rukhsanaDesigns

Chennai of All Places

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 06:12:00 +0000

January took me to a place I never thought I would visit.
I am a big fan of cities and my imagination can conjure up pictures of places I am yet to see. Google the details and my fantasy is strengthened until I just need to step into the picture. It is such an amazing world!

But Chennai never vibed with me. So when fate took me to the south Indian city I had no mental pictures. First look, its a metropolitan as any other. Second look, there is something quaint about this monstrous urban mass. Modernity and development are being stamped on to it and yet it retains its old world flavour. The language barrier is acute but I was not estranged from the people. They are helpful and inviting. I could feel that values and traditions are important here, making it my kind of place.

The destination was IIT Madras. My first time on an IIT campus. It was a pleasant surprise. The setting is a lush jungle with deer roaming freely among the trees, grazing in the lawns. Beautiful! The old and the new are bound by the green. And everywhere you can feel the buzz of intellectuality. Of course that could be imagined since the institution has created an aura for itself.

Was there to present my research on 'Neighbourhood Open Spaces for Social Cohesion' at the International Conference of Smart City Models 2019 held jointly by IIT-M and IEEE Madras Section.Another tick on my things never done before. A good feeling of accomplishment and pushing boundaries.

So final verdict on Chennai, I don't think I should give it just yet. Two days is too short a time to understand the depths of this huge city. It is smelly; traffic is horrible; has a wonderful colonial heritage; is well connected by an efficient metro and bus service but it also a lot more that I didn't get to see. Biggest disappointed- the horribly dirty and overly crowded beach. I was yearning to see the ocean. Maybe next time...

What do you think of the city? Do let me know in the comment section.

Let's Share

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 18:47:00 +0000

Last week I was attending a joint urban planning studio at one of our country's premier institutions. During the initial sessions in Nagpur when we were planning our trip, the word 'integrated' was mentioned and I was immediately hooked. Seduced by scenes of discussions, debates and knowledge sharing, I was looking forward to the whole experience albeit with some hesitation at being a middle-ager among a class of sharp young minds.
A study carried out in Singapore shows that collaborative learning enhances the learning experience by diversifying views and increasing understanding. With Europe moving towards open access to research data, here was our chance to share knowledge and experience for a greater good. But it seems most institutions still believe in the famous quote by Chanakya ,
"The biggest guru-mantra is: never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you."
So the week was a game of cloak and dagger. Espionage tactics were sharpened and ambushes carefully planned. Sadly this clearly reduced our productivity and enthusiasm. To think we could have achieved so much had we joint forces and worked together. The city would have benefited from our contribution.
Yes, I know the European Network of Research Integrity Offices (ENRIO) is still trying to address the unintended consequences including the ethical issues of open access to research data and publications. But at least they are willing to deal with this and move forward.
I believe in healthy competition in the class where we are vying to get the best grade and thereby prove ourselves. No harm there. But when working as professionals on a project that could go on to make a difference in the lives of the city's citizens, access to data needs to be unrestricted. We want to give them the best solution possible - together.

So the reason for the behavior meted out truly escapes me. I have been pondering on it...
We were dealing with the BIG names in education. Could there still be a desire to establish themselves as best among equals? Why not let the work speak for itself. Would sharing have blurred the hierarchical order that was laid down through out the week?
Or did they believe they couldn't trust us with the data? The decision to work together was taken in mutual agreement by the higher ups. Maybe the essence of the word 'integrated' had not penetrated through the top layer. We faced a lot of closed doors and brick walls.
Or were we wrong to expect anything more than a formal introduction and should be thankful for being granted access to select areas. We were, after all the outsiders.
Or maybe I am a wishful thinker. An old-schooler in a cut throat new world. I guess I was the most upset by the bursting of the bubble I had shaped in my head. The others took it in their stride.
All said I never believe that experiences are wasted. There were lessons learnt in plenty. Saw some excellent work by the brightest in the country.Did some catching up with old friends. And squeezed in a little bit of sight seeing too.
Here's to being a part of a more integrated studio soon.

The Whole 3D Picture

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 15:23:00 +0000

I am here to sing praises of Google again! Can't help it, they are such a helpful lot.
Just finished a few preliminary views for a client. Thanks to a good colleague of mine who introduced me to GOOGLE SketchUp a few years ago, creating 3D has become child's play.

While AutoCad 3D/Revit is a Mechanix set, SketchUp is clay dough! It's so simple and the huge Warehouse of free to use 3D models is a time saver.

Pre SketchUp Era I would be explaining the picture in my brain through a 2D drawing where one rectangle was a chaise lounge and the other was a recliner but they both looked alike. And since my sketching is not the best I would make a botched up effort to make things clearer.
The process is less complicated now. Views are always the best medium to get your idea across.
SketchUp is an easy to use tool for quick presentations. The more refined images by graphic creators can follow later when the design is finalized.

Another feather in the cap for Mr.Google. Ty.

The Changes

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Thu, 17 May 2018 16:39:00 +0000

Summer time and lazy days.
Time at last to sit down a moment and contemplate on whether the past and present are leading to the right future. These past years I have ventured into new territories. Why? At last the reasons for won over the reasons against.

The first change was the ending of my years in the field and practice to go into teaching. Since then many interviewers have asked in amazement the reason behind this sudden shift and I have always come up with a new excuse. They are just that, all excuses. Maybe the forties do some strange things to you.
Academics is a territory I had always shied from since verbal expression has never been a strong point. The idea of holding long one sided conversations and then being bombarded by questions was not appealing. But the choice was made and this new life has brought a lot of rewards. Sitting in the office in front of the computer for nine to ten hours can drain you of intellect. I had forgotten the fun of meeting people and exchanging ideas, of doing. There have been so many new experiences these two years that I am amazed. So many people have entered my life, my phone book and my Facebook page

The first change caused the second. I altered my role of teacher to student and went back to the other side of the classroom. Learning is always a challenge of opening new doors in the mind. During the first year I found myself in another new role of researcher. Maybe I need to explore it further in the future.

In 2017 I enrolled into full time college and sat down with a class filled with students twenty years younger than me. The age gap could have been insurmountable but somehow we began to communicate through the common language of cityscapes and competition. The fact that my son has kept me updated in music, movies and slang helped!

The year has been tough. More than anything else I have ever done. Makes me ask all the time- Is it worth it?

This is my present. The future- unknown.
I might have to tweak the blog a little to encompass the many news that have come into my life.
As for The Class, well let's say it can soon fill a whole book of chapters.

The Words to Say

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Sun, 13 May 2018 08:49:00 +0000

The words of the book

Crumble and fall.

Alas! They slip through…

There are cracks in the wall.

This is the façade I have built,

It stands tall!

Proud in its strength,

It will surely fall.

Oh! I fail to see

The future that lies ahead.

My ears are deaf

To warnings frequently said.

For of course the day arrives

My front is shattered!

Fragments of my ego

And falseness tattered.

I scramble to fortify,

I must save my valuable guise.

While the wisdom scatters

And is forever lost to my eyes.

By the time I arise

My path has vanished.

I am secure in my present

And my future is relinquished.

Too late, I seek in vain;

What am I looking for?

I have my armour again,

Yet I am more vulnerable than before.

Hope! The understanding may return,

All I have to do is pray.

A simple task made unachievable

Because I don’t have the words to say.

My Life in Cartoons

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 18:37:00 +0000

Once upon a very long time ago I was very into cartooning.
I doodled everywhere and especially on my notebooks. My daughter is showing signs of walking in my foot steps. Her comic strips is about a family of tea cups- Super Cute!!
Have been rummaging through my special things and finally found my old papers to show her.
Here are a few. They are about life in a REC girls' hostel in 1997.

And here is something I did for the college magazine.

We put up a one page news scoop before the final print

A poster calling for contributions to the college magazine.

These two became a regular feature in the magazine.

This frame laments the steep rise in housing rents.

My Friend Google

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 17:32:00 +0000

Google is a good friend of mine. Which is why it pains me to see how lightly my students treat him.

Monday morning. I introduce a new topic. A research assignment is handed out. They scurry to the library and flip through a few pages.
Are they really a generation of readers? They will Whatsapp and text but googling is an art that needs to be acquired.
Submission date closes in and the few words are spread out to fill a blank sheet with blankness. Such a shame..

There is this vast sea of information at their finger tips and yet they know not. A genius awaits with so much to offer. But they approach him with all the wrong questions and impatience.

Google is a good friend of mine as I am his. He divulges his treasures to me because I approach him with understanding. And I have googled him endlessly!! Search engine secrets are openly available for the seekers. These are some good ones.

So what do I google? Recipes, people, tech problems...list goes on and on. Almost any topic can be researched endlessly. How to make biryani? Countless methods will pop up in a second. And the info is across borders, totally international. Cool.

Writing research papers is also so much easier. All you need is a knowledge of Google Scholar and the ability to sieve tirelessly through countless pages of scholarly jargon. Physical searches and financial expenses toward purchasing large volumes of works is cut down to a minimum.

Doors have opened. Dear students, Walk in!

Put your net packs to good use by seeking knowledge. Even after centuries of living on this world Knowledge still equals Power and Google is the new Power Tool. How do you wield this key?
Here it is, simply put:

1. Know what to ask. It is always a matter of trying out words and phrases.

2. The right answer is not always the first on the list. Read between the lines and open a few tabs.

3. Images are easier to search through than words.

4. And last and but not the least know that what you need is out there somewhere, its just a matter of perseverance. Trust in Google!

Newton's Kitten

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 06:11:00 +0000

Nothing requires the architect's care more than the due proportions of buildings. - Vituvius

Was Issac Newton a genius for making separate entrances for his cat and kitten? Some might argue that he was insane.

When Goldilocks tested the bears’ chairs and beds for comfort was she was looking for more than the softness of the cushions? Papa Bear’s bed was too big but Baby Bear’s crib was just right and she was off to sleep!

Size and proportion are important to functional comfort. Le Corbusier’s Modulor which is the foundation of much of our standardization is based on an ideal European man. All the rest of us, which may amount to 99% of the world’s population, have to simply manage the best we can. So all the short, tall, thin or fat people, we either fall in line with the Modulor man or adjust. This is particularly difficult if you are a small human being - a child. A toddler or a kindergartner is a special age when they need to explore and understand the world around us. With their limited resources they are prone to accidents and can really do without the added man-made obstacles caused by insensitive planning.

I am witness to this daily struggle against differently scaled objects. My four year old has to prop herself on a pile of cushions to reach our dining table. A big damper to her big child ego. Also a precarious situation of balancing whilst punching her teenage brother on the ear!

I have tried to help her the best I can. When placing switch boards in our new house I kept in mind that she cannot reach the standard five feet height. By placing them a foot lower than the usual I have empowered her to be independent and contribute to our energy saving ways.

And I bought her a small plastic stool that she can carry around the house to reach those out-of-reach areas. “Mommy. What are you cooking?” she asks standing tall beside me (on her handy stool), craning her neck to look into the pan. She can help me dust the shelves, put away her clothes and peep out of the windows.

These are all the adult places she can reach.

But which is her favourite place in the house?

She loves sitting under the table. That’s her home. She can put up bed sheet curtains and place her soft toys on cushions on the floor. The whole house scales down to the four legs of the table and is more her size. This is her comfort zone.

Her single bed is crammed with soft toys. When she sleeps she needs just 1’ x 3’ out of the 3’6” x 7’ bed. The rest becomes a vast emptiness that scares her at night. Her little friends help fill up that void and act like tiny security men watching over her.

Emperors and kings found scale and proportions a handy tool with which to lord over their subjects. Enormous statues exalted their might and made others look like mere mortals. Children feel the same way when faced with a huge front door or a large deep arm chair. The might of the Adults is evident and they are lost. A small side door is what they are looking for to escape to freedom.

So returning to Newton’s cats. The brilliant scientist cut out a hole in the door for his cat because it constant comings and goings were disrupting his optical experiments. His genius mind also realized that the big hole with its velvet flap would be too big and heavy for her tiny kittens so he made a smaller one for them. He knew the importance of scale and proportion especially for little ones.

The Beast Named Architecture

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 05:38:00 +0000

Found this musing in a long forgotten diary. I am skeptical of labeling it a poem because of technical errors in its construction...
Anyway, I believe these minor details will be overlooked when you understand that this was written by a first year B.Arch student. Those were tough times. I see it with my students and sympathize.

Miles to go before I sleep,
but time and tide wait for no man.

The mysteries of the world, and architecture
grow and multiply before I can
grasp the tail of the creature
and sweep myself into its bowels.
I want to learn the language
and here I am, grappling with the vowels!

Doors that once led out
are slamming shut.
The enchanted woods of knowledge
whisper enticements but
the steep rocky road
winds long and far.

With my limp,
I am praying for a car.

Be Kind and Dance

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 06:43:00 +0000

So much said about kindness..
No act of kindness is ever wasted. We rise by lifting others. Never look down on anybody unless you are helping him up. Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear & the blind can see.
But in this brutal world it is so difficult to give without expectation and receive without hesitation.
Someone extends a helping hand and we either pull back in fear of the strings attached or fabricate those strings in our mind so that it is easier for our ego to accept the kindness.
After all would we ourselves help another being without reason?
Give without regret. Impossible for the fractured souls of the modern world. Isn't kindness a sign of weakness? How can you go around performing selfless acts when you need to be ruthless to move ahead in this world?
We blame it on society when we know the reason is within. And we cast the whole of human kind in the same mould. Such a pity.
So.... should we be dancing?
Life Vest Inside are talking about Dancing for Kindness and people all over the world are ready to move to the groove. Should we be doing it? I guess so...maybe we should. The hesitant soul needs retraining and Dance could a first step toward kindness. That's because when you dance:
1. You need to leave your inhibitions to get your body to move in rhythm
2. You need to keep in step with the others, be one part of the whole mob
3. You need to accept the joy it gives to be with others and radiate that joy to those who surround you.
4. You need to be kind...to your mistakes and those of others
Mahdibagh Youth Club in Nagpur is going to be a part of the world wide flash mob of kindness on November 13th. We started off the kindness training with an rangoli event on Diwali. Some amazing entries. Here's the link.
One last thought. Does it end with one dance. How do we move from there? Hope the music plays on and we remember the steps till next year.

Bamboo- the Wondergrass

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 05:56:00 +0000

While our students spent two days at the bamboo machaan-making workshop with Shweta Bhattad of the Gram art project at Paradsinga village, I mulled over the celebrity status of this humble material. It is a grass after all! So why celebrate the 6th World Bamboo Day on 18 September?

World Bamboo Day was declared by the Thai Royal Forest Department on 18 September 2009 in Bangkok, during the 8th World Bamboo Congress held at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel. The aim- to alter the image of bamboo as a poor man's material and bring it into the main stream especially in the developed world.

The scientists at University of Pittsburgh are testing several varieties of bamboo for their strength and mechanical properties. By standardizing these tests they aim to see that bamboo is safely used in construction.These tests also reveal the true strength and flexibility of this material. In fact some varieties are comparable to steel in their strength to weight ratio. Prof. Madhumita Roy's research on permanent bamboo buildings at Jadavpur University, West Bengal is also worth mentioning.

Bamboo building workshops are helping to forward age old building techniques to the new generation and are also experimenting with other revolutionary methods. Auroville Green Practises Workshops feature various programs related to bamboo construction. '

The Maharashtra State Bamboo Development Board was set up this month as part of the National Bamboo Mission at last bringing credibility to the numerous bamboo workers in the state.
Nagpur has the appropriate weather and a huge potential for bamboo constructions. The government really needs to boost its growth and use so as to ease pressure from our forests.

This wondergrass has come a long way from being recognizable only as panda food to becoming the poster boy of future sustainable building construction.

Building Building Models

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:03:00 +0000

Models are a beneficial tool to teach and understand architecture. And they are such FUN to make! With the advent of computer graphics this art is losing its importance in the field and sadly in education too.

I noticed many cringed faces in class when I announced that the design brief will include a to-scale model.

Haven't you noticed that its so much easier to pass the time scribbling on a sheet than actually putting your hands to use and building something.

Cutting, pasting and measuring are daunting tasks to many. FEVICOL and THERMOCOL prove to be a deadly combination, leading to sticky hands and snow covered hair.

But once made, a model enables the student to actually visualize spaces, forms, scale and all the rest of the architectural jargon.
2D pops up into shape and makes the imagining so much easier. The rough CONCEPT model encourages experimentation. Blocks can be twisted, turned, cut and extruded. The results are amazing!

Once the final drawings are ready then a refined PRESENTATION model is prepared. This tool can simplify communication. Many a shivering first year has been saved by his model during the final review when words and reasoning have failed him!

The Arts University Bournemouth, U.K. offers a 3 year B.A.(Hons.) course in Model Making. How interesting! Design-skills.org gives some good advice for students.

Happy Model-Making!

Hello?

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 18:38:00 +0000

It has been more than two years since my last post and I have been shying away from returning to my blogger world. Why? Because once here it is a commitment that I have already broken before. So should I say 'Hello' again. I guess I already have...

Time flies. And not necessarily when you are having a good time. The past years saw me spend time at Syed Mobin Architects, connecting with the world of builders and hi-rise buildings. Every fresh venture opens a new world of learning. And another group of whatsapp friends :)

The present finds me at T.G.P. College of Architecture...!!Imagine that!!

The 'Teacher' tag sits oddly and heavily on my shoulders. Have never been comfortable with words and now I have these fresh young minds sponging in all that I tell them (Well, usually....unless they are busy texting or snoozing). It has been a good impetus to dust off the cobwebs and get the grey matter charged up again. Have been a regular at the college library. It has been so long since I have read any of the heavy stuff. (Groan..)

There were a few unsure first steps and unavoidable stumbles but the year has seen its triumphs. It is so rewarding to see a student rise in confidence and realize his/her hidden potential.

The NEW SESSION means a lot of new-s. The first year admissions will bring in the NEW FACES. We will try out NEW WAYS to get the students excited about their work again. Hopefully, they will come up with brand NEW IDEAS and by the end of the year we will really actually be able to DESIGN!

Jungle Safari

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 17:18:00 +0000

The Jungle Safari is open for business!

Three weeks after hearing the design brief the office is complete with furniture, lighting, flooring and paint.

The one room 200 sqft office will seat 5 people and their visitors. They will specialize in jungle packages so the theme for the office was obvious.

The mdf jali with the company logo greets clients. The door is lined with cut outs of some of the popular animals seen in a jungle safari.

Inside, the company colors are used to make a brand impact. The bamboo is a fun element used to strengthen the jungle feel.

The tiny office is filled with storage space for the many files they generate. The seating is spaced and comfortable.

It is the front wall that catches the eye with its vivid green and tiger stripes. It will soon have a LCD to play informative videos of their featured destinations.

This is the third office I have designed for this company.

The first was done very many years ago.

The second is on the same floor as the third. Here are a few snaps.

The office has a counter in front and a table for the accountant behind it.

It has two cabins, one of them for the Director.

The ceiling is my derivation of a moving train!

The red and white theme comes from the company colors. The white in both offices helps to brighten the space and make it seem larger.

With this third office a hat trick is complete.

Looking forward to designing their next office and may there be many more ;)

Another Renovation

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 17:47:00 +0000

rukhsanaDesigns is now simmering on a back burner....
I began this year by joining the office of Ar.Ashok Mokha here in Nagpur. These six months have flown by, filled with work and a fare share of fun.

Which leads us to this house. The architectural part of the project was completed more than a year ago and the furniture was finished in May. It was last week that I eventually pulled out the camera to take a few photos.

This was a large scale extension and renovation. It is a semi-detached house. The families have grown over the years so the building had to expand around them.
It originally consisted of two homes, each had a small hall,kitchen, dining area and a bedroom below with two bedrooms on the first floor.
The houses were extended on both sides to make room for generous bedrooms, living areas and kitchens.
Though the pair were planned and built together, I was involved in the interior part of only one of the houses.

The two roofs and heavy columns dominate the entrance to this house.

Inside, the hall is undivided. The door opens to a small seating area near a window and then leads to the main drawing room.

The furniture is from Kashmir except the TV unit which was designed to match.

The flooring is white marble which continues to the stairs.

The staircase leads from the drawing room to the bedrooms above. The carved wooden balusters and glass panels make a beautiful combination. Colourful light filters in through the large glass panel on the landing.

On the first floor is the living area. I designed the display unit more than a decade ago, one of my first projects.

This area leads to all the four bedrooms on this floor.

The youngest son has a bedroom which opens on to a beautiful view of a lush green playground and golf course.

He has his own dress and bath. The wardrobe has unequal doors and two drawers in the center. The dressing table matched the lines of the bed.

The other bedroom has a walk-in closet. A first for me. I can now see why they are so convenient, no opening and shutting doors to find what you are looking for..your whole wardrobe at a glance.

The attached bath is a lovely lavender. The light streams in through a panel of glass blocks, you can see them reflected on the tiles!

This is the view from the master bedroom.

Two single beds were attached and refurbished with new laminate and headboard to make the bed.

The master bedroom also has a walk-in closet and an attached bath.

The walk-in...

and the bath...

Another renovation completed. This is definitely leading to a specialization!

The City of Pearls

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:25:00 +0000

Qutub Shahi Tombs- chamber to perform burial rites

Hyderabad is a favorite of mine, has been for a long time. I first visited the city as a little girl with my parents and don't remember much about it except the Jama Masjid and the zoo.

Qutub Shahi tombs

I returned in 1996 and 2000. And my latest visit was in December with hubby and children.

We had a wonderful time! There is so much to see, do and eat!

What I love about Hyderabad is how the old and the new blend together to form one vibrant city. There seems to be no tussle between the two halves of the whole. You can marvel at the Qutub Shahi tombs and then stop for lunch at the Inorbit Mall.

Hitech City, CyberCity and Old City.

The people here can switch from the unique Hyderabadi Urdu to English U.S. style! Culture, history gets along so well with the new tech, its amazing.

We crammed our week with all the usual tourist spots. I am posting photos of architecture that caught my eye.

Qutub Shahi tombs

Qutub Shahi Tombs: Really liked the shape of the dome and its proportion to the buildings. Its eerie walking among these massive tombs, in a city for the dead..

Golconds fort: The ingenuity in building of this massive structure is worth mentioning. A favorite is the point at the entrance where any sound is echoed and heard at the highest part of the fort.

Chowmahalla Palace: Was struck by the beauty and grandeur of the buildings and the exquisite interiors.

Film City: A fun family place with over the top places! The real nakli maal ;)

Hitech City: Contemporary architecture, big glass buildings..The Cyber Towers and Cyber Gateway have a Star Trek aura of being way before their time.

Chowmohalla Palace

Beautiful Chandeliers

Film City: oddness

Hyderabad is good for a week of indulgence. But one can feel the city's infrastructure groaning under the burden of the rapidly growing population.
Standing for hours in a traffic jam everyday to and from work is not something a person would look forward to. The pollution is also thick in the air.

Though this metro has its downfalls, its draws are many and they will keep me coming back for short getaways!

Appropriate Construction for Community in Myanmar

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:37:00 +0000

I rediscovered the architect Laurie Baker this month.

I was researching for a new project when I stumbled upon his articles on mud architecture.
His writing opened a new world of appropriate technology and low cost building techniques.
I was amazed by the clarity in his understanding of materials.

But what has drawn me to this great man is his sincerity and humility.
His list of architectural principles says it all.

Don't Do That Which is Not Necessary!

The words seem deceivingly simple.

The architect's official site is full of information and a must for all members of the green brigade.

His work inspired my entry for the design of community center in Myanmar. I used mud and brick structures. I think he would have approved.

The main prayer hall is a round structure with two arms housing the classrooms.It forms the focus of the community functions. This is where people will gather for their instructions. Next to it is the kitchen and the dining hall. The hall is an open structure that can be shielded by coir mat curtains.

The dormitories are designed with 6 rooms facing each other across a passage. Each room is partitioned using a bamboo closet. All the buildings are oriented N-S to keep the walls facing the East and West short (to minimize heat gain) and to catch the winds during the humid rainy season. They have a gap in the roof for the hot air to escape.

Ar. Baker taught me to think of how people would use each area. When designing the kitchen I split it into a cooking area and a store with an open space in between for open fires and outside cooking. In the clinic there is a large area in front including the verandah for people to gather during a health camp.

The area in Myanmar has no electricity so I suggested solar panels and of course my pet project, the Biogas plant found pride of place.Yes, I am a big fan of Biogas ;)) I admire how it can make the useless so powerfully useful. The community will rear animals. Animals produce dung, plenty to produce electricity to light the dormitories.

From my end this competition is now done with. What will happen next? Will the client use the winning design to move forward? How soon will the community be built? Questions that will never be answered. So frustrating to be left in the dark.

A Zen Living Room

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 18:13:00 +0000

Here are the drawings I made for an interior design project.

A living room redesign.The client was looking for contemporary zen.

In my mind zen stands for simple,uncluttered and relaxing.
It is natural and organic.

The design for the living room began from that understanding.

The entrance door opens into a small space that is connected to the living room and is yet separated by its geometry. Beautiful wallpaper, an elegant console table, a large mirror and a pair of exquisite table lamps made the space a starter to the living room.

I went with hearty for the dining room. An aluminum clad farm-style dining table speaks of good food and family.
The stone veneer cladding helps to accentuate the long back wall and the fireplace is highlighted by oxidized metal panels.

The living area is split into two, one a cozy gathering near the window with a sofette and a rattan chair. The other part is the formal seating near the fireplace with four arm chairs instead of a cumbersome three seater sofa.

Did a lot of research for this one and my grey cells went into over drive! They are more accustomed to architecture than interior design. But after this one I just might change gears..more often.

Understanding Functions

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:41:00 +0000

For me it is always a challenge to design a space for a function I am not familiar with.

It happened first with the parking layout.
Since I don't drive a car I will always be at a disadvantage when it comes to understanding the parking radii and distances required. I may know all the norms but if told to squeeze in as many parking spaces as possible into a lot I am over cautious. I put in 5 spaces where people fit in upto 10!

The next project I encountered this disadvantage was with the fireplace. I have never used one nor seen one being used.
I had to spend 3 days understanding the basics. Then came the regulations and the products.
This is the final design.

Khadi recycled

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:42:00 +0000

I wrote this article years ago for Suite 101 and am recycling it here.

Khadi – Earth-Friendly Home Furnishing Fabric

Follow in the footsteps of the great Mahatma Gandhi, who propagated the use of khadi, by using this tough and versatile fabric to furnish your home.

Khadi is Indian handspun and hand-woven cloth. It is synonymous with Mahatma Gandhi and India’s freedom movement.
It was in 1921 that Gandhi launched a movement to persuade Indians to spin their own cloth or buy hand-spun cloth. This movement was aimed at rejecting foreign products that were choking the Indian market, and thereby make the economy stronger. It provided jobs to millions of rural poor especially women.
In the beginning khadi was linked to freedom fighters, politicians and the poor. Today is has reinvented itself into a fashion statement. The Indian Government has gone a long way in their effort to promote the khadi industry. They set up the Khadi and Village Industries Commission and also encouraged designers to use the fabric in new ways. The beginning was seen in the collection presented in Mumbai in 1989 by the KVIC which saw nearly 85 khadi garments designed by Devika Bhojwani.

Production of Khadi

Cotton is first hand picked and the fibers are separated from the seeds by a sharp comb-like object.
It is then ginned into slivers. These are spun into yarn on a spinning wheel. It was this hand-cranked spinning wheel called charkha that became a symbol of a free India.
The spun yarn is wound onto reels which then go to the weavers. Handlooms are used to weave the yarn into fabric.

Khadi is mainly woven in pure cotton, but it can also be woven in silk and wool or in a mix of fibers.
The making of khadi is eco-friendly since it does not rely on electric units and the manufacturing processes do not generate any toxic waste products.
In the Indian states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, organic khadi is produced by eliminating all chemicals involved in the farming of cotton and during weaving and dyeing of fabric.

Characteristics of Khadi Fabric

It is light and soft making it comfortable to wear.
Its weave creates air pockets which make it cool in summers and warm in winters.
It has a handcrafted self-texture making each khadi cloth unique and expensive.
Its inherent strength makes it highly durable.
Certain fine khadi, such as mulmul has a translucent quality.
Khadi silk which had upto 50% silk is priced for it richness and sheen.
Different Indian states produce different varieties of Khadi. In colder northern states woolen khadi is produced whereas in Madhya Pradesh special weaves such as Tussar Silk are made. The fabric is dyed in a variety of colors and decorated by block prints or it is tie-dyed. In Gujarat khadi is embellished with embroidery and mirror-work.

Maintaining Khadi

Khadi has to be dry cleaned or washed in cold water with mild soap.
It has to be starched to prevent it from crumbling.
Dark colors tend to run so have to be washed separately.

Use Khadi at Home
Khadi is so versatile that it can be used in various forms around the house.
It is made into durries, upholstery, cushions, mats, bed-sheets, and curtains. Artisans in each part of India have a unique weave and embellishment for the cloth so a variety of textures and colors are available.
The khadi industry ensures the employment of millions of rural poor. Moreover the production of this fabric causes a minimum impact on the environment, making it a must for those willing to go green!

Come Winter

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 07:08:00 +0000

Rain Rain go away! This year the monsoon has stretched on into the last week of September and I am longing to see the end of these wet days.
The winter festivals have begun with Ganesh Utsav and Mahalaxmi. I love the chilly days and the festive mood. It is a great way to see the year out.

In India the celebrations are always on. There are more than 50 major festivals marked on the calendar across the country. Most are celebrated with a bang, literally since fire crackers are a major part of the merriment.

Our way of celebrating usually leads to a mini Eco-disaster.

How Indian Festivals can Harm the Environment

Fire crackers cause noise pollution when they burst and also emit a large amount of smoke. People have lost their hearing due to loud bangs near the ear. Once they burst, crackers leave behind bits of paper and residual powder that litter the area.
Synthetic colors are usually used during Holi since they offer a wider range of shades. But these dyes are toxic causing irritation on skin and in the eyes sometimes leading to temporary blindness and skin discoloration.
Idols immersed into tanks and rivers or lakes cause water pollution. Plaster of Paris idols of the Lord Ganesha are sometimes washed ashore, still intact even after 15 days. The paints used on these idols add poisons to the water.
The burning of effigies emits toxic smoke and pollutes the surrounding area with pieces of paper and other residual material.

But as seen all around the world Eco-consiousness has grown. Schools have to be a given a great deal of credit for making the new generation more aware and active then we ever were.

Changes Made In the Celebration to Reduce Pollution

Children around the country are raising their voices against fire crackers, opting to celebrate as their ancestors did, by simply lighting diyas. Many of the loud varieties of crackers have been banned.
Plastic, thermocol and aluminum foil used to make Diwali lanterns are being replaced by the more eco-friendly recycled paper, jutes and match sticks.
Ganesh idols are now sculpted in unbaked clay, papier mache or better still, in cow dung. These materials are bio-degradable and prevent the clogging of lakes and rivers. Many people are opting for smaller idols and some have even chosen to retain the statue, making a symbolic immersion in a bucket of water.
Natural dyes such as turmeric, beetroot and henna are replacing toxic synthetic dyes.
Instead of using thermocol for decorations many are now using paper, cardboard or natural leaves and flowers.
Waste material is used as an alternative to the wood to light bonfires. In many areas a single bonfire is lit per community instead of the multiple smaller fires.

These are a few of the many ways to make a green impact.Its really up to us to choose to celebrate sans the noise and scale, in a more traditional way so as to reduce our eco-footprint.

Another pollution I am always concerned about during the festive season is that of our bodies. All that fried food and sticky sweets and not to mention the levels of alcohol consumed during a celebration leads to various ailments. And accidents.

Enter any office at this time of the year and a large percentage of the staff is either off to celebrate or on sick leave. They go hand in hand.

Come October!
The monsoon's over!
As the temperature drops

spirits are soaring;

Sales in the shops
have filled my wardrobe
and I ready for the fun,

The celebrations have begun!

Online Freelancing

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 03:59:00 +0000

A few months ago I was suddenly between projects with a lot of time on my hands.
I found my self drawn into online freelancing.

The aim of a contractor on a freelancing site is to:
1. Make a bid so appealing that the client is convinced into working with you.
2. Doing a decent job and keeping the client happy so that you get a good reference and can slowly build a reputation on the site.

I am not adding the financial aim to the list because payments on these sites are usually less than peanuts.

It is hard frustrating work; writing about a dozen bids and cover letters a day on two or three sites in the hope of landing a job. I admire the many people who make a living at this.

I did land a job eventually. It was a renovation for a small apartment. The client was very nice, understanding and prompt in payment (so important ;).

He was amazed at my English (?)! And I was amazed by his ideas.

We worked at it for more than two weeks before ending the contract amicably. I had provided him with a basic concept and a detail of the kitchen.

An initial Mood board/Concept design

The problems:
1. The distance, it is very difficult to visualize the challenges of a small space you have never seen and experienced first hand.

2. The time difference made prompt communication difficult.

3. A loss in translation, I am rarely this clueless on a job. But I have to admit that here I was struggling to see the bigger picture, to understand what was wanted of me and from the design.

After providing numerous views, plans and options it was goodbye. Here are just a sample of the drawings I made for the apartment.

One of the many Layout Options we made

An option

Another option

A view

The fun:
No its not all bad, freelancing can allow you to explore a whole new arena of designing. Designing for people across the globe has its thrills.

One option for a contractor is to align with a few reputable clients and work for them consistently. Great partnerships can be forged through the internet.

A firm formed by talented people across the globe can lead to a truly international architecture.

Right now I am done with this experiment. But I may venture into it again...and till then I am counting on my 'hire me' page to land me some good projects!

P.S. Did contact the client after a month to know if the renovation was finished. He sent me a photo to show how the kitchen fitted perfectly as per the design I had provided. Other than that the apartment was yet to come together.

A-Mazing Melbourne

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:52:00 +0000

Tourism Victoria and IndiBlogger have asked us about the experiences we would want to bring back from a visit to Melbourne.

This has been a very difficult post to write. But it had to be done.
Everyone around me and all that is within me is screaming

' IT'S YOUR TIME TO VISIT MELBOURNE NOW!'

Then why the difficulty you may ask.Well, the list of must-sees and must-dos in Melbourne is amazingly large and to choose is a seemingly mission-impossible.

The other difficulty I encountered were my numerous advisers who kept grabbing for the mouse to show me what I just had to add to my list of experiences.

Accommodation

The Old with the New

I started with a look at the architecture and am delighted to learn that the beautiful Victorian heritage still has a place among the contemporary. There is a long list of places to stay from hotels, apartments and cottages but its the Blair Terrace that has caught my eye with its old world charm. Wonderful for a week of solitude. I can just catch a groan in the background. My son's not happy with my choice; he would probably have me checking into the Marriot!

Getting around

Tram ride

I don't drive so its always important to me to decide on my mode of travel in a new city. The image of tram at the top of the official page has a smile on my face. Of course the city has a fleet of buses and cabs and I could walk to many of the destinations but ever since the tram ride in Vienna when I was a little girl I have been fascinated by them.

First stop

The Yarra precinct..WOW! I am captivated by the variety of architectural styles. Federation Square is a feast for the senses. I love the vibrancy, it is the most happening place in the city, a hub of activity.

My artist friend would have me spend the day in the Ian Potter Center but I have to take the time to stare at the audacious buildings around the square, trying to understand why they work so well in that space!!

Have been reading about how the Federation Square Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been developed to conserve water and energy and reduce waste. Wondering if I can bring home some great conservation ideas.

This is my chance to try some sushi, the Taxi Dining Room looks promising. Yuck! cries my little one :)

The Walks

I am a city girl. NB is urging me to get to the nature trails but I want to walk through the streets and lanes, trying to imbibe the city culture. The small shops, boutiques, cafes, churches, parks and historical buildings absorbed between cups of Melbourne's famed coffee.

My son wants to know if I would visit the old Melbourne Gaol at night and I just nod my head..as if!

How could I miss the award winning walk in the Royal Botanical Garden to explore the rich Aboriginal culture and experience their traditions.

In the sky

What better way to take in the city sights than from the sky. Global ballooning offer private sunrise balloon rides over Melbourne and my advisers all agree that it is an experience not to be missed.

The zoo!

My daughter has had enough. How could I not go to the zoo! I have seen many zoos in many cities, Singapore, London, Al Ain , Hyderabad...but the Slumber Safari overnight accommodation at Werribee Zoo has me hooked. I understand the thrill of sleeping in the wild and waking up to the magical sights and sounds of the thriving flora and fauna.

The beach

This is my son's suggestion. He is a water baby and would have probably headed to the beach at the word go. Catch the ferry from South Bank on the Yarra river to Williamstown beach. Soak in the blue water and golden sand, maybe while away the afternoon at the Craft Market if I am lucky enough to be there on the right day.

Melbourne is blessed with a list of beaches and a vibrant river. Water is driving force behind most of the important cities of the world.

At night

Princess Theater will be hosting the Tony award winning production 'South Pacific' and hopefully I will catch one of the shows. The heady combination of lights, music and superb acting would be an experience to cherish.

Melbourne by Night

Melbourne boasts of numerous music venues where one can listen to live acts playing rock, hardcore, indie to jazz and latin rhythms.It is after all Australia's music capital. In November it hosts the Australasian Worldwide Music Expo. Though they are yet to announce the full program for this year it is sure to showcase some of the best music from the region.

Eating

Why this low in the list of experiences..I am not a fussy eater. I am eyeing the mobile food vans with wonder, good quality cheap food to get through a day of sight seeing.

Just then a place stands out from the long list of restaurants and cafes in Melbourne, the Press Club. With its menu of Greek food including salad, roast vegetables and souffle it is a tempting experience.

Shopping?

NB wants this cleared out. When and where will I be doing my shopping? No where and every where I answer. He is not happy.

I would have to head to the Red Hill House to buy a few trinket made by the local artists, gifts for my friends.

The Metropolis Bookstore would be my next stop. I could spend hours browsing through their racks, picking up some jems. But my major shopping would be at Mag nation because I am a nut for magazines!

My advisers are looking through the list and wondering how I could have missed the Melbourne Cricket ground, Luna Park or the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park.

But there is just soooo much to see and do in Melbourne!! So many experiences I would love to include in my itinerary, I could spend a week just listing them all!

Getting to Melbourne would be an experience itself. Have set foot in Asia, Europe and Africa. Australia is next on the list. It's my time to visit Melbourne.

This post is my entry for the it's your time to visit Melbourne NOW! contest on IndiBlogger.
Looking for more info about Melbourne? Visit http://www.visitmelbourne.com/in

Soak no more

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Let my pillow

soak no more

worthless tears

of anger and self doubt,

that I may be free

from fears;

and the stains of this world.

My thoughts

and actions clean.

No hesitation

in taking the right path,

in marching

steadfastly towards

the final destination.

And at last

let my spirit

soar!

Soaked no more

in my self.

I have to thank Surf Excel Matic and IndiBlogger for hosting the 'Soak No More' contest and thereby inspiring me to write this post.

Eid Mubarak!

noreply@blogger.com (R&NB) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:17:00 +0000

Had a great Eid weekend. I surfaced yesterday but couldn't push myself to do much :)
Finally its back to work today.

This seems the right time for a post on mosques.
Two mosques are planning on an extension.

Exterior view of new wing

I mentioned the one in Quincy, New England before.
They are adding a new wing with prayer halls for both men and women with parking below.

Men's central prayer hall

Women's new prayer hall

The other is a beautifully painted mosque in Boston,Mass. It looks like an ornate paper mache box, the ones from Kashmir that almost everyone had 20 years back.
I like the shape of the roof. They are adding a whole new floor for the women to use as a prayer hall.
In my presentation I simply shifted the roof line a floor higher and added a minaret .

Front elevation