Maria Katticaran/ M.

Arch II/ UCLA Suprastudio

FUTURE WORKPLACE
AT N A S A J P L
DAN ZHU. SHIQI FAN. YUNXUAN GUO. MANJU PAITHANKAR. MARIA KATTICARAN
INSTRUCTOR/MARTA NOWAK
UCLA/2015-16

This study investigates the nature of ‘work space’—the immediate personal, and
even architectural, space of a human body at work. Through a series of rigorous
study and analysis of body functions and performances during the working
hours, the independent study also challenges the current notion of the office
space as ‘cubical’ or ‘bench’, and aims to rethink and reinvent the way we work
and collaborate today--from detail investigations of immediate transformable
individual “deep thinking space” to collaboration space for groups of two, three or
four. These studies focus on the understanding of architecture as an extension
of human body, and scrutinize the nature of work activities that could potentially
impact the layout, configuration, spatial relationship, ergonomics, and efficiency
of the work environment through the integration of lighting, acoustics, new
technologies and media. The studies would be tested in one-to-one scale and in
real conditions of a working space at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and it is
based on the survey and needs of NASA’s employees.

Study of the human body with extensions

DOCUMENTATION
Location: UCLA IDEAS campus at Playa Vista
Date and time: April 07, 2016 5:44 PM
Model: Yafei Zhang
 PRODUCTIVITY

PRODUCTIVITY AND ITS DIMENSIONS

SCHEMATIC SECTION OF PRODUCTIVITY - THE PERSONAL POD FOR INTERIOR

WORKPLACE AT NASA JPL

PRODUCTIVITY _ Study of wheel sizes

T H E Z E R O G R AV I T Y O U T D O O R
C O L L A B O R AT I O N S P A C E

Aerial view of the layout of the zero gravity

space in the JPL Campus, Pasadena, CA.

THE ZERO GRAVITY SYSTEM_ Just as the

spaceship in ‘2001 Space Odessey’ by
Stanley Kubrick, the wheel can be used
in various orientations like a zero gravity
system

Future outdoor collaboration space

JPL Campus, Pasadena, CA.
micro.living THE EARTH ROVER
AMMAR PALGHARWALA / MANJU PAITHANKAR/ MARIA KATTICARAN
MICRO.LIVING and PROJECTION MAPPING
INSTRUCTOR/MARTA NOWAK
UCLA/2015-16

THE ROVER IS DESIGNED FOR

EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS &
CAN SURVIVE ON WATER

THE VARIOUS PANELS THAT COULD BE USED

TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN INTERIOR

The EARTH.ROVER is an architecturally designed micro.living unit for one person

that can adapt/cope with any environmental conditions The unit itself is a steel
framework onto which pneumatic modular panels could be fixed to customize the
interior according to the needs of the user. Being a pneumatic structure the rover
can enable the person to survive in environments such as water, deserts, slopes
etc.
The unit could be transported from place to place using a drone or other modes of
movement inherent in the system (such as movement using varying pressure and
using human engine) could be deployed.
The interior of the unit is designed in a way that zero space is wasted. The design
eliminates any furniture between architecture and human as a result of the
ergonomically designed panels. Each of these panels can be chosen according to the requirements of the user. These could be removed and
replaced with panels with other functions and and when required.

THE EARTH ROVER : ITS VARIOUS ORIENTATIONS

AND THE FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED

SLEEPING COOKING BATHING SITTING

P R OJ E CT I O N M A P P I N G
 ONUR KARADUMAN/MARIA KATTICARAN/URIEL A. LOPEZ/CHEN SUN/TIAN TANG
MOCK UP MACHINE
INSTRUCTOR/PETER VIKAR
UCLA/2015

TETRIRIS
ALEXANDER LOPEZ/ CHEN SUN/ TIAN TANG/ ONUR KURUDAMAN/ MARIA KATTICARAN
MOCK UP MACHINE
INSTRUCTOR/PETER A VIKAR
UCLA/2015-16

MECHANISM UNIT ASSEMBLY

120°

Tetriris is an architectural floor/ceiling system that takes precedence

from the generic mechanism of the shutter iris. The unit itself is a DRIVE ASSEMBLY
three paneled tetrahedron than can transform between open and closed
positions. A steel frame and webbing system navigates the two languages
of the complex grid of the units and rectangular extents of the system,
allowing it to be deployed easily as a retrofit.

The Tetriris system functions as both a ground and ceiling. The system
provides an engaging experience for users while also collecting useful
information for operators. Pedestrians can walk upon the glass surface,
triggering pressure sensors the actuate the corresponding panels below.
This produces a dramatic lighting effect while engaging users both below
and above, in addition to the spectacle of the unit itself.

CLOSED OPEN

MOTION/INTERACTION/ARRAY
 LIGHTING

PHYSICAL MODEL OF THE TETRIS

THE TIME MACHINE
AUSTIN YU/ FIFI LIANG/ MARIA KATTICARAN
THE PROSTHETIC SEMINAR: ARCHITECTURAL PROBES,
CYBORGS AND CYBERNETIC ENVIRONMENTS
INSTRUCTORS/ MARTA NOWAK / IMAN ANSARI
UCLA SUPRASTUDIO/2015- 16

Site Model | A human head that is split open shows the relationship of the
brain with the sense organs and potrays the carrying of impulses/signals to the brain.

“Architecture typically enters a role of complicity, to sustain cultural conventions.

However, architecture can be put into the role of interrogator. Given the technological
and political re-configurations of the contemporary body, spatial conventions may be
called into questions by architecture. Architecture can be used as a kind of surgical
instrument to operate on itself (in small increments.)” – Diller and Scofidio, Flesh.

The Time Machine is a memory prosthetic that lets the user record their
moments in life and plays it back as a memory when he/she desires. The process
of playback of memories is using virtual reality and is immersive in nature, and Digital Analogy of memory
lets the person actually travel back in time and experience it 360 degree in 3D.
The use of the Time Machine, which is designed as a helmet covers the head and 1. Encoding
the eyes of the person, redefines the way a person sees the world and perceives 2. Consolidation Research I Digital Analogy of the parts of the brain that is involved in the process of
3. Storage memorizing
it. This could be worn at all times and has the potential to challenge and question
4. Retrieval
the way humans operates now and to become a fashion statement.

Prototype I: A helmet with a plug in system, that could allow plugging
in of various kinds of memory recording systems such as cameras,
microphones, smell capturing devices etc according to the need of the
user.
Fabrication technique: 3D printing using powder
Prototype III: A helmet with an intergrated and embedded recording
and preview/ experience system using 6 cameras, an Iphone and an
magnifying lens.
Fabrication technique: CNC milling
Mechanism I Drawings showing the mechanism of the Time Machine
Prototype II: A helmet with embedded recording and preview/
experience system using 6 cameras, an Iphone and an magnifying
lens.
Fabrication technique: Contour model using laser cutting
Prototype IV: A helmet that could become a fashion statement with
an intergrated and embedded recording and preview/ experience
system using 6 cameras, an Iphone and an magnifying lens.
Fabrication technique: CNC milling
THE PROSTHETIC BOOK SHIQI FAN/ DAN ZHU/ MARIA KATTICARAN
INDEPENDENT STUDY
INSTRUCTOR/MARTA NOWAK
UCLA/2015-16

The project is a continuation of the Prosthetic Seminar from Fall 2015. It

focuses on the investigation that re-thinks the inhabitable environments of
cybernetic organisms, or cyborgs. The study is concerned with the human-scale
interventions that question, re-imagine, re-design, and re-model the artificially-
enhanced and equipped body that would inhabit them. Through this investigation,
the study, aims to extend the role of architecture beyond compliance to pre-
existing conditions imposed by the human body (as aesthetics or stylistics
containers), and instead, call into question the organic body that has been so
irretrievably defined by.
The project involved an archival project. The book/ the archive should be re-
thought as a design project where the organization, layout and graphics convey
not only a thesis of seminar but also becomes a prosthetic of knowledge-
recorded, reorganized and translated for common use.
 [h]
scarecity
/
AMMAR PALGHARWALA/ MANJU PAITHANKAR/ MARIA KATTICARAN
STUDIO: CYBERVILLAGE
INSTRUCTOR/CRAIG HODGETTS & MARTA NOWAK
UCLA/2015-16 discrepancy between the
space that is provided to us
and what we actually use.

12
12

9 3

12

9 3

Redundancy of spaces

THE FUTURE OF CITIES

An attempt was made to question of the current society and architecture culture
that have emerged as a result of changes in patterns of everyday life. There is a
clear discrepancy between the amount of space that is provided and the amount
of space we actually use. A strong redundancy of spaces can be observed as a
factor of time for example, single person units during the day and cars idly parked
in the parking structure during office hours.
This redundancy of infrastructure is converted into opportunity by companies like
Uber, AirBNB, General Motors, and Creative Cloud, which encourage a change in
lifestyle using the key concepts of sharing and partial ownership over time.
INDIVIDUAL
OWNERSHIP
10,000 CARS
FOOTBALL
FIELDS OF
PARKING
ATTRACTOR POINTS AND CONVERGENCE GRID FORMATION

THE LAND USE NODES AND PATHS

PROXIMITY LOOP LAND USE BASED ON PROXIMITY LOOP

EXTRUSIONS AND HEIGHTS UNITS

Master-plan is designed to have blocks sharing common areas of interest. In the adjacent diagram, the circles represent
TRANSPORT NETWORK
the areas of importance. These areas are evenly distributed. At the epicenter of the block, a commercial structure (tallest OPEN SPACES
structure),is located on the circumference of the circle and the regular grid is distorted with the epicenters working as attractor
points. Thedistortion of the grid is aimed at giving orientation and directionality to the city. The nodes in the master plan serve as
the public or the shared
 THE RESIDENTIAL UNIT
MODEL OF THE MASTERPLAN FABRICATION using CNC, Lasercutting
FABRICATION using CNC, Lasercutting Material : Foam 4” thick
Material : Wood
 THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY, HOUSING AND LIFESTYLE

“The interest in sustainable architecture has been focused on technical and

aesthetic approaches, instead of regarding sustainability as an ethical and
mental issue, one arising from values of life and a new solidarity. We cannot
meaningfully speak of sustainable architecture without thinking of sustainable
culture, ways of living, and values. The basic assumptions and aspirations of
the prevailing economic system are fundamentally unsustainable without such
considerations”. Juhani Pallasma

PLAN illustrating relationship between market, housing units and courtyard.

TYPICAL SECTION THROUGH S[H]ARECITY

COURTYARD AND RELATIONSHIP

TO THE WHOLE-SUN ANGLES
& WATER PERCOLATION

SELF SUFFICIENCY
THE MARKET
 HOUSING UNITS FLOOR PLANS mezzanine level

TIER II Unit Interlock

The Tier 2 housing units offer an intermediate level of sharing where in four people share a kitchen facility. Unlike
Tier 1 housing units, these units have pod parking facilities. The diagram essentially shows how the four units
connect to the kitchen and that has evolved into this sectional condition in which the four units interlock with the
central kitchen. The central kitchen is located at the mezzanine level and all of the four units have equal access to
it. This scheme encourages a radical change in lifestyle, gives rise to a new definition of domestic environment and
personal space.

FLOOR PLANS Top Level FLOOR PLANS Lower Level

TIERS OF HOUSING: Tier II

TIER III

- FAMILIES
- MULTIPLE PODS
- REDEFINING LIFESTYLE

The Tier 3 of housing are situated at the lowermost level. They are larger units
that are meant for families. As per our research of space usage and wastage,
we see little or no redundancy of spaces as far as family units are concerned.
They are more efficient as three or four people share the same amenities.