BA (Hons) Architecture

Maryam Widad Akilu

Biography

My name is Maryam Akilu, a part 1 Architecture student in my final year at Birmingham School of Architecture and Design. I have a strong passion for designing sustainable and innovative structures with the hope of transforming people’s needs into fascinating yet functional spaces. I have always been interested in design, how architecture defines the different spaces we use in our everyday life. Throughout my years at BCU, I have developed a keen interest in finding creative solutions to radical designs. I am dedicated and committed to all my designs as well as learning from my peers.

My final project explores the idea of “Safety and Support” within a community which was derived from the policy “Violence against one is violence against all”. How can Architecture address the need for support and protection? It challenges some of the issues facing gun violence as injustice and how they can be prevented. The project aims to provide a safe space for the community to engage in several activities to ensure they feel safe, protected, and sheltered. With the Victims of violence being the key users of the space, the concept of Location, Materiality, and Participation is critical to the design.

Read more about me

South Elevation - This shows the awareness garden, the relationship between the existing brick wall and surrounding context.

Section AA -

Section BB - Environmental Section (winter) showing the different sustainable strategies applied throughout the scheme with response to the SDGs.

Ground Floor Plan - This is the ground floor plan of the "Support" part of the scheme which is the community crisis centre.

The Resilience Narrative -

Cafe Visual -

Awareness Garden Visual - The Awareness garden is the key space within the scheme, where the key users write their stories on the platforms to create awareness.

Exterior Isometric Visual -

Masterplan - The masterplan shows the future of “Freetown Ladywood” by creating different interventions which will evolve within the next 10 to 20 years to come.

1:100 Presentation Model -

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Miruna Oprean

Amy White

Joshua Forde

Sarah Alrazak