Portfolio | Harvard Graduate School of Design | 2015-2020

portfolio KARAN SAHARYA

Karan Saharya

karansaharya@gmail.com / +1(857)472-8384 / Cambridge MA

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

Harvard University Graduate School of Design Cambridge, MA Master in Design Studies | 2018-2020 Critical Conservation

Grade : Distinction

Academic Research Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab | 2019

Research with City Sciences Lab + Norman Foster Foundation Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University | 2019-20

Research focused on urban development in Delhi, India Lakshmi Mittal South Asian Institute, Harvard University | 2019

Research focused on conservation in post-colonial South Asia

University School of Architecture & Planning GGSIP University, New Delhi, India Bachelor of Architecture | 2011-2016

CPI : 73 Amity International School Noida, India Senior Secondary School | 1996-2011

Standard XII : 92.75%

Standard X : 96.4%

PUBLICATIONS & FEATURES ‘Dwelling, Development & Displacement: Politics of Space in Post-Partition Delhi’

CEPT University Press | Feb-Mar 2020 ‘The Many Lives of the Qutub Minar’

Harvard South Asia Institute | Oct 2019 ‘Exclusionary Geography: Bombay’

Harvard UD:ID | Sep 2019 ‘Perceptions of Safety: Prevention of Crime Against Women in Delhi Through Urban Design’

Dissertation project | 2014-15 ‘Celebration of a Ruin: Urban Revitalization of Siri Fort Heritage Precinct in Delhi’

Thesis project | 2015

Professional Rasika Research & Design, Noida | Lead Architect & Researcher | 2017-18 Conservation policy, heritage management, architectural design Consortium of architects, urban designers, sociologists, engineers

Dargah Heritage Management Plan, Ajmer | Govt of India

Documentation for conservation plan, Ajmer | Govt of India

Historic settlements, Kurukshetra | Govt of Haryana

Conservation management, Farrukhnagar | Govt of Haryana Vir.Mueller Architects, New Delhi | Architect | 2016-17 Urban design, architecture & interiors

Humayun Tomb Museum | Aga Khan Trust for Culture

Master plan for mixed use development

Residences, restaurants & clinics Studio Lotus, New Delhi | Intern Architect | 2015-16 Urban design, architecture & interiors

Villas, townhouses, apartments in Delhi

Commercial development in Mumbai & Lavasa

CERTIFICATES

Internship LOT-EK, New York City | Designer | 2015 Urban design & architecture

Drivelines residential development in Johannseburg, South Africa

Cultural center in Qiyun, China PLS Design, Florence, Italy | Designer | 2012 Architecture & interiors

Villas, luxury boutiques & museum Street Art India Foundation, New Delhi | Artist | 2014

Lodi Art District Project

Professional architectural license in India

Council of Architecture | 2016-25

AWARDS

Goethe Institut Berlin Max Mueller Bhawan, New Delhi, India

Zertifikat Deutsch I, II, III

Zertifikat Examination : 82%

SKILLS & INTERESTS Research Urban planning, architecture, heritage conservation, urban design, cultural anthropology, history, political science, development economics Languages English, Hindi, German Software Revit, AutoCad, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, SketchUp, Vray, Rhino, STDB GIS

Grants & Scholarships India Design Leadership Fellow - Academic Scholarship

Harvard Graduate School of Design | 2018-19 & 2019-20 Paul M. Heffernan International Travel Award

Harvard Graduate School of Design | 2019-20 Graduate Thesis Research Grant

Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies | 2019-20 Graduate Research Grant

Harvard University Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute | 2019 4th Annual MDes Research & Development Award

Harvard Graduate School of Design | 2019 Amity International School Scholarships | 2003-09 Recognition Harvard University graduate subject grades | five Distinctions (highest grade)two A’s (highest grade), four High Pass (second highest grade) Honorary Mention for Research | CEPT University Essay Prize 2019 University recognition for undergraduate architecture thesis | 2015 University recognition for undergraduate dissertation | 2014-15 Student exchange trip to Germany | Nehru Schule Neustrelitz 2010 Editor-in-Chief for school newspaper & magazine | 2008-11

CONTENTS

urban studies research projects 06 spatial politics of heritage new delhi 08 coworking spaces new york city 10 future/informal mumbai 12

urban heritage

architecture drivelines johannesburg 34 forest homes dehradun 36 house for three new delhi 36 the trees mumbai 36

urban design

dargah sharif ajmer 14

the green heart greater noida 22

celebration of a ruin new delhi 18

sarai kale khan new delhi 24

humayun’s tomb site museum new delhi 28

qiyun camp china 30 5

RESEARCH PROJECTS DWELLING, DEVELOPMENT & DISPLACEMENT POST-PARTITION PLANNING IN NEW DELHI & KARACHI Urban Planning Department, Harvard Graduate School of Design Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sai Balakrishnan | 2018 CEPT Essay Prize | Rank 5 Awaiting publication in CEPT University Annual Journal Examination of place-making processes that have shaped the epistemologies of ‘dwelling’, as these represent a lens to critically scrutinize aspirations for development in South Asian cities, in order to analyze underlying conflicts of urban identity and displacement.

HOUSING & URBANIZATION IN GLOBAL CITIES CASE STUDIES OF BOGOTA, JOHANNESBURG, MUMBAI & BEIJING Harvard Graduate School of Design & Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Advisor: Dr Alexander von Hoffman | 2019 Analyses of a) market/community factors, b) design/physical guidelines, c) financial resources, d) legal/policy frameworks and e) management/stewardship projects, focusing on informal housing and transportation.

POLITICS OF PLANNING & IDIOMS OF INFORMALITY Urban Planning Department, Harvard Graduate School of Design Faculty Advisor: Dr. Enrique Silva | 2020 Analysis of master-planning processes that have shaped development in Delhi, represents a lens to evaluate changing governmental – and growing middleclass – aspirations in post-Liberalization cities that aim to be “world class”, in order to analyze conflicts embedded within informality, slum eviction, infrastructural centralization and privatized development.

PARADOX OF MODERNIST UTOPIA Harvard Graduate School of Design Faculty Advisor: Dr Michael Herzfeld & Dr Neil Brenner | 2020 Modernist city planning was based on the premise that cartesian cartographies and sublime aesthetics would usher in an epoch of democratic unity, social order and rationality, thereby liberating nation-states from the baggage of war and empire. Yet, the methods of planning soon became a ruse for spatial segregation, political despotism and particularistic development.

PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY CRIME AGAINST WOMEN & THE DESIGN OF THE CITY University School of Architecture & Planning Faculty Advisor: Prof. Akhil Das | 2015 Analysis of scope of urban design and architecture in curtailing crime and specifically in making the city of Delhi safer for women. Examinaton of theories pertaining to crime prevention through design and specifically sexual harassment against women in public spaces. To critique the continuum between statistics and crime report data, and perception of an urban space amongst residents and users.

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VICTORIAN GOTHIC & ART DECO ENSEMBLE ANALYSIS OF UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN MUMBAI Harvard Graduate School of Design Faculty Advisors: Dr George E. Thomas & Prof. Susan Snyder | 2018 Published in UD:ID | www.ud-id.com/karan-saharya The UNESCO WHS Listing raises questions pertaining to the often exclusivist agendas of citizen-led conservation movements, and their spatial implications on the urban region – in particular for the millions of citizens. At the core lies the notional intersection of ‘authenticity’ and ‘identity’.

MONUMENTS, MEMORY & IDENTITY IN POST-COLONIAL INDIA Harvard Graduate School of Design, Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences Faculty Advisors: Dr George E. Thomas, Prof. Susan Snyder & Dr Veronika Kusumaryati | 2019 Annual MDes Research & Development Award 2019 Paul M. Heffernan Award 2019 Supported by research grant from Harvard South Asia Institute 2019 Chronologically tracing architectural conservation in Colonial India and in Britain would help understand the existing institutions that manage and control urban development in India today, that seek to shape ‘cultural identity’ as a state project. The inextricable links suggest a new lens to view the identity of post-Colonial India, and shed light on issues related to heritage, nostalgia, authenticity and cultural ethos.

CONSERVATION OF LUTYENS DELHI Harvard Graduate School of Design Faculty Advisors: Dr George E. Thomas, Prof. Susan Snyder & Prof. Rahul Mehrotra | 2019 Study of the relationship between the ideological origins and exclusivist forces of state-level conservation-planning regulations pertaining to New Delhi, because of the manner in which they have been historically devised and appropriated by state governments and the socio-political elite to maintain political and territorial hegemony.

THE BATHS OF DIOCLETIAN & ATTITUDES TOWARDS CONSERVATION IN THE HIGH RENAISSANCE Harvard Graduate School of Design Faculty Advisor: Dr Christine Smith | 2018 Michelangelo’s design for the Baths of Diocletian signals a shift in the prevailing attitudes towards conservation in the High Renaissance. Through minimal architectural interventions, he was able to ‘restore’ the building as well as the importance of the church. The use of materials indicates a search for ‘authenticity’ and the Biblical notion of ‘resurrection’, to reshape the identity of the new church, and provide a model for ‘reuse’ for generations to follow.

RELIGION & SPACE | HIDDEN HERITAGE IN HARYANA & UTTAR PRADESH Rasika Research & Design Advisor: Surbhi Gupta | 2018 From Indus River Valley Civilization that proliferated four millenia ago, to dynasts, colonists and local Rajahs alike, the soil of Haryana & Uttar Pradesh abounds with forgotten tales of valour, and warfare. This research paper traces the growth of two overlooked hamlets, home to ancient forts and palaces.

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SPATIAL POLITICS OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION AS AN AGENT OF DEVELOPMENT, SPATIAL CLEANSING & SOCIAL EXCLUSION graduate thesis project harvard university | 2019 - 2020

- Harvard South Asia Institute Research Grant - Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Research Grant - Annual MDes Research & Development Award - Paul M. Heffernan Award - Published in Ssouth Asia Institute blog & annual report

In the past, heritage studies in India have mainly focused on architectural conservation efforts to protect and maintain designated monuments. In many ways, this is the legacy of the former colonial regime, which enacted stringent preservation laws and laid the academic foundation for the predominant mode of conservation we now see in modern-day India. This is exemplified in the manner in which state agencies, advocacy groups, and academics have dealt with archaeological sites, as plots entirely removed from their urban contexts.

More than ever before, these issues are coming to light in the face of rapid urbanization, technological innovations, and majoritarian politics. This graduate thesis project interrogated the relationship between the production of urban space through preservation designations, and contemporary issues of spatial cleansing, social justice, and cultural transformation — particularly in post-colonial nations.

Thus the project connects conservation, culture, identity, urban development and their impacts on marginalized communities where land remains the principal urban resource.

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CONTEXT The focus of my study was the iconic Qutub Minar Complex, located in the ancient settlement of Mehrauli in southwest Delhi, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Qutub Minar was constructed in the 12th century and symbolized the beginning of the Islamic Sultanate in northern India. Under the British regime in the 19th century, what began as an imperial project to document ancient monuments in a new colony soon became a platform to implement preservation regulations framed by English orientalists. Post-independence, the same frameworks continue to shape the discourse around conservation. Today, given the influence of international cultural organizations, there is a tangible impact on urban “heritage” districts.

The project entailed research of local history, policy and urban planning relevant to India and Delhi, specifically.

This study aimed to develop a new understanding of historical monuments by situating them in contemporary urban contexts rather than viewing them as revered relics.

RESEARCH The creation of a heritage tourist-zone entails the removal of “blighted” informality and the superimposition of state authority to cater to international capital and foreign tourists. With this form of “development,” there is large-scale eviction of low-income, communities around the monument complex. Conservation therefore, may infringe upon the fundamental “right to the city” for many in Delhi.

Further, the monument itself has been historically used as a culturally mutable object to reiterate social and political divergences, beginning with imperialist notions of “us” and “them.” At one level, this apportions certain groups with greater “cultural capital” to organize and parcel land.

Urban segregation is on the rise — all while hundreds of households continue to deal with poor sanitation facilities, improper garbage disposal, and undrinkable water.

Two Mehraulis: Conservation Zone & the informal slum

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COWORKING SPACES OFFICE REAL ESTATE & THE SCOPE OF ADAPTIVE REUSE, NEW YORK CITY

real estate research project + GIS analysis harvard university | 2019 This research analyses the relationship between historic preservation and the real estate market, that can be used as a foundational study to understand urban cultural systems that frame conflicts inherent in making progressive places.

Conventionally, the real estate market has utilized technical and mathematical models to augment transactions, development and functions.

Yet, urban issues such as gentrification, discrimination and displacement are directly linked to the modern-day real estate market. Similarly,

while historic preservation has been viewed as an objective practice of protecting historically significant artifacts and buildings, it also represents a particularistic mode of development itself that ascribes utilitarian, aesthetic or cultural value to built space through deliberations.

Both real estate and urban preservation are deeply political processes that should be studied holistically in order to understand embedded power, politics and capital, given the impacts they have directly and indirectly on community and urban space.

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BACKGROUND

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The exponential growth of the coworking space as a real estate product has had disruptive impacts as a novel form of organized labor on the urban fabric of New York City, and America in general. The coworking space has attracted young, urban professionals, predominantly engaged as freelancers, entrepreneurs, small business owners, event planners, artists, designers and even students.

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This trend is best exemplified by the vast portfolio of WeWork, the second-biggest private office tenant in New York. Over the years, WeWork has focused its projects, almost 50% of its portfolio, in the “Class B� buildings. This designation is primarily for commercial buildings that are typically older and less expensive to rent than other recently-built offices in the market. By renovating these type of buildings “into chic, amenity-filled workspaces, the company is generating real estate value through 'VSSOP]R ` &KI 'YWMRIWW 1SGEXMSR design.�

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Identifying the creative class behind coworking spaces

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FUTURE / INFORMAL RESEARCH & DESIGN PROJECT FOR DHARAVI SLUM, MUMBAI research project + module design MIT media lab + norman foster foundation | 2019 The research proposal is an investigation on a potential infrastructure using Water & Energy Systems in the settlement of Dharavi in Mumbai. The concept for the proposal involved the use of dry & wet seasons of the city. The energy production would occur during the months of summer and the water system would work during the monsoon.

With the rapid densification in the city of Mumbai, the informal settlement of Dharavi faces challenges which could define the nature of the city’s future infrastructure. The need for immediate sanitation infrastructure, clean water, and consistent electricity are basic utilities that cannot be neglected. With the rise of flooding issues and enormous waste creation, the settlement requires quick and efficient solutions to their problem.

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TECHNOLOGY The design is an experimentation with the form of the settlement. By creating an adaptable prototype that could be installed into each household, the structure (made with modular tile construction) functions to retain the rainwater, filter it, and then distribute it through the community. The modularity of the product could help scale the infrastructure across the entire settlement and help distribute clean water. The mission is to create a self-sustaining system for providing water and electricity to Dharavi while also mitigating flood problems and adapting to the citizens needs over time to function as part of the fabric of Dharavi.

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DARGAH SHARIF HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SUFI SHRINE IN AJMER, RAJASTHAN research project + urban conservation Government of India | 2017 - 2018

Tangible Heritage Urban agglomeration around site Historical structures in the shrine complex Intangible Heritage Ancient Sufi culture & history Natural Aravali landforms & desert ecosystems

Importance of the Dargah Sharif site

The Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, is the raison dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;etre of Ajmer since the 12th century AD. It is one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in the sub-continent.

It is an Islamic mortmain managed by the Government of India. Located within the walled city of Ajmer and visited by millions of pilgrims annually, the complex has expanded organically over the last 700 years.

Today the complex is facing issues related to degrading heritage, visual clutter, poor public amenities and services, overcrowding and poor safety etc. The Govt. of India has proposed a multi-stakeholder initiative to study the significance of the site and prepare an urban management plan. The initiative is being coordinated by key Ministries as well as several state, city and site Managers, led by Rasika & ADA Consortium - a team of urban planners.

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PROJECT VISION The Dargah precinct today is plagued by numerous issues related to infrastructure, amenities and overall governance. These problems include, but are not limited to, overcrowding, lack of access to sanitation and medical facilities, improper waste disposal, lack of parking, and poor maintenance overall of valuable heritage structures.

Given the historical, cultural and architectural importance of the site, there is abundant potential to develop facilities for pilgrims and tourists at both regional and contextual levels.

The time is ripe to holistically revitalize and redevelop Ajmer as a district to enhance its value as a religious and tourist destination with a view towards sustainable development.

BUILT HERITAGE In order to realize an efficient, sustainable development plan for the Dargah Sharif precinct, it is imperative to preserve its consecrated prominence in the state of Rajasthan. Unparalleled in the state in terms of its religious, cultural and historical value, the precinct requires an overhaul on many fronts in order to sustain ecologically and economically.

The site also consists of strong, architectural axes. The hierarchy of spaces developed over the centuries provides a sense of ceremonial entry to the tomb of Khwaja Chishti. The proposed layout ensures the sanctity of these axes is preserved. Further, the site consists of a series of enclosures and courtyards, each of which hold cultural and religious significance.

Dargah Bazaar Road, 1914

Shahjahani Gate, 1914

Jhalra, 1903

Shrine doors, 1903

Historical urban morphology

Shrine, 1903 15

Infrastructural improvements to accomodate for and modernize zones integral to the shrine

This study examines the ways in which the presence of the Dargah has influenced the lives and livelihoods of the communities of Ajmer and its surroundings being a prominent pilgrimage centre. Following a methodology comprising participatory qualitative research and consultation, as also quantitative research, the study provides insight into the issues and inter-

ests of diverse stakeholders associated with functioning of the Dargah. These include implemental and governance bodies such as the Dargah Committee, district administration and municipal corporation, customary bodies like the Anjuman of Khadims, or traditional caretakers of the complex, informal groups associated with Dargah activities, shops and businesses at the city level.

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Proposal for Dargah Bazaar Road

Proposed transport hub

Nizam Gate, the primary entrance to the Dargah

Hall for food distribution to the destitute and pilgrims

Dargah shrine, grave of the saint, 12th century

Dargah Bazaar Road, organic settlement from 15th century

Akbari Masjid built in red sandstone, 16th century

Sufi cultural & music center

Shahjahani Masjid in white marble, 17th century

Proposed pilgrim facilities

Ancient step well and water catchment area â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Jhalraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Space for mystics, trav- Ancient burial ground ellers & priests with graves of saints

Proposed facilities and infrastructure for pilgrims and visitors

Nala Bazaar Road connecting the Dhai Din Ka Jhopra, the oldest mosque in northern India

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CELEBRATION OF A RUIN SIRI FORT AS A CULTURAL MICROCOSM OF DELHI undergraduate thesis university school of architecture & planning | 2014 - 2015 Developing heritage routes and their peripheries will provide the citizens and tourists with a new cultural destination, urban open spaces and work as a catalyst for the renewal of historical precincts within a city, rather than neglect them as sacrosanct relics, that are meant to be left alone in thegrowth of city, or merely restore them without regard for their post-restoration development.

This will foster a respect for art, architecture and history, all which are integral to the identity of a metropolis like Delhi, that is developing exponentially but at heart remains rooted in a fabric of tradition and cultural diversity.

Creation of a public space between existing built fabric

The design seeks to create a public, boundaryfree, pedestrian-friendly space at the heart of the city, that combines pop up architecture at a cityscale with a site of historical and cultural importance, through public-private alliance, with a centre for art, exhibition, learning and work at its core.

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LAYERS OF DEVELOPMENT

BUILT HERITAGE

networks

residential

1310 AD | TOHFEWALA GUMBAD

commercial cultural

built

museum

auditorium

asiad tower

office complex

sports arena

auditorium

1303 AD | SIRI FORT WALL

shahpurjat village

ruins gates

mohmadwali mosque fort bastion bulbulki masjid

1315 AD | MUHAMMADWALI

fort walls

1305 AD | DARWESHAH MASJID

landform

siri-qutb link forest floor

satpula drain

1982 AD | ASIAD TOWER 19

STRUCTURE PLAN The genesis of the design and zoning lay in the way the building and the public zones will face their adjencies. The site is rich in context, with one of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest auditoria, Siri Fort Auditorium sharing a boundary, along with the Commonwealth Games village.

The existing site is a Museum of Replicas and the design seeks to refurbish to make it into a boundary-free expanded space that draws in both locals as well as visitors. The site is also proximate to colleges of national repute, which makes it an ideal spot for small retail and food kiosks, as an extended heritage route through the ruins of the historical city of Siri.

The design of a cultural hub in the heart of South Delhi, with an interpretation center, amphitheater and public galleries, all along the Heritage Trail, holds the potential to become a major tourist hub.

Hierarchy of greens

Paved area for outdoor exhibition, connected to the museum galleries

Open space, outdoor galleries linked Landscape centered around ruins to residential colonies

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Office and institutional area

Heritage trail along galleries, celebrating monuments

Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest auditorium complex

Museum & cultural center, around interpretation center

Heritage trail around the fort ruins and walls

Outdoor galleries connected to sports complex

Proposed Heritage Park Existing Landscape Siri Fort Ruins Proposed Paved Landscape Existing Roadway

Shahpur Jat Heritage Park, centered around Fort Wall ruins

Outdoor galleries celebrating the history of Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medieval past

Amphitheater around Asiad Tower as the focal point of the public space

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THE GREEN HEART MASTERPLAN FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AT GREATER NOIDA

vir.mueller for | 2017 professional workMax | 2017 VMarchitect Architects were The was appointed by a private developer to design a master plan for a 60 acre site in Greater Noida, situated amidst YDVW RSHQ Ã&#x20AC;HOGV 7KH SURMHFW LQcludes the design of a 35,000 square meter educational campus, a 50,000 square meter medical research facility, a 25,000 square meter commercial and mixed use development and a 40,000 square meter residential complex, with world class sports stadia.

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STRUCTURE PLAN ABSTRACT Envisioned as a robust development situated in a dense, expansive forest of deciduous plantation, with a series of courtyards, recreation spaces and allees, the master plan is a seminal design that weds commercial viability and sustainable development. With a network of peripheral roads, the campus itself is designed for pedestrian movement and cyclists.

Site development

Schematic longitudinal section 4523

SARAI KALE KHAN URBAN REGENERATION & MULTI-MODAL TRANSIT HUB, DELHI urban design project university school of architecture & planning | 2014 The site for the urban design study was Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi. It is an important transport hub for Delhiites, with the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, the Inter State Bus Terminal and the National Highway I Ring Road forming an intersection on site, alongwith a proposed Nizamuddin Metro Station and an Intra City Bus Terminal.

Its ecological importance lies in its proximity to the River Yamuna and the Yamuna Floodplains of Zone O; the Millenium Park, which is reclaimed land; the Rajiv Smriti Van; and the Barapullah drain, a historical lifeline to southeast Delhi. The primary task was to reconcile and plan for its varied development.

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VISION constraints and lacunae, then preparing a project brief for design and its guidelines.

The vision of the urban design is â&#x20AC;&#x153;To develop a sustainable urban habitat with commercial and community based functions and a cohesive transport hub, including railways, streets, metro station and bus terminals, that positively impacts on site populace and historical and ecological fabric.

Zone A of the entire redevelopment project includes a mixed use residential complex, with row housing, tower housing, resettlement colonies, a 100-bed hospital, a community centre and a primary school. holdings and row of hotels, whilst Zone C was the Multi Modal Transit Centre, a cohesive hub of the Railway Station, the Metro Line and the Bus Terminals. The total site area under redevelopment was 23 hectare, of which 3.9 hectare has been utilised for housing and resettlement of middle- and lower-income groups of society, amounting to a total of 4,88,000 sq m of built up area and 1400 dwelling units.

Open space, outdoor galleries linked to residential colonies 25

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URBAN INTERVENTIONS The residential block consists of two types BHK and 2 BHK units, whilst the second category consists of 3 BHK and 4 BHK units.

The row housing development consists of 3 BHK and 4 BHK units. A community area is proposed with multi-purpose halls, anganwadi, utlity stores, local markets and senior secondary school.

The redevelopment project aims to impact the resettled colonies, the new housing as well as the existing urban village community.

The vision of the development is to develop landscaping in a manner on site that connects to the Barapullah green corridor; to encourage pedestrianism and NMT use on site and along the Barapullah corridor; to provide a school campus, hospital and

On-site axis

Transport linkages

Hierarchy of greens

Figure ground

site; to develop mixed use pop-up spaces for temporary structures, weekly bazaars and rentable areas for cultural events.

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PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Revitalization of the space under the Barapullah Flyover, with mixed use development around a public zone

Redevelopment of housing and commercial areas in Sarai Kale Khan urban village to create a safe, accessible urban typology

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HUMAYUNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOMB SITE MUSEUM MUSEUM FOR THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE AT NIZAMUDDIN, DELHI

vir.mueller work for The Aga Khan Trust for Culture | 2017 professional | 2017 The tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun was commissioned by his chief consort, Empress Bega Begum in 1569 and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. ,W ZDV WKH Ã&#x20AC;UVW JDUGHQ WRPE LQ WKH ,QGLan subcontinent and is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, India. It lies near the Dinpanah Citadel that the emperor IRXQGHG LQ ,W ZDV DOVR WKH Ã&#x20AC;UVW structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and since then has undergone extensive restoration work, which is complete.

Location of the museum within the Aga Khan master plan for Nizamuddin

Besides the main tomb enclosure of Humayun, several smaller monuments dot the pathway leading up to it. The site was chosen on the banks of Yamuna river, due to its proximity to Nizamuddin Dargah, the mausoleum of the celHEUDWHG 6XÃ&#x20AC; VDLQW RI 'HOKL 1L]DPXGdin Auliya.

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DESIGN The Humayunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tomb Museum commissioned by the Aga Khan Trust, aims to include a better understanding of Mughal architecture, its associated building craft traditions, and the development of the Nizamuddin areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pluralist cultural traditions. Inspired by baolis in northern India, the underground site museum with a builtup area of 9,000 sq. m. will marry modern 21st century architecture with Mughal-era craftsmanship in its design.

The principal structure, where galleries will be located, is six metre below the ground level, while the gallery block rises four feet above the ground level. The roof is treated like a Mughal garden. The museum will include galleries, library, seminar halls, crafts centre and cafeteria. Besides contemporary architecture, it will also incorporate Mughal craft traditions like stonecarving, tile-making and plasterwork.

VM Architects designed and coordinated the project with the Government of India.

Indoor galleries of the museum

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QIYUN CAMP CULTURAL CENTER FOR MOUNTAINEERS & TOURISTS IN QIYUN, CHINA professional work | 2015 The design by LOT-EK includes a 5,000 sq. ft. entrance pavilion followed immediately by a 35,000 sq. ft. market street, a 15,000 sq. ft. restaurant plaza on one of the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hills overlooking the river and a 5,000 sq. ft. aquatic sports pier in one of the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lakes.

All the buildings are made of shipping containers and prefabricated at the ArchiSpace factory near Shanghai.

Construction is underway and the park was open to the public in the spring of 2017.

Container modules that became the building blocks for the site

The aim was to draw a continuous path with design interventions throughout the site. The challenge faced during design development was to work on a heavily contoured site to create an interesting yet accessible path.

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Observation deck, visitor facilities

Reception area, administration block, mountaineer facilties

Cafe, lounges, residential zone

Skylight at the cultural center

Cultural center, camp facilties, storage center

Open deck, outdoor galleries

Trellises in the mountain camp

Residential zone for mountaineers, campers 31

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DESIGN The main entrance building inwith an open deck. The restaurant building encloses a semi-open deck shaded with tensile structure and steps leading to the lake. The market as well as the restaurant buildings hold booths to provide the visitors with appropriate gear for adventure sports.

The interiors have a minimalistic highlight of the structural features exposed in the rooms, with the remaining being covered with laminated wood suitable for the highly humid conditions of the site.

The bottom rails as well as the top chords have been painted with a bold colour to create a statement within the simple surroundings indoors.

Observation deck

The cross-grilled frames acts as a seating for the decks above and derneath. A number of decks were provided in the three design interventions to offer the visitors a view of the mountains and the lakes.

A set of container modules was designed in order to provide a set of basic shapes to be used individually or in combinations to make spaces designed. A tilted container module was designed especially to accommodate the staircases.

Campersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; units

Reception lobby 3733

DESIGN All studios include a private open space that looks into the yard at DOO Ă RRUV The residential building consists of three diferent unit types, namely Studio apartments, Alcove apartments with an extended porch, and a Studio + Alcove apartment that is a combination of the former two and features a larger living space with an extra bedroom in the alcove area.

The project entailed preparation of all drawings and setting up renders to detail the building as part of design development and preparing a tender set as well as a council set for administrative clearances.

North-west view of the development

DRIVELINES MIXED USE URBAN INTERVENTION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

LOT-EK for work Drivelines professional | 2015| 2015 The team at LOT-EK were apCentral courtyard proached by the developers at Propertuity in South Africa to design a mixed use residential and commercial building in the Maboneng district of Johannesburg.

The uniqueness of the building lies in the fact that the existing facade and garage at the ground level is being retained and nine QHZ Ă RRUV DUH EHLQJ LQVHUWHG DOO made up shipping containers.

Studies of the proposed physical development

brand new building. LOT-EK was commissioned by Propertuity to design a live-work building with JURXQG Ă RRU UHWDLO LQ WKH 0DERneng Precinct in Johannesburg.

As a leader in urban regeneration, over the past few years Propertuity has single handedly transformed the heart of the Maboneng precinct into a vital hub of leisure, cultural and commercial life. The building introduces housing in this urban mix.

The concept of shipping container architecture brings with it a new The massing is organized in a V stylisation into the mix of the ur- VKDSH RYHU DQ H[LVWLQJ VLQJOH Ă RRU ban fabric and is at the same garage building transformed into time an innovative way to utlise retail and parking. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;transferâ&#x20AC;? old, discarded containers. Such Ă RRU EHWZHHQ WKH H[LVWLQJ EXLOGLQJ a development would be iconic and the new structure becomes an in aesthetic and sustainable as open yard space with swimming an environmentally friendly ap- pool, Services & structure of the development sundeck, gym and restaurant. proach to use waste to create a 33

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DESIGN All studios include a private open space that looks into the yard at DOO Ă RRUV The residential building consists of three diferent unit types, namely Studio apartments, Alcove apartments with an extended porch, and a Studio + Alcove apartment that is a combination of the former two and features a larger living space with an extra bedroom in the alcove area.

The project entailed preparation of all drawings and setting up renders to detail the building as part of design development and preparing a tender set as well as a council set for administrative clearances.

North-west view of the development

Central courtyard

Studies of the proposed physical development

Interior view of the Studio unit residenceServices

& structure of the development 35

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FOREST HOMES RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS professional work | 2017 VM Architects were commissioned by a large private developer to design and coordinate the residential development in Dehradun, in the lap of the Malsi forest.

The verdant site lies on the foothills of the Himalayas.

The project required the architects to design four different typologies for residences, each unit of which maximises the views of the forest and celebrates nature.

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DESIGN With large apertures, local building materials, clean modernist forms, terraces and private gardens, the residences celebrate the Malsi forest and seek to provide the inhabitants with sprawling views of nature. This project is currently under construction. The team was responsible for each stage of the projct, from concept design to construction management.

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HOUSE FOR THREE RESIDENCE, NEW DELHI professional work | 2016

The building has been designed by Studio Lotus for three siblings and their families, based out of New Delhi. The brief from the clients required the architects to design the house in a manner that provides the three families with equal habitable area and maximum privacy. The three duplexes were conceptualized upon this basic premise and therein lay the biggest challenge for the architects.

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DESIGN The architecture of the building is characterized by the use of slender metal C-sections that intersect rhythmically to create a porous facade, set against a backdrop of brick and timber elements. The play of heights, voids and apertures gives a voluemtric play to the structure. This gives a sense of opennes, which is reiterated in the way landscapeing fuses with the massing, with quaint pockets of green giving an overall sense of tranquility.

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THE TREES MASTERPLAN FOR COMMUNITY LIVING AT VIKHROLI, MUMBAI

Studio Lotuswork for |The Trees | 2015 professional 2016 - 2017 The Grove is a critical element of ‘The Trees’, an upcoming 34-acre ÁDJVKLS PL[HG XVH GHYHORSPHQW with residential, retail, hotel and corporate workspaces amidst a dense mangrovebelt located in Vikhroli, Mumbai. The architect was brought in to create the clubhouse as a key differentiator in the scheme. The team outlined its function in the plan as a node, which would be expressed as a collection of objects abstracted from the memories of the site.

Creation of axes, developing landscape by preserving allee

Symptomatic of the contiguous scheme, the massing integrates a principal axis of existing raintrees with a hierarchy of activitiesspanning sports, wellness, and recreationin a sensitive response to the retail edge and residential blocks.

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Present and proposed vegetation is enmeshed into the concept as a connecting element, which screens and reveals its many chapters. The external expresVLRQ KDV EHHQ HPSKDVL]HG DV D UHÁHFtance of its surrounding scale: more “outside in” than “inside out”.

Hence the outdoors is articulated with sculptural spines and articulated outlines whereas the indoor experience is kept seamless at ground level.

Public swimming pool with outdoor lounge area

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Recreation zone with cafe

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Reception & public gallery

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Schematic transverse section

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PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY documentation of urban heritage

Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary Rajasthan, India

Peter and Paul Fortress St Petersburg, Russia

Trinity Cathedral Sergei Posad,Russia

White villas Santorini, Greece

Charles Bridge Prague, Czech Republic

Blue boats Aegean Sea, Greece

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Winter road Pahalgam, India

Nubra Valley Ladakh, India

Ponte Vecchio Florence, Italy

St Gilgen Lake Salzburg, Austria

Sheikh Zayed Road from the Burj Khalifa Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Pangong Lake Ladakh, India

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KARAN SAHARYA