HINDUISM

ISLAM
SIKHISM
JAINISM
OTHERS

CO
NCEPT DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT

After the careful study of various performance spaces and their spatial requirements, the vernacular
architecture of Kerala, it was important to study the activity pattern of a common man in a single day
over there along with the listing of the spatial needs and elements to carry out such activities. Not
only this but besides, activity pattern and various spatial needs of performing artists and students
pursuing such courses were also given importance. Amalgamating all the information gathered,
requirements listed and spatial elements that came out from the analysis, the design concept was
begun with a foremost thought to develop it as a series of spaces interconnected functionally which
would reflect not only the architecture or art of Kerala but also reflect the lifestyle, routine of people
over there.
With this, the basic and only concept, the project has been developed as an experiential flow between
performing, teaching areas along with the staying places. The idea is not just to put all the functions in
this 12-acres site but to make it a journey for one who visits the campus. The empty site has been
analysed under the categories of active and dead zones, and based on this analysis the existing threats
have been considered into challenging opportunities and converted into the strengths of the project.
The complete site has been divided into three pockets – public, semi-public and private which further
houses the performing areas for general visitors and artists, teaching areas where students can learn
these artforms and residential areas where artists, staff and students could stay together and learn
together.
Respecting the linearity of the site, and identifying few visual axes, the blocking has been done in a
way which would not hinder the overall visual connect of the site from one point to other. Here, the
sense of enclosure and proximity of one block to another has been carefully considered so that at one
point, one does not feel confined and also does not get lost in this entire complex of 12 acres.
A slight shift in the straight axis has created a sense of drama and curiosity which gives a glimpse of
the next upcoming experience of the site but does not give the complete picture in just one go.
Therefore, the site slowly unfolds itself as one moves from one point to other, covering one pocket to
another. These areas of changing of pockets have been treated by converting them into interesting and
interaction transitional nodes. And somehow the overall picture of site gives an idea that it is a
combination of several smaller and bigger nodes connecting indoors without outdoors.
Also giving importance to the natural balance, optimization in existing resources have been done, The
dense vegetation have been utilized and incorporated into the design as a part of landscape and also
converting few of them into informal interactive areas have helped in bringing out a better design for
the project and also have helped in retaining more and more the existing trees of the site.
Each block has been planned and designed keeping in mind the traditional forms of Kerala, with a
concept of an inward-looking space rather that outward. ‘Nalukettu’ a famous housing typology of
Kerala, was the inspiration for the form development which further was utilized on macro level for the
site and micro level in each block, making it a visual play of macro and micro courtyards, which
further helps in maintaining the continuous flow of wind throughout the building, inside and outside.
Also, several outdoor activity areas have been provided which serves as interaction zones, and also
helps in extending the boundaries of teaching and learning beyond the four walls of the classrooms.
To make the built and non-built areas climate responsive, this project has several architectural
adaptions to deal with the climate of that area. Factors like rainfall, humidity, harsh sun rays have also
helped in shaping the project and its form. The north-south blocking protects in reducing the solar
heat gain in the buildings, larger overhangs, covered corridors helps in giving protection against the
rain splashes. Also, utilizing the natural slope of the site, the surface runoff has been treated. The
rainwater is partially being utilized by the rear side vegetation and also it is partially channelized
towards the catchment zone through a planned RWH system that further can help in recharging the
ground water table.
As far as the construction style, the traditional timber rafter-beam style has been chosen that is also a
part of Kerala’s vernacular architecture. Hollow AAC blocks have been used for masonry, which not
only has less embodied energy but also helps in thermal and sound insulation because of their built-in
cavities.