Portfolio (2012-2020) V Sri Mallika Vyshnavi | Urban Designer, Architect
The works published in the following portfolio are a summary of academic assignments and professional practice between the years 2012-20. All graphics, maps and charts included have been drafted, rendered and generated by me and any foreign reference has been sourced and duly credited.
MASTERS - URBAN DESIGN
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Finding the Middle Ground Master plan Studio Elements of Urban Design Interdependence - Understanding the Studio
WORKSHOPS
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• Decoding principles of Urban Public Realm • Preserving Varanasi As An Outstanding Heritage City
UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
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• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE • Experience • Practical Training (B. Arch)
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Finding the middle ground : Thaltej, Ahmedabad
Finding the middle ground Studio: Site Selected: Site Area: Design problem:
Urban Transformation Thaltej Gam, Ahmedabad 540 Acres Finding radical solutions for regeneration of urban Villages
the
Reinforce the sense of belonging and establish a middle ground to negotiate and progress towards blurring the boundaries.
The urban village in the discussion is Thaltej gam, a seed that started as Brahmanpura, an agrarian settlement along the Thaltej lake, and later evolved into this village with haphazard growth and gradual decay of its authentic fabric. The existing fabric shows Thaltej as a hub for affordable rental housing for migrants and students that can cater to the incessant need for housing. A further deeper reading of the site reveals the apparent segregation between communities in the gamtal and how they’ve all come together to stay apart. The sense of belonging and values that tie the gamtal (Urban Village) together, weaken through generations and as a result development takes a haphazard tone disregarding its authenticity. Keeping this in mind, the design aims to strengthen and exploit the strong community values and use it as a tool for the way forward. The following compilation is a study of the gamtal and the value system that shaped it. Starting with this, the report takes you through how the potentials of the site have been identified and built upon to gradually transform the village and create a more liveable environment around it. 10
Reinforce the sense of community
Permeable and Porous Road Network
Building Use
Private Enclosures
Urban Villages are a hub for affordable housing options.
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C
Community Mapping
Building Use
120 m
New Developments
A B
Road Network
C
Impermeable and Narrow roads with a clear need for network.
Communities : Communities have come together to stay apart With the findings from the analysis established, building on the sense of community and social capital was identified as the main focus for the design problem. Upgrading physical infrastructure and affordable housing market were the other potentials identified and addressed as a base to build on the main idea. After upgrading the physical infrastructure and creating opportunities inside the gamtal, the next stage of transformation is to add value to its intangible asset The sense of belonging. This sense of security is an integral part of the gamtal life and an important social capital that fuels the life within. To address the change in the language of buildings, the design aims to reinforce the sense of belonging to indirectly steer future developments into respecting and enhancing these intangible virtues. To do so, the street has been identified as the tool to create a dialogue between the communities that are currently facing their backs to each other. 11
120 m
Road Network
Road Network
Streets are the middle ground that would trigger these interactions
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Existing Condition Communities facing their back to each other with no communication
Step 1 Identifying an interface create a neutral ground
to
Step 2 Carving out the streets with respect to existing built
Step 3 Gradually blurring boundaries of the communities
Step 4 Streets as a tool to create a dialogue between communities
Step 5 Transformed communities with active interactions.
Transformed Cluster
Landmark as the nuclei
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Community Street
Existing Thaltej Gamtal With an enormous scope of development, both in residential and commercial sectors, Thaltej gamtal occupies a prime area 250mts away from SG Highway. While being categorized as an urban village pushed it back on the growth curve, the project begins here, with the complete acknowledgement of both its strengths and weaknesses. While the tangible aspects of the gamtal were addressed with modest improvements, the intangibles were made the main focus of the design. With this as the premise, the transformation begins with identifying the vulnerabilities of the site and gradually infuses triggers that would ensure repelled transformations in the gamtal. The proposal is aimed at creating a convenient canvas for the future transformations to flow on - a slate that would respect the value system of the gamtal while carrying the potential to modernise. 14
Proposed Transformation Triggers The idea of community streets take the centre stage, and attempts to shift the focus inwards onto the residential colonies in the gamtal. The project focuses on increasing the liveability in the communities and promote smoother functioning. The built form along the streets inside communities continues to carry equal importance in shaping the overall experience. Eyes on the street, being an integral quality of the existing fabric, this has been looked at as an intangible virtue and guidelines have been proposed to retain it. In conclusion, the transformed village reflects the vision of finding the middle ground, a village that strives with harmonious coexisting communities. Starting from the hierarchy in the road network, the nodes infused with commercial activity, landmarks re-imagined to create identity; the village as a whole has been improved to fully cater for and sustain future developments. 15
Blending the insides with the outside
Master Planning Shela, Bopal, Ahmedabad 571 Acres Master planning under Township Policy
Eyes on the street, inversion of the dead corners into public spaces of an appropriate scale - are some of the unstated strategies that build the township to be more inhabitable and friendly. In the built form, a mix of building uses was employed to ensure a vibrant space all through the day. With central spine as the face of the project, residential neighborhoods are given a choice to their way of life. The proximity from a major public place and other facilities adjoined, these neighborhoods can either open up and invite the city into them or transition into quite residences.
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Central Spine
Establishing the Central Axis
Road Network
Although the Central Spine and the Canal front development take the centre stage, the built form around it has equal importance in both activating and shaping these spaces. The recreational spaces designed in the township have a repel effect that flows beyond the first layer of buildings. The built form along it complements the same.
Introverted Neighborhoods
The master plan reflects the vision of creating a neighborhood around the public realm, a public realm that pulls the city to it. This township has been designed as a miniature city and functions like one. Starting from the hierarchy in the road network to the varying scales of recreational space, it has been designed to accommodate people of all ages.
Master planning Strategies
Built Form
“ To create neighbourhoods around a public realm. The design aims to integrate all the zones with a series of activities along the central spine spread across the site.�
Built form creating a Sense of enclosure
Studio: Site Selected: Site Area: Design problem:
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Global FSI - 1.59 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 19
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Central Public Spine Canal Front Development Public Spine Extension integrating Canal front and Central Axis Public buildings along the spine to shape and activate the greens. Cultural Center adjoining the central axis and MICA to build on the existing institutional value. Auditorium and theatres at the neck of Canal front and Central Axis. Central spine blends into the neighbouring development Mixed-Use Residential buildings with an activate frontage along the Canal front. Corporate office and pure commercial buildings on the Sanand - Sarkhej Highway Detached housing on the fringes to accommodate the irregular edges Economically Weaker Section Housing
A walk through the central spine
Visual connectivity to the spine from residential neighbourhoods
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Distinct Built form to improve imageability
Porous and publicly accessible ground floor
OAT’s and other hardscaping to activate the central axis
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Activity spill over onto the axis contributing to its publicness
Urban Block Analysis The detailed view of the urban block highlights the idea of the central axis, active built form along with it and the residential neighborhoods. It displays a distinct hierarchy of green spaces as they transform from a private space to public. The built form along the axis creates a sense of identity and improves the imageability inside the sprawling green trails. Buildings have a spillover zone onto the axis adding to the activities and maintain informal surveillance throughout the day. The extension of the green spine to integrate the axis and canal front is fitted with a retail plaza that can host weekly farmers markets and invite the city to it.
ALONG THE CENTRAL AXIS
Guidelines
Publicly Accessible Ground floor. Retail activity and active frontage. Spill over of activities on the axis
Porous boundary wall to maintain visual connection and allow borrowed views for neighbourhoods.
BUILT MASS
GROUND FLOOR
BOUNDARIES
Plazas at every 100mts ensures a break in the mass to extend the canal front views beyond the first layer
Publicly Accessible Ground floor. Retail activity and active frontage.
Porous boundary wall to maintain visual connection and allow borrowed views for neighbourhoods.
ALONG THE CANAL FRONT
Linear or Angular staggering after every two floors to create terraces and varied views.
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Elements of Urban Design
City inside a City Studio: Site Selected: Site Area: Design problem:
Elements of Urban Design Sector-8, Gandhi Nagar 370 Acres Understanding Elements of Urban Design, Re-imagining Sector-8
“ Sectors within a Sector - Enhancing the enduring character and designing for a better livable future.� The studio is focused to gain an overall understanding of the built environment and the city as a whole. The following graphics are part of individual assignments that study these elements and are an overview of the same. Building Types, Urban Blocks, Streets, Urban Squares are part of the identified elements. Building Types : Abstraction of the physical features to develop an understanding of the language of buildings. Urban Blocks : Built fabric and the diversity of it with varying contexts reflects the influence of local culture and also stands as the identity of the place. Streets and Urban Squares : In most cities of India, streets have been resorted to as the public place for communities. This multiplicity of use and how the buildings adjoining respond determine its character. The studio further proceeds into execution of the above gained insights. One sector from the capital city of Gandhi Nagar has been chosen as the site and a master plan has been developed. The master plan tested the codependence of the analysed elements and combinations of building uses to trigger social interaction. 26
Sultan Bazaar , Hyderabad Earlier known as Residency Bazaar, Sultan Bazaar is an old commercial market street in Hyderabad.
Earlier known as Residency Bazaar, Sultan Bazaar is an old commercial market street in Hyderabad. Although 9 meters wide, the street reduces into a congested path during the day with the retail outlets extending onto the road. Sultan Bazaar has a distinct typology of buildings both in plan and elevation that dates back to centuries. The cramped shops and narrow entrances open onto a spacious inner courtyard and residences surrounding it. Although only countable buildings from the bygone era have remained the layered layout of shop in the front and a house behind remained. 27
The Jain Mandir in the center of the street is 150 year old and is one of the busiest points of the street.
RE-IMAGINING SECTOR 8, GANDHI NAGAR Pedestrian Spine Acts as a pedestrian entry point of the sector. Abutting major commercial development, this pedestrian lane ensures footfall throughout the day with a variety of activities.
Reflecting on the activities of Suryajyoth Lake: Sector-1, the edge has been proposed to have a major commercial development.
Commercial Edge
Central Plaza
Retained Garba Ground Known for its annual Navaratri festival that invites people from all over the state. This major landmark has been retained and enhanced by an attached pedestrian trail guiding people towards it.
Self Sustaining Neighborhoods All the five neighborhoods planned in the sector have been accommodated with a mix of Residential, Commercial and Recreational amenities ensuring an independent and sustainable neighborhood.
Central Plaza Library Building acting as an anchor point for the plaza
Shopping Street Abutting
a
series
of
commercial
development, this pedestrian lane marks the entry into Sector 28 from the CHlane. The shopping stretch is designed along with a continuous strip of seating acting as a spill out spaces for the shops. It eventually mergers in to the central plaza.
Understanding the City
“Interdependence” Studio: Site Selected: Site Area:
Understanding The City Ramdev Nagar, Ahmedabad 1 square Km
The following compilation is a study of all the factors that shaped Ramdev Nagar. Starting with the major determinants of change it continues to explain the changes they caused and the interdependence of these factors. This “complex web of interdependence” in the elements has been laid out in the form of a map to elaborate upon. “Interdependence” of each characteristic on one another be it physical or social has shaped Ramdev Nagar into an efficient residential community and this interrelation is evident in every study of its features. Figuratively speaking, the structure and functioning of Ramdev Nagar can be compared to that of a play, where land is the stage, typology of buildings are different characters who carry an individual storyline of FSI and price. All this run or produced by the audience and a financier - occupants and the government who are in turn benefited by the results like the quality of life and income generation. Infrastructure services as the backstage managers running the show from under the ground. All these factors perform collectively to put a show and cannot be experienced or developed in isolation.
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The Web of Interdependence laid out chronologically
1970
1975
1980
2001
2010-2012
Vikram Sarabhai laid the foundation stone for ISRO-Space Application Centre in 1962, in an area that would later get its name from this establishment. This institution triggered a shift of residential in the proximity, but the road network and public Transport were yet to be allotted.
By the year 1975, informal settlements have formed around the ISRO employed as the service class in the institute. Two other worked based settlements followed and remain intact until this date. The informal settlement was the first residential development in Ramdev Nagar.
The land use rapidly shifted from agriculture to residential. Plots have been demarcated and sold to developers. This character of residential societies is prevalent to this day and dominates the individual residences. Satyagrah Chhavni was the first of this trend.
With the exponential growth in residential sector and the infrastructure was slowly being provided Ramdev Nagar was in the center of growth. In 2001, Fun republic, the first multiplex of Ahmedabad was proposed in Ramdev Nagar . This marked the beginning of Commercialization
Under TP Scheme: Vejalpur-6, Ramdev Nagar was equipped with wider roads and infrastructure. The BRTS that came in the year 2012 further increased the land value and changed the typology of building adjoining main roads. Commercialization led to employment generation and improvement in facilities led to better quality of life.
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Interdependence of Land and Built Forms
Case A: Government Housing
Case C: Shopping Mall
Case E: High Rise Apartment
Walkable distance from the SG Highway, the plot stands out with the highest price and lowest FSI. The ownership and purpose of the plot are reflected in the FSI.
Dev Arc Mall on the SG Highway is one among the most happening outlets of the city. Even with an FSI of 4.5, this commercial plot has a medium land value contrary to the general trend
This case highlights one high rise apartment another low rise apartment. This variation in typology results in varying Land prices - Interdependence of Building Height, Building Typology with Land value.
Case B: High Rise Apartment
Case D: Informal Settlement
With an FSI as high as 3, this new development of Ramdev Nagar has relatively lower land value owing to the distance from the main roads. 36
Lower land prices as a result of the plot retaining its settlement despite being equipped with a higher FSI and direct approach from the main road in the later years of development.
Public Realm
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Reference Image - Source: Suhita Shirodkar; https://sketchaway.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/varanasi-part-2/
Workshops
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Preserving Varanasi As An Outstanding Heritage City: A Planning And Design Exercise (Summer School 2019) The workshop aimed at analysing the current condition of precincts near Assi ghat, Varanasi. The condition of buildings, the story behind each of them and estimate the tangible and intangible worth of these buildings. Based on the above factors suitable conservation and rejuvenation techniques were proposed to uplift the neighborhood.
Existing
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Proposed
Public Affair :Decoding principles of Urban Public Realm through effective mapping in Ahmedabad (Winter School 2018) The area analysed is Paras Nagar, one of a kind Government housing project in the city that also catered to HIG population. This gated community has been studied to understand it’s phased development, interventions by the occupants to personalize their experience and how these interventions changes the structure of the township. Border and Boundaries, studies the regular moving patterns inside the township and the dynamics of the limited gathering points.
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IISER, Tirupati Studio: Topic: Site Selected: Site Area:
Undergraduate Thesis Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Yerpadu, Tirupati 244 Acres
IISER is a unique initiation in science education in India in which teaching and education are integrated with state-of-art research. These institutions are for undergraduate and postgraduate education in science with an intellectually alive atmosphere of research.
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Thank you Sri Mallika Vyshnavi E-MAIL: veeravazzula.mallika@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/srimallikavyshnavi