2022-23 Design Portfolio

NEHA TUMMALAPALLI D E S I G N P O R T F O L I O | FA L L 2 0 2 2

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SELECTED WORKS — STUDIO

RECLAIMED FARMLANDS REDEFINING THE AGRICULTURAL SHED 4

SPACE FOR THE DISPLACED MIXED-USE MARKET & EXHIBITION 10

UNNATURAL NATURE REFRAMED “WILD” 20

RESEARCH

MELA VESSELS OF EPHEMERAL ARCHITECTURE 28

SEEKING ASYLUM TEXAS UNACCOMPANIED MINOR SHELTER ANALYSIS 44

PROFESSIONAL

OPEN STREETS FLEXIBLE STREET BARRIERS 52

SUDBURY RESIDENTIAL PROJECT 58

MASORO LOW INCOME RURAL HOUSING SURVEY 62

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RECLAIMED FARMLANDS STUDIO

TEAM collaborated with Andrea De Haro and Charlotte Bascombe COURSE arc 407 PROFESSOR Adam Frampton LOCATION Dallam County, Texas

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the redefined agricultural shed adapts to the different seasonal programs of farms to both maximize efficiency and preserve the environment In a region plagued by environmental degradation caused by corporate farming, our project explores the future of sustainable agriculture. Our chosen 6 x 6 mile site juxtaposes a portion of the Rita Blanca National Grassland with a corporate feeding farm. Mediating between these two extremes, our proposal is a largescale integrated crop and livestock system (ICLS). This method manages both crop and livestock production so they support each other. Since this system has never been implemented at a large scale, the sheds also act as research facilities. The scattered agricultural sheds are designed to accommodate the seasonally changing animal grazing, crop growth, and research programs.

The building includes residential spaces, research laboratories, as well as a double-height adaptable barn, which can house humans, cows, or large machinery.

The insulation and ventilation systems change throughout the project depending on the occupants.

This creates various thicknesses of enclosure ranging from the mesh-like screen to the thick hay insulated dormitory walls.

reclaimed farmlands

* 1 ICON = 15,000 TONS OF CROPS

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site analysis

The map on the left illustrates the massive crop outputs and infrastructures of corporate farming that have taken over the Great Plains. The aerial image shows our site in the northeast of Texas, and the dichotomy between the feeding farm and the grassland. The site section below shows how the scattered research facilities are situated along the pivot farms. The detail drawings explain how central pivot irrigation works and how the eroded soil conditions from unsustainable farming practices can be rehabilitated after ICLS farming is implemented.

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reclaimed farmlands

Harvest Season: September - November Planting Season: March - May

Grazing Season: December - February Pasture Season: June - August

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adaptable shed design

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SPACE FOR THE DISPLACED STUDIO

TEAM collaborated with Mariana Munoz COURSE arc 307 PROFESSOR Daekwon Park LOCATION Harlem, New York

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a mixed-use market that programatically addresses the issues of community and economic displacement caused by gentrification in Central Harlem This project is located along the intersection of Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and 125th street, which was the site of many historic activism movements. The recent contentious rezoning of 125th street positioned our intervention at a crucial setting amid the current gentrification in Harlem. This redevelopment displaced over seventy local businesses and many street vendors who did not own any property. Our project aims to allow these local vendors and businesses to reclaim their place in Harlem by formalizing a market and including storefronts for small businesses to own. The massing strategy uses a large cantilever to engage the adjacent plaza, and carves a void within the building to connect the largely developed 125th street with the quieter 126th street. Our design also employs modular market carts and an operable facade to create adaptable market experiences. Additionally, the exhibition and event space on the top floor would educate the public about activism movements in Harlem. The red louvers throughout the building are a distinct graphic element and control direct light.

space for the displaced

This first phase of research focused on the effect of gentrification and the history of activism in Harlem. The diagram on the right shows the contentious rezoning of 125th street. Many small businesses and manufacturers were replaced by large scale commercial and residential construction. The Harlem locals have pushed back against these top down planning attempts, which often end up forcing locals out of their community due to skyrocketing living costs.

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central harlem research

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space for the displaced

The second phase examined two main streets adjacent to our site. The analysis on the left revealed an abundance of informal street vendors on MLK Blvd who could easily be pushed out for not owning any property. Diagramming the various businesses along the site showed how many local businesses along MLK Blvd have been replaced by large chain stores.

Based on these analyses, formalized vendor spaces and small business storefronts were crucial to our proposal.

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site research

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space for the displaced

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ground level plans

COVID-19 TESTING CENTER

POD MARKET

ALLEY MARKET

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space for the displaced

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modular market carts

View showing semi-enclosed street market condition

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UNNATURAL NATURE STUDIO

TEAM collaborated with Zarah Durst COURSE arc 409 PROFESSOR Joon Ma LOCATION Syracuse, NY

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this field station blurs the boundaries between “the wild” and the built environment through a restoration across time and space of abandoned structures The project challenges what is considered natural by creating spaces that reframe abandoned infrastructure as part of a reframed landscape, and allow for the introduction of symbiotic interaction between humans and the new organic conditions. The site is adjacent to an abandoned loading facility at skytop quarry on South campus. The site analysis exhibits how the ruins of weathered infrastructure have led to “new wild” conditions. This “new wild” is no longer untouched, but a result of infrastructure weathering into nature for an extended period of time. This project integrates with the non-pristine nature on the site by fostering overgrowth patterns that were already occurring. The design architecturally and programmatically curates relationships between the building and the site. The top portion of the building uses light timber framing aligned with the existing grid to allow for vertical overgrowth to continue to penetrate the building. The concrete addition to the building further explores the horizontal relationship between the ground and building that exists in the original structure.

unnatural nature

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building components

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unnatural header nature

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assembly header details

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unnatural nature

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front elevation

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MELA VESSELS OF EPHEMERAL ARCHITECTURE

PROJECT thesis ADVISOR Abingo Wu

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this project explores an extreme form of ephemeral architecture and ad hoc urban design to understand how certain temporal elements could be reappropriated In states of temporality, conventions can be challenged and reimagined. Ephemeral architecture responds to fluctuating conditions and is often built with lightweight, recycled materials that allow for reconfiguration and reinvention. Melas, which is Sanskrit for gatherings, are a lens through which ephemeral architecture can be further explored in its most idealized form. The largest Mela in the world is the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India. It is a Hindu religious festival that takes place at various scales every year. The rapid construction and disassembly make the city surreal. For a few moments each year, this is the densest city in the world, but there are no skyscrapers or mega structures.

This thesis aims to speculate on the transcendental atmosphere of the Kumbh Mela by reconfiguring materials from the event to create temporary escapes from ordinary life that exist before and after the festival.

The simple assembly of the spiritual retreat could be replicated for other temporary needs. The design conceptually draws from the ephemeral megacity and physical reuses elements of the festival to demonstrate the scalability and versatility of this form of design.

mela & the city

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construction timelines

2008

2018

2010

2019

2013

2020

2016

2021

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mela & the city

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surrounding urban context

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mela & the city

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building typologies

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mela & the city

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material geography

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mela & the city

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pontoon bridge transformation

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mela & the city

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new spiritual vessels

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mela & the city

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final photo exhibition

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SEEKING ASYLUM RESEARCH

ADVISOR Lori Brown LOCATION Texas, USA PUBLICATION Youth Circulations

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an analysis of the quality of care provided by unaccompanied minor shelters in Texas This ongoing research aims to use code violations, shelter renovations, and policies to analyze the quality of care unaccompanied migrants receive in Texas shelters. The first phase of this project consisted of a literature review to understand the constantly changing immigration policies that affect the process of seeking asylum for migrants crossing the southern border of the United States. The increased amount of unaccompanied minor crossings has led to private nonprofit companies developing a multi-million dollar industry to provide shelter for these migrants. The state of Texas has the highest concentration of shelters, which makes it a crucial case study. Southern cities, such as Brownsville, have a significant amount of unaccompanied minor shelters owned by nonprofits such as Southwest Keys and BCFS. In addition to the urban scale investigation, I examined individual shelters.

The Casa Padre shelter houses thousands of minors, and is run by Southwest Keys in a converted Walmart.

The presumptive section of the shelter illustrates the requirements outlined by the Flores Agreement and Texas State Health Codes.

seeking asylum

BROWNSVILLE, TX

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southwest key shelters in brownsville

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seeking asylum

PRESUMPTIVE SECTION OF CASA PADRE

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shelter requirements & casa padre

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seeking asylum

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case studies

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OPEN STREETS PROFESSIONAL

TEAM MKCA, Loisaida Open Streets Coalition, Carolynn Karp Design, Space 4 Architecture, Meg Kalinowski, Thornton Tomasetti, WPM Engineering ORGANIZATION Design Advocates LOCATION Avenue B, New York

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an adaptable street barrier that facilitates the pedestrianization of Avenue B The Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition aims to reclaim Avenue B as a public space for local residents free of dangerous automobile traffic. Over the summer, this organization programmed the avenue with various workout classes, workshops, and other events. However, the existing street barriers were constantly being moved out of place and were not effectively blocking traffic. The Design Advocates team came up with a three part solution to address this issue. The first element is a rubber speed cushion to create a physical and visual reminder for cars to slow down, which would not obstruct emergency vehicles. The second part is a planter barrier with an attached fiberglass rolling gate. These would be fixed on the street and the gates could be rolled out for various events. Finally, the parklets use a similar planter structure and assembly, but would be easily movable. These could provide seating for workshops and concerts or serve as waiting areas for open restaurants. The Design Advocates team presented the proposal to the Department of Transportation to be tested on three intersections along Avenue B.

open streets

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streetscape design

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open streets

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flexible planter barrier

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SUDBURY PROFESSIONAL

TEAM Braden Caldwell and Andrew Matia FIRM Michael K Chen Architecture LOCATION Washington D.C.

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a residential renovation which seamlessly interweaves modern elements with the character of the existing structure This project by MKCA expands on the existing brick structure of a house in Washington D.C. The diagram and model represent the overall design strategies and materiality. The diagram emphasizes the central circulation core which connects the bottom floor with the roof terrace and skylight. The modelling technique highlights the contrast between the sharp, polished aluminum panelling and the lime washed brick. The project is currently under construction.

sudbury

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physical model

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MASORO PROFESSIONAL

TEAM collaborated with Julia Ocejo, Amreeta Verma, Julia Kazubowski, & Mariana Munoz FIRM General Architecture Collaborative LOCATION Masoro, Rwanda

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a study of vernacular architecture, which consists of a comprehensive housing survey of over 200 low income, rural houses in Masoro, Rwanda This survey investigated and documented low income rural housing in Masoro, Rwanda. Gathering data about the houses in this sector was an unprecedented effort that required collaboration between the General Architecture Collaborative (GAC) and local enumerators.

By representing the data architecturally, questions were raised about materiality, construction processes and vernacular details. We began to overlay these drawings with data about household income, education levels, and occupation. Our team collaborated to establish extensive representational guidelines, which were necessary to create a consistent set of over two hundred architectural drawings. We also consulted with locals to get a better understanding of the foreign landscape and the unique housing challenges faced in Rwanda. The main goal of this study was to profoundly understand the current condition of housing in Masoro, which would allow the GAC to identify and explore specific ways to make it more efficient and accessible.

masoro

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housing survey plans & sections

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e: 61nehat@gmail.com t: (908) 547 - 7542 Syracuse University