Interactive Installations Interactions designed and built purely out of interest in college fest.

Click the link below to see the installations in action-

https://vimeo.com/123518251

Mushroom A peaceful creature who minds its own business until it feels threatened. As someone approaches, it threatens the person, and further, attacks.

Code developed in Arduino.

Ultrasonic sensor detects how far the target is. LED lights and buzzers turn off and on erratically when target is in close proximity (1.5 m). When the target is close enough, i.e. 1 m away, a water pump hidden below in a bucket turns on, thus spraying water over the target, surprising him/her.

While the initial idea was to give the mushroom a 360 degree viewing and attacking ability, the servos just refused to work at the last moment. Finally, the mushroom only worked for a single direction.

Group of 2. Designing was done together. Afterwards, I handled the software, while my group mate handled the hardware.

Hey, what’s that?

I think I just woke it up…

&*%$##@*&

SPLASH

The bigger idea is to understand how advanced responsive systems and architecture can be integrated to form better architecture.

Mirror A kinect powered installation simply traces people from its vision and plots their joints in a virtual 3d space and connects them with specific lines (bones). The same is reflected on a large screen in front of the people. It also assigns different colours to different people for higher legibility. Even though the algorithm itself is very simple and straightforward, people throughly enjoyed the experience.

The code is built on Processing over existing libraries for Kinect v2.

The installation was a huge success in the fest and will now be displayed in a national exhibition in 14 different sites across India.

Individual project.

Scripting An attempt to get familiar with scripting and how it can be used to develop architectural forms which cannot be easily developed through conventional architectural softwares.

A workshop conducted by X-labs, London in school enabled us to learn and understand how scripting would be an inevitable skill for architects in future and how it can be applied in Architecture today.

Process The intent

Intent was to understand the power of scripting, its limitations, and its potential in architectural application.

The code

The code, provided by X-labs, edited according to the clothe’s tensile strength and nature by us, let us test various tensile forms digitally. After picking a stable configuration we converted the digital form into a physical form.

System based designs

Pure scripting enables one to design based on systems. This further allows development of unexpected designs, and multiple forms, all equally functional.

Structural integrity

A good script allows one to go beyond and check the design for structural finesse. Over and under designed structures are not issues anymore.

Arduino

Going further, a peer software, Arduino allows development of softwares which can communicate with electronic devices, to actually build complicated designs.

Robotics

With basic training, one can start developing robotics based designs, where structures are alive. They can sense, process, and respond to the surroundings.

While script was used to resolve complicated tensile roof, the form then could be exported to conventional softwares for simpler work.

Textual description The audience is organized in a perfect field. 600 visitors sit on individual blue foam blocks distributed over a 1.5 x 1.5 meter grid spread through the entire hall. Models flow through the highly-organized audience, following multiple choreographed routes that allow maximum visibility.

The field is a commentary on the audience, transformed from indeterminate crowd to regimented, possibly anxious, isolated individuals. Each guest becomes a challenge for the new fashion; each confrontation becomes highly personal…

The field is based on a zero degree approach: a spatial system as opposed to an elaborated design...

Artificial grass covers the floor. Light is provided by 16 panels of 30 PAR lights each, vaguely resembling stadium lighting systems.

The set up refers to the imagery of a geometric outdoors; the audience participates in a perfectly organized picnic… - Prada Catwalk, OMA

Dissertation We as architects are trained to think in terms of plans, elevations, sections, etc. Eventually, we communicate our designs through the same mediums. These drawings, which are so meaningful for architects, are generally unreadable for laymen.

However, the most prominent firms around the world, like BIG, Foster and Partners, and Zaha Hadid, have already developed methods to counter this issue, and communicate to the people more effectively. Critical study of these methods is the primary idea behind this dissertation.

Historical methods Miniature paintings

On the bottom right corner, is a miniature map painting by Nasuh Matrakci depicting the city of Kayseri in Turkey. Houses and trees drawn in frontal elevation, Literally the way we see them every day. Paintings like these were used to communicate ideas, and document cities and building.

2-D projections

Below is an elevation of north side above and plan of St. Peters Basilica below, from Carlo Fontana, Li Tempio Vaticano 1694, Rome. One on their first of its kind, These are perfect 2-d drawing, Enhanced using depths and line weights.

Perspectives

In the bottom left, Versailles was one of the first large scale architectural works during Baroque which used the perspective views as the basic representational tool. Thus, It can hardly be expressed in forms of plans and sections.

Successful presentations only communicate certain aspects of a design. Trying to explain every minor detail, and every aspect of the design, will only overload audience, and eventually block their receptiveness. Through the presentation, the architect can focus on a singular, or defined aspects of the design, and present it in a way that audience can easily absorb it.

Focus on form

All of the methods focus on the form and the visual massing. The minute joinery details, or constructional innovations, are almost never expressed.

Impact on design

Since only a specific aspect of design is ever communicated, the designer will tend to enhance that aspect, more than the other ones, since the success of the project, mostly depends on these presentations.

Choosing the method

The relevant aspects will vary from project to project. Thus, choosing a specific method of presentations is not the right way to go. The aspect highlighted in the presentation must address the needs and desires of the people and the site.

Augmented reality

With the advent of technology and products like google glasses, augmented reality is bound to make place as one of the most powerful methods of communicating architecture.

Temple Maheshwar urban fabric is laden with temples. Big and small, ancient and new. If one were to build a temple today, would it be exactly the same as before? If there are changes, then what would those changes be?

Process What is a temple?

It is the space where people can feel the presence of the higher power. The traditional form of temples is based on this basic idea. The tools used were timeless. The fractal geometry in the plans, the scale, even the decorations on the façade, all were the tools used to give form and shape to the idea of God, or the supreme. So what has changed, then? The idea of the higher power still stays. It is in our nature, in our core. The technology has gone way ahead. New materials are being used and we have excelled in their use. We can perceive geometry in a much superior way now.

The idea of the higher power still stays. It is in our nature, in our core. However, the technology has gone way ahead. New materials are being used and we have excelled in their use. We can perceive geometry in a much superior way now.

a twist, a turn? What am I inside of? A creature’s belly? A creature sleeping. Soft breathing. listen carefully. in and out, out and in. out and in, in and out. Nandi! Thank god for the bulls. I finally meet myself. Inside the sleeping creature’s belly In the Narmada. I meet myself.

NARMADA RIVER

The chosen language of alternate open and closed spaces, formed a lively and rejuvenating experience. The roof form contributed to the whole play in its own way.

Inspiration from Ghats

The exterior texture is inspired from the traditional language of the Ghats. However, they have been reordered to make it a more unique and fulfilling experience.

Shikara

A steel pillar in the center of the temple will emit light, and attract people form surroundings. It will also from the identity of the temple.

Mandapa

Mandapa is a large hall in the center with a statue of Nandi bull pointing towards the Garbhagriha, symbolically pointing towards the right path.

Garbhagriha

At the end of it all lies the home of the God. This is where people face the diety, one-on-one, share and meditate.

Night Shelter An ongoing personal project. The idea is to design and execute a product which can be carried around by a single person and set up easily. If successful, the applications would be endless.

Easy disassembly In further stages of the design, the structure and the skin will be integrated to make the process even simpler and quicker.

It is important for the structural members to be as lightweight and compact as possible, all driven by the idea of ultra-mobility.

Presently, the structure is made up of PVC pipes, and the skin is made up of high grade lightweight polymer used for tents.

A door and a window During the process, it was realised that it is important to merge objects, spaces, and functions whenever possible in order to achieve ultra-mobility. The shelter has four primary openings, one on horizontal side. All of these are circles of diameter 1 meter. These will act as a door and a window.

The height of the opening from the ground also contributes to safety against water in case of flooding, and pests.

Communication

it is important to not isolate the project and include more and more people in its evolution. 8 videos have been made and shared with friends and mentors.

Compact Furniture

To achieve mobility, different furnitures and spaces were merged, based on the idea that a single user will only perform one activity at a time.

Passive Climate Control

An overhead tank, combined with two layers of heat resistant polymer skin will contribute to enhancement of temperature inside the shelter.

2 x 2 x 2 m3

Based on human ergonomics, a minimum volume was taken as the starting point. This decision has forced one to re-think every aspect of lifestyle and design.

Mobile Shelter An ongoing personal project. The idea is to design and execute a product which can be carried around by a single person and set up easily in urban environments. If successful, the applications would be endless.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/444036019063994/

https://vimeo.com/channels/bhum

Process The reading

The Anand Vihar transport terminal is situated in the recently developed East Delhi. There is no significant historical context around the site, and the hub is still not fully developed, unlike Kashmere Gate, situated in Delhi itself. The primary functions are scattered and dis-connected.

The resolution

As the functions were brought together, a common concourse was formed. We realised that this space has huge potential, and became the driving force for the way ahead.The concourse was raised up to a different level, and shaped as a public space, where people could come together, through the medium of common activities. An uninterrupted pedestrian network in and around the site was created.

Urban Design Re-design of Anand Vihar Transport Hub, New Delhi, which includes a railway terminal, a bus terminal, and two metro stations.

METROISBTRAILWAY STATIONCONCOURSE

Central open space The central open space is the space for gatherings. The absence of any rigid design elements makes this space ideal for large public gatherings. Like the Ramlila Maidan, this space would be ideal for demonstrations, protests, and celebrations, situated right in the center of one of the most important nodes of the capital of the largest democracy of the world.

Commercial zones The twin commercial zones on the concourse spill out onto the 15m wide bridges, enhancing the experience for the pedestrians. These might also include libraries, games rooms, etc public facilities. A green belt around adds to the pleasantness of the space.

The reference was taken from the existing nature of informal kiosks on site, which spill out onto the pavement, thus obstructing the free passage of people.

The common concourse is the first image of the city to travellers, a platform for public interaction, and a space which generates collective memory amongst people.

Roof structure

The roof, a porous space frame, similar to that of Indian Habitat Center of the Lodhi Road, provides optimum shade from the sun all around the day.

Seamless connectivity

The concourse flows onto the surrounding pavements, open spaces and buildings, providing various access points, thus de-congesting the center.

Form generation

The solids and voids of the concourse are generated from the circulation patterns. Primary and secondary lanes of different widths and edges.

Universal Access

Comfortable access for all has been a priority since the beginning. It was observed that lengthy ramps do not work well. Elevators have been placed at all required points.

While congregating, the modules follow certain rules Firstly, each module either faces north or south. Secondly, each module must be connected to either two modules, or a module and a core. Following the above two rules, various forms could be developed. The resultant design is one such form.

Central atrium, one void, multiple purposes The central atrium acts as a space where employees can look at each other’s works and get inspired.

It also act as a means for passive circulation. As the roof gets heated, the stale air inside the atrium is pulled out from top, and the cool air over the water bodies is pulled inside the atrium, thus forming a natural circulation.

High Rise A high rise in the newest and largest business hub of India, Cyber City, Gurgaon has to be more than just functional. The aesthetics were a priority since the beginning of the design process itself.

Module as an individual Plug and play construction system will be employed. Modules of size 5000mm x 3000mm x 6600mm will be pre-cast away from the site, bought back and assembled. Every module will be fully furnished and equipped and placed and fixed using cranes.

Each module acts as a load bearing structural member and take each other’s loads. The system is similar to vierendeel girder.

Conference room

Cubicles

Private Cabin

Shop

The intent of breaking out of usual extruded forms, and create a parametric 3-D form was successful, but it came with its limitations.

Documentation The first project is measured drawing of Tombs in British Cemetery in Surat, Gujarat. These tombs are the first examples of fusion of Mughal Indian and British architecture.

Elements from both styles were identified and the evolution was studied.

It was clearly visible that the British elements were slowly dominating over the Mughal ones, as the political power of Britishers was on rise in India.

Chirag Delhi Being in Chirag, observing it and studying it reveals various development and evolution patterns which are common to all the urban villages. It also helps one to find out the various characteristics which are found in such kind of settlement and ultimately helps one to understand how a settlement grows on its own or one can say ‘grow organically’. Chirag Dilli is such settlement which witnessed the development of a larger settlement(i.e. Delhi) with being its part and thus was greatly affected by it and hence this makes it more critical to study than some other urban village.

Urban Villages The Urban villages as always surrounded by the ‘Urban context’ act as a source of services to these urban societies and also are mutually benefitted from them as well but not only this, they also act as a source of crime and insecurity to them. So, this has both positive and negative aspects. It’s difficult to make a point that the Urban Villages are always a vital part of society but yes in most of the cases they can’t be neglected and hence become vital.

1- Dargah is the only structure inside, with vegetation all around, 2- axes established by 4 gates.

3- handful of refugees came and settled inside the boundaries.

4- influx of pakistani refugees after independence, mostly brahmins settled in as a cluster

5- rapid increase in density as migrants kept on settling. Chirag Delhi declared as ‘lal dora’.

6- vertical expansion

Have a good day !!!

Dhruv Kumar

dhruv.kumar.s17@gmail.com

Bachelors in Architecture

School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi