3. Compilation of projects
Master in Interior & Living Design
project 1
workshop
project 4
workshop
project 2
workshop
project 3
workshop
project 6
final project
project 5
internship
4. architect and interior designer
Savitha Narayanan
education
Master in Interior and living design at
Domus Academy, Milan, Italy
Bachelor in Architecture at
RV school of architecture,
Bangalore, India
personal details
date of birth : 07-11-1989
nationality : Indian
e-mail id : savitha1189@gmail.com
skype id : savitha.vn
phone : +39 3663011334
5. Under The Mentorship of Patricia Urquiola
with Francesca Vargiu and Elena Pefani
Master in Interior & Living Design
The Master in Interior & Living Design program enhanced
professional skills, cultural sensitivity, strategic thinking,
teamwork skills & knowledge of project management processes.
It gave exposure to existing eminent brands: their technology,
approach and an opportunity to work with a few through the
workshops conducted.
This process and the guidance of my mentors helped develop
. Design concepts and scenarios for micro system environments,
social/personal spaces, business and retail spaces, or public
spaces.
. Analyze user activity and social behavior to solve product
design problems; use narrative design tools, such as storytelling,
storyboards, and video.
. Use a mix of communication strategies and design tools in
order to develop the global brand identity of a small to
medium-sized company, a product line, and/or a startup.
. Investigate ways in which a company can ignite innovations
in product design and industrial processes by adopting
advanced production technologies and utilizing new materials.
Patricia Urquiola’s bold approach, energy, vigor, passion and
curiosity associated with work; Francesca Vargiu’s analytical
thinking and constant guidance; and Elena Pefani’s diligence,
guidance and support during this course have all been key
ingredients in this process of learning.
FRANCESCA VARGIU PATRICIA URQUIOLA ELENA PEFANI
7. Project List
1 Re-invented hospitality 02-07
spatial intervention, new
hospitality image,space and
communication strategy
2 Pop-up Office 08-15
unexpected pop-up
workspace in an urban
scenario
3 Street food 16-25
contemporary street food
design
4 Enhancing Structures 26-33
relationship between
people space and objects
5 Take me there - cafe 34-45
coffee - cafe concept for
current scenario of
consumers
6 Privation room 46-59
Healthcare - design for
medical isolation
9. Premise.
Project CONNECT is a new functional typology that would be housed
in AGAPE12, a famous home accessory store, during the EXPO 2015
in Milan.
What.
The project core deals with the diverse set of people visiting Milan and
their identities.Every human has a distinct identity portrayed through
their facial features.The project focuses on converging people to share a
personalized & interactive experience of mapping their unique facial
features in the space through technological means and leaving behind
traces that later forms an archive, an installation - a manifold of identities.
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10. Concept.
The concept of CAFE SOSPESO is an Italian concept
of buying a coffee for an unknown when one buys a
coffee for himself. This gesture of sharing is a start
point for the project. In this project , BIOMETRICS
is used as a main tool to run the activities in the
given space.
BIOMETRICS refers to metrics related to human
characteristics.The technologies that measure and
analyze human body characteristics, such as DNA,
fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns,
facial patterns and hand measurements.
diagrams showing the difference in each one’s facial features04
11. How does the space work?
Mirror is an important physical element in this project since it is the
simplest way to see & identify ourselves.
Every individual gets his face scanned by a mirror. Later, he gets to take
a souvenir made of the same material, having their facial impression on
it that splits into two parts.They retain a half & leave the other half as
a memory that forms an art installation over a period of time at Agape.
1
face scan to get a
biometric diagram
2
view digital
patterns
3
view prototyping
of your souvenir in the
workshop area
4
make the installation
by adding your part
05
12. scanning points: narrow inclined path that has various scanning points with
different surfaces (mirror, metal). @ Ground Floor Level
06
face scanning points : people get their faces scanned and the scanned data gets stored and
mapped.
section
installation
wall
ground
section through scanning path
basement
15. Alter Bag
Premise.
Alter bag is a temporary workspace concept that can be a boon
to many professionals who are travelling and would also want to
attend to their work tasks when on the move, helping them to take
better advantage of their time. As today, working hours in an office
cannot stop working minds that function every moment.
What.
“Alter Bag” as the name suggests is a dual purpose Bag for an
individual with alternative usage. An urban back-pack that can be
transformed into a work-space anywhere, instantly. It is designed
such that it can easily accommodate one’s basic working kit :
Laptop, Tablet, charging cables, phone, portable chargers,
portable light, a book or diary, some stationery etc.
workspace.compact.transformable.portable.
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17. a transformable unit that makes a working space, giving enough privacy
Trial designs and prototypes for a compact transformable working kit. 11
18. How does it work?
Alter bag can be used indoors and mainly outdoors. In parks, gardens, plazas,
small to large spaces where one would need just a good amount of privacy and
space to work peacefully and comfortably.It is made of durable and flexible
fabric material and a hard sustainable base that protects the work kit when
closed and also gives stability to the structure when opened. It opens out to be
a work-space that covers the sides and also provides a hooded structure above
to give a reasonable amount of shade and privacy when one sits inside it.The
bag can be personalized with a wide and beautiful range of colors and patterns.
Reflecting enhanced qualities like transform-ability, portability, durability, com-
pactness and also high functionality, this bag will be a clever extension of you!
12
final outcome of ideation
19. 13
the alter bag : views
the alter bag : messenger sling bag + backpack style
20. 14 the alter bag : how to use it
unlock the strap
place the workstation on a comfortable
ground position
zip up and use the straps to lock the station
23. Las Morenas
Premise.
‘Street food’ is a collective exploration of culture & tradition of a place
that is deeply rooted, having its own social & spatial value.More than just
a necessity, food is nowadays a tool for cultural exchange and
design. Street food in particular has become a field for experimentation
as it represents the very essence of a country or region. Today, people
may purchase street food for a number of reasons; reasonably priced
and flavorful food in a sociable setting, to experience ethnic cuisines and
also for nostalgia.
What.
This project explores street food culture and introduces the intervention
of a new contemporary street food typology, extracting the essence from
any existing culture in the world. Las Morenas as the name suggests is
about South American street food, where eating food on the streets or
grabbing a quick bite of carbs is an integral part of their lives.In South
America, ‘Empanada’ is a commonly preferred and spotted street food.
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24. 18
South America
14 Countries
4 Languages
500 street food dishes
Empanadas can be either baked or fried,
but are usually fried, with a major difference
being they are almost always made with a
crunchy cornmeal exterior, rather than with
white flour. The ingredients used in the filling
can vary according to the region, but it will
usually contain components such as salt, rice,
beef or ground beef, shredded chicken, boiled
potatoes, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and peas.
25. 19
Introducing empanadas to Milan through the colorful vehicle; LA CHIVA.
A CHIVA is an artisan rustic bus used in rural South
American regions. Chivas are adapted to rural public
transport.
The buses are varied and characterized by being painted
colorfully (usually with the colors of the countries) with
local arabesques and figures.
They are built upon a bus chassis with a modified body
made out either metal or wood. Seats are bench alike,
made out of wood and with doors instead of windows.
tradition . culture . color . energy
26. How does it work?
The project has two parts to it: The
space and The tools.
The Space: La Chiva is a colorful,
vivid and vibrant transport bus that is
quite open in appearance with typical
patterns and materials that represent
the strong culture of the continent. It
is an important element in the project
which connects to the idea of mobile
street food.
Chiva Exterior views : wood, patterns, subtle colors, threads, porous.
This moving element stops at the various
markets in Milan where street food works
well for the people. It opens out providing
different seating possibilities for people to
relish the food and enjoy the overall
experience.
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30. The Tools: The different traditional tools required to
prepare the empanadas were identified and reinterpreted
as a collection of elements for ALESSI. The six main tools
being : water-sink , dough mixing bowl, filling container,
cutting-molding tool, a counter top and the rack. Each of
these tools can be used independently or as a composition.
frying pot
water basin
dough mixer
pots for fillings + Lid (cutting tool)
oil strainer
rolling pin +
prep. space
Counter
The counter is made of wood with metal bracing inside for sturdiness and stability24
31. water basin
made of stone material.
used mainly as water
source for the cooking
process.
frying pot
metal inner surface for easy
frying and stone outer surface.
run by electricity /
Induction.
filling pots
made of ceramic material with a
glass lid, used to store different
fillers for the empanadas. the
lid is also used to cut the excess
dough off.
dough mixer
made of stone material,
the bowl is used for
mixing the flour and
water to prepare the
dough.
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33. Gro.WE
Premise.
groWE is a project about micro-greens as an option for future
food. Micro-greens, that can be grown by anybody, anywhere,
easily and efficiently without any hassle.
What.
With a challenge to create an object that has to use the new
technology of 3D printing, groWE is a growing device that nests
the micro-greens and helps it grow. It is light-weight and of an
appropriate scale to hold and carry around. A device that helps
maintain and enhance the symbiotic relationship between food
and human. Symbiosis : Interaction between two different
organisms living in close physical association, typically to the
advantage of both.
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34. eat
Human and food.
Eating is one of the primary activities of
human.
we interact with our food, with the way
we eat different things differently and it
also leads people to interact with other
people , space, place, scale etc. when
associated with it.
what if there is a mutual interaction and
relationship between human and food?
A symbiotic relationship.
MICRO-GREENS
Tiny edible plants, older than a sprout, but younger than a full- grown plant. They
have between 4 and 40 fold more concentrated with nutrients. They can take
between 1 or two weeks for fully development.
symbiosis
Interaction between two different organisms
living in close physical association, typically
to the advantage of both.
Compare with antibiosis.
A mutually beneficial relationship between
different people or groups:
A symbiotic cycle of give and take.
A component that can initiate this
symbiotic relationship between
man and food and at different
levels perform different roles.
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39. How does it work?
Through this device the micro-green basically grows in a shell
being closely monitored by the person during the initial four
days where a sponge in this device holds up water and a solid
lid covers it completely, helping it to sprout. Once this part of
the process is achieved, the device is uncovered and becomes a
part of a larger structure and space initiating a healthy aggre-
gation of people. The plant then develops completely in about
two weeks in total and is ready to be consumed.
Given a choice, It is always good to see your food grow isn’t it?
33
41. |Tumbler Cafe.
Premise.
Indian filter coffee, also known as kaapi has a unique method of
preparation, tools, cultural ritual & behavior associated with it. The
task here is to create a contemporary coffee drinking experience, a
strategy and a spatial concept that portrays today’s way of coffee
consumption.
What.
This project is an adaptable spatial concept. A spatial suggestion that
could be fit into any geographical context we have today. This concept
focuses on the users, the time they would spend, the activities in such a
space, people behavior associated to that and hence the spatial
arrangement & quality.
How does it work?
The space consists of three different zones based on the time one
would spend in this cafe. Time, that relates to the activity the user is
involved where coffee consumption is an important part.
1 Fast coffee consumption : where the user has almost no time.
2 Limited time: where the user spends a considerable amount of
time consuming coffee and in having conversations with other
people along.
3 Relaxed and slow consumption: where the users spend a good
few hours consuming coffee, attending to their tasks, having long
conversations, meetings etc.
35
42. 36
Logo.
ZONE : there are 3 different
zones based on the time and kind
of activity the user is involved in.
Based on the two factors
mentioned, the seating
arrangement, furnitures and
environment on the whole varies.
45. 39
ZONE 1 : the space that one would be
in as they enter, meant for having a quick
coffee standing at the counter. (a self service
zone)
The space also has the prepration service
area.
47. 41
ZONE 2 : The space contains casual low
seating where the target group could be students,
travellers or just a group of friends or family.
The low seating indicates slower coffee
consumption and more conversations. This
zone is more for people who would sit for a
longer period.
The furnitures here are of mixed nature, to create
a more informal environment.
49. 43
ZONE 3 : This zone is more for those who
would like to sit and work or read. It’s more
of a silent zone where people could have
meetings, sit with their devices and read
or work. The furnitures here also associate
with the kind of activity in this zone.
53. i.solace
Solace in isolation
Premise.
Privation of Freedom of living. healthcare. Medical reverse Isolation
This project investigates the psychological effects of Medical isolation. The
state of being deprived of attributes properly possessed. The aim is to use
design as a tool to provide an experiential space with the intervention of
effects that emphasize on phenomena’s that one would relate to. A space
that could possibly stimulate and alter the psychological thoughts and help
them recover in a better way.
What.
This project focuses on creating a daily living space for an
immuno-compromised person who is restricted to step out and have the
presence of people within the space without strict safety measures for
protection. The given space of 3x3 m will be the living space for the user
undergoing reverse isolation. There are many functional aspects
associated to medical science,when it comes to designing such a space.
Here, the focus is on few of those aspects.
How does it work?
The space uses different elements like door, window, floor, ceiling, walls,
partition etc. and associates these elements to natural phenomenon.
47
54. 48
Deprivation
Health deprived : the person is just recovering.
The possibility of physically being present in a social
environment is missing!
Presence of nature and touch, smell, taste is restricted!
Comfort zone : freedom! presence of people, pets, nature,
being able to move freely.
psychological effects - Person may not be able to receive
many visitors, and in turn, become lonely and locked up! -
may be anxious - Social barrier - Access to places, people,
things - Stops you from a lot of activities - Restrictions on
Food and beverages.
Aim
To provide a space with the ability to minimize the effects of isolation.
An experiential space with the intervention of different effects that
emphasize on phenomena’s that one would relate to, when in isolation/
alone.
Design plays a very important role in altering &
enhancing the environment, to allow the person to feel a
certain level of comfort & freedom. The quality of space
and the freedom it gives to the user to perform different
activities effortlessly could make it better for a person to
deal with such an isolation.
55. 49
Elements for Design
Factors that play an important role in improvising &
enhancing the environment for the user in this project .
natural cyclical phenomenon
A natural cyclical phenomenon is always close to a person.
They consciously or even unconsciously relate their existence
through such phenomenon that occur on daily basis.
Our senses harmonize with them.
A natural phenomenon is an observable event which is not man-made.
see. hear. smell. touch. taste
56. the space
Floor
Ceiling / roof
Walls
Partitions
Window
Stair
Door
balcony
To bring the natural effects into the space,
Using the different elements of the space to achieve the same.
50
Solace through senses
A play with the senses, Stimulating different sensations.
Interpretation of the same through;
Material. Texture. Color. Shape. Temperature. Pressure. Intensity
57. 51
Prep zone
Handwashing, gowning, gloving,
sterilization, or disinfection of
materials brought into the area.
Garbage disposal
Clothes disposal user activity and zones :
marked in red are the
activities this project looks
into.
general zoning of spaces
around for an isolation room
zoning of space within the
privation/ isolation room
B a t h i n g / c l e a n s i n g
P r e p . Z o n e / h e a l t h c h e c k
P r i v a t i o n r o o m
B a r r i e r
C o m m u n i c a t i o n
r e l a x a t i o n
P r i v a t e
B a r r i e r
c o m m u n i c a t i o n
Private zone
Food and diet / eat
People Interaction
Sleep
Brush + wash +
Bathe + Toilet
Health monitoring
Medication
Personal - communication
zone
Exercise . Leisure
Music and movies
reading . Work
60. Shadow door
A translucent light door that allows to view shadows of people who pass by
it. The constant change in shadows reminds the user about the existence of
people around, movement and life.
54
62. Private sensory box
Private box with low seating, a transparent viewing point to look out, Sensory floor
to give a sensation of comfort to the feet : similar to sand in a beach.
56
63. sleep
the adjustable soft bedding space for the user to rest, feel comfortable. With free
space around so that one doesnt feel cornered in the space.
57
64. Skylight
Skylight to connect to the outside when lying down.
A sense of freedom and realization of time & the world outside.
Fog glass
The Glass fogs up and clears out. A barrier communication zone where one
can view and talk to the person / visitor while they eat or communicate.
A zone where visitors and close ones can share their time with the user of
the space.
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65. the active window
This is a fixed component that gives a notion of a window. It consists of
wooden blinds; vertical and horizontal in orientation to allow controlled
light onto the space as one desires.
It is an air purifier by function, has a curtain that creates an imagery of
breeze (that dances when air blows).
“The darkness of the
room matched the
darkness of her
thoughts. But the
curtain, dancing softly
in the breeze, reminded
her that beyond those
four walls there was
life. . . . .
and that was enough.
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