VARUN MICHAEL PAIS
Portfolio Selected Works 2015 - 2020
Varun Michael Pais California/USA +1 (669) 249 - 8573 varun.m.pais@gmail.com varunpais.wordpress.com
EDUCATION Wadiyar Centre for Architecture / Mysuru / India / B.Arch / First Class with Distinction
2016-2020
Brick’s School of Architecture / Pune / India / B.Arch (1st and 2nd Year)
2014-2016
The Doon School / Dehradun / India / 7th-12th grade
2008-2014
WORK EXPERIENCE KGD Architecture / Washington DC / USA / Intern Architect
2019 | 18 weeks
Mangalore Smart City (Proposal Team)/ Mangalore / India / Intern Architect
2016 | 3 weeks
2PKM Architects / Mangalore / India / Intern Architect
2015 | 6 weeks
LEADERSHIP President / Student Council / Wadiyar Centre for Architecture Design Team Leader / NASA Design Competition Sports Secretary / Student Council / Brick’s School of Architecture
2017-2018 2016 2015-2016
PUBLICATIONS & WRITINGS Editor-in-Chief / Courtyard / WCFA Newsletter Journalism Team / NASA Competition Editor / Design Infinity / BSOA Magazine
SOFTWARE SKILLS BIM: Autodesk Revit 2D Drafting: Autodesk AutoCAD 3D Modelling/Rendering: Google Sketchup / Rhinoceros / Lumion / Enscape / V-Ray Adobe Suite: Photoshop / Illustrator / Indesign / Premier Pro MS Office: Word / Excel / Powerpoint Model Making: Lazer & CNC / 3D Printing (Software and Hardware) Permanent Resident of the United States of America
2018-2019 2018 2015-2016
SELECTED WORK TO PROMOTE AND ACTIVATE INTERACTION AMONG SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS IN A DIVIDED URBAN CONTEXT Architectural Thesis (Undergraduate Degree) | Semester 10 | 5 Months
URBAN INTERVENTION
Uban Design Studio | Semester 8 | 4 Months
STUDENT HOSTEL
Architectural Design Studio | Semester 6 | 3 Weeks
TSUNAMI MUSEUM
Architectural Design Studio | Semester 5 | 21/2 Months
GOVERNMENT HOUSING
Architectural Design Studio | Semester 4 | 21/2 Months
DOCUMENTATION
Architectural Design Studio | Semester 3 | 1 Months
MODELS
Architectural Design Studio 7 & KGD Architecture
TO promote and activate interaction among socioeconomic classes in a divided urban context mysuru, india thesis project semester 10 | 2020 16 weeks
This research is an investigation of the current relationship that exists between different socioeconomic groups within the public realm. The intention is to understand the existing fabric of an urban neighbourhood in its entirety, from the reason that different socioeconomic groups live in proximity, the existing inequality, to the manner in which they interact and how each group uses the public spaces that tie them together. The study explores the need for public mixing and the benefits of interaction between socioeconomic groups in public space and how that contributes to the quality of life. The thesis aims at identifying where architecture can play a role, through an analysis of different programmatic and building solutions at different scales, all with the intention of facilitating interaction among socioeconomic groups and mitigating the divide that exists between them today.
//INQUIRY// ASPIRATIONS
THE DIVIDE
Today, we see large amounts of urban migration taking place, people flocking into cities in search of work, hoping they can find their true calling as well as, of course, make enough money to have a ‘good and comfortable life’. The portrayal of such a life comes from what one perceives of how the one percent (or parasites, as Andy Merrifield prefers them) lives.
After observations that were made during the Ways of Life study, there was a clear understanding that there are several layers of divide that exists, ultimately arriving at the fact that our urban contexts are divided. To further the inquiry, the following question had to be answered.
If there is an ideal way of life, then in someways, one can say that we are all in some sort of race to reach the top of a social ladder that is never ending. [Happiness/Steve Cutts]
Different socioeconomic groups, having different notions of living systems, that exist in PHYSICAL PROXIMITY of each other, are dependent on each other, yet are in NOTIONAL ISOLATION of each other.
WHAT IS A DIVIDED URBAN CONTEXT?
WAYS Of life
NO - DIVIDE Are there situations where the divide ceases to exist? Do scenarios arise in our daily lives where social heirarchy is not a deciding factor for how we behave with people who are not like us? An exploration of possible cases, both short term and long term, gives an insight to the possibilities of growth and betterment, as well as what can be achieved, when we set aside our differences and become a part of something more than just ourselves. Short Term - Small Scale
cues used for the study in Gokulam, Mysore building & boundary wall heights/ street edges & widths/ identical floor plans/ services and security/ vehicular presence
Amos Rapoport in his book, The Meaning of the Built Environment (1982,1990), talks about how physical cues in a built environment are means for judgement of the ‘type of people’ who live in different areas. The cues derived for this study were based on cues that Rapoport mentions in his book. The judgement criteria is based on an understanding of what social hierarchy is to each ‘type of people’ and how one would associate meaning of a place being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and hence the people of the place would in turn be good or bad respectively.
Short Term - Large Scale
Long Term
How can these notions of No-Divide be implemented where the divide is most apparent? Where does architecture fit in?
SENSITIVITIES, INCLUSIVENESS, BELONGINGNESS There are several organisations and governments that talk of its importance in making our cities inclusive from not just social, but economic, educational, spatial and other factors. When we look at this at the level of a city, there are various mediums and methods that are used including policies, rules, design, planning and more. But, is looking at the idea of inclusiveness from the overall city difficult to tackle. Would trying to intervene the other way round, from smaller elements and groups be more efficient or could this be something that would have to be approached from an in-between scale like a neighbourhood?
UNESCO
Projects for Public Spaces (PPS)
GEHL
ARCHITECTURE’S ROLE It’s important to understand where architecture fits in with respect to the idea of social inclusion. As Medellin suggests, the focus has to start from the level of the most minute of details. How do people use spaces that exist today and what are those activities that exist that allow for different degrees of interaction to happen?
Street Vendors Scenario 01 A regular commercial street with four different buildings at an intersection
02 One of the building changes function and starts to become a popular spot for people who use the street
Activity Study: Extension of household activities into the public realm
03 Street Vendors capitalise on the fact that people come to this space as it gives them more opportunity for business
04
Activity Study: Appropriation of wide sidewalk for commercial activity
The vendors set up shop in a manner that tends to eat into the road, this is neither safe for the vendor or their customers
What is architecture’s role with respect to social inclusion? Architecture’s role within the ideas of social inclusion are limited but not insignificant. If interventions come from an understanding of the people and the place, they can be influential, provided the role of architecture is understood clearly.
05 However, vehicles tend to avoid hitting pedestrains and the effective width of the road could change from 4 lanes to 3 or 2 lanes.
gokulam
understanding the neighbourhood
studying the street
Gokulam is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Mysore, and is regarded as one of the more desirable neighbourhoods to live in. The diversity that Gokulam has is reflective in the people and the streets. The demographics include those local to Gokulam, students and young professionals from accross the country. There is a large global influence on the neighbourhood due to the fact that Gokulam is one of India’s largest yoga hubs. People from all over the world come here and the mix of cultures is a sight to see. The influence of yoga itself is stong within the neighbourhood. There are several boutique restaurants and stores that serve those who desire organic and vegan produce. Gokulam is not overpowered by these influences and the vibrance that is expected of an Indian neighbourhood is still present. The locality also houses a lot of cultural activites including art, dance music and drama. It is planned similar to the rest of Mysore with cross roads and residential plots that have neighbourhood parks and commercial zones that are easily accessible to all. Gokulam is also a safe neighbourhood.
Figure Ground
Road Network
Vegetation
Opportunities
Satellite Image
Figure Ground
Ve
Street Vendors
Entries
Price
Mapping of people on the street was conducted to u patterns and manners in which people choose to avoid o
This mapping was done on a weekday and weekend a method was taken from The Public Life Diversity Toolkit
Land Use
Building Use
Plot Segregation
Pedestrian Network
After an analysis of the various opportunities that were available for intervention in Gokulam, 1st Main Road was identified as an ideal place to study in further detail. This is because it serves as a resource for everyone in the neighbourhoods day to day needs, from groceries, medical supplies to stationery, hardware and much more. The street is a place for everyone, but this is because of necessity not a desire to be on the street. The aim of studying the street and its vicinity in depth was to understand what the people of Gokulam feel about the street and Gokulam as a neighbourhood and to also understand the built environment and workings of the street. Existing conditions of the street, including sidewalk conditions, open drainage, vegetation, street furniture and so on was also observed. Gender Mapping
The study on the street was conducted in two main methods: 1. A survet and sampling system that helped in understanding how people respond to the street and the activities here. Surveys from the Gehl Institute’s Public Life Diversity Toolkit were appropriated for Mysore.
egetation
2. An observational and morphological study of the environment that the street has as of now.
Building Use
These studies led to an understanding that the street itself provides several opportuinities to address the ideas of social inclusion and interaction as architecture means to do the same.
Survey data
(100 samples collected)
e Diversity
Building Heights
Magnets/Drivers
understand the existing movement or be in certain spaces on the street.
at seven different time periods. The created by Gehl Institute.
People Movement Heat Maps
GENDER
NATIONALITY
RELIGION
INCOME
FREQUENCY OF VISIT
EDUCATION
THE PROPOSAL GOKULAM 1ST MAIN ROAD
After Gokulam 1st Main Road was identified as a suitable place for an intervention that would respond to the ideas that were being discussed earlier in the thesis, the next question was how. In order to arrive at a suitable solution, the whole street was identified as the area for the proposal. Here the interventions work as part of a whole - addressing various aspects that the street needed a response to as well as requirements of the neighbourhood. The interventions address issues at a variety of scales from sidewalks and open spaces to public facilities and large scale buildings that house them. All of these done with the primary focus being facilitating opportunities for interactions to take place.
Proposal Plan of Gokulam 1st Main Road
Offer opportunities for interaction at multiple scales
Re-structure traffic movement and vehicular presence to make the streets safer for pedestrians
Re-approp the focus
priate the street such that shifts from vehicles to pedestrians
Pedestrian networks and spaces should respond to exisitng functions and programs on the street
Identify a set of programs and functions that would enhance the overall experience of the street and neighbourhood
interventions pedestrian oriented sidewalk modifications parking/loading unloading public transport
This portion of the street is driven by the Ganapathi Temple. Other drivers include a chai shop and a medical store that are opposite the temple. There are a few street vendors that draw people in the morning and the evenings. The junction is unorganised and primarily a space where pedestrians feel unsafe.
This portion of the street is driven primarily by commercial activity including a liquor store and bar. This portion of the street sees more activity in the evenings as compared to the mornings and is dominated by a larger male population towards the later hours of the day. As this area draws a lot of pedestrians, the number of street vendors that set up shop here are higher. However, there is no demarcated space for them to operate.
View of the street with interventions
building a scale: LARGE
Aim:
To design a place on the street that infuses the everyday life of the people of Gokulam and a variety of learning spaces. The ambition is to bring spaces of culture and knowledge sharing into the public realm. Identify ways in which such spaces can spill out into the ‘public’ spaces of the building that facilitate opportunities for interaction at multiple scales and between these scales as well.
Program:
- Learning Spaces - Dance, Music, Art and other cultural activites - Workshop Spaces - Library - Exhibition Spaces - Food / Retail
pavillion c scale: SMALL
Aim:
The Gehl Institute talks about creating spaces within the public realm for people to stay longer. This intervention aims to capitalise on the fact that there is an empty site behind a demarcated bus stop. The intention was to incorporate the bus stop within the site and create a shelter that protects from undesired weather conditions. As was observed in the case studies, pavillions can be designed in a manner that it can be used on a day to day basis as well as for small scale events. The design aimed to achieve this while incorporating the street within the site as well.
TEMPLE WALKWAY scale: SMALL
Aim:
To create an attractive and obvious pedestrian link with the neighbourhood park behing the temple. Currently the vendors around the temple set their shops up on the road, there was an intent to see if they could also be incorporated within this intervention.
What is architecture’s role with respect to social inclusion?
Is there an idea
Studies in previous slides talk about the questions that were being asked to arrive at the solution above. One question that was most important was to understand what exactly architecture and public space design was supposed to do when it came to the ideas of social inclusion in cities.
During the studies that w the research component o that was always left unan which architecture is most requirements of inclusivenes
As the thesis is based within the public realm of a neighbourhood, the answer had to be along the lines of a largely diverse user group, similar to that of an entire city, yet not as complex. The understanding at the end, in many ways matched the original hypothesis as well as the current title.
Architecture’s role within the ideas of social inclusion are limited but not insignificant. If interventions come from an understanding of the people and the place, they can be influential, provided the role of architecture is understood clearly, which in this case, was to facilitate opportunities for interaction at multiple scales and within multiple spaces.
Studies in the Ways of Life ch scale of a residence increas residents have with their s however, was an observatio realms and could not be a would react within the pub people who were very differe
building b scale: LARGE
Aim:
To keep the vibrance that food already brings to this site while adding facilities for the people of Gokulam. Introduce programs that a community-centric and allow for interaction between these spaces at multiple scale within the building and the street.
Program:
- Community Facility - Skill Development Center - Women’s Self Help Center - Mysore One Office - Bank Branches and ATMs - Food - Retail
building d
scale: MEDIUM
Aim:
This street does not have basic facilities like public toilets! The intention of this intervention was to create a public toilet on the street and also add certain complimentary functions that work with the ideas of interaction and social inclusion. The building would have to serve as a backdrop to the street as well as incorporate the bus stand that is located here.
program:
Public Toilet/EateryUni-sex Salon/Exhibition Space
FOOD PLAZA scale: MEDIUM
Aim:
To identify a location that can accomodate the street vendors in this region of the street. While doing so also create a relief space from the business of the activities on the street.
al architectural scale for inclusiveness?
were being conducted for of this thesis, one question nswered was the scale at suitable to respond to the ss.
hapter identified that as the ses the interaction that the surroundings reduces. This on made within residential justifaction for how people blic realm, especially around ent from themselves.
Further investigations that were discussed in the chapter No-Divide identified that there were certain situations within public spaces that allowed for a sense of empathy and inclusiveness in terms of how people responded to the activity at hand - these were observed at small and large scales over short periods of time and also over long periods of time. There still however was no concrete answer to what would be the ideal scale for an intervention such as the one that was being attempted in this thesis. To further attempt to find an answer case studies of existing buildings from a variety of programs and scales were studied.
The final attempt to reach an answer was by understanding how people currently appropriate space within the public realm. Most of these observations where at small scales, within 10 square meters. What was interesting however was that no democratic appropriation of space was done within a building. It would always be around vendors and kiosks placed on the street and at spaces not originally designed for people to use. The decision then was to attempt was in which the idea of facilitating interaction could be implemented at multiple scales in public buildings and urban space all within the public realm.
BUILDING A Aim:
To serve as extensions of the street and offer spaces for public life to capitalise on the opportunities that interaction offers. Provide essential functions and activities that adhere to the day-to-day life of the people in Gokulam
Programs:
Library Cultural Learning Spaces Exhibition Spaces Workshop Spaces Food - formal and informal Commercial Activity
LOWER GROUND FLOOR PLAN @ +3.40m
regular exhibitions
UPPER GROUND FLOOR PLAN @ +6.55m
motorbike launch
flash sales/large discounts/offers
FIRST FLOOR PLAN @ +10.60m
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC - BUILDING A SECOND FLOOR PLAN @ +14.65m
CROSS SECTION across entrance
SOUTH ELEVATION
CROSS SECTION across cores
BUILDING B Aim: To serve as extensions of the street and offer spaces for public life to capitalise on the opportunities that interaction offers. Provide essential functions and activities that adhere to the day-to-day life of the people in Gokulam Programs:
Mysore One Community Centre Skill Development Centre Womens Self Help Centre Bank Branches Food - formal and informal Commercial Activity
PERSPECTIVE SECTION BUILDING B
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC - BUILDING B
SOUTH ELEVATION BUILDING B
GROUND FLOOR PLAN @ +3.40m
FIRST FLOOR PLAN @ +6.55m
SECOND FLOOR PLAN @ +10.60m
THIRD FLOOR PLAN @ +14.65m
street vs building Public spaces around the world include plazas, promenades and other forms of large open spaces for everyday public activity. In India, we consider our streets to be our primary public spaces. Though true, streets have a lot of other things going on, from vehicular movement, bus stops and parking to services, drainage, etc. The pedestrian is rarely given sole preference. Yes, at time sidewalks are widened and traffic methods are used to control the flow of traffic, but can this be pushed further? The way in which we look at our buildings and their relationship to the street is limited. They are always perceived as two separate entities. It is possible to look at both as part of a whole and the pedestrian domain can grow into the buildings as well. If such is the case, can the building be called the street and the street the building?
EVERYDAY ACTIVITY/SECTION ACROSS THE ATRIUM/BUILDING AB
FOOD FESTIVAL/SECTION ACROSS THE ATRIUM/BUILDING AB
PAVILLION C
GROUND FLOOR PLAN/PAVILLION C
Aim:
To offer a space on the street that protects from undesired climatic conditions and serve as an open space for all.
PROGRAMS:
Pavillion Bus Stop
BUILDING D Aim:
To provide public facilities like toilets in a manner that works with the notions of social inclusion. How does one design a public toilet that is safe and also a desirable place to be otherwise? To provide a dedicated and safe space for vendors and the people of Gokulam. Also serves as a desirable place on the street that people would come to.
CONCEPTS
GROUND FLOOR PLAN/BUILDING D
Not every intervention or structure that is put up should have a defined purpose and dedicated functions. Streets like this that are highly active throughout the day require several forms of breathing spaces.
people to use it as they please on a daily basis, and, if needed, it could double into a small scale performance space or meeting area. The pavillion has the capacity to house small scale talks, plays, discussions and so on.
This pavillion was designed with such an The images above depict the everyday scenario intention - to serve as a breathing space. It and an event based scenario. was designed in a manner that would allow for
CROSS SECTION
SECTION THROUGH THE FOOD PLAZA
LONGITUDANAL SECTION
urban intervention mysuru, india urban design studio semester 8 | 2019 12 weeks Project Brief An analysis of an existing high street - DD Urs Road led to an understanding that the area was under utilised and was not close to reaching its potential. The aim was to identify a suitable system through which the site could be regenerated. From studies of economics, rules and regulations, existing demographics and the built conditions a case was to be made and demonstrated through architectural interventions.
Imagine, you’re walking down a street, there’s a sense of open green space all around, not necessarily at that moment, but its vibe is satisfying. You do not know exactly what you want to do as you walk by, but you can walk, peacefully – not too crowded, no too noisy. The place feels very modern, as if it were built just yesterday, but there is also a sense of past glory, something of greatness and pride. While walking, you see a pani-puri stall, surrounded by many, a street play, kids running around. It seems like everyone is here, even the chai walla, who seems to have been here for the last 30 years. There’s a romantic sort of feel, very comfortable, very peaceful, it feels like this ‘place’ is a part of Mysore.
DD URS ROAD As part of a mixed-use environment, is it possible to have a public-building that serves the purpose of being humble as well as monumental at the same time. Could a simple act like lifting and tilting the building allow for a justified respone to site? In one gesture it could reinforce the green character of the city and the urban intensity of DD Urs Road and its surrounding vicinity. Does a context like this require its buildings to open up in a ‘natural’ way and create and inviting gesture? Site being volumetrically subdivided to segregate primary public and private activities. The large grey zone above represents the private, the white the public below and the red is the inbetween. Exploration of possibilities of having one side lifted up to create a larger public space and a more interesting result for the possible private spaces.
Figure Ground Plan
The ‘imapct’ of the building cascade of greenery and la relatable to human activity.
DD Urs Road is primarily of nature’ and to captivate wh have to be a majority of c ground. Could this vairety more adaptive way?
What if the space that people will move through could be made up of several volumetric experiences that define the activity in those same spaces?
Each frame or poi the the in and out between the two.
This could be implemented through a variety of techniques such as a cube that can be carved out from within or several ‘frames’ in sequence.
The public square serve as an inform No interface or thr protect from the h
g could be softened by this arge open spaces that are .
f a ‘high street commercial hat is required there would commercial activity on the of spaces be created in a
//The dichotmoy between high & diminishing. But, can we create that is inspiring to everyone? to be elitist & populist at the can we envision a truly public public ‘place’ fo the city?//
int could have different connections with t and to some extent dilute the contrast
e would then become a 3D square and mal foyer to the whole building. reshold and though open it could harsh sun or heavy rains.
low culture is an environment Is it possible same time? How building and a Through an exploration of how large solid walls could serve as a unifying factor, variations were attempted to arrive at a suitable expression. The walls were then reappropriated as functional spaces within the building, tough they appeared as solid masses from the exterior.
These walls, apart from serving their structural purpose, allowed for various elements and fucntions to be fitted within them, from services, to staircases, storage and even things like changing rooms for clothing stores.
Possibilities of a creating a vibrant and interactive shopping experience for DD Urs Road. Rather than having the character of a linear shopping street, is it possible to create a more engaging experience by changing the movement patterns through interesting spaces.
Sketch of the structural transition from RCC and below to steel above.
Longitudanal Section
Ground Floor Plan
Front Elevation
Side Elevation
Cross Section
First Floor Plan
Cross Section
Third Floor Plan
student housinG mysuru, india architectural design studio semester 6 | 2018 3 weeks Project Brief To design a Hostel Block for Architecture students studying at Wadiyar Centre for Architecture Requirements Number of Students - 125 (70 girls / 55 boys) Individual Rooms - 50 Shared (3 people) Rooms - 25
Coming to college everyday, the same campus, same people, same studio spaces - after a point, especially when the semester tends to get intense - everything dry, all the excitement tends to drain and everything seems mundane. But post studio, is it possible to rejuvenate in the comfort of an on campus residential block? Is it possible for one to have a new and interesting experience everytime they walk through the same space? Or. Can the space itself change everytime? The aspirations of this design was to allow for interaction to happen at various levels for the students/residents. To make every journey back to their room exciting. In some way, reinstigate the importance of interaction (not just within the scope of academics). This is a space where the students are allowed to dive deep within themselves and tap into their hidden creative sides. The buildings structure is the outside of the building, the aesthetics or realness of the facade is what the students choose to make of it - from hanging clothes out to dry (even design sheets for that matter) to experiementing with materials to create what they feel the space needs, based on what it means to them. In some sense a canvas for a collective need to express and experiment with. After all, Architecture is a collaborative field and one can learn so much from their peers.
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
Concpets
Unit Type
Flat Single Occupancy
Inspiration drawn from two features in college - the steel columns and the forest behind the site.
The second part of the process was to attempt to add a certain amount of randomness to the arrangement, based on certain parameters.
The inital idea was to create a ‘floating forest’ - a forest of columns with a floating canopy of modular units.
After a variety of methods to achieve this - two arrangments were chosen for further process.
Split Single Occupancy
Split Sharing Layout 1 The two selected arrangements were then overlapped and the reintroduction of the ‘L-shaped’ module allowed for interesting diagrams to be generated, from which the varying the heights of each module would allow for variation in the spaces that could be created.
The biggest breakthrough was when we looked at the possibility of splitting the module itself into levels. It allowed for more variety and possibilities that would eventually enhance the quality of spaces created within the block.
Split Sharing Layout 2
es
Second Floor Plan
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
tsunami museum pondicherry, india architectural design studio semester 5 | 2017 10 weeks
Project Brief To design a Museum that serves as a new public building in Pondicherry, as well as a tribute to the effects of the Tsunami that hit India in 2004
The Town: Pondicherry has a rich and diverse cultural her the influence of Tamil and French as well as the is the newest addition to Pondicherry, making destination in South India
Requirements The program included exhibition spaces, an auditorium, administration, an amphitheatre and a reasearch and study centre that catered to understanding and tracking tsunamis.
The Site: Situated at the center of Promenade Street - on the town - the site for the museum once housed by a variety of heritage buildings. The fact that t becomes pedestrianized in the evenings em publicness that would have to be responded to
ritage. It draws features from e Aurobindo Ashram. Auroville it a vibrant and active tourist
ne of the most active roads in the Town Hall. It is surrounded the promenade mphasizes the importance of through this intervention.
Radical Agenda: Architecture for a public building like the proposed museum should serve the social condition of the people rather than just the visual senses. The aim, apart from designing the museum is to create a place for the people of Pondicherry. As this area is used extensively by the people of the town, it would have to relate to them and their culture before it relates to architecture of past influence, as Pondicherry has such experienced.
though an important institute of the city, the proposed museum serves as a backdrop for the promenade, a vibrant and active public street
the approach to the museum is along its length and not towards it, hence it should be experienced as one walks along the promenade
being a public ‘place’ the museum serves as a ‘pause’ for the citizens - a requirement within the urban buzz
the interaction that the building has with the street has to enhance the essential quality of urban place
Ground Floor Plan
the museum offers formal and informal gathering spaces: an auditorium, amphitheatre that serve as extensions of the public domain
Perspective View
View of the Entrance
transparency attempted big ways: from in to out and vice versa. an attempt to dilute and mix diverse activities of the outside with the formality of the inside
Section AA
Section BB
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
AUDITORIUM
VIRTUAL & TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS
PERMANENT EXHIBITION CIRCULATION/ SERVICE CORES ADMINISTRATION BLOCK ENTRY ZONE
TSUNAMI MUSEUM
GOVERNMENT HOUSING MYSURU, india architectural design studio semester 4 | 2017 8 weeks Project Brief To design a housing project for an indentified user group having some commonality (either work or interests) Number of Units 30-32 (8x1bhk / 16x2bhk / 8x3bhk) Maximum Height 15 Meters Setbacks 5 Meters (all sides) Floor Area Ratio 1.75 Maximum Ground Coverage 60%
Identified User Group Government Housing, for employees that work with various organizations such as transport, postal, public services, utilities within Mysore New Approach to Government Housing For a country to be able to respond to its problems, learn from its mistakes and develop & moderinize in a manner that basic ammenities are provided to all, those who are a part of the government itself should be in a position to understand what basic requirements should be. In an attempt to understand the vast extent of housing as a subject and an issue, I have proposed that the governments employees must be provided with proper living conditions with respect to their living spaces as well as shared spaces between.
IDEA 1: Single Block Create an internal park such that every unit gets a view of a park. Highlight elements - staircases and corridors - to try and make it more interesting? Attempt at stagerring and breaking the mundaneness of the singular and solid ‘block’.
IDEA 2: Internal Street
Section Across the Atrium Internal Street to enhance the idea of a social (while maintaining individual privacy). Exploration of double height spaces and common terraces. Introducing units with entries on alternate floors to create a variety in circulation.
Further Development Internal street exists but voids connect the front and back as well. Merging of Idea 1 and Idea 2 lead to the creation of interesting voids and terraces. Finally, the combination of terraces and staggered staircases allows for a variety in spaces that could allow for social interaction.
Ground Floor
Cross Section
GOVERNMENT HOUSING
DOCUMENTATION MIRLE, india architectural design studio semester 3 | 2016 4 weeks
Elevation
As part of our design studio, we were to spend a week in a rural village understanding and documenting the life and architecture of the locals. This included interviews, measure drawings and photo documentation. Mirle is a village located in the Krishnarajanagara taluk of Mysore district in Karnataka. The village has a total population of around 6000 people with a male to female ratio close to 1:1. The major occupation of the people here is agriculture.
Street Plan
Karnataka
Mysore
Mirle
Mirle-area of study
Street Cross Section
Street Cross Section
Roof Plan
Model Making
Pantheon Analytical Model Subject: History Semester 4
Concept Design Model Subject: Urban Design Studio Semester 8
Materials: Foam Board/Acrylic Method: Lazer Cutting
Materials: Mount Board/Acrylic Method: Lazer & CNC Cutting
Tensile Structure Subject: Building C Semester 5
Materials: Garden N Method: Design + 3D Implementation: Aft finalised on Rhino, by a group of 8 stu
Site Model Subject: Architectural Design Studio Semester 7 Materials: MDF Method: CNC Cutting/ Lazer Etching
Construction
Net/Rope D Modelling ter the design was , it was then constructed udents.
Flinder’s Street Concept Design Model (Competition) KGD Architecture Internship Materials: 3D Printing Resin Method: Rhino Model simplified and broken into components for easier printing and managing of the model. Use of PreForm to plan and test the print samples. Post printing and curring of individual components - model assembled and left to cure.
P. 669.249.8573 E. varun.m.pais@gmail.com