Friday, September 3, 2010
















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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

3d works







3d images done in sketch up.......
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Monday, August 17, 2009

The Designs

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Kerala’s Architecture - VASTHUSASTHRA

Kerala’s Architecture - VASTHUSASTHRA

‘Vas‘ means ‘to dwell’ or ‘to occupy’. Vasthu means ‘dwelling place.’ Vasthu Shastra is the set of guidelines prescribed by the Rishis or learned men of ancient India for planning and constructing our dwelling places which range from our homes, cities, states, countries and eventually extend to our planet and the universe!

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Nature consists of Panchabhutam, the five elements Akasham or Sky, Vaayu or Air, Agni or Fire, Bhumi or Earth and Jalam or Water The shastras or the ancient Indian texts on science tell us that cosmic energy has a specific influence on living beings.Five elements reside in nature in specific proportions. Vasthu Shastra involves the alignment of these five basic elements according to the law of nature. The effects of these five elements have to be studied to appreciate the science of vasthu in its pure form and also to pacify skeptics who question the efficiency and validity of vasthu shastra.

Plants and animals live in perfect harmony with nature. But we human beings, the superior beings that inhabit the earth, have forgotten how to keep peace with our surroundings. If we can modify our homes to harness the energy of the cosmos in such a way that our homes are in complete harmony with our bodies it can help us to succeed in all our endeavors. Due to the magnetic properties of the earth, the needle of a compass always points to the north.

Since vasthu is based on the permanent property of the earth namely inclination towards the north, the effect of vasthu is universal . Which means the effect of vasthu does not merely extend to the people of India or to the followers of Hinduism!

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The Vasthusasthram has developed over generations as a result of observations of the influence of the SUN and the MAGNETIC fields on earth and living bodies, mentally and physically.

For any problems that you may be having with your health, mental and body peace, it is recommended that you construct buildings “as per the principals of Vasthusasthra - THE LAW OF NATURE

There are two parts to Vasthu Sasthra.

1. The science of Vasthu of land.
2. The science of Vasthu of building.

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The science of Vasthu of land:-

We have to study the level, shape, and size of land before starting any construction. The shape of a land may be changed by adding or deducting parts or corners. We can also provide boundaries to separate the compound to suit Vasthu Sasthram. A land may be square or rectangle with all corners, Right angle is good for construction. A plot that slopes to the north or east or northeast is good for any purpose. In a plot having a way on its east and north and slopes to the east or north is considered very good for construction or for business.

The science of Vasthu of building:-

Before undertaking any construction of building you have to think of your financial position and requirements and consult an experienced engineer having a thorough knowledge of the preliminaries of Vasthu. While planning your home, remember to position your master bedroom in the southwest, sleeping with your head towards the south or east. Businessmen may sleep in the southeast or northwest bedroom. Our head has a magnetic power, and has to be placed opposite to the north i.e. place your head towards the south for a sound sleep.

The water tank should be positioned in the southwest / south / west and never the northeast. An underground tank or well in the northeast is considered good.

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Necessity of Vasthu:-

In remodelling any existing house, you must consult a Vasthu expert. Experts say that they have come across many cases where people complain of financial and other problems after the marriage of a son or daughter. This, they say, is due to the remodelling or rearranging of rooms or a change in position of doors or windows in connection with the marriage.

Nalukettu- unique architecture of Kerala

The Nalukettu is the traditional style of architecture of Kerala, wherein a house has a quadrangle in the centre.

Originally the abode of the wealthy Brahmin and Nair families, this style of architecture has today become a status symbol among the well to do in Kerala. Nalukettu is evident in the traditional homes of the upper class homestead where customs and rituals were a part of life.

The mansion is created using wood and tiles, central open courtyard and wondrous architecture. The interiors of the house are tastefully decorated with a wealth of antiques made from teak, sandalwood, mahogany etc.

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Dynastic Influence

Originally the abode of the wealthy Brahmin and Nair families, this style of architecture has today become a status symbol among the well to do in Kerala. Nalukettu is evident in the traditional homes of the upper class homestead where customs and rituals were a part of life.

Priciples Of The Design

The Roof of a Typical Nalukettu, Kerala
The traditional ‘Nalukettu’, barring the foundation and floor is made of carved and slotted wood and has a close resemblance to East Asian gabled and thatched structures. In later years, tiles replaced the coconut fronds.

The enclosed courtyard or ‘ankanam’ is usually sunk and therefore called ‘Kuzhi (pit) Ankanam’. The protruding roofs of the ’salas’ formed shady verandas and protected the rooms from direct sunlight, keeping them cool even on the hottest of days. The inner verandah around the ‘ankanam’ is open.

The outer verandahs along the four sides of the ‘Nalukettu’ are enclosed differently. While both the western and eastern verandahs are left open, the northern and southern verandahs are enclosed or semi-enclosed.

The ‘Tantrasamuchaya’, ‘Vasthuvidya’, ‘Maushyalaya Chandrika’ and ‘Silparatna’ are the celebrated treatises in the field of architecture that Kerala has contributed to the world.

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The Nalukettu of Kerala i

s famous for building along with the rules of ‘Tachu Sastra’ (Science of Architecture). The Padmanabhapuram Palace, the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry and Krishnapuram Palace near Kayamkulam are some of the famous palaces of Kerala.

The rock temples, woodcarvings, and metal cuttings are excellent pieces of works of Kerala

Namboothiri Illams

Namboothiri houses (Brahmaalayam, Mana, illam) were built invariably according to the canons of Vaasthusaasthram (Vaasthuvidya priciples, the science and art - architecture - of building in harmony with the eternally active, creative, and all pervasive ‘Spirit’ and ‘Nature’) and in conformity and proportion with the usually large compound or plot (Illapparambu). In the early days, they were all built in the form of Chathussaalas or Naalukettus (quadrangle or the ancient courtyards) - Kizhakkini (eastern part), Thekkini (south), Padinhaatti (west) and Vadukkini (north), as seperate structures. This can be seen even today in Kurumathur Illam. In later years, joining these four through Meladukkala, kizhakke Ara, Puraththaalam and Vadakke Ara, came to vogue. The Vadakkini floor was always considerably raised, whereas local custom determined whether none, any or all of the other three had raised floors or not. The Thekkini and/ or Padinhaatti may either be single storyed or two (or more) storyes high. Anyway all Brahmaalayams were invariably in the Naalukettu style.

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The gateway entrance to the plot (Padippura) is built on the western boundary in line with the Thekkini veranda. The Padippura will have standing (or resting) space both inside and outside. This is done to let the passers - by know that the house is a Brahmaalayam, where food will be available. With the same purpose in mind, the kitchen well is provided with a drum shaped wooden pulley system with wooden balls (or dry fruit shells) inside which produce noise while drawing water.

The Paththaayappura (grain store-house), bathing tank, well, dining halls (Kettu) and all other functional parts have very definite relative locations, size, shape and other details, determined as per Vaastuvidya.

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Treehouse Restaurant

Treehouse Restaurant

The New Zealand Yellow Pages are building a restaurant 10 meters up on a redwood tree. It is now under construction on a site north of Auckland. This tree restaurant is designed by Pacific Environments Architects. This treehouse concept gives you an expression of childhood dreams and fairy tales. It is inspired by the chrysalis/cocoon safeguarding the emerging butterfly/moth. It has a 60m tree-top walkway getting you up to the restaurant and inside there’s ample space for 18 seating people and staff and complete with a bar. The kitchen and the toilet will be located at the ground level. The acrylic sheeting fixed to the roof under the fins to get the protection for tough weather conditions.
More pictures after the break.

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Kazakhstan's Astounding Futuristic Pyramid

Since 2006, kazakhstan's new capital city of astana, itself an enormous hub of construction since it inherited the title in 1997, has been home to one of the world's most impressive and visually futuristic pyramids, known as the palace of peace and reconciliation. it was designed by british super-architects foster + partners, cost 8.74 billion kazakh tenge (i don't need to tell you bright young humans that this equates to approx. £35m) and was built to accommodate the triennial 'congress of world and traditional religions'. if there was ever a positive to be found for the existence of the idiocy we know and love as religion, this building could be it, as after an impressively rapid 2 years of design and construction, the end product is a masterpiece.

above: the visible 5-storey pyramid section of the palace is as high as its base is wide (203ft) and is to be the centrepiece of the country's 'presidential park'.

above: a plan of the pyramid. the interior is just as impressive as the outer skin. this place is like a tardis and below the above-ground pyramid itself sits, amongst other things, an enormous 1'500 seat opera house - see final photo below.


above: the pyramid's 2 storey tip is home to the congress chamber, a space which has been surrounded by 10'100 sq feet of stained glass designed by renowned british artist brian clarke.

bove: inside the congress chamber, possibly one of the smartest meeting rooms on earth.


Above: the dove-covered stained glass of the congress chamber.


above: the view as you look through the middle of the congress chamber's circular table. walking down to the next level takes you through nearly a whole storey of greenery, below which is the amazing atrium seen in the next photo.


above: the atrium, and another incredible conference table.


above: looking up from the atrium towards the upper section. this enormous space is surrounded by walls of rooms, 5 floors high, to be used both for meetings and accommodation.

above: the opera house beneath the atrium. the domed ceiling sits below the enormous circular table belonging to the room above. for more detailed info about the pyramid i'd suggest reading this article by ellis woodman.
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