Architecture portfolio

The approach to the design was to consider the features of the regional architecture of the chosen site and incorpoate them into a more contemporary setting. This was an attempt to focus on the importance of traditional architecture that seems to be fading into the background in the recent years. The concepts used in the design can be summarised as :

• A circular form has been chosen in order to provide a large range of views out into the mountaineous area.

• An important feature of Kerala architecture is the courtyard. This feature has been adopted and an attempt has been made to draw the eye to it. The open courtyard provides the feeling of community in the household and the skylight above it illuminates it with natural light.

• There is use of rectangular forms which intersect each other at angles to provide a play of variation.

• A combination of curved as well as linear shapes provides an interesting form and circulation pattern.

The approach to this design was an attempt at creating a work environment that breaks the rigid rules of a formal setting. A playful and flexible workplace is expected to reduce the drudgery of work. The concepts used in the design can be summarised as :

• The use and articulation of a simple cubic form has been employed.

• Some part have been subtracted and some have been extended to break the monotony of a linear plan

• The spaces have been divided into accommodating private as well group work.

• An atrium space has been used over the prime co-working setup to provide a feeling of airiness amplified by the skylight above.

• Informal community spaces and roof garden have been provided in order to provide adequate relaxation.

Since the project is a natural history museum, the design has been approached with the inclination of treating the building as art too. A museum represents thr evolution of mankind over the years and the history of nature is a testament to how far we have come. The concepts used in the design can be summarised as :

• The process of metamorphosis of a butterfly has been chosen as the concept. This is meant to be symbolic of the evolution of human and nature over the years.

• The forms of a catterpillar, cocoon and a butterfly wing have been reduced to their basic geometrical iterations.

• The building form begins at the first stage and progresses symbolically in theory as well as in height.

• The initial part of the building is that of hexagonal form depicting the beginning of time.

• The centre of the building opens up to house a big sculptural lightwell enclosed in glass in the form of a chrysalis- this area houses the classrooms and lecture halls, and hence represents the growing process.

• The final part of the building is shaped like a butterfly wing. This houses the labs and scientist rooms of the building and hence portrays the pinnacle of human evolution so far.