SNEHA MURALI
GRADUATE PORTFOLIO 2015 - 2017
THE 3RD PLACE 1
ABSTRACT STRUCTURE 12
CEMETERY: DEATH OF SPECIFICITY 24
RELIQUARY FORM
SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
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THE 3RD PLACE VISITORS CENTER: VALLE DE ORO WILDLIFE REFUGE M.Arch | UNM, fall’ 2017
Valle de oro, formerly known as Price’s Dairy, is a 570- acre property located in the South Valley of Albuquerque, adjacent to the Rio Grande which flows through the changing mosaics of forests, shrublands, ponds, marshes and wetland meadows.The wetlands created by the river creates hospitable conditions for several species to set habitat including migrating birds.The birds use these wetlands as stop over places for breeding, resting, nesting and feeding.
The materials used would primarily be light weight walls with concrete panel module, glass curtain walls, sheet metal roofing and powder coated steel for the external facade system.
The refuge seeks to be a place that not only protects wildlife and habitat but also as a place for the community to connect with nature and promote conservation through participation thus making it the 3rd place, outside of home and work. The design seeks inspiration from the industrial modern nature of the existing milk barn thus proposing a single monumental barn like structure that would act as a protective shed housing the program of the visitors center.
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tools: revit, v-ray, photoshop
Rio Grande boulevard I- 25
I- 40 UNM Lomas Avenue
South Valley is located in central Bernalillo County. It is bordered on the north, east, and half of its west side by the city of Albuquerque. The Rio Grande runs north to south through the center of the census designated place Valle De Oro lies in the urban outskirts in the south valley region of the city. Main access routes are via the I- 25 freeway running North - South and the I- 40 along East- West direction. Major landmarks nearby would be The University of New Mexico, Kirtland air force base, Albuquerque international sunport. The site lies along the Rio Grande flood plains and is currently agricultural land.
Central Avenue
Albuquerque International Sunport
Valle De Oro (Site)
I- 25 / I- 40 Arterial Road ABQ Rail Runner
tools: illustrator, photoshop
THE BARN
character of visitor center
CONNECT
visual and experiential connection between indoor and outdoor spaces
RECESS
un obstructed view + sun shade
GREEN
bringing nature inside the building
SPLIT
PROGRAM
dividing space to create program
public + admin + green
ENVIRONMENT
THE 3RD PLACE
south facing solar panels + louvered facade
man + nature
tools: revit, illustrator
1 Main Entry Vestibule 2 Reception 3 Office- Deputy Manager 4 Office- Manager 5 Lobby 6 Office- Audobon 7 Visitor Center Store 9 Exhibit Display Area 10 Toilet 11 Custodian 12 Storage 13 IT + Electrical 14 Mechanical 15 Multi Purpose Room 16 Environmental Education Classroom 17 Office- Rocky Mountain Youth Corp 18 Admin Staff Area 19 Office- EEANM/ Friends of VDO 20 Office- Volunteers 21 Cafe 22 Catering Kitchen/ Food Prep Area 23 Office- Biologist 24 Office- Environmental Educator 25 Office- Law Enforcement 26 Conference 27 Break room 28 Meeting +Reading + Observation Deck
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Water Body
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Pedestrian Path
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Vehicular Path
Site
Proposed Visitor Center 50
100
tools: revit, sketchup, illustrator, photoshop
observation
break room
multi purpose/ exhibit
friends of VD0
conference
youth corp office
volunteer office
law enforcement
admin office
multi purpose/ auditorium
tools: revit, sketchup, illustrator, photoshop
The design strives to create green spaces as a way of the outside spilling into the building. This aids not only as physical boundary separating public and administrative spaces but also to break the formal rigidity of the structure as seen from outside, inspired by the industrial barn. The internal experiential allows for an “outside-inside� transparency thus making the user feel connected to nature at all times while within the building.
Outside- Inside
tools: revit, v-ray, photoshop
conference
IT/ electrical
volunteer office
toilet
tools: revit, sketchup, illustrator, photoshop
The multi purpose rooms are situated facing the Bosque with beautiful views of the wetlands and serves as an ideal place for bird watching. The space can double up as a gallery and event area.
tools: revit, v-ray, photoshop
The design thus intends to create space that contributes to the poetics of place by leveraging on the beauty of South-Western landscape and the history of the site.
tools: revit, v-ray, photoshop
ABSTRACT STRUCTURE RESILIENCE CENTER: INTERPRETING THE DHALIA M.Arch | UNM, fall’ 2016
“Look deep into nature and you shall understand everything better” -Albert Einstein The phenomenon of the physical world is so intriguing, complicated and successful that it only makes sense that we take advantage and learn from its working. The Dhalia is indigenous to most parts of New Mexico and a commonly found specimen at Capilla Peak. Abstract structure is an exploration of the structural working of the dhalia flower to see how it could possibly serve as a design solution. Initial investigations started with abstract model interpretations of the characteristics of the flower which evolved into a structural system within which a spatial configuration was placed.
The base structure is made of carbon steel with the largest span at 90’. This supports the walls and roof made of steel and dried grass such that the structure would blend in with the natural context. The resilience center consists of spaces that serve as exhibition and conference areas with some administrative offices. The design seeks to create a structure derived from the principles of nature that can serve as a public space of learning and interaction.
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tools: rhino, sketchup, kerkythea, photoshop
The site at capilla peak is located in the Manzano mountains of central New Mexico (USA), approximately 30 mi (48 km) southeast of Albuquerque
tools: rhino, illustrator, photoshop
Initial explorations and iterations of the biological precedent, the dhalia flower through physical models and 3D modules
Abstracting the dahlia
tools: rhino, illustrator, physical modeling
Iterations
tools: rhino, illustrator
Introduction of support struts to help strengthen form. This acts as a base for further exploration of structure
Developing a structural system
Loads on structural members
Load distribution
tools: rhino, illustrator
structural frame
Building the system
ground floor
first floor
wall and roof structure
glazing
tools: rhino, sketchup, illustrator
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1 Gallery 2 Toilets 3 Presentation space 4 Elevator 5 Storage 6 stairs to upper level 7 Office 8 Conference 9 Fire exit stairs
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Ground Floor 8
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Site
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First Floor
tools: autocad, rhino, sketchup, illustrator , kerkythea, photoshop
tools: rhino, sketchup, illustrator , kerkythea, photoshop
A
B
Section B
tools: rhino, sketchup, illustrator , photoshop, lazer cutting, physical modelling
steel plate base welded for stability 6� steel plate welded to main structure
6� connection steel plate that sits in cast base plate base plate cast into foundation
concrete foundation Foundation
Section A
tools: rhino, sketchup, illustrator , photoshop
tools: rhino, sketchup, kerkythea, photoshop
CEMETERY : DEATH OF SPECIFICITY A MEMORY OF CONSUMERISM M.Arch | UNM, spring’ 2017
What is the perception of space? Space is defined as the dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move. Several spaces from the Parthenon to Hagia Sofia, the pyramids to the Stonehenge and ancient historic site ruins all stand today as mute testaments created as results of certain revelations that took place in time. Dr. Alexis Lidov, a Russian art historian, Byzantinist and the author of the concept of hierotopy, makes an argument that “sacred space” is conceived as the result of intense human creativity. Based on this logic, one could possibly argue that space is more humane than an objective definition. By this argument, space becomes specific. The emergence of competitive capitalism during the modernist era, where space begins to be perceived as “abstract” therefore causing an explosion of the historic specificity and originality, gave rise to a more generic module.
A generic module where space is treated as a form or framework within which experience takes place but itself is not a part of this experience. The common man who is the consumer is not so much bothered about what contains space as much as what the space contains. His requirement as a consumer is to have a place that meets his necessities by housing his required consumer good. He is less bothered about the packaging it comes in. The Big box typology is an excellent representation of the image of consumerism. Ever since its inception in the early 1970s, the big box has emerged as a successful business model owing to its specificity in design.
The design tries to abstract the journey of the consumer through a big box store which is ambiguous and left to user interpretation. The spaces created are atmospheric almost wandering into a post-apocalyptic scenario in a sense where specificity reclaims its rightful place through poetic spatial experience.
A cemetery for the death of specificity is a memory that is marked by architecture that reflects the specificity that makes up the generic.
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tools: sketchup, photoshop
Explorations: Making a case for death through critical exploration and research of spatial ruin, sensual form, geometry, void, light & shadow thus forming a line of inquiry for the specificity of place.
tools: physical models using clay, cement, wax ; drawings by hand using charcoal & paint, photography, photoshop
Frame
Storage as structure
Circulation
Rise in consumerism leading to the generic big box boom in the US makes it an ideal typology for exploring specificity or a lack thereof.
Mapping the big box across the US taking into accout key players such as Walmart, Target, Costco etc.
Plan diagrams showing multiple spatial experiences within the big box
tools: rhino, illustrator, photoshop
Deconstructing the Big Box
Deconstructing and dissecting the typical big box and further exploration of its components in terms of frame, structure, storage & circulation thus creating a spatial construct which begins to move into a three dimensional description of place thus modeling the idea of the essence of the death of specificity
tools: rhino, sketchup, illustrator, photoshop
The rituals of death provide a way of organizing and embedding meaning to the experience of the architecture. The design tries to abstract the journey of the consumer through a big box store which is ambiguous and left to user interpretation. The use of hologram imagery and cryo chambers memorialize and act as reliquery to the consumer goods thus creating spaces that are atmospheric and almost wandering into a post-apocalyptic scenario in a sense where specificity reclaims its rightful place through poetic spatial experience.
reliquary
ritual | columbarium | memorial
rumination
Section
tools: sketchup, photoshop
Memorial
Reliquary
Rumination
tools: rhino, sketchup, photoshop
tools: rhino, sketchup, photoshop
RELIQUARY FORM REDWOOD LIBRARY AND ATHENAEUM MA (adaptive reuse) | RISD, spring’ 2016
“There is only one good, knowledge and one evil, ignorance” -Socrates A library is a monumental creation of civilization that towers over the individual in its importance. Man has thrived through centuries of change by learning and sharing knowledge thus binding societies the world over. Today, the library has gone beyond the definition of being a building or room containing collections of books to becoming a congregational space which acts as a public realm. Change is inevitable; essential positive change is when the consequences prove sustainable.Newport, RI is a town that has constantly been reshaping itself in terms of projecting
its historic identity. To add to this glory, Newport houses The Redwood Library and Athenaeum which is considered to be the oldest library of colonial America. The library had its inception on the grounds of creating a gathering space for the exchange of knowledge. The first building being the room constructed in 1747 by Peter Harrison who is considered to be the first architect in America. A staunch follower of Palladianism, the Harrison room was constructed in this classical style and is considered to be one of the earliest examples of Palladianism in America. Dwelling on the importance of the Harrison room by subtracting the reading room surrounding it and introducing an all glass addition derived as an abstract interpretation of the Palladian style which acts as a monumental structure housing a freestanding Harrison
room. The structure in itself becomes a reliquary that reveals the 18th century “relic” that is the Harrison room. The structural system made of 6” thick treated glass columns and beam hold the glass façade in place, further supported by 2” glass fin reinforcement panels. The structural system doubles up as a display system with the space in itself serving as a flexible event space to hold minor gatherings. The addition accesses the space blow it to serve as a gallery to house the existing 150 paintings of the Library. The addition seeks to create a public space that is inviting and interactive by protecting, projecting and promoting the face of Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
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“The intrinsic history of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, described by its place in time at the threshold of New Republic and the search for an architectural identity, its realization at the emergence of a formal architectural education, and it’s perpetual growth into a sizeable, multi- functional ensemble and an institution serving distinct constituencies, warranted an even more deep seated field of inquiry. Questions concerning the idea of authencity, the implication of original, copy and palimpsest, the definition of artistic value, the relationship between history and the formation of architecture, and theory of preservation and adaptation informed studio framework, and the analysis, design thinking, and the intervention strategies of the resulting proposal” - Wolfgang Max Rudorf | Studio Instructor, Professor | Rhode Island School of Design
The Harrison Room, Redwood Library and Athenaeum | Newport, RI
The addition seeks to create a public space that is inviting and interactive by protecting, projecting and promoting the face of Redwood Library and Athenaeum. tools: sketchup, kerkythea, photoshop
first floor
The harrison room serves as the earliest example of Palladianism in the united states and is the face of the Redwood Library and Athenaem. The design concept aims to reflect this by projecting the importance of this structure through a glass reliquary form.
Redwood Library and Athenaeum | Newport, RI
-Influenced by Greek architecture -Monumental
DERIVATION
Reinterpret Palladianism
tools: hand drawing, autocad, illustrator
conceptual exploration of new addition
tools: lazer cutting, physical model making
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basement
mezzanine floor
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Entrance lobby Coat storage Library shop Main Lobby Digital Library
6. Book shelves and reading 7. Flexible Gallery / Event space 8. Harrison room Gallery 9. Shelves and reading 10. Compact shelving
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Special collection reference Offices Book shelves and circulation Compact shelving Conference
16. 17. 18. 19.
Cafe Basement Gallery lobby Gallery 1 Gallery 2
Plans
first floor
tools: autocad, illustrator, photoshop
The structural system made of 6” thick treated glass columns and beam hold the glass façade in place, further supported by 2” glass fin reinforcement panels.
tools: sketchup, illustrator, photoshop
exploraing structural stability
tools: lazer cutting, physical model making
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Shelves and reading Circulation area with services along with books and reading First Floor circulation to conference and cafe from the Library side Main Lobby; Threshold between the Library and Public space addition Cafe open to public and library members Stairs and elevators as a means of access to new addition Glass floor that traces the foot print of the reading room removed Basement Gallery space exhibiting existing paintings at the Redwood
9. Flexible Gallery/ event space around the Harisson room
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Sectional Perspective
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(Semi Private) (Semi Private) (Semi Public) (Public) (Public) (Public) (Public) (Public)
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tools: sketchup, illustrator, photoshop
The addition accesses the space blow it to serve as a gallery to house the existing 150 paintings of the Library.
tools: sketchup, kerkythea, photoshop
BIKE REPAIR SHOP SYSTEMS INTEGRATION notch (3” x 2”) bolted to frame structure that holds the glass panels
MArch | UNM, spring’ 2017
2” thick rigid insulation 1” thick gypsum board ceiling
The design has been envisioned to be a minimalist single storey structure constructed with exposed steel tubes which doubles up as the facade and structural component of the building.Glass is used as an insulation material with the walls made of either pre fabricated corten steel or glass. All of this stands on an exposed concrete floor. This design will need to address the following issues for each respective climate locations. The problem is to simulate energy analysis for three locations, one in a hot, cold and mixed climatic condition respectively. This analysis will help formulate design strategies that could be adopted in the various locations to help this design achieve the 2030 challenge and hopefully the net zero challenge.
3” x 4” x 1/4” square corton steel tube section
1/2” thick laminated glass
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gas filling
gravel bed to further preventing moisture seepage
COST - The corton steel square tubes are priced at $7.62 a foot for a section of 3” x 3” x 1/4”. It will vary a little bit if customized\(what I will require is a 4” x 3” x 1/4” section) - These are available as 20ft tubes from Tubeco, Inc Corresponded with Mr James from sales at Tubeco,Inc | http://www.cortentube.com/contact.html
2” thick rigid insulation 6” thick RCC floor plate
gutter + grate above
foundation
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Psychrometric chart
Sun shading chart_ June 21 to Dec 21
Sun shading chart_ Dec 21 to June 21
Anual sun dome
tools: revit, climate consultant
Section - Daylighting render 6-21-2017 at 9.00 a.m
Section - Daylighting render 9-21-2017 at 9.00 a.m
Section - Daylighting render 12-21-2017 at 9.00 a.m
The design has been envisioned to cater to the efficiency of the work areas by trying to allow maximum light to come into the building. The goal is the reduce loads on energy with minimal use of artificial lighting and to provide an ambient well lit working condition. The building front facade contains maximum glazing and is north facing along with two clearstoreys along the east and west sides of the building. The south wall is solid and has no glazing. The design seeks to allow maximum daylight into the building with minimal solar heat gain as the site is located in New Orleans, LA which is a hot climate. Considering the climatic analysis of New Orleans, the design seeks to incorporate daylighting strategies that would best help it achieve its daylighting goals. Daylighting Strategies adopted:
Section - Daylighting render 6-21-2017 at 12.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 9-21-2017 at 12.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 12-21-2017 at 12.00 p.m
Angled louvers Light shelves building orientation The above may influence the building aesthetic to an extent but if executed properly, the result could be pleasing light wise and aesthetically pleasing. This can reduce lighting loads and thermal heating loads thus making the building more energy efficient and a step forward in meeting the sustainable building goals set up by the 2030 challenge.
Section - Daylighting render 6-21-2017 at 3.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 9-21-2017 at 3.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 12-21-2017 at 3.00 p.m
Baseline daylighting | June
tools: rhino, 3ds max
Louvers
Orientation
Light shelves
Steel louvers at a 120 degree angle with a depth of 5� and spaced at 4� from each other are welded onto the front facade of the tubular structural frame in the building. The front facade contains maximum glazing facing north. The louvers act as a filter letting in diffused light and preventing direct heat gain.
Building orientation may be adjusted to meet local conditions and based on solar and meteorological data for the site. An east - west orientation of the building within 15 degrees of due east-west would be ideal with the south-facing glazing area is at least 50% greater than the sum of the glazing area on the east- and west-facing walls.
Steel light shelves added to the clear storey areas help reflect light to the cealing before reaching the inside thus increasing daylighting yet cutting out solar heat gain.
By changing building orientation 15 degrees of due east-west, could help in optN N mizing lighting efficiency and reduce direct solar heat gain. Th east and west facades have clearstoreys with glazing and the north facade has maximum percentage of glazing in the building. The south facade is a solid with no glazing at all.
Design strategy | intervention
tools: sketchup, illustrator
Section - Daylighting render 6-21-2017 at 9.00 a.m
Section - Daylighting render 9-21-2017 at 9.00 a.m
Section - Daylighting render 12-21-2017 at 9.00 a.m
Section - Daylighting render 6-21-2017 at 12.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 9-21-2017 at 12.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 12-21-2017 at 12.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 6-21-2017 at 3.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 9-21-2017 at 3.00 p.m
Section - Daylighting render 12-21-2017 at 3.00 p.m
Daylighting after applying strategy
tools: rhino, 3ds max
Building Envelope The site is located in New Orleans, which is a hot climate that has high percentage of precipitation and rainfall all year round. Hence the building wall and roof assembly must be efficient enough to tackle extreme summers another important area is handling moisture content and water proofing. New Orleans experience more than 65% of annual precipitation. This requires an efficient wall assembly that can tackle moisture and water seepage. Rainscreens as an exterior facade is best suited owing to the climate. The design consists of metal structural frames that can be fabricated in such a way that it holds metal rain screens as the building exterior wall finish. This makes for a water tight built environment. Another interior layer of metal finish of very high R value sandwiching the insulation layers will act to prevent thermal bridging and give a cohesive aesthetic on the building interior. Low e glass with lower SHGC can be used for glazing in the front facade of the building for efficient daylighting strategy yet preventing heat gain. An efficient wall and roof assembly is aimed to reduce light and cooling loads thus increasing building efficiency which in turn increases design efficiency by creating an optimal working environment.
4” x 3” x 1/4” rectangular corten steel rainscreen
Goals to concentrate on would be, 1. 2. 3. 4.
Thermal comfort during summers Moisture and water seepage Rainwater collection Glazing
1/4” steel plate interior finish that acts as sheathing
air space (continuous) air space
This wall assembly consists of an interior finish of corten steel (1/4”) layed on a 3”concrete wall that is not structural but acts as a layer of insulation as a way of increasing the R value of the assembly. Following this is a 2” layer of continuous rigid insulation with vapor and water barriers above it. Rough wooden studs further support a corton steel structural frame that has a corton steel rainscreen exterior welded to it. The advantage of this assembly is that all the layers are continuous and it allows for two air spaces that act as thermal barriers. The continuous interior steel finish has high R value that is used to tackle thermal bridging along with this, the continuous steel layer after the rigid insulation also doubles up as sheathing thus helping to prevent thermal ridging as well.
4” x 3” x 1/4” rectangular corten steel rainscreen
rough carpentry header water barrier vapour barrier metal sheathing
welded onto metal sheathing that helps prevent in thermal ridging
2” thermal rigid insulation air space steel water barrier vapor barrier
3” concrete thermal insulation
concrete rigid insulation
tools: autocad, illustrator
corten steel rainscreen
aluminium fasteners break in metal rainscreen to collect water in gutter gutters in roof that collect rain water
The external layer is a corten steel rainscreen held together by Aluminum fasteners, further attached to a metal sheet. This metal sheet runs continuously on the roof supporting the gutters at strategic distances that leads rainwater to the ground. Beyond this metal sheet are layers of water and vapor barriers after which comes a 2” rigid insulation layer placed on top of a1” stainless steel corrugated paneling of high R value as interior finish which prevents thermal bridging.
1/4” steel plate that acts as sheathing to prevent thermal bridging
water barrier
steel water barrier vapor barrier
vapour barrier
concrete rigid insulation
2” thermal rigid insulation
stainless steel corrigated panelling of high R value as interior finish which prevents thermal bridging
tools: autocad, illustrator
The initial design was conceived to be a minimalist single storey structure constructed with exposed steel tubes which doubles up as the facade and structural component of the building.Glass was to be used used as an insulation material with the walls made of either pre fabricated corten steel or glass. After running the initial scheme through various climate, energy,solar analysis the design had to undergo certain changes in terms of incorporating strategies for most efficient daylighting and building envelope. Having re run the simulations after incorporating the required strategies, it is evident that the building is far more efficient in terms of meeting the design goals which are,
that works best in letting in natural light yet keeping away the heat gain aspect. The building on the whole is far more efficient as a design compared to its initial conceptual phase and could positively serve as an efficient design by creating an ambient work environment.
1. Maximum daylighting to reduce lighting loads 2. Efficient envelope design for thermal comfort Thus, moving a step closer to reaching the 2030 design sustainability challenge. The concept of having an all glass structure supported by metal structural frame is still being pushed forward just having undergone minor changes in terms of facade design which now incorporates louvers to control daylighting. Light shelves have been incorporated on the east and west clearstoreys to reflect light into the building and reducing direct heat gain. The external structure now has metal rainscreens on the south, east and west facades with concrete and rigid insulation sandwiched in between a metal interior panel and an exterior metal panel to which the rainscreen is welded. This continues to the roof into which gutters are incorporated to tackle rainfall. The envelope makes for a tighter building that is thermally efficient for the climatic condition of New Orleans. Low e glazing with minimum SHGC of
tools: sketchup, kerkythea
Thank you!