Work and Academic Portfolio

Shikha Mehta

-Jason Silva

Contents

The Quirk of Arches

Italian Eloquence

Residential Residential

Corridor & Collaborative Space

Kanakia International School I Kanakia International School II Institutional Institutional

“ Everything we design .... is designing us back. “

System of Structure

SCALE MODEL

The large bay between two transverse arches are divided by the piers resulting in a ‘ Double-bay’ system in the aisles

Side aisles as structural buttresses for vaults instead of thicker walls that were characteristic of Romanesque

Kanakia International School 1 (International Baccalaureate®

Firm : MuseLAB, Mumbai, India

Scope of work : Architecture, Interior and Furniture Design, Project Management, Site Execution Coordination

Role as Design Project Lead (Led a team of 4 ,collaborated with a team of 3 inhouse)

Typology : Institutional Project Area: 45,000 sq ft (9 floors)

The project began as a re-think on educational facilities - strategizing on how to make students gain specific subject learnings, values, knowledge of ancillary skills subconsciously through physical and visual interaction, through a focused application of spatial and product design. The integration of the logistics of a school, norms and required building services across the floors has brought in daily site and coordination challenges to cater to that our team has been solving through management between the various agencies for the designed vision, intent and functionality to be maintained.

Taking from the school brand’s ideologies and approach to teaching, after detailed discussions with the school board, teaching staff, students and understanding specific spatial requirements from The International Baccalaureate® (an international education board), the conception and development of the design stemmed.

The programs that the school and our research necessitated provided an opportunity to create vibrant yet functional spaces for experiencing learning in a different manner. The school was envisioned as a colourful, dynamic educational space to create a supportive environment that stimulates observation and learning. As the target age ranged from kindergarten to tenth grade the design approach was created to cater to them all in a different manner specialized for each.

The corridors are the central core that overlook the learning spaces, housing interactive activities specifically designed for specific grades. All corridors have a modular partition system with glass infill for the students to interact with the spaces on the other side and learn through observation, and provide functional niches on the other side. With the firm also designing the architecture of the school, double height masses were created for the libraries with the design of the interiors further accentuating them.

Secondary Library : Projector and Reading Area

Entrance lobby Area with trophy displays

Execution drawings base for construction method, materials, finishes, dimensions, etc

Conceptualization, design and detailing of Elemental / Product / Furniture Design of various activities designed for different age-groups, after primary and secondary user research, and followed by physical mock-ups for ergonomic and functionality trials by the children

Designing, detailing and crafting execution sets for multiple custom pieces. (Above: Arts and Crafts table designed and detailed the Digital Atelier room with tabletop niches for holding arts items and promoting a sense of sharing between kindergarten students)

The execution stages of the institutional project involved multiple stakeholders and coordination between agencies for material safety, IT additions required by the school, safety and security services, electrical, plumbing, structural engineers, acoustic consultants, Project Management Consultant team, and multiple contractor team managing the skilled workers.

As the firm was also designing the architecture of the building, HVAC, electrical, fire-fighting, FAPA (Fire Alarm & Public Alarm System), etc were managed strategically to be accommodated within specific sleeve positions while the beams and slabs were being cast in coordination with the MEP consultant. This led to multiple site issues, that were resolved with negotiations and accommodations such that the design intent was not affected. The phases of construction across the floors are being coordinated with simultaneous mockups and site adjustments.

Kanakia International School 2 (Central Board of Secondary

Firm : MuseLAB, Mumbai, India

Scope of work : Re-use, Interior and Furniture Design, Project Management, Site Execution Coordination

Role as Interior Designer & Project Lead (Led a Team of 3 with a team of 3 in-house)

Typology : Institutional, Renovation Project Area: 1,10,400 sq ft

An existing 7 storeyed school building was broken down and renovated in multiple phases to manage ongoing school activities through changing COVID-19 protocols. The new design was conceptualized after understanding the existing functionality, space planning issues faced by the teaching and non-teaching staff, and the student age groups occupying the building through primary and secondary research.

Spaces like libraries, eating spaces, collaborative corridors, STEM labs, play areas, classrooms according to grades, Sports courts, etc were designed and detailed.

The site being a renovation site posed multiple issues regarding re-routing electrical, HVAC services, material waste, etc and were dealt with meetings and discussions with relevant agencies. The clients and the school board were active participants throughout the design and on site execution phases, and the process as a result, although invited many on site design changes as the site progressed, also became positively specific, and focused towards every age group and function, ensuring a better user experience for the users.

Library spaces : Subtle design gestures like flooring patterns, arch passageways adding visual dynamism and creating zones in the space

Canteen : Typologies of seating as per eating behaviours

behaviours of the students

Library spaces : Multiple arch gestures segregating spaces within the space for different book genres and adds visual complexity to the children’s space with more engagement with the space

STEM Lab : Lasercut joinery details in the furniture for subconscious learning, and niches on the table and pegboard details for keeping tools while working add a functional touch

Arched segregations create a research and reading zone

zone within the metal working and robotics lab

Kindergarten spaces : A jungle gym with interactive elements incorporated with the waterpod play area behind

The classroom walls were demolished and restructured to create L-shaped classrooms with openings for more visual interactions. The corridors with additional openings with the same L orientation on the opposite side of the corridor provide a beautiful visual.

The corridors for the 10th graders have multiple seating orientations for discussions.

Co-working spaces for tenth graders complies with typologies of spaces necessitated by the IB board like reading niches, private working pods, discussion areas, etc. in an innovative manner in terms of forms, spatial connections, colours, and other design elements.

MuseLAB, Mumbai, India

Role as Project Lead (Team of 3 )

Typology : Retail Store-in-store

TATA’s Titan brand approached the firm for the design of it’s upcoming new brand called ‘IRTH’. The brand was set to launch hand bags, laptop bags, clutches, wallets, diaper bags, etc for women.

We first conducted a behavioural analysis of how women observe bags in a multiple retail shopin-shop settings. The user research was applied towards design synthesis to produce relevant options of display according to the new brand’s ideology. The display strategy was devised to maximize product visibility, enhance user experience, highlight hero bags and accentuate the brand image.

Further, the approved concept’s detailed product execution drawings were worked on in collaboration with metal and carpentry companies. Junction and joinery details were discussed and detailed for flexibility needed for the retail settings.

Accessible heights analyzed to provide better experience for the target audience

Analyzing product counts, sizes, layers and display through design

A P P L I C A T I O N

Floor Displays : Observed to work the best with an accessible height modulations for better product placement compositio

Brand photography can be placed at a heigher height to attract customer interest

Products placed at higher than accessible heights observed to dissuade customers from approaching the displays

6’ - 6 5’ height as clear height for product displays observed to provide better visibility and access to products and a better user experience for an average Indian woman

better visibility and access to products and a better user

display strategy, and providing better product accessibility

height, ns

Modulations in heights in composition for better visibility and importance to products

Created modulations in heights in composition for better visibility and importance to products

Lack of visual hierarchy in composition : Less visibility leads to lesser consumer interaction

Lack of visual hierarchy in composition : Less visibility to products leading to an overall lesser consumer interaction

Smaller details for better product accessibility : Openable drawer for wallet and inserts display

A P P L I C A T I O N

A P P L I C A T I O N

Modules designed to be stacked and placed as required with varied display methods for catering to the product typologies. The modules were designed to be a kiosk, a walk-in exhibition display or a Shop-in-Shop display typology

A minimal display approach with adjustable lit shelving, bag steppers and elements as quirky elements that would accentuate the products

The ‘I’ of the brand expresses through details

‘I’ hooks for hanging bags, expressing brand details

The IRTH ‘I’

The fixture becomes further meaningful as the structure in the system are designed to be metal I sections maintaining the visual identity of the brand in the design

Bag steppers designed as ‘IRTH Blocks’ strategized with engraved logos and brand words exposed as the products are picked up for viewing

The IRTH

Clear branding fixture become meaningful as the system are metal I section the visual iden in the design

A stepped display allowing multiple product orientations such that a passerby can notice items from the sides and not merely from the front

Vaulted

MuseLAB, Mumbai, India

Role as Project Lead (Team of 4)

Typology : Residence Project Area : 4000 sq ft

The layout of the site and the block space planning of the functions led to the concept of a barrel vaulted ceiling to accentuate parts of the ceiling and the space. The vaults turn down towards the floor in the mandir area to create a beautiful corner. The dining console also takes on a quirky re-think guided by the vaults.

The bedrooms have designed elements with intelligently planned integrated lighting details designed, on automation. Custom screen-printed tiles speckle the house, maintaining some consistency and offering some contrast in forms.

Every space in the house and been designed to have a design identity with bold details and forms, based on the client’s design sensibilities, and to express the house as one entity.  The customized forms and expressive details gave opportunity for multiple conversations with the contractor to understand the benefits and limitations of material applications and planning how to achieve the design intent inspite of the same.

The barrel vaulted ceiling turning downwards creating a double-curve for a backdrop for the ‘Mandir’ area Custom scree-printed tiles clad the walls of the

young children’s room

Spatial composition of multiple arches that form a design language in the house

The Quirk of Arches | Mumbai, India

MuseLAB, Mumbai, India

Role as Project Lead (Team of 2 )

Typology : Residence

Project Area : 1800 sq ft

The site layout inspired us to break down the existing walls and create a central spine to the house defined by a semi-arch, which after the Foyer turns down to create a beautiful suspended bar unit. Multiple elements that maintain the form consistency are boldly designed across the spaces in the house.

Tactile textures within raw materials of wood and stone are interspersed with beautiful blue tinted plywood creating a unique textural and colour palette of the house, and complementing the form language of the house

Italian Eloquence | Mumbai, India

MuseLAB, Mumbai, India

Role as Project Lead (Team of 2 )

Typology : Residence

Project Area : 1800 sq ft

The clients, avid travelers, on a trip to Europe approached us with a very specific idea of what they wanted their house to be for them. The house is also a home for multiple Italian brands’ products. The challenge was to design the spaces that merge all the different products together.

With specialized teams for lighting consultancy, automation, HVAC consultancy, along with the multiple national and international brands onboard, layers of co-ordination, design modifications, details were incorporated to avoid onsite execution issues when the civil work onsite and the off-site products items arrived from their international factories to India, on the site.

Civil and carpentry details were incorporated to add a tactile feel to the space and to create a consistent design language and user experience in the house.

The Line of Flow

The Design Equation Role as Designer (Team of 3: Collaborative work)

Typology : Residence

Project Area : 1800 sq ft

The articulation of a single undulating line in the linear space creates a path movement which is manifested as a singular continuous central element in the space.

The visual, structural and spatial language of slender metal sections with customized detailing for tile putups continues throughout the Display show-room. The display space follows a simple yet sophisticated black and white palette with a clear, intuitive circulation path to best experience the tiles in the space.

Student Output

The course initiated through an innate understanding of product forms and extracting product language. It furthered by identifying a built space, researching problem areas in terms of functionality and experience, and devising a strategy specific in each student’s case to resolve them using spatial and product form strategies.

Every student charted their own path by selecting a problem area, analysing solutions for the same, and conceptualizing product designs to solve the problem, and /or enhance experience of the user. Material applications, detailing, making, etc followed through multiple discussions on individual student’s progress.

IN

Role as a Teaching Associate, CEPT University

RUKH BUS STOP

THE FINAL FORM IS THE SUPERIMPOSE OF PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS, SUPERIMPOSING FOLDING, STRIP BENDING, FRAGMENTING.

FURTHER THE LAYER OF PRAGMATIC IS ADDED TO SUIT THE LOGICAL NEEDS AS IT IS AN URBAN FURNITURE.

ROOF

MADE OF FOUR PARTS, EACH CASTED OUT. THE SURFACE IS CURVED THROUGH OUT WHICH SERVES BOTH AS AESTHETICS AND SELF FORM STRENGTHENING AGENT FOR THE SHELTER.

INLAY FRAME

INITIALLY THIS WAS AN ADD ON AS AN AESTHETIC ELEMENT BUT BECAME A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT SIMILAR TO GRID SLAB. THIS IS CASTED TOGETHER WITH EACH PART OF ROOF.

SUPPORTER BENCH

THE RODS ACTS AS A CONNECTOR TO SEPARATE ELEMENTS OF ROOF AND THESE AS A WHOLE UNIT JOINS WITH THE GROUND

CONCRETE CASTED IN THREE PIECES REASON BEING TRANSPORT AND WEATHER EFFECTS ON THE MATERIAL

A MAST AS A SIGNIFIER FOR THE TRAVELER.

MADE WITH SIMILAR PROCESS AND MATERIAL AS ROOF TO COMPLIMENT THE SHELTER

SIGN STAND DUSTBIN PLATFORM

CHANGE IN LEVEL ACTS AS A THRESHOLD FROM AMBIGUOUS TO CONFINED VOLUMES

Student Output

Work By Manav Buddhani

People, Process and Technology Course through CEPT University, Faculty of Design

Role as a Teaching Associate, CEPT University

The course aims to communicate the intersection between interior design practice, and the model of People-Process and Technology when applied to the design field. It creates a structure to recognize the ‘drivers’ in a design process - be it people, process, and/or technology through case studies and design assignments in order to create a design process workflow that can be applied in design practice.

The design exercises along the semester were crafted to engage the students into critically analysing existing projects, conduct secondary research on their project flows, and design process and subsequently infer a comparative analysis and conclusion based on the findings. The presentations focused on reallife projects, application of people, process and technology in them, and identifying drivers of the design process.

The course outcomes concentrated on research quality, extracting conclusions and interpretations from the research, and representational skills to demonstrate the learnings.

Academic and Training Experience

Mehta

-Jason Silva

Contents

Greendustrial, India Adaptive Re-use, Public Mixed Use

Home Depot Pop-ups, USA Strategic Design and Branding

Institutional, Branding

Residential + Workspace

The Photography House, India

Multi-Cultural Center, USA

“ Everything we design .... is designing us back. “

Greendustrial, a centre for green growth and consumption

Through CEPT University, Semester 9

Project Area: 63450 sq ft

Adaptive Re-use of an abandoned industrial shed on Naroda Airport Road, Ahmedabad

Programme: (Mixed Use)

Hospitality, Workspace, Retail, Private Institutional, Ancillary (Public, Semi-public)

The initial impressions of the surrounding nature enveloping the defunct industrial building sprouted the design proposal as also the initial impression of the site being a raw, bare yet a playful entity. The program makes good use of the inherent characteristic elements of the existing site, while, contributing towards increased engagement of the community and the city with nature.

The program creates a space for experiencing the freshness of produce with industrial processes of hydroponics and aeroponics, the act of creation with cooking and gardening and the play of enjoyment in nature with cycling through the space and skating activities. Through the variations and vibrancies in the nature of the functions, the center can become a refreshing, healthy go-to for all age groups. It is envisioned as an open, colourful, dynamic public space that creates an environment to observe, learn, nurture, experience and connect with nature and the activities it houses, by a mere walk-through. The playful path provides shifting dynamic perspectives and visions of the walls and the beautiful crown of the building as one walks along.

The materials of rammed earth, terracotta bricks, china mosaic and terrazzo add a warm, earthy palette to the concrete of the existing building. The building and its elements with the existing volume and porosity complement the addition of the program.

Re-use

Functional and Experiential Montage

programme

to a community hub housing cooking stations, vertical farming, gardening, and interactive spaces with nature. Elements and activities of nature merge with the indoors creating an interesting overlook to the functions within the industrial shed.

Adaptive Re-use | Mixed Use

Morphing space-making elements of existing site

INTENT :

by engagement and consume it through the process of making. Providing a place for the the people in the residential neighbourhood as well as a getaway for the people of the city to relax, bond through doing, reconnect with their childhood roots within nature through multiple activities.

playfulness

Design Concept of Parasitic Invasion of new into existing

Nature around invading and encroaching in Nature around invading and encroaching in

The intervention is slowly carving its way through the site like a parasite taking its root in the shell, adapting its organic form to be accommodated and the site around it, slowly breaking the site while maintaining a clever distance from it.

Intervention is caring its way into the site as a parasite adopting its organic form to be accommodated, breaking it while maintaining a clear distance from it

Montage

ATTACHMENT / ADHESION

Voronoi Pattern of Nature

EXPRESSION THROUGH STAGES OF A PARASITE ATTACK INVASION SEALING

The symbiotic relationship of ‘ Parasitism’

Attachment / Adhesion Invasion Sealing

A space to divulge into your organic roots, relax, setback or gather and interact where the smells of food and spices merge with that of wet soil and the sounds of utensils clattering with the musical sound of laughter.

To create a powerful striated space to learn to tend, nurture and observe, experience and connect with nature

Pathway running through all functions

Mounds

Sectional Perspective B - The entrance view with the dynamic roof character added partition elements and texture to the monotone of the building. The massive rammed earth wall hits the visitor, grounding

Sectional Perspective C - The narrow scale of the path gets another relief with the extruded rich-brown mezzanine level houses the library, lounge and eating spaces providing a closer appreciation of the characteristic

elements and materials adding colour the massive volume of the built.

rich-brown terracotta walls giving way. The characteristic trussed roof of the site.

(right) The industrial production bay, (left) spices display with dispensers for retail

Designed treatment of the relation between the undulating pathway and the rammed earth walls with continuous terrazzo-bordered planter, exposed water channel, and pebble layer alongside the elevated pathway.

The flowing elevated pathways establish shifting perspectives and relationships with the ordered existing structure and its interior column layer

The subtle yet indicative collage-like interior composition of the existing and the new ,experienced while moving through the length of the building.

The cooking area envisioned to be a lively celebration of the act of cooking and eating together

The cooking and learning workshops with the massive scale of hydroponics and aeroponics as an impactful backdrop

Scaled model displaying the invasion of the new program within the existing site it a quirky and eccentric manner designed to experience the site to its best potential

Home Depot Pop-ups

Through College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), University of Cincinnati, USA, (Exchange Semester - Semester 8)

ENGAGE EDUCATE EXPERIENCE

The design competition by Home Depot focused on strategizing a new concept for the box store branches across the country to display their new products every month, increase user involvement and experience, way-finding and information on productions and know-how on processes.

The design solution envisions pop-up modules with construction process mock-ups and touchscreens, mobile app solutions, signages and intelligent way-finding.

Copper Whiskey Restaurant + Bar | Big

Sky, Montana, USA

Project through Firm : EDG Interior Architecture + Design, San Francisco, USA

Position : Interior Design Intern

True to the name ‘ Copper Whiskey’ , the clients wanted the feel of the restaurant set within the snow-clad mountains of Big Sky Range in Montana to include copper highlights with the mood of the space being a mix between Mid-Century Modern mixed with Rustic Montana.

Personal Responsibilities : Conceptualization and Branding, Space Planning, Producing drawings, renders according to the language of the space, developing and working on the 3D model, communication with vendors for materials, FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment) with finishes, creating budgeting charts for FF&E, Client and Contractor Presentations.

Working and collaborating in a team of 4, the development of the design language of the space and the design development took place.

The design developed to include warm wood elements with black anodized metal, and copper finished metal, and tanned brown and green leather fabrics on its quirky interior elements and furniture pieces.

Conceptual

Post-Branding stage of deciding on a Mid-century Modern theme to the design elements

Space-planning layout iterations for accomodating the long bar and the other types of seating

Design Development Detailing

The planning developed to integrate the programs with a thought-outmovement pattern for customers and servers

All spaces were conceptualised and explored with different materials, and ideas. The private dining enttrance was finalized to be an elaborate wine bottle display.

Designing all elements within the design language of the same with material and finishes to resonate with it

Development of appropriate standards, rustic yet chic feel

Window side high-back booths with vintage lighting alongside the exposed bricked wall

of material pallette with appropriate materials with standards, finishes, fabrics, and colours to give the feel with a hint of copper.

Development of tiling in space, explorations with customized tiles, selection and rendering for client presentations and contractor understanding

Wood-coffered walls with sap green leather fabric create another dining zone

Viceroy Santa Monica |

Santa Monica, California, USA

Project through Firm : EDG Interior Architecture + Design, San Francisco, USA Position : Interior Design Intern

The hotel in Santa Monica is one of the many Viceroy chain of hotel buildings. To revamp their older image, contemporary aesthetics were designed, and yet, a feel that roots it to its earlier aesthetic. The interiors designed include the lobby area, outdoor patio, library, and hotel lobbies of certain floors. Quirky and eccentric furniture, fabrics, colours, and patterned flooring, were chosen to add an exciting feel to the interior spaces.

Personal Responsibilites : (Post Design Development Stage) FF&E handling, finishes selections, working on drawings, 3D Model and Photoshop renders.

Interior and Exterior Bar Renders

MARCS Display

Through CEPT University, Semester 6

City Center Shopping Mall , Queensland, Australia

Given a corner site in a shopping mall in Australia with a lengthy shop-front, an idea to make the shop-front visually engaging, compelling people to enter was attempted. The shopfront has addition of photo-dichroic glass finishes which appears to change colour when viewed from different angles making the walk visually dynamic. The angular language of the existing site is continued spatially and experientially. The tilted coated acrylic creates an open, dynamic experience in the interior space with colourful projections on the floor and ceiling.The wide array of colourful clothes of MARCS is given a white backdrop to grab attention. A pivoting element in the space enables different floor display layouts and visual change in the space.

Scope: Conceptualization, space planning, display fixtures’ design, Budgeting, Estimation and Costing, materials and finishes, execution and construction drawings, Set-out plans and drawings, Production of interior display fixtures

360 DEGREE PIVOT WITH 0,45,90,135,180,225,270,315,360

DEGREE LOCKINGPRODUCT-COMPANY HAFELE R08

STRUCTURE TO SUPPORT PIVOT WITH OUTER FINISH P05

SECONDARY STRUCTURE -OUTER FINISH L03

VERTICAL SUPPORTS- 50*1930 WOODEN BATTENS TO BE FINISHED IN P08

50*1800 WOODEN PANELS TO BE FINISHED IN P07 NAILED TO STRUCTURE BEHIND

INNER 25MM PLYWOOD STRUCTURE- OUTER FINISH IN P07 ENSURE STABILITY OF STRUCTURE

DRAWERS -OUTER FINISH IN L03, INNER IN L01 - BOTTOM CHANNELS ( R03)

BASE STRUCTURE IN 25MM PLYWOOD-ENSURE STABILTY, 5MM OFFSET FOR PIVOT PLATE ,TO BE FINISHED FROM OUTSIDE IN P05

Flooring Set-out Plan Only Floor Display Fixtures designed according to designed language of the space, detailed and sent to be produced in collaboration with a retail production factory

Asian Multi-Cultural Center | Cincinnati, USA

Through College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), University of Cincinnati, USA (Exchange Semester - Semester 8)

Envisioned to be a corner part of the Krogers box store, the function that was to hold dance studios, exhibition spaces and changeable retail spaces, the design proposes a central courtyard with the main passageway surrounding it with a view to the main functions such that school children can hold field visits in the centre by following the path.

MEZZANINE LEVEL PLAN ASIAN MULTICULTURAL CENTER

Through CEPT University, Semester 5

Typology : Re-use, Mixed Use (Private, Semi-Private, Public)

Diffused light Privacy InsulationVentilation

Client- Mr. Malhar Dhruv

The family comprises of the couple, their 5 year old son and his grandmother

In the four-storey frame structure as a site in the corner of the bustling Vijay Char Rasta in Ahmedabad, taking into consideration the climate of Ahmedabad where the built form’s east, south , west facades are heated up; the Metro coming up on the main facade and the other sides flanked by bu ngalows, an idea is taken to treat the facade as a skin taken slightly away from the built form to provide the interior spaces with privacy, insulation and ventilation and exciting, dramatic light-shadow conditions and the main functions are surrounded by it.

N

2.Workspace 3.Photography 4.

As the family comprises of three generations with working parents and a young child, an attempt to give an interesting space as the kid’s room on two midlandings providing an interactive connection to all three floors of the residence was taken.

studio Workspace + Residential (Mixed-Use) | Academic | 2017

4.Dark

Midlevels in play connecting to the main floors.

Secondary acceses like a rock-climbing wall, slide, ladders connect to the main floors for the child.

Section cc - through midlevels and staircore (left) South-east facade facing main road (right)

The existing metal grid around the building is re-used to create the facade.

The living functions have a more open facade condition of tilted planks on both the sides bringing in light in interesting visual fragments and good cross-ventilation.

The CNCed corten steel panels in a design of pixels bring in light creating a jaali-like feel in some private spaces.

A. Sectional perspective of the resident floors with the double-heighted balcony and midlandings.

B. The intimate double-height outside the grandmother’s room opening up to the living room and main entrance through the interior window A. B.

Through a CEPT University course Form developed through single-page paper modules, then replicated in 1/2 mm aluminium sheet .

The hollow form was designed such that the light-weight material can take load.

The form is made by metal bending by hand. ( made in group of 2)

Designing a chair for the process of laser cut kerfing to achieve a curved, slightly flexible seat with measured ergonomic curve. The design creates a flat-pack kit of parts of metal base and the flexply seat. The calculated curvature is achieved by software tool of Grasshopper to convert the 3D curvature for 2D cutting and kerfing pattern density and size in flex-ply.

Softwares: Rhinoceros, Grasshopper

Dhairya Srivastava Shikha Mehta

Catenary arch form developed with proper height. Plywood lock joineries connect all the modules in

Visual Compositions

Elements, composition and colour pallette on the feel of the forest | 2014

Architectural elements, visual patterns , colours and spatial experience inspired by my trip to Gujarat | 2013

CEPT Navratri 2017 graphics - Taking on the idea of ethnic human faces and pop colours, the graphics were developed. (group work). Posters, invites, cards, merchandise like bags, books,etc were developed, produced and sold

Navratri (An Indian festival)

product folio

Shikha Mehta

-Alina Wheeler

Contents

“Design is intelligence made visible.”

The Director’s table for an office project in Morbi City, Gujurat, was designed to be a dramatic 9 feet long sleek single line extrusion skillfully bending, the structure granting formm

The mere 1 cm thick bent metal plate edge is articulated delicately like a single extruded pen stroke, curving in a fluid yet controlled manner. The wooden drawer inserted mimics the metal;s characteristics, yet leaves an almost hesitant, intentional edge gap where they connect.

Materials: MS plate, Salvaged Teak wood (Valsadi Teak), Plywood

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Director’s Table (Commercial), Gujarat, India

Chair (Re-make), (as a part of coursework at CEPT University)

Materials: MS Pipes, rods and Cotton rope

Handmade by Team

An original chair was broken down, the elements broken down and the making understood. An alteration was made of changing the perforated metal mesh in the original version and replacing it with rope weave. The production process involved multiple metal fabrication processes of pipe bending, welding, making precise Allen-key details for all joints and fixing the chair. The most critical and tough part was to bend the 19mm MS pipes in the exact angles required and achieving the leg and backrest angles accurately in one singular pipe.

Team : Shail Sheth, Shikha Mehta, Dhairya Srivastava, Aditi Agarwal, Medhavi Shah

As per the client’s requirements of a brass swing to be made for an existing house, the swing was designed and detailed. Custom brass joineries and details were conceptualized and worked out for accurate fabrication as per tolerance. Solid wood added a warm touch and feel to the swing. The swing was fabricated off-site in a workshop in Ahmedabad city and was transported to Morbi city for installation.

Materials: Brass sections, Brass custom joineries, Salvaged Teak wood (Valsadi Teak)

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Shikha Mehta, Suhani Adroja

Indoor Swing (Residential), Morbi, Gujarat, India

Centre Coffee Table Element (Residential), Morbi, Gujarat, India

Materials: Brass plate, Salvaged Teak wood (Valsadi Teak)

Designed to be an impactful centrally placed element in the living space of a project, the coffee table was envisioned to be fluid, dynamic piece. The tabletop has a brass plate inset to hold an artefact, and the undulating side has a niche to hold magazines. The piece was constructed by hand chamfering stacked sections of salvaged Valsadi teak and then rounds of finishing and polishing to achieve the undulating form successfully. The prowess and understanding of the execution team and skilled workers contributed immensely to produce the complex piece.

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta,

The element was designed to be used in multiple manners in its location in a massive informal living area set-up. The forms were designed to add a sense of quirk to the central piece. The brass leg detail protruding till the table top, and the curved ply bases accentuate and integrate the structure to the design of the piece. The forms of the tables merge into one, yet provide multiple configurations to be used in the space.

Materials: Plywood (Custom bent), Brass pipes, Salvaged Teak wood (Valsadi Teak)

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Centre Table Element (Residential), Morbi, Gujarat, India

Side Table (Residential), Morbi, Gujarat, India

Materials: Brass Custom junction, Salvaged Teak wood (Valsadi Teak)

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Dining Table (Residential), Morbi, Gujurat, India

Materials: Brass plate, Salvaged Teak wood (Valsadi Teak), Plywood

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Dining

Console (Residential), Morbi, Gujarat, India

Materials:

The 9 feet long console provides integral storage as required by the client’s household, placed against a massive 9 seater dining table. Custom brass handles, brass pipes touching the ceiling add a clean visual touch to the piece. The edges of the console carved in solid wood provide a pleated look and sense of tactility to the piece.

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Brass, Salvaged Teak wood (Valsadi Teak), Plywood

Outdoor Swing (Residential), Morbi, Gujarat, India

Materials: Brass pipe, Plywood

Designed for a balcony of a project, the brass language is continued to bend beautifully towards the back on the swing. The details are designed as minimal and clean with brass joineries.

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Modular

Materials: Plywood + stone, laminate, MS box sections Designed to be produced in bulk for an office project, the design was modulated to be economic and rapid in production Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Office Cubies (Commercial), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Director’s Table Unit, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Materials: Plywood + veneer, 6mm MS plate

Designed for a Director’s Cabin, the table protrudes as a thin metal edge and bends to touch the floor.

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Dining Table, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Materials: MS pipe, MS plate, Plywood + veneer

The drawings depict alterations for the structure of the Dining Table designed for a residential project.

Design Team : Shail Sheth, Suhani Adroja, Shikha Mehta

Chair seat (as a part of coursework at CEPT University)

Materials: Pine wood

Designed in academic scope for the ‘Palmyra House’ by Bijoy Jain, the low seating chair design process started by ergonomic studies for posture, heights and comfortable angles. The resultant dimensions were conceptualized to forms according to the aesthetic and method of construction of the house.

Taking influence from the built form’s language and characteristics like hollowness, lines, repetition, the low-seating chair’s design developed.

For the chair seat and back, pine wood sections were cut horizontally into thin strips. A ferma (base shape) for the angles and curves was CNC cut to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the 5 separate curved pieces that make up the chair back. The Pine wood strips were stacked, glue-pressed and heat bended for the form to be produced.

Design : Self-designed under Tutor’s guidance Execution Team (Team of 4)