SCMS SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

KARUKUTTY

2011 AR 1001 THESIS & VIVA VOCE

SYNOPSIS
B.Arch I MG University I 2023

John George I 18057043 I S10-A I 2018-23 Batch

Inter-Faith Religious Complex
A CENTRE FOR POSTIVE INTERACTION AND DIALOGUE TO
STRENGTHEN BONDS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES

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INTRODUCTION
• Kerala, with nearly 590km of coastline on one of the
key routes of the ancient Indian Ocean trade, has been
an attraction to traders and explorers from around the
world. The Chera Dynasty transformed the state into
an international trade centre by establishing trade
relations across the Arabian Sea with all major
Mediterranean, Red Sea and Eastern African ports.
• Although spices were the major commodity, years of
contact and trade relations saw to the exchange of Ancient Sea Routes

language, people and culture.

• This gave rise to small colonies of Jews, Muslims and
Christians in the chief harbour towns of Kerala.

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A MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY

• Although there are claims for the arrival of Jews in Kerala

as early as 587BCE, records suggest that they arrived in
71CE. St. Thomas Church, Palayoor

• It is believed that St. Thomas the Apostle arrived in

Muziris in 52CE and introduced Christianity to the state.
• Kerala had trade relations with the Middle-East as early as
3rd and 2nd millenia BCE. Islam arrived in the 7th century
CE after the conversion of the Cheraman Perumal upon
meeting Prophet Muhammad. Cheraman Juma Masjid
• Hinduism is the oldest and most widely followed religion
in Kerala and houses some of the most important pilgrim
centres in the country.
• Communities of different religion, culture and language
thrived on these port cities for thousands of years.
Vaikom Mahadev Temple
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RELIGIOUS PLURALISM OF KOCHI

• Kochi best represents the religious pluralism

of the state.
• Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Jews have
peacefully co existed in the region for 2000
years. An event with dignitaries of all communities

• The city has a long history of positive inter-

religious interaction that promote communal
harmony and peace.
• Kochi has the most evenly spread out
demography of religious communities in the
state.

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WHY THIS PROJECT?
• This project would embody the rich multi-cultural history & traditions and celebrate
the religious pluralism of the state.
• It would provide a space to learn and understand the unique characters of each
religion which will lead to positive interactions between the communities.
• It would promote religious understanding and present a platform to organise
discussions among various representatives of different communities.
• It would create a space where people can actively participate by interacting, learning,
and celebrating with each other, further strengthening unity and understanding
between the communities.

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AIM
• To design a complex for inter-faith
dialogue, interaction, learning,
celebration and worship, merging the
design style and philosophy of the
original and contemporary structures of
the respective religions.
2011 AR 1001 THESIS & VIVA VOCE - SYNOPSIS 2023
OBJECTIVES
• Understanding the historic origins of
the different religious communities of
Kerala
• Studying the original structures that
were established in the initial
periods(1AD - 630AD)
• Exploring its evolution in design to the
present day structures
• Designing spaces to promote positive
interaction and dialogue between the
communities.
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METHODOLOGY SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
• A space for communities to learn about
DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS OF
ORIGINAL STRUCTURES
the different cultures and traditions
• A space for inter-faith dialogue and
COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS WITH exchange.
CONTEMPERORY STRUCTURES
• Encourages cooperative, constructive
and positive interactions between the
CASE STUDY & different communities.
ANALYSIS
• Represents the religious pluralism of
Kochi as well as its cultural and historic
SITE STUDY &
ANALYSIS significance.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

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 BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• Three unique structures representing - Comprising worship spaces, meditation rooms, halls,
the 3 major religions gallery, lounge, etc.
• Communal gathering space for - An open space to conduct events and gatherings
celebrations and events during special occasions.
• Museum spaces and library - Showing history of religions & communities
• Auditorium/Conference Hall - To conduct seminars / discussions
• Common spaces - Restrooms, Café, etc
• Pavilion - Representing the 3 religions
• Supporting spaces - Office, Services, information desks, security room,
etc

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SITE & CONTEXT: KOCHI

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 SITE & CONTEXT
KOCHI
• Called the "Queen of the Arabian Sea", Kochi was
an important spice trading centre on the west coast
Kochi in the 15th Century
of India.
• Muziris, a port somewhere north of Kochi was the
centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries,
and was known to the Arabs, Greeks and Romans
as well as Jews, Syrians, and Chinese since ancient
times.

Port of Kochi
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SITE & CONTEXT
• As a result of successive waves of migration over
the course of several centuries, the population of
the city is a mix of people.
• It has a diverse, multicultural, and secular
community.
• Kochi's major religions are Hinduism, Christianity
and Islam, with small populations following other
religions. Religious Structures in Kochi

• Some of the oldest churches, mosques and temples

in the state are in Kochi.

Religious Demography or Kochi- Census 2011

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OPTION 1: VYTILLA

• Site Location: Near Vytilla Hub

• Site Area: 16,500 m2 (4 acres)

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OPTION 2: GOSHREE ISLAND

• Site Location: Thathonnithuruthu

• Site Area: 16,500 m2 (4 acres)

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SITE & CONTEXT: KODUNGALLUR

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 SITE & CONTEXT
KODUNGALLUR

• Kodungallur (aka. Cranagore; Muziris) is a historically

significant town and former port city situated in the
Ancient Town of Muziris
banks of the Periyar river on the Malabar Coast.
• The port was visited by navigators from all over the
world and was the gateway for various religious faiths
like Christianity, Judaism, Islam and others into India.
• It was destroyed in a cataclysmic flood in 1341CE
which altered the geography of the region.
• This shifted the economic center to other port cities like
Kochi and Calicut.
Kodungallur in the 16th Century
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 • It is believed that St. Thomas the Apostle landed around Kodungallur in the 1st century and
founded the first churches in the country.
• According to traditions, Kodungallur is home to the oldest mosque in the Indian Sub-
coninent- Cheraman Juma Masjid
• The Paravur Synagogue is one of the first oldest in India, dating back to 750AD.
• Kodungallur Bhagavati Temple is one of the oldest functioning temples in India, with some
estimates at over 2000 years. Its historic significance and venerable traditions make it one of
the most important temples in the country.

St. Thomas Church, Palayur (52CE) Cheraman Juma Masjid (629CE) Paravur Jewish Synagogue (750CE) Kodungallur Devi Temple

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• All communities coexisted in Kodungallur for many
centuries, each contributing to the cultural and economic
growth of the region.
• There is a significant decline in Christian and Jewish
population of Kodungallur after the 16th century, mainly
due to the arrival of the Portuguese.
• Religious persecution against the Christian and Jewish Portuguese Arriving in Kerala
community lead to their migration to other regions.
• Another reason is the decline of the port of Kodungallur
and the rise of other ports such as Kochi and Calicut.
• The current demography of the town is –
64% Hindus, 32% Muslims and 4% Christians.

Religious Demography of Kodungallur – Census 2011

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SITE: SATHAR ISLAND

• Site Location: Muziris (Kodungallur)

• Site Area: 28,000 m2 (6.9 acres)

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 CASE STUDIES
LITERATURE CASE STUDY

1. ABRAHAMIC FAMILY HOUSE

The Abrahamic Family House, designed by Adjaye

Associates is a landmark project located in Abu Dhabi.
The center encompasses three separate houses of worship:
a mosque, a church, and a synagogue, along with spaces
for gathering and dialogue.

The complex seeks to represent interfaith co-existence,

preserves the unique character of the religions represented
and build bridges between human civilization and the
Abrahamic messages

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LITERATURE CASE STUDY

2. MONIQUE CORRIVEAU-LIBRARY,
CANADA - CLC ARCHITECTS

The library is housed in the Saint-Denys-du-Plateau church

erected in 1964 by the architect Jean-Marie Roy. The objective
of the project was to maintaining the original form of the
church, with a glass expansion on either side blending the
brilliant white exterior of the tented steeple, creating an illusion
of the sails of a ship amongst shining ice glaciers.

The nave houses the library’s public functions, while the

addition contains the administration and community hall. This
separation of functions means that the community hall can be
kept open outside library opening hours, while the spectacular
and monumental volume of the nave is preserved

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LITERATURE CASE STUDY

3. DA CHANG MUSLIM CULTURAL

CENTER, CHINA - SCUT

Designed by Architectural Design & Research Institute of Scut,

The Da Chang Center in China is a poetic sanctuary that shows
people both the brilliant Islamic culture and our vision for a
better life. The center is endowed with multiple functions,
serving not only as the recreation center of the city, but the
essential cultural site for the introduction of local religion and
history as well. The cultural complex integrates the functions of
theatre, exhibition, convention and community center.
The building subtly interprets the spatial structure of a
traditional mosque with new materials and technologies.

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 CASE STUDIES
LIVE CASE STUDY
1. ST. AUGUSTINE'S FORANE CHURCH,
RAMAPURAM

The centuries-old, twin-churches of Ramapuram near Pala is one

of the old churches existing in Kerala. The twin-church complex
at Ramapuram consists of a smaller church dedicated to St.
Augustine and a larger one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. While
the church dedicated to St. Augustine dates back to around 1450,
the one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin was erected in 1864. The
structures represent a unique architectural style prevalent in the
early colonial period with the Persian facade showing marked
influence over the Portuguese style. The newly constructed
church is 70,000 sq.ft big and has a seating capacity of 3,500. The
church is mix of Portuguese and German architecture styles, with
attractive sculptures on the walls.

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 CASE STUDIES
LIVE CASE STUDY

2. THAZHATHANGADY JUMA MASJID,

KOTTAYAM

Thazhathangady Juma Masjid is a mosque situated in

Thazhathangady, one of the Heritage Zones of Kerala, India,
near the town of Kottayam. It is one of the oldest mosques in
India and is more than 1000 years old. It is located on the banks
of the Meenachil River.

The structure is supported by 8 wooden pillars. Intricate wood

carvings similar to those seen at Travancore palaces adorn the
two-storeyed building. Wood and stone are the main materials
used in the 6000 sq.ft structure.

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 CASE STUDIES
LIVE CASE STUDY
3. VAIKOM MAHADEVA TEMPLE,
VAIKOM

The Sree Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is a temple dedicated to the

Hindu god Shiva in Vaikom, Kerala. It is believed to be around
2000 years old and is one of the oldest temples in Kerala. It is
famous for the Vaikom Ashtami Festival.

One of the biggest temples in Kerala, the temple has a courtyard

of about eight acres of land. This is the only temple in Kerala
with an oval shaped sanctum, though externally it appears like a
circular temple.

It is believed that the temple was built by the legendary craftsman

Perumthachan.

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