Neha RajoraGraduate StudentDepartment of Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of Illinos at Urbana-Champaignrajora2@illinois.eduPh: 217-974-5377

P O R T F O L I OLandscape Architecture- Architecture

2004- 2011

RAM-VIVAH PROCESSION PATH

URBAN SPACES IN THE SACRED CENTER

SACRED CENTER PLAZASVisitor Movement

PLAZA USE PATTERNVisitor Usage

HIERARCHY OF PLAZASLevels

Built Mass

Built Mass

Linear Plaza- Main Entrance to Sacred Center

Level 1 and 2 - Ram Raja Temple Plaza

Level 1 - +0.0cmLevel 2 - +152cmLevel 3 - +30cmLevel 4 - +335cmLevel 5 - +365cm

Betw

a R

ive

r

Level 2 - Ram Raja Temple Plaza

Level 3 - Way to Hardaul ki Baithak

Level 5 - Linear Plaza to Chatubhuj Temple Level 4 - Plaza behind Ram Raja Temple

Level 4 - Plaza behind Ram Raja Temple

Level 5 - Square Plaza in front of Chaturbhuj Temple

Open Spaces

Open Spaces

Plazas

Plazas

Green Areas

Green Areas

Visitor MovementLocal Movement

Ram Vivah Procession Path

Conservation and Reclaimation, Orchha India- Detail of Sacred CenterDesign Workshop, Spring 2012- Prof. Amita Sinha

Conservation and Reclaimation, Orchha India- Detail of Sacred CenterDesign Workshop, Spring 2012- Prof. Amita Sinha

Existing Plazas in Sacred Center

Proposed Plaza in the Sacred Center

Constructive SurgeryIncreasing Capacity- space adaptable to various number of peopleOrganize activities- designed shopping spaces, new restrooms, shoe racks, drinking water facilities etc.Legibility of path- defining/ highlighting visitor path by visual framLegibility of path- defining/ highlighting visitor path by visual fram-ing, information center, providing signages

WELCOME PLAZA- Information center, seating areas, restrooms, drinking water facilities

New Additions in the plaza: Designed Shoe Rack Room for visitors.

Seating platforms under exist-ing and proposed trees

New Shops along the welcome plaza with pergola walk.

Reclaimed well with chattri and seat-ing platform around

Newly designed shops with shaded pathway along plaza periphery.

Existing Plazas in Sacred Center

Proposed Plaza in the Sacred Center

Constructive SurgeryIncreasing Capacity- space adaptable to various number of peopleOrganize activities- designed shopping spaces, new restrooms, shoe racks, drinking water facilities etc.Legibility of path- defining/ highlighting visitor path by visual framLegibility of path- defining/ highlighting visitor path by visual fram-ing, information center, providing signages

WELCOME PLAZA- Information center, seating areas, restrooms, drinking water facilities

New Additions in the plaza: Designed Shoe Rack Room for visitors.

Seating platforms under exist-ing and proposed trees

New Shops along the welcome plaza with pergola walk.

Reclaimed well with chattri and seat-ing platform around

Newly designed shops with shaded pathway along plaza periphery.

Queue shade

unused well

Inaccesible green space

Shoes stand

permanent shops -old

temporary shops

selling on ground

Existing Site Plan- Sacred Center

re-organising activities along peripheryincreasing capacity

framing visual axisImproving visual experience

Built MassHistoric BuidingsOpen SpacesGreen AreaPaved PlazaTemporary ShopsPePermanent ShopsQueue ShadeShoe RackFood Distribution AreaToilets/ Drinking waterBeggars

Unp

lea

sing

- u

nse

d s

truc

ture

s d

ivid

ing

pla

za

Ram Raja Temple

Hardaul ki Baithak

Chaturbhuj Temple

Sca

ttere

d S

hop

pin

g w

ithin

pla

za

Begging Food Distribution Dirty Public Restroom and drinking water facilitiesImproper Public FacilitiesUnmanaged public activities

Proposed Plan for the Sacred Center

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

WALK to the Center ... of nature and healthThe big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human in-teraction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also devel-oped as a part of the greenways.

Six sustainable ways:

Holding the com-munity together at center by bringing nature towards it and getting Mead-owbrooke Park into the site. Creating a healthy and sus-tainable commu-nity by creating op-portunities to walk / bike to the center . Placing higher den-sity residential areas and commercial areas near the center to create a community hub.

Community held to-gether at center

Nature towards center Retaining water at the center

Density towards centerWalk/Bike/Drive to the center

Meadowbrook park extens into the commu-nity center

LA 537 Sustainability and Health StudioNeha RajoraDepartment of Landscape Architecture

High Density Residential Condominium

Water Body with Fountain

Lawn

Bio Swale

Bike PathSidewalk Sidewalk

Lawn

LEGEND

SITE PLAN

Section through the center

Detail of the Center

View of the pergola walk near native prarie.

Outdoor Cafeteria in the plaza

View of the fountain and central water body.

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Prarie grass

Lawn

Lawn

Lawn

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

Parking

Parking Parking

Parking

Lawn

Lawn

Water body with fountain

View of the lawn area and sidewalk .

Section through the bioswale

Town Houses/Retiree Housing

Single Family Residential

Commercial Area

School

Club House

Club House

Prarie Grass

Lawn

Plaza paving

Pathway Paving

The big idea is to develop a sustainable and healthy community radiating from the “center”. This center is a huge community space that facilitates human interaction with nature and promotes a heathy community.A series pedestrian and bike paths in the radial greenways connect residential areas with the central open space, where people can WALK , EAT and RECREATE. A stormwater management system with bio-swales and detention basins is also developed as a part of the greenways.

Sustainability and Health Design StudioGraduate Design Studio, Fall 2011- Prof. William Sullivan

Bike TrailsThe town of Blacks-burg with its unique terrain features and young population encourage outdoor activity such as bik-ing, hiking ,camping etc.The existing bike trails can be linked with the his-toric trail; which can be developed as a walking or biking trail.

Blacksburg Historic District The district outlines the original town plat called Sixteen Squares which was created in 1798, the year the Town was es-tablished. Today it is Blacksburg down-town area with civic buildings, religious organizations , com-mercial spaces, and residences.

Green Infrastructure Analysis and Plan for town Blacksburg,ALand Analysis

Revitalization of town Troutville, VAGraduate Studio

A revitalization proposal for the town of Troutville was developed based on the town analysis and the major issues and problems of the town discussed in the community charette. The conceptual proposal was developed as a group and I worked on the development of the de-tails for main street plan and community plaza design.

Recreational club Jaipur, IndiaUnder graduate thesis (architecture): 2009

Total Site Area: 55,065sq.m(13.6 acres)Total Built up area: 13,300 sq m.Design concept: Creating a “HUGE FORT WALL” in the site and placing the entire building along it ,to create enclosing fort kind of structure with typical Rajasthani landscape and architecture.

During my internship, I worked on Landscape and Interior design of a bungalow, Radhika Villa, designed and conceptualized by Ar. Ra-jeev Katpalia. I also created on 3D rendering of the bungalow on Ar-chiCAD software.

Radhika villa: Ahmedabad, IndiaInternship at Vastushilpa consultants (2008)

Study of hilly town, Mcleodganj : Himachal Pradesh, IndiaUndergraduate work(2006)

A study of town of Mcleodganj was conducted as a part of Study trip to Himachal Pradesh, India. The study was conducted in groups and my group analyzed Temple complex area and studied a settlement pattern in the region. The study aimed at understanding architecture as the rela-tion of built and open spaces.