Urban Design Portfolio 2024 I Sukriti Gandhi

selected works

2014-present

Sukriti Gandhi

MS Urban Design ’24

The University of Texas in Austin

in[SEA]tu

ULI Hines Student Competition 2024, Seattle WA

Jan’2024

Student Competition

Gateway to the Bay

Urban Design Studio, San Francisco Spring’2022

Dean Almy + Gehl Architects Academic Project

celebrating lowlands

Urban Design Studio, Portland Fall’2022

Dean Almy + Maggie Hansen

Academic Project

srijan

Undergraduate Thesis Project

Jan-July 2019

Prof Sujay Sengupta

Academic Project

sabali kund vav

Louis Isadore Kahn Trophy

January 2017

All India Student Competition

Group Project

Sustainable Synergies

Terminal Urban Design Studio, London UK Fall’2023

Simon Atkinson + Robin Abrams

Academic Project

Charleston 360

ULI Hines Student Competition 2023, North Charleston

Jan’2023

Student Competition

redefining the heritage sector 22

Undergraduate Urban Design Studio

October 2018

Prof Parmeet Bhatt, Prof Anu Singh Academic Group Project

the Tapered House

A Single Family Residence, Chandigarh Professional Project Oct’19- July’21

01

A new place to call home in the heart of Seattle

in[SEA]tu

ULI Hines Student Competition 2024, Jan 2024

Team: Clevan R, Maitreya S, Noah C, Phillip J, Sukriti G

Professional Mentors: Fei Dai, William Davies, Tim Shaughnessy

Academic Mentors: Dean Almy, Steven Spears

Location: Seattle, WA Study Area: 15 acres

Something that is in-situ is kept in place; its original context is not only preserved but celebrated. in[SEA]tu is a framework for building a just present and resilient future for Pioneer Square by paying homage to the past and celebrating community, leveraging the neighborhood’s rich cultural landscape.

In an effort to REPAIR cultural damage and honor the people who built the city, we aim to REGENERATE Pioneer Square as the beating heart of Seattle and RECONNECT it back to the urban fabric

Role: Conceptual Framework and Programmatic Plan, Master Planning, Site Phasing, Mapping and Graphical Representation

TRANSITIONAL HOUSINGNATIVE-CENTEREDHOUSING COMMUNITYKITCHEN

t

CONNECTIONTOTHEWATERFRONT COMMUNITYGARDENSGREENROOFS

CONNECTION ACROSS I-5

GREENBRIDGE

MULTIMODALTODHUB

CASCADINGGREENWAY

esources totheland newcommunity

LIVE-WORKPERFORMINGARTSCENTER

ARTISTHOUSING MAKERSPACES

Square and collectively build a thriving and equitable future.

A co-working and businesses of King County

Avenue 4 Ar t Space

A Plaza for Ar tists Workshops, Open Exhibits and people’s favoured Protesting Ground

Podium 500

for Weekly Open air movie nights, cultural performances and flash mobs

Evans Square

Right next to the UW School of Public Affairs leading to the food street

YESLER Plaza

The plaza on Terrace Street that leads to Greenway Commons

in (sea) tu innovation labs and flex office hub for local and small County to harbour a culture of Innovation

Greenway AMPHITHEATER

A cozy music venue on the connection between the Greenway and the Yesler Bridge

Jefferson Plaza

A cultural plaza for flea markets, pop up shops and street ar tists

twhahb KOH Square

The TOD Plaza and Open Ar t Gallery

Terrace Street

The most popular destinantion for Weekend Markets and the Annual Block Par ty

Makers Yard

opening into the Native Ar ts Museum

Creative commons in the hear t of Pioneer Square in the Adaptively Reused Prefontane Street

Courthouse Conservatory

A brand new public destination on top of the Courthouse offering stunning views of the Bay and our new development

in[SEA]tu Innovation Labs

To help small and transitioning businesses with the space and resources to grow

Native Housing and Facility Center

safeguard the rights of the native community in the heart of the city where they belong a facility with dedicated housing, community clinics and free legal cells

Jefferson Plaza

Linking the new underground station the plaza is a people’s favourite, be it for year round events or occassional protests, this is the melting pot of all cultures of expression

Greenway Commons

A series of cascading greens and plazas connecting the new community with an array of public programs through the year

The Yesler Hotel

The adaptively reused Heritage Hotel in the heart of in[SEA]tu with art galleries on the street and Seattle Underground Speakeasies reviving the infamous Arts Scene of Seattle

The Makers Yard and Catalyst

Taking forward the legacy of Tashiro Kaplan artists residences, the Yard and Catalysts help strengthen the new community with art and vocational training to help build skills and opportunities for transitional and re-entry housing above

Housing

Commercial, Retail

Hotel

Plazas

Performing Arts Center

School of Public Affairs

Vocational Training

1

3

4

Yesler

Yesler

Section A

Avenue 4 Artspace

A plaza for artists, open exhibits and people’s favored protesting ground. The interaction of distinct activities in this plaza makes it a vibrant place with constant on going activities.

Native Housing

Seattle Police Headquarters

Seattle City Hall

Chinook TOD

KING COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

RETAIL

NEW PIONEER SQUARE STATION

Section B

Jefferson Plaza

A place for flea markets, pop-up shops and street artists to call their own as a living museum with weekly movie nights for all

Pioneer Conservatory

Courthouse Residences

Avenue 4 Homes

KC Perfroming Arts Center

Evans Square

The podium multiple levels Food Gully, activity and

HOUSING

RETAIL

Public Affairs

City Hall Park

School of Public Affairs

Square

podium for interaction at levels leading to the World

Gully, a street filled with and cuisines from all over.

of Affairs

APARTMENTS

GREENWAY

Terrace Street

A shared pedestrian corridor from City Hall Park to Yesler Plaza creating a strong connection leading public to Greenway Commons.

894 new affordable housing units

80 transitional housing units

25 re-entry housing units

32 permanent supportive housing units

180 units serving the Native community

Student-oriented housing typologies

Community healthcare and legal clinics in partnership with Chief Seattle Club

Native cultural events and programming at Duwamish Museum and Performing Arts Center

twahb-KOH

MUSEUM

RETAIL F&B GREENWAY

HERITAGE HOTEL

SEATTLE UNDERGROUND ART SPACE

Live/work housing for local artists

Workforce development and upskilling programs

Makerspaces accessible to local artists and artisans

138,000 sqft of retail space reserved for local small businesses

Community Innovation Lab provides educational programs and seed funding for local businesses

Gallery spaces in Underground Artwalk reserved for local and Native artists

Improved pedestrian experience and traffic mitigation on pedestrianized and slow streets

Activation of Yesler Way/5th Ave overpass through Underground speakeasies and Artwalk

Safer inter-light rail concourse with retail and “eyes on the street”

Greenway Commons

FLEXIBLE HOUSING HOUSING

New jobs created in the Neighborhood Ghost kitchen infrastructure for food innovators in the Neighborhood Delivery Hub

Urban gardening co-op spaces in the Conservancy Greenhouse

1,444 apartment units open onto the Greenway

FAMILY PARKING

HOMES FAMILY HOMES

RETAIL

Greenway redirects air circulation to mitigate pollution exposure from I-5

Safe pedestrian connections across I-5 to Harborview Medical Center and Yesler Terrace

Improved ADA accessibility through curb-less streets

The cascading greenway linking the new community with buzzing activity and green connections

I have been working with the community for a long time and in[SEA]tu is a unique platform for members of the Native Community to express their culture through public art and a haven to safe guard their rights and home in the heart of Seattle!

Surviving the pandemic has been hard for my business, but thanks to in[SEA]tu Innovation Lab, it has become so easy for me to rent a floating office that to so close to the downtown! Being right next to the station has also helped boost our visibility and has brought us so many customers - especially on game days.

The shared pedestrian corridor from City Hall Park to Yesler Plaza leading to the Greenway Commons also hosts the Annual Block Party and Street Fairs

Terrace Street

Rendering by Clevan R

Chyenne, 36 NGO Worker

Chris, 34 Small Business Owner

Living on the Greenway has made it so easy for us to commute to work and come back to a community. So many activities at the Plaza keep our weekends booked and movie nights at the Center have now become a new family tradition.

Kelly, 29 Resident

Dre, 41 Student at the Catalyst

The market has a rich history of music, food and home-made products. I would love to have some of that old world charm back!

Reuse under used spaces for pop ups programs and community amenities as a catalyst for _BUILDING COMMUNITIES

Cars and other vehicles keep my children from going about on their own. My kids are falling sick because of all this smoke.

TRANSIT SYSTEMS

Camden Town and Morningston Station with over 20 different bus lines making Camden one of the better connected neighbourhoods in London

_ECONOMIC CIRCULARITY by decentralizing resources for local businesses in Camden

Leverage renewable energy, different housing typlogies and community resources to generate _AFFORDABILITY

Adhering to the Paris agreement, achieving _NET ZERO ENERGY usage goals by 2030 Strengthening the _ECOLOGICAL ARMATURE for a healthier lifestyle: from clean mobility to growing food

TOURISTS

FAMILIES

CAMDEN UNITED LAND TRUST

Old and dilapitated buildings are up for a major overhaul and can be taken over by Camden United and turned into Community oriented programs

These shared bikes aren’t for me, I need some convinient ways to get around, especially when it rains.

PEDESTRIANS

These cars are really dangerous, I wish there was better pedestiran and biking infrastructure for both me and my kids.

The Canal is a wonderful place, would love to see it more active with public spaces along it.

At the end of the day, the Canal is for everyone!

Music venues in Camden are a part of its heritage and have had major concerts and pop culture

MUSICAL HERITAGE

SENIOR DEMOGRAPHIC

Disused rail infrastructure has the potential to provide for much needed public spaces and green connectors. Industrial workers also are a big part of Camden’s New Economy.

INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS

RECLAIMING THE HEART OF CAMDEN

Reviving the high street as the commercial heart of Camden with activities for all its residents making it a pedestrian friendly plaza. Also, provide incentives for local retail and businesses to make the High street the much needed commercial heart of Camden

FUTURE PROOFING THE INDUSTRIAL PAST

Along the leftover rail and industrial infrastructure north of the new King’s Cross Development, we propose the first energy positive neighbourhood of London. A space to harbour the idea of innovation within the dying industry to make it future proof and revive it as a thriving community.

BREAKING THE HARD EDGES

Integrating the residential area with the High Street, new East-West Connections act as parallel streets connecting the High Street to the Regents Canal along the east and Regents Park on the west. To break Canal’s edge, we propose to develop unused parcels as an educational hub leveraging its relationship to the research district.

REIMAGINING MICRO MOBILITY

Introducing the Camden Hopper as a new mode of micro-mobility within the neighborhood. This eco-friendly electric 10 person bus, partnered with the Camden Council and Transportation for London (TfL) will connect major underground stations to key landmarks, educational institutions, innovation and recreation hubs.

THE GREEN LOOP

The green loop around Camden town connects existing neighborhood parks and open spaces to new districts connecting the Regents Park to the new Kings Cross Development.

The loop also connects to Regents Canal on multiple points and uses the Camden Highline as a linear elevated park for the community with spaces for all residents.

Ease of accessibility

Plazas and Gateways as active event spaces

Integrating Cultural hotspots Infill

Adaptively reusing the existing fabric with community oriented programming

Adding more offices near the station as a part of the new TOD Development

Integrating infil projects for housing along the new pedestrian plazas

Adaptively reusing the existing fabric with added density and 24 hr programming

Transforming the Current High Street into a Pedestrian Plaza through road dieting measures

Phase 1 2023-2028

Phase 2 2027-2030

Phase 3 2030-2033

New community programs based on the values of education and community engagement

New Innovation district to bridge the industrial divide

London’s first energy positive district

New neighbourhood leveraging its relationship to the context based on the values of innovation and research

Adaptively reusing the existing warehouse infrastructure into a biogas plant

Laying the solar and wind farms along the elevated rail lines

St. Pancras Gardens

Oakley Square Gardens

BREAKING THE WALL

Access Corridors and Linear Green Connections towards the Canal creating new landmarks

ENGAGING PROGRAMS

To activate the ground floor connections with community oriented programs with education at its core

175 New Apartments

53 Affordable units

60,000 sq.ft of Community Amenities

94,000 sq.ft of Farm and Greenhouse Space

140,750 sq.ft of Rentable office space

36,500 sq.ft of Research Units

90,250 sq.ft of Commercial Mixed Use

Reimagining under utilized lots along the Regents Canal to bring the community together with education at its heart by leveraging its relationship with the surrounding educational institutions to set up research cells and incubators. Adding reformative functions like the transitional housing coupled with the vocational school help create affordability. The storm water park acts as a community resource to collect and slow down the speed of water in case of heavy rains. We also use art as a navigator to break the wall to the canal.

Camden Community Food Hall

Coop Transitional Housing

Camden Coop Skill Center

Tender Heart Primary School and Day Care

Camden United Land Trust Research District

Canal Walk

Phase1 of the continuous trail with key highlights along the Regents Canal from the Camden High Street to the new Kings Crosss Development

Activating the Canal’s Edge through campact mixed use developments focussing on local businesses and commercial functions

Research District as a resource for student entrepreneurs and young transitioning professionals

People’s Podium

the green street leading to the canal as a means of bringing life back into the edge with a focus on connecting major landscapes

Culture Gully as flexible open air museums streets leading to the canal

Eyes on the Street

The 24 hr library as a community resource activating Royal College Blvd throughout the day

ZONE 1

Leveraging its connections to the Royal Vet College and Healthcare District, Zone 1 repurposes the demolished lot as a community centered Research Hub for young professionals and transitioning businesses connected to the Institutional community, integrating the values of community engagement, cultural diversity and promoting a healthier lifestyle

ZONE 2

Redeveloping the Parcel Force as a people’s resource giving back to the community centered around education as a catalyst

Art Streets

Collector streets as informal hubs of overflowing activity

Community Workshop

a testing ground for the students of the Vocational school and a hub for spontaneous interactions

Housing Typologies

Mixed income typologies including transitional housing for the new community

Transitioning Businesses

Flex rental and co-working spaces for businesses that need temporary formal spaces

Activated storefronts showcasing a plethora of handmade artisnal products, local businesses and F&B establishments promoting a sense of botttom up circularity

SYSTEMS SECTION

Art as a catalyst to guide people through the neighborhood to the canal

Breaking the wall adaptively reusing the ground floors of the canal facing properties to activate the edge, making it more public

Education as a Catalyst Vocational schools as a means of upskilling and empowering the Camden Community

Camden Food Hall

run by the Camden Co-op where you find affordable meals from the locally sourced ingredients and self grown produce.

Camden Commons

a key ecological resource to collect, treat and reuse stormwater during the rains and acts as a neighborhood park when dry

Commercial Mixed Use: 285,000 sq.ft

575 New Apartments

115 Affordable units

and Studios

Waste Treatment

Amenities: 46,000 sq.ft

Pioneer School

Farm and Greenhouse

Space: 220,650 sq.ft

Adjustable PV Panels and Turbines next to the railway lines

Artists Studios and Makerspaces Commercial Office Spaces

Ind + Warehousing: 185,000 sq.ft

New Offices: 100,000 sq.ft

Kids Playground

Camden Co-op

Community Amenities Apartments Townhome Apartments Industries and Warehouses

The focus is to strive for sustainable circularity- not just ecologically but also economically for a synergistic future of the community.

To achieve energy positivity the Innovation district focuses on capturing energy from various sources with urban agriculture, solar capture, wind capture and rain water harvesting as major components.

Camden Community Farms

Grove

Agri Hydroponic Farms

Dogpark

Reflection Garden

Vanguard Eco Hub: Harnessing energy from waste management, to power the hopper and using the manure to grow food on the farm tower

Makerspaces

Camden

META Kingscross

Solar Roof Tops: 95,500 sqft

Generating ~ 852,406.9 kW of Solar energy per year

Enough to power approx 300 households

Vanguard Eco Hub

Camden Community Farms

Adjustable PV Panels and Turbines next to the railway lines Agro Hydoponic Towers

Camden Grove

Solar Roof Top Farms

Solar Roof Top Farms

COLLABORATIVE COMMONS

Makerspaces and Workshops promote collaborative work and learning enviroment

VANGUARD ECO HUB

Best in class energy hub managing waste, growing food and generating energy for the hoppers

VIEWS TO THE CAMDEN GROVE STUDIO WORKSHOP MAKERSPACE MAKERSPACE OFFICE APARTMENTS APARTMENTS DAYCARE CENTER COMMUNITY HALL DAILY RETAIL

Building Massing reduces towards the park to provide equitable views to the green commons

TOWN HOMES

UTILIZING VACANT SPACES

Regional park acts as a carbon sequestration zone for the district and a water reserve in case of high rains

URBAN FARMING

Food grown insitu which then goes to high street as a part of High Street Regeneration Project

Artists Studios and Makerspaces

Commercial Office Spaces

Community Amenities

Apartments

Townhome Apartments

Industries and Warehouses

CAMDEN GROVE

CAMDEN COMMUNITY FARMS

02

03

Gateway to the Bay_Gehl San Fransisco

URBAN DESIGN STUDIO

Academic Project, Spring 2023

Instructors: Dean Almy + Gehl Studio

Team: Vatsal S, Sukriti G

Location: Millbrae Station Area, San Francisco

One of the oldest junctions in the Californian Railway corrdior, Millbrae is one of the fastest growing station cities in the Bay Area, yet it is segregated from Tech heart of San Francisco by the lines of transit infrastructure.

Through this studio, we aim to understand how a station can be reimagined to be the heart of a new development that brings in more vibrance, economic opportunities and diversity to the city making Millbrae to the “New Gateway to the Bay”.

Role: Urban Design and Development, Graphics, Strategic Interventions and Research

BART TRACKS

Millbrae/SFO

Millbrae/SFO

Millbrae

DALY

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

RICHMOND

SAN

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO

MILLBRAE

REDWOOD CITY

MENLO PARK

MOUNTAIN VIEW

SANTA CLARA SAN JOSE

PALO ALTO

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

SAN JOSE MINETA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

millbrae library

MILLBRAE CITY HALL

BROADWAY STREET COMMERCIAL STREET

VETERANS’ COMMUNITY

MILLBRAE STATION AREA

MILLBRAE TRAIN MUSEUM

MILLBRAE HISTORY WALK

EL CAMINO

BAYSIDE MANOR PARK

SF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

MILLBRAE AVE

FREEWAY 101

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

Mixed Use Districts

The Station as the main public space bet ween the El Camino and the Bay

Regional and Local Programs connecting the Downtown, El Camino, Airpor t and the Communit y

Humanise the public experi airpor t

Station as a binding elem activities

Creating a heirarchy of uses the central axis with people f

ence from the ECR to the

ent with a mix of public

throughout the fabric along

irst spaces

Mix of programs to keep the districts active 24X7 around the year

Porous neighborhoods and a net work of shared streets for inclusive and accessible neighborhoods

Democratic spaces for all

1. STATION AS THE HEART

Reimagining the Station as an important cultural node of public activity rather than an infrastructural divide

2. CONNECTING THE AXES

Directing more activities into the neighborhood by making key connections to the Downtown and Green Axis

3. BRIDGING COMMUNITIES THROUGH PUBLIC SPACES

Activating key nodes through public activities to bridge the infrastructural divide

PROPOSED MASSING GUIDELINES

PROGRAMMATIC DEVELOPMENT

Section

BUS TERMINAL

MUSEUM

CAL TRAIN T

HSR CONCOURSE

HSR TERMINAL

BART TERMINAL

Cultural Plaza along the El Camino

Activity through the Unity Plaza

Activated edges along the Millbrae Ave

LIVE WORK NEIGHBORHOOD

LIVE WORK

NEIGHBORHOOD

UNITY PLAZA

COMMUNITY HALL

Entry Plaza from the El Camino to Millbrae Central

Rendering by Vatsal Shah

Entering Unity Plaza from Millbrae Central

Rendering by Vatsal Shah

04

Envisioning the rapidly developing Charleston metropolitan

Charleston 360

ULI Hines Student Competition 2023

Notable Mention, National Jury ULI Foundation

Team: Clevan R, Despina M, Chaochen F, Bradley A, Sukriti G

Mentors: Efrain E. Velez, Guy Dudley, Ryan McCulloch

Academic Mentors: Dean Almy, Steven Spears

Location: North Charleston, SC Study Area: 89 acres

Designed to compliment and support North Charleston's unique economic, social, and environmental fabric, Charleston360 serves as a mixed-use, mixed-income development that celebrates principles of Prosperity, Identity, and Resilience

Given the complexity of the land's history, and the absence of a strong cultural marker to encapsulate the history of North Charleston, Charleston360 features a Cultural Corridor and Art Walk to lead visitors through an illustration of the city’s culture as a live museum in partnership with local artists and communities

Role: Conceptual Framework and Programmatic Plan, Master Planning, Site Phasing, Mapping and Graphical Representation

Major Roads

I-78

Existing BRTS Line

Proposed BRTS Line

Existing Bus Stops

Proposed Bus Stops

Even though there is limited pedestrian and bus infrastructure across the city, the Proposed BRTS Line, we propose two additional stops connecting to the site.

EXISTING PRIVATE

PARCEL ACQUIRED IN PHASE 2

Most unaffordable neighborhoods

Unaffordable neighborhoods

Borderline neighborhoods

Economic Opportunities

RAIL YARD AS PROPOSED

A major context of the site lies in the unaffordable range, with the maximum portion of the population making lesser than the AMI, whereas, there are quite a few zones of economic opportunities.

DISTRICT

EXISTING PRIVATE PARCEL ACQUIRED IN PHASE 2

MAKING THE RIVER’S EDGE A PART OF THE PUBLIC LANDSCAPE

ART WALK AS A LIVE THE CULTURE OF LOCAL I NDUSTRIAL

African American Community

Cultural Hotspots

Naval Communities

MAKING THE RIVER’S EDGE A PART OF THE PUBLIC LANDSCAPE

PARCELS AS A

THE PLAN

Art Spots

Universities, Colleges

DoD PARCELS AS A PART OF THE VISION PLAN

Analysing the current cultural fabric, we realised that the nearest Downtown for the city was not even in North Charleston, highlighting the need for a vibrant city center.

RAIL YARD AS PROPOSED

WIDENING THE NOISETTE BLVD AS THE MAIN STREET FOR CONNECTING TO THE CITY

Super Markets

Public Amenities

Hubs

TRANSIT JUNCTION ON NOISETTE BLVD

AVE BN AS A COMMEMORATING NATIVE AMERICAN

RAPID BUS LOOP LINKING THE LOOP IN PH2

AVE BN PEDESTRIAN

There is a major dearth of amenities surrounding the site. These factors indicate the need for public utilities in the affordable bracket to insure the sustainability of mixed income neighborhoods.

TRANSIT HUB CONNECTING TO THE PROPOSED LCRT CORRIDOR

WIDENED BLVD

FLOODABLE RIVER’S EDGE

as buffer for the broadwalk and the river’s edge as a flood mitigation strategy

IDENTITY SQUARE PLAZA

as an open air event and gathering space between the convention center and food hall

JAMES BROWN CULTURAL DISTRICT

A commemorative open air sourced by local artists and permanent and temporary

Looking at the Identity Square Plaza through the Art Walk

UNIVERSITY PLAZA

air museum and their exhibits

bordered by the Satellite Campus and Industrial District

INDUSTRIAL PARK

as a hybrid hub for the developing industry transitioning from light manufacturing to innovative technologies and corporate spaces with a mix of Affordable Housing and Live Work Units

Retail

Mixed Use Commecial Offices, Co-Working and Incubator Cells

Parking University Industry and Warehousing

Affordable Housing Market Rate Housing

James Brown Cultural District

Weekly Farmers’ Market

wellbeing

prosperity

Kids Activity Sunday Community Gardening Week

Housing and Financial Literacy Program

Industry Expo

Open Exercise and Workout Sessions

Vocational Summer Training Programs

Small Business Month

Rotating Community Art Series

Youth Gardening Program

culture

community

MLK Day Parade and Concert

Black History Month Festival

North Charleston Arts Festival

Weekend Flea Markets

Fourth of July Block Party Firefly

Story Telling Series at the Library Open Air

Voter

LOCAL ARTISTS

Vendor Market Park Concerts and Festivals

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Community artists and cultural advocates

Able to participate in rotating art series + Vendor Market, Activities as a contributor in the cultural boulevard public art project.

Utilize Incubation Hubs, offices and mixed commercial spaces Participate and contribute to Industry Expo, and benefit from partnerships with surrounding educational and industrial hubs.

Annual

05

Cascadia Chronicles_Celebrating Lowlands

URBAN DESIGN STUDIO

Academic Project, Fall 2022

Instructors: Dean Almy + Maggie Hansen

Team: Aishwarya P, Elizabeth G, Sukriti G, Whitney C

Location: North Western Industrial District, Portland

In an effort to design for climate change and rising sea levels, our project reintroduces woven wetlands throughout the region, which connect the network of public spaces that respond to the challenges of affordability and livability.

Through this organization, we aim to create a new sustainable urbanism that supports Portland’s need for housing and shifting industry while reviving the local ecology.

Role: Urban Design and Mapping, Strategic Interventions, Research and Mobility solutions

1840s

Guild’s

Lake becomes a part of Portland’s urban fabric

1905

Lewis and Clark Exposition hosts the World Fair at Guild’s Lake.

1920s

Exposition

Infill of Guild’s Lake begins with dredged material from the Willamette and hills

1950s Industrial Sanctuary takes over the newly filled land with the switching railyards

1950s Industrial Sanctuary takes over the newly filled land with the switching railyards

1980s

Industrial jobs grew by 37% in the region between 1980 and 2000

2000-Present

The Sanctuary is one of the only few industrial areas within the city’s urban growth boundary.

late 19TH CENTURY Agricultural Processing

MID 19TH CENTURY

Wood and Lumber based Industries

Manufacturing and Wholesale Industries as the Main Contributors to the Ecomony

world war i

Rise of the Steel Industry, Metals, Machinery and Transportation Equipment world war ii Shipbuilding, Reviving the Lumber Industry

late 20tH CENTURY

Electronics and Software Industry taking over

21st century Rise of Retail and IT Industry as the main generators of employment

Bordered by the forest hills on one side and the zone of high income, low density single family homes, the Industrial Sanctuary faces harsh edges to the city which have limited the opportunities of its expansion over time.

However, the district lies in close proximity to cultural and economic hubs like the Pearl District, Slab Town and Downtown and the Swan Island from across the Willamette.

Local Businesses and Cultural Hotspots

Light Industry and Retail Industry

Warehouses and Creative Industries

CULTURE

The main concept behind our design is to consolidate the scattered businesses and industries throughout the site and bring the zone of local businesses along the central spine. Layering this zone with light and creative industries while providing hybrid typologies for live/work units helps cater to the challenges of social housing throughout the city and discuss the concepts of affordability and safety through our interventions while softening its edge with the city

Building on the challenges of ethically reviving the district, our core values for the vision plan are based on the principles of commemorating and renewing the past of the Sanctuary to make it future proof, while still bringing back the vivid culture of art and innovation in the district to generate more economic opportunities for the local business and catering to the micro economy of the neighborhood.

Reconsolidating the scattered local businesses and creative industries to bring them together forming a central spine of activity along the shared street. Not only does it make a platform for building the local economy of the area, it also brings together a multitude of users throughout the day meandering through the woven public space.

Stormwater Park Forest Park

Plazza Park

Kids’ Park

hybrid industry and live/work

To redensify and redevelop the area, a new typology industries with options for live/work units as a response challenges of affordability

The aim of this hybrid district is to provide options for and upcoming industries to adapt to the changing requirements and accommodate flexible options like cells, maker spaces, office spaces and retail industries modulated

The marshland surrounded by the industrial belt is a means water but also integrate the lowlands actively into the year round active public space with varied uses through and creating and intimate, interactive experience through

STUDIO

DUPLEX

live/work disrict

typology of hybrid response to the in the area.

the existing changing spatial like incubator that can be modulated with time. means to clean the idea of a the seasons through the site.

wetlands as a connective tissue

Public Platforms connected to the courtyards by a series of wetlands as well as cycle tracks as a link to the bike bridge

living units

A combination of market rate/ affordable units for small families and young professionals above the industry belt by modulating their ground plane

HYBRID INDUSTRIES

Zone of Light Industries with Incubator/ Co-working spaces on the lower floors that open to the courtyards with more intimate, natural experiences as compared to the rear sides that are meant for services

06

srijan: an integrated textile art centre, rajasthan

Undergraduate Thesis 2019

Individual Academic Project, Jan - July 2019

Top 10 Projects of the year

Guide: Prof. Sujay Sengupta

Location: Bagru, Rajasthan, Area: 11.8 acres

Srijan means to create, and in the contemporary world, it implies experimenting with age old traditions and re-interpreting them in coherence with the upcoming trends, to initiate the ethical re-birth of dying artforms to define a new design trend.

The project aims to help rural artisans to align their traditional skills with the contemporary design trends, to use their precious artform as a potential source of employment and drive the paradigm shift back to the village.

Role: Conceptual Framework Plan, Campus Planning and Design, Conceptual Drawings and Renderings, Programmatic Design

BAGRU

BAGRU

The village of Bagru is located on the Jaipur - Ajmer Highway and lies at a distance of 32km from the Jaipur city. The site had been earmarked for the National Employment Bureau’s Redevelopment proposal but had never been built.

The village Bagru is located on the Jaipur - Ajmer Highway, through the NH-8 and lies at a distance of 32km from the Jaipur city.

The proposal is based for the artisans of the Chhipa Mohalla, which boasts of the Multi generational involvement of the traditional community comprising of Chhipas (Printers), Rangrez (Dyers) and Dhobis (Washermen) and used to be a hub for Fabric printing and hand crafted textiles ever since the Mughal era.

The proposal is based for the artisans of the Chhipa Mohalla, in the village Bagru, which boasts of the Multi generational involvement of the traditional community comprising of Chhipas (Printers), Rangrez (Dyers) and Dhobis (Washermen) and used to be a hub for Fabric printing and hand crafted textiles ever since the Mughal era.

But due to the lack of appreciation and support, the art stands neglected as most of the commercial activity is restricted to the backyards of the residential quarters.

But due to the lack of appreciation and support, the art stands neglected as most of the commercial activity is restricted to the backyards of the residential quarters. And most of the younger generation have moved to neighboring cities for better jobs and apportunities, raising the threat of abandonment for the craft.

The site is located on the periphery of the settlement, along the upcoming RIICO Industrial Area and surrounded by the villages Paldi Parsa and Chirota, but there is no built context as such, the only being a public school and a restaurant.

The site is located on the periphery of the settlement, along the upcoming RIICO Industrial Area and surrounded by the villages Paldi Parsa and Chirota, but there is no built context as such, the only being a public school and a restaurant.

settlement pattern

settlement pattern

density pattern / printing units open / community spaces nodes of activity

density pattern / printing units open / community spaces nodes of activity

This block is the main design centre for the complex closed chain production of , from weaving to sewing with collaborating artisans across different fields of thought.

Illustration, towards the entrance of the Production Block

apparels printing

applique

accessories

printing studio

This unit comprises of three facing blocks housing the key functions of weaving, printing and sewing arranged in linear blocks connected through a rhythmic collonade

The Blocks are arranged closely to resonate with the character of the “typical mohalla”, so as to generate a sense of belonging and familiarity

Each floor is complete with their own designated spaces for work as well as design discussions and ample storage. The upper floors are meant for experimental design and training, while the lower floor is meant for “collaborative” production

apparels printing studio

day care centre

sewing centre

applique work studio

printing innovation centre

weavers innovation centre

weavers restoration floor

weaving studios

ACADEMICS BLOCK

This space is meant to be a shared space among students to understand the technical skills of the craft and learn about the business skills of modern trends to keep pace with the changing global trends.

_skill centre

_conventional training

_interactive learning

The block is sunken to explore the passive cooling strategies due to thermal mass, making it a flexible, open space.

The Academics block has been linked to the activity area for visitors to act as an interactive space for the students and guests especially during annual symposiums.

sewing studio

amphitheater

activity area

-3.75m

+0.00m

-2.00m

café

weaving and printing studio

research lab lecture rooms faculty area + principal’s office

computer lab

The seemingly linear block opens into an inner courtyard reached through an organic transition space to bring in an element of human chaos among the rigidity, which reflects the basic intent behind the space.

The Academics block is directly accessed by the students through an entrance from the parking, and has a separate route for visitors through the main entrance pavillion, so as to filter privacy

cross section throught the classrooms

An Illustration representing the transitional character of the central courtyard in the Academics Block

07

(re)defining the heritage sector twenty two Academic Project, October 2018

URBAN DESIGN STUDIO INDIA

Instructors: Prof. Parmeet B, Anu S

Team: Ravleen K, Sukriti G, Supreet K

Location: Chandigarh, India

Sector 22 has always been a hub of public activity ever since its conception as a transition sector between the CBDs of sector 35 and 17. The sector stands testimony to the masterstrokes of the creators Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew and is still deemed as a significant part of Chandigarh’s heritage network.

Through this studio, we aim to revive the essence of the sector plan as a microcosm of “comprehensible” urban living

Role: Conceptual Vision Plan, Urban Design and Mapping, Market Redevelopment Plan, 2D and 3D drawings

1 Community Clinic

2 Shastri Market (Local Vendor Market)

vendor activity with no amenities to cater to the large inflow of people adding to the mess and chaos.

CONFLICT POINTS

Even in the commercial street, the iconic brick facade has been replaced by hoardings and sign boards ruining the street character.

The tremendous overflow of parking spaces along the shops further adds to congestion, making one of the most sprawling public squares into a swarming mess.

INTENT

To reorganise the neglected greens providing the residents with a recreational haven consisting of inter-linked spaces for different activities throughout the sector. This subsidiary spine is also a means of de congesting the main spine by re-distributing the functional organisation along the lateral edge.

Landscaped gardens

Public School Flea Vendors Food Stalls Pet Clinic Kiran Theater

Fragrance garden

Garden of Senses

Sector 35

Sector

Public School Flea Market Parking Food Street Pet Clinic Cycle Track Vending Kiosk Kiran

Family Park Shastri Market Parking Public Piazza Vendors’ Mkt Fountain

EXISTING STRUCTURE PLAN

The green patches adjoining the bus stops, behind the schools and main market lie mostly neglected, acting as buffer separators between the sub sector blocks. The area in front of the Shastri market and pet clinic has become a sprawing mess with overflowing vendor activity.

PROPOSED STRUCTURE PLAN

We intend to combine the redundant green patches and design a sector level walkway, connecting the adjoining commercial hubs, sectors 17 and 35 through a transition belt, formalising the structure of the Shastri Market to reorganise the chaotic nature of the complex.

Nehru Park

Buffer Patch

Kiran Theater Nehru Park Kids’ Play Arena

Public School

Tube Well

COMPOSITION

The spine is re-organised to carve out spaces for interaction and relaxation. Starting from the commercial belt along the Dakshin Marg, the primary phase of the sub-spine extends upto the Nehru Park spanning across the sub sectors C and D, covering the Shastri Market belt and the Kiran Theater Plaza, which are the most congested and chaotic parts The sub-spine consists of a series of themed gardens like the garden of senses, fragrance and parks for different age groups with activities for walkers, joggers and families.

The Shastri market is segregated into two levels of spaces based on the activity, the upper layer for the booths and formal shops and the lower plane for the vendors.

A separate area is dedicated for the food vendors and informal hawkers who form a major part of unorganised vendor activity for the sector.The whole strech is linked by a common pedestrian pathway. The Kiran theater plaza looks inwards, creating green niches for vendors and informal activity.

Govt Pet Clinic

Shared Street

Vendors Street

Shastri Market

Food Street

Kiran Theater

Plaza

Nehru Park

Family Park

Fragrance Garden

Garden of Senses

Starting Point

Govt Senior Secondary School

To help in circulation, dedicated cycle tracks and vending units have been installed for people to use at a policy level to make the sector easily accessible. pedestrian culture of the sector, intersperced with social pockets, and make lively, accessible and comfortable haven

08

LOUIS ISADORE KAHN TROPHY

SABALI KUND VAV

All-India Students Competition Entry Group Project, National Winning Entry, January 2017

Team: Sukriti G, Gurkirat S, Karan B, Daman D, Akriti M

Location: Sabarkantha, Gujarat

The Louis Isadore Kahn Trophy is an annual trophy organised by the National Association of Students of Architecture in India, that aims to document pre independence structures and cultures that have played an important role in shaping the timeline of their realm.

We chose to document the stepwell at Sabali, a tiny village near Ahmedabad, a one of its kind typology of Hybrid Wells that amalgamated the functionality of a (step)Well along with the sanctitiy of a (step)Pond.

Role: Team Leader, Site Selection, Research and Analysis, Physical Documentation and Mapping, Presentation Drawings

09

experimenting with the iconic Chandigarh aesthtic

the Tapered House

Professional Project, Studio Mohenjodaro

October’19 - July’21

Team: Eshita V, Sukriti G, Tarunpreet Singh B

Location: Sector 35, Chandigarh

Area: 5500 sq.ft, Status: Completed, July 2021

Located in the heart of Chandigarh, the Tapered House demands attention but does so subtly, catching the eye of the passer-by, more by force of its presence, than by loud ostentations.

Designed as a family home for three generations living together, the main concept behind the residence was to find the right balance between traditional and modern, a space that all the members of the Gupta Family could call their own.

Role: Layout Planning and Elevation Design, Interior Design, Furniture Design, Working Drawings and Renderings, Site Coordination and Execution

Sukriti Gandhi

Urban Designer

MS Urban Design’24

The University of Texas in Austin sukriti.gandhi@utexas.edu

+1 737 328 5323

// Education

2022, MS Urban Design, 2022 - 2024

The University of Texas in Austin Current GPA 3.84

2019, Bachelor of Architecture (10 Semesters)

Chandigarh College of Architecture, India First Division with Distinction

2017, Bachelor of Building Sciences (6th Semester)

Chandigarh College of Architecture, India First Division (Part of the main degree)

// Skills

Softwares AutoCAD Adobe Illustrator

SketchUp

Adobe Photoshop

Rhino Adobe InDesign

Revit Microsoft Suite

I am passionate about experimenting with the paradigms of space making and placemaking in the modern, urban context, trying to understand and impact the changing relationship of people and their surroundings

// Practical Experience

Urban Design Intern, Lionheart Places

Austin, TX

UD Presentations and Proposals for the redevelopment of mixed use single family, multi-family and commercial neighbourhoods

Urban Design Intern, Urban Idea Lab Boston, MA

Jan’24 - Ongoing

Analysis and Proposals for transit, roadway and infrastructural projects and public transit improvements in Boston

Graduate Research Assistant, Dean Almy

UT Austin

May’23 - December’23

Fall’23

Spatial and Demographic Analysis and Research with data visualisation for growth opportunities around Austin

Project Architect, The Planners Group Chandigarh, India

Lumion Enscape

ArcGIS (beginner)

Physical Documentation

Model Making

Laser Cutting

// Professional Affiliations

Indian Council of Architecture CA/2020/118664

Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment Council Student Member, GRIHA India (Certification Track)

National Association of Students of Architecture, India

Jul’21 - Aug’22

Conceptual designs, working drawings, on-site coordination for residential, commercial, highrise and institutional projects.

Design Consultant, poojabhagat architects + planners

Jan’22 - Aug’22

Design proposals and 3D visualisations for residential projects based in California

Senior Architect, Studio Mohenjodaro Chandigarh, India

Aug’19 - Jun’21

Design proposals, working drawings and on-site coordination for residential and commercial projects.

Editorial Writer, Re - thinking the Future, Magazine

Jun’21 - Aug’22

Competitions

ULI Hines Urban Design Competition 2023, Jan’23 Design an urban re-development program for a large-scale ex Naval Base in North Charleston

Notable Mention, National Jury ULI Foundation

Panjab Raj Bhawan Competition, Oct’18

A Multi Facility Convention Centre at the Governor of Chandigarh’s Residence

Top 3 selected entries

All India National Design Competition, Mar’16, National Association of Students of Architecture

“The Eye”, a witness to the journey of Dharamshala

Shortlisted Entry for the National Top 17

// Courses and Workshops

Socially Responsible Real Estate Development

May - August 2023,

An online course curated by The Samuel Tak Lee MIT Real Estate Entrepreneurship Lab and edX)

To understand the Environmental and Social impacts of large scale real estate developments on stakeholders through collaborations with various groups to ensure long term sustianabilty and profitability.

Manual Documentation and Drafting Workshop Workshop Mentor

December 2018

Provide a hands-on experience focussing on honing the skills of physically documenting a site and representing it through manual drafting techniques, as compared to the changing measures of the digital era.

Indian Association of Lighting Designers Workshop

February 2017

Organised on the CCA grounds as a measure to design temporary installations across the campus to revive the cultural hotspots through innovative and senstive lighting.

// References

Prof Dean Almy, Program Director

Graduate Advisor for Urban Design, UT SOA

Contact: dja3@utexas.edu

The House 2.0, Mar-Jun’21

An International Architecture Competition looking at the re-defined concept of living post the pandemic.

Louis I. Kahn Trophy, Jan’17

National Association of Students of Architecture

Documenting the cultural heritage of the Forgotten Stepwells of Sabali, Gujarat

Citation 1, Trophy Head and National Winners

Concrete Actions Studio, Nov’15

Re-defining the peripheries of the PEC Campus, with Ar. Mauricio Lizuriaga

Selected Entry

Architectural Imagination

April - June 2020,

A ten module online course curated by the Harvard GSD and edX)

To understand the concept of Architectural imagination and expression in terms of the changing paradigms of global technologies and design vocabularies as an implication of the deepest social and cultural values of the reigning epochs in the timeline of definitive architecture.

Le Corbusier Centre, Installation Workshop

March 2018,

Organised by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi “Threads of Change”

To celebrate the Life and Works of Pierre Jeanneret.

Installation Workshop at the Open Hand

October 2016

Organised by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi “le corbeau noir”

Exhibited at the Open Hand Monument and the Chandigarh Carnival 2016.

Don Kindsvatter, Senior Urban Designer Urban Idea Lab

Contact: dkindsvatter@urbanidealab.com