BIRD-WATCHER’S RETREAT - THESIS

BIRD WATCHER’S RETREAT

The development in the field of building construction has entered a new era with a number of different materials being explored today but most of the built environment today are not designed taking into consideration the negative effects it can have on the ecosystem for the migratory birds.

1. Birds don’t perceive glass as an obstacle which leads to collision and death since glass is now extensively used for construction. 2. Birds are not attracted to wetlands and water bodies for breeding and to feed on the fresh water fish. Dump-yards and construction activities in these areas can create imbalance. 3. Brightly lit buildings on migratory routes can disorient their flight. 4. Depletion of ecosystem for birds can lead to migratory birds entering urban areas. They consider electric poles as safe spots but get electrocuted in the process. Vehicles run over them when birds descend to road level in search of food.

A number of interest groups consisting of bird watchers, wildlife enthusiast and photographers have come together to raise awareness. They join hands with the forest department to document the birds visiting areas which fall in the migratory route.

This project aims at creating a space for the like minded people to come together, stay, interact and share knowledge. The design will focus mainly on the circulation inside site to make sure interaction happens and the technique and materials used will not affect the forest ecosystem.

The retreat will have cottages for a maximum of two guests per cottage, dormitory with 10 beds, lobby, library, meeting room, a store where the guests can rent camera accessories and a restaurant. The following points are considered in the design.

1. Restaurant, lobby and other recreational spaces are clubbed together to reduce the noise pollution. 2. Guests will not have room service facility. This will allow guests to come together during meals. 3. Guests will have to leave their vehicles at the entrance and walk to their respective rooms. 4. The design will exploit the view of the jungle as much as possible.

The site falls in the migratory route in the state of Kerala. An area of 5 acres is chosen for this project. The site is surrounded by the Begur Reserve Forest to its North and West. The site overlooks paddy fields to its South and East.

Paddy field is a very transient wetland habitat. The micro habitat created by the plant cover and the water profile change between every cropping season. This change in the micro-habitat affect the change in species assemblages which depend on the wetland ecosystem.

The Northern part of the site has dense coffee plantation under the tree cover. The coffee plants attract a lot of insects and pests. The trees giving shade to the coffee plants, attract insectivore birds. Migratory birds halt at shade coffee plantation for food.

BIRD FRIENDLY MEASURES: • No bright lighting and lights along trails will be faced down. • Vehicles are restricted to the parking area marked at the entrance. • Reception, restaurant and other recreational spaces are clubbed together. • All spaces are raised 4m • above the ground level for safety reasons. • Clearings are made use off to avoid cutting trees. • Pathways will not be paved instead the soil will be levelled to make trails.

TREES ON SITE: Arecanut, Rose Wood, Silver Oak and Orange PARKING

ENTRY WATCH TOWER

ROPE BRIDGE

COTTAGES

DORMITORY

VIEWING DECK

3M WIDE TRAIL TO ENABLE JEEP ACCESS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

ADMIN OFFICE

RECEPTION, DINING, LIBRARY AND AV ROOM

LEGEND

1 - RECEPTION/ LOBBY 2 - ACCESSORIES RENTAL 3 - LIBRARY 4 - AV ROOM 5 - KITCHEN 6 - TOILET 7 - DINING 8 - FOYER 9 - OFFICE 10 - MANAGER’S ROOM 11 - TOILET 12 - STAFF ACCOMMODATION 13 - CHANGING ROOM 14 - STORE ROOM

RECEPTION | DINING | LIBRARY | AV ROOM | KITCHEN

COTTAGES

Each cottage has a living space, bathroom and a bedding space at the mezzanine level. There are openings on all four sides allowing unobstructed view of the forest. Each module has three rooms with a common sit-out/ interaction space in between. The cottages are designed keeping in mind wood as the primary construction material.

1 - LIVING AREA/ STUDY 2 - TOILET 3 - FOYER/ SITOUT 4 - LIVING AREA 5 - BATH 6 - CHANGING ROOM

The dormitory has a living space, toilets, bath, changing room on the first level. The mezzanine floor has space for 5 bunk beds. The circular plan and provision of openings all round will give the guests unobstructed views. The open plan will help birds find its way out in-case it enters the structure.