DISHIKA MORE

We visited Makunsar village in Saphale for our type study, as part of a project to design an old age home. The village unfolds in clusters gathered around a central pond, with winding roads stitching the settlement together. Anchored by a single Gram Panchayat, a shared clinic, and a common temple, Makunsar brings together diverse communities in a quiet rhythm of coexistence and everyday exchange.

We studied individual houses to understand their typology, how daily life unfolds within them, the ways in which residents occupy various spaces, and the patterns of their everyday routines.

From these observations, I noticed that most of the house was primarily inhabited by women, while men typically spent much of their time outside. What particularly intrigued me was the changing use of the verandah—a transitional space between inside and outside. In some homes, the verandah remained an active, lived-in space where residents spent much of their time, blurring the line between private and public life. In others, however, this space was slowly transforming into a parking area, gradually losing the vibrant social life it once held.

Earlier, the typical house consisted of a single multipurpose room that accommodated all activities, including an open kitchen and an attached bathroom. Over time, this spatial arrangement began to shift, with walls gradually dividing the large room into distinct spaces—such as bedrooms, storage areas, kitchens, and washrooms—reflecting a move toward functional segregation and evolving domestic needs.

This old age home is designed to feel less like a facility and more like a place where life naturally stretches and how it often unfolds outside rigid walls — Inspired by the way people gather in verandahs — spaces that blend the private and public — the design keeps this buffer intact. A shared verandah connects rooms, with rotating walls that open into seating, encouraging spontaneous interactions while allowing privacy when needed. Glass sliding doors further blur the line between inside and outside, encouraging openness and interaction. Instead of a formal dining room, flexible, informal spaces reflect how residents naturally choose where to gather and eat, making the home feel more personal and familiar. An open kitchen blends into these shared areas, promoting warmth and togetherness. The healthcare center follows the same design language, with rotating walls that open it to the village , ensuring it feels like an extension of the community — welcoming, accessible, and part of everyday life.

             Thinking of multiple ways for the Spatial orientation that can form home like stay rather than a service centre

To blur the threshold between inside and outside, I introduced the concept of foldable walls, allowing residents to adapt the space as needed—shifting between private and semi-private settings based on their comfort and use.