Abhimanyu Prakash - Selected Works

Page 1

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

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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


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Additive Extensions | Mahalaxmi Rail Station

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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 competition’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 ‘continuum’ 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|aa’|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

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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

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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

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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


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