Master of Landscape Architecture, University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Bachelor of Architecture, Navrachana University (NUV)
PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE ON: https://issuu.com/home/published/portfolio_aashaka_n._parikh
Courtyard for Matraville Sports High School, NSW
Permaculture garden for the University of New South Wales
Friendship Garden for Janet Mooney from Tempe, NSW
Design Thesis Project for Master of Landscape Architecture, University of New South Wales
THE YELLOW QUAD
MSHS Quad Design
The Yellow Quad (currently named Senior Quad) is a space designed for students of various age groups and abilities within the campus of Matraville Sports High School, Sydney. The design process also included engagement sessions with the teachers and students to understand their requirements and vision for the school which has to be achieved in a given budget. The project is a multi-disciplinary team project with group members: Shruti Pednekar, Azwad Akram, Sanjana Chowdhury and myself as concept designer and presenter.
The existing condition of the site is a plain lawn with concrete pathways connecting the surrounding buildings. The site suffers from harsh conditions of sun, rain and wind.
The proposed plan includes shaded seating spaces, open areas and play equipments along with opportunities to practice gardening & permaculture as a way for students to learn about native plants and their importance.
The planter boxes are positioned to create mazelike space which also provides seating areas.
The plants include species selected ones from the IndigeGrow group in collaboration with MSHS who nurture seedlings of native and foreign plants.
The selected plants include: the Lemon, Olive, Lilly Pilly, Gumbi Gumbi, Golden Pea, Australian Indigo and Gravillea firecracker
The large yellow umbrellas invite students from afar and create a more lively environment.
The umbrellas also provide a shaded seating space opposite the Mural paint wall and the stage area.
The timber stage area can also be used as a seating space, a platform for sitting and an area for students to paint the mural wall.
The Agility Course is painted on an existing concrete pathway.
The course can be re-designed and painted at any given time to allow changes each year.
The agility course is positioned between the play lawn to allow freedom for students.
The parkour is designed to allow for physical activities within the quad.
The equipment is placed on a rubber mat to avoid injuries.
The parkour area is adjacent to shaded spaces whereby teachers can supervise the students.
Seating umbrellas Parkour play
Shaded seatings with covered Wicking beds & planter boxes Water feature Lawn & playspace
Agility course Mural & stage
THE SECRET GARDEN
Permaculture of “The
Cage”
for the University of New South Wales
A Permaculture project for an existing site within the campus of UNSW which provided the opportunity to contribute to the campus of UNSW, Sydney as a return on what the campus has provided for the students.
Sector Analysis
Site acts as passage for wind, with more winds from the east and less from north & north-west
No winds come into the inner garden (currently named "The Cage" area) due to the fencing, therefore pollination is difficult.
Occasional noise on site due to vehicles using the car bridge
Large existing generator on site
Natural light Analysis
The site has an interesting mix of - completely shaded areas, - partially shaded areas (depending on the time of the day and year) - fully lit areas throughout all the days of the year.
This provides great opportunities to nurture different types of fruits, vegetables and herbs. The spaces also provide opportunities for students to gather during different seasons
Master Plan - The Secret Garden
Permaculture Zone & Planning
Zone 1 - Largely Annual plants including herbs, and few vegetables and fruit trees
Zone 2 - Small farm including chickens (under the bridge )
Zone 3 - Large storages including water tanks
Zone 4 - Forestry, other plantations
Zone 5 - The wild where native plants grow freely
A Permaculture project for an existing site within the campus of UNSW which provided the opportunity to contribute to the campus of UNSW, Sydney as a return on what the campus has provided for the students.
Silver-beet Lemonbalm
Lettuce
Zucchini Capsicum
The design is set to be accomplished in 5 phases, starting from raising awareness and funds for the project to gradually gathering materials, constructing pergolas and bringing in the new plants and animals.
5000L water tank (on the terrace)
5000L water tanks (on the terrace)
Water bowl for birds Seating under feston lights Fire pit Mushroom
Galangal Lily Pillies Wild Raspberries Orange trees
Existing bushes
Barbecue pits Lemon grass
Tents
Existing Tree Road
Banana trees
Passion Fruit vine passage, on pergolas
Strawberry
Bamboo Tool shed Chicken run Compost and bins Ginger
Money Plant creeper
Carriander, Shallots, Parsley, Basil
Pomengranate
Lime trees Bee house
Sweet Potato Carrot
Cherry Tomato
Portable Greenhouses for seedlings
MOONEY’S GARDEN
FRIENDSHIP GARDEN for Janet Mooney of Tempe, NSW
Janet Mooney a senior citizen of Tempe, reached out with a wish to transform her garden from a mere lawn with a clothing line into a friendly gathering place for her and her friends to enjoy.
The project is being completed in phases keeping in mind the budget of the client.
Firstly the clothing line was removed and the Forest Garden seating was constructed. The following vegetation was planted from the recommended list as per the client's choice.
The client wanted to create a small forest like zone with flowering plants and edible plants for humans and birds:
Lilly Pilly Tree
Blue Flax Lilly
Scarlet Banksia
Eucalyptus
Fan flower - Edible fruits
The next step was constructing the herb garden using waste timber boards and planting seeds of: Coriander, Basil, Dill, Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Mint, Rosemary and Sage
The fire pit and lighting in the barbecue area followed and the mosaic flooring and sandstone seatings are yet to be done.
New Plan of Janet Mooney's Backyard Garden
Plan
House back verandah
Barbecue and Dinner Area
with fire pit
WOLLI WATERFRONT
THE CONFLUENCE of Wolli Creek and Cooks River
ML.Arch Capstone Studio Project Nominated for 2022 Harry Howard Prize, available to view in detail at: https://issuu.com/ar_parikh/docs/aashaka_parikh_report_capstone_ii_a3
The Bardwell valley Parklands and Wolli Creek Green Grid Corridor (BPWCGGC) is central to the Green and Blue Network of Sydney. The site holds potential to impact the network and create better conditions for the future.
The site of THE CONFLUENCE lies on the far east end of the BPWCGGC. This site brings together 3 waterway systems: Cooks River, Wolli Creek, Cooks River to Botany Bay. The site also brings together people of 3 suburbs, Tempe, Wolli Creek and Earlwood. They each have differing characteristics such as landscape, flora/fauna, geology and soil type.
The site slopes downwards in both directions South East to North West and South West to North East towards The Confluence. Although there are many parks there is little canopy cover and vegetation which can be the primary reason for heavy flooding in the Valley areas (which is likely to increase in the coming years).
As the map shows, there has been a major loss in biodiversity (around 1952), which is the time when Sydney airports construction was commenced. The mouth of Cooks river was diverted and the landscape suffered great loss of the mangrove habitat and mud flats which were construction ground and temporary transport networks.
A detailed study of BPWCGGC is available to view at: https://issuu.com/ar_parikh/docs/aashaka_parikh_z5343115_a1_capstone_1
Master Plan - Wolli Waterfront
This Master Plan shows that the project intends to The design project also aims to physically connect people to the native landscape of Sydney by providing opportunities for all age groups to interact with and within what usually is considered as undesired landscapes such as dense mangrove vegetation, mud flats and water edges.
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Camping is most suitable during the Ngoonungi & Parra'dowee season usually between September & December as opposed to Burran season when fires are likely.
Visitors and residents can canoe and experience the waters of Wolli Creek and Cooks River almost all year around except during times of high rainfall.
There are several options and opportunities for people to explore the waterfront. Concrete pathway take one through the waterfront whereas timber walkways allow explorations of the habitat islands and forests.
Visitors can enjoy water play and swimming activities during pleasant and warm/hot weather conditions in clean ponds and streams adjacent to Wolli Creek.
Several types of spaces cater various age groups of people ranging from children (who can swim in pond pools and learn about nature at an early age) to adults and elderly who currently access the area for walks.
Mangrove clean-up drives are initiated for students during the dry season to raise awareness and knowledge of the importance of mangroves in Sydney.
Gang Marain and Wiritjiribin are the best seasons for spotting local and migratory birds through the bird-watching tower within the quiet mangrove forest.
Throughout most of the seasons children can spot the rare green & golden bell frog and Long-finned Eels as their habitats are created and later flourish.
Canoeing through Wolli Creek between the mangrove forest enables visitors and local people to experience and connect with the landscape of the city whilst learning about the importance of them.
Along with the opportunity to spot rare birds, the bird-watching tower provides an enchanting view of Wolli Waterfront, Wolli Creek, the habitat islands and beyond towards the city and center point.
The design results in three distinct water bodies from south to north. Firstly the existing Wolli Creek; next, beyond the habitat islands shallow ponds with plants of filtrating abilities to provide a cleaner environment and passage of linked ponds for aquatic animals such as the long-finned eels; and lastly pond pools with further filtered water through and underground filtration system therefore the water is safe for people to swim.
The mangrove area has very little construction and remains largely untouched. Walking trails are created through the mangroves for the clean-up drives and student studies.
Other areas have elevated timber bridges spiraling through the mangrove forest for regular joggers and other visitors. The timber bridges also provide access to the ground and the bird watching tower.
KINGSFORD ECO-PLAZA
A Constructed Ecology
The site is currently a concreted parking spot which is rarely occupied although in the heart of Kingsford. There is a potential to convert the site into a lively space for the people of Sydney with local vegetation and spaces to explore. This will also encourage more citizens to use public transport as opposed to private cars.
One of the main problems is flooding of the central parking lot and noise pollution from surrounding tram and road network
The largest water clogs are to the North-West of the site towards the end of the parking lot.
The areas highlighted need maximum permeable surfaces to counter events of flood.
Landscape Layers
Large trees for created shaded spaces
Green areas on the periphery of the plaza
Pathways through the plaza
Creating bio-swales in the areas required on site for maximum absorption of rain water.
Creating Hillocks on the edges of tram lines and roads to reduce noise pollution
The topographical changes provide various types of and interesting spaces for people to explore.
Hillocks to reduce noise within the plaza and create spaces within
Bio-swales within the central parking lot
Reforming road edges to create permeable green patches and bio-swales at the center of cross roads and round-abouts.
The road network has been re-formed to create a plaza as part of the Kingsford Light-rail Station
Kingsford junction becomes a plaza space extended to the Kingsford Light rail station.
The design will be implemented in phases
Phase 1 - The road network is reformed and bio-swales are constructed
Phase 2 - Hillocks are constructed and pathways link roads to the station
Phase 3 - The trees within the plaza grow to provide shaded spaces
The plaza space provides different experiences through different types of constructed spaces ranging from concrete plaza spaces, green hillocks and water bodies; where people can along the water bodies, climb the hillocks, escape the heat under trees and children can play in the plaza. Local people can easily access the plaza space from the station.
The topography of the site is altered using the system of a balanced cut and fill to create voids for bio-swales and mounds for hillocks. The modifications in the naturally sloping concrete land mass also prevents quick water runoff. from the south-east edge of the site to the north-west edge of the site.
