NILOU SOLTANI (2016 - 2025)
SOLTANIMOFRAD NILOU SOLTANI
Pronunciation: NeE-Lu s-ol-t-AA-n-n-ee
LEAD ARCHITECT | ASLA EMERGING PROFESSIONAL | LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE | M.LA. | B.ARCH.
I hold a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, with over five years of experience showcasing projects across both fields. My perspective has evolved from creating visually appealing landmarks to understanding the critical interplay between these disciplines to achieve sustainable and enduring designs. Early in my career, I recognized the profound synergy between architecture and landscape architecture, which has since become a source of deep inspiration for me. I am driven by the desire to integrate ecological resilience with sustainable design principles, aiming to create projects that seamlessly merge these essential elements. My ultimate goal is to leverage my expertise to contribute to the built environment in a way that is both innovative and environmentally conscious.
1. EL-BELLE ISLE
RESEARCH/ DESIGN OF FINAL GRADUATE PROJECT
2. OSAGE FOREST OF PEACE (OFP) GRADUATE DESIGN STUDIO IV
3. ASHTON GROVE’S MEDIAN PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROJECT
4. WESTBERRY’S NEIGHBORHOOD MONUMENT SIGN PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROJECT 4 - 17 18 - 23 30 - 33 24 - 29 34 - 37
5. SUTTON SIGNATURE RESIDENTIAL PLAN PROFESSIONAL/ BUILT ARCHITECTURE PROJECT
6. ART COLLECTION PHOTOSHOP COLLAGE, PAINTING, SKETCHES, BANNAI SCRIPT 38 - 39
el-belle isle
El-Belle Isle is a distinguished project that has earned multiple ASLA student awards, including the 2020 ASLA Central States Award for Research and the 2019 OKASLA Merit Award for Planning and Analysis. The project is structured into two main components: Research and Design, each playing a crucial role in its overall success. Emphasizing the principles of Landscape Urbanism, El-Belle Isle draws significant inspiration from the transformative success of New York’s High Line.
Located on a 23-acre underutilized state property along the NW Expressway, beneath the elevated section of I-44 in Oklahoma City, the site offers a unique and promising opportunity for revitalization. The project re-imagines this neglected urban space, proposing a visionary design that seeks to unlock the site’s potential while contributing to the broader urban fabric of the city.
The primary purpose of building highways have changed significantly over time. For nearly two decades, the original goals of these infrastructures were overshadowed, leading to the displacement of thousands of people of color from low-income neighborhoods, which in turn caused these communities to be divided by urban freeways.
Recently, some professional firms have started to reexamine the leftover spaces around highways, aiming to reconnect the communities that were once severed. To better understand this process, six built projects were studied and analyzed to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and programming.
Bentway Park Toronto, ON
Underpass Park Toronto, ON Underground at Ink Block Park Boston, MA
Lowline Park Manhattan, NY
The Underline Miami, FL
Buffalo Bayou Park Houston, TX
STRENGTHS & OPPORTUNITIES:
1. Improvement of walkability
2. Better Urban Life (Livability, Identity and Control, Access to Opportunity, Imagination, and Joy, Authenticity and Meaning, Community and Public Life, Self-reliance, and Justice)
3. Existing Weather Protection
4. Economic Growth (Change in Residential Property Value Lands, New Development and Job Opportunities)
5. Provides sense of Enclosure and Human Scale
6. Multi-Functional Infrastructures
7. Enormous Urban Art Exhibition (Street Art and Graffiti and Lightening and Kinetic Art)
CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS:
1. Lack of Accessibility (Solutions: Crosswalks, Traffic Lights, Painted Intersections, Flashing Beacons, and Pedestrian Bridges)
2. Sound Pollution The researcher conducted a noise study in four case studies, revealing that the non-continuous noise levels ranged between 68 to 93 dB, not cause any significant discomfort. Solution proposed by the researcher: Generating continuous noise to mitigate potential disturbances.
3. Presence of Homelessness (Solution by the researcher: Involvement of existing employment programs for homeless individuals, including partnerships with City Rescue Mission and The Homeless Alliance)
4. Structure’s Overshadowing The researcher conducted a Sun/Shade Analysis across four case studies, finding that over 53% of the areas beneath infrastructures were in shade (Solution by the researcher: utilizing technology similar to that used at Lowline Park)
Belle Isle Bath House
Belle Isle Bath House and Boat Docks
Figure_04 Figure_05
LEGEND:
1. Main Entrance
2. Drop-off Area
3. Seating Area and Water Fountain
4. Existing Pedestrian Bridge
5. Proposed Pedestrian Bridge
6. Picnic Lawn
7. Major Accessible Path for Walking and Biking (25 feet wide)
8. Green Wall Protection
9. Skate Park
10. Multi-purpose Fields
11. Accessible Seating Area
12. Stepped Lawn Seating
13. Parking Lots
14. Market Rooms
15. Light Installation and Reflection Pool
16. Concrete Stepped Seatings
17. Kid’s Playground
18. Central Plaza with Vehicular Access (Beer Garden, Food Trucks, and Block Parties)
19. Pollinator Garden
20. Farmer’s Market/ Seasonal Market
21. Stormwater Consideration
22. Seating Area (with Movable Chairs and Tables)
23. Dog Park
24. Herb Garden
25. Water-friendly Planting Beds
26. Existing Water Channel
27. Art Galleries (Shipping Containers)
28. Proposed Bridge Over Highway
29. Artscape Lighting Garden
30. Sculpture Garden
31. Barrier Ditch to Secure Pedestrians
STRUCTURE’S OVERSHADOWING
The concept of capturing and projecting natural sunlight into underground spaces was initially explored by the LowLine Lab. Their research demonstrates that this technology creates optimal conditions for plants to thrive in fully subterranean environments. This innovative approach could be further developed in the El-Spaces, enhancing the potential for green, sustainable environments below ground.
PRESENCE OF HOMELESSNESS AND ART GALLERIES
In Belle Isle, an art district with galleries within shipping containers has been proposed to manage and host existing art programs, such as Fresh stART. This initiative aims to assist homeless individuals in discovering and honing their artistic skills, which can be valuable for future employment. By supporting these art programs, the project seeks to promote social justice by ensuring that both affluent and underprivileged individuals have equal access to public spaces in the metro area. Additionally, it will offer a potential source of income for the homeless while raising public awareness about homelessness and fostering greater social understanding.
<96db
Discomfort=120db
PROPOSED TECHNOLOGY TO OVERCOME
The project aims for self-sustainability and explores converting the kinetic energy from passing vehicles into music and light displays. Although no current projects use this technology, it offers a promising research opportunity for creating engaging audio-visual experiences in the el-spaces.
OSAGE FOREST OF PEACE (OFP)
The Osage Forest of Peace, a distinguished spiritual retreat located just outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, provides a tranquil natural setting, particularly for individuals exploring diverse spiritual paths. The project focused on developing a new master plan to enhance both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the site.
This involved strategically locating new cabins, refining circulation routes, improving way-finding and parking, and upgrading amenities like the Zen Garden. A key feature of the redesign was the integration of the four classical elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth—into the forest landscape, creating a harmonious and immersive environment.
LEGEND:
1. Guest’s Parking lot (40 spots) 2. Service Access
3. Staff’s Parking lot (6 spots)
4. Disabled Guest’s Parking lot (8 spots) 5. Reflective Moon Gate 6. Mountain of Fire Entrance
Shelter
Cabins
New Staff’s Cabins 18. OFP’s Earth Fountain and Seating Area
OFP’s Silent Center
Meditation Chapel
Meditation Chapel
Room -Library 20. Redesigned Zen Garden 21. Entrance Gate to the Trail 22. Butterfly Garden/ Leach Field 23. Craft Studio
A small-scale water fountain was introduced to symbolize the element of water, enhancing the visitor experience by simulating a natural water source. (Element of Water)
EARTH FOUNTAIN
ZEN GARDEN
(Element of Earth)
The Zen Garden redesign embodied the Earth element, reflecting qualities of nourishment, fertility, and creativity, enhancing the site’s spiritual ambiance.
MOUNTAIN OF FIRE
Symbolizing both pain and inspiration, a symbolic Mountain of Fire was designed, providing illumination at night and serving as sculpture during the day, safely representing the element. (Element of Fire)
REFLECTIVE
MOON-GATE
The Reflective Moon Gate, made of wood to preserve the site’s character, featured symbols of nine religions, casting intriguing shadows and representing religious diversity. (Element of Air)
ASHTON GROVE’S MEDIAN
The site is located in the upscale Ashton Grove neighborhood in Norman, Oklahoma. The neighborhood board requested a proposal for this site, and the final design meets their requirements with several key accomplishments:
1. Enhanced Walkability: The design features a central paved pathway that seamlessly connects the north and south sides of the cul-de-sac, fostering improved pedestrian circulation and community interaction.
2. Pond Viewing Area: A carefully positioned seating area in the west wing offers panoramic views of the existing pond, creating a peaceful space for relaxation and contemplation.
3. Harmonious Softscape: The design incorporates local, shade-tolerant plants within the existing tree canopy, resulting in a visually appealing and lowmaintenance landscape.
WESTBERRY’S ENTRY SIGN
This neighborhood monument was designed and permitted in the city of Edmond as a contemporary and visually striking gateway to Section One of the Castleberry West Villas neighborhood. Responding to the executive team’s vision, the project features a detailed set of construction documents encompassing both hardscape and landscape designs. Situated on an easement line, the project required meticulous coordination including the preparation of a revocable
permit and securing Letters of No Objection (LONO) from involved utility companies. In compliance with Oklahoma City regulations, plant materials were selected based on a point system that evaluates size, type, and caliper. Additionally, the hardscape area of the sign was calculated to determine the required landscaping points, ensuring the design met all permitting standards while delivering an elegant and functional monument.
SUTTON SIGNATURE
The Sutton plan is a 3,200 SF single-family house with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and two bonus rooms, designed to balance functionality with architectural elegance. Its modern Tudor elevation, a Signature series favorite, features cohesive design elements like full arches echoed in the front porch, entry hallway, fireplace shelving, and loggia. The open layout maximizes space and natural light, emphasizing clean lines and balanced proportions. A comprehensive 20-sheet construction document package ensures precise execution, covering all aspects from foundation and floor plans to details, finishes, and technical layouts.
GENERAL LAYOUT
FRONT ELEVATION
FOUNDATION
PLAN ROOF PLAN
HVAC PLAN ELECTRICAL PLAN
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