Portfolio'24

about me

I am a 23 year old graduate with coa license and have recently completed my architecture studies from Kmea college,Mg university. I am an efficient and creative person driven by the purpose of architecture and its unique ability to translate intangibles to tangibles. Design has evolved my perspective and perseption towards the society and its users. The portfolio is a reflection of my time at architecture school as well as my internship experience. I intend to further expand my skillset through this position.

education

2004-2017

New Indian Model School, Sharjah,UAE

2018-2023

Kmea College of Architecture,Aluva, Kerala,India.

skills

software

Autodesk Autocad

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Indesign

Autodesk Revit

Adobe Illustrator

Autodesk sketchbook

Trimble Sketchup

Layout for Sketchup

Enscape

Lumion

Microsoft Office experience

other Illustrations

Sketching Writing

Model making

Site management

2022-2023

Internship at Cochin Creative Collective (CCC)

2023-2024

Freelancing competitions

66th year Writing Architecture trophyshortlisted.

65th year Writing Architecture trophy.

Kerala awards for Thesis in Architecture

2023 .

Neytt design awards 2023 .

Annual Nasa design competiton 2020.

Annual Nasa design competiton 2019

- shortlisted. languages

English

Malayalam

Hindi

Arabic

Re-Imagining Incarceration facilities. the way forward for alternatives to penal system, prison.

Writing architecture trophy NASA. shortlisted writeup. 01.

Poshtel coliving & co-working space.

2020 house. apartment interiors.

Parivrith centre of knowledge..

Shanthipuram documentation. hand sketching, documentation.

Internship-C\C\C drawings. construction drawings. Weaves of resilience. Neytt rug design awards 2023.

01“Re-Imagining Incarceration facilities”

the way forward for alternatives to penal system - architectural thesis. area of study: Architectural design, Thesis, Research. function: Prison/Jail typology. location: Poojappura,Tvm.

Spaces that we inhabit in influences our understanding and state of mind. When people are to be confined to spaces beyond their power, they are influenced by these spaces to the utmost. Shouldn’t confinement be the punishment, and not the space or architecture? The current systems of incarceration are either seen to be neglected, or others who continue in the typologies that existed much before. A system of architecture of surveillance is seen, one that clearly lacks at respecting the dignity and restoration or rehabilitation of the people confined.

Multiple articles and newspaper reports shine light at the need of reimagining such facilities considering the ill effects those can have on the inmates. Hence, how can the architecture of surveillance be rethought? How would that impact the users concerned? How can Incarceration facilities be Re-imagined?

prisoner’s connector recreational block recreational

transition court transition court rehabilitative rehabilitative

prisoner’s tower-library transition multi-purpose

problems insight: recidivism/social stigma/undertrials/inhumane spaces.

`“Let me tell you, a prison assignment is considered the last one for any field-oriented officer – termed the ‘punishment assignment’. It was understood that when a serving officer is not liked, they are dumped in a prison, and, figuratively locked in by the big gates, they cannot be seen or heard,” she informs. “The resources are minimal, and, if there’s a riot or an escape, the officer is blamed.” Says Kiran Bedi. “Another study by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) in December showed prison occupancy had increased by 23% over the last two years, with over 900,000 more arrests made during the pandemic alone. Prison occupancy on average increased from 115% to 133%.” “The number of unsentenced prisoners is increasing every day. The time they spend in prison awaiting trial has also increased over the past five years. The increasing prison population necessitates immediate measures towards decongestion,” Madhurima Dhanuka, the head of CHRI’s Prison Reforms Program.“You look at the jails that we currently have and they don’t feel like a part of our urban landscape,” she said. “Either we’ve put them far away, like Rikers, or we’ve made them forbidding, like the Tombs. Even though we may not be building those fabulous Gehry-like designs in our jails, the principles are something we need to pay very close attention to. We should try to normalize life inside as much as we can, because people are going to come back.”- frank gehry.

Illustration done documenting the exisiting scenario of Indian jails from casestudies.

Poojappura a densely populated residential area in Thiruvanathapuram. Poojappura is famous for the celebration of Navarathri. The State Education Department (Pareeksha Bhavan), Head Oce of HLL Lifecare Limited (formerly Hindustan Latex Limited), Head Oce of State Bank of Travancore, Bharatheeyam charitable trust is located here. The site is 250m away from the main road which leads to Poojappura, Jagathy, Karamana and Thirumala.

Site Location: Adjacent to Central prison, Poojappura

Site Area :6 acres

Ownership :Government property used by the prisoners of Central Jail, Poojappura

Site

Architectural collage done documenting the exisiting scenario of Poojappura Central jail.

Spaces to rehabilitate as part of the daily routine, communicate and reform.

Spaces to integrate with nature that also helps with the mental well being of an inmate.

Communal spaces for collective activ- ities.

Intent of the project: The intent of the project is to bring about spaces that can rehabilitate the inmates in the incarceration facility as the primary concern for any such facility must be about reforming all the while protecting basic human dignity. Isolation is detrimental to an inmate in a total institution, rather spaces for community building and various levels of interaction is important. Reintegrating back to a society with basic skills to comfortably live a life after the period is also as important. Dignified spaces that can aid in the betterment of the prisoners all the while not bringing spaces of luxurious comfort is noted.

DECENTRALIZATION - REIMAGINING INCARCERATION FACILITIES, By programmatically blurring the boundaries between prisoners and outside society –and facilitating interaction – the project intends to reduces the risk of recidivism while at the same time furthering important skill development and self realisation. By breaking the centralized, controlled Panopticism, a sense of hierarchy of inmates and staff is removed.

Anti-panopticon, to decentralize and- break the centralised controlled panoptical model.

Non - singular schemes for the inmates depending on their reformative levels- compared to singular routines.

Halfway homes as the last step to reinte- grating an inmate into the society.

Communal spaces for interaction, rather than isolated spaces which can cause negatively among inmates.

Cluster within cluster, grid like pattern and community design helps in creating better communities also ensure security.

Prototype which can extend and add on spaces as needed, as the way forward.

prisoner’s tower-library

multi-purpose hall

prisoner’s connector-bridge medical room

OAT seating/ recreational

Clusters within clusters, adding to security and better to handle and reform.

Clusters also based on security levels,ie, high,low and medium security clusters depending on the propensity scale of the prisoners

Clusters based on the functionality,as HOME, WORK AND LEISURE spaces mimicking life outside.

Clusters also based on security levels,ie, high,low and medium security clusters depending on the propensity scale of the prisoners

rehabilitative centres. for the emotional wellbeing of the inmates. greencourts surrounding rehab centres. prisoners get to reflect on their behaviours and are accessed by professionals as well as guided for rehabilitation.

transition court.

accomodation block with rehabiliative centres, connective coriidors with openings, and green courts open to sky.

In the realm of prison design, the incorporation of experiential elements emerges as a pivotal strategy. These elements go beyond mere aesthetics; they profoundly influence the prison environment, offering the potential to enhance inmate rehabilitation andoverall well-being.One of the primary impacts of experiential elements is their ability to restore a sense of human dignity and identity. Within prison walls, simple yet significant touches, can convey respect and value to inmates, reinforcing their sense of self. By harnessing natural light, refining the visual and tactile aspects of physical partitions, and employing a soothing color scheme, these elements coalesce to engender a carceral environment that transcends punitive notions and embodies a commitment to the psychological well-being of inmates within the criminal justice system.

02“Poshtel”

coliving & co-working space - academic semester 06. area of study: Architectural design, Interiors, Structure. function: coliving hostel apartment. location: Edappally

The project is a poshtel, which is a hostel with coliving and coworking benefits. The intent of the project is to create networking opportunities, with people residing as well as outsiders. The poshtel acts as a link espcially to remote workers. The amenities include recreational floor which has gym, spa, cafe, lounge, etc, aswell as rooftop lounges. Coworking spaces are also provided at every floors.

The site is situated at the Urban centre of Edappally with universities, companies, nearby. In such a scenario of huge urban development, a coworking coliving space is not to be found, hence a poshtel with all the needed amenities is proposed.

type a - single bedroom

Designing the single bedroom to cater to basic needs for one user.These include storage, closet and balcony space.

type b - double bedroom

Designing the double bedroom to cater basic needs for minimum 2 user. These include storage closet and utility space

type c - family room

Designing the family bedroom to cater basic needs for a family of atleast 4. These include storage closet,kitchen,and two toilet.

type d - dorm room gf

Designing the dorm bedroom to cater basic needs for 4 users.They have mezannine floor, workspace,lounge and kitchen.

type d - dorm room ff

The first floor of dorm having capsule like rooms for privacy,and storage space underneath it, This layers the privacy of the users.

Mezzanine floor for added privacy in dorms.

Reception and recreational floor.

Cafe space open to public

Capsule like bedrooms with maximum efficiency and storage space

Coworking spaces with open lounges.

Rooftop recreational facilities for the residents.

03“2020 house”

apartment interior - Internship period. area of study: Graphic design, Interior design, construction. function: Graphical exploration, visualization. location: Marine drive, Cochin.

Designed for a globe-trotting couple,their daughter and their collection of books. The white, sealess, monolithic walls seem to flow from this sacred core forming a pristine and pure architectural form seemingly devoid of the burden of contextual gestures.Instead, the rooms, cabinets and nooks seem to hold secrets, treasured memories and aspirations of the inhabitants, turning every facet of the house into personalised territories. The playful articulation of the walls creates parallel worlds of light and shade, at times flooding the interiors in pleasant sunlight and at other timesbeing absorbed into the grainy hues of deep, wooden library shelves.

Plan-Seamless, monochromatic walls egulfing the apartment interiors generating parallel worlds of light and shade.

openings are seamless creating cabinets of curiosity.

photography: Syam Sreesylam

Planometric view of the proposed design.

01 Architectural visualization - 2020 House.

Designed for a globe-trotting couple,their daughter and their collection of books. The white, seamless, monolithic walls seem to flow from this sacred core forming a pristine and pure architectural form seemingly devoid of the burden of contextual gestures. Instead, the rooms, cabinets and nooks seem to hold secrets, treasured memories and aspirations of the inhabitants, turning every facet of the house into personalised territories. The playful articulation of the walls creates parallel worlds of light and shade, at times flooding the interiors in pleasant sunlight and at other times being absorbed into the grainy hues of deep, wooden library shelves.

04“Parivrith”

centre of knowledge - academic semester 04. area of study: Architectural design, Phenomenology, User experience. function: Learning centre. location: Auroville, Pondicherry.

The project is a centre of knowledge, a beacon to all who seek the city of auroville and its progressive nature. The project aims to bridge the gap between the people of backward community and the Aurovillians and bring about a transformation to the people of Edayanchavadi,in par with the transformation of Auroville. The local communities of the Anitya community, Edayanchavadi were deprived access of educational institutions, despite being the backbone in the progressing transformation of Auroville. Hence, a centre of knowledge that welcomes them, and transforms the disparities within the system was essential.

conceptual idea:

Solid-void, Inbetween space

Taking advantage of the in-between spaces, and bringing transitional spaces that blur the inside from the outside.

Flexible, multifunctionin spaces

Axis, direction

form development:

Using flexible openings to create multi-functional spaces that tranform the space to cater different activities and age group.

Program requirements.

Zoning and dividing area requirements.

Massing according to site conditions and user experience

Designing the space around different axis, to make use of the ventilation, light and to cater the surrounding context into the site.

Massing and program organization.

1)Administrative zone.

2)Learning zone.

3) Nourishment & Activity zone.

Green courtyards and open plan system paralleled to the context.

(a)

Folding and sliding doors aid to the flexibility and transition of classrooms.

(b)

Flexible spaces created using openings, classrooms becoming multi-purpose spaces that allow learning as well as other activities for the students alike.

Materials: 1.wood 2.louvred bamboo 3.brick 4.recycled corrugated plastic sheet.

Two classrooms combined to cater multiple functions.

Reflection pond overlooking the landscape.

Two seperate classrooms.

05“shanthipuram documentation”

urban design hand sketching- academic semester 09. area of study: Urban design, documentation, sketching. function: Sketching exploration, visualization. location: Shanthipuram colony.

Documenting the housing colony and its active and pause points, utilising hand sketching as well as multi-medium to bring about the graphics portrayed. The documentation happened over the course of day and night thus portraying the activities and their peak times.

06“internship - C\C\C”

construction drawings produced during internship - 07 & 08 semester

area of study: Architectural design,Graphic design, Joinery details, 3d modelling, setout drawing,masonry drawing, electrical layout, interior design, structural drawing, site management, etc.

07“Weaves of resilience”

Neytt design awards 2023 - rug design competition. area of study: Product design,Graphic design. function: Rug designing.

The designed rug encapsulates the essence of Palestine’s history, culture, and the enduring spirit of resistance. This design serves as a testament to the powerful intersection of art and advocacy, where design becomes a vehicle for meaningful storytelling. Woven into the intricate patterns and vibrant hues of this Palestine inspired rug are narratives that go beyond mere aesthetics. Each thread carries the weight of a rich history, symbolizing the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity. In the current situation, “WEAVES OF RESISTANCE” emerges as a symbol of solidarity and a call to action. It represents a conscious decision to employ the language of design in addressing the challenges faced by the Palestinian people, transcending geographical boundaries to foster global empathy and dialogue.

THEME - TATREEZ EMBROIDERY:

The art of Palestinian embroidery, known as tatreez, has always been an integral aspect of Palestinian heritage, uniquely expressing the vibrant identity of Palestinians. Tatreez is a beautiful and intricate embroidery art form requiring an exceptional amount of patience, dedication, and precision. Tatreez delights and fascinates, but is also deeply rich and symbolic and tells the colorful stories of Palestine, both ancient and evolving

Tatreez is an arabic word, representing an embroidery style that is uniquely Palestinian and is traditionally known as fallahi. “Fallah means farmer, village worker, filler of the soil. The cross- stitch assumed the name fallahi because it was the stitch embroidered by the fallaha Palestinian farm woman.” -Tania

Taman Nasir and Widad Kawar, Palestinian Embroidery | Traditional Fallahi Cross Stitch

THEME - KEFFIYEH: The keffiyeh, also known as a “kufiya”, “shemagh” or “hattah”, is a square-shaped cotton scarf. However, we all know it is much more than that. The keffiyeh has a long and complex history. Keffiyeh colours, styles and symbolic meaning depend on the country, as red and white is usually associated with Jordan whereas in Palestine, a black and white scarf is mainly worn for the purpose of resistance and solidarity. This became popular in the 1900s, as Palestinian rebels would wear the keffiyeh in order to hide their identity and avoid being arrested. It was also strongly solidified by Yasser Arafat, the leader of Palestine Liberation Organization, as he would almost always be wearing the scarf on his head whilst fighting against the occupation.

On our classic Palestinian keffiyeh, there are three main patterns featured, including fishnets, bold routes and olive leaves. The most famous fishnet pattern, which slightly resembles the houndstooth pattern, represents Palestinian sailors and the Mediterranean sea. Fishing was a huge aspect of Palestinian life, especially in Jaffa and Haifa. Secondly, the bold routes and lines featured symbolized trade routes of natural & cultural merchant exchange. Lastly, the wavy olive leaves represent perseverance, strength & resilience. Olive trees are a huge symbol of Palestine as well as Palestinian struggle, as it showcases the attachment to the land even as many olive farmers lose their land and beloved olive trees.

INTRODUCTION:

WEAVES OF RESILIENCE

The designed rug encapsulates the essence of Palestine’s history, culture, and the enduring spirit of resistance. This design serves as a testament to the powerful intersection of art and advocacy, where design becomes a vehicle for meaningful storytelling.Woven into the intricate patterns and vibrant hues of this Palestine inspired rug are narratives that go beyond mere aesthetics. Each thread carries the weight of a rich history, symbolizing the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity. In the current situation, “WEAVES OF RESISTANCE” emerges as a symbol of solidarity and a call to action. It represents a conscious decision to employ the language of design in addressing the challenges faced by the Palestinian people, transcending geographical boundaries to foster global empathy and dialogue.

08“Writing architecture trophy NASA”

area of study: Architectural writing - shortlisted.

Topic: Role of the Architecture fraternity in promoting Social equity.

Academic year: 9th semester

Link to read the paper: https://drive.google.com/drive/ folders/1-7eVW-9LlnGtiGd6bnoxcCbSgDDxyVzz?usp=sharing

ABSTRACT

Hysterical,

Aren’t we thinking that we can solve all the hassles of this dystopian world? These architects are merely human beings devoid of any divine endowment to conquer social equity. Ironic, isn’t it how we aim for social equity when we ourselves are the sole builders of this existing gap?

Why endeavour to abolish world hunger when we can build statues o f world leaders for billions or build cities like Neom where the rich enjoy the riches? Aren’t we all living to please the privileged? Otherwise, who is going to fill the architect's tummy the client in the slum? The pay is barely anything nowadays.

You would think designing perfect cities would be the magical elixir to solve all of society's problems, as in Corbusier's Ideal Cities, the pinnacle of the urban utopia, where efficiency and geometry reign supreme and towering concrete monoliths soar above all. A dream come true, where character and historical charm were just another inconvenience.

Eradicating social and economic disparities? A piece of cake! Just lay a cloak over the slums when there is a G20 meeting in the town. Architecture alone can ’t solve social equity. Do you think billionaires will agree to live in affordable housing when they can live in a penthouse?

Sadly, social equity is a utopian thought, but architects can strive to make the situation better; however, that is substantiall y contingent on the environment they intermingle in.

the end. fathima shiril

fathimashiril04@gmail.com

+971 54 591 8447

www.linkedin.com/in/fathima-shiril