Portfolio by khushboo Prashant

PORTFOLIO KHUSHBOO PRASHANT

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INDEX Architectural association, London

Masters in Landscape Urbanism

Planet of field | Thesis

CEPT univeristy, India

Masters in Landscape Architecure

2 Palmyra link | capstone project 3 Connecting remnants 4 From utility to equity 5 One forest Bachelors in architecture 6

Thesis

Professional work 7 BBUK studio Ltd. 8 Andblack design studio Non academic work 9

Sketches

Figure 1 - Trongsa Dzong Source - tripsavvy.com

1. PLANET OF FIELDS Agroecology as a tool to enhance green belts of UK. In the Uk, about 70% of the land is used for agriculture in which conventional monoculture has a major share. There has been massive urban growth and urbanization in UK’s major cities as well. The current setting of the land structure has also created a clear distinction between the city and the rural areas separated by green belts. In spite of 70% arable land, the UK imports the majority of its food supplies leading to a massive global footprint and loss of biodiversity and ecological disruptions. To prevent this ecological disruption , the project aims at using green belts as a transition between city growth and agriculture, disolving the distinction between urban and rural. This transition uses agro ecology as an insert within the green belts to enhance biodiversity, addressing all the land typologies contained within them. By introducing methods of intensification to these agroecological inserts By doing so, the green belt will have the added value of increased production, and shortened supply chains, enhancing the ecological footprint, and uplifting the land-use system within the green belt.

Arable/Horticulture

Oats

Barley

Oil seeds

Wheat

The process starts by understanding current trend in UK’s agriculture practices and the countries physiography. The south east part of the UK comes under the grade 1, with fertile and higher yield land. This area has a flatter terrain which is again more viable for agriculture practice. This favourable conditions have led to monoculture practice of crops like wheat, oilseeds, barley. Oats etc. We even looked into the UK’s global footprint and the food importsimports. The study further progresses into studying the land use and land type highlighting the role of green belt. City growth is inevitable which is adding more value to the green belt becomes more crucial.

Grasslands

Poultry

Cattle

UK’s global

Thus agroecology, a sustainable practice enhances the biodiversity and intensifies food production is used as a tool for reversing the adverse effects of the monoculture practice. Green belts are proposed to be used as a transition belt which amalgamates the city growth and agroecological practice.

Global crop Sheep

Pigs

UK’s impor

Environmental designation

Within 2 km of rail stations

l footprint

Golf course Agriculture

pland loss

Roadways and buildings

rt percentage Current characteristics of green belt

Parks and public access

AGROECOLOGY CATALOGUE

Hooke p

We further studied and created an agroecology catalogue which documents four different types of agroecological practices in the UK. Case study | Hooke Park : The take away from the site was based on studying management of woodland and smaller supply chain. Case study | Community farm : Located in Bristol the Community Farm is a non-profit organic farm that raises and obtains food for delivery within the neighbourhood via their acclaimed veg box programme. Case study | Wakelyns : was established by the late plant pathologist Prof. Martin Wolfe to put into action his theories of biodiversity being the answer to achieving sustainable and resilient agriculture. Case study Fobbing farmIntegrated agroforestry belts to enhance the biodiversity.

Wakely

park

Community farm

yns

Fobbing farm

Figure 1 - Trongsa Dzong Source - tripsavvy.com

2. Palmyra link Upliftment of Bhandari community and reparian ecology dahanu. Using productive landscape as a guide to relink social About Dahanu has one of the narrowest transect between the northern western ghats and the Arabian sea. The Vahindra river passes from the ‘Junglepatti’ (forest belt - home for the Warlis) to the ‘bandarpatti’ (coastal belt - home for the Kolis) catering to the diverse landscape & supporting the Warli (farmer) and Koli (fishing) community. It was declared as an ecologically fragile area in 1991 and is today at the crossroads - ecologically, socially, and culturally. warli’s lifestyle is embedded in the traces of this landscape. It entangles itself to various entities and processes, one of which is the abundantly seen palm and the act of toddy tapping. Bhandari, a community specialising in toddy tapping is know for their skilful art of climbing the toddy trees and extracting the palm wine. It is an extra ordinary skill based process and is gradually loosing its essence because of various anthropogenic pressures. Communities from higher cast and urban sectors profit from selling toddy, whereas the Bhandari’s economic income is meagre affecting their daily sustenance.

SITE ANALYSIS The project looks upon opportunities to bring Bhandari community to the forefront by enhancing the practice toddy tapping in the landscape of Dahanu. Palmyra owned by the government occurring in common grounds like floodplains and riparian edges could be used as a shared asset by the Bhandari community. The community will have rights over the produces and the economic gains. A prototype is designed on the selected floodplain where jaggery and sweet toddy production unit are proposed. The intervention further focuses into four scales. These four scales are analysed based upon occurrence of Palmyra, current condition of the common grounds and connectivity with the urban sectors. The intimate knot on the cricket ground is a demonstrative unit and the interventions can be repeated in similar manner within the landscape across many settlements.

Rubble and smaller boulders are ideal space for drying clothes.

Usage of river boulders for creating bunds.

Using river water for paddy cultivation.

Dam and its reservoir acting as source of river.

Depositional banks being used for drying clothes.

Washing utensils and clothes in river water accumulated near check dams.

DESIGN INTERVENTION One floodplain is selected which has as a common ground used for cricket which acts as a node which brings the community together. This acts as a main knot within the landscape, especially for the Bhandari community who can access, produce and sell the palmyra produces. The idea is to develop a riparian corridor where the ownership of the palmyra is given to the Bhandari. A prototype is designed which has production units of jaggery and sweet toddy. This uplifts the local communities economy. Isometrics across the sites are created depicting interaction happening within the knows. This prototype can be repeated in similar occurring conditions and introduce larger knot that brings the cultural associations of the palms and the toddy tapper to a regional scale.

Palmyra cafe

Isometric A

Watch tower Jaggery production

The act of toddy tapping.

Sweet toddy production

Toddy tapper preparing to climb.

The act of toddy tapping

Isometric C

Opposite bank Tapioca plant

Isometric B

Depositional edges

Trail leading towrads the cricket ground.

Raintree Existing agricullture fields

The trail leading towards the cricket

Figure 1 - Trongsa Dzong Source - tripsavvy.com

3. Reviving the lost Using productive landscape as a guide to relink social cultural connection between rural settlement and the river. A river holds different values and has a strong connection to systems dependent on them. Settlements and communities being a part of this system are directly dependent on rivers for activity like agriculture. Basan village, an agrarian based community, lost their agriculture fields as they were proclaimed by Aranya park, located in its southern edge. Activities like cucurbite farming connected the community with the river, which is currently lost. To re-establish this lost connection, productive landscape is proposed which allows visitor’s to experience various genres of activities related to productive landscape.

MASTER PLAN The processes started by addressing to issues faced by the community. Agriculture practice,one of their important activity has been highly morphed. In case of Basan village, after Aranya reclaimed the land for forest, villagers lost their agriculture fields and eventually lost their income too. The master plan revolves around reviving the lost practice of agriculture through community and urban user’s participation. Further the study focuses on three details out of which two have been shown here. Detail A is strategically chosen which is the starting point of the educational trail. Location of temple plaza which is an important marker within the village fabric is guided by trellis growing cucrubites like bottle gourd. Next to the temple plaza wild fruit orchard is placed, where plantation of morus indica, lemon, salvador oleodies gives one an opportunity to experience a native fruit orchard.

Grass

Grass Cynodon dactylon

Grazing area

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Detail A

Grass

Cymbopogon citratus

Cymbopogon citratus Cynodon dactylon Chrysopogon zizanioides Cynodon dactylon Shrubs

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Grass

Cynodon dactylon Chrysopogon zizanioides

Trees

Cymbopogon citratus Chrysopogon zizanioides Cynodon dactylon Citrus maxima

Morus indica

Grass

Chrysopogon zizanioides Capparis decidua Cynodon dactylon

Grass

Cassia fistula Carica papaya

Cymbopogon citratus Shrubs

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Cymbopogon citratusCymbopogon citratus

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Capparis decidua Capparis decidua Calliandra emarginata Manihot esculenta Manihot esculenta Caesalpinia pulcherrima Ficus religiosa Caesalpinia pulcherrima Calliandra emarginata Key plan Calliandra Cordia sebestena Caesalpinia pulcherrima emarginata Cordia sebestena Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena Trees Trees Shrubs

Shrubs

Carica papaya

Shrubs

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Grass

Cynodon dactylon

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Cymbopogon citratus Shrubs

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Calliandra emarginata

Cynodon dactylon

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Grass

Cymbopogon citratus

Shrubs Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

D1 D

Trees

Citrus maxima

Trees

Morus indica

Cynodon dactylon

Ficus benghalensis

Carica papaya

Citrus maxima

Carica papaya

Chrysopogon zizanioides Ficus religiosa

Cymbopogon citratus

Trees

Citrus maxima

Grass

Morus indica

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Shrubs

Cynodon dactylon

Morus indica

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Carica papaya Grass

Citrus maxima

Trees

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Manihot esculenta

Cynodon dactylon

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Cynodon dactylon Chrysopogon zizanioides Cymbopogon citratus

Carica papaya

Shrubs

Calliandra emarginata

Butea monosperma Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Citrus maxima

Cynodon dactylon

Trees

Citrus maxima

Citrus maxima Shrubs Morus indica

Carica papaya

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Morus indica Morus indica

Morus indica

Carica papaya

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Carica papaya

Morus indica Legend Carica papaya

Cynodon dactylon Chrysopogon zizanioides Cymbopogon citratus

View A - Wild orchard trail

Shrubs

A) Productive landscape educational center Carica papaya B) Temple C) Wild orchard and Cow shed Carica papaya C1 - Wild orchard trail Carica papaya C2 - cow shed D) Green house information center Ficus Morusbenghalensis indica Ficus religiosa

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Carica papaya

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Carica papaya

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Morus indica

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Carica papaya Cassia fistula Cassia javanica Ficus benghalensis

Carica papaya

Green house Green house

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Ficus benghalensis Azadirachta indica Ficus religiosaPeltophorum pterocarpum

Carica papaya

Morus indica

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Green house Green house information center

Citrus maxima

Morus indica

Carica papaya

Shrubs Carica papaya

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Citrus maxima Calliandra emarginata Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cassia javanica Cordia sebestena

Trees

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Citrus maxima

Morus indica

Carica papaya

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Ficus religiosa

Citrus maxima

Carica papaya

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Trees

salvadora oleoides

Cynodon dactylon

Cymbopogon citratus

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Trees

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Ficus benghalensis Bombax ceiba Ficus religiosa Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Grass

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Grass

Carica papaya Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Cymbopogon citratus Shrubs

Trees

Citrus maxima

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Grass

Cordia sebestena

Trees

Cymbopogon Carica papayacitratus

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Butea monosperma Calliandra emarginata Bauhinia purpurea Caesalpinia pulcherrima Bombax ceiba Cordia sebestena Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Grass

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Capparis decidua Cymbopogon citratus Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Shrubs Azadirachta indica Caesalpinia pulcherrima Capparis decidua Peltophorum pterocarpum Cordia sebestena Manihot esculenta

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Carica papaya Carica papaya

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea View B - Cucurbite trellis pathway Butea monospermaBombax ceiba Ficus benghalensis Bauhinia purpurea Cassia fistula Ficus religiosa Bombax ceiba Cassia javanica Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

View A

View B

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

View c

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Ficus benghalensis

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Azadirachta indica Ficus religiosa Peltophorum pterocarpum

View C - Education trail facing

Resting space for cows Woodland

Circulation space inside cow shed

Cow shed

Trail leading to chow shed Grazing area

Wild orchard trail loop

Wild orchard trail loop Wild orchard trail

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Cucurbite trellis pathway

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Pathway leading to village

DETAIL STUDY Detail B shows relation between the wetland and cucurbite farms. These wetlands transform seasonally as depicted in the isometric. To conclude the program, a pamphlet will be provided on site for one to navigate themselves through the site. An app is designed with details of companion kit which encourages urban farming. It even provides monetary benefits to the villagers who are involved in the manufacturing and selling and of these kits. Thus the design looks at a productive landscape, which acts as a prototype and encourages urban users to understand it’s importance and for rural users it revives the lost practice and connects them back to the river.

Grass

Detail B Cynodon dactylon

Grass Grass

Cynodon dactylon

Chrysopogon zizanioides Cynodon dactylon

Cymbopogon citratus

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Cymbopogon citratus Chrysopogon zizanioides Cynodon dactylon Grass

Grass

Cynodon dactylon

Chrysopogon zizanioides Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Cymbopogon citratusShrubs Chrysopogon zizanioides

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Cymbopogon citratus

Shrubs

Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Trees

Citrus maxima

Morus indica

Cymbopogon citratus

Cordia sebestena

Carica papaya

M) N)

Grass Cynodon dactylon Chrysopogon zizanioides Cymbopogon citratus Shrubs Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Carica papaya

Bio swale Morus indicaCitrus maxima - bio swale trail Seasonal river bed trail (extension of educational trail which Morus indica connects to central vista) Carica papaya

River bed

Capparis decidua Shrubs Manihot esculenta Capparis decidua Capparis decidua Calliandra emarginata Manihot Keyesculenta planManihot esculenta Caesalpinia pulcherrima Calliandra emarginata Legend Calliandra emarginataCordia sebestena Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena Caesalpinia pulcherrima L) Cucurbite information center Cordia sebestena - Cucurbite trail (Secondary trail) Trees Trees - Cucurbite cultivatioon Citrustrail maxima Citrus maxima - Cultivation experiential Trees Shrubs

Ficus religiosa

Trees Citrus maxima

Morus indica

Carica papaya

Grass Cynodon dactylon

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Morus indica

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Cymbopogon citratus Grass

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Chrysopogon zizanioides Cymbopogon citratus

Carica papaya

Cynodon dactylon

Grass

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Cymbopogon citratus Calliandra emarginata

Cynodon dactylon

Shrubs Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Carica papaya

Trees Citrus maxima

H Carica papaya

Grass

Cynodon dactylon

4 Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Morus indica

Shrubs

Chrysopogon zizanioides Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta

Calliandra emarginata Cymbopogon citratus

Trees

Capparis decidua Citrus maxima Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Morus indica Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Trees

Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Shrubs

Cassia fistula Carica papaya

View C - Raised deck viewing sunflower fields

Cassia javanica Carica papaya

Citrus maxima Carica papaya

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Carica papaya Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

View A - Sunflower fields and woodland fingers

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Carica papaya

Morus indica

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Carica papaya

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula

Carica papayaCassia javanica

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Shrubs Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Butea monosperma Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Grass Trees dactylon Cynodon Citrus maxima Chrysopogon zizanioides Cymbopogon citratus Morus indica Shrubs Capparis decidua Manihot esculenta Calliandra emarginata Carica papaya Caesalpinia pulcherrima Cordia sebestena

Trees

salvadora oleoides Caricamaxima papaya Citrus Morus indica Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Carica papaya Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Carica papaya Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Bombax ceiba Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Carica papaya Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Butea monosperma Bombax ceiba Ficus benghalensis Bauhinia purpurea Cassia fistula Ficus religiosa swale pathway Bombax ceibaView C - BioCassia javanica between cucurbite fields and Cassia fistula wetland Cassia javanica

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Butea monosperma Bauhinia purpurea Azadirachta indica Bombax ceibaPeltophorum pterocarpum Cassia fistula Cassia javanica

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

Azadirachta indica Peltophorum pterocarpum

Ficus benghalensis Ficus religiosa

View B - Bio swale pathways

Ficus benghalensisRiver bed

Azadirachta indica religiosa Peltophorum Ficus pterocarpum

Emergent wetland vegetation Bund

Bund

Typha

Submergent wetland vegetation Wetland

Emergent wetland vegetation Emergent wetland vegetation Pathway Submergent wetland vegetation Pathway

Sunflower field

Raised deck

4. From Utility to Equity Enhancing ecology of Pariej wetland. Pariej located in Southern tip of Kheda district is part of eight important wetlands of Gujarat. It is an irrigation as well as drinking water reservoir supplying to 52 villages around. Covering an area of five square kilometre, Pariej is used as stepping stone by migratory birds flying through Central Asia fly way. Due to wide embankment and anthropogenic pressure like agriculture, the reservoir lacks natural edge as well as tree cover for nesting and roosting which is crucial for wetland ecology. The main aim is to enhance the biodiversity by identifying potential grounds within the reservoir as well as beyond. Being part of Bhal region, the reservoir is surrounded by multiple patches of saline ingrained land which is seasonally inundated. Currently a no man’s land, these areas could act as an extension to providing ideal habitat for avi-fauna species. This extension caters to not just avi-fauna species but even other aquatic and terrestrial fauna species. Thus the title from utility to Equity justifies the process of restoration and enhancing ecology of Pariej as a wetland system and not just as reservoir.

DESIGN INTERVENTION The design intervention revolves around enhancing avi-fauna diversity in Pariej by improvising conditions of existing habitat, and bringing systems of wetlands in place. This even provides an opportunity for controlled eco tourism guided by the natural biota. Even though migratory birds have a particular season but well vegetated area and availability of saline as well as freshwater could support bird species throughout the year. As Pariej is one of the most important eight wetlands of Gujarat and supports bird population when Nal sarovar dries, it becomes crucial to maintain and enhance Pariej’s biota.

Detail A

Section E - E’ Ecozone 1 : Woodland along seasonal wetland Ecozone 2 : Seasonal saline wetland Ecozone 3 : Woodland positioned on higher elevated land (19-20m) Ecozone 4 : Seasonal inundation inside reservoir Ecozone 5 : Existing Agriculture fields Ecozone 6 : Roosting mounds

Dichanthium annulatum

Ziziphus mauritiana

Typha latifolia

Ecozone 7 : Shallow water body (17-16m) Ecozone 8 : Deep water body (15-14m)

Woodland

Eco zone map

1 km

Master plan

Embankment

Typha vegetation

Seasonal wetland

1 km

Breaking part of embankment

Section F - F’

25 m

Blocking connection from main reservoir

E’

Salvadora oleoides

Dichanthium annulatum

Terminalia catappa

E F’ Breaking part of the embankment will allow water to flow and takes its natural form. This will create a natural edge abutting grassland and woodland. Blocking connection from main reservoir will allow saline habitat to thrive.

Woodland

Roosting mounds Agriculture fileds

Aeluropus lagopoides

Launea sarmentosa

500 m

salvadora persica

Ziziphus mauritiana

Woodland 25 m

Grassland

Saline tolerant vegetation

Grassland

Leymus arenarius

ENHANCING BIODIVERSITY OF PARIEJ WETLAND To understand the mechanism of surrounding landscape with the reservoir, the site has been divided into four details. Each detail is proposed with woodland and forested areas depending upon their location within the eco zones. The title from utility to equity focuses on converting a utilitarian reservoir to improving existing habitat conditions for avifauna, providing woodland and roosting mounds for nesting, conservation of paddy fields as community reserve and restoration of saline ingrained land are achieved as an equity. It is observed how a small wetland catering as an ideal bird habitat has been expanded to an area covering 10 sq km after the restoration. This expansion caters to not just avi-fauna species but even other aquatic and terrestrial fauna species. Thus the title from utility to Equity justifies the process of restoration and enhancing ecology of Pariej as a wetland system and not just as reservoir.

Woodland

Seasonal saline wetland

Reservoir

Tourist kiosk

Grassland inside reservoir boundary

Grassland outside reservoir boundary

Temple wetland

Experience trail

Tourism centre

1 km

5. Connecting the remnants REINTRODUCING URBAN FOREST Once there existed a large forest that connected Western to Eastern ghats through the Deccan plateau. Due to anthropogenic factors, forests have been fragmented from its larger system. The project investigates and identifies parts, which still continues to exist as remnants of that old forest and its connections. Although degraded, fragmented and disseminate, some systems like the ‘southern thorn scrub forest’ have managed to survive and act as stepping stones connecting the most prevalent dry mix deciduous forests. One would take a pause at the tropical thorn scrub forest to experience vastness of terrain, occurrence of basaltic boulders and resilient nature of forest that co exists with harsh urban conditions. Such pause points gives one clue of a continuous system which once existed as ‘One forest’.

JOURNEY FROM NILGIRI BIOSPHERE RESERVE TO EASTERN GHATS.

Turahalli forest, located in southern western part of Bangalore city, is an only surviving urban forest. It is a dry evergreen forest with eucalyptus plantation located on the foothills dominated by rocky basaltic terrain. The forest has a gradual slope and ones journey leads them through grassland, dense vegetation and small water bodies located on top of the hill. Bannerghtta and Turahalli are outcrops of Niligiri biosphere. The maximum elevation point is 1100 m from sea level in Bannerghatta and rest of the area has minimal slopes, making it accessible for encroachment of agriculture. Niligiri biosphere is a connector between western and the eastern ghats. There is a merging of wet evergreen forest from to western edge to dry deciduous in east.

Trongsa Dzong Source - tripsavvy.com

6. Research thesis INSERTING URBAN ELEMENTS AS A TOOL IN GUIDING CITY ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ITS BUILT ENVIRONMENT A city reveals itself through layers of experiences, where one comes across architectural elements as parts in relation to the geomorphology on which the city locates as whole. Studying components of built environment like Terrain, water network, soil type, vegetation and fauna in relation with components of the city environment like street, node, public space, religious centers, institutional buildings forming urban form and space one can observe the consequences of repetition of city over built environment. The study focuses on Bhutan and compares scenarios of cities like Timphu, Paro and Haa. Architectural elements in Bhutan where sacred architecture and geomorphology guides the culture and architectural style of that region has been altered by city growth. Thus Architectural elements in residential built form can be used as a tool to spatially connect the urban form and space within a city. The thesis concludes with the suggestive measure to be incorporated in the Bhutanese architectural guidelines. METHODOLOGY • •

Defining ‘built environment’ in relation with the urban elements Observing ‘architectural elements’ in urban form and space of Bhutan

•

Assembly of urban elements in guiding regional house form of Bhutan

PART II Part two focuses on Bhutan as a case study. Observing the urban form and space of Timphu and role of elements in space making one comes across repetition of city environment over built environment as it was observed in tourist cities of Shimla and Goa. Thus in Timphu’s contemporary adaptation of regional architecture is observed.

This section focuses on regional architecture of Bhutan. Cities like Paro and Haa located on western Bhutan are studied, observed and compared. It is observed that regional architecture of Bhutan compromises of residential and sacred architecture. Sacred architecture like Dzong’s, Lakhanga’s, Chorten’s are of great importance in Bhutanese culture which reflects in their location and aesthetics. ‘Positioning, location and function of architectural elements within Dzong create a urban space which can be used as a guide for creating a urban space within a city’.

Punakha Dzong Source : Yellow Perscope

Sacred architecture - Study of spatial configuration within Dzong

Residential architecture - Construction stages portraying assembly of rammed earth wall and wooden frame structure.

Construction stages -This section studies how architectural elements combine to form a traditional Bhutanese farm house. Various stages are identifies and studied in detail, their method of construction and change is material usage is observed. Climate, culture and availability of materials define location and positioning of architectural elements as well as the whole unit.

PART III Architectural elements are categorized in primary and secondary elements where primary elements are structural in nature and secondary elements are for aesthetic purpose. Guidelines by MOHWS (Ministry of works and human settlement ) is used as a guide to study and categories elements. Traditional architectural guidelines by MOHWS categorizes architectural elements of Bhutan. Urban elements derived by architectural elements are used as a suggestive tool to integrate regional house forms with built and city environment. Architectural elements of Dozngs, temples, Lakhanga and domestic architecture of Bhutan is well documented but there hasn’t been any record of urban elements of regional architecture. The discussion is concluded by suggesting spatial configuration created by positioning, orientation of architectural elements in regional house forms. These inferences are derived in relation to the terrain, climate, material usage and most importantly considering city growth.

Farm House Source : commons.wikimedia.org

Architectural elements

Unit Transformation - introducing urban elements

Cluster Transformation - Urban elements creating link between topography and urban form.

Spatial transformation - This analysis explores a unit by adding or subtracting spaces by using urban elements as a tool.

A’

Section A-A’

Slope analysis - The analysis is based on considering different degree of slope and redesign a unit by introducing urban elements in relation to the natural form of the terrain.

B’

Section B-B’

7. BBUK On going BBUK studio practices landscape architecture in London and has delivered landscape projects of varying scale ranging from public to residential transformative designs. Started as a summer intern, and now a assistant associate labdscape architect, I got an opportunity to work on two large scale residential projects and commercial projects based in England. The experience has provided me with well versed knowledge of hardworks design, planting design, NBS specifications, site contours level calculations, dealing with material distributors and suppliers.

BBUK I got an opportunity to work on projects located in varying context of UK. The firms sustainable approach has helped me understand on how to use the right materials and source hard/soft elements recycling and re-using them. Design activities like studying the site, analyzing its topography and then delivering a sustainable design has been one of the key principles for transforming a landscape. One of our site located in south western chalky mountains of UK, required a detail topographical study to accommodate native and lime tolerant vegetation. Which is why a through study of soil, PH level, native vegetation, dependent fauna and other landscape layers were overlapped. In this process site’s existing contours was designed and calculated to accommodate SUDS drainage design. Multiple such other projects have given me exposure to varying range of landscape deisgns.

8. Andblack

Founded by Jwalant Mahadewala and Kanika Mahadevwala andblack’s philosophy is based on ‘designing the process that leads to solutions’. Working as a full time architect on various architecture and interior projects has exposed me to current market trend. Have been independently handling the whole process of research, designing, client meeting, market survey and design execution. The project included in this portfolio is ‘The project cafe’, a cafe based in Ahmedabad and Goa for which we have designed their interior, landscape and site development.

The project revolves around the idea of adaptive reuse. This structure was revamped from a residential bungalow to a functioning cafe. The distinct yellow colour of the house stands out amongst the surrounding neighbourhood. The structure was quiet rigid in nature with orthogonal plan. The idea was to break this rigidity by introducing curves. This approach resulted into introducing balcao seating and curved amphitheatre which has increased the footfall in this cafe. The choice of materials like micro topping and wood added to the character of this space. Even smaller details like choice of white aggregate to make the spaces look floating enhanced the experience.

Interiors of project cafe Source : project cafe

Location : Goa

9. Sketches

I specialise in detailed architectural, landscape and botanical inking. Being a landscape architect I have always had this affinity towards capturing the built form as well as landscape and the relation it establishes with its surrounding context where I see myself as an observer and a critic. I Started sketching at a very young age and I grew up in an environment where I was always encouraged to do what I like, be that my home or my school. Getting an unconventional education which is beyond books and exams gave me an opportunity to explore art in depth. Which I further channelised by converting my interest into profession as an architect.

My style is highly inspired by Geoffrey Bawa. He is a landscape architect from Sri Lanka and the quality of drawings he produced were exceptional. Each tree foliage he drew had a story to it. His method of showing textures to various construction materials in relation to the space and landscape creates an illusion that one is physically experiencing the virtually created space. This is what attracted me the most. The illusionary engagement a viewer has with sketch should create an impactful experience within their mind. That has been a source of inspiration for me. If one is looking at the ghats of Udaipur, they should feel the temple’s bell ringing and water splashing over the steps. Thus my journey in exploring sketching as a medium is still in process and have been exploring different mediums as well.

Location : Pavagadh

Location : Udaipur

Available at Contact no : Email id : Instgram handle :

+44 07570278113 khushboo.prashant@aaschool.ac.uk @inkvistas