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Intertwine Transit Nexus by Miloni Shah

Intertwine Transit Nexus by Miloni Shah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Bronze A' Design Award in Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Design Competition Category.


BronzeInfrastructure· 2024

Intertwine Transit Nexus

by Miloni Shah

Client: Savannah College of Art and Design

Bronze A' Design Award Winner in Infrastructure Category

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Colors

The Design

About Intertwine Transit Nexus

A city comprises multiple layers, buildings, open spaces, and humans. Inspired by Jan Gehl, Intertwine integrates mass transit to prioritize social interaction and city fabric, proposing comprehensive planning for vibrant public spaces while addressing urban growth and challenges. Fostering a human centric approach enhances economic and environmental impact through open hub designs and inviting spaces. Intertwine, a visionary concept for immersive urban living. Seamlessly blend city life to promote social interaction and enrich the urban experience.

The Recognition

About the Bronze A' Design Award

Intertwine Transit Nexus is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. Intertwine Transit Nexus is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. Intertwine Transit Nexus splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.

Interviews

Design Interview

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

My design ethos centers on human-centric principles, blending user needs with contextual considerations for functional, sustainable, and culturally relevant spaces.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

My main focus in designing this work was to create a harmonious blend of functionality, sustainability, and cultural relevance, aiming to address the specific needs of the users while integrating seamlessly with the surrounding context.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

My future plans for this award-winning design involve further refining and expanding it to encompass larger-scale urban projects that prioritize human-centric design principles. I aim to gain more experience in urban design, focusing on creating impactful spaces that enrich communities and promote sustainable living.

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Grand Interview

Your innovative approach to integrating mass transit with social interaction in Intertwine Transit Nexus reflects Jan Gehl's principles - could you elaborate on how these human-centric design principles shaped your vision for Brno's urban fabric?

Jan Gehl's human-centric design principles greatly influenced my vision for Intertwine Transit Nexus in Brno. Inspired by his focus on creating spaces for people, I aimed to design a transit hub that not only serves transportation needs but also fosters community interaction and connection. By integrating green spaces, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and areas for social gatherings, I sought to make the station an inviting, active part of the urban fabric—one that enhances everyday experiences and encourages a stronger sense of place. This approach ensures that the design prioritizes human comfort, accessibility, and engagement, aligning with Gehl’s vision of vibrant, people-focused cities.

The morphogenic columns and ETFE panels in Intertwine Transit Nexus create a striking architectural presence - what inspired these specific material choices, and how do they contribute to both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the transit hub?

The choice of morphogenic columns and ETFE panels in Intertwine Transit Nexus was inspired by a desire to create an architectural presence that is both visually impactful and highly functional. The morphogenic columns add a dynamic, organic quality to the space, evoking movement and flow that mirrors the bustling energy of a transit hub. Functionally, they provide structural support while maintaining an open, airy environment for travelers. The ETFE panels were selected for their lightweight, translucent properties, allowing natural light to flood the space and reduce energy consumption. This combination not only enhances the station's aesthetic appeal but also contributes to a sustainable, user-friendly environment that feels integrated with the surrounding urban landscape.

Intertwine Transit Nexus seamlessly connects land and waterfront areas while prioritizing sustainability - could you walk us through the design process that led to this harmonious integration of natural and built environments?

The design process for Intertwine - Transit Nexus focused on creating a seamless connection between land and waterfront areas through a sustainable, human-centric approach. By conducting a thorough site analysis, I integrated natural elements like green spaces and water features to enhance the environment while minimizing ecological impact. The multi-modal transit hub was designed for smooth transitions between different transport modes, prioritizing accessibility and user experience. Sustainable features, such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting, were incorporated to support long-term environmental goals, ensuring a harmonious integration of the built structure with the natural landscape.

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Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Brno's transit system links the city center with trolleybuses, trams, and trains. Stops are strategically placed near amenities, enhancing convenience. The new gateway railway line prioritizes sustainability and integrates seamlessly with the built and natural environment. It features a central concourse plaza, tracks, a museum, a cycling track, and a city viewpoint, fostering vibrant centers and a sense of community.
Dimensions & Packaging
Site specifications: Width 302.8mm x Depth 339.6mm x Height 40mm Area: 102,852.20 sq.m. Track Area: 47,830.42 sq.m. Platforms: 7 (elevated 5.5m above ground) Construction materials: Precast concrete, steel pipe frame, ETFE panels, composite columns, and lightweight walls. Innovative Features: Morphogenic columns, transparent roof coverings, skylight openings, solar panels for sustainability, electric bike trails connecting waterfront and plaza areas, third level trails with restaurants, and museum displays.
Tags
Public Spaces, Social Interaction, Connectivity, Urban Fabric, Weaving, Transit System, Railway Station, Transportation Hub, Sustainable
Production Technology
Utilizing cutting edge technology, the production and realization process involves expertise in AutoCAD for precision, coupled with advanced 3D modeling in SketchUp, Rhino, Grasshopper, and 3ds Max. The final touch comes with realistic rendering using Lumion and Corona and enhanced visuals through Photoshop.
Design Challenge
Designing transit systems presents challenges in scalability and human connectivity. Achieving seamless integration between land and waterfront areas while prioritizing sustainability and human centric design enhances the daily commuting experience. Balancing the complexity of the macro scale infrastructure with the harmony of the micro scale urban fabric ensures a holistic and user riendly transit system.
Research
As part of an M.Arch thesis, the project delves into the pivotal link between urban transit and humancentric design. It investigates how mass transit rail systems can integrate harmoniously into urban settings, promoting social interaction and addressing commuter requirements. Through understanding this interplay, the project aims to craft welcoming and accessible urban spaces.
Inspiration
Brno's rich history as a royal stronghold and hub of Moravian nobility, alongside its turbulent 20th century past and current role as a bustling regional center, emphasizes the critical necessity of a robust transit system. Such a system would reflect Brno's resilience, connectivity, and dedication to progress, aiding residents and visitors in navigating its diverse cultural landscape.
Project Duration
The project was designed for the Historical city of Brno, Czech Republic. This design project was in Savannah, Georgia from September 2021 to June 2022.
Operation Flow
Brno's station prioritizes functionality, boasting efficient vehicular flow and seamless tram connections. Its open concourse encourages community engagement, with security facilities, market pods, amphitheaters, and a historical museum. Pedestrian friendly bridges facilitate connectivity and social interaction, offering panoramic views. The design aims for a pleasant, safe, and interactive space, addressing structural concerns with durable materials and prefabrication techniques.
Team Members
Rajkumar Maisheri: 3D Visualization.
Image Credits
Image #1: Render _ Miloni Shah, Intertwine_Arial 2022.
Image #2: Render _ Miloni Shah, Intertwine_Section 2022.
Image #3: Render _ Miloni Shah, Intertwine_Platform 2022
Image #4: Render _ Miloni Shah, Intertwine_Main Concourse 2022.
Image #5: Render _Miloni Shah, Intertwine_Enterance Plaza 2022.

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