Portfolio within a portfolio?

I'm using the nolan template. The our work section is a portfolio page so I've set it up with a 7 image grid that links to the various types of work we do as architects. This page works fine except I can't figure out how to have say "civic" in the portfolio call up an another portfolio that shows different civic projects.

I have a non linked page set up for "civic" that shows the projects under that heading and then goes to the correct pages under that title. I don't know how to connect this portfolio to the first image in the main portfolio. Can you not have a portfolio within a portfolio?

I can post screen grabs of what I'm trying to do it it helps.

Can you post screenshot or site url?

Sorry for the delay.

This it the portfolio page. What I can't seem to do is replicate it in the subpages that come from clicking one of these images.

The other thing I can't figure out is how these work with the Nolan template or how to make my own.

What I have got working now is using a gallery but the effects are different and I'd like them to be consistent.

You mean add text/url for first image, then do similar for other images?

Not on the portfolio images but the sub gallery pages. The portfolio does it automatically at the bottom but I can't figure out how to add it to a gallery. I'd like it to be higher up the page as well in case someone is too lazy to scroll down.

In and ideal world, I'd like to be able to use multiple portfolios as they have a nice transition instead of galleries but I haven't figured out how to do or is its even possible