09 December 1999 + 39 324 834 9717 jabinbiju.thomas@mail.polimi.it
Jabin is a licensed architect who completed his Bachelor’s in Architecture (B.Arch) from India in 2022, moved to Italy for his Master’s later the same year and is currently pursuing a Double Degree (MSc.) Programme at Politecnico di Milano and TU Graz. Over the years he has gained experience working with firms based in Milano, Qatar and India. He understands the potential art holds as a medium of expression, a factor that sets mankind apart, and allows us to envision and bring forms to life.
AcademicProject2023-24
Social Condenser Rhino + AutoCAD
The aim of the studio was to envision a space in a historical, culturally significant context that would essentially breathe life back into this now abandoned and dilapidated site. To envision an intervention that would remain true to the essence of the existing structures and seamlessly fit into the site.
CollagedepictingtherichindustrialandinfrastructuralhistoryofPula Images:Varioussources
The Uljanik Island served as a major industrial hub and port to the city of Pula, Croatia. Today a major chunk of the island is unused and has lost its former glory. The project aims to transform Uljanik Island into a vibrant social hub that honors its industrial heritage while engaging the Pula community.
Enhanced land and water access is planned to ensure a steady flow of visitors. The organizational concept of Uljanik Island stems from the prominence of the building, which crafts a harmonious grid while honoring existing patterns. This design forges a symbiosis between the old and new, achieving a delicate balance that preserves the island‘s historical essence. The central building, a cultural and artistic center preserving Pula‘s heritage, is planned to feature adaptable spaces for diverse groups. Industrial elements are planned to be integrated into the new design, maintaining the island‘s legacy. Public spaces are planned to host social, cultural, and recreational activities, while facilities for scientific and technological advancements are planned to be included. The project also emphasizes biodiversity and sustainable growth, blending historical significance
with modern community life to create a vibrant future for Pula.
The building itself stands as a monument, gracefully positioned on the city‘s scenographic front, while simultaneously serving as a versatile canvas for cultural expression. Its structural system, inspired by the established urban grid, weaves a network of utility lines and offset communications, embodying a seamless integration of form and function. Various programmes have been incorporated into the building that enable it to act as a social condenser and breathe life onto the Uljanik Island.
The materiality of the main building attempts to emulate the rich industrial context of Uljanik, an ode to its past. The building acts as the heart of the island - a promoter of art, culture and technology. The redevelopment of the island is an attempt to ensure the residents of Pula are provided with opportunities and spaces that allow them to sustain in this economy whilst promoting a work-life balance and inculcation of sports and culture. Emphasis has been placed on developing the green and blue infrastructure on the island as well.
(above)modeldepictingthestructuralsystemandlayout, (below)close-upphotographofthestructure
(above)close-upphotographofthefacadeandatriums, (below)modelwiththefacadeandroof
AcademicProject2023-24
3DPrintedEmergencyShelters
Rhino+Grasshopper
s ı ğ ı n a k
The brief was to provide an alternative to the emergency camp approach for the earthquake victims in Turkey. The focus was on utilizing 3D printing technology to provide them with a more long-term solution and understanding the benefits of adopting this technique in such contexts.
Rendered view of the clusters
0 10m
The functions within the interior and exterior spaces have been depicted within the cluster layout and axonometric.
It was necessary to achieve an appropriate u-value for the building in order to withstand the extreme and unpredictable weather conditions in the given context. Based on certain calculations the u-value of the shell of the building is 0.227 W/m2.
A mixture of clay, rice husk and straw has been used for the external shell of the structure. Rammed earth is used for flooring and creating in-built furniture within the structure.
Passive techniques such as windcatchers, cross-ventilation and the venturi effect have been incorporated in the design to enhance the quality of the indoor and outdoor environment.
The project was divided into phases based on Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and in terms of its feasibility. Ease of deployment was a key factor, along with modularity and incremental development. The aim was to procure locally available material for printing, essentially taking from the earth to eventually give back to it.
Phase 1 would involve emergency camp conditions like tents, water-trucking and common sanitation facilities. Phase 2 would begin with the printing of the units, housing between 12-15 people in each, protecting them from the harsh environment and living conditions. Phase 3 would enable families/users to move into their own shelters, with spaces designed to meet their requirements. Furthermore, the units can be customized or extended based on incremental factors over the years.
Despite being digitally fabricated homes, emphasis was placed on creating a space that was rooted in Turkish tradition and architecture, so the users did not feel out-of-place. The concept of the ‘sofa’ was integrated into the design, with a central living room/common space that branches out into private spaces.
In-built furniture would minimize waste and provide flexibility, although they would have to be taken into consideration at the printing stage itself. Openings have been placed with consideration to privacy, natural lighting and passive techniques. The construction process has been thought to be as minimally labour intensive as possible given the context, a clay mixture with rice husk and straw for insulation will be used for printing while rammed earth will be used for laying the floors and designing certain elements within the shelter. The windows and doors will be pre-fabricated and assembled on site.
The cluster layout encourages people to move out into the common spaces and promotes social interaction between the survivors. Renewable sources of energy, recreational and self-sustaining activities have been integrated within the programme to ensure the shelters are sustainable and self-sufficient.
Based on calculations conducted with the help of grasshopper scripts, the printing for each unit will take about 43 hours, roughly two days if the manual labour and drying time is taken into consideration.
InternationalOpen-Call
UrbanRedevelopment Sketchup+Illustrator
