About Me
Informed by the dialogue between materials, traditions, rituals, and processes; I look to design provocatively optimistic experiences that disrupt the boundaries of architecture, design, craft, and technology. With a design ideology rooted in exploring the consequences of our evolving lifestyles, I am passionate about facilitating meaningful exchanges between social and natural ecosystems across scales.
Personal Statement
Design, for me, is a way to break free from the norms that have become an integral part of society. It is also the medium through which I continuously try to position and re-position myself with respect to my context.
Growing up in India, I have always been curious about informal spaces, ingenious dwellings, or DIY architecture & design that is usually a result of consequences rather than planning. I seek to observe and study these conditions to better understand how people interact with their immediate surroundings and the solutions they come up with to make these interactions more personal.
Being from an agricultural family with strong ties to our native village some of my fondest architectural memories are from my grandmother’s house - lime plaster, earthen walls, teak wood, the smell of wet mud and the texture of raw stone are all things that make me nostalgic whenever I see them in any context. As I grow into my role as a designer, I find myself reverting to or referencing these old memories often. My interest lies in combining these memories, references, practices, materials, and forms with great care to create different spaces and experiences that can balm, cajole, perplex, or excite.
Through this process, I explore my role as a moderator between the forces that inform and guide my designs.
Resume
Experience
Publications
Studio Mumbai Architects
Dear Design,
Personal portfolio, 2017
Copy writing, Layouts, Editorial Design.
Opaque. Transparent. Translucent
Academic Paper, 2016
Thoughts on spatial permeability in contemporary sacred architecture.
Published on Academia.
Architectural Designer, 2018 Oct - 2019 September
Developed design drawings and assisted in collating publication material for El Croquis 200, Aga Khan Award 2019, GA and The Merit List 2019.
Took charge of the editorial design of in-house publications documenting various projects of the studio.
Organized and assisted craftsmen in fabricating models for the studio's proposal for an area within Maniffatura Tabacchi Firenze, Sandeep Reddy House, Sridhar Podar House and lent support to the team of architects & craftsmen working on the model for Extension and Renovation Beaucastel - a winery in the south of France.
Design Assistant, 2017 -2018 September
Assisted in design process ranging from developing a strategy to development of furniture and large-scale architectural installations.
Developed identity system & website for the office.
Ania Jaworska & Associates
Boundaries of Syllabus
Borderless Studio
Urban Design Intern, 2018 January - May
Developed axonometric drawings, compiled the 3D model of the master plan for the Buena Vida Choice Neighborhood.
TEDx Talk, 2012
Was invited to speak on the topic Sustainable Education for a Sustainable Society.
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Skills
Model Making Volunteer, 2017
Recently worked on the final touches of PRODUCTORA'S Legacy Tower proposal for the 2017 Biennial.
Digital
Chicago Design Museum
Exhibit Design Intern, 2017 May - August
Worked on some interior architectural solutions.
Conceptualized the museum's participation in 'Chicago's Halloween Gathering'.
Designed & prototyped props for the same.
Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Rhino Vault, KUKA | prc, Fusion 360, Maxwell Studio, AutoCAD
Illustrator, Photoshop, Muse, inDesign, Premiere, After Effects
C++, HTML, Java Script, Arduino
Analog
Seem:less
Model making, Prototype fabrication, Wood & Metal fabrication, Large format printing, Editorial design, Circuit designing + building
Founder + Designer, 2015 ~ Ongoing
Designed websites, logos, business cards for students and upcoming businesses.
Proposed a branding identity package for Silver Oaks School.
Techniques
Laser cutting, 3D printing, Robotic hot wire cutting, Heat pressing
SMG Design
Architectural Intern, 2015 March - June
Created presentations, storyboards, program outlines, schematic drawings, 3D models and digital renders
Also worked on edits for construction documents (AutoCAD) of ongoing projects
Silver Oaks International School
Graphic Designer, 2013
Designed large format prints, magazine layouts and notebook covers.
Designed the school's annual assessment booklet for students titled - 'Yardsticks'.
Dhama innovations
Product Design Intern, 2011 May - August
Designed an indicator jacket and few speakers made out of recycled materials.
Worked with wearable electronics and globally patented CryothermicTM Nanotechnology called ClimaCon®.
Education
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bachelor of Fine Art, 2012-2017
Worked on various projects dealing with temporary pavilions, interior urbanism, urban infills, and infrastructure.
Proposed, fabricated and exhibited art installations and designed objects.
Architectural Association
Diploma in Robotic Fabrication & Digital Modeling, 2016
Parametrically designed a Pavilion and collectively fabricated a 1:1 final model using a KUKA robotic arm and foamcore modules.
ESADE University
Summer Business School, 2015
Studied Entrepreneurship, Project management, Design thinking and Marketing.
Learnt to create rudimentary business plans, effective elevator pitches & funding proposals, and marketing presentations.
Recognizations
LafargeHolcim Awards
Initial shortlisted project, 2017
Upside Down
Merit for Commendable Site
Awwwards.com, 19th June 2017
www.ravinapuri.com
Adobe design achievement awards
Semi-Finalist, 2017
Awarded for the project 'Upside Down'.
Fellow
HKS Design Fellowship, 2017
Recognized for my work and selected as a HKS Design Fellow for the year of 2017.
Website Design Awards
Website of the Day, 2016
www.udittoshniwal.com (Feb 4th, 2016)
www.seetharamvallabhaneni.com (Feb 8th, 2016)
Guru of the Day
Web Guru Awards, Jan 2016
www.udittoshniwal.com
www.seemless.design
Merit for Commendable Site
Awwwards.com, 2016
wwwseemless.design (Jan 21st, 2016)
www.kanikaranka.com (Jan 4th, 2016)
Muse Site of the Day
Adobe Muse, Jan 13th 2016
www.seemless.design (www.goseemless.com)
Exhibitions
Vertical City (Chicago Architecture Biennial)
Chicago Architectural Biennial, 14th September 2017
Part of the team that worked on PRODUCTORA's proposal 'Two Towers' for the 'Vertical City' exhibit which was on display at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Design possibilities on Cermak
Group Exhibition, 2017
Year end exhibition of projects done for Paola Aguirre's Architecture studio 4 which featured 'Giga Village'.
Fluid Interfaces
Group Exhibition, 2017
Showcased an installation titled 'Unwrapping the fourth vernacular' that challenges viewer's perception of materials and encourages them to re-imagine materials as high performing territories.
SAIC ArtBash
Punching Baguette, SAIC, 2013
Was one of the 10 faculty nominations from my section of first year core studio.
Showcased a video installation 'Punching Baguette', the piece is an exploration of stimulus & response.
