Undergraduate B Arch Thesis by subhasini m u

ADYAR WATERSHED RESTORATION, RESEARCH AND RECREATIONAL CENTRE M U SUBHASINI

SITE: ADYAR Adaiyaaru or Adayar is a large neighbourhood in south Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the southern banks of the Adyar River. The park's ecosystem consists of tropical dense evergreen forest, predominantly comprising trees and shrubs that have thick dark green foliage throughout the year, with over 160 woody species, and comprises six vegetative elements such as trees, shrubs, lianas, epiphytes, herbs and tuberous species. The site is a wetland habitat with 70 percent water. A number of stormwater drains carrying water to the Adyar River are being diverted by the Chennai Corporation for better recharge of water in the eco-park. A total of 143 species of fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles have been seen in the park.

1.85km

Adyar river restoration: Phase 1: Complete and maintained for 9 years Phase II: Complete and under maintainence Phase III: Ongoing The site lies on the first restored creek. The design has ben followed through to plan around the spaces already used and cleared by the govt for the previous proposal. The site has acces to three diferent types of water- fresh water, brakish water and saline water. These three types give rise to threee separate ecologies.Thus, making a perfect area to conduct educational reserach. The site has frequent a/c bus route connections from all around chennai; thus promoting public transport.

CONCEPT: MOBIUS STRIP

Project idea: • To create a project for the current water crisis (flood and draught). • To have an architectural intervention which can: • Spread awareness about different ways of dealing with conserving water as a part of exhibition or educational interactive spaces. • Has a research centre to study about water. • The structure itself shall act as a prototype which can enhance people to use in further constructions

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The Mobius strip, a topological surface also called the twisted cylinder, is a one-sided non-orientable surface obtained by cutting a closed band into a single strip, giving one of the two ends thus produced a half twist, and then reattaching the two ends.

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As a mobius strip has only one surface and only one edge; using that idea to unite three different types of functions: Restoration, research and recreation. The elevation can be considered as an icon of the mobius strip: the logic of continuity. The structures are connected by one surface. The surface transforms itself from the roof to floor, wall and even pathway. The elevation shows an index for continuity and free flowing. This forms as a preliminary idea representing water which lies ahead after the entry point and is also the core focus of the design and project.

Site Requirements: • In a metropolitan city on the coastal. • In a developed city, but still ready to accept new innovations and has rivers flowing through the city. • A waterbody for research and recreation. Chosen Site: • Site is located in Adyar, Chennai. • The creek of the river bends into the start of the restored riverbed. • The site had a previously proposal for – Adyar watershed research centre. • The site has a fresh waterbody which extends to the estuary (brackish water) and finally the ocean(saline water). This lets a good medium for research. • The site is in the middle of the city and has govt proposed bus routes to access it. • Has some already made pathways to let people experience recreational walking. 2

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

1. Rain water harvesting 2. Stormwater Garden/ Bio swale 3. Wetland construction

1. Rainwater harvesting • Aesthetic skylight • Water conservation • Reduction of flood 3. Wetland construction • Aesthetic garden • Grey water treatment • Water conservation

2. Stormwater garden/ bio swale • Aesthetic interactive water play area for children • Mediation of storm water • Filteration of surface run-off before reaching the creek • Surface percolation • Reduction of flood

Existing fauna after restoration

Cleared space on the site, which has been used for exhibition and administration centre.

Existing pathways, open amphitheatre, electric cycle and bogey recharging points, which have not been removed and instead utilised in the site.

SITE PLAN

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

PATHWAYS

VIEWPOINT

FRESH WATER

FLOATING BRIDGE

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN • • • •

Using the previosly cleared site for design to keep the human intervention to the minimum. The structures are spread out horizontally to let the built space merge with the site and not be a foriegn element. Designed with quick construction methods using stel and ex situ work to the maximum. No cast in situ other than the plinth is required.

Floating bridge

SITE SECTIONAL ELEVATION 4

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

Smart bike stand for public commute Viewpoint I

PATHWAY

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN

Smart bike stand for public commute Education Centre

Smart bike stand for public commute Cafe

Smart bike stand for public commute Exhibition Centre

Smart bike stand for public commute Main entrance

SITE SECTIONAL ELEVATION Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

SITE ELEVATION

Recreation entry reception with pathway connection and bike stand

SITE ELEVATION

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

Recreation entry reception with adjoining pathway connection to open amphitheatre

Viewpoint -I - Bird watching

Viewpoint -II - Relaxation

SITE ELEVATION

Boating area

Boating area viewpoint

Elevated pathways tied to the trees for support

Open Amphitheatre

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

EXHIBITION CENTRE

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

Art installations- First floor

Fish tank for Aquaponics- Ground floor

Water sensational room

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

EDUCATIONAL CENTRE

EDUCATION CENTRE

CIRCULATION OF CHILDREN VISITING THE SITE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES Classroom

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

Washroom

Assembly area

1000

• Entrance via secondary gate(Recreational entrance) • Parking of bus • Educational centre

1030

• AV room video clip • Lecture by researcher from the research laboratory

• Amphitheatre lunch 1130

1215

• Educational tour around site • Interactive spaces in site • Boating, bird watching

1530

• Exhibition centre • Educational centre - Classroom discussion • Workshop assignment/ discussion

• Exit via secondary gate 1830

WORKSHOPS Making miniature terrariums in the workshops; teaching students about the correlation amidst the ecosytem.

AUDIO VISUAL CONTENT Showing audio visual content for students as a part of orientation mentioning about water conservation and adyar eco restoration park and the process to restore it.

CLASSROOM Classes pertaining to the ecosystem and further more can be conducted here during the educational tour. GUEST LECTURES Guest lecturers from the restoration or the research centres can teach the students about recent developments in the field in the education tour. GROUP TASKS Group tasks such as workshops and lectures can induce team building techniques amidst the students during education tours.

40 Students per batch 2 batches allowed per week. Interactive spaces include: • Bio swales • 21st century community well • Wetlands

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

RECEPTION AND ADMINISTRATION CENTRE

RECEPTION & ADMINISTRATION CENTRE

Entry of Administration Centre

Waiting lounge- Administration centre

Relaxation space

Meeting Room Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

OFFICERS FROM ADMINISTRATION (RIVER RESTORATION OFFICE) User time analysis

0900

1130

• Entrance via main gate • Parking • Restoration office spaces

• Café/ pantry • Stroll around pathways

0900

1130

• Restoration office spaces 1230

• Entrance via main gate • Parking • Research laboratory spaces/ Exhibition centre

• Café/ pantry • Stroll around pathways

• Research laboratory spaces/ Exhibition centre 1230

• Café/ Pantry 1530

• Restoration office spaces 1600

REGULAR DAY

INSPECTION DAY NEW EXHIBIT INSTALLATION/ INAUGURATION DISCUSSION DAYS WITH RESEARCH LABORATORY

CIRCULATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

RESEARCH CENTRE

Laboratory Entry

Cafeteria

Interaction Space

Cafeteria and Head researchers Room Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

RESEARCHERS, ACADEMICS User time analysis

0900

1130

• Entrance via main gate • Parking • Research laboratory

• Café/ pantry • Stroll around pathways

0900

1130

• Research laboratory

• Entrance via main gate • Parking • Restoration office spaces/ Exhibition centre/Interactive spaces

• Café/ pantry • Stroll around pathways

• Restoration office spaces/ Exhibition centre/ interactive spaces 1230

1230

• Café/ Pantry 1530

• Research laboratory 1600

• Research laboratory for extra work 1800

INSPECTION DAY NEW EXHIBIT INSTALLATION/ INAUGURATION DISCUSSION DAYS WITH RESTORATION OFFICES

REGULAR DAY

Morning shift

0900

• Entrance via main gate • Parking • Research laboratory

1130

• Café/ pantry • Stroll around pathways

Afternoon shift

1330

1600

• Entrance via main gate • Parking • Research laboratory

• Café/ pantry • Stroll around pathways CIRCULATION OF RESEARCHERS, ACADEMICS

• Research laboratory 1230

• Research laboratory 1700

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

CAFE NEYTAL

Double height entrance

Ground floor

First floor

Open deck seating Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

DETAILS

ADMINISTRATION CENTRE

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

RESEARCH CENTRE

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

EXHIBITION CENTRE

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

EDUCATION CENTRE

Adyar watershed Restoration, Research and Recreational centre

ADYAR WATERSHED RESTORATION, RESEARCH AND RECREATIONAL CENTRE M U SUBHASINI