VANMALI SRIJAN PEETH

A design that interacts with people engages them with their environment and impacts the way they feel, think, and behave makes it more responsive. The main idea is to develop a surrounding that can mould, transform and evolve one's conscience according to the needs, emotions and requests of the user. So keeping in mind this design philosophy, this 60 years old residential complex is converted into a mixed-use space which will be a partial research and study centre, and a partial exhibition-cum-meeting space. The design tries to engage people in their immediate surrounding. Once a residence, the building saw the transformation of spaces, their environment and how the users grew in their emotions. Similarly, the new requirements will engage and evolve the interaction between the space and the user's conscience.

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Focusing on the layout of the complex, the ground floor is a partial exhibition space comprising a book counter, waiting area, exhibition room, and partial residence for guests comprising a bedroom, living area and kitchen space, a separate servant room. There are two different entries for the first floor. The main access opens on the office lobby followed by a meeting room, offices, magazine room and small pantry space. The terrace is among the main attractive points as space is used for small gatherings mostly for cultural activities involving slam poetry, music recitals and other assemblies.

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The design process involved marking the old structures, checking the strength and load of structures, marking out essential spaces which are to be retained and new spaces that need to be added. Trees are the essential commodities of this complex, hence, the design is done considering the girth and foliage of trees. The existing complex was a mix of old and new structures. As the family grew, rooms were added comprehensively on the above floors. So, there wasn't a proper link between the two floors. Subtraction of old walls and beams from the structure was among the major challenge as the structure is too old and is built on load-bearing walls. Also, the addition of new materials/ supporting structures meant a further increase in the dead load of the residence. So this entire work of subtraction and addition was required to be done simultaneously. The old RCC beams had depths ranging from 12 inches to 20 inches. This resulted in less clear height for internal spaces. Hence, steel beams were introduced to increase the span and the clear height in required spaces. Construction of a new staircase involved the demarcation of one of the major trees as its undulating girth ranges from 1 metre to 2.5 metres, it increased the difficulty in construction as the form of the staircase – flight, landing and width of the staircase, totally depended upon the placement and foliage of the tree. Similarly, other structural deformations were handled efficiently.

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The new materials were implied with older ones so meticulously that the residence retains its old shine. Keeping in mind this concept, materials such as exposed brick cladding, wooden rafters, granite panels, Bangalore jali, wooden panels and HPL sheets were introduced with plenty of steel sections, louvres and rafters, double glazed windows which gives a modern touch to complement the theme. Steel sections and beams are the predominant materials used for binding and load distribution. Creative use of stone and concrete blocks for pavers and wooden deck for the staircase helps in marking the walkways and parking spaces. No doubt greenery is the major design element as the entire complex is surrounded by lush green mango trees and a range of small plantations all inside the site. Most importantly, artificial lights play a crucial role in highlighting these design elements more creatively.

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