Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Nadukuppam Vangala Women's center is located in the Nadukuppam village, in the the Kaliveli Bioregion. This project aims to provide a village based meeting and training centre for the local women’s SHGs (Self Help Group). The community center will provide five tailoring units for training during the day time, and be used for SHG meetings in the evenings. In addition a library of women’s related literature will be provided covering women’s empowerment issues, traditional culture magazines and books, information on basic rights, law and educational booklets. The local women’s SHGs, the village leaders and other community members were involved in site selection and in the design process, and some will be involved in the construction process. The community center is situated overlooking the village pond, and is partially shaded by an old neem tree. The floor plan includes a sewing/classroom/meeting room, and an office/storage space. It is connected by a courtyard to a pavilion which will be used by the SHGs for their meetings except during inclement weather. Construction materials include locally made, compressed mud bricks, mangalore clay roof tiles, timber framing, compressed mud tile flooring interspersed by recycled mosaic tiles as accents.