Saleema | Work Portfolio

SALEEMA ADEL

PORTFOLIO

SELECTED WORKS

SELECTED WORKS

2016 -2024

SALEEMA ADEL

BOSTON, MA | 5089885390 | E: SALEEMA.ADEL@GMAIL.COM

SUMMARY

OF QUALIFICATIONS

Accomplished and aspiring architect with a strong foundation in design, project management, critical thinking, technical analysis, communication, and construction. Self-motivated and adept at quickly learning = various techniques and software tools. Seeking a rewarding career working with the built environment, facilitating designs for the future.

EDUCATION Master of Architecture, M.Arch May 2019

Boston Architectural College - Boston, MA, USA

Awards & Scholarships

2019 Edwin T. Steffian, ‘10 (Hon.) Centennial Award: Master’s Thesis Excellence for Best of Thesis 2018 William E. Nast Scholarship for Outstanding Portfolio

Civil Engineering, B.Sc June 2013

University of Saskatchewan – Saskatoon, SK, Canada

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Construction Project Manager

March 2023 - Present Capital Buildings Projects Department - City of Cambridge MA

Owner’s Project Management: Collaborated and coordinated with design teams and City stakeholders in developing project designs, budgeting, bidding, compliance, and CA of public projects. Worked directly with public contracts, understanding and adhering to regulatory requirements. Prepared RFPs

Architectural Designer

SMMA - Cambridge, MA

October 2019 - March 2023

Drafting & Design: Engaged throughout the design process from SD to CA. Key responsibilities involved production of design documentation with other team members, effective communication with the team regarding deliverables, and coordination with Project Architects and Engineers.

Construction: Managed construction-related tasks, including prompt responses to submittals and RFIs, prepared ASIs, conducted punch-listing activities, and coordinated with the team throughout the CA process.

Architectural Designer

Catalano Architects Inc. - Boston, MA

February - June 2019

Drafting & Design: Engaged in development of a luxury residence from the initial SD phase to the CD phase. Collaborated closely with the Project Architect to produce a comprehensive drawing set for bidding and permits.

Architectural Designer

Mayer & Associates Architects - Waban, MA

September - December 2018

Drafting & Design: Responsible for generating drawing sets for residential projects, producing design schematics for client presentations, and assembling drawing sets for permits. Generated renderings to visually communicate concepts, and documented existing conditions on site.

Civil Engineer May 2015 - August 2018

MassDOT Construction Division – Boston, MA

Construction: Conducted daily field inspections for the Silverline extension into Chelsea, MA, encompassing a two-span bridge and eight bus shelters/stations. Monitored all construction activities on a daily basis and maintaining a daily log complete with photographic documentation. Conducted concrete and asphalt testing during placement, ensuring compliance with project specifications.

Project Management: Produced and prepared detour routes for construction projects, closely tracked project timelines, generated daily reports, maintained records for pay slips, handled RFI correspondence, and provided oversight to the submission of materials testing.

Architectural Intern

J.C. Akin Architect LTD. – Saskatoon, SK

May 2013 - May 2014

Space Planning: Organized and coordinated floor plan layouts with Project Architect of multiresidential housing, drafted sets in accordance with Canadian building code guidelines. Designed promotional drawings and renderings facilitating engagement of clients.

SKILLS Computer Programs: Revit, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Adobe Master Suite, Sketch Up, Microsoft Suite, and Smartsheets.

Design Interests: Professional Photography, graphic design, woodworking

Certifications: MCPPO Mass Certified Public Purchasing Official, NETCCP HMA Inspector and Concrete Inspector, ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician, First Aid CPR Certified.

PARC BOSTON

STUDIO/INSTRUCTORS

ARCH THREE/DANA SHAIKH & MIKELA DE TCHAVES

FALL 2017 SEMESTER

RESILIENT DESIGN

This studio introduced a larger scale of design, the urban scale, and designing resilient infrastructure that would withstand a 200 year flood. Within the next 100 years the sea water levels will rise and it is important to design architecture that has can withstand or work within flooding conditions. Due to the proximity of the site to the water, designing a resilient site and structure is essential.

The site is located in South Boston along the harbor and East First Street. This proposed design was inspired by the proximity to the harbor and the Harbor Walk. Through the site analysis, it was found that the existing Harbor Walk is not connected directly to the harbor along the site, and as such extending the Harbor Walk to the harbor's edge was one of the drivers for the project.

Connecting the 'green spaces' from the city to the water was an initial response since there seemed to be a lack of open spaces in the residentially dense area.

This project came with its challenges from the beginning. It was difficult navigating such a large scale and understanding how large the space is. This studio also required us to research how different places have reacted to flooding conditions, and what methods and techniques are available in responding to rising sea levels.

By the final design, it was realized that the site should function as a creative hub for the South Boston neighborhood, while providing ample park space for those who live in and visit Boston. The green roofs provide a landscaped series of spaces that could be used during flood conditions, and the varying programs within the structures (library, gallery spaces, medical services, grocery and amenities, schools, residences, commercial spaces) allow for further growth within the dense neighborhood.

LEFT: Final proposed site plan extending green spaces accessible during flooding conditions.

ABOVE: Concept diagram displaying the three main steps of creating the urban plan for the given site.

LIFT TO ALLOW FLOOD LEVEL EXTEND GREEN SPACES TO HARBORS EDGE

ALLOW GREEN SPACES TO BE ACCESSIBLE DURING FLOOD CONDITIONS

SUMMER SUN

WINTER

SUN

Designingasareactiontosealevel rise.Creatingflexiblefloodzones thatremainedaccessibleregardless ofsealevel.Aseriesofspacesthat transformedasalandscapewith environmentalchanges.

LIGHT-WELL

ROOF

CAPTURE

HEAT AND WATER

WATER TANKS

CAPTURE RUNOFF FOR LANDSCAPE USE

GREEN COURTYARDS ALLOW FOR SUN AND WIND TO ENTER SPACES

GREEN SPACES

SLOPED GREEN ROOF ALLOWS FOR CONTINUED ACCESS TO SITE EVEN WITH FLOODING

LARGE WINDOWS ON BOTH SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN WALLS ALLOW FLOW OF AIR

DRY WELLS DESIGNED TO CONTAIN OVERFLOW

FLOOD WATERS ENTER FIRST FLOOR AND COURTYARDS

WATERFRONT STRATEGY

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

HARBOR WALK CONNECTION

AMPHITHEATRE

PUBLIC SPACE & SEATING

SLOPED SURFACE ALLOWS SEA WATER TO BE ACCESSIBLE DURING WATER LEvEL RISE

GREEN SPACE ACCESSIBLE DURING SEA LEvEL RISE

FLOOD LEvEL

OUTSIDE IN

STUDIO/INSTRUCTOR ARCH FOUR/MARILYN MOEDINGER

SPRING 2018 SEMESTER

LEVERAGING ZONING

This studio introduced zoning and building codes. Prior to this studio, exposure to both was limited through experience. Through the zoning analysis and understanding how to navigate both that and the building code, the final design of this studio implements design and technical aspects relative to the EDA zoning in South Boston, MA.

This project was a joint effort between myself and Amy Jamison (M.ARCH Candidate BAC). Through team-work we have created a project that leverages bay windows found in the building code and zoning regulations of Boston. Each facade responds differently to the zoning regulations and site conditions, and this is further explained in the following pages. The copper facade ages with time and ages differently based on the wind and rain hitting on each plane.

LEFT & Above: Final site model displaying a 3D printed model (painted in copper colored paint) to depict the building on site.

CONCEPT

E.CANTONSTREET

ALBANYSTREET

PULL

INVERSELY ORIENT BAYS TO CREATE (PRIVATE) OUTDOOR SPACES (ZONING) ACCESS

RETAIL

1300 SQ FT

FLOOR PLANS

ONE BEDROOM

620 SQ FT

ONE BEDROOM

1040 SQ FT

RETAIL

1430 SQ FT

NET AREA: 4040 SQ FT

GROUND FLOOR

LOBBY

540 SQ FT

ONE BEDROOM

1280 SQ FT

NET AREA: 4550 SQ FT

TYPICAL TYPE 1 FLOOR

ONE BEDROOM

730 SQ FT

THREE BEDROOM

1690 SQ FT

TWO BEDROOM

1390 SQ FT

STUDIO

640 SQ FT

NET AREA: 4600 SQ FT

TYPICAL TYPE 2 FLOOR

NET AREA: 4600 SQ FT

ROOF

ABOVE: Parking level floor plans displaying the steel structural plan. Columns and beams (dotted lines) shown above.

building system.

LEFT: The HVAC design was complicated as it was the first time we have had to design this type of

PARKING LEVEL 1

TOTAL PARKING SPOTS: 6

PARKING LEVEL 2

TOTAL PARKING SPOTS: 8

PARKING LEVEL PLANS

HVAC: TYPICAL TYPE 1 FLOOR

HVAC PLANS

HEATING/COOLING VENTILATION

HVAC: TYPICAL TYPE 2 FLOOR HEATING/COOLING VENTILATION

LIGHTING RCP

3’ HORIZONTAL WALL SCONCE

4” UPLIGHT

3.5’ X 2” LINEAR INDIRECT PENDANT

34” DIAMETER PENDANT

28” DIAMETER PENDANT

3” DIAMETER DOWNLIGHT

14” X 14” SQUARE SURFACE MOUNT

5” HORIZONTAL WALL SCONCE

5.5” HORIZONTAL WALL SCONCE

This RCP was created during the Building Systems course with Catherine Leskowat. It's the first time I had to design a lighting plan and it was interesting learning the various types of lighting and techniques used. I initially placed downlights throughout the apartments only to realize that it's not the best form of lighting for the spaces!

BLURRED BOUNDARIES

STUDIO/INSTRUCTOR THESIS/ANTHONY PAPROCKI AIA

SEMESTER

SPRING 2019

TO BLUR A BOUNDARY

The initial response to blurring a boundary was removing the boundary, thus eliminating it entirely. Such a response was inherent, focusing on the boundary as a physical representation and not addressing how architecture can influence the perception of a boundary.

Through life there are various boundary conditions that we experience as we walk through the city; walls that enclose a space, roof systems that create shelter and refuge, and the boundaries we experience within ourselves. Boundaries within architecture can vary in transparency, such as curtain walls which can be transparent and allow views outwards or inwards, or opaque monolithic concrete walls creating an edge

of isolation from sight and sounds. This thesis explores four parameters for boundary conditions: threshold, circulation, movement of sound, and sight.

LEFT & ABOVE: Final renderings and 3D model of proposed thesis design of a Mosque displaying concepts of blurred boundaries within built space.

blur (verb) to make indistinct or hazy in appearance

SACRED GEOMETRIES

The geometries used for the design of this mosque are inspired by Islamic geometry. The most basic of all forms, the circle, create circulation nodes along the path moving an individual from one level to another. The program spaces are derived from a circle and a square, and are connected along their vertices. The connections are moments of blurring boundaries. Like the Prophet’s Mosque, the program spaces are multi-use; there is no singular specified use. The spaces seamlessly complement one another while allowing for the path to move through without interrupting the sequence of spaces.

APPROACH

The mosque has two main entrances, one along its north elevation and the other along it’s east elevation. The entrance/exits provide access to the paths. Everyone who enters the mosque enters along the path, and from there decides which part of the mosque they would like to access. The path is a journey through the architecture.

This thesis focused primarily on the form and function of the spaces, therefore engagement of landscape was out of scope. Further exploration is needed to continue the language of blurring boundaries from building to street.

SCATTERED

DISJOINTED

COMBINED

BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

The two main boundary condition types are the PATH and the PROGRAM BOUNDARIES. The path, as highlighted in pink to the left, is the circulation from one end of the building to the other. The path’s boundaries create various moments of exposure to the prayer within the program spaces using parameters of sight and sound. The program boundaries, as shown as scattered, disjointed, combined, are based on threshold, sight, and sound principles. Every program space is separated vertically with 5 foot increments. The separation of the vertical circulation allows for the moments of boundaries to be blurred using sight, while placing interventions that diffuse sound and threshold conditions.

The following pages display the spatial experience of the program boundaries.

There are three main ways of blurring the boundaries between programs adjacent to one another: density, height, and thickness of columns and planes.

LOWER LEVEL (-15’ TO 5’ BELOW GRADE)

MOMENTS OF BLURRING BOUNDARIES IN PROGRAM VERTICALLY

ABLUTION SPACES

STAIRS OFF PATH ALLOWING VERTICAL MOVEMENT

CIRCULAR NODES CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIRCULATION

MULTI-PURPOSE SPACE CAN BE USED AS PRAYER SPACE

SMMA

POSITION TITLE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

DURATION

OCTOBER 2019 - MARCH 2023

A PATH TO LICENSURE

As a recently graduated Master of Architecture, experience at SMMA provided an immersive understanding of all phases of design. In the initial stages, my responsibilities involved delving deep into the conceptualization and schematic design processes. Through my experience, I collaborated daily with project architects and engineers working through the drawings to create a detailed drawing set for construction, I gained hands-on experience in translating conceptual visions into tangible designs, honing my skills in architectural drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering.

LEFT: Photo of completed auditorium from SMMA website.

ABOVE: A series of drawings from an ASI provided during the CA phase, and a photo taken during construction of the auditorium.

LEFT: Samples of Code and Egress drawings for a dorm, including a partition drawing.

RIGHT: Signage set drawings for a high school, including required safety signage, as well as an exploded axon detail.

Stair modeling and detailing in revit

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

POSITION TITLE ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER

DURATION

MARCH 2023 - PRESENT

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Motivated by a desire to broaden my professional horizons and take on a more comprehensive role within the architectural realm, I made a deliberate transition into project management. Building on the solid foundation of my architectural education, civil engineering experience, and architectural experience, I saw that there were opportunities for growth.

One of the most significant aspects of my transition was gaining proficiency in project management. Learning how to better communication project requirements, deadlines, and coordinate between various groups has been an enriching experience.

LEFT: A photo of Cambridge City Hall prior to facade restoration

ABOVE: A photo of existing conditions at one of the City owned buildings we are assessing for design.