City: CHENNAI

AGARAADHI 

From an Epoch Bygone to a Habitat Redefined

CONCERN

Mahabalipuram – an UNESCO world heritage site in Tamil Nadu, India is considered the epitome of Pallava kingdom’s mastery in the art of stone sculpting and architecture. Today the place stands as a hotspot of tourism and leisure. Apart from the town’s tourism and historical layer, it has a rich eco-geographical layer too as it’s located in between the Bay of Bengal and backwaters. Hence, agriculture and many other occupations have been prevailing here for centuries. But today, there is decline in this eco-geographical layer as well as the socio-economical layer.

There are 6 villages within a 5km radius from Mahabalipuram. And, their livelihood seemed to be based on agriculture, fishing and its allied fields, and building construction. Lime manufacturing was done on a large scale due to abundant supply of calcareous shells from the sea. Two vernacular were building styles were observed – Madras style houses that has extensive usage of lime and terracotta, and mud houses that use clayey soil and palm timber extensively.

Today, the increase in land value of this region after the tourism oriented development of Mahabalipuram has led to the loss of many common lands that supported the region’s livelihood to various external parties. Agriculture declined. Constructing vernacular buildings wasn’t possible anymore, as gathering local materials from the then common lands were not allowed anymore. A survey was taken to 86 families to consolidate these facts into numbers. 65% of the farmers have changed their occupations due to loss of lands, and 60% of the families know mud building construction while only a small 20% still stay in such houses.

APPROACH

Since the loss of commons lands have played a major role in the deterioration of the region, its reclamation and the reassurance of their own culture to the people was prioritised for devising a programme:

1. People’s Organisation – to monitor and discuss policies for the social and ecological welfare for the region.
2. Building Science Institution – for the local masons to earn and teach their ways of building to students from outside.
3. Food Court & Farmers’ Market – to support the local farming and cooking practices.
4. Unschool – for this will and knowledge to be transferred to the future generations.
5. Seed Bank
6. Cafeteria
7. Library
8. Auditorium
9. Residences
10. Dormitories
11. Lime Kiln
12. Agricultural Land

This envisaged campus to function efficiently, had to be in the vicinity of all these villages, hence, Mahabalipuram core itself became the best choice. The chosen 24.9 acre site happens to be just 200 meters away from the Pancha Rathas of Mahabalipuram. From east to west, the site’s soil condition change from sandy to clayey. There’s around 12 acres of abandoned agriculture land, a one acre large monsoon generated pond, and in overall, the site accommodates around 380 trees – mostly neem and palm.

Public functions such as the Food Court, Farmer’s Market and the Lime Kiln are placed up front, while the Building Science Institution and the Unschool occupies the core. The Residences and Dormitories come on the back. Out of the 12 acres of abandoned agricultural land within the site, 8 acres have been revived. 

Site planning took several aspects into consideration. For instance, the particular road network designed was based on the natural vegetation – to make pathways, certain palm trees alone were cut, which were used for building construction. They were once again planted in a 1:3 ratio. On a social level, the Unschool and the Residences were designed facing each other to promote interaction between local children and non-native residents. A mango plantation has been designed to attract pollinating agents and promote biodiversity.

Firstly, the structural and aesthetic qualities of the Madras style houses was tried on the Cafeteria. Located in between the institutional and residential zone, it meets the food requirements of the users from both zones. It is designed with a long seating area that expresses variety in levels, scale, proportion and roof form. The structure’s foundation is kept continuous while the walls and roofs are discontinuous, so that it becomes easier to make structural additions and subtractions in the future.

Coming to the building science institution, which is a set of multiple small buildings; it takes inspiration from the vernacular mud buildings. It consists of an admin block, a material museum, lecture halls, construction yard, etc. The spatial connectivity is achieved by having the construction yard – a void, placed at the centre surrounded by solids of relatable scales and functions too. 

Other building designs were also done deriving inspiration these two vernacular to express their aesthetic and structural qualities to villages and non-locals.

‘AGARAADHI’ – means dictionary in Tamil. The case of Tamil’s agaraadhi is the same as these documented villages. They do hold a lot of value but we don’t consider or much less know them anymore. Taking inspiration from what’s lost to restore a habitat is what this thesis is about; and hence the name.

Undergraduate Thesis Project by Mona Vijaykumar
School of Architecture and Planning, Chennai, TamilNadu, India
Email: monavijay96@gmail.com

‘Around every corner, the newspaper and the streets, there was news that disturbed by every nerve, as it narrated child abuse. Yet, sitting in my chair unaware, did no one care? A little boy I did meet, as I passed through my busy street, inhaling vapor and not air, yet did no one care? The family, the school, the people around, all play an equal role in nurturing a child’s ability, lack of which influences the factor of child’s vulnerability. Is it their age or our neg- ligence that rolls them down the spiral every passing day, Can there be a better way? How can a child feel protected? Can architecture collaboratively act as a tool to augment the life of these children?’

Of the many categories of children in difficult circumstances, street children are estimated to be one of the most rapidly growing groups of vulnerable children in urban India. Accord- ing to UNICEF, street children can be divided into two broad categories children on and of streets. Based on the resources collected and analyzed, three prominent barriers that hin- dered the development and growth of street children surfaced, namely the physical, social, and psychological. Physical barriers such as access to toilets, adequate food, shelter, educa-tion and health care, lack of which led to various health and mental problems. The lack of identity and continues disregard from society adds to the social barriers, whereas the con- sequences of both cause psychological barriers such as lack of self-esteem, isolation and ag- gression. Therefore, the project’s intent is driven towards developing programs that would thrive to break the three barriers, within their neighbourhood, to ensure the holistic develop- ment of both the children and the society.

On the other hand, street children are present all over the city and find ways to adapt to its varied spaces and nature. It provides them with a sense of place, security and warmth, which they call ‘home’.

AS HOME

‘Running along the narrow gullies, a labyrinth of pathways and crossing, yet they recall every turning street. Playing under the flyover or hopping along the water lines, there isn’t aplace they don’t entertain. Scorching tirelessly in the markets and the dumping nest, under a tree is where they rest. Following a treasure map, led by many, guided by the railways andstructured by the corrugated roofings, they play a game of their choosing. Waking up with the shinning star and streets lead their way again, for they learn, live and rejoice, forever and again..’

The void spaces of the city, which are otherwise grey areas of the city, are instead utilized and activated for the development of the children. Further contributions are made towards the revitalization of the seemingly dead environment. The architectural intent is to provide an opportunity to children within their neighbourhood which metaphorically acts as a ‘room of opportunity’ in an urban city, which they call home.

MUMBAI

According to the TISS survey, more than (2013) street children live in Mumbai but the exact number is expected to be more. About 40% of their population are found along the 3 Mumbai railway lines which are bounded by large slum settlements all along with the city’s morphology. The railways are the first point of entry for most runaway and street-living children. “Ihey are an important source of sustenance for children whether through begging on the trains, selling wares, or working at stalls on the railway platforms. Bandra Railway station divides Bandra into West Bandra and East Bandra respectively. Being along the coast, Bandra attracts a large number of street children for the public spaces like the Bandra fort, Bandra beach in the West and East majorly consists of large slum neighbourhood and pavement dwellers.

The demonstration site is a residual land along eastern Bandra railway lines. Surrounded by two large slums and pavement settlements, the site has multiple entries points one majorly being from the station. A nullah bounds the site in the east and south is backed by Mithi river. The site is partially used as an illegal dumping ground as it lacks maintenance and government vigilance. Throughout the day it is actively used by street children for recreational activities and sports, and others include local slum dwellers and railway users.

Category: (GH) GROUP HOUSING

Type: Community Housing Development
Location: Yelahanka, Bangalore
Built-Up Area: 14,930 sq m / 1,60,715 sq ft
Client: Radiance Realty Developers India Limited

INSPIRATION – Mass Housing is the need of the hour in the World’s fastest growing city, Bengaluru. Within an urban concrete-jungle, Iris seeks to be a green refuge from the ever-growing pressures of development. We had to achieve this within the housing market pressures to make the project affordable. Iris focusses on a community centric-design incorporating natural vegetation and social spaces which simultaneously achieves the major challenge of high built-up area and low selling price. 

CLIENT BRIEF – The Developer approached us with an expensive parcel of Land located in a well-developed residential neighbourhood in close proximity to several IT Parks. The brief was to achieve a Financially Successful Residential Housing project with the Maximum possible built-up area in the lowest possible cost. Detailed market research suggested that Affordable Villa Housing will be the Best possible product for the micro-market. 

ARCHITECTS CHALLENGE – Negotiating with the real-estate developer and achieving a good community based green-design was the hardest part. Developers focus on maximum profit whereas the Architect has to achieve this by designing the best possible combination of units which offers the best possible quality of life to the users. The weight of the success or failure of the project lies on the shoulders of the designers and we are glad to have succeeded.

RESEARCH ABSTRACT – Detailed research was carried out to in the city to make the design commercially successful. The research focussed on what makes a successful home. Detailed studies and simulations were done to understand how to maximise natural light and ventilation inside each home. Land usage was critical for achieving the high built area. Existing trees were mapped and the buildings were planned around them to preserve the native vegetation. 

DESIGN DESCRIPTION – Iris was built on a large 4 Acre site with many mature trees. 90 percent of the existing trees on site were preserved through careful planning. The project achieved a built up area of 1,60,715 sq ft to be financially viable. It has 77 row-houses planned around shared courtyards. There are 6 types of units ranging from 160 sq-m to 250 sq-m. A semi-open 15,844 sq ft community clubhouse was planned at the entrance with a steel parasol providing shaded terraces for recreation. 

Iris is a series of row-houses planned along a central spine path with ten branches. Each branch is a common courtyard shared by 6 homes forming a micro community. Each home has a private garden with mature trees. Services are clubbed along the shared walls to minimise costs and hide it from view. The community club-house sits at the head of the spine near the road. The tail-end is a large open park with an amphitheatre and play areas. 

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS – Iris was a low-cost project. Hence economy of construction was essential. Conventional earthquake resistant R.C.C framed structure were infilled with light-weight autoclaved blocks. The Ground floor was recessed and clad with quarry waste slate stone to provide a tactile feel. The first floor cantilevers as a white mass shading the ground floor. The second floor has a terrace steel-pergola providing a light feel. Each floor expresses itself amongst the built composition.  

SUCCESS – Radiance Iris has the capacity to transform the lives of the families who chose to call it home. It has emerged as a financially successful model of social housing development through sensitive and sensible design. Clusters of row-houses interspersed with social spaces and shared facilities forms the project. Basic aspects like natural light, ventilation, ease of access and service have been thoughtfully resolved along with the pressure of density. The project is a successful case-study in the Indian housing sector and has WON International recognition for the same.