The project is a design for a new Våler Church in Norway to replace the original church that was destroyed by fire in 2009. The design concept separates the church hall and service facilities into two buildings that frame views of the surrounding forest from the church hall, extending the sacred space. The organic-shaped church hall has a self-supporting wooden structure inspired by the forest vegetation. The simple rectangular framing building contains administrative and mortuary spaces arranged around courtyards and acts as a solid foundation for the floating church hall. The design creates a contrast between the buildings while connecting the church hall to the nature.

1. portfolioMariana Soares CardosoArchitect

2. 02

3. Personal information
name Mariana Soares Cardoso
title Architect
address Kenny Drews Vej 9, 1. th
DK-2450 København SV
mobile +45 50272974
e-mail mariana_scardoso@hotmail.com
date of birth 10. 06. 1985
References
Adrian Carter tel: +45 40619114 | mail: carter@create.aau.dk
Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design at
Aalborg University & Director of Utzon Research Centre in Aalborg
Mads Kaltoft tel: +45 40204369 | mail: mka@shl.dk
Project Architect at Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Copenhagen
Office
Work experience
04.2013 - 05.2013 Competition project at Arrow Architects
I have been part of developing a competition
project for Calabar Golf Estate in Nigeria, that
consisted in the design of a luxury house complex
with approximately 110.000 m2 of housing, from
master plan to different house solutions, plus a local
center for the complex.
In the project I have been a part of optimizing the
existing masterplan for the area and was responsible
for the design of the Local Center that worked as a
welcoming and gathering point for the complex.
09.2012 - Project design of a single family house in Porto,
Portugal
Placed in the slope of a valley in the north of
Portugal, the design embraces the qualities of the
site in a straight dialogue with it, and taking
advantage of the views. The house is designed upon
traditional Portuguese methods, emphasizing the
local traditions and culture, and with a touch of the
values of Nordic architecture.
The project is build according to the local
regulations, providing me practical experience in the
collaboration and dialogue with the client and the
local authorities.
08.2011 - 12.2011 Internship at Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Architects, Copenhagen
The work experience at SHL Architects consisted
in the development of two residential buildings in
Tjuvholmen Island in Oslo, Norway. My main
involvement and responsibility deal with the
development of the conceptual idea for the two
buildings, from the buildings expression and relation
with each other and its surroundings, to its interior
organization in plan and detail.
curriculum vitae
Education
2010 - 2012 Master in Architecture at Architecture & Design
(A&D), Aalborg University
Master Thesis - New Våler Church - evaluated with
grade point 12 (7 scale)/ A (ECTS scale)
Grade point average through the master degree: 9,9
(7 scale)
The master in Architecture at A&D, in Aalborg
University is defined by the use of the integrated
design process method that combines
simultaneously architectural and technical
parameters in the same project. The master has
special focus in the disciplines of Nordic
architecture, tectonics and sustainability.
Through my master thesis I have specialized and
deepened my skills in the field of Nordic architecture
and sustainability.
2009 - 2011 Master in Architecture at Instituto
Superior Técnico (IST), Lisbon, Portugal
The education at IST combines the traditional
architectural education with a strong engineer
literacy, providing a large knowledge
background that allows me the implementation of
both aspects in the projects.
2007 - 2009 Bachelor degree at Instituto Superior Técnico,
Lisbon, Portugal
2005 - 2007 1. year of the Graduation in Architecture at
Universidade Lusíada, Porto, Portugal
Attribution of Merit Scholarship for the
year 2006 / 2007
My education in architecture started with a more
artistic approach in Universidade Lusíada, Porto,
which profile can be compared with the Royal
Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Here, were
my creativity and drawing skills first developed.
After the first year, I choose to continue the degree in
Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, as it is
integrated in one of the best engineering schools
in Portugal.
2003 - 2005 1. and 2. year of the Graduation in Physics and
applied Mathematics at Porto University, Portugal
Digital tools
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
AutoCAD
Revit Architecture
Rhinoceros
SketchUp
Ecotect | Radiance
Be10
BSim
Microsoft Office
03

4. Following this, my works strive to achieve simple and honest forms
that have simultaneously an innovative and poetic expression.
Personal competencies
Integrity & Determination
I am a person that has always followed what I like and what I believe,
both professionally and in my personal life.
My strive to follow what I believe have lead me through the different
choices in my education, providing me with a wide knowledge back-
ground. This have also lead me successfully through my internship,
where my ability to question and reflect upon the chosen solutions
have been appreciated, pushing the design to a higher level.
Dedicated
I see myself as an enthusiastic and passionate person and my dedica-
tion leads me to pursue the perfection in every work, in strive to reach
the highest architectural level.
This have lead me to the achievement of several honours through my
education, with special feature to my master thesis which I concluded
with a grade point of 12 (7 scale) / A (ECTS scale).
Curious mind-set
My varied knowledge and cultural background, together with a natu-
rally curious mind-set has through my works been a powerful ally in
redefining and rethinking new approaches to problems.
For instances, my knowledge of mathematics have guided me
through my master thesis in pursue for a geometrical optimization of
the form, that result in a more simple and elegant expression.
Open-minded
I am always receptive to new ideas and new challenges that can
widen my knowledge and my perspective of the world. This char-
acteristic makes me capable to learn fast, improving my skills and
creativity continuously.
Responsible
My passion for architecture provides me with great initiative and com-
mitment to my work, investing care and attention in what I do.
Personal interests
I have a great interest in music, and have been a dedicated violin
player in many years, both in sole and in orchestra.
I am an active person and have practiced during my youth both ballet
and horse riding. Currently I enjoy doing Pilates and going to fitness.
I enjoy spending my free time with my Danish boyfriend and my
friends.
04
Honors
2013 1. prize for the competition for the Calabar Golf
Estate, Calabar Nigeria
[ARROW Architects]
2011 3. prize for the Fyrkat Viking Museum
[Bifrost]
2011 Finalist project of the Portuguese national
competition for Universities - Prémio Secil
Universidades 2010
[Mercado do Rato]
2006 Selected project of the year at Universidade
Lusiada, Porto
[Single Family house in Gerês]
Languages
Portuguese Mother tongue
English Oral and written proficient
Spanish Oral intermediate, written elementary
Danish Attending Level 4 - Københavns Sprogcenter
(CEF - level B1 - intermediate)
Professional competencies
Sustainability
I believe in architecture that is beautiful and functional and simulta-
neously environmentally and social responsible. Sustainable archi-
tecture should be adapted to the surrounding climate, the ecosystem
and nevertheless to the culture, and thereby I employ both current
edge-knowledge but also ancient wisdom in order to achieve valu-
able sustainable architecture.
Within sustainability, I possess knowledge to calculate and document
a building energy performance, as the overall energy consumption
and the indoor climate conditions.
Conceptual design
I have a passion to work with conceptual design, transforming the site
potential into a strong and solid concept. In my opinion good archi-
tecture is initiated through an innovative and unique concept that, at
the same time, is deeply rooted in the physical and cultural context of
the place.
Through my experience I have achieved good skills in the develop-
ment of conceptual design.
Integrated design
Through the fully integration of architectural parameters, such as
expression, aesthetics and functionality with engineer parameters, as
technology, construction and energy, the integrated design method
gives me the capability to solve complex problems easily and more
effectively, merging them into a symbiosis to create innovative archi-
tecture.
Nordic Architecture
I appreciate the simple and pure lines of Nordic architecture, with its
sense of place and identity. I see architecture as a setting for human
life, a bridge between form and content; in strive to create a deeper
meaning behind the representative form.

5. 05

6. recommendation letter
06

7. 07

8. 08

9. recommendation letter
09

10. Therme Vals | Peter Zumther
10

11. 11
selected projects
Calabar Golf Estate [ARROW Architects, 2013] 12
New Våler Church [Master Thesis, Norway, 2012] 16
Mercado do Rato [Lisbon, 2010] 20
sub+urb [Aalborg, 2011] 24
dwelling in the landscape [Hanstholm, 2011] 26

12. Calabar Golf Estate
Sustainable & luxury living in Nigeria
The idea behind all the designs spanning from the CICC, the new
Calabar Golf Club and the Golf Club Estate, is about immersion in the
nature of the Cross River State.
We have therefore considered the project carefully and have come
up with a design solution that takes the existing environment into consid-
eration as the main design driver. We have furthermore devised a strategy
for the construction of the different buildings that will be both fast and
efficient as well as delivering a product to a high standard of finishes and
usage, at a competitive construction cost.
The buildings are designed and positioned according to the terrain
of the Master plan to minimize the impact of the construction on the
existing landscape.
The Calabar Golf Estate will be a natural extension of The Cross River
state’s high ambition to create a truly unique destination in Nigeria. It’s a
new proposition for modern living in Nigeria, benefitting of the natural
security and beauty of the Cross River State.
The local centre is a place of meeting for the local residents. Its a
place to have a match of tennis, a drink or for the kids to find a place
where they can meet and play.
Located at the main entrance it is a central place for guests to arrive
and for the security of the Estate to be located. It is with a small supermar-
ket a place where you can buy basic necessities late in the evening.
The volumes are located to form a unity with small intimate spaces
opening up to the landscape and the valley on the terrace side of the
buildings.
The Materials are kept robust and enhance the natural feel of the site.
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Plan of the Local center | scale 1:500

13. Exterior view of the terrace of the Local Center
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1. Main arrival
2. Common facility
3. Duplex Units
4. Bungalow on steep slope
5. Bungalow on gentle slope
6 Valley
7. Road to CICC & Calabar
8. Calabar Golf Club
4-5 bedroom
site = 900 m2
4-5 bedroom
site = 1050 m2
4-5 bedroom
site = 1200 m2
OFFICE | ARROW ARCHITECTS
PHASE | COMPETITION PROJECT
PROGRAM | RESIDENTIAL
ENERGY | CLIMATIC PASSIV DESIGN
LOCATION | CALABAR, NIGERIA
SIZE | 20.000 M2
Masterplan of the complex | scale 1:5000

14. The different housing units have a varied expression but are based
on one basic core of components that is similar for all units.
Because of the wet season all construction activity suffers and the
final quality of the product is born with many problems. We have there-
fore made a design that enables to a large extend a local assembly and
prefabricated production of elements that will be mounted on site under
controlled conditions. This will also permit to have a higher level of built
quality.
Because of the buildings modular character it will be possible to
customize parts of the building and adapt the prize of the building to
the buyers wallet and expectations. Rain, being the main issue in Calabar
for the buildings long term maintenance, has also been one of the main
design drivers in the building design and for the choice of solutions.
Simple roof solutions and large overhangs of the main facades both
protects the mainstructure and gives added shading to the building.
The building is based on a robust design that is adapted to its climate.
Solutions and materials are simple and should stand time. A possibil-
ity of 2 choices of materials should be presented to the clients.
The exteriror of the building is powder coated aluminium in white,
dark grey or black. The roof is of corrugated aluminium sheets of Euro-
pean quality in the matching colour of the facade.
The interior has a choice of wooden heat pressed flooring or large
mat tiles. Walls and ceilings are white painted plaster with wooden ceil-
ings in common spaces or plywood painted with a white pigmented oil.
Exterior vertical or ceiling surfaces are made of African Hardwood or
Maritime plywood grade. Terraces are either made of African Hardwood or
stone tiles in a rough cut. The simple materiality will enhance the
exclusive feeling of the homes.
Section | scale 1:800
12
ABCD
Calabar Golf Estate
Sustainable & luxury living in Nigeria
14
Section of an house unit | scale 1:80

15. Structure rising from the side aislesChurch Hall
15
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OFFICE | ARROW ARCHITECTS
PHASE | COMPETITION PROJECT
PROGRAM | RESIDENTIAL
ENERGY | CLIMATIC PASSIV DESIGN
LOCATION | CALABAR, NIGERIA
SIZE | 20.000 M2
Exterior view of an one-floor house unit
Exterior view of a two-floors house unit

16. New Våler Church
phenomenology
The project is based upon an open competition formulated by the
municipality of Våler, in Norway, as a result of the devastating fire which
destroyed the original Church in 2009.
The concept of the project is based upon the interaction of the
church hall and the serving facilities, separated in two buildings. The
secondary facilities frame the view from the church hall into the forest,
creating a contemplation space prolonged axially from the altar towards
the cross, placed in the limits of the forest, and thereby making the nature
a part of the sacred space.
Reflecting the idea of a dualistic design concept, the church hall and
the framing building express a contrast in its form, materiality, textures
and tactility. In opposition to the organic and complex shape of the
church hall, in a striving for verticality; the framing building appears as a
solid foundation, with a simple order, expressed in the clean horizontal
lines.
The main expression of the church hall is articulated through a self-
carrying wood structure inspired in the refined vegetation of the nature
of the place. The shell structure rises from the side aisles of the ruin of the
old church, embracing it as two protecting leafs. The structure dominates
the space of the church hall, figuratively supported by the foundation of
the old church.
The big glazing area of the room gives openness and almost floating
feeling to the church hall. The glazing provides closeness with the sur-
rounding nature, as the room appears as being within the nature.
The wooden shell with the exposed arches is shaped in pinewood,
contributing to a unique sensorial perception of the space, with its smell
and golden coloration emphasised by the light provided through the
glazed facades.
The design of the framing building reflects the conceptual idea of
the creation of a transition line, which mentally divides the mundane with
the sacred. This transition line is expressed as a wall, which distinctively
states the frame of the nature from the church hall, while functionally
divides the framing building in two sections, an administration building
and a mortuary building.
For the framing building the wall acts as a guideline towards the
chapel, symbolically leading the mourners towards the light in the end of
the tunnel. Before entering the chapel, the mourners cross the stepping
stones of the water mirror in the contemplation space, which acts as a
purifying transition space.
In the framing building the different functions are distributed around
patios, bringing the surrounding nature into the facilities.
The expression of the chapel appears in opposition to the church
hall, expressing simplicity and quietness, giving space to reflections. The
chapel has a close relation to the forest outside, brought in through the
large window towards east.
Section | scale 1:800
16

17. PROJECT TYPE | MASTER THESIS
PHASE | COMPETITION PROJECT
PROGRAM | RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
ENERGY | LOW ENERGY BUILDINGS
LOCATION | VÅLER, NORWAY
SIZE | 1100 M2
Model picture of the structure of the Church Hall
Structure rising from the side aisles
View of the contemplation space from the altar call
Church Hall
17

18. Site plan | scale 1:500
18

19. Exterior of the Church Hall with the framing building in the background
ChapelEntrance of the framing building
Entrance patio
19
Contemplation space

20. Cultural Center Offices|Services
Access to the metro
The intervention site is located in the heart of Lisbon, in the interior
of an urban block with spontaneous formation, constituting a zone of ten-
sion in the urban fabric of the city. It is an unqualified and irregular space
that has been forgotten over time, being at the present its main function
a parking lot.
The program for this intervention is to create a multifunctional com-
plex to promote the area with Housing, Offices and a Cultural Centre, with
the aim of recover this space to the city.
The proposal pretends to generate an urban site rather than a
building, thus exceeding the physical barriers that the limits of the place
impose to itself. The project is developed around a central void created
from the subtraction of volumes to the built volume, creating a large
square with several openings to the outside of the block in order to bring
life into the space. The buildings surrounding the central void slopes up in
strategic points giving to the space a dynamic character. Its form divides
the space into three squares linked together, which have different atmo-
spheres according to the different functions supported.
In the central plaza the offices are placed on the upper floor, and the
services on the ground floor as well as the entrance to the Cultural Centre.
This square communicates also with the other two.
The square for housing is developed at a higher level thus gaining
a character of greater privacy and a quieter atmosphere. This plaza has a
direct connection to the outside of the block.
In the third square, with access from the main street, the triangular
pre-existing building constitutes a vertical element that connects the
plaza with the subway tunnel. This square is also surrounded by services
and has access to the roof terrace of the Cultural Centre, also accessible
from inside the building.
Along the connection line between the buildings and the support-
ing walls of the pre-existing housing, small patios are placed. These patios
claim to be quieter, giving light into the interior of the building and creat-
ing a fine line between the pre-existing and the new.
Mercado do Rato
multifunctional complex
20
PROJECT TYPE | URBAN & ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
PHASE | MAIN PROJECT
PROGRAM | MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPLEX
LOCATION | LISBON, PORTUGAL
SIZE | 14 500 M2

21. Single Family House complexAccess to a higher level - Street S. Filipe Nery
Longitudinal section| scale 1:500
model picture of the main square
21

22. picture of the model showing the relation between the tree plazas
22

23. technical section | scale 1:300
ground plan | scale 1 2 50
23

24. 213m2
solar cells
single-sided
ventilation
cross
ventilation
o
33 o
50
o
33
sunlight
winter
sunlight
summer
655mm insulation
350mm insulation
550mm insulation
level 01_3700
level 02_6350
level 03_9700
level 04_12700
level 00_0000
3 layered skylight
with solar cells as
shading device
3 layered
windows,
energy optimized
scale 1|100
sub+urb
zero-energy housing complex
SUB+URB is a zero energy housing complex located at Godsbanear-
ealet in Aalborg. The site is characterised by having two levels - an urban
area on the ground level, where services are located, and a green area on
top of this. The green level is a prolongation of the green wedges coming
in from south, which rise above the urban level all the way to Jyllands-
gade. On top of the green platform 15 urban villas are placed. The dwell-
ings are distributed according to sun and wind to give optimal solutions
for both indoor climate and energy consumption. Taking advantage of the
solar gain helps to fulfil the net Zero Energy Building requirement of 22
kWh/m2.year, achieving an energy consumption of 19 kWh/m2.year.
The designed building consists of six different apartments - mak-
ing them suitable for households of different sizes, economic or social
backgrounds. The apartments have access to private outdoor terraces and
gardens to the south - the terraces are“carved out”of the building’s shape
giving shading to the apartments during hot summer days.
The building has a medium heavy construction both in the apartments
and on the terraces, which helps balancing the indoor thermal conditions
during the day. To give a warmer atmosphere in both the apartments and
the area, wood is chosen as a contrast material. The wooden cladding in
the exterior and the typology of urban villas differentiates Godsbanea-
realet from the surrounding districts, creating an entire new area at the
edge of the dense city.
The apartments are characterized by having a central core that works as
a room divider between the different zones in the apartment, containing
the wet functions, as bathroom, toilet and kitchen. The core functions as
a furniture element dividing the private zones to the north and the social
areas to south. The private zone is placed in a higher level gaining a more
intimate character.
sub + urb
social & environmental sustainability
Cross and longitudinal sections | scale 1:500
24
PROJECT TYPE | URBAN & ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
PHASE | MAIN PROJECT
PROGRAM | NET ZEB & SOCIAL HOUSING
LOCATION | AALBORG, DENMARK
SIZE | 26 900 M2
ENERGY | ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS

25. model picture showing the green wedges sloping up until Jyllandsgade
plans of the apartments | scale 1:500
Square in the hearth of the complex
Three rooms apartmentMasterplan | scale 1:5000
25

26. The impressive nature of the west coast of Jutland makes this place
a unique composition of light and soft colors, where the sea view is
never-ending. This peculiar scenario creates a perfect surrounding for a
photographer, naturally very sensible to the changes of the light, deep in
this place, where the flat landscape reveals a high and dramatic sky.
Hidden in the dunes, the site has a close relation with the small
stream lying south, which slides softly in the landscape, very visible due
the different vegetation growing on top of it, and bringing a different
tone to this place. Behind this delicate stream the bunkers appear very
visible but never-less integrated in the landscape. From north and east
the site in enclosed by two significant dunes, through which can be seen
in the distance the light house of Hanstholm, protecting the site from the
strong wind and hiding it from the road. An opening between the dunes
at south-west reveals the vast and rough sea dissolved in the sky.
Almost invisible from the road, the dwelling is revealed by the ap-
proach in a narrow path through the dunes. The building is located in a
small plateau next the stream, in a position where this different views can
be seen all around from the same place. In the point where they are con-
nected will appear the center of the house, the core which connects all
the spaces, the place to rest and contemplate the view.
The remaining functions – bedroom, studio, darkroom, kitchen,
and bathroom - are distributed around the central space, defining it and
creating the openings to the landscape in between them, framing distinct
experiences of the surrounding. This different spaces are contained in
pure boxes form where is not possible to see the surrounding landscape,
but which allows natural light. Therefore, the‘moment’for contemplate
the view is restricted to the main space, creating a consciousness of being
observe the nature, and a more acutely sensitivity to it.
To let the light and the nature have the main role, the dwelling has
a simple form and is made from only one primary material, polished con-
crete, chosen due its resistance to the rough conditions and to its clean
appearance. The different boxes are made of concrete, with the same
finishing inside and outside, and the glass between them is clean, without
visible frames, providing a close relation to the nature.
To make the dwelling self-sufficient in terms of energy, the roof is
designed to support solar panels without break with the clean form of
the building and the circular walls work as a rainwater collector, providing
water to the different facilities.
dwelling in the landscape
studio for a photographer
solar cellsrainwater collector
Longitudinal section | scale 1:100
26

27. A
A'
B'B
site plan & floor plan | scale 1:500 & 1:200
Exterior view | Clean and pure lines of the building contrast with the softness of the landscape
BedroomMain space with framed view towards the dunes and the sea
27
PROJECT TYPE | MINOR PROJECT
PHASE | CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
PROGRAM | STUDIO
LOCATION | HANSTHOLM, DENMARK
SIZE | 60 M2
ENERGY | SELF-SUFFICIENT