Critical Stance

from ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

by Tejashwini Gaonkar

THE URBAN INSERT Intervention

Integrating the design with topography and considering the viewpoints

To design considering local architecture and materials

Eco-methods are preferred to maintain the fragile ecosystem there

Their highlighted priorities will be integrated into the design

The design will be appropriate to suit their background, keeping the community network intact as well as fulfilling their urban needs

There will be community participation, empowerment, and interaction

Benefiting the individuals and supporting the community space

Self-sufficient environment (Aatmanirbhar) for community development

Self-building programs and also promoting local arts & crafts will help promote self-sufficiency

Building a bridge between two kinds of society

It is a local stone that gets stronger and more durable with exposure to the atmosphere. Lime mortar can be improved in strength and performance by admixtures of vegetable juices. Such enriched mortars were utilized for plastering and low-relief work. Palm leaves are still used effectively for thatching the roofs and for making partition walls and along with mud

Mangaloretiles

Konkan coast receives rainfall for at least 6 months in a year and for such a climate, sloped roofs are always the better bet. And when the concreting for such roofs is done, the quantityof water used should be reduced. Admixtures could be used for this.

Following the architectural style and material use of Guthu houses, mean homes of prestige. These beautiful houses are the traditional manor houses of Dakshina Kannada, built to fit the requirements of matrilineal joint families. Guthu Manes was built in the center of the land holdings that each family owned. The architecture of these homes followed Vastu principles.

With its sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and appealing features, red oxide flooring is a versatile choice. The flooring will become shinier and more pleasing with time, instead of deteriorating like the others.

Timber

Timber remains the prime structural material abundantly available in Kerala, in many varieties - from bamboo to teak and rosewood. The skillful choice of timber, artful assembly, and delicate carving of the woodwork for columns, walls, and roof frames are the unique characteristics of Kerala architecture, using the accurate fit of joints.

Clay

Clay was used in many forms for walling, in filling the timber floors and making bricks and tiles after firing in kilns, tempered with admixtures

Available fertile lands in the low-lying west zone allowed more population to settle down comparing the highlands of the east region. materials available in highland: granite and stone. materials available in low land: bricks and clay products

Waterbody

A lake or stream is crucial for agriculture and plantation, but it also serves as an architectural feature for that space.

Lake

Objectives

Interpretation centers are the ones that document the history of the place and people

To highlight the local skills and crafts, such that tourists know the essence of the place through physical factors and people’s livelihood.

Assists in understanding the unique rights, roles, and responsibilities inherent to native people and communities

To design a space that connects halakkis and outsiders

Designed space that replicates their tribal settlement and lifestyle

Designing offices, cultural, retail, community, and accommodation.

Providing a common space where their community can come together to exchange ideas, organize functions, workshops, activities, etc

Even village people can come up with functions, and festivals and also attract people from neighboring villages

Site

Western ghats

Tribal settlements

Navy quarters

Water body

NH 66 4 lanes road

5m Secondary road

Konkan Railway

Amadalli busstop & main market

C1 – 44 houses

C2 – 50 houses

C3 – 46 houses

C4 - 45 houses

5 to 6 members stay in each house

The tribal settlement is seen on the forest's edge. The site lies directly next to the Sahyadri forest while looking east. On the west side of the site, there is a stream flowing from the forest which joins the Arabian sea

Existing 5m secondary road leading from the NH to the AstaSiddhiVinayaka temple through the forest

Site area: 10 acres