Selected Works
2015 - 2020
Naomy Parikh parikh.naomy@gmail.com
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A Place for Progressive Learning 2015
Academic project | Studio 9 | CEPT University Rethinking and integrating Private, Public and Community/City Level Realms of an Institution; Spatially and Programmatically
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The Inward Descend 2015
Architectural Design Competition | Kaira Looro Anchoring a Community in need through design
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Under the trees 2018ongoing
Independent Project Employing traditional and sustainable building crafts | Building community/village workforce capacity through skill transfer | Activating spaces through landscape
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The Glamping Refuge 2019ongoing
Independent Project Exploring traditional building crafts | Village involvement through skill development Employing Low-Impact structures to respond to ecologically sensitive & conservation site context
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doro 2017ongoing
Ceramics Exploring crafts, materials and making Preparing clay and glazes | Wheel throwing and Hand-building | Gas, wood and soda firing
A place for progressive learning Institution in the city of Ahmedabad
2015|Architectural design studio 9 | CEPT university
“Crafts and culture� are often synonymous with the city of Ahmedabad, and India at large. Its marginalization has often been talked of in the light of the complex growing economic, social and technological matrix. There is a need for a crossfunctional and multidisciplinary collaboration between designers and craftsmen devising strategic and holistic solutions to support competitiveness.
The proposed intervention comprises of a formal institution that serves as a platform for collaboration between craftsmen and designers along with public spaces that facilitate engagement of the city with crafts and material culture at varied scales becoming a catalyst of progressive learning for the city at large.
Neighbourhood
Sanskar Kendra Museum
Tagore memorial Hall
These eminent complexes are housed within the residential area , which comprises of low storey-ed middle income group appartments
Built by Le Corbusier, 1954. The museum was envisioned as a part cultural Centre for the city, that had pavilions for subjects like anthropology, natural history, archaeology, monumental sculptures, workshops and depots, folklores in open air. Out of the larger plan only the museum was built.
Built by B.V. Doshi, 1966. Built in collaboration with Mahendra Raj, this brutalist building is a series of rigid frames in reinforced concrete folded plates. The independent internal structure serves 700 people for various important cultural events.
Sabarmati River Front
National Institue for design
Bimal Patel, HCP, 2002 This part of the river front is proposed as a Cultural mile including performing arts and museums for design, handicraft and contemporary arts.
Built by Gautum & gira sarabhai,1961 Envisioned by Charles & Ray Eames as an institute to bridge gap between tradition and modernity. Today serves as the finest research and educational institution for design.
The intervention is strategically anchored around the culturally significant public complexes Sanskar Kendra and Tagore hall, the National School of Design across the road and the river front development.
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The proposed intervention questions the role of a city museum towards the city, society as well as the immediate context. In answers it attempts to negotiate a balance between an institution and a public space, where it becomes a place for progressive learning for the city at large. It also questions Le Corbusier’s museum staying confined to an iconic building and how does one Re-vitalize or Re-use or Re-function ?
Visually open edge condition & the seating creates scope for engagement
View of the institution from the mezzanine of the museum. Museum institution axis
The kund acts an informal gathering space for the institution
sion for infor xten ma ne la tio cti t u i t o i t n s n I
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Blurred layers of the proposed intervention
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Museum - river Visual axis
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Concept at site-level Adopts Le Corbusier’s pinwheel diagram and his vision of the cultural center, where the mezzanine and the grid of the museum is employed to place the proposed intervention.
The free ground of the museum continues in the proposed intervention. The lowered built and mounds on either side, creates a sense of enclosure for these free multivalent spaces.
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Mound creating visual enclosure for the museum exhibit space
Amphitheatre for informal performances for the city.
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Legend for the proposed intervention 1. Pedestrian entrance to 9. The kund Sanskar kendra 10. Institutional wing of the 2. Underground walkway intervention to NID 11. Open space for instituion 3. Driveway to the campus/ explorations Tagore hall 12. Access and parking of the 4. Open air theatre institution 5. Sanskar Kendra (Existing) 13. Permanent stalls 6. Pubic Wing of intervention 14. Tagore Hall (Existing) 7. Museum - public built axis 15. Driveway exit 8. Museum - institution axis
The Axis derived from Le Corbusier’s pinwheel diagram, from Sanskar kendra’s mezzanine, to the outside, through the institution.
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BB’: Typical section through each workshop 1. Workshop spill-out -public interaction/display 2. Workshop 3. Workshop spill out - institutional interaction 4. Design studio 5. Terraces for rest and disconnection 6. Computer lab 7. Research cell
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1. Workshop spill out towards the museum The extended spaces for display & demonstration for the city
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2. Adaptation of material Workshop for wood working. The large open plan of the workshop & its alcoves ensures adaptation of the space to varied materials, machineries & activities.
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Relationship
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proposed institute The design focuses on vertical relationship amongst varied function of spaces withing one workshop type Which is divided by the diagonal wall on each floor, also allowing a horizontal axis for interactions within the workshops. Section through the museum and the proposed institution wing The activities in the section demonstrate the nature of the public and institutional activities as well as the liminal spaces that become the nodes of engagement.
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3.Workshop back-yard spill out The backyard ensures spill out for activities that require larger spaces, institution interactions and formal/informal gatherings.
The Inward descend A place of worship for the community of Tanaf valley Senegal, Africa. 2015|Architectural design competition|Kaira looro
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Site of intervention
The aim of the competition is to create a place for worship, which becomes a symbol for the territory and help communities to overcome difficulties.
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Atlantic ocean
The site of intervention is located in the village of Tanaf, that overlooks a valley called Tanaf Bolong. The Water that runs from the Atlantic Ocean run through the Casamance river to the valley, has a salt concentration which is five times than the ocean’s one. The salt intrusion and drought affects the people of villages and communities who live in the valley.
Tanaf village Tanaf being the main village of the river basin on the Tanaf Bolong Valley has a population of 4000 residents, a mix of Muslims and Christians. The village houses a number of public buildings i.e., school, markets, a church and a mosque, but most of these are in poor condition. Proposed intervention : The step well
For peace to prevail, it is important to set one’s mind away from the essentials. The proposed intervention in the form of a step well, harvests rainwater for the community and allows places of worship, congregation markets and performances. It pivots around the utilitarian need while providing increased solitude in spaces within the earth which contradicts notion of the hot landscape and the condition of scarcity. The aim is to make a landmark in the minds, and not in space.
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Here, in the ramp well, the experience of the space is formed by the materiality of the compressed earth bricks while the senses react to the micro-climate created be the presence of water. While the need for water is prevalent, its mere presence is a relief in the minds of the people. Walking down the ramp, often the ground water is felt than seen. The temperatures of the valley fall down with the descent while the sense of solitude increases. From public spaces i.e. markets and water drawing plaza, one descends through small social gatherings, learn and play areas, performance spaces, contemplating individuals to intimate spaces of introspection through the filter of ground water. Here the water acts as a termination point, where the controlled sound, sight, smell and the temperature makes the contemplation chamber devoid of any influence from its surroundings.
The excavated earth for the construction is used as Stabilized Earth blocks to create retaining and load bearing walls The water from the entire footprint is funneled into the well, and thus recharging the ground water directly. Also, the lowermost portion of the well is designed for flooding as the ground water table increases with rainfall and reduces in other season. This well, thus defines its appropriateness by being driven by culture and being sustainable for a place with a lack of materials and with low technology.
Under the trees Seating under the tree Seating cum dining is created under a 150 yr old neem tree, Adjoining the kitchen Vegetable plantation
Fruit plantation
Seasonal plantation
Outdoor Kitchen Tool room & Public toilet Executed by local villagers after Skill transfer with skilled artisans.
Weekend home Outskirts of Vadodra , Gujarat
Amphitheater Situated in the low-lying shaded on site, acts as a gathering space, and a catchment for the percolation pit during wet season Bamboo Plantation for Retaining soil
Main approach From river Vishwamitri
2018 - ongoing | Independent project Caretaker’s Residence
Lily Pond Formed due to the excavation of soil for the rammed earth walls of the house.
The House A single occupancy house, elevated from the valley, having minimal contact on the ground, leaving the natural flow of site undisturbed. The house is approached from the south-west i.e. the lawns.
Lawns Spill out of the house acts as the main gathering space. Second Approach From Jaspur village
Water Tank Situated at the highest point of the site
Stabilized Earth walkway along the entire site
Situated in the Outskirts of Vadodra, set amidst vast farmlands and large trees, measuring about 6500 sq. yards; the site is accessible from both the north-west and south-east. It’s main entrance comes from the river and the other from the village. The undulated landscape of the site is formed due to the flow of water over the years through the site. The brief of the project was to develop the site into a space that facilitates engagement with farming and activates outdoor activities amidst nature along a minimal house for a single user or a couple, who’d stay here away from the growing city, and practice organic farming on a small scale. The place also anticipates an occasional social gathering in the outdoors. The challenge was to address the above requirements with a minimal impact on the natural processes on site. Addressing the brief, the major considerations taken were: 1. The house is minimally scaled, and is elevated from the ground to leave the water flow undisturbed. 2. Percolation pits and bamboo plantations are strategically positioned, to collect water and prevent further surface run off. 3. The construction and finishes of the builts, pathways and landscape elements employed materials with low embodied energy. 4. This project employs skilled artisans along with local villagers generating employment for the villagers by skill transfer on site through the building practices and landscaping.
Natural flow of water on the site The natural flow of rainwater on and through the site, has caused the valleys and depressions over the years.
Flow of water on the site after intervening & percolation pits The house & the landscape elements are strategically placed to maintain the natural flow of water & collect it in percolation pits
5. The processes appreciate sustainable building and strengthen social relations.
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Private built space A minimal built private space, under the dense tree cover, that opens out to the lawns.
View of the house from the lawns (South West)
Public spaces & landscape elements The amphitheater, kitchen, the seating under the neem, and lily pond are positioned around the lawn to spill into each other, and addresses the anticipated outdoor gatherings.
View of the house from the North east
Natural Landscape & Horticulture 50 % of the site remains undisturbed 30% of site is dedicated for horticulture View of the house from the approach of the site
Toilet and storage block Executed by the local villagers as a part of skill transfer on site
View of the amphitheater, Back right: The house Back Left: Outdoor Kitchen
Climatic response
Outdoor Kitchen Column & rafter junction
Seating under the neem tree
Programmatic strategies
-The house is located under the densest tree cover on site, elevating if from the ground, retains the natural flow of water. -The SW-NE extended parallel walls, cut the horizontal west summer sun, at the same time allows winter sun to come in. The wall A, visually separates the Public and the private(Bedroom) spaces within the house, A,B and C largely from the site. -South-West being the wind direction, the South west openings, allows a smooth flow of wind through the house. The southwest and Northeast openings, allows the visual expanse to large farmland and dense trees respectively, making the house inside-out.
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Roofing System: 900mm
Reclaimed Mangalore tiles Old houses, Jaspur Village Wooden Battens Bitumen sheet (Water proofing)
Reclaimed hard wood Ship breaking yard, Alang MS Plate CNC cut on Metal scrap Reclaimed Pine wood Wooden fruit crates
MS Gusset plate placed at time beam casting.
RCC Beams and Lintel slabs
MS C sections welded to the Gusset plate.
Wooden rafters bolted to C section. Pine wood planks nailed to the wooded rafters.
Walling system: 18
First half of Second half of the day the day
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MS side shuttering Wooden wedge Earth Layers 18cm loose soil rammed to 10cm Earth:sand:cement :lime 1:0.5:8%:2% Wooden plank (300X2400mm)
To keep ply in place and stand to ram Plywood (600x2400mm) Shuttering MS bolt Tighten Shuttering Two courses of brick
Load bearing Rammed Earth walls Site soil, Source: Lily Pond
Elevated RCC slab Mud plaster on brick walls
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Inbuilt seatings A
Brick walls
Load bearing brick walls A
Inbuilt furniture and finishes Condition at A Inbuilt seating is used at multiple places in the cottage, to optimize usage of space, materials and labour Kota stone sill Brick wall Ferrocement slab Brick wall Traditional oxide finish Alluminium strip expansion joint
Traditional oxide finishes An labour-intensive and skilled technique traditionally found in different modifications across India. Thin coat of oxide mix, is applied on a freshly plastered surface and later polished with wax and coconut coir.
The glamping refuge A stay for Nature enthusiasts and ornithologists
Pavagadh, Gujarat, India
2019 - ongoing | Independent project Agricultural Land
Forest Reserve Parking
Open air amphitheater
Common kitchen and dining Semi open bamboo structure stone enclosure for the kitchen
Independent cottages 7 cottages overlooking the forest Bamboo structure wattle and daub walls Champaner UNESCO Site Forest Reserve Site Pavagadh hills
The site is set amidst large patches of agricultural land, adjoining government forest reserve and is located in close vicinity of UNESCO world heritage site of Champaner, the archaeological park and the Pavagadh hills.
The region being rich and diverse in flora and Fauna, invites large numbers of nature enthusiasts. The site sharing its boundaries with the forest reserve, the brief was to design a campus to house 7 independent cottages, dormitories and common facilities for ornithologists and other nature enthusiasts.
Administration block
Agricultural land
Dormitory block
Water body Lowest point on the site
Agricultural land
Cottages are oriented North south The lean to roof towards the south, protects from the harsh summer sun, The north double volume opens to the forest and also ensure natural light. The cottages adjacently placed, with openings only on the north and south protects from the horizontal west sun and ensures privacy. The cottages being private open towards the forest, where as common facilities i.e. dining and amphitheater, open to the view of hills.
Considering ecological sensitivity of the zone and the brief the major considerations for the project were: 1. The structures are carefully designed and built in bamboo and earth, to minimize the impact on the natural setting as well as creating opportunities to engage with it. 2. The construction and finishes of the builts, pathways and landscape elements employed materials with low embodied energy. Apart from adopting the sustainable building choices, the project appreciates and strengthen social relations, i.e. project employs skilled artisans along with local villagers generating employment for the villagers by skill transfer on site through the building practices and landscaping.
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Flattened bamboo panels
Galvanized metal sheet Waterproofing Split bamboo mat
1 inch solid bamboo
2 inch dia hollow bamboo Systems worked out on basis on available bamboo sizes Mezannine Hollow bamboo structure bamboo ply floor Split bamboo wattle Daub Earth:sand:Rice Husk:lime 2:1:1:5%
Lime plaster Wattle and daub Panels Timber alternate Ladder MS Base Plate Bolted to concrete footings
Terrace towards the forest
Stone Plinth & foundation Basalt stone from Quarries from the region 0
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a. Bamboo mats b. Flat bamboo roof panel
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GI Sheet 1 inch solid bamboo c..Treated in borax solution for termite treatment d. Bending the solid section
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2-inch hollow bamboo e. Borax solution injected in bamboo for treatment g. g.
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doro High fired Functional-ware and sculptures 2017 |Apprentice|Golden Bridge Pottery, Pondicherry 2018|Studio Assistant|Aavartan Pottery Studio, Auroville 2019 -|Independent commissioned works|doro, Ahmedabad Mural inspired by Kandinsky’s painting Size: 60 cm x 60 cm ;20 pieces Materials: Stoneware clay, Wood Technique: Throwing,Hand-building Raku Firing
Tall bottles Size: 45 - 60 cm Materials: Stoneware, iron oxides, sawdust Technique: Wheel thrown, Barrel Fired
Tall containers Materials: Stoneware Technique: Wheel throwing, Wood firing 1280 degrees
“doro” signifies the thread used to separate the pot from the wheel. It also translates to clay and earth in Japanese. Traces of their techniques and philosophies can be felt in the works.
Shifting identities, Indian Ceramic Triannale 2018, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur. Assitant to Ceramicist Rakhee kane in System Design, Making, Firing and erecting on site. 180 modules : 400mm x 400mm each Materials: Ceramic wall: Stone ware clay body, Shino glaze, Metal structure Rammed earth wall: Varied soils around site, Sand, lime. Technique: Hand-building, Wood-firing Table ware Materials :Stoneware Technique: Wheel throwing,Gas firing 1280 degrees
www.instagram.com/doro.in/
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