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Thesis: Water-City Symbiosis
MA Urban Design, Academic work
Housing Alternatives
MA Urban Design, Academic work
Newcastle Cultural & arts corridor
MA Urban Design, Academic work
Sarang: Experimental Forest School
Professional work, Architecture & Landscape
Gender Park: A gender convergence hub
Professional work, Architecture & Landscape
Miscellaneous works
3D Visualisations, Architecture & Interior
MACRO CONTEXT- “from Newcastle to the world”
DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND STRATEGIES
The identified study area is the forthyard opportunity site at Newcastle with an area of 25ha currently classified as a riverfront brownfield site with scattered remains of Industrial waste and a functioning performance arena sharing the northern boundary of the site awaiting transformation.
VISION
“Utilizing the importance of river front for settlement as a powerful tool for re engaging Newcastle’s historic Forth yard site with the city by combining the elements of Water city and vibrant city theories to create a mutualistic mixed use neighborhood addressing the needs of all stakeholders involved”
The core purpose of this project is to re- engage the riverfront brownfield site to the expanding urban fabric and incorporating the river into the daily life of its users using WATER- CITY SYMBIOSIS
With nature reclaiming its space through the industrial ruins, site demands restoration of local eco system along with general human needs to establish a co- existing living model in the study area.
The identified study area is the forthyard opportunity site at Newcastle with an area of 25ha currently classified as a riverfront brownfield site with scattered remains of Industrial waste and a functioning performance arena sharing the northern boundary of the site awaiting transformation.
The identified study area is the forthyard opportunity site at Newcastle with an area of 25ha currently classified as a riverfront brownfield site with scattered remains of Industrial waste and a functioning performance arena sharing the northern boundary of the site awaiting transformation.
Once used as a transport channel for goods, this viaduct is currently reclaimed by nature. Sharing the boundaries with site and the urban interface, current intervention in viaduct forms the part of a pilot project filling the gap between the past and its permanent make over.
With new habitats formed as the result of post industrial abandonment and re routed railway line, the area is isolated and disconnected between urban and site interface. The viaduct channels to the Newcastle station’s back entrance with less than 5 min walk and an intervention could create potential multi- modal transport links for its users and asssets.
Carefully curated for preservation and additive regeneration, the viaduct is transformed into testimoney of urban retrofit wit graded buildings occupying the lower floor area of the viaduct and ecosystem services in the level 1
Forms 6 character areas in the major area of intervention with sequential transition through spaces ensuring smooth transition from dense urban fabric to embrace nature.
The project outcome was achieved through turning void spaces to places by articulating the riverside through a mix of new urban services that benefits social and economic conditions as well. The inter dependency of these proposed built environment and urban forms were utilized as a key to connect riverfront to the urban fabric through Water- city symbiosis.
To achieve symbiosis in functions, the site was organized as sequences of urban ecotones from riverfront to the upper slope gradiant in the northern site boundary with interlinking circulation and distribution of activities in each level of site to satisfy the process of interventions.
By selecting the smaller area of a whole puzzle to solve the abandonment of riverfronts in Newcastle, this project uses water transit system to connect the site to North shield international ferry terminus that covers the entire stretch of the river for adaptation and modification. The research confirms that the waterfront cities are valued resources of nature and recreational opportunities making brownfield riverfront sites a potential asset for modern city to create a better image for the city and sense of place for the communities involved
The overall aim of the project is to create a mixed housing development consisting of 450- 600 units spread across the 11.5 hectares of riverside land to address the housing shortage and under utilisation of prominent riverbank in Gateshead with sequences of active public realm and amenities supporting the holistic development of the place.
“Developing a design strategy that activates the river front and utilise the mixed housing as a key to revive lost atmostpheric setting and cultural value.”
With ever changing post pandemic user preferences, the site upholds the potential to be a third place for its inhibitants and visitors. With excellent connectin to city centre and proximity to major city landmarks, site offers a great opportunity for mixed use development addressing housing needs and cultural bakruptcy.
Phase 0: Remediation
Clearing the land through remediation measures ( Phytovolatisation & Rhizofiltration)
Phase 1: Stimulated growth
Adding more top soil for soil replenishing and natural growth
Phase 2: Recreation
Community developed urban farms with water attenuation and woodland creation
Activating residential back alleys to improve social life of streets Alleys are often forgotten spaces in an urban setting that holds a sense of drama with the nature of linearity. One plant for one house Strategies making sure that every dwelling has provision for its own garden space
Edging Topographic & Climatic response
Housing for green infrastructure enhancement through edging. (Overlooking built environment)
Utlizing the site levels to place houses in the gradients with multiple entr blocks and street facades.
Floating house prototype with limited in first phase as a pilot project. This pilot project intends users to get used to a change in preference of living by water.
In an overall, the proposal tries to co- ordinate art and artists to collaborate by making direct involvement with the public to attain the recoginition they deserve. The scattered distribution of artist spaces in the city makes sure that every street generates the bond between artists and public by diminishing the barrier of communication.
Most of the buildings in the street were listed. Therefore segregated their utility to artists and general public. The parks and intermediate open spaces acts as the spatial connectors which thread the scattered built elements together to become a cultural hub.
“When considering Clayton street as a part of the whole site, It becomes the urban living room in the urban interior of Newcastle city”
“Sarang is a gentle reminder of the basic qualities of being human and teaches the art of finding happiness in living simple yet a worthy life”. a 12 acre forest on a hillside, transformed from a barren land to a lush jungle, nurtures students alongside wildlife like wild boars, rabbits, squirrels, fox and rare frogs.
Grow your own food: Building resillient and sustainable future
Optimising water usage: Circular usage of water by reuse and recycle
Be one with nature: Reminder of going back to the roots- receive and respect
Build your own roof: Hands own workshops for self built houses
Reduced Carbon footprint: Through ecosystem services
FLORA MAPPING
“Seeks
to heal the land, fostering deep connections between humans and the natural world as they regenerate the once-lost woodlands.”
Established in 1982 as an alternative to the traditional ‘one-size-fits-all’ education, Sarang imparts life lessons, not just calculus classes, in a free, democratic, and nature friendly setting. — a 12 acre forest on a hillside, transformed from a barren land to a lush jungle, nurtures students alongside wildlife like wild boars, rabbits, squirrels, fox and rare frogs.
Note: Vegetation is marked in regional language for clients convenience
“Back to non tech- age”- harnessing the raw local knowledge and traditional practices to achieve the result
Multi-Functional Spaces for Gender Empowerment
The footprint of the old Gandhi Block and its surrounding gardens have been preserved, creating relaxed green spaces for people to engage in discussions or enjoy recreational time
Community Ownership and Engagement
Gender Park ensured it met local needs and aspirations. This engagement fostered a sense of ownership, transforming the space into a hub for social empowerment and collective action
To achieve a just society where all gender identities have equal access to opportunities and resources, with a strong voice in key decision-making processes. The collaborative efforts from multiple stakeholders have resulted in a space that champions gender equity and supports the local community.
Respect for heritage and adaptive reuse: The Core Block (Gandhi Block), originally a boy’s home, was preserved as a museum and library to honor the campus spirit.
Transfering historic spirit to modernity: Complements its architecture using laterite stone and wood, while including modern academic spaces.
