Paulomi Portfolio 2024 by Paulomi Choksi

Paulomi Choksi (2016-2024)

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

RESUME

Education

Candidate for Master of Architecture

Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA, USA

Bachelor of Architecture

Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India

Work Experience

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

RBA Architecture Inc., Belmont, MA, USA

AUG’23 - MAY’25

AUG’16 - JULY’21

MAY’24- PRESENT

• Developing design concepts for high-end projects in the New England region, while adhering to historic permit guidelines and regulations.

• Preparing construction documents for typical wood frame structures, while overseeing construction administration in collaboration with other professionals with a focus on classical details.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

Divyang Mevada and Team, Surat, India

MAY’23- AUG’23

• Led a team in initial planning stages for residential projects, developing comprehensive drawings, and prepared a design proposal for a luxurious farmhouse, including landscape concepts, furniture mood boards, and material selection.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

Nimish Choksi Architects, Surat, India

OCT’21- APRIL’23

• Managed diverse projects across healthcare, education, corporate, commercial, residential, and religious sectors, ranging from 5,000 to 350,000 sq. ft.

• Led design and execution of farmhouses and residential projects, managing all phases from concept development to construction completion.

• Produced comprehensive coordination and execution drawings for critical services (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, flooring) in healthcare facilities, ensuring precise planning.

• Developed design proposals, structural blueprints, material estimates for Surat Collector’s Office, showcasing project management skills and architectural expertise.

ARCHITECTURAL INTERN

Atelier Dsync, Surat, India

DEC’19- JUNE’20

• Worked on design development for luxury residential projects, including construction drawings, landscape detailing, Visualization, and client presentations.

Skills

Software Skills

• AutoCAD

• Revit

• SketchUp 3D

• Bluebeam Revu

• Adobe Creative Suite

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Enscape 3D

• Lumion

Professional Skills

• Project Management

• Leadership

• Collaboration

• Multitasking

This portfolio showcases a curated selection of projects from my professional experience and Master’s studies in Architecture. Each project embodies my dedication to designing impactful, innovative spaces across varied scales and contexts. My work spans healthcare, high-end residential, hospitality, and landscape design projects in the U.S. and India, reflecting my versatility in design and technical proficiency. Together, these projects demonstrate my ability to create meaningful architectural solutions that respond to diverse cultural and environmental needs.

Works

1.1 Georgian Colonial House 1.2 Belmont House

1.3 Mahavir Cancer Hospital

1.4 Surat Collector’s Office

1.5 Pranav Mehta’s Bungalow

1.6 Lukhnow Hotel

Academic Works

2.1 A Bioregenrative Neighborhood

2.2 Pro-Art Consortium

Residential Architecture

Historic Preservation

Health-care Architecture

Civic Architecture

Residential Architecture

Hospitality Architecture

Landscape Architecture

Cultural Architecture

Georgian Colonial House 1.1

The Concord house project, currently in Phase 2, focuses on adding a carriage house, cabana, and pool. My role involved developing and revising the construction set, participating in weekly on-site meetings, and observing various construction phases. This high-end residential project required close coordination with construction managers, landscape architects, an interior designer, and other agencies to ensure a seamless, high-quality outcome.

Type: Professional (Project Co-ordinator)| Year: 2024

Location: Concord, MA | Site area: 140,000 sq.ft

The proposed carriage house and cabana have been designed in alignment with the driveway and positioned to avoid obstructing the primary views from the main house, allowing for Project brief

Carriage House CD:First Floor

The structure features a typical wood frame with wallboard covering. The basement, constructed from concrete, houses all mechanical equipment and pool systems, ensuring efficient functionality and accessibility for maintenance.

Carriage House Basement Plan & First Floor Plan

Wood framing: Carriage house

Carriage House exterior back Side

The second floor is designed as an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) space for guests, with an additional storage area for outdoor furniture. The outdoor balcony offers stunning views of the pool and cabana, enhancing the guest experience with a beautiful scenic overlook. Exterior Elevation: Garage Front Cross Section: Carriage House

BRACKET

OUTLINE OF HIDDEN STRUCTURAL POST ASSEMBLY, COORDINATE INSTALLATION WITH MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS, GUARDRAIL DESIGN.

INFILL PATTERN, AS OCCURRING, SIMILAR TO EXISTING HOUSE, SEE ELEVATIONS

BUILT UP WOOD PANELLED GUARDWALL, PIER BEYOND

WOOD BOTTOM RAIL TO MATCH EXISTING BOTTOM RAIL ASSEMBLY AT MAIN HOUSE

EPDM ROOFING ON PROTECTION BOARD

FRAMING, SEE STRUCTURAL, SLOPE FRAMING AT 1 4"/FT.

CLOSED CELL FOAM INSULATION TO MEET R60 AVERAGE ACROSS ROOF, VERIFY

LAP METAL FLASHING WITH EPDM

FORMED FREEDOM GREY GUTTER ASSEMBLY, TO MATCH EXISTING PROFILE, SUPPORT SYSTEM PER FABRICATOR, COLOR TO MATCH SIDING AND TRIM

NOTE: CORNICE ASSEMBLY TO MATCH EXISTING PROFILES, VERIFY

Construction Details: Stair Handrail and Garage Door Head

PILASTER CAPITAL EL. 204.65'

1 2" GYPSUM BOARD CEILING

The details include typical gutter profiles, as well as door and window head details. My role was to ensure all details and drawings were accurately coordinated across the documentation set.

LINTEL, SEE STRUCTURAL CASING, SEE INTERIOR ELEVATIONS, FINISH SCHEDULE

BACKER ROD AND SEALANT EACH SIDE

DOOR/WINDOW CASINGS TO MATCH EXISTING, COORDINATE CASING DIMENSION IN FIELD WITH OF DOOR/WINDOW HEAD, VIF.

FOUNDATION WALL. WITH 4" INSET SHELF,

Site Photo- Spray Insulation

Site Photo: Stone Veneer

Belmont House 1.2

The Belmont house, located in a historic district, required meticulous documentation of existing conditions and careful consideration of the client’s desire to enhance natural light in living spaces. The proposal includes renovating the kitchen and family areas, reconfiguring the bedroom layout, and updating the kitchen elevation to create a more symmetrical design that aligns with the existing façade, while preserving the original character of the front exterior.

Type: Professional (Designer)| Year: 2024

Location: Belmont, MA | Site area: 75,000 sq.ft

Project brief

The proposal includes an upper driveway for guest access and a lower driveway leading directly to the owner’s garage, now connected to the main house for convenient entry. This redesign also replaces the steep, winter-challenging front staircase with a safer, more accessible entry, enhancing functionality and year-round usability.

3D view: Front of the House

Demo Site Plan

Proposed Site plan

After the client approved the initial schematic design, they requested a full project estimate. Since this renovation involves both demolition and additions, we prepared a detailed pricing set for contractor review to facilitate an accurate cost estimation. The pricing set included comprehensive drawings covering demolition and proposed site plans, basement layout, firstfloor plan, second-floor plan, roof design, and exterior elevations.

Site Photo: Side view

Site Photo: Front View

First Floor Plan

By opening up the family and dining areas to the backyard, the design transforms the outdoor space into a luxurious extension of the home, enhancing both functionality and elegance.

Demo

In the Elevation design, careful attention was given to preserving classical details, maintaining symmetry across the façade, and respecting the intricate existing interiors.

RESIDENCE 504 Concord Avenue . Belmont MA 02478

KNIGHT

DEMO ELEVATIONS

Demo Front Elevation

Proposed Front Elevation

3D View: Front

3D View: Side

Mahavir Cancer Hospital 1.3

The Cancer hospital project was in progress, encompassing the completion of architectural construction and the commencement of the interior planning stage. I focused on internal layouts, coordinated structural elements, and seamlessly integrated services like HVAC into working sets. I calculated the required quantity of materials for cost-cutting within the equipment range, contributing to budget efficiency.

Type: Professional (Project Co-ordinator)| Year: 2021-23

Location: Piplod, Surat, India | Site area: 45,000 sq.ft

Project brief

The main building, spanning 10 floors, houses essential facilities including OPD, Radiation, Bunker, ICSU, CSSU, etc. The layout adheres strictly to a grid system, positioning rooms at the front, an atrium at the center, and services at the back.

Typical Layout: Patient Rooms

The coordinated ceiling drawings encompass detailed placements of HVAC services, water sprinklers, smoke detectors, COB,etc. The strategic placement was determined based on specific ranges, optimizing the functionality and efficiency of each element.

Ceiling Layout : Eight Floor

Site photos: Front Elevation

Working drawing details developed for patient rooms and toilets, encompasses specifications, healthcare equipment requirements, and code-compliant accessibility standards. This included comprehensive electrical layouts, ceiling plans, plumbing layouts, and elevations, with a focus on integrating emergency lighting, oxygen provisions, and other essential healthcare features. Interior Details

Construction Drawings: Twin Room

Material Selection

Material selection was tailored to each floor and user group, emphasizing safety, hygiene, and visual appeal. A cohesive, cost-efficient palette was developed to prioritize key healthcare spaces. Material quantities were determined by floor and phase to ensure accurate, timely onsite delivery.

Material Palette: First Floor Flooring

Construction Drawings: Twin Toilet

Surat Collector’s Office 1.4

The project is proposed on a prominent location for the new collector’s office. It is a fifteen-floor building with five different main blocks and three service blocks. My major role was planning, structure proposal and design development stages. The functional requirements of each department were understood thoroughly by surveys and reports.

Type: Professional (Project Head)| Year: 2022-23

Location: Umra, Surat, India | Site area: 120,000 sq.ft

Contextual Plan: Proposed Site

Proposed Structural Grid system

Two hexagonal atriums are symmetrically positioned to facilitate ventilation in the core. The entire building is designed with symmetry, and the main blocks function as modules. Three service blocks, strategically located to comply with fire safety codes and maintain the minimum distance to the service staircases, complement the main blocks.

Proposed Master Layout

3D view

Internal Layouts

The layouts were designed using a modular system that provided flexibility to accommodate any department on any floor and adaptability over time. Each block spanned 50 feet in width, offering column-less space that allowed for various internal layouts.

Internal Layout 1

60 workspaces & 4 offices

Internal Layout 2

24 workspaces, 2 Cubical & 4 offices

Internal Layout 3

2 Separate Departments

Sustainability

The solar photovoltaic curtain wall was proposed to utilize the maximum vertical surface area from the elevation, generating enough energy to meet the building’s entire energy consumption. Additionally, sustainable designs, including SWTP, rainwater harvesting tanks, and other features, were taken into consideration.

Quantity Calculations

For the initial project proposal, the estimated built-up area were calculated to determine the total project cost and the feasibility of the proposal.

Top 3D view

Pranav Mehta’s Bungalow 1.5

The site is located in prime area. The road is on both sides of plot, giving multidimensional freedom for design development. My responsibilities began with finalizing the layouts and developing the elevation design in 3D. Once the whole design got finalized, the structural grid and 3D model were developed with the coordination of the structural engineer. Also working set and site supervision was in my scope of work.

Type: Professional (Architect)| Year: 2022-2023

Location: Parle point, Surat, India | Site area: 5,400 sq.ft

Project brief

The bungalow is a multi-level home designed for a three-person family, featuring distinct guest and private living areas. The ground floor includes a lounge and outdoor sitting area for entertaining guests, while the first floor houses the living room, dining room, kitchen, and a day bedroom for easy accessibility. The second floor is dedicated to master bedrooms, ensuring privacy.

Ground floor plan

This thoughtful layout effectively separates social and private zones, creating a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. My role included detailing the stairs for this project, which had an unusual height for a residential structure, with ceilings at 13 ft, 12 ft 6 in, and varying to 11 ft 6 in on the top floor. To avoid having services visible on the main elevations, all plumbing was accommodated with a sunk slab running from the front to the back of the building.

North Elevation: 3D view

East Elevation: 3D view

First floor plan

Site Photo Site Photo

Second floor plan

Due to varying heights and elevations, the beams at the property provided minimal space for mechanical ductwork and piping. To address this, the structural design was carefully modified to increase ceiling height and allow for more efficient placement of services throughout the house.

East elevation drawing North elevation drawing

Lucknow Hotel 1.6

The 5-star hotel project in Lucknow, was completed in 2022. It comprises a total of 5 floors, including a terrace with luxury facilities for guests, a terrace restaurant, and a swimming pool with a bar and gym. My focus was on the internal layouts of hotel rooms, detailing, and terrace floor planning. Through this, I gained valuable insights into luxurious material textures and interior detailing of suites, minibars, and the gym.

Type: Professional (Architectural Designer)| Year: 2021

Location: Lucknow, India | Site area: 20,000 sq.ft

Project brief

The terrace floor of the building features a rooftop swimming pool along with other luxurious amenities. The fifth floor below has a stepped slab above, constructed using a composite structure of metal and concrete. I determined the ceiling heights based on site dimensions, ensuring precise coordination with mechanical equipment and structural members to achieve optimal spatial efficiency.

Typical Plan: Hotel Rooms Floor

Interior Details

The interior details of the Suite Room and Double Room encompass all electrical and looping layouts, coordinating HVAC, fire safety, and lighting in the ceiling to create a differentiated ambiance. The planning of each element, such as the sofa, minibar, dressing, luggage space, and powder room, has been thoroughly considered.

The elevation drawings incorporate material details for furniture, the bed back, and the TV wall in both the lounge and bedroom. Elevation measurements ensure the proportion of each element, as well as the height of the ceiling. Additionally, ducting details and crucial information for execution are included.

Detail Elevations: Suit Room

Detail Plans: Suit Room

A Bioregenrative Neighborhood 2.1

This project was an in-depth exploration of site analysis, understanding, and proposal development. The project began with an urban precedent study in Boston, identifying elements that foster play and examining how and why they create engaging spaces. This initial analysis led to the selection of two major design principles: rhythm and dynamic movement. These principles were then applied to the site at various scales, from macro to micro.

Type: Academic-Studio- Site (Individual Work) | Year: 2023

Location: Quincy, MA | Site area: 4,051,080 sq.ft

Urban Case Study: Charles River Esplanade

The Esplanade’s design merges land and water with lagoons, the Memorial Shell, and dynamic access points, creating a visually dramatic, interactive urban space.

Concept development

The concept centered on creating interconnected circles around key nodes, carving out circulation paths and positioning residential units for optimal connectivity. Landscaped walkways and public plazas fostered a pedestrian-friendly environment, blending living spaces with communal areas.

CONNECTED CIRCLES CIRCULATION UNITS AROUND CENTER POINTS

Central Plaza

Master Plan: Site

Site Section: Residential Units

Site Section: Library

Plan: Library and Residential Cluster

Section: Library

Detail: colonnade space

Detail: Flower garden

Detail: floating bridges

Pro-Art Consortium 2.2

The Studio 4 project focused on the Pro Art Consortium, a collaboration of seven schools of visual and performing arts. A collective space building was proposed within proximity to these institutions on the empty land parcel at 1000 Boylston. The project progressed through site analysis, program outlining, concept development, precedent study, and a comprehensive proposal. The proposal included detailed drawings and technical aspects such as structural system design, HVAC solutions, sustainable features, and realistic renders.

Type: Academic- Studio 4- Building system (Individual Work) | Year: 2024

Location: Boston, MA | Site area: 48,000 sq.ft

Final Drawings

The final drawings showcase the building’s four-level layout, including an accessible terrace garden. Visitors enter a spacious area leading to the art gallery, highlighted by a double-height auditorium as a floating feature. A spiral staircase directs them to the lounge, while the same level houses a cafeteria, open restaurant, and strategically placed studios for functional design.

Male Restroom

1. Lounge

Back stage area

Auditorium

METAL PRIMARY TRUSS BEAM

CAVITY BETWEEN FALSE CEILING AND ROOF AREA ( WILL HAVE MECHANICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORTING ELEMENTS OF AUDITORIUM)

FABRIC ACOUSTIC PANELS FOR WALL FINISH

IN-SITU CONCRETE ROOF ON ROLLER-DECK

SECONDARY STRUCTURE TRUSS

METAL PRIMARY TRUSS BEAM

CAVITY BETWEEN SITTING FLOOR AND BOTTOM CEILING(WILL SUPPORT ACOUSTIC AND STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS OF AUDITORIUM)

COLUMN SUPPORTING AUDITORIUM TRUSS

METAL PRIMARY TRUSS BEAM

Sustainable strategies

Numerous sustainable strategies have been proposed, such as high-performance glass for natural light optimization, sustainable materials for reduced environmental impact, green roofs for storm water management, solar panels for renewable energy, and energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems.