Hybrid Spaces

Translating spatial theory into tangible experience: designing environments where multiplicity becomes visible and contradiction becomes strength.

Process

Research & Theory

Explored spatial philosophy (Lefebvre, Foucault, Hegel) and feminist spatial theory to understand how space is produced, perceived, and lived. Analyzed contemporary films to examine our cultural relationship with hybrid realities. Also documented how we perceive spaces through photography and documentation.

Material Experiments

Kombucha Leather (SCOBY): Cultivated bio-material that revealed hybrid as radical reconstitution creating something entirely new, not just mixing elements

Technical Application

Projection Mapping with TouchDesigner
Transformed static architectural surfaces into dynamic, responsive experience
Created spaces that exist simultaneously as physical and digital
Made walls both solid architecture and fluid digital canvas

The Work

Using projection mapping as proof-of-concept, I designed spatial experiences where:

Contradictions become strengths, not problems
Multiple realities coexist on single surfaces
People don't just think about hybrid concepts they feel and inhabit them

This translates theoretical research into experienceable environments that reflect how we actually live, not how we're supposed to live.

Final Prototype

Skills Demonstrated

Spatial theory, speculative design, bio-material fabrication, projection mapping, TouchDesigner, real-time visual programming, exhibition design, interdisciplinary research

Urban Heat Island

Interventions tackling Urban Heat Island Effect within the context of Delhi, specifically focusing on unauthorized colonies like New Ashok Nagar.

Research

Urban Environmental Analysis:

Climate Research - Deep understanding of Delhi's composite climate (3°C to 45°C temperature range, 20-25°C diurnal variation)
UHI Impact Assessment – Analysis of urbanization density, limited green spaces, heat-retaining surfaces, and energy consumption patterns
Built Environment Studies – Examination of how dense building clusters, poor ventilation, and inadequate planning exacerbate heat island effects
Site-Specific Microclimate Mapping – Temperature studies showing 20°C street temperatures vs 21-22°C interior temperatures in congested areas

Vernacular Architecture Research:

Courtyard Systems – Study of cross-ventilation, stack effect, shading, and thermal mass in traditional havelis (Shahjahanabad precedent)
Iranian Wind Catchers (Badgirs) – Analysis of passive cooling through pressure differentials and strategic air channeling
Jaali Design Principles – Understanding perforated screens for ventilation, shading, and dappled light control
Stepwell Mechanics – Cooling effect through subterranean water proximity and temperature differential

Case Study Analysis:

Tube House by Charles Correa – Stack effect principles, adjustable louvers, minimal doors for privacy through level changes
Aranya Low-Cost Housing by B.V. Doshi – Natural ventilation through strategic window placement, courtyards, building orientation, deep roof overhangs

Area-Specific Planning:

New Ashok Nagar Context – Understanding unauthorized colony dynamics: 1001 people/hectare density, 600 families in research area, limited infrastructure, rental income economy

Building Typology Documentation
Mapping narrow streets (1m width), congested vertical construction, inadequate ventilation, heat-trapping conditions

Airflow Mapping

Design Interventions:

Intervention 1 –- Dual-Layer Chimney System:

Product design targeting heat extraction directly from cooking source
First layer: Strategic flaps to capture and redirect hot air upward
Second layer: Perforated screens (jaali-inspired) to increase air velocity and filter impurities
Prototyping and testing methodology
Addresses localized heat spots and inadequate exhaust mechanisms

Intervention 2 – Tabula Rasa Master Plan:

Comprehensive Block Planning – 1.71 hectare intervention accommodating 620 families
Unit Design – Multiple residential typologies with proper ventilation corridors
Block Sections (AA' & BB') – Demonstrating vertical airflow, stack effect, and thermal comfort strategies
Ground/First/Second Floor Plans – Integration of residential, commercial, community spaces, and green areas
Passive Cooling Integration – Traditional Indian systems adapted for dense urban context
Community Infrastructure – Common spaces, parking, schools, and seamless green space integration

Created a manifesto addressing Delhi's UHI crisis: "In the heart of Delhi, the congested buildings fight for a breath... proper ventilation is not a luxury reserved for the affluent.

"The project demonstrates how traditional passive cooling techniques can be integrated into modern low-cost housing to ensure thermal comfort, dignity, and well-being for marginalized communities challenging architectural practices that prioritize space maximization over climate-responsive design.

Woven Thresholds

Reimagining textiles as structural spatial elements that viewers can inhabit and experience.

Design Concept

This work bridges two-dimensional textile art with three-dimensional spatial intervention, challenging the boundaries between craft and interior design. The vibrant concentric circular patterns create visual depth and transform the surrounding environment into an experiential space.

Technical Details

Textile Work:

Hand-woven circular pieces featuring radial weaving techniques with layered concentric color bands—from turquoise core through vibrant pinks, oranges, yellows, and purples, to deep green borders. The organic, geode-like patterns reference natural growth formations.

Spatial Design:

3D shaping techniques position the woven pieces as freestanding sculptural elements that define and occupy space. The backdrop anchors the installation, creating depth and allowing viewers to experience the work from multiple perspectives.

Impact

The installation showcases textiles as structural, spatial elements rather than surface decoration, demonstrating a contemporary design approach where traditional craft techniques are reimagined through spatial design thinking.

Leaf structure

An innovative installation that creatively represents a leaf, emphasizing themes of nature and growth. Constructed using a combination of materials such as metal rods, painted surfaces, plastic sheets, and concrete, this gigantic structure aims to blend artistic expression with functional design. The project provided valuable hands-on experience, enhancing technical skills while exploring the use of diverse materials.

By embodying the form of a leaf, the installation not only serves as a striking visual element but also invites viewers to reflect on the connection between architecture and the natural world.

Ideation

Orange tree

Design furniture and lifestyle accessories for elderly users, focusing on accessibility, safety, and independence.

Research & Analysis:

Medical research into sarcopenia, arthritis, and osteopenia
Primary and secondary research methodologies
Historical case study analysis (Planter's Chair)

Design Process:

Comprehensive ideation and iteration
Problem-solving for real-world accessibility challenges
Collaborative teamwork and mentorship engagement