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Architecture Portfolio

Galina Thimmaiah | 2019-24

Galina Thimmaiah

About me:

I come from a defense background. Due to the constant moving, I completed my education at 14 different schools. My unique upbringing has left me with an adaptive set of skills that have seen me through the various stages of life.

Personal Statement:

I believe in going after new experiences and opportunities; a little adventure never hurt anyone!

Similarly, I want to explore the field of Architecture and make the best out of it. I want to find my niche, and I am willing to put in the work it requires.

I can’t say for the world, but I believe architecture has the power to change and better me as a person.

WCFA, MYSURU AUG 2019 – CURRENT

B.Arch

Air Force School, Hebbal MAY 2019

Senior Secondary (XII)

AFGJI, New Delhi MAY 2017

Secondary (X)

Experience Education

1. Internship @ RLDA Studio Jan 2024– June 2024

For the stipulate internship period within the course, worked under Ar. Lakshmi Chand Singh. I gained experience across different types of projects, learnt important communication (with client and contractor), etc.

2. Content Writing Mar 2023– Dec 2023

I wrote exemplary content for a travel blog. My results in terms of SEO and outreach were one of the best within the company. I learnt how to manage written content, how to work with SEO and UI/UX.

3. Editor-In- Chief, College News Letter MARCH 2022-MARCH 2023

Before taking over as the Editor-in-chief, I was the layout editor of the college newsletter COURTYARD. I learned about softwares required in publishing, while learning how to manage people and deadlines.

4. Technical Writing, SEP 2022- FEB 2023

Technical writing taught me to writer easier sentences. It has improved my editing, and communication skills.

5. Pitch Writing, HARO APRIL 2022- JULY 2022

I wrote content for journalists all over the worlds using HARO as a medium. This taught me about SEO, and content writing on specific topics, otherwise not related to my field.

6. Design & Build APRIL 2022

A furniture design competition hosted by WCFA, Mysore. The task was to design furniture specific to the canteen space in the college. Our team won 2nd runner up.

7. Writing Architecture, NASA NOV 2022

A writing competition hosted by National Association of Students of Architecture. The topic was: “Urban Generative Spaces”. My pitch for the stage one was shortlisted to go onto the final stage. Awaiting results.

8. Lixil Mentorship MARCH 2021 – APRIL 2021

I was mentored by Ar. Niels Schonfeider, it was 3-week program. I learned about space creation and real time Architectural Practices. There was discussion on my previous designs and an introduction to sociology.

Strengths

Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Collaborative Skills

Research

Sketching

Public Speaking

Focused

Dedicated and Hard working

Organized

Cordial

Communication Skills: Written +

Verbal

Perseverance

Software Skills

INDEX INDEX

1. “Who(se) Yamuna?”

Kaun hai? Kiski hai? Yamuna.

The crown jewel of the portfolio: the Thesis Project.

2. Weaving Kanchipuram Industry Design

What does business intent and architectural intent have in common? The necessity to create.

This unique project took upon itself to reduce the gap between the weavers of the famed saree and the customer.

3. The Coorg Experience Urban Design

What does business intent and architectural intent have in common? The necessity to create.

This unique project took upon itself to reduce the gap between the weavers of the famed saree and the customer.

4. IIC, New Delhi Additions and Alterations

5. Dharam Dhabar, New Delhi Redesign

Orangery in the Garden, Gurgaon Additions and Alterations

Who(se) Yamuna?

Kaun Hai? Kiski Hai Yamuna?

“How do you tell the story of a mighty river? At what scale will I be able to relate to this vast entity? What goes on within its curves all round the year??”

Its an interesting relationship between water, happiness and people - one that hasn’t been established in Delhi. The river and the city both are so massive that

things get lost in translation, so much so that people living in Delhi are often unaware of a might river flowing in their backyard. Yamuna has to overflow and destroy things to get some limelight?

This thesis is an attempt at taking a step forward in creating a tangible connect between people in Delhi and the Yamuna.

Research Questions 4

What about the Yamuna, needs more attention; especially of the common man?

Bridges

The 22 km stretch between Wazirabad barrage and Okhla barrage has 14 existing bridges and 2 more are under construction= one bridge every 1.35 km on average.

Causes of Pollution

Agencies involved (Govt., and NonGovt.)

Water Quality of

Barrages: On this 22 km stretch, three barrages exist to regulate the river’s flow: the Wazirabad Dam, the ITO Dam, and the Okhla Dam.

Each dam is managed by a different state government - Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

Present Condition

Livelihood on the banks: Who stays on the banks? Where do they come from? How do they earn a living?

There are so many questions surrounding the Yamuna. To help understand the vastmess of the river, and its surrounding topics; an attempt has to be made to scaled down the river. By scalling down the river, it creates a curiosity that CAN be satiated.

The main exhibit of the design is a scaled down, active Yamuna River.

Take a walk along the banks, explore the flora around it or simply soak your feet into water.

How can I display the Yamuna?

Yamuna River Front

How can information be conveyed exhibited to people?

The quality of the content vs. quality of

For the purpose of this thesis, a simply yet adaptive style of presentation was adpoted. This display style engaged with the primary senses- touch and vision.

Linear and Curved display boards , simulation based spaces, planar trasperent model displays, etc are used to curate the experience.

One of the main ideas of the design was to keep the ground as free as possible. This helped reduce the intervention from hindering the natural paths taken by wild animals living in the park.

How much of the ground can be left open so as to not interfere in the ecosystem?

Yamuna Interpretation Centre, as perceived by AI.

About the Site

Name of Project:

Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Phase 1

Location:Lharoda Mazra, Delhi

Total Area: 157 acres (total 157 acres)

Client | Developer: Central Government

Agencies involved:

DDA, Landscape Unit

Centre for Environmental Management of Degraged Ecosystems, CEMDE

Year of commencement: 2002

Total project time: 10 years +

As an educational and recreational center, it attracts thousands of visitors annually, offering practical lessons in ecological processes and conservation management. Despite accessibility challenges, it forms part of India’s growing ecotourism network. The park’s outreach program aligns with national goals, engaging students in environmentally and socially responsible development. threatened communities from the Yamuna river basin and Aravali hills, aiming to preserve biodiversity, provide bird habitats, enhance groundwater recharge, act as a CO2 and pollutant sink, promote eco-tourism, and serve as a gene pool.

Fig 52: Location of Yamuna Biodiversity Park, proximity to Yamuna River. Credits: Author

About the Programs & Design

This thesis further hinges on these two main objectives:

1. Educate and bring awareness about the Yamuna to the people of Delhi.

2. Give the people the choice to do something about it.

During my research at Yamuna Biodiversity Park, I spoke with the park in charge, who highlighted the park’s guided tours and its role as an educational hub for students across various fields.

Although the park has a Nature Interpretation Centre, it urgently needs updates in both its structure and content.

Recently, the park has initiated workshops for nearby residents and volunteers on eco-friendly practices, but space constraints make these sessions overcrowded.

The first intent led to the creation of a space titled ‘Who(se) Yamuna?: Kaun Hai? Kiski Hai? Yamuna,’ featuring galleries, exhibition spaces, simulation rooms, and interactive exhibits.

The focus is to counter the negative perception of the Yamuna by educating Delhi residents through positive and engaging portrayals of the river.

The exhibit’s intensity necessitates reflective transition spaces, blending indoor and outdoor areas for contemplation. To minimize disruption to the

Intent 2

This underscores the second objective of my thesis: empowering people to take action. Various NGOs and private organizations are involved in cleaning and rejuvenating the Yamuna, conducting educational drives and workshops. By providing visitors with opportunities to learn about these efforts, they can become more aware of volunteer opportunities.

Proposed programs to facilitate this include workshop areas, conference rooms, office spaces, rest areas, an eatery, and a gallery space to showcase these efforts.

“The River”

park’s fauna, structures are elevated, offering enhanced views of the park and Delhi. This design captures the city’s crowded surroundings while providing a continuous, interactive experience across multiple levels.

The first exhibit, ‘The River,’ is a metaphorical, ankle-deep installation connecting the built forms on site.

Intent 1

Longitudinal Section through the whole design

The River Exhibit

Block A: “NGO” Building

Block B: Yamuna Interpretation Centre

Block B

Block A

Detail 4a- Beam to purlin connection

Detail 4c- Roof ridge detail

Weaves of Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is world-famous for its exquisite saarees. But, do you know that production of the renowned Kanjeevaram saarees has slowed down over the years?

This art form was initially passed down generationally. But over the years due to migration, people are naturally suited for weaving have moved out and typical

business men have moved in. This has ended up creating a rift between quality and quantity, which was once synonymous.

Our task was to integrate business intent with architecture to bring in more customers and eventually revive the art form.

Intent Models

The process of converting abstract ‘concepts’ into something more meaningful to test the viability of the concept within the given context.

This exercise gave further clues into what would become active design iterations; and why.

Iterations and Wall Sections

The intents behind this iteration was to create a modular space that ensures the functioning of the industry even before the project was completely built. Alternatively, the project could be built in phases as per the profits incurred and/or to increase production.

WA 3

WA 1 Steel Space Truss as a Catenary Arch lifted off the ground

WA 2 Simple Steel Truss and translucent roofing material, supported by a intermediate column

WA 3 Openings only on the periphery

This second iteration was made keeping in the material- Brick. This material is locally available and allows the use of local population to help build the weavers complex. The weaving machines- power loom and hand loom- were at the basis of this iteration.

Final Plans

Final Sections

Few details

The Coffee Experience

“How does a local view Coorg? How does this differ from a tourists perspective? Is there is way to collate all these various perspectives and create one wholistc experience?”

Those were the few questions that kicked off the Urban Design semester, based in

Coorg. The exploration helped gain a knowledge of the place (coincedently, my native).

Equipped with this knowledge we set out of site visits and finding solutions for problems that had become part and parcel of life now.

Master Plan and Section

Intent behind master plan and what is the section about

A total of 8 sites were marked out, and a group of 6 set out to curate ‘The Coffee Experience’ over these sites.

Pre-cursors to individual designs, a few rules were set- road width within the site, a path that connets the 8 sites and programs that burdened each site with its own glorious purpose.

road redesign

Concept behind road redesign

The main idea was to widen the roads, provide an alternative method of transport for the peak tourist season and encourage pedestrain interaction with our sites and programs.

This resulted in standard size of two lanes roads and extra wide foot-paths with ample area to sit and take in the view of the imfamous ‘Scotland of India.’

Post design analysis of the master plan

Circulation

We learnt that the inter-site circulation wasn’t something we had to co-ordinate about; our built was laid out in such a way that the boundaries between two sites blurred until it seemed like one continous block.

Post- design analysis was am important tool which helped us find the results of setting pre-design rules.

Axis

The Fort of Coorg was situated in the middle of the 8 given sites, and all our individual designs were aligned with the centre.

In a way, the fort has proved to be a cardinal direction that gained focus due to the onsite placements of our built forms.

Final Design

In my individual site, the main programs were:

1. Coffee Musuem- Permanment and Temporary exhibits

2. Research Center for the Indian Coffee Board

3. Coffee Processing Unit

4. Teaching facility

5. Cafe and Lounge

6. Redesign of an old Pre-existing Club on the site.

Final Design

The idea was to collate as many of the the experinces Coorg offered to its tourists and locals. The outcome was an Urban Insert, with pedestrianfriendly roads, and open and interactive public facades!

SECTION 1

The Internship

I did a 6-month internship at RLDA Studio, New Delhi.

I worked on projects of varying scale and typologies, such as,

1. Residences x 3

I was responsible for the entirety of 2 out of 3 projects. I handled co-ordination with clients, contractors, various vendors, etc. I learnt how to create and negotiate contracts and BoQs. I created and issued entire sets of working drawings for each of the projects.

2. Offices x 2

For one of the projects, I assisted with the drafting of the internal elevations for the carpenter on site. In the second office project, which is ongoing, I have been involved from the very start (i.e. measure drawing and design).

3. Community Centre x 1

I was involved in the planning stage and

worked on the 3D Model of the facade.

4. Commercial x 1

I was involved in the final stage of drawings. I worked on working drawings of the proposed floor layouts and details.

5. Library x 1

Small scale community Non-Profit project was managed by me from the get-go. Learnt how to explain your design to the client and how to explain drawings to the carpenter.

During the internship, I was tasked with the creation of working drawing sets and attending a site visit per week for the various residential projects I was involved in.

The biggest takeaway from this 6-month internship would be that “just because you have created a drawing and issued it to site, doesn’t mean it will get constructed the way you designed it.”

IIC, New Delhi

Renovation

The biggest intention behind designing this project was retain the ideas put forth by the original architect Joseph Allen Stein. The project was of the renovation of 3 types of hostel rooms available in the complex, namely the Suite Rooms, Double and Single Rooms.

Showcased ahead are the Proposed Interior layouts, Electrical, Lighting, Reflected Ceiling Plans, Internal Elevations, and few details.

In figs: Renders of the Suite Room for

Proposal

Suite Rooms, IIC, New Delhi

ELECTRICAL PLAN (WITH ELEVATION MARKERS)

Dharam Durbar

Redesign

(Religious and Community Centre)

The project was entrusted to RLDA after winning the competetion set up by the Trust funding this project. The intent was to redesign the samadhi, building with inclusion of new programs, such as, community kitchen, guest rooms, prayer hall, digital musuem, etc.

“In the heart of bustling Lajpat Nagar III, amidst the vibrant tapestry of New Delhi’s urban landscape, we envision a tranquil oasis of spirituality. Dharam Darbar will be a sanctuary dedicated to fostering inner peace and a deeper connection with the divine. The architecture of the new building will be imbued with a distinct visual character, inspired by the rich heritage of Sindhi culture

Fig:

Front & Side

Elevation, Dharma Durbar

Dharam Durbar Redesign

GENERATIVE IDEA : AJRAK

The Sindhi word ajrak comes from Persian language ‘ajar’ or ‘ajor’ meaning brick and ‘ak’ meaning little. Thus, ajrak means ‘little brick.’

The Spiritual and Sindhi Cultural Center’s four storey design is inspired by the intricate patterns and vibrant colors of Ajrak, a traditional Sindhi textile (comes from Persian language ajar or ajor meaning brick and -ak meaning little), eaning little brick, an idea which has been further incorporated into the design as a façade element.

The interlocking patterns of the brickwork not only pay homage to Ajrak but also symbolize unity and continuity within the community, where every brick becomes a part of the greater whole.

Ground Floor Plan

Basement Plan

First Floor Plan

Orangery in the Garden

Additions and Alterations

Residesign and Inteirors for the Bhatnagar Residence in Gurgaon.

My responsibilities included designing the Terrace Garden and Bar. I also made the working drawing set for the project, i.e. Proposed Floor Plans, Demolition Plans, Electricals, Lighting Layout, Window Schedule, Bathroom Centrelines and Plumbing, Details(Facade and Door Frame), etc. few of which have been showcased below.