Mohanabrabu - Urban Design Portfolio

URBAN DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

portfolio

Mohanabrabu B M

MOHANABRABU B M

He | His | Him

M.S in Urban Design (MSUD) | Graduate Candidate

An aspiring urban designer excited to work at the intersection of developing urban infrastructure and public spaces. I position myself to be a catalyst in creating an impact and changing the way of urban living.

EDUCATION

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN URBAN DESIGN (MSUD) | 1.5 year program

School of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin 2021 - 2022 (Expected to Graduate in Dec 2022)

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (B. Arch) | 5 year program

School Of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Chennai, India 2012 - 2017

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

URBAN PLAN/DESIGN INTERN

AECOM | May 22 - Present

Investigated land parcel schemes on ArcGIS Pro as part of an industrial masterplan proposal for a mining region in California. Collaborated with transport planners in studying and developing graphic documents of network level plan and street typologies for Austin.

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

University of Texas at Austin | Sep 21 - Present Currently working with the Prof. Vincent Snyder at the University in architectural and urban research projects.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, India | Sep 20 - Jun 21

Developed guidelines and graphic manuals for 100 Smart cities in India to conduct the Streets for People national level challenge. As part of the non-profit organization, I actively coordinated with diverse stakeholders and public officials of three Smart Cities in South India to implement sustainable mobility projects.

ARCHITECT

architectureRED, Chennai | Apr 18 - Mar 20

Worked on concept development through design schemes, sketches, models, and presentation pitches for large-scale urban and affordable housing projects. Actively coordinated with the clients and structural and landscape consultants to prepare the construction drawings and monitor the site’s progress. Participated in the weekly office knowledge sharing sessions and managed the office supplies.

ASSISTANT ARCHITECT

Design and Planning Counsel, Ahmedabad | Dec 17 - Mar 18

Worked on the pitch presentation for a Multi-level car parking building at GIFT City, Gujarat, by preparing concept sketches, study models, and preliminary design schemes. Produced concept design and construction drawings for the institution and residential projects.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Wallistry, Chennai | Apr 17 - Nov 17

Worked on the marketing strategies and concept graphics for developing the e-commerce website and product packaging. Analyzed user experience insights and studied how design can aid business.

INTERN ARCHITECT

Edifice Architects and Interior designers, Chennai | Dec 15 - Apr 16

Initially worked on the concept development of an international school project and made a presentation to clients. Developed construction drawings and schedules for housing projects.

LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohanabrabu/ https://issuu.com/mohanabrabubm/docs/sap_chronicle_2015_-_2016_print-pag https://awards.re-thinkingthefuture.com/transportation-terminal/green-transit-shelter-by-mohanabrabu-bm https://issuu.com/mohanabrabubm/docs/mohanabrabu_-_undergraduate_archite

(737)-666-5766

mohanabrabu@utexas.edu

2401 Longview Street Unit 106C Austin TX 78705

SKILLS

GRAPHICS - Adobe Suite

Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign - Proficient Premier Pro - Intermediate

3D MODELLING AND RENDERING Rhino, Sketchup, Lumion - Proficient Autodesk Revit - Intermediate

2D LINEWORK AND MAPPING AutoCAD, ArcMap, QGIS - Proficient

Manual drafting, Model making Laser cutting, and 3D-Printing

Google workspace and Microsoft Office

COMPETITIONS

MONSOON ASSEMBLAGE 2017

University of Westminster, London

Participation

URBAN LAKES RESTORATION | 2016

Exhibited at Embrace our rivers

INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL IGBC | 2015

Published on Re-thinking the Future

LIK TROPHY - 57TH NASA CONVENTION | 2014 / 2015

Special Mention

ANNUAL NASA DESIGN COMPETITION | 2014 Short-listed - Top 10 entries

HONORS & POSITIONS

Registered Architect Reg. no.: CA/2017/89312

Council of Architecture, India

Content moderator jugaadrender.in | archi.press

Editor-in-chief for SAP Chronicle 2016 magazine

Assistant Coordinator Louis I Kahn Trophy, NASA 2015

WORKSHOPS

State of Housing in India, Mumbai

State of Architecture in India, Mumbai

Z-Axis | Charles Correa Foundation 2016 IALD 2013 conference

“Massive change is not about the world of design; it’s about the design of the world.”

– Bruce Mau

RICHMOND DISTRICT

The Richmond District in San Francisco is a diverse and predominantly residential development with two major city parks bordering it. The district also has various retail and commercial activities along some major streets.

92% of the district parcels allocated to residential plots.

Existing CONTEXT

A major point of critique is that the district edges, where it interacts with the city and parks, is highly acontextual to its immediate surrounding and uses. For example, the blocks that face the Golden Gate Park are as mono-functional in use and as low/dense as a midneighborhood block, almost completely ignoring the presence of a major city park in front.

The same applies to the presence of schools, other parks, the oceanfront, the Presidio Boulevard, or the university and Central SF.

Defined park edges and tree cover

Urban MORPHOLOGY

Almost all parcels allow 4 stories, but only 9% are 3 or 4 stories. Multiple zoning and building regulations are applied here, the resultant land use indicates that the majority (92%) of the blocks are monofunctional residential plots, almost as residue after the main commercial district areas.

Land Use Land Use based on Street Type

GEOGRAPHY

The sheet flow direction along the Geary Boulevard drains the storm water into Sutro Heights. Using the topography and drainage pattern can help to channel the storm water through green infrastructure. The Geary triangle needs green infrastructure connection to the Land’s end and Sutro Heights.

MOBILITY

The historic map of 1880 San Francisco street morphology is an evidence for the use of street cars which could be a reason for this triangular intersection. Richmond provides opportunities for east-west and north-south connections, while improved connections to Richmond could generate improved accessibility to green spaces and ocean beach. The Geary triangle witness a higher collision rate which demands a redesign of node into a safe, accessible transit destination to the residents and floating population.

Objective #1 Human Experience

Walkable hierarchical streets and human-scaled, proportionate urban form, improving the daily quality of life for those visiting, working, and living in Richmond.

Objective #2

Diversity and Multiplicity

The Richmond as vibrant, dense, variegated neighborhood zones with mixed use opportunities to facilitate economic and social sustainability.

Objective #3

Connect to context and nature

Clusters of assorted microcommunities that engage with its immediate surrounding and uses of the city, creating a range of activities and points of local identities.

Programming the park as a active hangout zone through out the day for the neighborhood. The built space will serve the residents of the

Transforming the Geary Triangle to serve as the link to the destinations of the Outer Richmond District. San Francisco VA Hospital

Concept of SPACE MAKING

1. Paving the carriageway to the limit the speed and to define the public realm.

2. Weaving the light rail and MUNI bus route within the green space

3. Using the ground to enhance the urban and neighborhood level micro-mobility loops

4. Integrating neighborhood retail, commute and public life for the social sustanance of community

Using the ground for creating a micro public spaces for the community within the neighborhood to congregate and commute.

Geary Transit Park is a mixed-use development acting as a transit as well as micro public space for the Outer Richmond neighborhood

Triangle Public

WEAVING INTERBAY

to define the cascadia region

1.5% population growth in SEATTLE

Before the dramatic regrading of Seattle, Interbay was a coastal zone of tidal flats, wetlands and coastal forest. The geography and ecology of Interbay in Seattle has heavily been altered through regrading anvvd landfills. Despite the extensive engineering, Interbay is still at the risk of liquefaction from earthquakes and the effects of sea level rise. Seattle is a fast growing city with a 1.5% year-on-year growth in population which is leading to densification of the Downtown. Interbay in Seattle is a land engineered with regraded landfills and is known for fishing, Seattle armory and industies. Currently, Interbay provides around 6000 jobs through commercial and industrial establishments but fails to house the blue collar workers with the mandatory housing amendment. Weaving the urban with green infrastructure Interbay - Site context

Team member Yuhe Xiao | Julia Szeto | Zoe Swartz

Interbay ranks second in accommodating local industries and commercial establishments when compared with other industrial areas in Seattle. These establishments generate a $3500 million dollar revenue per annum and this proves the value of the land and jobs created in Interbay. The growing 2.8% year-on-year population in Interbay needs vibrant programs to enhance the work life balance in the district.

Conceptualizing the URBAN FRAMEWORK

The agenda of the propsal is to integrate the urban typologies with the natural infrastructures. The topography defines the edge and the landscape integrates the Interbay from north to south. The hydrology map reveals the flow pattern of storm water and sewage drained through the landscape. Walkability and bike riding is enhanced by displacing the grid iron pattern and replacing it with the topographic connections. The density of site is increased through the introduction of diverse programs associated with the exisiting industries.

Proposed MASTERPLAN

Boardwalk

Fisherman’s Terminal Light Rail Line

6

7

9

8

1 2 4 5 10 11 14

17

18

12 13 15 20

16 21

19

Light Rail Station Railroads remained Pedestrain Bridge Bike Trail Museum Light Rail Station Pedestrain Bridge Central Park School Library Pedestrain Bridge South Industry zone Light Rail Station Coastal Forest Salt Marsh Observation dock

Retail

Edges

District Map Light rail stations

Urban DISTRICTS

The blocks in the district follow the 300’ X 300’ grid system with the exisiting context and the diversification in programs is achieved vertically. The ground is primarily allocated for industries and commercial spaces and the above floor spaces accommodate housing and office spaces.

A

Commercial Mixed Use/ Office Residential Industrial Institutional A’

Building typologies

Access & Bike paths

Urban nodes

Waterfront District

Business District

Civic District

Ecological District

NEIGHBORHOODS

Complete streets: adaptable swales retaining water and acting as pedestrian and bike ways 15th Avenue

Buidlings powered with the electricity from the nearby methane plant

Landfill Cap

Business District: widened sidewalks for retails and cafe seating

Methane plant burns gas from the landfil to generate electricity

Ruderal plantings to rebuild soil health

The scope for establishing the link between the education, impacts of industries and research development could only be brought by finding their position with regard to each other. Architecture always has a significant role in contemplating and creating the learning spaces and the intent will be achieving the same in inclusion with the environment and sustainable aspects.

Need for TYPOLOGY ?

The ongoing conflict between ‘’academic rigor” and “practice based” knowledge is not withstanding, great strides have been taken more recently towards better understanding and fostering more conducive conditions for education to happen.

PROGRAM INTEGRATION

The role of architecture is finding the niche for both the entities in specific and plan them in a manner such that they exist together. Innovative handling of these entities and integrating them with context will be the role of design approach.

The industries are entities which are found to be in a crisis especially in case of manufacturing sector. Technical education system lags in competing with the globalization standards with regard to the generation of skilled labors and research scholars.

The land-use pattern of the GIDC [Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, Ahmedabad] is classified as industrial-use category.

Site | GIDC AHMEDABAD

The manufacture industries in specific get developed where they get their resources and infrastructure from the government. Such industries are developed along the SEZ’s where they almost utilize the resources and it is significantly found in Tier 2 category of SMART CITIES. Identifying such SEZ’s and their connectivity with the city will be the first criteria of site selection. Mapping the inter relationships of existing industries and the other institutions around that area and suggesting the typology with respect to the context will be appropriate design response.

GIDC | Ahmedabad SITE ANALYSIS

Promoting mixed land use in area based developments–planning for ‘unplanned areas’ containing a range of compatible activities and land uses close to one another in order to make land use more efficient. Cultivating the need for the program within the context and responding to them through pragmatic analysis of the same. Preserving and developing open spaces.

Proximity of small textile industries

Approach to site

Master-plan STRATEGIES

From site analysis, an inference for the programmatic zoning is developed. And based on the integration of the three different programs, the placement of the typologies are formulated.

Through site study and series of pragmatic approach, master plan is been evolved. Developing approach access points from the influx points. Retaining the northern industrial periphery and creating a buffer with the metro depot.

The process of weaving the possibilities of each typology in terms , vehicular access and industrial service needs maps the intersperse of activities within the site. Iterating the probabilities of orientation of the built form, connection between the typologies and security aspects of the industries.

Integrated MASTER PLAN

Industrial zone

Open space Connectivity

Industrial interface centers along the edge

Connecting corridor between the two individual industrial units

Facades with shorter length oriented along maximum heat gain zone and south - west wind direction.

Programmatic design EVOLUTION

The idea of segregating as components and clubbing it in as part programs is to bring the collaboration process part of the built. The spaces that bridge between these components act as pause points to enhance activities of a campus.

Facade facing the industries establish a connection and gives access to the tool room

Connection between institution and research laboratories area

The institution block handles the program of bringing in the feasibility of industries with the technical education. This is programmed in a manner it caters to the needs of a future technical education and attracts public attention in the city and changes the perception of industries in cities. The research typology’s significance is to be the connect between the institution and the industry. Taking this into consideration, the most often accessed tool room will be part of this block in the ground level and the institutions connect with labs will be in the upper level. A new industrial working model, while the manufacturing and the production happening at the ground level, light machinery process are carried out in the upper level accompanied by training programs creating an industrial interface.

Integrating the heavy vehicle roads with the industrial corridor [Silver cotton mill road]

Secluded research facility with access to tool rooms

Industrial corridor Entry

The auditorium’s holds industrial conventions and events.

The singular institutional block is divided into wings of 5 blocks in order to make use of the natural ventilation through tunnel effect

Seasonal industrial training programs run by the research fellows

Section A - Institution block

UG programs based on the curriculum will be collaborated with the industry personnel

Courtyard within the institution for people of the institution, research and industry to collaborate

Event and get together space for the whole campus

Integrated SIGNIFICANCE

Integrated institutions is a model to the context specific manufacturing industries. This typology ensures the bridge between industrial activities and technical education are intact and will be the solution for the lack of skilled labor with technical education.

Individual / common research labs

Entrepreneurship and industrial collaboration to sustain the needs in market

Section B - Research block

Entrepreneurship and industrial collaboration to sustain the needs in market

Interstitial space [ service floor ] where the wiring, pipe lines and the cranes are in order to make the ground flexible for different production layouts

Environment + Urban design

URBAN LAKES RESTORATION

Retteri lake - Chennai

Puzhal lake Korattur lake

Retteri Lake

INFLUENTIAL TIME-LINE

Retteri lake

Origin of the water

Direction of the flow

Duration 6 Weeks

1970’s

The Grand South Trunk road was laid across the retteri since it was the only connection to the north western part from the chennai city.

2004 Drought

The lake faces dry period where the lake is completely dry, encouraging people to encroach its inundation plain.

2013

Economical Development along the boundaries of the lake timber and small scale industries are developed. Major shift in land use pattern leads to the overall economical development

Retteri is an intermediate lake which does not depend on rain for water and depends on the surrounding water bodies. Adding to that, the urban development along the north of Chennai had gone beyond its limit and this is the only intermediate lake at the verge of drying out in the Kosasthaliyar river basin.

2015 Chennai floods

The outlets play a major role in preventing the flooding of the encroached inundation plains, by taking out the excess water through them.

Studio Instructor Rajeswari Ravi | Premamani

Exhibited entry for Urban lakes revitalization competition conducted by Goethe Institut Max Mueller Bhavan, Chennai.

Approach to URBAN WATER SUSTAINABILITY

The urbanization of cities around the world has given us great cities but, the ecology of the suburbs is experiencing a severe risk. The ecology had collapsed due to inhuman interventions in nature and specially with the hydrological system of the city.

Retteri lake DESIGN PROPOSAL

The urban road network dominates the cities fabric. The emotional connect to the water bodies of the city has vanished long back when the navigation and lake dependency got ceased.

The proposal involves the concept of 3E’s and based on the study and inferences, 7 zones has been identified. The design approach will be multifaceted changing the perception of water bodies considering the issues in city planning, infrastructure, water literacy and management.

“ When we walk , we think, We contemplate and thereby experience the soul beauty of the nature.”

Section along THE BRIDGE

The pedestrian rings act as a floating pavilion for fishing, recreation and environmentally sustainable for shallow water plants and fishes.

Ecology

The ecosystem of the lake is conserved by establishing a establishing a elevated connection for highways. Nodes for activity is made at the junctions and also under the bridge.

Emotion of Society

The sense of belonging towards the lake is incorporated into the design by facilitating experiential spots.

Economics

The economy of the neighborhood community is enhanced with the help of NCPL at the source of the lake, to draw the attention of the community towards the lake and bring in commerce.

Section along PEDESTRIAN RINGS

The pedestrian rings act as a floating pavilion for fishing, recreation and environmentally sustainable for shallow water plants and fishes. At regular intervals culverts are fixed to make water flow back and forth. The condition of the lake will be in view of the public and taking care of their water bodies will become the responsibility of the public through time.

Inculcating

WATER LITERACY

IN URBAN CONTEXT

An approach that incubates and inculcates the idea of co-existence should be the intervention. This will bring in belongingness and water literacy. So, that the community would take care of the water bodies.

TRANSIT SHELTER

Indian Green Building Competition

Schematic Approach - Prototype

Shelter for SHELTER SHAPERS

The construction labors have an integral part in the industry. Shaping shelter for the shelter shapers should be a primary concern for the construction industry. A resilient shelter which could bear all the outcomes of the nature should be adopted in the shelter since construction labors will always be in movement for their next workplace. Such shelter should work on sustainable methods to get adapted to the context.

Evolution of FORM

N S W

Location Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Duration 3 Weeks

Adaptable Space

Volumes of modular livable and service space. Removing the frontage volume

Elevated

The volume is raised from the ground level for water storage and insulation.

Extended

The roof area is extended outward along the east-west to minimize the heat gain.

Space plan Service

Structure and Structure

Roofed

Sloped roof which gains solar energy and clerestory providing daylight.

Design PRINCIPLE

Competition entry of Indian Green Building Council Competition 2015 and featured on Re-thinking the future web journal FORM

is generated based on the program, context, climate and the sustainable conditions

MATERIALITY

for green – transit shelter is defined by the use of construction waste available and modular form-work system which integrates portability and sustainability of the shelter.

Making Shelter and MATERIALITY

The process of construction wastes a huge resource which are dumped as landfills. Instead breaking the method of waste disposal and combining the proper construction waste materials can produce valuable building elements which is beneficial for investor.

The step - by - step method of assembling the green - shelter will also be based on the property of the material. The heavier construction material will be forming the base and the lighter materials will be composing the structure to make it flexible enough to dismantle it.

STEP 1

Gabion walls filled with construction debris and reinforced with scrap metal facilitating passive cooling. A water storage tank is also installed in between the walls.

STEP 2

Trestle structure reduces the requirement of cross members which can bear a load of 200kg.

STEP 3

Raising the gabion walls for toilet with integrated bio char production system used for cooking.

STEP 4

Timber form-work waste acts as a tissue minimizing the heat gain which also breathes.

STEP 5

Stack effect implemented with retractable solar panels which ventilates as well as generates energy.

Aluminum Form-work

2.

Scaffolding pipes are used to form the trestle structure and angle holder for 8 pipes is designed and made on site.

1. The sloped roof has a provision to collect the rain water and recharge it to the tank below the gabion walls.

4.

Aluminum formwork arranged in the form of louvers enable better lighting and wind control.

3. Suspended timber panels along the heat and allows the humid air to enter.

RAIN FOREST

Urban living

Design team - architectureRED Biju Kuriakose, Kishore Panikkar, Rajiv

Location Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Built-up area 2,30,000 sq.ft

Role - Project Architect

Design drawing development, Client, structure and MEP consultant coordination

Sculpting an URBAN LIVING

The site has a strong relationship with the major landmarks & green spaces. Views from the site towards the Governor’s palace raj bhavan complex by the south & the kowdiar palace by the north.

The units lying above the adjacent neighboring buildings take advantage of the views from the site and the units lying below overlooks the park and ensures a strong integrated community. The kitchen garden is plugged between the units creates micro community and enhances the interaction between units, which also acts a visual buffer

The site is sandwiched between two high rise buildings restricting the views & the light into the site. The irregular site profile offers a challenging design footprint on the ground after leaving a 6m drive way around.

Densifying the ground plane offers a very minimal footprint as it goes higher due to the set back regulations creates an interesting skyline but eventually minimizes the views from the site and fails to create community

By inverting the skyline upside down creates large community gathering on the ground plane and gives a relief from the existing urban fabric.

“The rain forest, creating an experiential skyline through the spaces”

Process of sculpting THE SPACES

1. Embracing the site profile by allowing the design footprint to evolve along the perimeter way around.

2. Creating a landmark building right at the entrance which anchors the site at the edge and creates an strong image-ability

The design explores the possibilities of bringing in social sustainability and increasing the open space ratio per individual. The monumental voids give space for the tall trees to grow and change the attitude of residents over spaces.

The development is a 16-story building with 2 basements. The project accommodates around 81 units including all amenities. A residence with an identity rooted to its context and a lost experience in the current world of urbanization.

3. The 12m x12m grid mass conceding one unit per floor maximizes the views

4. The masses are lifted to maximize the view on either sides, over-powering the high-rise building adjacent to the site

5. View towards the rear side of the site

6. The mass floating at the lower level achieves the view through the low lying building at the adjacent site

7. Maximizing the view towards the north

8. Creating an interactive community spaces at various levels

VYTILLA HOUSING

Urban Nest

Design team - architectureRED Biju Kuriakose, Kishore Panikkar, Leena, Reshma

Location Vytilla, Kerala, India

Built-up area 2,00,000 sq.ft

Role - Architect Concept presentation | Design and drawing development

Status - Design development

Creating space SYMBIOSIS

The understanding over the context led to the requirement for an urban form meeting the housing needs. The permissible projections created dynamism over the facade and let to terrace spaces in the above floors. The symbiotic arrangement of the projections engulfed the tower with green spaces.

Gold Grande Mall Commercial Institution Pilgrims Residential Bus stops 3. Adding permissible module of projections along the facade 4. Repeating the module of projections to achieve the space ratio

Variation in UNIT FOOTPRINT

The symbiotic growth of space adds green spaces and achieves diversity in every unit’s carpet area. The luxury housing carpet area ranges from 1800 sq. ft - 4000 sq. ft.

3BHK - Unit A Sale-able area - 171.04 sq. m

3BHK - Unit B Sale-able area - 162.28 sq. m

3BHK - Unit C Sale-able area - 168.27 sq. m

3BHK - Unit D Sale-able area - 169.43 sq. m

3BHK - Unit E Sale-able area - 166.60 sq. m

3BHK - Unit F Sale-able area - 153.12 sq. m

Urban form and GREEN SPACE

The permissible carpet area at every floor creates value for the end-user. The diversity in achieving the green space creates an urban icon and stands out as a green building.

The development is split into 2 towers. The front tower is a mixed use building with commercial spaces in the ground and housing in the above floors.

Site

The main tower has 22-storeys with the combination of 3BHK and 4BHK. The amenities space linked with the front tower at the 10th floor level making it accessible for both the towers.