Megan Sousa Architecture Portfolio | University of Waterloo School of Architecture by Megan Sousa

Hey there,

I am currently a third year student studying at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. I have always been interested in exploring new and innovative approaches to both architecture and construction. Sustainable materiality approaches, kit of parts construction, and blurring the borders between natural and built environments have been topics that i have found myself interested in as of recently. My favourite things are my Creative Cloud subscription, and adding an absurd amount of scale figs in my drawings. To me, Architecture is the crossroads between creativity and critical thinking - two of what I believe to be my strongest facets in a skillset. I am someone who is always eager to learn, passionate, and driven to achieve my goals. This portfolio is a curation of my personal and academic work.

+36 (347) 472 4654 megansousa08@gmail.com @studio_mousa

Table of Contents

Blocks For Blockline 8 Where are the crossroads between affordable housing and construction?

Form Follows Fungus 20 How do we make the vertical city sustainable?

The Checkpoint 28 How does a rest-stop become an experience?

The Creation Station 34 How do we make a library a creative hub?

Extra Drawings/Work Samples 40 Some spare drawings.

Re:

Megan Sousa Letter of Recommendation

10.2.23

To whom it may concern, It is with tremendous pleasure that I recommend Megan Sousa to work are your firm. She is energetic, enthusiastic, smart and an excellent communicator. We loved having her at our office and are confident that Re:she can Megan Letter of Recommendation bringSousa value to any environment. Megan worked with us for four months from May through August of 2023. During her time with us, she successfully developed working drawings, management sets, and iterative visualization packages for clients To whom it may concern, primarily using Revit, Photoshop, and Enscape. She immediately earned our trust and was able to work with clients and contractors directly to develop projects. It is with tremendous pleasure that I recommend Megan Sousa to work are your firm. She is energetic, enthusiastic, smart and anmaterials excellentfor communicator. Weinloved having her atand ourregularly office and that She always prepared client meetings a timely fashion ledare theconfident presentations. sheShe can was bringreadily value to any environment. prepared to lead client meetings when necessary and was more than eager to aid in the design process both with the client as well as with myself. To summarize, she did far more than her job Megan worked and with she us for four months Maythat through August of 2023. During her time with us, she description always rose to from any task she was given. successfully developed working drawings, management sets, and iterative visualization packages for clients primarily using Revit, Photoshop, and Enscape. She immediately earned our trust and was able to work with clients andhope contractors develop projects. and if you have any questions or need further information, I truly you will directly considertoher for employment please do not hesitate to contact. She always prepared materials for client meetings in a timely fashion and regularly led the presentations. She was readily prepared to lead client meetings when necessary and was more than eager to aid in the design process both with the client as well as with myself. To summarize, she did far more than her job description and she always rose to any task that she was given. I truly hope you will consider her for employment and if you have any questions or need further information, Sincerely, please do not hesitate to contact.

Mark Bearak, Registered Architect dtls.ARCHITECTURE Sincerely,

Mark Bearak, Registered Architect dtls.ARCHITECTURE

325 W 38th St, Suite 701 New York, NY 10018

info@dtlsarc.com 212-321-0101

Curriculum Vitae summary of qualifications Strong Visualization skills developed through 3D modelling, personal ventures into rendering, and 7 years experience in the adobe suite Strong communication and teamwork skills developed through group projects, extracurricular endeavours, and paced paces job experience

experience 09/2023 Present

AAHA, VENICE BIENNALE //Student Designer/Researcher, Canadian Pavilion, Venice, ITL //Collaborated with existing architects/advocates/activists of AAHA to further the development of the Canadian exhibition at the Bienale //Continued existing research and design specifically attributed to Mutual-aid Housing and Collective Housing alongside architects in collaboration with AAHA

05/2023 08/2023

DTLS. ARCHITECTURE //Architectural Intern, New York City, NY //Prepared working drawings, management sets, and DOB submissions primarily in Revit for both existing clients and new. //Designed preliminary concepts + detailed designs, lead client meetings, and prepared client presentations. //Worked in historic districts of New York City, adapting historic buildings and brownstones for the modern day

09/2022 12/2022

DBDBDB //Architectural Intern, Toronto, ON //Prepared iterative visualizations for clients in photoshop and aided in the design process //Prepared working drawings and construction schedules in Revit //Took part in client meetings and took formal minutes

02/2022 Present

PDDA LTD. //Contract Rendering + 3D Modelling, Remote //Prepared 3D models from existing working drawings //prepared presentation renders and handled post-production

01/2022 04/2022

REFLECT ARCHITECTURE //Architectural Intern, Toronto, ON //Prepared working iterative 3D models utilizing Rhino and Enscape //Aided in primary design and conceptual development

education 07/2020 Present

UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE //Candidate for Bachelor’s of Architecture Studies

distinctions 04/2023

07/2022

skills VENICE BIENNALE - CANADIAN PAVILLION //One of 15 students selected to aid in the conceptual development with

MODELLING/ DRAFTING

AAHA on the Canadian pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture

Rhinocerous 3D

BUILDNER SKYHIVE EDITION #5 COMPETITION //Entry Shortlisted

04/2022

PROJECT FEATURE //Second year final project features on Waterloo Architecture Instagram

10/2021

FRANCES ROUGIERE INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION //1 of 10 finalists from roughly 1000 project submissions

12/2020

PROJECT FEATURE //First year final project features on Waterloo Architecture Instagram

12/202001/2023 09/2020

EXCELLENT ACADEMIC STANDING //Overall cumulative undergraduate average above 80%

PRESIDENTS SCHOLARSHIP //Entry scholarship for the University of Waterloo

11/2020

LORAN AWARD SEMI-FINALIST

Revit Sketchup Autocad 3DS Max

RENDERING Corona Twinmotion Lumion Enscape Vray D5

ANALOGUE 3D Printing Woodworking CNC Laser Cutting Model Making

//One of roughly 300 semi-finalists of 100,000 applications for the national Loran Award

06/2019

ONTARIO SKILLS COMPETITION - ARCHITECTURE //Placed first regionally and fourteenth provincially, competed using Revit.

OTHER SKILLS Adobe Suite Visual Arts

How do we design affordable housing through innovative construction techniques?

Blocks for Blockline Date: April 2023 Project: Affordable Housing/Transit Oriented Development Program: Mid-rise, Multi-Demographic Housing Organized by: David Fortin

“Blocks for Blockline” focuses on the failings of current housing markets and the resulting lack of social diversity and interdependance between different social settings. The solution the project focuses on is igniting social changes through adressing the necessity of commercial streetlife, as well as the interconnection of it’s tenants, and their overall comfortability in high density settings. The move from surrounding low rise single family housing to high rise density projects is challenged by the hesitancy of existing families to move the familiar layout of two floor residences with the strict change of public to private being the stairs. Blocks for Blockline adapts the dual floor house into a high rise format, still allowing for that familiar distinction between spaces, and leaving 50% of units single-floor and accessible for demographics with other needs The project creates community through vastly different unit typologies and demographics, resulting in a rich connection between social groups and encouraging chance encounters between residents in the various shared public spaces designed to ignite exactly this type of change and decolonize the spatial.

BLOCKS FOR BLOCKLINE_ Arch 392 Design Studio | 2023

Next Stop, Blockline Station Kitchener, ON, Blockline Station

One of the other large ideas of the project which aimed to tackle the typical housing complex was the use of the “flex space”, being able to utilize these spaces to adapt to an ever changing urban climate. While one flex space could be used to adapt to a growing family in the building who needs an extra room or two, another could be used for an artists residence, and another, a coworking space. The commercial aspect of the building is meant to serve as a hub drawing the community in, and activating the underused side of the main street, in order to create a lively streetscape on either ends of the street.

How do we build this?

1. Prefabbed modules and kit of parts are sent from nearby manufacturing plant to site

2. Central node is connected to steel connection plate

3. Nodes are connected to CLT beam via mortise and tenon connection

4. Connected beam members connect to perpindicular CLT beams with floor panel

5. Both 4m CLT squares are connected veritcally to beams via mortise and tenon connection

6. The volumetric module is ready to connect with its neighbors via nodeto-node steel connection

Simply disassemble and remove steel connections and nodes to obtain some reusable, connection-free lumber. Alternatively, remove those single bolts and use those blocks for something entirely new! 7. The module is lifted into place and connected to it’s neighbors

BLOCKS FOR BLOCKLINE_ Arch 392 Design Studio | 2023

Prefabricated Module Types The “Blocks” 4m x 4m

Skylight Block

Balcony Block Type 1

Used to let light in to accessible single floor units from above

Balcony with no second floor connection

Balcony Block Type 2

Balcony Block Type 3

Balcony with upper balcony connection

Upper balcony connection

Bedroom Block Type 1

Bedroom Block Type 2

For bedrooms with balcony connections

For bedrooms with no balcony connections

Bathroom/Linen Closet Block

Kitchen Block

Full Bathroom with a closet, with a linen closet in the hallway

Prefabricated “Blocks” are fit in between empty blocks to create apartments of unique shapes and sizes in order to accomodate to the building’s unique residents

Kitchen with hallway connection

Maria, 25,

is a young professional

She appreciates the proximity to the train station and quick commutes to her place of employment. As a young professional seeking connections, she enjoys the sense of community through various community spaces in her complex

Plan, 1f

The Park family,

is a blended multigenerational family

They appreciate the flexible living spaces and the multiple kitchens which allow each subsection of the family to live in harmony.

Plan, 1f

Carlos, 38,

and his partner, both work their own small businesses in the adjacent market

Plan, 2f

They appreciate a single floor apartment with plenty of natural light and double height spaces. The market just below the building makes it very easy to get to and from their point-of-sale.

Plan, 1f

BLOCKS FOR BLOCKLINE_ Arch 392 Design Studio | 2023

1f Plan

2f Plan

Skip-Step Corridors

Although the building has 6 residential floors, there are only 3 floors with corridors. 50 percent of the buildings units are fully accessible, one-floor units, with the other units being dual floor homes, allowing families in those units to still have the familiar feeling of a multi-storey home in an apartment context. The second floor also allows for the use of skylighting to provide accessible one-floor units with an adequate amount of daylighting from both sides of the unit.

Flex space:

Flexible residential/shared space, adaptable over time

FLEX SPACE

Type a:

FLEX SPACE

Fully accessible, single-floor units with skylighting

Type 1:

Residential, dual-floor unit FLEX SPACE

Type 2:

Residential, dual-floor unit

As the building is terraced, having less occupiable floor area as the storeys increase, the units accommodate smaller parties (1-2 bed), increaing the diversity in unit sizes.

BLOCKS FOR BLOCKLINE_ Arch 392 Design Studio | 2023

Details, Module Connection Detail

Systems, Passive Heating/Cooling Systems

BLOCKS FOR BLOCKLINE_ Arch 392 Design Studio | 2023

How do we make the vertical city sustainable?

Form Follows Fungus Project: Skyhive Edition No.5 Program: Residential/Commercial Skyscraper Organized by: Buildner In Collaboration With: Avina Gonen, Soeun Park, Grace Liang Form Follows Fungus is a proposed high-rise which aims to address a number of Toronto’s housing needs, as well as explore ideas of ecology in the context of skyscraper design. Designed to loosely resemble a tree trunk sprouting mushrooms, the project employs the system of fungi-shaped planting terraces to filter the tower’s greywater and use it to humidify the “core”, where mycelium, the precursor to fungi, can be cultivated quickly and harvested to support the building’s mechanical systems. Mycelium is used in both dried and living form as a low-cost, and highly sustainable insulation method, cladding method, and as an asset for export by the building to offset living costs and keep units affordable. The tower is located at the major downtown intersection of Bloor St. and Spadina Ave. and a walk away from the University of Toronto campus, making it an ideal location for students and adults entering the workforce. Form Follows Fungus’ program is divided into four components: retail and office spaces, student living, single and double-rooms, and resident amenities.

FORM FOLLOWS FUNGUS_ Skyhive Edition No. 5 | 2022

Systems, Graywater filtration system, and “grow core” systems

Mycelium growth + Harvest process

1. Sterilized soil mix and saw dust innoculated into mushroom

4a. Mycelium composite then packed into humidity controlled panels to use as living insulation

2. Inncoculated medium incubated for 14 days

3. Mycelium composite harvested and dried (harvested for living, both for dead)

4b. Medium poured into 5. Panels are demoulded panel units

6. Chitin fuses to form tough building ready material (ready-to-use)

The Mycelium is grown in the core in order to utilize the harvest to not only create materials used to keep the building in a state of constant recovery. The mycelium is used in the building as cladding, insulation, and a building export to offset cost of living creating an affordable housing solution that is also able to grow with itself.

Systems, Passive Heating/Cooling Systems

FORM FOLLOWS FUNGUS_ Skyhive Edition No. 5 | 2022

Graywater Filtration In order to support the growth of the mycelium in the tower’s core, a graywater filtration system is used in order to preserve water usage and humidify planting beds for optimal growing conditions. The graywater is drained from rooms in the building and filtered through the green terraces on the exterior. Filtered water is stored in a tank and circulated to the core through humidifiers.

morphology

Details, Greywater filtration + terrace connection detail

Construction The central growth core utilizes double stud wall construction in order to optimize insulation at a relatively low cost in order to keep the core warm.

Details, Growth core construction detail

FORM FOLLOWS FUNGUS_ Skyhive Edition No. 5 | 2022

How does a rest-stop become an experience?

The Checkpoint Project: Ryterna Modul Challenge 2022 Program: Bicycle Tourism Complex Organized by: Ryterna Modul In Collaboration With: Isabella Radusinovic

Located in the hills of Tarvisio, a small town in the province of Udine, Italy ,lies The Checkpoint. The Checkpoint, located along the popular Ciclovia Alpe-Adria Radweg cycling trail, a 447 km trail from Salzburg, Austria to Grado, Italy, is the perfect stopover for any cyclist. As well as being surrounded by many local bike trails in the nearby towns, as well as the popular tourist destination of Pontebba, Italy, the complex offers many things to explore for any would-be guest. The complex provides adept cyclists with the option to use the building as a quick stopover to grab a snack and observe the alps, or to stay a while and rest before continuing their journey. The building features an open concept cafe and kitchen with both indoor dining by a framed view of the alps, or outdoor dining on the piazza. Walkable green roofs aim to embed the building in the landscape, and the allow for as minimal interruption in the landscape as possible and to attempt to have the building blend into the hills. The building’s form follows an emphasis on framing and enhancing views of the surrounding alps, having two main masses stretch out towards the landscape. The Checkpoint aims to serve the rapidly growing cyclist population in Italy and the surrounding area, and to exist as not merely just a stopover, but an experience which enhances the surrounding landscape

THE CHECKPOINT_ Ryterna Modul Challenge | 2022

Orthographics, 1F plan

Orthographics, 2F plan

The Single located in the hostel comfortably sleeps one person, while still allowing for plenty storage space, cozy aesthetics, and stunning views of the surrounding alps. Sliding doors allow for privacy when needed and can be fully opened to establish familiarity and community between the temporary residents. All units are located on the perimiter of a communal area lying right under a large skylight allowing natural light to comfortably penetrate the area

Views, The piazza + cafe

The Double

located in the private wing, the double houses two full beds as well as a smaller daybed, comfortably sleeping 1-4 people. Complete with a kitchenette, bathroom, bike storage, and lounge area, the room comfortable houses temporary residents for the entirety of their stay

THE CHECKPOINT_ Ryterna Modul Challenge | 2022

How does a library become a creative hub?

The Creation Station Project: Library Program: Music library + Adaptive reuse Organized by: Buildner Supervised by:: Cameron Parkin

Located off of the Don River on Queen St. and Davies Ave. in Toronto, Ontario, The Creation Station acts as a creative refuge for the youth of the area, offering the means to learn and create music to those who otherwise do not have the means themselves. Unlike traditional libraries, The Creation Station offers catalogues of vinyl records, cd’s and sheet music opposed to traditional book stacks. The Library is organized in section to circulate around the experiences of learning, creating, and applying, guiding the occupant through a musical experience as they circulate the library. Various informal “jam” spaces occupy the library to inspire the environment of creation and expression, as well as an outdoor amphitheatre-esque performance space, for youth to showcase their talent, adjacent to the library’s cafe.

THE CREATION STATION_ Arch 193 Design Studio | 2021

Views, Second Flo

oor Listening Room

The Facade Inspired by harmonic curves, the wooden facade reiterates both the musical thesis as well as well as the sectional representation of the building’s program. The harmonic curves climb the building and reach toward the performance area, demonstrating the programmic transitions of the occupant.

Details, Facade

Soundproofing Soundproof rooms in the building has been constructed using double stud construction, with an extra layer of fibreglass batt insulation between the two walls.

Details, Soundproofing

Some of my favourite visuals

Extra Drawings 2020-Present

Superseclusion, An abstract pavilion 2021

EXTRA DRAWINGS_ 2020 - Present

What makes a student-residence a student-home?

Views, Exterior

Stair into the World Stair into the world is an architecture student residence project designed to embody the most important aspects which aid in the development of a young architecture students in this new transition of their lives. The house embodies the idea of transition through the repeated motif of the stair, relating an architectural transition, to that of a major life transition.

Orthographics, Section aa

Diagrams, Morphology

EXTRA DRAWINGS_ 2020 - Present

Superseclusi

What place does architecture take outside of our solar system?

The Galilei Frances Rougerie International Architecture Competition Finalist

The Galilei explores the intersection of space travel and how architectural design plays a role in making the final frontier as welcoming and adjustable as possible. Utilizing the Aldrin cycler orbital path between mars and earth the Galilei will act as a ferry where passengers can live comfortably on the long journey to and from Mars.

ion, An abstract pavilion 2021

Orthographic, Side Elevation

Orthographic, Front Elevation

Orthographic, Unfolded Plan

EXTRA DRAWINGS_ 2020 - Present

Level 1 - F.C. Level 1 - F.C. 8' - 5 3/4"8' - 5 3/4"

2' - 0" 2' - 0"

Level 1 - F.C. Level 1 8' - 5 3/4"8' - 5

2' - 0" 2' - 0"

OVERHEAD OVERHEAD STORAGE STORAGE PULL OUT PULL DRAWER OUT DRAWER

MEDICINE MEDICINE CAB ON CAB ON INSIDE OF INSIDE DOOROF DOOR

1' - 0"

1' - 5" 1' - 5"

1' - 0"

1' - 1 3/4"

1' - 3"

1' - 3" 8" 8"

4' - 0"

BROOM AND BROOM AND LADDER LADDER NICHE NICHE

4' - 0"

6' - 0 3/4"

PULL OUT PULL OUT SHELVESSHELVES

7 1/8"

PULL OUT PULL DRAWER OUT DRAWER

7 1/8"

1' - 1 3/4"

BOTTLE STORAGE BOTTLE STORAGE

PULL OUT PULL DRAWERS OUT DRAWERS

1' - 7 3/8" 1' - 7 3/8"

1' - 7 1/2" 1' - 7 1/2"

8 5/8" 8 5/8"

PULL OUT PULL SHELVES OUT SHELVES

1' - 3 3/4" 1' - 3 3/4"

PULL OUT PULL DRAWERS OUT DRAWERS

1' - 11 1/8" 1' - 11 1/8" Level 1 - F.F. Level 1 - F.F. 0" 0"

Pantry Millwork, South Elevation

Level 1 - F.F. Level 1 0"

Pantry Millwork, Section

Revit Work Samples - Manhattan Kitchen dtls. Architecture, July - August 2023

One of the projects I managed during my time at dtls. Architecture was the complete renovation of a small manhattan kitchen. Although a small scale project, it proved a challenge to maximize the space while still allowing the kitchen to feel comfortable. The clients of the project required a lot of specifically sized and oriented storage, which made this project a very fun design challenge

Superseclusion, An abstract pavilion 2021

Kitchen, Plan

Klan

Kitchen Elevation, South

Kitchen Elevation, West

Kitchen Elevation, North