ARCHITECTURE & DISCOURSE STUDIO, FINGERLAKES REGION, NY
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
How can material atmospheric analysis and design address the relationship between the past, present and future landscapes of a region? In the turn of the 21st century, there is a revisioning of the long-forgotten landscape of the Finger Lakes region. The Bell Station site resides in this region and facilitates severe operationalization of the rural landscape to support urbanization. Project ‘ReIncarnation’ focuses on the intangible aspect of weaving through the past, present and future landscapes of the region. A thorough scrutiny leads us to 3 parameters that play a crucial role in determining the evolving landscape of the region; A resultant of past actions, ie. the coal-ash pile, the present-day hydrology on site, ie, the water creeks and the evolving suture identity of the region, ie, the solar farm. This time consciousness in the Re-Incarnation project focuses on the possibility of turning back the ecological clock of the region, presently disturbed by human action. The idea is to develop a culturally sensitive model that infiuences how we think about the environment and most importantly highlights the notion of a site guiding its design!
PROJECT DETAILS
01
RESULTANT OF PAST ACTIONS: THE COAL-ASH PILE
PRESENT-DAY HYDROLOG:Y THE WATER CREEKS
EVOLVING FUTURE IDENTITIY: THE SOLAR FARM
Our site resides in proximity to a coal power station. Over a period of 64 years, an enormous amount of residue generated as a by-product of coal combustion led to the formation of 38 acres of coal-ash landfill on the 472-acre site. Re-Incarnation focuses on minimizing the ecological impacts of the landfill.
Site comprises 3 water creeks discharging into the lake. Owing to its proximity to the coal-ash pile, one creek is severely contaminated. However, a potentially tidy creek merges with the contaminated one on the site. Siting the intervention at this critical junction becomes an important design consideration.
Even the most optimistic scenarios for the site’s future include extensive solar farms that capitalize on existing high-power lines. The intervention focuses on mitigating the harmful impacts of the solar farm.
The image showcases relationships at various scales; macro, meso and micro on the site. The various elements comprise the Cayuga Lake, the Bell Station context to the north, the Power Plant to the south, as well as the fields, forests and farms that constitute the local landscape of the region. Additionally, the 3 key parameters that play a crucial role in determining the evolving landscape of the region have also been marked. These are the CoalAsh Pile, the Water Creeks as well as the Solar Farm.
Extensive use of materials available on site such that the construction process reduces the ecological contamination by the coal-ash pile. The major building material is therefore made out of fiy-ash which is a major consituent of coal-ash. COAL-ASH PILE
Addressing the 3 ecological consequences; the ongoing coalash pile formation, the water creek contamination and the incoming solar farm escalation, the project locates itself at the center of the conjunction for ecological compensation, playing the role of a purification and a drainage system as well as a site for ecological awareness generation. Such an allencompassing location gives rise to an anthropogenic and planthropogenic landscape. 03
SOIL
DRY CORN STALK
WOOD
FERTILIZER
FLY-ASH CHIPS
-Y FL SH A ONCRETE
TU LO VE NOI FO YEKTAM RE SLAIREV O TIEM
-Y FL SH A BRICK
When experiencing the structure, one is revealed with layers of soil, the mechanism of water purification process and the coming and going of natural life cycles. These systems were previously hidden under the ground, in the water and within the forest.
PERMEABLE LANDSCAPE... exposing oneself to the purification process
05
REFLECTIVE PLATFORM... spaces for reflection & environmental awareness
PRECARIOUS INTERIOR... a material juxtaposition between softness & hardness WINDOW TO ANTHROPOCENE... a cycling tussle between humans & nature
“Re-incarnation” is meant to give a new form to the contaminated water of the creek and re-purpose the otherwise hazardous coal-ash pile. The installment of a purification and drainage system at one of the creeks won’t be able to solve on their own the problems of the incoming solar farm as well as the severe contamination by the power plant and its coal ash pile. However, there is a belief that such a proposal will raise an issue and potentially enable the adoption of similar systems in the context, contributing to the gradual ecological compensation and revitalization of the region. 07
02
SEDIMENTARY CORAL ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM STUDIO CHARLESTON, SC
, CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Can we develop a process of continual adaptations that will channelize cities and its inhabitants to mitigate the efiects of extreme climate futures, a future that is 100 years ahead?
Rice Cultivation Adapting to Flooding
Fortification Fill-and-build
1670
1680s
1690-2021
00
17
S Ec lave on ry om So ic cie Bo ty om
Settlement Plan Grand Model
Coasts constitute one of the most dynamic environments on the earth signifying the transition zone between land and marine ecosystems that are incredibly vulnerable regions. Technically an island, Charleston is one such dynamic coastal city surrounded by the Intracoastal Waterway and comprising of the Bohicket Creek as well as Stono, Ashley, Cooper and Wando rivers cutting its landform. The county is also home to abundant salt marshes, greater than any other county in South Carolina. The estuary condition and marsh landform therefore become critical interfaces during instances of sea level rise and storm surge in the city. Envisioning the future of cities in 2100, Charleston is predicted to experience a 4 feet rise in sea level and severe storm surges. This critical interface between the land and the sea, where Charleston resides is subject to severe environmental forces. In such a futuristic scenario with e“ ngage” as the identified strategy, the chapter proposes interventions for disaster protection and mitigation at various scales of the city.
Construction of Artificial Defensive Territory
186
15 20
Civ il W ar
Serving as Major Naval Base
at r ts rbo es a Cr n H 15 to p les To har C
1940s
2-Billion Seawall
PROJECT DETAILS
2021
19 34
1
2121
1827
3 171
Alternative Future
per Coo ” and e one y e l m h “As s beca r rive
Charleston has been an aggressive city since its establishment with artificial superimposition on the natural land, expansion into the sea and initiation of warfare. In the decades to come, facing accelerating threats by flooding, the city may have to re-consider its approach. 09
PROBLEM MAP During sea level rise, salt marshes transgress inland invading low-lying forests, fields and sub-urban areas. Storm surges, owing to their magnitude, flood upland ecosystems increasing soil salinity and contaminating groundwater. This leads to inland inundation by the flooding of rivers and replacement of upland vegetation by marsh plants. Population Density: Owing to its esstuary condition, dense city to experience severe inundation and flooding by the rivers Ignorance of the Vulnerable: Safe infrastructure being affordable by the rich, it is the economically deprived section who is in threat of survival in cases of severe flooding Future Land Expansion: Proposed infrastructural expansion onto the marshlands to further exaggerate city’s vulnerability to flooding Short-Term Solution: Existing sea wall serves as temporary solution of protecting the city
Legends Vulnerable zones in instances of predicted sea level rise Polulation density of more than 3,000 people per square km Regions comprising more the 25% of population below poverty line Proposed sea-wall as short-term solution Identified sites for immediate mitigation 0
11
1
2
PROPOSED STRATEGIES USING THE ASSIGNED KEY-WORDS RETREAT
EVADE
COVER
CHOSEN STRATEGY: ENGAGE Walling out the water whilst living with it: The dense historic city is prone to inland flooding. The cover in such a scenario comprises of modular units that can be plugged into the peripheral city façade that can grow onto the city incrementally as the sea level continues to rise. This macro cover would thus serve as the soft edge between the land and the sea by housing activities that engage city dwellers with the sea. Buoyant parcels buffering wave action: Charleston is abundant with salt marshes that are under severe threat of extinction due to the proposed expansion of inner city. The proposed meso cover would serve as an additional buffer to prevent inland penetration of sea water during flooding. These buoyant parcels would also prevent city expansion, thereby protecting the natural ecosystem of the city.
13
2021
2025
PHASE I: BUOYANT PARCEL PHASE II: OYSTER REEF Restricts city expansion onto the sea Additional buffer zone Recreation & employment via algae farming Created via citizen participation
2121
2221
PHASE III: MODULAR UNITS Incremental cover growing on the city Activities within each module
PHASE IV: THE WALLED CITY Cover becomes the new ground Houses the historic city within
Module for Urban Farming
EXISTING SALT MARSH
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION TO CREATE RE
OYSTER REEF AS ADDITIONAL BUFFE
15 15
HES
EEF
ER
Sponge Tree
Floating Sidewalk
BUOYANT PARCEL
EXISTING SALT MARSHES
EXISTING SEA-LAND INTERFACE
EXISTING SEA-LAND INTERFACE
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION TO CREATE REEF
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION TO CREATE REEF
EXISTING SALT MARSHES
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
MODULAR COVER FOR FUTURE PROTECTION OYSTER REEF AS ADDITIONAL BUFFER
BUOYANT PARCEL AS RECREATION ZONE
INCREMENTAL GROWTH OF MODULAR COVER
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
MODULAR COVER FOR FUTURE PROTECTION
MODULAR COVER FOR FUTURE PROTECTION
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
BIOROCK AS OUTER COVER
INCREMENTAL GROWTH OF MODULAR COVER
BUOYANT PARCEL AS RECREATION ZONE
HISTORIC CITY PRESERVED WITHIN
BIOROCK AS OUTER COVER
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
BIOROCK AS OUTER COVER
BUOYANT PARCEL AS RECREATION ZONE TO PREVENT EXPANSION INCREMENTAL GROWTH OF MODULAR MODULARCOVER COVER FOR FUTURE PROTECTION BUOYANT PARCELS
BUOYANT PARCEL AS RECREATION ZONE
OYSTER REEF AS ADDITIONAL BUFFER
EXISTING SEA LEVEL RISE
BUOYANT PARCELS TO PREVENT EXPANSION EXISTING SEA-LAND INTERFACE
BUOYANT PARCELS TO PREVENT EXPANSION
OYSTER REEF AS ADDITIONAL BUFFER CITIZEN PARTICIPATION TO CREATE REEF
BUOYANT PARCELS TO PREVENT EXPANSION
EXISTING SEA-LAND INTERFACE
URBAN HOUSING WALL + GROWING BIO-ROCK
EXISTING SALT MARSHES
MODULAR COVER
OYSTER REEF
Existing House
Attahced Balcany on Existing House
Water Filtration + Collection
Algae Farming
HISTORIC CITY PRESERVED WITHIN BIOROCK AS OUTER COVER
HISTORIC CITY PRESERVED WITHIN
INCREMENTAL GROWTH OF MODULAR COVER
HISTORIC CITY PRESERVED WITHIN
BRICK BY BRICK UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER, HANDS-ON URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA Can we achieve a design that bridges the gap between abled and difierently-abled individuals, a design that is rooted in human values ? The project was part of an international design competition organized by the nU iversity of Westminster and aN tional Association of Students of Architecture (NASA) under the C ‘ lean India’ and a‘M ssive Small’ campaigns for reviving public spaces in our cities. As the various regions in our city—aN gpur grew at macro level, certain sites at micro level were left neglected. Located in a busy residential and commercial region, one such space was a highly disused school pocket and community space of the past. Realizing how meager access children of the Deaf and Dumb Residential School and that of the adjacent community had to play areas, we chose this 13m X 25m pocket as our site, with a resolution to provide a common ground for the abled and the difierently-abled.
PROJECT DETAILS Competition Entry Citation (1 st) Fall 2016 - Spring 2017 Team eM mbers (In alphabetical order) : Aakanksha Chandak Abhay Agarwal Anurag Rathi Shhrruti aJ in Tejaswini Deshmikh
FOR PROJECT VIDEO
17
CHILDREN OF THE DEAF AND DUMB
RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL DURING OUR
st
VISIT TO THE SITE
USER GROUPS
KIDS OF DEAF AND DUMB RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL
POTENTIALS REALIZED
VULNERABLE OVER-LOOKED COMMUNITIES
STRATEGIC LOCATION ALLOWS PARENT VIGILANCE
WILLINGNESS OF AUTHORITIES TO PERMIT US TO WORK
FAVORABLE SETTING CREATED BY EXISTING TREES
CATALYST FOR LARGER COMMUNITY PROCESSES
VISION
CONTEXT
CREATIVE ZONE
AIM
CONCEPT
GREEN ZONE
Di-tlyenr abled kids ear blesd with eatrg eativcr skil. Ho, ervw the education temsy thes sday is eryv rigd. Th,eorf this onez permits ationxplre fo eativy!cr
BEFORE - LACK OF MAINTENANCE
AFTER -
EXPLORATION OF CREATIVITY
BEFORE - UNLEVELED LAND
AFTER -
PROMOTION OF FITNESS AND HEALTH
BEFORE - UNHYGIENIC CONDITIONS
AFTER -
FACILITATION OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING
BEFORE - OVERGROWN BUSHES
AFTER -
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
EXPLORATION ZONE Stategicr locatin fo the templ eatscr a peacful .esphratmo Ho, ervw the tingxse site condit di not permit ectiv .usage Thus, a onez orf al age s,oupgr omtingpr tnes and healt!
PLAY ZONE The neighbord enchildr meagr aces to play eas.r He,nce a onez tingcos fo slide aciltngf eactivrn learnig orf the en!childr
had
GREEN ZONE An eunsaf onez due to the esncpr fo a aterw tank in a dilapte condit ormedansft toin a engr ,onez tricnges . tryen Thus, a onez eatdcr via unitycom particon, inducg a sen fo belongi!
POST OCCUPANCY EVALUATION Having visited our site after 1 month, we encountered that the lighter elements were not in a usable condition whereas rigid elements were efiectively being used by the community. Post occupancy evaluation was thus a major factor to achieve success in our project.
LIGHTER ELEMENTS IN A SUN ABLE CONDITION
RIGID ELEMENTS EFFECTIVELY BEING SU ED
INTERACTION WITH THE CHILDREN SU ING SIGNAGES
HUMAN-CHAIN HELPING IN THE PROCUREMENT OF MATERIALS
STRENTG HENING OF FURNITURE
INTRODUCTION OF SEATING SPACES AS PER REQUIREMENTS
EXPERIENCING SOUND THROUGH VIBRATIONS
SIGNAGES AS A UIG DE FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION We began the next stage of work via interaction with the users. We discussed on what they envisioned the place to be and in turn, they helped us with suggestions as well as on-site execution. For instance, with the material truck stuck at a distance, the children formed a human-chain and helped us procure the materials on site. Such participation induced a sense of belonging amongst them.
RECTIFICATION After inquiring from the users and their families, we concluded that these kids lacked durable swings and seating spaces. In order to rectify our mistakes, we began with the strengthening of existing furniture via welding and concrete as well as introduction of new robust slides and seats as per children’s requirements.
SU ER-CENTRICITY IN DESIGN sU er-centric design being the basis of our proposal and deaf kids being our major user group, we added elements for which one doesn’t necessarily need a ear to understand sound, one can feel it through its vibrations too. This was achieved via the usage of 3 materials of varying densities and quantities in 3 bottles each. Striking these produced a range of vibrations that the kids could feel. Additionally, we painted signages as a guide for the visitors in order to establish an efiective conversation with the children.
19
CONUTIO RB N YB ATS KEHOLDERS
Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, Only because and only when they are created by everybody.
I CLEAN TEAM NMC, NAGPUR O L CAL COMMUNITY AV RIOSU INDIVDA U LS
– Jane Jacobs
PHSIC Y AL SUPPORT
HAPPY O T CARE ROAT YR CLUB KOKATE ASSOCIATES PAUL BRICKS SDPL CONUC TRS TION AJMA ER TYRES Dee eV e CONUC TRS TION
MATERIAL SUPPORT
LATS DAY ON SITE WITH THE TUD S SENT
BRICK YB BRICK ... bringing individuals together
ETHICS AND AESTHETICS BAMBOO ECO-COTTAGE NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA Can we achieve the masterful balance of meeting our own needs without jeopardizing the future generations’ ability to do the same? Can incorporation of local materials contribute to this way of life? With rising concerns about climate change, bamboo has emerged as a promising building material as it consumes less energy. It is a highly renewable and fastest growing material and possesses properties which make it apt for efiecting sustainable development. The Bamboo Development Board was thus established by the Government of aM harashtra in 2016 with a mandate to promote bamboo plantation and product development by assisting RnD, skill development and awareness generation for incorporation of bamboo as a key material in the construction and manufacturing sector. The Eco-Cottage, a prototype for recreational dwellings in the adjacent forest resorts is a resultant of the efiorts of the artisan community in working with local bamboo and the efiorts of the board in conducting training programs for artisans and designers, thereby facilitating capacity building.
PROJECT DETAILS
DETAILED PHYSICAL MODEL SHOWING FRONT ELEVATION OF THE ECO-COTTAGE
21
23
CENTER FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT EAST MELGHAT, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA Can the ‘Skill India Initiative’ be more than a proposal extended into physical reality ? Can environments be designed so as to benefit distressed individuals at grass-root level ? Human resource up-gradation is the essence of development of any country. On one hand where we are persistently working to improve our urban environment, villages are facing a trivial problem of development. One of the many important aspects is imparting skills to the rural youth and women. In order to ensure growth of the village community, the Government launched another program after ‘Digital India’ and a‘M ke in India‘ to leverage our demographic dividend more substantially and meaningfully. Launched in aM rch 2015, it is called the ‘Skill India’ program. yM contribution to the above would be the creation of an experience based design for holistic learning and skill development that would pave way for an equally skilled rural-urban society.
MALNUTRITION
EXTREME POVERTY
INADEQAU TE CHILDCARE
SUBSTANDARD HOUSING
ILLITERACY
DISMAL HYGIENE
PROJECT DETAILS Individual Academic Work nU dergraduate Thesis Project Spring 2018 Guided by Professor Sameer Deshkar 25
IMAGES : PLIGHT OF DWELLERS IN A TRIBAL VILLAGE OF THE MELGHAT FOREST DIVISION
WHY?
31% 69%
1.
20
10
50
2.
5. 3.
WHERE?
10 1.
MI N
WA L
KI
NG
RA
DI US
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
NG KI
S DIU RA
8.
4.
5M IN
W AL
WHAT?
4. 2.
4. 2.
1. 1. 3.
3.
4. 2. 1. 3.
27
HOW?
3.0
4.50
6.0
3.0
6.0
4.50
1:1
3:2
2:1
2:3
1:1
4:3
1:2
3:4
1:1
29
ENHANCED SEU OF SITE CONO T URS O T CREATE TINERS
A HIER RCHY IN SPACES O T CREATE SPATIAL NAA R TIVES
CONA URFIG TION OF A TR NSITON SPACES AT A AV RIETY OF SCALES
All of us do not have equal talent, but ... All of us should have a fair opportunity to develop our talents. – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
O INTERL CKING ROOF SHINGLE
BRICKWORK WITH LIME AND MUD PLATERS
BRICK JAALI AW L
PERMEABLE PAVERS
31
REVIVAL OF THE BYGONE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROJECT NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
Can landscape architecture infiuence the way a community uses its open spaces ? The studio brief was to identify a neglected public space in the city and re-design the same based on concepts of Landscape Architecture. The task was executed with each student selecting their respective sites, followed by site visits, analysis and ultimately providing solutions to cater to the existing scenario. Popularly known as the Triangular Park, my site is a vandalized, vacant patch of land which serves as an important landmark of the region. Owing to its prime location and high proximity to the nearby schools, my vision is to develop the disused land as a well-being and recreational hub of the region.
R
A SAD
RAJ BHAVAN GOVERNMENT LAND
TRIANULG AR PARK OAD
R KATOL
LAND BELONGING TO LAND AND SOIL DEPARTMENT
LS R SEMI
NARY
HIL
LAND AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT
OA D
PROPERTY OF AJ PANESE A G RDEN
PROJECT DETAILS Individual Academic Work (Handwork) VIIIth Semester Landscape Studio Spring 2017 Guided by Professor eK tki Tidke 33
CENTRE POINT SCHOOL
TRIANULG AR PARK AND ITS ADJACENT CONTEXT, SEMINARY HILLS, NAGPUR
STRENGTH
OPPORTUNITY
WEAKNESS
THREAT
KEY ROAD TYPOLOGY EXISTING VEGETATION TYPOLOGY OF ACTIVITIES HIGH DENSITY VEHICULAR MOVEMENT
SEVERAL TALL (PALM) TREES ON THIS EDGE
SEMI - PUBLIC ZONE
WINTER WINDS SUN PATH
NOISY PUBLIC ZONE
HUGE SHADED (PAPAYA) TREES SMALLER FLOWERING (BADAAM) TREES gintudla ainert
With a elyrvs
ARTERIAL ROAD RELATIVELY PRIVATE ZONE
ARTERIAL ROAD
MONSOON WINDS
SUMMER WINDS
SITE SCRUTINY NTS
35
MULBERRY TREE
20 - 25 m tall deciduous trees bringing in aesthetics due to their flower bearing nature, hence near children’s play area.
POLYMER GRASS PAVER
Permeable paving allowing movement of water through its surface.
00 m