Gopika_Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

Gopika Thazhathillath

Gopika Nair Thazhathillath

INTERIOR DESIGNER

+44 7479792353

gopikathazhathillath@gmail.com

London, United Kingdom

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gopika-nair-t/

I am an interior designer/ civil engineer with a goal to create a society which forms sustainable communities with good values and bring them closer to nature through the buildings they live and work in. I thrive to keep learning about methods to substitute the current ones which are harmful to the environment and researching on natural biodegradable materials and be part of a revolution against climate change and global warming.

My interest in design came from my hometown grew up in, Kerala, which has its own unique style of architecture which integrates nature with buildings. Growing up in a Kerala taught me the value of the user experience of a space and how it can change a persons mentality over time and sometimes even decide the fate of a family.

Project : E ect of replacement of cement by CFRP and Silica powder and their resulting behavior on cement concrete. The project aimed at recycling highly toxic waste like CFRP and Silica powder in an innovative and sustainable manner.

Seminar : Study on green concrete production from ceramic wastes and laterites.

Thesis: Transitional homeshelter using ecological principles of Kerala architecture, Margate, United Kingdom

CAREER HISTORY

INTERIOR DESIGNER

• Orchestrated space planning and event design initiatives.

EDUCATION

Masters in Arts in Interior Design

University for the Creative Arts

• Designed Victorian circus-themed out ts for Margate Carnival and crafted installations from repurposed materials.

• Educated visitors on Dreamland and Margate's historical signi cance through the decor and installations.

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Aishwarya Interiors Pvt Ltd

2021 Bengaluru, India

• Handled RIBA stages 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 from strategic defenition to handover and use

• Led design brie ng, cocept design, budgeting, and space planning for residential and commercial projects. Later moved to the techincal design, factory orders and construction.

• Supervised sites, coordinated with vendors, and maintained robust client relationships through e ective communication even after handover of the project.

• Undertook projects ranging from 3000sqft and beyond.

JUNIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

Livspace Interiors

2019 - 2020

Bengaluru, India

• Specialised in FFE - Furniture, Fixtures and Equipements.

• Spearheaded design projects, achieving a 100% increase in quarterly targets through end-to-end project management.

• Collaborated cross-functionally, producing detailed designs and maintaining departmental relationships with excellent teamwork

• Achieved company’s quarterly targets and doubled it by turn over of 4 FFE projects in 3 months. Handled RIBA stages 0,1,2,3,4,5 from strategic defenition to technical design.

WEDDING DECOR DESIGNER AND EVENT MANAGEMENT

Social Hours

Dreamland Heritage Trust, Non pro t organization, historical conservation. 2023 Margate, United Kingdom Kerala, India

2019

• Managed several events, like weddings, reception, pre wedding events etc.

• Designed the decor and stage, organised and managed the event by coordinating various aspects like food, owers, guiding the guests, timing the entry of the bride and groom etc all as per schedule.

MISCELLANEOUS

HIX - Hotel Interior Experience | 2023

• Led the planning and execution of Europe's exclusive hotel design event, coordinating talks, exhibitions, and inventory.

• Managed guest speaker logistics, enhancing attendee experience through meticulous planning and collaboration with technical teams.

2022 - 2023 Distinction

Canterbury, United Kingdom

P G Diploma in Interior Design

J D Institute of Fashion Technology and Interior 2018 - 2019

Bengaluru, India

Bachelors in Technology in Civil Engineering

College of Engineering, Trivandrum

First class with distinction. CGPA 8.3

2013 - 2017 Kerala, India

TOOLS

• Autocad

• Sketchup

• Vray

• Enscape

• Photoshop

• Illustrator

• Revit

• Indesign

• Procreate

SKILLS

• Teamwork

• Multitasking

• Planning

• Organising

• Research

• Communication ORGANISER

• Discipline

• Presentation skills

THANEL

Transitional housing for the emotionally vulnerable

Forming community and wellbeing among the homeless through the values of Kerala vernacular architecture.

Designed by Gopika Nair Thazhathillath

https://www.tumblr.com/go-pika-boo

SOCIAL HOUSING

A place which tackles loneliness forming a transition space between the streets and the home for the homeless people of Thanet. This allows the mind to slowly come back to the normal mental state from the survival mode they are in.

Area: 2825sq meters

User: Homeless people of Thanet

Site: Pettmans depository and the adjacent abadoned car wash, Athelstan road, Cli tonville, Margate, Thanet.

This project aims to solve the issue of the homelessness in Thanet by integrating the values of Kerala architecture in the design of the rennovation of The Pettman’s Depository into a transitional homeless shelter. The emotional and mental state of the user is given prime importance while designing as per Kerala architecture. It aims on giving the user enough mental strength to get back into a life of normalcy.

A shelter with rehabilitation is required for them to come to normalcy and be part of a society again.

Open spaces for wellbeing, better mental health and interaction with others

Importance to natural light and ventilation to create a positive space and reduce energy consumption. Community Sociology

Transitional coliving space for mental and physical wellbeing

Integrated with nature. Community garden maintained by the homeless

Red border indicates expected outcome.

Dotted red line indicates research direction and process. Wellbeing

Empathy to context

Empathy to user/client

Values of traditional Kerala architecture like

Empathy to nature

Community and companionship

FINAL OUTCOME EXPECTED Safe environment Happy together Love and harmony

Homeless people in Thanet

Site analysis

The site is an abandoned building called Pettman’s Depository and an abandoned car wash adjacent to it in Clifftonville locality of England, UK.

The Pettmans was once one of the most popular building and organisations around the area. It was very busy and filled with activities.

Pettman’s

Brainstorming

The car wash structure is attached to the Pettmans building and the function is changed into a sitout or verandah. The remaining space is converted into a community garden accessed by the public and maintained by the users.

This aims to bring more interactions between the general public and the user. This will reduce the barrier between “them” (homeless) and “us” (general public).

Letting the building breathe.

Zoning

The spaces are divided into public, semi public and private areas

Attaching the car wash to the pettmans

Additional openings for light and ventialtion

Prediticed air flow inside the building if sufficent openings are provided

Wind direction

Prediticed air flow inside the building if sufficent openings are provided

Skywell introduced to capture more natural light inside the building

Second skywell introduced to the second floor with hinged doors.

Hinged doors help direct light inside from the skywell when needed. Wind flow and sunpath

Predicted air flow if sky wells are provided

Proposed design for the community garden

Existing site plan, scale 1:500. All measurements in mm

The abadoned car wash is converted into a community garden which is maintained by the homeless, thus promoting more interaction between the homeless and the public. This creates a stepping stone for the homeless to climb out of the survival state and into normal society.

Preferred shortcut to the beach

Proposed landscaping scale 1:500. All measurements in mm

The garden being in a corner creates a greater advantage as people always tend to choose the shorter path which is through the garden as shown. This creates a platform to inevitably greet eachother.

Community garden

Natural pathway through the garden

Banyan tree concept

Sitout with charupadi (seatingas shown)

Poomugham (pretty face)

The arches being the elements of British architecture and the charupadi the Kerala architecture, shows a balanced amalgamation of both creating a beautiful design and experience. It is deliberately located at the South-west corner of the bulding so that the evening setting sun can be enjoyed to the maximum.

Wood finish

Exposed concrete finish

Red bricks matching the building

Reception

Living/lounge area

The concept was to keep it as simple as possible and to create a perfect balance with traditional Kerala architecture elements and exisiting British architecture of the building. The arches were also a depiction of the exterior taken inside the building as well preserving the identity of the Pettmans depository.

Jute covered with glass

Korean top Wooden trims

Nadumuttam

Nadumuttam meaning “central courtyard” is the heart of any nalukettu Kerala home. The same concept is incoorporated here as well as shown aiming to promote more interations and conversations. It also act as a boundary between the semi public and private area. The plants itselt act as a wall obstructing the view to the private area.

Section

Proper light and air circulation

Meeting point Promotes interaction

Kitchen and dining

The aim was to bring everyone together to promote interactions hence the single large dining table. To either sides of the dining table on the right and left there is a console unit above which is a painting showing the beauty of Kerala. The paintings highlight greenary and nature, yet another way of bringing the outside nature to the inside

Countertop edge details

Bedroom

Serene, calm and peaceful.

Brought the outside to the inside by using natural materials, indoor plants, color scheme mimicking nature, and warm lighting.

Custom furniture

Custom furniture like the one on the right is a simple puff made up of waste wood logs fixed on springs and tide together and accessorised with ratan. The wood logs are smoothened and polished to make it more comfortable to sit and reduce friction between them for easy movement.

Individual spring attached to each wood log

Wood logs cut in circular sections smoothened and polished

Jute strings to hold the logs together. It is not tied tightly as this may cause friction when logs move.

Ratan covering the springs which are stuck to the logs

Washrooms

The washroom mimics the tropical beauty of Kerala with the dark green tiles, exposed polished concrete flooring, earthy tones and the tropical wallpaper.

The wet and dry area is carefully seperated with a small depression for the wet area.

Section EE

Second nadumuttam

The second atrium connects the second and third floor. With the use of hinged doors and centrally placed indoor plant a very outdoor central courtyard or nadumuttam look is provided. It also helps is capturing more natural light. Accordingly the adjacent rooms are designed into library space, meditation space and therapy space where the postive energy from natural light is most required. Once again the external red bricks are brought in and combined with a raw wood texture. This creates a very calm and serene space. Interaction is promoted is all possible ways through the windows and open spaces.

Contemporary home

Location : Electronic City, Bengaluru

Client : Ajay

BRIEF

e requirements were that for a couple with two children, one being a toddler. e mood was beige and monochromatic, but with some fun elements for the kids room.

KEY INFORMATION

Property

Daiwik Spandana, Electronic City

Built-up area

2500 sq.ft (232.26 sq.m.)

No. of users

4 (2 adults, 1 child and 1 toddler)

KEY POINTS

Monochromatic

Beige

Classical

Seemless

PROBLEMATIC AREAS

Small spaces with narrow passageways

A narrow and long kitchen with dining. No proper space allocated for a double door fridge.

No partition between living and dining which the client insisted on.

Property was attached to other similar villas, and the spaces were divided vertically giving minimal natural light in the ground floor.

Trims

crockery

Kitchen work area with the working triangle

Foyer and shoe rack

TV unit

Beige color palette Fluted panels

Rose gold edge handles Wood veneer

Shutter details

Trims

MASTERBEDROOM REQUIREMENTS

•Beige color palette.

•Two separate wardrobes for him and her.

•Sliding wardrobe and swing wardrobe.

•Bed with storage, hydraulic beds.

•False ceiling.

•Floor to ceiling curtains with sheer and opaque layers.

•Stucco or textured wall finish behind the bed.

SLIDING WARDROBE

•Aristo brand

•With soft close shutters.

•Lined with internal led groove lighting.

•Locker attached.

Angular pattern on wardrobe Mirror above side table

Pendant light with glass and metal details

Sliding wardrobe with Aristo shutters and the interior shelving design for him

Soft close hinged shutters

Hydraulic bed with storage inside

Custom designed side tables

Bronze mirror selected above side table

Groove with led strip light with sensor

Gold metal handles for the swing wardrobe for her

Stucco or textured wall finish behind the bed

Groove handle

Polyurethane or powder coat finish Soft close drawers

KIDSBEDROOM WORKINGDRAWINGWITHDETAILSFORTHEGUESTBEDROOM

REQUIREMENTS

•Colorfull

•Aristo sliding wardrobe

•Study table with storage

•Fun interior

WARDROBE

LIVINGROOM

KITCHEN

KID’SBEDROOM

MASTERBEDROOM

Design of a resting spot

LOCATION - The abandon Lido swimming pool.

The abandoned Lido is selected for this project to repurpose the space into something which is needed by the Cliftonville community. Being a resident in Cliftonville myself, with constant observation and talking to the locals it was very clear that they needed a resting spot to have a sip of water and take a break after a jog or walking their pets. The beauty of Margate beach inspired to create a unique resting shed where the beauty of the ocean can be seen and enjoyed to the fullest, There is an amphi theatre known as The Oval nearby which showcases concerts, bands and even wrestling. The entire coast is bordered by two promenades, one on the cliff and one on the beach. Both of which are extensively used for cycling, walking pets etc. It is also situated in front of the Lido complex which has various entertainment arcades.

AIM

Design a structure in Margate keeping in mind the climatic conditions in the present and the future, following a sustainable approach.

PROBLEM

The locals don’t have a proper closed resting area where people can stop for a sip of water after their jog or walk.

PHILOSOPHY

Reuse of abandoned space

The abandoned lido swimming pool

Lido 1926

Present

Lido

View from the location

There was a lot of trial and error involved in the initial ideation of the structure before deciding to go for a resting spot. At first it was planned as a semi detachable structure inspired from “The Waterpod ” concept by Mary Mattingly, but technically it was not as feasible, also making the structure look too bulky. Making use of local labor and resources

Later the idea of incorporating a small coffee kiosk was thought about eventually deciding on a cafe.

It was later decided to design a simple resting spot as the location begged for it. There were promenades covering the spot and the site being very close to old Margate town, a cafe would’ve overpowered the area.

“Ponninkudathinenthina pottu” (old saying in Malayalam) - something which in itself is so beautiful does not require any accessory to beautify it again. Likewise the sunset and the beach in Margate is so beautiful that it didn't need any other accessory to enhance its view. Hence the entire structure is predominantly made of glass so that maximum view of the outdoors was possible. The glass will freely allow the beautiful evening

to enter the space and create magic in it.

Two unique sustainable materials avalable close to the location are as follows

Mycelium - Roofing

Mycelium mixed with other waste materials like saw dust, textile waste, agricultural wastes etc produces a very workable material which is fire resistant, water resistant and can be moulded into any shape which is ideal for the flowy nature of the roof of this structure. It is also an ever growing and loving material which takes the concept of sustainable materials to another dimension.

e material palette had to be sustainable and local. For this a Gandhian principle called Swadheshi from which the 5 miles radius rule was adapted, which says for any project try to source the materials within a 5 mile radius of the site location.

can also be mixed with paper waste and woven on to metal strings as shown below to form flowing shapes.

Mycelium

sun

Thanet power plant for the ashcrete

The Light keeper - for solar lights Thanet scrap man- for recycled steel

Clifftonville glasses

Margate mushrooms - for mycelium

Asif Rahman of Indian studio Beetles 3.3, and Giombattista Arredia and Mohamad Yassin of Italian architecture studio Yassin Arredia Design teamed up to create the Shell Mycelium installation in Fort Kochi, in the state of Kerala using Mycelium mixed with soil to create a living installation.

Ashcrete - Replaces concrete, also polished ashcrete is used as flooring material.

Composed of about 97% recycled materials, Ashcrete is an environmentally friendly concrete alternative that uses fly ash instead of traditional cement. Ashcrete usually has smaller pores, resulting in better strength, having roughly twice the strength of Portland cement.

anet power plant uses coal as the fuel for its boilers and y ash is a waste material produced there which can be used to make cement and Ashcrete.

Ashcrete is more acid- and fire-resistant than concrete, and has also has higher compressive and tensile strength.

Chair details

The same central column branch design is adapted for the chair as well, inverting it to the base of the chair.

The visualisation of the project during a high tide

The column imitating a tree with the ruffling fabric acting as leaves gives a very biophillic design. The flow of the form of the roof imitated the waves and the glass structure makes the structure seamless to the surrounding without overpowering the beauty of the ocean or the surroundings

The research and activities related to this project is upload in a personal blog on tumbler on the following link https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/go-pika-boo 3D WALKTHROUGH

For the 3d walk through of this project please click on this link https://www.behance.net/gallery/145477801/Exploratory-practices-3d-walkthrough-Gopika or https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/go-pika-boo/686401689340788736?source=share

The exact location of the structure in the old Lido swimming pool in the present year during low tide 2022.

Ceiling is designed with recycled fabric which gives the feeling of leaves for the column and it will hover in the wind forming a beautiful effect. In between them are solar powered string lights which gives the effect of fire flies.

BLOG

TROPICAL ITALY

Waffle day, Vasanthnagar

Project type : Commercial - Cafe

Brief

To transform a small space in central Bangalore into a beautiful cafe. Waffle day serves as the name suggests waffles, milk shakes and other snack items consists the menu. The idea was to make this cafe stand out from the competition it faced from neighboring food outlets and also to attract the young crowd of Mount Carmel College. Maximum customer capaci-

Target audience - College students

INSPIRATION

The site was located on the ground floor of another building, The exterior of the entire building was black in color, hence we decided to go for an all white exterior with French windows. This really made Waffle day stand out.

The cafe is kept white, but preserved Waffle day’s signature blue green wall with their logo on it. The main inspiration for the interiors was Italian beaches and a pinch of tropical elements.

Conceptual Column Design

Through this project we aim to show a relationship between our fast moving modern world and life,to give life space in between, for it to coexist so as to bring in a better future with technology coexisting with nature.

The brief is to build a conceptual column which is also stable and strong enough to hold weight on top. The key points to follow is that the top and bottom should be flat.

The concept being “Life finds a way” as said by Micheal Crichton in The Jurassic Park book. Life grows in between the chaos we humans create. Even through the waste materials entangled in the lower half of the model you can see the roots of the plant trying to grow through it. The roots leading to the plant on top trying to grow through the cracks of a plastic bottle symbolizing how nature tries to regain her lost space in the world.

The model is completely made up of waste materials obtained from the wood workshop in the Univeristy , nearby park etc.