Portfolio_Sripoorani Srinivasan by Sripoorani

SRI POORANI SRINIVASAN

selected works 2021-25

littoral passages

resilience for fishing communities in the Bay of Bengal through nature-based solutions

Type : Academic (MSUD thesis)

Dates : Aug ‘24May ‘25

Location : Chennai

Instructor : Prof. Dean Almy, Prof. Hope Hasbrouck

Monsoon is a force that changes the winds, the tides, the temperatures, brings rain, and influences the lives of millions of people living on the coast. It is an inherent part of coastal culture and the Bay of Bengal communities depend on it as much as they are affected by it. This research explores the relationship between the monsoon, nature and coastal communities, specifically the fishermen of the city of Chennai.

The geography of coastal cities are a composition of different ecosystems exclusive to the coastal areasmangroves, seagrass meadows, estuaries, coral reefs and coastal

wetlands. Mangroves and seagrass beds act as protectors of the coast because of their roots preventing erosion and rough waves. Wetlands act as sponges and so on. It is when these ecosystems are disturbed by unplanned development, that the city suffers. The city of Chennai is one such case.

The work presented in the portfolio is a part of the research phase of my thesis. I am currently working on is the design phase where I aim to study and ideate nature based ecological revival and design strategies for the fisher communities to combat monsoon and climate change.

Cycles of the monsoon shape the region’s geography, food, culture, and economy. Around 275 million people are engaged in monsoon-dependant economies like agriculture and fisheries. The monsoon influences the timings of harvest, fish breeding and landing, therefore dips and boosts in economies.

Natural events severely damage the coastal

ecosystems too. Mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs and sand dunes sytems inherently protect the coastlines from storm surges and activities of ocean warming, pollution, unplanned development degrade these ecosystems, exposing coastal landscapes to greater climate risks.

left page: precipitation through the year

right page: top left to top right:

1. agricultural production

2. crop cycle

3. mapping fish species mid left to mid right:

4. fisheries

5. fish landing cycles

6. natural events

bottom left to bottom right:

7. monsoon economies

8, 9. coastal ecosystems and urbanization

The city of Chennai or ‘Madrasapattinam’ was originally a land of scattered fishing villages (pattinam - coastal town). There’s literary and geological evidences of huge portions of mangroves, sand dune systems and mudflat ecosystems which have now been reduced drastically due to urbanization.

“Eri’s are the man-made water tank systems of the majorly rain-fed region. A vital source of water, these were deemed as ‘porambokku’ or common land preserved to public use. Over time, they’ve been misused and converted to private parcels leading to unplanned development and degradation of water sources.

The Buckingham canal was constructed for transportation of goods in the British era. The increased sewage outflow into the canal and its negligence has reduced its storm-water bearing capacity and quality of life. The construction of the Chennai harbour has led to coastal erosion by waves to the North of the harbour.

Industrial land use pollute the Ennore creek biodiversity and cause harm to lives of people

Construction of harbour leads to coastal acretion and erosion

1923 Mambalam Housing Act Tank breached to provide 1600 acres of housing

Sewage discharge and waste disposal pollute the Adyar estuary depleting its mangrove resources. Adyar Eco-Park a move to restore the lost fauna and flora.

Waste dumping, sewage discharge and building construction shrunk the Pallikaranai wetlands to a great extent. In 2007, declared a protected forest area.

Ennore Port Breakwaters and

Wetland to Marsh Buckingham canal

Kodungaiyur wetlands

Royapuram harbour

Chennai Port

Cooum river

Mangrove vegetation and mudflats for attenuation

Marina beach

Estuary to mudflats

Adyar river

Pallikarnai marsh

existing fisher settlement prone to tidal flooding

existing coastline

attenuate

settlement relocated

high marsh planted buffer zone

Adyar inter-tidal waters

Adyar inter-tidal waters lined with mangroves

narrow footpath

footpath extension

existing canal

waterfront buffer

construction of the harbour in 1881 led to erosion and pollution of the coast to the North of the port

low marsh

wave attenuation by breakwater and marsh buffer reverses coastal erosion

existing fisher settlement prone to tidal flooding

restoration of native sand dune landscape for coastal protection

Greenways roadarterial road of the Quibble island

extension and preservation of mudflat territory increases biodiversity and controls storm surge

extending footpath and adding bioswales for stormwater management

incorporating rain garden in the OSR space in building

concretized Captain Cotton canal with settlements right on the edge prone to damage from surge

canal embanked with vegetation to filter and slow down runoff. pedestrian bridge to activate waterfront

Adyar river tidal

Island mangrove

Adyar river restoring mangroves restoring mangroves

Moolakadai bus

Moolakadai bus stop

flooding and vulnerable fishing villages

proposed relief centers and mudflat attenuation

Estuary to mudflats

Estuary to Mudflats offers the reintroduction of native dune landscape (prevelant along the coast) that acts as a natural barrier for winds and waves. The preservation of existing mudflat terrain and mangrove biodiversity also provides the means for flood mitigation and a supportive economy for the fisherfolk through ecotourism and care incentives.

flooding and coastal erosion

proposed preservation and living breakwaters

Wetland to Coastal Marsh project extends on the same and strengthens the network of stormwater drainage from wetlands to the ocean through dispersion strategies of street and canal porosities. It identifies areas of communal significance and ties them with the stormwater strategies like vegetative buffer, rain garden, and bioswales. Living breakwaters that form an internal buffer is used to counter-act the erosion, along with marsh biodiversity.

Wetland to salt marsh

megastreets 02

arterial road redevelopment project

Type : Professional architectureRED

Dates : Sep ‘22Jan ‘22

Location : Chennai Supervisors : Biju Kuriakose, Kavya Suresh

Role : site surveying, client meetings, design concept, drawings, 3d modeling and report

The Chennai Megastreets Project is a project undertaken by Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to redesign and develop streets in Chennai to be futureready and prioritised for non-motorised transport. The designs will incorporate various aspects of mobility, utility and livability.

The vision for this project therefore draws on this notion of Adyar being both a place as well as a portal and seeks to strengthen these identities as manifested in its street network through the power of placemaking.

The Taluk road is one of the gateways to Adyar, is a ceremonial path terminating at the Raj Bhavan junction. As it functions as an entry point to Adyar, there’s high vehicular movement. The proximity of major transit nodes and the presence of large green spaces makes it a heavily pedestrianised street. The vision is to make the path an active people’s place, while increasing the road safety. This is achieved by identifying and linking potential social zones that can create an identity for the locality.

streetscape - building heights and zoning

Existing temple is articulated with a pedestrian friendly neighborhood with better seating, cycle track and landscape.

Existing Foot over bridge is activated by introducing catalysts like cafes and seating.

A linear park with play area for kids and an open gym is intergrated along with landscape in the ecological park

The existing church shrine is articulated by defining pedestrian paths and seats around.

Parallel parking lanes and 4 lane vehicular route

Ramps and raised crossing for differently abled

streetscape - pedestrianized Taluk Road

Designated cycle track and parking

Wider path for pedestrians and transit

Kiosks for street vending and other activities

Spillover of daily activities from the magistrate courts in the form of small stalls, shops and seating spaces requires the extension of the pedestrian pathway and the walkability of the bus stop in turn boosts the vendor economy.

Taluk Road Part Plan

Taluk Road Bus stop section

NYCHA Riis park space

analysis and conceptualization of NYCHA Riis

Housing park space

Type : Professional Dates : Aug ‘24

Location : New York

Supervisor :

Runit Chhaya, Kate Belski

Previously designed by Friedberg as an interested sequence of programming the ground, overtime due to lack of maintenance and other issues, the original site has been transformed to less accessible and typical lawn infrastructure.

This project is an analysis and redesign of the NYCHA Riis housing open spaces. We analysed the site conditions, location, site composition, demographic composition, and the issues brought up by the residents.

neighborhood connectivity

demographics

requirements

existing landscape

the water paradox combatting flood and drought through ecological urbanism

Type : Academic (MSUD)

Dates : Jan - May ‘24

Location : Austin

Instructor : Prof. Dean Almy

Team : Sri, DrishtiWW

Role : Mapping, framework concept, 3d modelling and illustrations

Honors : UTSOA

Design Excellence

2024 nominees

The project was a part of the Austin eastern archipelago studio where teams worked on different sites along the I-35 highway to accommodate future densities.

The Water Paradox identifies the flooding and drought extremities of the region because of soil tendencies and proposes water discharge, retention, detention and harvesting strategies as part of an ecological framework for controlled development.

It explores the various intersections of hydrology, soil percolation, transit and green corridors and presents them as opportunities for resilience and livelihood. The focus is on using the terrain to disperse and store water while determining development on areas of percolation and above all, connecting isolated neighborhoods through transit and landscape corridors. The site, sandwiched between important networks and natural sites stitches together commerce, ecology and community.

The flood - drought paradox is the result of flooding reducing the percolating capacity of the soil which in turn reduces the water holding tendency leading to high chances of drought.

flood and drought paradox

connecting the urban and the rural

strengthening the riparian edge

density along transit and landscape

ANCHORS

Hindu temple

Austin Rodeo

Kipp School and Ancillary Programs

THE GREEN CONNECTOR

Natural Dams

Integrated Reservoirs

Camp Ground

Walk on Board

Camp fire

Cabins

Flower Viewing

Viewing Area

Fish Related Diving Area

Duck Viewing

Maps and Information

Exercise and Fitness

Playground Hiking

Archery Boating

Wood Gathering

COMMUNITY \ DENSITIES

Snack Bar

Restaurants

Grocery Store

Food Storage

Library

Lodging

Community Gardens

Bookstore / Souvenir Store

MOBILITY

Bike Rack

Proposed Bus Stops

Shuttle Service

Electric Charging Stations

Enriching the riparian corridor by integrating public spaces, landscape, storm water treatment park, bike and pedestrian trails and retail at intersections of transit nodes and water

Rejuvenating lake ecosystem by introducing floating wetlands that increase biodiversity and attract birds from the Hornsby Bend observatory. Activating the lakefront and introducing kayaking and fishing activities to boost tourism economy.

Transforming road bunds in the floodplains into elevated systems that allow for natural drain-off into retention ponds. Insertion of commercial units that enable a community space.

sun & sanctum

multistoreyed housing project

Type : Professional (architectureRED)

Dates : Aug ‘21Sep ‘22

Location : Bangalore

Team : Biju Kuriakose, Kishore Pannikar, Oveas Ahmed

Role : site and consultant coordination, site inspection, good-forconstruction drawings, 3d, design of ground, compound wall, security cabin, creative room and lobby spaces, detailing.

Assetz Sun & Sanctum is a 300 unit housing project in Bangalore. It is formalized with the concept of stepped terraces to create a strong and active skyline for the context. The ground is designed to respect the topography of the site, by separating the levels of vehicular and pedestrian access which in turn creates an opportunity to program the ground as different communal spaces. I was the project architect and responsible for holding

client and consultants coordination, site visits, team handling along with producing GFCs and design detailing. I contributed to the design of community spaces and the landscaping at the ground level. The project exposed me to the elaborate process of working large scale with an overwhelming team of experts in various facets, working with strategic coordination to make a project of this scale to take off.

1. raising the podium to accommodate parking

4. defining courts between blocks

2. defining the focus with clubhouse

3. extending the experience across site

5. creating connection between anchor and entrance

6. weaving private and social spaces

podium space

driveway ramp and staggered balconies

wing 3-4 courtyard

private terraces with planter box parapet

The ground level consists of a series of community spaces linked by a common corridor that connects all 5 wings creating a sequential experience. These spaces are anchored by the clubhouse.

wing to wing courtyard from podium driveway

community outreach summer internship

community engagement

Type : Professional (Grain Collective)

Dates : Jun - Aug ‘24

Location : New York

Supervisors : Sapna Advani, Ali Estefam

Role : community outreach; planning, graphics and preparation for tabling events, community workshops

The Organics project was a time-based community outreach program along with NYCHA and Compost Power to inform the communities about the DSNY Smart Bins and composting ideas. We held tabling events, compost workshops, and community gardening at 13 NYCHA developments and giveaways on Family Days.

The Nostrand Community Priority Survey was a part of the development

shift where the residents were surveyed on what they’re willing to change about their development. I was involved in creating graphics, surveying, preparing for and attending community meetings to inform volunteers about the resident survey process.

The summer internship at Grain Collective exposed me to the groundwork process of urban planning and design.

tabling event at Lehman Village, NYCHA

tabling event at Bronx River, NYCHA

composting workshop at Ravenswood, NYCHA

induction workshop at Nostrand Houses, NYCHA

community meeting at Nostrand Houses, NYCHA

tabling event at Stapleton, NYCHA

middle grounds

mixed income mixed typology urban district

Type : Academic (MSUD sem 1)

Dates : Aug - Dec ‘23

Location : Austin

Instructor : Prof. Liang Wang

Team : Sri, Tess

Role : mapping, design framework, concept diagrams and visualization

Middle Grounds is a project that addresses the disparity in economic opportunities on either side of I-35 because of the historical redlining of East Austin. It also addresses the ‘missing middle’ typologies of 2-20 units in Austin, which is predominated by single family houses and highrise apartments, creating an uneven distribution of densities. The rising boom of tech industry and the need for open public recreational spaces plays an

important role in the development of this post-industrial site, which is situated near the East-side Bus Plaza, and edged by the Colorado River, with the East Chavez road cutting through.

Middle Grounds is a mixed-use neighborhood that enables the coexistence of tech companies and a mixed-income neighborhood through a well connected system of public nodes that reflect the cultural values of the neighborhood.

NETWORKS

Activity corridor

Highway

HOUSING

Predominantly Black / Hispanic

Predominantly White

Moderate proportion of missing middle

High proportion of missing middle

PLANNING - Imagine Austin

Neighborhood center

Job center

Industry

Tech

Regional center

vertical stacking of program connecting open spaces and waterfront retaining cultural structures integrating recreational spine and density

The larger courtyard typology in the main district is more public and faces the cultural spine. It has retail on 2nd floor that is connected from the other side of the road through the pedestrian bridge.

The mat typology creates a middle density that is on a smaller scale and inclusive of nature as it faces the river trails and is interwoven with mini-gardens.

The community market acts as an inviting entry space for the active pedestrian spine of the development. It encourages selfemployment and interacting opportunities for the different housing economies present.

community garden and market

The artist plaza is surrounded by warehouse structures that are creatively reused as gallery spaces and mural canvases. It provides a hangout space for the artist and other community that exists in the site. The site is characterized by these canopies on important cultural and social locations that indicate a significant social pause.

the circuit

ULI Hines Competition 2023-24

Type : Competition

Dates : Oct- Jan ‘23

Location : Seattle

Advisors:: Rebecca, Todd, James, Dean Almy

Team: Erin, Maria, Aishwarya, Robert, Sri

Role : mapping, concept, 3d modelling, postproduction, illustrations

Being at the historical core of Seattle, the Circuit celebrates the diversity of cultures and domains around it. The project creates opportunities for the tech, healthcare, artist and other communities and facilitates an environment where they can afford improved livability. The site is revived through housing for the working sectors and a place for collaborative learning and innovation. The Circuit transforms the region, from a “skid row” that divided the communities, into a crossover that brings people of diverse backgrounds together into a thriving neighborhood.