PORTFOLIO
Rukmani Swaroop Thangam
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Rukmani Swar oop T hangam Registered Architect in India sindhu.rukmani@gmail.com 07543734877, +917502900174
95, Hilton Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 9XS United Kingdom
D55, Rajam Road, TVS Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu India - 625003
Objective: To obtain a position in a firm that challenges my abilities as an architect and designer while enabling me to contribute to the team to my full extent
I am a designer who enjoyes producing professional and recreational works in varied scales and of myriad flavours, ranging from Architecture to writing. I love to travel and experience new cultures and languages. Travel inspires me and I am never without a sketchbook and a camera when I am doing so. I have a wide variety of interests and a discerning mind. I also enjoy analyzing the media I consume and I’m always open to new experiences. I have an eye for art and aesthetics, and excellent curatorial skills
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C U R R I C U L U M V I TA E EDUCATION : 2012 - 2013:
MArch Graduate Architectural Design Bartlett School of Architecture University College London Gower Street London - WC1 6BT
2007 - 2012:
BArch Architecture School of Architecture and Planning Anna University Guindy Chennai Tamil Nadu India - 600 025
2003 - 2007:
St Alphonsa Matriculation Higher Secondary School ARP Camp Road Nagercoil Tamil Nadu India - 629 002
WORK EXPERIENCE : October 2013 - Present : Freelance Designer June 2010 - November 2010 : Trainee Architect at Architects Consortium, Trivandrum, India. Other : Jewelry designer with Stilnest, Germany. Artist with works featured and sold in sites like Shapeways, Society6 and Redbubble. Travel writer with GoAbroad. Seller on Fiverr.
SKILLS AND STRENGTHS COMPUTER SKILLS : Architecture Rhinoceros Autodesk Autocad 2D and 3D 3DsMax ArchiCAD SketchUp Revit Grasshopper Autodesk Maya Vray for 3DsMax, Rhino & sketchup Maxwell Render KeyShot Lumion Adobe Creative Suite Graphics Microsoft Office Other ZBrush FL Studio Cinema 4D Real Flow Python Processing HTML5 Can easily pickup and learn any software required, and even the hardware aspects involved.
FABRICATION :
INTERESTS
Experience in working with Laser cutters, CNC milling machines, 3D printers and basic construction tools for wood, brick, metal and bamboo. Avid interest in various methods of prototyping.
Photography, Writing (Fiction and Poetry), Painting and sketching (both digital and manual), Sculpting, Music composition and editing, Jewellery design, Product design and travelling.
Knowledge of lampworking with glass (learnt under the tutelage of Mr Ray Skene, glass artisan)
THESES AND DISSERTATIONS :
Knowledge of glassblowing (learnt at The Glass Hub, UK)
COMMUNICATION: Languages known - English (Fluent), Tamil (Native) Good communication skills helped by constant interaction with clients, contractors and various specialists and participation in seminars. Excellent skills in research and presentation to a varied audience. Ability to develop a rapport with all manner of people irrespective of field of interest.
ORGANISATION AND LEADERSHIP: Excellent organizational skills developed by working with complicated projects and timelines. Good in teamwork and have good leadership skills. Have been an integral part of teams in many events such as Archiglace and University Cultural Events. Leader of a team in a Architectural Professional Ethics Seminar. Was Head of Chemistry club 4 years running while in school (2003-2007)
The Road to Development: Highways and their role in urban development Raising the Bars: Reinventing Cop Central Forms in Transition: The Art and Science of Continual Transmutation
COMPETITIONS AND EXHIBITIONS : Part of a team of designers for Archiglace, An installation at Musee Nationale des Beaux Arts du Quebec. One of the exhibits at BPro Show 2013 at the Bartlett School of Architecture Participation in Young Architects Competition 2013: Space to Culture Participation in Reshape Digital Craft Competition Participation in Annual National Design Competition 2009 Participation in IGBC Green Design Competition 2009
REFERENCES Sukumar, BMC Group, sukumar@bmcindia.net Marjan Colletti, UCL, m.colletti@ucl.ac.uk Guan Lee, UCL, guanlee@mac.com
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CONTENTS
Profile
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Resume
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Projects
8 Master of Architecture Graduate Architectural design Archiglace - installation
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Architecture of Ephemerality - Musee de Glace
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(G)Host - conceptual design
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Bachelor of Architecture Vertical Farm
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Hospital design
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Annual National Design Competition
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Professional Projects
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BMC School Titania
Other
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ARCHIGLACE Location: Musée National des beaux-arts du Québec, in association with Carnaval de Québec, Québec, Canada Collaborators: Cindy Charisa, Maria-Silena Patsalidou, Dimitra Poulokefalou, Samantha Oswald, Danielle Gignac, Tae Hyung Kim
Archiglace was an art installation done for the Quebec Winter Carnival, January 2013, at the MusĂŠe National des beaux-arts du QuĂŠbec in collaboration with students of architecture from the University of Waterloo, Cambridge, Canada. The aim of the installation was to make use of the nearinstant freezing of water under the extreme conditions of Canada during winter, using one other material, which in our case, was paper. The installation was the culmination of a semester worth of intensive research into crystal growth and assisted growth. Water, though itself not being a crystal, undergoes a crystallization process as it freezes. The research provided us with an unique perspective to create an unique installation. Ice is frozen fluidity and when it freezes, it takes on material abilities such as strength. Our installation looked to bring forth the ability of ice to act as a structural element while still leaving room for overall flexibility. The design is a miscellany of components that form a coherent structure as the water being sprayed on it freezes, glueing the components together and also dripping down and forming little icicles. This formation of ice on and among the paper gives the installation an air of both strength and fragility.
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The structure was sprayed with water in such a way that the formation of ice would seem to increase with distance from the viewer, the environment playing an unexpected role in this, as the ice closest to the building tended to melt faster and freeze slower due to the heat transmitted from the building.
Glass window seperating the two parts of the installation
We decided to bend the rules a little by continuing the installation indoors from our allotted site outdoors. Thus the installation appeared to transcend space by seemingly piercing through the glass window that was originally intended to be just something to view the installation through.
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The design process here worked in harmony with nature as the components are subjected to environmental factors such as wind, causing the final aggregation of components to be a variable. The components themselves were of flexible materials such as paper that became solid with freezing. The resultant form is reminiscent of something befitting a fairytale, like that of an ice cloud taking shape as and how the ice freezes.
The installation was in no terms ‘complete’ once we were done with it. On the contrary, with every little change in its environment, it underwent continual transmutation, the ice melting and refreezing in a different way due to wind, gravity and even body heat from the visitors. This idea of a continuous form finding not being limited to the stages of construction carried on into our research and later in the design of Musee de Glace.
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ARCHITECTURE OF EPHEMERALITY
Location: Quebec, Canada Collaborators: Cindy Charisa
Musee de Glace was the design project that followed extensive research on ice and crystallization, among other things. It is a museum, designed to showcase the wonders of nature, while showcasing itself. It was designed to be on top of the river, St. Lawrence in Quebec city. The museum would be open throughout the year, but it was designed in such a way that it would transform with the change in climate itself. Ephemerality and object impermanence were inspirations and tools that enabled us to come up with and design mechanationa that would allow for the transformation to occur. The museum, which would house a virtual reality centre, an exhibition hall, terrariums, a restaurant and other entertainment and educational activities, would be a closed cococoon in winter, the ‘petals’ that form part of the exoskeleten, triggered by the formation of ice, to close. This exoskeleton would open, or bloom , as it were, as summer dawns and the ice starts to melt.
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FABRICATION IN BOTH PROCESS STUDIE EXPRESSION OF THE FINISHED DESIGN Various studies were conducted both in the digital and analog world. Form modifiers were generated in grasshopper and applied to various different forms and surfaces to study how they interacted with each other and with other foreign elements. Furthermore, different models were fabicated using milling or 3D printing and were allowed to interact with a variety of crystallization process to study how they aided or participated in the process. These helped understand the forces and helped design better, by exploring possibilities and understanding limitations. They were a great tool in understanding how the museum would react to environmental factors and how they could be further manipulated so that it is made part of the design result. As such, a design model that would forever be in transition was arrived at.
Left to Right: 1,2. Form manipulation using grasshopper 3,4,5. Final form arrived at for test to see growth of crystals 6. Plaster model made from a mould using a milled version of the previous digital model. 7. Plaster model treated with salt to observe crystallisation process
ES AND
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Various expe of materials, through a me to determine see how the but also how used include resistant ma
eriments were conducted using a variety , but always in conjunction with water and ethod of alternating freezing and melting so as e interaction with ice. This was done not just to material would behave at a molecular level, w it would affect forms. The different materials ed paper, wax, plaster, several types of heat aterial and heatshrink materials.
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The museum consists of a large exhibition space, a restaurant, interaction spaces and a winter garden. It was designed so that the structure itself would fold on itself during winter months, creating an enclosed space just conserving heat. During the warmer months, the structure would open out - bloom - so as to create the summer pavilion. This process is aided by a pykrete foundation with the mechanised parts embedded in it.
Anticlockwise from Top: 1. Sectional view of the museum 2. Exploded isometric view of the museum 3. Physical model of part of the museum complex made using lasercut cloth and wood 4. 3D printed model of the museum
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Left to Right: 1. 3D printed model of the Museum 2. Rendering of the Museum
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Clockwise from left: 1. Section showing mechanised parts that bloom. 2, 3. Gallery during Winter
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G(HOST) The aim of the project was to create an interactive installation based off research done on swarms of living organisms. I chose a bloom of Jellyfish. The design idea was that, creating a rain like atmosphere with holographic lighting. This lighting is triggered by the position of the visitor, so that the rain doesn’t ‘fall’ on the person. This phenomena is measured and quantified by ‘attractors’ and pressure sensitive flooring. Since the location of the person is already recorded, the position can be stored as data points to be telecast at a later point. This causes a ‘ghost’ of previous visitors to walk alongside the current visitors, creating an unique experience. This concept entirely relies on holographic technology and the attractors. Attractors have already been widely used in various installations and using them in conjunction with holographic technology is still well within the realms of possibility even though this was intended to be a purely conceptual design.
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The Urban design project began as an extensive and exhaustive study and documentation of a 15 km stretch on the ChennaiBangalore highway, an area encompassing two small towns and four villages. The study revealed that the increase in the industrial buildings and subsequent development has caused the area that was previously primarily agricultural area not a decade ago, into wastelands. As a result of this the livelihood of the local population was greatly affected with marked decrease in food production and decrease in the fertility of former farmlands due to the chemicals from the industries, causing the people to abandon the farms to seek employment in the major cities. It was determined that the best way to combat this problem is to replenish the area and bringing agriculture back to the forefront while also making it lucrative for developers that the project would receive enough funding; hence the idea of a vertical farm was arrived at.
Left to Right: 1. View of the vertical farm. 2. Sectional view
The farm aims to be self-sufficient by producing, reusing and reclaiming all resources available. It has several floors of agricultural systems employing hydroponic and aeroponic method of growth and upkeep. Aside from the obvious advantage to the agricultural industry, the proposal plans to provide sufficient labour, either directly or through initiation of subsidiary activities. Some of these floors are maintained as co-op farms that the general public can use to grow plants themselves, or use local labour to grow it for them. This method provides employment for the local populace while maintaining interest and support from the general public. The animal husbandry unit employs similar strategies. Farms - hydroponic and aeroponic Animal Husbandry Educational facilities Research facilities Resort Restaurant Office spaces Garden pathway and forest floor Transit node and parking
VERTICAL FARM
ws showing broad zoning.
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The farm also has a research and development facility and an educational facility that enables possible growth and advancement in areas that would benefit the community at large and the farm specifically. It has a training facility to help the traditional farmers understand and employ advanced tactics to be used in the farm. Energy is produced and maintained with water, air, solar and biogas and along with the self-sustaining growth process of the farm makes it green in more than just a superficial sense, allowing for minimum wastage and increased energy production. Apart from the actual farms, there are entertainment spaces including a resort and office spaces. Part of the water collection, processing and filtering system is made open to the public by way of a display similar to that of a waterfall. This space also houses a step-well descending into the ground, paying homage to traditional roots. There is a market offering home grown plant products and small business product housed in the farm. From the base of the farm, there is a spiralling garden pathway which leads to large terrarium of sorts, bracketed in my wind turbines. The design aims to showcase and educate the masses on the use of sustainable designs and help integrate into the urban lifestyle.
Left to Right: 1. Stepwell complex; view from the parking structure 2. Forest floor showing wind turbines aligned according to the predominant wind direction 3. Aeroponics modele mockup - exposed roots in the aeroponic modules are nourished through mist irrigation
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CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL The design for a Children’s hospital included a carefully constructed littany of services. The main out-patient area is two-fold, with ample playful elements in it to soothe the unease caused in the child due to a visit to the hospital. Active photoremediation wall system aids in that as well, though primarily it provides a greener environment. The entrance to the Emergency department is to the side and different from the main OP entrance. It also has direct access to the Diagnostic department in the basement. The surgery and related spaces has been designed with great care as to sanitation, disinfection and control of substances. Close attention has been paid to the circulatory pattern while also taking into account, the process of a surgery, ie. bringing in the patients, movement of doctors, disposal of waste etc. A staggered space in the general wards provide each patient with a modicum of privacy is such a shared space, while also allowing for ease of care.
From left: 1. The various floor plans of the hospital 2. General Ward 3. Waiting area of part of the Out-patient department 4. Ground Floor plan
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ANNUAL NATIONAL
DESIGN COMPETITION 2009 - IN MEMORIAM Location: Chennai, India Collaborators: Sharmila Kamalakannan
The brief was to design a space inspired by a known Indian poet and the space needed to be associated with water I chose the following poem by late great Bharathiyar
- extolling the virtues of the nation. He says that the country is so varied, with different kinds of people and languages, but at heart, everyone is the same. Hence the space designed to express this is one of self-reflection while also showing the variety of people visiting it. The main space of the installation is a meditation space with an infinity pool looking out to the sea. The structure itself is built near an estuary, impressing upon the idea of unity. The connected globes play on the same theme, while a mirrored globular space reflects the land around it and the people visiting the space back at them.
Anti-clockwise from left: 1, 2. View of the space from different angles. 3. The meditation space with the infinity pool looking out towards the Bay of Bengal.
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SELECT PROFESSIONAL WORKS I trained under Ar. Sudhir Balakrishnan for 6 months and am currently practising as a freelance architect. Even during the training I was given design control over projects such as the design of a shopping mall and executive power over a few other projects, including many residences, a resort and few commercial buildings.
Left to Right: 1. Residence at Malayankeelu 2. Residence at Vakkom 3. Plan for the residence at Malayankeelu 4. Plan for Sree Moolam Club at Trivandrum
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BMC MATRICULATION HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL - UNDER CONSTRUCTION For the past few years, I have been paying off my Masters scholarship by designing various different spaces for BMC group, while also working as a freelance designer for other clients. I have been trusted with the design of many residences, two schools, several small projects and, my most recent one - a Research and Development facility. I have had cause to work in close contact with a variety of professionals such as contractors and other design professionals. The BMC school is one of the first major projects I did after graduating. The Client wanted a large imposing and eye catching facade and a collonaded front was the obvious answer. Construction on the school was twofold, happening over school breaks so as not to interrupt classes. The bare bones were constructed first and the portico is currently under construction. The BMC group can be contacted for reference. The Titania project is a research and development lab for the materials mined and quarried out of Kuttam. This project is still at its initial stage, its design still very much eveolving and changing. The picture depicted shows the visualization of the current design, presented to the client.
Left to Right: 1.Render of BMC School 2. BMC school portico under construction 3. Titania R and D building render
TITANIA R&D LAB AND OFFICE SPACE - CONCEPT STAGE
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ART
Left to Right: 1. Personal interpretation of Eugene Grasset’s ‘Three Women and Three wolves’ 2. Story illustration, depicting the Mother Godess 3. Portrait of Amy
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PRODUCTS
I design and produce a variety of products ranging from jewelry to home accessories, which I then sell on sites like Shapeways and Etsy. I hope to get into the niche field of Chocolate 3D printing if possible. 47
More at rukmanithangam.weebly.com