Detailed portfolio_Planning and Design by Taru

architecture urban design public realm fabric colours delight aesthetics core elevation facade services beauty taste symmetry art creativity science construction landscape urban scape feasibility skyline hard scape territory unplanned scale proportion space sustainable scheme growth private proportion site dimension visual depth negative vision ambience contour perspective functional development pattern open spaces shadow shade light formal plaza informal dynamic neighbourhood detail post pre amalgamate digital analysis process community social economy location parametric rural plan buffer spatial connection avenue built unbuilt concept methodology master plan strength tangible structure hierarchy plain formation stack create expand psychology theory history multiple experience superimpose identity iconic user polemics society voids city tectonics fabric channel growth issue fragment shade democratic user public fractal dichotomy lateral node existence milieu paradox environment people panoptic street context content culture identity vernacular regional domain humane discourse theory pragmatic realism classic daily daily architecture urban design public realm fabric colours delight aesthetics core elevation facade services beauty taste waste symmetry art creativity science construction landscape urban scape feasibility skyline hard scape territory unplanned scale proportion space sustainable scheme growth private proportion site dimension visual depth negative vision ambience contour perspective functional development pattern open spaces shadow shade light formal plaza informal dynamic neighbourhood detail post dichotomy architecture urban design public realm fabric colours delight aesthetics core elevation facade services beauty taste symmetry art creativity science construction landscape urban scape feasibility skyline hard scape territory unplanned scale proportion space sustainable scheme growth private proportion site dimension visual depth negative vision ambience contour perspective functional development pattern open spaces shadow shade light formal plaza informal dynamic neighbourhood detail post pre amalgamate digital analysis process community social economy location parametric rural plan buffer spatial connection avenue built unbuilt concept methodology master plan strength tangible structure hierarchy plain formation stack create expand psychology theory history multiple experience superimpose identity iconic user polemics society voids city tectonics fabric channel growth issue fragment shade democratic user public fractal dichotomy lateral node existence milieu paradox environment people panoptic street context content culture identity vernacular regional domain humane discourse theory pragmatic realism classic daily architecture urban design public realm fabric colours delight aesthetics core elevation facade services beauty taste waste symmetry art creativity science construction landscape urban scape feasibility skyline hard scape territory unplanned scale proportion space sustainable scheme growth private proportion site dimension visual depth negative vision ambience contour perspective functional development pattern open spaces shadow shade light formal plaza informal dynamic neighbourhood detail post dichotomy architecture urban design public realm fabric colours delight aesthetics core elevation facade services beauty taste symmetry art creativity science construction landscape urban scape feasibility skyline hard scape territory unplanned scale proportion space sustainable scheme growth private proportion site dimension visual depth negative vision ambience contour perspective functional development pattern open spaces shadow shade light formal plaza informal dynamic neighbourhood detail post pre amalgamate digital analysis process community social economy location parametric rural plan buffer spatial connection avenue built unbuilt concept methodology master plan strength tangible structure hierarchy plain formation stack create expand psychology theory history multiple experience superimpose identity iconic user polemics society voids city tectonics fabric channel growth issue fragment shade democratic user public fractal dichotomy lateral node existence milieu paradox environment people panoptic street context content culture identity vernacular regional domain humane discourse theory pragmatic realism classic daily daily architecture urban design public realm fabric colours delight aesthetics core elevation facade services beauty taste waste symmetry art creativity science construction landscape urban scape feasibility skyline hard scape territory unplanned scale proportion space sustainable scheme growth private proportion site dimension visual depth negative vision ambience contour perspective functional development pattern open spaces shadow shade light formal plaza informal dynamic neighbourhood detail post dichotomy architecture urban design public realm fabric colours delight aesthetics core elevation facade services beauty taste symmetry art creativity science construction landscape urban scape feasibility skyline hard scape territory unplanned scale proportion space sustainable scheme growth private proportion site dimension visual depth negative TARU vision ambience URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN PORTFOLIO MASTERS INformal CITY plaza contour perspective functional development pattern open spaces shadow shade light AND REGIONAL informal dynamic neighbourhood detail post pre amalgamate digital analysis process community PLANNING social

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PROFILE EDUCATION • Cornell University, Art Architecture Planning Masters in City and Regional Planning, 2015

CONTENTS URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN

• CHORDS - Community-Health-Oriented-Resilient-District, Nashville • PARK-IN the City - Smart Cars in Philadelphia

• Jamia Millia Islamia , Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics Bachelors in Architecture, 2011

• DESIGN CONNECT CONSULTANCY PROJECTS a) Freeville Pocket Park and Bus Depot, New York b) Ovid Downtown Re-envisioning, New York

RECENT AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS (2013-2015)

• WORLD FAIR SITES - Sustainable Adaptive Reuse of Modern Footprints

• Portman Graduate Student Award, 2015 (Commencement Award for excellence in Physical Urban Planning) •APA Poster Award, 2015, Annual National Conference, Seattle; • Upstate NewYork Student Project Award, 2015; • Planning Student Organization Award, Design Connect, APA 2015

• ENVISION TOMORROW - Flex Tech Space, Feasibility Analysis

• Mellon Urban Collaborative Fellowship (Fall 2014, Spring 2015) • Sustainable Global Enterprise Fellowship , Samuel Curtis Johnson School of Management, Cornell University • Engaged Learning Community Engagement Grant; Mario Einaudi International Travel Grant

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES • Languages: English, Hindi, Maithili, Urdu (colloquial basic) • Land Use and Sustainability: Environmental Law, Landuse & Master planning, Adaptive Reuse • Qualitative Research: Method classes on Outreach, Interview, Communication, Visual mapping, Survey and Ethics • Quantitative Research: Inferential Statistics, Regression Analysis, STATA, Envision Tomorrow • Design : Architectural and Urban Design, Graphic Design, Design Thinking, Systems Thinking • 2-D and 3-d Modelling: Revit 2014 (BIM), Autocad, Google Sketch up, Envision-Tomorrow • Geo-spatial Analysis: Arc GIS, Arc GIS Pro, City Engine(Basic) • Desktop Publishing: Adobe photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign • Web publishing: Wordpress, Tumblr and blogspot • Media and Animation: Basic Film making, Adobe After-effects, Adobe Premiere • Grant Writing and Web-Outreach • Community Outreach and Public Meetings

• LANDSCAPES OF UNCERTAINTIES - Dichotomy within the City • FLUX NAVIGATIONS - Spatial Dialectics, Bio-politics in South East Asia • INCLUSIVE CITIES - Slum Redevelopment Under Public-Private Partnership • RECLAIMING URBAN VOIDS a) Historical Voids _ Khirki Mosque b) Functional Voids _ Nehru Place c) Urban Villages _ Hauz khas Village • ECOTOURISM: NEHRA PAHARI, JHUNJHUNU

ARCHITECTURE • CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTECTURE: COMMERCIAL CENTER • BIOCLIMATIC SCHOOL - Appropriate Technology and Alternate Design • APAS - An Eco-hotel • BASERA_in search of Utopia

MEDIA AND PERFORMANCE • THEATER a) Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy b) The Character of a Happy Life • SHORT FILM - Shifting Paradigms

URBAN LAND INSTITUTE ANNUAL COMPETITION Title- The Chord - Designing a Healthy City Type - Competition Entry, Intense two-week real-world project Year - 2014 Team- Five member inter-disciplinary team Role - Planner and Designer

A brown-field redevelopment project located in the erstwhile industrial zone on the riverfront of Nashville, this project seeks to create a healthy, walkable and vibrant neighborhood and integrate this area back into the city fabric. This competition was time-intensive and emphasized on both design and socio-economic viability. The resultant neighborhood masterplan called The CHORD is a pre-eminent urban mixed-use development located that seeks to create a dense, vibrant and walkable lifestyle for its residents. The CHORD, which is defined as a Community-Health-Oriented-Resilient-District, seeks to be the regional urban destination that promotes community interaction, healthy lifestyle and inclusive liveability. .

CONCEPT DERIVATION Residential

Residential

Germantown Residential

Industrial

mb erla

Residential

ark

rs M

Civic

LP Field

Civic

Residential

LP Field

Far

Residential

Commercial

Residential

LP Field

Hope Gardens

LP Field

Riv

Residential

Sounds

ia ten enn Bic Park

Residential

McFerrin Park

Residential

Industrial

Residential

The

Residential

Industrial

Residential

Commercial

Residential

Industrial

Residential

Industrial

Residential

Industrial

Residential

Civic

Civic Civic North Capital

Music District

Residential

Civic

Area of Opportunity

Context Synthesis

F E

HEALTHY COMMUNITY

7 9

Free Buses Bicenntenial Shuttle The Gultch Shuttle Fulton Complex Shuttle The CHORD Shuttle Regular Bus Network The CHORD ferry

Stre

n Ave

ll De hur Sulp ark P Ball

2nd

on ffers

1st

eet

rris

n Ave

Str

Bikeshare

3rd

rke

n Ave

4th

en Av

lto Fu le utt Sh

lex

o nC

New Bikeshare

n erfro Riv tion Sta

Farm

en Av

ial

erâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

rk Pa

5th

Bic

n ten

Sta all

Existing New

ield

F LP

8 D

Bikeways

apit

te C

Sta

City sic Mu tre n Ce

ple

om nC lto Gu le utt Sh

Transit Network - Propagating Healthy Alternatives

B 17

1 Boulevard 2 Plaza 3 Park Running Route

Kayak Route 2

3 0.5k

100

0.7k

300

1.5k

Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Strategies

Dell Marina - Dell Marina Boulevard - Dell Marina B-level walk-way , boat access, and seasonal bazaar.

Cumberland Plateau Park - A plateau-like and waterbased landscape feature to be used healthy activities - A marshland- like landscape to attract birds like the Nashville Warbler

3 4 5 6 7

Chord Plaza

Reconfigured Bicycle trail Spalding Rehabilitation Centre W Hotel Multi-Family Apartments

Mixed-Use building including: - Trader Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grocery allowing neighborhood to walk for their everyday Shopping. Mixed-Use building including: - Retail space on first floor including a gym, multi-family apartments above.

10 Mixed-Use building including: - Retail space on first floor and multi-family apartments above.

11 Mixed-Use building including: - REI and Starbucks at grade and senior housing above.

12 Mixed-Use building including: - Ground floor retail office space above. Surrounds three stories of unbundled parking 13 Office building and three stories of unbundled parking.

15 CSX River Esplanade 16 The Spur Bikeway 17 Relocated Government offices. Incorporated three floors of wrapped parking.

A Farmers Market B Bicentennial Mall C State of Tennessee Library D State of Tennessee Museum E Sounds Baseball Stadium F The Stockyard BBQ G Sound Pedestrianway

TEAM - 147392

Product Type

Square Feet

Market Rate Apartments Senior Market Rate Apartments

1,209,699 249,190

Affordable Housing Apartments

508,264

268 305

Hotel

148,541

424

Retail Square Footage

563,009

Office Square Footage

883,689

Parking Garage

1,155,647

TOTAL SF

4,718,039 Market Rate Apts Retail Space

MARKET RATE APTS. 500,000

SENIOR MARKET RATE APTS.

400,000 300,000

Senior Market Rate Apts Office Space

1,527

3,610

Affordable Parking G

Context Synthesis

Development Principles

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

HEALTHY COMMUNITY

n Ave

ll De hur Sulp ark P Ball

ue 1st n Ave

eet

rris

Str

Bikeways

apita

te C

Sta

Bikeshare

n Ave

3rd

n Ave

4th n Ave

Created Value $746 Million

ity-

C sic Mu tre n Ce

le mp

o nC lto Gu le utt Sh

Controlled Flooding Area

n Ave

nC lto Fu le utt Sh

Normal River Height

New Bikeshare

nt erfro Riv tion Sta

lex

p om

Created Value $746 Million

Existing New

Fie

5th

er’s

Farm

HEALT

Free Buses Bicenntenial Shuttle The Gultch Shuttle Fulton Complex Shuttle The CHORD Shuttle Regular Bus Network The CHORD ferry

Stre

2nd

on ffers

Axis Chords

2010 Flooding

Transit Network - Propagating Healthy Alternatives

4th Ave.

3rd Ave.

2nd Ave.

1st Ave.

Minor Flood

Average River Level

Created Value $746 Million

421 ft. 414 ft. 411 ft. 404 ft.

2010 Flood Major Flood Moderate Flood

Kayak Route

Project Valu

Channelling the Flood Water - Creating Free Routes 5th Ave.

1 Boulevard 2 Plaza 3 Park Running Route

Created Value $746 Million

394 ft.

3 5th Ave.

4th Ave.

3rd Ave.

2nd Ave.

Phas

1st Ave.

0.5k 0.7k

Phas

421 ft. 414 ft. 411 ft. 404 ft.

2010 Flood Major Flood Moderate Flood Minor Flood

Average River Level

Phas

394 ft.

1.5k

Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Strategies

100

300

TEAM - 147392

CONCEPT DERIVATION Residential

Residential

Germantown Residential

Residential

Industrial

Residential

ers

Residential

rke

Civic

Economics

Civic

MARKET RATE APTS.

Area of Opportunity

Context Synthesis

Development Principles

rson

nue Ave

hur Sulp ark P Ball

2nd

ll De

1st n Ave

eet

HEALTHY ECONOMICS

Free Buses Bicenntenial Shuttle The Gultch Shuttle Fulton Complex Shuttle The CHORD Shuttle Regular Bus Network The CHORD ferry

Stre

Str

te C

Sta

883,689

Parking Garage

1,155,647

TOTAL SF

4,718,039 Market Rate Apts Retail Space

Senior Market Rate Apts Office Space

Affordable Housing Apts Parking Garage

Hotel

500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0

PHASE I

SPACE ABSORPTION BY PHASE

Transit Network - Propagating Healthy Alternatives

3,610 parking spaces

Phase I

PHASE II

PHASE III

City sic Mu tre n Ce

lex

o nC lto Gu le utt Sh

1,637,000

Height Current Site Value $82,385,770 Controlled Square Footage Developed $4,718,039 Created Value Flooding Area $746 Million Total Project Cost $1,104,421,967 Projected Site Value 10) $1,687,332,456 2010(Year Flooding Created Value Project NPV (12% Discount ) $229,994,050 $746 Million Unleveraged IRR 14.8% Channelling the Flood Water - Creating Free Routes Leveraged IRR 27.5%

Office Square Footage

563,009

rooms

148,541

1,904,300

5th Ave.

2015

2025

1 Boulevard 2035 2 Plaza 3 Park Running Route

Market Rate Apartments Market Rate Apts Senior Market Rate Apartments Senior Market Rate Apts Affordable Housing Apartments Affordable Housing Apts Hotel Hotel Retail Square Footage Retail Space Office Square Footage Office Space Parking Garage Parking Garage

Financial Summary

Normal River

New Bikeshare

nt erfro Riv tion Sta

n Ave

424

Hotel Retail Square Footage

n Ave

apartments apartments

3rd

268 305

lto Fu le utt Sh

n Ave

508,264

lex

4th Ave.

3rd Ave.

2nd Ave.

PARKING

$188 Million invested

Project Value Creation

1st Ave.

2010 Flood Major Flood Moderate Flood

Kayak Route

Minor Flood

Average River Level

OFFICE

$746 Million

Bikeshare

4th

way

Affordable Housing Apartments

2,174,914

o nC

nue Ave 7h

1,209,699 249,190

tadium

Market Rate Apartments Senior Market Rate Apartments

er’s

Farm

Museum

Nashville Population Growth 1,527 apartments

n Ave

Library

Square Feet

Existing New

Fie

5th

Product Type

e ark

RETAIL

$1.6 Billion Value

Created Value Created $746 Million

Bikeways

ital

AFFORDABLE HOUSING APTS.

HOTEL

Created Value The historic Stockyard restaurant and surrounding area as an active plaza and bikeway. on

rris Ha

SENIOR MARKET RATE APTS.

Axis Chords - Creatiing a Resilient Design

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

HEALTHY COMMUNITY Jeffe

Environment

Civic Civic North Capital Music District

Residential

421 ft. 414 ft. 411 ft. 404 ft.

Created Value $746 Million

Cost of Marina & Park $20 Million Cost of Marina & Park $20 Million

394 ft.

Created Value $253 Million

3 5th Ave.

4th Ave.

3rd Ave.

2nd Ave.

Phase I

1st Ave.

0.5k 0.7k

2010 Flood Major Flood Moderate Flood Minor Flood

Marina Ice Skating JANUARYCycling FEBRUARY MARCH Running APRIL

MARINA

1.5k

ICE SKATING

TEAM - 147392

Farmers Gardening Walking/Site Local DECEMBER Festivities NOVEMBER MAY Market AUGUSTRoof OCTOBER Seeing JUNEFishing JULY Baseball SEPTEMBER Average River Level

CYCLE

FARMERS MARKET

BASEBALL

RUNNING

FISHING

ROOF GARDENING

Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Strategies

Cumberlan

- A plateC $ based land used healt - A marsh Created Valub to attract $688Warbler Million

Civic

The Chord

LP Field

Civic

Residential

Spo

LP Field LP Field

Farm

Residential

Commercial

Residential

lth

LP Field

Hope Gardens

Residential

te enn Bic Park

Residential

Sounds

l nia

Riv

Residential

Dell Marin

- Dell Mari - Dell Mari , boat acce bazaar.

Hea

erla

Residential

Created Value $688 Million

McFerrin Park

The

Residential

Commercial

$688 Million

Unifying Chords

Community Community

Residential

Industrial

Residential

Industrial

Residential

Industrial

Dell Marina is an iconic space for Nashville. Created Value

Residential

Industrial

Residential

WALKING/SITE SEEING

LOCAL FESTIVITIES

Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Strategies

421 ft. 414 ft. 411 ft. 404 ft.

Created Value $253 Million

Cost of Marina & P $20 Million

Phase II Phase III

394 ft.

Created Value $688 Million

Created Value $253 Million

LEED GOLD

ED BACON COMPETITION Parking the City Concept SMART CARS IN PHILADELPHIA

Mas

Title- Park-in the City, Ed Bacon Competition Type - Competition Entry Year - 2013 Status -Submitted

Driverless technology has been purported to have many positives in terms of reducing transit time and carbon production and increasing the overall efficiency of transportation. Its integration into the urban fabric requires additional layers of infrastructure and a evaluation of how we plan and design our cities and transit. This project looks at Philadelphia and takes this opportunity to imagine and design flexible, multi-modal transit possibilities that will create a system of green, walkable and healthy built environment to live and travel in the city of the future.

City

- constant movement

- encourage public transportation - more public space (less roads)

Mode Innovation

Master Plan Concept

- constant movement

- increasing public less interaction - park-ing, parking more parks

- more pervious surfaces

- rethinking parking - space optimization - solar energy as byproduct

- more pervious surfaces

- rethinking parking - space optimization - solar energy as byproduct

- parking as parks - more green areas

The project looks at the city at multiple scales and suggests innovations that envision an evolved and holistic plan of a system that merges public transit and a public-private automated car system. This creates seamless, comfortable and sustainable transit corridor and also addresses the macro-change at the pedestrian level by redesigning streets and parking in the city. While the project is very contextual to Philadelphia, most of the ideas are transferable and scalable.

- encourage public transportation - more public space (less roads)

- increasing public less interaction - park-ing, parking more parks

o w

- At subway entrances on grade, people may transfer to two types of transportation: bikes or pods. - People may summon pods through their smartphones or at an access panel at every station. Bike Share docks are available near every station.

- parking as parks - more green areas

Mode Innovation

Detailed Plan - Greens Type 2

Built Environment Innovation

- Bike distribution is automatically re-balanced by an automated vehicle.

E Small Scale Green – Built Environment

- Extension of sidewalks to current road space (new space dedicated to green infrastructure and activity space) - Pedestrian only streets - Emphasis on pedestrian scale - New green space as the future (2050) interpretation of the front yard

Detailed Plan - Greens Type 2

Storage Innovations Built Environment Innovation

- Social interaction, activity space for neighborhood

A p

- Alotted manueverable space for emergency vehicles and deliveries

- At subway entrances on grade, people may transfer to two types of transportation: bikes or pods.

Site

- People may summon pods through their smartphones or at an access panel at every station. Bike Share docks are available near every station.

City Center Philadelphia is a dynamic urban environment, accessible the human scale, and repurposed provides challenges - Parking garages andatunderground parking toward autonomous vehicle integration given the imperative of people centric planning. The site provides a great opportunity for synergy between people, transport and green infrastructure.

- Bike distribution is automatically re-balanced by an automated vehicle.

The chosen site presents all three road hierarchies, is the most walkable area in Philadelphia, incorporates major public spaces, art and commerce and is an iconic location that instills a sense of pride in the people of Philadelphia

View- Greens Type 2

- Low Impact Development - Creating The “Greens”:

- Low impact development in-situ stormwater management.

Transportation Infrastructure Innovation

Detailed Plan - Greens Type 2

of transportation: bikes or pods.

Site

- People may summon pods through their smartphones or at an access panel at every station. Bike Share docks are available near every station.

City Center Philadelphia is a dynamic urban environment, accessible at the human scale, and provides challenges toward autonomous vehicle integration given the imperative of people centric planning. The site provides a great opportunity for synergy between people, transport and green infrastructure.

- Bike distribution is automatically re-balanced by an automated vehicle.

Built Environment Innovation

ant

Transportation Infrastructure Innovation

in t

Small Scale Green – Built Environment - Extension of sidewalks to current road space (new space dedicated to green infrastructure and activity space) - Pedestrian only streets - Emphasis on pedestrian scale - New green space as the future (2050) interpretation of the front yard - Social interaction, activity space for neighborhood - Alotted manueverable space for emergency vehicles and deliveries

Big Scale Green – Transportation Innovations

- Parking garages and underground parking repurposed

Extension of sidewalks to current road space (new space dedicated to green infrastructure) -

- Low Impact Development - Creating The “Greens”:

- Low impact development in-situ stormwater management.

No crossing at intersections exclusively, crossings all along the streets (perpendicular connectivity and extension of public space) -

- Groundwater recharge

Detailed Section - ‘Green’ Type 3

Reclaiming Identity

Creating Infomal Space Dynamic Urban Evironments Promoting Sustainability Improving Public Interaction Increasing Walkability Healthy Lifestyle Increasing Interaction

Detailed Plan - ‘Green’Type 3

Pods and pedestrians share space

Detailed Plan - ‘Green’Type 1

Dedicated pod circulation strip at rush hour

11/1/1

PedestrianFriendly Pods/Buses/Commercial/Emergency Vehicles Permitted Two-way Bike Lanes Stationary Objects like Food Trucks, Street Vendors, Public Art, Horticulture Permitted.

View- â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Type 1

Level 3 - Smallest Green Completely Pedestrian Friendly Pods/Buses Prohibited Commercial/Emergency Vehicles Permitted

DESIGN CONNECT_CONSULTANCY PROJECTS Project - Freeville Pocket Park and Bus Depot Year - 2013-2014 Type - Student Consultancy Issue - Multi- use infrastructure that reflects the historical ethos of a place Team - Two sets of inter-disciplinary teams across two semesters consisting of students pursuing planning, architecture and engineering.

Traditional Roofing Dynamic Walls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Moveable Panels

Design Connect is a student consultancy based at Cornell University which collaborates with local governments, non-profits and people of upstate New York and provides planning and design services to these communities. Freeville Pocket Park and Bus Depot was designed after extensive outreach, door-todoor surveys and collaboration with the local government, Tcat (local bus service) and the local community. The community envisioned this project to functionally act as a bus shelter, a park and a museum to highlight Freevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rail-road history. The team came up with five ideas and through multiple feed-back sessions proposed final design to the community.

(A)

Historic Panels Transparent and lit

Railway tracks Seating marking the Water Tower

DESIGN CONNECT_CONSULTANCY PROJECTS (B) Project - Ovid Downtown Re-visioning Year - 2014-2015 Type - Student Consultancy Issue - Socio-economic revitalization Client - STEPS (Seneca Towns Engaging People in Solutions) Team - Inter-disciplinary team consisting of planners, architects and engineers. Role - Project Manager

The Downtown Main Street Re-visioning project was a collaborative envisioning project between Seneca Towns Engaging in Solutions (STEPS), the people of the village of Ovid, and a Design Connect Team. The purpose of the project was to involve Ovid residents into participatory meetings and design charettes to create a socially and economically healthier community core and improve long term liveability. A walkable, people-friendly built environment is one very sustainable way to do this. We addressed the issue by helping Ovid to highlight itself on the regional tourism corridor and suggesting adaptive reuse of Downtown spaces to make it a vibrant place to linger and interact with each other.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need expertise that will help residents envision what the neighborhood could look like and develop plans that may be able to be implemented in future years of the grant.â&#x20AC;?

Combined plan from Community Meetings

Outreach to community & business leaders

Phase:1

First Feedback session combined plan and design renders

Interviews & Site Visits

2 Community Envisioning Meetings

Community Feedback Meeting Design

Phase:2

Community Outreach Meetings: Envisioning Ovid

Phase:3

Design

Reporting

Phase:4

SUSTAINABLE ADAPTIVE REUSE ENVISION TOMORROW_FLEX OF MODERN FOOTPRINTS TECH SPACE BUILDING FORM

Title- Flushing Meadows Corona Park Type - Research project; combined class Year - 2015 Status - Winner, APA Poster Award The research on cultural landscapes is still in progress.

Lot area Lot area Building Footprint Parking Footprint (Adjacent) Height Floor-area ratio

Flushing Meadows Coronal Park, Queens has hosted two world fairs and is socially and historically significant in this area. The recommendations sought to improve the social. environmental and economic impact of the park as well as adapted the historic core to be active and relevant to the city.

Flex/Tech Office 1 Ithaca, New York, USA

Lot area Lot area Building Footprint Parking Footprint (Adjacent) Height Floor-area ratio

254,826 5.85 51,085 165,517 3 0.54

Residential Retail Office Industrial Public Educational Ithaca, Hotel/Motel New York, USA Commercial Parking Structured Parking InternalFORM Parking BUILDING

Gross

Residential Retail Office Industrial Public Educational Hotel/Motel Commercial Parking Structured Parking Internal Parking

58,620 35,172 23,448 -

Height Employees Floor-area ratio

N/A sf

Employees

264

3 stories 264 0.54 FAR

N/A /acre 45 /acre

Residential Retail Office

137.93 165.52

2.00 / per unit

Industrial

110.34

4.00 / 1000 sq ft

2.00 / 1000 sq ft 4.00 / 1000 sq ft

/ 1000 sq ft

2.00 / per room

414 15%

TOTAL COSTS

$ (26,632,455)

Land Costs Hard Costs Residential Retail Office Industrial Public Educational Hotel/Motel Commercial Parking Other Parking Soft Costs Other Costs

$ $

(2,047,500) (19,627,522) $

$8 /sf

Structured Parking COSTS InternalCONSTRUCTION Parking

(8,896,523)

$129 /sf

(6,289,635)

$152 /sf

(3,199,990)

$116 /sf

$0 /sf

$0 /space

$ $

(1,241,375)

(4,167,753) (789,681)

Demolition Costs

Site Development Costs

Brownfield Remediation Costs

2.00 / per unit 2.00 / 1000 sq ft 4.00 / 1000 sq ft 4.00 / 1000 sq ft -

/ 1000 sq ft

2.00 / per room

20% 15%

$8 /sf (2,047,500) N/A /sf Costs $ (19,627,522) Residential Unit Sales Price HousingHard Units - N/A N/A /acre $ $0 /sf Residential N/A /sf Residential Unit Rent Average unit size N/A N/A sf $ (8,896,523) $129 Retail $ 26422.00 /sf (triple net) /sf Employees Retail rent (sf/year) 45 /acre $ (6,289,635) $152 /sf Office Office rent (sf/year) $ 18.00 /sf (triple$116 net) /sf $ (3,199,990) Industrial PARKING & OPEN(sf/year) SPACE $$ $0 /sf Public Industrial 22.00/sf (triple net) 2.00 / per$0unit Residential $ /sf Educational Hotel/Motel ($/night) N/A- / room / night 2.00 / 1000 Retail $ 137.93 $0 sq /sfft Hotel/Motel 4.00 / 1000 ft Office Commercial Parking $ 165.52 $0 sq /space $ 110.34 (1,241,375) 4.00 / 1000 sq ft IndustrialOther Parking Soft Costs $ (4,167,753) / 1000 sq ft Public Other Costs $ (789,681) / 1000 sq ft Educational Demolition Costs $ 2.00 / per room Hotel/Motel FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Site Development Costs $ Parking Structure Rental Brownfield Remediation Costs $ 414 Total parking spaces Cash-on-Cash (After Year 3) 12.8% Water Quality Controls $ (789,681) LandscapingIRR and space 15% onopen Project Costarea (Unleveraged Return) 12.3% -

21.3%

CONSTRUCTION COSTS Debt Service Coverage Ratio (Year 3)

TOTAL COSTS Owner Land Costs Project Rate of Return Hard Costs Return to Equity Residential Subsidy Retail Subsidy Amount Office DRAFT: 4/15/2015

1.71

$ (26,632,455)

$ $

(2,047,500) (19,627,522) $ $ $

$8 /sf

0.0% 0.0%

(8,896,523) (6,289,635)

$ (3,199,990) Industrial % of Project Costs $ Public $ Educational $ Hotel/Motel $ Commercial Parking $ (1,241,375) Other Parking Soft CostsPrototype image generated after material$ specifications (4,167,753)

$0 /sf

N/A /sf N/A N/A /sf N/A 254,826 sf 22.00 /sf (triple net) 5.85 acres 18.0051,085 /sf (triple net) sf

$ $

Parking Footprint (Adjacent) Industrial (sf/year) Height Hotel/Motel ($/night) Floor-area ratio

Site Layout

Landscaping or open space Use

IRR on Investor Equity (Leveraged Return Before Tax)

Residential Unit Sales Price BUILDING FORM Residential Unit Rent Lot area Retail rent (sf/year) Lot area Office rent (sf/year) Building Footprint

165,517 sf 22.00 /sf (triple net) 3 stories N/A / room / night 0.54 FAR

20%

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

$ (26,632,455)

Ithaca, New York, USA

Building footprint

Costs RENTS AND SALES PRICES$ UNITSLand AND EMPLOYEES

Additional Infrastructure

$0 /sf

Site Layout

RENTS AND SALES PRICES

Residential DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Retail 137.93 Use Gross Net Office 165.52 Building footprint 20% Residential Industrial 110.34 Retail 68,965 58,620 15% Landscaping or open space 65% Office Public 41,379 35,172 Educational Industrial 27,586 23,448 Parking area next to Public Hotel/Motel building Parking Structure Educational 414 Total parking spaces Hotel/Motel Landscaping 15% Commercial Parking and open space area -

TOTAL COSTS

PARKING & OPEN SPACE

Public Educational Hotel/Motel Parking Structure Total parking spaces Landscaping and open space area

45 /acre

Site Layout PARKING & OPEN SPACE

UNITS AND EMPLOYEES Housing Units Average unit size

58,620 35,172 23,448 -

This facility is designed as a digital workshop/hub and can ac-Landscaping or open space 65% comodate a wide range of businesses. This center has been Parking area next to Lot area sf proposed in response to the 254,826 success of flex-work spaces as building Lot areaUNITS AND EMPLOYEES 5.85 acres start-up hubs in other cities and the engage and retain Housing Units /acre Building Footprint 51,085 sf - need to N/A Average unit size N/A sf Parking (Adjacent) 165,517 sf theFootprint young graduates and entrepreneurs in the city. Flex/Tech Office 1

Net

68,965 41,379 27,586 -

Net

68,965 41,379 27,586 -

This project ROI modelling to test the physical and financial feasibility of a proposed development: which, in this case is a Flex/Tech Office 1 Flex-tech office. Building footprint

sf acres sf sf stories FAR

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Use

CONSTRUCTION COSTS

sf acres sf sf stories FAR

Title- Flex-tech: Seed Centre, Ithaca Type - Class Project, Feasability Studies, Year - 2015 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Status - Recommended to the city. Gross Use

BUILDING FORM

This project looks at five four major world fair sites across the North American continent and looks a their current condition and relevance to the cities they are located in.

254,826 5.85 51,085 165,517 3 0.54

$129 /sf

$152 /sf $116 /sf 0% $0 /sf $0 /sf $0 /sf $0 /space

Gross

15%

Net Residential FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Parking area next to RetailRental 68,965 58,620 building Office 41,379 35,172 Cash-on-Cash (After Year 3) 12.8% IRR on Project Cost (Unleveraged Return) 12.3% Industrial 27,586 23,448 IRR on Investor Equity (Leveraged Return Before Tax) 21.3% Public Debt Service Coverage Ratio (Year 3) 1.71 Educational Hotel/Motel Owner 0.0% Project Rate of Return Commercial Parking RENTS AND 0.0% Return to SALES Equity PRICES Structured Parking N/A /sf Residential Unit Sales Price N/A Subsidy Internal Parking N/A /sf Residential UnitAmount Rent N/A $ Subsidy Retail rent (sf/year) $ 22.00 /sf (triple net) 0% % of Project Costs 65%

UNITS AND EMPLOYEES

Housing Office rent Units (sf/year) Average unit size Industrial (sf/year) Employees($/night) Hotel/Motel

18.00

22.00 N/A

- net) /sf (triple N/A sf /sf (triple net) 264 / room / night

N/A /acre 45 /acre

PARKING & OPEN SPACE Residential Retail Office

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Industrial

Rental Public Cash-on-Cash (After Year 3) IRREducational on Project Cost (Unleveraged Return) IRRHotel/Motel on Investor Equity (Leveraged Return Before Tax) Parking Structure Debt Service Coverage Ratio (Year 3) Total parking spaces Owner Landscaping and open space area Project Rate of Return Return to Equity CONSTRUCTION COSTS Subsidy TOTALAmount COSTS Subsidy Land CostsCosts % of Project Hard Costs Residential

137.93 165.52

2.00 / per unit

110.34

4.00 / 1000 sq

2.00 / 1000 sq

4.00 / 1000 sq

- 12.8% - 12.3% - 21.3% -

/ 1000 sq

2.00 / per room

1.71

414 15%0.0% 0.0%

$ (26,632,455) $ $ $

(2,047,500) 0% (19,627,522) $

$8 /sf $0 /sf

LANDSCAPES OF UNCERTAINTIES Title- Dichotomy within the City Type - Research paper Year - 2011 Status - Published in Ground Up Journal, 2012, Dept. Landscape and Urbanism, Berkeley, University of California

URBAN MELLON SEMINAR_FLUX NAVIGATIONS Title- Spatial Dialectics Type - Media Exhibit Year - 2015 Status - Displayed at John Hartell Gallery, Cornell University

Each city consists of two different faces – one which has been conceived, formulated and created as per the city master plan (authorised framework) and the other which has developed within the crevices and back alleys of the city to fulfil the needs of a populace that is growing exponentially. The first has become playground of neo-liberal entrepreneurs who creating gated colonies with manicured landscapes and lush greens to cater to the desires of their clientele so as subsist in a competitive economic order. The other in contrast has grown into inorganic settlements with high density, little intervention; generated as per the needs of a city that is facing an acute shortage of liveable space. In other words, the people have claimed this part in spite of the laws creating a settlement whose every feature depicts a prioritized need.

Identifying the Third Space In time, each space (whether planned or unplanned) develops characteristics that makes it a place within the urban domain. It redefines itself and the rigid geometry of the formal spaces is super-imposed by a layer of informal. Informal lacks predictability, adds personality and seems chaotic – and the order to this chaos lies in the simple understanding of certain social factors

Spatial Dialectics : Biopolitics and Post-colonial Performance in South Asian Cities The installation consisted of four vignettes : each mapping a relationship of space and human action. Through this work we sought to portray and discuss mainly, but not limited to, four major dialectical relationships: first, the dialectics between space and social structures, that is representational and performative functionality of spaces in relations to the societies built upon and surrounding them --“the socio-spatial dialectic” in Soja’s words; second, the dialectics of dependence on, and independence from, (neo-) colonial culture and capital; third, the dialectics of attraction and repulsion; and lastly, the dialectical relationship between the city’s dreams and fears. .

The change in the behaviour of a space occurs because there is a need – individual or of the community; that results in the redefining of thatspace. A cobbler sits adjacent a pole on the footpath, instinctively avoiding the streamlined pedestrian flow, creating a niche for himself and his livelihood in a realm that is truly public. The under-belly of the flyover is occupied by the homeless at night as it is a true no-man’s land and yet it is safer than other alternatives as it is in the full view of the road. The back alleys of colonies often double as playground for children as parks are quite unheard of in such localities. An old man sits on the little ledge at the other side of the side walk near the intersection, resting his tired legs. He is often joined by his counterparts. A vendor selling fresh limewater lingers at this point scouting for potential customers. It is clear then that we as landscapists and urbanists would have to identify the social needs that a space could fulfil, identifying the potential voids and using them in our designs. Acknowledging the immense potential of such areas would allow us to ponder on the best possible use of that space, avoiding the scramble and politics involved with each of these voids. The professional approach to this issue has to be of a realist – an approach that understands the significance of this spatial crisis and seeks to relieve it by designing spaces with multiple usages and reclaiming the voids that have been generated within the layers of urban mayhem.

The vignettes were interspersed with interviews/photographs/ videos/ conversations and mundane sounds as well as punctured with relevant imagery from the local movies. Through the juxtaposition of disjointed conversations, sound; over-laid with an array of related visuals; the performance sought to highlight multiple facets / perspectives around a post colonial theme in current South-East Asian cities. The over-all effect resulted in the creation of a series of fleeting vignettes in the viewer’s mind, as the impressions form in a travelers mind. photo credit - Satish Saklani

photo credit - Chairat Pamuk

Links: www.aap.cornell.edu/news-events/flux-navigations-envisioning-southeast-asian-city www.urbanismseminars.cornell.edu/courses/expanded-practice-seminars/fall-2014/

INCLUSIVE CITIES_REHABILITATION AND IDENTITY Type - Thesis Year - 2010 Status - Slum Redevelopment project under Public Private Partnership

Kathputli is New Delhi’s largest performers’ colony, home to magicians, dancers, puppeteers, acrobats and drummers whose families migrated here during the 1960s and 1970s from villages across India. An illegal settlement in an impoverished northern pocket of the city, the colony is a thriving paradox. Its denizens invite their audiences into lofty worlds where anything is possible, and yet the squalor of their precincts speaks of abject poverty and despair.

The idea is to create a scheme that resonates with the people of Kathputli, allowing them to thrive as artists, providing them with a space where they can live and work and an interface from which they can interact with the world at large. A scheme which allows them to keep PANDU NAGAR their guild bonds, interact as a community, market their products and perform to their own audience.

REDEVELOPMENT OF KATHPUTLI COLONY _a slum rehabilitation initiative ANANDGRAM - A LOW RISE SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL IS APPROVED. THE PROJECT WAS MEANT TO REHABILITATE THE 600 FAMILIES LIVING AT KATHPUTLI. IT WAS NEVER IMPLEMENTED DUE TO SEVERAL REASONS - DEARTH OF POLITICAL WILL AND IMPETUS BEING THE MOST PROMINENT.

1982

A TRAVELLING BANJARA TRIBE SETTLES AT THE EDGE OF THE CITY - THE FIRST FORTY FAMILIES WERE FOLLOWED BY A NUMBER OF THEIR BRETHREN.

1960

KATHPUTLI The project is fraught with possibilities, dilemmas, varying opinions, impossible altruistic goals, negligible economic leeway and vast social connotations. The main question asked at each point is - “How the function/service that this micro system performs for the society can be still performed, while granting a better standard of life to the people, without infringing on the just incomes to be made by any of the participants?”

RAILWAY TRACK

2008

DDA SELLS THE LAND TO THE DEVELOPERS FOR A MINIMUM AMOUNT. THE DEVELOPERS ARE REQUIRED TO REHABILITATE THE FAMILIES ON THE SITE UNDER PPP.

1978

THE FIRST NGO BHOOLE-BISRE KALAKAR IS ESTABLISHED. AN ATTEMPT TOWARDS IN SITU SLUM REHABILITATION IS MADE. THE ATTEMPT YIELDS NEGLIGIBLE RESULTS. THE VILLAGE CONTINUES TO GROW.

: SCHEMES

: SCHEME COMPONENTS

OF SPACES _ TRANSLATING THE NICHE THECONFIGURATION SOCIO-ECONOMIC FABRIC _ profiling the identity

SOCIAL TRANSITION

EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES_ proposed policies and resultant transition

IN SITU REGENERATION

RELOCATION

LOW RISE HIGH DENSITY

HIGH RISE HIGH DENSITY

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

NATIVE - 8%

SOCIAL IDENTITY WAR REFUGEES 1971

A detailed analysis of the various possible schemes in terms of their impact on the people of Kathputli as well SOCIAL EQUITY as the city as a whole, taking the relevant aspects in to consideration revealed that the PPP scheme, if applied SOCIAL INCLUSIVITY honestly, would prove the most efficient in the current SOCIAL ASPIRATION circumstances. Aspects like social identity, equity as well as economics, time line, impetus to complete the SENSE OF COMMUNITY project and so on have been considered; such that the resultant project may be translated directy as a viable possibilty. URBAN IMPACT

BANJARA CLAN ARTIST FAMILIES

(%) 100 80 60 40 20 0

IN SITU REGENERATION

RELOCATION

LOW RISE HIGH DENSITY

HIGH RISE HIGH DENSITY

IMMIGRANTS FROM INSLANDS 1980S+1990S

PRIMARY SCHOOL MIGRATED - 92% 15%

HIGH SCHOOL

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

THRIVES IN ITS CONTEXT

NATIVE - 8%

UNEDUCATED

USE OF ITS INTERFACE

KATHPUTLI VILLAGE 80%

TOTAL POPULATION : 14000 NO. OF FAMILIES : 2800 EXISTING POPULATION DENSITY : 1044 per acre

AFFIRMING ART & CULTURE

ENCOURAGING PLURALITY

EDUCATION

MIGRATED - 92%

BRIDGES THE DICHOTOMY

TRADE

PRACTICAL VIABILITIES IN SITU REGENERATION

RELOCATION

LOW RISE HIGH DENSITY

HIGH RISE HIGH DENSITY

ARTIST CLANS NO OF FAMILIES 1585

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

NON ARTIST CLANS NO OF FAMILIES 1215

60%

65 %

RS 8000 AND MORE 20%

40%

PROJECT DURATION

CONSTRUCTION

RS 5000 - RS 8000 40%

13%

IMPETUS FOR EFFORT PERFORMING ARTISTS

RS 2000 - RS 5000

ARTISANS

INDUSTRY

30%

DEVELOPING SKILLS 12%

RS 2000 AND LESS

FOLK DANCE_BHAVAI

ACHIEVEABLE TRANSITION

10%

PUPPET MAKERS

ODD JOBS

RAVAN-HATTHA BANGLE MAKERS

BACKED BY EXISTING LAWS AND URBAN POLICY

10%

DHOL EMBROIDERY

EMPLOYMENT

MAGICIAN CLAY TOYS

INFRASTRUCTURE

WOOD CARVERS

FIRE-DANCER CARPENTERS

IMPROVED HABITAT EFFICIENT HEALTH IMPROVED TRANSPORT

JUGGLER 'MADARI' PAINTERS

POTTERS

CULTURAL CENTRE

SHOPPING COMPLEX

CRAFT BAZAAR

THE HABITAT RECESSED WORKSHOP

RETAINING THE

GU IL D

UNDERSTANDING THE

VOIDS

front side of the bullding

They form a space for the guild to meet, interact and practice; in a space far more accommodating than a typical nook in the slum. It is an affirmative measure towards translating cultural identities as well as vocational needs into a design intervention.

front side of the bullding

Corridor

Room

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathrm

Room

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathrm

Every pair buildings have a recessed workshop, where artisans such as the wood carvers and carpenters and performing artists such as Bhavai dancers can congregate and practice their vocation.

Room

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathrm

Room

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathrm

Room

back side of the bullding

NICHE

Room

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bedroom

Bathrm

Bathrm wc

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathrm

Room

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathrm

Room

A HIERARCHY OF SPACES

Corridor

CO M M U NI TY

VOID

back side of the bullding

SHARED BALCONY

EVOLVING THE

Corridor

Entry

Room

Kitchen

A niche recess with every apartment for the individual to work or store his /her products; a partially owned balcony to share with ones neighbour, recreating the same sense of interaction that one has in a typical slum and a set of voids in each building. The voids serve three major purposes. They make the buildings visually lighter, allowing a play of vibrant colour and activity to break the monotony of social housing. It allows for the percolation of wind and sunlight across the site, creating an interesting play of shadows.

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathrm

RECLAIMING URBAN VOIDS_HISTORICAL VOIDS

(A)

Project -Khirki Masjid Restoration and Reuse Year 2011 Type - Competition _INTACH Status - Won a Special Mention Team - Anandit Sachdev, Taru, Yasir Hameed

Khirki Mosque

Saket District Centre

The masjid itself can be very well reused as a library space, cum, book shop and a cafĂŠ. This will allow the crowd of the district centre to flow into the village as well. The project can become the identifiable image of Delhi (which presently includes the Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, etc.) attracting tourists and further strengthening the economic sustainability. The Khirki masjid has a potential to become a public space â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a platform for people to interact. Various kinds of fairs (crafts bazar, food fair, book fair, etc.) can add value to the masjid. Thus, it will act as a multipurpose space for celebration of various cultural events.

The Khirki mosque built in the late 14th century is unique as a mosque as it has four separate courtyards and nine sets of nine domes placed symmetrically. The mosque lies opposite to the saket district centre which lacks culture and ethnicity. The mosque can very well be integrated with the district centre as an icon. But as per the current practices, it lies in derelict isolation, forgotten and steadily disintegrating, as it caters to no function and is visited none. With minor restoration and by connecting the monument the Saket District Centre, in terms of access as well as activity, the Khirki mosque can be brought back into the public realm, ensuring maintenance for this heritage structure as well as interweaving our heritage into our daily lives, enriching it. A sense of identity and a true public domain will thus be added to District centre which only has malls to cater to the increasing need for public and recreational spaces.-W

FUNCTIONAL VOIDS (B) Project - Urban Regeneration of Nehru Place Year - 2009 Type - Academic Research and Design Issue - Planning doesnot take the massive informal sector in to account Team - G. M. Tawhid, Satish Saklani, Taru

Nehru Place is a space which has redefined itself and its functionality several times over to suit the demands of the market and the society around it in the past few decades. It was first conceived as the cultural hub to create the ultimate expression of Nehruvian vision. The space redefined itself in time as Asia’s biggest computer mart in the 1990s.Today, the upper floors of the derelict buildings of the past decades stand abandoned, it is the informal mart of the area that attracts the masses and keeps the area alive. And yet, the design of Nehru Place fails to acknowledge the informal market that invariably flourish in public domains, resulting in utter chaos due to the unschematic existence of the hawkers mart. Since activities in Nehru Place are highly specific – offices and technomart the area becomes virtually dead after working hours. It requires alternative recreational areas that keep the place alive post working hours. Addressing this issue required an in-depth analysis of the built, the interstices and various stakeholders including the shopkeepers, the hawkers and the public itself. This intervention sought to reinvent the voids re-vitalising the design to augment the function itself.

URBAN VILLAGES_IDENTIFYING A SOCIAL PLATFORM (C) Project - Hauz Khas Basti Year 2011 Type - Competition _Enclosure Status - Unplanned Urban Village abutting historical monument and Park undergoing Gentrification Issue - Physical Voids in abysmal condition Team - Anandit Sachdev, Taru, Yasir Hameed

The back-alleys of Hauz Khas village speak of layers of history- their remembrance of the urban chronology of the villages mourns its ambient decay and it is the romance of this medieval reflection that has brought the quirky and artsy populace of the city to its bosom ...the urban voids of Hauz Khas have been staked by many and yet claimed by none. A brambled wire stands at the interface of the village and the madrasa, seeking to separate the glory of the past from the ignominy of the present with its sheer ugliness. This project is an attempt to integrate visually the present day village to the heritage complex, transforming an urban void into a space – a vantage point and a congregation street with seating and clear view of the lake. An incidental plaza on this street which is today an unofficial graffiti point can be officially instated as one, along with landscaping and public seating. An infinity stair spirals to the sky, adding to the dynamism of this space as well allowing one an aerial view of the complete settlement. This therefore transforms a closed, dank and decrepit back alley of an urban village in to a public space that resonates with the aspirations of today and yet has a window to the past.

ECO-TOURISM: NEHRA, JHUNJHUNU Project - Development Proposal Report, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan Year - 2013-2014 Type - Consultancy, Studio Urban Milieu Issue - Multi-use infrastructure that reflects the historical ethos of a place Team - A six member multi-disciplinary team Role: Designer and Planner

Studio Urban Milieu is India-based 5.4 Project Scheme andanProposed Planconsultancy that works on a range of planning, urban design projects. As a principal of the firm, I have been involved at all levels, including client management, design development and coordinating with consultant teams and on-site contractors.

This collaborative project with the local architects and the district of Jhunjhunu sought to analyze the Nehra Pahari region of Jhunjhunu and to propose possible plans to attract tourists to the region and spur community and economic development. The team conducted geospatial analysis to understad the natural terrain of the region and proposed possible interventions and a tentative site plan to the government.

Tourist Resource Centre_Welcoming the Tourist

Viewing Platform at the hill top

Nature Trail_Defined Viewing Points

The Nature Trail

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE: SUM Project - Commercial Centre, Allahabad, India Year - 2013 Type - Architecture Issue - A contemporary Team - Md. Riyaz, Satish Saklani, Vikrant Thalor, Taru

SITE INFO

REAR SETBACK 3M

This is a live project based in Allahabad, which is famous for being the holy site where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna nad Saraswati meet. This project seeks inpiration from the scale, texture and light of the existing ancient architecture and integrates the macro-aspects of urbanism, congregation and sustainability. The public plaza, the skin facade and the artistic space frame add drama to the experience while still retaining the structural and economic viability of the project.

SIDE SETBACK 3M

Commercial Street, S.P.Road

Site Accessability Located at S.P. Road, near Mahat ma Gandhi Chowk, in the Civil lines a considerable commercial catch ment and an economically sound neighbourhood that could form a considerable clientele.

Option A _ Tanishq + Retail

FRONT SETBACK 6M

Located on SP Marg (annexe) with in 60 m from Vivekanand Chowk in the south and Mahrishi Dayanand Marg in the north. Maximum Height : 22M

SCHOOL AT VADODARA Type - Professional Research and Practice Year - 2011 Firm - Anangpur Building Centre Job - Project Architect Team - Prof Anil Laul, Taru and a Team of Artisans and skilled labour

This pre-school aims to dispel the perennial fear from toddlers’ minds that schools are alien places with “Teachers who Teach” rather than fun places where they come to play, and incidentally “Learn While They Play”.

Site Plan _ exploring triangulation and introverted planning

An Appropriate Built System _ towards sustainability and efficiency

Since the angle of vision is in the form of a cone, the basic form has been adapted from a triangle. This whole design has been derived from the micro function â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the most significant learning space â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the classroom. In other words the micro detail has been determined in order to arrive at the master plan.

Funicular Shells

Various combinations then make for hexagonal spill-out areas which then go onto forming larger internally landscaped and secure equilateral triangles used as courtyards of various sizes " for separate volumetric interaction. This results in the absence of corridors and a regimented class room layout. Triangulation makes for earthquake resistance with Venturi action for cooling and this is then carried through to the structural system of the entire project

Inner Beams

Wall Beams

Welded-Truss Columns Brick Piers Walls built with Hollow-core Interlocking blocks bonded diagonally Arched Foundation

Arched Windows

The Structural system _ achieving earthquake resistance

Building with waste _ hollow core interlocking block

Arched Foundation

Interlocking blocks fit into eachothers grooves, locking themselves into a fool-proof bond. An impermeable diaphragm protects the building from weathering .

The foundation is excavated in the form of an arch and a system of welded-steel columns, brick piers and arched wallfootings prevent differential settlement of soil. A triangular network of piers, super-imposed with a triangular grid for columns makes for a highly stable structure. This combined with the interweaving of walls and UDL due to arched walled footings leads to a highly stable structural system.

The blocks are finished with green, sandstone and white stone chips to harmonise with the adjacent palace. These have a horizontal bore (4â&#x20AC;?dia) for easy handling by women.

The walling system consisting of the Inter-locking blocks placed diagonally, in conjunction with curved brick walls at the edges; along with arched beams and windows combine to form a system that is earthquake resistant

Interlocking blocks made out of 50percent paper crete (out of waste paper) are ligher and provide thermal insulation. Waste polyethene are to be stuffed in the cavities for additional insulation. Acrylic cutouts have been embedded in the diaphragm such that the children identify the various characters and the vibrant colours add cheer to the building.

Diagonal Bonding Derived from ancient practices, diagonal bonding is an effective solution used for centuries to counter lateral thrust and to allow for better load distribution in case of an earthquake.

A set of women-labourers were paid twice the amount they would have received ordinarily towards making interlocking blocks. Owing to their inherent tendency to save for the health and education for her children, empowered women would grow towards the betterment of her family.

Diagonal transfer of thrust

2-HR FIRE RATING

SPEEDY PRODUCTION

INTERNAL/ EXTERNAL USE

SAVES TRANSPORTATION COST

LIGHT WEIGHT

GREEN PRODUCT

Swelling in black cotton Soil

EASY ASSEMBLY

Lean Back-up material 2-HR FIRE RATING

Differential Settlement

COST EFFECTIVE

SPEEDY PRODUCTION

INTERNAL/ EXTERNAL USE

SAVES TRANSPORTATION COST

LIGHT WEIGHT

GREEN PRODUCT

COST EFFECTIVE

EASY ASSEMBLY

STRONG & DURABLE

SIX BEST PRODUCTS 2001

Non-permeable Diaphragm

STRON DURA

Building with waste _ funicular shell

The funicular shell roof is one such compression structure, which ensuresconservation of natural resources by utilising waste materials effectively andoptimising the use of expensive steel and cement. Further, the arch distributes the point load in all direction equally thus, is able to withstand impact loadingat any point. - Diagonal grid of funicular shell gives the illusion of a larger space. - Eliminate use of high-energy steel reinforcement used in the conventionalRCC roof. - Allows efficient use of waste materials and provides personality, colour andtexture. - Minimises requirement of internal plasters.

Reconceiving the classroom _ learning through experiencing

APAS_AN ECO HOTEL

Title- Tranparence (St Gobain National Competition) Type - Competition Year - 2009 Team - Taru, Satish Saklani, Tawhid

N Apas - the vedic name of water

The brief of the competition required to design an eco- hotel involving innovative use of glass and green technologies for design and construction. The brief required the hotel to be justified and proposed in the vicinity of a river or mountain side. The concept eventually draws its form from the dynamic pattern that the river Ganges inevitably creates in its course. The form seems to have emerged from its holy waters .The Site is considered as a great Hindu pilgrim destination and is also a home to various water sports and activities. The hotel perceived here gently settles down in the natural context with itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s form and elements of design.

Connective courtyards _ bringing the nature inside Concept evolution

Of Colors, Textures and Activities _towards an incredible learning experience

Proposal - Wind Harvesting Small cubicles attached to the steel truss allow the winds to move through them and rotate the turbine located within them. As the shape of the structure is linear, it allows the winds to move parallel to it without hindering its speed. As a result the velocity of wind and its subsequent mechanical energy can be harvested in to electricity which can stored in a battery.

The site already attracts people interested in activities like fishing, camping, various water sports, etc. The Eco- Hotel can be the base camp for all such activities while leaving negligible ecological footprint and merging in to its surrounding green areas preserving the ecological microcosm of the island and minimizing the foreseen damage that tourist activities would eventually cause without such intervention.

Ground floor

Also since the fauna on the site is largely consisting shrubs and wild grass,building the Apas would enhance rather than hinder its ecological well-being .

Use of solar gain glass (an integrated installment of effective glass and photo voltaic to capture solar heat and generate power)

First floor

Second floor

Self Operable vents to exhale the warm air of the hotel

Biotic mossing helps in minimising reflective heat effect of the structure

Green roof balances the temprature, will keep the hotel cool in summers and warm in winters.

Extra-clear patterned glass for photo voltaic modules

Convex concave Glass so as to concentrate solar energy on thin P V Cells

BASERA_IN SEARCH OF UTOPIA Project - Basera _Seeking Utopia Year - 2010 Type - Student Competition Team - Satish Saklani, Taru, Yasir Hameed

Gandhi envisioned a self-sustained country whose villages had grown to sustain themselves and a collective movement towards development. Such a utopia demands dignity to live, to function and to sustain. We chose the race completely lost to the sands of time – the ones who wander the desert at whim or need, who change their homes in search of water, the ones who still live like their ancestors of old, the food-gatherers, the song-makers, bahrupias and dancers – the Banjaras. The daily struggle for basic things of life – be it food or water or homes, let alone security or comfort is lost to them. They live in the harshest of terrains, with minimum resources and almost no hope. It is time therefore to bring life to the desert. The site is sufficiently within the desert for the banjaras to be comfortable within its confines and yet it is adequately connected to the cities via two sets of existing roads. These roads provide an easy connect to Jaisalmer and beyond.

Line of control

I walk several miles under the blistering sun My muscles strain, my songs still gay The sands scorch my feet, the rickety wheels go raw The desert stretches forever more There is no home, the road goes on There is no road, the home moves on Yet under the womb of thrumming earth Blooms life – A hardy stock music strain in the winds of sand Here is Home, Here is Hearth.

Jaisalmer

The choice of the site depended on the following key notes – Site 40 kms radius

The site is located on the western frontier of our country, around 40 km from the city of Jaisalmer and 60 Km from Indo-Pak border. It lies in the middle of the desert, along the newly built water canal.

a) It should lie in Thar such that the families of banjara find themselves infamiliar territories b) It should be accessible and well-connected c) Should be a part of the desert ecological system so that the useful desert vegetation may be harvested. d) Availability of water

Indira Gandhi Canal Access road II running along Indira Gandhi Canal

- Taru

Main access road from Jaisalmer and Sam N

The pavillion city planning and courtyard style for housing clusters of Jaisalmer have been a source of inspiration.

The banjaras of Thar are the hardy descendents of an undefeated race – they have survived the sparse and parched desert and found a way of life in the mystical flow of sands – A way of life that is full of vagaries and yet is the triumphant epitome of human spirit. Any Utopia of that aspires to exist in the desert would reflect this spirit and would be aglow with the vibrant colour and mystique of the banjaras.

Dunes that are now stabilized

The patch of land due to the presence of the canal is slowly growing a green cover at the edges. The dunes in the vicinity have been turned largely in to permanent mounds as a by-product of naturally occurring sand dune stabilization.

Economics formulation model 1

Community Centre The Community Centre has been planned on the main street axis, adjacent to both the community settlement, the Industrial Zone and the Tourist Centre. It is therefore accessible to all. It is the major trading point as well as the administrative area of this zone

Tourist Centre Tourism forms an integral part of the economy. Typical Banjara tents along with a cultural amphitheater for performances by the the local people create a tourist module with ten tents each. Three sets of such modules have been proposed here. The centre has been placed along the road and adjacent to the stabilized dunes, thereby giving them an access to the community centre and a view of the desert as well as the dunes.

Master Plan 5

Energy production A series of windmills have been placed along the site boundary aligned at angle to allow harvest wind energy for electricity production. Energy is also generated via the strategically placed solar panels along the streets and the public buildings.

Arts Be it Performing Arts or craft work, form a source of income. Banjaras are known for their earthy music and fascinating folk dances and bahrupiya acts. Their art work and local craft work like wood carving and kathputlis are also popular

Animal Husbandry Camels, cows, sheep and goats along with poultry are a major source of livelihood for the banjaras. A ratio of one is to ten has been ascertained by surveyors. The animals are a source of food (milk, egg, meat), transport and wool.

Medicinal crop Plantation At least 700 species of medicinal plants are found in this area. To tap this source of income and to tackle the problems of shifting dunes, agro-forestry is extensively planned on the areas adjacent to I.G. Canal. Most trees are drought resistant and provide multiple productions like fuel, food, fodder they also provide services of climate moderation under a inhospitable environment.

Timber Timber can be obtained from trees like certain species of Acacia and Rohida. They would not be a primary source of building but a limited and judicious use for crafts and tools would be made. Products like dyes and gum resin are obtained from indigenous plants. Food Production and Packaging Rajasthani preparations like papad, gatte, achaar and bhujiya are long-lasting and popular. They can therefore be packaged and be a source of profit.

Toilet

Each cluster consists of 12 houses. Each of these houses open in to a circular courtyard, on whose circumference they have been placed.

The waste water and human waste is linked from each two set of dwelling units and is collectively channelled to the bio gas plant and waste water treatment plant, further utilising the solid waste (including human & animal waste) for manure and bio gas and the treated water can be reused in the toilets.

Dwelling unit

Waste water collection Poly-tube

Barbwire

The mound is a crescent -like stabilized dune that forms a protective envelope around each cluster against the harsh climate of the desert and thus changes the quality of air.

Dwelling Clusters

Zone of influence for each dwelling unit A circular zone of influence has been allocated to each house which can be treated as their private open area, where they can house their animals and do other activities.

section

Toilet

A typical village chautar

Dwelling unit 48 sqmt

A neem or a cluster of acacia stands in the middle of each courtyard. It mimics the typical village chautar - a place where the community congregates and interacts with each other. Plan

Poly tube is laid in circular manner, according to the plan of the dwelling unit and after each layer, barb wire is used to bring more stability to the structure. The outer and inner facade is then plastered with the same traditional material which is in practice. The whole process makes it very convenient to operate, can be handled locally and provides stability and thermal insulation to each dwelling unit in the harsh desert climate.

Material that is used for construction for each type of dwelling unit is considered to be quite important in setting up this type of community. The most available material is used that is sand and stabilized with lime or concrete. Required amount of quantity of the prepared material is then filled in poly-tubes. The dwelling unit construction method is imbibed from the Architect Nader khalil who works for a global cause and effectively contributes in construction in desert type of climate.

MEDIA AND PERFORMANCE

Project- The Character of a Happy Life Year - July 2011 Type - Play, Cast as Shale Production - Studio 42 Director - Vidhu, Udayan Chakravarty

Theater

The Character of a Happy Life is a Black comedy that revolves around a upright school teacher who finds an imprisoned vampire in his basement. His attempts to redeem the vampire and her manoevers to bring him to the dark result in a series of events that are both hilarious as well as provoke some profound questions about the Dark, the Light and the shades in-between.

An adaptation of Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy in two Acts, this play sprung a Freud on Douglas Noel Adams. While the First Act relived the high notes of the masterpiece, the Act II allowed the audience a peek into the ‘real life’ events that pushed the author in to an alternate universe in a manner reminiscent of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Project- Hitch hikers guide through the galaxy Year - Jan, 2008 Type - Play, Cast as Trillian/Tricia Mcmillan Critical Writing Production - Studio 42 Director - Udayan Chakravarty Have published four critical essays and contributed to the newsletters by

Janmadhyam on tribal lifestyles and folklore. Won the National Journalism Trophy in Architecture in 2008 and two Jury Mentions for Ataj Trophy in 2009 . Been on the editorial board in school as well as college. Author of the book “A Journey in Colors- Khaleeq Ashfaq Khan”, a documentation of the works of Khaliq Ashfaq Khan and the dying art of Indian Washpaintings.

Short Films

Project - Shifting Paradigms Year Dec 2011 Type - Documentary Production - The Broken Coffee Mug Team - Taru, Yasir Hameed

Shifting paradigms shows a glimpse of the phenomenal transition in the way Delhi shops. The bazaars of Delhi with their inherent charm and effervescent hawkers are being swiftly replaced by the glitzy shopping malls and rows arrayed with trends propagated by leading brands of the world. Link - https://vimeo.com/34360310

Also have written and directed “Mirroring the Mirage“, another short film on cinema and its effect on our lives. It won the National Movie-Making trophy hosted by National Association of Students of Architecture in 2008. In the recent years, have written the screenplay for the short film Numb, which was directed by Ms Ankita Mittal and was screened in Amity Film Festival in 2007. Wrote the script for the Hindi play Khwahish, depicting issues of female infanticide and education amongst women. The play was staged by the students of Indian Law School during their annual fest in 2010