Bhaskaran Pavithra| Portfolio 2021

Pavithra Bhaskaran Design Portfolio

selection of professional and academic works from university of virginia School of Architecture

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

INFINITE SEQUENCES

URBAN FOREST

STORY OF 3270

CONVENE

PAVILION AT SILUGURI

MAPPING AS A CRITICAL PRACTICE

PERSONAL

01 INFINITE SEQUENCES NETWORKED PUBLIC SPACES Year

: 2021

Project Type

: Public Infrastructure

Location

: Mumbai, India

Studio

: Spring 2022

Instructor

: Maria Gonzalez Aranguren Esther Lorenz

Type

: Academic

Role

: Individual

Currently, Mumbai has 1.1 m2 per person open space. Historically, the public spaces in India have been lakes, maidans (gathering ground), canals, and parks. The thesis proposes a networked public space in Mumbai. It is in Thane (a region in Mumbai), where it coalesces lakes, streets, and canals into a network. My proposal addresses the lack of public spaces and, at the same time, tries to alleviate flooding issues in Mumbai during the monsoon. The network is spatialized using infinite sequences/fractals, explored in the scalar approach. The fractals are inspired by indigenous water infrastructure (stepwells and ghats) and temple architecture in India.

They were designed based on the repetition and self-similarity of patterns. It is because geometric patterns, symmetry, and alignment were considered major tools for their better integration with nature. Similarly, the network tries to incorporate patterns to form utopian networked spaces. Exploration is at the level of street, canal, and lake edge redesign. These fractals incorporate waste disposal, sewage, and water management infrastructure. It enhances the walkability in the neighborhood and, connects with the existing mobility infrastructure.

Waste Collec

Greener edge to maintain the water quality

Vegetable Market

ction

Water for ritual/ activities

Informal Vendor Selling Area

Community Park

Until UNTIL 1800 1800 Until Until1800 1800

1850 185018501850 Lakes Lakes

d trading connec1700 1700

1803 1700 Marathas (Indian Kingdom) captured from the Portugese 1803 Marathas (Indian Kingdom) captured from the the Portugese Marathas (Indian Kingdom) captured from Portugese Population Population

Population 700,000 700,000

700,000

People

Kunbis, Parsis and Jews etc.

1845 1845

People Parsis andand Jews etc.etc.

People Parsis Jews Walkablity and movement Kunbis, ofKunbis, water

Dynasty

Economic Drivers Economic Drivers

Spatial Order Spatial Order Connectivity Connectivity

Potable Water Potable Water

Drainage Drainage

was established

Trading Town - Maritime transports Economic Drivers Trading Town - Maritime Trading Town - Maritime transports Salttransports Pans established in the north, SaltSalt Pans established inmonopolised the north, Pans established in the north, and taxed 1858 monopolised andand taxed 1858 monopolised taxed Spatial Order British Colonisation 1879 British Colonisation 1879 British Colonisation Important causeways and1890 road 1890 Connectivity Important causeways and roadroad Important causeways and networks were constructed to networks were constructed to trade. networks were constructed to Construction of improve improve trade.

Construction improve trade.

Construction of 1900 railwayof lines.

1900 railway lines. railway lines.

Vihar+ Tulsi lakes damming Potable Water Vihar+ TulsiTulsi lakes damming Vihar+ lakes damming Mithi river yield - 36MLD - for supMithi riverriver yieldyield - 36MLD forisland Mithi - 36MLD - supfor supply-of city ply of island city ply of island city Drainage

1925 1925 1925 1925

Lakes

Vihar+ Tulsi lakes damming Vihar+ TulsiTulsi lakes damming Vihar+ lakes damming Mithi river yield - 36MLD - for supMithi riverriver yieldyield - 36MLD forisland Mithi - 36MLD - supfor supply-of city ply of city city plyisland of island

was established

Community

beans, fishs and spice

ges under por-

wells Vasai Fort recaptured by Marathas from Portugese Vasai FortFort recaptured

by Marathas from Portugese Vasai recaptured

by Marathas from Portugese

19251925

1803 SionSion Causeway Causeway

Sion Causeway

A causeway in Bombay, India which connects Sion in Bombay with A causeway in Bombay, India which connects SionSion in Bombay withwith A causeway in Bombay, which connects inofBombay Kurla inIndia Salsette.

The construction the causeway began in 1798 Kurla in Salsette.

TheThe construction of the causeway began in 1798 Kurla in Salsette. of the causeway began in 1798 andconstruction was completed in 1805

by Jonathan Duncan. andand waswas completed in 1805

by Jonathan Duncan. completed in 1805

by Jonathan Duncan.

Mahim Causeway 1845 Mahim Causeway Mahim Causeway Waterlogging in thane The Mahim Causeway was built between 1841 and 1846 to conTheThe Mahim Causeway waswas builtisland between 18411841 and 1846 to conMahim Causeway built between and 1846 to connect the of Salsette with Mahim. nectnect the the island of Salsette withwith Mahim. island of Salsette Mahim.

1858 Vehar Reservoir Vehar Reservoir 1879 TulsiTulsi Reservoir Reservoir 1890 Powai LakeLake Powai

IndiaIndia gained indep gained in 1947 19471947 Population Population

Vehar Reservoir

People People

Tulsi Reservoir Powai Lake

1900 Population Population

Population - People Sion, Mahim and Matunga became People Sion,Sion, Mahim and and Matunga became People Mahim Matunga became residential areas. They were further residential areas.

TheyThey werewere further residential areas. further reclaimed connecting to trombay reclaimed connecting to trombay reclaimed connecting toTownships trombay like Mulund were island. island.

Townships like Mulund were island. Townships designed like Mulund for were working class and indesigned for working classclass and and in-Industrial designed for working industrialists. areas like Mill dustrialists.

Industrial areas like like Millwith dustrialists.

Industrial areas Mill worker housing. compounds compounds withwith worker housing. compounds worker housing.

Reserved areas for Army and Navy Reserved areas for Army and and NavyNavy Reserved areas forestablished.

Army established. established.

Several industries was established Economic Drivers Several industries wasand established Economic Drivers Several industries was established Economic Drivers large movement of troops and andand largelarge movement of troops and and movement of troops supplies.

Textile Mills boomed and supplies.

Textile MillsMills boomed and supplies.

Textile boomed stagnated and stagnated stagnated Spatial Order British Rule was being challenged Spatial Order British RuleRule waswas being challenged Spatial Order British being challenged through Civil Disobedience and through CivilCivil Disobedience and and through Disobedience Non cooperation Movement NonNon cooperation Movement cooperation Movement Connectivity Highways along Central and WestConnectivity Connectivity Highways along Central WestHighways along Central and Westernand Railway lines, creating a north ern ern Railway lines, creating a profile north Railway lines, creating a north south south profile south profile Potable Water Tansa Dam was built in 1892 to Potable Water Tansa DamDam waswas builtbuilt in 1892 to to Potable Water Tansa in 1892 supply 200 MLD piped along Bomsupply 200200 MLDMLD piped along Bombay Agra road supply piped along Bombay bay AgraAgra roadroad Drainage Industries start to set up along the Drainage Industries startstart to set the pan Drainage banks salt Industries to up setalong up of along the around Thane banks of salt pan pan around Thane creek.

However banks of salt around Thane the flooding seem creek.

However the the flooding seem to flooding be unmanaged. creek.

However seem to be Landfill 1925 tounmanaged. be unmanaged.

Landfill Landfill

Thane

Thane Thane

Thane

Thane Thane

ReclaimReclaimation of of ation Islands Islands began began

Reclaimation of Trombay Trombay Islands began

Trombay

1960

19601960

Economic Driver Economic D

Spatial Order Spatial Order

Potable Water Potable Wate Drainage Drainage

Connectivity Connectivity

An An interetsing interets lines cancan be no lines be

1969 1969

History of landscape of Mumbai

1925

1969 192519691969

2000 1969 2000

2000 2000

y

ombay Bombay, with India which connects Sion in Bombay with e. anThe in 1798 construction of the causeway began in 1798 leted in 1805 by Jonathan Duncan.

way

Population 2000 Networked public spaces 6useway to con-was built between 1841 and 1846 to conPeople India gained independence from India the Britain gained independence from the Britain India gained independence from the Britain of Salsette with Mahim.

r

Population People

1947

-Population

PUBLIC SPACES 1947 - NETWORKED Population

People state establishes twin city Bombay Bombay People state establishes twin city - New Bombay along with Trans - New Bombay along with Trans Thane Creek( TTC) industrial creek.

Thane Creek( TTC) industrial creek.

1960 1960 Nariman Point reclaimed for CenNariman Point reclaimed for Central Buisness District(CBD). All thetral Buisness District(CBD). All the village were surrounded by real village were surrounded by real estate development and informalestate development and informal settlments proliferate in the left settlments proliferate in the left Sion, Mahim and Matunga became over spaces in the city. over spaces in the city. residential areas. They were further

2000

-Population

2000 -

People is one of Mumbai highest priced real estate, thus developer estates proliferatBombay state establishes twin city ed along protected - New Bombay along with Trans hills,reclaimed areas, Thane Creek( TTC) industrial creek. querries and post Nariman Point reclaimed for Cenindustrial sites. tral Buisness District(CBD). All the 6 Technology centers, village were surrounded by real malls,call centers estate development and informal Belt claimGreen every inch of settlments proliferate in the left the city. over spaces in the city.

ga became were further o trombay reclaimed connecting to trombay Industrial, Service and Trading Industrial, Service and Trading Economic Drivers EconomicService Driversand Trading Industrial,Economic Drivers Information TechnolEconomic Drivers Economic Drivers Mulund were island. Townships like Mulund were Industries.

Industries.

Industries.

9 ogy, Service sectors ass and indesigned for working class and incoexisting with inforeas like Mill Orderdustrialists. Industrial areas Order like Mill Spatial Spatial Order Bombay Municipal Corporation(BBombay Spatial Municipal Corporation(BBombay Municipal Corporation(Bmal sectors. er housing. compounds with worker housing.

MC), Public Work Department and MC), Public Work Department and MC), Public Work Department and y and Navy Reserved areas for Army Navy Cidcoand as governing bodies.

Cidco as governing bodies.

Cidco as governing bodies.3 established.

Spatial Order Spatial Order Bombay Municipal Green Belt Potable Water Potable cum WaterTansa dam tunneled; Potable Water Vaitarna Vaitarna cum Tansa dam tunneled; 5 Vaitarna cum Tansa dam tunneled; Green Buffer Corporation(BMC), Ulhas dam; Bhatsa (1500MLD) Ulhas dam; Bhatsa (1500MLD) Ulhas dam; Bhatsa (1500MLD) stablished Several industries was established ers Public Work Departtroops and and large movement of troops and ment and Cidco as Drainage Drainage Drainage river and damming causes silt- Ulhas river damming causes siltUlhas river damming causes siltoomed and supplies. Textile MillsUlhas boomed governing bodies. ation in Thane Creek and frequent ation in Thane Creek and frequent ation in Thane Creek and frequent stagnated flooding of choked areas occur inflooding of choked areas occur in flooding of choked areas occurcum in TanPotable Water Potable Water Vaitarna Community Park 8 monsoon due to unplanned and monsoon due to unplanned and monsoon due to unplanned challenged British Rule was being challenged sa damand tunneled; unmanaged unmanaged drainage Ulhas sysytem. nce and through Civil Disobedience and drainage sysytem. unmanaged drainage sysytem. dam; Bhatsa mentConnectivityNon cooperation Movement Connectivity Connectivity (1500MLD) Eastern express highway laid to Eastern express highway laid to Eastern express highway laid to connect North-South.

Vashi bridge connect North-South.

Vashi bridge connect North-South.

Vashi bridge l and WestHighways along Central and WestDrainage connects island to mainland Drainage connects island to mainland across connects island to mainland across across 26/07/05 - Torrenng a north ern Railway lines, creating a north Thane creek, and further Harbor Thane creek, and further Harbor Thane creek, and further Harbor It rained tial floods.

7 south profile rail line connection is built. rail line connection is built. rail line connection is 942mm built. in a day. The city came to a stand 1892 to Tansa Dam was built in 1892 to still. There was loss along Bomsupply 200 MLD piped along Bomof lifes and city infrabay Agra road structure p along Industries startof to development setAn up along the along Anthe interetsing aspect interetsing aspect the railway of development An interetsing along the aspect railwayof development along the railway Connectivity Connectivity d Thane banks of salt pan around Thane Airoli bridge connects lines can be noticed. lines can be noticed. lines can be noticed.

1 oding seem creek. However the flooding seem Salsette to mainland. to be unmanaged.

Bandra Worli Sealink encloses Mahim bay.

1969 1969 1969

2000

Population

Mumbai is one of highest priced real estate, thus developer estates proliferated along protected hills,reclaimed areas, querries and post industrial sites.

Technology centers, malls,call centers claim every inch of the city.

Information TechnolEconomic Drivers 2 ogy, Service sectors coexisting with informal sectors.

Information Technology, Service sectors coexisting with informal sectors.

Order BombaySpatial Municipal Corporation(BMC), Public Work Department and Cidco as governing bodies.

4

2000

-

Mumbai People is one of highest priced real estate, thus developer estates proliferated along protected hills,reclaimed areas, querries and post industrial sites.

Technology centers, malls,call centers claim every inch of the city.

Ecological Farm Urban farm Wetland

Bombay Municipal Corporation(BMC), Public Work Department and Cidco as governing bodies.

WaterPlayground Vaitarna Potable cum Tansa dam tunneled; Ulhas dam; Bhatsa (1500MLD)

Vaitarna cum Tansa dam tunneled; Ulhas dam; Bhatsa (1500MLD)

26/07/05Drainage - TorrenCanal Has public spaces and tial floods. It rained helps alleviating flood 942mm in a day. The city came to a stand Market Place still. There was loss of lifes and city infrastructure

26/07/05 - Torrential floods. It rained 942mm in a day. The city came to a stand still. There was loss of lifes and city infrastructure

Community Park Connectivity Airoli bridge connects Salsette to mainland.

Bandra Worli Sealink encloses Mahim bay.

Airoli bridge connects Salsette to mainland.

Bandra Worli Sealink encloses Mahim bay.

2000 Connection to Railway Station

Thane Thane

Thane

1

Talao Pali

Thane

10

2 Ambe Ghosale 3 Brahmala 4 Jail 5 Siddeshwar 6 Gokul Nagar 7

Kachrali

8 Hariyali 9 Madarde Kolbad 10 Makhmali

N

Temple

SRA ( Slum Rehabilitation Apartments)

Residential Buildings( High Rise)

Informal Settlements

Vacant Areas

Residential Buildings

Residential Areas

Main Road

Fenced Parks entrance

Park

Walking/Jogging Areas

BRAHMALA LAKE

Park

Intersection

Major Road

Church

Structures

2

Temporary

Thane Municipal Corporation(TMC)

Residential Areas

1

School

Walking/ Jogging Areas

Sectional Analysis of Lakes

AMBE GHOSALE

3 KACHRALI LAKE

4 TALAO PALI LAKE

Residential Areas

Multipurpose Hall

Vacant Land

Canal

Informal Settlements

Informal Settlements

Canal

Park

Informal Settlements

Residential Areas

Canal

6 SIDDESHWAR LAKE

7 GOKUL NAGAR LAKE

8 MAKHAMALI LAKE Thane Creek

Mangroves

Thane Jail

JAIL LAKE

Thane Creek

Stadium

Industries

Small Scale

Housing

Walking/ Jogging Areas

5

Scalar Pattern development Fractal pattern sequence

Gen 3

Gen 2

Gen 1

Canal Pattern Gen 2

Gen 1

Gen 1 Gen 2

Gen 3

Canal near siddeshwar lake

Play Area

Septic Tank

Waste Collection

Flexible Market spaces

Commercial street with pedestrian access

Waste Collection

Seating Area

Rest Area

Informal Vendor Selling Area

Waste Collection

Flexible Market spaces

Bioswale

Water Collection from surface runoff

Septic Tank

Water Collection from surface runoff

PATTERN USED

HIGH TRAFFIC

MEANDERING

PLACE OF STOP

Commercial street with vehicular access Vehicular parking

Waste Collection

Bus Stop

Seating BioSwale Informal Vendor Selling Area Waste Collection

Water Collection from surface runoff

Septic Tank

Water Collection from surface runoff

LAKE IN DRY SEASON

LAKE IN DRY SEASON

Pavilion

W C

Flexible Market Area

Pavilion

W C

LAKE IN WET SEASON

Flexible Market Area

Waste Collection

Waste Collection

Fluctuation of water during the wet and the dry season

Vegetable Market

Bioswale

Vehicular Access street

Bioswale

Surge Tank Surge Tank Septic

Vegetable Market

Bioswale

Vehicular Access street

Surge Tank Septic

Bioswale

02 URBAN FOREST Towards a new hybridity Year

: 2021

Project Type

: Street Life

Location

: Kreuzberg, Berlin

Studio

: Fall

Instructor

: Brad Cantrell

Type

: Academic

Role

: Individual

Since 1950, there has been immense urban development in Berlin city in terms of its spatial appearance, built spaces, its streets, and squares. The cityscape of 1950 shows the enormous accumulation of settlements in the city center. However, over the years the city has expanded to its suburban area. In the suburban area especially, there was a steep increase in the land values in these areas. Kreuzberg has been a multicultural, working-class district Overall, there have been increasing rent gaps and displacement of people due to gentrification.

The project stemmed from the idea of pedestrianization. When I say urban, I started imagining these spaces where the streets are transformed into a forest and the urban areas are carved out of it. Spaces like gatherings, amphitheaters, food trucks were carved into the forest. Similarly, installations are added along the walkway.

Installations can be seen as the stopping points when moving through the forest.

Street Life at Kreuzberg (Existing conditions)

Perforated Panels

Bracing and Formwork

Seating

Circulation

1. Green corridor

5. Forming Contours

2. Opening based on the existing conditions

6. Levelling it

3. Proximity of island to one another

7. Adding Installations

4. Defining a pathway

8. Developing a typology

Ecological Systems in the Urban Forest

03 STORY OF 3270 Broadway

Open Streets Year

: 2021

Project Type

: Affordable Housing

Location

: Manhattan, New York

Studio

: Fall

Instructor

: Ali Fard

Type

: Academic

Role

: Co-contributor- Yijie Gui

125th Street

Elevated Subway

School Columbia University

Playground

Social Housing

The site is located by the side of the elevated subway and near social housing. The strategy implemented is to re-think the existing connectivity in the neighborhood, and at the same time improving the landscape conditions.

Another idea was to provide connections to the public transit and bus facility. The existing road beside the site is not well utilized. The road was re-imagined to act as a public place for the residents.

In the building, there are a series of plazas that connect social housing to affordable housing. For program distribution, we are providing student centers, dormitories, and libraries along with housing. A theatre is available for conducting lectures for students and dramas for the residents. The ground floor has a series of bazaarlike shops due to the massing of the housing.

St. Nicholas Park

Context Context Generation55 Generation

FAR FAR+6.0 +6.0 Generation 44 Generation

FAR +4.5 FAR +4.5 Generation 33 Generation

FAR FAR +3.0 +3.0

Lego Points Courtyard

Genera

FAR

Connecting spaces joining the social housing and the site. These places are re-imagined as a playground for the children and a running track for the adults.

Plaza Neighborhood Strategy

Connecting plazas which act as shade and also a place to spend your free time.

Playground

Plaza

Plazas inside the building act as an open space for the residents.

There is an amphitheater for community engagement activities. These plazas can host food trucks, a place to sit, eat, &enjoy!

To provide sunlight for the street, the apartment rises with a gentle slope and this creates a set-back terrace. Residents can either choose to plant flowers or take it as a mini-farm.

Because of the open street strategy, the shape of the apartments is irregular. Some units start to have a depth, while the set-back terrace provides enough light for these units. The sky garden not only gives visual connectivity but also maintains the privacy of the living space.

They also form the visual connectivity between the floors. The lower floor acts as an open street.

The second floor has a connection with the existing public transit to increase the flow of the people.

On both sides of the street, there are snack bars. These small shops will not only activate the neighborhood but provide an opportunity for those vendors who cannot afford the high rental fees.

The flex room is a space provided near the corridor for apartments that do not get a terrace of their own. It is a set-up space where residents can put sundries outside the unit. It also provides a buffer space for those residents who cannot afford a bigger unit.

Another possibility of flex room is that when it is attached to the envelope, they become a room with sufficient sunlight. Residents can use this room as a place to delight themselves. One possibility can be a room for larger plants. With the terrace next to it, residents will have a comfortable living space.

04 CONVENE Courtyard and Corridors Year

: 2021

Project Type

: Art Center

Location

: Boyle Heights, California

Studio

: Spring

Instructor

: Ines Martin Robles

Type

: Academic

Role

: Co-contributor- Lizzy Fentress

The project is about creating spaces of engagement for the community near Boyle heights. Our site is in East LA, sitting in a triangle created by three major highways. The area of Boyle heights seems cut off from the rest of LA. Next to our site is Mariachi Plaza, a large open space where Mariachi bands can be hired for parties / other gatherings. We wanted our building to act as a continuation of the plaza as an open space for gatherings.

One of the strategies we applied was having a seamless connection between the plaza and the site - it should allow for movement between the two. Our goal for this project was to analyze the geographical issues that come with LA (the pollution, the lack of public open spaces, and greenery) and add to the already existing and thriving community with this center. We wanted our building, the ground floor to act as an oasis of shade and greenery for those who already reside in the area, or those in the community who would be utilizing the space.

Historical Timeline of Mariachi Plaza

Form development in terms of context and program

site

Building with Fullform

open ground floor

add courtyard

Community Engagement

Ceram

mics

add program

cut away excess

Textiles

add split level

Mural Space

Facade Strategy

A COLUMNS B GLASS PANEL C SMALL METAL MESH PANEL D LARGE METAL MESH PANEL E ROTATING PANELS

05 PAVILION AT SILUGIRI Year

: 2018

Project Type

: Pavilion, Outdoor Dining

Status

: Complete

Location

: Siluguri, India

Type

: Professional ( Kaushik Mukherjee Architects) : Co-Contributor : Concept development,3D and : Rendering, Construction Drawings, Contractor Interaction

Role Contribution

Montana vista (client) wanted to add an outdoor dining area for their restaurant as an extension. The restaurant lies in a hilly area, and throughout the year, there is a pleasant climate. The idea is to create a landscaped open dining area with a hill-facing view that will provide a wonderful dining experience.

A wooden louver detail was added to create privacy in the dining area. Most of the furniture pieces, like the chairs and lounge sofa, were either refurbished or reused.

Alfresco - C AL fresco - O Alfresco - Lo Total Seatin

Covered Dining Outdoor Dining ounge Seating ng

Sectional elevation

20-22 PAX 36-38 PAX 5-6 PAX 64 PAX

06 MAPPING AS A CRITICAL PRACTICE Year

: 2021

Project Type

: Research+Documentation

Location

: Texas

Studio

: Fall

Instructor

: Devin Dobrowolski

Type

: Academic

Role

: Individual

Mapping tries to analyze the population growth from 1960 to 2011. The area near the downtown has witnessed a drastic population reduction.

However, the areas near the University of Texas have a transient population due to its student population. One can also notice the urban sprawl near the residential areas in Austin.

Austin Increase and Decrease in Po

opulation Density

Austin Population Density and Median Household

Mapping tries to explore the population density and median household income. Near the downtown there is low population density when compared to areas near the University of Texas. It is overlaid with median household income. Even though it has low population density, this area has a higher median income.

The largest Bangladesh the cotton to the othe

One bigges gladesh. Ba India.

One of the exported b is mainly us the contrib the other h

Mapping tries to show the Colorado river passing through the Austin city, housing blocks, building footprints.

The mapping shows the cotton export from the USA(mainly from Texas) and India respectively to the other countries. One of the biggest importers of cotton(non-retail pure cotton yarn) is Bangladesh. It is mainly exported by India. It is used by the textile industry. On the other hand, the USA exports Raw cotton.

Gujarat is the largest cotton producer in India. The farmland scale is relatively small when compared to the USA. This might be because of the traditional farming practices still used by the Indian farmers. The purple color shows the settlements in between the cotton Farmlands. The number of settlements is more when compared to the USA. It is an interesting aspect to see the when comparing the rural areas.

Texas is the largest cotton producer in the USA. The farmlands are on an industrial scale. The purple color shows the settlements in between the cotton Farmlands.

07 PERSONAL Sketches & Model

Free form Masonry Shells

An arch was made using a miniature bricks later the case was removed

Origami folded plate Bike stand

The shell is made of miniature brick using potter clay. This exercise was done to explore forms in masonry shells