ASMITA SIGDEL I have been working on sustainable approach of building construction using local materials and techniques. My expertise lies in working with natural materials and designing with respect to culture and environment. After working with sustainable buildings for years, I want to learn in depth about aspects of Architecture with respect to its environmental setting, the communicative dialogue between buildings and spaces orchestrated between them. Relationships of architecture by considering future of living and culture.
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09/
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Thesis Work
Conservation Studio
Balmandir
Children’s Home
18/ Permanent Classroom
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Parkmandu
INTEGRATED NODE IN PUBLIC SPACE Creating A Space Which Can Form The Node For Holding And Experiencing Commercial, Cultural And Social Activities This is undergraduate thesis project completed at the year 2016. It deals with urban redesign of an existing node of the Kathmandu valley. The functional requirement of the place is addressed through the requirement possessed by the people using these spaces. Local markets, community space functions, public entertainments and natural environments are integrated. This project was awarded one of the best thesis in design and research for that year.
Looking at the recent trend of development in capital city , Kathmandu is undergoing momentous urban transformation. Just beyond the historic cores, the city has developed the non-fathomed character of urban lifestyle. Many outskirts of the city area has been victimized of growing urban sprawl and unplanned development . These spaces face the problem of congestion- of people and buildings, Heavy traffic and pollutions, and lack of open and breathing spaces. The concept of the project is to provide a integrated activity node a public place so that the activities can be concentrated with the provision of open space for the additional breakthrough from the overcrowded and congested spaces. This allow the people to fulfill their social, capital and economic requirements. It is where people relate to their neighbor and communities and connect to the greater part of the cities. It provides breakthrough from the chaotic and hectic lifestyle and also adds positive response to the urban fabric as whole. The project centers on multi-purpose attempts with the aim of designing a public space within the realm of emergent urban networks, so that new urban spaces can be created according to qualitative value rather than only an exchange value of commercial space.
COMFORT & IMAGE
ACCESS & LINKAGE
USES & ACTIVITIES
INCLUSIVE
SOCIALIBILITY
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SITE CONTEXT
5.”Hiti” in city core
4.Underground connection lines from aquifers to “hiti”
2 Collects in water reservoir
3 Recharges the Aquifers 1.“Raj kulo”/ Royal Canal bringS water to natural water reservoir
IMAGE OF THE CITY This site resided in outskirt of city core; in historic context ; but due to rapid urban growth and infrastructure development ; this area is now a part of city core. The development is very poor considering the unorganized sprawl, human and traffic congestion and lack of breathing space. Because of its sensitive location ; requiring memorable features to provide strong definition and image.
Chariot of Machhindranath
Existing Bus park
GETWAY: TRANSPORTATION JUNCTION These are the arriving to and departing from point. The quality of environment around such nodes create an early impression
LACK OF CIVIC REALM
Water Reservoir
URBAN GROWTH 1967
Aquifers
Stone taps/hiti in city core
URBAN GROWTH 1991
URBAN GROWTH 2014
MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTRE Junction between major paths in city are important node. Lagankhel provides this intersection . major road connects to the Ring road and central part of Kathmandu; secondary road is the part of historic trade route and connects to historic core. Health, Education. Commercial, Transportation are concentrated to the area.
Situation in the Bus park
Situation of Saptapatal Pond
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SITE ISSUES AND PROJECT CONCEPT O1 SITE CONTEXT: MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTRE ISSUES: Insufficient parking; heavily commercialized land use; no space for civic activities that encourages community and social interactions. vehicular and pedestrian congestion. SOLUTION: 1,Bus Park Management 2, Parking Management 3,Traffic Management 4, Fostering Social Integration 5, Integrated Whole Design Way to Kumaripati, Contemporary Shops.
02 SITE CONTEXT: REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE ISSUES: The image of this node at present does not relate to the EPTIOME historic settlement. SOLUTION: concept generated from historical concept of planning. Lichhavi : -Idealism -Geometry Malla Town : -Hierarchical Public Space - Social And Economic Neighborhoods. -Social Harmony And Aesthetics.
Way to Mangal bazar Traditional market lane
Materiality Proposal for Integrated market square
Pedesterian activity concentrated on one side
Social Integration
Extension of Buspark
03 SITE CONTEXT: HISTORIC AND CULTURAL IMPORTANCE With the location of monumental Ashokan thur and the ponds that supply the aquifers of hitis the site is of utmost importance.
Node connects directly to world heritage site of historic city core
ISSUES : present context: not optimized . The resources are shadowed by urban lifestyle. SOLUTION: Opening of the axis from major junction to Ashoka stupa.so that we can have direct access View from major junction
Integrated junction by connection of two major axis
AXIS 1: Route that connects node to city core AXIS 1: imaginary line that connects t two Ashoka stupa
View of building plaza
View of courtyard
04 SITE CONTEXT: USE AND USER OF THE PLACE Focal points for the surrounding neighborhood,. ISSUES: lack of public realm. various user’s hence need for inclusive planning. SOLUTION: design for economically viable and environmentally sustainable mixed use project. Progamme defined by the most active use and present uses of the land considered. Public integration: hierarchical public space; plazas and open space.
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A
C
GROUND FLOOR LEVEL
MASTER PLAN FIRST FLOOR LEVEL
B
B
C
A
SECOND FLOOR LEVEL
THIRDFLOOR LEVEL
The geometricized shape of the pond is because of the geometric interpretation; that is mostly used by the Lichchhavi in their planning principle. Also the strong geometry of stupa complements it. The space is directly adjacent to the huge crowd from government office. The area around the pond can highly absorb these. These ponds recharges the aquifer that connects to traditional stone taps through network of underground channels. . The rain water diversion scheme is applied to recharge water in these ponds.
This pond is in direct access point from the central node junction, hence can serve highly for the refreshment of the people. The existing illegal squatter shops that lines the pond area has been removed giving clear access from all sides.The tradition shelther house that is used in public space has been provided here for the comfortable use to the public.
HERITAGE “Study of traditional settlement, its composition, character and coherence to lifestyle” This is Conservation Studio project of Bachelor’s level. A semester course in the year 2015 A part of traditional settlement was considered and its study and documentation was conducted. It is a partial group project each assigned to certain area. I have here the works done by me.
Patan, also the oldest of three main cities of valley is one of the main centers of cultural heritage and craft production in Nepal. Its planning have considered every aspect of proper livelihood. intimate streets and plazas among dense cluster of residential buildings and the residential squares, observing the spaces created from each building to care up to the passengers, the courtyards, public rest house and water spouts that embezzles every street corner, facilitating the people. This specified area contains a monastery , residential courtyard and public rest house . The courtyard itself is believed to be the part of former monastery locally called Vihar .
Area Demarks The Traditional Settlement Area In The City
Integrated resthouse watersource and a temple Underground water channel route
Area demarks the overall studied area by group within traditional settlement area
Diagramatic representation of frontage division.The arrangement of corner plot shows a rotation similar to swastika
Cultural activity Scattered Buddhist reclises Swastika Symbol and Pattern Community temple Courtyards Streets Plaza
Area demarks the focused study area
Hierarchical public Space
Chariot route
Monastery
Social, religious and cultural inclusive
Geometricized Neighborhood
The Pattern of sequence for division of plot. Theoretical values for “c” and “y” are 320 and 835 respectively.
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THE HOUSE
The traditional house with general characteristics
TAPA HITI Pati And Sattal In Neplai Culture: Prospect And Aspect
The red brick masonry and the woodwork, characterize most of the buildings. The building is divided in length by a brick wall on the first and second floor. These floors are normally divided again by wooden partitions, leaving rooms for the family members. On the third floor the middle wall is replaced by wooden columns, leaving the entire floor open. The common width of the houses makes it easy to build close to the neighbors, forming a continuous characteristic facade. The rich mix of historic and artistic artifacts. the complexity of “double Hiti� combined with rest house and temple provides fine example of elaborateness of the vernacular development of public spaces. Hiti is traditional water spout that is supplied through channels of networks underground. They serve for the entire community. It is well received even today in traditional settlement where availability of water is scarce.
GROUND FLOOR
FIRST FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
SATTAL
THIRD FLOOR
ATTIC FLOOR
TEMPLE
HITI
PATI
BALMANDIR “Temple for Children” Special Children’s Centre ; Educational and Therapeutic School This project is associated with “Abari”. Abari is non profit organization in Nepal working with natural materials like adobe and bamboo. I was Involved in overall development of project including concept development , design requirements and construction supervision. The project started in 2018.
B A
A
A. The building have a simple layout which reflects order, calm, clarity and
B
has good way-finding. B.
Ordered
spatial
and
structure.
comprehensive Corridors
were
designed in such a way that they are not only spaces to circulate, but can be
used
as
overlap
to
withdraw
in
classrooms and therapy room. D.
Well
proportioned
Since the name Bal Mandir translates to temple for children, the basic form was abstracted from temple profile The corridors, courtyards, as
C. Providing mix of large spaces with ones
Abstraction to suit the function
between
circulation and social spaces
smaller
Basic temple profile
spaces
to
introduce stimulus and focus.
E. Avoidance of noise or other
well
as
the
different-sized
windows and spaces provide various opportunities for these special children to explore the environment around them from different perspective , inspiring them
to
enhance
the
distractions.
interactions with each other ,
F. Environment as learning tool.
which
Outdoor/ semi closed
intelligence better.
intermediate
helps
INSTALLATION OF HORIZONTAL REINFORCEMENTS
developing
learning spaces .
INSTALLATION OF FORMWORK WITH VERTICAL REINFORCEMENTS
ROOF: TERRA COTA TILES
TRUSS: BAMBOO
WALL:RAMMED EARTH
DOOR/WINDOW : WOOD
Bamboo for truss and light wall Rammed Earth Construction
Weaved bamboo for mud plaster and Bamboo truss
CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPHS
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ANNAPURNA CHILDREN’S HOME Annapurna Self-Sustaining Child Home “Annapurna Eco-Village”
It is a children’s home for about fifty children in the footnote of a huge forest hill. For the first stage of construction only residence space are required The contour of site is what makes the concept for the design. The maximum consideration has been given to the sun direction and use of spaces by children.. The design is kept modular for ease of construction.. The ground floor accompanies room made of compressed stabilized earth bricks and first floor is a huge open hall with bamboo truss in all the building blocks. The project started in 2019 and is undergoing construction right now.
DESIGN CONCEPT
Concept derived from traditional settlement The Residential Bungalows are contemporary Of Traditional And Modern Built Form.
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BAMBOO TRUSS DESIGN
RENDERED VIEW
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PERMANENT CLASSROOM Creating interactive space for children; Open Source Classroom design for existing school This project is extension to previous project by “Abari” called Permanent School. Permanent school was a open source model for design of school in rural areas of Nepal. Permanent classroom is the in depth thought to the classroom regulation to encourage productive and interactive learning.
Existing traditional classrooms In Nepal
LEARNING ZONES.
Breaking down of the monotonous layout
Removing the central unit
Introducing a central space
CONCEPT Interactive learning :
Evaluates
Students encouraged to participate in the
progress, clarity, connect , take notes
conversation, through group exercises in
and plan ahead in groups. Empowers
class, on contrary to traditional learning
students to lead.
practice which is more one way flow of
1)
COMMUNITY
ZONE
lectures from teachers.
2) INDEPENDENT STUDY ZONE Display
examples
and
provides
central focus.
TRADITIONAL LAYOUT
3) TEACHER’S ZONE 4) CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING / DISCOVERY ZONE Self discovery zone. Children interact and work together with different tools and ideas .
5) SUPPLY ZONE Provide example and resources for connecting subjects. Add visuals and provides context.
IMPROVISED LAYOUT WITH SAME FURNITURE
MODULAR FURNITURE DESIGN
RENDERED VIEW
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PARKMANDU Designing Pocket Parks for Kathmandu A collective initiative for design and construction of park in Kathmandu
Kathmandu’s urban transformation has left aside public policies for open spaces and as a consequence less than 6 % of the city is public area. This has generated truly deteriorated spaces and uncomfortable living conditions, contributing to the extreme pollution and absence of public space. Parkmandu is a collective initiative for design and construction of park amidst the overcrowding urban settlement of Kathmandu valley. The project was conducted collaborating with local community .It was started in the year 2017. The small park concept was then established because of the repetitive left over lands in the city. Pocket parks was an opportunity because they are frequently created on a small, irregular piece of land.
Restroom
Children play area Adult sitting area
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ASMITA SIGDEL asisigdel135@gmail.com