As a passionate architecture graduate student with three years of hands-on experience in designing and overseeing diverse construction projects, I am deeply inspired by the power of architecture to shape human thoughts, emotions, and well-being. The way spaces define our experiences and influence our daily lives drives my commitment to designing environments that foster comfort, connection, and some inspiration. I aspire to create transformative spaces that not only respond to human needs but also contribute to a more sustainable and thoughtful built environment, one that positively impacts communities and shapes a better world.
rdivya.shree031@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyashree31/
Divya Shree Ravi Shankar
Experience
Architecture Intern May 2024-Present
Energy Management, Facilities and Services
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- Assisted in Energy Management to optimize retro commissioning of HVAC systems, conserve energy, and improve sustainability.
- Created layouts and 3D digital models using EnergyPlus - OpenStudio software to ensure energy-efficient building designs.
- Managed computerized monitoring and on-site documentation using AutoCAD to enhance building performance.
Teaching Assistant Fall 2024-Spring 2025
Architecture Design Studio - ARCH172 & ARCH274
Assisted Professor John Clark in guiding Freshman and Sophomore architecture students through design processes and studio projects. Provided feedback on design concepts, helped with critiques, and supported students in developing their architectural skills and functional design principles.
Architect Aug 2021-Jul 2023
Thomas Associates, Bangalore, India
Crafted architectural working drawings, anticipating challenges to ensure seamless execution, and actively contributed to design, space planning, and construction documentation throughout project lifecycles. Offered invaluable support and innovative ideas for high-rise residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects, enhancing their overall quality and appeal.
Architecture Intern Aug 2020-Jul 2021
Thomas Associates, Bangalore, India
Proficient in drafting and conceptualization, adept at translating ideas into tangible plans and executing them effectively to drive project success. Experienced in managing the construction process to uphold precise design specifications, ensure timely task completion, and align with project milestones, while fostering a cohesive team environment conducive to innovation and excellence.
Cultural Experience
Exploring Vernacular Architecture in China
Feb 2025
Selected for a competitive traveling studio to Shanghai and Huangshan Village, studying vernacular architecture, cultural heritage, and local lifestyles of the people. Contributed to a redevelopment proposal focused on preserving traditional architecture while addressing modern needs.
Bangalore University Education
Softwares
Master of Architecture 2023-2025
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Architecture 2016-2021
CAD Autocad, Revit
Modeling Sketchup, Rhino
Render Lumion, Vray, Enscape, Twinmotion
Adobe Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, XD Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel
Other skills
Sketching | Painting | Photography | Sports | Music | Violin| Travel and adventure | Gardening | Culinary Enthusiast
04 Transformable structure Adaptive Modular Transformable Model
Bamboo Canopy
Working Drawings
Documentation
01
COMMUNITY CENTRE
YEAR : 2024
ACADEMIC GROUP WORK
LOCATION : TUSCOLA, ILLINOIS
The proposed design envisions a dynamic, transparent, and pedestrian focused environment that prioritizes energy eciency while enhancing the site’s visual and spatial quality.
Key design elements include open, permeable spaces that encourage walkability and social interaction, creating a vibrant sense of place that resonates with the community. Transparency in form and materiality invites natural light, blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor realms, and enhances engagement with the surrounding landscape.
Integrating the Living Building Challenge Principles in Design
In this project, the Living Building Challenge (LBC) principles were integrated across various petals:
Place: The community centre respects the site’s natural shape, aligning its design with the existing boundary to preserve its integrity.
Water: Sustainability is achieved through rainwater harvesting, storage systems, and some efficient water conservation strategies.
Energy: Solar panels, geothermal energy, and strategic shading devices ensure optimal natural lighting and energy efficiency.
Materials: Locally sourced bricks and sustainable materials were prioritized to minimize environmental impact.
Health, Happiness, Beauty, and Equity: The design emphasizes inclusivity with its garden spaces, walkways, and inviting landscapes, fostering well-being and community connection.
This holistic approach ensures the building is sustainable, functional, and regenerative while enhancing the user experience.
Solar Shading - The design uses horizontal shading on the south and vertical shading on the east and west to reduce heat gain, while the north side leverages natural light to minimize artificial lighting and cooling needs.
Walkway View
Basketball court View
Building axonometric view
Facade detail
The Cove Tool analysis highlights that Run 1 achieves optimal daylight autonomy (60%), Run 2 balances performance at 50%, and Run 3 reduces efficiency to 29%. Energy strategies focus on passive design, efficient HVAC systems, and solar energy integration to minimize consumption.Climate-responsive features, including shading and orientation, enhance thermal performance and adaptive comfort.
East Elevation
02
PERFORMANCE ART CENTRE
YEAR : 2018
ACADEMIC INDIVIDUAL WORK
LOCATION : BENGALURU, INDIA
The site is located within Bangalore University campus and surrounded by softscape. The site is on contoured land, which is an added benefit for the project due to its levels inside.
Site analysis
3 main elements Circulation
Zoning
All dream processes can, in some way or another, also be found in theatre plays. This provides the idea of structuring the theatre visit as a passage through four different sleep phases. The lobby of the theatre is analogous to the first dream stage which is a short phase of 5–10 minutes between wakefulness and sleep. Leaving the lobby, the visitor enters the waiting area, which is equal to the second sleep phase, which sends the human mind into deep sleep. The entrance area in front of the actual stage, formed as the third atrium, symbolises the third sleep phase of deep relaxation before the start of dreams.
For good visibility and listening conditions, the successive rows of seats are raised over the preceding ones, with the result that the floor level rises toward the rear. The height of each riser is 150 mm. Sound insulation materials like acoustic plaster, glass wool mats, mineral wool tiles, and perforated boards are used inside the auditorium.
Axonometric view
RECONNECTING WAUKEGAN
YEAR : 2023
ACADEMIC INDIVIDUAL WORK
LOCATION : WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS
This project emphasis on connectivity, fostering a seamless integration of spaces that transcends traditional boundaries. The evolving landscape recognizes the signifIcance of interlinking various elements to create a cohesive and dynamic environment. Common spaces, once isolated, are now envisioned as hubs of interaction, promoting a senset of community and collaboration.
Enhance connectivity Create structures for connection Relocate highway and railway tracks
Use of vegetation in strategic way Revitalize the lakefront
Key plan
The design promotes public interaction through spaces for cultural events, fostering inclusivity and social connections among people of all ages and backgrounds. Ground-floor retail supports local businesses and artists, enhancing community vitality. This thoughtful integration of functions ensures the project becomes a place where people connect, collaborate, and thrive, creating a holistic and lively urban experience.
Plaza views
04
TRANSFORMABLE STRUCTURE
YEAR : 2023
ACADEMIC GROUP WORK PLANNING AND DESIGN OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
Transformable structures with translational scissor units are modular designs that adapt to different needs by allowing components to move and reposition. These structures can shift functions, such as transforming from single-story to multi-story or reconfiguring layouts for various activities. They offer a flexible, adaptable solution for modern architectural and engineering challenges.
05 BAMBOO CANOPY
YEAR : 2021
COMPETITION GROUP WORK
LOCATION : BANGALORE, INDIA
In this proposal, bamboo is used as a primary material. This design consists of six different size canopies which are aligned to provide shade in the seating areas and also protect from rainwater, which collects at the top of the canopy and runs through the pipe inside the bamboo framing to the water tank. This colected water can be used for irrigation and other purposes. The
CLUBHOUSE
YEAR : 2021-2023
PROFESSIONAL WORK
LOCATION : BANGALORE, INDIA
A 10-acre, capacious township comprises 958 aesthetically designed, three-bedroom homes that rise up to 20 floors. along with a fully equipped clubhouse with the gamut of recreational amenities including a swimming pool, gym, health club, indoor badminton court, party halls, billiards, table tennis, board room, reading room, and a provision for a crèche. There is also provision for a convenience store, pharmacy, doctor’s clinic, mini-theater, and space for an ATM.
