Architecture Portfolio

Architecture. Portfolio

ortfol

portfolio

What i try to do is the art of building, and the art of building is the art of construction. It’s about space and material.

- Peter zumthor

Treasure of Art | Selected works | 2016 - 24

Vaidehi Desai Treasure of Art

Treasure of Art | Table of Contents Contents./

academic. field-work.

ThriveC(enter) - Changing the paradigm through pedagogy

Cultural | Thesis - community center

Ramco Interpretation Center

Cultural | Community Center | Field experience - AVDC

Humanscape - Net-zero housing community

Residential

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Farmci(tea) - where the built and un-built unite

High-rise Residential | Ctbuh _ international competition entry

Yellow train school

Academic | Field experience - AVDC

Communal housing

Sustainable

Field experience

Calico Dome Cultural | Workshop - hands-on 01 02 03 04 05 06 01 09 13 17 21 23 list. | MPDS - Selected works Residential | Field experience 07 25

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- AVDC

ThriveC(enter)

INFO Project Location: Mahuva, Gujarat, India

Project Function: Community Center

Software used: Sketchup, Autocad

Mentor - Prof. Babar yahya

Guide - Swapna kothari

DESCRIPTION

Prayas aims to provide a new impetus to economic development at the local level by transforming rural clusters into well-organized and vibrant communities. This comprehensive initiative addresses the challenge of rural migration driven by economic sustenance and social dynamics, as evidenced by village demographics. The primary objective is to produce architectural interventions in rural villages that promote social, economic, and environmental sustainability, supporting the holistic development of the community. Additionally, the project seeks to design these interventions in such a way that they can be constructed by local labor using local materials. This approach aims to create a replicable template that can be adapted and implemented in other villages, empowering villagers to collaboratively modify the design to meet their specific needs. By increasing basic services and fostering integrated and inclusive rural development, Prayas will contribute to the overall development of the region, enabling villagers to help themselves and work together towards sustainable growth.

01

ENTER INTO THE NUANCE OF LIGHT AND CRAFTSMANSHIP .01

Treasure of Art | ThriveC(enter)

Final thesis project _ small communes _ community center

Zoning of Stepwell’s function

Water table Confined Aquifers

02 Thesis project | Site context incorporating proposed building

Un- confined Aquifers

From the heart of the step well, where the exhibition space resides, one can behold this vista. It imparts a sensation of being connected to the sky, despite being 15 meters below ground level.

Treasure of Art | ThriveC(enter) | Heart of Stepwell 03

Stepping towards the paradigm shift through pedagogy.

04

Thesis project | Siteanalysis

Treasure of Art | ThriveC(enter) | The Kund-stores percolated water 05

06 Thesis project | Detail section | The steps

07 Treasure of Art | ThriveC(enter) | Core

Nexus

Where close-knit communes in diverse villages unite, forging strong connections and vibrant communities.

Adhikram | Hierarchy

08 Small Communes in each village | nexus

Vikshep | Dispersion Nana asrana village Vibhag | Division Goras village Bhinna | Different Mota khutavada village Kikariya village

Ramco Interpretation Center

Imerging from land

Project Type: Recreational

Location: Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Project Function: Theater and Pavilion

Software used: Sketchup, Autocad, Photoshop

Guided by - Ar, Suhasini Ayer

DESCRIPTION

The RAMCO Interpretation Center is a dynamic recreational space designed for students, integrated with an adjoining institutional building. Situated in a lush, elevated landscape with rock structures forming a maze-like setting, the center is both unique and inviting.

The center features a green roof with supporting columns that draw the eye upward. Its oval-shaped, concave plan uplifts and separates open and enclosed spaces effectively. The front half serves as an open pavilion for social gatherings and events, fostering community connections.

The back half houses an enclosed theater made from concrete and locally sourced bricks, offering a dedicated space for performances and cultural activities. The RAMCO Interpretation Center blends modern design with local materials, providing a vibrant hub for both students and the local community.

09

.02 INFO Treasure of Art | Ramco interpretation center

Working drawing of a floor plan Internship selected works | AVDC | Ground floor plan 6 1 2 3 4 5 7 A B C D F H I 8 G E J K DN DN DN DN DN Elevation B Elevation A Elevation C B B M L N O -0.60m ±0.0m ±0.0m (53 PAX) (56 PAX) +0.90m +0.60m Auditorium 44 sq.m. Center Space 52.80 sq.m. -0.60m +0.30m Ramp up ±0.0m -0.60m Ramp up -0.60m DN -0.15m -0.30m -0.45m 635.0 635.0 175.0 175.0 619.5 619.5 303.0 25 150.0 25 125.0 25 150.0 25 125.0 45 267.0 125.0 203.5 45 75.0 75.0 75.0 311 16° 29° 29° 16° 105.0 -0.45m-0.30m-0.15m±0.00m 25 486 75 45 45 486 75 45 521.5 78.5 224.5 78.5 121.5 124.0 192.0 25 575.0 45 150.0 224.5 125.0 25 199.5 25 600.0 677.5 117.5 124.0 192.0 25 575.0 45 125.0 25 199.5 25 432.0 359.0 150.0 359.0 432.0 333.5 135.0 321.5 25 125.0 25 321.5 135.0 333.5 110 25 110 6.5 110 25 110 6.5 299.5 299.5 4"Ø Rainwater pipe in the rcc column 4"Ø Rainwater pipe in the rcc column 45 267.0 125.0 203.5 45 Y Y 45 10

11 Treasure of Art | Ramco interpretation center

Section Detail YY Internship selected works | AVDC | Sectional Wall detail Blended and obscured through landscape 12

Humanscape

Communal living spaces _ Sustainable residential space

Project Area: 1753 m²

Location: Auroville, Pondicherry, India

Project Function: Residential

Software used: Sketchup, Autocad

Guided by - Ar. Suhasini Ayer

DESCRIPTION

HumanScapes Habitat is a sustainable urban living project addressing the global energy and climate crisis. This mixeduse development includes residences, community spaces, and workspaces, setting standards for low-embodied energy buildings. It aims to upskill India’s construction sector, promoting low-carbon materials and technologies. The project features energy-generating homes, zero water discharge, waste recycling, drought-resistant landscaping, and urban agriculture. Goals include creating solar-passive, efficient buildings with lowembodied energy materials, and implementing integrated water and waste management. It fosters social interaction through cohousing principles, integrating living, working, and recreational spaces. The SustaiNet network facilitates knowledge sharing among academics, students, and professionals. HumanScapes Habitat aspires to build a net energy-positive community with a minimal carbon footprint.

Humanscape Phase A 2. Building 1A - 01 3. Building 1A - 02 4. Building 1A - 03

5. Building 1A - 04 (utiity) 6. Building 1A - 05 (multipurpose)

7. Parking A 8. Humanscape phase - 1B 9. Parking B 10. Youth housing 1 11. Youth housing 2 12. Way to Arka & Kalabhumi

1.

Invocation            0 25 M

Net-Zero

Housing Community

.03 INFO Treasure of Art | Humanscape

Internship selected works | AVDC | Phase-1 constructed

14

The residence exterior embraces an earthy color palette and incorporates natural materials, allowing them to age gracefully over time.

15 1cm screed 1:10 3cm chicken mesh 5cm thk aerocon thermal tiles 2cm thk screed white reject tiles (cool roof) exposed brick vault laid on edge (23cmX11.5cmX7.5) top of vault roof lvl @ +9.63m roof beam top lvl @ +8.90m roof slab bottom lvl @ +8.50m roof slab top lvl @ +8.60m second floor ffl lvl @ +6.40m first floor ffl lvl @ +3.20m ground floor ffl lvl @ +/-0.00m first floor vault beam top lvl @ +5.70m first floor vault beam bottom lvl @ +5.30m ground floor vault beam top lvl @ +2.50m ground floor vault beam bottom lvl @ +2.10m ground lvl @ -0.60m top of poured earth wall lvl @ +8.15m top of poured earth wall lvl @ +4.95m bottom of poured earth wall lvl @ +3.15m bottom of poured earth wall lvl @ +6.35m ground floor tie beam top lvl @ +2.30m gf sunken slab bottom lvl @ +2.75m first floor tie beam top lvl @ +5.50m ff sunken slab bottom lvl @ +5.95m 10cm thk PCC bed 1:4:8 sunken slab with floor filling Indian patent stone flooring screed 1:10 sunken slab with floor filling Indian patent stone flooring screed 1:10 Indian patent stone flooring screed 1:10 Treasure of Art | Humanscape The wall section features a brick arch with site waste insulation, IPS flooring, and aesthetically integrated supports with the exterior facade.

The chains act as a pathway for water, leading it into a pebble box that percolates the water into the ground through the roof.

Internship selected works | AVDC | Phase1 - Floor plan & detail 16

Farmci(Tea)

WHERE THE BUILT AND UNBUILT UNITE

CTBUH Skyscraper competition

Project Location: Munnar, Kerela, India

Project Function: Mixed used

Software used: Revit, Sketchup, Autocad, Lumion

DESCRIPTION

Farmcitea is a vertical city located in the prime of “Munnar – The Tea Capital of Kerela”. It is a Sustainable solution to the discourse of rising urban, economic and social challenges of the city. The building complex resides 3 towers placed over a mixed use podium that caters to the needs of people of all ages, backgrounds and gender. Farmcitea has innovative contribution especially to the tropical regions in the context of constant urbanization and climate change. It’s not only futuristic but envisions harmony between man and nature by sticking to the local context.

MY ROLE

20% Conceptualizing 20% 3D modeling 30% Presentation 30% Illustrations

17

INFO

.04 Treasure of Art | Farmci(Tea) | Intro

CTBUH competition | View to top 18

19 Treasure of Art | Farmci(Tea) | Salient features

CTBUH competition | Details of Design 20

Yellow Train School

ELEMENTS OF SURPRISE INTO SCAPES

Landscape design _ institutional

Project Area: 1334 m²

Location: Coimbatore, India

Project Function: Institutional Landscape

Software used: Sketchup, Autocad

Guided by - Ar. Suhasini Ayer

DESCRIPTION

The Yellow Train School project, a collaboration between Biome Environmental Solutions and Auroville Design Consultants, sought to revitalize the school’s entry landscape into a welcoming and functional space for students. Central to the design was the incorporation of student-made murals on the entrance wall, fostering a sense of pride and ownership among the school community.

Additionally, bunds were introduced for seating and sliding, complemented by strategically placed rocks to enhance the aesthetic appeal and provide interactive elements. In my capacity as the landscape designer, under the guidance of architect Suhasini Ayer, I worked to seamlessly integrate these features while considering practical aspects such as safety and emergency preparedness. The outcome was a vibrant entryway that not only greeted students warmly but also provided engaging outdoor environments for their enjoyment and relaxation.

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.05 INFO Treasure of Art | Yellow Train School

Landscape plan and Sectional detail, showing stepped seating area, passage and surrounding topography

Internship selected works | AVDC | Landscape design

22

Calico Dome

RESTORING THE TAPESTRY OF HISTORY

Workshop _ Hands on _ Volunteers

Project Area: 250 m²

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Project Function: Market

Software used: Rhino, Sketchup, Autocad

Guided by - Nirav hirpara & Sapan hirpara

Collaborated with - CHHAT, Studio VDA & AMC heritage department

DESCRIPTION

The Calico Dome, also known as the Calico-shop Dome, was a geodesic dome on Relief Road in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Designed by Gira and Gautam Sarabhai and inspired by Buckminster Fuller, it served as a showroom and shop for Calico Mills. Inaugurated in 1963, the dome fell into disrepair and collapsed after the mills closed in the 1990s. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is now reconstructing it.

As a volunteer, I worked on a prototype frame for the AMC heritage project, part of a three-year research effort involving students in refurbishing the degraded dome. This hands-on project aimed to preserve the original design while addressing structural weaknesses.

The dome, made of wood and steel, features a unique five-pointed design supported by steel pillars and tubes. The canopy consists of diamond-shaped bent plywood blanks joined by steel studs, with the platform supported by steel frames that allow natural light into the underground shop.

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.06 INFO Treasure of Art | Calico Dome