Browsing by Author "Maira Khan"

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An Experiential Urban Recreational Centre Using Architecture as a Tool Through Light, Materiality, Movement, and Landscape
(Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2026-06-30) Syeda Affaf Zahra Rizvi; FA21-BAR-003; Maira Khan; LHR TP 10175
As cities continue to urbanize rapidly, commercialization becomes a priority, thus reducing the number of green spaces and neglecting human centered spaces. For instance, Ferozepur Road in Lahore has witnessed the extensive loss of open and green spaces due to its rapid growth of industries and commercial areas, putting further strain on the environment as well as depriving the communities of daily activities. Although the importance of public spaces for social integration, environmental harmony and help create comfortable and enjoyable experiences is highlighted in urban design discussions, a major deficiency exists in terms of developing such notions into transitional urban systems associated with infrastructure in pressure corridors. The current study aims to fill the gap by suggesting an Urban Recreational Centre concept for creating a holistic urban space through regeneration. Site analysis, spatial mapping, behavioural observation, questionnaire surveys, and comparative studies have been applied to understand the user behaviours, spatial organization, and requirements of the community in order to make design decisions. Through a carefully orchestrated progression of transition zones, the design idea weaves together aspects of commerce and community by playing with light, movement, and materials to create spatial montage. By employing a system of concealing and revealing landscapes, pauses, and opportunities for respite are provided to allow re-opening of space in the densifying urban context. Drawing on the cultural memory of the abandoned agricultural lands, nature is embedded into the urban life through the integration of seasonal rhythms into the urban fabric. Rather than one place of destination, the project provides a continuously growing set of places for fitness, relaxation, play and social interaction. These results indicate that the fragmented urban margins could be strategically activated through a designed layered spatial system that carefully integrates ecological, social, and commercial systems, not creating any conflicts. Thus, the recreation infrastructure serves not merely as amenity but as a mechanism of urban renewal. In conclusion, the project highlights recreation as an indispensable element of the urban structure, rather than a desirable accessory. It provides a viable example for replication in other rapidly urbanizing areas.
The Sports-Hospitality Anchor Resolving Urban Logistics and Security in Lahore’s International Cricket Circuit
(Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2026-06-30) Hamza Ali; FA21-BAR-037; LHR TP 10180; Maira Khan
This is an architectural thesis that aims to conceive an integrated 5-star hotel complex within the historic precinct of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Structural polarization is a problem in developing countries with large and important sporting facilities that become crowded, energized and highly secure during major sporting events and remain underused, silent and off-limits to the public on non-event days. In addition, the presence of foreign sports teams in Lahore is often accompanied by catastrophic traffic jams on the 7 km stretch of a Lahore transit road that connects the farthest hotels to the sports complex because of tight security blockades. This project aims to solve these spatial and urban conflicts by introducing a high-density luxury hotel complex which is in direct linkage with Nishtar park sports complex. This proposal takes advantage of the recent strategic acquisition by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of a multi-storied building along with an adjoining plot in the area of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for Rs 4.68 billion (acquired initially for Rs 4 billion) and follows up on the public-private partnership (P-P) plan to transform the adjacent LCCA ground into a high-rise hotel node. The research methodology is mixed methods, which includes site analysis of Nishtar Park, dynamic transport modelling of the congested corridors of Lahore and precedent study of stadium integrated hotels worldwide, including Hilton Garden Inn at Emirates Old Trafford, and Radisson RED at Twickenham Allianz Stadium. The final design incorporates a luxury hotel with 250 rooms, in compliance with the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Building and Zoning Regulations. It includes special highsecurity athletic floors, a high-performance training center modeled after the Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Center, and multiple use public spaces that will be used to keep the street alive on days when it's not hosting events, in keeping with the Chief Minister's goal of fostering healthy youth activities. The project introduces a new paradigm in sports attached to the urban environment and successfully shows the integration of biophilic elements with public space using high-security architecture.