Draft DR Section 1 by Joanne Preston

EXEMPLAR TOURIST VILLAGE Providing living and agricultural systems for a more socially responsible and environmentally sustainable tourism strategy in the Kerala, India.

Design Realisation Report Joanne Preston Unit 22

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kerala is a bizarre anomaly among developing nations, a place that offers real hope for the future of the Third World... Though mostly a land of paddy-covered plains, statistically Kerala stands out as the Mount Everest of social development...â&#x20AC;? Bill Mckibben, National Geographic Traveler in October 1999.

Introduction 0.1 Unit 22 Agenda and Project Starting Point 0.2 Context 0.3 Programme Outline

Unit 22 Agenda Harbour: Several Crafts, Plenty of Decks, Efficient Provisioning Unit 22 defends that architecture which welcomes users through small dimension details and through a soft and cozy understanding of materiality. Therefore, this academic year, we will begin working in detail and around a material reflection. Two material facts will give the title for the year: wood and fire. But there is a trick in the selection of these materials leading the first reflection. Wood has been selected not only for its technical qualities but for its contextual dimension. Using local wood consciously, implies understanding the structure of an ecosystem and managing geographical notions while maintaining perception of memory, crafts and biology. Placing real fire in our spaces will force us to think about thermodynamic functioning while offering a place to gather and talk. In terms of typology second and third term will invite students to go beyond average constrains of a building to face a more open definition of built environment. Specific activities in the harbour will be defined by each student. Crafts - Students will be invited to develop and combine not only their own previous proposal for dwellings and the previous experience on the scale one pavilion but other studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; proposals for both dwelling and pavilion. Design should not only be developed further but gain an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;operatingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; system in the sense Buckminster Fuller was proposing in his book Operating Manual For Spaceship Earth. Decks - Built environment will incorporate open air facilities, infrastructures, landscape treatment, links and connection between crafts extending the concept of deck, meeting and organizing different environmental levels as in the book The Structure of The Ordinary: Form and Control in the Built Environment from John Habraken. Provisioning - Architecture requires a lot of supplies as well as environment. Logistics to maintain both natures alive will be incorporate to the students design.

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INTRODUCTION

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Unit 22 Agenda and Project Staring Point Context Programme Outline

Project Starting Point In response to a previous project brief I was asked to design and build a 1:20 model of three dwellings in three weeks based on one of the following three titles - a tree dwelling, chocolate dwelling and chimney dwelling. This project draws upon my ‘Chocolate Dwelling’ program - a semi floating bathing house in the backwater tourist destination of Alleppey, in the state of Kerala, South India. The dwelling provides privacy to local villagers as they bath in the river whilst tourists pass by on tourist ‘houseboats’. Built from local materials, joined and formed in innovative ways the dwelling is made up of functional and tactile surfaces which respond to the environmental pressures put on the river through houseboat tourism. One example of this is the floating timber shingles, which absorb oil on the surface of the river providing a protected environment inside with cleaner water for bathing. The current project takes on board the strategy innovative low tech environmental and social solutions in the same cultural context.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

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INTRODUCTION

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Unit 22 Agenda and Project Staring Point Context Programme Outline

Kerala has seen a

350%

No. of International Tourists

Increase in international tourism over the past decade

1,000,000 900,000 800,000

Thie Keralan Governent 2025 Vision Tourism Vision Statement:

“To make Kerala, the God’s Own Country, an up-market high quality tourist destination through rational utilization of resources with focus on integrated development of infrastructure sector conserving and preserving the heritage and environment and enhancing productivity, income, creating employment opportunities, alleviating poverty thereby making tourism the most important sector for the socio-economic development and environment protection of the State.”

700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000

1995 2000 2005 2010

Kerala ’s T ou ris m

2015

et rg Ta

Keralas Tourism Development Plans Kerala’s Tourism Industry has grown significantly in the last decade and is predicted to continue growing at a rate of 7 % per annum in foreign tourist arrivals and 9 % annual growth in domestic tourist arrivals. However, if tourist arrivals actually grow at the proposed rates, it is most likely to result in a difficult situation due to imbalances in general infrastructure. At the proposed growth rates, by the year 2021-22, the number of tourists would become comparable to the entire State’s population. India

Considering the above, Keralas Department of Tourism intendes to further invest in infrastructure and promote ‘Responsible Tourism’ with focus on indigenousness, environmental friendliness and community involvement. There is increasing recognition of the significant shift away from the predominance of the traditional sun, sand and sea holiday towards more experiential vacations. John King (2002, Journal of Vacation marketing, Vol 8, No. 2,pp 105-108) argues that travel is increasingly about ‘experiences, fulfillment and rejuvenation’ rather than about ‘places and things’.

Kerala

Kerala is ideally placed for offering the experiential vacations to visitors by maintaining its unique identity. Kerals Tourism Department articulates the vital factors that contributed to this unique identity as;

UK 24%

USA 11%

FR 10%

AUS 8%

Key International Origins of Tourists Vising Kerala in 2011

• • • • •

Achievements in the social sector – civil society and quality of life. Pristine and attractive nature with tremendous bio-diversity. Richness in heritage. Non-arrival of manufacturing industries. Vibrant small and medium entrepreneurs who could offer products which are contemporary in outlook, unique in experience and of a scale and character which respects the environment and local sensitiveness.

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The Government of Kerala’s department of Tourism has a proposal for comprehensive and integrated development of the backwaters across the entire state, pledging in their 2012 Tourism Polocy to; “Build infrastructure facilities such as tourist villages with jetties, parking bays and boarding points that will enable investors to begin backwater tourism operations in new areas. They will also introduce special incentives for starting houseboat operations in areas other than the Alappuzha region.”

Declared a ‘Special Tourism Area’ by Kerala Government

The Number of Houseboats has Increased from 2 to 1000 in 10 Years

Malabar Coast Area assigned for future Backwater Development

Alleppey Backwater Tourism Over development

7 pm Dinner & Overnight stay

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Unit 22 Agenda and Project Staring Point Context Programme Outline

Driver

Chef

Tourists

9 am Disembark 11 am Start

1 3 1 pm Lunch

Kerala’s Houseboat Tourism

“One of the major attractions to Kerala is the state’s extensive system of backwaters: Venice-like canals, paradise inland lakes and coconut tree swathed islands – an easy place to fall in love with and no wonder then that locals and tourists alike have been enjoying boat tours on these waters for decades. Years ago, these boats were converted rice barges – small, human-powered, and no more than a few dozen. Nowadays, however, over 1000 houseboats motor the backwaters of Alleppey alone – huge, expensive floating hotels, usually fully air-conditioned, and generally with at least 2 toilets on board.” Tourism Watch South India.

Backwater based tourism activities are now concentrated in the Alappuzha region of Kerala with more than a thousand houseboats operating there. This has resulted in some backwater stretches in this region having a tourism density much above the carrying capacity. The geographical expanse of the backwaters makes it convenient and conducive to spread tourism activity across the State, thus dispersing accompanying economic benefits and mitigating the negative impacts. With this in mind it is mind it is crutial to disperse houseboat operation and cruise activities to relatively underused stretches and regions in Kerala.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

ar Co a

Mal ab

D ort es

pment evelo

1 2

1. Holiday Bekal Resorts 2. The LaLIT Resorts and Spa 3. Vivante by Taj

Goa 30 mins

new airstrip Mysore 20 mins

BEKAL

20 min drive by main road

Thaikadappuram

Valiyaparamba Backwatera

SITE allocated by Kerala Government for 18 Displaced Families

Local Attractions

Malabar Coast

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INTRODUCTION

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Unit 22 Agenda and Project Staring Point Context Programme Outline

Malabar Coast Tourism Development Plan BEKAL in the Malabar Region (16 km south of Kasaragod) has been declared a ‘Special Tourism Area’ by the Keralan Government and therefore will receive significant investment for tourism infastructure over the next ten years. The region is planned to be developed as a major beach & backwater tourist destination. Key local attractions which make this area suitable for further tourism development include: Pallikere Beach – Walking distance from Bekal fort. Shallow water beach offers a scenic view of Bekal fort. Gardens & playground have been developed near the beach. Bekal Aqua Park – Offers boating facility in the backwaters near Pallikere beach/Bekal Hole backwaters. Bekal Fort – Largest and best-preserved fort in Kerala. 130-ft high laterite structure shaped like a giant keyhole. The fort’s tall observation tower offers a view of Arabian sea, beach and surrounding areas. Believed to be built in the 1650s by Shivappa Naik of Ikkeri dynasty. Mosque built by Tipu Sultan and Hanuman temple at fort entrance.

Tourism Displaces of 18 families in Bekal

Dec 19 2011

As part of the development of this area a new airstrip at Karlyam kund is planned, which will link Bekal with Mangalor and Goa and a proposed internationl airport at kannur. Bekal will b reachable from these destinations by a 20 - 30 min flight. Unlike most other existing resort destinations which are close to a major urban centre, and thus already over developed, the Bekal area is still virgin and pristine. The Keralan Government sees this as an opportunity to set up a ‘the first truely planned resort destination in Kerala.’ Displacement of villagers has become an issue in the area, with huge resorts paying very little money for land on the lake’s shore. According to the Charity Tourism watch South India’ 18 families have been displaced through the Goverments ‘Compulsory Land Purchase Proceedure’. Access to the lake itself has been closed off to the fishermen and shell collectors who are hence forced to seek new livelihood options. In response to this situation, my project aims to provide housing and a means of income for these displaced families which allows them to continue their traditional agricultural practices whilst benefiting from tourism. The project will be sited on land provided by the Keralan Government as compensation. Funding for the project has come from the tourism company Bekal Resorts Limited in the form of payment for the compulsory land purchase. Further support and funding will come from the South Indian charity Kabani, who specialise in setting up ethical tourism inicitives and a bank loan which will need to be paid back with profiets raised from tourism.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Direction of Fresh Water Flow

SITE

WORK IN PROGRESS

SUN PATH Direction of Tidal Flow

Arial View of the Site showing the surrounding Context (NTS) www.google.com

1:1250 Site Plan Showing key Climatic Conditions

Key Sun Path Prevailing Wind Site Boundary Area prone to Flooding During High Tide and heavy monsoon rains. Backwaters at Low tide

Soil Types Coastal and River Alluvium ‘Marshy soil in the coastal plain supports mangrove vegetation and is found at the estuaries and backwater extending inland along their courses. The soil is composed of recent deposits predominantly marine with some fluvial sediments along the coastline. These soils are immature with high sand content. River alluvium is found along river valleys cutting across the extensive lateritic soils. The soil is very deep with surface texture ranging from sandy loam to clay. It is fertile, having water holding capacity and plant nutrients which are regularly replenished during floods.’ Source Kannur District Infomation Brochure Tidal Data

Kannur has two high tides and two low tides per day. During High tide the site is prone to flooding by 0.7m. The chart above shows a typical daily tidal pattern, with the best times for fishing during low tide in the mornings or evenings. Source: tide4fishing.com

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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Site Analysis Program Analysis Site Division and Organisation General Accommodation Arrangement Overall Environmental Strategy Solar Chimney Tiles Access and Circulation Overall Structural Strategy Overall Construction strategy Health and Safety M&E and sanitation Systems Acoustics

WORK IN PROGRESS

Average Monthly Temaratures in Kannur district of Kerala

Kannur has a year round hot and Humid Climate.

Average Monthly Rainfall in Kannur district of kerala

‘Kannur district receives a total annual rainfall of around 3453 mm. The District experiences heavy rainfall during the South West monsoon season followed by North East monsoon. South West monsoon during June to September contributes 70 % of the total rainfall of the year. The northeast monsoon contributes only about 30%. Rainfall is considerably less during the period from January to May. Kannur district falls under wet type of climate based on Thornthwaite’s climatic classification.’ Source: Kannur District Information Brochure.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

The 3 main problems faced by communities in Backwater Tourism areas have been identified by the charity ‘Tourism Watch South India’ as:

“Most of our parents/teachers meetings nowadays revolve around the issues of water and other problems related to the houseboats. Mothers and fathers are worried that the presence of tourists is a bad influence on the children as they are witnessing behaviour from tourists which is unacceptable in our culture”.”

“Earlier, the water in the lake was very good; we took drinking water from there. Now it is very bad because of the pollution from houseboats and other tourist boats” “Kerosene and oil are spreading to the paddy fields and are adversely affecting the rice cultivation.”

“I used to take bath on both sides of the canal. Now tourists are taking photographs from the boat and intrude our privacy. Now I am taking bath in the night...”

“I’m grateful of tourism for giving me my job as a boat driver, which supports my family; but it’s unfair that my boss- the boat owner- earns in a day what I earn in a month.”

Lilykutty_ a housewife Madusoodanan _ president of the Rice Cultivators Collective

Thomas_ a houseboat driver and father.

Rani_ a teacher

Tania_ a young woman

1. Heritage and Cultural Degradation

2. Environmental Degradation

3. Social and Economic Inequalities

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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Key Problems Facing Kerala’s Tourism Industry & Project Aims In line with the Keralan Government’s tourism 2025 Vision Statement and Responsible Tourism Initiative this project aims “to create a better place for people to live and for people to visit” by development of tourist village and supporting infrastructure which allows the local community to take a leading role and benefits the local community on economic, social and environmental fronts.

1 2

Heritage and Cultural Objective •

Environmental Objective •

Enable the community to live in harmony with nature, culture and traditions . interchange of knowledge between locals and tourists from around the wold.

On environmental fronts, the project aims to minimise negative impacts of tourism on the local environment.

Economic Objective •

The economic objective will focus on generating employment opportunity besides enabling households and individuals to produce and supply products that are demanded by industry so that local people will be able to get maximum economic benefit out of tourism.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Oldest generations are treated with the most respect and hold the most power

Oldest Mother

Women are encourage to form strong social bonds with one another. Women are especially strongly socialized to accept a position subservient to males, to control their sexual impulses, and to subordinate their personal preferences to the needs of the family and kin group.

1st Generation

De emphasising ties between spouses and parents and children encourages notion of wider unity. Husbands and wives are discouraged from openly displaying affection for one another. Young parents are inhibited by “shame” from ostentatiously dandling their own young children but are encouraged to play with the children of siblings.

Males outrank females

2nd Generation

Aunt & Daughter-in-law 1.

Niece

Married daughters live with their husbands family. Newly married daughters rank lowest in the family.

3rd Generation

Increasing Social Hierarchy

8.3

Average Household size in Rural Kerala is particularly the case in rural India, where agricultural work is divided. Few individuals can hope to achieve economic security without being part of a cooperating group of kinsmen.

1. Oldest Mother of the house in Charge of daughter in laws 2. Aunts command control over nieces

The diagram above shows the social hierarchy and relationships within a traditional Indian Household

Typically joint families are related through the paternal line, along with their wives and children. Most young women live with their husband’s relatives after marriage, but retain important bonds with their natal families.

Grandmothers observe the company that the child keeps, his/her food habits, entertainment preferences etc. During conflict between parent and child the Grandparent acts as a ‘buffer’ between the two.

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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Heritage and Cultural Objective

Family Customs and Organisation “Some of the core characteristics which forms an Indian family is its joint living of three or four generations under a common roof and cooking food in a common hearth.” (Chowdhary, D. Paul, 1992) In Indian families the most widely desired residential unit is the joint family, ideally consisting of three or four patrilineally related generations, all living under one roof, working, eating, worshiping, and cooperating together in mutually beneficial social and economic activities. This is particularly the case in rural india, where agricultural work is divided. As in most primarily agricultural societies, few individuals can hope to achieve economic security without being part of a cooperating group of kinsmen.1

In indian families it it usual for several families to live together in a cluster, rather than alone. The social functions should be arranged according to the types of interaction that happen between different family members. For example;

Grandparents act as a ‘buffer’ between parents and children.

Strong family ties are evident on a village scale: It is a custom in Kerala that members of the same family paint their houses in the same colour.

- Cooking is a communal activity, which should hapen in a place accessible by all. - It is crutial that husbad and wife had a private bedroom located away from other family members as public signs of intamacy between spouses is frowned upon even within the family unit. - Grandparents and younger gererations need space where they can comunitcate and learn from one another.

http://countrystudies.us/india/83.htm James Heitzman and Robert L. Worden, editors. India: A Country Study. Wash-

ington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1995.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Married Couples

Females Only

Immediate Family

Extended Family

Wider Community

Visible from tourist boat

Decreasing Levels of Privacy in Indian Community

Seen by Community

Opportunity for Cultural Interchange

Seen by driver/ chef

Private

Decreasing Levels of Privacy on Houseboat

Tourist Activities

Sunbathing Drinking Alcohol Family Activities

Reading Playing Cooking and Eating Romance

Romance Sleeping

Sleeping

Bathing

Bathing Praying Washing Dishes and Clothing Rice Farming Fishing

The diagram above shows the functions carried out in my building and the level of privacy required by each one.

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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Heritage and Cultural Objective

Levels of Intimacy and Privacy ‘Boats docking overnight on the islands create an enormous social tension. Tourists are perceived to invade the villagers’ privacy by taking pictures directly in their gardens or through their windows. Children in the villages curiously peak into the boats and witness behaviour far from acceptable in the eyes of their community. Simply put, the villagers feel they have become zoo animals on display for the tourists’ pleasure.’ Tourism Watch South India From my research, both a sense of privacy and community are important to indian families living in the backwater districts. The arrangement of the spaces will need to ensure the intmacy of family life is maintained whilst alowing tourists to engage in traditional backwater activities. I have established that the main areas of tourism engagement will be, Paddy fields, fishing, cooking and eating and playing. These areas will become the least private spaces of the building, whilst areas for romance, praying and sleeping will be kept private from tourism

Make shift privacy screens for bathing have been errected by locals in backwater tourism areas.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

User

Poe

Boat

Kettavulums used as a means of transporting rice

2 Kettavulums were converted into tourist houseboats by entrepreneurs Powered by man

Over 1000 houseboats operating in Alleppey. Purpose built 10 Bedroom, Conference suite Houseboats powered by Kerosine

Pre 1990s

The diagram above shows ow houseboats having increased in size over the past decade

Early 90s

Today

80%

of people in Rural Kerala Rely on the river water for drinking.*

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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Environmental Objective

Water Reliance

*Tourism watch South India. “Families who used to rely on the lake’s water for all their needs: bathing, washing, fishing and drinking. Drink they can no more, as the content of harmful products from exhausts and sewage dumped in the lake have reached frightening concentrations. They are provided with little water from elsewhere and hence often face shortages of drinking water. Needless to say, the damage to the ecosystem is also enormous, with several fish species wiped out over the past 10 years and invasive plants covering the canals and most of the lake.” Tourism Watch South India The houseboats or Kettavulum as they are historically known (translates to boat made of knots) have increased in size significantly in the last decade. In the Early 90s houseboats where small enough to be powered by man using a punting technique. In developed houseboat tourism areas now the boats are much bigger, some include 10 bedrooms and a conference suite and require large engines to power them . This is putting enormous pressure on the environment. As the backwaters around my site are undeveloped in terms of tourism, the water is still used as drinking water by locals. In order to maintain this water quality the scheme will include sleeping accommodation for tourists within the family accommodation. This removes the need to include a bedroom on the houseboat therefor reducing the size resulting in small engines been required to power the boats.

Dead fish due to oil pollution from houseboat tourism

I will also provide water filtration systems within the dwellings to provide safe drinking water for the families.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Rice is the most common agricultural product in the Kannur District

11,710 Ha given over to rice farming Site

Approx 40% farmed using rotational crop technique.

Direction of Tidal Flow

High Tide

Low Tide

Environmental Objective

Kerala (not to scale) Key 2

Water Logged Areas December, 2010

Local Agricultural Practices: Kaipad Farming Int J Agric & Biol Eng

Kaipad Farming Region serious problems of water-logging. The details of the

Open Access at http://www.ijabe.org

Vol. 3 No.4 Kaipad farming is a common practice in the Kannur district, that is the rotation between rice and shrimp farming. As my site is prone to flooding during high tide, there is an opportunity to incorporate this type of 2 crop farming technique.

water logged areas in Kerala are given in Table 1.

Table detailing the Rice and Fish Farming Practices in the water Logged regions of Kerala. Table 1 Details of the water-logged areas in Kerala, India Water logged areas

Details

Kuttanad

Pokkali

Kole

Kaipad

Districts

Alappuzha, Kottayam & Pathanamthitta

Alappuzha, Ernakulam & Thrissur

Thrissur & Malappuram

Kozhikode & Kannur

Area (ha)

40,000

8,500

13,000

2,500

Cultivation period

First crop-Punja Oct-March

Jun-Oct

Nov-Aug

Jun-Nov

Special features

·Delta region of 5 rivers. ·Connected to Arabian Sea. ·Similar to Kole land. ·Acidity, salinity & flood.

·Rice-shrimp farming system ·Pokkali rice got GI registration

The distribution of the water-logged areas in Kerala is shown in Figure 1.

Reducing the need for artificial or foreign fertilisers is critial as it reduces the cost to farmers and ensures the protction of the backwaters for future generatons.

·Brackish water areas ·Central 'rice bowl' of Kerala ·Rotational farming of rice ·Reserve of Birds and shrimp

like Kuttanad, Pokkali, Kole and Kaipad areas.

The Rotation between Shrimp and Rice Crop is an organic farming method. The rotting rice stalks provide food for the shrimp and the shrimp faesea acts as a natural fertiliser for the soil. For the shrimp production the fields are flooded with saline water during high tide. After the harvesting of the shrimp the monsoon rains wash away the salt and the site is allowed to flood with freshwater for the production of rice crop.

In all

the water logged areas in Kerala, the crop is raised as rain

This method of farming has been awarded special accreditation by the European Food Standards Agency and can therefor be sold in europe as a premium product thus having econmical benefits.

es in the water-logged areas of Kerala, India

Vol. 19, No. 4

nge

nearby sea move through the river and enter the Kaipad

The

fields during high tide and flow out from them during low

nut

tide.

ate.

monsoons.

ons

during summer, when flow is low.

een

rises, the river water flows into paddy fields.

and

waves entering the fields through the river keep the soil

BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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Salt water from the sea enters the river

Shrimp

When the water level

moist even during the summer months.

y a

Decaying Rice Stalks Organic Waste - feed shrimp

The river water is usually saline except during

1.0

The tidal

Site Flooded with Saline water from High Tide

As these lands

are immersed in river water, they get rich deposits of highly fertile organic matter; therefore, paddy cultivation

nds

requires no artificial manuring and fish species receive

and

adequate food. The Kaipad fields at various stages are depicted in Figure 12.

ion by 11

nearby sea move through the river and enter the Kaipad

fields during high tide and flow out from them during low

requires no artificial manuring and fish species receive 0

depicted in Figure 12.

b. Vegetative

Salt water from the sea enters the river

rises, the river water flows into paddy fields. Figure 12 View of Kaipad fields

moist even during the summer months.

As these lands

are immersed in river water, they get rich deposits of highly fertile organic matter; therefore, paddy cultivation adequate food. The Kaipad fields at various stages are depicted in Figure 12.

b. Vegetative

ash ain w Monsoon Season: Monsoon R

ed fs

er s

ro p

requires no artificial manuring and fish species receive

of m of f d

The tidal

waves entering the fields through the river keep the soil

Site Flooded with Fresh water from Stream and Monsoon

g dlin

a. Nursery preparation

Phase ee 0S

monsoons.

during summer, when flow is low. stages When the water level c. Harvesting

Rice

The river water is usually saline except during

Vege tative

y Da

tide.

Aug

fields during high tide and flow out from them during low

Ju l

nearby sea move through the river and enter the Kaipad

Day 4 0

n d y m

c s ] . d n

Vol. 19, No. 4

Da y6

e a n

m nof the water-logged areas of Kerala, India

and of e of e ich t ds, . and s ons e n ver of d the s

M aJyu n

e ctiv

n and y om

Day 10

adequate food. The Kaipad fields at various stages are

Apr M ay

highly fertile organic matter; therefore, paddy cultivation

Kaipad Farming: Rotation between Rice and Shrimp Farming

o du Repr

nic s 27] . d an

As these lands

oc t

are immersed in river water, they get rich deposits of

moist even during the summer months.

r r Ap

ice a in

Nov

The tidal

waves entering the fields through the river keep the soil

rises, the river water flows into paddy fields.

dof n is

Salt water from the sea enters the river

Day 130

monsoons.

Nursery during summer, whena.flow is preparation low. When the water level

Ripe ning Phase

s nice

The river water is usually saline except during

Jan Feb

tide.

rve st

Jan Ha

eof

pt Se

Vol. 19, No. 4

E ggs

in the water-logged areas of Kerala, India

lin Sa ay w a es

r re ate w e

y ad

ce Ri r fo

Shrimp Faeces - Fertiliser for Rice

a. Nursery preparation

Kaipad Fields in Kerala c. Harvesting stages

Figure 12 View of Kaipad fields

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Tourism Opportunities

£60

Agricultural Opportunities

Money Divided Between 3 Couples

£20

3000kg Rice Per Year

£20 1 Hectare Kadai Field

+ TIP

Enough to Feed

25 Families

120kg Shrimp Per Year Tips Towards Boat Maintenance

24 Hour Boat Trip for 2 Tourists

SO....

120kg Rice Per Year

600msq Kadai Field Peak Season £90

Mid Season £60

Off Season £30

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Tourism Season and Houseboat Pricing for 2 People

120kg Rice Per Year

1 Couple

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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57% of this is spent on food

Average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure per Family is Rs1,835

(£21.53)

Social and Economical Objective

Employment Structure: Towards Self Sufficiency Agriculture accounts for almost 60 per cent of aggregate employment in India. Employment in agriculture is rural-based (97 percent). In Kerala 50% of the population of Kerala are dependent on the output of agricultural products. Kerala’s most important food is rice with over 600 varieties of rice are harvested from the state every year. Other key crops are coconut, rubber, coffee, cashews, tea and spices. Due to the seasonal nature of Agriculture the large majority of those who do not own their own land are hired on a casual basis and only work when the labour is required (see table 1). Table 2 shows how these people are in a particularly vulnerable position as their relative daily wages have been decreasing compare with people in regular employment.

Key Figures The average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure for a family in Rural Kerala is Rs1,835 (£21.53) of which 57% is spent on food. The average monthly per capita consumption of rice was 11.3 kg in rural areas Poverty line drawn at Rs 22.42 daily consumption in urban and rural areas retrospectively

Through the combination of Tourism (the fastest growing industry in Kerala) and rotational farming techniques where land use is alternated between rice farming and fish or shrimp farming, the community will be self sufficient. Based on figures from National Sample Survey carried out between July 2009-2010, an employment strategy could be achieved which will leave workers earning above the minimum wage for hard agricultural work, and in addition will provide enough rice for the entire family, thus reducing the percentage of income spent on food.

Statistics based on national sample survey carried out by NSSO between July 2009 - June 2010

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

User Schedule for 1 Cluster of 3 couples (top) and Spatial Organisation Diagram (bottom).

30kg Rice 10kg Fish TOURIST

5 1

ily am

0 8

sq 0m 10

06 07

17 18 1

Public

9 20

120kg Rice 30kg Fish FAMILY

00h

04 3

90kg Rice 20kg Fish MARKET

23 2 2 1

Private

r fa

e qp

12 13

1 4

sq m

o 1o

Paddy Fields

15 Private

m 1 Bedroom House

Tourist Bedroom

3 Bedroom Family House

n tio

Public

Circ ula

Tourist Bedroom

Shared Kitchen/ Living

3 Bedroom Family House

Tourist Boat

Community Facilities

Enclosed

Semi-enclosed

Outdoor

Public Private

Market

Program Outline It takes three couples to manage one kettavulun (tourist boat) whilst ensuring that the kadai fields are well maintained and cultivated and also carrying out everyday family dubties such as looking after children, cooking, etc. Kettavullum

Communal Space

Couple Houses

Kadai Fields

Play Group

With this in mind the site will be divided into 6 clusters of farmland big enough to provide for three couples and their children. The houses will be formed of a combination of more private, living and sleeping areas and communal living areas depending on the activities taking place in each area.

Diagram showing the space required by each couple and their working contribution to the cluster.

Health Centre

Initial Masterplan,

Fresh Water Stream

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Exemplar House

WORK IN PROGRESS

Masterplan

Tidal Flow

Key Accomodation Clusters for 3 Families

The site has been divided into farmland and houses for groups of three couples.

Kadalai Farming Fields

These also act as a means of circulation by boat both general circulation between the houses and to transport rice fom the fields to the house. The division of the fields in this way means that the cultivation of rice and shrimp can be staggered between the fields to provide a more steady supply of crops.

Village Ammenities

Canals have been added between kadai fields, which follow in the direction of the natural tidal flow and fresh water flow of the river and act as a means of drainage for the fields.

Drainage/ Private Circulation by boat 1:1500

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

General Arrangement The building is conceived as a central communal deck with shared kitchen, living, fishing and circulation spaces. More private houses and tourist accommodation extends from the central deck over the paddy fields. Two canals have been formed through the site to allow circulation to the fields by boat and for the transportation of rice crop.

3 Bedroom Family House Tourist Bedroom

3 Bedroom Family House

Grandparents House

Tourist Bedroom

Washing Clothes/ Kitchen Utensils

Communal Kitchen

Tourist Boat Dock Communal Living Space

Diagrammatic Axo Highlighting Key Spaces

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Diagrammatic Axo highlighting the position of the floating deck according to the shrimp harvesting season:

Shrimp harvest May

Key Fishing Deck Shrimp Harvesting Field

Shrimp harvest June

Shrimp harvest July

Rotational Fishing Decks A key Design concept is that disabled access ramp doubles up as a fishing deck which can be used as a platform from which to catch shrimp and fish during the harvesting season. The cultivation of the shrimps is seasonal but staggered so that each month between May and August a different field is harvested. The grandparents house it situated on the floating deck and the grandparents have a strong connection with the youngest members of the family, teaching them life skills such as fishing. A fixed fishing platform serves the western field and doubles up as a maintenance platform.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

WORK IN PROGRESS

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1:250 Ground Floor Plan

BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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WORK IN PROGRESS 1:250 Second Floor Plan

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WORK IN PROGRESS

1:200 Section

[Academic use only]

Key Plan

Level 2

Level 0

Level 1

Orientation The building is orientated to take advantage of the prevailing wind and minimise the absorption of solar radiation. The floor heights are staggered to allow the prevailing wind to flow into every space. The houses are designed with the minimum facade on the east and western side so to minimise solar radiation which will could otherwise cause these spaces to become uncomfortably hot. The houses are designed with the largest facade facing North to take advantage of northern natural day lighting.

Key Prevailing Wind Lower Level Prevailing Wind Mid Level N SUN

PATH

Diagrammatic Plan Highlighting Cross Ventilation and Orientation Strategy

Prevailing Wind Upper Level Solar Shader

Day Time Occupation

Concrete Thermally Massive Concrete core heats up slowly during the day, emits heat at night. Concrete Deck - Kitchen and living facilities. Inhabited During the day Solar Shader

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In the Keralan backwaters Muscles are farmed for food and their shells are recycles and heated to produce lime to make concrete

SUN

PATH

Timber

Night Time Occupation

Timber has relatively little thermal mass therefore does not store solar energy during the day and emit it at night. Jungle Jack timber structures - Night time, sleeping accommodation and private living spaces.

Material Strategy

Materials have been chosen for their thermal properties and their local availability. Jungle Jack grows in abundance in Kerala, and grown relatively quickly due to the humid climate (25-40 years). It is used historically in the state for boat building and houses.

Concrete has been chosen for the central communal part of the building as this will be occupied during the day when the climate is hottest. Concrete is thermally massive absorbing it slowly during the day and emitting it at night. The concrete part of the building should be cool during the day. Locally available Jungle Jack Wood will be used for the parts of the building occupied during the night. Timber has relatively little thermal mass and therefore does not absorb solar radiation during the day and therefor cooler than concrete at night.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report Diagrammatic Plans Highlighting Material Strategy

Solar Chimney Tiles (see following page)

Model of hanging platers to provide shade

Shading and Natural Lighting Strategy One of the key site issues to be addressed is that lack of canopy from trees due to the tidal flooding. Kerala is otherwise known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the land of the coconutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and palm trees grow in abundance. As many daily tasks such as washing utensils and clothing, bathing are carried out outdoors, the palm trees are relied upon for providing shade.

Key Roof Perimeter Enclosed Area

SU N

PA TH

My proposal is to create shade and protection from the monsoon rains with a clay tile roof. Clay tiles are commonly used as a roofing material in India and are cheaply mass produced in due to high levels of China Clay in the soil.

Semi-enclosed Shaded Area

The clay tile roof will fully enclose the bedroom areas and act as a canopy for the semienclosed circulation and communal living space.

Solar Shader

The undulating form of the roof will allow natural daylight to enter the building from the north whilst providing shade from the direct sunlight coming from the other directions. The roof will overhang to provide protection from the monsoon rains.

Natural Lighting from the North Diagrammatic Axo showing Overall Shading and Day lighting Strategy

Taking inspiration from a previous project in Colombia, a planted roof will provide shade for the eastern fishing deck.

Interlocking Solar Chimney Tiles

Initial Idea for Framework to Support Tiled Roof

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Plan and axo Highlighting Location of Openable Louvres (NTS)

Heated Air Expelled

Timber Roof Breams

Timber Clamping System

Triangulated Timber Columns Timber Floor Finish Louvre System Prevailing Wind

Prevailing Wind Solid Wall Controllable Louvres

Mosquito Net Area of Interest

Natural ventilation A louvred wall system will be used along with the solar chimney tiles to facilitate natural ventilation. Following a discussion with the environmental engineer, it was decided that the most effective way to drive air through the bedroom is to make the wall facing the prevailing wind openable and the adjacent wall solid. This will force the air through the solar chimney tiles.

Concrete Pile Foundations

It is possible to use this method of natural ventilation to generate electricity for he building. This is discussed in more detail later in this document.

1:50 Axo Showing initial Idea for Tiled Roof and louvred wall system Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

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Evaporative Cooling Concrete Deck

High Tide Wi

g Prevailin

1:100 Diagramatic Section the Central Daytime Living Space

Low Tide

Occupied During the Day

Evaporative Cooling The concrete communal deck has been designed with evaporative cooling in mind. The finished floor level of the ground floor slab is below the level of the low tide and flooded. The first floor deck is formed from a waffle slab with a finished floor surface of timber slats. The slats have small gaps between them to allow evaporating water from below to travel up to the main first floor level and create a cooler living environment.

Sketch showing proposed timber surface on to of concrete waffle slab. Concrete Waffle Slab with decorative timber infills

Key Plan

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Local Government Object for the Development of Ceramic Industries: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;China clay is found in abundance in Thaliparamba and Kannur taluks of Kannur district. These resources are not fully utilised in the district. The district is endowed with rich deposits of clay of which various types are mined at many places for potteries, tiles and ceramic industries... There are a number of tile manufacturing centres along the coastal areas. Because of the abundant availability of clay, there is great scope for development of clay based industries in the district.â&#x20AC;? Kannur Government district brochure

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Key References

Ceramica Cumella: Ceramic Cladding

Clay Tiles creating enclosed and semi-enclosed canopy in an Indian House.

Thermochromatic Glaze

Sola

r Ra

Outlet for Heater Air

diatio

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Black Ceramic Surface absorbs Solar Radiation

Roof Line Interlocking Detail

Internal parts of the tile painted in thermochromatic paint.

Incorporated Rainwater Drainage

Cool Air drawn into he building to replace warmer air expelled through Chimney

Sketch Plan of Overlapping Tiles

Water Drainage Possible Interlocking Detail

Solar Chimney Tiles An initial design idea for the Clay Solar Chimney tiles shows how these could form part of a system of rainwater collection and drainage and ventilation. The tiles could also be glazed with thermochromatic paint so that the inhabitants of the building can see which parts of the building are cooler than others. Initial Design of Possible Extruded Clay solar Chimney Tiles

A key focus of my report in the following sections of the report will be to develop this design in greater detail to ensure that the roof structure is designed to support the tiles and that the tiles provide a water tight seal.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Circulation and Safety Provisions The building is compliant with section K of the building regulations in relation to the safety of stairs, ramps and handrails in dwellings for the ‘private’ dwelling areas and for a Public building in the areas accessible for tourists. This is with the exception of the ‘inhabitable staircase’ to the south of the building (see below). Non-compliant General Access Stairs As a design feature the general access stairs located at the south of the building is non fully compliant with section K. According to section K regulations a stair wider than 2m should have handrails at 1m intervals along the width. This stair is 4.5m wide and therefor should be divided in this way, however a key design principle of these stairs is that they are inhabitable, wide stairs for people to sit on in groups and chat. As there is an alternative means of access to the primary level via an alternative compliant staircase or wheelchair accessible ramp, it is reasonable that these staircase should only have handrails along either edge. Alternative to using non-compliant staircase

Alternative to using non-compliant staircase

Compliant General Access Stairs In accordance with part K and M of the building regulations all other general Access Stairs have; • A minimum riser of 150mm and a maximum riser of 170mm with a going of between 220mm and 250mm, resulting in a pitch within the minimum and maximum allowance in park K1. • A minimum width of 1200mm. • Handrails at a height of 1100mm on both sides. • A headroom of at least 2m. • No more than 12 risers between landings. Private Stairs Building Regulation Part K 1.16: ‘ for dwellings in exceptional circumstances stairs within the entrance storey can have a width of 900mm’

Key Non-compliant General Access Stairs Compliant General Access Stairs Compliant Private Stairs Compliant Wheelchair Accessible Ramp Areas Complaint with Section K for Private Dwelling Route taken by Families from fields to houses Route taken by Tourists from boat to bedrooms Alternative means of access to the principle storey

Diagram Showing how different users circulate the building

In line with part K1 for private stairs, due to restricted area in the floating ‘grandparents house’ the private stairs have a riser 180mm and a going of 225mm. The entrance of these stairs is located on the entrance storey and therefore a width of 900mm is acceptable. Private staircases in the building are also compliant with part K in the folowing ways; • All private stairs have handrails at a height of 1100mm on both sides. • All private stairs have a headroom of at least 2m. • All private stairs have no more than 16 risers between landings. Ramps As an alternative part K compliant ramp has been provided next to the ‘grandparents house’ as an alternative means of access to the principle storey. (See following page). Corridors and Gangways • All private corridors and gangways have a minimum width of 900mm. • All General access corridors and gangways have a minimum width of 1200mm. • Wherever there is a risk of falling from height, corridors and gangways have a balustrade at a minimum height of 1200mm.

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Fire fighting Equipment for use by Emergency Services

Means of Escape The building is compliant with section B of the building regulations. B1 Means of Warning and Escape The building should be designed and constructed so that there are appropriate provisions for the early warning of fire, and appropriate means of escape in case of fire to a piece of land capable of being used safely and effectively at all times. A key concept of the building is that it allows for as much natural ventilation as possible and therefor much of the building is semi-enclosed by the roof but no walls. Splitting the building up into compartments would be detrimental to the design concept and therefore the fire strategy and means of escape needs to utilise several methodologies in order to comply with section B of the Building Regulations.

First Aid Equipment

Another key factor to consider is that the building is on a piece of land surrounded by water and the nearest land is approximately 30m away. Emergency services can only access the building by boat, which may take longer than by road. With this in mind a safe area has been designed on the ground floor. This will act as a fire assembly point and refugee area for wheelchair users and also contain radio equipment, life jackets and life raft, first aid kits and fire fighting equipment. Inflatable Life Raft and Jackets ‘Safe Area’ beneath the concrete stair with Emergency Provisions:

The safe area is situated within the concrete part of the building area of the building, and is accessible from a choice of 2 staircases or a wheelchair accessible ramp. In compliance with section B1 of the of the building regulations the safe area has a satisfactory standard of fire protection and fire door. All floor levels in the building are below 4.5m in height, therefor escape via the entrance hall is permitted. In the bedrooms, where the rooms have defined walls and ceilings, fire shutters and self closing doors will be used. These will be linked to an alarm system so that in the case of a fire they will either open to provide clear access to the escape corridor or close to form fire compartments. In order to establish an overall strategy, a sprinkler system will be used in the semi enclosed circulation areas.

Key Timber Structure Treated with 60min Fire Protection Coating Primary Escape Route Wheelchair Escape Route Emergency Services Access

Secondary Escape Route

As the escape corridors are semi-enclosed and raised from the ground they will comply with section B 2.10 of the building regulations for Balconies and Flat Roofs “ part of the roof forming the escape route and it’s supportive structure, together with any opening within 3m of the escape routes should provide 30 minutes fire resistance.” To ensure that the structural elements of a building designed to support a load (i.e. Floor joists that bear the overall floor structure), maintain their load-bearing capacity in the event of a fire, a fire retardant coating will be applied to parts of the timber structure that form the escape corridors. Given the extra time it may take the emergency services to arrive by boat a product such as ‘Envirograf® product 42’, will be used which provides 60 minutes fire protection and satisfies SBI: B/s1/d0 of the European fire classification of materials, construction products and building elements and part B of the building regulations.

Diagram highlighting fire escape routes to the Safe Area Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Diagram showing the flexibility of the typology, ramps can easily be added between primary structural columns

Plan of the Principle Storey showing Wheelchair Provisions

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Accessibility

Wheelchair Accessible Tourist bedroom & En-suite 1:20 Pitch Part M Compliant Wheelchair Accessible Ramp 2

The building is fully compliant with section M of the building regulations. M1 Access and use of the Building Reasonable provision shall be made for people to (a) gain access to; and (b) use the building and its facilities.

Grandparents House

For Dwellings Reasonable provision for should be made a) So that people, including disabled people, can reach the principle or suitable alternative, entrance to the dwelling from the point of access; b) so that people, including disabled people, can gain access into and within the principle storey of the dwelling; and c) for WC Provision at no higher storey than the principle storey.

Alternative Part M Compliant Staircase

•

A wheelchair Accessible ramp has been provided as an alternative to the stepped access to the principle storey.

•

The Ramp is fully compliant with the regulations set out in part M and Part K and has; - A Pitch of 1:20 - 1500m width - Head height greater than 2m - Handrails on both sides - An intermediate landing area greater than 1800mm in length.

Key 1

Primary Level

Tourist Bedroom and En-suite Route Taken by a Wheelchair User

•

One wheelchair accessible tourist bedroom has been provided with an attached Wheelchair accessible WC.

•

A wheelchair accessible WC is also provided on the principle storey.

•

The grandparents house is located next to the ramped access to the principle level, so that as the inhabitants become older and possibly less able, they can use the ramp conveniently as an alternative to their internal staircase.

•

The bedroom areas of the three bedroom houses are not fully wheelchair accessible in this particular cluster, however the living areas are based on the wheelchair accessible principle level so that they can be accessed by a disabled visitor.

•

The typology has been designed with flexibility in mind and ramps can easily be added between the vertical timber structure so that the dwelling can be easily adapted in future if an inhabitant becomes less able.

Wheelchair Accessible area WC

Location of Guest Disabled WC on Principle Storey

Diagram highlighting the parts of the building accessible by a wheelchair user Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

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Family Houses Ceramic Roof Tiles The roof tiles will slot within the grid of the timber roof structure. The tiles will sit withing the structure at different heights to form an undulating roof scape both from the interior and exterior. The tiles will be designed in detail to ensure they seal the building from monsoon rails, whilst providing ventilation.

Grandparents House Balloon Frame Construction A timber balloon frame constructed of beams, columns and cross bracing supports the timber deck ramp above. Triangulated roof trusses support the hanging planters and maintenance ramps.

Timber Roof Trusses The tiled roofs will be supported by triangulated timber roof trusses, which will be repeated to form the undulating roof scape. Primary Timber ‘Tipi’ and ‘Paso’ Structure The primary timber structure will consist of a grid of timber columns arranged in 4s and angled to form triangulated tipi and paso type structures. These will be braced on the horizontal plane with timber breams which will form floor joists.

Enclosure Died palm leaves woven between the bamboo structure forms the enclosure, this is a traditional method of construction used in Indian Kettavulum. Bamboo Frame Traditional method of Kettavulum construction where a bamboo frame is tied together in arches to form a structural frame.

Communal Living Area Concrete Slab A reinforced concrete waffle slab is supported by load baring concrete columns and to load baring concrete wall.

Floating Deck Traditional Kettavulum building technique are used to form the floating deck. Pieces of Jungle Jack timber are sewn together to form boat hulls.

Pile Foundations 6m pile foundation have been chosen as upper levels of soil are sandy and unstable.

Overall Structural Strategy Several different structural strategies are used for different parts of the building. The diagram above shows the key structural strategies in place. This will be explored more comprehensively in section 2 of this document.

Exploded Axo Highlighting the main structural components

Build Sequence

1_Excavation of Canals to form Kaipad Fields. Earth removed from riverbed is used to form mounds around the site to protect it from flooding during construction.

2_Holes are dug and the concrete pile foundations are poured on site.

3_Formwork is made and the concrete waffle slab poured at first floor level

4_The prefabricated primary timber frame structure is erected on site and held into position with timber cross bracing.

5_The first floor timber floors are laid to provide a deck for workmen and women.

5_Prefabricatd boat hulls are anchored on site and a temporary deck is formed to allow access for workmen and women to build the bamboo frame.

7_The bamboo frame is cladded with woven palm leaves and the balloon frame is constructed around it.

8_ Elsewhere the roof trusses are craned into position and braced together along the horizontal axis.

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Overall Construction Strategy The traditional skills associated with building Kettavulum boats are becoming extinct in Kerala. In house building Jungle Jack wood is used less frequently as cheaper, less sustainable materials such as concrete is more commonly used. The project aims to combine more traditional Indian methods of construction and materials but applied in innovative ways. It is hoped that using construction methods such as those used in Kettavulum building in the grandparents house and the use of Jack wood for the other houses will encourage local craftsmen ship and keep these traditional skills active in future generations.

9_The roof is tiled with the solar chimney tiles and timber studd walls and louvres are added to the bedroom areas to make these enclosed and sealed.

10_Planting of the Kadai fields and hanging vegetation added within the dwellings.

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Key Tiled Roof Planted Roof Maintenance Platform Point of Access to Maintenance Platform

Appropriate Safety Clothing and Equipment to be Worn during Construction Diagram highlighting the areas accessible by maintenance platform.

Health and Safety

Maintenance

CDM

Construction

A secure maintenance walkway has been incorporated into the design of the roof. This will be to ensure the upkeep of the solar chimney tiles and water storage tanks.

Construction Design management (CDM) regulations outline the designer’s responsibility for health and safety during the construction process and for any foreseeable building maintenance.

Measures will be taken to reduce potential risks on site during construction.

In accordance with the construction and design management regulations 2007 temporary means of access such as ladders are acceptable for maintenance if access is needed less than once a month. Therefor access to the maintenance platform will be via pull down ladders on the fishing deck level.

The Health and Safety Executive legal guidance states that the designer must:

These ladders will be locked so that they can only be accessed by an authorised, trained person and cannot be climbed on by children who may be using the fishing deck.

Where projects are notable under the Regulations, designers must also:

Hooks will be provided along the maintenance platform for use with a harness system such as ‘Mansafe’ to protect against falling. Further maintenance platforms have been incorporated into the planted roofs, so that the plants can be maintained. There can be accessed from the wheelchair accessible ramp. These platforms are enclosed by railings up to a height of 1200mm so that vegetation maintenance is simple and safe and does not require further safety equipment. All other hanging planters will be easily accessible from the floor level. The timber structure will need to be repainted with fire retardant varnish every 10 years, this will be done contractors with specialist safety equipment such as masks, goggles and harnesses. The concrete deck will be finished with a protective coat making it virtually maintenance free.

- Eliminate hazards and reduce risks during design - Provide information about remaining risks

- Check that the client is aware of their duties and that a CDM coordinator has been appointed. -Provide information required for the health and safety file. In the case of this project a CDM coordinator will be appointed from an early stage in the project. Consultation from Stage C onwards will ensure that work on site is carried out with good conduct and in compliance with CDM regulations.

Where possible parts of the timber structure such as the roof trusses, and triangulated vertical timber columns will be manufactured off site. The floating deck will also be constructed in a specialist boat building yard to minimise on site risks. The contractor has a responsibility to ensure that the appropriate safety equipment is worn by workers on site. A site office with first aid supplies will be set up for use during the construction process and all entries, exits and safe routes across the site will be clearly signposted. Temporary sanitary facilities will also be provided nearby for workers. During the construction of the roof workers will be secured by harness such as the system supplied by ‘Mansafe” this will protect them in the even of falling. During the construction of the concrete waffle slab and supporting reinforced concrete walls and columns rebar safety caps will be used. These are brightly coloured to ensure high visibility on site. These are placed over the exposed, protruding ends of the rebars to blunt them to prevent a falling worker been impaled on the exposed bar.

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Key Fresh Water Flow during Low Tide

atterie

b From

Pumps fresh stream water to storage tanks above Sewage into biodigesting tanks below ground Gas Pipe Gas Cooker

Service room, containing electric switchboard, fuse box and transformer.

M&E and Sanitation Systems

Key Rainwater Storage Area Excess Rainwater Drainage from Roof to River Natural Ventilation from Prevailing Wind

Natural Day lighting from the North Electricity Cables from Generator LED Lighting Cables along Roof Beams Electricity Producing Solar Chimney Tiles

As the Site is very remote and separated from the mainland by water a self sufficient services strategy will be implemented. This also means that the socially vulnerable families will not be effected by increasing gas or electricity prices, following my discussion with the director of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kabaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; this is a major concern of families living in the Keralan Backwaters. Another major concern is the accessibility to safe drinking water, which is not provided by the Keralan state. Section 3 of this report will look in more detail at how river water could be filtered and made safe for drinking. The strategies put in place will also meet environmental standards which will draw in tourists seeking eco friendly holiday destinations. Due t the hot and humid climate a comprehensive natural ventilation and day lighting strategy has been incorporated (see overall environmental strategy in section 1 of this document). The following Page looks at initial ideas for the proposed systems, Section 3 of this report will deal with this in further detail.

Diagrams Highlighting Rooftop M&E Strategies (Left) and Service Room and Sanitation Systems (Right) Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Ventilation Due to the hot and humid climate a comprehensive natural ventilation system has been incorporated into the overall scheme of the building (see overall environmental strategy, section 1). Natural ventilation has also been incorporated to reduce odour from toilets cubicles, Along with a system of planting foliage to mask the smell of undesirable odours.

Odour drawn up through solar chimneys

gG kin

Prevailing wind

Fragrant flowers mask unpleasant odours Model Photograph: Vegetation in baskets between structure Human excrement

Coconut coir added to reduce odour and absorb liquid

Compost used to fertilise Rice Field Removable manhole cover Gas outlet pipe Gas Displacement tank

Sanitation Biodigesters will be used to convert gas from excrement into cooking gas. These will be serviced by pipes leading from the toilets into pits located underground under the paddy fields. These biodigester will also be used to dispose of agricultural waste such as rice straws and leaves. The remaining excrement will be composted and mixed with locally produced coconut coir to absorb liquids and reduce odour. This will then be used as a fertiliser for the Rice Fields. These will be served by a removable manhole cover in the paddy fields.

Solids and Liquids

Excess excrement mixed exposed to air to make fertiliser

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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Monsoon rainwater collection by solar chimney tiles

Warm air expelled

Filtration gravel

Solar chimney tiles

Turbine

Storage tank

Generator

Filtration pump for use during dry season

Cool air drawn through

LED lighting system

Battery

Safe drinking water

Flowing river

Other electrical equipment

Electricity Supply

Water Collection and Circulation

Following a conversation with an Environmental Engineers at ‘MaxFordham’ it seems feasible that a system of mini turbines could be incorporated into the solar chimney tiles.

During monsoon seasons rainwater collection and purification - tiles collect rainwater for showering/ drinking/ collected in balloon like water tanks in the roof, which expand when full.

When air is drawn through the turbines rotate as the kinetic energy from the air flow is converted into mechanical energy. A generator then transforms this into electrical energy, this is sent to a ‘step up transformer which increases the voltage. This electrical energy is then sent by cables to be stored in a battery, which is used to power LED lighting and other electrical appliances. This will be covered in more detail in Section 3 of the report.

During dry seasons / freshwater is collected from flowing steam during low tide and pumped up into storage tanks for use during high tide. Grey water will be used to flush toilets. Other collected water will be purified and filtered in the roof tiles so that it is safe to drink. Water will be expelled back into the river.

Electrical services are housed in the waterproof, concrete core with sufficient access to the fuse box and trip switches.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report

Northern 3 Bedroom Family House with Tourist Room

Southern 3 Bedroom Family House with Tourist Room

Grandparents House and Fishing Deck

Tourist Bedroom

Couples bedroom - possible snoring/romance/talking

Children and adults fishing, and talking.

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedrooms - playing/crying

Grandparents in bed - possible snoring/romance/talking

Tourist bedroom - romance/snoring/using language that is unacceptable in Indian culture

Person on the toilet

Diagrams to Show the Acoustic Provisions in the Private Bedroom spaces of the building.

Key Sound Deflecting Vegetation Air Buffer Space Internal Acoustic Boarding Possible Noise Sources

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BUILDING FORM, SYSTEMS, PLANNING & CONTEXT

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“Most of our parents/teachers meetings nowadays revolve around the worry that the presence of tourists is a bad influence on the children as they are witnessing behaviour from tourists which is unacceptable in our culture”.”

Acoustics The site is based in a remote location and therefor noise from outside the building is not a concern, allowing for many areas of the building to be only semi-enclosed. However within the building acoustic conditions are very important as three families and tourists are sharing one building. The bedroom area in particular must be acoustically private. This is especially important in Indian culture as it is socially unacceptable for married couples to show affection for each other publicly, even in front of other family member. With this in mind the bedroom spaces must feel acoustically private from other areas of the house.

Sketch Section Highlighting the key Acoustic Provisions

Rani_ a local teacher

Ensuring acoustic privacy of the tourist bedrooms is incredibly important as different cultures have very different customs. One of the main concerns from people living in backwater tourism areas is that their children are picking up western swearwords after overhearing tourists. Three main acoustic provisions have been designed into the building: Air Buffer Spaces - As Sound travels more easily through solids than gasses, air gaps of at least 1m have been incorporated between bedrooms. Bedrooms have also been staggered in height where there is vertical circulation between bedrooms so that there is a greater distance from the people using the staircase and the inside of the bedroom. Planting - Vegetation has been proven to deflect sound, therefor hanging planters between spaces will be used for their acoustic qualities. Certain plants better suited than others for this purpose. This will be explored further in section 3 of this document. Internal Acoustic Boarding - A key design concept is that parts of the rooms can be openable with a system of louvres to allow cross ventilation, however in the fixed walls Internal acoustic boarding will be used to minimise sound travelling between rooms. In the cases where the openable wall runs along a general access corridor, the bed is positioned a minimum 3m away from the corridor for acoustic privacy.

Joanne Preston Unit 22_MODEL TOURIST VILLAGE_BENVGA08 Design Realisation Report