As a dedicated and aspiring architect, I am committed to personal and professional growth through a holistic approach to the field. I am passionate about exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and philosophy to create significant and impactful spaces. My design process is informed by a diverse range of philosophies, a deep curiosity for materiality, and an ongoing commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement. I approach my work with determination and dedication and strive to retain, grasp, and apply new knowledge.
This portfolio is a comprehensive collection of my academic and professional work. It showcases my passion for architecture, urbanism, and their relationship to society. My design approach emphasizes observing human activities, and how they interact with the urban fabric in a timeless manner. I believe architecture should be shaped by the needs of individuals, cultures, and economies and must always strive to serve them.
Unless otherwise stated, all the projects featured in this portfolio are original works.
Janhavi Sankhe
Architectural Designer
LinkedIn reach.janhavis@gmail.com 857-391-4007
Motivated and enthusiastic Designer I with a master’s degree in architecture and 3 years of experience. Seeking to contribute to innovative and sustainable design solutions. Proficient in BIM, Revit, Rhino, and Adobe Suite with a strong commitment to professional development and achieving LEED GA accreditation.
Education.
Master of Architecture
Northeastern University: April 2024
Bachelor of Architecture
University of Mumbai: April 2019
Publications and Exhibitions.
KoozArch, Student Work Publication
RISE Expo 2024, Architecture
Business Model Proposal
Speculative Practices:
Northeastern University (Student Work)
Northeastern Global News, “Create a Masterpiece” news article
Design Tools.
AutoCAD
Revit
Rhino
SketchUp
Adobe Suite (Photoshop,
Illustrator, InDesign)
Enscape
V-Ray
Vectorworks
Microsoft Suite
Lumion
Skills.
2D and 3D representation
Construction documentation
Schematic design
3D printing
Architecture illustrations
Woodworking and Carpentry
Detail-oriented
Material exploration
Experience.
Digital Ready | Studio Manager -Architecture Summer Studio
Boston | May 2023 to Aug 2023
Led an immersive architectural design program, fostering innovation and creativity.
Mentored designers in 2D and 3D drawing, modeling, and prototyping in SketchUp.
Ensured a safe and inclusive learning environment for all participants.
SJK Architects | Architect
India | July 2019 to July 2022
Projects: Commercial, Hospitality, Adaptive Reuse, Design Pitches Advanced architectural concepts through iterative sketching, digital modeling, and rendering in SketchUp and V-Ray . Produced coordinated design and construction drawings, ensuring alignment with design intent and technical requirements in Revit / Vectorworks.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and document design solutions.
Managed the commercial office project from conceptual stage to onsite construction, resolving integration issues with structural and MEP consultants.
Northeastern University | Teaching Assistant
Boston | Sept 2022 to Dec 2023
- Guided students through recitation labs for an Environmental Systems course, teaching them Rhino and Climate Consultant.
Graded papers and held office hours to support student success.
- Assisted in recitation labs for an Art and Architecture History course at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Explored the relationship between global history and art with students.
Professional Attributes.
Strong design and technical skills with a creative and innovative approach. Self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented. Passionate about sustainable design and curious about the industry. Ability to communicate ideas effectively and inspire others. Committed to continuous learning and professional growth.
Kaleidoscopic Garden
Graduate Thesis Studio
Spring 2024
Team: Urvii Balani
Instructor: Alejandro Saldarriaga
Software: Rhino, Illustrator, Enscape
The Graduate Thesis studio, Magical Realism, that aims to introduces fantastical elements in a quotidian setting. The studio asks to extrapolate “magical” architectural strategies and apply them. Culminating in 1:1 built infrastructures that address a specific problematic present in the public spaces of a city.
The thesis aims to explore the impact of human activity on ecologies, and campus landscapes and explore solutions for an ecological future. It analyzes campus arboretum data and landscape species, and emphasizes the beauty of native plant species. Through the proposed secret garden, the thesis advocates for the use of existing resources and ecological design to create a more harmonious legacy in our built environments. This garden showcases the aesthetic richness of native species and provides a tangible, environmentally conscious step for shaping a better future.
Plant Species & Waste
Northeastern University’s Arboretum was awarded a Level II Accreditation through ArbNet. Level II-accredited arboreta have 100 species, varieties or cultivars of trees or woody plants, an arboretum collections policy describing the development and professional management of plants, and have enhanced educational and public programming.
• 303 plant species
• 1479 trees
• most commonly found species- honey locust
• 4 invasive species (as per state of Massachusetts)
Design of the Garden
The Native Plant Garden is situated in a busy area within a bustling campus and is enclosed by a reflective Mylar structure. This secret garden features a variety of indigenous plant species that can be accessed via a standalone door. Once you enter the garden, you will be surrounded by mirrors that reflect your perceptions back at you, making the experience even more mesmerizing. The garden is designed to captivate, inspire and help you appreciate the true beauty of our native flora. It is meant to take you on a journey of re-evaluation, where you can explore and rediscover these native species. The plants have been carefully selected based on their seasonal availability, plant type, and their ability to thrive in shaded urban conditions while being drought-resistant.
Kaleidoscopic Garden
Graduate Thesis Studio
Prototyping and Construction Detail
We made several life-sized prototypes of the structure to check constructibility. The focus was to use off the shelf materials such as PVC pipes, rope, mylar sheets for reflectivity and tension straps to make sure the structure stays taut.
Ratchet straps used to hold together the structure and provide extra tension so it stays taut
Varied plant species such as berries, wildflowers, sedges and shrubs
Installation surrounded by trees and reflects the sky and foliage above
Reflections of the plants keep morphing because of the winds and movement of mylar
Silo Seeds
Graduate Thesis Speculation
Spring 2024
Instructor: Alejandro Saldarriaga
Software: Rhino, Illustrator
In response to the alarming loss of biodiversity and crop diversity, ‘Silo Seeds’ proposes a sustainable solution by integrating seed banks into urban community gardens. This project aims to preserve native plant species, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance food security while utilizing low-tech, readily available infrastructure.
By re-purposing grain bins and silos as affordable and modular infrastructure, this project transforms conventional storage units into multi-functional hubs of biodiversity preservation and community engagement.
Published on KoozArch
processing collection germination
testing for viability
step 1: constructing a heavy-duty concrete pad to support the weight of the grain bin
STEP 2: INSTALL THE ROOF STRUCTURE ALONG WITH THE FIRST ROW OF RINGS. SILO WILL BE BUILT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
step 3: each ring is layed by jacking up the previous ring and bolting the sheets together
STEP 4: INSTALLING THE FLOORING SYSTEM INSIDE THE GRAIN BIN, ENSURING IT IS LEVELED AND SECURELY FASTENED.
Seed drying process diagram to the left Silo Bin assembly diagram on the right
The design includes a roof garden that serves as a living laboratory for seeds. The garden helps test the viability of the seeds for growth. The planters double as versatile plastic storage boxes, which provide functionality and seating options.
The second level is dedicated to preserving and preparing seeds. The space is organized, with shelving units that house a vast collection of seeds, along with specialized drying equipment. The room is designed to nurture seed preservation, with careful attention paid to lighting and temperature control.
The community center has an open layout that welcomes locals to gather for events or enjoy farm to table dining experiences at the communal dining table. The building facade features a porous metal mesh and trellised herb plants, which blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors.
As aspiring architects, we understand the importance of designing buildings for longevity and adaptable use. This project focuses on exploring the possibilities of using concrete as a structural system for creating longspan buildings that can accommodate future uses. The project specifically examines barrel vaults and the use of concrete sandwich panels for insulation. The building system is designed to be versatile, functional, and sustainable, with a focus on providing a comfortable and adaptable space for a variety of uses.
The project proposes a school for primary education in a scenario of a self-reliant community in Portland, Maine, where heating loads are high due to the winter season. The design considers passive design strategies, such as radiant floor heating and solar chimneys for ventilation, to ensure comfort and indoor air quality. The school design also incorporates resilient features to address potential extreme weather events. The type of enclosure for a building significantly impacts its potential to contribute to comfort and external loads, and material choices should consider passive design strategies to reduce the building’s environmental impact.
Scenario Planning
Comprehensive Design Studio of a school building
typical floor plan
Scenario Planning
Integrated Building Systems Diagram
wall detail : insulation
Commercial Office, India
Design of the commercial office building recontextualizes the very meaning of workspaces by creating an environment that is a catalyst for creativity and collaboration
Project Type: Commercial, Workspace
Role: Project Architect
Softwares: Vectorworks, SketchUp
Status: 2020-Ongoing
This office project had a simple brief: to create a design-centered around social gathering spaces with green pockets. With a brief of this nature and reasonable building by-laws, we have been able to add balconies, deep projecting terracespromoting outdoor spills while simultaneously shading the facade from the hot climate. Sustainability and climate sensitivity play an integral role in this project.
The North, which remains well shaded through the year and forms the front face of the building, has been carved in to create a courtyard with an amphitheater at its base, and small projecting meeting rooms and pocket terraces on the floors above.
Furniture Line-Out Plan for a Typical Office Floor
A radiant cooling system – consisting of vertical fins along the ceiling that add to the character of the workspaces –helps to maintain a comfortable interior temperature, reducing the electrical loads by 25%. These fins come in fixed sizes, so I designed a system that would result to least wastage and a consistent design through six office floors.
Detail: Integration of Services, Space Optimization
Office spaces require many layers of services, from fire fighting, air conditioning, acoustic treatment. My task was to overlay the systems in the most efficient was to avoid an overlaps and provide the maximum height to the workspace below,
Detail: Integration of Services, Space Optimization
Each meeting-room needed to be sound proof. They are designed to be full height glass partitions. We had to create baffle walls on top so make it completely sound proof and to pass various services. It needed intense co-ordination with the MEP consultants.
Reflected Ceiling Plan - Above Radiant Cooling Fins
Services integration, coordination, shop drawings
Reflected Ceiling Plan - Below Radiant Cooling Fins N
Services integration, coordination, shop drawings, lighting, sprinkler, communication layout
Bodhgaya is where the Buddha is deemed to have received enlightenment. It is perhaps one of the holiest and oldest sites of pilgrimage for the Buddhist world. This context as well as the skills and materials relevant to the area informed the design for this hotel, which makes extensive use of brick – a cottage industry that has remained active in the area over the last 2000 years. The vocabulary of the building, using the craftsmanship of brick vaults, pillars and architraves also attempt to convey the emotions that most embody the Buddhist practice – wisdom, courage, compassion, forbearance and perseverance.
Spread over 4.5 acres, the courtyards and water bodies, and the sloping roofscapes create the conditions for an ecologically sustainable and highly contextual resort for Buddhist pilgrim
