Architecture Sample Portfolio 2022 - 2025

A I L I N
S A P A R
A R C H I T E C T U R E
S A M P L E P O R T F O L I O
Sheffield School of Architecture and Landscape
2 0 2 2 - 2 0 2 5

CURRICULUM VITAE
AILINA SAPAROVA
saparova.ailin@gmail.com
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Student Intern - INK ARCHITECTS | June 2024 - August 2024
Astana, Kazakhstan
Worked on international projects across INK offices in Astana, Almaty, Miami, and Dubai. Produced architectural drawings and 3D models (AutoCAD,
SketchUp, Grasshopper), conducted site visits, and contributed to design development.
Student Volunteer - WE DESIGN event
| February 2025
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Led a collaborative design workshop with local residents, developing a conceptual model that reimagined leisure spaces for the community. The role
strengthened my skills in teamwork, communication, leadership, and public speaking.
President of BAME Architects Society - The University of Sheffield | January 2025 - July 2025
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Served as president of the society, supporting a community of aspiring BAME architecture students and promoting discussions around relevant topics.
My role involved handling administrative tasks, overseeing activities, leading weekly meetings, organising social events, and engaging in public speaking.
Student Intern - Basire Design Group
| July - August 2021
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Participated in a short-term practice placement during high school, assisting with research and presentation tasks for the “Almaty Ballet Theatre” project.
Gained early insight into architectural design processes and studio workflows within a professional environment.
English & Math tutor - Stars Studio Centre
07494235371
EDUCATION
The University of Sheffield, BA (Hons) - RIBA/ARB Accredited Part 1 | September 2022 - June 2025
First Class Honours
Awarded the Robert Cawkwell Prize in Architecture for the highest-achieving dissertation in the cohort.
United World College Dilijan | September 2020 - June 2022
International Baccalaureate (IB)
| November 2019 - July 2020
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailina-saparova127/
First recipient of the Almaly Scholarship, a fully funded award granted for academic excellence and leadership potential to attend United World
College Dilijan.
Astana, Kazakhstan
I tutored school-aged students in English and Mathematics, designing tailored lessons and tracking academic progress. Responsibilities included
organising sessions, adapting content to individual needs, and maintaining regular communication with parents to support student development.
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C O N T E N T S
AQUA.33.........................................................3
Guadalajara, Mexico
Year 3
Reweaving Wakefield....................................13
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
Year 3
Chesterfield Hall............................................27
Chesterfield, East Midlands, England
Year 2
Point 53 Social Housing................................32
Kelham Island, Sheffield, England
Year 2
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
The Robert Cawkwell Prize in Architecture | June 2025
Awarded for academic distinction in my final year dissertation (Special Study).
Investigating the role of architecture and spatial symbolism in representing collective trauma in post-Soviet Kazakhstan.
First Place
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Yale Young Global Scholars – Innovation in Science & Technology | July 2021
Accepted into Yale University’s selective global program, joining an international cohort to explore innovation, systems design, and
technology. Participated in seminars and collaborative projects that continue to inform my architectural approach to sustainability and
systems thinking.
International Young Scientists’ Contest – Mathematics | March 2019
Received second place in an international academic research competition focused on mathematics, held at Woosong University, in
Daejeon, South Korea. Recognised for analytical thinking and problem-solving skills among a global cohort of students.
Selected
Participant
Second
Place
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SKILLS SUMMARY
3D Modelling: Rhinoceros, Revit, SketchUp, Grasshopper
Rendering & Visualisation: Enscape, V-Ray, Lumion, Twinmotion
2D Drafting & Documentation: AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), MS Office
Physical & Manual Skills: Hand drafting, Sketching, Physical model-making, Laser cutting
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1
A Q U A . 3 3
LOCATION : Guadalajara, Mexico
TYPOLOGY : Bathing facility
Aqua 33 is a sustainable
swimming and education
hub in Guadalajara, Mexico,
centred around water
security and reuse. Through
rainwater
collection,
ecological design, and
communal bathing spaces,
the project blends relaxation
with learning — inviting the
public to engage with water
as both a resource and a
right.

04 | SITE ANALYSIS SITE ANALYSIS | 04
SITE IN SOCIAL CONTEXT – ZAPOPAN,
GUADALAJARA
The site lies within an under-served neighbourhood in Zapopan,
northwest of Guadalajara’s historic centre. This part of the city sits at
the intersection of rapid urban growth and long-standing
marginalisation, where informal housing clusters meet fragmented
infrastructure. Streets are often unpaved, drainage is unreliable, and
public space is scarce.
These conditions are shaped by the city’s uneven development—
Zapopan’s wealthier districts to the south and east contrast sharply
with its poorer outskirts, where residents face limited access to water
and municipal services. Here, seasonal rains bring brief relief but also
flooding, as stormwater has few controlled channels and collects in
low-lying areas. During the dry months, scarcity forces reliance on
irregular supply lines or costly private delivery.
| RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION AND WATER SUPPLY IN ZAPOPAN, GUADALAJARA
The traces of this imbalance remain visible in the physical fabric:
improvised water storage tanks on rooftops, concrete channels cut
into streets, and public areas adapted for multiple, overlapping uses.
In this context, water is both a daily challenge and a shared memory,
shaping the life of the community as much as the built environment
itself.
| THE PROJECT SITE, GUADALAJARA

05 | PROGRAMME CONCEPT PROGRAMME CONCEPT | 05
| RETENTION POND AREA
PROGRAMME
CONCEPT
The project provides the local community with a diverse
range of bathing and wellness facilities, each thoughtfully
designed to support both physical relaxation and
environmental awareness. These include a children-friendly
outdoor pool, a natural retention pond that doubles as a
cooling landscape feature, traditional temazcal steam
rooms embedded partially underground, and a tropical rain
shower pool room that evokes the sensory experience of
rainfall.
| CONCEPT SKETCH – CIRCULAR POOL AND WATER
CIRCULATION SYSTEM
Together, these spaces offer moments of relief and healing
while drawing attention to the cycles of water, drought, and
sustainability. By intertwining recreation with ecological
storytelling, the project invites users to reflect on the
importance of water as a shared resource — encouraging
stewardship, cultural pride, and collective care.
| EARLY MASSING AND WATER CHANNELING SECTION

06 | INTERNAL VIEW PERSPECTIVE INTERNAL VIEW PERSPECTIVE | 06
| MAIN POOL AREA

07 | PROGRAMME CONCEPT PROGRAMME CONCEPT | 07
| FILTRATION TUBES CONCEPT SKETCH
PROGRAMME
CONCEPT
Aqua 33 uses permeability as a way to shape both space
and experience, balancing open communal pools with
quieter corners for rest and reflection. The architecture lets
water, light, and people move freely through a structure that
softens the line between public and private, built and
natural, echoing the rhythms of water itself.
| COURTYARD CORRIDOR VIEW

08 | SPATIAL PROGRAMME SPATIAL PROGRAMME | 08
| GROUND FLOOR PLAN
1.
4.
3.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
SPATIAL PROGRAMME
1. Reception / 2. Filter tube system / 3. Water
storage tank + stairs to Lower Ground Floor / 4.
Male changing room / 5. Female changing room
/ 6. Outdoor pool / 7. Plant room + Storage
space / 8. Main bathing area / 9. Colonnade /
10. Retention pond / 11. Cafe + co-working
space
| AERIAL AXONOMETRIC VIEW

09 | STRUCTURAL CONCEPT STRUCTURAL CONCEPT | 09
WATER AS THE DESIGN
CATALYST
Rainwater is collected from all rooftops and
filtered through visible 8-meter-tall vertical tubes
filled with gravel, sand, and optional charcoal.
This passive system removes debris and
pollutants before directing clean water into a
700,000-liter underground storage tank, partially
exposed for educational use.
Part of the purified water is shared with the
community via a public pump station, supporting
water justice and resilience through a circular,
sustainable system.
The stored water supplies pools, rain showers,
and the underground temazcal. Greywater is
naturally treated through wetlands or sand filters
and reused for irrigation or flushing, minimizing
waste. During Guadalajara’s rainy season,
overflow is directed into a retention pond for
flood control and ecological benefit.
| WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM SECTION

10 | EXTERNAL POOL EXTERNAL POOL | 10
| OUTDOOR POOL AREA
| MAIN POOL AREA SECTION

11 | MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT | 11
MATERIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Rammed earth was selected for its thermal mass,
regulating interior temperatures in Zapopan’s hot, dry
climate by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at
night. The material’s low embodied energy and reliance on
locally sourced soil reduce the project’s environmental
footprint, while its tactile, stratified surfaces root the
architecture in its landscape. As a natural, non-toxic
material, rammed earth supports indoor air quality and
longevity, offering a sustainable alternative to high-impact
construction systems and reinforcing the project’s
commitment to climate-responsive design.
| CIRCULAR POOL
DETAIL DEVELOPMENT
The detailing process addressed the challenge of
protecting rammed earth in constant proximity to water. In
areas near the bathing pools, a concealed waterproof
membrane was installed behind the rammed earth to
prevent moisture ingress while keeping the exposed texture
visible to the user.
| DETAIL SECTION DEVELOPMENT

12 | PROJECT ETHOS PROJECT ETHOS | 12
| INDOOR POOL STREET VIEW
PROJECT ETHOS
Situated within an underserved neighbourhood of Zapopan,
the project reimagines bathing as both a civic and cultural
experience. It seeks to provide the local community with
spaces of comfort and dignity, qualities often associated
with private luxury, while embedding systems that
safeguard and reuse scarce water resources. Through
visible infrastructure and carefully crafted spaces, the
design merges indulgence with environmental
responsibility, ensuring that moments of wellness do not
come at the expense of the region’s most vital resource.
| ELEVATION STREET VIEW
| AERIAL AXONOMETRIC VIEW

2
R E W E A V I N G
W A K E F I E L D
LOCATION : Wakefield, Yorkshire
TYPOLOGY : Fashion institution
The Wakefield Fashion
Library weaves together
Wakefield's textile heritage,
community repair, and
circular fashion. Set within
and around the retrofitted
Pemberton House, it creates
layered spaces for making,
mending, and meaningful
exchange.

14 | PROJECT MANIFESTO PROJECT MANIFESTO | 14
SITE ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC
OPPORTUNITIES
A detailed site analysis reveals Pemberton House’s strategic position
within Wakefield’s urban fabric, surrounded by commercial streets,
cultural venues, schools, and key pedestrian routes. Mapping these
connections highlights the building’s potential to draw footfall from both
daily commuters and visitors arriving via the nearby railway station, while
its proximity to public transport ensures accessibility for diverse user
groups.
The study of movement patterns and surrounding amenities identifies
opportunities for the project to extend its influence beyond the building
itself—activating neighbouring public spaces, linking with existing cultural
institutions, and supporting local businesses.
By grounding the design in these spatial and social insights, the proposal
leverages its location to maximise engagement, foster collaboration, and
position the fashion library and workshops as a central node in the city’s
cultural and sustainability network.

15 | PROGRAMME CONCEPT PROGRAMME CONCEPT | 15
| INSIDE THE WAKEFIELD TOWER
PROGRAMME CONCEPT
This proposal transforms historical Pemberton House into
a gallery and educational centre that addresses the
environmental impacts of fast fashion. By retrofitting the
existing structure with minimal intervention, the design
creates open, light-filled spaces that showcase textiles and
raise awareness about waste.
A new tower, built from sustainable CLT, is connected to the
house and functions as a visible storage archive for
discarded garments. Below, a sunken fashion library and
exchange space supports public engagement, while
adjacent workshops for repair and reuse promote hands-on
learning and circularity.
The scheme brings together exhibition, education, and
practical making, offering a holistic response to the brief
through adaptive reuse and sustainable construction.

16 | LONG SECTION LONG SECTION | 16
Collection & Storage Repair & Recycling Fashion Shows &
Events
Temporary Exhibition
Spaces
Permanent Galleries

17 | AXONOMETRIC VIEW AXONOMETRIC VIEW | 17
PLACED IN CONTEXT

18 | THE FASHION GALLERY THE FASHION GALLERY | 18
| EXTENSION EXHIBITION SPACE
THE FASHION GALLERY
The Fashion Gallery, located in the immediate extension to
Pemberton House, serves as the central public interface of
the project. Designed as a double-height space with
generous daylight and visual connections to adjacent
floors, it provides a flexible environment for exhibitions,
garment displays, and community events.
The gallery’s material palette references the heritage
brickwork of Pemberton House while integrating
contemporary elements such as CLT framing and open
floor plates, creating a dialogue between old and new. Its
proximity to the workshops and fashion library allows
visitors to move seamlessly from viewing curated pieces to
engaging in hands-on repair and making, reinforcing the
project’s ethos of circularity and public participation in
sustainable fashion practices.

19 | SPATIAL PROGRAMME SPATIAL PROGRAMME | 19
SPATIAL PROGRAMME
1. The Fashion Storage Tower
2. Fire escape stair core
3. The material delivery lift system (from the
upper floors of the tower)
4. The material sorting room
5. The textile processing room
6. Plant room
7. Community laundry
8. Waste sorting room
9. Flexible workshop space
10. Recycled textile furniture workshop
11. Recreation space
12. Fire escape stairs and lift core
13. Community courtyard
14. Large flexible gallery space
15. Small cafe
16. Fashion Library
17. Medium size gallery space
| FIRST FLOOR PLAN
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21 | THE TOWER ENTRANCE THE TOWER ENTRANCE | 21
| THE WAKEFIELD TOWER STREET LEVEL ENTRANCE

22 | TOWER CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT TOWER CONCEPT SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME | 22 17
| MASSING MODEL ITERATIONS
| THE TOWER MODULAR STORAGE ITERATION SKETCH
| THE TOWER SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

23 | MATERIAL RECYCLING WORKSHOP MATERIAL RECYCLING WORKSHOP | 23
MATERIAL SOURCING
AND RECYCLING
The workshops operate as the project’s engine for reuse,
where donated garments and textiles are sorted, repaired,
and repurposed. Materials are sourced directly from the
storage tower above, creating a visible link between
collection and production. Items unsuitable for wear are
dismantled for components or adapted into new
applications, ensuring minimal waste.
Through open workstations and shared tools, the space
invites community participation, fostering both skill-sharing
and a tangible connection to the circular economy.
| THE FASHION RECYCLE WORKSHOP

24 | DETAIL DETAIL | 24
DETAIL | 20
1:20 CONSTRUCTION
SECTION
1. ROOF CONSTRUCTION
Synthetic sealing layer
Min. 120 mm EPS insulation to falls
Vapour barrier; 80 mm CLT
50 mm mineral wool
25 mm wood-wool acoustic panel
CLT beam
wooden construction colonnade perforated brick facade
2. GUTTER
Metal foil
3. DECK ACCESS CORRIDOR
130 mm structural CLT frame
Vapour control layer
22 mm OSB board on spruce beams
Geotextile layer
Sealant layer
Raised pedestal
PVC timber deck
Timber railing
4. ENVELOPE
130 mm structural CLT wall panel with exposed internal finish
Galvanised fixings
Wax-based end grain sealant to all exposed edges of CLT
Vapour control layer
160 mm breathable wood fibre insulation
Breather membrane
Timber battens and counter battens to create a 50 mm cavity
5. WINDOW
Timber board to window head
Timber window sill
Breather membrane returned into the window opening
Triple-glazed window
Steel structure for supporting brick
Perforated brick facade
6. FOUNDATION
Reinforced concrete footing
140 mm blockwork strip foundation
Rigid XPS insulation to the cavity of the foundation wall
Damp proof course

25 | NIGHT STREET VIEW NIGHT STREET VIEW | 25
EVOLUTION OF THE
CONCEPT
1. THE ORIGINAL WAKEFIELD
TOWER
2. THE CLT FRAME AND
CIRCULATION CORE
3. MODULAR STORAGE UNITES FOR
TEXTILE WASTE
4. THE WAKEFIELD FASHION
TOWER
| STREET VIEW

26 | ADAPTIVE REUSE ADAPTIVE REUSE | 26
| SECTION AA / THE EXHIBITION SPACE
ADAPTIVE REUSE AND
CONTEXTUAL INTEGRATION
The retrofit of Pemberton House preserves its historic character while
sensitively adapting the structure for a contemporary fashion-focused
programme. Respecting the building’s architectural integrity and
relationship to its urban context, the intervention minimises intrusive
alterations, retaining original features and materiality where possible. The
new extension is designed to complement the existing form while
introducing a bold, modern language that signals its renewed purpose.
Together, the restored house and the addition accommodate fashion
exhibitions, workshops, and a textile library, transforming the site into an
active hub for creativity, education, and sustainable practice. This
approach not only safeguards the building’s heritage but also repositions
it as a relevant and dynamic contributor to Wakefield’s cultural
landscape.

3
C H E S T E R F I E L D
H A L L
LOCATION : Chesterfield
TYPOLOGY : Performance hall
The Chesterfield Hall is a
flexible community hub
designed for Chesterfield,
UK. At its core is a multi-use
performance hall with
retractable
seating,
transforming it into a
communal gathering space.
The scheme also includes a
public green area,
workshops, practice rooms,
retail, and offices.

28 | PHYSICAL MODEL PHYSICAL MODEL | 28
| PHYSICAL MODEL
TESTING MATERIALITY, LIGHT,
AND PROPORTION
The physical model was developed as a means to explore the
project’s architectural language beyond drawings. Its construction
allowed for the testing of materiality through scaled
representations of surface textures, the study of light as it filters
through openings and structural frames, and the assessment of
spatial proportions from both interior and exterior perspectives. By
physically modelling these elements, the design could be refined to
ensure a balanced relationship between structure, enclosure, and
the user’s experience of the space.

29 | SPATIAL PROGRAMME SPATIAL PROGRAMME | 29
SPATIAL PROGRAMME
The layout strategically organises public, semi-public, and private
spaces around a central courtyard, fostering visual and physical
connections across the site. Programmatic elements are
strategically positioned to encourage community engagement,
with active areas, such as the café and event spaces, located
along the main frontage. In contrast, quieter workshop and
learning spaces are situated towards the rear, providing privacy
and focus.
The annotated diagrams explore spatial flows, daylight
penetration, and sightlines, demonstrating how the building
responds to both its urban context and user needs through
massing models.
| MASSING MODEL ITERATIONS

30 | TECTONICS TECTONICS | 30
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
TECTONICS
THIS TEXT EXPLAINS THE
DIAGRAM ABOVE
| SECTION / THE PERFORMANCE HALL

31 | COMMUNITY ACCESS COMMUNITY ACCESS | 31
COMMUNITY
CONNECTIVITY
| STREET VIEW
The design of Chesterfield Hall’s public frontage creates a civic
threshold that seamlessly connects the building to its surrounding
cultural network, including the adjacent dance school and
community amenities. The façade subtly guides visitors inward,
framing views and choreographing movement through the site
much like a stage set. This spatial arrangement encourages
informal encounters between different user groups, transforming
the forecourt into an active social interface.
By aligning circulation routes and visual connections with
neighbouring facilities, the architecture fosters a shared cultural
hub where performance, practice, and public life intersect.
| STREET VIEW / HAND-DRAWN SKETCH

P O I N T 5 3 S O C I A L
H O U S I N G
LOCATION : Sheffield, England
TYPOLOGY : Social Housing
Point 53, located in Neepsend,
Kelham Island (Sheffield), explores
“polyvalence” — giving users agency
over their space to address spatial
efficiency in modern construction.
The project also tackles refugee
housing by promoting adaptable
living and strengthening community
ties.
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| MANIFESTO
| MASSING MODEL ITERATIONS

33 | POINT 53 SOCIAL HOUSING POINT 53 SOCIAL HOUSING | 33
| SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
| 1:20 DETAIL SECTION
| COURTYARD PERSPECTIVE VIEW

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