Architect, Urban Planner, Designer.
OTAVIO ARAUJO COSTA
Portfolio, 2023/08
Timeline of Academic and Professional Accomplishments
Strategic, results-driven Architect/Urban Planner with over 5 years of experience in project management, leading cross-functional teams and delivering large-scale initiatives, with excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills built on data-driven research and collaboration. Enrolled
Bachelor in Architecture and Urban Planning
Mackenzie Presbyterian University
Summer Workshop
6-month internship at an architecture firm BRL Arquitetura
2012
One-month workshop: Sustainable Interior Design in Historical Buildings Florence University of the Arts
Intern 18-month internship at the prestigious architecture firm FGMF Arquitetos FGMF Architects
Architect, Urban Analyst, Bim Specialist
2017
Began preparations to migrate and study in Douglas College in New Westminster, before COVID-19 lockdowns were put into e ect.
2023
Earned a PDD in Project Management. Douglas College
2022
4-month internship at pax.arq, architecture and design firm pax.arq
2017
Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, earning a 98.7% on my Graduation Thesis
Mackenzie Presbyterian University
3-month internship in an architecture firm specialising in institutional and mixed-use architecture AYA 360
Professional Skills and Expertise
• Proficient in BIM-powered design using Autodesk Revit Architecture, AutoCAD, and Rhino 3D for creating 3D models and construction documents.
• Experienced in collaborating with cross-functional teams for project planning, development, and data accuracy.
• Detail-oriented, ensuring compliance with regulations and codes while focusing on architectural details and aesthetics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, presenting proposals and reports to clients and stakeholders.
• Skilled in SketchUp and Adobe Photoshop for detailed renderings and visualizations.
• Expertise in delivering comprehensive reports and presentations to showcase project impact and feasibility.
• Designing residential, institutional, commercial, and interior projects of various scales and proposing solutions for complex urban planning challenges.
• Analyzing urban planning projects’ impact on communities, transportation, and the environment using GIS and BIM tools.
Software Knowledge
Other Skills
• Exceptional croquis and free-hand drawing skills.
• Good digital illustration abilities using Photoshop.
• Extremely quick learning.
• Excellent teamwork capabilities.
• Extremely adept at research.
• Exceptional presenter and communicator.
• Well-developed leadership skills.
• Very good planning and time management skills.
• Loves learning, especially from other people. Also loves teaching, and has exceptional patience.
Language Skills
Fluent English | complete fluency, IELTS BAND 9.
Fluent Portuguese | complete fluency, mother tongue.
Moderate Spanish | able to communicate with minor problems.
Basic French | basic knowledge, capable of slow conversations.
Edifício Aruá - Aruá Building
Named after a kind of Brazilian snail due to the helicoidal arrangement of its volumes, Aruá is a residential building designed to offer six different types of units. Ranging from two-storey lofts to one-bedroom apartments, the unit plans are further differentiated by the finish applied to the façade on each block.
Edifício Aruá - Aruá Building Systems
Aruá features a reinforced concrete structural system, and each of its four volumes is supported by a central core, which houses all lifts and emergency stairwells, as well as the central shafts for all units.
The building features many social ammenities, such as an event hall, barbecue space, gym, and pool, all located at ground level.
The four underground levels are occupied mainly by a parking lot and house machines, but also contain deposits and bike sheds for the residents.
My Role
During my time as an intern at FGMF Architects, I integrated the Executive Projects team, and Aruá was the first project I worked on with the company.
Under the direct tutelage of a brilliant Coordinator, much of my early development as an Architect was highly technical in nature, and I soon grew accustomed to complex detailing and information-dense planning.
Edifício Tetrys - Tetrys Building
The Tetrys Building owes its name to the geometrical patterns formed by both its volumetry and the colourful geometrical frames that adorn its façade. Tetris is a residential complex that features a great diversity of unit types coalesced into one volume, and it makes use of this complexity to create a playful façade that reflects its layouts.
Edifício Tetrys - Tetrys Building Systems
Tetrys features a hybrid structural system composed of a reinforced concrete frame and a steel bracing system that has been incorporated into the façade as an aesthetic element.
The building also contains a great variery of ammenities, such as event halls and both children’s and adults’ pools.
The project also incorporated certain sustainable initiatives, such as reuse of grey water and photovoltaic panels.
Edifício Tetrys - Tetrys Building
My Role
Like the Aruá Building, Tetrys was mostly designed on Revit Architecture. Back then, it posed a particular challenge to us in due to the great amount of custom-made parts, which required intense modelling of our part.
As one of the most proficient BIM users in the office back then, I was tasked with much of the project’s detailing during its Executive Design phase.
New HQ for the Institute of Applied
Mathematics
Competition
The competition was to design the new HQ for an important governmental research facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. FGMF’s proposal aimed to respect the natural terrain by integrating the original environment onto the proposal, integrating the natural life as much as possible.
The proposal included high-tech solutions for sustainability and automation.
New HQ for the Institute of Applied MathematicsCompetition Systems
Due to its nature as a proposal for a competition, the systems of the project were only roughly defined: the structural system would be primarily reinforced concrete, whilst automation would be used on everything from lighting to irrigation, sound systems and even security.
To showcase this, FGMF prepared virtual and augmented reality assets for their presentation, in the latter of which I was heavily involved.
New HQ for the Institute of Applied Mathematics - Competition
My Role
During this project, I played a small part in the research of sustainable technologies to be employed, as well as the concept design. I was also put in charge of the research regarding augmented reality - back then, still somewhat of a fringe subject.
Finally, I also took part in the preparation of certain SketchUp models and presentation blueprints.
Edifício Valente - Valente Building
Edifício Valente - Valente Building
The Valente Building will be a mixed-use building which features storefronts at street level, corporate offices at mid-height, and residential apartments in the upper floors.
The project is highly complex due to both its design and the need to accomodate for different uses, and steps were taken to ensure compliance with the corporate needs of security and infrastructure.
Edifício Valente - Valente Building Systems
Once finished, the building will feature a great variety of automation and sustainability systems, including optimisation and reuse of water and energy-saving automation of lighting and climate control systems.
The structural system is composed mainly of a complex reinforced concrete frame that manifests itself on the building’s façade in the form of concrete boxes that appear stacked to compose the building.
Due to its complexity and unusual morphology, the fire safety and emergency aspects of the project were particularly daunting.
Edifício Valente - Valente Building
My Role
I was called in to aid with Valente’s design during its late conceptual and early and mid-executive phases. FGMF specifically requested my return, after I had left as an intern to work on my thesis, to help develop the detailing and BIM aspects of the project, and ensure compatibility between the many different specialist projects. The project is currently being built, even if construction proceeds at a slow pace.
Edifício Moou - Moou Building
Moou is a fairly straightforward design that presents details that often speak louder than the volume itself.
The building aims to present its inhabitants with interesting and cozy spaces throughout not only its units, but also common areas.
I was brought into this particular project at the start of the Executive phase. I was responsible for much of the BIM modelling of the design, and I myself created nearly all ‘families’ in the model from scratch.
Tamboré Jaguariúna Social Club
Tamboré Jaguariúna Social Club
The Tamboré Jaguariúna Social Club was designed as a gathering place for the inhabitants of a gated community in the city of Jaguariúna, Brazil.
The club’s main feature, its roof, is comprised of a spatial truss system enveloped by wood. It protects three distinct volumes, each with its own use.
Most of my work on this particular design revolved around architectural detailing and documentation for the Executive project.
