to facilitate more night life entertainment, which the city lacked.
context map: typologies
context map: pedestrian circulation
landmarks nodes
context map: landmarks + nodes 15 – The Pair Plaza Hotel 16 – Town Hall 17 – Temple Emanu-El [Prosecutor’s Office] 18 - Cinelandia 19 – Wilhelmina Park 20 – The Old Dutch Steam Boat Company Ltd.
21 – Governor’s Palace 22 – Penha Building 23 – Synagogue Mikveh Israel-Emanuel 24 – Old Merchant Houses 25 – Jewish Museum 26 – Centrale Market
27 – Old Market Building 28 – Awa Di Jobe Statue 34 – Biblioteca Nacional 35 – Pietermaai Cathedral H - Breedstraat J – Waaigatplein
K – Wilhelmina Park L – Ginger Restaurant
lit sp
ss ce c a
rm fo
WIL LEM LEE STR AAT
PIET ERM AAI WEG
context plan: master plan
TH EAT ERS TRA AT
WIL LEM LEE STR AAT
section a: entrance + gallery
section b: admin + artist’s studios
interior view: lobby + reception
interior view: sculputure corridor
m ra g o pr
entry (main + secondary) vertical circulation admin/multipurpose areas artist’s studios gallery
VAN SPE YKS TRA AT
WIL LEM LEE STR AAT adm in
adm in
cura tor
kitch ene tte foye r
rec ept ion
rece iv regis ing + tratio n libra ry +
lob by +
deli very bay
janit or
coff ee s hop
WIL LEM LEE STR AAT
mus eu + lo m bar ung e
sculp ture corr idor
clas sroo m
lear ning cen ter
pub lic s qua re
ground floor: cmca
interior view: entry foyer
interior view: entry foyer
open to below
artist studio
artist studio
artist studio
open to below
gallery
multi-purpose room
first floor: cmca interior view: gallery
artist studio
artist studio
artist studio
artist roof terrace
second floor: cmca interior view: museum bar + lounge
exterior view: public square
MMOJ
exterior view: mmoj
10
fourth year studio - semester I - 2016
MMOJ // THE MUSIC MUSEUM OF JAMAICA “the kingston gateway” Ideally located along the Kingston Harbour and at the entrance to the City of Kingston, The Music Museum of Jamaica celebrates Kingston’s status as The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s Creative City in Music, designated in 2015. The Music Museum of Jamaica is envisioned as a Gateway to Kingston as well as a vessel of one of the seventh natural harbours in the world. Music has an indelible trace in human speech, mannerisms, language, the creative arts and the physical environment. Music is temporal and signifies the past, present and future by embodying the experiences of people. The vibrancy of music in the evolution of Jamaican identity and culture is immeasurable. It is envisioned that The Music Museum of Jamaica will celebrate the poetry, power and unifying force Jamaican music has on its people, the region and the world. The exhibitions would provide interactive opportunities for visitors to embrace the story of Jamaican music with all their senses via artefacts, memorabilia and participation.
context map : downtown kingston 4 - proposed site for music museum
My concept for the museum’s design was to incorporate the sentiments of connection that music embodies. Like music, architecture is able to evoke emotions and convey messages that stimulates your essence and perception. As such it was essential to create spaces that were able to be shared in correlation with each other but still allow for a diverse experience. Each space, however intriguing, is still able to allow one to feel centrally integrated within the space through the use of connectivity; the bringing together of people in special zones, promoting social interaction and also allowing the occupants to synergize with the surroundings. The program entails four (4) galleries (permanent, temporary, external and a space for miscellaneous exhibitions). There’s also an auditorium for live performances and an external performance area, an musical archive and conservation facility and a cultural hub with varying spaces to foster and develop music and local entertainment which also needed to function separately from the museum hours. All to be situated on a site with a total surface area of approximately 2512 m2.
site plan: site studies + development
site plan: master plan
ground floor: mmoj
entry museum archive auditorium cultural hub services
massing
first floor: mmoj
zoning
north elevation: mmoj
east elevation: mmoj
second floor: mmoj
exterior view: courtyard
exterior view: courtyard + outdoor performance area
sustainable features
section a: auditorium + gallaries
green wall section b: galleries + promenade
courtyard effect & daylighting
section c: auditorium
stack ventilation
exterior view: park + communal area
exterior view: promenade + cultural hub
GNLA
exterior view: mmoj
16
fourth year studio - semester II - 2017
GNLA // GRENADA NATIONAL LIBRARY & ARCHIVES “city on a hill” The site is located along the Carenage, which is a predominately commercial strip in St. George’s where there’s numerous local restaurants among other commercial estblishments. The sites frontage offers uninterrupted views of the harbour and the possibility to develop open, communal spaces for visitors and locals to utilise. There is moderate pedestrian traffic typically around the site being on a main road – Wharf Road, which runs along the coast of one of the largest, active nodes in the town - the Carenage. Wharf Road subsequently acts as the portal between the Carenage and the town’s commercial district.
georgian vernacular neo-classical neo-gothic victorian
mixed modern/contemporary bungalow military
The development of libraries in the city’s urban realm is significant, due to the boundless impacts these structures can introduce. Some of which are communal development, economic growth and educational development. It’s a space that is typically open for all to partake and become enthralled with. Its cultural significance is vibrant as it promotes creativity and a collaborative environment that fosters literacy skillsets and provides numerous resources to support and administer learning and teachings. In the design of this library it was necessary to create spaces that are both diverse and versatile to accommodate the various users that would be utilizing this facility. The friendly nature of the town - St. George’s, also influenced the design tremendously, and as such the building was designed to promote the communal relationship which the town naturally exudes. This was achieved by creating special zones for gathering and developing various multi-functional spaces within the building that would ultimately be used to give back to the community.
context map: architectural typologies | st. george’s
The program can be categorised into three main zones - the Library, Archives and Cultural Centre, with special indoor/outdoor reading spaces to maximise on the abundance of passive design opportunities available. The site’s total surface area is approximately 1040 m2 , the lots along the Carenage are typically narrow and has height restrictions. There is also a prominent georgian architectural typology that is necessary to be observed in the design of buildings along the Carenage.
context map: land use
commercial residential mixed use religious civic/government
industrial insitutional abandoned/unoccupied parking
context map: land use vs. topography
parti diagrams: site
exterior view: courtyard + cafe
context plan: master plan
section a: context
schematic: option A
schematic: option B
exterior view: indoor / outdoor reading areas
ground floor: gnla
south elevation: wharf road
section b: entry + admin
summer solstice
equinox
first floor: gnla
interior view: lobby + reception
second floor: gnla
west elevation: gnla
exterior view: auditorium entry
winter solstice
sustainable features
daylighting
courtyard effect
cross ventilation
green wall interior view: reading + study area
PROFESSIONAL
ACLA architecture
2018 - 2021
RBL-TU
second floor: customer waiting area
24
ACLA architecture - 2018
RBL-TU // REPUBLIC BANK - TUNAPUNA
ground floor visualisation: media wall + customer waiting
Media Wall Surface
COMMERCIAL BANK INTERIORS
Laminate: NEVAMAR HIGH GLOSS FINISH Precision White S7036T
The fit-out for the Republic Bank Tunapuna branch applies contemporary interior design principles to meet the client’s brand image. The palette incorporates subtle playfulness into the corporate identity of the bank. With little access to views and daylighting at our disposal due the existing building’s design, it was important to utilise finishes that were reminiscent of the outdoors and open planning to allow external views where possible.
Accent Colour
The program is focused on two of the five storey structure. The basement and first floor were utilised mainly for parking while the ground floor is utilised as the main banking hall with staff/ admin parking. The second floor consists of sales and administration and the third floor was not in the design scope. The total building area is approximately 1200 m2 and is located at the hub of Tunapuna’s commerce and activity centre in Trinidad.
Sherwin Williams
Forsythia SW 6907 Furniture, Backsplash, etc
The execution of this project was comprised of a small team within the firm - senior architect, architectural designer and interior designer which was overseen by the lead architect/ director. My role as the architectural designer included producing final design + construction drawings in correlation with the senior architect utilising BIM software, while liaising with the lead architect. I also assisted in the selection of interior finishes, lighting + furniture with the interior designer.
floor finishes selection
Floor Tile: ITALGRANITI Metaline 800mm x 800mm Zinc Banking Hall, etc
Milliken Carpet Tile Planks LIVE CIRCUIT: Current 250mm x 1000mm CUR183-153 Proton Teller Line, etc
Milliken Carpet Tile Planks LIVE CIRCUIT: Current 250mm x 1000mm CUR183-153 Proton w/ Electro Special Areas: High Circulation
finishes selection
Accent Colour Sherwin Williams
Steely Gray SW 7664 Furniture, Accent Walls, etc
CSR - Wall
CASA NUEVA
The Wallpaper Company Contract Vol. 2: 17056
General Walls
Sherwin Williams
Ice Cube SW 6252
Teller Line - Desk Surface Solid Surface: AVONITE
Ice White F1-8064
ground floor visualisation: teller counters + waiting area
second floor: floor + finishes selection second floor visualisation: customer waiting area + admin
Milliken Carpet Tile Planks LIVE CIRCUIT: Current 250mm x 1000mm CUR183-153 Proton w/ Electro Special Areas: High Circulation
Milliken Carpet Tile Planks LIVE CIRCUIT: Current 250mm x 1000mm CUR183-153 Proton Teller Line, etc
Milliken LVT Abstract - Sensations 18” x 36” SST250 - 5 Calm Corridor second floor visualisation: customer waiting area
Milliken LVT Metro Park: Pike 7” x 48”
Antler PKK 124-208 Lunchroom
Accent Colour
Sherwin Williams Forsythia SW 6907 Furniture, Backsplash, etc
Accent Colour
Sherwin Williams Steely Gray SW 7664 Furniture, Accent Walls, etc
Accent Colour RBL Blue Furniture, etc
Polyflor
Cool Blende 8636 305mm x 305mm Vaults, ATM rooms
second floor visualisation: staff lunchroom
conference
teller line
csr
waiting area
atm lobby
waiting area
banking hall csr
teller line
admin
services
admin
admin
services
services
services
parking
services
services
rendered ground floor: rbl-tu
rendered second floor: rbl-tu
services
lunch area
services
ground floor: banking hall/ csr counters
second floor: customer waiting area
second floor: customer waiting area
second floor: staff lunch room
CASA
TORTUGA
exterior facade: casa tortuga
30
ACLA architecture - 2020
CASA TORTUGA SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE This 5400 SF contemporary single-family residence is positioned on a gently sloping site to take advantage of the western views of the coast + valley. The design plays with a refined contrast of natural materials— hardwood and stone, juxtaposed against strong geometric forms. The solids and voids were balanced to provide ample privacy while strategically framing the view to the west with expansive but shaded glass sliding doors. An additional requirement was the need for possible cross-ventilation and a double height volume to dramatise the strong connection between the indoor and outdoor living spaces which allowed for effortless entertaining. The design phase of this project was executed by a small team within the firm - architectural designer, architectural technician which was overseen by the lead architect/ director. My role as the architectural designer included producing the brief + concept for the design, the schematic design presentation and final design drawings while liaising with the lead architect for feedback and supervision. The approval drawings were completed using BIM software in correlation with the architectural technician.
programmatic strategies diagrams
open | enclosure
schematic model: casa tortuga - west elevation study
private | semi-private
schematic model: casa tortuga - sectional study
site plan: casa tortuga
pool pavilion
pool
deck
bbq pavilion
pool shower
proposed house
pool deck
outdoor p.r.
bar + lounge
roof plan
carport entry
pump rm.
gym shower
entry
pool plan
balcony balcony
verandah guest bedroom
dining
bedroom 2 w.i.c.
kitchen
guest bath
living p.r.
laundry
master bath
master bedroom
entry courtyard
bath bridge
sitting rm. family rm.
stair
bedroom 1
bath study
carport
ground floor plan
void over living
wine st.
bedroom 3
first floor plan
balcony
eastern facade: casa tortuga
entry: interior perspective
pool deck + pavilion: exterior perspective
kitchen: interior perspective
western facade: exterior perspective
interiors: ruby residences grenada - 2021
visualisations
private residence: the annex project - 2021
built
thank you. UNDERGRADUATE ARCHITECT PORTFOLIO