Neelam Chellani Architecture Portfolio

Architecture Portfolio Neelam Chellani MSc Architectural Computation, Bartlett School of Architecture - UCL London, United Kingdom Email. neelamchellani@gmail.com Ph. +44 7391797568 +91 8780478211

“Architecture is not so much the Knowledge of Form but a Form of Knowledge”

CONTENTS

01 Shrinkage

Prediction

02 Modular Housing

03 Sunshade

06 Hand Made

Ghuggukham Workshop | Nainital, Uttarakhand | Summer Break

04 Building with Landscape

05 Void in a Cube

Artist’s Habitat | Ecological Research Centre | Housing | Studio 5 Studio 9

GHUGGU KHAM

Combinatorics, Robotic Designing a climate GANN - Shrinkage prediction Assembly & Fabrcation Aware responsive facade system | for 3d Printing |Masters Thesis Digital Timber |Masters Studio Thesis

07 Construction

Understanding structure through model making

08 Professional Work Conceptual and 3D Models

3D Printed Object Scans

SHRINKAGE PREDICTION using AI

Masters Dissertation | GANN based Shrinkage Prediction for 3D printing in Architecture A framework focusing advancing shrinkage prediction for optimal dimensional accuracy & manufacturing in 3D Printing.

After Printing Project Level :

Academic Project

Project Type :

Individual Research Project

Location :

London, United Kingdom

Duration :

Masters Project (June-Sept,2023)

Project Supervisor : Professor Sean Hanna Technical Guide :

Marcin Kosicki

This research aims to extend the work on predicting deformation in clay 3D printing by adapting the methods from the previous researches. Specifically, the aim is to investigate how well a convolutionally-equipped cGAN can learn to predict the deformation of 3D printed clay objects when the geometries are in the form of binary occupied voxels. The research is also based on how the data is produced and processed to feed the machine learning model.

The outcomes of this research will support the optimization of 3D printing processes, inspire innovation in design potential, and enable the realization of the transformative potential of 3D printing across industries. This approach is not limited to clay but can also be extended to accommodate a variety of materials, such as polymers, resins, metals, ceramics, composites, and biomaterials.

Shrinkage after Air drying - Day 7

Shrinkage after Kiln drying - Day 9

Final Deformed Object

PREVIOUS RESEARCH WORKS

AIM The reserach explores how well the modified Vox2Vox model can predict deformation when changing geometry parameters to voxels. Unlike the 2D-focused Pix2Pix model, Vox2Vox is tailored for 3D voxels and overcomes parametric limitations, making it versatile for predicting deformation in various 3D geometries. This approach has potential applications beyond clay and could significantly impact architectural 3D printing.

Machine Learning for clay deformation prediction - IAAC Blog

01 - IAAC’s project used machine learning to predict deformation during 3D printing by employing a basic artificial neural network. While this is a promising initial step, it has limitations, as it only forecasts deformation at specific points and relies on a limited set of input parameters (infill type and density/geometry type)

Design of nthermally deformable laminates using machine learning

02 - Collaborative research by Advances in Engineering Materials, Structures and Systems used a GAN Pix2Pix model in an inverse design workflow to predict 2D cutout patterns for laminates from 3D deformation data.

This innovative approach accelerates the design process for complex deployable structures with machine learning and nonlinear FEA simulations, providing both speed and accuracy improvements, particularly in early design phases.

Curves

Sharp Corners

Geometry Exploration

Outer layer

The research methodology can be segmented into the following six key phases.

1.) Geometry exploration and Dataset generation 2.) 3D Printing Clay using Robot 3.) Scanning and Comparison 4.) Synthetic Dataset generation 5.) Binary Occupancy Voxelisation 6.) Machine Learning model - Vox2Vox implementation To comprehend the real shrinkage occurring during the drying process, we 3D printed and scanned sample geometries at various drying stages. We created a system that predicts 3D deformed geometries through the use of a generative adversarial neural network (GANN), trained on synthetic data generated from Kangaroo simulations mimicking the actual shrinkage.

Our primary focus was on forecasting material deformations in 3D-printed clay objects after the drying process, and for this purpose, we employed the Vox2Vox model, which drew inspiration from the Pix2Pix model.

Geometry Dataset Generation

3D Printing and Drying

Scanning and Comparison

Infill area

SYNTHETIC GEOMETRIES

SYNTHETIC BINARY OCCUPANCY DATASET 32

vo

xe

ls 16 voxels

X-Axis 6

ls

xe

o 4v

Y-Axis Initial Geometry

Target Geometry Z-Axis Simulated changes in X,Y & Z axis

Analysis of the scans reveals that the most significant deformation occurs along the X-axis, while the Y-axis and Z-axis exhibit relatively similar levels of shrinkage. Utilizing the deformation patterns observed in real geometries as a reference, synthetic data was generated for the deformation of 800 geometries using Grasshopper Kangaroo, which serves as the target output for the machine learning model. This synthetic data was created and subsequently converted into binary occupancy voxels. The above figure gives the predicted deformation result (target geometry) to produce synthetic data.

Input

Desired Output

Four training sessions were conducted, each with a different number of epochs. The first training session comprised 4 epochs, the second used 6 epochs, the third utilized 8 epochs, and the fourth extended to 10 epochs.

In all cases, a batch size of 1 was employed.

Evaluations were conducted using a validation dataset after every 80th iteration. It’s worth noting that in this context, the number of iterations equates to the number of batches since the batch size was set to 1. At the conclusion of the process, line plots depicting the loss and accuracy are generated and saved.

Source Geometry

Target Geometry

Generated Geometry

Epochs: 4 Iteration: 2561 Loss: 0.475020

Epochs: 6 Iteration: 3841 Loss: 0.50144

Epochs: 8 Iteration: 5121 Loss: 0.51380

Epochs: 10 Iteration: 6481 Loss: 0.42892

01

A variety of different geometries were tested, and the results of the generated ones were depicted using the best model from the training.

The Vox2Vox cGANN framework has been validated for predicting clay object deformation, offering promise for designing 3D printed objects that account for post-deformation shapes. Understanding materials’ post-production deformation is valuable in manufacturing, construction, and materials science.

This research has broader applications beyond clay materials, relevant to any substances with shrinkage or expansion properties.

02

03

04

05

06

Source Geometry

Target Geometry

Generated Geometry

MODULAR HOUSING

Masters Studio | Participation and Industrialization Combinatorics, Robotic Assembly & Fabrication Aware Digital Timber

Project Level :

Academic Project

Project Type :

Group Project

Location :

London, United Kingdom

Duration :

Masters Project (2023)

Project Supervisor : Tommaso Casucci, Vishu Bhooshan

The world’s growing urban population has created a pressing need for more residential buildings. To address this challenge, our project has leveraged the power of combinatorics and fabrication-aware digital timber to create modular housing. We’ve designed livable units using discrete elements, which were combined to form single houses. A constraint-based solver was then used to aggregate the single houses creating multi-level habitats. Additionally, we employed 3D graphic statics to form-find a stable column design, which we then materialized.

To achieve custom bespoke joinery for the nodes, we used robotic additive manufacturing and tested various slicing techniques in order to save time and resources. Our innovative approach to modular housing has the potential to provide sustainable and affordable housing solutions for communities around the world.

CASE STUDY ARCHITECTURAL CONTEXT – MODULAR HOUSING Design of Environments for Contemporary Way of Living

COMBINATORICS

3DGS & TIMBER

User Content Interaction & Customization Procedural Content Generation Constrained Shape Space Exploration & Parametric Variation

Sustainable Material for Circular Construction

Townscaper by Oskar Stålberg

MycoTree by BRG

DIGITAL FABRICATION & ROBOTIC ASSEMBLY Novel Methods of Fabrication & Delivery

Compas Framework Lab-ETH Project

The aim is to create a workflow that allows for user content interaction & customization, procedural content generation, sustainable material use and novel methods of fabrication.​Throughout this research we would like to meet the following objectives:​ Aggregation of a housing unit ,​ Aggregation of a cluster, or a building ​ Form finding the structure ​ Fabrication using 3D printing for the node and assembling the members using robots.

UNIT AGGREGATION

Possible Connections

Entrance +

4 2

No Tile + No Tile + Corridor + Living Room + Kitchen + Bedroom

Possible Outcome

1 Bedroom 1 Level Units

1 Bedroom 1 Level Units

Rules are defined for connection of a tile/defined space with other tiles depending upon single or multiple connections. The plugin Wasp by Andrea Rossi is used which allows generation of specific aggregation composed of strategies and rules, described as an instruction to orient one tile over a selected connection of another tile.

CLUSTER AGGREGATION

1 1Bed Levels Bed 2 2 Levels

Bounding Bounding Box Box

Bounding Box becomes a Tile becomes a Tile Bounding box

Results for 3 x 2 x 5 Solution Space

Variation Variation A A

Variation Variation B B

Variation C Variation C

1 Bed 1 Bed1 1Level Level

1 1Bed Level Bed 2 2 Levels

2 Bed Level 2 Bed 11 Level

2 Bed Level 2 Bed 22Levels

Wasp works on growth and can have random outputs driven by machine learning algorithm. Optimum assemblies of 2 x 4 grid are chosen on parameters like Floor plan, foot print and the placing of the outdoor space and taken forward for further aggregation from units to a building. A bounding box or a cage encapsulates this entire grid containing a unit and then is taken forward to further achieve an aggregation for a cluster/building.

A tile/unit score has been included as part of the Module properties in the algorithm. Each tile gets assigned a percentage score for Usable Area, Green space, Internal Circulation, Circulation and Void space.

The individual tile score for each unit is aggregated and normalized by the number of units in a cluster to calculate the overall score for the aggregation. This gives the user the ability to evaluate the aggregations straight away.

STRUCTURAL FORM FINDING

Various polyhedron designs were tested as this project required a single column to support a 5x5 meter slab. A square-based polyhedron was chosen for its structural stability. Divisions were made to achieve the desired design, leading to an equilibrium form.

We connected each vertex to a plane, shifted them to achieve the desired shape, and set specific edge lengths for fabrication which gave the final output.

The units were designed in a way that they always had a column in the corner or the slab and not in the center.

To 3D Print the nodes two slicing methods were experimented, the conventional planar slicing and non planar slicing. For the non planar slicing we used the Daniel picker’s heat method for distance computation.

We explored design options for attaching nodes to timber where one option uses a plate similar in size to the timber, inspired by Foster+Partners’ cross rail station. However, it relies on hardware like screws and nails, which we’d prefer to avoid.

The other option was an exploded node for easier printing but may compromise structural stability due to the point of compression.

FABRICATION - NODES

Planar method for such geometry is way more time consuming due to the unnecessary addition of support structures whereas with non planar robotic print, a lot of time can be saved.

In the experiments, we identified some weaknesses. The first issue was with material properties, as uneven cooling caused the volume to droop as layers stacked up. In the third test, we increased cooling. However, for non-planar results, even with higher cooling, the volume still drooped, creating variable layer heights and material buildup instead of deposition.

Manual assembly showed some practical issues which led to design modifications. Material tolerance can become a reason for inaccuracies or instability​. A limit band was added to avoid further movement of the timber onto the node arm.

Secondly, for the ease of robotic assembly we made the node ends conical, similar to a space ship docking mechanism, so even if the there’s a tolerance gap, the conical shape can guide the timber member into position​

Future Work​ Prototyping with metal 3d printing​.

Optimizing of the node design based on input & observations from robotic assembly​.

Further testing on robotic arm for non-planar printing. ​ Develop spiral-ization algorithm for the toolpath for printing​.

Develop methods for mass production & scalability.

SUNSHADE

Studio 10 | Design Thesis - A Climate Responsive Facade System A design focusing on achieving an energy efficient building using sensor based parametric climate responsive facade system responding to the parameters like light and radiation.

Project Level :

Academic Project

Project Type :

Individual Design Project

Location :

Vadodara

Duration :

Fifth- Year Project (January-April,2021)

Project Guide :

Ar. Chirag Rangholia, Founding Partner at Noumena and D3LAB | Digital Design LLP

The aim is to study the existing examples of climate responsive facades, Exploring further possibilities with the context to Indian climatic system, and deriving a suitable facade system. The method and the process adapted to reach the final design is of the utmost importance. Explorations with comparative analysis tools is carried out to analyze all the possibilities and achieve the optimum design.

The methodology is systematic including the case studies of existing buildings with climate responsive facade system, selecting a site to define a context, data collection, defining the parameters, design process, evaluation, application and lastly hands on model.

CASE STUDY Examples of existing climate responsive facades

Al-Bahr Tower, Abu Dhabi

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

One Ocean, Thematic Pavilion

Thyssenkrupp headquarter, Essen

CEPT library, Ahmedabad

Institut Du monde arabe

CONTEXTUALIZING Context I. (Existing buildings) Samanvay Silver, Mujmahuda, Vadodara

Context II. (Existing buildings) V3 Landmark, Atladra, Vadodara

Building without external facade

Contexts

Two buildings from Vadodara city are studied to understand their problems in attaining energy efficiency. Collection of drawings, site visits, and 3d modeling is done to understand the specifications of the building dimensions, floor area and materials used for the facade. Analysis were carried out to understand the cooling, heating and lighting energy consumed by the building.

In context I the building has glass facade and is completely exposed to the sun.

Advantage - Good amount of light for office spaces.

Drawback - The offices heat up frequently in summers. The increase in cooling load makes the building inefficient.

In context II the building has a double skin facade where the exterior static facade seems to have aesthetic purpose and is said to block the harsh sunlight.

Firstly analysis for the Day-lit area is carried out and then the Annual-Glare.

Comparative analysis of this building are carried out to understand the energy consumption patterns 1) Without exterior facade 2) With exterior facade The exterior static layer of the facade not only increased the light load but also the cooling loads.

Static vs Dynamic

A static system, separated from exterior, would have to resist the highest impact.

An adaptive system could reduce the negative or undesired effects through active interaction.

Building with external facade

GRID DESIGNING PROCESS

SOLAR PANELS AND KINETIC FACADE Solar panels

Kinetic facade module

Context I

Samanvay Silver, Mujmahuda Circle, Vadodara was chosen as the contextual building.

Existing Glass Facade 31000

31000

Existing facade 00

10

3000

3000

1000

1000

1000

0003 5252 248

Square grids proposal 3 row grid

842 1476 1500 631 3000

31000

31000

Adding solar panels 3 row grid

3000 2525 631

The facade was divided into 2 parts, grids having solar panels for energy generation and grids having kinetic modules which responds to the climate. The solar panels (in black) cover 30% area of the facade containing slab, beams and the duct shafts while 70% by kinetic modules (in red). Hence making the kinetic modules self sustainable.

Jali

1500

3000

1107

3000 1500 1476 842

3000 2525 842

Considering the West facing facade the size of the grids for module placement was defined keeping in mind the existing facade dimensions and typology which had openings for windows and jalis for the duct shafts.

31000

1500

3000

1107

31000

Proposed facade as per module dimension 4 row grid

GEOMETRIC EXPLORATIONS

DIFFERENT STATES OF CIRCULAR GEOMETRY Front Elevation

Side Elevation

State 1 Completely open

State 2

Geometry 1 Square

Geometry 2 Triangle

Geometry 3 Hexagon

Geometry 4 Circle

Various geometries like square, triangle, hexagon and circle were taken and origami was applied to understand the folding and unfolding of each shape.

Origami was used so as to fold it to the extreme minimum aperture to attain maximum light.

State 3 Half open

State 4

A circular geometry was chosen so that it fits perfectly on the predefined square grids and would not block the light completely. Different states of the circular geometry was defined with respect to different apertures.

Initially 5 states were considered from completely open to completely closed.

The folding was planned in such a way that the module was centrally governed.

State 5 Completely Closed

ANALYSIS

RADIATION ANALYSIS

(Context i - single office) Daylighting and radiation analysis for a single office considered the coldest and hottest months. Two scenarios were assessed: the facade without any module and with various sunshade apertures (circular geometry). Three sunshade positions—fully open, half open, and fully closed—were analyzed, revealing reduced radiation without compromising light intake.

Sunshade openings were optimized based on facade radiation. This approach ensures optimal sunshade states throughout the day, enhancing the building’s energy efficiency.

Daylight Analysis in Plan

The radiation analysis shows close

half open

open

different radiation patterns

on the facades for a specific

(Winter)

given time. Red shows the maximum radiation and

With sunshade

Without sunshade close

half open

open

blue shows the minimum

radiation. The kinetic module

will respond to the respective

(Summer)

Without sunshade

Radiation Analysis on Facade

radiation on it and will open

With sunshade close

half open

or close accordingly.

open

(Winter) Without sunshade

With sunshade close

half open

(Summer)

Without sunshade

With sunshade

open

DESIGNING THE MECHANISM 1. Rack and pinion

Eight channel mechanic system is designed with the rack and pinion method to open and close the sunshade. The system comprises of eight axis.

Drawback - The system is larger than the sunshade and difficult to maintain due to friction. Also each module is attached to the adjacent module which makes it difficult to maintain if any single module is not working.

Mechanism size >= Sunshade size

2. Central rotational gears

The channel dimensions are reduced using the central rotational gear system in order to ease out the mechanism.

Hence the design of the mechanic system is independent of the adjacent modules which is not possible in the rack and pinion system. The modules can be locally detached or attached while maintenance.

The sunshade here is operated by the central structure made using different gears, shafts, ball bearings, motor, clamp etc.

Mechanism size < Sunshade size

DEPLOYMENT W.R.T. LIGHT Front Elevation

REAL SCALE MODEL MAKING

Side Elevation

Arduino coding was done during the trial process of the sunshade to understand the working of the motors.

The code was set in such a way that the motor rotates in clockwise direction when the sensor is exposed to the light and would rotate anticlockwise when there was no light.

The paper had grains cut on it so that it is able to fold and unfold when the motor rotates.

First a single module was made and experimented and then a real scale model was made with 4 such modules using 4 different motors and mechanism.

MATERIALS USED Arduino board Servo Motor Light sensor MDF for central gear Ball Bearings 3D printed shaft horn Paper for sunshade

DEPLOYMENT W.R.T. LIGHT

DRAWINGS AND AXONOMETRIC VIEWS The Poly-propylene is used as the material for the sunshade which is then attached to the Central node. The node can rotate and the fixed gear provides a chanel for the sunshade to rotate and fold or unfold. A ball bearing is placed before and after the wooden post for the mechanism to be smooth.

With the help of a 3d printed shaft which is attached to the ball bearing on the front and motor on the back the rotational motion occurs. This motor is supported by a 3d printed clamp so that it can attach to the wooden post and be stable.

Ball Bearing 6800ZZ

Here due to the wear and tear of the weather the sunshades were designed to be retrofitted in the interior of the facade.

The modules gain energy from the solar panels attached on the parts of the facade which have shafts, slabs and beams. This way the design becomes self sustainable as per calculations.

Tower Pro MG996R Servo Motor

Fixed Gear Module Central Node Sunshade (Paper / Poly-Propylene)

Central Shaft 10MM Ø

Ball Bearing 6800ZZ 3D Printed Shaft Horn

Wooden Node

Axonometric view of a single module

Glass Facade

Net for AC Outdoor units Solar Panels

Wooden Post

Sunshade

Axonometric view of a single office facade

Single Office Module

3D Printed Clamp

Glass Facade

Wooden Post

Sunshade

Sectional view of a single office facade

Real Time render for a single office VIEW 1

Real Time render for a single office VIEW 2

BUILDING WITH LANDSCAPE Studio 9 | Aravalli Ecological Research Centre

Designing an Institute for Ecology and Research in the Aravalli hills.

Project Level :

Academic Project

Project Type :

Individual Design Project

Location :

Champaner

Duration :

Fifth- Year Project

Project Guide :

Professor, S.E.D.A. Navrachana University

SITE Champaner is a historical city in the state of Gujarat, in western India. Pavagadh stands on top of the hill that looks over the sprawl of monuments at the base in Champaner. The duo makes a rich heritage site dotted with forts, mosques, monuments, tombs, arches, temples, step-wells and fortresses from 8th to 14th century. These important landmarks reside on different typologies of landforms and surroundings.

CONCEPT Building with the Landscape - Prominent in its own way but simultaneously merging with the landscape respecting the surroundings. So, instead of building something crisp and stand alone mass, allowing the visitor to enjoy the feeling of the landscape present around.

SITE ANALYSIS

Masjid between the town

Masjid near the lake

Masjid near the lake

Temple on the mountains

Temple on the mountains

Temple on the mountains

The focus points or important landmarks reside on different typologies of landforms and surroundings in Champaner.

The idea here was to allow the visitor enjoy the feeling of landscape present around.

Hence building with the landscape instead of building something crisp and stand alone mass.

Program Interpretation - Prominent in its own way but at the same point blending with the landscape respecting the beauty of the surroundings.

There were three design positions in consideration

1.

Mimicking the landscape Taking the form out of the landscape and gradually merging with the surroundings without creating a prominence of its individual self.

Defining the form from the process of formation of aravalli fold mountains and trying to achieve different experiential spaces opening in different directions.

(Inspiration - Zentrum Paul Klee, Renzo Piano)

2.

Hiding the entire building (Inspired from erosion of the mountains) Taking the building below the ground to hide it as if one is in a crevice of a rock.

3.

Idea of Ruins and blending using the process of disintegration.

Merging with landscape incorporating the blending nature of the building.

(Inspired by the process of weathering of rocks)

DESIGN PROCESS The idea of ruins and weathering of rocks was taken into consideration.

Also how one experiences being in between the masses to gradually experiencing the landscape and nature.

The spaces were created in multiple levels starting from the outreach spaces (amphitheater, exhibition) at the top followed by the library, research and admin while descending the contours.

OUTREACH

TYPOLOGY AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Idea of a single cubic mass

Rotation and disintegration to create courtyard

Disintegration to create open spaces

Disintegration to create open spaces

Scaling to incorporate functions

Disintegration Detaching the Further with level mass disintegration difference

LIBRARY

RESEARCH & ADMINISTRATION

PARKING OUTREACH

LIBRARY

RESEARCH & ADMINISTRATION

RESEARCH & ADMINISTRATION

EXISTING MAIN ROAD

3D PLANER MODEL

AA’

BB’

Section AA’ CC’

Section BB’

Section CC’

3D PLANER MODEL

A M P H I T H E A T R E

A D M I N A R E A

A R C H I V E S

L I B R A R Y

VOID IN A CUBE

Studio 5 | Artist’s Habitat - Housing Project Designing studio apartments for indigenous artists of Ahmedabad

Project Level :

Academic Project

Project Type :

Individual Design Project

Location :

Ahmedabad

Duration :

Third- Year Project

Project Guide :

Professor Mihir Bedekar, S.E.D.A. Navrachana University

SITE Champaner is a historical city in the state of Gujarat, in western India. Pavagadh stands on top of the hill that looks over the sprawl of monuments at the base in Champaner. The duo makes a rich heritage site dotted with forts, mosques, monuments, tombs, arches, temples, step-wells and fortresses from 8th to 14th century. These important landmarks reside on different typologies of landforms and surroundings.

CONCEPT Building with the Landscape - Prominent in its own way but simultaneously merging with the landscape respecting the surroundings. So, instead of building something crisp and stand alone mass, allowing the visitor to enjoy the feeling of the landscape present around.

DESIGN PROCESS The massing design involved cutting a cube and creating voids in order to get light and ventilation.

The staggering was done in a way that each unit block gets a view of the river front and the sunlight while the building as a whole is ventilated.

Common working space between 2 units-Type 1

Common working space between 2 units-Type 2

Common corridor between the 4 wings

Common corridor between 2 wings

Sevice shafts and ducts

Structure of the staggered wings

Shading in South Cross ventilation

E

S

Intake East sunlight

Shading in West

N

W

Intake North sunlight

SINGLE UNIT DESIGN PROCESS The vertical circulation shafts (staircase and lifts) remain constant in the unit plan while the units stagger.

As the units are staggering they are designed symmetrically so as to mirror it after certain floors in order to reduce the walking distance from the staircase or lift to the main door of the units.

The service cores (washrooms) are equidistant from the center of the unit so there is no issue in mirroring the units while staggering.

Verticle circulation core Corridor Washrooms Work space Constant core in plan

HAND MADE

Workshop | Extension to Secondary School.

Building an extension for a school in Ghuggu Kham, Uttarakhand.

Project Level :

Workshop

Project Type :

Team Project (28 participants)

Location :

Ghuggu Kham-Nainital, Uttarakhand

Duration :

Break before Third-Year commencement

Project Guide :

Team Compartment S4, Architectural firm, 8 graduates from CEPT University.

SITE The new building is an extension to an existing secondary school building in

Ghuggukham village. The site is at the peak of a hill overlooking a lush green valley on which the village spread itself. Since the secondary school building had sufficient open space around it, the new building as well as the proposed play area sits around it.

CONCEPT -

Placement of the new building and spaces around it are based on, the space requirements of the students and teachers, as well as the context around. Rainfall is collected and filtered to be used for school purposes, while the overall building is positioned to face the valley. Local materials and techniques are used for construction, simultaneously involving villagers and school students in the process. In general, the building system and techniques are designed as a prototype for the village to adopt from

CHOOL

THE SCHOOL

site site

Most rural areas, are struggling within economic constraints and a blind acceptance of materials like concrete and steel. The interventions through handmade brings back the importance of local with a deeper understanding of their daily issues as well as the context.

Eventually the ‘power of many’ through the workshop is exercised in a way of team-building within ourselves along with other participants and communities. Making sure that as architects we are aware and directly a part of all stages of construction on site. Thus ensuring an economically, climatically, contextually and programmatically sound intervention.

concept concept

When the shutters are closed, the building behaves as an introverted classroom. With a blackboard on the opposite wall, students turn their backs to the shutter.

niches left within the building for sitting and storage purposes

doors, windows and niches

intermediate wooden bands

The new buildings’ face towards the valley is designed with shutters which open out completely. Providing an undisrupted view of the valley on which the school is situated.

The new school building is placed in a way to cause minimum disturbance to the ongoing activities of the school. During lunch time, the movement is regulated around the column of the building. The open space is designed to add to the variety of spaces to play and eat during students’ time. d. assembly of break surroundings

niches outside the building for placing lamps during festivals, inspired from their vernacular elements

a wooden tied along the edgelogs of the valley as a boundary and forests, railing were used as the wooden columns, beams andrailing raftersismade from wooden procured from surrounding structural system like most vernacular structures

for 36

The open area is also designed to behave as a connection between the old and new building, uniting them at a performance space for the students. Keeping the edge secure with a fencing, the play area extends onto the entire space.

paving

wooden structural system

a stone paving laid in between the old and new building, connecting them to the stage which can also be used for sitting around a performance

blue windows and doors also inspired from Ghuggukhams houses 37

stage

roo

38

the first layer of wooden band was introduced all around the building after four masonry courses, in order to make the building earthquake resistant by providing enough bracing

the

woodenband railing tied along resistance the edge of theintroduced valley as aall boundary andbuilding railing at the lintel the second layer of awooden forisearthquake was around the level, tying itself to the wooden structure

the

hallenges a. detail of stone slates on roof

b. detail of b.earthquake band detail of earthquake band

intermediate wooden intermediate bandswooden bands

intermediate wooden bands

roof system

the first layer of wooden band was introduced all around the building after four masonry courses, in order to make the building earthquake resistant by providing enough bracing

the roof is covered with wooden pieces in-between rafters to fill in gaps and then laid over with a layer of mud mortar

roof system roof system

roof mortar is completed with a final layer of stone slate which is locally available the roofband is covered with thewooden roof resistance is covered pieces in-between with introduced wooden rafters pieces in-between fill in gaps and rafters then to fill over gaps with and a layer then laid of mud overmortar with a layer the of mud second layer of wooden for earthquake was allto around the building atlaid thein lintel the first layer of wooden the first band layer wasofintroduced wooden band all around was introduced the building all after around four the masonry buildingcourses, after four in order masonry to make courses, in the order to make level, tying itself to the wooden structure the building earthquake the building resistant earthquake by providingresistant enoughby bracing providing enough bracing 38

39

the school

The handmade workshop series is a medium for us to learn by doing, by experimenting with local materials and techniques of building, while making sure to create valuable interventions in community based areas.

CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

The workshop focuses on learning the different structural principles by studying and constructing the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The structure was constructed with the help of around 40 students and 4 faculty members.

Inner dome – visible from inside and purely for show; height 225 ft (69m) Middle brick cone – a brick cone that is invisible from below but supports the 850 ton lantern above; height 278 ft (85m) Outer dome – a wood and lead-roofed structure visible from the cathedral exterior; height 278 ft (85m) Lantern – an 850 ton stone lantern and cross, whose weight is carried to the ground via the middle brick cone 365ft (111m)

ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION

The subject focuses on learning the different structural principles by studying and constructing the stadium and roof structure The roof is a tension + compression structure.

Understanding the working of the roof is acquired by making diagrammatic structural models.

The existing reinforced concrete columns of the old stadium bowl to support a new lightweight roof structure based on the principle of a horizontal spoked wheel. An innovative option of this system, which features one compression ring and three tension rings made of high-performance materials, facilitates an almost floating roof. Even in regard to sustainability, this solution beats all conventional roof structures. The spoke cables are tightened between the rim of the wheel – called the “compression ring” in structural engineering – and the tension rings allocated at the inner edge of the roof. The spoke cables are made of high-strength cables.

THE GRID

Fifth Column | Pierro Door-Window Exhibition

How can you possibly design a simple exhibition space for doors and windows that speaks a story and is interactive at the same time?

Architecture Aspect - The design of the exhibition space impels the audience to go through every door and window in order to experience its quality, sound and the aesthetics. The grid is designed in a way that it treats the space as a maze where audience could come, interact with the doors and windows in order to solve the puzzle and find their way out. There might be lights above each block which may change its color and guide the participant to move forward in different directions.

Attraction Aspect – A surprise is placed in the last block for each participant who cracks all the codes and is successful to reach the final grid. Each door has a code to be cracked in order to proceed towards the next grid. The lights above each block will guide them as a clue to crack the codes and hence unlock the doors to different blocks.

ONGOING PROJECTS Corporate House | Office building Ahmedabad (Right)

This new building, an extension of the current staggered office design, rotates each floor to create semi-open terraces with a consistent outer frame. Perforated screens on each floor manage sunlight, offering pleasant spaces for interaction.

Services are on the West to reduce heat gain, while serviced spaces occupy the East. This design efficiently adapts to the context, climate, and evolving company needs.

Artists’ Workshop | Institutional facility Pilol, Vadodara (Bottom) Pilol, Vadodara’s building hosts a top-notch artist workshop with well-equipped studios for Sculpture, Ceramics, and Pottery, along with a common gallery.

The spaces are smartly divided into work and living areas, with flexible studios catering to artists’ changing needs.

3D Printed Model

Neelam Chellani DOB - 07.10.1997 Telephone - +91 8780478211 +44 7391797568 E.mail - neelamchellani@gmail.com