Fragment design with wall as precedent
PORTFOLIO
Gauri Mirashi
Contents
/Bors Residence
/Chau Residence
Projects at MASON Architects
/Rebuilding Greenville
Property in crisis - Advanced Studio
/The Territorial City
Edge of Megalopolis - Advanced Studio
/Multi Art Institute
Architectural Design Thesis
/Satara Municipal Council
Professional Practice
/Light House
Professional Practice
/Project Management
Navyanagan & Uplife
Bors Residence
Architecture and Interiors project at MASON Architects
Site Location : Woodside, California
The owners purchased the gently sloping one-acre property in 2014. As their family has grown, the original 1600 sf house has become too small for the active family. They wish to create a larger modern home that better meets their family’s lifestyle and needs and retain the original house as part of the redseign to be used as an ADU.
The existing house and garage are situated almost in the center of the pie-shaped property creating the need to place the proposed new residence towards the south side of the property and partially aligned with the side setback. The one and two-story design creates a family courtyard by aligninh the living spaces of the new house with the existing house (to be renovated into a home for a parent to age in place). The bedroom wing is aligned with the southern setback line to allow the rear yard to become an outdoor family activity space with a play lawn and the pool. This site alignment also creates an optimal indoor-outdoor relationship which is one of the project’s design goals.
Rear View
Front View
During the Bors Residence project, I collaborated closely with colleague Shengrui and Peter to brainstorm spacing plans and design options, creating 3D models in SketchUp and 2D drawings in AutoCAD to visualize our concepts. Simultaneously, I worked on detailed construction drawings under the guidance of Job Captain Yuki. I also communicated with consultants and the Woodside Building Department throughout the building permit process. Additionally, I studied structural and civil drawings to extract essential data and integrate it accurately into the architectural drawings, ensuring a cohesive and well-coordinated design
Construction Drawings for Building Permit Submittal
Rear View
Front View
Construction Drawings for Building Permit Submittal
Additionally, I took on the responsibility of the Building Permit Submittal for two ADU projects under the guidance of Job Captain Yuki. I managed the entire application process, from the initial design steps- 3D exploration, 2D Drawings, to coordinating with clients and consultants. I curated comprehensive construction documentation, ensuring every detail was covered. For these two projects, I was deeply involved in all phases of the design and construction work, contributing to both the creative and technical aspects.
Edward’s Residence
Rezk’s Residence
Rebuilding Greenville
“Property in Crisis”
Theme : Housing
Location : Greenville, California
Instructor and Academic Period : Janette Kim, Fall 2022
Co-Auther : Arjay Jimenez California College of the Arts
Building Center helping Greenville rebuild faster
Housing shortages were already a problem in Plumas County even before the Dixie Fire, and were further exacerbated after the fire burned nearly 1 million acres in 2021. Rebuilding will take time, resources, and workers, which the remaining community, including their displaced members, are prepared for. While it might not be quick learning these new practices, there is a community waiting, wanting to come back home.
Our Building Center is owned by the community. A community bank such as Plumas bank is ideal compared to national banks due to the fact that it invests in the community through donations, sponsorships, and events that benefit their customers.
Incremental Housing Phase Diagram
In this Diagram, we show what is currently present in the town of Greenville, as well as government regulations that are preventing the rebuilding from being done in a more timely manner. In response, we propose the creation of a community owned Building Center that manages rebuilding and passing the knowledge to the community and visitors.
Resource Flow Diagram
Learning hub
Manufacturing Hub
Taking Cues from the Spatial Organization
Learning Hub with the Core
Fragment Design
Building Center learning space
The passage becomes connector between Learning & Manufacturing Hub
Implementing Design ideas from Fragment Design
Building Center connecting corridor
We created a design that works in two parts. First is a builders’ center containing a factory for building modular homes and workshop spaces where members of the community and visitors can exchange construction knowledge. Second is a series of modular housing units that can be constructed throughout Greenville and beyond. The Center will not only provide the tools to not only build modules, but also help build knowledge on how to expand the idea in the future.
Carve out
Pull up
Rebuilding Greenville
The main idea of the builder’s center is to have classrooms that will have teaching sessions to access the tool library, maker spaces, and the workshop. The tool library itself is a way for the community and visitors have full access to different tools that they learn how to use in the classrooms.
As you can see, the Building Center is compartmentalized between learning and social spaces such as classrooms and studio spaces, and building spaces that include the tool library and workshop with pocket spaces allowing the community and visitors to see what is being built or being taught.
Within the Center is where people can not only design, but build their modules as well. Once the rebuilding is complete, the workshop can transition from working to build modular units for the town and surrounding communities to building Greenville branded furniture, further contributing to the local economy
Section showing program activities in the Building Center
Community College Network
“Territorial City”
Theme : Transit oriented development, Education, Economy
Location : Central Valley, California
Instructor and Academic Period : Neeraj Bhatia, Spring 2023
Co-Auther : Arjay Jimenez
California College of the Arts
Research indicates anywhere from 9 to 47% of the workforce could be holding jobs at risk of being automated. Workers with lower levels of education and those who perform more routine tasks are most vulnerable to the effects of automation
The Central Valley is known for its material industries ranging from agriculture, construction, and logistics. Through our research , we found that with the construction of the High Speed Rail connecting the Central Valley to Coastal Cities, the major industries will start to shift as the industries from the coast come in, bringing more immaterial industries into the economy, and threatening the livelihood of the original residents of the region.
Central Valley’s Economy is known for its Agricultural endeavors, producing over 25% of the United States’ food supply. This is in contrast to coastal regions, specifically ones like the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, or LA where the main industry is technology and entertainment.
The Vicious Cylce
Impediments to Education in Central Valley
Educational Attainment levels of Central Valley residents
Percentage of residents male and female with no Bachelors degree
There are 14 community colleges in Central Valley, which, to varying degrees, are key contributors to training Central Valley residents in skills for in-demand jobs in target sectors.
8 in 10
California State University, Stanislaus
$6,566
Fresno Pacific University
$19,000
California State University, Stanislaus
$6,566
California State University, Bakersfield
$7,454
Distance from Selma to Nearest Colleges
believe that there is not enough government support for scholarships and grants.
Student borrowers pay an average of $2,186 in interest each year, and the average student borrower spends roughly 20 years paying off their loans. Past recessions prompted cuts in state funding to the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU), and tuition tripled between 1995–96 and 2011–12.
How do we Leverage Automation?
Jobs that feature these skills tend to be more resistant to automation
Social & Emotional interaction
Active listening
Technical Expertise Critical thinking
A local warehouse janitor loses the job due to automation
He’s been given proper support and training to get upskilled
He has a higher paying job at that warehouse, such as monitoring and repairing that machine
Workers can mitigate job loss by gaining a combination of skills needed for what’s termed in-demand jobs or those fastest growing occupations that are creating jobs
Top Middle-Skill, Middle-Wage or Higher Occupations Job Openings in Central Valley
Heavy and Tractor-trailer
Licensed
Supervisors of production and operating workers
Computer User Support Specialists Medical Technicians
Dental Hygienists Mechanics and Installers
Strategies used to overcome the impediments
Total Projected Job Openings 2012-2025
Labor
Spatial Organizaton
FIFTH FLOOR
SEMI PUBLIC/PUBLIC
- Classrooms/Screening rooms - Learning studio
FOURTH FLOOR
PRIVATE
- Large Learning Studios - Conference rooms
THIRD FLOOR
PUBLIC - Child Care - Student Union - Food court
SECOND FLOOR
SEMI PRIVATE/PRIVATE - Large Learning Studio - Super Lab - Classrooms/Screening rooms
GROUND FLOOR
PUBLIC - Primary care - Multi-Specialty Center
Connectivity
Education model proposal
Effective learning Models for the students Project Proposal
Hands on learning
Collaborative Projects
Experiential Learning
Direct Instruction
To increase the connectivity and visibility between the floors, the floor plane is cut to create ramps that connect these floors.
The Ramps will provide a unique opportunity to enhance connectivity and visibility between the floors, allowing people on different levels to interact more easily. SPLIT
Flexibility
Super labs
large Learning studio Student
SPACES IN BETWEEN Interesting spaces in betweeen the
are created. Posibility of different
First floor
First floor
Second floor
Third floor
Fourth floor
Fifth floor
View from the Platform
View of the Atrium
View from the Entrance
Multi Art Institute
Architectural Design Thesis
Theme : Recreational, Interdisciplinary
Location : Pune, Maharashtra, India
Instructor and Academic Period : Neha Joshi, Spring 2019
Role : Individual project
Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture
Multi Art Institute is a multidisiplinary cultural and performing arts institute, a way to further explore how architecture can help create a space that showcases the art in way that engages more than one sense. Combining a wide variety of art forms, such as dancers with poets, painters with filmmakers or sculptors with musicians, it aims to provide a variety of stages in which the resident are free to explore the collaboration of different arts in a way to leave an imprint on the community.
Multi Art Institute is a place where we deal with nature, communication, creation, aesthetics. The design project also serves the social roles of fostering collaborative effort, revealing artistic process, and providing public access to art. The Art institute comprises of School of Painting, Dance, Drama & Music. It also has elective courses that students can study on the side.
Main Idea
View from Administration block to Academic Block
Site Plan showing program activities : learning spaces, open space and Exhibition space
The open space is designed in such a way it encourages interaction between individuals & groups by acting as a social condenser to bring people, ideas, and art together in one building, establishing an environment that promotes creative thought process.
The roof is been divided into three different areas by the four main walls. It the opening is overlooking the entrance lobby of the academic block.
The seemlessly connected terraces to the classrooms yeild the sense of fluidity. The passage that connects the classroom and terraces overlooking the courtyard below render visual connectivity across the two levels.
Carefully articulated volumes give rise to intreguing spatial dynamics within. The transition of spaces from semi open to closed to open give a sense of openess to closed spaces as well. It enables indoor - outdoor connection.
Exploded View of Academic Block
Ground Floor
First Floor
Terrace
Qualities of shape, colour, texture, scale and proportion
The design features four distinct colors representing four different academic blocks: Painting, Dance, Drama, and Music. Each block is uniquely shaped and sized, highlighting the individuality of every student artist and their unique skill set. Together, they form a vibrant and diverse art community
Formation of the four main walls
Design of openings
A liberal way of education
Studio Open space Classroom
View of Academic block from outside showing the pockets of interaction
View of the courtyard
View of the connecting path to terrace
SATARA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Professional Practice
Project type : IIA competition project
Location : Satara, Maharashtra, India
Principal Architect : Pratik Devi
Role : Junior Architect
Prakriya Design Studio
A municipal council building is one of the most important place in a city or a town as it is the place from where the citizens get governed by the government body.It is a place where people expect easy and comfortable governing process to help them lead a quality life in the city. Typically people have perceived government buildings to be very rigid and unwelcoming in terms of working and their overall physical environment. The idea of Municipal Council building in Satara is to have welcoming a
building which generates positive energy among the citizens who are the main stakeholders of the city. The building provides a quality public space as well and controlled administrative space for the people. The building demonstrates porosity with respect to public spaceand acts as a connector. It also provides opportunity to become a prominent public space with the administrative and commercial context around it. The proposed passi-
ve techniques have been used to keep the building cool even in summers. The glass roof above the atrium helps hot air to rise which gets ventilated by the sides. The terraced landscape on the south side cuts down the harsh sun light thus reducing the load on mechanical ventilation. The overall form of the building will create an iconic frame for the citizens and the visitors and enhance the image of Satara city.
Body - Pure white surface
Head - Pure white surface
Plinth - Body - Head
The building has been designed as a connector to have easy public movement from one side to another. This movement is at two levels from ground as well as first floor of the building.
The form and planning of the building takes inspiration from the traditional ‘Wada’ planning basics.The building forms edge to the street and creates atrium within. The plan is based on the traditional planning with references to traditional spaces life ‘Osari, ’Devadi’ , ‘Baithak’, ‘Chowk’, ‘Kacheri’, etc. in modern format.
The physical appearance of the building also takes clues from the form of a ‘Wada’ with black basalt stone base or the plinth, main body with pure white plastered surface and amphitheatre and solar panels as head again in pure white color. Green technologies like community water in coordination with government buildings in the vicinity will help to create a sense of ownership for the natural resource among the people.
Ground floor
First floor
Ground floor
The idea of giving a quality space was to consider people coming from maller towns & villages around for work who may spend time in the building for almost an entire day and need to relax in between. Thus the building demonstrates porosity with respect to public and acts as a connector. The building proposes civic and commercial typology of building having seamless public space on ground as well as upper levels of the building. This typology will set a precedent for the commercial buildings in the surrounding where multiple levels of buildings will be connected horizontally.
The public circulation in the building is seamless on ground and first floor for the people to access public areas on the first three floors. Equal importance is given to multiple entry points in the front and the back side people visiting the building from multiple directions of the city. The location of the cafe creates a social node for the hospitals and offices around where it becomes a shared public space.
Demonstration of proposed (Future) Urban Edge with public spaces on multiple levels
The building demonstrates the future urban edge generated to give a vibrant public street experience. Massing is achieved at two levels, one at the ground as well as the upper level connecting multiple buildings at multiple levels.
Retail Area
Public Promenade
Light House
Professional Practice
Project type : Residential Project
Location : Baramati, Maharashtra, India
Principal Architect : Pratik Devi
Role : Junior Architect
Prakriya Design Studio
Reviving an Old Core House: Transforming Inconvenience into Comfort
Situated amidst the bustling streets of Baramati, Maharashtra, an old house awaited a revival. The family of doctors sought to address the inconveniences caused by the outdated design. Their primary concern was the lack of adequate light and ventilation, which posed a significant challenge in the cramped area. The presence of neighboring buildings and a narrow street obstructed both sides of the property.
Furthermore, the renovation needed to accommodate the requirements of the clinic on the ground floor. Despite the complexities involved, this project proved to be an immensely gratifying exercise in problem-solving, as we set out to breathe new life into the space while adhering to the clients' wishes.
The design's standout feature is the inclusion of cutouts, strategically placed above the living room and dining area. These additions serve a dual purpose: they enhance the illumination and ventilation in these spaces while creating an illusion of greater spaciousness. The flooring pattern throughout the house boasts a distinctive and unique design
By removing certain existing walls, we successfully achieved a sense of openness and spaciousness within the house. This strategic decision allowed for a more fluid and uninterrupted flow between different areas, creating a harmonious connection between spaces. It also facilitated better sightlines, enabling visual connectivity between different areas of the house.
Second floor plan (Residence)
Third floor plan (Residence)
Second floor plan (Residence)
Third floor plan (Residence)
Project Management
Professional Practice
Project type : Residential Project
Location : Pune, Maharashtra, India
Role : Project Manager / Architect
Avior Enterprises
Details of project Navyangan : FSI area (sq. m.): 1,52,515.94 sq. m.
FSI area (sq. m.): 61,344.04 sq. m.
BUA area (sq. m.): 2,13,860 sq. m.
In my role as a Senior Architect for Avior, a real estate company, I had the privilege of coordinating with various consultants, including Structural, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing), and Landscape experts, to ensure smooth project execution. This involved actively solving on-site issues and addressing design challenges as they arose. Leading a team of dedicated site engineers and contractors, I was responsible for overseeing their work and ensuring its alignment with the project objectives.
In addition to my coordination responsibilities, I enthusiastically undertook the task of designing the landscape for these projects. Leveraging my expertise, I created outdoor spaces that harmonized with the overall architectural vision, adding aesthetic appeal and enhancing the livability of the developments.
Floor plan for building D2
2BHK unit isometric view
Details of project Uplife : Total project area (sq.m.) : 22375.51 Sq. m.
Total BUA area (sq. m.) : 431751.96 Sq. m.
Additionally, I successfully undertook the design of medium-sized housing projects, utilizing my creative and technical skills to create functional and aesthetically pleasing living spaces. These projects allowed me to explore innovative design concepts while considering the unique needs and aspirations of the future residents.
Project Uplife
View of the Entrance and the Clubhouse : Project Uplife