port folio
A.Divya DharshiniB.Arch | School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India
divya3356arch19@spa.ac.in | ddharsh_01@yahoo.com 0091 8377816006
hello! i’m
A. DIVYA DHARSHINI
As an ardent traveler and artist with a keen eye for detail, I am a staunch believer in the ability of architecture to initiate and influence social change. As an architecture student, my intention is to create a global society by understanding various cultures, heritages, circumstances, cities, spaces, and occupant perspectives. I believe these elements will coalesce to affect the design’s very identity. After experimenting with many materials and forms, I am strongly attracted to designs entrenched in the site and context, that serve the purpose- the people.
Maharani
Architecture, New Delhi, India Bachelor’s of Architecture
Indian
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
and English Grade
CGPA
Engineering
Chennai, India
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Rohan Arora
Standardization of Bus Shelters in India Council of Architecture | NHLML
The House 2.0 Archdais
Bauhaus 2021 University Campus Arkitekturo EU (Top 100 entries)
Street-a-float Market Arch8 (Honorable Mention)
The Labyrinth Arch8 Annual Nasa Design Competition NASA India (Top 40% of entries)
Covid Isolation Ward Design Karwaan
Zero-Energy Design an approach to make your building sustainable
Morphy Towers Rhino3D | Grasshopper | Keyshot
Parametric and Computational Form Generation Grasshopper | RhinoVault | LunchBox | WeaverBird | Ladybug
Bada Bagh Chhatris, Jaisalmer, India Measured Drawing
Misfat Al Abriyeen, Sultanate of Oman Architectural Conservation | Elective
Ras al Hamra Township Phase 1 Development, PDO, Sultanate of Oman Site Awareness Session
Risland Sky Mansion, Chattarpur, India Site Visit
Ecological Connectivities and how they help in rehabilitating lost biodiversity within habitat fragments in Delhi’s Yamuna floodplains. Seminar Semester 7 (Group of 5)
University of Erfurt, Germany Selected for Erfurt Exchange Programme
CONTENTS
Shafi-Manzoor Havelis Women-centric adaptively reused cooperative housing
Universitat Exzenter Reenvisioned Bauhaus Campus 2021
Chaitanyam Work-Live Environment for local occupations
Aashray
solution to highway bus shelters
Tilia
8-19 20-31 34-43 44-53 56-67 68-79 80-83
SHAFI MANZOOR HAVELIS
With the onset of sustainable methods of construction and the need for net zero or positive energy buildings, creating an appealing building means not only integrating a variety of programs together but also considering the energy and ecological habits of the intervention. The proposed housing, was adapted and redesigned with a vision of being a model for social and societal progress, formulated by utopian equality. Attempts at achieving this equality were the idea of collective life and work that would formulate a methodical economy generated with the multi faceted program, within the culturally rich backdrop.
Semester 5 | Individual | Old Delhi, India instructors: Dr.(Prof.) Leon A. Morenas, Ar. Sanjay Bharadwaj, Ar. Tina Bali, Ar. Radhika Viswanathan, Ar. Anuj Mittal
VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES
Only 2 wheeler vehicular access is possible for the site. The site also experiences major
VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES
footfall.
Only 2 wheeler vehicular access is possible. There is also a major pedestrian footfall.
CONGREGATIONAL NODES
CONGREGATIONAL NODES
The terraces and courtyards of the region are known for their interactive purposessomething that is still persistent. Various nodes of interaction are also formed on the street level as a result of vendors, rickshaw pullers, gathering spots at the entrance of the mosque and gali, and at the corner beyond the siteleading to Masjid Chatta Sheikh Manglo.
The terraces and courtyards of the region are known for their interactive purposes. Nodes of interaction are formed on the street level due to vendors, rickshaw pullers, entrances of the mosques and gali.
STRUCTURES IN THE VICINITY
The Hauz Qazi Gali is lined with automobile
stores and hotels for tourists visiting the chowk. As a result of this, there is continuous pedestrian footfall in the region- marked by the
STRUCTURES IN THE VICINITY
public access of the buildings around.
Hauz Qazi Gali is lined with automobile scrap stores and hotels for tourists visiting the chowk- marked by the ranging public access of the buildings around.
ACCESS
A single 3m wide gali forms the main access to the havelis- leading in from the Urdu Bazar Road on which Jama Masjid lies.
ACCESS
A single 3m wide gali forms the main access to the havelis- leading in from the Urdu Bazar Road.
SITE
SITE The site lies in a congested automobile scrap market context just 100m south of Jama Masjid, Shahjahanabad. Fairly flat in topographical features, the havelies present a rich cultural and heritage fabric.
The site lies just 100m south of Jama Masjid, Shahjahanabad, fairly flat in topographical features.
STRUCTURAL RETROFIT
As part of the structural reinforcements, some of the existing exterior walls were reinforced by embedding in spandrel beams. Lintels were supplemented to bear the slab loads- transferred from the slab resting on timber joists.
Wherever long span load bearing walls have been removed or replaced with load bearing beam underneath the ceiling for load transfer. This does not require any or major alterations to the existing timber joists that support the loads.
ELIMINATED PORTIONS
Walls and certain rooms in the upper levels were brought down as part of the intervention.
PROPOSED RETROFIT
Imrpoved circulation, added floors, spacious rooms were made available for the cooperative housing proposal.
shafi manzoor havelis | retrofit cooperative housing model
ORIENTATION
aligned along the wind direction, with minimum facade exposure to allow for mutual shading.
DAYLIGHT
courtyards revitalized to allow for more lighting- mutual shading reduces harsh glare.
VENTILATION
courtyards and open floor plates to allow for maximum air flow.
GREEN INCLUSION
terrace garden facilitates passive cooling, greywater reuse and biocomposting.
SUSTAINABILITY existing strategies readapted and newer technologies introduced
MATERIAL
readaptation of an entity from the past to define new activities- while retaining the essence of the heritage context.
NEW MATERIAL & NATURAL RESOURCE DEPLETION
USAGE with new functions, communal living spaces community and the users experience the havelis
structural and restorations
existing envelope to required with as much facade proposed to services to more washrooms, drainage, parking, adapt existing spaces with time and choice.
tangible material and community for developing enhanced living conditions.
RECYCLE
USAGE creating public and spaces enhances the users are enabled to havelis in new light.
structural system is majorly intact- reinforcements restorations to be done wherever required.
be retained and refurbished wherever much original materials possible- new interactive include the gali as part of the design.
be inculcated/ restored wherever requiredwashrooms, plumbing, electrical wiring, water, parking, storage facilities etc.
spaces within new functions- can be altered choice.
and resources to be shared amongst developing shared belonging, identity and conditions.
WASTE
excess energy and/or income produced, can be reincorporated back into the intervention.
INCLUSIVITY
housing model enables division of labor and varied levels of interaction between all genders, classes, etc to eliminate isolation.
TRANSPARENCY
free conversations at a communal level- discussions, media shared, etc at the community center to create an informed mass.
OPPORTUNITIES
upholstery workshop run by the women of the housing, more stalls in the market to be female-run rather than male-run.
RECYCLE
FACILITIES
creche, run by the housing’s elderly included in the program as part of childcare for working women dominated households.
INCINERATION LANDFILL/ DISPOSAL
female-run
male- run female-run creche
male- run female-run creche
male- run
creche
male- run female-run creche
Staircases Elevator Shaft Services/ Shafts Ventilation Passage Lightwells Courtyards
Proposed Built Up Area= 1691.5 sq.m
Proposed FAR= 1.95
06 | FACADE
Dynamic facade with advertisement boards, louver systems, jaalis etc for an interactive experience through the street.
05 | SHAFI TERRACES
Multi-levelled terraces performing in tandem with courtyards as the primary congregational spaces within the housing- as inspired from the conventional havelis.
04 | SHAFI LEVEL 2 Residences Open Communal Areas
03 | SHAFI LEVEL 1 Residences Creche Chatta
02 | SHAFI LEVEL 0
Communal Living Bicycle Parking Upholstery Workshop Communal Cooking and Dining Market
01 | BASEMENT
Services oriented basement for rainwater and greywater harvesting, STP, electrical room, composting etc.
Shafi’s front courtyard could accommodate a variety of commercial spaces as a market to act as a visual barrier from the streetwith modest glimpses of what lies within to pique passerbys’ intrigue. The existing Manzoor courtyard is converted into a smallscale two-wheeler and bicycle upholstery workshop, featuring seat covers produced. Up holstery would be made using leftover from the traditional tailors who occupy the neighbouring Matia Mahal street. The residential private areas are located on Shafi’s upper levels, with visible linkages to the common spaces on the lower level. The community centre serves as a gathering
section through the gali
UNIVERSITAT EXZENTER
Bauhaus 2021 was looked at as a means to bridge the gap by re-exploring our natural past, allowing technology to contribute, rather than disrupt the balance. flow through- urban, semi urban and rural settings. The campus aims to be a place of hope, influence and exploration, that unites different people and redefines the harsh reality of our present. The main ideology was to cluster spaces that promoted and challenged a global student body to explore and create innovations suited for the streams of design that the campus aimed to merge.
Semester 4/ Competition Entry | Group of 4 | Dessau, Germany instructors: Ar. Anjali Mittal, Ar. Tarun Kumar, Ar. Nishant Gautam, Ar. Nimit Gandhi
entrance to the auditorium
The Bauhaus School (literally meaning ‘construction house’ in German) was founded in 1919 by Walter Gropius in Weimar, then the capital of post WWI Germany. In this era of change and disillusionment, the movement sought to embrace 20th century machine culture in a way that allowed basic necessities like buildings, furniture, and design, to be completed in a utilitarian but effective way.
It was grounded in the idea of creating a Gesamtkunstwerk (“comprehensive artwork”) in which all the arts would eventually be brought together Today, Bauhaus is often credited as the catalyst for modern architecture and furniture and as an important influence on mid-20th century painting and sculpture. The 2021 Bauhaus Campus aims to fulfil a similar purpose, to be a place of hope, influence and exploration, that unites different people and redefine the harsh reality of our present. The main ideology was to cluster spaces that promoted and challenged a global student body to explore and create innovations suited for the streams of design that the campus aimed to merge. The spaces designed were to be dynamic to encourage interactions amongst the student body and to be in pace with the changing times and developments in the world.
Permeability
2021 Bauhaus Site, School and Museum
The auditorium, which has a louvred glass front, was constructed in such a way that it appears to have risen from the ground. The auditorium is a stepped masterpiece where theatrical shows are staged on a regular basis. The overhead ceiling structure incorporates ambient lighting magnificently, and the raised core area is encircled by a ring-like gallery at the higher level where artistic pieces are displayed.
DORMITORIES
The dorms, which are located on the north side of campus, vertically above the classrooms and workshops, were created with the goal of transitioning from traditional learning facilities to a more relaxed and permissive setting.
There are 5 dormitory clusters on campus, each with 5 separate rooms and a unisex washroom. The restrooms are accessible to the disabled and may be accessed from within. Each room can accommodate a maximum of two pupils and has easy access from the bike and pedestrian paths that round the clusters.
Owing to its proximity, one can access the private cafeteria or the dispersed green pockets- two outdoor spaces that have been designed exclusively for the dorm users. Each cluster is also supplemented with its very own green terrace- with bridges interconnecting the clusters to create an elevated interactive space of the highest quality.
The exhibition space is a large open area that may be utilised unofficially for a periodic presentation of artwork or officially for public exhibits. The huge area accommodates everyone who desires to express their ideas through various means. The exhibition space’s adaptability intends to accommodate to a multifaceted interaction among the worldwide student population by developing a global culture. When needed, an open to the sky core space may be used for open air exhibitions as well as open air theatres. From beneath, a closed gallery with display boards and screening stands connects to the theatre on the west.
section through the exhibition
CLASSROOMS AND WORKSHOPS
The classrooms offer maximum seating flexibility and interaction to create the ideal setting for all types of talks. Workshops that use AR/VR technologies instead of numerous pieces of physical equipment can help to conserve resources and labour while also preparing students for future hands-free machine settings.
Kit of parts: Kit-of-parts as a chosen component allows flexibility and efficiency by enabling use of pre-fabricated structures. Employed in the classrooms and workshops, the fractal hempcrete panels can be assembled and taken apart in a variety of ways.
classroom , workshop and lecture block
exhibition
The residential-cum-retail project aimed to catch the public’s interest in the occupations of coconut farming and fishing- whilst identifying and contributing to the lifestyles of the farmers and the fishermen. People involved in the industry, in Kerala, have always experienced the dynamicity of living and working within the same spaces. Developing the spaces with a similar ideology allowed to showcase the interdependency between the different sectors while keeping the overall environment comfortable for the already accustomed workers.
Semester 3 | Individual | Kasargod, Kerala, India instructors: Ar. Anjali Mittal, Ar. Tarun Kumar, Ar. Nishant Gautam, Ar. Nimit Gandhi
CHAITANYAM
HARMONY
Harmony was chosen as an intangible to emphasise the interdependence of the coconut farming and fishing sectors in Kerala, along with people’s lifestyles.
Spaces with a dual work-live nature are designed to be dynamic. Elements such as mangalore tiled roofs, a central courtyard, verandahs, and so on have been presented as integrating the current and also the existing.
FOCUS
People working in the two core sectors of coconut farming, handicrafts, and fishing are declining dramatically as new generations arrive. The goal is to assist develop the dwindling professions and individuals associated in the sector by providing a work-live concept within an existing coconut plantation, directly on the bank of the river Tejaswini.
The sale of coir handicrafts educates the public about the potential of the farming economy. They can see both the technique and the finished items. The same area might be used for tying and preparing fishing nets.
CIRCULATION
The three intended volumes are clearly separated. Setbacks from the front of the property with planters clearly demarcate the two distinct entrances to the site—the residential and business entrances.
The original research concentrated on Kerala’s principal professions, fishing and coconut growing. Understanding the lifestyles of those working in the business shed insight on the changing nature of the locations in which they lived and worked. Their houses were usually situated on the riverbanks or seashores, or in the midst of a coconut plantation.
Spaces were developed with a similar interdependence in mind, making it user pleasant for skilled veterans. A family of four was considered, with two parents working in farming and handicrafts, an elder grandparent engaged in fishing, and a child assisting out as learning the trades.
The retail component would not only allow for the public to experience the occupations but also acknowledge the natural setting around, the culture and nature of life in Kasargod, Kerala.
Roofing Mangalore tiles laid in a sloped fashion with a cutout over the staircase.
Structural Roof Framework Timber framed structure supporting the overhead tiled roof.
+2900 mm LEVEL
Open layout kitchen and traditional Indian style dining space.
Cattle Shed Shed introduced as part of the animal rearing component of the vernacular housing.
Water Channel
Redirected into the site for coir industry.
Glazing alongside staircase.
Retail Space
Curved timber structure creating a shaded space on the outside for the display and sale of coconut handicraft products and procedure.
SLEEPING SPACES
Three areas with suitable washing facilities topmost level. These are the most private and they are only accessible to the dwelling
COOKING AND DINING
Traditional Indian kitchen where the entire family cooks and eats together.
CRAFT WORKSPACE
An open-plan workspace where handcraft creation takes place. This is a public space where employees and families mix. Storage for farming and fishing is conveniently located here.
facilities are offered on the private areas of the design, dwelling family of four.
LIVING SPACE
A dynamic area accessible from the verandah. This is where the family of four congregates and interacts for the most of the day. This room, which leads in from the verandah, can be turned into a semi-open space by simply opening the array of louvred shutter doors.
COURTYARDS, BALCONIES AND VERANDAH
As a nod to the existing context, vernacular features were included into the design. These contribute to better natural lighting and ventilation while also boosting occupant comfort.
RETAIL
A public arena where handcraft goods are presented, fishing nets are produced, and visitors can see the two businesses from behind the scenes. This is the crucial component in which the shed construction is influenced by the shape of the coconut tree.
Reimagining the idea of a highway bus shelterAashray was not only viewed as a transitory space but also one of a experiential stopover for its passengers. Bus shelters often encourage continuous movement for the modern day city life. However, it is often overlooked from being multifunctional- users are able to take rest, be active and socialize within the space. Aashray is envisioned as a national solution to bus shelters- accommodating and suitable to all the three primary contextual variations that India’s highways flow through- urban, semi urban and rural settings.
aiming to reduce harmful contributions to global
providing for itself. Enclosed partially from the front and the rear- allowing for a streamlined passage of air within, the
and accomplishing
with a standardised spatial size of 15x3 meters is equipped with a cantilever shading of 1 meter over the bus. It can be suited for any location due to its versatility of materials, adaptable design considerations, ability to resize to varying pedestrian footfalls and a wide range of climatic zones.
plexiglass
to erect. The organic form enclosing the space helps one not feel confined within
form of the shelter- symbolic of the transcient and agile nature of bus
and the surroundings that it is set in.
experience
aashray | a national
Aluminium box and hollow sections and curved frames are repurposed to create the basic structure of the shelter, providing the shaded canopy at the front. Hollow aluminium tubular channels are utilised to create an organic roof overhead- one that integrates itself with the rear facade. The organic form enclosing the space helps one not feel confined within but experience the form of the shelter- symbolic of the transcient and agile nature of bus shelters and the surroundings that it is set in.
Moving ardently towards a digitalised country and transport network, the design also proposes 24/7 wifi connection and charging stations for the passengers. Digital display screens synced to buses via GPS system allow for real time information about bus timings, location, delays etc. This provides for a more personalised, and user friendly experience.
The bus shelter is enclosed partially from the front and the rear- allowing for a streamlined passage of air within. The semi enclosed plexiglass at the front allows for demarcation of the boarding and deboarding bays, along with acting as a safety net for the passengers waiting inside- especially at night time and in remote locations. Tactile flooring, ramps and handrails make the shelter disabled friendly and safe.
a national solution to bus shelters
SOLAIRE | TILIA TOWER
RDR Architectes instructors: Dr.(Prof.) Leon A. Morenas, Ar. Sanjay Bharadwaj, Ar. Tina Bali, Ar. Radhika Viswanathan
Semester 6 | Group of 3 | Lausanne, Switzerland
The Tilia Tower project is an ode to a lime tree that marked the centre of all social interaction in Prilly for nearly 500 years and aims to develop an iconic landmark for the residents to congregate and revitalise the district’s heritage. A one-of-itskind 85m tall tower, Solaire stands on a junction in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a combination of a multitude of complexities. It is designed as a combination of four unique elements: a tower along Place du Galicien in the east, a coworking area in the west, and a badminton court and deck atop the coworking building and badminton, which serves as a link between the three architectural masses.
view from chemin du viaduc
east photovoltaic facade of the tower
WORK
QuadDesign is a UK based architecture, planning and design company. During my month-long internship, I was entrusted with creating interior detail drawings- floor plans, reflected ceiling plans and sections of various scales for their Sharjah Mosque project. Went on a site visit to a high court complex under construction.
Makraworks in an award winning design studio focussed on weaving sustainable design practices into architecture created for daily use. I was involved in a variety of residential projects- right from conceptualization, facade and landscape design, and producing interior detail drawings. Went on multiple site visits to multi-storeyed residences.
ELEVATION I
ELEVATION II
III
RESIDENCE, MAMBALAM
trichy residence | thinnai and landscape design
1201 apartment | dining room design
Traveling has evolved into more than something I do; it has become a part of who I am. I have a strong only the beginning. The most enjoyable aspect of travelling is meeting people from all around the world. beliefs, nationalities, and ethnicities. Traveling has organically shaped me
strong desire to travel. I haven’t been across the world or to every continent, but I’ve seen a lot and it’s world. Traveling forces me out of my comfort zone and helps me to connect with people of other into a naturally curious person with strong communication capabilities.
A.Divya Dharshini
B.Arch | School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India