1
2
3
SURAJ DEVARAJ I’m an architecture design student. I’m trying to find the apt words to answer the “what design means to me” question but all of them miss the mark. So, either I’m a terrible writer (debatable) or the definition of good design for me has changed multiple times in the past four years of my architecture career. Hence as a defense mechanism, I do my best to test my assumptions and the assumptions of others. I consider myself to be versatile and adaptable. I have learned to communicate more effectively over the course of time. I’m not afraid to make mistakes but I’ll do my best not to make errors. And I always make an effort to be different.
4
5
ETERNAL REEFS / CEMETERY “We are tied to the ocean, and when we go back to the sea, we are going to whence we came from.” -John F Kennedy This project aims to offer an alternative approach to how we deal with the physical human body after it’s demise. The Reef rejuvenation method has gained popularity in selective communities and this project is put forth as an opportunity to shed light on the process. The focus of the project is in the site selection and the response to context, having an Eternal Reef center just off the shore of Havelock islands was a key requirement due to the endangered reefs and clear water quality.
6
Body is moved to the cremation chamber. The body is prepared. Medical devices and jewelry are removed. 1400-2000 F
The magnet is used to remove bits of metal.
The remains are grounded to create ashes.
Large amount of ashes (from multiple bodies) are mixed with concrete.
The above mixture is poured into a polyform mold .
The mold is removed and the reef ball is dropped near in the area of declining coral reefs.
The mixture serves as fodder for the corals and rehabilitates them.
7
Aerial View
Site Location- Havelock Islands, Andaman Nicobar. Site Selection criteria- The project required a serene location in close proximity to an existing coral reef. Havelock islands is a tourist location and the reef ball program wil add to the diving experience. Crystal clear water quality will establish visual connectivity with the existing reef.
8
N
Site plan
Section
9
BEFORE THE FRINGE/ RIVER REJUVENATION For men may come and men may go, But I go on for ever. From “The Brook,” Alfred Lord Tennyson. The aim was to bring together diverse perspectives, experiences and skills that connect water and the landscape profession and to critically examine the multiple facets of water as the determinant for interventions at all scales. One of the things I noticed while interacting with locals who resided along the fringe of the river was that, the damage to the river was done mostly by the people who were oblivious to the fact that it was a river. It was the engagement of the public on a micro level that heavily influenced the quality of the river and not the macro level “economic conditions” or “social conditions”. The final result consisted of a series of proposals at multiple time frames, to rejuvenate and maintain the quality of the river.
10
Issues
Sand Trafficking.
Contamination from domestic and industrial sources in the vicinity.
Ignorance toward the existence of the river.
Treatment of buffer areas.
Restoring the riparian vegetation.
Educating and spreading awareness.
Vegetable market to encourage the involvement of local farmers.
Community to participation in all decisions pertaining to the river.
Repairing the relationship between locals and the river, hence repairing the ecosystem.
Interventions
Outcomes
11
URBAN
SEMI-URBAN
RURAL
Site Location- Vrishabavathi River, Bangalore. Site Selection criteria- The project was divided into three zones based on the level of urbanization and the level of intervention that can be implemented. Each zone had a point of focus which heavily influenced the entire zone as well as our interventions.
12
N
ANAEROBIC FILTER
Outflow
Inflow
Sedimentation
Biogas
ANAEROBIC BAFFLED REACTOR
Inflow
Outflow
Sedimentation Diagram representing the location and the types of interventions
13
GANDHI BAZAAR/ STREET REDESIGN The primary objective is to study and analyze various challenges faced by Gandhi Bazaar Main Street and to explore how inclusive design (better use of existing space through optimum space management and time-sharing) can generate resourceful use of space for diverse stakeholders. Gandhi Bazaar is a street that caters to multiple user groups, due to rapid urbanization and population growth, the street is not fulfilling it’s potential. The proposed design accommodates all user groups and aims to make the most of waste generated, encroaching vendors and the ever increasing vehicular traffic.
14
Issues
Encroachment of foot paths by vendors.
Obstacles (vendors) in pedestrian paths restrict circulation.
Inefficient ways of dealing with waste, especially during festivities.
Designating areas for vendors to sell their goods
Restricting vehicular traffic after 6pm and during festivals
Remunerating the vendors for selling the waste generated.
Issuing vendor licenses.
Dedicating a lane for controlled usage of NMVs to ease transportation.
Waste is converted to biogas and sold back to the vendor.
Lack of pause points exhaust and frustrate the users.
Strategies
Strategies
15
Setting up seasonal or temporary galleries and exhibition spaces to act as pause points
EXISTING
12 PM TO 4 PM
Section depicting the existing condition of the street.
Street being converted to a one way road from 12pm to 4pm everyday.
Eatery joint (Ice thunder)
Vendors occupying footpaths
Narrow footpaths
Vendors encroach the street
Permanent vending modules with defined edges to prevent interference with pedestrian movement.
Site Location- Gandhi Bazaar, Bangalore. Site Selection criteria- Gandhi Bazaar is cultural as well as a commercial hub. It has been an important landmark since the independence of India. The existence of a flower market and vegetable market add to the diversity in its fabric. Thus, in order to get wider perspective on the topic, Gandhi Bazaar was chosen.
16
4 PM TO 11 PM
10 AM TO 12 PM
Streets being completely pedestrianized in the evening and food stalls being set up.
Setting up art exhibitions during the day.
During festivals the street is completely pedestrianized to accommodate temporary vendors.
Temporary exhibition spaces during the day.
17
POTENTIAL ROUTES AND HUBS FOR NMV USAGE.
DISPLAY SPACE FOR DIFFERENT VENDING ACTIVITIES.
Mobile Vending
Using existing walls
On ground
Platform created with boxes
Hand drawn carts
18
Platform
Cots and beds used to display
WASTE MANAGEMENT FLOW CHART
ORGANIC
RECYCLABLE
COMBUSTIBLE
VEGETABLE, FLOWER WASTE AND FOOD SCRAPS
GLASS, PLASTIC AND METAL
PAPER, TEXTILE
BIOGAS TO ELECTRICITY
RESOURCE RECOVERY
ENERGY BY PLASMA TECH
BIOMASS
BIOGAS PLANT
FUEL
(PORTABLE)
19
THE ASTRONOMER’S RETREAT / THESIS PROJECT “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” -Carl Sagan The Astronomer’s Retreat aims to create an experience of awe and wonder. It is weaved around the theme of a crash landed space shuttle from a parallel universe against the contrasting context of serene Coorg. The Astronomer’s Retreat sports a Planetarium and Observatory complimented by exhibition spaces and temporary Residences.
20
Experiencing the wonders of the night sky physically, instead of a mere projection.
To truly appreciate the wonders of the universe and be a part of it. Hence the site is set in Coorg.
To evoke curiosity and desire to learn.
To inspire younger generations to opt careers in the field of exploration.
Optical viewing decks.
Camping areas.
Observatory.
Galleries and exhibition spaces.
21
22
MASTERPLAN
23
24
MASTERPLAN
25
26
EXHIBITION BLOCK
27
28
EXHIBITION BLOCK
29
THE HIVE / PAVILION Our installation shows that 1. Design is not exclusive to designers, design is driven by the user in this context the general public. 2. Design can be sustainable and inexpensive without having to make the sacrifices that sustainable design is frequently associated with. 3. For a design to impact a user it should be participatory. With a little bit of imagination we portray how a community can come together to design and build spaces that impact the city scape, and maintain functionality and aesthetic appeal at the same time. Using recycled cups, we have built a sunshade that is seamless. The aim is to make people walking to have a cup of cold water from the earthen pot, and instead of disposing the cup, they build on the form and create their own shade.
30
31
THE HANGING GARDENS OF VAGAMON / PAVILION The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as listed by Hellenic culture and was described as a remarkable feat of engineering with an ascending series of tiered gardens containing a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and vines. We organized a workshop in Bamboo construction for students participating in the 60th ANC. We learned how to work with a versatile material, to use heavy duty tools and machinery, how to manage teams on site. Most of all we experienced first hand the divide between planning and execution.
32
33
INTERNSHIP I have completed my internship of 4 months in Jayesh Shah Architects, Tardeo, Mumbai. I got to learn how an architecture firm works and how it collaborates with ancillary services such as contractors, structural engineers and interior designers. It also gave me an opportunity to learn about the city of Mumbai, it’s transport system and it’s people.
34
36
37
38
39
PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY I dabble in photography and other visual medium. I find many of it’s principles similar to the design principles of architecture. It’s a valuable skill in my tool kit.
My work can be found on Instagram @suraj_devaraj.
GRAPHIC DESIGN As a side effect of being associated in the architecture design field, I picked up some basic skills of a graphic designer. It gave me an up close experience of dealing with clients and deadlines.
YouTube I make Youtube videos with my friends. This experience has and continues to make me a better storyteller and communicator. It’s also made me understand social media, digital marketing and technology on a deeper level.
You can find our work at youtube/take900.
44