URVA PARMAR
Architect, Designer & Writer
+971 50 1037286
parmarurva@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/urva-parmar
Sharjah, U.A.E
2023 // NOVATR (PREVIOUSLY ONEISTOX)
Short Course: Masters Computational Design.
2022-2023 // INTERIOR DESIGN INSTITUTE, DUBAI
Short Course: Diploma in Interior Design.
2022 // MASSACHUSETTS INST. OF TECHNOLOGY
Short Course: Additive Manufacturing by MIT xPRO. Sponsored by Abu Dhabi Music and Art Foundation (ADMAF). Only 3 recipients chosen.
2021-2022 // APPRENTICESHIP AT GRITNOVA
Course: Architecting the Future (4 months). Immersive workshops focused on character building and technicalities of architecture and urban design.
2015-2021 // AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF
SHARJAH
Bachelor of Architecture (NAAB Accredited) with Design Management minor.
2018 // HARVARD GSD (EDX)
Course: The Architectural Imagination (online).
2015 // SUMMER ABROAD IN ITALY
Course: Architectural Seeing/Drawing in Italy (GPA: 4.0).
2002-2015 // THE INDIAN HIGH SCHOOL, DUBAI
High School Diploma in Science discipline (Grade: 95%).
PROFILE
Urva Parmar is an architect and multidisciplinary creative with a passion for the built environment, exploring the intersection of architecture, writing, and fabrication. Inquisitive and self-motivated, she is proficient in multiple digital softwares, sketching and modelling skills, consistently delivering finished products on-time.
She is a team player and her work is characterized by a focus on design, material experimentation, and the use of visualization to convey complex ideas. She is driven to push boundaries and challenge preconceptions in her pursuit for innovative design solutions.
SKILLS
DIGITAL //
Rhinoceros, Adobe Suite (Ps, Ai, In, Ae), Sketchup, AutoCAD Vray, Keyshot, Agisoft Metashape, Autodesk Recap, Microsoft Office, Revit, Maya, zBrush, Twinmotion, Lumion, Grasshopper, Dragonframe, Enscape
ANALOG // Lasercutting, Woodworking, Physical Modeling, Hand drawing, CNC, 3D Printing
INTERPERSONAL //
Organization, Time management, Reliability, Teamwork, Conflict Management, Communication Skills, Leadership Skills, Active Listening, Documentation / Photography LANGUAGE // FLUENT | English, Hindi, Gujarati BASIC | Arabic
2023-PRESENT // LEVEL II DESIGNER / MIRAGE LEISURE & DEVELOPMENT, DUBAI
ONGOING | International Architecture and Planning Consultancy providing end-to-end services. Involved in modeling, drafting, presentation for Preconcept, Concept, and Schematic Design phases.
2022-2023 // JUNIOR ARCHITECT / SALIS DESIGN, DUBAI
1 YEAR | Architecture and interior design firm primarily involved in offering bespoke services for residential design. Responsible for modeling, drafting, presentation for Concept, Development, and Final Design phases.
2022 // ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PROJECT FOR ABU DHABI ART FESTIVAL
6 MONTHS | Research project for environmental innovation in the design field through 3D printing. Sponsored by ADMAF in collaboration with MIT xPRO for ‘Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production’ to exhibit for Abu Dhabi Art
2022 // ARCHITECTURAL WRITER / RTF [RETHINKING THE FUTURE], INDIA
5 MONTHS | Apprenticeship at RTF - a global platform for architecture and design that publishes articles and projects, and hosts awards and courses. This WFH opportunity culminated with 15 published articles over 15 weeks.
2021-2022 // JUNIOR ARCHITECT / DLR GROUP MIDDLE EAST, DUBAI
1.4 YEARS | A global, integrated, and multidisciplinary design firm. Involved in modeling, drafting, presentation and client reports for Pre-concept and Concept phase of various local and international projects, and interior design.
2018-2020 // INTERNSHIPS
MX CONCEPT DESIGN STUDIO, DUBAI | 3 MONTHS | Designing and drafting villas for the Federal Youth Authority DUBAI CULTURE & ARTS AUTHORITY, DUBAI | 2 MONTHS | Worked with the Museums Department for the rehabilitation project of the Zabeel High School for Girls. Carried out building survey, documentation, site analysis, and architectural drafting of the buildings.
X ARCHITECTS | 3 MONTHS | Involved in client reports, presentation, concept and final renders, program studies, 3D modeling, drawing. Projects include: Shindagha Welcome Pavilion, Palm Jumeirah Villa, Mudon Competition (UAE)
2017-2018 // MISCELLANEOUS
VOLUNTEER INTERN | 1 MONTH | ATHR Bricklabs Exhibition, Dubai
STUDENT GRADER | 4 MONTHS | Mathematics & Statistics Department at AUS, Sharjah
VOLUNTEER | 3 MONTHS | Art Week, Al Quoz Arts Festival, and Cinema Akhil at Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai
*Recommendations available upon request
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
COMPETITIONS //
TOP 100: Prototypes for Humanity | Shortlisted from a pool of nearly 3000 applications from 46 countries under the broad theme of “Climate and Society”, for impact innovation projects.
TOP 15: StartAD Youthtech Competition for ADEK | Shortlisted from approx. 100 teams for an innovators challenge to develop tech-enabled solutions for global challenges.
3rd Prize: P&T Architectural Student Competition
Shortlisted: Switching Prisons Competition
Student Award of Distinction: Architecture in Perspective Competition Edition 34 & 35 | International Architectural Illustration Competition. Published in Catalog Edition 34 & 35. Exhibited at WUHO Gallery, Hollywood Boulevard, California (Winning Entry for Edition 34). Exhibited virtually by Dimitri Vrubel, and further to be exhibited at Tchoban Museum in Berlin (Winning Entry for Edition 35).
3rd Prize: Poems of a Modern Day Architect | Published in ARCHHIVE BOOKS Issue 03
Architectural Honor Society Member: Tau Sigma Delta Society | 2019 - Present
ACADEMIC // AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH
Shabana & Faizal Scholarship Award | Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021
Academic Achievement Award | Fall 2017 - Fall 2021
Merit Scholarship Award | Fall 2015 - Fall 2017 (for maintaining CGPA 3.0)
Chancellor’s List | Fall 2019 (maintaining Dean’s list for 2 consecutive semesters)
Dean’s List | Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020 (GPA +3.5)
Exhibition | Spring 2019: Curated & exhibited at Surrealist Research Laboratory Exhibit