PORTFOLIO
| KAMAL KRISHNA MAHARJAN
CONTENTS 1. MADAN PURASKAR PUSTAKALAYA
THE NATIONAL ACHIVE 2. HIMALAYAN GENERAL INSURANCE CO. LTD
CORPORATE BUILDING 3. HOUSE IN FOREST- 2019
TINY HOUSE 4. UNBOX - 2017
AN ODDITY 5. SKETCHES
MADAN PURASKAR PUSTAKALAYA
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVE CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES
PLAN
ELEVATION
SECTION
Sketches that turned ‘ideas’ to ‘physical reality’. Conceptual sketches play a vital role in bringing any ideas into reality, no matter how rough it may be.
The Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (MPP) is the principal archive of books, periodicals, ephemera, including many other collections in the Nepali language. Since over five decades of establishment, it has been continuously engaged in collection and archiving of published materials in Nepali language. It was gravely damaged in the earthquake of 7.8 rectors in April 2015. We were advised by the structural engineers that the structure wasn’t viable and was structurally weak and so we had to pull it down. Since this building is a repository of over 40,000 books of historical importance for the country and is the only archive of the Nepali World in and beyond Nepal, it was important to choose materials which will be most appropriate. We decided to use vernacular style of architecture and largely used locally available and indigenous bamboo resource and mud tiles. Bamboo has unique properties making it extremely versatile and thus a preferred resource in construction, it is due to these range of properties that bamboo is also considered highly safe in buildings lying in high seismic zone. Bamboo has not been used enough in architecture in Nepal, particularly with some modern day innovation, so we did this.
PROGRAM National Archive
SCOPE Comission [Project Architect- Site Supervisor]
W/C director
office space reception
PUBLIC ACCESS
digital recording
POST EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION
pantry
SEMI PUBLIC
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
PUBLIC ACCESS
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
ACHIEVEMENT Nominated for Emerging Architecture Awards 2018 (Arch Daily) DATE
LOCATION
SIZE
March, 2016
Kathmandu, Nepal 300 Sq.M
SECTION AT A-A PHOTO COURTESY: @SPACES Nepal Magazine
archive
PRIVATE
The theme of the building was to filer light into these archives and set a stage (mezzanine floor) for visitors to admire the sheer numbers of books and artefacts they’ve conserved over the past decades. It was surely to be earthquake friendly and took a revolutionary new turn when we decided to have separate structure to support the roof and have self-supporting light weight walls.
STRUCTIONAL ELEVATION SHOWING METAL BRACKETS AND ITS
We experimented with a lot of different types of connections along with different species of bamboos. But, we found this connection to be most reliable among the rest. The species of bamboo used are called “harauti -baash”, and are found localy in the southern part of Nepal.
The “Head Mason” dusting off his work right after the removal of formwork, like an artist giving final touches to his painting
HIMALAYAN GENERAL INSURANCE
A CORPORATE BUILDING
CONCEPT SKETCH
PROGRAM Corporate Building
SCOPE ACHIEVEMENT Competition (Team Leader) Winner/ First Prize
LOCATION
SIZE
DATE
Kathmandu, Nepal
4000 Sq.M
March, 2018
Sunlight and wind plays a vital role in determining the overall presence of a structure in architecture. These two natural forces, combined with vegetation, creates a working space filled with natural energies which reflects in the day-to-day activities of the residents as well. In turn, using these natural energies, effecting the comfort and work efficiency of the people living inside. As seen in the illustration, instead of enveloping the lives in a single box, the building is divided into 2 different wings interconnected with bridges. This created an opportunity for an indoor green vertical space, which creates a visual stimulation and a mental rejuvenation for the people working 10-5 jobs inside this building. The existing trees on site have not been touched, including the trees at the on the front face. This presented us with an opportunity to approach this project differently regarding the building faces. The building face is semi hidden with a veil of tree branches and leaves. It doesn’t demand attention like any other corporate building would. But, its beauty lies within itself, a space which breathes, comes alive and rejoice with the natural energies from the sky and earth.
surrounding buildings
GROUND FLOOR PLAN/SITE
EAST ELEVATION
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
NORTH ELEVATION
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
SOUTH ELEVATION
FOURTH FLOOR PLAN
FIFTH FLOOR PLAN The stepped design on the southern side lets the sun energies into the building through openings, vertical and horizontal surfaces. The solar screens on the western and southern faces of the building will block summer sun but lets in the precious winter sun into the interior. This will help in reducing the overall energy consumption through different mechanical heating and cooling methods.
WEST ELEVATION SECTION AT A-A
HOUSE IN FOREST 2019
TINY HOUSE
Within
Without Nepal is known for its natural beauty and spiritual tourism. These houses can act as destination for extreme spiritual tourists. The building cantilevers off of the cliff, overlooking the amazing mountain range of Nepal. The building, and the extreme location it is in, signifies the step one has to take in order to venture into the unknown. One may explore self with self guided meditation. He/she may spend days, gazing at the natural beauty of the mountains or star gazing or spend weeks or even months self gazing in his/her own private little cave.
Why would anyone go to an edge of a forest to live? As the most intellectual species in this planet, we are always exploring. Through science and technology we have understood a portion of the universe that we live in. But, when a man ventures into the forest and lives there, he is not only curious about the making of the world. He wants to travel within himself as well. So, we have proposed a house where he/she can do both, belong in the nature and also venture within himself.
WALK TO THE MIDDLE OF A FOREST, NO HOPES OF A SAFE RETURN. IT’S JUST THE ROAR OF THE PINE FOREST AND I HERE, TRYING TO TELL EACHOTHER STORIES OF OUR OWN.
In eastern culture, all the sages who travelled for higher understanding travelled into the forest. Why did they choose a rest space especially caves to meditate for days on end. The proposed house is in an altitude of above 4000m in Nepal. The inspiration was taken from “Jhong caves” from upper Mustang. The cave acts as sensory deprivation space where no light or sound shall pass. The human shall only hear his/ her heartbeat and his/ her pineal gland frequency. This sounds extreme, but, we as a human race are slowly opening up to the idea of self guided meditation. May be, through modern lifestyle we have been detached from our roots, the modern day materialistic lifestyle takes a toll on human mind and body.
PROGRAM House in a Forest
SCOPE ACHIEVEMENT Competition (Individual) Awating Result
LOCATION Alpine Region,
SIZE
DATE
30 Sq.M
March, 2019
Nepal
UPPER FLOOR PLAN
LOWER FLOOR PLAN
UNBOX 2017
CORNER BALL SOCKET IS KNOTTED TO THE FIXED PLATE ON THE CONTAINER. THIS CONNECTS THE RETRACTABLE WITH THE CONTAINERS
AN ODDITY
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY THE CONTAINERS CAN BE TRANSPORTED ON TRUCKS TO
CORNER BALL SOCKETS CONNECT THE FREE MOVING DIAGNOL ARMS AS WELL ROOF TURBINE VENTS OUT THE INSIDE AIR DURING DAY, NATURAL LIGHT IS DIFFUSED BY THE FABRIC TO LIT THE INTERIOR
WHEELS FIXED ON THE BOTTOM OF METAL GRATES ON THE FLOOR TO ALLOW AIR IN WHEELS ON THE BOTTOM RAISE THE SECTION 500mm
THE BALL SOCKETS ON THE SIDES AND TOP CONNECT THE ARMS, WHICH EASE THE MOVEMENT OF SITE INSTALLATIONS
THE CONTAINERS ARE CONNECTED BY THE STEEL RETRACTABLES. REMOVABLE LATERAL AND VERTICAL ARMS PROVIDE THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY. WHILE THE MOVABLE DIAGNOL ARMS CONNECTED TO THE BALL-SOCKETS EASE THE MOVEMENT OF THE ARMS IN FEASIBLE DIRECTIONS. THIS FACILITATES DIFFERENT FORMS IN VARIOUS ANGLES AND LENGTHS.
In Architecture, urban spaces have always played a crucial role in characterizing the progression of the mankind through different eras. Many modern urban developments have flourished around the old traditional urban centers. Kathmandu Valley, which houses many UNESCO World Heritage sites dating back to the ancient times, share the common story. The traditional Architecture of the Valley expresses the enigmatic composition of brick and wood, which were the basic building materials available at that time. Recently, around the historical sites, where the remnants of the past still exist, the new construction practices try to imitate the traditional styles disregarding the scales, proportions and the ancient values. These practices raise questions on the expression of the contemporary times and the essence/values of the original traditional architecture. AN ODDITY is an expression of this time, where the discarded containers are reused and adapted to the present needs as a pop-up gallery in the traditional settings. The pop-up gallery would serve as a contemporary urban fabric catering various forms of public activities alongside the historical remnants. On the other hand, the disruptive physical presence would provoke an interesting dialogue with the existing glories from the past, as both features the collections from their respective times. The contextual conscience of the project is certain to excite the orthodox thinking on the architectural practices in the valley.
PROGRAM UNBOX-2017 LOCATION UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Nepal
SCOPE Competition (Team Leader) SIZE 75 Sq.M
CONCEPTUAL SKETCH THE REPURPOSED SHIPPING CONTAINERS AS A STATEMENT OF THE CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION AMIDST THE HISTORICAL TIERED TEMPLES AND MONUMENTS.
ACHIEVEMENT In Top 50 DATE March, 2017 RENDERED VIEW OF THE ADAPTATION IN THE KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE THE FORM STRETCHES OUT TO FIT IN THE OPEN SPACE.
@chitraharu
SKETCHES
“3- Sisters” - I wanted to pay homage to this ‘time’ and ‘place’ we live in at the moment, traditional architecture adapting to the urban needs. Memory of Patan, Nepal- 2018.
“Beauty and the Beast”- Strangely enough, in love with both!
“Chaos”-It took hundreds of people from different sectors, working carelessly together
“In Despair”- Traditional Newari Architecture neglected and
for many years to produce these works of art in Kathmandu, Nepal.
abandoned. Heartbreak!
“Just in time”- This Palace in Nuwakot, Nepal, was being demolished to be reconstructed again. Just in time to capture it in my sketch.
“Sandwiched”- Memories of the past, hidden in plain sight. I saw this house with an amazingly decorated, carved wooden window in the valley; i can only imagine this building in its entirety. What must have happened for it to be in a state like this? How many times must it have been devided among generations? The volume of a single traditional building, morphing itself, gives birth to towering RCC structures.
“It just Blossoms”- This was in the time of fuel crisis; people had to travel on top of public transportations. Oblivious to the human crisis, a jacaranda blossoms.
“Still got it”- This building was also damaged in the earthquake and has been supported by wooden scaffoldings ever since. She looks so beautiful, i wonder how she looked in her youth.
“A Buddhist Door”- This building got domolised a week after i go to sketch it. A proper farewell.
Kamal Krishna Maharjan Architect Dipawali Marg, Satdobato Lalitpur Nepal +977 9851172839 +977 015541372 kamal.k.maharjan@gmail.com