Charvi Parakh, born and raised in Mumbai, has completed her bachelor’s in Architecture from Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture and Planning in 2022. After which she worked at Architect Hafeez Contractor for a year and now she is refining her skills in the field by pursuing her Master’s degree at Sci-Arc.
Every space has a story to tell, and architecture becomes an essential tool to capture these stories. It is the physical manifestation of these stories and narratives. Throughout her practice, Charvi has made sure that the spaces she designs support the narrative. For her architecture has always been a tool to enable the user to experience the space to the best of their ability. She wants to create spaces that tell stories, a space where stories are created, architecture becomes a medium to encapsulated time.
Content
06_Casa Patagon
14_The Analogue edge
20_Designing the Pause
28_Versova Police Station
36_The Algae Facade
38_Ephemeral
40_Braj Exhibition
//01_Casa Patagon
Overall view of the house after midterm.
Casa Patagon
M. Arch / FALL 2023
Instructor :Hernan Diaz Alonso TA: Yutao Fang
View of the house from the back after midterm.
View of the house after midterm.
Casa Patagon
In the third semester project of the MArch 2 program at SCI-Arc, guided by Hernan Diaz-Alonso and assisted by Yutao Fang, the task was to design a solitary dwelling placed in an isolated setting. The unique approach involved constructing the initial segment of the house during the first phase of the semester.
Then, utilizing a lottery system, participants shifted to another project within the studio for the latter part, focusing on further refining the second segment of a different student’s design. This method aimed to nurture the development of an architectural style that could be reproduced across various iterations.
The house’s structure is modelled after the anatomy of a flower, using multiple petals and diverse floral elements to compose an interconnected network of spaces. This design creates a systematic blend of indoor and outdoor living conditions by harnessing the positive and negative spaces formed by its distinctive shape. Initially, the concept centred on crafting a structure closely integrated with the ground. However, before the midpoint assessment, the focus shifted towards developing the structure atop the foundational design. Post-midterms, the idea remained consistent: to maintain the structure’s proximity to the ground, maximizing its connection with the initial house design.
Fire place in the living room.
Casa Patagon
Explore an exceptional outdoor living area meticulously designed to redefine your outdoor experience. This space harmoniously combines comfort and functionality, ensuring every detail contributes to a serene atmosphere. Versatile seating arrangements invite relaxation, strategically positioned amidst the natural beauty that surrounds. The teal staircase gracefully leads to a bedroom, offering a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. A glass skylight illuminates the basement, infusing the area with natural light and a sense of openness.
Central to the ambiance is a carefully placed fireplace, providing warmth and a focal point for gatherings. Adjacent to this cozy setting, a unique dog house adds charm and individuality, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the space.
Whether enjoying a quiet evening under the stars or hosting lively gatherings with friends, this outdoor living area is crafted to accommodate diverse activities while maintaining an unparalleled level of comfort and style. Every aspect, from the thoughtful placement of features to the integration of natural elements, ensures a harmonious blend that invites you to unwind and savor the beauty of outdoor living.
View of outdoor living room and the dog house
Plan of the house before midterm 1.Dining room
Bedroom
Kitchen
Library
//02_The Analog Edge
Overall view of the project
M. Arch / Spring 2024
Instructor : Florencia Pita
TA: Kristoff Fink
Teammate : Pratit Vyas
Abstract plan and elevation based on Hofmann’s principles of Graphic design
Bruno Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and his critical examination of modernity and science have garnered widespread acclaim. ANT provides a framework for scrutinizing the intricate web of connections between human and non-human actors, including technologies, institutions, and abstract concepts, all of which contribute to shaping social phenomena. Latour’s approach underscores the importance of treating all actors symmetrically, rejecting the traditional hierarchical favoring of human agency over non-human agency.
In our project, we’ve embraced a similar ideology, drawing inspiration from the analogue approach pioneered by Hofman’s hand-drawn illustrations. Our experimentation with analogue design techniques through the medium of ink drawing led to the transformation of the analogue to the essential hatches that now play a pivotal role in our project.
As we developed our elevation and plan, we delved deeper into the concept of interconnected ecosystems, akin to Latour’s Actor-Network Theory. Each layer of our design represents a distinct ecosystem, interlinked seamlessly. Central to our vision is the grid, serving as both a structural element and a symbol of programmatic organization.
At the heart of our project lies the “analogue edge,”. This concept helps us to integrate natural elements harmoniously into the built environment, echoing Latour’s emphasis on the agency of non-human actors. The edge allows the earth to breathe. The mushroom columns allow the water to penetrate through.
Movement encapsulates the essence of human experience within space. The urban podium is where humans and nature coexist. The labyrinth allows for wayfinding and allows one to explore and interact with the surroundings, it becomes a journey of discovery, unveiling hidden nooks of comfort and solace from the busy surroundings.
Our endeavour culminates in the design of an openair library adjacent to Biblioteca. By applying Latour’s ideas to this context. we aspire to explore how his insights can elevate the functionality and experience of a library space, blurring the traditional boundaries between knowledge, nature, and society. The openair library, reminiscent of a bustling plaza, beckons visitors to traverse its space, inviting both humans and nature alike to coexist and flourish within its embrace.
View showing secondary facade
Seating area
Circulation core
Mushroom Coloums for rainwater harvesting.
Wooden grid iterating with the original facade
Transition of old facade into the new one.
//03_Designing the Pause
of the project through with the library in the front and warehouse at the back
View
B. Arch / Sem 7
Instructor : Shirish Joshi
Teammate : Rashmi Varma
Master Plan (above)The project is along the Nampally Metro station till Gandhi Bhavan Metro station. Entire pricing focuses on transit adjacent development i.e. to create a dense urban fabric near the transit hub.
Section (below) The project is along the Nampally Metro station till Gandhi Bhavan Metro station. Entire pricing focuses on transit adjacent development i.e. to create a dense urban fabric near the transit hub.
A study, analysis and understanding of Hyderabad along the lines of mobility, market networks and infrastructural
Development with an aspiration to enhance the experience of transition, recreation and public engagement in the city.
Project 2 (institution, amenitions and warehouse)
Evolution of the built mass, that is the redeveloped
warehousing corporation separates the public plaza and the loading- unloading activities. The goods are unloaded in the warehouse and traders are rented shops to connect market networks back to the corporation. The Central warehousing departments look over the storage, ensuring transparency in working. This larger move enables the creation of a public plaza in a response to the Exhibition ground’s heavy footfall.
1. Junctions as thoroughfare nodes.
2.Walkway that connects two built masses. Plinth stretches around the junction and creates opportunities for interaction.
3.Plinths extending much beyond the building, thus, creating intermediate spaces.
4. The courtyard framing the library and the study /reading room.
5. Shops open out to plinths that harbour conversations
Process sketch of the project
Index
1. Warehouse
2. Shops
3. Washroom
4. Admin
5. Lounge
6. Transport Union
7. State Warehousing Corporation
- Private Trader’s Offices
- Reception and Admin
-Chairman’s office
-General Manager’s office -Department offices
-Clerk’s & Accountant’s
-Board Room
-Fertiliser Company
-PSU office
-Cooperative Society office
-Broker’s area
-Farmer’s office
8. Storage Facility
9. Open Exhibition Spaces
10 . Farmer’s Cooperative Bank
11. Central Warehousing
- Private Trader’s Offices
- Reception and Admin
-General Manager’s office
-Superintendent’s offices
-Clerk’s & Accountant’s -Translator’s room
-Training room
-Outsourcing Dept.
-Grievances Cell
-Research Cell
12. Internet Cafe
13. Lodging
14. Closed Exhibition Spaces
15. Food court
16. Food outlets
17. Reading room
18. Common area
19. Library
//04_Versova Police Station
Versova Police Station
B. Arch / Sem 5
Instructor : Jude D’souza
Versova Police Station
Concept Diagram
a. The idea of the project was to subtract mass from the existing geometry and get a porous structure
b. Which enables the free movement throughout the structure.
Police service comes under executive system of government, they have authority and responsibility for the state to execute and enforce law and order. A police station becomes a very intimidating space because of its function. It is a building which is not celebrated by everyone. So how about bringing the principal of democracy ‘by the people, for the people, of the people’ to the police station by introducing community policing. The central goal of community policing is for the police to build relationships with the community through interactions with local agencies and members of the public, creating partnerships and strategies for reducing crime and disorder. By dealing with the fine skin between private and public a space has to be created which is monumental and inviting at the same time.
Site Plan (left) The front of the site is developed as a garden so that it can act as extension of the garden on the east. It also act as a good buffer between the busy street and the police station. It also increases the probability of chance encounter between the police and the civilians. Further the site is imagined without a boundary wall so the building can be accessed by anyone at any given time.
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Versova
Ground floor
1. Metre room
2. Storage room
3. NGO cell
4. Mental health clinic
5. Entry to NGO cell
6. Canteen
7. Pantry/ kitchen
8. Male toilet
9. Handicap toilet
10. Female toilet
11. Changing room
12. Prevention and detection department
13. Lobby for police officers
14. Crime and admin department
15. Law and crime prevention department
16. Station house office
17. Traffic department
18. Passport Department
First floor
1. Multi-purpose hall
2. Public library
3. Gym
4. Storage
5. Lobby for police officers
6. Yoga room
7. Female changing room
8. Male changing room
Second floor
1. Storage room
2. Evidence room
3. Male toilet
4. Female toilet
5. Lockups fore male
6. Lockups for female
7. Conference room
8. Interrogation room 1
9. Interrogation room 2
10. ACP’s cabin
11. SPI’s cabin
12. Cyber crime and terror management department
Entrance to the multipurpose hall
Station House office library
Mental health clinic
Versova Police Station
office and library on top
Entrance to Crime department and courtyard
Courtyard
Entrance to the Community centre.
//05_ Algae Facade
AT: Kai Mikel Johnson
Given the construction and building industries’ significant contribution to global energy-related emissions, urgent measures are essential to address climate change. Our approach integrates an innovative algal biofuel system with California’s agricultural sector, aligning with circular economy principles to achieve carbon neutrality. By leveraging agricultural waste streams, this closed-loop initiative aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions, marking a pivotal step towards environmental preservation and sustainable building practices.
The integration of algae-based materials not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also promotes a regenerative approach to construction, transforming buildings into active contributors to ecological balance. This research underscores the transformative potential of bio-based materials in architecture, offering a scalable solution to mitigate the industry’s environmental footprint. Through collaborative efforts between architects, scientists, and agricultural stakeholders, this initiative seeks to set a new standard for sustainable building practices worldwide, emphasizing the critical role of innovation in combating climate change.
Arrangement of ceramic tiles
Groves carved to hold algae gel.
3D printing of a tile using the robot
Wet Ceramic
Tubes to hold algae water.
M. Arch / Fall 2022_Electives
Instructor :Herwig Baumgartner
Teammate : Acacia Li, Samule Perng, Yuxi Zhang
Ceramic tile
Ceramic Algae facade prototype
Carved groves on ceramic tile
Glazed tile closeup.
//06_Ephemeral
The objective of the project was to investigate digital modelling techniques, computation, and visual effects in designing a customized lampshade. We began the process by 3D scanning our faces, creating a highly detailed digital model, and subsequently converting them into lampshade silhouettes. To create an intricate physical lampshade, the scanned face meshes were then subtracted, deconstructed, sculpted, and 3D printed.
The initial stage of the project involved utilizing the 3D scanner provided by the school to capture high-quality scans of our faces. Subsequently, we imported the scans into a software application to remove any imperfections and undertake post-processing. The resulting output was utilized as the foundation for our lamp design. The methodology we adopted was unconventional, providing a valuable insight into the school’s direction and approach.
In the subsequent phase of the project, we focused on identifying suitable alphas that would serve as the primary design element for our lamp. Given that the project theme was centred around the kraken or similar tentacled creatures, we utilized the 3D scans obtained earlier as the foundation for laying the alphas on top of. However, the initial outcomes were somewhat unrefined, and needed extensive modelling and cleaning of the geometry.
M. Arch / Fall 2022
Instructor : William Virgil and Rachael McCall
Teammate : Abbas Taher
3d Printed lamp
//07_Braj_Architecture of parikrama
The Isolation
The railway lines and the wall makes shivtaal very hard to find. The approach is a very narrow lane which makes it non-conspicuous to an outsider. This isolation creates an atmosphere of solitude. Just like the water of the kund, the space is frozen and still.
The landscape of braj is said to be where krishna grew up. It is circumscribed by a 252km pilgrimage across Mathura, Gokul, Govardhan and Vrindavan. The objective of the 3rd year study trip was to study the architecture, everyday life and ritual intersect with each other, in order to understand the difference between .
Shivtal, Mathura (Site no. 8)
Shivtaal is a square kund in Mathura. 600mm thick walls enclose the kund and disconnect it from the surroundings outside. It has an akhada on one side and is flanked by railway lines on opposite sides. Two old Krishna temples lie beside the taal. The water level in the taal has reduced over time to reveal projecting platforms that go upto three storeys under.
The akhada
A narrow lane on one of the sides of the kund leads one to a bustling akhada. Men practice kushti and during the hot afternoons prepare and enjoy bhang. The periphery of the kund is used by them for warm ups. The akhada thus brings life to the kund.
The broken shivlinga
According to legend, when Mughals raided the land, a shivlinga in the ground nearby was broken by Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor. It is one of evidences of the conquests of Mughals in destroying idols and symbols of Hindu religion
The Water
the water is stagnant and covered with green algae which depicts the lack of ecology in the water and rising pollution levels. the water condition. people consider it holy and take dips in it regularly. the physical state is immaterial due to the religious significance.
Krishna mandir
One of the temples just outside of shivtaal is a Krishna mandir. Initially just a murti in stone on the open ground behind, the land owner later built a small mandir within their home, making it one of the private temples of the parikrama.
