Issuu

2022 - 2025

Architectural Portfolio Hitanshu Rawat

hitanshu.birendrasingh.rawat@gmail.com

Content

01 02 03 04 05 06

Folly on Folliage Page 3

GreenFall Complex Page 6

Papakāinga Housing Page 14

Lami Protection Hub Page 23

Small Project Page 32

Detail Drawing Page 33

01 - Folly in Folliage Brickbay competition 2024

01 - Folly in Folliage

Folly In Foliage symbolizes change and time. The structure serves as a dynamic canvas for observing plant growth over two years. This evolving greenery shows the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. After this period, the folly will be disassembled, and the planter boxes distributed to local schools. This transition not only promotes reusability but also fosters a connection with nature among students. The folly, thus, stands as a testament to sustainability, the impermanence of structures, and the enduring impact of nurturing growth. Here, a folly of creativity invites climbing plants and blooming flowers that dance from day to night. As seasons shift, so does the folly, each phase revealing new facets of nature’s resilience and beauty. This living sculpture weaves an ever-changing story. As time passes, the folly mirrors the ebb and flow of human life, evolving with the seasons in a harmonious rhythm with the environment.

01 - Folly in Folliage

02 - GreenFall Complex Green Commerical Building

02 - GreenFall Complex

The Green fall Complex is an innovative green commercial space tailored for architects and engineers. Featuring a hydroelectric waterfall and a green rooftop, this building integrates advanced sustainability strategies to provide a high-performance environment that supports creativity, efﬁciency, and environmental responsibility.

Climate Considerations: Temperature and Humidity: The HVAC system is designed to manage the moderate temperatures and humidity levels typical of the region. Natural ventilation and heat recovery strategies are employed to enhance comfort. Rainfall: The building’s green rooftop and water harvesting systems are designed to manage and reuse rainfall, reducing stormwater runoff and supporting water efﬁciency. Sunlight: Solar shading devices and high-performance glazing are used to manage solar heat gain and glare, optimizing daylighting and reducing cooling loads.

Environmental Impact: The retrofit minimizes the building’s environmental impact through: Energy Efficiency: Enhanced HVAC systems, solar panels, and a hydroelectric waterfall contribute to reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. Water Management: Water harvesting systems and sustainable landscaping reduce water usage and manage stormwater effectively. Material Selection: Use of low-VOC materials and sustainable finishes ensures a healthier indoor environment and reduces environmental impact.

02 - GreenFall Complex

Enviromental Design Stretegies used

02 - GreenFall Complex Plans Overview - Ground Floor: Exhibition space - First Floor: Event space - Second Floor: Meeting and conference rooms - Third and Fourth Floors: Architecture studio space - Fifth Floor: Collaborative space - Sixth and Seventh Floors: Engineering space - Eighth Floor: Library study area communal space - Top Floor: Green roof communal area

02 - GreenFall Complex

Elevations

02 - GreenFall Complex

Sections

02 - GreenFall Complex

03 - Papakāinga Housing

housing development for Native people

03 - Papakāinga Housing

Cultural Landscape Site Analysis This site is a shining example of urban planning that places a premium on sustainability, convenience, and community well-being. Its design is so well thought out that personal vehicles become an unnecessary luxury. 1. Proximity to shops (Countdown) 2. Access to schools 3. Parks and Recreation areas (Hamlin Park) 4. Public transport accessibility (Train station With shops, schools, parks, and public transport all within arm's reach, residents can savor the benefits of a car-free lifestyle while contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant neighborhood.

16-20 MCRAE ROAD, MOUNT WELLINGTON, AUCKLAND

03 - Papakāinga Housing

Narrative Theory Thinking Housing 100 people 50 carparks Due to the proximity of many of the stores and the availability of public transportation, we have chosen to have 16 parking spaces, one for each apartment. As well as fewer paved areas. Easy storage on ground level will be made for all types of bikes/scooters (outlet for charging electricals)

"A design that seamlessly weave’s culture, growing families and interconnectedness within a cohesive fabric of sustainable architecture.”

The idea of shared balcony spaces quickly emerged as a pivotal element of our architectural vision. We realised that balconies, when thoughtfully designed and placed, could become more than just architectural features – they could be the bridges that link our community together; the two neighbouring units. These shared balconies offer a tangible space for residents to come together, interact, and forge meaningful relationships, much like the central courtyards of traditional homes. It's a testament to the belief that living in a community should be more than sharing walls.

We sought to create a space that not only serves as a functional structure but also as a symbolic representation of unity and connection within the community. Inspired by the time-honored practices of harakeke (flax weaving) and the intricate kowhaiwhai patterns found in Maori art, our design seeks to weave together the diverse threads of our community, creating a vibrant and harmonious tapestry of human interactions. Living influenced by the natural landscape - One story homes closer to ground level by being placed roadside (elevated ground) for accessibility. In the situation of the 6 people homes, the bottom floor would be accessible living for the older people/people with disabilities. House arrangement according to typography, avoiding water path ny housing on stilts during heavy rainfall Opportunity for families can move into the houses next door - growing families/community. Connecting gardening terraces that allow for interaction between residents, it can foster relationship between neighbours or develop relationships between growing families - weaving circulation.

03 - Papakāinga Housing

03 - Papakāinga Housing Utilising the kowhaiwhai pattern as an aperture for the facade serves as a multifaceted solution, blending form and function to address the dual requirements of shading and privacy in our design. The interlaced elements create a captivating visual texture, adding depth, complexity, and a sense of movement to the facade. 19

03 - Papakāinga Housing

Communal space

Facade material Ideas

wooden flooring carpet

The design of the Koki Communal Space acknowledges thenatural topography and follows the gentle slope of the site's curve. In this terrain, a series of wooden stairs have been integrated, eachone harmoniously blending into the landscape. These stairs serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose, providing easy accessto different levels of the space while also becoming a sculpturalelement in their own right.

Inspired by kowhaiwhai patterns used as an aperture, allowing for privacy as well as creating an interesting facade detail.

Due to its permeable nature, permitting the passage of light, it acts as an in-between to the neighboring houses whilst simultaneously creating shaded areas during the summer months

03 - Papakāinga Housing Nestled in the furthest corner of our site lies the Koki Communal Space, a hidden gem that serves as the heart of our community-oriented project. This carefully designed space is more than just a physical location; it's a sanctuary for residents and visitors alike, offering a tranquil oasis for relaxation, connection, and contemplation, truly weaving the community into the heart of the site.

03 - Papakāinga Housing

Model

04 - Lami Protection hub

Symobilsm of Resilence

04 - Lami Protection Hub

Concept Ideas

The concept for this project is rooted in the cultural and environmental significance of Fonua, a Pacific term that encompasses land, people, and the nurturing role of the placenta. This idea highlights the symbiotic relationship between humans and the environment, focusing on protection and regeneration. The tower serves as a civil defense structure and a hub for community engagement, addressing local coastal protection needs and disaster preparedness. The design draws inspiration from the resilience of mangroves, known for their ability to protect coastlines. The building’s twisting, organic form mimics the mangrove root system, representing both strength and flexibility in facing environmental challenges. A mangrove nursery at the base symbolizes regeneration, with young plants later released to strengthen the natural coastal defenses. This aligns with the tower’s role as a symbol of resilience and community care. Inspired by the Ori Tahiti dance, which is explored in the first module, The People, the building's flowing lines evoke the dancers’ movements, much like mangrove roots swaying. The ground floor’s communal space, designed for performances and gatherings, reinforces the connection between the building’s form and its function as a community hub. The second module, The Land, explored narrative through poetry and art, particularly John Pule’s poem Small Bird and his artwork. These influences shape the design’s narrative, making the tower not just a functional space but a cultural and environmental story, balancing protection and vulnerability, like the bird navigating life’s challenges. The third module, The Placenta, shifted the focus to materiality and structure. The building embodies a nurturing and protective role, leading to the use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) for sustainable strength, mangrove timber for the façade to reflect a connection to the environment, and steel for structural integrity. The interiors are finished with mahogany wood, offering warmth, while aluminum composite panels provide durability for the cladding.

04 - Lami Protection Hub

The site for this project is strategically located along the shoreline of Lami, Suva, Fiji, an area highly exposed to the effects of climate change a nd natural disasters such as storm surges, rising sea levels, and tsunamis. The choice of site reflects the urgent need for a civil defense tower that not only protects the coastal settlement but also fosters education and preparedness within the community. The site is characterized by its natural coastal beauty, with mangroves lining the shoreline, playing a critical role in natural defense against coastal erosion, and serving as a significant inspiration for the design concept.

The topography of the site gently slopes toward the ocean, creating a natural transition between land and water. Existing vegetation, particularly the mangrove ecosystems, has been preserved and integrated into the design, reinforcing the project’s commitment to environmental sustainability and resilience. These mangroves provide natural protection to the coastline, and their root systems influence the architectural form of the tower itself, which mimics the intertwined, twisting nature of these resilient trees.

The site section offers a detailed illustration of how the tower relates to its surroundings, from the shoreline and mangrove ecosystems to the built environment of the nearby settlement. The section reveals the vertical relationship between the various layers of the site, demonstrating how the tower integrates with the landscape from the ground up. At the base of the tower, the mangrove nursery is shown as a critical element, symbolizing the regeneration and protection of the coastline. The section also highlights the different functions of the tower, from the communal spaces and observation decks to the civil defense command unit at the top.

This section emphasizes how the tower rises organically from the land, with its form inspired by the natural flow of the mangrove roots and the movement of the surrounding landscape. It illustrates the interplay between architecture and nature, where the building not only responds to the environment but also enhances and protects it. The vertical design is aligned with the natural topography, ensuring that the tower becomes a natural extension of the land, reflecting the Pacific concept of Fonua, which ties people, land, and environment into a unified whole.

04 - Lami Protection Hub

Model 1:75 Scale

05 - Small Project

06 - Detail drawings