work portfolio - prabhuti desai -
Namaskaaram!
My name is Prabhuti Desai, an architect by profession and performing artist by passion based in Bardoli, Gujarat(India). Graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Architecture, my interests in the creative field encompass from design to photography, besides architecture. I strive to achieve perfection in whatever work I take up and try to give my best.
Anyone with a camera can take photos, but can everyone really capture the essence of the subject being imaged. Many people can appreciate literature and plays, but few of individuals can truly comprehend the thought process of the artist. A photographer works passively, understands the interplay of light, camera, and frames, and then captures the beauty of the subject that can best approximate its reality. On the other hand, a performance artist, have to understand the psyche of the character being played, and then absorb the essence of its being, before actively playing it in front of its audience. I observe, absorb, capture, and enact the beauty that I found all around me. During my journey, I have realised that wholesome design is achieved only after a critical investigation and analyses of the scenario from the perspective of both, the designer and the user. I have always tried to create and curate experiences that give people lasting memories while motivating them to expand their horizons. My desire is to merge these perspectives to ideate, design, and create experiences that enable social and behavioural changes in society.
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experiential space design
architectural work
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preserving the heritage
research
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theatre craft
photography | painting
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Experiential Space Design •6
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My interest in the field of experiential design grew when I started learning the theatres. A piece of performance creates emotions in the viewers. Design plays a similar role by generating emotions in the heart of the user and creates an experience, sometimes good, sometimes bad; sometimes expected and sometimes unexpected. While learning theatre craft and performing it in front of an audience, I realised that, body movements make virtual patterns in the space, define it and bring different feelings(rasas) in the viewers. Likewise, a design intended to give an experience for a time-bound duration does exactly the same. The tangible elements define the space according to the experience they want to generate in users and an individual can feel the vibes actually. I believe design related to experience and human-centred design interests me more where design and emotions are equally essential and performance takes place in various forms of music and movements of natural as well as man-made elements.
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Dilda White & The First Supper
experiential space design
The experimental public art performance called ‘Dilda White & the First Supper’ explored a different medium of exploration beyond everything, which was a ‘Live Art with life.’ The food art performance redefined the bonding between ‘art’ and ‘life’. Activities in any form of a deep effort to creatively express emotions such as joy, fear, disgust, surprise, trust, anticipation would also be called art.
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TOP : Dilda White serving food to children BOTTOM : Children enjoying the cuisines
: Organisation : Project Otenga
: Concept : Digvijay Singh
: Contribution : Curation & management
Expressions can be explored through different forms, techniques, and media. While some might use words, others might choose to use sound or canvas or colours as their mediums, yet others might script and perform a play. Just as emotions are, exploration of art knows neither boundaries nor restrictions.
Arranging the set-up for the event
Arrangement on the venue
Spectacle for the audience experiential space design
The concept of the event was to give contentment by feeding the underprivileged children in a lavish set-up which they would have never seen before. One could not imagine seeing children relishing exotic cuisines while they got entertained by live painting and dance around them.
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The stories and taste of
Masi Magam Thiruvizha Connecting the elements of festival and creating an experience for the connoisseurs of Ahmedabad.
Kolam
experiential space design
Mango leaves toran
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Banana leaves
Marigold flowers
Masi Magam is one of the most important and holy Tamil festival. Team Project Otenga organised an event to encourage and embrace the traditions of our country, in which evening was filled with the stories of the festival and basic techniques to made Kolam and mango leaf Toran were taught to the participants. Along with these, Carnatic classical music artists Nithyasree and Vishnu Ramesh make the dusk musical with their melodious voices and a traditional Tamil dinner was prepared by Vidya and her mother to make the festival more experiential!
: Organisation : Project Otenga
: Concept : Vidya & Team Project Otenga
: Contribution : Curation, management & documentation
Out-door: LEFT: Vidya explaining about Kolam RIGHT: Participants trying to make patterns of Kollam
experiential space design
Indoor: LEFT: Carnatic classical ragas and their stories RIGHT: Relish of Tamil cuisines on banana leaf platters
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Mangal Parinay Bardoli based Dr Swasti Desai wanted a traditional, simple and elegant decor for the events of her wedding. The main focus of the programme was on the wedding primarily, Grah-Shanti and the reception secondarily.
Lagna (Wedding)
experiential space design
Colour scheme
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Grah Shanti Puja Colour scheme
Wedding Reception Colour scheme
experiential space design
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Architectural Work •
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My work experience in the field of architecture comprises of my training as an architectural intern at Footprints E.A.R.T.H under the guidance of Yatin Pandya and working as an architect at urbscapes- with Narendra Mangwani and Nidhi Parikh. I got exposed to the practical world and learned how to incorporate theories and philosophies of architecture in projects, while interning at the great academician’s organisation. Urbscapes taught me everything from scratch; from designing to execution and research. Interesting and thought-provoking discussion over breaks at both the firms help me getting more clarity in my concepts and enriched my knowledge in the field.
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Works - Urbscapes I was a part of the team responsible for conceptualsing to executing and documenting several projects; ranging from interior, residential, landscape, institutional and research as well, while working as an architect in the organisation.
Residence at SP Ring Road Client- Mr Mukund Patel
Idea of the linear house emerged from the plot shape and three options in order to have open-and-built spaces were worked out. Approach: 1 - House in the middle of the green and open space Approach: 2- House having a central green courtyard Approach: 3- House in the back of the plot and green area in the front
architectural work | Urbscapes
Final design development (approach 2)
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Master Bed room toilet design with a sky light.
: Contribution : Design development, working drawing, execution, site visits
Execution on site
Interior design for a family apartment Client- Mr Virendra Thakkar
architectural work | Urbscapes
Design for the interiors as per Astro-Vastu (Combination of astrology card and Vastu rules) predictions was done for three similar flats of one family apartment. We applied the qualities of each planet and direction through material, finishes, colours etc in spaces and furniture.
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Jay Prasanna English Medium School, Limbodara Client- School trust
architectural work | Urbscapes
Final proposal
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Courtesy: Narendra Mangwani
Newer school block was supposed to be developed on the plot along side of the existing school building. In the first phase, pre-primary and primary section till 5th standard is designed and executed and in the second phase, primary and secondary section will be developed later on.
: Contribution : Conceptual and design development, working drawing, site visits
Interior of a bungalow in Naroda Client- Mrs Varsha Vyas, Mr Nitin Vyas Furniture design- Dining table
Base plan
Top plan
Interior for Shah family Client- Ms Charmi Shah Furniture design
Shutter elevations
: Contribution : Design, working drawing, site visits
architectural work | Urbscapes
Door elevation
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Landscape for a farmhouse Client- Mr Iqbal Pathan
Conceptual design
Plan
Execution on site
architectural work | Urbscapes
: Contribution : Working drawing, site visits
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Other projects that I worked for are: Residences- Renovation for Mr Ankur Shah, Residence for Mr Rajat Shah Interior projects - Dr Rohit Shah residence Research work and product design
Work - Footprints E.A.R.T.H. I participated in several projects during my tenure of two semesters long internship, ranging from interior design and residential projects to master planning.
Shantivan- Memorial for Dr Indravadan Modi Client- Cadila Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd
LEFT: Shantivan masterplan model RIGHT: Model of museum interior
: Contribution : Working drawing, physical models, presentation drawings, research
architectural work | Footprints E.A.R.T.H.
Memorial for Late Dr Indravadan Modi in the Dholka campus of Cadila Pharma was designed on the basis philosophy and spiritual beliefs of the founder. The memorial has kund inspired from step-well where the main axis meet, around which beautiful landscape has been done in Islamic geometric patterns and a walkway. The walkway has 87 obelisks representing the life-span of Dr Modi, have shlokas of Sri Geeta carved on it. On the main E-W axis, first comes the museum, then memorial kund and amphitheatre on the other end. Other than these, concepts of Dasavataram, yin-yang, prayer wheels, mudras of Indian classical dance have been incorporated too.
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Sri Butbhavani Mataji Tirth Dhaam
Client- Butbhavani temple trust An old temple near Arnej was in deteriorated state and the trust wanted to develop the site as a pilgrim place. In this project, master plan was developed by renovating and redesigning existing temple premise, adding community amenities such as guest house, kitchen and dinning area, exhibition spaces, amphitheatre and party plot.
LEFT: Masterplan of temple complex RIGHT: Site plan model
AksharBrahmand- Swaminarayan Temple Complex
architectural work | Footprints E.A.R.T.H.
Client- Swaminarayan Gaadi Sansthan, Maninagar
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LEFT: Masterplan of temple complex RIGHT: Site plan model
: Contribution : Physical models & presentation drawings
Shukla Villa
Client- Dr Divyang Shukla
Three alternatives for Shukla Villa
A farmhouse was to be designed in Rancharda surrounded by farmlands and greens.
Fabindia
Client-Fabindia Overseas Pvt. Ltd.
Interior design for Fabindia- Law garden and Vadodara outlets. Other projects that I worked for are: Masterplanning- Khodaldham Temple Complex, GangaPrem Hospice, SwapnaSrushti Water Park extension Residences- Upavan Villa, Mayank Shah residence Interior projects - Laser clinic
architectural work | Footprints E.A.R.T.H.
Vadodara and Ahmedabad outlests interior study models
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Preserving the Heritage •
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Since childhood, I was fascinated towards history and working for the purpose of conserving tangible and intangible heritage gives me pleasure. Therefore, I chose my graduation thesis project on the same line, about a centre which works for preserving our incredible maritime heritage of archaeological findings. After graduation, I decided to work in the field of architectural conservation hence I started working in the City Heritage Centre in the old city of Ahmedabad to further my interest in the field.
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Works - City Heritage Centre
Preserving the Heritage | CHC
I participated in various projects ranging from mapping, documentation, developing proposals for properties to conserving them, preparing dossier for Dhal ni Pol.
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CHC aimed to cover as many as possible heritage properties of Dhal ni Pol and making it a model pol- a pilot pol in the direction of conserving heritage of walled city, so that others can take inspiration to work on the similar line. Purpose of preserving these heritage properties: - To maintain a standard of living of people by helping them by doing renovation/ restoration of their houses. - To convert the abandoned properties in ‘Bed-And-Breakfast’ heritage or boutique hotels to increase tourism and generate revenue. - To renovate properties, convert them in hostels or rental apartments for students or tourists coming for longer term and develop a model that can work accordingly. - To attract newer generations to invest in the old cities for business purposes. - With the support of the people there, developing chowks, precincts and organise events such as heritage walks, exhibitions and competitions.
Preserving the Heritage | CHC
Map of Dhal ni pol shows heritage values of the properties. These had been already mapped by AMC-Heritage department, which were further listed into a dossier with their details like their grade values, present condition, area, built-up, building height, TDR, jantri and property valuation according to its grade and jantri.
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Precinct development in Dhal ni pol
Chowk of Khijada sheri creates a beautiful community space, where events have been organised for tourism and fund-raising. It is one of the most used streets in Dhal ni pol where important landmarks like French Haveli, Bavishi house a Urmin Haveli are located.
Existing chowk
Proposed chowk
Documentation and proposal for a heritage property Phatasha Pol House Survey No.: 292 Plot area: 123.2 sq. m., Built up: 394 sq. m., Height: G+3 Heritage value: Moderate Present condition: Fair
Preserving the Heritage | CHC
Existing: Property Layout
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Ground floor
First floor
Second floor
Third floor
Terrace floor
The owner wanted to sell the property and pitch it to an investor hence the proposal had been developed keeping his brief in the mind. Many students and professionals come to the old city for research and study purpose on long term basis. To provide them facilities to stay, this proposal was designed. Proposal: Layout for rental apartment/homestays
Ground floor
Second floor
Third floor
Terrace floor
Proposed section
Preserving the Heritage | CHC
Proposed elevation
First floor
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Thesis- Maritime Archaeology Research Centre & Museum at Mamallapuram Being rich in history and culture, the country, had a glorious past, but because of natural or man-made calamities, marvels of past had been ruined and buried in the land and submerged in the sea. India has the coast line of 7500 km and its sea heritage is unknown. Maritime heritage is needed to be encouraged and the maritime archaeological objects are need to be conserved as a gesture of our cultural heritage. Mamallapuram(Mahabalipuram) is one of the major tourist attractions of India and has multiple UNESCO world heritage sites. Moreover, archaeological objects have been found in the nearby coastal areas. Hence, the town can play a pivotal role in educating and creating awareness in people.
Concept Magha constellation
In months of January to March, the festival is celebrated in the Thirukadalmallai temple of the town. It falls when ‘Magha’ constellation enters into Leo zodiac, which is holy for Tamilians. They do a grand procession and take gods to the beach and bathe in water. There is a possibility that the seven pagodas i.e. seven temples were built based on the geometry of the constellation. Out of them, one stands on the shore, two have been found from the coastal region, which are from the six submerged ones.
Preserving the Heritage | Thesis
Three stars in the constellation and the temples that have been found including shore temple make the same geometry. The main star, Regulus is the shore temple base on that, locations of the other submerged temples can be found.
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Constellation as seen in 8th century in Mamallapuram when seven pagodas were built
Putting the constellation on the site, keeping all the direction in mind, it will be on W-E axis of the site
Dutch Portolan chart and Remote sensing
From 1667 Dutch Portolan Chart, shore line and location of the seven pagodas can be seen. They can be traced exactly by optical and stereo data, which were achieved by DEM, DVD models perspective and simulation and a new chart was prepared accordingly.
Shore temple and its geometry
Inspiration from the geometry, threshold and circulation had been taken.
After considering all the three aspects, functions had been placed on site on the path that joins the UNESCO world heritage sites, Shore Temple and Panch Rathas.
Programme
Administration office for ASI, Tourist interpretation centre, Museum, Research centre for maritime archaeology, Accommodation and dining facilities for researchers, Gathering spaces and cafeteria for public.
Design Consideration
Preserving the Heritage | Thesis
Privacy for researchers Journey for visitors Traditional architecture - locally available materials; granite stone- walls and columns, wood - opening and columns flooring - IPS roof - mangalore tiles
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Preserving the Heritage | Thesis
Site relation with the Shore Temple and Panch Rathas
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Main entry (vehicular and pedestrian both) is from the Mada Koil Street road, which a primary road, from the west side of the site. A big arrival court acts as a gathering space, at the entrance. Tourist enters the centre from the tourist interpretation centre. From there they can go to the museum, which is the heart of the centre, and the other path lead to the administration and the research centre. Accommodation for the research professionals and students is kept behind the research centre. On the sea side, there is a cafeteria and dining area for the residents of the centre, which face the sea. Outdoor exhibition areas are kept in such a way that people can come and sit near them and can move around the areas. Circulation on the site works in a pattern that people coming from the Shore Temple can enter the site from the west side, and people coming from the main road can enter the site from the east side. From the both the direction people can go the Panch Rathas and shore temple.
Preserving the Heritage | Thesis
Masterplan
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Research •
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Research comprises of the work done during my work period at both the architectural firms.
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Guide to Green
It is a compilation of over 250 plant species which usually grow and can be grown in the city of Ahmedabad. It can be a guide book for students and practitioners as well. It contains a detailed study of each plant with the details such as its parts, features, various uses, required plantation environment, seasons and so on. It is still in the pipeline and has jointly been doing by Ar Yatin Pandya and landscape architect Nidhi Parikh. Sample page of the document:
Research
Calender Design
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Poster on Charles Correa’s works
Product Design
Coasters and wall hangings inspired from the patterns of jali and etching of Sidi Sayyed Mosuque, Sarkhej no Rojo and Rani ni Vaav, Patan.
Books / Documents / Competition
Research
Learning from voids- Courtyards of India (Yatin Pandya) Barrie-free Manual Contemporary Indian Architecture (CIA)
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Theatre Craft •
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Theatre is my passion. It is something that makes me feel alive and makes me forget all the worldly worries and problems.
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My relation with performing arts...
The basic requirements for human-being are food, clothing, and shelter, but the nonbasic yet crucial requirement is to express emotions. Emotions can be expressed in any medium, may that be a sketch, a painting, a piece of writing, a photograph or performing arts. Performing arts and architecture are two separate words with the same soul. Art in any form has one major function, which is to ‘Express’. Being equally passionate about design and performing arts, it is hard to imagine my life without the two. How a designer feels while designing for his client is exactly how an artist feels while performing on a stage - is what my experience is. Performing arts is the purest form to express emotions. It allows me to let go off all the strings and helps me to make peace with myself, rejuvenate soul and body at the same time. When dancing, body sweats, which allows the body to detoxify in a natural way and get rid of all thoughts with body movements, giving a break to the brain from routine. Acting allows to adopt a character, who is different from myself and make me see the world from an unfamiliar perspective through the character. And, it, at the same time allows to convey a life-story with the essence of someone else’ life to the audience which in turn humbles me, pushing myself to be a better human being, I believe. It helps me understand my strengths and weaknesses better. The architecture offers a built environment, and arts provides a reason to live in that built environment. An analogy can be derived in architecture and arts, for example, space has a variety of textures and colours, same way, any kind of arts also has textures and colours - and which are of - emotions, which can be shown via music, lights, colours, fabrics, appearance on stage etc.
Theatre craft
According to me, performing arts should not only be to entertain people, but it should be for a change - to bring change for the betterment of people, the betterment of society. It can be used as a medium to overcome conflict in a society, to educate people. It can be a medium of teaching in institutions. While both, architecture and arts perform similar roles, there is also a distinct difference between the two. Art is unladen by boundaries, while architecture takes on the added responsibility of performing a function. The challenge of design is to try and meet the lofty ideals of art while still being utilitarian. The artist’s work freed from practicality is agiler and able to freely explore concepts and ideas that will open us to new worlds. Artists are the scientists who research and test concepts, while designers are the engineers who translate those discoveries into everyday life. There are a speculative hierarchy and a lot of too-and- fro process between arts and architecture, and either of them is incomplete without the other.
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Theatre craft
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My participation in various workshops and performances 1 - Unsuni play ‘Manual scavenger’ act 2 - Character of Narayanamma in Unsuni play 3,4 - Body-Memory workshop performance 5 - With Viviana Bovino and Gregorio Amicuzi after the Body-Memory workshop 6 - ‘Self with Others’ workshop with John Britton 7 - At Kalarigram, Pondicherry with Kalaripyattu instructor Akshay Shekharan
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Photography | Paintings •
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Since my school days, painting has always been my hobby and wanted to learn, create and explore more and more in it. I have explored and experimented with different media. I developed skills in photographic documentation while studying architecture and have continued learning and expanding in this field.
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Photography
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Photography
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Photography
Documentation of Project at Urbscapes
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Paintings
Paintings
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Links to direct other work documents: Unsuni play Graphic Design Specialisation (CalArts-coursera) Tracing Relations_CEPT University Winter School Project Otenga Works Videos
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thank you!
