Armaan Dixit | Architecture Portfolio V3 by AKDesign

www.linkedin.com/in/armaan-dixit

01 | School of Allied & Public Health Prairie View, TX | 2024 p. 4-11

02 | Mount Meru Space Center Houston, TX | 2024

p. 12-21

03 | The Bridge Preschool Prairie View, TX | 2022

p. 22-29

04 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Monument Prairie View, TX |2022

p. 30-37

05 | Professional & Freelance Work Internship & Personal Ventures

p. 38-43 p. 44-49

06 | Miscellaneous Work Creative Visualizations and Model-Making

01

SCHOOL OF ALLIED & PUBLIC HEALTH PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS, USA | 2024

A community transformed holistically. Rooted in the Prairie View A&M master plan, the project emphasizes the creation of attractive communal spaces that promote physical activity such as walking and biking, as well as areas of respite, revitalizing the health of both users and the site. Responding to existing site conditions, the building’s mass timber structure fosters an indoor-outdoor connection while providing a sustainable framework. Its form dynamically transforms, ascending and descending like stair steps, reflecting the dynamic nature of physical activity and health sciences. Organized around expansive green spaces, the design ensures excellent outdoor views from nearly every part of the building, enhancing community engagement and well-being.

DESIGN

Add to existing communal spaces on campus to promote site engagement.

Create more tree cover at the site to promote walkability towards it.

To create a spacious yet intimate communal area, the design process began with a centrally organized building layout. This approach emphasized key viewpoints and a sense of community whilst connecting the space to the rest of campus.

As the design evolved, key circulation points were strategically placed to promote interaction within the site and the building. To maintain a sense of openness to the surrounding campus, circulation pathways were thoughtfully integrated into both the interior and exterior spaces.

Extend existing bike paths through the project site where pedestrian travel is a major shortfall.

A terraced design was employed to align with the concept’s transformative nature, allowing the elevations to evoke a sense of ‘movement.’ This also maximized sunlight penetration throughout the building and created additional opportunities for dynamic viewpoints.

Integral to the project’s sustainable initiatives, the sawtooth roof was designed to optimize solar energy capture by aligning with the building’s orientation. Additionally, it enhanced interior visuals of both the basketball gym and natatorium.

1. First Volume

3. Circulatory Division

4. Saw-Tooth Solar Roof

2. Transforming Heights

1ST ITERATION: CONCEPT MODEL

2ND ITERATION: MIDTERM MODEL

3RD ITERATION: FINAL MODEL

MASS TIMBER STRUCTURE

Typ. 7-ply CLT shear walls

Typ. 7ft. deep glulam beams

Typ. 6x22.5 glulam beams

GYMNASIUM STRUCTURAL MODEL

NATATORIUM WALL SECTION MODEL

SECTION AA

Photovoltaic Smartglass

Embodying the Hindu cosmic axis with a tiered ascent from Earth to the universe. The Mount Meru Space Center is a 45,000-square-foot group A-3 facility dedicated to exploring the wonders of space. It features educational exhibits that trace humanity’s journey from the early history of space exploration to future innovations, while also providing research opportunities focused on space exploration and habitation. Inspired by the cosmic symbolism of Hindu temples, the design draws heavily on principles of Hindu architecture, seamlessly blending them with contemporary building techniques. A striking mass timber structure serves as the foundation, embodying a modern interpretation of traditional Hindu architectural ideals and bringing the vision of the Mount Meru Space Center to life. 02

MOUNT MERU SPACE CENTER HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA | 2024

COURSE - ARCH 3626 | Architectural Design VI

INSTRUCTOR - Dr. Rania Labib

RESEARCH

& SITE ANALYSIS

500 Year Floodplain

100 Year Floodplain

500m Radius Project Location

Being within close proximity of Houston’s Buffalo Bayou, flood mitigation took a high priority. As a highlighted point early in the process, it led to the proposed expansive bioswale that sits to the north of the project site.

BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR, HOUSTON PLAN ROUGH SKETCH

SITE ANALYSIS

MOUNT MERU SPACE CENTER PLAN ROUGH SKETCH

BUFFALO BAYOU

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Lighting - The orientation of the project required mitigation of southern sunlight. The hierarchical shikhara, a prominent feature of Hindu temples, would simultaneously be used as a shading device with automated solar louvers.

Circulation - Another staple of Hindu temples is circulation towards the cardinal directions. With the shikhara as the centralized feature, flow of traffic and circulation spans out in all directions.

Programming - Drawing inspiration from Angkor Wat, the layout features a centrally organized design with a prominent atrium at its heart. Exhibition spaces surround the atrium enabling a directional flow of traffic.

Form & Massing - Seeking to bridge the new with the old, the shikara’s tiered design draws inspiration from India’s Temple of Steps. Mirroring a Hindu temple, finding ways to seamlessly integrate into the Houston context was integral.

Approach - It is tradition in which Hindu temples have entryways facing the east, an auspicous direction. This can similarly be seen at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Houston.

MASS TIMBER STRUCTURE

Solar Louvers

Atrium Roof (Shikhara)

5-Ply CLT Ceiling/Floor Panels

Level 02 Glulam Grid

5-Ply CLT Ceiling/Floor Panels

9-Ply CLT/2hr. Fire-Rated Shear Walls

Brie Soleil

Level 01 Glulam Grid

Cross-Bracing

Foundation

Southern Light Shelves Automated Solar Louvers Mass Timber Post & Beam Structure

SOUTH ELEVATION

SECTION AA

SEMINAR ROOM

Proposed parking with added tree shading and 7 dedicated EV parking stations

Entrance gardens and reflection ponds

Shrouded canopy and garden

Bioswale flood basin on the northern part of the site, closest to Buffalo Bayou

Outdoor eating areas

03

THE BRIDGE PRESCHOOL PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS, USA | 2022

COURSE - ARCH 2603 | Architectural Design III

INSTRUCTOR - Dr. Tareef Khan

Bridging the gap between mankind and nature through our upcoming generations. Situated directly in front of Prairie View A&M University, this project draws deep contextual inspiration from Prairie Style architecture, biophilic design, and the Japanese concept of uchigawa-sotogawa (inside-outside). In an era where many children are increasingly disconnected from the beauty and harmony of nature, the school aims to bridge this divide. Nestled in a rural community, the design seeks to seamlessly integrate the outdoors with the indoors, creating natural connections throughout the building that benefit students and faculty alike.

PROJECT SCOPE

The design emphasizes a seamless interplay between indoor and outdoor architecture. Throughout the building, the use of natural materials and expansive views of serene green spaces were essential, fostering a constant connection with nature for both faculty and students.

Interior garden clerestory

Southern Light Shelves

Butterfly roofs for solar panels and rainwater collection

WEST ELEVATION

The multipurpose and indoor playrooms stand out with their distinctive basin-like roofs. These innovative designs channel rainwater into a central column within the spaces, efficiently directing it to an underground cistern for collection and storage.

Anodized Aluminum Panels

Beige Limestone Standing Seam Metal Roof

Red Iron Hollowed Structural Steel

The gardens on both the north and south sides of the preschool serve as peaceful retreats and scenic viewpoints. Positioned strategically on the south, these gardens also help mitigate excessive heat gain.

Hollowed Steel Timber River Rock Stone

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR MONUMENT PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS, USA | 2022

COURSE - ARCH 1626 | Architectural Design II

INSTRUCTORS - Jeremy Curtis & John Okello

A towering portrait of progress and perserverance immortalized by inspiration and influence. Located just behind the Prairie View A&M University School of Architecture, this project was created during Black History Month with the goal of honoring a significant African American figure selected by the student. Inspired by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s profound impact on both the Civil Rights Movement and the world of sports, the monument’s design reflects his character, achievements, and enduring legacy. 04

Introduction - In the open fields behind the Prairie View A&M School of Architecture, this project aimed to create a hypothetical park of monuments commemorating historical african american figures. Students would utilize select word choice to properly describe their historical figure and ultimately dictate the design of the project.

Collaborative & Systematic - Both on and off the court, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a unifying force. His methodical approach to basketball and his thoughtful engagement in the Civil Rights Movement are reflected in the monument’s design. The seamless circulation symbolizes his collaborative spirit and the universal appeal of the game of basketball

Amaranthine & Protracted - An undying and ever-lasting legacy. The sloping monoliths represent his figurative and literal longevity. An ode to his legendary sky hook.

Disseminate & Swank - A body of work that has had a widescale impact from an individual who operates on a level of calm and elegance like no other. Symbolized through the free-flowing waters of the infinity pools below the monument.

Apex & Prodigious - An indvidual who has reached the summit through his many accolades and larger than life stature. The swirling ascent of the monument caps off at the diamond representing his many achievements.

SITE PLAN

CONCEPTUAL COMPONENTS

professional, and post-retirement evolution/eras

Basketball shaped circulation Infinity pools promoting his calm & serene nature

Diamond keystone for his many accolades Four hooks equaling his youth, college,

ELEVATIONS & SECTION

SECTION AA

WEST ELEVATION

VIEW FACING PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

PROFESSIONAL & FREELANCE WORK INTERNSHIP & PERSONAL VENTURES

Professional and freelance projects: Contributions from internships and independent endeavors

PGAL: UH DOWNTOWN - GATOR EXPANSION

PROJECT - UH Downtown - Gator Expansion (SD phase)

COLLEAGUES - Jeanette Dicorcia | Ryan Horton | Ba Reum Son

CONTRIBUTION - Axonometrics | Elevations | Floor Plans | Modelling | Renderings YEAR - 2024

This project involved the renovation and expansion of UH Downtown’s Girard Street Building. Collaborating with RDLR Architects, the PGAL team focused on the 4th-floor expansion, featuring a prominent roof visible from I-10 inspired by the school’s mascot, the gator. The team worked extensively on interior programming while further refining the intricate design of the gator-shaped roof structure during the schematic design phase.