Nivedita Sridhar

ARB I COA I RIBA Chartered Architect

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What happens when architecture lets sunlight and water become the designers?

Fractal Amphitheater

Fractal Amphitheatre (908 m²) is a final year studio project at Oxford Brookes School of Architecture, UK. The brief was provided by the DS 2 New Digital and Vernacular Architecture Studio, which explored Spatial Language through tectonic and parametric rules using Rhino, Grasshopper, V-Ray and Unreal Engine . The site chosen is in South India, but the academic output generated was produced as part of my RIBA Part 2 and developed to UK Standards. Post Part 3 , it was also reflected upon and further developed in accordance with Part E and Part B standards, specifically addressing fire safety and acoustics requirements, as well as material build-up.

Traditional craft

New Digital Intuition

Storytelling

Parametric design

Visualization /Animation

Typology

Contemporary Urban Sacred Space / Arena

Area

908 m²

Studio

DS2 New Digital Vernacular

Capacity

Maximum of 200 people

Architectural narratives through digital craft

Transforming spaces with parametric design and immersive storytelling. Bridging traditional architecture with cutting-edge digital technologies.

Story Board

Design Drivers

The project explores the scope of using natural elements like sunlight and water in creating spatial experiences through architecture. Broken Bridge site chosen to play with natural water levels created during monsoon season.

Inspired by stained glass windows

Light and Colour

This design driver focuses on the traditional craft technology of stained-glass windows, examining how the interplay of colored glass and sunlight generates a dynamic interior environment that continuously transforms with the sun’s movement.

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Response to the climate on site

Water

The second design driver is water, chosen for its calming interaction with light and its relevance to the site’s climate.

 

Chennai receives nearly 80% of its annual rainfall in just two months (October–November), making water an integral element that allows the design to engage naturally with varying water levels, without the need for artificial pools.

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Implementation of digital craft

Geometry

Light exists through darkness. A parametric form inspired by temple geometry controls light and water within the amphitheater, echoing how golden ratio and fractal principles once guided harmony and hierarchy in traditional architecture.

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Design Proposal

Response to the Brief

the bridge that leads to nowhere now leads to my sacred space /amphitheater...

Response to Site Context :

Broken Bridge as the name suggests , is a Bridge to nowhere.

During the year 1977 , the bridge partly collapsed due to strong currents of the river and has never been repaired. It was built to facilitate the movement of fishermen from Santhome beach to Elliot beach over the mouth of the Adyar River. The Broken bridge that once helped the fishermen in their livelihood now has topped the list of popular shooting locations and become a hangout spot. With ocean on one side and the river on the other , it is an exciting site with a lot of unique and calming views.

Tools

Workflow

Response to the Brief

Color, Culture, and Climate: Designing with the Spirit of Monsoon

In India, the monsoon season is a time of celebration with color. These vibrant colors in religious practices symbolize happiness, wealth, and spirituality. Temples and traditional clothing are filled with bright hues, creating a sacred atmosphere and bringing people together in cultural and spiritual unity.