Portfolio_architecture + urban design

Po r t f o l i o architecture + urban design selected works I 2013-2020

01 cover photo the city I hand drawn I pen sketch

I believe architecture is not just about creating the built, but understanding how the built enriches the lives of the people it caters to. Architecture is a story with many living characters, each expressing their own self. Every person associates a space with a memory of their own just as every space speaks of the stories of the past and the present with hopes of the future.

Architecture starts with a need, becomes a beautiful process, ultimately becoming the intangible part and leaving a long-lasting impression on us. Architecture, to me, is shaped by human sentiments and desires, aspiring to transcend as a setting for further emotions and life itself.

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CONTENTS REDEFINING MOKSHA

Vidhwa Sahay Ashram, Vrindavan B.Arch Thesis

ECO CULTURAL WATERFRONT Activating Lakeview Path, Bhopal Urban Design Studio I group work

MOKSHA DHAM

Redefining Cremation Grounds Internship Work

WEAVING HERITAGE

Weaving Centre, Chanderi L.I.K Trophy I documentation + design

URBAN RENEWAL

Lakshmi Mills, Coimbatore Studio Lotus I research + design

JAPANESE HOTEL

Business Hotel, Vithlapur Studio Lotus I design + model + drawings

PUKAAR

Visual Storytelling I Chaar Dhaam, Uttarakhand

Deepali Khunteta

Architect I B .Arch.

Ph. I +91-9981949602 Email Id I deepalikhunteta@gmail.com Nationality I Indian D.O.B. I 03.11.1994 Languages I English I Hindi I French A1

EDUCATION

Secondary education St. Anselm’s Pink City School, Jaipur 2013-2018 : Bachelors in Architecture School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, India Undergraduate Architecture Thesis Widow Rehabilitation Centre, Vrindavan Sacred Landscape of Bereavement

TECHINCAL PROFICIENCY Modeling I Rendering BIM Revit Drafting I Modeling AutoCad Modeling I Rendering 3Ds Max Rendering I V-Ray SketchUp Graphics Adobe Photoshop Animation Adobe Aftereffects Graphics Adobe Indesign Graphics Adobe Illustrator Rendering Lumion Excel I Powerpoint I Word Ms Office Video editing Adobe Premiere Pro

WORKSHOPS Conservation of Heritage Structures

Lecture I Ms. Shikha I Udaipur City Palace I 2015

Studio Photography Workshop Mr. Sanket Patil I Integral studio I 2015

C.S.E.B Workshop

Auroville Earth Institute I 2015

361° Conference 2016 - “Architecture and the City”

Z-Axis Conference ‘Buildings as Ideas’ 2016 Photography Workshop

By Mr. Thomas Benny John I 2016

Introduction to Urban Design

WORK EXPERIENCE Architect Oct’18 - August’20 Studio Lotus, Delhi Worked on a multitude of projects ranging from residential interiors to large scale hospitality and master planning projects.

Few of them include: Master planning and overall vision for Lakshmi Mills, Coimbatore.

Adaptive Reuse of a 19th-century Haveli in Jaipur, from concept to the preparation of GFCs. Designing and space planning for the repurposing of an existing pump house into a clubhouse at Piramal Vaikunth in Thane, Mumbai.

Effectively introduced, created the workflow, and delivered a hospitality project on Revit BIM Platform, leading a team of 2 architects.

Intern Architect M.A. Architects, Jaipur

Research, documentation, and redesign of various Cremation grounds of Jaipur under the brief of ’ Redefining the lost urban spaces’.

Participated in all phases of Planning, Design, and Construction processes on projects of a wide-ranging scale from Residential to large scale producing concept sketches, working drawings, and Interior mood boards.

Project documentation for office look-book : online and print media Freelance Work Developed and executed print marketing strategies for a furniture based company under ’Swarnima Creations‘ based in Jaipur.

Packaging Design and Branding for an Ice-cream Company 'Omni Ice-cream' based in Jaipur.

Executed two Interior Design projects by collaborating with various stakeholders.

Interiors of Mamta Bakery in Beawar, in process.

By AUDAcademy I 2020

Visual Storytelling Workshop

By Ritesh Taksande I Tabeenah Anjum I FTII I 2020

DOCUMENTATION

COMPETITIONS AND RECOGNITION

Pokhran Fort I Rajasthan Baiju Bawara Haveli I Chanderi Warli Tribe Settlement I Manav Sangrahalya Pachlana Village I Chanderi I Publication

Annual Nasa Design Competition I 2014

Innovation and sustenance’

International I Honourable mention I A house without function

Vernacular Settlements in Chanderi I Towards

Cremation Grounds I Jaipur I M.A. Architect Conventional Housing Structure for Widows I Vrindavan and Varanasi I Design Thesis

Jan- June ‘17

Top 6 I Cultural Market I Bhopal

UNESCO Louis I. Kahn Trophy I 2015

Top 6 I Baiju Bawra Haveli I Chanderi I Documentation I Design

120 Hours I 2016

Integral Studio I 2016

Third prize winner I Redevelopment of Bhopal Railway Station

Paris Pavilion I 2016 I Art of Peace World Architecture Festival I Students charrette I 2016

01 REDEFINING MOKSHA

Vidhwa Sahay Ashram, Vrindavan Sacred Landscape of Bereavement Undergraduate Architecture Thesis 2018

“After the death of my husband, my children forced me to leave the house. I was thrown out with no clothes to even cover my body. People told me to go to Vrindavan as now only Lord Krishna can save me from the world’. Here, I wait for death every day so that I get some relief” This is the common story of widows found on the streets of Vrindavan. Widow, an ostracised section of society, faces a lot of hardships after the death of her husband. Widows, old or young, share a common loss, a loss of respect and dignity from the family and the society. The project intends to make them independent and self-sufficient to live a fruitful life ahead and thus, granting them a state of moksha that releases them from the harsh reality cages of being widows.

“I am accused of being a witch who killed her husband.”

“We are considered bad omens. We are excluded from all auspicious events.”

“I sing for 8 long hours and get just 11 Rs. Here even pandits exploit me everyday!

“As soon as my husband had died, they took everything away, even the pots, blanket and sacks of maize.”

“I went to my parent’s house after I was widowed, but even my parents turned into monsters”

This is my life, everyday !

Framing a design directive for the upliftment of the Vrindavan Widows derived from the theosophical study. This spatial framework can be applied in any other widow home. It would give them a chance to follow a path of their own, leading them to moksha but with a different journey, a journey of self-independency and freedom.

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01 Sacred Landscape of Bereavement Undergraduate Architecture Thesis 2018

‘Here I feel good, I have friends who have gone through similar pain and we get support from each other.

These Gardens are my best place as here everyday I can relax and sing Bhajans and talk with friends,’ said Janmaitri, 80.

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02 ECO-CULTURAL WATERFRONT Activating Lake View Path, Bhopal Connecting People with Lake Urban Design Studio

Among the fast-moving corridors of the city, the Upper Lake and its sweeping vista slow down its pace. The large spread, the cultural significance, and the flourishing ecology of the upper lake precinct is the pride of the city. As we stroll along the edge, one can notice the migratory birds flying in perfect formations; the kids trying to climb the railing to get a better view, and men fishing near the ghats.

Taal toh taal, Bhopal taal!

Baaki sab Tallaiya!

‘ The magnificent lake, the beautiful trees, the chaotic play of silence and music opens up a new dimension to life.

The scent of flowers, the swings of life, brings back the colourful joys ‘

HISTORY

EVOLUTION OF THE CITY

The growth of the city was predominantly dependent on Bada Talab, built by Raja Bhoj (10101053 A.D.). The old city consisting of Kamlapati Palace, Fatehgarh fort, Qadimi Hammam, Maji Mamola Ki Masjid, Faiz Bahadur ka Makbara, and Gauhar Mahal, was defined by the end of the 1700s.

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Industrialization led to the expansion of the city thus causing the development in subsidiary areas.

The direction of Urban Sprawl is towards South East And North East with the ‘Bada Talab’ on the western edge.

REDEFINING MOKSHA

Vidhwa Sahay Ashram, Vrindavan Sacred Landscape of Bereavement Undergraduate Architecture Thesis 2018

Stretch IV (Chief Minister’s Bungalow to Van Vihar Entrance gate) This area is the most happening area of the site, with tourists and localities enjoying boat rides and everyday scenic beauty.

Stretch III (Vardhaman Park to Chief Minister’s Bungalow) The stretch shows a major transformation from a high traffic Kamla park road to a lesser crowded Bharat Bhawan road culminating into a completely pedestrian Lake view path.

“After the death of my husband, my children forced me to leave the house. I was thrown out with no clothes to even cover my body. People told me to go to Vrindavan as now only Lord Krishna can save me from the world’. Here, I wait for death everyday so that I get some relief” This is the common story of widows found on the streets of Vrindavan. Widow, an ostracised section of society faces a lot of hardships after the death of her husband. Widows, old or young share a common loss, a loss of respect and dignity from the family and the society.Project intends to make them independent and self-sufficient to live a fruitful life ahead and thus, granting them a state of moksha, that releases them from the harsh reality cages of being widows.

‘Here I feel good, I have friends who have gone through similar pain and we get support from each other.

These Gardens are my best place as here everyday I can relax and sing Bhajans and talk with friends,’ said Janmaitri, 80.

Stretch II (Kamla Park to Vardhaman Park) This area contains a high traffic transit passage with Kamla Park on the Eastern end and Bada Talab on the Western edge.

Stretch I (Gauhar Mahal to Kamla Park) It is a transition area where the old city opens up to the Lake and connects to the newer developments. The street transforms from heritage structures through parks, as the Lake is gradually revealed.

BHOJ WETLAND PROJECT

Initiated in 1994, the Bhoj Wetland Project (Lake Bhopal Conservation and Management Project) was proposed to enhance and strengthen the ecological richness of the city through the rejuvenation of the lakes. Bhoj Wetland has been marked as a Ramsar site for conservation and sustainable use of resources in 2002.

ECOLOGY

> 25% Very Steep 20-25% Steep slope 15-20% Mild to steep slope 10-15% Gentle to mild slope Drainage Valleys

SLOPE ANALYSIS DIAGRAM

Medium sensibility Low sensibility No construction zone

ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE ZONES

TREES AND BIRDS SPECIES

The evening skies are covered with a vast number of bats flying above the upper lake, taking shelter in large trees of Kamla park.

Source: Bhoj wetland, experience and lessons learned

Cliff edge Water edge Pedestrian path Vehicular path Nodes

IMAGEABILITY Commercial Existing religious Heritage Residential Open/ fallow Public building

BUILDING USE DIAGRAM

DENSITY MAPPING Single storey G+1 G+2

BUILDING HEIGHT DIAGRAM

FOOTFALL MAPPING

Upper Lake being a visually engaging stretch gives rise to multiple activities of both active and passive engagement for the regular visitors.

Active engagement : Boating, Cultural Shows, Weekend activities .

Passive engagement : views of the lake from the parks, fountains, Mazaar, walking corridors along the lake.

ACTIVITY MAPPING AND FOOTFALL

USER PROFILE

As the Site is situated along major roads, the morphology and the roads define each other, along with the lake being the focal point. Transportation modes and traffic density significantly differ through the stretch-ranging from heavy vehicles and BRTS to shared bicycles.

Informal parking Formal parking

ACTIVITY MAPPING AND FOOTFALL

TRANSPORTATION MAPPING

CHARACTERISTICS INDEX

PUBLIC SPACE

While mapping activities, it is observed that the lakefront is bustling with activities throughout the day, and even at night. They range from religious and cultural to recreational with a varied user group.

RAJA BHOJ SETU PRECINCT

Environmental Value Public value

Economic value LAKE VIEW PATH

A public space helps promote social interaction and a sense of community. This can be observed in most of the recreational areas of the site.

PUBLIC PLACE 1. Illegible entry of Vardhamaan park 2. Off street informal parking in front of Vardhamaan park 3. Closing of park at 8pm causes inactivity in Lake View path 4. No lighting imparts a sense of insecurity 1. Old dilapidated deck on lakefront 2. Poor wayfinding for lake view path 3. Present Informal Boating

VARDHAMAN PARK

LAKE VIEW PATH

1. Poor Wayfinding for Hamam 1. Poor Wayfinding for Bharat Bhawan 1. Dysfunctional Canteen

LAKE VIEW PATH

1. No pause points for visitors in lakeview path 2. Limited user groups in lake view path DESIGN CHALLENGES

DESIGN INTENT ACTIVATING THE LAKE VIEW PATH

The Design site is a linear stretch that lies between Vardhamaan Park and Pump House. Vardhamaan Park is an active precinct but a bit unsafe at Night. The lake view path (Pedestrian) and Rustam khan marg (Vehicular) constitute a 2 tier movement pattern because of existing site contours.

ENHANCING THE ENTRANCE GATEWAYS

PEDESTRIAN EMPHASIS

DIVERSE USER GROUPS

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Section AA : Revival of the fountain Section BB : A new deck - to promote Non Motorized Boating in the lake along with seating space for visitors to view the lake and its activities.

Intervention Zone 1 Vardhamaan Park

Intervention Zone 2 Canteen View Path

Intervention Zone 3 Natural Trail - Lakeview Path

Intervention Zone 4 Information Pavilion

PROPOSED STREET ELEVATION Increasing legibility - Signages and new Entrance Gate design

BRINGING DIVERSE GROUPS Reviving dysfunctional canteen by creating new seating along with exhibition space that connects to the workshop area of Bharat Bhawan, increasing the footfall and introducing diverse users to the site.

INFORMATION PAVILION Designing a new bamboo pavilion as an interpretation center in front of the pumphouse. The existing area is used for unauthorized on-road parking of vehicles.

ACTIVATING THE PATH Incorporating surveillance through increasing diverse user groups to the site by designing a play area along the path.

Intervention Zone 1 Vardhamaan Park

Intervention Zone 5 Play Area - LakeView Path

03 RE-WEAVING CHANDERI Weaving Center, Chanderi Academics - Competition Louis I. Kahn (LIK) Trophy

Chanderi having embraced the diverse culture of weaving and architecture is on the verge of getting deviated from its realm.

This design provides weavers an opportunity to keep alive the traditional art of weaving and showcase their works, enhancing social interaction and keep intact their cultural Heritage, thereby increasing the tourist influx, enhancing the culture of Chanderi.

The underlying concept is to create a visual connection between the process and the end product for better understanding. The interplay of light and shadow through the perforated Screens ‘jaali’ creates self-similar imagery between the foreground and crafts on display. The whole design completely blends with the context and becomes a part of Chanderi’s Heritage.

PATTERN OF WEAVING - PATTERN OF JAALI - PATTERN OF SHADOW

“Consider the momentous event in architecture when the walls parted and columns became.�

- Louis I. Kahn

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Rendered By - Husam Abdul Nazer Louis I. Kahn Trophy 2015

04 LOST PUBLIC SPACES

Redefining Urban Crematoriums Internship - Research Project

With modernization, spaces are being planned, catering to the tangible and intangible needs of the masses, be it parks, malls, etc. Though constantly used, there are a few spaces that are being neglected and left away from the overall development. Cremation Ground is one such neglected space. Used by everyone at some point, they leave a lasting impact in the minds of people visiting the place. The present scenario reveals the condition of the space as derogatory.

Secluded, ignored, and not maintained.

The aim is to revive a cremation ground that can act as a prototype for other such dead spaces. Documenting major cremations grounds of Jaipur, with the main idea to re-articulate the essential identity of the crematorium in its urban context. These proposed interventions were presented in front of various NGO’s for further implementation. Moksha Dham, Jhalana Gram was selected for the further revival program and the DPR was prepared for the same.

Most people are not really scared of death. They are merely terrified of being taken to a mortuary and/or being buried or cremated and/or being forgotten.

-― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

All I can pay respect is to the empty walls and this pile of garbage

This is the land of the dead, a dead land! sigh!

So much space wastage, this could have been a place where my children could play

Overlapping of various activities create so much congestion

I am scared of this place, such negative vibrations.

This has become a ground for so many illegal activities.

I have no privacy to even mourn.

Modernization, technological advancement

Modernisation, Rituals have become technological a mere advancement process

No Modernisation, respect for spaces technological for dead, spaces advancement are in bad shape

Can have a negative psychological effect

Need for awareness and revival

LEGEND

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Wall of Goodwill Neki ki Diwaar to donate old clothes and other essentials to the needy

The artificial soundscape created using bells on tree branches, earthen pots, and loudspeakers especially designed to create dialogue with the landscapes

Flower and fruit-bearing trees attract birds and insects giving life to space.

Natural soundscape using birdbaths.

The chirping of birds create an atmosphere of positivity

The reflection in water helps one connect to his inner self

This universal model can be replicated to any other cremation ground. These interventions would not only add to the psychological and spatial advancement but would also contribute to the urbanscape.

In absence of any cremation on a certain day, space can be transformed into a public space.

It is a place where mourners pay last tribute to the dead, where the interaction of people with rituals take place, where man is reminded of its finite nature of existence, of one’s mortality, where one contemplates and remembers all the moments associated with the dead.

Enclosing the cremating area with shells that hide the burning fire partially, while the essence of smoke through the top opening symbolizes the spirit rising to the heavens The curved form of the shell symbolizing a person bowing down, paying homage to the dead.

Introducing elements like windmills and bells to break the stereotypical image of the high tin sheds defining a crematorium.

Bells that ring every time a cremation happens, associating death with the positivity of temple bells.

A CELEBRATION The continuous movement of windmills symbolising that life goes on.

Permeability is created through hedges and perforated boundary walls, connecting the inside with the outside and at the same time providing security.

05 URBAN RENEWAL

Lakshmi Mills, Coimbatore Master planning

Professional Work - Studio Lotus

The Laxmi Mills Site presents immense potential to serve as a major pedestrianized urban leisure hub in Coimbatore, where citizens can engage in public leisure activities, free from the congestion and pollution of everyday life.

The numerous existing large industrial structures can be adapted to serve as valuable revenue-generating public functions, with minimum architectural or structural intervention.

The site, spread over a site area of 21 acres, occupies a very strategic node within the city, which is already etched in public memory as the 'Laxmi Mills Crossing'. The presence of diverse land use all around, including major commercial, residential, and public institutional pockets, provides it with a readily available and valuable catchment area for drawing people to the hub.

While this hub will be our way of 'giving back' to the city of Coimbatore, the creation of this iconic urban public node will draw large crowds, thus creating a lucrative revenue model for the adaptive reuse of the industrial heritage of the city.

Returning Hetitage to the city

Preserving and Extending the Greens I Existing Site

Peripheral Vehicular Circulation

Making a breakthrough

Creating Porous Edges thus activating the streets

LEISURE Community Hub Urban Oasis

LAKSHMI MILLS LEGACY Textile Culture Industrial Heritage

Connecting to community and local culture

Using textile as a connect and an expression

PLACEMAKING Creating Public Space Festival Celebration

Creating Visual connection

Retaining legacy elemets as markers

Creating a Singular Creating Po

Broad Z

r Pedestrian Realm I orous Edges

Zoning

Restructuring the Built

Proposed Entry I Exit points and Vehicular Circulation

Connective Pedestrian Paths I Connecting Major Nodes

Proposed Parking

Aerial View

ZONING

OFFICE SPACE 1. Courtyard

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Utilizing Plazas as saleable kiosk spaces Enhancing Indoor-Outdoor Connection Creating Facade Guidelines : The materiality of the facade to be limited to brick or stucco plaster with metal grey elements.

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Drop Off

Retail Hub 3100 sq.m.

Office space 6070 sq.m.

Old Post Office 100 sq.m.

Retail Sto Proposed Bank/ offices 650 sq.m.

3070 sq.m

FnB Zone 1015 sq.m.

Amphitheatre 250 sq.m.

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2 CULTURAL & HERITAGE ZONE 1. Restaurant 2. Drop Off point 3. Food truck/ Kiosk space 4. Cafe/ FnB Outlet

Highlighting Nodes through Local Arts Introducing A Multi-Functional Unifying Element - Retaining Weaving Legacy

Utilizing Plazas as saleable kiosk spaces Enhancing Indoor - Outdoor Connection Introducing A Multi-Functional Unifying Element - Retaining Weaving Legacy

ENTRANCE PLAZA 1. Kund 2. Drop Off point 3. Food truck/ Kiosk space 4. Cafe/ FnB Outlet

FACADE GUIDELINES Lintel at +2700 from ground level Sill at +600 mm from ground level Plinth at + 450 mm from ground level Stone masonry walls to be left exposed Clerestory windows on roofs to be glazed to allow natural light.

GAME ZONE 1. Bumper Car 2. Food Kiosk 3. Outdoor Gaming hub (ziplining, jungle gym, rock climbing) Water Tower as the main marker Utilizing Plazas as saleable kiosk spaces Creating pedestrian streets

Arcade Game Zone 2570 sq.m.

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3 2 Multibrand outlet 3250 sq.m.

Furniture Store 2005 sq.m.

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Hypermarket 2470 sq.m.

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4 Services 1005 sq.m.

Directional Marker at various nodes Utilizing Plazas as saleable kiosk spaces Enhancing Indoor-Outdoor Connection

MARKET HUB 1. Retail Hub 2. Drop Off point 3. Spill out space 4. Mechanical Parking

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Retail Hub

Street view

Street view

Aerial View of the kund

Retail Hub

Entrance view

Public Plaza

06 JAPANESE HOTEL

Business Hotel, Vithlapur Hospitality

Professional Work - Studio Lotus

The brief was to provide a Comprehensive Master Plan for the 4.2 acres site in Vithalapur, Gujarat consisting of 112 keys Business Hotel Block of approx.

1,60,000 sqft.

With the depth of the relationship between the two countries, Japan and Gujarat, where major initiatives like the high-speed rail project, development of Japanese industrial townships, cooperation in automobiles, and human resource development are taking place, the intent is to create more chances for the Japanese people to experience being at home through interaction within the Japanese as well as the local community, and living experience, and skip from the general model of a temporary relationship among traveler, the city and the hotel.

In the design process, it launches from the abstract of minimalistic Japanese lifestyles like eating, clothing, living, and transportation and then intends to extend to all details like space, materials, plants, lights, and textiles. It is hoped that users may notice and feel the details distinguished from other hotels with respect to compact efficient living.

The design aspires to define the hotel experience as not only an experience of nature from within, but an experience of existence as an integral part of nature itself.

Tea Pavilion sitting along the Central water body

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TERRACE

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2 SERVICE FLOOR

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ROOMS - 3RD - 6TH FLOOR Private

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FIRST FLOOR Semi Private

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GROUND FLOOR

Public

3 4 ISOMETRIC FLOOR PLAN

SERVICE BASEMENT

LEGEND 1. Terrace 2. Water Tank 3. Service Cores TEA PAVILION

CORRIDOR

1. Suite 2. Delux Room 3. Typical Room

TYPICAL ROOM

1. Service Bay 2. Landscape Garden 3. Service Core

ROOM CORRIDOR

C Channel as/structure

1. Business Lounge 2. Gym 3. Juice Bar 4. Pool Deck and Lounge 5. Spa

150mm X 25mm Tipwood profile 12mm thk. MS plate

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BUSINESS LOUNGE

DETAIL A

1. MS Caping 2. Single peice assembly : Cylindrical spacer with allen key 12mm thk. MS plate

1. Entrance 2. Multicuisine Restaurant 3. Cafe 4. F.O.H 5. Banquet 1 6. Landscape Court 8. B.O.H. 2

150mm X 25mm Tipwood profile

DETAIL A 1. Rain Water tank 2. Fire pump room 3. Fire Tank 4. Service Cores

C Channel as/structure

1. MS Caping 2. Cylindrical spacer with allen key

FACADE DETAIL

FEATURE STAIRCASE

View of the Pool Deck

Entrance View

Ecology I Recycling I Localization I Energy Conversation I Passive Cooling System I Local Materials I Water and Waste Management 4 3

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FACADE DETAIL 1. 150 X 25mm Tipwood profile, 2.FRP Planter, 3. 300 X 150mm C Channel, 4. 130mm R.C.C Slab

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2615mm Corridor

CANOPY DETAIL 1. 175mm dia. MS Column, 2.False Ceiling, 3. Standing Seam, 4. MS Truss, 5. 50 X 25 mm MS purlin, 6. Paved Area, 7. AAC Wall

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CANOPY DETAIL 1. 50 mm thk. granite coping, 2. AAC Block, 3. 300mm X 150mm C Channel

07 PUKAAR

Visual Storytelling

Journey to Chaar Dhaam

This project is a visual series of the events/ emotions that one experiences on his way to Chaar Dhaam. Excited for the journey, one witness high pine trees all around with birds chirping and leaves rustling. Ahead, one is completely moved by the vastness of the river Ganga, flowing elegantly along the banks of Rishikesh.

The bus takes to the most exhilarating roads with the mysterious river on one side and mighty mountains on the other.

Extremely rugged terrain with high aspirations to reach safely to the destination.

From walking with a stick to sitting firmly on the horse, taking small breaks in between, one climbs up. Thunder, darkness, never halted the strength to reach to the picturesque sites of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamnotri.

Loaded with the atmosphere of people's belief, with temple bells ringing and the fragrance of flowers all around, one connects himself with the higher soul.

‘Chaar Dhaam’

‘Safar’

‘Maa Ganga’

‘Raasta’

‘Bhakt’

‘Umeed’

‘Aastha’

Shattered

Bhajan Ashram, Vrindavan

Maya, a widow waiting to go inside the Bhajan temple says, “If the temple trust found us talking to any random person and complaining about these Bhajan ashrams, they will throw us out and I would not receive even that tiny money.� These temples are a source of money for many of the widows.

Vrindavan 22.12.2017

Pankaj

Construction Site

Wearing mismatched clothes, a few old and a few new, with a bright pink cap given by a man a week before, Pankaj, a 5-year-old child, sits quietly on the mountain of sand. For these little tots, the edged gravel, broken sticks have become their crayons and the pencils. Sitting on the jagged terrain, concrete mixers or bulldozers, wiring, and heavy trucks have been their playthings, hazardous and unfriendly.

Jaipur 25.11.2020

Galliyan

Patwon ki Haveli, Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer 18.12.2016

Idyllic

And, then I stopped!

Auroville 12.03.2017

Thank You Deepali Khunteta deepalikhunteta@gmail.com +91-9981949602