ARCHITECTURE P O R T F O L I O
PALAK P. SHAH
CONTENT PROFESSIONAL WORK
RE-INCARNATING VARANASI RE-INCARNATING INDIA
Project management, Research and design Varanasi
FARMHOUSE
Design development and presentation Ahmedabad
LANDSCAPE FOR RESIDENTIAL TOWERS Landscape design, detail Ahmedabad
GARDEN LANDSCAPE Planter design Ahmedabad
TERRACE BAR LOUNGE ( Current ) Design Varanasi
ACADEMIC WORK
CELEBRATING THE EDGE OF THE CITY DESIGN DISSERTATION Research, Master planning, Design Dahisar Chek-naka, Mumbai
NON-STANDARD HOUSING
Residential tower – non standard design Dadar, Mumbai
COMMUNITY CENTRE Design Old town, Leh, Ladakh
PROFESSIONAL WORKS M/s. Prabhakar B. Bhagwat Landscape India Design development and project management
Varanasi, a city bound by more than just lines; a city destroyed and created through the fabric of ever-changing times. The city needs to reclaim this glorious supreme title. Varanasi needs to be exposed gently; layer-by-layer, her immaculate beauty needs to be shown to the world.
re-INCARNATING VARANASI re-INCARNATING INDIA Project management + Research and Design
Intent Varanasi is not only about religion, or spirituality, or craft, or learning, or music, or cuisine. It is all that and more; and it has been that for centuries. A cosmopolitan city that does not belong to a state, or a country, but to the universe; that does not belong to a people but to mankind; and it must assume its position in this order.
Evening at the Ganga ghat
The city of Benaras is spread over an area of 24 sq kms and has a population of 1.2 million people. It is 320 km from Lucknow, and 120 kms from Allahabad. This work allows examination of all issues of the fabric, allowing the delving into layers that are physical, cultural, historical, anthropological, environmental, and those linked to policy, and finance.
Growth
The urban band that developed along the river from Asi in south to Raj Ghat in the north and is composed of river facing buildings (mainly palaces) and Ghats.
The distinctive urban fabric flanking the river-front urban band and developing westwards from it, known as the pakka mahal, it consists of a web of mohallas, weaved together.
The gardens and pleasure residences of the rich merchants on the lines of the Mughal gardens, situated on the outskirts of the 18th century city.
The recent plotted development extending from the outskirts of the 18th century city to the cantonment area.
The four parts of Varanasi Sarnath
Cantonment Area
Varuna river
Ganga river
Core city Ghats Sandbar
Varanasi Assi river BHU
Varanasi’s Old City, is situated near the banks of the River Ganga, it has crowded narrow lanes with road side shops and scores of Hindu temples on either side. With an intense atmosphere, Varanasi’s labyrinthine has a rich culture. The Ghats of Varanasi, are an integral component of the city. There are around 100 Ghats, steps all lead to the banks of the Ganga. This extensive line enhances the river front with a multitude of shrines, temples and palaces. Banaras Hindu University, a university located in Varanasi, was established in 1916. It is one of the largest residential universities in Asia, with over 20,000 students. The Cantonment Area, is where the British had their administrative headquarters, churches, railway station, during the time of the British Raj.
Conservation Restoring the ghats
Issues and opportunities Masterplan
Conservation Restoring the historic fabric
To re Green Fingers Commercial and residential
Green Fingers
Revival of Sub surface hydrological connections Revival of the sacred tanks Bathing Kunds along the ghats
Urban Ark
Industrial and low cost housing
Institutional services
Urban planning Lack of centralized planning Agricultural land converted into a sprawl The Urban Ark
Culture Infrastructure Identification Capital and patronage Ganga ki Jhanki - Cultural walk Craft and culture revival and upgradation
Electrical and water supply
G a n g a - Va r u n a Sangam
ourism and ecreation Ganga ki Jhanki
Sewerage and storm water management
Sacred bathing tanks Restoring the ghats
Revival of Assi River
Sacred forest and its shadow
Waste management
Eco zone
Managing waste, sewer, landfills to allow navigation Varuna Ganga Sangam Yatra - cultural centre and Assi river revival
Managing the sandbar and flow of water Protecting the horizon Sandbar, Sacred forest and shadow of forest
Introducing the sacred tanks along the holy ghats Crytal lagoon technology - For filtration of tanks The technology helps maintaining the purity and clarity of water in large volumes at low costs. 400 sensors per acre continually monitor bacteria and algae levels. When those levels get too high, the system automatically injects the chemicals such as chlorine (to disinfect the water) and lime (to keep the pH level balanced). The amount of material needed is 100 times lesser than what’s used in an equivalent filtering system. Technology can use any type of water: salt, fresh or brackish water.
Assi ghat
Kedar ghat
Dashaswamedh ghat
Panchganga ghat
Raj ghat
Present section
Proposed section
Present condition
Proposed bathing tank
Total number of ghats identified = 12 Total Area of the tanks = 24,000 sq. m Number of people accommodated at peak hours = 60,000 (per hour)
Ganga ki Jhanki - The Cultural Walk Andhra Ashram
Ranamahal palace
Kashi Vishwanath temple
Manikarnika ghat Assi ghat
Mahadev temple Content of the Walk
Adi Keshav ghat The complete route of the Ganga Gallery is 11.5kms long and includes
Mythological evolution Ecological narratives People’s narratives Spiritual narratives Education and music Culture and craft
Annapurna seva Ashram Ganga chowk Hanuman temple Andhra Ashram
Ganga Gallery Route - (Part detail)
Ghats Palaces Ashrams Chowks Temples Mosques
Dashashwamedha ghat Ranamahal palace Digpatiya Palace Indore state palace
Present condition
Proposed route
Varuna Ganga Navigation route
Transport hub/ Boarding jetty 63400 sq.m.
Transport hub
Woodland park 23200 sq.m.
Transit node
Transit node/ Alighting Jetty 23200 sq.m.
Cultural centre
Cultural Center 100000 sq.m.
Institutional Ghats
Institutional Ghats 23200 sq.m.
The Sandbar - The Sacred forest - Shadow of the sacred forest The sandbar - 531 acres (214920 sq. m) Built area Institutions and public buildings - 85 acres (3217.9 sq. m) The sacred forest - 348.8 acres (1332711 sq. m) Shadow of the sacred forest Institution and public buildings Green Buffer The sacred forest Main road The ganges is a force of nature. When the river changes direction at Benaras, erosion on the side of the ghats and deposition of silt on the opposite banks has created the sandbar. As the expanse of the sandbar increases, width of river reduces Risk of flooding increases Therefore there is a need to manage the sandbar and the flow of the river Unplanned construction Force of river adds High velocity at the on the ghats leads to to the pressure on western banks erodes structural failure the ghats
Transport hub
Water channel
Sandbar
Wetland park
Medium velocity Low velocity At the easter banks deposits silt
Silt deposition creates sandbar
Varuna Ganga confluence - Boarding point jetty
Tanks for sacred ablutions
Cultural centre - Varuna Ganga navigation route
Sandbar - Sacred forest - Shadow of the sacred forest
The site is a vast farm consisting agricultural areas, orchards of chickoo, lemon, jamun and sandalwood and waterbody. The Idea was to create a space for the built the helps experience the various frames of landscape that the site has to offer; to create a space that allows an interaction with the landscape and responds to the various elements.
FARMHOUSE Ahmedabad Design Development
Frames of landscapes
Lines and Axis
Enclosed walk
Experiencing the landscape lines
Experiencing the avenue
Sense of bounded court
Response to the lake
Objects in harmony
Fields Avenue of Jamun trees
Bedroom
Coconut trees
Verandah
Living Area
Parking
Porch
Court
Pool
Entrance
Trees
Array of Asopalav trees
Ground Floor Plan
Bedroom
Livivng Area
Section
Courtyard
Pool Area
Avenue of tree
Fields
Utility Kitchen Dining Area Deck
f Jamun es Lake
Dining Area
Kitchen
Lake
View of the avenue of Jamun trees through the livivng area
View of the house from the edge of the lake
View through the screened corridor looking into the courtyard
View of the bounded courtyard
View of the Dining area and the lake from the pool area
View of the Bedrooms and Machaan from the fields
The Giant Dinosaur I give an identity to the emerging urbanity, it has no soul, no charachter, no personality. I bring in the expression of the human spirit, and more simply, a smile to people’s faces, In the new supplanted urbanity, that they call homes.
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE Ahmedabad Fabrication drawing
Ladder
5.15m 4.00m
Unfolded Elevation
Plan Seen away from the main court is the court of caves, and the giant dinosaur that lurks beyond it. The head of this animal intrudes into the court of caves and stitches two spaces. Over a time the court will have tall bamboo clumps and lotus and fish in the pond. The caves are quiet retreats , their roofs lined with grass. The dinosaur is 32 mts long. Details of the giant dinosaur, that is a bridge, a slide, ladders, and swings and a joyous play structure where many an imagination can run riot.
Swings
Bridge
Slide
Four Little Soldiers The stand up straight and tall, They are now the family members, one and all, They put on the green; not for money, fame and glory, But for the untold story. The story of the fight for lives, though not for their own, And to protect the unvieling treasure And the beautiful throne.
GARDEN FOR A HOUSE Ahmedabad Planter Design
3.5m
2.8m
1.8m
1.5m
0.0m
PROFESSIONAL WORKS Current TERRACE BAR LOUNGE Varanasi Design
Storage
Semi covered area
Office
Kitchen
Courtyard
Lounge
Staircase to the private lounge
Reception area
Entrance
Lift shaft Terrace
Plan
Bar lounge
Cross-section through the courtyard
Longitudinal section through the courtyard
ACADEMIC WORK Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies Mumbai University
Desires of the city The city of Mumbai, surrounded by the sea on three sides, is poised to interact with its edges. The many interesting and complex conditions, that one encounters at these edges, was of vital interest to my dissertation. The city as a kaliedoscope of the desires of its citizens, and the structures and artwork are the physical manifestation of these desires. ......the Edge The Growth of Mumbai which has taken place over two Centuries has placed its “markers of Progression� along its edges. As and when the city’s Edges got marked, they were dotted with Public Institutions which act as important catalysts for development of these edges as cultural encounter spaces.
CELEBRATING THE EDGE Dahisar Chek-Naka, Mumbai Thesis and Design Dissertation
Site Dahisar Chek naka Dahisar is a small as well as very crowded suburb of Mumbai.. Located on the city limits of Mumbai, Dahisar is the last suburb and railway station within the Mumbai Suburban District; past Dahisar lie the city’s extended suburbs. The dahisarchecknaka and the octroi situated on the western express highway no.8 is the barrier to get into the city. This barrier creates a discomforting environment for living in the area around due to the bars and lodges for the truck drivers waiting for octroi clearances, prostitution.
The people prefer going across by the train as they have to pay a toll every time they cross the checknaka. There are not many open public spaces around and no places for relaxing around which is the reason why many people restrain from moving across dahisar. Reducing the density of population from the main city is very important and hence it important that people shift to the extended suburbs.
Urban and green landscapes
Suburban townships in Dahisar and Mira rd
Upcoming residential area
Toll Naka
Vast green landscapes
Welcome gate to the Western Express Highway
Vast green landscapes
Vast green landscapes
Existing landscapes Urban and Natural
Scenario The Proposals to remove the Toll Naka, is followed by insertion of Programs- Suburban, Urban and Nature inspired depending upon their respective Proximities from the Highway. Urban It being at close proximity to the Highway, is about the chaos and the density present in the urban areasHawkers, Street Shopping, promenades. Suburban It involves the introduction of Institutions which attribute a character to the Suburb Library, Play Grounds, Art Institutions Nature It culminates ones transition from the Chaos of Urban to Suburban to the Serenity in Nature. Viewing Tower, Resort, Recreational areas, Pavilions.
The political boundary of Mumbai
The Western Express Highway
The Stitch - interactive edges into the nature
Resources in Architecture
Ruins Old, Redundant Architeure and structures of past become important spaces- of leisure, culture- speaking of the history of a region and thereby binding the present to its past. It is a dynamic resource that is constantly discovered, unearthed and reused. Nature Nature acts as the most coveted and important space- for the urban residents. Green spaces, Gardens, Reserves allow for a special connnection with ones roots- Plants, Cosmos, etc.. Water Edges Cities and civilizations have grown along Coastal and River edges. These Edges allow for trade as well as a Sublime and beautiful space to contemplate and enjoy. River fronts, Promenades, Sea Faces, Lake fronts and Beaches represent these spaces. Urban-scape/ Concrete-scape A birds’eye view of the sprawling cities is always demanded for its protection- from protruding enemies, and the tremors of nature. these Towers often provide a astounding view of the Urban scape- which it self becomes the subject of the viewer.
Pleasures in Architecture
The gestures and materials of a space are what give it a human touch. The acts- dancing, feeling the breeze, the texture of stone, walking through the green, gazing at the reflection of the sky in the water, dancing atop the stones in green, feeling the silence that nature has to offer- these gestures are the pleasures in architecture.
Design elements
Interactive edges
The Stitch
Masterplan
The urban The highway / chek naka acts as an edge to the city. The green beyond this physical edge is resource to the concrete jungle. It is this urban desire to experience the serene in the resource. The intervention is the instrument that stitches the urban to the nature; chaos to the sublime.
Programme
Design
City Library Play ground
Kiosks Public Seating Pavilions
Pavilion
Plan
Street elevation
Kiosks
Landscape and public seating
Police
Museum Police chowky
Botanical museum Plant Nursery Cafe and restaurant
Pavilion
Pavilion
station
Museum
Botanical museum and nursery
Cafeteria and restaurant
Library
Path outside the Library leading to the reading pavilion
Cafeteria within the museum
Botanical museum - plant nursery
The wind tunnel A wind tunnel is a research tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects. Air moves in smooth linear paths when it enters the first part of the tunnel which cathches the wind. The wind , when enters the second part of the tunnel (test section), is most accelerated. As the wind moves out of the second part, it becomes turbulant and is let out of the tunnel.
NON STANDARD HOUSING Five gardens, Dadar , Mumbai Architecture Design - 8th Semester
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
THE WIND TUNNEL
LIVING ROOM
RELATION OF THE WIND TUNNEL RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH WITH THE CLIMATE THE CLIMATE It is a program that needs the most The North-West and South-West are cross centilation and air circulation. the two directions from where the site It needs to be windy. It needs to be recieves most of its wind. towards the end of the tunnel so that The tunnels therefore have been ori- it recieves accelerated wind from the ented in order to recieve maximum tunnel and and the other functions of wind. the appartment that it crosses.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH THE OUTSIDE/TUNNEL Living room staggered and divided into two so that it acquires natural wind from ouside and accelerated wind from the tunnel.
NON STANDARD HOUSING This was an experimental studio with a predetermined process of identifying systems for creating a sustainable environment. These systems are developed into a set of relationships or parameters, to design high rise structure. I choose the wind tunnel as my system, which was developed into a series of relationships visual, volumetric, climatic, etc Area - 10,000 sq.m. INTENT To get maximum velocity of air in the narrow part of the tunnel. To use this amount of wind to make the building sustainable. Deflectors direct the wind in the tunnel to the appartment room. Since the living room needs maximum amount of wind and air circulation, the living room is placed adjacent to the narrow end of the tunnel. And the livivng room opens into the tunnel. The tunnel serves an a semiprivate shared space between two appartments.
BEDROOM
STUDY AREA
KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM
RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH THE CLIMATE Its a private fuction. All the bedrooms have an access from the living room through a buffer space. The wind recieved should be undisturbed. Usable area should be shaded at all the time.
RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH THE CLIMATE Its a rather open function, wind direcly enters into this area. Wind first enters this area. Evening sun enters the area but the usable area needs to be shaded. Therefore a projection or a buffer area is needed that helps cool the wind.
RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH THE CLIMATE The kitchen and dining room are connected to the living room and are placed towards the end of the tunnel and on the upper level of the appartment as the hot air from the kitchen rises and becomes turbulent.
RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH THE OUTSIDE/TUNNEL Bedroom has visual connect with the tunnel.
RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH THE OUTSIDE/TUNNEL Direct access to the outside/ courtyard with a small semiprivate space/ buffer in between.
RELATION OF THE ROOM WITH THE OUTSIDE/TUNNEL Has no direct connection to the tunnel. The kitchen has a personal veranda. It forms a relation with the upper side of the tunnel.
Terrace Lift
Lobby Kitchen
Living room Dining Area Living Area
Bedroom
Courtyard Study
Bedroom
Plan cut at 26 m
Dining room
Kitchen Lobby
Study
Bedroom
Living room
Courtyard Lobby
Study
Bedroom
Living room
Kitchen
Dining room
Plan cut at 16.75 m
Lift
Home theatre Living room
Common Area
Lift core
Tunnel Courtyard
Common Area
Bedroom
Living Area
Kitchen
Home theatre/ Common room
Courtyard
Car park
Gym room Reading lounge
Section aa’
Reception
Site (20m x 14.5m) Wind velocity is most excessive on the corners of a building. Using post tension slabs for larger spans Therefore columns 1m x 1m in the corners
Tunnels The tunnel overlap forming a square in between Ring beam formed outside - periferal binding Square formed inside - internal binding
The core The service core is complete shear The core made first and the slabs connect to the core The core gives it stability
The tension member Flying columns are added at the tension points - the v columns Which tranfer the load on the periferal beam
Structure
Using the principle of the twisted buildingswhere the columns remain in the same place and the slabs keep shifting. The tunnel in this case shift but the columns are stationery. Using the construction technique - slip form; the core is first built leaving dowels for slabs.
Elevation
COMMUNITY CENTRE Old Town- Leh, Ladakh Architecture Design - 4th Semester
MEASURE DRAWINGS 11500 Ft above sea level Measure drawing and interpretation Old town, Leh, Ladakh Above: Orthographic representation of the building
Detailed axonometric view of a Bay window
Elevation
Site
Concept
Leh - Located at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea level. The site is an old village situated at the foot of the palace of the king of Leh. The program is developed so as to revive the old village as a tourist destination to generate revenue for the villagers. Area - 300 sq.m.
Viewing the landscape through the lense of the coloured flags with the religious inscriptions, creates a foreground for the vast and beautiful landscape and the old architecture. The flowy film of material takes the shape of the rockscape giving range of folds, adding a different texture to the site.
Tunnel
Site
Passage
Storage area
Cattle shed
Site
Exploring the form and flow of the material as it finds its way and lays itself on the landscape of the site.
Plan at 21m
Office Area
Toilets
Longitudinal Section
Courtyard
Reflected Ceiling Plan cut at 18m
Working studio
Exhibition area
RESUME DETAILS
EDUCATION
EMPLOYMENT
Palak P. Shah Age: 24 years Nationality: Indian Contact: palak9890@gmail.com Mob.: +91 99 67 199298
2008- 2013 B. Arch Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture Mumbai University GPA: 3.5 First Class
January 2015 Self Employed Design + Execution of a Terrace Bar Lounge, Varanasi, India
2006-2008 Higher Secondary School in Science K.J. Somaiya College Mumbai University Score: 87% Distinction 2006 Secondary School Fatima High School Mumbai University Score: 86% Distinction
2014 January- 2014 December Junior Architect Prabhakar B. Bhagwat - Landscape India Design development + Research May 2013 - August 2013 Undergraduate Internship at Prabhakar B. Bhagwat - Landscape India Design development + Research + Project management
INVOLVEMENTS
AWARDS
2011 2010- KRVIA Summer Exchange Program Mumbai University- Excellence in Research studio on Micro-urbanArchitecture Design ism theory with Students of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts(GAFA) at Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture Mumbai, India 2012 Winter Exchange Program at of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts(GAFA) Guangzhou, China Workshop on the art of Anamorphosis 2013 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant at Annual Introductory Workshop
SKILLS Sketching Hand drafting
SOFTWARES Autocad 2D Rhinoceros Photoshop Indesign MS Office Sketchup Vray- Basic
LANGUAGES Gujarati(Mother tongue) English Hindi Marathi
PALAK SHAH 2015