Architecture Portfolio - Saloni Choksi

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (2013 - 2018) SALONI R. CHOKSI

CONTENTS

01

CURRICULUM VITAE

02

THESIS - DISSERTATION

03

URBAN INSERT

04

Journey - To silent mind and active soul Badlapur, Maharashtra, India.

Traditional Flea Market Surat, Gujarat, India.

10

04

INSTITUTION

05

COMPETITION PROJECT

14

Music Institute Jahangirpura, Surat, Gujarat, India.

16

Kommerling Headquarter Camarma De Casteruelas, Madrid, Spain.

06

RELATED STUDY PROGRAM

07

MISCELLANEOUS

19

Mattu Beach Documentation and Presentation Udupi, Karnataka, India.

22

CURRICULUM VITAE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

WORK EXPERIENCE STUDENT EXCHANGE, SPAIN (for a semester)

2010_2011

SECONDARY EDUCATION Completed at Delhi Public School, Surat

PROFESSIONAL INTERN at RETES ARQUITECTOS, MURCIA, SPAIN January 2017 - March 2017 (3 months) RESEARCH PROGRAM - POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF CARTAGENA, SPAIN April 2017 - June 2017 (3 months) PROFESSIONAL INTERN at GROUP SEVEN ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS, MUMBAI August 2017 - November 2017 (3 months)

2011_2013

SALONI RAKESH CHOKSI

HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION (in science field) Completed at Delhi Public School, Surat

EXTRA CURRICULAR

BIRTH: 6 October 1995 NATIONALITY: Indian LINGUISTICS: Gujarati Spanish English Hindi

ARCHITECT at HABITARE DESIGNS, SURAT Present

(Native) (Intermediate) (Proficient) (Proficient)

2013_2018

CONTACT

UNDERGRADUATION Bachelor of Architecture (5 years) Completed at G.C.P.I.A. , Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat

INTERESTS

HOSTED TAPI FEST, SURAT

2014

STUDY PROGRAM 1 - BHOPAL, INDIA STUDY PROGRAM 2 - UDUPI, INDIA

2014 2015

STUDY PROGRAM 3 - SPAIN HOSTED ANNUAL NASA, INDIA

2016 2016

SOFTWARE & OTHER PROFICIENCY L Photography

Volleyball

Reading

Meditating

Inking

Travelling

Cycling

M

A

N

U

Painting

RENDERING

Listening music

PHYSICAL MODEL

ADDRESS: 6, Matru Ashish society, Athwalines, Surat, Gujarat, 395001

A

E-MAIL: choksi.saloni95@gmail.com

DRAFTING

MOBILE: +91-8347909099

DISSERTATION A JOURNEY TO SILENT MIND AND ACTIVE SOUL

5th YEAR | SEMESTER X INDIVIDUAL WORK The aim is to design a habitat that amalgamate spaces for Meditation, Yoga and Art Therapy for the type of architecture that is solely based on SENSORY EXPERIENCE. The thesis, therefore, identifies the tangible as well as the intangible design criteria, affecting the state of mind, including colour, light, materials, as a guideline to create a suitable healing environment for people of all age groups with a focus on stress mitigation.

04

CONCEPTUALIZATION

The purpose of this project is to explore how architecture can be of aid in relieving stress in the current age of media over-stimulation. It is inspired by AUROBINDO’S philosophy, envisioning human progress by evolving their Mind, Body and Emotions.

MEDITATION

MIND

BODY

YOGA Body gets engaged with the mind to work in harmony

Relaxation and Mental peace

EMOTIONS

A gleam of light into the darkness.

A new life, tearing down the resistance and entering into a new world.

ART THERAPY ž Awakens human senses and evokes emotions.

The concept for a JOURNEY OF EXPERIENCE is inspired from NATURE. Different nature-inspired emotions are merged into a journey of ‘5 stageEvolution process’, which is then portrayed in the form of an abstract art.

IN GERM

C O RU S C A T ION

Y

RE

JU VEN

ILIT QU T R AN

Stagnant water depicting serenity

Undergoing a state of transition.

Soothing effect using cool colours.

Area infused with water body to sustain the idea of a floating space.

A peace garden to feel one with the nature.

ATION

An enclosed space for concentration with a view frame as a focal point.

An inception of a powerful energy that pushes away darkness.

ION T A

Represents de-cluttering of the turmoil state of mind.

paintings, an ide y the a fo b d r e e t m e h o t t i e a o l r n s ca a spa e u h w m i n d c am St erive plif e d y. is

TRA NSFORMATION

A gush of water reawakening one’s senses through it’s dynamic characteristics.

A shift of experience in the circulation pattern Transmutation of rigid lines of pedestrians. into a softer pattern, merging with the hues of blue.

Depiction of the energy lines of a finger using primary colours.

Pockets on site’s river edge like gazebo or free spaces, wellknit with nature, to be solace and practice the spiritual art form.

05

SITE LAYOUT Site Area : 2,10,000 sq.mt Site Location : Badlapur, Maharashtra, India.

BADLAPUR

JOURNEY

Art Therapy

MAHARASHTR

2

Meditation Hall

The conceptual spaces are placed onto the site as per the site potentials and its immediate context. Its contoured terrain creates an interesting possibility of knitting spaces together yet away from each other.

4

Yoga Hall

To create a journey , the walkways leading to the units are designed to give users enough time to transition between spaces, building a surreal experience & creating a bit of drama throughout the journey.

Main Circulation Spine

1 3

1. Yoga hall merging with landscape and water body

2. View from river side

0 3. View from accommodation units

4. Interweaving spaces

15

30

60 mt

06

UNITS MEDITATION HALL

VISUAL ART THERAPY - COLOUR THERAPY UNIT

Spill out space at the centre

Disintegration of Space

Plan

Section

Introvert Spaces opening towards Nature

Introvert Spaces opening towards Nature

Space hierarchy and ventilation

Reversed Focal Point

VISUAL ART THERAPY - CLAY THERAPY UNIT

Chamfered sides to bring in more sunlight

Organic shell-like structure integrating with surroundings

Widens Towards Nature

The hall is simplified and magnified in its form. Homogeneous wooden material is used to minimize distinctions and distractions so as to bring focus on the frame of vision and to have a unified experience.

PLAN

SECTION

JOURNEY THROUGH A TUNNEL

0

3

9

21 mt

PLAN

SECTION

OPENNESS OF SPACE

0

2

6

14 mt

PLAN

0

2

6

14 mt

SECTION

INTERIOR VIEW OF COURTYARD

07

UNITS PERFORMING ART THERAPY - MUSIC & DANCE UNIT

YOGA HALL

0 2

PLAN

Cantilever over water

Seamless Space

6

LITERARY ART THERAPY - LITERATURE UNIT

14 mt

Infusing space with nature PLAN

0

2

6

14 mt

PLAN

0

2

6

14 mt

SECTION SECTION SECTION

The Yoga hall is designed to intensify the feeling of serenity into the space. To achieve that emotion, it is designed in cohesion with the nature, giving an illusion of floating on the water with a barrier free vision. The access to the hall is provided amidst water, creating a calm journey for the users.

SPACE FLOATING ON WATER

A free semi-open space is designed for the purpose of dynamic meditation and sound healing with an amphitheatre for gathering at the centre.

The structure is made up of White-tensile fabric supported by steel trusses to have minimum barriers and maximum mobility.

A hierarchy of covered, semi-open and open space is designed with an introvert planning that opens up in the north direction in order to gain more indirect light. Large openable windows are provided for better ventilation and visual connectivity.

TENSILE STRUCTURE FOR FLEXIBLE MOVEMENT

INTERIOR VIEW OF EXTROVERT SPACE

08

SITE LAYOUT

SITE OVERVIEW

SITE SECTION

09

URBAN INSERT TRADITIONAL FLEA MARKET

4th YEAR | SEMESTER VII INDIVIDUAL WORK The project aims to understand the urban fabric and the socio-cultural aspects of an area which is a part of the walled city of Surat. On the basis of this analysis, a flea market is proposed for the people engaging in traditional occupations like Zari work, Nakshi work(Embroidery) and wood work to provide them with a platform to showcase it, in order to preserve the local traditional art form.

10

URBAN INSERT Surat is an important city in the world in terms of trade and commerce. Typical lifestyle and specific house-forms has played an important role in its growth. The urban fabric of the city is developed with the influence of past events.

SURAT CITY EVOLUTION

1494-1687

The slow growth resulted in loose accretive fabric with a meandering street network.

The core areas display an organic urban growth , which evolved without any planned interventions. It has narrow winding streets following the topography, and houses are set back forming an open space system conducive for interactions.

The site for this project, consists of 3 different localities of Surat namely, Nanpura, Gopipura and Sagrampura. Located at center of the city, it is surrounded by a dense fabric gaining advantage of having all services nearby.

SURAT CITY TIMELINE

1688-1910

200 AD- Jain settlement in Rander

1225- Arab settlement in Rander

1496-1521 Malek Gopi settled in Surat 1373Construction of fort

Railway track 1911-1950

1500-1520 Surat colonized

1664Construction of inner city wall 1666Formation of puras 1715Construction of outer city wall

1947- Independence

Road 1951-1990

1952- New railway station construction

1901- Diamond industry established

1877- Hope bridge construction

1822-1849 Floods and fire outbreak

1738- Lal Darwaja construction

2003- Airport construction

1994- Plague 1998- Indoor Stadium construction

2006- Floods

2015- Revival of Gopi Talav

1991-2004 Industrial expansion

11

URBAN INSERT ANALYSIS

CONCEPTUAL

ES AC

SP

N REE

G

Built Green Pockets

E

YP

T ING

ILD

BU

The idea is to provide workmen with the similar kind of semi-open, simple and interactive space they currently work in.

Modules for individual workshops have been designed and arranged in a way to obtain a common work area creating a natural working environment and providing a larger space to work in.

MODULES Clusters have been arranged on the site to break linearity of pedestrian path, making journey through the market less monotonous.

Breathing spaces in form of courtyards and cafeteria are provided along the path.

Bamboo Workshop

Wood Workshop

Summer Winter Display area

Storage area

ING

Highrise Lowrise

D UIL

Semi-open Workspace Bamboo Wood Nakshi work work work

Gala Type

E US

Nakshi Workshop

CLUSTERS Sun path analysis - Light and Shadow

B

Commercial Mixed Use

T

GH

EI GH

IN

D UIL

Interlocking spaces

Residential

Bamboo Workshop - Cluster of 2

Bamboo Workshop - Cluster of 4

Industrial

B

Breaking linearity G G+2

N

TIO

A CUP

Wood Workshop - Cluster of 3

Wood Workshop - Cluster of 4

G+4 Above G+5

OC

Labour Wood Bamboo Khatli

Wood Workshop - Cluster of 2

Wood Workshop - Cluster of 4

12

URBAN INSERT Site Area : 9345 sq.mt

SITE PLAN

Merging site with its context

CULTURE The people of different communities work together, creating a h o m o g e n e o u s environment. The spirit of lending a helping hand across the neighborhood derives the idea of common work spaces between the workshops.

BUILT CHARACTER Organic street patterns along the market reflecting the context.

Pitched roof draws influence from the traditional colonial structures in the context.

Placing upper level in a way to produce shadows, reflecting the typical street style architecture of Surat city

Provision of spaces for vendors, retailers, food stalls and seating are designated along the site edge to ease out traffic on the street and to make it more interactive.

0

6

18

42 mt

URBAN INSERT LAYOUT

CHARACTER AND USABILITY OF SPACES

13

INSTITUTION INDIAN-CLASSICAL MUSIC INSTITUTE

3rd YEAR | SEMESTER VI INDIVIDUAL WORK The project is to design an Indian classical music institute, consisting of areas to practice different kind of instruments like Tabla, Harmonium, Flute and Vocals with their supporting amenities.

14

INSTITUTION Site Location : Jahangirpura, Surat, Gujarat, India.

Site Area : 12,622 sq.mt

JAHANGIRPURA

SURAT CITY

Radial form over Linear pattern Closed spaces

Semi open spill-out spaces

Semi covered/Open spaces

Section indicating hierarchy of spaces

The core idea is derived from the vibration pattern of the word OM which is the matrix of all sounds, when in its derived form, gives rise to all words used in a language. The entire form emerges from a single point where the administrative

building is placed, being the imperative element. The radial pattern generates non-parallel walls restraining the resonant frequencies and helping in better sound quality.

Radial layout allows more circumference for a wider river view

SITE FACING THE RIVER 0

6

18

42 mt

CONNECTIVITY AND STAGGERING OF SPACES

15

COMPETITION PROJECT KOMMERLING HEADQUARTERS

4th YEAR | SEMESTER VIII GROUP WORK - SPAIN INTERNSHIP Kommerling is a company that manufactures and distributes an extensive range of PVC profiles.

The aim of the project is to design and execute a ZERO ENERGY building for offices at the Kommerling Headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

Individual Contribution : Design conceptualization, Functional zoning, working out details of design elements, Presentation drawings and 3D visualization.

16

COMPETITION PROJECT

0

6

18

VENTILATION

42 mt

STRUCTURE ACCESSIBILITY

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS: •The zero-carbon objective becomes the moto of the design in the search of comfort for the offices of kommerling.

•Its implementation among deciduous trees will convey the environmental value of the proposal.

SPACES - : STATIC AND VARIABLE: Two concentric spaces are distinguished. Activities of the interior space are permanent like jobs, archives, work rooms, etc.

The threshold space is sporadic or temporary like dining room, conversation areas, showroom, access, etc.

Chimneys of light

Extracted summer heat

Summer ventilation

Winter ventilation FUNCTIONS

DESIGN ELEMENTS FOR THERMAL COMFORT: DOUBLE FACADE, DOUBLE SKIN, SPACE THRESHOLD: The contribution of double circulations for the whole program, allows to create a double skin that regulates the views and the illumination of each facade.

PROPOSED SITE PLAN Perimeter circulation

Services

Closed offices

Access for visitors NEIGHBOURHOODS

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS - VENTILATION AND THERMAL COMFORT

Neighbourhood 1

Neighbourhood 4

Neighbourhood 2

Neighbourhood 5

Neighbourhood 3

Neighbourhood 6

17

COMPETITION PROJECT

STRUCTURE OVERVIEW

LAYERS OF FUNCTION

VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN APPROACH

DOUBLE SKIN

SKYLIGHT AND VENTILATION

OFFICE NEIGHBOURHOOD SPACE

SPACE THRESHOLD

TREES TO AVOID HARSH SUNLIGHT

18

R.S.P. MATTU BEACH DOCUMENTATION

2nd YEAR | SEMESTER IV GROUP WORK The aim of the program is to study the cluster of houses of diverse community along the spine of the Udupi village located in Karnataka, India.

Individual Contribution: Documentation at site, Measure Drawings, Presentation and Inking work.

19

RELATED STUDY PROGRAM Udupi is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is largely popular for Krishna temples and therefore, called the Temple city of India. The area is surrounded by the Arabbian sea on one side and the western Ghats on the other.

The village for the purpose of study is located in on the Konkan coastal belt of Karnataka. The architecture is quite ancient in its form and material usability.

KONKAN COASTAL BELT

KARNATAKA UDUPI

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

20

RELATED STUDY PROGRAM GROUND FLOOR PLAN Various aspects are focused for the study including the Architectural elements, climatic considerations, living pattern, quality and nature of spaces as per lifestyle, etc.

The houses are documented on site and are presented with drawings and sketches of the same. All the diagrams below are hand drawn and rendered.

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

ROOF PLAN

1. Verandah 2. Living room 3. Middle room 4. Dining room 5. Kitchen 6. Bedroom 7. Toilet 8. Bathroom 9. Storage

Huts made using stone walls

CLUSTER PLAN

Sacred plants in the front yard

Day-to-day activities in the back yard

21

MISCELLANEOUS

Louvre Pyramid, Paris

Entrance building, Oceanographic, Valencia

RESEARCH TOPIC (STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM) 3D MODELLING AND USE OF COMPLEX SURFACES IN ARCHITECTURE. The purpose of the research is to break down the complexity of curvilinear surfaces in architecture by obtaining a 3 dimensional model and thereby producing their 2D projections.

Several 3D model of well-known curvilinear forms are obtained as a part of this research in Spain.

Submarine restaurant, Oceanographic, Valencia

Absolute Tower, Canada

Kresgue auditorium, Boston

Los Manantiales restaurant, Mexico

22

MISCELLANEOUS INKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

23