Milan Desai
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EDUCATION Master of Urban Design, MUD 2023 John. H Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Urban Design, University of Toronto. Bachelor of Architecture, B. Arch 2020 CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India.
MILAN DESAI Over the course of 10 years of exploration in architecture and urban design , I have developed an orientation towards sustainabledesign solutions, which has made me inquisitive about exploring various construction materials.I am passionate about Urbanism, Sustainable and Environmental design to create better cities and comfortable spaces for various communities. I believe that the integration of all is essential to achieving a better social environment. Contact : +14302806547 Email : desaimilan1614@gmail.com Languages : English (IELTS 8.0), Hindi LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/milan-desai-146000191
Autodesk AutoCad Rhino GIS Sketchup 3D Autodesk Revit Lumion Adobe Photoshop Adobe Indesign Adobe Illustrator MS Office
EXPERIENCE Co-facilitator, Mobile Workshop, June 2023 Creating Successful Markets in Racialized Communities 11th International Public Market Conference, Toronto, Canada. Architectural Staff, July-August 2022 Prahant Construction, Mississauga, ON. Architectural Staff, June-July 2022 DEXD, Etobicoke, ON. Junior Architect, 2020-21 The Mira Miras Collective (Ahmedabad World Heritage City Trust & UNESCO World Heritage City) Graduate Teaching Associate, 2019-20 Adaptive Reuse Studio, Thesis Semester, CEPT University, India. Organizing Committee, KVDF’ 19, 2019 Kurula Varkey Design Forum 2019, Campus Management Head. CEPT University, India. Wood Workshop Incharge, 2016-19 CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India. Architectural Intern, July-December 2017 Vo Trong Nghia - VTN Architects, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
RECOGNITIONS Graduate Thesis Recognition, MUD 11th International Public Market Conference, Toronto, Canada. Architectural License - India COA - Government of India. Best Architectural Project - 4th year Faculty Level Awards 2018-19, CEPT University, India.
WORKSHOPS Himalayan Region Transition An attempt to investigate the transition of human settlements over the years from vernacular to contemporary in Spiti Valley, Himalayas. Documentation of Jami Mosque, Bhopal A self-study intended to explore the relationship between religious monuments and markets in traditional Islamic city - Bhopal, India. 5th International workshop - Historic City Centers (Associated with University of Ferrara, Italy) Documentation of the traditional water system of Jodhpur city, India. Rural Study Program Documentation of traditional wooden houses and housing clusters in Melukote, India. Rammed Earth Construction Exploration of Rammed Earth construction using lime as a sustainable alternative to cement and natural pigment. CEPT University, India. Earth (Adobe & CSEB) Construction CSEB : Compressed stabilized earth blocks, adobe bricks and masonry. Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj, India.
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SOCIAL SERVING SPACES Urban Design | Community Consultation
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WORKFORCE HOUSING Urban Design | Affordable Housing
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INSIDE OUT Architecture | Terrain Vague | Landscape Sensitive
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INHABITING REDUNDANCY Architecture | Terrain Vague
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URBAN INSERT COMMUNITY HUB Architecture | Urban Insert
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CONTENT-NER Pre-Fab | Architecture | Residential
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We have lost number of Financial institutions. We have also seen the loss in a variety of shops. Eglinton needs better infrastructure like Street furniture, Wifi spots and shades.
SOCIAL SERVING SPACES Typology : Urban Design Location : Little Jamaica, Toronto.
We need better health services. There is an AMNESTY building which has 5 story underground parking which is not used at all! - Nick (York-Eglinton BIA)
The project focuses on the topical issues faced by the communities in Toronto’s Little Jamaica Neighborhood. The prolonged Eglinton Line 5LRT construction and corona virus pandemic have resulted in the closure of many black owned local businesses, while also posing the threat of gentrification. Over the last decade the neighborhood has seen a loss of its legacy and cultural presence. While the community groups and volunteers are continuing efforts to preserve and encourage the cultural activities, there appears to be larger site-specific social issues that are worth addressing first. The project is an attempt to amalgamate the provision of social service infrastructure with that of purpose built public & event spaces and by doing so propose a path towards a more sustainable and thriving community.
They do all kind of s laneways, specially Re It doesn’t feel safe at
- More Than A Haircut (Business owner)
Bottles are thrown into my backyard and sometimes, I even find crack pipes. There are things that need to be done, from a broader perspective socially, to tackle drug addiction in the neighbourhood and across the city. - Mohsen Seddigh (Reggae Lane Resident)
stuff in the eggae lane. night.
t
SOCIAL SERVING SPACES | URBAN DESIGN THESIS
Littl e
Jam aica Neig hbou rhoo d There was also planning to extend farmers’ market in the Reggae lane and other Green P at the Condo; however, it is not possible due to the illicit activities taking place in the Laneway.
Every Sunday from July to Oct, Green P at Reggae Lane is used for Afro-Caribbean Farmer’s Market; however, due to the activities during the night before, it needs to be cleaned early morning. It is in worse condition after Saturday night. - Lori Beazer (Founder and Market Manager)
We need multipurpose and engaging spaces!! -DL (Toronto’s Calvary cross chruch)
Neighbourhood needs spaces to host more cultural events - like live music nights. - Masani (Rastafest organizer)
PHASE I Introducing Social Services As per the recent paramedics data, Little Jamaica is one of the neighborhoods with the highest Opioid overdose cases many of which were fatal. While substance abuse continues to take place in the neighborhood, residents feel unsafe. It makes it quite evident that this issue needs to be addressed before any design intervention of public space. Little Jamaica has many existing social services, however, they operate in isolation and fail to make a large impact. The area also lacks social services to help with addiction help and substance abuse. In order to understand these services better, they were categories in specific groups and as a result lacking social services were introduced.
The Universal Chruch
The Britis
Medhane Alem Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Spikes on Bikes: Low-barrier harm reduction service aiming homeless population.
Eglinton Ave W
Mobile Van: Harm reduction Vans, locations determined from emergency response data.
Insite & Onsite: Supervised consumption site & immediate care center. Provides connection to the recovery program.
AMNESTY Building Mobile Aminities Hub
Eglinton West Medical services
Mobile Sites: Supervised consumption sites located in most affected areas.
TCHC Community Housing
sh Methodist Church
Mobile Consumption Site Mobile Services Harm Reduction Van
John Howard Society of Toronto
Mental Health Community services
“SPIKES ON BIKES” Harm Reduction
“In-site & On-site” Supervised consumption
Public Library
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
St. Thomas Aquinas Chruch
Mobile Services Harm Reduction Van
PHASE I Strengthening Social Services The requirement of social services for an individual depends on various aspects. In order to provide sufficient help, it is important to identify their needs and their exposure to the substance. For example, many substance users started using substances because of unemployment and homelessness. In order to provide early intervention for the at risk population, it is essential that they get services like education, skill development and employment. By identifying various scenarios, 4 networks were developed using Little Jamaica’s social services. These networks provide the road map for customized care for individuals from requiring basic support services to battling substance abuse.
Early Prevention
Targeting at risk population (Youth)
Harm Reduction
Safe practices for substance consumers.
Treatment
Catering to recovering population.
Addiction Help
Complete recovery support.
Harm Reudction 1. Supervised consumption 2. Needle Pickup 3. Overdose prevention
“In-site & On-site” Supervised consumption
“SPIKES ON BIKES” Harm Reduction
Mobile Consumption Site
Mental Health Community services
John Howard Society of Toronto
Eglinton West Medical services
TCHC Community Housing
Public Library
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
ADDICTION HELP The Universal Chruch
Medhane Alem Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Health Services 1. Mental health support 2. Physical Care 3. Post Detox Support
Wrap-Around Social Services 1. Housing 2. Skill Development 3. Employment 4. Education 5. Child Support
Supporting Services 1. Food bank 2. Peer Support 3. Addiction Help
FOOD BANK
PEER SUPPORT
The British Methodist Church
PHASE 2 Developing activity nodes: Reggae Park
Phase 2 of the proposal addresses the stigma around the site and physical built-form which have been historically related to substance abuse. Reggae Lane and Green P attached to it are the most affected areas due to substance abuse. While these sites hold an important value for the Reggae culture of the neighborhood, residents still feel hesitant to use these spaces. In order to address this, a new identity is required for these spaces celebrating the Reggae culture of the neighborhood. The proposed development addresses the needs identified by the community in the neighborhood. It also provides an opportunity for pre-existing cultural events to flourish and become a Vibrant public space.
Afro-caribbean Farmers’ market The Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market, Canada’s first culturally specific farmer’s market. Every weekend during Summer (July to Oct), Green P at Reggae Lane is used for the Afro-Caribbean Farmer’s Market. It goes from a mundane parking lot to a vibrant public space. The new proposal incorporates and even provides an extension to the market with services as well as other opportunities for cultural expression.
Film Festival The proposed development incorporates an opportunity for outdoor movie screening celebrating Jamaican culture. It would also provide a much needed boost to the black owned businesses especially the food businesses by creating a vibrant place to spend weekends while celebrating the Reggae culture and also encouraging young black artists to express themselves through performing arts.
PHASE 2 Developing activity nodes: Jimmy Wisdom Court
Jimmy Wisdom was a barber, musician and a pillar in Toronto‘s Caribbean community. He represents a whole wave of people who immigrated to Toronto and Jimmy helped them get through this transition. His barbershop was like a little city hall. People used to go there and people talk about their problems, their issues, their celebrations, It was like a Community Hub. Wisdom was known for offering up some words of “wisdom” during a hot shave and cut. Currently, a small mural exists in his memory in Little Jamaica. However, it fails to signify the importance of community leadership. The proposed development celebrates the memory of community leader with a public place that truly belongs to the community.
Neighbourhood Basketball Tournament The court is in a close proximity to nearby schools and sits just opposite the public library. Which makes it a preferable location for youth to hang out. The Court would be an ideal place for the neighbourhood tournaments and community gathering.
Ice Rink In order to be well utilized, a public space needs to be climate adaptive. In winters, the court could be turned into a temporary ice skating rink. The proposed intervention caters to all age groups throughout the year in various ways making it a vibrant public space.
02 WORKFORCE HOUSING Typology : Urban Design Location : Golden Mie, Toronto.
The project questions the future of Employment Lands in the city of Toronto, especially with the rising housing unaffordability. Due to the high prices and rent of housing, many of the essential workers who cater to the city on daily bases can not afford to live close to their workplaces. This results in inequality in opportunities and poor quality of life of the residents, not to mention the higher levels of carbon emissions due to heavy motorized commute. The Project questions the relevance of the large land parcels occupied by Industries close to the city center, especially with the changing trends of employment and use of automation in these industries. The project aims to propose an alternate use of Employment lands while still keeping the core concept of “Employment land catering to the Employment’’
For Who? “If we don’t address this challenge, we will lose an entire generation of service workers - helathcare workers, social workers, tradespeople, childcare workers, police, firefighters, Teachers, Garbage collectors, cooks - the folks we depend on to make our communities and societies run efficiently” - Kalimah Salahuddin Jefferson Union High School District Board
Future of Employment Lands While Employment lands are essential to provide employment to the citizens, the changing trends of employment suggests an alternative use of employment lands. As per the Neptis Foundation Report, many industries in employment land are moving towards automation replacing human labour, while occupying the huge land parcels close to the city center and future growth center of GTA.
$50,000 Average annual income
% of Income spent for 1 bedroom apartment
Community service worker salary could only afford to rent a 1- bedroom unit in 3 Toronto neighbourhoods
500,000 people
moved out of the Toronto area to other regions in Ontario between 2017-2018
2% of Housing has been affordable moved out of the Toronto area to other regions in Ontario between 2017-2018
325,000+ Jobs 102,000 new homes
from 2016 to 2019 in Toronto area
Number of jobs that can be accessed within 45 minutes using Public Transit
Employment Land Housing Medical Institution
756 Warden Ave Area : 23,845.60 sqm Ownership : Private Zoning Regulation : Commercial The proposed development incorporates workforce housing for medical workers as well as other supportive amenities such as Child care center and outdoor play area for kids. The commercial part of the development includes support services for near by Hospitals such as Cleaning and Food catering services
Obsolete Landuse Neighbourhood Condition Proximity to Employment Proximity to Transit
110 Cleanside Rd & 743 Warden Ave Area : 6486.30 sqm + 2418.50 sqm Ownership : Private Zoning Regulation : Commercial & Residential
The proposed development is located very close to a hospital. It includes housing for medical workers as well as some live-work units for medical professionals like Masseur, Psychiatrist and Dentists.
Obsolete Landuse Neighbourhood Condition Proximity to Employment Proximity to Transit
03 INSIDE-OUT Herbarium in an abandoned querry Typology : Architecture Location : Champaner, India.
Abandoned quarry sites form a large part of the urban and suburban spaces, specially in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Quarries are a reflection of ceaseless exploitation of natural resources using violent methods such as dynamiting to the extent that the landscape becomes distressed. Such landscapes offer a renewed opportunity to put back the ecological process in order by landscape reshaping which is favorable for the ecosystem, local economy, and improvement of people’s living standards.
DEPLETION OF THE HILL The Basalt hill is a product of volcanic eruptions, used as a source of construction material. Once the quarrying stopped, the site was left in an unusable condition, which over the period of time started adapting to its new form due to various natural forces. Constant quarrying has made the site extremely fragile, which further changes with the forces. E.g. absence of material, weathering (wind and water movement). Thus, the unpredictability of the terrain is very high. Which makes habitation difficult. Which makes it difficult to become habitable.
How can architecture act in the Terrain-vague without becoming an instrument of power and abstract reason?
Idea of the intervention was not only to respond to the program of the Herbarium but also to enhance the experience of the Terrain - the natural herbarium. The location for the intervention is carefully selected along the specific part of the cliff, which has an existing ecosystem, a seasonal cycle of vegetation, hybrid conditions of algae & vegetation. To establish this relationship, the language of building has to be very porous and built form (mass) should not be overpowering. In order to achieve such an idea of intervention, typology of Herbarium was questioned as a place to store plants. With the intervention, intent was to create an inside-out experience where plants are constantly open and alive, with keeping in mind the basic requirements of the proposed program
THE WALL OF THE LIVING, THE DEAD AND THE SURVIVOR. The wall is a display of the living, the dead and the surviving; A Natural Herbarium. Combination of many such conditions over a course of many years lead to the formation of spatial systems, again observed on and around the wall, becomes a palette of different kinds of spaces that can be appropriated in the program. The building takes its inspirations from this palette of spatial systems and the other conditions that the wall has to offer.
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ADAPTABLE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS FOR ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTION The attempt was to develop a system which not only responds to the program but also to the temporal concept and ecological forces. Site has been through constant distress and to avoid further damage caused by construction an assembly based system was developed. The system is a mixture of hollow precast concrete columns and customized C beams (pods). The idea was to look at the structure as an infrastructure for the functioning of the herbarium. .
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04 TERRAIN VAGUE : Inhabiting Redundancy Typology : Architecture Location : Ahmedabad, India. CEPT Faculty Awards Best Studio Project Academic Year 2018-19
The Textile Industry of the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat in India dates back to the 19th century, when the city and the industry was established under the British raj. Textile mills employed thousands of people from across the state, and the cotton garments manufactured were exported across the world. Over the years, Ahmedabad saw the rise of its textile industry, so much so that it was known as the ‘Manchester of the East’. The prosperity of the textile industry played a major role in the city’s economy. Since the shutdown of mills,a lot of mill complexes have been left in ruins or occupied in some or other way. The unattended ruin becomes a “terrain vague” as they are left with no purpose and boundaries become amorphous. However they are still treated as major landmarks because of the importance they held and the monumentality of it.
WHAT IS DECONSTRUCTION ?
Disassemble buildings and salvage building components firstly for reuse and secondly for recycling. As the building has to be removed due to its condition, I proposed deconstruction of the building instead of demolition. Reusing the building elements, for a different purpose. In this collage I have only shown the material which can be taken out of the building and quantified them. Also there is a segregation of typologies such as fenestration, Primary structural elements, Secondary structural elements.
BRICOLAGE - MATERIAL : N.S. MILL As site has constantly went through the change and will go in future as well, the idea was to develop systems with the procured material that can hold the scale and nature of the activities. In order to develop the system the materials were divided into two categories. Elements which are structural and also provide a certain type of spatial experience - primary elements, elements which act as a support to primary elements in the system - secondary elements. Using these elements a series of configurations for various activities were developed. Configuration mainly depended on dimensions, availability and structural integrity of the material. 1. Primary elements : Various Trusses and Metal Rings found from The Chimney. 2. Secondary elements : Cast Iron columns, I sections of different sizes. MAPPING ACTIVITIES : N.S. MILL Site has strong connection with functions surrounding it. Because of the Railway Station, there is a constant flow of migrants on the site, as it is the nearest free available place to shelter. There are migrants from Kashmir who live on this site for four months. Also there are other migrants from different parts of the country during different time of the year. These migrants mostly settle around the ruin in an open ground. The mill building is mostly used for lingering and playing. In current situation, these activities adapt to the ruin, and tries to fit in the functions in and around the ruin. According to the new development , Kalupur station will be combined with the metro station and a local bus station is proposed near the site to connect the different mode of transportation. Program was to address the following activites. 1. Migrant’s shelter & Community hall 2. Bus stop and ancillary functions.
Material : Dimensions :
Material : Mild Steel Dimensions : 250 x 175mm
Mild steel Minimum Dia - 3.8m Maximum Dia - 6m Thickness - 10mm
Material : Dimensions :
Mild steel 14.4m x 3.3m
Material : Dimensions :
Mild steel 5.8m x 1.3m
Material : Dimensions :
Wood 6m x 2.5m
Material : Mild Steel Dimensions : 450x 200mm
PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS
1. Migrant Shelter: The site sees influx of Kashmiri migrants who visits the city during winter to sell the woolen clothes. These migrants occupy the abandoned building as well as the surrounding area. The idea was to design a temporary shelter system which can be disassembled and rebuilt easily. Also keeping in mind the potential of growth of and around the unit. The settlement also holds permanent facilities like showers, washrooms and community hall. Which can also be used as as a storage facility for the rest of the year.
2. Bus-stop : Memory of the past Bus station provides an opportunity to provide an essense of the past. Broken roof of the ruin provides specific quality of light. A Tensile structure is built to allow the light inside but also to shelter the space below. The rusted girders and trusses used as structural system also depicts the history and timeline of the building. The intent behind such design language is to highlight the contrast between the new and the old. Hence, being the memory of past.
05 URBAN INSERT COMMUNITY HUB Typology : Architecture Location : Ahmedabad, India.
South Bopal, far from the city center of Ahmedabad is a new developing neighborhood. It is a densely populated neighborhood filled with mundane high-rise towers and less open space for people to gather and socialize. The neighbourhood lacks identity. The primary aim of the studio was to develop a relevant program and resolve the given design problem of a public building. The process includes inquiry and exploration based exercises to identify and formulate different design aspects of a public building and develop a proposal reimaging a sustainable and relevant Community center.
PROPOSED INTERVENTION The architecture of the building attempts to enhance the “publicness” of the building by connecting the surrounding sites and functions. The roof of the building acts as an extension to the public park next to the site. The housing typology of the neighbourhood is majorly high-rise apartment buildings. The roof garden of the community hub breaks the monotonous view of the otherwise large public building. It also provides natural cooling to the building, especially being situated in a hot climate. The roof garden provides a visual connection to the sports center and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
06 CONTENT-NER Typology : Pre-Fab Architecture Location : Toronto, Canada
01. Insulated Roof 02. Gutter 03. Corrugated Sheet 04. Steel Sections 05. Wooden Framing 06. Insulation - Rockwool 07. Wooden Cladding 08. Metaloq Frame System - Container 09. Metal Railing 10. Outdoor Flooring 11. Weatherproofing 12. Plywood 13. Insulation 14. I section framing for Roof Deck 15. Openable Wall with Hinge Brackets 16. Outdoor Deck 17. Concrete Block Foundation
Thank you Milan Desai Contact: +14302806547 Email: desaimilan1614@gmail.com