Nirmal Kumar
Earthy Matters
AgroForm
Fragmented Land and Lives
Edible Pavilion
Outdoor Room
Mahati Wellness Centre
Radiance Groove
Jamsu Bridge
Solar House
Guwahati International Airport
Nigeria Airport

About Me!


         I’m Nirmal Kumar Kumarasamy, a Master of Advanced Architectural Design (MAAD) student at Carnegie Mellon University. I’m passionate about creating spaces that blend aesthetics and functionality while solving real-world challenges. I enjoy exploring innovative forms and rethinking how people interact with spaces. With a focus on efficiency, I develop workflows that save time and allow for diverse design iterations. I’m always eager to push the boundaries of architecture by experimenting with materials, forms, and advanced technologies. Learning from others and tackling challenges in design keeps me inspired and motivated to deliver meaningful solutions.



CV Link:

Nirmal Kumar_2025

Contact:

nkumaras@andrew.cmu.edu

Skills


Design & Visualization: Concept Design, Design Development, Detail Design Development, Parametric Design, Façade Design, Space Planning, Photorealistic Rendering, Physical Modelling

Fabrication & Prototyping: 3D Printing, CNC Fabrication, Laser Cutting

Software: Rhino, Revit, Sketchup, Grasshopper, Python, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign),Google Suite, QGIS, Twin Motion, Lumion,  Rhino V-Ray

Technical Skills: Fabrication Drawings, Computational Workflows, Documentation & Reporting

Earthy
Matters

Carnegie Mellon University
Shaping Environments 
Fall ‘24
Instructor - Joshua Bard and Vina Wei


      The project aims to explore the possibilities of integrating advanced additive manufacturing methods to create tessellated structures using non-planar clay printing. The workflow focuses on how an ABB robotic arm can effectively print complex geometries with customized toolpath strategies, leveraging the adaptability of clay as a dynamic material in architectural fabrication.

The ability to print non-planar surfaces with robotic precision redefines approaches to flexible and adaptive design in architecture and manufacturing. The use of clay as a sustainable and customizable medium opens new avenues for material innovation, allowing for intricate and precise forms that are challenging to achieve through conventional methods.

This approach could lead to opportunities in industries such as architecture and manufacturing, where bespoke molds, facades, and other highly customized designs are valued. By refining robotic clay printing within a single automated setup, the process streamlines production and increases efficiency, demonstrating the potential for real-world applications in material behavior, precision control, and structural stability.

Additionally, the exploration of reusable molds, such as kinetic sand formworks, contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing material waste.




Opportunities for Future Exploration:



Adaptive Printing Strategies: Develop more sophisticated robotic control algorithms that can adapt the printing path and extrusion parameters in real-time based on the scanned surface geometry. This could improve print quality and enable more complex overhangs and cantilever.

Parametric Formwork Generatnio: Develop algorithms that can generate complex, parametric formwork designs based on specific architectural or artistic requirements. This could allow for the creation of intricate, organic shapes that would be difficult to achieve with traditional methods.



Multi-Material Printing: Investigate the potential for printing with multiple clay types or other materials on the same non-planar surface. This could lead to interesting composite structures with varying properties across different sections

Material Properties: Study how the properties of the clay (such as viscosity, drying time, and shrinkage) interact with the kinetic sand formwork. This could inform the development of specialized clay mixtures optimized for non-planar printing

Agro
Form


Carnegie Mellon University
Shaping Environments 
Fall ‘24
Instructor - Dana Cupkova


           Agricultural waste—coconut fibers, jute, and banana peels, has long been discarded, overlooked, and burned, contributing to environmental harm. These materials are often considered byproducts, too abundant or difficult to process for reuse. Disposing of them through burning or landfilling releases harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases, exacerbating environmental degradation. However, these abundant natural resources hold significant potential to transform the built environment. By reimagining agricultural waste, we can replace carbon-intensive materials with sustainable alternatives. Coconut and jute fibers, known for their tensile strength and flexibility, can form durable, carbon-efficient frameworks. When combined with natural plasticizers like agar, glycerol, and coffee grounds, these fibers create resilient networks capable of supporting future structures. Banana peels, woven into translucent panels, provide more than structural support—they invite light and air, creating experiential spaces that connect us to nature in ways synthetic materials cannot.



As our prototype took shape, a new vision began to emerge—one where materials and life merge seamlessly. The fibrous structures of coconut and jute form vertical, tree-like arches, providing a flexible yet stable framework. These structures support banana peel skin panels, which feather outward to create dynamic, living facades. These skin pockets were further imagined to hold embedded seeds, which decompose over time, giving way to plants that grow, replace, and renew the structure. The coconut and jute fibers continue to provide lasting stability, while the growing plants contribute to biodiversity, enhancing the environment. What began as a solution to reduce waste and carbon emissions has evolved into a self-sustaining system—materials that regenerate naturally, creating a continuous cycle of growth, renewal, and balance with nature. This integration of materials and plants defines AgroFORM, where architecture itself takes shape as a living organism, blurring the lines between the the built and natural world.



©Nirmal Kumar
2027