Faculty of Architecture, Marwadi University, Rajkot

Subject Code: AC 921 Subject: Architectural Research Methods

Assignment- I Dt. June 30, 2020

(Please note that the feedback here is only a suggestion over what each one probably wanted to express
as an idea. You may compare with your write-up. )

Project I want to work on:

01. Zainab Parekh:

My wish has been to work on architectural design projects similar to the one that was
programmed for us during the second semester, i.e. exploring the five senses and designing a
pavilion for recreation. The program was well structured with the exploration and understanding
of the senses and sensitivities. I also discovered during the process, that there were quite a few
buildings which were designed responding to the five-senses.

Another objective in this design programme was to understand and comprehend the idea of
scale and also to inculcate a sense of architectural detailing. I had learnt in the process, the
importance of the site and understanding its various contexts- i.e. physical, cultural, social etc. I
also learnt how important it is to understand the site conditions and place the building
accordingly and work on the spaces that are public in nature and the need to invigorate them
with activities and make them enjoyable.

Besides, I have also developed a keen interest in the traditional or vernacular architecture. The
traditional or vernacular architecture not only relates to the local geographical or regional,
physical conditions, but also relates to the local climate. The architectural response is varied in
nature and construction techniques so unique. It would be quite an experience for me if I could
work such a project and relearn in the process. 4.5/10

02. Yash Gosain

I like to work on sustainable and eco-friendly structures. I tried to incorporate this in my past
studio projects that uses locally available materials with the lowest carbon-footprint and lesser
built-up areas etc. The concern for a sustainable future has surely inspired me and I am now
looking forward to work and learn more in this field. If possible, I would want to take this up as a
theme in my design thesis.

I had the opportunity to refer to some research work carried out on low-rise domestic structures
that addressed environmental concerns, use of renewable energy and concern for low-carbon
footprint. I am positive about the learning outcomes and am sure I shall be able to contribute to
the world in more responsible way. 4.5/10
03. Parth Sisodiya

During the past four years of my studies in architecture, I had the opportunity to have a glimpse
of works by some of the architects around and this helped me gain an insight into their approach
to design issues. I also learned in the process that there is vast difference in the lifestyle of
people living in the urban areas which differ from that of people living in the rural areas. The
difference can be observed in their food habits, work culture, beliefs and affinity to religion, level
of education and degree of acceptance to a progressive society.

Every household today is exposed to electronic gadgets and appliances. A person whether from
rural or urban background, is aware and also uses technology in every possible way. I feel that
we have lost touch with mother nature. We have become more dependent on technology and
have in the process, forgotten how to live with nature. My efforts would be towards a sustainable
development in every sense and, with a lifestyle that would promote the use of renewable
energy. 4.5/10

04. Misa Khanpara

Public Library- good attempt 7/10

05. Meera Parikh

I like the idea of minimalism and was always fascinated by the phrase "less is more" and
wondered how it can actually work. I would want to work with architects who actually have
demonstrated and showcased their work with regard to minimalism. There is a growing concern
about the piles of wastes all over the world and if we could reuse and recycle these wastes. The
subject of 'Sustainable Architecture' helped me rethink on my approach to architectural design
and use of building materials.

We human beings have been draining out the resources this planet has and a day will
eventually come when the next generation will be left with nothing sustain their life. I am
beginning to think on ways and means to contribute to the idea of minimalism and how as a
student of architecture can reuse and recycle materials that are considered garbage. We need
to be concerned about what is renewable, reusable and take certain bold steps to save the
planet before it is too late. I shall probably begin with understanding the meaning of
sustainability in a larger context and explore how people have worked to contribute to this noble
idea. 6 /10

06. Mayur Kotecha

Initially I wasn't very much clear about what I might do as an architect after completing my
studies in architecture. I started developing a keen sense of interest in history, cultural and
architectural heritage of India. I also realised how magnanimous and diverse our history, culture
and architecture is which varies from region to region. Each region responds in an unique way
to their regional context of topography, climate etc. that may be friendly or even hostile. The
architecture that emerges as a natural response to the local conditions and from the wisdom
gained makes it so appropriate.

Besides, there are monuments across the length and breadth of this country that speak volumes
of our past. Most of them lie in sheer neglect and are in need of restoration, preservation,
conservation and protection. I have a personal wish to devote myself in the field of conservation
of the built-heritage. I would love to see myself being involved and contributing in a responsible
way. 6 /10

07. Janhvi Sojitra: Vernacular Architecture

The simplest definition of vernacular architecture is- 'architecture without architects'. Vernacular
architecture is the outcome of human's natural response to create a sense of "shelter" and
protect themselves from the adverse conditions of climate, topography and advocate judicious
use of the available building materials. The use of the building materials and the methods and
techniques in vernacular architecture are time-tested.and the wisdom thus gained has been
passed on. Besides being functional, the vernacular or the traditional architecture also
addresses sociological needs and reflects their ethnicity.

There is a growing concern about over-use of the earth's resources and its impact on the
environment such as carbon-footprint, air and water pollution, increase in the green-house
gases. It is time that we took some preventive measures and save the earth from further
damages. We need to look back at what our ancestors had achieved. We may require to
improve upon the techniques and methods of construction and make it more cost effective. The
use of locally available materials and the techniques used are time proven and have also been
climate responsive. Within the domain of vernacular architecture various energy efficient
methods were devised which never had any kind of negative impact on the environment.

The idea of revival of the vernacular is not to denounce or criticize and replace the modern
technologies, methods but to be concerned with the global scenario. Vernacular architecture in
the context of present day will need to address the life-style and advancements made with
technology. 5 /10

08. Hiral Shah

I personally would want to involve myself in projects which concern our built-heritage and issues
related to deteriorating urban environment. The meaning of sustainability has been interpreted
in different ways and I believe just the mere installation of solar panels do not make a building
sustainable. The historic city cores that once were vibrant with their visual references, traditional
ambience with their varied architectural styles are disintegrating. These city cores of yester-
years were energy-efficient and demonstrated their concern for water management but now in
the present times they need rescue, restoration and revitalisation.
Most city-cores are inhabited by people that belong to not only different social, ethnic and
religious groups but also from different economic background. They over a period of time had
formed themselves as a heterogeneous and stable groups, and accommodated inter-
dependency.

I have developed a keen sense of interest in the study of the fabric of historic cores. One can
see a tremendous amount of difference between the historic core and new urban developments
on the urban fringe which are de-personalised and lacking in the warmth offered by the city
core. The historic core will not require a radical change (which may cause more harm) but rather
a more carefully programmed treatment whether it be urban renewal, revitalisation, restoration
or rehabilitation. 5.5 /10

09. Pooja Vadariya

I have a particular fascination towards farm-houses that are set on lush-green with a serene
environment and scenic beauty. My dream of the farm-house shall really be true in its sense
that endorses and accommodates farm-activities with agricultural fields and store-houses for the
farm produce. My farm house may even be rustic in character and built with locally available
appropriate materials and with a concern for energy efficiency and lesser carbon-footprint. I
would also probably look forward to the use of our age-old techniques and non-conventional
methods of construction.

My farm house shall accommodate not only living spaces for the farm-helps but also for farm
equipments and other support structures making the dream farm-house self-sufficient and
independent. The environment shall be such that it allows areas with outdoor activities and
reposeful spaces that bring in a sense of peace and tranquility. 6./ 10

10. Rishit Kakkad

Taking sustainable design as an elective subject in the previous semester, changed my way of
looking at buildings. My observation was that whatever people, community of people or purpose
they served, they were always energy efficient. Climate change, global warming, depletion of
natural resources are some of the challenges faced by all of us. The impact on the environment
has been negative. There is a need for developing mechanisms or approaches that can contain
and sustain the negative impact. One such approach is to recycle a building with a minimum
amount of change in the physical structure and put the building to use instead of pulling it down.
In the process we save on our resources and the impact of development on our environment.

It is important to understand that the forces of development all over the world and hectic
urbanisation are creating conflicts. The solutions lie with the approach to green building
concepts, adaptive reuse, conservation and preservation of buildings. There are a number of
buildings that can be put to use simply by restoring and conserving them. This would definitely
help save on time and efforts. Adaptive reuse is one of the efficient, effective and environment
friendly solutions. An investigation in to the methods and idea of rejuvenating an otherwise
dilapidated or poorly maintained structure would perhaps be great help before I form any
opinion on the subject. 6 / 10

11. Ruchi Sinojiya

Cities are centers of economic activities and job opportunities and as a result of which people
from nearby areas and towns migrate to these centers in search of a livelihood. But not
everyone in search of a livelihood migrate and instead they commute everyday which create a
to and fro movement making a demand on the public transportation system.

It is also a fact that not all commuters depend on the public transport system but most use
vehicles owned by them thus creating a demand on the existing infrastructure which include
roads, public spaces, civic amenities and facilities such as parks and gardens. Vehicles running
on fossil fuel cause air pollution and this additional volume of traffic of the daily commuters only
adds to the miseries.

There is a need to understand the problems related to limited use of the public transportation
system, its augmentation and explore ways to minimise the dependence on the use of private
vehicles. The need of the hour is to promote facilities for mass-transit or rapid-transit system
which should take care of the inter-city and intra-city traffic. 5.5 /10

12. Shivani Dalsaniya

I would like to design a building with multifarious activities. A city centre could offer such design
opportunities where people from diverse back-ground and age-groups gather and turn this into a
place of happening bubbling with activities. The activities could range from commerce,
entertainment, shopping, cultural and social to intellectual and spiritual discourses.

The city center would be beyond the concept of convention center and a cultural hub and could
probably generate a new dimension in architecture. 5.5/10

13. Zainab Hathiyari

"A person without the knowledge of their past, origin and culture is like a tree with no roots."
Whose quote is this?

As a preference, I would want to explore the built heritage which lie unattended and neglected.
India is known for the historical background and unique architecture. Many of such buildings of
historical importance lie in a dilapidated condition. One of the reasons for such neglect is the
paucity of funds required for upkeep of the structure and timely repairs. Such structures also are
required to be put to use. Many of such palatial and historical buildings have now been
converted to heritage hotels, museums or other public use. It often requires a disproportionate
amount of money for conservation works that also involves administrative and political
negotiations. Conservation has never been a priority for many developing and under-developed
nations.

There is a need for preservation or conservation of the built-heritage. Initiatives such as these
work in favour of the heritage structures and funds for their upkeep is generated and these
buildings also get a fresh lease of their life. 5.5 /10

14. Divya Zulasna

In India, people living in the squatter settlements or popularly known as slums form a work force
and contribute in the informal sector. They generally migrate to the urban areas in search of
livelihood and live in temporary structures built by them. The structures are shabby and weak as
these inhabitants do not own the land on which they build these structures. The land parcel are
mostly marginal, substandard, marshy or they lie in the low-lying areas and are owned by the
government.

Although the government has certain amount of initiatives with provision of clean and potable
water, electricity and public toilets etc. and yet the conditions continue as deplorable and
unhygienic. I would want to study their life style and living conditions and try and find some
workable solutions. I believe the living conditions of such people are a reflection of our attitude
to people belonging to lower social order and how we value them as a nation. 4.5 /10

15. Dhrumil Jarasania

I would want to see myself design every kind of buildings for human use such as- building for
public transportation, commercial buildings, buildings for administrative use and education.
Buildings for education require clarity in thoughts while designing as the task is not about
creating classrooms but understanding the relationships of the spaces with that of the users and
their activities. They need to be playful.

Designing the learning spaces for the specially-challenged children could be quite demanding
as it requires an understanding and sensitivity to make it user-friendly. Buildings for children
give the designer the opportunity to explore and play with building materials, colour, texture and
spaces about that evoke emotions in the user. I as a designer can look forward to choose a
design philosophy with an approach to sustainable and eco-friendly architectural solutions.

5 / 10

16. Devika Raol

Good attempt: 7 /10

17. Bhumi Harsoda- Centre for Art and Architecture Good attempt 7 /10

18. Bhoomit Kansara- Design of Museum- expand more on the idea - good attempt but requires
a lot more reading on the subject. 6 / 10

19. Akshay Fadadu: Conversion of the land along the railway tracks throughout the country may
be quite wishful but what about the railway stations? Explore more. 6 / 10

20. Sahil Vora Need a lot more clarity 4.5 / 10

21. Vishal Bhalani

According to a study conducted by the United Nations about 55% of the world's population
today lives in urban areas and it is expected to reach 68% in 2050. This implies that there will
be tremendous amount of demand on land for housing and other activities. This will also create
a pressure on the rural areas and agricultural land around. There will be implications in every
field such as shortage of housing, public open spaces, job opportunities, pressure on the
existing urban infrastructure and so on.

The growth of the urban centers have mostly been horizontal than vertical. Many urban theorists
have advocated for a vertical growth with an increased density to ease the pressure on hinter
land and especially for housing. Vertical living or the skyscrapers may be a solution rather than
just a symbol of development. Issues may arise with the need for proportionate amount of public
open spaces, transportation network and urban heat thus generated. I would like to explore the
idea of integrated development with green roofs and facades or walls.

5 / 10