CASE – STUDIES

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT:

• Manav Sadhna activity centre is an apt example of
innovative, contextually appropriate, socially responsible
and environmentally sensitive architecture for the improved
quality of life if the urban poor.

• It has demonstrated that waste can become a resource and

can be recycled as affordable and durable alternative
building components. It has aptly shown that building and
recycling processes can become economic empowerment
for the poor through value addition process of material
transformation.

• It has become the most plural and lively node for the
community providing education, vocational training, health
case as well as day care facility much needed in poor
MANAVSADHNA – ACTIVITY CENTRE
neighborhood.
• It has been an example of participatory process of building
using local skills and resources.
• It has also ably personified that design can help improve
quality of life and aesthetics can be personified.

Morning the Centre functions as a school for young children,

while, in the afternoon it offers vocational training to women
and young men from the settlement, helping them gain better
employment opportunities. In the evening the Centre serves as
a gymnasium for young men. The recently added crèche takes
care of toddlers from the settlement, while their mothers can
find employment opportunities. The Centre also has health
related camps on weekends. During festivals and holidays it
serves as a major congregation area for the entire squatter
settlement thus outreaching all its classes.
ESI is a reminder ENVIORNMENTAL SANITATION INSTITUTE
The Gandhian philosophy and institution program
requirements are strictly followed in this space. By creating
an informal space environment the visitors will have a
scene of their own space and its responsibility for
cleanliness.

A wide range of series of junctions and long corridors as

the connectivity of adjacent spaces will create a feeling of
traveling through the wood by identifying our destinations
like we are our-self discovering the path of our life.

ESI (Environmental Sanitation Institute) is a reminder for us

that we keep forgetting about Gandhian values on the
prior occasion of our nation facing health and sanitation
problems all around Indian despite urban and rural areas.

Institutions like these are speaking to us through the

space about the importance of sanitation and health in our
daily life.
The contrast in material colors and textures will create a
sense of truth to material and construction technologies.

The program doesn’t consider the age group participation

of people is rather considered the instruction of admin.
The Gandhian idea of learning together is adapted here.
Common Facilitation Centre, Agra by Node
Urban Lab
The Common Facilitation Centre is divided into
three zones: public, social interactive, and private.
The public zone features a large foyer with
interactive nodes, while the social interactive
zone includes a multifunctional courtyard and
open exhibition spaces. The private zone houses
workshops and an open terrace. The design
integrates recreational, breakout, and interactive
spaces, offering versatile uses such as craft
displays, exhibitions, and community activities. A
bright color palette breaks traditional design
norms. Achieving the desired façade involved
intricate brick weaving, challenging due to the
craftsmanship required with high-quality burnt
clay bricks. Contextually and socially relevant, the
design integrated glass windows behind the
exposed brick jali façade, considering climate
factors.
Water-Moon Monastery by KRIS YAO |
ARTECH
The Water-Moon Monastery stands quietly
facing the Keelung River, with Mount Datun as
its picturesque backdrop. Beyond two walls that
separate the bustling highway from this
ethereal space, an 80-meter-long lotus pond
unveils itself, reflecting the shrine at its distant
end

The exterior wall adjacent to the main

hall features the 5,180-word Diamond
Sutra, engraved in large Chinese
characters on precast concrete panels.
Each perforated character harks back to
ancient Chinese movable type, bridging
the primitive and modern through
contemporary fabrication techniques.
As daylight filters through these
apertures, the Buddha’s teachings are
projected as a text of light in the
interior spaces, and after the rain, the
script reflects on the still-wet
pavements outside. This unique sutra
presentation complements the
monastery’s design and, coupled with
the serene surroundings, silently
conveys the underlying philosophy of
the aphorisms.
Sanya Cultural District by Zaha
Hadid Architects
Yang Liping Performing Arts Center
By STUDIO PEI ZHU
Situated between the Cang
mountain chain which reaches
4,000 meters in height, and the 40
kilometers long Lake Erhai, the city
of Dali, a significant stop of the
ancient tea and horse road, is an
important tourism destination.

As with mountains and valleys, the

strong shape of the roof reflects
the more organic landscape below
and points to the old Chinese
principle of yin and yang, where
two opposites, indoor theater and
outdoor theater, form a whole
together. Formally expressed as
organic-shaped hills, the partly
sunken spaces become like a
natural garden landscape,
promising a high experiential
quality, which continues into the
public theatre inside.
Guggenheim Helsinki by BF Architecture
The design of the new Guggenheim Museum is simple and strong, serving
as a city landmark. Its appearance is derived from the “Genius Loci”. The
bidirectional axis of the urban grid defines the torsional motion of the
volume. The museum itself is a work of art mutated to emphasize the
breathtaking panoramic views from the sides. Surround all three churches
with different views, panoramic views, changing appearance at different
angles. Therefore, museums continuously provide free art to their
surroundings.

A footbridge welcomed visitors from Tähtitornin Vuori Park to the

Esplanade, attracting visitors to seasonal outdoor program spaces and
museums. This allows the area to attract and fill with dynamism where
the inside and outside interact. The Esplanade with its café/bar can also
be accessed from the city side via a staircase that can be used as a
seating area for performances.
RAJASAMAND LAKE
The Rajsamand Lake, which is 4 miles long and 1.7 miles broad, is roughly 60
feet deep and a sight to behold. The Nauchowki, which translates to “nine
pavilions,” is a white marble embankment located at the lake’s southern edge.
The Nauchowki’s stone steps, as well as the marble terraces, are equally
impressive and touch the lake’s water

There may be several reasons Raj Singh undertook construction of a lake of

such large scale. It is mentioned that while travelling to Jaisalmer, Raj Singh
had to stop for 3 days due to large volume of water in the river, so he thought
of stopping the river and building a pond around it.
Raj Singh was known to be quick tempered and in his lifetime, he had
executed one of his sons, wife, a Brahmin and a Charan.
One of his queens, mother of prince Sardar Singh wanted her son to succeed
the throne instead of elder prince Sultan Singh, for which she created
suspicion in the mind of Maharana. Thus, Raj Singh executed his son, Sultan
Singh. Thereafter, the same queen now conspired to kill Raj Singh in order for
her son to ascend the throne, but the Brahmin cook who was supposed to
poison Raj Singh was caught and the whole conspiracy was revealed. Thus, the
conspiring queen and the Brahmin cook were both executed on the orders of
Raj Singh. Sardar Singh, who was unaware of the conspiracy, committed
suicide by eating poison.
In another incident, Udaibhan, a Charan who was a tazimi sardar, arrived in
the royal court to find that Raj Singh did not rose up to greet him as was the
custom. Construing it as a sign of disrespect, Udaibhan loudly derided the
Maharana in the court while a meeting with a Mughal noble was going on,
finalizing a treaty between the Mughal Empire and Mewar. Raged at the
insult, Raj Singh lost his temper and attacked Udaibhan, killing him in the
court.
Later, Raj Singh consulted his purohits to find a way to redress these killings
and it was suggested that he build a large pond or lake.
 STRENGHT WEAKNESS

Sakshi

OPPORTUNITY
SWOT ANALYSIS THREAT
Program: Brief:Mission: To establish a world-class skill development centre that
1. Administrative Block: empowers individuals with industry-relevant skills, promoting
- Reception and waiting area employment and entrepreneurship in the region.
- Offices for centre management and staff Objectives:
- Conference and meeting rooms 1. Provide high-quality training in various trades and skills
- Library and resource centre 2. Foster industry partnerships for job placement and entrepreneurship
2. Training Blocks: opportunities
- Classrooms for theoretical training 3. Promote sustainable practices and environmental awareness
- Workshops for practical training 4. Create a supportive and inclusive learning environment
- Labs for specialized training (e.g., IT, electrical, plumbing) 5. Contribute to the economic development of the region
- Demonstration areas for hands-on learning Target Beneficiaries:
3. Vocational Training Areas: 1. Youth (18-35 years) from nearby villages and towns
- Spaces for training in specific trades (e.g., carpentry, masonry, welding) 2. Unemployed or underemployed individuals
- Equipment and tool storage 3. School dropouts or those seeking alternative education
4. Common Facilities: 4. Entrepreneurs and small business owners
- Cafeteria and dining area Design Considerations:
- Auditorium and multipurpose hall 2. Contextual and sustainable design
- Sports and recreation facilities 2. Accessibility and inclusivity
- Hostel accommodations for trainees (optional) 3. Flexibility and adaptability
5. Sustainable Features: 4. Integration with natural surroundings
- Solar power generation 5. Cultural sensitivity and local materials
- Rainwater harvesting Infrastructure and Amenities:
- Greywater reuse 3. State-of-the-art equipment and tools
- Organic waste management 2. Wi-Fi and digital connectivity
- Green spaces and landscaping 3. Library and online resources
4. Sports and recreation facilities
5. Medical facilities and first aid services
London eye

Space
needle