top architecture design thesis 2020

RIZVI COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

MUMBAI, INDIA

Design thesis authored by

MARIA ANWAR

THESIS SPECIFICATIONS

Thesis Title : Eco self-healing park

Location : BKC -E Block, Mumbai, India

Project type: Landscape Architecture

Year of completion : 2020

Name of Thesis mentor: Zainul Biviji

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The project is based on the concept of self-care and self-healing transition space between workplace and home. Something unique, when seen in the context of India. The working population works hard but they also need to rest easy.

People work in the office and then directly head home, for rest. But most of the employees have a long and often tiring commute from work to home. In such a scenario, what if there was an intermediate place between home and work? What if there was a closer resting space? A quick re-boost physically and mentally after work and before home? There are public parks, no doubt but they for a tired employee looking for peace and quiet, a noisy public park with kids is hardly the answer. A space, specifically built to cater their needs, sans noise and stress.

Eco self-healing park is all about giving our average employee the calm, stress free resting space between his home and work space. This idea is striking and innovative precisely because, it exceeds the definition of a traditional park, offering a tranquil experience that is close to home and yet so much more, being located in the embrace of nature.

Objectives taken into consideration for this prototype:

To redefine the experience and the function of a public space and to re-create them.
To create a tranquil and therapeutic experience and make it more eco-friendly, participatory and interactive.
To re-think about the passive strategy of the de-stressing mind and the body.
To promote quality public outdoor space and to stimulate vibrant social life in public space and to understand its needs and aspirations.

Bandra Kurla Complex is a business and residential district in Bandra, India. It is the most prominent commercial hub in India. According to MMRDA, the complex is the first of a series of “growth centres” created to “arrest further concentration” of offices and commercial activities in South Mumbai. It has aided to decongest the CBD in Nariman Point, South Mumbai while seeding new areas of planned commercial real estate in the metropolitan region.

The main intent of studying this site was to acknowledge the context around.
Since it is located in the commercial zone, the target audience in this case would be the working people in the vicinity as it would work as a breakout zone for them.
The park is well lit and offers many public activities for all age groups.
Isolated from hustle-bustle of the city and traffic which provides great opportunity for intended design programme.
Provides huge sound buffer due to the presence of green cover and waterbody. Hence, very calm and tranquil due to its location.
Ease of accessibility and holds a great importance for future potential.

The park contains active and passive self-healing zones along with sensory therapy clubs to induce rejuvenating and therapeutic experience.

The concept is inspired from the function of a tree and its stems, how it branches out and intertwine with each other, similarly the idea is to create a central spine that connects main BKC road and BKC back road while the spaces branches out and become free flowing and porous in nature.

The central spine is created to explore the path that defines destination.

And to attain the overall view of each staggering segment of the site, the organic elevated pathway is created with viewing decks.

Everything about the park, from site to concept on which it is built, has been designed keeping in mind its commercial value and potential.

The park is self-sustaining and generates self- revenue when it comes to commercial viability.
In addition to that, there are a lot of attractive features which increase its commercial value. Its minimal value- meaning people only have to pay low price in exchange for a much needed and well maintained space to recharge themselves.
Its proximity to workplace is another beneficial feature, as for the working people, the closest area for resting would be the first choice. In this case, it would be this park.
Its easily accessible to all, with no time constraints as found in normal public parks, mainly designed for working population, it would attract a large crowd who struggle to find a time slot for rest between their 9-5 job. This park gives them the liberty to rest as per their convenience.
Currently a defunct site, not very visible to the public eye because of its location, it has great potential to be recreated into something that will benefit everyone, mentally and commercially.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROJECT

The idea itself, on which this park has been conceptualised, is never seen before. Such a space, which actually meets the need of everyday working people and is also within proximity to their working place, specifically designed to cater their mental and physical needs is yet to be seen. There are enough public places and parks that are basically multipurpose in their approach, they cater to the needs of a general population from kids to adult with no focus on one single issue. But this will be the first park with a specific audience, approach and focus in mind. A space for the working population which has:

Eco garden : A garden that allows you to enjoy the greens on barefoot and self-heal oneself by walking
Active self-healing zone : This zone actively focuses on destressing mind and body through Anonymous clubs, Napping/Resting dens and Meditation space that allows any person to self-heal themselves according to what suits their needs best.
Passive self-healing zone: This zone has sleeping pods which helps one to passively destress and can boost up mental and physical being of a person. It will be open 24/7 so that people can use it at any hour of the day. Special consideration is given to its location and orientation on site, from where a person can experience the scenic view of Mithi River.
Sensory self-healing therapy zone: This zone includes colour therapy, sound therapy, aroma therapy and art therapy that also helps is self-healing process.

SHEET 1

SHEET 2

SHEET 3

SHEET 4

SHEET 5

SHEET 6

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