portofolio maria clara ferreira
maria clara ferreira
toronto / canada mcferre@yorku.ca www.linkedin.com/in/mariaclaraferre
academic profile
2024 / 2026 master in environmental studies (planning)
york university - toronto
2019 / 2024
bachelor’s degree of architecture and urban planning rio de janeiro state university - uerj gpa 4 0
2023 2
exchange program - environmental and urban changes
york university - toronto awards
2021
sustainable design for low carbon buildings and cities
berliner hochschule für technik - bht
1st place - design challenge coordinated the design of a low-carbon emission pavillion for university campus
15/12/2001 brazilian 23 years
complementary
2024
publication - “Urban Controversies and the Reimagining of Nature: A Possible Future” anap
2022 publication - “Between Erasures and Permanences: An Analysis of Representations and the Maintenance of Stereotypes in Museum Educational Materials” ahpuh-rio
summer school: concepts for climate resilient and climate neutral cities berliner hochschule für technik - bht
2021
academic tutor | environmental comfort | tutored 30 students in weekly sessions to improve their competency in the subject of environmental comfort prof. patrícia drach uerj
2020
academic tutor | mathematics for architecture | prof. vinícius masquetti uerj
work experience
08/2021 / 01/2022
architecture intern | department of highways of rio de janeiro - der-rj _ assisted in the coordination of the implementation of new roads and their impact on the environment
02/2022 / 05/2022
architecture intern | city of miguel pereira _ coordinated as a liason with the project manager within city hall of miguel pereira and analyzed new constructions for their feasibility of implementation according to the official plan
03/2023 / 08/2023
architecture intern | vitale civil engineer _ assited the creation of the architectural projects of the company, using the structural and softwares skills
01/2024 / 04/2024
architecture project support | austin, TX _ led a four-person initiative design of a residential project in the Briarcliff area
softwares
autocad 2d sketchup archicad photoshop indesign illustrator
office pack qgis
languages
portuguese
english
spanish advanced intermediate basic advanced intermediate + intermediate advanced basic
Subway Station
William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute
Toronto Fire Station 143
Coffe Shop
due diligence - sheppard west
persperctives in planning, toronto
this report provides an in-depth analysis of 1100 Sheppard Avenue West, a site located in North York within the York University Heights neighbourhood. Recently developed in 2024, Westline Condos is a 14-story high-rise building by CentreCourt, positioned near the intersection of William R. Allen Road and Sheppard Avenue West. The building features 414 units, ranging from 421 to 899 square feet (Toronto, 2022). As a prominent new addition to the area, Westline Condos reflects planning perspectives on urban intensification and high-rise residential development in North York.
in this analysis, I focused on the natural and cultural features of the site, its contextual landscape, and the relevant planning policies that influence its integration into the neighbourhood. Through working on this report, I will aim to understand the key challenges, perceptions, and potential opportunities presented by the site, as well as its role in shaping the York University Heights area as a centre for community and connectivity.
2024/2 perspectives in planning prof. laura e. taylor
Digital Archive Ontario 8/25/1983 (drawing by the author)
1100 sheppard avenue west - site plan
desing recommendations (by perkins & will)
urban desing, toronto
this group project, undertaken as part of an environmental planning class facilitated by Jay Pitter and Professors Sandberg and Perkins & Will, focuses on fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment in public spaces within Mount Dennis, specifically Eglinton Flats and Fergy Brown Park. Rooted in insights from the survey Being Black in Public Spaces, which highlighted the unique challenges faced by Toronto’s Black community in public spaces, the recommendations aim to create natural park environments that are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to community needs.
proposed design interventions—such as safer crossings, designated BBQ areas, community-centered spaces, and expanded seating along trails - seek to address the concerns of underrepresented groups while enhancig accessibility, safety, and enjoyment for all. These improvements aim to promote a vibrant, engaging park experience that benefits the broader community while addressing the specific needs of the Black community.
2024/2 environmental planning jay pitter prof. anders sandberg
desing recommendations (by perkins & will)
urban planning in petrópolis, brazil
the concept of the project arises from a reorganization based on broad connections, based on mobility, with the aim of enabling the use of spaces to more people and improving the quality of life of residents, making the neighborhood more attractive and accessible. for this, a bus terminal and a new mode of transportation are proposed, as well as a bike path, parks and walkable areas. mixed-use buildings were also designed, with smaller blocks to improve the circulation of people and bring security, according to Jane Jacobs theory of the eyes of the street. existing roads and new streets prioritize public transport and facilitate pedestrian walking, dispelling the feeling of a city on the road. and rio serves as an instrument to connect the two sides, ceasing to be an obstacle, becoming part of people’s daily lives.
with this, an attempt is made to diversify use cases as much as possible, creating a collage in the city based on the concept of the plot city, returning to the idea of the theorist Christopher Alexander
2021/1
architecture design and urban plannign prof. grabriel schvarsberg prof. rodrigo bocater
urban planning in petrópolis, brazil
we use the Santa Alice neighborhood’s operating logic as a reference, which follows a zoning movement in an area that was previously rural. this movement is something predictable, and it will happen one way or another. thus, our main concept for the project is to accept this movement and contribute to it in a way that supports the neighborhood that is growing. with this, our decision-making is linked to understanding this action and providing a greater basis for its continuity.
2022/1
architecture design and urban plannign prof. wagner rufino prof. glauci coelho
urban planning in rio de janeiro, brazil
the project aims to enhance the potential of the ESDI campus as well as “Praça Cardeal Câmara”, through the “roots” concept. this means connecting the potential of the public university, until then reclusive within the campus, with the multipurpose character (bohemian, civic, family), but neglected, of the square. in this way, just like a tree, healthy roots help those most affected, fight to revive them and make them bear fruit again. with that, to reflect the party conceived by the concept, concrete and metal were proposed, taking inspiration from the Bauhaus, contrasting with wood and green areas.
2020/2
architecture design and urban plannign prof. grabriel schvarsberg prof. rodrigo bocater
model made by the author
centralidade pessegueiros
urban planning in rio de janeiro, brazil
this work proposes to analyze the general characteristics of the Pessegueiros, neighborhood located in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro. Based on visits and workshops carried out through a partnership between the Rio de Janeiro State University, the Teresópolis City Council and PlanejaTerê.
based on these studies, an intervention proposal will be initiated in the central areas of Pessegueiros neighborhood, in order to enable an improvement in services and leisure for residents of the region
2022/2
architecture design and urban plannign prof. grabriel schvarsberg prof. glauci coelho
the objective was to bring a greater interaction to the local community in a respectful way, aligned with their daily lives in the neighborhood
historical model
model design, lapa, rio de janeiro
the model was inspired by a historic townhouse at av. mem de sá, 134, lapa, rio de janeiro. different techniques were used for the model, with the predominant use of triplex paper, expanded pvc and acetate. through it, it was possible to study different ornaments that were used in construction on a much closer scale.
2020/2 model studio prof. glaucia fonseca
model made by the author
drawings
rio de janeiro, brazil
academic and personal collection of drawings using different techniques, such as ink, watercolor, markers and others. the process of drawing is something inspiring, which makes it possible to start the first step towards project design in architecture, urbna desing and planning.
mental map on donwtown Rio for urban planning class
observational drawing done with watercolor
nanquim drawing
watercolor of Vilanova Artigas house
mcferre@yorku.ca