SANDEEPA VITHANAGE M.ARCH [UWE] / B.ARCH [UWE] SLIA II / RIBA II
“SUSTAINABLE URBAN (UTOPIAN) PODS”
A PROTOTYPE FOR ADAPTIVE RESILIENT HOUSING IN THE EVENT OF FLOODING @KELANI RIVER EDGE,PELIYAGODA
“REVIVING A LOST HERITAGE”
Pune Heritage Tower, India:
SUSTAINABLE HIGH RISE for
“HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION (HRI)”
@ Rajagiriya ,Colombo
“TOWER OF HOPE”
F A N T A S Y OF ‘FREEDOM’ & ‘ESCAPE’ VISITOR FACILITY CENTER @ MANNAR DUTCH FORT
“A TRANSFORMATION OF A CITY”
YOUTH PLATFORM: RATNAPURA
“A TRANSFORMATION OF A CITY” YOUTH PLATFORM:RATNAPURA CSA PART II / YEAR I – 2017/18
Ratnapura as epitomized by the name itself is the nature’s abundance of gems, the same asset that has given the island country its title ‘Ratnadeepa’. As a result the gem industry has remained the current predominant economic activity in Ratnapura and yet has failed to assemble an industrial frame work to function within which the city will be driven towards inclusive development. The livelihood of gem mining is one that could be fatal or glorious filled riches yet uncertainty. The economy of the city and its branches of development has been constricted to the gem industry. An entire economy resting upon a natural recourse that not only is on balance of unpredictable economic outcomes but will also eventually run out, as any natural resource does. Paradox of plenty or the ‘resource curse’ is the paradox that the countries/cities with abundant natural resources tend to have less economic growth than the countries/cities that in comparison with lesser natural recourses. The matter crucial here is that the effects of this paradox is not only economical but also social, cultural and political. One such retrogression is the flood that occurs twice year for the past two decades that cripples the day today lives of the people and brings down the city to dysfunctioning chaos. Yet this is neither irreversible nor inevitable. The key to spark an inclusive growth of socio-cultural, economic and political development is to aspire and influence the youth of the city to explore their possibilities and opportunities beyond the ritualistic livelihood of the gem mining. As a youth center the structure intends to transform with its young and energetic users. Providing many spaces equipped to open new doors for the young of the city and to inspire change; a different mindset or a way of thinking. The transforming qualities of the building extends from structure to spaces which intend to transform the building into an evacuation center during the floods. The youth center does not only influence its primary users but also the secondary and tertiary users. The change has to be one that influences the way people see things, do things, and how they think. A visual gesture is required to embody change and growth into the people, hence the selection of the site at the heart of the city which will also provide the opportune juncture to connect the people back with the river. It will rekindle the soothing qualities of the river that once nourished a rich social culture while the transforming forms will create a landmark for the city and a beacon of complete growth. Situated in the significant location connecting significant access paths a visual links the youth center offers not only guidance for the youth but also an urban center for the city. Due to the ability of the youth center to transform with the frequencies of the city life in a natural way it has the capability to become a connecting hub that shapes the community round it and link people to the vision of a better future.
“TOWER OF HOPE” – F A N T A S Y OF ‘FREEDOM’ & ‘ESCAPE’ VISITOR FACILITY CENTER @ MANNAR DUTCH FORT – CONSERVATION & REGINIONAL ARCHITECTURE CSA PART II / YEAR II – 2018/19
Visitor’s center which does not stand in isolation as a separate building but as an integrated series of spaces (sort of a journey through History, present towards the future) acting as a breathing point, a “TOWER OF HOPE” for the Mannar city. The heritage landmark (Dutch fort) which the site is based on provided a more than adequate platform for the purpose, because it reflects past and gives a special character to the communities and therefore should be conserved for future generations. Heritage buildings are a vital element of a country's social capital and that heritage conservation provides economic, cultural and social benefits to communities.
Mannar Fort (Tamil: மன்னார்க் க ாட்டை, translit. Maṉṉārk Kōṭṭai; Sinhalese: මන්නාරම් බලක ොටුව Mannaram Balakotuwa) is located on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It was built by Portuguese in 1560. The fort fell to the Dutch in 1658, and they rebuilt the fort in 1696. In 1795 the British occupied the fort following the surrender by the Dutch.It is a square-shaped fort with four bastions and is located next to the new bridge that connects the mainland with the Mannar Island.
SUSTAINABLE HIGH RISE for “HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION (HRI)” @ Rajagiriya ,Colombo CSA PART II / YEAR II – 2018/19
This building is about creating a delicate balance between built-nature, machineshumans by creating spaces where machines and human can cohabitate in harmony for future progress. Combination of spaces, movements and events change and creatively extend the structures that contain them. Building is not about form, it is about the performance of form. Not about shape, but about the logic of shape. Not about aesthetics, but how to adapt aesthetics to a contemporary use and create a common space, a testing ground to connect Humans & Machines to achieve the functional objective of the project.
Functional objectives Formation of a node for innovation, goods transportation and technological advancement, Hinder the need for imports and increase exports, Reduce gap between R & D and commercialization of innovative ideas, Create spaces for technological advancements and experimentation. Architectural objectives Creating architecture that is function specific to accommodate special requirements of the housed functions , To create maximum efficiency and productivity of functions by adaptive architecture , To create an environment that fosters innovation through spaces that aspires creativity, Becoming a portal for sharing novel technologies with the public and creating awareness. Also to create a delicate balance between built-nature, machines- humans by creating spaces where machines and human can cohabitate in harmony for future progress. The Building typology addresses two key aspects. Machine space with a strict technical requirement to satisfy its function and humans spaces that requires spaces fostering creativity. The Building is essentially a common space to connect Humans & machines to achieve the functional objective of the project.
“REVIVING A LOST HERITAGE”
Pune Heritage Tower, India:
Conservation and Urban Regeneration project Evolution of mankind today is accelerating the erasure of the past, trophies of progression and the relics of events of dissolutions; and the human of today has taken upon ourselves the responsibility of preservation and the ideology of submission to history. It is necessary to understand the significance of the convergence of the past, present and future to enable the growth of people and places. The heritage tower has lost its significance as it journeyed through the paradigms of growth of people, technology and infrastructure. 01.Relocation; of the heritage tower not only dissolves the spatial confusion but also preserves its architectural and historical value by imbibing it with exposure to the users of the context. This gesture celebrates its importance of existence. 02.Creating an intangible imprint that elevates its status of being, adds value to the heritage tower. This imprint is an actual physical gradation of respecting the preservation of elements of historical and contextual importance. 03.Celebration; of space, place and plane : This design is a social integration platform that brings together different users to a common ground. Which will not just revive the monopolized historical background of the context but also reign in the evolution of the future Places and people are entities that are created over time. The societal integrity that follows Placemaking is a crucial unquantifiable variable. This variable is the decisive element of the future of a place.
“SUSTAINABLE URBAN (UTOPIAN) PODS”
A PROTOTYPE FOR ADAPTIVE RESILIENT HOUSING IN THE EVENT OF FLOODING
-AS AN ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSE TO A RANGE OF PREDICTED DYSTOPIAN SCENARIOS@KELANI RIVER EDGE,PELIYAGODA
CSA PART II / YEAR III – 2019/20
Until the recent past, the concept of dystopia remained a fantasy, a fuel for imaginative visualization and an inspiration for technological advancement. But today, the current events of the world indicate that the dystopian future is now a presumed possibility. This observation drives the architect to a position of crucial responsibility in contributing to the health of the earth while consciously advocating by action against the adverse possibilities. This design solution is an attempt particularly to propose an utopian future solution for the dystopia created by rising water level, a major form of ultimate apocalypse; an environmental catastrophe. Academic interest of looking at hypothetical future events from an architectural point of view has been utilized towards looking at in advance possibilities of addressing two common unattended urban issues in a Sri Lankan urban fringe. ; Undeserved informal settlements and effect of riverbank flooding in the same. The low income community housing at lower riverbanks of “KelanI River”, Sri Lanka which undergoes annual scenario of flooding has been the focus to propose adaptive residential pods that would sustain the basic way of life in the event of flood.
The design explores how the way of life in the particular community could be made sustainable via architectural solutions proposed towards the neighborhood which would not compromise the quality of life during the dystopia created by floods. Further an attempt is made to propose an architectural prototype solution that could be later developed towards specific solutions to overcome the dystopia during floods. The design builds on the philosophical attempt of realizing “paradise in the catastrophe” as oppose to escaping it.
@ KELANI RIVER EDGE , PELIYAGODA
MACRO CONTEXT
Located in between the new and old Kelani bridges, the settlement is sandwiched within two main points upon the entry to the capital of Colombo. At a glance the settlement serves as an underserved edge which ideally needs to be relocated in order to maintain city beautification goals. Yet the formation of a community around the river and the market not only through physical means but social, cultural and economical means, the community garners potential to become a self sufficient cluster of urban living.
Therefore the design is developed considering the typically ‘’ bad ‘’ and ‘’ugly ‘’ place in to a healthy communal settlement which thrives on it’s own self sufficiency.
PSYCHO SOCIO PROFILE OF THE USER Within Kelaniya, the project is located in between the new and old Kelani bridges, and along the banks of the Kelani river and a canal – where high density underserved settlements are currently located. Flooding in the area is an annual occurrence; and one which the people have been struggling for decades.
Having lived off the edge of the Kelani river for over decades, the majority of the community has been struggling with flooding as well as having to live off an urban edge. The occupations of the community are more or less intertwined with the market while further within the community, is a quiet platform for drugs and drug related activities. Low economy levels of the community facilitates such activities. These layers of the community reflect the lack of opportunities the community is exposed to as well as the need for a novel and wider exposure. The community consists of 65% Sinhalese and 35% mixed with other minorities. Within this culturally diverse settlement, a number of religious places and institutions can be located in the present day. Identifying these as strengths, the design is developed to provide the lacking as oppose to a whole new solution. While the built density is higher, it was observed that the social spaces and open spaces are lacking.
TIME In the context study, time plays a major role when it comes to my design. While the design studies the current contextual conditions of a normal day and a disaster day, it further envisions a predicted apocalyptic future
The Design Problem Here Deals Directly With The Occurrence Of Flood. Flood Brings About A Temporary Layer Of Water Which Destructs Property And Disrupts Regular Life Style And Within A Matter Of Days Water Level Lowers.
Therefore The Design Solution Does Not Equip Itself With Permanence. Instead It Aims To Adapt To The Fluctuating Water Levels: Sustaining Property And Undisrupted Life Style For The Community. Therefore Three Design Typologies Are Given. Floating House: Caters To The Extreme Rise Of Water Level
Amphibious House: Adapts And Structurally Capable Of Rising Above The Water Level As Required
House On Stilts: A More Permanent Solution
Which Is Capable Of Enduring A Water Level Rise With It\s Raised Structure. It Also Allows The Use Of Land While Living In Higher Levels.
The Three Typologies Strategically Perform Under Normal To Extreme Conditions With The Single Intention Of Sustaining A Community Despite External Conditions. Their Positioning In Site, Formation Of Each Unit Typology And Design Structure Enables The Fulfilment Of Tha Intention As A Whole.
Amphibious Unit: Functions On Land And Water Adapting Itself
House On Stilts: Functions Above Water Floating House: Explores The Possibility Under Irreversible Extreme Conditions
DESIGN SOLUTION – The evolution of the pod and the formation of the cluster is based on the intensity of the exterior condition and the varied requirement of the user. While the main formation is guided by the manual and forms a self sufficient cluster, the living space of the module takes an organic form, in contrast to the linearity of the other modules. The organic form diverges when faced flooding and increased intensity forming a floating pod and then evolves in to an air born structure. Once the water overtakes the settlement base, the cluster of organic elements together will form an airborne settlement which is equipped with living conditions, material and technological support to relocate in a new base of favorable conditions.
EVOLUTION OF THE POD
SELF-SUSTAINED HOUSING UNIT
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SYSTEM AND MODULAR LIVING UNITS Designing for a community and their living units, it is essential to provide ultimate simplicity in usage as well as construction. Yet achieving this simplicity itself is a complicated process. Convenience of assembly, logical spatial configuration in identifying spatial efficiency and patterns of the community, construction materials and systems inspired by the skills of the user and composition of the whole system as a self sustainable system provides basis for the development of the modular. The advantage of a system of modular units in housing incorporates the ability to survive and facilitate their units in emerging economies with affordable means and limited resources. The modular system also allows capability to customize and adapt with changing requirements, internal and external conditions.
DIVERSIFIED BUILT FORM: THE STRATEGIC DESIGN OF THE LIVING ARRANGEMENT IS AT THE CORE WHEN THE BUILT FORM CHANGES ADAPTING TO THE EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES. TRANSITION BETWEEN CUBE TO A GEODESIC POD IS DONE STRUCTURALLY REPLACING THE PLUG IN UNIT KEEPING THE LIVING ARRANGEMENT INTACT. THE ROOF TOP IS STILL IN PLACE BUT THE SPAITIAL QUALITY IS TRANSFORMED IN TO A POD WITH HEXAGONAL SURFACE ARRANGEMENT. THE MULTI SURFACED GEODESIC POD ENABLES PLUGIN POSSIBILITIES TO MANY SURFACES OF THE EXISTING BLOCK. THEREFORE TRANISITION OF THE HOUSING UNIT IS STRUCTURALLY ENABLED BY THE FACTORY AND THE INTERIOR SPATIAL QUAILITY IS GRADUADLLY REPLACED FOR THE USER GIVING THEM TIME AND UNDERSTANDING TO UTILIZE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE POD. • THE TESSELATION BASED FORM GENERATION OF THE POD PROVIDES COMPLEX ASSEMBLY POSSIBILITIES STILL MAINTANING PRECISION AND CALCULATION THERFORE HIGHER IN EFFICIENCY • ENABLES STANDARDIZEDD PRODUCTION OF UNITS BASED ON COMPLEX REQUIREMENTS AND VARIATIONS WHEREAS THE BLOCK FORM PROVIDES ONLY LIMITED POSSIBILITIES. • THE LAOD DISTRIBUTION OF THE STRUCTURE IS EFFICIENT AND HIGHER IN STRENGTH • ENDURING EXTREME EXTERNAL CONDITIONS, THE DAMAGES CAN BE CONTAINED TO A SINGLE OR FEW MODULARS WHICH WILL NOT AFFECT THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE WHOLE UNIT. • PROVIDES ADAPTABILITY AND CUSTOMIZABLE STRUCTURAL POSSIBILITIES.
THE GEOSDESIC POD EXPANDS THE LIVING SPACES AND INCREASES THE VARIATIONS WITHIN THE CLUSTER AND WITHIN A SINGLE UNIT.
SELF-SUSTAINED CLUSTER HOUSING SYSTEM IN APPLICATION ON A REGULAR DAY It Should Be Noted That When Developing The Design Proposal As A Sustainable Innovative Solution, Understanding , That The Likeliness Of Occurring A Disaster Situation Is Seasonal And Infrequent, Is Factored In. The Scheme Is Developed Primarily To Achieve Sustainable Means As A Community Under Every Day Conditions And Practical Restraints Of Living In A River Bank. The Main Objective Is To Accomplish Self Sustainable Community Living Promoting Health And Well Being Via Active Social Interaction, Income Generation, Utilizing User Preference And Adaptation In The Housing Model. Design Of The Spatial Quality, Diversity Of Private And Public Spaces And Social Interaction Is Kept At The Core Of Design Intent Starting From The Living Unit To The Scale Of The Village As A Whole.
HOUSING SYSTEM IN APPLICATION ON A DISASTER SITUATION The Underlying Technology And Advancement Of The System Development Aims To Achieve Continuation Of Above Mentioned Self Sustained Livng Conditions Even Under Extreme Conditions Assuring The External Environment Does Not Disrupt The Community Life Style. The System Is Developed To Respond, Adapt And Benefit From Extreme Conditions Assuring The Needs Of The Community Are Met And The Self Sustainable Life Style Is Remained Intact On A Disaster Day.
LABORATORY STRETCH AND RESEARCH CENTER Proposed research center is an integral element of the housing scheme as it functions hand in hand with the design, contextualization, experimentation and implementation of the system. Since the proposed housing model is funded by NASA and intended primarily as a continuation of the experiment and prototype development beyond controlled environment to actual context, the research center fulfils the role of developing and enhancing the prototype fit for human use and survival whilst bridging the gap between user preference/familiarity and developed prototype. While the housing scheme promotes sustainable living beyond known means the research center promotes and develops technology and skill required by the user to utilize the prototype for it’s ultimate function.
GREEN & SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CONCEPTS