SANGATH
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Architect:- Balkrishna Doshi
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Location:- Ahmedabad, India. Date:- 1979-81 Building Type:- Architectural + Planning Offices & Research Activities
Construction System:- Vaulted Roofing, Brick column, R.C.C
Climate:- Hot & Dry
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Sangath means moving together through participation. The purpose of this complex is to encourage activities in the fields of fine and technological art. The complex hopes to provide for occasional demonstration and exhibitions in the fine arts . Spaces will be provided to study crafts, architecture and built environment. Architecturally, it is an attempt to build spaces suitable to the climate and develop structure and form which can evoke local ethos. The Guests will be invited to stay, work and discuss their views on cultural needs.
Introduction "Sangath" is a design laboratory where professionals from diverse disciplines are invited to explore new visions, concepts and solutions integrating arts, crafts, engineering Sangath to see that each individual in the coming millennium is benefited from its visions and design solutions. Balkrishna.V.Doshi
Building Description The sangath complex is located west of ahemdabad city on the edge of the countryside. The building complex called "Sangath" has a total floor space of 585 square metres It is located on a flat 2425 square metres site on the fringe of Ahmedabad in India. The complex is an ensemble of vaulted and flat roofed buildings of differing heights juxtaposed(put side by side) at a number of varying angles and arranged around a large, terraced entrance court. The court contains a fountain surrounded by split level pools The two units facing the entrance court rise to a triple height and house an architect's office, conference room, lounge, and service area on the ground floor.
Building Description Conference room Accounts
Design Studio Printing Entrance
Work shops Meeting room Lounge
Stair UP Enginners
Doshi Court Office
Multipurpose room Amphitheatre
Library
N GROUND FLOOR PLAN
Entry area fountain
Recycled glazed mosaic tile chips; vaulted roofs divided for extra light Terraced court leading to main entrance areas; split level fountain, vaulted roofs
Building Description First and second floors house the Vastu-Shilpa Foundation and guest area. Pantry
Vastu Shilpa Foundation
Court
Entrance Court Toilet up DN
Guest House
N FIRST FLOOR PLAN
Vastu - Shilpa Foundation
Court
Entrance Court DN DN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
• Service Design studio
Accounts Conference
Road
Court
Entrance Court
Section A-A V.S.F
Lounge
Section B-B
Conference
ROOF PLAN
Building Description
Side entrance, angled walls
Mosaic tiles, shuttered concrete
• WEST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
Building Description Some of the buildings have been sunk below ground level so that certain vaulted roofs rise only to eye level.
Main entry area; flat and vaulted mosaic tiled roofs; sunken areas with glass block ceiling lights.
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The entire complex is contained within a walled rectangular area. The design studios are housed in a double height volume surmounted by two vaults; between them lies a flat roofed area that permits light to enter the end-walls of eacn vault. It is an office and the vastu-shilpa foundation, which serve as a centre to encourage research activity in the fine arts and technology.
Design and Construction The architect sought to express his ommitments and values concerning the relationship between culture, energy, tradition and architecture in the design and construction of his office.
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The vaulted form used at first minimally was later developed and extensively to relate to Indian sensibilities. The vaulted roofs, separated by lower, flat surfaces ,were designed to make the best use of natural light.
The pools were developed as a natural cooling system .
Mosaic tiles ,purchased as waste material ,were used as an inexpensive means to reflect harsh sunlight and thereby reduce heat absorption.
Design studios with smooth floors and rough textured ,vaulted ceiling interiors.
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Modern interiors
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Ferro-concrete cavity vaults with high insulation values are used on upper floors. Infill is brick masonry and facades are either mosaic tile or cement plaster. Decoration is based on construction materials with the exposure of shuttering impression on concrete ceiling contrasted to smooth, red oxide cement floors. The structural system is post and beam with re-inforced concrete slabs. All material and the 60% skilled labour force were of local origin Re-inforced concrete was cast on –site.
Introduction In order to ward off the acute housing shortage in Indore,The low cost housing project at Indore, named Aranya (meaning forest), is an innovative exercise undertaken by the Indore Development Authority (IDA), with the assistance of the World Bank & the Housing & Urban Development Corporation. The site of Aranya Township is located on the Bombay- Agra highway, about 6km north of Indore’s City center.
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction Conceived as a mixed development primarily intended for the urban slum dwellers of Indore. This rectilinear site measuring 86 hectares is designed on the idea of site & service basis, to accommodate over 6500 families (dwellings). The township was planned to accommodate initially a population of 40,000, which is likely to rise to 70,000 eventually, thus achieving a gross density of 461 to 808 persons per hectare. The development scheme provides for 7,271 mixed- income housing plots, ranging in area from 35 to 475sq mts.
Objectives of the Township Project Creation of an integrated human habitatsuited to the lifestyle & cultural background of the people. Site & Services approach- to serve, primarily, the economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society within a balanced matrix of other income groups. Blending within the urban fabric of Indoreretaining a unique & distinct identity of its own within which various social & economic activities can flourish.
Objectives of the Township Project Proposal in terms of income distribution , plot sizes, requirements for various facilities & amenities- to enhance the land use, marketability & project surplus & to establish the framework for qualitative improvement of the built environment in a manner which takes into account the corresponding physical, functional, technological, & financial constraints. Vitality- Development to support sociophysical aspirations of the community. Imageability- Built form to impart identity & inculculate a sense of belonging among the inhabitants.
Objectives of the Township Project Equity- To create equitable balanced community with satisfactory levels of environmental qualities & opportunities for all. Efficiency- To realize development that optimizes nature, material as well as human resources to the advantage of the user group.
Flexibility- To evolve framework that absorbs with the ease the progressive change & growth as a part of natural development process. Feasibility- To ensure development within given legal, fiscal & organizational milieu.
Concept Planned in the tradition of an Indian bazaar.
Clarity in various hierarchies- related to levels of accessibility, to achieve human scale & imageability- essential for the vitality of the settlement. Grouping of various non-residential activities- to create a focus. Incremental expansion of houses for EWS by themselves- to stimulate the selfhelp principle within the community.
Concept Deep plots with maximum possible foundations & partition walls- to economise on the resources & to reduce the road lengths & service lines. Clustering pattern of Plots- reduces high density while encouraging social interaction.
Avoiding Segregation- to achieve balanced mix of various income groups.
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References
References
References
References
Planning Checklist Based on the evolved hierarchies a comprehensive checklist of desirable design considerations was compiled as follows:
(i) Planning at the Township Level Focus to the Township. Overall cohesion of different areas & activities. Formation of an environmental area by discouraging through traffic. Incorporation of all basic community & institutional facilities. Placement of community & central facilities within easy reach.
Planning Checklist Provision of well ordered hierarchy roads. Provision of well ordered hierarchy of open spaces. Provision of well ordered hierarchy of commercial spaces. Provision of design population densities to accommodate future growth. Ensuring that overall land use & marketable areas reflect economic planning in the Indian context.
Planning Checklist (ii) Planning at the Sector Level Maintaining context with the land. Using natural features & landmarks construand efficiently. Reflecting the local, historical characteristics in the built form. Encouraging interaction & integration amongst income/ social groups. Fostering a viable community at each sector. Promoting multiple & overlapping land uses.
Planning Checklist Segregation of Pedestrian & vehicular movement. Optimizing land use, roads & other infrastructures. Provision of a sense of boundary to each sector. Provision of local facilities within easy reach. Provision of well distributed open spaces for various activities. Provision of defined entry points & discouraging through vehicular traffic.
Planning Checklist (iii) Planning at the Community or the Street Level
Promoting person to person contact through cluster of human scale. Providing individual character to each cluster. Creating a functionally sympathetic & a aesthetically pleasing street environment. Provision of spaces for social & religious activities. Promoting income generation at cluster level.
Planning Checklist Providing all essential amenities & utilities to every street. Defining clearly each cluster’s territory & the sense of entry. Having regards for pedestrians. Optimizing cluster patterns for economic infrastructure provision & easy access.
Aranya Low-Cost Township Indore, MP (1981-1990) B.V.Doshi, Vastu-Shilpa Foundation, Ahemedabad.
Planning Checklist (iv) Planning at the Dwelling Level Making the dwellings sensitive to the lifestyle & the daily needs of the people. Giving each unit, a rich, unique identity. Integrating the spaces within & outside the dwelling. Maintaining privacy within & from outside the dwelling. Considering orientation, light, crossventilation, etc for natural climatic control.
Planning Checklist Allowing for vertical & horizontal expansion of the dwelling in the future. Providing rear- access for sub-letting bicycle, cattle etc. Study the efficiency of plot sizes, walls, foundations & internal circulation. Using appropriate materials & construction methods. Make the dwelling simple & economic to encourage the self-built approach.
Planning Checklist (v) Planning the Sanitary Services Ensuring full privacy to the W.C. & wash area. Providing safe & adequate sanitation for all families. Considering the environmental impact of the sanitation core. Integrating the sanitary facilities within the dwelling. Making the sewage system adaptable to alternative treatment/ disposal methods.
Planning Checklist Considering energy conservation & the recycling of waste. Radically streamlining the services to reduce costs & ensuring easy maintenance. Proposing economic planning of services, structure, sub- structure & cores.
Design Evolution
Design Evolution The settlement is conceived as agglomeration of 6 self contained neighborhood. Their size & organization incorporates all the neighborhood facilities such as schools, medical centres, shops etc. in appropriate quantities to sustain community life. Topography of the site was important determinant in planning roads & other service networks to maximize use of gravity flow & minimize cut & fill of land.
Master Plan Evolution
Master Plan Evolution
Master Plan Evolution
Master Plan Evolution
Master Plan Evolution Built form of the town centre raised above that of the other structures- to accentuate its visual impact as a node. The linear town-centre, consisting of 4 clusters of shopping, residential & office complexes, is located such that it is within a 10-min walking distance form the remotest part of the site. Each of the four clusters of the mix land use has large shops on the ground floor, facing the spine, & smaller shops & workshops facing the courtyards.
Master Plan Evolution
Hierarchy & Distribution
Hierarchy & Distribution
Hierarchy & Distribution
Hierarchy & Distribution
Open Space Typology Open spaces are interlined to form a pedestrian network connecting the whole settlement. The open spaces at the township level consist of a formal playground & public spaces along the bazaar. At the sector level the open areas are organized in the middle of each neighborhood as a continuous space, providing easy pedestrian access from each sector to the town centre.
Open Space Typology
Sectorial Green or Pathways
Open Space Typology
Sectorial Green or Pathways
Open Space Typology
Public Squares or Nodes
Open Space Typology
Public Squares or Nodes
Open Space Typology
Cul de Sac - Clusters
Open Space Typology
Cul de Sac - Clusters
Open Space Typology
Service Slots
Open Space Typology
Service Slots
Circulation Network Road network- connects the town centre but discourages traffic with staggers & twists. Converging of roads & open spaces at the central spine-To highlight the spacial organization.
Non rectilinear alignment of streets with varying widths, bends & widening are provided to accommodate range of spontaneous human activities.
Circulation Network
Circulation Network
Circulation Network The formal street network draws the vehicular traffic outward to the perimeter road while pedestrian traffic on the informal pathways & open space network flows in the opposite direction achieving clear & safe segregation of slow & fast moving traffic.
Circulation Network
Path & Linkages
Path & Linkages
Path & Linkages
Plots To avoid strict segregation of various income groups & to foster community feel, mutual interdependence between various income groups have been combined & arranged in concentric rings of plots of diminishing sizes. Bigger plots at the periphery of each sector- to provide vehicular access. The smaller plots are centrally placed along with public facilities & have pedestrian access.
Plots
Sector Plan
Dwellings Each dwelling has its own compound & territory, which encourage social interaction & supports a way of life of the user group. Like mohallas of traditional towns, dwellings are grouped to create small cluster spaces in a form of short streets, or cul-desacs or open squares.
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings Dwellings are oriented north- south & arranged as row houses so that minimum of incident solar radiation will be absorbed by the walls.
Dwellings At Aranya, variations in, entrances, staircases, verandah, balconies & fenestration, within the standardized layout, help each house gain a unique character. These variations not only enrich street façade, but also help user express their identity. This arouses a sense of belonging in the user, essential to the healthy development of any living environment & its subsequent maintenance.
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Dwellings
Commercial Services Various commercial activities, social amenities & utilities are located all along the open spaces at sector level, resulting in an even distribution of these facilities throughout the settlement. For identity, access equity & cohesive functioning the commercial, community & recreational amenities, required for all, are located in a linear spine in the centre of the settlement while convenient shops & other neighborhood facilities are dispersed to be accessible to walking distance.
Commercial Services The service slot has been integrated as design element breaking the continuous built mass & becoming useful play area for children with platform for neighborly interaction. The hierarchy of commercial activities coincides with the street hierarchy.
Formal commercial outlets are along major arterial roads while informal shopping areas occur along narrow streets & open spaces throughout the settlement.
Commercial Services
Sector Plan
Commercial Services
Service Infrastructure
Service Infrastructure
Service Infrastructure
Service Infrastructure
Service Infrastructure
