REPORT – YOUTH HOSTEL (PONDICHERRY)

RESEARCH
METHOD
ASSIGNMENT 1

INDRAJA .RM 1KF16AT010

Youth hostel - Pondicherry
“They say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. likewise, architecture lies in the minds of the
beholder of common sense “

Located in Pondicherry by the beach is a site that constitutes the youth hostel- a single storey building,
that houses the youngsters and backpackers traveling on a budget

Reaching this location from the nearest main bus stand is a treasure hunt since it is hidden within a
fabric of closely placed cluster with narrow streets with their elevations lined with posters of various
events coming up within the society .These lanes are unpaved and meander along a stretch of vibrantly
colored houses with a good amount of plants and trees peeping from above the heights of the compound
wall.

As one progresses through this lane on the right a board conveys that this is where the hostel is
located. As one takes the right the gate opens up to a wider lane informally paved with stone and aligned
with greenery on both the sides opening up to a great view of the beach.

The view gives a picture of the beach with a lining of coconut trees on the extreme left with several
boats of vibrant colors such as blue red and yellow with fishnets inside them lined up beside it after an
early morning fishing routine

When one walks towards this view in the captivity of it finds the one-story RCC building facing the ocean
right behind them. The distinction between the beach and the hostel site is created with a bunch of
huge rocks stacked upon each other which turned into a fun adventure to climb upon and experience the
beach from a height and let the breeze rush towards oneself.

The hostel building opens up to a foyer with a table that acts as the administration counter with keys
hanging on the wall behind it. The ground floor constitutes a meeting hall, dining room, a bunch of rooms
of different varieties and a washroom along with storage.

One might find this a bit of the two sides of extremes coming together where the exterior is
intentionally or unintentionally well planned, covered with beautiful views falling in the right places
while the interiors are a little chaotic and minimal without a nook on the façade (the side facing the
beach ) to enjoy the view without the provision of a window or cross ventilation within the rooms

However, the hostel serves its purpose by delivering the required amount and facilities on a budget to
the young generation while serving as a great place to meet people and unite with different perspectives.

Henceforth, it could be changed for the better with a few restorations made within the existing
building.

This later could be improvised to a different level after studying the workability of the restored
building.