I am an explorer. Every new experience excites me. I am an organized learner and do not hold back on opportunities. I work well with company as well as in limited situations. I hope to build people-oriented spaces without comprising on their effects on the environment. This is a collection of selected works from my archive of architectural experience.
Internship for the urban redevelopment of Amruthakulam pond, Kollam
Outreach Programme (2017-2019)
English Tutor for preschoolers at Baghavathipuram Govt Public School
Settlement Study of Koviloor,Vattavada Munnar
Editor in Chief for the Publication of the study
Urban Study of Kallamballam, Trivandrum
Group head for the study and proposal of transit development
Interests
Film Making and Scriptwriting
Reading Fiction and Poetry
Painting
Academic Projects
The Gable House
Regional Theatre Village and Drama Conservatory
Internship Projects
Amruthakulam Pond Urban Documentation and Rejuvenation
Miscellaneous
THE GABLE HOUSE
prepared to concentrate on the users involved. The family of five small Agraharam (traditional shared walls). Their spaces narrow with very less natural house is to create a home that adapt to. The common spaces are and promote interaction to spaces of their previous abode. elements like the sloping roof, and tulasi thara have also been their culture in mind. The house is an extra guest unit to rent out and provide an additional income to the family.
Dense vegetation cover at the west side shields the house from the evening sun.
REGIONAL THEATRE VILLAGE & DRAMA CONSERVATORY
Theatre and Drama have always been prominent forms of art in India, but their significance has reduced in the modern age. With the declining importance of drama; artists and writers are facing harsh times.
The project focuses on identifying the loopholes present in the current system and providing a permanent location for the theatre artists to practice, perform and reside. A Theatre Village is a regional centre where all forms of theatre are performed, a permanent venue for drama festivals and a place for the public to regularly watch shows put up by the local theatre troupes. The proposal is designed for the site at Karyavattom, Trivandrum.
The classical period was dominated by the Natyashastra and Sanskrit drama. The traditional period from 1000 C.E. to 1700 C.E. introduced regional languages, improvisation, and a pastoral sensibility to the stage. The plays were presented verbally rather than using written scripts. Modern Indian theatre developed during the period of colonial rule under the British Empire, from the mid-19th century until the mid-20th. The acting became naturalistic and melodramatic in contrast to the stylized techniques of Indian theatre.
Reasons of Decline of Theatre
The electronic media also posed a threat to the folk culture and theatre as people prefer watching television.
Competition with the film industry and the rising popularity of the Bollywood industry. More than half of the people are not aware of their past culture, their origin and the beauty of heritage. New ways of life have taken away the long-held culture with them. Lack of funding and production opportunities.
Aim
To provide a platform for the growth and prosperity of Traditional and Modern Theatre culture within the regional context
Site Selection
Proposed Site
University
Regional venue to conduct and encourage the public participation of the theatre festival.
Venue for ITFOK festival Puppetry
Puppetry studios and design classes.
Design and Pre production
Costume design and set design studios and workshops for students.
Performance
Weekly performances of drama for public by local theatre troupes, on a hire out basis.
Children’s Theatre
Theatre classes and summer programmes for children to engage with.
Conservatory
Regular classes conducted for professional courses in theatre and drama.
Public Plaza Discuss
A public forum for students and enthusiasts to engage with professionals and retired artists.
For every generation to complement and grow the art together.
Museum
A museum to portray the history of theatre.
Archives and Library
Scripts and books on Theatre and Drama for the students and public to refer.
Theatre Therapy
Theatre therapy for the differently abled in means both personal and performing basis.
Traditional Theatre
To preserve and revive the traditional theatre arts by practice, teaching and performing.
Speech and Talk Shows
Talk shows like Kathaprasangam and stand up comedy conducted on a hire out basis.
Rehersal and Practice
A permanent space with soundproofing and required essentials to conduct practice.
Kazhakootam Junction
Karyavattom Junction
of Karyavattom
University of Karyavattom
Carnival Cinemas
Performance Centre and Practice studios
Proscenium theatre
Preview theatre
Black box theatre
Open Amphitheatre
Rehearsal rooms
Green Rooms
Dressing rooms
Control rooms or catwalk (light and sound)
Public waiting area and restrooms
Scene dock and Fly system
Theatre Museum and Archives
School of Drama
Theatre museum
Exhibition spaces
Library and Archives
Art Gallery
Audio Visual Rooms
Conference rooms
Seminar Halls
Office rooms of theatre companies
Managerial Spaces
Colleges for theatre in Kerala
Classrooms
Seminar Hall
Stage design studio
Costume and Makeup studio
Rehearsal rooms
Theatre technology workshop
Folk theatre costume store
Computer rooms
Conference rooms
Lighting and setting studio
Audio visual room
Organisations for theatre and Drama
Colleges for Theatre and Drama
1. Calicut
University School of Drama and Fine Arts, Calicut 2. School Of Drama & Fine Arts ,Thrissur 3. Kerala Kallamandalam, Thrissur
Theatre Troupes functioning in Trivandrum
Suhruth Nataka Kalari, Vithura
Abhinaya, Karakulam
Rangaprabhath, Venjaramoodu
Kalam
Nireeksha Women’s Theatre, Kollam
Kanal Samskarika Vedi, University of Kerala.
Positive Frames
Elephant Theatre Society
A Place for Theatre Performance and Research, Alumthara
Children’s theatre and theatre therapy centre
Children's theatre rooms
Teaching studios
Performance spaces
Skill development workshop
Puppet Theatre
Theatre therapy rooms
Office of Experts and teachers
Physiotherapy rooms
Children’s recreational spaces
Parents waiting area
Costume, set and puppetry studios
Costume design studio and store
Prop Design Studio
Set Design warehouse and store
Stage machinery store
Orchestra rooms
Sound mixing studio
Recording rooms
Preview theatre
Drama and Acting schools around Trivandrum
Rangaprabhath
Abhinaya
Proposed Site
Thumb Theatre academy
La Conservatory
Curtain Raiser
Souparnika
Strategies For The Renewal Of Theatre Arts
A public plaza that stretches to all the spaces that encourage art. A public square can bring in the people, and give them the opportunity to explore theatre arts. Open plan that connects spaces easily and public amenities easy to access.
Open screening of classical plays and traditional arts for public to watch at anytime along the plaza square.
Programmes that the youth are more aware of, such as, street plays, stand up comedies, live performances of music and dance. Activities that cater to all age group of users and keep the space active around the clock.
Discussion spaces and informal speech corners along the square to encourage the public to interact with the theatre artists. Spaces for pop up shows, stalls and pavilions to be set up and attract the public.
Oppurtunites for new comers to find a regular income within the theatre arts field; Costume design, Set design, Sound design, Orchestra, Acting, Directing, Puppet Design, Makeup etc.
Connectivity and Transparency between the spaces for maximum engagement between the people of all fields.
The museum highlights the journey and history of the art of theatre; which is open to the public. An elaborate collection of documents, tapes and recordings of classical plays and traditional arts at the Library.
All performance spaces will have a screen that displays subtitles in native languages and english to encourage more variety of performances. Theatres with recording facilities for documenting the plays and to be rewatched on will.
Flowing Space
Usage of Space
The interconnected courts between the buildings are designed to function as a public plaza at all times. It is used by everyone equally and encourages the activities of the centre.
During Show timing
When the screening or major theatre shows are put up for the public, the plaza acts as a common prefunctional area of the theatre where the audience can spend their time before and fater the show.
During ITFOK Festival days
During the festival days the plaza becomes a space for interaction between experts and audience, for stalls and entertainment activities to take place.
The Agora design encourages interaction with its inward looking form. The stepped structure can be used to accommodate small open mics and discussion.
During Speech
borders.
Section AA’
Side Elevation
Section BB’
Illustration of Drama in Space
View of Agora
View of Boulevard
View of School Court
Rehearsal Room
Shelves for performers to keep their belongings and props during rehearsals. Benches for them to rest during breaks.
Large mirrors along one wall, for the performers, to watch themselves during the rehearsals.
Free space for rehersals to accomodate all scripts and performances.
A board to help the instructors teach their theory courses.
French windows that open into the corridoors during flexible hours.
Typical classroom arrangement to accomodate all subjects. Small number of students help in more interaction.
Bookshelves positions perpendicular to the circulation path. They have small voids to allow the path to cross through them.
Chairs and sofas for users to rest and read while using the library.
The Circulation zig zag along the long library, providing view from either sides along the way.
The project was initiated by Mission Amrit Sarovar - Jal Dharohar Sanrakshan to be executed as part of the 75th Independence day celebrations. The following was the proposal submitted and shortlisted for the rejuvenation of the pond habitat after documentation and study.
The waterline of Amruthakullam pond has seen generations grow and fall around her. Amruthakullam pond is imprinted into the nostalgic fabric of the locality, acting as the major water source for the entire region. Once the landmark of the space, the pond has subsequently lost its importance and size. Embracing the changing seasons, Amruthakullam still stands. This is her story.
vision
vision
Enhance the pond habitat to an inclusive and active local hub that contributes to the health and lifestyle of the stakeholders.
Enhance the pond habitat to an inclusive and active local hub that contributes to the health and lifestyle of the stakeholders.
The Pond stretched across to meet all its edge to the roads. There existed a small hill to the side of the pond that was its pr of water collection. Through the years, the government decided to reduce the pond coverage and bring in more facilities like LP school, hostel and village office. Many locals were not impressed with this turn of events, as they shared an emotional value to the sp lead to the formation of ‘Amruthakulam Samrakshana Samiti’ to fight for the retention of the pond. The Corporation took over t during the recent times and decided to provide more facilites like school and hostel for the people of the locality. They reduc to a smaller boundary and took the space for the school, hotel and village office. The locals were not impressed by this. They had lost the connection to the space. Now the pond sits in a small enclosed space with little to no activity. The people remember the vast significance of the pond.
Entrance Seating Pond edge Pond entry Pathway
Pond Evolution
Analysis
Connectivity
The auto stand at the edge of the road helps to establish better connectivity to the larger context. The main entrance facing the road is also a potential.
Accessibility
The pedestrian access collides with the vehicular movement in the main road. This may lead to circulation issues.
Activities
To include more activities, a portion of land from the vacant area behind the site is considered for the design. The rest is land left for the consideration of public.
Ecology
The only exisiting vegetation that helps with the user group are retained at the east and west end of the site.
Vision
Enhance the pond habitat into an inclusive and active local hub that contributes to the health and lifestyle of the stakeholders.
Strategies
Two Way Access To The Site. Introduction Of Inlcusive Saces
Two Way Access To The Site. Introduction Of Inlcusive Saces
Deined And Well Maintained Jogging Tracks Around The Pond.
Deined And Well Maintained Jogging Tracks Around The Pond.
Two way access to the site. Introduction of Inclusive spaces Well maintained jogging tracks around the pond.
PLANET
PLANET
Aeration Points For Pond Rejuvenation And Filteration.
Aeration Points For Pond Rejuvenation And Filteration.
Aeration points for pond rejuvenation and filtration.
Single Entrance
Polayathode - Chayakadaukku The only access to Amruthakulam right now
Open from 9 AM to 6 PM observes a good influx of clients who rarely use the pond
Extension of the current waterbody through aeration pits.
Extension of the current waterbody through aeration pits.
Extension of the current waterbody through aeration pits.
ist o ri ca l S t udy and C on t ex t . 0 1
V isi on and C oncep t . 0 8
Landscape interventions in case of flora and fauna. AM RU T H A KU LAM P ON D , K OLLAM H ist o ri ca l S t udy and C on t ex t . 0 1
Landscape interventions.
Landscape interventions in case of flora and fauna. AM RU T H A KU LAM P ON D , K OLLAM
AM RU T H A KU LAM P ON D , K OLLAM
AM RU T H A KU LAM P ON D , K OLLAM V isi on and C oncep t . 0 8
Low water quality - inhibiting natural flora and fauna in the water body
Pavement that require replacement The perimeter of the pond has walkway currently paved. Lacks softscape and aesthetic quality.
Lack of vegetative cover surrounding the walkway, causing lack of cover.
This hinders the aesthetic quality of the water body. The bulky fencing across the water body needs to be made more porous and able more visual access Tea stall
Flexible seating to accomodate more Perforated wall for visual permeability
Seating and landscape on boundary wall
Grills around the aeration pond for movement of water
Section AA’
Section BB’
Section CC’
Section DD’
Fountain and plants to aerate the pond
Wall dedicated for art works and graffity
Milk booth and ice cream stall for users
PlayArea for kids
Childrens and women’s space
The path leading to the main water body diverts into a stepped and a ramped pathway of 1m deep. The extended deck around the aerated fountain has both seating spaces as well as creates a picturesque space.
The path leads to the sandpit - play park, surrounded by seating spaces, such the adult supervision and visibility is ensured. Placed further from the water body and on higher ground.
Series of steps that lead to the Mandapam, which is retained for public expression. Environment friendly pavers are used to enable water percolation. Flexible seating spaces around the trees.
Mural artwork to be curated along the longitudinal direction of the pond. Creating a public platform and exhibition space for the community and residents.
Entry point towards the children’s play area through design intervention - of secondary access from the residential space. It holds the play area, vendor kiosk as well as seating spaces.
Athirapally corridor is essentially one that acts as a connector to an urban and forest ecosystem. The model eco corridor reflects the idea of resonance of the urban to the forest.
Reimagining the community hall as a Green Literacy Center bridging the community activities to exposure to the tourist footfall. Sustainable retrofitting of the existing under-utilised facilities to demonstrate and implement the framework model of sustainable tourism. The interventions can accommodate community participation in its functioning and behave as a functional node for the tourist, thereby exemplifying the idea of responsible tourism bridging community and tourist.
The park is an elongated stretch running along the Parvathi Puthanar and railway track. The park was at its construction stage. Periodic site inspections and changes according to documents were required. The Nutrition Park that showcases different local edible palnt varieties. A Children’s nursery space for the young to engange with the outdoors. The park also has two toilet blocks at either end of the wide stretch. The whole space is garnished with trees and shrubs varieties.
APJ Abdul Kalam Park, Poundukkadavu
Section of Toilet block
Toilet block
Photos of inspection during construction.
Contact
Email: sanamrajeena@gmail.com
Phone: 00917510575759
Architecture is about trying to make the world a little more like our dreams.
