ARCHITECT, DESIGNER, RESEARCHER believes in creating sustainable, social spaces through integrated design
14 Blue Follies of Bamiyan
Bamiyan Cultural Centre, Afghanistan
UNESCO, 2015
Group of 2
The symbolism of 14 blue light wells is inspired by the Afghan national anthem that mentions 14 ethnic groups . Two routes were identified within the site. The route that leads to the Friday market is open to the town through an undulating green roof of the cultural centre. The length of the green turf captures a perfect panorama of the Valley and terminates with this active zone with seating facing the Buddha Cliffs. The Second route is for locals and tourists who wish to visit the Cultural Centre. They are led through the Persian Gardens to the lower level of the site through a series of steps and ramps. The walls are made up of rammed earth with small rectangular openings. The brick light wells provide indirect natural light in the interior spaces and regulate air flow. The energy efficient green roof also activates the biodiversity of the region.
Origami Butterflies Playhouse
Playhouse design competition
Life of an Architect, 2015
Individual Entry
The playhouse is inspired by butterfly shapes created out of origami. The playhouse is a square box of 7'6'' X 7'6'' dimensions and is folded along the diagonal ridge of the roof to give it a butterfly appearance. The walls are 2'' (50mm) thick wooden slats separated at 2' intervals. The openings are protected by metal wire mesh, placed behind the wooden slats. For the purpose of display, the playhouse can be completely protected by the mesh. A number of these playhouses in the backyard will resemble butterflies in a garden. The playhouses stand on a 4'' high wooden deck.
Pendulum Farm
Sustainable Terrace Landscape
Terrace Alive, 2015
Group of 2
‘Pendulum Farm’ is a strategy that can be applied to any large green terrace in an urban city that experiences water shortage. The site selected is in an urban residential locality in Chennai. The farm is essentially a series of pods that collects and stores rain water during the monsoon. The pods are made from partially recycled polyethylene and are inflated and suspended from a light-weight steel framework, giving it a pendulum appearance. The pods have outlets to which hoses can be connected to water the green turf during non-rainy days. Smaller balloons hang at a higher level and provide a shade for the larger bouncy water pods as they engage and educate people in a playful manner. The frame-work can be assembled in any fashion based on the geometry of the space available and the size of the terrace.
Mausoleum at Cyprus
Iconic mausoleum for Cyprus' leader, Denktash
Cyprus live project competition, 2012
Group of 10
The government of Cyprus initiated this open competition to determine the best design for the mausoleum of its old political leader. The group decided the form of the building should resemble the form of a tulip, the national flower of the region and also the mascot of the leader's flag. Sustainable features such as PV cells, optimum orientation, maintaining harmony with surrounding site features, permeable pavers for landscape, native trees etc were incorporated in the design.
Hyacinth Matrix
Sustainable tower at Pakistan
CTBUH, 2012
Group of 2
The climate of the future is predicted with various natural disasters. Furthermore, as our cities are getting more congested the problems of pollution are forever rising. To counteract these issues , an iconic tower is created which is a panacea of the existing urban problems in Lahore, Pakistan. The tower is inspired by a hydrophilic water plant named the Water Hyacinth. The hyacinth has broad leaves, which are attached to the main petiole of the plant. The water hyacinth is a water invader which grows rapidly and forms a matrix over the water surface, thus preventing light to penetrate the water. However, this property of the flower is used to overcome the heat and pollution problems in the city.
Futuristic Dwelling for 2050
Sustainable habitat for the future
Ethos Green Building Design Competition, 2007
Group of 2
The climate of the future is predicted to yield unfavourable living conditions whereby lack of suitable building space will become a primary concern and water bodies may have to be encroached to build structures. This competition dealt with this as an issue whilst also tackling surging climatic conditions in India. The futuristic dwelling was envisaged as an amphibiotic structure that was capable of tolerating an increase in sea level rise. The proposed structure will be equipped to support habitation without having to leave the house, with a vegetable garden, home-office, waste disposal facilities and green spaces.