graduate architecture portfolio

1. Architecture Portfolio
NIHARA B

2. NIHARA B
About
Experience Skills
Interests
Education
Born - 17 December 1998
Indian
9944924534
nihara.babu@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nihara-babu-097341153/
• Sathya consultants, Bangalore_ Ar. Sathya Prakash Varanashi - 2021-2023
- Project Management - Internship training co-ordinator - Presentation and docu-
mentation.
• Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj - Ar. Sandeep Virmai - (8 Months internship)
- Under On-site projects - Hands-on experiments - report making - Logo design and
book module making - Design development for Non-residential projects - exploring di-
verse culture, lifestyle, environment.
• Sacred Groves, Auroville - Ar. Manu Gopalan (6 Months internship)
- Sustainable living - Experiments on different construction alternatives.
Language
• English
• Hindi
• Tami
• Telugu
• Kannada
• Sketching
• Writing
• Journalism
• Reading
• Dancing
• Travel
• Engaging with physical world
• Art works - Weaving, Pottery
Software
• AutoCAD
• Sketchup
• In Design
• Photoshop
• MS Office
• Illustrator
Inter-personal
• Good Speaker and Listener
• Team work
• Communication
• Teaching
C.A.R.E. School of Architecture, Tiruchirapalli (2016-2021)
- Participated in around 20 workshops - NASA competitions - Part of the team for docu-
menting Kala Kendra, Auroville under Ar. Siggie - Girl’s hostel representative for an year
in college - Representative of class for 2 semesters.
Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Hosur (2012-2016)
White House Public School, Bhuj (2007-2011)
M.K. Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Gummidipoondi (2001-2006)

3. • Spontaneous creativity course - Mai linh
- 21 days - Dharmalaya institute for compassionate living
• Quantifying daylight in buildings - Ar. Maaz and Ar. Dharini
- 3 days - Light stanza
• Bamboo workshop - Prof. Sankalpa
- 11 days - Winters @CARE 2017
• Cauvery Archives - Prof. Joseph Aranha, Ar. Harimohan pillai
- 3 days - Summers @CARE 2017
• How Buildings Stand? - Prof. V.R. Shah
- 5 days - Summers @CARE 2017
• Timbrel vaulting construction techniques- Ar. Senthil Kumar doss
- 11 days - Winters @CARE 2018
• Understanding structures through history
- Prof. Durganand balsavar - 1 day
• Understanding Reinforced Cement Concrete
- Er. Rajendran, Ar. murli - 2 days
• Laurie Baker Construction - Zonasa
- Enigma, 2 Days
• Water Table Apparatus - Ar. Monisha Edwina royan
- 5 days - Summers @CARE 2018
• Traveler’s Transect - Ar. Godwin
- 6 days - Summers @CARE 2018
• Re-use the scraps - Ar. Nancy, Ar. Pooja raj
- 7 days - Vertical studio
• Biomimicry - Arch cult, NIT - 1 day
• Biomimicry - Ar. Senthil kumar doss - 5 days
• Clay and Paper mesh - Ar. preetha Krishnan
- 3 days
• Tie and dye - Artist Gurumani, Mr. v.k.Subramanian
- 2 days
• Lino Cut - Artist- Mark Rathinraj
- 5 days - Winters @CARE 2016
• Isola Landscape writing competition 2020
• Hashtag Kalakar - writing competition 2021
• Cept Research writing & research fellowship 2021 - Got selected for interview
• Voxela Architects, Hyderabad - Website content writng 2023 - freelancing
• NASA - ANDC Trophy, Dance Trophy
• Ar. Sandeep virmani, about city, ”bhuj”
• Ar. Rene Jannsen, about building biology
• Mai Linh, in workshop sessions “spontaneous creativity course”
• Ar. Manu gopalan, about Architecture
• Ar. joseph aranha - in workshop “Cauvery Archives”
• Ar. Peter rich, in workshop “Timbrel vaulting construction techniques”
• Ar. V.R.Shah and mangesh, in workshop “How buildings stand”
• Ar. Neelkanth chhaya, Vertical studio in college
• Er. Keyur sarda, about lime
• Ar. Sankalpa, in Workshop “Bamboo”
• Ar. Durganad Bulsavar, in workshop “Understanding structures through history”
• Ar. Frank ching, in Zonasa, enigma.
• Er. Rajendran, Classes on understanding structures
• Ar. Senthil kumar doss, in workshop “Biomimicry”
• Ar. Pooja raj and Ar. Nancy , in vertical studio
• Joseba martinez, about Auroville
• Ar. Maaz and Ar. Dharini, in workshop “quantifying daylight in buildings
• Ar. Bijoy Ramachandran - About BIC, Bangalore
• Ar. Gurjot Singh Matharoo - His works & book release in BIC, Bangalore
• Ar. Uday Andhare & Ar. Mausami Andhare - Works presented at BIC, Bangalore
• Ar. Vinu Daniel - Interaction at KSSA, Bangalore
• Ar. Palinda Kannagara - Works presentation, BIC, Bangalore
• Kanade Architects documentary - presented in Suchitra cine academy
• Interactions with Ar. Sathya Prakash Varanashi, Ar. Fahed Majeed, Ar. Anjan Mitra, etc. at Office
Sathya consultants
Workshops
Competitions & Others
Lectures

4. Internship_Life at Sacred Groves,Auroville

5. Life at Sacred Groves
Sacred Groves engages in experimenting various techniques that innovatives the usage of eco-
logical materials rather than a sustainable ones, to be an ecological community living.
Sacred Circle
Day starts by gathering in sacred circle, begins with exercises, update each and everyone
about the task.we chant “AUM” three times, in the end of every circle.
It is a place for sharing, updating, voicing our self to everyone whenever we feel to.Whole team
meet here thrice a day to update each other on tasks happening.

6. Learnings at Sacred Groves
Understanding the nature of soil.
Objective -
To procure and test soil (sedimentation test) from different areas (could be anywhere) in order to
understand its composition and compatibility to various earth construction techniques.
CLAY
SILT
SAND
0 1:1 4:3
0 4:1 4:1 4:1 2:1
Samples
At height (with
reference to
ground line) % of Clay % of Silt % of Sand
Site Top soil 15.75 34.2 50
1' 11.3 29.5 59.2
2' 18.3 31.5 50.2
3'6" 13.95 34 53.4
Irumbai 150' 26 7 67
250' 4 96 0
Sedimentation test, Drop test and Adobe bricks were done for different samples.Observation
and concluded were based on number of cracks and its compact form.
we add up or reduce the ratio to improve the stability of soil such that it would be suitable for
construction.

7. Wall, being Vertical element of a Building
Learnings at Sacred Groves
Earthcrete is a Up- cycling Process of demol-
ished construction waste.
Cob is a mixture of soil, sand (optional), fibre
while adding water to bind them effectively.
Vault is actually supported by the side of the
wall.
Adobe bricks are essentially sun dried bricks
made of earth and additives (if required).
It is a beautiful art work, Wattle and daub is a
traditional technique, using palm reeds/bam-
boo with soil to fill in.

8. Floor & Roof, being Horizontal elements of Building
Learnings at Sacred Groves
Mud flooring
Cement flooring
Lime crete
Coir bed (dipped in a diluted sea shell lime
putty to prevent moisture absorption) binds
bamboo flooring and limecrete.
Bamboo roofing
To experiment Limecrete as roof, to take up the
external loads when lime hardens, designed
split bamboo layer throughout for flexibility.
Lime flooring
Cement flooring as a platform for gathering.
Lime flooring is to be used for making adobe
blocks as it absorbs moisture.

9. Finishes - Plastering
Learnings at Sacred Groves
Yellow clay Paint is a organic paint. It is an
art provoking our senses with patience.
Lime wash is a final coat of Lime plastering.
Lohi plastering
Araish plastering
A beautiful traditional Plastering technique
involving lots of skills, energy and majorly pa-
tience.
Lime plastering

10. Internship_Life at Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj

11. Life at Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj
Evolution of Hunnarshala lies in the collaborations and associations that were built after 2001
earthquake in Kutch with an objective to capacitate people for reconstruction of their habitat.
During the Post-Earthquake reconstruction, team realised that artisans and villagers have sim-
plest and best knowledge and strengths of traditional building system which could be a long -
term sustainable method to construct.
It was realised that when the modern , scientific techologies combine with the traditional knowl-
edge, it suggested directions for strengthening engagement of artisans to deliver high quality
buildings, infrastructure and community spaces.
It was a wonderful journey in person. Importance of life, social life, living as a community, net-
work we are living in was realised.
Learnings were diverse, from office culture to people living and pursuing activities around. Each
place had unique stories and experiences. Nature was healing and relaxing.There was a lot of
positive and supportive energy around, kept us encouraging in our journey.
Source- http://www.hunnarshala.org/about-us.html

12. About site - KFI - Sahyadri school - Tiwai Hill, Maharashtra
“The purpose, the aim and drive of these schools is to equip the child with the most
excellent technological proficiency so that he may function with clarity and effi-
ciency in the modern world, and, far more important, to create the right climate
so that the child may develop fully as a complete human being. This means giving
him the opportunity to flower in goodness so that he is rightly related to people,
things and ideas, to the whole of life. To live is to be related ...”
- J. Krishnamurti
Site is located above tiwai hill, so beautifully placed with a valley on one side and with farmland,
hills all around,providing beautiful and healthy atmosphere for everyone.
Role -
Worked on workings drawings, assisting in site with architect.
Knowledge on sequencial construction, experimenting on various forms of finishes.
Presentation for sahyadri sports complex - design - sections and views.

13. Role - placing all the blocks aligned to context

14. Role - Drafting changes to be done after the discussions within Internal
Team

15. Role - Drafting with reference to other drawings

16. Role - Placing manhole and pipelines for Storm water Management

17. Role - Drafting with reference and changes after discussions

18. Role - Drafting with reference and changes after discussions

19. KFI - Sahyadri school - Tiwai Hill
Role - Experiments on Mud plastering and Lime plastering on various finishes or
same finish with different ratios to evolve a traditional finish which requires less
maintanence.
In mud plastering we tried different types of
Admixtures as stabilizer like Straws, Paper pulp,
Sawdust, Straw with lime.Finishes were also ex-
perimented in diverse.
In Lime flooring, experimented with different ratios of lime, sand and soil to re-
duce the number of cracks and the use of Industrially produced materials.
In Lime plastering finishes we experimented on
Araish plastering- natural and other with a ox-
ide and different ratio.
Experiments

20. Existing model
conceptual zoning
Zoning of block model
based on sun driection
Working on intermediate spaces
Private spaces
Aryagram project, Ahmedabad
Aryagram is a learning and living centre based
on the principles of Jainism.
Developing design breif -
Buildings required for the four sections of Dhar-
mik (Spiritual), Virasat (Heritage), Gurukulum
(Education) and Shreshth Nivas (Residence).
Role -
I worked on Shresti Nivas Sankul, residential phase of the site. It was a team work including, itera-
tions in conceptual evolution of zoning and design process.
Alma mater school, Jaipur
It is a educational system for learning equally on practical and theoretical understanding for
students.
Role- Conceptual design, model making of design, revising and additions to redefine the spaces
designed.
Role - developing Conceptual design ideas
Design phases
Block model - clusters

21. Increase in Farming in villages, result-
ed in the reduction of Banni Grass-
lands, also not allowing pastural
communitites who are dependent
on these grassland for centuries.
An organisation “Sarjeevan” decid-
ed to start a Padhyatra means ‘pro-
test by foot’ for awarness.
Role - Designed logo
Role - Book modules and Presentations for Trainer (Team
work) - Post disaster reconstruction in Nepal.
AinA series of workshop focuses on sharing knowledge and training about various construction
techniques from well - experienced artisans.
Role - Being a part of workshop, observation and documentation of workshop, report making
and feedback was doscussed with internal team.
Logo design - Book modules - Workshop report making

22. Architectural Thesis_Public Library
Guide - Naveen G
Research questions -
• How can we engage people with physical world to evolve life enhancing experience ?
• How can we bring in the confluence self and the world through learning?.

23. Concept sheet

24. • Diverse reading spaces
• Adaptability - sense of Impermanence
Attracting non- readers by providing spaces for self, groups.
Experience of user through common spaces might follow a se-
quence that would engage them unconsciously -
Experience of user to engage in different forms
of space and functions to leran and explore.
?
As a Library (built space) User preference As a Public space
Concept sheet
Self Reader
As group Non- reader
Experiencing Architecture

25. Ground floor Plan
B
A
A
B

26. First floor Plan
B
A
A
B

27. Sections
Research space - Complete enclosed
spaces with openings facing either court-
yard or the site edge tree.
Refreshing space - attracts park users, simple
structure to allow flexibility for users.
Balcony - showing activities in lounge. breaks
the walls and expresses impermanence.
Entry - simple & subtle approach
to merge building with it’s context.
Landscape - organic path with
pause points to evoke openess.
Courtyard - breaks the rigidity of
spaces.
Lounge - Double height space to experience
large volume of space.
Tea and book shop - scale based on func-
tion and experience required.
Children section - double height and
spacious space to provide flexibility
for diverse activities.
Verticality - columns defining path towards
a specific direction
Section B
Section A

28. Rain water
Harvesting pit
Enclosed reading space for users preferring
private and focused Vision.
Arrangements of stacks - less exposure to sun-
light.
Edges with readers space, facing land-
scape - trees and fins buffers sunlrays.
Circulation along with
wind direction - flush of
wind through the space.
Typical stack room

29. Views
Lounge
Columns as a vertical element defines a specific direction of path and the volume of space.
Rhythm followed by columns brings in a subtle expression of building edge.
Flexible and adaptable enough for activities engaging large number people.

30. Different forms of spatial enclosure and relation with context is evolved, diverse activities could
take place at different point of time.
Materiality -
Materials Like CSEB, Rammed earth, Walls using waste stone chips from mining, Shallow domes
using CSEB are preferred majorly to emphasis life, expressing change in self along with time, i.e.
responds to context and ages.
Views

31. “Architecture is an art which confronts our being with space and time, taking us through mem-
ory, thoughts and imagination. Architecture has sensible power to evolve the sense of existence
through spatial depth”
-’The eyes of the skin’, Juhani pallasma.

32. The Albuquerque Tile Factory
The Albuquerque tile factory is an old ruin-like
structures that form a rustic backdrop, brings in
a artistic experince within the building.
Several features defined its space, including
structural system, materiality, details of junc-
tions, quality of light, character of volume and
mass, smell of stacks, broken tiles on floors all
around, ruined roofs, and many things....each
and every minute part of the space played an
influential role within.
Design studio - semester 06
Mentor - Ar. arjith chatterjee and Ar. Asha
chatterjee
Faculty - Ar. Kartikeya chhaya
Work - Documentation & design “Terracotta
park”

33. PRODUCED
BY
AN
AUTODESK
STUDENT
VERSION
PRODUCED
BY
AN
AUTODESK
STUDENT
VERSION
The Albuquerque Tile factory- Documentation
Few places in the tile factory were document-
ed, Life of space was studied precisely.
A
B’
A’
B

34. PRODUCED
BY
AN
AUTODESK
STUDENT
VERSION
Experience in site was totally dramatic com-
pared to the outside world, the play of volumes
inside with pile of bricks, stones and tiles.
Glass tiles were provided in random resulting
in a beautiful pattern of light within the space,
provided large quantum of light.
Some places would be almost nothing without
the stacks, providing sense of warmth within
and the smell of stacks along with the enclo-
sure evolves a calm and subtle place where
any would Pause and experience it.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Section - AA’
Section - BB’
The Albuquerque Tile factory- Documentation

35. The Albuquerque Terracotta Park - Design
JT
JT
JT
JT
CC
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
JT
CC
JT
JFT
JT
JT
JT JT
JT JT
JT
JT
JT
JT JT
JT
WORKSPACES
TOOLS AND
INSTRUMENTS SPACE
SCULPTURE MAKING
WHEEL- THROWING
STORAGE SPACE
CASTING
WORKSPACES
MEETING ROOM
CLASSROOM
CRECHE
PRODUCED
BY
AN
AUTODESK
STUDENT
VERSION
PRODUCED
BY
AN
AUTODESK
STUDENT
VERSION
PRODUCED
BY
AN
AUTODESK
STUDENT
VERSION
Factory, requires new ideas and strategies to prepare for a difficult future.Investing in Research
and Development program, providing new and cutting-edge ideas in the world of terracotta
building products.
Material -
Partition walls alone defines spaces from one another which is made of tiles stacks and
other products made in factory such that people would come to know its various applications.
Whole building ends runs with a parapet wall made of terracottta products so that users are
wholly exposed to experience sky and cool breeze.

36. Interests
There is never an end to anything, more to
know and learn about...