Gandhi Karan Sameer

AR2029

Book Studio by the River

As opposed to the silent library of the yesteryears with reading tables and long eerie bookshelves, the book studio aims to be first and foremost a community place. For the same, conversations, debates and discussions become an integral part of the space. Intersecting ambulatories lead to chance encounters and courtyards and pause points become hubs of the community. It is clear that the books are not the final purpose, but rather a way for community building. The programmatic spaces such as book sections and admin are designed purposefully, while the non-programmatic spaces, i.e. the secluded reading spaces and community spaces are generated through space-making by suggesting activities and giving various different opportunities. Appropriation and misappropriation give rise to a shared meaning. The studio is designed in a stepping profile developed at an angle to the contours. This deviation from the contour axis gives rise to many introvert and extrovert spaces inside the pavilion creating inward looking spaces under the ground level as well as spaces on the ground level opening up to the vistas offered by the Baug. A central spine in the form of the staircase runs from the top of the ground to the river level, connecting all the spaces. This spine is intersected by various offshoots leading to individual follies which are multipurpose public spaces. 

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The spatial vocabulary exercises focused on arrangement of spaces and ambulatories in plan to talk about various design principles. Basic architectural elements such as walls, columns, beams, openings and level differences were used in permutations and combinations to create compositions which would suggest movement-pause or give a sense of axiality or radiality. Physical models helped in developing a better understanding of spatial configurations

The design program was to design a bookstudio on the banks of Vishwamitri river in Vadodra’s Kamatibaug, a public park. Designed with the understanding of space vocabulary, it was envisioned as a place for chance encounters and multiple types of spaces. The process began with articulating the concept and navigating the contours along the river, giving rise to a stepping profile of the pavillion. It further delved into structural and experiential aspects

Collages helped in developing ideas about the nature of the spaces while models helped in detailed articulations

Site Plan and Site Section

Plans at various levels

Plans at various levels

Relief models further helped broaden the understanding of spaces

Sections

Rendered views

Rendered views and exploded isometric