Ariana Sehra

Thesis: "A Walk On Water"

Environmental Design
2025
Grad Ex 110 - Floor 5, Toronto
Imagine walking on water. "Waterwalk" is a buoyant walkway that is designed to offer the rare experience of walking on the lake. The buoyant structure, inspired by the shape of ink, floats on the water's surface and is anchored at key points that connect to the land. These anchoring nodes provide stability and act as hubs for activity, featuring spaces like a café that mirrors the underwater world, with soft lighting and organic, curved forms reflecting the ecology below.The structure is designed to create a sensory experience, with subtle movements and haptic interactions with the water’s surface. It adapts to fluctuating water levels, tethered securely to the waterbed to prevent drifting. This design offers a new type of infrastructure that accommodates both pedestrians and boats, allowing visitors to feel truly immersed in the water.The modular system of floating platforms is the foundation for the design, where each piece is arranged like the flow of ink in water. This process shaped the buoyant understructure, with the denser lower sections contrasting with the lighter upper parts. The design logic mimics how ink disperses in water: the lower sections droop in a single direction while the upper parts spread more easily. In addition to its structural form, the walkway encourages the growth of algae, creating an ecology for fish feeding and enhancing the sensory experience for visitors.The design also includes kinetic building façades that adapt to changing climates, offering distinct sensory experiences across seasons. In the summer, these façades open to enhance airflow and create a closer connection with the surrounding natural world. The walkway embodies a quiet poetry of waterborne movement, adaptability, and immersion.

“A walk on Water” serves as a platform for incorporating universal and accessible design principles, thus enriching the quality of public architecture. This can be demonstrated with a fluid-like pathway that is built along the waterfront which incorporates the use of accessible pathways to address the lack of activity and density issues of Toronto's waterfront community. this thesis explores the interplay of sensory elements and wayfinding systems that are adaptable to changing climates. This initiative enhances the relationship between the city and the water creating novel sensory experiences.”

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Thesis Diagram
Thesis Diagram
Ink Studies
Ink Studies
Space Allocation Diagram: Bubble Diagram
Space Allocation Diagram: Bubble Diagram
Site Plan (Masterplan of Intervention)
Site Plan (Masterplan of Intervention)
Sectional View
Sectional View
Sectional View 2
Sectional View 2
Cafe 1 Floorplan
Cafe 1 Floorplan
Cafe 2 Floorplan
Cafe 2 Floorplan
Design Details: Structure Construction
Design Details: Structure Construction
Perspective Render
Perspective Render
I WALK ACROSS THE SWAYING WALKWAY, ITS MOVEMENT FAMILIAR NOW—LIKE A SLOW DANCE WITH THE LAKE. I PAUSE, LETTING THE VIEW SINK IN: SUNLIGHT GLIMMERS ACROSS THE WATER, BOATS DRIFT LAZILY TO THE DOCK, AND PEOPLE GATHER AT THE CAFÉ, LAUGHTER SPILLING INTO THE BREEZE. FOR A MOMENT, IT FEELS LIKE IVE STEPPED INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION, GETTING AWAY FROM THE CITY LIFE WHILE STILL BEING THERE.
I WALK ACROSS THE SWAYING WALKWAY, ITS MOVEMENT FAMILIAR NOW—LIKE A SLOW DANCE WITH THE LAKE. I PAUSE, LETTING THE VIEW SINK IN: SUNLIGHT GLIMMERS ACROSS THE WATER, BOATS DRIFT LAZILY TO THE DOCK, AND PEOPLE GATHER AT THE CAFÉ, LAUGHTER SPILLING INTO THE BREEZE. FOR A MOMENT, IT FEELS LIKE IVE STEPPED INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION, GETTING AWAY FROM THE CITY LIFE WHILE STILL BEING THERE.
RAIN FALLS IN A STEADY RHYTHM, TAPPING GENTLY ON THE SURFACE OF THE SWAYING WALKWAY. THE WOOD IS SLICK BENEATH MY SHOES, DARKENED BY WATER AND DOTTED WITH SHALLOW PUDDLES THAT RIPPLE WITH EACH DROP. THE RAILING GLISTENS, BEADED WITH RAIN, GUIDING ME FORWARD THROUGH THE MIST. EVERYTHING FEELS HUSHED, THE LAKE AND SKY BLURRED INTO ONE SOFT, SILVER EXPANSE—AS IF THE WORLD IS HOLDING ITS BREATH.
RAIN FALLS IN A STEADY RHYTHM, TAPPING GENTLY ON THE SURFACE OF THE SWAYING WALKWAY. THE WOOD IS SLICK BENEATH MY SHOES, DARKENED BY WATER AND DOTTED WITH SHALLOW PUDDLES THAT RIPPLE WITH EACH DROP. THE RAILING GLISTENS, BEADED WITH RAIN, GUIDING ME FORWARD THROUGH THE MIST. EVERYTHING FEELS HUSHED, THE LAKE AND SKY BLURRED INTO ONE SOFT, SILVER EXPANSE—AS IF THE WORLD IS HOLDING ITS BREATH.
THE PATHWAY IS BLANKETED IN SNOW, SMOOTH AND CRISP UNDER MY SKIS. EACH GLIDE CARRIES ME FORWARD OVER THE FROZEN SURFACE, THE STRUCTURE SWAYING EVER SO SLIGHTLY BENEATH ITS WINTER COAT. THE RAILING IS DUSTED IN FROST, CATCHING THE MORNING LIGHT LIKE GLASS. BREATH CLOUDS IN THE AIR AS I MOVE, SURROUNDED BY SILENCE, EXCEPT FOR THE SOFT WHISPER OF SKIS OVER SNOW—A STILL, FROZEN WORLD IN MOTION.
THE PATHWAY IS BLANKETED IN SNOW, SMOOTH AND CRISP UNDER MY SKIS. EACH GLIDE CARRIES ME FORWARD OVER THE FROZEN SURFACE, THE STRUCTURE SWAYING EVER SO SLIGHTLY BENEATH ITS WINTER COAT. THE RAILING IS DUSTED IN FROST, CATCHING THE MORNING LIGHT LIKE GLASS. BREATH CLOUDS IN THE AIR AS I MOVE, SURROUNDED BY SILENCE, EXCEPT FOR THE SOFT WHISPER OF SKIS OVER SNOW—A STILL, FROZEN WORLD IN MOTION.
AT NIGHT, THE WALKWAY GLOWS SOFTLY BENEATH MY FEET, EACH STEP LIT BY HIDDEN LIGHTS WOVEN INTO THE RAILING, TRACING A QUIET PATH OVER THE DARK WATER. THE GENTLE SWAY IS MORE PRONOUNCED NOW, LIKE THE LAKE IS BREATHING UNDER MOONLIGHT. OVERHEAD, STARS SCATTER ACROSS THE SKY IN QUIET BRILLIANCE, MIRRORED FAINTLY ON THE STILL SURFACE BELOW.
AT NIGHT, THE WALKWAY GLOWS SOFTLY BENEATH MY FEET, EACH STEP LIT BY HIDDEN LIGHTS WOVEN INTO THE RAILING, TRACING A QUIET PATH OVER THE DARK WATER. THE GENTLE SWAY IS MORE PRONOUNCED NOW, LIKE THE LAKE IS BREATHING UNDER MOONLIGHT. OVERHEAD, STARS SCATTER ACROSS THE SKY IN QUIET BRILLIANCE, MIRRORED FAINTLY ON THE STILL SURFACE BELOW.
Model View 1
Model View 1
Model View 2
Model View 2
Model View 3
Model View 3
Model View 4
Model View 4

Work by

Ariana Sehra

BDes: Environmental Design - Interior Design Specialization

“I see architecture as a form of storytelling, stories that make space for marginalized voices and unfamiliar narratives. As a deaf individual my lived experiences has informed on me how...” [More]