2022

A PRACTICUM REPORT

Prakriti Gautam
A17/17
Department of Architecture
Pokhara Engineering College
Preface

According to the curriculum of the Bachelor of

Architecture prepared by Pokhara University, Practicum
is to be conducted by the Architecture Department for
the students of Fourth Year Second part i.e. 8th
semester. This subject is designed for students to gain
practical experiences before completing the course and
before joining the professional career. Hence it provides
a good opportunity to the students to interact with the
society, professionals and the constraints.

According to the curriculum, I joined Shah Consult

International (P.) Ltd. (SCI) for practicum. I joined the
office from 13th Baisakh 2079 (26th April, 2022). I have
currently completed 35 days of my practicum. I have
hence, prepared the report of the works which I got
opportunity to involve in SCI so far.
Acknowledgement

I would like to express my gratitude towards Ar. Poonam

Shah, senior architect and project coordinator/superviser
under whose guidance I am working as an Intern, for
accepting me as a trainee architect. Also I would like to
thank Ar. Udipti Lakoul and Ar. Sujata Shrestha for their
kind support and continuous guidance in my practicum
period.

Likewise, I would like to thank my supervisor,

Ar. Pradyumna Adhikari, for the valuable advice and
suggestions he has given me in completing this report.
CONTENTS
1 Background 1

2 Objective of Practicum 2

3 Office Profile 3

4 Pati Design 4 - 24

5 Site Visit 25 - 28

6 Detail Drawing 29 - 34

7 Dias Design 35

8 Model Making 36
Background

Practicum also called an internship, is an on-the-job learning

experience undertaken within an academic framework, a
supervised/mentored, practical application of a previously studied
theory.

An architectural practicum is a comprehensive career-wide program

needed to acquire and strengthen the
knowledge,integrity,judgement,skills,discipline and motivation to learn
that must serve an architect throughout his life.

Architecture,being very ingenious,subject,extends beyond theoretical

boundaries. Practical training is the most in architectural studies . This
practicum period included in our course helps us to have better
practical knowledge and professionalize ourselves.It acts as a
medium to practice our academic knowledge .It gives us various
knowledge which apply the theoretical knowledge in real time work
like detailing and drafting,Construction Documentation,Construction
administration,Design Presentations,Client relations and business
development etc.

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Objective of Practicum

1. To gain an opportunity to be familiar with the professional

field while utilizing the academic knowledge gained from the
three years of learning at college.
2. To work under the supervision of senior architects and learn
from their experience and ideologies.
3. To know about the realistic side of the architectural
profession.
4. To support development for the professional leadership
abilities.
5. To know the general concept of working method of an
architectural firm.
6. To understand the range of field up to which an architectural
firm should deal with the project.
7. To understand and tackle various obstacles when a design
is really being implemented.
8. To adapt to the corporate world and learning the rules and
regulations of the business.
9. To focus on problem based practical learning through
experience in fields in the current market practice

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Office Profile
Shah Consult International (P.) Ltd. (SCI) is a private
consulting organization that provides specialized technical
services in engineering, architecture, planning, management
and related fields. Since its inception, SCI has rendered
consulting services for a number of prestigious national and
international projects funded by Government of Nepal, its
Development Partners or the public and private sectors. In
several projects, SCI has worked in association with reputed
international consultants. SCI’s endeavors and performance
in all its ventures have won it wide acclaim, both at home
and abroad.

SCI is committed towards providing consulting services of

the highest professional standards to its clients. This
commitment, coupled with the rich blend of experience,
expertise and resources available at SCI, makes it one of the
most competent and technically sound consulting firms of
Nepal.

Environment
My working atmosphere is very professional. Every work is
connected through the server and work is to be carried out in
desktop itself. The easy access to the internet is another
good thing about the office, which is the most important to
get updated and to get information about anything.

Moreover, another good part of the office is that all members

are friendly and interactive and also helps in sharing ideas.
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Pati Design
The current ongoing project of SCI is the Thapathali Showroom
being constructed at Thapathali. The area behind the proposed
site belongs to the local Guthi consisting of temple, paati and
gathering areas. During the construction process certain portions
of Guthi’s area had to be demolished. SCI is reconstructing the
demolished area. My involvement in the project was to plan and
design this area. Requirements for the design were:

I. Paati
II. Covered cooking space
III. Public Toilet
IV. Guard house (2)
V. Shower area for the guard
VI. Outdoor guthi area
VII. Staircase leading up to the temple
VIII. Flower beds and seating space on the staircase

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ABOUT SITE

Location : Thapathali Chowk, Thapathali

Area : 48416113.3004 mm2

Longitude : 85° 19' 21.6048"

Latitude : 27° 41' 21.8616"

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6
The portion of the structure consisting of covered cooking space, toilet, guard
house and shower area for the guard lies on +2800mm lvl above which Paati
is placed at +4600mm lvl. As the width of the proposed structure is only
3.14meters, for the toilet and guard house space, many alternatives were
designed to figure out the best possible design approach with proper
utilization of space.

Alternative 1:
It consists of 2 wash basin, 2 wc commode and separate space for the
Guard. This separate space includes a wc with shower space, separate
pantry space and one room.

Alternative 2:
As the client wanted two guard rooms and a covered cooking space, spaces
were arranged such that the criterias were met. Thus, two guardrooms
(3.15x2.7m) were added. The toilet area with shower space for guard was
separated to one toilet and one shower space only (each 1.5x1m) to increase
the size of the room for the guard. Wash basin was also reduced.

7
Alternative 3:
Here, I have tried to utilize the extra exterior space beside the guard’s room to provide
a private and separate space for guard to restrict public access and maintain security.
An additional staircase is provided from the +4600mm lvl, This arrangement was
however rejected as it involved more construction and expense for the client.

Alternative 4:
To obtain a more flexible space, I rearranged the toilet. As Indian toilet was more
preferred for the area, I changed my previous plan and the spatial arrangements
accordingly to better fit the pan. A corridor space was created to allow the guard to
access the exterior space on the southern part of the site. This conceptual
arrangement was then finalized for the provided site.

8
Guard Room/ Toilet

Guthi Space

Pati
9
The covered cooking space lies in +2800mm lvl (ground level). To enter the toilet,
shower and guard area, we have to descend two steps down. Thus, it will be at
2500mm lvl. The floor height of the cooking space is 2100mm and the floor height after
descending down to the toilet area will be 2400mm which provides it a proper clearance
height. To enter the southern exterior area at +2200mm lvl, we further have to descend
two steps down.

cooking space

+ 2500mm lvl

+2800mm lvl

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A

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The toilet (1765mm x
900mm) is of Indian
type. It includes a grab
bar (support bar) at an
elevation of 450mm from
the pan level. Likewise, a
floor trap is provided for
proper drainage and to
keep the toilet dry and
clean.

The shower space

(1000mm x 1500mm)
consists of a soap bar at
an elevation of 900mm
from floor finish level. It
also includes a towel bar
at 1800mm from finished
floor level.

Washbasin (600x450mm)
is placed outside the
toilet.
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Initially, paati was designed in a rectangular form. Later, it was decided to align
the paati along the retaining wall being constructed for the showroom thus giving
it a wider space.

Paati consists of 6 posts each 150x150mm. These posts rest on either pcc or
brick soling used as floor treatment.

Roof of paati is yet to be decided.

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Outdoor Guthi Area:

Requirement was to design an area sufficient enough to host a

traditional Newari Bhoj. The width of the entire space was 2100mm
which itself was a challenge as the area for bhoj required 1350mm of
clear space.
Many alternatives were designed so as to create a space sufficient
enough to fully cater the requirements.

15
 Initial Guthi Space

Alternative Guthi Spaces

Seating Space for 10 people at Guthi is arranged.(Newari bhoj)

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 Later, the client suggested adding a Dhungedhara on the area. Space for
dhungedhara was adjusted and designed accordingly. Flower beds were
provided and the drainage line was also maintained.

Dhungedhara

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As our Paati area falls on +4600mm lvl and the footpath is on -1250mm lvl,
staircase leading up to the Paati area had to be provided. My involvement on this
was to design this staircase and add flower beds and seating areas. For this,
measurements were taken from the site and plan and section of the staircase was
drafted. Two alternatives were created for the flower beds; one was curved and
another one was stepped. While pitching this idea to the client, the client preferred
the stepped flower bed and thus the stepped one was finalized.

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Initial Design of flower bed

Final Design of flower bed 22

 Final Development of flower bed design

Flower beds are made in steps that gives elegant look and blends with the
staircase. Flower beds are made up of bricks where as staircase is cladded
with stone.
On the other side of the staircase consist of frames which is boarded with the
nagbeli brick .

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To better understand the
design of entrance gate to
the staircase
measurements were taken
from the existing entrance
gate and a plan was
drafted according to the
measurements.

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Site Visit
1
Location :
Thapathali Chowk,Thapathali

Purpose :
To observe the process of concreting and Screeding

Concreting
Concrete is a product obtained artificially mixed, by hardening of
a mixture of Cement, sand, gravels, and water in predetermined
proportions. The process of mixing and pouring it into the desired
location is called Concreting.

Screeding
The screeds primary purpose, using one part cement to three to
five parts sharp sand, is to give a smooth and level floor on which
to lay your chosen floor finish.I got the opportunity to watch and
learn about the whole process of screeding how thickness of the
screed allows to take up normal variations in flatness and
levelness of the base on which it is laid.

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2
Location :
Thapathali Chowk,Thapathali

Purpose :
To observe the traditional elements and their construction
techniques

Field Trip
Through SCI, I had the opportunity to take a field trip to a
construction site for better perception and understanding of the
traditional elements and their construction techniques. The building
was the famously known Thapathali Palace which was now being
reconstructed to an Ashram to house the yogis scattered around the
periphery of the site. The Ashram is being reconstructed entirely
using the traditional architectural construction techniques.

The Ashram is divided into various blocks with multiple Pati’s (Newari
Resthouse) either enclosing a courtyard or facing the holy Bagmati
river flowing towards the (North) of the site. Bricks are used to give a
visual continuity to Nepalese architecture.

Paati currently in construction 26

Apart from the decorative bricks that were inlaid into
fair-faced brick walls, there were other planer bricks used for
laying pavements. These bricks were specially fired called
“dachi-appā”. These were usually square, triangular or rectangular
and laid in different patterns. Woodworks carved by their own
craftsmen were the most intriguing. These woodworks were used
in windows, lintel, sill, post, rafter, joists and so on. Sill and lintel
used in this type of construction spread along a certain distance
on the wall.

Sill and Lintel bands

The main purpose was to resist seismic load and prevent possible
collapse of the structure during earthquake. These exterior frames
called ‘Bha’ and the interior frames called ‘Dhuchu’ further were
extensively carved by the craftsmen to give a unique historic look to
the overall structure and were pinned together with wooden ties
called ‘Chukul’.

Traditional Newari Window Wooden ties - ‘Chukul’

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Use of stones was limited to
the foundation only. The base
stone locally known as
‘Ilohan’ was used to erect
wooden post (commonly
called ‘tha’) on the ground
floor and raising the plinth. A
long peg (sa), extending from
post passes through the
bracket into beams and holds
the three structural elements
in position. Loads are
transferred from lintels (nina)
and beams (dhali) on to the
posts (tha).

Roofs had a steep pitch (40-50 degree) in order to make full use
of the available space. These extra spaces in the attics were
widely constructed for better air circulation. The Roofs were
covered with special clay tiles called ‘Jhingati’. The wooden
elements were held together using wooden wedges or ties called
‘Chukul’.

Extra spaces in the attic for circulation Wooden slates on roof

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Detail Drawings

Project : Commercial Complex

Location : Jawalakhel, Lalitpur

My Participation :

Detail drawing of Staircase Plan

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Project: Thapathali Showroom

Location : Thapathali Chowk, Thapathali

My Participation :

I was involved in drafting the revised working

drawing of Toilet.

Previous 30
Revised 31
Project: Thapathali Showroom

Location : Thapathali Chowk, Thapathali

My Participation :

I was involved in drafting the working drawing of Staircase.

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Dias Design

Following the
instructions
provided by the
project coordinator,
I designed a
600x1000mm Dias
for a conference
hall. Consultations
were carried out
with the senior
architects and
necessary revisions
were also made.

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Model making

For ISKCON Temple

which is to be
constructed at
Nawalparasi, the size of
Shikhara was to be
evaluated. To check the
proportions, size and
scale, three models of
the Shikhara were
created.

Initial design of Shikhara was

too high and the revised
arrangement was too low.
Hence, a third design of
Shikhara was carried out
which better fitted the design
requirement and scale
planned for the ISKCON
Temple.

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