Portfolio

HARSHA MISTRY

mail.harshamistry@gmail.com

CONTENTS

This portfolio includes the projects undertaken by Harsha Mistry as a Founder/Partner at Workshop Inc., as a Junior Architect at KSA DPS Private Ltd. and as a student at CEPT University.

PROJECTS

PROJECTS

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RESEARCH AND COMPETITION

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client / DRASTY SHAH

type / CAFE, GALLERY

area / 1200 SQFT

year / JAN 2015

status / COMPLETED

site / AHMEDABAD

photos / KUNAL BHATIA

published / BETTER INTERIORS, VOGUE INDIA, HOME REVIEW, CASA VIVA, DESIGN DETAIL, VMNRD

THE PROJECT CAFE

The Project Café has been conceptualized as a fresh, dynamic space merging three aspects - food, art and retail - where food acts as a catalyst for widening the reach of artists and designers among the masses. The idea was to create a language that serves as a neutral canvas for the numerous and changing artworks, which at the same time has a strong character of its own to give the café an identity that remains constant.

Situated in an old bungalow in Ahmedabad, the small, disconnected rooms were opened up for physical and visual connectivity, completely changing the perception of the space. Open shelving and flexible industrial display systems ofer a raw and stripped down design language. The café sports eccentricity with varying, colourful furniture in each space to create a cheerful, inviting all-day vibe. The outdoor spaces on the ground floor have been designed to maximize the view, enhancing the experience of a street-side cafe.

THE WICKER STUDIO

The Wicker Studio is a showroom for outdoor furniture based in Ahmedabad. The first thing that comes to mind while designing such a space is that the context is totally opposite to the one that the furniture is actually going to be placed in once it gets sold. So, beginning with the premise of recreating the context in an interior environment, each stage of design focused on creating various outdoor experiences and bringing it cohesively under one roof.

The palette of materials has been kept as natural and raw as possible. Exposed brickwork and grey stucco make up the feature wall on both the floors. Tall MS frames are strategically suspended from the ceiling to create small pockets of space to display larger furniture clusters. This allows one to view them in their entirety, stopping the eye from wandering on to the next cluster. Each smaller space is defined by varying patterns of exposed brickwork that form the backdrop. The kota stone flooring on the ground floor is ofset by patches of pebbles, reminiscent of outdoor garden walkways. On the other side, a raised platform to display special chairs and smaller pieces has been created by using exposed brick paving. The first floor has seamless epoxy flooring. Small patches of green have also been recreated. A variety of props, artificial greens as well as small houseplants accessorise the space and add character.

CONTAINER BISTRO

The site is located on the main road leading to Anand from Ahmedabad - Baroda Expressway (repeating). At first, on the approach road and from the point where we stand and look at the site, we would see a series of concrete frame structure buildings trying to be diferent from one another by colour and cladding. There, we wanted a restaurant which is kind of ‘diferent (because it needs to attract crowd) yet architecturally sound’. Another major challenges were time given to design and construct and leased land for an unsure time period. The whole idea then was to build minimally and the building transferable, something which can dis-assemble and re-assemble at minimal cost and resources. Thus the idea that restaurant can be a stacked shipping container came about.

ADVANCED DIABETES CENTER

The Advanced Diabetes Centre (ADC) is spread across 4350 sq. ft. in Surat, Gujarat and is located on the fourth floor of a building on a busy junction, with large windows ofering some of the best views of the city. A specialized healthcare centre for the treatment and the prevention of diabetes, it ofers a one-stop solution for diabetics, and has a number of specialty doctors to treat as well as prevent some of its fatal side efects. With diabetes being a life-long disease, patients are bound to come regularly for check-up as well as tests and spend a few hours each time, through the course of their membership, which may last months or years together at a stretch. Considering these aspects, the idea behind the design was to reinterpret healthcare design, creating a warm and calming atmosphere through the use of colours and diferent materials and ofer a mélange of visual experiences to the patients, rather than stick to the notion of starkness usually associated with medical and health centres. The design is an attempt to break away from the cold and serious environment of a medical centre and create a space that is relaxing and inviting for the patients.

ADVANCED DIABETES CENTER

With a floor plate of 16m x 25m, it was challenging to get the natural light to all the spaces. The consulting cabins have been placed towards the windows, and the spaces that require more privacy are placed along the other corridor. The natural light also streams through the cabins to the waiting and reception areas. In the common areas, bright colours like yellow and blue along with a warm material palette of wood and rusted metal are used with the intention to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Splashes of colors have been added to the architectural elements like the beams and columns, which are otherwise overlooked in a commercial space. The black kadappa flooring ofers a striking contrast to the colours. Elements like perforated metal louvers, glass with information graphics and coloured MDF are used in the vertical partitions to provide interaction and transparency without loosing out on the degree of required privacy. Fresh hues of green and yellow, wooden flooring, glass partitions and white ceilings form the palette of the consulting cabins. Wooden flooring is used inside all the cabins and examination rooms.The Advanced Diabetes Centre ofers a number of visual experiences within limited space. With a palette of materials like wood, metal and kadappa flooring, and bright colours like yellow, blue and green, the centre strives to give out a calm and cheerful vibe to its patients.

client / APURVA SONI

type / CORPORATE

area / 900 SQFT

year / AUGUST 2015

status / COMPLETED

site / AHMEDABAD

photos / KUNAL BHATIA

NAVDEEP TRRADEX

Clean, minimalist ofce for a company dealing in import and export of goods. Black, grey and white along with wood sums up the palette. The focus here has been on incorporating details to make the space richer, like the world map in the main cabin and details in the shutters and light element for the staf area.

client / CEPT UNIVERSITY

type / EXHIBITION

area / 1500 SQFT

year / DEC 2013

status / COMPLETED

site / AHMEDABAD

WALL OF WORKS

In 2012, School of Architecture, CEPT University celebrated its 50th year. The golden jubilee year became a time for its students, faculty, past teachers and alumni to celebrate and reflect upon the spirit of its institution.

WOW! (Wall of Works) is an exhibition of the works of alumni of the School of Architecture. The School of Architecture building is an important part of historyof Indian modern Architecture. The idea was to explore the diferent volumes of the given space, respecting the architecture, freeing the floor and making the panels seem floating in space. Use of graphics and supporting installations was done to engage the visitors and provide zones of physical interaction

The Sports complex at Ganpat University is designed to engage the students passing by with the longer facade placed parallel to the walkway.

client / GANPAT UNIVERSITY

type / HEALTH + EDUCATION

area / 30000 SQMTR

year / MAY 2014

status / ONGOING

site / KHERVA, GUJARAT

collaboration / KSA DPS PVT. LTD.

renderings / SELF

SPORTS COMPLEX

Being the ofce of an Event Management company that specialises in bespoke weddings, the brief was all about making it as vibrant as Indian weddings. The space makes generous use of their brand colour, yellow, and addition of elements like the vintage table and chairs and tiles give it an eccentric vibe.

client / EVENT TADKA type / OFFICE area / 800 SQFT year / APRIL 2015 status / COMPLETED site / AHMEDABAD

EVENT TADKA RESIDENCE AT MAYFAIR

client / Mr. AGARWAL type / RESIDENCE area / 100 SQFT year / JANUARY 2015 status / COMPLETED site / AHMEDABAD

Wall Installation - Raza in Wood

STUDIO ON SLOPE UDAIPUR

The site is characterised by a beautiful view of the landscape in the out skirts of Udaipur. The Artist residence is inspired by stepwell - an water pavilion (typical to vernacular Indian desert regions) and studio space framing the view as an inspiration to the artist. Main material used was locally available stone in Udaipur.

client / ARTIST BASED IN UDAIPUR type / RESIDENCE

site area / 900 SQMTR year / JULY 2011

status / COMPLETED site / UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

collaboration / PRATYUSH SHANKAR

ART INSTALLATION

installation 01 / FIREFLIES

LIVING AREA

LIGHT ELEMENT

installation 02 / INDUSTRIAL BLOOMS

ENTRANCE WALL

WELCOME ELEMENT

client / APPLEWOODS type / RESIDENCE

site area / 1300 SQFT year / NOVEMBER 2013 status / COMPLETED site / AHMEDABAD

client / VIVEK GOENKA

type / RESTAURANT AND BAR

area / 3500 SQFT

year / APRIL 2016

status / ONGOING

site / ISHANYA MALL, PUNE

collaboration / ORIGIN

renderings / SELF

ISHANYA

The design tries to showcase the colourful architecture and the laid-back and happy vibes that are associated with Goa.Upcycling becomes an important part of the design - the intent is to create as many elements as possible from the scrap found in beach towns and ship yards - to give it an authentic nautical feel. Elements are made by salvaging ship lights and beer bottles are used as as lighting elements. Making it a fun and quirky place is the use of supergraphics and retro signage. Taking cues from the popular both indoor and outdoor, including swings, benches and cosy in-situ seating.

client / SASSY SPOON

type / RESTAURANT

area / 1500 SQFT

year / JUNE 2016

status / ONGOING

site / KOREGAON PARK, PUNE

collaboration / ORIGIN

renderings / SELF

SASSY SPOON

Sassy Spoon is a Mumbai’s Gourmet eatery and that celebrates marvels food and travel. The new restaurant in Pune is designed to have the old world charm of food. The main feature wall is made a collection of picnic baskets and the bar with a cycle over it (identity of the brand). The central communal table has an installation of pink spoons, again an element of branding Sassy Spoon.

client / COGNIZANT

type / CORPORATE

area / 3,50,000 SQFT

year / JANUARY 2016

status / ONGOING

site / MANYATA, BANGLORE

collaboration / AAKAR, DELHI

renderings / WORKSHOP INC.

COGNIZANT

Cognizant is an Ameerican MNC that provides custom information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, setting up a 10 storey ofce space in Banglore.

The design of the entrance foyer and lobby denies the rigid geometries of the existing context, an undulating and interlocking structure swoops throughout the lobby unifying the space and engaging.

client / COGNIZANT

type / CORPORATE

area / 3,50,000 SQFT

year / JANUARY 2016

status / ONGOING

site / MANYATA, BANGLORE

collaboration / AAKAR, DELHI

renderings / WORKSHOP INC.

COGNIZANT

The most important idea was to look at work environments as a place where one belongs to more than just a desk. Hence, a lot of programatic addition and changes have been made in the existing requirement along with the design.

client / COGNIZANT

type / CORPORATE

area / 3,50,000 SQFT

year / JANUARY 2016

status / ONGOING

site / MANYATA, BANGLORE

collaboration / AAKAR, DELHI

renderings / WORKSHOP INC.

COGNIZANT

The recreational areas like Cafes and restaurants, work cafes, huddle spaces, etc have been designed to give variety of experiences, a more of casual and informal touch to encourage colloborations and interaction.

organised by / ARCHASM

type / COMPETITION

site area / 4500 SQMTR

year / MAY 2016

site / CHAMP DE MARS, PARIS

collaboration / DIVYA MISTRY

PARIS PEACE PAVILION

S. H. Raza is an Indian Artist who lived in France for most of the years. His works are mainly abstracts in oil or acrylic, with a very rich use of color, replete with icons from Indian cosmology as well as its philosophy.

RESEARCH THESIS

year / JULY 2011

award / BEST RESEARCH THESIS, CEPT UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION-2013

site / SHIMLA, HIMACHAL guide / PRATYUSH SHANKAR

feature / PART OF THE BOOK “HIMALAYAN CITIES” BY PRATYUSH SHANKAR

THESIS

ARCHITECTURE AS A PRODUCT OF TECHNIQUE OF CONSTRUCTIONA CASE OF SHIMLA

INTRODUCTION

The technique of construction of a place is a generator of architectural form and space. Architecture of a place and time can be deciphered by looking into the construction practices that prevailed which in turn characterizes the details. Also, the society which is involved in its construction influences the built form. Thus, the technique of construction is an important parameter for understanding architecture of a place.

AIM

This study aims to examine the architectural attitudes of institutional buildings in Shimla during colonial era as a product of techniques of construction.

OBJECTIVES

1. To overview the technique of construction during the colonial era to understand its implication on the architecture of institutional buildings in Shimla.

2. To study evolution of details as a result of technique of construction.

3. To study evolution of elements of architecture.

Shimla ofers a wide range of buildings and each tells a diferent story about the British rule in India and a wider range of stories about the architecture and movements that were prevalent at that time in England and elsewhere. Three buildings- Railway Board Building, Himachal state library and the Viceregal lodge are chosen on this basis to inquire into the attitudes that were followed in its design and construction.

INFERENCES

Evolution by application of a foregoing technique: The intuitive response of applying the characteristics of the foregoing material to new material is a common point of start of exploration.

Change in architecture: Industrialization sowed seeds of an architectural attitude supporting the technical developments which led to mass production and prefabrication by evolution of new elements in architecture considerably changing the language of architecture.

Schism between architecture and engineering: The characteristics and the constructional explorations of new material insisted that the scientific techniques had an important role to play in architecture which allowed much more influence upon the character of a building. The new materials demanded an inquiry into science and this understanding converted into aesthetic value generated by the material itself.

Migration of technique: The new technique and material was absorbed by the natives in India and the local use and exploration led to the further evolution of elements, referring to Indian context in this case study.

Recreating the home: This study demonstrates that architecture plays a very important role in the desire to recreate ‘home’. The colonizers made the resemblance compelling by radically reshaping the habitat of the hill stations thereby imposing the aesthetic preferences on the physical environment. This led to emergence of new plan forms and use in the same technique of construction.

A new practice: Architecture was a means of expression of a society’s identity and their purpose in India. In copying the architecture that was in fashion in their mother country, they brought in the method of construction and architecture as an institution on the whole. The British created a symbol of their attitudes in India. The struggle was both in architecture as a profession and its ideologies. The Indian precedent system of master craftsman was a small organization to handle the development that was aimed by the British and hence, a larger organization- PWD was introduced. Hill stations, especially Shimla, were also not spared of their attempt to combine the feeling of home and the political and economic goals, in other words, to build permanence.

Chapter I. Architecture of Industrialization

The first part traces the evolution of the architectural language in cast-iron, taking a case of Railway Board Building, Shimla. A set of typical cast-iron elements emerge by documentation of the Railway Board Building which have a specific history of development..

Chapter III. Colonial architecture of half-timber framing Chapter II. Victorian Architecture in India

This part the factors afecting the Victorian architecture in India, taking a case of the Viceregal lodge, Shimla. It leads an inquiry into the Victorian movement in architecture in the mother country and its transfer to India along with the whole system of architecture that was transferred to India.

This part analyses the material culture of timber frame architecture of colonial India, in association with the traditional English timber framed buildings. Houses and other buildings in Shimla showcase timber framing, reflecting the long European heritage of building in timber. In documentation of the timber-frame library of Shimla (supported with visual references of other such buildings of Shimla), a typical framing tradition emerge.

for / EDW CHELTENHAM

area / 1200 SQFT

year / 2018 site / CHELTENHAM

isometric drawing / HARSHA

MISTRY

HUB8 MINSTER EXCHANGE

Hub8 Minster Exchange, Cheltenham is an urban regeneration scheme to supercharge the growth of the local burgeoning cyber-tech sector and integrate it with the digital and creative local communities. Involved in the design and drawings of the Hub8 Minster Exchange, I learnt the challenges that need to be considered in a project where one is pitching for approvals from the Planning. I also learnt to use Vectorworks 3D and 2D.

LYNCROFT FARM

for / EDW CHELTENHAM

type / RESIDENCE

year / 2018

work / DESIGN AND PLANNING PROPOSAL DRAWINGS

site / CIRENCESTER

LYNCROFT FARM

RESIDENCES

for / EDW CHELTENHAM

type / RESIDENCE

year / 2018

work / DESIGN AND PLANNING PROPOSAL DRAWINGS

site / VARIOUS IN CHELTENHAM

LEFT – An old 70s bungalow overlooking the Cleeve Hill in Cheltenham was extended to capture the views of the hills into the house and make space inside fit for modern lifestyle.

RIGHT – A stable/garage was converted into two flats to accommodate the growing family of the client.

-MOVING MEDIA STUDIO

The Interior design of the industrial shed to accommodate a photography and Videography studio Still-Moving Media was undertaken as a Design lead at Edge Design Workshop. The scope of work included conceptual design, proposal presentation and presentation drawings.

TIC PAVILION, LAS ROZAS VILLAGE

The Interior design of the TIC Pavilion, Las Rozas Village was undertaken as a Design lead at Edge Design Workshop. The scope of work included conceptual design, proposal presentation and presentation drawings.

Since 2020, I have independently completed about 10 restaurants and a couple of commercial / retail projects in Cheltenham, Bristol and Oxford as a Freelance Designer.

Prithvi, Cheltenham

The Mahal, Cheltenham

Floyd’s Grill, Faringdon

Holee Cow, Cheltenham

Frangipani, Cheltenham

Bhoomi Kitchen,