SUDHA KATTEL
SELECTED WORKS 2020-2024
1. Daycenter And Care Residence
2. Museum Of Contemporary Arts
3. High Court
4. Conservation Works
5. Serenity
6. Trital Bhojpur Farmhouse
7. Artwork
Connecting Generations Daycenter+Care Residence
Supervisor: Gregory Serweta gserweta@buffalo.edu
Group assignment partner: Ada Rodriguez
Located at 1 Howell Street in Buffalo, New York, the site anchors the Black Rock neighborhood, adjacent to Scajaquada Creek and the Jesse Kregel Pathway. The design draws on the area’s historical roots. It aims to create a strong connection between the built environment and its surroundings, transforming the former Buffalo Robe Company facility into a multifunctional space that supports diverse community needs.
The vision emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and environmental harmony, focusing on five key elements: fostering public spaces that promote connection; ensuring universal accessibility; creating areas for community gatherings; integrating with Scajaquada Creek to restore ecological balance; and avoiding large-scale residential developments that may lead to gentrification.
The project is structured in three phases: a 30,000-square-foot publicly accessible landscape, a 15,000-square-foot multi-generational day center, and 20 care residences for older adults. It aims to enrich the neighborhood while preserving its character, creating a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive space that strengthens the bond between people and their environment.
Landscape Strategy
The landscape design strategy for the initial phase aims to transform the 47,535 SF site into an inclusive and sustainable environment. Drawing inspiration from the organic forms of Olmsted Parks, the design highlights key site elements, including the creek, Jesse Kregel Pathway, Peter Street Park, the basketball court, and the existing 1 Howell building. This analysis led to the creation of new interactive spaces such as a sensory garden, greenhouse, solarium, and play area, all interconnected by a circular grid. This layout promotes thematic intergenerational activities designed for children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Existing building mass shape Void create transition space between landscape and building
Green house insertion & angled retreat | generate more private sensory garden
Residence volume & day center | generate open forecourt
Atrium triple hight space, for natural lighting and to create three landscape nodes inside the building
Phase 1 : Landscape
Phase 2 : Day-Center
Phase 3 : Care residence
The site plan integrates new interventions with existing site features, crafting a cohesive and immersive experience. A network of interwoven meandering pathways transitions seamlessly between the built environment and open spaces, fostering connectivity and inviting movement throughout the site. Thematic areas, articulated by curvilinear forms and bounded by sloping terrains, are strategically arranged to create a dynamic spatial hierarchy. These pathways tie together the design while guiding visitors through distinct zones and bleed into the building at different levels.
The landscape extends towards the scajaquada creek, establishing layered physical and visual relationships with its natural surroundings. Terraced contours frame thematic spaces near the creek, offering opportunities for reflection and engagement while maintaining ecological sensitivity. The amphitheater, oriented towards the water, serves as a focal point for communal activities, enhancing the interaction between the site’s cultural program and its natural context.
The Multi-Generational Day Center is designed to be a welcoming space that emphasizes natural light and transparency. Key features of the center include a common kitchen that encourages shared meals and workshops, flexible sitting rooms suitable for activities such as yoga, and an open play area that promotes intergenerational engagement within the existing building. Quiet spaces and retreats are strategically located with direct access to an outdoor sensory garden, enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor environments.
The Care Residences provide 20 ADA compliant units, focusing on flexibility and accessibility. Each unit includes integrated emergency features and is designed to adapt to changing needs. The design also promotes a connection to nature through visual and physical access to greenery and shared outdoor spaces, including a green roof. An accessible egress ramp ensures safe and seamless connectivity between all levels.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Uprety suprety@ioe.edu.np
Museums in Nepal are often historical monuments or buildings that are repurposed. While traditional art galleries are only visited by art enthusiasts, artists, or art students, there is little public interest in such exhibitions. As a result, many contemporary artists have turned to more public forms of art. To address this issue, a new approach to human engagement with art is proposed - an innovative and compelling center of contemporary art where the public can experience the work of living artists and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of our time’s art.
It is essential to create an intimate setting that provides a different experience for each individual while exploring natural and artificial light, circulation paths, sounds, and textures. The museum’s design caters to all social groups while making the experience of viewing art more convenient. It encourages a tangle of interactions among art, the general public, and the artists. The museum proposes to serve as a place for art conservation, negotiation, and debate, as well as a serious and open discussion of the implications of modern culture and society.
Creating a place for cultural consumption is dependent on the establishment of a ‘view’, ‘a destination’ and ‘an event’. The function carried out by the proposal foresees the potential inauguration of an event within the local context.
Nodes and traffic
Noise levels
Site Considerations
Emphasizing accessibility in terms of surroundings and other parameters the access for the museum proposed through the site to spark curiosity about what one wants to see in the site and from the site. The functional zoning in the site is based on the noise and crowd levels of the proximity.
Aerial perspective of the final design
1 | Site and area
The site sits at Baneshwor, one of the busiest junctions of Kathmandu City.
2 | Accessibility and zoning
Site is accessible via main road as well as a secondary road in the north and east.
3 | Viewing angles
Rotating the blocks in order to frame the view from the building towards the urban life of the city.
4
| Building Division
The subdivision of mass depicts the different organization elements
5 | Connecting bridges
Adjusting heights to the programs and adding juxtaposed bridges
The proposed museum cleverly integrates into its surroundings by gradually elevating its ground levels and leaving the ground floor open. Raised on columns, it welcomes visitors and seamlessly merges with the landscape. The central atrium acts as the heart of the building, connecting various spaces from the sunken amphitheater for events to underground galleries and lecture halls.
The building’s design focuses on intertwining paths for exhibition spaces, visitors, artists, and public areas, aiming to naturally engage visitors’ curiosity and draw them deeper into the museum experience. Additionally, strategic separation between the museum and administrative sections ensures smooth operations. An underground tunnel facilitates the movement of artworks while a footbridge connects the administrative block to the Art library, ensuring a functional yet aesthetic flow between different areas.
PROVINCIAL HIGH COURT
COMPONENT OF PROVINCIAL CITY PLANNING
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Sudha Shrestha, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ajay Chandra Lal
ioe.sudhashrestha@gmail.com , ajay@ioe.edu.np
Designed intricately, featuring components with diverse functions, needs, and levels of public access. The High Court operates under a stringent system of hierarchy and protocols due to its complexity. The design is guided by zoning and user flow within the building. Security protocols are vital, especially concerning judges’ entry and exit, ensuring safe access points. Advocates access from the North-East side. Ample seating in the landscape accommodates waiting areas for the public and staff.
Block positioning considers the solar path for optimal placement. Block planning revolves around internal circulation and user movement within the premises. It’s also structured to uphold privacy and security concerns. The court’s functionality aims for transparency while restricting public access to specific areas. The master plan delineates into four blocks: Judges Block, Public Block, Court Block, and Lawyers Block.
1 | Proposal of elongated geometry
2 | Division of blocks for zoning
3 | Staggered blocks according to zoning; public, semi-public and private
4 | Introducing courtyards to play with light and ventilation
ATRIUM: Atriums are strategically utilized in each block to facilitate light and wind circulation, creating open spaces that spill out into the surroundings. This approach embodies the idea of a “Building in a garden,” imparting a calming influence throughout the space. Incorporation of biophilic features to reduce stress levels, enhance cognitive function, and foster positive attitudes and moods.
CONSERVATION OF TILAURAKOT
Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Uprety, Asst. Prof. Dr. Inu Pradhan suprety@ioe.edu.np, inupradhan@ioe.edu.np
Tilaurakot is considered as the historical – archeological site. It is the ancient capital city of kapilvastu where Siddhartha Gautam spent his first 29 years of life. It is also apart of Greater Lumbini Area (GLA) as designated by Lumbini Development Trust.
Left: (top) Site location of the Conservation area of Tilaurakot
Right: Plan (top), Section (Middle) and Sectional Perspective (bottom) of the Riverfront Ghat (series of steps or landings that lead down to a river
Important archaeological findings
The Western Gate
Central Structural Complex
Central Pond
Samai Mai Temple
The Eastern Gate
The Fortification Wall
The Northern Twin Stupa
Eastern Stupa and Monastery
The primary concept involves creating spaces for religious and cultural practices while enabling people to interact with the river. This includes designing a three-tiered ghat that remains accessible even when the water level rises. Additionally, incorporating various elements like water features, resting areas (chautaras), adaptable structures, and different types of platforms. The design includes space for a range of activities such as accessing the water, conducting daily rituals on smaller platforms, and hosting larger events on expansive performance stages.
The soft landscape, featuring curvilinear forms mirroring water flow and a network of water retention ponds and purification wetlands, not only resists flooding but also facilitates future water supply, adapts to fluctuating water levels, minimizes urban flooding, increases base flow, and promotes native vegetation.
SERENITY
RESIDENCE
Supervisors: Abhishek Hang Rai, Grishma Koirala tessellate.designstudios@gmail.com
Serenity is a three-story building with a site area of 130 m.sq. that accommodates a single nuclear family. The site is in a natural slope terrain with a single road connected to the north.
The project adheres to five distinct characteristics; contemporary, serene, minimal, monochrome, and sleek. The design concept revolves around making the most of the limited space by utilizing natural light through skylights and big openings, incorporating double-height, open floor plan, and employing a thoughtful color palette, resulting in a home that feels larger and more inviting than its actual size.
Hands-on: I was responsible for conceptualization and design development, as well as supervising its execution on the site. I assisted in creating visual and technical drawings and worked closely with the head designer to learn how to carry out site analysis through simulation using Ladybug in Grasshopper within Rhinoceros 6. This helped guide my conceptualization process. Additionally, during the project, I had the opportunity to explore different materials while designing the interior.
Materials: The house exudes elegance through a mix of materials. White marble for its spaciousness-enhancing properties and natural light reflection, rosewood to add warmth and contrast to the mainly white space, and brushed brass accents to highlight specific interior elements.
TRITAL BHAGAT FARMHOUSE
Supervisors: Abhishek Hang Rai, Grishma Koirala tessellate.designstudios@gmail.com
With respect to the ancestral home at a beautiful village in Chinamakhu, a primarily Rai community, T.B. Farmhouse is designed to share the same “aangan” (central communal space usually to the front of a building) with the ancestral home that is almost a century old.
The farmhouse is designed to be in levels, according to the natural landscape. Towards the east, the farmhouse gazes at a panoramic view of the hills of Bhojpur while the northern face glances at snow-covered peaks. From the south, it frames the existing ancestral home structure with a vision of a deconstructed and displaced gabled roofing system.
Hands-on: The project brief demanded a design deeply rooted in local essence, researching Bhojpur’s materials, Rai community, and culture was an enlightening experience. Integrating these elements wasn’t just architectural; it was about honoring heritage, celebrating community, and harmonizing with nature. The design, shaped by indigenous materials and cultural insights, embraced the presence of these trees, weaving their story into the very fabric of the project.
Culture: The main hall of the farmhouse consists of sunken stepped seating space around a fireplace to preserve the practices of communal dining around the sacred hearth, as is traditional among the Rai community of Nepal. The hearth carrying immense cultural significance is treated as a family heritage.
Community: The sunken dining also serves as a space for musical gatherings and performances. Since, the Rai community loves to sing, dance, and perform in gatherings, an open floor plan enabled such activities.
Structure: The structure is constructed using stone masonry propped up by wooden columns, beams, and joists. Held together by compressed mud, the farmhouse mimics the traditional construction methods used by the forefathers in order to rest itself naturally amongst the other village homes.
1. View of the ancestral house from site
2. View of the eastern deck
3. Shared space connecting two houses
4. Storage below the deck
3D Structure
“Uttis” or alder tree wood is a common construction material found in the hills. It is treated for months in the forests before being used. Although it is susceptible to termite attacks, the grease from indoor fires and kitchens adheres to the wooden roof, repelling bugs, and making it more durable, protecting it from termites permanently.
