I am a Year 3 Architecture student at the National University of Singapore, driven by a deep curiosity about the evolving relationship between tradition and innovation in the built environment. My design approach is shaped by an appreciation for cultural narratives, spatial adaptability, and environmental sustainability, which I explore through both academic projects and independent research.
Throughout my studies, I have developed a strong foundation in architectural design, visualization, and project development, refining my ability to translate concepts into meaningful spatial experiences. I am particularly interested in how architecture can foster engagement and adaptability in urban spaces, responding dynamically to the needs of diverse communities.
This portfolio is a reflection of my design explorations, documenting my journey in architectural thinking, spatial experimentation, and iterative processes. It showcases my evolving approach to form, materiality, and programmatic flexibility as I navigate the complexities of design.
+65 9178 9068
Nadhirah Insyirah 24 April 2003 Singaporean nadhirahinsyirahh@gmail.com
B.A Architecture National University of Singapore (2023-Present)
Diploma in Architecture Nanyang Polytechnic (2020-2023)
GCE ‘O’ Levels Yishun secondary School (2016-2019)
English (written & spoken) Malay (written & spoken)
Autocad
Rhino
Revit
SketchUp
Enscape
Illustrator
Photoshop
InDesign
MS Office Suite
Summer Internship at DP Architects (May 2024 - August 2024)
Internship at Studio Super safari (March 2022 - August 2022)
Admitted to Director’s List (Nanyang Polytechnic) Year 1 Sem 2 Year 2 Sem 1
01 DIVINE INTERVENTION
Design 5 - Density, Urbanism and Publicness (Y3S1) | Christo Meyer Studio
This intervention proposes an architectural space in Tanjong Pagar to support office workers by integrating wellness programs with traditional cultural practices around the Seng Wong Beo Temple. Recognising the high-pressure work environment many Singaporean professionals face, the intervention offers a sanctuary for employees to relieve stress, restore balance and reconnect with cultural practices. By preserving the temple’s Taoist rituals, such as ghost marriage ceremonies and incense burning, the space provides a way for workers to engage with spiritual practices that foster reflection and mental well-being.
A central feature of the design is a shared marketplace offering resources for rituals and wellness activities. Local businesses that sell incense sticks, ritual items and wellness products like teas and natural remedies, making the space functional for both ritualistic and personal wellness needs. For office workers, this marketplace acts as a one-stop hub, where they can find items to support their spiritual practices or mindfulness routines, blending cultural engagement with practical, everyday use.
02 VENTURI VORTEX
Design 4 - Climate | Environment | Envelope (Y2S2) | Victor Lee Studio
Venturi Vortex is a climatic driven intervention undertaken at Boon Lay Secondary School. It aims to harness natural wind patterns to improve climatic comfort at both individual scale and building scale. This project aligns with the studio’s focus on integrating climatic elements into functional design, using nature-inspired solutions to address modern architectural challenges.
The project initiates with the design and implementation of a head apparatus, a wearable device engineered to optimize air circulation around the individual users. Drawing inspiration from biological systems like Termite Mounds, the device employs a funnel-shaped form to effectively direct airflow, enhancing personal comfort and thermal regulation.
03 SOCIAL HOUSING
Design 3 - Aggregation, Structure, Space (Y2S1) | Tham Wai Hon Studio
The project focuses on aggregation and using operational art toolkit as a method to configure and create iterations. The spatial sample is derived from the Concourse Office Tower and by using the operational art toolkit, it led us to various sampling iterations as a guide to create a collective of dwellings. This collective delves into the manipulation of various angles and fields of vision across different platforms. It blurs the boundaries between the exterior and the precisely defined interior spaces, extending its influence to diverse platforms. The explorations undertaken along this journey aim to redefine social housing by prioritizing visual comfort. The presence of others contributes to a sense of comfort and connectedness through the visual experience. The collective created pockets of spaces between public and private, offering an opportunity to balance connection and separation.
PLAN OF SPATIAL SAMPLE Located @ The Concourse
OBSERVATIONS
SPATIAL SAMPLE + OP ART PROCESS
OP ART TOOLKIT
04 FARM TO TABLE
ARCHITECTURAL TECTONICS AND STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
This brief covers the basics of architectural structural system such as construction method and its relation to design of architectural space. This project propose a four-storey building (18m x 18m x 18m) with a farm to table programme. We explored steel rigid frame and reinforced concrete rigid frame structure when designing this building. We were able to improve our understanding on how considerations of structure and unique space are influenced by both architectural design and structural design. Propose an understanding of composition, structural systems and construction details, facade systems and their relation to form, aesthetics and performance of the building.
OTHER
05 SOFTWARE SKILLS
FURTHER DEVELOP SOFTWARE SKILLS
This section showcases my exploration of computational design and environmental analysis through two distinct projects. Using Climate Studio to conduct daylight and energy simulations, refining my ability to assess and integrate environmental performance into architectural design. Separately, Grasshopper for Rhino was utilised where I enhanced my parametric modeling skills, generating algorithmic workflows to create complex geometries and optimize design efficiency. Through these projects, I deepened my understanding of digital tools, strengthening my proficiency in data-driven design and performance-based decision-making.
Assignment 1: Study of SDE4
Assignment 2: Study of Valkenberg Estate
Assignment 1: Parametric
REPTILE SKIN
Abstraction of iguana’s skin to achieve parametric forms
Subdivide
Evaluate surface to extract the information of every subdivided surface such as center point, normal vector and frames
Assign the attractor curve and find the closest points to the curve from the subdivided surfaces’ center points
Making of first polygon: deconstruct the subdivided surfaces and join the extracted surface edges
Remap the distance values into a new domain of values for the extrusion heights Move the centre points and the joined extracted edges
Making of second polygon: scale down the moved polygons using the attractor curve
PARAMETER 1: Controls mesh points distribution for components to later populate
ITERATIONS
PARAMETER 2: Controls the extrusion based on the distance between the point (eg. extrude by 8 if further from the point and extrude by 0.06 minimum if closest to the point
First generated based on a close up reptile skin which is slowly manipulated by the different sizes of the openings and the amount of distribution through out the surface.
PARAMETER 3: Controls sizes of the openings having the maximum and minimum values for the manipulation of the opening sizes
Add the first and second polygon into a list and subdivide the list into partitions
