“Great images have both a history and a prehistory; they are always a blend of memory and legend, with the result that we never experience an image directly. Indeed every great image has an unfathomable oneiric depth to which the personal past adds color… Primal images, simple engravings are but so many invitations to start imagining again. that would be our own, that would belong to us in our very depths.” Gaston Bachlard, The Poetics of Space “Since ancient times the genus loci or ‘spirit of place’, has been recognized as the concrete reality man has to face and come to terms with in his daily life. Architecture means to visualize the genus loci, and the task of the architect is to create meaningful places, whereby he helps man dwell.” Christian Norberg-Schulz, Genus Loci – Towards a phenomenology of Architecture. “If the architecture is any good, a person who looks and listens will feel its good effects without noticing.” Carlo Scarpa
“Perfection is lots of small things done well.” Marco Pierre White “Decoration is really about creating a quality of life, and a beauty in that life which nourishes the soul, that makes life beautiful. That’s what it’s all about, not just what’s in and out.” Albert Hadley “The designer of today re-establishes the long lost contact between the art and public, between living people and art as a living thing.. there should be no such thing as art divorced from life, with beautiful things to look at and hideous things to use. If what we use everyday is made with art, and not thrown together by chance or caprice, then we have nothing to hide.” Bruno Munari
SFOORTI SACHDEV work samples 2019 Rhode Island School of Design M.Des. 2019 Interior Architecture
SEEKING THE POETIC AND SPIRITUAL conversion of an unused painting studio to a yoga and meditation center
The goal of this adaptive reuse project is to explore what makes a space poetic, how certain spaces inspire peace amidst even the most chaotic environments and what kind of changes can be made to an existing space to embue it with this spirit. The initial part of this project involved research into churches, museums, retreats and spiritual spaces as precedents. As per a new train of thought, the museum today is increasingly being considered as ‘the new church’. I studied The Hepworth, Wakefield, an art museum in England by David Chipperfield to understand the design strategies employed in its conceptualization. The host site, 50 Brook St in Providence is an unused and decrepit
building, formerly used as a painting studio by Brown University. It is located in a residential area mostly occupied by Brown and RISD students. The demand for a spiritual retreat, a place to relax and occasionally get away from the stress of graduate studies has been growing in recent times. The site therefore naturally lends itself to being converted to a yoga and meditation centre. Design strategies such as thresholds to create an incremental disconnect from the outside world as one goes in, natural light and views of nature to draw one forward, creating a sense of discovery through the addition of partitions and smaller spaces expanding into bigger ones to give a sense of lightness to the soul were used to add an understated poetry to the space.
The host site, 50 Brook St. in Providence, a derelict erstwhile painting studio owned by Brown University is situated at the corner of a block with open space at the back.
sfoortiview, sachdev site location in plan and original structure in plan and sectional elevation 2 exterior
B'
MEDITATION CELLS
CLASSROOM & SPACE FOR TALKS
LOUNGE LIBRARY
GUIDED MEDITATION & YOGA HALL
TOILETS
A'
LOCKERS
CAFE
ENTRANCE
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first floor plan after intervention, scale: nts
seeking the poetic & spiritual
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Thresholds and sense of discovery - While re-working the layout I tried to create many thresholds to engender an incremental disconnect from the outside on the slow journey inwards. Partitions were placed in the meditation hall and facing the 2nd floor entrance to add a sense of discovery through layering. Thresholds
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SECTION AA'
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3 MEDITATION HALL
STORAGE
BATHROOM
Views of nature - Openings towards the garden area were created and the space planning done such that views of nature beckon one forward. Lighting from above on around the platform for the yoga instructors was used to draw the eyes upwards.
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elevation A, scale: nts, first floor interior elevations created in revit
LIBRARY
SCULPTURE
STAIR CASE
SECTION AA'
MEDITATION HALL
STORAGE
BATHROOM
LIBRARY
SCULPTURE
STAIR CASE
Application of the contracted to expanded space strategy
elevation B, diagram and 2nd floor interior elevation (stairway with seating incorporated leading to rooftop)
Contraction & Expansion - Precedent study showed that low height smaller spaces expanding into taller bigger ones create a sense of upliftment. The height of the mediation and yoga hall and the classroom was inceased to achieve this effect. The meditation hall wall next to the garden was deliberately lowered in height and the columns surrounding the rock garden on the rooftop were made taller than the opening to the garden as well.
seeking the poetic & spiritual
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CONVERGE - DIVERGE addition of a gallery and a co-living and co-working space to the remnant of a former bank facade
The host for this project is a neo-georgian building facade, a fragment leftover from the demolition of a formerly distinguished bank. It stands in the heart of downtown Providence with what is a now large parking lot behind it. With the advent of driverless cars, parking lots wont really be required anymore in the next couple of decades. In this studio we adaptively resused the host to create a co-living and co-working space for makers and creators. The intervention was designed with the idea of creating connections at its heart - connections with the building’s past history, with the city at large, with the surrounding spaces, with nature and most importantly within the community living in the proposed domestic space. This was conveyed in the building through a series of ramps that span the structure, connecting the existing facade with the new building and the public with the inhabitants.
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sfoorti sachdev / in collaboration
photo of existing site and user group
planar
linear
volumes
Proportion is one of the most important aspects of neo-georgian architecture. The concept models created using itirative geometry take the proportions of the facade forward through lines, planes and volumes.
conceptualization with plans and models, scale : nts
converge - diverge
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TERRACE
COMMUNAL GYM
COMMUNITY WORKSPACE
BATH ROOM
COMMUNAL LOUNGE
MICRO APT
MICRO APT
COMMUNAL STUDIO
CAFE
CAFE STORAGE
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sfoorti sachdev / in collaboration
sectional elevation, scale : nts (L), perspective of ramps connecting facade remnant with new building (R)
converge - diverge
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PERFECT - IMPERFECT
creating the framework for a new narrative conversion of an unused church to a community kitchen and restaurant
The Cathedral of St. John on N. Main St., Providence was built in 1872 AD and closed down in 2012 due to poor attendance. Currently it is derelict and run down. RISD was approached by the canon of the Cathedral to consider ways of breathing new life into the space. One of the original founders of the church was associated with slave trade. Keeping this in mind, the church wanted to explore the possibility of creating a dialogue around repair and reparation for slavery in Providence in the 1900s. The church has two levels, the main level and
god aristrocracy
common people
slaves original heirarchy In gothic revival church architecture, the geometry follows two rules: one is that all constructions must begin with a circle, the other that symmetry must be maintained. The proportions of human body, as the culmination of God’s creation, is also an important source of geometry for this style. In addition the windows are purposely designed such that when one enters, the eye is continually drawn upwards. 10
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the basement. In this studio project, I chose to concentrate on the main level of the church. While researching and analysing the architectural style of the church (neo gothic), I was struck by what was considered to be ‘perfect’ earlier and how that definition has changed with time. This combined with reading and watching documentiaries about what being forced to become a slave meant and its effect on the psyche over generations, became the starting point of my take on the project, involving creating the framework for a new narrative.
eyes drawn up (from entrances to top edges of windows)
the perfect axis
scale - bigger to smaller over the ages
layers of juxtaposition juxtaposition of scale with ‘eyes drawn up’
juxtaposition of eyes drawn up, perfect axis and scale
eyes drawn up used to distort scale diagram
juxtaposed analysis diagrams used to break the heirarchy and add new life to the structure
multiple layers created in this manner
analytic model and diagrams (top row), design generative diagrams (bottom row)
form conception
perfect imperfect
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concept of design through the ages
a brief snap shot of slave trade, 20-30 million lives turned upside down, everything they knew lost with the crossing of the ocean, their families, their language, their garments, cultu and their culture lifestyle..the loss of dignity, made to feel not just imperfect but even lesser than a human being for hundreds of years...lives traumatized beyond
the ‘perfect’
basis for the original host design
‘as any architecture progreses from the precise predictions of the ofice to the inherent ambiguity of the field, it is inevitably subject to compromise.’ Architecture and feildwork, By Ewing & McGowan(1970AD)
current thought process
the ‘imperfect’ 12
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The ‘perfect’ symmetry of the structure distorted by ‘imperfect’ fragmentation to create new form, infusing the space with dynamism and giving it a new lease of life. The framework created is open to appropriation and can grow as per the needs of the community.
counselling offices
community restaurant
community kitchen
learning
axon (model created in rhino and rendered in enscape), program
volunteer work
There is an attempt to neutralize the hierarchy inherent in the space but the ‘sacred’ is still preserved when we take what was considered to be sacred into account. Originally, among other things, ‘sacred’ pertained to what represented the interests of the larger community As such, the communal tables for eating have been placed where the alter used to be present. This type of seating is also reminiscent of The Last Supper by Da Vinci.
perfect imperfect
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Paneling types
COMMUNAL SEATING
half the framework enclosed with panels in more open areas
COLD STORAGE
LAWN ENTRANCE
PANTRY
WASHING
DELIVERY ENTRANCE
fully enclosed framework in areas requiring complete privacy
COMMUNAL RESTAURANT
Joinery details
EQUIPMENT STORAGE
DISPLAY LAWN FACING SEATING
panel to frame
panel to panel AY DISPL
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COMMUNAL KITCHEN
Materials
AREA
CE
N
A
TR EN
Framework: 4” x 4” steel pipes Transparent polycarbonate (PC) panels = fully permeable = public Colored PC panels = somewhat permeable = semi private Opaque wooden panels = no permeability = private Original wooden flooring can be reused in panels
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construction details and first floor plan, scale: nts
TOILET
STAIR CASE ENTRANCE
view of communal restaurant (L), view from entrance and view of communal kitchen (R)
perfect imperfect
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ST. GABRIEL ALTE MUHLE conversion of a mill building in a 100 year old monastery to a tech start up centre
St Gabriel Alte Muhle, a 100 year old monastery in Austria recently opened some unused parts of the complex to the public. In a bid to attract public interest and in keeping with today’s requirements, they wanted to convert an old mill building to a tech start-up centre. I documented the host and created the 3d model. Building the host site from scratch in Revit was an education in how construction methods and materials have changed over the last century. The initial design proposal included opening up parts of the ceiling to let more natural light in. The arch of the existing windows was picked up as a design element and taken forward for creating bigger openings between interior spaces. Large round hanging light fixtures were used to further enhance this feel.
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Beam and column structure of existing host
Arch of existing windows taken further with new curved openings and large architecteral round light fixtures Ceiling opened up to allow more natural light in
photo of host site (L), host created and rendered in revit (R)
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RESIDENCE / PROFESSIONAL
new construction I Demuro Das
Project: 10000 sft duplex penthouse with 5 bedrooms and attached bathrooms. Views of entrance foyer, living, dining and master bedroom seen here. Look and Feel: Contemporary with Art Deco references. Design Elements of Note: Honeycomb pattern brass inlay in the lapiz lazuli clad table top echoed in the wide geometric weave of the carpet, bespoke fish scale screen. Role: DeMuro Das is an AD50 firm in Gurgaon (now with a branch in New York as well), known for its work in high-end residential interior design and bespoke furniture. In my role as Senior Interior Architect, my responsibilities at DeMuro Das included handling all
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entrance foyer
details of projects from initial conception to completion, client presentations, space planning, all technical drawings (civil, RCP, flooring, bathrooms etc), coordination with consultants and vendors, design of custom millwork and loose furniture, site meetings, solutions for last minute issues, FFEs and BOQs. Also, in conjunction with the Architecture and Design Principal, I created drafting standards and procedures integrating all the furniture with the rest of the working drawings such that the interior architecture and furniture worked seamlessly together. In addition, for this project I coordinated with the landscape designer for the terrace and gave design direction to the bedding and carpet vendors.
living entrance foyer dining
bar
dining wall clad in grey veneer
bloom velvet on sofa cushions
black nickel on side table base
carpet
lapiz and brass
brass accents
patterned velvet on cushions
shagreen on wall greige unit velvet on back sofas
violet velvet on side chair
glossy dark grey oak veneer on centre table
ikat curtains
living and dining room plan, photos and material palette
professional work
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RESIDENCE / PROFESSIONAL
new construction I The Holistic Design Agency
Project: 3500 sft condominium with 3 bedrooms and attached bathrooms. Views of living area and den seen here.
taupe accent wall and center table glass top black mirror
Look and Feel: Modern minimal with an emphasis on warmth and texture.
Role: As lead designer in collaboration with my partner at The Holistic Design Agency, I handled all stages of high-end residential and office projects.
den
dining
living
plan, area and pallete sfoorti sachdev 20 living
carpet in living area
brown glass SS mirror polish accents
Design Elements of Note: Clean lines and simple shapes complimented by a warm, neutral backdrop of taupe, white and grey and an interplay of contrasting materials both reflective and textured which add interest to an otherwise Zen-like space.
grey linen on curved sofa
wallpaper in dining area
grey leather on sofas
carpet in living area
off-white leather and glass hardwood flooring
den and dining room
professional work
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WORKPLACE / PROFESSIONAL
new construction I The Holistic Design Agency
Project: 3000 sft workplace for CVS - Gaurdian Pharmacy in Gurugram, India. Look and Feel: Fun, dynamic and sporty Design Elements of Note: CVS’s brand and image of an energetic and healthy lifestyle closely interrelated with nature was taken forward in the interiors through the signage, graphics and a track mat for walking in the corridor. The red picked up from the CVS branding was used in furniture, complimented by a fresh neutral palette of unfinished walls painted white, pine, white and green.
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Role: As lead designer in collaboration with my partner at The Holistic Design Agency, I handled the design, layout, lighting and FFEs for the project.
CONFERENCE ROOM MEETING ROOM
PANTRY
CEO’s OFFICE
STORAGE CABINS
RECEPTION & WAITING AREA
OPEN AREA
MEETING ROOM
VISITING DIRECTOR
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plan
G C
Silhouette of people running on screen made of wooden poles
Nature graphic with CVS branding behind reception desk
Graphics in the open area, directional signage on doors, the world map above seating in reception area printed on cork with CVS locations marked with red flags.
elevations
professional work
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WORKPLACE / PROFESSIONAL
new construction I The Holistic Design Agency
Project: Conversion of 3500 sft residential unit to workplace for private law firm in New Delhi, India.
Design Elements of Note: Neutral tonal palette with a grey shell - grey stucco on the walls and grey laminate flooring with pine, off-white, brass and black accents. Role: As lead designer in collaboration with my partner at The Holistic Design Agency, I handled all stages of the project.
LOUNGE
KID’S ROOM
PARTNERS
FILE STORAGE
ACCOUNTS PARTNER
PANTRY
SR PARTNERS
JR PARTNERS
PARALEGALS
SECRATARIES
Look and Feel: Modern, understated, serious and sophisticated.
ASSOCIATES
CONFERENCE ROOM
RECEPTION & WAITING AREA MEETING ROOM
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sfoorti sachdev
plan
elevations - reception desk and waiting area, conference room and partner’s cabin
professional work
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WORKPLACE / PROFESSIONAL
new construction I The Holistic Design Agency
Project: 2300 sft office in a corporate building for an investment banking firm. Look and Feel: A warm, reassuring, relaxed and confident feel with an emphasis on tactile materials. Design Elements of Note: Open plan with natural sunlight streaming into all recesses of the office. Warm natural materials like brick and leather used to give the space a rich yet earthy feel. Glass partitions create privacy while maintaining an open feel. Role: As lead designer in collaboration with my partner at The Holistic Design Agency, I handled all stages of the project.
brown leather on desks
walnut veneer brick cladding on walls
curves wall clad in oak veneer
grey carpet tiles on floor
plan, sfoortiand sachdev view from entrance 26 pallete
informal gathering area and sectional elevation
professional work
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