Portfolio 2022

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 proAposals during college at a macro level. Urban designing to me is designing a place for all kinds of people from different walks of life and 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 methodologies.

Tel No - +44 7436949430

Email - prakritisrimal@gmail.com

LinkedIn - Prakriti Srimal

EDUCATION:

Bartlett School of Architecture

BMS College of Architecture

MahaVastu

Christ Junior College

Baldwin Girls High School

Masters in Urban Designing (MArch, 2021-2022) University College London, London

Bachelors in Architecture (BArch, 2016-2021) Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Overall CGPA: 8.9/10

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Billimoria Architecture

Pragrup Architecture and Urbanism

Mysore Lights and Interiors Pvt Ltd

DESIGN SKILLS:

Logical thinking

Pre-University (Specialisation in Science, 2014-2016) Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Overall Percentage Secured: 95

School (2002-2014) Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Overall Percentage Secured: 94

(Bangalore) 2021 : Intern (January - July) Designed interiors and managed client relations

(Bangalore) 2020 : Intern (June - November) Designed and drafted working drawings for Residential Projects

Vastushastra Specialisation Course (2019) Bangalore, Karnataka, India (Bangalore) 2019 : Intern (June - July)

Conducted site measurements and drafted autocadd details.

Conceptual and diagramatic graphics + Sketches

Design through live datasets Autocadd Sketchup 3D Rhinoceros with Grasshopper Revit

SOFTWARE SKILLS:

Python Scripting

QGIS DepthMap X Unity 3D with C# scripting

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Enscape

Unreal Engine - TwinMotion

Lumion MS Office Hard-worker Quick and Avid Learner

STRENGTHS:

Communication

Team Player

Creativity

Detail Oriented

Self Motivated

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 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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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 Services in 5km RadiusCommutability in 1.5km Radius

Bus Stop Taxi Station

Amenities in 2km Radius Amenities in 3km Radius

Green Spaces

and Gov. Office Fire Station Gas Station Police Station Post Office

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.

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.

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?

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.

Location of Uttar Pradesh in India

Location of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh

Vrindavan

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.

Circulation of User Group

Sustainable Material Pallate

Typology of Open Spaces: The open spaces consist of aviary, kitchen garden, courtyards, flower garden and water bodies.

Form Development: Hierarchy of spaces shown through the rood form and material.

The Journey

View of the Residential Units

View of the Floral Garden

View of the Market

View of the Skill Development Centre

View of the BhajanAshram

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

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.

Built Fabric

Jayanagar is a densely populated area except for the area around the site which has Kitturu Rani Chennamma Park and Stadium.

Connectivity

The bus routes are restricted to Primary and Secondary roads. The site is surrounded by a secondary and a tertiary road.

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

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.

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.

Storm Water Drainage Layout

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.

Interior Views