Urban Design Portfolio | 2020-23

+44 7741337867

saheel.birewar@gmail.com

I am an urban enthusiast with a passion for the spatial design of buildings and cities. With over 18 months of experience working as an Urban Designer and Architect with international teams in India, South Africa, and Vietnam, I have gained valuable insight into how cities operate on a global scale. Through large-scale urban projects in both education and experience, I have successfully adapted to changing factors and dynamic scopes of work, which has allowed me to be flexible in my thinking and approach. This has also enabled me to be an open-minded collaborator, keen observer, and sensitive mitigator, I believe these are crucial qualities of an urban designer.

My interests primarily lie in designing inclusive and vibrant public spaces, exploring the gender dynamics of public spaces, and designing sustainable city systems that consider the ecology of and in cities. Through my work, I aim to contribute to realizing sustainable and inclusive cities across various domains, including gender, sexuality, ethnicity, socio-economic classes, and age.

As someone who identifies as a queer person of colour, I believe my experiences in urban areas bring a unique perspective to the design of public places and cities. I have co-run an independent design studio focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to empathize, sensitize and innovate in the Urban Realm with a socially and environmentally inclusive lens.

With my academic background in architecture and post-graduation in Urban Design and City Planning, I have been able to develop a diverse set of software skills, which has significantly enhanced the quality, accuracy, and speed of the work that I produce. I am proficient in software such as Q-GIS, Photoshop, Illustrator, In-design, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Revit, Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, and Microsoft Office Suite. My Master’s course has enabled me to be wellacquainted with the UK Planning System, UK Based on critical urban issues and current debates.

Overall, my holistic sense of spatial design across various scales in cities enables me to make more informed decisions as a designer, my professional experience has enabled me to be a creative problem solver, innovator, avid learner and team player. It is my understanding that this is going to be a demanding role and I am fully prepared, willing, and able to learn and adapt as required. It would be an honour to work for you

PLACEMAKING STUDIO DENSITY- URBAN FORM STUDIO URBAN DESIGN CODING

STRATEGY AND GAME DESIGN

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN STUDIO

ACADEMIC WORK

BARTLETT

SCHOOL OF PLANNING

ACADEMIC WORK

BARTLETT

SCHOOL OF PLANNING

ACADEMIC WORK

BARTLETT

SCHOOL OF PLANNING

ACADEMIC WORK

BARTLETT

SCHOOL OF PLANNING

ACADEMIC WORK

BARTLETT

SCHOOL OF PLANNING

LONDON, UK

LONDON, UK

LONDON, UK

LONDON, UK

LONDON, UK

PLACEMAKING MASTERPLANNING STREET DESIGN AND TACTCIAL URBANISM

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

PUBLICSPACE DESIGN

PROFESSIONAL WORK PROFESSIONAL WORK

FREELANCE JANA URBAN SPACE, BENGALURU

PROFESSIONAL WORK PROFESSIONAL WORK ACADEMIC WORK

JANA URBAN SPACE, BENGALURU

JANA URBAN SPACE, BENGALURU

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE

CHANDRAPUR, INDIA CUTTACK, INDIA CHENNAI, DELHI, BENGALURU, INDIA

BHUBNESHWAR, INDIA CHANDRAPUR, INDIA

VAUXH ALL

PLACEMAKING STUDIO

It is an academic project done by a team of four. The site is situated in the London Borough of Lambeth. Historically this neighbourhood has been a hub got LGBTQIA+ activities which have struggled due to current redevelopment processes. The gentrification of the waterfront represents the primary threat to the site. The continuation of the current placeless high-rise development only would further divide and isolate the site that lies behind, as well as with the rest of London. The issue of a large transient night-time community. Continued Dominance of the Traffic Lanes and Gyratory over Pedestrian Access and Space. The Vision was to turn barriers into borders of exchange, healing the zonal division in the site through seamless connections while planning for a truly mixed and inclusive community life.

Green Infrastructure for all

PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS

sense of identity for queer community

Repurposing MI6 into a mix-use with LGBTQIA+ cultural and art centre

Energizing the community by introducing a cultural trail, gender-inclusive spaces, and farm allotments

Community empowerment.

a vibrant and active centre

The Waterfront: In-active high-rise residential and office complexes,

The Transport Hub Based around the railway viaduct, functions as a transportation hub

Inclusive public space. River For All

More equitable share of space

Joining with the wider Nine Elms-Battersea river network

The Community: defined by a more stereotypically traditional London urbanism, largely homogenous architectural language.

ENABLING SEAMLESS ACCESS

RESTITCHING POPLAR

MASTERPLANNING - DENSITY STUDIO

It is an academic project done by a team of five. The studio aimed at exploring spatial urban forms for highdensity living for the site in Poplar edged by the towering Canary Wharf on the south and post-war housing lots in Poplar in the North, divided by the Aspen Way. The vision was to restitch this divided and isolated land as a socio-cultural threshold between the two neighbourhoods. The project explores various building typologies to achieve high density while ensuring a high standard of living as demonstrated in the high-density living SPD of Tower Hamlets Council. The project scope involved conceptual design, developing an overall masterplan of the areas, detailed housing unit breakup and exploring high-density typologies for housing and open spaces.

DECONSTRUCTING SITE CONSTRAINTS DESIGN STRATEGIES

APPLYING THE STRATEGIES

Restitching Density

Restitching Heights

Restitching Landscapes

Restitching Mobility

View of the pedestrian bridge over the Aspen Way View of the primary road

SILVERTOWN REJUVENATING

DESIGN CODING

It is an academic project done by a team of 4 members. The aim was to develop a design code for an ex-industrial site in London’sRoyal Docks. In the context of key industrial functions being displaced and a transforming makeup of employment dynamics, the challnege was to deliver upon our vision of a diverse and fucntional emloyment hub, while also adressing London’s chronic housing shortage. The code sought to ensure high standard of living whilst bringing together these two disparate land uses through innovative design layout and careful orientation of facilities.

The movement strategy aims at ensuring seamless access to the waterfront. while integrating the proposed routes with the existing network.

The built-form strategy proposes tapering built form towards the river to ensure maximum visibiity of the river, while also tapering towards the factory.

The built-use strategy proposes a industrial core with a green buffer that integrates nature based solutions for essential services and a diverse mix with varying levels of residential use.

REGULATORY PLAN

The code proposes a seamless network of diverse kinds of open and green spaces with varying levels of privacy

ARCHITECTURE TREATMENTFENESTRATIONS

ARCHITECTURE TREATMENTFACADES ARCHITECTURE TREATMENTENTRY POINTS

CHARACTER AREAS

BUILDING ZONING CODES

The built-use and form codes articulate mixing of diverse uses, specifically industrial use with residential use.

BUILDING FRONTAGESACTIVE

BUILDING FRONTAGESANIMATED BUILDING FRONTAGESINACTIVE

RIVERFRONT ADAPTIVE RE-USE RESIDENTIAL

Phase 1residential led mix-use to mitigate the housing crises temporal public activities.

Regular Design codes reviews and public consultations temporal public activities.

Phase 2 - Focus on riverfront mix-use developments to welcome investments

Regular Design codes reviews and public consultations temporal public activities.

DELIVERY OPTION: MONITORING AND REVIEW PROCESS

Phase 3- Focus on adaptivereuse to revitalise the heavy industries.

Regular Design codes reviews and public consultations temporal public activities.

HOW TO PLAY?

• The game consists of a map of a neighbourhood which highlights the route to the school from the housing estate.

• Each player gets a priority list of measures they can do, based on feasibility and convenience.

• Each player gets a turn based on rolling the dice.

• At each turn, the player has to propose an intervention based on their priority list. The intervention is sanctioned only if the majority agrees based on a 1 min debate.

The project were developed as a part of Sustainable Futures by Design module. The projects explores interdisciplinary apraoches for enabling a sustainble furutre. In this task, game design and strategy/service design were explored as design domains. The aim was to develop a cooperative game to engage various stakeholders into a dialogue to sensitise them towards challenges and prioirites of diverse stakeholders. A board game was devloped which allowed players to advocate for various interventions and vote for others based on their prioritiies list.

• The agreement is based on the impact of these interventions highlighted in the priority hints at the back of playing cards.

• Players involved in voting and passing the interventions can add a pin at the intervention location to mark their involvement.

• If the intervention does not get majority support then the turn is lost and the dice are rolled again.

• The game ends when all the interventions are proposed for sanctioning once. The group/ player with maximum pins on interventions has the most influence.

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE TRIALS

TASK B COOPERATIVE GAME DESIGN

The players found it difficult to interpret the priority brief as they did not belong to the actual stakeholder group that they were playing. Another trial with revised player cards with a clear hierarchy of priority in which players were able to interpret the priorities better than trial

The game moved fairly quickly with the time limit for discussion. At the end of trial 2, it was observed that Council and the School had the most influence on negotiating the interventions.

Players negotiated the need and feasibility of certain interventions based on the already sanctioned interventions, which were considered a valid arguments.

CRITICAL REFLECTION

The game strongly employs the principles of cooperation, each intervention is sanctioned only when approved by the majority. the chance to debate provides an opportunity for players to understand each other’s priorities and come up with negotiations to appropriate the intervention so that it is feasible for all. The game format can be adapted to discuss different issues or different contexts with the same issue for collaborative urban design and planning.

The game is designed to be played mainly by people who associate with the respective groups in real life. As there is a scope to reflect on the intervention based on their real-life experiences. which limits its usability by general people.

The concept of currency can be introduced in the game to further articulate the feasibility of intervention as currently that’s largely determined by the knowledge of players and priority brief.

TASK A STRATEGY DESIGN

Source: https://wandsworthlivingstreets.org.uk/wls-suggestions-for-improving-air-quality-in-wandsworth/

(A)

(B)

(D) School Card- Back Resident Card- Back

School Card- Front Resident Card- Front

The aim was to develop a campaign strategy for a NGO working towards sustainable urban futures. A practical urban problem relevant to the NGO was identified. And, an overall champaign strategy was developed, articulating the role of various stakeholders and proposing various design and collaboration tools.

THE BIGBOX ECOPOLIS

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

This was an individual project done as a part academic module. The aim was to develop a sustainable vision addressing the current urban challenge. The project addresses the need for self-sustaining localised systems for essential urban services. and broadly aims at transforming the urban-nature relationship, through nature-based solutions and hybrid manifestations of spaces. The interventions build upon the potential of existing large-scale single-use open spaces- parking, accompanying the buildings. The components are designed based on the unit parking size, for seamless integration within existing parking lots. It proposes multiple naturebased solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production.

They can contribute in overall management and Incentives

They can contribute in overall management and

services.

INTERVENTION COMPONENTS FOR FACILITATING MULTI-USE

INTERVENTION COMPONENTS FOR FACILITATING MULTI-USE

The intervention build upon the potential of exisitng large scale single use open spaces- parking, accomping the buildings.

devlopments

The intervention component are designed based on the unit parking size, for seamless integration withe exisitng parking lots.

The intervention build upon the potential of exisitng large scale single use open spaces- parking, accomping the buildings. The intervention component are designed based on the unit parking size, for seamless integration withe exisitng parking lots.

SUB-STRUCTURE MODULES

TEMPORAL

TEMPORAL USE MODULES

USE

NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR URBAN SERVICES

NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR URBAN

to invest in local mangement of essential services.

mangement of essential services.

Incentives to invest in local mangement of essential services.

NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR URBAN SERVICES

Can ensure flexible devlopments

Can ensure flexible devlopments rights, and sponsoring infrastructure.

NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR URBAN SERVICES

CRITICAL REFLECTION

The project navigates the possible ways of realising an Ecopolis more incrementally by focusing on existing underused, single-use infrastructure. Looks at ways to redefine the nature-urban relationship while ensuring a resilient neighbourhood with more equitable access to community infrastructure for a more sustainable future. As the project involves retrofitting existing infrastructure, it does not actively refines pedestrian accessibility of these sites which can be looked into further.

PROPOSED NETWORK OF NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS

more incrementally by focusing on redefine the nature-urban relationship to community infrastructure for infrastructure, it does not actively

The intervention proposes multiple nature-based solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production. Depending upon the scale and spatial opportunities of the particular site, it can either accommodate all the solutions or can create a larger network with surrounding sites to ensure a circular framework.

REFERENCES incrementally by focusing on nature-urban relationship infrastructure for not actively 1. Douglas, I., Wang, R. S., Downton, P., Goode, D. (Ed.), & Houck, M. (Ed.) (2011). Towards Ecopolis: technologies, new philosophies and new developments. In Routledge Handbook of Urban Ecology (pp. 636Routledge 2. Bardzinska-Bonenberg, Teresa (2018). Parasitic Architecture: Theory and Practice of the Postmodern Era 3. Thematic Brief, Nature-based Solutions, United

REFERENCES

1. 1. Douglas, I., Wang, R. S., Downton, P., Goode, D. (Ed.), & Houck, M. (Ed.) (2011). Towards Ecopolis: new technologies, new philosophies and new developments. In Routledge Handbook of Urban Ecology (pp. 636651). Routledge 2. Bardzinska-Bonenberg, Teresa (2018). Parasitic Architecture: Theory and Practice of the Postmodern Era 3. Thematic Brief, Nature-based Solutions, United Nations Economic Network (UNEN) https://www.un.org/sites/un2. un.org/files/2021/04/nature-based-solutions-20110426.pdf

The intervention proposes multiple nature-based solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production. Depending upon the scale and spatial opportunities of the particular site, it can either accommodate all the solutions or can create a larger network with surrounding sites to ensure a circular framework.

1. 1. Douglas, I., Wang, R. S., Downton, P., Goode, D. (Ed.), & Houck, M. (Ed.) (2011). Towards Ecopolis: new technologies, new philosophies and new developments. In Routledge Handbook of Urban Ecology (pp. 636651). Routledge

2. Bardzinska-Bonenberg, Teresa (2018). Parasitic Architecture: Theory and Practice of the Postmodern Era

NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR URBAN SERVICES REFERENCES

Economic Network

(UNEN)

Nature-based Solutions, United Nations Economic Network (UNEN) https://www.un.org/sites/un2.

The intervention proposes multiple nature-based solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production. Depending upon the scale and spatial opportunities of the particular site, it can either accommodate all the solutions or can create a larger network with surrounding sites to ensure a circular framework. The grey water treatment employs a drip purification method using planters attached to the sloped roofs and/or the walls of the host building. Food waste uses anaerobic digestors which produce fertilizers, heat and energy which can be utilised as resources for other nature-based solutions.

The intervention proposes multiple nature-based solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production. Depending upon the scale and spatial opportunities of the particular site, it can either accommodate all the solutions or can create a larger network with surrounding sites to ensure a circular framework.

The intervention proposes multiple nature-based solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production. Depending upon the scale and spatial opportunities of the particular site, it can either accommodate all the solutions or can create a larger network with surrounding sites to ensure a circular framework.

The intervention proposes multiple nature-based solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production. Depending upon the scale and spatial opportunities of the particular site, it can either accommodate all the solutions or can create a larger network with surrounding sites to ensure a circular framework. The grey water treatment employs a drip purification method using planters attached to the sloped roofs and/or the walls of the host building. Food waste uses anaerobic digestors which produce fertilizers, heat and energy which can be utilised as resources for other nature-based solutions.

The grey water treatment employs a drip purification method using planters attached to the sloped roofs and/or the walls of the host building. Food waste uses anaerobic digestors which produce fertilizers, heat and energy which can be utilised as resources for other nature-based

3. Thematic Brief, Nature-based Solutions, United Nations Economic Network (UNEN) https://www.un.org/sites/un2.

The intervention proposes multiple nature-based solutions targeting various essential services such as water, waste, energy and food production. Depending upon the scale and spatial opportunities of the particular site, it can either accommodate all the solutions or can create a larger network with surrounding sites to ensure a circular framework. The grey water treatment employs a drip purification method using planters attached to the sloped roofs and/or the walls of the host building. Food waste uses anaerobic digestors which produce fertilizers, heat and energy which can be utilised as resources for other nature-based solutions.

The grey water treatment employs a drip purification method using planters attached to the sloped roofs and/or the walls of the host building. Food waste uses anaerobic digestors which produce fertilizers, heat and energy which can be utilised as resources for other nature-based solutions.

The grey water treatment employs a drip purification method using planters attached to the sloped roofs and/or the walls of the host building. Food waste uses anaerobic digestors which produce fertilizers, heat and energy which can be utilised as resources for other nature-based solutions.

PULIYA PARASITIC PUBLIC SPACE

The project explores parasitic architecture strategies to deliver accessible infrastructure with a flyover as a host to enable a dynamic and inclusive public realm in a high-density neighbourhood. The proposal activates surrounding open paces and gated green spaces.

The proposal was developed for the Chandrapur Local Council as part of ideation workshops. The proposal introduces co-working spaces, food-based retails, housing lots for migrant workers, and outdoor fitness infrastructure by retrofitting the existing flyover.

Flyover Underspace - Tycpical Layout for Outdoor Exibhition Spaces

Street food stalls, cafes, recreational activities, exibhition spaces and performance

Under-spaces Mezzanine modules, for co-working and multi-use spaces

MASTERPLAN MAHANADI

This is an under-construction project by Jana Urban Space for Cuttack Development Authority. The project deliverables included a conceptual design proposal, design coding and master planning for a reclaimed site along the river Mahanadi.

The author was part of developing the overall vision for the development, user consultations, design coding for streets and public spaces along the riverfront. Producing visualisations, compiling reports and site surveys.

HOUSEHOLD TOILETS

This is an conceptual design proposal developed under the Government of Odisha’s household toilets scheme for the urban poor.

The design objective was to explore spatial means of providing sanitation infrastructure for slums across cities in Odisha. Three slums were taken up as pilot projects. The proposal included four typologies with varying capacity and permanence. The project was sensitive towards ensuring psychological access through ancillary use to ensure gender inclusive usage. The project proposed possible management framework with active community engagement.

Modules for minimum street width of 2 meteres. Shared ownweship and maintaince

Community toilets modules for site with possibility of long-term lease. Ground floor with series of community-infrastructure.

Community toilets modules for site with possibility of temporal lease. Toilets with series of community-infrastructure.

TYPE A

TYPE C

TYPE D

TENDERS.U.R.E

STREETS

These series of projects were done in collaboration with local development authorities and NGOs for Jana Urban Space. The stages included conceptual designs, tender proposals, detailed construction drawings. The author was responsible for conceptual design ideation, stakeholder consultations, project estimations and costings, developing technical drawings for constructions, visualizations and report compiling. The tactical urbanism projects included on-site execution for trials.

DELHI INTERSECTIONS

TACTICAL URBANISM

VASANTH NAGAR HEIRTAGE TRAIL

TACTICAL URBANISM

View of the proposed Heritage Plaza, designed a key node of temporal public activities.

Bengaluru Muncipal Corporation

Chennai Muncipal Corporation

Delhi Development Authority

View of tactical interventions at Rajghat interventions.

Proposal for activating larger street network between two intersection through temporal tactcial interventions.

View of the trail along sidewalks, markings directs users to various landmarks.

CHENNAI MEGA STREETS

NUNGAMBAKKAM PACKAGE-03

STREET NETWORK DESIGN- 12 KM OVERALL

CRASH DATA ANALYSIS

GOL BAZAR A SOCIO-CULTURAL HUB

This was an individual academic project. It explores strategies for redeveloping existing market places into dynamic socio-cultural hubs in high-density neighborhood. The project achieves this through shared use and time-based design of spaces.

The project moves away from conventional formalinformal notion of spaces and promotes a hybrid way manifestation of space which critically responds to the challenge of high density living while tackling gentrification.

The stages include detailed documentation of the existing marketplace, user consultations, conceptual design proposal and detailed architectural drawings.

Changes in the built-form and use over time

The proposed network of open spaces and clustering of activities reinforce the existing sense of space and wayfinding thus retaining the bazaar character in the proposed redevelopment. The proposal employs strategic vertical zoning to integrate green infrastructure in a high-density setting. The zoning of commercial and sociocultural activities ensures the dynamic use of space and avoids dead spaces.

OTHER WORKS

The author has extensive experience inDevloping hand sketches for site apprasials, conceptual proposals, this includes, architectural sections, persepctive views, urban sketching.

Urban Photography for academic as well as professional projects.

3D Visualization for architectural, interior design and urban design proposals for both academic and professional projects.

Academic Research projects based around sociability of public spaces and Shared Use Dense Urban Neighbourhoods.

3D Visualisation developed for Telangana Tourism Masterplan