I am a 2nd year graduate student in the Masters of Architecture program at Carnegie Mellon University, currently working on my design thesis of redevelopment sans displacement of slums in Indian megacities. I’ve always been interested in dealing with problems of affordable housing and possible solutions relative to it. I’ve realized through my studies that it is a global issue, and that “architecture for all” is almost a distant myth – unless an interdisciplinary approach combines social studies, economics, politics and other arms with architecture.
My end game is to work in the public interest and design build realm and contribute towards alleviating housing crisis in areas that are suffering, and I am hoping this thesis serves as a starting point for my goal.
In spite of being an M. Arch student and being a licensed architect in India for 3 years now, my keen interest in Urban Design and sustainability has led me to take on two different year long studio Urban Design Build Studio and Urban Design Studio wherein I did critical work both in a highly collaborative setting and individually as well. I am an avid reader and writer and have won several accolades for the same. These interests have led me to TA for Modern Architecture, Architecture and Arts, and Climate and Energy in Architecture courses taught at CMU by leading experts from around the world. I have interned with EvolveEA in Pittsburgh in the past summer under Marc and Christine Mondor, who do ground breaking work focusing on the people, place and process with an astute awareness of the environment - this ideology resonates with mine.
I am looking for a full time job opportunity at a firm that has a focus aligned with my interests of community-sensitive urban design and sustainability wherein I can research and work towards a better, sustainable future.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, US, Teaching Assistant
Courses : Architecture and Arts, Modern Architecture, Environmental Systems and Energy.
Modern Architecture - Sophomore class. Leading debates and discussions focusing attention on the 20th-century, and investigates the web of interwoven ideas and issues that characterize the modern age and modernism. Grading examination papers.
Architecture and the Arts - Freshman class. Leading debates and discussions on exploring the entangled relationship between architecture and the arts, and their struggle between autonomy and engagement. Coaching individual students to write a freshman level research paper. Grading examination papers.
Environment I: Climate & Energy in Architecture - Junior and Graduate Class. Helping students combine an understanding of the basic laws of comfort and heat flow with the variables of local climate to create energy design guidelines for their own work. Helping them compile a professional energy consultants report, designing the most viable energy conservation retrofit measures for their client from siting, massing, organization, enclosure detailing, opening control, to passive system integration and management. Grading examination papers.
evolve environment::architecture, Pittsburgh, PA, US, Architectural Intern
Work Details : Architectural design of single and multifamily residential units in Bozeman, Montana. GIS mapping, 3d modelling and graphic design for Etna, pilot Ecodistrict project in the world in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Graphic design for and participation in community planning meetings for multiple projects in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Wrote an article for evolveEA's zine publication.
Urban Design Build Studio, Carnegie Mellon, John Folan, Pittsburgh, PA, US, Crew Member
In my academic experience here at CMU over the last two years, I have primarily focused on urban studios, building performance and diagnostics. During the first two semesters of graduate education, I worked within the Urban Design Build Studio under Prof John Folan on a design-build housing prototype that dealt with social issues around housing while critically examining the role of housing and job skills training in de-concentrating poverty in the neighborhood. The vertically integrated studio, comprised of graduate and undergraduate students across multiple programs, utilized digital fabrication methods and advance sustainable design simulations to create culturally appropriate, contextually relevant and replicable housing model while collaborating with professionals and community members alike.
University of Liverpool - School of Architecture, Liverpool, GB, Consultant
Architectural documentation and awareness of domestic built heritage as part of The Hugli Rivers of Culture with the University of Liverpool, funded by the Indian Council for Historical Research and the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council.
SBASpectra Consultants Private Limited, Kolkata, IN, Architectural Design Intern
Pre bachelors completion Professional Training. Concept Design, Design Development and Construction Documents of residential and commercial projects in India. Graphic design for client consultations.
Raj Agarwal and Associate,Kolkata, Kolkata, IN, Architectural Design Intern
Involved in Design Development and Construction Documents of residential and commercial projects.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, US, MArch, Masters of Architecture
Courses
▪️Urban Design Build Studio (UDBS) 1 by Prof John Folan
▪️UDBS 2 by Prof John Folan
▪️Urban Design Studio 3 by Prof Stefan Gruber
▪️Urban Design Studio 4 by Prof Jonathan Kline : Thesis
▪️Generative Modelling by Prof Joshua Bard - GhPython,Grasshopper
▪️Enviro I : Climate and Energy in Architecture by Prof Vivian Loftness
▪️Enviro II : Design Integration of Active Building Systems by Prof Nina Baird
▪️Architectural Theory by Prof Kai Gutschow
▪️Ethics and Professional Practice by Prof John Folan
▪️Spatial Analysis in Infrastructure Planning by Prof Kristen Kurland
▪️Materials and Assembly by Prof Gerard Damiani - Details of Construction Techniques
▪️Urban Ecologies by Prof Christine Mondor
▪️Real Estate Design and Development by Prof Valentina Vavasis
▪️Environmental Performance Simulation by Prof Omer Karaguzel - DIVA-Ladybug-ArchSIM
▪️Architectural Lighting Design by Prof Cindy Limurao
▪️Earthen Building by Prof BenAlon
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, Kolkata, IN, BArch, Bachelors of Architecture
Accredited Degree. Licensed Architect in India.
George W. Anderson, Jr. Award, 1st Place
The George W. Anderson, Jr. Award may be awarded to graduate students studying in the School of Architecture who demonstrate through a completed project "an exceptional level of attention to detail and dedication to beneficially impacting the community."
Chief Editor, NASA India, Other
Annual students' journal of National Association of Students of Architecture, India.
Architectural Journalism Trophy, ZONASA 2015, 1st Place
Nationwide architectural journalism trophy.
National Award for Writing, TATA Literature Live! 2015 (Critics’ Choice), 1st Place
National Award for Creative Writing Critics Choice, India
Best Functional Model, 1st Place
International design workshop, hosted by Sapienza Universita di Roma and IIEST. Declared best functional and working model of hot and humid climate responsive facade design.
