PORTFOLIO
A concise collection of academic and professional projects undertaken between 2007 and 2017.
01 2017
MSc Graduation Project San Francisco Bay Area
Page 03 (socio-economic vulnerability)
03 2015
Academic Projects (3) Netherlands
Page 07 (regional planning, urban design)
UTC+01:00
UTC+08:00
UTC-03:00
02 2016
Globalisation Studio Buenos Aires
Page 05 (urban risk)
05 2012-15
Professional Experience 3 years in India
Page 14 (design team + construction stage + competitions)
UTC+05:30 UTC+06:00
UTC+03:00
04 2016
UN Habitat Competition Machakos, Kenya
Page 13 (water management)
06 2012
Undergraduate Thesis Project Dhaka, Bangladesh
Page 18 (informality)
01
TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS?
2017
Local Adaptation to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of sea level rise in San Francisco Bay Area
MSc Graduation project under Delta Interventions 2017 Research Group TU Delft, Netherlands
A - Adaptive usage of spaces that integrates the local needs into the larger development strategy of flood protection.
Project Summary Rapid urbanization triggers in short term or long term highly advanced economy but at the same time create sectors of poor/neglected neighborhoods or communities in our urban environment that faces the hardest challenge to response and recover in the face of climate variables. The administrative responses to a climate disaster are sectoral and the impact is felt in multitude of social scales, economic scales and environmental scales. ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ is a narration that stems from a research that questions the role of urban risk governance system and its consequent built environment in the San Francisco Bay Area in response to climate change disaster (in this case sea level rise). The project proposes that Local Adaptation when integrated at certain levels within the larger development strategy and activated at the local level considering the diverse body of actors can help to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of sea level rise.
3
3
Regional Functionality
10
20
30km
10
San Francisco
20 Oakland
San Francisco Bay
30km
Economic Growth Local Development
East Palo Alto
B - local development of the most vulnerable communties when integrated into the larger development strategy helps for economic developent and regional functionality of the Bay Area
SCENARIO BUILDING
SPATIAL DESIGN (Adaptation by Design)
Space
Time
Rapid Climate Change
Motivation
Scenario A
Scenario B
Moderate Climate Change
Rapid Urbanisation
Slow Urbanisation
Strategy 2 Productive Effort
Strategy 1 Network Effort
Short term action 1
Short term action 1
Short term action 1
Short term action 1
Mid term goals 1
Short term action 1
Mid term goals 1
Long term strategy 1
Mid term goals 1
Goal
Accord of Actors
Usual
Emergency
Socio-economic Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise
Scenario C
Strategy 1 Collective Effort
Mitigate and Adapt to the impact of Sea Level Rise
Calm
Mid term goals 1
Mid term goals 1
Long term strategy 1
Long term strategy 1
C - Adaptive Pathways as a new body of literature that helps to adapt to a certain path under any uncertain future conditions.
GSPublisherEngine 0.17.100.100
4
4
D - Relegated backyard spaces as productive spaces and spatial guidelines for local development in response to flood risk management in East Palo Alto under the influence of the Slow Path for Scenario C (Slow)
Adaptation under deep uncertainties On a conclusive note the project puts forward that climate change is a reality and our anthropogenic actions have exacerbated the impacts of climate change variables in the form of sea level rise, flooding, drought, loss in biodiversity etc. Parallel to this discreet growth, rapid urbanisation creates a socioeconomic and environmental disparity resulting in the expulsion of the weakest group of the built environment from our very biosphere. Under deep uncertainties, “Adaptive Pathways� have emerged as a new body of literature. The project embraces this academic knowledge, which could be applied as a possible design process that can help to reach the goal of the project, i.e., to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of sea level rise. In lieu of an uncertain future, the project tries to identify the short-term actions and connect the short-term targets and long-term goals through an adaptable dynamic network of flexible actions considering a diverse body of actors through time.
02
Y MÁS ALLÁ LA INUNDACIÓN
2016
Addressing Urban Risk in Buenos Aires, Argentina Globalisation Studio Group Project (6 member) TU Delft, Netherlands https://issuu.com/rahuldewan/docs/q4_globalisation_studio_buenos_aire
Peripheral vulnerability Consolidated areas Infrastructural framework Premium infrastructure Core cities Centralities Risk Zone 1 Risk Zone 2 Risk Zone 3
A - Identifying the risk zones in the metropolitan region of Buenos Aires
Project Summary
This project documents the Globalization studio, TU-Delft, which studies the inequalities caused by the dynamism of globalization as economic drivers in emerging deltaic metropolitan regions. The project identifies urban risk by focussing on environmental hazards and social vulnerability of the built environment reinforced by political and economical systems. From a no use/neglect space to a daily use/apprehension (Image C) of public spaces creates an image providing a meaning to the use of public spaces. Hence through a multiscalar approach the project proposes a series of strategic framework defining the spatial use of such relegated open spaces.
5
5
AREA OF INFLUENCE: comprises systems and forces that act upon the given site even if they do not take place within its boundaries
M S
XL
L
M
B - Scale of Approach
C - Project Approach
AREA OF CONTROL: corresponds to the site within its property lines
AREA OF EFFECT: defining the domains beyond the given site that are impacted by design
Spatial Intervention i {Area of Effect} Villa
Spatial Intervention Gr
1 Addressing accessibility at the local scale
2 Conceiving participation and considering stakeholders
3 Understanding the specific needs of the adjacent communities
4 Increase the sense of appropriation of the place
5 Adding spatial functions that are flexible and integrative in nature
6
n ii {Area of Effect} rid
6
Spatial Intervention iii {Area of Effect} Social Housing
03
LEAVING THE ‘NEST’ BEHIND
2015-16
Addressing growth and decline for the subregion of Flevoland in the Netherlands Studio Project 03 Group Project (5 member) TU Delft, Netherlands https://issuu.com/rahuldewan/docs/q3_spatial_strategies_for_the_globa g rowth
and decline - a metaphor
A - Flevoland as a glasshouse when the conditions for growth are removed it dies
0
10
20
oil
energy
30
regulations
fertilizers
External influences in Flevoland
subsidies
market conditions
40
50
60km
50
40
30
20
10
0
B - Attractive cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht , are just a stone’s throw distance away they act as magnetic pull and are drawing people for better choices such as jobs, entertainment and education. This magnetic pull can be better illustrated by the current trend of human flow where the young and proactive generation are moving to cities for work and education
agriculture land forest land ecology land city center residential industrial
Project Summary The project focussed on the development of a regional plan in the subregion of Flevoland in Netherlands. It looked at a metaphor of a glass house where once the conditions are removed then the plant slowly dies because it was meant to grow in these conditions (Image A). Similarly the project perceived Flevoland inside a glass house where several external conditions such as devlepment policies are responsible for its growth. ‘Leaving the nest behind’ addresses the young and proactive age group that is moving to other attractive cities for education and work. To address this the project focuses on the agricultural city of Dronten. Spatial interventions of expositional corridors can provide spatial development and space for the young populations for entrepreunerial activities and new startup infrastructures.
7
7
0
10
20
30
40
50
60km
50
40
30
20
10
0
C- Proposed regional plan for the subregion of Flevoland focussing on spatial development that meets the needs of the young and proactive population
POLYCENTRICITY
COMPLIMENTARITY
URBAN + RURAL
CONNECTIVITY
PIXELATION
D - Spatial interventions of Expositional Corridors in the agricultural city of Dronten
EXPOSITIONAL CORRIDORS
SUB-URBAN LIFESTYLE
AGRICULTURAL LAND
8
8
E - Flevoland as a thriving subregion that offers spatial involvement and opportunites of its local citizen
03
OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE
2015-16
Restructuring of Rotte in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Studio Project 02 TU Delft, Netherlands https://issuu.com/rahuldewan/docs/q2_socio-spatialprocesses_rotterdam
A - Rotte as a potential space for social integration considering the spatial needs of the local citizens.
B - The design focuses on the modular man proportions responding to the dimensions that are responsive to human actions and actiities
Project Summary This project is a compilation of research,analysis and understanding of the neighbourhoods and communities flowing along the Rotte river located in Rotterdam. It is drawn and conceptualized over a period of 10 weeks. The project is based on enhancing the social, economic and environmental benefit for the neighbourhoods and communities along the Rotte and finally proposing a design process for the people living along the river. The starting point was to study what, why, how and where’ is our social behavior? With this idea the beginning of the process was to imagine the river as an unused open space which has the possibilities and potentials for a thriving public domain. Understanding the potentials of the unused river it proposed on a module of public spaces that can be developed in a an incremental fashion focussing on a series of programatic functions based on interviews with the local citizens.
9
9
C - The modular man by le corbusier focuses on the anthropometric scale of proportions. The design process of intervention will refer to this proportion as a medium of design. Each activites decided by the community can be focussed on this module. It centers the intersection of 2 people interaction as one module. The advantage with this module is that it can grow in an incremental manner and the community can easily monitor with this defined module as per need
D - Illustration showing Rotte as a potential space for interactive public spaces
10
0
E - Programatic spatial functions designed along the Rotte
Existing Section of Rotte
Proposed Section for Rotte
Existing Section of Rotte
Proposed Section for Rotte
03
INTERPRETING A DIALOGUE
2015-16
City drawings of Dordrecht, Netherlands
Studio Project 01 TU Delft, Netherlands https://issuu.com/rahuldewan/docs/q1_city_portrait_dordrecht
A - Hostile environment of Dordrecht from 2 perspective
1800
1900
1950
2015
Project Summary
This project was a research and city drawings of Dordrecht, located in Netherlands, drawn and conceptualized over a period of 10 weeks. Based on 4 urban themes namely open city, urban landscape, urban form and complex system studies have been done and accordingly the form and structure of the city is understood. And with each frame of reference, the identification in the relationship between the different urban elements has been focused. The main objective was to conceptualize a story of the city leading to forming an impression via drawings to read the complexity of Dordrecht.
11
1
B - The Nature of Dordrecht
C - The Built Environment of Dordrecht
Abstract illustration understanding the existing structure
Proposed abstract illustration
Existing structure of Dordrecht with the Biesbosch
Proposed vision for Dordrecht integrated with the Biesbosch
12
2
D - Illustration potraying author’s vision for Dordrecht
04
THE SKY IN OUR VEINS
2016
UN Habitat Competition in Machakos, Kenya
International Student Competition Group Work (6 member) https://issuu.com/rahuldewan/docs/unhabitat2015
Implementation
Communal spaces
Public space
Public space
Protected zone Agriculture
Terraces
Ingredients
Rainwater Vehicle wash
Waste Collectors
Water well Settlement pond Filtration pond
Water tank
Water holding tanks Sports
Public toilets
Kitchen
Scale of Action
XL
L
M
S
The agricultural land
The riparian corridor
The public realm
The domestic space
Project Summary Water has always been the backbone to human settlements. For Machakos, it is the source of the regeneration it needs. Machakos, the capital of Machakos County, lies 63 km southeast of Nairobi. The current problems on the project site are generally connected to a lack of infrastructures. The rudimental sewage and water provision systems – there is no running water in the district and even public toilets are a rarity in Machakos reinforce the already poor housing conditions and force people to use the adjacent riparian corridor for their hygiene and to relieve themselves. As the river is furthermore used for washing clothes and vehicles, the water gets even more contaminated. The aim of the project was to create a social awareness among its people through a multiscaler approach considering rainwater as the main source or rather the engine to boost a quality of life for the people.
13
3
A - Use of water through a multiscale perspective providing a better healthy living condition for the people of Machakos
05
NALANDA UNIVERSITY, RAJGIR, INDIA
2012-15
Professional Project (Competiton Stage + Design Team)
Project Architect 3 years at Vastu Shilpa Consultants, Sangath 2012-2015 Ahmedabad, India
10
5
4
4
2
3
3 8
6
1
7 4
4
9
Project Summary Nalanda was an ancient centre of higher learning in Bihar, India. Eight hundred years after the destruction of Nalanda, former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in March 2006 mooted the idea of reviving the university. Nalanda University launched its Architectural Design Competition in 2012 for the Master Plan of the campus and architectural design of buildings and facilities that will come up in Phase-1 of its development. The total of 79 entries received were examined by a Selection Committee which declared 8 of them as pre-qualified for participation in the main competition. Since it is the endeavour of the University to develop a sustainable campus which will have a net zero or near zero environmental impact, the first of its kind in the world; special attention was paid to the manner in which each of the schemes addressed the issues of sustainability. Vastu Shilpa Consultants were selected as the winner of this competition.
14
4
A - The Central library as a holistic space for inter-civilisational interactions
1. Central Library 2. Amphitheatre 3. Student Amenities 4. Kamal Sagar (Lake) 5. Sports Center 6. Market 7. Sports Field 8. Academic Spine 9. Faculty Housing 10. Student Housing
Ramp to Plaza
Kamal Sagar (Lake)
Pavilion
Library
15
5
Academic side elevation of the Central Library
Library
Kamal Sagar (Lake)
Plaza
Sectional elevation of the Central Library
Central Library as a holistic space I was involved both in the competition as well the project. In both the phases I saw and learned the importance of an institution. Institutions are the foreground of learning. It is not about a gated community, rather a place where knowledge is shared and spread. It was an important design development where the surrounding villages were also considered apart from the 455 acre of land. Eventually these villages become the center of communication with economic, social and political development of the region. It is bound to transform the land use pattern of the surroundings through the creation of supporting infrastructure and linkages, resulting in the creation of a large tract of gated islands within the ever-expanding sprawls, disrupting natural connections between surrounding villages. The Central library was the epitome for a holistic space that encourages a collaborative behavior.
05
HANJ KUNJ HABITAT, WEEKEND RETREAT IN AHMEDABAD, INDIA
2012-15
Professional Project (Design Stage + Construction Stage)
Project Architect 3 years at Vastu Shilpa Consultants, Sangath 2012-2015 Ahmedabad, India
A - Transformation of the 143 acre barren land into a natural wetland space
Project Summary Hanj Kunj Habitat is a weekend housing project located near to Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary primarily comprising of a huge lake and ambient marshes. Thousands of migratory waterfowl flock to this sanctuary just after the Indian monsoon season. Governments declaration of making the area around the lake an eco-sensitive zone meant only residential uses could be introducted. Its recreational nature and peoples need for a home away from home has resulted in large number of farmhouse schemes, resorts and weekend homes coming up around the lake. Most of the developments are aimed at a temporary habitation but what remains the core concern and should be prevented is a situation wherein human development engulfs the lake and the birds are left in confinement.
16
6
B - 4 Weekend House categories under construction responding to the natural environment
House Type A
House Type B
17
7
House Type C
House Type D
Living with Nature Hanj Kunj Habitat, Nalsarovar was the first project I was assigned to as an architect in 2012. At that time the project was under construction stage. I had to interact with specialised consultants, site management team as well members of the clients team. Regular site visits helped me gain knowledge in the construction and execution field. I was also responsible for the preparation of architectural detail drawings for construction. The project provided us with a unique oppurtunity to define the image and identity of Hanj Kunj Habitat, a weekend housing project. Capitalizing on the fact that 115 species of resident birds travel 40 kms everyday in search of food, the project attempts create a habitat for birds. It also envisages a human habitat within the sanctuary. Creating a natural habitat wherein both humans and bird life can co-exist and experience living with nature.
06
BEYOND SHELTER
2012
Onsite resttlement of the Urdu speaking Community, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Undergraduate Thesis Project Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur, India
Existing spatial condition of the camp
Proposed spatial condition for the camp
Outside space...
...as an interactive social space
No ventilation...
...to better ventilation
Dark streets...
...to healthier living environment
Project Summary Geneva Camp better known as the ‘Bihari Community� was a REFUGEE CAMP formed post 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence. During the last thirty-seven years, no sincere efforts have been made either by Bangladesh or by Pakistan or the International communities to resolve the Bihari issue. Because of this ignorance and political indecision, the families have been living in the camp for the past 3 generations which has resulted in a densely populated area. Illegal construction, poor sanitation and unhealthy living conditions. Acute identity crisis is till now the root of their vulnerable situation which has distinguished them from other slum dwellers. The project focuses not only on the spatial redevelopment for a healthy living condition but also on economic clustering at the grassroots level.
18
8
A - The proposed built environment of the camp acts as a space for social and economical development
19
9
B - Sectional elevation illustrating the flexibility of spaces and the possible incremental development
Redevelopment for a social and economical sustainaible environment
The project was part of a 6 month undergraduate thesis program conducted in the year 2012.. It focussed on the process of onsite resettlement as a redevelopment strategy. Specific design guidelines that considered the communities culture and their lifestyle resulted in spaces that are flexible for social usage and at the same time for an economic development.
Rahul Dewan
m : rahul.dewan.besu@gmail.com t : +31-645739261 Detailed work: https://issuu.com/home/publisher Detailed resume: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-dewan-1833373a?trk=hp-identity-name
2007 - 2012 Bachelor of Architecture Registered Architect at Council of Architecture, India
2012 - 2015
2015 - 2017 MSc Urbanism TU Delft, Netherlands
Project Architect 3 years at Vastu Shilpa Consultants, SANGATH, India
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION 2015 - 2017 I MSC URBANISM The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology The Netherlands 2007 - 2012 I BACHELOR IN ARCHITECTURE Bengal Engineering and Science University (now IIEST), Shibpur, West Bengal, India. (GPA: 8.25) Certification: Architect (under the Council of Architecture, India)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2012 AUGUST - 2015 MAY I PROJECT ARCHITECT Vastu Shilpa Consultants, ‘SANGATH’, Ahmedabad, India.
I
3 YEARS
2011 JUNE-NOVEMBER I PROJECT INTERN I 6 MONTHS Project Intern at Vastu Shilpa Architects, ‘SANGATH’ Ahmedabad, India. 2010 JUNE-JULY I PROJECT INTERN Project Intern at CONTINUITY, Kolkata, India.
I
2 MONTHS
20
0
DESIGN COMPETITIONS 2016 International Design Collaboration for Kenya, UN HABITAT 2011 Nominated for Best Design on Optimum Space Utilisation for Pidilite Award for Excellence by the University 2010 SAINT GOBAIN TRANSPARENCE Jury Commendation Award in Eastern Region India, organized by Saint Gobain Glass. 2010 Z0-NASA 2009 ANDC (Annual NASA Design Competition) 2009 ZO-NASA 2009 TRANSLATING TRADITION COMPETITION ZO-NASA 2008 ANDC (Annual NASA Design Competition)
OTHER ACTIVITIES 2017 FEBRUARY Organisational member and participant for Let’ Talk About Water, Film and Water Festival 2016 JULY-AUGUST Member in the organisational team for Introduction Programme 2016, TU Delft 2016 17th-21st JULY Volunteer member in the organisation team for IPHS Conference 2016, TU Delft. 2016 JANUARY-OCTOBER Committee member of Urban and Landscape Week 2016, TU Delft 2015 OCTOBER till present Active member of POLIS - a study association for Masters students specializing in Urbanism and Landscape Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft. 2012 till present Member of Council of Architecture, India
All drawings are by author unless mentioned