THESIS PORTFOLIO
Aniruddh Muvva | 2024
ABSTRACT
The term “threshold” symbolizes a space where human-made structures harmoniously coexist with the natural landscape, facilitating a seamless transition between these two worlds. This threshold carries a deeper meaning, highlighting the vital interdependence and shared space that humans and elephants occupy.
Regarding the human-elephant conflict, the project incorporates innovative design elements and strategies to create a harmonious cohabitation for both species. By carefully considering the needs and behaviours of elephants, the project aims to reduce confrontations and enhance safety for both the local communities and the wildlife. This holistic approach aligns with the overarching concept of the threshold, where the boundaries between man and nature are thoughtfully redefined to foster a more sustainable and peaceful coexistence.
The initial idea revolves around the transformation of the environment around my residence. Initially, it was an island amidst rice paddies, but due to the construction of a new national highway through the fields, the area has now been developed into plots with concrete structures.
Nature, in my perspective, represents a vast entity comprising numerous species, with humans being merely one of its many components.
The project is situated at the convergence point of the Venn diagram where humans, forests, and elephants intersect.
Forests Elephants
Humans
Building through forests: The story of a road widening project in the Western Ghats
The Western Ghats is an ecologically fragile region. India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted environment clearances (EC) to 76 projects in the Western Ghats since July 2014, according to an India Spend analysis of proposed projects granted approvals or expedited from July 2014 to March 2020.
News articles on deforestation and forest cover change
The project is the intersec�on of the venn diagram of humans, forests and elephants
63,31,739 kms of road network
1,61,350 kms of highways
55,000 kms of roads pass through forests
Legend
Dense Forest
Scrub Land
Multi-Lane Highway
Single lane Highway
Open Forest
showing the land cover of India in 2021
Map
Dense Forest Agricultural Land
Scrub Land
Barren Land
Open Forest
Change in land cover between 1880 and 2021
Presumed historical Asian elephant range
Present day Asian elephant range
Range of elephant corridors
100 Elephants
Average number of deaths per annum due to conflict
400 Humans
Various types of human and elephant conflicts
Mind map showing various conflicts between humans and elephants near the edge of forest and man-made
Hello
My name is Meenakshi, this is a small story to give you factual information on elephants.
Elephant calf can start walking within 2 hrs of birth
Small birds drink water filled in the footprints created by us
Cows stay in herd, which is led by an older elephant called “Matriarch”
We communicate by sensing seismic vibrations
Bulls seperate from the herd at the age of 14-15 years
through the soft skin on the pads of our feet
We need mositure and mud on our skin for protection from sun and insects
We can swim for 6 hrs or 48 kms continuously
corridors in South India
This elephant corridor is located in Bandipur Tiger Reserve on the edge of Karnataka-Tamil Nadu boarder.
The elephant corridor, Kaniyanapura – Moyar, is situated between the human settlement to the North and the Moyar River to the South.
Band width showing the intensity of the conflict
1. RECEPTION AND LOUNGE
ADMIN 2. PHOTO & INFORMATION GALLERY
VIEWING GALLERY 3. PLAZZA
10. ELEPHANT POOP PAPER MAKING WORKSHOP & RETAIL 4. TRACKING & MONITORING SPACE
11. HOUSING FOR CARETAKERS
ELECTRICAL ROOM 12. ORPHANAGE FOR CALVES
TOILETS
ORPHANAGE FOR ADULT ELEPHANTS
CAFE
HOUSING FOR INJURED ELEPHANTS 15. CLINIC FOR ELEPHANTS
LAB & STORAGE ROOM 17. MAINTENANCE ROOM
Section CC’
Section
Section
Section GG’
Section FF’
Section EE’
Model views
https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jess/125/01/0103-0114
https://ntca.gov.in/corridor-management/#corridor-management
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLxi7uGfZ84
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant
https://www.wti.org.in/projects/right-of-passage-national-elephant-corridors-project/
https://cag.gov.in/uploads/media/pub-right-of-passage-1-20200726073323.pdf
https://www.dimensions.com/element/african-bush-elephant-loxodonta-africana
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/elephant-dies-in-bandipur/articleshow/103153264.cms
https://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/Maps_PAs_1267.aspx
Books
Freeing Architecture - Junya Ishigami
Marginlands - Aarthi Rao
Pashu: Animal Tales from Hindu Mythology - Devdutt Pattanaik
Aranyaka: Book of the Forest - Amruta Patil and Devdutt Pattanaik
In Praise of Shadows - Jun’ichirō Tanizaki