Vytilla Mixed-use Development, Kochi, Kerala

Author: Evana Sajan Pallivathukkal
Site Location: Kochi, Kerala
Institute: SPA – Delhi
Advisor: Prof. Dr. Jyoti Pandey Sharma, Ar. Raman Vig

description

Kochi is on the cusp of embracing its regional culture and infrastructure development,
requiring an architectural intervention that reflects the city’s spirit. The city aims to create
ultra-connected work environments and City Hubs, providing a convenient and efficient
lifestyle for young citizens. The project aims to create a “buzzy,” ultra-connected public
realm with service apartments, offices, retail, and entertainment integrated with a bus
terminal, metro station, and water metro channels.
Kerala and Kochi have a unique regional identity that is celebrated globally. Kerala has a
unique model of development characterized by high sustainability values, human
development achievements and social equality, making it a model to be emulated. The
architecture community in Kerala, evident in large projects like the CIAL, is an inspiration
for moving forward.
The “Gateway of Kerala” project uses towers to create a frame with functions through a
podium and skywalks connecting parallel towers. The architectural language and
technological armature are crucial to raise the narrative, transforming site constraints like
trees, riverfront, and iconic bus terminal into drivers for the vision. Although the project
has a commercial aspect, it still maintains democratic values due to its institutional
structure and untouched natural resources.
“ The Urban Hub in Vytilla is an ode to Kochi itself, which is a city in the cup of being the
next metropolitan city while strongly rooted in its natural and cultural roots, intended in
this project by marrying the idea of future in terms of its pragmatic needs – a mixed use
program and sensitizing it with the strong visual identity reinventing the globally
celebrated culture and architectural language of the region of Kochi. ’’

drawings

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Architecture for a Culture – A Case of Bonda Tribe

Author: Sugyani Sahu
Site Location: Majhiguda, Odisha
Institute: Faculty of Architecture – Sri Sri University
Advisor: Ar. Rishab Ray

description

Introducing the Eco Tribal Village, an architectural thesis project that embraces vernacular, sustainability, and climate-responsible designs. This project is centered around the Bonda tribe, as they are the heart and soul of the endeavor. By meticulously considering their needs and preserving their rich heritage, we aim to create a harmonious space for both the tribe and tourists The design seeks to foster cultural exchange by providing designated areas for tourists to engage with the Bonda tribe, promoting understanding and appreciation.
By creating community areas for traditional activities and crafts, tourists can engage with the Bonda tribe and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life. Emphasizing responsible tourism practices, such as waste management and ecological conservation, will further contribute to the long-term preservation of the region’s natural beauty.
Through this project, the hope is to create a sustainable and inclusive community that respects the environment and preserves the cultural identity of the Bonda tribe. Hence, by building a vibrant and eco-friendly haven that honours tradition while embracing the future.

drawings

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Reimagining the Urban – A Bird’s Eye Perspective

Author: Anushri Joshi
Site Location: Mumbai
Institute: Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. George Jacob

description

Over the years, the concept of climate has developed broader connotations with global phenomena like climate change and crisis becoming topical issues of the Anthropocene. The idea of deriving comfort by designing a singular structure is becoming a myopic activity as it can no longer be viewed in isolation and is an entity that gets affected by and is a part of larger systems, forms and dependencies.
The idea of creating a comfortable space thus needs to negotiate larger thresholds while also stepping beyond the frame of the ‘human’.
The thesis chooses to focus on a dense urban swatch in Mumbai – the Dadar kabutarkhana area- as a template for demonstration of how the architectural form can start responding to the local and global climatic forces in conjunction with the economic, socio-cultural forces to sustain and forge relationships and create livable environments. The significance of biodiversity as a tool for climate resilience has been well-established and is thus, the main focus here. The building is imagined as a template for the neighbourhood that triggers morphing of the form of the city to respond to the topical issues broached by climate, thus enhancing overall livability and rendering the interpretation of the idea of ‘form follows climate’ extremely relevant for the current times.

drawings

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Hob – Box Hobby Cultivation Hub in Neighborhood

Author: Naman Shroff
Site Location: Kolkata
Institute: Amity School of Architecture and Planning
Advisor: Prof. Adityadip Chowdhury

description

In the Digital Age, where basic needs are easily met and alternative job opportunities are abundant, relying solely on work for fulfilment and contentment is insufficient. The accessibility of information and technology has led to a decline in the quality of life outside of work hours, indicating a neglect of mental well-being. Consequently, individuals seek escapism and mindless entertainment as a means of respite from work pressures. However, this does not indicate a lack of passion or interest, but rather a need for supportive urban infrastructure that encourages hobbies and passionate pursuits. Urban environments with high living costs pose challenges in allocating resources towards activities like arts, sports, or music.

This project addresses the lack of accessible and available neighbourhood infrastructures for pursuing personal interests and hobbies in Newtown Kolkata, a satellite city, that caters to diverse hobbies. It draws inspiration from the personal journeys of individuals who have faced constraints, such as limited space, while pursuing their diverse range of hobbies and passions. The area is dominated by multi-story apartment buildings and single-family houses. The sparse apartment carpet areas limit the users’ passionate pursuits and therefore becomes an inevitable challenge for them. The project seeks to uncover narratives and propose solutions embedded within the fabric of the neighbourhood to foster a supportive ecosystem for hobbies and enhance the overall well-being of its residents.

The proposal focuses on developing modular community hubs as inclusive and vibrant spaces that cater to a wide variety of interests. The project blends sustainable principles with prefabricated construction methodologies by utilizing modular design approach to provide flexible venues for creativity and self-expression. Strategic placement of these hubs encourages social interaction and knowledge exchange among residents with varied hobbies and interests.

drawings

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Muquish: An Innovative Hub for Exploration and Preservation of Kutch Textile Craft

Author: Vandana K
Site Location: Bhuj, Gujarat
Institute: School of Architecture, REVA University
Advisor: Ar. Neeraja Jayan

description

Kutch is the Largest district in India, which is well known for it’s rich cultural heritage, diverse communities and fine handicrafts. Inspite of having rich art and culture within the region due to several socio-economical reasons art especially textile art within this region have been on the verge of extinction.

There is a high need of another art resource center within the region because right now there is only one coherent body that works to provide a platform to acknowledge and revive dying art within kutch. So, there’s definitely a need and scope for another resource center within the region.

Muquish is a textile art resource center in Kutch that works up on the initative to preserve and uplift certain dying textile art forms and their art communities in Kutch. It mainly focuses on 4 textile art forms they are – Namda, Rogan art, Ajrakh block printing, Bela printing.

This as an architectural built form bridges the gap between two distinct design communities, they are the craftsmen and the designer. By seamlessly integrating traditional building techniques with modern functionality, the centre not only pays tribute to the rich architectural heritage of the region but also serves as a testament to the harmonious co-existence of human creativity and environmental responsibility.

drawings

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Gram Udyog Kendra- A Rural Facilitation Centre

Author: Himanshu Lad
Site Location: Wardha, Maharasthra
Institute: Bharati Vidyapeeth CoA
Advisor: Ar. Milind Bidave

description

Farmers are dependent on nature. When a farmer is totally relying on agriculture, he covers almost all the prime and even secondary land with it. Thus, the farming family becomes dependent on the market for profits and revenue to sustain their family. Depleting groundwater levels, pest attacks, and mounting debts have made farmers’ lives in Vidarbha notoriously difficult. Because of the failure in agriculture, total dependency on agriculture for income, and due to various reasons, farmers often take loans from private money lenders and land in a debt trap. In order to be completely independent of agriculture, we need a settlement, a model that allows us to carry outside trades.
There is a need for a rural facilitation venter, where small-scale industrial activities could be carried out where the goal would be to make the sale of the commodities to the open market. Through this model, the income of the farmers would not be streamlined but of a multisource nature. Being self-sufficient (at the individual or even village level) and increasing the value of crops will help solve Vidarbha’s agricultural crisis. There are numerous business activities that are practiced rurally on a small scale which if practiced in substantial numbers could generate revenue that can stabilize farmer families’ economies. ‘Value addition to the farmer’s yield’ could be an answer for the negative tag Vidarbha has got for agriculture.
The intent of the project is to provide a physical space for the farmer families of the villages of Vidarbha, where they could come together and practice rural-level industrial activities so that the farmers do not have to depend on agriculture as their main source of income.

drawings

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VIjayavara – The Urban Cultural Plaza

Author: Abhinav Dibbidi
Site Location: Vijayvada, Andhra Pradesh
Institute: Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture And Fine Arts University
Advisor: Prof. M. Vinod Ganesh

description

Swaraj Maidan, also known as the PWD Grounds in Vijayawada, faces transformation endangering its historical importance. The government intends to convert it into a park, potentially erasing its past. This involves replacing structures like Raithu Bazar with a park housing an Ambedkar statue. The ground has been a venue for exhibitions, circuses, and cultural events, holds sentimental value for locals and visitors from cities like Eluru, Rajahmundry, and Khammam. Events like the Industrial and Agriculture Exhibition and Book Exhibition unite communities in shared experiences.

This impending transformation prompts contemplation on the interplay between heritage and progress, underlining the need to strike a balance between preserving history and catering to contemporary needs.

Responding to this, the thesis project proposes revitalizing the underused PWD grounds in Vijayawada into an inclusive urban cultural plaza. Combining permanent facilities like a cultural centre, multi-level car park, and food courts with temporary activities such as industrial expos, amusement fairs, book festivals, and religious events, adding vibrancy year-round.

Embracing the city’s hot climatic conditions, the design integrates climate-responsive strategies, aiming to craft a vibrant cultural plaza symbolizing the city’s identity, fostering community engagement, and driving socio-cultural and economic vitality.

drawings

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Weave with water – The story of Vypin

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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The Way of Water: An Extension to Support the Water-based Settlements

Author: Neha Phadtare
Site Location: Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh
Institute: V.I.T.’s Padmabhushan Dr. Vasantdada Patil College of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Niranjan Garde

description

Rising sea levels and rain induced floods, place low-lying areas and wetlands on the frontline of change. Viewing floods as perpetual events may alter our perspective, urging us to move beyond temporary solutions.
Pulicat Lake, India’s second-largest brackish water lagoon, graces the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh borders, embraced by 52 villages. From tsunamis to rain-induced floods, Pulicat and its community have weathered it all. Population rises due to the lake’s abundant biodiversity. Silting of the barmouth disrupts water exchange, decreasing salinity levels and impacting thriving biodiversity. Conversely, eroding sandbars create multiple openings, elevating salinity and affecting the ecosystem once more. In this whole process the lake depth decreases, affecting the community to movement.
This project has eco-friendly, renewable-energy-powered structures, minimizing our footprint while nurturing the community’s needs sustainably. On the policy level the community will receive incentives to keep barmouth intact. Incentives for researchers and scientists to work with the community forging a new path forward. Zero waste tolerance policy, livelihood opportunities with seaweed farming, vertical farming, ecotourism and the community as a pitstop for fishermen going in the sea for fishing.

drawings

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The Last Pause – As a Belief in Varanasi

Author: Anuj Kumbhar
Site Location: Varanasi
Institute: Vishwaniketan College of Architecture, Arts & Design
Advisor: Prof. Viji Nair

description

Varanasi, often called the spiritual capital of India, is a city known for its ancient rituals and traditions, particularly those associated with death and cremation. The existing facilities for accommodating visitors during these sensitive times are inadequate, leading to overcrowding, environmental concerns, and limited amenities. “The Last Pause” is an innovative solution that aims to transform the perception of Varanasi’s death rituals by providing a well-designed and inclusive space that caters to the diverse needs of its visitors. The primary objective of “The Last Pause” is to create a sustainable and respectful space that honours the traditions and beliefs of the people coming to Varanasi for death rituals. By establishing this intervention, we seek to provide a range of facilities and programs that will enable visitors to grieve, perform rituals, seek solace, and find a sense of community during their stay. Furthermore, by incorporating landscape irrigation and other sustainable features, the project aims to contribute positively to the city’s environment. “The Last Pause” envisions a transformative architectural intervention that redefines Varanasi’s social spaces and rituals surrounding death. By providing a comprehensive and respectful environment, this project aims to create a harmonious experience for visitors while upholding the city’s cultural heritage. Through collaboration between NGOs and the government, this aims to foster a deeper sense of community and understanding in one of India’s most spiritually significant cities.

drawings

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Sculpting the sky: Investigating the Expressive Form & Spatial Narratives of Mumbai’s Supertall Buildings

Author: Joseph Benny
Site Location: Mumbai
Institute: Wadiyar centre for Architecture
Advisor: Prof. Manoj Ladhad

description

The thesis explores the architectural significance and socio-cultural impact of an iconic free-flowing tower in Mumbai, India. The tower stands as a testament to the city’s evolving skyline and represents a bold departure from conventional design norms. With its distinctive curvilinear form, the tower captivates attention and raises questions about the relationship between architectural expression, functionality, and urban identity. Through a multidisciplinary approach, this research delves into the design principles, structural innovations, and spatial experiences associated with the free-flowing tower. It investigates the conceptualization and execution of the tower’s organic form, exploring the factors that influenced its creation and the challenges encountered during its realization.

Furthermore, the thesis analyzes the tower’s functional integration and programmatic versatility. It examines how the unconventional form of the tower has facilitated the creation of dynamic spaces that adapt to various uses, such as residential, commercial, and cultural. The study also investigates the tower’s impact on the surrounding urban fabric and its ability to foster social interactions, enhance livability, and contribute to the city’s identity as a global metropolis.

drawings

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Beyond Design – Community Centre for Designers

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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