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SELECTED WORK Rucha Kumthekar

The architectural landscape today has transcended geographical boundaries, combining endless phenomena of influences and identities. Growing up in East Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East has profoundly shaped my architectural ideology, reflecting a cross-cultural perspective. This portfolio is a collection of my diverse exploration and narratives that prioritize environmental sustainability, the design process, and our collective human experience.

TAPECARIA

Cork Environments

POKROVSKYY THREADS

Architectural Design Capstone

MIDWOOD KITCHENS

Architectural Design Studio 5

PROFESSIONAL WORK Ingui Architecture

Rucha Kumthekar

This project showcases the performative potential of cork to transform spaces. Tapecaria is a cork tile designed for decorative roofing and screening. It features perforations based on a cork tree's canopy, with joinery that forms branch-like light openings. Inspired by traditional Portugese azulejos and floor mosaics, the tiles assemble to create a patterned surface that filters light. This casts intricate shadows, and enhances spatial movement, while also providing natural insulation for heat and sound.

TAPEÇARIA Cork in the Constructed Environment Parsons School of Design Professor: Daniel Michalik Curators: Rockwell Group, Cork Collective, Amorim Cork, Salone Del Mobile

Rucha Kumthekar

Cork Tudor Tile

Perforations of Canopy

Assembled Screen

one piece of the mosaic

shadow of an oak tree

a whole forest

Recycled cork scale model

Prototype was showcased in Casa Cork, an immersive atelier at Milan Design Week 2025. Selected with five other projects, from Parsons School of Design, for a Student Design Competition led by Cork Collective and Corticeira Amorim. External Jury included Paola Antonelli, Carlos Bessa, Susan Sellers, Noah Shwartz, John McPhee, David Rockwell. Rucha Kumthekar

Project display on USM shelving at Casa Cork

Restorative housing in Kryvyi Rih. Ukraine Utilizing circular material strategies to repurpose a demolished kindergarten into a neighborhood healing network that integrates housing for Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) , accessible housing, and family-oriented living space, By leveraging adaptive reuse, modular construction and biophilic design, the projects aims to address a housing crisis as well as a cultural crisis. It fosters community resilience through spaces centered on healing. mental and physical well-being, and social reintegration. The approach aims to demonstrate how material reuse can serve as both as a practical and symbolic tool for rebuilding war affected communites. creating sustainable and restorative environments for displaced and vulnerable people.

POKROVSKYY THREADS Architectural Design Capstone Parsons School of Design Professor: Alison Mears, Bless Yee Published in Healthy Materials Blog

By leveraging adaptive reuse, modular construction and biophilic design, the projects

Rucha Kumthekar

Load Bearing Components Glulam Concrete Rubble Mix Non Load Bearing Components Silicate Brick Clay Brick AAC Panels Reused Plaster

Load Bearing Components Concrete AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) Silicate Brick Non Load Bearing Components Plasterwalls Wood Flooring Metal Framing Window Glass

Re-Using Corrugated Metal Local Waste Resource

Re-Using Silicate Brick On Site Re-Using Interior Plaster Walls for: Finishes of New Walls

Re-Using Masonry Onsite

Re-Using AAC Panels from Wall, Roof, and Floor for: New Load-Bearing Structure, for Walls, Roof, and Floor

Re-Using Plaster Onsite

Insulation Hemplime Local Resource

Re-Using Crushed Rubble Onsite Re-Using Silicate Brick and Clay Brick for: Cladding

Glulam Structure Local Resource

MATERIAL STORY KINDERGARTEN

MATERIAL STORY DWELLING UNITS

By leveraging adaptive reuse, modular construction and biophilic design, the projects aims to address a housing crisis as well as a cultural crisis. It fosters community resilience through spaces centered on healing. mental and physical well-being, and social reintegration.

Rucha Kumthekar

KEY 1 - cluster housing 2 - community centers 3 - playground 4 - common spaces 4 - neighboring existing buildings 5 - daycare and play spaces 6 - bomb shelter 7 - communal cellars 8 - pathways

Explain site significance of center point Bomb Shelter - between two walls Centralized Kitchen within shelter Material advantages and openings for light exposure Community center openings to allow for light traveling inside the shelter

Site Plan Scale:

Site Section Scale:

Rucha Kumthekar

Corrugated Steel Roof Window Frame Glass Recovered Silicate Brick Corrugated Steel Roof

Single Cluster Model 3 Units Stacked Scale:

Wall Detail Scale:

Rucha Kumthekar

This adaptive reuse project transforms an existing ShopRite building in New York, into a vibrant community hub addressing food and transportation deserts. By reimagining the existing structure, the design integrates sustainable practices and priorities community needs, creating a multi-functional space that bridges food access, education, and mobility. Bike paths encourage sustainable transportation and strengthen connections within the area. By fostering shared culinary spaces and cultivating a dynamic food hub, the project not only supports local entrepreneurship but also serves as a welcoming destination, uniting the neighborhood residents and visitors.

MIDWOOD KITCHENS Architectural Design Studio 5 Parsons School of Design Professor: Andrew Bernheimer

Rucha Kumthekar

Existing Structure analyzing conditions present on site mapping out sun patterns and weather conditions to use for design

Basement Division reducing existing parking space to reallocate space to the supermarket

Access to Light carving areas for natural light to fall into the basement floor

Brick Ribbon ground level transformed with masonry wall tracing the interior program

Elements of Closure roof providing dynamic partially covered area, and fully enclosed spaces topped with skylights

Community Kitchens Smell Diagram

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

UNDERGROUND FLOOR PLAN

KEY 1 - north entrance 2 - community kitchens 3 - indoor outdoor seating area 4 - on site vendors / food hub 5 - outdoor famer's market

KEY 1 - vehicle parking 2 - offloading / storage 3 - underground supermarket 4 - fresh produce 5 - frozen / dairy

Rucha Kumthekar

Site Section Scale:

Rucha Kumthekar