PORTFOLIO
ARWA ALI | SELECTED WORKS
Arwa Ali ABOUT
Driven Architectural Designer seeking higher education. Enjoys exploring how space, light, and community shape human experience, with professional and academic work bridging concept, craft, and constructability.
Email: arwalaka@gmail.com
Address: Burlington Ontario
Website: ali-arwa.format.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/arwali
WORK EXPERIENCE
Architectural Coordinator
Mattamy Homes
July 2022-present
Coordinate low-rise residential projects, drawings, BIM models, QA reviews, and site collaboration.
Design Administrator
D.G. Biddle & Associates
Apr 2021 – May 2022
Prepared AutoCAD/Revit drawings and supported architectural & engineering coordination.
Co-Founder / Designer
Freya
Aug 2019 – 2021
Developed interiors, furniture designs, floor plans, and client presentations.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Environmental Design
Minor in Furniture Design
OCAD University
2015 – 2019
BIM / VDC Management
George Brown College
2022 – 2023
AutoCAD & Revit Courses
Humber College
2020 - 2021
SOFTWARE
Revit - Advanced
AutoCAD - Intermediate
BIM 360 - Intermediate
Navisworks - Foundational
Civil 3D - Foundational
Sketchup - Advanced
Rhino - Intermediate
Vray - Intermediate
Lumion - Intermediate
D5 - Intermediate
Adobe Photoshop - Advanced
Adobe Illsutrator - Advanced
Adobe Indesign - Advanced
BlueBeam - Intermediate
Office Suite (word, excel, powerpoint)
IESV - Foundational
AGi32 Lighting Analyst - Foundational
LANGUAGE
Arabic- Native
English - First Language
PERSONAL STATEMENT
I see architecture as an extension of human experience, a language that communicates through light, texture, and emotion. My work explores how spaces can listen, respond, and connect to the people who inhabit them. I am drawn to the idea that architecture can awaken awareness, encouraging individuals to engage with their surroundings, their senses, and with one another.
My architectural exploration centers on sensory perception, empathy, and the social responsibility of design. I view architecture as an instrument that influences perception and well-being, shaping both the physical and emotional landscape of daily life. Each of my projects investigates how design can activate the senses, foster inclusion, and cultivate belonging. Whether it is through the tactility of materials, the openness of learning environments, or the adaptability of refugee housing, I seek to create architecture that is both experiential and ethical.
Ultimately, I believe architecture is most powerful when it becomes personal, when it empowers people to discover new ways of seeing, feeling, and connecting. My goal is to design spaces that do not simply accommodate life, but enrich it through awareness, empathy, and sensory engagement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Architecture Academic Projects
BIM Academic Projects
Architectural Professional Projects
Furniture Academic Projects
Painting Personal Projects
ARCHITECTURE ACADEMIC PROJECTS
THE LUMEN HAVEN
Individual Undergraduate Thesis Project
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
An Inclusive, Multisensory Elementary School and Community Center designed for wellness, safety, and belonging. Key Design Stratagy: Sensory-Driven Spacial Clarity
DESIGN CONCEPT
I designed this building as an inclusive environment that supported a wide range of neurodiverse users and learning styles. Rather than prescribing a single way of experiencing space, I focused on creating a carefully balanced sensory environment; one that engaged all five senses while maintaining clarity, predictability, and emotional comfort.
Sensory wellness was achieved through spaces that allowed users to regulate their surroundings. I introduced adaptable environments where students could control light, sound, and movement, transforming learning into an interactive and playful experience. This sense of agency strengthened memory, focus, and emotional well-being, allowing education to unfold through curiosity rather than instruction alone.
A strong connection between outdoors and indoors shaped the overall atmosphere of the project. Natural light, vegetation, airflow, and material textures were drawn deep into the building, dissolving the boundary between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape. This continuous presence of nature grounded the sensory experience, providing calm, orientation, and rhythm throughout the day. Clear circulation paths and gentle spatial transitions reinforced a sense of safety and security, ensuring the building remained legible and reassuring for all users.
Through this approach, I created a wellness-centered learning environment that embraced sensory awareness, adaptability, and connection to nature. An architecture designed not only to accommodate education, but to support the emotional and perceptual needs of its occupants.
PROGRAMS USED:
RHINO
DESIGN CONCEPT DIAGRAMS
INCLUSIVE SPACE
I designed a variety of communal spaces at different scales, allowing users to connect, observe, or retreat based on their comfort and needs.
SENSORY WELLNESS
I shaped the environment through natural light, material softness, and spatial variation to support sensory balance and emotional well-being.
FROM MASS TO LUMINOUS HAVEN
These diagrams illustrate the evolution of the building form, beginning with a simple mass and gradually shaped through carved centers and flowing pathways to create a legible, light-filled architecture that connects ground, roof, and landscape.
SECURITY AND SAFETY
I used curved walls and paths to create clear intuitive wayfinding, fostering of safety and reassurance.
SAFETY and continuous spatial lines and fostering a sense reassurance.
FLEXABLITY AND ADAPTABLITY
I introduced movable furniture and adaptable layouts that allowed users to personalize spaces and support multiple modes of learning and use.
PREDICTABLITY AND CLARITY
I applied consistent textures and material cues to define zones and guide movement, making the building easy to read and navigate.
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
The first floor of The Lumen Haven was designed as a clear and open landscape, divided into two connected zones with the elementary school above and the community center below. At the heart of each zone, I placed an openconcept gathering space, a city center inspired auditorium for the community center and a central cafeteria for the school, Which both are shaped by ground typologies inspired by
natural landscapes to promote sensory calm and wellness. Dome-like structures surrounding the main building house a restaurant and café, extending moments of light, gathering, and pause across the site. Indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a communal garden center, and a skateboard park completed the plan, reinforcing movement, play, and connection to nature within a safe and inclusive environment.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
The second floor of The Lumen Haven extended the building into the landscape through outdoor walkways that began at ground level and gently rose to the rooftop, creating a continuous path between earth and sky. These flowing routes reinforced clarity and wayfinding while inviting movement, light, and air deep into the architecture. At the center of the plan, I introduced an outdoor rooftop seating area as
a place for pause, gathering, and sensory calm. The lower half of the building was dedicated to a communal garden center, where planting and cultivation became part of daily life, strengthening wellness through direct connection to nature.
EAST SIDE SECTION
SOUTH SIDE SECTION
These sections illustrated the integration of light, landscape, and circulation to create a clear, continuous, and wellness-centered spatial experience.
ROOFTOP WALKWAY RENDERING
INTERIOR AUDITORIUM RENDERING
INTERIOR CLASSROOM RENDERING
MONUMENTAL HOTEL
Undergraduate studio group project
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A collaborative project reimagining the pyramid as a stepped urban hotel centered on light, water, and holistic wellness in downtown Toronto.
Key Design Stratagy: Form and energy-centered organization
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
I contributed to the project by developing the main digital model and producing the technical drawings, renderings, diagrams, and physical model to translate the design concept into a cohesive architectural proposal.
DESIGN CONCEPT
I worked on the Monumental Hotel as a collaborative studio project that explored how monumentality could be reinterpreted within the contemporary urban fabric of downtown Toronto. Inspired by the timeless geometry of the pyramid, the design reimagined permanence and symbolism through a stepped form that responded to context, scale, and human experience rather than direct imitation.
Located at 380 Wellington Street, the building was conceived as a new urban landmark among Toronto’s most recognizable sites. Its pyramidal massing gradually receded as it rose, creating balance and ascension while opening each level to generous terraces that established a continuous dialogue between interior life and the surrounding city.
The hotel was organized around the idea of the pyramid as a center of energy and balance. Drawing from the belief that ancient pyramids channeled natural forces such as sunlight, the heart of the building became a holistic core housing the spa and swimming pool. This luminous center anchored the experience, transforming monumentality into an immersive, wellness-driven journey.
PROGRAMS USED:
I organized the Monumental Hotel as a vertical sequence of experiences, where each level contributed to a gradual transition from the city to a holistic retreat above. The underground level was dedicated to parking, accessed directly from Wellington Street, allowing service and arrival to remain discreet while preserving the monumentality of the ground plane. The ground floor welcomed guests with a
reception and shopping center, establishing an active public interface with the city. Above, the second and third floors were primarily devoted to hotel rooms, with the third floor also introducing the first level of the holistic center, housing the spa as the beginning of the building’s wellness core. On the fourth floor, hotel rooms continued along the north side, while the south side stepped back to accommodate two penthouse residences. This
shift marked the last occupied level on the south massing, allowing increased light and openness for the remaining upper floors. The fifth floor held hotel suites and the second level of the holistic center, where a swimming pool connected directly to an outdoor terrace that cascaded over the south building, reinforcing the dialogue between water, light, and form.
The sixth floor was reserved for a single penthouse
apartment, offering privacy and elevated views over the city. Above, the seventh floor housed a shared library for residents, creating a quiet space for reflection and retreat within the monument. The eighth and final floor crowned the building with a high-end restaurant and bar, providing a luminous destination that completed the vertical journey with a luxurious experience rooted in wellness and Toronto’s urban lifestyle.
FROM MASS TO MONUMENT
These sections illustrated the integration of light, landscape, and circulation to create a clear, continuous, and wellness-centered spatial experience.
SWIMMING
EAST SIDE ISOMETRIC SECTION
This section illustrated how the stepped, pyramid-inspired massing organized the Monumental Hotel into a vertical journey from the city to retreat. The underground garage anchored the building to the site, while the main floor opened to public life above. Rising through the hotel rooms and penthouses, the section revealed the luminous central core that housed the spa and pool, acting as the heart of the building and drawing light deep into the interior. At the top, the library and rooftop restaurant crowned the monument, completing the ascent with spaces for reflection and gathering above downtown Toronto.
REFUGEE CITY
Competetion submition for Microhome competetion
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Off the grid microhome deisgn as a solution to an emergncy refugee crisis
Key Design Stratagy: Compact, self-sufficient living systems
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
I contributed to the project by developing the conceptual design and producing the digital model, diagrams, technical drawings, and renderings that translated the humanitarian intent into a buildable proposal.
DESIGN CONCEPT
I developed Refugee City in collaboration with a partner as part of a microhome design competition, where I explored how architecture can respond to displacement with dignity, care, and long-term value. I questioned the temporary nature of informal shelters and sought to reimagine emergency housing as a permanent, humane environment that supports both daily life and emotional well-being.
I designed the microhome as an off-grid dwelling intended to provide families fleeing war with safety, comfort, and stability. I focused on creating a cost-efficient and self-sufficient building envelope, while organizing compact interior spaces to maximize light, privacy, and essential domestic functions within a limited footprint.
While I situated the proposal in Hatay, a region shaped by large-scale displacement, I intentionally designed the system to adapt to other global contexts affected by conflict, homelessness, and climate crisis. Through this approach, I envisioned the microhome as both an immediate response and an enduring solution, capable of forming resilient communities rooted in dignity and belonging.
MAIN FLOOR PLAN
We designed the main floor as an open, flexible living space that combined the kitchen and living room, connected directly to the backyard, and integrated a shared washroom beside the entrance for clarity and efficiency.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
We organized the second floor around five compact sleeping pods with integrated overhead storage and a shared desk area, maximizing capacity while preserving privacy within a livable footprint.
NORTH EAST ISOMETRIC SECTION
This isometric section revealed how the compact vertical layout organized open living spaces below and modular sleeping pods above, connected by a central stair and unified under a selfsufficient envelope designed for efficient, dignified living.
SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICAL AND WATER SYSTEMS
An off-grid, cost-efficient system is estimated to cost less than $ 15,000 per unit.
Exterior Material
Exterior made out of natural materials (Earth and Adobe bricks) - Which is completely sustainable, cost efficient, and makes the building adjust to climate without relying on air conditioning or heating system.
Solar Electrical System
In turkey the average electricity consumption per person is 7.6 kWh per day. This Solar Electrical Sytem could generate over 7000 kWh of electricity which would be enough fo this microhome and will make it completely sustainable.
Rainwater Harvest System that makes the microhome off-grid by harvesting rainwater and storing it. Filtered rainwater is then pumped through faucets, making it clean to use and drink.
Solar Water Heating System that heats up water using the natural heat of the sun.
Natural Sun Light
Inverter
Fusebox
Rainwater Storage
Sand Filter
Hot water tank
REFUGEE CITY DESIGN INTENT
We designed the microhome as a fully off-grid living system that integrated solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and passive material strategies to create a self-sufficient and costefficient shelter. By combining environmental performance with efficient spatial design, the project supported daily life with dignity while remaining adaptable to different climates and contexts. The proposal also envisioned how these homes could intertwine with the existing urban fabric, forming a connected community within refugee settings that blended into the life and rhythm of the surrounding city. Together, these strategies formed a resilient microhome community that fostered safety, sustainability, and a sense of belonging.
MOSAIC COMMUNITY
Undergraduate studio group project
PROJECT INFO
A Collaborative Student Residence Rooted in Community Key Design Stratagy: Community through spatial balance
DESIGN CONCEPT
I contributed to the Mosaic Community project by conducting site analysis, developing technical plans, producing renderings, and building the physical model as part of a collaborative effort.
DESIGN CONCEPT
I worked on Mosaic Community as part of a collaborative studio project exploring how student housing could balance privacy, community, and urban integration. Our shared concept shaped a residence rooted in student lifestyle, and I contributed through site analysis, technical plans, renderings, and the physical model.
Located behind David Crombie Park in the St. Lawrence neighborhood of downtown Toronto, the project was embedded within a vibrant context close to markets, libraries, restaurants, and nearby universities, allowing the residence to intertwine with everyday city life. The building was designed to foster accessibility, comfort, and connection through a careful balance of shared spaces and private zones.
Two flexible apartment types (one-bedroom and two-bedroom units) accommodated diverse living situations, with convertible beds allowing spaces to adapt to shared living and small families. Through this project, I explored how housing can cultivate belonging while supporting the varied needs of students within the urban fabric.
EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS COMMUNITY BUILDINGS
SITE ANALYSIS
I analyzed the site behind David Crombie Park by mapping surrounding recreational, community, educational, and green spaces, along with key transportation routes that shape daily student life in the St. Lawrence
neighborhood. This understanding guided the placement and orientation of the residence, allowing it to intertwine with its urban context and strengthen accessibility, connection, and a sense of community.
GREEN SPACES
UNITS CLOSEUP FLOOR PLAN
We designed two unit types to support different living preferences, with two-bedroom units for shared or family living and one-bedroom units for students who preferred to live alone. Each unit combined private bedrooms with
generous shared spaces (kitchens, living rooms, washrooms, and study areas) to balance privacy, comfort, and flexibility within a compact layout.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
We designed the ground floor as a shared recreational heart for the residence, organizing social, fitness, and gathering spaces to bring students together and strengthen daily interaction. Informed by our site analysis, this level opened toward surrounding green spaces and neighborhood amenities, allowing the building to engage directly with the life of St. Lawrence and reinforce its role as a community anchor.
SECOND TO FIFTH FLOOR PLAN
Across the upper floors, we organized student units around shared circulation and terraces, creating a balance between privacy and collective living. As part of this collaborative project, these residential levels were shaped by the site study to capture light, views, and connections to the urban context, supporting comfortable living within an interconnected student community.
EAST SIDE SECTION
These sections illustrated how we stacked communal and residential spaces to create a legible vertical rhythm, using light, circulation, and shared terraces to connect student living with the surrounding urban context.
SOUTH SIDE SECTION
BULWAR HOUSE
Undergraduate studio Individual project
PROJECT INFO
A Home Shaped by Touch, Light, and Community
Key Design Stratagy: Sensory navigation through form and material
DESIGN CONCEPT
I designed Bulwar House as a residence for a math teacher with visual impairment, his wife, and their child, grounding the project in the idea of community. The house was conceived as an open and interconnected environment where living spaces flowed together to support shared family life while remaining warm, legible, and intuitive to navigate.
The spatial organization strengthened both internal connections and the relationship to nature. Living areas extended outward through visual and physical links to the outdoors, allowing light, air, and landscape to shape daily experience and reflect the client’s love for open spaces.
Materiality, lighting, and form became tools for sensory orientation and comfort. I introduced contrasting textures and generous light to support spatial awareness, while curvilinear walls and spiral elements shaped a fluid, calming experience that transformed movement through the home into a tactile and emotional journey.
BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN
The floor plans organized the home as a flowing, open sequence of family, work, and private spaces, using curved geometry and strong indoor–outdoor connections to create a legible, sensory rich environment for everyday living.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
DESIGN CONCEPT DIAGRAMS
NATURAL LIGHTING
Natural light was used to enhance spatial clarity and comfort, helping a person with visual impairment sense boundaries and changes space while creating a warm, healthy environment for family life.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
visual in environment
The spiral stair became a tactile and fluid vertical path, offering intuitive navigation for a person with visual impairment while acting as a shared sculptural element that brings the family together.
Curved walls guided movement through gentle geometry, supporting wayfinding through touch and body memory while creating a calming, playful environment for both the client and the family.
SPIRAL STAIRS CURVED WALLS
This section illustrated how the home was shaped as a continuous, open sequence of family and private spaces, connected through light, curved circulation, and vertical movement to support a fluid and legible living experience.
EAST SIDE SECTION
DINNING ROOM RENDERING
BACKYARD CONNECTED TO BASEMENT RENDERING
SPIRAL STAIRS RENDERING
