Chirag Hablani, Portfolio 2016-2018

RE I M AGI N I N G THE REICHSTAG DOME

Drawing from the principles of Early Parametricism, the project is concerned with the malleability of form, with the potential to generate multiplicity in design iterations through scripting techniques

MAISON DU PUBLIQUE

The project deliberates the idea of reinhabiting exisiting structures, converting an existing building (Maison D’Iran, Paris designed by Claude Parent) to a new student housing in the Cite Universitaire.

The project aims to promote an architectural proposal within this existing and remarkable structure. The program offers a reflection not only on the organization and hierarchy of functions, the positioning and performance of the funcftional distribution but also treatement on the urban site.

SITE ANALYSIS AND URBAN STRATEGIES

PANADERO

The project deliberates the approach of constructing facade in the form of 3D printing and fabrication technologies. Designed in parallel to the tropical elements , the technology pushes for modularity and complexity in form and scale, making the production and construction process faster and sophisticated.

ITERATION 1

Exploring modularity through a rhombic module that allows the change in the direction of the module being placed.

Exploring the parameters of the rhombic module through introducing soft curves that were taken as inspiration from nature.

AIR RIBS

Exploring the structural qualities of Steel, Air ribs is a geometric and scientific investigatiaon of into the spaces formed by structure that also protects against the tropical elements of sunlight and rain. Steel Trusses are assembled together, creating a span, weightless above the users.

The project negotiates the tropical elements through the use of the structure itself and achieves a multi-faceted user experience through creation of light, shade and shadow.

The main aspect of architecture in the tropics is the aesthetics of the roof.

This aesthetics is bound to emphasise SHADE, SHELTER, SHADOW AND PROFILE. TAY KHENG SOON THE ARCHITECTURAL AESTHETICS OF TROPICALITY, 1990.

DEVELOPMENT The precedent studies of the traditional Malay house begins the development cycle. The primary intent of the precedent studies was to understand traditional ways of dealing with tropical climate through vernacular means.

The Malay house achieves its design intentions through - Large Overhangs - Air Wells and Orientation to Prevailing Wind - Shadow and Shade for Local Cooling.

Section through Singapore Shophouse

Natural ventilation in Malay Houses

DEVELOPMENT MODELS Using the precendent studies, a parti diagram was developed. The diagram was then explored through means of 3D models. The aim of the 3D models was to study the parti diagram through section and understand the quality of spaces created.

ITERATION 1

The first model was a representation of the form that was realised from the diagramming. The form created a curvilinear space with large overhangs, creating a very light and elegant linear structure.The form worked with the tropical climate and was then explored structurally.

ITERATION 2

The structure was explored through a truss and rafter system, with steel being the primary structural material.

Steel was the used as the main structural element primarily because of its excellent compressional and tensile qualities, which allowed the structure to have wide spans.

FINAL DESIGN AND CONCEPT The roof section takes precedence over the form to deter the tropical conditions. The conditions of natural ventilation as well low local temperatures is achieved through venturi effect.

Borrowing from traditional Malay houses as precedence studies, the roof has large overhangs which create a diaphragm between the interior and the exterior.

The structure is further modified to allow only filtered light through. This is achieved through the angular arrangement of the rafters that act as sun shading devices allowing deflected light to filter through. The rafters angles complement the sun path, allowing for the interior to be daylight, creating a varied user experience through use of light, shade and shadow.

EXPLODED ISOMETRIC

ROOF COVERING (ETFE)

SECONDARY STRUCTURE (STEEL RAFTERS)

PRIMARY STRUCTURE (STEEL TRUSS)

CONCRETE FOOTING

LONG SECTION ACROSS PAVILION

PHOTO MONTAGE and CONCEPT COLLAGES Dairy farm is home to the Wallace trail, a 1 km long walking trail named after Dr. Wallace. Situated on a gentle slope, the wallace trail is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The Wallace trail is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The desire to understand this variety of fauna (birds) in all of its complexity is a key to my design.

The sense of mystery walking through the Wallace trail was explored through framed views and vistas of the birds. The ecolodge is an “aviary of humans�

The concept was based on the principles of attract, view, and study of birds.

Concept of Ecolodge

Concept of Ecolodge

ANTHROPOMETRIC STUDY

These studies help understand the viewing heights and angles of humans. The use of building blocks to create vistas moving upwards was explored through these studies.

LIVING NESTS The idea of mystery and framed views is explored through creating a relationship between solids and voids. The solids block the human vision while voids allow the space to be experienced and create views of the trees. The module was derived from sectional studies.

INTERIOR VOID

SOLID EXTERIOR WITH OPENINGS

The activity of Birdwatching is one that is personal to everyone. Through various framed viewed aimed at different trees around the site, the users get a different lookout point from each module, thus the experience of bird watching is never the same. The accommodation is meant to only house 1 or 2 people.

SECTIONAL STUDY

Section at 1m from Entry (Short Section)

Section at 3m from entry

AXONOMETRIC DRAWING and STRUCTURE DETAILS

ECO LODGE AXONOMTERIC DRAWING

Scale 1:250

SITE PLAN SCALE 1:1000