Tag: Adaptive Reuse GM

Architecture of the Sacred Commons: Water Landscape of Pamban Island

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Author: Kshitij Churi
Site Location: Pamban Island, Tamil Nadu
Institute: Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies (KRVIA)
Advisor: Aishwarya Padmanabhan

Description

Pamban Island’s sacred landscape is woven around its 64 teerthams- holy water bodies that once sustained both spiritual practice and ecological balance. These stepped tanks and wells are more than ritual sites; they are decentralized water systems capable of recharging aquifers, resisting seawater ingress in groundwater, and ensuring equitable access to water. Their neglect has led to cultural erosion, ecological vulnerability, and restricted access for communities.
This thesis reimagines the teerthams as active commons- spaces where the nature–culture link is re-established through water. By designing interventions rooted in the stepped tank typology, the project creates equitable spaces of access, ritual, and performance for three key users of the island: the local, the pilgrim, and the tourist. Through architectural insertions addressing the local, pilgrim and tourist, the proposal positions these sacred water structures as anchors of both cultural continuity and ecological resilience and the design becomes a medium to restore lost links between people and place, ecology and ritual, nature and culture.

Drawings

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From Abandoned Mill Ruins to Civic Catalyst: A Case of Connecting DBR Mills to Hussain Sagar Lake as an Equitable Third-Place for Hyderabad

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Author: T Tanishka
Site Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
Institute: Sri Venkateshwara College of Architecture
Advisor: Krishna Priya

Description

“Transforming abandoned mills into inclusive third places of memory, dialogue, and belonging.”
As cities become denser, faster, and increasingly privatized, the everyday citizen is left with few places to simply pause, gather, or belong. This thesis explores the necessity, relevance, and architectural possibilities of Third Spaces in contemporary Indian cities. This architectural inquiry seeks to go beyond conventional redevelopment strategies and envisions brownfield regeneration as a catalytic process, where architecture serves as a medium for, reconnecting, and re- imagining.
Once alive with the hum of looms and the pulse of workers, DBR Mills, Hyderabad now lies silent—its walls weathered, its gates locked, its presence reduced to a forgotten void in the heart of the city. Yet within its ruins rests an unrealized potential, Memory, character, and identity waiting to be reimagined. This thesis proposes re-imagining DBR Mills as a multidisciplinary hub and equitable “third place,” while connecting it to Hussain Sagar Lake where the city can pause, gather, celebrate, and belong. Rooted to where it stands and grounded in character and memory, while introducing new spatial narratives, the proposal reclaims DBR Mills as a regenerative common—open, inclusive, flexible, and ever-adaptive that caters to the ever-changing needs of the city.

Drawings

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Re-imagining Sardar Patel Stadium: A Community Recreation and Multi-sports Hub

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Author: Patel Upal Rajendrakumar
Site Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Institute: The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU)
Advisor: Ar. Rahul Dalvi

Description

We delve into the fascinating world of adaptive reuse, where old structures find new life in innovative and functional ways. Historical structures aren’t just buildings; they’re an experience. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, despite past demolition plans, stands as a testament to ongoing preservation efforts. Organizations like the World Monuments Fund and the Getty Foundation have been actively involved in its conservation, even funding studies on the stadium’s potential for repurposing. A key proposal for its future is to conserve the site and enhance its value as a vital green space for the local community to enjoy. To maintain its World Heritage City status, Ahmedabad must continue to prioritize such conservation initiatives.
The revitalization of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium has a profound impact on the community. It transforms from a single-sport venue into a dynamic multi-sport and community recreation hub, enhancing cultural, recreational, and social engagement. This revitalization not only preserves the stadium’s historical and architectural significance but also creates a sustainable and valued public space for generations to come. It fosters a strong sense of community, promotes physical and mental well-being, and contributes significantly to the overall development of the city.

Drawings

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Weave with water – The story of Vypin

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Author: Riya Georgie
Site Location: Vypin, Kerala
Institute: SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture
Advisor: Dr. Vaidehi Lavand

description

Since 2018 tidal flooding has become a silent disaster that’s been eating into the Vypin communities and their livelihood,

“A disaster that only effects the poor vulnerable section of society, and no one is willing to pause or stop their life for a disaster they can just run away from. “

-Sreeja, Research Director at Equinoct

And so, I shine a new light onto the alarm-struck water edges by creating a harmonious interface between nature & man and water & land in Edavanakad, which is home to a small fishermen community.

Keeping ecology, economy and living, as the base requirements and developing them through flood resilience measures as well as climate strategies that work together to provide the optimal solution.

You see the entire community coming together, rebuilding its roots step by step, to bring in resilience and economic stability for the greater good of preserving the essence of the fishing community and lifestyle.

The case of Edavanakad will stand as a strong example, of how using architecture as a catalyst we can actively promote the beauty of communal living whilst strengthening and encouraging a new symbiotic lifestyle.

drawings

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Beyond Design – Community Centre for Designers

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Author: Yukathasri C.
Site Location: Bengaluru
Institute: CMRU School of Architecture
Advisor: Prof. Muralidhar. K

description

The architectural thesis proposes the design of a community center for designers by repurposing one of the abandoned NGEF factory buildings (Bengaluru).
The community center would be a hub that fosters creativity, collaboration and professional development of designers. It is to be a space for designers to connect, share ideas, develop skills and network.
The research is based on the understanding that designers need a setting that offers the requirements needed for creative expression, learning and professional development. These requirements are analysed through the assessments of live and literature case studies.
The design proposed is a flexible and adaptable space that accommodates a variety of design activities for different design fields.
The community center offers coworking spaces with collaborative workspaces, makerspaces outfitted with specialized tools and equipment, a resource library with access to design materials and an exhibition space to showcase the work of the designers. The facility also has areas where the designers can relax, socialise or recharge.
‘Beyond design’ strives to encourage designers by catering to their needs and supporting the community.

drawings

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