I believe that the study and practice of architecture is an intricate fusion of multiple disciplines. It extends beyond the mere consideration of form and function, encompassing the surrounding environment, cultural ideologies, and the deeper narratives that shape design. True architectural vision lies in the ability to analyze, visualize, and create spaces that not only fulfill their purpose but also resonate with their context, embodying a holistic approach to the built environment.
honawar2@illinois.edu | (217)974-8026 | LinkedIn | Champaign IL
Master of Architecture (NAAB Accredited)
August 2023 - Present University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Bachelor of Architecture
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India | GPA 3.9/4
August 2016 - May 2021
Facilities and Services at UIUC, Champaign, IL January 2025 – Present
Architectural Intern (Capital Program Planning Division)
Developed and analyzed campus classroom layouts and renovation projects using AutoCAD and Revit.
UIUC School of Architecture, Champaign IL August 2024 – December 2024
Teaching Assistant (Introduction to Design | College of Fine and Applied Arts)
Mentored 16 students, strengthening their understanding of design principles, processes, and architectural terminology. Enhanced technical skills through advanced hand sketching, model making, and digital design using InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Facilities and Services at UIUC, Champaign, IL May 2024 – August 2024
Architectural Intern (Capital Program Planning Division)
Assessed 300+ classrooms, providing data-driven insights for strategic facility improvements and renovations. Collaborated with contractors to execute a major renovation and developed wayfinding solutions using Bluebeam. Photoshop, and AutoCAD, enhancing campus navigation.
MIX-Design Studio, India
Architect | Licensed in India
(Architectural Design and Project Management)
August 2022 - June 2023
Optimized workflow efficiency in residential and commercial projects in Pune by integrating advanced design technologies and collaborating with clients, MEP, HVAC, and landscape consultants to deliver innovative solutions.
Developed detailed architectural models and drawings in Revit, enhancing project visualization and presentation using InDesign and Photoshop for residential designs.
The OPUS Design Studio, India
Architect | Licensed in India
(Healthcare Architecture and Project Management)
August 2021 - August 2022
Led design development and construction drawings for a hospital and diagnostics center in Pune, ensuring compliance with healthcare standards while collaborating with the Projects Department at Ruby Hall Clinic using Revit and BIM. Assisted the Principal Architect at Infiiloom Pvt. Ltd. in project management, optimizing operations, overseeing deadlines, and contributing to concept development, technical documentation, and stakeholder communication for large-scale projects.
Software Skills: Revit, BIM, Rhino, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lumion, Enscape, Twinmotion, Microsoft Office Suite, Cove Tool, Bluebeam.
Design and Fabrication skills: Conceptual Design, Design Development, Construction Drawings, Graphic Presentations, 3D Modelling, Model Making, Concrete casting, 3D Printing, Fabrication Drawings, Laser cutting.
Spectacular Studio Award – Honorable Mention | UIUC January 2025
Earl Prize, Graduate Design Excellence Award – Honorable Mention | UIUC January 2024 Design Excellence Award – Winner | ETSAB University, Barcelona November 2017
Illinois Rowing Center & Community Boathouse
Fall 2024 | Intergrative Design Studio | UIUC
Clintin Lake, Illinois
Eco-Genesis | Wellness Hub
Fall 2023 | Detail and Fabrication Studio |UIUC
Chicago, Illinois
Oasis of Calm | Meditation Retreat
Spring 2021 | Undergarduate Thesis Project
Goa, India
Bijou Dwellings | Micro-Housing Project
Spring 2020 | Studio+US Competition Project Mumbai, India
RHC Hospital | Multi-Specialty Hospital
Professional Work | OPUS Design Studio
Pune, India
Facade Developement Project | At RHC Hospital
Professional Work | OPUS Design Studio
Pune, India
Transformable Model
Planning and Design of Structural System | UIUC
Fall 2024 | Integrative Design Studio at UIUC
Team: Shamita Honawar and Gayatri Pandkar
Instructor: Prof. Scott Murray
Spectacular Studio Award 2025 | Honorable Mention
Software used: Revit, SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop
The Illinois Rowing Center and Community Boathouse unifies a Rowing Center and Boathouse Storage into a single, functional space that serves both the University Rowing Club and the local community. Designed to foster training, competition, and recreation, the facility strengthens the connection between sport, architecture, and nature. The structure features dedicated training spaces, an ergometer room, and stepped seating that provides scenic views of Clinton Lake, enhancing the overall experience for athletes and visitors. A distinctive sawtooth roof optimizes natural light and ventilation, creating a comfortable and energy-efficient environment. Thoughtfully integrated with its surroundings, the project blends modern design with contextual sensitivity, offering a space that is both functional and inspiring.
Concept Developement
Concept 1
Illinois Boathouse+Community Boathouse
Floating Roof
Illinois Rowing Center
A glass wall blurs indoor-outdoor boundaries, a floating roof echoes the lake’s fluidity, and a linear layout strengthens the connection to the landscape.
Concept 2
Illinois Boathouse+Community Boathouse
Illinois Rowing Center
The Community and Illinois Boathouses form a unified composition with sloping roofs that echo the landscape, framing Clinton Lake as the central focus with uninterrupted views.
Concept 3
Illinois Boathouse
Illinois Rowing Center
Community Boathouse
Central Canopy Interactive Space
Three distinct blocks, connected by a central canopy, create an interactive hub where architecture and sport converge, fostering community engagement and a shared passion for rowing.
Illinois Rowing Center & Community Boathouse
North Elevation
The design maximizes structural efficiency without extra bracing, while Verendal trusses enhance natural light and reduce energy use. Sustainable materials like wood panels, triple-pane glass, and a metal roof deck ensure durability, insulation, and harmony with nature. Mineral fiber insulation boosts energy efficiency, and wooden railings enhance safety. This integration of eco-friendly materials and a strong structure creates a sustainable, visually striking rowing center for the community.
Roof Assembly
3/4” Wood Cladding
3/4” Wood Sleeper
Waterproofing
Sheathing
3/4” Cover Board
12” Rigid Insulation
Metal Decking
Detailed Wall Section
WALLASSEMBLY(R-15)
3/8”WOODPANEL
12”MINERALFIBERINSULATION
AIRSPACE
WATERPROOFING
3/4”WOODRAIL
3/4”FINISHWOODPANEL
WIDEFLANGEBEAM W12x18
AIRSUPPLYDUCT
SUSPENDEDLIGHT
12”x4”MULLION
TRIPLEPANELGLASS W/LOW-ECOATING
CONCRETESLAB ONGRADE
WATERPROOFING
12”CONCRETE FOUNDATIONWALL
12”x36” CONCRETEFOOTING
ROOFASSEMBLY(R-60)
3/4”WOODCLADDING 3/4”WOODSLEEPER WATERPROOFING SHEATHING
3/4”COVERBOARD 12”RIGIDINSULATION METALDECKING FACIA
ROOFLEVEL 15ft 35ft
The detailed wall section through the Ergometer Training Room showcases the facade and roof assembly
GROUND 0ft
Energy Analysis | Software used: Covetool
EUI Breakdown
The Illinois Rowing Center meets the energy code requirements with an EUI of 65.29, standard R-values and U-values, and a VAV system with a gas boiler and water-cooled chiller.
Daylighting Analysis of Illinois Rowing Center
Enhanced insulation, high-performance glazing, and efficient skylights reduce the EUI to 39.43, achieving a 39.61% reduction from the baseline while maintaining the same building system.
Illinois Rowing Center & Community Boathouse |
HVAC System | Software used: Revit
Area Zoning
Fall 2023 | Detail and Fabrication Studio
Instructor: Prof. Kelly Bair
Graduate Excellence Award | Honorable Mention
Software used: Rhino, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Indesign
Eco Genesis pioneers innovative, eco-conscious design by integrating 3D-printed Mycelium wall panels, a mass timber structure, and a concrete plinth utilizing waste as a lightweight aggregate. The project harnesses Mycelium fungus, a renewable material derived from agricultural waste, fostering its growth within scalloped facade panels designed for both aesthetics and sustainability. Programmatically, the building highlights mushroom-based medicinal benefits, featuring a ground-floor pharmacy and natural remedies shop, while the upper levels house residential units. This project exemplifies a commitment to sustainable construction, demonstrating the transformative potential of organic materials in functional, built environments.
Concept Developement
Growth utilizes Mycelium and pulped paper cups to create biodegradable architectural components. Modularity enables interlocking panels as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical materials. Integration enhances fire resistance, acoustics, and adaptability, advancing eco-conscious construction.
Self-growing, mortar-free Mycelium material
Interlocking panels for flexible use
Assembled system with insulation & acoustics
ARhino-generated work desk assembly, showcasing the construction of the Mycelium-based modular system in progress
Meditation Retreat | Undergraduate Thesis Project | 2021
Instructor: Prof. Poorva Pulkarni
Software used: Revit, SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop
Located in Goa, India, this meditation center is designed to alleviate stress and promote well-being for individuals of all ages. By harmonizing architecture with nature, the project creates a tranquil sanctuary that fosters mindfulness and mental health. Thoughtful spatial organization, material selection, and natural light integration enhance the sense of serenity, while landscaped spaces provide a seamless connection to the lush Goan environment. More than just a retreat, this center highlights architecture’s potential to nurture the mind, body, and spirit, crafting spaces that inspire relaxation, contemplation, and rejuvenation.
Concept Framework
The Meditation Retreat provides a wholesome experience for:
Contemplation
Spaces designed for solitude and deep reflection, fostering mindfulness and inner peace.
Interaction
Environments that encourage dialogue and learning, where visitors can engage in guided meditation and knowledge exchange.
Congregation
Areas for communal meditation and discourse, supporting shared spiritual growth and the implementation of meditative practices.
Focus
A central space that anchors the retreat, drawing attention to key elements of mindfulness and tranquility.
Open to sky
Semi-open courtyards and verandahs that offer transitional spaces for quiet contemplation or group activities.
Mutual Shading
Shaded retreats integrated with nature, providing thermal comfort and serene outdoor meditation areas in response to the climate.
Connection
A seamless transition between the built and unbuilt environment, guiding visitors through an immersive journey that enhances their engagement with nature and meditation.
Hierarchy
A progression of spatial experiences, using cascading forms to transition from private reflection zones to communal gathering areas.
Site Overview | Mordol, South Goa
The 32,000 sq.m site in Mordol, South Goa, 21 km from Panaji, features a 7,187 sq.m built-up area.
Design Framework
Guided Meditation Units
Micro-Housing | Competion Work + Academic Project | 2020 Studio+US Competition | Honorable Mention
Software used: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Enscape, Photoshop
In the densely populated landscape of Mumbai, where space is a luxury, this Micro-Housing project presents an innovative and adaptable approach to urban living. Addressing the challenge of spatial constraints, the design maximizes efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability, ensuring that compact dwellings provide both functionality and comfort. Each unit is carefully designed to optimize every square foot, integrating smart technology, multifunctional furniture, and modular layouts that adapt to residents’ evolving needs. Passive design strategies, such as natural ventilation, daylight optimization, and mutual shading, contribute to a more sustainable urban habitat while ecofriendly materials minimize environmental impact. Beyond just housing, Bijou Dwellings redefines urban compact living, demonstrating how architectural ingenuity can transform even the most constrained spaces into highquality, livable environments. By seamlessly blending innovation, adaptability, and sustainability, this project offers a vision for the future of urban housing—one that is efficient, responsive, and human-centered.
Professional Work | OPUS Design Studio
Guided by Ar. Ashit Ashok Parekh
Software used: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop
This 150-bed multi-specialty hospital integrates advanced medical facilities with a focus on efficiency, patient well-being, and sustainability. Key departments, including Nuclear Medicine, an OT Complex, ICUs, and a Mother & Child Center, are designed for optimal functionality and seamless healthcare delivery. The basement level houses diagnostic imaging services such as CT and MRI, strategically positioned to enhance operational flow. Patient rooms prioritize comfort, hygiene, and healing environments, incorporating thoughtful design elements that support recovery. A notable feature is the penthouse-level “Premium Platinum Designation” patient rooms, offering private garden terraces that introduce a connection to nature, elevating the patient experience. This design balances technological advancement, spatial efficiency, and patient-centered care, setting a standard for modern healthcare environments.
PROPOSED BUILDING
Professional Work | OPUS Design Studio
Guided by Ar. Ashit Ashok Parekh
Software used: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop
Led the Facade Development Project, overseeing the design development, material selection, and execution strategy to ensure a high-performance, aesthetically cohesive facade system. Responsibilities included coordinating with consultants, contractors, and the hospital’s projects department, facilitating seamless communication to align architectural intent with technical feasibility. The project emphasized sustainability, durability, and efficiency, integrating context-appropriate materials that balanced aesthetic appeal with functional resilience. Managed workflow optimization, compliance with hospital standards, and quality control, ensuring the facade met both environmental and operational requirements while enhancing the overall architectural identity of the building.
Planning and Design of Structural Systems | Group Project
Instructor: Prof. Sudarshan Krishnan
Software used: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino (Model was laser cut)
This project was developed as a distinguished independent initiative at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, where our team was granted the opportunity to conceptualize and execute a transformative architectural model. Working in a collaborative team of four, we integrated diverse skill sets and creative methodologies, navigating both design challenges and technical execution. This endeavor served as a platform for innovation, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and professional growth, reinforcing our ability to translate conceptual ideas into a tangible architectural expression.
Decahedron of dia. 3’
Considered one of the triangles and calculated value of alpha and length of triangle
Divided the triangle into two triangles
