Architectural Practicum Portfolio

Aayashree Shrestha

Infused with a passion for design and fueled by a thirst for knowledge, I bring a unique blend of creativity and academic understanding to the field of architecture. My travel experiences have significantly broadened my perspective, inspiring designs that transcend cultural boundaries. As an emerging architect dedicated to continuous learning, I seek to integrate new skills and techniques into my architectural practice.I am eager to immerse myself in challenging projects that will refine my design sensibilities and expand my architectural vocabulary. By contributing my evolving skills to dynamic architectural endeavors, I aim to grow both professionally and personally in this ever-evolving field.

RESUME

Education Qualification

2019- today Bachelor of Architecture

At Kathmandu University

2017-19 Higher Secondary Education

At Xavier Academy

2017 Secondary Education

At Kathmandu University High School

Achievements

• 1st position in Model Making Competition: Eastern Category (Prarambha), 2024

• 2nd runner up position in Bishram: Pause, Recharge, Resume, 2024

• Top 3 position in ARCASIA students’ design competition, 2023 - Nepal

• Merit-based Scholarship during 3rd semester at Kathmandu University, 2020

• 1st position in Creativity competition: Art category (KUARSA)

Languages

Nepali (Native)

• English (Fluent)

• Hindi (Fluent)

Competitions

• Prarambha-Model Making Competition, 2024

• Bishram: Pause, Recharge, Resume, 2024

• 120 mini 2023

• Youth Visionary Architecture Competition,2023

• ARCASIA Student Design Competition, 2023

• Electric charging station design competition, 2023

Graphic Design Competitiion, 2023

• Creativity Competition-Art category, 2020

Community & Leadership

• Member, Leo club, 2022

• Member, KUSMC ART, 2019

Soft Skills

• Team player

• Positive attitude

• Patient

• Proactive

Hobbies

• Travelling

• Cooking

• Art and Graphics

Experience

• Design Head , Prarambha Committee, 2024

Led the design team for Kathmandu University’s annual architecture exhibition. Developed social media content, official merchandise, and the mascot.

• Designer, Archive Committee, 2022/23

Key role in curating and publishing Kathmandu University’s annual architecture magazine.

Managed content compilation, editorial collaboration, and layout design.

• Tutor, KUARC Workshop series-Photoshop, 2023

Conducted a two-day intensive Photoshop workshop for students. Facilitated hands on learning and provided individual guidance.

• Jamboree delegate, ARCASIA Student Jamboree, 2023

Represented Nepal at the ARCASIA Student Jamboree in the Philippines. Participated in dialogues on ‘Paghahabi: Weaving a future-ready environment’.

Software Skills

• CAD/BIM: AutoCad(Advanced), Sketchup(Intermediate), Rhino(Intermediate), Revit(Beginner)

• Adobe Suite: Photoshop(Advanced), Indesign(Intermediate), Illustrator (Beginner)

• Rendering Tools: Enscape (Intermediate) Microsoft Office: Word(Advanced), PowerPoint(Advanced), Excel(Intermediate)

Technical Skills

• Model making

• Sketching

• llustration and Graphics Rendering References

• Ar. Buddha Shrestha buddha.shrestha@ku.edu.np

• Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai bishwodev.bhattarai@ku.edu.np

RAMKOT YATRA

COLLABORATORS: Aayashree Shrestha, Sophiya Adhikari, Supriya Bhuju

SOFTWARES USED: AutoCAD, Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop

LOCATION: Ramkot, Tanahun

CATEGORY: Experience trail

PROJECT: Academic YEAR: 2023

This project embarked on a meticulous documentation of Ramkot Village, a place steeped in rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The initiative culminated in the conceptualization of an ‘Experience Trail’ that meanders through the village, highlighting major attractions and enhancing visitor engagement with the locale. The ‘Ramkot Yatra’ is envisioned as an interpretative journey, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the quintessence of Ramkot. The trail serves a dual purpose: it safeguards the village’s legacy while catalyzing its potential as a cultural tourism destination.The design interventions proposed are sensitive to the local context and aspire to be sustainable both culturally and environmentally.

First Floor Plan

Information board

Wood & Weave

Chhyang-Kot

Ghumaune- Ghar

RAMKOT YATRA: Chhyang-Kot

This establishment was once a private entity, serving solely the household with home-brewed spirits.The inception of the ‘Chhyank-Kot’ as a part of the Experience Trail represents a sensitive intervention into the village’s social fabric, tying a family’s tradition of alcohol brewing into the broader tapestry of community development. The design retains the intimate scale of a household enterprise while inviting the public to partake in the experience of local brewing practices. The open design invites the trail wanderers, enticing them with the aroma of brewing grains and the warm fellowship found around the locals and tourists.

North-east elevation

Visualization of brewery and information board

RAMKOT YATRA:

Wood & Weave

‘Wood and Weave’ represents a purposeful fusion of tradition and innovation, conceived as a dual-structure complex dedicated to showcasing and fostering the skilled craftsmanship of Ramkot’s artisans. This project, comprising a renovated carpentry workshop and a newly designed handicraft center, serves as a cultural beacon, promoting the intrinsic value of handwork and creativity endemic to the village. It aims to provide a vibrant platform for local craftsmen to hone their skills, produce and showcase their work, and engage with the broader market.

South-east elevation

North-west elevation

Carpentry Workshop

The carpentry wing occupies an existing structure that has been sensitively refurbished to accommodate the nuances of woodwork. The renovation respects the building’s original character, enhancing its spatial layout to support an efficient workflow while ensuring the safety and comfort of the artisans. This space is equipped with both traditional tools and modern machinery, reflecting the fusion of heritage and progression that is emblematic of the collective.

Section at BB

Section at XX

Detail at A

Detail at B

Detail at C

Detail at D

01 Space proportional to Ramkot’s floor plans

Functional zoning

Addition of second floor

Subtraction in first floor for mezzanine

Ground floor plan

South east elevation

South west elevation

Handicraft Centre

Complementing the carpentry workshop is a newly constructed handicraft building. This facility draws inspiration from Ramkot’s vernacular architecture, embracing its aesthetic ethos and material palette. The design incorporates modern elements and technologies to meet contemporary operational demands, including enhanced lighting, ventilation, and ergonomic workstations. This architectural dialogue between the old and new underlines the centre’s commitment to evolution without compromising the integrity of traditional methods.

Section at BB

Visualization of first floor

Ridge detail at X (Glass)

Ridge detail at X (Slate)

RAMKOT YATRA: Orange Orchard

The orange orchard is conceived as an adaptive structure that harmonizes with the lush orange groves surrounding it. The design is characterized by its open-plan layout, maximizing the engagement of visitors with the orchard’s activities. The architecture facilitates a direct sensory connection with the environment, allowing the aroma of fresh citrus and the vibrant hues of the orchard to permeate the space.During the harvest, the pavilion serves as a dynamic center for agritourism. It provides spaces for orange picking, sorting, and packaging, alongside areas dedicated to the culinary arts.

Ground floor plan

Section at XX

South elevation

Visualization of seating area

Visualization of Kitchen and seating area

THE TERRACED HEIGHTS

SOFTWARES USED: AutoCAD, Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop

LOCATION: Tripurewshwor, Kathmandu

CATEGORY: Mixed use

PROJECT: Academic

YEAR: 2022

Situated in the bustling urban area of Tripureshwor, ‘Terraced Heights’ emerges as a multifaceted structure designed to accommodate a trio of distinct facilities: an urban playground, an ethnic food hub, and a sensory experience zone.

This structure is a celebration of the natural world, with an architectural form that takes its cue from the undulating contours of natural terraces. In its design philosophy, “Terraced Heights” aspires to reflect the spontaneous joy of street play, fostering an inviting ambience by eschewing traditional fencing in favor of integrating the building into the public realm.

Section at A-A

First floor plan

Second floor plan

The building’s design strategy is to introduce a haven of tranquility in the heart of urban disarray, capturing the essence of a forest at its pinnacle. As visitors navigate through the space, they encounter a harmonious blend of sensory stimuli, encompassing the organic (a forested retreat), the manufactured (innovative technology), and the human (interactive spaces). These elements are carefully interwoven to craft an environment that delights the senses. Sensory and interactive areas are strategically interspersed throughout the premises, guiding visitors on an exploratory journey that stimulates their senses.

LEAFY FLEET PARK

SOFTWARES USED: AutoCAD, Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop

LOCATION: Kalo pul, Lalitpur

CATEGORY: Children’s Park

PROJECT: Academic YEAR: 2023

This children’s park, embracing the concepts of prospect and refuge, is a haven for both children and biodiveristy. The park’s design features meandering streams and varied landscapes, adding a sense of mystery and inviting exploration. It’s natural and fluid play areas, captured with spaces for cultural education, offer a blend of learning and fun. Children can also discover whimsical dens in tree trunks, connecting them with the natural world.

With the central theme of traditional “Bota” making, this park offers a unique blend of cultural education & playful competition. There is a gently flowing stream that serves as the racing track for the “Bota” boats. Incorporated into the landscape are various play areas that encourage active play. These include soft grassy areas for running and playing, as well as gentle hills for rolling or sliding, complementing the excitement of the bota races.

BISHRAM

SOFTWARES USED: AutoCAD, Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop

LOCATION: Not defined

CATEGORY: Rest stop

PROJECT: National Competition, 2nd runner up YEAR: 2024

‘Bishram’ is a design proposed for rest spots along the hiking and mountainous cycling trails. It is a prototype concept that is crafted to respect the natural contours of the trails, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint while maximizing functionality. It takes inspirations from the elements of Nepalese ‘chautari’ & the practicality of steps as traditional rest spots.

1. Serving Area

Stepped seating

Steps

Roof overhang with laser cut names of visible hills & mountains, which, as sunlight filters through, casts shadows of the names on the ground. This not only serves as a guide and source of anticipation for ascending travelers about the upcoming views but also allows the descending travelers to reflect on their journey.

Chautari 5. Toilet

GROWTH OASIS

COLLABORATORS: Aayashree Shrestha, Bandana Sharma, Bhawana Bhandari,Priyanka Shakya, Sarahana Shrestha and Sophiya Adhikari

SOFTWARES USED: AutoCAD, Rhino, Sketchup, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop

LOCATION: Thapathali, Kathmandu

CATEGORY: Urban redevelopment

PROJECT: International Competition, Top 3 in Nepal YEAR: 2023

‘Growth Oasis’ is designed to enhance & uplift the livelihood of the squatter communities through a strategic redevelopment approach. By incorporating the concept of placemaking, the project aims to upgrade living standards, stimulate local economies, and also promote environmental sustainability, while fostering a cohesive social fabric.

Development

Study of squatter settlement Form

Exploded Axonometry

Master plan

A bustling marketplace, a central artery of commerce and social exchange,is ingeniously situated on the ground floor to harness the day-to-day energies of the community and create a seamless integration of livelihood and lifestyle.

MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Travel diaries

In my travels to countries like the USA, Korea, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada, and Mauritius, I have been privileged to experience a diverse array of architectural marvels and cultural landscapes. Each destination offered unique insights, which have all profoundly influenced my appreciation for global architecture. These journeys have broadened my perspective, inspiring me to incorporate a blend of global aesthetics into my work.

ARCASIA’23

The Arcasia Student Jamboree 2023, held in Boracay, Philippines, from September 18th to 22nd, was an incredible experience for me. This five-day event was a vibrant blend of architectural intellect and cultural exchange, bringing together participants from 22 nations. As part of an eight-member team from Nepal, I found the jamboree to be much more than an academic or professional endeavor. It was a journey full of cultural immersion, learning, and celebration of diversity.