RICHA M ARU PORTFOLIO
Selected Work from Academic and Professional (2018-2022)
Richa Maru
WORK EXPERIENCE
Champaign, Illinois
EDUCATION University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Master of Architecture | Illinois School of Architecture Building Performance Concentration
Aug 2021 - May 2023
Mumbai University Bachelor of Architecture | Dr. D. Y. Patil School of Architecture
Aug 2013 - April 2018
SKILLS & ABILITIES 3D Modelling Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Autocad, Sketchup Representational Photoshop, Lumion, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite. Analog Sketching, Laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC, Vacuum former, Woodshop tools.
LICENSES & CERTIFICATES Licensed Architect Council of Architecture, India (CA/2018/102696) Construction Project Management Columbia University | Coursera Verified Course Zero-Energy Design: An approach to make your building sustainable Delft University of Technology | edX Verified Course
Fabrication Tech Fabrication Shops | Illinois School of Architecture Assisting and working on shop projects with various equipments.
Jan 2022 - Present
Junior Architect Horizon Architects, Mumbai, India. Worked through schematic design, design development, construction documentation, execution, and site coordination for Residential, Slum Rehabilitation and Commercial projects in Mumbai.
Sept 2020 - June 2021
Project Architect Vihang Group of Companies, Thane, India | Freelance Worked through site acquisition, program development, design development and technical drawings for a proposed Crematorium.
Jan 2019 - June 2021
Architecture Consultant Sumit Dodhia & Associates | Heights Media, Thane, India | Freelance Site planning and site execution for resort and hoarding project.
Nov 2018 - Jan 2019
Architecture Intern Prashant Sutaria Architects, Mumbai, India. Worked through design documentation, on site coordination, design development for Mixed-use and Residential projects.
Dec 2016 - March 2017
COMPETITIONS AND PARTICIPATIONS Illinois Solar Decathlon, Build Team (Sept 2021 - May 2023) Design Competition at Manipal University, Dubai (1st Position) Archotsav, National Convention (2nd Position) Student Mentor at The Lighthouse Project (2 academic years)
INDEX 01
CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM
02
HERITAGE SITE MUSEUM
03
MULTIFAITH CEMTERY
Extension to Museum of Contemporary Arts, Chicago. High Performance Building Studio | Fall 2021
Heritage Interpretation & Research Centre at Rakhigarhi, Hayrana. Design Dissertation | Spring Semester 2018
Proposed Crematorium & Cemetery at Bhayanderpada, Thane. Project Architect | Vihang Group of Companies | Jan 2019 - June 2021
04
SLUM REHABILITATION
05
MIXED USE BUILDING
06
RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
Slum Rehabilitation + Middle Income Group Housing, Mumbai. Junior Architect | Horizon Architects | Sept 2020 - June 2021
Gokul One, Udaipur, India. Architecture Intern | Horizon Architects | Spring Semester 2017
Pundag, Raipur, India. Architecture Intern | Horizon Architects | Spring Semester 2017
CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM Extension of Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Illinois, USA. Fall Semester 2021 | High Performance Building Studio Type : Group project (3) | Prof. Yun Kyu Yi
Design & Execution PROJECT BRIEF
1
Designing an extension to the existing Museum of Contemporary Arts in Chicago. The aim was to alleviate the users from harsh, undesired effects of the climate and excessive daylighting, as well as exhaustion that comes with browsing a museum. The proposal alleviates the pressure on the site due to the looming surrounding structures by creating safe space within a blanket of shade.
2
MUSEUM FOR VISITORS CREATING A SAFE SPACE Blanket emerging from the ground to merge with the structure creating refuge spaces.
11
3
MICROCLIMATE CONTROL Panelization of blanket that controls the daylight entering the space.
9
CONNECTING INDOOR TO OUTDOOR Creating a physical and visual connection between the existing MCA and the Lake Shore Park. REDUCING TRAVEL DISTANCE AND TIME Creating experiential pathways connecting different surrounding areas through the MCA extension museum.
5
4
7
6 12
10 8 1 Main Entrance 2 Indoor Exhibition 3 Indoor Courtyard
4 Outdoor Exhibition 5 Recreation Area 6 Outdoor Cafeteria
7 Indoor Cafeteria 8 Office Entrance 9 Museum Office
10 11 12
Vehicular Entrance Existing MCA Lake Shore Park
N
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
EAST ELEVATION
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
SOUTH ELEVATION
CONTROL FACTORS OF THE FORM
SITE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
DAYLIGHT CONTROL INDOORS WITH PANELIZATION OF BLANKET. START GATE
END GATE TARGET
WORKING OF PEDSIM SIMULATION IF AND STATEMENT FOR PANELIZATION
PANELIZATION OF BLANKET FOR CLIMATE CONTROL
GENERATING SHORTEST ROUTES USING PEDSIM
INNER COURTYARD CONNECTING THE MCA TO THE LAKE SHORE PARK.
HERITAGE SITE MUSEUM Heritage Interpretation & Research Centre Rakhigarhi, Haryana, India. Spring Semester 2018 | Design Dissertation Project Type : Public & Institutional | Individual
Design & Execution
10
PROJECT BRIEF
10
Designing a site museum for Indus Valley Civilization heritage site, to create awareness and enlighten people about past civilization and creating spaces for archaeological experience. The program also includes a Research Training Institute along with accommodation units for archaeologists who travel from far away to work on this site for months. SITE MUSEUM FOR VISITORS CREATING AWARENESS Experiential Pathway & Viewing Deck REDUCING MUSEUM FATIGUE Outdoor Exhibition Area, Workshop room & Light and Sound Show Room ENERGY CONSERVING & COST EFFECTIVE Solar Panel, North Light Catchers & Light Shelves
10
9
8
3
2
12 6
RESEARCH & TRAINING INSTITUTE SUSTAINABILITY Flexible Floor Plan & Solar Towers IMPACTING THE PSYCHOLOGY Light & Ventilation POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Courtyards & Terraces
ACCOMMODATION UNITS ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY Hierarchy of Courtyards LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT Wind Towers & Vertical Shading Devices
1
5 4 7
11
1 Parking 2 Entrance Hall 3 Multipurpose Hall
4 Cafeteria 5 Replica of Live Site 6 Museum
N
7 Outdoor Display area 8 Administration Unit 9 Research Institute
10 11 12
Accommodation Units Service Entry Live Excavation Site
SITE MUSEUM FOR VISITORS
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
LIGHTSHELF FOR MUSEUM GALLERY
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
LIGHT CATCHER & PV PANELS IN ATRIUM SPACE
VIEWING DECK ON THE TOP FLOOR
OUTDOOR EXHIBITION AREA
SOLAR PANELS & NORTH LIGHT CATCHERS ABOVE ATRIUM
LIGHT SHELVES IN EXHIBITION ROOM
RESEARCH & TRAINING INSTITUTE
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
INTERACTIVE SPACES FOR LEARNING
EXTERNAL COURTYARD SURROUNDED BY ACCOMMODATION UNITS
SOLAR TOWER IN LIBRARY
VERTICAL SHADING DEVICES : ANGLED LOUVERS & GREEN PANELS
MULTI-FAITH CEMETERY Proposed Crematorium & Cemetery Bhayanderpada, Thane, India. Jan 2019 - June 2021 | Project Architect For Vihang Group of Companies
Design & Execution PROJECT BRIEF It is a 1.5 million dollars government project proposing a Cemetery for all religions in Bhayanderpada due to the expansion and increased population of Thane city. The objective was to create spaces that communicate with the user and console them, making their bereavement less agonising rather than creating blind spots in the urban fabric. MY ROLE IN THE PROJECT Appointed as a Project Architect, I was representing the company by producing and presenting concept, and design development drawings to the local statutory authority (TMC). The project is currently in its Phase1, which includes developing the Hindu Crematorium and parking space.
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16
15
2
7 14
18
8
10
6 MULTI-FAITH BURIAL GROUNDS OPTIMUM UTILISATION OF SPACE Built vs Unbuilt MINIMISING ENCOUNTER Different Entry Points PRESERVING NATURE Community Garden Buffer SELF SUSTAINABILITY Solar Carports GATHERING GROUNDS CONTEMPLATIVE SPACES Amphitheatre NON-POLLUTING Green Cremation System SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Compost Pits
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5
1
3
12
4
17 11 1 2 3 4 5
Parking Smruti Udyan Pedestrian Entry 1 Administration Common Toilet
6 7 8 9 10
Jain Crematorium Hindu Crematorium Future Expansion Children Cemetery Jew Cemetery
11 12 13 14 15
Pedestrian Entry 2 Daudi Bohra Cemetery Muslim Cemetery Other Cemetery Animal Cemetery
16 17 18
Christian Cemetery Vehicular Entry 2 Lingayath Cemetery
N
Land Ownership Plan To demarcate the site available for immediate use. My responsibility included coordinating with both Vihang Group and TMC regarding the site acquisition and program development for the proposal.
Phase 1 Technical Drawings To prepare an estimate of the project and present it to the commissioner for approval.
Layout was developed by coordinating with representatives of every major religion in Thane district.
Hindu crematorium with Green Cremation system and mourning spaces.
Prayer Hall for Muslim and Daudi Bohra community designed according to their religious requirements.
SLUM REHABILITATION Slum Rehabilitation + Middle Income Group Housing Bhandup, Mumbai, India. Sept 2020- June 2021 | Junior Architect For Horizon Architects
Design & Execution PROJECT BRIEF It is a slum redevelopment project which h as b o t h sal e a n d re h a b b u i l d i n g components. The company aims to rehabilitate people living in slums in a single building and generate revenue by developing a sale component for middle income group. MY ROLE IN THE PROJECT I was a Junior Architect working on developing design ideas for slum rehabilitation component and creating technical drawings for the sale component. My responsibility was to develop the plan and coordinate with structural, MEP and HVAC consultants and present the progress to the client during the meetings. The aim was to efficiently increase the rehab built up area and use that TDR for the sale component of the project, thus increasing the built up area.
2
1
3
5 1 bed 1.5 bath unit
4
INCREASE IN SALES Total FSI consumed in slum rehabilitation wing was increased from the previous layout by 36,500 sq.ft. Thus sales were increased by $ 8,760,000.
1 2 3 4 5
Sale Wing A Sale Wing B Sale Wing C Slum Rehabilitation Recreation Area
2 bed 2 bath unit
SLUM REHABILITATION BUILDING PLAN Design constraint was to provide an exact 300 sq.ft. apartment as prescribed by Development Control Regulations.
Allotment Chart, FSI Calculations, Parking Statement and UGT and OHT Calculations.
MIXED-USE BUILDING Gokul One At Udaipur, India. Spring Semester 2017 | Architecture Intern For Prashant Sutaria Architects
Design & Execution PROJECT BRIEF & RESPONSIBILITIES It is a Mixed-use Office Building in Udaipur, India. I joined in the Design Documentation phase where I had to coordinate with various consultants and prepare construction documents for immediate execution on site.
Good for Construction Elevations
Good for Construction Floor Plans
Good for Construction Canopy Detail
RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX Pundag At Raipur, India. Spring Semester 2017 | Architecture Intern For Prashant Sutaria Architects
Design & Execution PROJECT BRIEF & RESPONSIBILITIES It is a Residential Complex in Raipur, India. The site constraint is a 14m high contour. I contributed in the Design Development phase where site plan options were created and floor plan options with area calculations was done.
FAR Calculations
Site Plan Design Development Options
Design Development- Typical Floor Plan
THANK YOU. Email id : richaam2@illinois.edu Ph No : +1 (217) 695-6923