ARCHITECTURAL THESIS TOPIC SYNOPSIS

Submitted by
Praveena M Hari
 MATTUPETTY SEAPLANE TOURIST HUB
Abstract
The project aims at designing a tourist Hub in Mattupetty near Munnar
in Idukky district. It is an attempt to develop the tourist activities and
utilize the tourism potential in the area by introduction of Sea plane
base in Mattupetty Lake. Although the area has a rich historical
background, a beautiful climate and scenic beauty,there is a lack of
facilities and the land owned by government. The project aims at
designing a seaplane base and overall development of the area as a
tourist centre with clubbing the existing facilities and infrastructure and
introducing cottages and resort stay facilities, tourist commercial spaces
and other leisure facilities to boost tourism in the area. The project aims
at developing eco-friendly environment and study and adapting local
vernacular architecture in the design.

AIM

To design a seaplane tourist hub following ecotourism concepts to

enhance aand promote tourism by integrating more tourist facilities in
Mattupetty.

OBJECTIVE

 To design the tourism potential of the area and develop the site.
 To design buildings that have minimum impact on nature.
 To create better recreational environment for visitors.
 To understand the potential of water sports in the particular tourist
spot and develop the existing facility clubbed with the hub.
 To study local vernacular architecture and other eco friendly and low
concrete structures and effective use of same for the particular site.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION

To develop the master plan and detail out seaplane base,

accomadation, sports facility, tourist commercial facilities and other
ancillary facilities

Eco friendly construction techniquesand concrete less construction

adopted from vernacular and modern tropical architecture.

FEASIBILITY

Seaplanes can cater to avariety of air transportation requirements.The

use of seaplanes in tourist destinations that are close to large water
bodies like sea,lake, etc. is an obvious application. Seaplanes can also
be used to access remote areas that may not have runways for normal
planes to land but may have suitable water bodies on which seaplanes
can land.

In fact, the greatest advantage of seaplanes is that the large investments

required to build airports and runways are not required for their use. The
West Coast of the USA and Canada (places like Seattle, Vancouver,
Alaska, etc.) has a large number of seaplanes operating in calm
stretches of seas and lagoons. There are seaplanes operating in the
Florida area also.

Munnar is a major tourist destination in Kerala. Mattupetty dam is

around 10kms from main Munnar at an altitude of 1600 Metres AMSL
surrounded by hills which gradually increases to heights upto 2000
Metres AMSL. However steep approaches can be avoided by following
the adjacent valley prior to approach. Depth of water is sufficient for
landings/ take offs perennially, however, the same is subject to seasonal
variation. The site offers adequate Take off / landings length and
breadth for operations in North East, and South West directions. The
landing site and the depth are conducive for safe operations. Current
Flow is found to be well within limits and no water turbulence was
noted. Operations are likely to get affected during monsoons due to low
clouds and foggy conditions and therefore the operations may be
conducted only during a limited window say of around 2-3 hours at pre
noon or noon approximately. At the same time, the movement of boats
has to be regulated during operations. Since the fixed jets which already
exists at the site is likely to pose problems due to variation in water
levels, floating jetty may be ideal choice for the location which can be
co-located with the fixed jetty. Site is presently in use by Speed Boats
for tourists in SE direction. Mattupetty Dam is in SW direction.

Nearby tourist destinations

 Munnar
 Pampadum shola National park
 Pallivasal
 Anayirangal
 Top station
 Kundala Dam & lake
 Anamudi

CASESTUDIES

Literature casestudy – Vancouver Harbour flight center

Live casestudy

Banasure Hill resort, Wayanad

Greenix Village, Kochi

Vythiri resort, Wayanad

SITE
Mattupetty dam, Munnar

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS

 A terminal building to be created for Passenger facilities, which could include

waiting hall, frisking area and for other operational requirements.
 A concrete/ wooden jetty is required at Site for use of passengers.
 Site is connected with a good motorable road.