Aikyam

from Rivka Roy | Architecture + Design Portfolio 2020-2023 | SPA Vijayawada

by Rivka Roy

Re-Designing Vijayawada Municipal Corporation

Semester

Semester V, Year 2022

Location

Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

Brief

Vijayawada is a city best known as a centre for Hindu and Buddhist pilgramages. A city rich in culture and heritage having significant and distinctive architectural features. Keeping this context in mind, The re-designed Municipal Corporation building should aim to represent the cultural ethos of the city, respecting the urban and cultural context while also serving as a modern landmark to the area. Part of the site must also serve as a recreational space for the general public.

The site is centrally located in the city, with the main road on the West connecting to the national highway and the road across the canal connecting the major transport terminals. The highway provides a scenic and elevated view into the site and the area around it. There is an increased cluster of internal roads across the canal owing to the presence of one of the oldest markets in the city.

02 River Krishna

The site falls in front of Bandar Canal, a canal diversion created from the main river Krishna. The water body not only breaks the monotony of the dense urban land but also provides a scenic view to the North of the site. The river holds deep historical and cultural significance in the city

Built Area & Important Sites

The dense urban built area is mainly across the canal. Rajiv Gandhi Park is to the East of the site with the only major built area around the site being the Flower Market of Vijayawada, 200m away. The important sites visible from the site are Kanaka Durga Temple, Indrakeeladhri Hills and the Railway Junction. The Flower Market and One-Town Market near the site bring the major pedestrian footfall to the area.

The concept for the Commercial Area is taken from the logo of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. The logo has been distorted and transformed to create spaces for shops. The spaces have then been connected through a looped walkway on the first floor. A central seating spaace has also been given for people to congregate.

The concept for the Main Corporation sion and division. The building has been each accomadating the Public Services, Legal Services respectively. The spaces and courtyards have been provided

Building begins with simple linear expanbeen divided into three separate areas with Services, Administrative Services and Financial & spaces are connected through open walkways to make use of the South-East wind.

The concept for the Council Hall is inspired from the shape of the State Flower of Andhra Pradesh; Jasmine. The Council Hall faces the canal, so it was important for it to stand out. The roof is a shape derived from the flower whereas the main building shape is obtained by expnading an octagon and creating central space for the hall. The octagonal form complements the top floor of the Municipal Corporation Building.

Site Description Legend

The site follows a linear hierarchy with the North-end taken by the Council Hall followed by the Municipal Corporation Building and the Commerical Area.

The Commerical area is majorly only connected to the Municipal Corporation Building as it provides public services. The elongated form of the VMC separates public space from the private Council Hall as it requires increased security.

A lot of green and open space is present on site, this has been done deliberately give a more grand setting to the site and to complement the park and canal beside it.

1. Entry for Municipal Corporation & Commercial Block

2. Exit for Municipal Corporation & Commercial Block

3. Parking

4. Commercial Block

5. Municipal Corporation Building

6. Council Hall

7. Exit for Council Hall

8. Entry for Council Hall

9. Entry to Basement

Total Site Area: 17,000 sq. m

Built-Up Area: 6,293 sq. m

Green Cover: 60%

Setback: North, East & South: 7m

West: 5m

Ground Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Adhyapana

Primary School Design

Semester

Semester III, Year 2021

Location

Kanur, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

Brief

A school instills an urge to learn, interact and develop positive social relationships. It moulds a future genration into better citizens; better humans. India has 1.5 million schools but a majority off them lack good infrastructure. The aim of the design is to create an interesting and well designed learning space that uplifts the spirit and aspirations of the students and provide them with facilities that are fit to purpose, inclusive, interactive and safe.

1. Solid Mass

Starting with one solid block with the vision of having every classroom connect to the outdoors.

2. Expansion

Expanding both ends of the solid block to create diferent spaces for kindergarten and primary school.

3. Addition of Spaces

Breaks are given within the rectangular block to break the tedium of corridors.

Voids

Voids have been taken out from the massing to allow inflow of sunlight and air.

Site Description

The site is based in Kanur, Vijayawada. The area does not have a lot of built area around and is surrounded with open spaces. There are two major roads connecting the site. The site shares a wall with a nearby Girls College. Overall, keeping these factors in mind, the site is planned in a manner such that there is minimum disturbance to the school.

Agravana

Residence Design

Semester

Semester II, Year 2021

Location

Koyra, Khulna District, Bangladesh

Brief

An ideal house should not only respond to the objective properties of a building’s spatial arrangement, activities and structure but should also leave the dweller with a space for interpretation: “The ideal house is that which one can make one’s own without altering anything. Make one’s own in the usual way that is within the limits of the fashion of the time, and without feeling any pressure either to communicate one’s trivial uniqueness or to absurdly conform”.

Plan of the residence has been inspired by the plan of Grand Vihaara at Somapur. The quadrangular plan with a courtyard in the centre was the running theme for the design.

The Plan expands the four corners to break the flow of a singular wall

Brick is most widely used in these areas as it is a local material. Site

Koyra, Bangladesh

Brick production increase estimated over the next 10 years (in billions)

Current Expected

Percentage of housing (rural area) that uses bamboo as roofing material

Bamboo Roof Total Housing

Average rainfall in Koyra compared to average in Bangladesh

Rainfall in Koyra 1500mm Rainfall in Bangladesh 2200mm

Agravena is a fusion of traditional design techniques with contemporary aspects intricately woven into the interior and exterior. The aim of the design was respect the local styles and also use sustainable materials for the same.

To hold the bamboo pictched roof, metal anchor joints were created with the bamboo sticks which were multiplied to create a framework holding the roof together.

Fire Clay Bricks were used to create an interesting facade design and also to act as shading. The gaps made between the arrangement of bricks control the air compression, allowing cool breeze to blow into the home.

The Labyrinth

Archmello International Competition | Honourable Mention

Brief Aim of the concept is to enhance ‘Student Community Living’.

In Collaboration with Sanjana Kamath, Mamidi Mohana Saahithi

Concept

Labyrinth is a concept that arises from the most important aspect of student life - making connections. Every space in a typical housing complex is re-imagined as a community space. These spaces are intended to foster both accidental and intentional conversations, making every interaction a learning experience.

The building blocks are placed at a 45 degree orientation in order to maximise wind flow, basic vehicular paths are established and the site is divided into a 5 x 5 x 3m grid based on zoning into two main blocks.

The west block allows wind and light penetration and the fully connected east block traps the available wind and light resources. Blocks are staggered on a plan level to make room for more interaction spaces.

Housing Modules

Simple massing based on established zoning and intricate organic landscaping developed in order to break the monotony of a grid layout. Amenities include - central walkway, outdoor sports facilities, OATs, water bodies and seating