AI + X Research Centre

Author: Amay Raskar
Site Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Institute: SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Ninad Rewatkar

description

In this constant growth of technologies, AI has come up on top as a major factor in the growth and development of a country if used in an appropriate way.

Ai is a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behaviour in computers. So like The basics of technology roots out from wars and the military. From refrigerators to mobile phones to electronic computers.

AI has also bled in the everyday life since Alan Turing to today’s Google and siri. But apart from that, there have been recent advancements in the healthcare agriculture education and smart cities and smart transportation. Inferences being application use of AI in Sustainability, architecture, construction, environmental implication, water consumption, light control, improved agricultural practices etc. India After a lot of attempt in trying to establish private connections, the development and growth was not enough and most importantly it was not enough for the aiming to be the AI garage for 40 percent of the world i.e be a global provider of solutions to the rest of the world, as india has its diverse issues and unique scenario a push towards this direction would get us closer to this goal. It has proposed for the creation of CORE, ICTAI and CSTS, with core focus on healthcare, agriculture, education, smart city and smart transportation.

With this the proposal of CORE ICTAI and CSTS I tried to wrap my thesis project around the same proposal.

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Colonies of Anthropocene

Author: Devayani M
Site Location: Sundarbans
Institute: R V College of Architecture
Advisor: Anup Naik, Mehul Patel, Nagaraj Vastarey, U Seema Maiya

description

This project investigates the need to design a climate resilient and responsive form for the coastal communities in the Sundarbans with the aim of adapting to the devastating effects of climate change.


The site is located in Gosaba Island in Sundarbans which falls under the moderate to high risk zone. This island is constantly threatened by coastal erosion, environmental degradation and salt water inundation due to flooding thereby causing loss of livelihood.


The master-plan is developed to be implemented in a phased manner over the next 30 years. The
plan envisages responding to the identified natural conditions of the site and developing the design that proposes to selectively allow water flow through the site to create wetlands, and a natural mangrove buffer zone to mitigate the effects of floods and storm surges. The aim of the project is to create a prototype built form that is inspired by the local livelihood practices, skills and local typologies of construction. The design focuses on creating modular flood and storm resilient structures using bamboo as the primary building material. The buildings are raised on stilts and strategically located around the landscape and connected by elevated walkways to protect from the floods and harsh winds. The structure has modular components that can be easily customised to needs of the user.


The project is a response to the impending disaster that the people of Sundarbans have to face. Through symbiotically fusing the built environment within a natural ecology, the architecture is designed to positively sustain the landscape and its people.

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Flood Resilience in Mumbai

Author: Brendon Joseph Dlima
Site Location: Mumbai
Institute: L.S. Raheja School of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Mridula Pillai

description

Mumbai undergoes a crisis from June to September annually. The city’s fast paced development has been at the cost of it’s vital blue-green infrastructure, causing its vast population to suffer a submergence during the monsoon months, due to increased rainfall and a rise in sea level, both attributed to Climate Change. The dissertation investigates whether an architect can make Mumbai resilient to floods and whether Mumbai can become a flood resilient city by learning to use the rainwater it receives.

The Oshiwara River Province was taken as a site to re-design for flood resilience. A masterplan of the Oshiwara River Province was designed to reduce and manage runoff. The most vulnerable building typologies along the river which were informal settlements and cow sheds were re-designed thereby providing more room to the river. The building typologies which were not as vulnerable were retrofitted for resilience.

Mumbai can thus become resilient to floods by learning how to use the rainwater it receives and by giving the blue green infrastructure the importance it deserves. Through this approach we will be able to eventually achieve ‘Flood Resilience in Mumbai’

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A Net Zero Design Intervention for Sustainability Research Institute at M.S.University of Baroda

Author: Ansh Shah
Site Location: Vadodara
Institute: SEDA, Navrachna University
Advisor: Shantanu Jana

description

The chosen site for the proposal is adjacent to the historic D.N.Hall and the modernist KAAF building. We strive to continue the legacy of coming up with periodic design decisions by adding a contemporary touch to the campus. We envisage to create an extension that would teach-


Students: to go through a learning journey that includes everything from collaborating on design decisions to technology selection and system monitoring.
Faculty: They can participate in continuous research initiatives that improve their expertise and academic credentials as early adopters of intriguing new technologies.
Local Schools: Obtain a greater understanding of what is achievable and motivation for future generations to work toward a more energy-efficient society.
The Larger Community: The building embodies sustainable development principles and serves as a model of sustainability for universities and professionals nationwide.


Since the building will be part of an academic curriculum, it will feature experimental aspects that will be evaluated. The proposal will serve as a prototype for monitoring the zero net energy results across time. This information shall also aid in the development of a precise design plan for transforming the M.S.U. campus into a zero net energy campus in future.

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Decoding Cultural Trauma: The Case of Girangaon, Mumbai

Author: Prachi Kadam
Site Location: Girangaon, Lalbaug, Mumbai
Institute: LS Raheja College of Architecture, Mumbai
Advisor: Ar. Mridula Pillai Gudekar

description

Cultural trauma occurs when the locals feel their place is threatened by an event that leads to irreversible damage and changes the space that was once theirs in turn redefining its identity. One such event which lead to a cultural wounding in India was the mill owners strike of 1982 which changed the place identity of the mill abode of Girangaon from its rich girni culture to a pure consumer culture.

In order to counteract the trauma of urban violence, a common trend of redevelopment, this project was conceptualized keeping in mind the true impermanent nature of the site. It attempts to heal the cultural trauma by “designing for informality” and by working out simple solutions to the existing adversities on site.

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Pop-Up Structures For Temporal Scenario

Author: Jaswanth NS
Site Location: Palani, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu
Institute: CARE School of Architecture, Trichy
Advisor: Ar.Balaji Rajasekaran

description

Pilgrimage is a part and parcel of the culture of the sub-continent and takes innumerable and sometime specific forms based on the religious centre. Palani is one such unique pilgrim city in India, wherein people from all parts of Tamil Nadu take a padhayatra (walk) to Palani, after the Pongal festival ends, which is called Thaipusam. Dedicated to Lord Muruga, people carry colourful kavadis and walk up the hills of Palani for the darshan of the lord. Lakhs of people conjugate at one place but the infrastructure is minimal. This is a seasonal event and hence permanent structures are mostly underutilized. It is in this premise that the thesis looks at a type of architecture that is temporal and ephemeral.

The thesis attempts to provide temporary pop up structures like a kit of parts which can be assembled and serve as places to sleep, places to refresh, and medical facilities required for the pilgrims who undertake the padayathra during the event. Post the event, the flexibility and temporal nature of these structures can be used to facilitate multi-dimensional and varied requirements.

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Infrastructure for Artistic Practice

Author: Manish Shravane
Site Location: Thane, Maharashtra
Institute: School of Environment and Architecture, Mumbai
Advisor: Milind Mahale & Sabaa Giradkar

description

This project explores potential methodology for urban interventions in an informal settlement in Thane city. It proposes a number of innovative strategies for regenerating the existing socio-cultural practices through a catalogue of urban tools that support artistic practices, solve the lack of cultural infrastructure and preserves the traditional life that creates intensity of living through participatory construction methods.

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Centre for Arts and Sciences Originated in India University

Author: Vivek Eadara
Site Location: Hyderabad
Institute: Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
Advisor: M. Vinod Ganesh

description

This project is a pursuit of seeding our arts and sciences into modern Indian societies, as a cultural phenomena.

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Lokmanch: A Citizen Narrative of Democratic India

Author: Harshit Narnoli
Site Location: Central Vista, New Delhi
Institute: University School of Arch and Planning, GGSIPU, New Delhi
Advisor: Prof. Baljeet Khurana

description

The thesis questions and tries to establish the sensitivity of the relationship between the state and civilians with architecture as the medium. The project was an attempt to envision a contemporary institution within the rich contextual and cultural heritage of India that focuses on the idea of democracy.

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A.C.T.I.V.E. – Altering Cognition Through Interactive & Voluntary Engagement

Author: Kevin Shah
Site Location: Ice Factory & Fish Market Plot, Pandurang Ramle Marg, Versova
Institute: Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture, Mumbai
Advisor: Ar. Snehal Gaikwad

description

The project method aims towards understanding and unraveling the traditional social binding patterns of Versova Koliwada and relating them with the cognitive capabilities. The daily routines of different categories of habitant users groups are elaborated and mapped in the context of the village. Personal discussions with the same group of users are collected and mapped, in response to their cognitive behaviours based upon the variables of WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire. A linear study of the findings from the social and cognitive mappings is compared.

The study finds out that there are overlaps between the places of occurrences of social and cognitive stimulation, and a majority of these activities occur in and around the livelihood common areas which are volatile in condition.

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Surat City Centre

Author: Samwad Shinde
Site Location: Surat, Gujarat
Institute: School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
Advisor: Dr. Lilly Rose A.

description

The project looked at designing a built form which would provide spaces that acted as an integration of commercial, cultural and social activities. Surat City Centre reflects the historical significance of Surat along with a commercial hub merged with multiple public spaces.

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Lost Spaces of our Cities

Author: Safiya Rehman
Site Location: Shahgunj, Aurangabad
Institute: School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
Advisor: Mr. Vikram Kohli

description

The aim is to understand the tangibles and intangibles that make a community and their well-being, improve their quality of life, create new economic opportunities by enhancing the existing functions and programs on-site in Shahgunj, Aurangabad.

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The Dialogical Milieu: In Situ Slum Rehabilitation Of Mohammadpur Slum

Author: Santrupthy Das
Site Location: Zone F of the Delhi Masterplan
Institute: School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Advisor: Mr. Sambudhha Sen, Mr. Sushil Aggarwal

project description

The Dialogical Milieu: In situ Slum Rehabilitation of Mohammadpur Slum in Delhi is a proposal to relook at the social lives of slum dwellers from the lens of openness. When redevelopment projects happen, in the drive to formalize the housing, high-density towers are constructed which heavily take away from the dwellers’ right to their open spaces.

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ITC InfoTech Campus, Kolkata

Author: Divyang Purkayastha
Site Location: Rajarhat, Kolkata
Institute: Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
Advisor: Prof. (Dr.) Gaurav Raheja, Prof. (Dr.) Amit Hajela

description

This project is going to serve as a mixed-use campus for the Infotech branch of ITC. It is located in Rajarhat, a suburb of Kolkata, which is being developed to tackle the spread of high-density urbanization.

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Gender X Space

Author: Shreya Pathrabe
Site Location: Sanpada, Navi Mumbai
Institute: Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Advisor: Ar. Fatema Master.

description

The proposal is a public plaza for people with pods and a module system. It weaves the in between urban fabric making the space more porous. When you look at the plaza and the movement around it, you notice that the paths taken by people were the most important, i.e. entry and exit. As a result, the pods and modules are placed in zones in such a way that people’s movement remains linear and uninterrupted.

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Socializing Centre and Pavilion Design

Author: Rohan Milind Jaitpal
Site Location: Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
Institute: Dr. Baliram Hiray College of Architecture, Mumbai
Advisor: Ar. Shalini Shrimali

description

This project’s aim was to create an environment with a little bit of isolation from the remaining area but an environment which is soothing and beautiful. The courtyards act as light wells bringing in the diffused light throughout. The greenery and the water body surrounding it completely elevate the experience of any user.

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Architecture in the Emerging Urban Domain

Author: Arya Gupta
Site Location: Western Express Highway Station, Mumbai
Institute: Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, Mumbai
Advisor: Dr. Kaiwan Mehta.

description

This thesis project firstly aims at exploring this emerging Urban Domain. It aims to analyse the roots of, and understand, today’s societal lifestyle and psyche that invariably shapes this urban domain. Architecture is looked at through the ideas of a system, a typology and form, after which then project aimed to investigate how these ideas would be adapted to this emerging urban domain.

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Relooking Urban Responses in Government Campus

Author: Nihar Vijay Lalani
Site Location: Rajkot, Gujarat
Institute: Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture, Rajkot
Advisor: Ar. Rupesh Patel

description

This project aims to understand & demonstrate an appropriate built environment for a government building and its campus and the way it could respond to public spaces and urban issues.

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The Chiguru Project

Author: Mandira Pai Maroor
Site Location: Car Street, Mangalore, Karnataka
Institute: Manipal School of Architecture, Manipale
Advisor: Prof. Sarmistha Chatterjee

description

The Chiguru Project is an urban regeneration project that focuses on the economic & cultural growth of the community through the revival of built heritage characters of Car Street. It intends to not only revive the economic well being of the area but also re-establish vanishing bonds between culture and community. It uses a ‘heritage-led-design’ approach to reimagine traditional structures into innovative cultural spaces that will increase the outreach of the community and the heritage of the site.

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Eternal Pilgrim: A Socio-Cultural Assembly

Author: Siddharth Hastimal Bapna
Site Location: Akruti Rising City, Ghatkopar, Mumbai
Institute: Lokmanya Tilak Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Navi Mumbai
Advisor: Prof. Om Merchant.

description

This project consists of a proposal that is majorly temporary and partly permanent development, designed with the principle of ‘Design of Disassembly’ where modular construction can allow for easy disassembly through minimal amount of construction work and minimal impact after its intended use on the temporary rented site. An ephemeral intervention – a permanent building will continue to exist on the community purchased site after the four-month assembly.

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