Anganwadi Community Center
International Architecture Competition for Community Center
Location: Kodidodi India
REIMAGINING THE PAST AND RESHAPING THE FUTURE
Masterplan
Planning
Functional spaces namely aaganwadi, multipurpose hall, kitchen, store, office and latrines are placed considering the solar orientation and predominant wind mostly form East and West. Aaganwadi and multipurpose hall flanked along the Northern boundary of the site opens up to the central space. Similarly, the office space and kitchen built on the southern boundary of the site also connects directly to the central courtyard. The site has three entrances: the south separating the kitchen and latrines, on the west side, and the main entrance in the northeast,which is right in front of the glorious Neem tree. These multiple entrances for the community center are a conscious design decision to maximize the accessibility and establish a welcoming gesture, reclaiming the right for experiencing the space with inclusivity and dignity, without letting the users feel out of place.
SANITATION
The western boundary of the site is where the latrines (Sulav two pit pour flush toilet) are planned. Sulabh toilets are an innovative method for rural areas where there is sanitation issues. The two pits are used consecutively in a calculative time, where the excreta gets digested and becomes dry and pathogen free and safe for handling as manure.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
The sunken courtyard also functions as an impluvium during the monsoon seasons. The rainy days last for seven months starting from March and ending around November every year. Even though, the average monthly rainfall is very less, it helps in contributing to rainwater harvesting system which has been planned at the northeast corner of the site. The government supply has also been relocated along with the rain water collection tank making the daily water rituals convenient for the villagers. By integrating the system of rain collection within the community center sets an example to inspire people for adopting a self-sustaining approach to enhance their day-to-day activity reducing the dependency on government supply.
CREATING SHADE AND SHADOWS
The courtyard formed by flanking all the structures for various activities along the site boundary is beyond just a collective central space for gathering and play area. It functions like a shaded area below a huge tree, where the harsh sunlight gets scattered and soften with the help of bamboo lattice umbrella planned around the open spaces creating a cooler experience than under the direct sun heat.
Material and Construction Technique
All these functional structures are designed with load bearing walls made from Compressed Earth Block (CSEB); one as a solid wall of 450 mm thickness and the other as a perforated wall also locally called as jaali wall. All this is secured together by RCC floor tie beam and lintel taking the load of a floating zinc sheet by a help of bamboo truss. The conscious gap maintained between the lintel and zinc sheet avails a proper cross ventilation for the interior enclosed spaces. The hot air generated by heated zinc sheet within the enclosed structure gets escaped through bamboo louvered ventilation and a gap that is maintained between the top lintel and zinc sheet supported by the bamboo truss. This thrust is maintained by a system of proper air circulation enhanced through a courtyard planning layout and further supported by bamboo louvered doors.
The CSEB wall on the other hand is lime plastered and protected from rain and moisture from the external surface and left exposed in the interior spaces. This conscious variation is planned to establish the linkage between what is already existing such as the housing units of the locality and what needs to be revived, innovated and explored. This will give advantages to regulate the indoor temperature as per the climate. hence setting an architectural encouragement and pushing rural communities to adopt eco-friendly building methods and setting the groundwork for a sustainable architectural future.
A wide cantilever of 600 mm of slab projected from top lintel beam not only cuts off harsh sunlight during the dry summers but also functions as a gutter to collect the rainwater falling on the sloped zinc sheet roof that covers almost all the functional structures in the community center. This channeled water is then diverted to a collection tank located in the communal water fetching section of the community center.
Modularity and Flexibility
The core structure of this proposed design is the Essence of the Courtyard, where the structures sit around it overlooking the central gathering space”. This courtyard planning system and unit’s structural system will remain a prototype for various community center to evolve. But things that will differ from one village to another are the materials used for load bearing wall, plaster texture, roof sheets and truss that can be customized and adopted as per the local need and convenience of villages it is being built. The courtyard planning always being a modular and flexible approach is widely acceptable in various communities for its many advantages to weave both tangible and intangible fabric of the society at large.