Author: Jeeshnu K
Site Location: Mathura
Institute:Chennai Academy of Architecture & Design
Advisor: Prof. Misba. S.
True development requires rural and urban communities to progress together without losing their distinct identities. Set in Visakhapatnam, this architectural project bridges the gap between rapid urban growth and marginalized indigenous communities, creating a shared ecosystem for mutual development.
Core Strategies & Functions Situated on a calm urban hill, the Centre acts as an egalitarian meeting ground. It is organized around the complete cycle of indigenous enterprise: learning, making, exhibiting, and selling.
- Economic & Cultural Hub: Artisans and local entrepreneurs gain direct market access through dedicated workshops and exhibition spaces, while urban residents can actively engage with traditional crafts and knowledge.
- Public Commons: Courtyards, shaded streets, plazas, and amphitheatres encourage organic social interaction, ensuring the space functions as a social infrastructure that benefits all demographics equally.
- Ecological Integration: The design respects the natural landscape, seamlessly incorporating biodiversity and water-sensitive systems, including rainwater harvesting.
Architectural Language The design prioritizes spatial continuity, human scale, and cultural familiarity. By utilizing locally rooted materials and creating gradual transitions of natural light, the architecture remains welcoming rather than intimidating. Its defining feature is a contemporary, boat-like roof that floats above the structure, framing views of the sea while functionally supporting ecological water collection.
Conclusion Ultimately, the Centre is not merely a building; it is a platform for connection. It proposes a development model where rural and urban systems are not competing but deeply interconnected, allowing indigenous knowledge and urban engagement to prosper together.
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Drawings
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