Aarushi Senthil Kumar l KRVIA I Undergraduate Portfolio

AARUSHI SENTHIL KUMAR

As a fourth-year architecture student with an insatiable passion for design and a versatile skill set cultivated over the years, I am eager to venture into the professional realm and hone my skills. With an unwavering enthusiasm for exploration, I find solace in travel and express my Discoveries through the lens of sketching. With a natural flair for writing and a keen eye for detail, I seek to imbue my designs with narratives. I hold a profound interest in the seamless integration of sustainable practices and the use of vernacular materials, regarding them as enablers rather than impediments that shape my architectural endeavours into innovative and sustainable forms. With a deep-rooted commitment to design excellence, I look forward to contributing my unique perspective and creativity to the world of architecture.

31st January 2002 Mumbai, Maharashtra

Contact No. : +917034325855

E-Mail : aarushisenthilkumar.work@gmail.com

AARUSHI SENTHIL KUMAR

EDUCATION

Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies, Mumbai

Currently in the Fourth Year B.Arch I 2020-Present

Navy Children School, Kochi SSC & HSC I CBSE I 2016-2020

Navy Children School, Mumbai Primary I CBSE I 2008-2016

SKILLS & INTERESTS

Autocad

Sketchup

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Canva

QGIS(Basic)

EXHIBITIONS

Chidambaram

Sketching

PhysicalModel Making

Painting

Video Making Graphics

Drafting

Architectural Design I Semester VI

26 Ways of Seeing Bhopal Landscape I Semester V

Decoding Beauty

Tectonics Study I Semester V

This Ground,Plus : Khotachiwadi in Design Context Elective Workshop I Semester V

Drawing as Building : A study of technology through documented material

Technology Studio I Semester IV

Staircase : Explorations in Form and Material Technology Studio I Semester IV

ELECTIVE & WORKSHOPS

Comparative Urbanism | São Paulo + Mumbai (Student Exchange Program) by Rohan ShivkumarI November 2023

Basics of Conservation by Juhi Pandya I July 2023

Exits to Elsewhere by Sahej Rahal I February 2023

Urban Spaces: Study Of Khotachiwadi by Andre’ Baptista I June 2022

Urban Drama by Sharvari Sastri I February 2022

Food Water and Energy Nexus by Minal Yerramshetty I September 2021

Tracing History Through Documetaries by Jamshid Bhiwandiwala I March 2021

The Parallel Hidden School Introductory Workshop I January 2021

EXTRACURRICULAR & Others

Exhibition Comitee Member Chidambarm- Representing the Sacred I January 2023

Work Published in KRVIA Newsletter

2020-21

2021-22

House Captain, Student Council Navy Children School I 2019-20

Written and published an online book Wattpad I 2015

LANGUAGES

English

Tamil

Hindi

01 Devar Adigalar Maiyam

A Cultural Center for the Isai Vellalar Community

The sixth semester design project on institutions questions the ways in which the architecture of the temple town of Chidambaram forsters a community. What spatial systems, beliefs and practices are employed to create and structure the society, and what resistances and subversions emerge, when this community is challenged by new value systems? The design project was made to explore whether these emerging value systems lead to new forms of community creating new identities. What are the institutions that emerge at various intersections of these different value systems? Could these designs result in mutations within existing systems to acknowledge transforming societal needs, Or further reinforce and strengthen the existing systems and sanctity of the structure, Or do they completely reject and dismantle the very value systems in place and the structure itself?

My architectural venture began with an oblique strategy, To Allow An Easement. Which has been interpreted as a deliberate breach or an opening conceived to alleviate obstructed movement, which then becomes the genesis of both the program and form of this project.

Architectural Design Studio I Semester VI

Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

THE PROGRAMMS ARE DIVIDED UNDER THREE MAIN CATEGORIES

This architectural design project is a tribute to the Isai Vellalar community, renowned for their classical dance and musical heritage. Envisioned as a sanctuary echoing their cultural essence, the project draws inspiration from the Sadhirattam dance form, where movements harmonise with melodious notes. Titled ‘Devar Adigalar’ or the Servants of the Divine, these artists once graced the Thillai Natarajan temple.

The design intricately weaves together forgotten histories, preserving and celebrating this rich heritage. Exploiting deliberate intersections and slices within a stone wall, the structure embodies the spirit and tradition of this revered community, inviting all to embrace their distinct identities and relish the beauty of tradition within a contemporary embrace.

THE PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED FOR THE ISAI VELLALAR COMMUNITY- PERFOMERS CLASSICAL DANCE AND MUSIC, WHO ONCE RESIDED WITHIN THE TEMPLE GROUNDS, FOMING FOR THE NATRAJA. WHILE DESIGNING, IDEA WAS TO PROVIDE A SPACE DANCERS SPECEFIC TO THEIR NEEDS AND TO THEIR CULTURAL CONTEXT OF THEIR

THE ISAI VELLALAR COMMUNITY PERFOME A DANCE FORM KNOWN AS THE SADHIRATTAM, UNLIKE BHARATHNATYAM IN WHICH THE DANCER IS SILENT AND EXPRESE EVERYTHING THROUGH THEIR FACIAL EXPRESIONS, IN SADHIRATTAM THE DANCERS SING ALONG

CALLED AS DEVAR ADIGALAR, SERVANTS OF THE DEVINE. THERE EXISTS TWO EGORIES OF PERFOMERS- 1. DEVADASI:FEMALE DANCERS DANCING IN SERVICE

2. NATTUVANARS:MEN THAT ACCOMPANY THE DANCERS AS, MUSIC CONDUTORS,

THE STUCTURE IS AN ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE THE LONG AND TEN HISTORY OF THE ISAI VELLALAR COMMUNITY HENCE RAISING AWARNESS AMONG DIVERSE PEOPLE VISITING THE NATRAJA TEMPLE AND ALSO A SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS

C

The mutations which challenge the existing value systems within the society have been portrayed with ingenuity in the form. The large existing stone structure of the temple symbolises the established framework of values while the mutations have been showcased by imbuing the structure with a fusion of materials and curves which juxtaposes in harmonious rebellion against the unyielding stone walls. This architectural metamorphosis, paying homage to liberation within constraints, a sanctuary where tradition finds consonance in evolution

EcoHarvest Haven

An Organic Waste Composting Institue

Govandi Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai

Architectural Design Studio I Semester V

The project sought to intervene and design public amenities for the city of Mumbai, on a series of infrastructural and institutional sites reserved in the Development Plan (DP) for 2034. The accompanying DCRs only focus on providing light, ventilation and services in public buildings without catering for the need of a public interface between these buildings and the city. The fifth semester design project worked with these complexities of the site in an attempt to look at the role of architecture in representing the desire for a freer, just and loving community. The project focused on the M ward (Govandi) within Mumbai that has been consistently under served by various institutions.

The Design narrative is inspired by the rhythm of sustainability and the artistry of composting. The concept, elegantly framed along a linear grace, delineates a space of purposeful duality; One realm is dedicated to the sacred alchemy of composting and the other for visitors and administration.

The Organic Waste Composting Institute is located in Govandi, Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai. Envisioned after an extensive two-week on-site character survey and study of the area, this project aims to convert local organic waste into enriching manure. Beyond composting, it integrates sustainable landscape with an in-house nursery.

In the design, a corridor of connectivity unfurls, weaving through the heart of the structure, seamlessly merging the composting section with the administration and the eager visitors. This allows the individuals to traverse through the journey of waste - beginning from its arrival at the institute, the intricate composting process, to culminating into enriching manure. Attracting organisations and visitors to partake in this sustainability odyssey and witness waste transforming into a valuable resource

Character Study

Working Drawings

An Organic Waste Composting Institue

Govandi Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai

Technology Studio I Semester VI

GUSSET PLATE 20MM M12

WATER PIPE ROOT BARIER

150mm THICK RCC SLAB

250mm THICK RCC BEAM

230mm THICK, 1200MM HIGH, BRICK PARAPET WALL

VATA

250mm THICK RCC BEAM

DOUBLE COAT FINISH PLASTER WITH SMOOTH FINISH WITH WHITE PAINT

DOUBLE COAT FINISH PLASTER WITH SMOOTH FINISH WITH MATTE GRAY PAINT WHITE VITRIFIED TILE SKIRTING

FORM FINISHED CONCRETE CEILING FINISH

ALUMINUM FRAMED SLIDING 12mm THICK TOUGHENED GLASS WINDOW

ALUMINUM FRAMED LIVE WALL SYSTEM

750mm RCC BEAM CAVITY FOR MUD AND WATER

450mm X 450mm RCC COLUMN

225mm DRY RUBBLE PACKING

RAMMED EARTH

KAMLA RAHEJA VIDYANIDHI INSTITUTE FOR ARCHITECTURE AND EVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

400mm RCC PLINTH BEAM

ISOLATED RCC FOUNDATION

150mm PCC BED

230mm DRY RUBBLE PACKING

RAMMED EARTH

DETAILS SECTION 1:10 SECTION SCALE

1. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS

2. DO NOT SCALE THE DRAWINGS

3. FOLLOW WRITTEN DIMENSIONS ONLY

4. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF THE ARCHITECT AND SHOULD NOT BE COPIED WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION. THIS DRAWING IS THE COPYRIGHT PROPERTY OF THE ARCHITECT.

5. ALL STRUCTURAL DIMENSIONS TO BE REFERRED.

6. ALL THE SERVICES TO BE REFERRED FROM THE SERVICES CONSULTANT DRAWINGS.

7. FOR ALL OTHER DETAILS, REFER TO THE RELEVANT DRAWINGS. PLEASE REFER TO THE RESPECTIVE SCHEDULES/TABLES, NOTES AND REMARKS.

RELEVANT DRAWINGS. PLEASE REFER TO THE RESPECTIVE SCHEDULES/TABLES, NOTES AND REMARKS.

8. ALL EXISTING GROUND LEVELS TO BE VERIFIED BY THE CONTRACTOR BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK.

8. ALL EXISTING GROUND LEVELS TO BE VERIFIED BY THE CONTRACTOR BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK.

9. IN CASE OF DISCREPANCY, IT SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF THE ARCHITECT/CONSULTANT.

FIXTURE DETAILS SCALE 1:8

STUDIES

AARUSHI S KUMAR 2001

JeejabhaiBhosaleMarg

9. IN CASE OF DISCREPANCY, IT SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF THE ARCHITECT/CONSULTANT. KAMLA

LOCATION PLAN KEY PLAN

JeejabhaiBhosaleMarg

Charkop, Mumbai 04

Commune in Charkop

Landscapes Of Mumbai

The sixth semester landscape studio project is centred around the creation of an eco-sensitive commune in Charkop, Mumbai, drawing upon the unique setting of its wetlands. The primary objective is to devise constructed wetlands that serve as sustainable dwelling for a tight-knit commune of twenty-four individuals. Emphasising on sustainability, each material has been meticulously selected to have minimal environmental impact, while harnessing renewable energy and optimising the use of resources. The novelty of this initiative lies in the fusion of sustainability principles with an enriched visitor experience. Addressing the infrastructural needs while optimising resource usage and recycling greywater, the project seeks to achieve an ecosystem where humanity and nature coalesce seamlessly.

Landscape Studio l Semester VI l Collabrative Work

The mangrove boardwalk trail is an integral part of the commune, designed to allow tourists to appreciate the natural beauty of the wetlands. The trail is constructed using sustainable materials and careful measures have been taken to maintain the wetland’s integrity. Additionally, a food forest is envisioned to provide a sustainable source of raw materials, utilising native and low carbon footprint plants, to minimise environmental impact. Roads are planned to ensure convenient access within the commune without damaging the ecosystem. Greywater recycling is a key sustainability aspect which employs various water bodies and filtration systems to effectively recycle greywater and reduce the dependence on freshwater sources. Furthermore, the creation of water bodies not only aids in recycling but also enhances the landscape and biodiversity of the site, contributing to a holistic and sustainable living environment.

Chidambaram

The Make Of A Temple Town

Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

Study Trip Exhibition l Semester VI l Collabrative Work

The sixth semester study trip to Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu explores the construct of a South Indian temple town and looks into the centrality of the Thillai Nataraja temple in its dynamic context.

Architectural studies of the temple town have often focused on the artefact of the building itself as a diagram, encapsulating mythical and cosmic ideasIt is seen as a collection of symbols and motifs of significant meaning with little attention paid to human activities and behaviour that is structured by the spatial configuration of the temple town.

The narrative of the exhibition is derived from its people, examining various ways in which the architecture of the temple town forms a community; what spatial systems, beliefs and practices are employed to create and structure the society, and what resistances and subversions emerge when this community is challenged by other value systems. In the exhibition, the story/narrative is woven through the creation of a fabric. An elaborate composition of the town setting is generated through stitching of small details within the built form of the town, thus revealing a distorted God’s eye view of a South Indian temple town. The fabric helps to locate the people and stories of the town thereby bringing out its identity.

Gond Painting

26 Ways Of Seeing Bhopal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Study Trip Exhibition l Semester V l Collabrative Work

The term ‘Gond’ finds its roots in the Dravidian language, where ‘kond’ translates to ‘green mountain.’ Within the Gond community, a profound belief exists that a sacred essence is bestowed upon all aspects of nature, encompassing lakes, rivers, land, hills, trees, and all living beings. They perceive these elements as inhabited by spirits, imbuing every facet of nature with sanctity.

This sacred connection with nature and its preservation finds vivid expression in Gond art. This painting mirrors the intricate cycles of life, flora and fauna which elegantly intertwine, narrating various stories—These chronicles delve into the Gond community’s profound relationship with nature. Central to these tales is the veneration of the mahua tree, affectionately known as the ‘Tree of Life.’

For the Gond community, heaven lies where the Mahua trees thrive, for these trees hold the essence of life. This symbolic expression encapsulates the profound bond between the Gond people and the earth they inhabit. It’s a reminder that their dependence on nature isn’t merely a myth but an integral part of their daily lives and practices. The painting serves as a vibrant canvas, reflecting this intricate tapestry of stories, myths, and the intimate connection between humanity and the natural world.

Majuli

Drawing As Building

Majuli, Assam

The fourth semester technology studio study is an intriguing exploration of architectural intricacies that delves into the fine-grained details of historical buildings of Majuli in the Brahmaputra River, Assam by carefully deconstructing wall sections. Extensive analysis of existing documentation and archival materials unveils the rich layers of history ingrained in these structures. subsequently the study attempts to connect the dots between social, cultural, and environmental influences on material choices, construction techniques, and aesthetic treatments within these buildings.

The walls themselves narrate stories, weaving tales of tradition, resilience, and the beautiful fusion of artistry with the natural surroundings. This immersive exploration reanimates the architectural heritage of Majuli, an invaluable treasure nestled in the heart of the Brahmaputra River.

The Imagined and The Lived

Aranya Low-Cost Housing Urban Study

Indore, Madhya Pradesh

The seventh Semester Urban Design Studio Project, aimed to undertake a detailed comparison between BV Doshi’s vision for the Aranya Low-Cost Housing Scheme and its actual translation on ground. It explores how the planned architectural concepts, initially conceived on paper has been render into a dynamic urban reality in Indore. The analysis evaluates the transformation of open spaces designed for community gatherings, showcasing its adaptability to evolving community concepts. The book delves into the dialogue between the architect’s vision and the urban landscape, emphasizing the dynamic nature of this complex setting. Through a study of open spaces, layouts, and typologies, it highlights the interplay between the anticipated and lived urban environments, portraying how architectural dreams shape and adapt to the needs and aspirations of the residents.

Urban Design Studio l Semester VII l Collabrative Work

The fifth Semester Landscape Studio project is an exploration of creative duality. The project aims to juxtapose opposing elements within a given landscape. To create harmony between the given element and the binaries.

The Parallel Hidden School

Building The Imaginary School

Khotachi Wadi Memoryscapes

Reading Urban Spaces

Khotachiwadi, Mumbai

This Digitally rendered memoryscape map was a comprehensive exploration of Khotachi Wadi’s historical significance in South Mumbai’s Girgaum. Through various disciplines like architecture, culinary histories, speculative art, early street photography, and product design, the exhibit highlighted the unique essence of Khotachi Wadi’s structures during the 19th and early 20th-century. Featured in the ‘This Ground, plus: Khotachi Wadi in Design Context’ exhibition at 47A: Design Gallery curated by Andre Baptista and Chatterjee & Lal. It celebrated the architectural legacy of Khotachi Wadi, reflecting a blend of Portuguese Colonial Architecture and regional influences brought by the East Indian Christian community as the city expanded.

Elective Workshop l Semester V I Collabrative Work

12

New Geographies

Forest Research Center

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

Architectural

Design Studio l Semester IV

In the fourth Semester Architectural Design Studio, the focal point was a comprehensive study of diverse geographic locations, including the intricate ecosystem of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai. The primary challenge lay in devising a research centre within this eco-sensitive site while delicately accommodating the associated environmental considerations. The project aimed to achieve a harmonious coexistence between architectural innovation and environmental stewardship.

Staircase

Form & Material Explorations

The fourth Semester Technology Studio was dedicated to an in-depth investigation of staircase design, encompassing form and material studies. This project was facilitated through a series of case studies, drafting exercises, and hands-on exercises involving the creation of physical scaled models.

Tensigrity Furniture

A Bar Shelf

Verb & Noun

Obervatory In The islands

Karwar, Karnataka

The third semester architectural design project integrated the verb “to tear” inspired by the cosmological ‘big rip’ model, shaping an observatory and an astrophysicist character. Complementing this, the noun ‘reflection’ led to the selection of an island site fostering introspection. The project delicately merged the tear-shaped observatory, and the serene retreat for a holistic architectural concept.

Allied Studio l Semester III

Bar Shelf Physical Model

Bar Shelf Design Drawings & Joinary Details

Architectural Design Studio l Semester III

Garden of Memories

Form building exercise

The first semester allied studio project, anchored the design process in the act of deriving form from a cherished childhood memory. The chosen memory was that of my great grandmother, affectionately known as ‘big paati,’ who lovingly crafted crochet bags during my childhood. This sentimental memory served as the foundation for the development of a meaningful and personal architectural form, integrating the essence of familial connection and nostalgia into the design process.

Invisible Cities

Andria - The City of Sky

The first semester Architectural Design Studio project, aimed at decoding a chapter from the book ‘Invisible Cities,’ focusing on the City of Sky Andria. This involved creating a sketch or visual representation of the city based on the interpreted text. Subsequently, this interpretation was translated into a physical model, encapsulating the essence and details outlined in the text.

Architectural Design Studio l Semester I

Reaserch Works 21

ACTIVITIES

BY THE ARCHITECT:

1. Shiv Temple: The project simplifies the temple design while preserving symbolic elements and using local stone for construction. The path to the temple winds between white oak trees and leads to two basalt stone walls directing visitors to the East-West axis of the garbagriha. The temple form is reminiscent of the traditional shikhara silhouette, and only essential decorative elements appear in the finished structure. Trees create an outdoor room serving as the pillared hall or mandapa. Statues of holy figures are placed in a natural setting, becoming part of the metaphoric sky-roofed mandapa. The project aimed to create a simple, meaningful space for worship and reflection, prioritizing sustainability and community involvement.