Undergraduate Portfolio | Architecture School

Nishita Mohta B.Arch., School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi

PORTFOLIO Selected Works Undergraduate Course 2011 - 2016

Inside Resume Architectural Explorations Conferences & Research work Hands-on Work Visual Communication Photography

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On Cover: Quila-e-Kuhna Masjid, Delhi September 2013 Left: Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan October 2016

Resume Education December 2016 - ongoing University of Pennsylvania (certified MOOC through Coursera) On-going course ‘Designing Cities’ September 2016 Copenhagen Business School (certified MOOC through Coursera) Successfully completed ‘Strategic Management’ with 95% grade 2011-2016 School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi Secured 78.83% and attained 2nd Position in the B.Arch. course 1997-2011 Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi 94% in CBSE Board and Proficiency Award for 5A1s in all subjects

Awards Kajaria Merit Award Scholarship 2016 Awarded for academic performance in B.Arch. Final Year SPA-Kohler Architecture Scholarship 2015 Awarded for academic performance and co-curricular activities

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur | December 2015

Research Dec 2016: Research Paper accepted for Publication Research paper titled “Coping strategies influencing user-centric spatial design for crowded environment: The case of public transport systems in Delhi” accepted for publication by Tekton Journal (to be published in Vol. 4, Issue 1 in March 2017) Nov 2015: Seminar titled “Investigating Behaviour” presented at SPA Delhi The Seminar research paper and presentation focused on studying crowding and it’s influence on behaviour which should be taken into account during the design process adopted by designers, including architects and urban designers, specifically in the case of public space.

Apr 2015: Meet Goa - Work in Progress Self-initiated project Meet Goa explores the various urban and rural faces of Goa in terms of spatial character and experiential quality, with the aim of breaking the commonly held stereotype about this state. It is a culmination of theoretical and observational research expressed through the written word, photographic essays and illustrations.

Oct 2014: Dissertation titled “Intra-Urban Barriers” selected for SPA Library The research looks into understanding the determinants for the sensitively-approached design of barriers in our urban environment.

Conferences & Workshops March 2015 Volunteering participant at Z-Axis Conference 2015 curated by the Charles Correa Foundation, Panjim March 2014 Participated in the Hands-on Workshop on Revival of Lime Technology at Seth Ramlal Khemkha Haveli in Kashmere Gate, organised by Aishwarya Tipnis Architects: Architecture, Conservation, Planning July-August 2013 Participated in the workshop Delhi: The Invisible City which studied the informal parts of the city through extensive surveying, interviews, questionnaires and mental mapping

Work Experience January - April 2015 Architectural internship at Playgroup Studio, Goa May - June 2013 Architectural Internship at COSTFORD, Kerala December 2012 - January 2013 Student coordinator of the curatorial team for Made in SPA 2012 - an exhibition held at the School of Planning and Architecture July 2012 Training program 2012 at the Laurie Baker Centre for Habitat Studies on the cost effective design techniques and principles

Software Skills

AutoCad

Google Sketch Up

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Other Skills & Personal Traits • • • • • •

Fluent communication in English and Hindi Photography & Illustration Writing and photo-journalism Self-confidence Highly adaptable Enthusiastic collaborator

Adobe Illustrator

+ Microsoft Word + Microsoft PowerPoint + Microsoft Excel

Sports for SPA Delhi • • • • •

Gold Medal: 100m Race in Athlos 2014 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Silver Medal: 100m Race in Athlos 2012 Bronze Medal: Athletics at ‘Sportech 2013’ organised by IIT Delhi Silver Medal: Basketball team at ‘Twaran 2014’ organised by ABV-IIITM, Gwalior Bronze Medal: 200m race at ‘Twaran 2014’ organised by ABV-IIITM, Gwalior

Photography • Second prize in All-India Inter College photography event organised by Ram Lal Anand College, Delhi University in March 2012 • Third Position – ‘Behind the frames’ 2014, which was organised by IIT-Bombay • Third position in FOQS 2013 organised by the Indraprastha Institute of Information Techonology, Delhi • Represented SPA Delhi in ‘India Unseen’, a photo collaboration of colleges across the nation which is now part of the Limca Book of Records • Coordinator of Sepia, the photography society of SPA, 2013-2014 during which two national level competitions were organised • Organised Photowalk to Purana Quila on 14 September 2013 in association with Tamron and Goyal Photo Studio

Architectural Explorations Old Quarter Heritage Nexus, Fontainhas, Goa International Work Centre, Dwarka, Delhi Kholkar Residence, Ajara, Maharashtra Socially Inclusive Housing, Hauz Khas, Delhi Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi Revitalisation of IP Thermal Power Plant, Delhi Chittaranjan Park Police Station, New Delhi

Palace of Assembly, Chandigarh | September 2016

THESIS STUDIO: SEMESTER IX

Old Quarter Heritage Nexus, Fontainhas, Goa The project sought to understand how an architectural intervention can be a catalyst to the process of urban heritage revitalisation. The heritage precinct of Panaji,including the four districts of Sao Tome, Fontainhas, Mala and Portais, was the study area for which a program was developed based on the principles of the ICOMOS Heritage Tourism Charter. The building program was seen as an integrated network, working in collaboration with may stakeholders and organisations to achieve the intended vision.

Existing urban quality of constant communication with the street through verandahs, balcaos and doors that are always open is in resonance with the vision of this project - to create a space for connecting people from various backgrounds in the interest of protection and promotion of the nationally significant local heritage .

KEY DESIGN DETERMINANTS

EXISTING URBAN MORPHOLOGY

RESPONSE TO LAKE EDGE

SURROUNDING URBAN CONDITIONS

RELATION OF BUILT AND UNBUILT WITHIN THE SITE

QUALITY OF VISITOR EXPERIENCE

URBAN DESIGN STUDIO: SEMESTER IX

International Work Centre, Dwarka

Through the development of a large vacant parcel of land in the Dwarka area, this project is a key insertion into the urban fabric as the foremost development of this scale and type in the area. A socialy inclusive approach to urbanism has been adopted wherein the scheme caters to the existing village communities engaged deeply with the site as well as the communities of urban dwellers expected to occupy the site and surroundings very soon.

ARCHITECTURAL INTERNSHIP

Kholkar Residence, Ajara, UCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT Maharashtra The client was a young couple with land in Ajara, an undeveloped village area near Sawantwadi in Maharashtra.

The brief was to build a small vacation home to be used by the family on a large plot facing the green valley. The specific requirements of the clients included a fish pond and many courtyards.

The triangular form of the building was an outcome of the merger between the client’s strong belief in Vastu Shastra which requires all structural elements to be along the major direction axes of N-S-E-W and the other need to orient the building towards views of the valley and the site profile which were towards the North West. Location of the major bedrooms, water bodies and internal layouts also follow Vastu guidelines.

LIVING AREA 260 X 310 MASTER BEDROOM 750 X 400

560 X 350 KITCHEN

LIVING AND DINING 760 X 560

MAIN ENTRY

GUEST ROOM 370 X 540

PORCH TWIN ROOM 370 X 540

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DERIVATION OF THE FORM FROM SITE PROFILE & CLIENT BELIEFS

HOUSING STUDIO: SEMESTER VII

Socially Inclusive Housing, Hauz Khas

The site was located on a well-connected parcel of land in Hauz Khas towards the south of the city – it was surrounded by four major roads on all sides and a Metro station was even present on the site itself. All this and the imminent need led to the development of the housing colony to be based on the norms and concepts of Transit Oriented Development.

The first implication of this on the site was that last mile connectivity was to be ensured. To eliminate the need for motorised transport on the site, shortest-distance routes were established between

major points on the site and non-motorised transport and pedestrians were given the first right of way.

Emphasis was also laid on creating shared spaces within the housing types, and their importance increased as the individual housing units became progressively smaller. The smallest units even shared the toilets and washing facilities.

Their modules were almost like a village street encapsulated into a building. The different income groups were separated for comfort but shared common spaces.

DESIGN STUDIO: SEMESTER VI

Indian Institute of Public Administration The IIPA is an academic centre of thought and influence on the public governance, policies and implementation across the country. The campus was built on seven acres of land in the critical regionalist style during the early 1960’s.

The redevelopment process involved an appreciation of the site at an urban level and plan the site to accomodate an office building as well as educational, residential and commercial zones. A detailed design was to be proposed for the office IIPA building, which would indicate towards the new chosen architectural language for the whole of the campus.

KEY DESIGN DIRECTIVES FOR SITE PLANNING: 1. Noise buffers 2. Decongestion of the dense nodes 3. Restricted vehicular conduits 4. Views of and from different buildings 5. Site activator 6. Consolidation of existing fragments

The architectural design of the office building followed many principles of energy optimisation that regulated the width of the building, provoked variation in facade treatments, guided articulation of the roof and location of the habitable vs. service zones within the building.

DESIGN STUDIO: SEMESTER V

Revitalisation of IP Thermal Power Plant, Delhi

This power plant has been lying abandoned after being decommissioned in 2008. It has turned into an urban void in the precious high-value land in the center of the city. The project aims to revitalise the existing structure and thus reclaim the land for city-use. The individually chosen project program

was an inclusive one – that of a Science Centre for young minds and urban greens.

The process involved detailed analysis of the structure as an object in space and appreciation of the industrial landscape to arrive at an apt architectural language for this new layer.

DESIGN STUDIO: SEMESTER V

Chittaranjan Park Police Station

From just a symbol of authority and fear to a truly public building Interviews with residents of CR Park put light on the need to integrate the police station with the social activities of CR Park, where crime rates are among the lowest in Delhi. It must not be feared as a place for only criminals but feel approachable by all who may need to visit it.

Architectural Strategies implemented to achieve the desired social condition 1. Complete removal of boundary walls 2. Angled geometry of building surfaces does not seem imposing 3. High texture exposed brick work 4. Allowing public thoroughfare on site 5. Sharing spaces such as conference halls and gym with the public 6. Smaller block of humble scale for public interaction functions

Conferences & Research Z-Axis Conference 2015 Coping strategies influencing user-centric spatial design Intra-Urban Barriers Meet Goa

National Gallery of Modern Art | April 2013

CONFERENCE

The Z-Axis Conference 2015 Curated by the Charles Correa Foundation, the conference spanned over a 3 day period during which speakers from all over the world, including Pzitker prize winner Rafael Moneo, spoke on various issues concerning cities today. The climactic discussion was between Mr. Charles Correa, Mr. Raj Rewal and Mr. Mahendra Raj. It was an enriching experience to participate as a volunteer as it allowed us greater interaciton with the eminent architects, apart from attending all the talks.

With Mr. Mahendra Raj, Ar. Charles Correa, Mrs. Monika Correa and Ar Raj Rewal

RESEARCH PAPER

Coping strategies influencing user-centric spatial design for crowded environments: The case of public transport systems in Delhi Mohta, N, Sehgal, K, Chaudhry, S & Goel, T Abstract of research paper accepted for publication in Tekton Journal (Volume 4, Issue 1) to be published in March 2017 Abstract: Based on Edward Hall’s theory of proxemics, this study delves into the interdisciplinary sciences that link architecture with human psychology and urban design to look at how human behaviour, spatial configurations and prevalent urban condition of crowding affect each other. Recognizing the western base of the literature in hand, the present study appropriates Hall’s theory to suit the present day context of Delhi. Taking transit systems of Delhi as a case in point to investigate how people respond to crowding and how crowds hold the potential to be a bane or a boon for the city, the study brings forward certain aspects of design often overlooked while designing urban public spaces.

Furthermore, it challenges certain notions that have so far been considered prime for the design of public spaces and adds a new dimension to them.

Keywords: Crowding, Proxemics, Coping, User behaviour, Spatial appropriation, Delhi, Public transport

DISSERTATION

Intra-Urban Barriers Mohta, N Abstract: As cities become divided into individually owned territories, the barriers separating them become highly prominent elements of the urban environment. However, it is to be questioned whether these barriers really are an essential part of the urban environment and whether there are certain factors that must guide their design and implementation. The research tries to answer the question ‘What must be the determinants for the physical design of barriers sensitive to the urban environment?’ by adopting a qualitative research position. The objective of the study has been to study the various aspects affecting the design of a barrier by means of bringing forth examples in the form of case studies from across the world and thus contribute to the reader’s sensitivity towards this urban design issue. The studies include domains of very distinct functions and contexts to allow the development of an understanding of the multitude of factors affecting the nature of a barrier.

Keywords: barrier, domain, sensitive, physical characteristics, functional characteristics

RESEARCH & VISUAL PROJECT

Meet Goa

Goa is colourful, Goa is alive and Goa loves its siestas. But Goa is not a mere simpleton.

It has a multi-faceted character, offering a whole variety of experiences to anyone willing to interact with it – experiences much beyond what the world sees through a tourist’s camera.

Through this self-initiated project that I began during my internship I sought to explore, and share with an audience, the different faces of Goa –by revisiting the places that I know of, and by discovering more on my way. The photographs and illustration for each new exploration are my attempt to share with everyone the unique historical points of the place, essence and my experience of it.

Hands-on Work Lime Workshop Training in Brick work Bamboo Installation: Rice Bowl Bamboo Installation: Floating Memories

House boats of Allepey, Kerala | June 2013

WORKSHOP

Lime Technology Hands-on workshop on Revival of Lime Technology for construction organised by the conservation studio Aishwarya Tipnis Architects at an ongoing-site for haveli conservation at Kashmere Gate, Delhi.

It involved a theoretical understanding of lime as a construction material and its many benefits, which was then followed by hands-on activities such as mixing of lime with additives for making it application worthy, applying it on walls as plaster

TRAINING

Brick work As part of a month-long training program at COSTFORD, Thiruvanathapuram in May 2013, I underwent training in brickwork which involved the various kinds of laying patterns of bricks, special techniques for creating exposed brick work and pointing techniques.

INSTALLATION

Bamboo Rice Bowl An installation about Saligao – the rice bowl of Goa, which was studied as part of Settlement study tour in January 2013. This installation was made as part of exhibition Goan Curry in a group of 5 members.

The large “bowl” is made of several bamboo stems bound together as concentric but differently sized citcles in different places. Cross-members held them together to form a slightly inverted shell. Jute sacks, woven paper and hay form the skin.

INSTALLATION

Bamboo Floating Memories Photo-installation showcasing entries for Expressions – the Photography competition (at Foundation Week in November 2013) done as part of a core team of 4 members.

All the frames were made of thin bamboo stems cut and bound together by jute rope knotting and then nailed into a cross-member for further stability. These were individually suspended using thin thread.

Visual Communication Technical Graphics Heritage Palette Typography Posters & Invites

Ceiling detail at Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kerala | June 2013

Technical Graphics

This set of graphics was created as part of the design presentation of the entry for Bamiyan Cultural Centre Competition, Afghanistan. The exploded axonometrics on top right show the various structural systems adopted for roofing in different parts of the building and the corresponding sectional diagrams below convey the quality of natural light that would be achieved as a result of the openings in these respective roof types.

Structural system of flat roof

Structural system of domed roof

Structural system of vaulted roof

Lighting through flat roof

Lighting through domed roof

Lighting through vaulted roof

Heritage Palette

Typography

Posters & Invites

Photography Society Coordinator - ‘Sepia’ India Unseen - Limca Book of Records Selected Winning Entries

Paro Dzong, Paro, Bhutan | October 2016

Society Coordinator of Sepia (2013-2014) The college society Sepia organised a photo- walk to Purana Quila on 14 September 2013 in which students and professionals from SPA Delhi as well as many other colleges across Delhi took part. It was sponsored by Tamron, in association with Goyal Photo Studio, Meerut.

Limca Book of Records “India Unseen” Represented SPA Delhi in “India Unseen” – record holding photo collaboration between the highest number of Indian colleges, by curating and managing photographs of SPA students.

Selected Winning Entries

IN FLIGHT Winning entry at Exposure 2013 (BITS Pilani)

MASTERS OF THE SLOW AND STEADY Winning entry (3rd) at Esya 2013 (IIIT-Delhi)

Thank You