| Subject | Architectural Design |
| Session | 2022-23 |
| Year | 4th year B.Arch. |
| Course Code | 601 |
| Credits | 8 |
| Semester | VII |
| No of Studios per week | 8 |
| Examination Scheme Sessional Marks Theory Paper | Internal : 100 External : 100 Theory Paper : Total Marks 200 |
| Faculty | Subject coordinator : Prof. Rupali Vaidya |
| Faculty team |
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Aim
The Aim of the site was to develop the analytical skills and create an interactive learning environment for the students and to get authentic and accurate feel of the space for the further design.
Objectives
- To get spatial knowledge of the site and its surroundings than on mere papers.
- The get to know about the local cultural and lifestyle of people through interactions and interrogation.
- To get to know about the city and its prominent characteristics through documentation
- To collect all the related spatial data which would further direct the design process
About the Design Studio
The design studio for this semester is programmed to involve housing designed for Industrial workforce in MIDC area of Mahad city. A chemicals manufacturing company with a plant in MIDC, Mahad has two plots in its possession for housing its workforce and would like to have a housing design solution that responds to the climate of Mahad and that is easy to operate and maintain.The existing housing is to be demolished soon and is a live project.
A site visit was conducted on the 10th and 11th of June 2022 to the MIDC area of Mahad City, to know the local culture of the place and get an authentic and accurate experience of the site.
To get the utmost data collected in forms of sketches, photographs and video documentation the class was divided into eight groups, each focusing on the tasks allotted to them for documenting the site.
- Site Documentation : 3D modeling with neighboring context on Google sketch up
- Site Documentation – Plans and cross sections with neighboring context in Auto Cad
- Site Documentation – Physical model of the site with neighboring context
- Built context of the site – mapping spatial types in immediate context with photo documentation
- Climate analysis and Natural context of the site
- Access – pedestrian and vehicular
- Review and synopsis of MIDC regulatory guidelines
- Study of climate responsive architecture for tropical, coastal context.
Day 1: 10th June, 2022
On 10th June the journey to Mahad started at 7:00 a.m. from the college campus, accommodating a total of 75 students along with 5 faculty members in two buses. Making our way from the city traffic and other road conditions we reached Mahad city at around 12:00 and headed towards our accommodations. The accommodation was arranged in Mahad, whereas the site was in MIDC area which is located 14km away from the city. After having lunch we left for the site which is a housing colony for Laxmi Organics Industries Ltd.
Adhering to the strict instructions given to the students to not to interrupt the privacy of the residents, they formed their ways to observe and interact with the space and the context.
Since the workforce belonged to Laxmi Organic Industry, a visit to the factory was the next study destination, where the factory manager, Mr. Sathye was awaiting our presence and very humbly co-operated and answered all the questions that went his way.
Heading towards our way back, a short detour was taken to look around the Pidilite colony and its guesthouse, which also are known to be the well planned housing colonies in the MIDC. Weather had already started giving its differential indications and we called it off for the day and headed back to our accommodations. The day ended with the overview of the work done by the students, gathering their understanding and sharing of experiences. The session concluded with instructions for the next day which would be even more active and productive
Day 2: 11th June, 2022
With energy refill in the form of breakfast, two groups today headed in two directions.
Group 1 – To complete the site documentation and interact with the local people, collect more images and sketches and be sure that there is enough data collected.
Group 2 – Went to Mahad city to get an overview of the local culture both built and unbuilt, local market and observe the overall lifestyle.
Output of Site Visit to the Students
- The students visited the AD site in Mahad and conducted a site & contextual study which will set a base for their design process.
- The students visited and got acquainted with the operations and work culture of the employees of Laxmi Chemical Organics which will help them in their user studies.
- The students studied and photo documented the urban character of Mahad city.
- The socio cultural activities were mapped through interviews and interactions with the locals of Mahad city.
