Manal Dar 2025 Portfolio by manal d

MANAL IMRAN DAR

SELECTED WORKS

2020 - 2025

Instructor: Sajjad

PHENOLOGICAL PEDIMENT

OBSERVING SEASONAL CHANGES THROUGH ECO-TOURIST DESIGN

This project is a result of research carried out in an attempt to understand the role of nature and the branch of phenology in architecture. Phenology is the study of changes in the timings of seasonal events. We experience seasonal fluctuations all around us, in nature, in human behavior and routine, in cultural festivities, and even in the ways we inhabit and interact with space.

The chosen area of study is Khabeki Lake, one of the major lakes of the Soon Valley and it comes under the UNESCO Ramsar heritage sites as it is an ecologically significant wetland. Taking forward the proposal by the TDCP to develop a sustainable ecotourist resort here, the Visitor Centre and Lodge aims to provide insight into an architectural design language that celebrates seasonal change. Essentially, this project explores architecture as a responsive entity to seasons in climate and socio-cultural landscape. The seasonal migration of birds, strengthening the human-nature relationship, using local materials and bringing awareness to the ecological significance of the lake were all objectives that played a major role in the design outcome.

1. Earth and trees are reflecting each otherbuilt form embedded into the natural topography

2. Trees and sky are reflecting each otherbird towers

3. Sky and water are reflecting each otherwalking on the sky (reflection on the lake) in elevated forms and pathways

Elevated pathway which forms connections between multiple programs along the site:

- Trekking path

- Bird towers

- Connection to flamingo wetland

- The specific trees it frames upon the site

- All the way to the stone steps which lead down to the boating dock

Seasonal variation of the tree species present on site

(Source: RAMSAR ORG)

Bird species present on site (Source of bird species: RAMSAR ORG, Source of bird habitat: EBIRD ORG)

Migration schedule of birds (Tourist off-season and peak season)

SECTION - ELEVATION COMPARISON

Section of lake boardwalk and viewpoint of flamingo habitat

Elevated boardwalk along the flamingo wetlands

Public spots for leisure and nature appreciation

BOOK DESIGN & RESEARCH

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE: ADVANCING ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

The LUMS Energy Institute undertook the initiative to ascertain the root causes of Pakistan’s energy conundrum. The result is this comprehensive report, which meticulously analyzes the suboptimal housing structures and imprudent construction practices that have led to an inefficient use of energy, exacerbating the national power crisis. The report unveils a stark reality: our current housing practices contribute significantly to the escalating peak power demand, particularly during the summer months. The national grid, burdened by an insurmountable spike in demand for cooling, strains to meet the needs of the populace. A low grid utilization rate has resulted in unaffordable electricity rates for consumers and financial turmoil in the energy sector. Chapters use illustrations to guide the reader through a transformative exploration of architectural practices in Pakistan. Each section unveils a layer of the energy inefficiency conundrum, navigating through energy-efficient building designs, the integration of renewable energy sources, and the judicious use of energyefficient appliances.

Contribution to project: I lead the graphics for the entire report, which included designing the book from cover to cover and ideating and illustrating all the graphics. I also conducted research for findings on residential construction practices in Pakistan, and available building materials and comparison of their properties, which have been highlighted in Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of the report.

Wastewater treatment & landscaped terrain

Location: Lahore

URBAN RURAL DICHOTOMY

REDEFINE, REUSE, REVIVE

Cycling track & rentals

Communal spaces for rest and play

Native plantation pools

Bridge

NOTICE THE GROUND

FALL CORE STUDIO

This project explored themes of seasonality and how to design for time-based experiences, focusing on shadows and leaf litter as subtle markers that reveal shifts in topography, inviting us to pause and notice the ground more. It invites us to slow time around us by being in the present moment. This entire semester, work was done by hand only, a challenge that rekindled my love for sketching and helped me refine my own approach to it.