Somhita Das
Portfolio 1
2017-2023 Selected Architectural Works Georgia Institute of Technology
I am a results-driven architect and specializes in sensory and climate-responsive design. Adept at translating design concepts into tangible, sustainable built environments. Proven ability to collaborate seamlessly with clients and teams to achieve shared visions. Committed to staying on the cutting edge of emerging design trends, she is poised to contribute innovative solutions to the creation of inspiring, human-centric spaces.
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Table of Contents
Graduate Works Advanced Studio I 1. A Lattice of Verandas
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2. Light Space Matter Modulator
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Media Modelling II 3. Physics Simulation - Case Study + Application
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4. Building Systems - Case Study
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Undergraduate Works Architectural Studio
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5. Sankalan (Collection) | Thesis II
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6. Hospital Design | Semester VI
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7. Karnataka Public School | Semester IV
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01 Advanced Studio I A Society of Rooms Prof. Mark H. Cottle
In De re aedificatoria (1452), Alberti stated that “a building is a form of body,” operating at the scale of a room, for an individual; at the scale of a building, for a family; and at the scale of a city, for a community. Kahn draws on this line of thought, both formal and social, when he terms the street “the room of agreement.” What is “a society of rooms?” The program brief will be a municipal gymnasium and health facility in downtown Atlanta, including a basketball court, swimming pool, yoga studios, exercise equipment. These rooms will be paired with a series of exterior spaces : porches, courtyards, terraces, and gardens. These will be further connected vertically with staircases or ramps, or a combination of both.
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Conceptual development: The design was constructed with the help of a “Plaid” which divided the rooms into indoor rooms and outdoor spaces, sometimes they borrow from each other and sometimes they don’t. This creates a “Lattice of Verandas”. This plaid is assumed into the ambition of the program and we use a “red ribbon” ramp to float through the entire building.
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Extending the Poche; Creating the “indoor rooms”
Inverse of the indoor rooms gives the “outdoor spaces”
Combination of the “indoor rooms”, “outdoor spaces” and the poche
Placing the columns at the intersections with the outdoor spaces
Creating a lattice of verandas with the structure- column & beams
The red ribbon flows throughout with the help of the structure
Forsyth Street NW
Barclay Hotel
Equitable Building
Luckie Street NW
Rialto Centre for the Arts
Aderhold Learning Centre GSU
Ground Floor Plan
Site: Located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, at the cross section of Luckie St and Forsyth St. Program: 50% of the square footage is dedicated to rooms having specific functions, which may be climate controlled. Another 50% is given to the non-assigned, “open spaces” which may not be climatecontrolled.
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Structure: The Plaid is divided into rooms of 30’ X 30’ with 10’ of verandas. This is the ornamental circulation. At the intersection of the narrow strips we place delicate columns which holds the structure as well as the ramps. These columns also act as Veirendeel trusses separating the large rooms at the interval of smaller rooms.
Plan Diagrams
Each of these plans diagrammatically show the different layers on each of the different floors. Level 1
Level 2
Level 2
Assigned and Unassgined Spaces
Assigned Spaces
Unassigned Spaces
Open and Closed Spaces
Open Spaces
Closed Spaces
Paved and Green Spaces
Paved Spaces
Vertical Circulation
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Green Spaces
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Level 8
Level 9
Level 10
Longitudinal Section (along Luckie Street) 8
Tansverse Section (along Forsyth Street) 9
Swimming Pool - Grotto
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Community Dining - Open to air
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Spaces for meeting & encounters
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Atrium - Red Ribbon ramp threading through the structure
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02 Advanced Studio I
Light Space Matter Modulator Prof. Mark H. Cottle
The Light Space Matter modulator acted as a low stakes exercises to explore the reactions of light and space with each other. By repeatedly cutting and stacking cardboard volumetrically built a form which represents a variety of different shapes of cuboids. These cuboids could be reoriented to redirect and affect the play of light. These led to the creation of different lighting conditions which was represented through the model first and then through a series of cabinet obliques drafted by hand. These also represent the different light conditionsas seen in the cube.
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Polygon 1 - 20 Polygon 2- 30 Length - 80 Breadth - 200 U Value - Segments - 40 Anchor Points - 18 Anchor Polygon - 2
Grandstand Station | Case Study
Basic structure created with Grasshopper
03 Media & Modelling II Physics Simulation Prof. Mehmet S. Bermek
Building: Grandstand station Location: Oldenburg, Germany Team: Harshit Verma, Somhita Das The project is a Tensile Membrane which was then recreated using Kangaroo. First a case study was completed, then it was applied to The Square in Decatur, Georgia
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The assembly procedure was as follows: - firstly the masts were erected with the cables exact in length, there being no adjustment devices (tolerances required for the reinforced concrete ±10 mm and mast construction ±5mm); - then pre-assembly of the membrane near site with compression struts and tension cables; - lifting of pre-fabricated segments into position and securing support cables to masts; - connection of end cable trusses between roof and trestles and gradual tensioning of cables (ca. 150 kN per cable) with continual monitoring of overall geometry and of prestressing forces, - graduate tensioning of membranes at low points; - final stressing of whole structure via end trusses and trestles; - connection of stainless steel rainwater tubes to the low points.
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Application of Iteration Location: The Square at Decatur Proposal : Music Pavilion
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View of the structure looking towards the Decatur Square
Initial Study for Broad Museum
04 Media & Modelling II Building Systems Prof. Mehmet S. Bermek
Building: Broad Museum Location: Los Angeles, California Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Facade Deconstruction Study the geometrical organization of an assigned building, beginning by diagramming and modeling the construction logic of the building plan (2d line geometry). The goal of this phase is to develop a preliminary parametric system that can generate different plans of the precedent including building envelopes, cores and structure as well as potential parametric variations. The 3D Parti was created by understanding the basic shape of the facade, then the curves were added. Dividing the form into an outer skin and inner shell. Facade deconstruction: The facade of the Broad Museum was created by first creating each point of the facade on the Z axis. Then “Lunchbox” was used to divide the panels. It was further refined using “Weaverbird” and “Pufferfish”.
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Variation 1
Scale of openings: 17 Projection & Panels division: U division: 31 V division: 30
Variation 2
Scale of openings: 26 Projection & Panels division: U division: 10 V division: 20
Variation 3
Scale of openings: 37 Projection & Panels division: U division: 45 V division: 60
Variation 4
Scale of openings: 20 Projection & Panels division: U division: 70 V division: 12
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Sankalan a museum for calcutta Nikhil Kohale
Undergraduate studio 2021
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individual work | 2021 location : kolkata, west bengal, india guide : Nikhil Kohale site area : 46,000 sq. m | 10.6 acres programme : museum & cultural centre ‘Sankalan’ as translated to english, meaning a collection or compilation. Calcutta is a large and vibrant Indian city that thrives amid insurmountable economic, social and political problems yet its citizens exhibit great vitality, demonstrated in their love for arts and culture.
The city hosts various cultural fairs, book fairs and international film/book festivals every year. The design is to cater to not just its citizens but everyone who visits and to arouse an abiding nostalgia. The persisting problems include a need for more visually intriguing spaces that connect the users to their surroundings. People here choose malls and cinemas over museums as it is considered an ‘academic exercise’, says The Hindu. As a result, the footfall compared to museums abroad is immensely low, with substandard management.
Form Development
Sequential unfolding of spaces
Organisational structure of the programs
Narrative between the galleries and spaces
Use of waffle slab structure for unobstructed galleries.
Museum of Evolution Transitional galleries evolving through time
Museum of Culture Visual and Auditory installations
Museum of Art Flexible and movable galleries to explore
Gallery/Exhibition Arrangement
Experiential Pavillion and Marketplace to connect with the community
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Circulation
A’
Movement B Entance Pavillion
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B’ Museum of Evolution
Learning Centre
Museum of Art Museum of Culture
Site plan & Ground floor plan 26
Urban Bazaar
Section A-A’
Pause Points in between museums
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Museum of Culture: Interactive Display
06 Sixth Semester General Hospital
Shanta Pragyan Dash, Nikhil Kohale, Deepratik Biswas Undergraduate studio 2020
site area : 15000 sq. m built up area : 24250 sq. m no. of beds : 165 28
The goal of this design is to engage patients in the process of healing, recovery and eliminating environmental stresses thereby encouraging opportunities for social support in the hospital. Leading to the creation of a healing environment. Hospitals are often fearful and confused, thereby these feelings may impede recovery. This can be achieved by having wards open up into green spaces or have intermediary or buffer zones
incorporating sunlight or greens to make the patient feel comfortable rather than being exposed to concrete and harsh areas. The use of lighter colours could also contribute to a healing environment. positioned to arrange a functional public space around it and liberate a generous public plaza. The building combines the strong presence of a landmark with the soft treatment of its permeable facade, offering a friendly semi-urban facade.
Form and Massing Central Spine
Facade maximise patient view
Exisiting site : Natural flat topography with its vegetation Exploded Axonometric View
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Massing : Determining the main circulation routes.
Vertical circulation : Lift, staircase and service combined.
Final Massing and form
Site plan & Ground floor plan
Service entry/exit
Basement entry
A
1
A’
Ambulance exit
Rear exit Hospital entry
Main site entry
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Site exit
Perspective Section A-A’
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07 Fourth Semester
Karnataka Public School Undergraduate studio 2019
location : koteshwara, karnataka guides : Pranav Kishore, Prajosh Kumar, Suvrata Yadav, Shruti Aiholi site area : 31196 sq. m | 7.7 acres team : somhita das, ruth alexia daniel, anusna roy 32
The design of schools is generally a complicated issue to solve. Understanding the psychology of kids in various age groups is of utmost importance which should then be translated into the design language. A Karnataka State Government public benefit initiative set for 2019 has chosen 190 schools to be refurbished; MSAP had participated in this live project at the time.
Aim: The design involved in the redevelopment of this school was to be a transformative learning experience where students grow inside and outside the classroom. Sustainability and Reuse have been given the utmost priority. The raw materials from the previous buildings were to be reused in the new ones.
Site: The site was located in the Kundapura district of Karnataka which is typically an underdeveloped area, compared to its nearby districts of Udupi. The entrance to the compound is accessed from National Highway 66 and Koteshwara main road. Observations: The site is extensive and comprised of an elementary and a middle school that needed to accommodate more students due to a growing population. The toilet blocks (in pink, above) are far from the classes. The infrastructure is also relatively poor and in a dilapidated condition.
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Form Development
Exploded Axonometric diagram
senior school
Building form follows the periphery of the site as well as a transformative landscape
Assigning functions to the form.
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Primary and secondary circulation points
Green spaces and light wells along the narrow corridors
Construction Scheme
1 1 1 3
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230mm laterite wall
A’
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100mm high skirting Cement slurry finish
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Aluminium floor strip
5 Cement concrete
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2 2 2 3
2
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Rammed earth
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4 6
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Base cement concrete
Detail 1 Brick wall section with Indian Patent Stone flooring
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2
2 5 7
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Detail 2 Jack arch roof slab
Site plan & Ground floor plan 1. middle school classrooms 2. kindergarten classrooms 3. staff rooms 4. open to sky courts 5. toilet block 6. library 7. admin + conference
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Individual courtyards are incorporated around the classroom designs to promote seamless indoor and outdoor environment integration. Classes become increasingly practical as students move up the grades to encourage disciplined learning. In order to assure safety, all
sharp edges in walls, columns, slab edges, and other details were avoided throughout the design process. The room was intended to have adequate lighting and natural ventilation because it was located in the tropical region of central Karnataka.
Detail 2 Jack arch roof slab section This method of roofing is eco-friendly and sustainable.
Thank you!
sdas402@gatech.edu +1 (404) 421 6479 Georgia Institute of Technology
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