"Urbanary —​ Enjoy the City While Moving," thesis project by Jay Patel. NYIT Thesis Advisor: Marcella Del Signore. Image courtesy of Jay Patel.

For our latest installment of the Thesis Review series, we connected with New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) M.Arch graduate Jay Patel to discuss his project, Urbanary — Enjoy the City While Moving.

Patel explained that his work reflects the perception of urban spaces. He uses the city of New York as a reference to investigate "how a human-oriented city image is formed with people’s perceptions to design and define future cities and spaces." Patel's thesis project aims to explore a concept that "emphasizes how each urban location has a distinctive character that has been shaped by human interaction."

In our interview, he discussed his motivations for exploring the topic of architectural perception, urban usability, how Kevin Lynch's work influenced his research approach, and he shared his own path toward licensure in both India and the U.S.

Please provide a brief summary of your thesis/final project. What motivated you to pursue this topic?

My project is focused on the perception of “an image” of a city. Perceptions of urban space are usually linked to a picture portrayal that consists of something to be seen, remembered, understood, and applied. In examining this research and its relevance to different geographical and cultural contexts, this study looks at an American city to assess the applicability of urban planner Kevin Lynch and his framework for a city by trying to find out whether the framework still holds.

For this research work, New York City was selected for gathering fieldwork and people’s perception. A study of responses given by the people was carried out to fulfill the objectives of this project. Kevin Lynch’s work and criticism were taken as a base, and a present-day study was done to understand the city's image. The city provided the exploration of varied learning and the extension to the framework by the perception of people. The categorization of the sample and the categorization of answers for analysis led to inferences that were different from the expected learning outcomes. It further goes on to explore whether the imageability of cities and their elements have any correlation to how space is perceived. There is a subtraction and/or addition to those elements from which a city's image is perceived and how it helps to understand, design, and redefine urban spaces. Furthermore, the urban design prototype was designed to assess its applicability in today’s world through people’s perceptions.

My project is focused on the perception of “an image” of a city [...] In examining this research and its relevance to different geographical and cultural contexts, this study looks at an American city to assess the applicability of urban planner Kevin Lynch and his framework for a city by trying to find out whether the framework still holds.

Questions that triggered this project asked:

• Can we dream about an urban atmosphere that connects us with the city and its people?
• Can we imagine a "journey" in the city through cinematic movement?
• Can we combine architecture, people’s perceptions, and technologies to provide a comfortable urban experience?
• Can we create a flexible built environment that promotes citizen engagement, experience, and digital interaction?

The answer is yes, it's Urbanary. Why one should visit this project if/when it's built? The answer is that we need a starting point for experiencing New York City’s best places to visit. This "journey" is the starting point for that. Through this project, you will learn to experience the city and explore it in new ways.

This project is about highlighting New York City’s identity and its uniqueness through the medium of the “experiential journey”

Urbanary aims to create and design a journey of New York City through the movement and cinematic experience lens of people. New York City has a diverse culture, strong historical background, and different social communities. This makes it unique from other cities in the world. My project is about highlighting New York City’s identity and its uniqueness through the medium of the “experiential journey” through a motion and cinematic experience. We all undergo a "journey" in our day-to-day life, but living that "journey" through various experiences is the main focus of this project.

In this thesis, the prototype of one part of the journey will be designed in depth to explore the possibilities. There will be two major parts in this project: "Nodes" and "Connections." Nodes will act as pause points, and those points are mainly cultural spaces, institutional spaces, and public urban spaces. You will experience these Nodes and Connections through an enclosed experience, open experience, and experience through movement.

How would you describe your thesis to someone who doesn’t have an architecture background?

A city's dynamics revolve around its inhabitants at their center. People who live, work, and play inside a city's boundaries have a significant impact on its prosperity and vibrancy. A city's function and development are determined by the interactions and movements of its residents. Urbanary attempts to answer how a human-oriented city image is formed with people’s perceptions to design and define future cities and spaces.

The concept emphasizes how each urban location has a distinctive character that has been shaped by human interaction. The need for an engaging public area was acknowledged by everyone interviewed, which served as the basis for the design brief. According to the research, having an interactive urban environment will encourage people to sit back, unwind, and enjoy their city.

With this concept, Urbanary aims to close the gap between the past and the present by gleaning knowledge from how people view New York. The project intends to connect New York's notable sites via an engaging journey to raise the city's liveability rating. To achieve this, the design suggests building an immersive museum, a public area or theme plaza, and three dynamic corridors to create a continuous cinematic flow.

The project intends to connect New York's notable sites via an engaging journey to raise the city's liveability rating. To achieve this, the design suggests building an immersive museum, a public area or theme plaza, and three dynamic corridors to create a continuous cinematic flow.

Does your thesis fit within the architecture discipline, or does it challenge it?

The urban theory of Kevin Lynch's conception of the city serves as the foundation for the development of this thesis. I believe it does, but it undoubtedly challenges how we view and practice architecture in the modern world. Looking at the future and how AI is coming into the world, I think it's time we put people into the "Architecture." The majority of architectural designs today are exquisitely created by architects or designers and are simply made available to the public for use. In the age of "form follows function" and "more is more," we often overlook the value that users have because they are the ones who are most familiar with the context and surroundings. Seeing things through the users' eyes greatly aids in making design decisions.

For instance, it is common practice to turn unused land in a residential neighborhood into a park. My thesis questions this mentality. Why don't we ask the public what they need? They might require a plaza where they can go in any season, even when it is snowing, or a sitting area with a fountain. Rather than assuming what people require, I've learned to just ask them, thanks to my thesis.

...we often overlook the value that users have because they are the ones who are most familiar with the context and surroundings. Seeing things through the users' eyes greatly aids in making design decisions.

When I asked people what they thought New York City needed, many of them responded that the route we currently take is noisy, congested, and dirty. This was one of the major findings of my research. I have taken more than 50 interviews via Google Forms, 10 interviews via Zoom, and many more unsuccessful attempts at in-person interviews (due to Covid), and I have learned what people actually need. That is how I came up with the design concept of the "experiential journey," connecting city landmarks. As a result, my thesis questions how we see architecture in the modern world. Because of this, it will undoubtedly present obstacles for architects, but these challenges can result in beautiful architecture.

How has your thesis influenced your architectural perspectives?

Before I started researching people's perceptions, city image, and associational and physical aspects, architecture was more about "How can I build a space that is beautiful, sustainable, and functional?" I never imagined that functional design does not ensure user-friendly design. Each person, group, community, and culture is unique, and after conducting these studies, I strongly associate it with my experiences in India and the United States. This research and thesis project has had a significant impact on my architectural outlook.

Currently, I'm working on acquiring my EDAC (Evidence-based Design Accreditation & Certification). I'd like to learn more about people's roles in design, and my ambition is to create a theoretical framework, followed by an app/AI tool that collects people's perceptions, assesses them, and provides a collection of what people need. Eventually, I'd like to submit these ideas to city and state governments and the AIA to have them included in the code of conduct. That way, anything we designers create is for the PEOPLE in the truest sense!

What are your next steps? Academically/professionally?

I am a licensed architect in India, and before moving to NYC, I had my own practice. My dream is to get my architecture license in the United States. When I graduated with my M.Arch, people told me many things. The most memorable comment was that those who are good in school can never run a good practice. Especially if that person is a researcher. But I defer to that mindset. Currently, I am on that path to licensure and recently finished my Architectural Experience Program (AXP) hours. In the next 5–7 years, I hope to complete my Ph.D. in studying people's perceptions and city image. My goal is to take my architecture licensure exams, obtain a license, and establish a firm of my own, which will have a significant research component on people's engagement in design. As far as my research exploration goes, I recently published a paper on people’s perceptions called "Assessing Applicability of Kevin Lynch’s Framework of The Image of the City in the Case of the Walled City of Jaipur," and am currently writing another paper on the topic.

Currently, I am working at a healthcare architecture firm, and in the future, I would like to pursue the same field. I have always wanted to help people to the best of my abilities, and this is the closest I can do within the limits of my profession. I strongly believe that people’s perception is a must in any architectural design process. In the future, I would like to run a practice where people and the end user are an integral part of the design process. That way, we can build a world that is for the people, to the people, and from the people. Where society and community engagement is not just a singular meeting but built from the needs and wants of individuals.

How has your architectural education prepared you for professional practice and employment?

This question gives me mixed feelings. I have a Bachelor's degree from India and a Master's degree from the United States, so I can speak about my experience in both nations. In architectural education, the emphasis is on "developing a design mindset," although in reality, design accounts for only 15–20% of the total architecture project. However, the tools and abilities that we gain at school help us a lot when we move to the field, although not to the fullest extent. Having an M.Arch with a 4.0 GPA aided me in retaining positions at seven firms before graduation. Having good grades helps with employment. But even after five years of a B.Arch, two years of an M.Arch, and two years in the field, I still believe I don't know half of what I'm supposed to know. My objective is to learn this while studying for my license!

I think architecture is a profession where you don't know everything, yet you are equipped with knowledge. You learn something new every day, and that makes you feel alive. That is the beauty of this field and why I love architecture more than anything!

Archinect's Take 5 with Jay Patel

What music do you listen to when working?

Depending on mood — Ted Talks, Bollywood music, and if it’s late-night working, stand-up comedy!!

Mac or PC?

I used to hate Mac when it comes to architecture software compatibilities, so it was PC any day! But now, I am working at a firm where EVERYTHING is Mac, and I am becoming quite a Mac person.

Dream architect, to work with (living or dead)?

I really like the work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Balkrishna Doshi. I would LOVE to work with these two legends!

Best advice given to you by an instructor/tutor/etc.?

I recall two pieces of advice that have stayed with me, and I pass them on to students when I go to design critiques or guest lectures: 1) Always prepare for the worst. It is absolute in our profession. 2) In Architecture, there is white or black — there is no grey!

What’s an overrated architecture term?

I would say “exploration.” I strongly believe that one can explore their inner passion without going to five different countries! — Architecture is a perfect blend of art and technology, and for that, you need both creativity as well as responsibility.

Archinect's Spotlight on Thesis Projects: Archinect's commitment to highlighting student work doesn't stop at simply sharing projects. Our editorial team focuses on connecting with students and asking questions to learn their processes, architectural perspectives, and their take on the industry as young designers. To support recent and promote recent graduates, we've launched our latest iteration of Archinect's Thesis Review to highlight the work of thesis students during this unique time of hybrid and remote learning. Be sure to follow our Thesis Review tag to stay up to date as we release new project highlights.