Tag: Water Management 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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Ritual and Right: Water as a Democratic Urban Experience

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Author: Aleena Paulson
Site Location: Kochi, Kerala
Institute: SEED – APJ Abdul Kalam School of Environmental Design
Advisor: Ar. Jills Philip

Description

This architectural thesis explores the democratization of water in urban spaces by reimagining water infrastructure as an inclusive public realm. It emphasizes equitable access for all users, regardless of gender, age, or physical ability, while reviving the cultural significance of communal bathing—once central to social interaction, well-being, and collective identity. The project addresses the disappearance of shared water bodies due to urbanization and privatization, positioning water as not only a utility but also a spatial, social, and emotional connector.
The chosen site at Kakkanad, Kochi, located along the Seaport–Airport Road, provides excellent connectivity through road, metro, and Water Metro links. Its sloped terrain and natural water reserve create opportunities for layered spatial experiences, where water becomes both symbolic and functional, mediating between the dense urban fabric and the surrounding landscape.
Conceptually, the design begins with a simple mass divided into public, semi-public, and private zones. A cross-through access organizes movement, while addition and subtraction of volumes shape a dynamic composition of open and enclosed spaces. Envisioned as an “oasis in the city,” the project ensures physical, social, experiential, ecological, and urban equity through universal accessibility, inclusive water interactions, affordability, diverse modes of engagement, and preservation of natural resources.

Drawings

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Pravah : Harmonizing Water, Culture, and Environment

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Author: Anish Shinde
Site Location: Poladpur, Maharashtra
Institute: Aditya College of Architecture
Advisor: Rita Nayak

Description

This thesis examines the vital relationship between water, human culture, and ecosystems, highlighting how water influences the identity, livelihood, and rituals of rural communities. Set in Poladpur, Maharashtra, a region with high rainfall yet chronic water scarcity, the project addresses the ecological and infrastructural failures behind this paradox.
In response, it proposes a multifunctional rural node that combines water infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and runoff management with community-focused spaces for gathering, health, agriculture, and learning. Drawing from traditional systems like johads, kunds, and stepwells, the design blends indigenous knowledge with sustainable practices.
Rooted in field research and local engagement, the project also tackles outmigration, declining traditions, and the loss of communal spaces linked to water insecurity. Reimagining water as both a sacred resource and social connector, the design seeks to restore ecological balance, cultural pride, and community cohesion.
Crucially, the intervention creates a space for all villagers, wildlife, livestock, aquatic life, birds, and visitors, fostering a shared environment where water becomes the central unifying force, nurturing coexistence, biodiversity, and an inclusive rural future.

Drawings

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Architectural Response to Resilient Landscape

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Author: Ritik Jain
Site Location: Chennai
Institute: IES College of Architecture
Advisor: Prof. Prachi Nandkarni

description

The design proposal for the Foreshore Estate, Chennai residential neighbourhood showcases a sophisticated and thoughtful urban development approach. Rooted in the site’s natural topography, the concept elegantly integrates surface runoff considerations, exemplifying a strong grasp of sustainable design principles within the contextual framework. At its core, the design revolves around four pivotal landscape principles: delay, store, protect, and recharge. This strategic focus on water management and flood resilience underscores a commitment to both environmental and practical concerns. The innovative clustering strategy, based around sunken courtyards and communal spaces, not only cultivates a profound sense of community but also ingeniously transforms into water storage facilities during flood occurrences. Shared landscape spaces take precedence over private gardens, fostering an inclusive and vibrant communal atmosphere. The arrangement of landscape clusters interwoven with diverse amenities like urban farms, sports facilities, and age-tailored
play areas mirrors a comprehensive approach catering to a wide range of resident needs.
Remarkably, the housing typology explores low-rise, high-density living, manifesting as five-level residences with a mix of private gardens, patios, and terraces. This architectural diversity enriches the visual landscape while providing residents with multifaceted outdoor spaces for leisure and social interaction.
The integration of landscape and architectural strategies attests to a meticulous design ethos, as evidenced by the intricate consideration of site setbacks and spatial relationships. In summation, the proposal exudes a professional demeanour, seamlessly aligning with contemporary urban design paradigms. Through its holistic melding of site-specific attributes, sustainability imperatives, and community oriented features, it lays a robust foundation for an all-encompassing, dynamic, and resilient residential enclave.

drawings

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UGGAHA | Triggers of Change

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Author: Dia Vohra
Site Location: Rajgir, Bihar
Institute: R V College of Architecture
Advisor: Ar. Anup Naik, Ar. Meeta Jain, Ar. Mehul Patel, Ar. Nagaraj Vastarey, Ar. U Seema Maiya

description

Rajgir faces rapid urbanization, driven by large institutions, but locals struggle to adapt. Bihar’s low employment and literacy rates, especially among women and children. When the men of the family leave for seasonal work and they are left behind in the villages. In this context, our proposed Rural School Module aims to create a more inclusive educational environment by introducing a unique mother-and-child learning program. This program is designed to enhance local women’s learning and skill-building opportunities while engaging them in their children’s education. Building a community through exploring different modules of Learn Spaces, Learning through Play, Nature, and Community. Building a sustainable center that allows the village to rebuild and add to the nearby villages. While using locally available materials by local labor to help the locals enhance the skill of earth, bamboo, and stone found in and around the site. The response to the climate conditions and the change of seasons to the change of spaces found in the school increases the change and variation of learning spaces. Architecture is a canvas of knowledge and growth, that allows the local community to come together and build learn and innovate.

drawings

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

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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 Labyrinth – Kinesthetics & Cultural Centre

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Author: Anu Regi John
Site Location: Vagamon, Kerala
Institute: DC School of Architecture & Design
Advisor: Ar. Gayathri Raj

description

AIM

To design a dance district, a space that is dedicated to the power of movement and healing. To focus on the change the healing power of movement can bring to the lives of those not able and to make it possible for anyone and everyone to teach and learn dance without any barrier, to abolish the discriminations and presumptions relating to dance.

OBJECTIVES

1. To Provide a better life to those suffering from different physical and psychological issues through Dance/movement therapy.

2. To establish a centre for every form of dance whether Indian or International.

3. To provide a space for all dancers irrespective of their age, gender, colour, caste, style, physical conditions etc…

4. To give a new definition to dance as an industry and a career, raising its standard in the society.


SCOPE

1. This project covers the teaching and learning of all known and feasible forms of dances in India, from Indian classical and traditional forms to International dances on a single platform.

2. Dance education for the differently abled.

3. Dance education for all ages.

4. Promote tourism and international growth in the field of dance

LIMITATIONS

1. The project is limited to the teaching, learning and display of dances that are currently in the growth phase within the country such as Hip Hop, Salsa, Contemporary, Ballet, Bachata etc..

2. The project considers Dance forms alone.

drawings

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Zaffron Park

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Author: Annam Ishrat
Site Location: Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir
Institute: School of Architecture and Design – LPU
Advisor: Prof. Chetan Sachdeva

description

The Zaffron Park, an ambitious architectural thesis project located in Pampore, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, draws its name “Zaffron” from the Urdu term for “Saffron.” It envisions a transformative approach to saffron cultivation using vertical and hydroponic farming techniques, aiming to revitalize the industry. This innovative complex will include a research center, interpretation center, recreational area, and residential facilities, fostering agricultural advancement, sustainable architecture, and tourism. Traditionally, saffron farming in Kashmir has followed conventional methods, but low yields during harvest have prompted interest in newer techniques like vertical farming and hydroponics. The proposed Zaffron Park, spanning 45.7 acres on government crop land, targets increased saffron yield through modern practices. Located in Pampore, renowned for its saffron quality, the site is well-connected by NH1 Highway to Pampore Railway Station (4KM) and Pampore Bus Stand (2.4KM). While the Jammu and Kashmir government is working to enhance saffron production, the innovative approach of vertical and hydroponic farming has yet to be formally considered. The Zaffron Park, with its multifunctional vision, aspires to empower local communities and contribute to the growth of saffron cultivation, making strides towards a more sustainable and productive future.

drawings

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