PORTFOLIO.
Kaushik Rao
Selected Works
2019-2023
Professional and Academic
Render from Project 3
KAUSHIK RAO G.
Daglish, WA 6008 +61 435 839 791 gatlakaushikrao@gmail.com
Student architect and experienced professional eager to collaborate, contribute, and learn. Detail-oriented, analytical, and pragmatic, with a strong professional background.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushik-ra0
ARCHITECTURE STUDIO - TIMOR
THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
SEM-1 (2022)
Unit Coordinator - Dr. Rosangela Tenario
Atauro is an island 25km off the coast of Dili, Timor Leste. Home to tropical visitors, Timor has a growing tourist population, but the political crisis in the areas in the past decades have slowed down development. Atauro is no different.
Emerging from poverty, Atauro majorly requires new infrastructure and public buildings such as hospitals, markets and schools. This unit is a response to these conditions and a social impact design for the village of Vila Maumeta.
This unit studies the culture of Timor Leste and thier heritage. The Uma Luliks (Sacred structures and dwellings) have a cultural significance and design can inspire from construction techniques and material used. As the country is still developing, techniques had to be native and practical to build.
Softwares - Adobe Indesign, Sketchup, Lumion, AutoCad and Photoshop
The Uma Lulik
DETAILED DESIGN STUDIO
RESIDENCE DESIGN
SEM-2 (2023)
Unit Coordinator - Peter F. Cole
The unit setup a premise of a real-world scenario interacting with a client over the period of the studio, improv ing and adding to the design. The Studio emphasises details and fit for construction drawings and also consideration to the structure and material of the building.
The client is a family of 2, recently married and ready to move to a larger space and grow into. Initially the investment into the project was $200,000 sole contribution of the client. Clients partner and friend are willing to chip in extra $125,000 each making it a grand total of $450,000.
The house has to be designed in a way to keep the interests of the clients with the changing ownership. The spaces designed for the friend can be converted into an AirBnb or similar type of tenancy after the client takes up 100% ownership. THE CLIENT ready to move investment into client. Clients $125,000 each project an agreethe property spaces would be the interests of spaces designed
The client scenario had to be created by the student to match the design intent. The material chosen for construction was to be carefully considered as the total construction cost had to fall under the budget of A$450,000.
The Client and his friend want to bring to the project an agreement of ownership. The client intends to buy off the property completely in a couple of years. Until then the spaces would be shared by the two parties.
Softwares - Adobe Indesign, Sketchup, Lumion, AutoCad and Photoshop
The Design also had to respond to the threat of Bush Fire as the site was rated BAL-29. This created a real challenge to meet the deisgn standards within the budget.
At an hours drive away from the City centre of Melbourne, the site is in a perfect getaway location for weary city dwellers looking and is directly accessible from the Blackwood road on the South-East. share the boundary with the site on the North-West and West. The dense vegetation is is in effect. The vegetation is to be retained.
The sun brings welcoming warmth, much-needed in the kind of climate that is native to pine forest environment. The prevailing wind Passive techniques
Vegetation and Bush Fire proximity
GRID IRON
Incorporating a strong grid iron in the design stage can reduce costs on material. Construction is also simpler and implicitly reduces the time of construction
HARMONIZING WITH LANDSCAPE
The design delicately merges the landscape with the built-form through transparent facades keeping in check of the solar heat gain
mass increases thermal dependance on heating heat during the day and living spaces to keep warm
BAL - 29
A Bushfire Attack Level measures the potential intensity of a bushfire, and the impacts it could have on a building. In a BAL-29 rated sites there is a high risk of flame contact with building. Primarily concerned with protection from ember attack and radiant heat
BAL - 29 has a specific set of requirement that have to be met
1. Sarking : Protective membrane under the roof tile/sheet against bush fire embers
2. External Walls : Non-combustable material or cladding must be applied
Timber species tested for fire resistance and suitable for bush fire prone areas are :
Over-hangs can have a big impact on incident solar radiation. Providing optimum angles can bring in sunlight in winters and keep out harsh summer heat gain
Overhangs and Solar Altitudes
SOLAR ALTITUDES
Over-hangs can have a big impact on incident solar radiation. Providing optimum angles can bring in sunlight in winters and keep out harsh
Thermal Mass and Fire Rating
3 Distinct Spaces
Dwelling units on either sides of the Living space
Connectivity beccomes linear
Spaces defined by the central leisure space
Sloping roof to complement the incident Sun
Simpler roof structure with little complication reducing cost and time Creating a thermal mass increases thermal comfort and reduces dependance on heating appliances. Storing heat during the day and radiating into the living spaces to keep warm
PHOTOREAL RENDERING THE GETAWAY CABIN
SEM-3 (2023)
Unit Coordinator - Dev Patel
The Unit predominately explores the software 3DS Max and Vray as render engines to produce renders that cannot be distinguished from real photographs. A cabin getway with an underlying theme of choice was to be designed from scratch and worked towards producing a 3D model that would be the base of the renders.
The cabin should be a perfect getaway destination. The cabin should sit sensitevely in its surroundings and adhering to the naturality of it. The Cabin must give access to the vast reservoir, forming a path way gradually receeding into the lake which is suited for a calm and relaxing kayaking experience.
Since the project is off the grid sustainable solutions must be explored. Rainwater harvesting and solar electricity will be crucial and must be integrated into the design effortlessly. The cabing should evoke a sense of nostalgia and peace to reflect its surroundings. A careful consideration of walking trails around and secluded entry to the cabin must be considered.
The cabin should include:
A small kitchenette
A dining Space
Indoor and outdoor living spaces
Bedroom with ensuite
Bathroom with shower
Softwares - Sketchup, 3DS Max, VRay, Adobe Indesign and Photoshop
CABIN GETAWAY
Student ID: 23233088 ARCT 5536
68KM scenic drive Maroondah among the tall edge, suitcabin can face negating the
THE SITE
LOCATION
37°38’19”S 145°33’00”E
The Site is located in the Maroondah Reserve just 68KM North-East of Melbourne City. An hour and a half scenic drive through lush forestry will take you through the Maroondah Dam and the reserve to reach the destination among the tall trees and an amazong view of the lake.The site slopes down to meet the lake at a rocky edge, suitable to descend into the lake in a Kayak. The cabin can face the North to get an immaculate view of the lake negating the harsh Evening Sun.
Maroondah Dam
Maroondah Reservoir
COMPETITION PROPOSAL
URBAN CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE
2020
The proposal focused on the Center of Excellence along with ancillary buildings such as incubators, accommodations and exhibition spaces. The site was strategically located on edge of forest area and agricultural lands.
The intention is to create a narrative that metaphorically explains the condition of the human being to organise the environment sustainably. The builgin represents the wild nature and the anthropised landscape.
Project Duration - 3 months
Team of 3 architects
Role - Initial conceptualisation, 2D & 3D Modelling, Renders, Presentation at the State level Jury
Exisitng Roads, Natural Rock, Water Drainage, Vegetation and Agriculture Land
The challenege was to navigate the site with minimum disturbance to the natural rocks formations and trees.
A new road network was proposed bearing in mind the steep contours and making the site as pedestrian friendly as possible.
The roads were stratigically designed not only to cut through the steep terrain but also to divide the site into 3 distinct zones.
Site Plan with Proposed Road Concept
The Center of Excellence reflects the cities values as a representation of values of the society that builds it and reciprocally constitutes the conterform that shapes the character of the citizens.
Heirarchies were created through levels. The three blocks respond to precise levels of functional organisations. The main entrance welcomes to one to the auditorium and further down the blocks more private meeting rooms are located.
The courtyards are rooted deep into the indian building phylosophy, majorly because it is the best passive measure the building cool. The three courtyards form reliefs and spillouts.
Section through Entrance
The Structure
Rat-trap walls are proposed to provide thermal insulation, resulting in cooler interiors during summers. It also requires 25% less bricks and 40% less mortar than traditional masonry.
Cladded in Agra Red Sand Stone gives the distinct facade and also brings the natural insulation propoerties of the stone.
Solar Panels
A total power of 628 kVa can be generated from the solar panels on the roofs which inches us closer to acheiving Net-zero in ideal weather conditions.
Water Catchments
To revitalize the ground water, catchments are stratigically provided. A total of 119 KLD water can be utilized from the main rainwater catchments on the site, which makes the campus self sufficient.
Hydroponic Agriculture
Hydroponics substitutes water for soil and reduces the need of large spaces for irrigation. This conserves water as this process can also act as Dewatts Technology of purification for grey water.
COMMERCIAL LARGE SCALE VIRCHOWS OFFICE TOWER
The Tower is an office space for the Virchows group and rental spaces that work as an incubator for startups. The Virchows group has grown over a decade moving from small scale to mass producer of generic medicines in the country. Expansion required dedicated office spaces which was no longer feasible within the factory.
The prime location in the cyber city was acquired which made them more accessible. The parcel of land had its challenges. The site sit atop a very steep rock formation which was 10m above the road level.
Another challenge was to design a tower as per the new buiding laws proposed. This meant fire safety standards that were more stringent had to be catered to by also acheiving the maximum floor plate area.
Project Duration - 8 months (Under Construction) Team of two Architects, Structural engineers and Quantity Surveyors
Role - Initial conceptualisation, Department Approval drawings, Initial Working drawings, 3d Modelling, Renders
Proposed Facade Design 1
CONCEPTION
The design was carefully sculpted around the bye-laws yet managing to create a very climate responsive structure.
Instead of having an exposed glass facade, A structural cocoon was designed in post tensioned concrete to minimise heavy beams and columns.
The recessed glass creates a balcony running around the structure. Accessible to staff, these form relief spaces and opportunity to bring in greenery even at level 13.
The terrace is again shaded by a layer of solar panels sitting atop the RCC beams creating a passive layer of heat blocking and producing energy to make the building more sustainable.
Office Plan Lvl 13
Sections for DA Submission
ELEVATION 01
ELEVATION 02
Proposed Facade Design 2
Proposed Facade Design 3
View from Lvl 11 Terrace Garden
LARGE SCALE INDUSTRIAL
NILOUFER FACTORY
2021
An established and reputed Tea manufacturers and Bakers approached the firm with a proposal of a new Factory to replace the dated facility. The New unit would increase production to supply new products all over the country.
The Challenge was to maximise the usability of the 6Acre plot, navigating the Factory laws and Special Building Bye-Laws. Many itirations were proposed to finally acheive the maximum footprint and state of the art Facilities and to meet food production safety standards.
Project Duration - 6 months (Under Construction)
Team of two Architects, Structural Engineers and Equipment Consultants
Role - Initial conceptualisation, Department Approval drawings, 3d Modelling and Renders
CHALLENGES
Safety Laws :
The food safety laws for new factories are very stringent and must acquire many permissions before starting production. As eggs are used in the baking process a separate room is to be designed to isolate the contaminants from the egg shells that may cause Salmonella.
Vastu :
The clients were particular about Vastu (A Hindu system of architectural design phylosophy) which dictates most of the decisions such as the entrance to the site is to be from the North East even when the main Access road is towards the south which is considered inauspicious.
Building Bye-Laws :
Regulations allow buildings of production at an offset of atleast 10m in all directions as part of safe passage out and compartmentation.
Working around the rules and also making the most of the area in the site, an administration building was proposed inbetween the two production buildings.
This also solved the problem of providing separate sanitation rooms for each of the production buildings.
ITIRATION
01
Considering the current production capacity, inventory and supply fo raw materials, the proposal used a smalled footprint to accommodate the required factories in stages.
The automated vertical storage system from Germany was planned to accommodate years worth of supply of tea which only grows in a window of 3 months every year.
ITIRATION
02
The requirement to go pan India supply requred a bigger facility which led to using the maximum available plot area for the factories.
North light roof structure which also housed the solar panels were proposed to to minimise the use of artificial lighting during the day.
The automated storage solution was far too expensive as the material had to be imported from Germany along with technitians.
ITIRATION 03
New laws for fire safety and construction bye laws forced the changes to the design. The Production units were separated and administration block was shifted to the roof of the Tea Production Factory.
Axonometric - Administration block Itiration 2
METERED - DYSTOPIAN FUTURE OF PERTH
The film proposes a scenario of a city in the future. Perth, like many cities around the world, may face an energy crisis in the near future. The change for the worse is gradual. It slowly crumbles the cities like flowing water erodes rock.
A.I. is an inevitable change. The necessary evil. In this scenario, we expand upon a world where A.I. is constantly monitoring energy consumption and enforcing measures to minimize it. It can be a powerful tool till the point of moderation. But it cannot be the solution for a fallacious path chosen by mankind to build the future.
Softwares - Adobe Premere Pro, Adobe Indesign and Photoshop
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rOb4RTTjCNFAG7N9_SS7
DETAILED DESIGN STUDIO
PENSIONER GUARD COTTAGE - MODEL
2024
The studio emphasised on the documentation, preservation and eventually an addition to a recognised Heritage Site in Bassendean, Perth. Site visits and photo documentation of the existing buildings were conducted and a complete architectural documentation was done.
Keeping parts of the site preserved, a new addition to the existing structure were designed and proposed with a new function to the spaces.
Softwares - Revit, Lumion, Adobe Indesign and Photoshop
