architecture portfolio

NZIOKA NGAU 2024

port folio

GRAD. UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME 24’

peter

A curious mind eager to explore the highest levels of art and architecture. A promoter of architecture as a tool of identity, experience, enviromental activism and social comfort.

Contact: nziokapeter20@gmail.com pnzioka4@nd.edu instagram: nzioka ngau

background

Becoming an architect is not just a career choice; it is a calling fueled by a deep seated passion for creativity, innovation and the tranformative power of design. From the magestic cities to the intimate sanctuaries of personal homes; architecture shapes the way humans live, work and experience being alive.

Education

Bachelors of Architecture and Interior Design - Kenyatta University, Kenya Masterts of Architerural Design nd Urbanism - University of Notre Dame, USA

Philosophy

Formed function

Flowers are some of the most beautiful creations of nature. The beauty of a flower is its radiance. The beauty of the radiance is the purpose it serves in the cycle of life. Like all things nature; every creation must have function and every function must have form. None of these two principles come before the other, they are one and the same.

selected works

classical style projects

1. Thesis: Market districts as catalysts of urban rejuvination in mid-tier cities in USA

2. Grand Utretcht hotel - Utretcht, Netherlands

3. Resilient market blocks -South Bend

4. Community regeneration - Bastogi, Italy

contemporary style projects

5. Private commissions and collaborations

6. Internship experience at FBW architects and engineers

urban planning

7. The Dean’s Charrete at Mishawaka , Indiana

Awards

• Habitat for Humanity competition

• Climate Resilient classroom competition0

• Painting studies

• Photography studies

• Sketch studies

Thesismarket districts as catalysts of urban rejuvination in mid-tier cities in usa

the case of south Bend, Indiana

Many mid-tier cities in USA have suffered gradual decline as su-urban sprawl took effect in the late 19th century. The objective of the thesis was to demonstrate that the urban rejuvination of mid-tier cities like South Bend can be achieved through a community intergrated approach of bringing market centers back to downtowns.

The project site is located in downtown SouthBend opposite Howard park. The site measures about 4 acres and is largely covered by parking lots and sparsely spaced buildings. The site is bordered by a city transect to the northe and east, a neighborhood transect to the South and St. Joseph river to the South. The project objective is to re-purpose the site to host multi-use buildings blocks that would attract retail and residential developments.

The colored buildings represent block infills proposed. The block functions include: civic (red), blue(residential), orange( commercial -flex), purple (mix-use residential/retail) and pink( market blocks). The market(shopping center) would have three experiences: the boutique market(north), the basilica hall and the garden market(south). additionaly the site is fitted with promenade streets that draw visitors towards the river.

The Basilica concept

Originating from the spacial uses of the palladian basilica in Vicenza, The Basilica concept proposes flexibility of market halls to serve more functions. A basilica may primarily feature market activity on the first floor and civic and social functions on upper floors.

3rd Floor Uses

The third floor features a balcony looking down to the second floor. The space may be used for seating, art exhibitions

2nd floor uses

The second floor hosts market activity only on weekends. On weekdays the hall space may be used to host social and civic activities like weddings, public rallies, concerts, art exhibitions and fairs.

First floor uses

The Basilica concept proposes flexibility of market halls to serve more functions. In this scenario the buildings first floor can be used for indoor retail or partitioned stores with cross paths connecting both sides of the market square.

The market Square

The market square takes precedence from Faneuil market Center, Boston. The program features a central main civic building and two parallel blocks on either side. The side blocks perform retail functions on the street level and may offer office/ more retail on upper floors. The square space may also serve as gathering space for festivals, flea markets and special events in the city.

Top right: rendered masterplan showing proposed infill masterplan). Bottom: rendered site elevation along St. Joseph River. Top left: rendered axonometric section showing interior treatments( second floor later changed from balcony to full span slab.)

Grand Utrecht Hotel

The Grand Utrecht Hotel is located in Utrecht, Netherlands. The building is designed to be a crown hotel of the Nuede plaza. The hotel blends into the local character while standing out as an important urban icon.

The hotel layout hinges around a central reception space to distribute movement to other departments. The street fronts are fitted with a restaurant and stores to provide public interaction with building.

A central light well allows for passive lighting and ventilation. Distinct red and yellow brick patterns on the facade fit into the urban context will fine paint on stucco express a soft welcoming texture; a testament to the catering services offered inside. Rooms are fited with hard wood interior finishes with fresco print on business meeting room ceilings.

Top: rendered image of wooden interior furnishing.

Bottom: Rendered image of ceiling frescoe on conference rooms.

URBAN REGENERATION -

resilient market blocks

Instructor: Prof. D. Duany

Resilient market blocks are an exploration based on European residential blocks precedents which have evolved into shopping streets. The project explores mix-use residential and retail blocks as an economic resilience feature. The concept could potentially improve city living and the urban experience of SouthBend while securing flexible income for owners.

The proposal is located opposite Howard park. Superblocks define the urban fabric, with mixed -use retail/residential blocks sandwiching residential buildings. The main market building is located at the central piazza served by 6 pedestrian streets. The block is developed to as a mix-use residential/ retail block and in later phases features covered streets leading into tripple height bazaar market

plaza facing market hall

Bazaar market hall view

COMMUNITY REGENERATION -

Bastogi, Roma Municipality, Italy

The project explores a proposal to improve a derelict and abandoned community of low-income immigrants in Bastogi, located in the greater Roma municipality. These communities live in abandoned modernist blocks with poorly maintained services and infrastructure; consequently reducing the quality of habitat and health. The deisgn proposes the use traditional casa-inlinas to provide mixincome housing; and traditional roman street design to regenerate a dignified self-dependent community town.

The challenge was to develop a residential block(casa ilina-a masonry load bearing wall ; mixed-retail/residential block type with large garden interiors and intense architectural character variety. Often with large open entrance into internal garden). THe design consistd of adaptable retail units and 2-3 bedroom apartments. Top apartments have 3-4 bedrooms and private terraces for higher income owners. The overal strategy is to avail mixed-income apartment options to attract both middle low-middle upper income families into the development.

axonometric view and details of wall assembly

CONTEMPORARY STYLEs

private commissions

THE MARTIN RESIDENCE - KENYA

STATUS: STAGE 2 BUILDING

The project entails a 2 story maissonette in a city surburb site. The design features 1,500 ft2 fitted with a living room, 4 bed, 4 bath with inbuilt garage. Project was designed up to schematics and fowarded to registered proffesionals for construction drafting and supervision.

private commisions

THE GRACE CHURCH - KENYA

STATUS: STAGE 5 DEVELOPMENT

Schematic design of an 2500ft2 christian chapel building. THe chapel contained a worship hall, clerical offices and instruments store. The building was designed for a low budget of under $100 /m2. Schematic designs were completed by I ( incorporated as abantu +) and fowarded to registered proffesionals for architectural drafting and structural works.

WORK EXPERIENCE

work xp - architectural associate - 1 year

The International School of Kigali is designed for an international community in Kigali, Rwanda . I took part in design and development of the project from phase 1-4 ( RIBA design phases). My participation involved design of the cafeteria(center), swimming pool gym(right). Additionally I played a key role inmodelling and visualization of the project.( see the render in view).

Joined the development of the classroom block at stage 2(midpoint). I participated in development and construction drawing of classroom designs, floor finishes, ceiling finishes and building services drawings. I was primarily responsible for sketchup modelling all drawings and post production.

URBAN PLANNING

THE DEAN’S CHARRETTE Univesity of Notre Dame

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - MISHAWAKA, 2023

perspective view of proposed masterplan. This image is used for context only. The author did not contribute to its creation but was part of the overal team. Image courtesy of University of Notre

This edition of the Dean’s charrete explored affordable housing units in Mishawaka-Indiana. The masterplan advocated for a bigger green footprint - percentage of site covered by natural vegetation, pedestrian friendly streets and the application of privacy gradients to develop dignified housing for low-income families in the Mishawaka neighborhood.

The project proposal explores how to equip urban low-income communities with skills they would need to implement sustainable community schools. Features of this module include simple wooded frameworks, planter wall, green planter roof, water harvesting, plastic re-use, classroom garden and passive lighting and ventilation. The simplicity of design would allow for the community to learn and build more modules unsupervised.

Competitions won

climate-Resilient community classroom modules for urban slums

Winning concepts included how the team addressed re-use of plastic bottles that are an enviromental pollutant. The project featured use of platic bottles to create green vine roofs and walls. Green walls are scientifically proven to increase thermal and aesthetic comfort and consequently improve attention spans.

Competitions won

habitat for humanity - low cost housing

2022

The project is designed to provide affordable temporary housing for families displaced by natural causes like famine or floods in arid to semi arid areas of developing regions. The design features a a free floorplan flexible to accomodate a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and washroom. Sustainable water collection, passive ventilation and lighting improve self-reliance and user comfort. material and construction simplicity reduces construction cost and allows inhabiting family to add second phase attachment.

watercolor studies

Top: master repaint of italian garden - abstract watercolor

Bottom: A watercolor painting at Fontana Mose salvatto dalle acque looking towards Busto di Gaetano Filangeri (VIlla Borghese gardens)

Right: A master repaint and element additions of venice canal street. (Original painting by Joseph Zbukvic)

NZIOKA NGAU

University of Notre Dame. Grad. 2024 nziokapeter20@gmail.com +1 (574)-222-8043