M E L I O R I S M
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORKS
TABLE OF CONTENT
This portfolio showcases a curated selection of projects across various disciplines, including Architecture work , Professional work, and Competitions. It is organized into the following subsections: Academic work, Professional experience and Competitions for clarity and ease of understanding.
ACADEMIC
MODAL FUSION 01
Integrated Transportation Hub
Subject: Design Dissertation
Year: 5th, Semester 9 & 10
Site: Terminal 2 International Airport, Mumbai
Type: Academic
A transit network is an essential framework that helps structure a city’s form. It serves the most basic necessity for the city, that is transportation. Multi Modal Transit Hub is a place where passengers & goods are exchanged between different vehicles or transport modes. Interchange permits riders from particular mode of transport to move & board same or different mode in order to reach the desired destination. These interchanges can be of several types.
This transport integration at various nodes along with various other developments is called a Multi Modal Transit Hub. Places near transit hubs have the potential to become vibrant public places where people not only “pass through” but also choose “to be”.
Transit integrated development can synergise on the already existing footfall that transit stations receive along with the divorce function that
This thesis explores the potential of transforming the selected project site into an active, accessible public realm that serves the city’s diverse population.The core objective is to design a space that physically, socially, and economically revitalizes the site. By integrating a transit point with mixed-use development, the project seeks to create synergies that benefit both the community and the city. The area program is derived from TransitOriented Development (TOD) norms, contextual studies, and community surveys, aiming to meet local needs and foster a sense of ownership among residents. This project is envisioned as a transit hub, a neighborhood public space, and a city-wide destination.
2
CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL
Mumbai, India’s commercial hub, is known for finance, trade, and entertainment. Its proximity to the international airport, upcoming metro lines 1 and 3, and the Western Express Highway offer unique development opportunities. The improved transportation options enhance mobility and urban living, making the area attractive for growth.
AIM
To design a transit supportive framework between existing international airport, existing bus/taxi route upcoming metro rail by integrating high density mixed land use and modal interchange within walkable distances of each other.
The enlarged ground floor plan highlights the busiest movement areas for various modes of transport, including pedestrians, drop-offs, and pick-ups. It also details the distribution of commercial spaces, showcasing key areas for business activities. This plan ensures smooth traffic flow and optimal space utilization, supporting both transportation and commercial functions.
PLANS
On the left side, all level plans are displayed, illustrating the distribution of functions, modes of transport, and pedestrian movement across the building. Each plan emphasizes how the design transitions from chaotic to calm as one moves upward through the levels. The ground levels accommodate the busiest interactions, with heavy foot traffic, transport exchanges, and commercial activities. As you ascend, the environment gradually shifts to more serene spaces, designed for relaxation and reflection. Each level is thoughtfully organized, ensuring that even in the busiest areas, there are ample spaces for people to sit, unwind, and connect with the environment. The upper levels provide a sense of retreat from the urban hustle, while still offering spots for social interaction and contemplation, maintaining a balance between activity and tranquility throughout the entire hub.
ENTRACE ON GROUND LEVEL
ARTISTIC RENDERED VIEW
The building’s design transitions from a spread-out, bustling ground level to a more compact, serene upper structure, seamlessly integrating with the site. This approach optimizes space utilization while accommodating diverse functions and maintaining a harmonious balance between activity and calm. The result is a cohesive, efficient transit hub that enhances both connectivity and urban experience.
URBAN CHAOS 02
The Lawless yet Magnetic Slum
Subject: Architectural Design
Year: 4th, Semester 7
Site: Vikhroli, Mumbai
Type: Academic
Migrant communities often form microcosms within metropolises, shaped by the city’s social, economic, and political structures. Migrants seeking new opportunities create new neighborhoods that reflect the metropolis’s commercial and architectural fabric but differ in social structure, growing organically without formal organization.This project proposes improvements to the Jai Bhawani slums in Vikhroli, Mumbai, by studying the existing culture and community. Surveys and analysis guided changes to enhance the organic neighborhood and improve residents’ quality of life.
INTRODUCTION
Mumbai, often called “Slumbay,” is home to over six million slum dwellers, with Jai Bhawani slums in Vikhroli being particularly striking due to their hillside location. Despite the diverse, harmonious community, improvements are needed to make the area more organized and comfortable for residents.
Street network pattern in a cluster
Intensity of activities and movements
Mapping of activities in the units through the main spine. Most crowded More retail and shop units in the ground floor and residential on the upper floor.
The average side of a unit here is 12’ (30.5cm) X 14’ (35.5cm) and 2 storied, but houses can be as small as 6’(15cm) X 8’ (20cm) and single storied to as large as 20’ (51cm) X 30’ (72cm) and three storied. The houses are mostly made of bricks with tin roofs covered with tarpaulin. Most units are double storied. The houses has an open plan type of arrangement, only the kitchen is defined. The kitchen also converted to bathroom in the mornings. Around 4 – 10 people live in an house on average.
RESIDENTIAL RETAIL
FORM DEVELOPMENT - MASSING
Studying the massing and growth pattern of the units in the slum. Developing an advanced form of living for the users.
CLUSTER A
Housing units
Shops/retails
Offices (BMC/corporates)
Community hub
Public toilets at the periphery
CLUSTER B
Housing units
Shops/retails
Offices (BMC/corporates)
Municipal School
Community hub
Public toilets at the periphery
CLUSTER C
Housing units
Shops/retails
Community hub
Public toilets at the periphery
ZONING BLOCK MODEL
UNIT CONFIGURATIONS
The redeveloped layout enhances the aesthetic appeal and functionality, allowing for better living conditions and infrastructure without disrupting the community’s natural harmony. The result is a vibrant, cohesive neighborhood that blends organization with the slum’s original character.
MASTER PLAN
Solar panels have been installed on the rooftops of most houses as it is economic, eco friendly and makes and the people independent.
YOUTH COMPLEX 03
Redefining Urban Spaces for the New Normal
Subject: Architectural Design
Year: 3rd, Semester 6
Site: Hiranandani, Mumbai
Type: Academic
The 2020 pandemic exposed societal faults, halted cities, and reshaped life. This project explores the “New Normal” for Indian cities, balancing modernity with tradition. It reimagines community engagement through urban design and architecture, creating inclusive, safe spaces that prepare for future challenges and restore societal balance.
INTRODUCTION
Mental health and interaction are the two factor which goes hand in hand. Having a healthy social life during pandemic and in every day routine in general is necessary for improving the quality of living. This intervention aims at interaction through awareness, recreation and have a balance between work and health, plus during pandemic it aims at engaging people by making them communicate and interchanging various ideas through the medium of various cultural events. The main aim is to bring people together and make it a “ new normal “ through the idea of health & youth Center. Physical engagement in healthy activity has a power to heal “ so creating a design that reveals around the idea of balancing mental health and interaction during this period of pandemic is the major intent.
CONCEPT
The intent of the concept is to create an experience through design where there is a balance between open and closed spaces and each and every volume unfolds itself to create an interactive and interconnected journey of a purely public spaces which are chaotic yet calm in it’s own sense. The idea is to learn , heal and explore through the medium of interaction and communication because that’s what makes a space public and create a sense of community.
Representation 1
Representation 4
Representation 2
Representation 5
Representation 6: Unfolding and Unwraping of spaces
Representation 7: Design development
The outcome of the youth complex project is a dynamic, well-designed public space that fosters community engagement and interaction. The balance between open and closed spaces creates a seamless, interconnected journey for users, allowing for moments of exploration, learning, and healing. By blending tradition with modern needs, the project offers a safe, inclusive environment that supports societal resilience in the face of future challenges. The space is both chaotic and calming, reflecting the complexity of urban life while providing a sanctuary for communal activities and personal growth.
PARAMETRICS 04
Grasshopper Explorations
Subject: Digital Design
Year: 3rd, Semester 5
Type: Academic
This section showcases my explorations using Grasshopper, focusing on experimenting with parametric tools and algorithms. These studies highlight the potential of computational design in generating intricate patterns, forms, and geometries. Each exploration delves into the creative possibilities of manipulating data and parameters, offering insights into the versatility of parametric modeling without being tied to specific architectural projects.
01 - CONTOUR GRADIENT
Contour: an outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something. Gradient: a color gradient speci es a range of position-dependent colors, usually used to fill a region.
The **Catenary Pavilion** I created in Grasshopper is inspired by the natural curve formed by a hanging chain, known as a catenary. This curve is renowned for its structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal. By utilizing parametric design, I was able to generate a pavilion that translates the catenary curve into an architectural form, creating a flowing, organic structure. The pavilion’s shape responds to gravity, resulting in a design that is both visually dynamic and structurally optimized. This exploration demonstrates the potential of parametric tools to simulate natural forces and generate innovative spatial experiences.
03 - ATTRACTOR DYNAMICS
Attractors in Grasshopper act as virtual magnets, influencing surrounding objects’ scale, rotation, color, and position based on their proximity. Any geometry from Rhino or Grasshopper can serve as an attractor, affecting parameters through its relationship with other objects.
The Voronoi Pavilion I developed in Grasshopper uses Voronoi diagrams to create a distinctive architectural form. By partitioning space based on proximity to points, the design results in an intricate, organic structure with a dynamic interplay of volumes and voids.This approach showcases how computational design can translate mathematical principles into innovative architectural solutions.
05 - KARST FORMATION
Karst: landscape underlain by limestone which has been eroded by dissolution, producing ridges, towers, ssures, sinkholes and other characteristic landforms.
06 - PILLAR OF DREAMS
Chromodoris: enhances Grasshopper with advanced mesh utilities, offering refined control and manipulation of complex mesh geometries for intricate design explorations.
07 - GROWTH PATTERN 3D
The ShortestWalk add-on for Grasshopper exposes one component which, given a network of curves and a list of lines, calculates the shortest route from line start point to line end points in a network.
08 - VECTOR FIELD & POINT
Vector Field & Point Charges in Grasshopper simulate forces around point charges, influencing object behavior and creating complex patterns based on their interactions with the vector field.
09 - SWARMING BEHAVIOR
Swarming Behavior in Grasshopper simulates the collective movement of multiple agents, mimicking natural swarm dynamics. It allows for the creation of complex, responsive patterns based on the interactions and rules governing the agents’ behavior.
Systems of Exchange in Nature EMERGENCE 05
Subject: Installation Workshop
Year: 2nd, Semester 3
Site: College Corriodor
Type: Academic
Group of 2
LIVING ARCHITECTURE. FIRE ANTS FORM RAFTS TO SURVIVE FLOODS.
The installation is by the ability of Fire Ants to build a raft, ants that have been dropped into water walk around randomly on the surface of the ant blob until they reach an edge, transforming the blob into a pancakelike structure. The result is a remarkably buoyant raft. A layer of ants on the bottom of the raft serves as a base for the rest of the colony to “comfortably” mill around on. Due to the tightly knit “weave” of the ants, water cannot penetrate the raft allowing the ants to stay dry.
This water-tight nature provides the raft with the buoyancy force necessary to eat. The ants move their queen and larvae to the center of the raft, where they stay high and dry on top of the mass of bodies. The ne coat of hairs on the ants traps enough air that those on the bottom layer of the raft avoid being completely submerged. When this raft hits land, the ants keep building. To cross small streams during their subsequent migration, they make living bridges that allow the entire colony to scramble to safety. Afterward, using their bodies, they construct a temporary aboveground encampment to provide shelter for the few days it takes to re-dig underground tunnels.
WORKING DRAWINGS 06
BIM - Drawings
Year: 2nd, Semester 4
Site: GOA
Type: Academic
This project was intended to design various small scale programs for a limited amount of users in the nieghbourhood of Fontainhas, merging with the quality, features and architecture of this Portugese colony. A vigorous study of the area has been done by the students in forms of measured drawings, surveys and photographs.
The project is designed based on the concept of Spatial density and Pressure created on the area because of compactness of the colony and buildings there.
CHILDREN’S LEARNING CENTRE
IIM SHILLONG
07
Aesthetic Habitats
Subject: Hostel & Residential designing
Year: 2023
Site: IIM Shillong
Type: Professional
Akshaya Jain & Associates, drawing from their extensive 49-year experience in designing educational campuses like IIT Kanpur, creating intriguing urban spaces. They achieve this through varied building heights based on site topography, climate-conscious landscaping to enhance the campus atmosphere, providing versatile spaces for activities, and incorporating covered verandas/balconies/courts
IIM Shillong is a unique institutional and residential project, being part of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management program. hostel designs.The high-altitude location in Shillong posed a creative challenge, but thanks to the ingenuity of our principal and
Kanpur, IIT Bhilai, and projects such as Airports Authority of India and Embassies, adhere to design principles that prioritize climate-conscious sloping roofs in Shillong, ensuring natural light and ventilation, preserving existing views and light, and incorporating verandas/balconies/courts as extensions of indoor areas, along with a green belt/spine weaving through the building complexes.
program. Our firm was entrusted with designing new residential buildings for staff and faculty, along with innovative student and team members, we successfully addressed it. Our design solution stood out in a government competition, demonstrating
INTRODUCTION
In the IIM Shillong project, the design of the hostels and residential housing was crafted to integrate seamlessly with the hilly terrain of the campus. The architecture not only complements the natural landscape but also enhances the connection between the built environment and its surroundings. By prioritizing harmony with nature, the design fosters a serene living experience, where the structures blend into the lush greenery. This approach ensures a peaceful and immersive atmosphere for students and residents alike.
CONTOUR STUDY
In the IIM Shillong project, the hilly site posed both a challenge and an opportunity for thoughtful design. A detailed contour study was conducted to understand the natural slope and terrain of the area, guiding the placement of buildings to fit the landscape. This analysis allowed for the creation of hostel and residential housing layouts that aligned with the site’s topography, minimizing disruption to the environment. By adapting the design to the natural contours, the buildings seamlessly blend with the hills, offering stunning views while ensuring stability and environmental harmony. The result is a campus that not only respects but enhances its natural surroundings, creating a tranquil and sustainable living space for students.
HOUSING PLAN
HOSTEL PLAN
ROOF MODULES - RESIDENTAIL
ROOF MODULES - HOSTEL
At night, the IIM Shillong campus glows softly, with subtle lighting enhancing the hillside’s natural contours and creating a serene, calming atmosphere. The gentle illumination ensures minimal light pollution, allowing the campus to blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape.
The U-shaped wave roofs add visual drama while improving ventilation and rainwater collection, seamlessly integrating with the hilly landscape. Lush green spaces between the structures soften the architectural impact, creating a harmonious and serene campus environment.
JAIN TEMPLE
Merging Tradition and Innovation
Year: 2023
Site: Ahikshetra, Uttar Pradesh
Type: Professional
Akshaya Jain & Associates has earned a distinguished reputation for their intricate temple designs across India, encompassing Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist temples. Their expertise shines through in their latest project, a Jain temple located in Uttar Pradesh, a historically significant and religiously revered state in India.
For this project, the client sought the firm’s expertise to provide a diverse array of design options. This demonstrates the client’s commitment to ensuring the temple’s architectural and spiritual significance aligns seamlessly with the rich cultural and religious heritage of Uttar Pradesh.
The Integrated Jain Temple, adorned with pristine white marble and intricate carvings, radiates purity and tranquility. Surrounded by exotic trees and vibrant flowers, the temple is nestled in a lush garden that enhances its serene setting. Elegantly designed stairs guide visitors through a harmonious journey, leading to the heart of the sacred space. This blend of marble, nature, and detailed artistry creates a peaceful, immersive experience that celebrates both tradition and natural beauty.
TYPE 05
Z AXIS BOULEVARD
Year: 2021
INTRODUCTION
Site: Surat, Gujarat
Type: Competition Group of 3
Merging Tradition and Innovation
A community thrives on shared moments and spaces, much like the traditional architecture of Gujarat, where ‘otla’ and streets foster social interaction among all ages. Modern high rises, however, often erode these communal spaces. This design seeks to reintegrate traditional social elements into high-rise living by using ground modulation and vertical streets to create spontaneous gathering areas. The design includes voids for light and ventilation, elevated south-facing edges for self-shading, and strategic orientation to maximize views and visual connectivity with the surrounding greenery.
UNDER THE MASK
Year: 2022
A Sustainable Urban Prototype for Recovery and Enhanced Community 10
Site: Mumbai
Type: Competition
Group of 3
The proposal puts forward a comprehensive response to fully address the need for recovery via many avenues. It centers on improving Mumbai’s previous state but is also about regaining, recuperating and getting back. It adds dimensions to the functionality of each piece of infrastructure it seeks to implement, and rethinks open spaces and what they can offer to a community. The relationship of architecture to the landscape is continuously developed in the design to represent a mindful creation of the habitable. The sustainable urban prototype is designed for accessibility as more people populate the busiest railways lines. Residents are projected to have a healthier lifestyle as we recognize the value of public buildings, commerce and well shaped public spaces.
The outcome of the design successfully merges compact living with open, inviting spaces. By integrating market areas and semi-open canopies, the design fosters vibrant community interactions and accessibility. The inclusion of an open memorial adds a reflective space that enhances the sense of community and history. Overall, the design balances the efficiency of compact urban living with the benefits of open, multifunctional spaces, creating a dynamic and engaging environment that supports both daily activities and communal gatherings.
ANWESHA MALLICK
anweshamallick572@gmail.com