portfolio Prakriti Srimal
PRAKRITI SRIMAL
urban designer | architect | computational designer
Architecture to me is all about people and enriching their experiences in a given space. From my nascent years in architecture, urban designing and its principles have always appealed to me. Inherently I have tried to analyse the effect of my design proposalsv during college at a macro level. Urban designing to me is designing a place for all kinds of people from different walks of life vand to satiate the needs of a city at present and in the future. I am Prakriti Srimal, a postgraduate, seeking professional position to utilize my abilities and skills to interact with people and to gain experience and understanding of the architectural world. I am particularly interested in the field of sustainable and modern design methodologvies. Mob No - +91 9611112751 Email - prakritisrimal@gmail.com Address - #454/12, Jyotsna Apt, 3rd cross Wilson Garden, Bangalore - 560027 LinkedIn - Prakriti Srimal
EDUCATION:
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Bartlett School of Architecture:
Kembhavi Architecture Foundation
Masters in Urban Designing (MArch, 2021-2022) University College London, London Award received: Distinction
Worked on apartment complexes and airports Site Coordination, Services coordination, Preparation of: working drawings, good for construction drawings, area statements, Scheduling and assigning work to juniors and team building and development
BMS College of Architecture: Bachelors in Architecture (BArch, 2016-2021) Bangalore, Karnataka, India Overall CGPA: 8.9/10
Billimoria Architecture
MahaVastu:
Pre-University (Specialisation in Science, 2014-2016) Bangalore, Karnataka, India Overall Percentage Secured: 95
Baldwin Girls High School: School (2002-2014) Bangalore, Karnataka, India Overall Percentage Secured: 94
(Bangalore) 2021 : Intern (January - July) Worked on residential interiors and architecture Designed interiors and managed client relations
Vastushastra Specialisation Course (2019) Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Christ Junior College:
(Bangalore) 2023 : Junior Architect (March - Present)
Pragrup Architecture and Urbanism
(Bangalore) 2020 : Intern (June - November) Worked on high end residential projects. Designed and drafted working drawings for Residential Projects
Mysore Lights and Interiors Pvt Ltd
(Bangalore) 2019 : Intern (June - July) Worked on as built drawings Conducted site measurements and drafted autocadd details.
EXTRA CURRICULARS Student Representative
University College of Architecture, London
ACHIEVEMENTS: Inspirelli Awards MAB23, University of Toronto, Canada
IsoChronic City (project at the Bartlett School of Architecture) won the student award for equitable and sustainable media architecture in June 2023.
World Architecture Student Association (WASA), Kenkomi, Japan
IsoChronic City (project at the Bartlett School of Architecture) won the gold medal at World Architecture Student Association World League Series (WASA-WLS) in November 2022.
SOFTWARE SKILLS: Autocadd Sketchup 3D Rhinoceros with Grasshopper Revit Python Scripting QGIS DepthMap X Unity 3D with C# scripting Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign Enscape Unreal Engine - TwinMotion Lumion MS Office
STRENGTHS: Hard-worker Quick and Avid Learner Communication Team Player Creativity Detail Oriented Self Motivated
DESIGN SKILLS: Conceptual and diagramatic graphics + Sketches Logical thinking Balancing aesthetics and structural Design through live datasets
01
ISOCHRONIC CITY Masters Project Post-Pandemic City
02
UNABANDONING THE ABANDONED
Undergraduate Project (8th Semester) Thesis Project
03
NEXUS
Undergraduate Project (7th Semester) Urban Designing Project
04
THE PUBLIC PLACE
Undergraduate Project (7th Semester) Urban Designing Minor Project
05
HOUSING SCHEME
Freelance Project Residential Layout Planning
06
INTERNSHIP WORKS
Undergraduate (9th & 10th Semester) Architecture and Interior Design Projects
01 ISOCHRONIC CITY Project Year - January - September 2022 Level - Masters Machine Thinking Urbanism Group Project (4 members) Key responsibilities: Data Collection, Data Visualisation, Renders, Presentation and Design. IsoChronic City is an urban response to the recent predicament of what the process of reurbanization in cities will entail in the post-pandemic era. Urban metropolitan areas have been deeply affected on various levels during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Cities experience a spiking increment in the usage of green spaces and reduction of retail and commercial footfall along with people moving back to the suburbs increasing the importance of close proximity of amenities. ‘IsoChronic City’ is a project based on the 15-minute neighbourhood concept which is derived from historical ideas about proximity and walkability. The definition of a 15-minute city can be subjective due to the diversity of people’s needs and the way these needs change during a person’s lifetime. The lives of the ‘Commuter group’ more specifically the age group of 25 to 30 year old have been majorly impacted by the pandemic with their hectic lifestyle taking a backseat and being replaced by work from home culture and increased outdoor activities. The project aims to increase the reach of a 15-minute city and bring amenities closer to the residents. This is accomplished through utilising datasets interpreted by machine learning algorithms like principal component analysis, K-Means clustering and convolutional Neural networks along with spatial computational methods to create an IsoChronic Generative Loop. The proposal consists of restructuring existing network centrality, fabricating responsive public spaces using topo-geometrical interventions and transforming unused open areas into interactive spaces with required amenities. The design alters the physical aspects and spatial characteristics to achieve a sustainable, inclusive and accessible city which repeats itselfat regular intervals.
Factors proving Urban Decay Studying effect and affect of various factors on Unrbanization throughout the years
Formation of Spatial Signatures Breaking down London into zones on the basis of several parameters
Dividing the city into 3 zones with high population concentration in the core which gradually reduces till the outskirts.
Further division in the core, mostly commercial/ mixed use with few residential areas, surrounded by the suburbs and bordered by the green belt.
Branching on the basis of accessibility to amenities and transport form the signatures which characterise spaces based on form and function
Factors proving Urban Decay Selecting the dense urban neighbourhood signature for further study as it is predominantly residential in nature with direct access to jobs and services and close to the urban core of London.
Impact of Pandemic
Activity usage % during Covid 19 Source: Covid 19 Mobility Report- GLA, London Datastore
Since December 2019, the world has been battling Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the SARSCoV-2 virus which has led to a death toll of 24.3 million (as of April 2022).
During the Covid-19 outbreak several of London residents lost their jobs or were restricted to work from home. The pandemic prompted an exodus to the outskirts as people working from home became eager for bigger living and garden spaces.
During the pandemic, workplace attendance dropped 70 percent lower than normal, while trips to shops, restaurants and museums decreased by 80 percent. The tube, rail and bus usage went down around 80 per cent. The trips to grocery stores and pharmacies had also fallen below their normal level.Now the pandemic poses fundamental challenges to the economy, quality of life and sustainability.
Many companies introduced a hybrid model that combines days in the office with time spent working at home. The pandemic sparked a suburban revival and dispersal of activity across London, as well as its wider commuter belt, as people split their week in half between working from home and going to central employment and leisure hubs. Remote working and digital technology also changed the usage of transport and services triggering environmental benefits.
15 Minute City Concept The concept of a 15 minute city is derived from historical ideas about proximity and walkability. The climate crisis and global COVID-19 pandemic combined to accelerate consideration and implementation of the 15-minute city.
The 15-minute city, with its emphasis on walkability and accessibility, has been put forward as a way to better serve groups of people that have historically been left out of planning, such as women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
Carlos Moreno first proposed the 15-minute city in 2016, a polycentric city, where density is made pleasant, one’s proximity is vibrant, and social intensity (a large number of productive, intricately linked social ties) is real. Others have proposed similar but varying models within the field of “chrono-urbanism”.
Social infrastructure is also emphasized in order to maximize urban functions such as schools, parks, and complementary activities for residents. There’s also a large focus on access to green space, which may promote positive environmental impacts and encourage sustainability.
Grading the City Defining what exactly it means to be a 15-minute city can be a bit complicated because of the diversity of needs people have and the ways in which those needs can change during a person’s lifetime.
Commercial Spaces Restaurants Cultural Spaces Religious Spaces 0
2
4km
However, a grading system is devised which tries to evaluate the city based on the basic needs and characteristics of the area. This system is applied on a focus area around the Highstreets of London in the Dense Urban Neighbourhood Spatial Layer.
Process of Grading Using the data, the areas are each assigned point scores of 1 to 10 (10 being the best) in three categories, access to amenities, spatial qualities and commutability.
Green Spaces
Amenities in 2km Radius
The amenities and services are scored based on their number and distance from the Highstreets. These area scores are then compiled together into a final score. The areas identified are the site of interest.
Educational Facilities Medical Facilities
Amenities in 3km Radius
Bank and Gov. Office Fire Station Bus Stop Taxi Station
Commutability in 1.5km Radius
Gas Station Police Station Post Office
Services in 5km Radius
Result of Grading The results revealed six highstreets within the dense urban neighbourhoods with low access to amenities and transport and poor spatial qualities.
22% Access to Amenities 09% Spatial Qualities 04% Commutibility
31% Access to Amenities 05% Spatial Qualities 05% Commutibility
Site 2
Site 1
33% Access to Amenities 07% Spatial Qualities 05% Commutibility
29% Access to Amenities 09% Spatial Qualities 04% Commutibility
Site 4
Site 3
24% Access to Amenities 12% Spatial Qualities 06% Commutibility
Site 5
30% Access to Amenities 06% Spatial Qualities 06% Commutibility
Site 6
Site 3
Site 4
Site 2
Site 1
Site 6
Site 5
Low
0
High
1.5
3km
Data Collection The stack of datasets sourced from government databases and other sources are arranged into three categories. Demographic Data, Spatial Quality Data and Commutability Data. The data analysis is used to feed the design of an Isochronic model.
Principal Component Analysis and K- Means Observing and analysing the correlated features into a set of linearly uncorrelated features with the help of orthogonal transformation in a statistical manner using Principal Component Analysis
Algorithmic Simulations - Cellular Automata The design strategy focuses on exploration of different spatial sequences that will help identify the areas for intervention on a micro scale and develop a design proposal while keeping in consideration the spatial qualities of the site. Cellular Automata also known as Game of Life is a basic tool to this exploration which highlights the intensified area based on certain predefined factors.
Evolutionary Algorithm The procedure uses evolutionary methods to find optimized solutions for problems. The mechanisms is based on Darwinian evolution and is inspired by biological evolution, such as reproduction, mutation, recombination, and selection. The algorithm is used to locate buildings that have low accessibility to amenities as compared to others within a 15 minute walking distance.
Design Proposal
Elevated Walkway The segments are designed on junctions with high pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The outline is obtained by iterating through forms to achieve maximum coverage, smallest shadow cast and highest visual connectivity from surroundings.
Locating the selected outline on junction
Transforming the scale of a 2m x 2m grid to achieve the following Minimum Footprint High Extrusion Disparity Maximum Height Difference
Iterating through forms to transform cubes and accomplish set objectives High Visibility Maximum Shadow Maximum Volume
Connecting the centres of each cube to form a interconnecting network
Find the shortest path between junctions
Pedestrian Segments Void Segments are carved out between residential neighbourhoods to encourage spaces for social interaction while altering the network centrality by reducing angular steps.
Mobile Segments The mobile segments are movable and temporary in nature and are located in areas with poor connectivity and accessibility to amenities.
For more information about the projects, scan the QR codes for the portfolio and video respectively.
02 UNABANDONING THE ABANDONED Project Year - January - May 2020 Level: Bachelors 8th semester Architectural Thesis Vrindavan is known as the city of temples, but it has a less loving side and is also known as ‘the city of widows’. Inspite of the advancement of the Indian Society in all aspects, widows still continue to move here after facing abandonment from their families to devote their lives to Lord Krishna. The influx numbers have not seen a decline ever since, but the accomodation facilities have. Therefore, a housing facility with skill development was proposed to improve the living conditions of the widows. With the goal of sustainability in all aspects, the project consists of a housing facility for 260 women, 4 skill development centres, a bhajan ashram, workshop areas, market areas, multipurpose hall , cafe and guest rooms for revenue generation.
Why do widows move to Vrindavan?
Location of Uttar Pradesh in India
Location of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh
In 1515, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a Bengali and a Hindu scholar came to Vrindavan and established a society for the widows to live and worship the lord without any disturbances. He, opened an Ashram for them and brought many widows there to provide a better environment than the outer world. Since that day, Vrindavan has became the only abode for the widows.
Research Data It is seen that most of the widows arrive to Vrindavan and stay at rented places which are also Ashrams but are not Government or NGO aided. 83% of them are above the age of 50 and are usually between 50-60 and 80-90 years of age. Most of them are illiterate and do not receive the funds aided by the Government. Hence, more number of government aided ashrams are required so that the widows receive the assigned pension. Along with receiving pension, it is also required for them to have certain skill development and income generating activities for them to carry out their daily activities without having to beg and to also achieve cremation rights.
Vrindavan
User Group Analysis
Site Selection Criteria
Site Justification
Widows Movement around Site highlighting existing Ashram, temples, hospitals and retail stores
Visitors Movement around Site highlighting locations of temples and hotels
Location of Markets
Concept: To create a Safe and Experiential environment
Zoning and Site Development
Site and Access Points: The entry of Visitors is kept separate from the entry of the women
Zoning (Macro Level): Division of the spaces into private, semi public and public.
Zoning (Micro Level): Division of spaces into visitors centre, skill development centre, bhajan ashram and residential.
Typology of Open Spaces: The open spaces consist of aviary, kitchen garden, courtyards, flower garden and water bodies.
Circulation of User Group
Form Development: Hierarchy of spaces shown through the rood form and material.
Sustainable Material Pallate
The Journey
View of the Residential Units
View of the BhajanAshram
View of the Floral Garden
View of the Skill Development Centre View of the Market
03 NEXUS Project Year - September - January 2019 Level - Bachelors 7th Semester Architecture and Urban Design Jayanagar is a predominantly residential area with high streets located in the heart of South Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It is one of the oldest planned neighbourhoods. Due to the increasing population in the area, an urban intervention seemed necessary. Thus, the area was selected as site of interest. Documentation of the area was done as a group of 40, where the area of Jayanagar 4th block was again divided into 8 groups of 5 each. Proposal: A Performing Arts Theatre is proposed in Jayanagar 4th block as it lacks a creative and cultural hub. Being located amidst the residences of Jayanagar and at the side of the sport complex, the site seemed perfect with an existing swimming pool and a temple at its corner. The proposal consits of a 500 seater capacity theatre along with a library, cafe and workshop areas to boost the local economy and benefit the residents. In addition, the mass of the theatre is broken down with stepped roof in response to the surrounding low lying buildings.
Green Cover
Built Fabric
Connectivity
Jayanagar 4th block is a predominently green area. The site of P M Swimming Pool centre is surrounded by a park on the north and community centres on the North East.
Jayanagar is a densely populated area except for the area around the site which has Kitturu Rani Chennamma Park and Stadium.
The bus routes are restricted to Primary and Secondary roads. The site is surrounded by a secondary and a tertiary road.
Form Development:
Step 1: Breaking the mass to create terraces
Step 2: Lowering the Amphitheatre roof in response to the large open spaces
Step 3: Final Design
v
04 THE PUBLIC PLACE Project Year - September 2019 Semseter - 7 Architecture and Urban Design
Urban Plaza was given as a time problem of 3 hours. The plaza had to be designed in front of one of the oldest shopping complexes of Bangalore, The BDA Complex. Public Seating along with provision for hawkers and street stalls and information panels about Jayanagar. Monkey Bars are also provided for the children of the residences across the street.
05 HOUSING SCHEME Project Year - July 2021 Project Type - Proposal for Karnataka Housing Board Architecture and Urban Design
Density Layout
The housing board of Mandya set out an open call for entries regarding a housing scheme for the high income group, low income group and medium income group. A proposal is set out to have equal rights of open spaces for all, a walkwable neighbourhood along with growth potential along the highway. The proposal retains existing site properties like trees, lake and terrain.
Road Sections
9m road
Storm Water Drainage Layout
12m road
18m road
06 INTERNSHIP WORKS Internship Duration - June to November 2020 and January to June 2022 Level - Bachelors 9th and 10th Semester Architecture and Urban Design Key Resposibilities: Drafting, 3D modelling, Construction Detail Drawings, Rendering, Design Solutions, Client meetings, Site Coordination, Preparation of Bill of Quantities for both civil and interior works.
Plan of a Residential Unit
Sections
Detail Drawings
Interior Views