I am an architect, urban designer, and researcher—seeking a spot in conversations and spaces where I can ask meaningful questions through text, drawings, or design, toward outcomes rooted in social impact. Having practiced architecture for 5 years in India, designing spaces—private, public, and everything in between and across scales ranging from a 100 sq ft kiosk to an 11.5 acre public park, I have observed how the needs of individuals especially women and marginalized groups were often overlooked in favor of creating something cheaper, faster, or deemed “better.” These experiences sparked my interest in advocating for repair and inclusivity over renewal and exclusivity.
With this awareness, I have spent the past year in an academic setting in the Master of Urban Design program at the University of Michigan, exploring and experimenting with ways to address equity in design, whether it relates to climate, sustainability, technology, housing, or society at large. I believe that when the voices of any community are suppressed for the sake of unchecked progress, no one truly benefits in the long run. I bring with me - ideas, questions, and a holistic perspective of the built environment shaped through my professional, personal, travel, and academic experiences.
• Research & Communication: ArcGIS, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro
• • Analog Tools: Writing, Sketching, Watercolor, Model-Making
• Languages: English, Hindi, Sindhi
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Project Architect & Manager | Buildkraft Engineering and Architecture – Raipur, India | Aug 2020–Jul 2023
• Led research based design and project management of over 10 civic, residential, and public projects—ranging from adaptive reuse to large-scale planning—while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely, budgetconscious, and regulation-compliant execution.
Junior Architect | 42mm Architecture – New Delhi, India | Jun 2018–Jun 2020
• Supported luxury residential design through concept development, construction drawings, and consultant coordination.
Founder & Principal Designer | Studio by the Sill | Jan 2021–July 2023
• Designed low-budget, community-rooted projects and led branding/identity design for women-led craft enterprises.
Guest Writer | The Hitavada | Jan 2014–July 2014
• Wrote op-eds on urban space, architecture, and public life for a general audience.
TEACHING AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Student Instructor | University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, MI | Aug 2024–Dec 2024
• Led discussions and graded coursework for Arch 411: Becoming Digital (60 students), supporting critical discussion at the intersection of the digital and the physical world.
Public Design Corps | University of Michigan — Sao Paulo, Brazil | May 2024–June 2024
• Contributed to participatory action research on the PIU Arco Jurubatuba development’s impact on favelas. Created counter-maps and an informational video with local communities on housing rights.
Independent Research | University of Michigan | Jan 2024–Dec 2024
• Conducted independent, field-based research funded by the International Institute at the University of Michigan on women’s experiences in public space in South Asia, using postcards as a medium for visual storytelling.
AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS
• Agora Journal of Urban Planning and Design | University of Michigan | April 2025 Project “Missing Mobile” from Fall 2024
• Urban Design Service Award | University of Michigan | Dec 2024 For student leadership and advocacy within the Urban Design cohort
• International Institute Global Grant | University of Michigan | June 2024
• Field-based research on gendered access to public space in India.
LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEERING
• Environment and Climate Advocacy Volunteer – Groundwork Somerville | April 2025–Present
• Created newsletter, social media content, and supported tree planting and urban farming initiatives.
•
• Co-President – Matters of Urban Design Student Association (MUDSA), University of Michigan | Aug 2023–Dec 2024
• Led student advocacy, organized events, and strengthened student engagement for the Urban Design program.
Alternate Imaginations is an ongoing visual investigation into the relationship between women and the public in Informal India. This particular part in the portfolio is a series of postcards that tell the background, circumstances, and story of a public space on the fringes of the Hi-Tech city of Hyderabad, being claimed, unclaimed, and reclaimed by men and women. It all started as an inquiry driven by anger from personal urban experiences as a middle class cis-gender Hindu woman in India. Over the years, this investigation has narrowed down my scope and broadened my perspective. I have not only been challenged but exposed to layers of complex social lives and identities of women and their existence in cities and the fringes of it.
Missing Mobile: A moving interpretation center
Thirupuddaimaruthur, Tamil Nadu, India
Propositions Studio | Fall 2024
Instructor: Prof. María Arquero de Alarcón
Team: Akshita Mandhyan, Haley Cope, Virginia Bassily
Academic Project, University of Michigan
Individual Contribution: Overall Design Concept, System Design, Specifics of ‘Wonder Woman’, and Graphic Language
The studio is set and conducted in partnership with a local organization that have been in the site for years: the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). The task assigned was to co-design an interpretation center Thiruppudaimarudur Bird Conservation Reserve (TBCR) located in Tamil Nadu in Southern India. This proposal for interpretation is not about designing one permanent center. It is about creating multiple centers. It is about embracing the impermanent, kinetic nature of interpretation.
Wonder Woman Champion Children
Mission Impossible
screening:
so cool we now have a public place that comes to us
A collage showing women utilizing proposed mobile infrastructure
now
TBCR Training
Sheila learnt to drive the truck and can now take us to places!!
SYSTEM DESIGN
This mobile system is very intentionally designed to encourage training and building capacities of local people in a way that makes it resilient and adaptable. Once funding is secured from companies, international, or national organisations - local NGOs such as ATREE and women’s self help groups work together to train and encourage local people to take control and run the system with minimal guidance.
INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN
Upright Benches as Shelves
Upturn Benches as Pole Stands
Pole Screen
For every dynamic configuration, there is a corresponding static configuration that is deployed or displayed at site.
SkillSharingamongstwomen
StoreattheTBCR
Socializing/Screeningamongstwomen
StoryForestattheTBCR
Peripheral Urbanisms
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Public Design Corps | Spring 2024
Instructor: Prof. María Arquero de Alarcón
Public Design Corps, University of Michigan
Individual Contribution: Mapping, Photography, Fieldwork, Informational Video for the project
In Spring 2024, I participated in a Public Design Corps field trip to Sao Paulo for 3 weeks along with 12 other students. The purpose of this trip was to document ground realities to countermap PIU Arco Jurubatuba project which threatens the existence of Favelas (informal housing) and those residing in it. This was done in partnership with several local partners in Sao Paulo which included several housing rights movements, community leaders, popular lawyers, and architectural firm such as Peabiru who work
Click here for the Vimeo link to the video I made!
Tamiraparani Watershed Study
Tamil Nadu, India
Urban Design Studio | Fall 2024
Instructor: Prof. Prof. María Arquero de Alarcón
Individual Work
Academic Project, University of Michigan
The Tamiraparani River is Tamil Nadu’s only perennial river. The River originate in the Pothigai Hills in the west and flows to the plains, fields and agricultural land in the east. The story of this river goes all the way back to ancient times. The River provides water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes and most importantly fo irrigation. It is also flanked with such a rich biodiversity which led to the government protecting certain areas that house these unique moments of biodiversity. The river is also the central spine around which many taluks and villages have grown.
My Cabinet of Curiosities: from a week long Field Trip to the five landscapes of the Watershed Region
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Re new pair Detroit
Detroit, USA
Urban Design Technology Studio | Winter 2024
Instructor: Prof. Cyrus Peñarroyo
Team: Akshita Mandhyan + Cameron Blakely + Ehsan Alam
Academic Project, University of Michigan
Individual Contribution: Mapping, Design Strategy, Part of Site Programming, Collages
Well before the “digital age”, Detroit was experimenting with innovations like the automobile and Technologies like the highway. However, urban renewal, redlining, and urban freeway construction created an unequal impact of these technologies and instead lead to displacement and a loss of opportunity for many Detroiters. Today, the city outwardly seems to be making a comeback, but revitalization projects like District Detroit and the University of Michigan's Center for Innovation (UMCI) continue to ignore harmful legacies and, in many ways, only exacerbate the sense of exclusivity downtown. What could be a counter proposal to the UMCI and District Detroit?
Salvage Decor
Salvage Furniture
Salvage Architecture
Salvage Computing
University of Michigan Centre for Innovation - Interior Proposal by KPF
University of Michigan Centre for Innovation - Counter Proposal
DESIGN STRATEGY
+ Redistribution of UMCI & District Detroit Programming to decentralize development
Retail Reservation (75% Black Owned Business )
Affordable Housing Reservation
+ Reparations through Retail Reservation (75% Black Owned Business) and Affordable Housing Reservation
+ Remembrance through physical ways of recording oral histories of displacement while creating an infrastructure that addresses repair
Festival Street
Alleyway Network
Land Bridge
Memory Walk
String Lights
Fiber Optic Art Canopy
Store Fronts
Pedestrian Street
Pop up Events
Salvaged Furniture
Flexible
Cap Park
Festival Street
SITE
Graphic by Cameron Blakeley
Changing Ratios
Canton, MI, USA
Urban Design Justice Studio | Fall 2023
Instructor : Salam Rida and Prof. Gabriel Cuéllar
Team: Akshita Mandhyan + Jess Chen
Academic Project, University of Michigan
This project is concerned with identifying and developing spatial design strategies that address processes of suburban expansion of Canton. It includes articulating three scenarios projecting possible future transformations of that place, with special attention to the role of urbanization and suggesting ways to rethink and redirect urbanisation in the suburbs. One of the alarming consequences of rapid urbanization is flooding which is a regional issue affecting Detroit, Plymouth, and nearby townships as well. If this rate and scale of urbanization continues, further flooding might even drown the city. Even the future land use map of Canton City council shows continued residential growth.
Click here for the YouTube link to the video of the entire project!
Current
Scenario Trend
Agricultural Land
Suburban Housing
Major Roads
Green Spaces
Streams/Channels
Commercial/Industrial
New Suburban Housing
Suburban Housing
Major Roads
Green Spaces
Road Widening
Commercial/Industrial
Scenario
Flooded Land
Suburban Houses on stilts
Major Roads
Green Spaces
River streams taking over the city
These three interventions together have the capacity to make existing fabric of urbanization more efficient to increase permeability of land in the city and, creating a more pedestrian friendly and inclusive environment - to address the notion of justice of rights of people and nature over cars in cities. And, perhaps even inspire changing ratios in the neighboring towns which are on their way to becoming present day Canton!
Housing Crisis availability, and accessibility)
Towards a Cultural Shift (Pedestrian friendly urbanism)
PARTICIPATORY MODEL
Towards Resilience / Mixed Use
Detroit, USA
High Density Seminar | Winter 2024
Instructor : Claudia Wigger
Individual Project
Academic Project, University of Michigan
Dequindre Cut Greenway which was formerly a GrandTrunk Railroad line is a two mile greenway which was opened to the public in May 2009 as a result of a public, non-profit, and private partnership to create a pedestrian link between the East Riverfront, Eastern Market, several residential neighborhoods and sites in between. One of these many sites which is south of Lafayette Towers sits between two beautiful green spaces - Dequindre Cut Greenway and Lafayette park. This site is a massive parking lot with an unimpressive strip mall but I wonder if this could be more than that?
This proposal for a high density development on this site in Detroit is inspired by the mixed-use neighborhoods in Central and South Delhi which are walkable and diverse. The project proposed retail uses on the lower floors to activate streetlife and plaza environment, residential in the middle floors, the office or commercial uses on the top floors, and parking in the basement. While ensuring a blend of architectural aesthetics, my attempts are mainly directed towards a mixed-use composition of every building to ensure more economic and social resilience.
Towards a mixed-use programming of every building to ensure diversity and economic and social resilience.
High Density: A Neighborhood Study
Chandani Chowk, Delhi, India
High Density Seminar | Winter 2024
Instructor : Claudia Wigger
Individual Project
Academic Project, University of Michigan
1. 3 story mixed-use residentialRetail on 2 floors
Density: 20,000 people/km2
FAR: 3
Site Coverage: 100%
2. 4 story mixed-use
Retail on 3 floors
Density: 15000 people/km2
FAR: 4
Site Coverage: 100%
Chandni Chowk, Central Delhi
Area: 5.6 square km
Population: 193,402 people
Population Density: 34,536 people/km2
Density: 12000 people/km2 FAR: 5
Site Coverage: 100%
Density: 0 people/km2
FAR: 3-5
Site Coverage: 100%
Site
Specifications
Total Site Area (sqm)
Total Built Area (footprint, sqm)
Total Greenspace/Open Space (sqm)
Area of Infrastructure (sqm)
Area Surface Parking (sqm)
Area of Water (sqm)
BASIC PROJECT STATISTICS
Gross Building Area (sqm)
Average FAR FAR Range
Density (people/km2) OTHER
Mixed Use Buildings
Miyawaki Plantation
Uttar Pradesh, India
November, 2021
Team: Akshita Mandhyan
Contribution: Graphics
Freelance Project
Developed graphics for Miyawaki plantation technique for a landscape architecture project to help build dense and native forests. The plant growth is 10 times faster and 30 times denser involving planting dozens of native species in the same area which is practically maintenance-free after the first three years.
Large Canopy Trees (Mango, Jamun, Neem)
Medium Sized Trees
Small Trees
Shrubs
NATIVE PLANTATION a typical section
PRESERVING NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS
a wetland section
PATHWAY a walkway section
Bastar Trade Fair
Jagdalpur, India
2021
Team: Akshita Mandhyan + Isha Riza Khan
Contribution: Concept Design Development
Professional Project (Buildkraft Engineering and Architecture, Raipur, India)
Individual Contribution: Graphics, Design Concept, Site Programming
Bastar Trade fair is a project with the purpose of promoting indigenous art and culture of the city. As the city grows, it requires a public place that amplifies its identity and gives the people a sense of belonging. The key considerations of this project were accessibility, inclusivity, and safety. Located along NH 30(National Highway 30) in the developing city of Jagdalpur, this project takes a site with some existing development to be merged with a landscape and public utilities. The existing developments include a sports complex, a toy train, and vending kiosks. The new developments include a Bazaar(market place), an OAT(open air theatre), parking, and landscaping.
Contribution: Architectural Design Development + 3d Visualization + Area Programming Professional Project (Buildkraft Engineering and Architecture, Raipur, India)
Individual Contribution: Graphics, Architectural, Design Concept, Site Programming
This public building addresses the need for a facility that supports the youth of the city during the challenging summer months, where spaces to read, work, study, organize, and grow are limited. Offering a variety of open, semi-open, and enclosed areas, it provides
Skylight
Terrace for Public Events
10,000 sqft.
Incubation Space
10,000 sqft.
Incubation Space + Cafe
11,840 sqft.
Public Art + Exhibition
12,700 sqft.
Public Library + OAT + Grounds
20,000 sqft.
Note: All units are in millimeters
Site Programming
Ground Floor Layout
First Floor Layout
Second Floor Layout
Third Floor Layout
Gazebo to Bakehouse
Raipur, India
2020
Team: Akshita Mandhyan + Isha Riza Khan
Contribution: Design Development and Execution
Professional Project (Buildkraft Engineering and Architecture, Raipur, India)
This 300 sqft gazebo is located in the lush green lawns of a private residence. Through a process of design and dialogue with the clients, it was converted into an intimate and warm baking place with minimal intervention to the structure and the landscape surrounding it. For the interiors, a very neutral color scheme dominates the space which blends in with the greens of its immediate environment.
Professional Project (42mm Architecture, Delhi India)
This 14 acre site has a rich green environment, an existing waterbody, a Gaushaula (cow stable), and a Biogas plant. The entrance to the site in the Northeast is done as per Vastu Shastra(traditional Indian system of architecture).
The client brief was to design a house which is connected to nature. The Courtyard House conceptually is an earthy built mass which uses passive cooling techniques and interacts with its unbuilt surroundings visually, physically, and experientially.
Nagpur Climate Data
Nagpur has a dry and semi-humid climate, witnessing extremely hot weather during summer months(March to June). Given the rising temperatures due to Global Warming, it is imperative to use passive cooling solutions to reduce of air-conditioning load and the usage of non-renewable resources of energy.
Cross ventilation section of courtyard
Greens -
Layer 1: external large and medium deciduous trees for privacy
