Aarja Virk 2025 portfolio

Page 1


selected works 2025_

aarja virk_

I am currently a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture.

My passion lies in programming spaces for underrepresented groups, graphical representation, and visual collages.

I look forward to expanding my knowledge and skills further in this field!

Summary of Qualifications_

• Proficient in architectural and graphic design softwares

• Strong design and craft skills cultivated through academic projects

• Excellent collaboration and coordination skills gained through various volunteering and co-op experiences

Work Experience_

Jan - Apr 2025

Burlington, ON

Jun - Aug 2022

Mississauga, ON

Education_

2023 - present 2017 - 2023

Cambridge, ON Mississauga, ON

Skills_

Intern Architect, Chamberlain Architect Services Limited

• Created graphics and architectural schedules for several affordable housing and hospitality projects

• Created conceptual renders and various diagrams such as shadow/light diagrams

• Collaborated with various team members, as well as structural engineers to create structural drawings

• Prepared detailed presentations for clients

Hostess, Boston Pizza

• Assisted with greeting, seating customers, and setting tables

• Dealt with stressful situations and developed customer service skills

University of Waterloo, School of Architecture

Bachelor’s of Architectural Studies, Honours Co-op Program

Mentor College Secondary School

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Honour Roll

Softwares Analogue Post Processing Languages

• Rhino 3D

• Revit

• AutoCAD

• Enscape

• V-Ray

• Lumion

• Photoshop

• Illustrator

• InDesign

• Lightroom

• Laser Cutting

• 3D Printing

• CNC Milling

• Model Making

• Hand Drafting

• Sketching

• English

• Hindi

• Punjabi

• French

table of contents

2 3 4 5

grid house_ ST-acks_ gaia_ oculus_ archived work_ additional work_

grid house

program location softwares microhome Waterloo , ON Rhino3D Enscape Ps/Ai

Grid House is a modular, sustainable microhome designed to address the global housing crisis by providing adaptable, efficient, and affordable housing that can be placed virtually anywhere. The design combines a 3x3 and 4x4 square layout, allowing the structure to maximize livable space while maintaining a compact footprint, making it ideal for dense urban environments like Vancouver, London, and Hong Kong, where housing shortages and affordability crises are particularly severe. These cities face skyrocketing property prices, limited land availability, and growing populations, leaving many residents unable to access housing.

Shortlisted for Kingspans Microhome Competition

cross section

solar + pv panels

roof panels

pitched roof board

exposed locallysourced wooden rafter and beam system

concrete footing
wood flooring
Aluminum Cladding
drywall finish
wood framing

ST-acks

program location softwares gaming library Cambridge, ON Rhino3D V-Ray Ps/Ai

Located in downtown Cambridge, Ontario on Dickson Street, ST-acks serves as a center for the younger population. The form was inspired by the tetris blocks S and T assembled together, paying homage to retro games. The exterior timber cladding was inspired by retro 8-bit sound bites. Libraries are used as study spaces but ST-acks is created as a stress free library, programmed for enjoyment and relaxation.

In contast to what a typical gaming experience is imagined as, ST-acks introduces green space and nature to gaming. Surrounded by lush garden spaces both inside and outside, STacks demonstrates that gaming does not only need to be a secluded activity.

blocks assembled and piled together

S and T tetris blocks

sitting at the edge of the library, visitors study in a space surrounded by natural light, with a view of the outside street

tv gaming space

visitors sit and enjoy PC gaming in a space with diffused lighting and order food online which is then given directly to their seat

connected to the gaming cafe, the tv gaming area is used to encourage group and console games

with a lack of video game stores in downtown Cambridge, ST-acks provides a space to buy games and merchanise

gaming cafe

gaming gift space

render of main atrium

program location softwares law school Waterloo , ON Rhino3D Charcoal Ps/Ai

Located in downtown Kitchener, Gaia is a law school that specializes in environmental law, and can be seen as a monument for nature within an urban context. Situated right on the edge of the site, Gaia is a mass timber structure with a vertical atrium cut across, almost mimicking urban street layouts.

The vertical atrium is cut right through the site, allowing a direct connetion to the outdoors. The floor plan mimicks an urban street layout with blocks of programming surrounding the atrium, almost like buildings lying down a busy street.

The main staircase wraps around a large tree and the vertical atrium is broken up with several interior garden spaces to further involve the students with the surrounding ecosystem and nature itself.

seminar rooms

lecture halls

admin space

study space

admin offices

main atrium view
cafe view
exterior cladding render

Gaia is a mass timber structure and European Oak is used for the external cladding. Several vertical long beams are used for structure as well as shading devices.

oculus

program location softwares steel bridge Lundbreck , AB Rhino3D

V-Ray

Ps/Ai

Perched over the flowing Crowsnest River and overlooking Lundbreck Falls in Alberta, Oculus is a pedestrian bridge made primarily of steel, intricately designed down to the smallest details. Inspired by the beauty of the human eye, the bridge’s design mirrors the delicate curves and symmetry found in the orbs often described as the “windows to the soul.”

The two different bridge levels serve different purposes: the taller one allows pedestrians to feel closer to the sky and functions primarily as a walkway, while the lower bridge, with its generous width—tapers down closer to the water, where people can sit and rest beneath the upper level. This distribution of space allows the bridge to act almost like an openair event space. Offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, Oculus serves not only as a physical passageway but also as a metaphysical lookout—encouraging contemplation and connection with the essence of existence.

20 x 400 cm upper lumber decking

steel and glass railings connected to 15 x1 7cm I-beams

15 x 25 cm HSS steel joists

45 x 30 steel I-girders

1 cm tension cables with pin connections

20 x 500 cm lower lumber decking

steel and glass railings connected to 15 x 17 cm I-beams

15 x 25 cm HSS steel joists

35 x 20 cm steel I-girders

hinge connection to concrete foundation

bolts railing connectors

the steel railing utilizes a steel plate and bolts to connect with the beams that support the bridge’s decking. They are visible from the sides, exposing a beautiful steel detailing.

Most of the elements found in the bridge are spliced in pieces to ensure smooth transportation. They are then welded together on site.

hinged arch foundation cable and pin connectors

A hinged set of elements act as a connection between the top bridge’s girder and the concrete foundations. They are hinged to allow room for shrinkage and expansion.

A hinged set of elements act as a connection between the top bridge’s girder and the concrete foundations. They are hinged to allow room for shrinkage and expansion.

structural
welding splices

Archived Work - Geode

program pedestrian bridge

Additional Work

work interpretive diagram collage (left) concept renders (right)

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