PORTFOLIO creating stories with landscape
SREEHARI RADHAKRISHNAN
HELLO
I am Sreehari Radhakrishnan, a postgraduate student at the University of Edinburgh. I came to Edinburgh with a career history of 6 years, working with a landscape architecture firm in India and was operating my own startup venture along with my job. Started my career as a civil engineer but later shifted my focus to landscape architecture. I dream of becoming a travelling landscape architect and eventually starting a research-based firm in my hometown. The portfolio will help you identify more about my affection for landscape architecture.
EDUCATION Master of Landscape Architecture (2020 - 2022) Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh Bachelors in Technology,Civil Engineering (2010 - 2014) Univeristy of Kerala, India
CAREER HISTORY Assistant Landscape Architect (Part-time Remote) (SEP2021-OCT2021) Ireland Albrecht Landscape Architects, Greenwich, London. Landscape Architect Internship (JUL2021-SEP2021) Ireland Albrecht Landscape Architects, Greenwich, London. Senior Landscape Designer/Senior Civil Engineer (AUG 2016 - AUG 2020) Green Architects,Kochi, Kerala,India Landscape Designer/Civil Engineer Green Architects (AUG 2014 - JUL 2016) Kochi, Kerala, India Incorporated Design Structures(iDs) (2014 - 2020)
- Kickstarted and headed own startup venture after Graduation. - Successfully completed more than 50 projects of various scales before closing down and joining University of Edinburgh for Post Graduation course.
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE Auto CAD Adobe Creative Suite Microsoft Office Suite Rhino Trimble Sketchup Lumion 3ds Max
Proficient Proficient Proficient Intermediate Proficient Good Learned | Developing
CONTACT E-mail : design.sreehari@gmail.com Phone : +44-7469266374
CONTENTS
Chronicles of Antilia Academic
Chronicles of Antilia
A million tree city Academic
A place that stole my heart Academic
Granton walled Garden Academic
A place that stole my heart
Deaf Education Building Professional
C P Salih’s Mansion Professional
1.Puzhamuthal Puzhavare 2. Greens and Blues Competitions
Chronicles of
Antilia GRADUATION PROJECT
SAO MIGUEL | AZORES | PORTUGAL MLA2 | INDIVIDUAL DESIGN MENTORS : MIGUEL DOMINGUES,CHRIS GRAY
Azores,an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the Noth Atlantic Ocean placed strategically on the transatlantic air and shipping routes. It is located 3640km distant from Northern America and 1450km from Europe (Portugal). Even though the Archipelago is too small, it has greater relevance globally for multiple reasons. It spreads over more than 600km east-west, holding that dominant position the North Atlantic Ocean. The nine islands are generally divided into three groups. Occidental Group,Central Group and Oriental Group; Corvo and Flores comes under Occidental Group. Oriental Group consists of 2 islands, Sao Miguel and Santa Maria. and the rest of it under the Central Group. In the Archipelago Studio, we were asked to design a landscape in one of the island. Even from the intial stages of research and exploration, the idea was to create something authnetic to the Azorean landscape. Myths, Folkore and legends etc., are part of the history and the culture of a particular territory. They are unique and is deeply rooted in the current context.So the thought process was to create a landscape that connects with the azorean mythology and folklores.
It is widely believed that the Azores was a part of the Atlantis-Lost continent. The Azores also known as Fair Atlantis; the only land that remained above the water after the sunken of Atlantis. The whole idea for the project starts from this mythological reference. Even in the Azoren folklore story ‘Princess Bluegreen of the Seven Cities’, the story of Atlantis is mentioned. So, easily connects this Greek mythology with the Azorean folklore and landscape . it also helps to locate a site, more relavent to the mythological narratives; Sete Cidades. Even though the research that led to the site selection was based on pure fictional elements, the environmental and social issues in the area seconded the decision to choose the site.
1:100,000
Exploration of the topography is crucial in the landscape architecture context, as it has a crucial role in the organic design evolution process. At first, a 1:100,000 scaled model of the western half of Sao Miguel was 3d printed using the available contour data. It helps in understanding the topography clearly and the external site to an extent. A 1:50,000 scale model of the Sete Cidades was made to explore the complexity of the topography. It has helped a lot in learning about the reasons behind the environmental threats to the lake. It also supported in giving the conviction to finalise the landscape design strategies.
1:50,000
All the research, experiments and analysis point me to a narrative of the Absolute world. Sete Cidades is an absolute space where factors outside the world do not actively influence Sete Cidades, while the elements within the area are more dominant. I.e., The ecological imbalance is mainly due to factors within the Sete Cidades. The Recalibration Map is the end product of research and analysis conducted within the Sete Cidades. A total of nine different ecologies were found entangled within the landscape. All these ecologies have the depth to positively affect the whole landscape and bring back the ecological balance.
Folk Narratives
Future Narratives
Folk Narratives
Chronicles of Antilia is a dynamic narrative landscape curated in the Azorean landscape. Even from the first stages of the research, the idea was to tell the story of the place using the landscape as a tool. So, the frame of exploration was the mythology and folklore of the Azores. All these explorations helped to create a narrative grounded in Sete Cidades. These Mythological narratives were used as a tool for the poiesis of space. The whole site was zoned into three zones based on the narratives. The central zone was conceived as the Future narrative zone, as the present generation of people always uses these areas. The remaining zones were detailed based on the Folk Narratives, where the two famous folklores of Sete Cidades were expressed using landscape architecture.
LAKE AZUL
MASTER PLAN - CHRONICLES OF ANTILIA SCALE : 1:2000 in A0
SABBATH
WETLAND
THE OVAL LAKE AZUL BUFFER
SHEPEARD HILL RAIN GARDEN THE SETE CIDADES VILLAGE
ANTILIA GARDEN
The Sete Cidades Village is developed in a way that all the surface runoff after precipitation and the domestic water after use reaches the lake directly in most areas. Since these are contaminated water, it will eventually pollute the lake. So, to reduce the direct access of the runoff, these interventions are proposed under the thought of dynamic systems. It helps to reduce the eutrophication impact directly from the nearby village. Intense agricultural and grazing activities are another reason for lake eutrophication.
The Dynamic system for the design proposal works with the ideology of circular thinking. The soil underneath the lake has been dredged out to remodel the site and create a buffer system. No external matter is used in the process. Along with that, mounds are created to make the feel of curiosity for people experiencing the landscape. The algae dredged from the lake are placed over these mounds, creating a landscape with algae. They were later converted into biochar, a viable replacement for chemical fertilizers used all over the Azores.
The rain garden is proposed along the other edge, which will collect the total surface runoff from the neighbouring areas and is connected to the proposed wetland system. These wetland systems will filter the water before it contacts the larger water body. The maintenance Regime is a part of the dynamic system related to the design proposal. The Dredging of the lake must be done periodically for some years until the ecology got balanced.The Algae dredged out from the lake was kept over the mounds until it got dried out completely. These dried algae are then
converted to useful fertilizer by the process of biochar formation. They are used for the agriculture practices and the planting within the proposal. The wetland has to be periodically cleaned to avoid unwanted particles floating in the water. The Bagacina pathways can be repaired very easily and it doesn’t need a periodic repair.
Hardscape detailing isn’t much there in the Chronicles of Antilia project. The Bagacina Pathway and the wooden deck floor are the major hardscape details required. Section A-A denotes the details of the Bagacina pathway whereas Section B-B, C-C, and D-D show the different wooden deck flooring details.
A MILLION TREE CITY TREE COVER | EDINBURGH SEMESTER 2 | INDIVIDUAL DESIGN MENTORS : ANAIS CHANON, NORMAN VILLEROUX
A MILLION TREE CITY
The city of edinburgh is after a mission, of making edinburgh, a million tree city. The project works in three scales, territorial, park network and site scale. After many studies and research, a theme was formulated for each scale, which can be relatable in each scale. The territorial scale includes the whole city, and the theme for the design was conceived as poetics of connectivity. It’s an idea of connecting the island like green spaces to the blue network. The poetic layer inspired me to give a poetic finish on the focus of connectivity. it cant be peeled off because it’s Edinburgh. For a detailed approach in park network scale, the city’s northwestern area, ie between the Dean village and Cramond Beach, was selected. The network was made upon the poetics of romanticism. Since the place has already a romantic flavour, the design was to enhance it to a much wider context and to make it more organic.
SITE
NORTH SCALE - 1:25000 ON A1 SHEET
Riv er A
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on d
PARK NETWORK SCALE
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W
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Br
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TERRITORIAL SCALE
On the territorial scale, it was about connecting the archipelago green areas with the existing blue network. 3 rivers were pick out based on research,ie Water of leith, Braid burn and River Almond. The green spaces with in the city were connected to each other and these clusters are later connected to these rivers forming a complete network of blue and green infrastructure of the city. For the park network, parks in between the Water of Leith and the river almond that connects to Cramond beach were shortlisted.Considering the importance of Lauriston Castle even from the romantic era,
it was selected automatically. In the romantic era map of Edinburgh, the Lauriston farms and the Silverknowes were marked with predominant importance. So I just added that too on the future network even though the golf course has restricted entry. The Brunsfield Links and the Burgess Golf Course were 2 major golf course in this area even from the post-industrial era. Effectively, there is 3 golf course in a mile radius. So the amount of golfing area can be reduced to make new interventions in the remaining land. Along with these parks, few other parks were added into complete the network.
EXISTING
Interaction with the stakeholders and the people of Edinburgh helped in proposing a new intervention. Along with the proposed, cycle network can also be used as the connecting corridor. The cycle network often aligned away from the traffic zones, and are not treated well. In some regions, it is hard to create a road landscape. In those selected regions the proposal was to make use of the parking area allocated on both sides of the road. it will force the people to use public transport and can reduce the traffic inflow. The Water of Leith walkway is a dominant factor in Edinburgh’s landscape but in the majority of places, it is active only on one side of the river. Since we are considering the water of lieth as the backbone of the network, a walkway on the other side also was proposed.
PROPOSED
EXISTING EXISTING
PROPOSED
PROPOSED
SELECTED TREE SPECIES
Quercus Rubra (Red Oak)
Alnus glutinosa (Alder)
Populus Alba (White popular)
Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore)
Origin : Non- native Height : 25m Spread : 18 m
Origin : Native Height : 28m Spread : 12 m
Origin : Non- native Height : 20 m Spread : 2 m
Origin : Non- native Height : 35 m Spread : 24 m
Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)
Prunus cerasifera (Cherry plum)
Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan)
Sorbus aria (Whitebeam)
Origin : Native Height : 30 m Spread : 12 m
Origin : Non- native Height : 8m Spread : 7 m
Origin : Non- native Height : 15 m Spread : 7 m
Origin : Native Height : 15 m Spread : 10 m
Prunus Spinosa (Blackthorn)
Larix decidua (European Larch)
Euonymus europaeus (Spindle)
Sorbus torminalis (Wild service tree)
Origin : Native Height : 6-7 m Spread : 6-7 m
Origin : Non- native Height : 30 m Spread : 1 m
Prunus padus (Bird cherry)
Juniperus communis (Juniper)
Origin : Native Height : 25 m Spread : 4 m
Origin : Native Height : 10 m Spread : 1-9 m
Origin : Native Height : 9 m Spread : 4.5 m
Origin : Native Height : 25 m Spread : 15 m
Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce)
Salix viminalis (Common osier)
Origin : Non-native Height : 40-100 m Spread : 9 m
Origin : Non-native Height : 7 m Spread : 6 m
Up the hills of Pentlands, the golden rays on the highlands, the vista of the city, jewelled in emeralds and sapphires. Solitude and quietude swaddling me, trickle of water is all I hear; treading my way to the drips too close, got to a pond, wide and huge. The rivulet dribbling down the hill, dashing the descent with a zest, determined to catch up with the creek, pulled up my socks, I set to go. Balerno fell on the foothills, where the creek just hit her puberty. Mighty and spirited she glided on thorps of Currie and Juniper Green. Collington saw her juvenile years, rebellious and often unruly; A slice of bygone in the tunnel spiced up with some colour and love. Youth is what she waited long, moved to the city, on the loose, sank in the drift of urban charm, clinging to the holy calm of vales
16th Jan 2021 I went to Lauriston castle, it is one of the most beautiful places in the city. But other than that I was mesmerised by the beach view from here. I sat over that bench for a long time. Those Sycamore Trees near me protected me from the sun. I could feel that sea breeze and can hear the chirping sound of birds. Even though it was cold weather, I just sat there for a long time and didn’t talk to anyone.
A place
It’s getting late, so I just walked back to my place. But, When I walked back, it felt like something was missing within me. So I came here back another day and started to explore ... it continued again and again and again.
that stole my heart A PLACE THAT STOLE MY HEART ROMANTIC LANDSCAPE | URBAN PROJECT SEMESTER 2 | INDIVIDUAL DESIGN MENTOR : ANAIS CHANON, NORMAN VILLEROUX
“ Uxori desideratissimae contra votum superstes moerens posuit Andreas Rutherfurd, et sibi, MDCCCLII. “
“ Uxori desideratissimae contra votum superstes moerens posuit Andreas Rutherfurd, et sibi, MDCCCLII. “
which means “Andrew Rutherfurd, surviving against his will, placed this tomb in mourning to his most beloved wife, and himself, 1852”. These words are inscribed over a red granite pyramid tomb built in the Lords Row facing the Western wall of Dean Cemetery. it belongs to Lord Rutherford and his wife Sophia. Sophia died in 1852 whereas Andrew died on 13 December 1854. It was designed by Willam Henry Playfair, who was one of the biggest names in the architectural fraternity in Scottish land. Andrew and William shared a warm camaraderie which leads to many positive changes in the Lauriston Castle. The garden culture in the castle campus was initiated during these days. These gardens were laid out in the 1840s by William Play fair. All these reformations had occurred in the Romantic Era. I believe that the romantic movement that happened across the world have influenced the couple. Now the Lauriston Castle campus is considered one of the most beautiful places in the city.
Different Stages in Network
Overall Framework
Even though Andrew Rutherford and his wife Sophia did not have children. They were happy with their life in the castle. There was no such evidence for claiming it, but the gardens here speaks about it. Lauriston was home to many plants during those days and the couple lived their whole life around it.
CRAMOND BEACH
LAURISTON FARMS
There are many stories in the air, supporting the presence of a ghost in Lauriston Castle. it is said to be a haunted place; might be an illusion. But many visitors reported regarding it. Many heard the footstep sound when no one was present along with the sound of silk skirts rustling. Sometimes a shadowy figure is reported and disappeared through the wall. The people doubt that the ghost may be Sophia. Wife of Andrew. She had her last breath in a bedroom in the castle, after writing a letter to his husband to be delivered only after death. In those last moments, she was alone. Two years later Rutherford died, in his Edinburgh townhouse and buried in Dean Cemetery.
GIPSY BRAE RECREATIONAL GROUND
SILVERKNOWES GOLF COURSE
LAURISTON CASTLE WEST PILTON
THE BRUNTSFIELD LINKS GOLFING SOCIETY
ROYAL BURGESS GOLFING SOCIETY
DAVIDSONS MAINS PARK
CORSTORPHINE HILL
I didn’t go further into the bits and details of this ghost story. I came to know about it while I was spending time with the Friends of Lauriston Castle Garden group and they were familiar with this story. I think maybe these stories might also influence me in formulating the park network. Sophia had something to tell Andrew before she died, she missed that opportunity. But more than the ghost story, the change these couple made in the castle influenced me more. It inspires me to create the network. A tribute to their romance.
Historical Research
FORTHQUARTER PARK
WATER OF LEITH
Flood Analysis
Tree Map
SMID Map
Literature Map
WATER OF LEITH
REDUCED SILVERKNOWES GOLF COURSE LAURISTON FARMS
LAURISTON CASTLE ECOLOGICAL PARK
ROYAL BURGESS GOLF COURSE
DEAN CEMETERY
CORSTORPHINE PARK
WATER OF LEITH
Existing
Proposed
Existing
Proposed
Existing
Proposed
Existing
Proposed
Existing
Proposed
NORTH SCALE - 1:10000 ON A1 SHEET
The typologies were articulated based on the extensive ecological research performed. Across the city, the seashore is protected by well-defined sea walls and was creating a barrier to the people to interact with the sea except for portabello beach and a few harbours. To overcome that a finger-like projection was introduced. Green and brown roofs were introduced over the selected buildings to create favourable conditions for the birds to get fed. As the river are the protagonists of the design, intervention proposed over the river edges were planting more trees and plants that feed more birds. It will facilitate the migration of birds from their hotspots to other parts of the city. They can be a reason for the new sprouting of new trees in those regions. Apart from these onshore interventions, an offshore intervention was introduced in the proposal, of adding floating green platforms that allows the seal and the birds to sit on and feed.
Design Typologies
GRANTON WALLED GARDEN COMMUNITY | GARDEN | URBAN ACCUPUNCTURE SEMESTER 1 | INDIVIDUAL DESIGN MENTOR : KENNY FRASER, SIMON BELL, PAUL MORSLEY
GRANTON WALLED GARDEN Granton walled garden is widely considered as the hidden garden or secret garden of Edinburgh. it has immense relevance in the history of Edinburgh. It bears trees that are aged more than 100 years. The B-Listed compound wall shows its archaeological importance too. For the last few years, the garden is taken care of by the Friends Group of Granton walled garden. it is now a place where the native people are using it as a community garden. We were asked to propose a new design for the garden. Since it is a community garden the concept was to create a closed looping pathway that holds the elements together like a community. The existing pathway in the garden is linear and was creating a strong statement in the landscape. When we analysed the history of the garden and the castle. Linearity doesn’t fit the context. The path travelled by the garden even from the historical days had up and downs with twist and turns. So in order to blend the history, the idea was to create meandering paths for the circulation merging with what exists.
VISIBLE
INVISIBLE
The concept is the reaction to the fieldwork. After analysing the data collected, the relationship of the community with the garden space triggered me. So, the focus was given to enhance the interaction between the human and plant species. The idea came from a philosophical thought of mine. “Like us the humans, tree & plants have life and they express themselves in different ways. They are interacting in between them and also trying to communicate with us in many ways “ I believe that Plants/ Trees are trying to communicating with us through sensations. The sound made by leaves in wind Make flowers, symbolise Seasonal Change They share odour They give us Fruits Hugging a Tree will make us Relax
(SENSE OF HEAR) (SENSE OF VISION) (SENSE OF SMELL) (SENSE OF TASTE) (SENSE OF TOUCH)
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
ORCHARD FORMAL
GATHERING SPACE
EXISTING
PROPOSED ZONING
ALLOTMENT DESIGN
SUN AND WIND STUDY
ORIENTING THE ALLOTMENTS
PROPOSED
PROPOSED TREES
RETAINED STRUCTURE
EXISTING TREES
TREE OF SACRIFICE
PROPOSED INTERVENTION
PROPOSED GARDEN SPACE
The historical elements were so strong in the present garden, so the design was made respecting those historical flavours. Tree of sacrifice is the icon of the project.it is a tree sculpture made to remember the sacrifice of a Ash tree. it is removed from the site before being infected by the Ash die back issue. So the Ash tree wood was later reused to make entrance structure for the garden. Even though the tree was cut down, it was reused at the same place it actually exists. Instead of usual formal seating, mounds were positioned across the garden which can be used as a informal seat space.
SECTION A-A
SECTION B-B
ENTRANCE TO THE SITE
UPPER DECK OF THE ENTRANCE AREA
SEATING AREA, COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS,DOOCOT
GATHERING AREA
COMMUNITY ALLOTMENT
BIRDS EYE VIEW OF THE ORCHARD GARDEN
MOUND SEATING NEAR PATHWAYS
PERENNIAL GARDEN PLANTING PALETTE
PERENNIAL GARDEN : COLOUR SCHEME
PERENNIAL GARDEN : PLANTING PLAN
DEAF EDUCATION BUILDING PROFESSIONAL PROJECT | QATAR LANDSCAPE|INTERNATIONAL | INSTITIUTION TEAM : KRISHNAKUMAR M.R SREEHARI RADHAKRISHNAN & TEAM
© GEIC QATAR,
1
6
6
2
3
3
7 5
9
CONCEPT
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1
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The concept was to create a very native atmosphere , disabled inhibitants can spent there time and learn about living enviornment. Also, the intention was to make a landscape that will help them to adapt with the outer world. The layout is designed incorporating the the following key elements which will help the deaf
KEY ELEMENTS
10 10
1
PATHWAY - The form of the pedestrian pathway is evolved from the finger posture made during the sign languages. The pathways are floated over the chequered layout of planting and sand , it will help to add more space for coversation on circulation
1
TEXTURED TRANSITION - to provide cues between pedestrian pathway, planting area and activity spaces with the road. VISUAL CUE - to increase awareness and safety, especially at major areas. The main entrance of the campus is specially treated with a unique paving pattern. The paving pattern includes hand symbol which speaks about the direction towards the main entrance
4
LEGEND 1 ENTRY & EXIT 2 MAIN ENTRY 3 WATER FEATURE 4 PLAY AREA
5 SHADED PLAY AREA 6 CAR PARKING 7 BASEMENT ENTRY 8 INNER COURTYARD
9 LINEAR COURTYARD 10 REAR COURTYARD
RHYTHM - In order to make a spatial understanding, create visual patterns along the side walks and planting edge. The charachter of the layout will be very much inspired from the rhythm DEGREE OF ENCLOSURE - a semi private / secured space has to built to see and be seen. Many such space are made across the site. FELXIBLE SEATING - other than the normal seating space , some flexible seating options are made
PLANTING PALETTE
to accomodate small to large groups joining in coversation. Mainly these seatings are incorporated at the inner, linear and the rear courtyards where the majority gather for any activities
WATER FEATURE
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY
MAIN ENTRY LANDSCAPE
PHERIPHERAL LANDSCAPE
CP SALIH MANSION RESIDENTIAL PROJECT |KERALA | INDIA PROFESSIONAL PROJECT TEAM : KRISHNAKUMAR M.R SREEHARI RADHAKRISHNAN & TEAM
A
CONCEPT
B
B
A
The design is conceived out with terraces and sloping gardens using a theme ‘ dynamic walls’ which compliments the proposed house profile. Quite often the walls can be and integral part of a beautiful and functional landscape design. Intended orginally to hold back the soil and seperate sloping or uneven grounds, the wall has been adopted by modern landscaping ro become an essential element pf a stunning foreground. To make a yard liveable and attractive ,walls stand as features that can create an impact visually and functional
SECTION A-A
EXISTING GL
SECTION B-B This is an example of an Avante Garde designed garden . i believe that ,A garden is a garden, if it retreat from the world. The landscape design of the project is evolved from, the existing site conditions and it also reflects the architecture of the building. The major idea was to make the space functionally sound and to tackle the exsiting site conditions . The sharp lines resembles clarity in the charachter of the design. When it comes into softscape part except the Palms used , all other species are native.
EXISTING GL
COMPETITIONS PROFESSIONAL | INDIVIDUAL
PUZHAMUTHAL PUZHAVARE TEAM: KRISHNAKUMAR M.R (TEAMPRINCIPAL) SREEHARI RADHAKRISHNAN & TEAM
Puzhamuthal Puzha Vare (River to River Scheme) reflects the Concern about Land,Water and Vegetation. The thought process started from an image of a River flow pattern. This is an inspirational pattern that are very strong in the expression of dynamism. The articulation spaces for various activities are linked in such way that it creates a similar pattern of expression. It moves visually and hence it is dynamic. The linkages of pedestrian friendly enviornment all together creates a rives like bead on the banks of Bharathapuzha.
GREENS & BLUES TEAM : SREEHARI RADHAKRISHNAN NIRMAL P VARGHESE
CONCEPT
LEGEND 1 - Car Parking 2 - Main Entry 3 - Road 4 - Trail 5- Childrens Play area 6 - Open Air Theater 7 - Forest 8 - Vegetation Area 9- Zip line and Activity Space 10 - Meditation Area and Yoga center 11 - Social Activity Space
The design concept was inspired by the archipelago formation near Istanbul. The proximity of the site to the sea where the archipelagos present were the main reason for taking inspiration from it. The activities were segregated based on the many factors and were clustered accordingly. Those clusters were later conceived as islands and these islands are connected using a pathway, which resembles water.
Background Credits: Chronicles of Antilia | Sreehari Radhakrishnan | 3D printed model
© Sreehari Radhakrishnan