ASPECTS WORKED ON INDIVIDUALLY: BUILDING PLANS (EXISTING AND NEW)
BUILDING SECTIONS, ELEVATIONS, PARKING DETAILS, BASIC RENDERS
The sponsor of this project is proposing the demolition of a single story retail building at 501-505 Washington street (built in 1977) and an adjacent concrete capped, below-grade story at 517 Washington Street for the modernization and expansion of a 9 story concrete office building at 545 Sansome street built in 1930. The Office building at 545 Sansome street will be seismically upgraded and modernized with a new core that includes elevators, egress stairs and toilet rooms. The roof of 545 Sansome Street will be made occupiable and will include enclosed tenant-able space as well as a private roof terrace.
View from adjacent alley
CONFIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION
SAN FRANCISCO, CA; USA
A repositioning project for an existing office building to be rented by a client in the IT industry. The project includes increasing the floor area for the project as well as increasing the number of floors. The building aims to be LEED-certified hence attention is given to addressing all the different LEED criteria and making the building as energy-efficient as possible.
The new facade makes use of concrete ‘hoods’ that add aesthetic value as well as shade from glare, especially in the lower floors. The predominantly glass facade adds majorly to the ‘quality views’ criterion for LEED compliance.
LEED COMPLIANCE STUDIES
The open floor plan with the central core aims to increase communication and transparency in the work culture, and also maximum access to daylight.
The hoods that define the facade of the building are precast concrete units which are installed onto the building along with the curtain walls.
The repositioning project also includes the renovation of the existing floor plans but does not impact the exterior facade of the existing building. The position of the building core is also changed to make it more convenient for multiple occupants.
The building is under construction at present. A temporary Certificate of Occupancy has been received for the date of 01 October, 2020.
Since it is a speculative office building for a tech client, the open floor plans give it enough flexibility to segregate the different levels based on the occupant.
Building Elevations as used for LEED compliance studies
Concrete hoods attached to curtain walls
CONFIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION
SANTA CLARA, CA; USA
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
FIRM: GENSLER AND ASSOCIATES, OAKLAND, CA; USA
DISCIPLINE : CRITICAL FACILITIES
ASPECTS WORKED ON INDIVIDUALLY AS PART OF CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS: BUILDING DETAILS, BUILDING SECTIONS, ELEVATIONS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR), RENDERS
Defining features:
- 16 MW facility
- 160,000 SF over 4 floors
- 6,000 Sf office area and hoteling
- In site 30 mva substation
- Base isolated
- Site area 3.32 Acre
- 40 Car parks
- BIM 360
The facade is defined by perforated panels
North - South Building Section Level
Perforations allow for light to be shone from behind the rainscreen
Project was worked on individually during the Construction Documentation and Construction Administration phases. This also includes responding to RFIs and aiding in material choices/changes.
CHINTELS CORPORATE PARK
NEW DELHI, INDIA
STATUS: COMPLETED 2017
FIRM: DESIGN FORUM INTERNATIONAL, NEW DELHI, INDIA
Project is a part of a group led by founder Mr....... Anoj Tevatia ASPECTS WORKED ON INDIVIDUALLY: BUILDING SECTIONS, ELEVATIONS, PARKING DETAILS, BASIC RENDERS
-1 year of internship to complete the B.Arch degree.
The curriculum requires one to work on all aspects of design and construction:
-Conceptualizing
-Drafting skills
-Building services
-Model-making skills
-Construction drawings
-Communication/collaboration skills
-Working drawings
-Presentation skills
Project was worked on as part of a team of architects and engineers within the firm. Role of interns was drafting of drawings/designs made by senior professionals, and also the production of renders.
STATUS: CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN 2021 HEALING
AND LEARNING
NEPLY, HAITI
COMBINING AND PROVIDING HEALTH SERVICES TO A REGION DEPRIVED OF MOST FACILITIES
This is a design for a healthcare facility in Neply, Haiti that combines the virtues of medical education and medical practice. It is proposed on a location which is currently a sugarcane field, remotely located in a village 20 miles away from Portau-Prince, the capital city of Haiti.
The project is done in collaboration with an American NGO, ‘MyLifeSpeaks,’ that is committed to enhancing the growth and development in Haiti. L’Hôpital Universitaire de MyLifeSpeaks’ aims to bring to Neply the basic facilities of healthcare and higher education, both of which are currently inadequate to a population of approximately 90,000 people.
Entrance to the Facility
Entrance to the Facility
PHASE-I
PHASE-II
PHASE-III
The site is an existing plot of land that was donated to an American NGO based in Haiti, specifically donated for the purpose of constructing a ‘teaching hospital’, as the owner felt that the region surrounding his plot of land did not have the kind of medical facilities in its vicinity. The aim is to empower the youth through medical education and encourage them to stay back within Haiti and provide quality medical aid/services to the local people, preferably in upcoming medical institutes.
MLSMSH will begin to impact the Leogane region in five specific areas to start:
1. Pediatrics (Special Needs Speciality)
2. Laboratory Services
3. Urgent Care (Pediatrics and Adults)/Small Operating Rooms
4. Maternity/NICU Care
5. Internal Medicine (Specialty Clinics)
6.Rehab (All Therapy
SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALA PLATFORM FOR EDUCATION
One of the main aims of the ‘teaching hospital’ is also to make sure that it provides good education to the students- an education that will encourage them to stay back in Haiti and improve medicine, rather than move to another country to be able to practice better, with better pay and job security. This also means better infrastructure. Self-sustainability in:
-Circulation and Wayfinding
-Water Management
-Waste Management
-Electricity
Deconstructing the Ward
Combining healthcare and medical education has its own advantages- medical students can gain practical knowledge of medicine and also be more deeply involved in the provision of healthcare and perform triage, provide community services like informal seminars that can educate the people of the village about the positive aspects of hygiene, more active lifestyles, birth control, etc. The site is an existing plot of land that was donated to an American NGO based in Haiti, specifically donated for the purpose of constructing a ‘teaching hospital’, as the owner felt that the region surrounding his plot of land did not have the kind of medical facilities in its vicinity.
Central Spine for Student Interactions
NYC MEGASTRUCTURE
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK; USA
‘Experience the Experiment’ – An educational complex that sustains itself by feeding off of the knowledge that is gathered by its inhabitants, using the site as the base - but by no means as the constraints - for their research and experiments, thereby trying to realize the cities of the future to support the city of the present - NYC. A complex for technical research about the various ways to make itself self-sustainable, making use of its prime location on a site that has access to hydro energy, wind energy, solar energy and the ability to expand vertically.
Iterative models
The resultant form is a combination of various iterations that morph from a site plan that acts a pier-specific simulation of the NEW YORK GRID. As suggested in the book ‘Delirious New York’, a skyscraper is but an extension of the New York grid.
Formal Iterations
A farmers’ market enables all visitors to be able to explore and buy all the fresh produce from the vertical farms, and since it is all organically produced and hence extremely desirable, the market also doubles as a convention space at night and for special occasions.
The market is also directly connected to the Javits Center, acting more as an extension of the gathering space. The exoskeleton that exists is built with concrete that absorbs pollutants from the air, thereby giving the feeling of purity to anyone who enters and also helping keep the complex clean and healthy.
View from the North-Eastern side, where the Farmers’ Market extends to the Javits Center
Farmers’ Market, Interior View
Recreational activities include kayaking and other boating activities that can help enhance a fierce active streak in the students. The site enables large open spaces to accommodate both active (basketball, soccer, tennis, yoga, calisthenics) and passive (open green spaces, open-air farmers’ markets, etc.) recreational activities so as to encourage the students to lead a healthy lifestyle and incorporate active hours into their busy schedules.
Systems integrated:
-Hydro-power
-Algae culture
-Urban farming (Hydroponic and Aeroponic)
-Vertical farming
Open Space within the site, that incorporates the building exoskeleton
A predominantly institutional complex for technical research about the various ways to make a development self-sustainable, making use of its prime location on a site that has access to hydro energy, wind energy, solar energy and the ability to expand vertically, thereby giving it the flexibility to add to its program specifics as and when required.
“The Feeder” of food from its urban and vertical farming amenities, the complex also a feeder of knowledge to all the students who are recruited there to study the various environmental conditions and create an ideal mini-city on Pier 76, a complex that, through its innovation, could help create an example for other urban developments in different cities, since a lot of its strategies can be utilized in varied climates.
The Feeder feeds on the polluted air in the micro-climate through passive strategies for air purification, which include the material used in walls, green walls, green roofs, etc.
The Research Institute as seen from the Hudson, North-West end of site
ENVIRONMENT FORM AND FEEDBACK
PITTSBURGH, PA; USA
A residential-cum-recreational complex that responds to environmental form and feedback. The design decisions are based on various simulations run on the site and the city using parametric techniques, so as to make informed choices for optimization of functional performance.
SITE ANALYSES
Analytical Drawings for the Site
Study models to help determine best possible positions and orientations for the final product. Study models play a major part in the design decisions, since each model addresses the different nuances to the process.
Volumetrically, the form responds to the site’s natural forces and also to accommodate the vast population that is to be houses within the complex. The riparian zone at the edge of the water helps control the flooding of thee site, taking into consideration the 50-year flood and the 100-year flood.
Orientational Analysis
Sections dictate the mixed use nature of the facility. A riparian zone helps with passive flood control methods as well as adds an element of interest to the recreational aspect of the facility towards the water.
Conceptual Facility Design
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL
PITTSBURGH, PA; USA
An environmental charter school for middle school kids that deals with sustainable solutions for advanced construction: the aim of this project is to create an interactive environment for growing kids so as to help them participate more actively in the education process.
Transverse Section-AA’
The central atrium is a well-lit space that acts a place for convention for all students, faculty members as well as for community members when it doubles as a recreation center for the community after school hours.
Floor Plans
Structural Systems
Central Atrium
The primary structure is heavy timber (CLT) construction. Heavy emphasis is laid on the building skin to provide maximum insulation and avoid all forms of thermal bridging, as well as better solutions for mechanical systems to make the building as energy efficient as possible. The major factors that dictate the scheme for the building design are the surroundings and passive environmental factors to create an educational experience to all the users, including the community that collects within the building during non-working hours for the school.
View of the Central Atrium from rooftop greenhouse
PITTSBURGH, PA; USA
A portable+foldable stand in conjunction with recreation centers in order to make it a ‘learning experience’ for visitors. The stand measures perfectly to be transported in standard containers. The main objective of the design is to make the entire structure ‘light-weight’ so as to encourage even youngsters to work in such settings, thereby providing vocational experience. The intentions of the stand are three-fold:
-SELF-SUSTAINING
-EDUCATIVE
-EASILY OPERABLE FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
Above Sections reveal the carefully planned construction assembly of the walls and floors for both open and closed configurations. All moving parts close into the walls to ensure a flush appearance. While each wall is unique, Epicore contours the panels giving them strength and expressing the feeling of motion; unfolding. Hydraulic lifts assist in the opening and closure of the farm stand and allows for the kids to open or close the stand with minimal effort.
The main form-based concept for the farm stand is derived from a combination of origami and deconstruction. ‘Transparency’ is the aim of the stand in terms of its materiality as well as function so as to make it an educational experience for all customers, young and old alike. The structure is made of semi transparent polycarbonate panels to make it lightweight, and Epicore decking for its thin profile and versatility.
Hydroponics systems are low maintenance walls that use water as a delivery system for nutrients in place of soil. The wall serves as a common learning tool for both students and farm stand visitors. The exterior of the farm stand is a flush surface, consistent throughout with plastic sheathing. This makes the surface water-tight. It opens up to the visitors everyday, each opened piece serving a different purpose.
NEW DELHI, INDIA MIND ABODE
PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION CENTER WITH HALFWAY HOMES
A specialty facility for patients of psychotic disorders, halfway homes intend to merge the comfort of homes with the provisions and benefits of a medical institution, thereby eradicating the stringent and sometimes negligent atmosphere of a mental institution.
Plan Concepts
WHY HALFWAY HOMES?
1. Administrative Building
2. Parking space
3. Cafeteria
4. Emergency Operating Room
5. Rehabilitation Center
6. Patients’ Accommodation 3 BHK
7. Patients’ Accommodation 2BHK
8. Nurses’ Accommodation
9. Doctors’ Accommodation
Mental health disorders constitute approx. 14% of the global burden of disease. In India, the overall burden is 11.8%. Halfway Houses include group homes in the community with scheduled group activities and availability of treatment personnel at all times, to encourage independent living.
This encourages the patients to heal quicker due to the fact that they feel at home within these facilities, and the destigmatized environment makes them feel more comfortable going into the ‘outside’ world.
BIG-PICTURE BENEFITS
-Stigma reduction due to community living
-Enabling of smoother transition into ‘normal’ life
-Liberty to personalize spaces
-Limited violation of personal space
-Distant but constant monitoring of patient activity
PATIENTS’ ACCOMMODATION
Independent houses with all facilities provided to encourage self-sustainability and ability to carry out daily chores by oneself. These houses have one staff member each for better supervision of patients.
REHABILITATION CENTER
Accommodates spaces for vocational training and recreational activities like art, dance, computer classes to keep patients occupied in the day.
-Total capacity: 50 patients (25 residents, 25 exclusively for day-care)
-Vocational training centre to provide better chances of getting adjusted to the ‘normal’ world .
EMERGENCY OPERATION THEATER
Emergency facilities for patients in case of unpredictable psychotic attacks. In close proximity to rehabilitation centre, patients’ accommodation. Service road connectivity from rear entrance.
Terrace Recreation
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
ERODE, TAMIL NADU; INDIA
STATUS: COMPLETED 2016
FIRM: P.R Design Group, Bangalore, India
Individually designed (as an intern) charitable project for Lions Club of Erode Midtown Charitable Trust, a charitable arm of Lions Club of Erode Midtown, India.
Capacity: 12 patients
An old age home for terminally ill patients to be admitted. Interior rooms highly enclosed and sanitized in order to keep the patients away from dust or dirt. The Assisted Living Center offers services such as food,housekeeping, access to medical services,medication management, bathing, dressing, laundry and transportation. Trained nurses with trained assistants take care of these services all through 24 hours so that the elderly people could live with all the comforts they need and spend their time with dignity.
Clay Jaali for soothing sciography effect across open-air corridors, to make the aesthetics cost-effective as well as encourage local craftsmen
The facility is now built and rests on the plot amidst landscaped lawns, and is particularly popular with the members of the Lions Club of Erode in Tamil Nadu, India.
The facility was designed by the firm as a philanthropic gesture, and marked a significant part of an architectural internship.
Major factors that were taken into consideration while designing the facility include wind movement, daylight conditions, local vegetation in order to facilitate an open corridor that can enable cross-ventilation and natural lighting, and to be able to incorporate large operable windows.
HUMAN MILK BANKS
DESIGN CONSULTANCY FOR INDIAN NATIONAL GUIDELINES ON LACTATION MANAGEMENT CENTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES
Objectives:
Provide a generic design for construction of human milk bank
The project envisages setting up of HMBs in secondary and tertiary level health care facilities.
Under the PATH initiative, HMB is expected to be part of the Mother-Baby Friendly Initiative Plus (MBFI+) which will include also counseling and support mothers for breast-feeding, encourage skin-to-skin contact and conduct community outreach activities for promoting milk donation and breast-feeding.
Breast milk is best milk as known to everyone. But there are time when a mother’s milk may be unavailable or insufficient when she may need to resort to use pasteurized donor human milk. To make available safe milk for such babies, there is a need to establish human milk banks.
Images borrowed from https://www.path.org/articles/human-milk-banks-bringing-a-superfood-to-all-the-babies/
MIDTOWN GREENWAY PROJECT
MINNEAPOLIS, MN; USA
STATUS: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE
FIRM: LOCUS ARCHITECTURE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN; USA
PARTS WORKED ON INDIVIDUALLY: SCHEMATIC DESIGN
An attempt to rejuvenate the existing Midtown Greenway bike track that runs across Minneapolis, MN.
The RFP is for the Parks and Recreation board to approve, and a the result is a series of scenarios across the length of the site that suggest better, cost-effective ways to make the greenway safer and more exciting, as well as merge with its surroundings and include the neighborhoods as part of a quest to make the site more inclusive towards minorities.
It also takes into consideration the existing hotels and healthcare facilities that area adjacent to the site.
3-DIMENSIONALIZING THE 2-DIMENSIONAL
Le Corbusier, 1968
The succeeding projects to be displayed are all various interpretations of the painting by the student, experimenting with different materials and thereby analyzing the changing forms. The final project is the form that is a compiled version of all the previous projects, based on the series of iterations in terms of the proportions between manual of machine labor, form and materiality.
The model is now realized as a series of contours to gain a better understanding of the void spaces- the spaces which are later to house the 3D printed inlays. These contours give way to the analysis of solid and void forms in the final model. The product begins to describe the final form of the stock that is to hold parts of the model which have been modelled after the aforementioned 2-dimensional figures drawn by Le Corbusier.
DEUX FEMMES AU BOARD DE LA MER
THE 3-DIMENSIONAL
The models are a way to interpret the painting as a series of solids and voids to arrive at an abstract form that is representative of the thought process behind the 3 dimensionalization. The voids are sized and shaped such that they are able to accommodate the solids, so that the same model is able to display different modes of fabrication.
For more information, visit www.nikhitabhagwat.com
