I am a fervent advocate for the symbiotic relationship between design and the environment, driven by an unwavering passion to foster positive change and nurture our planet.
My architectural journey across India and the UK has instilled in me a profound respect for the principle of ‘making with’—embracing the unique essence of sites, beings, and materials—rather than simply ‘designing for.’
This approach underscores a deep care for the surrounding environment in which a structure is conceived and built.
This portfolio showcases a curated selection of projects from my recently completed MA in Interior Architecture and Design, alongside works from my professional practice and freelance endeavors in India.
It includes a diverse array of interior design, architecture, academic projects, and personal paintings, each reflecting my commitment to harmonizing aesthetics, functionality, and ecological stewardship.
academic projects
MA Interior Architecture and Design + B.Arch
Symbiosis and the Anthropause
Making with decay at the Royal Garrison Church
Traditional preservation methods and architectural education focus on human-centric concerns, often neglecting ecological contexts. This approach results in rigid, permanent structures that displace natural habitats. This thesis challenges these conventions by advocating for flexible boundaries in design, promoting adaptability and resilience. The research explores how integrating decay and multispecies entanglements can transform heritage conservation. Drawing on insights from Donna Haraway and Caitlin DeSilvey, it promotes an inclusive approach to cultural remembering, emphasizing multispecies kinship and the dynamic interplay of elements through ‘making with’ rather than ‘designing for.’ Through an interdisciplinary lens, the thesis examines the intersection of ecology, architecture, and heritage conservation. Using the concept of the “anthropause,” the Royal Garrison Church serves as a case study for developing experimental methods of making with the bird and animals that inhabit the area, drawing on site, with materials, that include both human and non-human agents. The goal is to evolve from a space exclusively for human habitation to a sanctuary fostering local habitat. This thesis embarks on an unsettling journey exploring the church’s life cycle, aiming not to erase it entirely but to strike a balance between honoring its memory and preserving it as a heritage structure.
Resonant Repurposing
Volunteering at Wymering Manor revealed a time capsule of history, where costumed storytellers breathed life into past residents. The Manor, a labyrinth of whispers and secrets, bore witness to 1500 years, its wall echoing with ghostly legends- The Ghostly Nun, Reckless Roddy and Sir Francis Austen among them. While community efforts aimed to revive it with tours and performances, the Manor suffered silently from death watch beetle infestations and structural woes. The question lingered: Was preserving this relic truly sustainable or just a sentimental pursuit? As nature encroached, the debate simmered- should this chapter yield to time’s embrace?
From a charity shop find, a polished pine headboard became my creative canvas. Rain and street commotion aged its newness, dismantling it revealed easy joints, inspiring a transformation. Pondering Richard Serra’s verbs, I reassembled the pieces, inadvertently crafting a harp with mismatched posts. Adaptation led to attaching wheels for mobility, birthing a bed-harp hybrid. Intent on manor interaction, wooden strips formed a wind sensitive, chiming ensemble. Playing this bed-harp engaged my whole being, requiring bodily movement similar to its transportation. Crafted from wood, it’s poised to attract nature’s beetles. A testament intertwining human, animal and natural elements within Wymering Manor’s narratives.
Song of Symbiosis
“Once upon a time, nestled within the ancient walls of Wymering Manor, there lay a mystical bed harp. It wasn’t just an instrument but a bridge connecting man, nature, and animals. Entranced by its enchanting melodies, I sought to enhance its harmony with the world around it.”
This collage amalgamates various influences that shaped the design process: excerpts from ‘Curated Decay: Heritage Beyond Saving’ by Caitlyn Desilvey, the specific interventions I chose to undertake, and the resonance of the bed-harp that spurred my exploration into the harmonies within decay. The crosssection of Wymering Manor reveals the emergence of plants and roots, juxtaposed with a gradual reduction in human presence across seven frames, placed over the texts of Caitlyn DeSilvey that governed the direction of the project and a simple line drawing of what the Manor used to be. Meanwhile, the background echoes with the subtle sounds of the bed-harp and birds, encapsulating the evolving essence of the space.
Elements Unveiled
A Fusion of Fabric and Nature in Design
Our Integration module led us on an intriguing journey through Eastney, Portsmouth. Our assigned site stretched from the serene and residential Ferry Road to the desolate and fenced North Cape House. We embarked on a meticulous exploration of the transect, using drawings, voice recordings, photographs, and videos to capture the essence of the surroundings. From the bustling insects and vibrant plants under our feet to the graceful swallows soaring above, we documented every detail. As we progressed, the atmosphere shifted from calm residential areas to expansive green spaces, and finally to the stark and eerie Eastney nudist beach. We delved into the historical and military significance of the site, aiming to preserve its resilient spirit. Inspired by renewable energy and the natural elements, we developed a concept
for a multi-functional space accessible around the clock, ensuring equal opportunities for all. Our physical tests with ink, fabric, and wind led us to envision a design that harmoniously blended with the surroundings. Through careful consideration and experimentation, we devised a system of fabric and curtain rails that would allow users to shape and transform the space to their needs. By respecting the existing site and enhancing its features, we revived North Cape House and created an inclusive environment that celebrated its history and provided a platform for diverse experiences.
Students: Linnéa Jakobsson, Emily Wilmer and Inchara Shetty
Threads of life
A weaving inspired cemetery landscape
Over the background of Portsmouth’s cemeteries, a tapestry of linen rope emerges weaving together the threads of past, present and future inspired by the works of Alice Hume. The project highlights the transient nature of existence from intended purpose of the space to its interaction with human and non-human beings. Guided by the ‘new materialist’ theory of Jane Bennett and the immersive EPC and colour workshops, the project is an aim at building resilient communities.
Yakshagana Kala Kendra
A climate responsive school of dance and drama
Yakshagana, a traditional theatre form originating from Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka, India, uniquely blends dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques. It is believed to have evolved from preclassical music and theatre during the Bhakti movement. The Sulthan Bathery watchtower, built in 1784 by Tipu Sultan, is located in Boloor, 4 km from the centre of Mangalore city. Today, the site is used for boat building and fishing. The commercialisation of Yakshagana has led to annual performances at Sulthan Bathery. This project aims to promote the endangered art of Yakshagana while integrating it with the site’s existing activities. The design considers Mangalore’s tropical humid climate, featuring large windows facing courtyard spaces and systems to redirect heavy rainfall into harvesting tanks. These measures help cool the spaces, which often become very warm during the day. The openness of the dance studios and spaces allows for maximum daylight and cross ventilation while minimizing the use of energy.
interior design
Professional practice and freelance works
Residence 01
SITE AREA :3000 sqft
LOCATION : Hyderabad
ROLE : Design and executions of apartment interiors
NO. OF FLOORS : 1
Residence 02
SITE AREA :5000 sqft
LOCATION : Mangalore, India
ROLE : Design, 3d modelling and rendering of penthouse interiors
NO. OF FLOORS : 2
Residence 03
SITE AREA : 1800 sqft
LOCATION : Mangalore, India
ROLE : Design, 3d modelling, rendering and execution of apartment interiors
NO. OF FLOORS : 1
Residence 04
SITE AREA : 6000 sqft
LOCATION : Mangalore, India
ROLE : Design, 3d modelling, rendering, furniture design and execution of penthouse interiors
NO. OF FLOORS : 3
architecture projects
Professional practice and freelance works
Residence 05
TOTAL BUILT-UP AREA : 14,500 sqft
LOCATION : Mysore, India
ROLE : Design, 3d modelling, rendering, furniture design and execution of exterior and interiors of the house
NO. OF FLOORS : 5
Someshwar project
This project involves a beachfront retirement community that adheres strictly to coastal zone regulations. Nestled in a more secluded section of the city, the property includes residences, clubhouses, a clinic, and care facilities. The residences consist of single and double-bedroom cottages arranged in a communal setting, with thoughtful measures to ensure privacy. To preserve the natural environment, most of the trees were preserved; instead, the cottages and other structures were designed to blend seamlessly with the existing landscape. The cottages feature large windows facing the western seaside and narrower east-facing windows to maximize cross ventilation and natural light.
volunteer work
MA Interior Architecture and Design
The Whitelands Project
Whitelands is a unique sunlight-capturing facility that absorbs approximately 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Operated for wildlife preservation, it is funded through ecological consultancy, timber sales, and education and training programs. The harvested timber is utilized in a variety of projects, primarily the construction of innovative and eco-friendly buildings.
This notable structure, the Forest Flare, was constructed during a three-day workshop at Whitelands. To promote the growth of native species, non-native red cedar trees were selectively felled, and the wood was repurposed for this workshop. This initiative highlights Whitelands’ commitment to sustainable practices and ecological balance.
