ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO 2025
P O R T F O L I O VINAY KUMAR GAJULA
Selected Works | M.S. Architecture | IIT Chicago
1 CV
RESEARCH
CONTENTS
OTHER WORKS
PROJECTS AT IIT
IIT College of Architecture // Fall 2025
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Design Portfolio //Gajula, Vinay
Table of Contents
01. CV.....................................................................................................................................................................4-7 02. RESEARCH..................................................................................................................................................8-13 03. PROJECTS AT IIT.....................................................................................................................................14-31 01. THE SHARED HABITAT................................................................................................................14-21 02. RE:POWER HOUSE........................................................................................................................22-31 04. OTHER WORKS.......................................................................................................................................32-39
IIT College of Architecture // Fall 2025
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Design Portfolio // Gajula, Vinay
1 CV
PRO FLIE SKILL 03
At Illinois Institute ofTechnology, my work explores the philosophical foundations of architecture—questioning how research shapes the meaning and purpose of design. I examine how context, culture, and sustainability influence architectural choices, from materials to urban form. Through this lens, I aim to create architecture that responds thoughtfully to place, history, and society.
Education • •
M.S. Architecture — IIT Chicago B.Arch — Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai
Modeling Platforms
SKILL 04
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AutoCAD SketchUp Revit Rhino 3D 3ds Max Blender
Visualization /Rendering
SKILL 07
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Enscape Lumion Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign Adobe Illustrator Adobe Premiere Pro Procreate Canva
Specialized Software Expertise SKILL 05
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Grasshopper Ladybug Tools Laser cutting/CNC operation software 3D printing software (Cura, PrusaSlicer) VR/AR modeling tools (Unreal Engine, Unity, Prospect) Geographic Information Systems (GIS: ArcGIS/QGIS)
Experience SKILL 08
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Internship at SWBI Architects Freelanced for a Residence project
Phone: +1 219 (386) 7845 Address: Chicago, 60616 Email: gajulavinay0321@gmail.com Social Media: www.linkedin.com/in/vinay-kumar-a80161191
RESEARCH
Concept:
This research explores the philosophy of architecture as a lens to question how ideas, values, and culture shape the built environment. It examines the relevance of philosophical inquiry in architectural practice, asking how reflection influences design decisions. The study PHILOSOPHY OF seeks to bridge theory and practice, revealing how architecture can ARCHITECTURE express deeper meanings beyond function and form. Architecture in contemporary practice is increasingly subject to routine—shaped by standardized processes, digital replication, and globalized aesthetics that diminish contextual and cultural specificity. The prioritization of efficiency and market-driven demands often leads to a built environment devoid of uniqueness or critical engagement with place. As a result, architectural forms across diverse geographies begin to appear homogeneous, detached from the societies and histories they inhabit. Within this context, the philosophy of architecture assumes renewed significance. Rather than offering direct technical solutions, it provides a framework for critical reflection on the underlying values, meanings, and assumptions that inform design decisions. Philosophical inquiry allows architects to question prevailing norms—asking not merely how buildings are made, but why they take certain forms and whom they ultimately serve. By engaging with such questions, architecture can move beyond the repetitive and the routine, reclaiming its role as a cultural and intellectual act that responds thoughtfully to human experience and the environment.
IMAGES SHOWS THE CHANGE OF CULTURAL ARCHITECTURE
My research on the philosophy of architecture explores how design responds to functional, aesthetic, cultural, ethical, and sustainable considerations. By examining these perspectives, I aim to understand architecture’s deeper values and its impact on people and place. Functional Perspective
Vdara Hotel (Las Vegas, USA)
Centre Pompidou (Paris, France)
Aesthetic Perspective
Boston City Hall (Boston, USA)
Fallingwater (Pennsylvania, USA)
Cultural Perspective
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, USA)
Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
Ethical and Sustainable Considerations
The Ryugyong Hotel (Pyongyang, North Kor)
The Bullitt Center (Seattle, USA)
Frank Lloyd Wright Philosophy: Organic Architecture Wright believed buildings should grow naturally from their environment, blending harmoniously with nature. Designs like Fallingwater embody his principle: “Form and function are one.” Le Corbusier Philosophy: Modernism & Functionalism Famous for “the house is a machine for living in,” he advocated for clean forms, efficient layouts, and rational use of space and materials. His Five Points of Architecture shaped modern building design. B.V. Doshi Philosophy: Contextual and Empathetic Design Doshi’s work in India prioritizes the needs and culture of local communities, creating sustainable and inclusive spaces. He believes architecture should elevate life and express empathy for its users. Zaha Hadid Philosophy: Deconstructivism & Fluidity Hadid’s expressive forms break the rules of traditional architecture, emphasizing movement and dynamic shapes. Her buildings like the Heydar Aliyev Center challenge conventions and create new spatial experience Gajula Vinay Kumar Philosophy: ?????????? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
What kind of philosophy of architecture am I following, or have I followed until now? This question invites me to reflect on my design decisions, values, and influences—challenging me to consider how my approach has balanced functional purpose, aesthetic experience, cultural context, and ethical responsibility throughout my architectural journey.
PROJECTS AT IIT
01
CONCEPT: COMMUNITY
building contains a culinary vocational school, a hotel, THE SHARED The and apartments. By envisioning this tower as a vertical we begin to think about how the occupants HABITAT neighborhood, will interact with each other and across programatic areas of the building. It is important to emphasize community development throughout the building to intertwine all building programs.
Architectural Philosophy as a Design Lens SITE FARMER’S MARKETS GROCERY/CONVENIENCE
“My design process is rooted in architectural philosophy—an approach that asks not simply what to build, but also why we build, for whom, and how our choices reflect, adapt, and elevate the cultures and communities we serve.”
Contextual Relevance Empathy & Community Sustainability & Responsibility
Thoughtful architecture serves its function efficiently, is harmonious with its environment, and respects cultural, ethical, and sustainable values.
ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION The design prioritizes the interaction of occupants within the building and the interaction of the building within the neighborhood. Creating a series of subtractions from the form of the building to allow for communal spaces emphasises community through the programming and cycle through the form of the design.
STRATEGY: CYCLE While planning for a culinary vocational school with emphasis to the building community, we were drawn to the idea of how people interact with their food at the most direct level. Starting with community gardens and teaching of urban agricultural practices to purchasing food at a grocery store and all the way down to food waste and composting. We emphasize the cycle of our daily nutrition through programing, as well as representing the strategy through the formal expression of the design.
East Elevation
Layered spaces gather around a central core, seamlessly connecting distinct programs and encouraging interaction. Balconies and intersecting pathways animate movement, shaping vibrant outdoor realms. Here, architecture acts as a catalyst for community, weaving complexity and energy into a unified hybrid environment.
Program Analysis Apartment- 204,000 sf- 56% Hotel- 93,500 sf- 26% Culinary- 65,535 sf- 18% Culinary School Hotel Apartments Core Mechanical EAST SECTION
perspective section of culinary school
DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS AND ENERGY USAGE
Design process: Updates to massing and facade were made based on Ladybug feedback, introducing setbacks and strategic window placements for optimal daylight distribution while maintaining privacy across program zones.
January at 12pm : Optimized facade allows winter sunlight penetration into common and culinary areas.
June at 12pm : Adjusted geometry and overhangs reduce summer glare, maintaining consistent light quality year-round.
PROJECTS AT IIT
02
RE:POWER HOUSE
Concept: The project explores consolidating Chicago’s indusWtrial zones into a single sustainable district. It envisions an urban ecosystem where industrial byproducts become resources within a circular economy, reducing residential impact and promoting environmental responsibility.
This map displays Chicago’s industrial zones, showing how manufacturing and logistics hubs are distributed along major highways. It highlights the integration of semi-public and public spaces within the city’s urban fabric, illustrating Chicago’s approach to connecting industry with the broader community.
1. Addison 2. Armitage 3. Brighton Park 4. Burnside 5. Calument 6. Elston/Armstro 7. Greater South 8. Harlem 9. Kennedy 10. Kinzie 11. Knox 12. NorthBranch 13. Northwest 14. Peterson 15. Pilsen 16. Pulaski 17. Pullman 18. Ravenswood 19. Roosevelt/Cic 20. Stevenson 21. Stockyards EXISTING INDUSTRIAL ZONES
Objectives: Eco-Industrial Rings are a revolutionary concept that integrates businesses into a closed-loop system, where waste from one industry becomes a resource for another. This approach creates a self-sustaining network of in dustries focused on maximizing resource efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing waste
land that once used for different industries Boulevards Proposed zone
PROPOSAL FOR INDUSTRIAL ZONES AND GREEN SPACES IN THE CITY
I see the Crawford Power Plant becoming a center for new and experimental art. The site used to be a coal-powered landmark that powered Chicago’s Little Village from 1924 to 2012. Now, as part of the neighborhood’s redevelopment, it is set to be torn down. Instead of getting rid of its past, I see this as a chance to honor it and give it a new purpose. The redesigned space would become a hub for both new and established artists to try new things, come up with new ideas, and push the limits of what is possible, encouraging creativity at the crossroads of art and community.
ENTRY/EXIT
BUILDING
RIVER WALK
The primary concept guiding the design of this building is to create a fluid circulation space that welcomes the public and encourages movement. The architectural strategy emphasizes a gentle walk that leads visitors from the urban fabric towards the river, establishing a seamless connection between the building and its natural surroundings. This approach not only promotes accessibility and openness but also transforms the journey into an engaging spatial experience, inviting the community to explore, gather, and interact as they progress toward the riverfront. The circulation is thus both a physical and symbolic transition, reflecting the building’s role as a bridge between the city’s industrial heritage and its renewed future.
- The building’s design centers on creating a welcoming circulation that guides visitors from the city to the river, forging a strong connection between urban and natural realms. - This fluid spatial strategy transforms movement into an engaging experience, encouraging exploration and community interaction along the path. - The final render captures this intent, illustrating how architecture bridges industrial heritage and future renewal, with public flow as its defining element.
SECTION
NORTH
SOUTH
This project embodies a harmonious interplay between architectural history and contemporary evolution, as visually expressed through its section and elevation. The elevation illustrates how the building’s form connects past and present—its material choices and proportions evoke historical context, while modern interventions and active public spaces reflect ongoing transformation. The integration of landscape, diverse user activities, and waterside transitions in the section reveal how architecture adapts and evolves, creating vibrant environments that engage both the city’s legacy and its future. Together, the section and elevation showcase an architecture that honors tradition while embracing progress, where history and evolution go hand in hand to enrich the urban experience.
4 OTHER WORKS
PARAMETRIC MODELING My interest in parametric design stems from a desire to explore new ways of thinking about form, structure, and efficiency in architecture. Through hands-on experimentation with digital modeling tools, I’ve developed a foundational understanding of computational design concepts and workflows. While the following works are preliminary studies, they reflect an ability to approach problems algorithmically and a comfort in adapting my process to new digital environments. This growing familiarity allows me to continually expand my design toolkit and confidently pursue more advanced parametric explorations as required.
UNDERGRADE WORKS
SCHOOL DESIGN SITE AREA-5340 SQM
The project envisions a school designed to accommodate up to ten classes. The client’s goal is to create a more interactive and transparent environment that encourages active engagement between students, teachers, and parents. In my vision of an ideal school, there would be no restrictions—students would have the freedom to think, explore, and express their creativity without limits.
URBAN DESIGN During my undergraduate studies, I worked on an urban planning project located in Kelambakkam, Chennai. It was a group project focused on addressing the transportation challenges of the area, particularly the heavy weekend traffic caused by its location on the outskirts of the city. As part of our research, we conducted surveys and engaged with local government officials to understand upcoming developments and infrastructural plans. We identified that the region, due to rapid urban growth and proximity to major public attractions such as the Vandalur Zoo, has strong potential to evolve into a dense urban hub. Our proposals aimed to improve pedestrian movement, regulate vehicular circulation, and activate underutilized open spaces—especially the areas beneath and around the flyover. By reimagining these neglected zones as public spaces, our design sought to enhance walkability, safety, and community interaction while anticipating the area's future urban development.
FASHION TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS DESIGN This project focuses on the proposed Fashion Design Department at Hindustan University. The site is located within the existing campus zone, alongside other academic and hostel facilities. The objective was to explore spatial and architectural possibilities for designing a new department building that integrates harmoniously with the campus context. My concept positions the main academic block centrally, oriented to capture expansive views of the adjacent lake, creating a serene and inspiring environment for design students. The hostels are strategically placed on the peripheral ends of the site, maintaining connectivity with the existing residential blocks. A key design emphasis was placed on the building’s entrance—envisioned as a bold, welcoming gesture that defines the identity of the department. The accompanying renders and site plan illustrate how the design balances functionality, aesthetics, and campus integration.
SITE PLAN
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PUBLIC CELEBRATION SPACE This project is located in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, and focuses on creating a vibrant public space that supports community interaction and cultural exchange. The city currently lacks a dedicated venue for public gatherings, festivals, and cultural events, which inspired the concept of designing a mixed-use complex centered around an auditorium. The design proposes a cultural mall where the auditorium becomes the focal point— serving as a platform for performances, exhibitions, and celebrations of local heritage. The accompanying renders illustrate the architectural language and spatial arrangements that aim to preserve and promote the region’s rich cultural identity while providing a modern and functional public space.
INTERNSHIP WORKS
MODEL MAKING AND ART WORKS
MODEL MAKING
WIRE ART
OPTICAL ART
CLAY ART
THREAD ART
WOODEN PAVILLION
STONE CARVING
Through my academic and design experiences, I have developed a personal philosophy that emphasizes preserving the essence of a place. I believe architecture should evolve naturally from its context—respecting the environment, culture, and existing character of the site. My approach is guided by the principle of harmonizing built form with nature, rather than prioritizing form or function in isolation. For me, good design is one that responds sensitively to its surroundings and enhances the spirit of the place.
Phone: +1 219 (386) 7845 Address: Chicago, 60616 Email: gajulavinay0321@gmail.com Social Media: www.linkedin.com/in/vinay-kumar-a80161191