Maria Rita Greenwald

Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)

Creative Portfolio

View of Shawfair's new cultural centre and plaza.

Bio

During my undergraduate studies in urban planning, I started interrogating myself on the importance of social sustainability. This led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Advanced Sustainable Design to investigate more profoundly the complexities of sustainability.

In most of my projects, I have therefore tried to engage in particular with the social pillar of sustainability, making it the focal point of my works, trying to consciously portray the interconnections between environmentally sustainable design and its impacts on the socio-cultural equilibrium as well as its relevance for societal behavioural change. My work has explored varied landscapes and scenarios from more practical building simulation projects to more theoretical works like my dissertation on the consequences of the creative class theory on socio-spatial justice.

The Culture Station: A Destination in Shawfair

One cannot talk of human rights without speaking of the rights of man in the built environment -The Council of Europe and Cultural Heritage

The project was born to create a public space that brings people together, encourages a sense of belonging, and fosters community feeling. A very contemporary need that is becoming even stronger after the covid19 pandemic, the increased concern around environmental racism, and the consequent growing importance of social sustainability within the wider sustainability discourse.

After 2020, more than ever, creating spaces that promote social sustainability and foster inclusivity whilst explicitly portraying the importance of environmental choices (through the use of materials and modular/flexible structures with longer life cycle possibilities) is increasingly necessary. As expressed from the initial quote, the physical environment and the spatial integration of humans is a strong factor in maintaining and promoting human rights.

In this project, in particular, the crucial idea in the discussion was the desire to create a destination, i.e a space that offers “a broad and heterogeneous range of cultural, architectural, technological, social and natural experiences and products for leisure and business” (UNWTO, 2021). By doing so, the project aims to combine sociability, accessibility, and comfort with the notions of culture and knowledge accessible to everyone.

The Culture Station

Aerial view from north-west of the development

Aerial view from south-east of the development

User Activity and Space Analysis

Connectivity axial map of the development

Choice axial map of the development

Connectivity axial map of the development

Layout proposals for the cultural centre

Montreal: Adaptable Offices

Compared to the previous one, this project was more focused on more practical environmental design strategies. The core concept behind this design was creating a suitable environment for present and future uses. With environmental design, user comfort and adaptability at the centre of the discussion, we worked with the existing frame of the building to create a new building skin and facade system that would dynamically adapt to the external conditions to maintain comfortable levels of light, solar thermal gains and shading for the users as well as allow easy and sustainable change in the foreseeable future. Whilst it might look like the explicit aim was that of creating an environmentally sound design, social sustainability was always included as the guiding force of the project.