KEERTI NAIR
DESIGN PORTFOLIO
SITE STRATEGY SITE STRATEGY SITE STR SITE ATEGY STR SITE ATEGY STRATEGY
D I S A S S E M B LY R E Q U I R E D Academic | 150,000sq.ft Instructor
|
Grand Rapids, MI | 2018
| Meredith Miller
the process of building, demolition and re-building is a continuous cycle in a city. the objective of the studio was to re-design the existing SOM Grand Rapids city hall building, whie addressing issues of adaptive recycling of building material and how such a design would respond to the city fabric by retaining an essence of what existed before it.
fe ma flo odpla in ma ppin g for g ra n d ra pids
cr u s he d con cret e a s a filt e r me dia to cre a t e
cr u s he d con cret e a s a filt e r me dia to cre a t e a flo odpla in maindicating ppin g for g ra nthe d ra pids pe r v iou s s u r fa ce s on t heas plaa za filter lev e l FEMAfe mfloodplain site pe rcrushed v iou s s u r fa ceconcrete s on t he pla za lev el cr u s he d con cretcr e uassheadfilt con e rcret me cr uedia s he a sdtoacon cre filtcret eart eme e adia s a tofiltcre e r ame t e dia to cre a t e fe m a fl o o d p l a in femmaapthe pfl ing o odpla forfein gma rahall ma n flo dppin ra odpla pids g for inwithin gma rappin n d ra gthe pids for g50ra n d ra pids for city lies media to create pervious pe r v iou s s u r fa cepe s ron v iou t he s s pla u r fape za cer slev v iou one lst he s u r pla fa ceza s on levtehe l pla za lev e l year floodplain surfaces on the plaza level
MATERIAL STRATEGY MATERIAL STRATEGY MATERIAL MATERIAL STRATEGY MATERIAL STRATEGY STRATEGY
rigid structural grid an a uniform plaza ground
volumes that extrude out of the existing volumes that extrude out of the existing building boundary are supported by boundary are supported by altering the aestheitic of the existing structural clearing 60% of the plaza of the basement buildingintroducing slender pipe sections as altering the aestheitic of the existing structural clearing 60% of the plaza of the basement pipethe sections as existing volumesintroducing outthataof volumes extrude theslender existing that out of extrude out existing of difference the grid and re-using it in a way that exposes below and creating avolumes pervious that strata extrude using visual marker to signify the in grid and re-using it in a way that exposes below and creating a pervious strata using a visual marker are toboundary the difference in building boundary building are boundary supported building bysignify supported supported and celebrates the old steel columns the debris from the site as a filter media language between the oldareand bynew structures by celebrates oldclearing steel columns the60% from the asintroducing aplaza filterof media language between the old and new structures altering the aestheitic alteringofand the the aestheitic existing altering structural of the theaestheitic existing ofstructural the60%existing of the clearing structural plaza of debris the of clearing the basement plaza 60%ofsite ofthethe basement the slender basement introducing pipe slender introducing sections pipe asslender sectionspipe as sections as grid and re-using grid it inanda re-using waygridthat it and inexposes are-using way itthat below in exposes aand waycreating thatbelow aexposes pervious and creating strata belowausing and pervious creating strata pervious using marker strataatousing a a visual visual signify marker thea difference visual to signify marker in the todifference signify the in difference in and celebrates andthe celebrates old and steel thecelebrates columns old steel the the debris columns old from steelthe the columns site debris as from a filter the themedia debris site asfrom a filter thelanguage site media as between a filter language media the old between and language newthestructures old between and new the structures old and new structures
altering the aesthetic of the existing structural grid and reusing it in a way that exposes and celebrates the old steel columns
clearing 60% of the plaza of the basement below and creating a pervious strata using the debris from the site as a filter media
volumes that extrude out of the existing building boundary are supported by introducing slender pipe sections as a visual marker to signify the difference in language between the old and the new structures
extruding and hollowing portions of the existing building
creating a more porous plaza space by pushing the building volume up
2
keerti nair
M . AR CH
concrete rubble excavated from the site is used to create artifacts that form landscape elements and intersect the building to create moments of material interaction
3
keerti nair
concrete rubble excavated from the site is used to create artifacts that function as structural elements in the form of gabion walls
M . AR CH
4
keerti nair
M . AR CH
THE
AGED
SDM Architects | 150,000sq.ft | Under Construction Location Year Contribution
| Mumbai, Maharashtra | 2016 | Design, Drawings, Project Management
the project is a home for the aged run by a charitable organization in mumbai. the design instinct was to incorporate spaces in the building that uplifted the spirits of the residents. the large expanse of internalized courtyard, located away from the noise and pollution of the city was intended as a calming and peaceful space for the elderly.
plan
1
keerti nair
M . AR CH
RO AD AIN M
irregular site with the main road to one face
building mass following the boundaries of site
central areas are carved out to create large courtyards
building is stepped back in areas to give the courtyard a more open feel
2
keerti nair
M . AR CH
D I N I N G
residents’ rooms
dining rooms
utility block
R O O M
chapel
C H A P E L R E S I D E N T S ’
R O O M S
Section through the courtyard 3
keerti nair
M . AR CH
view of the small courtyard
view of the front entrance
wall section
4
keerti nair
M . AR CH
CH AP EL DESIGN STUDIES
elevation of the Chapel 5
keerti nair
M . AR CH
THE SDM Architects
LAKE | 2000sq.ft
|
Double Layer Sloping Roof Mangalore Tile roofing
Under Construction
Location | Pavana, Maharashtra Year | 2016 Contribution | Design, Drawings
RCC Slab roof for Kitchen and Service Areas
the site is a steep hillside leading down to a lake. the structure is a vacation home designed to be as open as possible to allow it to be an extension of the environment around it.
Structural Timber Frame Canadian Douglas Fir
the materials used like laterite sourced from the site and wood gives the home more tactile feel and blends it with its context.
Enclosed Spaces Exposed Laterite used for Walls
Open Living Area IPS Floor Finish Deck Area - Extension to Living area Canadian Wood Deck
6
keerti nair
M . AR CH
7
keerti nair
M . AR CH
8
keerti nair
M . AR CH
Mangalore Tiles
Douglas Fir Truss
RCC Water Channel
Locally Sourced Laterite Walls
9
keerti nair
WALL SECTION
M . AR CH
OF MANAGEMENT Somaya & Kalappa Architects | 30,000sq.ft | Completed Location | Goa, India Year | 2016 Contribution | Design Development, Drawings
the faculty building was designed as an extension of the sprawling university campus. A central courtyard separated the two wings with a double height common space.
10
keerti nair
M . AR CH
11
keerti nair
M . AR CH
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Somaya & Kalappa Architects | 300,000sq.ft Location | Bangalore, Karnataka Year | 2015 Contribution | Conceptual Design, Drawings
|
Competition
the brief of the competition was to create an interdisciplinary educational campus which served as a place of creativity and innovation. the principle of compact and integrated design is incorporated in the proposed design. the addition of the ‘street’, integrating a greater mix of uses to the core.
prov isi on of courtyards
clustering of structures enables shading of built forms, interactions and collaborations
linkages between a series of clusters
the open and green spaces complement the built forms and become places for recreation, athletics, community enjoyment and ecological restoration. these spaces will be complemented by smaller quads, plazas and courtyards and linked by streets and pathways.
12
keerti nair
M . AR CH
openings to be strategically located to take advantage of the prevailing south-west winds
linkages within and across buildings to increase permeability - connectivity of green spaces within the buildings to effect channelization of breeze
13
keerti nair
M . AR CH
GR EEN SPINE
e n t r a n ce courtyard
tow e r
cr i ck et fi e l d
v i ew of t h e tow e r f ro m a d j a c e n t l a k e 14
keerti nair
M . AR CH
v i e w o f t h e t o w e r f ro m e n t r a n ce co u r t y a r d 15
keerti nair
M . AR CH
AND social order : D I S S E R TAT I O N Academic Instructor
| 150,000sq.ft | Chowannur, Kerala | Sonal Sundararajan
|
2015
the thesis began as a study of a matrilineal system of family structure in the state of Kerala. C C E S S BOUNDARY there was aAdirect link between the abolishment of that system and the sudden shift away from paddy production in the state.
Land located towards the interiors and without direct access to the main road usually costs less and hence houses some of the lower classes of the communityeg. the land labourers, maids etc. This is not always true as in earlier times the house of the joint family(Tharavad)wouldbe located in the interior of the property and not the edgedue to security reasons.
Access to the Land located towards the interiors is usually interiors and without direct throughan informal These houses usually dont mud path. access to the main road have a definite boundary wall and are very closely packed. usually costs less and hence
A C C E S S
BOUNDARY
the design idea was to create a system of agriculture that is houses some of the lower collectively owned by the villagers and serves as their own classes of the community eg. the the land labourers, maids etc. Access to is usually HOUSING BARTER SYSTEM means of production from theThisANGADI growing stage to the final sale is not always true as in interiors earlier times the house of the throughan informal These houses usually dont have a definite boundarywall joint family(Tharavad)wouldbe mud path. of the produce. and are very closely packed. located in the interior of the While most goods are now bought from local shops or markets in the town, certain commodities are still bartered. For eg houses that can t afford gas to cook get dry leaves, coconut shells etc. for heating and cooking B O and U NinDreturn A R Yexchangethe ash produced for use as manure.
The small stores in the village are run out of houses where the front is used as a propertyshop and not and the the edge reardue consists to security reasons.of living spaces.
the A C C E S S direct road hence Land located towards the ower ityeg. interiors and withoutApproximately direct 40 years ago the s etc. Access to this road was the only house on access to the main as in interiors is usually property. It served as usually costs dont f the throughan informal These houses usually less andthishence the Tharavad of the family have a definite boundarywall uldbe mud path. houses some of the lower that owned the land. and are very closely packed. the DIVISION OF LAND located towards the classes of the communityeg. eLand due
A C C E S S
BARTER SYSTEM
A C C E S S
While most goods are now
Bbought O Ufrom N Dlocal A Rshops Y or markets in the town, certain
commodities are still bartered. For eg houses that can t afford gas to cook get dry leaves, coconut shells etc. for heating and cooking Access to the and in return exchange the interiors is usually ash produced for use as throughan informal These manure. houses usually dont
BOUNDARY
ANGADI HOUSING The small stores in the village are run out of houses where the front is used as a shop and the rear consists of living spaces.
interiors without the land labourers, maids etc. Over theand past few decadesdirect ownersto of agricultural lands, road access the main This is not always true as in While most goods are now fields etc. have been selling ANGADI HOUSING M usually and hence 1costs 9parcels 5less 0 earlier times the house of the bought from local shops or to off vast of land The small stores in mud path. houses ofwish theto lower markets insome thewho town, certain Over thefamily(Tharavad) past few decades, this would people have a definite boundarywall joint be the village are run out commodities are still partitioned construct houses. The property classes of the community eg. hasinbeen and are very closely packed. located the interior of the of houses where the bartered. For of eg houses family and then in boundary divisionthat can be within the Access front to isthe Approximately40 years ago the land maids etc. used due as a canassumed t affordlabourers, gas property cases and soldnot offthe toedge to tobecook thegetarea many this was the only house on interiors isshop usually and the rear drysurrounding leaves, shells L A R G E This is notcoconut always true insecurity outsiders. each new house.as to reasons. of living this property. It served as etc. for heating and cooking throughanconsists informal These houses usually dont earlier times the house of the spaces. and in return exchange the P R O D U C T I O N the Tharavad of the family mud path. have a definite boundary wall joint ash family(Tharavad) produced for use as wouldbe MATRILINEAL that owned the land. L AandWhile Rare G most E goods are now manure. in the interior of the ANGADI HOUSING DIVISION OF LAND BARTER SYSTEM very closely packed. located bought from local shops or B A R T E R S andYnot Sthe edge T E HOLDINGS property due M The small stores in markets in past the town, certain Over the few decades Approximately40 years ago to security reasons. the village are run out this was the only house on commodities are lands, still owners of agricultural T E N A N C Y of houses where the this property. It served as fields etc. have been selling bartered. For eg houses that the Tharavad of the family are now front is used as a off t vast parcels ofcook land get to can afford gas owned most the land.goods BARTER SYSTEMthatWhile Land located towards thetowish ND A ANGADI C C E StheSHOUSING Odecades, UND R Yand the rear Over pastB few thisA people who to bought from local shops or shop dry leaves, coconut shells interiors and construct without direct The small in has stores been partitioned houses. The property markets in the town, certain consists of living des etc. for heating and cooking access to the the family andout then inspaces. boundary division can be within bedroom ds, the village are run s t omain r a g eof, road commodities are stilland in return exchange the ing usually costs less and kitc h e to nhence cases sold off to assumed be the area many bartered. For eg houses that ash for use as of houses where the to n dlower surrounding each houses some ofa produced the livingnew roomhouse. outsiders. front is used as a to Over the past few decades,this can t afford gas to cook get bathrooms manure. classes of the communityeg. The property has been partitioned shopthe and the rear dry leaves, coconut shells Access to be within the family and then in the land labourers, maids etc. consists of living etc. for heating and cooking rea many cases sold off to usually This is not always true as in interiors is spaces. ouse. outsiders. 2 015 and in return exchange the Approximately 40 years ago earlier times the house of the throughan informal These houses usually dont storefront ash produced for use as this have was athe only on wall mud path. definitehouse boundary joint family(Tharavad)wouldbe manure. this and property. It closely served packed. as are very located in the interior of the the Tharavad of the family property and not the edgedue that owned the land. SMALLER LAND HOLDINGS to security reasons. Approximately DIVISION OF LAND 40 years ago was the KERALA AGRARIAN I only N house C on R E A S E D C O N D this Over the past S fewE decades While most goods this property. It served asare now ANGADI HOUSING BARTER SYSTEM RELATIONS owners BILL of agricultural LABOUR WAGES lands, NAIR ACT the Tharavad boughtof from shops or thelocal family The small stores in fields etc. have been selling markets the town, certain that owned thein land. SHIFT TO CROPS DIVISION OF LAND the village are run out off vast parcels of land to commodities are CASH still of houses where the few decades, this people who wish to Over the pastbartered. For eg houses that Over the past few decades front is used as a been partitioned construct houses. The property hascan t afford gas to cook get owners of agricultural lands, shop and the rear and then in boundaryof division can be within the family dry leaves, coconut shells k e e rhave t i n been air 16 etc. fields selling consists of living off to assumed to be the area many casesetc.sold for heating and cooking off vast parcels of land to
+
IDENTIFYING BARREN F I E L D S I N T H E V I L L AG E M . AR CH
ST. GREGORIUS ORTHODOX CHURCH
TAILORING SCHOOL
MUTTON SELLER ANGADI
ST. MARYS CONVENT
VILLAGE PANCHAYAT
ST. MARYS HOME
MECHANIC
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
METAL WORKSHOP CARPENTERS WORKSHOP GRINDING MILL
COCONUT MILL
ANGADI 17
keerti nair
FISH SELLER
to support this system, various existing institutions were identified in the village like the local fish seller, auto mechanic, carpenter etc and were brought together under the umbrella of this system. these institutions and the village head office (panchayat) were all brought together in an interconnected public space that acted as the socio-economic centre of the village
MAPPING INSTITUTIONS M . AR CH
CO CO NUT M
I
L
L
consumer gives the farmer a set fee to help the farmer set up the operation
S T R M
A
R
E E T K
E
T
“What holds a society together are the ties between various classes and these ties cut across the whole society. When social groups do not produce their own material conditions of existence and depend on other groups to be able to perform the functions on which they have monopoly, it creates a general inter-dependency between the classes.�
+ farmer co-operative
consumer co-operative
- Maurice Godelier
farmer supports the local economy creating a cascading effect that is also sustainable for food production
WO R KSH O PS
PA N C H AYAT
R I C E M 18
keerti nair
I
L
L
M . AR CH
street-side market fronts which functions on a sort of barter system of goods and services as well
water channels along the street directing water to various collection ponds
In this linear site, water has been directed along the built lines to various water collection pool located on site
19
keerti nair
M . AR CH
S T R M
A
R
E E T K
E
T
the village panchayat is the political centre of the village
W O R K S H O P S
The main program is an open market street, a place that would allow for a kind of barter to be conducted. which is not confined to an exchange of goods but also could be an exchange of services. Thus, a number of open, semi-open and private workshops are provided.
20
keerti nair
the building merges the Community Supported Agriculture Administration and the Panchayat to create a socio- economic centre for the village. the ground floor of this structure is an open public space, merging with the complex
P U B L I C S PA C E
M . AR CH
elevation of the panchayat
R ICE
M IL L
place to prepare and sort the harvest processing, drying, milling and storing of the paddy
21
keerti nair
M . AR CH
:
Academic Instructor
YEAR
| 75,000sq.ft | Boisar, Mumbai | Shantanu Poredi
|
4
2014
the brief of the project was to re-imagine affordable social housing in a city like mumbai, where a huge percentage of the population still reside in slums and other forms of informal housing. the design maximized the green space and also spaces of community gathering within the building at multiple levels. The addition of a ramp wrapping around the building allows people to travel up and down the building without thinking of it as an enclosed and restricting structure. A mix of apartment typologies were provided to cater to a larger economical cross-section.
22
keerti nair
M . AR CH
a reasonable footprint of built area Is provided
commercial units are placed along the road
A Building height at street level is lower to
maintain a human scale for pedestrians all the residential units are aligned to the north for better light
arranged to maximise courtyard spaces
the building near the periphery is lowered to keep a human scale at the road edge
modules are varied along the building B
B Internal space of the building is an
open green space for playgrounds and gardens and mostly pedestrian A
23
keerti nair
M . AR CH
U R B A N DESIGN S T R A T E G Y w o o n e r f
illu s t r a t i o n refe re n ce d f ro m o t h e r s o u r ce s
the vehicular path is interrupted by planting courts, cycle stands, benches, varying curbs etc. this encourages lower speed limits for vehicles and allows for maximum pedestrian movement. 24
keerti nair
M . AR CH
P
A
S
S
A
G
E
R
A
M
P
smaller shared verandahs can be utilized for storage, seating, gardening etc. by the smallest units in the module
a module is created consisting of a mix of different apartment units. a break is provided at the end of each module to allow for the smallest units some extra shared verandah space
25
keerti nair
M . AR CH
:
YEAR
Academic | 20,000sq.ft | Instructor | Advait Potnis
Galle, Sri Lanka
3 |
2012
the projec intended to create a new language for an Indian embassy in a contemporary age by relating it directly to a foreign context. the design was conceptualized as a physical and visual respite from glass towers nearby, allowing visitors a glimpse and access to the sea-front. the axis mundi of the site was articulated through a play of levels and visual connects that was meant to bring people in and create a natural path of movement.
26
providing a direct line of access to the sea front
stepping the site so the building sits away from the main road
carving the levels to differentiate between public and private spaces
pulling the masses for each function on site
carving out courtyard spaces between built forms
providing avenues of public space and access to the sea
keerti nair
C U LT U R A L O FFICE
R ESIDENTI A L M . AR CH
C ULTUR A L
27
keerti nair
C EN TR E
M . AR CH
CENTER : YEAR 2 Academic | 5,000sq.ft | Mohammed Ali Road, Mumbai | 2011 Instructor | Nikhil Khadilkar
in a locality where a woman’s contact to the outside is limited to fleeting glances from behind a curtain of their windows, the idea to build a cultural centre for women seemed only natural. the building functions as a library, but allows for other community activities as well.
“A woman must continually watch herself. She is almost continually accompanied by her own image of herself. Whilst she is walking across a room or whilst she is weeping at the death of her father, she can scarcely avoid envisaging herself walking or weeping. From earliest childhood she has been taught and persuaded to survey herself continually.” - John Berger, Ways of Seeing
28
keerti nair
M . AR CH
the main design element are platforms that step up in the facade - piercing the building. it is intended as a space to sit, read, view and be viewed without a hindrance. it provides women with a space which attempts to offer some control to her visibility and where it can be dictated by the woman and not external factors 29
keerti nair
M . AR CH