Portfolio
Priyanka Menon
Curriculum Vitae WORK EXPERIENCE: EDUCATED ENVIRONMENTS 2014-2016 Worked on Landscape Architecture projects , Internship programmes with students from Berkley University and Product Designing for a Rain water harvesting Canopy(Ultaa Chaata) PROJECTS: Acron Waterfront Resort, Baga Beach, Goa- 2013-2015 (Landscape Design) Position- Internship to Jr. Architect Responsibilities: Conceptual Sketches, Landscape Design Drawings, Construction Details. Sapana Imperial, Dabolim, Goa- 2013-2015 (Landscape Design) Position- Internship to Jr. Architect Responsibilities: Conceptual Sketches, Landscape Design Drawings, Construction Details. Sapana Raj Valley, Sangolda, Goa- 2014-2016 (Landscape Design) Position- Jr Architect Responsibilities: Concept, Design, Proposal, Landscape Drawings, Construction drawings, Planting strategies, Site Supervision and Visits, Client Meetings Sapana City, Maragao, Goa- 2015-2017 (Landscape Design) Position- Jr Architect Responsibilities: Concept, Design, Proposal, Landscape Drawings, Construction drawings, Planting strategies, Site Supervision and Visits, Client Meetings Rustomjee Urbania Township, Thane, Maharashtra- 2014-2016(Masterplanning, Landscape Design) Position: Jr. Architect to Architect Responsibilities: Concept, Design, Proposal, Landscape Drawings, Construction drawings, Planting strategies, Site Supervision and Visits, Client Meetings Educated Environments Sustainability Reporting (Report) Position: Intern Responsibilities:Data Collection, Graphics, Report Structuring Ulta Chaata-Rain Water Harvesting Canopy Responsibilities: Product design, Brochure and Pamphlet design, Ace tech Stall management Less is More Initiative: Urban Farming Module- 2015 Responsibilities: Supervising Interns for creating an urban farming module for Rustomjee Urbania. RATAN J BATLIBOI CONSULTANTS PVT.LTD. 2016-2017 Worked as part of the Urban Design Cell for RJBCPL on Urban design and Landscape Architecture Projects PROJECTS: Tata Steel Housing Project, Kalinganagar, Orissa- 2016-2017 (Urban Design and Masterplanning) Position : Architect Responsibilities: Concept, Design, Proposal, Landscape Drawings, Construction drawings. Alterra Luxury Homes, Pawna, Maharashtra -2016-2017(Landscape Design) Position: Architect Responsibilities: Concept, Design, Proposal, Landscape Drawings, Construction drawings, Planting strategies, Site Supervision and Visits, Client Meetings, Bows, Preparing MOMs, Co-ordination with specialists, Co-ordination with Architecture team.
Raymond Towers, Maharashtra -2016-2017(Landscape Design) Position: Architect Responsibilities: Concept, Design, Proposal, Landscape Drawings, Construction drawings, Planting strategies, Site Supervision and Visits, Client Meetings, BOQs, Preparing MOMs, Co-ordination with specialists, Co-ordination with Architecture team. Mehrangarh Fort Report Position: Architect Responsibilities: Data collection, Conceptual Designs, Mapping, Maharashtra Nature Park Deign Competition Part of the winning team that deigned the Connecting bridge between the Park and Dharavi EDUCATION: MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE [MLA] / CEPT UNIVERSITY / 2017-19 BACHELORS OF ARCHITECTURE [B.ARCH] / L. S. RAHEJA S.O.A / 2009-14 ACHIEVEMENTS: ISOLA Selected essay for presentation at the 13th ISOLA National Conference on ReIMAGINING LANDSCAPES CEPT Won 2 Faculty Level Awards: Award for Academic Excellence(1st Year)-Jan 2019 Award for Best Studio Work (2nd Semester)- Jan 2019 NASA Participated for 3 years in various NASA (National Association for Students of Architecture) Trophies as a group and won for 3 consecutive years. Worked for the Nari Gandhi Trophy for NASA- 2009 (Won Citation) Co-Coordinator for Product Design Trophy for NASA-2010 (Won with design featured in Archohome Design Brochure) Co-Ordinator for Back to Basics Research Trophy for NASA-2011 (Won Citation) WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES: Attended and presented(paper) at the 13th Annual ISOLA conference Attended the ISOLA conference- Gujarat Chapters on Lighting and Soil-2018 Participated in the AAPLI Mumbai Workshop at Mumbai Port Trust-Relooking at Sassoon Dock2016 Attended the Harit Jal Vaayu conference for Advanced Green Building Technology -2015 Attended Green-Drinks meeting for Sustainability Reporting-2015-16 SKILLS: PLATFORMS / Microsoft Office, iOS Pages/Numbers and Keynote GRAPHICS / Hand-drafting, Sketching, Autodesk AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign BIM & 3D Modelling / Sketch UP OTHER / Basic Photography, Movie Maker
Ru s t o m j e e U r b a n i a To w n s h i p Rustomjee Developers, Thane At Educated Environments,, I was a part of a team that worked on the Masterplan and Landscape design of a 127 acres residential township. Since Rustomjee always tries to focus on creating spaces for families, the open spaces we created had a language that residents can identify with and amenities that are inclusive of the community promoting the project’s motto of ‘family life, family time’. Since a majority of the spaces created were directed at circulation due to space constraints, and keeping in mind the fast paced lifestyle of Mumbaikars, the amenities were designed alongside these corridors.
Shaded walkways
Green buffer (0.8m wide)
Cycle track (1.2m wide)
Conceptual View
Circulation Layers
Green partition with shrubs and trees
Site Plan
S a p a n a Ra j Va l l e y Nanu Estate, Sangolda This 15000 sq.m second homes project is located in the dense tropical forested village of Sangolda. The site is divided into three zones with different topographic conditions ranging from flat terrain to heavy contours. The open spaces although limited gave me a chance to experiment with a varied range of plants and their seasonal variations as well as find a creative way to direct the incoming storm water (during the heavy monsoons) on the site into small water features within the design. While most open spaces within residential complexes are designed with maximum hardscape, ‘green’ is added as a manicured feature which does not go much beyond its visual appeal. The goal for Sapana Raj Valley is to move away from the conventional open space design and integrate with surrounding natural landscape
Clubhouse facade made from bamboo scaffolding left on the site
Barbecue pods amidst a dense foliage of trees
Internal pathways flanked by dense tropical plants
Intermediate spaces playing with levels and surface runoff
Summer and Monsoon: Species like Cassia roxburghii (RED CASSIA) bloom during this season giving the pathway a checkered red canopy
Post Monsoon:Leaves of T (BADAM) turn bright oran October – November givin the central courtyard
Terminalia catappa nge in the month of ng a light yellow glow to
Site Plan
Seasonal variation in pockets Winter: Terminalia catappa (BADAM) shed all its leaves in winter and species like Senna surattensis (SARPULI) flowers in this season.
A c ro n Wat e r f ro n t Re s o rt Acron Developers, Baga Beach Acron Waterfront Resort and Spa was one of the first landscape projects I worked on at EdEn, The project was envisioned as a luxurious getaway with high end accommodation facilities. The landscape designed to flank the rooms focused on performing as a semi public realm overlooking Baga Beach. The site was originally a residential villa and had several old large trees that added value and character to the site. A great emphasis was laid on minimal site disturbance, restoration of existing topography and tree plantation. Circulation and functional spaces were designed around these aspects while simultaneously providing ample view of the river.
Landscape Design plan
Shallow pool
Villa front landscape
A c u ra & A t e l i e r Co - o p e rat i v e Housing Society Po d i u m D e s i g n Rustomjee Developers, Thane A part of the Rustomjee Urbania townships, these residential buildings have their own individual podiums raised above the parking basements which were dedicated for recreation purpose in the building itself. The challenge for these podiums were their elevated position which makes it difficult to plant trees yet at the same time an attempt was made to give the podiums a lush green look contrasting to the concrete jungle surrounding of skyscrapers. Also a major focus of the project was to enable the re-use and salvation of waste material providing functional open spaces centering around child engagement and safety.
Trees have been planted wherever structurally possible and a hierarchy of softscape has been created for maximising dense vegetation on a conventionally hardscaped podium
Trees planned as per the column layout to increase the vertical greens
Salvaging kitchen sink cutouts for hardscape saving up to 500sq.m of virgin material
As per regulations 12m pathways for fire tender is a requirement. Using Reinforced turf to reduce the hardscaped look
Increasing the ratio of green vs hardscape in the limited area provided
Allowing the green spaces to be the primary focus over the hardscaped areas
U l t a C h a at a Sustsinable Product Design During my internship at Educated Environments, I worked along with a team of students from around the country to design a rainwater harvesting system that would filter and store the water for various secondary purposes. Today the product is a part of a new company known as Think Phi where outdoor spaces are designed using this product with various added on features such as solar cells on the tensile material that can harvest power and be used to charge battery operated cars.
Stainless steel triple layer physical filter (removes TSS)
Mono crystalline silicon panels to collect solar power
UV filters eliminating microbial contaminants
Activated carbon for purifying the water and eliminating odours
Ulta Chaata incorporated in Rutomee Urbania
Morning
Evening
Night
Creating multifunction spaces for recreation and utility that can be used through the day
Re t h i n k i n g M e h ra n g a r h Fo rt Study and Masterplanning The Urban Design Cell at RBCPL sent a proposal to re-establish Mehrangarh fort as a museum of international standards. Being a dynamic center for culture and education, it was necessary to interpret the place, people and princely family for a more diverse audiences and promote the continuity of living traditions and local heritage. My role in this project focused on the outdoor spaces such as the approach area, the large open spaces in front of the fort, the parking areas and the pilgrimage routes. These spaces were identified by analysing patterns of people visiting the fort and a redesigned proposal was suggested for the convenience and comfort of the visitors.
Identifying potential changes in the circulation pattern and points of interest for visitors
Rethinking the master-plan to incorporate the visitors and tourists comfortably through all seasons
Rasolai lake precinct: Circulation Diagram
Rasolai lake precinct: Landscape plan
Rasolai lake precinct: Views
M a h a ra s h t ra N at u re Pa r k (Bridge) Design Competition I was a part of the winning team for the Maharashtra Nature park redesign competition. There were 2 parts to the design,, one being the nature park itself and the other being a pedestrian bridge over Mithi River. Working at RBCPL I was part of the team that conceptualised the pedestrian bridge. The design focused on creating an experience for the people crossing over, with small pause points that overlook the mudflats which is rich in bird diversity from season to season. The pause points also have provision for several activities for visitors.
The alignment of the bridge on the eastern edge was a conscious decision to keep the biodiversity of the mud flats intact keeping in mind the large escape distances of the birds as well as spanning the shortest distance across the Mithi River
Section through 9m deck
Section through 15m pause point
The spaces on the bridge are designed to allow for multiple use at different times of the day allowing varied activities to occur at weekday as well as weekends
Columns placed parallel to the vehicular bridge allowing free movement of the river reducing any hindrance
2 pause points on the bridge
A l t e r ra - Lu x u r y H o m e s Indiamco Realty , Pavna The project is a luxurious holiday homes project that spans over 37,000 sq.m. Design focus is on the Pawana lake that is located to the lowest north west of the site. The site topography is heavily sloped with rocky terrain and minimal plantation. To create spaces to compliment the lake view with emphasis on outdoor comfort to ensure occupancy of spaces. Minimizing the area of treated landscape and finishes for ease of maintenance & efficiency. Passive strategies application with respect to type of open spaces
The site experiences high levels of solar exposure throughout the year which increases with rise in surface temperature and incident radiation due to lack of vegetation on site. The villas also cause negligible shading on the site. The landscape was designed keeping passive strategies in mind based on the micro climate stud
Site Masterplan
Directing all amenities to have a lake view Individual villa terrace landscape
Directing all amenities to have a lake view Clubhouse landscape
C E P T- S t u d i o Wo r k The 4 semesters were focused on our growth as landscape architects. The first semester was an understanding of landscape systems, their forms, patterns and cycles. The second semester studio gave us the choice between urban and rural studios, where we could select any one social issue of the city/ village and create a solution through landscape design. The third semester was directed at understanding the details of landscape design, creating planting layouts, irrigation layouts and lighting layouts and focusing on the techniques of implementing a landscape design. The final semester is the thesis semester where we could select a topic of our choice. The topic I selected was ‘Reclaiming Mumbai’s Dumping Grounds’.
SEMESTER 1
The design focuses on the natural formation of the river. As the river’s course makes the river flood the site in the monsoon season, the landscape is designed to make use of the flood water for the natural systems to work on site.
Bringing the people of Surat outdoors to reconnect with nature as a therapeutic program Creating an urban farm module involving a various types of people from the city to come together for a purpose that will not only be of help to them but also help creating a sustainable module
SEMESTER 2
Site Design Plan
Conceptual Planting Plan
SEMESTER 3
Detail Planting plan
Detailed Sections
When observing at Mumbai’s green cover there are 2 major patches of green which are not intermingled with the concrete framework of the city, one being the National park at Borivali and the other being the coastal mangroves. However due to the history of how the city was formed and the low-lying topography of these coastal greens, they were cleared for the purpose of disposing the city’s waste. Today the city has 4 major Garbage dumping grounds along its coast approximately sized between 20 to
Selecting plant species that carry out remedial action
Designing the underlying layers to reduce toxicity
SEMESTER 4
100 hectares. These dumping grounds are a necessity for the city’s waste disposal, however are viewed as a nuisance to the city. Today the city of Mumbai is moving towards cleaner and greener methods of garbage disposal and in a couple of years will not require these haphazard unplanned dumps. The thesis is directed at finding a solution for these dumps that scar the city and adopting methods in which that they can be worked back into the natural systems of the coastal ecosystems.
Working on bringing back the original lost ecology to the site
Site Engineering: Collection of Methane (emitted) and treat it for biogas + treating the leachate on the site to get clean water for secondary usage
Site Ecology: Bringing back the natural habitat of mangrove species through a series of remedial measures
Site Community: Involving the community phase by phase to keep them aware and informed about the mangrove ecosystems.
SEMESTER 4
The program and design focussed on 4 major factors which would span over 15-20 years of process: 1. Rendering the site hazard free from the toxic gasses and leachate 2. Using remediator measures to bring back the natural habitat and ecosystem. 3. Bringing in the community to educate and involve them in the transformation of the site to create value for the land