Portfolio2026

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PORTFOLIOSHANLEI CLAIRE CABRERA

Portfolio | ShanleiMy name is Shanlei Claire Martal Cabrera, and I am a third- year architecture student at Ara Institute of Canterbury. I am an international student from the Philippines with a strong interest in interior architecture, cultural design, ar- chitectural rendering, and concept development. I enjoy creating spaces that are visually engaging, functional, and connected to the identity and experiences of the people who use them. My cultural background influences the way I ap- proach design, particularly my interest in how architecture can express heritage, community, and a sense of place. This portfolio presents selected works that reflect my creative process, technical development, and growth as an emerging designer. Shanlei Claire Martal Cabrera Contact 022 687 1300 cabrerashanleiclaire@gmail.com

Portfolio | 2026 EDUCATION SOFTWARES SOFT SKILLS INTERESTS LANGUAGES 2024 - Present 2023 2022- 2023 Bachelor of Architectural Studies ARA Institute of Canterbury Architectural Studies and Construction Pathway ARA Institute of Canterbury Foundation Studies Certificate University of Canterbury International College Drafting 3D Modeling Visualization Presentation ArchiCad, Revit ArchiCad, Procreate D5 Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office, Canva Conceptual Form Development, Physical Model Making, Visualisation, Teamwork Crafting, Crochet, Coloring, Videography English, Tagalog (Filipino), Bisaya (Filipino) SOCIALS Instagram: @shanleispaces

Portfolio | Shanlei01 02 03 Te Waka O Te Kotahitanga Te Rau Tuatahi Avon Terrace

Contents 04 05 06 Avon River House Kitchen Apartment A Room to Feel

Portfolio | Shanlei1TE WAKA O TE KOTAHITANGA The Canoe of Unity Te Waka o te Kotahitanga is a proposed cultural community pavilion on Ōtamahua Island, designed for Ngāti Wheke. It provides shelter for arriving and departing passengers while also serving as a learning space that shares the cultural history of the island and surrounding area. Inspired by the form and meaning of a waka, the pavilion represents the beginning of each visitor’s journey and promotes connection, unity, and cultural understanding.

Location: Otamahua Island 01 | Te Waka O Te Kotahitanga Scan for Fly Animation https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oi9HyPuvU6aeeOuyX6Of-4GUYUFRKw0F/view?usp=sharing

Portfolio | ShanleiPOSTER

01 | Poster

Portfolio | Shanlei2TE RAU TUATAHI The First Blade Te Rau Tuatahi (The First Blade) is a proposed collaborative pavilion designed for the harakeke weavers at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in Lincoln. As one of the project leaders, I helped guide the team in creating a sheltered space for weaving, gathering, resting, and connecting with the surrounding landscape. The design concept draws from the traditional harvesting of harakeke, particularly the diagonal cutting technique used to protect the plant and support its continued growth. This practice informed the pavilion’s form and reflects the deeper spiritual meaning and cultural significance associated with harvesting harakeke.

02 | TE RAU TUATAHI Location: Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Scan for Fly Animation https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nQIXBhyQ9D6DIP-D5PlpbDcJMYYKho3d/view?usp=sharing

Portfolio | Shanlei

Portfolio | Shanleivvv3AVON TERRACE Commercial Building Avon Terrace is a proposed commercial development on Chester Street East in Christchurch, designed to create a healthier and more connected urban workplace. The project promotes togetherness through layered public spaces, courtyards, shared terraces, view corridors, and a cross-block walkway that opens the site to the wider community. Flexible, naturally lit offices are balanced with quiet work areas, green views, informal meeting spaces, and end-of-trip facilities to support a calm and uplifting work-life environment. Universal design and amenities for different ages help make the development inclusive and welcoming. The design also responds to tangata whenua values through connections to land, mountain, and water, while its colour palette and brick materiality establish a historical connection to the character and development of the site.

Location: 177 Chester St. East, Christchurch Scan for Fly Animation https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pUD_o0Gmli7w1cwdQnnAnVjOQeNf5AWJ/view?usp=sharing 03 | AVON TERRACE

Portfolio | ShanleiVISION BOARDOur vision is a welcoming mixed-use heart where work, play, and everyday care meet with ease. This place offers a simple greeting that can brighten your day, reminding the city of its heart.LEGEND:LIVEWORKHOSPIT ALITYRET AIL SPACIAL SCOPE SCHEMATIC SECTIONS INDICATING THE BULK AND LOCATION DESIGN INTEGRATION AND VISUAL REPRESENTATIONENTRY POINTSERVICESMATERIALITY:GLASS - Reflects t h e f l u i d i t y o f t h e A v o n River, e n h a n c i n g l i g h t , t r a n s p a r e n c y , a n d c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e s u r r o u n d i n g l a n d s c a p e .WHITE BRICK- Reflects t h e s o l i d a n d e n d u r i n g c h a r a c t e r o f t h e o l d Boiler House, g r o u n d i n g t h e b u i l d i n g i n i t s h i s t o r i c c o n t e x t .TIMBER CLADDING - Brings w a r m t h a n d n a t u r a l t e x t u r e , s o f t e n i n g t h e i n d u s t r i a l t o n e a n d c r e a t i n g h a r m o n y w i t h t h e r i v e r s i d e e n v i r o n m e n t .RED OAK W OOD - Represents i n d u s t r i a l r o b u s t n e s s a n d t i m e l e s s s t r e n g t h , b e c o m i n g a s t r o n g v i s u a l f e a t u r e t h a t d e f i n e s t h e b u i l d i n g a s a l a n d m a r k f o r p e d e s t r i a n s a n d v e h i c l e s p a s s i n g t h r o u g h Chester St East & F i t z g e r a l d A v e .AVONTERRACE AVON TERRACE Togetherness: Layered public spaces Openness: Courtyards, view corridors, cross-block walk for breathing space. Wellness: Daylight, fresh air, acoustics, healthy materials. All-Ages Friendly: Universal design, kid/teen/elder amenities, dog-friendly. Worklife, Not Workload (Offices): Flexible, naturally lit studios and offices with views to green spaces; quiet focus rooms balanced by shared terraces, coffee-edge meeting spots, and end-of-trip facilities— so work feels calm, social, and uplifting rather than stressful. Tangata Whenua (Maori People) - Land, mountain, water Whakapapa / History: Color, materiality (Brick) KEY CONCEPT CASE STUDIES NILA RESIDENCE QUARTER BOX IDEATION + EXPLORATIONGROUND F L OOR - A CCESSFIRS T F L OOR - ELEV ATE T O BL OCK THE NOISESECOND F L OOR - VIEW SZONING1st PROPOSAL - F IRS T F L OOR LEVEL2nd PROPOSAL - F IRS T F L OOR LEVEL2nd PROPOSAL - SE COND F L OOR LEVEL DECKINGINTERACTIVE Z ONEMAIN ENTRY POINTENTRY POINTCOURTYARDTE RA U KI TE T ANGATA Family WellbeingKARANGA W AIRU A Spiritual Call of WelcomeKAHA TAIORE ORE Intergenerational Relationships between Tipuna and MokopunaPUT AKE ARONGA Whanau Permeates Everything we DoIdeation

Proposal 1 Proposal 2 Full coverage, limited natural light to the ground floor. Adjusted by removing parts of the deck to allow more sunlight andvisual openness below.

Portfolio | Shanleivvv4AVON RIVER HOUSE The Journey Avon River House (The Journey) is a proposed residential house on Oxford Terrace in Christchurch. The design is deeply connected to the history of the Avon River and its role as a pathway used by different people across generations. The concept of journey informs the movement, spatial sequence, and views throughout the house, creating a strong relationship between the occupants, the river, and the surrounding landscape.

Location: Oxford Terrace 04 | AVON RIVER

Portfolio | Shanleihand drawn drawings Site Plan Initial Sketch Ground Floor Plan First Floor Plan

Portfolio | Shanleivvv5KITCHEN APARTMENT Interior A Room to Feel was my first project in architecture school. The brief required us to select an emotion and design a space that expressed it. I chose peacefulness, drawing inspiration from my experience of freed- iving and the sense of calm and relaxation I feel underwater. I translated these qualities into the design through flowing lines, soft forms, and spatial elements that evoke the quiet movement and stillness of being beneath the surface.

Location: 177 Chester St. East, Christchurch Scan for Fly Animation https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oeMEzGeV1JvxQ60yMln2uC2AnpSM50BC/view?usp=sharing 05 | KITCHEN APARTMENT

Portfolio | ShanleiA P A R T M E N T ’ S K I T C H E NCONCEPT BOARDFisher & Paykel Integrated Fridge & FreezerFisher & Paykel wall ovenFisher & Paykel Integrated DishwasherFisher & Paykel compact MicrowaveQuarzex® double-bowl kitchen sinkAXOR TapwareLundbers Mobler Vintage Dining Chair, EspressoDawson & Co SADDLE Counter StoolThe Lighting centre Mason OblongLaminex Acrylc Panels Pitch Black Matte (Panel)Laminex Formica Laminate Classic Oak Natural (Dining Table)Laminex Melteca Melamine Salvage Planked Elm Organic (Panel / Cabinets)Laminex Caesarstone Supernatural Black Tempal 5810 Natural (Backsplash)Laminex Porcelain Benchtop Supernova Project Planet Black (countertop)Harrisons flooring Hinterland 1200 – 730 Galloway (Flooring)

Portfolio | Shanleivvv6A ROOM TO FEEL First Project in Architecture School The Kitchen Apartment is a proposed kitchen design for a residential apartment on Chester Street East in Christchurch. The design responds to the building’s industrial loft character through exposed materials, clean lines, and a practical open-plan layout. Its material palette and detailing create a strong connection between the kitchen and the wider architectural language of the building, while maintaining a warm, functional, and contemporary living space.

06 | A ROOM TO FEEL Peaceful Calm Relax Scan for a video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOfVDYpWAy5ZMLErQ2WpWrnkdI4wx-_S/view?usp=sharing

Portfolio | ShanleiThe design aims to create a serene, immersive sanctuary inspired by the feeling of being submerged under- water. It encourages users to disconnect from external stress, find inner peace, and engage their imagination and senses to form a deeper connection with nature.

Floor Plan Section Front View Left View Back View Right View 06 | Plans

Portfolio | Shanlei

Thank you!