shubhayan modak
parchitectu o r tref loiteratu l i ore |
selected works 2012-2015
a continuous oscillation bet ween the impossible and the reality is how i should define myself. my passion of living my dreams is what drives me for ward, keeps me going. buildings evolve hand in hand over time with its users. our perspectives and cultures take the physical shape of architecture. for me, architecture happens over a hot cup of chai at the roadside stall in the rural countryside. it happens as i walk along the vineyards of nasik. thoughts conceive shape as the sun sets, leaving a silhouette of the mehrangarh in my mind. travel, yes, i love to. words are the best means to design for me. when i write, its an idea i am designing; something as strong as a building,that won’t fade away. each day, i wake up, wanting to see the world. and the more i see places, the more i learn, be it architecture, or lifestyles, or life...
Shubhayan Modak
September 15, 1993 | Indian | Male 53 Richardson Hall, Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur, Botanical Garden, Howrah 711103 shubhayan.modak1993@gmail.com +918653792921
Education
Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur Bachelor of Architecture, 2012-present, cgpa-7.10
St. Xavier’s School, Burdwan
Higher Secondary Examination, ISC, 93.4%
St. Xavier’s School, Burdwan
Secondary Examination, ICSE, 92.2%
O bj e c t i v e
To work in an environment that stimulates the spirit of teamplay in me, pushes my abilities to bring out the best of me, and allows me the opportunity to learn, experiment, and gain respect in the eyes of my peers.
Experience
Summer Internship, May-June ‘14
Module Corporate, Lake Town, Kolkata On-Site learning, Construction drawings, 3D view making
International Design Workshop ‘15
FACES, organised by IIEST, Shibpur in association with Sapienza University, Rome
ideas are bulletproof v for vendetta | 20 05
Freelance Projects
Interior of a 2 bhk residence, Burdwan (ongoing) Interior of a local saloon, Burdwan, ‘14
AutoCAD
Exper tise
SketchUp
Revit-Architecture
Photoshop
InDesign Lumion V-Ray Photography Creative writing Extempore
A c t i v i t ie s / A w a r d s
Convenor & Editor-In-Chief, Indian Arch ‘16
Served as the convenor and editor-in-chief of Indian Arch ‘16, the annual journal of National Association of Students of Architecture, India (NASA, India)
Architectural Journalism, ZoNASA ‘15, Z4
Received the Citation 1 for the article written for the Architectural Journalism competition held at Zonal NASA ‘15 of zone 4 in October ‘15
ISOLA Landscape Competition ‘15
Top 21 short-listed entry nationwide at Annual NASA Convention ‘15 in January, ‘15
Annual NASA Design Competition ‘14
Top 30 short-listed entry nationwide at Annual NASA Convention ‘15 in January, ‘15
Participation
Volunteer, IIA NatCon, Vedic Village, Kolkata, Dec ‘15 IGBC Green Design Competition, ‘15 ADI Industrial Design Competition, ‘14 G-Sen Design Competition, ‘13
Travelling
Passion
Photography Graphic Design Rational debating Abstract art
Writing
I declare that the statements made here are true, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Shubhayan Modak
INDIAN ARCH ‘16
Non-Profit Student’s Journal | Architecture & Construction | 160 pages | Launch: Jan ‘16 Total press count: 2000 copies | Distribution: National, specific International destinations
Coverage: Colleges- 550; NASA Council, ANC host college, tutors- 200; Practicing architects in the country- 600; Collaborations: 120; Govt. connections: 25; Corporate: 200; 250 copies for the hosting college
Indian Arch is the annual student’s journal of National Association of Students of Architecture, India. It was in Dehradun, June ‘15 when I gave the presentation, and won the bid; starting as the convenor & editor-in-chief of this journal, I knew that this is one journey which I would absolutely enjoy, and whose destination, I was eager to reach. 9 months, & 160 pages later, I sincerely have no complains! An enthralling safari, this taught me pretty much, more than the classroom lectures. The ‘16 edition has been highly appreciated by everyone; it was inaugurated by Ar. Divya Kush, hon’ble President, IIA at the 58th Annual NASA Convention, Surat, Jan ‘16. I have contacted professionals for their contribution, taken interviews, done some slight proof-reading at times, and designed the entire magazine layout by myself. In its 29 years of existence, this is the first time in the recent decade that we have been able to publish a quality journal within the stipulated deadline. View it at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B69fmT-49IIeeWpMR0IxQkg5Qjg
an n ual arch itectu r e jou r nal of NASA I n d ia
cover story
The short-listed authors engage their imagination, and best of hopes to portray our motherland in the lines of a different history; taking up what if situations, and challenging the history, our authors have portrayed India under two distinct flows, one imagines India under the French Raj instead of British Raj, whereas the other dares to venture deep, portraying India as a self developing republic nation, free of any foreign influence.
dedication
The dedication article delves deep into the architectural tenets of the legend, Ar. Charles Correa. Its a humble tribute from NASA, India to the legend whose sorrowful loss left a huge void ever vacant.
dialogues
Giving importance to a properly cured dialogue, I realised that my interviewees cannot be interviewed same. I did my homework and framed separate set of doubts for them; Prof. Rahul Mehrotra dwells upon the globalisation of Indian Architecture, and the factors working within; Ar. Abin Chowdhury dives deep into the common factors affecting Indian architecture, and education in the 21st century; Prof. Nalini Thakur discusses the intricate details of being a conservation architect in India, and the pros and cons of being the same; and lastly, Ar. Madhav Raman unravels the common mysteries of architecture, and architectural education in the country, and clears out the common problems and challenges faced by the common Indian Architecture Student.
feature articles
Respecting the need of diversity, I framed various diverse categories of stories I would love to see in this magazine, and then contacted some of the best persons to author an article of their respective choices; Ar. Gita Balakrishnan writes on the role and participation of woman in architecture; Ar. Apurva Bose Dutta writes on the evolution of Architectural Journalism and its scope in the country; Prof. Andrew Charleson ponders over the gradual evolution of structural features in the building industry over the ages; Prof. G. Shankar writes on vernacular and sustainability acting as the guiding factor for the rehabilitation housing programs in Kerala; but the spotlight focus article is based on architectural visualisation, authored by Alex Hogrefe, the leading visual architect of recent times; he ponders deeply into simple techniques that can enhance our visualisation, and has also shared tricks for the same.
9 months & 160 pages later... I wouldn’t say the experience was fantastic, or maybe ecstatic. I would more comfortably term it to be realistic; when I started it, little did I have the idea that I will be facing so many odds at almost every stage. It turned out to be much harder than what I genuinely anticipated. I would not complain though, because whatever it brought in my life, I enjoyed it. This was my very first attempt in making an entire magazine; I have written for quiet a few before, and have worked with a few teams, but leading a project of such a scale was beyond where I envisioned myself. And the closer the dates came, the harder it became; thanks to the endless support of everybody associated with the same, we finally emerged successful. Happiness is not only when you succeed at something in which you are skilled; happiness is rather profound when you conquer the new, the unknown to the best of your abilities.
lazy sunday mornings, mobile capture, residence, feb ‘16 *
Services
Increasing privacy, reducing footfall
Dhyana, as buddha calls it is the purest form of exercise to attain peace. Mahayana form of dhyana always calls for ultimate peaceful places, where one can sit, & self contemplate.
Site plan showing directional influence & courtyard concept
v i p a s a n a
Mahayana Buddhist Cult | Contemorary Mental Relaxation Centre | Rajarhat, Kolkata
Entrance Lobby Intermediate & Spillover Intermediate & Spillover
Conceptual model displaying spatial relations The central terrace, acts as a second courtyard, linking the upper terraces to it.
Counselling, Confessions Meditation Halls Records & Maintenance Prayer Hall Tutorial Room for Monks Residential Facilities
Multiple visually connected green terraces spread with soft buffalo turf, for open sky activities.
Stairs & Lifts Toilet Stack
The residential portion houses the head monks, and the disciples; it has full residential facilities with kitchen, dining spaces, laundry facilities in it. There is also an exclusive study room for the young disciples, which is out of bounds for the common public. Private pathway from reception giving access to residential quarters. This is a grass pathway which goes through the paved open space. This open area functions as the virtual courtyard to the building.
Entrance The focus of the semi-courtyard, this is the Buddhist Gong & Chorten, all the spaces are visually and spatially connected to it.
This 6th semester project allowed us the freedom to decide our topic, the only condition being it should be a religious welfare building. While my friends opted to design a church, or even the global peace house, I was sure I would work on the faith I hold so closely to myself, Buddhism. This design is a micro scale urban Buddhist monastery which houses meditation, relaxation, and counselling facilities for those seeking mental peace. A space where I can contemplate on myself, away from the city speed and rush was of much need I felt. I have tried to modernise the monastery architecture here, giving a contemporary look to it. The semi-courtyard concept, along with the cardinal direction, which is of much vitality to Buddhist ways of meditation finds its use here. The site being abutted on one of the busiest roads of Kolkata, I was left with no option than to shift the activities requiring silence & concentration indoors to avoid the traffic noises, hence the heavy built-form.
Institute of self contemplation and urban relaxation
Buddha statue in the entrance symbolising calmness *
*Bodhi tree symbolising salvation
*3D- Revit ‘14, Sketchup 14 pro Render- Lumion 5, Photoshop CC
*Buddhist Gong & Chorten
galif street pet market
Open green space acting as a garden/park
This adjoining green space is to enhance the visual quality of the space. It can be maintained as vibrant canal side landscape, acting as a visual treat for viewers from the deck.
Terrestrial pet zone
Household non aquatic pets can be stationed in this dock for sale.
Uplifted embankment as a public space
This mosaicked embankment at the same level of the deck acts as the prime space for public relaxation and interaction. Hawkers dealing in snacks, and foods can be entertained here for elevating the space character. A parallel parking strip along the road has been provided, which accomodates 90 cars, putting the parking problems on marketdays at bay.
Nursery section of the pet market dealing in plants, seeds, and gardening products
This deck, parallel to the main road will be the area of nursery business, dealing in small plants, bonsai, cactus, unconventional floral products, and instruments for gardening. There will be no issues of smell from this section and hence, people using this road wont be discomforted. Pots, fertilisers, and other accessories can be placed along the road along with some flower shops to retain the characteristic market character of the sunday street. The ISOLA Landscape brief given to us lined out the necessity of converting a space of our logical choice into an oscillating landscape, one which can adapt to shifting functional purposes in a regular frequency. Galif Street, located in the Tala area of Kolkata is the largest pet market in the entire south east Asia. This pet shop operates only on sundays, and the rest of the week, it is a degraded public space with low resources for a healthy outdoor time. On sundays, the shopkeepers encroach the galiff street, leaving the road useless for the passing traffic, and the Tram, which has its depot midway across the street. A road becomes a space bustling with people, and shopkeepers sitting on the sides with all sorts of pets, and plants, and problems of over crowding, tremendous traffic congestion, and smell too! In order to avoid this problem, I took to the river as a means of solution; being set up by the chinese immigrants way back in the 1600s, I tried to imitate their indigenous canal-side bamboo deck markets into the india context, putting bamboo decks on both sides of the Tala canal, and shifting the market from the roads to this side, also ensuring they serve the public purpose .
RESHAPING THE LARGEST PET MARKET IN THE SOUTH EAST ASIA
Stages showing the multi-functioning bamboo furniture, for usage as the temporary sunday stalls
This bamboo furniture acts as a thela for carrying the goods, and opens up as a temporary stall once it is unfolded. Being light weight,& portable, this is an excellent option as the temporary pet market stalls, which can be carried away by the hawkers, once the market is over.
Sunday street with light street side shopping
Light scale shops placed along the street side will retain the characteristic image, and not hamper traffic
Aquatic pets zone
This wider deck area can house all the fish, aquarium and aquatic pet related shops.
Bamboo deck facing the canal bank
The market has been shifted to the canal banks, using the fallow land, solving the traffic problem on the road. The roadside can be used as the place for small vendors who attract low traffic. This will maintain the characteristic street image.
Tower F 2, 3 bhk, 35 floors
Tower E 2.5, 3 bhk, 30 floors
Tower A 2 bhk, 10 floors Tower C 2, 3 bhk, 20 floors
Tower B 2 bhk, 15 floors
Tower D 2, 3 bhk, 25 floors
3 bhk unit
Typology 1 Tower A, B 2 bhk units
2.5 bhk unit Plan of the individual apartment units
Typology 2 Tower C, D, F 2, 3 bhk units
2 bhk unit
Typology 3 Tower E 2.5, 3 bhk units
sa pp hire suites
Gated residential apartment community | Salt Lake, Kolkata | Site area: 8.6 acres
The towers are connected to each The connections are present other by intermediate connections, at various levels & heights, green spaces, at various levels. These so as to ensure visibility act as social spaces, and escape amongst themselves too. points in times of emergency too. Overall layout of the towers showing the inter-connectivities This 7th semester project given was to develop a gated residential community for the upper middle income group people. The project required a detailed socio-economic study of the site to understand the surrounding value, & market rates, and to frame the proposal accordingly. The area demanded 2 bhk, 2.5 bhk, and 3 bhk apartments with a capping area of 1500 sq. ft., beyond which the project was turning out to be non profiting. There are a total of 450 units, of which 234 are 2 bhk, 160 3 bhk, & 56 are 2.5 bhk units. The 8.6 acre site is located very close to Ruby Crossing, Salt Lake, Kolkata. The innovative feature put to use here are the few cross connections which act as elevated common terraces for interaction and play, as well as accumulation points for evacuation in case of a natural disaster, or a fire or electrical breakout.
residential community for the upper middle income group
y q n t i u i t
Contemorary Residence | Ballygaunge, Kolkata | Site Area: 17.6 kottha
First & Second floor plan
Site plan showing ground floor plan
The bedrooms have sufficient exposure to the north, and eastern directions. Spacious rooms, and large openings make the spaces lively, with good amount of air flow, and generous natural lighting flowing in. An outdoor dining space makes the family times more livelier, and enjoyable. Indoor recreation includes billiards, gym, and a library for reading too.
Side elevation of the bungalow
This 3 semester project was to design the bungalow of a religious antiques auctioneer in the heart of Kolkata. I envisioned the building to be an aristocrat reflection of his profession, suitably portraying his respect & status in the society. With ample number of spacious bedrooms, flanked with balconies and attached toilets to all of them, this bungalow boasts of a spacious kitchen, an indoor and an open air dining space, & a spacious puja room for religious festivities. Unusual as it may sound, this also houses a separate open air bar cum party space, for entertaining high profile guests to the client.
a
rd
R e s i d e ntial b u n galow o f an anti q u e s au cti o n e e r
* Daytime View from the entrance
* Night time View from the entrance
3D- Sketchup 8 pro* Render- Lumion 6, Photoshop CC
p at u l i - so ut h ko l kata
Urban Design | Patuli, E.M. Bypass, South Kolkata | Total documentation Area: 94 acres
Figure Ground Map
Open Space System Map
Building Typology Map
Vehicular Porosity Map
Street Hierarchy Map
Open Space Typology Map
Parking Tyology Map
Window Fenestration Map
Corner Treatment Map
The 7th semester urban study sessional put forward the necessity of understanding the urban level built up fabric, and aimed in helping us to grab the pattern of urbanisation, taking up a suitable area within Kolkata. Patuli is a World Bank funded project undertaken by the Kolkata Municipal Development Authority, and is completed in 2009. Repeated reconnaissance surveys, site visits, and much sweat later, we came up with maps, charts, drawings, and graphs, explaining the various urban parameters to the jury. Some of these maps are presented here for better understanding the scope of the documentation undertaken.
interpreting the built up fabric by conducting an urban level documentation
y chandroda a
Vedic Bhakti Cult | Contemorary Religious Structure | 6.750.000 sq. ft | Completion: 2016
the argument
Why create a temple having such enormous proportions? Seemingly just one - to intimidate the people visiting it, to invoke awe by its sheer size. We can easily interpret the reason behind the opulence of the temple, it demands respect and awe beyond question from the devotees of Lord Krishna. ISKCON is a worldwide confederation with more than 550 centres preaching the ideals of Bhakti and Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Indeed, what better way to express its global influence than by building the second largest religious structure in the world? The accurate influence is still unclear, because the temple is still under construction; however keeping in mind the sway of similar structures, we can certainly draw a number of hypotheses, with a marginal chance for error.
economic supremacy
In India, an interesting relationship between religious cultures and economic behaviour exists. A mammoth sized temple would influence the God loving (or fearing?) Indian people to bow down in front of the sheer size of it. Religious dominance is extremely important to the economy in India.
political dominance
While it may not directly influence politics, it certainly brings out a different aspect of the country’s democracy. A structure this enormous, requiring international funding to be erected in a country like India suffering from long drawn political rivalry and clash of interest, cannot be completed if not backed up by a single or a conglomeration of political parties. And, when a religious group, or a secular political party backs up such a sect, it goes without words, the influence on vote banks. When we build a huge structure which is a representation of the religious influence on the people, it paints an entirely different picture altogether. It goes on to show that religion still has the upper hand in India.
summing up the argument
It can be viewed as religious arrogance, but further thought leads us to wonder whether the building is a measure of the influence of this religion, or whether it is built so as to exercise greater control on the followers. It attempts to use the building as a platform to prove its might and power over the common mass. The Chandrodaya temple is a perfect epitome of the imperialistic behavior of architecture on human minds. It portrays very clearly how human nature can be manipulated, subjugated through the construction of colossal and flamboyant structures. Ancient philosophies enumerates deep relations between God, and his human child, achieved in peace, and seclusion. An economically controlled country, aiming towards building a politically willed supremacy through such an unnecessary large structure will be missing its point of creating the sense of tranquillity. It will create domination successfully, it will make the human awestruck. But the parallel existence of the creator with his creation misses its mark. God would want to coexist through us. And that fine thread somehow stays absent here, unintentionally or otherwise.
The architectural literature brief in the Zonal NASA, India Convention ‘15, Eastern interface required us to dig in depths of the dominating aspects of the building; and gauge its influence on lifestyles, determing its influence in the society. On doing the study, I wilfully concluded that nothing exercises its influence on us more astutely than religion. Our aim was to look into religion as a dominating parameter and its influence on us via architecture, and gripping more, I discovered that religion has quiet incisively planted the dominating fear in the subconscious. A section of the masses realised the gain by milking this blind faith, worshipping God was no more enough. Exemplifying this with a latest example from our lands, the Temple of Vedic Planetarium, colloquially known as Chandrodaya coming up at ISKON, Mayapur attracted our attention. It seeks in becoming the second largest religious building in the world, second only to St. Peter’s Bascilica, Rome. A crafted look exposes a mean propaganda beneath; the play of economy involves social, political, and democratic dominance on the masses by those who can afford to. This piece deals in detail the effect of religious dominance on the general public, exemplifying the Chandrodaya, Mayapur. It won the Citation 1 from amongst multiple entries by 29 colleges. Read the full article at https://beingarchitectureblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/22/chandrodaya-building-faith-in-domination/.
B u i l d i n g fa i t h i n d o m i n at i o n
*artist’s imprtession, temple of vedic planetorium, mayapur; tovp.org
Longitudinal section of an Auditorium in Rajarhat, Salt Lake,
Section of a toilet, 5th semester working drawing (autocad)
Road side
Kolkata, 6th semester design assignment (autocad)
elevation of an urban relaxation centre, 6th semester design assignment (revit, sketchup, autocad)
*mysore fort, mysore, educational tour, 2013
*autumn festival, shantiniketan, west bengal, 2013
still life
*transcendence, tripod shoot under controlled illumination, residence, 2014
*waiting offshore, katwa, 2012
Travel
The railroad track is miles away, And the day is loud with voices speaking, Yet there isn’t a train goes by all day But I hear its whistle shrieking. All night there isn’t a train goes by, Though the night is still for sleep and dreaming, But I see its cinders red on the sky, And hear its engine steaming. My heart is warm with friends I make, And better friends I’ll not be knowing; Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take, No matter where it’s going. Edna Vincent Millay
* incredible india, agra, annual NASA convention ‘12, 2012
Thank You shubhayan.modak1993@gmail.com