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B.Arch Thesis: Eco-Tourist Hub of KHONOMA Village, By Shanjo A. Kithan, ITM University-Gwalior

• August 17, 2019

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Eco-tourism is one such activities which provide a solution by creating awareness and concern for the environment among both the tourist and local people of the region.

Also, the local skills could be developed and explored. The traditional and indigenous knowledge, along with scientific development can be explored.

Eco tourism Hub by itself, which talks about the tourism aspects of the context, creating a cultural Hub point which gives a platform for the villagers as well as the essence of the vernacular for the tourist.

The brief of the concept is to design an eco-tourism hub for the region of KHONOMA (Asia’s first green village) and the proximity near the region. Keeping in mind the local traditions, culture, art and Architecture .The design brief put an emphasis on the articulation of said traditions and their interpretation in modern times without losing the essence of the vernacularity.

KHONOMA is an Angami Naga village located about 20 km west from the state Capital, Kohima, Nagaland. The terrain of the village is hilly, ranging from gentle slopes to steep and rugged hillsides. The hills are covered with lush forestland, rich in various species of flora and fauna.

HORNBILL International Festival which is being celebrated for 10 days every year near this proximity which also creates a benchmark of this village.

This thesis talks about vernacular settlement which can achieve sustainability through planning, orientation, materials and architectural practices evolved from long time due to the socioeconomic, climatic and environmental factors of the Region

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

•To create an opportunity to the local people as well as for the tourist to get the essence of the context, keeping alive the essence of the context. •To design a better vision for tomorrow by keeping the Essence of the local regional context.

•Reprioritize the usage of the site based on the needs of the site demands. •To make the space a centre of public interaction and activities that reflects the people of the region.

•To engage the people by creating a hub in the village where they can learn, educate and understand each other. •To make use of the site’s assets in terms of creating a landmark for the urban fabric of Kohima people as well.

DESIGN BRIEF + PROGRAMME

The village of Khonoma (Asia’s first green village). As being said that the context of the site is a tourist spot and as the tourism is increasing each year people from around the world are travelling to see this beautiful village and the plus point is that there are many Tourism near the village which clearly states that there is a need for Eco-Tourism Hub in this arena.

Eco tourism is one such activities which will create an activities for the region. The local People gets the opportunity to expose their skills their economy to the tourist, which can create an important part of the hub.

The site will be developed with different types of components: 1. Weekly markets for the villagers, craft shops, Exhibition shops: where the villagers can get exposed and increase their growth of the economy. The market will run only on the basis of once in a week where they can sell all their organic crops or vegetables.

2. Museum: To reflect their culture, tradition and religion also to promote their legacy.

3. Workshop activities: where the tourist can educate the villagers and spread awareness and learn from one another.

The villagers can showcase their skills and even export their talents.

4. Accommodation unit for the tourist people: A home stay feeling accommodation unit for the tourist.

5.Library: It will provide a better exposure for the young generation of the surrounding villages.

6. O.A.T: Cultural program and festival season of recreational space.

DESIGN CONCEPT /APPROACH

The main challenge of design was a Site, which is having area of 92268sq.m. and facing NORTH To EAST direction also having contour difference of 40 meter. Main approach is to analyse with the existing contour and play with the levels. The existing site having contour along the river stream and the bridge is the only approach to the site.

Considering all the challenges, the design was to make ‘imperfect’ spaces with organic dynamism like villages.

With the start of the design development every space and area of the site were divided from part to whole. where every part of the space were defined according the use of the function like the open weekly market ,food stall ,craft shop ,museum ,library, OAT, Workshop area and the Accommodation unit which were segregated from each other but it was connected according to the function and use of the space.

Every function of the spaces were connected as per the user’s inferences. The general restaurant was at the core of the main area, the open market area was segregated totally from those main activities like the library, museum, workshop area, OAT and the Museum.

Although they are two different things we sense their interrelationship and emotional bond. Something very organic yet dynamic to be expressed by the site. The environment to be very vernacular with use of the roof of MORUNG style keeping alive the essence of the Region.

The Morung (or the traditional community house) at Khonoma Village. Acting as an educational institution, A Morung is where youngsters would gain their first few lessons of cultural & traditional knowledge through folk music, dance, folk tales and oral traditions. During the time of war, they were also used as used as a guard-house.

Design used the symbolism of that area through Morung.

VERNACULAR OF THE REGION

1.Use of the materials 2.local Materials, local skills, local technique 3.Keeping alive the essence of the village. 4. Implementing new technique design in terms of architectural thoughts, spaces, functions and purpose of the area. 5. New modern technologies design without losing the essence of the region

shanjo A Kithan

• B.Arch Thesis

13 Responses

I want detail sheet on mail for reffrence

Please contact if you were able to get through.I want to refer the report for my thesis as well.

Did you got the details?

I want study report of your thesis for reference

I want to know how to contact you for more details

Hey I loved your Concept, if possible could you share your Area statement or a list of requirements? it would be of great help to my thesis tooo!!!

can i please get your thesis report for reference.

Can I get your thesis report for reference please.

can I also have your details for my thesis.thank you

Can I get your thesis report for reference please

Please share the details that would be great help for my thesis

can you please describe which all case studies you reffered for the same

I have some doubts regarding concept sheet can you please clear my doubts

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Architecture Thesis Projects: A Comprehensive List of 30 Topics to Pick From (Updated 2024)

Neha Sharma

13 min read

March 18, 2024

Table of Contents

Architecture Thesis: A culmination of all those years of intense training, sleepless nights, countless submissions and unforgettable memories. The grand finale!

It is a real test to showcase all the skills you’ve gained over the years in a single project. Naturally, choosing the right topic from an ocean of architecture thesis topics is one of the biggest challenges you can face as a final year student, as the topic itself may define the trajectory of your thesis!

To ease your conflicted mind, we have curated a comprehensive list of popular architecture thesis projects you might want to explore in your final year, along with links to relevant theses across the internet for your ready reference.

Go on, have a look! What sparks your interest?

Housing/ Residential Projects

1. Affordable Housing

“Housing for all” is a major goal developing countries are striving to achieve. Not everyone has the resources to own a house or even rent one out. Conscious and well-planned housing design can turn cities into places where owning a house is not merely a dream. And architects can play a pivotal role in achieving this noble goal.

2. Gated Communities

With the city centres choking with pollution, traffic congestion and over-population, many people are now moving to the suburbs in closed, secure and private gated communities. These colonies circumference almost every major city now, with more emerging as you read. A gated community design could be an interesting (though slightly controversial) architecture thesis topic to explore residential neighbourhood planning.

3. Modular/ Disaster Relief/ Emergency Shelters

Land and resources are limited but the demand for them only keeps increasing giving rise to environmental hazards like deforestation, pollution and depletion of natural assets. In a rapidly changing, calamity-prone world, the design of modular, mobile, disaster relief shelters is the need of the hour!

4. Slum Redevelopment

Urban informality may be a fascinating, complex issue to tackle for your architecture thesis projects. Many people have varied opinions on the dense, informal urban developments popularly known as ‘slums’ , but few are willing to tackle the difficult issue from top to bottom (or bottom up!). Are you one of the few?

Institutional Projects

5. Educational and Skill-Training Institutions

Schools play an important role in shaping a person and are key in bringing up generations of bright individuals. Educational and skill-training institutions have vast options, ranging from kindergartens to higher-education institutes; schools of dance to special-needs institutes ! Ready to shape minds?

6. Rehabilitation and Wellness Institutions

A sound mind and sound body are key to a happy life!

Unfortunately, sometimes individuals have to be institutionalised to get their health back on track. Rehabilitation centres and centres for people with depression or trauma aim at people’s mental wellness, while public gyms and civic sports centres aim at people’s physical wellness. If healing architecture and landscape is something you like, this could be the best architecture thesis topic for you!

7. Research Institutions

Progress in science, technology and humanities improves our way of living and ensures our well-being. The Sheldon Coopers among us wouldn’t be happy to see any fewer research centres and laboratories than there are!

Public Infrastructure Projects

8. Hospitals

Healthcare services are undoubtedly the most important services any region needs. The pandemic has made us understand how under-equipped even the best hospitals can be and so there is an even bigger reason for every hospital, be it multi-speciality/ speciality , maternity, special needs, public or private , to be as well designed as possible. This, more than ever, is the need of the hour and can make for a pressing architecture thesis project.

9. Transit Hubs

Airports , Bus Terminals , Railway Stations , Inland Waterways, Seaports.

Do you love to travel? Have you ever waited for a train and imagined how much better that railway station could be? Then what are you waiting for? Be the change!

10. Sports Stadia

Remember that first stadium experience of watching a cricket or football match? The energy of the crowd, the adrenaline rush! Most group sports stadia ( Cricket , Football , Hockey, Baseball, etc) and sports cities require meticulous study before designing, making a very suitable architecture thesis project for students.

11. Urban/Street Redevelopment

How often do we walk the streets of our cities and almost die because a bike passed within inches of us? Street redevelopment projects catering to pedestrianisation are proven to improve the lives of millions and are rapidly gaining urgency in the urban design domain.

These projects often require extensive site study. Not sure what all to cover in your site analysis? Read - Site Analysis Categories You Need to Cover For Your Architecture Thesis Project .

12. Waterfront Development

Rivers are considered sacred and life-giving across the world. The pitiful conditions of water bodies today have led urban designers to take up River/Canal-front Development Projects which aim at minimising water pollution, a smooth transition from land to water, and ultimately encouraging visitors for leisure and fun activities.

13. Public Parks and Plazas

Parks are the lungs of the concrete jungles many of us live in. After a day of intense work, all we need is some greenery and fresh air; or to grab a beer at that corner cafe in the city square! The design of public parks, plazas and playgrounds could be the best architecture thesis topic for an urban/landscape enthusiast.

14. Social Infrastructure

A robust, well-functioning society accommodates and facilitates the wellness of all its citizens and living beings. Infrastructure like orphanages , nursing homes , animal shelters , night shelters , daycare centres, banks, prisons , juvenile schools, community development centres , and many more tend to those social needs of the society which cannot be overlooked. Inclined towards public welfare? Look no further!

Socio-Cultural Projects

15. Community and Convention Centres

Humans are social animals. Now and then, we crave a meet-and-greet. Community and Convention Centres cater to this very need, and exploring the design angles for human interaction may be something worthy of your architecture thesis project. Be ready for competition though, this is one of the most popular architecture thesis topics students undertake!

16. Museums and Libraries

The culture-lovers among us would understand the value of a good museum or library and appreciate a well-designed one. Be it a museum of arts and crafts, culture, architecture , history or science, if the give and take of knowledge through some entertainment and delight (infotainment) is something you see yourself doing, then this could be the best architecture thesis topic for you.

17. Memorials

Memorials are the physical manifestations of the struggles endured, victories earned and life-changing events in history. They remind us to never forget the past, hoping for a better future at the same time, making memorial design both a fascinating yet weighted exercise.

18. Places of Worship/ Spiritual Centres

One cannot separate a human from their faith. Having a place to worship or connect with one’s spiritual self is as important to a human as going to school or a cinema hall. Places of worship like temples, churches, masjids, gurudwaras, monasteries , etcetera; and spiritual or meditation centres serve as places for gathering and become important landmarks in a settlement.

Conservation and Heritage Projects

19. Conservation of Heritage Structures

Conservation of the priceless built heritage like palaces, monuments, places of worship, ancient settlements, etc has always been on the agenda of organisations like UNESCO and the Archeological Survey of India. If historical significance gets your heart rate up, hi history nerd! Help in conserving our heritage structures !

20. Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings

History nerd, if you’re still here, here’s another architecture thesis topic for you. Some heritage can be conserved to attract tourists and some that are too out-of-order could be modified and reused for a different purpose, generating economy. Converting royal palaces into heritage hotels, a king’s court into an emergency ward for covid patients or factories into community spaces, adaptive reuse of the built form requires fine skill, respect for heritage, and an active imagination!

Offices/ Corporate Projects

21. Government Buildings

Workspaces for all government officials are mandatory for smooth administration. The scale of government buildings is diverse, from the Central Vista Redevelopment Project (*ahem*) to a district-sessions court. Some common categories are high courts, government-owned banks, secretariat and corporation buildings , income-tax offices, assembly and gathering centres , media offices and so on.

Sounds boring? Don’t be so sure. What originally sounds typical is where there is maximum potential to surprise your critics!

22. Corporate Office Towers

We all have seen or at least talked about the famous corporate jungles of our towns. They not only serve as important landmarks but help in increasing the economic value of a region (Very SEZ-y!). If you wanna tame the jungle, you could explore corporate office-building design for your architecture thesis topic.

23. Co-working and Remote-working Spaces

A popular trend before COVID was sharing workspaces, which now have the potential to be thought of as remote-working spaces! Rethinking the design of co-working spaces is very relevant to the times and has great scope for innovation.

With the times we live in, this could be the best architecture thesis topic!

Entertainment and Commercial Projects

24. Theatres and Auditoria

Who doesn’t like good showtime with family and friends? Theatres, auditoria and performance centres are the core of spaces showcasing and witnessing talent, and fall under another typology which has the potential to be reworked post-pandemic. The design of such entertainment stations can test the knowledge of large-span structures without losing a strong grip on creativity and functionality.

25. Multiplexes and Malls

Malls and multiplexes are very popular among the masses as they possess multiple brands of shopping, entertainment and food centres. Whether or not you agree with the mall typology, more keep coming up in growing towns every year. So why not study how they work and improve the concept for your architecture thesis project? The consumerist urbania will thank you!

26. Marketplaces

Shopping for groceries and essential commodities is a frequent need, and most people head to a single marketplace for all their essential goods shopping. A place with a high frequency of movement requires meticulous and thorough design, but can also be one of the most fun challenges to take up! Think farmer markets, community-owned produce markets, mandis, harbour fish markets, and flea markets, the possibilities are endless!

27. Mixed-Use Hubs

Taking your design challenge up a notch is by taking up a mixed-use hub . This is a high-density area that caters to more than one function and has mega economic value. It could be a combination of residential, commercial, institutional, or hospitality, commercial and public space, or much more. This concept is taken to another level by bringing transit hubs into the fray with transit-oriented development!

28. Film, Photo and Animation Studios

The use of digital media has increased multifold in the past couple of decades. A lot of creatives express themselves through digital content, increasing the need for more film , photo, animation and integrated studios . Since these functions can be highly specialised, there is a lot of potential to do impressive research for your architecture thesis project!

Hospitality and Tourism Projects

29. Eco-Tourism Resorts and Visiting Centres

Imagine spending a weekend at a secluded place, close to nature, with all the facilities you need to relax and just de-stress! Ecological resorts and tourist visiting centres aim to cause as little damage to the environment as possible. Keen on environmental sustainability, eco-tourism resorts should be encouraged in the tourism and hospitality industry and make for very relevant architecture thesis topics.

Landscape architecture enthusiasts, where are you all at?

30. Backpacker Lodging/ Youth Hostels

While the question of travel arises, not everyone can afford finely kempt hotels or resorts to lodge at. The youth may opt for backpacking trips to save money as well as to have an interesting experience! Backpacking/ youth hostels like Zostel and Nomads World are buzzing for their affordability, convenience and prospects of networking with like-minded people. If this is your jam, consider creating innovative spaces for it!

Futuristic/ Sci-fi/ Conceptual Projects

How about a settlement on Mars? Or a concert hall in the air? A transit hub of 2050? A forest within the city? Perhaps a residential colony on the water!

Such futuristic or conceptual architecture thesis topics are all the more enthralling as they might not have any precedents. They stretch a creative brain to its limit, and in the process may transform into a brilliant idea. Challenging conventions, thinking out of the box and taking up a futuristic architecture thesis project could be your achievement (both in design and in convincing the faculty) as a young designer!

Having read about some common architecture thesis topics, it is important to know that you must not be limited to the above list. Your architecture thesis is your own brainchild, and it does not need to conform or even fit within a category.

A great architecture thesis is also a key ingredient in creating a kickass architecture portfolio ! So give your all. Who knows, you may even end up receiving an award for your architecture thesis !

Hoping you found the inspiration you were looking for!

Need more guidance with your architecture thesis project? Head straight to our A-Z Architecture Thesis Guide !

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Eco-Tourism and its Architecture: A Methodological Framework for Assessing Progress towards Sustainable Development

This thesis proposes a composite framework for the evaluation of the environmental impact of tourism development on host destinations. In this study, the environmental impact of tourism is considered as a social-ecological phenomenon that can be categorized into the two aspects of natural and social-cultural impacts. Ecotourism is introduced as a type of sustainable tourism in that its policies and principles for development are based on conservation of environmental heritage (including natural and cultural heritage) via engagement of local people and communities in the tourism development process. The proposed composite framework arises from the integration of an ecological and a cultural framework for the sustainable development of tourism. This framework places the conservation of natural resources as the main ecological outcome for eco-tourism. The proposed framework uses the ecological footprint (EF) of the main tourism activities and services (including transportation, food and accommodation services) as the ecological indicator for evaluation of ecotourism development to ensure it is ecologically compatible. Ecological footprint (EF) is a way of measuring environmental impact. It assumes that everything needed for living, including all energy, goods and services can be obtained from land, and that any wastes produced can be absorbed by land (Wackernagel and Rees, 1996:9). Because land productivity varies considerably around the world the average global productivity is the normal measure, and this is called global hectares (gha). The ecological footprint of a product or activity produced/ consumed and conducted by a defined group of people can be measured through the following equation:  EF (gha) = Lifecycle energy use of a given group of people (product and activity pro-duced or conducted) Gigajoules (GJ) / carrying capacity of the Earth (GJ/gha).  The above equation determines the area required to produce resources and to absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide generated in the lifecycle energy use of the product or activity through using fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Through using an ecological perspective, this thesis views culture as a system that links a group of people or a community to their surroundings through their use of local mate-rials and energies, and the production and consumption of products from these. The proposed framework determines the main cultural outcomes for ecotourism development such as conservation of heritage and making the host people aware of their cultural values. In addition, it introduces related activities such as social events, conservation of heritage and producing and consuming local products as contributive activities for achieving the outcomes stated above. Furthermore it investigates and refines a number of indicators that can be used as tools for evaluation of the cultural footprint of the development of ecotourism. Within these, local gross domestic product (GDP) as a social-economic indicator arising from tourism activities is also considered. This thesis concludes by presenting a case study of ‘The Otago Central Rail Trail’ (OCRT) as an example of ecotourism. The OCRT was introduced in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy (NZTS) for 2015 as a successful model for community-based development of sustainable tourism. The investigation reviews the impacts of the OCRT on natural and cultural heritage by using the framework developed in the thesis and its related ecological and cultural indicators. Through using the proposed holistic framework and the model for sustainable development of ecotourism, this thesis finds that, influenced by the development of the OCRT, many cultural heritage items including 60 bridges, 3 tunnels, and 78 buildings (used as OCRT accommodation services) have been refurbished. The restoration of this heritage can be considered as a policy that contributes to awareness of OCRT residents of their cultural heritage and identity. Likewise, as a part of the educational process related to ecotourism, this also makes an opportunity for OCRT visitors to learn about the cultural values of their host people. As shown in Table 5.84, in 2011, the total EF of 11,788 OCRT visitors including the EFs of the four categories of transportation, food, accommodation and activities is 1,617 gha (0.138 gha /visitor). In comparison with the EF of 0.03 gha/ visitor for sustainable tourism (see Table 5.86), the overshoot portion of the EF of the OCRT is equivalent to (0.138 – 0.03) 0.108 gha/ visitor. Likewise the total overshoot EF of 11,788 OCRT visitors is (11,788 visitors × 0.108 gha) 1,273 gha (see Table 5.86). This overshoot EF of the OCRT indicates that although the project has already been considered as a successful sustainable tourism project, still needs to reduce its total EF by 1,273 gha to be environmentally sustainable. As determined in Chapter 5 (see Table 5.88), the overshoot portion of the OCRT is calculated as 127,310.4 GJ/year. Since the costs to generate 1 GJ of overshoot energy use through using renewable energy sources (in this case wind + solar) is NZ$ 19.8, consequently the total cost to generate the overshoot energy use of the OCRT through using the latter systems (wind + solar) is equivalent to (127,310.4 GJ × NZ$ 19.8) NZ$ 2,720,746. Table 5.90 shows that in 2011, the total GDP of the OCRT is NZ$ 6,245,289 This means the total cost that must be spent to generate the overshoot portion of the OCRT energy use in a sustainable way (NZ$ 2,720,746) is 43.6% of its total GDP (NZ$ 6,245,289). Consequently the sustainable portion of the GDP (GDPs) of the OCRT is (NZ$ 6,245,289 – NZ$ 2, 720,746) NZ$ 3,524,543. The results of this thesis demonstrate that using local products (e.g. home prepared foods) as a sustainable cultural behavior not only contributes to the ability of the host destinations located along the OCRT (such as Naseby and Cromwell, used as further case studies) to present their cultural products, but also contributes to reduce the environmental impacts and increase the economic outcomes of the OCRT. For example, producing 17% (13,346.4 kg) of the total of 65165.05 kg consumed food as home prepared food reduces by 5.5% the ecological footprint related to the food consumed by OCRT visitors. As determined in Chapters 5 and 6, in three case studies, producing home prepared food contributes in a sustainable way to the increasing of the economic outcomes by about NZ$3.5 / kg of food produced. This thesis indicates that in all three case studies, using refurbished buildings as accommodation services, which is considered as an activity that contributes to preserving the cultural identity of the host destinations also contributes to reducing of environmental impacts and increasing the economic outcomes related to OCRT. For example in OCRT using 12.9% of bed space as refurbished buildings reduces by14.5% (7.3gha) the total 50.5 gha ecological footprint of accommodation services compared with when all accommodation buildings are assumed as new buildings. Chapters 5 and 6 determine that in OCRT using 21,378 m2 of refurbished buildings as accommodation services (12.9% of total bed spaces) increases by 5% the sustainable portion of GDP related to accommodation services. In Naseby also using refurbished buildings as accommodation services has the same sustainable ecological, cultural and economic outcomes as for the OCRT as a whole. The framework indicates the use of open air areas as being a cultural-ecological indicator for evaluation of architecture as being sustainable. Through using the framework, it is determined that using open air areas including balconies and verandas as part of OCRT accommodation buildings exerts environmentally friendly influences on the host destination. For instance in OCRT using 387 square meters of veranda and balcony as part of the 80,356m2 accommodation buildings decreases by 1.5% the total ecological footprint (50.5gha) of buildings used as accommodation services in OCRT. The thesis results demonstrate that an architecture that will contribute to sustainable development through ecotourism has a cultural footprint area in which the architecture contributes to the host societies knowing and preserving their cultural identity, capitals and heritages. Simultaneously, it contributes to reducing the environmental impacts and increasing the economic outcomes of the host societies through ecotourism. This thesis determines that since all ecological, cultural and economic characteristics of sustainable architecture are linked together, a strategy to develop sustainable architecture is successful when it considers the linkage between all of these profiles and influences that they exert on each other.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Architecture City planning Tourism'

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Shang, Huijun. "Rediscover the waterfront through redevelopment a cultural and entertainment center in Huizhou, China /." online access from Digital Dissertation Consortium, 2006. http://libweb.cityu.edu.hk/cgi-bin/er/db/ddcdiss.pl?1440081.

Li, Man-kwong Kevlin, and 李文光. "The touring architecture: towards the vision of 'tourist(i)-city' -a sensation in 'extra'-ordinary." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31985336.

Specht, Jan. "A contextual view on the role of contemporary architecture in urban tourism destinations: exploring why contemporary architecture is attracting tourism." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Girona, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/286176.

Eberts, Joseph D. "A landscape architectural approach to gateway community design in Gatlinburg, Tennessee : development using sustainable principles at our national park borders." Virtual Press, 2007. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1365788.

Wildhaber, Eric. "Green trail systems and tourism: improving the quality of life in Kansas City through the addition of green systems, connected districts and tourism opportunities." Kansas State University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/13746.

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ECO-TOURISM HUB IN SHANKARPUR, WEST BENGAL: Revival of a dying ecosystem using Disaster-resilient Architecture

“The waves lashing on to the sand dunes, the crystal-clear sea, the sun setting in the horizon and the casuarinas whispering on the beach.” ~SPRIHA It was perhaps the scenic vision of Shankarpur, fifteen years ago, which first drew me to the place. It was a weekend getaway, a serene, isolated beach in the heart of Bay of Bengal with a small village and fishery. The soft sand dunes and white shells along the beach, the fishermen dragging boats through the dunes into the water, the coconut trees at a distance and “Thakur Da’s dokan” (Grand Pa’s shack) with its “Luchi and Aloo” (bread and potato) were among the many attractions. There were casuarina forests along the beach with nature trails and natural butterfly sanctuaries. Some of the trees had hammocks tied between them. Me and my family were walking through the forest, where we once discovered a natural butterfly sanctuary. The forests were surrounded by the fisherman’s village. For some unknown reason, we kept going back to Shankarpur every year for vacations. It was like being in the lap of nature. However, over the years, when we went for our yearly vacations, we noticed incessant deforestation. The casuarina forests which were once whispering and roaring, withstanding all the storms, were slowly diminishing. Irresponsible tourism and commercialization had destroyed the beach. Suddenly the wildlife and natural sanctuaries were gone. The coastline had started shifting forward. There was a massive ecological disbalance and degradation. After a few years later, in 2016, there were no more casuarina trees. The beach was eroded and deserted. It was no longer accessible. We realized that due to incessant storms and cyclones and the sea level-rising the sand dunes were swept off and now “Thakur Da’s dokan“ (Grandpa's shack) was gone. After I joined Architecture school, I identified the relationship between the environmental, social, and economic aspects of an eco-system. I dared to challenge conventional tourism and explore how architecture can sensitively reverse the ecological disbalance. After re-visiting the village and interacting with the villagers, the following questions arose in my mind: • How can architecture respond to natural disasters and the atrocities of nature? • Were the incessant cyclones and rising sea-levels purely natural disasters or were these the result of devastating human activities and irresponsible coastal tourism? • How can architecture reverse or withstand the damage of these disasters? • Can architecture be a medium of inspiration, thereby educating local communities and tourists, fostering social and economic welfare? • How can I, as an Architect contribute to the change and establish a paradigm shift in the tourism industry?____”REVIVAL OF A DYING ECO-SYSTEM USING DISASTER RESILIENT ARCHITECTURE.” As a student of architecture, I have learnt “the extent up to which the world can be designed and changed, and I aspire to be a part of the change.” What follows in the upcoming pages, is a tribute to my childhood memories and how I have tried to reinforce my dream into reality. “To half the decline of an eco-system it is necessary to think like an eco-system. “ ________Jean Jaques Rousseau. In a world that is shrinking and eco-systems that our dying, there rises a distinct need to extend a field of action of responsible tourism which benefits the environment and thereby the society and consequently the economic growth. While zero-emission, zero-waste and zero-poverty seem to be faraway goals, as an Architect we can discover the world without distorting it. Revitalize ecosystems instead of impoverishing and polluting them. We can build a platform for active participation and restoration of cultural heritage, exchange without arrogance and enrich local communities through eco-sensitive design. In the years to come, the relationship that we maintain with nature will determine the sustainability of the homo-sapiens that we are. Along the coastline of Bay of Bengal, lie many pristine and scenic beaches with rich flora and fauna, namely Digha, Mohana, Talsari, Mandarmoni and Shankarpur which attract millions of tourists over the year. This region is a transitional zone in between sea and land where the casuarinas and mangrove forests were once seen to be whispering and roaring. However , over the last few years, due to incessant storms and cyclones, the sea-level rising and irresponsible coastal tourism there has been a massive ecological disbalance and degradation. Now the casuarina trees are almost gone, and the natural wildlife sanctuaries that once used to exist have all diminished. Along the various beaches which are flooded with tourists, Shankarpur was spotted as a small village with a beach expanding up to 1200 metres. It was comparatively less explored and commercialized than the neighbouring sea beaches but had immense potential for establishing a tourism hub which contributes to its environmental, social and economic standing. It is a severely ecologically affected zone. The coastline has been severely eroded and due to the coastal inundation, there has been removal of sand dunes and forest cover. The Forest Department has been giving proposals for restoring and replanting the lost green cover. There has also been a loss of cultural resources and social disruption due to negligence and lack of employment opportunities. Despite having a soaring literacy rate of 77% the small village population is at an economic and cultural standstill. There are limited transport and communication facilities. All these factors establish a need for a platform which is conducive to the development of the whole area. With this mindset, I shall design an Eco-tourism hub, resolutely committed to the concept of resilience. My proposal will follow the principles of sustainability and disaster resilience. It should protect the life and livelihood for coastal communities and conservation of ecological resources. It should create an interactive ground for locals and visitors so that there may be interchange of ideas and cultural exchange. The project conceives a site-oriented approach and demonstrates how the built environment engages with the natural environment. The natural endowment of the site with its vast expanse of water bodies , parts of which are partially dry, will all be developed. Provision of nature trails and aquascape retreats will be given. Since the beach is inaccessible, natural and artificial aquascapes will play an important part of the design. Nurseries for organic farming, promote self-reliance. Local communities will be involved in cooking and serving authentic cuisines. An eco-friendly approach and cost-effective vernacular architecture will be contextual to the place and easy to accept for the local people. It will challenge the conventional hotels and resorts in coastal regions and serve as an example or prototype to the tourism industry. Resort developments have been planned in border zones, rather deep within ecosystem units. The vernacular colour palette has been maintained among all the built forms to establish a visual linkage. The landscaping has become an extension of the existing ecosystem, mimicking it and preventing further fragmentation.

The site is located 200 metres from the high tide line thereby complying with the coastal regulation norms. It covers a vast expanse of 22 acres with existing palm and coconut tree forests, four existing waterbodies and an existing temple. It is surrounded by the village on its periphery and the shoreline is 200m to its south. Two abutting roads run along its southern and western periphery. The natural endowment of the site has barren organic patches of land in intermediate spaces in the forests. These pristine areas have been left untouched to cause minimum intervention with the existing ecosystem. An FAR of 0.3 has been maintained. Owing to the coastal regulation norms and height restrictions, a horizontal expansion has been opted for. A total built-up area of 78,456 sq.m has been achieved. Tropical cyclones cause maximum cumulative economic loss, hence disaster-resilient techniques were opted for. Most of the built forms are on stilts. This gives a base isolation to the structures and at the same time creates minimum interference with the existing landscape and green cover. The roofs were designed at an angle of 35-40 degrees to enhance resistance to high velocity winds. TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTION: Floating structures that rise to survive floods___Buoys protect homes from floods and rising sea levels by making houses float as high as the flood water level rises.The buoys can be made by recycled jugs. When water levels rise tanks lift the building while vertical guideposts extending from the stilts, hold the construction in place letting it go up and down. These amphibious homes are already in use in Vietnam. This technology has been introduced by Dr. ELIZABETH after HURRICANE KATRINA. Some solar passive techniques used are Trombe Michael's wall cooling action and the Parasol roof principle. Building orientation, shading techniques and flow of wind through fenestrations were also taken into considerations. Locally available and recycled materials have been used for construction. The vernacular architecture of West Bengal has been explored with the use of bamboo cross-bracing, mud, and thatched roofs. Climate responsive forms have been adopted taking reference from the pre-fabricated DELTEC HOMES.

Supervisor: Ar. Anshuman Laloo Head of Department: Ar. Maitrayee Mishra Designer: Spriha Chakravorty

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Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow

• Reflective Essay
• Published: 10 September 2019
• Volume 1 , pages 233–247, ( 2019 )

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The twenty-first century is the era when populations of cities will exceed rural communities for the first time in human history. The population growth of cities in many countries, including those in transition from planned to market economies, is putting considerable strain on ecological and natural resources. This paper examines four central issues: (a) the challenges and opportunities presented through working in jurisdictions where there are no official or established methods in place to guide regional, ecological and landscape planning and design; (b) the experience of the author’s practice—Gillespies LLP—in addressing these challenges using techniques and methods inspired by McHarg in Design with Nature in the Russian Federation in the first decade of the twenty-first century; (c) the augmentation of methods derived from Design with Nature in reference to innovations in technology since its publication and the contribution that the art of landscape painters can make to landscape analysis and interpretation; and (d) the application of this experience to the international competition and colloquium for the expansion of Moscow. The text concludes with a comment on how the application of this learning and methodological development to landscape and ecological planning and design was judged to be a central tenant of the winning design. Finally, a concluding section reflects on lessons learned and conclusions drawn.

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Evans, B.M. Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow. Socio Ecol Pract Res 1 , 233–247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Moscow Buildings :15 Places Architects Must Visit in Moscow

Moscow is a powerful mix of history and edginess, full of world-famous sites and attractions. Russia ’s capital has been in existence for more than 800 years, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that this city is filled with some of the oldest fortresses, grandiose cathedrals to well sought out public transportation and futuristic skyscrapers .  Here is a list of a few Moscow buildings an architect must tick off his travel list, when in Moscow.

1. Red Square | Moscow Buildings

Centrally located in Moscow, the Red Square has inextricable links to Russian history since the 13th century.  Initially, a marketplace , the square became famous as the site of large-scale military parades and other demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Presently it is occasionally used for official ceremonies by all Russian governments. The ‘red’ in Red square is unrelated to the crimson brick buildings that surround the square. The Russian name of Red Square- “Krasnaya Ploschad” derived from the word “Krasnyi” meant beautiful in Old Russian and only later became associated with the colour red. The prominent buildings that surround the Square are Lenin’s Mausoleum, Kremlin, Saint Basil’s Cathedral to name a few.

2. The Grand Kremlin Palace

Built-in 1849, was formerly the tsar’s Moscow residence. Intended to emphasise the greatness of Russian autocracy it towers over the Borovitsky hill looming over the Moscow River. Since it is currently the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation, parts of it are restricted for the general audience. The façade has three levels of windows, however, the palace consists of only 2 floors. The opulent interiors of the palace that it was once stripped off of during the Soviet times, were refurbished in the 1990s.

The palace complex also houses the Terem Palace, which is currently the residence of the Russian President, which is not accessible to the public. The exterior of this is exuberantly decorated with brick tracery and coloured tiles is brilliantly painted in red, yellow, and orange.

3. Kuskovo Museum

The former summer country house & estate of the Russian nobility, the Sheremetev family is now home to the Russian museum of Ceramics , the world’s largest collections of ceramics & glass from various countries.

Built in the 18th century, this neoclassical Palace exudes Wes Anderson aesthetic with soft pastel colours on the exterior. The entire Estate was designed for entertainment, festivities & state occasions. The ostentatious interiors accommodate around 26 rooms of which 12 are large staterooms that completely mesmerise you, right from the marble columns of the vestibule, Flemish tapestries, carved motifs in the state bedroom and mirror covered walls in white and gold in the Dancing Hall.

The estate sprawled over 720 acres holds over 20 architectural monuments, including Italian & Dutch houses, an old church, grotto, a Petrine baroque style wooden church and numerous other buildings. It also boasts of an extensive French park, the only kind in Moscow.

4. St. Basil’s Cathedral

At the southern end of the Red Square, stands the whimsical masterpiece of Russia, the St. Basil Cathedral . Unlike any other cathedral, the columnar church is each decorated with onion domes, where none of the designs repeats onto the other. 8 column chapels cluster around the ninth& the tallest one, which houses the main nave of the church. The cathedral’s original colour was said to be white, to complement the white stone of Kremlin, while the domes were gold. However, in the 17th century, the domes began to be painted the remarkable colours that are seen today. Inside this composite church are a labyrinth of narrow vaulted corridors and vertical cylinders of the churches.

5. State historical museum | Moscow Buildings

The red brick building which echoes the St. Basil’s Cathedral resonates well into the architectural narrative of the Red Square. Its exterior is an excellent example of the Russian revival style while incorporating motifs from Muscovite architecture with its tall spires. The museum exhibits a range of relics of prehistoric tribes that lived on the territory of present-day Russia. It boasts 39 halls with unique interiors with different exhibits. The interiors are reminiscent of Russian churches and princely courts. One of the halls is built like a Byzantine cathedral and resembles a miniature Hagia Sophia from the inside.

6. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is the highest orthodox temple in the world and the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and all Russians. Located between the Kremlin and Moskva River, it is a magnificent white structure that dominates in a Neo-Russian and Byzantine architectural style. It was built over a period of 40 years from 1839 to 1883, only to be demolished in 1931 by Stalin’s command. It was to be replaced by an authoritarian 415m high structure, from which the concept of Seven Sisters, or Moscow’s 7 large skyscrapers, in Stalinist architecture, was developed. The stone façade with white marble, four columns and 5 gold-gilded domes was beautifully rebuilt, back to its former glory in the early ’90s as a place of pilgrimage.

The GUM, also known as the State department store, is an opulent shopping mall facing Red Square. The trapezoidal building features a combination of elements of Russian medieval architecture and a steel framework and glass roof, a similar style to the great 19th-century railway stations of London . After the 1812 fire, the moat near the Kremlin wall was replaced with sand and the ramparts were eliminated, along with rows of numerous shops were replaced to pave way for a large Classicist building. The building has three levels and is covered with a glass roof resting on a curved steel framework that allows the sun to stream into the space that paves way for customers, a stark contrast from a typical departmental store anywhere.

8. Izmailovo Kremlin

Apart from the main Kremlin in Moscow’s famous Red Square, there is a second, lesser-known Kremlin in the northeastern part of the city, Izmailovo Kremlin.

An unexpected wonderland, the Izmailovo Kremlin is a kaleidoscope of colourful towers. The wooden complex was built in the early 2000s as a cultural centre and marketplace, modelled after traditional Russian architectural and fairy-tale depictions of Old Russia. Set like a small village, it holds a lot of museums, antiques and handicrafts . The variety of built styles is something that keeps you captivated through and through.

9. Tsaritsyno Palace

The palace is part of a magnanimous Palace museum and park reserve in the south of Moscow. The estate was founded in 1776 and renovated extensively in 2007. The Tsaritsyno architectural monument is a major attraction with its large scale expositions in the museum that immerses you in the spirit of the 18 th century.  Built-in Neo-gothic style , the Grand Palace is a three-storey building, flanked by green-roofed towers. Just as almost any other Tsaritsyno building, this one too combines red brick with white stone. The steeples on the towers, lancet windows and arches mesmerise you even from afar.  The estate is also home to a number of pavilions, pergolas, artificial grottos, decorative bridges, Russian orthodox and a naturally inundating but maintained landscape.

10. Sandunovsky Bath House | Moscow Buildings

Immerse yourself in history by visiting the unique and opulent Russian Bathhouse. A national heritage, the Sanduny Bath House is the oldest public bathhouse in Russia. This building holds bath departments, spacious lounge zones, swimming pools and Classical Russian steam rooms, private rooms and 8 separate bathhouse areas with Jacuzzis. Built in the 1800’s, the baths received water via a specially built aqueduct from the Babyegorodskaya Dam on the Moscow River and from 700 feet of an artesian well. The electrical illumination was provided by a private electric power station. The exteriors and interiors are a mix of Baroque, Classical, Renaissance, Gothic and Rococo styles. The hallway leading up to the changing rooms are decorated in elaborate mosaics and frescos.

11. Bolshoi Theatre | Moscow Buildings

The historic 19th-century theatre originally designed by Architect Joseph Bové continues to be a major contributor to the Russian performing arts. It is also home to one of the oldest ballet and opera companies. A mighty Palladian façade with neoclassical columns and horses galloping across the intricately carved pediment enrich the exterior. Restored multiple times through the course of its existence due to fires, its imperial décor and acoustics were finally restored to their former glory in 2011. The interiors are a mix of Renaissance with Byzantine style, a cue from the alluring theatres across Europe such as Palais Garnier in Paris.

The white balconies interspersed with gold, the bright crimson draping of the interiors and a magnificent chandelier are a sight to behold.

12. Ostankino Tower

The TV tower, built-in 1967 by Nikolai Nikitin, has been the tallest freestanding structure in Europe for over 50 years. On contrary to a tall structure relying on a deep foundation, the foundation of Ostankino’s tower was made resilient by making its foundation far heavier than the structure itself.

The concept of the silhouette of the building was an upside-down lily, with a firm stem and solid petals as supports. With 2 observation decks at 337m and 340ms, the glass and open observation decks provide breath-taking views of the entire city.

One can only begin to fathom the sheer expanse and planning of the city is mesmerizing from that height.

13. Arbat Street

An all pedestrian street where you can roam about and take in all the architecture at your own leisurely pace, Arbat is a dream come true. One of the most famous streets in Moscow, the Arbat was once a bohemian place that transitioned over the ages into being home to a lot of prominent Russian writers and poets. The huts paved the way to one – two-storey mansions with tower rooms and gardens that further developed into multi-storey tenement houses in various architectural styles. The few prominent styles were Art Nouveau, eclecticism and Avant-Garde, which are still of great interest for architectural connoisseurs.

14. Melnikov House

The eccentric house that Konstantin Melnikov built for him and his family was surrounded by a whirlwind of controversy and un-acceptance, but over the years turned into a 20th-century icon for Russian architecture. With an aesthetic different from traditional Soviet residential architecture, it was an essence of the later Russian Avant-garde. It features 2 interlocking cylindrical volumes standing 3 stories high with enough space for the family, and studio space. The windows are a series of shapes resulting in a honeycomb structure with angles that were determined by the quarter lengths of the standard local bricks. These windows provided an even dispersion of light, air and heat that beautifully lit up the interior space.

15. The Moscow Metros | Moscow Buildings

The underground world of Moscow reads of a whole other world of amazing architecture for a daily commuter. The Metro was one of the major propaganda of the Soviet-era right from 1938, with a desire of the Soviet leaders to communicate the power of the union to citizens and visitors.

The underground palaces for the people were initially a Russian version of art Deco with some avant-garde forms that slowly transitioned to Neo-Classical with Imperial motifs. These stations are an embodiment of brilliance and a radiant past. All the stations differ from one another some are richly decorated with ornaments and bas reliefs; some are vaulted with large mosaics depicting historic events in history with gilded arches. The cost to experience them is only that of a metro ticket.

A 25 year old Architect still trying to make her way into the world. Simran Shukla is an enthusiastic learner who loves to design and sketch once coffee is introduced into her system. Loves working on new projects and with new people. Her ideal vacation spot would be a beach.

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