https://www.mareammerza.com/
THE PORTFOLIO
Name
Application ID number 20120286
Course
MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part II)
School
The Bartlett School of Architecture
Maream Merza
| Quadro Magazine feature
| The [Re]Transportable City at the Holy Art Gallery London
| Inspireli Finalist 04 | The [Re]Construction Museum on ArchiDiaries
| Reconstructing a Deconstruction at HOME Gallery Manchester
| RIBA Presidents Medal Bronze Nomination
| Commendation Prize by the Bristol Society of Architects
| The [Re]Construction Museum at The Graduate Showcase 03
| Finalist for AI Toilet Non-Architecture Competition
| The Martian Stool at the Martian House by Ella Good and Nicki Kent, M-Shed
| Women in Property South West Region
| Silverhood at the Women in Property South West Awards, Bristol Hotel
| Silverhood at the Graduate Show 0
| The Ferry Station, De Moderne Baden at RIBA Education Showcase
| Hollow Pavilion Competition [RIBA judged]
| Top
Presented Models for Mango Model Competition
| UWE First Year Prize for Process
| End of Year Show Digital, Manchester Metropolitan University
| Sketchbook Collective, Manchester Metropolitan University
| Cardboard Catwalk, Manchester Metropolitan University
THE [RE] CONSTRUCTION MUSEUM
Year 3 Sep 2022 - Jul 2023
Site Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
How do you build a community from scratch?
One of the sustainable development goals tell us to create sustainable communities and cities but how does one actually do that?
The struggles of separating social classes due to the building's construction solely to serve only one purpose is society's problem today. The society is in need for buildings' to become multifunctional , one that benefits the community for the long run.
The scheme was nominated for the RIBA Presidents Bronze Medal, awarded Bristol Society of Architects Commendation prize 03 and made finalist in the 04 Inspireli Awards.
Sketchup | Enscape | V-Ray | Photoshop | Handrawings | Model Making | AutoCad
THE [RE]INTEGRATION CYCLE
A working program for the vulnerable
The scheme's temporary accommodation in exchange for growing one's skills in material manipulation will work in line with the council and possible charities until the users gain their own independence like the rest of society and reintegrate back to it.
The Lighthouse Club is the only construction industry charity that provides mental, physical and financial help for those working in the construction industry. The Construction Industry Training Board is the UK Board that certifies people working in the construction industry. The plan is to use the apprenticeships offered ranging from Level (GCSE Level) to Level 4 (University).
Shelter is the charity that works alongside the council to help with providing temporary accommodation.
The plan is to take advantage of the area in the site and make part of the building a temporary accommodation alongside the council some of the homeless to be provided shelter.
DISTILLATION OF HISTORY
A modern process of material translation
After excavating the site and taking several bricks that date back to the 800s that hold the utmost value and archaeological footprint, linoprinting/monoprinting was chosen as it is a process introduced in the modern era allows the translation of past materials serving as a bridge to the contemporary world. The reason why this certain method was chosen is because it is an application that avoids personal bias of selection as the process itself is unpredictable and involves the simple idea of printing whatever is picked up from the rock without personal interference.
The patterns extracted, lasercut and 3d printed would be imprinted onto the new materials used to erect the building to create specialised materials that is unique to the building such as the brick on the right.
Brick imprinted clay then printed on sheet
Paper drawn print then lasercut
Original brick extracted from site
Tracing paper print collection from brick then 3d extracted and 3d printed
DECONSTRUCTING A RECONSTRUCTION
A conceptual model of materials
The concept model going by the name of 'Deconstructing a Reconstruction' is a deconstructivist model inspired by Russian Deconstructist architecture explored in the 90s. The main explorer of the era, Vladimir Tatlin inspired the design of the model that strips the idea and concept of the building in the form of a model using very simple materials. Finding scraps found in the architecture studio and at home, the materials used are plastic, metal, cardboard, greyboard, clay and red fabric. Similar to the social purposes this building stand for in building communities into the future, Russian Constructivism was about using art and propaganda to introduce its social objectives and serve the purpose of a new world. In the case of this world, this about reviving a lost/forgotten world and not necessarily create a new one.
3 months; [Re]claiming Ownership
2 years; [Re]construction museum
25 years; [Re]structure the future
THE COMMUNITY ENVISIONED
Challenging the church with a new pillar
The whole Grade I Listed site of Portland Square
Existing heritage building to be restored and refurbished
New extension added to heritage site
The site in its urban context Public and private areas in the building
Public Private
A view into the reconstructed cafe in the existing building
INTRODUCING CONTEMPORARY SOLUTIONS
Engaging the community to construct the building
Fitting the brick onto the sprayed concrete
Exposed wood, fibres, protection attached on brick
Wall ties connecting brick wall to heritage
MATERIALS AND STRUCTURE
The organic growth of the building
Concrete is set for basement
Loadbearing bricks walls
Loadbearing Arches
Steel Frame floor introduced
Contemporary Framed arches
Corten Steel Roof
Trombe Wall installation
Exterior Brick facade
Steel Frame Walls and Floor
Freestanding lifts Frame and Brick
Corten Steel bridges
The Concept of Making
AND STRUCTURE
EXPERIENCE AT ATKINSREALIS
Oct 2023 - Sep 2025
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
The two year placement for Part at AtkinsRealis have taken me on a variety of projects starting from the 83,000 sqm office campus at Stage 2 that involved producing drawing information, design aspects of the building, liaising with different stakeholders and preparing planning information.
Another project looks at earlier involvement at Stage 0-1 modelling, drawing and designing a Waste to Energy Plant in Miami Florida, developing facades and understanding technical detailing behind its installation.
Additionally, my involvement with the Lisburne SEND School at stage 5 of the final construction issue gave me the exposure of the construction stage looking at the school designed for Special Needs Children holistically. A marketing visual illustration was produced as part of the opening of the school.
Visual illustration of Lisburne SEND School
MIAMI DADE WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT
Early Stage Design
The Miami Dade Waste to Energy Plant is a scheme that involves the replacement of an existing, now defunct plant. The new facility will incorporate the latest building and waste incineration technologies and will be a flagship of this building type. The design is fully multidisciplinary with designers based in the US, Dubai and the UK working on it. The Manchester based Architecture team are developing the building concept design and basis of design document which will be used to tender to an EPC Contractor, all of which need to be in compliance with the local US Design Codes. In addition to this, we are exploring innovative ways of making the facade play a part in becoming a landmark for the area whilst adhering to the approved hurricane resistant materials.
Workshop/Plant/Other Facilities
Administration Building
Turbine Building
Waste Bunker
Boiler
Air Quality Control System (ACCS)
Ash Building Tipping Hall
Visitor Viewing Gallery
Control Room
Tipping Hall
Illustrative Section (not to scale)
OFFICE BUILDING
STAGE 2 Design Process
The scheme is a confidential project looking at the development of a large office campus with a public realm. My involvent was during Stage , developing design information, holding a public consultation with the businesses and residents in nearby buildings as well as developing drawings ahead of the planning application.
As a sustainability ambassador for the Innovative and Sustainable Materials Task group, I undertook some analysis of the different materials used for the internal finishes to determine the total embodied carbon of the finishes at different stages of the design and compare the different iterations to determine the best approach in picking materials.
Sketchup - Enscape - Illustrator - Photoshop
Concept Diagram - Atria
Concept Diagram - Connections
Concept Diagram - Well-Being
Concept Diagram - Form Factor
Concept Diagram - Amenities
Concept Diagram - Cores
OFFICE BUILDING
STAGE 2 Report Extracts
Cores
Fire Exits Routes
Shaft
OFFICE BUILDING
Building Entrance Design
Part of the scheme was designing the entrance area as a case study in which several options were analysed and considered. The early approaches looked at adding a ramp that overtakes most of the entrance development with several hubs at different levels for breakout spaces. Another option developed the stepped seating area further but was not deemed viable as the reception faced only one entrance of the building. The approach presented was put forward to be further developed liaising with the interiors team to ensure it meets the standards.
Sketchup - Enscape - Illustrator - Photoshop
OTHER WORKS
Jul 2023 - Oct 2024 so far
Site Location: N/A
As part of personal practice , I am keen and curios to be involved in different competitions and familiarise with various briefs and requirements.
Other opportunities to put myself forward in would be exhibitions and open art calls to help keep an open mind in design and art . This has been successful as some projects have been chosen as finalists for competitions, included in magazines and chosen to be exhibited
Furthermore, this year's main focus is networking which I deem one of my strong qualities, having attended award shows, viewings, meetings at the Manchester Society of Architects and liaising with the Women in Property North West about possible contributions, etc. all of which is shared on my linkedin and instagram
Sketchup | Enscape | V-Ray | Photoshop | Illustrator | Handrawings | Model Making | AutoCad
The alternate future of this concept portrays replicating this hub (The[Re]Construction Museum) that has become the central location for creating a community. The idea is reimagined as transporting this model using airships in a literal sense to different abandoned locations in the world that suffer the same fate this site did. The point of this diagram is invoking the application of the same approach to community building allowing variations to form depending on what the people define as community around the world. The Re-Transportable City where The [Re]Construction Museum lies is re-transported so the re-use of the same model strategy of heritage is applied on other sites.
The [Re]Transportable City at the Holy Art Gallery
CONTEMPORARY HERITAGE
Excavation under Construction
A quick project exploring the idea of heritage in a literal sense. This model harnesses the concept of reviving the traditional style of design whilst adopting contemporary methods to allow the creation of buildings that remain timeless and everchanging. It is surrounded by different methods of construction one could approach; one is attaching the newly designed bricks directly onto the existing one to create direct continuity, the second method looks at creating a double wall with the newly designed bricks in avoidance of creating direct contact with the existing design as a sign of respect, and final approach is the use of delicate scaffolding on the brick and allowing the possibilities of framed structures to be the solution of less violent approaches to heritage design.
