Architecture Undergraduate Portfolio_ Nihara B by nihara b

Architecture Portfolio

NIHARA B An Architect in search to learn, explore and provide a sensible support to profession.

About

Interests

Born - 17th December 1998 India 9944924534 nihara.babu@gmail.com

• • • • • • • •

Sketching Writing Journalism Reading Dancing Travel Engaging with physical world Art works - Weaving, Pottery

linkedin.com/in/nihara-babu-097341153

I have always been a wanderer in the search for self and to learn about how diverse our profession is and how it could be sensitive towards life and earth.

Skills

Languages • English • Hindi • Tamil • Telugu

Work experience May 2019 - Nov 2019 l 7 months Internship trainee at Sacred Groves, Auroville, Tamil Nadu. • Sustainable way of living (in terms of ecology, social and economic). • Ecologically balanced and sustainable model of construction. • Construction techniques taught by experienced faculties. Dec 2019 - July 2020 l 8 months Internship trainee at Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj, Gujarat. • Learning about self and profession in person. Importance of life, community, social life, diverse network we are held with. • Working drawings and 3D Model making for on-site construction project. • Explorations in Hands-on experiments on different techniques to innovate based on need. • Worked together as a team to make book - modules for training locals - post disaster construction - Nepal. • Worked on logo design for social activities (padhyatra) for Sarjeevan Organization. • Being a part of workshop, documented with a report and feedback was suggested. • Worked together as a team to evolve conceptual design ideas for large scale institutional projects. • Worked on presentation sheets for client discussions.

- Software Skills

- Interpersonal Skills

• • • • • • •

• Public speaking • Teaching • Teamwork

Auto cad Sketch up Lumion Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Ms Excel MS Powerpoint

Education • 2016-2021 -

B. Arch in C.A.R.E. School of architecture, Trichy.

- Participated in 18 workshops varying from Art till spontaneous creativity course. - Along with academics, engaged in symposiums in Arch cult, NIT, Trichy. - Been a team leader and participated in NASA competitions like Dance trophy, ANDC Trophy. - Engaged as part of the team for documenting Kala Kendra, Auroville under the guidance of Ar. Siggie. - Participated in writing competitions to explore more for self interest. - Volunteered to be a Girl’s hostel representative for an year in college. - Volunteered to be representative of class for 2 semesters. • 2012-2016 -

Maharishi vidya mandir, Hosur.

• 2007-2011 -

White house public school, Bhuj.

• 2001-2006 -

M.K. Vivekananda vidyalaya, gummidipoondi.

Workshops Attended • Spontaneous creativity course - Mai linh - 21 days - Dharmalaya institute for compassionate living • Quantifying daylight in buildings - Ar. Maaz and Ar. Dharini - 3 days - Light stanza • Bamboo workshop - Prof. Sankalpa - 11 days - Winters @CARE 2017

Guest Lectures • Ar. Sandeep virmani, about city, ”bhuj” • Ar. Rene Jannsen, about building biology • Mai Linh, in workshop sessions “spontaneous creativity course” • Ar. Manu gopalan, about Architecture • Ar. joseph aranha - in workshop “Cauvery Archives”

• Cauvery Archives - Prof. Joseph Aranha, Ar. Harimohan pillai - 3 days - Summers @CARE 2017

• Ar. Peter rich, in workshop “Timbrel vaulting construction techniques”

• How Buildings Stand? - Prof. V.R. Shah - 5 days - Summers @CARE 2017

• Ar. V.R.Shah and mangesh, in workshop “How buildings stand”

• Timbrel vaulting construction techniques- Ar. Senthil Kumar doss - 11 days - Winters @CARE 2018 • Understanding structures through history - Prof. Durganand balsavar - 1 day • Understanding Reinforced Cement Concrete - Er. Rajendran, Ar. murli - 2 days • Water Table Apparatus - Ar. Monisha Edwina royan - 5 days - Summers @CARE 2018 • Traveler’s Transect - Ar. Godwin - 6 days - Summers @CARE 2018 • Re-use the scraps - Ar. Nancy, Ar. Pooja raj - 7 days - Vertical studio • Biomimicry - Arch cult, NIT - 1 day • Biomimicry - Ar. Senthil kumar doss - 5 days • Clay and Paper mesh - Ar. preetha Krishnan - 3 days • Tie and dye - Artist Gurumani, Mr. v.k.Subramanian - 2 days • Lino Cut - Artist- Mark Rathinraj - 5 days - Winters @CARE 2016

• Ar. Neelkanth chhaya, Vertical studio in college • Er. Keyur sarda, about lime • Ar. Sankalpa, in Workshop “Bamboo” • Ar. Durganad Bulsavar, in workshop “Understanding structures through history” • Ar. Frank ching, in Zonasa, enigma. • Er. Rajendran, Classes on understanding structures • Ar. Senthil kumar doss, in workshop “Biomimicry” • Ar. Pooja raj and Ar. Nancy , in vertical studio • Joseba martinez, about Auroville • Ar. Maaz and Ar. Dharini, in workshop “quantifying daylight in buildings

Content

Pic courtesy - Ar. Devanshi

Internship_Sacred groves, Auroville, Tamil Nadu

Pic courtesy - Ar. Nipun prabhakar

Internship_Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj, Gujarat

Architecture Thesis_Public Library

The Albuquerque Tile factory

Internship_Life at Sacred Groves,Auroville

Life at Sacred Groves

Sacred Groves engages in experimenting various techniques that innovates the usage of ecological materials rather than a sustainable ones, to be an ecological community living.

Sacred Circle Day starts by gathering in sacred circle, begins with exercises, update each and everyone about the task.we chant “AUM” three times, in the end of every circle. It is a place for sharing, updating, voicing our self to everyone whenever we feel to. Whole team meet here thrice a day to update each other on tasks happening.

Learnings at Sacred Groves

CLAY

Understanding the nature of soil.

SILT

SAND Objective To procure and test soil (sedimentation test) from different areas (could be anywhere) in order to understand its composition and compatibility to various earth construction techniques.

Samples Site

4:1

2:1 Irumbai

1:1

At height (with reference to ground line) Top soil 1' 2' 3'6" 150' 250'

% of Clay % of Silt % of Sand 15.75 34.2 50 11.3 29.5 59.2 18.3 31.5 50.2 13.95 34 53.4 26 4

7 96

67 0

4:3

Sedimentation test, Drop test and Adobe bricks were done for different samples. Observation and concluded were based on number of cracks and its compact form. We add up or reduce the ratio to improve the stability of soil such that it would be suitable for construction.

Learnings at Sacred Groves Wall, being Vertical element of a Building

Adobe bricks are essentially sun dried bricks made of earth and additives (if required).

Cob is a mixture of soil, sand (optional), fiber while adding water to bind them effectively.

Vault is actually supported by the side of the

wall.

Earthcrete is a Up- cycling Process of demolished construction waste.

It is a beautiful art work, Wattle and daub is a traditional technique, using palm reeds/bamboo with soil to fill in.

Learnings at Sacred Groves Floor & Roof, being Horizontal elements of Building

Bamboo roofing

To experiment Limecrete as roof, to take up the external loads when lime hardens, designed split bamboo layer throughout for flexibility.

Mud flooring

Lime flooring

Cement flooring Lime Crete Coir bed (dipped in a diluted sea shell lime putty to prevent moisture absorption) binds bamboo flooring and limecrete.

Cement flooring as a platform for gathering. Lime flooring is to be used for making adobe blocks as it absorbs moisture.

Learnings at Sacred Groves Finishes - Plastering

Yellow clay Paint is a organic paint. It is an art provoking our senses with patience.

Lime plastering Lime wash is a final coat of Lime plastering.

Lohi plastering Araish plastering A beautiful traditional Plastering technique involving lots of skills, energy and majorly patience.

Internship_Life at Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj

Life at Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj

Evolution of Hunnarshala lies in the collaborations and associations that were built after 2001 earthquake in Kutch with an objective to capacitate people for reconstruction of their habitat. During the Post-Earthquake reconstruction, team realized that artisans and villagers have simplest and best knowledge and strengths of traditional building system which could be a long term sustainable method to construct. It was realized that when the modern , scientific technologies combine with the traditional knowledge, it suggested directions for strengthening engagement of artisans to deliver high quality buildings, infrastructure and community spaces. Source- http://www.hunnarshala.org/about-us.html

It was a wonderful journey in person. Importance of life, social life, living as a community, network we are living in was realized. Learnings were diverse, from office culture to people living and pursuing activities around. Each place had unique stories and experiences. Nature was healing and relaxing. There was a lot of positive and supportive energy around, kept us encouraging in our journey.

About site - KFI - Sahyadri school - Tiwai Hill, Maharashtra

“The purpose, the aim and drive of these schools is to equip the child with the most excellent technological proficiency so that he may function with clarity and efficiency in the modern world, and, far more important, to create the right climate so that the child may develop fully as a complete human being. This means giving him the opportunity to flower in goodness so that he is rightly related to people, things and ideas, to the whole of life. To live is to be related ...”

- J. Krishnamurti

Site is located above tiwai hill, so beautifully placed with a valley on one side and with farmland, hills all around,providing beautiful and healthy atmosphere for everyone. Role Worked on workings drawings, assisting in site with architect. Knowledge on sequencial construction, experimenting on various forms of finishes. Presentation for sahyadri sports complex - design - sections and views.

Role - placing all the blocks aligned to context

Role - Drafting changes to be done after the discussions within Internal Team

Role - Drafting with reference to other drawings

Role - Placing manhole and pipelines for Storm water Management

Role - Drafting with reference and changes after discussions

Experiments KFI - Sahyadri school - Tiwai Hill In mud plastering we tried different types of Admixtures as stabilizer like Straws, Paper pulp, Sawdust, Straw with lime. Finishes were also experimented in diverse.

In Lime plastering finishes we experimented on Araish plastering- natural and other with a oxide and different ratio.

Role - Experiments on Mud plastering and Lime plastering on various finishes or same finish with different ratios to evolve a traditional finish which requires less maintenance.

In Lime flooring, experimented with different ratios of lime, sand and soil to reduce the number of cracks and the use of Industrially produced materials.

Design phases

Role - developing Conceptual design ideas

Alma mater school, Jaipur It is a educational system for learning equally on practical and theoretical understanding for students. Role- Conceptual design, model making of design, revising and additions to redefine the spaces designed. Zoning of block model based on sun direction

Private spaces

Aryagram project, Ahmedabad Aryagram is a learning and living Centre based on the principles of Jainism. Developing design brief Buildings required for the four sections of Dharmik (Spiritual), Virasat (Heritage), Gurukulum (Education) and Shreshth Nivas (Residence).

Conceptual zoning

Block model - clusters

Existing model

Working on intermediate spaces

Role I worked on Shresti Nivas Sankul, residential phase of the site. It was a team work including, iterations in conceptual evolution of zoning and design process.

Logo design - Book modules - Workshop report making

Role - Book modules and Presentations for Trainer (Team work) - Post disaster reconstruction in Nepal.

Increase in Farming in villages, resulted in the reduction of Banni Grasslands, also not allowing pastoral communities who are dependent on these grassland for centuries. An organization “Sarjeevan” decided to start a Padhyatra means ‘protest by foot’ for awareness. Role - Designed logo AinA series of workshop focuses on sharing knowledge and training about various construction techniques from well - experienced artisans. Role - Being a part of workshop, observation and documentation of workshop, report making and feedback was discussed with internal team.

Architectural Thesis_Public Library Guide - Naveen G

Research questions • How can we engage people with physical world to evolve life enhancing experience ? • How can we bring in the confluence self and the world through learning?.

Concept sheet

? As a Library (built space)

User preference

• Diverse reading spaces • Adaptability - sense of Impermanence

As a Public space

Attracting non- readers by providing spaces for self, groups.

Experience of user to engage in different forms of space and functions to learn and explore.

Experience of user through common spaces might follow a sequence that would engage them unconsciously -

Experiencing Architecture

Self

As group

Reader

Non- reader

Ground floor Plan

First floor Plan

Sections

Courtyard - breaks the rigidity of spaces.

Verticality - columns defining path towards a specific direction

Section A Research space - Complete enclosed spaces with openings facing either courtyard or the site edge tree.

Refreshing space - attracts park users, simple structure to allow flexibility for users.

Lounge - Double height space to experience large volume of space.

Tea and book shop - scale based on function and experience required.

Balcony - showing activities in lounge. Breaks the walls and expresses impermanence.

Children section - double height and spacious space to provide flexibility for diverse activities.

Entry - simple & subtle approach to merge building with it’s context.

Landscape - organic path with pause points to evoke openness.

Section B

Typical stack room

Arrangements of stacks - less exposure to sunlight.

Rain water Harvesting pit

Circulation along with wind direction - flush of wind through the space.

Enclosed reading space for users preferring private and focused Vision.

Edges with readers space, facing landscape - trees and fins buffers sun rays.

Views

Lounge Columns as a vertical element defines a specific direction of path and the volume of space. Rhythm followed by columns brings in a subtle expression of building edge. Flexible and adaptable enough for activities engaging large number people.

Views

Different forms of spatial enclosure and relation with context is evolved, diverse activities could take place at different point of time.

Materiality Materials Like CSEB, Rammed earth, Walls using waste stone chips from mining, Shallow domes using CSEB are preferred majorly to emphasis life, expressing change in self along with time, i.e. responds to context and ages.

“Architecture is an art which confronts our being with space and time, taking us through memory, thoughts and imagination. Architecture has sensible power to evolve the sense of existence through spatial depth” -’The eyes of the skin’, Juhani pallasma.

The Albuquerque Tile Factory

Design studio - semester 06 Mentor - Ar. arjith chatterjee and Ar. Asha chatterjee Faculty - Ar. Kartikeya chhaya Work - Documentation & design “Terracotta park”

The Albuquerque tile factory is an old ruin-like structures that form a rustic backdrop, brings in a artistic experience within the building. Several features defined its space, including structural system, materiality, details of junctions, quality of light, character of volume and mass, smell of stacks, broken tiles on floors all around, ruined roofs, and many things....Each and every minute part of the space played an influential role within.

B’

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

The Albuquerque Tile factory- Documentation

Few places in the tile factory were documented, Life of space was studied precisely. A’

The Albuquerque Tile factory- Documentation

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section - AA’

Experience in site was totally dramatic compared to the outside world, the play of volumes inside with pile of bricks, stones and tiles. Glass tiles were provided in random resulting in a beautiful pattern of light within the space, provided large quantum of light. Some places would be almost nothing without the stacks, providing sense of warmth within and the smell of stacks along with the enclosure evolves a calm and subtle place where any would Pause and experience it.

Section - BB’

The Albuquerque Terracotta Park - Design

JT JT

STORAGE SPACE

MEETING ROOM

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

JT CASTING

WHEEL- THROWING

JT JT

WORKSPACES

SCULPTURE MAKING

CLASSROOM

Factory, requires new ideas and strategies to prepare for a difficult future. Investing in Research and Development program, providing new and cutting-edge ideas in the world of terracotta building products.

TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS SPACE

CRECHE

Material -

Partition walls alone defines spaces from one another which is made of tiles stacks and other products made in factory such that people would come to know its various applications.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Whole building ends runs with a parapet wall made of terracotta products so that users are wholly exposed to experience sky and cool breeze.

JT JFT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

WORKSPACES

Interests

There is never an end to anything, more to know and learn about...