Elements of Urban Design

Urban Design Portfolio |Semester-2| V Sri Mallika Vyshnavi| PG181051

CONTENTS

1 2

Studio Brief

Elements of Urban Design 2a. Building Types 2b. Urban Blocks 2c. Streets & Open space

3

Reimagining Sector -8, Gandhinagar

4

Learnings

1

Studio Brief

The studio is structured as an introduction to urban design representation and how it is used as a means of design thinking. The premise is that urban design is best understood and expressed through the study and representation of the built urban environment. Hence the studio will focus on the study and representation of the key urban elements in cities and will be structured in multiple modules running through the semester, each culminating with an exhibition of the outcome. These modules will significantly focus on effectively capturing and communicating the spatial qualities of the urban built environment.

Module 1 will involve perceiving and representation of the key elements of urban design.

The premise is that building types, urban blocks, streets and public open spaces form the key elements that come together to make any functional urban space. The exercises in this module will enable the student with methods to study each element and how they contribute to the scale, form, character and their relationship with the larger urban context.

Module 2 will be the final exercise which will involve the application of the abilities and skills developed in the first module through the preparation of a framework plan of a given urban area. This module will focus on preparing and representing site analysis, design strategies of open space, street network, urban blocks, building use and type strategy. The culmination of this module will be to prepare a set of effective communication representation drawings for the design and the analysis.

The learning outcome of the studio is to prepare design drawings to graphically communicate the key spatial characteristics of an existing urban built environment with a focus on its elements and prepare a design for a given urban area in the form of a framework plan, design analysis and 3-dimensional illustration to represent the design.

2

Elements of Urban Design 2a. Building Types

This exercise is designed to develop methods of effectively capturing various attributes of building types such as form and its relationship to ground.

The exercise requires students to identify, categorize and represent the prevailing building types in our cities and develop their skills to draw building footprint and its three-dimensional form that abstract the architectural language along with its relations to the ground.

Students are required to identify and represent 7 building types with 3 buildings each, one from Ahmedabad or any other city where it is possible for them to observe in person, one from India (outside Ahmedabad) and one example from outside of India.

1. Independent Bungalows

15 0

60 30

120

mts

15 0

60 30

120

mts

15 0

60 30

120

mts

Panchvati Ln1, Ahmadabad

Indu Gardenia, Hyderabad

House no. 47, Perth

Ground Coverage : 150 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 300 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 120 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 270 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 185 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 320 sq-mt

The physical elements that can be attributed to a generic detached bungalow are, the size and placement of openings, the height to width ratio- 2:3 (based on the above samples) and the overhead water tank.

The following graphic represents the average footprint of the given typology with respect to that of a row house (X).

2. Residential Apartments

30 0

120 60

240

mts

20 0

80 40

160

mts

30 0

120 60

240

mts

Pratishta 20, Ahmadabad

King Koti Apartment, Hyderabad

Akasaka Residence

Ground Coverage : 335 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 2,010 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 180 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 900 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 215 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 2,150 sq-mt

The studied maximum width of an apartment is restricted to 25m owing to the extent of sunlight penetration. Physical attributes to identify a mid rise residential apartment are the repetition and size of openings on all sides and the stair, lift cabin on the terrace.

The following graphic represents the average footprint of the given typology with respect to that of a row house (X).

3. Office Building

40 0

160 80

320

mts

Mondeal Square, Ahmadabad Ground Coverage : 1,730 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 14,000 sq mt

30 0

120 60

240

mts

Sattva Galleria, Bangalore

Ground Coverage : 1,170 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 15,370 sq-mt

Physical attributes to identify an office building include, the increased size of openings and the repetition in a set pattern. The podium that is used to scale down the massing of the building is another important physical feature to identify a commercial or office building.

The following graphic represents the average footprint of the given typology with respect to that of a row house (X).

30 0

120 60

240

mts

PPG Place, Pittsburg Ground Coverage : 2,215 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 84,600 sq-mt

4. Residential Apartment Mixed Use

30 0

120 60

240

mts

20 0

80 40

160

mts

20 0

80 40

160

mts

Ratnakaar Atleir, Ahmadabad

Corner House, Hyderabad

Kendrick place, Armhest, US

Ground Coverage :1,850 sq-mt Total Built-up area :17,090 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 450 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 2,700 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 1,165 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 5,815 sq-mt

Physical attributes that can be associated to a generic mixed use apartment are: Ground and first floor act as a podium with large openings and a corridor running on the first floor. The residential half is similar to that of an apartment with repetition in openings and Stair Cabin and Lift room on the terrace. The plinth is elevated with stairs leading to the entrance of the outlets.

The following graphic represents the average footprint of the given typology with respect to that of a row house (X).

5. Civic Buildings

30 0

120 60

240

mts

40 0

160 80

320

mts

40 0

160 80

320

mts

Regional Passport Office, Ahmadabad Legislative Assembly, Kerala

Boston City Hall

Ground Coverage : 440 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 2,650 sq-mt

Ground Coverage :7,220 sq-mt Total Built-up area :47,850 sq-mt

Ground Coverage :10,500 sq-mt Total Built-up area :62,965 sq-mt

Physical features to identify an administrative building include the stark variation of massing that create a sense of domination over the rest. The form of the building is iconic and stands out on a street. This huge mass is broken down by series of repeating patterns on the facade.

The following graphic represents the average footprint of the given typology with respect to that of a row house (X).

6. Educational Institute

30 0

120 60

240

mts

40 0

160 80

320

mts

40 0

160 80

320

mts

Navkar Public School, Ahmadabad

DPS, Bangalore

Bolton Sixth Form College, UK

Ground Coverage : 295 sq-mt Total Built-up area :1,770 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 2,465 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 3,250 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 1,930 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 6,900 sq-mt

Physical attributes that can be associated to an institution are, the extents of its campus, and the playgrounds attached to them. The size of fenestrations and their repetition in set grids is one among the physical elements that can categorize the building as an institute.

The following graphic represents the average footprint of the given typology with respect to that of a row house (X).

7. Row Houses

20 0

80 40

160

mts

10 0

40 20

80

mts

20 0

80 40

160

mts

Shubham Row Houses, Ahmadabad

Ocean retreat, Chennai

RR Row House, UK

Ground Coverage : 60 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 270 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 55 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 140 sq-mt

Ground Coverage : 90 sq-mt Total Built-up area : 150 sq-mt

Row house is one the most easily identifiable building typologies. As the name suggests a series of structures with a shared wall defines the typology.

The following graphic represents the average footprint of the given typology with respect to that of a row house (X).

Elements of Urban Design 2b. Urban Blocks

This exercise is designed to develop strategic understanding of various attributes regarding Urban Blocks and its components – Building Types, Streets and Spaces between buildings.

The exercise requires the students to identify and represent the prevailing urban blocks in our cities and develop their skills to draw these blocks and its three-dimensional form that abstracts the character of the blocks.

Students are required to identify and represent 2 urban blocks, one from the city of Ahmedabad, and one as Global example.

The students have drawn these two blocks and have explored various techniques to represent their spatial character.

Urban Blocks

23%

31%

46% Built v/s Open

25 0

100 50

200

mts

Built Space 23% Public Open Space 31% Private Open Space 46%

Building Footprints

m

115

m

350

156

0m

25

m

m

56

m

142

145

m

60

m

m

150

150 m

Block Perimeter

Smallest 403 m Largest 1256 m 25 0

100 50

200

mts

5m

18

Shopping Stretch

Gujarat Law College

Law Garden

Mixed Use Commercial Development

Law Garden, Ahmedabad One among the most visited tourist attractions of Ahmedabad, Law Garden is known for its informal market. The blend of institutional and commercial activity make this the most active zone at all times of the day. On the other edge of the block, commercial development on the CG rounds stands out with its iconic buildings and busy commercial activity.

Urban Blocks

40%

39%

21%

Built v/s Open Built Space 39% Public Open Space 40% Private Open Space 21% 20 0

80 40

160

mts

Building Footprints Block Perimeter

30m

32m

164 m Smallest 401 m Largest 498 m 20 0

80 40

160

mts

173m

42m 31m

175 m

79m

173m

Copley Square, Back Bays, Boston Known for its shopping stretch in the back bays, this neighbourhood in Boston is a mix of calm residential streets and a busy commercial street. The Copley square adjoining the library and cathedral add to the activities in the back bay.

Elements of Urban Design 2c. Streets and Open Space

This exercise is designed to develop strategic understanding of various attributes regarding Streets and functional role of mobility as well as social role of being public space.

The exercise requires the students to identify and represent ONE street with distinct characteristics and develop their skills to draw its three-dimensional form that abstracts the character of the street life. Students could select such a street from the Indian or Global context. Additionally, they have analysed the parameters that make the physical envelope of the street such as porosity, building ground floor use and access.

This exercise is designed to develop strategic understanding of various attributes regarding Public Open spaces such as scale, location, access, spatial configuration and use.

The exercise requires the students to identify and represent ONE important public space with distinct characteristics and develop their skills to draw its three-dimensional form that abstracts the character of the life in that public space. Additionally, they have analysed the parameters that make the physical envelope of the public space such as porosity, building ground floor use and access.

Sultan Bazaar , Hyderabad Earlier known as Residency Bazaar, Sultan Bazaar is an old commercial market street in Hyderabad.

The Jain Mandir in the center of the street is 150 year old and is one of the busiest points of the street.

10 0

40 20

80

mts

Sultan Bazaar , 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.

5 0

20 10

40

mts

Mayor Plaza, Spain Built in 1580 in the heart of Madrid, Spain, Plaza Mayor is a grand arcaded square of 129m X 94m. Hidden in the middle of a series of identical structures, the square has 9 arched entrances to the street. Built over a popular market, Plaza mayor continues the shopping arcade and now includes three storeyed residential quarters from the first floor. It has a total of 237 balconies overlooking the plaza. The ground floor use of the buildings adjoining the plaza include retail outlets, restaurants and Casa de la PanaderĂ­a - Municipal and Cultural building. During the season of Christmas, the otherwise calm plaza transforms into a busy flea market and also hosts music festivals.

3

Reimagining Sector-8, Gandhinagar

Existing Features Sector - 8

Scaling Down

Zoning

Evolution of Master Plan

Landscaping

Master Plan

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.

Commercial Edge

Reflecting on the activities of Suryajyoth Lake: Sector-1, the edge has been proposed to have a major commercial development.

Master Plan

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 Neighbourhoods All the five neighbourhoods planned in the sector have been accommodated with a mix of Residential, Commercial and Recreational amenities ensuring an independent and sustainable neighbourhood.

The Sector has been broken down into five parts to scale down the walking distances and create five independent neighbourhoods.

De-Layering Master Plan

Increased ease of movement within a neighbourhood and

Commercial development on the edges creating a sponta-

inside the sector. The continuous chain of green spaces

neous and interactive Edge.

guide the people through all the neighbourhoods and into the central plaza.

Introverted Gated Communities

S

Urban Block

Secondary Central Plaza

Suryajyoth Lake Sector 1

Pedestrian loop to connecting all the secondary central plazas Proposed Secondary School

Urban Block : Self Sustaining Neighbourhood

Proposed Mixed Use Commercial Building

Informal Seating spaces all along the lane

Abutting a series of co

marks the entry into Secto Temporary Stalls set along the street

is designed along with a out spaces for the shops.

Street Detail

Shopping Street

ommercial development, this pedestrian lane

or 28 from the CH- lane. The shopping stretch continuous strip of seating acting as a spill It eventually mergers in to the central plaza.

Library Building acting as an anchor point for the plaza

Central Plaza

4

Learnings

Building Types Abstraction of the physical form of a building explained how repetition of openings can depict the function of the building. It also taught us about how each typology communicates differently with the context. For example, an office building campus is rather introverted with little communication to the adjoining street, while a mixed use apartment building opens on to the street for activities.

Urban Blocks Studying urban blocks of

similar character from two diverse contexts taught us

how the social fabric of a place can be read through the arrangement of built form.

Both Law Garden and Back Bay have a public plaza surrounded by commercial and institutional typology. Yet, the diversity in their built fabric reflects the diverse contexts.

A study on urban blocks talks about the core and edge of a block and how the transition of built form in these layers affects the overall activity in a block.

Streets and Open Spaces A study of the busy streets of sultan bazaar reveals the virtual and hidden layers between the street edge and a building facade. It talks about the ways a building responds to its entrance.

Understanding a public space begins with the understanding of the built form surrounding it. The arrangement and typology of the buildings around an open pocket define the program and flow of a public plaza. Having studied an enclosed square: Mayors Plaza, Madrid, it can be stated that a public place is defined by the buildings around it.

Re Imagining Sector - 8 Studying theory of how a city functions in the process of making the master plan taught us how each of these elements are codependent. Explored different combination of typologies that could trigger social interaction.