Temporal Diffusion Plane
Fall 2017 | Light and Sustainable Design | Prof. Matt Fajkus
Three and a half stories residential building for a family of three members was designed and constructed at Kathmandu, Nepal. Rcc structure with ground and first floor as a rentable space were conceptualized taking solar exposure into considerable. Kathmandu with a monsoon climate has four different seasons: Winter, Summer, Rainy, and Spring. So the building is designed in such a way that it has the highest solar exposure during winter while during summer the building is well shaded. Moreover, shading from the rain is also taken into consideration. The architecture style of the Kathmandu valley is studied and the building is conceptualized which shows respect towards the surrounding contemporary style.
Three and a half stories residential building for a family of three members was designed and constructed at Kathmandu, Nepal. Rcc structure with ground and first floor as a rentable space were conceptualized taking solar exposure into considerable. Kathmandu with a monsoon climate has four different seasons: Winter, Summer, Rainy, and Spring. So the building is designed in such a way that it has the highest solar exposure during winter while during summer the building is well shaded. Moreover, shading from the rain is also taken into consideration. The architecture style of the Kathmandu valley is studied and the building is conceptualized which shows respect towards the surrounding contemporary style.
Three and a half stories residential building for a family of three members was designed and constructed at Kathmandu, Nepal. Rcc structure with ground and first floor as a rentable space were conceptualized taking solar exposure into considerable. Kathmandu with a monsoon climate has four different seasons: Winter, Summer, Rainy, and Spring. So the building is designed in such a way that it has the highest solar exposure during winter while during summer the building is well shaded. Moreover, shading from the rain is also taken into consideration. The architecture style of the Kathmandu valley is studied and the building is conceptualized which shows respect towards the surrounding contemporary style.
Temporal Diffusion Plane
Fall 2017 | Light and Sustainable Design | Prof. Matt Fajkus
Project partners: Rob Manion, Elijah Montez, Shani Saul
Temporal Diffusion Plane
Fall 2017 | Light and Sustainable Design | Prof. Matt Fajkus
Project partners: Rob Manion, Elijah Montez, Shani Saul
Perforations on the building envelope are designed to reflect the changing seasons and subsequently the changing quality and angle of natural light. Made of Ductal high-performance concrete the façade is either fully open to allow full light into space or punctured in a pattern that creates an interesting and dynamic light that moves as time passes.
Light historically has governed our days. Long before the existence of “artificial” light, the sun was the driving force behind all human activity. Today, daylight affords numerous biological, emotional, and perceptual advantages to the human body that are unmatched by artificial lighting mechanisms. Architecturally, natural light has the ability to connect us with the present moment and encourage an increased awareness of our environment. It reminds us of the passage of time by infusing the material world with that of the ephemeral, and in doing so, harmonizes the user with the natural world. As light is redefined through the passage of time, the experiential quality and use of its respective spaces shifts as well. A sustainable built environment will focus on harvesting and honoring the ephemeral quality of natural light to reengage the human body and mind.
Perforations on the building envelope are designed to reflect the changing seasons and subsequently the changing quality and angle of natural light. Made of Ductal high-performance concrete the façade is either fully open to allow full light into space or punctured in a pattern that creates an interesting and dynamic light that moves as time passes.
Light historically has governed our days. Long before the existence of “artificial” light, the sun was the driving force behind all human activity. Today, daylight affords numerous biological, emotional, and perceptual advantages to the human body that are unmatched by artificial lighting mechanisms. Architecturally, natural light has the ability to connect us with the present moment and encourage an increased awareness of our environment. It reminds us of the passage of time by infusing the material world with that of the ephemeral, and in doing so, harmonizes the user with the natural world. As light is redefined through the passage of time, the experiential quality and use of its respective spaces shifts as well. A sustainable built environment will focus on harvesting and honoring the ephemeral quality of natural light to reengage the human body and mind.
Mandir
2016 | Volunteering Work
Mandir
2016 | Volunteering Work
An investigation on Vernacular Architecture of Marpha, Mustang, Nepal and understanding the influences and changes in architecture and its sustainability
MSSD Thesis | UT Austin | Dr. Juliana Felkner (Supervisor)
Nepal, known as the country of Mountains, Gurkhas, and Lord Buddha is also a country rich in Art and Architecture. With the highest point 8848m (Mt. Everest) in the north to the lowest point 70m from sea level, Nepal has diverse climatic zones resulting in the opportunity for the different diversities of architecture throughout the country. In this thesis, the vernacular architecture and settlement pattern of Mustang district particularly Marpha and Jomsom are studied to understand its environmental adaptivity and sustainability from three different overlapping perspectives: Environment, Culture, and Modernism.
The changes in architecture, culture, and settlement are an important part of any development. Being the intellectually aware and technologically forward generation of the 21st century, now we should be able to develop or change in the more sustainable way. This research tries to connect the gap between the vernacular architecture and settlement that had respect towards climate and culture to the contemporary development where that respect and awareness cannot be seen.
Vernacular architecture is the result of hundreds of years of optimization to provide a comfortable shelter in a local climate using available materials and known construction technologies. In developing or least developed countries like Nepal, we can see how traditional buildings are being replaced by contemporary architecture. Due to the advancement of the technologies, the use of passive solar measures to achieve thermal comfort conditions can be seen disappearing in contemporary constructions.
The purpose of this research is to understand the design strategies applied in vernacular architecture, changes that we can see in architecture and settlement now, analyze these studies and propose the set of design strategies that are best in today’s society with changing the culture, climate, and modernism.
Keywords: Vernacular Architecture; Mustang, Contemporary Architecture; Mustang; Change in Settlement Pattern; Mountain Architecture; Climate responsive architecture; Solar analysis; Energy Simulation; Recommended design strategies
Research Questions:
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What can we learn from vernacular architecture? Are all the design strategies from vernacular architecture climate-responsive and sustainable?
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What could be the smart and sustainable way of changing architecture along with the change in culture, climate, and development?
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What are the factors influencing the change in architecture and settlement pattern? Are those changes respecting the culture, climate, and environment? If not, then what could be the proper strategies for that change?