Urban Design + Architecture Portfolio

I am an Urban Design post-graduate aspiring for opportunities and challenges that keep me in a process of self-evaluation and development. With a strong background in architecture and urban design, my emphasis is on creating context-responsive and sustainable urban spaces and programs. My design philosophy revolves around fostering social inclusivity and environmental responsibility.

professional experience

Modi Srivastava

and

Associates, Vadodara | Architecture Intern

Jun 2021 - Nov 2021

Worked on residential and commercial projects, prepared working drawings for civil and interior works and generated 3D views on Trimble SketchUp at all stages from conceptualization to execution; also conducted meetings, site visits and material selections with clients

L&T Technology Services, Mumbai Architecture Intern

May 2018

Assisted the Architecture and Civil Engineering Team for preparation of Autodesk AutoCAD drawings and Autodesk Revit 3D Modelling

license and certification education

Licensed Architect Council of Architecture (COA), India Registration No. : CA/2023/167117

Master of Architecture - Urban Design

Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture & Environmental Studies (KRVIA), Mumbai Mumbai University

Bachelor of Architecture

Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture (BNCA), Pune Savitribai Phule Pune University | CGPA 9.24

Senior Secondary School

R.N. Podar School, Mumbai (CBSE) | 85.4%

Secondary School

D.A.V. Public School, Thane (CBSE) | 93.4%

technical skills

Drafting: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit

Geographic Information Systems: QGIS

Modelling: Trimble Sketchup, Rhinoceros 3D

Rendering: Lumion, V-Ray

Graphics: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign

other skills

languages

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Rethinking Urban Resilience in Coastal Cities MASTERPLANNING + URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES

Regenerating Local Economy through Anchor Institutions STRUCTURE PLAN + INSTITUTIONAL SPINE DESIGN

Reviving Lost Spaces and Identiy CAMPUS PLANNING + URBAN INSERT

Redefining the Historic City Core STREET AND POCKETS REDESIGN + URBAN INSERT

Reimagining Post-Human Landscapes REPRESENTATION STUDIO 06 Photography

rethinking urban resilience in coastal cities 01

M. ARCH SEMESTER IV THESIS

SITE LOCATION: PANAJI, INDIA

PROJECT SCOPE: MASTERPLANNING + URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES

GUIDE: AR. MANOJ PARMAR

what is the need for urban resilience?

Around the world, coastal cities exhibit a great degree of heterogeneity in their environments, urban form, connectivity and socio-economic activities, owing to their unique geographical features. These areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change and environmental challenges such as sea-level rise, flooding, extreme weather conditions, and coastal erosion and have a significant impact on the urban form and mobility patterns in coastal cities. Moreover, rapid urbanisation, intensification of and changes in land use place growing pressure on the sensitive coastal environment. However, there is limited understanding of the interaction between urban and coastal systems. This thesis aims to improve urban resilience, and overall sustainability in coastal cities by reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening existing networks through a comprehensive resilience assessment framework and implementation strategies.

Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LCEZ)

= site delineation

Predicted SLR (2100) and current Flooding Risk Zones

Mixed-use Development Heritage and Conservation Zone

increased coastal vulnerability due to panaji’s land reclamations

While land reclamations have facilitated urban growth and economic development in Panaji, they have also increased the city’s vulnerability to coastal hazards and environmental degradation. The loss of natural buffers like mangroves and wetlands has reduced the city’s ability to absorb and dissipate wave energy, leaving reclaimed areas more susceptible to damage during extreme weather.

Strengths

1. Well-preserved historic buildings

2. Potential for tourism

3. Presence of green spaces and parks

Vulnerabilities

1. Susceptibility to flooding

2. Limited amenities for tourits and residents Strengths

1. Potential for waterfront development

2. Natural habitats (mangroves) provide resilience and support biodiversity

Vulnerabilities

1. Flooding and coastal erosion

2. Pollution from run-off waste disposal, and boat traffic

Strengths

1. Economic hub with commercial activities and employment opportunities

2. Good connectivity and access to services

Vulnerabilities

1. Traffic congestion and limited parking

2. Lack of green spaces leading to UHI

3. Lack of communal spaces

site analysis

Terrain

Predicted Sea Level Rise (2100) Urban Fabric and Neighbourhoods

Proposed Land Use (as per Panaji DP 2031) FSI Distribution

Street Hierarchy

church square

Public Transportation

Building Use

Open Spaces and Natural Features

fontainhas heritage area patto plaza (new cbd)

Strengths

1. Cultural and religious significance

2. Community gathering space for social and cultural events

Vulnerabilities

1. Limited amenities and infrastructrue for visitors and residents

2. Overcrowding during festivals

Strengths

1. Architectural heritage, cultural diversity

2. Heritage tourism contributing to local economy

Vulnerabilities

1. Degradation of historic structures

2. Gentrification and displacement of local communities

Strengths

1. Commercial and administrative hub

2. Accessibility and connectivity to major transportation links

Vulnerabilities

1. Maximum vulnerability to flooding

2. Lack of public and recreation spaces

3. Pedestrian safety issues

what is the existing state of urban resilience in panaji?

site vulnerabilities

scales of intervention

spatial scales

Panaji City Area

temporal scales

Delineated Site Area

Intervention

Demonstration Area

site selection criteria

how to enhance urban resilience?

urban resilience x strengthening networks

The vision is to reinforce Panaji’s urban systems against environmental and socio-economic dimensions wiith robust networks. Through a combination of spatial strategies and community engagement, this project aims to build urban resilience at three stages:

resistance (preparation before disruption) recovery (response after disruption) adaptation (resilience development to disruption)

built and utility networks

transportation networks

socio-economic networks

blue-green networks

reconnect to riverfront

reconfigure urban blocks

redistribute FSI

retreat from water edge

revive heritage identity

reuse existing built stock redevlop CBD area

reroute traffic flow

regulate parking reactivate streets

reestablish community networks

reclaim streets and public spaces

regenerate economy

restore natural ecosystems retain and percolate stormwater built networks

socio-economic and public realm networks

Riverfront Ferry Terminal, Community Hub,

how did the resettlement affect the displaced people?

regenerating local economy through anchor institutions

M. ARCH SEMESTER III STUDIO

SITE LOCATION: NAGPUR, INDIA

PROJECT SCOPE: STRUCTURE PLAN + INSTITUTIONAL SPINE DESIGN

GUIDES: AR. VIKRAM PAWAR, AR. KETAKI TARE

With the widening of the Wardha Road and the new Samruddhi Mahamarg, the southern peripheral area of Nagpur started developing. MIHAN (MultiModel International Passenger and Cargo Hub Airport at Nagpur) was proposed in 2006 and the process of land aquisition started. Agricultural land from 8 villages was acquired and the occupants are in the process of being resettled on the eastern side of the metro line along with compensations based on land holdings. The PAPs have been rehabilitated to the New Khapri and Chinchbhavan area. Predominantly a residential area, the area witnessed major transformations in the housing typologies due to the upcoming developments. The resettlement and failure to fulfill compensation by the MIHAN authorities has resulted in the loss of livelihood and unemployment.

However, the presence and upcoming of institutions in the area has been neglected. This projects aims at leveraging these anchor instittutions to regenerate local economy.

jurisdiction boundaries and administrative authority discrepancies

Jurisdiction Boundaries within the Site

REGIONAL PLAN (NMRDA)

CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (NMC)

METROPOLITAN AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN (NMRDA-NIT)

MIHAN MASTER PLAN (MADC)

NO LOCAL AREA MASTER PLAN

proposed structure plan

The aim is to create a neighbourhood that connects anchor institutions through a public realm framework that is driven by economic opportunities, and promotes entrepreneurship and community collaboration. The project also proposes creating an open space network with last mile connectivity, and built form that offers people with a number of housing options.

connectivity built zoning public realm and ecology

how to leverage institutions as drivers of development?

anchor institutions proposed land use and zoning

built form

Low-rise, low-density

Residential

NDZ Open Space

Collaboration Area

Mixed-use

Enterprise Area

Small Business Area

Medium-rise, low-density

Residential

(L-R) Typical section through Institutional Spine and Built, Proposed section through Institutional Spine and Built

Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur Govt. College of Engineering

Swami Vivekanada Medical Mission

Gondwana Public School

public realm

reviving lost spaces and identity 03

B. ARCH SEMESTER X THESIS

SITE LOCATION: VADODARA, INDIA

PROJECT SCOPE: CAMPUS PLANNING + URBAN INSERT

GUIDE: AR. NILIMA DHAMAL

be developed as a

Despite the large number of heritage places and Vadodara as the cultural capital of Gujarat, it has not been promoted as it should have been. Existing circuits are proposed only for the overall and central Gujarat. Vadodara does not have a special place. Vadodara is forced not only to find a solution for the decline in cultural identity and pollution of the waterbodies, but to respond to pressures of growing population and urban growth by unlocking the remaining undeveloped lost spaces and regaining a vital access of the public to an important natural asset of the waterfront. The population of Vadodara city has grown at a fast rate since 1951. But after 1981 the city area (VMC limit) has not increased. This exerted pressure on existing land resource, and ponds and streams became the soft targets and were reclaimed to accommodate rising population. Hence, the main objective of the project is not only to find a solution for the decline in cultural identity and pollution of the waterbodies but to respond to pressures of growing population and urban growth by unlocking the remaining undeveloped lost spaces and regaining a vital access of the public to an important natural asset of the waterfront.

categorizing the nature of lost spaces user groups on site Tourism Magnet

New Identity to the City Community Gathering

Employment Generation

proposed socio-cultural insert

using art and culture as a medium to being people together

LEARNING CENTRE

AMPHITHEATRE

HARNI LAKE

The aim is to create a public space that celebrates the city and its people by stimulating the cultural identity. The proposal looks at initiating a dialogue between the local community and tourists through art as a catalyst. The built has a very porous connect along with the existing landscape, keeping the site visually open and encourages free movement. The context-responsive design features explorative spaces and allows people to have temporal activities amidst the existing biodiversity. The main aspects of the design are sustainability, accessibility, physical form, functional and spatial needs of the program.

how can the city core be decongested and be made more user-inclusive through placemaking?

redefining the historic city core

B. ARCH SEMESTER VIII STUDIO

SITE LOCATION: HISTORIC CITY CORE (MANDAI AREA), PUNE, INDIA

PROJECT SCOPE: STREET AND POCKETS DESIGN + URBAN INSERT GUIDE: AR. NEETI TRIVEDI

The site, historic city core of Pune houses the biggest retail market of the city consisting of three primary roads - Shanipar-Mandai Road, Bajirao Road, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road. The Tulsibaug Area is a congested area with a number of markets ranging from vegetable markets, ladies’ shopping lanes, and utensils market. Being a mixed-use area, people find all necessary items in the vicinity. The project looks at redefining the area by connecting the three major hotspots of the site - Mandai, Tulsibaug Ram Mandir, and the (upcoming) Metro Station, and redesiging the roads and corner pockets for an enhanced and safe user experience. The proposal focuses at decongestion of the dense area considering the needs of various user groups by providing breathing pockets through place-making within walkable distances.

SHANIPAR TEMPLE

JILBHYA MARUTI TEMPLE

VISHRAMBAUG WADA

TULSI BAUG RAM TEMPLE

TULSI BAUG PRECINCT

Site Context and Land-use

user groups on site

NEW MANDAI

MAHATMA PHULE MANDAI

SATISH MISAL PARKING LOT

BABU GHENU PARKING LOT

design principles and placemaking initiatives

CONNECTION – 1 Sunken Community Plaza

connecting the three main hotspots of the site –Mandai, Tulsi Baug, Ram Mandir, and the upcoming metro station in addition to redesigning the parking building

CONNECTION – 1 Sunken Community Plaza

CONNECTION – 1. Sunken Community Plaza connecting the three main hotspots of the site –Mandai, Tulsi Baug, Ram Mandir, and the upcoming metro station in addition to redesigning the parking building.

CONNECTION – 1 Sunken Community Plaza connecting the three main hotspots of the site –Mandai, Tulsi Baug, Ram Mandir, and the upcoming metro station in addition to redesigning the parking building

CONNECTION – 1 Sunken Community Plaza

connecting the three main hotspots of the site –Mandai, Tulsi Baug, Ram Mandir, and the upcoming metro station in addition to redesigning the parking building

CIRCULATION – 1,2 Redesigning roads and important nodes for better traffic regulation and an enhanced pedestrian experience Betterdesigned roads and transportation network will encourage use of public transport

connecting the three main hotspots of the site –Mandai, Tulsi Baug, Ram Mandir, and the upcoming metro station in addition to redesigning the parking building

CIRCULATION – 1,2 Redesigning roads and important nodes for better traffic regulation and an enhanced pedestrian experience Betterdesigned roads and transportation network will encourage use of public transport

CONNECTION – 1 Sunken Community Plaza

CIRCULATION – 1,2 Redesigning roads and important nodes for better traffic regulation and an enhanced pedestrian experience Betterdesigned roads and transportation network will encourage use of public transport

CIRCULATION – 1,2. Redesigning roads and important nodes for better traffic regulation and an enhanced pedestrian experience. Better-designed roads and transportation network will encourage use of public transport.

connecting the three main hotspots of the site –Mandai, Tulsi Baug, Ram Mandir, and the upcoming metro station in addition to redesigning the parking building

NATURE – 2, 3 The roads have been dotted with tree canopies for shade over the footpaths and green zones have been created as breathable pockets in the dense urban grain

CIRCULATION – 1,2 Redesigning roads and important nodes for better traffic regulation and an enhanced pedestrian experience Betterdesigned roads and transportation network will encourage use of public transport

NATURE – 2, 3 The roads have been dotted with tree canopies for shade over the footpaths and green zones have been created as breathable pockets in the dense urban grain

CIRCULATION – 1,2 Redesigning roads and important nodes for better traffic regulation and an enhanced pedestrian experience Betterdesigned roads and transportation network will encourage use of public transport

NATURE – 2 3 The roads have been dotted with tree canopies for shade over the footpaths and green zones have been created as breathable pockets in the dense urban grain

NATURE – 2,3. The roads have been dotted with tree canopies for shade over the footpaths and green zones have been created as breathable pockets in the dense urban grain.

NATURE – 2, 3 The roads have been dotted with tree canopies for shade over the footpaths and green zones have been created as breathable pockets in the dense urban grain

COMMUNITY – 1, 3,4, 5,6 Green open spaces and plazas have been created to act as gathering spaces/ pause points and enhance community bonding Model proposals for better provisions for all stakeholders have been considered

COMMUNITY – 1, 3,4, 5,6 Green open spaces and plazas have been created to act as gathering spaces/ pause points and enhance community bonding Model proposals for better provisions for all stakeholders have been considered

NATURE – 2, 3 The roads have been dotted with tree canopies for shade over the footpaths and green zones have been created as breathable pockets in the dense urban grain

COMMUNITY – 1, 3,4, 5,6 Green open spaces and plazas have been created to act as gathering spaces/ pause points and enhance community bonding Model proposals for better provisions for all stakeholders have been considered

COMMUNITY – 1, 3,4, 5,6 Green open spaces and plazas have been created to act as gathering spaces/ pause points and enhance community bonding Model proposals for better provisions for all stakeholders have been considered

COMMUNITY – 1,3,4,5,6. Green open spaces and plazas have been created to act as gathering spaces/ pause points and enhance community bonding. Model proposals for better provisions for all stakeholders have been considered.

PRESERVATION – 4 5 7 Elevational control regulations have been thought of for any renovation work or new construction Old, neglected structures are under adaptive reuse as rooftop cafes and libraries Model building typologies will also adhere to the local architectural vocabulary

COMMUNITY – 1, 3,4, 5,6 Green open spaces and plazas have been created to act as gathering spaces/ pause points and enhance community bonding Model proposals for better provisions for all stakeholders have been considered

PRESERVATION – 4 5 7 Elevational control regulations have been thought of for any renovation work or new construction Old, neglected structures are under adaptive reuse as rooftop cafes and libraries Model building typologies will also adhere to the local architectural vocabulary

PRESERVATION – 4 5 7 Elevational control regulations have been thought of for any renovation work or new construction Old, neglected structures are under adaptive reuse as rooftop cafes and libraries Model building typologies will also adhere to the local architectural vocabulary

PRESERVATION – 4, 5,7 Elevational control regulations have been thought of for any renovation work or new construction Old, neglected structures are under adaptive reuse as rooftop cafes and libraries Model building typologies will also adhere to the local architectural vocabulary

PRESERVATION – 4, 5,7 Elevational control regulations have been thought of for any renovation work or new construction Old, neglected structures are under adaptive reuse as rooftop cafes and libraries Model building typologies will also adhere to the local architectural vocabulary

PRESERVATION – 4,5,7. Elevational control regulations have been thought of for any renovation work or new construction. Old, neglected structures are under adaptive reuse as rooftop cafes and libraries. Model building typologies will also adhere to the local architectural vocabulary.

Proposed Masterplan

how can tourists get to experience ‘living like a local’?

Vendor Lane connecting the Accomodation to Mahatma Phule Mandai

Way towards the Tourist Accomodation along Bhau Maharaj Bol

Floor Plans

Existing Site Built

Proposed Site and Vendor Lane carved out after Demolition

Exploded View

an urban oasis for the locals and tourists

The intervention looks at redeveloping a clustered area and proposing a tourist accommodation ( + redesigning the commercial front) in close vicinity to Mahatma Phule Mandai. The aim is to provide a lodging facility with all requirements for visitors, better community bonding areas for residents and a more efficient commercial front with provisions for street vendors as well. This proposal will also enhance spatial experience and visual character of the core area through a vernacular approach. The current trend is to turn away from the tourist trap, and instead opt for experiences that let a tourist to ‘live like a local’.

Indoor Courtyard Gathering Space

View of Mahatama Phule Mandai and the Vendor Lane from the Tourist Accomodation

Tourist Accomodation and Redesigned Commercial Front

Sections and Elevations

how does a post-human lens challenge conventional notions of urbanity and cartographic representations?

reimagining post-human landscapes

M. ARCH SEMESTER I STUDIOW

SITE LOCATION: AAREY FOREST, MUMBAI, INDIA

PROJECT SCOPE: SPATIAL REPRESENTATION

GUIDES: AR. ROHAN SHIVKUMAR, AR. AINSLEY LEWIS

Urbanity is always assessed and represented from the human gaze, a posthuman lens allows for decentering the gaze and dissolving the cartographic imagination of a map to understand food dependencies and ecologies within the urban realm. The Aarey forest, a demarcated green zone in the development plan of Mumbai is a site of contestation between the indigenous communities that reside here, the state and other actors like the dairy owners, the migrant communities, the real estate lobby and the environmentalists, in the city of Mumbai that challenge the notions of food. We do these by drawing out a deep section from the rock strata to the inhabited sky drawn along a 1.6km transect that passes through the forest, the dairy farms, fodder and paddy fields, infrastructures of waste and transport, gardens and wadis, the spatialities produced by indigenous religiosity and the padas as sites of indigenous and migrant inhabitation along Aarey. This transect becomes the site of establishing the sensoriums that more-than-human agencies produce and get shaped by. The logic of adjacencies and dependencies forms the structure of the transect that gets layered with seasons, cyclical and geological time where the scales and the gaze shift to understand more-than-human agencies in Aarey. Composition illustrating Stories of Fruiting

Snippets from an experimental swatch of the Post-Human Landscape with Annotations

Specimens sourced from Aarey Forest

Composition illustrating Ecologies of Soil Beings

Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany

Plaza de España, Seville, Spain

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

Rock Formations of Cappadocia, Turkey

Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Barcelona, Spain

Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany

Jami Masjid, Mandu, India

Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany

Historical Museum, Frankfurt, Germany

Blue Alleys of Chefchaouen, Morocco

Jewish Museum, Berlin, Germany

Thank You!