paper to concrete - Landscape Design

Specialisation Course

Landscape Design

26th June to 28th July 2023

Site: Haji Ali Bay To Siddharth Nagar

Design Questions:

How is the idea of an open space for people living in an informal settlement?
How will the space blur boundaries of differences through class, lifestyle, occupation and way of living on the site?
Why can’t open spaces become a home? What is its nature? How is it shaping daily living?
What will be the ideas of co - living between these user groups and other forms of living?

Key Concept:

Dissolving the ideas of boundaries through communal differences based on socio - economic status and a space which gets into the nuances of co - existence. Idealising a community space diverse in nature which becomes home to all user groups.

User Group:

People of all age groups living in informal settlements
Residents of high class high rise apartments
People living in chawls
Working/ Corporate people in commercial buildings
Visitors
Residents of low rise middle class apartments

Programs:

Community Spaces: Kitchens, temporary shelters, markets and multi use spaces.
Waste Management
Leisure Spaces: Sittings, eating places, areas of shade and gathering spaces.
Parks: Eco parks, oxygen parks, gardens, play areas and softscapes.
Access Points and Walkways: Pathways, cycling tracks, connecting roads and taxi/ bus stations.
Experiential Spaces: Curated experience of ambient air, precipitation, temperature, humidity and tides.
Amenities: Toilets, parkings, workstations, water, electricity and security.

ZONING:

Locating area of intervention with basic programs..

Demarcating spaces with key concepts.

Circulation throughout the site of intervention.

PLAN:

Master Plan

The first part of the site is mainly private with a patch of high rise apartment buildings with private gardens and commercial complexes. A courtyard space hosting art - galleries, library and co-working spaces along with an open amphitheater and food court is provided besides a small turf and golf course; keeping in mind the user group. The private gardens has been extended to form meadows in the center along with a spiritual and skill development center. The space below the coastal road flyover has been also used to provide skater parks, sports center, leisure space consisting of activities such as movie screenings, board games and sitting spaces followed by a kid play area with a story book reading space.

The second part of the site mainly consists of an informal settlement. The extended gardens expand to from an oxygen park on one side with a dense plantation of trees and softscapes on the other side with lawns and an open gym. These softscapes act as a buffer between the user group and locality. A parking space has been allotted for people visiting the coastal road to have an experience and access to these public spaces. The informal settlement opens up to a community space with an amphitheatre for cultural events along a library and learning center. The community space is followed by a market towards the coastal road beside which is a waste management plant to keep the area clean and hygienic.

The third part of the site is located near the Love-Grove Nullah covering the informal settlement and old apartments. Just beside the nullah, a water purification plant has been added to remove the impurities from the water. On one side, the informal settlement opens up to Anganwadi for the kids to learn and play followed by temporary markets. While on the other side, it opens to a community space with sitting/relaxing areas, indoor gardens, toilets along with a community kitchen and sheds for goats and cows.

The next part of the site of intervention consists of a similar user group. An oxygen park in the center with a dense plantation of trees with softscapes on either sides along with a flower bed and a parking space towards the coastal road. An open gym has been provided for people of the informal settlement to access. This entire patch is followed by a food court with coastal road on one side and Worli Sea Face on the other. The entire stretch of the promenade has parking spaces and toilets after certain intervals for visitors to park and enjoy the sea view. The 10m - wide divider space between the two coastal roads has been used as green spaces.

SECTIONS: