ताल

For the environment module, our site was located at Pali Beach in Dongri. Unlike many other beaches that are only oriented toward tourism, this beach had a different character. Tourism here was low, with visitors arriving only occasionally and during specific seasons, while the everyday life of the site was dominated by the fishing community. Along the shoreline were houses of the Koli people and platforms used for drying fish, repairing boats, etc. These platforms were not just workspaces but also acted as markers of ownership, where each family’s territory was clearly recognized and exclusively used. 

Site photographs

Later in the process, we made a concept map to understand the site better and to show how it works. This map helped us notice details and small aspects of the site that could not be explained on a plan. It became an important step because it gave us more information about the place. The map included the samples we collected from the site, along with our drawings and photographs, bringing everything together in one place. 

As part of the exercise, we had to show our personal observations of the site, something unique that stood out to us. For me, it was the patterns formed on the sand when the sea waves came in and went back. These patterns kept changing with every wave, making the surface look different each time. Along with this, the net-making work on the site also left its own marks on the sand. This is what i tried to depict in my sketch

Pattern

Later, I made more detailed drawings showing how these patterns on the sand are formed. 

Later, during the critique of my observation drawing, I realized that what I had captured was essentially the result of movement and rhythm. The movement of the sea waves caused the sand to shift and form patterns, and this constant action gave the surface its changing character. After this, I began to notice other kinds of movements happening across the site—each with its own cause and effect further shaping how the space was experienced.

After this critique, I began working on my next drawing, where I focused on representing the different kinds of movements happening across the site in various locations, while keeping time as a constant. Instead of making three separate drawings, I experimented with a new technique to express rhythm. I used the barrier grid animation method, which allowed me to bring all the movements into a single drawing. This approach helped me capture the sense of transition and continuity that was getting lost when shown through separate drawings.

Although this sketch was able to capture the rhythm present on the site, it failed to convey the sense of space. To address this, I experimented with making a GIF that illustrated the different movements occurring under various tidal conditions. This drawing not only showed the changing rhythm but also revealed multiple aspects of the site, the movement of different elements, the shifting position of boats, and the ways in which people occupied and used the space. Together, these layers offered a new perspective on how the site functioned as a whole.

This come up as my final argumentative drawing.

As we moved forward with the design process, we started by studying the site carefully looking at its context, surroundings, and overall conditions. To put this understanding into practice, we created a detailed site plan that highlighted every aspect of the space, giving us a clear base to develop our ideas further. 

From my site observations, I developed a provocation that guided the design process: to introduce a structure capable of movement, repeated across the site. These shifting elements respond to the site’s conditions and, together, create a rhythmic pattern. Their movements leave traces on the sand or ground, gradually altering the surface over time. This ongoing transformation generates new spatial conditions—some that invite occupation and others that remain uninhabitable. To explore this idea further, I prepared a concept sheet along with a concept model. 

Concept sheet along with the concept model

Building upon the same concept, I explored multiple iterations to refine the design. Through these studies, I experimented with variations in geometry, the density and arrangement of columns, wall placement, and the roofing system. The following ideation models represent this process of exploration and development. 

Exploring density

Exploring geometry

Exploring  density and roofing