Architecture Portfolio by Sudhansh Agrawal

H A N S H AG R AWA L

| architecture

I believe that life is a balancing act - one where I grow by nurturing a dialogue between multiple activities and interests. The chosen projects, from my undergraduate education, depict my journey through various design approaches; modes of discovery, ecologies, and scales of engagement. They reinforce my urge to re-interpret and re-invent preconceived societal norms. In addition, I continuously strive to expand my understandings of architecture through travel and research.

SKILLS Digital Design Revit ArchiCad AutoCad Adobe suite Rhino MS Project Navisworks Sefaira

Analog Design Sketching Graphic design Hand modeling Ceramics Laser cutting Screenprinting Wood shop Metal shop

Languages English, Hindi, Bengali, Italian

H A N S H AG R AWA L E D U C AT I O N

RECOGNITION

EXPERIENCE

Virginia Tech, School of A+D B. Arch, 20 Univ. Honors GPA 3.81 Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List, 2015-20 Blacksburg,Virginia

Krob Delineation Competition Finalist - Student Travel sketch Published and exhibited, Dallas 2019 | 400 participants

Mayberry Workshop Junior Designer San Jose, August 2020-present

The Doon School High school, 2015 GPA 3.87 Dehradun, India

Ideas forward 24 hr Competition Honorable Mention - Babel Published and exhibited, Portugal 2019 | 24 hrs | 450 participants

AC A D E M I C EXPERIENCE

A+D Fifth Year Competition Winner - DWR champagne chair 2019 | 2 days | 147 participants

Accademia di Architettura European exchange program Mendrisio, Switzerland 2018-19 Studio Mumbai, Bijoy Jain Intensive studio + travel Mendrisio, Switzerland 2018

A+D Third Year Competition Second Place - Virginia Tech 2018 | 1 week | 147 participants AIA Virginia Prize Finalist - 1/13 selected to represent Virginia Tech 2017 | 2 days | 400 participants

House+House Architects Travel Study program Center for Architecture Sustainability + Art, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 2017

A+D Drawing Competition Finalist - Virginia Tech 2016 | 1 year | 10/147 selected

St. Andrews College Bilateral exchange Grahamstown, South Africa 2013

State Squash Championship Winner - U-19, Uttrakhand, India 2015 | 100 participants

RESEARCH

INTERESTS

Spatiality of Festspielhaus, Germany Survey in Germany and work under E.M.Boesch Architekten Mendrisio, Switzerland 2019

VT Squash Club Captain, 2015-20

Doors of San Miguel Photo re-portage in Mexico Exhibition at the School of A+D 2017

+1(540)-252-9692

House + House Architects Architectural Designer San Francisco, August 2020-present Build-n-Eco Co-Founder Creating awareness to connect sustainable building practices and inhabitats, Online, 2020-present Amber Book, Michael Ermann Illustrator | International Marketer Designed diagrams for ARE prep Launched + led sales\outreach for South Asia-Pacific region Blacksburg,Virginia 2019-2020 Columbia University Teaching Assistant - Intro to Architecture: Studio and Theory Helped students develop designs New York 2018 Gorsia Design and Furniture Architectural Intern Schematic design to completion for a multi-family house Kolkata, India 2016

Travel 20 countries across Australia, Asia, Europe, and N. America Theater Actor - Director, 2009-2015

SUD663@VT.EDU

WWW.ISSUU.COM/SUD663

C H A P E L O F R E- C O N C I L AT I O N Krob delineation competition

Finalist, Student travel sketch | 400 entries Published and exhibited, Dallas 2019

01 R E - N E W E D W AY S O F L I V I N G Undergraduate thesis (in-progress) |

RE-SEARCH

09-14

Spatiality of Festspielhaus, Hellerau, Germany |

RE-BUILDING COMMUNITY Mudslide disaster response |

21-26

RE-CYCLE

27-32

R E - H A B I L I TAT I O N Cancer care center |

15-20

2018

Temporary recycling education center |

2019

2018

CO-EXISTENCE Red and yellow fire station |

01-08

2019

2017

33-36

2017

R E - P O R TA G E Doors of San Miguel |

37-40 2017

R E - N E W E D W AY S O F L I V I N G Undergraduate thesis (in-progress) Henri de Hahn, Virginia Tech, 2019 | 16 weeks | Blacksburg

If the way we have been living has brought our world to a tipping point, how can a built framework provide a renewed model of life that induces accountability and awareness of our actions? Freedom in a commons (ref. Tragedy of the commons) has brought about the climate crisis. We have separated nature from culture and prefer the over-stimulation in hyper-modernity to sensory integration in nature. We have scarred the ground we tread on and our house is on fire! It isn’t much longer till there is no turning back. Throughout history, we have seen people accomplish great feats. They had a collective meaning which kept their inner fires running. We need to be free and accountable and believe that we can produce change. But it isn’t until there is an “avenue for people to utilize their agency that true differences can be made.” A sense of accountability will only be produced when people understand the value of natural resources. A sense of accountability towards natural resources will only be produced when people understand the value of natural resources. This thesis postulates that in a multi-family house where no resources are available, the built framework strives to work with the inhabitants to sustain the basic necessities of life - water, food, and energy.

Constructing nature, planting the tower The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anthing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us. Ecclesiastes 1:10,11

We have separated nature from culture and prefer the over-stimulation in hypermodernity to sensory integration in nature. We have scarred the ground we tread on and our house is on fire! It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much longer till there is no turning back. The tower of Babel was built by a pure drive to reach the Gods, the skies. The tower today should be built by the same yearning to bring nature closer to our urban fabric. Years later, we see the city of Babylon prepare for another journey. Slowly, a frame rises above the city, giving way to a new ground. Here, people and nature come together as one.

Our tower is the monumental effort to reach the Earth, to reach Mother Nature

Constructing nature, planting the tower Babel tower of today If ideas forward competition | Honorable mention | 10/400 entries selected 09.2019 | 24 hrs a collaboration with Aayush das Anat

Re-wilding the city The founding ideas of my architectural thesis were developed at the urban scale. Competitions are a tool to test and further the scope of my understandings and bring forward a new perspective. (Above image) Micron on paper

Current/re-newed ways of living (top image) An understanding of our consumerist way of dealing with water was preceded by studying the origins of our relationship to water. (bottom image) To re-integrate man with nature and man with man, a model for how humans could come together is conceivedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;community engagement induces a greater sense of accountability.

Body in Space The shower is investigated as a pilot project for how we could be made aware of our water consumption. Space and body are compressed as water is used. This dynamic relationship between the consumption of water and inhabited space informs an idea for the passive (off-grid) house as a machine for living.

A place under the sun Sunlight + Water = Energy If ideas forward competition 12.2019 | 24 hrs

a collaboration with Aayush das Anat

A dynamic carpet that induces urban accountability The body-space relationships of the shower inform the idea for the urban intervention. The collection and usage of water cause the tarps to sink and rise, thereby creating energy. The system serves as as enveloping shade by day and street lamps by night. (top image) color pencils on paper with photoshop

RE-SEARCH Spatiality of Festspielhaus, Hellerau, Germany Martin Boesch, Mendrisio, Switzerland, 2019 | 16 weeks

Designed by German architect Heinrich Tessenow, the Festspielhaus has been the most important building in the garden city of Hellerau. The minimalist design and use of wide windows back in 1912 characterize the classical-modernist edifice. The research (in collaboration with Miguel Sumpsi) was divided into two parts: a) preliminary research/documentation in Hellerau to understand the history of the building b) Select re-interpreted methods of depicting the spatiality of the building. The rigorous exercise refined the skill of conveying ideas concisely. In addition, this process offered a deep insight into building analysis and documentation.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

NOISREV TNEDUTS KSEDOTUA NA YB DECUDORP PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

NOISREV TNEDUTS KSEDOTUA NA YB DECUDORP

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

NOISREV TNEDUTS KSEDOTUA NA YB DECUDORP

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau South elevation I Scale 1:200

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau East elevation I Scale 1:200

Festspielhaus Hellerau Groundfloor 1938 I Scale 1:333 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau Groundfloor 1912 I Scale 1:333 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau West elevation I Scale 1:200

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau North elevation I Scale 1:200

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau North elevation I Scale 1:200

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau Groundfloor 2005 I Scale 1:200 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau Groundfloor 1990 I Scale 1:333

Festspielhaus Hellerau Groundfloor 1995 I Scale 1:333

Festspielhaus Hellerau Groundfloor 2005 I Scale 1:333

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Festspielhaus Hellerau South elevation I Scale 1:200

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Process The entire building was modeled to its smallest details, followed by a simplification process to reduce the drawing to its essential elements. The drawings were laid adjacently on the spread to reinforce Tessenowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sense of balance and harmony. (above images) rhino and grasshopper

Yin-Yang The drawings(above and left) highlight the duality between the simple classical exterior and the complex interior. Moreover, they provide an insight into the spatial hierarchyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a temple-like central nave with flanking side roomsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;while fostering a comprehensive three-dimensional understanding of the space.

Re-interpreted section and model (left images) A series of transverse sections provide another lens to understand the volumetric complexity of the building. (above images) Building the ‘moretti’ (interior space) model involved the construction of the positive space. The process enabled a comprehensive understanding of the space. Model of interior space in white plaster, 2’x2’

RE-BUILDING COMMUNITY Mudslide disaster response Katie MacDonald, Virginia Tech, 2018 | 10 weeks

Wedged between the Californian mountains and ocean, Montecito was affected by a major mudslide caused by heavy rainfall following the widespread forest fires. Integral parts of the community were destroyed, and a disaster response was to be designed, which would account for future mudslides. The project was divided into two parts : a) master plan for the town (in collaboration with Jordan Reuter and Peter Daian) b) individual intervention in the master plan. For the master plan, in light of the unstable climate of California, we took to a passive solution of landscaping a park. As the grounds were reclaimed by nature, the community was woven together by built and natural interventions. Following a road trip along route 101 and experiencing the monotony of the american highway, I decided to intervene in Montecito at the intersection of the park and the highway. Similar to the longitudinal void through the town caused by the mudslide, I saw the transverse voidâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the highwayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as an opportunity to weave the town together. Challenges of the project were to maintain the essence of the idea while working at multiple scales.

Anticipated mud line

A park through the community, connecting mountain and ocean The interventions from mountain to ocean progressed from the scale of the individual (hiking shelter), the community (public theater), the nation (route 101 observation deck), to that of the planet (cenotaph to primal man). (Above images) Sections cut along the park as it narrows and widens to form creeks and valleys (Right image) Master plan with interventions.

Hiking shelter

Hiking trail

Community theater

Retaining walls mediate slope to create level fields

Route 101 observation deck

Playful rolling hills slow mud

Cenotaph to primal man

Montecito, CA

2018 mudslide debris flow highest risk area

Area of highest destruction

Proposed park

Proposed community amenities along the park

Mountain

Ocean

Site plan

Section reveals the pattern of filtered light

Highway observation deck The park weaves its way through the topography, bridging the void made by the highway. At the constructive scale, the design is resolved by gabion blocksâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;made of rocks gathered from the mudslide.

Flat metal sheet roof Metal angle with bolts Expansion gap

Gabion infill: rocks from mudslide

End of gabion basket #2

End of gabion basket #1 Steel column and beam, 3’ o.c. Gabion basket: 3’x3’x1’ 2.75mm galvanized wire Metal angle Base plate on grout with anchor bolts 6” polished concrete slab on vapor barrier on perimeter insulation Asphalt concrete road paving #4 continuous, 18” o.c. Concrete foundation #4 verticals, 48” o.c. Perimeter drain Concrete footing

Wall Section III-III

Section I-I

Re-interpreting observation A broader sensory observation is achieved by questioning the different scales of observing—in addition to the sounds of cars, obscured views, framed views, and directed views.

CO-EXISTENCE Red and yellow fire station Bijoy Jain, Mendrisio, Switzerland | 2018 | 10 weeks

The studio was framed by events of mass displacement happening all over the world. In the abandoned city of Consonno, Italy, collectively the studio was form a city for the displaced. In such a climate, how could we accommodate for the forced migrants? To confront this reality, it was imperative for to understand and accept myself. The exploration began with sharing a personal object—a captivating red water bottle which expands and contracts based on the amount of water that is in it. This led me to a study of my love of colors—precisely red and yellow—and how they co-exist. An exploration of the two took the form of a fire station. The fragile process of translating the essence of the object to the building unfolded a whole new way of thinking about design. Immersion in the colors induced resonance between different parts of the design process while nurturing formal and ideological precision and clarity. (right image) Exploration of co-existence of red and yellow leads to the concept of a fire station. oil pastel on 12”x18” paper

live work

live

water work

Site plan 1:1000

Site plan 1:100

Awareness of adjacencies The fire station was located at the periphery of the town center of Consonno to easily irrigate the town. (top image) soft pastel on 6’x6’ paper (bottom image) oil pastel on 12”x18” paper

Inter-scalable resonance The white lime-plaster facade accommodates two doors of color. The small yellow(live) door suggests a private space while the red(work), facing the street, suggests a more public space. (above images) oil pastel on wood 3.5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Process

Working simultaneously in plan, section, elevation, and detail were critical to developing the idea at all scales of design.

03 04 05 06 07 08

01 02

03 04 05

12 13

10 11

07 09 08 09

Wood screw Ridge/hip capping / mono ridge capping Additional batten Angle bracket Batten Rafter Anchor bolt Wall plate

15 04 16

09 Damp-proof course 10 Red/yellow bricks 11 Peripheral reinforcement joint or capping beam)VERSION PRODUCED BY (in ANbed AUTODESK STUDENT 12 Tie between masonry 13 Masonry anchor 14 Facing bricks with white lime plaster 15 Interlocking profiled ceramic tile 16 Additional blocking for support 17 Blocking between roof framing

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Details

21 22

Snow-guard mounting Snow-guard Clip Hip batten, tilting board Flashing Fascia board Sub fascia Metal plate with anchor bolt Wooden column Window Window frame Top plate

01 18

26 27 28 29

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Livability A smooth transition from private to public—sheltered private, semi-private, semi-public, and open public space—and the blue well strengthen the co-existence between the living and working volumes. (above image) oil pastel on 6’x6’ paper with AutoCad overlay

RE-CYCLE Temporary recycling education center Steven and Cathi House, San Miguel, Mexico 2017 | 3 weeks

Any object goes through three stages in its making: raw material, process, and product. Entering the space, one comes in through a long gallery of recycled objects. In them one sees hope and change. Enveloped by the diffused light from the colorful tarps and recyclable walls, one sees how the objects are produced and then the raw materials available. Lastly one learns to make things from the neighborhood and continue their journey - from picking the raw materials to producing it and finally exhibiting it in the gallery. Located in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, this temporary enclosure is aimed at inducing an awareness for re-cycling in micro-communities. It strives to instill a practice of recycling by engaging and exposing the community to the process. Moreover, it offers a re-newed notion of education, free from that of the typical classroom, as one learns by seeing, making, and above all, constructing the space itself. The project reveals a new process of designâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one of obsessive iterationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;while offering a shift from orthogonal to skewed geometries.

Process The previous diagram in words is translated into a spatial diagram. The diagramâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the essence of the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;becomes a focal point throughout the design process.

Diagrammatic plans The radial design is centered around four courtyards - three dictated by historic mesquite trees and the central one is the focal point. The bathroom, a space of necessity, is placed strategically to give the complete intended experience - the diagram in words. (Left drawing) Floor plan (Right drawing) Roof plan, Graphite on vellum

Up-cycled material assembly detail

The section, grounded on mexican culture, reveals the process of recycling

Learning from the locality (top detail) The temporary enclosure is assembled by the community using colorful tarps and PET bottle wall-screens. Both are tied to the neighboring walls and a system of columns using ropes and hooks.

Re-inpreted brick module

Scales of engagement Working simultaneously at the scales of research/documentation, site, enclosure, and detail unveil a cohesive design. (top detail) Placing PET bottles in various orientations reveal different degrees of transparencyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a measure of privacy. The bottles form a curtain and act as a rain and wind screen.

R E - H A B I L I TAT I O N Cancer Care center Dr. Hilary Bryon,Virginia Tech | 2016 | 6 weeks

What quality of light do specific programs and spaces need to facilitate sensory healing? Preoccupied with this question, the partto-whole design originated with a study of aperture conditions. Spaces are centered around a courtyard garden with public spaces either looking into and private spaces looking away from it. The isolation of the restrooms volume requires people to experience the courtyard and be a part of the family. Located next to Lewis Gale Hospital, Montgomery, Virginia, the Maggieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s center is a social club for cancer patients to re-lax and re-juvinate. The project helped build strong foundations of the design process, representation, and phenomenon of light.

1:16

1 2

Tectonics The design was resolved with timber construction. A clear structural grid of columns helped define spaces in an integrated whole. (Left images) The logic of the construction was expression in model (Right drawing) Rhino and illustrator

Quality of light Various qualities of light defined by specific aperture conditions create a comforting palliative atmosphere. (above image) Graphite line work with Photoshop

R E - P O R TA G E Doors of San Miguel a collaboration with Jordan Reuter | 2017 | 3 weeks

The door, meaningless in singularity, acts as an integral shift between the known and the unknown. The door as an object in time contains integral knowledge of the space it frames. In construction, the door hints at what was, what is, and what will be. It serves as a form of artifact to the building. The doors of San Miguel provide both continuity and variation to the street-scape. The doors of often reference the immediate aesthetic of the facade, be it the color, the terrain of the street, or the urban utilities. The door suggests what may lie behind the facade. It then becomes a symbol to the street; beckoning the pedestrian with the curiosity of what is on the other side. The exercise honed the understanding of how to see and find beauty in the everyday.

Time

Street-scape

Threshold

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