Little Cumbrae Castle

Little Cumbrae Castle is a Scottish tower house located on Castle Island built in 16th Century. It built by the Montgomery family, Early of Eglinton, it served as a defensive residence to control the resources of the island and protect the island against poaching. The site has earlier royal associations as Robert II visited the island in the late 14th century, but the present castle dates to the mid - 1500s. Architecturally, this castle is compact rectangular tower with thick stone walls, vaulted cellars on the ground floor. The entrance to this castle is from the first floor - highlighting its defensive purpose. It is elevated on a rocky outcrop making it vulnerable to high sea winds thus affecting its tiny windows. The materials used for this castle are local stone, giving the interior a cool, heavy, and enclosed character typical of Scottish tower houses. Now the tower is roofless and unoccupied, and it remains an important scheduled monument that reflects both its strategic coastal setting and its role as a fortified domestic residence In this project I wanted to extend the castle, based on its vanished roof. The reason why I chose that is because the castle was built for security, yet its small windows do not provide a clear view of the surroundings. I planned to add a small green area on the roof, because the castle has no access to greenery inside. I also adjusted the size of the kitchen because its very small. I used stone columns, and timber for the roof itself.

Vanbrugh Park Estate

Located within the historic Vanbrugh Park Estate—a seminal mid-century residential development—this project explores the transformation of an underutilized under-garage space into a vibrant public intervention. Recognizing the architectural significance of the estate, the primary design objective was to create a proposal that seamlessly integrates with its surrounding environment. To achieve this level of contextual harmony, I conducted extensive urban and historical research into the area. By analyzing the estate's distinct material palette, structural rhythms, and public-to-private spatial thresholds, the final intervention respects the heritage of the site while introducing a much-needed public asset that naturally weaves itself into the fabric of the neighborhood.

Collage to Reality

This project started with a visit to Petersham Park to get a feel for the landscape and environment. Inspired by the trip, I created four abstract collages using random, free-form shapes to explore different visual layouts. By selecting and developing one of these collages, I was able to translate those flat shapes into a three-dimensional building. The final design focuses on a balance of open and closed spaces, creating areas that feel cozy and private alongside areas that open up completely to the park scenery.

Coastline Pattern