Mariama M.M. Kah AR C H ITECT | DESIG NER
ARCHITECT UR E DESIGN PO R T FO L IO B. A c h 20 1 5 - 20 20
Mariama M.M. Kah A R CH I T EC T | DESIGN ER
CONTA CT INF O R MAT I ON mariama.kah@gmail.com
(+971) 56 312 3199
mariama.m.mk
linkedin.com/in/mariamammkah
@mariama.arch
www.mariamakah.com
issuu.com/mariamammkah
PROFIL E Mariama is a Gambian-American architect and recent graduate of the American University of Sharjah where she received her Bachelors degree in architecture, Cum Laude. Her research and architectural interests are heavily vested in the role of architecture in amplifying the lived experience; particularly with respect to Senegal, The Gambia, and the continent of Africa and Middle Eastern region at large. She believes in architecture’s power to shape and transform lives on an individual and collective level.
LAN GUA GES
N AT I O N A LI T Y
WORK EXPE RI EN C E
English United States + The Gambia French Arabic Wolof
Architectural Principles Teaching Assistant
EDUC ATIO N American University of Sharjah
Art History Tutor
The American University of Sharjah | Fall Semester 2019 Marked attendance, organized seating charts, helped answer student questions, and invigilated exams for ARC 281: Architectural Principles course.
Sharjah, The United Arab Emirates College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch), Cum Laude, GPA 3.6 Class of 2020
The American University of Sharjah | Spring Semester 2017, 2018, 2019 Helped organize and start yearly semester long tutoring sessions for DES 122: Modern Developments in Architecture, Art, and Design course. This involved providing academic and moral support to first year students struggling in the course.
Marina International High School
Student Ambassador: First Year Experience
Bakau New Town, The Gambia High School Diploma (Honors) International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Distinction Class of 2014
The American University of Sharjah | October-December 2019 Worked as a First-Year Experience Ambassador representing the College of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University of Sharjah for the academic semester Fall 2019. Duties involved one-on-one check-in meetings with first-year students and interacting with parents and families.
S CH O L A R S H I P S
Atelier Masōmī
Chancellor’s List Scholarship Award
March 2019 - Present Social Media Intern at Atelier Masōmī, Niger. Works on: Social Media content creator for firm’s Instagram and Twitter Platforms.
Academic Years 2016-17, 2018-19, 2019-20
Dean’s List Scholarship Award Fall 2016,2018, 2019, 2020 Spring 2017,2018, 2019, 2020
Niamey, Niger | Summer 2018 | 5 w e e k s Architectural Intern at Atelier Masōmī, Niger. Worked on: the Architectural Research, Site Analysis, and Diagram Work stage of NICU project, Rendering/Animation of housing project, Architectural Photography of HIKMA: Religious and Secular project for publication on various prestigious architecture platforms (i.e. Archdaily), and Social Media Management of firm’s Instagram and Twitter Platforms.
Atelier Masōmī
Niamey, Niger | Summer 2018 | 5 w e e k s Architectural Intern at Atelier Masōmī, Niger. Worked on: the Architectural Research, Site Analysis, and Diagram Work stage of NICU project, Rendering/ Animation of housing project, Architectural Photography of HIKMA: Religious and Secular project for publication on various prestigious architecture platforms (i.e. Archdaily), and Social Media Management of firm’s Instagram and Twitter Platforms.
Ardh Architects
Office 802, B8 Building | Al Barsha, Dubai, U.A.E. | Summer 2018 | 5 weeks Architectural Intern at Ardh Architects in Dubai, U.A.E. Worked on: the Architectural Research, Architectural Concept Development, and Site Analysis stage of two villa projects and Rendering/Animation of villa and Youth Hub project.
Private English Tutor
Dubai, U.A.E. | October-December 2014 Tutored English Language and English Literature to two Elementary school
SKI LL S Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Adobe Rush Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Maya Autodesk Revit Blender 2.82 Grasshopper
Houdini Keyshot 7/9 Lumion 9 Microsoft Suite Rhinoceros 6 SketchUp Twinmotion 2020 VRay 3 ZBrush 2019
Hand Drafting Hand Drawing and Sketching Laser Cutter 3d Printing Physical Modeling Water Color Illustration Wood Shop
PU B L ICATIO N S A young architect reflects on graduating in 2020 July 8, 2020: Blog post for Atelier Masōmī sharing what it is like to be an architecture graduate aduring a global health pandemic and thoughts on what it means to be a young African architect. LINK: http://www.ateliermasomi.com/news-1/49n2nwcp8ffmthw7jeellde5zax2xk
Six Degrees Catalog May 21, 2020: Six Degrees Catalog exhibits work of graduating students in the College of Architecture, Art and Design at American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. P. 53 LINK: https://issuu.com/american.university.sharjah/docs/ six_degrees_catalog_-_2020pdf
Undergraduate Library Publication of The Global Undergraduate Awards for Art History and Theory entry: The African City: Identity and Urbanism, a Case Study of Dakar. This paper was awarded Regional winner for Africa & Middle East in 2019.
AC T I VI T I ES
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARD S
6 Degrees Online Senior Exhibition
Archprix 2021 Award Nomination
Participated and assisted in the digital branding and promotion of the 6 degrees Online senior exhibition, showcasing the best work of CAAD graduating senior class of 2020.
Fifth Year Project, “Agri-Educatum: Educating a New Generation of Agricultural Hands,” nominated for the esteemed Archprix 2021 Award
Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society Student Member Student member of Tau Sigma Delta (ΤΣΔ) a scholastic honor society that recognizes academic achievement among students in the field of Architecture and Allied Arts. Part of a committee of students at the American University of Sharjah that aim to expand their architectural knowledge and experience.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Bronze Medal 2018 Exhibition
The American University of Sharjah | Spring 2019 Third Year Project, “Spiritual Construct,” exhibited for its nomination for the esteemed RIBA Part 1: Bronze Medal Award.
Study Abroad Exhibition Hosting
The American University of Sharjah | Spring 2019 Helped organize and curate an exhibition of work done over the course of Study Abroad semester in Barcelona, Spain.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Bronze Medal 2018 Exhibition
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Silver Medal 2020 Nomination Fifth Year Project, “Agri-Educatum: Educating a New Generation of Agricultural Hands” nominated for the esteemed RIBA Part 2: Silver Medal Award
d3 RIBA Gulf Chapter Architecture Festival Shortlist Finalist Project entry, “Spiritual Construct” selected as part of the final shortlist of the upcoming : d3 Architecture Festival 2020 held in Partnership with RIBA Gulf Chapter, with support from RIBA.
Honorable mention at the World Design Awards 2020 The Urban and Architectural Design Studio ARC501 Section 3 at the American University of Sharjah project: “Urban Sustainable Regeneration Al Nasserya” was awarded the Critics’ Award at the XXX International Seminar and Award for Architecture and Urban Culture - Camerino 2020
Critics’ Award at the XXX International Seminar and Award for Architecture and Urban Culture - Camerino 2020 The Urban and Architectural Design Studio ARC501 Section 3 at the American University of Sharjah project: “Urban Sustainable Regeneration Al Nasserya” was awarded an honorable mention at the World Design Awards 2020.
The American University of Sharjah | Spring 2019 Third Year Project, “Spiritual Construct,” exhibited for its nomination for the esteemed RIBA Part 1: Bronze Medal Award.
M.A.D. Award
Study Abroad Exhibition Hosting
Global Undergraduate Regional Award Winner 2019
The American University of Sharjah | Spring 2019 Helped organize and curate an exhibition of work done over the course of Study Abroad semester in Barcelona, Spain.
Barcelona Study Abroad Traveled with Architectural Studio V to Spain during Fall 2018, for a semester abroad hosted by Miralles Tagliabue EMBT studio in Barcelona, learning about their architectural techniques and design practices, Including travel to 8 cities in Spain.
The American University of Sharjah Recipient of CAAD’s Motivation, Attitude & Dedication Award for the academic year 2020
Awarded Regional winner for Africa & Middle East in The Global Undergraduate Awards for Art History and Theory entry: The African City: Identity and Urbanism, a Case Study of Dakar.
Global Undergraduate Highly Commended Entrant 2019 Art History and Theory entry: The African City: Identity and Urbanism, a Case Study of Dakar, ranked in the top 10% of submissions to the category.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Bronze Medal 2018 Nomination Third Year Project, “Spiritual Construct,” nominated for the esteemed RIBA Part 1: Bronze Medal Award
Drawing & Painting Competition (Student Residential Life Department) Third Place Winner Academic Year 2017-2018
Contents
S EL EC T E D C O UR S E W O R K
01 Agri-Educatum
01
02 Urban Revitalization of Al Nasserya Central Central: Three-part Intervention
02
03 RaĂces Comunitarias Centro Centro CĂvico y Comunitario de Barcelona
03
04 Spiritual Construct
04
05 Muwaileh Public Library
05
06 The Bathing Ritual
06
07 Timber in The City: Garden Homes
07
01
AG R I - ED UC AT UM
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Silver Medal 2020 Nominated and Archprix 2021 Award Nominated In Collaboration With: Mohammed Samara Professor: Faysal Tabbarah Studio: Architectural Design Studio VIII [ARC 502], Fall 2020 Agri-Educatum gears itself towards Moroccan youth through the development of a transferable architectural solution that joins the discourse of agriculture and economic vitality in the MENA region. Using education as a vehicle for change, the project aims to illuminate a generation of highly skilled agricultural hands and attuned critical thinkers that will lead the future of the agricultural sector to major economic prosperity. Starting first with the research and design of a comprehensive curriculum and bridge program for workers currently occupying the sector. By envisioning the types of learning needed to encompass the multiple facets of an agriculture based education: research and laboratory experimentation, policy making, technology advancements in cultivation, water management and irrigation techniques, etc.; we were then guided to the design of the spaces that houses it. Devising an index of scaled learning environments in accordance to the curriculum, we then proceeded to combine and cluster any number or scale of these individual learning environments to form well-equipped and holistic learning spaces. These learning clusters were then deployed on site, with an interior-exterior exchange facilitated between the learning spaces and the research cultivation fields; with pathways in-between to encourage wandering, intellectual exchange, and scholarship between clusters.
Learning Spaces There are four categories of learning spaces that form the index: laboratory, courtyard, teaching spaces, and congregational learning spaces. Each of these categories have three type variations in accordance to the scale of the learning experience:
Learning Clusters A number of learning space from each category/scaled type are then combined to form learning clusters. There are six variations explored within the context of this project although, with the use of the index, the possibilities are numerous.
Master Plan 1: 2 000
Site Application The learning clusters are then deployed chronologically on site and plug directly into the research cultivation fields.
Cluster 1: Cultivation Research Fields Render Marrakech, Morocco
Exterior Render Marrakech, Morocco
Teaching Space B Marrakech, Morocco
Courtyard Learning C Marrakech, Morocco
Congregational Learning B Marrakech, Morocco
02
URBAN REVITALIZATIO N O F AL NASSERYA C EN T R AL : THREE-PART INTERVENTIO N
WORLD DESIGN AWARD 2020 / HONORABLE MENTION and Critics’ Award at the XXX International Seminar and Award for Architecture and Urban Culture Camerino 2020 In Collaboration With: Rashid Al Suwaidi and Mohammed Samara Professor: Cristiano Luchetti Studio: Architectural Design Studio VII [ARC 501], Fall 2019 The Sharjah Department of Planning and Survey and Sharjah Urban Planning Council have recently started independent initiatives to explore and propose ways by which deteriorated neighborhoods can be enhanced. The mandate is to maintain the existing housing stock (structurally intact ones) and propose enhancements to the public realm and social infrastructure of those areas based on the needs and specificity of each neighborhood. One of the mandates is to find ways to attract Emirati families back to these neighborhoods without necessarily displacing the existing population. The Urban and Architectural Design Studio ARC501 Section 3 at the American University of Sharjah, first investigated through mapping, surveys, and fieldwork the existing conditions of Al Nasserya, thereafter proposed innovative solutions grounded on the findings of the research. We looked for alternative means of intervention other than conventional approaches with a focus on sustainability. Students had the freedom to identify the scale and brief of their proposals - whether it would be a block or the whole neighborhood, or a single building along with the surrounding affected public realm.
Al Nasserya Neighborhood Class Axonometric
Al Nasserya Central Urban Analysis
Al Nasserya Central Intervention Diagram
Al Nasserya Central Urban Village URB AN REVITALIZATIO N O F AL NAS S ER YA C EN T R AL : THREE-PART INTERVENTIO N ( P art 1)
This residential component towards the Al Nasserya Central Urban intervention introduces the typology of an “Urban Village”. By clustering buildings to create semi-private outdoor spaces, the project aims filter the public domain of the Urban Park onto an intimate scale to create privacy and facilitate close community ties for the residences. By incorporating “Zero Net Energy” strategies through: minimized building load, decreased energy consumption tactics, and maximized on site energy production via Photovoltaic Panels, the Urban Village aims to set itself as a model example of ideal sustainable living within the neighborhood.
Master Plan, Ground Floor Scale 1:500
Al Nasserya Centrral Urban Village North West Elevation (top) and Section BB (bottom) Scale 1:200
Al Nasserya Urban Park URBAN REVITAL IZ AT I O N O F AL N AS S ER YA C EN T R AL : THREE- PAR T I N T ER VEN T IO N ( P art 2 )
The main aim of the project is to remove the restrictions from the existing original neighborhood Park and to provide an accessible zone of public interaction. By offering a space where the meaningful connection between residents is possible, the ambition of the Urban Park is to create a location where the bonds of a strong community fabric can be established. Through bio-climatic architectural interventions, the park will create a favorable micro-climatic for the neighborhood and thus encourage gathering via thermal comfortability. In addition, through attractive and sustainably devised landscape interventions, the project will boost the overall appeal of the neighborhood and encourage respite and play. Flexibility in spatial configuration also allows for the Urban Park to dawn a multitude of functions for the community, and to facilitate a range of meetings, celebrations, and events.
Rolla Canopy Diagram
Rolla Canopy Section
Souq Al Nasserya URB AN REVITALIZATIO N O F AL NASSERYA C EN T R AL : THREE-PART INTERVENTIO N (Part 3 )
The aim of this intervention is to form a gateway to the central portion of Al Nasserya. By extending the existing commercial strip functions of the neighborhood into a designed public space; the project thus creates a collection point and landmark destination along that route. Through incorporating vernacular typologies of commercial and Souq architecture of the UAE region, the project possesses meandering pathways that connect three major public zones and boosts their existing functions on an economic and architectural scale. Moreover, the project also provides provisions for a new industry to develop in Al Nasserrya via a work Incubator to encourage economic diversity within the neighborhood.
Souq Al Nasserya Plan 1:500
Souq Al Nasserya Elevation B (top) and Section BB (bottom) Scale 1:200
03
RAICES CO MUNITARIAS CENTRO CIV I C O Y CO MMUNITARIO DE B ARCELO N A In Collaboration With: Rashid Al Suwaidi Professor: Igro Peraza Studio: Architectural Design Studio V [ARC 401], Fall 2018 The “Raíces Comunitarias Centro Cívico y Comunitario de Barcelona” is a design proposal for a community center adjacent to the Estació de França in Barcelona, Spain. The main goal behind the design is to create an integrative program that adds to the duality of life of users and links divided communities to each other and thus serves as “The heart of the community.” This is meant to inspire human connectivity for community cohesion using architecture as its main vehicle.
Function Diagrams
Concept Sketches
Facade Panel Details
Street Entry, Outdoor Plaza, Activity Center
Activity and Service Center: Restaurant Area
Activity and Service Center: Playground
Library: Social Reading Space
Auditorium/Indoor Theatre
Park Access Point Render
Pedestrian Bridge Diagram
Pedestrian Bridge Render
Pedestrian Bridge Render
04
SPIRITUAL CO NSTRUCT
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Bronze Medal 2018 Nominated Professor: Faysal Tabbarah Studio: Architectural Design Studio IX [ARC 302], Spring 2018 The following is a project developed for the design of an urban daily mosque (Masjid) and public space along the Al Khan Corniche Street in Sharjah, U.A.E. through the lens of conceptual design. The project is meant to enhance the urban life in the area, provide a space for prayer and reflection as well as promote the culture of the region. This project aims to reflect on the characteristics of prayer as outlined in the Islamic tradition, as both a personal and collective spiritual expression. This is achieved through the conception of a singular unit, that is devised to house the spiritual experience of the individual. The unit itself is broken down into two parts as an expression of the mundane and celestial; its upper half reaching above with its filigree and its lower half opening itself out onto three legs to accommodate the user. The unit is then replicated about a common center to form a module to shelter the experience of a small congregation of worship. That is then amalgamated and deployed throughout the site to shelter an even larger congregation.
Ground Floor Plan, Scale 1:250
Generative Diagram
Analytical Diagram
Women’s Section Render
Courtyard (Sahn) Render
Main Prayer Hall Render
Women’s Section Render
05
MUWAILEH PUBLIC LIBRARY Professor: Marcus Farr Studio: Architectural Design Studio III [ARC 301], Fall 2017 This project aims to reflect on nature’s influence on Architecture and the human experience through the lens of erosion by drawing on the geomorphic forces (wind abrasion) that shape the ecology of the natural environment. By utilizing this same force in the urban environment to carve out habitable spaces for reading, the project seeks to embody the ideas of the “Sublime and the Beautiful” to shape space and perception to curate nurturing learning space.
The ballon-cast model studies informed the development of a semi ocupiable “Wall Types.� These wall types are the combined and patterned with larger subtractions to form the exterior facades of the Public Library.
Context Research Analysis: Relationship to City
Context Research Analysis: Function Analysis Diagrams
Ground Floor Plan
Wall Section Details
06
THE BATHING RITUAL Professor: Gregory Spaw Studio: Architectural Design Studio II [ARC 202], Spring 2017 This is an expansive study of “The Wall� assignment, in the three dimensions to construct a habitation of meditative contemplation through the Ritual of Bathing. The form is located in a remote desert in the United Arab Emirates. In response to this context, the project intends to deal with adverse climatic conditions by optimizing shading opportunities through vaulted enclosure and manufacture moments of meaningful light interaction to enhance the ritual of bathing.
07
TIMBER IN THE CITY: GARDEN HO MES In Collaboration With: Aisha AlSahlawi Professor: George Newlands Studio: Architectural Design Studio VI [ARC 402, Spring 2019 The project aims to position itself as a critique on New York Society’s view of “Urban Dwelling” through a “Return to the Land Approach.” By rooting itself into the base of the site by virtue of a rainwater collection basin and solid concrete lower level, housing the public functions of the project, forms the foundation and seats itself as “the stone of the river bed.” The project’s landscape is predicated on the premise of a constructed wetland as a restoration of the site’s natural environmental state and a means of managing storm water from encroaching flood and river tides. The residence rises from this concrete base and extends itself vertically by virtue of terracotta clad columns that function as rainwater collection drains to the cistern and “growing poles” for vegetation. Each apartment unit posses a “Vertical Urban farm as a means of providing easy access to fresh produce. By providing sustainable design and living solutions the project aims to facilitate a meaningful relationship between people and the environment.light interaction to enhance the ritual of bathing.
Corridor Render
Sunken Gar
rden Render
Norhern Exterior Elevation (Parking Lot) Render
Interior Kitchen Render
Wall Section Model (Kitchen and Vertical Garden)