This portfolio contains selected works from design projects developed during my Bachelors in Architecture, Professional Practice and Masters in Landscape Architecture. The projects chosen over here highlight the diverse scale and approaches emcompassed in my design education and career. Exploration of space, awareness, social interactions and reactions to context have all been presented.
NEERJA ANANDANI ARCHITECT | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
My idea of design revolves around intertwining architecture with landscape elements. To create spaces that influence human minds, where senses and sensations are driving factors of design. It is about creating experinces and how a space interacts with humans and emotion one evokes on perceiving it. Additionally, my thesis topic ‘Biophilic Architecture’ has a key influence on creating living buildings.
LANGUAGE
EDUCATION
Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA) | 2022-
University of Georgia | USA
GPA: 3.6
EXPERTISE
Plein Air Sketching
Conceptual Design
Hand Renderings
Parametric Modelling
Graphic Designing
SOFTWARE SKILLS
AutoCAD SketchUp Photoshop
Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) | 2014-19
Gujarat University | India
CGPA: 9
Senior Secondary, May 2014
St. Kabir School, CBSE | India
85%
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Student Assistant | Feb-May 2022
Dining Services I University of Georgia
Student Assistant | May - Aug 2018
National Association of Students of Architecture
(732) 322-9749 na10878@uga.edu
Athens,GA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/neerja-anandani-26ba15237
Lumion Twinmotion
ArcGIS Land F/X Grasshopper
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Graduate Assistant | Jan 2023- Present
University of Georgia | USA
Working on upgrading social media and website of UGA.
Garden and Grounds Assistant | June- Aug 2022
State Botanical Garden of Georgia | Athens, GA
Did landscape management and learned about horticulture with professionals.
Junior Architect | July 2019- Dec 2021
Rajiv Darji & Associates | India
WORKSHOPS & COMPETITIONS
Architecture Illustrations | Present- ongoing Visuals & Animation of Illustrations hosted by Archart
Parametric modelling | May 2022
Design Interventions
Documentation of a heritage structure | 2017 INTACH Heritage Awards
Constructing Parametric Structure | 2017
Gujarat University
Bamboo Workshop in Auroville | 2016 Green Practices
V-Ray Rhino 7
InDesign Morpholio Microsoft 365
INTERESTS
Focused on preparation of architectural drawings and coordinating them with structural, electrical, plumbing and other services. Surveying and leveling of sites and its context.
Architectural Intern | Jan-June 2019
HCP Design, Planning & Management | India
Focused on designing and modeling of residences, commercial and landscape for farmhouses. Preparation of tender drawings, bill of quantities and its specifications.
Engaged in Wood Workshop | 2015 Gujarat University RECOGNITIONS
Thesis recognizetd as one of the prominent theses of the academic year | 2018
Secured special mention in INTACH Heritage Awards, New Delhi | 2017
Academic excellence in design | Gujarat University 2016
CONTENTS
Landscape is meditation
Arouses emotions, evoking thoughts of movement, guidance, and radiance.
Soul to build dead spaces, Embracing organic forms of beauty.
Leading towards sustainability while, Explaining the narrative of ecosystems.
Invoking introspection, Whilst unlearning the learn.
While exploring the unknown, Weaving ourselves to Mother Earth.
Oconee Riverfront Development, Athens,GA
Community & Place Studio | Spring 2022
Meditation Centre, Athens,GA
Community & Place Studio | Spring 2022
Farm House, Ahmedabad, India
Professional Works | 2020
Working Drawing of an Auditorium, India
Institutional Studio| Fall 2018
Documentation of Heritage Mansion, India
INTACH Competition Entry| 2017
Designing of Weekend Recluse, India
Design Studio| Spring 2015
Grading & Drainage of Library
Landscape Engineering | 2022
Oconee Riverfront Development, Athens,GA
Community & Place Studio | Spring 2022
Guided By: Prof. Katherine Melcher
Site Area: 4 acres
Graphics: AutoCAD, SketchUP, Rhino 7, Photoshop, Twinmotion
Context:
The site is located on ‘Greenway Trail Network’ of Athens, GA. It is a government owned land for public use. The current use of the site is dedicated as a ‘picnic spot’ but it is not been used to it’s full potential. Users of the Site: It has good balance of activities- picnic spot and also open end uses for artists, tourists, health freaks. The existing bridge does not offer good circulation, hence its not creating a journey.
Sense of Place:
The place express a deep meaning but there’s no one to understand it. The existing four picninc benches calls out on people but it’s been underused.
Recommendations:
Connectivity with the river, designing of steps. Pedestrian movement through an organic path making a journey rather than straight access, more visual access.
DESIGN STATEMENT
Perhaps, of these many exixting challenges the site is having many opportunities to flourish and it is adjacent to the river Oconee and has rich history woven to its fabric. Many tourists, artists and health enthusiastics visit this place but no one feels connected to nature. This is because of existing site condition, the iron bridge that has no sense of circulation and the existing viewing deck allows people to embrace the beauty but it doesn’t arouse the senses of users.
This piece of land adjacent to Oconee River and bridge could be revitalize into a biophilic public space which invites people and make them connected towards nature. Bridge is designed in a organic form so the circulation creates many pause points and vistas for viewers. It also leads to a floating contour which is accessed by the boulders. Many picnic tables are been placed at the landing levels of the site.
Space for food kiosks
Rain gardens are helping in stormwater management.
Parametric bridge that creates journey in the site.
Benches with planters for shade
Steps leading to the River, creating a better connection with the water body
Mindful Living, Meditation Center | Athens,GA
Community & Place Studio | Spring 2022
Guided By: Prof. Katherine Melcher
Site Area: 5.1 acres
Graphics: AutoCAD, SketchUP, Rhino 7, Photoshop, Twinmotion
SITE ANALYSIS
The site is located on greenway trail and is owned by University of Georgia. The current function is for public parking. It is known as ‘Williams Parking Lot’ under the parcel Id 171D2 G002. As seen in aerial view, there are many public alloted parking spots, there’s no need of
SITE CONTEXT
providing parking onto the current site. Its current usage is null. Thus, it is been underused to its capacity. After analyz ing the site context, I realized there’s a need of Yoga and Med itation Retreat as there is no such typology of building near by radius of William’s St.
DESIGN STATEMENT
This site would prove to be successful to natural treatment rather than asphalt ground cover. The reason for this is the presence of Oconee River. The potential of site is high to be interactive and inviting to users from nearby housing and institutional structures such as Nuci’s Space.
The concept of this meditation revolved around to explore the journey of soulful experience. The exhibition spaces int form of petal symbolize six elements of life; namely Earth, fire, metal, water and air. An experience of cave meditation is been provided underneath the cantilever slab. Sound of waterfall and its vista would enhance the quality of time spent at the site.
Native Perennial plants
Exhibition Spaces symbolizing petals six elements of life
Meditation area with parabolic roof
Farm house, Abode in Nature | India
Professional Work | 2021
Guided By: Ar. Rajiv Darji
Site Area: 3 acres
Graphics: AutoCAD, SketchUP, Rhino 7, Photoshop, Lumion
The surrounding context is the essence of this project and hence the volumes and spaces are created for one to lead towards it, to give a glimpse of it from outside road through the transitional spaces and have a picture of protected house within contours in the woodland.
The openess of the abode results in diversity of spatial experiences, which is further enhanced through a interplay of different volumes of landscape and structure. The house transforms into a semi-open space to better use the landscape and be a part of it, creating outdoor rooms and indoor gardens.
The entrance to house is through a passage created between storm water garden. Glass railings upto 1.3m are been provided for the best user experience.
Contours are placed at a distance to create a private space for the house and also for landscape management. These contours also protect from the woodlands around.
Gingko biloba trees are been planted on the contours to create a contrasting pallete.
Fire Pit is a pause point to admire landscape around. It is also designed on the halfway while approaching the entrance of the farm house.
Various functions are been provided.
PLANT SCHEDULE FOR STORMWATER GARDEN
Gingko biloba trees
Concrete free flowing roof structure
Boulders creating an edge
Stormwater garden
Auditorium | India
Working Drawing | Fall 2016
Guided By: Prof. Jayant Gunjaria
Site Area: 5.1 acres
Graphics: AutoCAD, Photoshop
ROOF
ELEVATION ELECTRICAL LAYOUT
DETAIL WITH CROSS MEMBERS ROOF DETAIL WITH WATER CHANNEL
Toilet working layout showing detail of washbasin, water closet, faucets, Sanitary Fixtures, etc.
Various details on wall is indicated which include dado, water proofing, plaster, bedding mortar, etc.
Weekend Recluse | India
Design Studio | Spring 2015
Guided By: Prof. Foram Vakani
Site Area: 0.3 acres
Graphics: AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, Hand Model
The Weekend Recluse is situated on .3 acres of land by the undisturbed lake with a Banyan Tree and the terrain covered with lush green with an expensive view of the lake. This site is addressing the couple’s requirement of standing out space with liveable facilities. A concern for the relationship between nature and habitable space, as well as ideas around occupying such a beautiful natural space, resulted in the search of an architectural response of simplicity and sensitivity. FORM of the weekend recluse is been inspired from a ‘boat’. The couple is fond of water activites and this site provides a lake adjacent to it. Wooden deck is also been designed on the edge of the site. A lawn area is been placed against the structure with native perennials planted on the edge. The orientation of openings is North direction to obtain less heat and more light (according to India’s climate).
LEGEND: 1. Living Area 2. Service Area 3. Wooden Deck 4. Outdoor Seating 5. Dining 6. Lawn 7. EntranceList of native perennial plants used over here are:
- Bougainvillea glabra, - Jasminum sambac, - Clitoria ternatea
- Rosa, - Zephyranthes carinata, - Tagetes,
- Lantana camera, - Ipomoea, - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis,
- Tabernaemontana divaricata,
- Catharanthus roseus, - Chlorophytum comosum,
- Codiaeum variegatum,
- Aloe barbadensis miller,
- Syngonium podophyllum,
- Ficus benjamina,
- Crassula ovata, - Zamioculcas, - Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Landscaping for vegetable garden is also designed which include plants:
- Capsicum,
- Solanum lycopersicum,
- Daucus carota subsp. sativus, - Raphanus sativus, - Solanum melongena, - Herbs
Documentation of Heritage Mansion | INTACH Heritage Awards | India
Competition Entry | Fall 2016
Guided By: Prof. Poonam Trambadia
Site Area: 4.2 acres
Built In: 19 C.E.
Graphics: AutoCAD, Photoshop, Plein Air Sketching, Measure Drawing
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has initiated a nation-wide Heritage Awards programme for excellence in Documentation of Unprotected Heritage Structures in India. The INTACH Heritage Awards Programme is established with an objective to encourage interest and talent of students for the understanding and documentation of heritage buildings, and also develop and promote sensitivity and awareness amongst students of architecture across the country.
SITE PLAN
SITE CONTEXT
The interior of the 225-year-old Bhausaheb Desai ni Haveli, an example for the wealth and influence of landlords in the pre-independence era, in Nadiad, Gujarat. The ‘haveli’ houses 249 spacious rooms constructed on 9,000 square meter plinth
area. Constructed by landlord Bhausaheb, the ‘haveli’ is of historical importance both for its beautiful architecture and for its influence on popular figures of pre-independence India. Located near landmark, “Desai Sanskar Kendra”.
Scanned by CamScanner DESAI VAGO DESAI SANSKAR KENDRAARCHITECTURE:
It is a six storey high haveli, which also has a watch tower at the uppermost level, from where whole nadiad can be viewed.Currently only ground and first floor are in use. Spaces inclusive in the haveli are bedrooms, parsal, kitchen, dining, badminton court, office, music room, storage areas, utility spaces, living room at various levels and it has galleries opening in courtyard at various levels. It is a load bearing structure, which has brick wall ranging from 400-700mm wall thickness and 150mm thick slab with mud phuska flooring.
ISOMETRIC PLAN
SECTION BB' SECTION CC' SECTION CC’ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT: JAROKHA
Jarokha is a kind of bay window which provides with an extensive space to the interiors while also acting as an element to interact with the exterior spaces.
The iconography scene in the carvings of the brackets supporting the Jarokha are influenced from Hindu and Islamic style of architecture and made this structure stand out in the street and emphasized to its heritage value.
ELEVATION SECTION
Doors of the building symbolizes elegance and the family status, important transition element. Doors in this structure are made out of ‘Burma Wood’ and has no hinges, rather they are all pivoted. All the doors have stone members forming the jamb, lintel, threshold to take up the load of the above masonry.
SPACE DEFINITION:
The building is designed according to ‘Vastu Principles’ and hence it is oriented East- West. The entrance door is facing the East direction and it opens into a courtyard. All the private spaces are aligned to passageway. Temple is placed in the centre grid of the mansion.
Grading & Drainage Plan | Athens, GA
Landscape Engineering | Spring 2022
Guided By: Prof. James Schlute Graphics: Hand Drafted
Pipe Legend:
PIPE A
Invert In Elevation: 104
Diameter: 8”
Slope: 2.47%
Length: 170’
PIPE B:
Invert In Elevation: 103.1
Diameter: 12”
Slope: 3%
Length: 80’
PIPE C:
Invert In Elevation: 101.2
Diameter: 12”
Slope: 2%
Length: 70’
Architectural | Landscape Photography
Guided By: Prof. David Spooner
PHOTOGRAPHIC VISION:
Various techniques and principles are been used to capture these frames. Also, various elements like light and shadow, nature, geometric features, negative spaces, colors, foreground elements, and many more assist the technique of image frame.
The technique is used when Sense of depth is to be added, An architecture element sits in a beautiful landscape around it, Presence of framing elements like arches, columns, landscape, context, To generate focus on the subject and not hinder the viewer to understand the content of the picture, and to create a mood with sense of place.
These include:
- Frames within frames
- Horizon
- Placement
- Filling the frame
- Stitching & Extending
- Frame Dynamics