top architecture design thesis 2021
AVANI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN
KERALA, INDIA
Design thesis authored by
ALAN GEORGE JOSEPH
share
THESIS SPECIFICATIONS
Thesis Title: Punarjeevan – A sustainable ecosystem for the tribal community of Wayanad through a participatory design approach
Project type: Community needed infrastructure
Year of completion: 2021
ARCHITECTURAL CONCERN - NEED FOR THE PROJECT
The Thesis project started with a deep affection towards the indigenous tribes of Wayanad, Kerala with research questions and architectural inquiries addressing tribal community resilience by empowering their vernacular from getting endangered. The project also envisions the regenerative potentials of architecture for creating a sustainable, ideal ecosystem by using nature as building material.
Over the years, the state of Kerala’s once-flourished agrarian society had been witnessing a gradual transformation: From cultivation of food crops to that of cash crops such as spices and rubber. Conversion of large-scale paddy fields added to the problem. In the past 30 years, Kerala lost more than 70 per cent of its land under paddy cultivation. Several farmers abandoned the occupation due to a decline in profits while many found income sources elsewhere such as from foreign remittances. From grains, fruits, vegetables among other food essentials, Kerala’s consumerist society is now deeply dependent on its neighbouring states.
The “Adivasi” – tribal group of Wayanad, who refer to themselves as the ‘Ippimala makkal’ (children of ‘Ippi hill’- Banasura peak of Wayanad) is one community that urbanized non trials left their bad influence on. Poverty and illiteracy are the two major reasons that led to the decline of the community. A group of people who have been living, sustaining and celebrating with a lot of values passed on from traditions and in depth knowledge – skill sets of herbs, leaves, food and medicines is currently at the verge of extinction. They need to be sustained without their cultural heritage and values lost. Their future generations can grow up benefiting the entire world. As they now try to adapt to the rest of the society they are not only finding it difficult to merge but also their own values and traditions end up getting lost. They are getting discriminated against and are facing a lot of pressure on life. Thus they end up as unskilled labour at construction sites and unproductive fields.
Thus the project aims in building community resilience and regeneration of the dying tribal community through a participatory design approach. A resurgence of Native arts, languages, construction technologies and ceremonies, creating a new united identity and cohesion among various tribes. The centre has potential to become a valuable tool in establishing tribal identity.
● Sustainable development of the community by aiding them with adequate facilities, training and source of income generation.
● Sustenance of knowledge by bringing up a platform to share their ideas and to implement them.
It is essential to bring people from various types of tribal groups together to gain, give knowledge to each other and become more stable, stronger, and well-balanced together. It would help in sustaining their community, increasing their knowledge, and mastering their skill set values. But, acknowledging the fact that different tribal groups have different understandings, cultures, and beliefs; it is difficult to bring people together under a common umbrella of a dwelling system. Thus, only a unifying institution system, such as a school, training centre or a cultural space where they can exhibit their dance and other art forms, can gather people together and save the dying communities from their introverted hamlets.
They are not the most backward community in society. They should be enlightened with the payoffs of their strengths and capabilities to such a degree, that can make them proud of their traditions and values.
Their current lifestyle is imbecilic and without aspirations. Thus, an awareness centre is needed to motivate and extract them from their heaves of depression and addiction.
Their skills should be nurtured and practiced to attain self-sufficiency. Only then will their younger generations would stick back to their forest roots and traditions. Hence, saving an entire community from extinction.
“Therefore, my role as an architect is to mediate and devise a system through their voices and design a prototype model adaptable to their vernacular architecture which can be built with the participation of the whole community.”
ARCHITECTURAL & CONCEPTUAL STRATEGIES
The intention of the thesis is to create an architectural interface bridging the gap between the tribal groups and the urban society. The space will act as a knowledge hub, a platform to educate and get educated, to share, understand and grow together.
– To examine, encourage and celebrate the traditional knowledge systems with its intricate links to the people, their crafts and the forest.
– Implementing participatory design approach adapting to the vernacular construction techniques and locally sourced materials conveying a strong sense of ownership and belonging, as well as setting an ideal example of greenefficient-carbon neutral construction system.
– The centre will act as an institutional hub with a residential school as core providing exposure to students – adapting to the green school – ‘gurukula’ education system where they learn through life experiences. They are also made aware of their traditional values and cultural significance along with the formal education system.
– Training centres will be provided for the elderly promoting their handicraft skill sets and knowledge systems.
– The spaces will thus complement the activities of the tribe which in turn would amplify the efficiency of the community.
– To develop a self-sustaining knowledge hub and provide them with basic amenities like education, healthcare, clean drinking water, sanitation and environmental sustainability.
– To enhance their needs and quality of life by bring a balance between internal localised traditional culture + economy + external links.
The 3 main user group would be,
Tribal children – who will be given opportunities for green school – gurukul education system within the forest enabling them to develop respect and understand values carrying forward traditional practices.
Tribal adults – who will be given a spaces for community gathering, knowledge exchange and vocational skill development which would also act as a source of income generation and adds stability in life.
N.G.O representatives and government officials – who would be provided with spaces to work and collaborate with tribal groups providing better exposure. A residence facility for staff and researchers shall also be included for close interaction.
Farming is a primary source for becoming self-sufficient. Adivasi community and their knowledge system can be sustained by regenerating the traditional cultivation techniques and their organic farming practices which in turn accentuates collaboration and team-effort.
Permaculture can be understood as the growth of agricultural ecosystems in a self-sufficient and sustainable way. This form of agriculture draws inspiration from nature to develop synergetic farming systems based on crop diversity, resilience, natural productivity, and sustainability. The central theme is the creation of human systems which provide for human needs, but using many natural elements and drawing inspiration from natural ecosystems. By adopting this technique healthy vegetables can be grown effectively along with proper nurturing of medicinal herbs and forest species.
Bamboo is abundantly available in Wayanad context. Bamboo harvesting, treatment and using it for construction, handicraft product creation, etc. can have excellent potential for building a self-sufficient community. Using locally sourced bamboo for construction is economical and sustainable with a very low carbon footprint rate. Handicraft products can be a good source of income generation as well.
Participatory design entails user participation in design for work practice. This involvement of stakeholders and end users together allows the design process to be more open and lends itself to user-centred design innovation since it nurtures a more creative development atmosphere. The approach is focused on processes and procedures of design and is not a design style.
The site is located in the Southern range of Wayanad district abode of the largest number of Adivasi (71.95% of state Adivasi population), sandwiched between Padri Reserve Forest and Kabani River. It is located deep inside forest where, 5 main types of tribal groups are present in the close proximity of the site. Access from city is easy as the route provides way for rear side entry to Kuruva island provided by the forest department. The site is adjacent to agricultural paddy fields where irrigation is possible with adequate water resource. Bamboo is available in surplus quantities as the region is proximate to Kabani river.
ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE
The project framework is defined with simple architectural language which is adapted from the vernacular construction techniques of indigenous tribal groups of Wayanad. As the design is derived to be a participatory approach, involvement of the community is core to incorporate their practices, utilizing their knowledge skill-sets. Thus the program shall be split to various modular units allowing ease of construction.
Taking reference from the contextual material palate, the project utilizes locally sourced natural materials such as earth for foundation and enclosure, bamboo for structural system and rice straw for thatch roofing.
Passive lighting and ventilation techniques are used welcoming maximum natural light into the interiors and uninterrupted wind flow through the built. Rammed earth walls provide sufficient insulation and control heat gain.
Light weight thatch roof with broad eaves provides shade and protection from drive in rain. The design strategically brings in skylight through roof opening and release hot air by stack effect. Solar panels can be installed at ideal locations receiving maximum sunlight to increase energy efficiency.
Characteristic analysis of vernacular patterns and tribal interpretation of spaces enabled to embed a design strategy which is simple and open for user interpretation. Activity mapping from the existing tribal hamlets highlights the importance of verandas and supporting spill over spaces for recreation and social interaction. Veranda spaces are actively used for resting, eating and discussion. Most of their activities occur in the open ground and courtyard spaces. Careful attention is also given towards the metaphysical aspects and beliefs of tribal population.
The visual interconnections and porosity of spaces receive nature into the built elements. The design is developed with boundary less transitions and sensitive understanding of site ecology maintaining connection to the forest roots. The building modules are delicately placed along the axial direction of site utilising prominent contours. This allows maximum efficiency of land and minimal intervention on the site topography. Multiple entries at different levels of the site accentuates spatial and functional qualities. Levels of privacy can also be controlled by doing so.
Bamboo lightweight structural system acts as a framework for enclosure. This skeleton system provides structural stability and is resistant to earthquakes.
Rammed earth wall creates a visual mass and thus an interesting play of solid and void spaces can be achieved. Interconnecting spaces with each other increases multifunctional aspects of areas and converts them into adaptable spaces.
The massing is developed with combination of single storey and double height volumes enhancing spatial quality and user experience. The upper level is made of woven bamboo flooring with bamboo bridges connecting spaces with each other.
A longitudinal cross section reveals the interesting formation of inter connecting spaces and community enclosure with shared spill over spaces acting as primary gathering areas and secondary courtyards for various activities.
The design concept of ‘Synergy’ is well explored by incorporating open and continuous spaces with multiple interconnections providing maximum opportunities for interaction. The open planning of spaces allows the user to utilize the space to their free will and own interpretation. Several nodes and transitional courtyard spaces act as gathering areas which accentuates activity generation. The design incorporates maximum views to the paddy field and adjacent surroundings maintaining harmony with the site context. Transparency is maintained with only sufficient buffer provided for efficient functionality and enhancing user experience.
The different programs are categorized into 3 main zones – Public Interface, educational programs and accommodation facilities. The functional areas under the zones include a community hall “Aetukottilu” and a performance area for the tribal community, a green school for children “Inchicolu” and vocational training units for adults, bamboo craft production area and permaculture farm with granary storage units, hostel facility for school children and guest accommodation cottages for external public.
”Aetukotilu”- Community Hall is designed with a simple open plinth base respecting the spatial requirements of the tribal user group. The building sits well on site contour with an entrance bridge provided from road level to first floor. An arched bamboo structural system is used to eliminate the central columns and achieve a larger span.
The N.G.O office block is planned with a very porous and welcoming atmosphere with verandas and a central courtyard area. The integrated amphitheatre seating spaces can be used for discussions and cultural performances. Office spaces are internally connected giving maximum functionality and efficiency. Built-in seating spaces are provided along the passage areas.
“Inchcolu” – School complex consists of several masses with each mass accommodating different function such as classroom, library, multifunction hall, office, student’s dormitory, anganwadi, lunch hall etc. The ambience of school reflects the traditional practice of learning under tree and can be interpreted as a contemporary adaptation of ‘gurukul’ learning experience. School unit is strategically designed with lecture pods in ground level and multifunctional hall at first floor level. This supports green school education curriculum of learning through activities and allows students to simultaneously perform as they learn. The dynamic in-between spaces play an important role in multi functionality and one’s connect with the natural surroundings. Adapting to biomorphic patterns and arrangements seen in nature helped in creating positive sensory and psychological impacts.
Various landscape strategies have been applied with contextual reference respecting site ecology. The runoff water along the slope is channelled through several bioswales and drain lines leading to catchment pond. This water can be then used for irrigation purposes.
Together, the thesis project “Punarjeevan” offers an opportunity to unify different tribal groups through active involvement and engagement. Regenerative potential of permaculture farming and bamboo as a life line material is well explored through various approaches. As an initial contribution to implementation phase an owner driven construction manual is also prepared which can be distributed among the community. The manual elaborates the various stages of construction, tools required, methods of material selection, treatment technique and joinery details. The manual can be used as reference during the construction of the project. Once implemented the region can act as a prototype – catalyst hub for tribal resurgence and welfare.
Sheets
the end
Copyright information: ©️ Student author 2022. Prior written authorization required for use.
Request permissions: If you wish to use any part of the documentation forming part of the undergraduate thesis submitted to DSGN arcHive, please seek prior permission from the concerned student author through the respective college/university.
Exclusion of liability: DSGN arcHive and its owner do not undertake any obligation to verify the ownership of any content submitted for publication/broadcast on this website and shall not be liable for any infringement of copyright by, or unauthorized use of, such content.
HOMEPAGE
Copyright © 2024 DSGN arcHive