Parivartan
The design brief for G SEN Trophy 2013 was titled "Contextuality - Time, Space and People".
We despise the presence of slums in our urban fabric yet we are left with no other alternative than to condone this condition. How do we provide a humane habitat for the homeless?
Contextuality is then really a study of who and what we are, as a PEOPLE, and how through design, we can create an ingenious mechanism which will bring about a humane India.
The design competition brief used seemingly unconnected theoretical constructs to present a common thread which may be used to weave a mesh of probable answers in the form of design solutions, to address the enigma of living conditions of the Urban Poor.
The exercise was to understand or reinterpret the meaning and application of "Democracy" through the vehicle of "Contextuality". Can we create in today's contextual climate, a morphology of Human settlement, which clings to the central principle of Democracy (of the people, by the people, for the people), and through this, use “Architecture” as an instrument of social justice?
We despise the presence of slums in our urban fabric yet we are left with no other alternative than to condone this condition. How do we provide a humane habitat for the homeless?
Contextuality is then really a study of who and what we are, as a PEOPLE, and how through design, we can create an ingenious mechanism which will bring about a humane India.
The design competition brief used seemingly unconnected theoretical constructs to present a common thread which may be used to weave a mesh of probable answers in the form of design solutions, to address the enigma of living conditions of the Urban Poor.
The exercise was to understand or reinterpret the meaning and application of "Democracy" through the vehicle of "Contextuality". Can we create in today's contextual climate, a morphology of Human settlement, which clings to the central principle of Democracy (of the people, by the people, for the people), and through this, use “Architecture” as an instrument of social justice?
Can we cut across boundaries of locations and provide a design solution framework Pan-India? We were encouraged to explore the possibilities of discovering “Self-Similar” frameworks which may emerge during the process of engaging with the community.
The site to be worked upon was to be a minimum area of ½ Hectare, which is a “part” of a real existing situation in an Urban Poor habitat which needs to be elaborated in the documentation.
The site to be worked upon was to be a minimum area of ½ Hectare, which is a “part” of a real existing situation in an Urban Poor habitat which needs to be elaborated in the documentation.
DOCUMENTATION, RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
The mass exodus of people disrupts the distribution of resources and leads to the formation of unplanned informal settlements and deteriorating quality if life. All this over the years has resulted in the slums becoming an integral part of the city. 56% of Mumbai's population live in such informal settlements. the mass exodus of people disrupts the distribution of resources and leads to the formation of unplanned informal settlements.
We wanted to chose a site which was strategically located in the heart of the city but still socially excluded and comprises of people from different religions, communities and occupations.
We wanted to chose a site which was strategically located in the heart of the city but still socially excluded and comprises of people from different religions, communities and occupations.
DESIGN INTERVENTIONS
We started designing at a macro level and kept zooming in from designing the various nodes and edges right up to an individual shop module and housing module.
Design aim: To make the settlement work as an insert to the city and not as an isolated entity in such a way that it is not only a housing solution but a way to improve the quality of both economic and social lives of the residents.
The design interventions made are such that they can be adapted Pan - India with some modifications. Every part of country showcases different skills and products as per location, climate etc. Hence the proposed green spine has to simply adapt to the local skill set and products. The kit of parts changes PAN INDIA depending on the climate and locally available materials.