Undergraduate Selections Rahul Ghera December 2014
The Concrete Arch Freshman Year Material Exploration Studio Proposal: Designing space & structure Faculty: Christopher Romano Group Members: Alexandra N. Coop, Matthew Dellehunt, Ryan Hughes, Edgar Martinez, Giovanni Perez & Peter Urban Won award for Most Structural
In this semester we worked with an assigned material, concrete. Our installation spanned thirty feet across our studio and stood ten feet high, and provided an enclosure for our group of eight students. Through numerous efforts of trial and error, we were able to design an aggregate mixture of concrete bringing the overall weight (per bay) down by 35%. Ghera
process work /
SPRING 2012 We designed a system that would be able to resist the tension of both concrete members leaning on each other by casting a plywood joint within the concrete. Pouring the first mixture resulted in a total weight of 536 lbs/ beam. After substituting rocks found in the concrete mixture with ground blue insulation foam and fiberglass, we achieved a final weight of 360 lbs/beam. Top: preliminary study models, Middle: concrete casts being poured, Bottom left: joint connection, Bottom right: trowel designed to smooth out casts.
final assembly /
Wood member cast in concrete. Once both casts were aligned, bolts secured the connection point.
Detailed Elevation
Ghera
SPRING 2012 This was a group project. I assisted with the mixing and pouring of every beam, along with the final assembly. Graphics were also synchronized by me.
West Side Market & Cultural Arts Center Junior Year Architecture Design Studio Proposal: Market & Performance Space Faculty: James Rayburg
This studio was sited in the west side of Buffalo, which has a large pop of refugees and immigrants. My approach was to design a space where community development, fresh produce sales, and recreational events would take place, facilitating a social mix of the neighborhood and maintaining a local urban aspect from which all neighboring residents could participate. Ghera
process work /
FALL 2013
Distortion
Unfold
Pos vs Neg
Connect
Layering
Wrapping
Section & floor plan of market precedent blue represents the section taken (modeled, left)
Spatial perspective view three major bays market / theatre / market
Original section model taken from precedent and manipulated in studies (above)
final proposal /
Extrude
Extract
Raise
Apply
The design emerged by applying similar manipulation techniques as done to the precedent model. This process surfaced methods to divide space appropriately based on program.
Ferry St Elevation
Site Plan
Ghera
FALL 2013
Exploded Perspective This shows the division of program. Towards the left is the market, and to the right is the theatre. Both programs are wrapped by a concrete skin which serves as an outdoor seating/performance space.
Section West: Theatre East: Market & Offices Middle: Entrance
Street Render
Drawing Against Gravity Architectural Drawing Elective Proposal: Eames facing a Black Hole Faculty: Dennis Maher
This elective course tested my ability to translate extreme phenomena through architectural drawing. After examining the Eames House Case Study No. 8, and studying the circumstances of a black hole, both thematic motifs were overlaid to create a conceptual montage. Ghera
final proposal /
FALL 2013
The drawing approach began by collaging conceptual information found about the formation of a black hole along with 2D drawings of the Eames House. As moments get closer to the black hole, identity of the building is distorted. Top Left: the formation of a black hole, Top Right: The Eames House paneling (exterior) Bottom Left: final drawing produced for a gallery presentation of all our work
This representation expresses the relationship between architectural design and structure under a gravitational lens.
Studio XYZ Junior Comprehensive Studio Proposal: Architectural Office and Studio Faculty: Brian Carter
Current Use Parking Lot Cafe Fast Food Joint
Proposal Architecture Office - 2 partner office - large studio spaces - archives - restrooms - workshop - print / computer lab - lecture space - cafe
Division Public - exhibition space - workshop - cafe Core - services - restrooms - flex space Private - studios - office
Ghera
This comprehensive studio involved a much more technical approach to design integrating HVAC systems, day lighting, materiality and structure. Keeping these aspects in mind while designing, the project’s clarity developed by defining public and private areas, while allocation service elements (i.e. restrooms, egress, elevators, etc.) to a core space.
Ground Floor Plan
SPRING 2014
In these floor plans it is clear to see how prioritizing public and private areas can dictate the overall composition. West: Public, Middle: Core, East: Private
First Floor Plan
7
2 4 1 5 6 3
Second Floor Plan
Roof Plan
10
8
11 11
9
1. Lobby 2. Workshop 3. Cafe 4. Computer Lab 5. Gallery 6. Library 7. Eating Area 8. Studio 9. Lecture / Flex Space 10. Private Office 11. Rooftop Lounge
Defying the Horizontal Study Abroad Studio in Barcelona, Spain Proposal: Inversion Pavilion Faculty: Dennis Maher & Nerea Feliz
This semester studied the process of inversion through a series of graphic collages and mixed media explorations. The project began with studying Mies van Der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion. Inversion began by taking Mies’ methodologies for space making and material usage then degrading its appearance, spatial qualities, and form. Ghera
process work /
SUMMER 2014 Through the process of collage I was able to combine methods of inversion and have them emerge as they were layered together.
final proposal /
Ghera
SUMMER 2014 This zoomed render gives a sense of the materiality and circulation through the suspended curtains.
final proposal /
The horizontality of the pavilion disappears as towers rise, suspending mesh curtains expressing a tall, airy, and unstable structure.
Ghera
SUMMER 2014 These images were taken in Barcelona during our final review. This studio pushed me to expand my graphic and spatial lens. The model was built in order to understand the overall composition of the layered curtains. Left: final review pin-up, Bottom: layered model hung from ceiling
The WEL Senior Comprehensive & Competition Studio Proposal: Artist Colony, Studio & Exhibition Space Faculty: Annette Lecuyer Group Member: Andre Assis [andreass@buffalo.edu] Finalist for Senior Competition
Located in Allentown Buffalo, the facility augments the thriving arts community. This urban art colony includes apartments for residential fellowships of 1-3 months, together with studio spaces for both fellows and local artists. The south-facing living units, together with a rooftop bar and terrace for the artists who live and work in the building, are situated along Allen Street, while open plan flexible studio floors face the north. A triple-height entrance lobby on Allen Street leads to a ground level public cafe and a skylit atrium at the heart of the building, where a monumental stair leading to public galleries on the second floor also serves as an informal auditorium for performances and events. The atrium, dividing the living and studio zones, links the public spaces on the lower levels with private realm on upper floors. Open stairs crisscross the void, so that artists pass back and forth through the atrium as they move between their dwellings and workspaces. The site cast concrete building, like a daylight factory, has a robust industrial character. Panels of stainless steel mesh veil the north and south faces of the atrium, providing artists with privacy, while allowing views into the public realm. The west atrium wall flanking the vertical circulation core is a hydroponic green wall, which helps to filter air in the building. The Main Street facade of the studio block likewise has stainless steel mesh external sunshading, while on Allen Street, the more open residential facade is defined by an exposed site cast concrete wrapper and recessed glazing. Ghera
final proposal /
Program Division
Program Arrangement
Live - Work - Exhibit
Housing Break
Cores
Unit Breakdown
FALL 2014
Extruded Site
final proposal /
Living wall
This detailed section emphasizes how the atrium divides the housing from the studio zone. This section includes performative properties and how the design incorporated them.
Threshold mesh
Dropped ceiling
Public surface
Ghera
FALL 2014
Double unit 1/4 1 bed / 1.5 bath Studio space
4 ar erra C
4 ar erra C
Single unit 1/10 1 bed / 1 bath Fully accessible
Double unit 1/1 2 bed / 2.5 bath Studio space
4 ar erra C
Ground Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Fourth Floor Plan
Fifth Floor Plan
final proposal /
Ghera
FALL 2014 This interior render shows the use of the main seating and gallery space during a First Friday in Buffalo.
final proposal /
1/16� Scale exploded model Materials: plywood base, steel rods, wingnuts, fishing wire, white matt board
Ghera
FALL 2014 1/4� Scale model Materials: white Plexiglas, clear Plexiglas, plywood base, plywood curved stairs, window screen mesh
Architectural Sketching Sketching Elective Course Faculty: Matthew Hume
Ghera
FALL 2013
Personal Sketchbook Selection From my study abroad trip in Barcelona Medium: pen, marker, watercolor
View from my apartment Ghera
SUMMER 2014 La Carrera de Riera Alta “unfolded” revealing the shadow from the buildings across the street
Ghera
SUMMER 2014
Ghera
SUMMER 2014