2017-2025_DesignWork

Design Porfolio Swati Rai

Swati Rai From the moment I stepped into the world of design, I’ve been captivated by how spaces can shape our stories I’ve always been drawn to how spaces can evoke emotions and tell stories. Whether it was designing immersive environments at UCLA or contributing to the design of luxury towers in Dubai, I’ve always been driven by the desire to blend architecture, technology, and art. I believe that design is not just about buildings, but about creating experiences that resonate with people. My latest project, the Joshua Tree media art world, is a reflection of my passion for spaces that breathe and evolve. Alongside architecture, fashion and retail have always been close to my heart, and I hope to shape a future where these worlds collide to create meaningful, lasting experiences. swatirai98@gmail.com Linkedin: Swatirai Instagram: Flyingdutchmen_

Education

University Of California, Los Angeles Masters Of Science In Architecture and Urban Design •

Major: Technology in Design

Manipal School Of Architecture and Planning Bachelor Of Architecture

Experience

•

Major: Architecture and Design

John.R.Harris, Dubai Junior Architect •

Habtoor Ultra-Luxury Residential Tower (60 Floors, Dubai) – Designed and developed the tower, focusing on basements, podiums, rooftop gym & restaurant, and 3D visualization.

•

JVT Luxury Residential Tower (Dubai) – Led design from pre-concept to schematic stage, developing master/site plans, floor layouts, and façade. Coordinated and secured Nakheel approval, and worked closely with senior architects.

Freelance for DASH Consultants, Dubai Junior Architect • • •

• •

June 2023June 2024

November 2022April 2023

January 2022October 2022

CEIL Tower, Dubai (World’s Tallest Hotel): Worked on the rooftop plan and amenities, and developed detailed 3D Mixed-Use Development Township Competition: Led spatial planning, developed the facade design, and prepared the competition presentation.

Fairmont Hotel, Saudi Arabia: Created drawings in Revit, designed the podium, and developed the 3D model

Mandaviwala Qutub & Associates, India Architecture Intern •

August 2017June2022

Designed façade and spatial planning for one commercial and two residential high-rises.

Developed 3D models and detailed architectural drawings.

Created renders & client presentations for design execution.

Norr Group Consultants International LTD, Dubai Assistant Architect •

August 2024June2025

Srishti Mixed-Use Township – Developed the architectural model in Revit, including exteriors, interiors, basements, master plan, site plan, and structural elements.

Tools Rhinoceros 3D Grasshopper Revit Stable Diffusion Autocad Sketchup Blender Unity Unreal Engine Keyshot Enscape Twinmotion Lumion Vray Photoshop Illustrator Indesign

Achievements and Workshop Design Topper: Semester IV Honourable Mention: The Scared Space - Competition by archdais International Workshop: IALD India Light

June 2021December 2021

Certification Certified user of Advanced Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper

Acadamic Work 2024-2025

2017-2022

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (MSAUD) 2-7

Joshua Tree Digital Art World Joshua Tree National Park, California

01

8-9

Generative AI for Architectural Visualization

02

10

Virtual Reality Game

03

11

Redesign Of Sunset Boulevard

04

MANIPAL SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING 12-15

I.T Office

05

16-19

Karnataka Public School

06

Professional Work 2023-2024 22-23 2022-2023 24-25 2021-2021 26-27 2020 28-29 2017-2024

JOHN R HARRIS Habtoor Luxury Residential Tower, Dubai

07

NORR GROUP CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL LTD Fairmount Luxury Hotel, Saudi Arabia

08

MANDAVIWALA QUTUB AND ASSOCIATES Shrishti Mix-Use Development, Mumbai

09

COMPETITION WORK Sacred Space, Archdias, Abu Dhabi

10

MY EXPLORATIONS 11

Acadamic Work 1

CABINS

VILLAS

PAVILION

ENTRANCE TO UNDERGROUND CORRIDOR

UNDERGROUND CORRIDOR

VILLAS

01

PROJECT: Joshua Tree Digital Art World: A Dialogue Between Nature and Architecture ACADEMIA : University Of California, Los Angeles PROFESSORS: Güvenç Özel And Laure Michelon GROUP: Aviral Gupta SOFTWARE: Stable Diffusion, Trellis, Rhino3D, Photoshop

CABINS

2

Joshua Tree Digital Art World This project envisions a self-sustaining digital art world in Joshua Tree, blending architecture, technology, and the desert landscape. It consists of an underground digital art pavilion, 16 small living pods, and 4 villas, shaped by two distinct geometric languages, one inspired by the site's natural formations and the other by man-made art.

The pavilion and spine corridor, designed in brutalism, contrast with the deconstructivist living spaces above ground.

The project explores light, shadow, and materiality, creating an immersive experience while integrating AI-driven design and sustainable systems for future oriented desert living.

Establishing Design Parameters And Exploring Multiple Massing Options

Trellis Model Generation

Cabins

Villa

Pavilion

3

Pavilion Roof

Interior perspective of the immersive restaurant within the Digital Art Pavilion

4

DECK

Underground Pavilion LIFT

RESTROOM

POOL

LIFT

TEMPORARY EXHIBITION HALL

GYM

RECEPTION OPEN TO SKY DECK

RESTAURANT

ENTRANCE EXHIBITION SPACE

TEMPORARY EXHIBITION HALL

KITCHEN

EXHIBITION SPACE

EXHIBITION SPACE

Ungerground Corridor/Spine

STORE

Pavilion Roof Is On The Ground

Anchor Bar Inside The Roof Structure Holding The Base Plate

Plate: Part Of The Concrete Column Plate

Pavilion Is Under The Ground

Axonometric view Of The Pavilion

Plate: Part Of The Upper Structure Threaded Bar Embedded In Concrete Column

Pavilion Roof Joint Detail

Pavilion Plan And Roof Joinery Detail

5

Villa

Living Room

Cabin

Bedroom

Cabin Mezzanine View

6

LIVING + BEDROOM

KITCHEN

LIVING + BEDROOM

LIVING + DINING

DINING + KITCHEN

BATHROOM BATHROOM

DINING + KITCHEN

BATHROOM

LIVING + BEDROOM

KITCHEN

BATHROOM KITCHEN

LIVING + BEDROOM

Cabin Plan

Cabin Section Cabin Plan And Section

7

REALISTIC RENDER

WATERCOLOR RENDER

02

PROJECT: Generative AI for Architectural Visualization ACADEMIA : University Of California, Los Angeles PROFESSORS: Laure Michelon GROUP: Individual SOFTWARE: Stable Diffusion, Rhino3D, Photoshop

8

Generative AI for Architectural Visualization This project investigates the use of AI-driven rendering techniques to enhance architectural representation. Starting with a base massing modeled in Rhino, I utilized ComfyUI to generate both photorealistic and stylized renders. By training a custom LoRA and integrating ControlNet, depth maps, and ksampler refinements, I achieved greater control over materiality, lighting, and atmospheric effects. This workflow demonstrates the potential of AI in reimagining architectural visualization, enabling faster iterations and nuanced design explorations.

Multiple Render Iterations

Comfy UI Interface

ComfyUI Work Flow

9

Cacti Video Game Creatiing a world of different designs of Cacti as a part of a Video Game Which can be viewed and was developed in Virtual Reality

03

PROJECT: Virtual Reality Video Game ACADEMIA: University Of California, Los Angeles GROUP: Individual SOFTWARE: Blender, Unity, Photoshop

Game Design In Unity

10

Festival of Colors – Holi-Inspired Sunset Boulevard This project reimagines Sunset Boulevard as a vibrant, immersive Holi festival experience. Using AI-driven design, it features parametric installations, dynamic lighting, and color projection mapping to transform urban space. Through text-toimage generation, sketching, and image-to-image refinement in Stable Diffusion, the design captures the Festival of Colors Holi’s joyous energy with flowing canopies and sculptural color installations. Merging technology, culture, and urban design, it envisions a dynamic, interactive streetscape celebrating color, movement, and festivity

04

PROJECT: Redesign Of Sunset Boulevard ACADEMIA: University Of California, Los Angeles GROUP: Individual SOFTWARE: Stable Diffusion, Rhino3D, Blender, Photoshop

WorkFlow Of Sunset Boulevard Street Redesign

11

05

PROJECT(Thesis): I.T Office, India ACADEMIA : Manipal School Of Architecture and Planning, India PROFESSORS: Nikhil Kohale GROUP: Individual SOFTWARE: Autocad, Revit, Rhino3D, Lumion, Photoshop, Stable Diffusion

12

IT Office This IT high-rise in GIFT City, Gujarat, is designed with aerodynamics in mind, inspired by the wind flow along the Sabarmati River. The floor plates follow a curve, rotating by 2 degrees per floor and resetting every five levels, giving each floor its own unique view while reducing wind loads on the structure.

A key feature of the design is the interplay between indoor and outdoor workspaces. The projected floor plates act as self-shading elements and double as ‘Open Green Workspaces,’ seamlessly connecting the interiors with the external environment. Using composite materials like steel, lightweight concrete, treated glass, and aluminum, the building balances structural efficiency with a dynamic, functional workspace. Passive design strategies further enhance comfort, making this tower a modern take on IT office design

Form and Concept Development

The building is centrally placed, allowing sufficient circulation space while adhering to regulations

The floor plates are grouped in sets of five, each rotating by 2 degrees as they ascend. Every fifth floor, the rotation resets to 0 degrees.

Each level has a distinct open terrace work area, enhancing outdoor workspace integration.

Wind loads on the structure are

effectively reduced through aerodynamic twisted forms.

I.T Office Design Description And Development

13

CORE Vertical Circulation and Building Services

14

The section illustrates the various levels, floor plate variations, and highlighting the seamless integration between Interior Spaces and Open Terrace

Interior Workspace

Open Terrace Workspace

Core

Composite Plate Shear Wall Panel

Pre-Drilled Holes for Rebar Dowels Composite Coupling Beam

Cross-Ties

Concrete Infill

Rough Openings into Core Building Floor Level

Core Wall

Concrete Slab

Bubbles

Top Layer Wire Mesh Bottom Layer Reinforcing Layer

The building’s projected floor plates enable a self-shading design while doubling as open terraces. These ‘Open Green Workspaces’ create a seamless connection between interior work areas and the surrounding environment. Additionally, the gradual rotation of the floor plates ensures that each level enjoys unique and dynamic views

Bubble Deck Slab Cross Axonometric View and Structural Detail Of The Design

15

06

PROJECT: Karnataka Public School ACADEMIA : Manipal School Of Architecture and Planning PROFESSORS: Shantanu Chitgopkar GROUP: Individual SOFTWARE: Autocad, Revit, Vray, Keyshot, Photoshop

16

Karnataka Public School This project revitalizes a public school in Karnataka, integrating kinesthetic architecture to promote learning through movement. The design features open-air walkways, curved balconies, and dynamic parametric facades that encourage interaction and engagement.

Outdoor learning spaces, including a rain garden, sandpit, and kitchen garden, complement multi-purpose sports courts, fostering active education. Sustainable elements such as shaded walkways, natural ventilation pockets, and a biowaste plant enhance environmental efficiency.

Blending traditional sloped terracotta roofs with contemporary circulation strategies, the school creates a stimulating environment that supports exploration, movement, and hands-on learning. The design transforms the educational experience by making movement an integral part of learning Axonometric view Of The School

Form and Concept Development

Maintaining the existing High School Block

Arranging the classroom block in proximity to enable easy circulation

Angling the block to follow the site boundary to maximize space between blocks

Connecting the building blocks for easy access to all parts of the building

Adding volume to the form and connecting the building blocks for easy access to all parts

Creating pockets/voids for ventilation and daylighting, also doubling as interactive spaces

School Description And Design Process

17

18

Section and Sectional Details of School

Sectional And Structural Detail

19

Professional Work 2023-2024 22-23 2022-2023 24-25 2021-2021 26-27 2020 28-29 2017-2024

JOHN R HARRIS Habtoor Luxury Residential Tower, Dubai

NORR GROUP CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL LTD Fairmount Luxury Hotel, Saudi Arabia

MANDAVIWALA QUTUB AND ASSOCIATES Shrishti Mix-Use Development, Mumbai

COMPETITION WORK Sacred Space, Archdias, Abu Dhabi

MY EXPLORATIONS

20

Professional Work + My Exploration 21

07

PROJECT: Al Habtoor Luxury Residential Tower, Dubai Marina FIRM : John R. Harris & Partne POSITION: Junior Architect SOFTWARE: Autocad, Revit, Sketchup, Photoshop

22

A 60-floor high-rise in Dubai Marina, featuring luxury living spaces, penthouses, townhouses, and premium amenities like a rooftop gym, sauna, restaurant, and pool. The podium and basement levels include parking and retail spaces.

Role: Contributed to the 3D modeling and visuals of the tower. Designed the amenities floor and coordinated with the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical teams during the design phase. Performed ramp slope calculations for the podium and basement parking and briefly worked on the penthouse and townhouse floor plates.

23

The Fairmont Hotel, located in the Ajdan Waterfront development, features a terraced leisure deck and an infinity pool that enhance outdoor space while offering breathtaking ocean views.

Role: My contributions included

08

PROJECT: FAIRMONT HOTEL, SAUDI ARABIA FIRM: NORR Group Consultants International Limited POSITION: Assistant Architect SOFTWARE: Autocad, Revit, Rhino3D, Photoshop

facade design and modeling, podium design, rendering, overall building planning, and material selection. I was also involved in landscape and hardscape modeling for the podium, ensuring seamless integration with the surroundings.

The project focused on creating a visually striking and functional space that blends luxury with the coastal environment.

24

Veiw of the Podium

25

09

PROJECT: Shrishti Mix Town Development, India FIRM : Mandviwala Qutub & Associates POSITION: Architecture Intern SOFTWARE: Revit, Vray, Photoshop

26

Roof Level

This is a mixed-use township project located in the well-developed suburbs of Mumbai, India. It consists of 12 residential wings along with various commercial facilities.

Role: Was involved in the

overall project development, including the facade design and development of all 12 wings.

Worked on modeling structural elements in both the tower and non-tower areas.

Additionally, contributed to the design and modeling of the master plan.

Typical Rffugee Floor Plate

Designed the typical floor plan. Worked on the design the non-tower area, spanning from Basement 3 to Podium 2, converting 2D drawings into 3D models on BIM 360.

Typical Floor Plate

Highlighted key structural elements, including: Columns – Designed and developed structural columns for stability and load distribution.

Slab – Modeled and detailed slab structures to ensure structural integrity and connectivity.

Worked on the section of the turning ramp, extending from Basement 3 to the Ground Floor

27

10

PROJECT: Sacred Space, Abu Dhabi, UAE PROJECT TYPE: Archdias Global Competition GROUP: Pranav Nireshwalia, Pankti Adani SOFTWARE: Rihno3D, Vray, Photoshop

28

Perched atop Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, this site embraces inclusivity, welcoming individuals of all perspectives, beliefs, cultures, and identities. Visitors enter by descending through a portal that emerges from the sea, embarking on a journey down a grand staircase reminiscent of ancient temples. As they move through the space, they traverse both above and below water, experiencing an atmosphere shaped by the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, which evolves throughout the day and year. Surrounded by water, the sanctum is bathed in natural sunlight and the rhythmic motion of the sea. Flanking the sanctum, adjacent spaces offer the same breathtaking views of the ocean and its immersive ambiance.

Enter a realm that appears to have emerged from a science fiction film—a sanctuary where one discovers a connection with faith deep within the belly of Mother Earth, beneath its expansive oceans. Experience the play of light created by water and wind, as the very elements of nature become the exclusive contributors to the sacred ambiance of this space. Here, the elements within us guide us to our sacred place.

29

My Explorations

Modeled in Grasshopper

11 30

My Explorations

31

swatirai98@gmail.com Linkedin: Swatirai Instagram: Flyingdutchmen_

Thank You For Your Time