Design Development
CONCEPT: Expression of Stratum
The central factor in experiencing our environment are connectivity and integration. Humans usually allure themselves to any contrasting ornamentation or the continuity and connectivity of any design. The Stratum here refers to the layers of elements that connect with each other so that overall, a bigger picture shows the connecting hierarchy of spaces. The concept revolves around the strategy to bring in connectivity and integration of spaces and express them in the form of various gradual layers or hierarchy in the design. Here, the concept is seen in the form and planning of the project along with some materials to guide the design justification as well.
1. Site Synopsis:
The concept strongly derives itself from the surrounding and context in which the site is located. Taking site analysis into sheer focus, we could see how the differentiation of space and contexts were present in and around the site. The architectural configuration of Budol (Dhulikhel) area consisted of rapid urban sprawl towards the tilted west where the population seemed to get denser as it spread from the Kathmandu Valley. With various modern structures as we proceed from Banepa area, the north-western region comprises of developing and growing scenario therein.
However, a drastic change is seen at the exact opposite direction, the south-east region of the site. At this end, the rural essence of the Kavre district are reflected as the structures and scenarios are old, traditional and rustic. The undisturbed nature can be seen merging with the houses placed there. The sparse settlements depict as if the urban sprawl is yet to take over the eastern region.
2. Conceptual Development:
Looking at the southern and northern portion of the site, it is not just about the concentration of architectural expression but also the natural expression. The variation is seen also in natural elements along with building structures. Seen from the section above, we can make out the manner in which the terrains and vegetations behave. The portions both above and below the site (north and south respectively), consist of steep contours ascending from south to north, the reason why any structures are barely made there. The site sits in between the growing contours and fortunately, a big portion of the site is flat due to which there is possibility of adding life to it. It can be seen how the northern portion consists mostly of dense vegetation and southern portion consists of sparse vegetation. These areas lack the space for communication and socialization due to vegetation and agricultural lands.
3. Design Approach:
The major objective of the concept here is to express the differences around the site and connect them from the project. Since the east- west portions vary immensely regarding architectural context and the north- south portions vary in natural context, the site I chose plays a key role in connecting the discontinued and bring forth the hierarchy of spaces as design progressed.
Thus, keeping these aspects into consideration, the point of departure is drawn out where a central communicating space is developed and draws more people in the research center. The central space/s cater public interaction and are surrounded by various building blocks, making it behave like a courtyard.
The design is aimed to adapt as the connecting factor of the discontinuing surrounding, bringing a sense of gradual change and hierarchy in built structures as well as open spaces. Hence, the design approach labeled – An approach to connect the architectural differentiation via hierarchy of space.
4. Development of Axes:
a. Two major axes are defined according to the site analysis and the nature of the site:
• Axis -I: This axis connects the discontinuing hierarchy of settlements from north-west to south-east. This axis denotes the connectivity of people, such that a central space developed in the site acts as a public interaction space.
• Axis -II: This axis connects the discontinuing variation of nature and vegetation from north-east to south-west. Since it intersects with the axis-I, the intersection now creates a space where nature is celebrated along with life.
b. Orientation:
The orientation of the central space now tilts along the two axes and thus the built forms developed around the central space also gets tilted accordingly. This then divides the central space to two major spaces.
From the building science point of view, the tilt gives maximum exposure to daylight from the south as well.
c. Defining the Blocks:
The programs guide the positioning and the size of the blocks and the interrelation of spaces are established consequently. Those spaces which required shared programs and those that required particular programs are adjusted and blocks now get more specific/developed.
d. Establishment of hierarchy:
As the blocks now get specifically divided, the spaces become clearer and the alternation of open and built spaces are maintained such that there is the provision of space hierarchy. Due to such space hierarchy, the major aim of the concept, which is to guide the user from an infinite scale to human scale which gradually adjusts the psychology of the user visiting the center. A series of courtyards helps to guide users to various spaces of surprise, just like our traditional courtyards.
5. Form development and Zoning:
The form development also follows the principle of hierarchy as the blocks tend to ascend along with the contours. With the programs taken into consideration, the blocks take up a volume according to their position along the axes. The bulk of the volume are then divided such that a simple hierarchy is maintained, ascending from south to north, just like the site context itself.
The zoning has been done in two major steps; general zoning and specific zoning. The general zoning initially divides the site from the axis-I. The private and public zones are divided, taking all the aspects around the site into consideration.
Specific zoning then comes into play when the areas get divided surrounding the central courtyards. The zones directly connected to the primary road are more public zones, mainly parking, admin, library, café and gallery spaces. On the other hand, the spaces connected to secondary access bring out comparatively private space; research blocks, workshop block and staff accommodation in particular.
6. Identity:
The developed masterplan is a product of various references from case studies, analyses and site study. In addition, conceptual visualizations were altered several times to attain the amalgamation of both traditional as well as modern outlook in the masterplan. Taking design inspiration from modernism style of building design, simple blocks were positioned with various connections and penetrations. Associated with an analytical approach to the function of buildings, a strictly rational use of (often-new) materials, an openness to structural innovation and the elimination of ornament, the characters of modernism are made to reflect in every way possible.
The planning of built and open spaces is done as per the site zoning, user requirements and access to the site. With the specified zoning developed further, the masterplan retains the essence of narrow alleys that lead towards the open courtyards that function as main communal space.
The developed masterplan consists of various accesses and approaches within the site as shown in the picture above. The routes merge within the landscapes such that proper movement is obtained and thus the circulation in and out of the site could be easily justified. The circulation includes access routes for visitors, researcher and general staffs along with service routes, emergency circulation spaces and universal access at various positions in the site.
7. General Planning:
The site consists of two entrances, one from the western portion; primary road, for the public and the other from the eastern portion; secondary road, for the private researchers. From the public entrance, it gets the user up to the parking space and then towards the raised plinth that consists of administrative block upfront. Just beside it, towards the western region, is the reference library that caters the users for them to acquire any knowledge related to medicinal and aromatic plants. The central courtyard consists of greenery itself and the courtyard is surrounded by gallery block at its north-west, workshop block at the north and a connection of workshop block with the café situated at the eastern portion of the public courtyard. The café just separates the courtyards into public and semi-public courtyards.
The connecting bridge from the cafeteria creates a sense of privacy at the second courtyard that is surrounded by the research block wholly from three sides. The research block can be accessed from the private parking space at the east as well. The researchers can access the block at various levels as their specific user preference. At the upper contours, towards the east, the service lane consists of a ramp that guides the service vehicle directly to staff accommodation block. The service road goes towards the storeroom of the workshop block and ends at the gallery space. This road has been developed according to the frequency of usage of materials/goods in various blocks.
The north-western portion of the site consists of a medicinal garden that acts as the breakout space from the gallery as well. Similarly, northern portion consists of another natural entity, the learners’ plantation space for workshop users to plant their own medicinal and aromatic plants. Finally, the topmost contour consists of water services block at the east. The northern portion of the site consists of forest area that continues towards the site as well.
8. Architectural Expression:
The overall design of the research center is in Modern form. The ample use of glazing, concrete panels, wooden panels and louvers contributes in achieving functional and modern look to the complex. The courtyards and the interconnecting green strips are the elements to make the building breathe. In case of interior spaces done by double height rooms and mezzanine floors. The landscape is developed with respect to the sides of the site.
Inspired by the design of The Falling Water by master architect Frank Lloyd Wright, it helps to justify that as the building emerges from the site, it can still complement natural elements in the site even with rigid lines and does not necessarily have to be fluidic lines in the built form.
9. Basic COVID Analysis:
One of the highlights of 21st century today remains the existence of COVID-19. With the whole world pushed back to lockdown, it has taught us that architecture should actually respond to such pandemic from as many angles as possible. As an architect, we try our best to establish a building that is specific to its purpose. However, the pandemic has taught us that in such emergency scenarios, there must be a provision to convert any given building into temporary quarantine spaces.
Since this project, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Center, is closely related to the field of medicines, it would be wise enough to think about at least one major portion of the complex to be analyzed well enough for COVID emergencies. Thus, the research block itself has been designed keeping in mind about the possibilities of the building to be converted into a temporary quarantine zone. The research block consists of labs spaces that need to be sanitized and sterilized thoroughly. This was the plus point for the COVID analysis because it is exactly the type of cleanliness needed while patients are in quarantine.
General zoning has been drawn out for converting the block into a quarantine zone with labs and growth rooms being converted for potential quarantine chambers and the common lobby spaces being kept for taking up patients and providing space for authorized visitors. Entering chamber remains the same as it becomes one vital part during this alternate zoning. The partition walls in labs are mobile and thus one whole hall can be occupied for quarantined patients if needed.
