Intercities : Nepal Primer

INTERCITIES 7265 Kathmandu Primer Joshua Bolchover

INTERCITIES: NEPAL PRIMER

Prasamsa Pokharel (16) Kinjalk Neupane (14) Sheela Karki (10) Prashant Rasaili (22)

CHAPTERS

PHASE 01: PRECEDENT SCOPING PHASE 02: PRECEDENT EXTRACT PHASE 03: SITE PRIMER PHASE 04: DESIGN PRIMER APPENDIX: TESTIMONIALS

Phase 01: PRECEDENT SCOPING

Project Title: ATBAT Morocco Housing Architects: George Candilis-Alexis Josic-Shadrach Woods Location: Casablanca, Morocco Date: 1953

Fig. Location map of Carrieres Centrales, Morocco

Fig. Site plan of Carrieres Centrales

Project Context ATBAT-Afrique (Atelier des Bâtisseurs), Carrieres Centrales, represents a multitude of modernist housing aimed towards Muslim communities in Casablanca, Morocco which were close to the “Cite Horizontale.” The concept, dubbed “Cite Vertical,” was developed to break the monotony while combating gigantism and humanizing the habitat with “culturally specific” dwelling typology derived from Moroccan vernacular architecture. Moroccan traditional residences were often the courtyard or patio type, with all decorations centered inside and modest windows that allow one to gaze out without being seen. The idea was to combine the general character of low-cost, mass-produced building elements with distinct individual identity for each living unit.

Spatial Strategy The project consisted of three mid-rise buildings, arranged in a loose U-shape.

It drew heavily on earlier Muslim typologies on layouts of three structures. The 35 square meter usable area was divided into two indoor rooms and a walled outside space with a cooking area and sanitation facilities. The project expresses a habitat approach to architecture, which includes a thorough examination of the complex interplay between the private and public domains, as well as between architecture and urban scales.

Function The hot and dry climate permits the most use of the patio for public function throughout the year. In contradiction, this projects includes patio as a private space and develops the concept of ‘Alleys-in-the-air’ and ‘redents’ from vernacular moroccon streets to function as a socializing spaces with the alteration of dwelling units. Double height patios give the impression of solitude from the outside denoting intimacy.

Façade Concept The façade concept is characterized by dynamic expression with solids and voids. In Nid D’ Abeille, the honeycomb pattern rhythmically repeats rectangular shapes jutting from the surface. The façade is emphasized by color scheme walls which possess individual identity and expression.

Fig. Cerrieres Centrales in Casablanca, Morocco

The vernacularity was conceptualized “culturally specific” dwelling typology derived from Moroccan vernacular architecture. Moroccan traditional residences were often of the courtyard or patio type, with all decorations centered inside and modest windows that allow one to gaze out without being seen. These architectural expressions were rep-

Fig. Contextual and climate responsive extraction for building Layouts derived from Muslim vernacular housing typology having courtyard and patio.

form

from

Kasbah,

resented in ATBAT Morocco Housing with the idea of an alley-patio-dwelling concept. This gave a new dimension to the vernacular architecture of Morocco. The idea of transition between private and public domain regulated by galleries and patios relating to the concept of the public & the private realm in the traditional Moroccan Kasbah.

Fig. Expression of Vernacular Muslim urban-scape in a building layout

ATBAT Morocco housing illustation

Fig. Axonometric view of Nid d’abeilles

Fig. Axonometric view of Semiramis

Both buildings express similar features in planning through alley-patio-dwelling as seen in the figure.

The idea of stacking patios in alternating manner, literally suspended in the air can be seen.

The façade concept is characterized by dynamic expression with mass and void. In the facade, individual identity of single dwelling units is emphasized by the introduction of color schemes.

Fig. Honeycomb pattern facade view of Nid d’abeilles building

Fig. Rear view of Nid d’abeilles building

Fig. View of Nid d’abeilles (left) and Semiramis (right)

Phase 02: PRECEDENT EXTRACT

ITERATIONS

Idea 1

SITE

Idea 2

In the process of coming up with iterations, we went through a series of ideas and tried various iterations as well. Being based on the main idea of honeycomb pattern and trying to form operational spaces, we played with form. In the pictures above, we can see the iterations as the result of scaling the mass and void.

As we move further, we extracted few ideas from our precedent study of ATBAT, Morocco housing. The honeycomb pattern expressing the rhythmic pattern that fascinated us of Nid’daibelles was used in our iteration. The mass and void could form indoor living spaces and outdoor operational spaces respectively with the need of occupants.

Idea 3

After a series of consultation and idea generation, we decided to work further in this particular form. The idea being practical and relevant to our site. Here, we have designed alternate floor plans, balancing mass and void in respective floors. The void space of facade also acts as a operational space to respective apartment is extract of precedent

LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

LIVING ROOM LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

KITCHEN

LIVING ROOM KITCHEN

BEDROOM

BEDROOM BEDROOM

GROUND FLOOR 2ND FLOOR 4TH FLOOR

1ST FLOOR 3RD FLOOR

Fig. VOLUMETRIC EXPRESSION

Phase 03: SITE PRIMER

Climatic Condition?

ACCESS FROM CAPITAL CITY Kathmandu ?

WHAT THE ROAD IS LIKE

White area?

Where does the core vernacular settlement lie?

what type of people come to live in this district?

Why are there drastic changes in rural and urban centers?

Is there any relation of river, street and the settlement?

what is the road condition? highway?

why are the topography lines so obvious?

Relation of university with the surrounding?

is it farm

Is this forest comes under conservation area ?

why compact?

Contrast of topography? what type of the land is industry or residential area?

What has guided the settlement pattern?

forest types? what kind of the trees?

WHAT ARE THESE?

How does an area grow.

Connection & relationship with different boundaries?

What is the relation of settlement area with the forest area?

How wide is the alley?

Road hierarchy and which is most preferable for people to walk? because there are so many roads

what is the main transportation in the village? why the cars are parked outside?

JATRA ROUTE?

Where do these roads lead?

did the roads shape the building layout or vice versa?

use of this open area?

WHY IS THERE STILL NO BUILDINGS?

Significance of these buildings?

CONDITION OF PONDS

Why these building are so randomly panned?

what is this area?

Why most of the buildings have very proper geometrical shape?

Like rectangle of square !

Why these inner streets are much organic?

If they are guided by some factor !

demography: how old are the people who live here and what occupations do they do?

is the courtyard owned by several households or only one household?

do temples get busy throughout the year/are there any festivals associate with these religious buildings

Is there a space for public transportation?

Where do the bus routes lead to?

is this considered a public space, and do people gather? how many public spaces are there?

Frequency and occupation of religious spaces?

Where do people park their private vehicle?

what is is building? why it is isolated?

Are these temporary structure?

what is the average height of the buildings, does it affect lighting and ventilation/ where are the prevailing winds?

why are the most of the roof color blue?

what is the condition of the quarry site? in use? abandoned?

Are there any new public spaces or do people still rely on the old ones?

How many entrances in the community? Do they relate to the daily routine? where do they lead to?

is it a farm land? what does it produce? whom are they supply for?

Does this house have any farmland nearby?

What is the guiding factor of the settlement area? Do these building follow any bye-laws?

Are these agriculture lands?

How does the community grow?

Expand their boundary or increase density

If there any public spaces nearby where residents gather !

Why does the building have no any designated boundary?

How to access to this for drying clothes? how wide are the stairs?

What is the population typology?

Local or migrants?

ownership of land? own land first then build house or build first then claim land?

Density of the area in particular?

Number of household?

People in one house?

Where does this road lead to?

whose SPACE/property IS THIS?

what is this?

Is this public space?

Are these shared facilities?

What are the services nearby?

Are these water heater shared in a building?

Any activity happen on the roof?

Major Occupation of people in this Neighbourhood?

is this building currently in use or is it abandoned/ under construction?

Accessibility of this site from main road?

How far?

what are these gap for?

HKU - PLEASE ADD PLAN OF INFILL gap?

What is the back yard used for? Is it accessible for all neighbors?

Beautiful tiles! what is the usual material of the roof?

is there any waste management system?

Why these building materials are sparsely distributed around the site?

Does the site have any cultural significance?

Accessible to the pedestrians or vehicles?

what is the difference between front side and the back side of the house?

Why are setbacks not implemented in these structure?

neighbourhood culture? are people well acquainted in the area? how many people are in a household?

if people run out of space in their homes, do they build more structure? what do they do?

How often the residents use these terraces?

And for what purpose ?

The orientation of the houses living room towards the street? Bedroom towards the back?

Why this building have multiple roofing materials?

I can see some clay tiles, CGI sheets.

Is this a kitchen garden ?

Are these temporary structure?

History of INFILL

What was the program of the previous building on Site?

how easy is it to access daily necessities?

who are we building for? how many people? what type of people?

The height the land needs to be elevated?

OUR SITE!

How wide is this road?

Who lives here!

Are they belong to some specific community or ethnicity?

topography of the site: is our site sloped? how sloped? what is its ground condition?

Which is most preferable road for daily chores?

Is there any historical building nearby?

Whose property is the courtyard?Gov ernment?

Private?

DISTRICT

DISTRICT

Access route to different towns

Connectivity

Dhulikhel Bazaar is primary market center in the municipality. It is developed in and around the Araniko Highway as well as in and around the intersection of the Araniko and BP Highways.

Dhulikhel Bazaar, Banepa Bazaar and Panchkhal Bazaar in adjoining municipalities are the major trading centers for the people in the Municipality.

Connection of dhulikhel with major city

Public Space

Open space and urban sprawl

Building Regulations River Setback

Frequent buses to Kathmandu’s Ratna Park bus station leave from Dhulikhel within two hours, passing Bhaktapur en route.

WARD

WARD

Connectivity Walk-ability and nodes, major and minor streets

Temple Collection : Narayan temple located at the center of the settlement

Settlement connection and growth direction

Public Space

Uses of cultural public space • During jatra and festival: Conducting cultural activities • As evening hangout space • For drying grains

Commercial zone: Restaurant, Hotel & Bazar

Building Regulations

10 % discount on taxes and charge from local government if the building have design features such as rain water harvesting, bio - gas plant

STREET

STREET

Connectivity

Public Space

In core area of Dhulikhel, building which is constructed with traditional façade are promoted Cost of Design approval (pass) is made free by Municipality.

Building Regulations

FAR = 4 For core area of Dhulikhel height of the building is restricted to 30 ft

Minimum plot size = 63.8 sq. m

Additional Fire escape staircase must be provided if plinth area > 110 sq. m

INFILL

INFILL

Connectivity

Public Space

Narrow streets

Building Regulations

Phase 04: DESIGN PRIMER

Design Brief The design is further developed with the local sense of site ; Dhulikhel, Nepal. The basic idea is to differentiate the intricate relationship between public and private domain. For this, the ground floor function as public space which is inspired from newari architecture to act as either shop or pati ( Newari

Floor plans

in alternate manner. Thus, it emphasize an idea of honeycomb pattern as in ATBAT Morocco housing.

The structure is load bearing with timber as structural member. The rafters, purlins and wooden floor boards function as structural flooring members on each levels which represent the building material and technology of traditional Newari architecture of Dhulikhel.

ENTRANCE

OBBY

LOBBY

W/C

LIVING

ALCONY

NING

term for rest house). The upper floors function as 1bhk apartment units. The circulation and service spaces are located at the rear side of the building for privacy. The planning of the apartment unit comprises of lobby, toilet, living space, kitchen, outdoor dining and a bedroom. The planning of first floor differs from second floor in terms of balcony space which is placed

SHOP PATI

KITCHEN

LOBBY

W/C

LIVING

DINING

KITCHEN

DINING

BALCONY

ALCONY

PLAN

BALCONY

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BALCONY

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

263.7 Sq. ft

394.52 sq.ft

SECOND FLOOR PLAN 394.52 sq.ft

Design illustations

Fig. Profile elevation

Fig. Axonometric view

TESTIMONIALS Talking about the workshop organized by HKU on the virtual research in old settlement of Dhulikhel, Nepal was a great learning experience to me. What fascinated me the most was how we took the precedent extract to our design. Not to forget the fantastic lecture series we were able to attend; the lessons learned from Abhari and Rabindra Puri will be applied to my future architecture studies and career. Finally, I’d want to express my gratitude to HKU for making us a part of this program, which was a fantastic one-month learning experience.

-Kinjalk Neupane Kathmandu University

My participation in a HKU session was really fruitful and beneficial. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the HKU team for a well-organized and informative session. The information was fascinating and the discussions were truly inspiring. I particularly enjoyed the lecture series and also working on final design primer, which most likely sparked the ideas in the best form.

-Sheela Karki Kathmandu University

My experience for the virtual research based workshop about urban core regeneration in dhulikhel old settlement of Nepal has been productive and broaden my perspective towards the research and extract methodology through the lens of past projects of Team X and their collaborators.

I enjoyed the entire process of this intensive workshop. Moreover, inter cities exchange learning platform admist the COVID-pandemic was a phenomenal opportunity for me.

-Prasamsa Pokharel Kathmandu University