Melina Benyoub Portfolio
Part I Architectural Assisstant selection of works 2022 - 2024
Application for MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2)
The experience and education I have acquired at LJMU has given me a strong understanding of the importance of social connections through community buildings and how architecture can adapt itself to better serve the future as well as the present. I believe education is at the forefront of this and creating inclusive public spaces that serve communities instead of limiting them is essential to a well rounded and progressive society.
I have recently been gaining work experience within a global multi-disciplinary practice in London as a Part I Architectural Assistant. The opportunity to work at such a large practice with experience across multiple sectors and locations across the UK has enabled me to assist on a wide variety of projects at different stages, gaining quality experience with the practice. The projects I have worked on have ranged from stage 1 through to stage 2, stage 3 tender packages as well as DAS and more recently a Section 96A application.
The projects presented in this portfolio offer a glimpse into some of the work completed during my Part I undergraduate as well as my time in professional practice.
*All works and images shown in this portfolio have been created by the author unless stated otherwise.
** These projects have been listed in the contents but not included in the author’s portfolio due to the nature of the project being confidential.
They have been listed to reflect the timeframe of professional practice over the last two years.
The Square is a new assembly building located at the Liverpool pier head and highlights the value of educating future generations and motivating the youth to be more engaged in the political system. The project explores the concept of placing accountability over control and power by reversing the roles of power between political figures and the public through an intricate hierarchy of public and private spaces. The Square will simultaneously aim to embody the essence of a Northern Power House and act as a forum for the members of the youth parliament in the North of the UK, aspiring to be a notable site for change, protest and the future.
Inspired by Casa del Fascio in Como by Terragni, the Square similarly creates a power dialect between public and private, interior and exterior, watched and watching. Whilst the former was an expression of militarised control, the latter aims to embrace democracy. Drawing from the historical influences of political control to form the foundations of the design as well as architectural influences from the three graces in the surround context, this design creates a dynamic form, keeping both the past in arms reach and the future in control.
Engaging in such a rich project during my final year was both a merit and a challenge. I used the platform I was presented with as a way to underline complex social ideologies whilst simultaneously shaping the user experience to present a forum for change. Throughout the journey from concept to design, my project presented itself with a strong idea which was used as a backbone for the decisions made. project synopsis
accolades and personal reflections
• RIBA Bronze Presidents Medal Award, Nomination
• LAS Student Project of the Year 2022, Shortlisted
• Quickly became proficient In Revit and developed a solid workflow which I carried through to professional practice today
• Developed a personal understanding of the gravity of conceptual architectural projects, specifically in their role towards social change
Inspired by the Casa del Fascio in Como by Terragni, the Square similarly creates a power dialect between public and private, interior and exterior, watched and watching. Whilst the former was an expression of militarised control, the latter aims to embrace democracy.
Regularity was used as a way to impose structure and order within the design of Fascist architecture. For this project, order is exemplified by using a strict grid which has helped develop the form and mass of the building however the control of this strict regularity has been challenged by incorporating a fluid program open spaces and playful levels which reinforces the concepts of accountability over control and power.
01/ The Square - Northern Powerhouse Level 6 LJMU
The Square addresses the problems of voter apathy through the use of hierarchy and intricate layering and overlapping spaces. With the debate chamber rendered completely exposed, transparency of the workings of government will help the public engage in political talks and cultivate an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. A multitude of public spaces breaks down the barriers between public and private realms which are evident in standard Assembly buildings. The square becomes a forum for debate, action and education, inviting anyone to use the spaces how they see fit.
01/ The Square - Northern Powerhouse Level 6 LJMU
By incorporating a higher level of public spaces the building will hopefully encourage northerns to not only utilise the space for its intended purpose but also politically take it over. The main public spaces are the courtyard, atrium, elevated square and steps. All of these are intended to act as an extension of the public realm on the pier head, inviting people to hold protests, debates, and rallies, promoting education and public input in politics.
“Accountability over control and power, an inversion of the status quo” has been adopted as a mantra for this design. Not only am I literally inverting the form of casa del fascio as a way to take back political power but this concept also highlights the need for constant accountability and checks and balances
Themes such as hierarchy, light, transparency and inclusivity will all be apparent through this design in different ways to vocalise the need for change.
01/ The Square - Northern Powerhouse Level 6 LJMU
Reclaimed red bricks have been used and arranged into a parametric design to control ventilation and light into the southwestern facade. As well as playing into the identity of the north and the surrounding context of the three graces, the reclaimed nature reads into the history of Liverpool. When at it’s highest, the angle between the wall and the sun will be smaller, allowing for more shading (left), when at it’s lowest, the angle with the wall will be greater, meaning there will be a greater amount of sunlight entering through the bottom of the wall (right).
The openness of the main entrance highlights transparency that is usually lacking in both the tangible and intangible spaces of assembly buildings. The juxtaposition of the spatiality and materiality was a very important part of this project. Whilst both giving a solid importance to the programme of the buidling and its aims in establishing a new hierarchy in government power, the heavy structure also underlines the imprtance of education and the need for a public forum for social change.
The courtyard is located at the centre of the building acting as a joint for the public and private spaces but also working as a light well. the courtyard is completely glazed allowing light to bounce of the concrete and into the building. This ‘crack’ in the building is a manifestation of the population weaving themselves into the decisions made by a handful of leaders, shedding light onto what happens behind closed doors.
project synopsis
Architecture could become a powerful tool in protecting migrating birds if designers were to shift from an anthropocentric mindset to one which would benefit birds too. Architecture causes a lot of problems for birds; food supplies are limited to disregarded human trash, and cities have very limited green spaces or safe environments for birds to nest. Conserved areas focus mainly on minimising built structures and less on functional spaces, but by redirecting certain sectors that demand advanced infrastructures into conservation landscapes so that both humans and birds could benefit from the area. Working towards sustainable cohabitation in natural habitats would allow buildings to gain an intrinsic meaning. The solution would be to take examples of natural habitats and biological architecture, take inspiration from the patterns and apply them to structures for humans.
This project is a sustainable ornithologist club house located at the bottom of Windermere on the edge of River Leven. It embraces the beauty of the avian species and aims to protect its migratory fellows whilst offering the opportunity for humans to learn from them in a selfless and amicable way. This project encompasses
project synopsis
The Room249 temporary installation located at Ropewalks square explores the hurdles non English speakers in the UK face in their efforts to integrate within society. The project embraces the theme of temporary as a driver for incremental change in an aim to establish a permanent change for the better, bringing communities together in the face of discrimination.
Inspired by Nest We Grow, Room249 designates a safe pavilion for adults to develop their literacy skills and find the confidence to explore an inclusive life in society. Fitted with private classrooms, a library, adaptable exhibitions and performances spaces, the pavilion will be available for 6 months whilst also hosting the annual WOWFest in May.
The theme of impermanence continues throughout the structure with the public spaces on the lower floor remaining adaptable throughout the longevity of the project, functioning as separate spaces throughout the day and a morphing into a larger performance space with 24 hour exhibitions in place during the night. The project explores the boundaries of private and public realms in an attempt to dissolve linguistic barriers and encourages the sharing of different cultures, dropping the veil which protect us from criticism, revealing the foundations of people, communities and cities.
*image not created by author
04/ Sparkle Street Simpson Haughproject synopsis
Sparkle Street is a large scale residential project with townhouses located at the front of the scheme. As a key development in the Piccaddilly SRF, the project has an emphasis on private amenity spaces, accessibility and transportation.
This is the first scheme I worked on which utilises brick as its primary material, something I had done in my undergraduate projects but not done so in practice. The team has also been working towards a public consultation which has given me experience on different aspects of architectural deliverables and different external team members too. Thus, communication throughout this particular project was highlighted as key with an increase in weekly communications with consultants, model makers and clients. The nature of the project was slightly different than others since the site was part of a major SRF area in Manchester and was particularly close to the Piccadilly Basin Strategic Regeneration Framework.
The project was at stage 2 with planning having been submitted a few weeks before I joined the team; together we have been working towards submitting a DAS. As such, the experience I have gained from this project has been very similar to projects previously worked on throughout this portfolio, however this time, I was more confident in taking on more responsibility and authority in the team.
personal reflections
• Attended regular design team meetings with clients, engineers and consultants in order to work towards submitting a Design and Access Statement.
• Played an active role in the choice of materials for the facade of the building as well as presenting detail drawings to communicate the design choice
• In charge of co ordinating a workflow with my team members to complete the output of a drawing list in time for submission of the DAS
• Attended regular meetings with design team to coordinate a public consultation
04/ Sparkle Street Simpson Haugh
In order to differentiate the different iate between the Terrace houses appartments, the designs adopts a podium for each whilst also using a subtly different shade of red brick.
04/ Sparkle Street Simpson Haugh
It was important to make sure that the project related both to the city scape as well as the residential scape which is why a drastic change in level was adopted. The terrace houses only have 10 levels and are situated closer to the residential blocks with similar heights. Whilst the west block features 27 levels to hopefully tie it into the developing site around it. as well as also remaining within the consented height for the Piccadilly SRF.
*image not created by author
05/ Victoria Road Simpson Haughproject synopsis
152 Victoria Road is a BtR scheme located in London which encompasses affordable student accommodation and private residential flats with an emphasis on shared amenity spaces and high quality active frontage.
My time on this project was focused on visual communication varying from analytical diagrams which communicated size and scale to hand drawn sketches showcasing space and light in the shared amenity spaces. I learned the importance of inclusive design as well as clear visual communication. Whilst working in Revit I was tasked with helping other team members amend general arrangement plans, elevations and sections and making sure that all drawings were cohesive and clear. In addition to this, I developed the landscaping according to the Landscape Architects’ drawings. Setting them out using Enscape to produce hand drawn sketches to communicate the pleasant atmosphere of the amenity spaces as well as adding them to general arrangement plans in Revit to keep them up to date. These drawings included hard and soft landscaping, interpreted topography surveys and existing landscape along Victoria Road.
personal reflections
• Developed plenty of new skills I hadn’t had the chance of working on throughout academic and previous professional projects such as
• Coordinated the development of amenity spaces and external spaces closely with Landscape architects and previous design reports.
*image not created by author
The facade in the student accommodation block is designed to create movement as the elevation continues. Alternated rapid vents, windows and solid panels project outwards in a regular pattern, increasing in distance as they move up along the facade, catching the light and giving the appearance of a lightweight structure. This is then juxtaposed with a solid residential block, which wraps under the student accommodation, grounding the building to the site.
05/ Victoria Road Simpson Haugh
The biggest constraint of the project was that it occupied 80% of the existing site and was tightly bound by North Acton train station a public path that needed to be retained to the north of the site and a sloping public square to the west. The advantage of working with podium massing was that there were several rooft top areas that were used as outdoor amenity spaces to replace the lack of such at ground level.
06/ Herber Street Simpson Haugh
Herber Street is a large scale student accommodation scheme located in the Newcastle Helix development programme. The scheme was at stage 2 with a close deadline and as such, I gained experience working in a fast paced environment with a dynamic team. I learned to produce deliverables quickly and efficiently whilst retaining a high level of quality and organisation.
My role was to help other team members with the deliverables needed for a DAS document. These included accessibility diagrams, hand drawn sketches, Access and maintenance plans, 1:100 elevations and sections and general arrangement plans. With a facade design that was constantly changing, being sharp and precise was a keep skill needed whilst rendering visuals to keep up with the changes made. On top of this, I was tasked with preparing an internal bay study document which outlined different options for materiality, tile settings and window frames. I developed multiple options in Revit and then used Photoshop to communicate the materiality based on previous workshop options that had been picked out. I produced numerous sets of 1:25 and 1:50 bay details and presented the document to other team members. project synopsis
personal reflections
• Independent task on daylight analysis study due to constraining site with a successful presentation to client and design team.
• Co ordination of a set of visual communication drawings to brief new team members to help out in a tight time frame.
*image not created by author
06/ Herber Street Simpson Haugh
Since this was the first project I worked on at Simpson Haugh, I used my strengths to aid the design process. Using my workflow, I developed multiple options for different designs in Revit and photoshop for the elevations and details, as well as visual diagrams to support the documents we were working towards completing.
06/ Herber Street Simpson Haugh
The choice in materials for Herber Street was very precise. Not only did our team have to select colours of terracotta that complimented each other but we also had to pay particular attention to the choice in anodised metal for the frames and the rapid vents. Whilst working on this project, I was in charge of setting up a document to present that different options for materials to the client. This included my work on specific tile settings, colours and textures and cut out patterns for the RVs.
** Images in this section have been taken by the author but the artwork depicted is not owned by the author. They are a representation of the work shocased inside the various pavillions at the festival.
2023 Architecture Biennial
“Central to all the projects is the primacy and potency of one tool: the imagination - It is impossible to build a better world if one cannot first imagine it”
- Lesley Lokko, Architecture Biennial Curator
In continuing my creatice practice outide of academia and professional practice, I attended the Architecture Biennial in vence in October 2023. Titled ‘Loboratory of the future’, the focus of the festival was centered around the twin themes of decolonisation and decarbonisation. This year’s biennale positions itself as an agent of change, shifting focus to the process of architecture, the why and how, rather than the what.
The variety of concepts undertaken by the different pavillions showcased unique resolutions to the brief and the problems addressed which aligned seamlessly with my vision rooted in politcal and economical change and societal engagement.
I am interested in the ability to use architecture to enact immediate action in the present rather than solely envisioning a distant future and using architecture to provoke meaningful social change, through education and protest.
Melina Benyoub Portfolio
Part I Architectural Assisstant selection of works 2022 - 2024
Application for MArch Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2)