Aditi Mukherjee Portfolio - 2019

ADITI MUKHERJEE

ph. +1 (217) 904 8001

EDUCATION

Master of Architecture

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA

Bachelor of Architecture

MS Ramaiah University of Technology, India

Aug 2017 - May 2019

Aug 2011 - May 2016

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Sophomore Design Studio Jan 2019 - May 2019

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA

The studio focuses on three topic areas: analysis, technical communication and modeling. I advise and critique 25 students on design, coordinate in class lab assignments, help students better understand fundamental design strategies and concepts, teach multiple softwares and grade assignments.

Lab Technician Aug 2018 - May 2019

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA

My responsibilities include operation of 3D printing devices (Fused Deposition Modeling, Polyjet and Powder), setting up the prints and operation & maintenance of the machines. I also work with the laser printers and CNC machines.

LEED - Green Associate

Certified by GBCI

May 2018

Architect | Intern Jul 2015 - Jun 2017

Bhumiputra Architecture, India

I worked on several projects including high end residential projects, commercial interiors, facade system designs and pro bono projects. I worked on the design phase, 3D modelling and visualization, making construction documents, coordinating construction process, collaborating with consultants and participating in client presentations.

Second Place - Graduate Student Excellence Award Spring 2019

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA

Third Place - Graduate Student Excellence Award Fall 2018

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA

Architectural Modelling + Visualization + Analysis

Revit Architecture, Rhinocerous 3D, Google SketchUp, AutoCad Enscape, V-Ray, Lumion, 3dsMax, Keyshot, Adobe Suite, Filmora, Procreate Grasshopper + plugins like DIVA, Ladybug, Weaverbird, Hippopotamus, Sefaira

REFERENCES

David Emmons (djemmon2@illinois.edu), Lecturer at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA

Dr. Yun Kyu Yi (ykyi@illinois.edu), Associate Professor at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA

Alok Shetty (ashetty@bhumi-putra.com), Principal Architect at Bhumiputra Architecture, India

SEEDBANK X RESEARCH academic | graduate | spring 2019

CHAMPAIGN ART COMPLEX academic | graduate | fall 2018

DR. HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL academic | graduate | spring 2018

PEDESTRIAN PALIMPSEST academic | graduate | fall 2017

LOOKUP HQ professional | interiors | 2015 - 16 | completed

HOUSE IN THE WOODS professional | residence | 2016 | design phase

STONEWALL RESIDENCE professional | residence | 2016 | under construction

WEAVERS COMMUNITY HOUSING academic | undergraduate | spring 2013

FACADE PROTOTYPE - AUXETIC SYSTEMS academic | graduate | spring 2018

MEMORIES OF LIGHT academic | graduate | fall 2018

The main intention of the design is to pay homage to the history of Cahokia, the City of the Sun and continue the architectural narrative that exists in that area. The building is linked to ‘woodhenge’ just as the ‘woodhenge’ is connected to the mounds.

The circular form reflects the simple geometry used in the architecture that came before and takes advantage of the panoramic views that the site has to offer. The form also relates to the Native Americans belief in a how all natural processes are cyclical. The building has been placed across the valley above the lowest point on our site. This allowed us to use the natural contours of the site to create differences in levels and steps.

A key element of the design is the treatment of the greenhouses as separate entities that ‘interlock’ with the circle. One of the greenhouses is for exhibition purposes and will house plants from different climates and offer visitors a unique experience. The Research greenhouse is integrated with the laboratories and is placed towards the south to maximize daylighting.

SEEDBANK X RESEARCH

Type: Academic

Teammate: Shuqin Xu

School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor: Scott Murray

Studio: Building Technology and Performance

Year: Spring 2019

Site: Cahokia Historical Site, Illinois

Second Place - Graduate Student Excellence Award

The essence of the design was to create quite meditative spaces where guests could have an unhurried and intimate experience of the artwork.

The project is located on a corner plot in downtown Champaign overlooking the Westside Park. The building is designed to take full advantage of its surrounding views and add value to the neighborhood. The building appears to erode as it nears the street as it engages more closely with its setting.

The design methodology tested the interpretations of functional complexity into geometric, topological and volumetric experiments that are precisely systemized and unitized.

The design was born of a diagram of the different programs that populate the ground floor of the building. The programs were then used as ‘seeds’ in a grasshopper script to generate Voronoi cells that form the basic grid of the building. These cells were then modified through surface offsets, extrusions and bending to create ‘tent’ like structures with draped openings to house the artwork. Some of the cells were subtracted from the floor plate to create double height volumes and terraces.

The building has four stories with a spiral staircase housed in its own ‘tent’. There are six ‘tents’ of varying sizes throughout the building. Each of them has a skylight with deep fins to allow diffused light to illuminate the space. An atrium permeates through all the floors.

CHAMPAIGN ART COMPLEX

Type: Academic

School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor: Bhujon Kang

Studio: Experimental invention of ‘Initial Model’

Year: Fall 2018

Site: Champaign, Illinois

Third Place - Graduate Student Excellence Award

Buildings should be dynamic and respond to the environment of where they are located and the program they are meant for. Responsive architecture aims to optimally respond to a range of needs within multiple contexts and is capable of self-modification, regulation, and adaptation. High performance buildings are never inert and react intelligently to changes of various kinds.

We approached the design of the elementary school with the intent of creating a space of community for the children and staff. We explored how best to create spaces of collaboration as these students transition from grade to grade. These transitions are a journey that all students go through and our aim is for our design to reflect this. Our goal was to create spaces where the students could be active while still learning.

DR. HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Type: Academic

Teammate: Joshua Saeger

School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor: Dr. Yun Kyu Yi

Studio: High performance and Responsive architecture

Year: Spring 2018

Site: Champaign, Illinois

Nominated - Graduate Student Excellence Award

The framework for the “Proposition Studio” was anchored in the concepts of Urban Design and was a combination of lecture sessions, field visits, surveying and design.

This project was about problem solving that did not necessarily mean a built intervention. Extensive surveying and studies were conducted to problematize issues that are taken for granted. Our proposition questioned the rigidity of the Manhattan grid and aims to redefine the pedestrian experience - Streets that are designed for pedestrians and not cars.

Not only did I learn about how to conduct surveys but that all problems do not need built intervention. Architecture is not only about building but about problem solving.

PEDESTRIAN PALIMPSEST

Type: Academic

Teammate: Tehreem Un Nisa

School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor: Kevin Erickson

Studio: Propositions Studio

Year: Fall 2017

Site: Manhattan, New York

Lookup is a mobile application that connects customers with local retailers. While designing we had to be wary of their unique work culture and create an environment best suited to their needs.

Workstations range from standing desks (which encouraged a more active workplace), cabin for the CEO, 10 seat conference room, linear work stations, self contained 4 seat work desks for specific teams, to cozy wall seats. Indigenous plant species served to differentiate spaces, while also improving air quality and incorporating Lookup’s trademark green color.

At the very center, a semi-circular amphitheater (fondly nicknamed “The Pitch”) transforms from brainstorming arena by day, to a recreational hub by night. A cluster of bright red, old-school telephone booths are used as ideal spots for Skype calls.

LOOKUP HQ

Type: Professional

Teammate: Swetha Devidas

Office: Bhumiputra Architecture

Client: LookUp Inc.

Year: 2015 - 2016 (completed)

Site: Bangalore, India

Featured on Archdaily

The Woodstock Residence or the “House in the Woods” is home to an Indian artist and his family. It is located on a beautiful 12 acre site in the town of Woodstock, New York overlooking the Catskill mountain range. The house is meant to be the first of many in a design village that will be developed on the site.

The project is distinctive because the house will be prefabricated in India and then shipped to New York.

Since the site has many natural streams that collect at a pond in the site, we decided to build the house beside the lake. We tried to give the built mass a transparent character where the user is constantly connected to the surroundings visually.

HOUSE IN THE WOODS

Type: Professional

Teammate: Swetha Devidas

Office: Bhumiputra Architecture

Client: Raghava KK (artist) and family

Year: 2016 (design phase)

Site: Woodstock, New York

The Stonewall Residence is built around three large 50 years old mango trees. The mango trees were the most important elements of this site when we started thinking about designing this house. We wanted to create private living spaces without compromising the experience of being under the large foliage of mango trees.

The plan of the house is conceived as two stone walls that divide the site into three parts. First we have the outdoor spaces, Second we have the living spaces, Third we have the service and utility areas. From left to right. The house consists of three floors - Basement floor, Ground floor and First floor.

STONEWALL RESIDENCE

Type: Professional

Teammate: Swetha Devidas

Office: Bhumiputra Architecture

Client: Shetty and family

Year: 2016 (under construction)

Site: Bangalore, India

View of the backyard

This project was about creating housing prototypes for weaver’s. Weaver’s in India have a unique work-life relation. They live and work in the same place. The design of the prototype had to keep the two programs together while keeping them separate.

Each cluster consists of 4 houses. People of the same occupational group occupy each cluster. The row houses concept helped save materials and labor cost. Weaving is at the HEART of each block. The beneficiaries set up their looms in the central court and use it as their work place thereby working in their home itself.

Plants act as Noise Buffer between Work-space and Living space. Cross Ventilation is maintained throughout despite the small carpet area. There is a possibility of extension of living space in upper floors in the future.

WEAVERS COMMUNITY HOUSING

Type: Academic

School: MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology

Professor: Dr. Anuradha N

Studio: Occupational Housing

Year: Spring 2013

Site: Bangalore, India

This exercise was about exploring the possible application of auxetic structures as a screening device. The structure retracts or extends based on ambient conditions to maximize its performance.

The movement of the auxetic structure was simulated using grasshopper and daylight analysis was conducted to test performance. Physical prototypes of the facade were built to see real-life performance and test if the design in practically viable.

FACADE PROTOTYPE - AUXETIC SYSTEMS

Type: Academic

School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor: Dr. Yun Kyu Yi

Studio: High performance and Responsive architecture

Year: Spring 2018

Site: Champaign, Illinois

Auxetic strctures - Prototypes