Snehal Oswal_Urban Design Portfolio
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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<br />
S n e h a l<br />
O s w a l
<strong>Urban</strong> <strong>Design</strong>er // Architect<br />
<strong>Design</strong> at any scale, as small as a building on a street to a large city with several<br />
streets, creates an impact on the user as well as, is impacted in return by it’s users.<br />
Thus a piece of design should be lively and timeless, both at the same time.<br />
Life is created in the overlapping, connecting and un-named spaces between private<br />
and public around us.<br />
Further taking my curiosity to undertsand architecture and urban designing as a<br />
whole.
Contents (My growth as an architect // <strong>Urban</strong> <strong>Design</strong>er // Human)<br />
Introduction to architecture<br />
Architecture for people, architecture for social equity,<br />
inclusive architecture and generating respect<br />
for all through design are the terms learned in this<br />
project.<br />
A sensitive approach to the harsh and practical issues<br />
of developing countries. First impression of<br />
urban design.<br />
Implementing contextual design for a social cause<br />
Huamns and thus the community they form, are<br />
subconciously connected to the surroundings they<br />
are brought up. Thus the health of human psyche<br />
is directly propostionate to the space they dwell in.<br />
Recreating and uplifting the community life for<br />
the artisans and thus their lifestyle and economy.<br />
Slum Redevelopment<br />
Vernacular Architecture<br />
Community Upliftment<br />
Learning contextual design<br />
Curiosity of understanding the changing architecture<br />
and design with a slight change in physical<br />
context, culture and lifestyle is reflected in this<br />
study paper.<br />
An attempt of combining vernacular principles<br />
and modern technology for an improved development.
Testing timelessness and flexibility of the duo<br />
(city’s identity and city’s context)<br />
Forming and testing a frame structure to analyse,<br />
and design cities to form healthy identities. Contextual<br />
refernce or vernacular being the suggested<br />
solution for the research.<br />
Place Identity - Mexico<br />
Vernacular <strong>Urban</strong>ism<br />
Psychogeography<br />
Drawing parallels between contextual design and<br />
Place Identity<br />
A practical and global issue of densification is observed<br />
in this project. A rapid increase in population<br />
often leads to haphazard growth of a city thus<br />
hampering it’s identity.<br />
An attempt of introducing vernacular planning in<br />
modern vertical growth as a solution is tested.<br />
Understanding impact of development on Human<br />
Psyche<br />
The term has been used a several times as an analyzing<br />
tool for cities across the globe by different<br />
designers.<br />
This paper proposes the term Psychogeography as<br />
a designing tool and attempts to draw a rationale<br />
for the same theory.
<strong>Urban</strong> <strong>Design</strong> - Slum Redevelopment<br />
Social Equity<br />
IV Year - B.Architecture
A project based in the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India.<br />
About the Project - This project is based in a highly crowded region of the city,<br />
with people dwelling in unhygienic conditions and living an under-privilidged lifestyle.<br />
A re-organised plan is proposed for this congested area occupied by slum dwellers,<br />
in order to better utilise the potential of land than its present day scnario.<br />
Need of the Project - in this project an unorganised but structured space is<br />
achieved with an improved sense of :<br />
living conditions and spaces social equity hygienic environment<br />
Approach - The proposal focuses on elements of design as well as user psychology;<br />
with obtaining equal distribution of resources on one hand and, on other hand, a<br />
redevelopment proposed without relocating the users thus responding to the user’s<br />
sentiments and their attachment to the land and house.
<strong>Design</strong> Concept - A solution oriented towards the issues faced by slum dwellers<br />
The user type being socially complex, the design concept evolves in two stages, one at the individual<br />
level of the person or family residing and second on a community level. A complex layer of social<br />
and communal impact is observed in this area.<br />
A social, cultural and functional milieu is achieved in the proposed design.<br />
Individual level<br />
inadequate openings to houses<br />
unhygienic common shared areas<br />
Common area on terrace for<br />
the building members<br />
Balcony forming an area for<br />
interaction and also a future<br />
extension.<br />
Balconies proposed for<br />
upper floors against the<br />
open spaces on ground<br />
floors<br />
uneven distribution of semi-private spaces<br />
unsuitable spaces and lack of<br />
utility spaces<br />
Private utility area for<br />
daily chores<br />
Semi public area inviting<br />
interaction<br />
Community level<br />
Small niches designed to create<br />
shaded interaction spaces<br />
Semi public space for residents and<br />
utilities like water tap and vendors<br />
public community area with elements<br />
like religious structures or<br />
a sitting area, forming social and<br />
cultural epicentre of the residing<br />
community<br />
schematic distribution<br />
of open spaces<br />
Plan showing uneven distribution of green spaces throughout the region.<br />
A detailed study and analysis of the above mentioned data was done in group of 2 and can be found here - Factual Data
<strong>Design</strong> Proposal<br />
Current development<br />
Proposed development<br />
Overall Area considered<br />
- Organised organic planning<br />
Green Space distribution<br />
- Improved hierarchy<br />
Road Network and Layout<br />
- Improved connectivity
Dissertation (Research Paper) - Vernacular Architecture<br />
IV Year - B.Architecture
A research based in the town of Malwan, Maharashtra, India.<br />
About the Paper - A research paper adressing the issue of loss in identity of a<br />
region’s architecture and building techniques. This further leads to loss in the connection<br />
between the place and its users.<br />
Need of the Paper - A lack of variation in architecture style across places, in<br />
respect to its local context, has given rise to the research question addressed in this<br />
paper.<br />
Loss in Identity<br />
Approach - A town is studied for its vernacular aspects and current issues. Then<br />
the contexual findings from past and present are infered to propose possible solutions<br />
in order to retain the identity of the developing case example considered.
Case Example - Malwan<br />
Increased visitors due to<br />
historical structure thus leading<br />
to tourist boom and evolution of tourism<br />
as occupation. This also led to haphazard<br />
growth of town which inturn affected the<br />
growth and progress of comunity.<br />
Spread of community along the major<br />
connecting roads and further division<br />
into internal plots. Formation of machi<br />
market (Fish market) along coast.<br />
Major roads to adjoining towns of achre<br />
and kasal, thus increased communication<br />
and formation of the central node of<br />
the town namely pimpal (Peepal<br />
tree).<br />
Presence of a historical structure indicated<br />
presence of community or a settlement<br />
in this region. Further evolution of<br />
temples along the creek and coastline.<br />
To read entire paper click here - Vernacular Architecture of Malvan
Street along the outskirts of the market place.<br />
Houses open directly onto the street. These houses have small<br />
scale shops like grocery or departmental stores.<br />
Gutters run along the streets thus in rainy season collect all the<br />
water falling from the roof and streets. Therefore all the roofs<br />
slope towards the street.<br />
Street along Beach – Tourist Development<br />
As tourism has prevailed along this beach, many temporary<br />
structures of tourist shops have developed.<br />
Random and rapid growth of tourism in Malvan has affected its<br />
identity and character as a town.<br />
Market Street of Malvan<br />
This street is completely commercial with small and big shops,<br />
with each shop having its own spill over space to exhibit the<br />
goods.<br />
The temple on the street forms an image of identity for locals and<br />
visitors, thus forming place identity for users.<br />
Internal streets – residential zone.<br />
The internal houses and structures have bigger plots and thus get<br />
a garden area depending on the design.<br />
Thus the streets in these parts have fencing on both the sides with<br />
planters covering them. This also enhances the street and maintains<br />
the privacy of the people living in these house.<br />
Current Development<br />
Haphazard and un-monitored growth due to<br />
tourism<br />
Deteriorating conditions of locals and their<br />
occupation (Fish Market)<br />
Inappropriate construction using reinforced<br />
concrete in coastal regions, a result of copy-paste<br />
architecture<br />
Inferences<br />
The culture of a region is one of the most constant<br />
aspects of vernacular Architecture of<br />
any place, and on the other hand, aspects such as<br />
construction techniques, material availability,<br />
technology etc. may change with<br />
time.<br />
Thus the character and identity of a region is<br />
determined by its culture and traditions<br />
which have been carried forward for generations.<br />
Vernacular architecture is a style of architecture<br />
which responds to the context in which it is<br />
built.<br />
Few beneficial aspects of Traditional Vernacular<br />
Architecture which could be considered may be<br />
listed as follows:<br />
i. Culture of the region<br />
ii. Physical context of the region<br />
iii. Climatic conditions, and<br />
iv. Traditional values of the region.<br />
Conclusion<br />
It is necessary to understand the importance<br />
of local identity and character of a region and<br />
breakthrough today’s trend of globalization in<br />
construction all over the world which is resulting<br />
in the fading away of the Vernacular Architecture<br />
of any region.<br />
An amalgamation of both, the beneficial aspects<br />
of Traditional Vernacular Architecture and the<br />
advanced construction techniques with modern<br />
technology can prove to be appropriate solutions<br />
to retain the identity of the region.
<strong>Design</strong> Thesis - Cultural Upliftment Of Art Communities<br />
Final Year - B.Architecture
A thesis project based in rural area of Kutch, Gujarat, India.<br />
About the Project - Art and it’s required skill sets evolve over a period of time,<br />
influenced and inspired from its surrounding materials and context. Any art form is<br />
very local and original to the people and region it originates in.<br />
Due to the current escalation and prosperity of an urban dweller against almost no<br />
growth in the rural art villages, practice of these art forms is wilting with time. The<br />
ever successful life in urban cities has enticed the younger generation of artists to<br />
abandon their practice and migrate, thus leading to loss of culture, art and tradition.<br />
Need of the Project - is twofolded, one being retaining the art of the communities<br />
and their linked traditions and culture. Second is the economy and quality of<br />
life for the communities residing.<br />
Approach - In this thesis, one proposes upliftment and propogation of the art and<br />
the community performing it through various modes of design and policies for rural<br />
development.
Site Analysis - Nirona Village Studying it’s Vernacular Site Development - Zoning<br />
Ludia Village<br />
Pritvate<br />
Semi-Pritvate<br />
Infrastructure for resident<br />
artists and outsiders on the<br />
rear, away from tourist services<br />
Site Context<br />
Semi-Public<br />
Public<br />
Residence for visitors on<br />
oposite side thus marking<br />
privacy for local community<br />
Sun Path Aanalysis<br />
Hierarchy plays an important role in evolution of clusters<br />
and villages. A chaotic order in formation of open spaces<br />
and their utility is observed from the study of ludiya village.<br />
Proposed residential<br />
merged with the existing<br />
settlemnet to strenghthen<br />
the community<br />
DhordoVillage<br />
Datum Line or Axis -<br />
Main movement path<br />
Existing Structure<br />
Parallel entrance wall<br />
created<br />
Access to Site<br />
Line Datum organizes the elements in a linear fashion. In<br />
the layout of Dhordo village - the main open spaces fall on<br />
the line, axis or road network forming a regular geometry.<br />
The line of axis originates from the main open space. Thus<br />
socialy binding the communities and reviving their community<br />
living.<br />
Access to Site from<br />
National highway
Final Proposal - Main Centre<br />
Growth of Developemnt on District<br />
Level - Kutch, India<br />
11 12<br />
Main Center<br />
10<br />
8<br />
Primary Centers<br />
3<br />
Secondary Centers<br />
9<br />
7<br />
5<br />
1<br />
4<br />
6<br />
Wildlife Sancturies<br />
Famous Religious spots<br />
Art PractisingVillages<br />
2<br />
Proposed<br />
Proposed<br />
Network<br />
Network<br />
of<br />
of<br />
Centers<br />
Centers<br />
1. Exhibition Area 2. Entrance<br />
3. Amphitheatre + Periodic (Baazar) Market 4. Souvenir Shop<br />
5. Community Space for locals 6. Auditorium<br />
7. Luhar Community (Blacksmith’s) 8. Visitors Stay - Dormitories<br />
9. Khatri Community (Painter’s) 10. Cafeteria for visitors<br />
11. Jat Community (Wooden artwork) 12. Fascilities for visitors<br />
For detailed look in Project click here - Cultural upliftment of Kutch
Issue - Densification of Mexico City<br />
Place Identity as <strong>Design</strong> Principle<br />
<strong>Urban</strong> <strong>Design</strong> - Postgraduation
A project based in La Condesa region of Mexico city.<br />
About the Project - Densification, place identity, migration to urban land, urbanisation,<br />
exploitation of resources are few of the many problems faced by almost<br />
all the urbanised areas across the globe.<br />
This shift of humans from rural to urban areas and an ever increasing pressure on<br />
comparatively smaller portion of urban land has created an imbalance between the<br />
demand-supply ratio of natural resources. Quality of life led by the residents or locals<br />
is hugely impacted, which has tangible as well as intangible impacts on the users.<br />
Need of the Project - In this project the author throws light on the intangible<br />
aspect of place identity which is negatively impacted by the increasing pressure levels<br />
on urban land.<br />
Land being the most important of all the resources has had major effects on development<br />
of a society as well as an individual.<br />
Approach - This project deals with the issue of no land and loss in identity. Thus<br />
proposing a vertical configuration of street life and bringing life in the vertical developments<br />
around the world.
Thesis - Vernacular <strong>Urban</strong>ism<br />
<strong>Urban</strong> <strong>Design</strong> - Postgraduation
About the Thesis - This research intends to introduce, explore and derive from<br />
the term of vernacular urbanism in context to the issues of globalization and loss<br />
in place identity. The aim of the research is to define a frame structure based on<br />
the concept of vernacular urbanism, which is further used to analyse a city’s urban<br />
fabric. Globalization is promoting homogeneity in identity all over the world, thus<br />
making the world feel single entity.<br />
The identity of a city generates from human psyche based on tangible and intangible<br />
factors forming a city. In order to retain or restructure the unique image of any region<br />
or city, the best possible place to find the answer would be its local surrounding.<br />
The vernacular of a region gives the area its distinctiveness, thus making each city,<br />
town, village or region stand out in its own way.<br />
An attempt of deriving vernacular factors affecting a city’s fabric from those<br />
affecting the architecture of a city is displayed in the research, in conclusion of which<br />
a list of relevant factors have been discussed further in this paper.<br />
The research uses a contextually modified version of Sinek’s theory of golden circle in<br />
order to evaluate a city against the proposed frame structure of vernacular urbanism.<br />
It also discusses and suggests the best possible way of designing with a sensitive outlook<br />
towards concepts of place identity, place making and sense of belonging.
For the entire Research Thesis click here - Vernacular <strong>Urban</strong>ism
Photography<br />
Understanding Architecture and urban<br />
<strong>Design</strong> through photography
Travelling and Learning
snehaloswal92@gmail.com<br />
+91 8698023008