Khushi Nada | Undergraduate Architecture Portfolio | Nirma University

PORTFOLIO

Khushi Nada

I’m a passionate individual with love for architecture, photography and socializing. I am captivated by the power of design in architecture and the art of framing unique perspectives and moments, through lens . I am equally intrigued by diverse cultures and enjoy immersing myself in different communities to understand their challenges and find creative solutions. Exploring the world, connecting with people, and making a positive impact through my interests is what truly drives me.

Mobile No : 9909005448

Email ID : 20bar022@nirmauni.ac.in

Educations :

2020 HSC : P.P.Savani Vidhyabhavan , Surat

Present : Nirma University , Ahmedabad

Experiences :

2019 : Internship With Pooja Kukadiya (Freelancer)

2022 : Documentation And Digital Team

2023 : Documentation Team Head

Workshops :

BIM Design (Revit)

Photography (Architectural)

Pottery Making (Manual skill)

Metal Craft (Material Knowledge)

Parametric Design (Rhino)

Graphic Signage Design

Skills :

Mapping : Q GIS

Drafting : AutoCAD

Rendering : Enscape , Revit

Graphics : Indesign , Photoshop , Illustrator

Related Study Programe :

2021 : Pol House Documentation , Ahmedabad

2022 : Field Studio , Uttarakhand

2023 : Field Studio , Varkala

Competitions :

2021 : ANDC Trophy , NASA India

2022 : HUDCO Trophy , NASA India

2022 : Solar Decathlon

2023 : Archmello

Conference :

2022 : NASA 65th All India Convention

2022 : International Conference On “ Future Is Urban “

2023 : NASA 66th All India Convention (Upcoming)

Achievement :

2021 : Best Architectural Photography Award , Nirma University.

2022 : Best Photography Award

On Women Empowerment , NU

Interests :

3D Modelling : Sketchup , Revit , Grasshopper

Manual : Photography , Sketching , Model Making

Language : Hindi , Gujarati , English

Architectural Photography

Hands On Model Making

3-D Modelling

03.

Nadi

05.

Zatkan Ni Pol

Documentation RSP - 2021

Page : 32 - 35

06.

Devbhoomi

Uttarakhand Field Studio - 2022

Page : 36 - 41

07.

Dakshin Kashi

Varkala Field Studio - 2022

Page : 42 - 47

08.

Ashraya

NASA competition - 2021

Page : 48 - 49

Between walls

Category : Community Space

Contextual studio , Individual

Year : Sem II , 2021

Software : Autocad , Photoshop , Sketchup

Location : Hypothetical

This specific studio’s goal was to evaluate the context and organise various functions in ‘L’-shaped space enclosed by a 9M high wall with only two points of access. In that space, we wanted to build a community centre that would incorporate needs like a doctor’s cabin, pharmacy, library, public restrooms, and an isolation ward. Since it was a community centre, my objective was to provide areas where people could gather and engage as well as areas where they could read, chat, and share information. Including elements like chabutra, otla, terraces provide interesting spaces for activities like making papad, pickles etc. as well as for casual chit-chats and to play games. Bridges serve as links between spaces on upper level and also provides area from where visitors may view the entire site and enjoy themselves with their friends.

1. Pharmacy 2. Doctor’s Cabin 3. Library 4. Washroom 5. Walking Bridge 6. Isolation Ward

Chai tapri

Seating Space

Otla

Chabutra

Benches

Terrace for gathering , drying of grocery etc.

Walking Bridge

Balcony For Isolated People

1. Pharmacy 2. Doctor’s Cabin 3. Library 4. Washroom 5. Walking Bridge 6. Isolation Ward

Kutumb - Co-living Space

Category : EWS Housing

Housing Studio , Individual

Year : Sem IV , 2022

Software : Autocad , Photoshop , Revit , Sketchup

Location : Afzal Khan No Tekro , Ahmedabad

The design brief asked for designing EWS Housing complex to accommodate an existing community of four hundred people with diverse family living arrangements. It included joint, nuclear, and twin-based families. The residential units were categorized into three typologies based on carpet area, that are spread across the site measuring 14,000 square meters.Neighborhoods without interaction are just clusters of houses. Unless people talk to each other a community is never a lively space. I intended to design spaces using adaptations from the vernacular architecture of Ahmedabad such as courtyards and the strength of the spatial cluster to bring people togethe. The site’s anchors, a mosque and a tomb are given axial roads for access. Vehicular path runs along the perimeter and into the core of the sacred site, with pedestrian traffic being carefully directed around the clusters and public open areas.

Old wall around the neighbourhood

Commerial spaces near the road for better opportunity

Temple (Significant Node)

Available transportation (BRTS)

Women of the house run small scale businesses

People of several religions coexist in one community.

Masjid (Important Hotspot)

Site : Afzal Khan No Tekro

Dargah

Important places are centralised for community to act “together as one”.

Various type of dwellings offer choice of selection, preference & affordability.

Playing with sectional profiles & volumes for ventilation of the building.

Orientation of the cluster in such a way that it creates hierarchy of the street.

Every floor gets its own ground , to perform their daily activities and establashing connection to the neighbours

Lower level has been kept empty for shops , market , parking , community spaces to create sources of income.

Conceptual Illustrations

Nodes were developed to support the daily operations of communities. Additionally , It can have intervention like otla for sitting , chabutra as a landmark , chai tapri (gathering zone) , shops , etc.

Parking has been maintained close to the front road to limit vehicular access which creates a safer environment for young children and the elderly.

market to be held. which may include parking etc.

Massing Of The Site

The site’s centre was designed with community areas for easy access and movement. It transitions between semi-shaded and doube-heighted spaces.

Due to the masjid’s location, communities have grown around it.

Basement level kept empty for local businesses like bangel making , papad making , tailor shop , market ,grocery store , etc.

Shared Spaces

Ground For Different Amenities

Double Height

Sections

Exploded View Of Cluster

30 sqm also include a communal area and balconies with views.

Periodic shared areas for the 45 sqm units.

Larger families are housed in 60 sqm units.

Nadi Kinaare

Category : Incubation centre

Institutional Studio , Individual

Year : Sem V , 2023

Software : Autocad , Photoshop , Sketchup

Location : Riverfront , Ahmedabad

The studio’s goal was to create an architectural incubation centre at a site on the river bank where the river serves as a link between old and new city fabric. Due to its excellent position close to the river, site offers a great opportunity to create an interactive experience. My initial observations abot the location were about its peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, with soft winds whispering through the trees along the riverbank. The serenity along with the gradual swinging of the leaves and the rhythmic sound of the wind aids in relaxing the mind and body.This helps in creating a special connection with one self to the river. In my design I wanted all of my spaces to have this kind of experience. Also , brief demands various spaces where hiearchy of functions matter alot . Simultaneously, we had to work on aspects like materiality , structure , services , circulation , site development etc.

Site

Sabarmati River

Riverfront

Flower Park

Atal Bridge Tagore Hall

Sabarmati River : connects two different part of the city .

In response to the context , orientation of the building helps for wind to flow through all the spaces.

Steps are important to guide you through the journey and simultaneously , acting as multifunctional element of the site.

Darker areas (galiya) try to frame the journey as one gets closer to the river before it opens out into stairs.

Urban Skyline :shows transformation, growth , development of the city in every possible aspects.

Ahmedabad features an urban skyline on its western side and a historic city core on its eastern side. So the site acts as a connecting point of both sides of city.

This site acts as a buffer space between overly crowded old city and the river.

On the site , As one nears the river, darker spaces(galiya) attempt to frame the journey and it opens into the steps. The circulation of the building is done at right to left for better interaction between people.

The steps , serves as the area’s principal feature because the site is close to the riverbank. For the water to be touched , Steps are crucial since they serve as a roadmap for your trip and a multipurpose element

Interior of the spaces are exposed to the exterior through overlooking balconies.

idea was to accommodate the function between parallel walls where its two parallel sides are thick massive walls while other two sides are completely open.

Double height spaces for jury , workshop etc.

Working Drawing (Ongoing Semester)

SECTION 2

SECTION 3

SECTION 4

Zatkan Ni Pol

Category : Measure drawing

Related Study Programme , Group of Three

Year : Sem III , 2021

Software : Autocad

Location : Pol House , Ahmedabad

Pol houses are traditional housing clusters with narrow streets and units built in close proximity to each other. These pol houses are unique architectural marvels that showcase the city’s rich heritage and offer a glimpse into its past. The purpose of this curriculum was to learn about anthropometry and spacial dynamics via measuring individual homes, understanding the use case and performance of various materials and learning about the construction methods and structural systems of a vernacular house. In addition, we also learned about the climatic considerations and how little interventions can help. Plans, reflected ceiling plans, electrical layout, sections, elevations and Door / window / staircase details were all documented. (This documentation was checked and submitted to Ahmedabad Municipal Cooperation under Heritage City Documentation Project.)

First Floor Plan

Section B-B’

Section C-C’

Front Elevation

Devbhoomi

Category : Field Studio

Related Study Programme , Pair

Year : Sem IV , 2022

Software : Autocad

Location : Thandi Village , Uttarakhand

This programme was carried out in collaboration with Development Alternatives (Delhi), who were present in the areas of our site due to their involvement in livelihood and building systems. We spent three weeks in the Garhwal region, where we learned about settlement planning, vernacular construction techniques, factors affecting design construction such as terrain, material availability, duration of construction, different techniques, sustainence against natural disasters, etc. In addition to that, we learned about their vibrant culture, numerous festivals, people and their way of life,jobs and sources of revenue, etc. We suggested new homestay design, earthquake resillience measures in a building, and waste - water management systems in accordance with case studies and site analysis of their villages and dwellings as our proposals to the identified issues.

Old Thandi : Area of Study

Grocery store plays an important role being the only place to buy supplies. .

An important node which acts as a gathering place was chai ki tapri. This is where all discussions with chai ki chuski take place.

Ramleela Maidan serves as an important venue for public gathering. Here, Gram Panchayat meetings are organised with other celebrations and festivals including Pandav Leela and Ramleela.

The intersection of all the routes at the node of the settlement of Thandi.

Chakki and tailor shop

This traditional home was built more than 70 years ago using mud plaster, patal roofing, stone masonry, and wood joinery. This home is still in use despite experiencing two earthquakes, which demonstrates the resilience of vernacular architecture.

While the lower floor of the house is used to keep cattle and as storage, the upper floors are used by the occupants where each room acts as a home with its own kitchen and living space. Attic is accessible from each room which is used for storing wood and grains.

Disaster Resillience :

Cross bracing in rafters

Gable band for reinforcement

Collar beams for supporting rafters

Nailed patals

Seismic band at eave level to support gable wall

Band at floor and eave level

By paying attention to detail and by Introduction of some elements a huge difference In the strength of the building can be made. These systems developed over time are appropriate for the context and have to be continued. They should not be discarded in the race of mondernisastion.

Dakshin Kashi

Category : Field Studio

Related Study Programme , Group of Five

Year : Sem V , 2023

Software : Autocad , Sketchup

Location : Varkala , Kerala

Objective of this programme was to comprehend and study the context in terms of land use, built-unbuilt spaces, building typology, road network, and landscape while identifying activity hotspots, negative zones, constraints and opportunities in the site. We got to know about the city planning aspects, coastal regulations (CRZ’s) and its impact on the typology of construction and sewage treatment methods at city scale. We tried to empathise with people, lifestyle and culture while learning about the major source of income, historical significance, tourism management and future proposals etc. We proposed built and unbuilt strategies as points of intervention for activating / improving the zones of interest for efficient use of resource and betterment of the tourism in the North cliff area. We further presented our work to Varkala’s community and government officials in order to better understand their issues and feasibility of our proposals.

Part Area Mapping & Analysis

Old buildings (Legal in accordance to CRZ laws)

Barren

Narrow street with commercial front

Hotels and Homestays accessible from front

open plots (Owned by residents)

Proposals:

1. 3.

2. 4.

Proposed Site Condition

Temporary Structure

Existing Structure

Existing Resorts

Buffer Spaces

Vehicular Path

Pedestrian & Cycle Path

ASHRAY - ANDC Competition

Location : Kudasan , Gandhinagar

Our design aims to solve prominent issue of quality of life outside Of work. These men, women and their families have practically no lives outside of their workplace. Having extensive work hours and then coming back To live in a mundane tin box leaves little room for socialising and spending Quality time with friends and family.

In our design proposal we’ve created multiple community spaces to encourage social lives and unite the community, yet providing desired privacy. These Spaces aim to encourage activity in the community, thereby increasing harmony and creating a lively atmosphere. These spaces unite and celebrate the Everyday activities of life and provide functional spaces to be used by all.

Clustering And Iterations :

The proposed design creates a community space between two wings of houses, this is a semi private Space which brings together the entire community by providing space for functions such as cooking, play ground for kids and a place to organize/ host festivals or events.