Adaptive Spatial Model – A Case for Decentralising Transitional Care in Ahmedabad

Author: Ishita Agarwal
Site Location: Ahmedabad
Institute: NMIMS Balwant Sheth School of Architecture
Advisor: Suprio Bhattacharjee

Description

The project addresses a pressing urban inequity – the absence of dedicated spaces for recovery between hospital treatment and home care. In cities like Ahmedabad, a major regional hub for healthcare that draws patients from smaller towns and rural areas, the lack of transitional care facilities amplifies existing disparities. Patients discharged after major treatments often face inaccessible or unaffordable rehabilitation options, particularly those from socio-economically weaker backgrounds. Many are left to recover in overcrowded or unsuitable environments, compromising their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

To bridge this gap, the project proposes an Adaptive Spatial Model for Transitional Care – a decentralized, modular framework that can be embedded into diverse urban contexts. By situating such centers within the city’s everyday fabric, the model ensures that quality care becomes a shared urban resource, not a privilege. Each module includes a complete set of essential programs, from rehabilitation and counselling to accommodation for patients and families, supporting holistic healing across conditions. Rooted in the principles of healing, the design integrates nature, sensory engagement, and community interaction to restore dignity and accelerate recovery. The model’s flexibility allows it to respond to varied site conditions, resource constraints, and cultural contexts, while maintaining an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusivity. By reimagining healthcare infrastructure as accessible civic space, the project presents a replicable vision for embedding recovery into the fabric of Indian cities – starting with Ahmedabad.