Small Talks — Architecture Portfolio copy

Selected works

Vengatesh Ravichandren (b. 1998) is a Master of Architecture graduate from the University of Sydney. Since 2020, he has been actively working in the three-dimensional world under the pseudonym of
vish-al.

His practice spans architecture, interiors, and objects, grounded in design fundamentals and evolving methods, shaped through experience across varied design roles and university learning, with a habit of questioning conventions.

Resume

For more information, please get in touch with me at
hi@vish-al.org.

vish-al

Small Talks, a Huge House chapter.

2024
96 City Rd
Darlington NSW

“Small Talks” is a student housing initiative developed as part of A Huge House III, a University of Sydney design studio that reimagines the domestic potential of large scale shared living. Set within the historic site of the former International House, the project explores how architecture can foster intercultural connection, care for Country, and contemporary community life in a student context.

This project is a proposal for a 300-bed student housing community for Aboriginal students at the University of Sydney, centred on cultural belonging, connection to Country, and collective wellbeing. The project adaptively reuses the existing International House structures while introducing new low-rise residential blocks arranged around landscaped courtyards. These courtyards act as social and cultural gathering spaces, encouraging daily interaction, storytelling, and a strong relationship with land and nature.

The International House - USYD

1/7 Site Plan

2/7 Typical Floor Plan

3/7 Ground Floor Plan

4/7 Sectional Elevation

5/7 Unit Floor Plan

6/7 Facade Detail

7/7 Axonometric Illustration

The masterplan organises accommodation into smaller clusters to foster close-knit communities rather than anonymous large-scale living. Each residential block houses students across four levels, with shared kitchens, dining areas, study zones, and accessible rooms designed to support communal life. Open ground floors create porous circulation, connecting pathways, courtyards, bicycle facilities, and recreation areas.

Existing heritage elements, including the tower and rotunda, are reimagined as public and communal spaces. The rotunda becomes a civic gathering place, while the tower structure is opened to landscape and native planting. A nursery and café strengthen engagement between students and the wider community.

1/4

2/4

3/4

4/4

1/4 Wet & Dry Areas

2/4 Structural grid

3/4 Shared Space

4/4 Circulation

Through adaptive reuse, passive design, natural ventilation, and culturally responsive planning, the project creates a sustainable living environment that celebrates Indigenous identity, promotes wellbeing, and builds meaningful social connections on campus.

1/4 Circulation

2/4 Courtyards & Corresponding views

3/4 Ventilation

4/4 Unit Type

1/6 3D View - Balcony

2/6 Model - Massing

3/6 3D View - Courtyard

4/6 3D View - Interior

5/6 Model - Bedroom

6/6 Model - Shared Space