This portfolio summarizes Purnima Das's architectural work, including urban design projects, research theses, live projects, and various other works. Some of the key projects discussed are an urban intervention in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad that aimed to improve quality of life through community spaces, a design thesis proposing a student hub for IIT Bombay to encourage exploration and interaction, and restoration of an historic family home in Palakkad, Kerala. The portfolio showcases Purnima Das's range of experience and abilities across different project types and locations.
2. This portfolio is a collection of selected works accumalated from my time at the CEPT
University of Ahmedabad, Inspiration Architects, Cochin and Ash and Maple Designs,
Thane.
Most works exhibited were accomplished as part of a design team and some were
solo works.
3. Urban Intervention: Jamalpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 2009.
Design Thesis
The Hub: a place to stop, look and listen. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, 2010.
Research Thesis
Studying the Sacred Architecture in Public Spaces of Matho, Ladakh.
Live Projects
Restoration of an old family house: Palakkad, Kerela.
Extension to Laurie Baker’s House, Trivandrum.
Portable House, Kochi, Kerela.
Interiors of a 2BHK for Mr. Sathe, Thane, Maharashtra.
Various Projects
4. Concept: The intention
behind our proposal was
to provide a variety of
functions interspersed
across the site to create
a network of human
interaction.
This intervention will
have only minimum
impact on the lifestyles
of those residing on the
site currently, but will
improve their quality of
living.
These improvements
will come as a result
of the increased
community and public
interaction in living,
education, commerce,
and recreational
activities. Implicit in the
improvement of quality
of life is the expansion
of educational programs
offered in the area for
people of all ages and
backgrounds, together.
5. These educational
programs will vary from
conventional schooling
methods for children
to arts and crafts based
workshops intended to
provide opportunities
for women and elderly
to lead more sustainable
lives and become more
independent by leaving
the domestic realm.
We intend to integrate
the diverse program
across the site by
creating different spatial
conditions and mixing
functions both vertically
and horizontally.
Urban Intervention: Jamalpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 2009.
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6. The site sits on the lake edge giving vistas of the hills around and the Powai Lake
with the new constructions happening around it. The never-ending blue and green
relaxes the eye, allows a person to stare into nothingness, gives time to think and self
inspect.
Area of Concern
To revitalize the lake and the ecosystem of IIT Campus
To provide a better living standard for students
The Hub: a place to stop, look and listen.
Initial Understanding of the Site.
7. The hub is a place where young, chaotic energy will be put to productive use. Dealing
with freedom is difficult, but the produce of a free mind is beautiful. It will help
students develop a lager overview to the world through exposure, participation and
interaction. It will sensitize them to environment, culture and heritage. It shall provide
for a space for chance happenings. Sensations away from the institutes academic
structure and freedom for independent thought. Will allow them to explore their
interest and learn to use their theoretic brains in today’s practical issues.
Site Insertions:
1. Recreational centre for
Under graduate students
2. Recreational centre for
Post graduate students
3. Students Pavillion
4. Innovators Club
5. The HUB
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, 2010.
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Site Map of IIT Bombay with design interventions highlighted.
8. An archival space was
also proposed for
students and professors’
extracurricular projects,
which include a large
variety of innovations and
games. Thus encouraging
them to break out of the
box and take inspiration
from their predecessors.
A Vet equipped with
a small clinic will also
impart basic wildlife
information to the
students; this will
increase the interaction
between students and
animals on campus. Again
taking them as close as
possible to the ecosystem
they live in.
The Hub: a place to stop, look and listen.
Conceptual Ideas Ground and First floor Plans.
Final Design Ground Floor Plan.
9. The hub is not only for students and professors but
also for the citizens of Mumbai. A place where a public
forum can take place.
Exhibitions will also be held of students works, which
would involve the citizens in the progress of IIT as
an institute and allow for their expertise to come
together to give rise to larger and creative workforce.
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, 2010.
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3D Render of the Design made on Sketchup.
10. The landscape of Ladakh is adorned by several religious structures which apear at
regular intervals. These religious structures represent the faith and beliefs of the
society and their religion. Thus the people gather around these religious structures
making it simultaneously a public space.
Studying the Sacred Architecture in Public Spaces of Matho
Section through facing prayer wheels across the road in Matho, Ladakh.
Section through a Mani Wall, with a Stupa and a Prayer wheel at the entrance of Matho
11. The study looks for scientific explanations to understand the Principles on which the
design of the structures depend.
These public nodes; Sacred landscapes is an evolution through time and generation of
families whohave added and still continue to build this landscape.
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Ladakh, 2011.
Stupas at the entrance of the village of Matho
Section through a huge complex of mani wals and stupas in Matho.
12. The house approximately 80 yeard old made in wood and bricks, had to moved and
restored. This activity involved a complete study of the wooden joineries in the
building, understanding the assembly of the parts and numbering each element so
that they can be put together again.
Each element had to go through cleaning and chemical restoration those which had
disintegrated had to be replaced with newly designed elements.
Restoration of an old family house: Palakkad, Kerela.
13. The project involved designing en extension of two extra bedrooms to the existing
2BHK house designed byt the renowned Architect Laurie Baker. The extension had to
follow the language of the house. The bedrooms were for the young siblings of the
family and the rooms had to overlook the small pond in the compound.
The area was a restriction and the extension floated over the pond. This was achieved
by using post and beam structure which reduced the footing are.
Extension to Laurie Bakers House, Trivandrum.
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Working Drawing of the proposed Design. Key plan of the existing house.
14. The portable house was a joint venture by KFRI, Kerela Forest Research Institute and
design firm Inspiration. The intention was to develop a house which is both economic
and durable. This design allows easy transportation and quick installation. It can be
transported as a box of 40sqft plinth area, which unfolds into 200sqft of living space.
In cases of disasters it can act as a relief structure.This design if mass produced can be
available at an affordable price of 1.25 lacs thus can be used as rehabilitation housing
for slum dwellers and migrant labourers in urban areas.
Step by step diagramatic understanding of the unfolding of the structure.
15. A extension of a toilet has also been proposed for a
customised portable house. This aids the design and
makes it habitable. Two units can be combined to form
a house for a big family. These were also proposed to be
used in resorts near beaches as temporary shelters.
They are also being custom made as offices for ongoing
site projects and as extension for many offices.
Portable House, Kochi, Kerela.
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Plan showing how an unit can be used.
Plan showing how a unit can have an attached toilet, and two such units together.
17. Interiors for a 2 BHK flat in Thane.
Interiors were done using modular tecnology. The idea was to provide a lavish yet
simple and chic look without comprimising on cost but econimcal for the client.
The design sticks closely to simplicity and efficiency in design.
This was established by using a muted colour pallete and the minimal and ergonomic
organisation of furniture.
Interiors of a 2BHK for Mr. Sathe Thane, Maharashtra.
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18. Designing a Public Forum at Horniman Circle Next to Asiatic Society, Mumbai.
The design was to provide open spaces for the citizens of the busy metropoiltan
city to gather and discuss major issues regarding the world, people and nature. The
motive of the design was to inculcate the habit of reading and understanding from
the experiences from the past. The building included an extension to the Asiatic
library , an amphi theatre, conference rooms and audio visual room.
19. Design exercise in Tensile
structures.
Creating a module that
can be repeated to form
a stadium enclosure.
Various Projects
Designing an Artists
Camp in Tellichery Kerela
A space to stay and work
for artists.
