Prathamesh R Vernekar

AR3042

Restoring Khazans-Knowledge

The project aims to re-establish the sense of the gaunkari (maand) system by providing a community space. The community space provides spaces to train the farmers in order to initiate the process of repair and growth as well as keep the system running. It also provides a study space for ecologists and tries to establish a common ground in order to resolve the issue between the ecologists (mangroves) and the farmers (khazans). The idea of the community centre originates from the idea of having a huge single roof that houses the programmatic spaces required for the community. The multiplicity of the plinth and the roof allows us to carry out various khazan-related activities like awareness exhibitions, khazan walks, community gatherings, and community meetings. In order to pace up the agriculture activities a service provider of mechanical equipment is part of this center which deals with renting out machinery for plowing, harvesting, and other processes. It also provides a dormitory and study space for the researchers and ecologists working in the testing and research facility.  The use of timber for construction allows for intervention in this fragile landscape with very less impact on the greater ecology of goa.

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Report Content

Site map showing the khazan fields, river artery, community settlements and the community centre.

Site section showing the relation to the community settlement in the khazan land.

Detailed plan showing the arrangement of program.

Section through the dormitory and common gathering spaces.

Section through the canteen and ecologist's work area, leading to the saltpans nearby.

Section through eccologist's work area showing the form of the space in relation to the large roof above.

Longitutinal elevation showing the large roof with smaller spaces under it.

Elevation of the centre seen through khazans.

Axonometric drawing showing the assembly of the community centre.

Model at 100 scale of the proposed intervention