Industry Portfolio

Portfoilo | ABDULRAHMAN FARAHAT UNIVERSITY OF READING AA3IPP | INDUSTRY & PRACTICE Vol 1 12.2020

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CONTENTS 1. Line Drawing................................................................................................................................................5 • The Cardboard project .................................................................................................................................6 •The Social Housing project............................................................................................................................7 •The Highwire project......................................................................................................................................8 2. Rendering...................................................................................................................................................11 • The Brickworks project...............................................................................................................................12 •The Highwire project...................................................................................................................................13 3. Model Making.............................................................................................................................................15 • The Cardboard project ...............................................................................................................................16 •The Waterville project..................................................................................................................................17 •The Social Housing charette........................................................................................................................18 •The Social Housing project..........................................................................................................................19 •The Brickworks project.................................................................................................................................20 •The Highwire project.....................................................................................................................................21 4. Architecture photography..........................................................................................................................23 •Berlin...........................................................................................................................................................24 •Paris............................................................................................................................................................25 5. Skills...........................................................................................................................................................27 6. Career Path.................................................................................................................................................30 About me........................................................................................................................................................32 3

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The Cardboard project 1st Year // Autumn term Handrawing: This project was the first project in the course. We were put in teams and first asked to design a sensory installation at a 1:1 scale and later build it (see page16). The final submission had to be in handrawing on tracing paper, I first started drawing the structures(figs.1,2,3) on Adobe illustrator and this is when I first started using it. I printed the drawings at the required scale and then traced over them for my final submission. One of the challenges met was I had to redraw all the drawings after my final review as they were inaccurate, I was dissapointed that I was asked to do that, but later when I redrew them I realized the difference and that made me accept the fact the the tutors are there to help us and push us forward even if their critiscism hurts us sometimes. Final drawings: (figs.4,5,6,7) Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 6

The Social Housing project 2nd Year // Autumn term Cad-drawing: In ths Project we were asked to design a social housing in London consisiting of 8 dwellings and communal and shared spaces. This was the first project we used Autocad in and it was a bit challenging and quite a tran- sition from line drawing to cad drawing but I could say that it was quicker and more accurate and another skill that I gained. It was also the first project to take a first dive into building regulations while designing which was interesting and challenging as it gave us more aspects to consider. (fig.8) shows the Ground floor plan of my proposal. Figure 8 7

The Highwire project 3rd Year // Autumn term Detailed Cad-drawing: In this project we were asked to design a circus on a boat on the french canal featuring a high wire act in phase 1 that later develops into a semi permanent structure featuring the same circus and act in phase 2. Attention to detail was key. Materiality and inhabitation had to be shown with full details and precision. It was quite interesting self-learning how to hatch properly and how to also hide, scale and import hatches. I developed my Cad skills greatly in this project. Performance space section of phase 2(fig.9). Boat plans: Main deck(fig.10) Lower deck(fig.11). Figure 9 8

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The Brickworks project 2nd Year // Spring-Summer term Rendering: In this project we were asked to design a brickworks facility over existing buildings on gasworks road, Reading. This building would house 3 ceramic artists of our choice and the building should include studio spaces, artist residences, reception, and exhibition space. There was a certain level of visual representation required in the submission of this project. It was interesting to learn about how to render and how to do it quickly yet beautifully as many drawings were required to be rendered. I enjoyed this whole process as I saw my drawings come to life and I also discovered my own rendering aesthetic. I tend to use low saturation colours overall whilst showing materiality, and the use of grain effect to top off my drawings. South Elevation(fig.12), North Elevation(fig.13), Roof Floor Plan(fig.14), East Section(fig.15) Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 12

The Highwire project 3rd Year // Autumn term Rendered views: In this project the views were very important and had to be used to complete the narrative of the design proposal. I built a really detailed sketchup model that I then extracted my view and rendered them + inhabitation. I used the same aesthetic I used in the previous project; low saturation and grain effect while still showing materiality. Overview of facility and boats(fig,16), View from existing bridge looking upwards(fig.17), View From under the building showing structure(fig.18), View from Amphitheatre at performance(fig.19) Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 13

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The Cardboard project 1st Year // Autumn term First 1:1 model: In this project we were asked as a team to design the a sensory model. We chose the sense of hearing. It was great to work as a team despite the difficulties in getting along as a team at the start but we overcame those problems by be- ing honest and transparent and we ended up having a really good project and models. the project was recognized as one of the best in that year and it also made it to the end of year exhibition, which was something we were extremely proud of. we also had to make a video of the installation in which I have developed my videography skills along with my teamate when editing the video. the video can be found here: https://vimeo.com/300905739 password: Amplify2018! The amplifying cones on site(fig.20) Teammate Alessandro Porchietto(fig.21), Teammate Paolla De Melo(fig.22), Me(fig.23) Figure 20 Figure 23 Figure 21 Figure 22 16

The Waterville project 1st Year // Spring-Summer term First Sectional model: In this project we were asked to design a project approaching water in a certain way in which I approached water as a source of living. it should also house a caretaker in which I house an environmentalist because I was purifying water from the river surrounding the site and also recycling plastic water bottles. This model was made to attention to detail and materiality in which I chose rammed earth as my project was based around sustainability and I was lucky to be one of the of the 3 students that chose rammed earth for their project to make this model that realisticly visualized rammed earth. This model made it to the end of year publication which is something I am very proud of. 17

The Social Housing Charette 2nd Year // Autumn term Quick model: This was a team task, another great work as a team. We were asked to make a charette model of a social house in an hour-hour and a half. I though this would be impossible as model making takes time to achieve precision but that was not needed here as the concept and narrative were more important. This showed me how quick I can make a model and to work under pressure, as I was trying to make a complete model that fulfils all the ideas in my head. 18

The Social Housing project 2nd Year // Autumn term First Time laser Cutting: For this project I chose to do laser cutting for my model as the material of my design was timber and since I like my models to be as realistic as possible or at least to make the viewer understand the materiality immediately I went for laser cutting. It was a great experience as I had to design every piece on Auto-cad and join the pieces together like a puzzle. It was fun. I also used some internal lights to enhance the model’s photographs. 19

The Brickworks project 2nd Year // Spring-Summer term Detailed Digital Model: For this project I made a very detailed sketchup model, developing my sketchup skills even further trying to achieve the tectonics in my design concept on a digital model. This sketchup model was then used to export all my required drawings and then retouch them on Autocad. 20

The Highwire project 3rd Year // Autumn term Realistic physical model: For this project I made a realistic physical model that depicts every material that will be used in the actual design if built. From Canopy material, to the structure’s material (timber) to the swings made out of rope and timber, to detail of the pulley system used to pull the swings up as the seats had to be elevated as required in the brief, as this is a seating structure with a canopy for the audience to watch the highwire performance of a circus of our choice. 21

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Architecture Photography 23

Berlin, Germany 1st Year // Field Trip 2019 24

Paris, France 2nd Year // Field Trip 2020 25

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TeamworkLeadership Presenter InnovativeResponsible Confident SkILLS CreativeHonest Passionate Sociable 27

Passionate Creative It was nothing but passion for art and architecture that I consider myself a creative person and I always tend drove me to do this course. And if someone is doing to think out of the box and run away from all that is ba- architecture with having the passion for it, they are in sic and easy. I enjoy creating and exploring new tech- the wrong place. I put my heart out in every design I do niques. when it comes to architecture I tend to create despite the challenges or difficulty of the brief. sophisticated designs. Teamwork Innovative I consider myself a teamworker as I love sharing the I always try to come up with original work and ideas. ideas with others and having discussions on how to de- When it comes to my designs I always tend to use a velop them. I believe that each team member will have different material in every project, and in most cases it a strong skill, and the use of those skills on different would be material that was not chosen by the majority. tasks will definitely produce great work. I also tend to look at precedents late in my design pro- cess, to avoid the risk of copy/pasting a design. I tend Leadership to draw my ideas first and try to find some inspirations A part from working greatly as a teamworker, I can be that will develop my concept even further. a Leader when needed. I have lead many groups from school up to university and in most cases my group Sociable would achieve the highest marks. I know how to direct I think this is a great quality to have as being sociable and convince the members of my team, I also tend to makes me easy to work with. I also tend to break the see the potential and skill in each member and assign a tension and stress of work with jokes or funny incidents, task accordingly, making the best use of the team mem- as this uplifts one’s mood and makes the working envi- bers. ronment a better place to work in. Responsible Presenter Throughout my educational life I have been holding re- I was never unable to present infront of other, I get wor- sponsible roles. I was the head of the student council in ried, yes, but I tend to pull myself together and present primary school, and many daily or temporary incharge everything I have to present. I enjoy the crits and re- roles. While in university I have been the student rep for views, I always have an answer to the reviewer’s ques- art in my foundation programme, student rep of 1st year tions. architecture, president of Architecture society in 2nd year, and currently student rep of 3rd year architecture. Confident I think I wouldn’t be able to have all these qualities and Honest skills without being confident. I think it’s the mother I consider myself a very honest and straightforward per- quality of all the previously mentioned ones. I’m con- son I never lie or ever feel the urge to lie. I say what fiednt enough to know my weaknesses and strengths, I feel. I admit my mistakes and I confront others with to know what I capable of and what I am not. I accept theirs, only if their mistakes concern me or my opinion critiscim and not afraid to admit my mistakes or down- was asked. points. 28

Summary of skills in from year 1 to current in BSc Architecture Univeristy of Reading Year 3 Year 2 complexity time management Detail line dawing (page8) Construction details Year 1 Laser cutting (page19) Building regulations(page7) Sketchup (page20) Adobe Photoshop(page12) Quick Modeling (page18) Building 1:1 (page16) Recognition (page16,17) Site Analysis Presenting Videography (page16) Teamwork ( page16) Adobe Illustrator (page6) Model Making (page15) Handrawing (page6) 29

CAREER PATH 30

With few months left till graduation and soon to become a part 1 architecture graduate, I am excited about this new chapter. I want to work for a year or two before I proceed with my mas- ters in Architecture. I am not looking for any particular practice or size at this stage as I think its’s best for me to try anything and everything. I’m sure this will be beneficial for me the most. With my interest and skills in design, photography and model making, I’m sure there are plenty of options to fulfil my interests. Although I’m open for any opportunity I surely do not want any job that will be based on writing as this is one of my biggest weaknesses. Al- though I enjoy critisizing architecture, I do not think I’ll be a good architecture journalist, as my writing skills are not the best. When it comes to history of architecture, again, I enjoy it very much, but I would not want to write an essay or an article about it. With the potential and passion I have I think I’ll be an addition to a firm as much as it will be for me. Looking forward for job interviews and opportunities, despite the difficult time the world is going through, I am staying positive and I am sure we will overcome this very soon. 31

About Me I am soon to be a part 1 architecture graduate. I have always been creatve and artsy and few years before getting into university I developed a great passion for Archi- tecture and this passion grew bigger day by day during my studying of Architecture. I am always striving to learn and explore deeper into this field and create all that is innovative, creative and outstanding. With my potential, creativity and passion I will be able to achieve great things. They say the sky is the limit, I say my limit is way beyond. Abdulrahman Farahat 32