Selina Abraham portfolio
Selected Works 2009 - 2018
bio
I am a strategic and spatial planner from India. In 2014, I completed my under-graduate degree in Architecture (B. Arch) from New Delhi in 2014. I worked as an Architect and Planner for two years in a design firm called Studio Motley in Bangalore. In 2016, I moved to the Netherlands to pursue a Master of Science degree from the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft, specialising in Urbanism. I graduated with Master thesis that sought to investigate and counter urban biases in metropolitan planning that leads to unbalanced urban-rural growth in Indian cities. I currently work at the Veldacademie in Rotterdam as Project Assistant working on research and design projects. I am currently looking for opportunities in strategic planning, policy writing and design development in companies that specialise in sustainable and balanced urban development. I additionally enjoy writing, sketching, cooking, experimenting with graphics and exploring new cities.
Contents {academic - masters} 2016-2018
{professional} 2014-2016
{Academic - Undergraduate} 2009-2014
1
Negotiating Rural and Urban Values
2
Creating Circular Lifestyles in the AMA
3
Designing Sustainable Urban Environments
4
Wholesale Market Design
5
Campus and Institution Design
6
Undergraduate Thesis
7
Housing Design Studio
8
Urban Design Studio
8-13
Beyond Urban - Graduation Thesis Graduation Thesis that investigated and countered urban biases in the Metropolitan Region of Mumbai that leads to unbalanced urban-rural growth.
14-15
Mind the Gap Group project that promoted the values of circular economy through the power of creative professionals and the value of their lifestyles.
16-19
Places For Everyone Project at TU Delft dealing with human dimensions in urban design detailed in a project in Rotterdam Zuid around the Zuidplein Winkelcentrum
20-21
Madiwala Farmer's Market Re-design and infrastructure planning for a poorly serviced local wholesale farmer’s market in Bangalore featuring a design for nearly 500 shopkeepers.
22-23
Indian Institute of Information Technology The phased design of a new campus for the Indian Institute of Information Technology in the hilly regions of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
24-27
The Urban Narratives of a Democracy Undergraduate thesis that aimed to study the possibilities of translating the ideologies of democracy into spatial form.
28-31
Slum rehabilitation for Tigri This project looked at the rehabilitation of a slum in New Delhi through the a housing project within the parameters of the city's masterplan.
Abstracting Urban Fabric Re-Imagining a thorough-fare road through an abstract design studio and subsequently supported with an urban structure framework.
32-33
8
Beyond Urban: Negotiating Rural and Urban Values Metropolitan Region of Mumbai September 2017 - June 2018
“Since we stay just 5 km from Udgir city, the children were getting water to drink through tankers coming from the municipal area [but it] wasn’t enough for my cattle, and I could not see them die in front of me. So, I let them drink our share of water, and came here to earn.”
Role Project definition, design research, theory paper, policy review, policy writing, strategy development, graphic design, report writing, thesis defence, regional planning, individual project, communication, design, metropolitan planning
Project Type
Project Tutors
Academic Master Thesis
Mike Emmerik Vincent Nadin
After two successive years of drought, Babban Chavan, 25, a farmhand and owner of 10 goats and two cows, left his family (wife, four children and ailing parents) behind and migrated 550 km from his home in arid Latur in southeastern Maharastra. Working in Mumbai’s construction industry, he earned Rs 900 every day, triple the Rs 300 he earned back home. He moved from an unskilled labourer to a skilled construction worker. He aspires to become a construction supervisor, he hopes the his children will become graduates and �ind jobs in the city.
“If I can’t go and earn in Mumbai, I can’t support my family. I want to earn as much as possible, so that I don’t have to stay there too long each time, then I [can] come back and spent time with my family. After all I have a life too, I too miss my family. What if I die in Mumbai? My family wouldn’t even know.”
- Sunil Pal (Leahy & Fontanella-Khan, 2010)
-(Waghmare, 2016b)
Individual Project authored by Selina Abraham
Project Abstract The project attempts to understand this rural-tourban transition in the city, the research project identifies that urbanisation neglects to consider the rural landscape that it seeks to change in present day growth models and seeks to propose an alternative strategy for urban India. The design project seeks to propose an alternative model for urbanisation that incorporates the agricultural economy to improve the edge city sub-region of Vasai-Virar with examples at various scales.
“I was like other migrants when I arrived here. After I got married, I sold my wife’s jewellery to start [a sweets and snacks] business. Mumbai is the place where hard work pays. You can achieve anything and everything here. “
-Krishna Murti Pillai (Krishna convinced his wife to use gold they were given for their wedding as a seed investment to start producing snacks and sweets. Today, they have turned that initial investment of INR 5,000 (65 EUR, as per present conversion rate) into a small food empire with a monthly turnover of INR 1,00,000 (1300 EUR).
-(Leahy & Fontanella-Khan, 2011)
“I never brought my wife to Bombay as once women come here, they don't want to go back to the village. They become more aware of the rights (kaayda kanoon) and forget their culture (sanskaar)…like my bother’s wife…she also came from the village but now she doesn't want to go back to village as life here is easier …”
- (Jha et al., 2015)
Click Image for Full Report
My project began from annecdotes of various economic migrants who are blurring the lines between rural and urban in the Mumbai Metropolitan region of India. But this constant shift did not reflect back in the planning processes of the regions. This graduation project took on an ambitious goal to design for rural-urban transistion with an Agro-urbanism model. The Vasai-Virar region was the testing point for the projects.
Context: Metropolitan Region of Mumbai and the Sub-Region of Vasai-Virar
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region extends 4355 sqkm and is governed under various hierarchical bodies. The landuse in the region is only 13% urban with a lare part agricultural.
The MMRDA plans to expand the urban extents of the city by introducing special planning authority zones in unplanned areas. The lack of implementation of protection laws leads to the expansion into agricultural lands, wetlands, magroves, forestlands, etc.
Mumbai is extremely reliant on the suburban railway (black) with many residents from the periphery traveling to the centre. It is spread over 465km with 2342 train services and carries over 7.24 million commuters per day.
The Vasai Virar region is predominantly been seen as dormitory towns for residents who work in Greater Mumbai. The close proximity to city has increased the real-estate value, resulting in speculative housing.
With the fast pace of real-estate development, the water supply management has not been developed with the same pace. This impacts both the rural and urban parts of the sub-region. Salt-water stagnation is also a problem for the region
While the sub-region is separated by a wide creek, it is well connected to Greater Mumbai through the suburban railway (direct Western Line) and state highway network. There are four railway stations in the sub-region.
10
Negotiating CosmopolitanUrban and Rural Values This project sought to address the urban bias in the metropolitan regional planning system. The hypothesis is that by correcting this bias, the vision for a region with intersecting urban and rural values to create a more sustainable metropolis is possible. To realise this vision, it was important to acknowledge and define the values of urban and rural/non-urban constructs that are important to preserve. Urban Densities Technology Urban Mobility
Agriculture co-existence with ecological systems
Accommodating traditional societies
Access to Ammenities
Sharing of Resources
Urban Secularism
Communiy Gathering Spaces
Open Spaces
Core Goals Based on four core-goals a strategy of agrourbanism was proposed for the region to change the trajectory of real-estate driven urbanisation. Various design projects and policies were developed developed 9 themes for the development of the metropolitan region that would contribute to promote an agricultural economy.
1 Decentralisation of Metropolitan Region
2 Capacity Building
3 Reducing Speculative Land Acquisition
4 Protecting ecological sensitive areas
11
Theme: Affordable Housing
Facilitating land-
ITY al ion HOR Nat t AUT Por
This is an extract of the 'Affordable Housing' theme. This blueprint recognizes the organic development of this typology that is atypical in the design process of the planning profession. This is critical to agro-urbanism as a design strategy as it empowers the labour migrants and their families who often work as farmhands in peri-urban areas by granting them urban citizenship through housing.
Establishing systems where planning authorities at the regional level work with government (state & national) authorities and private land-owners and sub-regional planning authorities to negotiate transfer of land ownership.
DA
R MM
ownership
A single household cannot gain land-ownership rights A group of households with the support of the municipality can gain land rights to collective mortgages by development of technology that can be used across the region to facilitate and maintain land ownership.
Collective land-ownership through ICT
Legitimisation of ‘Slums’ through
Sub-region and municipal authorities will implement physical and social infrastructure for these urban villages without discrimination
infrastructure and financial support
Improving Housing Quality
before
Enabling the architectural design field them to be non-profit architects financially enabled through publicprivate partnerships. This can be made feasible by linking such projects to construction companies which use sustainable local material sand techniques to make it profitable. For example, making bricks from plastic waste. Working with locals create ideas and enable restructuring homes.
RDA
MM
after
Enabling rural typologies to be refined and co-exist with urban typologies through systemic changes
at
12
Theme: Agricultural Production As with many cities, there is a disconnect between the urban areas and food production. This disconnect adversely affects policy making and popularity for promoting the agricultural sector. To encourage and protect the food-based economies in the region, policy toolkit uses technology to reconnect agriculture to the city. For example, block-chain technology is a means to better the agriculture economy by modernising it. The increase in efficiency will not only add value to agricultural production but also make agriculture a more popular field for younger and more urban residents.
Policy examples and projects describe in the Toolking
Agri-ICT Centres Centres to help present day farmers to log into the blockchain network
Paves way for future generation of tech-savy farmers
Better information on the batch helps regulate retailers
Workshops for data and record keeping Problem focussed GIS mapping
Collective house ownership with BCT to ensure that decisions can be made by each household confirming changes in the land agreement
Collective farm land ownership with BCT to ensure that decisions can be made by each household confirming changes in the land agreement
Introducing Agro-ICT Centres that interface low-tech farms with high-tech IT technology
A network of Agro-ICT centres that link various farms in the region to compete more efficiently in the food supply chain
Introducing Agro-ICT Cen that interfac low-tech farm with high-tec technology
Tip your farmer!
Where do your bananas come from?
Collective house ownership with BCT to ensure that decisions can be made by each household confirming changes in the land agreement
Collective farm land ownership with BCT to ensure that decisions can be made by each household confirming changes in the land agreement
The Agro-ICT will also be a between farm agro research institutions to real-time data design soluio
A customer in Greater Mumbai - Batch of 5000 harvested - Farm in Vasai - Distance travelled - 20km - Farmer Earned - Rs. 20 per bunch - Logistics by Company - Date Harvested - 28 May 2018
Farmers are no longer a faceless group for the customers
More information to create more consciousness Collective house Collective farmCollective farm Collective house The Agro-ICT centres A network of Agro-ICT Introducing Introducing A network of Agro-ICT The Agro-ICT centres land ownership ownership withownership with land ownership will also be a link Agro-ICT Centrescentres that link centres that link will also be a link Agro-ICT Centres with BCT to ensurethat interface that interface BCT to ensureBCT thatto ensure thatwith BCT to ensure farms and various various farms in the farms in thebetween farmsbetween and decisions can be that decisions that decisions can be can decisions can low-tech farmslow-tech farms region to compete region to compete agro research agro research be made by each with high-tech with made by each made by each be made by each to share more efficiently in the IT high-tech IT more efficiently in the institutions to institutions share household household household household data and food supply chain real-time data real-time technology technology food supply chain and confirming confirming confirming confirming design soluions design soluions changes in thechanges in the changes in thechanges in the land agreement land agreement land agreement land agreement
leisure-tourist bike path and walking trails through ecologically sensitive areas
Farmers are not dependent on middlemen to sell produce
Collective farm land ownership with BCT to ensure that decisions can be made by each household confirming changes in the land agreement
Introducing Agro-ICT Centres that interface low-tech farms with high-tech IT limited Collaborative farming not technology to geography
Data to Agricultural A network of Agro-ICT Research centres that link various farms in the region to compete more efficiently in the food supply chain
The The notification willnotification will Land titles at define define activities that activities that registration w allows urban activities allows urban activities include a com that support the dual house-ho that support the agro-urbanismagro-urbanism ownership wit strategies strategies photographs ensure rightfu ownership
They can find the right market to sell their produce and ensure that delays do not result in food wastage The Agro-ICT centres will also be a link between farms and agro research institutions to share real-time data and design soluions
The notification will definedata activities that Paves way to for valuable allows research urban activities collection for aggricultural that support the agro-urbanism Better informed research based on location for farmers strategies to use bike path leisure-tourist leisure-tourist bike path and walking trails and walking trails through ecologically through ecologically sensitive areassensitive areas
Land titles at registration will include a compulsory dual house-hold ownership with photographs to ensure rightful ownership
promoting women self-help groups to promote legal awareness and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment
Eng peo non con as a opt em
13
Eco and agro tourism is a means for the public to understand the importance of these ecological and agricultural systems. Citizen involvement is critical to ensure that government policies do not undermine these systems in favour for real-estate development.
The project proposes a regional Special Agricultural Zone (SAZ) for the Vasai-Virar sub-region. The SAZ is an area that combines agricultural research and recreation. That allows for different types of agricultural innovation in various zones.
14
Mind the Gap |
Creating Circular Lifestyles The AMA
Amsterdam Metropolitan Region February 2017 - April 2017
Role Programme development, regional analysis, research - circular economy and local economy, design development, time-phasing, negotiating, strategic development, vision development, policy writing, writing proposal, communication and presentations
Project Type Academic TU Delft 2017
Circular Economy through Circular Lifestyles While understanding circular economy for a metropolis, it is important to study the flows at the actual use and consumption part of the (linear) processes. People and their lifestyles are crucial towards the transition to a more sustainable economy, and this project focuses on scales of spatial interventions that could impact people and their lifestyles.
Material Flows
Regional Mapping
Regional Spatial Analysis
Spatial Mapping of Creative Industries
Synthesis of mapping resulted in test-locations to intervene
co-authored by Eva Labrujere, Rashid Ayoubi, Reza Pradana, Selina Abraham and Yue Mao.
The research project seeks to address circular economy and the closing of material flows in the context of the metropolitan region of Amsterdam (AMA). This is done by using the potential of the region’s highly concentrated creative industry to create spatial interventions in the peri-urban regions of the AMA, in order to close material flows, link different cycles, make them visible to create awareness and demonstrate a sustainable lifestyle. The project also seeks to enable and facilitate the creative industry through policies and incentives to retain the workforce in the region. To achieve this, the AMA was analyzed with respect to material flows at a regional scale, regional morphology of the AMA and spatial factors relevant specifically to the metropolitan region. The resultant synthesis was used to identify eight intervention zones, each representing a typology of the peri-urban region. Spatial interventions were proposed, that were relevant to the material flows, stake-holders, the creative industry and the people’s lifestyle.
Analysis
Place-making
Team
Project Abstract
Project Process
Synthesis
Civil Society
Each square would feature a local intervention.
Individual Lifesstyle
The Amsterdam Metropolitan Region
Based ong prominent material flows, influential actors at a local scale, the actors representing the creative industry and lastly, the most impact on the people’s lifestyles.
The resultant network of squares based on peri-urban typology gives a regional strategy.
The Squares
Local Interventions
Material Flows Creative Industry Potential Interests of Local Stakeholders
Impact on Urban Lifestyle
A Strategy Plan for the AMA
The GAP - The disassociation between people and abstract concepts of sustainability and circularity
Preparation
Test Projects
04
To Demonstrate
To Close
GAP_
A New vision for the AMA!!!
To Link
2019 2020
Task Force
like Defining Protected Landscapes
Negotiations with relevant stakeholders for top-down implementation
Procuring investments for the project
Peri-Urban Areas for Pilot Projects
11
Identifying the interested municipalities to host the pilot projects Inviting planners and urban designers to develop, design and oversee for the pilot projects
To Engage 3.0
% households twt
100%
To Demonstrate3.0
Vacancy Rate
To Close 2.0
To Close 3.0
Sustainable Greenhouses
Sustainable Greenhouses
80%
40%
To Link 2.0
Upcycling
30%
Indicators
Indicators
2024
Upcycling
60% 10
2030 06
03
To Link 3.0
Upcycling
10%
Vacancy Rate
0%
0%
Sustainable Greenhouses
2023
02
At the Level
% households twt
To Demonstrate 2.0
Vacancy Rate
2050 07
Identifying the interested municipalities to host the pilot projects
Identifying the interested municipalities to host the pilot projects
Inviting planners and urban designers to develop, design and oversee for the pilot projects
Inviting planners and urban designers to develop, design and oversee for the pilot projects
09 08 Sustainable Lifestyles
MIND THE GAP_ Targets Achieved!!!!
like Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment Local Municipalities
Regional Level
Preparation
85%
20%
2017
Introducing the Fix-the-Gap (FTG) Board, a body that oversees the implementation of the strategy
To Engage 2.0
% households twt
30%
02 MIND THE
MIND THE GAP_
Review
19%
Advertising the Vision to garner interest and invite relevant stakeholders
00
Neighbourhood Level
At the Level To Engage
01
05 Preparation
Review
Advertising the Vision to garner interest and invite relevant stakeholders showing successful interventions
Pilot Projects
A network of intervention at different locations, repeated based on policy
Vision 2050
16
Places for Everyone |
Designing Sustainable Urban Environments
Zuiplein, Rotterdam October 2017 - January 2017
Role
Urban Design Patterns
Programme development, site selection, site analysis, concept and design development, strategy development, detail design, developing a pattern catalogue, developing a sustainable and a feasibe framework
Reciprocal Spaces
Evading Disruptive Change
Creating opportunities for people to interactive with the outside through interactive public spaces
Refraining from large amounts of change in the built environment - adapt people through small changes to avoid disassociation their with space
Project Abstract
From Grey To Green
Customizing Public Space
Collective Gardens
The project is constructed as a set of design strategies realized through a series of design modules. It can be read a collection of short stories leading to a larger narrative. These design modules are in turn supported by a collection of design patterns. The basic objective was to revitalize a dead and poorly perceived neighbourhood without the large scale demolition of buildings. And avoiding state led gentrification of the neighbourhood to preserve the local social structure of the area.
Creating permeable urban surfaces to enhance natural drainage and decrease heat island effect of urban surfaces.
Opportunities for people to manipulate public portions of the built environment
Private gardens - within a common space with use of private planters configured as a collective garden
Human Scale
Positive Design Stories
Sizing spaces to a human scale making public spaces user friendly
Using a network of architectural design follies to create positive narrative for the city
Project Type
Project Tutor
Academic TU Delft 2017
Prof. Ceren Sezer c.sezer@tudelft.nl
Individual Project Authored by Selina Abraham
Reflection The project was a collaboration between with the local municipality and multiple organisations to provide basic infrastructure for a wholesale farmer’s market in the heart of Bangalore. The project involved co-ordination between garbage mangement agencies, bio-fuel design, goods transportation
[
[
objective
]
revitalizing poorly perceived neighbourhoods without demolition of houses
design strategy
]
improving quality of shared spaces and enhancing community interaction
[ creating opportunities for people to interact with public space
design MODULES
reducing social isolation to collective spaces
] safe and accessible neighbourhood parks
interventions a new identity for rotterdam zuid through design stories
introducing a network of design follies along the site
extending the functions of the zuidplein towards the outdoor
blurring the distinct lines between shared and privately owned space
increasing the economic vitality of rotterdam zuid
extending social diversity to physical built environment
INSIDE OUT: zuidplein low introducing new programs at the ground level
public space appropriated by private user within a defined framework
introducing new functions and ‘destinations’
Design Development A Collection of Short Stories Let’s Wait for the Bus in the Park
“ I know where to cross” a visible shop front
Paint the town Pink - Art in the Urbanscape
01
physical interfaces for people to interact with public space w/ theatre
02
physical interface for pedestrian users within strong vehicular context
03
replacing the private garden with a collective garden space
04
introducing a congregational space for commuters to wait
05
community center
06
creating an accessible and safe neighbourhood park for the community
07
introducing a network of architectural follies to reinvent the site’s image
08
reducing field control over housing units to allow customization
09
replacing a portion of parking w/ additional retail on zuidplein gr. floor
10
extending retail functions of zuidplein towards the intersection
11
rules for private appropriated of public space - small business owners
Follow the red dot!
A Park for Nobody to Everybody
Battling Social Isolation through Gardening
Re-opening the Secret Garden Living Follies - A new story to the South
Playing with Space
18
[ detail plan 1 ]
03 MILINXBUURT PARK 03
06
park fence removed to allow residents to use
03
additional street lights to create a safe atmosphere and dispell feelings of additional playground furniture added to increase vitality of space
03 DORDTSELAAN
03 [ detail plan 2 ]
MILINXBUURT, TARWEWIJK
11
[
01
PLEIN
WEG
02
12
04
10
STREVELSW
EG
12
ZUIDPLEIN BUS STATION
10
]
STREVELSWEG
RELOCATED ZUIDPLEIN THEATRE 12
10
Detail Plan 1
T MO
T AA
TR
S OR
collective gardens as a part of a designeruser collaborative pilot program alternative strategies implemented in the zone of intervention and can be replicated based on the most successful prototype trees and partitions used to create open but simultaneously private zones Key
ZUIDPLEIN WINKELCENTRUM
IKAZIA HOSPITAL
planter boxes private (customisable) public zones private gardens permeable ground pavers design follies graphic tools to highlight public space existing road/pavement fixed pedestrian routes
19
Creating visual connections through typology and graphic interventions to overcome traffic barriers. Public thoroughfare zones were introduced at the ground level while retaining existing functions at the upper levels.
Re-scaling the size of the plaza by introducing new functions and providing interactive features in the public space
The project proposed the creation of comfortable spaces for commuters to wait contributing to reducing stress free traveling. Additionally, it also sought to increase green cover to improve amount of water infiltration on site.
20
Farmer’s Wholesale Market Madiwala Market, Bangalore April - August 2016
Role Programme development, site analysis, design development, site planning, site logistics, understanding the structure, coordination, infrastructure management, collaboration between the municipality and other stakeholders
Project Type
Project Leader
Professional Studio Motley 2016
Kajal Gupta email id: kajalgupta@studiomotley.com
Team
Market Entrance
Cafeteria Entrance
Selina Abraham, Megha K Purushotham, Kajal Gupta, Anand Kurudi Rao
Parking provided in a multi-storey over ground facility.
Parking provided in a multi-storey over ground facility.
Project Abstract The project was a collaboration between with the local municipality and multiple organisations to provide basic infrastructure for a wholesale farmer’s market in the heart of Bangalore. The project involved co-ordination between garbage mangement agencies, bio-fuel design, goods transportation management agencies and the local political bodies to provide for a market with 500 shopkeeper units. As the urban design contributor to the team, we were in charge of seamlessly plugging in multiple infrastructure into the design scheme.
Trees
Shops
Loading/Unloading Dock 1
Existing Rain Trees preserved on site
Provision of nearly 500 shops with basic storage facilities and other ammenities
Facilitating goods from Zones A, B and D
Zone D LVL
Toilets
Zone C ICE
X PLE
M
1
38
2
3
8
7
6
37
38
10
9
39
40
41
11
42
12
43
13
44
14
45
15
46
16
47
17
18
20
21
23
22 LVL
+ 15
LVL
+ 15
48 LVL
49
50
N'S
25
0
+ 15
0
51
52
28
ME
0
LVL
. ELEC S. RM
24
27
53
54
55
56
0 + 15
AD AY RO ALA IAGEW RR DIW MA IDE CA ± 0 LVL MW
11.5
29
30
31
MEN WO
SW CES
AC
2
19
26
'S
ERV MS
5
±0
±0
E GARBAG HOLDING POINT
59
60
OUSE
AY
4
LVL
KOC G D VY DIN A LOA V (HE CIAL HC MER S) M CO HICLE VE
REH WA
zONE B
. CO
±0
LVL
Toilet Facilities for both shopkeepers and visitors
W.P
3
2
1
57
58
59
61
60
Y
3M
A LKW WA
62
63
64
65
66
32
LV
13 L+
00
LVL
E BAG GAR ING LD HO T IN PO
GE RBA AY GA B AUTO
LVL
±0
±0
GE RBA AY GA B AUTO
61
2M WA
Design of the Market The market stretch was divided into six zones, along a stretch of 1km.
The design brief was to primarliy serve 450 registered shop owners with fixed shop units.
But the design also allocated space for informal shopkeepers/ streett hawkers, who are an important part of the market.
Garbage disposal is managed poorly in the market, requiring the allocation of fixed garbage collection points, that will later be converted to bio-guel.
The market design also defined green open spaces that is also allocated for festivals.
Another key feature of the proposal were two loading bays that would cater to different truck sizes with storage area.
Public Toilet Facilities were placedd to serve both the shop keepers and visitors.
The proposal also featured a cafeteria at the centre of the market for visitors to experience the local cuisine
Parking was introduced in the form of shortstay two-wheelers/four-wheelers along with a five-story long-stay parking facility
Site Plan Garbage Collection
Parking
Cafeteria
Street Vendors / Hawkers
Garbage collection points at both ends of each zone.
Parking provided in a multi-storey over ground facility.
A canteen with a tea shop catering both visitors and shop keepers
Additional Space provided for street vendors and hawkers.
Zone F
Zone E
ALKWAY
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
12
71
72
73
74
15
16
17
18
21
20
19
22
26
25
28
27
29
30
31
32
36
38
37
39
40
41
42
43
MEN'S TOILET
44
LVL + 150
LVL + 150 LVL + 150
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
CRECHE
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
ATM
113 LVL + 150
HAND WASH
47
48
CANTEEN
DINING AREA
49
50
51
52
KITCHEN
LVL + 450
LVL + 300
STORAGE
53
54
55
56
INFO DESK
OFFICE
WASHLVL + 300 AREA
57
OFFICE
1
58
7ft high chain link fence
2
GARBAGE HOLDING POINT
3
4
5
60
61
62
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
LANDSCAPED OPEN AREA
LVL + 450
2M WALKWAY
EA LANDSCAPED OPEN AR
2M WALKWAY
LVL + 150
2M WALKWAY
2M WALKWAY
NG (27)
TWO WHEELER PARKI
D MADIWALA ROA GEWAY 11.5M WIDE CARRIA LVL ± 0
COMPOUND WALL
DN
63
11
14
24
35
46
RMU
62
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
ELEC.
13
23
34
45
GARBAGE AUTO BAY
ELEC.
33
WOMEN'S
DN
COMPOUND WALL CCESS WAY 2M SERVICE A
PROPOSED CAR PARKING LOT G+4
22
Campus and Institution Design Indian Institution for Information Technology, Kurnool November 2015 - April 2016
Role
Project Type
Site study, design development, area analysis, site planning, contour study, working drawings, coordination between structural and PHE design teams, visual representations for competition for Masterplan concept, concept development
Site study, design development, area analysis, site planning, contour study, working drawings, coordination
Project Type
Project Leader
Professional Studio Motley 2015
Kajal Gupta kajalgupta@studiomotley.com
Team project co-authored by Selina Abraham, Ashwin Jacob, Kajal Gupta and Anand Rajarao Kurudi, Nikhil Rodrigo
Project Abstract The project was a competition for phase I of a new campus of a government institution - the Indian Institute of Information and Technology at Kurnool, for a new state - Seemandhra for which Studio Motley won the technical bid. The site at Kurnool was on a hilly dry area, with steep contours. Site Placement and design development was tricky working with the contours. The project brief included 6500sqm of area, with provisions for Academic and Hostel Accommodation. The Master-plan proposed a scheme that took a contemporary appraoch to University campuses. The proposal uses high rise - academic and residential buildings and focused on community and public spaces within the voids of the built mass.
Campus Masterplan
Zoning
The second phase of the academic block included a much larger brief with additional complexity.
The second phase of the academic block included a much larger brief with additional complexity.
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Academic
3
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Future Expansion
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7 8 13
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1. Auditorium 2. Seminar Rooms/Senate Hall 3. Library 4. Lecture Hall Complex 5. Administration & Entrance Canopy 6. Laboratory, Workshops & Studios 7. Transit Hostels
Academic Block - Phase The second phase of the academic block included a much larger brief with additional complexity.
The Academic Area and the housing area have been segregated by the dining area and multipurpose area
The natural ravines as per the existing site conditions would be used as water collections points
8. Dining Block 9. Girls’ Hostels 10. Multi-Purpose Hall 11. Boys’ Hostel 1 12. Boys’ Hostel 2 13. Indoor Sports 14. Staff Housing 15. Faculty Housing 16. Cricket Pitch 17. Play Ground
Housing Old Housing Main Public Zones Sports Area
Future Expansion
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The Urban Narratives of a Democracy ITO, New Delhi Jan - July 2013
Developing A Programme A space for interactive digital installations for government information.
Theoretical research, programme development, site selection, site analysis, concept and design development, defend thesis in front of jury panel
A space for nongovernmental offices [NGOs] to challenge government policies and help people who need their voices to be heard.
Project Type
Project Tutor
Academic B.Arch Year IV
Prof. Sudipto Ghosh sudipto.ghosh@sghosh.com
A space that enables advocacy through collaboration.
Role
Authored by Selina Abraham
This Thesis aimed to study the possibilities of translating the ideologies of democracy into spatial form. By defining the parameters of a democracy, would it be possible to create a spatial narrative that would lead to a democratic space. Using the government offices of Vikas Bhawan as an interface between the government and the public; my thesis proposes a public - information access project at the heart of a proposed ITO-Yamuna redevelopment project.
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INFORMATIO CENTER
ARC
A space where people can learn about the world’s largest democracy. MUSEUM SPACE
HIV
E
ENT RNM GOVE ICES OFF
CAFETERIA
A space where staff and visitors can interact over food
NONGOVERNMENT OFFICES
Individual Project
Project Abstract
A space for mock e-voting on central controversial issues.
A space where multiple government agencies represent their organization to defend their policies and provide information to concerned citizens.
EX A space for government officials to create and carry out policies while they may simultaneously justify and improve their policies.
The story board from the programmatic narrative - sketches were made in charcoal to create abstract spatial representations for the narratives.
HIB SPA ITIO CE N
SPECTATOR SPACE
A space where a group of people can express their views through debate or performances.
A space where a group of people can express their views through debate or performances.
The design programme developed to spatially represent represent democracy. A suitable site was the Vikas, a series of government offices isolated in the business district of ITO.
One of the features of a democratic institution is physical transparency. The ability to move through the site without compound walls was a crucial step.
The story board from the programmatic narrative - sketches were made in charcoal to create abstract spatial representations for the narratives.
The abstract spatial sketches created from the story board narrative were experimented in three dimensional form through test models.
The plan was then detailed out with different zoning and functional differentiation at multiple levels. Pedestrian pathways were weaved into the site coupled with a discreet vehicular network at the lower basement levels.
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Various unit types were designed for all the economic types as required by the brief. The design intent was to replicate the varied quality of slum and to avoid the monotone repetition that many housing projects have a tendency to follow.
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Slum Re-Development Tigri Camp, New Delhi Jan - July 2013
Role
Site Inferences
site study, concept development, calculation of units/ amenities for the project, master planning, detail of affordable housing units, site planning, resources management, policy review of the new delhi masterplan 2021
Project Type
Project Leader
Academic III Year B.Arch
Prof. Vijay Matange vijaymatange@yahoo.com
Documentation of a street where one patriarch household branched into the houses of his sons and their families.
The Tigri Camp in South Delhi is one of the largest slums in the city consisting of 7000 jhuggis (shacks). Tigri, was a residential pocket allocated for displaced refugees. The neighbourhood park over time became a squatting ground, which became the Tigri Camp.
Shared Toilet on the terrace. The entire family uses a single toilet Women bathe on the terrace with makeshift curtains
Men bathe in the open on the street Patriarch Household
Team project co-authored by Selina Abraham and Siddharth Wadhwa
The entire family spills out into the street, it increases communal interaction, but at the same time it can also lead to conflicts as well.
Project Abstract
A few men sit on the ground or traditional charpai beds drinking chai (tea)
The studio undertook a project in a slum in South Delhi, the Tigri Janta Camp. Divided in pairs of two, it involved the study the city planning guidelines and national schemes to eliminate the housing scarcity and the study of the current condition of the existing slum. The goal was to provide an alternate housing scheme while managing local interest and within the limitation of the city’s on ground infrastructure capabilities.
Three large trees provide shade for the courtyard.
20 or so houses put in together the finances and created this little park. The open space is also used during festivals and marriage functions by the residents.
Multiple Unit Types
Cupboards used as partitions to optimize space A door or a curtain would give privacy to the family.
The toilet in such a unit would become a common toilet. Considering the economic status of the residents, this LIG unit was designed with the option of renting In the case of multi-unit families, a newly married couple could have privacy from the rest of the family.
Low Income Group (LIG) Block
Typical design of a LIG unit 45
Type 1
sqm Possible for a family to extend room space
Economic Weaker Section
Typical design of a EWS unit
(EWS) Block Type 1
35 sqm
Various unit types were designed for all the economic types as required by the brief. The design intent was to replicate the varied quality of slum and to avoid the monotone repetition that many housing projects have a tendency to follow. A few of the units have been detailed for this portfolio.
Toilets have divided functions to accommodate multiple family members
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Conceptual Structure Plan Open Space A structure plan was created based on the programme, which consisted of 550 EWS (Economically Weaker Section) of 35 sqm and LIG(Lower Income Group) of 45 sqm Dwelling Units and 415 MIG (Middle Income Group) of 80 sqm and the corresponding social and physical amenities required to sustain such a project.
Networks NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUND
Neighbourhood Parks Neighbourhood Play Ground Local Parks In order to prevent open areas to become grounds for smaller squatter settlements, a network of smaller green parks connecting to bigger neighbourhood parks were introduced.
Integrated Communities middle income housing low income - economically weaker section mixed use housing Since the project was in the heart of slum and refugee colonies, the project proposed a system of differentiated but integrated communities based on economic standing
Movement Networks Vehicular Movement Movement - Two Wheelers Pedestrian Only Zone On Street Parking Auto Stand Creating defined vehicular and pedestrian zones to maintain the possibility of the street as a “family common room”.
Commercial
ed u
se h
ous
ing mixed use housing
district level co mmercial
mix
Zones local shopping centre district level commercial zone mixed use commercial A pedestrian only mixed use zone was introduced to the scheme, centrally located and easily accessible as a local commercial centre. The scheme also proposed a district level commercial centre along he main vehicular access.
Amenities Existing Religious Centres Anganwadi (Crèche) Banquet Hall For Community School For Community Physical Infrastructure Physical and Social Amenities incorporated for the project to create a support base frame for the project.
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Urban Design Studio Barakhambha Road, New Delhi Aug - Dec 2013
Religious Centres Two major religious centres are located in the area - the Hanuman Mandir and the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Role Site study, concept development, team work, design research, site interviews, abstract design, presentation, urban design, policy development
Source Of Pedestrian Public
Project Type
Design Mentor
Academic IV Year B.Arch
Prof. Rajiv Bhakat rbhakat@studiocode.in
Public Democratic Open Spaces: A Myth?
During the site assessment, public open democratic spaces came into consideration. One unfettered by government rules or private restrictions. Ironically, it was the lawn above the illegal goods market - Palika Bazar.
Team
A consolidated Civic Centre that draws from the crowds of Connaught Place and creating a truly public zone
project co-authored by Siddharth Wadhwa, Tanya Khanna, Bhavya Arya and Selina Abraham
Project Abstract The Urban Design Studio undertook a district level intervention in Connaught Place along the Baba Kharak Singh Marg. The studio used an abstract exercise with random objects to experiment with urban texture and grain.
Potential Civic Centre
Connaught Place - An iconic space of Lutyen’s Delhi serves as a great source Pedestrian Public
Potential Economic District In close proximity to the Airport Line metro station (Shivajinagar Station) this is the underutilized land has potential for a new economic district.
The abstract patterns were eventually rationalized based on site analysis and site requirements.
potential civic potential residential potential economic public open existing religious city level shopping major bus local shopping
Potential For Residential Re-Densification New Delhi’s sparsely densified centre has for residents to move to the periphery and travel to reach the center. Land Pockets such as these could be re-densified
Structure Plan
Bye-Laws
existing buildings
fixed public path
proposed forms
plot lines
service nodes
fixed edges
parking
proposed plans
proposed landscape scheme fixed pedestrian network vehicular network design cues from significant surroundings
Along with the structure plan, byelaws were written including set backs, height control, design restrictions and developmental guidelines like privately maintained public spaces.
Private Public Spaces
Elevation Controls
The project proposed public spaces under partial private ownership in order to prevent the deterioration of public spaces.
Elevation controls - using ground coverage at different levels to create staggered elevation decks.
The pedestrian walkway is tightly framed by buildings with mixed use categorization so as to contribute to sustainability of the space.
Certain facades at different levels can be used for advertisements or hoardings.
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