Architecture Undergrad Portfolio

CHANDANA MEKALA ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO Background photograph : “The Singapore Flyer” || Singapore || June 2016

Education 2014 – 2018 (Ongoing)

Bachelor of Architecture B.M.S College of Architecture Basavanagudi, Bangalore

June – August 2017

Summer Intensive Courses Introduction to Industrial Design and Sketching + Rendering for Design Thinking Rhode Island School of Design Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us” - Winston Churchill -

Alternative construction techniques and sustainable habitat building

2012 – 2014

Pre-University College Narayana P.U. College Bellandur, Bangalore

2009 - 2012

Senior High School (Class VIII – X) National Public School H.S.R Layout, Bangalore

Graffiti Art

By Pepperfry studio

Software Skills

October – December, 2017

Design Consultant/ Pepperfry Furniture studio

August – September, 2017

Internship/ GIZ (Gesellsehaft Fur Internationale Zufammenarbeit) Responsible for making a detailed street analysis of Gandhi Bazaar with respect to Solid Waste Management for GIZ as part of an Urban Study

February – March ,2017

OBJECTIVE: Seeking an internship position as a trainee

Internship/ BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike)/ Nandish Associates Site Inspection, Site Study, Creation of existing and Proposal Drawings for “The Rejuvenation of Urban Burial Grounds” in Bangalore by BBMP in collaboration with Nandish Associates

Contact chandanasaimekala@gmail.com India, Bangalore : +91 9113982704 08.10.95 American nationality (brought up in India)

Laurie Baker Workshop

Furniture Design Workshop An exploration of furniture making using paper tubes conducted by Studio Pepperfry

Work Experience

CHANDANA SAI MEKALA

Workshops

2012 – 2014

Pre-University College Narayana P.U. College Bellandur, Bangalore

2009 - 2012

Senior High School (Class VIII – X) National Public School H.S.R Layout, Bangalore

Languages English – Fluent Kannada - Intermediate Hindi - Intermediate Telugu - Fluent French - Intermediate

FORM AND FUNCTION – Playschool

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SPACE AND EMOTIONS

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HOUSING – For the elderly

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CONTENTS Background photograph : “The Esplanade” || Singapore || June 2016

URBAN DESIGN

WORKING DRAWING

AMATEUR PHOTORAPHY

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15-18

19-26

PLAY AREA, LEARNING AREA, NAP AREA : A large unobstructed circular space acts as a learning area. It is connected to an outdoor open play area and an informal gathering area (a courtyard).

ENTRANCE AND LOBBY : Entrance to the playschool connected to a lobby or waiting area which faces the courtyard but does not overlook the learning and play areas that are used by the children for privacy purposes

INFORMAL LEARNING SPACES – A MULTI-UTILITY COURTYARD : The courtyard which is centrally located and surrounded by a meshed wall acts as a multi-utility space and a central circulation core. All the spaces overlook the courtyard

OUTDOOR PLAY AREA

BUFFER ZONE : A buffer between the corridor and the bathroom areas acts as a changing area and an area to store maintenance supplies

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT : Figure 1 A courtyard – informal gathering space, a light well, a stepped OAT, a play area, circulation core.

CHILDREN’S WASHROOMS: Anthropometrically designed for children

ADULTS WASHROOMS: Anthropometrically designed for adults

PRINCIPALS CABIN: Located in close proximity to the lobby area

STORAGE AREA AND RECORDS ROOM

Figure 2 Spaces flow into each other, no doors, no obstructions, visual connectivity to all the spaces through the courtyard.

Figure 3 Play area separated from the nap area physically – by a step and visually – by the use of materials and colours

STAFF AREA: A staff room located such that it is in close proximity to the learning area and the courtyard and is visually connected to the outdoor play area

FORM AND FUNCTION -Studio 2 SIITE LOCATION - HYPOTHETICAL SITE AREA – HYPOTHETICAL

The objective of this studio was to integrate the abstract principles of design and anthropometric studies into architectural solutions and to understand the spatial organisation for multifunctional activity spaces.

A process of exploring forms and spaces through a series of models helped in understanding the relationship between form, space and the experience created The spatial element used to organise the playschool is a circle. Elements have varying scales depending on the number of people that are using the space. Form variations were used to create a visual response that helped the users differentiate between formal spaces (such as offices and staff areas) and informal spaces (such as play areas and courtyards). A central corridor surrounding a courtyard acts as the circulation core between all of the spaces. The playschool was planned such that all the spaces look inward into the courtyard and the spaces are visually connected to each other the same 1

SECTION THROUGH BB

SECTION BB Left to rightPlay area with doors leading to the outdoor play area || Corridor || Staff area || Courtyard || Principals cabin || Corridor || Adult’s washroom

SECTION CC Left to rightOutdoor play area || Children's washroom || Maintenance supply storage area || Large corridor with a bay window and a pantry cupboard || Records storage room || Principals cabin || Adult’s washroom

SECTION THROUGH CC

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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT At the site level The objective of this project is to create an environment that enables senior citizens to live together in a safe, comfortable, hassle free environment where they are provided all of the necessary amenities and services that allow them to be self sufficient.

Creating a hierarchy of community spaces – a community spaces for the members of every household ( the individual terraces provided in every unit || between the units on every floor to crate a more intimate interaction between immediate neighbours (the day light zone is formed by using louvres around the lobby area on each floor) || community terraces in every block ( 2BHK blocks – The roof terrace and for the 1BHK and studio apartment blocks – the roof terrace, the intermediate terrace on the 4th floor of the block and a terrace above the studio apartment units- || the community space formed between each pair of blocks that forms another interaction space between the users of the two blocks || the extended community space between the blocks on the ground level where access to every block is provided along with an interior pathway that connects various public and private interaction zones spread around the site -

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The site is pedestrianised by providing vehicular access to the basement and the visitors parking area in close proximity to the entrance and main road.

Blocks are arranged such that separate outer and inner walkways are formed. The inner walkway acts as an extended community area connecting all the blocks and private and public community gathering or interaction areas through pathways and a series of pergolas A hierarchy of community spaces creates interaction at different levels of the site between different user groups.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT At the block level

HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY -Studio 5 SIITE LOCATION - GUBBALALA ROAD SITE AREA – 3 ACRES

The objective of this studio was to design an alternative residential option for senior citizens ( 60 years) that provide flexible housing options, services and amenities as well as round the clock care to address the health and wellness needs of residents as they grow older.

The challenge was to understand the needs of privacy, community spaces, the idea of extended living areas in specifications of the user group. It is also to understand the relationship between the dwelling cells, the immediate common areas and larger shared spaces.

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A conventional high rise structure where each level is stacked one on top of the other with a service core at its centre

A block that has a service core at its centre on which each floor pivots to form terraces on each floor

A pair of blocks are arranged to form a common community area between them – a visual enclosure gives this space the required intimacy to encourage interaction between the users

Image 1 A view of the community terrace on top of the studio apartment units in the 1BHK+ Studio apartments block in the physical model Image 2 A view of the intermediate community terrace, the private individual terraces and the roof community terrace along with a view of the series of louvres provided along the service core of the structure in the 1BHK+ Studio apartments block in the physical model Image 3 A view of the private terraces in the physical model Image 4 A top view of the 2BHK housing block comprising of 4 floors and one roof top community terrace

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2 BHK Unit : 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

Entrance to the house Living Room Study Open Kitchen Dining Area Common Bathroom Guest Bedroom Master Bedroom Master Bathroom Balcony and Terrace

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1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)

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Entrance to the house Living Room Study Open Kitchen Dining Area Common Bathroom Master Bedroom Master Bathroom Balcony and Terrace

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LEGEND 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) 26)

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Gubbalala Main road Entrance to the site (vehicular and pedestrian) Exit for the site (vehicular and pedestrian) Visitors parking Ramp in Ramp out Grocery store Medical examiners office Wellness Centre Interior walkway Block 1 – 2 BHK block Block 2 – 2 BHK block Pergolas Gazebo 1 Community Dining Area Pergolas Inner Lawns Gazebo 2 Block 3 – 2 BHK block Block 4 – 2 BHK block Community farming area Pergolas Pergolas with seating Block 5 – 1 BHK+ Studio Block 6 – 1 BHK + Studio Outer walkway

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Studio Apartment: 1)

5 2) 3)

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4) 5) 6)

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Entranc e to the house Living Room Open Kitchen Dining Area Bathroo m Master Bedroo m with a study area Balcony

SITE SECTION THROUGH AA :E Left to right Outer walkway || Section through Block 5 || Inner walkway || Inner lawn || Pergolas || Inner walkway || Section through Block 1

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Typical plot sizes of 100’x100’ is now divided over generations resulting in an overall increase in density of the built environment of Gandhi Bazaar.

Increase in the residential land use due to the increase population over the years is observed. Due to the increase in land values and population, notable land use change may be observed which is accounted for by an emergence of mixed use buildings (a mix of commercial and residential)

Built vs. Unbuilt percentage

It can observed that the Gandhi Bazaar stretch is densely built

The buildings that exceed the height limit according to the bye laws

Built and Unbuilt

Street edge conditions in Gandhi Bazaar at different parts of the Gandhi Bazaar stretch

Building Use The buildings with a ground level entrance are mostly commercial/mixed type in use.

The buildings with a high plinth level entrance are mostly commercial in use and also includes supermarkets, banks, party and wedding halls – a statement in the locality.

Basements have been utilised for commercial purpose and for parking and storage.

Along the wider roads, commercial buildings are prominent and along narrow roads, residences are seen. The observed commercial use along the wider streets is due to vehicular accessibility resulting in higher land value

Building Heights More than 35% of the area is dominantly structures above G+3. The number of G+2 and G+1 structures are almost the same. The number of ground storey buildings are at least at 15% . Increasing land value has given rise to additional floors.

Most of the streets that are defined as a great street have a vertical to horizontal ratio of 1:1.1 to 1:2.5 and the street of Gandhi Bazaar falls under this range with building height from 7.6 m to 17 m for G+1 to G+5 and average street width of 19 m The Gandhi Bazaar stretch follows the aesthetic proportions of a great street in terms of definition, physical comfort, walkability and interest

Gandhi Bazaar, originally planned to be commercial area, still retains the land use, along the Gandhi Bazaar road

ISSUE MAPPING Dumping of solid wastes seen around blank walls, behind the buildings, around the transformers and in front of the buildings that lack necessary amenities for the waste management (such as a separate service road for the garbage collection) required for the function it houses

URBAN DESIGN -Studio 7 SIITE LOCATION - GANDHI BAZAAR SITE AREA – 1 ACRE

Located in the centre of Basvanagudi, Gandhi Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in Bangalore. It functions as a one stop destination for all commercial activities.

As street vendors started to create an informal street bazaar, pedestrians gradually started using the adjoining road to walk and the footpath to shop. This lead to traffic congestion.

This project aims at bringing change to ensure smooth functioning of Gandhi Bazaar.

The preliminary studio exercises were carried out to assist problems that the area faces.

The second stage was to understand the role of architecture in shaping this urban fabric. This is done by analysis of the data collected, making observations and creating an intervention that can -accommodate the existing street vendors and increasing pedestrian circulation space - Creating spaces for leisure for residents in the area and for the rest of the public 9

Vendor Mapping Vendors play a very important role in the functioning of Gandhi Bazaar. Gandhi Bazaar has a vibrant market that changes throughout the day and seasonally. The maps show a comparative study of vendors on normal days and on festival days

INTERVENTIONS AT AN URBAN SCALE : The sites with potential for intervention have been identified and allotted for service cores of the proposal and surface parking, thus trying to solve the issue of parking spaces.

Immediately adjacent to the service cores, parking space has been provided for convenience.

Vendor Mapping (On a regular day)

Vendor Mapping (On a festival day)

This proposal aims at solving circulation issues in Gandhi Bazaar. An elevated structure 9m above ground level helps to account for pedestrian movement as well as vendor movement.

This in turn reduces the number of vendors on the footpath.

Hence, increasing the quality of pedestrian movement. It also acts as a view point that overlooks the streets of Gandhi Bazaar.

The parking layout can be changed as per the need. A typical layout has however been proposed. This shall be followed in all the identified sites.

Elevator Core Staircase

Inspired by the Highline in New York. It was a 1.45 mile long elevated, steel structure built in 1930s for freight trains.

The park was made to offer an alluring break from the chaotic city streets as users have an opportunity to experience an elevated space with uninterrupted views of the Hudson river skyline.

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Concept : Image 1 : The Site Image 2 : Placement of the block such that two of the faces are adjacent to the two major pedestrian pathways Image 3 : The building block is lifted off the ground to create an open market area and to connect the pathways through the site – making the site porous Image 4 : An O.A.T in the middle of the block split the block into two masses, making the block porous. The O.A.T faces the large open plaza in front of the building.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT Gandhi Bazaar is a busy and chaotic street with a multitude of building typologies dominated by its street market character.

For such a busy street, Gandhi Bazaar has no community gathering areas.

The objective of this project was to create a community centre that could also function as a spill over space from the street for Gandhi Bazaar.

My concept revolves around porosity. A site in Gandhi Bazaar can only be a community centre if it maintains the openness of the rest of Gandhi bazaar.

To maintain this flow and to create a feeling of the site being an extended pathway, the building is raised 4 m off the ground on stilts and an open market is housed underneath the structure.

An O.A.T nestled within the block faces a large open part of the site that is landscaped with some stepped seating areas for people passing through Gandhi bazaar when they need a rest stop. The site acts as an area to celebrate festivals in Gandhi Bazaar which are presently being celebrated on the streets due to lack of space.

An incubation centre made of tensegrity modules acts as a hybrid workspace that can be rented out by anyone from college students to the residents of Gandhi Bazaar for office work or leisure.

TENSEGRITY MODULES:

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Hemispherical tensegrity modules are hybrid work spaces that can be constructed and dismantled as per requirement of the community. The incubation centre is a set of rentable modules that can be used as a workspace for surrounding colleges or as an office space for start ups

The hybrid tensegrity modules add a new element of architecture to the Gandhi Bazaar stretch and this is a representation of the constant change in Gandhi Bazaar

TENSEGRITY SHELTERS: Tensegrity shelters facing the Gandhi Bazaar main road give people a sheltered she=eating area to pause and rest

IMAGES Left to Right Tensegrit y Modules Tensegrit y Shelters

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FIFTH FLOOR PLAN 1

1) 2) 3)

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Service core Food court floor Stairs down to the food court floor (terrace area)

The top most floor containing seating and small kiosks for the food court with a series of stairs leading down to the food court terrace below it. A mezzanine level overlooking the food court terrace below it.

B A

3 4

1) 2) 3)

Service core Food court floor (terrace area) Washroom block

1) 2) 3) 4)

Service core Indoor games area Washroom block Elevated platform for billiards or pool Viewing strips overlooking the multipurpose area

A 5

FOURTH FLOOR PLAN One of the two food court levels partially covered by the food court floor above it while the rest remains open to sky. A terrace of sorts with nothing but a parapet wall surrounding the floor

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B

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5)

1) Vehicular entrance to the site 2) A labyrinth of seating 3) Ramp in 4) Ramp out 5) Plaza 6) Community Centre Block roof plan 7) Incubation Centre – Tensegrity modules

1) 2) 3) 4)

5)

1) 2) 3) 4)

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5) 6) 7)

THIRD FLOOR PLAN An indoor games area with a cut out overlooking the multipurpose area with different levels to separate spaces of different functions.

This level shelters the O.A.T.

Service core Multipurpose open area Washroom block O.A.T. landing strip and circulation path between two parts of the multipurpose area Open air theatre (O.A.T)

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

Service core Washroom block Library O.A.T. landing strip and circulation path between the lobby and the library Open air theatre (O.A.T) Lobby Main staircase entrance from the streets of Gandhi Bazaar located at the converging point of two major pedestrian pathways

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

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A multipurpose open or porous floor sheltered by the floor above it which can function as a spill over space or an activity space depending on the needs of the users

A street corner entrance leads to a large lobby that has a full view of the site but is covered by a wall on side facing the road. The O.A.T landing connects the lobby to the library. The O.A.T nestled within the structure is sheltered by the upper floors and acts as a spill over area for the first and the second floor as well as a common area

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Section at AA GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1) 2)

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Service core Stairs from the pedestrian pathway on the carriageway Exhibition area Space frame strip for letting light enter into the basement and for structural support Stairs leading down into the library/ study area

3) 4)

5)

A porous ground floor plan with a glass exhibition space. A spaceframe floor with transparent sheeting provides natural lighting to the basement level. This level is used as a sheltered open market with a free flowing space between two pedestrian pathways

BASEMENT PLAN 1) Vehicular entrance to the site 2) A labyrinth of seating 3) Ramp in 4) Ramp out 5) Plaza 6) Community Centre Block ground floor plan 7) Incubation Centre – Tensegrity modules

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1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

Service core Lobby 1 Lobby 2 Music studio Dance studio 1 (professional) Dance studio 2 Library/Study room

Dance and music studios with a common lobby that can be used for any other activities.

An extension of library becomes a private study area or a quiet and cosy reading space at the basement level.

Physical model of the community centre

Section at BB 14

Excavation Plan of a 2bhk block

Centre line plan of a 2bhk block

WORKING DRAWING -Studio 6 The objective of this studio was to learn the techniques of preparation and representation of the drawings which are used for construction of buildings and to conform with office formats and standards.

Typical Floor Plan of a 2bhk block

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Section through AA

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Section through BB

Kitchen Details

South elevation of the building

Staircase details

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AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY “Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still” Photograph taken in 2016 “The Singapore Flyer”, Singapore 19

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