PORTFOLIO by Shrudi Raveendran

SHRUDI

RAVEENDRAN Portfolio

‘ If the architecture is any good, a person who looks and listens will feel its good effects without noticing’

Carlo Scarpa

INDEX

Mzuzu Library

The Arcade

The Skyscraper

Competitions

Intervention

Thesis in Progress

Mzuzu University II 01

M Z U ZU LI B R A R Y At Mzuzu University Malawi

To enhance aesthetic pleasure , ideal spaces are created to preserve elements of the existing landscape on site. Mzuzu University in Malawi , is located at 9 degree South to 17 degree South. The location of the Lake on the north eastern side of the site helps in understanding the most populous paths of flow from the main gate into campus .Thus it is understood that the library has to not hinder but instead encourage movement across the site. Based on the topography of the site, the area varies in three distinct regions according to slope and thus we then derive areas where we tend to rest, move and pause. The design works against the hot high humid season and the heavy rains from January to December and the Winds blowing toward the south east direction. The parking spaces allotted on the site were assigned after considering easy of access from main road, easy - viewing or an entrance into the library.

The Library is not just a representation of the people’s thirst to learn but is also a social gathering space. Understanding the culture and beliefs of the Malawians help us to integrate an ammenity into their lives and to imagine an environment that awes them but is also comfortable to them. The use of a thatched roof meeting the ground gives people walking around an opportunity to easily walk into the architecture. Earth based materials like limestone and wood are used in their structure and facade.

Mzuzu University II 02

Mzuzu University II 03

Providing spaces in their floor plans that allow communication and discussion can spur the very purpose of a library within the people. Their toward close contact and expressing affection indicates that they like to have their own private personal spaces at certain moments. There are sections of public reading spaces as well as private spaces on every floor. .

Mzuzu University II 04

“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”

The Arcade II 07

THE ARCADE The site offers street access from the north and south and is bordered by 4-6 story buildings on the east and west. With Lugano along a huge lake, Lugano is the subject of periodic severe flooding. The site is now an ideal model for the Recreation center and then a Post-disaster Center in a flood. The program requires the building to serve as a Community Centre as well as a Flood Relief Shelter. While considering the two programs , the space is to be a safe playhouse. A space that protects, is identifiable and a easily directs one moving through from ground to safety . A shelter is a place where one feels a sense of belonging.

The Arcade II 08

An element from the city- under which people gather, walk and see everyday in their lives- is what will draw them in.The vast number of arches footing the buildings in Lugano is a common thread that weaves the city together. Arches, designed first by Romans came about to mark place of procession and entry. Arches are a symbol of power and dominance. A sense of defence and fortification is imposed. An arch is now an element of familiarity, Thus it’s a part of the city which gives the building a belonging to the whole city. In terms of flood shelter, an arch resembles a tall footing equipped with an occupiable roof and floor. Similarities within the desired structure and an arch appear.

Floorplan 1

Floorplan 4

Floorplan 2

Floorplan 3

The Arcade II 09

A succession of contigious arches serve as functional piers that hold up the building as well as provide a partially enclosed structure. The building appears to float with a light base. The darker concrete on the roof emphasises the dominant monolithic roof. This offers a way for people to freely use the ground and as they move upward, they’re completely sheltered. The concrete is darker as it reaches a higher level. This gradient effect is so one is naturally drawn to the highest floor-the gymasium which is the prime area when the building changes from a recreation center to a relief shelter.

The Arcade II 10

During the flood, the multiple ports of entry allow people to enter the site easily. There are multiple levels of observationwhich allow people to then look out forthemselves and continue to move to higher grounds, if necessary. During an emergency, the arches along the side of the building form a roadway to accomodate ambulances and rescue vehicles that may pass along the loading dock to supply help &aid. Police and other personnel can keep check from multilevel plazas and balconies.

The Skycraper II 11

THE S KYSCRAPER The site is the gateway to the West Loop. The West loop neighborhood is evolving from a historically industrial neighborhood to a hub for talent and entertainment. The site is a bridge between these two forces of work and rest. The design of the building engages with the needs of the future and present users of the area.

The Skycraper II 12

Diagram showing the project’s proposal where there is a gradual shift in energy through a transition zone. Theres a transition from the kinetic energy of a dynamic ground plan to a calmer quieter upper floors. This is seen in the changing floorplates and in the mass.

Rest

Transition

Active

The Skycraper II 13

The building’s elevation exhibits the concept. The change in energy is visible in energy the elements that change in their dimensions and use and also in their closeness to the building.

The massing of the building is a cohesive and gradual transition of form. The two main factors where the energy composition of the building, views and external forces such as wind.

The envelope moves and creates open spaces, specific to each zone. The more kinetic zones have a high rate of change in the envelope which creates the illusion of rotation without losing floor area. Meanwhile the floor plates above become more stable and have smaller and private balconies.

The Skycraper II 14

Zone 1- Kinetic Zone

3 1

2 On the ground floor, one can see how the dynamic elements play along with the dynamic groundplan that accomodates - 1. for the residents, 2. Loading for the kitchen, 3. a walkway for pedestrians, 4. for Hotel visitors.

The Skycraper II 15

Zone 2 - Transition Zone

This residential floor plate is fully static. The balconies become consistent and the elements go into the building. The distribution remains and provides good quality spaces for its users.

The Skycraper II 16

Zone 3 - Potential Zone

The Spa - the potential moment- is when the elements morph from vertical elements along the skin into forming the roof. The spa is of three levels all with a glass ceiling held by the elements above.

The Skycraper II 17

West and South Elevations

The Skycraper II 18

Kinetic to Potential

Energy is a common term we’re well versed in relation with physics, nutrition, mental energy and more. Many efforts are taking place to sustain the Earth and to conserve energy for a guaranteed future. However we fail to remember that our body too, runs on energy. Accumulation of negative energy and exhaustion can lead our minds and body to stop functioning. Thus while it’s important to conserve energy around us, it’s important to conserve energy within us too. The best way to inculcate this is to create and to be in an environment that guides and eases you to transition from work to rest.

Third Year Competition Winner

Competitions

The competition asked to introduce an observatory space and small gathering space in a really tight site next to the architecture building in Virginia Tech.

Riva Intervention Project

Intervention Project

We were given the word “play” as a prompt to design an interactive installation at the lakeside park in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. As a group, we agreed that a balloon is an object we all played with as children. The form of the installation morphed from a gridded array, inwhich people could walk around, to a floating cloud, where people could runthrough, lie under and sit amongst.

In Progress II 19

A need for spaces to recover from fervidnes and monotony. These spaces are embedded in places we go to everyday. A series of spaces where the unrelated coexist and interdependently stimulate each other. The spaces exist within two contrasting spaces of activity/ atmosphere.

In Progress II 20

LIVE AND WORK Ray Oldenburg discusses that a person needs three places. A place to live, a place to work and the third place to grow and to socialize. Work is a necessity to live and to provide. Offices and homes have now become the two places people oscillate to and from. There is a loss of the third place.

In Progress II 21

LIVE - WORK SPACES A study of live-work spaces show how the further you separate the places of work and live, there is more room to celebrate the elements in-between. Studio Apartment A single room with a bathroom. The single room functions as a living and working space with only the furniture defining function.

Home Office A designated work for work away from living. The wall is the seperating element.

In Progress II 22

Ground Level Office Work is restricted to the ground floor. Living quarters are above with a private entrance. Stairs and the floor become elements of seperation.

In Progress II 23

Yellow represents living spaces and red represents work spaces.The following diagrams show how when the two spaces pull apart, a third space can be created.

In Progress II 24

A third place that is for all in transition from work to live. Time is the only divide. A program that contains a third space coexisting with two kinds of live-work spaces, while gifting the inhabitants spaces to revive life into work spaces and to restore work ethic into living spaces.

In Progress II 25

Living Spaces

In Progress II 26

The foyer and the sleeping spaces are the start and end. Everything inbetween is a variable, each day. Program of a living space is reduced to the functions of living. The intimacy within the spaces are played with allowing one to move freely.

In Progress II 26

PLAN

THINK COOK BOND PRODUCE AMBIGUOUS PROCESS EXERCISE INTERACTGATHER DISCUSS

WAKEUP

REFLECT

RECOVER REJUVENATE

READ MEDITATE

SOLVE

HIDE

REST

THINK

STROLLCONNECT MEANDER SELFCARE

SHELTER STILL

REPLENISH

COMMUNICATE

ENTERTAIN BEND WATCH

GROW CREATE DEVELOP

CLEANSE

ISOLATE

WASH HYGIENE

CLIMB

SIT MEET

In Progress II 28

In Progress II 29

Working Spaces

In Progress II 30

The reception and the working spaces are the start and end. Everything inbetween is a variable, each day. Program of a workingspace is reduced to the functions of working. The intimacy within the spaces are played with allowing one to move freely.

In Progress II 31

PRIVATE

STRESS PUNCTUAL

INFORM

LOUD

HEIRARCHY

MEETING

EATING

NURTURE DISCUSS CONSTRAINT

SOCIAL CHANGE

SHARED

VIEW PROCESS

INTERACTION

PERFORM CLEANSE TEACH TENSION

HABIT

REPORT

TRANSPARENCY

LEARN

REST WORK

COMMUNITY

TEAM

GATHER PERFORM FREE REFRESHROUTINECONNECTED AMENITIES COMMIT REJUNUVATE COMMUNICATION SEMI PUBLIC RESPECT COORDINATION REPITITION EFFICIENCY DIVIDED GROUP WELCOMING EXCHANGE EMPOWER EXECUTE ELEVATED EXPRESS INDIVIDUAL TRUST PUBLIC

In Progress II 32

In Progress II 33

One person transitioning from a private workspace to a private life

In Progress II 34

When a public workspace is added, zones of overlap of public and private working spaces are introduced.

In Progress II 35

3 1 2

Site Study The abandoned west Heating Plant in Georgetown is a potential site. It exists against the commercial and residential parts of Georgetown. The site asks for a third place. A third place from live and work. to be continued........

‘As its form blurs, architecture will exist where, like a cloud, the boundary between inside and outside grows ambiguous ’

Sou Fujimoto