Academic Practice Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

Riddhi Shah

+91 99794 25435

802, New Empire, Indira Circle, University Road, Rajkot- Gujarat, 360005

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION:

M.Phil. CEPT University, Ahmedabad (2020)

M.Arch with a specialization in Theory and Design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad (2007-2009)

Recipient of Louis Kahn Gold Medal for the Best Thesis

Thesis Title: Semiotics of Architecture

B.Arch., Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture, Rajkot (2001 – 2006)

Council of Architecture Reg. No. - CA/2007/40082

ACADEMIC RESEARCHES:

Texts in Architecture (from the 60s to 90s) – A Rhetorical Analysis (Major research for M.Phil.)

Guide: Prof. Jaimini Mehta

Internal Reviewers: Dr. Leon Morenas from School of planning and Architecture from Delhi & Prof. Neelkanth Chhaya an eminent academician and practitioner in architecture from Ahmedabad

An Inquiry into Historiography as a Tool for Research: Islamic Architecture of India (Major research for M.Phil. equivalent to the required coursework)

Guide: Dr. Seema Khanwalkar

Semiotics of Architecture – Graduation Thesis (M.Arch)

Guide: Dr. Seema Khanwalkar

Louis Khan Award (Gold Medal) for Best Thesis

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad: Change and Continuity in the Architectural Character

Undergraduate Architectural Dissertation (B.Arch)

Guide: Ar. Anand Iyer

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor at Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture, Rajkot affiliated with Saurashtra University, Rajkot since Dec. 2011 – Teaching courses at B.Arch.

Lecturer (appointed via. GPSC) at Government Polytechnic for Girls, Ahmedabad 2011 – Diploma in Architectural Assistantship

Visiting Faculty at Center for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad (2009-10) – Assisted for M.Arch courses

PASSION & FOCUS:

History, Theory and Philosophy in Architecture, Academic and Archival Research, Humanities and Critical Thinking

PUBLICATIONS:

The Signs in Architecture

D/SIGNED – NID Publication, Ahmedabad

International biannual magazine, Dec. 2010, pp. 134-139

De/coding: A method to analyze architectural theories

Paper Presentation and Publication in International Conference at REVA University, Bengaluru

Between the Lines: on architecture and Urban Planning – October, 2018

The Emergence of a Public Sphere: Architectural Texts from 1960 to 1990

Published in BITÁCORA ARQUITECTURA 43, 2019

A peer-reviewed, bi-lingual academic journal published in the UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico) Faculty of Architecture since 1999.

PAPER PRESENTATION:

Interdisciplinarity in Architectural Research

National symposium at SSIU, Gandhinagar supported by Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) on the topic “New Directions in Design based Research” conducted at our school on 15-16 December 2018

De/coding: A method to analyze architectural theories

International Conference at REVA University, Bengaluru - Between the Lines: on architecture and Urban Planning –October, 2018

Pedagogy for Theoretical Courses in Architecture

National Seminar on Pedagogy in Architecture held at IPSA, Rajkot 2017

With a strong inclination towards research and documentation in architecture, my teaching focuses on Humanities, History of Architecture, Research Methods and Design Studios. According to me, Critical Thinking is the most important aspect one must cultivate in order to be able to respond to different situations in life and career. In all the courses that I take, the aim is on developing critical thinking abilities in students. Cultivating and enhancing the reading and analyzing abilities in students coming from vernacular language background as well as students coming from English language background is the biggest challenge for me.

History of Architecture

The division of curriculum across semesters is largely chronological. This was a conscious choice to emphasise the discourse over history of architecture with reference to Indian Sub-Continent. However the students are exposed to major paradigm shifts across the world along with the inclusion of regional architecture at all levels.

The foundation is laid with notion of formal architecture and the advent of “civilization” based on its chronological order. Later the students are exposed to Religious architecture and early temples. Parallel to that they also look at the inception of Greek and Roman Civilization.

Then they are introduced to mature form of temple architecture in our continent. While in the West, they will look forward to understanding Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Islamic Architecture. The course also stresses on reading theoretical texts for critical analysis of data.

The other half curriculum in history is focusing on forts, palaces and major Indo-Islamic buildings. Later they are known to the initiation of movements in Art and Architecture across Europe, particularly those that influenced and shaped majority of Architecture today. They look and infer the works of Modern Masters carrying along the understanding of Schools of Design. The Last part of course looks towards Plural directions in PostModern Architecture majority that came after WWII.

Fig.1. Trade route map by Viral D., 2020.

Fig.2. Comparative sheet for subterranean architecture, Rushi P 2020

Fig.3. Batch 2019

Fig.4. Batch 2019

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Fig.8. Drawing by Viraj D., 2020

Exercise was based as an introduction to cthonic/subterranean and tectonic architecture across the world. Students had to select one monument and look at it in detail of their geography, available resources, its material and construct. Along with it they also had to analyse the spatial organisation and illustrate in A3 plates.

Fig.9. Fig.10. Fig.11. Drawing by Ronak C., 2020

Fig.12. Drawing by Rahul K. 2020

Fig.13. Drawing by Dushyant P., 2020

Fig.14. Drawing by Bhargav C, 2020

Fig.15. Fig.16. Fig.17. Group work by Manasvi S, Ravi B., Jeel M.

Fig.18. Fig.19. Fig.20. Group work by Virali K., Raj M., Nikhil K.

Fig.21. Fig.22. Fig.23. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.24. Batch 2015 Plotting Temple plan 1:1 Fig.25. Batch 2015 Plotting Temple plan 1:1

Students of the second year along faculty members from Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture visited the temple precinct of Supedi, Dhoraji. Students study the architecture of Indian temples and their stylization in Semester IV as a part of their History course. The temple precinct here is raised above the ground and enclosed within fortified walls along the bank of river Utavali. Students have measure drawn the precinct, along with 4 temples within it and have documented the ritualistic activities of these 13th Century temples. Surprisingly, Shri Murali Manohar Temple one of these four temples is the only West facing temple of Shri Krishna in India apart from temples of Dwarkadhish and Dakor. Supedi is one of the lesser-known places in the south of Saurashtra, housing this rich cultural legacy of Nagar cellã temples in Gujarat.

Fig.26. Murali Manohar temple Precinct Fig.27. Shiva Temple at Murali Manohar temple complex

Fig.28. Riverside face of the temple Fig.29. Temple court, at Supedi Fig.30. Iconography at Murali Manohar Fig.31. Interior view of temple dome, all Photographs by Batch 2018

Fig.32. Fig.33. Group work by Amit, Tejus, Snehal, Siddhant, Subhadra and Sagar P. 2014

Fig.34. Fig.35. Fig.36. Group work by Rashmita, Sneha, Anjali, Ashwin, Mitesh, Nimesh 2014

Fig.37. Fig.38. Fig.39. Group work by batch 2012

Fig.40. Fig.41. Group work by Anishi, Krita, Shilpy, Mahek, Shreya, Vidhi 2014

Fig.42. Group work by batch 2015 for HOA VI

Fig.43. Illustration by Aneri M.

Fig.44. Illustration by Nidhi B.

Fig.45. Illustration by Dhruva K.

Fig.46. Illustration by Ajay

Fig.47. Illustration by Parth K.

Fig.48. Illustration by Mitul N

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Fig.54. All above figures are group work by Harsh D., Jay P., Niyati T., Shivangi K., 2018

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Fig.60. All above figures are group work by Hapy P., Harshit J., Pruthav P.,

Lived space for me is space that one feels, with respect to time be it day to day, on an hourly basis or after of seconds. We mainly relate space to its dimensional properties that is its length, width and an overall volume. Although we relate space more to what we experience or feel, but more often than not cannot describe it orally.

For example when one enters double/triple height space, there is a massive burst in volume, making on feel overwhelmed or tiny and the opposite when in a crowded elevator, feeling claustrophobic or stuffed. A space not only changes on how we feel but also changes our character in that space.

When we enter a temple or any religious structure for that matter, there is a sudden change in our body language, going into a spiritual realm and a certain order, whether one is particularly religious or not, walking through a lonely street makes us feel vulnerable and unsure; these are feelings we can’t describe only through dimensions; intern becoming the space we are in, either created by the space or its character.

The qualities that we like or associate the space with, forms the spaces that make us feel comfortable or intimate with it.

Now, the reason for me to select my table with me as the subject was clear, as according to me one cannot understand how a person feels in a space at that moment apart from himself no matter however closely you are related to the person. Also as I spend most of my time here, in turn making me feel intimate or comfortable with it.

Just like a person, a space has certain characters, which define it, and if we ask the right questions we can find out what forms/makes the space that it is, at that moment. The place that the table is placed, in its specific orientation, along with the back wall and its surroundings form the space, but that space gains its character by the user that consumes the space.

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Fig.66. All photographs are by Aakash, for History

Sense of Place.

I chose third year studio extension; the projection of the studio. I use to sit there having a column as a support for hours to feel the space. A place completely disconnected from everyone.

I could see leaves, light filtered from the leaves and also bits and parts of sky. Therefore, my first layer of the submission are strips cut and pasted in such a way that the voids are the spaces between my leaves, and yellow is the light filtering through those leaves. Also, skyline is prominently shown as a blue horizontal line cutting the vertical strips.

The foliage was so dense that the presence of branches would be felt only when one looked closely. Hence, my second layer is an overlay where if looked closely one could see branches coming out.

Apart from the prominent green, a subtle colour of orange is seen, which is the roof line of the auditorium opposite the campus. Hence, the third layer has a horizontal line (orange in colour) cutting through one’s vision of leaves and branches.

Anmol Singh

The Core of this history exercise, is based on the writings of Christopher Alexander’s “A Timeless way of Building”. Students had to read the text and interpret his writings in form of an info-graphic. This exercise intended towards critical thinking of historical texts in architecture and it’s perception.

Fig.68. Illustration by Zeel P. 2020

Fig.69. Illustration by Mansi A., 2020 Fig.70. Illustration by Bhumin T., 2020

Fig.71. Illustration by Mariah M., 2020

Fig.72. Illustration by Dhruvi S., 2020

Fig.73. Illustration by Het V., 2020

Fig.74. Illustration by Raj H.,2020

Fig.75. Illustration by Pooja R., 2020

Fig.76. Illustration by Aditya S., 2020

Fig.77. Illustration by Darshit G., 2020 Fig.78. Illustration b Nayan S. 2020

Humanities

Nature is the prime generator of culture and civilization. as time progresses, there develops a more or less ordered community which we call society. Considering the Existence of Nature as an apriori in the evolution and spread of mankind; an idea of civilization, culture, and society has been introduced as a part of foundation level Humanities.

Art is neither created nor received in a vacuum. Hence, the work of Art should be approached from a contextual angle; the physical social, technological and hence the cultural contexts. The curriculum of Humanities is based largely on these principles. As the major thrust of the subject is on contextual studies, the object of study could be from macro (global perspective of art movements) to micro (local art forms; dance forms, art objects, etc.) level. These are the two major dimensions in which the study could be structured.

Identifying the major styles and movements as persisted in modern art and getting the sense of ideologies prevalent during that particular time period will help an individual understand art. This will also help in gaining the conceptual understanding of various “isms” and movements that are classified academically. At micro level, an inquiry into certain cultural objects or artifices that forms a part of living traditions will generate an understanding of values, beliefs and rituals of a particular group of society.

Fig.79. Time-line by Batch 2014

Fig.80. Time-line by Batch 2015

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Fig.83. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.84. Group work by Batch 2017

Fig.85. Mind map by Faculty Kaushal Padiya

Fig.86. Journey by Ankita S., 2017

Fig.87. Illustration by Samrat D., Mohit S., Gaurav, Siddharth, 2017

Fig.88. Batch 2017

Fig.89. Group work by Batch 2017

Fig.90. Group work by Batch 2017

Fig.91. Group work by Batch 2017

Fig.92. Group work by Batch 2016

Fig.93. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.94. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.95. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.96. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.97. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.98. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.99. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.100. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.101. Group work by Batch 2015

Fig.102. Group work by Batch 2015

Design Studio V

Harsh Dobariya 2016

Institute for Artisans at Rajkot.

The center is aimed to provide a platform for artisans and craftsmen to further pursue their skillset based on their particular craft. It looks towards providing spaces to interact and grow within nature. The core idea in design was to give an identity to the city through the institute as well as providing adequate working environment to the artisans.

Fig.103. All figures, models and drawings are done by Harsh Dobariya

Design Studio V

Manasvi Samani 2017

Paryavaran Mitra, an NGO by a dedicated team of social workers, young professionals and industry experts which focuses on improving the economic, social and physical well-being of rag-picking women. Keeping the above focuses, Paryavaran Mitra, has decided to establish a collection center for the recyclable waster picked by these women in Ramapir no tekro. At this centre, they will purchase the recyclable waste from the rag picking women directly and hence provide fair weight and rate. This center will also become the community space where women can come and sort their waste. This would be a hygienic alternative for the women sorting at home. Apart from that, the center will provide regular health checkups and health education. There is also a need of better sanitation facilities. Saturday special programs will be organized every week, where there will be opportunities for these women to interact and engage in fun activities centered on awareness, exercise, entertainment and nutrition.

Fig.104. All figures, models and drawings are done by Manasvi Samani

Design Studio V

Shrikant Mansara 2019

Centre for Humanity, an institution for healthy interaction between people of all faiths and age. The activities and spaces of this institution will bring a heightened awareness of “ How an individual or group is similar or different than other?” The institute will house spaces for spiritual, social and environment, and Learning Engagements’ and it will also serve as a ‘Platform’ promoting various pertaining to spiritual and social gathering at Urban scale. The ownership of site belongs to ‘Memon Boarding Trust’, Rajkot and it is located opposite Circuit house, Rajkot. It is flat and it is approx. 9,900 Sq.Mts. Area.

SANSKRUTI KENDRA” Centre for Humanity, an institution for healthy interaction between people of all faiths and age. The activities and spaces of this institution will bring a heightened awareness of “ How an individual or group is similar or different than other?” The institute will house spaces for spiritual, social and environment, and Learning Engagements’ and it will also serve as a ‘Platform’ promoting various pertaining to spiritual and social gathering at Urban scale. In addition to its fundamental objective, institute is conscious about prevailing climate change hence wishes to host various events for environmental awareness.

Kinestetics in Architecture

Guide- Prof. Riddhi Shah

Vidhi Araniya 2017

What makes the person ‘pause’ in a space? Is it the functional spaces or is it the subjective matter?

What character of built environment generates certain type of experience while moving in it?

How the spaces can narrate the story of overall built environment while moving and while pause in the spaces?

What is the role of transitional space and threshold in experiencing and engaging with a place?

The term ‘movement’ can be interpreted in architectural sense in multiple ways like the buildings movement during the time of earthquake and the past historical movements. Here the study essentially deals with experiential quality of place while moving by a human visually as well as physically. Thus the actual experience of the studies and observations will be recorded in first hand primary source in institutes. The basic area of understanding of space will be based on secondary source.

Almost in every building, movement plays an important role for experiencing it. But the scope of the study will be limited to only public institutes The movement can be explained in both closed spaces as well as open spaces, but the study will be done in the overall built environment. This study is an attempt of analyzing the movement and pause spaces and the experiences associated within in the spaces of built environment.

Making of an organic city : A Case of Old city of Jammu

Guide- Prof. Riddhi

Shilpy Mehta 2017

Shah

The study titled “The Making of a city: A Case of Old City of Jammu”is done due to the reason than in the recent past, there has been quite frequent exposure of mine to the term city whether in the subject of urban design or in the course of history where actually the scope of the study was focussing on “How cities are formed?”. This triggered me to choose a topic for my Undergraduate research dissertation which actually includes the extensive study of a particular city of India. But now regarding the selection of old city of Jammu as there are so many other cities, studying which, one can study to get an idea about the aspects involved in the making of the city. But answer to this question is that the city of Jammu is a place which lies in the foothills of the Shivalik range which is a part of Himalayan range.

The cities which have grown in the reference of hilly terrains have peculiar morphological features and a distinct nature of settlement pattern. But that pattern also varies as the nature of the terrain and climate varies because Himalayan range offers various possibilities of developing places with respect to changing context.

The Himalayan Ranges extends from the northernmost part of India up till he northeastern end of the country. Another reason of the study involves understanding such a city which according to my understanding has always been under the umbrella of identity crisis because of the two adjacent cities, which are having strong geographical and cultural context i.e. Kashmir and Ladhakh. Due to the stark differences in the culture, climate and topographical condition,the settlement pattern has also emerged out in a particular way.

So there has been a constant curiosity that how the cities which has not gone through the extensive man made influential factor would have formed? What all are the processes involved in the making of such like cities and which parameters are there to identify the urban form determinants for such like organic city?

Making of an organic city : A Case of Old city of Jammu

Fig.108. All figures, analysis and drawings are done by Shilpy Mehta

Shilpy Mehta

Undergraduate Thesis

Jasdan

Darbargadh

Guide- Prof. Riddhi Shah

Prithvirajsinh Bilkha 2017

Anandvilas Palace : Architectural Investigation

The seeds of inspiration that triggered the germination of this dissertation lie in the initial ideas for Urban Design Studio project of Semester 9. The idea composed of designing a Stud farm to house the best breed of equus- The Kathiawad horses. The designation of this particular breed arose a series of questions regarding the region being entitled Kathiawad due to the residence and dominance of the Kathi community. The eagerness to critique the culture, traditions, and vigor of the Kathi clan grew as its impact on the region revealed itself during the study process. Being a Kathi myself, the required process unfolded various layers of our existence and pride. The study has given a chance to imbibe the customs, rituals, and the lifestyle of the prestigious clan.

The Kathis were known for their valor and humanity along with being strict followers of their customs. As the dissertation focuses on the architectural aspects, the study of their built forms that have since long influenced the region’s architecture, came as an advantage to accentuate the project. Prior to this, a thesis has been conducted on the traditions and culture of the Kathi community and their influences on the built form. This dissertation’s focus shall be on adding value to the previous thesis by means of in depth analysis of influence of various factors on the built form, and the study of evolution of architecture in the Kathiawad region due to the Kathi community.

A greater perspective was gained through the Rajkot RSP, conducted by the students of IPSA, f which I was a part. The study had focused on the Colonial architecture of Rajkot that as a resultant of the 89 years of rule, ending in 1947, of the British on the Indian subcontinent. They had not eliminated the princely states entirely, but had signed various treaties and ties to ensure peaceful coexistence among communities during the colonization period.

The Rajkumar College is a classic example of this rule and their influence on architecture. Having myself studied in RKC, where various princes have passed from, the influence of this culture had long been absorbed, and is now revealing itself in this dissertation. It had been taught to us that the British had tried to persuade Indians to follow their culture. The sole motive of this study is to bring justice to the culture and built forms of the Kathis, to honour the province that was named after them. The region of Kathiawad has seen these forms evolving, and the need to study and critique them arises as one understands its importance to the entire community of Kathiawad. An interesting aspect to the study arose from the community’s acceptance of the British influences in spite of them being strict followers of their customs and rituals. Why did they get influenced? Why did they change? What made them accept the change and evolve through time? How much of their true traits did they retain?

Jasdan Darbargadh Anandvilas Palace : Architectural Investigation (Change and Transformation)

Prithvirajsinh Bilkha

2017

Fig.109. All figures, analysis and drawings are done by Prithvirajsinh Bilkha

Nature of spaces in Antoni Gaudi’s works

Guide- Prof. Riddhi Shah

Vibhuti Sorathiya

2017

How did I reach the question and what can be the variables of it?

I was always influenced by the forms since 3rdsemester, where I had designed an Anganwadiin the circular form. This continued in the 4thsemester where I had designed a house in organic form, which I took it a floor high. Continuing that, I had done my working drawings too on the same design. During these semesters my interest towards these topics started to build strong. I went through lots of examples and lots of materials. I always had a struggle in achieving the space.

I started to work on the topics of my interest, when I looked forward on the architects who have been practicing on the organic forms or natural forms or even organic spaces. Frank Lloyd Wright used structural principles of mushroom columns for the design of the interior pillars. Antoni Gaudi took the skeleton of animals and dynamics of molecules and plants and used them as a guide. Santiago Calatrava’s language is organic not because he copies natural shapes but he applies the same structural solutions adopted by nature. Thus, these architects have made my interest stronger towards unique forms.

As Antoni Gaudi is one of the most influential architects from his time period and still prevailing and being studying about him in history classes I have been interested in his style of works. He has been the person who has given his life to architecture making his own style. Thus I started to work for the same.

Gaudi had a vast range of works to be studied on. I initially started with „understanding of design aspects of his works into which I moved further to the post occupancy of the building, but the buildings of him have now become the museums so to go further into that was of no use. I also tried to look forward to the inside and outside the built environment, but again the question of post occupancy was in relation to it. Thus, followed by the question, what is the importance of organic spaces designed by Gaudi?‟

I started to focus on the available drawings of his works when I derived that the organic is not the spaces but organic is elements thus I moved forward to the „role of elements in making a space organic.‟ But eventually my learning said that elements are unique in itself and all spaces cannot be called organic. Thus, learning about the spaces I took my study towards the nature of space, where I would understand the character of a space, with the physical appearance and the spatial quality.

Nature of spaces in Antoni Gaudi’s works

Fig.110. All figures, analysis and drawings are done by Vibhuti S.

Vibhuti Sorathiya

Undergraduate Thesis

Traditional Indian Bazaar a Lived Space Para Bazaar, Rajkot Guide - Prof. Riddhi Shah

Rajeshwari

2020

Pandya

This research is an attempt of discerning the experiential aspects of architecture in Para Bazaar, which is a Traditional Indian Bazaar of Rajkot, Saurashtra, Gujarat. these aspects of experiences, between the user and built environment forms the lived places. Referring to the theories on the concept of lived space, the three main aspects of its formation within a place were identified for the study. These three aspects were further observed in the architecture of Para Bazaar, in order to determine the lived spaces formed in it. To understand the concept of lived spaces in architecture, the study was further commenced by identifying the aspects of its formation in a Traditional Indian Bazaar.

A brief study was done in order to identify and observe the built characteristics of the Indian Bazaar. After identifying the built characters and its aspects of their formation, Para Bazaar of Rajkot was chosen as the primary case study. Detailed investigation of the three built markets in the bazaar was conducted as per a specific framework. It was then analysed and documented through photographs, site analysis, diagrams, sketches, observations and experience of the researcher.

The study of Para Bazaar as a lived space, encompasses on how the conception, perception and utilisation of the place, formulates varied lived experiences. It highlights on the dynamic nature of spaces formed with the presence of day to day life human activities. It showcases how built environment lived by the user for its purpose generates its experiences. It also signifies the tangible, intangible, dependent and independent variables within the architecture of bazaar, that makes it a lived space.

The mandate of studying Para Bazaar as lived space, was to identify and analyse the aspects of formation of lived space within its architecture. Hence, by studying in detail the three built markets, its users, and activities, and the nature of spaces within them helps in determining the kind of lived spaces that can be formed within a place. Hence, the study gives an insight, over the lived spaces of the users of Para Bazaar, and the generators of experiences between human and built environment.

Traditional Indian Bazaar : A Lived space, Para Bazaar Rajkot

Fig.111. All figures, analysis and drawings are done by Rajeshwari Pandya

Rajeshwari Pandya

Undergraduate Thesis

The School Of Life : An enquiry into designing ideal educational environment.

Guide - Prof. Riddhi Shah

Achal Dadhania

2017

The eminent architect and author, Herman Hertzberger, in ‘Space and Learning’ believes that a space should be a stimulus-for learning. Not being told how it should be done, but in the words of Maria Montessori, “learning to do it yourself.”We think of schools and usually, bright classrooms with blackboards come into mind. The students are eagerly gulping what the teacher is trying to feed their brains. May it be a rural or urban setting, students everywhere require a space which allows them to flourish as individuals and yet, be able to work with peers, just like them.

This is a place which doesn’t judge the students’ background and the space helps in establishing a relationship with their peers, environment and their surroundings. The traditional models of education are changing and the space needs to be updated as well. According to the BaLA report (GOI, 2010), education today needs to bridge social, regional and gender gaps, with the active participation of the community in the management of schools. (SSA, 2010) Instead of a nurturing environment, schools are becoming a thriving mass of chaos and money-making business strategy. From kindergarten to high school, the definition of a student-teacher relationship has changed drastically and needs ‘mending’. School environments have to be ever changing and stimulating to create an atmosphere which nurtures a student’s brain, belonging to any age group.

With the advent of education for the masses, there were many theorists and educationalists who proposed and re-enacted the way schools function and how to re-create a flourishing environment for both the students and the teachers.

There exist schools built on the philosophies and ideals of Rudolf Steiner, Maria Montessori, Sri Aurobindo Gijubhai Bhadeka, Jiddu Krishnamoorthy, etc. These educationalists changed the conventional meaning of schools and schooling by providing ways of experimental teaching model which allows the student to select what he or she wishes to study and learn. Although, the ideas and origins of each of these theorists are different, they are increasingly broad-minded and relevant even today. The school design today results in an uninspiring learning environment, mass producing students to obey the laws of the society powered by capitalism. The students of primary education (who are barely children) are spending more time closed in an enclosure than spending time at home or just playing in green, open spaces and this may cause an adverse effect on their lives where they tend to become bored or frustrated of the learning environment. In the long haul, this becomes a comfort zone which may not enable the student to cope with educational life further.

This thesis seeks to analyse and ‘insert’ the traditional philosophy based education systems into school building design and to bring back the actual meaning of a school in an institution and learning environment.

The School Of Life : An Enquiry into Designing Ideal Educational Environment.

Fig.112. All figures, analysis and drawings are done by Achal Dadhania

Institute For Performing Arts Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat Guide - Prof. Riddhi Shah

Rutvi Gohil

2020

A Dance has always been a passion and pride for me. The journey of learning and performing different styles of dance forms from school time to today. Participated in the dance club to share and learn new ideas with people having a common interest. Dance has always been a prime focus. Also, I felt that there is something between dance and architecture. Dance has been my passion ever since I was in school. This dissertation is born out of my interest both in Dance and Architecture.

Performing arts and architecture have many overlaps because both are the means of creating something using elements and principles. Both disciplines have been evolved together in Indian history. India has been a cradle for numerous art forms due to its rich and diverse cultural inheritance. To investigate this connection be- tween Art Forms and place, it is imperative to understand the origins of Performing Arts and spaces and also aspects of performance spaces, its evolution by the time, form and needs of performing arts.

An architectural expression is the close education of the human with the materials and mode of construction, which contribute to aesthetic sensation and other things into the built forms. Architectural achievement thus becomes a landmark of the pattern of society indicating resources, spiritual and material, as well as economic and technical limitations. Also, the building expressions which reflect the attributes of the particular region and art forms. The architecture will suitable for particular art forms and performance spaces.

Flexibility is the potential for spaces to be used in a variety of ways without altering the building fabric or its form. The patterns or buildings we have designed are inherently both flexible and adaptable. How a particular space is used in multiple ways by the people, we used a particular space by changing the objects or interior.

The proposed institute for Performing Arts is to be designed at Rajkot. Rajkot is the Fourth largest developing city in Gujarat after Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. It is the major regional centre for the arts. Saurashtra has very rich cultural heritage and rich art forms. Rajkot being the centre of Saurashtra, is educational and industrial hub. Also city has very rich culture in history, folk arts, performing arts, sports and festivals. Designing of the institute would enhance the understanding of the relationship between performing art and spaces required for learning that particular art form, the experience of the built environment by artists.

Institute for Performing Arts Saurashtra University, Rajkot.

IPSA Archives

Architectural Heritage of Saurashtra

Architectural Heritage of Saurashtra is the first exhibition from the architectural archives at IPSA. The exhibits comprise of the documented institutions from the 9 Native States of Saurashtra by 9 batches of IPSA. These documentations were done under the Related Study Programs at the school by the third-year students.

The curation of this exhibition showcases 27 prominent public buildings and nodes selected from more than 90 documented and archived. It is a compilation of the archival matter that includes drawings, photo plates, reports, and soft line drawings. Various distinct typologies of public buildings evolved during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The included examples give a clue to the advent of modernization in Saurashtra.

The exhibition is broadly categorized under the regions administered by the British after British Political Agency was established at Rajkot in 1822; Halar, Jalawad, Gohilwad, and Sorath. The institutions exhibited are from the following cities (which were Native States before independence);Rajkot, Jamnagar (also known as Nawanagar), Morbi, Gondal, Wadhwan, Limbdi, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and Porbandar. The exhibition explicates the importance of documentation and inquiry into architectural education and would serve as a milestone for the future actions. It opens up the opportunities for future research and conservation of the indigenous heritage of the region.

Fig.114. Poster by Archive team

M.Phil. Dissertation

Decoding Architectural texts – A Rhetorical Analysis

Guided by- Prof. Jaimini Mehta

Abstract

The period from the sixties to the nineties in the twentieth century is very important with reference to an emergence of architectural discourse in the countries of the First World. Prolific publication of the writings occurred during this period. These writings proved to be markers of the shift in architectural practice; they generated a discourse in architecture and brought awareness amongst the architectural professionals and common people regarding the then prevalent situation and suggesting a need for change in practice. Review of the writings published during the period in question proved them to be persuasive. Through the writings, the authors questioned the resultant practice of modern architecture and showed a path to future direction. Hence, Rhetorical Analysis is a method adopted in this study to understand the elements of persuasiveness from the selected texts.

The hypothesis hence put forth was;

Rhetorical analysis is a method to analyse and interpret texts in architecture published from 1960 to 1990.

For this study, the writings in question are Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966) by Robert Venturi, The Timeless Way of Building (1979) by Christopher Alexander and Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture (1980) by Christian Norberg-Schulz. In analyzing these texts for its rhetoricity; background of the author, the situation in which the writings occurred and the strategies adopted by the author to formulate the writing are the parameters used to investigate each text. The framework for analyzing these texts is based on the concept of Rhetoric by literary theorist and rhetorician Herbert Wichelns, Kenneth Burke and Lloyd Bitzer. Here, the selected texts are taken as rhetorical units. Thus rhetorical analysis in this study is proved to bean important concept to analyse the texts in architecture. On analysing the selected writings, important inferences can be identified.

Riddhi Shah CEPT University

M.Phil. Dissertation

An Inquiry Into “Historiography” As A Tool For Research Islamic Architecture Of India

Guided by- Prof. Dr. Seema Khanwalkar

Historiography “… denotes the total number of histories written about a specific chronological period or thematic unit, and, by extension, it is applied to the knowledge about or the broader study of such a set of works.” 1

- PANAYOTIS TOURNIKIOTIS

History can be understood as inquiry, investigation and research 2 and historiography as a process of writing or recording history. Being an end product of historical investigation, the term itself generates wide range of meanings and definitions for itself and becomes a benchmark for any research. A basic concept that a research cannot take place without an understanding of history has been accepted globally. Thus, a historiographic study related to the specific area of research would give focus to research. It also helps in viewing a historical event or issue from multiple points of view by engaging various sources. The study will rest on, how knowledge of past is obtained and conveyed – its authorship, sourcing, interpretation, style of writing, bias and audience. The time and period of the generation of this knowledge becomes a very important dimension to the study. This study aims to understand the interpretation of Islamic Architecture of India as described by the selected authors through historiography.

Riddhi Shah CEPT University

M.Arch. Theory and Design Dissertation

Semiotics of Architecture

Prof. Dr. Seema Khanwalkar

“Philosophy inhabits architecture, no less than architecture inhabits philosophy” - Neil Leach

Architectural discourse is broadly divided into two categories: Discourse of forms which revolve around the question of style and discourse on its perception & emergence which revolve around understanding representations and reading meanings. Pragmatically, architecture not only fulfills its basic endeavor of being functional, but also carries meanings which are conveyed by its formal expressions. Hence, the form can be seen as a result of deeper concerns. The concept of meaning is multivalent – it has many meanings in itself and varies from person to person who interprets it. There is a vast difference in the way one perceives it, conceptualizes it and represents it. In architecture: one sees a piece of architecture (through his eyes), interprets it (in his mind) and describes it (in words). A strong interrelationship exists between reality, thought and language. The question then arises… is there any structured way in which these interrelationships can be revealed? This dissertation attempts in understanding these interrelationships through the theory of semiotics.

Culture has a deep impact on architecture or vice versa. It is the systems of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people. “Culture in semiotic terms can be understood as communication”. Architecture in this sense has its significance, as its primary function is of a functional object and the secondary of being a symbolic object. This view permits us to look at architectural objects as sign vehicles capable of being described, catalogued, and interpreted in the light of certain codes which are part of the culture that illuminates the architecture. It is within these codes that we can begin to see the communicative possibilities of architecture. This would further lead to an understanding of the impact of architecture on human life, the environment around them and the culture in general.

The scope of the dissertation was to study basic models of semiotics as prepared by eminent semioticians Charles Sanders Peirce and Umberto Eco.A rational model then was formulated for analyzing built environments. Educational block of IIM-A was analyzed based on this framework. This dissertation offers a glimpse of semantic potential of architecture though the analysis of two examples. The study will also attempt in figuring out how the issues of time and place can be considered in the framework of semiology.

Riddhi Shah CEPT University

B.Arch. Dissertation

Indian Institute of Management : Continuity and Change in its architectural character

Prof. Anand Iyer

Riddhi Shah

IPSA, Saurashtra University

2006