Human Library : An inquiry into built environment for social interactions

Human Library An inquiry into built-envionment for social interaction

Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture Saurashtra University, Rajkot July 2020

Human Library

Himanshi Ashishbhai Gohel B-3715

A Design Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Architecture

Thesis Guide: Prof. Rushikesh Kotadiya Semester X, 2019-2020

Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture Saurashtra University, Rajkot JULY JULY 2020

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Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to know how a built environment can help foster social interaction. A basic study of place of interaction, people and the way interaction takes place; was done to know the built environment and their qualities, relationship of human behaviour to social interaction and type of interaction with reference to engagement.

At last, architecture can create a built environment as enabling as possible for people to interact and increase human to human touch, but the willingness to engage in interaction lies in hands of people at the end.

A detailed investigation of two different cases was conducted through the means of analysis and its inferences helped in further development of a program and selection of a site. The site is then analysed through means of observation and documenting by mapping and photographs.

Lastly, these understanding were implemented into a physical design.

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Preface

Interaction is a soul to any community space or shared spaces. It has potential to make or loose an identity of a community. A place where thoughts are shared and learned from one another.

We as curious minds are found to have questions regarding the society that we cannot freely ask. Topics that we don’t want to talk about or don’t like to talk about but we need to talk about it. This laid a base for my thesis as such barrier can be broken just by interaction. I feel architecture can help creating a better environment where people can learn and grow together, looking toward the society in a border way.

Considering this would create a whole new library of humans, giving open access to ideas and information and transforming life into a built social community.

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Acknowledgement

There are innumerous people who might have knowingly – unknowingly helped me in my journey. I would heartily thank them all.

I would like to thank Prof. Rushikesh Kotadiya for his invaluable time & guidance.

I sincerely thank Prof. Jayesh Shukla for mentoring me in time of need. I would like to express my gratitude to the members of my thesis advisory committee; Dr. Shishir Raval and Riddhi Shah for encouraging me to improve my work.

All my way, I have learned from my seniors and juniors. I would like to thank Mahek Mandavya for their insights in writing this report, Parth Gandhi for his companionship and Ravi Umraniya for his lessons.

I am deeply thankful to Jigar Rathod & my family for believing in me & accepting my failures. I would’nt have gotten as far as I dreamed off.

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Content

Human library Approval Abstract Preface Acknowledgement List of figure Introduction

v vii ix xi xiv xvi

1.1.

1.2.

The idea Idea in the Indian context

2 4

Elements of human library PLACE 2.1 Built environment 2.2 Space for social engagement 2.3 Maintaining visual connection 2.4 In-between spaces as social place

PEOPLE 2.5 Age group and their daily problems 2.6 Human behaviour and social engagement INTERACTION xii

8 9 12 13 14 15 16

Design process

Architectural research 3.1.

3.2.

3.3.

Site location Site analysis Site photograhs

20 22 28

5.1.

5.2.

5.3.

Design concepts Design development Design drawing

44 46 52

Case study and design proposal 4.1.

4.2.

Case study Programme

32 38

References Work citation Jury’s comments

64 65 67

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List of figures Fig. no.

Title

Fig. 0.1

Basic elements to making of public place

xix

Author's own

Fig. 0.2

Creation of a place where people can gather & inteeraction

xix

Author's own

Fig. 1.1 Fig. 1.2 Fig. 1.3

Human Library the idea Human library in public plaza Human Library in community open space

3 3 3

clubactive.eu/humanlibrary clubactive.eu/humanlibrary

Fig. 1.4 Fig. 1.5 Fig. 1.6 Fig. 1.7 Fig. 1.8 Fig. 1.9 Fig. 1.10 Fig. 1.11

Human library in streets spaces Human library in public library Chowk of a village Men sitting at a chowk Public well in Gujarat Women washing clothes at river Otla at Ahmedabad pol housing Informal sitting at sacread groves

3 3 5 5 5 5 5 5

Fig. 2.1

Image b shows a more occupiabel space owing to increase in comfort Visual penetrability of a space Legibility of a space Built space supporting interaction Visual connectivity of a space Circullation path cutting through middle of social space Social space adjacent to the circulation

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Author's own

10 11 11 12 13

Bhavya Nasa Author's own Bhavya Nasa Author's own

13

Author's own

14

Author's own

17

www.answer.com (Redrawn by auther)

Fig. 2.2 Fig. 2.3 Fig. 2.4 Fig. 2.5 Fig. 2.6 Fig. 2.7 Fig. 2.8 Fig. 2.9

Spaces affecting human behavior for social interaction Proximics distance diagram

Page no.

Source

Johns Hopkinsn University. Com Windwaves.icai-archives.org wikiwand.com TimesOfIndia.in Jay Patel

Fig. 2.10

Diagram showing forms of social intreraction

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Author's own

Fig. 3.1 Fig. 3.2 Fig. 3.3 Fig. 3.4 Fig. 3.5 Fig. 3.6 Fig. 3.7 Fig. 3.8

Location of the site Context plan Context section N.T.S Context plan making observations Site plan Memon boarding plan Ruin 1 plan Existing plinth

20 21 21 22 23 23 23 23

Author's own Author's own Author's own Author's own Author's own Author's own Author's own Author's own

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xv

xvi

List of plates

xvii

Introduction

India is widely known for its oral tradition and it was a way of record keeping. The knowledge and information was imparted orally because of which the place to learn and interact holds a greater importance. It holds the community together and the people use to know everything happening in and around the built fabric through interaction.

Therefore, place of intercation translated into built forms in various ways.

For e.g. There were plinths or ‘otlas’ outside the house or a semi open space, like ‘osri’, from where activities in the street can be easily viewed and a kind of constant visual connection always remains, at the dwelling level.

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At a cluster level, these interactive spaces embodied themselves in terms of formation of a ‘Chowk’, where the streets intersect each other, where the people can meet, gatherings are held or festivals are celebrated.

At village level, there are formation of place called ‘Gam nu Padar’, where people, usually men, sit and talk, share the on goings of their life, share experiences, inform each other of any new events going on in and around the village. Whereas, for the women, the spot for fetching water or washing clothes acted as a medium to perform the same activities.

Fig. 0.1 Basic elements to making of public place

Fig. 0.2 Creation of a place where people can gather & interact

In today’s time because of urbanization and digitalization, this human to human connection is decreasing. Therefore it is important to re-establish this connection by knowing how a built environment fosters interaction. And through design we can change the environment to be as enabling as possible, as it is more than just form follows function. Thus, this leads to creation of a special space, where people can gather, share their experiences and broaden their perspectives, creating a network of humans.

A place of social interaction is not only a place where people connect with each other but built environment as well. During interaction they might engage in variety of activity. These activities around helps to create a pleasant surrounding for people to associate and engage in social activities during their time. Therefore place of interaction is an essence of daily use where various groups utilizes the place together and communicate, learn and to share in common.

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Aim

To generate a built environment to encourage social interaction.

Objective

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To recognize the attributes to place of engagement To know the relation between human behaviour and place of interaction To identify the potential of space for interaction and ways people interact

Methodology Literature review

To know about an appropriate built environment for the place of interaction

To get an idea of how people use and behave in a social space

Case Study for program formulation Mapping the site and analysing the context for design policy decisions.

Development of physical design

xxi

Human Library 1.1 The idea 1.2 Idea in the India context

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1.1 The idea

The Human Library is an international organization and movement that first started in Co-pentagon, Denmark in 2000. It aims to address people’s prejudices by helping them to talk to those they would not normally meet.

The organization uses a library analogy of lending people rather than books. These people have “experienced prejudice, social exclusion or stigma,” and participants can ask them questions so as to “learn about the other person and also challenge their own prejudices.”

The Human Library Organization is active in over 80 countries, in which there are a few permanent Human Libraries but most happen as events. The organization began in Copenhagen in 2000 when the first Human Library event was held at Roskilde Festival.

The first event ran four days with eight hours of conversations each day and more than 1000 people took part.

2

The first permanent Human Library was established in Lismore, Australia in 2006.

Till 2019, the project has grown to have partners in more than 70 countries across the world.

Everyone has a unique story to tell.

The living books here are people who have experienced prejudice or been victimized due to race, sex, age, disability, sexual preference, gender identity, class, religion/ belief, life-style choices or other aspects of who they are. People, who visit, borrow these living books, have a conversation with them and leave with a widened perspective on different social groups in our society.”

There was a need of it because the western society teaches their people to be self-dependent at a very early age, where they have less people to guide them.

SOCIAL CONTACT

+

INTERACTION

=

SOCIAL CHANGE

Fig. 1.1 Human Library the idea

Fig. 1.2 Human library in public plaza

Fig. 1.3 Human Library in community open space

Fig. 1.4 Human library in streets spaces

Fig. 1.5 Human library in public library

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1.1 Idea in the India context

In the Indian sattlement, the idea to interact prevailed since ages because of our oral traditions. Therefore, place for interaction translated into built forms in various ways. Thus, plinths connecting to street, chowks, public well, place of worship acted as a place of interaction between people of different age group, gender and collective activities of the people. Therefore it can be said that there already prevails a human library.

This oral tradition worked well in India, in the earlier times. But today, with people migrating to cities, working on a job with hectic schedules, the formation of nuclear families, where constant communication with the grandparents has decreased, there is a loss of sharing of knowledge from ancestors to the new generation. Also, in the Indian context, we need to accept the fact that, there are still some issues, topics

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that we do need guidance on, need help on, or need to talk to someone about it, but we are detached to people or resources.

Some people, in these cases rely either on social media which does not provide proper, enough information and thus misleads people a lot of the times.

In this scenario, there emerges a need to share the lived experiences, which would cater to these questions of ours, the doubts cropping up in our minds. And also, which is a safe, reliable source, which can be freely accessed and which would serve as a tool to widen our perspectives and knowledge on topics and subjects unknown or unfamiliar to us.

Thus there is a need to re-establish that one to one connection between us. This leads to creation of a special space, where people can gather, share their experiences

Fig. 1.6 Chowk of a village

Fig. 1.7 Men sitting at a chowk

Fig. 1.8 Public well in Gujarat

Fig. 1.9 Women washing clothes at river

Fig. 1.10 Otla at Ahmedabad pol housing

Fig. 1.11 Informal sitting at sacread groves

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Elements of Human Library PLACE 2.1 Built environment 2.2 Space for social engagement 2.3 Maintaining visual connection 2.4 In-between spaces as social place PEOPLE 2.5 Age group and their daily problems 2.6 Human behaviour and social engagement INTERACTION

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2.1 Built environment

Built - environment is man-made surroundings which provide the setting for human activity. It has been defined as “the human-made space in which people live, work, and recreate on a daily basis. It is an interrelationship of human activity over time and the man made environment which includes all those features that are place or designed in the surrounding with some concept of human ideology or with any architectural concepts.

This built environment plays very important role in social interaction.

Psychologist Kurt Lewin (in 1951) explained that behaviours (which directly relates to the interaction) are not only a function of personal factors, but also of the environment in which it takes place (Venetin).

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Concluding from an overview of environmental psychology’s states (Gifford) that interaction is a result of three factors which are: • The setting or the place • The person • The social-cultural factor Setting or the place could be designed in such a way to make people interact in the best possible way and this setting or the place is only termed as built environment.

This built environment if soothing can make people stay there for a longer span of time.

2.2 Space for social engagement - Qualitative aspects

The Human Library is an intervention in a public realm that aims to be a space for interaction. Such spaces ties the community together. It is believed that more the people get a chance to interact with each other, the more community spirit will be fostered. For this process to set in motion, according to Burte (2008), the built environment must possess following qualities.

• Occupiabilty • Penetrability • Legibility • Sociability

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a)

b) Fig. 2.1 Image b shows a more occupiable space owing to increase in comfort

Fig. 2.2 Visual penetrability of a space

OCCUPIABILITY

PENETRABILITY

The affordance offered by an environment for pause and durable occupation is known as occupiability. In order to occupy a space, one must feel safe and comfortable. Apart from this, the scale & size of the space, organization & orientation of seating, entry and exit, activities surrounding the space and other such factors may change the perception of built environment. It is also important to understand that identity based on gender, age, class, religion may hinder a person to occupy a space.

For example, one may only find old men sitting at the chowk in the context of village. Any female would hesitate to occupy that space in presence of the male member

The manner in which an environment allows itself, its space and its barriers to be penetrated by the user, is known as penetrability. Burte (2008) says that penetrability may be of two type – Visual & Extensional. Visual penetrability refers to the way in which one’s gaze is allowed to be penetrate space and barriers while extensional penetrability refers to the physical act of moving in or through a space.

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a)

b) Fig. 2.3 Legibility of a space

Fig. 2.4 Built space supporting interaction

LEGIBILITY

SOCIABILITY

The manner in which an environment presents itself for perception and comprehension, is known as legibility.

The manner in which an environment affords social content, is known as sociability.

An environment that induces a desirable nature and level of co-presence and that catalyses social interaction in deemed sociable (Burte). Community formation is possible when people are co-present and this creates a stronger sense of place. Here co-presence is seen as an opportunity for encounter.

This term was introduced by Kevin Lynch in ‘The image of the city’ (1960).

Legibility in the built environment can be understood on the basis of: • The ease with which a building and its part can be discerned as object.

• The ease with which an environment can be mapped mentally.

• The manner in which the environment and its parts offer a balance of accommodation and challenge our basic cognitive tendencies provide stimulus to our sense.

Thus it can be said that for any place to be active it has to be accessible, should provide comfort, help connect to other people and indulge in activities.

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Fig. 2.5 Visual connectivity of a space

2.3 Maintaining visual connections

When information about the environment is provided to the people, they become more aware of the surrounding to enhance safety and security. In order to create social participation, maximizing sightlines by visual connections becomes important.

By the concept of ‘Eye of the street’

by Jane Jecobs, she states that within a city we make our communication safe together where residents acts as a surveillance, see and hear people occupying the streets from indoor which creates safety and security. In addition she says that people are generally attracted to movement (Jacobs).

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When people occupy the streets, they become more interesting, active and eventually safe to use. The represent key areas of movement where people can see and be seen, becoming part of the activity.

This is normal human behaviour at personal level. Similarly within a built environment, maintaining visual connections make people feel secure guiding them to engage actively or passively. The pattern Language also states that social space are related to visual scale, helping people to interact. Thus these spaces become more usable when people have clear visual connectivity.

re

eat

ith

ph

Am

Foyer

Fig. 2.6 Circulation path cutting through middle of social

space (IPSA - View of the passage between

amphitheatre and foyer)

tre Amphithea

Fig. 2.7 Social space adjacent to the circulation

(IPSA - View of amphitheatre)

2.4 In-between space as social space

Social activity is a form of context occurring spontaneously in many space and place. However, space and place differ within a built environment. Space is an undefined area with a sense of placelessness having intangible factors as well, whereas place has a meaning and is more tangible.

Within a setting a public space provides opportunities for human interaction, which is beneficial to everyone as no individual can survive without constant informal contact with other members of the society. This helps in learning from one another. These place of interaction can be integrated as a part of an existing space within a building.

In case of creating an environment for interaction, it should be integrated with circulation spaces which help in maintaining social interaction. This enhances the concept of maximizing sightlines for providing awareness of the surrounding.

It is found that two different quality of gathering space exists. One where a circulation path cuts through the middle of a social space creating a highly exposed area for interaction (Fig.2.6). Second where a social space is adjacent and open to the main circulation route (Fig.2.7). This pattern of human behaviour involves people constantly passing through it.

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2.5 Human behaviour and engagement

Human behaviour in public spaces are believed to be the result of the processes of the mind that are influenced by the different features of these spaces. These features may be physical, social, cultural or sensory.

These physical and non-physical features of the public space, are capable of having a profound effect on the way that people behave, experience and interact in public spaces, with choice or independent of their actions. The physical features may include buildings, streets, land forms and other architectural elements, whereas nonphysical features may include sound, smell, temperature, illumination etc.

It is seen that people are attracted to light, moving objects and seeing other people. According to Christopher Alexander in his book ‘A Pattern Language’, various social places are introduced representing different qualities of space and how people use them. To begin with, an enclosed space creates an intimate space for individual use 14

a) Enclosed space

b) Well defined space

c) Place of interest Fig. 2.8 Spaces affecting human behaviour for social

interaction

or interaction among small group of people and a greater sense of privacy is achieved (fig.2.8a). In addition, a well-defined place through the placement of furniture, to physically mark a territory creates a place for social engagement (fig.2.8b). This provides more public and open gesture for interaction.

Lastly, places of interaction attracts people to gather (fig.2.8c). For which can either contain objects, water features, sound, to make people move towards a point. Thus people behave based on the design of social spaces to encourage different type of social engagement.

2.6 Age group & their daily problems

The major age groups taken into consideration are: teenagers, adults and senior citizens

Teenagers are the ones who go through a lot of turmoil in this age.

According to the report of WHO in 2017 it was found that teenagers often suffer from frequent emotional out brakes, lack of concentration, body images and selfconfidence, peer pressure for academics and parents acceptation, social media malaise, career and jobs, etc. They go through lot of doubts and confusion.

Adults do have their own issues like conflict with one’s own thought, future planning, settling, marriage, managing life with their partners, intercourse, health, children, social responsibilities, taking care of their parents etc.

Accordingly senior citizens do face problems of health, spending time when their children and grandchildren have left for office and schools. They do need a place where they can meet new people and talk, share their own experience or listen to someone else. Also, their safety needs to be ensured.

Thus a human library, would be a place for people of all ages, where they can meet and interact, with people of their own age and share their experiences, people younger to them so that they can give guidance to them or older than them and learn from them.

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Human beings are social creatures; they cannot live without having interaction.

Therefore to act, proceed and perform as one, we need interaction with other individuals, the setting and the surroundings (Garfinkel). Interaction is an occasion when two or more people or things reach to each other. This can be largely classified into active or passive interaction with respect to participation. When a person gets physically engaged in producing or involving action, it is said to be active interaction. While accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response is said to be passive interaction.

a) Individual to none

b) Individual to individual

Fig. 2.10 Diagram showing forms of social interaction

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Therefore it can be said that the forms of social interactions are: 1) Between individual and individual, for example when two individuals are talking formally in office or informally in park.

(Fig.2.10b) 2). Between individual and groups, for example teacher teaching in front of the students or any employee giving presentations in front of his officials.

(Fig.2.10c) 3). Between groups and groups, like in any family meetings (Fig.2.10d) 4)Between individual to none (Fig.2.10a)

c) Individual to group

c) In a group’s

Personal space 0.5m

1.2m

Social space

Public space 4.0m

>4.0m

Fig. 2.9 Proxemics distance diagram

Whereas the physical setting or the place, which means the space or the place where the person is present in a given time, the social environment, which means the public or the people surrounding that person during that time and the activity surrounding the interaction are the factors that define the content of social interaction.

People engage with other people or things on their daily basis, but may be completely unaware of. The way people use their physical space to interact can be known from the theory of proxemics. This interpersonal distances can be divided into personal, social or public space (Fig2.9).

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Architectural Research 3.1 Site location 3.2 Site analysis 3.3 Site photographs

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3.1 Site location

Fig. 3.1 Location of the site

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Shrimad Rajchandra temple

Existing plinth

Fig. 3.3 Context section

Memon boarding

Ruin 1

Storage of SBI bank

N.T.S

Jilla Seva Sadan

ad

rba ro

Kastu

Kasturb

a road

Lohana hostel

Race co

urce rin g ro

ad

Govt. quarters

Akashwani radio station

Site

GERI

MG Ro ad

State Bank of India

Circuit house

Sitaram Pandit Marg

Race cource

ring road

Shrimad Rajchandra temple

N

Fig. 3.2 Context plan

0

20

40

60

100m

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3.2 Site analysis ABOUT SITE

Racecourse ring road Road of residential character Road of institutional character N

Fig. 3.4 Context plan making observations

The site is located on the eastern side of race course of Racecourse ring road, which is in the centre of the Rajkot city. The site is currently abandoned and land belongs to Memon boarding. There are 3 pre-existing structures and a large plinth made of basalt stone in the centre of the site. It is also rich with trees such as Ardusi, Drumsticks, Neem, Banyan, Karanj, Borsalli and many more; few of which are about 35 years old.

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0

20

40

60

100m

The site is surrounded by government institutions, high rise private residences and there are government quarters nearby. The site is well accessible and is located at the junction of secondary roads from Racecourse ring road, which is one of the hot spot for active and passive interactions in Rajkot city.

State Bank of India

Memon boarding

MG Road

Ruin 1

Existing plinth

Circuit house

GERI

Ruin 2

Sitaram Pandit Marg

MG R oad

Shrimad Rajchandra temple

Star Plaza

N

Fig. 3.5 Site plan

0

Elevation

Fig. 3.6 Memon boarding plan

10

20

60m

Section

N.T.S

Fig. 3.7 Ruin 1 plan

Fig. 3.8 Existing plinth

There are three major built structures on the site: 1) Memon boarding which is occupied by 4 students and rest is used for storing paper work.

2) Ruin 1 which is abandoned.

3) Existing 0.6 meter high plinth in the centre of the site made of basalt stone.

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SITE MAPPING

Fig. 3.10 Built vs. open map N

0

20

40

60

100m

Fig. 3.11 Road network map N

0

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20

40

60

100m

Fig. 3.12 Building typology map N

0

20

40

60

100m

High to low height Fig. 3.13 Building height map N

0

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40

60

100m

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HP

LP

HP LP HP

LP

LP

High point to low point (HP) (LP) Fig. 3.14 Topography on site N

LP 0

20

40

60

100m

Fig. 3.15 Green coverage &

open space map N

0

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20

40

60

100m

Fig. 3.16 Sun path diagram N

0

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40

60

100m

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3.3 Site photographs

Fig. 3.17 Panoramic view of the site facing east

Fig. 3.18 Circuit house on the east of site

Fig. 3.19 Play area near to site

Fig. 3.20 Shrimad Rajchandra temple on the south of site

Fig. 3.21 Akashwani radio station on the west of site

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Fig. 3.22 Panoramic view of the site

Fig. 3.23 Site’s existing structure

Fig. 3.24 Ruin 1

Fig. 3.25 Other ruin besides Memon Boarding N

Fig. 3.26 Key plan N.T.S

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Case study and design proposal 4.1. Case study 4.2. Program

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4.2 Case study

LocHal Library - Tilburg, Netherland as a public space

Lochal library is a best example of adaptive reuse of a building, transforming an existing structure into a public space. Its location in the middle of a public transport node, activating & connecting public roads all around. This turned the building into an attractive hub for sharing knowledge & information for the entire city.

Perhaps the most conspicuous feature is its sheer size, which is deliberately designed to be an extermely accessible building. The entrance hall takes the form of a covered city square with large public reading areas, exhibition areas, & a coffee kiosk. This square folds up into broad steps which can be used as event seating for over one thousand spectators.

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It offers co-work spaces, conference rooms, spaces for arts, education, a large city hall for public events, exhibitions, spaces for storytelling, debates and much more. In addition to various activities, it has a number of ‘labs’ (laboratories) where visitors can learn new skills. These labs, with their remarkable design, can be found throughout the building. Moreover, the building ensures that the collection, the facilities and the manner in which they are used can be adapted to meet changing requirements.

LocHal Public Library is undeniably proving to be a cultural place bringing people closer into an ever more detached and digital society.

Fig. 4.1 Axonometric view of spaces

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Fig. 4.2 Central staircase as part of activities & movement

Fig. 4.3 Clear visual connectivity between floors

Fig. 4.4 Cafe with reading activities

Fig. 4.5 Lochal cafe

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INFERENCES The project aims to create a public space in the form of a multi-functional library which creates interaction into public realm.

Though being a closed structure, the built environment is extensively open by creating flexible spaces & long visual connectivity, providing opportunities for involvement.

The circulation is from the middle of the intervention which connects all the floors and acting as a medium of interaction.

The variety of activities and different user group brings a distinct vibe & breaks the monotony of otherwise dull surrounding.

N

Fig. 4.6 Analytical diagram showing circulation for ground floor

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Idea Stores, London

Idea Store is located in the heart of Bangladeshi community & on a street that hosts a very old east end market in front of Sainsbury’s. ‘Community re-vitalization’ is used to define an optimistic attempt towards innovation & creativity, providing a place which attempts to boost local identity & cohesion, addresses social changes & initiate local innovation & co-operation.

(DCMS,2017)

It provides wide range of social activities from meeting, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, workshop, library, book clubs, cafes and art & leisure, pursuits by the desires and need of the local community; all choreographed within easily accessible spaces.

With its direct focus upon its local communities these places most sensitively celebrate the regional culture of their context. It can be rather named as ‘unique type of community centre which educates the society’ (Aitani, 2017)

Fig. 4.7 Whitechapel street holding market - front facade

Fig. 4.8 Back facade opening to plaza

Cafe Performance Service

Merchandise Meeting space Library / learning space Plaza

Fig. 4.9 Functional massing

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Fig. 4.10 Section

Market

INFERENCES The project aims to create a multi-purpose space where variety of activities can be facilitated as per community’s needs.

The part of ground floor is extremely open, in a way one must not realize that they have entered a building while walking around the area (Fig.4.14). This space gives a clear visual connectivity to the other side of the road where market is held. This creates an opportunity for interaction.

While the back is connected to a plaza where outdoor activities and get together among the community happens (Fig.4.11).

Fig. 4.11 Building extending to market space

Two storied back facade connected to plaza

Five storied front facade

Fig. 4.12 Analysis - Isometric view of overall space & circulation

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4.3 Program

The program focusses on providing a place of interaction to the people based on contextual responding & public gathering aspects, by creating a built environment which encourages social interaction.

It would be a place for young & old; to read, learn, meet & gather. A place for creating, exhibiting, participating & sharing.

Creating a new layer of social network, where people can contribute with their presence and ideas. Thus creating a library of human.

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The program can be thought with the following aspects: 1) Classification of the overall program Based on core activities or users 2)Stakeholders Rank priority & their issues 3) Activities throughout time Daily v/s temporary 4)Nature of spaces & their inter-relationship 5)Values and philosophies

CLASSIFICATION OF OVERALL PROGRAM

Spaces that are accessible to all.

It creates a new layer of social network where interaction & gathering can happen.

Garden

Sports

Cafe

Exhibiting

It coordinates activities of interaction & learning.

Spaces for individual growth as well as collective learning

Parking

Relax

Meet

Meeting

Kids play area

Amphitheatre

Yoga

Read

Fig. 4.13 Diagrams for program

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NATURE OF SPACES & THEIR INTER-RELATIONSHIP Open - semi private

Open - public

OPEN

Open - private

Gardens Human library event

Semi open - private

Semi open - semi private

Workshop

TO

Studio

Built- semi private

Semi open - public

Indoor games

Library

Built - private

Forums

Cafe

Built - public

BUILT

Admin Lectures & seminars

Washrooms

Storage

PRIVATE Public Interface

TO

PUBLIC

Semi private space are the spaces where the institution filters public through their policies

Learning Fig. 4.14 Graph representing nature of spaces required for the program

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Social gathering

Exhibition gallery

AREA STATEMENT

PUBLIC Function Café Kitchen Sitting area Cash Counter Storage Total Sports Activities Indoor Activities storage counter Total Miscellaneous Conference Area Amphitheatre Exhibition Space (Galleries) entrance hall Total

Area required (sq.m)

Users 3 50 2

100 20 10 130 m2 25

Total

50 500 50 600 m2

Total INTERFACE Function Administration Enquiry desk Head Office Staff area Peon area Washroom Pantry Meeting Room Storage Total Parking Security cabin 2 wheeler 4 wheeler Bicycle Total

25 250 6 15 296 m2

1026 m2

Area required (sq.m)

Users 1 1 3 2

6 25 35 25 6 6 50 25 178 m2

1 100 (2) 25 (15) 25

9 200 400 100 710 m2 888 m2 41

LEARING Function Library Book Collection and return Book s and magezine display Books storage Common reading Space Discussion area Silent Room Storage Room Lecture and Seminar Space Conference area Clock Room Computer Access DVD storage Anceliary Total Workshop + Studio Total

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Users

Area required (sq.m.)

Area required (sq.m) 2+2 (6)

150 (2.8) 60 (5) 20 (5) 50 20 20

12 6 500 500 300 100 50 200 40 20 40 200 100 2068 m2 500 m2 2568 m2

Design process 5.1. Design concepts 5.2. Design development 5.3. Design drawings

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5.1 Design concepts TOOLS & IDEAS TO ARCHITECTURAL INSERT Play of courtyards

Fig. 5.1 Sketch 01

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Connection to nature

Fig. 5.2 Sketch 02

Modulate to gather & isolate

Fig. 5.3 Sketch 03

Flexibility of space

Fig. 5.4 Sketch 04

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5.2 Design development SITE ZONING Placing larger functional spaces with reference to the character of road; as public, social and personal space require different nature of spaces.

Public Publicspace space Group Social space space

N

Individual Personal space

Fig. 5.5 Conceptual zoning 1

0

10

20

60m

The idea was to explore three different nature of open spaces: - Sunk open space - Courtyard - Larger level open space Massing placed in a way that all the built function activities can be expanded into its immediate open

N

Fig. 5.6 Conceptual zoning 2

46

0

10

20

60m

Fig. 5.8 Conceptual section N.T.S.

Functions that can be shared with the Memon boarding such are library is taken care of.

Spaces for storytelling, to confess, to contemplate, to isolate, to share and other different gestures are also kept in mind.

N

Fig. 5.7 Conceptual zoning 3

0

10

20

60m

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PROCESS MODEL

Fig. 5.9 Top view

Fig. 5.10 View from south direction

Fig. 5.11 View from south - west direction

Fig. 5.12 View from north - east direction

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EXPLORING SECTIONS

Fig. 5.13 Exploring in section

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Fig. 5.14 Isometric process sketch 1

Fig. 5.15 In-between spaces as place of interaction

Outdoor spaces is taken care of as these spaces has potential to host most of the informal interaction.

The structure is a composite of reinforced concrete and rammed earth.

Fig. 5.16 Wall section

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ENTRANCE

COURTYARD

Fig. 5.17 Process sketches plan 02 - outdoor spaces

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FINAL DRAWING PLATE 1

FINAL DRAWING PLATE 2

FINAL DRAWING PLATE 3 LIBRARY

CONFESSION GALLERY

CONTEMPLATION SPACE

MEMON BOARDING

GALLERY

GALLERY

INDOOR SPORTS

S

LVL. +8.00M

GALLERY

LIBRARY

LVL. +8.00M

GALLERY

LIBRARY

LVL. +8.00M

LIBRARY

LVL. +8.00M

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FINAL DRAWING Axonometric view PLATE 4

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Appendix Bibliography Work citation Jury’s comments

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Published books / journal • Methods of architectural programming by Henry Senoff • Spaces for engagement by Himanshu Burte • The pattern language by Alexander Christopher • The death & life of great American cities by Jecobs Jane • The language of space by Bryan Lawson • Life between buildings by Jan Gehl • Social Interaction in Built Environment: The Urban Context, IJETSR, Vol 5, Issue 1, January 2018

Articles: • The human library – Sharing the community with itself By Erin Wentz on April 26, 2013

Reports: • Report from the Human Library at the idea store in London: Human Library Organization 2008. October 10, 2014.

Videos: • TED TALK: The library is not a collection of books. By Charlie Bennett, March 2, 2018.

• TED TALK: Toilets, bowties, gender & me. By Audrey Mason Myde. June 19, 2018.

• TALK: What can human library do to you? By Dorota Molodynska Kuntze • TED TALK : The idea Store by Judith St John, May 14, 2014

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WORK CITATION 1. “The Plan.” Mecanoo - LocHal Library, www.theplan.it/eng/award-2019-interior/ lochal-library.

10. Hertzberger, Herman, et al. Lessons for Students in Architecture. 010 Publishers, 2005.

2. Architects, Civic, and Civicarchitects. “Civic Architects - LocHal Public Library.” Issuu, 16 June 2019, issuu.com/civicarchitects/ docs/2019_04_23_-_lochal_tilburg_-_prese.

11. Holland, Caroline. Social Interactions in Urban Public Places. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2007.

3. “The Plan.” Civic Architects - Public Library Tilburg, www.theplan.it/eng/award-2019culture/public-library-tilburg-1.

4. Alexander, Christopher, et al. A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction.

Oxford Univ. Pr., 2010.

5. Burte, Himanshu. Space for Engagement: the Indian Artplace and a Habitational Approach to Architecture. Seagull Books, 2008.

6. Duivenbode, Oppis Van. The Plan, www. theplan.it/eng/award-2019-interior/lochallibrary.

7. Gehl, Jan, and Jo Koch. Life between Buildings: Using Public Space. Island Press, 2011, p.23 8. Guliani, Bhavneet Kaur, and Bhavneet Kaur Gulianihttp. “Why We Should Popularize The Concept Of Human Library In India.” ED Times | The Youth Blog, 18 July 2019, edtimes.in/ why-we-should-popularize-the-concept-ofhuman-library-in-India/.

9. Garfinkel, Harold. “Understanding Social Interaction.” courses.lumenlearning. com/boundless-sociology/chapter/ understanding-social-interaction

12. Idea Store - Home, www.ideastore.co.uk.

13. Jacobs, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Random House, 1961.

14. Klanten, Robert, et al. Going Public: Public Architecture, Urbanism and Interventions, Gestalten, 2012.

15. Lipman, A. (1968). Building Design and Social Interaction. Architects journal 147. p.23-30 16. Lawson, B. (2001). The Language of Space. Architectural Press, p.128-163.

17. Planting, Mars, and Ronni Abergel.

“Unjudge Someone.” The Human Library Organization, 8 June 2020, humanlibrary. org/.

18. “Proxemics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 June 2020, en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Proxemics.

19. Venetin aghostin-sangar, Human behaviour in public spaces. Sydney: University of New South Wales, 2007.

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JURY’S COMMENTS

- The jurers were pleased seeing clear illustrationan, site studies and appreciated the critical inquiry of the difficult program set.

External jurers : Bijoy Ramachandran

Suriya Kakani

- In the context to the program it would have been useful to read ‘Critique of everyday life’

by Henri Lefebvre.

- More fundamental questions of how one engages in the city should have been asked.

- Some limits should be set for the project to operate within more realistic design framework, within a tighter urban fabric and the way we make and consider architecture.

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