Proposal for Pasang Lhamu Memorial Sherpa Park, Bouddha

EXPERIENCING AND C E L E B RA T I N G

PAS A N G L HA M U SH E R PA ME MOR IA L PA R K , N E PA L PRASAMSA POKHAREL NISHA RANA MAGAR

For years, the rapid unplanned urbanization in Kathmandu has led to severe problems of comprised sanitation, air pollution, squatter settlements, loss of public open spaces and so forth. What can we do to improve this situation and live a healthier life to improve urban ecology?

These vital questions have driven our thought process. We believe that it is high time to that we find answers to these questions.

The Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Park is a public space in one of the most polluted areas in Kathmandu: Chabahil. Its location near cultural and historical areas, emphasizes its innate potential for green space development. With a well-planned urban space, this park could improve the ever-degrading social relationship between people, ultimately improving the quality of life.

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, being the first woman mountain-climber, has inspired us to be headstrong and follow our dreams despite all odds. As an architecture student, we want to challenge ourselves and redefine the existing public space for social interaction amid the pollutions. Our effort to rethink public spaces and memorial parks is a sustainable design that would honour the achievement of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa. It could be a space to celebrate Pasang Lhamu's story and inspire women like us to follow our dreams.

EXPRESSION OF IN T EREST -2-

S I T E A N A LY S I S

SITE SURROUNDING ANALYSIS

SITE ANALYSIS

DESIGN BRIEF INTRODUCTION - LHAMU SHERPA MEMORIAL

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa is the first Nepali woman to conquer Mt. Everest on April 22, 1993 but lost her life while descending from the summit.

Her

glorious

achievement was celebrated by erecting a life-size sculpture in the memorial park of her name located on Boudhanath. The site

is triangular in shape with roads on all three sides, adjacent to Taragaon park separated by Pasang Lhamu Sherpa road on the north-east.

PROBLEMS

DESIGN STRATEGY

Lack of strong identity:

A place dedicated to celebrate the life of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa needs to provide

The sculpture of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa is

glimpses of her living to create a strong identity that would attract the public.

the only identity of the park.

CELEBRATION OF PASANG’S JOURNEY

Taking inspiration from her journey in the Himalayas, we would design an

Inaccessible:

elevated ramp of various ratios in metaphorical relation with her life activities

The boundary wall creates a barrier for

which would narrate her story. The murals on inner walls of the ramp would

the public.

glorify stories of Pasang and courageous Nepali women who have conquered mountains.

Lack of public engagement: The park is locked most of the time, and

EASE OF ACCESS

The interactive visual sculpture installation would only be perceived as the image of Pasang once we reach to the top of the ramp and the South-West road.

Removing the boundary walls and connecting the zebra-crossing to the site

there is no public engagement.

would provide an easily accessible park. Furthermore, providing wall climbing

Noisy and Polluted: The high traffic pollutes the site with noise and smoke

areas, the seating spaces would also create the pleasing vibe.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Planting trees, and creepers along ramp-ways would filter the dirt and noise.

We would use existing and native plants (Clematis, Black-eyed Susan and Blue mimosa) for enhancing the ecology of environment.

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SITE FEATURES

Visual pollution from advertisement boards

Exsisting sculpture of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa

Lack of public engagement

High Traffic

FORM DEVELOPMENT

Boundary wall

SI TE PLAN CIRCULATION DEVELOPMENT DIAGRAM

LEGENDS ENTRY a POLLUTION - FILTERING PLANTS b PASANG LHAMU SHERPA SCULP TURE c VIEW SPOT TO SCULP TURE d Circulation development

SEATING AREAS e WALL CLIMBING

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f

a

f

e

b

d

a

c

e

e

a

b

PERSPECTIVE SECTION

WALL CLIMBING

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NATIVE TREES

EXISTING PLANTS

PASANG LHAMU SCULPTURE

MURALS REPRESENTING FEMALE CLIMBERS’ STORY

VIEW OVER SCULPTURE

"I was not born as a mountaineer; I am a housewife, I am trying & hopeful I will succeed.

I am doing this to inspire other women"

- Pasang Lhamu Sherpa