portfolio abhimanyu prakash
Cover Page : Public Space in India | Then and Now | Typology Study
A strong belief in the reciprocity between architecture and urbansim forms the basis of my design ideas. The all embracing field of architecture is seen to realize its true impacts when expanded at the larger scale and similarly, urban expressions are seen as successful when strategically designed at the micro level also. This constant back and forth between this inclusive disciplines has guided my work, academic and professional. A keen interest in people based design keeps me working towards contextually, culturally and environmentally sensitive designs. Designs that embody a holistic vision to be unique and yet adaptable for far reaching results.
URBAN
CLIENT SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT
ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER
LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT
ARCHITECT
URBAN-ITECTURE
DESIGN
MATERIAL SCIENTIST HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY STRUCTURES
CLIMATOLOGY
LANDSCAPES AND ECOLOGY
CONTRACTOR
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
HVAC etc CONSULTANT
SYSTEMS
INTERIOR DESIGNER
INTERIORS
ARCHITECT
SPACE MAKING
ARCHITECT
URBAN DESIGNER
LIGHTING CONSULTANT
Design Intent and Philosophy
abhimanyu prakash Date of Birth : 18|03|1989 Contact : +1-917-7806-710 | +91-98309-49702 Email : abhimanyu18@gmail.com | ap3103@columbia.edu
Education
GSAPP, Columbia University, New York, USA Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design
SSAA-Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon, India Bachelor of Architecture
Don Bosco School Park Circus, Kolkata, India High School
Trinity College of London, Kolkata, India
Certificate of communication skills in Effective Communication - till Grade 8 Certificate of communication skills in Effective Text Speaking - till Grade 8
Work Experience
Intern, Rhode Kellerman Wawrowsky Architects, Dusseldorf, Germany New City, Urban Design Competition, Xuancheng, China Le Quartier Central BF 5, Facaded Design Competition, Dusseldorf, Germany
Research Fellow, Swaniti Initiative and Kerala Govt., India Urban Sanitation and Infrastructure Building in Kochi, India
Co-designer with Ar. Anubha Fatehpuria, Kolkata, India Interior Design for JS Group, Head Office, Ecospace, Kolkata, India
Intern, Rhode Kellerman Wawrowsky Architects, Dusseldorf, Germany Urban Design Competition, Dortmund, Germany
Intern, Sangath, Vastu Shilpa Consultants, Ahmedabad, India Smriti Van Memorial, Urban Design scheme for an Earthquake Memorial, Bhuj, India Stadium Pavillion, FLAME University, Pune, India IIM Bangalore Monographs with Ar. B.V.Doshi CEPT University Monographs with Ar. B.V.Doshi Premashraya, Medical Center, Kolkata, India
Intern, Ar.Anubha Fatehpuria, Kolkata India Sashail Resorts, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India Senses Stores, Interior Design, Kolkata, India
Skills
Softwares
Adobe: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Efffects | Autodesk : AutoCAD, Maya ArcMap + ArcGIS | Google Sketchup | Microsoft Office
Others
Photography, Painting, Pottery, Event Management
2013 - 2014
2007 - 2012
1995 - 2007
1997 - 2004
Jan - April 2013
Sept - Dec 2012
2010 - 2011
July 2011
July - Dec 2010
June - July 2010
Publications and Research Papers
Dissertation
Physical Stratagems for Territorial Constructs of Durga Puja, Kolkata, India “the human psyche behind the spatial dynamics�
Seminar
Image: World Class City, New Delhi : Commonwealth Games 2010
Papers on
Adaptability in fluctuating host conditions - Digital Architecture New Vernacular Architecture of India
Pubications
Thesis Project published in the Council of Architecture, NIASA Annual Magazine Architectural Works and Travel Article, Annual Magazine, SSAA Measured drawings printed in the CEPT Monograph by Ar. B.V.Doshi
Achievements
Lucille Smyser Lowenfish Memorial Prize, GSAPP, Columbia University
2011 - 2012
2011
2011 2009
2012 - 2013 2010 2010
Awarded for the Best Studio Project for the Medellin Studio in the Spring Semester
2014
Best Thesis Award - Mansingh Rana Gold Medal, SSAA
2013
Academic Excellence Award - University Topper, SSAA
2013
NIASA, National Thesis Award, Council of Architecture, India Awarded for my final year thesis project on the East Kolkata Wetlands Centre.
2012
President, Student Council, SSAA
2011 - 2012
Best Student Award - Ansal Gold Medal, SSAA
Co-curricular
Award for overall excellence in academics, extra-curricular and conduct across 5 years of the course.
2012
Treasurer and Festival Committee Head, SSAA
2009 - 2010
Treasurer, Interact Club, DBPC
2006 - 2007
Cities Under Twenty
Architectural Photography and Travel Blog - abhimanyuprakash.wordpress.com
Dakshini Prayas, NGO, Kolkata, India
Photographic documentation, graphic and design input for punlication and website - dakshiniprayas.org
Travel
Countries : Austria, Bhutan, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, USA, Vietnam
India : Ahmedabad, Andamans, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Varanasi,
Holy Flags, Paro, Bhutan|Photography| Summer 2011
contents
placemaking|spring 2014 10 dependencities|fall 2013 18 canal-yst|summer 2013 26 mumbai public|fall 2013 02
new city|spring 2013 38 le quartier|spring 2013 42 sangath|fall 2010 34
continuum|fall 2009 54 consolidating|spring 2011 60 sambhavna|spring 2012 48
Cloisters, New York City, USA | Photography| Spring 2014
Placemaking for Innovation
San Cristobal, Medellin, Colombia
Spring Semester 2014 | GSAPP | Columbia University Team : Abhimanyu Prakash | Daniela Jacome | Joel Rios | Ninoshka Henriques
Partner s
Inside
Outsid
e Ope n Spac es
Mixed In
Innovati
come H
ousing
on Infra structure
The current dormitory natured ‘corrigimiento’ of San Cristobal is facing immense developmental pressures from the rapidly growing city of Medellin, the vast number of incoming migrants from the rural areas and the upcoming economic corridor – the new highway. Our project aims to embrace the incoming density yet propose alternate methods of growth. The scheme works towards harnessing the wave of innovation, currently looming over Medellin, and create mixed use blocks within San Cristobal that foster similar innovation based activity, so as to build economic generators for a holistic and sustainable pattern of densification. The precedent of Medellin informs to foster convergence of entities supporting each other to build self-sustaining communities. Having studied the historical Indies blocks, they have been adopted for future densification. This comprises of residential stock, but also social, economic and open space densities, complementary to each other for better neighborhoods. They are programmed with innovation infrastructure and seen as a medium to reintegrate the community with economic ventures as well as reinvent the spatial characteristics of the blocks. Medellin’s innovation success is looked upon to design guidelines San Cristobal, which could be potentially facilitated by active stakeholders responsible for the progress in Medellin.
Concept|Convergence of Various Infrastructure
2
The overall idea is to modify the current method of densification by strengthening and extending the social infrastructure and the high potential commercial corridor. The project utilizes the network of open land and creeks to establish vertical physical connections for social space and horizontal programmatic connections. This would be started by introducing 3 primary and 3 secondary catalysts leading to radial impact zones. The 3 zones are home to innovation infrastructure which is disseminated across the fabric based on guidelines established along the social amenities. Establishing Nodes Catalytic Innovation Infrastructure Secondary Catalysts Local - Bus Route Express - Bus Route
Connecting the Site Physical Connection Programs Programmatic Connections Commercial Corridor Vacant Land / Open Space Waterways / Creeks
Identifying Zones Potential Corridor Indes Block Grid Vacant Land Modesrately Dense (Social Housing) Dense Downtown Current Densification Direction
Strategies |Shifting Densities and Disseminating Innovation Infrastructure
community engagement
i
i
i
e- Learning
storage
Community Learning
production
Productive Areas
workshops
Co-operative Communities
training centers
incubators
Participatory Incubation
Institutional Linkages
Localized Training
schools S-M-L
medical facilities
sports + parks
transit
commercial
housing
4
PROPOSED Indes Block Grid Consolidating Existing Zone Generating New Hybrid Revitalizing Incoming Density Local - Bus Route Express - Bus Route Commercial Corridor
Social Housing Community Playfield
Learning / Training
Community Courtyard
Mixed Income
Incubator / Production
Middle Income Housing
Common Backyards
Co-operative
Production / Retail
Self Built | Low Income
Retail / Incubator
Remediating the Monolithic Block Courtyard
Co-operative Green
110 m 100 m 90 m
Retail / Training
80 m 70 m 60 m
Proposing a Hybrid
Existing Low Income
50 m 40 m 30 m
Incubator / Training
20 m
Consolidating the Downtown
10 m 0m
Infill | Middle Income
6
CONSOLIDATING the DOWNTOWN - The existing core although already developed reveals existing network of social infrastructure for further densification. Hence this is where we implement our small scale innovation concept. Tapping into the available terrace spaces and vacant lots the project aims to promote terrace pooling and infill proposal. The spaces are designed to allow for horizontal community participation wherever possible and at the same time provide for programmatic intermixing along the vertical built environment. The commercial street is given incentives to grow up to 4-5 floors for 2 levels of retail and live-work spaces above.
Co-operative Green
Training Center
Innovation Center
Mixed Use Units
Re-purposed Building Incubators Workshops
+
Terrace Pooling
Incentivize Commercial
Live + Work Spaces Ateliers Retail Training Areas
Intra-Block Mixed Use Units Higher Units (4-5 flrs) Low Rise Units(1-3 flrs) Constant Green
10m 10m
Semi-Public
6m 6m
Community Green
Cooperative Space
100m
Public Realm
Middle Income Units
Self Built Housing
PROPOSING a HYBRID - This Hybrid is introduced to showcase a new way of building that adapts from the onsite best practices but innovates the inherent layout and relationship of the built and unbuilt environment. Following the contours and creek buffers the fabric limits the height to the areas limit of 4-5 storeys. Mix income residential fabric is key to the sustainability of the economic activity. These Blocks can house large scale economic, training and innovation centers with different functions across them to support each other. The commercial activity is hence confined to the vehicular corridors to amplify the corridor
Training Center
Comunity Green Space
Innovation Center
Incubator Production
Inter-Block
Self Built Housing
Mixed Income Cluster
Workshop Production
100 m 100 m
Intra-Block
Cluster Level
Building Level
+
50% - 4 Middle Income
Low Income Middle Income Community Cooperative Public
30% - 3 Isvimed 20% - 2 Self Built
Public Realm
10m 6m
Semi-Public
Cooperative Space Community Green
100m
Private Areas
Block Courtyard
8
Budapest River Cruise, Danube, Hungary | Photography| Summer 2013
Dependencities : Rethinking the Connections
New Rochelle and East Harlem, New York
Fall Semester 2013 | GSAPP | Columbia University Team : Abhimanyu Prakash | Grace Pelletier | Jimena Gonzalez | Juan Guzman | Ye Zhang
H AVE
NORT
OC
HE
RT
H
LLE
NO
WR
M
ET
RO
NE
77 0 PO 00 PU LAT IO
70 0 IN 0 CO LLE
N
95 % EM PLO YE D
GE
1/3 STU DE
S
NT S Iona College
10 % Wo Ne rk in wR och e
lle high school low-income neighborhood Monroe College
EA
12 2 PO ,920 PU LA TIO N
RL
College of New Rochelle
EM
63 % WO AG RKIN E G 29 CH % ILD RE N
PA RK
AV E
3.7 Wo % Eas rk in tH arle m
schools
125
TH
ST
This being said, the two sites when mapped reveal distinct characteristics. New Rochelle can be seen as formed by an archipelago like urbanism, with pocketed destinations, with nothing in between. Typical suburban character combs the fabric here. On the other hand, the dense neighborhood of East Harlem, might physically continue New York’s density, but its attributes signal an isolation. East Harlem can be seen as this pocket with completely contrasting demographics, living conditions and employment rates, when compared to adjacent neighborhoods. This inability to suffice for itself, confronts the area with constant developmental pressures from the south. The project aims to alter this outward flow of people and make it into a reciprocal region, by using EDUCATION as the overarching lens to tap into their resources. The main idea is to use New Rochelle’s educational infrastructure as an asset, and in Harlem, education to be made their most important asset.
ssu res
LO YE D
HA
pre
33 % UN EM P
ST
An overall sense of DEPENDENCY is observed in New Rochelle and East Harlem, when viewed through the lens of various infrastructures. The Economic Health of the places seem to be the greatest affected by this external reliance. This economic unsustainability further generates social health and physical health issues in New Rochelle and East Harlem respectively.
Concept|Identifying the Concerns : People and Places
10
The projects work towards modifying the existing one-way dependency in the region, and making it into a CO-DEPENDENT regional network, and find a place of importance for these sites, in this highly competitive region. To assist the projects, the research institutional in the region is accessed to flock in New Rochelle for collaborative search based industry or an ‘Education based Economy’. While in Harlem, the booming media industry in the city is invited to occupy relatively affordable spaces in return for skills to the residents, so as to create an ‘Economy generated Education’.
CITY| $40-5 EY
20, 000 sq.ft.
LOW
85-100 psf
CDS PUBLISHING
H MAN ATTAN ER
|$
NICHE MEDIA
.
Dependencies|Transportation Network and Impact
5-80 p sf
$6 N|
.
MID TO W
20, 000 sq.ft.
BROOKLYN |
JER S
ATLANTIC COAST MEDIA GROUP
sf. 5p
EAST HARLEM
EM | $30-35 RL f. ps
EAST H A
NEW ROCHELLE
5-55 psf. $4 ETSY INC. 35, 000 sq.ft.
East Harlem|Incoming Media Industry
REGENERON S|
$28.64 ps f NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL
sf 6p
ICH | $85.9 NW
ACORDA THERAPEUTICS INC.
139, 000 sq.ft.
OSI PHARMACEUTICALS
F STAM ORD |
WHITE PLAIN
300, 000 sq.ft.
8.17 psf $4
GRE E
400, 000 sq.ft.
NEW RO CH
2 LE | $ 3.11 EL
Model|New Rochelle Downtown
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
New Rochelle|Regional Research Institutional Network
Model|East Harlem Corridor
12
NEW ROCHELLE - The spatial strategy adopted for the process was dotting the two primary spines of the city with programmed facilities. This would help regenerate the four cross ribs to sow the city’s seam. Individual characterization of these streets was done to make them more pedestrian and bike friendly. Different densification typologies provide for usable spaces over underutilized lots and reprogramming of various structures allow for inherent cross connections across the site. A mixed use environment is created across the floor plates to ensure a vibrant atmosphere. More importantly it allows for inclusive activities. Such spaces are aimed to allow the citizens of New Rochelle to interact with the research facilities to all possible extents by way of commercial and recreational programs. To start with the train station shall be replaced and retrofitted to embody this spirit and act as a gateway to the city.
Identifying the Typologies DENSIFIED
Delineating the Ribs RIB 1 NORTH AVE.
Parking Lots Maintaining Part Parking
Retrofit Parking Str. Research
P
Re sea
rch
g kin Par
Mu
ose urp lti-p
Incubator
RIB 2 MEMORIAL HWY.
Res
RETROFIT
RIB 3 DIVISION ST.
ch ear
Aud ito
Sh ar ed
ri u m
re se arch
sp ace
Rent-able space: 3500 ft2
ADDITIVE
Underdeveloped Structures and Land Parcels
Space: 56,360 ft2
Research
ing Park
h arc Rese
Incubator
Rent-able space: 2,500 sq.ft Parking: 4246 ft2 / 560 cars
S1
S2
ng
Commercial
HW AY
Pa rki
Parking
B
rcial me Com
ME
RT NO H
New Train Station + Commercial + Research Facilities
ing Park
TR
Commercial Access To the City / market corridor
1
City Access/ Public Plaza
O
RI
NO
RT
I-9
H
5H
IG
Space: 56,360 ft2 /
E. AV
Underutilized Structures Partially Relocated Parking
Low income community
Research Corridor Existent Train station Structure / Open commercial space
City entrance / Pedestrian Ramp
Pa rki ng
2 IA OR Y.
W
ST.
LH
ION
IVIS
EM
Ma rk
et
M
3D
Incubators+Commercial
P
Mar ket
RIB
B
RI P
Pedestrian Corridor P1
Library extension + Research Facility
RE-PURPOSED
Retrofitted and Reprogrammed Parking Structure
Vacant Lots Public Spaces
S3
P2
ENTRE
RIB 4 C
AVE. S3’
RIB 4 CENTRE AVE.
3 New Rochelle Train Station|Gateway to the City|Re-establishing the Pedestrian Realm
PROPOSED TRAIN STATION RETROFITTED PARKING STRUCTURE
RESEARCH AUDITORIUM
OLD TRAIN STATION
RELOCATED TRAIN STATION PARKING
PUBLIC PLAZA
CORRECTED PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE CITY
GREEN CORRIDOR
RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH PARKING PARKING MARKET
NORTH AVE.
RIB 1
Section|Primary Pedestrian Corridor along Train Station
RESEARCH OPEN MARKET
TRAIN STATION COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR
RESEARCH PARKING
MEMORIAL HWY
RIB 2
DIVISION ST.
RIB 3
14
5 SU
PER
1. NODE OF ECONOMIC INVESTMENT
BLO
LEXINGTON AVE
2. CATALYSTIC DEVELOPMENT
enclosure
th st 116
10 E
116 TH ST
NSL OSU
RES
th st 110
110 TH ST
infill
4 IN
OPENING RETAILS
FILL
S
community education commercial offices
PEDESTRIANIZED ZONE
POP-UP COMMERCIAL
OFFICES
OFFICES
OFFICES OFFICES
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
METRO NORTH
RESTAURANT
CAFE
COMMUNITY
RETAILS
PEDESTRIAN ZONE
PARK AVE
ALLOW SUNLIGHT th 125 st
RAISING THE GROUND +1
PROVIDING OPEN SPACE
PRIVATELY OWNED PUBLIC SPACE
125TH METRO NORTH STATION’S ALTERNATIVE ENTRANCE
Cross Section|New Development along 125th Train Station
125 TH ST
P1
CKS
PRIVATELY OWNED PUBLIC SPACE
PROJECTION ROOM
th st 125
superblock
Another primary design move is to pedestrianize the western side of the roadway, moving two way vehicular traffic to one side of the street. This generates a continuous public realm along the spine to host informal and temporary programs assisting the media industry and acting as economic generators for the community. Revenue generated is invested in creating social facilities like galleries, theaters and public spaces which double up as income generators themselves.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
PARK AVE
Outlining the Spine
MADISON AVE
Typological Strategies
EAST HARLEM - Underutilized spaces under the Metro North viaduct and vacant lots along this corridor, allow in creating a spine of intervention on site. Complimenting this are satellite programs housed in boarded up buildings within the neighborhood, creating the physical framework for the scheme. Identified block typologies help in creating densification mechanisms which are guided by strict design guidelines, currently absent for this area. Programmatic distribution in section and plan allow for layering of economic and community activities in adjacent spaces, fostering constant interaction. Media companies are provided an array of small to large spaces depending upon purchasing capacity, thereby attracting a multitude of entities.
12 5T T HS oo sch ls
ed ard gs bo ildin bu r sta
s tup
n sig de ces offi
0T 11 T
HS
community education commercial min. rent offices med. rent offices high. rent offices
ces offi
o dia me
al rci me com
es ffic
ETR
ry tte po
M l
ua v is
d me
TH
E AV
ia
tre cen ols art scho r o f
S1
Alternative Station
Pedestrianised Zone on Park Av
ed
exh
OR
ON
ON
DIS MA
u.
n mu com
n. tio ibi
ity
125th Metro North
al rci me com Pop-Up Commercial
RK PA
ed
Open Air Performance
at uc
E
NU
E AV
i on P1
al rci me com
y. ller ga
Appropriable Play Areas
exh
n. tio ibi
um ori dit au
n. tio ibi
E AV
LEX
12
Internal Community
T hS
5t
exh
N TO ING
S1 Shared Educational
16
Langen Foundation, Hombroich, Dusseldorf, Germany | Photography| Spring 2013
CANAL-YST : Utilizing contextual assets. Rockaways,Queens, New York
Summer Semester 2013 | GSAPP | Columbia University Research Team : Abhimanyu Prakash| Hugh Wang |James Zhou |Juan Guzman Design Team : Abhimanyu Prakash | Jimena Romero | Lu Feng | Yi Tang
The peninsula of Rockaways, located at the southern tip of Queens, has been a dormitory and recreational neighborhood. Its natural assets are its greatest boon and deadliest bane. Natural beaches and bays have made it a seat of active recreation for generations, with little development over the recent years. At the same time, its close proximity to the ocean shook its sustainability when the hurricane Sandy struck. The site calls for a sustainable redevelopment mechanism which not just rebuilds what was lost but creates a dynamic model for constant growth. The urban intervention aims at the revitalization of a seam amidst the densest neighborhoods of Rockaways, by way of creating a corridor representative of distinct urban infrastructure and passive and active recreational facilities. The project would leverage on the greatest opportunities on site by embracing the water around as the defining identity. The corridor would establish a spatial and ecological connection between the bay and the ocean on either side of the peninsula. The diverse, dense and sustainable development would be centered round the water resource and act as a catalyst for the larger public realm. The CANALY-YST creates an urban core, servicing the visitors here, the greater peninsula and most importantly the communities in the adjacent neighborhoods. Concept|Canal as a Catalyst for Growth
18
20
Existing Proposed Open Space Walking / Biking Paths
3
Larger Green Network Existing Commercial Centers Proposed Canal Subway Lines Beach-front Walking / Biking Paths
Master plan|Overall network of Movement and Impact
22
The proposed scheme capitalizes on the potential of waterfronts and extends the coastline inwards to the canal. This move as proven ecologically viable, makes for a promising investment zone attracting development to generate economy and tourism in the area. Located at the cusp of two of the poorest neighborhoods in the Rockaways, this intervention aims to provide sufficient employment opportunities for the residents. However it is not restricting the locals to just servicing the place, the character is defined as public and programmed appropriately. Programmatic concentrations would lie in the areas of food + retail, civic + culture and lifestyle + recreation. Prioritizing the pedestrian experience, the project would attempt at developing a transit hub within its network. Another mobility mode addressed by the canal, is the exponentially growing sailing community in the area. Sailing and docking facilities would attract a greater set of people giving the place a unique character. This would define the commercial activity in the area, making it unique, rather than competing with others in the area.
Beach
Sections | Ecological Strategies
wave
ocean
beach
ponds
dune
ponds
dune
community
Canal
preliminary filtration
tertiary filtration
secondary filtration
Inland
green space
ponds
green space
canal Vision|Canal prompted Density Sections | Canal and Adjacent Programs
community center
community playground
amphitheatre
navigable channel
buffer
restaurant / cafe
24
Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain | Photography | Summer 2010
Mumbai Public : Infrastructure as a Public Space Provocateur
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Seminar| Fall Semester 2013 | GSAPP | Columbia University Team : Abhimanyu Prakash| Ninoshka Henriques | Tyler Cukar
infrastructure
public space
The city of Mumbai with a population of around 12 million people is home to the largest slums in the world in parallel to some of the greatest real estate globally. These contrasts make up the fabric of the commercial capital of India and make it unique given the reciprocity between these 2 ends and their adjacency in space occupancy. However, the bureaucracy continues to favor the elite and have hence funded a billion dollar sea link that connects the length of the island to reduce the commute, only for cars. This restriction raises questions about the democratic nature of such investments and how they tend to address only 3.6% of the population, given the car ownership and levels of poverty in the city.
kit of parts
reactive
additive
transformative
The project looks at utilizing such transportation infrastructure for larger urban developments. Making public this sea link by way of integrating a BRT system on it, the project further connects it to a bus system on ground creating a loop that informs its urban environment. Detailed understanding of the transformation of public space in India from the tradition styles to contemporary counterparts, helps analyze the public space in context to the transport corridor. And hence infrastructure is utilized as a provocateur to devise public space utilizing an adaptable kit of parts which are reactive, additive and trans-formative in nature. 26
First stage Sea Link
Second stage Sea Link
!"#$%&'()*+',-./'01)23455)3-%'+(.)6(##)789:
!"#$%"&'(%)*+,-"+)*#. !"#$"#%&'()&*)+,*)-."#%&'()&/)0 Port Authority Docks
45% !"# 3.0% $%&#
'(%!# 18.4% 18.9% '(%)#
Victoria Terminal Gateway to India Largest Tourist destination
Sea Link Junctions Proposed Sea Link BRT + Sea Link Junctions
'%*# 1.7% 9.4% )%!#
BRT Routes Public Space Interventions
Existing | Routes and Landmarks
Proposed | Routes and Spaces
3.6% $%+#
Public Space in India | Traditionally and Currently
Privately Owned Public Space | Haveli Courtyard
Privately Owned Public Space | Mega-Plazas
Community / Neighborhood Space | Temple
Street as a Public Space | Chaupal
Street as a Public Space | Sidewalk
City Scale Public Space | Maidan
City Scale Public Space | Promenade
28
Prefigured urban conditions reveal a constant presence of adjacency between public and private developments, commercial and residential programs and the rich and poor settlements. Residual and underutilized space are identifies as potentials for change to revitalize these spaces and make them truly public. A basic set of tools are devised as scalable and join-able pieces that can adapt to most Indian conditions and also host vernacular programs that unite the people, such as food, culture and open space. Two out of the six analyzed sites are chosen to test the interventions with the Mahalaxmi train station being one and the Oval Maidan as the other. The train station limited by rail and road barriers is imagined as a site for bridging communities while the oval maidan, an existing seat of congregation is retrofitted with urban accessories to make it more usable.
Public Space | Identifying the Prefigured Conditions
religious monument
train station
commercial development
luxury residential
private land
commercial development
state assembly
private land
park
waterfront governement buildings
city grounds
slums
slums
tourist destination major traffic node
Kit of Parts | Tools to React, Add and Transform
SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
moment elements
small scale containing space
large space creation
URBAN ACCESSORIES additive elements placed within varied scales of public spaces meant for interaction with pedestrians
TRANSIT PIECES
B
ONUS LY
any elements relating to and facilitating the use of public transportation
transit shelter
transit station
transit plaza
SPACE EXPANSION additive infrastructure increasing the usable area of a given space moment extension
area extension
area expansion + creation
TEMPORAL SPACE use of space driven by length of time in use
temporary use Section|Primary Pedestrian Corridor along Train Station
permanent ownership | temporary use
permanent intervention
30
!"#$%&'()*+',-./'01)23455)3-%'+(.)6(##)789:
!"#"$"%!&'("&$')*"*&+,
Additive Extensions | Mahalaxmi Rail Station
;'+"/<=()>-+.'?$-/@)4&<'%(+1$)5.(=(/<@)A1#-.)!$=(.
Transformed Fringes | Oval Maidan
32
Lake Geneva, Montreux, Switzerland| Photography| Spring 2013
New City : Urban Design Competition Caijin Lake District, Xuancheng, China
Spring 2013 | Intern | RKW Architektur + Stadebau | DĂźsseldorf, Germany Design Team : Matthias Pfeifer | Jens Thormeyer | Jorge Fernandez | Mascha Strugach | Abhimanyu Prakash
Being part of the team since the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inception helped understanding the tandem between German urbanism strategies and Chinese urban desires. Contextual understanding from local partners helped establish ground for concepts and physical stratagems. Xuancheng is looking back on 2000 years of history. The town center was located south of the famous Jinting Mountains in the plains. Important buildings like the pagoda and the government building are placed on the few hills within the city and so were in geometric relation to each other. Creating a new downtown area for this historic city means that it is absolutely necessary to create a connection between this new town and the old city center. OLD TOWN The new government is located a little downhill from the museum and forms the end of a 100 meters wide boulevard which points exactly into the direction of the historic government in the heart of old downtown. This symbolizes that not only the city as an urbanistic project is linked to the historic town center, but the government itself too. The southern wing of the government building points towards a valley sloping down to the shore of the lake. This symbolizes the connection between urban life and nature. Concept|New City Center and its Connections
34
Symbolic Flower
Recreational
Cultural
CBD Site Icon|Museum|Concept
Site Icon|Museum|Apexes towards Distinct Centers
The iconic center of the new site is a museum building located on the highest hill of the site. It has a triangular shape, which points into three directions, which all are important for the future development of Xuancheng. One wing points towards the historic town center and indicates the connection with history. The second wing points to the new CBD in a valley of the northwest. This indicates the economic future of Xuancheng. The southern wing points in the direction of the valley sloping down to the shore of the new lake. This indicates the relation with nature and thus the ecologic future of Xuancheng.
36
Z端rich, Switzerland| Photography| Spring 2013
Le Quartier Central BF 5 : Facade Design Competition D端sseldorf, Germany
Spring 2013| Intern | RKW Architektur + Stadebau | D端sseldorf, Germany Design Team : Matthias Pfeifer | Jens Thormeyer | Claude Wantz | Abhimanyu Prakash
The new city was constructed in the middle of D端sseldorf: between Wehrhahnlinie and the S-Bahn station. The village, started in the vast grounds of the disused freight station. With an area of 360,000 square meters of gross land, Le Quartier Central is one of the largest urban development projects in the state capital. An urban mix of housing, jobs, shopping and leisure facilities, provide a lively variety and plenty of room for creativity. So offers Le Quartier Central particular company an attractive environment in which to develop and grow out of itself. A design competition for 3 of the sites here generated successful residential towers. However, strict German urban standards questioned the facade of one of these and decided to put the facade up for a design competition again. Such dedication towards creating a holistic urban environment reflects on the consciousness towards the built environment in that society. The opportunity to design for this new downtown attraction seemed exciting and yet it came with its set of challenges. Adopting existing floor plates constrained sizing and positioning of openings. Careful attention was paid to regenerate the building, yet make it look distinct from the other 2 towers in the area, one of them designed by RKW itself. Facade Options
FASSADENWETTBEW LE QUARTIER CENTRAL B D端
38
Ansicht West
I 1:200
Elevation|West Side
Ansicht Nord I 1:200
Elevation|North Side
!!
Plan | Site
Lage I ohne MaĂ&#x;stab
Plan|Floor 1
HH Erdgeschoss
Plan |Floor 7
I 1:200
Plan|Floor 6
HH Obergeschoss 6
Plan|Floor 16
I 1:200
Plan|Floor 18
ulouser Allee
Apartments in the context of D端sseldorf are a contemporary idea and not too well received by the people. Hence, these luxury apartments demanded an exuberance in the facade which showcased sophistication and elegance. Traditional balcony railings have been replaced by sleek glass ones. Each window has been given an additional soffit element, made out of perforated copper sheets to add a richness to the elevation. Staggered positioning of the openings and varying widths of the soffit break the monotony of the apartment building.
Render|South West Side
40
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain | Photography| Summer 2010
Sangath : Urban Design and Architecture
Gujarat and Maharashtra, India
Fall 2010| Intern | Ar. B.V.Doshi, Vastu Shilpa | Ahmedabad, India Flame Pavilion, Pune | Design Team : Rajeev Kathpalia | Jose Benoy | Abhimanyu Prakash Smriti Van, Bhuj | Design Team : B.V.Doshi|Rajeev Kathpalia|Karan Bakre|Vishakha Jha|Aditi Moogoor|Abhimanyu Prakash
LEGEND
Dealt: Abhimanyu Prakash Checked: Anand Iyer Date: 03/12/10
IIM MONOGRAPH Drawings
N V STU-SHILP FOUNDATION 1. PORCH for Studies and Research in Environmental design 2. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION "Sangath", Thaltej Road, Ahmedabad 380 054 3. DIRECTOR’S BLOCK 4. MANDAP 5. LIBRARY BLOCK 6. COMPUTER CENTRE 7. CANTEEN 8. CLASS ROOM 9. SEMINAR ROOM 10. DEAN’S BLOCK 11. FACULTY BLOCK
N 0
10
30
60
Dealt: Abhimanyu Prakash Checked: Anand Iyer Date: 03/12/10
CEPT MONOGRAPH Drawings
V STU-SHILP FOUNDATION
N
for Studies and Research in Environmental design "Sangath", Thaltej Road, Ahmedabad 380 054
1
1
2
5
LEGEND
4
3
1. STUDIOS 2. COMPUTER LAB 3. STUDIO 4. LIBRARY 5. ADMINISTRATION
1 CEPT MONOGRAPH
Dealt: Abhimanyu Prakash Checked: Anand Iyer Date: 03/12/10
1
Drawings and Book Layouts
for Studies and Research in Environmental design "Sangath", Thaltej Road, Ahmedabad 380 054
Architect:
18
Balkrishna Doshi
Associates:
3
D.C.Panchal, S.C.Bhavsar, K.B.Jain
Project Engineers:
19
R.M.Shah, S.L.Shah
Structural Engineers:
11
Dr. Mahendra Mehta
Contractors:
10
Western India Engineering
Total Built up Area:
4275 sqm
Cost:
22 21
17
13
15
Rs.1.8millions
12
5 14 9
16
8 1
7
6
4
2 1
LEGEND
5
1. Entry/Exit 2. North Lawns 3. Kund 4. School of Planning
5. School of Architecture 6. Library 7. Administration 8. South Lawns
9. Students Activity Centre 10. Canteen 11. Stationery Shop 12. Amphitheater
13. Visual Arts Centre 14. National Building Organization 15. Court 16. School of Building Science and Technology
My work at the Foundation, revolved around assisting Ar. B.V.Doshi is putting together his monographs from his former projects. It involved re-drawing older graphics, revising concepts and preparing layouts for the books. IIM-Bangalore and CEPT University, Ahmedabad were the 2 projects I was working on which allowed for a secondary learning, through actually revisiting these projects and understanding the design intent behind these successful spaces.
V STU-SHILP FOUNDATION
N
20
23
The idea of working at Sangath had been long desired for the sheer reason of having the opportunity to dabble with different scales simultaneously and above all, have the chance to work with and learn from Ar.B.V.Doshi. This experience gave me the unique opportunity to work on urban and architectural projects at VSC - Vastu Shilpa Consultants and in parallel also work for VSF Vastu Shilpa Foundation. The foundation provided me with the platform to directly engage with the master himself and understand architecture as I had never seen it before.
N
0
17. School of Interior Design 18. Ceramics Workshop 19. Kanoria Centre for Arts
5
10
20
21. Herwitz Gallery 22. Amdavad Ni Gufa 23. Community Science Centre
6
The design projects at VSC spanned from building scales to urban master plans setting the tone for my future academic works. The FLAME Pavilion and Premashraya projects gave design and detailing opportunities , while Smriti Van lent conceptual strategies and their importance.
Drawings and Layouts|IIM and CEPT Monographs CEPT MONOGRAPH Drawings and Book Layouts
Dealt: Abhimanyu Prakash Checked: Anand Iyer Date: 03/12/10
N
V STU-SHILP FOUNDATION for Studies and Research in Environmental design "Sangath", Thaltej Road, Ahmedabad 380 054
42
FLAME PAVILLION | Pune, India
T h i s d r a w i n g a n d d e s i g n i s t h e p r o p e r t y o f Va s t u S h i l p a C o n s u l t a n t s a n d i s n o t t o b e c o p i e d o r u s e d w i t h o u t t h e i r p e r m i s s i o n .
T h i s d r a w i n g a n d d e s i g n i s t h e p r o p e r t y o f Va s t u S h i l p a C o n s u l t a n t s a n d i s n o t t o b e c o p i e d o r u s e d w i t h o u t t h e i r p e r m i s s i o n . NOTES 1. ALL DIMENSIONS SHALL BE CHECKED AND CO-RELATED WITH THE STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS AND ANY AMBIGUITY SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF THE ARCHITECT BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WORK. 2. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN CENTIMETERS UNLESS AND OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 3. ALL LEVELS ARE FINISHED LEVELS. 4. ALL MARGINS, CLEARENCES ETC. REQUIRED AS PER BYELAWS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTOR AND ANY DESCRIPENCIES FOUND SHOULD BE IMMIDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF ARCHITECT BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK. 5. FOR DETAILS OF ALL CUTOUTS IN SLABS AND BEAMS REFER SERVICES CONSULTANTS DRAWINGS. 6. FOR STAIRCASE DETAILS REFER DRAWING. NO. 5.1
8. FOR DOOR - WINDOW DETAILS REFER DRWG NO. 8.1 / 9.1 9. FOR SKYLIGHT DETAILS REFER DRWG NO. 13.1 10. FOR FLOORING DETAILS REFER DRAWING NO. 19.1 11. FOR MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS REFER DRAWING NO. 29.1 12. ALL CONCRETE SURFACES ARE FAIR FINISHED AND EXPOSED UNLESS AND OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.
W1
W1
W1
W2
W1
W1
W2
W1
W1
W1
W1
W1
1
A 1.1
A 1.1
W1
W1
W1
W1
W1
W1
W1
D10
V2
D5
D10
W1
D7
W1
D5 D7
D7
W1
D3
D3 D3
D3
W1
W1
W1
V2
D10
D7
V2
V1
V1
V1
V1
6
V2
D10
D3
D3A
UP
W1
W1
D3
W17
11
1
2
16 16 15 15
3
17
4
5
55
6
66
7
77
8
88
9
99
9
10 10 10
10
W1
2
18
4 5
16
6
8
7 8
12
9
11
10
21 x 15 = 3.150 m
W12
W21
W21
D14
W1
W20
W1
6
14 13
W20
D9
5
15
7
21 x 15 = 3.150 m
W19
12 12 1111
19
3
44
W19
14 14 13 13
12 11
1
2
33
4
W1
16 15 14 13
12 11
20
22
3
21 x 15 = 3.150 m
16
14 13
21 x 15 = 3.150 m
1
21 x 15 = 3.150 m
W1
20 20 19 19 18 18 17 17
15
W1
20 19 18 17
W18
20 19 18 17
W18
Section| Through Library and Pavillion
7. FOR TOILET DETAILS REFER DRAWING. NO. 6.1
1
W17
The FLAME University, also designed by B.V.Doshi and the firm, saw this pavillion as a later addition to the already existing library. The private stakeholders demanded a formal viewing ground for the full scale cricket ground provided on site. The idea was to create a space that lent more to the surrounding rather than creating a sculptural elemnt of its own. This was primarily to address the already designed concrete library structure, a very strong architectural expression in itself. Drawing lines from the builing and the circular ground, the plans were drawn up. Materialy iskept to the contextual in-situ concrete, however the monumentality is broken down by a pergola like canopy rather than a solid slab.
Key Plan
Consultants Structural Consultants N.K SHAH PH:-(079)26584635
Services Consultants SHETH TECHNO CONSULTANT PVT.LTD. PH:-(079)27456460 /27476562
PMC SYCONE CPMC PVT.LTD. PH:-(020) 39826150 Project
PHASE II
FLAME School of Liberal Education
FOUNDATION FOR LIBERAL AND MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
1
Title
A 1.1 Dealt :
LIBRARY and PAVILION
1 A 1.1
Abhimanyu:Prakash Drawing No.
Checked : B.N.Panchal
FLM(LIB) A 01.3
Scale :
Plan|Lower Level|Pavilion and Library
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
A 2.2
Scale 1:250
Date :
3/12/10
Serial No.
AR C H I T E C T S AN D P LAN N E R S
VASTU SHILPA CONSULTANTS 'Sangath', Drive - In Road, Ahmedabad - 380054 Phone : 079-27454537 Fax : 079-27452006 E-mail : sangathad1@sancharnet.in
Plan|Upper Level|Pavilion and Library Skylights
SECOND FLO A 2.3
Scale 1:250
Front View
NOTES 1. ALL DIMENSIONS SHALL BE CHECKED AND CO-RELATED WITH THE STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS AND ANY AMBIGUITY SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF THE ARCHITECT BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WORK. 2. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN CENTIMETERS UNLESS AND OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 3. ALL LEVELS ARE FINISHED LEVELS. 4. ALL MARGINS, CLEARENCES ETC. REQUIRED AS PER BYELAWS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTOR AND ANY DESCRIPENCIES FOUND SHOULD BE IMMIDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF ARCHITECT BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK. 5. FOR DETAILS OF ALL CUTOUTS IN SLABS AND BEAMS REFER SERVICES CONSULTANTS DRAWINGS. 6. FOR STAIRCASE DETAILS REFER DRAWING. NO. 5.1 7. FOR TOILET DETAILS REFER DRAWING. NO. 6.1 8. FOR DOOR - WINDOW DETAILS REFER DRWG NO. 8.1 / 9.1 9. FOR SKYLIGHT DETAILS REFER DRWG NO. 13.1 10. FOR FLOORING DETAILS REFER DRAWING NO. 19.1 11. FOR MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS REFER DRAWING NO. 29.1 12. ALL CONCRETE SURFACES ARE FAIR FINISHED AND EXPOSED UNLESS AND OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.
Key Plan
Consultants Structural Consultants N.K SHAH PH:-(079)26584635
Services Consultants SHETH TECHNO CONSULTANT PVT.LTD. PH:-(079)27456460 /27476562
PMC SYCONE CPMC PVT.LTD. PH:-(020) 39826150 Project
PHASE II
FOUNDATION FOR LIBERAL AND MANAGEMENT EDUCATION Title
Dealt :
Abhimanyu:
Checked : Scale : Date :
3/12/10
AR C H I T E C T S AN D P LAN N E R S
VASTU SHILPA CONSULTANTS 'Sangath', Drive - In Road, Ahmedabad - 380054 Phone : 079-27454537 Fax : 079-27452006 E-mail : sangathad1@sancharnet.in
Aerial View
44
SMRITI VAN | Bhuj, Gujrat, India The project is designed as a memorial for the Earthquake Victims of Gujrat in the year 2001. The site of Bhuj was greatest affected and the goverment decided to commemorate the deceased by way of a smbolic gesture. Nature which has been often compared to human life in Indian society is manifested on an urban scale so as to utilize symbols to signify life. Water being a scarce commondity in the north-western part of the country increases its importance in society and has made it greatly respected. Taking this into account the site is imagined as a vast water catchment system to store water and thereby irrigate plantation around it. The plantation is also strategised as clusters of different local species, with each tree matching up to a lost individual. These spaces were to be further detailed spatially based on the concept of seasonal usage. They are imagined to be natural reserves in the monsoons and fall, while in the summer the dried up reservoirs could be designed in ways to double up as amphitheters and other usable spaces.
Plan|Reservoir Plan|Water Distribution and Channelization on Site
Plantation Plan|Based on Reservoirs
46
St. Marks Square, Venice, Italy | Photography| Summer 2009
Continuum : Architecture School Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Fall Semester 2009 | SSAA | IP University Team : Abhimanyu Prakash
Half way through undergraduate studies, the idea of designing an architecture school germinated the seeds of a space I would want to be in, learn in live in. Everyday spatial experiences at the current school had generated a log of requirements, what works and what doesn't. It also gave a datum to work around as far as sizes and proportions were concerned, but the challenge was to reinvent these constants. Just like other people doodling, I saw folding paper as a creative outlet for my constant need to create something. This project seemed the perfect platform to generate spaces within these forms, and to use the strip of paper as a way of story telling. Studies of the mobius strip and other folding plate architectural strategies set precedents to develop my own modules and formations.
Concept Modules|Folding Plate Units and Combinations
The overarching concept of the project uses the strip as a constant surface, twisting and turning it to give rise to walls and floor plates. Expanding this notion further the scheme extends this continuity to the landscape. Stepped spaces and berms help generate the cusps of the built and unbuilt environment, thereby allowing for a feeling of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;continuumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on site. A set of strip modules form the kit of parts to plug in with each other and the landscape and achieve the desired spatial morphology.
Concept Diagram|Continuous Spaces
48
Stepping the studios down and sloping the landscape help generate the flow across site. The folding plate is considered as a constant surface, however the characteristics and textures change with programmatic and spatial requirements. Some variations include, perforation of stepped surfaces to allow for skylights and double up as viewing stands, while at places the surface reduces down to trellis like members suggesting semi-open spaces and a play of light and shadow. The openings and facades are minimalistic in appearance to allow for the folding plate of the buildings to stand out. Complimenting the facades are constant terraces and external staircases exposing the circulation to the periphery suggestive of the continuum of movement.
Section|aaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;|Workshops, Sports Field and Stands
Elevation|West
50
Smaller intimate greens, open into larger spaces, with all finally culminating into the central sports field, also a multi-purpose outdoor space. Consciously the human flow was kept to be continuous, while the materiality in plan suggested contrast and change so as to imbibe ‘continuum’ - a constant flow but sharp extremes. Internally, the spaces and sizes allow for studios to double up as lecture halls or workshop areas. These stepped studios resulted in raised volumes which provided space for an underbelly of vehicular circulation and obscured the need for a separate large parking space/structure. A loop of circulation runs along the site and under the buildings, providing direct access to different departments and helps create hidden parking spaces.
b
c
a
b’
c’
a’
Sectional cuts reveal the structural folding plate and its influence on the permeability of the buildings, giving the campus various distinct characters when viewed from different angles, creating an urban experience.
Section|bb’|Amphitheater and Administration
Section|cc’|Studios and Plaza
Concept Model | Folding Plate Structure
52
Pushkar Lake, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India | Photography| Fall 2010
Consolidating Gurgaon : Urban Design Intervention
Golf Course Road, Gurgaon, Haryana, India Spring Semester 2011 | SSAA | IP University Team : Abhimanyu Prakash | Nisha Badri
The first of many Urban Design academic projects was set in the context of Gurgaon, a rapidly and uncontrollably growing satellite city to New Delhi. It has been based on western financial and residential centers with mere adoption of the superficial look and scale. However, no thought has been given to generate public space, street scape or inclusion of any kind. The built morphology being far from Indian patterns of space usage, called for a redevelopment model to set examples for further densification. Our site is located on the Golf-Course Road, which very expectedly gets its name from the elitist golf course, which like all other developments in this area is gentrified and walled. Multiple landowners ranging from luxury developers to the government determine the course of development, with a few structures already piercing the sky. Initial surveys and research highlight the legibility of places by way of landmarks, where each buildings shouts out to be seen, and yet not invite people within spatially or programatically.
Model|New Cultural and Public Belt
This project aims to set a precedent to spatially blend the public realm into the private by way of characterizing the in between streets and programming the pockets for one and all. Boundaries between private and public land owners is attempted to be blurred by PPP developments of public space. 54
The first step to generate the spatial stratagems on site was to develop a concept germinating out of site conditions. Land ownership is identified as a pattern and taken up to establish nodes along with natural potentials like ponds, canals and green buffers. All these spaces are opportunities to stitch the site together and create a cohesive plan. Public Activators are placed at all such junctions so as to analyze the disseminating the impact zones and thereafter create the public, private and semi-public zones. The pedestrian paths connecting the site are generated out of the movement pattern experienced in Indian Step-Wells, with a small one being present on site. This is adopted as it has been a long standing symbol of social inclusion since ancient times in Indian society. Water, a symbol of life and religious significance has brought together the kings and the commons, and this is a contemporary expression to generate a communion of the elite and the common man. Our strategy was one of the 8 methods, designed to create a holistic and sustainable Gurgaon.
CONSTANTS existing ownership patterns | water catchments | green spaces
NODES points of public private interventions | junctions
ACTIVATORS areas connecting the nodes | the spaces in between
CONCEPT typing up public - private spaces | characterized by community spaces
GREEN ACTIVATORS paced at all ownership junctions
IMPACT ZONE amplifying the green activators to generate zones
CIRCULATION subdividing the zones using the Indian step-well movement patterns
LINKAGES connections between activators the site
Concept|Identifying Potentials and Generating Spatial Strategies
Group Plan|Urban Sectors devised by different groups|Highlighted Area Master Plan
56
Having established the urban design guidelines, the architectural expression has been designed to further amplify the concept and programs. The site plan of a zoomed in area shows a clear programmatic organization seamlessly moving from the street and into the community. Public programs on the periphery are dotted with public plazas, step well themed amphitheater and parks. These set up the character for urban spaces in the completely car oriented Gurgaon. Connecting the plaza with the temple complex in the rear is the existing canal which has been revitalized to ply along the public realm and act as a democratic linkage. This element is seen as a strategy to democratize the landscape to set an example of how to utilize the network of these canals all across Gurgaon, instead of building over them. Existing office buildings are buffered by mix-used developments keeping with tradition Indian housing patterns. The site corner at the intersection of the primary and arterial roads is envisioned as an architectural icon to compete with existing landmarks and establish its position.
a’
a
Section aa’|Redeveloping Existing Temple Complex
Section bb’|Mixed Use Neighborhood b’
c b
c’
Section cc’|Cultural and Commercial Node with a Contemporary Step-Well
Site Plan
58
Durga Puja Festival, Kolkata, India | Photography| Fall 2011
Sambahavna : East Kolkata Wetland Centre
Wetlands, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Spring Semester 2013 |Thesis | SSAA | IP University
conservation
ECOLOGICAL empowerment
WETLAND ECOSYSTEM
education research
SOCIAL & CULTURAL
recreation
Distant Viewing
Floating Overview
The East Kolkata Wetlands, also referred to as the ‘kidneys” of the city are an expanse of multifunction landscape, that not only hosts a micro-ecosambhavna | scope system, but also naturally treats over 50% of the sambhav-na | possibilty city’s sewage and also provides space for tons of fish. The treated water thereafter is also used to sam-bhavna | equality irrigate the adjacent agricultural land before reaching the river. This makes it an urban system that plays a pivotal role in making the ecological Concept|Ideas and Goals and economic sustainability of Kolkata. Rapid urbanization and have affected this micro-system in a major way. Over the last 2 decades we has lost Underwater 400 acres of productive land to reclamation for development. why SAMBHAVNA ?
Semi-Submerged Concept|Movement and Experience
Iconic Built
Underwater World
Floating Spaces
Submerged Environments Concept|Built Form and the Site
There is a need for awareness and education about the wetlands, which has to be complimented by research, outreach and conservation efforts. Hence, the project aims to create a Wetland Centre to showcase this natural asset to the citizens and garner their support. The project would be devised to be an educative tool and a recreational facility so as to engage the people. It is also designed as a revenue generator through various activities to sustain this place and also support conservation activities. The site has been chosen with the idea of bringing the people to the Wetlands. Located at the fringe between the Urban Fabric and the Wetland Environment, the site is a 220-acre fishery on the EM Bypass, the primary route from Kolkata City to the New Town. It is a small example showcasing all the systems within the macro network. 60
SCIENTIFIC SCIENTIFICPROCESSES PROCESSES SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES
Analysis | SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS
WATER WATERREGIME REGIME WATER REGIME
% :%
CONTEXTUAL CONTEXTUALATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES CONTEXTUAL ATTRIBUTES
%=A%/55%74B@-4174?%A/1:=0.%C2712%9/6%?=;-04%:2-%<=..7D757E-.%=4%.7:-F%"%07?=0=@.%.:@86%=A%:2-%!/.:%&=5G/:/%)-:5/48.%1/55-8%A=0%/4%@48-0.:/4874?%=A%:2-% 7.%5/0?-%-1=.6.:-9F%L=55=C74?%:2-%.7:-%1=487E=4.%/48%C/:-0%1615-3%/%8-:/75-8%.:@86%/D=@:%:2-%#MI!*$ILIM%N,'M!##!#%</0:%=A%:2-%)-:5/48.%<0=;78-8%A=0% 86%=A%/55%74B@-4174?%A/1:=0.%C2712%9/6%?=;-04%:2-%<=..7D757E-.%=4%.7:-F%"%07?=0=@.%.:@86%=A%:2-%!/.:%&=5G/:/%)-:5/48.%1/55-8%A=0%/4%@48-0.:/4874?%=A%:2-% E=4%<=..7D757E-.F%(/.:56%:2-%NOP#IM"(3%('M"$I'*"(%/48%M'*$!Q$R"(%74B@-41-.%5-4:%:=%A/1:=0.%:2/:%2/;-%.2/<-8%:2-%<0=>-1:%:2-%C/6%7:%7.%.--4F% %:27.%5/0?-%-1=.6.:-9F%L=55=C74?%:2-%.7:-%1=487E=4.%/48%C/:-0%1615-3%/%8-:/75-8%.:@86%/D=@:%:2-%#MI!*$ILIM%N,'M!##!#%</0:%=A%:2-%)-:5/48.%<0=;78-8%A=0% 0/E=4%<=..7D757E-.F%(/.:56%:2-%NOP#IM"(3%('M"$I'*"(%/48%M'*$!Q$R"(%74B@-41-.%5-4:%:=%A/1:=0.%:2/:%2/;-%.2/<-8%:2-%<0=>-1:%:2-%C/6%7:%7.%.--4F%
Analysis | FISH BREEDING STEPS
SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES
CONTEXTUAL ATTRIBUTES CONTEXTUAL ATTRIBUTES
57E-.%=4%.7:-F%"%07?=0=@.%.:@86%=A%:2-%!/.:%&=5G/:/%)-:5/48.%1/55-8%A=0%/4%@48-0.:/4874?%=A%:2-% 1615-3%/%8-:/75-8%.:@86%/D=@:%:2-%#MI!*$ILIM%N,'M!##!#%</0:%=A%:2-%)-:5/48.%<0=;78-8%A=0% Q$R"(%74B@-41-.%5-4:%:=%A/1:=0.%:2/:%2/;-%.2/<-8%:2-%<0=>-1:%:2-%C/6%7:%7.%.--4F%
Analysis | SITE POTENTIALS
CONTEXTUAL ATTRIBUTES
62
The spatial grid like configuration of these wetlands was a combination of the British engineering in the colonial times and the local fishermen of the area. The first step to the project was a detailed analysis of the scientific methods ongoing in this ecology, from the sewage treatment, the fish breeding mechanism and the physical potentials. This helped develop the overarching concept of taking the visitor across the site through various physical experiences and generate a holistic tour. Spatial and programmatic disposition has been devised on this basis and the ecological processes. At a conceptual level the formal vocabulary has been adopted to be uniquely identifiable, but the building techniques have been created using vernacular materials. Building on props, bamboo decking, terracotta tiles and brick masonry are locally produced and income generating avenues for the local communities. Walks and trails span across the ponds giving visitors options to route their experience. Interactive spaces not only allow for people to experience the water ecology but also the corresponding agriculture around the educational area and flora fauna around the research center.
Vision|Built and Unbuilt Negotiations
Concept|Space and Disposition
Site Plan
Underwater Exploration
F+B Areas Crafts and Retail
Research Center
Entry + Overview
Participatory Gelleries
Education Center
Fishing Areas
Bypass
64
The trails and paths not only connected the site, but also tied up the entire ecosystem together and felt the appropriate element to integrate with the environment. From floating decks for the first time viewer to submerged bridges for the adventurous ones, these paths are designed to allow the visitor to interact with the surroundings and experience it hands on. Always designed with parallel biking/caddy tracts, these walkways are gradually sloping to allow for universal access. Landscape is also manifested in multiple scales to showcase it various wetland forms. They range from flora on the dikes, to test farm for students in the educational block and large fauna landscapes around the research center. A combination of indoor and outdoor spaces make for an interesting walk through galleries and the live environment. Vision|Participatory Spaces and Walkways
Vision|Outdoor Galleries around Research Center
Vision|Configuration of Walkways for Accessibility
Vision|Educative Farms and Students Kitchen/Cafeteria
Vision|Aerial View of Education Center and Farms
66
Cover Page : Public Space in India | Then and Now | Typology Study
ydutS ygolopyT | woN dna nehT | aidnI ni ecapS cilbuP : egaP revoC
portfolio abhimanyu prakash