Sandeep Suresh Kumar
Selected Works
Architecture + Landscape Architecture
Nestled in the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the “House of Movement” stands as a testament to the transformative power of movement and sustainability. As a martial arts school that specializes in the art of Jiu Jitsu and Tai Chi, “House of Movement” is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for the older population to explore their physical capabilities.
Not content to simply provide a space for physical activity, “House of Movement” is committed to being a beacon of environmental stewardship and sustainable living. The building boasts state-of-the-art living engine that efficiently cleans and recycles sewage and site water, making it suitable for gray water use. Furthermore, the building’s innovative use of Cross Laminated Timber construction, coupled with its net-positive energy production, allows it to re-purpose excess electricity for the community.
In addition to its martial arts school, “House of Movement” offers comfortable and inviting living quarters designed for overnight stays for residents seeking physical care or guests from outside the city. The backyard of the building features a beautiful pergola, a garden, and meditation spaces for guests and residents to relax and recharge.
With a deep commitment to sustainability, holistic health, and community, the “House of Movement” is poised to become a transformative force in the Baton Rouge area and beyond.
Embedded in the roof system is also two long green roofs that adequately collects and filters rain water. This roof also has skylights that allow natural light to enter the space.
The living Engine (inspired by the Omega Eco Machine) is a system that uses plants, bacteria, algae, and fungi to recycle wastewater from the building, site, and surrounding properties into clean water for later use as well as restoring the local aquifer. The system is chemical free, uses no energy, and creates a closed-loop hydrological cycle.
Located on the south eastern half of the building, the rooms provide a temporary space for those in a transitional stage of their life. Whether that be moving to a new neighborhood to seeking shelter from a natural disaster, these rooms serve as a space for to rest and recouperate.
This space exists in the southern side of building where individuals from different backgrounds and groups have an opportunity to learn about movement and self-defense in return creating a secondary community within the local community that promotes and practices arts of movement.
Trees for noise reduction
The Gentle House was concieved with the curosity of what complexities and desires can arise with combining a martial art with fast fashion. Located in Iowa City. Surrounded by various buisnesses, the university and government bodies.
In Portuguese. the term “Arte Suave” translates to The Gentle Art. The Gentle house derives its indenity from this lifestyle. Qualities such as Respect , Dicipline, Honor and Patience. The house has three main programs which are the Jiu-Jitsu gym, Fahion studio and artist residence.
The Gentle House is two storeyes with the dojo and the mat space in the atrium of the building. The main amenities such as public bathrooms, showers and storage are also on the ground floor. Ths floor also has two elevators on the NE and SW corners.
The circultion is designed in a way that the models from the fashion studio upstairs have one linear path back upstairs through the elevators.
The building is coveresd with a wire mesh which provides sufficient reduction in solar gain but there is also a stripped green roof which provides shade in the summer and allows sunlight in during the winter or colder seasons.
Collaborators:
Logan Mayer
Noah Webber
Flexible Shading was made for an science and technology when my peers and I were intersted in a shaing device that could essential change it’s shape to achiece shading comfotability. Informed by Maharshra Tiles and Dukta Studio this unique shading decived was made out of custom cut MDF boards and wood.
Yagura Ryukuchi Park, located on between the rivers Kanzaki and Yodo in Osaka, Japan serves as a waterfront park that commemorates ecofeminism inspired by the Japanese Shinto religion for the city’s demo graphic. The park also sets an example for raising awareness, encourage self, reflect and inspire.
Yagura Ryokuchi Park (which translates to ‘green within the industrial’), is located in the Nishiyodogawa Ward at the end of the peninsula west of the Yodo River, the central and largest river of Osaka.
The park is surrounded by industrial buildings and is adjacent to a school and a few baseball fields. It is also surrounded by water on 3 sides. Designed in 1999 by LandTec, the park is intended to serve as a place that offers people a closer access to the water while mitigating the urban climate.
Prioritizing pedestrians, most visitors walk or bike to the park entering through the two paths southeast of the site. (Those that drive may park at the baseball fields.) The space’s highest point is the center lawn with the topography slope going down from there to the ocean shore. Winding paths
110th: Japan’s position in gender equality when ranked against 149 other countries
79% of Japanese women say society favors men and 68% of men agree
61% of high school females say they regularly see or suffer sexual discrimination
25 hours are spent on housework per week by married Japanese women
25 hours are spent on housework per week by married Japanese women
Paths surround the topography and native vegetation canopy over the paths. Existing infrastructure includes a restroom, picnic gazebo, and an observation deck. The site also includes a preservation area up north to protect wildlife habitat and tide pools to protect shallow-water marine life as well as to help prevent disasters. The park has become a popular place for locals to fish.
WAVE-ENERGY CONVERTING BOARDWALK
EXISTING OBSERVATION DECK
MEDITATION SPACE
FLOATING PLANTERS
MIRROR GATE
NEW RESTROOMS
EXISTING GAZEBO
ONNA-BUGEISHA MEMORIAL SPACE Master
EXISTING MAINTENANCE BUILDING
INSPIRATIONAL WALKWAY
Mirror gate is a 5’ wide two-way spherical mirror. The mirror is designed and places at the center of the site as the user who views themselves in the mirror can place themselves with the environment they are surrounding.
The Onna-Bugeisha Memorial Space serves as reminder to the public of women’s involvement in early Japan. The memorial consists of an 8’ tall statue of Tomoe-Gozen who is regarded as one of the greatest Onna-Bugeisha’s
The meditation serves a space to mediate, read or just relax within the park.
We wanted a form that had interesting faces on all sides, which related to the shapes of origami, more specifically the fortune teller. By deriving from a 3”x3”x3” volume, where straight triangular cuts across the cube created varying types of faces, we made a shape that could be rotated in any direction. This allowed for many possibilities in configuration since all the face stood up the same amount of area when stacking on another module, creating both regular and irregular patterns.
To grasp the intricacies of grappling, one must delve into the concept of “Kuzushi,” an essential principle denoting the disruption of an adversary’s equilibrium. Esteemed Judo instructor Richard Riehle meticulously analyzed the constituent characters of “Kuzushi,” revealing depictions reminiscent of the moon and the mountain. A profound observation emerged: Remove the moon, and the mountain will fall.
The contemplation of “Kuzushi” may be comprehended as the act of orchestrating deliberate movements to engender a response or shift in one’s adversary or collaborator. This intricate notion suggests that to evoke a discernible reaction or alteration, a strategic removal of certain elements is requisitioned, thereby paving the way for a subsequent cascade of events.
The consensus among adept practitioners of grappling resides in the notion that genuine fluidity materializes in a state of mental vacancy, devoid of cogitation. This is not to imply that movement remains divorced from the reservoir of experience, erudition, and contextual factors. The prospect of delineating motion based solely on cognitive processes remains largely elusive. Yet, what if movement could be guided by an external impetus? Alternatively, could one influence a sensory domain? Could music, in particular, orchestrate alterations in the spatial comportment of two practitioners? Numerous dojos and training establishments worldwide have harnessed the power of music not only to facilitate the unimpeded cadence of motion but also as an adjunct to leisurely practice. The sonic tapestry ranges from traditional instrumental classical melodies to the brisk tempo of rap compositions, with occasional forays into mainstream pop harmonies. Armed with this perspective, an epiphany takes shape: could music transcend its conventional role and exercise dominion over the kinetics of a discipline that ostensibly masquerades as a martial art, yet potentially embodies the essence of dance?
“With tired feet, I pull off my boots and set bare feet on the cool cement. The glass door closes behind me as I walk towards the kitchen. Across the tree filled courtyard, through tall panes of glass, I see my friend run from the bathroom, they offer me a warm hug. “The bath is ready” they say and turn away from the entry, heading towards the kitchen to stoke wood burning in the stove. I circle the courtyard, the floor changing from cement to wood; I feel playfulness rising in me, My hand passes over the top rough boulder separating or dining space from more intimate areas. As I revolve around the courtyard, the space becomes a playground. Wooden ceilings and walls angle, glass facades arise from hidden corner, Vines hang from the ceiling compromising an art work that reminds me of running freely through fields as a child. My book still lays in the swinging hammock chair, promising relaxation after dinner. I reach the fork, a decision in the house. Should I go back to the kitchen or walk past the beds to the bathroom? The answer is clear after a long hike. The bathroom is too steamy; I step around porcelain tib and crack the large window, letting in the fresh forest air. I emerge as the sunlight wanes, toss my towel on the smaller bed and turn the corner. The courtyard is dark, encircled by the warm light of our home. Through the glass, I see my friend turn off the gas burners and a carry a large dish to the table. I walk parallel to them, shadowy trees between us, the stop to take the kettle from the wood stoce and pour boiling water over tea leaves. Fireflies dance in the courtyard, the last remnants of the sun fall through the skylight above us, We laugh as we break our bread..”
Finn Digman
Casa Poli is a renowned building in the world of architecture, known for its unique and innovative design. This project aims to study the design and features of Casa Poli and develop a model that accurately represents its architecture.
The goal of this project is to create a detailed and accurate representation of Casa Poli that can be used for educational and research purposes. The study model will provide a comprehensive understanding of the building’s design and demonstrate its innovative approach to architecture.
As a graduate student in architecture who has completed an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture, my interest lies in creating sustainable designs that blend seamlessly with their surroundings, offering a unique perspective on the architecture field by considering both the built and natural environments in my design process.
Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have been privileged to work on various projects, ranging from large urban designs, major aiports to small residential ones, with an eye for detail and a love for innovation, enabling me to approach each task with a fresh perspective and produce distinctive, functional, and visually appealing designs.
Apart from my passion for design and the built environment, I have other interests outside the studio, including practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which offers both physical and mental challenges, and filmmaking, which enables me to explore innovative methods of storytelling and expression.
My curiosity and creativity inspire me to seek new experiences and venture into different fields constantly. I believe that there is always something new to learn, and I am thrilled to see where my interests take me in the future.
Ultimately, I am a determined individual who is committed to my personal and professional development. I am always on the lookout for opportunities to expand my knowledge and enhance my skills, and I am excited about making a positive impact in the world of architecture and beyond.
Sandeep Suresh Kumar
May 18, 1998
515-520-5898
sandeep@iastate.edu
Iowa State University
Masters in Architecture
Fall 2023
Iowa State University
BLA in Landscape Architecture
Spring 2021
Iowa State University Department of Architecture
Graduate Assistant
Public Programs Media Coordinator.
Fall 2021- Present
Corgan Aviation
Architecture Intern
Summer of 2023
Helix Architecture + Design
Architecture Intern
Summer of 2022
Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company LLC
Landscape Architecture Intern
Spring and summer of 2020
City Leisure and Play Research Assistant- Team Create
Spring 2021
Eco-flash Initiative & Sustainable Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Landscape Architecture Trainee/Intern
Summer of 2018
Gopi Swaminathan Associate Principal, Corgan Aviation gopi.swaminathan@corgan.com
Douglas Stockmann Principal, Helix Architecture + Design dstockman@helix.kc.com
David Stokes
Principal, Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company LLC dstokes@jlbruce.com
Carl Rogers Chair, Landscape Architecture, ISU rogersc@iastate.edu
Eric Doll Landscape Architect edoll@dmvgov.org
Deborah Hauptman Ex-Chair, Architecture, ISU deborah@iastate.edu
Sigma Alpha Pi - National Society for Leadership and Success
National Organization for Minority Architecture Students
Student Society for Landscape Architects
Student Organization for Open Discussion
Alliance Jiu Jitsu Team
SKILLS
Adobe Suite
Auto cad
Rhino
Grasshopper
Revit
Lumion
Sketchup
Procreate
MS office
Hand Drawing
Film Making
Photography
Climate Studio
Climate Consultant
Lady - Bird
Enscape
V-Ray
