Architecture portfolio 2021 by Shivani Agarwal

SHIVANI AGARWAL ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO | Selected works

SHIVANI AGARWAL sagarwal@risd.edu (315) 210-2834

shivaniagarwal.design

EDUCATION

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI, USA | Class of 2021

Leers Weinzapfel Associates (LWA) Architectural Intern Boston, USA, Summer 2019 Assisted principal architects during the construction process of Harvard University’s district energy facility and the design process of a visitor and innovation center in Revere, MA. Created drawings, physical and 3d models for project meetings with engineers and landscape architects. Participated in site visits, AIA presentations and office events.

Bachelor of Architecture | Bachelor of Fine Arts Concentration in -Theory + History of Art and Design -Nature, Culture, Sustainability studies European Honors Program | Rome, Italy, Fall 2019 Honors | Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2020

SKILLS Software Rhinoceros 3D, AutoCAD, Revit, V-Ray, Sketchup Adobe Suite | Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, Bridge, Premiere, Lightroom Microsoft Suite | Word, Power-point, Excel Model Making Laser-cutting, 3D Printing, CNC Hand Drawing, drafting, woodworking, printmaking, photography

painting,

Language English, Hindi

TEAMWORK AND LEADERSHIP AIAS Undergraduate Vice President RISD, Providence, USA, Fall 2018 - Fall 2019 Collaborated with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) student committee to initiate and market events to the architecture student body. Participated in and lead discussions in structured weekly meetings to plan monthly events like software tutorials and firm crawls. Student orientation Leader RISD, Providence, USA, Fall 2017, Fall 2018 IDSA Makeathon RISD, Providence, USA, Spring 2020 South Asian Student Association Co-President RISD, Providence, USA, Fall 2018 - Spring 2019

2 College Street, #56, Providence, RI 02903, USA

Architecture Brio Architectural Intern Mumbai, India | Netherlands, Summer 2020 Worked with principal architects in making 3d models, perspectives, plans and sections as schematic design for interactive user pavilions for an upcoming housing project. Sameep Padora + associates (sP+a) Architectural Intern Mumbai, India, Summer 2018 Assisted senior architects in the design process to develop alternate solutions and actively participated in the presentation process. Developed and executed presentation graphics (plans, sections, diagrams, illustrations) to communicate concepts to clients. Gained an understanding of materials, building systems and construction methods. Shared Languages - Earthen architecture workshop and conference University of Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy, 2019 Constructed wall prototypes using bamboo, plaster and clay earthen architecture techniques learned from artisans from Japan, Morocco, France, Romania, and Italy, during the week long workshop organized by professor Maria Maddalena Acchenza. Work published in the article “Built from the earth” under RISD stories. Architectural projections Teaching Assistant RISD, Providence, Fall 2020 European Honors Program Exhibition Curatorial committee member RISD, Rome, Italy, Fall 2019 RISD Architecture CAD Lab monitor RISD, Providence, USA, Fall 2018 - present

STUDIO EXPERIENCE Environmental Design Professor Jeffrey Geisinger, RISD, Fall 2018 - Spring 2019 Study human environmental comforts by understanding principals and applications of temperature, humidity, heat transfer, air movement, hydrostatics, electric energy, lighting and sound in built environments. Develop a design proposal that considers environmental strategies and assemblies to make existing systems more efficient.

CONTENTS 01.

Reciprocity

06 / 17

02.

A hustle and a hush

18 / 29

03.

Bami Farms

30 / 39

04.

Terra/Forma, MAMe

40 / 45

05.

Art Center, Providence

46 / 55

06.

Inside out, outside in

56 / 65

07.

Thresholds

66 / 69

08.

Scaling Adaptations

70 / 71

09.

Professional work | Architecture brio

72 / 75

10.

Professional work | sP + a

76 / 83

11.

Technical drawings

84 / 89

12.

Descontructing Narratives

90 / 91

01. RECIPROCITY TERRA FORUM in collaboration with Jisu Yang, Hiba Hanif, Pablo Herraiz Garcia de Guadiana and advised by Professor Laura Briggs RISD, Fall 2020 The pavilion proposal for the RISD Garden club tool shed, constructs a relationship between the earth and labor. The trapezoidal shape of the shed opens up towards the garden and connects the gardener inside the shed to their site of work. The shed emerges from the landscape by bringing earth and plants inside the space. The proposal highlights the reciprocity between natural and man-made activities of growth and construction. The materiality and technique of wattle and daub is a more sustainable take on modern day materials and further brings the inhabitant closer to their site. The pillow-ed ETFE allows the south facing pavilion to function as a greenhouse for the plants and is cross ventilated with a pivoting door and window. To be constructed in Spring-Summer 2021 with funding from RISD’s student involvement center.

Site in 2020

Initial plan study A

Initial plan study B

Site: RISD Garden club site, Defoe Place, Providence, RI.

Site soil tests:

Soil from site no additives Ball crumbled

Sediment Test

Soil from site + some clay Some cracks seen

Ball dropping test: Ball dropped from 1.5 m height

Wattle and daub wall prototype: Scale 1:1’ 8

The pavilion is situated towards the end of the garden and acts as a barrier for the site. The door opens up directly on the landscaped path for easy access and to emphasise a gathering space between the benches and the enclosure. It’s position on a higher grade further helps with draining water off the ground and the earthen walls. 9

Detailed floor plan

Foundation plan

Roof plan 10

Section A

Section B

Wall section detail

Section C

Rainwater collection gutter detail 11

Material components of the pavilion.

Exploded material components.

Phasing diagram

South

East

North

West

Pavilion elevations

Study site model: Scale 1:1/4”

Study model: Scale 1:1/2” 14

Detailed model: Scale 1:1” 15

Shop drawing A: Joint details

Shop drawing B: Wood piece assemblage. 16

Shop drawing C: Wood piece dimensions. 17

02. A HUSTLE AND A HUSH URBAN ECOLOGIES with Anne Tate RISD, Fall 2018 This project is an urban space proposal for South Providence, Rhode Island, USA ,with a residential and commercial component. It responds to the physical, social, cultural and ecological conditions of the neighborhood and critiques the expanding institutional power and insensitivity to the environment by reconnecting the neighborhood to the waterfront through the inclusion of a wetland and w plaza. It addresses the scales of human habitation through varied housing units while also designing the interface between shared and private spaces, different types of circulation, institutional neighbors and other existing and planned programs on the site.

The site currently has buildings that are not in use and is surrounded by parking lots. It is in between a hospital and residential area. C

Site context marked with important axes to main streets and the waterfront. E

Site plan aims to draw visitors into the neighborhood and reconnect it to the waterfront. 20

Perspective sketches of different spaces within the masterplan.

C D E F

Masterplan

Section A shows the relationship of a new housing complex to existing houses across the street. 21

Retail 1 Bedroom unit 4 Bedroom unit Apartment building Community Center

Massing diagram

A: Remedial wetland plants B: Treatment using microorganisms, pebbles and storage based on water levels. C: Water is absorbed by trees

Wetland diagram

Integrated into the housing proposal is a wetland strip that aims to recycle storm-water through a three step process and critiques the excessive asphalt grounds on the site along with the history of toxic dumping into the water by naturally cleaning the water before it is directed into the bay.

Most public

Section D from Dudley st to Chester st, South Providence. Moving from the south facing plaza, through the 22

Section B shows a typical live-work unit designed to support those families in the neighborhood who operate small businessess at home.

Section C shows a residential unit with a one bedroom apartment at the ground level and four bedroom unit above. Multiple balconies encourage relationships between neighbors as well as with their surroundings.

Semi-public

Semi-private

e commercial strip towards residential units, the proposal engages with varying intensities of public spaces. 23

A view of the residential units that face the wetland strip. The garage doors can be opened and used by residents in diverse ways. This green space is less public than the open plaza but still welcomes visitors to engage with the ecology.

A semi-private interior courtyard. The shared backyard space is more private compared to other green spaces in the neighborhood and can be used by residents for multiple activities.

Sixth floor Multi-use space

Fifth floor Conference rooms

Fourth floor Conference rooms

Third floor Multi-use spaces

Second floor Banquet room Kitchenette

First floor Supermarket Garage Open Plaza Community Center plan 26

4 Bedroom Unit Plan 2580 sq. ft. (with retail and garage)

1 Bedroom Unit Plan 890 sq. ft. + 4 Bedroom Unit Plan 1690 sq. ft. (without retail and garage) First floor

Second floor

Residential complex plan 27

Third floor

Site model at scale 1/32”.

Model of retail and residential units at scale 1/8”.

03. BAMI FARM URBAN FARMING with Laura Briggs | RISD, Spring 2020 The African Alliance of RI has been planning to build two high tunnel style greenhouses at Bami Farm so that they can farm yearround. The RISD team developed a site strategy for the Farm including the design details of a site specific passive greenhouse. Bami Farm has the potential to strengthen local communities through economic development, enhancing food security, reducing food apartheid, and reducing of the use of fossil-fuels, all while creating places where individuals can engage natural systems and support biodiversity. In partnership with Gilbane constructions.

Green house placement iterations

The final placement of the greenhouses along with an inflated membrane maximizes the daylight levels throughout the year, while also maximizing solar heat gains in the winter. The east/west scheme works with prevailing winds. In summer, with the side walls rolled up, the breezes run across the greenhouse long side. In the winter, the forest blocks the cold breezes while the short end of the greenhouse faces the breeze reducing impact of wind.

Diagram showing sun path analysis. (daylighting period in winter: 9am-3pm)

Diagram showing solar energy gain.

Wind directions 32

Site plan strategy

Greenhouse gathering

Gathering circle

Reflection garden

The bioswale and a rock wash area to convey and direct rainwater off a consistently wet area on the main farm path. It is beneficial to recharge groundwater, creating a small habitat that attracts birds and butterflies. 33

Bioswale plan

Hoophouse area masterplan. Bami Farm consists of several narrow fields that are carved out of the forest and that rise to the north as one enters the property. The placement of the greenhouse at the top of the rise takes advantage of the prospect while also minimizing regrading and allowing for better water management.

60’

Wheelchair accessible beds 4’

4’

Section A showing the community gather space between the two greenhouses. 34

20’

Work table

30’

5’

Shelf cabinets

Locker cabinets Hydroponic farming

Indoor water tank (60” x 66”)

Sink

Indoor water tank (30” x 2.5” x 2.5”)

Section B showing the North wall designed for passive heating. Outdoor water tank (72” x 66”) Children’s planter beds

Outdoor washing station

6’

Interior plan

‘First flush’ drainage Gutter

Over flow spout Hose connection 4” x 19-1/4” concrete retaining wall 3’ extension into ground

Section C

Diagram: Rain-water collection detailing 35

Elevation of the east wall.

The end walls are outfitted with an ETFE membrane, a polycarbonate double door for trucks or people, and automated louvers. The thermoplastic ETFE was chosen because of its durability, light transmittance and resistance to heat flow. The membrane is sealed to crate inflated pillows which acts as a thermal barrier with an R value of 4. The trellis acts as a covering and shade at the entrance and provides opportunities for vertical farming.

The trellis can be used to grow vines and creeper plants, and creates a shaded zone at the front entrance of the hoophouse. 36

Shed 2: The shed will be located at the circle gathering space. The large roof creates a shaded work area in front of a series of lockers for each farmer.

Shed 3: The shed will be located at the north end of the farm. The roof extends for rainwater collection 37

04. TERRA\FORMA MUSEUM FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS, MAMe | Florence, Italy RISD European Honors Program, Fall 2019 Craft involves the interaction of the body and material. In this museum for two crafts, metals and textiles, we have focused on reviving another material craft in construction of the building. Reinventing the ancient local tradition of building with earthen walls, this project using the earth of its own excavation to create a memorable shelter for the production and exhibition of traditional crafts in metalwork and textiles of the Florentine region. Earthen wall construction was a traditional building method in the areas around Florence but now it emerges in the center of the city in a new form as a refined material, worthy of display. This extremely sustainable building system uses the most local of materials, eliminates waste and transports costs, and keeps the building warm in winter and cool in summer. In our version it becomes an integral part of the display system, offering a contrast to show off the delicate textiles and fine metal work of the collection. Project entry for Archicontest #FlorenceCall competition, in collaboration with Jisu Yang, Hiba Hanif and Pablo Herraiz Garcia de Guadiana.

Concept diagram showing the wall as a container and as furniture.

The workshop sits between massive earth walls which provide spaces for exhibition and for storage of materials and works in progress. The opposing walls are clear glass, allowing visitors inside the museum and the public on the east street to fully observe the work in progress.

Parking Auditorium Office Workshop Lobby Exhibition Programmatic diagram

Plan

Model photos

The building rises up out of the ground to provide a platform from which to view the famous Santa Croce faç 42

Kenji, approaching from the church of Santa Croce, sees a vast landscape rising up from the street. He climbs up the landscape amphitheater and sits down on the benches to enjoy the sculpture garden and then makes his way to the workshop.

After walking through an alley, a set of monumental rammed earth walls draw Eva into the exhibition space where she discovers works of silk fabric, while the walls are shaped with niches containing bronze statues and precious metal artifacts.

Storyboard A

Storyboard B

çade. This new park offers a welcome, cool, green oasis in the midst of the hardscape city. 43

Hadrian’s villa, Monotype, 26’ x 52’ 44

Hadrian’s villa, Monotypes 45

05. ART CENTER, PROVIDENCE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN with Ben Pell RISD, Spring 2018 This project develops a proposal for a new Art Center for the city of Providence- one that situates itself along the canal, on the edge of two major neighbourhoods. The building engages its environment and drawing passerby’s in to experience the production and exhibition of art. It speculates on how concepts meet one another to form hierarchies in space, creating a new form of architecture for artists and the public of today.

The Art Center draws visitors in. Those walking along the canal are able to catch a glimpse of the studio spaces and galleries, and can directly access the terrace from the outside.

The visitor experiences the interior atrium-like space at the center upon entering the building. Multiple entry points, as well as circulation and gallery displays around the center encourage interaction between those inside and outside the building.

Downtown/ Historic district

College Hill

The massing of the Art Center in section, draws from the intensity in downtown Providence and opens it up towards college hill acting as a transition point.

Site plan shows a dense downtown Providence with more high rise buildings as compared to the openness and trees in college hill.

Circulation mapping

Sound mapping

The rooftop plaza is treated as an extension of the street. It invites people onto the site, which is made possible without actually entering the building. The path moves around the center atrium-like space and encourages interactions between people in the interior and exterior of the building. The loop circulation gives the visitor a chance to re-experience similar space in a different ways.

Art center visitors

Open to the public 50

Section B.

Section A.

The rooftop plaza can be used for performance artworks and in multiple other ways. The channel glass facade allows diffused light into the studio spaces. Each studio has a lab and workshop space within it.

Section C shows the relationship of the vertical artists and admin space to the open gallery space and of the Art Center to the canal. 51

Fifth Floor Studio Workshop

Fourth Floor Studio Workshop

Third Floor Classroom Public plaza Performance art space

Second Floor Meeting area Reading room Gallery

First Floor Private office Open office Gallery

Ground Floor Cafe Lobby Open meeting space Public workshop Loading and Storage Floor plans 52

Model at scale 1/8”.

Process models at scale 1/16” and final model at scale 1/8”. 54

06. INSIDE OUT AND OUTSIDE IN Strategies for the Providence Public School District LEARNING SYSTEMS with Manuel Alvarado Cordero RISD, Spring 2020 Based on the Johns Hopkins report, education facilties within the Providence Public School District are in poor condition, have low assessment rates and lack a student-teacher morale. This proposal identifies and tackles some of the challenges in an attempt to better the state of education. The masterplan and design strategies aim to connect students with other students and members of their community by situating their learning within the surrounding context. The design at an urban and architectural scale, emphasises that learning does not have to just within a classroom; neighbourhood spaces can be utilised to bring learning out of the classroom and into the community. By bringing more relevance to the students’ learning, engaging the neighbourhood, and creating opportunities for the community to gather, collaborate and have a stake in local projects, there will be an overall improvement in not just school spirit, but also community spirit.

Chosen site as an example for type 1, priority 1 renovation: Esek Hopkins Middle School

Veazie Street Elementary school Esek Hopkins Middle school E-Cubed Academy (High School) Oak Street health centre Public parks RIPTA bus stops

Sample cluster A to test masterplan strategies. Students from Veazie Street elementary school and E-cubed Academy along with residents in the neighborhood will make use of Esek Hopkins as a community/recreational space. 58

Currently implemented model of double loaded straight hallway with parallel classroom arrangements.

1. Activate hallways as spaces for learning, meeting, collaborating.

Spaces start to push and pull disrupting the linear hallway and engaging with the surrounding space.

2. Flexible common use spaces.

Spaces start to merge and become more permeable.

3. Increased access to outdoor spaces.

Ideal school floorplan, developed from an existing double-loaded corridor structure that is designed while considering the objectives of collaborative and maker based learning. 59

Accessible parking New main entrance Outdoor breakout space connected to cafeteria Student and community farming/ gardening beds Extended Prete-Metcalf Field Potential site for an outdoor classroom/ open learning space

Esek Hopkins middle school site after renovation. The field extends all the way to the edge of the school building establishing a direct connection and space for the students to engage with.

Existing Learning commons

After renovation

Community commons

Creates a learning community with a variety of thoughtful learning spaces.

Includes the community and will function as a community center. Increased direct access to green spaces.

Total site area = 27,300 sq. ft. | 92,100 gross sq. ft. Classrooms Specialized rooms (Art, Music, Gym, etc) Admin/logistical spaces (offices, storages) Bathrooms

Circulation Outdoor green space Common space (Open library, co-working space and collaborative space)

Programmatic changes made without changing the massing and capacity of the building. 60

Section B

After renovation, the students have access to more outdoor learning spaces and interactive furniture. 61

The new classrooms have smaller breakout spaces that occupy the threshold between the inside and outside. The furniture on wheels and flexible walls allows for maximum reconfigurability and challenges traditional classroom power dynamics.

Semi- basement floor plan

Section A shows the vertical relationship between the community and academic commons. 62

First floor plan

Second floor plan

Third floor plan 63

07. THRESHOLDS An exploration of Rudolf Hall ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS with Lexie Tsien RISD, Spring 2018 This project, through a series of carefully constructed drawings, aims to uncover the underlying orders and principles of the Yale Art and Architecture building by Paul Rudolf. It uses physical and spatial logics to make decisions about line, sequence, hierarchy and formal relationships.

The drawing explores the interlocking of the vertical columns and horizontal floor-plates as well as the center atrium. 30”x 44”. 68

Exploded axonometric drawing of reconfigured in terms of changing v

the building taken apart and volumes of spaces. 38”x 50”.

Perspective analysis drawing that explores the experience of moving through the building. The central corrugated concrete columns help the viewer orient themselves within the shifting perspectives. 69

Plastered fabrics in an attempt to freeze tension.

Flexible fabric molds, inspired by this characteristic and have strategic stitches with strings in them to create diverse patterns.

Inhabiting the sack leads to an inhabitable space.

Plaster casts that c units.

Collage of photos collected over regular interval during movements- to explore growth th of layers, similar to the lines in a shell.

Two person sack stitched as a combination of the two previous sacks to be similar to a bivalve shell. 70

Collage to understand the influence of the two inhab visualize the scope of their movements.

can be used as building

hrough the accumulation

08. SCALING ADAPTATIONS DESIGN FIELD with Kyna Leski RISD, Spring 2019 The permeability of land and sea creates a zone with constantly shifting boundaries. Species within this zone; those that evolved and survived, have developed adaptation strategies that allow them to thrive in the rapidly changing environmental conditions. This zone is a dynamic ecosystem; an amalgamation of interconnected tactics. A outer shell is one such survival strategy. “I am interested in the shell being a dialectic outcome.” The speed at which humans are changing the environment is faster than the rate at which species can adapt. Learning from shells can lead to new ways of making and building and can make architecture more intelligent and sensitive. “ one must live to build one’s house and not build one’s house to live in ” - Gaston Bachelard

bitants over time and to 71

09. PROFESSIONAL WORK ARCHITECTURAL INTERN with Architecture brio Mumbai, India | Netherlands, Summer 2020 During my internship I worked on the schematic design of visitor’s and sales pavilions for an upcoming housing complex near Mumbai, India. The many small pavilions are temporary connected structures made of bamboo that after use can be dismantled and used as shelters in the large green space around the apartment buildings.

Masterplan

Section A

Roof skylight details

Section B

Roof gutter details

Perspective of the smaller connecting bamboo pavilions.

Perspective of the large bamboo pavilion at the end of the path.

Context diagram for the Knowledge center, in relation to the existing fort and landscape.

Context and circulation diagram for the IISc campus expansion. 76

10. PROFESSIONAL WORK ARCHITECTURAL INTERN with sP+a Mumbai, Summer 2018 I worked on two competition proposals. The first was an extension for the Indian Institute of Science (IISc, Banglalore) campus where the design proposal aimed to save the maximum number of existing trees on site and make the additional buildings more accessible to a wider range of people. The second was an addition of a ‘Visitor’s Center’ and a ‘Knowledge Center’ to the historic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. For both these projects, I mainly worked on developing AutoCAD drawings and presentation graphics on Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. I also helped make concept models for an ongoing residential villa project.

Plan of the Visitor’s center.

Diagram illustrating the scenic Itihaas (historic) path as an alternate enterance to the fort.

Illustrations depicting the history of the Mehrangarh Fort that inspired the design of the Visitor’s center and the Itihaas (historic) path. 79

Massing diagram

Concept diagram illustrating the massing as well as the loop circulation that is derived from the form of a step well.

Circulation diagram

Facade diagram that shows the use of shading devices, windows and openings to provide appropriate light required for offices, reading rooms, studios and laboratories. 80

Section A. Knowledge center.

Section B. Knowledge center.

Character story boards illustrating how different people visiting the IISc campus can experience the pro 82

ograms and spaces included in the proposal. 83

Plan A

Plan B

Elevation A

Elevation B

Section A

Section B 84

Roof top 70’-0”

Roof 62’-0”

Fourth floor - Office 46’-0”

Third floor - Office 32’-0”

Second floor - Office 18’-0”

First floor - Lobby 12’-0”

11. TECHNICAL DRAWINGS

Technical drawings for projects “Reconfigurable working” and “Reciprocity”. The design for the reconfigurable shared workspace in East Providence considers both single and multiple tenant office space. The open floor plan along with a raised floor allows each floor to be reconfigured according to the leasing tenants requirements. Additionally, the top floor can be used as a co-working space for individuals. South facing windows, a DLT and glulam column structure, overhead skylights and numerous photovoltaic roof panels makes this building very energy efficient, with a EUI of 24.

Techtonic diagram

Facade diagram

Circulation diagram

Facade detail isometric 86

PV panel attachment

Sawtooth roof diagram

Sawtooth roof section detail

Wall to floor section detail

Wall to ground (foundation) section detail 87

Sample construction document from “Recipricity”, Terra Forum. 88

To make

To be remembered

To fade

To reconstitute fragments

To collect 90

12. DECONSTRUCTING NARRATIVES ARCHITECTURAL THESIS with Hansy Better Barazza Fall 2020- present Storytelling traditions in India have been a way of memorably holding on to and passing down oral histories for generations. A lot of these stories manifest into the physical realm through craft techniques and objects; they allow for stories to be told, retold, reinterpreted and added to. Through my thesis, I am hoping to bring these narrative properties of craft into architecture, as a way of memorializing stories that goes beyond a form of representation. Storytelling can be used as a decolonial methodology to foreground personal life narratives and human experiences that have been written out of history through the erasure of architecture. The demolition, fight for preservation and rising real-estate prices of the industrial textile mills in Mumbai is one such example. The architecture of the defunct mill represents a battleground between the capitalist actions of the real estate market and the suppression of peoples stories. I hope to create a scaffolding or framework for a public space where the architecture creates an invitation for collective storytelling. Can we begin to highlight the textile worker’s experiences of erasure, violence and invisibility while also creating a form of blankness within the architecture; a psychological and physical safe space that makes people feel comfortable to add their own story to the narrative? Can we find a version of permanence within architecture that goes beyond physicality through the manifestation of stories?

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO | Selected works