PORTFOLIO
Namrata Baruah
This portfolio is a compilation of my most recent and relevant work in design. With unique contexts for the projects, this catalog seeks to communicate the thought process behind their design development. The focus is on utilizing the latest technology, materials in answering the most relevant questions in design with an interdisciplinary approach to architecture. All the projects showcased are of different scales and complexities. This portfolio is a journey that represents the development of my interest in the field of urban and computational design, and interdisciplinary thinking. The journey starts with the live project of Planetarium, which is influenced by its context and function. The second project is the development of a Sub-City Center in Chandigarh, which addresses strategies in Urban Design. The approach was to create a sustainable, community-friendly space that enhanced the cultural fabric of the city. The third project is the conceptualization of a Gateway, which is adventurous in its approach. The fourth project is my research paper, which attempts to use nature as a practical, indispensable part of architecture with quantitative evidence of its benefits.
CONTENTS 1. Planetarium, Professional 2018. 2. Sub City-Center, Academic 2017. 3. Gateway, Professional 2019. 4. Acoustic properties of Plants, Academic 2017.
All illustrations used in this portfolio are produced by the author, unless otherwise specified.
PLANETARIUM BAGALKOT
Professional: Studio Chintala, August 2018 Role: Project Architect for Planetarium. Contribution: Handled the project, resolved design and technical issues concerning structure, coordinated design and development with consultants and client, created construction drawings. Supervisors: Diwakar Chintala, Studio Chintala (diwakar@studiochintala.com) Veena Narayan, Studio Chintala The site is located in Bagalkot, a town in Northern Karnataka. It is an emerging town with a strong culture in education. With the Planetarium, the Government wanted to make science accessible to the public. The vision was to create a celestial metaphor, harmonizing with the function of the Planetarium. The Planetarium should become a landmark of curiosity and wonder. The aspiration was that it would inspire little kids to believe in themselves and the possibilities of science and education. In a country like India, where the majority of the population is below 25, it is imperative to use all the resources at our disposal to elevate and inspire the young minds.
The vibrant local elements were documented. The olden structures in the town were all constructed using locally available stone - pink granite. The cladding of the Podium and the Ground floor of the Planetarium is done with the local stone to continue the vernacular vocabulary. The juxtaposition of the rough stone texture and the smooth polycarbonate, used on the exterior of the sphere, resulted in an inspiring and grounded structure.
Site Location
Vibrant Town with the Juxtaposition of the Old and the New
Entry
Plaza
Existing Science Center
N
Site Plan
Creating a sense of arrival with the front court
Passive cooling
Permeable Podium creating a sense of openness
Reinforcing the concept of Celestial Metaphor
Design Concepts for the Site
A place for all. A grove of pink granite columns for celebrations, gatherings and crafts.
Exploded View of the Planetarium
The Plaza Entry to the Planetarium: An Urban Space for recreational activities
The Polycarbonate skin on the Space Truss reinforces the celestial metaphor at night.
Level 1: Podium
Ground Floor
Entry into the Planetarium Sphere. The Space truss facilitates faster construction and follows the form of the projection Dome of the Planetarium
Section
Level 3: Lower Auditorium
Level 2: Entry
Exhibition Corridor on the Entry Floor
Section
3-D Printed Model of the Planetarium Testing Geodesic Framework
SUB CITY-CENTER
CHANDIGARH
Academic: Thesis, Semester 9, December 2017 Role: Individual Project, 37.46 Acres Supervisors: Satyaki Sarkar (hod.arch@bitmesra.ac.in) Community spaces play an important role in the success of a city and its inhabitants. They become the foundation to which those living and visiting in the area come together and communicate. The sub-city center for Chandigarh at sector 43 will be one such center that seeks to incorporate the cultural, retail aspects and also have a wide range of recreational activities that will truly develop it into an experience for the people. In spite of the rapid growth of the retail field in India, there is an absence of a completely interactive and culturally responsive retail place that gives the all-in-one luxury to the fast-changing demands of the public and which is designed to uplift the communications in the community. There is also the competition from the online shopping sites, the question becomes why would anyone who can buy something at the comfort of their home, travel to a site far away for the same service? The answer is the evolution of physical shopping, to provide attractions, multi-use spaces and also an interesting built form that interests people to visit it. The proposed Sub-city center will mark a signature building for the phase II and III development of Chandigarh. The whole exercise is an attempt to make people more involved with the community and also to attract them to the built form, and live a rich urban experience.
17
43
Map of Chandigarh
Sector 17 in Chandigarh was designed at the heart of the City by Le Corbusier. It had shopping complexes, plazas acting as the central business district for Chandigarh. But in recent years, due to the increased influx of people, Chandigarh has gone through socio-economic and environmental changes. Sector 17 fails to cater to the present needs of the people. Due to its heritage status, it cannot undergo infrastructure development. There is a deficiency of facilities that should be available for a CBD of present Chandigarh. Hence, for my Thesis, I proposed a sub-city center for Chandigarh in sector 43. This new sub-city center for Chandigarh will act as a hub for the community, providing an array of recreational and cultural services and mixed-used spaces apart from retail. It is imagined as a 24 x 7 space, with different zones responding to different needs and requirements of the community.
A view of the sector 17 plaza when it was taking shape in 1972
Present Infrastructure demand on Sector 17 to cater to the increased population
Concept Development
Inclusive of all age groups
Participation of all Income groups
Focus on Pedestrian cultur
Recreational activities
Retail Experience
Social and Cultural Hub
The project aims to integrate the center into the urban fabric of Chandigarh, and make the center an experience rather than a place. The spaces within the project are designed to be well integrated, interactive and walkable with the line between indoor and outdoor spaces disappearing. Convenience in shopping centers is an important factor that needs consideration in designing them. With different social classes, and habits of people, shopping has been made more conducive thorough development. Increase in standard of living has created a better opportunity in the purchase of goods and services with the impact of modern architectural developments. The main purpose of shopping and recreation is to revitalize people so that they may efficiently return to activities, which are economically and intellectually gainful. Tata,(2002). Clarson and Knetsh (1966) stated that the distinguishing characteristics of shopping and recreation are not the activities itself but the attitude with which it is under taken. Adamu (1990) sees these two components very compact-able due to the impact it offers man to his physical, creative and purchasing power as response to an inner desire rather than out compulsion. Individuals engage in these activities from choice between the personal enjoyment and satisfaction which they receive.
re
The Entry: The character of the commercial buildings of Chandigarh is preserved on the Entry. But as one approaches the site, cut-outs hint the structures hidden behind.
The Circulation: In an enclosure, the most effective form of dispersion is radial.
Commercial Leisure Recreational
Site Zoning
Site Plan: with a focus on pedestrian movement
Sub City-Center: Physical Model
Spatial Development
Building Blocks
Office
Entertainment
Zoning Entry And Radial Cut Outs
Creating Introverted Spaces
Hierarchy of Spaces
Ground F
g
Floor
Commercial
Level 1,2,3: Typical
Level 4
Ground Floor: Open floor plan with Vistas looking onto the plaza
Entry into the Center acts as a welcoming plaza, providing a platform for a plethora of activities for the community.
GATEWAY
SCIENCE CITY PROPOSAL, SUTTUR
Professional: Studio Chintala, October 2019 Research: Individual Contribution: Developed complete design concept, resolve geometry and parametric scripting, create diagrams and visualization. Supervisor: Diwakar Chintala, Studio Chintala (diwakar@studiochintala.com) The site for the Science City proposal was located on the rural outskirts of Bangalore. The location, Suttur, is a place of religious importance. However, the local authorities wanted to bring science closer to the people and in the process create something inspirational and timeless. With an aspiration to create something iconic, we designed the proposal for the Science City, which was to be the first of its kind in Southern India. The Gateway to the Science City, we believed, needed to represent the latest of what science can offer in a built environment. The goal was to create a sustainable monumental structure that used the latest technology. It should be kinetic, generate its energy and follow certain parameters to provide shading for the visitors of the Science City. The structure was imagined to consist of two catenary arches. Catenary Arches are stable and strong and ideal for larger spans as they redirect the forces of gravity to compression forces. The two arches of separate heights follow a defined path, with the smaller Arch rotating to an extent of 90 degrees anticlockwise to provide shading in the southwest portion of the Geometry. The Arches are connected by hinged members that have solar panels on one face so that they can generate the power for the movement of the Smaller Arch. The Smaller Arch slowly rotates throughout the day, with its maximum rotation achieved when the Sun is on the South West side and is the hottest, thus providing the maximum shade. After Sunset the Smaller Arch returns to its rest position, creating a spectacle for the visitors.
The Gateway provides a bustling entry for the Science Center creating a platform for gatherings, and celebrations. The structure also acts as an exhibit, showcasing various building systems. Visitors can learn about the latest technologies and sustainable practices in construction through the Gateway. Thus also increasing awareness about the possibilities of Science.
The Science City
Path of the Larger Arch
Concentric Circle for the Path of the Smaller Arch
Off centered to provide shading even during Rest Position.
30 Degrees
N 45 Degrees
90 Degrees
Conceptual Development of the Movement of the Gateway to Maximize Shading
The Movement of The Gateway Throughout the Day
1
2
3
6
7
8
The Script Defining the Parameters
Th
he Controller
4
5
9
10
ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF PLANTS Academic: Semester 8, April 2017 Research: Individual. Guides: Dr. Satyaki Sarkar (hod.arch@bitmesra.ac.in), Dr. Bimal C Roy (bimalcroy@gmail.com) Rajan Sinha
Quantitative analysis of sound absorption properties of plants in indoor environment for enabling sustainable practice, International Journal Environment and Sustainable Development ( Accepted) (Inderscience) (SCOPUS) ‘Built environment’ and ‘urban ecology’ over the last few decades have established itself inseparable in modern developmental practices. An important part of the urban built environment is the indoor landscaping which has surfaced as a vital element in creating sustainable urban spaces for the future. The dependence of such spaces on a healthy ‘indoor facility ecology’ (Burchett et al., 2019) is increasingly in demand especially in tropical region. With the concern for indoor environment including the air and sound quality increasing in global arena, enviroscaping of indoor environment with indoor plants to reduce harmful effects of volatile compounds, harmful gases and external sounds have come under research and application. The challenge is to deploy green plants as absorptive panels, as a sustainable and low-cost replacement for conventional acoustic absorbers for indoor spaces to reduce noise.
Abstract This paper showcases the results of literature review and decibel drop calculation of the sound attenuation properties of some plants with a soil substrate for use as green sound absorbers in an indoor space. The plants used in this experiment were needed to survive in an indoor environment, hence only tropical, thermophilic plants which could grow in high humidity and warm temperatures with indirect sunlight were selected. An impedance tube of 100 mm dia was used to calculate the direct incidence acoustic absorption coefficient of the plants and larger samples were tested within a reverberation chamber. The soil substrate used was a high porosity and low-density sample of perlite and coconut fibers. The results show that ferns and baby tears were good absorbers along with the soil substrate, whereas Begonia was a better absorber at the lower and higher frequencies. The decibel drop by the fern with soil substrate is the highest with a decrease of frequency and the lowest is by Green Ivy which is due to morphological conditions.
Conclusion The results show that plants absorb high levels of sound energy. The amount of sound absorbed depends on the plant characteristics like leaf area and density of foliage. Further study in the field is necessary to establish the direct relationship between the morphological characteristics and the absorption coefficients for different frequencies of a plant, and how various combinations of plant samples together effect the sound absorption property.
Plants absorb high levels of Sound Energy
d= -20log(1-C) Here ‘d’ is the decibel drop and ‘C’ is the coefficient of absorption of the plants.
Plants
250 Hz
450 Hz
650 Hz
850 Hz
1,050 Hz
1,250 Hz
1,450 Hz
Green Ivy α
0.64
0.73
0.73
0.71
0.74
0.76
0.84
d
8.86
11.36
11.36
10.74
11.7
12.38
15.9
Maidenhair Fern α
0.79
0.69
0.75
0.88
0.88
0.92
0.94
d
13.54
10.16
12.04
18.4
18.4
21.8
24.4
Begonia α
0.77
0.80
0.69
0.65
0.74
0.91
0.95
d
12.76
13.96
10.16
9.1
11.7
20.8
26
Fern α
0.80
0.77
0.75
0.84
0.95
0.98
0.97
d
13.96
13.6
12.04
15.9
26.02
33.46
30.44
Baby Tears α
0.65
0.70
0.78
0.86
0.88
0.88
0.87
d
13.88
10.44
13.4
17.06
18.4
18.4
17.72
Soil Substrate α
0.64
0.68
0.69
0.74
0.78
0.82
0.84
d
8.86
9.88
10.16
11.7
13.14
14.88
15.9
Average dB Drop
11.75
16.96
14.92
20.84
15.57
12.07
In the impedance type experiment, ferns and baby tears along with the soil substrate were found to absorb about 90% of sound energy, with absorption increasing after 500 Hz. The decibel drop by the fern with soil substrate is the highest with a decrease of 20.84 dB and the lowest is by Green Ivy, this difference is due to the difference in the morphological parameters of the plants and also leaf density. Average Decibel Drop Calculation
15.57
BABY TEARS
16.96
MAIDENHAIR FERN
20.84
FERN
12.07
SOIL SUBSTRATE
14.92
BEGONIA
11.75
GREEN IVY
15.57
BABY TEARS
16.96
MAIDENHAIR FERN
20.84
FERN
12.07
SOIL SUBSTRATE
14.92
BEGONIA
11.75
GREEN IVY
Results of Average Decibel drop for plants
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