UNDERWATER RESORT, SENTOSA, SINGAPORE - 5th Year

As my thesis topic, I had wanted to do something technical, and with a 'tourist' touch to it.Astronomical Observatories and Oceanariums were my first choice. While reading up about them on the internet, I came across the concept of underwater hotels and one being constructed in Dubai.

That was followed up with months of hard core research, into site selection, tourist patterns, sea water chemistry and physics and more.

At my jury, the emphasis was on the concepts on which my design was based on, rather than on the design itself.

Form Development and Derivation

Site Selection and Analysis

Construction Methodology


Another integral part of the design, was the design of various services, selection of materials and technology to protect the building from the corrosive efffects of sea water. Also, in todays world, with everyone trying their best to 'go green', alternative methods of energy were also touched upon.

Material Palette

Building Services Concepts

Alternate Sources of Energy

The ground floor plan, which is at the lowest level, is right on the sea bed. All the rooms,designed int he form of modules, are each independently air-tight. The sea-bed level, due to the presence of plants, is far more inhabited and rich in plant and animal species. Also artificial coral gardens would be 'seeded' to attract more fauna, to the hotel.

The resort is connected to the mainland by a jetty, above the water surface, and a monorail tunnel at the seabed level.

Ground Floor Plan

The site section shows the relative depth and distance from the sea shore,off the island of Sentosa.

The detailed section goes ahead to give a better idea about the functionality and vertical stacking of the building. Also depicted are a schematic of the pile foundations that would be necessary to maintain such a structure in place.

The smaller sections show how the tunnel would be constructed in two levels, one for the tourists and consumers, and one for the services.
Basic Sections

Various Other Floor Plans of the hotel, showing hte vertical connectivity and the distribution of variou functions around the floor plate.




Some Views



Pictures of the model constructed ot demonstrate the idea and form.

SAROJINI NAGAR REDESIGN - 5th Year

Sarojini Nagar market, is one of the largest flea markets in the city of New Delhi, and is visited by huge number of people, causing disturbance to the residents of the houses nearby and immense parking and traffic issues alongside.

An Attempt was made to sort that out with the introduction of green spaces, segregating the vehicular movement from the pedestrian and so on. Also a new basement parking scheme was proposed to reduce traffic congestion.

GROUP HOUSING - 4the Year

An Integral part of any architectural programme, it enables us to think from part to whole and from whole to part. Any small change in any of the unit plans, affects the entire site plan, and vice-versa. The entire process is about iterating between the two levels, and improving both form and functionality of the spaces.

The concept sheet talks about hierarchy of spaces, from the dwelling unit, to the local neighbours and then the collective of the entire housing.

It also highlights some of the high priority aspects considered while going through the designing stages.



The ground floor plan shows and the roof plan shows the placement of various building blocks, in conjunction with the open spaces and the greens. The vehicular traffic has been limited to the perimeter of the site, so to minimize its intersection with pedestrian movement. The orientation of the blocks also achieve more sunlight during the early day, and keep it out during the afternoon.





Various unit plans, showing spatial and functional connectivity of spaces inside a dwelling unit.













SUN AND SHADE STUDY

During the design phse, a studies were conducted using a 3D Model and simulated light source, to understand the sun and shadows at various times of the day, at various times of the year.

1.Jun 22nd , 0730 hrs
2.Jun 22nd , 1300 hrs
3.Jun 22nd , 1700 hrs
4.Dec 22nd , 0930 hrs
5.Dec 22nd , 1330 hrs
6.Dec 22nd , 1600 hrs

KALANGANA - 3rd Year

As a concept, and as the name suggests 'KALA-ANGANA' are the 'courtyards or art'. It was a college for various disciplines of performing arts, like music, dance , drama etc.

The design proposal provides for such open courtyards of various sizes. They can be used to practice in the open in comfortable weather, and people from other disciplines can watch and learn and mingle, and grow from each other.

Site Plan

The creation of various courtyards at various levels, creates an interesting experience and narrative.Also the use of architectural elements like a sky-wlk, OAT and other outdoor seating features add to the architecture of the space.


Sectional Elevations

GOLFING RESORT DESIGN - 3rd Year

The brief for the luxury golfing resort at Manesar, NCR, along with 40 rooms and 6 cottages, called for a health club, other sporting facilites and fine dining capabilites, for members and the residents.

The project begged for a 'grand' entry to the complex, a form that nestled itself well into the surrounding Aravalli Hills. Also an Open Air Theatre was provided for cultural recreation of the guests and members.

Also, a 'Gold Ball on a Tee' shaped roof top restaurant provides splendid views of the golf course.The interiors of the restaurant were to be designed in a 'golfing' theme.

Community Library Design - 2nd Year

The project brief in second year was to design a community library, in the place of 4 empty plots. It was located next to the local market, and meant to serve the residents of the area.The design had to accommodate for the existing pedestrian circulation.

The sloping form of the structure was chosen to allow in maximum light in through the north and east sides,while the west and south sides are kept solid, to prevent heat from entering the building.

An attempt at creating a skating rink and a plaza around it for people of the colony to use.It will not only activate the space, but help the community feeling grow and provide an opportunity for people to interact with each other


Site Plan
Axonometric View
Sections

PERSONAL SPACE DESIGN - 2nd Year

As a part of our second year architectural design studio, we had to design a personal space for just yourself. We were all asked to choose ourselves a site, virtual or real.

I envisaged myself living in a Sphere, on the top of a 60ft high windy sea cliff in Scotland.It would perilously perched on the edge.

Site Plan
Site Section
Building Section
Building Section

PLAYSCHOOL DESIGN - 1st Year

This was the our first design exercise.Ever. We were supposed to design a playschool in a given plot in Sujan Singh Park, new Delhi.

The main emphasis of the project lay in providing a safe haven for the kids. Hence two different kinds of play areas have been provided, one in the courtyard of the school, which is under strict supervision of the teachers, whilst the main play ground is bigger and outside the building area.

Another important concept was to provide the kids with a more 'circular' room, than the usual classroom because it facilitates better interaction, both between the kids and the teachers , and amongst the kids as well. The furniture design is modular, and can be quickly arranged in different layouts to achieve flexibility for various group activities and can be totally removed for nap time.

Site Plan
Elevation

Section through courtyard