Tag: Mixed use GM

Housing for the Urban Poor: A Landpooling Approach to Revitalize Vathuruthy Colony

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Author: Fathima P.V
Site Location: Willingdon Island, Kochi, Kerala
Institute: MES College of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Vijaya Nhaloor

Description

‘Rooted in Reality, Responsive by Future’ is a design philosophy that begins by acknowledging the truths of an existing place, its people, building patterns, and lifestyle while shaping interventions that can adapt to future needs. It is about respecting the identity of a community while equipping it for resilience and growth.
In this rapidly urbanizing society, the chance of eviction for underprivileged settlement like Vathuruthy colony is high, often in the name of ‘development.’ This thesis challenges that approach, proposing an inclusive alternative for the Tamil migrant community on Willingdon Island. Established in the 1960s to support naval base construction, the colony has grown organically, developing strong social ties but also facing congestion, poor infrastructure, and flood vulnerability.
Through a land pooling strategy, the design reorganizes the fabric into cluster-based layouts that retain familiar spaces while introducing improved housing, shared public areas, and climate- resilient infrastructure. The approach ensures equitable access to resources, prevents displacement, and strengthens community identity, transforming Vathuruthy in a way that evolves from its past while preparing it for the future.

Drawings

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Revitalization of Benarasi Karigari

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Author: Priyal Patel
Site Location: Vishwanath Gaali, Varanasi
Institute: MIT School of Architecture, Pune
Advisor: Dr. Neeti Tirvedi

Description

The handloom industry of Benaras has served the livelihoods of over 75% of the population, predominantly comprised of Muslim weavers, for more than 400 years. The craft is developed as a legacy of their ancestors, continued by successive generations. However, the lackadaisical view towards the weavers in Benaras have forced them to live in a sub- human environment, creating an adverse impact on the craft of handloom weaving, leading to migration of weaver’s community to the periphery. The craft is facing the threat of extinction due to the exploitation of weavers by Gaddidars (traders), and growing usage of power looms, which enable faster and more cost-effective production.
Housing Conditions: Due to insufficient income, multi-weaver families live in overcrowded and uninhabitable conditions, sharing the same limited space for both domestic activities and weaving production. According to the research and documentation of existing dwelling units in Vishwanath Gaali, we observed the need for a space which would incorporate the weaving activity separately along with the domestic work.
The Aim of the Project: The aim of the project is to commercialize hand loom weaving by bridging the gap between the weavers and the local community in the old town of Varanasi. The intent is to create tangible spaces for intangible interactive experiences that engages both residents and weavers, bringing the craft into the public realm by showcasing it on the streets of the city. By integrating tangible aspects of urban design with the intangible cultural heritage of weaving, the initiative seeks to safeguard the weaver community within the old town, thereby preserving the essence of traditional hand loom craftsmanship.
The Site Plan: The design of the site plan is inspired from the process which is involved in pre and post weaving activities. The project aims at creating a weavers walk which would involve the experience of viewing the processes of weaving by the tourists. The weavers would also be provided with stalls at the end of the walk where they can display their art and sell their products together. The design of the site plan is done in a way to encourage the weavers to carry out activities such as washing of threads and dying work done together in the central area of the site. This would ultimately connect the local weavers to their potential clients simply without an interference of the traders. This also involves an additional source of income for the women to run food stalls along with their weaving studios. This would inculcate in them, a sense of inclusivity and security within the community of the old town of Varanasi and ultimately preserve the age-old craft of handloom weaving.

Drawings

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The Metamorphosis of Worli Koliwada

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Author: Srilekha Malladi
Site Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Institute: Dr. D.Y. Patil School of Architecture
Advisor: Amit Shirke

Description

The Metamorphosis of Worli Koliwada reimagines one of Mumbai’s oldest fishing villages as a resilient, community-driven waterfront. Caught between the pressures of redevelopment and the weight of heritage, the project proposes an alternative future, one that protects cultural memory while enabling growth.
The design unfolds through co-creation with the Koli community, embedding their lived routines, rituals, and occupations into spatial strategies. Instead of erasing the dense gullies, the project strengthens them through phased development: incremental housing upgrades, flexible public spaces, and resilient infrastructure. The seafront transforms into an amphitheatre and marketplace, where daily livelihood meets collective leisure. A folded plate roof inspired by fishing nets symbolises the dialogue between tradition and contemporary construction.
At its core, the thesis argues that urban design is not about replacing communities but amplifying them. By merging heritage, resilience, and equity, the project sets out a model for how Mumbai’s indigenous settlements can thrive amidst rapid urban change.

Drawings

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Parivartan: Re-imagining Slum Living of Bandra

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Author: Adburrab Ansari
Site Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Institute: Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Design, Integral University
Advisor: Zeba Nisar

Description

Parivartan: Re-imagining Slum Living is a people-centric redevelopment proposal for the dense informal settlements of Bandra West, Mumbai. Rooted in the philosophy of People-Centric Urbanism and guided by the framework of Regenerative Urbanism, the project envisions a future where slum redevelopment is not merely about housing provision but about enhancing quality of life, preserving community identity, and fostering socio-economic growth.

Through inclusive planning, the design integrates mixed-use vertical housing, accessible public amenities, and vibrant green spaces at both ground and podium levels, ensuring a balance between private comfort and shared community life. Cultural values and lifestyle patterns of residents are retained through flexible housing layouts and active open spaces that encourage interaction.

Sustainability is embedded through modular construction, climate-responsive design, and integrated landscape planning. By addressing housing, livelihood, and ecology together, Parivartan becomes a replicable model for equitable and resilient urban transformation—demonstrating how architecture can be a tool for social upliftment while shaping a more inclusive urban future.

Drawings

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Colony to Community: Redevelopment of Antulenagar Leprosy Colony

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Author: Bhavya Shah
Site Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Institute: IDPT, Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology (SCET)
Advisor: Niraj Naik

Description

Leprosy is one of the oldest known diseases to mankind, which has forced thousands of cured individuals into isolation, giving rise to colonies like Antulenagar, Pune. The cure has been established half a decade ago, but the stigma persists, leaving these individuals and their family members excluded from the city’s social and urban fabric.

The thesis takes Antulenagar as a site of redevelopment and reintegration. The master plan envisions an accessible housing premise addressing the special needs of the residents, focusing on accessibility and adaptability.

Shared facilities, including a communal kitchen and dining, are designed to encourage interaction and support amongst the community, while barrier-free access ensures every resident is included in every space. The surroundings are proposed to be liminal spaces for the neighbourhood, serving as social buffers, reconnecting Antulenagar with its neighbours, slowly dissolving decades of stigma. Antulenagar is more than just the built form. It is an effort to promote dignity, belonging, and equality. Antulenagar aspires to stand as a replicable model for India, aiding in the redevelopment of other marginalised colonies into inclusive neighbourhoods.

Drawings

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Siddi: Preserve, Empower, Thrive – Community-driven Architecture in Ahmedabad

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Author: Habib Rehman Akhtar Khan
Site Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Institute: Lokmanya Tilak Institute of Architecture and Design
Advisor: Harish Shetty

Description

The Siddi Community Centre is envisioned as a place of dignity, belonging, and opportunity for a people often pushed to the margins. The Siddis -Africans by origin, Indians by nationality have lived in Gujarat for over four centuries. They built forts, carved Ahmedabad’s iconic Siddi Saiyyed Jali, and enriched India’s cultural fabric. Yet today, many struggle with poverty, exclusion, and invisibility, with little access to education, healthcare, or secure livelihoods.
Many remain unaware of their Scheduled Tribe rights, while issues like gambling and exploitation weaken unity. Hope lies in the younger generation, eager for education and change.
This project responds by asking: who are we designing for? The answer lies in co-creating with the community. Set on a 29,000 sqm site along the Ahmedabad riverfront, the design steps with contours and draws from idea of Correa’s incremental grid, Kéré’s ventilation strategies, and Fathy’s brick vaults. Each 12 × 20 m module, supported by RCC beams and brick piers, integrates services, harvests rainwater, and anticipates growth.
Programs emerge from lived realities – a healthcare block for women and children, a community kitchen inspired by Hirabai Lobi’s struggle, schools woven with skill centers, and courtyards for Dhamal dance, weddings, and festivals. Sunken exhibition spaces become hubs for dialogue and livelihood, while sports and women’s training centers unlock future potential.
This is not charity. It is architecture as equity, preserving heritage, empowering livelihoods, and nurturing cultural pride for generations to come.

Drawings

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Beyond the Box: Apdapting IKEA’s Design Language to Gurugram’s Cultural Heritage

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Author: Nazni Yoonus V
Site Location: Gurugram, Haryana
Institute: DG College of Architecture
Advisor: Indu Sreenivasan

Description

Beyond the Box: Adapting IKEA’s Design Language to Gurugram’s Cultural Heritage explores how a global retail giant can evolve to reflect local identity. IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer, is known for its standardized, functional, and cost-effective store design. While this model ensures brand consistency, it often leads to placeless architecture. Gurugram—a rapidly urbanizing, planned city dominated by high-rises and modern glass facades—presents an opportunity to question this approach and reintroduce cultural depth into retail architecture.

In recent years, IKEA itself has begun to move away from the “one-size-fits-all” model. IKEA Vienna, completed in 2022, is a prime example, designed as a compact, urban-friendly store with terraces and green facades—demonstrating how the brand is evolving to respond to its context Inspired by this evolution, the project proposes an IKEA for Sector 47, Gurugram, on a 9-acre site with a built-up area of 45,651 m². The design integrates Mughal architectural principles—arches, symmetry, domes, and courtyard-like pause areas—enhancing cultural resonance and enriching user experience.

The design addresses common challenges in IKEA stores—long circulation paths, wayfinding issues, and limited cultural connection—by introducing clear navigation, pause zones, and social spaces. The outcome envisions an IKEA that is not just a retail destination but also a cultural landmark: one that balances efficiency with rootedness, global identity with local heritage, and commerce with community.

Drawings

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The Community-centric Livelihood Hub

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Author: Parindra Sur
Site Location: Shantiniketan, West Bengal
Institute: Techno India University
Advisor: Sayan Chatterjee

Description

This thesis investigates the potential of architecture to serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development in rural India through the creation of a Community-centric Livelihood Hub in Shantiniketan, West Bengal. The study addresses the challenges faced by rural artisans—particularly in infrastructure, visibility, and sustainable livelihood—by proposing an architectural intervention that integrates traditional knowledge systems with contemporary sustainable design principles.

A mixed-method research approach was employed, combining site observations, stakeholder interviews, and literature review. Comparative case studies of Auroville (India) and METI School (Bangladesh) informed the design philosophy, highlighting models of participatory, environmentally responsive, and culturally rooted architecture.

The final design comprises multifunctional spaces including training centers, market areas, artisan residences, and community halls—organized around vernacular spatial principles and constructed using local, climate-resilient materials. Emphasis is placed on passive design strategies, community engagement, and the preservation of the local Baul and artisan culture.

By contextualizing architectural design within the framework of rural development and cultural continuity, this project contributes to a replicable model for sustainable rural transformation. It demonstrates how architecture can bridge the gap between tradition and innovation while empowering local communities.

Drawings

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From Mortal to Eternal: Spatializing the Ghat as a Ritual and Reflective Space

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Author: Ananya V
Site Location: Srirangapatna, Karnataka
Institute: School of Planning and Architecture, Mysore
Advisor: Ar. Srikanth K.S

Description

This thesis reimagines the sacred riverfront of Paschimavahini, one of the rare west-flowing stretches of the Kaveri. The site is historically significant as a traditional pilgrimage destination and a place where families perform post-death rituals and rites of passage connected to the cycle of life, death, and memory. It proposes an inclusive, multi-level ritual landscape that honors Hindu non-cremation death rituals such as shraddha, tarpana, pinda pradana, and asti visarjane. The project highlights the quieter yet important practices of remembrance, offering, and connection to ancestors.
The design presents the riverfront as a living ritual spine. It is not just a place for tourism or urban renewal but a sacred ecology where death, memory, and nature are intertwined. The architecture explores multi-level ritual experiences, from horizontal ghats to vertical structures like treehouse-inspired pavilions. These features symbolize the layered journey of the soul while engaging with the river’s edge, water, and vegetation in a sacred way.
In light of Paschimavahini’s cultural and spiritual significance, the proposal ensures the dignity of both human departure and natural cycles. The design emphasizes spatial fairness and inclusivity, providing equal access and respectful spaces for marginalized groups such as widows, poor families, and the elderly, who are often left out of death-related practices. Ultimately, this thesis reweaves death, nature, and memory into a sacred space. Here, ritual architecture goes beyond mere functionality to reflect tradition, ecology, and the dignity of departure.

Drawings

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Susegad: A Centre for Island Living – Revitalize Economy and Culture through Architecture in Goa

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Author: Shreeya Kamath
Site Location: Divar Island, Goa
Institute: BMS College of Architecture
Advisor: Dr. Leena Thombre

Description

This thesis proposes a community–visitor center on Divar Island (Site Location Pin: 15.53439611522159, 73.90173249052955) as a shared platform where locals and tourists come together, designed to nurture cultural exchange while protecting both heritage and ecology. The intent is not only to provide facilities but also to create an environment that celebrates coexistence. For locals, the spaces generate income, revive agriculture, and sustain artisanal practices that risk being lost. For visitors, they provide opportunities for authentic experiences—ones that are mindful, meaningful, and deeply rooted in the island’s identity. Material limitations are embraced as strengths, with locally available resources guiding construction and demonstrating the wisdom of vernacular methods. The architecture resists spectacle and excess, relying instead on its rhythm of blocks, courtyards, and pathways that weave built and unbuilt spaces together. These interstitial areas foster interaction, community gatherings, and a constant dialogue with the landscape. The design ensures that the built does not overwhelm the natural; instead, it frames it. In this way, the architecture blends modestly into Divar’s timeless setting, appearing grounded, enduring, and inseparable from its place.

Drawings

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Kasimedu Karai: A Harbour Front Interface for Coastal Life and Cultural Confluence

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Author: Niveditha G
Site Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Institute: MEASI Academy of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Reshma Banu

Description

Kasimedu, one of Chennai’s largest fishing harbours, is a vital economic and cultural hub for Tamil Nadu. Yet, its condition does not reflect its significance. Informal market activity spills into public spaces, causing congestion and unhygienic conditions. Community and recreational infrastructure is limited, and a social gap exists between local fishermen and visitors, with few opportunities for meaningful interaction or understanding of the community’s way of life.

The project reimagines the harbour as a Harbourfront Interface, promoting equitable access, cultural exchange and community participation. Zoning addresses all stakeholders, with a dedicated harbour zone near the coast left undisturbed for fishing activities, while markets and recreational areas are strategically planned to minimize fish odor. Recreational and cultural spaces allow visitors to experience local traditions, while bird nesting and watching areas provide habitats for migratory and local birds, integrating ecological sensitivity. A waste management system converts organic waste into plankton and fertilizer. Flea markets and handicraft spaces encourage sustainable local entrepreneurship.

By addressing spatial, social, and ecological inequities, the project bridges the gap between fishermen and the public, creating a resilient, inclusive waterfront that preserves heritage, sustains livelihoods, nurtures cultural exchange, and supports biodiversity.

Drawings

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Yelahanka Mixed-use Transit Hub, Bangalore

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Author: Akshita Jain
Site Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Institute: School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Advisor: Dr. Arun Ramani Grover and B.K Tanuja

Description

Public transit in India is becoming increasingly one-dimensional, failing to take into its fold the functions, economics and diversity of our cities.
This proposal for a mixed-use metro transit hub in a Tier 2 locality (Yelahanka) within a Tier 1 city (Bangalore) aims to embed economic and social sustainability into transit developments by extending the idea of air rights and designing them as integrated mixed-use developments that perform as active urban hubs for the locality while encouraging decongestion within the city center. This hub combines profitable (offices, retail) and subsidized (EWS/LIG housing, metro) components within a single building complex creating a financially self-sustaining model of development that serves a socially diverse population.
Secondary objectives are to prioritize public and shared transit (private vehicles are diverted from prime sightlines), to reposition the transit stop from being a node to a destination in itself (functions as a hub of activities instead of a passing through point) and to preserve and enhance existing city-level systems for environmental well-being (Bangalore’s historic system of stormwater drainage is a critical zoning consideration).
The outcome is a transit hub that pays for itself, houses diverse communities and transforms public transit into a catalyst for self-sustaining urban growth.

Drawings

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A Garden of Stories: Placemaking in Three Acts

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Author: Shruti Jayaraman
Site Location: Imphal, Manipur
Institute: RV College of Architecture
Advisor: Anup Naik, Mehul Patel, Nagaraj Vastarey, U S Maiya

Description

In the everlasting essence of society, there is the oppressor and oppressee. Their ways of negotiating with each other are limited to space. This space then becomes contested and a memory etched into us for generation to come. Having seen both the oppressor and oppressee, space is still excluded from the conversations of powerplay, ethnic and religious multiplicity.
As long as space is treated as a neutral spectator (instead of as an active participant), she will always be subjected to forms of violence, dissent and be vulnerable to the acts of a power hungry man.
Space that is designed to account for the narratives of all, can facilitate and create agency for treating the past as memory(not as active dissent). In this thesis, Space tells the story of the tribals, women and children in the contested capital of Manipur – Imphal.

This explorative thesis claims the need to perceive space as an active participant and a custodian of legacy to make place for the oppressed in society. As architects we must place-make for them. This project is in the contested capital of Imphal and challenges the city’s current spatial quality, materiality, and design as oppressive forces.

Drawings

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School of Thought: Architecting Dharavi’s Future Through Civic Design

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Author: Agatha Mary Mohan Ponraj
Site Location: Dharavi, Mumbai
Institute: Avani Institute of Design
Advisor: Ar. Niraj Pillai

Description

The origins of the project lie in observing the everyday as architectural. Drawing from Pauline Gallacher’s question in Everyday Spaces: “Is there still potential in the forming of neighborhoods for little spaces of contradiction, which stand aside from the transience of the here and now and testify to the past of a place and its future possibility?”

I grew up in Dharavi. Not in the map of it, but in the texture of it—the closeness, the choreography, the constant negotiation of space. As I entered architectural education, a dissonance appeared: the city I knew and the city the discipline wanted to draw were not the same. One was fluid, porous, shared. The other was enclosed, programmed, rendered. This thesis comes from the need to reconcile those two visions.

Cities like Dharavi are rarely short of architecture; they are full of it—walls that become blackboards, staircases that double as markets, courtyards that host festivals and funerals alike. What they lack is recognition. Conventional design frameworks call these conditions “informal,” but in reality, they are civic systems—messy, adaptive, and profoundly intelligent.

This thesis begins by taking those overlooked logics critically. It does not read incidental spaces as leftovers, but as urban instruments that shape collective life. Through mapping, observation, and critical inquiry, the project transforms these cues into architectural propositions that resist closure and invite appropriation. The aim is not to solve Dharavi, but to listen to it—and in doing so, to reframe architecture as an act of equity: a structure that acknowledges multiplicity, amplifies everyday practices, and opens itself to use far beyond what is drawn.

Drawings

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Assumptions to Inclusion: Rethinking the Social Datum

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Author: Prathamesh Mahajan
Site Location: Mumbai
Institute: L.S.Raheja School of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Mridula Pillai

Description

Architecture is often described as a reflection of society. But what happens when that reflection is incomplete, shaped by assumptions of who belongs and who does not? This dissertation, Assumptions to Inclusion: Rethinking the Social Datum, explored how architecture can move beyond these presumptions to embrace equity and inclusion.

The study began with the idea of datum as a physical reference, but soon revealed its parallel in society: the social datum, invisible norms that dictate who is prioritized and who is overlooked. These norms often exclude the differently abled, neurodiverse individuals, non-normative identities, the elderly, and the economically marginalized. Seen users are typically accounted for in design, while unseen users remain unconsidered.

To confront this, the research used comics to narrate everyday struggles of diverse individuals in the city, grounding design in lived stories rather than abstractions. The chosen site, Watson’s Hotel and Kala Ghoda Chowk in Mumbai, was both symbolic and practical. Once marked by exclusion, it is reimagined as a civic space rooted in participation, memory, and belonging.

Design interventions, such as a stramp for equitable mobility, calm zones, un-gendered restrooms, and multi-sensory navigation, are not add-ons but embedded principles. Together, they form the Urban Living Room, a space that challenges assumptions and shifts the social datum toward equity.

Drawings

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The Post-Modern Acropolis

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Author: Syed Affan
Site Location: Hyderabad
Institute: BMS School of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Anjan Kumar

Description

The Post-Modern Acropolis proposes a two-strata city that relinquishes the ground to vehicular movement and the podium to people. At grade, vehicles run in a de-conflicted network of roundabouts, lay-bys, and separated lanes, improving flow with fewer stops while keeping service, emergency, and deliveries efficient. Above, a continuous, car-free podium becomes the neighborhood’s living room—step-free, universally accessible, and richly programmed with markets, schools, play courts, gardens, and civic spaces stitched by open terracing and active frontages.
“Mandi” terraces anchor local livelihoods, giving micro-retail and fresh-produce trading a dignified space that is visible, safe, and walkably close to homes. The topography enables direct emergency access to the podium without long ramps, while discrete cores handle waste, loading, and back-of-house services without crossing pedestrian desire lines.
Climate comfort is designed in: tree canopies, high-albedo paving, and bio-receptive moss concrete temper heat, absorb noise, and clean the air; terrace gardens and permeable soils manage stormwater. The result is an urban equity uplift—more public space, safer streets, and everyday amenities within a 10-minute walk—delivered alongside smoother, more predictable traffic below.

Drawings

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PRAVEXUS – South Bengaluru Metropolitan Transit Hive

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Author: Yadav Krishnan U
Site Location: Bengaluru
Institute: V-SPARC, Vellore Institute of Technology
Advisor: Rituparna Das

Description

Rapid urbanisation in Indian metropolitan regions has exposed critical inequities within transport infrastructure. Public transit nodes, which should function as central points of accessibility and interaction, frequently remain overcrowded, directionless, and non-engaging. These deficiencies generate a domino effect of challenges, including reduced efficiency, social exclusion, and compromised safety, ultimately undermining the equitability of urban mobility.

The thesis project PRAVEXUS, located in South Bengaluru, proposes a multi-modal metropolitan transit hive that redefines the role of transport hubs within the city. The design positions equitability as a core principle, ensuring affordability, inclusivity, and accessibility across age, gender, and working class. Anchored in the conceptual framework of arches as symbols of movement and rebirth, the project integrates transit with commercial and civic functions to create a dynamic urban interface. Through contextual analysis and circulation-driven spatial strategies, PRAVEXUS addresses systemic inefficiencies while promoting mutualism between public infrastructure and socio-economic activity. The project demonstrates how multi-modal hubs can extend beyond transit efficiency to act as catalysts for equity, engagement, and urban identity within rapidly transforming metropolitan contexts.

Drawings

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Building a Bridging Community: Re-imagining the Lives of the Sexworkers and Children of Sonagachi Redlight Area

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Author: B Vishnu Priya
Site Location: Sonagachi, Kolkata
Institute: Department of Architecture and Planning, College of Engineering, Trivandrum
Advisor: Arun Cherian

Description

Going into Sonagachi and identifying the real issues inside is one of the most challenging tasks known to India. Over the years, It has formed impenetrable layers of security within itself making it difficult to leave once trapped inside. A sexworker’s  desire to escape from the cycle of prostitution, abuse and illness is overshadowed by fear and a lack of sufficient support systems.

This project aims to provide the sexworkers and children the freedom of choice by providing all required facilities to leave the profession and transition back into society as strong independent citizens. Once a sexworker has chosen to leave Sonagachi behind, this project welcomes them to join the process of reintegration.

The design program involves a newly curated administrative and architectural self-sustaining ecosystem to provide housing, opportunities for upskilling, assistance with child care and access to education, leisure and sense of belonging.

Exclusion can only be addressed by involving the public in the sustenance of this project. Hence the project forms 3 layers of privacy on site. The site level zoning forms a market area where the people of Howrah and Kolkata can freely move about. The second level stacks the housing of the women on top of the commercial zone creating a secondary street network exclusively accessible to the tenants. The third layer addresses the need for institutional facilities required for liberation.

The future of Sonagachi is not written in stigma, but in the strength of its women. A city that no longer defines them by the walls they were once confined within, but by the possibilities they are free to pursue. This project is a step toward an urban fabric that chooses inclusion over exclusion, dignity over neglect, and liberation over silence. In reimagining the lives of the women and children of Sonagachi, we are reminded that architecture is not just about structures—it is about lives, choices, and the collective courage to create change.

Drawings

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Land.Water.Life: Majuli’s Symphony of Survival

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Author: Abhay Rajesh
Site Location: Majuli Island, Assam
Institute: Avani Institute of Design
Advisor: Ar. Thushara K

description

In response to the annual floods and relentless soil erosion on Majuli Island, this architectural thesis explores how spatial adaptation can enhance resilience and improve the inhabitants’ lives. The “Land Water Life – Majuli’s Symphony of Survival” project focuses on creating multifunctional community spaces that dynamically respond to the island’s ever-changing landscape. The design investigates architectural strategies that facilitate living during and after floods, aiming to extend the functionality and safety of the spaces on the island.

The project delves into the intricate relationship between land, water, and community, highlighting the resilient negotiations the people of Majuli undertake to coexist with their environment. By reimagining traditional Satra spaces and integrating essential healthcare facilities, the project preserves cultural identity while improving access to critical services. This holistic approach underscores the interconnectedness of cultural preservation, environmental resilience, and community well-being.

The thesis emphasizes creating structures that not only adapt to the island’s flooding but also support the community’s socio-cultural revival. Through innovative design strategies, the project aims to serve as a beacon of resilience and empowerment, ensuring that Majuli’s way of life can endure and thrive despite the challenges posed by floods.

drawings

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The Foodhill

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Author: Rajvir Singh
Site Location: Navi Mumbai
Institute: Dept. of Architecture Guru Nanak Dev University
Advisor: Dr. K.S. Chahal, Dr. R.S. Aulakh

description

The Food Hill, a Vertical Farming Institute in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai envisions an educational model, fostering empowerment and community building of farmers, researchers, students, and city dwellers.

Positioned in a dense urban environment, this project addresses the escalating concern of the limited accessibility to organic produce in urban settings. The project is driven to build a mixed-use vertical farming institute with its program broadly covering Academic, Indoor Farming areas, Research labs, Housing, Administrative zone, Recreational, convention center, organic food shipping store, and Market areas to create a self-sustaining environment.

Notably, there are strict laws to protect forest lands, but no such exists for agricultural lands which are taken up by authorities in the name of urban development. This project acts as an experiential memoir of the agrarian practice that was once the primary purpose of this land. Farming which made us settle and shift from our nomadic lifestyle, has now been ousted from our immediate view in the urban areas. This vertical farming institute aims to bring agriculture back to urban dwellers’ lives via education.

drawings

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