Interior Design Portfolio _Akshaya Sivasankar_2020

PORTFOLIO INTERIOR Akshaya DESIGN Sivasankar

1

CONTENTS

2

01 02 03 04 05 06

Hotel De Madera Research and Creative Component | Pg 6 – 15

Utopia Urban Design Studio | Pg 16 – 19

The Journey Spiritual Design Studio | Pg 20 – 33

ANDC Competition Entry | Pg 34 – 39

Research Thesis Masters Thesis Project | Pg 40 – 49

Freelance Works Residential Design | Pg 50 – 57

3

Resume

I believe that design is much more than just an expression of yourself. I truly believe that it has to be experiential and must create an impact to the end user. Design should be a manifestation of the clients’ desire rather than a designers’ masterpiece.

4

Akshaya Sivasankar ABOUT ME

EXPERIENCE

Graduate student specialized in Interior design seeking for full-time positions in the Interior design domain

P&S Worker, CCEE, Iowa State University, June 2020 – Present o Redesign classrooms and university labs according to COVID guidelines. o Propose various solutions to accommodate students at allowed capacity while following CDC guidelines. o Generate office layout and university lab designs and produce 3D realistic renderings in REVIT.

o Self-starter with excellent organizational and management skills gained from working as teaching assistant in History of Interior Design and Architect assistant

Architect Assistant , Iowa State University, May 2019 – May 2020 o Design and sketch layouts for University office spaces and labs o Design and sketch custom lab furniture and equipments for research laboratory o Generated realistic renders of office layouts and labs for presentation to the Planning Department

o Team player with good communication and listening skills honed from being student representative for graduate community in Iowa State University

Teaching Assistant, Iowa State University, August 2017 – December 2019 o Held History and Theory of Interior Design lectures for class of 75 students o Assisted professor in preparing class and exam materials o Graded assignments and exams

o Problem solver with technical and creative abilities attained through working as an intern using 3D design software like SketchUp and Revit

Intern, Vision Architects, Chennai, India, December 2015 – April 2016 o Assisted Senior Architect in drafting estimation reports gained knowledge on contracts and estimation o Assisted in selection of interior finishes and furnishings when involved in on-site visits of projects o Drafted tenders for government projects under Architect’s supervision

CONTACT

Phone – +1-650-644-5384 Email – akshaya@iastate.edu

PUBLICATION Global migration and multicultural environments: Integrating design systems to facilitate cultural hybridization - Thesis , May 2020

Intern, Innovarch Architects, Bengaluru, India, June – October 2015 o Went to on-site inspections, was involved in measuring & preparing modified floor plans o Prepared sketches for custom furniture for 200sq.ft office space under Interior Designer’s direction o Created and generated Revit and SketchUp 3D models and renderings for client meetings

EDUCATION Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design, Iowa state University, Iowa GPA – 3.91/4 08/2017 – 05/2020 Bachelor of Architecture, School of Architecture & Planning, Anna University, India CGPA – 7.64/10 08/2012 – 05/2017

LINKS

SKILLS

Portfolio

Adobe creative Suite – Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat 3D modeling and Rendering – Revit, Sketch up, Lumion Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint AutoCAD, Sketching, Model making

https://issuu.com/akshayasivasankar/docs/ akshayasivasankar_portfolio_2020

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshaya-sivasankar/

Profile https://www.design.iastate.edu/interior-design/ graduate-student-profiles/akshaya-sivasankar/

REFERENCES Dr. Diane Al Shihabi DOGE, College of Design dshihabi@iastate.edu, 515-294-8393 Paul Kremer Program Manager, Civil Engineering pkremer@iastate.edu, 515-294-8213

AWARDS AND MEMBERSHIPS o Winner, Central Iowa Construction Specifications Institute (CSI),Iowa State University December 2017 o Interior Design Student Representative for the Design Graduate Learning Community (DGLC), College of Design, Iowa State University, Iowa, August 2018 – May 2020 o Graduate Student Book award 2017, Interior Design, Iowa State University o Recipient of graduate assistant scholarship and Graduate Tuition Award o Registered Architect under Council Of Architecture, India. COA-CA/2018/91167 o Design Head of volunteer student organization SANKALP, Iowa State University, August 2018 – May 2020 o Member, Design and Decor Team, Cul De Sap, Annual cultural fest, SAP, Anna University, March 2014 o Member of design team for SAP chronicle, Magazine of School of Architecture and Planning

5

01 Hotel De Madera

Hospitality Design Studio Group Project

Site Location Program Semester Type of project Medium

Panama City, Panama Spa Hotel 1st Semster,M.F.A August-December, 2017 Academic Revit Modelling & Revit Cloud Rendering

The project was to create a Spa hotel in Panama City, overlooking the Panama Canal, keeping in mind the population, location and culture.

The program was to include public spaces like lobby, dining and retail spaces, private spaces like rooms with three classifications standard, deluxe and suite rooms. The main program was to include a spa in the top floor with massage rooms, pool and Jacuzzis and tie the entire design using the interiors and the color theme

6

Panama Canal

Site

View of the hotel from the Dock (Revit Render)

7

Hotel Lobby

8

Library and Lounge

Library, Lounge and Employee Lounge (8m)

Lobby and Plaza (0m)

The design was a Spa hotel in Panama overlooking the Panama Canal. The design uses the local wood for construction and the structure is exposed. The undulating facade is strickingly different to the surrounding buildings and the design accepts the variation in the floor plan and produces different sized rooms creating a dynamic design.

Hotel Section

9

Casual Dining

10

Pre-function Space

Precedent images and color palette for the hotel and Spa

The common spaces like the lobby, lounge and dining celebrates the wooden construction.

To tie the exterior and interiors, custom lights mimicing the facade is designed and used throughout the hotel. The interiors were done keeping in mind the wooden structure and trying to complement the wooden tones and the structural elements. The color theme was decided to be more on the cooler side , to compliment the warmth of the wood, but yet not conflict it altogether.

11

Standard rooms

12

Suite Rooms

The undulating facade creates different floor plates at every floor providing with a dynamic design. So, every room gets a floor to ceiling window and a exapanse view. The floor plan is divided between spaces on the basis of multiples of the width of the undulating ribbons.

This also provides the posibility of having variations in guest rooms.

FLOOR PLANS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF GUEST ROOMS

Standard rooms 40 SQ.M / 430 SQ.FT

Standard rooms 40 SQ.M / 430 SQ.FT

Guest Rooms (12m – 40m)

Deluxe rooms 50 SQ.M / 540 SQ.FT

Suite rooms 60 SQ.M / 645 SQ.FT

Guest Rooms (52m – 132m)

13

Spa Lobby

14

Jacuzzi - hot & cold

Jacuzzi - Hot & Cold

Spa - Treatment Rooms

15

02 Utopia Urban Design

Site Location Program Semester Type of project Medium

Post apocalyptic world Urban Design 9th Semster,B.Arch,August-December, 2016 Academic Sketching, Photoshop,Illustrator

The project brief was to design an utopian society in a postapocalyptic world. The students can decide the calamity and can determine the timeline of the destruction and provide a potential solution for utopia.This project is called H2OME which is a utopian society where the survivors of the apocolypse decide to live under water and create their underwater society. Homo-sapiens adapt themseles to become homo-amphibians through research and evolution through the years.

16

View of the Utopian world (Photoshop)

17

Realising the calamity they had to face, homo-sapiens made use of all the man-power and technology, to research and save them while also simultaneously adapting themselves to the changing environment.

2050

2100

18

Innovation and research

2152

2150 After several failed attemps and intense research to adapt and survive present conditions, inspiration is drawn from amphibian life, transferred themselves to exhibit traits of amphibian lives.

Constant depletion of nature, Eratic climate change and global warming results in complete submerging of land form under water leaving behind very less traces of land

In search of land

After a long time of desparate search for land, a small piece of land is discovered and is decided to make use of the land for agriculture while living under water. They planned to develop a new administration and societal structure to suit needs.

Inspiration from amphibians

Research to adapt

Agriculture on land

Living under water

Administration 2 members from each age group are selected to form the governing body to ensure equity.

Anatomy of Amphi-Humans – They breathe through skin – They have no external ears – Hand and legs are webbed – Their mucous consists of fluoroscence which glows normally and camoflouges when threatened by predators – Being cold blooded creatures, their body conditions could adapt to changing climatic conditions – Height is a little greater than human average

Age group and occupation A structure comprising of three main types of employment run by all age groups.

One pod is basically a household for a family.

Depending on the size of the family the pods vary in size and in height. The pods are designed to suit the needs of the family and the pod is attached to a stem with multiple pods. Few of those stems of pods together form one capsule/unit.

24 hour clock concept 24 hour clock idealises on the concept of fixed timing for everyday chores and activities.

It works like a building with multiples apartments. And all of these capsules float just below the water surface near the land .

19

03 The Journey

Spirituality Design Studio

Site Location Program Semester Type of project Medium

Elephant Island , Colorado Spiritual Design 3 rd Semster,M.F.A August-December, 2018 Academic Revit modelling, Revit Cloud Rendering

Transcendence,which allows us to imply that the space itself is intended to address the “other”, something not present but essential to the meaning and purpose of the space. We more-or-less agree that this “other” is something that we, as humans, have always sought, the mystery that answers who we are and why we are here.

The goal was to create a space that facilitates Transcendence.

20

Site

External View of the Water builiding (Revit Render)

21

CONCEPT AND SITE ANALYSIS Earth Walk the Earth,depicting life here in the world

Fire

To use the 5 elements of nature and relate its characteristic to each space along the journey and use the elements to create a spiritual trigger that can help the visitor one step closer to the whole experience.Each space will be associated with one of the 5 elements of nature and will signify one aspect of the spiritual process that adds to the entire spiritual journey.

Use Fire to burn memories we want to leave behind

Expanse Views

Water Use water to purify the soul & body and move forward with a fresh mind

June Solistice

Ether Air as a means to lift and blow away the soul higher towards to sky.

December Solistice

Sun Path Prevailing Winds

Expanse Views

Air Sky as means to reach a higher calling & meditate

22

The site analysis , suggested places for positioning view points in the design. The site contour, helped positioning of the builidngs in accordance to the natural elements associated.

Entry to the island through boats Walkway among the trees to reminise the time spent on earth up until now

ADA Walkway among the trees to reminise the time spent on earth up until now

Wash and cleanse in the water building and continue the journey as a new person

Fire to burn memories we want to leave behind and continue the jounery forward with a clean mind and soul

Experience the ‘ether’with the recreation of starry sky activated by the user

Dock to Exit from the island after finishing the journey , without having to go back

Final spot on the journey which culminates at the end with meditation spaces overlooking the mountains

Site Plan indicating the journey 23

24

Walkway - EARTH

Earth

ACTIVITY

Walk

Walk through trees and winding roads

+ METAPHOR

Journey of Life

Crossing hurdles and blocks in life

Reaching a goal/ finding salvation

Pathway from FIRE to WATER 25

26

Meditation and contemplation space- FIRE

Fire

ACTIVITY

Collect memories and write on paper

Put in fire and watch it burn

+ METAPHOR

Prepare to let go

Letting go of burden

Free to move forward

View of the forest from inside - FIRE 27

28

Abulation tank with exapnse view - WATER

Water

ACTIVITY

Cleanse the body after burning ritual

Contemplate and manifest dreams

+ METAPHOR

Purification of the soul

Preparing to move forward

Open to new opportunities

Abulation tank with water cascade - WATER 29

30

Physical model of the Site

Ether

+ Light candle

See starry sky effect

ACTIVITY

+ METAPHOR

Spiritual /etheral Experience

Understanding life is bigger than them

Physical model showing the dome - ETHER 31

32

Walkway into the final meditation space- AIR

Air

+ ACTIVITY

Walk through dark tunnel towards light

Contemplate and manifest dreams

+ METAPHOR

Preparing to move forward

Open to new opportunities

Final meditation space overlooking the mountains - AIR 33

04 ANDC

NASA - Competition Entry (Shortlisted)

Site Location Program Semester Type of project Medium

George Town,Chennai, India Re-vitalization of a temple 5th Semster,B.Arch,February 2014 Competition entry Revit Modelling , Sketching

The idea behind the project was to identify a spiritual, religious or cultural precinct of prominence in the past but has gradually lost its significance in the present day scenario due to factors such as urbanisation, over population etc,. After this, the major idea was to recognise solutions to retrieve its significance and assess its impact on the surroundings.

34

Design concept and ideas for temple revitalisation

35

ANNALS OF CHENNAI MADRAS

1600

Kalikambal relocated

1625

East India Comapany

Foundation of Black & White town

1650

1675 St.Mary Church 1700

Major temple towns and religious places in the city

Kalikambal built in the suburbs of Muthialpet Mud wall around the Black town Core of the city and how it developed around it

1725 French destroyed part of black town 1750

Street of black town development

Town temple destroyed-Malikesh

1775 Timeline of the site - 1600s

1800

People park was built in Black Town

1825 St.George Cathedral 1850

University of Madras

Timeline of the site - 1800s

1875

1900 YMLA 1925

36

Black Town named as George Town Timeline of the site - 2000s

Site analysis

Landuse Pattern

Heights mapping

Access Points to the site

Commercial Primary residence Mixed residence Institutional Light Industry Open space Water Body

Although most temples follow a plan that naturally highlights the temple as the core, in a commercial area like george town, kaligambal temple has no peaceful existence between the several layers of urban fabric. The gopuram once the mark of the entire street is now being masked by the huge concrete buildings with retailers and residents, The increase in population have resulted in cogession, traffic of the place slowly decresing the sanctity of this religious precinct.

Institutional Building Hawkers Residence + Commercial Recreation Temples

> G+3 G+2,3 < G+2 < G+1

Slow Traffic Medium traffic Fast Traffic

Evolution of site

Through the years, inspite of other popular temples in the vicinity, there has been an increase in foot traffic to Kalikambal temple.

The temple has undergone physical transformations depending upon the necessities of the user, yet the needs are not met. The impact of the temple is not visible very far from the temple due to the urban context. There is a need to stretch the effect far from the boundraies of the site.

Pre-British

British Religious Precint Temple

37

DESIGN CONCEPT

EVOLUTION OF TEMPLE

Design Program

Need of the user

Form Emphasis

Make temple the landmark

Stage 1 1648

Increase the extent of the precinct

Recreation

To create comfortable spaces

Dining & Water bodies

Festivals

Stage 2 1800

To create spaces for special occations Viewing decks & Mandaps

Stage 3 2002

Bring the crowd inside the temple

Design congregation spaces Stage 4 2008

Viewing Decks to facilitate visual during festivities

Viewing spaces at different heights for festival times and Theru (cart) pulling

DESIGN IDEA

The belltower is provided on top of garbhagriha to be more effective Dining provided at a separate level resulting in better circulation

A water body symbolising a traditional tank. Access is given from outside to cater to user groups not using the temple

38

Viewing deck for both performance and the water body

EVOLUTION OF FORM

1

3

The circumambulatory path around the shrine is traced

The circumambulatory path around the shrine is traced

2

4

The various paths are connected inward

The circumambulatory path around the shrine is traced

This pavilion around the garbagriha is for pedestrian access and is raised to a height of 14m from the ground making it one of the highest points in the sorroundings.

This pavillion now forma a point of focus amoung the various surrounding tall builidngs.

The use of pillars and railing as a skirting for the ramp alternatively gives a sense of openess than a solid structure.

The top most point of the pavillion is ornamented with a temple bell. Green roof is provided for this pavilion keeping in minf, the need for new technoligies in urban settings.

39

05 Global migration and multicultural environments: Integrating design systems to facilitate cultural hybridization Research thesis & Creative component

Program Semester Type of project Medium

Research Thesis and Creative Component 3rd Year,M.F.A August, 2019 -May, 2020 Academic Research & Revit 3D modelling

The thesis aims to address the issue of global migration and the stresses along with it, by providing an universal system of design integration that facilitates cultural hybridisation. The goal of the thesis is to not limit the usage to migrants, but also to multi-cultural people who need a part of their culture and to help upcoming students and current designers to design responsible buiulidngs.

40

Abstract Global economies and global conflicts have led to unprecedented migration in the twenty-first century. This research argues for successful multicultural environments and the creation of a design approach that facilitates cultural hybridization. It examines traditional design systems â&#x20AC;&#x201D; deeply rooted in cultures, values, and religions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that continue to be expressed in building construction.

It identifies the fundamental ideologies and principles of the design systems of Western civilization (Classical principles of design), India (Vaastu Shastra), and China, Japan and Far East (Feng Shui) and the shared principles that allows the design systems to be integrated.

It draws on literary and archival sources to understand defining principles and on case studies of historic and contemporary design integration, to show how and why traditional design systems have been successfully integrated. Findings are visually applied in twodimensional prototypical plans and three-dimensional renderings.

41

DESIGN INTEGRATION By studying the three design systems, it was clear that there are multiple similarities in the way each of these design principles were formulated. The basic ideologies and principles of Vaastu Shastra, Feng shui and Classical design overlap in the following ways.

Floor Plan

Color Theory

Interiors

Vaastu Shastra

Feng Shui

Classical Principles of design

Feng Shui planning diagram

42

Vaastu planning diagram

By overlapping both the diagrams of 9 square grid, a design for a 2095 square feet residence was developed. The placement of the rooms was guided by the matrixs and the interiors were designed accordingly with the color scheme obtained from the Feng Shui guide diagram. The interiors are then done by applying the Classical Principles and Feng Shui color guidelines.

Feng Shui planning Matrix

Vastu Shastra planning matrix

This research is useful for interior designers and architects and will facilitate planning for successful multicultural residential designs globally. It aims to facilitate multi-cultural understanding, acceptance, and cultural hybridization in a way that protects and reflects individual cultural values. It fills an important gap in the current interior design research and scholarship by identifying specific principles of each design system and by providing a basis for successfully integrating principles of design systems from multiple cultures within a single plan.

Residential Plan

43

Vaastu Shastra Ruled by : Soma and Kuber Benefits : Health and Wealth and success Feng Shui Attribute : Career Benefits : New Career opportunities Color : Black Classical Principles Emphasis : Accent Wall Balance : Symmetry with TV unit, plants and overall planning Harmony : Variety and Unity in usage of different shades and tints of the color

44

LIVING ROOM

Vaastu Shastra Ruled by : Agni Benefits : Awakening the soul

KITCHEN

Feng Shui Attribute : Wealth and Prosperity Benefits : Wealth, harmony and opulence Color : Purple, Blue and Red Classical Principles Emphasis : Blue cabinets Harmony : Unity by using gold metal finishes to cabinet handles, plumbing, light fixtures and furniture legs

45

Vaastu Shastra Ruled by : Prithvi Benefits : Strength and authority Feng Shui Attribute : Love, marriage, relationship Benefits : Strengthen relationship between couples Color : Pink, Red and White Design Elements Decorated with elements from oriental culture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; floral wallpaper and wooden screen.

46

MASTER BEDROOM

Vaastu Shastra Ruled by : Yama Benefits : Freeing of soul, rebirth

BEDROOM

Feng Shui Attribute : Fame Benefits : New opportunities and success Color : Red Design Elements Decorated with elements from Indian culture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; wallpaper with Indian print, Floral carpet, Pillows with Rajasthani print, Indian paisley printed bedding and common Indian colors

47

Vaastu Shastra Ruled by : Brahma Benefits : Positivity & spiritual vibrations Feng Shui Attribute : Health Benefits : Increase overall health Color : Orange Design Elements Indoor plants, Natural lighting

48

OPEN SPACE

Vaastu Shastra Ruled by : Isa (Northeast), Surya (East) Benefits : Gateway to gods (Northeast), Enlightenment (East)

POOJA ROOM

Feng Shui Attribute : Knowledge & Spiritual growth Benefits : Increases spirituality Color : Blue, Green, Black (Northeast) Green (east) Design Elements Wooden mandap with lattice work, brass bells, Indian imagery, sculptures and figurines

49

06 Freelance works

Residence Design and Interiors

Site Location Program Type of project Medium

Chennai, India Residence Design and Interiors Freelancing Revit Modelling , Revit Rendering

This is an ongoing project for a newly married couple. The idea was to create a 3 bedroom residence which is vaastu compliant but also has a lot of innovative and modern ideas. The client wants to have a design that has a modern twist to traditional architecture. The emphasis is on obtaining the maximum natural light and air possible while also deal with privacy in an appropriate manner.

50

Site

Arial View of the residence (Revit Render)

51

The ground floor has the entry to the house and a verandah just outside the main door. This is a imitation of a traditional concept called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;thinnaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; an outside seating area to entertain visitors. Then the house has a living room split into two to increase the privacy of the house.

Ground Floor plan

52

The ground floor has a open to sky space with plants, sicne the client is passionate about having natural elements arpound the house. Because of this, the design in included to have a plant/green room to promote calmness in the house. The first floor has two big bedrooms with nice huge bathrooms. The master bedroom also has a balcony to sit and enjoy the view.

First Floor Plan

53

Second Floor view

54

Bedroom View

Terrace View

55

Freelance works

Residence Design and Interiors

Residence Interiors - London

56

Residence Interiors - London

57

Thank You +650-644-5384 akshaya@iastate.edu

Akshaya Sivasankar