LITERATURE STUDY

GATHA A BHAKTA B.ARCH V SEM IX

INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH,
AMRITSAR

Located: Amritsar, Punjab

Year of completion : 2004
Architect: Sarabjit Bahga
Site area: 45 acres = 1,82,108 sq.m MASTERPLAN OF INSTITUTE PROVIDED BY ARCHITECTS.
This particular building also holds the Guinness World APPROACH TO SITE
Record for The site can be approached via a 20m wide Kitchen-
the longest concrete corridor ever designed and road. Laundry-
constructed. Towards the South-East, there is Trilium Mall.
Storage
Climatic zone – Hot and Semi-Arid. The site is surrounded by housing colonies. Chronic Chronic
Temp : 47.8 C to -3.6 C

AREA OF INTEREST FOR THE STUDY: Acute Acute

The study focuses on the segregation of spaces as per
the severity of the illness of the patients. Forensic Forensic
The programmatic division of this particular project is
varied.
The project also tends to break away from the Interm. Interm.

general Indian type of asylum.

LIMITATIONS

Sarai,shopping

voluntary unit
The area calculation for the housing part of the project

unit, café,
and the serai/cafeteria/shopping unit has not been done
OPD- Occupational

due to lack of plans available. Diagnostic

Therapy

-Admin

GATHA A BHAKTA
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ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
THE MASTERPLAN

INTERNAL - PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION (SPINE)

SUN PATH OF THE SITE

The masterplan is divided into 2 different zones:

1. The inner zone - pedestrian movement, more delicate spaces such
as the acute, intermediate, chronic and
forensic wards.

2.The outer zone - vehicular movement - staff quarters, utility

RATIO-MASTER LAYOUT
building and parking for OPD, serai/cafe/shopping unit.
ROAD
CIRCULATION 9%
2%

BUILT UP
15%
SITE OVERVIEW- MALE/FEMALE SECTOR EXTERIOR - VEHICULAR CIRCULATION

Inpatient wards for 400 patients + 50 from voluntary

unit
Males : 250
Females : 150
LANDSCAPE
74%
GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
INTERMEDIATE UNIT
SPACE AREA (SQ.M)
DINING 38.72
RECREATION 38.72
WASHING 19.75
LOUNGE 19.75
STORE 18.96
INTERVIEW ROOM 18.96
WARD 1 40.62
WARD 2 40.62
WARD 3 40.62
WARD 4 40.62
KEY PLAN
WARD 5 40.62
TOILET 29.3
TOILET 29.3
NURSE RETIRING 8
NURSE STATION 22.3
RECORD 7.06
COURTYARD 100
CIRCULATION 390

TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN FOR INTERMEDIATE UNIT - PROVIDED BY THE ARCHITECT COURTYARD WARD
12% 16%
This particular unit is for patients who have completed treatment and are slightly better than
the other category of inpatients.
These patients have a shorter period of hospitalisation.
Male section is 3 storeys high and accommodates 100 patients – area covered 3240 sq.mt.
Female section is 2 storey high and accommodates 60 patients – area covered 2160 sq.mt.
CIRCULATION
Courtyard 25% SERVICES
20%

Dining
Washing Recreation
Retiring and w.c.
Store Lounge THERAPY AND
Wards Interview RECREATIONAL
Wards 27%
Nurse station

Wards
GATHA A BHAKTA
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ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
FORENSIC UNIT
Forensic wards are for criminals SPACE AREA (SQ.MT)
WARD 1 82.43
who are under treatment. WARD 2 82.43
• For this ward to function properly, a WARD 3 82.43
space has to given to the police as well WARD 4 82.43
STORE 1 9.5
to monitor the activity of the patient. STORE 2 9.5
• The male section is 2 storeys high and POLICE 1 9.1
• accommodates 80 patients. It covers an POLICE 2 9.1
area of 2660 sq.mt. STORE 3 13.9
STORE 4 13.9
• The female section is 1 storey high and ATTENDANTS 1 13.9
• accommodates 20 patients. It covers an ATTENDANTS 2 13.9
area of 1330 sq.mt. WASHING 1 13.9
WASHING 2 13.9
TOILET 1 20.06
TOILET 2 20.06
FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M) TOILET 3 20.06
TOILET 4 20.06
WARD 329.72
INTERVIEW ROOM 1 13.28
SERVICE 170.84 INTERVIEW ROOM 2 13.28
RECREATIONAL 70.04 DOCTOR'S ROOM 1 7.8
DOCTOR'S ROOM 2 7.8
CIRCULATION 340 RECREATION 1 35.02
COURTYARD 250 RECREATION 2 35.02
AMENITIES 180.36 DINING 1 49.1
DINING 2 49.1
SAFETY
CIRCULATION 340
TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN FOR FORENSIC UNIT - PROVIDED BY THE ARCHITECT MEASURES 46 COURTYARD 250
SAFETY MEASURES
AMENITIES 3%
WARD Toilets Toilets
13%
24% Wards Wards

Recreational
Store Police Police Store Recreational
Area Area

Wards Nurse station Nurse station Wards

COURTYARD Open
Toilets Store Store Toilets
18% Attendants Attendants
SERVICE Wash Wash
12%
Dining Dining

RECREATIONAL VISUAL CONNECTIVITY AND CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN FUNCTIONS

CIRCULATION 5% KEY PLAN
25%
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNCTIONS
GATHA A BHAKTA
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ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
ACUTE CARE UNIT
Units for those who are acutely SPACE AREA (sq.m) SPACE AREA (SQ.M)
affected by mental illnesses. WARD 1 40.62
WARD 122.02
WARD 2 40.78
These types of patients are not WARD 3 40.62 SERVICE 160.55
expected to move upstairs thus both the male TOILET 1 30.79 CIRCULATION 200
and female units are single storeyed. TOILET 2 29.79
AMENITIES 214.25
There are 20 beds each for male and female NURSE STATION 21.77
units. UTILITY 72.5 COURTYARD CHART TITLE 93
TOILET 4.18
One ward consists of 6 beds – there are 3 such TOILET 4.02
COURTYARD
12%
WARD
16%
wards present. RETIRING 8.39
Area covered by each unit is 790 sq.mts. RECORD 7.06
ISOLATION 19.76
STORE 19.27 CIRCULATION
SERVICES
WASHING 19.27 25%
20%
DINING 40
RECREATION 40
LOUNGE 19.28
DOCTOR'S ROOM 19.28 AMENITIES
INTERVIEW ROOM 19.44 27%
COURTYARD 92.98
CIRCULATION 200.2

Courtyard
Recreation
Lounge
Doctor’s Room Retiring and w.c. Dining
Interview Room Washing
Wards Store
Wards Isolation
Nurse station

Wards

KEY PLAN

WARD AND NURSE STATION

GATHA A BHAKTA
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ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
CHRONIC STAY UNIT
Chronic stay units are required for patients who cannot sustain SPACE AREA (SQ.M.) AMENITIES
their lifestyles on their own and need assistance.
These patients are quite unlikely to be recovered and need hospi- RECREATION 47.75 20%
WARD
talisation for the rest of their lives. INTERVIEW ROOM 13.63 33%
The buildings for males and females are single storeyed. DOCTOR'S ROOM 14.2
There are 2 cross-shaped units positioned in front of each eacho-
ther for both male and female patients and each unit has cov- RECORD 11.5
ered an area of 1180 sq.mt. UTILITY 8.5
CIRCULATION
ISOLATION 15 21%
STORE 15
WASHING 15 RECREATIONAL
SERVICES
16%
DINING 47.75 10%

WARD 1 82.43 FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)

WARD 2 82.43 WARD 164.86
TOILET 1 20.1 SERVICE 78.7
TOILET 2 20.1 RECREATIONAL 47.75
STAFF TOILET 8 CIRCULATION 96.61
CIRCULATION 96.61 AMENITIES 102.08

Court

KEY PLAN

CHRONIC
STAY UNIT

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OCCUPATION THERAPY/ REHABILITATION UNIT
Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitaion Unit provides skill AREA FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)
training to the patients so that they can find some sort of work SPACE (SQ.M) THERAPY 233.499
after they are treated. GYMNASIUM 166.151 RECREATIONAL 609
The unit also provides therapy and counselling along with a gym. RADIO+ TV 43.58 WORKSHOP 701.868
The quite and noisy lounges act as gathering and interaction spac- SERVICE 160
CARPENTER'S SHOP 79.5
es along with a courtyard that is used for the purpose of learning CIRCULATION 405
ARTSHOP/PAINTING/SCULPTURE 86.4
gardening. CANDLE MAKING 122.667
COUNSELLING 22.048 Circulation
Therapy
11%
PSYCHO EDUCATION 45.3 19%
POTTERY/CANING 122.667
WEAVER'S SHOP 122.667
STITCHING 122.667
Service
THRIFT & GIFT SHOP 45.3 8% Recreational
MUSIC 86.42 29%
QUIET LOUNGE 79.5
NOISY LOUNGE 79.5
TOILETS 80
GARDENING 320 Workshop
CIRCULATION 405 33%

KEY PLAN

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
OPD/ADMINISTRATION BLOCK GROUND FLOOR PLAN - PROVIDED BY ARHITECT

The OPD cum Administrative block greets the user

first when the site is approached.

The building houses various doctor cabins, lecture

halls, rooms for therapy, ECT units, MRI-X-Ray units
and a librarby along with spaces for dental
procedures.
The more one goes further into the complex the more
severe and delicate functions the buildings cater to.

FUNCTION AREA(SQ.M)
WAITING 86.38218
REGISTRATION 64.9
DOCTOR (X19) 381.52
DENTAL WORKSHOP 20.08
DENTAL 18.8
SURGICAL 21.2
5.05
STORE 5.05
TOILET 4.37
MINOR OT 23.9
TOILET 20.08
MEDICAL RECORD 81.447
WAITING 41.25
TOILET 40.5
WAITING 41.75
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
WARD 60.96
NURSES STATION 16.9
MEDICAL 20.08
WAITING 41.92
STORE 9.5
TOILET 18.5
STORE 11.42
NURSES 7.06
RECOVERY 60.96
ECT 40
PREPARATION 40.48
KEY PLAN

WAITING ROOM CENTRAL RAMP GATHA A BHAKTA

REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
OPD/ADMINISTRATION BLOCK
The OPD cum Administrative block greets the user
first when the site is approached.

FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)

EXHIBITION HALL 357.44
P.A. 7.5
RETIRING 4.27
OFFICER 40.8
DOCTOR OFFICE (X09) 180.72
OFFICER 31.22
P.A.
WAITING 49.244
RECORD 49.244
ESTABLISHMENT 69.9
SEMINAR HALL 82.249
LECTURE HALL 41.6
LECTURE HALL 41.44
TOILET 9.29
TOILET 9.29
DOCTOR 18.15
ECG 18.15
TECHNICIAN 20.08
SAMPLE COLLECTION 16.21
LABORATORY 41.78
PSYCHOLOGY 18.33
CT SCAN 18.33
CONTROL 7.14
DARKROOM 10.47
X-RAY 41.5 FIRST FLOOR PLAN - PROVIDED BY ARHITECT
RADIOLOGIST 20.08
LIBRARY 524.8
TOILET 20.08
TOILET 20.08 KEY PLAN

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
OPD/ADMINISTRATION BLOCK
The OPD cum Administrative block greets the user
first when the site is approached.

FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)

EXHIBITION HALL 357.44
P.A. 7.5
RETIRING 4.27
OFFICER 40.8
DOCTOR OFFICE (X09) 180.72
OFFICER 31.22
P.A.
WAITING 49.244
RECORD 49.244
ESTABLISHMENT 69.9
SEMINAR HALL 82.249
LECTURE HALL 41.6
LECTURE HALL 41.44
TOILET 9.29
TOILET 9.29
DOCTOR 18.15
ECG 18.15
TECHNICIAN 20.08
SAMPLE COLLECTION 16.21
LABORATORY 41.78
PSYCHOLOGY 18.33
CT SCAN 18.33
CONTROL 7.14
DARKROOM 10.47 SECOND FLOOR PLAN - PROVIDED BY ARHITECT
X-RAY 41.5
RADIOLOGIST 20.08
LIBRARY 524.8
TOILET 20.08 KEY PLAN
TOILET 20.08
GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
RESIDENCE AND DAY CENTER FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, SPAIN
Architects: Aldayjover Arquitectura y Paisaje
Project:  Day Center For The Mentally Handicapped
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Photography: Jordi Bernadó
Built Surface: 2 098 m²
Developer: Generalitat de Catalunya. (GISA) Benestar Social.
Program: Residence and day centre for mentally Handicapped
Date of Project: 2005
Date of Execution : 10/2007 – 2010
CLIMATE : Hot - Summer -Mediterranean
Patients : 18
The building has been designed, keeping in mind, the ‘villas’ that exist in
Barcelona. These villas possess beautiful greenery as well as vertical planta-
tion.
The architects wanted to give this particular residence the feeling of a villa
without comprosing on the design due to the space constraint. The rear
facade faces an educational building while the road through which it is ap-
proached is 7m wide.

IMAGE OF THE FACADE - PROVIDED BY THE ARCHITECT

The site is surrounded by towers that are 9 to 10 storeys high.While due to construction guide-
lines, this particular structure could go up to 3 storeys only. The architects decided to give it a
vertical crack which went down till a courtyard on the ground level.
In order to compensate for the loss of horizontal spaces, the terraces are provided with gar-
dens and patios are provided overlooking the courtyard.
AREA OF INTEREST FOR THE STUDY :
This study has been done to solely understand the functioning of the landscape with
respect to the spaces. To understand the volumetric design method that was used to
achieve this kind of relationship.
LIMITATION:
GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE OF THE STRUCTURE While there was a lot of translation that had to be done, the lower level floor did
not come with any plan demaraction that specified a certain space. The plans also
lacked a legend and the one that was included has been translated . The lower level
floor has been considered a service floor entirely for this particular project, the text
GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
RESIDENCE AND DAY CENTER FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, SPAIN
The text provided by architect discusses the spaces of each floor. The lower
floor is entirely service based with area for parking and area for personnels,
along with kitchen and building services.

LOWER LEVEL PLAN GROUND FLOOR LEVEL PLAN

GROUND FLOOR
FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)
WORKSHOP X 4 144
COURTYARD 56.3
RECEPTION 3
RECORD 3.7
RETIRING 7.5
STORE 22
GYM 50
LIFT 1 4
LIFT 2 6
LIFT 3 3.6
VESTIBULE 45
SERVICES 16
BUILT 496
CIRCULATION 208

COURTYARD
7% SERVICES
CIRCULATION 2%
27%

BUILT
64%

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
RESIDENCE AND DAY CENTER FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, SPAIN
LOFT LEVEL PLAN FIRST FLOOR LEVEL PLAN

LOFT
FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)
ADMIN 23.5
RECORDS 6.2
STAFF ROOM 11
STAFF DINING 15
MEETING ROOM 22
NURSE STATION 7.5
RECORD 5
VISITING ROOM X 2 17
WC X 2 8
MEDIC ROOM 17.5
PSYCHOLOGIST
CABIN 10.5
STORE 1 7
STORE 2 5
LIFT 1 4
LIFT 2 6

BUILT 165.2
CIRCULATION 219.8
SERVICES 20

FIRST FLOOR
FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)
ROOMS SERVICES TWIN ROOMS X 6 64
SERVICES 1%
13% SINGLE ROOMS I X 2 20
5%
SINGLE ROOMS II X 2 24
LIVING AREA X 2 52
PATIO 35
BUILT
41% WC X 4 12
NURSE STATION 36
CIRCULATION
27% BUILT LIFT 1 4
59% LIFT 2 6
CIRCULATION
54%
BUILT 492
CIRCULATION 227
ROOMS 108
PRIVACY PER PATIENT - 8-12 SQ.M (RANGE) SERVICES 12

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
RESIDENCE AND DAY CENTER FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, SPAIN

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL PLAN

SECOND FLOOR
FUNCTION AREA (SQ.M)
DOUBLE ROOMS X 3 48
SINGLE ROOM 1 10
SINGLE ROOM 2 12
PATIO 14
NURSE STATION 8.5
LIVING AREA 22
WC X 2 6
ORCHARD 145
LIFT 1 4
LIFT 2 6

BUILT 130.5
CIRCULATION 145
ROOMS 70
SERVICES 6
GREEN SPACE 145

BUILT
GREEN SPACE 27%
29%

SERVICES
1%

ROOMS
14% CIRCULATION
29%

GATHA A BHAKTA
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ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
NEUFERT-ARCHITECT’S DATA
DATA COL L ECT ION
STANDARD DATA - NEUFERT - ARCHITECT’S DATA

Linear Wards Deep Ward or Race Track

These wards provide natural light and ventilation There are no more than 4 beds grouped together.
to majority of units as well as proper amount of Nurses have to move around to keep up with the
supervision. One single large space can support observation.
20-30 beds with the nurse working room and WCs The nurse working room need artificial lighting
near them. and ventilation.
TYPES OF WARDS:
Nuclear Wards
The Neufert suggests 3 main type of wards:
These kinds of wards minimize the space for the
• Linear
working and provide good observation, given that,
• Deep ward/ Race track
a certain amount of daylight and privacy is
• Courtyard Plan
available.
While all wards may have daylight, ventilation can
be provided through devices.

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
STANDARD DATA - NEUFERT - ARCHITECT’S DATA
To study the standards, Neufert - Architect’s Data has been taken into consideration. The
study done is of typical hospital wards and certain areas pertaining to the one mentioned in
the book.

Neufert recommends 8 to 8.4 sq.m of privacy per patient in a ward

The Neufert - Architect’s Data supports a heirarchal system of

spaces when design units for psychiatric patients. It also talks
about the inclusion of plants and how they offer aid in heal-
ing. Psychiatric patients often tend to lose the sense of time and
place, Neufert recommends that one uses plants, as they will
help the patient in making sense through the seasonal changes.

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
STANDARD DATA - NEUFERT - ARCHITECT’S DATA
Geriartric wards are for the elderly or the ones who are extremely sick. The following are
the standards that are to be taken into consideration

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )
STANDARD DATA - NEUFERT - ARCHITECT’S DATA
The equipments play a very important role in the hospital. They determine the condition of
the patient, provide safe commute and a safe place for the patient to store their
belongings. In a hospital, equipments are extremely important to be considered when
plannng.

STANDARD DATA - NEUFERT - ARCHITECT’S DATA

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH STANDARD + SWOT ANALYSIS
DATA NEUFERT IMH, AMRITSAR RESIDENCE AND DAY CENTER FOR
MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, BARCELONA
PSYCHIATRIC CARE
INCLUDES OPD YES YES (GENERAL MEDICAL ROOM +
PSYCHIATRIST)
PATIENTS (INPATIENT) 450 18
AREA 1.8 LAKH SQAURE METER 2098 SQUARE METER
AREA SEGREGATED AS PER YES NO
ILLNESS
COLOUR SCHEME SUGGEST ORANGE-
YELLOW AND PLANTS
LANDSCAPE 74% LANDSCAPE COVER INCLUDED IN COUTYARD AND TERRACES
(30% TO 40%)
MEASUREMENTS AS PER STANDARDS AND COMPARISON
PERSONAL AREA PER 8-8.4 SQ.M 6.7 SQ.M 8.0 (MIN) TO 12 SQ.M(MAX)
PATIENT
CORRIDOR 2.4 M 3M 1.5 M
WC 2-3 SQ.M 2.5 SQ.M (PER PERSON) 3
NURSE STATION 4.0 TO 10.0 SQ.M 21 SQ.M. 8.5 SQ.M.
SWOT
STRENGTH • The formal setting of the institution provides safe circulation back and • The hospital, despite the
forth from a particular unit. space constraints, manages to
• Forensic ward is provided tight security. provide a design that is
• Different cluster of units for patients who have varying illnesses. considered ‘aggression –
• Common Open plot for chronic stay patients gives them a pocket to reducing’ and ‘healing’.
relieve stress and relax. • The gardens are at the core of
• The nurse station is placed very well as to provide good supervision of the the entire building and are
patients. provided visual connectivity.
• Provides ample of ventilation in each unit. • Greenery is the main aspect of
the building.
• Building seems to have taken
colour psychology into
consideration.
• Has rooms towards the
ventilated site.

WEAKNESS • The lack of colour in the building suggests a very institutional and • The site is situated between two
mundane atmosphere. towers.
• While the movement is through concrete corridors, it can become quite • The site is actually situated
tedious for workers to circulate with ease due to their length. immediately on the main road
which could cause disturbance
• Lacks a relationship with the landscape despite a huge green cover.
to the patients.
• Lack of privacy among patients.
• Nurse station position-extreme
end
OPPORTUNITIES • The huge green cover provides an opportunity for an interesting landscape • If the height restrictions are
design that can connect with the users and patients. relaxed, the building can be
• Project has a huge area and the design’s capability can be further enhanced made even more habitable along
with the inclusion of biophilic principles. with interesting gardens at
different levels.
THREATS • The wards lack privacy. Keeping six patients in a single ward does not ensure a • Twin rooms pose threat to scuffle
scuffle-free design as there are high chances of mood swings and triggered free design.
reactions among them.

GATHA A BHAKTA
REINTERPRETING B.ARCH V SEM IX
ASYLUMS LITERATURE STUDY V M C A ( S U R AT )