Shrutam Prabhu M.Arch Portfolio

Meet Shrutam Prabhu, a graduating student of Masters of Architecture from Georgia Tech and a talented Architectural Designer currently working at Corgan Associates Inc. Aviation Studio. With a thirst for adventure and a love for nature,he enjoy exploring new cities, hiking trails, and immersing themselves in the great outdoors. When not busy with work or exploring the world around him, he can often be found gaming and exploring the latest in computation, augmented reality, and AI, as he explores the future of architecture.

SOCIETY OF ROOMS

The program brief for a society of Rooms is a Municipal Healthcare and Fitness Centre, which consists of sports facilities and wellness spaces and is located in downtown Atlanta at the intersection of Luckie Street and Forsyth Street. The program encourages participants to challenge the conventional ideology of our experiences with buildings that are confined in boxes stacked on top of one another and connected by corridors. There is enormous potential to investigate the organization of Rooms in a way that integrates the built and un-built, the building and the city. The program delves deeply into the investigation or organization of Rooms in relation to the Garden and as linked by the Street.

The site is located in Downtown Atlanta, at the junction of Luckie Street and Forsyth Street sandwiched between two of the prominent garden spaces in the area, namely, Centennial Park and Woodruff Park which are connected by Luckie Street.

The view from the junction of Luckie street and Forsyth street creates a natural movement into the park as an extention of the city itself.

THE ENTRANCE VIEW

TRANSLATION : URBAN MORPHOLOGY TO VERTICAL SYSTEM

Taking forward the design approach of the Network of Streets, Built and UnBuilt environments and translating it into a systematic organisation of systems verically forms the core of the design process.

URBAN FABRIC : DOWNTOWN ATLANTA

The Urban System of Downtown Atlanta developed by the network of streets divide the region into smaller plots for built and unbuilt purposes.

The urban fabric depicts the relation between the built (Rooms) and the unbuilt (Gardens) environments of downtown Atlanta with the Centennial park and Woodruff park being the prominent with respect to the site. The site is located along the Luckie Street connecting the two parks.

URBAN SYSTEM : DOWNTOWN ATLANTA

THE GARDENS

Model of the negative of Built environment, understanding the volume of outdoor spaces and their relation to each other provides essential insights to spaces the Rooms appropriately to create garden spaces.

THE STREET

Exploring the concept of the use of stairs in connecting the different indoor and outdoor volumes, that metaphorically acts as streets, imbibing its functions of not just movement, but also serendipitious interactions, onlooking spaces & acitivites.

STACKING SPACES VERTICAL SPACING HORIZONTAL STAGGERING

Rooms are organised generically by stacking one on top of the other.

Rooms are spaced vetrically to create voids in the volume that serve as outdoor spaces.

Rooms are further staggered by offseting then in both directions to create dramatic double and triple height outdoor spaces.

THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

An exploration into the use of RCC Shear walls as a structural system and locating the appropriate positions to enhance the design rather than obstrcut it. The vertical shear walls staggered through the plan create these pockets of spaces, with partially obstructed views to create dramatism in the otherwise large open spaces.

THE LIGHT WELL

The boundaries of the built structure is pushed 10’ away from the party walls to create a breathing space for the structure by giving opportunity to open the facade. The 10’ void also enables light to ingress to the lower floors.

THE STREET

This zone is comprises of the staircases “Streets” that weave around the building connecting the “Room” and the “Gardens” through the structure.

THE CORE

The core is placed at the innermost corner along the party walls and comprises of the lift core, fire stairs and locker rooms with toilet facility. Further two fire staircases are provided in the light well zone to meet the requirement.

THE SUPPORT

The support system involves the use of RCC Shear walls and are placed accordingly along these centrelines.

The view of the structure on the North side that faces the Luckie street and Forsyth street across the Equitable building, gives a context of the structure in its compact urban environment.

THE VIEW

SPATIAL CONNECTIVITY

Sections C and D, which cut through the site’s shorter side, depict diagonal connectivity, both physically through stairs and visually through courtyards. These sections demonstrate the structure’s characteristic of openness. As circulatory spaces, the staircases connect the volumes, but they also serve as interactory spaces, encouraging serendipitious meetings and interactions. The staircase weaving in and around the structure is designed as a double staircase where the one below is enclosed, that connects the “Rooms” and the one above connects the “Gardens”. The staggering of rooms to create gardens also creates opportunities for Courtyard spaces via the structure’s multistory heights, as shown in this section.

THE TERMINATION: PUBLIC GATHERING

THE STREET: CONNCETING GARDENS

The staircases serve as diagonal connections symoblized as streets of the city connect garden and room spaces, the view showcasing a junction of streets that are connecting gardens at different level emphasizing on the spatial qualities created by voids and multi height volumes.

The inclined floor plate at the rooftop level serves as a amphitheater for public gathering events. The amphitheater is asymetrically desgined to create void in the slab to bring a sense of porosity to the structure. Stairs give opportunities to high viewing decks to get a panaromic view of the Atlanta skyline.

THE GARDENS: RECREATIONAL SPACES

The section cutting along the Luckie street lays emphasis on the organisation of “Gardens” showcasing its integration with the “Rooms”. The entrance to the structure is through a folded slab that guides the user to the upper ground floor in a seamless transition from the urbanscape to the vertical system. In contradiction to the entrance the termination of the structure is through another folded slab, in the form of an amphitheater, that creates a vertical symmetry complementing the entrace to the structure.

Intermidiartory garden spaces employ staggered spaces with a double height ceiling creating a varied volume .

Activity spaces like the basketball court spaced through the structure create pausing points for audience.

THE ROOMS: ACTIVITY SPACES

THE AERIAL VIEW

The ariel view of the structure shows the distinct constrast between the massing of the Equitable building and itself along with the architectural style with respect to its contextual environment.

WESTSIDE CONNECTIVITY BRIDGE

The Westside Connectivity Bridge marks the expansion of Georgia Tech Campus Connecting the upcomming Science Park and the existing North Avenue Research Center located across the rai track. More importanty it is the cultural and social conneciton between the Westside community and Midtown Atlanta for an extended period.

The project is envisioned to be a communal connection and Georgia Tech Campus expansion that would benifit both rsidental population and students with creating opportunities for infrastrucural growth, both public and commercial.

SITE AXONOMETRIC

INSPIRATION: ORGANIC LANDSCAPE CONCEPTUAL SKETCH

The Westside bridge spans connecting the Student Center at Georgia Tech through an organic path to the Randall Brothers site and DFL along Marrietta street across the railroad to the extended campus and the Westside community.

The design of the bridge is inspired by the organic landscapes to envision the Westside Connecting Bridge as a public space rather than a connecting element. It allows users to experience and enjoy the journey as an activity in itself along with connecting two points.

The inspiration formulated and translated into a sketch to form the initial basis of the idea that took form of the pathway of the bridge in the organic and curvilinear shape.

The site plan of the Westside connectivity bridge emphasizes on the organic form of the pathway inspired by the organic landscapes and further highlights the access points at various crucia locations.

RANDALL BROTHERS SITE STUDENT CENTER

COCA COLA CAMPUS

MAIN SPAN OVER RAILROAD AND MARIETTA STREET

The Main span carries forward the design inspiration in the form of structure. It is designed with two arch members that twist outwards and converge at the center of the bridge creating a dynamic walkthrough experience and an iconic moment along the entire span.

The Main span being the highlight the design intent was to also create pause points and rest stops along the path and a perfect opportunity to create viewing decks to the Atlanta Skyline. This was achieved by creating raised landscaped viewing decks with integrated seating.

MAIN SPAN AXONOMETRIC MAIN

AERIAL VIEW OVER MAIN SPAN

The Main span adopts the free flowing organic form of the path to create raised viewing spots and pause points for resting integrating biophillia creating a cooler environment during commuting.

STRUCTURE

The structure comprises of four columns that support the metal box arches, with the ends tied together to create tension along with tension cables connecting the central section of the arches to prevent outward motion. The deck is supported by outrigger beams supporting the concrete deck.

ELEVATION GARDEN VIEW STEPPED SEATING

SITE SECTION

The elevated garden near the Randall Brother site serves a recreational spot with access to cafe and relaxing spaces with trees and landscape. The double bridge provides access to the high spot for viewing deck above the cafe and gives a unique experiece to the commuters.

The stepped seating provides access to the Randall Brothers site while creating a public gathering spot for commuters.

The site section highlights the topography of the site gradually sloping towards the student center.

RESEARCH PARK & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE

The aim of this dissertation is to evolve a design for a Research Park & Entrepreneurship Centre that would include the creation of environments that stimulate interaction, collaboration and teamwork amongst the various stakeholders from multi-disciplinary fields of the facility to improve and enhance the work environment and the efficiency of work. The search in an attempt to create an integrated approach towards building a holistic ecosystem to supplement innovation and foster creativity. Architecture and built spaces plays a major role in making the space more interactive and collaborative.

The site is located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Navi Mumbai is envisaged as a counter magnet to reduce the pressure on Mumbai Suburb. It is planned as a polycentric new town with a series of nodal concentrations along mass-transport corridors. It has 14 townships known as nodes with a combined population of four million and one million jobs.The site is loccated in Kharghar, one of 14 nodesof Navi Mumbai and is being developed by CIDCO for an estimated population of about 50,000.

FORM DEVELOPMENT

The form of the structure has been developed keeping in mind the constraints of the site and to maximise the built-up. The zoning on site is done in a way with recreational front open space facing the central park.

SITE PLAN

The form of the structure has been developed keeping in mind the constraints of the site and to maximise the built-up. The zoning on site is done in a way with recreational front open space facing the central park.

1. Entrance Lobby

2. General Store

3. Visitor’s Centre

4. Cafeteria

5. Exhibition Hall

6. Admin Office

7. Workshops

8. Study Stairs

9. Lift Lobby

10. Kitchen

EXTERIOR VISUALIZATION

The view highlights the projecting floor plates creating staggered terraces on each floor and the distinctive form of the strucutre.

PERSPECTIVE SECTION

The Entrance Lobby is designed to be a large open plan showcasing the grand elegent structure of the design. The user is welcomed by grand main atrium that allows the ingress of natural light into the structre. the stepped seating under the atrium makes it a perfect space for informal work and meetings or just leisure.

The Entrance Lobby is designed to be a large open plan showcasing the grand elegent structure of the design. The user is welcomed by grand main atrium that allows the ingress of natural light into the structre. the stepped seating under the atrium makes it a perfect space for informal work and meetings or just leisure.

Congregation Hall Secondary Atrium Main Atrium Double Height Spaces

Open Plan Work Plaza Multi Height Spaces Staggered Floor

SKY COURT

The users acess the terrace garden through stairs overlooking into the well lit main atrium. The terrace garden consists of two separate terraces interconnected by an indoor passage. The terrace gardens various outdoor seatings thus serve as a recreational open space for users to relax or even work while facilitating them of having a scenic view of the surroundings. It is partially covered by pergola for shaded space and is overlooking the terrace on the floor below.

1. Break out Area 2. Secondary Atrium 3. Passage 4. Stairwell

5. Interaction Space 6. Basement 7. Terrace Garden

EXTERIOR VIEW

STAGGERED ATRIUM

Co-working spaces and private offices are planned around double height common spaces that essentially serve as interaction and ideation spaces for informal work and collaboration or leisure having amenities like small pantry, lounge & informal seating. These double height spaces have been staggered at every floor and connected by wide staircases thus enabling physical and visual connection, encouraging diagonal thinking.

SKY COURTS

BIFACIAL SOLAR PANEL DETAIL

METAL CATWALK DETAIL

CORPORATE HUB- BIZ INSPIRON

Bandra Kurla Complex is already developed commercial buisness zone of Mumbai City situated at Bandra. It has strong linkages to various public amenities and transportation along with housing a number of comercial offices, hospitals, convention centre, hotels,etc. The aim of the project is to propose a design for a corporate structure for all purposes of comercial activities that include a shopping mall, movie theater, food court and office spaces while having a distinct architectural identity to attract people. The design is formulated using dynamic polygonal forms depicting shards of glass to create an identity.

The site is located in a corporate park called Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra in Mumbai. The acess to the site is by an 18m wide road along the north side and along the south side of the site.

DYNAMIC POLYGONAL GEOMETRY

The outward tapering form of the structure forms the conopy for the entrance and creates a dynamic and bold design statement as percieved by the visitors. The outward tapering form is further empasised by dark colour cladded massing on either side of the glazing having back illuminated slits, this creates an visually appealing charecteristic of the structure.

SITE PLAN

The pedistrian entrance to the project is through a public plaza that serves as a space for recreational activities and attracts people encouraging to visit the shopping mall. The structure comprising of restaurants protrudes cantelivering and overlooking the public plaza.

1. Small Comercial shops

2. Medium Comercial Shops

3. Anchor Shops

4. Kiosk shops

5. Admin Office

6. Entrance Foyer

7. Office Entrance Lobby

8. Lift lobby 9. Public Plaza

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC

SECTIONAL ELEVATION

The sectional elevation cutting lognitudinally through the structure highlights the projecting restaurants overlooking the public plaza; also exhibits the central atrium which allows ample light through the structure and increases visual connectivity vertically. The form of the office tower is also evident showcasing the tappered glazing as the facade for the offices.

EXTERIOR VISUALIZATION

The form is developed by tapering the mass outwards creating a diamond form. The office tower is created forming steps rising to the top. The final form of the structure is developed with the glazing of the office tower tapering outwards like shards of glass giving it its charecteristic look.

COMMERCIAL TOWER

The outward tapering form of the structure forms the conopy for the entrance and creates a dynamic and bold design statement as percieved by the visitors. The outward tapering form is further empasised by dark colour cladded massing on either side of the glazing having back illuminated slits, this creates an visually appealing charecteristic of the structure.

ELEVATION

The characteristic polygonal form with sharp edges and tapereing facade is the highlight of the corporate hub visualized to be the distinctive feature evident in the elevation visualization.

DESIGNING IN AUGMENTED REALITY

The elective introduced the students to designing in augmented reality with help of Rhino and Grasshopper through Hololens. This was achieved by scripting in grasshopper to allow user to design using hand gestures wearing Hololens. The objective was to design a sculptural exhibit for the Hinman courtyard.

AUGMENTED REALITY

Using grasshopper script on Rhino as a medium, user uses hololens to visualise the design in augmented reality. Through hand gestures of poining, pinching user is able to create a series of points to bring about a design in 3D space using a physical prop (set of logs on wheels) as a reference. Further, user utilises steel rebars as a physical element to recreat the proposed design in reality with assistance of hololens guiding the user on the direction and angle of the bends.

PHYSICAL REALITY

The hololens provides a augmented reality reference to the user to guide him in bending at certain angles and the amout of bend required. This drastically improves the users efforts in fabricating complex geometries without any errors making the process extremely efficient and effective.

ASSEMBLING USING HOLOLENS THE PROCESS

Using Hololens to guide in the process of assembling the indiviual parts prior to welding in place makes it extremely easy to fabricate complex geometries.

The diagram highlights the way the installation was drawing using Hololens and the different parts that constitute it.

MEDIA MODELING

The exercise Space Light Modulator engages the way light penetrates the space infusing different emotions. The series of iterations explores the way light penetrates though a series of slits and engages with the incident surface, from a large scale incriment to a small scale modular iteration. In an alternative way, this attemp is also an exploration in the overlapping of light beams to create a patterm of differently illuminated spots in the pattern.

PRIMARY MEMBER

The script begins with creating construction lines through points and itersection to from the tappering cross section of the primary spannig member. Then, scripting the primary member using the cross section developed in the first phase, to create a long span cantelivering member with diminishing cross section as it spans across.

RETRACTION & ROTATION

Further scripting the retractable and rotation function of the primary member that allows synchromised movement of each segment of the member to collapase and shorten in length when not in use, while the rotation allows the member to rotate about its axis point to allow for varied height.

SECONDARY MEMBERS

Developing secondary members spanning perpendicular to the primary member at the end of each segment to create a shelter for the space,

ROTATORY MOVEMENT

Finally, scripting the variable rotation of the secondary members that allows each secondary member to rotate at a slight different angle creating a visual of a wave and like a flapping of wing.

INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS

The course focused on designing and integrating the various components of a building like the Structure, MEP, Lighting doccumenting a complete set of construction doccuments. It created a deeper understanding of the process of design while keeping in mind the structural feasibility, HVAC consideretion and lighting that is integral part of the process. The work demonstrates selected sheets from the construction doccument that was produced as a part of the curriculum.

Atlanta Office

BUILDING INDEX

VICINITY PLAN

NAME Office (R. FRIDY, C. MARCHESANI, S. MOORTHY, S. PRABHU, P. YAN) INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS III PHASE

SET SUBMITTED 12/15/2022

HSS Steel

Tapered XPS Rigid Insulation

Steel Stud

TPO Roof Membrane

Steel Furring

Gypsum Wall Board

Aluminum Storefront System

XPS Rigid Insulation (2")

Aluminum Coping

Flashing

Metal Wall Panel System

Steel Roof Joist

Curtain Wall System

Spandrel Panel

C.I.P. Concrete Column Beyond

Aluminum Trim

Fluid Applied Air/Water/Vapor Barrier

8" CMU

Caulked Joint

Waterproofing Membrane

C.I.P. Concrete Parapet

C.I.P. Concrete Slab

C.I.P. Concrete Wall

Reinforced Cast-in-Place Column

2hr Fire-Rated CMU Party Wall

Pile Cap / Thickened Slab Column Dowels [#10]

Bottom Reinforcement, Ends Bent Up Bar Spacers at Top, Middle, and Bottom of Spiral Reinforcement

40' Drilled Shaft Pile to Bedrock Spiral Reinforcement Cage [#3 MIN.] Longitudinal Bars [#4, qty. 8 arranged radially]

5" Slab on Grade, TYP. Basement Level of Adjacent Building Center Tension Bar [#8] continues full length of pile w/ necessary coupling

Cast-In-Place concrete Pile (40') 18" Metal Sleeve, same diameter as pile, placed around pile top to prevent damage.

NAME Office (R. FRIDY, C. MARCHESANI, S. MOORTHY, S. PRABHU, P. YAN) INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS III

NAME Office (R. FRIDY, C. MARCHESANI, S. MOORTHY, S. PRABHU, P. YAN)

BUILDING SYSTEMS III

NAME Office (R. FRIDY, C. MARCHESANI, S. MOORTHY, S. PRABHU, P. YAN) INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEMS III

The exercise Space Light Modulator engages the way light penetrates the space infusing different emotions. The series of iterations explores the way light penetrates though a series of slits and engages with the incident surface, from a large scale incriment to a small scale modular iteration. In an alternative way, this attemp is also an exploration in the overlapping of light beams to create a patterm of differently illuminated spots in the pattern.

LIGTH SPACE MODULATOR

LIGHT AND SHADOW

The series of photographs of the first iteration in the exercise displays a step wise transition of the impact of light penetrating through the slits and showcases its interaction with the incident surfaces with a dramatic play of sciography.

MODULARITY

The Illustration shows the modular nature of the final iteration in highly graphical style.

The final iteration in the exercise scales down the learnings from the initial iterations and transforms them into a modular approach with 8 modules to consolidate the idea of the Light Space Modulator with darmatic play of light, shadow and space. This iterations provides flexibility by means of permutations of positioning each module. The abstract representation of the axonometric is an attempt to redefine the way space is percieved through graphics.

THE MASTER STUDIO: ARCH

The aim of the competition is to design a co-working space for freelancing architects, studios for firms & a learning center for students. ArchHUB is a place where eduaction and profession of the field of architecture meet, since studio based education received by the students in architecture colleges is not enough for the proffesional challenges faced in the field. ArchHUB combines studio learning with guidance from practising firms to boost the knowledge and skills of upcoming professionals in a work oriented and creative co-working atmosphere. The design is formulated in a way that makes a bold statement with the concrete projections as balconies and the waffle roof designed in a staggering and cantelivering manner.

HUB

DESIGN APPROACH

The indoor forest promotes a biophilic philosophy, connecting humans directly with nature and it has an immense effect on the human psychology creating a healthier environment which will increase productivity and morale of the staff.

The design aims at making common interactive spaces usable both by students as well as professionals. This symbiotic student professional relation helps in creating a very good academic and professional system.

The aim of the design is to make the spaces well connected spaces for the ease of circulation and convenience of the users. Also being important for student - professional interactions.

FLOOR PLANS

THIRD FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

FIRST

GROUND

UNIT TYPOLOGIES

Office spaces in the building are subdivided into two categories - small firm (5-10 staff) and medium firm (10- 20 staff). These are further divided into three modular blocks TYPE - A1, TYPE - A2 and TYPE - B, each having their own workspaces, architect’s cabins, pantries and attched toilets. Each unit has access to natural light and ventilation meaning all units have minimum one side on the facade of the building with usable covered balconies.

UNIT A-1

A-1

SMALL FIRM

STAFF : 5 - 10

AREA : 72SQ.M

INDOOR FOREST

The design is formulated with an indoor forest as the core that creates a mesmerizing & relaxing atmosphere to work.

UNIT A-2

A-2

SMALL FIRM

STAFF : 5 - 10

AREA : 72SQ.M

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

UNIT B

B

MEDIUM FIRM

STAFF : 10 - 20

AREA : 108SQ.M

The section emphasises on the interior forest space as a biophillic integration in to the structure for relaxation and focus.

ARCHDIAS: TAJ AMITY PAVILION

The Amity pavillion attempts to address the city of Mumbai in form of a mural depicting Diversity and Unity. The two parabolic arches rising from the ground symbolises the two strong pillars of Mumbai - The Civilians and The Armed Forces whose united efforts helped uplifting the city. The huge diaphragm resting on the parabolic arches metaphorises Mumbai City.

The diaphragm suspends the light of a hundred souls. These souls have been metaphorised in form of illumination in 165 lanterns. Each lantern reincarnates a lost soul in 26/11 attacks. Thus, the city is kindled by lost souls who fought hard and sacrificed themselves in this very unfortunate event.

Amity Pavilion is a low-tech, low-impact installation that employs re-usable crates as the structural framework for growing planted surface similar to a green wall. It aspires to create a synthesis of form, structure, light and life. At the end of the exhibition, the pavilion’s modular design will allow easy disassembly and distribution of re-usable crates to the Mumbai area for use in cafes, canteens and community gardens.