Swathe.sivagami@gmail.com 9940480365
1. Exploring spatial metaphors
CAN THE PLACE MATTER TO THE SPACE?
Undergraduate thesis : 2017 (6 months)
2. Inserting an Urban catalyst
WHAT CAN BE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORIC LANDMARKS TODAY?
Undergraduate : 2017 (6 months)
3. Works from Professional experience
THE IDEA OF HAVING A DESIGN PROPOSITION THROUGH DIAGRAMMING
Professional experience : 2019 – present
Location :Tamil Nadu
Undergraduate thesis
Exploring architectural metaphors in design
The aim of this intervention is a quest for meaning and relevance of a place in Architecture and Architecture to the context. Reassembling larger ideologies and abstracting the context and essence to the design of an urban insert.
In a culture constructed Space like Chidambaram, how can one programmatically represent the City's essence? Is it pertinent to tie back to the City?
Temple Town - MICROCOSM of the Cosmos
Architecture - MICROCOSM of the Context
Legacy of Sculptures
Literature
Paintings
History
Iconography
Sculptures
Scriptures
Dance
Music
Theatre
The intervention is aimed at the zone that is at the cusp of the old and the new town_ about 600m East of the temple. An important point of transition in and for the town.
Can this point of transition be another PLACE OF CELEBRATION for the town, its visitors, locals, etc.
DESIGN
Microcosm
Discipline of a larger place
Meaning of context
Program relevance
Language of the built
Place Representation
Settlement pattern
Cultural Landmarks
Activities
Ideologies
Social elements
Cardinals
Cultural setting
City core
DIRECTIONAL EEMPHASIS
The town has a concentric square layout which are the network patterns. The new part of the town has developed organically for motorable roads, incorporating flyovers, heavy vehicles. Etc.
How can a designer approach a project in this location and make it more rooted to its context, in such a way that it cannot be placed anywhere else? Can the site draw in the concentricity of the lake to an extent into the site itself? The temple has its own Kalyani and way of architecturally respecting it through spatial theme surrounding it. The concentricity is drawn inside to an extent that it can be used as one of the most respected activities within the site A performance Space addressing the presence of the water body and its theme – THE OPENNESS.
Backdrop Frame
Seating
Termination in a space Portal
Every response of the intervention is attributed to an inspiration from the place(context)
There is a narrative for the design stand - zoning, program, users, spatial themes and expressions, materiality and structure
There are WALLED ENCLOSURES which are prominent. One always moves along these walls and between them.
Different heights, materials and expression of walls that adds to the belonging to its context
What can be the significance of historic landmarks?
The SANTHE HONDA was one of the most important water collection point along the entire water planning network of Chitradurga. It was socially and culturally significant owing to the temple activities and religious processions around it. This was the culmination of an entire water network from the Chitradurga fort which was used by the town people to fetch water and eventually became a place of meeting and celebration.
At present, the Honda has become inactive because no one is dependant on it for their water necessities. The proposal is for it to be revived as a commercial catalyst considering the present activity mapping in the precinct.
How can the CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE of this precinct be revived for today and the future by overlaying the present activities, development and demand?
The precinct being commercial has varying typologies of activities. Pottery, wood workshops, clay products store, old books store. The dominant being the vending activities and markets. There is an overlay of culture and commercial aspect in this place. The design is an attempt to include both the aspects in the design integrating it with the physical factors like visually relieving spaces and green buffers.
The intent is to activate the water body and make it well maintained and a part of present day activities of the town fabric and not remain a neglected element.
The intervention is multidimensional – serving the versatile user group and activities of that area.
• Viewing Decks
• A place to wind down and relax for evening discussions
• Walkway for residents.
• Vending platforms
• Eateries
• Shops, Parks, Reading area, Library
• Exhibition area
• Handicrafts and Clay Product stores
The idea of diagramming and having a design proposition
My professional journey and process CnT Architects, Bangalore
Establishing the Ground plane and public spaces
Zoning and activity orientation for a Group housing development for Senior living in Bengaluru, India
Ground level connectivity
In a high rise dense residential development, the maximum scope to add value as a community/public nature lies in the Ground plane connectivity of the site.
Formation of nodes, anchor points and interconnectivity are important aspects achieved through the diagram
Creating anchor points
The open spaces and nodes are anchored by recreational activities that complete the space network
The residential tower
The tower sits on a strong Ground plane datum
Role : Project architect
Role : Project architect
Concept design and inputs for visualization
Role : Project architect
Concept design and inputs for design development
Understanding through diagramming
Possible distribution of open spaces for a Group housing villa development in Hyderabad, India
HEALING : A holistic approach to hospital wards, Bengaluru
Creating an optimal healing environment through design
Role : Project Architect and Site architect. Completed in 2022 Design, Construction drawing and Site monitoring
