Blurring Edges

ARGUMENTATIVE QUESTION

The Portuguese fort at Moti Daman is guarded by a strong wall with thickness of stone which creates two different ecologies on either side of it with minimal or no engagement with each other. The wall is a solid block which over the years has embedded itself in the landscape. Owing to the heritage status within the fort complex, the conditions remain as it is. However, on the outside one sees radical transformations with proposed promenade/coastal road. The ecological scapes which are noted inside the fort as the vegetation/flora takes over the older structures is seen to diminish and vanish towards the curated and manicured landscapes as one approach the beach.

How does one blur the hard edge boundary of the fort wall to connect the inside and outside ecologies?

ARGUMENTATIVE DRAWING

·        Vegetation outside the fort is very less compared to the inside of the fort.

·        Very less birds and animals could be seen outside the fort wall. The animals and birds if found then they were under some shadow.

·        The prison is defunct and in ruins.

·        There is only one eatery inside the entire fort and very few resting spaces.

·        Lesser human activity in the morning as compared to the evening.

·        There is no proper shade outside the fort for protection from the harsh sun in the mornings. 

·        Only one entrance to the fort near the promenade.

INTENT

To activate the edges by blurring the boundary between the fort and the promenade by getting people from inside the fort to the outside, and locals, tourists from the outside to the inside.

PROGRAMME

Eating Space along with a kitchen and Resting Spaces to promote interaction and dialogue amongst people during their lunch breaks and evening siesta. Learning, information space - " A Museum Library" to connect the visitors to the local history, culture and ecology.  Animal Rest Spaces and a Garden  get intertwined with these programmes to allow for mutual co-existence. 

DESIGN IDEATION

CONCEPT

Cascading down from the top of the fort wall with the logic of levels to gradually approach the promenade edge.

Working with punctures as a method to  connect  and blur. Using the punctures to increase the porosity across  these different edges/thresholds hence activating them.

The intensity of the punctures increases as one cascades down till the promenade from the top of the fort wall.