Architecture Portfolio 2012-2020 by Adil Hussain

PORTFOLIO Mohd Adil Hussain

Selected Works // 2012-2020

REVIVAL OF RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE & PORTLAND

MEHRANGARH VISITORS CENTRE

MEHRANGARH KNOWLEDGE CENTRE

VILLA IN THE WOODS

BOMBAY WORKERS’ HOUSING

Museum and Arts Centre

Ticketing Facility

Conservation Facility

Summer Retreat

Social Housing Complex

PANCHASAKHA VANA VIDYALAYA Odiya Language University

MAHABALIPURAM SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL COMPLEX

TIMBER SKEW HOUSE

HOUSE WITH A TERRACOTTA SCREEN

Spiritual Centre

Residence

RAMMED EARTH HOUSE Residence

01 REVIVAL OF RIVERSIDE WAREHOUSE & PORTLAND Apaptive Reuse // Urban accupuncture // Public space Kolkata, West Bengal, India Final Year Thesis // 2017 Academic Project // Individual Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia University Concept Ideation | Design development | Graphic Production Kolkata’s waterfront is in the process to become a desired address for new communities, cultural venues, commercial development and outdoor recreation. People want the river back, as a part of the city. The northern portion of Howrah Bridge has been totally ignored of undergoing any conservation/preservation/ redevelopment project. Kolkata, once the nation’s forerunner in urban redevelopment, has joined the fold of world cities determined to pull its waterfront back form marginal use and neglect into the main stream of public activity and private investment. Today, everyone recognizes the value of public access to the waterfronts. A renewed waterfront offers investors a promising return on capital on capital. Cities enjoy increased tourism, employment and growth. Residents gain new recreation opportunities and an expanded awareness of the natural aspects of river life. The scope of this project is to study and analyse the dynamics within and around the site, understand the needs, aspirations of the residents and comprehend the potential of such a populace. To revive the abandoned and decaying storage warehouses and tag them with new functions, thus making them sheltered spaces for community, cultural and educational activities. Regenerating the underutilized Portland/Riverfront, adding up new functions to the site. Holistic approach towards the revival and regeneration, taking into consideration the various social and working groups that are catered by the site and also the traditional or religious inter relations between the residents and the river. Visual integration of the river to the city that is absent due to dead warehouses blocking the view of the river form the city. Formulation of policies and re-establishing area as cultural district of the city.

Howrah Bridge One of Kolkata’s famous landmarks, is a cantilevered suspension bridge carrying a daily traffic of 10,00,000 vehicles and 1,50,000 pedestrians.

Old Silver Mint House Established in 1824 by the British regime, for the production of silver and copper coinage.

HOOGHLY R.

Revived Armenian Ghats The exisiting dead edge of the site was redeveloped into traditional indian ghats, making the edge more gradual and active for the people.

Strand Food Hall

Kolkata Port Trust Museum

Strand Memorial Park Kolkata Port Trust Museum Juxtaposed with the exisiting Armenian Warehouse, the proposed space will house exhibits of old Boats and Ships owned by the Kolkata Port Trust

Strand Art Gallery

Armenian Ghat Ferry Station Renovation of an exisiting ferry station. The station becomes an important transportation hub for the micro context.

Bada Bazaar Kolkata’s largest commercial hub. It includes whole sale markets, offices and roadside informal squatters.

Millennium Riverfront Park The only patch of land along the riverfront, developed as a public space. The park receives a heavy footfall of people post office hours from the surrounding commercial hub.

Proposed masterplan Jaime Lerner defines urban acupuncture as a series of small-scale, highly focused interventions that have the capacity to regenerate or to begin a regeneration process in dead ordamaged spaces and their surroundings.

Old Armenian Warehouse

Juxtaposed functions merged with the old structure

Howrah Bridge

HOOGHLY R.

3 5

New proposed functions added

Reintroducing the industrial sawtooth roof

Sectional Perspective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Public Library Exhibition Ship & Boat Exhibition Exhibition Entry Level Plaza Lower Level Plaza Ramp

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Bada Bazaar

Circular Railway

7 9

11 10

Art Gallery 1 Art Gallery 2 Central court Lecture Halls Art Studio Strand Memorial Park Strand Viewing Tower

Design Evolution

Colonial era warehouses along the river being used as storage facilities

Strand Warehouse razed down by fire Warehouse remains in a delapitated state for the next couple of years

Museum Site

Memorial site

Roof of the Armenian Warehouse is removed River-edge of the site is developed as a serious of gradual steps ‘Ghats’ Site divided into 2 zones ; Museum site & Memorial Site

New Functions are juxtaposed on top of the old structure

Series of steps and ramps added for circulation and universal access

Sunken art facilities added in the memorial site

Remains of the Stand Warehouse demolished completely

All storage facilities in the Aremenian warehouse are proposed to be shifted to the nearest dockyard or Bada Bazaar Boundary wall of the Strand Warehouse site is demolished

Roof form given a saw tooth profile and oriented towards the north direction Additional functions are sunken inside the ground

Lower annex of the museum inserted, creating a courtyard at the lower level

Sunroof added to the sunken facilities in the memorial site Additional public facilities added to the memorial site

Landmark added to the site Gridded tree cover added to the memorial site

juxtaposition of old and new (top) view of the entry level plaza (below)

view of the new block of the Port Trust Museum (top) view of the boat exhibtion space inside (below)

view of the Strand Art Gallery from the Strand Memorial Park (top) view of the Strand Memorial Park (below)

view of the central court of the Strand Art Gallery (top) view of the temporary art exhibition (below)

02 MEHRANGARH VISITORS CENTRE Public Facility // Security & Ticketing Facility // Public space Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Competition Winner // Organised by Mehrangarh Museum Trust // 2018 Professional Project// Team Studio Lotus, New Delhi Concept Ideation | Graphic Production | Design Detailing | Site Construction The proposed intervention should embrace its ground while providing a sense of security in its core. A dual approach of interspersing the open with the closed is as intrinsic to the philosophy of building as it is as a core value positioning itself within its environment. This idea of oneness is further amplified by a simplicity and silence. We propose this simplicity by way of architecture and structure. A necessary co-relation in which the buildings along with the outward structure become the starting point for continuous development and reconfiguration. A frugal, elegant and bare-boned architectural system that becomes the vessel, which people can modify and enhance as they see fit. Frugality and an ease of execution is foreseen as the proposed method of construction. Given that the funds are limited and sites have a certain difficulty of access, we propose simple and straightforward construction techniques, which allow maximum production off site. The material palette is kept minimal, emphasising mainly on the locally-available sandstone as the main building material, sustaining local economy and tradition, with the inclusion of steel as the building material to allow large spaces that can be easily modified. A bold expression, yet that mutely blends in with the landscape it is in, lending itself seamlessly to the people and place. The design takes forward the functional parameters from the brief to be: Highly functional & Responsive towards the existing context: The design should allow for Emerging Programmes and hence look at methods of design and construction that can evolve to meet the Museum’s increasing demands. The aim is to develop a system that will integrate the visitor experience in the current scenario while keeping in mind the larger picture of the possible expansion of the programme requirements to meet the increasing footfall to the Fort. Hence, the objectives for design are focused on: EASE OF CONSTRUCTION at efficient costs High Degree of LOCALISATION FLEXIBILITY/ RE-CONFIGURATION & MODULARITY Could the Buildings be altered/ expanded or contracted/ even dismantled with minimum effort or impact?

Rasolai Lake

Jaipol Plaza

Rethinking the Architectural Fabric The proposal for the extensions attempts to create an architectural system, rather than a mere set of buildings, for the next phase of interventions in the Fort; one that is supremely functional, highly contextual to the region and its history - as also ambitious and responsive to the 21st century -much like the work and message of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust itself.

Present Conditions

Circulation Proposal

Massing Proposal

Though the existing building has been designed in response to the Fort material palette, it disassociates completely from the surrounding landscape.The drawback of the building is also that it does not accommodate a large footfall of visitors.

Ensuring minimum clash between entry and exit circulation A single sunken structure from Mehran bazaar has been retained, while a new platform has been proposed. Separate entry and exit routes are proposed, thus creating separate experiences at each point.

Building to provide shelter yet to associate with the ground A series of pods have been strategically juxtaposed to guide the proposed circulation of the various stakeholders across the platform, creating pockets of space between the existing land and built edges.

view of the Visitors Centre against the Mehrangarh Fort (top) view of the arrival experience through the arid landscape (below)

A'4

A'3

A'2

A'1

6 6

RASOLAI LAKE

11 5

7 JAIPOL

10 3

13 2

9 1

JAIPOL PLAZA

1 Entry Plaza 3 Security Check 2 Boardwalk 4 Stairs

5 Baggage Counter 6 Ticket Counter

7 Waiting Area 8 Audio Guide Counter

9 Guides Room 11 Court 13 Admin 10 Verandah 12 Info Desk 14 Exit Stramp

view of the passage with intermediate seating around existing trees (top) view of the ticket counter and queueing system (below)

Kit of Parts A Systems Approach–A New Way of Building The Building(s) are made as a “Kit of Parts” and include double skinned walls (both ventilated and insulated walls), floor slabs, roof slabs, window and door modules, jaali modules and so on. Lighting and Signage is integrated into the bolted steel structural system. The Steel and stone joineries are all bolted/ clamped to enable easy reconfiguration, dismantling and re-use. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

132 x 132 mm MS column 132 x 132mm MS primary beam 66 x 122mm MS secondary beam 50 x 50mm MS T-angle 600 x 600mm Concrete pedestal 132mm ‘Chokha’ Sandstone Double wall assembly 65mm ‘Chokha’ Sandstone Jaali 300 x 75mm MS ‘chajja’ clamp 75mm ‘Balsamand’ Sandstone floor 50mm ‘Balsamand’ Sandstone tukri 50mm XPS insulation Waterproofing 75mm Foam concrete layer 25mm Mortar 25mm ‘Balsamand’ Sandstone floor MS Railing Sandstone gutter 40mm Sandstone jamb Fixed glass window 40mm polished Sandstone counter Timber panelled door MS window frame Openable glass panels Light fixture

8 6

24 1

18 19

20 6 18 21

Establishing a Modular Construction System The Bolted Metal Weave System is a purpose-built structural and construction system that allows a quick and extremely clean process of building that is flexible, modular and highly adaptable both at the time of construction and post construction.

Half lap cuts made in MS Beams Stiffener plates welded on the laps

MS Beams cross-welded to each other

MS columns pre-welded with MS sleeves fixed to the MS beams

12 10

23 22 18

2 2 3

5 Exploded diagram of the 2x1 prototype executed at site

Column extensions inserted into the MS sleeves

Beam Lap Joint

Nodal assembly

2 x 1 Prototype Work in progress - construction images

work in progress arial shot of the prototype (top) sandstone jaali mockups with iterations of various patterns and finishes (right top) sandstone wall assembly mockups done in three different finishes (right below)

03 MEHRANGARH KNOWLEDGE CENTRE Conservation & Reasearch Facility Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Competition Winner // Organised by Mehrangarh Museum Trust // 2018 Professional Project// Team Studio Lotus, New Delhi Concept Ideation | Graphic Production | Design Detailing | Site Construction

The Brief provided by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust was to build a structure for the expanded knowledge sharing facilities at a new location for the next phase of Adaptive Re-use of the Mehrangarh Fort & Museum precinct. The proposed parcel for accommodating the Knowledge Centre is next to the historic Chowkelao Palace, sunken below the adjoining pathway and partly screened off by a series of arches. Given the sunken nature of the site, one of the key concerns was that all spaces including the Conservation Labs, Library Archive and Study Centre receive adequate light and crossventilation within the available footprint. To address that, a lightwell was cut through the building’s core and programme areas pushed back further from the fortification remnants to maximise natural light. Since the Knowledge Centre plans to cater largely to scholars while also encouraging comprehensive community collaboration, the spaces within the building have been arranged sectionally from public to private areas. The sequencing of zones extends from the Plaza with the public areas and steps down towards the quieter private/ scholar spaces. The first level below the roof is a series of halls that can double as community engagement spaces. Terraces have been inserted into the lightwell. With multiple levels, the verandas become connecting spaces between the zones. The building is constructed through the similar steel and stone slab modular construction system as defined earlier to give Flexibility and Adaptability to the building that such a programme needs. The same system – while designed primarily around a grid of 4.8 m x 4.8 m (which in turn has been rationalised from the easily available stone slab modules of 600 mm width) can be adapted for this building to give unsupported grid sizes of 9.6 m x 4.8 m for the function areas just by thickening the wall sizes of the steel sections and a few additional interconnecting members without altering the size of the steel section itself.

Chowkelao Garden

Chowkelao Palace

Approach to Context The proposed parcel for accommodating the Knowledge Centre is next to the historic Chowkelao Palace, sunken below the adjoining pathway and partly screened off by a series of arches.

proposed Knowledge Centre sits inconspicuously in its surrounding site context (top) architectural character of the builtform (below)

Approach to Programme The building is sited such that the roof of the building blocks becomes an extension of the Plaza that leads to the Chowkila Bagh. This also creates decks to view the proposed Son et lumière on the West face of the Mehrangarh Fort. The Entrance experience is heightened by a grove of trees that give a break from the harsh sun and form an inviting entrance to the visitors to the Knowledge Centre. These decks also serve as extensions to the Chowkelao Palace dining experience as there is a possibility of connecting the decks wy with a service bridge from the existing kitchens. The stepped Terraces are edged in green and become a source of ventilation, visual porosity and interconnection through the entire programme. The perimeter of the building is veiled by a curtain of creepers that are dropped from trellises at various levels, formed through extensions of the steel framework that forms the primary structure of the building. Thereafter the building is conceived as a series of modular units built around a diagonal stepped courtyard that frames the ancient water well and also connects the building to the ground plane through a series of open inter connected terraces. These units are built over four levels around this courtyard in a manner that ensures mutual shading.

a Reception b Admin

c Exhibition d Conference Room

e Common Office f Conservation Lab

g MSS Library h Public Library

Response to existing terrain The proposed parcel for accommodating the Knowledge Centre is next to the historic Chowkelao Palace, sunken below the adjoining pathway and partly screened off by a series of arches.

view of an intermediate terrace (top) view from the staircase (below)

04 VILLA IN THE WOODS Family Retreat Nainital, Uttarkhand, India Professional Project// Team Studio Lotus, New Delhi Design Development | Design Detailing | Site Construction The project in its entirety takes inspiration from its context, the land, the ecology and the existing natural systems. The proposal was to consciously craft self-sustaining homes, and hence a community that would be intimately entwined with nature, and committed to enriching it. Working in harmony with nature, the masterplan transformed the challenging dualism between the built and natural as one continuous landscape. Everything additional/man made at the site, followings the existing contours of the land, and fits into the pre-existing natural ecology, with a purpose of causing the least intrusion to the bio-diversity. The plot demarcation strategy came from natural indicators- land contours, site slopes and topography. No boundary walls are needed between plots. Once the land was mapped for the villa construction, we developed areas assigned with a unique experience. Adhering to an eco-conscious sensibility, the architecture follows pre-engineered technology with in-fills of LGSF walling system clad with locally sourced materials. The construction methodology promotes off site assembly using modern technology which is further layered with age-old traditional craftsmanship found locally within the region. The construction methodology undertaken is both sensitive and innovative, as it helps prevent damage to the surrounding ecology and terrain. The underlying principle for each villa follows the blueprint of nature, with each element sensitively charted out in congruence to the landscape, making the transitions through the site very fluid, hence feels like living with nature. Set among ancient Deodar, Chide and Oak trees, the ‘Villa in the Woods’ stands vertically on light columns. Intended to bring to life the experience of living in a tree house, this playful structure almost floats in the leafy foliage.

The material palette of timber, slate, local stone builds on the lexicon of the Kumaoni vernacular.

An Environmentally Conscious Sanctuary in the Himalayas The Woods Villa is split on three levels to offer differentiated experiences and lines of sight. Residents enter via a wooden boardwalk into the living quarters that also comprise a kitchen and dining area. A north-facing deck and a south-facing court promote outdoor lounging with panoramic vistas of the forests beyond. The floor above hosts bedrooms featuring floor-to-ceiling bay windows and skylights that let in diffused daylight. The lowermost level houses the guest bedroom, staff quarters and ancillary facilities, merging with the gradient of the slope under the canopy of native vegetation.

Architectural Principles A Systems Approach–A New Way of Building Adhering to the eco-conscious sensibility, the architecture follows pre-engineered technology. The innovative construction methodology, helps preserve the mountainous terrain in a way that there is a minimum requirement of heavy construction equipment on site.

Building Lightly

Response to solar gain

The structure was designed in such a manner that it causes a minimum damage to the land below and the in-situ ecology around

External Courts and Decks have been strategically designed in a N-S orientation, in order to maximise the heat gain from the winter sun

Water Conservation

Response to views

The stilted nature of the structure helps maintain the existing natural drainage on the site

External courts for habitable spaces are orientated towards the panoramic views of the perinially snow-capped ‘Nanda-Devi’ mountains

Sectional Perspective 1 South Court 2 Formal Living

3 Formal Dining 4 Conservatory

5 Breakfast counter 7 Bedroom Lounge 9 Services 6 Guest Bedroom 8 Outdoor Deck 10 Garden

The Metal Weave System is a purpose-built structural and construction system that allows a quick and extremely clean process of building that is flexible, modular and highly adaptable both at the time of construction and post construction.

view of the villa nestled in a grove of Oak and Deodar trees (top) the villa is designed with each element sensitively charted out in congruence to the landscape, with fluid transitions, blurring the boundaries, and living with nature.(below)

sun-drenched south court is strategically located to establish a seamless inside-outside experience and allow residents to take in views of the surrounding panorama. (top) external surfaces of the walls are finished in locally-sourced timber panels and slate tiles with bespoke joinery details. (below)

x312

6 x311

upper level

x313

x308

Heat Radiator

x307 x306

5 Heat Radiator

305

4A x314

310

302

306

x305

307

x317 19

17 16 15

309

x315

3 4 5 6

308

303

301

13 12 11 10 9

304

1A Heat Radiator

x304

x303

x301

x302

1 Master Bedroom 2 Bay window 3 Verandah 4 Master Bathroom 5 Lobby 6 Lift 7 Stairs 8 Lounge 9 Court 10 Bedroom 11 Bay window 12 Bathroom

x316

x204

Slope

5A Slope

Slope

Heat Radiator

x205

204

x202

entry level

5 Heat Radiator

203

x206

Slope

x201

Heat Radiator

-12

SHAFT S2

-15

206

-3 -4 -5

202

3 4 5

-6 -7

-8

-9

-10 9

201

-2

-1

-17 -18 -19

-1

SHAFT S2

-14 -16

H.R.

-13

205

-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -9 -3 -10 -2 -11

SHAFT S1

x210

Heat Radiator

x209 x207

x208

207

1 Boardwalk 2 Foyer 3 Powder Room 4 Living Room 5 Verandah 6 Dining Room 7 Lift 8 Stairs 9 Kitchen 10 Utility 11 South Court 12 Service stairs

lower level

109

x101

5 Heat Radiator

x102

-14 -13 -12 -11 -10

x107

x108

103

104

-11 -12

-13 -14

-8

-7

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-4

-3

-2

-1

x102.A

-17 -18 -19 UP

101

107.A

x110

107

-1 -2

105

-3

8 106

Service Path

-5

x103

-19

-4

x105

110

108

x109

102

-15 -16

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-18 -17 -16

111

-15 -14

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1 Guest Bedroom 2 Verandah 3 Guest Bathroom 4 Lobby 5 Lift 6 Stairs 7 Staff Bedroom 8 Staff Kitchen 9 Staff Bathroom 10 Service Stairs 11 Services 12 Landscape Stairs 13 Garden

interior design scheme, through its use of hand-crafted woodwork and mid-century furniture blends the Kumaoni vernacular with contemporary design elements (top) the dining area features a sunroom//conservatory, which maximizes outdoor views and lets in diffused light throughout the day (below left) the skylight in the bedroom offers connection to the skies above (below right)

05 BOMBAY WORKERS’ HOUSING Social Housing Complex Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Competition Runners-Up // Organised by Ethos India // 2015 Academic Project// Team Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia University Concept Ideation | Design Development | Graphic Production Increasing urbanization, however, has its challenges on providing housing for migrant population who may not be able to afford housing otherwise available in the cities. The primary reasons for the increasing numbers in urbanization are the job opportunities and the standard of living, amenities etc. that the city has to offer. But this migration is also causing a drop in the quality of life and a loss in the sense of socio-cultural belonging. The theme for proposal looks at the design of a social mass-housing complex, which integrates the concepts and principles of a smart city itself. Hence, the housing complex is a new generation green home for metropolitian cities made especially for the migrant population. The design focuses on the needs of the incoming migrant population, by not only providing shelter to them, but also providing them with oppurtunities to improve their standard of living. It integrates the present need and the future requirements of the inhabitant. The design challenges the present trends that exist in the upcoming housing societies and provides a better solution to house its dwellers, and make them avail with living conditions to which they can relate to. The housing will be exclusively for the migrant population, looking for employment/employed in the city. The housing complex will thus inculcate the philosophy of a smart city- LIVE-WORK AND PLAY. LIVE: Residents will be provided with a decent quality of life with basic public amenities WORK: Residents may also have a work environment inside the housing complex to generate income. PLAY: Entertainment hubs and relief spaces in and around the complex. Passive design strategies have been adopted in designing the unit plans to achieve ambient living conditions and a healthy environment . High humidity is a major problem in Mumbai. To cater with the micro-climate large multiple openings have been provided on the facade to ensure constant air flow through the building thereby providing relief to the residents from the sultry weather conditions.

Hygiene

Public Space

Capital

Infrastructure

Individuality

Incremental

Humane scale Rooted

Skyscraper versus Slums : The two urban structures with the highest density are probably the most contrasting structures one can imagine. While the upper-caste neighbourhood consist of luxurious high rise while the poorest areas of the world are self constructed habitats of low rise buildings. The characteristics of these urban tissues make them opposites of each other.

Monotonous blocks

High Rise Megablock

Staggered mass

Gentle progressive profile

Inward facing blocks viewing each other

Large but less functional landscaped areas

Units viewing large common courtyards or terraces

Functional courtyards of optimal sizes

Characteristics

Order

Urbanism

Services

Shared capital

Public amenities

Ventilation

Rooted

Energy generation

Individuality

Incremental

Site

laying courtyards on a grid

extruding built mass

Secondary terraces have been created to allow a better amount of sunlight to enter the courtyard. Also, these terraces function as a social space for interaction on each level.

progressive built mass in the direction of predominant wind direction

laying building footprint

creating major circulation axes creating secondary terraces

Rear side plaza has been created to prevent creation of any back alleys, and make even the rear sides of the society safe. Due to a progressive massing, the user has a clear view of the city from any point of the builtmass.

Progressive massing faciliates fresh air supply

Plaza created to utilise the frontage and invite people.

Functional Scheme

organic farms

public amenities

courtyards

sustainable practices

interstitial spaces between units used as interactive indoor terraces (top) visually interconnected outdoor terraces (below)

indoor and outdoor spaces reinforce each other forming a cohesive community

Unit composition

Unit

Bedroom

Toilet

Kitchen

Living Room

Balcony

Bicycle Parking

42 sqm.

11.4 sqm.

5 sqm.

6.6 sqm.

13 sqm.

4.3 sqm.

6.6 sqm.

63 sqm.

42 + 21 sqm.

42 + 42 sqm.

K B

84 sqm.

K B

LR BR

B BR

42 sqm.

BR K

T K B

B BR

T BR

Cluster layout

Lift

Stairs

42 sqm.

42 + 21 sqm.

Shaft

63 sqm.

42 + 42 sqm.

84 sqm.

community voids

Incremental units 1

42 + 42 sqm.

42 + 21 sqm.

1 2 3 4

Unit fitted with a toilet and a precast kitchen slab and provided with a terrace for future expansion Unit gets further divided by using gysum board partition walls for making rooms Units expand to the side terraces that were provided for future expansion The extended portion gets fitted with all the basic requirements and rooms are made out of gypsum boards

Organic farming & Bio mass loop While a consolidated mass encourages centralization of service lines, for a steady and continual supply of electricity and water,the design has taken to more than one source of service measure. Therefore the design uses biomass for power generation.The main aim is to use sustainability measures that are easily availabe, high yielding and low maintenance.The electricity produced is utilised for landscape lighting ensuring a safe environment. Reusing Greywater The purpose of this is to prevent the contamination of grey water by not mixing it with the harmful black water so that it can be efficiently utilised. Everyday around 1500L o f water per family is wasted in flushing.This water can rather be used for more productive purpose.

Perspective 1 Public Plaza 2 Festive Plaza

3 Terrace 4 Central Court

5 Playground 6 Organic Farms

5 6

Organic waste

Rain

Domestic Garbage

Irrigation water ORGANIC FARMS

ORGANIC FARMS

Greywater BIO-DIGESTER

RAINWATER TANK Cooking gas

Rainwater Harvesting Bio Fuel

Manure for Crops

06 PANCHASAKHA VANA VIDYALAYA Language University// Masterplan Odisha, India Government Pitch // Organised by the Odisha Govt. // 2020 Professional Project// Team Studio Lotus, New Delhi Concept Ideation | Design Development | Graphic Production The Government of Odisha has proposed the first of its kind university in the Puri district of Odisha that provides the unique opportunity of developing a world-class language university that connects its physical identity with its academic mission of offering post-graduate course in Odia language and literature, as well as a center that facilitates research on different aspects of the language. On a preliminary understanding, the design proposal will address the following objectives; REFLECTING THE ‘ODIA’ ETHNICITY The university is designed as an icon and an important landmark for the state of Odisha where people from different cultures can converge and celebrate the beauty and history of the Odia Language. The aim is to create an immersive and interactive experience through which the users and the visitors imbibe the essence of Odia culture and understand the origins and vitality of its various lingual forms and dialects, through a contemporary narrative. EDUCATION AS COMMUNITY LIVING Studio Lotus envisions the project as a ‘non-institutional’ alternate university. The spatial planning will be developed to foster a strong sense of community that enables artists and scholars from other parts of India and all over the world, to live together and share their cultures with the students of the university. The campus will respect the context by engaging and involving the local community in a meaningful manner. CONTEXTUAL The university will be designed as an institute for the modern era, that manages to also remain firmly rooted in the vernacular traditions of Odisha’s past. The design will use local skills and materials in a contemporary interpretation. It aims to combine modern day engineering with hand crafts of the immediate region. The result would be a restrained architectural form that is highly contextual, functional and responsive to emerging needs. FUTURE EXPANSION The design will allow for the exponential and departmental expansion within the campus. The master plan will also take into consideration the future development for an integrated precinct around it that engages and enriches the community.

Kund Axis

Central Axis

Masterplan Educational and Ecological “corridors” will be designed across the campus as notional axes. Derived from the traditional village street, these circulation corridors will be designed to keep the pedestrian within walking distance of most functions, allowing residents to live, work and learn in a densely packed lively space.

Sa cre dA xis

Masterplan

NOTIONAL & CIRCULATION AXES Educational and Ecological “corridors” will be designed across the campus as notional axes. Derived from the traditional village street, these circulation corridors wil The vehicular circulation will be restricted to the periphery while encouraging pedestrian movement across the campus. Shaded corridors will be designed through la

COURTYARDS AS ‘POINTS OF CONFLUENCE’ Derived from the traditional village courtyard the circulation nodes will be developed as pause points in the campus. These spaces will be programmed for both intro

Schools of language

Canteen

Sacred Grove

Memorial

Scholars’ Dorm

Boys’ Dorm

Activity Centre

Girls’ Dorm

INTERACTIVE ZONES The existing kund forms an integral experience in the precinct. This will be restored and developed as a communal public space, with its periphery providing articulat

Panchasakha Samadhi

view of the Stand Memorial Park (top) view of the central court of the Strand Art Gallery (below)

Bakulbana Forest

ll be designed to keep the pedestrian within walking distance of most functions, allowing residents to live, work and learn in a densely packed lively space. andscape and built environment to facilitate this. These will be further programmed to encourage interaction at strategic locations.

ospection and interaction for the users. The nodes will be further enhanced with educational devices created through art and literary installation.

SakhiGopal Temple Complex

Auditorium

HOD’s Office

Dean’s Office

Library & Archive

Kund

Parikrama

Admin office

ted spaces for students and faculty to meet and socialize.

Administration

view of the entry experience, introduction to Odia language (top) view of the shaded walkway adjacent to the administrative functions (below)

Digital Library & Archives

view of the connecting circumabulatory path that leads to different functions in the university campus (top) view of the Odiya archival and digital library, opening to the Kund ahead (below)

Schools of Learning

central spine cutting running through the schools of learning, connecting the two extreme ends of the site (top)

view of the interstitial court between classrooms (top) view of the interactive outdoor verandah between classrooms (middle) mutually shaded and green interstitial spaces (below)

Community Canteen

view of the community canteen, with a porous and interactive ground level, and private top level with openable louvered screens (top)

Student & Scholar Housing

view of the Scholars’ Hostel, opening towards the sacred grove (top) view of the Students’ Hostel and the central courtyard (below)

07 MAHABALIPURAM SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL COMPLEX Spiritual Complex// Masterplan Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India Competition // Organised by MAMT // 2020 Professional Project// Team Studio Lotus, New Delhi Concept Ideation | Design Development | Graphic Production Situated on the outskirts of the historic temple of Mahabalipuram, the invited competition by the Mata Amritanandamayi Trust aimed at creating a spiritual centre, based on Indian Culture and Spirituality, for people of all faiths as well as cultural museum showcasing Indian art and culture. Mata Amritanandamayi (also called ‘Amma’) is a spiritual leader and through her spiritual trust and ashram organizations, conducts numerous charitable ventures and social movements to support the underprivileged and disfranchised. Thus, the design for the centre takes cues from her philosophy of ‘embrasure’ and togetherness to make a centre, not just for devotees and tourist, but for local people. Local crafts such as stone carving, engraving etc are used as installations throughout the campus, which lead people through the site, while allowing the complex and the multi-layered history of Indian Culture to become a narrative experience. The design takes advantage of coastal location of the site. The littoral topography aids in creating waterbodies to harvest rainwater and recharge the local groundwater while integrating with disaster-management principles. Buildings are embedded within the landscape allowing for the creating of large community gathering spaces. The termination of the visitors journey is a symbolic monument composed to independent solar harvesting optic pipes to generate electricity to serve not only to the site, but also to give back to the grid , symbolising the karmic nature of Indian Philosophy as well as a key tenet of Amma’s teachings.

In Vedic philosophy, the concentric circles represent the journey of life moving from body and mind to soul. The centre represents the energy pool called ‘Brahmasthan’.

arriving at a form

Proposed masterplan

concept ideation sketches

view of the central spine edged by a grove of trees (top) view of the orientation centre with a porous green roof (below)

entry to the orientation centre (top) transitional space leading to the recreational area (below)

Parking

Thematic Garden

Shops

Light & sound show ‘Kund’

Courtyard

Congregational ground

Outdoor Exhibition

‘Manoranjan’ // Recreational Zone landscaped berms get punctured by multiple shaded courtyards to bring light and ventilation to the functions below

view of the light and sound show ‘kund’ (top) courtyards act as hotspots for public activities (below)

Congregational ground

Entry courtyard

Kund

Colannade

Urban Park

‘Vidyasthal’ // Educational Zone consists of lecture halls, research facilities and a reference library open courtyards facilitate the traditional ‘gurukul’ way of teaching

view of the ‘kund’ and central courtyard

consists of auditoriums, seminar halls and open air theatres

stepped auditorium roof become extensions of the rooftop thematic gardens

Parking

Stepped audi roof

Courtyard

Kund

Stepped audi roof

Open air theatre

Thematic garden

‘Sanskriti’ // Cultural Zone

Temple of all faiths

Sacred grove

Sarovar // central water body

Spiritual spire

Reflective pool // meditation centre

Meditative grove

Vedic Museum

‘Mandala’ // Spiritual Zone consists of the Temple of all faiths and Vedic Museumcultural artefacts, narrative elements and displays on Indian/vedic culture ‘Adhyatmik’ // Spiritual Spire final termination of the journey through the vedic culture and Amma’s teachings the spire in addition to being a landmark, also generates energy to give back to the society

view of the Temple of all Faiths against the ‘Sarovar’ (top) internal experience of the Temple of all Faiths (below)

Spiritual spire

Suspended plate with inverted dome

Monument - Solar chimney

Platform Glass Slab to house Photovoltaic cells

Electrical Room Ramp to inner sanctum

To grid

Cool air enters

Glass surface

To grid

Moument - as a renewable energy system

Solar chimney tunnel

view of the circumabulatory verandah between the sacred grove and Vedic Museum (top) view of the spiritual spire against the ‘sarovar’ (below)

08 TIMBER SKEW HOUSE Residence Raipur, Chattisgarh, India Freelance Work // 2020 Commissioned Project// Individual Concept Ideation | Design Development | Graphic Production Located in the heart of Raipur, the Timber Skew House is a second home for the clients. The 9000 sqft house consists of two timber louvered linear blocks, set inside of a plotted development. The two blocks overlook a network of green courts and reflective pools that weave the site into an inhabitable whole. The entry to the house as one moves through a grove of lush green trees makes the built structure rather inconspicuous. Family dining, kitchen and master bedroom are contained in the south block, while the north block contains the formal living, family living and guest room. All bedrooms and interstitial terraces are contained in the upper level timber louvred blocks. Set in the plaza between the buildings, the reflective pool and the green court almost becomes the central core for the house. The reflective pool, covered with floating lilies and a submerged Buddha statue, almost feels like a meditative space. Being mutually shaded due to the positioning of the north and south blocks, the central courtyard can be used by the family members all throughout the day. Multiple interstitial courts are introduced between spaces i.e. Living and dining areas, in order to bring in light and ventilation. Hence, these courts double up as the extensions of the respective spaces during larger gatherings.

concept ideation sketches

entry experience (top) view of the recreational block capped by the home office block (below)

Program

Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom

Bedroom Home Theatre + Home office

Bedroom Family Living Bedroom Formal Living Powder Recreational

Family Dining Kitchen

Lawn

6 1 4 2

Sectional Perspective 1 Family Dining 2 External Verandah

3 Reflective Pool 4 Central Court

5 Court 6 Family Living

7 Family Lounge 8 Master Bedroom

view of the central courtyard and the adjacent spaces looking into it (top) view of the interstitial court between the family and formal living (below)

09 HOUSE WITH A TERRACOTTA SCREEN Residence Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India Professional Project// Team Studio Lotus, New Delhi Concept Ideation | Design Development Located in the inner city of Bhubaneswar, the site is situated in a semi developed urban area, surrounded by typical monotonous apartments on three sides. With hardly any views around, the house was visualised as an introverted object drawing light mainly from the sky. To understand the living patterns and needs of the clients, and interactive Q & A session was organised, and the outcomes of the session helped us in translating their needs spatially. Hence, the proposed house is shaped around the daily lives of its occupants, i.e. husband, wife and 2 kids. The house responds to their living patterns by creating interactive communal multiple open and semi-open spaces. For e.g.; Family room for morning breakfast and kids to play in, and the adjacent family court for the family to gather around in the evening. Rooftop Gym for the family, opening up to a terrace, for their morning workouts. Terrace Garden for the wife, who works from home, and is fondly interested in house gardening. Central court, used by the kids in the evening, for playing around with their friends. In addition, the house also takes into consideration the idea of catering guests, as an innate part of the Indian tradition. The double height formal living extends into the central courtyard and external verandas. This helps the space to double up as an internal-external experience during large gatherings. In form, the house is made up of floating white stucco blocks wrapped around by a light terracotta skin. Traditionally, terracotta as a local material, is used in Odia houses, primarily as roof tiles. Hence, the material palette helps us to tie the house back to its context.

concept ideation sketches

As a massing intent, house can perceived as floating white stucco blocks and the voids between the blocks infilled by a light terracotta skin

V shaped terrcotta tiles supported on MS plates and reinforced via tension cables

3 4

Sectional Perspective 1 Formal Living 2 External Verandah

3 Internal Verandah 5 Pool 4 Central Court 6 Formal Dining

7 Stairs 9 Family court 8 Guest Bedroom 10 Family Room

11 Kid’s Bedroom 12 Master Bedroom

13 Terrace 14 Kitchen Garden

view of the entry level court interceded between the formal living and pool (top) view of the family court (below)

10 RAMMED CONCRETE HOUSE Weekend Home Chattarpur Farms, New Delhi, India Professional Project// Team Studio Lotus, New Delhi Concept Ideation | Design Development The three block house is located in the suburban edge of Delhi, within a plotted development. The house as the name suggests, consists predominantly of three blocks: a double height light glass cube, a solid white stucco block and a long span cantilevered timber block. These blocks either abutted/supported by a series of structural walls made in rammed concrete that often become a unique feature for the house. The solid rammed earth walls manifest as simple opaque walls, with porous timber screens and glazing units depending upon the program they enclose. The arrival to the house is announced by a 13m column free canopy, which creates a 3.6m high entry space, terminating at rammed concrete walls. Aided by giant sliding glass walls, the living, dining spaces seamlessly connect with the surrounding verdant environment. Shade, from the roof overhangs, brings respite in the indoor as well as the outdoor spaces. The upper bedroom block is wrapped around with a porous skin, made up of operable timber fins which pivot off the internal structure, creating a ventilated façade, to again absorb the heat from the incident sun and release upwards vide air circulation behind them, hence reducing heat gain of the inner structure and spaces.

Rammed Concrete sampling done at site

view of the formal iving verandah and the timber louvered cantilevered block (top) view of the rammed concrete recreational wall along the pool (below)

Bedroom block

Court

Kitchen + Utility

Formal living + dining

Guest Bedroom

Pool Entry Foyer Lawn

8 11

solid rammed concrete walls guide experential circulation

Sectional Perspective 1 2 3 4

Entrance Tropical grove Formal Living Living verandah

5 6 7 8

11 12

3 1 4 5

Lawn Pool Deck Pool Water spout

9 10 11 12

Grove Stilted garden Bedrooms Terrace

work in progress shot of the cantilvered block

view of the recreation block from the formal living (top) seating niche in the rammed concrete wall (below)