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DESIGN STATEMENT

BAHAGHARI

With the on-going pandemic situation in around the world, many lives were affected. Different areas proposed limited services and amount of users to be served. Following recent rules, the movement and health activities of people are constrained to a certain environment or space and this can create problems with one’s mental and health. Therefore, instead of the people adjusting to various spaces due to the pandemic why not design various spaces that can cater to the people’s new daily needs and routines? Through research and analysis, resilient designs with a concept called “Bahaghari” (in English: Rainbow) came up. A rainbow produces a meaning of a new beginning, therefore, each spaces of the proposed site will be designed to easily adapt to the on-going and future situations.

The proposed site which is an existing open area, will be divided into 4 zones; health, economic, social and educational zones. Bounded with rainbow-colored barricades. These 4 zones cater to the needs of the public, prevent having an isolation from the community and elevating the sense of importance of people. It will also provide designs which will cater the changing needs for the pre and post pandemic situation.

For the economic zone, bazaar area and a seating area surrounding a small open space will be given. Bazaar area consists of the existing rain reservoir as one of the natural features of the site is that its topography made it possible to cater a rain garden. In the educational zone, spaces for group discussions, self-study, and seeking knowledge were considered which brings to the following solutions. Learning new things is one of the things that cultivates community spirit which is part of resiliency as the community needs to come together to fight against adversities.

For the health zone, it is important to consider the well-being of the people. Spaces for yoga, zuma and exercise areas were considered to improve the mobility and fitness of the people. In addition, spaces to improve relaxation are the resting area specifically for the front liners, meditations area, and zen garden. The social area comprises of picnic area, open space, and exhibit area. Aside from eating areas for families and friends, it can also accommodate those who cannot stay or eat inside restaurants due to limited capacity.

The Bahaghari’s goal is to cater users from its adjacent sites such as private subdivisions, commercial and office buildings, front liners, and passers-by to give them hope. Hope to live normal lives and enjoy third places when they want or need to, given that the park is adaptive with the measures that, if not avoid, lessens the virus spread.