Architecture portfolio showcasing studio projects undertaken in the Masters degree programme
Architecture - Built Environment - Interiors at Politecnico di Milano, Italy
The layout of the cover page is inspired by the nine-square grid of the Vastu Purusha Mandala, an ancient Indian planning concept derived from the cosmic order that guides the orientation of built spaces. Each of the square in the cover page is composed of free scribbles created while listening to nine songs of various languages and genres. The process allowed me to express the pure joy of creation unrestricted by any bounds. The idea is to imagine visual creativity that is unguided by any principles, allowed to flow freely, influenced solely by the rhythm of the music. The placement of these scribbles within the nine boxes acknowledges the constraints in design process. The interplay between boundless creative freedom and necessary restrictions results in a harmonious composition that reflects the beauty of the design process.
CURRICULUM VITAE
SABA SULTHANA SHAJI ARCHITECT
Contact Email
Location
Nationality
D.o.b
+39 3312785528
ar.sabasulthana@gmail.com Milano, Italy
Indian 29.01.1997
I believe that every entity in this universe embodies life. Buildings too need nourishment, care and love, and are therefore no exception. As an architect, I aspire to design spaces that grow, evolve and adapt over time.
Involved in interior design and residential projects from conceptual to finishing stage, preparation of working drawings, selection of interior finishes and products, 3d visualisations, illustrations and physical model making.
Architectural Internship
JCJR Partnership, India
research and publication workshops
Milan International Design Studio
Organised by Politecnico di Milano
Experimental architectural design workshop over a span of 2 weeks
Adaptive Reuse Project
Conducted by VIT University, India
Documentation, analyses, preparation of bill of quantitiesand design proposal for an old engineering college to be refurbished to a tropical modern guest house
Sketching Workshop with D.K.Ching - India
Organised by World Architecture Travel
Bamboo Fractal Workshop - Vellore, India
Collaboration with Vellore Lab Auckland, organized by Ar. Jaffer AA Khan
Building the Past
Design of memorials and memorial museums
Research on architecture of memorials and memorial museums with focus on behavioural patterns and stimulation of emotions in users of the space. (Published in Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology Vol.50, Issue No.4)
Guide: Dr. Sharmila Jagadisan
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MEDITERRANEAN HAVEN
CAGLIARI, ITALY
Semester 1 Studio - Politecnico di Milano | Tutors: Prof. Fabrizio
Leoni, Prof. Andrea De Matteis
NATURE HABITAT
AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL
Semester 2 Studio - Politecnico di Milano | Tutors: Prof. Alessandra
Zanelli, Prof. Giorgio Novati
INTERIOR REIMAGINED
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Semester 2 Studio - Politecnico di Milano | Tutors: Prof. Emanuele
Marino Raimondo De Giorgi, Ar. Joseph Rigo
01 CAGLIARI, SARDEGNA
MEDITERRANEAN HAVEN
The studio undertaken in the first semester of the ity in Cagliari. The site presented, situated in a of the street running across. During WWII, some abandoned. This site has a cluster of built forms challenges of heritage preservation/restoration connectivity to the connecting streets. The design ious shapes and forms using physical model
the masters programme delved into themes of emerging patterns of hospitaldense settlement (typical of Cagliari) with narrow streets, lie on either sides some of the buildings in this precinct had been heavily damaged and are left forms that are partially or fully damaged spread throughout. The site presented preservation/restoration and developing a volumetric form that provides visual and physical design studio primarily explored these concepts and experimented with varand sketches before finalising the final proposal that is explained ahead.
Isometric view of the proposed hotel design
The site is spread across an area of 1240 sq. metres split by a street in the middle. The access streets and their elevations are indicated below
The diagram indicates the existing structures in the site.The structure on the East end is in a good condition and is therefore decided to be retained
Exploring the concept of symmetry by intriducing 2 buildings on the periphery.
Conceptual physical model showing the proposed built volumes
Introducing the rest of the buildings along with the existing structure to maintain the symmetry.
Diagrammatic Site Section
Public spaces
hotel rooms
terrace
Section
North-West view from the street
Section BB
View from the private terrace overlooking the public courtyard
View from the ground floor restaurant overlooking the courtyard
View from the East building
NATURE HABITAT 02 AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL
This studio experimented with the idea of lightweight and sustainable construction practises in a chosen area corresponding to temperate climatic zone. Accordingly, Sao Miguel, one of the Azores Islands (Portugal territory) located in the North Atlantic Ocean was chosen. The island hosts a vibrant diversity of flora and fauna and has also been a tourist destination for nature enthusiasts. The brief developed was for an accommodation and research unit for scientists and researchers travelling to the island to study the plant varieties in the region. The chosen site is located next to a natural river and faces the sea. This gives an advantage to utilise the water resources for consumption and research purposes. The ain building materials proposed are Cross laminated timber panels, glulam and OSB panels. These are lightweight and provides excellent durability and can be manufactured using locally available wood. Since the nature of the project is temporary, the project was designed to be able to be dismantled or reuse for a different purpose after its use.
STEP 1:
The project area was determined within the natural boundaries
Sun path diagram (top)
Wind direction and water channels (bottom)
STEP 2:
A new channel for water created considering the natural terrain. It divides the land area for new functions
STEP 3:
Access paths created along the natural boundaries. the buildings are positioned so as to benefit from the sun and following the local typology
masterplan
TYPE-A
Single bedroom typology
TYPE-B
Two bedroom typology
TYPE-C
Four bedroom typology
CLT WALL SECTION
GLULAM COLUMN-CLT FLOOR JOINT
FOUNDATION DETAIL
Timber batten 40mmX40mm
Timber cladding 18mm
Waterproofing sheet
OSB panel 7mm
Timber stud 50mmX40mm
Mineral wool 50mm
Timber stud 30mmX30mm
Vapour barrier
CLT panel 70mm
Glulam column
Epoxy relief holes
Rods epoxied into glulam column
Bolts
Steel plate 25mm
Structural CLT panel140mm
Shim plate
16mm dia rods
200mmX200mm glulam
column
Bolts
Steel plate 10mm
Base plate 200mmX200mmX10mm
anchor bolted
Concrete base pillar 600mmX600mm
Concrete base foundation 1000mmX1000mm
The layout of each typology has been designed within modules of 3mX4m. This allows flexibility in planning, making it easier for future refurbishments/functions. The industrial standard of material production determined these dimensions and enables a more effecient and faster construction. All the components of the typology can be assembled in-situ.
View of the living
living and dining space with balcony
Exterior view of a single bedroom typology house
View of the balcony
INTERIOR REIMAGINED 03 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
The interior design studio focused on the redesign of the famous Carmen Residence by Brazilian modernist architect Affonso Reidy. The house is his own residence where he spent the last 12 years of his life. Situated in Rio de Janeiro, the focus of the studio was primarily on the spatial reconfiguration involving alterations to walls and interior layouts. After the overall reconfiguration, one area of the house was chosen (kitchen) and detailed further to produce working drawings and elevations. The project provided valuable insights into scale and strategic placement of elements within the space.
photographs of the residence reference: Leonardo Finotti
The core spaces were redesigned to accommodate a powder room and laundry area sepaartely along with an attached private bathroom for the master bedroom. The kitchen is converted to a study with a sofa-bed that can be used as an extra bedroom. This configuration utlises the corrdidor space for functional utilities (dining) freeing more space to be used for the added utlities.
Elevation BB
Elevation AA
embedded LED light
30mm quartz countertop
20mmX40mm plywood stopper
push open controlled drawers
16mm plywood partition
16mm plywood and 4mm veneer
backsplash tiles of 50mmX200mm till the cabinets grey paint till the ceiling
push open shutters with 16mm plywood and 4mm
20mmX40mm plywood stopper embedded LED light
push open cabinet shutters with 16mm plywood and 4mm veneer
