MUHAMMAD AHMAD KHANResume + Portfolio

Phone: 347-449-0254

E-mail: mahmadkhan1@gmail.com

Address: 84-10, Main Street, Apt. 447, Briarwood, NY 11435

As an architect, I wish to use my full potential into becom-ing an active agent of development for both, the beauty of form and space, as well as for community and culture.

B. Arch 5 year - National College of Arts (NCA) - Lahore, Pakistan Jan 2013

Courses: Architectural Design Studios, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Sus tainable Systems, Engineering Systems, Structure, History of Art and Architecture, Research Methodology, Sculpture

A’ Levels & O’ Levels *Equivalent to U.S High School - Karachi, Pakistan Jun 2007

Courses: Physics, Chemistry, Ecomics, Math, Additional Math, Urdu, English

*Productive Cities Certificate | ONE LAB (www.onelab.org) - New York City, USA Jul 2013

Socio-Ecological Exploration of the Next Metropolis

EDUCATION

Softwares: AutoCAD SketchUp Photoshop Illustrator Flash InDesign Soundbooth Premier 3D Studio Max Rhinoceros

Fabrication: Thorough experience with wood and metal workshops, Vacuum Forming, Plaster moulding/casting, Paper Mache as well as model making. I can speak and write fluently in English and Urdu/Hindi (Arabic script) I excel in writing (creatively and report), giving energetic presenta-tions and developing effective visual graphics. I enjoy solving complex problems and articulating them with clarity. I thrive in challenging situations.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

AWARDS & ACITIVITIES

Competition: 1st Place - ARCHASIA & Ethos (India) Architecture Quiz Competition - Asian Con-gress of Architects (ACA 14), 2010 Publication: Co-Founder | Editor - The Literature and Journalism Society of NCA with it’s student managed publication called “The Occasional Shopper” - www.theoccasionalshopper.wordpress.com. Theatre: Initially focusing in Mime, I have acted, written, directed and given workshops on all aspects of theatre as well as designed props and sets for artistic and commercial purposes while being part of the Neo-Transitional Mime Society at NCA and Co-founding Cogito Theatre Produc-tions (www.cogito.pk)

Resume

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Terreform ONE Aug-Nov ‘13 Research Fellow - New York City, USA

- Research and fabrication for Bio-City World Map installations.- “Biodesign: On The Cross-Pollination of Nature, Science and Creativity” NAI, Rotterdam.- “Biological Urbanism” exhibit at OCAD University, Toronto.

Office for Conservation and Cultural Outreach Feb - May ’ 13

Urban Research Analyst & Graphics Designer - Lahore, Pakistan

- Urban Research, Analysis and Intervention. - Historic Walled City, CBDs and transportation hubs along with other urban features of Lahore. - Site, literature and data research and documentation. - Process-based design intervention proposals accompanied by graphical presentations.

Nasir J. Khanzada LLC Jun-Jul ‘09 & ‘11

Architecture & Inspections Assistant - New York City, USA

- Design, Alterations, Renovations and Building Code inspections.- Residential and Commercial.- Documentation, Site-visits, DoB paperwork. - Detailed CAD Drawings for DoB approval and construction.

Tameer-e-Pakistan Feb-Mar ‘11

Design Partner - Rural Punjab, Pakistan

- Rural Housing Masterplanning.- 400 Houses, a mosque, community center, healthcare, education center, parks and cattle yards.- Conceptualizing, Working Drawings, Presentation Graphics/Renders.

Design Group Project Jul-Aug ‘10

Summer Intern - Karachi, Pakistan

- Residential and Commercial projects. - Designing, construction site visits, documentation, client meetings, AutoCAD drafting, sketch-ing & rendering.

*Volunteer work:

- Conference on Islamic Art & Architecture 2008- Institute of Architects Pakistan lecture series (2009-11)- Lahore Urban Forum 2012- The Karachi Conference 2013

I have also been involved in war, earthquake and flood relief efforts.

Academic Architecture and Urban Design Projects 01 1971 memorial - Monument 03 Childrens Resource Center - Oasis 05 Regal Chowk 09 Paper Mache Pavillion Academic Housing and Planning 11 Organic Paratmetricism 13 Kot Shera Resettlement

Undergraduation Thesis Project 15 Conceptual Development 17 Robotics Design 19 Architectural Application

Professional Projects

21 Flood Rehabilitation Housing 23 OCCO Wall 25 Bio City Map

Workshops

27 City | Space | Power 28 One Lab Project

Portfolio

Academic Courses 29 Computer Aided-Design Engineering Systems Construction & Installations 30 Sculptural Chair Arch Construction NCA Festivals

Writing and Publication 31 Literature and Journalism Society City | Space | Power The Soul-Searchers Guide to Lahore Chaar Mall Aur Mein Other publications

Theatre & Production 32 Neo-Transitional Mime Cogito Theatre Productions

1971 Partition Memorial

On the 16th of December 1971, the Pakistan Army surrendered Dhaka to Bengali and Indian Liberation forces. The surrender was a result of years of negligience towards the bengali people who had been sidelined by the western half of the country in matters of development and governance amongst other social discriminations. The Liberation war itself turned out to bloody and brutal with human rights atrocities commited by both sides.

As a standing point from the Pakistan of today, the monument is intended to act as a point of reconciliation regarding the past, and one of a reminder to avoid similar rights discrimination in the future.

The Hameed-ur-Rehman Commission report was a fact finding document detailing the events of 1971, which remains unreleased due to the severity of its content. The report nonetheless was leaked and describes in detail factors leading to the revolt and atrocities commited during.

As a place of rememberance, the monu-ment will have a circular enclosure sunken below ground to to associate with the depths of despair of the Bengali people. Black granite walls forming the enclosure will be etched with the findings of the Hameed-ur-Rehman Commission report. Ground will be course sand and one side shall have a pond with water gently rippling due to water dripping from it’s surrounding walls.

As a place of Remembrance

The form of the sculpture rises up in a column only to spread out and cover the enclosure below, stretching out eastward from one point towards the direction of the rising sun

Visual Access

Symbolism

Site

As a place of Protest

An place of public meeting and demostra-tion must deal with the two-tier interaction. In such a case there will be 3 types of Partici-pants, The protest leaders, the protestors themselves and the passerby’s. It is impor-tant to enable visual access to all involved.

The central sculptural piece will consist of a human stick figure modules of rusted iron, contorted and intertwined with each other to form the shape of a tree, rooting itself in the sands of despair and reach out to the open above.

In contrast to the Pakistani Flag which displays a Star and Crescent, the Flag of Bangladesh depicts a sun rising over the horizon. The red symbolises the bloodshed endured during their struggle for independ-ence.

The site is the Liberty Chowk roundabout in Lahore which lies in on the intersection of prominent thoroughfares in a market and business oriented center of the city.

The roundabout covers about 85,0002 feet and roughly 242’ x 182’ in rectangular dimensions.

Leaders

Followers

General Public

Leaders

Followers

General Public

Co

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on Report

Sand Water

Struggle

Enclosure

A Place for Remembrance and Protest

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The monument would stand as a reminder of dire consequences in the times to come with regards to the suppression and negligience of any segment of the population in the country and as a platform to hold protest with when such a situation may again arise.

Enclosure ofRemebrance

116’

Platform forProtest

80’

Masterplan

Isometric View

Section

Elevation

Speaker Podium

Protestor Congregation

Enclosure of Remembrance Entrance

TheTree of Struggle

The Sands of Oppression

The Pond of Silence

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Childrens Resource Center

This project envisaged a designed a Children Resource Center in dry-hot climatic region of the country. Described as an Oasis, the resource center should act as a refuge in relation to both, program and climate.

My design approach was centered around spatial construction based around a certain module. The attempt focused on the repetition of a singu-larity to form complexity in space.

From a climatic standpoint, my approach I wanted to focus on limiting active energy consuming means of tempurature and humidity regulation. For this purpose the idea of an underground or earth covered structures were explored

Entrance Lobby Auditorium (1000 sqft)2 Activity Rooms (800 sqft each)Libarary (700 sqft)Reading/Listening space (800 sqft)Office (500 sqft)Meeting Room (300 sqft)Toilets

This project envisaged a designed a Children Resource Center in dry-hot climatic region of the country. Described as an Oasis, the resource center should act as a refuge in relation to both, program and climate.

Program

Spatial Process

Step 1: Zoning

Sample Iterations:

Splitting into two levels Adding Dome Ceiling Structure

Lawn Landscaping

Inserting Solar Tubes for natural light

Smoothing out the edges

Step 2: Spatial Allocation

Step 3: Readjustments

Step 4: Amalgamating spaces

An Oasis

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Meeting Room

Auditorium

Roof Lawn

Isometric Explosion

Sections

Ground Level

Ceiling Structure

Entrance Reception

Level 1

Level 2

Entrance

Solar Tubes

Office

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Reading Hall8

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Library

Toilets

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StaircaseAquarium

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Revitalising Regal Chowk

Regal Chowk is at the intersection of numerous markets and institutions on historical significant Mall road of Lahore. Each market specializes in a certain industry such as, Hall road focuses on Electrionics, CD’s and car Sound Systems, Bedon Road on Lighting and decoration, Panorama market has an emphasis of fabrics and clothes.

Supporting these intricate market systems are a series of banks, eateries and a local mosque. A block down the road in each direction one can find significant city administrative buildings such as the provincial assembly and the high courts. Beyond the main roads also exist residential communities which have little to do with market activities.

All these factors combine together to cause the Regal Chowk locality to be a heavily used pedes-trian area. Major access to the locality is done by vehicles. Where there is limited public transfor-pation access most people, both working in the area and customers, arrive here by private trans-portation.

The current character of the urban fabric, overlapped with Lahore’s natural climatic condi-tions make outdoor activity an uncomfortable experience.

My approach to the site is one of accomodation. The belief is that improved conditions for pedes-trians will prove condusive for market activites.

Land Use Map

Unregulated street vendors and hawkers

Congested storefront, sidewalk, street parking profile

Impromtu rickshaw standings cause disruption in traffic flow

Chaotic pedestrian and vehicular integraition on the street

State Bank of Pakistan

Mosque ofthe Shaheed

Sadiq PlazaMarket

Regal Chowk

The Punjab Assembly

Panorama CenterMarket

Bedon RoadMarket

Hall RoadMarket

The LahoreCathedral

The High Court

Mall Road Mall Road

Land

use

Inse

t

Green Areas

Residential

Electronics and Hardware

Shoe Stores

Clothes and Tailors

Shopping Centers

Book Stores

Eateries

Edible Goods Stores

Parking Lots/Plazas

Motor Workshops

Mosque

School

Cinema

Banks

Foreign Exchange

Protecting the Pedestrian Realm

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Any effective solution to the trials of pedestrian activity must intelli-gibly focus on the mapping of patterns of movement and conse-quen activity.

My intervention at Regal Chowk takes heed from existing govern-ment proposals to lay down an underground metro-rail system along the Mall road, with a station at Regal Chowk itself, as part of a larger metro infrastructure of the city.

Incorporating the metro subway station into my intervention the idea is to achieve an increased quality of pedestrian space, which can act as a shield from the harsh climate of Lahore, as well as prove to promote urban street side culture.

Pedestrian Movement Visualization

Sidewalk Activity Congestion Visualization

Social events participation overflow into the street

Customer parking shortage

3/4 ths of the year falls under uncomfortable outdoor weather range due to extreme heat during the summers, heavy rain in the monsoon season and biting dry cold in the winters

Employee Distribution

Customer/Visitor Distribution Pedestrian Frequencies

47% COMMERCIAL

24% EATRIES

20% HISTORICAL

8% POLITICAL

Overlaped on Regal Chowk

36% COMMERCIAL

27 % EATRIES

21% HISTORICAL

15% POLITICAL0

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8:00 AM 3:00 PM 6:30 PM 10:00 PM

Customers

Beggars

Policemen

Transit

Hawkers

Sanitation

Waiters

Suppliers

Employees

Eateries

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Urban Canopy

Redeveloped Sidewalks

Public SpaceSubway Station

The Intervention

The intervention is split into 3 Layers. On top is a semi-permiable weather sheild canopy, whose form as been derived from the pedestrian movement and activity congestion graphs, in order to ensure an adequate amount of feeling of openness within a cover space.

On the street level, with predictions of lower parking requirements due to the introduction of a metro system, the sidewalks are widened to encourage street side activity and service lane utility reorganized.

Lastly, the underground subway station is designed in a manner as to serve as a public atrium as well as a seamless place of public transition. The design ensures no corner is hidden the entire station seems as though it is one big hall.

Section across Mall Road

Rickshaw Stand

Subway Shell

Canopy Shell

Canopy Structure

Canopy Lighting

Pedestrian Pavement

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Subway Terrace8

Subway Platform

Subway Skylights

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Drop-off ZoneIncreased Pedestrian Pavement

Parallel Parking Strip

Redesign Service Street Profile

Subway Elements Explosion

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Masterplan

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Paper Mache Pavillion

Project Objectives:

Construction Material ExplorationCost EffectivenessCompletion within 10 Days (Research+Design+Construction)

Project Description: This project pushed us to work in groups of four students to achieve the construction of a pavillion in the college premises which provided a sense of privacy of space. Key to the project was trial and error testing of unique possibilities of construction materials with in a limited budget and time frame.

Material Selection:

After initial discussions with our project supervisors we settled upon the use of paper mache as our primary material due to potential it held for material exploration and experimentation.

Material Research:

After extensive market research and taking advice from experienced craftsment it was eventually decided that we would recycle old newspaper as our primary material. Multiple options were considered for the purpose of adhesive amongst which

RecycledNewspaper

Tin Cans

Bamboo Sticks

Steel Mesh

Shredded into tiny pieces

Filled with sand

Cut tosize

Bamboo stuck into tin cans to

stand

Steel mesh drapped on

Bamboo sticks according to

shape

Pulp applied in patches over mesh

Cut to size

Grinded togetherto make paper

mache pulp

Grains mixed in water and

boiled to form liquid adhesive

OrganicGlue Grains

german white glue and a locally produced organic glue were short listed as our best options. While the process for the organic glue was lengthy, it was a considerably cheaper option and thus chosen. We were then faced with the option of either solid filling or shell construction. The later was chosen due to cost effectiveness only after it was tested for having desireable strength. In order to shape our structure in a shell we

would need a base net over which to plaster the paper mache pulp. For this purpose against many materials were tested, including many in the steel mesh category till the most suitable mesh readily available from the market was agreed upon. An impermenant support structure was required for which we scavanged tin cans and bamboo sticks from the college workshop junkyard.

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Plan

Paper MacheSteel MeshLined Bamboo

Components of structure

5’

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Kot Shera Resettlement

The Kot Shera Community is a low income rural town on the outskirts of Gujranwala, settled here by the displaced people of the 1947 partition of Britist India on the the lands thats once belonged to a wealthy Sikh Family who lived in a mansion in the center of the site, which today has been divided and resided by multple families.

Over the years the residents of Kot Shera have taken up 3 primary job types which usually 2 are followed in the same house-hold. These are (1) cattle rearing, (2) hired agricultural labour and (3) proffesional jobs in gujran-wala.

Of late the local authorities have planned to evict all residents in the vicnity of the mansion and its surrounding land. This would displace an estimated 185 households. Their relocation settlement site is just north of the original location across the main access road.

The aim is to maintain the communities strong social fabric, but to improve the general living conditions. The new master plan should cater to household income sources and ensure

Reallocation of residents into new units would be complicated as the size and organization of each existing household unit varies as each unit would could have anywhere between 4 to 13 people residing in them. Economic conditions and herid-ity has also played a part of ther years.

The optimal solution would cater to these variance, thus my proposal lays down general guidlines for housing and layout only.

Primary distinction is made between households which require cattles space from others.

Mangal Singh Mansion

Kot Shera

Rooftop Access

Front ‘Sehen’

Cattle Yard

Introduction Relocation

Rooftop culture included drying clothes and rice. This led to interaction between neighbours.

Cattle moved from the cattle yards to the open feilds through the streets.

Filth accumilated in the narrow streets as sewer lines ran open and often clogged

The ‘Sehan’ plays an essential role in daily household chores and life.

External Toilet

Cattle Shed

Smaller Front ‘Sehen’

Air Circulation Shaft

Sun and Rain shade

12’

10’

Ceiling Height Division

Retaining Community Fabric

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Stage 2

Stage 4

Stage 3

Stage 6Stage 5

The primary feature of the site is a canal running along its south side. Otherwise there is a general gradient south and east following the flow of the canal.

Keeping seclusion in mind we dent these roads coming from the external route. We merge out central arter-ies around a singular node, the community mosque.

Hierarchical routing of the road network is done keeping in mind factors such as plot sizes, sewage flow, privacy of neighbour-hoods, and various commu-nity interaction networks.

Plots are divided and the routes are accordingly readjusted. Shapes are irregu-lar but are devised according to previous ownership size.

Water resources are rerouted. A portion of the canals water is brough around the north side of the site, where is is fed to a water purification plant for supply to the community.

Each neighbourhood is given a communal node, which essen-tially opens up the space at the cul de sac’s.

Given that cattle owners require 1/3 of space compared to other house-holds, we allocate 1/3 of the long side of the site for their purpose.

Accordingly we draw our main arteries, 20’ wide roads, giving the cattle yards access from both sides. The second artery is formed in the middle of the normal households portion.

Houses

Cattle Farms

Master Plan

Communal Areas

Mosque

Commercial

School

Water Treatment

Sports and Events

Transportation

NORTH

Stage 1600’

1400’

1000’

721’

The canal would also provide moving water to the sewerage network. The sewage network is design to avoid 90 degree turns to prevent clogging.

Event grounds are added, for both sports activites as well as household functions such as weddings, funerals, religious festivities. which are deemed a neccesity for local culture.

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Organic Parametricism

Inspired from my own car being stolen, I focused on the perils of living in modern housing societies of lahore. The study focused on both, previous mohalla living and the new trend of housing in lahore. What results is time based growth of a community sprouting out from a single house as a seed to develop into a society with facilities being provided as the need comes up.

The project demands some radical changes to current norms, for example abolishing preplanned plotting for plot alotment at the time of construction. It also takes circulation into the third dimension to connect different commu-nity clusters.

The exploration becomes of study of emulating vernacular planning with parametric data

Part of the approach in flexibility of living space let me explore into the probability and variety of possible shapes and sizes housing units could take. This helped while laying down by-laws for devel-opment

Amongst others, case studies of residential societies included those where I had myself lived or visited, enabling me to compare neihbour attributes with my own experiences

Scattered development Clustered development

Neighbourhood Profile

Parameters of Design define by residents catered to

Sui Gas Society, Lahore Androon Shehr, Lahore Vernacular desert villages, Interior Sindh Fairfax County, Virginia

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The ground begins with a single seed on the edge of a new devel-opment. Susbsequent steps are defines by parameters depend-ent of average resident popula-tion and allows for a certain degree of flexibility in individual unit form.

The aim is to produce multiple community clusters which interact with each other at different sizes and conditions.

Within one community the eye on the street is developed by moving playground and private areas into inclosed backyards, both private and commonly shared.

Different communities are connected by overhead connections enabling safe transition of residents as they move around.

Each feature in such a society, such as markets, mosques and schools, will scatter and develop according to when need arises.

Neighbourhoods

Hierarchy of roads

Housing units

Backyards/Common

Community Market

Community Mosque

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ArchiBoticaArchitecture responsiveto Human Behaviour

EXPERIENCE MEMORY

Influence of the physical depends on our distance from the object.

Human sensory domain trancends the physical reach.

Humans and their Sensory

Research BriefHumans and their Surroundings Humans and their Alterations Humans and their Communities

Spatial forms exist when interactingwith other people.

Personal, Private and Public Zones

These zones constantly surround us.

Interaction zones adjusting accoringactivity.

Interactive zones then overlapin communities of people.

Space making by alteringthe physical

Every new sensory is then seen with a bias of old expreience

These associations we createwith places develop the generalGenius Loci of the place, Givingit prominence through meaning.

Experiences result if either comfort or stress.

Newer experiences overlap the old, influencing our memory.

Event making by using space

Activity based experiential form.

Each sense inhibits it’s own range.

We are impressed upon by a multitude of foriegn forces.

What is the relationship between the human and the architecture? We understand that humans are complex organisms who act in their individual capacities as well as a combined force, exhibiting a great deal of variety in behavioral patterns. Architecture on the other hands seems to be a creation of the humans and their subsequently developed cultures. However where architecture seems to give unlimited possibly at the stage of conception, it becomes a limitation afterwards if not becoming entirely redundant, only showing flexibility as either inherently designed or through destruction and reconstruction.

More so, taking architecture in its broader sense of how it also includes our urban fabrics, how much do our lives start depending on the architecture built in the past rather than architecture supporting new trends of the present? Then another question arises, being a constant companion to human activity, how well of a role does the city play in painting new pictures and cityscapes for the urban dweller. With a seemingly increase in the speed of life and new behavioral patterns trying to adapt over the old ones, can we develop a system of architecture that is more obedient?

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Humans and their Complex cities. Humans and their Chaos.

Abandoned over time

Pedestrian Movement

Vehicular Movement

Clogged in the city center

Teared through by a road

Encroached upon by hawkersUpper floors least accessible.

Public realm squeezed out.

Open areas are enchroached up.

The aim then becomes to understand the complexity that operate in a complex urban space, and approach these issues with a solution that canbe adaptable in the future as well.

We can think of the city not only as physical space,but also a network of activities.

Indoors lackconnectivity.

Restructuring damagesthe old.

Traffic Divides blocks

Altering single locations versus entire locations

Rearranging entire urban networks

Looking at connectivity horizontally as well as vertically.

Old City Karachi

Saddar Markets

Metropole Hotel

JacobLines Area

Empress Market

Commuter Movement

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Concept Development

MoldablePhysicality

Adapting fluidity of form into physical practicality

Studying flexibity requirements of mesh distortions

Devising telescopic member and rubiks cube inspired flexible joinery

Trigulated flexibility

Displaying mesh flexibility

Artificial Intelligence Process

Recognition of Surrounding

Multiple sensory inputs

Change in physicality

Physical change

Instinctive responseData organized by Central servers

Architect advised responses

Virtual rendering

Residentarchitect

Complex scenarios

Decision

Humanguidance

Database maps activities

The ideal architectural form would then be as fluid as these cultural spatial forms themselves. Not only should it deal with spatial parameters, but also with visuals, acoustics, olfaction and temperature in the space that it engulfs.

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Enchancing mesh strength through layered shelling

Skin based on memory fabric technology

Typical wall section

Door fixture embedded into mesh

Translucent flexible window panes

PedestrianCorridor Skywalks

Form mesh attachment to structural mesh concept

Structural mesh attachment to foundations concept

Building service infrastructure provided by flexible ducting and piping

Elements attached to mesh in modules and transported by crawling over mesh18

COURTYARD

PARKINGFACILITIES

EVENT & EXHIBITION HALL

CINEPLEX

BUSINESS OFFICES

SHOPS & EATERIES

RevitalizingThe Genius Loci

Most popular hotel for tourist and high profile dignitaries.

Journalists evening retirement location

of choice

Center of social life with events and parties held regulary

The Hotel Metropole suffered because of is ‘road-locked’ location’ With higher requirements of parking and greater demand for security measures, it was simply unable to adapt

The scheme is to regenerate activity by introducing numerous functions

The history of a lively social center

Architectural ApplicationUsing the ruins of the old Hotel Metropole to illustrate interven-tion principles.

Presently a rundown skeleton

Newer, bigger and more luxurious hotels sprouted up in surrounding areas in a time when tourism dropped due to terrorism leading to an abondonemtn of interest to maintain the structure.

HotelsHospitalsResidentialInstitutionsPublic GroundsOffice BuildingsCommercial MarketsMuseums & EducationGovernment ResidentialPrivate Community Clubs

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The aim is to develop consistantly event and circulation spaces using intelligent sensory devices to inform space making and to cast out spatial form.

3 Zones of Circulation

Section

Offices

Offices

Offices

Offices

Offices

Offices

Offices

Offices

Offices

Offices

Shops

Shops

ShopsShops

Shops

Shops

Ground Level Plan

The Upper Zone, would consist of business offices, with circulation taking people directly to their destination.

The lower zone will consist of shops and markets, leading circulation to be lined along the edges.

The Middle zone Concourse will act as a public transition zone between the Metropole and surrounding structures.

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Flood Rehabilitation HousingIn 2010, Pakistan’s major areas were affected by heavy monsoon rainfall which resulted into floods. Pakistan’s one fifth of the land was underwater that affected about more than 20 million people, which included their livelihood, property, infrastructure and lives.

Al-Khair Foundation Pakistan approached us and assigned us to design a low-income housing of 300 houses with facilities such as medical center, farms, commercial and communal zones. Site was near Leyyah which was one of the affected regions, where mostly the source of income for the families were farming and livestock.

In order start we, group of four students, looked into their way of living and studied the context which enabled us to see things their way. To get to this conclu-sion, demographics and statis-tics were studied. Further S.W.O.T. analysis was done for that region. After researching on all the data required we started designing.

Our job was to develop a Master Plan for the housing. The aim was to give them a full sense of community which will overcome their losses and help them move forward.

Site

RiverIndus

SevereFlooding

SevereFlooding

880’

1980’

Compacted mud baked brick structure

External toilet for short access to sewer lineEnclosed front yard maintaining privacy

Bamboo structure shade, with creeper plants

Provision for small livestock within housingand larger livestock in cattle yards

Clustered housing for community culture

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Residential EducationalCommercial& Health

ReligiousNGOs/Admin Cattleyards

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OCCO The OCCO WallOCCO (Office for Community and Cultural Outreach) is a Lahore based Urbanism research and design think tank.

My work at OCCO spanned a variety of aspects of the functioning of the city, with presentations given to prominent architects and routine meetings with policy makers and stakeholders of the city.

Working at OCCO provided exposure to both, the historical roots of the city as well as the modern and complex urban fabric which ran the city on a daily basis.

During my tenure at OCCO I worked in close colabora-tion with Principal Architect Attique Ahmed with focused discussions on urban and infrastructural issues prevalent across the city.

The proposal invisions elevating the Garden upwards to facilitate both, industrial and commerical activities along side gain lost green space.

Over time encroachment upon the circular garden along the walled city went unchecked, eventually becoming an essential element to the local economy

Documentation and digital modelling of the historic gates of Lahore’s Walled City.

The historic walled city has been the center of growth of the modern city of Lahore. Having once been the neighbourhood of the elite is now crowded and caters to a much lower income range.

The periphery of the walled city once had a continious circular garden now enchroached upon by landgrabbers establishing wholesale business, stores and other economic activity.

1. Portion of the remaining circular Garden

2. One of the enchroachments on the garden area.1

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Gates

The Structure

The Green Areas

The Roads

The Satellite Imagery

Typical profile cutting through eleveted garden

Typical elevated garden profile

Warehousing Facilities

Basement Parking Facility

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Bio-City Maps

At Terreform ONE I was involved in working on the Bio-City maps, instal-lations design to discussion on Biological Urbanism.

The idea of using biological material to develop our cities of the future is represented by E. Coli bacteria, traced around maps of 25 of the worlds largest cities and displayed in petri dishes.

Emphasis is on the prediction that within the next 100 years, we will be living in a world of 11 million people and for that purpose, at Terraform ONE we took lead from Buckminister Fullers Dymaxion map to depitct a one world energy grid of biological cities feeding off and into each other.

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City | Space | Power

As the most frequently visited site for religious activity in the city, the Data Darbar offers a unique experience of sounds which differ from the immediate noise generated by the road at its entrance. The Darbar with its mosque, shrine, platforms and prayer halls provides an open-for-all access and safe haven for all those who come here looking for spiritual solace.

Cities are so often and so easily defined by their public realm. The activities that take place in these spaces and help us to explore the charachter of any city. Presented as an interactive flash based interface Our Auditory Mapping attempts to explore such charachter and the differences between varied public spaces and the streets in their immediate surrounding context.

Previously the grounds of the town hall extended up till the northern limits of Nasir bagh, but after Mall road dissected them into half they became two distinct spaces having no sort of connection with each other. These grounds which were a hub for all sorts of political demon-strations eventually lost their relevance and now today stand as an island juxtaposed to major vehicular arteries denying easy access to site.

Punjab Assembly due to recent terrorist events has extended its domain across the grounds till the adjacent charing cross and effectively pushes the public out of its civic space meant for political/social speech and commentary. Security barricades and barbed wires pollute the site visually and deny access to a very sacred democratic forum causing demonstrators and rallies to make camp on the Mall road portion in front of the assembly.

Gawal Mandi enjoyed its status as the ever-popular food street where people from all corners of the country would come and enjoy food representing all the cultures from Pakistan, yet interestingly enough in the midst of all this activity Gandhi Square is once such space that is able to isolate itself from all of activities going on in the surrounding streets and maintains its integrity and character as a residential neigh-borhood.

Data Darbar

Nasir Bagh

In the vicinity

Outside the vicinity

Sound Waves

Punjab Assembly

Gawal Mandi and Gandhi Square

Leis

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Sp

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Cult

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One Lab Floatation Device

Plantation Incubator

Genetically EnhancedAir Purifying Plant

OctaCoptor Rotors

OctaCoptor Engine

Helium Filled Floatation Tube

My device focued on the air purification aspect of plants and becoming aware of techniques which can enhance these abilities in plants, I invisioned a city filled with swarms of these devices being reaching areas where pollution levels rise.

The final studio project at ONE Lab 2013 focused on the needs of the environment encouraging students to develop a device which integrates biology and technology and serve as an essential urban tool kit of the individual or the city as a whole.

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Engineering SystemsAutoCAD

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Chair Shelter Brick Arch NCA Festivals

During my first year at NCA as part of the mandatory Foundation Sculpture course, we were tasked to design a shelter. In a group of 5 we devised the mechanics of a chair, stand-ing upside down on it’s back with it’s feet in the air.

To achieve this, weight was focused on the back structure while the cantiliver was made up of boxboard covering with an internal wooden framing being held up by a fish wire suspension system.

The project was well recieved for it’s technical aspects.

As port of my building construction course (2010) we were challenged with constructing functional brick arches on the college prem-esis which were to remain as a permenant structure.

The project provided hands on experience with the science of arches and masonry.

As a tradition, NCA has two festivals each year name the Welcome/Summer Festival and the Farewell/Winter Festival. Students are tasked with decorating college for the festivities on a tight budget. During the years I have participated in installa-tions set up during these festivals as construction assistants.

Similarly during the Farewell festival of 2010, I was desig-nated incharge of Lighting Decorations. I was tasked with illuminating the Anglo-Indian architecture of NCA for the two nights.

I focused on highlighting elemental features on the building’s facade to create gradient light and shade as well trying to create illusions of depth.

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Literature & Journalism Society At NCA 2011-12 City | Space | Power Workshop course blog, 2013

Editor and written contributions. The Occasional Shopper was the student published magazine of the Literature & Journalism Society at the National college of Arts.

Editor and Graphics. The pamphlet was an orientation guide for new students at the National College of Arts.

Editorial team and Lead Designer.Independent Performing Arts, Society and Culture magazine2013.

Over the 4 month course of the City|Space|Power workshops numerous tours, film screenings and conversa-tions were held in regards to the urban nature of the city of Lahore. Subse-quently after each event students were required to submit their reflectings on the course blog. Excerpts:

“I asked what I thought was the most obvious issue i.e. their health being affected by the toxic air of the drain. It wasn’t. Instead, they voiced their distress over how they have to constantly spend money on repairing and replacing damaged electronic equipment... “ - Material over human.

“Hope is something Ustaad Jehangir knows a lot about. Previously a painter dedicated towards painting cinema billboards, he only recently was able to conceive the idea of creating his own art work once his job was permanently replaced by flex printings” - Remnants of Royal Park.

“A city needs to be a clear system of networks, allowing it to breathe unhin-dered. Its inhabitants, from all classes of society, need to be accommodated and supported so they can all in return contribute to the progressive life of the city, the meaning of which shouldn’t be perceived differently by different individuals. In the healthy city, there should be no change in meaning” - The Healthy City.

Further reading at:http://cityspacepower.wordpress.com

“Walking through the narrow streets (of the old city), you barely see the sun for most of the day and with the roads constantly giving you that slight turn as you pace forward it’s easy to lose ones orientation. However that is just fine as the purpose is to get lost. Lost in the early morning buzz of nashta easteries serving the best in Lassi, Puri and Parathay, and in the laughter of children running through narrows streets to their schools laughing and singing. Every now and then, feeling a bit adventurous you would take a turn into a smaller alley only to be led into a dead end, but many times those are the best parts.”

The Soul-Searchers Guide to LahoreDawn Newspaper‘Lifestyle’ Annual Supplement 2013

“From the crowned top, bringing the reed pen down swiftly, moving off center in perfect flow to meekly curving the bottom to return it to its axis while ever so delicately lifting the pen away to bring about that perfect tip... mastery of such could bring about such a beautiful thing as the birth of symbol madeper-menant as the ink dried into the paper. Just to hear the story and look at the old mans gaze was mesmerizing, but the intensity of the emotions attached must be so much more than I could possibly describe or even imagine for myself.

Endlessly I make lines. Initially, enough lines to try and bring myself into a trance, then more to bring out form from it. When I think about it sometimes I try hard to go insane. Insane into the making of the perfect line, to form that perfect structure, to bring, God willing, my architecture to life someday.”

Chaar Mall Aur MeinExperiantial Blog during NCA

“Archibotica: Architecture responsive to Human Behavior”Bachelors of ArchitectureThesis Dissertation 2013

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Theatre & Production

My involvement with in threatre has spanned across 3 years in the Neo-Transitional Mime Society at NCA and over 4 years part-time at Cogito Theatre Productions in Karachi.

Over the course of these years I have been an actor, writer, mime choreographer and direc-tor of numerous productions as well as having been an instruc-tional acting trainer.

My persuits have also led me to practice stage set, prop and costume design alongside stage lighting and effects.

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