Nahid Akram 404 East Michigan Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, (217)-904-4369, nakram3@illinois.edu nahidthethelaman@yahoo.com
EDUCATION Master of Architecture
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC)
Bachelor of Architecture
May 2017
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
February 2011
Assisting Professor in Research on Experimental Testing of Cable Stayed Columns and writing proposals
January, 2017 - Present
EXPERIENCE Graduate Research Assistant
Illinois School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Graduate Teaching Assistant
ARCH 502: Structural Planning ARCH 550: Reinforced Concrete Design
Illinois School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Sculpture Designer
August, 2016 - Present
Designed and built a sculpture made out of waste material to convey the message about the importance of recycling.
Illinois Sustainable technology Center 1, Hazelwood Dr, Champaign, IL
Associate Architect
October, 2015 - May, 2016
Responsible for numerous design projects for over 4.5 years from residential to masterplanning. Involved in all phases from concept generation, schematic design to actual construction. Several buildings are now in full operation.
Synthesis Architects Bangladesh
Architect, Partner
.....And Orden Bangladesh
Intern
Synthesis Architects Bangladesh
March, 2011 - August, 2015
Responsible for design and construction of several residential buildings, religious building, industry masterplanning,
March, 2011 - Present
Responsible for design and construction of several residential buildings, religious building, industry masterplanning,
August, 2008 - February, 2011
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS 2nd
Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center Design Competition
(Individual)
2016
The Project, “Nagasaki Cultural Center”, nominated and won Honorable Mention for Graduate Studio Design Excellence Awards.
(Team)
2016
Winner
Shortlisted Competition for BRAC-Aarong Commercial Center Design
(Team)
2014
Winner
Shortlisted Competition for Concord Barik Tower Design
(Team)
2014
Winner
IAB Competition for selection of Project for Representing Bangladesh in London Festival of Architecture
(Team)
2013
Exhibition
The Project, “Vertical Community : A High Density Neiborhood within City” selected for Grand Jury at BUET
(Individual)
2011
Exhibition
The Project, “Housing for Urban Poor” selected for Exhibition at Asiatic Society on the occation for celebrating “400 years of Dhaka” festival.
(Team)
2010
Exhibition
The Project, “Contemporary Art Museum” selected for Exhibition at BUET
(Individual)
2008
Exhibition
The Project, “Intercity Bus Station” selected for Exhibition at BUET
(Individual)
2007
Honorable Mention
SKILLS
Language Softwares
Bangla
English
Japanese
Auto CAD Revit Sketchup with Vray Photoshop
Illustrator Corel Draw Rhinoceros Grasshopper
Ladybug & Honeybee eQUEST SAP 2000 Microsoft Office Suites
[Academic Projects]
Graduate Studios University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Design Charette: Residence Between Walls of an Abandoned Bridge Pier Fall, 2015
Japanese Cultural Center at Nagasaki Fall, 2015 with Ishan Grover Graduate Studio Design Excellence Award (Honorable Mention)
The Nagasaki Cultural Center is located in the heart of the Nagasaki Prefecture, on a man-made urban infill. This infill is part of the Nagasaki Urban Rennaisance Project of 2003. The site faces extensive views of the bay and the Megami Bridge. This site is an exciting and dynamic one with the pacific ocean penetrating and dissecting the land. Being a cultural center, we have drawn inspiration from Japanese zen gardens. More specifically, from the very controlled lines formed around the individually placed rocks. Our project reflects this embrace. The void spaces formed by our buildings become the main focal point with large public plazas, both hard and soft scape. There are three main plazas including an outdoor performance area on canal, a sunken sculptural garden embraced by the library and the grand entrance of the Concert Hall. The three main programs are interconnected for ease of access for the public. The most important part of the site is on the west point where the Pacific water meets the canal. As an outdoor public space, we have created a memeorial walkway along the water edge. The memorial walkway includes engraved news paper clippings from around the world, during the time of the Nagsaki Bombings.
Circulation Diagram
Master Plan
Theater Plans
Ground Level Plan
12’-0” Level Plan
35’-0” Level Plan
57’-6” Level Plan
Mediatheque Plans
Ground Level Plan
Mezzanine Level Plan
Basement Level Plan
2nd Level Plan
Timber Roof
Main Structures Wooden Lattice
Timber Roof Wooden Lattice Main Structures
Walls
Glazings
2nd Floor Walls
Mezzanine Floor and Ramp
Ground Floor
Sunken Courtyard Main Floor Plates
Mediatheque Exploded Axonometric View
Basement
Theaters Exploded Axonometric View
Walkable Timber Roof
Main Timber Structure
Ramp and Deck Bridge Deck Bridge Structure
Visitor Center Exploded Axonometric View
Sectional Perspectives
Longitudinal Sectional Perspective Through Large Theater
Socorro Divers’ Den at Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico
Fall, 2016
Socorro island is located at 250 miles south from the tip of Baja Peninsula. It is the largest one of the four volcanic islands which forms the Revillagigedo archipelago. The archipelago with its island has been designted as world heritage site in 2016 due to its natural beauties. The island is formed by unique kind of igneous rock, mainly of alkaline basalt and it has a rich biodiversity with more than 20 endemic species. The actual treasure of this island is found beneath the surface of the ocean. Socorro island’s water is home to a rich marine lives which includes giant manta rays, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphines, and seven species of sharks including great whites, hammerhead and whale sharks. It is of no wonder that this water is one of the popular spot among experienced scuba divers. Designing a traveller’s inn on the island with providing due respect to its spirit, environment and context was the main objective of the studio.
The chosen site has a diverse topography, on east side, a bay with small sandy beach found while on all other sides, the rugged rocky surface rises abruptly to 30’ at lowest point up to 100’ from the sea level.
30’ height from sea level
100’ height from sea level
Sandy Beach
Sheer Cliff 30’ height from sea level
Existing Site
B
San Benedicto Suites
Visitors, while approaching the site arrives at the small beach from whereonly a small portion of the reception mass and the tensile structureresembling the sail of the ship can be seen. Masterplan, indeed has been formulated to take advantages of the vantage points, as the visitor gradually approach the building through landscaped path, different views of the site greets them, enabling them to experience the strong relatioship of the ocean and the rocky cliff
Hilltop Suites
A
Arrival Deck
Southern Suites
Sunset Suites
A
Top View B
B
San Benedicto Suites
Hilltop Suites
A
Lounge
Arrival Deck
Service
Bar
Southern Suites
Kitchen
Treatment Plant
Sunset Suites
Change Room
A
Site Plan B
East (Arrival Side) Elevation
Section AA
Section BB
Walk to the dwelling unit is the travel from public to private realm. The various activities, diving and snorkeling, savoring the flavor of the ocean, relaxing in the swimming pool, or simply enjoying the view from the deck activates the public spaces. 4 neighborhoods have distinctive characters, further their location, more secluded and quiet it becomes.
Restaurant
Up to Public Deck to Kitchen
Restaurant side Bar Public Deck with Kitchen below Pool side Sunken Bar
Swimming Pool (Public)
Ocean
DN to Changing Rooms
Swimming Pool (Private)
DN to Sunset Suite 01 Public Deck with Treatment Plant below
Barbeque Corner
Neighborhood Top View
DN to Sunset Suite 02 & 03
Pool (Private)
Pool (Private) Bar
Swimming Pool (Public)
Sunset Suite 03
Restaurant Sunset Suite 02
Sunset Suite 01
Sunset Suite 01 Cave
Neighborhood Section CC C
Sunset Suite 01
Treatment Plants Ocean
Change Rooms Sunset Suite 02 Rock Engraved Sculpture
to Public Deck
Sunset Suite 03
Neighborhood Plan C
Room is where visitor comes in after a long day of adventure to discover yet another splendor of the place. It is not just an abode to rest in, rather a combination of another dynamic ‘adventure’ and ‘contemplation’. Light from courtyard and sound of ocean along with the dynamics of space keeps the visitor informed about the ‘genius loci’ - spirit of place
Unit Section DD
Grotto
Table
D
Toilet
D
Contemplation Court
Adaptable Deck Closet
Unit Plan
Sections
Living Level Plans
Top Level Plans
Plan Dynamics
Deck at Living level: Deck becomes the extension of the room. Pool level becomes the malancholic space in the nature
Deck at Pool level: Room becomes a place on the edge of the cliff. visibility from the room is enhanced pool level receives a extended deck.
Deck floating on water: Deck becomes the diving board. Pool and room enjoys isolation
Bed sunken into floor: Bed can be sunken down into the floor which createsa free space, which can be further opened up by folding the windows on both sides of the room.
[Professional Projects]
Roof Slabs
Processional Arches
Upper Level Slit Windows
Full Height M.S. Framed Windows Walls with embedded furniture
Mihrab Wall
Full height Transparent Entry
Main Concrete Structure
Walls with embedded furniture
Upper Level Slit Windows
Minar with cast Iron Jalis
Outdoor Ablution
Full Height M.S. Framed Windows Open Floor
Exploded Axonometric View showing Anatomy of the Building
An apparently conflicting aspect of monumentality and scale was resolved by the hierarchy of height in a single story structure. Bold and sublime white facade impose an awed impression contrasting the soft surrounding nature. light and unobstructed spavce within the mosque gives an absolute dedication to Almighty. The mosque compound is enlivened throughout the day. The low height wall is being used as a seating by the passers-by, school students and elderly people alike.
custom made cast iron jali screens are used at minaret to provide the feeling of semi permeability and also to hide the horn loud speakers and lighting devices. Custom made hollow paving blocks of 6� x 6� modules are used as the paving materials on north and south sides of the masjid which provides a hard surface yet permeable to rain. The growing medium inside the hollow area allows the growth of turfs which adds to softness tto the otherwise hard landscape.The hard surface serves as the outdoor praying space for special prayer days.
Moon’s Tree_A Single Family Residence Project Name: Moon’s Tree A Five Storied Single Family Residential Building Architects: Principal Architect: Patrick D’Rozario Project Architect: A.K.M Tanvir Hassan Niru Nahid Akram Team Member: Selim Altaf Biplob Tamanna Sayeed Khalid Bin Kabir Location: Plot no. 42/3, Road no. 07 Banani, Dhaka Bangladesh Site Area: 851.37 sqm Total Construction Area: 2620.23 sqm Design Completion: 2012 Expected Completion: December, 2016 Client: Mrs. Nahreen Siddique Abu Naser Md. Yeahea
1
The house; a place to discover the soul, cherish it and rejuvenate to embrace the very reality of every day to day life. The design of the house has become a humble attempt to explore the above idea. The house which is under construction is a project to which I am involved with from the very beginning, from realization, concept development, planning, development and construction until now it has taught and still teaching me a lot of things. The project surely is a milestone in my architecture profession. The site is blessed with existing two important trees, the Krishnachura (Royal Poinciana) tree at south-west corner and the Mango tree at the north-east corner. The uninterrupted T&T colony field at south provide a brilliant setting for the plot. The site is challenged by a multistoried apartment block at west where the eastern part provide a more relaxed and low height residential building.
Ro
12 ya
lP
oin
cia
na
sto
re
1A
3
4
5
6
7
yb
dg
EXISTING TREE GREEN
Tre
H
e GREEN
2 bd store g y M a
6 bd store g y ng
oT
ree
LADIES DORM 14'-10"X15'-6"
G
G
L.TOILET AREA 11'-5"X2'-10" DOOR SILL
DOOR SILL
L.SHOWER 3'-4"X4'-0"
DOOR SILL
LADIES PAYER SPACE
G.SHOWER 3'-4"X7'-4"
TOILET-01 3'-7"X4'-1"
TOILET-01 3'-7"X4'-1"
GENTS DORM 14'-10X19'-2"
DOOR SILL
TOILET-02 3'-7"X4'-0"
TOILET-02 3'-7"X4'-0"
SLOPE 1:8
GREEN
DOOR SILL
G.TOILET AREA 7'-5"X3'-7"
F
F
JANITOR SPACE
DRIVERS WAITING
+(3'-0") LEVEL
ABLUTION SPACE
LADIES DINNING
GENTS DINNING 14'-4" x 11'-0"
GREEN
KITCHEN
E
E
D
The interior of the house is designed in such a way that the house relates with its internal spaces in focus of their privacy, togetherness and artistic relationship with the exterior.
B
PATIO
LIFT 7'-2"X9'-6"
+(3'-0") LEVEL
STORE
SLOPE 1:12 ( RAMP LENGTH 8'-0" )
To reduce the effect of motor vehicles and to increase the essence of pedestrian movement, the raised lawn or the elevated ground floor has been deliberately designed which relate the two important trees both horizontally and vertically. The raised/elevated ground level provide the main courtyard which cherished the spirit of the house or the soul.
GENTS PRAYER SPACE
D
up
DOWN TO BASEMENT
LIFT LOBBY 10'-0"X6'-0" +(2'-0") LEVEL Up To 1st Floor
C GUEST / EMERGENCY PARKING
GREEN
DROP OFF
+(1'-0") LEVEL
C
INFORMAL LIVING 23'-8"X15'-4" +(1'-0") LEVEL
DN
B
DN
UP
+ ( 7'-0") + ( 6'-6") + ( 6'-0") + ( 5'-6") + ( 5'-0") + ( 4'-6") + ( 4'-0")
VOID 12'-6"X4'-10"
(0'-0") LEVEL
+ ( 3'-6")
+(1'-0") LEVEL
+ ( 3'-0")
The roof is specially designed to address the limitlessness of the southern perimeter which acts as another ground on which the various activities may take place.
2
+(2'-6") LEVEL
A
DN TO BASEMENT
OFFICE SPACE 16'-4"X15'-5"
UP
A
TOILET 7'-9"X4'-4"
+ ( 2'-6")
GREEN
EXISTING TREE (0'-0") LEVEL
+ 6" + ( 1'-0")
GREEN +(0'-0") LEVEL
GUARD ROOM 12'-4"X5'-0"
UP
UP
PEDESTRIAN ENTRY
N
1
Ground Floor Plan
ENTRY
1A
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
1A
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
1A
2
3
4
5
6
7
EXISTING TREE
H
OPERABLE WOODEN SCREEN
H
CLOSET
THIS SLAB OUT LINE WILL BE CONFIRMED AT SITE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TREE.
WALK IN CLOSET 8'-7"X9'-2"
BALCONY 8'-0"X8'-10"
CLOSET
shoe rack
WOODEN DECK 21'-4"X12'-1"
BALCONY 12'-0"X4'-10"
MASTER TOILET-03 8'-5"X15'-0"
+(11'-1") LEVEL
G
G
arm chair 34" x 33.75"
chair arm 33.75" x 34"
accent table 22" x 22"
DRESSING AREA 6'-0"X10'-2"
BALCONY 10'-10"X4'-10"
G
G SHOWER
SHOWER
TOILET - 05 6'-2"X11'-9"
TOILET - 05 6'-2"X11'-9"
+(12'-0") LEVEL CLOSET
MASTER BED chandelier 27'-3"X19'-2" +(12'-0") LEVEL OUT DOOR LIVING 19'-3"X15'6'
SLAB LEVEL TO BE CONFIRMED LATER WITH ACCORDANCE WITH THE TREE CANOPY
settee 57" x 26"
rug 65" x 35"
living rug 120" x 84"
queens bed 78.75" x 88.5"
CHILD BED - 03 15'-5"X17'-11"
CHILD BED - 02 14'-7"X18'-4"
refrigerator 20'-0"
+(23'-6") LEVEL
rug 65" x 35"
ML
bed bench 72" x 25.5"
PLANTER +21'-4" (soil top at 22'-6")
+(10'-0") LEVEL Butchers Deck
refrigerator
queens bed 78.75" x 88.5"
ENTRY LOFT TO MASTER SUITE 9'-0"X10'-0"
bed king 81.5" x 85.5"
chair 21" x 26.5" 1'-11 12"
WET KITCHEN 15'-5"X15'-9"
CHILD BED-01 14'-7"X22'-6"
kitchen storage cabinet/ pull out cabinet
desk 48" x 24"
desk 52" x 24"
2'-4"
chef entry
service window
9"
F
F
DN
7'-1"
TV CORNER 11'-0"X9'-6"
counter table
+(23'-6") LEVEL CAT DOOR (ABOVE FALSE CEILING)
F
E
E
LIFT 7'-2"X9'-6"
47'-0"
+11'-0"(with soil top at 12'-0")
FIRE PROTECT GLASS
LIFT & STAIR LOBBY 9'-2"X8'-10"
FOYER 5'-10"X10'-6"
UP
LIFT 7'-2"X9'-6"
VOID 15'-1"X25'-3"
ATRIUM 20'-6"X18'-2"
THE GREEN SCAPE
TOILET - 06 10'-0"X11'-5"
SHOWER sofa 57" x 35"
microwave oven
transparent bottom
D
F
DN
E
+(12'-0") LEVEL
WALK IN CLOSET 9'-7"X4'-10"
ottoman 36" x 27"
water purifier
E
VOID 9'-0"X9'-2"
WALK IN CLOSET 6'-5"X7'-0"
WALK IN CLOSET 6'-5"X7'-0"
Crockery shelves
EURO KITCHEN 13'-1"X11'-0"
+12'-0"
DOOR SILL
DOOR SILL
D
D
D LIFT & STAIR LOBBY 9'-2"X8'-10"
+12'-0"
C
C
UP transparent bottom
C
C FAMILY LIVING 25'-8"X15'-4"
+(12'-0") LEVEL
THE ENTRY PATIO ENTRY HALL 25'-8"X16'-2"
end table dia 28"
DN
+(23'-6") LEVEL
sofa 78" x 37.25"
UP
end table dia 28"
DN
foyer table dia 48"
arm chair 28.5" x 34.75"
accent chair 26" x 29.5"
B
+ ( 12'-0") + ( 11'-6") + ( 11'-0") + ( 10'-6") + ( 10'-0") + ( 9'-6") + ( 9'-0") + ( 8'-6") + ( 8'-0") + ( 7'-6") + ( 7'-0") + ( 6'-6") + ( 6'-0") + ( 5'-6") + ( 5'-0") + ( 4'-6") + ( 4'-0")
arm chair 28.5" x 34.75"
transparent bottom
accent table dia 22"
raw wooden platform
TV console 80" x 18"
B
+(12'-0") LEVEL
B
B
ottoman seating 53.5" x 31.5"
console table 79" x 15"
B-2
arm chair 35.5" x 36"
accent table 16" x 16"
WALK IN CLOSET 10'-10"X7'-6"
+(23'-6") LEVEL FORMAL LIVING HALL 23'-8"X17'-10"
sofa 86.5" x 40"
C-2
arm chair 35.5" x 36"
end table 22" x 22"
+ ( 3'-0")
A
DN
POWDER ROOM UNDER THE STAIR LANDING - 04
ottoman seating 55.5" x 17"
family living rug 80" x 50"
accent chair 26" x 29.5"
+ ( 3'-6")
+(2'-6") LEVEL
cocktail table 60" x 30"
DOOR SILL
dn
foyer rug dia 84"
CAT DOOR (ABOVE FALSE CEILING)
C-1
sofa table 60" x 12"
sofa 102" x 42.25"
cocktail table 40" x 24"
TV console 55" x 15"
cocktail table 50" x 50"
SHOWER
ottoman seating 53.5" x 31.5"
CHILD BED- 04 22'-7"X18'-0"
A living rug 70" x 70"
UP
+9'-6" armchair 31.25" x 36"
trunk end table 20.25" x 20.25"
+ ( 2'-6") end table 22.5" dia
exquisite sofa 84" x 37"
A
accent table 16" x 16"
A
TOILET - 07 10'-0"X8'-2"
A
king bed 94.75" x 88.5"
end table 22.5" dia
EXISTING TREE
A B-1
(0'-0") LEVEL
+ 6" + ( 1'-0") A
1
N
1
2nd Floor Plan
1A
2
3
4
5
6
7
N
3rd Floor Plan
1A
2
3
A
FRONT BALCONY
A
4
5
6
7
1
1A
2
3
4
5
6
7
H
BALCONY 8'-0"X8'-10"
G
G
pool
RCC WALL
GYM 15'-0"X23'-4"
+34'-6"(water top at 38'-10")
RCC WALL
RCC WALL
DN DN LADDER
F
F shower
+(34'-6") Level
3'-0"x3'-7"
+34'-6"(top at 39'-3")
Machine room +(34'-6") Level
deck
SAUNA
TOILET -10 3'-7"x6'-4"
6'-0"x7'-0"
E
E
LIFT 7'-2"X9'-6"
D
D UP
LIFT & STAIR LOBBY 9'-2"X8'-10" +34'-6"
C
C +35'-6"
up
+34'-6" (soil top at 36'-3")
dn
pebbles and gravels
green lawn
B
B
+34'-6"
BARBEQUE ALCOVE
linear grill
A
A
1
N
4th Floor Plan
1A
2
3
4
5
6
7
Section AA (Section Through Duplex Stair)
VACATION HOUSE AT TARABO Exhibited at ‘Atlas of the Unbuilt World’, London Festival of Architecture
Architects: Location: Principal Architect: 48, Tarabo Bishwa Road, Patrick D’Rozario Rupganj, Narayanganj Project Architect: Site Area: A.K.M Tanvir Hassan Niru 4113.25 sqm Nahid Akram Total Construction Area: Team Member: 949.37 sqm Selim Altaf Biplob Tamanna Sayeed Design Completion: 2013 Client: Mrs. Soma Alam Rahman
The project to which I was involved during its concept generation and design development had been selected for display at prestigious event entitled “Atlas of the Unbuilt World” at London festival of Architecture 2013. The visualization of this vacation house stimulated by the client's eagerness to search of own soul leaving away from everyday urban stress. The early challenge for searching of an ideal location in a 7 acre unstructured site engaged the architect into the same passion with that of the client. A corner with a considerable size of 0.7 acre blessed with several layers of existing trees at west side essentially separated by a moat from the noisy and busy Dhaka-Sylhet highway was eventually selected for the sitting of the vacation house.
The southern edge of this particular site is challenged with the presence of dense dwelling units whereas the northern part is blocked by existing 30' high factory wall. Addressing the challenges and taking the advantages of the site, the idea was developed to create a green lawn which will act as a key factor to formulate the space within and around it. The building has been located at the extreme eastern part which welcomes a short but intense sensual journey along the central lawn. The incorporation of semi outdoor space with that of indoor and its continuous play with dynamic seasonal air, varied year round light quality and considerable change in temperature has been key factors designing the critical dynamics of vacation house. The setting of the main hall creates an effect of floating platform, a simple transitional space within the nature. The functional simplicity of the project has been articulated and blended with the very down to earth and harmonic solution.
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
main entry entry gallery warehouse wall sky lit court front-yard garden main hall guest suite backyard garden master suite toilet deep foliage kitchen water body roof garden passage deck
Exhibited Model at London Festival of Architecture
Exhibited Model at London Festival of Architecture
To be Continued.....
Please see my concise portfolio @
https://issuu.com/nahidakram/docs/portfolio_nahid_akram_2015_update