MSUD Portfolio' 23

beyond boundaries

CHESTHA KHURANA

INTRODUCTION

I am a strong believer that design and planning, when combined with research, can support, and empower societies and marginalized communities and have a positive impact on the world to create a better future.

The projects in this portfolio are collection of my academic, research, summer school and professional work from the year 2015 till present. With a Master's degree in Sustainable Urban Design from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Dehradun Institute of Technology, I bring a unique blend of technical skills and creative vision to the field of urban design and planning with strong interests in research.

Throughout my studies and work experiences, I have honed my abilities in design and planning, as well as my expertise in client handling, research, designing and onsite surveys. I have also strengthened my technical skills in programs such as Autocad, Rhino, R studio, ArcGIS Pro, and Adobe Creative Suite.

At present, I am in the last semester and will be graduating by may 2023. Thank you for considering my portfolio. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Reimagining E-Commerce Warehouses in Chicago 01

ACADEMIC PROJECT SUPERVISOR

CONCEPT VIDEO

MSUD | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Conor O’Shea | ceoshea@illinois.edu

to the video

PROJECT DESCRIPTION & RELEVANCE | The 19th century saw the birth of the industrial revolution in Chicago, as trade and commerce flourished in the country. By the turn of the 20th century, the city had become a hub of trade, connected to the rest of the USA via roads, waterways, and 22 rail lines.

With the passage of time, Chicago successfully tackled its pollution problem through effective management strategies. The city is now renowned for its architectural adaptations that balanced industrial growth with livability by the close of the 20th century. Currently, 19% of Chicago's land is devoted to industrial use, with 3% dedicated to parks and green spaces. Amid the fervor of industrialization, Chicago overlooked the importance of preserving ecological balance, leading to a disproportionate ratio of green spaces to residents in the city.

PROJECT FOCUS | This project aims to reshape the way Chicago views trade and commerce, putting ecological development ahead of economic considerations. It prioritizes the creation of adaptable spaces that can evolve to meet future needs, positioning itself as a forward-thinking initiative for the city's future growth.

Link

INDUSTRIALISATION IN CHICAGO

CONCEPT AND DESIGN EVOLUTION

The concept for reimagining e-commerce in Chicago focuses on creating a natureinfused urban space that prioritizes regional accessibility and emphasizes pedestrian-centric design. This concept integrates ecology-driven design, making the most of the region's unique resources and landscapes, to create spaces that are adaptable to the changing needs of the community. At its core, the concept centers on the idea of portable spaces, which can be transformed and reconfigured to meet the evolving demands of commerce and urban life in the city. The aim is to create a dynamic and flexible urban environment that promotes sustainability and enhances the quality of life for all its residents.

Nature infused Urban space Warehouse Regional accessibility Portable space that are easy to transform

Pedestrian centric design Ecology driven design Adaptable spaces as per need.

Easily accessible Kiosk Spaces.

• The main warehouse building is connected to the highway, providing easy access for trucks and cars.

• It functions as a driveway and pickup/dropoff point for e-commerce transactions in Chicago.

• The location, with access to both the highway and a recreational zone, makes it a strategic choice for e-commerce operations.

The site includes an OAT area with a view of Chicago and a connection to nature.

The recreational zone connects the busy highway road through pedestrian and bicycle paths, providing access to the north and south of the site and connecting the east and west blocks with mid-transit ensuring user safety in hightraffic zones.

• This water body serves a practical purpose as well, by collecting rainwater and potentially reducing runoff in the area.

• The combination of an adaptable space and a natural element creates a unique and inviting environment that offers both functional and aesthetic benefits to users.

• The versatility of the space allows it to be used for multiple purposes, making it an adaptable and functional asset to the community.

• When storage is required, the space can be used as a warehouse to store goods and items.

• However, when storage is not needed, the space can be opened up for public access as a recreational open space for people to gather and engage in various activities.

The highway road provides access to heavy vehicular traffic separate from the pedestrianized recreational zone, making it easily accessible for users.

Dwarka, Delhi, India 02

India International Convention & Expo Centre(IICC)

PROFESSIONAL GROUP PROJECT SUPERVISOR

ROLE

ARCOP Associates Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

Team of six

Ar. Sakshi Juneja | sakshi@arcop.co.in

Construction drawings, GRC Panel details for exterior facade, client handling, presentation and site visits.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION | The IICC (India International Convention & Expo Centre) is smart city project being driven by Government of India. Located 11 km away from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the IICC wis designed to be the biggest trade fair complex in India and South Asia with the total area of 300,000m2.

AUDITORIUM INTERIOR - GRC PANELS PATTERN

ARCOP is the EPC Architecture and Interior Design Consultant for the EPC Agency Larsen & Toubro India for The Exhibition and Convention Centre Dwarka, New Delhi.

This project will be a "State of the Art", "World Class" and most sophisticated Exhibition and Convention complex with an iconic design showcasing the diverse and rich Art and Culture of India.

AUDITORIUM INTERIOR - GRC PANELS PATTERN

SECTION DETAIL OF THE CONVENTION HALL BUILDING AT IICC, DWARKA, NEW DELHI

Kapateswar, Puri Sadar, Odisha 03

Aasra | A cyclone resilient settlement

ACADEMIC HONOUR

B.Arch | Architectural thesis | DIT University, Dehradun

• Young Researchers Award for the paper titled on “Vulnerability assessment of a cyclone affected community Kapteswar, Puri Sadar”at the conference ‘5th World Congress on Disaster Management’, at IIT Delhi, 2021.

• National award for best thesis in zone 2, by the Council of Architecture, India

• Best Architectural thesis 2020 at Faculty of Architecture and design, Dehradun Institute of technology, Dehradun.

Vulnerability assessment of a cyclone affected community Kapteswar, Puri Sadar

PROJECT DESCRIPTION | Kapateswar, a lesser known settlement, situated in Puri sadar, adjacent to the river Bhargavi, rich in culture and heritage ever so threatened by the changing climate and their kachha houses.

This project comprises of detailed study of these vulnerable population through research, documentation and redevelopment of the kapteswar village, by sustaining it for a longer run majorly focusing on the vulnerable population of the area and giving them a sustainable solution to withstand the altering climatic conditions.

METHODOLOGY

LITERATURE STUDY

Primary sources

Case studies

Secondary sources

• Odisha settlement study

• Local dwelling typologies

• Multipurpose cyclone

Site selection and survey

• Disaster and its management stages

• Management government guidelines and policies.

• Related stakeholders and their role

Site documentation

• Visual analysis

• Poorhouse damage damage listing along with basic material details before and after cyclone.

• Quantitative and qualitative analysis of damage by recent cyclone

• Qualitative analysis of

Area & spaces

Site condition study

• Topography

• hydrology pattern study

• climatic condition

• drainage pattern

• slope analysis

• vegetation present before cyclone and native.

Case studies Data collection

• Settlement study

• Dwelling unit study of various cyclone affected areas

• Mapping the multipurpose cyclone shelters.

Site Analysis

Social and community understanding

• Community as a whole

• occupation and religion considerations

• heritage existence temple study

• lifestyle and date today activity and spaces analysis

• Temple land festivals

Inferences (self sustaining requirements)

Site proposals

Community-based Dwelling units

• Fishing and food market

• River dock for fishing

• convenience store construction

• community multipurpose gathering space

• skill development centre

BHARGAVIRIVER

• Local and central housing schemes such as PMAY, BPGY and their eligibility

• NGOs involvement and activity along with their construction style such as hunnarshala, SEEDS etc

Cyclone and damage history

• Topographical damage analysis

• vegetation damage analysis and rooting systems

• wind and damage analysis

• 13 types of Dwelling units, considering topographical survey occupation plot sizes & Wind direction.

• Artist dwelling units - 4 types

• Framer welling units - 5 types

• Labor Dwelling units - 4 types

Material list and construction details

KAPATESWAR VILLAGE

JANKADEIPUR VILLAGE

PURI CUTTACK ROAD

JANKADEIPUR RAILWAY STATION

Kapteswar is located beside the River Bhargavi, a tributary of Mahanadi. Its geographical location makes it extremely prone to cyclones, floods and storm surges. The village is located about 15 km from the coastal line with the range of about 8m to 19 m above the sea level as its maximum and minimum heights. Kapteswar Shiva temple is located at the centre of the village.

DAMAGE INFLICTED

Vegetation before and after cyclone

Data comparison of materials used for construction before and after cyclone

SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING

FARM LANDS

• The major occupation of the locals is farming.

• Plantation such as coconut trees, tamarind trees, supari trees, and mango tree are seen in and around the village.

HERITAGE TEMPLE

• The heart of the village consists of a heritage temple acting as the major attraction in the area.

• Many major festivals such as swadeshi mela, Jaguar hella, Dusshera are celebrated with the footfall of about 4500-5000 people each year.

RAIN WATER HARVESTING (POKHARI)

• Dependency on the harvested water for day to day household activities, religious, fishings etc.

• There exists a tributary of Mahanadi adjacent to the site named as Bhargavi.

PATTACHITRA ARTISTTRADITIONAL ART

Pattachitra is the most traditional art form found in the streets of Odisha which is painted over the leaves of palm tree,, depicting the Hindu culture.

FISHING

• The water bodies including both natural occurring Bhargavi river and the man made pokhari play a major role in every day life style of the locals.

• there exists a dhobi ghat on the other side of the pokhari , run by a local.

• LOCAL MATERIALS

• Many brick Kilns are seen on the way to the village kapteswar, run by the locals.

• • Day to day production by the team of three is about 1000 bricks .

•

• These bricks are made of the local mud called as Balia combined with the

PROPOSAL- DWELLING UNITS ARTIST WORKSHOP ROOM

The front of every artist dwelling unit is used as the workshop for the famous traditional art form called pattachitra. The locals use this place as a display of the work with a sitting space for the visitors.

RAIN WATER HARVESTING COURTYARD

The courtyard in every dwelling unit acts as a natural rain water harvesting system which is covered with a hardscape full of pebbles, allowing the water to move freely to the ground.

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

BAMBOO CROSSSECTIONAL COVERING

RIDGE

LOCAL MARKET AREA

BAMBOO SPLIT ROOF COVERING

THATCH COVERING

PROPOSED SHOP STRUCTURES

The fresh vegetable market is the market set by the wives of the local farmers of the kapteswar and villages around.

The daily footfall in this market is about 3 – 4 thousand mostly buying the famous pan and the coconuts from here. Supari is also one of the famous from this market cultivated in the village and around.

BAMBOO SPLITS TO HOLD THATCH

PURI CUTTACK ROAD

AUTO RICKSHAW STANDS

MORNING VEGETABLE MARKET

SUMMER SCHOOL Workshop GROUP PROJECT SUPERVISOR ROLE

Weaving Happiness | Bamboo structure for disabled

Sristi Village, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Hands-on | Summer School with Lucerne school of Engineering and Architecture

Team of 15 | Hands on Construction

Ar. Susan Thriller | iris.krieger@hslu.ch

Concept designing, model making, Joinery testing and hands-on construction, Bamboo Moulding and treating for its use in the Mixed use building. Handling, presentation and site visits.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION | Summer School in India project dedicated to sustainable architecture in humid and hot tropical climate. The goal of the project was to develop building strategies that satisfied the local needs and resist local climate conditions. The location of construction was a small village- Sristi Village located in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu. It is a selfsustaining village where the intellectually disabled and other marginalised individuals live and learn together. It aims to empower disadvantaged & disabled people to live a dignified independent life.

THE TEAM

The building has been constructed in a small village called Sristi village for the disabled run by a local NGO of Tamil Nadu. The primary use of the building is cold store on the ground floor whereas, the attic is designed to be used for resting space accessed by the ladder In the front and the back of the building.

The structure has been designed considering the local climate feasibility and local availability of the materials.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

RAFTERS

PRIMARY BEAM

TENSION CHORD

RAFTER

BAMBOO BOLT

BAMBOO PIN ANGLE HOLDER

LONGITUDINAL BEAM

The column and Primary beam are connected with a T-joint being formed by the Saddle and the secondary beam making the joint strong enough to bear the load of the rafters.

Joints are then fixed with the help of thin Bamboo pins , fixed horizontally to the length of the bamboo. Between the two parallel Primary beams lies the Principal Rafter which rests on the secondary beam.

RAFTER

PRIMARY BEAM

BRICK WALL

SECONDARY BEAM

SATTLE

BOLT & PLYWOOD

BAMBOO BOLT TIE COLUMN

BAMBOO BOLT & NAIL

BAMBOO COLUMNS

Rajpur road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 05

Urban design | Redevelopment of Indira Market

ACADEMIC

ROLE

DIT University, Dehradun, India

Part of a team of 6. Detailed documentation, user analysis and travel surveys, vegetation study and design intervention for the Ashley hall area

PROJECT DESCRIPTION | Astley Hall is a heritage building, located near Parade Ground in Dehradun. It is opposite to Gandhi Park, and can be easily reached by taking the local transport. It is a shopping centre for variety of utilities and hence caries in the kind of users in the area. The local markets such as platen bazar and Indira market are about 50m from the area.

Being such an important junction, its was observed that a bottle neck is being formed due to such narrow roads.Ghanta Ghar itself is a historic icon for dehradun that stands bold and defines the city in its British colours. The project focuses on reviving the true essence of the historical area through master planning, travel analysis and architectural solution at the same time, formalising the informal commercial zones with better management and pedestrian friendly.

BUILDING USE

BUILDING HEIGHT FACADE

KWALITY CHOWK

NASHVILLE NODE

PARADE GROUND NODE

The intervention has been done keeping in mind the importance of common community space in one of the most visited markets of Dehradun. The space can be used by people to celebrate and interact does enhancing the straight experience of the visitors.

The diversion of vehicularand pedestrian movement enhances the character of the street along with common spaces. These common spaces can be used by the people to celebrate and interact in the form of a gathering or discussions.

Separation of vehicular and pedestrian movement is done through creating pockets park in between the shops acting as a rejuvenation space.

INDIRA MARKET

GANDHI PARK

ASTLEY HALL

COMMERCIAL ZONE

NASHVILLE

PARADE GROUND

Hazira port, Gujarat, India 06

Smart Port city| Hazira Smart Port city

PROFESSIONAL (Competition)

GROUP PROPECT COORDINATOR

ROLE

ARCOP Associates Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

Team of six Ar. Sakshi Juneja | sakshi@arcop.co.in

Conceptual designing, master planning, Client coordination Zoning, Ghat design, connectivity solutions, 3D modelling and presentation

PROJECT DESCRIPTION | The port City development will be the worlds second largest reclaim land development project upon completion.The total land area is around 4466 ha of which 2788 ha will be habitable and 1612 ha will be for the commercial port development. The project will include combination of marine-time City along with facilities for tourists and locals which acts as a leisure for the people in and outside the port. At present, Hazira Port or Surat Port is a deep-water liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and multi-cargo deep-water port about 20 miles southwest of Surat, India.

MASTER PLAN

Hazira is a suburb and a transshipment port in Surat City in the Gujarat state of India. The town is known as the industrial hub of India and is located on the bank of the Tapti River. The Delta of Tapi river currently hosts Hazira mangroves and fish farming areas. There are tourism and educational poles in the area. The connectivity with the airport is clear, but not with the Train Station and Delhi-Mumbai Corridor.

CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES

CONCEPTUAL ZONING

PEDESTRIAN AND SOFT ROAD CONNECTIVITY METRO AND RAILWAY

LEGEND

GHAT DESIGN CENTRAL AXIS

The design intent of Ghat is to introduce a relationship between the land and the water by providing recreational and interactive spaces for the city. The design concept is inspired from the Traditional Ghats of Varanasi, India which overlooks R.Ganga.

HIGH-TECH & FUTURE OF MOBILITY

Efficient n/s metro connection facilitated by smart technology.

12.5 KM LIVING CORRIDOR

One row that serves all districts incorporating natural, built, movement.

A JOURNEY OF GRAND VISTAS

Breath-taking views through curated route of “compression” (through the gates) and “decompression” (the reveal of the district)

LIFE SPINE OF CITY

An infrastructure that carries clean energy and brings life to the city.

7 DISTRICTS INSPIRED BY 7 CHAKRAS

Districts with unique themes related to each chakras, bringing a balance of life to the city, having parks, nature, gathering spaces to its heart. A city with boosted land values.