exploration of process ::a portfolio of Raj Parikh
Wanting a guesthouse and exit stair, this house renovation is centered around their love of eclectic pop art and love of surprise. Despite a number of different materials and forms, we used the reflectivity and transparency of glass and water to unify the different forms. Art is displayed on structurally integrated shelves that can be scene both from above or from below; both tying the acoustically separated spaces by art objects and light. Multiple spaces are unified by the new ipe dance floor for swing dance parties held here. While this is a common experience, each space had to serve another function so that their two boys could use the space as they grew older (i.e. the main dace floor became a theater room).
Steves’ Residence
guest house
stair
bath house
roof detail
entry at back
library at master
children’s loft
dance hall
This is a co-habitation type residence where two families share one public floor. The circulation spirals around a canted wall which acts as a chase for the systems to be connected. Sustainability shaped the building to collect water and promote breezes, while protect from the harsh Texas Sun. In addition, the walls used Insulated Concrete Forms.
Colquitt Residence
building phasing
1
2
3
4
5
The car-based city demands the evolution of the row house, creating a “new� typology with 2 main catalysts: ease of access (build, sell, & freeway) and parking. Verticality in the horizontal sprawl reveals the views (esp. over the numerous oaks) and the mosquito line (vital above the former swamp). This new row house merges the elderly and the young while reinforcing the sentiment in Texas of land ownership. As the cost of land increased the density allows for smaller less expensive properties to be more affordable to these lower income groups. Their needs are lowmaintenance and entertaining. High design is valued because it offers distinction while helping each stand out in the crowded market for resale.
1 Rutland St. 25 residences
2 Blodgett St. 18 residences
3 Caroline St. 6 residences
4 Austin St. 8 residences
5 Darling St. 6residences
[sub]urban evolution
The relationships between the water, boat and city Is the foundation of this project. The confrontation of water as a sacred, cherished resource, but simultaneously as a dirty and polluted city river forces each person to contemplate their own contradicting views. Visually the suspended boats become the filter of light while “framing� the views of the city alternating as foreground and background.
water diagrams
foreground| background
detail at book shelves
interventions
As the city changes so must the functions of our sacred spaces. This project transformed and generic unused church and gym into a cafe, gallery, staged venue, meeting place, and recording studio. By placing these functions together, we redefine what a church is and what is its role in an ever-changing and artistic community in Houston, Texas.
X-nihilo elevation at Taft st
details at booths
section
The ‘glass wall’ is a term used by surfers as the wall of water as they are in the wave. Embedded within this space it is the essence of spirituality, euphoria caused by the speed and power of nature. Deriving this concept into a small high end restaurant with chef Lance Feagan’s award winning creations became our challenge. From within the build-out defining the spaces using artistic abstractions of the glass wall while combining that time after when all the surfers discuss their divine experiences created the palette we used.
Glass Wall
details at booths
section
The ‘glass wall’ is a term used by surfers as the wall of water as they are in the wave. Embedded within this space it is the essence of spirituality, euphoria caused by the speed and power of nature. Deriving this concept into a small high end restaurant with chef Lance Feagan’s award winning creations became our challenge. From within the build-out defining the spaces using artistic abstractions of the glass wall while combining that time after when all the surfers discuss their divine experiences created the palette we used.
Glass Wall
Stoop
[1] --To encourage interaction and foster a sense of community for the Academy of Hope students and staff members. Wall of Hope [2] --A
case the successes achieved emy of Hope and its students.
place to showby the Acad-
Classroom
Hub [3] --A way to integrate learning by creating a gathering space that physically connects as many classrooms as possible within the student lounge.
New
lobby [4] --To create a welcoming and inspiring lobby space rather than one that is intimidating and removed from the staff offices.
Academy of Hope
101 student work
Student Work My experience teaching has included every level from first year to thesis. Above are represent the breadth of methods I encourage my students to use to explore space. To the left are examples of how I teach the 101 students to perceive space through writing paired with photography and how the body interacts with space by superimposing themselves into the drawing. I encourage play through exploration in how they model and draw the spaces they are creating.
thesis of Lindsay Dickes
thesis of Hawra Ismail
The desire for social justice often comes out in different ways during a student’s thesis. Touching on social gaps, misunderstandings or injustice can quite confusing without the understanding of sociology, but as I guide them, I stress the importance of space as the architect’s tool for these social problems. I have been delighted by the diversity of focus that they develop from their. One just looked at the way people use space and how these previously undesigned methods could be integrated into urban space. Another tackled the Israeli-Palesitinian border looking to create a place of exchange of agricultural goods. Others have looked at urban spaces that are left vacant, water use, heirarchy of status and halfway-houses.
Social Space thesis of Greg Pray
comprehesive Glimpse
comprehesive Juxtapoz
The third area of emphasis in my teaching is the detail. These details all come from Comprehensive Studio projects. This allows me to focus on aspects of poetic design paired with details which are to help thermally or with moisture. Holistic design from the detail to urban design, is rooted in how the environment is affected. The remainder of pages presents different group projects from design to construction document.
comprehesive Meridian
Comprehensive Design
comprehesive Chameleon
comprehesive Chameleon
comprehesive ShiftLAB
comprehesive Adapt
Drawing
::all work designed by Raj or under his direct supervision 2013