Ansh Shah

This urban infill project integrates wildlife conservation with community gathering by pairing a public café and a Chimney Swift habitat in Ottawa. I designed vertical thermal chimneys across the building to create dedicated nesting habitats while enhancing passive ventilation performance. Developed using Rhino, Grasshopper, and D5 Render, the design balances ecological performance with vibrant social spaces. The faceted layout accommodates gathering zones, quiet workstations, and visual connections to nature in a dense urban environment.

The Amik Node is an ecological architectural design for a waterfront pavilion and community hub on the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec. Conceived for an NCC design competition, the project explores the intersection of biophilic architecture, landscape restoration, and Indigenous land stewardship. The proposal features a timber woven canopy, helical pile foundations to minimize ground disruption, and an accessible boardwalk along the shoreline. Integrating a multi-purpose social hub, café, and riparian buffer zone, the design fosters community connection and environmental resilience across all seasons.