Building as a Threshold
Neha Mhadolkar
About the Studio
Spaces of extensions, insertions and commons become the thresholds between social and private spheres of the lives of people inhabiting here. They provoke pauses and detours in the cycles and rhythms of their lives, becoming major nodes of activities at particular times of the day while allowing them to move fairly unobstructed in the space.
Site Observations:
Spaces of extensions, insertions and commons become the thresholds between social and private spheres of the lives of people inhabiting here. They provoke pauses and detours in the cycles and rhythms of their lives, becoming major nodes of activities at particular times of the day while allowing them to move fairly unobstructed in the space.
Shops attached to a blank wall - exchange happens
The extension of a temple - conversations are initiated
Seating added in the dead spaces of a building - for leisure and to observe
A bench flushed to the edge of the building, offering not just itself but the surface it is flushed to as an inhabitable space
Small shops set up in the empty spots between the parked vehicles on the road. People passing by go ‘inside’ this in-between space themselves to buy goods from the sellers. The system does not interrupt the flow of people and vehicles on the road
Series of benches seem to be tucked among the vehicles parked near the building edges. These benches become a gathering spot for the people of all age groups. People passing by these spots may or may not stop to converse, but this space always offers them with an oppotunity to do so
Concept and Design Strategies:
Thresholds are spaces of change, transition and pause between two distinct areas. The buildings acts as thresholds between the road -with its rush and density- and the driftness of the ground. Thresholds here are the spaces where one starts experiencing change, a place on the verge of two distinct systems.
Pathways leading to the ground go through the communal buildings. These communal buildings become the 'detours'- as recess spaces in the form of seatings, gathering spaces, play areas, shops and libraries. They provoke pauses, rest, conversations and leisure.
Buildings having setbacks in certain area, which become spaces of pause
The building becomes/has a thoroughfare which connects the groung to the road outside
Multiple levels of plinths, which happen within and outside the buildings, creating a sense of boundaries- though directly accessible- between the two spaces
Pathways into the ground that go through the communal spaces
Play that happens at multiple levels, while allowing passage from underneath itself
Temple has a closed, solitary space which extends out to become more social
The buildings act as thresholds between the road -with its rush and density- and the driftness of the ground. Thresholds here are the spaces where one starts experiencing change, a place on the verge of two distinct systems. Pathways leading to the ground go through the communal buildings. These communal buildings become the ‘detours’- as recess spaces in the form of seatings, gathering spaces, play areas, shops and libraries. They provoke pauses, rest, conversations and leisure.
Design Question:
Design Question?
Spatial Intent:
Spatial intent - Thresholds - Library
Thresholds are spaces of change, transition and pause between two distinct areas. The buildings acts as thresholds between the road -with its rush and density- and the driftness of the ground. Thresholds here are the spaces where one starts experiencing change, a place on the verge of two distinct systems.
Pathways leading to the ground go through the communal buildings. These communal buildings become the 'detours'- as recess spaces in the form of seatings, gathering spaces, play areas, shops and libraries. They provoke pauses, rest, conversations and leisure.
Program Diagram:
Design Process:
Zoning of site and drawing out forms of building in terms of the concept
Developing the form to further bring out the idea of thresholds
Developing the form to further bring out the idea of thresholds on the first floor
Detailing internal spaces to get the experience of thresholds on a smaller scale too
Detailing internal spaces
Developing the form further on an overall scale to bring out the idea of thresholds
Sloping roof considering the climatic conditions of the site
Exploring the form of the roofs to create varying spatial experiences and indicate thresholds
Breaking the roofs with rainwater gutters required for such large spans
Creating a language out of the newly developed roof form
Design Development:
Thresholds are spaces of change, transition and pause between two distinct areas. The buildings acts as thresholds between the road -with its rush and density- and the driftness of the ground. Thresholds here are the spaces where one starts experiencing change, a place on the verge of two distinct systems.
Pathways leading to the ground go through the communal buildings. These communal buildings become the 'detours'- as recess spaces in the form of seatings, gathering spaces, play areas, shops and libraries. They provoke pauses, rest, conversations and leisure.
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Sections AA' and BB'
Elevations CC' and DD'
Spatial Views:
Thresholds are spaces of change, transition and pause between two distinct areas. The buildings acts as thresholds between the road -with its rush and density- and the driftness of the ground. Thresholds here are the spaces where one starts experiencing change, a place on the verge of two distinct systems.
Pathways leading to the ground go through the communal buildings. These communal buildings become the 'detours'- as recess spaces in the form of seatings, gathering spaces, play areas, shops and libraries. They provoke pauses, rest, conversations and leisure.
View showing the temple
View showing the library, nursery and the balwadi
Model: