RENUGA KANNADASAN
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO 2014-2024
Big Bow
Comprehensive Design
Grad Studio Project
Public Infrastructure
Farmworker Community
Grad Studio Project
Public interest design
Buddhist Sanctuary
UG Thesis project
Buddhist architecture study & Pilgrimage Centre Proposal
Wood Workshop
Professional work
Wood Workshop
Blue Energy House
Competition
Renewable energy and infrastructure
Furniture Design
Kalki Swing and
Eggy Coffee table
James B. Williams Park District
Competition
Oakland, CA
Digital Design
Graphic Design
Urban Design
UG Studio Project
Community Housing
Mixed medium Art
Photography and Painting
New Bern, North Carolina
Comprehensive Design | Public Architecture
The main challenge was to create a link between the Library and its surroundings by working with the open public spaces and to increase the synergies between the building and its urban context.
The new building presents itself as an extension of the urban public space while creating an autonomous interior landscape of its own. The transparent skin adopts the curved shape which develops on the different levels protecting and wrapping the open space of the building.
The circulation is collected and guided by the public plaza that extends through the building’s main entrance. From the main entrance, circulation is continuous, following half-open, undulating corridors. The classroom areas and the study area are distributed along a continuous band accompanying the open corridors and dispose of mobile dividing walls that allow for creating classrooms of different sizes or even opening up the whole floor, depending on the needs. Adding to this flexibility in use are multiple spaces like the patio gardens and open ramps, the covered galleries, and the roof terrace, conceived as open exhibitions and places for social exchange.
METAL CLADING
WOOD BLOCKING
TEMPERED GLASS
METAL POINT GLAZING
HANGING ROD
SUPPORT ROD CANT
INTERIOR GLASS
SEALING
SUPPORTER
TEMPERED GLASS
SHATTER PROOF FILM
HANGING ROD
> Buddhist Sanctuary | Academic 2019
Kanchipuram
Undergraduate Thesis | Public Architecture
The study aims to determine the existing relationship between architecture and the BUDDHIST tradition
This work is a study of both the transmission of a heritage (tangible and intangible) and a continuous process of its transformation. Thus, the building is presented as a synthesis of the historical and traditional relations, manifesting as the witness and the result of a process largely determined by the nature of the Buddhist practice. Regarding this, we will deal with a conception of space linked to the tradition and life of its inhabitants as well as the historical and geographical characteristics of the place.
To provide a healing centre > > >
To develop a clear understanding of Buddhist monastic architecture, its symbolic meanings and architectural characteristics.
To Commemorate Kanchipuram Monastery
Symmetricity is observed throughout all the Buddhist structure and master plan. Axis Mundi is an important element of Buddhist architecture
The for is portrayed in symmetrical composition with a dominant focal point and richly decorated facade with an interplay of color, texture, and materials.
The campus separates the secular from the profane, with symbols of sacred elements like Mantra signs, energy wheel, and Toranas .
A free-standing non-structural element which creates focus and spreads aura.
The door represents a passage between two realms, often considered as an entry into heaven
two realms in a sacred context.
The main purpose of a plaza is to foster ingathering large numbers of people. Such exterior gathering spaces are unencumbered by traffic.
The measured exposure of layers, one moves towards an inner center, not only creates anticipation, but it also develops a mysterious sense of the unknown.
The entry is planned in such a way that one could witness the stupendous pillar thus awakening a sense that one has entered the holy site. Such transitions are essential for spiritual experience.
The statue hall has an open auditorium to its left where visitors are given an introduction about the premises and visitors start exploring from the statue hall where archeological findings are displayed.
The Retreat center focuses on aiding the students with the library, Meditation hall, and dining hall. the building is semi-open with a covered roof and jalli walls to fill the place with sunlight and wind.
The accommodation units are simple structures with a pyramid roof which has proven to create healing energy and also helps in maintaining the indoor temperature as the solar energy is not concentrated on one side.
The workshops are where students are engaged in activities and classes. The space is simple and open allowing many dynamics to the user experience.
The School where the students who are in the process of becoming a monks are trained. The classrooms are connected through a single corridor that passes through the structure and also acts as a gallery for the students to spend time outdoor learning.
10. The gallery
The gallery is a place for meditating and monk group prayers facing the dome. the pond reflects the dome structure and from the gallery, it appears as a whole circle.
9. The column
Acts as Structural support and also as a meditation pavilion.
8. The ramp to access the gallery
7 The cloister
Circulatory pathway is designed for both meditation and the sacred walk around the holy dome.
1. Axis mundi
The centre axis of the meditation space.
2. The dome
Stupa like Dome to emphasize the architectural identity of Buddhist structures.
3. The brick curtain
The opening is the only source of light for the meditation gallery. the opening is walled with stones carved with lines from the teachings of the buddha.
4. The Ramp
The endless pathway to experience the curtain stone wall up close, ramping around the tunnel of light.
5. The pillars
The pillars are oriented in such a way that it creates a threshold to the light source.
6. The underground meditation hall
The light on the axis is reflected but the water sheet at the center of the meditation hall, the light reflection covers the space which makes the space dynamic as the reflected light is synchronized with the water movement
1. Statue Hall Corridor
2. Statue Hall Exterior
3. Statue Hall Interior
4. Retreat Centre
5. School Axis Corridor
6. Meditation Pavilion
7. Student Residence
8. Entry Hall
9. Monks Temple
> MEET Cultural centre| Competition 2016
New Delhi
Team work| Cultural Architecture
Team : Sherin , Pradeepa.
Contribution : Concept , Working drawing , 3D.
People - Pace – Place
Performer
The artiste and his/her expression are key to any art form and even more so for the performing art forms. Whether it is dance, music, oration, drama etc., the presence of the artist and his/ her motion and emotion makes a world of a difference.
Behind the scenes
Behind that performer and performance are a number of people – the teacher who nourishes the artiste and his/her expression prior to the performance; and at the performance itself- director, choreographer, script writer, the crew that puts together make-up, costumes, lights, sound system etc..
Audience
All the people who are present to witness the performance and internalize the spectacle are an integral part of the performing art itself.
Circular articulation connecting all the structure and linear wall divides the temporary stall ground from the rest of the interaction space to control the flow of visitors and the vehicular and pedestrian space.
The theatre structure resembles the demolished memorable Pragathi exhibition hall except that the structure is an inverted truncated square pyramid and the structure is connected also by the ring bridge in addition to the ground level
The studio for art students is allocated on the horizontal building supported by the truncated pyramid and gallery building in such a way that artists have a sense of privacy and at the same time, they are watched by the visitors from the
The Royal Opera house is embodied in a and the other floors are connected to the gallery
The Building is organized in a way that anticipates a journey of 6 stages which are predominately defined by the visitor’s experience. Upon arrival, visitors will enter an arcade system with open public space before entering the main cultural hub. The Theatre, class, and gallery space have two main means of vertical circulation and circular journey for efficiency.
Universal Application
Sustainable Architecture
Team : Sherin, Meera , Pradeepa.
Contribution : Research , Concept , Working Drawing , 3D.
The potential energy that could be harvested from tidal movements on a global scale is enormous. It is estimated that around 1 terawatt of exploitable power is stored in the world’s oceans. This would be enough to power 10 billion 100-watt lightbulbs at once. Though it’s challenging to tame tidal power, we came up with a plausible solution, and that can be utilized as public infrastructure. This project is also a solution for coastal erosion which might save us from problems due to rising sea levels.
Sprockets and chains are also used for power transmission from one shaft to another, sprocket chains being used instead of belts or ropes and sprocket-wheels instead of pulleys. They can be run at high speed and some forms of the chain are so constructed as to be noiseless even at high speed. The wave motion is converted to linear motion and then to circular motion which is converted into electricity by the dynamo.
> Cauvery Hotel | Professional 2018
Pondicherry | Firm : OVOID
Team : Neil , Shreesh , Pradeepa| Hospitality ArchitectureContribution : Working drawing , 3D
The internal form is generated largely through looking at the negative spaces and cutting away cubes from cubes resulting in floor plans that are splitting into halves through a focused corridor.While the building focuses more on the internalized programs, the building references Holistic architecture where the floors are connected through sight creating a relationship between tangible and intangible aspects of the space.
The design very much vertical and linear. We strive to promote a fluid network by opening up each floor through diagonal angle . Focusing on shared space the ‘ opening ’pulls the user from the entrace to the terrace level and emerges into a collective ‘Threshold ’ space.
Development sketches exploring space offset for internalized connectivity.
> Urban design Studio | Academic 2018
Kumbakonam
Undergraduate Studio| Public Architecture
Team : Surya, Abi, Visali , Pradeepa. ( Field work )
Contribution : Field study , Documentation , Induvidual Proposal
Kumbakonam is a city and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur District. It is located 40 km from Thanjavur and 273 Km from Chennai. Kumbakonam is known as a “temple city” due to the prevalence of a number of temples here and is noted for its Mhamaham festival which attracts millions of devotees. It is one of the economic hubs of Tamil Nadu. Kumbakonam was chosen and the activity pattern was studied by analyzing how people’s activities are encouraged or affected through minor elements which are mapped and observed, with evidence. Analyzing this relationship will add insight into and complement the application of urban design theories and practice which could lead to further improvement of spaces in the study site.
Modules system is best suited for mass production, as units can be prefabricated and comprise of small compact modules and can be arranged in any order to achieve an efficiency of the space
Unsupervised space creates problems in social infrastructure thus creating unease to the residents. So no negatives space are created in the design.
Small business can be catalysts for economic growth in cities. By investing in cluster-based small business initiatives, we may be able to spark a new wave of business growth that creates jobs in cities.
Isometric view of the context
Project Architect | Industrial And Infrastructure Contribution : Concept , Working drawing , 3D and site work.
The project tries to create a reminiscing past, to recreate an old warehouse, which accommodates the workshop and retail showroom. The partially accessible and complete french element as the podium of the building houses the showroom and office space. The structure not only stand out of the context but also act as a good landmark surrounded by coconut groves .the metal structure with wood walls create their own identity.
> Furniture Design | Professional 2020
Pondicherry | Firm : WOOD N DESIGN
Contribution : Design | Carpentry works
Contribution: Design and Weaving
North Carolina
Graduate Studio|Public intrest Design | Design Toolkit Induvidual Proposal
Farmworkers are under represented in the American society, they are the invisible people who put food on our plates, yet forgotten and looked down upon. Housing and food insecurity activity leads to oppression and vulnerable conditions of the farmworkers. Farmworker should be supported with access to resources and have a say on their future for a better tomorrow.
“The project ensure farmworker communities have access to opportunity and advocate to secure their rights and justice that they deserve.”
Contour based site plan that maximizes views, minimizes grading that ensures that the site’s unique character is preserved and enhanced.
The Community center is developed around a void in-order to fill the horizon with new forms that, in turn, generate a new empty space.
Two forces infinitely opposed and incompatible which can be observed on opposite sides of each layer that, interlocked, assemble the BUILDING.
These opposing forces intertwine to achieve integrity and balance.
> James B. Williams Park District
Graduate Studio|City Design | ULI competition Team Proposal
Nimitz Freeway, which runns along the site was built in the 1980s as part of the urban renewal program, which displaced thousands of residents and businesses and further entrenched patterns of segregation and disinvestment. The Project reimagine the exisiting condition by removing the highway which creates new opportunities for development and reconnect the street to surrounding neighborhoods, improving mobility and accessibility.
Developer options
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