Aaria Anand Sample Portfolio

AARIA ANAND PART 1 ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT SAMPLE PORTFOLIO

2023.

CONTENTS

POLYPHONY

pg 01.

STORIES

pg 07.

MAPPING THE CITY

pg 09.

“BLACKBIRDS” HOUSE

pg 10.

TECHNICAL STUDIES

pg 11.

RACIAL EQUITY CO-DESIGN WORKSHOP

pg 12.

A school of languages and center for re-wilding in Bradford, Manchester MSA year 3 academic work Sept - May 2023 Awarded first (70%)

Intergenerational housing for creatives in Ancoats, Manchester MSA year 2 academic work Jan - May 2022 Awarded first (72%)

A Retroactive manifesto exploring Manchester through spice MSA year 2 academic work Jan - May 2022 Awarded first (85%)

CONTACT

Phone number - 07706642170 Email - aariaanand15@gmail.com Linkedin - Aaria Anand

A 12m2 tiny home for Paul McCartney whilst on tour in Bangalore, India MSA year 1 academic work Nov- Dec 2020 Awarded first

A technical study of the Ferrara ARPAE center in Ferrara, Italy MSA year 3 academic work Jan - May 2023 Awarded first (72%)

A co-design session organised and designed to spark conversation on what a racially equitable Manchester looks like Feb 2023 Society work submitted for and one of winners of Gensler Diversity in Design bursary Micro prizes.

POLYPHONY

A school of languages and center for re-wilding in Bradford, Manchester MSA year 3 academic work Sept - May 2023 Awarded first (70%) Illustrator, Photoshop, Revit, Procreate, Model making, Hand drawing Languages are essential modes of communication with members of present society and with cultures across time. Legacies of colonisation, however, have led to an increasing number of languages going extinct with English becoming a “global language”.

This project aims to platform the diversity of languages in our world and utilise the learning and sharing of them as a way of representing communities often forgotten in English centered discussions. The learning of a language also instills learning of the values, traditions, and relationships people have with the world around them, advocating for a more inclusive and therefore, more sustainable practices. Languages will also extend beyond just humans, to that of non-humans, materiality, and structure, to build long-term connections between people and the environment, as well as consider the building life cycle.

Programatically, this building consists of classrooms, an amphitheater, library, cafe, and

staff room. The structure of them is such that it encourages non-human habitation and rewilding.

The process involved a thorough research on the different qualities of the site, from the experience of a frog (as seen on this page), to acoustic qualities, interviews, and historical analysis. This drove the proposition and design.

Drawings were more experimental to communicate change in time, but also the intangible qualities of space such as sound, and connections.

Threshold study - Urban nature in abandoned car parks

Model Making

Exploring a transect of site through the lens of a frog. Model done in collaboration with Tioluwalase olojede using a mixture of materials to reflect the journey, atmospheres, and textures the frog takes.

Aaria Anand | 2023 Part 1 Portfolio

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SITE RESEARCH Jan

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Mushroom

Brick

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SOUND RECORDING Visiting the site it became apparent that different areas had their own environmental and acoustic qualities. Sitting at three different spots for 20 minutes at a time, sketches were made as an attempt to translate the acoustic differences into a visual map. This map later became a guide for programme arrangement by marking out spaces that are currently more “human” centered and could use intervention.

As the project develops the map will be revisited to understand how the proposal will influence the acoustic journey through the site.

MATERIAL TESTING The site is exposed to and defined by the elements that surround it - both environmental and structural. Risk of flooding and year round rains demand the structure to consider water storage/ treatment. With a lack of high-rises, the site is exposed to the sun and wind. Combined with nearby trees, shaded areas are automatically created and act as a physical coverage that changes with the season.

Outdoor spaces could utilise this.

Current near by buildings, predominantly factories, utilise galvanised corrugated steel sheets as a quick, flexible, cheap, solution and reflect the modern priorities - economic growth. Old brick remains, now hosting other lives, reflect the past and become possible sources of materiality. Fungi that is naturally growing on site indicates at a possible new future material.

Concrete foundation

Corrugated steel

Audio recordings

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DEVELOPMENT

Collage arrangement

COLLAGE

A conceptual collage made initially highlights the 4 key spaces in relation to each other physically and atmospherically. Thresholds between these spaces become opportunities of habitat building and ecosystems.

MODELS

Physical models were then used to explore this connection on site and consider the play of levels in the project. Levels are explored to create the different daylighting and atmospheric qualities as laid out in he initial collage.

Aaria Anand | 2023 Part 1 Portfolio

Model iterations on layout and arrangement

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2025 - Only populated a little by both humans and non humans. Construction has just finished. Reeds and other plants are starting to grow.

LANDSCAPING

Landscape section

LANGUAGES OF LANDSCAPING

The landscaping strategy is important to fulfill the goal of re-wilding and promoting bio diversity, represent the voice of non-humans, and promote sustainable cycles. To do so, the landscaping, structure, and services interlink to create a series of micro-environments that create habitats for non-humans to forge, rest, and commute but also doube as water filteration systems and material sources. The reed beds, for example, purify grey water and can be harvested to be a part of the thatch corridor. In the corridor, it acts as a place for nesting, but on the beds it acts as a space for insects such as moths and midgets.

2050 - More populated by humans and non-humans. People have claimed the space and started gathering and dwelling in it. Reeds are gathered for other structures, and plants are slowls growing on structure.

Landscape plan

2100 - Taken over by non humans to create a natural sanctuary. The thatch has become nests, and rare birds are visiting the space, setting their homes in.

Larger mammals have found their way, given that nearby development has left them displaced

Landscape details - Iso locations marked on plan

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DEVELOPMENT

Final plan cut at +1000mm school ground floor 1. Class rooms 2. lift to go to performance 3. staff room 4. library 5. Reception 6. Cafe 7. Cycle storage 8. Parking 9. Outdoor amphitheather

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Lower ground floor plan - performers space with fire plan marked on

School

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Library 1st floor - reading room with fire plan marked on

Cafe

Staff room

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Radio room and school

Library

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Atmospheric sections with acoustic study inspired by initial site acoustic recordings

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CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURE

1:20 Technical detail

THATCH CORRIDOR ITERATIONS

This structural iteration encourages non-human habitation by allowing space for nesting sites for bats and birds. To do so, the roof takes on a double rood form to create space within the structure for birds to comfortably nest. By regulations, all birds and their nests are protected by the law, so over time the building will also be protected for the wildlife it houses.

The construction process has evolved from completely on-site integration process to an off-site pre-fabricated modular process. This reduces labour costs and streamlines the construction process while also encouraging thatch as a construction method.

Thatch model iterations and construction sequence

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

The construction process is lowtech and uses a combination of onsite and off site construction methods. The process starts of with the landscaping and site preparation, then onsite construction starts for the rammed earth. Whilst this is going on, prefabrication process starts to ensure that all can be assembled efficiently and at the same time. Assembly does not require complicated machinery and can be slotted together All materials are sources within the UK, many close to Manchester such as sheep’s wool.

Excavating site

Earth and concrete are kept aside to recycle for foundation and structure

Ponds and water system laid

Rammed earth construction starts

Pathways using earth and concrete are made

Gutters are dug and fitted

Thatch is constructed off site in panels

Timber modular frame is delivered

Internal wall panels are assembled off site

Corridor is assembled and joint to the roof

Aaria Anand | 2023 Part 1 Portfolio

Solar panels and wiring installed

Furniture is moved in

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STORIES

Intergenerational housing for creatives in Ancoats, Manchester MSA year 2 academic work Jan - May 2022 Awarded first (72%) Revit, Rhino, AutoCad, Photoshop, Illustrator, Book binding, Laser cutter, Model making For the final second year project, the brief was to design housing for performers based in Ancoats, Manchester.

This project explored how storytelling through film making, art, and poetry, can foster an inclusive community where elders can reflect on life, and creative youth can establish themselves.

The act of storytelling allows for sharing of knowledge, forming of bonds, and a point of convergence. The building itself was designed to inspire those who occupy it, tell a narrative of its own, and stimulate old and new stories.

Aaria Anand | 2023 Part 1 Portfolio

This, in the process, will also bring together the fragmented community in Ancoats and help those most impacted by gentrification.

This project utilisied a mixture of physical drawings and model makings for testing, as well as digital softwares for visualising.

Initial model iterations

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PROPOSAL The final proposal has 7 different levels with one being partially underground, and another on a mezzanine level. This creates a separation of public and private entrance, but also creates different qualities of lights as one navigates through the different performance spaces.

Green roofs and open courtyards adds biodiversity to the neighbourhood, but also reflects the form of old mill buildings.

SECTION BOOK

In order to reflect the whole theme of “story telling”, a book was made by binding laser cut sections of the building on paper. As pages flip, the different layers and occupation through the building is revealed. With light shining from behind, all the layers are seen.

Under ground - Exhibition space

Roof

First floor

Aaria Anand | 2023 Part 1 Portfolio

Second Floor

Book with back light

Pages of book

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MAPPING THE CITY

A Retroactive manifesto exploring Manchester through spice MSA year 2 academic work Jan - May 2022 Awarded first (85%) Model making The brief for this project was to “map” an aspect of Manchester gone unnoticed. Spice was chosen as the key focus due to the impact it has had on the creation, and everyday running of the city. It was spice, after all, that sparked exploration, mapping, colonisation, trade, and the modern globalised world.

A sensory model was made as the base map of the project. Using spices as dyes, the model encourages viewers to smell, touch, and see the map. The map is split into layers starting with the global, historical, spice trade route, to the regions

and restaurants of Manchester.

A retroactive manifesto accompanies the map to dissect the layer of model and help one read it.

To have a look at the full Manifesto, please scan the QR code below:

Spice trade routes

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Key regions of Manchester

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“BLACKBIRDS” HOUSE A 12m2 tiny home for Paul McCartney whilst on tour in Bangalore, India MSA year 1 academic work November - December 2020 Awarded first Hand drawing, Photoshop, Model making A short, 3-week project, this project’s brief was to design a tiny house for a musician whilst they are on tour. This design was set in Jagriti Theater, Bangalore, and was designed for Paul McCartney. Inspired by his song “Blackbirds” the project incorporated the local ecosystem by housing birds and using vernacular materials.

Research was therefore done on the different species of birds, and their nests. The nests, and

method of contribution they (the birds) use ultimately drove the materiality and structure of the building.

During the course of this project, different styles of presentation such as animations, collages, models, and drawings were explored, helping develop a better sense of the atmosphere created.

Models particularly helped understanding light qualities, and the functionality of the shading system.

Research - Birds nests

scan to see an animation of the plan

Test models - blinds

Test models - light study

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TECHNICAL STUDIES

A technical study of the Ferrara ARPAE center in Ferrara, Italy MSA year 3 academic work Jan - May 2022 Awarded first (72%) Revit, Procreate, Photoshop, Rhino

The technologies project was to analyse the construction, environment, structure, and materiality of ARPAE Ferrara

by Mario Cucinella Architects. The building itself is complex in its form with over 112 chimney structures for roof, however it utilisies passive methods of ventilation and lighting to maintain favorable internal conditions.

The analysis required a strong understanding on mechanical and passive systems in the building to gauge their placement and functionality.

A rhino model was used as a base on top of which hand drawings and annotations were created.

Office comfort tactics

Roof/ Chimney structure build up

Water system

Winter morning heating

Summer morning cooling

Ventilation system

Long section and loads

Aaria Anand | 2023 Part 1 Portfolio

Electric system

Exploded Isometric load diagram

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RACIAL EQUITY CO-DESIGN WORKSHOP A co-design session organised and designed to spark conversation on what a racially equitable Manchester looks like Feb 2023 Society work submitted for and one of winners of Gensler Diversity in Design bursary Micro prizes.

Looking at the map of Manchester (as shown below) it is clear that people where they thought it was needed. Others could move them, add to them, or of diverse ethnic heritages are predominantly away from the city, and in remove them based on their perspective. Throughout the process, there were “poorer” areas with locations of religious centers (3 were looked at for this discussions on gentrification, limited space, and a juggling of needs. On the research), cultural stores, parlors scarce in city center. right are images of the project.

Observations and conversations captured in sketches show spots popular From the outcomes of the exercise, and joined conversations, a new version spots for migrants and of cultural token to be “hidden away” in “poorer” of the map was drawn. It is evident that in order to design for equity, voices areas. need to be involved from the start.

As a part of racial equity week, I created and ran a co-design session inspired by Monopoly to highlight and challenge this. The board had places of Manchester, ranked based on the property value right now, with the goal to try and make the value across the board more equitable. Individuals wrote down specific buildings they would like to see, and placed them

Manchester map now

Town hall

Aaria Anand | 2023 Part 1 Portfolio

Equitable Manchester

Deansgate towers

Wythenshaw

Cheetham Hill

Monopoly board

Co-design output

Co-design discussion

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