Snehal Oswal_Urban Design Portfolio

A R C H I T E C T U R E A N D U R B A N D E S I G N W O R K S
S n e h a l
O s w a l

Urban Designer // Architect
Design at any scale, as small as a building on a street to a large city with several
streets, creates an impact on the user as well as, is impacted in return by it’s users.
Thus a piece of design should be lively and timeless, both at the same time.
Life is created in the overlapping, connecting and un-named spaces between private
and public around us.
Further taking my curiosity to undertsand architecture and urban designing as a
whole.

Contents (My growth as an architect // Urban Designer // Human)
Introduction to architecture
Architecture for people, architecture for social equity,
inclusive architecture and generating respect
for all through design are the terms learned in this
project.
A sensitive approach to the harsh and practical issues
of developing countries. First impression of
urban design.
Implementing contextual design for a social cause
Huamns and thus the community they form, are
subconciously connected to the surroundings they
are brought up. Thus the health of human psyche
is directly propostionate to the space they dwell in.
Recreating and uplifting the community life for
the artisans and thus their lifestyle and economy.
Slum Redevelopment
Vernacular Architecture
Community Upliftment
Learning contextual design
Curiosity of understanding the changing architecture
and design with a slight change in physical
context, culture and lifestyle is reflected in this
study paper.
An attempt of combining vernacular principles
and modern technology for an improved development.

Testing timelessness and flexibility of the duo
(city’s identity and city’s context)
Forming and testing a frame structure to analyse,
and design cities to form healthy identities. Contextual
refernce or vernacular being the suggested
solution for the research.
Place Identity - Mexico
Vernacular Urbanism
Psychogeography
Drawing parallels between contextual design and
Place Identity
A practical and global issue of densification is observed
in this project. A rapid increase in population
often leads to haphazard growth of a city thus
hampering it’s identity.
An attempt of introducing vernacular planning in
modern vertical growth as a solution is tested.
Understanding impact of development on Human
Psyche
The term has been used a several times as an analyzing
tool for cities across the globe by different
designers.
This paper proposes the term Psychogeography as
a designing tool and attempts to draw a rationale
for the same theory.

Urban Design - Slum Redevelopment
Social Equity
IV Year - B.Architecture

A project based in the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India.
About the Project - This project is based in a highly crowded region of the city,
with people dwelling in unhygienic conditions and living an under-privilidged lifestyle.
A re-organised plan is proposed for this congested area occupied by slum dwellers,
in order to better utilise the potential of land than its present day scnario.
Need of the Project - in this project an unorganised but structured space is
achieved with an improved sense of :
living conditions and spaces social equity hygienic environment
Approach - The proposal focuses on elements of design as well as user psychology;
with obtaining equal distribution of resources on one hand and, on other hand, a
redevelopment proposed without relocating the users thus responding to the user’s
sentiments and their attachment to the land and house.

Design Concept - A solution oriented towards the issues faced by slum dwellers
The user type being socially complex, the design concept evolves in two stages, one at the individual
level of the person or family residing and second on a community level. A complex layer of social
and communal impact is observed in this area.
A social, cultural and functional milieu is achieved in the proposed design.
Individual level
inadequate openings to houses
unhygienic common shared areas
Common area on terrace for
the building members
Balcony forming an area for
interaction and also a future
extension.
Balconies proposed for
upper floors against the
open spaces on ground
floors
uneven distribution of semi-private spaces
unsuitable spaces and lack of
utility spaces
Private utility area for
daily chores
Semi public area inviting
interaction
Community level
Small niches designed to create
shaded interaction spaces
Semi public space for residents and
utilities like water tap and vendors
public community area with elements
like religious structures or
a sitting area, forming social and
cultural epicentre of the residing
community
schematic distribution
of open spaces
Plan showing uneven distribution of green spaces throughout the region.
A detailed study and analysis of the above mentioned data was done in group of 2 and can be found here - Factual Data

Design Proposal
Current development
Proposed development
Overall Area considered
- Organised organic planning
Green Space distribution
- Improved hierarchy
Road Network and Layout
- Improved connectivity

Dissertation (Research Paper) - Vernacular Architecture
IV Year - B.Architecture

A research based in the town of Malwan, Maharashtra, India.
About the Paper - A research paper adressing the issue of loss in identity of a
region’s architecture and building techniques. This further leads to loss in the connection
between the place and its users.
Need of the Paper - A lack of variation in architecture style across places, in
respect to its local context, has given rise to the research question addressed in this
paper.
Loss in Identity
Approach - A town is studied for its vernacular aspects and current issues. Then
the contexual findings from past and present are infered to propose possible solutions
in order to retain the identity of the developing case example considered.

Case Example - Malwan
Increased visitors due to
historical structure thus leading
to tourist boom and evolution of tourism
as occupation. This also led to haphazard
growth of town which inturn affected the
growth and progress of comunity.
Spread of community along the major
connecting roads and further division
into internal plots. Formation of machi
market (Fish market) along coast.
Major roads to adjoining towns of achre
and kasal, thus increased communication
and formation of the central node of
the town namely pimpal (Peepal
tree).
Presence of a historical structure indicated
presence of community or a settlement
in this region. Further evolution of
temples along the creek and coastline.
To read entire paper click here - Vernacular Architecture of Malvan

Street along the outskirts of the market place.
Houses open directly onto the street. These houses have small
scale shops like grocery or departmental stores.
Gutters run along the streets thus in rainy season collect all the
water falling from the roof and streets. Therefore all the roofs
slope towards the street.
Street along Beach – Tourist Development
As tourism has prevailed along this beach, many temporary
structures of tourist shops have developed.
Random and rapid growth of tourism in Malvan has affected its
identity and character as a town.
Market Street of Malvan
This street is completely commercial with small and big shops,
with each shop having its own spill over space to exhibit the
goods.
The temple on the street forms an image of identity for locals and
visitors, thus forming place identity for users.
Internal streets – residential zone.
The internal houses and structures have bigger plots and thus get
a garden area depending on the design.
Thus the streets in these parts have fencing on both the sides with
planters covering them. This also enhances the street and maintains
the privacy of the people living in these house.
Current Development
Haphazard and un-monitored growth due to
tourism
Deteriorating conditions of locals and their
occupation (Fish Market)
Inappropriate construction using reinforced
concrete in coastal regions, a result of copy-paste
architecture
Inferences
The culture of a region is one of the most constant
aspects of vernacular Architecture of
any place, and on the other hand, aspects such as
construction techniques, material availability,
technology etc. may change with
time.
Thus the character and identity of a region is
determined by its culture and traditions
which have been carried forward for generations.
Vernacular architecture is a style of architecture
which responds to the context in which it is
built.
Few beneficial aspects of Traditional Vernacular
Architecture which could be considered may be
listed as follows:
i. Culture of the region
ii. Physical context of the region
iii. Climatic conditions, and
iv. Traditional values of the region.
Conclusion
It is necessary to understand the importance
of local identity and character of a region and
breakthrough today’s trend of globalization in
construction all over the world which is resulting
in the fading away of the Vernacular Architecture
of any region.
An amalgamation of both, the beneficial aspects
of Traditional Vernacular Architecture and the
advanced construction techniques with modern
technology can prove to be appropriate solutions
to retain the identity of the region.

Design Thesis - Cultural Upliftment Of Art Communities
Final Year - B.Architecture

A thesis project based in rural area of Kutch, Gujarat, India.
About the Project - Art and it’s required skill sets evolve over a period of time,
influenced and inspired from its surrounding materials and context. Any art form is
very local and original to the people and region it originates in.
Due to the current escalation and prosperity of an urban dweller against almost no
growth in the rural art villages, practice of these art forms is wilting with time. The
ever successful life in urban cities has enticed the younger generation of artists to
abandon their practice and migrate, thus leading to loss of culture, art and tradition.
Need of the Project - is twofolded, one being retaining the art of the communities
and their linked traditions and culture. Second is the economy and quality of
life for the communities residing.
Approach - In this thesis, one proposes upliftment and propogation of the art and
the community performing it through various modes of design and policies for rural
development.

Site Analysis - Nirona Village Studying it’s Vernacular Site Development - Zoning
Ludia Village
Pritvate
Semi-Pritvate
Infrastructure for resident
artists and outsiders on the
rear, away from tourist services
Site Context
Semi-Public
Public
Residence for visitors on
oposite side thus marking
privacy for local community
Sun Path Aanalysis
Hierarchy plays an important role in evolution of clusters
and villages. A chaotic order in formation of open spaces
and their utility is observed from the study of ludiya village.
Proposed residential
merged with the existing
settlemnet to strenghthen
the community
DhordoVillage
Datum Line or Axis -
Main movement path
Existing Structure
Parallel entrance wall
created
Access to Site
Line Datum organizes the elements in a linear fashion. In
the layout of Dhordo village - the main open spaces fall on
the line, axis or road network forming a regular geometry.
The line of axis originates from the main open space. Thus
socialy binding the communities and reviving their community
living.
Access to Site from
National highway

Final Proposal - Main Centre
Growth of Developemnt on District
Level - Kutch, India
11 12
Main Center
10
8
Primary Centers
3
Secondary Centers
9
7
5
1
4
6
Wildlife Sancturies
Famous Religious spots
Art PractisingVillages
2
Proposed
Proposed
Network
Network
of
of
Centers
Centers
1. Exhibition Area 2. Entrance
3. Amphitheatre + Periodic (Baazar) Market 4. Souvenir Shop
5. Community Space for locals 6. Auditorium
7. Luhar Community (Blacksmith’s) 8. Visitors Stay - Dormitories
9. Khatri Community (Painter’s) 10. Cafeteria for visitors
11. Jat Community (Wooden artwork) 12. Fascilities for visitors
For detailed look in Project click here - Cultural upliftment of Kutch

Issue - Densification of Mexico City
Place Identity as Design Principle
Urban Design - Postgraduation

A project based in La Condesa region of Mexico city.
About the Project - Densification, place identity, migration to urban land, urbanisation,
exploitation of resources are few of the many problems faced by almost
all the urbanised areas across the globe.
This shift of humans from rural to urban areas and an ever increasing pressure on
comparatively smaller portion of urban land has created an imbalance between the
demand-supply ratio of natural resources. Quality of life led by the residents or locals
is hugely impacted, which has tangible as well as intangible impacts on the users.
Need of the Project - In this project the author throws light on the intangible
aspect of place identity which is negatively impacted by the increasing pressure levels
on urban land.
Land being the most important of all the resources has had major effects on development
of a society as well as an individual.
Approach - This project deals with the issue of no land and loss in identity. Thus
proposing a vertical configuration of street life and bringing life in the vertical developments
around the world.

Thesis - Vernacular Urbanism
Urban Design - Postgraduation

About the Thesis - This research intends to introduce, explore and derive from
the term of vernacular urbanism in context to the issues of globalization and loss
in place identity. The aim of the research is to define a frame structure based on
the concept of vernacular urbanism, which is further used to analyse a city’s urban
fabric. Globalization is promoting homogeneity in identity all over the world, thus
making the world feel single entity.
The identity of a city generates from human psyche based on tangible and intangible
factors forming a city. In order to retain or restructure the unique image of any region
or city, the best possible place to find the answer would be its local surrounding.
The vernacular of a region gives the area its distinctiveness, thus making each city,
town, village or region stand out in its own way.
An attempt of deriving vernacular factors affecting a city’s fabric from those
affecting the architecture of a city is displayed in the research, in conclusion of which
a list of relevant factors have been discussed further in this paper.
The research uses a contextually modified version of Sinek’s theory of golden circle in
order to evaluate a city against the proposed frame structure of vernacular urbanism.
It also discusses and suggests the best possible way of designing with a sensitive outlook
towards concepts of place identity, place making and sense of belonging.

For the entire Research Thesis click here - Vernacular Urbanism

Photography
Understanding Architecture and urban
Design through photography

Travelling and Learning

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