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Img.3.1.2.a Rural Community Building
3.1.2 | RURAL COMMUNITY BUILDINGS
Img3.1.2.a Rural Community Buildings | Author
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Author : Laurie Baker Compilation : Centre of Science & Technology for Rural Development
Reading :
Laurie Baker, after his first meeting with M.K.Gandhi in 1944, was introduced to India & its heritage. He was drawn towards the 5 Mile Principle of M.K.Gandhi & henceforth practiced in rural architectural techniques in Kerala & around.
The compilation of writings by Laurie Baker focuses on his works with the rural communities as the name of the book suggests. A basic pre-study of a village is seen that leads to the absentees of certain departments in that particular village. The concerned departments are strictly confined to community purposes, namely - Governing offices, Healthcare units, Library, Bank, Hotel, Anganwadi [Primary education unit], Market area & Art & craft centre. Plans for the same are proposed by Laurie Baker that can be tweaked & relooked based on contextual requirements. Possible permutation & combinations of the master planning is
also discussed to achieve an efficient functional result. Usage of local materials is encouraged based on the 5 Mile Principle.
Inference :
Laurie Baker worked not only for the rural communities but also with them. Hence his works explore the efficient functionality of a program as the user adapts to. The primary aim of the book was not to provide a bank of the prototypes, but to enlighten the reader with the process of catering to these built forms in response to the context & user group.
As mentioned in the segment above [refer to 3.1.1], about the Parameters to Gram Swaraj, a similar approach is seen in the process followed by Laurie Baker, but on a macro scale, catering to the community programs. A blend of Gandhian ideologies can be seen not only architecturally but also philosophically. The empowerment of the rural community through architecture is achieved as Laurie Baker produces his works withthe community.
*Referenceofthe same tobe followedin Chapter 4.2.3.
