Undergraduate Architectural Portfolio

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NIMIT DADHANIA

UNDERGRADUATE PORTFOLIO

CV// / / / / / / / / / Hello!

I am Nimit, an architecture student from B.M.C.A, Surat. I have always tried to look at the surroundings, people and situations from different perspectives and reason with myself why are the thing the way they are.

In this ever growing world I always try to put all the effort I can in the activities I perform and learn and experience everything I can along the way. I am hard worker and good at communicating with people. I also have a keen interest in photography and love bending the photos into visions I perceive. I love the films of Hayao Miyazaki and visual style of Wes Anderson. I aspire to become an architect who can address problems in the most playful and nuanced ways; keeping the environment and the cultural values in mind.

NIMIT DADHANIA EDUCATION G.T.U Bhagwan Mahavir College of Architecture, Surat 2017 C.B.S.E Divine Child High School, Surat 2010-2017 St. Mary’s School, Rajkot 2005-2010 INTERESTS Photography Video Games Cinema Graphic Design Philosophy Music

+91 9624097717 nimitdadhania@gmail.com 24th January, 1998 Surat, Gujarat, India.

SOFTWARE Archicad Autocad Photoshop Illustrator Indesign Sketchup Lightroom

RELATED STUDY PROGRAMS

NASA

Orchha, Madhya Pradesh 2018 Puducherry 2019 Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 2020

60th Zonal Convention Zone II 59th Zonal Convention Zone II

LANGUAGES

WORKSHOPS Wooden Furniture Metal Wall Painting Plaster of Paris

English Gujarati Hindi

VISITOR CENTER //

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SCHOOL //

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FOR ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF SURAT

FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER //

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VOCATION CENTER //

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WORKING DRAWINGS //

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RELATED STUDY PROGRAMS //

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CONTENTS//

FOR ARTISTS OF VADODARA

FOR KOHLAPURI KUMBHARS

FOR A DANCER’S RESIDENCE

ORCHHA, PUDUCHERRY, GWALIOR

MISCELLANEOUS //

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PHOTOGRAPHY //

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WORKSHOPS, BOD, NASA

VISITOR CENTER //

FOR ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF SURAT Chowk, Surat A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthetic and economic legacies - All of the things that quite literally makes us who we are.

- Steve Berry

View of the Frame of JJ Training College with walls exhibiting the art and sculptures.

Surat with its rich cultural heritage has significant architectural structures in the heart of the city. Though the city has stained the old part with demolition of many heritage structure. The city has also started restoring them. This design tries to bring light to these structures through creation of frames and presenting them creating a storyline with a help of exhibits on walls explaning the city’s history.

The design also tries to make a statement as well as stay humble to the context; the planes framing the view places the heritage in a larger exhibit with its content. The opportunity of creating such structure at the city center would also increase the awareness of the city’s progress in restoring and introduce the visitor’s to the history and significance of the surrounding area.

Isometric view of the visitor center with context.

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STUDIO I

Formation of a cylindrical mass was inspired Mario Botta’s architectural language as it was stated in the curriculum to do so. A cylinder having a circular shape in plan provided a equal distance in every direction; giving equal importance to each structure.

Carving up the cylinder by removing masses which helped in the formation of the frames.

The remaining parts were wholly assigned a program according to area required for the stated. In the south there were exhibition spaces in the north there is a cafe and admin in the north west.

A platform was raised to a higher level to provide a better view to the heritage structures.

The platform facing towards the fort was transformed into an amphitheater creating a space for cultural events. This also created a space for parking underneath.

Encapsulating the frames and the program was the formation of a inclined conical roof exaggerating the frames. The entrance to the structure is provided from the center so as to when it is accessed all the three structures surrounds the person; creating equal importance.

Isometric view of the site and it’s context located in the heart of the Surat city.

4M

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STUDIO I

1

2

Section 1

Amphitheatre Store Room

Parking Viewing Gallery

Section 2

Parking Exhibition

View of the Frame of the Fort with an amphitheatre for cultural events.

The staircase in the middle was specifically designed to provide a holistic approach inside the building that is the gallery spaces.

This helps in the reduction of circulation space; and also has an ease of access to the reception area and the souvenir shop. The galleries are open all the time making them a part of the city scape and the people unifying the city through the space. The central spaces in the galleries would also be used to exhibit performance art.

The structure of the building is loading bearing with the walls of the frame being the primary load bearers.

View of the Frame of Andrew’s Library with exhibits.

Viewing Gallery Plenum Space

SCHOOL //

FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED Pal, Surat

View of the entrance area showing the front facade revealing the program through colors.

The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be FELT with heart.

- Helen Keller

North Elevation

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STUDIO V

East Elevation

This design tries to find a sense of learning and excitement through its integration with open spaces, and often these spaces would become a pivotal experience for a blind person as these are their learning environment. This design with long passages opening up to junctions of other passages tries to make a blind person feel as he/she was walking down a busy street of a city or a calm narrow road through the woods.

The playground is surrounded by classrooms and opens up to the canal inducing a scale of vastness to the child. Four of Eight classrooms that are standard 1-4 respectively open directly into the playground making it easier to monitor the children. The playground consists of a cricket pitch, a kabaddi ground and a park.

The colors on the wall which bounces light with different temperature in this design gives them a sense of belonging to the space along with smell of the flower is in the passages, texture of the floor they’re walking upon.

Tiling Plan Rough Stone Finish

Brick Flooring

Mosaic (Ridged)

Hardwood Flooring

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12M

The rough stone finish in the flashed zone is provided as to change in texture and sound near the doorways. The brick flooring in the yellow zone is provided for a precaution near the plinth height of the building; the drastic change in the texture to roughness would indicate a level difference is nearby. The ridged mosaic flooring is provided at the starting and ending of the stairs. Hardwood flooring provides much assorted change in the sound of the footsteps inducing caution when entering a juction of passages.

View of the playground surrounded by the classrooms.

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10 STUDIO V

3

Section 1

Section 2

Parking

Hostel

Workshop Office

Reception

Canteen

Shop Office

Workshop M Room

Staff Room

Toilet

Classroom

Comp. Lab

Section 3

Section 4

Workshop Office

Staff Room Comp. Lab

Workshop

Warden’s Room

Craft Lab Classroom

Hostel

Amphitheatre

Classroom Music Lab

Toilet

Toilet Toilet

Detailed Section

View of the entrance court/ festive ground.

Multipurpose Area

Sensory Park

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER // FOR THE ARTISTS OF VADODARA Sindhrot, Vadodara

View of the colonnade leading to the central court; having dance studios to the right.

Designed with the principle of bio-mimicry as the exercise asked for; this performing arts center located in the outskirts of Vadodara is inspired by the form and function of the placental mammals known as Armadillos.

The plan and the sections translate the form of Armadillo to bring in light and air; making the space more inhabitable. The porosity achieved helps in a better functioning of the building. The program consisted of studios to learn different performance arts and an amphitheatre to perform.

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Translation of the shape of an Armadillo to a planner form; creating a series of strips 2 meters from one another bringing order to the plan.

Translation of the form of an Armadillo to a sectional form; helped bringing in light and air and also helped creating dynamic spaces inside.

Isometric view of the roof having undulating strips of concrete placed side by side to provide light and ventilation.

The roof to the building tries to stay together by incorporating a system of inverted beams on both the sides of a strip which in turn is supported by the columns.

Section A

Section C

The building’s program is attempted to be zoned such a way that the a visitor and a daily user does not get disturbed.

Each of the studios present in the building opens into a green space or an open balcony.

The studios are also placed in such a way that a tutor or a student can experience learning together. The two studios placed side by side are connected via a louvred partition doors that could merge both the studios into one.

Column detail.

Ground Floor Plan

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8M

First FLoor Plan

VOCATION CENTER // FOR KOHLAPURI KUMBHARS Parvati Hills, Pune

View of the entrance of the building; leading to the reception.

This design for a vocation center tries to merge in the product, producers and the product consumers. The Kolhapuri Kumbhars are a dying breed due to the advancement in technology and the increasing number of Kumbhar youths are opting for a better and more easy and reliable way to earn money, This program tries to rejuvenate the tradition of making the footwear that was great and was widely spread. The site proposed in Pune, is located in Parvati Hills as the Kumbhars are religious and the reason behind the footwear being famous was the sales through the pilgrimage.

This design is a metaphor for a stitch that binds the material together; the central court binds the visitors to the Kumbars and the dormitory on the second floor binds the building together in a visual sense. Each of the rooms are shaped in such a that they provide a view towards the hilltop.

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Section A

Section C

The layout of the site is organized in three parts. The public, the connection(that is the court) and the part for the Kumbhars.

The central court is protected by the other two parts in such a way that the sunlight does not penetrate the court until after 2 PM; maintaining a pleasant temperature throughout the day. The first floor consists of an exhibition on the public side and a research lab on the Kumbhars side. Both the sides are connected via a bridge; stitching both the sides. The second floor the dorm rooms themselves form a bridge, providing a view of the city along with privacy to the Kohlapuri Kumbhars.

Second Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

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WORKING DRAWINGS // FOR A DANCER’S RESIDENCE Vastrapur, Ahmedabad

Isometric view of the house’s exterior.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Designed for a housing exercise in Studio IV. This house was designed as a dancer’s houses providing plenty of open spaces and a dancing studio for people who come to learn the dance. This design tries to stay very close to open spaces and has minimal function specific spaces. The ground floor consists of the living spaces and the first floor has bedrooms which open up to a balcony, The vaults are provided to bring in light and increase the volume of the spaces. The living room opens up to the backyard in privacy providing seclusion to the family.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section 1

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

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Center Line Plan

Ground Floor Plan

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Section 2

Toilet Plumbing Plan

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Glass bricks

Toilet Tiling and Electrical Plan Door Detail

100x100x75mm

These glass bricks provided with internal reflectors lights up the ceiling creating a sense of scale in the living area. These bricks are also placed in the bedroom.

Toilet Layout Plan

Wall Section

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

RELATED STUDY PROGRAMS // ORCHHA, MADHYA PRADESH

View of the cenotaphs from the court of Jahangir Mahal.

Orchha, situated on the banks of river Betwa, is an important part of Bundelkhand region. Orchha was home to Bundelas for many centuries; this lead to the construction of many temples and palaces.

Jahangir Mahal, built between 1605 to 1626 by Raja Bir Singh Deo is a four storey structure made out of sandstone to show friendship to Mughals and to strengthen their relationship with them. Having 136 rooms in the palace it was only used by Jahangir for a single night when he came to stay in Orchha. As it was built to strenghten the relationship with the Mughal empire it has signs of Islamic architecture.

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Section of Jahangir Mahal through the court.

PUDUCHERRY, INDIA In Pondicherry* an old 18th century town south of Chennai on the Indian Ocean.

The architect, Antonin Raymond was to design a guest house for the disciples of the Ashram which would include living and sleeping accommodation, workrooms and utility rooms and design it in a way to keep the inside as cool as possible without mechanical aid. He solved the problem by covering the entire wall surface with operable, horizontal louvres which give protection against the sun and wind, but allow ventilation. The body of the building is of reinforced concrete.

GWALIOR, MADHYA PRADESH The Man Mandir Palace was built by the King of Tomar Dynasty - Maharaja Man Singh in 15th century for his favourite Queen, Mrignayan.

Upon entering the palace, the first courtyard was the Diwaan e Khaas. It was used for courtly processions and also performances were held when guests were present. The king sat on the top and opposite to the queens. There are two spaces discretely made below the Diwaan e Khaas for queen’s leisure purposes.

Axonometric diagram of spaces.

Section of Diwaan e Khaas.

Wall section of Sangeetghar.

MISCELLANEOUS // ARCH DESIGN, BRANDING EXERCISE This exercise required designing multiple things for a specific brand. It was specified to design a company logo, a visiting bag, a letter pad, an envelope, a poster for an event, and a merchandise that can be used by the company’s employees.

The bag was designed to store large drawings which can then be transported with ease.

The closing handle of the bag works by the weight of the thing stored. The visiting cards are minimal and the design for the posters for the events are kept as playful as possible.

Photos of A2 sized porfolio bag.

Visiting Card Poster

Photos of envelope

Photo of letter head

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NASA / BOD,

SKETCHES AND ANTHRO

Analysis of acorn

The BOD exercise was to find the design principles that would translate the acorn on paper to geometry.

The abstractions followed a visual resemblance to the top of an acorn.

This section was used to explain the anthropometry and the stances a human makes whilst performing a activity. Inspired from the Vitruvian Man by Da’Vinci the human in the sections were made with respect to the Indian Subcontinent.

Abstractions

ANANTHA, WOOD WORKSHOP This workshop provided both a chance to make best out of waste and an opportunity to learn to use new tools. The piece of wood was salvaged from a nearby timber factory.

The concept was to make a stool or table to keep small things.

The stool/stools can be used by two people at once with great ease. The hole in the smaller log is used as a grip for carrying it around. The log was polished and varnished.

As a stool

As a table

Isometric view

PHOTOGRAPHY // THE TALE OF HUEFULL GOLCONDE AND ITS CROW,

This photo series tries to encapsulate the colors of Pondicherry and the dynamism of Golconde by collaging two photographs one on one.

22 PHOTO

PUDUCHERRY.

2019

THE CASE OF THE MISSING SHEETS,

CEPT.

This photo explores into the mind of the young ones imagining fictional characters into the real world.

2019

THE TESSELATIONS OF WALES MUSEUM,

This photo series tries to merge in the architectural style of Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai into M.C Escher-esque visual patterns.

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PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM.

2018

THE BEAUTY OF CONSEQUENCES,

GWALIOR FORT.

1.

2020

IS THIS HOW A HAPPY CITY LOOKS LIKE?,

GWALIOR.

2.

1. The photo captures an unused staircase in a niche of the fort complex framing itself like a painting.

2. This photo tries to mend the light into happiness by the pace of life.

2020

+91 9624097717 nimitdadhania@gmail.com nimit_dadhania

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