Fatema Masuma Alidina - Architectural Science Portfolio

FATEMA MASUMA ALIDINA

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

SELECTED WORKS

A Village in the City Barcelona

THE PERIPATETIC LAW SCHOOL

REFLECTION AND DEBATE AS THE FOUNDATIONS

In Collaboration with Dejana Nesovic | Fall 2025

277 Victoria St., Toronto, Ontario

Revit 2025, Adobe Suite, D5 Render, Lumion

This architectural concept envisions the law school as a peripatetic landscape where pathways and corridors become venues of reflection, dialogue, and dissent as the foundations for justice. Drawing on the philosophical tradition of learning through movement, the design transforms circulation into cognition with walking as a mode of inquiry. Layered materials and spatial sequences reveal the building’s evolving history, where traces of the existing structure and new reinterpretations reflect the changing nature of law, through rhythm, repetition, and pause.

Seminar

Indigenous

Indigenous

Breakout

Washrooms

Research

Perspective render-section B-B comparing activities on South-East corner

Thresholds, ambulatory cloisters, and open forums invite moments of pause and encounter, cultivating an environment where contemplation and debate coexist. The architecture becomes an ethical terrain, an embodiment of jurisprudence, encouraging students, scholars, and advocates to inhabit justice not as abstraction, but as a lived and continuous process.

THE REPOSITORY PATH

The library as a landscape of knowledge, wandering and discovering

THE RITUAL LOOP

A deliberate formal circulation route that frames the moot court like a second chamber

THE SOCRATIC CIRCUIT

A designed path for active verbal learning and chance encounters

THE CIVIC ARCADE

The walkway blends gathering and movement, similar to traditional arcades

Diagram illustrating the relationship of the building to the site

DUNDASST.

LAW SCHOOL

MODEL PHOTOS

Lasercut MDF, 3D printed stairs and timber screens, polycarbonate, acrylic

DAS TRANSFORMED

THE ARCHITECTURE OF WELL-BEING

In Collaboration with Kyla Blake | Winter 2025 325 Church St., Toronto, Ontario Rhino 7, Revit 2025, Adobe Suite, Lumion

The reimagining of the Department of Architectural Science (DAS) building will elevate it from a purely utilitarian structure into a holistic, wellness-focused environment that fosters student inspiration and connection. Drawing conceptual inspiration from the organic form of a bird’s nest, the new design is envisioned as a sanctuary of creativity, seamlessly blending natural elements with modern functionality. The architecture will prioritize biophilic principles, incorporating abundant green spaces, expansive access to natural light, and thoughtful materiality.

PUSH

Stretch North and South faces

EXTRUDE

Add 2 more floors from existing 4 floors

1

CARVE

Ramp onto the exterior of the building starting on South side, facing the parkette

2

3

SPIRAL

Ramp envelopes the building until it reaches the extensive greenroof

4

THRIVE

Enjoy interactive experiences with the natural world

5

3rd floor plan

Wellness floor, an amalgamation of wellness-related programs

Terrace space on the ramp of the wellness floor

A quiet ascent, A gentle rebellion against the straight line...

Exploded structural axonometric

Exterior ramps

Unfolded elevation of exterior ramp

Existing structural system with beams, columns and drop columns

Fragment of facade generation

Parametric waveform aluminum fins

Interior perspective from a classroom looking out onto the exterior ramp

A defining feature is the ramp that wraps the building’s exterior, creating a fluid connection between the ground-level outdoor areas, multistory terraces, and the green roof. This element introduces a sense of continuity, serving as both a circulation pathway and an experiential journey through the building’s layers of landscape and activity.

The design achieves a harmonious balance between shelter and openness, function and warmth, embodying a commitment to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive learning space that nurtures both individual growth and a strong sense of community.

Green Roof Terrace Construction: 50 mm concrete pavers on height-adjustable pedestals (removable for future green roof expansion)extensive green roof greening substrate 140 mm filter fabric

Return Air Grille Chilled Water Shadow

Exterior Wall Assembly: Precast Concrete 90 mm

Moisture Barrier 2 mm

Rigid Insulation 75 mm Glazing

Structural Concrete Beam

Metal and Glass

Floor Assembly: Travertine Tile Finish 10 mm

Cement Underlayment 5 mm

CHURCHSTREET

Site axonometric

MODEL PHOTOS

Lasercut MDF, 3D printed fins, acrylic

THE GOLDEN COMPASS

PAVILION IN A PUBLIC PARK

Fall 2023

East Lynn Park, Toronto, Ontario

Rhino 7 , Grasshopper, Adobe

This project proposes a pavilion composed of two intersecting dome forms with dual points of entry oriented toward an existing park pathway and playground. The inner dome is constructed of steel pipes and timber paneling, while a secondary outer shell features staggered timber removal to filter light. Informed by informal site circulation, the pavilion serves as a place of pause, gathering, and wayfinding within the park.

Steel pipe

Hex bolts and nuts

Steel pipe

Steel plate welded onto steel pipe

Concrete footing

Details

Timber panel

Section A-A

DANFORTHAVENUE

A VILLAGE IN THE CITY

MIDRISE BUILDING

Revit 2025, Adobe Suite, D5 Render Winter 2024

307 Sherbourne St., Toronto, Ontario

The midrise project explores mixed-use living through a ground-level commercial base supporting residential life above. A lifted, setback courtyard provides residents with a protected communal space. The building is primarily composed of studio units, complemented by select one and two-bedroom residences. A push-and-pull massing strategy, reinforced through a varied material palette of brick and exterior stucco, articulates individual dwelling identities while strengthening collective living through shared programs, a landscaped courtyard with a water feature, and a rooftop with green spaces.

With a kitchen, small dining table, a convertible sofa bed and a bathroom as well as a closet/storage space.

TWO BEDROOM UNIT

With a kitchen, dining area, living room, and a bathroom. There is also a private balcony overlooking Sherbourne Street.

ONE BEDROOM UNIT

With a kitchen, dining area, living room, and an ensuite bathroom. The kitchen is also designed with an island and barstools to allow for human engagement and interaction.

Private and shared balconies face both the street and courtyard, with the courtyard-facing units activating single-loaded corridors that wrap each floor and connect residents to shared balconies and the landscaped courtyard below.

BARCELONA STUDIO ABROAD

PHOTOGRAPHY AND SKETCHES FROM BARCELONA AND

Summer 2025

TRAVERSE WINDOW INSTALLATION

EXTRACURRICULAR: Design and Fabrication Teams

Winter 2024

Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Association (BIA)

In collaboration with a group of 6+ students

BEYOND THE WALL EXHIBITION

Paul H. Cocker Gallery, TMU Department of

In collaboration with a group of 8+ students EXTRACURRICULAR:

Top plate

Studs

Lateral bracing

Corner posts

Bottom plate plates

Bearers

Centered on acrylic paneling, the project explores layering as a method to reveal Toronto’s character. Panels depict iconic landmarks and etched architectural imagery representing the city’s diverse neighborhoods, histories, and social fabric. Backlit illumination activates the panels, creating a glowing, sequential experience that evokes movement through Toronto’s many identities.

This exhibition explored how human-made walls can be used as a form of control and agency. Dividing the space with a skewed wall to create experiences of compression and openness. The six chosen case studies explore how each “wall” has been used as a form of control on the wall side, and then how the people enclosed by it have used it as a form of agency on the intervention side.