This curated collection of academic and professional design ideas and interpretations aim to question various challenges posed to society by climate change, health and infrastructure. These ideas draw inferences from various research methods, data, diagrams and maps which can help deduce unique design directives to challenge and re-interpret the way we solve complex spatial issues using a human centric approach. There are no right or wrong answers. Design isn’t just an end to means solution. It is rather the larger process of understanding complex systems, human interaction to space, infrastructure and the nature.
Understanding the theory of production of nature by mapping the disappearance of lakes and wetland ecosystems in the city of Bangalore.
Can design be used as a tool to advocate for the needs of the underprivileged?
How can data and spatial mapping tools be used to plan and design accessible and affordable health infrastructure?
THE URBAN VILLAGE
TRANSITION SCAPE
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Academic Individual Project, Undergraduate Thesis/ Dissertation Spring 2022, Semester X
Instructors: Mr Vikas Kanojia, Ms Tanuja B Kanvinde
CAD, Rhino,VRAY, Lumion, Adobe Creative cloud
Built up area: 42,000 sqm
Bangalore’s Recent Emergence as the Nation’s IT/Silicon Hub (Nair 2005) and as a Global city (Sassen 1991) can be attributed to the Nations sustained emphasis on technological advancement (Bhatt 2010). Rapid Road Networking and Uneven geographical development continue to alter the dynamics of major greenfield sites like Marathalli, Electronic City, Bellandur and Whitefield. There are two flips sides to the coin:
A)This mode of development does little to help a large number of blue collar/informal labourers who depend on local means of production. Can one propose an antithesis to this by creating a platform which can encourage equal learning opportunities?
B) The adverse impact of such urbanization often comes at the expense of extensive exploitation and depletion of the city’s natural resources, lakes being one among the many. As a results of the generated land use patterns, certain parcels of land termed as “Urban voids” remain unused. Can these voids be revitalized to serve as a larger catalyst to stitch the broken urban fabric of the city?
The thesis aims at uncovering an alternative approach to the theory of the production of space and nature while reinventing the conventional idea of an Urban Hub.
Whitefield
Marathalli
Bellandur
Electronic City
WHO, WHY AND WHAT
IDENTIFYING ISSUES
I’m stuck in traffic. Will have to work overtime today as well. WTF is this life....#$@#
Poor animals, being forced to live and drink Contaminated WATER
Have you ever seen a lake on FIREEE ???!!!! Looks like the earth is gonna end...
Its ALREADY 10:00AM!!! Where are you??
BOSS is gonna MURDER you for being LATE!!
Does anyone really care about CLIMATE CHANGE?!?!
We need new initiatives which help the community and the people....
Need to learn a new skill to support my family
Wish we had more open space to play and learn. I wanna go to school but my parents can’t afford it......
Wait, we can create a solution.....
EUREKAAAA!!! EUREKAAAA!!!
PARTI DIAGRAMS
Graphical illustration of volume and massing explorations
ZONING STRATEGIES
Placing of Various functions and programs across the site
Green Roofs and Urban Farms: Organic farms provide employment opportunity to the informal sector, while also using an in-situ method to segregate, recycle and reuse waste.
Community Classrooms, extended park and performance theatre provide students and children with an opportunity to access free learning and education opportunities.
Public Library:
Adjacent to the school and away from the main road due to heavy noise and traffic. Open courtyard a response to the built of the school.
Workshops and Waste collection centres help segregate, sort and reuse the waste in the urban farms
WORKSHOPS
The Urban
Isometric Visual of what the design intervention world, where people share experiences, with nature, all at the same time maintaining
CO-WORKING
URBAN FARMS
Public Library and open learning resources help in the betterment of the society as a whole
Urban Village
intervention could be, an equal and just experiences, spaces, learn and grow together maintaining a sustainable living cycle
Space for morning walks, relaxing and interaction
More open green space for the young and elderly alike
Facade, Fenestration and Material.
The design makes use of contemporary materials like brick, concrete, aluminium and wood to constitute the facade. Landscaping strategies makes use of local materials like chappadi stone for pedestrian paving. On the east and west facade, vertical concrete louvers block out the harsh sun rays, while on the south facade, a number of horizontal screens reduce the amount of light entering the building.
Legend:
1. 150MM Thk Concrete slab
2. 50MM flooring margin
3. 600x600 grid ceiling panels 4. 450MM cantilever slab projection 5. Full height double glazed unit
Planter box with vegetation
View of entrance of plaza connecting the adjoining neighbourhood to the habitat center. The elevated staircase seen above leads the public to the various levels, from the library to the auditorium and the office floors
Exhibition and Art Gallery
Exhibition and Gallery.
The Exhibition and art gallery explores the many ways in which one can experience the space through the play of volumes and light. The section is used as a guiding and driving tool to arrive at the final form, one which goes hand in hand with the programs and functions within.
Lower Ground
Upper Ground
Left: Main entrance to the gallery and exhibition space
Right: View of the peripheral skylights
The Stack Section
Left: Main entrance to the gallery and exhibition space
The central atrium is designed to serve as a visual connection between the floors. The partially covered skylight is intended to bring light into the central space, while also creating a visual effect on the suspended installation. By inserting voids into the massing and cutouts at the periphery, the bulk is reduced to allow light to space. People are lead into the space at the lower ground floor through a central staircase which connects the main lobby. The users are then lead upwards verticall through a series of dog-legged staircases juxtaposed diagonally.
SECTION AA’
Revitalization Strategies
The Urban farms are stepped down to form bioswales which host drought resistant plants to form a “Rain garden”. Common plants include: Sunflower, Chickpea, Lintel, bean, Finger millet, Pigeon pea, Sesame, Pea and Urad bean. The later half towards the adjoining Nalah is stepped further down towards the Nalah to form an outdoor recreational spot for visitors. This is then followed by a riparian zone which hosts a series of littoral plant species of local nature.
EXISTING SECTION
The existing Nalah consists of an gradual drop of 2.1m
PROPOSED SECTION A B C
The proposed section steps down and maximizes cut/fill.
A
Waste collection centre
The structure acts like a temporary setting to collect waste from the residential and industrial neighbourhoods. This space during the harvesting season is transformed into an open market to sell the organic produce from the Urban farms.
B
Recycling workshops
Waste collected is segregated and recycled into disposable materials. The centre serves as an employment opportunity for local blue collar workers and informal labourers.
C
Bioswales/phytoremediation
Drought resistant crops are planted which can then be harvested and sold as organic products in the fleeting market.
Phytoremediation
The urban farms are designed as a series of bioswales to form a “rain garden”. This helps prevent storm-water runoff into the adjoining Nalah
Biotraps
A cost effective in situ solution to clean the drain would be through the use of semi porous traps which help segregate larger sewage particulate matter
Floating Islands
Aquatic plants with fibrous roots help in reducing odour and simultaneously feed on waste matter and other algae, thus cleaning the drain in the process
Native plants adapted to local conditions
Mulsh
Bioretention soil
Permeable gravel
Undisturbed soil
CRAFTING LIVELIHOODS, BLURRING BOUNDARIES
Location: New Delhi
Academic Individual Project, Fall 2022, Semester IX
Instructor: Mr Nidip Mehta
CAD, VRAY, Sketchup, Adobe Creative cloud
We live in a society whereby every minute as some enjoy the privileges of life, there are hundreds out there struggling to make ends meet. Basic amenities like “roti, kapda, and makaan” are far from reality. India has a population of 1.3 billion people, of which as per a survey conducted by the Homeless world foundation, there were 1.8 million people who didn’t have a proper roof to live under. The uneven rates of growth in different sectors of the economy force certain groups of people to live in ‘fractured’ geographies which can be seen through the spatial unevenness as seen in India. (Smith 2008)
Hawkers and Peddlers find themselves at the bottom of the list. They are constantly moving from one place to another, making an attempt to sell their commodities to meet their basic needs. As designers, can we try to solve their need for shelter, if not at least attempt to create micro-living spaces catered to their needs? Can micro-housing be a solution? Are we willing to embrace its idea in India? It is within these questions lies our very first step
THE PROPOSITION:
Identifying the user groups, need for micro housing
BANGLES,
BRACELETS
WHO ARE THEY?
Artisans are seasonal vendors who usually travel to another place during festive seasons to different parts of the country like Rajasthan, Assam, Sikkim, Tamil nadu, Gujarat etc
BAMBOO, SARKANDA
Affected by covid-19
WHAT DO THEY SELL?
Traditional crafts, mercantile, Garments, woodwork etc
SPATIAL
Usually items semi community
SPATIAL REQUIREMENT
POTS, DECORATIVE WARE
Usually one or two members of the family travel with the from their native place. Vendors usually require open spaces to sell their goods,which can serve as community interaction spaces as well.
TEXTILES
HAND LOOMS
WHO ARE THE CUSTOMERS
Many cities hold trade markets, fairs etc where these artisans can sell/ display their tradition and craft.
THE NEED FOR MICRO HOUSING
A Modular adaptable unit can provide space for work and rest, while also keeping in mind the needs for the younger members of the family.
SARKANDA
WORK
This arrangement is most efficient when used during work hours due to the maximum work space available to showcase/ display various items.
THE PROTOTYPE:
Individual unit plans which indicate different activities using the modular units within the micro home
Size of module: 6Mx4M
Temporary movable walls
Fixed walls
RELAX
After working hours, a centre pull up table can be used for dining/ family recreation, while the storage module can be moved to provide for a shower area.
REST
The storage boxes can be stacked which can act as a series of steps which leads to an additional loft space above the washroom, which can serve as a rest place.
GROUPING + CLUSTERING
Using the modular approach with the help of diagrams and models to understanding clusters and how they work
Cluster Typology A
The shop are placed such that the rear of the module opens into a semi-open courtyard. This courtyard can be used by the craftsmen to showcase the actual process of making during the day, while the space can be used for recreational activities during the night among family members.
Cluster Typology B
The linear typology serves best when there is a space constraint and maximum shop frontage is required. The shops open into a narrow alleyway created, with customers walking in a linear fashion.
Cluster Typology C
Using a combination of the linear and open courtyard, a mixed cluster is formed with can then be repeated
The space serves to conduct live workshops/ display of the making of various pots, handmade crafts etc. It also serves as a recreation space of the locals during the off-beat hours.
THE COURTYARD
The space serves to conduct live workshops/ display of the making of various pots, handmade crafts etc. It also serves as a recreation space of the locals during the off-beat hours.
The design easily accessible micro solution. the material ly defined state the The structure into 75x75 which can and assembled. members waterproof boards(MDF) finishing.
Retractable floor mounted Storage can be used able furniture
design is intended to be an accessible and affordable solution. To achieve this, material palette is uniquedefined by the characteristic the artisan belongs to.
structure is modulated 75x75 box/timber sections can be easily transported assembled. The secondary members (walls) are made up of waterproof PVC boards/timber boards(MDF) with appropriate finishing.
Framing to be covered with corrugated metal/ puff panel sheet
75x75 ms box section
40mm thk PV/ MDF/ pre-laminated external ply as external walls
Retractable mechanical mounted table.
boxes which used as adaptfurniture
Internal partition walls made of pre-lam wood, to act as adaptable furniture
Workspace+ Living area
Extensible/retractable plinth to be used as additional platform where the vendor can display the items being sold/ conduct transactions etc
THE WALL AS A TOOL
Extensible plinth to be used as selling/interaction space between the artisan and the customer, used for displaying various crafts/pottery/jewellery/toys etc.
KITCHEN + REST
In an entire day, spaces such as the kitchen are only marginally used. The design makes use of this, by fitting in a collapsible storage/ display unit which is pulled out during the day to showcase the mercantile/craft on sale.
ADAPTABLE FURNITURE
Since the artisan would require a larger storage area, this reality is addressed by efficiently stacking the boxes in a vertical fashion. These boxes can be alternatively used for various seating/ gathering arrangements as seen in the diagram. A retractable pull-up table is designed to reveal a concealed compartment for storage units, which is used as leg-space while eating/dining.
TOILET + STORAGE
The shower space (which also acts as a dead space) is collapsed during the day when not in use, to provide extra space on the active front of the unit. The storage unit attached to one end of the cubicle moves out when the shower area is needed.
ASSESSING EQUITY OF HEALTH COVERAGE IN KERALA
Location: Kerala, India
Professional Individual Project (2023-2024)
Research Collaborator: George Institute of Medical Health and Sciences
Advisors: Leon Morenas, Devaki Nambiar.
Key words: Data Visualization, Spatial Mapping, GIS mapping.
In the era of Universal Health Coverage, Kerala has introduced wide ranging health reforms as part of its Aardram Mission. As per an order issued in 2017, the Department of Health and Family Welfare (KDHFW) has stated that
Transforming Primary Health Centres into Family Health Centres (FHCs) by redefining the package of services offered and also improving their quality is one of the prime strategies of the Mission. The transformed services aim to achieve universality (making services available to all irrespective of whether they approach institutions or not) and comprehensiveness (includes promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services).
The project dvelves into the informational structures that govern spatial and urban design. Design directives at the macro scale are usually a result of a systematic, logical and outlined research process. While empirical methods are effective, they fail to incorporate cross-sectional studies and do not enable researchers to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. How significantly does this influence the allocation of resources, accessibility to essential infrastructure, and availability of health benefits? To understand the governance angle of informatization, India provides an ideal case example.
To understand this, the following maps were generated based on various field surveys and user interaction, indicating the varied use of health care across 4 different districts and 8 panchayats.
In the era of Universal Health Coverage, Kerala has introduced wide ranging health reforms as part of its Aardram Mission. As per an order issued in 2017, the Department of Health and Family Welfare (KDHFW) has stated that
Transforming Primary Health Centres into Family Health Centres (FHCs) by redefining the package of services offered and also improving their quality is one of the prime strategies of the Mission. The transformed services aim to achieve universality (making services available to all irrespective of whether they approach institutions or not) and comprehensiveness (includes promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services).
To understand this, the following maps were generated based on various field surveys and user interaction, indicating the varied use of health care across 4 different districts and 8 panchayats.
Spatial Mapping
Each of the 8 panchayats, 2 from each district are mapped out with its respective administrative boundaries, and using them as base maps, the infrastructure is laid out in layers are indicated in the legend given below.
Legend
Quantitative mapping of health of infrastructure used. From PHC, different user groups were asked availed based on availability Binary Tree
Tree Mapping
care sought after against the kind PHC, to tertiary large scale hospitals, asked what kind of infrastructure was availability and affordability.
REASONS FOR VISIT
PRIVATE INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Alapuzzha District
2. Thiruvananthapuram District
3. Kollam District
4. Kasargod District
A scatter plot maps each user experience/ visit to the health infrastructure as a single count, which is then tallied across the 8 panchayats ( 4 districts) to visually give a representation as shown above. The visitation is divided into two sub-groups, private and public infrastructure on the X axis, while keeping the reasons for visit as a parameter across the Y axis.
Scatter Plot
Alluvial Diagram
An alluvial diagram, also known by many as the Sankey flow diagram is a visual representation which uses the idea of flow lines to depict quantity. As seen above, larger bandwidth of the flow represents more number of registered use cases. Each colour represents a particular FGD group. The entire flow diagram is structured in a descending hierarchical order, with most number of visitations/ registered use cases at the top.
Location: Bangalore Professional Project (2021-2023)
Studio Partner: Ochre Architects, Collaborators: Amulya S, Akash.
Site Area: 30,320 sqft (2816.82 sqm) Built: 10,170 sqft(944.82 sqm)
Roles and Responsibilities: Detail Design, Construction Drawings, Presentation and Documentation.
THE GOWSHALA FARMHOUSE
The project gave us an opportunity to explore how a farmhouse could be interpreted differently, using the local vernacular architecture of Karnataka. The farmhouse draws inspiration from the local houses of mangalore, where terracota is the primary material of construction. Using the local ‘chappadi’ stone in a number of elements, the farmhouse is brought to life. A guesthouse and an amphitheatre are added to allow the local community to hold events, local festivities and small gatherings.
Area Program:
Site + Context Plan
1. Cow shed/feeding Quarters
2. Staff Room and Kitchen
3. Feed Storage and cow washing Area
4. Guest House
5. Amphitheatre and Temple Enclosure
Located on the outskirts of Bangalore in a rather rural setting, the Gowshala serves to stand as an embodiment of modern vernacular architecture. The client brief included providing an animal shelter along with other community related outdoor spaces which included an amphitheatre, staff quarters and a guest house. The project takes inspiration from the local neighbourhood, using humble materials like terracotta, Sadarahalli granite and chappadi stone
Area Program:
1. Cow shed/feeding Quarters
2. Staff Room and Kitchen
3. Feed Storage and cow washing Area
4. Guest House
5. Amphitheatre and Temple Enclosure
Phase 1 development:
Phase 1 development:
The development and construction of the project was divided into Two phases due to budget and labour constraints. The initial phase Included construction of the animal quarters with 50 percent staff quarters to ensure functioning of the centre. This was constructed within a time period of 3-4 months.
The development and construction of the project was divided into Two phases due to budget and labour constraints. The initial phase Included construction of the animal quarters with 50 percent staff quarters to ensure functioning of the centre. This was constructed within a time period of 3-4 months.
Phase 2 development:
Phase 2 development:
This phase included construction of the remaining storage areas, staff offices, guest house, amphitheatre and temple enclosure
This phase included construction of the remaining storage areas, staff offices, guest house, amphitheatre and temple enclosure
elevation D
scale: 1:60
section 1-1'
section 1-1'
scale: 1:36
Terracotta shingle tiles
The design having a very strong rural backdrop, was driven by the idea of using a material palette which would form a cohesive bond with its natural context, adding a sense of tactility. The use of Red shingle tiles made of brick/terracotta was used on top of a sloping roof, a typical architectural element of a village
Foundation and Structure
The foundation was designed using the traditional ssm stone masonry capped with a continuous plinth made of the local chappadi stone. The structure is designed using 9” thk brick masonry load bearing walls, where in certain areas such as the animal shed, a system of intersecting I-section ISMC 200 is used.
Roles and Responsibilities: Concept Design, Modelling, Detail Design, Interior design, construction drawings, Presentation
ELPRO INTERNATIONAL
The Elpro International school is designed embracing the idea of creating a “Power house of learning”. The school deviates from the traditional method of teaching and learning, by fostering spaces which are conducive to learning from a more holistic perspective. Programs like Mud kitchens, Light studios, Language and AI labs, etc give students an opportunity to explore new ideas, deviating from traditional subjects of learning. Overall, the main building is juxtaposed by a central landscaped court which embraces various outdoor activities, providing the opportunity for cross-learning between students and teachers alike.
Due to space constraints, the school bus drop off system could not be accommodated at the ground level. As a solution to the problem, a 6m high basement was provided, so that the school bus could drop the students off at the lower level. To enhance the entry experience and to maintain circulation, a central staircase was provided which would lead students from the basement into the main lobby at the ground level.
NON STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
Elliptical arches sculpted in exposed concrete
Curved pseudo GRC bands
10 11 12 13
The staircase is designed using the play of light and color to add a sense of tactility and belonging, one which the children and students can relate to. Use of bright primary colors and strip lighting add depth and character to what would have been an otherwise non exciting staircase.
