Graduate Architecture Portfolio

+ Urban design

+ Architecture

+ Interior design

+ Exploration

CONTACT

: 312-539-6728

e-mail: ar.aayushpatel@gmail.com

Location: Chicago, IL.

My name is Aayush, and I’m an architect, and designer, born in Mumbai, India, and now based out of Chicago, US. While I have always believed that design, architecture, art, and urbanism are interconnected fields that contribute to shaping the built environment we live in, I have always been fascinated by the multidimensionality of the world of design and how it encompasses science into it. I know that a good design can affect people mentally and physically and this forms my purpose to work in the almost all the academic projects I have done so far.

instagram: @iamaayushpatel Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/aayushpatel-8441b3112/

OVER-RIDE: Regional Ecological Plan for Greater Chicago.

Urban 2023 | academic

+Name : Ecological Confluence and Override

+Project Location : Chicago, Illinois.

+Project Type : Urban/ Reginal analysis

+Role : Research, Data collection, Mapping, analysis and Presentation

+Date : 2023.

+Project Guide : Dr. Sevin Yildiz, Prof. Philip Enquist

+Project Team : Aayush Patel, Ravi Thakker, Wen Po Hsu, Janhavi Manjrekar, Neha Tunga, Dinesh Prasad, Punya Vats, Shashwat Arya, Abdullah Choudhary, Sara Zandi, Molly Delaney, Grace Herbert, Mikkaela Uddfolk, Aleksandrs Jaunzemis.

Ongoing research as a part of spring studio for master’s in city design program at UIC. The Great Cities Studio 2023 deals with connections of smaller and large natural systems and it’s impact on urban fabric, especially in the context of Chicago which is placed at the edge of larger great lakes system connected to the Mississippi river system which eventually leads to the gulf of Mexico. The study starts with an overarching question of looking individual natural systems in isolation and the “rights of nature” movement and an archaeological and geological history of Chicago to understand older natural systems which are overridden by human settlements.

With it’s geomorphology a result of ancient glacial processes, It was important to understand the rich legacy upon which this city was made, both natural and man-made. The rights of nature movement was studied and various case studies was undertaken to understand how South American and European countries are responding to this movement. A catalogue of historical maps, images and narratives and were researched which tells us the story of Chicago’s man-made override of

natural systems in the Chicago region. Below are some timelines, collages and important maps which conclude us to ask questions about how we perceive natural systems and urban systems in Chicago’s context .

Single Family Housing

Analysis

Further, an analysis using GIS, we layer different aspects of infrastructure, natural systems, social demographics and find areas of overlaps. The Maps presented below are some of the overlaps include mammal richness, topography, utility infrastructure. As we overlap various layers, and archival knowledge we see a pattern of concentrations. Concentrations which indicate various aspects of Chicago regions hotspots of human made overrides which results in modern day problems like housing disparity, flash floods, soil contamination etc.

The big “C” region between the lake, Chicago river’s south branch and the Cal-Sag channel forms the focus area of this study. This vulnerable region is a confluence of years of man-made systems like the TARP, industrial process and site like the Steel-workers plant, legacy landfill sites, other utility infrastructure

and natural systems like the Big-Marsh, Lake Katerine, Natural preserved forests, Camp Bullfrog lake etc. This interesting overlaps and history of industrialization has affected the legacy of natural landscapes, with degrading soil conditions, environmental hazard, racial disparity of human settlement.

most of the invest-southwest neighbourhoods lie within the island.

forest preserves are predominantly inccessible from tracts with low household incomes waterways around industrial corridors preserved green linkages on the ridge separating watersheds

mammal richness along the waterways used for transit

housing vacancy peaks in an around the focus areas due to presence of industries fragmented forest preserves

GreatLakes-Chicago river- mississippi river and the gulf of mexico

More to come

As we conclude the first part of this analysis and focus the study area to the south of Chicago between the lake, Chicago river’s south branch and the Cal-Sag channel. The next phase of this semester long project will look into analyzing micro sites which will act as catalysts

for a larger regional framework implementation incorporating design values, principals, toolkits and policy level recommendations and regulations to solidify this vision for the larger Chicago region.

MADISON FOR EVERYONE: Urban revitalization for Oak Park Community.

Urban 2022 | academic

+Name : Madison For Everyone

+Project Location : Oak Park, Illinois.

+Project Type : Urban Design/ Planning

+Role : Research, Data collection, Design Conceptualization, Design Drawings and Presentation

+Date : Fall 2022.

+Project Guide : Dr. Sanjeev Vidhyarthi, Prof. Vinayak Bharnae

+Project Team : Aayush Patel, Ravi Thakker, Wen Po Hsu, Janhavi Manjrekar, Neha Tunga, Dinesh Prasad, Isobel Arajua, Punya Vats, Shashwat Arya, Abdullah Choudhary, Sara Zandi.

A Design framework plan, and design concept proposal for the Madison Street Corridor in Oak Park, Illinois. This Proposal was prepared by 11 students in the Masters of City Design program at University of Illinois at Chicago in accordance with the fall 2022 Urban Edge Studio.The Urban Edge Studio explores design, planning, and development opportunities along corridors in communities that straddle the urban/suburban continuum- the “urban edge.”

Plan Making Process

Transect Analysis

Data Analysis

History and Temporal context

Oak Park is headed towards a lack of affordability shown through high property taxes and increasing rents.

OAKPARKAVENUE

Key Takeaways

OAKPARKAVENUE

Oak Park is headed towards a lack of affordability shown through high property taxes and increasing rents.

MADISONSTREET

OAKPARKAVENUE

Oak Park is headed towards a lack of affordability shown through high property taxes and increasing rents.

MADISONSTREET

Lack of concentration of retail on Madison Street contributes to its status as a stagnant economy.

MADISONSTREET STREET

MADISONSTREET

Lack of concentration of retail on Madison Street contributes to its status as a stagnant economy.

The absence of a historic district and preservation sites along Madison Street results in a lack of identity for the corridor

Oak Park is headed towards a lack of affordability shown through high property taxes and increasing rents.

MADISONSTREET

Lack of concentration of retail on Madison Street contributes to its status as a stagnant economy.

The absence of a historic district and preservation sites along Madison Street results in a lack of identity for the corridor

Madison Street has a lack of pedestrian infastructure, the streetscape doesn't as to support community building.

Lack of concentration of retail on Madison Street contributes to its status as a stagnant economy.

The absence of a historic district and preservation sites along Madison Street results in a lack of identity for the corridor

Madison Street has a lack of pedestrian infastructure, the streetscape doesn't as to support community building.

Madison’s existing local retail, anchor institutions, and central neighborhood location give it potential as a “community connector”- both between neighboring communities and within the community of Oak Park itself.

By considering both public and private land, this design framework creates an integrated vision for a mutually reinforcing urban system- ensuring a holistic experience from structure to sidewalk. By increasing density at intersections, redesigning the entire right of way, and prescribing new building typologies, the entire Madison corridor can transform from an urban edge into a community connector.

We divided Madison into three sectors based on three most prominent assets/problems we identified on the corridor: Med, Mix, & Made.

Med draws inspiration from the RUSH Oak Park hospital, on the western edge.

Mix is in reference to the wide range of parcel sizes, land uses, and building types in the center of the corridor. Made honors the significant number of small, historically Black-owned businesses on the eastern edge.

Intersection Design

By increasing building density at the intersection of Madison Street and Austin Avenue and enhancing the opportunities for ground floor retail to expand into the public realm, new and existing businesses benefit from higher foot traffic and activated street frontages. The synergy between street redesign and building typology proposals is most impactful at intersections.

Designing building codes

For instance the intersection of Madison Street and Oak Park Avenue, has the potential to create a connection between the CTA Green and Blue line stations.

Densifying intersections

COSMIC CURIOSITY: A Research centre for Astronomy and Space Application

Thesis | 2018-2019 | academic

+Name : Cosmic Curiosity, Research center for astronomy

+Project Location : Panchgani, Maharashtra.

+Project Type : Institutional

+Role : Research, Design conceptualization, Final Drawings.

+Date : 2018-2019.

+Project Guide : Ar. Bhavya Vora, Ar. Hiranmay Sarkar.

The final year project revolves around incorporating the basic need for an advanced research institute concentrating on space for education and experimentation for a completely integrated pedagogy for young researchers and students. Brief intends to propose an institutional research center with one hand on the learning and other on intensive research in space fields especially astronomy and space applications which make our worlds work. The outcome would be a holistic place for research and study catering to students as well as research scholars. A experimentation workshop facility for the development of satellite components would further enhance the importance of the institution in India. The facility would have an additional optical observatory in its campus so that the data could be used by both students as well as the researchers. The aim is to bind all these functions together to create an environment of advance learning and experimentation which will encourage more students to take up interests in astronomy and space sciences.

SITE AND CONTEXT

The site is located far from the main city premises of Panchgani, Maharashtra. While also located within the municipal limits. It sits north of the table land and on the valley side.

Geographically it has a lowest point of roughly 1250m above the sea level and the highest point of 1290m above the sea level. The site has a base F.S.I of 1 for institutional buildings.

The site would obey the standardized building bye-laws and development control rules for Class-C Municipal councils of Maharashtra since Panchgani is a class-C municipal corporation. The site is covered with dense bushes, wild grass, trees up to the height of 6 meters, flowering plants up to heights of 2 meters. The site is undeveloped in any terms since its inclusion in the sanctioned development plan of Panchgani.

MASTER PLAN AND IDEAS

GREEN SPACES

PEDESTRAIN ROUTES

MAIN NODES

INSTITUTE BUILDING

The institute and the admin building are the first buildings upon entry. The two buildings are connected through an open to air corridor on the first level and separated by different entrances to both buildings on ground level. The institute building consists of classrooms and labs on the first level and the offices, principle cabins and Seminar halls on the ground level. Wherein the main Entrance lobby make most of the ground level in the Admin block, its first level has all the other functional areas

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUILDING

The R&D building is situated on a higher level than the institute building so as to restrict access. The building is essentially divided into two levels with the major functions such as the workshops labs, libraries on the ground and the faculty cabins and satellite workshop

on the first level. The exteriors are in reddish brown Rough Stucco with Red sand stone cladding and yellow sandstone paving along the internal courtyards and spill-out spaces give the structure an earthen look and feel.

THE OBSERVATORY

The observatory situated on the highest location on the site which is 20m from the institute level consists of a Telescope room, a lounge area and a small seminar area along with an outdoor viewing deck. The telescope room consists of the instrument pier and a separate computer operational room to control the instrument remotely. The observatory is designed to specific guidelines as per “international standards for Telescopic observatory” and design analysis inferred from some case studies done.

04

HOUSING

Mass Housing Project in Kalyan.

Architecture | 2017 | academic

+Name : Niljae Mass Housing

+Project Location : Niljae, Maharashtra.

+Project Type : Housing

+Role : Research, Design conceptualization, Final Drawings.

+Date : 2017-2018

+Project Guide : Ar.Neha Karayi

The project aims to supply the neglected section of Middle income group, economicaly weaker section and the low income group housing as the main stakeholders. To make it feasable, sale units for High income group and middle income group are also proposed.

Nilaje is one of the 10 villages prioritized for development and the proposed site is earmarked for Affordable housing under the Development Plan. The identified site is near Nilaje Village beside

Nilaje Lake in Kalyan taluka. The 24 m wide DP road proposed, divides the site in two halves. The site on the West of the proposed road is to be considered for Mass Housing

Low income group

The LIG cluster is divided into two zones wherein the first zone is a low rise ground+2 structures with a common recreational grounds. Two gardens which serve as the outdoor area of anganwadi(child care areas) and balwadi connect the first zone and the second zone .the second zone is a vertical cluster with 12 units per floor and massive atrium for light and ventilation in between.

Socialy inclusive Corridors means, people have a place outside their units to unwind and come together

common courtyards and play area on th lower rise units that have a visual connect to the ground.

creating covered otla niches for ground floor units

The whole idea is largely inspired by the communal strengths seen in some of Mumbai chawls and how small areas can also be used for community gatherings which create the essence of a neighborhood.

ILLUSTRATION SHOWING THE LOW INCOME GROUP CLUSTER

Economically weaker section

The most affordable housing typology is projected towards community dwelling and interaction spaces both vertically and horizontally. EWS cluster is designed is a way such that small communal spaces open up on every floor. Additionally the terraces can be used as a private recreational area by the occupants

Housing for the dishoused

These Units are for the people of Nilaje, primarily resettlement units. These 3BHK units are low rise structures with open lobby areas and common recreational space. The typical notion of corporative housing societies in urban areas is used to design the HDH zone .

Weekend Home in Lonavala Architecture 2021-2022 Professional 05

TRIDHA RETREAT HOUSE

+Name : Tridha Retreat House

+Project Location : Lonavala, Maharashtra

+Project Type : Residential

+Role : Elevation Design, Working drawings, site co-ordination, Presentation Drawings

+Date : 2021-2022

+Project Guide : Ar. Piyush Mehra

A high-end holiday home in the heart of a hill station near Mumbai. The architecture is situated on the northern end of a 1 acre plot with a road dividing the side into two horizontal halves. Ancillary functions include a pool side lounge area with a sculpture garden on the south east side and a jogging track occupying the western and central part of the southern chunk of land. The northern part, in addition to the building itself consists of the parking, outdoor tea and fire pit lounge.

floor plans

The ground floor consists of all the major common areas like kitchen, a huge living and dining areas with corner windows overlooking the fire pit outside on the east side. A bedroom, kitchen and utility areas occupy the west side of the building.

The first floor consists mainly of all the bedrooms with balconies, the second floor consists two master bedroom units and private terrace lounge/bar area semi-covered with wooden fins.

working drawings

This project is currently in construction stage, with working drawings already issued for the first stage of conctruction.

Elevation design options

Sections

06

EXPERIENCE CENTER:

Developer Retail Experience center in Mumbai

Interior | 2020-21 | Professional

+Name : Raiaskaran Experience center,

+Project Location : Mumbai, India.

+Project Type : Commercial Interior

+Role : Final Drawings, Excecution and quality check, design development, documentation.

+Date : 2020-2021.

+Project Guide : Ar.Piyush Mehra, Ar. Priyanka Mehra.

This flagship Experience center for a high end realestate developers was an outcome of client’s brief which was to keep the space minimalistic and high end at the same time. We envisioned the space to give a rustic architectural feel with a splash of contemproray and bespoke custom furniture designed on and for the site. The central display area which is wrapped around in a wavy wood finish showcases the developer’s flagship projects and displays an architectural model of various projects. The conference area consists of a floating custom conference table and rattan chairs to give a rustic feel to space making it a semi-formal space to meet as well as an art exhibit area. Colourful original artworks adorn the smooth exposed concrete finished walls of all the spaces.

Sections, details and furnitures

The main display areas is a wooden portal like space framed upon mild steel section structure and clad with 12mm of flexi-plywood and finished with ash-wood veneer strips. Building upon this wood-concrete concept, custom made furniture pieces like the side table and workdesks come alive on the backdrop of gray concreted wall with exposed building service elements such as the electrical conduits and HVAC ducts on the ceiling.

07

COMMERCIAL LOBBY

Entrance Lobby for a n IT Hub in Mumbai.

Interior | 2020-21 | Professional

+Name : Raiaskaran Tech Park Lobby,

+Project Location : Mumbai, India.

+Project Type : Commercial Interior

+Role : Final Drawings, Excecution and quality check, design development, documentation.

+Date : 2020-2021.

+Project Guide : Ar.Piyush Mehra, Ar. Priyanka Mehra.

This 20,000 sqft of space is an entrance lobby of a tech park consisting of various offices for multinational companies. The 22 feet high ceiling makes the space grand and the ground floor is connected to the first floor lobby via escalators and staircase. The existing first floor is a display area for Art works by famous artists. The brief was to re-imagine the entire space and make it into an entrance lobby cum art gallery, while also catering to VIPs and daily employees alike.

Concept and Drawings

The lobby is a manifestation of client’s demand for a high end product and finish yet with a very minimal design language. The Design is based on finger print patterns of four personality traits in human beings. The patterns are intertwined to create one two dimensional art composition which is then extruded to create a very busy three dimensional false ceiling of the space. Other aspects include straight minimal louvers across the lobby walls which rise from ground floor to the first floor slab of 22 feet, which makes the users focus on the ceiling.

The Art Gallery is an additional area within the entrance lobby, displaying the clients rich collection of art and sculptures. The gallery starts with art curated on the ground floor and eventually leading the users to various levels and eventually to the first floor art gallery via a

Mild steel folded plate staircase. The external walls of the art gallery is cladded in a layer of Corten steel which adds a splash of rustic color and timelessness to the entire entrance lobby experience

Exploration MediaExploration

Before being profesionally associated to an arcitecture and design office, I had always enjoyed doing freelance visualization for independent practices and younf designers, I believe that 3D visualisations these days play a very important part in any designer’s toolkit, it’s a reflection of the practice and technological advancement of this generation and hence I have always pushed myself to further my knowledge of visual communication.

These art works are conceived from the essence of my work for semester-6 project, a way to showcase the real intent of spaces which span indoor and outdoors, above and below. The intent was to bringforwad the envisioned activities these built spaces bring to the people, a way to showcase new architecture blending into an older one.

A personal pass time of sketching and conceptualizing new products led to this design of a ping-pong table. Materials used for this conceptual design were wood, steel, fabric and gold platting, however it still remains open ended. The sketches were then developed into a Rhino 3D model using the latest subD toolkit and rendered using Enscape 3D.

Thinking across scales has enriched my knowledge and perception of how design affects the world around us, as an Architect and an Urban Designer, I would like to contribute to the making more livable, equitable and enjoyable spaces and built forms which are not only valued by it’s aesthetic appeals

ar.aayushpatel@gmail.com

(+1)312-539-6728