Sagar Rajopadhye | Architecture Portfolio 2024

SAGAR RAJOPADHYE

PROJECTS

Rethinking Compound 13, Thesis, Mumbai

Urban Inserts, Mixed Use Urban Precinct, Nagpur

Design-Build Cooling Centre, Sitabuildi Market, Nagpur

Punapur Police Station, Nagpur

Raya International School, Bengaluru

Jaipur Cultural Centre, Jaipur

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Gandhinagar

Student Housing, Noida

Confined Masonry and Braced Frame Building, Gandhidham

Reclaiming Decay, Nagpur

The Cunningham Hotel, Bengaluru

India Pavillion, Osaka World Expo 2025, Japan

Bardowali Park, Tripura

OLA EV Hub, Tamil Nadu

Vijay Bhoomi University, Maharashtra

ELEVATING CULTURAL VISIONS

Jaipur Cultural Centre, 2022

Academic / Individual

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, IN

B/U Area: 15000 sqm.

It is an endeavor to create a dynamic and versatile cultural hub on a site that has a rich history of hosting temporary exhibitions. The design of this new cultural center aims to preserve and honor the site’s legacy while also providing the community with a wide range of modern amenities and spaces for creative expression and community engagement.

It incorporates a variety of exhibition spaces, including galleries, lecture halls, and auditoriums, for showcasing the works of local and international artists and performers. Additionally, the center includes meeting rooms, banquet halls, and other infrastructure to support community events and gatherings.

The design is intended to be both functional and visually striking, with an emphasis on natural light and open spaces, establishing a symbol of the Jaipur’s cultural heritage and aspirations on Janpath road.

01. SITE HISTORY

The location designated for the cultural center adjacent to the pedestrian-friendly Janpath has a history of serving as a venue for transient exhibits and fairs that have attracted attendees from various parts of Jaipur.

Upon integrating the building program, the auditorium was elevated, thereby creating a flexible space beneath that functions as a multi-purpose amphitheater and provides unobstructed views at ground level.

A courtyard has been planned designed to accommodate these exhibits and function as an egalitarian cultural arena. The remaining facilities are arranged to encircle this shaded courtyard and its accompanying arched pathway.

To mitigate the effects of the harsh northern summers, external shading devices have been integrated into the building’s facade. Pathways for pedestrains and roads for vehicular and service circulation have been incorporated.

03. ASCENSION AND IMMERSION

Starting from the sunken public space, a raised walkway traverses through the center, offering glimpses of the amphitheater, galleries, a water feature, and culminating in the landscape with a sweeping panoramic vista of the entire complex.

The building has been carefully articulated to represent the unique identity of the city. The facade and massing of the structure have been purposefully crafted to facilitate self-shading, create shaded internal open spaces and water features, and minimize heat gain.

SHADING DEVICES

02. PRESERVING IDENTITY

View of the courtyard

View of the walkway

View of the multi-use amphitheatre

Seminar Room

Courtyard

Lobby LEGEND

Cafeteria

Workshop

Music Room

Banquet Hall

Exhibition Hall

Retail Shops

Toilets

Pre-function Area

Auditorium

Backstage

The exterior facade of the pre-function area is clad in perforated metal panels, which incorporate terracotta jaali blocks.

The main highlight of the design is the use of jaalis arranged to depict the map of Jaipur. This striking feature serves as the focal point of the front facade, giving the cultural center a distinctive identity.

Jaipur-inspired facade

Sectional details of the multi-use amphitheatre

Sectional details of the auditorium and pre-function area

Map of Jaipur

Elevation facing Janpath

Elevation facing Bhawani Singh Road

RECLAIMING DECAY

Landscape + Urban Design, 2022

Academic / Individual

Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra, IN

Site Area: 4897 sqm. / 1.2 acres

With the rapid growth of urban populations, Indian cities are experiencing extensive construction and renewal. However, the resulting C&D waste is frequently deposited on vacant land or in landfills. This practice causes the sites to fall into a state of decay, becoming an eyesore for the city. This project focuses on a similar site and poses a question: can we reclaim our cities’ waste?

The design uses natural processes such as erosion and decomposition to create a new landscape that will renew itself over the course of years. These decay processes are expedited by the design to form habitats suitable for various wildlife and human activities. Additionally, the design integrates an exhibition of the decay process, incorporating areas dedicated to moss gardens, concrete deterioration garden, rock and geology mounds etc. All these elements contribute to a lush, terraced landscape that forms a community gathering place, fulfilling the mission of transforming a dilapidated dumping ground into an urban oasis.

Decayed

Miyawaki Urban Forest Process

Ajni Vann Native Bird Species

Inhabitation by birds from Ajni Vann

For

The terraces provide access to various environments while subtly guiding visitors along the site’s stormwater filtration path, meandering through gravel infiltration areas, between gabions of site-salvaged concrete, and over continuous vegetation.

SECTION

The landscape features have been designed utilizing waste materials that were pre-existing on the site, including concrete road pieces, railway sleepers, debris, rocks, among others. These materials have been reclaimed and repurposed to create displays that demonstrate their progressive erosion and decay over a period of years. These materials have been reclaimed and repurposed to create displays that demonstrate their progressive erosion and decay over a period of years, expedited by natural elements like water on the site, This is with the intent of raising awareness regarding the injudicious use of reinforced concrete and the resulting waste that it engenders within our urban environments.

GABION WALL AND CONCRETE PIECE PAVERS

MOSS GARDEN

CONCRETE BREAKDOWN DISPLAY

SLATE GARDEN WITH SUCCULENTS

WASTE MOUNDS

The site has been manipulated to produce levels, leveraging its inherent slope by shaping it into platforms with gentle gradients that facilitate walking.

These levels are arranged to offer various activities for visitors, with the duration of stay dictating the progression from one level to another. At the highest point, a transit plaza provides quick access to secondary transport, while at the lowest level, a leisurely stroll is possible along a trail.

The design facilitates the collection of rainwater from the adjoing area and channels it through the entire site to slow down the flow of water and maximize percolation.

To achieve this, terrace retaining walls made of pervious gabion walls with layers of gravel backfill were constructed in an east-west direction, which runs perpendicular to the direction of stormwater flow. These walls act as both filters and dissipators, which reduces the rate of the runoff and ensures infiltration.

MONSOON: Sponge Garden

REGULAR DAY: Public Space

PUNAPUR POLICE STATION

Pardi Punapur TPS Police Station, Ongoing

Competition / Group

Location: Nagpur, MH, IN

B/U Area: 2915 sqm.

The Punapur Police Station project is a collaborative effort between the Nagpur Smart City initiative and aims to create a sustainable and resilient police station that aligns with Smart City principles. The building is designed to achieve net-zero energy and water usage while ensuring resilience to urban water and energy vulnerabilities. Additionally, the design focuses on maintaining thermal comfort during heatwaves. Furthermore, the project utilizes low-energy systems like passive downdraft evaporative cooling towers that help to reduce the cooling load from refrigerant-based systems. Proper annual scheduling of these systems ensures that the building maintains thermally comfortable conditions at all times. The design also incorporates the use of local materials, such as bamboo, as an external skin and shading device. The shading device has undergone prototyping and optimization to ensure that the intervention is scalable and has market potential.

Concept And Design Development

Concept And Design Development

A new police station for the people of Pardi that responds to the complex operational needs of keeping law enforcement at work while standing as a symbol to how architecture can inspire a more sustainable future for police stations around India through deep connections with its place, culture and community.

The modern interpretation of a police station challenges traditional notions of law enforcement facilities by prioritizing community engagement, accessibility, and sustainability.

Concept And Design Development

Law enforcement through a new lens.

A new police station for the people of Pardi that responds to the complex operational needs of keeping law enforcement at work while standing as a symbol to how architecture can inspire a more sustainable future for police stations around India through deep connections with its place, culture and community.

04. STAGGERING OF FORM Law enforcement through a new lens.

Building oriented with longer side facing 22.5 deg from the north.

It recognizes that the police are an integral part of the community and that effective policing requires building trust and positive relationships with citizens. The facility includes spaces for community engagement to build trust and promote positive interactions between police officers and citizens.

Inorder to form a self-shading structure whilst creating a dynamic and visually engag-

BUILDING MASS

Addition of PV panels on the roof top to meet the energy requirements of the building. Provide shading and ventilation, which helps regulate the temperature inside the building, at the same time, create a more comfortable and inviting envi-

staircases

Integration of PDEC system to cool the office spaces via

Building footprint

Area for future expansion

Confiscated vehicle parking

park and public art installation

01. SITE ZONING

Two staircases are provided accompanied with the lift core by one side.

Site zoned with the building footprint dividing public and private uses on the site.

The floor plan is zoned as per security requirements. Most of the public functions are located near the entrance to restrict public access to sensitive areas. These areas are organized using a public courtyard.

A second courtyard is private to police officers and wraps all official working spaces around it.

The PDEC tower works in conjuction with the two courtyard to ensure a free flow of breeze. The tower has micronizers which dampen and cool the outdoor air, which comes down, absorbs heat and excapes from courtyard through stack effect.

PROBLEM

Exporting generated electricity by on-site renewable energy systems from buildings to the grid is only slightly profitable in many countries. Therefore, it is required to investigate the benefits of sharing generated energy in a microgrid within a community of buildings in the Pardi locality.

OBJECTIVE

Reducing dependency on the grid, Thereby helping to mitigate the per capita carbon dioxide emissions.

Access to cheaper, renewable energy.

SCENARIO

Potential revenue stream for renewable energy generators.

Encourages load shifting to deal with peak periods on the grid. In time improving grid resilience.

Peer-to-Peer Energy Sharing Mechanism

Fig # Energy and money flow for peer- to- peer and peer- to- grid trading among the 4 buildings To address fluctuations in energy use throughout the day, a microgrid connects nearby buildings with renewable energy sources to the police station. This system allows buildings to share excess energy, balancing consumption with generation. This not only solves the imbalance problem but also creates revenue for the police station and saves up to 30% on energy costs.

There are N neighboring buildings ( here we have considered 4 buildings: Skill development center, multi-level parking, fire station and police station) which are in close vicinity so that it is possible to have physical connections between them for energy transfer. Each building is considered to be owned by the Smart city project of Nagpur and is connected to the national power grid through net metering.

Each building can share its surplus electricity, and can also buy and sell it to the grid using smart metering.

When a building is unable to meet its electricity demands from its RES, it purchases electricity from other buildings, if there is any.

In case other buildings also don’t possess sufficient energy, they will be purchased from the utility.

MODULAR COOLING CENTRE

Design-Build , 2023

Concept Competiton / Group

Location: Nagpur, MH, IN

B/U Area: 126 sqm.

Since the introduction of Heat Action Plans (HAPs), cooling centers have been a part of the plan for cities. However, they are usually implemented temporarily in places like gardens located in residential communities during summers, leaving the most vulnerable in the city without access to them. The project aims to design modular cooling centers that can be easily implemented anywhere, particularly in areas like markets where heat vulnerability is high. The modular construction allows for the adjustment of size, making it suitable for the available space. The project also addresses maintenance and operating costs by incorporating two commercial shops in the design that generate a revenue stream. One version of the design features solar panels that make the structure net-zero, subject to initial investment by the municipal body. The design’s flexibility and inclusion of multi-use spaces such as a community hall, art gallery, misting station, seating, and washrooms ensure that the structure is utilized throughout the year and not just during summers.

The site does not respond to the genuine needs and problems of the visitors and shoppers.

Using

Street vendors and Informal workers do not have access to public washrooms and a clean drinking water supply.

The site currently has an ambiguous function and is poorly managed. There is potential to revitalize it.

Nagpur’s markets are always bustling with activity and attract a diverse group of people, including vendors, retailers, shoppers, and tourists. However, these markets have been established informally for a long time and lack basic facilities like seating areas, restrooms, drinking water dispensers, and areas for cooling down, which is particularly important during hot summer months. This lack of infrastructure can be particularly challenging for the urban poor and vulnerable individuals who rely on these markets to make a living.

Accessible by pedestrians from main street traffic.

located behind the existing view and signage.

Macroclimate: The city of Nagpur experiences drastic heat waves, from April to July.

Microclimate: Overcrowding adds to the ambient temperature, causing overheating and fatigue.

the market’s intricacies while attempting to create a lively environment that maintains safety and comfort for the local community. The conceptual model includes elements that enhances the shopping experience, meet the needs of the immediate stakeholders and promote communal gathering.

Revitalization of the square

Conceptual Elements

Conceptual Development:

Zero Project

The plan seeks to simplify the market’s intricacies while attempting to create a lively environment that maintains safety and comfort for the local community. The conceptual model includes elements that enhances the shopping experience, meet the

Conceptual Elements

Center Designated as a place for the stakeholders to cool off during periods of excess heat.

Misting Stations

Designated as outdoor spaces, cooled by dry misting systems.

Designated as outdoor meet-up area and for stakeholders to unwind.

Commercial Shops

Designated as Commissaries for basic refreshments for the public. Public Gathering Space

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

intervention scope area: 1250 m2 site area for b/u:

AND CONSTRUCTION

Lack of Accessibility: The site lacks properly maintained paths, universal accessibility and public facilities.

THE CUNNINGHAM

2023

Architecture

Location: Bengaluru, KA, IN

B/U Area: 11200 sqm

The Cunningham Hotel project is not just another addition to the skyline of Bengaluru; it’s a deliberate departure from the conventional. Situated on Cunningham Road, amidst the towering glass structures and aluminum composite panels that dominate the cityscape, this boutique hotel aspires to be a breath of fresh air — a departure from the mundane.

The challenge was to seamlessly integrate the new structure with the existing building—both structurally and geometrically. Internally, the challenge was to create a cohesive design language that seamlessly ties together the complex functions of a business hotel. The interiors needed to speak a unified story while allowing each space to maintain its individual identity. The aim was to provide an environment that caters to the needs of well-traveled guests, offering a blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

LOBBY, RECEPTION AND PATTISERIE

01: View of the lobby from entrance.

02: View of the lobby with circular skylight, from lift exit.

01: View of the entrance, offering first impression of the restaurant from the hotel lobby.

02: View of display kitchen.

PROPOSED ROOM

EXISTING ROOM

EXISTING ROOM

sagar.a.rajopadhye@gmail.com