Riya Shah (Student Portfolio)

H

HA

RIY AS

LIO

RT FO

PO

PORTFOLIOP

contents

ABSTRACTION 1

1

ABSTRACTION 2

15

CRAB

3

BHUTAN HOUSE

17

NEGOTIATING THE WALL

5

KINKAKUJI TEMPLE

19

INVISIBLE CITIES- ESMERALDA

7

STUDIO I

21

KAILASANATH TEMPLE

9

PLUG IN- MILL OWNERS

23

ARCHITECTONICS

11

FOLLY DESIGN

25

RESIDENTIAL STUDIO

13

Parametric brick wall

27

1

Sections of the dissected form

Derived architectural forms from the jalebi

ABSTRACTION: JALEBI

Indian sweet, Jalebi

The intent of this exercise was to understand architectural forms in everyday objects, and reimagine them through different media. In this case, jalebi, a common Indian sweet, was studied. The jalebi, known for its complex, torus form was dissected, diagrammed and sketched in various positions. Through sectional views, the underlying geometry was understood and drawn.

Following this process of abstraction, different applications of this geometry were imagined.

Geometrical exploration of jalebi as a form

Sections of the dissected form

2

3

4 CRAB

Final model in Copper Sheet

Reference Image of the Ghost Crab

A study of complex natural forms, the exercise was an attempt at understanding form through various media and methods, sketching, and modelling. The final model made by using copper sheet, using pin joinery for the critical junctions.

Process model in foam

Hand render

Process

5

6 NEGOTIATING THE WALL

Longitudnal and Transverse Sections

Kit of parts

Composition and coordination within given limits is a fundamental skill for spatial designers. It is along these lines that the following exercise was carried out. By using a pre-determined kit of parts, including a contoured site, walls, platforms, and natural elements – a working composition was to be conceived. Within the set of rules relating to alignment, closeness, overlap and shifting- one could negotiate the spatial experience around the central wall. By creating controlled openings in the central wall, and placing the planar elements around it, a rich spatial journey is created. The design process ensured the selective blocking of line of sight in some places, and opening up of the same in others, resulting in interesting spaces complemented by natural elements.

Rendered Plan

Exploded Isometric View

Prototype 1 : 1 scale model

7

8 INVISIBLE CITIES: ESMERALDA

Reference Images for the visual

The book Invisible Cities, by Italo Calvino has been used as a reference to create a graphic visual of the city of Esmeralda, depicting its intersecting network of canals and streets, rats peeping in and out of the manholes, the city plaza, and the hidden and unhidden routes.

In Esmeralda, city of water, a network of canals and a network of streets span and intersect each other. The shortest distance between two points in Esmeralda is not a straight line but a zig zag that ramifies in tortuous optional routes.The network of routes is not arranged on one level, but instead follows an up and down course of steps, landings, cambered bridges, hanging streets.

Esmeralda’s cats, thieves, illicit lovers move along higher and discontinuous ways, dropping from rooftops to balconies. Below, rats run in the darkness of sewers.

Legend

Derived Graphic Visual

Kailasanath Temple

9

10

KAILASANATH TEMPLE The Kailasanatha temple is one of the largest Indian rock cut Hindu temple in the Ellora caves of Maharashtra, India. Carved out of a single rock, it is a megalith structure. It is considered as a break through, because of its size and construction technique. As part of an understanding of history, this temple structure was analysed through various aspects; like the quality of space, in terms of being semi open, open and closed, in plan and section, the movement on the ground floor, the order and proportions which fit into a grid system, the geometry, the quality of light, on the basis of hierarchy of spaces and construction technique. These aspects were studied through series of 2D diagrams and a few massing models.

Basic parts of te Temple

Modularity

Introver and Extrovert spaces

Quality of space, interms of being semi open, open and closed

Geometry

Understanding in section

Quality of Light

Circulation

Representation of Hierarchy at spatial and volumetric level

Stages of construction

11

12 ARCHITECTONICS

Kit of parts

The exercises re-looks at fundamental architectural elements, as imagined in 3D space.

Achieving meaningful intersections and interplay of planes, along the X, Y and Z axis was the main intention of the process. A 10cmx10cm plane, divided into 9 smaller squares is used as a base grid. The idea was to form a composition which touched all the 8 quadrants in the X, Y and Z planes, with a perfect balance between the horizontals and the verticals. The entire composition rests by touching the base at only 2 points. Out of three types of joineries possible, This composition used pin-joints.The overall assembly needed to be structurally stable, while also creating an experiential journey. Some lines were joined and completed by physical planes, while some left for the mind’s eye to connect. Being a working composition, a staircase element was added.

Prototype model at 1 : 1 scale

Rendered sections of the model

13

14 RESIDENTIAL STUDIO

Moodboards

Through this studio, basics of ‘man in space, materiality, and ideas of living space are explored and assimilated. The brief was to design an artist’s residence and workspace.

The site, located in an industrial part of the city of Vadodara was an existing factory shed.

An extensive understanding of the artist’s requirements, as part of their artistic process and personal requirements was done, through research, diagramming and field visits to various art residencies. The artist chosen in this case was a Print maker, and hence a comprehensive study of areas and space required was done thoroughly. Based on these studies, a specific and unique programme for the hypothetical client was devised, and spaces were categorized into three main partsliving, workspace and the display area.

As this was a process-based studio, layers of complexity were introduced step by step, beginning with issues of climate and orientation. A simultaneous process of diagramming and modelling was used Following this, spatial volumes were explored to create interesting experiences of spaces, while keeping the overall journey in mind. By negotiating the conditions of site, such as presence of walls and roof, the overall design experience was taken further by using constraints to an advantage.

Ground floor plan

Mezzanine floor plan

Sections

Diagramming and Matrix

Abstract sketches to represent the over all feel

Prototype 3D model at 1:1 scale

15

16 ABSTRACTION: SPINNING TOP This exploration began with an idea to analyse movement, form and space of an object in motion, viz. a spinning top. Being an otherwise everyday object, many aspects of its dynamics were discovered through this process. Initially, the trajectory of the spinning top was traced on paper by simply dipping the tip of the top in ink, and spinning it. Various ways of spinning, in terms of angles, surfaces and speeds were documented in the process.

Through this process, the interplay of hand movements in guiding the spinning movement patterns was realized. Observations of wobbling, rapid spinning, slowing down, toppling were documented through quick diagrams and sketches at first. By generating a series of diagrams for these observations, the fundamental qualities of the object were uncovered. The strong vertical axis, and the varying degrees of tilt of the discs – these essential aspects were taken ahead through quick and then detailed modelling.

The gradual transition of the rapid spinning to the wobbling motion has been further explored by focusing on the horizontal-ness of the disc. The notion of the spindle seeming almost levitating when perpendicular, was expressed through coordinated models and diagrams. The changing thickness of the rings from thin to thick helps in conveying the idea of the rapid spinning gradually transitioning into a wobbling motion.

Stop motion of the movement of the spinning top

Gradual transition of the rapid spinning to wobbling motion

Various trajectories of the spinning top traced in ink

Conceptual Models

Motion of the vertiical axis of the spindle expressed through models

Motion of the spinning top before it hits the ground

17

18

Level 3 plan Elevation of the Bhutan House

level 2 plan

Level 3 plan Section of the Bhutan House

level 1 plan

BHUTAN HOUSE As part of an immersive exercise in understanding vernacular construction, the Bhutan House is an outcome of intensive groupwork over 10 days. The style and construction techniques of traditional Bhutanese houses were studied, discussed and reproduced as a 1:5 scale model of the same. The material palette consisted of mud and stone used for the rammed earth walls, and timber used for the rapsay and structural members as columns and flooring members. Starting with the mud and stone foundation, the rammed earth walls were constructed as done traditionally, with formwork constructed first and mud rammed into it, layer upon layer. This process of ramming, drying and curing gave the walls their strength and texture. The rapsay, which is a semi open façade on the south side, to let in more light and heat is made by using timber frames and screens. The north side is kept completely solid to retain thermal mass. The intricate carvings and the vibrant colours are all kept in mind while construction. The ornate band on the rapsay has been replicated. The roof is constructed with treated timber, rafters being the primary structure and placing shingles as sheeting elements.

As attention to detail was paramount, scaled human and animal figures were modelled out of clay and placed inside the house. This exercise was an intensive, unforgettable learning experience in teamwork, working with one’s hands and the importance of detail in making of a building.

Final model at 1:5 scale

Construction process

19

20 KINKAKUJI TEMPLE

Images of the Kinkakuji Temple

The exercise was to build a 3 dimensional model by using a kit of parts, by simply inserting cardboard pieces into eachother.

Process

Final model

Kit of parts and Final model

21

22

SPACE Transverse Sections

LIVING SPACES

Space: This involved a basic exercise to understand the qualities of a space by only using walls. The challenge was to bring out different qualities like hierarchy, dynamism, radial, movement and pause, formal informal by using planar movements.

Sketches

3D Model and Isometric view

Models

Models

Sketches

Different operative actions have been applied on a three-dimensional object like cut and slice, smash, peel, to understand these effects on form .

Longitudnal Section

FORM TRANSFORMATION

An elementary yet essential exercise done to design a residence for an imaginary user , with the constraint being the area allotted of a linear space of 12x3M, 5M in height.

23

24 PLUG IN: MILL OWNERS BUILDING

Images of Millowners Building

One of the four buildings in Ahmedabad, designed by Swis-French architect Le Corbusier, constructed in the year 1954.The material used is primarily concrete, and wood in some places to break the monochrome colour palette. The function of the building was to serve as the headquarters of the Mill Owners Association.

As a quick thought-exercise, the brief was to design an extension to this building, which can be imagined as a souvenir store. Some of Corbusier’s 5 principles of architecture have been incorporated in the proposed design, the brise soliel, and free form used in the ceiling, in a module following the language of the ones used originally.

Elevation

Free form

Brise Soliel

Exploded Isometric View

Process sketches Exploded Isometric view of the Plug in, incorporating some of Corbusier’s principles like the the brise soliel and free form

25

26 FOLLY DESIGN The intent of this exercise was to design an enclosure intended for plants in correspondence to an already existing grid of foundation columns. The material palette consists of steel columns and glass skin.

The idea was to create a dynamic enclosure using a triangulated double canopy which would create a drama of light. Columns are influenced by the idea of branching.

Canopy

Longitudnal Section Site plan

Canopy

Columns

Grid

Conceptual Sketches

Roof Plan

Conceptual Model at 1 : 250 scale

Transverse Section

Exploded Isometric View

27

28

PARAMETRIC WALL DESIGN

Reference Images

Deformation points

As an intensive process based exercise, based on research and trial and error the intent was to explore different forms of brick walls through parametric technique, to break the linearity of a conventional brick wall and understand its form through digital modelling and 3D printing technique. Various forms have been explored before selecting one for the final 3D printed model. The derived forms can be used in public spaces as enclosures, or as standalone structures. The forms have been achieved by adding deformation points, curves and a combination of both in some places by using the Brick Design Plug in of the Rhinoceros software.

Exploded Isometric

Rendered Elevation

Prototype Model using 3D printing technique

Deformation Curves

Exploded Isometric

Rendered Elevation

Other Explorations

Thankyou