Design Portfolio by Maitri Shah

maitri shah | design portfolio

EDUCATION: Master of Science in Architecture | 2012 School of Architecture | Carnegie Mellon University

Resume maitri.shah8@gmail.com # +91 988-620-3618

Bachelor of Architecture | 2009 Kamala Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture (KRVIA) | Mumbai University Summer Exchange Program| 2009 School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering | Bern University of Applied Sciences

WORK EXPERIENCE: EMBARQ India, Bengaluru | Consultant | May 2013 - Aug 2014 Indiranagar DCR Project - Part of the core team drafting the Development Control Regulations for Indiranagar metro station area, working on publication of the project report HSR Neighbourhood Improvement Plan, in collaboration with Ward Corporator - Part of the core team for this winning project for the Ashoka Safer Roads, Safer India Challenge. The project re-designed streets and public space networks for HSR Layout, devising a NIP toolkit that provides basic recommendations for other residential neighbourhoods Jackson/Clark Partners, Pittsburgh | GIS/Data Analyst | Jul 2012 - Current Part-time involvement in collating, analysing and mapping data collected through community driven engagement initiatives of lower income neighbourhoods (Larimer Community Development Plan, Greater Hazelwood Civic Census, Northside Community Conversation) Design Cell, KRVIA, Mumbai | Project Architect | Jan 2011 - June 2011 Dharavi Re-Development project, in collaboration with SPARC, DRP authorities, NSDF and Dharavi Bachao Andolan - Part of the team that worked on masterplan, unit layouts and organized and participated in meetings with the community and government officials Rast Architekten, Bern | Architectural Intern | Jul 2009 - Dec 2009 City of Appreciation, Aarburg - Urban planning competition project, part of design team Housing in Geneva - Urban planning competition project, part of design team School in Koniz, Bern - Part of the design and model making team, participated in community meetings KRVIA, Mumbai | Visiting Faculty | Jun 2010 - Mar 2011 Faculty to first year architecture students for the Basic Design Studio Co-taught Computer-Graphics to second year architecture students Serie Architects, Mumbai | Architectural Intern | Oct 2008 - Jan 2009 Walkeshwar School, Mumbai - Part of the design and model making team Birla Kindergarten School, Mumbai - Worked alongside Principal Architect Kapil Gupta on the Design Development, Schematic Design and construction administration S+PS Architects, Mumbai | Summer Intern | May 2007 Bel Lighting, Mumbai - Worked alongside Principal Architect Pinkish Shah on design and documentation of site Long-House project, Mumbai - Part of design and model making team 2

RELEVANT COURSEWORK: Urban Design Methods Sustainable Community Development LEED Buildings - Green Design Computing for Processing with Arts

ACADEMIC HONORS: 2013 | Selected for EMBARQ Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Early Professional Programme (EPP) 2012 | Awarded first place in the 2012 George W Anderson award at Carnegie Mellon University 2011 | Awarded Graduate Assistantship for both semesters at Carnegie Mellon University

2009 | Selected for an exchange program with Bern University of Applied Sciences - a three month study in three cities in India, study in Falera, Switzerland, and a six month internship in Bern, Switzerland 2008 | Teaching Assistant for a workshop with freshmen under the guidance of artist Kausik Mukhopadhyay 2008 | Second place in Design Studio in my fourth year of B.Arch 2008 | Anand Nagar Slum Rehabilitation fourth year design studio project published in Design Today magazine

Editorial Part of design and editorial team for Reflections 2009: House and Housing; Many Names, Many Stories, One City; Rock-Cut Architecture of Mumbai Organizational Part of core organizing team for Make/Shift Mumbai; Annual KRVIA seminar on Urban Flashes; Annual exhibition for CAA at KRVIA Member of Student Council at KRVIA City Documentation Part of team for study of Mangalore and its networks through digital documentation; Bikaner and its house typologies through measured drawings of local havelis and Deogarh, a fishing village, through a series of wall paintings

VOLUNTEER WORK: 2013-14 | Volunteer for Cycle Day, Bengaluru 2000-01 | Participated in a series of street plays to fight child labor, organized by Child Relief and You (CRY) 1998-99 | Participated in Leprosy Eradication Drive sponsored by ILF

Table of Contents

Community Planning and Design..................................... 06 Indiranagar Development Control Regulations HSR Neighbourhood Improvement Plan Dharavi Slum Re-development Scheme Rehabilitation for Pavement Dwellers

Mapping Excercises......................................................... 16 Identification of Vulnerable Neighbourhoods Mapping Jari Mari Mapping Urban Slums Economic Impact of Bike Trails

Public Space Design........................................................ 24 Riverfront Plaza Rejuvenation Midland Community Marketplace

Architectural Design and Model Making........................... 28 Pre-fab Housing Middle Income Housing Competition Re-Imagining the Market Falera Ski Resort Stacked Amenities Community Center Walkeshwar School Digital Tooling Basic Design Projects

Methodology for identifying impact zones

Indiranagar DCRs May 2013_Aug 2014 EMBARQ India Bengaluru, India Identifying the Station Area Overlay Zone

Identifying the Core Area

Building heights

Existing Landuse

Existing FAR

Plot sizes

Residential typologies

Road widths

Station Area Analysis A detailed study of the station area was undertaken to understand the transformation patterns, and recognize the station area characteristics. Based on these, the proposed regulations aim to respond to the needs of the neighbourhood while retaining itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential character. 6

Urban Design Concept Plan

Core Areas | Increased FAR

Transit Nodes | Improved infrastructure

Commercial Corridor | Increased FAR

Residential Areas | Character preserved

Nodes | Enhanced Activity

Major Roads | Connectivity strengthened

Overall Urban Design Concept Plan, identifying the nodes and zones

The current UDD Notification provides a 4.0 FAR to all plots within 150 m of the station. The Indiranagar DCR Project looks at developing an alternative overlay for the RMP guidelines for Namma Metro Station Areas in Bengaluru. The project begins by developing a methodology to identify the impact area around the metro station. Detailed station analysis is carried out, and an Urban Design Concept Plan is developed. By adopting strategies like increased FAR in concentrated areas, setback regulations, defined edge conditions, mixed-landuse regulations and controlled parking regulations the proposals aim to create a Transit Oriented Development around the metro stations. These proposals aim to enhance the public spaces and increase metro ridership. Impact of proposals: UDD Notification

EMBARQ India Proposal

% Increase in population in core zone

% Increase in population beyond the core zone

% Increase in total population

12.6

14.3

Ratio of open to built area for each plot

1:13

1:10

Change in pedestrian level of service

- 9%

+ 38% 7

HSR Layout: NIP

(Winner of Ashoka Safer Roads, Safer India Challenge) May 2013_Aug 2014 EMBARQ India Bengaluru, India

HSR layout is one of the many typical developments in Bangalore that were seen as the periphery of the city, but with increased development and connectivity, now fall well within the city limit. Like several other neighbourhoods in Bengaluru, this previously quiet neighbourhood is seeing an increase in its population, and a corresponding increase in commercial activities. The number of visitors has also increased, bringing in more vehicular traffic. HSR Layout is one of the first of its kind in the country to adopt the process of NIP for development. It works as a demonstration pilot project because it is similar in nature to several other developments in the country. This makes the process and methodology applicable other residential neighbourhoods. The process can be scaled up while ensuring specific needs of the context in which the specific neighbourhoods are set are met.

Urban Green Habitat Network

Transit Networks

Overall network plan for NIP

Way-finding and orientation

Safe Access Network

Public Space Design

Typical section through road: Existing

Typical section through bus bay: Existing

Typical section through road: Proposed

Typical section through bus bay: Proposed

Detail 1: Existing

Detail 2: Existing

Detail 1: Proposed

Detail 2: Proposed

The Neighbourhood Improvement Plan aims to bring in an upgraded pedestrian network along with improved public spaces and a complete public transport network. By providing these elements, it gives a chance for the neighbourhood to respond to its growing changes while maintaining the quality of the life for its residents. 27th Main Road, HSR Layout: 27th Main Road, HSR Layout: Existing Plan Proposed Plan 9

Dharavi Slum Redvelopment Scheme Jan 2011_June 2011 Design Cell, KRVIA Mumbai, India

Mapping existing boundaries

Strengthening existing roads

Division into sectors

Schematic plan for Dharavi

Proposed schematic massing for Dharavi 10

Detailed plan for sub-sector 1 in Dharavi

Dharavi, one of Mumbaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest slums, lies in the heart of the city, close to the Central Business District. It is broken down into five smaller sectors, and each further broken down into neighborhoods. Our proposal looked at strengthening the existing roads and networks, densifying, and providing for amenities and open spaces for the community. Perimeter housing is proposed to achieve high densities while also achieving green areas, and breathing space for all units in the proposed housing scheme. 11

Existing house typologies

View of ‘Horizontal’ house 12

Existing house typologies

Two different types of housing units were proposed. Housing is Dharavi is peculiar, since the government provides only 225 square feet per new unit. Maximising space was of utmost importance, and this was achieved by using folding partitions, and higher ceilings.

View of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Verticalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; house

The horizontal unit used the extra height for storage, and the floor plan was open, with folding partition walls. The vertical unit had two rooms with minimum ceiling height, and the combined leftover space was used for storage. Each unit is ventilated from atleast two sides. 13

Rehabilitation for Pavement Dwellers Mar 2009_May 2009 B Arch, KRVIA + BFH Mumbai, India

Rosette: Existing

The activities of the housedwellers currently spill out onto the roads, obstructing traffic and endangering lives of both the pavement dwellers and the people in the vehicles. The existing conditions demonstrate a strong sense of communitiny but inadequate infrastructure. The proposal seeks to maintain these community relationships while Schematic section: Existing providing the necessary core infrastructure for habitation. The project attemps to rethink notions of housing by proposing a radical soltuion of providing a structural framework on which the families could build their own dwellings. These would be stacked vertically, to free up the road space while also allowing providing for the high-densities. The proposal called for staggering of units to create semi-open spaces, bridges connecting the units on opposite sides and a second skin that would function as a green membrane. *This is a group project as part of the Swiss Exchange Programme. Schematic section: Proposed

Rosette: Proposed

Envisioned growth of site

Identification of Vulnerable Neighbourhoods

Identifying vulnerable block groups | Northside Neighbourhood Community Conversation

July 2012_Current Jackson/Clark Partners Pittsburgh, USA

Households_BlockGroups

AfricanAmerican_BlockGroups

HshldTotal_Est / Shape_Area

BlackAlone / TotalPopulation_Est

0% - 0.003185%

Less than 20%

0.003186% - 0.006054%

20.01% - 40%

0.006055% - 0.010239%

40.01% - 60%

0.01024% - 0.016286%

60.01% - 80%

0.016287% - 0.026321%

Household density

The Northside neighbourhood of Pittsburgh is a diverse area of eighteen distinct neighbourhoods, working together to build a better community. A finegrain understanding of the region shows that each neighbourhood has pockets of underdeveloped and underprivileged areas. The project aims for improved quality of life for all the Northside residents and revitalisation of the neighbourhood as a preferred destination. Once the pockets are identified, an extensive survey is planned which will highlight the needs of these neighbourhoods.

% Houses without Mortgage

Poverty_BlockGroups

HousingUnitsWithoutMortgage / Hshld

HshldsBelowPovLev / HshldTotal_Est

Less than 10%

Below 10%

10.01% - 20%

20.01% - 30%

30.01% - 40%

More than 40.01%

% of households with mortgage

Greater than 40.01%

% of population below poverty

Median Household Income_BlockGroups

% Vacant

MdnHshldInc_Est

TotalVacant_Est / HshldTotal_Est

Less than 10000

0% - 20%

10001 - 20000

20.01% - 40%

20001 - 40000

40.01% - 60%

40001 - 60000

60.01% - 80%

Greater than 60001

Median household income 16

More than 80.01%

% of African American population

80.01% - 83.76%

% of vacant plots

Identifying vulnerable edges | Larimer Community Development Plan

Median Household income

% of owner occupied houses

% of single moms

% of vacant plots

The Larimer Census employed neighborhood residents to gather critical data on neighborhood needs, assets, issues and goals, while also developing community capacity, increasing civic participation and developing local leadership. Specific areas within the neighbourhood were targetted for these surveys based on maps showing a finegrain understanding of the parameters.

Detailed maps along key streets

Mapping Jari Mari Nov 2007_Mar 2008 B Arch, KRVIA Mumbai, India

Historical Growth of Jari Mari

Detailed Land Use Plans and Sections *This excercise was conducted as group research as part of the Urban Design Theory studio

Mapping Urban Slums Jan 2012_May 2012 MS Arch, CMU Pittsburgh, USA

Dharavi, India

Paraisopolis, Sao Paulo

Kibera, Nairobi

This project aims to study three slums across Asia, South America and Africa to critically examine the emerging urban landscapes of Dharavi, Paraisopolis and Kibera. These slums are situated in three emerging cities of the world- Mumbai, Rio, and Nairobi respectively. The objective of this study is to critically compare patterns in urbanism in these cities when informal growth is the model of place/space making. Some key questions are addressed: What makes these slums successful/ unsuccessful? As designers and urban planners what lessons can we learn from these settlements? Dharavi, Paraisopolis and Kibera are dense urban slums, each with their own identity. All three slums have been marked by their own growth patterns. While Dharavi has flourished over time, Kibera has deteriorated even further. Paraisopolis on the other hand, started with a strong foundation of access to basic amenities, but with increasing number of people migrating into the area, faces challenges in sustaining itself.

which come together and form neighborhoods. By doing this, they have been able to effectively oppose schemes that do not work for them. Some Non-Governmental Organization’s that are associated with Dharavi are working on providing them with public toilets and access to clean water. Some others like URBZ are working with the children of Dharavi and using art as a unifying factor for the community.

KIBERA Kibera is perhaps most distinct from both, Dharavi and Paraisopolis. It lacks the physical infrastructure that Paraisopolis has as well as the social cohesion observed in Dharavi. In contrast, Kibera is marked by high crime rates and poor infrastructure. During floods, when the whole house gets washed away, the people of Kibera still sit on the land and broken houses in fear of it being stolen . The unemployment rate here is close to 50%, and most of the people lack basic PARAISOPOLIS education. Drug use and alcoholism is rampant Paraisopolis redevelopment strategies are within the slum limits. Kibera lacks access to very different from that of Dharavi. They focus adequate drinking water, and the people use on mobility and transport within and into the flying toilets , since there are no public toilets or area. Unlike Dharavi, the physical infrastructure sewer systems. Government policy is currently of this slum is well-defined and access to basic focused on bringing in basic sanitation to this transport and sanitation already exists. Most area. While there are several pressing issues houses here are permanent made of brick and in this community, health and sanitation are concrete. However, Paraisopolis, although built being prioritized. The lack of any physical on a grid, is in a hilly region raising issues of infrastructure like roads not only within the area transport and accessibility. Moving within the but also into this area is another area for urgent area is difficult and also leads to segregation action. This lack of connected roads segregates between certain areas, since they are less the community from the city, making it much DHARAVI accessible than the rest. Additionally, this slum is harder for the society to thrive and prosper. The Government policy in Dharavi focuses on popularly known as the “city of walls” since walls government has worked towards supplying the housing. Most of the new development schemes and fences physically separate the different areas area with water, and also electricity. But currently, proposed to date focus on housing all the of the city, making it harder for them to become electricity is provided at an un-subsidized rate, residents in the least possible space, releasing a part of and thrive in the larger community. making it nearly impossible for the people there a larger chunk of the land for commercial Crime rates are very high and unemployment to buy it legally. development as an addition to the neighboring rates are close to 25 %. Brazil is also currently Currently, there are several churches and business district. This policy completely planning for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 other non-profit organizations involved in disregards the existing thriving commercial and Summer Olympics and the need to erase the Kibera. They are working with the youth of industrial activity in Dharavi, which is the source favelas is even higher. Several other favelas have the community and empowering them with of livelihood for its residents. Dharavi is flourishing witnessed Brazil’s para-military approach of education. The youth are becoming active mainly because of this economic activity. Another razing these neighborhoods to the ground, and and working with organizations to introduce important factor in Dharavi’s sustainability is the making way for new developments, stadiums water purification kiosks to Kibera. These are strong sense of community that prevails among and parking lots for the city. In some cases, tall simple kiosks and run without needing any its dwellers. The residents are close-knit, and walls have been constructed around the existing electricity. Some youth are involved in community share common spaces and amenities. The fact slums, and new developments are built adjacent farming, which not only provides them with that most houses have cloth curtains for doors to those. food, but the excess is sold and is provides is reflective of this strong sense of community. Similar to Dharavi, several smaller nonincome to several families. Some youth are Despite these positive attributes, however, government organizations are involved in working with organizations to map Kibera, to access to even the most basic necessities like Paraisopolis. Most focus on creating open public better understand it, and make more informed adequate drinking water and safe sanitation, spaces in the neighborhoods, which act as decisions in future planning strategies. The topare a constant struggle for this slum. While the breathing spaces, but also create a platform for down approach has not worked in Kibera, and networks and social infrastructure is in place, it the community to come together and interact people have not moved into the new housing lacks basic physical infrastructure. with each other. This open space is often developments, but several smaller grassroot There are several private non-profit achieved by densifying some of the residential initiatives are gaining success and popularity. organizations which are currently involved in areas, rebuilding them to be safer against Dharavi focusing on community driven planning landslides, and consequently opening up some For more on this project: issuu.com/maitri.shah8 and redevelopment. The communities have also areas for public use. self-organized into smaller housing cooperatives 21

Economic Impact of Bike Trails Jan 2012_May 2012 MS Arch, CMU Pittsburgh, USA

Key map highlighting the two city biking trails

Pittsburgh is the second largest city in the state of Pennsylvania. Historically an industrial town known for its steel industry, today it sees a lot of recent development along the rivers in Allegheny County, where most of these industries once thrived. While studying these new developments, an interesting fact that came up is the inclusion of bike trails along most of them. Most development plans associate economic and social benefits with the development of bike trails. The project aims to map the economic impact of two of the city bike trails - the North Shore Trail and the South Side Trail - in the city of Pittsburgh. For more info: issuu.com/maitri.shah8

Riverfront Plaza Rejuvenation Aug 2011_Dec 2011 MS Arch, CMU Pittsburgh, USA

User mapping on a weekday afternoon

User mapping on a weekday evening

User mapping on a weekend afternoon

User mapping on a weekend evening

The Convention Center Riverfront Park is envisioned as a public space which is an extention to the convention center, but also as part of a larger biking trail along the coast of the Allegheny River. Currently, this space is not used to its full potential. As seen in the diagrams above, this space is mostly occupied during weekday evenings, by cyclists, joggers and pedestrians. For this project, the design approach was based on design theories from The Sentient City. Projects in this book were referred to for the design intervention. After mapping how the site is used at different times of the day, digital interventions are proposed. The first part of the intervention is to make the entries into the site more visible to pedestrians and vehicles alike, and hence truly accessible. This is done by introducing “Digital Screens” on different facades of the existing Convention Center. The second part of the intervention would be the introduction of a “Digital Pavement”. This records and retains trails of past users. The third part of the intervention is the introduction of “Digital Information Screens” which update trail data. 24

Digital Screens reflecting activity from the plaza on the David Lawrence Convention Center

Digital Paving which records visitors and their paths

Digital Display indicating entry into the park

Digital Information Walls showing visual data and statistics about site 25

Midland Community Marketplace Jan 2012_May 2012 MS Arch, CMU Beaver County, USA

Landuse mapping of site, and detailed mapping of Main Street

Midland is often referred to as a metaphorical island in Beaver County. It is about eight miles in from the nearest interstate highway, and is cut off from many of the amenities around it. The community of Midland approached the group knowing that it needed a grocery store. We recommended a community marketplace which will address Midlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pressing need for access to healthy food options. This marketplace is proposed to be an anchor to its main street, enhance Midlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image and make it a destination place for the neighboring boroughs. It aims to be economically sustainable, but also socially engaging, and gives the community a place that they can call their own. For more on this project: issuu.com/maitri.shah8 *This is a group project as part of the Sustainable Community Development course at CMU

Photomontage of proposed Midland Community Marketplace 27

Pre-fab Housing Nov 2007_Mar 2008 B Arch, KRVIA Mumbai, India

Fixed portion of structure (includes square duct space)

Individual housing units - L-Shaped and Linear

Cantilevered portion of structure

Stacking of individual housing units

Schematic massing, representing fixed (red) v/s cantilevered (white) structure

Detailed individual units

Detailed cluster, showing all three types of panels

The Pre-Fab Housing Studio was an industry-academic collaboration between Jindal Steel and KRVIA, with an intent to explore the use of steel in transit and permanent mass housing for slum redevelopment projects in Mumbai. As per the State Housing Boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s provisions, each slum-family is to be provided with a toilet within the 225 sq ft unit. Each service-duct is connected to two units and also serves as the primary structural system. The ducts run vertically over each other and the staggering of units around this service core provides varying configurations of units and allows for the double height balconies. 29

Detailed ground floor plan

The project started by mapping the current houses and trying to prioritize the important criteria for the people for their homes and neighborhoods. While most people want to move out of the slums, what they enjoy most is the sense of community which tends to get lost in apartment-type housing. The balance of public v/s private space was one that the community wanted to work with. For this, the design addresses four types of spaces: the house (completely private), outside of the house (semi-private), common community gathering spaces (almost-public) and open ground (completely public) spaces. These spaces flow seamlessly from one to another. Using the staggered units which incorporated the balconies, alternating floor plans for buildings were created, which made it possible to have these varying scales of open spaces. 30

Sections through site

Detailed structural detailing

Middle Income Housing Competition Jul 2009_Dec 2009 Rast Architekten Geneva, Switzerland

Proposed ground floor plan

Evolution of massing for site

The land around a heritage building had to developed into housing for the middle income group. Since it was also near one of the main arterial roads, it was important to provide a plaza large enough for pedestrian traffic to flow through. We planned the development with lower levels of the building as a public permeable space reserved for markets with several cafes , while the upper levels were purely residential. A large plaza, activated by the presence od green areas and water fountains, connects the heritage building to this new construction.

Aerial view of site with proposed building

Sections through site 35

Existing

Re-imagining the Market Jun 2008_Mar 2009 B Arch, KRVIA Mumbai, India Built v/s Open

Land use

Pedestrian routes

The Oshiwara Furniture Market in North Mumbai is a niche market dealing with antique furniture, whose existence is threatened by commercial pressures of high value urban real estate and changing preferences of customers.

Vehicular routes

Proposed

Existing crowded conditions of the furniture shops and proposed conditions after redevlopment with ample space for display of furniture pieces.

Existing Land Use Plan

Proposed Master Plan

Proposed Ground Floor Plan

Proposed First Floor Plan

Proposed Second Floor Plan

The thesis looked closely at the networks & functioning of this market and the problems faced by the people who run it, in order to put forward an alternative re-development plan to revitalise the once booming market. The main targets were: (i) To aim for a viable solution of re-development that balances between the need of the existing actors in the precinct as well as the commercial pressures on the land; (ii) To revitalise the market by providing better infrastructure. (iii) To retain the informality of the market and to continue to give shoppers an experience unlike the malls.

Views through the building

Falera Ski Resort Mar 2009_May 2009 B Arch, KRVIA + BFH Falera, Switzerland

Rosette: Existing

Program

Technic Ventilation/heating:

client employer p y

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

t h i llevell technic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

- controlling g ventilation system

activities

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

th hird d ffloorr

u de un erg gro ound d

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

seccon nd d floo or

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ 60 hour sun a year y

- erdwarming t system

- strong t g north th and west wind

rain

warm/cold temperature

- strong t g north th and west wind

heating system

north/ est wind north/west ind

controlling t lli ventilation til ti

sunenergie

photovoltaic system

rain

- temarature heating system Betwin -10째 10 an 30째controlling t lli ventilation til ti photovoltaic system

nd d

- temarature warm/cold temperature Betwin -10째 10 an 30째north/west north/ est wind ind sunenergie

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ 60 hour sun a year y

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

seccon nd d floo or

mobility

children

~ ~

culture lt

Technical diagram showing the HVAC, solarpower and other systems.

u de un erg gro ound d

offer

~120 120 day rain in a year

~ ~ ~ ~

needs

spa/treatment p /t t t

system

~120 120 day rain in a year - erdwarming t system

activities

nature t ffirsst flo oorr

client

mobility

base b em men nt

hotel

culture lt

ffirsst flo oorr

th hird d ffloorr

serviced i d part

t h i llevell technic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

offer

base b em men nt

needs

children - controlling g ventilation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

client Ventilation/heating:

serviced i d part

- strong t g north th and west wind

nature t hotel delivery Technic

client li area

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

spa/treatment p /t t t

employer p y

mobility

base b em men nt

client

delivery

~ 60 hour sun a y year

culture lt

Ventilation/heating:

Diagrams showing the relationships between the hotel guests, service staff and the different programmes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ffirsst flo oorr

offer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

needs

Technic

employer p y

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

th hird d ffloorr seccon nd d floo or

client

rogram

client li area

~120 120 day rain in a year

hotel

Falera is a remote mountain village in Switzerland, popular for its skiing tracks. It is also home to important megalithic rocks with engravings dating back to 3500 years. The project proposed a new hotel & service apartments on site of these rocks. The Rosette for the Existing Conditions shows that the community has started disintegrating due to few job opportunities; and local population has reduced since most houses are second homes. For the Proposed Condition, the Rosette shows that the proposed hotel and service apartments will provide employment opportunities that shall benefit the local community.

Rosette: Proposed

The sight-lines connecting the megalithic stones governed the volumetric evolution of the project, such that the built form never obstructs any of the lines, while offering a view across them. The larger block was the hotel, with the spa being situated at a distance from the guest-rooms. The four smaller blocks indicate positions of the proposed service apartments. *This is a group project as part of the Swiss Exchange Programme.

Site Plan, highlighting the neolithic rock lines

Site Plan 43

Stacked Amenities Jun 2007_Oct 2007 B Arch, KRVIA Mumbai, India

Drawings made by the children at Kamathipura

Short Elevation of building

Section through building

Based in Mumbaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner-city precincts, the project aimed to introduce amenities to this dense neighbourhood which comprises one of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest red-light district. Encroachments and overcrowding have left only one such open ground in present day Kamathipura. The project started by conducting a drawing exercise with the kids of Kamathipura. Based on these, the design responds through evolution of the built form. It starts with a wall wrapping the ground, which was then carved out and cut into to create a variety of spaces, enclosures and connectors that respond strongly to the surrounding site contexts.

Built form evolution

Long Elevation of building 45

Community Center Jun 2005_Mar 2006 B Arch, KRVIA Bikaner, India

Mapping and documenting of existing built form (mapping and documenting part of a larger group excercise)

Volumetric evolution of site, based on site analysis and sun paths. (Done as an individual project)

Exploded axonometric of proposed building

Walkeshwar School Oct 2008_Jan 2009 Serie Architects Mumbai, India

Image of model

Interior images of model

The new school was proposed on a site that was sandwiched between a rocky cliff and the existing school. In such a constrained site, the atrium wraps around the cliff bringing light into the building. I was incharge of all the model making. We used various softwares like Pepakura & Lamina for process models. We used laser cut sheets for the cliff, laser cut acrylic for the walls, and the atrium was 3D printed. Diagrams highlighting the atrium space

Slotted Furniture:

Digital Tooling Jan 2012_May 2012 MS Arch, CMU Pittsburgh, USA

This project looked at using the CNC router to make a piece of furniture, without any screws or glue. For this project, I chose to make a bookshelf. Inspired by the patterns see in wood, I chose to etch the sides using a sharp engraving bit. The shelf is now an extension to my desk.

Milled tiles: This project looked at using the 2.5 axis CNC router to make 4 tiles. I chose to work with figure-ground maps of four cities that I have traveled to and fallen in love with. By using various finishing passes, different patterns are achieved. I have tried to use these to resonante with the planning of the city. The two cities I have shown on the left are Paris and Barcelona. While Paris has a clear radial geometry, Barcelona is split between a distinct linear grid, and a spiral form.

Basic Design Projects Jun 2005_Mar 2006 B Arch, KRVIA Bikaner, India

Space for Self

Within a cuboid of a fixed dimension, spaces were to be created for oneself; by cutting & folding, twisting or curving the cuboidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces but not adding or deleting any plane. The project provided for two spaces, one bright and the other dark. The operations that were performed on the walls, were repeated on the ceiling.

Interior views of space

Bottom-view axonometric

Grid House

The project dealt with a grid, its order, dis-order and the relationship of a gridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elements to each other and to the grid. The phenomena of ripples created by a water droplet was studied. The growth of the ripples & the dissipitation of energy is metaphorised by in the spatial elements that are concentrated at the centre.