General Portfolio

RAHUL FAIZER

Education

2018 - 2022

Roseville, Minnesota

2021 - 2022

Minneapolis, Minnesota

2022 - Present London, England

Experience Awards Achievements

Roseville Area High School

Graduated in June 2022

Unweighted GPA: 3.96

11 AP courses, 10 tests scores of 5/5, 1 test score of 4/5

Honor Roll: 2018-2022

University of Minnesota

GPA: 3.86

Part-time study as a high school senior

One of each 1000, 2000, and 3000 level courses: 10 credits

University College London

Masters in Science in Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture

Completed year 1 of the 5 year Master in Science Architecture with Honours (Part 1 and Part 2) programme

Mark of an A average on completed modules

2020-2021

Saint Paul, Minnesota

2019

Roseville, Minnesota

Ski Sales Associate

#2 and #36 seller of Rossignol skis and boots, respecitvely, in the United States from October - December 2020

#20 seller of Liberty skis in the United States from January - March 2021

Young Architects Competitions: Sports Citadel

Honorable Mention

Professional-level ideas-based design competition for a sports complex including a 11,000seat indoor arena, gymnasium, exposition hall, sporting museum, transportation hub, hotel, and residences.

Jury members: Peter Eisenman, Dang Qun, Hitoshi Abe, Andrea Maffei, Gianluca Mazza, Giovanni Palazzi, & Giuseppe Ferrero

Competition required one member under the age of 35 Team with one other member

2021 - 2022

Cordoba, Argentina

Holcim Foundation 6th Awards Cycle: Next Generation

Special Mention & Participation in Holcim Next Generation Awards Lab

Ideas-based design competition to solve issues of sustainability with five target issues: progress, people, planet, prosperity, & place. Project was a design for the redevelopment of a decommissioned natural gas power plant in Toronto into a multifunctional complex with a solar chimney power plant

Presented and participated in the Holcim Foundation Next Generation Awards Lab in Cordoba, Argentina in August 2022

Only 22 of the over 2,000 entries were invited to the conference

Jury: Reed Kroloff, Mitchell Joachim, Sarah Whiting, Jesse LeCavalier, Marilyne Andersen, Sharon Johnston, Sarah Burch, Sarah Graham, & Christophe Levy

The competition was open to members of up to 30 years of age Team with one other member

2015-2022

Little Canada, Minnesota

Contact

Phone: +1 612 323 8170

Email: rahulfaizer.architecture@gmail.com

Email: rahul.faizer.22@ucl.ac.uk

Website: https://rahulfaizer.myportfolio.com/home

Instagram: @rahulfaizer.arch

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Software

Revit

Rhino

Grasshopper

Enscape

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop Blender

Adobe Premiere

About Me

Hi, I am Rahul Faizer. am a passionate architecture student from the United States that has competed in 5 professional architecture competitions prior to attending the Bartlett at the University College London. My course is the Masters in Science in Architecture, which is a 5 year programme.

Interning during the summer would be a crucial learning experience in progressing my skills, architectural knowledge, and understanding how a world-class architecture firm designs and fulfills projects.

Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)

Eagle Project: Constructed and erected wooden duck houses for a local park’s lake.

Elected to the positions of Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and other positions during this time.

Selected Works Portfolio

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2019-2022

Rahul Faizer

1.

2022-23

Design module for the Masters in Science in Architecture course at the Bartlett School of Architecture,Year 1.

2.

2020

Competition entry for the 6th Edition of the Holcim Foundation Awards. Was granted a special mention by the jury and invited to the Awards lab in Cordoba, Argentina in 2022.

2019

Competition entry for the Young Architects Competitions, Sports Citadel edition. Granted a honorable mention for the design.

4.

2020

Competition entry for the Young Architects Competitions, Detroit Waterfront District edition.

2021

Competition entry for the Young Architects Competitions, Culture Stations edition.

2022

Skills module for the Masters in Science in Architecture course at the Bartlett School of Architecture,Year 1.

MSci Architecture Design Module

Holcim Awards 6th Edition

3. Sports Citadel Architectural Competition

‘Triangular’ Development Architectural Competition

5. Culture Stations Architectural Competition

6. MSci Architecture Skills Module

MSci Architecture - Design Module

Architectural Elemtent Survey

Window Survey at the Bartlett

Windows provide a new way to visualize a space, and can be used for viewing towards the outside, inside a building, or both.The window’s frame acts as a limiting factor, forcing us to view a certain space while hiding others. Furthermore, it allows for the creation of a new ‘facade’, created through the window, separating the Bartlett into multiple layers. The new ‘facade’ is created through a patchwork of images into an elevation, split into 2.

Mapping of the views into the Bartlett ground floor from the window of interest.

MSci Architecture - Design Module

Building Site Survey (Brixton, London, England)

Site survey looking at decay, layers, and perspective

Site survey of Astoria Walk, located in Brixton, looking at decay in three main forms: human activity, natural, and material. While the connotations related to decay are negative, not all decay has negative effects. Images below show the site and some of its context. The drawing to the right maps where elements of decay are on the site, while categorizing them by type. Here, decay is used as a way to visualize human activity and inactivity on specific areas within a site.

MSci Architecture - Design Module Building Site Survey & Building Concept (Brixton, London, England)

Site survey and building project looking at decay, layers, and perspective

Peering through a hole in the front facade of the site, one can see into part of the main building, to the back facade of the site. Recreating the facade, then mapping and categorizing the moments of decay shows how prevalent human caused and material decay is within the site.

Overlaying the decay within the front and rear facade shows little correlation, except for a height at about 1.8 meters , where the front and rear facade experience significant material decay.

A site plan, drawn below, shows common access points to the site as well as nearby businesses and activity in the area. In the bottom set of images a perspectival model recreates a view of the site through a hole in the front facade, exposing the inner spaces. This compressed model uses scales of 1 to 1, 1 to 1.25, 1 to 1.5, and 1 to 2 at various distances from the viewer in order to create the view. Each scale corresponds to the distance between the viewer and the back of the model.

Categorization of decay on the back, or inner facade of the site.

Site elevation with front and inner decay elements overlaid.

Site plan, 1:200, at A1 size.

MSci Architecture - Design Module

Site Decay Survey & Building Concept (Brixton, London, England)

Site survey and building project looking at decay, layers, and perspective

The site survey is continued, looking at both decay, and its possible cause: a lack of human activity at certain parts of the day. Perhaps, if few people are active in the site surroundings, decay-inducing activities are more common.

In the center, quick modeling inquires about facade and volume, as well as how this decay can be extrapolated into nearby buildings. In a later iteration, the decay is used as a creating, rather than destroying element.

MSci Architecture - Design Module

Building Iterations (Brixton, London, England)

Initial building iterations that focus on using decay for generative purposes

The building programme was chosen to be a street-food hall, catering primarily to those queueing at the nearby entertainment venue O2 Academy, as well as being open through the night for graveyard shift workers.

Below, a study on Steven Holl’s Storefront for Art and Architecture reveals the benefits of opening space through rotating panels, as well as the interesting lighting qualities of the facade. The first iteration, in the middle uses the previously mapped elements of decay from the site study to create a patchwork of volumes for parts of the building facade. The facade is permeable, allowing light and views to penetrate.

The second iteration is shown at the bottom of the page, where a new circulation strategy was used. A central core of stairs with landings every 1 - 2 meters allows for split levels. As customers ascend, they pass various kitchens with opened walls and seating areas. Furthermore, the irregularly placed levels allows for cutting views into the building, usually accentuated with large square windows.

Rendering of the iteration show the twisting corner elements and change within the facade for views.

Model that imitates Holl’s Storefront for Art and Architecture for shadow and facade analysis.

MSci Architecture - Design Module

Building Iterations (Brixton, London, England)

CNC machining and manufacturing rust in order to design the building facade

Intrigued by using decay as a generative process and cultivated product, the facade panels were designed with metals in mind: copper and steel. These metals both create a patina, or rusted appearance once exposed to the elements over time. While copper is commonly used for this purpose, steel isn’t usually designed to rust in buildings, either used as stainless steel, or pre-rusted into corten steel.

A first attempt at CNCing resulted in errors due to low bit spin rate.This was fixed in a second attempt by angling the stock by 45 degrees and increasing the depth of cut. The cut metal is then rusted, creating a more effective patterning and allowing for control over the patina.

At the bottom, images show how 4 other metal panels were rusted using white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, for periods of 15, 20, 30, and 45 minutes.

Initial CNCing with an undulation. About halfway through, the machine bit snapped, due to the low movement of the cutting edge.

Second CNC iteration, set at 45 degrees and with deeper undulations in order to have a better finish. The specified stepover distance allows for more pronounced cusps which create an interesting tactile finish.

The initial four rusted steel pieces, rusted for (from left to right) 45, 30, 20, and 15 minutes.

MSci Architecture - Design Module

Final Iteration

(Brixton, London, England)

Design and description of the final iteration of the building

ProjectDescription The building is heavily inspired by decay, being a generative and destructive process that is fabricated, but also planned for. From the exterior, the abstract form rises as a patchwork of new and weathering steel and copper panels; gleaming silver to tarnished grey to reddish-brown, whilst also shimmering bronze to murky greens and bright turquoise hues.

These metal sheets, draped over the building form, bend and twist, creating a curving and jutting out facade. Sheltering these weathering pieces, a composite of decay found in Brixton is sandwiched between glass in shining copper. All of these pieces patina over time, allowing the building to have an entirely unique appearance at every moment. In the facade’s breakup, windows, skylights, and planters create a new naturally lit quality inside, and emit indirect light at night. The abundance of layering and limited perspectives allows the food hall to appear like a lantern, giving off soft light.

Visitors, including foodies, night-time industry employees, and queuing eventgoers descend into the market from street level. Peering up through the atrium, a skylight brings filtered light through the building’s center. Ascending the triangular staircase allows visitors to peer into the kitchens, access seating, and marvel at views from the terrace. An interlinking of these spaces creates a blending of cooking aromas, conversation, and people. Rising up the building brings viewing areas and places to gather, looking over the O2 Academy across the street as well as Brixton’s nightlife.

As a result of this renewal of nighttime vibrancy and activity, through food and gathering, Brixton can be re-identified at night.

In the final iteration, the decay patchwork is added to the skylight, crowning the building. This also brings filtered light down through the building. The metal facade pieces are pulled and pushed to create opportunities for views, light, and planters. Metal surfaces on the floors, walls, and ceilings decay over time, creating a multicolored patina. However, kitchen interiors and counters are constructed from stainless steel, and are easy to clean for food safety.

The entrance is altered, with pieces of stone cladding parting, as if a deep gash was made into the earth. Here, visitors descend into the building. Glass is more widely used in the upper levels, where seating areas are located.

MSci

Architecture - Design Module Final Iteration (Brixton, London, England)

Technical drawings of the final iteration of the building

The ground floor contains counters for ordering food, payment, and collection. These surfaces, in stainless steel, often bend out from the interior facade, reinforcing the concept of bending metal sheets. Dumbwaiters connect the kitchens above to the points of sale.

Visitors can enter through two doors, either the north door, which leads to the lift for those with mobility impairments, or through the south door, with stairs that descend 1.5 meters. The space is expansive, with up to 5 meter ceiling heights. Facades and surfaces are comprised of stainless steel, Portland stone, and timber.

The first floor contains kitchens and seating.This floor has four different split levels, providing varied ceiling heights and connections to other spaces.

The second floor also contains kitchens and seating areas.There is a standing area with tables for more customers. Planters from the first floor are visible at this height.

The third floor has the store and a very large seating area. Toilets are located on this floor, close to the majority of the dining customers. At this height, few buildings near the site meet the cut: the O2 Academy, a nearby apartment complex, and flats on the next street.

The fourth floor houses the terrace, with lift and stair access. At this elevation, double height and extra tall ceilings from the third floor are present. The triangular stair also opens onto the terrace. The terrace doubles as a space for eating and drinking when weather permits.

MSci Architecture - Design Module

Final Iteration (Brixton, London, England)

Animations showing the decay of the steel and copper facades over time

A pair of animations show the decay of the metal panels and copper patchwork over time, from mostly pristine to completely rusted. In stark contrast, the stainless steel elements in the railings, window frames, and kitchens remain pure, for safety purposes.

To the right, and adjacent to the QR codes are other renders of the building.

Scan the QR code to the left for a link to the animation. Or type the link: https://youtu.be/0ayyFYBKU7M

This animation illustrates the change in the building over time, showcasing the prominent steel wall on the right, which becomes a vibrant redishorange hue. In stark contrast, the stair, stainless steel railing, and elevator shaft retain their finish.

The three rendered stills above show the progression of rusting over time.

Scan the QR code to the left for a link to the animation. Or type the link: https://youtu.be/bjWEy60OWMg

This animation illustrates the change in the building over time, showcasing the copper screen and the “burned” steel sheets, which turns a dark shade. In stark contrast, the stair and stainless steel railing retain their finish.

The three rendered stills below show the progression of rusting over time.

The render to the left is of the uppermost level of the building, from the exterior. Much of this level is surrounded by glazing, allowing expansive views of Brixton. The copper patchwork, especially on the south and west-facing facades helps with solar shading for summer months.

The render to the left is of the second floor of the food hall. As can be seen on this level, the varying heights and split level interior allow for interesting light-wells that create interesting lighting conditions inside. The central atrium, surrounded by stairs, acts as the largest of these.

The render to the left is of the ground floor, where customers enter and order or pick-up food. Much of the counters are in stainless steel, and will not decay.

The render to the left is of the ground floor, which has a Portland stone facade, in a similar color to stone commonly used in other buildings in and around London. However, this stone does not continue above, where metal panels feature prominently.

Holcim Awards 6th Edition

Hearn Power Station Redevelopment

Holcim Foundation Next Generation Ideas Architecture

Competition

Special Mention & Presentation at Holcim Next GenerationAwards Lab in Cordoba, Argentina inAugust 2022

An abandoned fossil fuel power plant in Toronto is revitalized into a multi-use building for residents, shoppers, and visitors. Existing infrastructure is used to create a solar chimney which generates electricity, facilitates an urban farm, and breaks up harmful greenhouse gases through photocatalysis.

In partnership with Curran Neely Research on photocatalysis: split with Curran Neely

Building section, showing the diagonal atrium space.

Elevated render of the main atrium space, showing seating for the food hall, as well as floors for retail.

Render of the outdoor terrace for recreation and views to downtown Toronto.

Render of the main atrium space, showing seating for the food hall and the atrium.

Render of the upper levels, focusing on the new “openness” within the space.

Diagram describing the main design ideas, and where they are found within the final design.

Diagram to illustrate the concept of a solar chimney.

Sports Citadel Architectural Competition

Young Architects Competitions: Sports Citadel Edition

Honorable Mention

A stadium, in Turin, Italy, rises out of the ground in a bold architectural statement, while still maintaining an understated and elegant profile. Like how fans come together for sports, forms are joined together by a glass roof to show convergence and movement. The sport citadel is a dynamic and multifunctional complex optimized to enhance the sporting experience.

In partnership with Curran Neely

Exterior, birds-eye

Design process:

1. Many sporting stadiums have the playing surface on the ground level, forcing fans to climb up to the concourse. Sinking the playing area allows for easier access.

2. Conventional basketball stadiums are tall and imposing, with tall screens suspended from the ceiling. By moving screens to corners, building height can be reduced.

3. By reducing the ground floor plate, the building has a smaller physical footprint, meeting the brief requirements.

4. Sloping the roof eliminates shadows on nearby buildings, as well as allows fans to walk up to the roof of the building. This gives the stadium another purpose, as a park, when not in use.

Design process

Interior render

‘Triangular’ Development

Architectural Competition

Young Architects Competitions: Detroit Waterfront District

Edition

This multi-use development is an elegant solution in the organic form of tower design while staying rooted in the history of Detroit. It is sleek, yet robust; fluid in shape, yet geometric; and vertical, yet horizontal. Large skybridges connect the trio of towers and create elevated public spaces with minimal ground impact. This creates a new form of circulation, with both vertical and horizontal elements connected at the ground and high above.

Interior render of office spaces

Building plan at 9th floor

Render of the upper floors and skybridges

Interior render of pool inside the skybridge

Exterior render of pool inside the public space within the development.

Exterior render of the development

Culture Stations Architectural Competition

Young Architects Competitions: Culture Stations Edition

The Elini Culture Stations are a mix of mimicry of existing structures and landscapes, more contemporary interventions, and renovations of existing buildings that serve to vitalize and energize the town. The main programmes stated in the brief- an art school, hotel, retail, restaurants, museum, and student residences are diffused within the town. At the city center, a train station, the programs collide and combine, allowing for increased linkage between tourism and other industries as well as increasing chance encounters.

In collaboration with Curran Neely

Birds-eye render of the area of intervention.

Render along the path of the railroad, with hotels, retail, recreation, and academic spaces.

MSci Architecture Skills Module

Non-design work utilized to showcase technical skill in Rhino; Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop; and Enscape. Existing buildings were modeled, then drawn or rendered.