Author: Nitya Kapoor Site Location: Hyderabad Institute: School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal (SPA-B) Advisor: Dr Piyush Hajela
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The Telangana Urban Centre of Excellence, proposed by the Government of Telangana, would act as an urban think tank and a research Centre to deal with urban challenges and house best practices. The intent is to set up an integrated development of mixed-use typology, in a sprawling campus of 45 acres, abutting Outer Ring Road. It would be conceived as a research Centre, to host prototype solutions for various urban issues, that celebrates and leverages the natural topography of the site. While the campus with all its facilities will be planned in 25 acres, the remaining extent of 20 acres would be kept as green space/walking track/golf/future requirements. These facilities include: Hub of Urban
Innovations, Conference and Convention Centre, U-Hub, Workstations, Research labs, Accommodation facilities, Residential facilities, Relaxation Hub, Service facilities and parking.
The proposed detailed design comprises of Workstations, Research Labs and U-Hub, integrated with the Central Green, Entrance Court, and built form for public facilities (Auditorium, Conference Block, Amphitheatre), and Service areas.
Author: Jerin J Panakkel Site Location: Attapadi, Kerala Institute: College of Architecture Trivandrum (CAT) Advisor: Prof. Niby Thomas Varghese
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At the time of the formation of Kerala State, Attappady was a healthy rich land. Then ninety percent of the population was Adivasis. Their self-sufficient subsistence economy, life support natural systems, as well as ecologically harmonious lifestyle, were destroyed in a very short time. Their cultural, as well as unique agricultural foundations, were destroyed and devalued. The tribal community itself has been undergoing drastic changes. The best way to resolve this issue is to create change in the community for all three generations at the same time. Pratheeksha Bhavan is trying to address the issue that the community faces in a 3 steeped manner consisting of all the 3 generations of people who are part of the community. The project tries to solve this issue in the community under the St Thomas ashram at Attapadi. The project consists of a kindergarten, High school, vocational training institute with bamboo training workshops, community center with a medical dispensary for tribal medicine and preparation. Education stands as the best way to address their issues, the right kind of education is needed to understand their cultural importance and also to understand, and experience modernity.
Author: Shreyas Varun K Site Location: Bengaluru Institute: Nitte School of Architecture and Planning, Bengaluru Advisor: Prof. Ar.Yuvaraj Perumal
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As Bangalore is the developing city in India and a metropolitan hub, which intakes thousands of people in search of opportunities every year. Which made me think about the development and connectivity of the spaces through transit. From the statistics of buses fleet into & within the city could cause a major source for traffic. With this the taught process of decentralizing transit hub has arrived. Based on the analysis, one of the best possible way to reduce traffic in the city is by restricting the inter-city & inter-state buses to the city center. And by having proposals of bus terminals in the periphery of the city ORR with collaboration of both public & private agencies. Multimodal Transit Facility gathers many modes of transportation together and is strategically located so that the commuter has different transit alternatives to reach the destination. It describes an approach to planning, building, and operating the transportation system, emphasizes optimal utilization of transportation resources and connections between modes. One of the objectives of an Multimodal transit hub is to minimize the cost and inconvenience of changing transit systems by a commuter. The benefits derived from effective intermodal co-ordination:
Lowering transportation costs by allowing each mode to be used for the portion of the trip for which it is best suited.
Increasing economic productivity and efficiency, thereby enhancing the Nation’s global competitiveness.
Reducing the burden on overstressed infrastructure components by shifting use to infrastructure with excess capacity.
Generating higher returns from public and private infrastructure investments.
Improving mobility for the elderly, disabled, isolated, and economically disadvantaged.
Reducing energy consumption and contributing to improved air quality and environmental conditions.
It introduces Single ticket travel which in turn enables easy movement from one mode to another.
Reducing Land take for road operations and common amenities & maximizing opportunities for shared facilities and synergies.
Minimizing potential phasing impacts by reducing the number of components that need to be accommodated and avoiding duplication of facilities.
Author: Shah Ronak Vipul Amita Site Location: Bandra Kurla Complex, MMRDA Ground, Mumbai. Institute: Aditya College of Architecture Advisor: Ar. Rita Nayak
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The thesis project emerges from the need for an urban environment that is oriented on the user, with the need for active and meaningful public places at the heart of this research. The key issues in responsible urban design have evolved as walkability, safety, and sustainability. Given the current rate and size of growth in Indian cities, there is an urgent need to incorporate features that favour the car over the pedestrian, as well as to favour mono-use buildings over eye-catching and dynamic mixed-use structures.
The character of a city’s public areas can be used to measure its success. However, based on observations of the cities we live in today, it can be stated that not all public places are effective – many variables influence how these areas work. Sensitive design is vital, but the ability of a good public space to adapt and profit on its constructed surrounds – its design and functions – is also important. The goal of the thesis is thus to investigate how architecture may contribute to the creation and maintenance of an active public realm supported by the built environment.
Aside from public engagement, the design dissertation promotes interaction inside the built environment. Because of the position in the IT industry, there is a lot of space allocated to offices, therefore it is necessary to analyse these areas plus keeping in mind the impact of multi transit hub at one area. To remain relevant in the wider urban environment, office spaces must react to current demands, which are based on flexibility and adaptability to encourage collaboration and creativity.
Author: Supreeth L Suresh Site Location: Mysuru, Karnataka Institute: Wadiyar Centre for Architecture Advisor: Shreyas Baindur
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The thesis is heavily influenced by movies and books which fantasize about the architecture of the future However, all of this seems hypothetical, when every thesis project, every drawing on a paper is, why can’t we allow ourselves to dwell more on imagination, than the reality of everything.
This project might seem fictional but, just like how we see in comics or fictional movies, these works have a side of reality that brings them into the realm of plausibility.
Going forward, we need to be more considerate towards the future, taking account of how we use resources, which contrary to what we think, is not infinite, just like the way the earth itself is not infinite. We should make spaces suited to accommodate unpredictability. For example ,in a small village,a person who gives more space for thematic spaces instead of static spaces allows for the house to be more than what it is — capable of holding infinite spaces — and the owner can build again and again based on the events. Building this space once, without static rigidity helps it to survive the future. The thesis ends with one of the variations of a building that has evolved overtime, where half the building is occupied by a thematic parasite. The whole point was to decode a built space, keeping unbuilding it as the starting point. The entires hell of the building is kept while the intervention happens later. The temporary becomes the new permanent and architecture is no longer a static object. It is a living organism—ever-changing, ever-adapting, and ever-evolving—regardless of the context and time. Space itself becomes timeless. The architecture of the future should be about creating spaces that are nothing yet everything at the same time.
Author: Vaishnavie Ravi Site Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu Institute: MEASI Academy of Architecture, Chennai Advisor: Ar. A. D. Devaanand
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WATER AND LAND EDGE, is a dialogue between oppositional environs, or simply the feeling of being against a great precipice constantly in motion, that brings a magical attraction to waterfronts. The fishing Communities across India are fighting to protect lands as SEA LEVEL RISES, and the risk of future developments by the government at the coast, putting the fishermen’s livelihood at stake. The Marine ecosystems are compromised for the sake of land expansion.
The site, Foreshore estate is a neighborhood in Chennai, India. It is situated along the southern stretch of Marina Beach. It is located by the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Adyar Creek on the other. The government is anticipating the estate to be a tourist attraction essentially becoming an economic source but this is often at the expense of the fishermen ls community.
Development and Progress can’t be traded-off at the expense of the authentic settlements of the place. This thesis is mainstreamed on the redevelopment and the revamping of coastlines without revoking their communities. An idea of bridging that might sustain the locals and also heave in visitors who want to explore the city’s rich heritage. It also engages in the social, economic, and infrastructural compositions to ultimately bridge the gaps in the social context.
The intention of the Social infrastructure is to create a community gaining set out, rather than just being an economic source. This forum will work as a point of convergence for a vast spectrum of people and at the same time fortify the existing coastal domains. A prototype landscape which enriches the visitor experience , forging stewards of the resilient ecological systems where land meets water.
Author: Vaibhav Dalvi Site Location: Khonoma, Nagaland Institute: V.I.T.’s Padmabhushan Dr. Vasantdada Patil College of Architecture (PVPCOA), Pune, Maharashtra Advisor: Ar. Niranjan Garde
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Why weaving the future of Khonoma?
Khonoma is known as Asia’s first green village, situated near the Indo-Myanmar border, in the Indian state of Nagaland. The rich architecture and culture of the place are still seen through the community that is still living there. Throughout the period of my internship, I visited the village and met the people around the place, many times. Generations of youth are leaving villages to earn a living or work, leaving their elders behind.
Each visit to Khonoma brought a new story, and with every story, the concern to conserve the culture, material, and architecture of the space became much stronger.
Bamboo – To conserve and create
Nagaland and especially Khonoma is blessed with a natural assets like Bamboo. It sits comfortable and cozy around the green backdrop of a rich bamboo plantation. While documenting the community, for new structures coming up, bamboo is only used for aesthetic purposes, while concrete and bricks are used for structural purposes. The knowledge of using bamboo in structures is fading away with time. Adapting to new technology, the community is neglecting bamboo’s natural response to its microclimate, while bricks and concrete create damp conditions. Present-day, flat roof constructions are creating leakage problems, which is not an ideal response to the amount of rainfall the area witnesses.
The concerns I had regarding Khonoma’s return to bamboo increased after seeing this scenario, which is the reason I proposed the insert bamboo workshops.
The aim of the insert is to encourage locals to identify the potential of bamboo and practice their weaving skills. It will stand testimony to the traditional building technology and form.
Climate, Analysis, and Implementation.
Form follows function, but here, form follows climate.
The (Morungs) – a place to stay for boy soldiers – and their traditional houses were a great example of how space syntax responded to the planning and construction of the structure. Considering the building material they used to build modular houses with the common measurement that was finalized by anthropometry.
Space was usually divided into the entrance porch that held a weaving area and fireplace, followed by a central living space that culminates into a kitchen and storage. A simple linear flow of spaces was enclosed by timber room and bamboo beams and columns.
Taking cues from their traditional building techniques and planning and designed a module that replaced timber roofing with bamboo.
Khonoma is an earthquake-prone zone, taking this into consideration, I designed the body of the house with wattle and dob construction with bamboo as reinforcement. It ensured the home’s stability and sustainability.
As the village sits on a hilltop, the irony of heavy rainfall and scarcity of water is emphasized. Using a solid stone and waterproofing the footing underneath the structure, will act as a water tank, which could be a wise solution to the problem. The water tanks will hold water throughout the entire seven-month rainy season and be useful to them for the remaining three months.
Standing on the solid stone footing structure goes ground plus one storey high. The vertical division of spaces is such that where the entire ground floor is given to workshops that have natural spillover space from the surrounding plinth. And the upper floor is dedicated to the research and learning areas, with a separate entry and narrow passages which are internally linked. Structures stand-alone since connecting pathways could be detrimental during an earthquake.
Overall planning and Placement of the design –
The village has planned pathways from every house that culminates in the farmland. To follow that rhythm every designed structure also has a staircase that opens up on the ground and leads to the farmlands without disturbing the previous planning of the community. Planning follows the contour line and hence the clusters simply sit together the way the site allows. The left side of the site holds all the living spaces and dormitories while the right side of the site holds all the workshop areas. The centrally placed school acts as a nucleus of the insert, where every child learns about their culture and community just by being present in that structure.
The insert ultimately merges with the surroundings and becomes one entity for the community, in its true sense. It captures the spirit of the place. Materials like stone, bamboo, and mud teach everyone to be humble with the design yet creative with the approach. The building techniques connect one back to the roots, from where they evolved specifically to the space and people.
The insert is something which is of the people, for the people, and by the people!
Author: Shangary S Site Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu Institute: C.A.R.E School of Architecture (CARE) Advisor: Balaji Rajasekaran
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Flooding has become one of the seasons for the last few years. During that period the livelihood, health, wealth, work, and routine of the people get affected completely. It takes time to become physically, financially and mentally normal again., My thesis is an attempt to re-imagine the public infrastructure to be more efficient during normal days and serve better to the local community during a kinetic situation like flooding. Through this, the public infrastructure helps the community by rescuing and accommodating for a period of time till the situation becomes normal. For People to continue making a living after a flood with adequate access to food, water and energy – the things that enable communities to think beyond immediate survival. My thesis also explores responding to people’s day-to-day changing activities which varies in different climatic seasons. The module/pods act as markets, eateries, shops etc., On normal days and during a flood, it rescues people. The pods can also be reconfigurable to a living unit during a flood. The land use, ground cover and density keep changing based on the people’s activity at a particular time and the play of pods responds to the duration of activity & people and based on the climatic season.
Author: Shivam Singh Site Location: Dausa, Rajasthan Institute: Chandigarh College of Architecture Advisor: Prof. Sujay Sengupta
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A nation’s cultural heritage and natural history are precious and unique. The value of cultural heritage isn’t in cultural manifestation itself. But in the wealth of experience and skills passed down from generation to generation. Abhaneri village near Jaipur has a great diversity of craftsmanship and broad culture which is disappearing as the country is heading towards development. The purpose is to provide a platform for the people to show their skills and spread their knowledge of culture and craftsmanship. A museum that will preserve the remains of Harshad Mata temple which is presently kept inside Chand Baori and other historical elements that represent the people and their culture. Rejuvenation of water level in Abhaneri village by our site.
Author: Pradnya Mahajan Site Location: Pune, Maharashtra Institute: Singhad College of Architecture Advisor: Ar. Kavita Patil
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The proposal focuses on resolving the crisis in Khadi weaving industry by providing empowerment sources to the weavers to generate economical opportunities. Site is located in Jalgaon, comes under one of the extreme hot and dry climatic region of Khandesh in Maharashtra. It will be an Iconic Identity of the city with exploration of various passive strategies to deal with the climatic conditions of the place. It aims to analyze the weavers issues and providing a robust platform to Khadi weavers who weave for their livelihood in rural area. Project is envisioned as khadi weaving village with extensive facilities for promoting khadi as empowerment source for weavers and adopting these Khadi fabric crafts to preserve Rich Textile Heritage of India. the proposal comes with number of innovative strategies exploring the applications of traditional building practices and climate responsive strategies gives the thought to climate responsiveness in hot and dry region.
Spatial planning thought is given to spaces and clusters that goes and accessed by central axis and spaces that are grouped by proximity reflecting path space relationship by adding functional spaces between built forms. Integrating the flexible paths that leads to floating platforms for creating Microclimatic spaces merged with nature surrounded by the spaces based on Village layout concept.
Author: Abhishek Hegde Site Location: Panvel, Maharashtra Institute: Pillai College Of Architecture, Navi Mumbai (PiCA) Advisor: Prof. Swapna Ghatge
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The primary goal of this dissertation is to comprehend river deterioration awareness.
Water is continuously changing states, traversing borders, and feeding (and killing) life. This project also conducts a poll to determine the level of knowledge among those who use rivers and inadvertently degrade them.
By recreating the Babughat, the project aims to establish a link between permanence and ephemerality, re-allocating activities and enhancing the ephemeral nature of space on the ghats of Kolkata. On the other hand, as an extension to this ephemeral nature, creating permanence with enhanced temporality.
In addition to that, the project also focusses on incorporating the element of belief that the people of Kolkata majorly have by attempting to uplift the Kumortuli’s idol making community and develop a very interesting relationship between users and their beliefs. Kolkata being the cultural capital of India, to depict and experience culture, one major principle of landscape urbanism is taken into consideration, where the cultural corridor enables every user to witness the traditionality and get themselves well versed with the vibrancy that every placemaking element has to offer.
Author: Ankita Sen Deka Choudhury Site Location: Guwahati, Assam Institute: Manipal School of Architecture & Planning Advisor: Dr. Vishal Chettry
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Shilpanilaya, the Assam Art and Craft Village is a centre for the promotion of the indigenous arts and crafts of the state of Assam. The aim was to design training, exhibition, retail and recreational spaces that reflect the heritage and culture of the state while being responsive to the local climatic conditions. The chosen site is located in the suburbs of the city of Guwahati in close proximity to the national highway that allows easy access for artisans travelling from the various parts of the state. Seven major local crafts, viz. pottery, bell metal, wood carving, handloom, mask masking, jewellery, and cane & bamboo. The planning is inspired from the local settlement patterns while the forms and proportions are derived from the local architecture of the region. Further, spaces have been designed as a mix of enclosed and open areas as per the requirements of the various crafts considering the lighting and shading requirements.
Author: Somesh Nadkarni Site Location: Mumbai Institute: School of Environment and Architecture (SEA) Advisor: Rupali Gupte & Apirva Talpade
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The thesis explored the different spatialities of Social Security that emerge in informal neighbourhoods in Mumbai. It was a comparative analysis that intended to study how security in a neighbourhood changes when the existing spaces get institutionalised. Therefore, I looked at new ways of rethinking this spatiality that promotes the growth of security while also asking what an inhabitation in the forest might be like, instead of insecurities caused by displacement.
The design creates this sense of security through particular spatial configurations where the home is a set of interconnected, porous and dense spaces; where the neighbourhood becomes one home. Through the concept of collective memory, the intervention is created around the Nodes of Social Security by which the inhabitants navigate around the neighbourhood. The design creates opportunities for the forest to merge with the home and sustain itself eventually, thereby also retaining the resident’s agency and practices. I am arguing that instead of such Rehabilitation schemes that displace people, an intervention like this could be a speculative future for the residents by the PIL (Public Interest Litigation Act).
Author: Shivam Rawat Site Location: Delhi Institute: University School of Planning and Architecture, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (USAP) Advisor: Dr. Neeraja Lugani Sethi
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In today’s time with the emergence of the Internet and digitalization of the books and information, this has enormously influenced the manner in which we consume information. With the developments of new methods and types of media, the traditional role of a public library is to question. The significance of the physical collection within a certain environment versus a quick Internet search at any given point of time within any environment, questions the sustainability of a public library and the resources it offers.
This project proposes a new typology for a public space – re-imagining the existing image of Public Libraries in the social realm and mixing it with collaborative co working spaces help to develop active and lively spaces in the community making it a 24×7 lively space.
The infinite loop gives a seamless experience to the user by interconnection of varied spaces, blurring the difference between the exterior and interior surroundings. The design is developed on the basis of the Activity Analysis Mapping which was conducted on the site and ensuring that the most interesting and dominant footfall section of the Site catches onto the most interesting functions and views and increase the utilization of this project.
Author: Shruti Shrivastava Site Location: Pune Institute: Dr. B.N. College of Architecture Advisor: Dr. Chetan Sahasrabuddhe
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Livability could be defined as the degree to which a community is suitable for living, which is rather subjective. However, certain components and qualities are universally acknowledged as vital for making the community more livable. Better homes, streets, roads, infrastructural amenities, and other visible aspects are necessary for a livable society, but intangible factors such as a sense of security, happiness, satisfaction, a sense of community, togetherness, and family are also crucial. All of the characteristics that informal communities like Shinde Vasti-Pune already have. Together in a typical scenario, a slum redevelopment project compromises the intangible qualities of such communities all the while providing poor quality infrastructure and poor homes in the name of development, thereby losing the positive aspects of community and climate; however, does this have to be the case? This plan aspires to develop this informal community by conserving and enhancing the key elements, both tangible and intangible while putting Community and Climate at the forefront.
Author: Ruchira Rathod Site Location: Mumbai Institute: Rachna Sansad’s Academy of Architecture (AOA) Advisor: Swati Chokshi
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Cities have become our new homes for the majority of us. Previously, due to migrations, there was a concept of ‘hometown.’ This loss of ‘hometown’ has lost fewer of us who live in the city a much-needed respite. A getaway that allows us to unwind and break free from our daily routines. Nowadays, taking a “break” is associated with using social media rather than participating in group activities. When it comes to defining the term “break,” biases in components like gender, age, and space were seen. Definitions are strongly impacted by the respondent’s age group. The purpose of this study is to determine the definition of a break for various age groups living in the city. And how can a location give a refuge that caters to the concept of a ’retreat’? Finding a place within the city limits where users may recharge themselves. The chosen site is located in Mumbai, at Mulund Octroi Naka which has a strong contextual demand. The concept was derived from site prompts, with safety being the primary concern that needed to be addressed. Porosity was implemented through a scattering of built masses, greens, hubs, and organic waterbodies. the elements of porosity were introduced as a module of built function.
Author: Raghav Krishnappa Ramesh Site Location: Bangalore Institute: School of Planning and Architecture (SPA Delhi), New Delhi Advisor: Prof Tanuja BK, Prof Vikas Kanojia
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The design seeks an inquiry into the idea of production of space and nature while exploring the theory of “Uneven development” in the city of Bangalore. In theory, rapid urbanisation and road networking alter the dynamics of the ecosystem, and the negative impacts are felt by the urban poor and the larger ecological gestalt. This mode of development does little to help a large number of blue-collar/informal labourers who depend on local means of production. What began as an antithesis to the idea of “uneven development” transitioned into understanding the value of a “geographical void”. Can these voids be revitalized to serve as a more significant catalyst to stitch the broken urban fabric of the city? To revitalize the depleting lakes of the city, the first step lies in addressing the issue at the source: the stormwater drains. A major part of the design seeks to revitalize the adjoining stormwater drain by proposing a number of recycling workshops and organic urban farms. The Center for knowledge and Excellence is designed as an Integrated Public Amenity, one which provides equal learning opportunities for varied user groups. The Public library component of the design is placed in correlation with the neighbouring school premises to increase the targeted footfall. Other community-based functions like seminar halls and Open source classrooms are placed toward the community park to encourage users from the neighbourhood to use the centre. The design makes use of contemporary and local materials like exposed concrete, brick cladding and chappadi stone. Given the modest climate of Bangalore, the centre makes use of open courtyards to create smaller microclimates which helps cool the building naturally. Overall, the design seeks to create a solution which can give back to the city as much as it claims as its birthright. The thesis aims at uncovering an alternative approach to the theory of the production of space and nature while reinventing the conventional idea of an Urban Hub.
Author: Mayuresh Pradhan Site Location: Mumbai Institute: Lokmanya Tilak institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Navi Mumbai Advisor: Prof. Harish Shetty
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The project began as a quest to understand if one could navigate through a structure like one navigates through a story? This simple quest led to further investigations of what is a public space at its core. The structure attempts to juxtapose various narratives along with the primary program which was essentially ‘A Film Archive and a Museum’. While the three floating blocks cater to the primary programs, the ground becomes an open public space, which is merely a passage between the abutting primary roads on both sides of the site. Here one has elongated that passage and tried to orchestrate a narrative within the ‘Urban Passage’ where the essential programs intertwined with the temporary events but at the same time secluded. This creates a micro climate, within the structure that doesn’t completely rely on active techniques of lighting and ventilation. And is rather a garden within which a structure is curated.
Author: Mansi Dharmendra Kabrawala Site Location: Surat Institute: Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology (SCET) Advisor: Ar. Snehal Shah
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India is a major emitter of greenhouse gases and one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. The country is experiencing significant climate changes and a variety of impacts such as water scarcity, heat waves, drought, etc. Countries across the world have realised the urgency of sustainable urban practice. Accordingly, we need a new approach to architectural design – the one simultaneously addressing the complex environmental issues and other that meet the needs of contemporary societies and economies. Therefore, the question here arises, how to see this challenging moment as an opportunity to look at innovations that is relevant to a society?
Since cities strive for economic development, environmental development is always overlooked by all the sectors of the industry. Time and again, Designers are one of the responsible creators where each design action can affect lives of the users. With an
increased awareness that comes with these emerging issues, today’s globalized society needs to find an effective design solution that would bring out innovative ways to merge the present with future, that creates a better world for all!
The thesis addresses to the major challenges of our time and in the future through Climate Responsive Design Approach.
Author: Kurada Sharmila Dharani Site Location: Mumbai Institute: Department of Planning and Architecture NIT Rourkela Advisor: Dr. Basudatta Sarkar
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The most concerning problem in the fastest growing cities around the world is the increase in population with no adequate infrastructure. All the fastest-growing cities are the synonyms of pollution, exploitation of natural resources, etc these days. So, the challenge here is to fit the urban population within the limits of the cities and to develop their neighbourhood as a whole to give them a sustainable life where there is no exploitation of natural resources and pollution, rise in temperature, climatic change, but paves their and the world’s way ahead in terms of green practices. The design – Mixed-Use Sustainable Tower at Mumbai, achieved LEED Platinum rating following the sustainable credits as required under the diverse categories. The project also provides free energy for the resident’s lifetime through the usage of renewable energy techniques and systems. The project sets an example of sustainability and its ability to transform the neighbourhood and the environment as a whole.
