transport infrastructure

The given site is adjacent to the proposed metro in Bandra Kurla Complex, a majorly commercial hub in Mumbai. Block A’s fabric consists of Department of Sales Tax, Family Court, State Bank of India & its ancillary offices, Department for Regional Development, MMR Environmental Consultancy, various customer care and courier services, and residential blocks. Block B on the other hand consists of a plethora of significant restaurants of the city. Due to the diversity of programs, the proposed design hold the potential to serve each of the above across its respective levels. With rental office spaces to a green market for the residents & restaurants, the proposed design can add to the existing fabric of BKC.

The site currently is an open ground with an existing bus stop, public seating, a fountain, an amphitheater with Mithi river on one end. With the coming of proposed metro plan, the site experiences a natural gradiation. A form that follows this said gradiation would complement and resonate with the site itself.

LEVEL 2 recepting + dispersing passage from metro rental offices relay workspace toilets working space cafe rental offices central dispersion passage from metro

LEVEL 1 restaurant + cafe casual workspaces elecated bus stop toilets bus reception bus park waiting rooms + toilets for bus drivers elevate bus stop metro

LEVEL 0 bus stop bus stand resting area for bus drivers green waiting area for people reception + ticket counter green market + nursery toilets staircase elevators toilets green market & nursery direct exit reception ticket counter lift main road staircase elevators toilets green waiting area for local and city bus users auroville summer workshop

Auroville Green Practices b.arch semester 2 mumbai group project

Light Now (2015) - The ‘Light Now’ workshop explored the possibilities of artificial lighting in design through hands-on projects. The first project involved creating a dynamic viewer interaction on multiple screens using spotlights. The second project was a one-day temporary light installation for a chapel in Cesky Krumlov, where our group highlighted the central dome and created a gradient effect for the front elevation. I participated in both projects.

Earth and Bamboo Workshop (2017) - The Auroville Green Practices conducted a five-day Earth and Bamboo Workshop that was rigorous, methodical, and hands-on. The workshop focused on both the theoretical and practical aspects of earth and bamboo as sustainable building materials. The first three days were dedicated to learning about earth and building sample walls in groups to explore its structural capabilities. The next two days were spent at the Bamboo Center where participants learned about the physical aspects, advantages, and treatment of bamboo. We also worked in groups to build parts of a treehouse and learn about fish-mouth joinery.

The brief required us to select a self-organising pattern from nature. We examined patterns, conducted a diagram study, then with physical models, analyzed a specific pattern in response to varying environmental conditions. Later, we worked in groups on 1:1 scale installations. For this project, we chose the organization of sand ripples at the sea shore. The process occurs at an intertidal area where sand particles form repetitive patterns perpendicular to the water current. The thickness of ripples depends on sediment size. Asymmetrical ripples form with one-directional flow, symmetrical with two.

For our installation, we used file cards to create an origami sand grain with 5000 pieces in five sizes. We assembled it on site without adhesive, relying on inter-piece friction. The final product served as furniture for 14 months with no damage.