PORTFOLIO
Professional| Competition| Undergraduate
|ABHISHEK SEMWAL
VOLUME OF WORKS 2010-2020|
|CURRICULUM VITAE
ABHISHEK SEMWAL 01 July 1992 3/62, Jalvihar Colony, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi 110024, INDIA Nationality: Indian Languages: Hindi (native), English
ACHIEVEMENTS
Drafting Autocad 2015, Revit 2019
|Rifat Chaderiji Prize, 2017 The proposal was selected among the top 20 ideas for the award. (Team: Abhishek, Natasha)
3d Modelling Sketchup 2016, Revit 2019, Rhino 5
abhisheksemwal@ymail.com +91-9691741428
Digital image and rendering Lumion 6.0, Enscape, Photoshop, Indesign, Bluebeam
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
EXHIBITS AND PUBLICATIONS
B.Arch School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, India (Graduated 2015)
|Cognizance, IIT Roorkee Product Design competition , work published in international newsletter “Design for all” in 2013 edition.
Trainee Architect Sensen Designs, New Delhi 6 months (January - July 2014) Junior Architect Mancini Enterprises, Chennai 8 months (September 2015 - April 2016) Architect Designcollab, New Delhi 12 months (June 2016 - June 2017)
Folio 2020
SKILLS
|University of Westminster Student work titled “Sustainability of Neighbourhoods” displayed during varsity’s summer exhibition, 2014. |University of Westminster Student work titled “Redefining travel” displayed during varsity’s summer exhibition, 2015. STUDENT FELLOWSHIPS
Architect Anagram Architects, New Delhi 10 months (December 2017 - September 2018)
|Awarded 361° students fellowship for attending 361° conference 2014, Mumbai.
Associate Inerior Designer WeWork, Bangalore (October 2018 - Present)
|Awarded Z-Axis student fellowship 2015, for attending the 2015 conference, Goa.
|World Build India, Breathing Cities 2017 Entry shortlisted among top 50 solutions. (Team: Abhishek, Aryan, Manas, Charu) |University of Westminster International Design Trophy 2014 Entry selected among top 10 works. (Team: Abhishek, Hussam, Tarun, Manu) |Annual National Design Competition 2014 Entry secured place in top 21. (Team: Abhishek, Hussam, Abhin, Prateek) |University of Westminster International Design Trophy 2013 Entry selected among top 10 works. (Team: Abhishek, Vineetha, Kapil, Kartikeya) |Building Trust International, Cambodia sustainable housing 2012 Entry adjudged among top 75 student submissions out of 650 received entries and displayed on their social media portal. |IGBC 2012 Entry adjudged for jury commendation. (Team: Abhishek, Devvrat)
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|CONTENTS 1. WORKPLACE 01|Berger Delhi One, NOIDA (NCR) A modern co-working facility situated in NOIDA. Assigned as the lead interior designer, conceptualising and detailing out the design intent and supporting the process through construction documentation, providing design input at all stages of conception till completion, including feedback from executed facilities.
2. WORKPLACE 02|Vaishnavi Signature,Bengaluru Co-working facility situated in Bengaluru. Worked in the design team, tasked with detailing the design concept, aiding in documentation and handling project site.
3. HOUSE IN THE HILLS, Uttarakhand A holiday cottage in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand. Primary role involved design the unit, preparing drawing docket, 3D models, renders, finishing bill of quantities and overseeing the work on site.
4. WAR MEMORIAL, New Delhi Remembering Conflict. An open design competition attempted as part of Designcollab. Worked on the design intent with Arnab banerji, produced 3D models, renders, conceptual notes.
5. REBUILDING MOSUL, Iraq
“In my brief association with architecture, I have tried to answer my dilemmas towards space through experiments at different scales, levels of intimacy and detail. Constantly trying to learn and adapt as a response to the brief, but staying true to the will. Will to craft rich multilayered experiences that delve into the notions of identity, context, practicality and relevance.” This assemblage of my work as a learning architect showcase’s my experiments with identity at different scales, addressing different questions, voicing different demands and in doing so, helping me understand the varying contexts and the required response.”
The competition opened a dialogue between the needs and aspirations of the people displaced in the terror torn region of Mosul, Iraq. The aim was to design an affordable housing that could be scaled for mass rehabilitation in the region.
6. BREATHING CITIES, Lucknow Urban micro-intervention. The competition invited ideas for rejuvenating public spaces through built interventions. Engaing in a team of 4 individuals from various background to come up with a multidimensional solution. The submitted proposal was selected among top 50 ideas.
7. JANG-E-AZADI, War Memorial Museum Jalandhar, Punjab Curating memories, a critic on India’s independence struggle. Attempted as part of undergraduate thesis. Folio 2020
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Workplace 01|Berger Delhi One NOIDA, NCR
Main Management Floor. 19th Floor.
Total Area: 83,790 U.S.F Floors: 06 The design intent was to create a space that leverages the nostalgia of local vernacular elements of the region. Taking inspiration from regional dwellings and decorative motifs that have been sustained through multiple generation of north indian architecture. The design aims to incorporate the modern workstyle with calm aesthetics, by utilising natural finishes and simplified version of local embellishments. The building is part of newer developments that are cropping up outside of New Delhi, giving us an opportunity to root the design in local character while providing the best experience of modern age working.
Mood Board.
Folio 2020
Lounge space.
Typical Floor. 18th_14th Floors.
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Material Exploration Terracotta perforated block, an element that has been traditionally used across the region has been utilised to derive the character of space. The community bar utilises the same terracotta block in a more contemporary iteration as the standout element, here it is painted white, retaining the familiarity of material while incorporating modern aesthetics. The use of natural mud plaster finish (lookalike of mud plaster) over carefully selected walls and conversation nooks adds to the overall local character while not being reduced to a mere plagiarism of vernacular crafts.
Top View: Main management floor lounge.
Community Bar. Folio 2020
Lounge setup.
Lounge view.
Pantry and Serving Bar. 9 |50
Internal Visualisations.
Top View: Typical floor lounge.
Millwork diagram, Column Seating.
Pantry Bar.
Design Moments.
Feature Nook.
Folio 2020
Owing to the shape of the floorplate, we have utilised the glazing side of 19th floor to create the feature nook on the main management floor. The feature nook houses two zones combining leisure and work. Additionally, every lounge tries to retain a residential feel by incorporating bookshelves and continued use of perforated terracotta blocks. The smaller lounges include informal seating that caters to various group sizes. The pantry also retains the local vibe by using residential tile flooring to compliment the design scheme. We have included furniture that is made by repurposing plastic waste to align as a gesture for purposeful re-use.
Lounge View.
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Workplace 02|Vaishnavi Signature Bengaluru, Karnataka
Mood Board.
Typical Floor 03.
Typical Floor 02.
Total Area: 1,97,830 U.S.F Floors: 11 The core design was evolved around the idea of using Terracotta Blocks to create a reinterpretation on a traditional Jaali motif that is usually found being used in and around Bangalore region. Terracotta lends a warm aesthetic quality to the interior space, rooting the ambience in the region it belongs. We have used this element in every floor, managing a consistency of design language through the whole building. Also taking inspiration from the traditional flooring motifs, we have designed the lift lobby to create a contemporary expression of elegance while our members wait for there lift arrive. The space tries to leverage the traditionally used elements to create a familiar feel that welcomes the members.
Lounge view. Folio 2020
Typical Floor 01.
Main Management Floor. 13 |50
Top View: Main management floor lounge.
Space within a space.
Material Exploration. Terracotta block, an element that has been traditionally used across the region has been utilised to derive the character of space though its use in the Jaali. The community bar utilises the locally sourced channapatna wooden carved elements to leverage the crafts that we have in this region. The Community Bar is also backlit to highlight the design elements, retaining the familiarity of material while incorporating modern aesthetics. We have also included a lot of bookshelves in the lounges of various floors, creating small niches that invite members to use them throughout the day. We have tried to also incorporate Cane and Rattan weave in the designed nooks and lighting fixtures.
View of lounge space.
View of lounge space.
View of Hot Desk zone.
Sketch for Terracotta Jaali. Folio 2020
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Top View: Typical lounge.
View of feature nook.
Typical lounge visualisation.
Feature nook visualisation.
Design Moments The Main Management Floor on the Ground Floor is the highlight of the building, having a large percentage dedicated to the lounge and dining, the space is dotted with interesting design moments. The Feature Nook against the glazing on the ground floor is a highlight of the space, where the use of cane weave as a design element picks the interest of onlookers. Providing ample opportunities to collaborate with groups of different sizes, the lounge has a rafter ceiling over it’s most expansive zone. The Pantry Bar and F&B zone keep the dining zone prepped up at all times. On the 10th Floor of the building, we have a designed terrace area with space for outdoor lounge and dining, gym and also a playstation room.
View of the typical lounge.
View of conversation niche.
Folio 2020
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Assembly view: Library Niche. Folio 2020
View: Library Niche. 19 |50
House in the hills|Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Top View.
The project involved execution of a modestly sized unit in the foothills of the Himalayas. The designed unit was to be used as a holiday refuge by a retired naval officer looking for break from the city at his behest. The three room unit sits facing a valley in the Lansdowne area of Uttarakhand. The overall site would eventually house eleven such units, creating a small neighbourhood of similarly fashioned dwellings. Folio 2020
The unit setup comprises of two rooms at the lower level which share a single washroom area and another room on the upper level accessed by an external staircase. Each room has been provided with a balcony to soak in the spectacular vistas that the site offers.
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External staircase Assembly detail.
Part Section. Folio 2020
Simple materials are paired together in assemblies to form a unified architectural interface. Climate and ageing were major factors that influenced the choice of material for the project. Ease of repairablity in the site’s remotness and availablity of local materials that are replaceable were also kept in mind before finalising the material pallete. The approach was to use the materials in their true forms with less dependence of specialist or processed materials for the construction of the units.
The achitecture of the dwelling uses brick as the core unit, employing it’s grounded aesthetics to create a humble expression that doesn’t interfere with the site’s image. Building systems like cavity wall and pitched roof work in tandem with brick screens to create a humane interface, breaking scale and affording the design a certain approachablity.
Assembly Diagram.
“Brick as a material ages gracefully with time, rooting the built with the context.” 23 |50
View 02. Folio 2020
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Remembering conflict|National War Memorial, New Delhi The proposal for national war memorial dwells on the issue of conflict. The ideas of sovereignty and freedom that are taken for granted by the citizens have serious costs attached to them. What we choose to ignore are the sacrifices that the armed forces continually make to maintain a liberal environment within the safer confines of the country. The memorial by it’s realisation tries to understand the numerous conflicts our defence forces face, on the borders and within the country. The memorial is not meant to be a reminder of our fallen kin, but as a beacon that encompasses
their values, that they chose the country over every other option. Religion, community, region, self preservation and politics were all jargons. They could see through all the internal divides and dedicate themselves to the cause of national interest. The memorial is an introspective realisation for the civilians to come face the conflicts that plague this nation and the cost that is paid every passing moment to maintain the freedom that they overlook so easily.
Pool of reflection.
Our proposal endeavours to represent a soldier’s experience of conflict and chaos with the expression of these long and undulating surfaces. The changing surfaces and fragmented landscapes directs and guides the visitor within the memorial. The same surfaces also act as a security barrier preventing possibilities of people storming in the memorial. When confronted by the sheer scale of these walls along with the thousands of names of all the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for our country, the visitor is bound to introspect on the cost of wars measured by human lives. We want the visitors to feel that the peace we take for granted has a cost to it and one should not be frivolous about it. Folio 2020
Schematic diagram.
Indian soldiers, WWI. 27 |50
Site Layout.
Wall of remembrance.
The memorial starts as a wall, separating the landscape from the intervention proposed. This wall along with the perimeter water body creates a sense of it being impregnable, acting as a shield protecting the experience within. It represents our borders controlling and checking the forces antagonistic to our nations sovereignty. As one steps inside, it becomes obvious that within the rigidness of this border, lies a journey where one explores the cost of freedom expressed in the currency of sacrifice, loss and human achievement. These repose of these monolithic walls convey the ephemerality of life, the fading of memory and impermanence of recollection. The scheme is so designed that the visitor can enter the site from all 4 sides but the final circulation culminates in the open air theatre where all the memorial services will be held. The OAT is flanked by the ‘Pool of Reflection’ which is the permanent installation of the names of the soldiers. After going through the experience of conflict and loss, this is a neutral area where one as an individual or as a collective, whether one has lost a loved one or as a civilian who now understands the responsibility that the armed forces of our nation shoulder, pays their tribute to not only the people who defend this country but also to one’s own notion of what it means to be an Indian. Folio 2020
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Visual 02.
Lest we forget.
Passing through the recessed scape, guided by the sandstone monoliths, one feels compelled to draw closer to their surface. A sense of calm that one feels after enduring through numerous battles fought to protect this homeland is reflected through these sandstone walls. The fallen kins who will be remembered only when the populace deem them worthy. Their tales of valour and strength, told only when the media runs out of topics to play on prime time. These walls carry names of all the warriors that laid down their lives for the sake of this country. The names reveal themselves when the dust is washed off from the surface. When the rain washes all the filth and corruption collecting over the sovereignty of this nation. The names reveal themselves, only to fade once again when the clouds disperse. The names are engraved on to the surface of walls through the process of sandblasting, leaving a slightly rough surface that absorbs greater moisture than neighbouring smooth facade. The moisture over the names evaporates at a different rate than the rest of the surface, revealing the names as a subtle and impermanent gesture. Folio 2020
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Negotiating Identity, Hybrid Housing|Mosul Iraq
Typical neighborhood layout.
Negotiating identity and embracing change. When the dust settles and people again embrace their roots, would they be able to come to terms with the huge losses that they have suffered in the years gone by? Wars have a tendency to mold the ground realities, what was once common becomes nostalgia, memories remaining locked in a state of flux and “identities” being eroded. Rebuilding a neighbourhood would involve more than just the provision of a roof over one’s head. Reintroducing communal harmony and reinstating the pride of users are aspects that cannot be over looked. The designed prototype is an attempt to cluster major functions of a neighbourhood into one single unit. Residential units are arranged to accommodate familiar functions of community along with the inclusion of congregation/ community areas. Folio 2020
Assembly Diagram.
Aspired neighborhood layout.
The consolidation of functions into a single unit has been done to invoke a sense of security and ownership among the users. The whole unit is treated on all four sides with a consistent skin, creating a defensive outer shell that serves the purpose of battling the harsh climatic conditions as well as building an image of resilience. The aesthetics aim to create a consistency in form, which lends certain stoicity to the whole unit. The functional requirements of a neighbourhood are compounded in a multilevel layout. Living units are arranged together in clusters of varying densities and alternating green spaces. The design intends to weave the living and community spaces in a single coherent interface, giving the users maximum control of their immediate environment. The changing character of space inside the unit contrasts the consistent exterior façade. 33 |50
Cluster A (110m X 55m), Ground and
Cluster B (110m X 55m), First and Fifth
Cluster C (110m X 55m), Third and Sixth
View of the North Facade. Folio 2020
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Internal Visualisations.
Typical unit partition assembly:
Typical Unit A, 4-5 Pax
1. Gabion cage filled with reclaimed rubble brick. 2. Recycled wooden panelling. 3. Lime plaster finish. 4. MS C-section.
Borrowing from the vernacular traditions of the region. The design utilizes wind catchers to passively cool the residential units. Ducts allow in surrounding air, which is then allowed to cool over the underground water reservoir. The cool air is then passed on to supply shaft from where it reaches the living area of the residential units through the medium of pressure difference.
The unit is covered in terracotta louver lattice of varying density on all 4 sides. The lattice acts as a protective element against the glare of the harsh outside Sun as well as checking the amount of warm air that gets admitted inside the building. Residential units are nestled within comfortable overhangs, inclusion of desert flora adds in creating a pleasant micro-climate inside the designed unit.
Unit B, 6-8 pax
The two typical layouts are developed keeping in mind the structure of a modern Iraqi family. The primary space of the house is living room that functions along multiple requirements through the day. Scope of expansion is also one of the features that provide some degree of future proofing for the inhabitants. Each unit is serviced by a cooling duct to provide continuous airflow that is at a lower temperature than outside daytime temperatures. Folio 2020
External Perspective. 37 |50
Urban micro intervention|Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh The site is a British era marketplace with colonial architectural aesthetics. The design now attempts to resolve utilitarian problems while at the same time, tries to keep its characteristics intact. The public place, struggles to have any impact on the user and the object here is supplanted in this context as to be a visual catalyst – a focal point that pushes the boundaries of set paradigm and inviting interest, helps in reshaping its surroundings.
Public Interface. The triangulated surfaces of the product, designed to invoke nostalgia among it’s users by mimicking a kaleidoscope. The organic folds also helps in adding a layer of visual complexity, that not only contrasts it’s base, but also the surrounding environment. Attracting interest, by being a visual icon at it’s niche.
The design intent was to create an engaging public utilitarian product that acts as subtle iconic place marker which contrasts the existing character of Hazratganj market.
Street Side Elevation. Folio 2020
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The fabrication process includes 3mm MS plate, bent and welded to shape, grounded and buffed. Covered with a base primer layer, the unit is passed through 3 layers of powder coating in white. Whereupon, matte enamel paint finish is applied in a kaleidoscopic fashion on the resulting faces of the form. Finally the unit is installed on a level surface on site.
Product Diagram. Folio 2020
The design tries to provide for the basic requirements of a person. To sit or to stand. One might want to use the more organic cover of the form to take shade from the mid day sun and map their route to the destination. A simple utility at it’s core, the design adapts to the local context, engaging the general masses, attracting interest. The same interest then radiates to the surrounding market, bringing in focus the stark contrast of colonial architecture and it’s own dynamic form. Not becoming a mute spectator but an orator that allows people to acknowledge their immediate context.
View 02.
Visual 01. 41 |50
Curating Memories|JANG-E-AZADI War Memorial Museum, Jalandhar The intent of this thesis was to present an unadulterated version of India’s Independence, which curates the timeline of ninety years into a seamless narrative. The narrative presents itself to the visitor on different scales, invoking a sense of intimacy and intrigue with the subject. Each era and its happenings are documented and presented through galleries by means of abstraction. Memories are choreographed and interpretations are facilitated by employing phenomenological principles. Each gallery encompasses within its realm, certain phenomena’s or emotional impulses, that reflect that periods emotions. As one progresses through the chronology, guided by impulse, galleries and relief spaces unfold the dynamic character of time period. Each space/ environment that is created holds within itself an abstraction. This reflective piece is designed to invoke deep thought, sometimes a sculpture, while other time a setting, this abstraction of memory is used as a tool to channelise emotional response. When one passes through the museum, finally the journey culminates into independence. Upon exit, the visitor enters the memorial portion of design, here artifacts are used to invoke emotional response. A central recessed space is envisioned, where visitors can engage in insightful afterthoughts, trying to find meaning in the hard-earned notion of independence. Completing the memorial, and keeping a part of it within their memories.
Folio 2020
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Timeline of curated events.
Folio 2020
Site.
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Spatial layout diagram.
Gallery 02.
Relief space 02.
Perforated Skin.
[NARRATIVES] Not reducing to mere retelling of events, each exhibit area is designed as a scape that ponders over the issues and dilemmas that characterised different chapters of our independence struggle. Not relying on relics and embellishments to address these persistent themes, the user is led through a cohesively narrated account of history, traversing through a series of memory scapes that change in materiality, texture, proportions. Each designed space holds a distinct character, that associates with the addressed era and its events.
Folio 2020
Arrangement of Galleries A rigidness of form was conceptualized, so as to contain the tensions, turmoils and dilemmas associated with the era of our independence struggle. The Events are clustered according to character and Impact. Cause and effect comes into play, each gallery is a system, carrying within itself emotions, memories and Phenomenons. Each system distorts the other and causes some variation as well as likeness. The character and content of the gallery defines what a visitor will Feel inside that gallery. Providing a setting to host artefacts and conveying the overall mood of the exhibition Space. 47 |50
The Memorial part of the design scheme has been envisioned as an engagement zone where visitor’s can interact with each other and reflect upon the experiences gathered inside the museum. A depression is introduced on the site, a contoured space with sculptures and other objects that invoke nostalgia for the unsung heroes of our freedom struggle. Visitors can sit on the contours provided, while they draw out inferences of their visit. Monumentality: not meaning anything grand or pompous, but rather memory and symbols that serve to bind humanity
Gallery 05. Folio 2020
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ABHISHEK SEMWAL abhisheksemwal@ymail.com abhisheksemwal@live.co.uk +91-9691741428