Annual NASA Design Competition

ODAR, HIMACHAL PRADESH INTRODUCTION

SITE IDENTIFICATION

“ The culture of a civilization is the art and literature through which it rises to consciousness of itself and defines its vision of the world” - Roger Scruton (2007) “Culture counts faith and feeling in a world besieged”.

Culture commands deep respect as it represents and reveals the many faceted realities of the people living there.

The alluring state of Himachal Pradesh is nested between the snow topped himalayan ranges in north India . The indigenous architecture of Himachal Pradesh is the outcome of the prevailing topography, extremes of the climate and culture.

Bestowed by river Awa Khad bickering down the Kangra valley, imminent to the prodigal village Andretta, beholds the wedge of Odar. A small lush village located in the district of Kangra, Panchrukhi tehsil of Himachal Pradesh.

Under the aegis of vernacular aspect, the architectural aspect led to another site , an artistic village, Andretta.

Strolling through the village of Odar, the first bit that EMBARKS the essence of the settlement is the water running in channels across the parts connecting the farmlands of the people and creating such a network that a continuous whirring sound follows us everywhere adding to the charm of the place.

This village is rich in its history, tradition and unison of inhabitants but the lack of job opportunities and life security has made it weak economically. The idea is to uplift the residents by supporting the culture, tradition and vernacular techniques as such maintaining the character of the rural habitat by using the skills and the knowledge of the people, we plan a contemplative future on footprints of bygones.

It was a platform for symposium about art, drama and philosophy of living in a rural environment in which many veterans from distinct fields of art participated, but consequent to the modern Architectural practices, the vernacular identity has been lost which degrades the tourist attraction and worth of the village.

VILLAGE PROFILE

A Himalayan village which once was a meeting point of some great minds in theatre, art and pottery in the last century. This setting was initially conceived as an artists’ colony but it has now become virtually defunct.

Locality Name : Odar Tehsil Name : Sungal District : Kangra State : Himachal Pradesh Language : Hindi and Kangri Elevation / Altitude : 1301 Above sea level Total Population : 472 People Total House Hold : 105 Houses Total Area : 77.5 Acres Climate : Humid Sub-tropical Climate; Hot Summers and Cool Winters Topography : Sloped Terrain

(2km) (2.5km) (6.5km) (2.8km)

In the present scenario there is a rising need to sensitize visitors towards aesthetic and cultural norms that govern all the creative personas by creating an interdisciplinary approach for experimentation and innovation.This can be done via reviving defunct art settlements as they showcase a cultural connect with the setting.

(1.1km) (2.7km) (3.8km) (5km)

47% TOTAL POPULATION

(2km)

SITE SURVEY A Local Survey of 40 houses was conducted to understand the Socio-Economic, Physical, and Cultural Aspects of Odar Village.The data thus collected is presented in the form of Information Graphs.

10% 1%

MALE

FEMALE

53%

30

50°

300

25

40°

250

20

30°

200

15

20°

150

10

10°

100

5

0°

50

-10°

0 Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Overcast

May

Jun

Partly Cloudy

Jul Sunny

Aug

Sep

Oct

Precipita on Days

Nov

Dec

0 JAN

FEB

PRECIPITATION

MAR

APR

MAY

MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM

JUN

JUL HOT DAYS

AUG

SEP

OCT

MEAN DAILY MINIMUM

NOV

DEC

COLD NIGHTS

Dhauladhar mountains

10%

12%

One of the major spots of social gathering in the village is the temple, locals perform various indigenous norms and prayers, celebrate festivals, keeping the religious and cultural traditions in intact.

There is no denying that in a majority of the cases the rural landscape has declined, its social cohesion has suffered, and its built form has lost its charm, vitality and character.

CONNECTIVITY SUNGAL BUS STOP PNB ATM CIVIL HOSPITAL POLICE STATION PANCHRUKHI GOVERNMENT DISPENSARY PANCHRUKHI RAILWAY STATION GOVERNMENT VETERINARY DISPENSARY SUNGAL PANCHAYATS STATE HIGHWAY NATIONAL HIGHWAY

Another village, adopted by the MISAAL foundation, Odar, near Andretta in Himachal Pradesh, was taken under study for 6 years with the focus of reviving its lost cultural attribute of being a craftsmen society. This idea can be efficiently perceived via development of Odar village with emphasis on social, economic and cultural growth, which further provides a progressive growth pattern to the village.

6% 65%

LIVELIHOOD

CATEGORY OF JOB FEMALES

25%

36%

CATEGORY OF JOB MALES

17%

71%

EMPLOYEE BOUERS TRADERS

RETIRED OFFICERS ARTISTS

SKILLED SEMI - SKILLED UNSKILLLED

SKILLED SEMI - SKILLED UNSKILLLED

5.96%

10%

22%

47%

23.98%

Primary School

33% AGE GROUP C SSIFICATION

FEMALE LITERACY RATE

MALE LITERACY RATE 59%

0 - 20 yrs 20 - 40 yrs

76.02%

94.04%

35% 40 - 60 yrs 60 yrs

Awa Khad River

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LITERACY

ILLITERACY

LITERACY

ILLITERACY

TANGIBLE

The main idea of the CORE HOUSE is to provide a minimum essential living space.

In this plan the living room, the bed room and the loft provide three sleeping areas Obviously extra rooms or sheds maybe added at any time when required, on all or any of the four sides of the core house.

The extra height of the loft gives an overhang which will protect extra lean to roofing which may added later. There is enough room for a smokeless chula (wooden stove) and a latrine/ bathing room

CARPENTRY

CONSTRUCTION

SOCIAL PRODUCTION

EMBROIDERY

AGRICULTURE .Despite the perk of Awa khad river’s irrigation, there is only a single unit providing potable water, the well; the soul of the village. Acting as a communal ground , it provides: - Growth in the social aspect to women who traverse from village ends.

- An optimal and comfortable space for interactions, via discussions.

This collective communal building led to the current growth of their current educational example i.e. the high literacy rate

INTANGIBLE

OWNER MR. RAMESH TOTAL MEMBERS IN FAMILY - 4 POSSIBILITY OF HOMESTAY

TEMPLE

-The varietal vernacular organic approach in the construction techniques can be seen in the local built forms.

-People’s perspective towards their living conditions get influenced greatly by the outside context, but due to lack of skills in modern architectural applications, issues arose.

-The community’s strength is showcased by their approach to vernacular construction and mutually providing aid and technique to help build a structure.

The integrity of their historical craftsmen knowledge and its application is maintained via the elements like : -wall painting and folk art which follows the traditional rice painting methods.

-vernacular elements of aiding : collecting rocks and pebbles by the river bed are followed by the artistry of slate making in which people of varying ages contribute

In the wake of daily household activities, the women pursue the art of embroidery and sewing; A representation of folk art .

A much influential factor for them, takes place in the evening Aangan meets where they share ideas and materials, hence, enhancing their art skills.

This is a very communal way to teach and flourish the knowledge ,maintaining and enhancing the socio-cultural growth.

A communally constructive interruption to the social differences takes place in the alleys of the market place.

Significant number of retired officers, laborers, workers collect in the evening to converse about the issues and savour delicacies.

This provides another aid to build the communal relationships as it acts as a hub for social interactions..

The typology of housing in Odar is The Core houses. The core houses are built with a typical plan of 4 rooms on the ground floor, mostly used as bedrooms, and two on the first floor, used as kitchen and store.

The first floor is also provided with doors on the front facade so that they can be used to access the balcony in case any future extension takes place.

A First stage

C

B Second stage

Third stage

A

Slate Stone Roof MARKET

Being in the foothills of the Kangra valley, Odar has had the natural perk of a dense verdure.

As of now, the foliage has witnessed a tremendous depletion ,causing the timber requirements to be covered by the wood imported from nearby states.

The inhabitants consider their inherited traditional methods of construction and skill work of cultural significance.

Amidst the communal integrity, in many of the the living spaces there, backdoor carpentry work areas are set for such construction which improves their integrated social production.

CLUSTER 4

KHAD(WELL)

CORE HOUSES

Wooden rafters and split bamboo purlins

YES

Storage Kitchen First floor LVL + 2350mm

LVL + 2800mm

LVL + 2750mm

Mud flooring FIRST FLOOR PLAN

Bamboo mat

LVL + 100mm

LVL + 250mm

LVL + 100mm

Bamboo over wooden section GROUND FLOOR PLAN

HOUSE 01

HOUSE 03

LVL + 2400mm

LVL + 2400mm

VERNACULAR HOUSES VERNACULAR+CONTEMPORARY HOUSES CONTEMPORARY HOUSES

LVL + 0.00mm

LVL + 2950mm

LVL + 2950mm

OWNER MR. OM PRAKASH TOTAL MEMBERS IN FAMILY - 9 POSSIBILITY OF HOMESTAY

YES

CLUSTER 3

LVL + 2850mm

LVL + 2850mm

LVL + 3150mm

LVL + 3150mm

OWNER MRS. AHILYADEVI TOTAL MEMBERS IN FAMILY - 5 POSSIBILITY OF HOMESTAY

Mud walls Bedroom Ground floor

YES Stone plinth

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

CLUSTER 2

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

MOVEMENT MOVE LVL + 300mm

LVL + 300mm

LVL + 500mm

LVL + 400mm

LVL + 500mm

ISOMETRIC EXPLODED VIEW OF 80 YEAR OLD HOUSE OF ODAR VILLAGE, HIMACHAL PRADESH

LVL + 400mm

CLUSTER 1 LVL + 450mm

A

LVL + 450mm

LVL + 300mm

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

LVL + 0.00mm

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

LVL + 0.00mm

A’

As a Social Hindu community, one significant location is the Shiv temple.

The Panchayat is held at this site, under the indigenous Peepal tree.

Activities and fairs of religious importance like collective praying, Jagaratas take place here which enhance the communal aspects from a regional approach

Amidst the substantial vegetation in Odar, the main croplands are of rice and corn, also including the tea gardens and fruit-orchards.

Yet, in terms of economical aspects, they aren’t prospering sufficiently.

Social production can be vividly seen here, as the community collects in groups to work on a significantly greater land profile; for the transplantation of paddy, sowing of seeds and other farm works, hence maintaining the social communal integrity

ALL THREE HOUSES WERE BUILT ACCORDING TO THE GOLDEN RATIO, BY THE LOCAL CRAFTSMEN

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Never seen someone bedazzled in the first outlook to this place, what gets you to be awestruck?

Astounded by the visual delight of vernacular Architecture and its integrity, I wonder why external influences are being imposed so rigidly!

As modern techniques being a big influence and broadly applied, I should rather obtain these aspects, the vernacular approach won't be much effective and appreciable now!!?

CONCEPT Through maintaining the integrity of the vernacular, you will be improving economical aspects and staying put to the nearby sources would be rather advantageous.

How can that be done , what are the implications and moreover, why is the integrity of such a small settlement so important?

A peer of mine returned from a metropolitan city and like all the departed ones, he is greatly influenced too and is inclined

Odar, away from the highly influenced and denounced Andretta, has the opportunity to revitalize the colony to sensitize the residents and thereby influence tourists and architects towards creative expression the built form.

the vernacular Adobe brick construction is of great advantage to your location contest and maintaining it would rather influence them to flourish the vernacular integrity

Appreciating the efforts undertaken to maintain the the vernacular integrity of our village how will it be taking place?

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

We ideate to propose a cottage inspired by the venacular processes, via the modern techniques,to provide and enhance tourism by showcasing of the work here by providing Kala kaushal a communal art learning place here.

DESIGN MODULATION

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

PROVISION OF SHELTER FOR TOURISTS

ECONOMY GROWTH

FLOURISHMENT

KALA KAUSHAL

YOUTH

ABILITY AND TECHINIQUE DEVELOPMENT

WOMEN

SHOWCASING CULTURE TO TRAVELERS

EMBROIDERY & AGRICULTURE

RETAINING CULTURAL INTEGRITY

SHELTER MAKING PROCESS RETAINED

SOCIAL INTEGRITY

COLLECTIVE GROWTH

BETTER PROVISIONS FOR TOURIST

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTIVE SPACES BETWEEN DWELLINGS

3 < < FOLLOW YOUR SUSTAINABLE TRAIL

S.D.P.S.C.O.A.518

KALA KAUSHAL

TOURIST COTTAGE We have designed a model of a tourist cottage in every cluster keeping in mind the need for economical and social growth of the cluster.

These tourist cottage have been designed adopting the modern vernacular techniques. The tourist cottage is a part of the cluster which will give the locals the sense of pride in their vernacular than the contemporary they were trying to adopt and follow.

By this design intervention, the tourist will come to know about the social processes which the clusters produce namely weaving, embroidery, carpentry, shelter making process and farming. More over this also boosts the local economy, thus improving social well being.

SCALE 1:100 A

(

)

SLATE STONE ROOF SPLIT BAMBOO PURLINS BAMBOO MAT

TIMBER BEAM ADOBE BRICK WALL

SLATE STONE ROOF TIMBER BEAM ADOBE BRICK WALL

BAMBOO MAT BAMBOO OVER WOODEN SECTION

FIRST FLOOR

A

STONE PLINTH

GROUND FLOOR B

B’

STONE PLINTH A’

A’

SCALE 1:200

OBJECTIVE SECTION AA’

SECTION BB’

The objective was to design a platform for the people of the village to work on a large scale, within the village, as earlier the people present used to travel to Palampur to perform skilled work. This workshop will provide them with a common ground to work on, which will further enhance their local techniques and knowledge improving their skill work. The carpentry and the construction workshops will provide great opportunities for the youth of the village to devise their work.

This would increase their social interaction and economy of the village as the women of the village would also take part in the community kitchen provided in the Kala Kaushal and would serve the local people as well as the tourists.

Unlike the prior ways where the women were restricted to work on a domestic scale, now under influence and provisions, they’ll be taking active participation in the communal works, hence, influencing social interactions and augmenting economica growth via tourist advent

I DON’T THINK I HAVE EVER BEEN INSPIRED

BY WHAT OTHER ARCHITECTS HAVE DONE BUT MORE BY WHAT ORDINARY CRAFTSMEN HAVE CREATED. LAURIE BAKER

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