Professional Architectural Portfolio

0NAjl

Part II Architectural Assistant

WORK EXPERIENCE

Darkin Architects, Neath, Wales

Oct 2022 - January 2023:

Part 1 Architectural Assitant

Worked on RIBA Plan of Work Stages O- 3

Sat in on design meetings and bids

Architectural and photographic survey of buildings

Preparation of drawings and inquiry packs

Client correspondence

Assisted with planning applications submissions

Demolition drawings

ONAJI

UKWUN-ATABUCHI MARY

Architectural Assistant

My design agenda is centred around connecting communities and spaces through gaining inspiration from the existing contexts in order to continuously reflect the past and the cultural identity of the people and place now and in the future. I approach these agenda achieved by using locally sourced material to create designs that instigates a dialogue with the existing contexts. My professional ambition is projected towards becoming part of a team that is centred around cultural conservation and connecting spaces to create an embodied experience for the

Nationality: Nigerian

Language: English

Current Location: Neath, Wales

L;I

+447367523923, +2348175675876

marys.architecture@yahoo.com

https://www.instagram.com/marys _ architecture/

A'II https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-onalllJ ji-769463175/

INTERESTS

Housing association schemes

Freelance

June 2020 - Present

Architectural Designer

Producing resolved design drawings and visuals

The Building Practice Lagos, Nigeria

June - July 2019

Internship

Shadowing project architect

Site meetings and recordings

Site inspection in absence of project architect

Client consultation

Darlington Estate, Totnes, England

March 2019

Carpentry

Site work

Woodwork fabrication

Construction of shelter

Horatio Limited Gbagada, Lagos Nigeria.

Dec - Jan 2017

Internship Architectuaral Assistant

Shadowing project architect

Introduction to construction of framework on site

EDUCATION

2020 - 2022: University of Plymouth, Plymouth, England.

(MArch) Architecture)

Urban Strategy and Integrated Design

2017 - 2020: University of Plymouth, Plymouth, England. (Ba (Hons) Architecture)

Brief Development and Design Resolution

2016 - 2017 Westerfield College, Lagos, Nigeria. (International Foundation) Introduction to Design

2011 - 2016 Holy Child College Lagos, Nigeria. (SSCE)

During my four months experience in Darkin Architects, I worked on a few domestic extension projects of different scales where I carried out the RIBA stages 0-3. In this period, I carried out feasibilities, photographic and architectural survey, drew out the existing plans and elevations, proposed extensions according to the briefs and submitted the planning applications.

DARK/NA 'ECTS: Project Designer

The projects featured were carried out by a team made up of the studio architect and I.

Eileen Road is a single Storey rear and side extension, with attic conversion project. In the project, we created an open plan living and kitchen area with an island breakfast bar to tie the two spaces together. A staircase was provided to access the first floor which was converted to a master ensuite bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe. Extra storage was provided on each floor to utilize the spaces with less than 1500mm head heights. The main agenda of this project was to create more space, enhance the flow of circulation around the house and maximize natural lighting which was achieved with the use of bifold doors.

Front Cottage is a first-floor extension, to make the kitchen bigger on the ground floor and provide an extra bedroom on the first floor. In this project, we tackled the challenge of head heights by adapting a dormer in the bedroom while retaining the angle of the existing roof. The main agenda of this project was to provide a bigger kitchen by reducing the shower room to a toilet, maximize natural lighting with wide windows and a master bedroom with a view of the garden.

Llansamlet, Swansea

Front Cottage, Coelbren, Neath

Housing Association Schemes

This master plan is a proposal that continues the dialogue generated in project 1, searching for a centripetal cause of action that progresses towards a balance between culture, nature , and the development of cities. Further to that, the site, AI-Sananiyah in Damietta City, has posed a challenge through identified issues: the multiple disconnections that create a fragmented site. Secondly, the largely privatised agricultural land has posed restrictions to the development of the site , and finally , the lack of interaction with the Nile River

entrifuga/ Force: Re-inventing a Shaduf System

The agenda consisted of reclaiming streets to address the problematic urban areas that have been taken for granted by reappropriating the streets and unused spaces to a stronger focus that the public could benefit from. Secondly, the proposition includes diversifying the educational system in Damietta City by providing alternative practice-based learning in opposition to formal education. This proposal intends to empower the locals by enabling communities to thrive. Lastly, the agenda also comprises an urban context that reflects the past by applying a concept of historical practice to the urban strategy as a symbol of Egyptians civilisation

The outcome of this urban-scale proposition is the centripetal force that has been generated on the edge of the Nile River through the ease of connecting lines and site activation. Programs along these lines are community-led activities that give a stepping stone journey that leads people to the destination , the Nile River. Moreover, within the multiple public points are the interweaving of all communities. Finally, a restoring balance is induced by integrating the culture , nature, and Damietta Cit

DAMIETTA, EGYPT

This project aims to tackle the issues through exploring different qualities of the point where the contrasting elements come together in other to create a relationship between them. This relationship hence creates a level of connection that blurs out the existing edge conditions. This point where they come together will be termed THE INBETWEEN. This exploration would create a discussion around how the nature of the "inbetween" can contribute to celebrating both elements without taking away from their individual qualities. These contrasting elements involved would create three relationship types made up of the existing and a new intervention. The key tools used in this project are models, diagram and collages. This concept would be tested in two ways; the qualities of the in between spilling into the contrasting elements and the qualities of the contrasting ________ el em ents making u the lnbetween s ace.

]BETWEEN POLARITIES: Damietta Transport Cente

Arches and Collonade defining the presence and access of the building

Difference in scale of spaces to c'reate multiple experinces

Circulation through narrow paths between the solid volumes

Connecting afragmented city starts from analysing and responding to the physical and abstract qualities of the site that brings two contradicting stories to a appoint. The lines of movement on the site acts as an initial step in informing the project's agenda. These lines create an intersection that connects people from the Royal William Yard, North Stonehouse, and the city centre. This point helps to situate the program in order to reinforce the accessibility to the waterfront. In line with the building feeding of and into the public realm, the physical lines of the water boundary and the invisible line of the artsy activities from Union street subconsciously create a parallel 1oint of collision on the site that helps in bringing the war and arts topics to a point of dissolution

Shifting Territories: The Museum of Plymouth Blitz

MILLBAY PLYMOUTH

A museum and are centre is centred on celebrating the history of the community and its context. This is a program that educates people on their culture and improves their involvement in the arts. This proves to have a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the people. It feeds off from the existing practices that live in the community and aims to enhance the peoples' involvement. The program also looks to bring together the evident talents across the community to one place to give them a voice and platform to exhibits their works.

l\llikbp-"11:tmso-hs Sen 1WMlrC>1ulalcfl ,._.._fl:lgeuudtarurab1l'l!OOl'llliM 111t,-t11tacanet11111111ft1S...., i:llllll _. ludllfleidOJr-.lhe.ai

This was my first freelance project just after my part 1 education to provide a resolved design and visuals for his Project Management team in Nigeria. It was a 4-bed detached duplex located in the rural community of delta state. The main intention was to integrate local materials in modern day designs to create a connection between their cultural background and modern technologies. This project acted as a statement towards my personal practice future agenda.

This project exposed me to client consultation, what should be asked and what to bring to these meetings. In as much it was an unconventional method implemented, it revealed a better way to carry out the process. It also highlighted the mistakes that were made in aspects of RIBA work stages to plan the work as I was new to these stages.

Residential: The Delta House

DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The Barbican lacks a public realm that can house both the young and old together alongside an affordable and inclusive programme that promotes public interaction, as a result, the site is left underused and neglected by the residents around. This programme is a social location that provides employment and promotes the general wellbeing of the community through community engagement, empowerment, and ownership. This is achieved through introducing cafes, interactive workshop spaces, nursery, multiple purpose, and fitness studios.

mmerging Research Writing

Contemporary architecture is originated from the vernacular. The vernacular architecture is the traditional architecture modified by external forces such as colonisation. The values of the of the vernacular are also relevant to the contemporary through the traditional styles which are appreciated and identified by the people. The importance of cultural identity in architecture in Nigeria cannot be stressed enough as the country is known for its diversity in cultures, however, cannot be seen in its architectural style. This manifesto investigates the evolution of Nigerian architecture as practiced by the Hausas who have a significant climatic and religious behaviours and debates the relevance of cultural identity in the contemporary architecture It is seen in this manifesto, how the Hausa cultural identity has been completely diluted by the singular identity of the world influencing nations through technological advancements and is supported by various theorist w lieve the traditional style are orthodox an is incapable of solving present architectural problems. However, others argue that although the methods of the traditional architecture may be inefficient in the present time, the combination of the traditional and contemporary architecture will not only represent an urban style but also revive the lost cultural identity

PUBLIC SPACE AS A DRIVER FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION: Reconnecting through experience

HTCC601

WORD COUNT: 5324

Understanding the relevance of interacting with our cultural heritage in this modern day in order to continue to uphold and manage the values and traditions passed down to us from older generations is important to retain a sense of identity and place on the global scale. However, the relationship between people and their culture continues to disconnect in present times, resulting to social and physical defects in Stonehouse, Plymouth. With this view, this paper discusses the usage of the level of interaction with public spaces as a means to display and educate people about their cultural heritage. Thus, the question; how can experiencing public spaces be used as a tool towards cultural heritage conservation in Stonehouse in an attempt to improve the connection between people and their culture? Where the main argument is centred on the regeneration and experience of public spaces to further the interaction with our cultural heritage as an adequate method to improve the relationship between the people and their cultural heritage.

An observational and historical methods of research will be adapted to define the themes of this research which are cultural heritage conservation and public space experience. The observational research will make use of photographic tools to document the level of interaction in Victoria Park Stonehouse that reflect their cultural heritage While the historical research will make use of books and journals that reference the events and traditions that make up the heritage and how the connection has an impact on people and place. This work would contribute to discussions relating to what level should our cultural heritage be inputted into our daily lives and adapted in the design processes, the overall effects of culture and public spaces in people and place and the discussion around public space regeneration to increase activation and the image of the place.

Fieldwork Experience

Best Practice

CRITERIA COVERED

My undergraduate experience developed rcy ability to create architectural designs by adapting contextual research of sites covering socio-cultural, ecological and political Iactors in a brief development process through urban scale projects that efficiently responded to site context matters in accordance to the ARB General Criteria; GC1, GC2, GC5 and GC7. (Architects Registration Board, 2010)

During my part 2 education, I hope to refine my approach to design and brief developments by further infusing theoretical discusses in my design process, influenced by the past and present qualities which would be reflected in my level of professionalism in approaching design jobs which are reflected in the ARB Criteria: GC3, GC4 and GC6. (Architects Registration Board, 2010)

At the end of rcy part 2, the intention is to be gain a better understanding of the technical report in order to produce a better-qua! ity prescription information building manual for construction and further develop rcy Iamil iarisati on with the building regulations and a background kn owl edge of the legal responsibilities and professionalism expected from an architect in reference to the ARB general criteria!; GC8, GC9, GC10 and GC11.

(Architects Registration Board, 201 0)

KNOWLEDGE GAP 05 06 07

PREPARE FOR PART 3

In order to tackle the knowledge gap in preparation Ior part 3, I hope to improve the level of my professionalism through continuous practice work in aspects of its ethics, my responsibilities in the office and relationship with the client consultation and recording al I progresses throughout a project. Also, through shadowing a licenced architect as a mentor in practice, I hope to get Iamil iar with the ranges of services and I could render as a Iicenced architect, the Iegal systems and Iegi slati ons that guide these services and an overall understanding in the management and control of running an office which would be useful in the future as I hope to run rcy practice after gaining my qual iii cation. (ARB Criteria at Part 3; PC1, PC2 and PC3) (Architects Registration Board., 2010)