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ALIZA MEHNAZ

ALIZA MEHNAZ

New York, NY, US

 
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About 

Architectural + Urban Designer | Space Planner | Researcher

Collaborative creative designer and space planning strategist with over 5 years of experience at the intersection of design, data, and development. Skilled in multiscalar design, urban analysis, strategic visioning, master planning, project management, and community engagement. From concept to completion, I have worked on diverse projects ranging from residential, housing, commercial, and mixed-use developments, to community, campus planning and public realm design.

Deeply committed to culture, community, and craft, I focus on ecologically responsive and people-oriented design. Adept at navigating complexity and fostering engagement, I am driven to transform urban landscapes into sustainable, inclusive, and resilient living environments through the art of innovative placemaking, landscape urbanism, and climate-responsive design strategies.

Employment 

Columbia University, New York, NY, US, Teaching Assistant

• Provided essential support to Faculty, Teaching Associates, and students.
• Collated, curated and produced Studio catalog for publication.
• Offered technical support and coordination for studio activities.
• Managed digital archiving of studio work.
• Facilitated group communication to ensure project alignment and efficiency.

Sep 2023 - Dec 2023
 

Bangladesh University, Dhaka, BD, Senior Lecterur, Architecture Department

Conducted teaching, mentorship, administrative work
● Supervised 4th year Housing Design Studio VIII (15 Credits)
● Taught theory courses
(i) Ecology and Sustainable Development (02 credits)
(ii) Surveying Techniques (02 credits)
● Prepared course outline and necessary teaching materials as per curriculum
● Mentored two deferred 5th-year thesis students to support them with their decelerating design schedules.
● Furnished final grading with necessary particulars while managing the transition from Bangladesh to the USA

Feb 2023 - May 2023
 

Anant National University, Ahmedabad, IN, Research Associate - Space Planning Strategist

Orchestrated several planning, administrative and research-oriented
initiatives in the field of creative learning and higher education setting:

1. Comprehensive Planning, Design and Strategic Development:
• Spearheaded project management initiatives for 10+ special projects
ranging from academic space and capital planning, semester planning,
documentation of academic activities to event management, elevating
academic space utilization, programs, and change management
• Led space programming initiatives by crafting and executing schematic
space layouts, test fit drawings, and space utilization metrics, optimizing
campus spaces and resources.
• Co-designed on-campus ‘Open Learning Space,’ enhancing community
engagement and learning outcomes by 60%

2. Visioning, Programming, & Stakeholder Collaboration:
• Collaborated with university leadership on visioning and programming
studies, utilizing metrics, strategic planning, and data-driven analyses to
inform decision-making and campus development.

3. Developing actionalbe database and digital documentation:
• Directed spatial data collection, analysis, management, feedback
colection process and documentation.

4. Campus Transition, Change Management and migration strategy:
• Drafted a phased transition plan facilitating the migration of the
academic community from the old campus to the new for 2400+ students
and faculty members
• Prepared and implemented spatial allocation plan for Post covid on
campus learning

5. Inter-Departmental Coordination & Communication:
• Spearheaded inter and intra-departmental communication, enhancing
collaborative working environment
• facilitated 30+ academic workshops and meetings annually driving
impactful outcomes and enhancing team performance
• Assited faculty and students to transition from hybrid to On-campus
return

6. Research-Driven Empathetic Space Planning:
• Conducted research on empathetic strategies to engage students in
learning environments through spatial arrangement and space planning

7. Teaching U.G level students:
Course taught:
(i) Visualizations and Representation,
(ii) Community Immersion module
(iii) Thinking on Paper

Nov 2018 - Jun 2021
 

Shatotto Consultants, Dhaka, BD, Architectural Designer

• Led campus planning for a 17-acre Aga Khan Academy catering to 1200
students, by developing innovative design concepts, zoning analysis,
placemaking strategies, and landscape design
• Organized data and modeled information for use in key decision-making,
supporting planning and project management
• Prepared client reports with necessary visualization and narratives
• Managed 4 projects simultaneously in public amenities, education, and
residential design including feasibility studies and cost estimation
•Participated in all phases of the design and construction process for projects
of wide-ranging scale and functions

Apr 2016 - Apr 2017
 

Matharoo Associates, Ahmedabad, IN, Junior Architectural Designer

• Executed design development for residential and housing projects
• Aided in project management, site analysis and client meetings
• Produced detailed architectural and working drawings, facilitating smooth
construction processes
• Utilized 3D modeling to demonstrate clients' virtual walkthroughs
• Created visual content for client presentations and pitch decks.

Aug 2014 - Aug 2015
 

THAL, Dhaka, BD, Architectural Design Extern ( Part time)

• Designed a 55,000 SFT office for the Unilever HQ competition integrating
agile work culture and brand standards producing 2D and 3D drawings
• Orchestrated overall visual presentation and narrative

Feb 2014 - Jul 2014
 

Morphogenesis, New Delhi, IN, Architectural Design Intern

Supported the design and development of 11 projects encompassing housing, business hubs and mixed-use commercial design by creating precise and compelling 2D/3D visualizations. Effectively consolidated complex data to inform design decisions, enhancing project clarity and ensuring alignment with client objectives and stakeholder expectations.

Nov 2011 - Apr 2012
 

Education 

Columbia University, New York, NY, US, Masters, MS in Arcihtecture and Urban Design (MSAUD)

May 2023 - May 2024
 

Awards 

Best Live Action Project for Community Oriented Work for Sustenance (COWS), 1st Place

Recipient of Live Action Project award for demonstrating examplary levels of problem-solving, perseverance, leadership, team-work and empathy in executing community development-oriented work for the underservred community of Thaltej, Ahmedabad, India.

2018
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills