Open Architecture Network

“SPARSHA” In Response to The First Berkeley Architectural Design Fellowship 2008 “Creating Night Shelter, for Homeless, in Junkyard” “OH THINK TWICE, ‘CAUSE ITS ANOTHER DAY FOR YOU AND ME…IN PARADISE” - PHIL COLLINS In this heartfelt song beautifies the agonies of homeless and the lack of compassion in the rest. The essence of humanity lies in the ability to communicate feelings and the desire to work to reach the zenith of one’s potential. Knowingly or unknowingly, we have been pursuing the latter with a lot more enthusiasm and have left out on the former. We might achieve our goals doing as we have done for long, but our existence is incomplete without ‘feelings’. If we could just start to feel again… In a humble attempt to revive The Feeling, a modest motivation by the name of ‘Sparsha’ is being proposed. In doing so, we hope to bring together the community to feel the frustrations of the underprivileged, homeless, roadside dwellers and help improve their existence. ’Sparsha’- the Sanskrit word for the act of ‘a touch’ is an outreach to the community to tie up with the future architects of the nation in bringing smiles to the hardened face of the homeless Indian. SPARSHA Objective: As architects, we hold the dynamic vision for the new face of the horizon. Honestly, the present scenario narrows the scope for growth of architecture down to those selected few who can afford the privilege. Thus, luxury widely over-rules integrity and necessity of designs. Architecture potentially has become a mistress of the wealthy rather than a noble profession. This social art that mirrors the times would be adulterated, as society itself, if passivity prevails. To awaken the lost youth and imbibe the cause of greater humanity “Sparsha” proposes to bring to life any junkyard / local dumping grounds / waste land by sculpturing it into a night shelter for homeless as a start to a drive to provide permanent habitable space for the less privileged. In the process Sparsha expects to enlighten the future architects about the social art of architecture and broaden their perspective through: • Documentation of the demography and lifestyle of the urban homeless in their cities. • Documentation of the ecology of junkyards / dumping grounds / waste land. • Motivation to explore the possibilities of recycled material and traditional building materials in the present scenario. Location of the Site: Any local junkyards / dumping grounds / waste land in your city. Or any empty piece of land temporary being used as fore mentioned. Adequate accessibility. Any size, dimension and shape depending upon the location but duly justified with survey. By-laws of the local area shall apply but they should be clearly mentioned. Number of participants per team: A team of up to 3 members, with at least one undergraduate architecture student necessarily, are eligible. Requirements: A comfortable and healthy resting space for occupants- Number of occupants to be decided by the demography of the region chosen (min 50 no) A lively living cum interaction space (interior or external) Adequate sanitary arrangements Creation of a homely ambiance so that occupants feel secure and content Any other feature which you feel should be incorporated keeping the sociological and regional factors in mind. Structure / Form: The proposal shall adopt a new creative blend of new technology and traditional wisdom to address this social problem. Innovations in design, material and planning will be appreciated. Structure should be sustainable, low cost and low maintenance. These may be: A single structure with all the amenities An independent module which can be repeated to achieve totality in open layout A combination of the two Deciding factor will be the climatology of the city. STAGE ONE: DESIGN PROPOSAL Guidelines: 1. Proposals have to be submitted on A1 sheets (2 nos.) which shall include: All the necessary drawing to explain Design Scheme (e.g. Site Plan, Layout Plans, Sections, Elevations and details.) Landscaping and beautification of the chosen site to convert it into a healthy and welcoming space should be integrated. 2. A report on A4 sheets in Arial font and min. font size of 10 shall be attached which shall include: Photographs and conceptual sketches necessary to explain the course of action chosen and concept (200 words max.) The demography of the locality highlighting the specifics about the homeless (250 words max.) The microclimate, flora and fauna, geology and hydrogeology of the chosen site must be elaborated (500 words max.) Justification of the climatic requirements and consideration (750 words max.) The cost & time of construction of the proposed project (500 words max.) Ideas to generate funds like contribution from the local community or resale of recycled material from the junkyard etc. (15o words max.) Top five entries will be called for the Stage Two. STAGE TWO: Jury Finale Guidelines: Selected entries will be given two weeks time to prepare a model. Scale of the model is to the convenience. The teams shall be required to report to S.M.V.D.U. Campus to participate in Stage 02. Herein, the teams need to appear for a face-to-face jury in which their design shall be analyzed on the basis of their presentation to the jury members and a selective audience. The presentation may be in the form of a speech, sketch, power-point presentations, or a combination or any other medium. Please inform the organizers in advance to facilitate the arrangements. Teams will be judged on the understanding of their design, underlying concepts, practicality of the approach, and social impact of the design, originality of the ideas, clarity and ability to convince the jury members. Other Information The format must be at the bottom of the sheets with “Sparsha” inscribed clearly at the right hand corner of the sheets. 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm box bearing the registration no., nothing else giving away their identity, must be present at the bottom of the sheets. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification. Sheets can be hand drafted /computer-rendered depending upon the convenience of the participants. A soft copy of drawings and report (write up and pictures) and required software to run the before mentioned, should be included. Applicants need to register themselves, details on www.sparsha2008.com, on acknowledgement of which the participants will be allotted a Registration no. which they will use to identify themselves during this competition Registration for the contest shall close on the 7th July, 2008. Queries can be raised up to the end of registration. All entries must reach the mentioned destination on or before the submission date as mentioned below. During the final round boarding lodging and food facilities will be provided for the three members of each of the teams by the host at nominal charges. Participants should keep in mind that the design could be potentially built or assembled in future. It should have provision for expansion and preferably suitable for mass production. It must be highlighted that the purpose of conducting the whole contest is to reinstate a feeling of security and contentment among the homeless for whom the night shelter is to be designed. At all stages this factor must be kept in mind. In this process ‘Sparsha’ attempts to rekindle the social and moral responsibilities of the vivacious youth of the country reinstating the feeling of belongingness and spontaneity- the truly human qualities fading away today. “OH THINK TWICE, ‘CAUSE IT’S ANOTHER DAY…FOR YOU AND ME IN PARADISE.” The schedule for the competition shall be as follows: Stage 01. Last date for receiving entries- 14th July, 2008. Declaration of