Nishka Kumar Portfolio

portfolio

NISHKA KUMAR | 2023-25

Hello, my name is Nishka Kumar! As an architecture major at Northeastern, I’ve refined my design and technical skills through studio work and personal projects. I am passionate about the connection between built spaces and social interaction, primarily how that can be achieved sustainably and aesthetically.

Outside of the classroom, I run a YouTube channel sharing student life and personal hobbies. Combining my academic background and content creation experience, I bring a unique perspective to architecture, blending creativity with technical proficiency. In my free time, I love learning about astrology, making matcha/coffee, and spending time with my two beagles.

kumar.nish@northeastern.edu 817.818.0274

IBBON COMMONS @ THE FENS

This studio explores the design of domestic space at multiple scales, from individual dwelling units to cohesive urban blocks. Through case studies, research, and iterative design, I investigated new housing typologies that bridge the gap between single-family homes and high-rise buildings, addressing contemporary issues of density, affordability, and evolving ways of living. Situated in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, my work engages with site conditions, accessibility and building codes, and market realities while challenging conventional housing models.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

‘the ribbon’: At its heart are the ribbon-like bridges that connect four student housing buildings, forming a network of elevated common and green spaces. These bridges are more than just pathways; they serve as vibrant hubs where students can meet, socialize, and build a sense of community.

OBERT LAWSON PARK PAVILION

Temporary Installation | Site, Space, & Program | 2024

This project required developing a pop-up library pavilion for the Boston Public Library at Robert Lawson Park in Egleston Square, Roxbury, designed for seasonal use from May to September. The pavilion, limited to 2,500 sq. ft. and 20 feet in height, integrates a mesh and steel structure that supports plant growth, creating a dynamic relationship between architecture and nature. The design prioritizes ADA accessibility and accommodates various age groups, offering seating, weather protection, and secure storage for a curated collection of resources. The various programs and ecological growth support the pavilion’s role as a flexible, vibrant, & communitydriven space.

EGELSTON BRANCH PAVILION

Site, Space, & Program | 2024 | Professor Alejandro Saldarriaga

VIBURNUM

HOLLY

AMERICAN ARBORVITAE

DUTCHMANS PIPE VINE

WISTERIA

GELSTON BRANCH LIBRARY

This project involved designing the Boston Public Library Egelston Square branch in Roxbury. The existing library, built in 1953, serves a fast-growing, diverse community with large collection and evolving virtual services. As the neighborhood transforms, the library needs to expand its collection and reading spaces while functioning as a mixed-use community hub with adaptable indoor and outdoor public spaces. Students could choose to reuse and build upon the existing structure, integrating sustainable and flexible design solutions to meet the changing needs of Roxbury.

Site, Space, & Program | 2024 | Professor Alejandro Saldarriaga

SITE PLAN

mesh and steel framework roof

existing site and envelope excavated core up to roof

UPPLEMENTAL WORKS

Detail & Digital Drawings | 2023-2024

An exploded axonometric oblique drawing of Peter Zumthors’s Therme Vals using Vray, Rhino, Illustrator, and Procreate. I focused on key relationships such as lighting, space, and thermal properties and their unique interaction within the baths.

Other works included detail drawings for an architectonics class as well as singlefamily residential projects made on my own time.

www.linkedin.com/in/nishka-kumar