Portfolio by Prayash Giria

PORTFOLIO PRAYASH GIRIA / 2013

I Statement 03 II Résumé 05 III Professional

IV Academic 11 V

Competitions

CONTENTS

VI Graphic 29 VII Photography 33

The work showcased in this document is original and completely mine, developed alone or in collaboration with colleagues, except wherever expressly mentioned. Through the pages of this portfolio, I attempt to showcase my amassed skill and the possible promise that lies therein. In this document, I try to illustrate the three ideals I hold closest to my heart - consistency in the level of work and the sincerity it requires; proactivity in approaching tasks at hand and opportunities that arise; and diversity in the academic and career path I follow, to ensure I have a semblance of holistic knowledge and rationale. Moreover, I firmly believe that with my limited experience does not entitle me to make any grand statements. This portfolio aims to show that in essence, I am still a seeker, looking for intellectual development that shall enable me to make informed decisions and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;grand statementsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I hope this portfolio finds your interest, and provides ample justification for the claims I make about my work and its accompanying ethic. Please feel free to send feedback and constructive advice that would allow me to develop as an individual. Thank you for your time and consideration.

STATEMENT

Prayash Giria

Prayash Giria | Born 21.05.1989 D-962, New Friends Colony, New Delhi - 110065, India | +91 - 99530 - 29212 prayashgiria@gmail.com | typefarce.wordpress.com PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE November 2012 - Present Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Architect, Delhi Chapter June 2012 - October 2012 vir.mueller architects, New Delhi Junior Architect February 2011 - July 2011 HCP Design & Project Management Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad Trainee May 2010 - July 2010 Jacques Ferrier Architectures, Paris Summer Trainee June 2009 - July 2009 Space Matters, New Delhi Summer Trainee ACADEMIC RECORD August 2007 - May 2012 School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi Completed 5 Year B. Arch. Degree with Ist Class April 1994 - April 2007 Don Bosco School, New Delhi AISCE 2005 (Grade X) - 89% AISSCE 2007 (Grade XII) - 87% SKILLS Languages Proficient in English & Hindi Softwares Autodesk AutoCAD Skilled in both 2D & 3D components Autodesk Revit 2012/13 Skilled Rhino Intermediate Sketchup 7 Intermediate Adobe InDesign Skilled Adobe Photoshop Skilled Microsoft Office Skilled

January 2013 Archumen, India’s Largest Quiz on Architecture Winner - India vs. Pakistan Special Edition December 2012 India Is Global Photography Challenge 2nd Place, organized by the Indian External Affairs Ministry January 2011 Archumen, India’s Largest Quiz on Architecture National Champion - 2010 - 2011 January 2010 ‘Bonjour India’ Architectural Design Competition Winner of a sponsored Summer Internship in France Organized by the French Embassy in India January 2010 Archumen, India’s Largest Quiz on Architecture Runner’s Up at the National Finals - 2009 - 2010 October 2009 ‘Humanizing Development’ Global Photography Campaign Among 50 Winners Organized by the UNDP - IPC, Brasilia February 2007 Best Bosconian Selected as the Best Student of the Outgoing Batch, 2007 At Don Bosco School, New Delhi April 2005 CBSE National Certificate of Merit For performance in the English Examination, AISCE 2005 INTERESTS Photography, Writing, Travel, Quizzing

RÉSUMÉ

ACHIEVEMENTS

Samples from varied work experiences. PROFESSIONAL RECORD November 2012 - Present Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage, New Delhi Employed as an Architect - Heritage Mapping of Old Delhi for World Heritage Nomination

February 2011 - July 2011 HCP Design & Project Management Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad Semester - long Academic Internship - Panchamrut Bhavan, Gandhinagar - Informal Market, Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad May 2010 - July 2010 Jacques Ferrier Architectures, Paris Summer Internship Awarded & sponsored by the French Embassy in India - Prisons de Lyon Redevelopment, Lyon June 2009 - July 2009 Space Matters, New Delhi Summer Internship - Research & Documentation for bhopalmemorial.in

PROFESSIONAL

June 2012 - October 2012 vir.mueller architects, New Delhi Employed as a Junior Architect - Overseeing Office PR Mechanisms - Gap India Corporate Office - Matra Ashraya - Residence in the Himalayas - Vasant Vihar Residence, New Delhi - NCAER Campus, New Delhi

FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT INTACH NOVEMBER 2012 ONWARDS The current work profile is set in the Delhi Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, a regional leader in its field, lauded by agencies like UNESCO and the Aga Khan Trust. The selection of project revolves around Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nomination as a World Heritage Site. The mapping project in particular is an immense documentation exercise of the Mughal era walled city of Delhi, that will eventually be a publication that is part of municipal records as well as the nomination dossier to be sent to UNESCO.

MAPPING OLD DELHI

FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT VIR.MUELLER ARCHITECTS JUNE - OCTOBER, 2012 A brief post-academic stint with vir. mueller architects allowed intensive, hands-on experiences with a variety of project typologies, apart from an initiation into handling firm PR exercises. The Dancing Brick is a euphemism for a self designed brick screen for an under-construction residence in Delhi. The spur for the exercise is to utilised leftover brick on site to create a lacelike sun screen for the main facade. The design works without the need for cutting any brick, creating a self supporting structure.

DANCING BRICK

ACADEMIC TRAINING HCPDPM PVT. LTD. FEBRUARY - JULY, 2011 The semester long academic internship presented the opportunity to work with HCPDPM, an Ahmedabad based conglomerate with a slew of exceptional modernist works to their credit. The Informal Market, part of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Program for Ahmedabad, is a reconfiguration of a weekly flea market into an enlarged, open-air vendorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market, stretching for 2 kms along the old city wall. The various components included traffic management, streetscaping, conservation and stakeholder interaction.

INFORMAL MARKET

SUMMER TRAINING JACQUES FERRIER ARCHITECTURES MAY - JULY, 2010 The opportunity to work with the Paris based atelier was provided by the French Embassy in India for winning their student design competition. Work on this project, the entry for an invited competition, focused on proposing a regenerative design for the now defunct Lyon prison. Area components included residential, hospitality, recreational and commercial facilities, apart from aspects of heritage conservation of the more historic wings of the prison.

PRISONS DE LYON

Samples from academic projects completed during the five years of Architectural Study at the School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi.

Year V 2011 - 2012

Urban Design for Delhi Aerocity Research Paper & Seminar - ‘Animate Form’ Elective - ‘Sacred Space & Secular Place’ Design Thesis - Jain Temple, New Delhi

Year IV 2010-2011

Design for High Density Housing, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh Elective - Business Entrepreneurship Dissertation - ‘Between the Built’

Year III 2009-2010

Design for a multistorey Office Building Urban Settlement Study - Bikaner, Rajasthan Design for Johri Bazaar, Bikaner

Year II 2008-2009

Design for a Meditation Space, Hauz Khas Lake, Delhi Design for a High-End Residence, Gurgaon Rural Settlement Study - Rural Kutch, Gujarat Design for Kutch Arts & Crafts Centre, Gujarat

Year I 2007-2008

Spatial Composition - Introspection Point Documentation of Achyutaraya Temple, Hampi Design for a Youth Hostel, Hampi

ACADEMIC

ACADEMIC PROJECTS

DESIGN THESIS YEAR V / SEMESTER X The penultimate academic exercise, the design thesis, is an intensive proposal exploring contemporary Jain architecture. The same currently suffers from endemic problems like pastiche, inaccessibility and non-sustainability. The thesis emphasizes on Jainismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pacifist and metaphorical attributes, and tries to create a new praxis for its architecture by focusing extensively on a passive sustainability and contextual sensitivity. The resultant design is placed on a brownfield site in a congested urban setting, working to create a sustainable religious outreach centre.

JAIN MANDIR

URBAN DESIGN YEAR V / SEMESTER IX In a dedicated urban design studio, the focus lay on the development of 55 acres and 900,000 sq. m. of commercial and hospitality facilities near the Delhi Airport. The design emphasizes on clarity, by creating a simple zoning system based on a cardinal structural grid. This allows for easier servicing and access, and minimal road requirement. Built volumes are clustered around interconnected open spaces, while structural rigidity is dissolved using fluid volumetries. A sense of place is thus created by diverting attention to a resultant festive court.

DELHI AEROCITY

Jeffrey Kipnis, noted architectural critic, explored the future of architecture in his essay titled ‘Towards a New Architecture’. Therein, Kipnis tried to explore the direction in which architectural design should proceed, and goes on to make a manifesto of sorts, complete with his criteria of defining characteristics for the ‘new architecture’: Vast – by finding a middle ground between the unlimited space (homogenous) that is the modernist ideal, and hierachial, articulated spaces. However, the space must remain democratic, and an emphasis on residual spaces hence becomes necessary. Blank – by avoiding any formal or figurative aesthetic element, ornament or gesture. Pointing – that architecture must ‘point’ towards new social orders, new typologies, a new philosophy. It should not be confused with selfsignificance or political point-making. Incongruous – at once maintaining and suppressing the given architectural resources. Intensively Coherent – by stressing on the inherent properties of individual ‘monolithic arrangements’ to create unique relationships in architecture, contradictory or harmonious or in between. A fair amount of interpolation is required to analyze the above statements, but dynamism seems to easily meet all the criteria. Vastness is justified in dynamism’s intent of making spaces flexible and adaptive – at once undefined yet easily articulate. Blankness is achieved by dynamism’s inherent quality of change and a shifting visual perception, making it difficult to assign it one particular formal aesthetic. Dynamism is easily ‘pointing’, leading to a whole new school of thought in its base ideals. Incongruousness is met by the fact that dynamic architecture jogs the usage of its architectural resources – the Wyly theatre is a simple example. Lastly, the quality of Intensive Coherence is easily achieved as the shifting attributes of a dynamic form open up a whole new range of interspatial relationships. Effectively, dynamic architecture is a strong contender for being the ‘new architecture’ that Kipnis passionately writes about.

SEMINAR & RESEARCH PAPER YEAR IV / SEMESTER VIII ‘Animate Form’ refers to the phenomenon of dynamic architecture, of the mechanical kind. Walking a tight rope between hype and hope, the paper looks at dynamism as a possible future for architecture. Beyond obvious techno-economic promise, dynamism is also studied from a critical and aesthetic point of view by drawing from writings of established critics and applying their views to dynamism. The impact of such a shift would re-order the democratic ladder of spatial usage, placing users at top. The ‘Animate Form’ is thus seen as a much needed rebel to architecture.

ANIMATE FORM

Admittedly, five studies from one precinct in Shahjahanabadare inadequate to address the full range of living folk traditions in the country, but the intent was to understand the complexities of a space and the activity it houses. All case studies point to a definite relationship between the cultural tradition and the built environment. Traditions with acommercial focus, like the Panwari, Zari-work and Poharshow a degree of flexibility and practicality that allows them to adapt to an existing environment more successfully than the others. However, in the case of Zari, the degree of flexibility is very high, to the point of redundance. This is possibly an indication that for traditions that are very design and handicraft intensive, the built environment is essential but its attributes secondary beyond the customary requirements of light and ventilation. A cursory overview of similar traditions like Kantha embroidery, Ikatwork, Kalamkari fabrics and Lakhnawi Chikanwork point to a similar direction. The same can also be said of workshop-oriented traditions like Jewellery making. In the case of the Pohar, the flexibility is limited to the placement of the tradition in a variety of contexts without compromising in its ‘aura’ of being a traditional practice. The base requirements are well met in the pohar’sworking space and the same continues to persist. The Panwari, has a deeper relationship with its built environment because of the advanced typology of space it has developed over time, and its firm presence in popular culture.In the case of the PeepalTree and Processions, the social perceptions of the traditions are major dictators of the traditionspace relationship. The ceremonial procession, additionally, also adapts to the kind of spaces available to it, but leaves a temporary impact. There is a certain ‘flexibility’ in both these traditions as well. While the built-environment of the procession temporarily changes to accommodate the tradition, the sacred tree’s flexibility is perceived as the lack of human intervention, and the flexibility of the space and tradition to take its own course. Hence, cumulatively, it can be said that the relationship between a living folk tradition and its built environment can be understood via two aspects – 1.The fulfilment of basic requirements like light, ventilation, space. 2.Intangible aspects of Time and Flexibility.While the first aspect is essential to the persistence of the traditional activity, the second is integral to the developmentofboth the space and the tradition. It is essential to remember that living folk traditions are by nature spontaneous. To house such traditions, a habitat shouldobviously fulfil basic requirements as stated above, and confirm to the contextual and social norms. However, in such a case, the relationship between space and tradition runs a risk of becoming stagnant. Deliberation with respect to every requirement of a tradition may lack the authenticity and the flexibility of the ‘adaptive’ attributes of a folk tradition. This is where the intangible aspects need to be considered –that a length of time is essential for the space to gradually develop its own relationship with the tradition, and that a degree of flexibility is necessary to allow the ‘folk’ tradition to remain a folk tradition. Without the flexibility, there is a danger of the tradition in stagnating as a fixed and never changing classical tradition.

DISSERTATION YEAR IV / SEMESTER VIII The dissertation focuses on exploring relationships between ‘living folk tradition’ and the built habitats they take place in. Living folk traditions are spontaneous, flexible activities with a long standing cultural history. Unlike classical arts, they are non-canonical and susceptible to contextual influences. Their relationship to their immediate environments is studied in the setting of Old Delhi, followed by a reverse-engineering component to substantiate findings. The effectual conclusion proposes that design for such activity take on a nonauthoritative role.

BETWEEN THE BUILT

HOUSING DESIGN YEAR IV / SEMESTER VII In a dedicated housing semester, the emphasis was on creating high-density solutions for Unnao, a typical upcoming town in North India. The design places 900 units in 8 acres. All public facilities are arranged in a punctured podium with a clear structural vocabulary that also allows for natural light and ventilation for the basement parking levels. Residential Units are arranged in vertical stacks between shear/service walls, wrapping around the podium like an independent wall. Each unit is cross ventilated, and the isolation from cores allows for greater area efficiency.

HOUSING

ELECTIVE ASSIGNMENT YEAR IV / SEMESTER VII The final product for an elective on Business Entrepreneurship asked for the preparation of a Business Proposal of personal choice. Vinotheque is an idea based proposal seeking to bring high-end wine retail to India. The comprehensive report goes through the generic structure of a business plan, outlining value, expansion goals, statistical data, competitor profiles and financial projections for the first few years of operation.

VINOTHEQUE

URBAN INTERVENTION YEAR III / SEMESTER VI As a follow-up to the Bikaner Settlement study (described previously), the cohort was asked to propose individual design interventions. The proposition for the Johri Bazaar (lit. Jeweller’s Market) stems from the thriving local industry, currently operating out of strained infrastructure. The design draws from traditional covered bazaars and develops on two ‘streets’ connecting the old and new towns. Emphasis is laid on continuous retail edges, modular shop layouts and passive design strategies like the use of lattices and in-site levelling.

JOHRI BAZAAR

SETTLEMENT STUDY YEAR III / SEMESTER VI This study revolves around understanding the socio-urban fabric of the historic town of Bikaner, in the desert state of Rajasthan. A collective cohort effort, personal focus is directed towards understanding a 1.5 km stretch of the walled city through multiple traffic studies, socio-economic surveys, volumetry studies, spatial graphs and activity analysis, apart from generic architectural documentation.

STUDYING BIKANER

tuberculosis association of india new delhi

report

college - school of planning and architecture, new delhi college code - z-116 nasa analysis trophy 53rd annual nasa convention - 2010 24

Samples of work undertaken in a personal capacity, beyond work and education; including competitions and workshops. ACHIEVEMENTS January 2013 Archumen, India’s Largest Quiz on Architecture Winner - India vs. Pakistan Special Edition January 2011 Archumen, India’s Largest Quiz on Architecture National Champion - 2010 - 2011 January 2010 ‘Bonjour India’ Architectural Design Competition Winner of a sponsored Summer Internship in France Organized by the French Embassy in India

COMPETITIONS

January 2010 Archumen, India’s Largest Quiz on Architecture Runner’s Up at the National Finals - 2009 - 2010

earth

shelter sky

COMPETITION ENTRY SHELTER COMPETITION 2011 The Ryue Nishizawa led brief asked for a metaphorical response to the idea of a ‘shelter in the wilderness’. Interpreted as a simple mountain shelter in the Himalayas, the refuge is a volumetric abstraction of the hut, fragmented into planes assigned with specific materials - ‘earth’ represented as a natural cliff face, ‘refuge’ as the built concrete shell and ‘sky’ as expansive glazing. The result is a simple introspective shelter from which to appreciate the sheer force of nature.

REFUGE BETWEEN EARTH & SKY

WINNING ENTRY BONJOUR INDIA COMPETITION JANUARY, 2010 A French Embassy organized competition, this winning entry detailed a proposal for an Indo European Cultural Centre. The adaptive reuse of a crumbling colonial mansion on the Calcutta waterfront, the Strand Centre rehabilitates the remaining flanks of the structure, and replaces the fire-gutted interiors with new wings. The result is a simple, sustainable design that also acts as a trigger for urban renewal in the precinct, characterized by high-activity and colonial decay.

STRAND CENTRE

GRAPHIC

Samples of freelance graphic design.

Taj Mahal, Agra India Is Global Photography Challenge 2012 Winner

Samples of Analog & Digital Photography. ACHIEVEMENTS January 2012 India Is Global Photography Challenge 2nd Place, organized by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs October 2009 ‘Humanizing Development’ Global Photography Campaign Among 50 Winners Organized by the UNDP - IPC, Brasilia Regular contributor and winner at collegiate events.

Popular presence on flickr & 500px Founded ( surrounded ), a personal freelance enterprise Invited contributor to Getty Images, the world’s largest stock imaging service

PHOTOGRAPHY

ONLINE PRESENCE

THANK YOU! Prayash Giria D 962, New Friends Colony New Delhi - 110065, India 0091 - 99530 29212 prayashgiria@gmail.com typefarce.wordpress.com

PORTFOLIO / PRAYASH GIRIA / PRAYASHGIRIA@GMAIL.COM