23057159 Pranisha Shrestha Week 1

 Week 1: Orientation & Project Kickoff

Work Placement Experience

I began my placement at CS Consultancy & Construction Pvt. Ltd., a multidisciplinary firm rooted in sustainability, cultural preservation, and design innovation. The firm’s collaborative and eco-conscious culture was evident through onboarding sessions, which emphasized its mission of blending traditional Nepalese architecture with modern functionality.

Assigned Projects & Key Responsibilities

I was assigned to support three projects:

  1. Luxury Restaurant (Kathmandu)
  2. High-Rise Apartment (Lalitpur)
  3. Eco-Resort (Pokhara)

My primary focus in Week 1 was the luxury restaurant, where I conducted site measurements and spatial analysis. This involved documenting:

  • Ceiling heights and beam placement
  • Column positions affecting circulation
  • Lighting and window orientation
  • Surface materials for reuse or replacement

Using laser tools and Procreate, I translated these into digital sketches, experimenting with ceiling designs that respected structural limitations and aesthetic goals.

Challenges Faced

A major challenge was reconciling Newari traditional elements (carvings, latticework) with the client’s preference for modern minimalism. This required:

  • Researching vernacular motifs
  • Proposing a hybrid design palette
  • Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure technical feasibility

Tools & Techniques

  • Procreate: Digital sketches for layout and ceiling concepts
  • Measurement Tools: Laser tape, levels, and manual methods
  • Green Brainstorm Sessions: I proposed bamboo composite panels as sustainable ceiling materials


Contribution to the Organization

My site documentation and concept sketches helped senior designers make faster design decisions.
Key outcomes:

  • Reduced concept development time by 2 days
  • Contributed ideas that were shortlisted for client presentation
  • Sparked discussion on adaptive reuse in sustainability sessions


Learning & Application of Theory

  • Systems Thinking (Senge): Understood interdependence between design, structure, and culture
  • Stakeholder Theory (Freeman): Balanced client desires with firm values and structural needs
  • Kolb’s Learning Cycle: Gained experience through site visits, conceptualized digitally, and refined through team input


Critical Analysis & Evaluation

Strengths:

  • Accurate measurements and fast visual ideation
  • Active participation in collaborative sessions
  • Strong grasp of spatial design constraints

Areas for Growth:

  • Improve technical drawing speed in CAD
  • Deepen knowledge of traditional construction techniques
  • Build project management awareness (timelines, budgets, coordination)


Conclusion

Week 1 laid a strong foundation in real-world spatial planning, cultural sensitivity, and collaborative design thinking. The experience helped me apply theory to practice and sparked an interest in bridging tradition and modern design through sustainable methods.

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