samira ahmed [ por tfolio ]
sa hi!
my name is samira ahmed.
i’m in my second year as an architecture student at the university of waterloo. i’m still on a journey of trying to find out what architecture means to me, therefore i am constantly learning about the role it plays for other people in the present and past. i am inspired by the world around me to create work that has both purpose and meaning. for this reason, i aspire to create impactful designs that connect both physically and psychologically with the user and the site. i hope that in viewing my portfolio, you recognize my passion to learn and challenge myself.
email: s377ahme@uwaterloo.ca phone#: (647) 514 7545 linkedin: samira ahmed location: toronto, on
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table of contents
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curriculum vitae
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crystalline library
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the junction marketplace
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ascent
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the brick house
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inlay
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00 curriculum vitae objective i am seeking a 4 month architectural internship starting in January 2022.
education university of waterloo
2020 to present bacherlor of architectural studies (bas) co-op program
virtual learning center
2018 to 2020
high school
acheivements presidents scholarship
2020
mcphie family architecture scholarship
2020
university of waterloo, 90 - 94.9% university of waterloo, outstanding student
excellent academic standing
university of waterloo, 80%+ academic average
skills digital rhinoceros revit adobe illustrator adobe photoshop adobe indesign enscape microsoft office model making
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2020 to present
work experience mcdonalds, front end
2021 to present toronto, on • taking, preparing, and presenting customer orders with a smile and a positive attitude. • maintaining constant communication with team members to provide fast and exceptional guest experience
west49, e-commerce sales associate
2020 to 2021 toronto, on • working and communicating with supervisor and co workers to gather, pack, and ship online orders quickly and efficiently. • assessing and verifying order paperwork for accuracy and storing it according to set procedures.
cos, customer care
2020 toronto, on • greeting and actively assisting customers with product and style questions. • conducting stock checks in-store and creating a list for product stock up.
extracurricular zero experience, member
2021 to present online • joined the zero experience, an innovation program focused on quick problem solving. it involves the problem, solution, and innovation cycles. • lead a cross-disciplinary team to research future cities and sub problems that can be solved to work towards it.
f_rmlab, member
2021 to present online • member of the fabric design subteam for the designto 2022 installation “murmur” • attended biweekly meetings and digital software tutorials to improve proficiency.
sustainability collective, member
2021 to present online • joined the club to gain knowledge on climate issues and actions in canada. • participated in tote design workshop made from old clothing to reduce plastic bags when grocery shopping.
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01 crystalline library course design studio, first year location toronto, ontario
The intent of this project was to design a small library with one featured library program that would in some way engage with the public. The library would provide support for underserved communities and those living in small homes, with a public space where they can engage with fellow residents, develop new skills, and support their interests. The Crystalline Library focuses on engaging with both the exisiting architecture and community in the area. It does this by incorporating key features of the three buildings at the intersection and then engages with the public by creating an open and transparent porch-like area in the front. In this way, the library unites the community with the architecture.
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site plan
bring in surroundings
give back to intersection
massing and concept diagram
front elevation 7
l
t
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1st floor plan
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2nd floor plan
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quieter
loud
privacy diagram in correspondence with roof height longitudinal section
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transversal section
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roof
exterior
structure
maker lab floor
program
library floor
library
site
exploded axonometric 12
featured program: upper floor maker lab
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exterior render 15
02 the junction marketplace course building construction, first year location toronto, ontario team stephanie taban
The intent of this project was to design a canopy with the theme of a “marketplace,” with one temporary feature. The “Junction Marketplace” is located in the middle of a popular street, full of shopping and food, where farmers markets and seasonal events occur regularly. The design of this canopy thus revolves around creating an open space that would draw in consumers and instigate circulation through the marketplace. This is done by designing a roof that gradually decreases in height that’s composed of triangles, which filter light into the space [effecting the quality of light] and draw the public in creating a small community under one roof. The temporary art gallery at the back of the canopy also allows for artists to gain recognition in high-traffic public areas. The strategic placement of the columns also allows for organized and clear paths of circulation through the canopy.
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weld-
column connection
weld-
roof connection detail
north elevation 17
vendors shoppers art viewers
floor plan
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roof plan
site plan
west elevation 19
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exterior render 21
03 ascent course design studio, first year location toronto, ontario
The design of this pavilion was driven by the purpose of using a formal system. The formal system being a set of transformations done to the mass to create spaces. In the diagrams to the right, there are iterations using the same formal system, and then the final iteration underneath. With this project, site was a driving force in many of the design decisions. The way that the pavillion interacts with the topography and climatic conditions of the site, led to a space that was in sync with its surroundings. The orientation of the pavillion allows for a natural path from the park trail into the space, the wood construction also allows for this to be a more seamless and warm transition. The program of the pavilion is a shelter and rest for trail users, enhancing the experience of the community by provding an accessible space and a clear view of the Grand River.
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site plan
plan
iterations
final interation process
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exterior render
section aa 25
04 the brick house course environmental building design, first year location toronto, ontario team jiadi dai
The goal for “The Brick House” was to design an off-grid oasis that is environmentally conscious. To achieve this, research was done into finding abandoned and historically significant buidlings in Toronto for reuse, while maintaining the key architectural components that made it recognizable to the community. The result was finding the Andrew McFarren Building, a heritage property in Toronto from 19th century commerical architecture. To achieve the off-grid oasis, all of the facade was maintained while the interior was renovated to support the lifestyle of two adults. While taking into account site conditions, solar panels, water reuse systems, and eco-friendly heating systems (among others) were implemented.
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site context plan
ground floor plan
top floor plan
front elevation 27
roof plan and solar diagram
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solar and wind diagram
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05 inlay course design studio, first year location toronto, ontario
“Inlay” is a student house designed for the use of three people. The house is located on a hill and has to maintain some connection to the three other surrounding properties. It does this by creating shared sidewalks that would allow for neighbours to connect with each other as they use the path, a circular park like area at the back allows for a public gathering space that is private to those four houses. The design of this house is focused on flowing with the site. To achieve this, I used materials to create an interior exterior continuum. The use of recycled materials throughout the home allows for the occupants to interact with them physically, but also understand the different ways that recycled materials can be used in architecture. This connection creates a deeper relationship to the site along with the window openings. For example, the bark siding on the cylindrical inspirational space that stands infront of the framed backyard, serves to have that visual connection as well as to mimic what it would feel like to be outside. The house is also built into the hill with retaining walls rather than on it, contributing to the
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site view context to backyard plan
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vignettes
exterior vignettes render 34
exploded axonometric 35
thank you!
hope to hear from you soon.