Ellie Ward Creative Designer



arhitectural projects



studying architecture taught me the meaning of the phrase 'a picture sepaks a thousand words'.



As an architectural student, I learnt how to communicate my ideas visually, creating diagrams, illustrations, models and infographics to present my designs. The discipline taught me to how to problem solve with both logic, creativity and imagination. A collection of my degree work can be found on this page.



THESIS PORJECT - THE SANCTUARY



My thesis was based in Sheffield as responded to an appeal by the city's council to facilitate a welcome centre for the population of asylum seekers and refugees in the area. The Sanctuary was designed as a place of welcome for refugees by enabling interaction and integration with the local community. Through the emphasis on the sharing of cultural facilities, the centre aimed to benefit the migrant community, the charities supporting them as well as the existing Sheffield community.



tHE MARKET PLACE



GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION



This poster introduced the focus of the project, providing a graphical explanation of the projects aim to support and empower refugees.



tHE MARKET PLACE



GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION



A central space within The Sanctuary, was a food market which is depicted here. This was essential as a place to share culture and food between people with different heritages. This image was created through the use of SketchUp, Photoshop and Illustrator.



The allotment



graphic illustration



The external environment and inclusion of green space was also important to the scheme, as the natural environment acts as a neutral space where everybody is welcome. This image shows the creation of a community allotment space, replacing a disused roof of a neighbouring building. This image was created through the use of SketchUp, Photoshop and Illustrator.



the sanctuary



graphic section



This image shows an animated orthographic section, showing a cut through the building. The spaces where arranged around a central atrium and circulation route, with the privacy of the spaces increasing vertically. This image was created through the use of SketchUp, Photoshop and Illustrator.



the journey



conceptual collage



The idea of creating a green, natural, walkway, dictated the external space surrounding the building. This image shows a section of a digital collage which imagined the route of the green walkway, depicting the various level changes and imagined sections. This image was created using Photoshop.





THE TALKING POINT



This project responded to the need for ESOL facilities in Sheffield to help migrant communities learn English. Based in the renovated infamous Brutalist housing estate, Park Hill, The Talking Point consisted of a collection of pods with space for one-to-one English lessons. Hanging from rails, these could be arranged into different configuration, allowing the pods to connect for group classes and communal meals.



The Talking point



graphic Illustration



Here the pods are separate, in a configuration suited to individual one-to-one classes. The design is community focused, creating a space for everyone in the community to gather. This image was created using SketchUp, Photoshop and Illustrator.



The talking point



Graphic section



An orthographic site sections shows The Talking Points relationship with one of the flanks of Park Hill. This shows the gallery level which provides a space for community events within the space.This image was created using SketchUp, Photoshop and Illustrator.



AN ASYLUM SEEKERS JOURNEY



ILLUSTRATION



As part of my research, I looked extensively at the experience of refugees and asylum seekers on their arrival to the UK. I designed this illustration to portray the stages of seeking asylum in the UK system and the barriers which individuals face along the way.





architectural models



talking pod



Laser cut model



The design of the pods for the Talking Point meant that they could be constructed from flat pack pieces. I designed a prototype of the flat pack assembly and constructed a pod using plywood at a 1:5 scale.



sectional model



tectonic detail



This project looked at the composition of materials and the tectonic details which occurs where materials and elements meet or change direction. This model shows a corner details at 1:20 showing the layers of materials from roof to foundation.





live build project south africa



The University of Nottingham is one of the only UK architecture programs offering a live design and build project and I was fortunate enough to be part of it. In small groups, we produced original design for a nursery school, located in the Limpopo region of South Africa. Once the design was finalised, we individually raised £1000 to cover the costs of the materials, before heading to South Africa to construct the design.



LIMPOPO NURSERY SCHOOL



OUTCOME OF LIVE DESIGN PROJECT



This photograph shows the building near final completion following four week of constructions. The timbre beams which are shown exposed here were later covered with a fabric roof to create a shaded courtyard.



Beam Team



learning about construction



The experience was incredible and we all gained excellent first hand knowledge of construction. I spent most of my time on scaffolding attaching timbre beams to the circular steel structure to support the roof. This involving using power tool, different metal joint systems and how learning the patience involved in making scaffolding stable!