MARY ONAJI
PART II ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE REPORT 10596125 ARCH 755
WORK EXPERIENCE Joste Care April 2021– Present Support Carer Providing care for dementia and end of life residents
Freelance
June 2020 - Present Architectural Designer I am practicing under my private practice Producing resolved design drawings and visuals
ONAJI UKWUN-ATABUCHI MARY PART II ARCHITECT 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. 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 users.
The Building Practice Lagos, Nigeria June – July 2019 Internship Architect Shadowing project architect Site meetings and recordings Site inspection in absence of Project architect Client Consultation
Babawok Bretonside, Plymouth England Feb - April 2019: Customer Assistant Waiting on customers Organisation orders Chef Assistant
Dartington Estate, Totnes, England March 2019 Wood Work
+447367523923, +2348175675876 marys.architecture@yahoo.com https://www.instagram.com/marys_architecture/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-onaji-769463175/
Site Work Woodwork fabrication Construction of shelter
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)
PROFICIENCY 3D Modelling
Horatio Limited Gbagada, Lagos Nigeria. Dec - Jan 2017 Internship Architectuaral Assistant Shadowing Project Architect Introduction to Construction of framework on site
Rendering
Presentaion
CONTENTS
Biography Bibliographical Timeline Fieldwork Experience Professional Practice Reflection Hustlers in the City Centre The Delta House Museum of the Plymouth Blitz Reflection and Best Practice Matrix Plan of Work Timeline Appendix Bibliography
BIOGRAPHY
My designs are 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. Inclusivity and participatory designs are primary in my design approach which tackles the socio-cultural and ecological issues. My conceptual approach responds to how users undergo an embodied experience of their spaces which is vital in forming a connection between these spaces. My professional ambition is projected towards establishing a practice that is centred around cultural conservation and connecting spaces to create an embodied experience for the users. MO Designs would be a practice that is specialised in using locally sourced material to create designs that compliment, as well as form a contrasting dialogue with the existing contexts. The end goal would be to successfully gain planning permits through our services of creating design, visuals and property development opportunities. In order to achieve this goal, in the process of gaining more experience under a mentor who shares a common agenda, I am taking small scale projects to practice the lessons I learn from my mentor on how to run an efficient project and take it up to planning. Having done research on local architects in the Southwest, I am interested in working with Woodford Architects who have undergone a similar pathway and agenda of gaining experience from outstanding architectural practices. Furthered into creating a working language that consistently references the existing context, connecting to the past, as a result, their architecture is impactful to the users as well as complimentary. “Today, supported by a brilliant team of architects, architectural technologists and interior designers, the practice has become known for its quality of service and the timeless architecture and interiors we create.” (Gavin and Sarah)
The Reinvention of the shaduf system: An Urban strategy for the connection and and inabitation of gaps in the informal settlement to the River Nile in Damietta
BIOGRAPHICAL TIMELINE
HUSTLERS IN THE CITY CENTER
PLYMOUTH BLITZ MUSEUM
BARBICAN COMMUNITY CENTER
WEST HOE ENRICHED LIVING
The timeline shows the development of my architectural agenda through my educational and freelance projects so far.
VICTORIA PARK WORKSHOP
DELTA HOUSE
DARTINGTON RESEARCH CENTER VICTORIA URBAN FARM
2017
COMMUNITY
CONNECTION
HYBRIDIZATION
2022
FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE They highlight my experience in site visits and trips to in the brief developmeny process and my participation in the construction stage.
Fieldwork in Dartington: As a second-year student, I took part in the construction process of a shelter for the Dartington Trust designed by the third years.
Study trips: Precedents observation in sketches during a site trip to Spain to gain inspiration for my design concepts.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE REFLECTION
BA EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH Dartington Research Center West Hoe Enhanced Living
Hustlers in the City Center Victoria Urban Farm Victoria Park Workshop Barbican Community Center
FREELANCE
NIGERIA The Delta House
MArch EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH Plymouth Blitz Museum
With lack of experience this report will be used as a tool to express my experience so far in reference to the RIBA stages to reveal my present qualities and identify the next steps in my architecture journey towards becoming a licenced architect.
Overview:
This project was an academic project mainly centred on the refabrication and reviving the night life in the city centre. The main issue was the lack of activation in the city centre after 6pm when all the offices and shops had closed. The approach was focused on reusing the existing structures which are dated back to the post WWII. Hence, an activity that continued after “the city went to sleep” (Local resident, 2019) as introduced to keep the city centre active at later hours. I carried out RIBA work stages 0-3 in this project.
Responsibilities:
Project Introduction and Site Surveys: After receiving the brief, the project started with a trip to Amsterdam to study the works of Aldo Van Eyck. Where I documented multiple ways of material fabrication and adaptation through sketched and photographs, and the timelessness of the streets which was contrasting to the Plymouth City Centre. The study trip report revealed a series of inquiry and research that could enhance the strategic pathway of the project brief. This was followed by a visit to the site to further understand its qualities which revealed certain restrictions with working with an existing building with minimum demolition. “…stage 0 is about gleaning Feedback from previous similar projects and gathering insight from Project Stakeholders, making sure that lessons are learned. Knowledge gained in this way can help the briefing process, improve design quality and make the building perform better.” (RIBA Plan of work,2020)
Infusing the new programme in existing structure
Concept: Refrabrication of the existing concrete building retail stores for different programmes.
Project Brief and Architectural Concept: The brief development process highlighted the need for maximum privacy of the program as it is perceived as socially provocative in the society, which ended the stage one phase. As a retrofit project, the focus was on how the forms could be manipulated without losing its structural strength, hence, a series of testing were done that revealed the ability of concrete to undergo multiple forms and conditions that were adapted spatially to achieve certain levels of privacy through model making. “Feasibility studies are carried out as part of the briefing process to verify whether a site can accommodate the client’s needs, or to test a particular aspect of the brief, allowing the brief to be honed as required” (RIBA Plan of work,2020) Spatial Coordination: The series of the spatial iterations were centred on how the privacy issues could be tackled without completely shielding the liveliness from the street using multiple concrete manipulation that were presented digitally.
Skills Developed:
This was my first attempt to work with an existing structure which helped develop an experience in working with and around the restrictions that come with it. It required making a digital model of the existing buildings which as a second-year undergraduate student, improved my skills in Revit to acquire perspective information for the redesign.
Project: Hustlers in the City Centre Location: Plymouth City Centre, England ARC504A Design Praxis Gaining inspiration from precedents in a study trip to Amsterdam.
Final resolved perspective of the retail shops repurposed into a casino and strip club.
“The character of an area must be respected, and care taken to ensure that standard designs are not imposed on areas, or even individual streets, with distinct architectural, historic or social character. The Council will expect corporate images to be adapted and modified to suit each particular location and will refuse proposals which seek to impose a standard, corporate solution at the expense of distinctive local characteristics”. (Plymouth development Guidelines, 2013)
Overview:
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.
Responsibilities:
Client and Site Survey: As it was my first encounter with a client, it was an initial learning curve for me. The first consultation meeting was over zoom due to long distance and a lockdown. Here the client stated his basic interests through photos off Pinterest and houses in his neighbourhood. Afterwards, I drafted the brief and sent it via email back to the client to confirm every detail. There was no opportunity to visit the site, so all site information were generated through google maps and site photos from the client.
Floor Plan in site context
“The preliminary inquiry aims to establish mutual trust through consultation with the client whose objectives for the project should be explored. The architect will tease out a brief if it is not forthcoming. It is important to get the client to vocalise their aspirations, identify a level of quality, and test out their vision with the expressed …” (Emmett, 2022) Project Brief: This client was quite disconnected with his commitment to the project after the first consultation which brough the project to a pause. After several weeks of no communication a second consultation was held where all the requirements and cost were confirmed. “Your client must be given the opportunity to consider your approach to the problems and their commitment after these meetings.” (Emmett, 2022) Architectural Concept: The concept was centred around hybridizing the local and modern materials to create an interesting dialogue in the façade. Also, lines created from the lines of movement on the site to create a connection from one point to the other which the client found interesting. This concept was confirmed by the client via emails, although the response from the client was quite slow, confirmation was sought before any progress in the project. “Evaluate Site Information to date the historic fabric and identify sensitivity, significance, condition and threats.” (RIBA Plan of work,2020) Spatial Coordination: The spaces were formed separating the public and private spaces on the east and west sides of the building while centralising the communal areas and accesses. When the final design was completed, a document complied in a PDF document with my logo on each page and sent via email to the client which concluded my services.
Project: Delta House Location: Asaba, Nigeria Freelance Project
It is important for an architect to give PDF copies of the drawings to retain ownership of their work in an editable format.
Skills Developed: Final rendered Perspectives
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.
Overview:
This project was my first in my master education. It was a project centred on creating a experiential journey through the history and arts around the Plymouth WWII events. The building aimed to create multiple haptic and sensual journey from one access point to the other connecting Stonehouse Union Street to the Millbay waterfront development. Technical report highlighting the construction, structural, environmental and material strategies was drafted for this project.
Responsibilities:
Building the concept of lines on the site
Material Transportation to the Site
Project Introduction and Site surveys: An overview covering the project intentions on shifting territories which is in Stonehouse. It was a three-part intervention on a masterplan what was focused on the forces of attraction from the North Stonehouse to the Millbay waterfront. Hence this project acted as a threshold in this journey. In the process of making the specific brief, multiple site visits were made to review the online research that was made on the site and the community around. Project Brief and Architectural Concept: The brief development was finalised after establishing the SWOT of the site to identify the functionality and end users of the building. The main concept to achieve a successful scheme included a building acting as threshold and destination for the residents and tourists was tested through multiple workshops that revealed various opportunities. Spatial Coordination: As the circulation was the most important part of the building to achieve this scheme, all spaces were centred on the line of the expedition hallways. Technical Design: This project required a technical report which was focused on the exterior wall constituents and how the materials came together. It included mapping out the transportation and fabrication of materials and construction timeline from setting up a site compound to exterior finishing and landscaping. This document could be used as a descriptive manual for the subcontractors who take up the project in a traditional procurement contract and sometimes in design and build. Prescriptive Information can be used for construction purposes, with Descriptive Information issued where a specialist subcontractor will design a Building System for manufacturing and/or construction……… However, a client on a design and build project may wish the design team’s information to be as prescriptive as possible, keeping the need for specialist subcontractor design of Building Systems to a minimum. (RIBA Plan of work, 2020) This document states the circulation, structural, environmental strategies and building performances in compliance with the approved document M, K, B, L2A and C which is important in the building regulation application process.
Project: Museum of the Plymouth Blitz Location: Plymouth City Centre, England ARCH 652A Detailed Design
A Building Regulations Application should be made during Stage 4, before work commences on site. It will also be necessary to discharge any pre-commencement Planning Conditions. (RIBA Plan of work, 2020)
Skills Developed:
Drafting a technical report helped refine my skills in structural and construction detailing as well as my familiarisation with the building regulations.
Final rendered Perspectives
CRITERIA COVERED
RIBA WORK STAGES
PROJECT 0
01
02
03
04
KNOWLEDGE GAP 05
06
PREPARE FOR PART 3
REFLECTION AND BEST PRACTICE
07
FULL PLANNING APPLICATION
HUSTLERS IN THE CITY CENTER
DELTA HOUSE
PLYMOUTH BLITZ MUSEUM
My undergraduate experience developed my ability to create architectural designs by adapting contextual research of sites covering socio-cultural, ecological and political factors 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 my part 2, the intention is to be gain a better understanding of the technical report in order to produce a better-quality prescription information building manual for construction and further develop my familiarisation with the building regulations and a background knowledge of the legal responsibilities and professionalism expected from an architect in reference to the ARB general criterial; GC8, GC9, GC10 and GC11. (Architects Registration Board, 2010)
In order to tackle the knowledge gap in preparation for 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 all progresses throughout a project. Also, through shadowing a licenced architect as a mentor in practice, I hope to get familiar with the ranges of services and I could render as a licenced architect, the legal systems and legislations 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 my practice after gaining my qualification. (ARB Criteria at Part 3; PC1, PC2 and PC3) (Architects Registration Board., 2010)
My professional experience has bought me up to stage 4 of the RIBA plan of work, however they are mostly academic projects, so I hope to join a practice that would further my experience in preparation for my Part 3 in several years.
STAGES 0-3
STAGES 0-3
STAGES 0-3
STAGES 0-4
Project Description: Local research centre for history and cultural heritage in Dartington.
Project Description: An urban farm connecting the north and south communities around Victoria Park.
Project Description: Community centre connecting the Vauxhall community to the Sutton harbour waterfront that was made public in the urban strategy
Date: 2017
Project Description: A proposal to break the social stigma to strip clubs and casinos by infusing the program in the Plymouth city centre by the reusing and refabricating the existing commercial blocks.
Project Role: Undergraduate Student
Date: 2019
Project Role: Undergraduate Student
Project Duties: Site survey and analysis, platform design for sea level rise and design and draw proposal based on the site analysis.
Project Role: Undergraduate Student
Project Duties: Site analysis, creating a design scheme and proposal to fit the program and detailed design and visuals.
Project Outcomes: Using site analysis to inform design and using new media to collate site analysis.
Project Duties: Site Analysis and visit to apply the knowledge from the study trip, create a resolved design scheme by using an existing building, critically analyse the qualities of concrete. Outcomes Being able to work with social and site Project Outcomes: constraints such as existing structures, fully resolved design
Date: 2019
Project Outcomes: Detailed resolved scheme in relation to the existing context. Creating a series of shading system for an interior aquaponics system. Understood the complete process involved in food production from planting to packaging.
MATRIX
Professional and Digital Skills
Future Plans
Date: 2020 Project Role: Undergraduate Student Project Duties: Site Analysis and visit to apply the knowledge from the study trip to Spain, create a resolved design scheme by using an existing building, reusing material and applying site local qualities to the design scheme.
2022
Project Outcomes: Technical detailing and study on timber structure and brick façade, fully resolved design drawing
2023 STAGES 0-3
Stage 1-2
STAGES 0-3
STAGES 0-4
Project Description: Independent living for the elderly on the West side of Plymouth Hoe
Project Description: Creating a small buildable scale of the Victoria urban farm proposal for the Plymouth Council.
Project Description: Four bed detached residential building in delta state, Nigeria.
Date: 2018
Date: 2019
Date: 2020
Project Description: A connective expedition that serves a threshold to the Millbay waterfront development. A museum project that connects the north Stonehouse to Millbay while displaying events and arts from the WWII.
Project Role: Undergraduate Student Project Duties: Site analysis, creating a design scheme and proposal to fit the program and detailed design and visuals.
Project Role: Undergraduate Student
Project Rol
Date: 2021
C Project Duties: Creating a timeline and feasibility study of a large-scale project, consultation with the Plymouth council, publishing the proposal on social media to create awareness on the future park’s accelerator project.
e: Architectural Designer
Project Role: Postgraduate Student
Project Duties: Site analysis, brief development, produce a detailed and resolved design scheme to be submitted for planning in Nigeria.
Project Duties: Site Analysis and visit, create a resolved design scheme, reusing material and applying site local qualities to the design scheme, technical detail report
Project Outcomes: Detailed drawings and renders, support client to create an informed brief, working under the
Project Outcomes: Technical detailing and study on timber structure and stone façade, fully resolved design drawing and visuals.
Project Outcomes: Learnt to use Revit software to produces drawings and visuals, detailed resolved scheme in relation to the retaining wall and view of the sea.
Project Outcomes: Producing a detailed feasibility study for real clients after a consultation and detailed site analysis.
2025
Professional Skills to Develop
- Client Consultation -Reviewal of Procurement Route -Preparation for Planning Permission -Tender Documentation
2030
After completing my part 2 education, I plan to rebrand my freelance practice to reflect the knowledge from MArch and acquire a plot of land in Abuja, Nigeria while looking for a job. Having had no working experience in the UK, finding a practice that is ready to help me gain a better understanding of the sector from the RIBA stage 0 is most primary.
With hopes of settling in the right practice that I fit in and improving my architectural knowledge in the RIBA stage 0-2, I can successfully take up more roles in the Stages 3-4 as a qualified part 2 architectural assistant. As a freelancer, I hope to continue to advertise my services and grow my work through Instagram and my website. MO Designs should have acquired several plots of land in Nigeria that should gain value for the purpose of reselling. This is a business strategy to generate some capital for property development service. While in the UK, I hope to begin my part 3 in the University of West England. By 2030, I hope to have gained my licence with the RIBA, and established MO Designs as a registered practice of registered architects and developers that successfully gain planning permits for our clients.
PLAN OF WORK TIMELINE RIBA Stages to Learn
In a traditional JCT Contract for MO Designs
HUSTLERS IN THE CITY CENTER
VICTORIA URBAN FARM
5 Project tender meetings and documentation, responsibility for site queries and meetings, reporting construction development and compilation of a building manual. 6 Completion and Handover to client, post 12 months Practical completion Certification and Aftercare in verifying project performance feedback is received. 7 Performance feedback for improvement, post occupancy evaluation and continuous maintenance to enable building function and implement improvement in future projects.
PLYMOUTH BLITZ MUSEUM
7 6 0 5
WEST HOE ENRICHED LIVING VICTORIA PARK WORKSHOP
1 4
2 3 BARBICAN COMMUNITY CENTER DARTINGTON RESEARCH CENTER
DELTA HOUSE
RIBA Stage 0-3
RIBA Stage 0-4
Professional Knowledge
-0 Site survey and Potential Users Survey -1 Briefing Document Development and Feasibility Appraisal -2 Approved architectural concepts: Design workshops to develop the concept -3 Testing the architectural concept through plans and sections -4 Technical design information: creating the relevant information required to construct and manufacture in a TECH module
APPENDIX
1 WORKSHOP STUDIO 2 LIBRARY 3 SERVICES 4 NURSERY 5 LOBBY 6 CAFE 7 MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL ROOM 8 SITTING AREA 9 PLAYGROUND 10 KITCHEN
Project Description: This proposal aimed towards connecting the private community of Vauxhall to the Barbican harbour as is was secluded and privatised. The masterplan proposed for the harbour provided a public access to the barbican and a closer interaction with the water. A series of commercial activities to provide socialisation along the waterside. Hence this project created a gateway to these destination harbour. It tackled the issue of a privatised spaces that had an opportunity to improve the general wellbeing of the users and segregation between the higher and lower class.
4
2 8 5
A
A
3 1
7 6
How the project was carried out (what I did):
10
B
Client Brief: The development of the brief began with a study trip to Spain that informed the idea of connecting spaces to destinations or building acting as a gateway as illustrated in the Plaza Manor. Hence, after a site SWOT after the trip, it was deduced that the spaces around the harbour were serving a specific demographic which resulted to lack of interaction on the site. Site Visits: The site visits were approached at different times on the day to understand how the site was used and how the initial deductions could work on the site.
Floor Plan in site context
Azonometric View showing structural qualities
Project Brief: After concluding site visits and analysis, the brief was made to cater for all demographics while creating a space that broke the social barriers that treated everyone equally. Architectural Concept: The main concept toa achieve a successful scheme included a building acting as threshold and destination for the residents and tourists. It involved creating layers of different spatial qualities in lighting and function to create a continual and interactive journey from one access to the next. Spatial Coordination: The building took the geometry of the site with the access directed towards an unobstructed path to the barbican, framing a viewpoint and uninterrupted circulation to the water.
Fibreglass Insulation
Project 1: Barbican Community Centre Location: Sutton Harbour, Plymouth DESN602 Civic Matters
Plywood sheating
Technical Design: This project required a technical report which was focused on wall make up as the demolition materials were fabricated and the use of local materials of stone and brick were used for both interior and exterior facades.
Ash wood
Breather Membrane
Battens
High performance partial fill
Gypsum plastering
Unventilated Airspace cavity Exposed Bricks
Exterior floor build-up
Final interior visual
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Architects Registration Board, 2010. ARB Criteria at Part 3. London: Architects Registration Board, pp.4-7. Architects Registration Board., 2010. ARB Criteria at Part 1 and 2. London: Architects Registration Board., pp.4-7. Emmett, M., 2022. Client Users Interaction. Emmett, M., 2022. The Role of the Architect. Plymouth City Council, 2013. Plymouth Development Guidelines. Plymouth: Plymouth City Council, p.69. Royal Institute of British Architects, 2020. RIBA Plan of Work. London,: RIBA, pp.21-69.