Design portfolio

Somya., 2018-2023

SOMYA.

Date of Birth : 06 DEC 2000

Phone Number : +919413785961

E-mail : inanisomya@gmail.com

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

Coursera

2022 - 2023

2018 - 2023

2014 - 2018

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

NMIMS Balwanth Sheth School of Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) CGPA- 3.23

Jayshree Periwal International School

IBDP 2016-2018

Final grade : 37

IGCSE 2014-2016

Final grade- 90% (A*)

PROFESSIONAL WORK

Freelance UI/ UX Designer

2023

2023

2022

2019

INSTALLATION

2019

COMPETITION

Rubilon

Architecture Intern

Anupam De & Associates, Mumbai

Teaching Assistant

Deplorable planes workshop for the third year studio at NMIMA BSSA

Architecture Intern

Alexandria, Egypt (summer internship)

DOCUMENTATION

Ahmedabad

2019

2019

2019

2018

SKILLS

Measure drawing of colleges and haveli

Goa

Measure drawing of Fountainas(North Goa)

Jodhpur, Pushkar and Jaipur

Measure drawing of ghats and Fort sketching

Aurangabad

Sketching of caves

Software proficiency (Advanced, Intermediate, Basic), other skills, fluent languages

Advanced

Figma

Adobe XD

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Canv

Adobe InDesign

Autodesk Autocad

Microsoft Office

Rhinoceros 3D

Intermediate

Adobe Premiere pro

Grasshopper

Other skills

Web Design

3D Printing

Laser cutting

Emergent patterns in nature

Annual exhibition in NMIMS, BSSA

Twinmotion

Model making

Wood work

Sketching

Alternate realities, The Charette

2021

Participation

BSSA Esquisse- Pavillion design

Participation

BSSA Esquisse- Architecture, Landscape

Participation

Basic Sketch

Autodesk 3DS Max

Autodesk Revit

V-Ray

Blender

SketchUp

Painting Photography

Videography

Fluent Languages

English

Hindi

01

p4

RUBILON

Professional work

Website design

04 p26

02 p10

03 p16

EREWHON DOWNTOWN

Competition entry

Alternate reality

DESIGN DISSERTATION

Fifth year design dissertation

Community space for sex workers

05 p32

URBAN ACUPUNCTURE

Fourth year urban design studio Designing for health and equity

EMERGENCE

Second year group installation project examine various emergent properties or behaviour observed in nature using Steven Johnson’s book Emergence

www.rubilon.in

ABOUT

My role : developing a problem statement, User research, Analysis of collected date, Ideation, Iteration, Wirefaming and Prototyping

RUBILON is a homegrown brand, founded by two sisters. The brand started as an Instagram store during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020. They make and sell handcrafted accessories, specialising in bags and their products are produced on a made-to-order basis. Even after being consistently featured in esteemed fashion magazines and endorsed by Bollywood celebrities and influencers alike, their only

Problem

Research

The brand’s founders felt that it was high time that they had their own online presence in the form of an ecommerce website. The task at hand was to design the brand’s website such that it caters to the needs of multiple users, incorporates their branding, resonates with their core ideologies while displaying and building on the brand’s existing identity on its social media platforms.

I began my desk research by investigating the fundamental question- Who are the key users of a homegrown handcarfted handbag brand’s website? I interacted with the founders to identify three broad categories of users: founders, potential clients and stylists.

Then I reached out and interviewed these target groups to find answers to the following questions:

1. What are their motives behind using the website?

Since their inception, they have coninued operating via Instagram- taking orders via Direct Message (DM). This was functional b extremely tedious and time- taking. They were also losing out on customers as not everyone prefers to message to request the price to place an order for the same. As a small business owner, my client wanted a website which mirrored their look and identity on Instagram without break ing the bank. I assured the design would be modular, simple, and easy for my client to handle without constant assistance of a developer. The designs are fairly basic and unembellished, yet elegant and inviting.

2. What were the typical steps they took in order to achieve their purpose?

3. What were the pain points they encountered while navigating the current website?

RUBILON’s customer base are people who enjoy high-quality products and have an appreciation for handcrafted pieces and sustainable practices. They are not just interested in the final product, but also where its raw materials are being sourced from and how it was created - the whole process that entails. Some customers even wish to experience the making process for themselves. New cutsomers will frequenetly ask about the brand’s story and are very curious to know about the founders. Their customers are not just attracted to their products because of the unique designs and the brand aesthetic but also because of their indenitity as a family-run, home-grown brand with ethical practices.

Ethical consumer Fashion enthusiast

Through this I identified and fleshed out 3 personas that best depicted the needs of that particular user group.

RUBILON’s customer base are people who enjoy high-quality products and have an appreciation for handcrafted pieces and sustainable practices. They are not just interested in the final product, but also where its raw materials are being sourced from and how it was created - the whole process that entails. Some customers even wish to experience the making process for themselves. New cutsomers will frequenetly ask about the brand’s story and are very curious to know about the founders. Their customers are not just attracted to their products because of the unique designs and the brand aesthetic but also because of their indenitity as a family-run, home-grown brand with ethical practices.

Homegrown brand Upper-middle class High quality Modern designs

Personas and their user journey maps

Shubhra Co-founder | Designer

• Age: 23 years

• Education: Bachelor of Commerce

• Hometown: Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

• Occupation: Pursuing MBA in marketing

“ Now that the college sessions are back offline since COVID-19 it has been extremely difficult to juggle both my college studies in Mumbai and my small business based out of my hometown, back in Rajasthan. A website is a need of the hour for us to keep our small business running.”

Goals

• Dedicate more time to designing and creating unique pieces.

• Increase sales using Facebook/ Instragram ads with a live website.

• Build trust with the existing and new potential client base through social media by having consistent product pricing across platforms- both online and offline.

Frustrations

• A time consuming and tedious method to respond to queries requesting to know the price and place an order.

• Loosing out on possible sales to people who do not reach out in DMs.

• Lack of time left to devote to actual designing creating.

Shubhra needs a websute which effectively takes forward her brand identity, allowing her to spend more time on designing and creating new pieces.

Gaurav B Stylist

• Age: 30 years

• Education: Bachelor in Fashion Styling

• Hometown: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

• Occupation: Fashion Stylist

“ As a stylist I need to stay on the top of latest trends and new talent in the industry. Homegrown brands are all the range - I love to soruce for my celebrity clients and brands alike from new and coming brands it helps both and the brand to make a name. It is always easier to have a direct and easy way to contact them.”

Goals Frustrations

• Have contacts with brand owners/ PR managers for respective brands for sourcing clothing and accessories.

• Stay on top of the latest trends in the fashion industry and create content at par with them.

• Create sample outfits

• The industry moves at a rapic pace and staying on top of trends feels like a never ending race.

• It is hard to keep track of particular pieces a brand has availble to source in this city where I’m based currently, since I often have last minute requests and the pieces cant reach time from another city in the limited timeframe.

Gaurav is a stylist who regularly needs to source products from brands and needs to know about the availability of readily availble products at a given time for the same.

Sarita J

• Age: 30 years

Potential customer

• Education: Bachelor in Fashion Styling

• Hometown: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

• Occupation: Fashion Stylist

“ I have been shopping from RUBILON for a while now and I love their bags- they are handcrafted and so chic! My wedding is coming up and I want the wedding favours to be from them- I would be getting around 100-150 pieces and mt budget per piece is 550-600 Rs. But with all the wedding preps, having to enquire about prices of a singular product is an added task. ”

Goals Frustrations

• Finalise and place an order for the wedding favors so that they reach in time to be wrapped and packed for gifting.

• Browse all the options in the set budget and negotiate to get the best possible product without compromising on quality.

• No cataglogue or a website means I will have to sit and go through the whole Instagram feed and enquire about every product that I like in the hoped that it would fit my budget- it is way too consuming.

• No way to filter out products using a price range.

Sarita is a bride-to-be- she needs to know of all the available products in her budget to make an informed decision to gift her wedding guests .

Have always shopped from them- and now shopping from them for my wedding is just what I wanted!

Have always shopped from them- and now shopping from them for my wedding is just

So

of them- I’m so glad I was one of the first ones!

So

DM is nice but it is too time

I’m so glad was able to get the best piece and in my budge tooShubhra was really helpful- really excited!

I’m so

Competitive Analysis

Based on the tasks that my users performed, and the insights derived, I conducted a competitive audit where I looked at existing websites of small and large scale handbags brand, while comparing it with my client’s needs. +ve -ve

Shop mistry

Chanel Mistry

Illegible text over the backgroud image

Absence of a favicon

Clear segregation of factual and visual elements allowing for the information to be easily connected with

Confusing textual hierarchy- swiping text made the biggest font, distracting away from the actual product information above

Clear option to sort and filter products

Image size of the product too large to fit the screen at once

Efficient User flow leading to the product page with elaborate description ragarding the product specifications

Smaller images on the left instincitvely inform the users to scroll and look at the product closely from other angles

Concise and eye-catching sticky toobar at the top

Not enough contrast between the text and background, with text size quite small compared to image size

Chanel

Clear categorization

A clear favicon

Illegible text at one glance- not enough contrast between the background image

No division between different media presented- video on the left and image on the right put up next to each other

Clean division of products- easily visible on screen at once

Clear and balanced contrast between the background and the text

Action button least highlighted

Primary information included after decriptive text. Confusing structure of represenattion

Affinity mapping

From the competetive audits and the user interviews, I derived insights and identified key pain points.

I clubbed these problems in under 4 broad headings and made an affinity diagram to better understand the user before moving to the designing phase.

Landing page

Efficient and easy to use navigation menu

Balanced composition of visual and textual data on the landing page

Latest news, updates, publications, features, products and acheivements of the brand should be displayed.

Employing user friendly and clear/ clean navigation features for seamless browsing

Design Opportunity:

Collection

Each product image in a single row should be clearly visible without the need to scroll to view the image at once

Option to filter and sort products.

Proper categorization and arrangement of products.

Clear demarcation of a product on sale or out of stock.

Product page

Easy to access and visible primary search bar.

Brief product information should be cearly written and visible as a for each product shown on the collection page.

Other

Consistency in visual language and design components throughout the website with clearly defined call to action buttons.

Detailed and accurate information about the products and transparent return policy.

1. How might we present the brand’s products in a systematic manner such that they can be easily browsed through by the identifed user group

2. How might we ensure a smooth process for clients looking to purchase the brand’s products and connect with the brand

3. How might we create an attractive and ablanced landing page which captures the user’s interest and appeals them to explore further

Site map

I developed a site map which draws out how one could navigate the website by considering the target users and their journey maps before arriving at the final solution. This flow served as a base for my proposed high-fidelity prototypes.

I created a task flow for placing an order through the website. It was a priority for both the client and customers that there was an easy way to browse through the products along with their details. They are easily brought to a product grid which reflects the availability. Before checking out, users have an options to create an account which can help improve customer retention.

Low fidelity paper wireframes

Based upon the insights, I iterated upon the design ideas for the various pages of the website with importance given to:

1. Website Landing page

2. Collection page

3. Product page

After immense discussion with the brand founders, I reached upon the final design wireframes.

1. Landing page

The landing page has been designed with clear and clean division of sub-sections for users to nevigate to. The text provided on this page is minimak so as to highlight the articles the brand has been featured in. At the bottom, there is a direct connect to the brand’s Instagram page, allowing users to connect with them through social media.

2. Collection page

Filter options like price range, color, and stock availability have been provided on the left. This saves the user time and provides with a better experience by helping them quickly find the product that they are looking for.

Task flow

High fidelity prototype

2.

3. Product page

The product page is a complete balance of text and visuals, with the product description and product images. There’s a page banner allowing the brand to convey any special message or offers to a potential client. The sticky toolbar consists of a thumbnail of the product along with brief and necessary details of the same. This would help speed up the process leading up to checkout. The footer allows the user to navigate to and read Shipping & Returns policy of the brand before making a purchase.

4. Contact page

The contact page has an extremely simple and easy to navigate sections, catering to the clients and stylists alike looking to reach out to the brand, making the entire process smooth and simple.

4.

EREWHON DOWNTOWN

Group competition entry : Alternate Reality

My role: ideating entry topic & concepts, spearheading 3d module design & modelling, final visuals design

Popular and quickly growing knowledge and virtual interaction outlets are social media platforms where people are free to gain information and express their thoughts. Sites like Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Tik-Tok and Snapchat are such platforms dominant internationally. Their logos represent much more than the virtual worlds that they entail. The most commonly argued distinction between the real and virtual worlds is the concept of physical form. As social beings, with a constant dilemma of choosing between the real and virtual, we find ourselves eventually sucked into a maze of these worlds. As users of the same we imagine these apps to be physical spaces where peo-

ple engage with each other very closely.

In our physical representation of these virtual worlds, the phones are the connectors blurring the boundaries between real and virtual. In that regard, everyone with a “smart phone”, carries them in their pockets - a whole galaxy. And with the increasing number of smart phone users, in attempts to connect with each other, we find these galaxies multiplying. Though they are not physically connected to each other there still exists an innate relation between them. Thus, implying that the virtual world is constantly expanding - to Infinity.

In our mind, this physical visualisa-

tion of the virtual community environment is as close as it can get to reality.

Group: Somya. , Khushi Saraiya, Tanishka Kelkar, Samyak Shah

DESIGN DISSERTATION

EASTERN WATERFRONT, MUMBAI

Project Topic : Community space for sex workers

Academic project: Year 5 semester 9& 10

Commercial sex workers (CSWs) are often thought to be victims of human-trafficking owing to abolitionist and moralist approach of the NGOs and organisations. Though the data from Kamathipura specifically largely supports this- this is also true that not all of the practicing CSWs are willing to be “rehabilitated and reintegrated”. This creates a complex situation wherein the NGOs, more often than not, adapting a raid and rescue model, in an effort to “rescue” the “victims” end up doing more harm. Thus, it is of utmost importance for the NGO personnel’s to be trained in identifying the individuals willing to leave the sex trade. It is also necessary to educate the children of all CSWs (willing to be rehabilitated and reintegrated or not)- to break the cycle of inter-generational prostitution by providing a safe space which does that regardless of the pincode that they reside in- a common problem faced by the residents of RLAs pan India in all aspects- be it bank, school, police station, access to government schemes- owing to the “image” of the area.

So, the questions arise that:

This study intends to deal with a very sensitive and marginalised group: sex workers and their children.

• On a local level- in order to break the cycle of inter-generational prostitution, education for the children and the sex workers themselves is an extreme necessity. Architecture should be able to create a sense of nurturing, comfort and healing- a safe social space, which is otherwise absent for them at home.

• On a national level- a semi-permanent space needs to be created wherein the NGO workers and police officers can be trained as to how to deal with CSWs. The built thus, would be able to create a sense of pride and community.

• On a global level- periodically, a temporal space needs to be created wherein all the stakeholders can come together for a certain duration of days to celebrate, discus and exchange ideas.

1. How can hygiene, light, ventilation, building materials, sustainability, etc. , con -tribute to create a space of healing?

2. How is psychology of people affected by the built form that they occupy at a certain point in time?

3. How can architecture contribute to create a space which is healing, celebrating and comforting at the same time?

Kamathipura

Section of a typical brothel in Kamathipura where the use of space is mixed and complex- The space within the brothels, which provided a modicum of safety and invisibility for the sex workers, were also places that the women could come together as a collective, share their grief and joys, their daily chores and take care of each other when sick. The spaces within the brothels though extremely cramped and small, nonetheless offered a shelter, a place of work and a place of rest though heavily restricted mobility. The trap doors, secret hideaways, highly coded access and passage ways which are hidden from public view or layered by other regular uses, also provided security from sudden police raids because of the invisibility. This also ensured however that the women were constantly under surveillance and unable to escape as they were monitored by the madams or pimps and the other muscle men. Paradoxically, the brothel space has also allowed the State and the NGOs to target and penetrate the sex trade in order to carry out health, rescue and rehabilitation interventions. Identifying

Dilapidation of typology over the years

Dilapidation of typology over the years

Section of a typical brothel in Kamathipura where the use of space is mixed and complex- The space within the brothels, which provided a modicum of safety and invisibility for the sex workers, were also places that the women could come together as a collective, share their grief and joys, their daily chores and take care of each other when sick. The spaces within the brothels though extremely cramped and small, nonetheless offered a shelter, a place of work and a place of rest though heavily restricted mobility. The trap doors, secret hideaways, highly coded access and passage ways which are hidden from public view or layered by other regular uses, also provided security from sudden police raids because of the invisibility. This also ensured however that the women were constantly under surveillance and unable to escape as they were monitored by the madams or pimps and the other muscle men. Paradoxically, the brothel space has also allowed the State and the NGOs to target and penetrate the sex trade in order to carry out health, rescue and rehabilitation interventions. Identifying Kamathipura

Bombay is an important commercial port in the international trade route in British raj. The Fort area has developed exclusively for the colonial rulers and the upper class natives- Kamathipura has become a tolerated red light zone where European women rent rooms to earn money through com

Bombay is an important commercial port in the international trade route in British raj. The Fort area has developed exclusively for the colonial rulers and the upper class natives- Kamathipura has become a tolerated red light zone where European women rent rooms to earn money through com

Hum is jagah ki image ke liye larte rahenge.

Hum is jagah ki image ke liye larte rahenge.

Two of the ground floor rooms of the building have been turned into brothels. The landlord lives with his family on the first floor. The rest of the rooms are occupied by male

Two of the ground floor rooms of the building have been turned into brothels. The landlord lives with his family on the first floor. The rest of the rooms are occupied by male

Children don't get admission in schools.

Everywhere we are told 'Bombay-8' (reference to Kamathipura's PIN code) is not

locality and help salvage residents' respect.

Kamathipura is a space that expanded and came alive during the night and slept during the day. A soace that is exceptional, simultaneously loathed and desired and the antithesis to to the idea of the “domesticated city”.

Redevelopment can sanitize the locality and help salvage residents' respect.

Section of a typical brothel in Kamathipura where the use of space is mixed and complex- The space within the brothels, which provided a modicum of safety and invisibility for the sex workers, were also places that the women could come together as a collective, share their grief and joys, their daily chores and take care of each other when sick. The spaces within the brothels though extremely cramped and small, nonetheless offered a shelter, a place of work and a place of rest though heavily restricted mobility. The trap doors, secret hideaways,

Dilapidation of typology over the years

Hum is jagah ki image ke liye larte rahenge.

Section of a typical brothel in Kamathipura where the use of space is mixed and complex- The space within the brothels, which provided a modicum of safety and invisibility for the sex workers, were also places that the women could come together as a collective, share their grief and joys, their daily chores and take care of each other when sick. The spaces within the brothels though extremely cramped and small, nonetheless offered a shelter, a place of work and a place of rest though heavily restricted mobility. The trap doors, secret hideaways, highly coded access and passage ways which are hidden from public view or layered by other regular uses, also provided security from sudden police raids because of the invisibility. This also ensured however that the women were constantly under surveillance and unable to escape as they were monitored by the madams or pimps and the other muscle men. Paradoxically, the brothel space has also allowed the State and the NGOs to target and penetrate the sex trade in order to carry out health, rescue and rehabilitation interventions.

Section of a typical brothel in Kamathipura where the use of space is mixed and complex- The space within the brothels, which provided a modicum of safety and invisibility for the sex workers, were also places that the women could come together as a collective, share their grief and joys, their daily chores and take care of each other when sick. The spaces within the brothels though extremely cramped and small, nonetheless offered a shelter, a place of work and a place of rest though heavily restricted mobility. The trap doors, secret hideaways, highly coded access and passage ways which are hidden from public view or layered by other regular uses, also provided security from sudden police raids because of the invisibility. This also ensured however that the women were constantly under surveillance and unable to escape as they were monitored by the madams or pimps and the other muscle men. Paradoxically, the brothel space has also allowed the State and the NGOs to target and penetrate the sex trade in order to carry out health, rescue and rehabilitation interventions.

Dilapidation of typology over the years

Kamathipura, a marshy area on the edge of the Fort area is inhabited by the poor labouring construction workers called

Dilapidation of typology over the years

1875

Kamathipura, a marshy area on the edge of the Fort area is inhabited by the poor labouring construction workers called

There is a two storey building on the 11th Lane. It has six rooms - three on each floor. The landlord lives in a large room on the first floor. The other rooms are leased out to tenants. A rickety wooden staircase connects the two floors. The lane in front of the building is still a tempo rary unmetalled narrow lane.There are hardly any women on

Kamathipura, a marshy area on the edge of the Fort area is inhabited by the poor labouring construction workers called Kamathis from Andhra.

There is a two storey building on the 11th Lane. It has six rooms - three on each floor. The landlord lives in a large room on the first floor. The other rooms are leased out to tenants. A rickety wooden staircase connects the two floors. The lane in front of the building is still a temporary unmetalled narrow lane.There are hardly any women on the streets.

There is a two storey building on the 11th Lane. It has six rooms - three on each floor. The landlord lives in a large room on the first floor. The other rooms are leased out to tenants. A rickety wooden staircase connects the two floors. The lane in front of the building is still a temporary unmetalled narrow lane.There are hardly any women on the streets.

Bombay is an important commercial port in the international trade route in British raj. The Fort area has developed exclusively for the colonial rulers and the upper class natives- Kamathipura has become a tolerated red light zone where European women rent rooms to earn money through com

1920

Two of the ground floor rooms of the building have been turned into brothels. The landlord lives with his family on the first floor. The rest of the rooms are occupied by male migrant tenants working in the mills.

Bombay is an important commercial port in the international trade route in British raj. The Fort area has developed exclusively for the colonial rulers and the upper class natives- Kamathipura has become a tolerated red light zone where European women rent rooms to earn money through commercial sex work.

Bombay is an important commercial port in the international trade route in British raj. The Fort area has developed exclusively for the colonial rulers and the upper class natives- Kamathipura has become a tolerated red light zone where European women rent rooms to earn money through commercial sex work.

Two of the ground floor rooms of the building have been turned into brothels. The landlord lives with his family on the first floor. The rest of the rooms are occupied by male migrant tenants working in the mills.

Rapid development in the city post-independence- mills at tract labour from all over the country. Many working class families settle in Kamathipura. Communities from different regions have begun to stake their claim by building their religious and community spaces. Brothels continue to do brisk business, alongside mujra houses, opium dens, Irani tea houses, and the profusion of small trades such as radio and watch repairers, perfumers, tailors, paan walas etc. The landlord has added one more floor to the building to house more tenants. Three rooms on the ground floor func tion as brothels. A tailor has occupied the verandah.

1957

Hum is jagah ki image ke liye larte rahenge.

Hum is jagah ki image ke liye larte rahenge.

Kamathi ke upar yeh jagah ka naam hua, aur ab dekho, yeh red light area ke liye jaana jaata hai. Kya yeh theek hai?!

Kamathi ke upar yeh jagah ka naam hua, aur ab dekho, yeh red light area ke liye jaana jaata hai. Kya yeh theek hai?!

Identifying

Children don't get admission in schools.

Kamathi ke upar yeh jagah ka naam hua, aur ab dekho, yeh red light area ke liye jaana jaata hai. Kya yeh theek hai?!

Everywhere we are told 'Bombay-8' (reference to Kamathipura's PIN code) is not allowed.

Children don't get admission in schools.

Two of the ground floor rooms of the building have been turned into brothels. The landlord lives with his family on the first floor. The rest of the rooms are occupied by male migrant tenants working in the mills.

The 1991 Development Plan enabled the entry of private developers in real estate development through significant relaxation in the land and property regulation regimes. Steadily, Mills were torn down and redeveloped into high end housing and complexes. MHADA undertook a massive survey in 1980s to formulate a large scale redevelopment plan to transform Kamathipura which was shelved for lack of finances. Simultaneously, forcible removal of commercial sex workers because of HIV AIDS and the slow but steady conversion of the brothels to small manufacturing spaces. On the ground floor of the building- one room functions as a go-down, one room as a clothes shop. Only one room on the ground floor continues as a brothel. There is one room on the first floor that is a bag manufacturing unit. Rooms have been partitioned and mezzanine structures have been built to create sleeping spaces.

On the ground floor of the building- one room functions as a go-down, one room as a clothes shop. Only one room on the ground floor continues as a brothel. There is one room on the first floor that is a bag manufacturing unit. Rooms have been partitioned and mezzanine structures have been built to create sleeping spaces.

Mumbai is a transformed city with much of the mill lands in fringes of Kamathipura have undergone rapid transformation making way for tall towers and malls. The building undergoes structural repairs and partial demolition and is reduced to a two storey building. There is a jeans dyeing unit on the terrace. The brothel on the ground floor has been turned to a bag manufacturing unit.

Mumbai is a transformed city with much of the mill lands in the Island city converted to real estate. Dance bars have been banned in 2005 as a way of sanitizing the city. The fringes of Kamathipura have undergone rapid transformation making way for tall towers and malls. The building undergoes structural repairs and partial demolition and is reduced to a two storey building. There is a jeans dyeing unit on the terrace. The brothel on the ground floor has been turned to a bag manufacturing unit.

Mumbai is a transformed city with much of the mill lands in the Island city converted to real estate. Dance bars have been banned in 2005 as a way of sanitizing the city. The fringes of Kamathipura have undergone rapid transformation making way for tall towers and malls. The building undergoes structural repairs and partial demolition and is reduced to a two storey building. There is a jeans dyeing unit on the terrace. The brothel on the ground floor has been turned to a bag manufacturing unit.

Rapid development in the city post-independence- mills attract labour from all over the country. Many working class families settle in Kamathipura. Communities from different regions have begun to stake their claim by building their religious and community spaces. Brothels continue to do brisk business, alongside mujra houses, opium dens, Irani tea houses, and the profusion of small trades such as radio and watch repairers, perfumers, tailors, paan walas etc. The landlord has added one more floor to the building to house more tenants. Three rooms on the ground floor function as brothels. A tailor has occupied the verandah.

After the frenetic pace of Mumbai’s transformation into a world class city between 1995 and 2005, the real estate market seems to have slowed down- many redevelopment projects across the island city are stuck or have been scrapped. The building is already showing signs of extreme disrepair with the facade almost falling off. The jeans dyeing unit has been removed by BMC. The godown on the ground floor is now another bag making unit. Sex workers occupy the street.

After the frenetic pace of Mumbai’s transformation into a world class city between 1995 and 2005, the real estate market seems to have slowed down- many redevelopment projects across the island city are stuck or have been scrapped. The building is already showing signs of extreme disrepair with the facade almost falling off. The jeans dyeing unit has been removed by BMC. The godown on the ground floor is now another bag making unit. Sex workers occupy the street.

Rapid development in the city post-independence- mills at tract labour from all over the country. Many working class families settle in Kamathipura. Communities from different regions have begun to stake their claim by building their religious and community spaces. Brothels continue to do brisk business, alongside mujra houses, opium dens, Irani tea houses, and the profusion of small trades such as radio and watch repairers, perfumers, tailors, paan walas etc. The landlord has added one more floor to the building to house more tenants. Three rooms on the ground floor function as brothels. A tailor has occupied the verandah. end housing and complexes. MHADA undertook a massive survey in 1980s to formulate a large scale redevelopment plan to transform Kamathipura which was shelved for lack of finances. Simultaneously, forcible removal of commercial sex workers because of HIV AIDS and the slow but steady conversion of the brothels to small manufacturing spaces. On the ground floor of the building- one room functions as a go-down, one room as a clothes shop. Only one room on the ground floor continues as a brothel. There is one room on the first floor that is a bag manufacturing unit. Rooms have been partitioned and mezzanine structures have been built to create sleeping spaces.

After the frenetic pace of Mumbai’s transformation into a world class city between 1995 and 2005, the real estate market seems to have slowed down- many redevelopment projects across the island city are stuck or have been scrapped. The building is already showing signs of extreme disrepair with the facade almost falling off. The jeans dyeing unit has been removed by BMC. The godown on the ground floor is now another bag making unit. Sex workers occupy the street.

We are blacklisted for loans, credit cards, our children in colleges are told 'Kamathipura? No admission.

We are blacklisted for loans, credit cards, our children in colleges are told 'Kamathipura? No admission.

We are blacklisted for loans, credit cards, our children in colleges are told 'Kamathipura? No admission.

Yahan itna kuch hai, par is jagah ko keval sex workers ka area maana jata hai. Isse hum ‘normal’ mahilaon ko kitna zyaada problem hota hai, chalte phirte problem hota hai.

Everywhere we are told 'Bombay-8' (reference to Kamathipura's PIN code) is not allowed.

Redevelopment can sanitize the locality and help salvage residents' respect.

Redevelopment can sanitize the locality and help salvage residents' respect.

Yahan itna kuch hai, par is jagah ko keval sex workers ka area maana jata hai. Isse hum ‘normal’ mahilaon ko kitna zyaada problem hota hai, chalte phirte problem hota hai.

Yahan itna kuch hai, par is jagah ko keval sex workers ka area maana jata hai. Isse hum ‘normal’ mahilaon ko kitna zyaada problem hota hai, chalte phirte problem hota hai.

Children don't get admission in schools. Everywhere we are told 'Bombay-8' (reference to Kamathipura's PIN code) is not allowed. Girls don't get married into our families because they don't want to come to our homes.

Redevelopment can sanitize the locality and help salvage residents' respect.

Girls don't get married into our families because they don't want to come to our homes.

Girls don't get married into our families because they don't want to come to our homes.

2010

2016

FSW-

male procurers liable.

Decline of mills

Decline of mills

77% (168 out of 218)

women who were released, returned to sex work.

Number of brothels

Number of brothels

Spread of deadly HIV

Spread of deadly HIV AIDS

AIDS

36% (13 out of 36) of women who had been trafficked were currently doing sex work and stated that they wanted to remain

Some major NGOs working with and for Sex workers in and around Bombay. Majority of them are clustered in and around Kamathipura.

0.82% (2 out of 243) were minors at the time of the raid, the rest were adults

Status of women in prostituion

Growing abolitionist NGOs Frequent raids

Growing abolitionist NGOs Frequent raids

Rising real etate prices

Rising real etate prices

Aids, raids and trades lead to decline of brothels in the region. However, sex work did not cease but in fact became more visible as sex workers started taking over the streets in larger number, making them more vulnerable.

Aids, raids and trades lead to decline of brothels in the region. However, sex work did not cease but in fact became more visible as sex workers started taking over the streets in larger number, making them more vulnerable.

1924

1924

Figure Ground- densely built

up area

1926

1926

1930

1930

1934

Devadasithe popularity of Devdasis seems to have reached its pinnacle around the 10th and

Devadasithe popularity of Devdasis seems to have reached its pinnacle around the 10th and 11th centuries.

Fall of Hindu Templesdue to the destruction of temples by Islamic invaders, the status of the temples fell very quickly in North India and slowly in South India. Losing the patron kings lead to the temples becoming poor and devdasis left without their traditional means of support.

Fall of Hindu Templesdue to the destruction of temples by Islamic invaders, the status of the temples fell very quickly in North India and slowly in South India. Losing the patron kings lead to the temples becoming poor and devdasis left without their traditional means of support.

British Colonial Ruleduring the British raj in India- in late 18th and early 19th century, women and girls were recruited from rural Indian families and paid directly by the British military. Red-light districts developed in port cities in this time.

British Colonial Ruleduring the British raj in India- in late 18th and early 19th century, women and girls were recruited from rural Indian families and paid directly by the British military. Red-light districts developed in port cities in this time.

Rapid Urbanisationpost-independence India grappled with poverty, and unemployment. The first Prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru focused on the domain of science and technology resulting in the growth of the public sector in India.

Rapid Urbanisationpost-independence India grappled with poverty, and unemployment. The first Prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru focused on the domain of science and technology resulting in the growth of the public sector in India.

Site analysis- Mazgaon, Mumbai

Some major NGOs working with and for Sex workers in and around Bombay. Majority of them are clustered in and around Kamathipura.

Some major NGOs working with and for Sex workers in and around Bombay. Majority of them are clustered in and around Kamathipura.

Upto 1850s

development of Bombay

10th- 11th century

1934 of 1923 (XXVI)

Commanding officer may remove brothels, prostitutes from cantonments.

Commanding officer may remove brothels, prostitutes from cantonments.

The dedication of women or girls to temples/ deities punishable by imprisonment for one year and/or fine.

Soliciting punishable by 3 months in prison and/or fine of Rs 100; arrest without warrant possible.

Soliciting punishable by 3 months in prison and/or fine of Rs 100; arrest without warrant possible.

Brothel owning: brothel owners and brothel keepers, could be imprisoned.

Brothel owning: brothel owners and brothel keepers, could be imprisoned.

Procuring: female as well as male procurers liable.

Definition of brothel ex panded; Prostitution Act covers Turkish baths, parti tioned cubicles, etc., used for prostitution. Definition of soliciting expanded to include “any act of gross indecency.”

Procuring: female as well as male procurers liable.

The dedication of women or girls to temples/ deities punishable by imprisonment for one year and/or fine.

Section 3: Punishment for keeping a brothel

The dedication of women or girls to temples/ deities punishable by imprisonment for one year and/or fine.

Section 4: Punishment for living on prostitution’s earnings.

Section 5: Procuring person for prostitution’s sake

Rising real etate prices

Definition of brothel expanded; Prostitution Act covers Turkish baths, partitioned cubicles, etc., used for prostitution. Definition of soliciting expanded to include “any act of gross indecency.”

Definition of brothel expanded; Prostitution Act covers Turkish baths, partitioned cubicles, etc., used for prostitution. Definition of soliciting expanded to include “any act of gross indecency.”

Section 6: Detaining a person where prostitution is carried on.

sex work cease fact visible workers taking streets larger making vulnerable.

Section 7: Prostitution in/ in the vicinity of public places.

Post-Independence After 1947

Some major NGOs working with and for Sex workers in and around Bombay. Majority of them are clustered in and around Kamathipura.

1948 The Immoral Traffic (Prevetion) Act, 1956

1956

1948 The Immoral Traffic (Prevetion) Act, 1956

1956 Source-

Devadasithe popularity of Devdasis seems to have reached its pinnacle around the 10th and 11th centuries.

Figure ground map

Fall of Hindu Templesdue to the destruction of temples by Islamic invaders, the status of the temples fell very quickly in North India and slowly in South India. Losing the patron kings lead to the temples becoming poor and devdasis left without their traditional means of support.

Section 8: Soliciting for purpose of prostitution.

Section 3: Punishment for keeping a brothel

Section 3: Punishment for keeping a brothel

Section 4: Punishment for living on prostitution’s earnings.

Section 4: Punishment for living on prostitution’s earnings.

Section 5: Procuring person for prostitution’s sake

Section 5: Procuring person for prostitution’s sake

Section 6: Detaining a person where prostitution is carried on.

British Colonial Ruleduring the British raj in India- in late 18th and early 19th century, women and girls were recruited from rural Indian families and paid directly by the British military. Red-light districts developed in port cities in this time.

Section 6: Detaining a person where prostitution is carried on.

Section 7: Prostitution in/ in the vicinity of public places.

Section 7: Prostitution in/ in the vicinity of public places.

Section 8: Soliciting for purpose of prostitution.

Section 8: Soliciting for purpose of prostitution.

10th- 11th century Pre-Independence

Built

Rapid post-independence grappled and unemployment. first Prime India, Pandit Nehru domain technology the growth sector

Source- Codes of Misconduct: Regulating Prostitution in Late Colonial Bombay by Ashwini Tambe B002, Somya

National Global Festivals a forum for sex worker film and video makers . The Festival panded to become a vibrant venue

for performances, workshops, arts, political organising, skills sharing

Vocational training pre-primary education for the children of the sex workers Workshops event based Workshops and Accomodation for in-house workers/ care takers Care homeintensive care for trauma survivors Accomodation for visitors/ trainees for workshops Satellite cafeterias operating at the time of the event Cafeteria for festival attendees Cafeteria for in-house workers Cafeteria for visitors Bank Money managemnet seminars Suport groups Medical/ Health camps Local National Global Sex Water Western Central Harbour Expressways Metro Sites Churchgate Station CST Station Mumbai Marina At Princess docks Private Private Figure ground map Land use map Road connectivity map

Sea Docks Railway Buildings Commercial Water Transportation Western Line Central Line Harbour Line Expressways Metro (in progress) Sites chosen by MBPT Churchgate Station CST Station Mumbai Marina At Princess docks Byculla East Development At Darukhana, Coal bunder Sewri W T - Entrance Opportunities - Easily accessible with public transport - Good connectivity - 2km away from Kamathipura - More Employement opportunities for - Increase engagement of site and context

ever-expanding for sex workers from Mumbai and

in

Historically locating Kamathipura with the

Identifying users, function and site

A chance at more competitive and econimically stable jobs

Breakaway from the cycle of generational prositution

More job prospects and opportunities

Safeguarding money/ assets

Helps start businesses by extending

Nutriotious suppliments

Better quality of life

Sense of individuality

Empoweredliving with others going through similar situations

Reduced violence and brutality

sense of understanding faith in law

Event

Event taking place in the global space

Space

Space functioning in accordance with the global level to accomodate everyone

Awareness about HIV/AIDS and STDs.

Better hygiene practices and sexual

Locally-

Locally- space becoming more active for the global event to function

CHARACTER

CHARACTER D sex worker with kids who had to quit because of contraction of STD/ HIV

SITE - MAZGAON DOCK, MUMBAI

SITE - MAZGAON DOCK, MUMBAI

Sandhurst Road Station- Harbour line

Eastern Freeway

Princess docks- M2M Ferries Ro-pax Terminal

Victoria docks

After its takeover by the Government in 1960, Mazagon Dockgrewrapidly to become the premier war-shipbuilding yard in India, producing warships for the Navyandoffshore structures for the Bombay High. It has grown from a single unit, small ship repair company, into a multi-unit and multi-product company, with significant rise in production, use of moderntechnology and sophistication of products.

After its takeover by the Government in 1960, Mazagon Dockgrewrapidly to become the premier war-shipbuilding yard in India, producing warships for the Navyandoffshore structures for the Bombay High. It has grown from a single unit, small ship repair company, into a multi-unit and multi-product company, with significant rise in production, use of moderntechnology and sophistication of products.

Mumbai Port Trust

Masjid Station- Harbour line

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj TerminusCentral line and Harbour line

SITE

SITE ANALYSIS

SITE ANALYSIS

Figure ground map

Figure ground map Land use

a

Sex

Sex

Sex

Breaking away from one linear

Breaking

sharing and ever-expanding events

a forum for sex worker film and video makers . The Festival can ex panded to become a vibrant venue for performances, workshops, visual arts, political organising, skills sharing and ever-expanding events

a forum for sex worker film and video makers . The Festival can ex panded to become a vibrant venue for performances, workshops, visual arts, political organising, skills sharing and ever-expanding events

a forum for sex worker film and video makers . The Festival can ex panded to become a vibrant venue for performances, workshops, visual arts, political organising, skills sharing and ever-expanding events

festival programme centred around artworks and speeches made by people directly involved in sex work, or by allies respecting a principle of

festival programme centred around artworks and speeches made by people directly involved in sex work, or by allies respecting a principle of

festival programme centred around artworks and speeches made by people directly involved in sex work, or by allies respecting a principle of

festival programme centred around artworks and speeches made by people directly involved in sex work, or by allies respecting a principle of

Sex workers in India- 8,25,000

- Entrance Opportunities

- Easily accessible with public transport

- Close to the sea - Good connectivity - 2km away from Kamathipura

S W O T

Stretching the block Opening

Breaking away from one linear axis as the spaces become more private in nature. Guiding the built formthis creates nooks and spaces balancing the unbuilt and

by making them open, green spaces

Breaking away from one linear axis as the spaces become more private in nature. Guiding the built formthis creates nooks and spaces balancing the unbuilt and unbuilt by making them open, green spaces

Breaking away from one linear axis as the spaces become more private in nature. Guiding the built formthis creates nooks and spaces balancing the unbuilt and unbuilt by making them open, green spaces

- More Employement opportunities for neighbourhood - Increase engagement of site and context

- Next to Railways

- Next to Railways

- Lack of public realm

- Next to Railways - Lack of

- Lack of

- Lack of public realm

- Lack of infrastructure needs

- Entrance Opportunities

- Lack of infrastructure needs

- Easily accessible with public transport

- Densified and derelict spaces

- Densified and derelict

- Densified and derelict spaces

- Close to the sea

S W O T

- Good connectivity

- 2km away from Kamathipura

-Largely out of scale with the rest of the city -

- Next to Railways - Lack of public realm - Lack of infrastructure needs - Densified and derelict

-Largely out of scale with the rest of the city

-Largely out of scale with the rest of the city

- No community engagement due to less residential spaces in the area

- No community engagement due to less residential spaces in the area

- No community engagement due to less residential spaces in

community engagement due to less residential spaces in the area - Declining port activities

O

- Declining port activities

- Declining port activities

- More Employement opportunities for neighbourhood - Increase engagement of site and context

Breaking away from one linear axis as the spaces become more private in nature. Guiding the built formthis creates nooks and spaces balancing the unbuilt and unbuilt by making them open, green spaces

Sectional perspective AA’

Sectional perspective AA’

URBAN ACUPUNCTURE

WADALA, MUMBAI

Project Topic : Urban design

Project Brief : Designing for Health and Equity

Academic group project: Year 4 semester 8

My role: Analysing and identifying urban problems, ideating the walkability concept and interactove community water activities, Proposing the final design solution

Wadala’s central business District (CBD) has not been the most successful due to a vari- ety of issues faced by the people who occupy those areas.

The existing housing scheme was a failure on a micro level because it did not meet the re- quirements of the people. The monorail ans green spaces were underutilized on the macro level for the people.

The goal was to attack issues at both the micro level and macro levels to improve peoples living and working conditions.

The creation of an urban fabric that allowed people to grow and flourish was important. A restricted mass housing

scheme that was more effective and confortable waqs given special attention. Also, the goal was to create well-defined yet inclusive spaces for everyone.

Group: Somya. , Nidhi Agrawal, Khushi Saraiya, Shikha Ramesh, Shohreh Sadequian, Samyak Shah, Amit Keni

VISION STATEMENT- To activate underuntilised spaces in wadala and link nodes through the network of urban acupuncture.

RIVER REJUVENATION

VOCATIONAL CENTER

PROPOSED WATER BODY FRINGE

NIGHT MARKETS

PROPOSED HOUSING

EMERGENCE

Project Brief :

examine various emergent properties or behaviour observed in nature using Steven Johnson’s book Emergence

Group installation project: Year 2 semester 3

Pyrosomes are colonies of thousands of individuals known as zooids which connect to one another through a gelatinous tunic layer comprising of net fibres and work in unison to propel the colony through water