ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO SRINIDHI KRISHNAN
CONTENTS
1. INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OF XOCHIMILCO
2. SOCIAL HOUSING CDMX
3. CENTER FOR RAILWAY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
4. CENTER FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED
5. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY
6. CULTURAL CENTER
7. COMPETITION WORKS
8. RESUME
01 INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OF XOCHIMILCO M.ARCH INDEPENDENT THESIS PROJECT: SPRING 2021, ADVISORS: PROF. CLAUDIO VEKSTEIN, PAUL COSEO Xochimilco is one of the 16 Alcaldias/ municipalities of Mexico City and is well known for its extensive system of lakes, canal systems, and artificial floating islands known as Chinampas which have been reduced to less than half its original area in recent times. It has been declared a UNESCO heritage site to conserve the biodiversity of the area. An increase in population within the conservation zone of Xochimilco with more influx of migrants from the city center in search of affordable housing has caused the degradation of Chinampas and the drying out of canals. Current forms of informal settlements while demonstrating resilience to changing conditions do not satisfy the basic needs of people adequately and also degrade the ecosystem. The objective of this design is to derive a set of strategies from the rich culture, history, and traditional practices of Xochimilco and manifest them into an architectural solution to overcome the current problems faced in the region.
The chinampas which were originally created fused over time due to the uncontrolled growth of the population reducing the canal system as well as affecting the chinampas integrity. Re-fragmenting the chinampas could help preserve the unique conditions of Xochimilco
A Voronoi-based pattern can be created and used for fragmenting the chinampas by studying the existing geospatial conditions of the land such as the site boundaries, informal settlement pattern, and vegetation to shape the physicality of the community. The community is designed to allow for flexibility similar to informal settlements. This is introduced through platform systems and columns created by the designers on which people can construct their houses. Each platform consists of three kinds of columns that will support the various activities taking place in the settlements.
02 SOCIAL HOUSING CDMX M.ARCH STUDIO PROJECT: FALL 2021 The site is located in Xochimilco, the City of Mexico where urban sprawl has extended to the fringe of the city. Xochimilco being an environmentally sensitive region with its chinampas and canal system faces degradation and illegal settlements in conservation zones. The proposal explores a solution where people could have affordable housing and coexist with nature in Xochimilco without degrading its unique biodiversity and the chinampas.
The design for housing focuses on providing community-based housing where each member is part of a close-knit organization. The housing unit would also support the growing needs of the users and can expand or shrink with the family’s needs. The site experiences flooding during the rainy season from the lake adjacent to it. To prevent the destruction of houses and livelihood, the houses are placed on platforms that can rise and sink with changing water levels. Communal areas are created to enhance social interaction and increase space for other activities within each unit. Affordable, modular and customizable units are created to fulfill user needs.
03 CENTER FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED M.ARCH STUDIO PROJECT: FALL 2019 The site consists of the union station which was a functional train station, Santa Fey Depot, and a multi-story parking garage. The design aims at successfully reusing these structures and integrating new functions into it such that very minimal alterations would be required. The design brief also focused on building envelope systems to perform against climatic conditions in Phoenix.
Since the site is located in Phoenix which experiences extreme heat during the summer, measures need to be taken to reduce the cooling costs. In order to do this the South, East, and West facades were fitted with horizontal copper louvers which consist of solar tracking devices pivoting according to the sun’s angle. The south facade also has a horizontal overhang shading the walls from direct sunlight. Horizontal louvers were introduced to tackle the direct ray of sunlight hitting on the surface of the facade during the summer. The North facades were fitted with vertical louvers which pivot to handle the lower angle of sunlight during summers in Phoenix.
04 CENTER FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED B.ARCH INDEPENDENT STUDIO PROJECT: SPRING 2019 The site is located in Vellore, Tamilnadu where the population of physically challenged people is unusually high but there are no good healthcare and special education facilities for them to access. Universal design and barrierfree spaces are the main focus of the project proposal. The site has been designed in such a manner that all amenities and facilities can be easily accessed by people who are visually challenged, locomotive challenged, and people who are hard of hearing.
The design proposal aims to create an inclusive community space that serves people who are physically challenged by providing them with medical, educational, and recreational facilities on the campus, incorporating ADA guidelines to create a barrier-free space. A sensory approach is given to guide the physically challenged users through the site by the means of the landscape and other tactile clues. A sensory garden has been provided which serves as a connecting space between all the blocks and also gives the users a place to relax and rejuvenate. It has plant species of five categories such as edible, tactile, fragrant, and visually pleasing as well as plants that produce sounds in the wind. Tactile paving and visually contrasting materials are used for wayfinding within the campus.
05 INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OF XOCHIMILCO B. ARCH STUDIO PROJECT: FALL 2016 NIFT is a group of institutions in India that provide education in the field of fashion. The site is located along Avinashi Road, Coimbatore. The site is accessed from the South through the main road. A service entry is provided in the west as well. The blocks are designed to minimize energy consumption by using climate-responsive techniques. BIPV glass panels in the facade regulate the amount of light and heat entering the interiors of the blocks.
The campus consists of transition spaces in the exteriors to provide easy circulation between various blocks and also serves as a space for discussions and interactions facilitating better learning. The connecting space to all the blocks in the site is the open-air theatre located centrally. The main structure of the campus consists of the admin and academic spaces. The academic area consists of classrooms, recreational areas, and laboratories for students. Horizontal louvers along the facades resemble colored pieces of fabric which is one of the concepts behind the design.
06 COMPETITION WORKS This section comprises notable individual competition entries completed during the academic years. The design entry for the Light For Hope student competition aimed at fabricating a light fixture that would be auctioned to raise funds for the abused children of Arizona. The design proposal for the AR/VR global student design competition aimed at creating a postpandemic workplace that would allow users to return safely to the workplace while allowing flexibility in spatial organization and promoting the mental and physical well-being of users.
LIGHT FOR HOPE 2020 DESIGN COMPETITION WINNER INSIDE OUT Inside out was created by cutting out individual segments of chipboard, punctured with rectangular cutouts, and placing them in an array around the light source. Each segment of the lamp weaves in and out creating a random and variable dimensionality in space. This organic form with its voids and intersections mingles with the light to create a divergence of radiance and shadows.
AR/VR GLOBAL STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION 2020 FINALIST POST COVID ARCHITECTURE The design focused on providing a space that would let the office workers return to normalcy in a post-pandemic world. This design proposal aims to transform the workplace into a flexible, modular, and rejuvenating space where people can interact safely with one another while carrying out their tasks productively.
SRINIDHI KRISHNAN EDUCATION:
WORK EXPERIENCE:
M.S Construction Management Technology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. Fall 2020 - 2021
JAN 2022 – PRESENT – Jr. Architectural Designer/Construction PM FM Solutions Inc, Phoenix, AZ
M.ARCH, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. Fall 2019 - 2021 B.ARCH, Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu, India. June 2014 - May 2019
Produce CD documents for permitting and bidding, Lead coordination of consultants, Develop schedule and coordinate work activities with clients/ GC NOV 2020 – DEC 2021 - Architecture/ PM intern FM Solutions Inc, Phoenix, AZ
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Created and Maintained BIM models, CD sets for submittal, RFIs, Submittals, participated in client reviews, vendor meetings, and fieldwork Maintained As-Built, Record drawings, Assisted PMs with site surveys and project closeouts
Light For Hope, AZ Student Design Competition Winner - July 2020
AUG 2020 – MAY 2021 - graduate teaching assistant Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
The Sustainability Review Design Competition post Covid Architecture - Winner - July 2020
Assisted professor in grading, proctoring exams, maintaining student records on course portal, mentored students by conducting office hours and one-on-one communication
AR/VR Student Global Design Competition Top 6 and finalist - May 2020 Earthian Sustainability award, Wipro project titled Plastic Bottle - March 2012.
DEC 2017 – MARCH 2018 - Architecture Intern Surbana Jurong, Bangalore, India Assisted Architect in preparation of detailed drawings, documentation, project presentations, Created and maintained BIM models, 3D visualizations, and Renders
CERTIFICATIONS: Construction Manager in Training - Level 1 OSHA 30 Certificate Procore Certified : Student Autodesk Revit Autodesk 3DS Max
JUN 2017 – OCT 2017 - Architecture Intern Space Matrix Design Consultants, Bangalore, India Drafted construction drawings, maintained 3D models, created renderings and presentations, Took part in client meetings and field visits, Studied local building regulations and codes to assist with design
Phone: +4809377210 Email: srinidhi.krishnan@hotmail.com SOFTWARE SKILLS:
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: Habitat For Humanity Arizona NOV 2021 Served as a student volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in conjunction with the organization AWIC, ASU to help construct affordable homes for lthe commnity in Phoenix. Student Volunteer MARCH 2012 Helped in afforestation efforts by planting saplings to promote a greener community
THANK YOU
Email : srinidhi.krishnan@hotmail.com
Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/in/SKrish1