RHYTHM RETREAT- A Initiative by NASA INDIA Students

To fracture the monotony and stress brought by the daily mundane routine, the metropolitans seek
solace in nature, going for strolls and reveling in the beauty of it all. What if that part of their day
was wholly enhanced in hopes to bring a rhythmic joy to their routine?

A group of students from Hyderabad, unit Z523 of Vaishnavi School of Architecture and Planning,
were posed with a design competition – ANDC (Annual NASA Design Competition) – by NASA
(National Association of Students of Architecture). The competition brief demanded a structure
made out of Waste. In the limits of the brief, the students saw an opportunity.

They stumbled upon a hidden activity in the confines of Indira Park, which is standing at the south-
eastern fringe of the crowned jewel – Hussain Sagar lake in the heart of the city of Hyderabad. They
came across an all India organization of harmonica players, ‘Harmonica Harpers’ they called
themselves. These players came together every Sunday, enjoying the harmonica tunes and relishing
in the nature engulfing them.

The unit Secretary of Z523 Likith Jain says “students chose the opportunity given by NASA to provide
a platform, for the Harmonic Harpers as well as for all the music aficionados of the city, to connect
over their shared love of the rhythmic sounds. With the aid and support from our college’s
administration as well as the GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation), we created a small
structure - well shaded, protected from the tests of nature, structurally sound, with colorful
aesthetics and furniture Hence, came the structure proudly standing in Indira Park.”

The structure was completely built by waste materials found in and around the site, from the load
bearing elements, to roof covering, to furniture. The innovative and creative design is shown in the
structure’s multiple layered roofing of used pvc sheets and polysynthetic sheets and dried leaves, in
the seating made of cold-drink cartons using used wires and dried leaf weaves as cushioning, in the
recreational music elements for children; a xylophone made of discarded pipes and the decorative
chimes made by cardboard rolls.

With the provision of beautiful, calming yet quirky aesthetics, the design of the structure was
acoustically treated as well. Using the principles behind ‘Auditorium Acoustics’ and with the cladded
fruit crates, the acoustics were treated to create a visual and auditory barrier between the structure
and the surrounding gardens. Whilst giving a sense of privacy with the help of landscaping.

This project took an estimate of Rs 6,000 to be erected, articulating the essence of best out of waste
in every intricate part of it. While also as a statement to encourage the designers and thinkers – to
shatter the restrictive barriers and embrace sustainability and green in any way possible, to give for
the public and to create.

-Likith Jain, Unit Secretary, Z523, NASA INDIA