Thesis portfolio

tracing our cultural roots, adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh

graduate thesis

n i a s a U G t h e s i s a w a r d S 2 0 1 5

tracing our cultural roots,

adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh01introduction

Bastar Dusshera assumes utmost importance, with the 70 day long procession of Dhanteshwari Mai on a wooden chariot from Dhantewada to Jagadalpur.All tribes participate in chariot construction and chariot pulling.Chariot is made of sal wood sourced from the forests of bastar. It comprises of a timber frame structure with cross bracing which is later adorned with garlands of orange and yellow flowers.

Haat Bazaar is an important space in tribal culture.Set up once a week, it is a place for commercial trading, social gathering and lesiure.Earthen pots, aluminium utensils, vegetables, fruits, salfi, mahua, unpolished rice grain, jew-ellery etc. are some of the common products sold here.Nature of Structures: make-shift tents and open spaces. Trapaulin sheets propped up on timber supports.

GHOTUL, the independent Youth Republic.Tribal youths, from age 10 bcome a part of the Ghotul System, a sacred institution for learning tribal traditions and social interaction and to develop occupational skills.Centrally located Sacred Gudi of founding Gods and Goddesses.Structure made of Mud Bricks and Thatched roof, permanent in nature.

BASTAR - THE TRIBAL HEARTLAND OF INDIA

Each tribal group possesses various ethnic boundaries, yet live in an environment of mutual inter-dependence

and co-operation.

CULTURE- ARCHITECTURE- LIFESTYLE

INTERVOWEN ENTITIES



adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh


provision of thick brick walls and jaalis and interlinking courtyards which keep the place cool and well ventilated throughout the d a y .interlinking courtyards which keep the place cool and well ventilated throughout the day..

Double height volumes establish heirarchy amongst spaces.

Flooring is typically made of kotah stone from Rajasthan which keeps the place cool during summers.

work- home relationship

Mostly engaged in Construction works like scaffolding, temporary structures of bamboo.Bamboo used for structural stability, furniture, mats, and attic flooring.

Bamboo weavers weave utility items such as baskets, vessels, toys etc.

BAMBOO WEAVING

built vs unbuilt

TRIBE: Baiga, Korku, BarsorVILLAGE: Narayan-pur, Jagdalpur

TRIBE : KumhaarVILLAGE: Nagarnar

work-home overlap

built vs unbuilt 1:2

TERRACOTTA

02documentation

TRIBE: Gadaba,VishwakarmaVILLAGE: KondagaonNarayanpurUmargaonUmargaon

LOHSHILPDHOKRA

These tribes are bigger communities with common work areas and common storage space as their space requirements are higher.

Materials used: Rammed Earth with brick or timber piers.Thatch roof/ clay tiles. Rammed earth with cow dung spread as flooring.

C A S E S T U D Y

c o n c lu s io n s

1. The Adiivasi Academy has been designed with sensitivity to the tribal culture of Gujarat by using locally available material and vernacular styles such as brick, jaali work and spaces

2.2. inter-connected by open courtyards.

3. Heirarchy of spaces is clearly demarcated by use of double height volumes at entrance lobby and library, and intimate scale is maintained in the residential and academic block.

4.4. Courtyards and open corridors allow natural light and ventilation, therby minimising energy consumption and keeping the traditional atmosphere alive.

5. w.r.t. proximity, the library and publication cell have not been zoned to facilitate each other.

6.6. Also, classrooms for diploma courses are not alotted in the academic block.

Adivasi Academy,tejgadh, Gujarat

1. Tribal cultures are very well defined.2. Murals, sculptures of tribal life are major dominants of aesthetics.3. Indoor spaces are utilised mainly for private activities like sleeping and cooking. Most of the day activities happen outside.t4.t4. Outdoor spaces are crucial elements of strong social binding and community living5.5. mud, bamboo, timber and bricks are materials used for construction, although the technique is still primitive and temporary. Thus, these materials are deemed as ‘poor man’s materials’ and are not easily accepted by the modern generation, who want concrete ‘pakka’ h o m e sh o m e s .5. Cost effective, climate responsive construction determined by availability of local materials.

.Thus it is essential to rebuild people’s trust on local materials and construction technology by removing the social stigma attached to it. This can be achieved by experimenting with these materials on a larger scale project such as a public building

Various playful goemetrical patterns in brick could be a way of interpreting the tribal culture of decorating built forms with paintings and reliefs.

The entire structure is supported on brick arches and piers.

linear, monotony broken by creating interest using jaali work in brick.

ZONING BUILT VS UNBUILTCIRCULATION


adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh03site

shaded open w ind s u n

contours at interval of 1m

mahua salguavabambu

site contours

situated on NH-43; public land use, in the national tour-ist corridor of ch-hattisgarh.least influence from any anti-so-cial or naxal activ-i t i e s

noise due to heavy vehicle movement iis present. This is buffered by dense thicket of trees on s i t e .sitesite edge can be treated for pedestri-an movement

three types of trees found in site: sal tree- 25 trees >

15m canopymahua tree- religiously

significantbamboo thatchesbamboo thatchesguava plants-

small trees

SECTION AA’

SECTION BB

SECTION CC’

surroundings and land use

noise analysis

traffic analysis

m e s o


gradual slope of 6m through the s i t e .

soil condition:loamy soil, rich in i r o n .

highhigh water table due to proximity of indravati river

m ic ro

views from the s i t e

site vegetation

site climatesub tropical savan-na type of climate;hot summers and pleasant winters.

preffered building orientation: N-Sshaded regions for outdoor activities.increase in humidity during monsoon due to proximity to r i v e r .

chitrakote road leading to bastar palace gets clogged during the 75 day dusshera procession from august- october.

Jagdalpur is the district headquarter of Bastar region. It is the fourth largest city in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Culturally, Jagdalpur is a significant location for the tribes of Bastar due to the Bastar Palace where the royal family of more than 500 years, still resides.It is famous for the Bastar Dusshera that takes place It is famous for the Bastar Dusshera that takes place at the Royal Palace annually for a fortnight.

Jagdalpur is also known as “Chouraho ka Shehar’ or ‘City of Squares’ as there are 204 squares in the city across a span of 8.7sq. Km. The squares form a distinct grid-iron pattern with a primary axis that leads to the Palace and Danteshwari temple.

tribal belt of india

tribal belt of chhattisgarh

proximity of tribal villages from jagdalpur

why jagdalpur?

proximity to tribal villages.culturally significant to the t r i b e s .commercial headquarter of bastar region.lesserlesser naxal influence.site lies on the popular tourist corridor and is easily accessible by communities and tourists a l i k e .proximityproximity to important tourist spots such as Chitrakote waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries.

site location: jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.site area: 7 acreselevation: 552metrestotal extant of the city: 180sq kmtotal population: 235,345population density: 1300 per sqkm.


adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh04beginning of an architectural vakya, the concept

existing green buffer kept undisturbed

residential zone kept in proximity to workshop area and away from public e y e s

waterbody at the e n tra n c e symbolising tribal life around a water s o u r c e .

central pathways with buildings on either side symbolisng a typical street system as well as provides shade throughout the day.

green buffer between publi and private zones

workshops as subterranean structures to keep noise and disturbance due to public activity minimum.To keep the space cooler.

court1

court2

court3

the inspiration

the common thread

zoning

the design of the adivasi empowermen center draws several references from the tribal culture, lifestyle and artforms .

TheThe exaggerated proportions, predominant linearity and simplistic geometry of the Bronzes and Iron crafts of Bastar is subtly articulated in the overall planning of various spaces of the center and their form development, rather than a mere superficial facade treatment which will fade away with t i m e .

MundaneMundane elements of the tribal lifestyle such as their coarse woven fabric, simple basket weaves, thriving life along the river, etc. are translated into an architectural dialogue that expresses the unique tribal culture of this region.

ABSTRACTION OF TRIBAL ART FORMS

the social lifestyle of the Bastar tribes involves constant community interaction. Thus, a Haat bazar acts as an informal platform for joyful and lively socialising amongst the tribes. The public interface transitions into a semi public zone through a menhir gallery.TheThe intersection of the two axes is the second transition court from semi-public to private zones.

the traditional bracing technique used by the tribal craftsmen to build the culturally and religiously significant Dusshera Chariot is adopted as the unifying element which recurs as the wall element in the design.TheThe bracing in timber , a skill unique to the adivasi craftsmen of Bastar establishes an architectural identity to the center.This helps the tribal beneficiaries feel familiar and welcome, and builds a positive sense of stability and security.

M enhir gallery

c h a i katte

vishwakarma te m p le


Locally available materials such as mud, bamboo and timber are deemed “poor man’s material”. Thus, the modern generations, unaware of the positive environmental impact of these materials yearn for concrete buildings and houses. Thus,Thus, in a bid to remove the social stigma attached to the usage of bamboo, mud and timber for architectural purposes, an attempt is made to bring these materials into mainstream architecture and restore lost f a i t h .

back to nature


adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh05design proposal- site plan


PLAN AT +4.5M

PLAN AT -1M

SECTION THRO’ LIBRARY

SECTION THRO’ CRAFT W O R K SH O P S

ROOF PLAN

circulation z o n in g

ariel view of the institutecredits: own image

view from the entrancecredits: own image

two linear axes intersect at a node of transition to break monotony in the linearity. central pathways with buildings on either side symbolise a typical street system as well as provide shade throughout the day.

tracing our cultural roots, adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh06 establishing a cultural identity; the face of the center- THE HAAT


FLOOR PLAN

SECTION A A’

SECTION B B’

UNIT PLAN

Bastar Dusshera is the most important festival for the adivasis. It involves the tedious process of chariot making with sal wood, and chariot pulling. Rituallistically, the chariot is abandoned after the festival, never to be used again.

Thus, as a tribute to the craftsmen and the ancient craft, the wooden bracing elements of the chariot can be reclaimed and used as structural members for shop units of the haathaat bazaar.

The Haat is an important space for social gathering, commercial trading and leisure amongst the members of the tribal communities.TheThe site edge is treated as a Haat bazar to establish a cultural identity and bring a familiar and vibrant outlook to the adivasi center, so that it is inviting and less intimidating to the tribals.

view of the site edge activated as vibrant haat bazaar

credits: own image

view from entrance of the tribal centrecredits: own image

trail of the haat along the waterbody symbolises the significance of water as the lifeline of the tribal civilisation.credits: own image


adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh07future meets past, the gallery

key plan

n i a s a U G t h e s i s a w a r d S 2 0 1 5n i a s a U G t h e s i s a w a r d S 2 0 1 5

WALL DETAIL IN BAMBOO WITH WOVEN FABRIC INFILL

fabric woven by hill maria tribe for clothing as cladding material which filters light from its loosely woven threads. The idea is to use mundane elements from day to day life of the tribals as aesthetic wall elements for the gallery. this also provides an interactive outlook to the visitors and tourists coming to the

the south facade of the gallery is infilled with timber jali screens whereas the north facade is partially infilled with woven fabric of vibrant colors depicting the cheerful and active social life and festive nature of the tribal c o m m u n i t i e s .

view of jaali wall from OATcredits: own image

interior view of gallerycredits: own image

FLOOR PLAN

SECTION A A’

SECTION BB’

SCALE: 1:150

the main gallery is preceeded by the open mehnir gallery. Mehnirs are stone relics of ancestors worshipped by tribals. Designed to give the visitor the essence of tribal culture, the gallery exhibits tribal elements by including it as part of the building itself. It is approached by a stark exposed brick wall, symbolising the misconception of tribes being “reserved and mysterious or exotic”. The abrupt transition from the outside to the inner courtyard filled with light symbolises the cheerful nature of tribals and their “normalcy”. The main gallery hall is a transperenttransperent skeleton of bamboo framework of the bracing element, which establishes the significance of the Bastar chariot and the community spirit.

view from outsidecredits: own image


08a community of its own, a home away from home

BAM BU

key plan

FLOOR PLANSCALE: 1:150

SECTION A A’

adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh

the residential facility is mainly for workshop students and special guests. Bamboo is used as material for construction. Here again, the similar brace is adopted in bamboo and blinds used as screens which are can be opened or closed for privacy. The service cores like toilets are covered walls using bamboo chicken mesh and mud plaster with red oxide coating for smooth finish. It comprises of 22 units of 25sqm each and terminates at the Dhanteshwari Temple which is the focal point of the facility. The units facing each other are interspersed by courts and verandahs for social interaction amongst the students.


BA M B U CHICKEN MESH DETAIL

BAMBU BRACING WITH WOVEN FABRIC INFILL

CHICKEN MESH BAMBU WITH MUD PLASTER

POLYCARBONATE ROOFING SHEET

view from entrance of guest housescredits: own image

ariel view of of guest housescredits: own image

oriented as a typical street in grid terminating with a temple at the focal pointcredits: own image


adivasi empowerment center, jagdalpur, chhattisgarh09learn- unlearn at the craft workshops


SECTION THRO’ DHOKRA W O R K S H O P

SECTION THRO’ CRAFT W O R K S H O P

W A L L SECTION DETAIL

FLOOR PLA N

view of khasta workshopcredits: own image

view of terracotta workshopcredits: own image

view of vishwakarma templecredits: own image

the craft workshops for students are designed as subterranean structures to reduce heat gain during summer and keep it undisturbed from noise due to public activity in the site.TheThe kilns required for bronze and iron casting, are shared by the two workshops and oriented towards the predominant wind direction. A water body separates the dry area and the kiln area . this acts as a source for water required for making moulds as well as keeps the temperature bearable during summers.

walls are made of stabilised earth blocks from earth dug on site. The site comprises of loamy soil rich in iron content. Poly carbonate sheet for roof with timber truss

key plan

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