Khevna Modi

AR3016

The locality of Asarwa is comprised of heavily populated old and new housing, industries, ancient step wells of Dada Harir and MataBhavani , and the AMC lake. Alongside the park, there also exists AMC driven Civic center, Sewage treatment plant and Water distribution center. These AMC bodies have 3 meters high walls guarding their periphery on all its sides, including the park edge. Most of what occurs during the day outside the park remains unabsorbed by the openness that the park has to offer. Mornings and evenings fill up the walkway with young sport enthusiasts, neighborhood ladies and elderly. The openness of the park provides the only breathable space amidst the chaos of this density. However the park lacks basic amenities to rest and relieve oneself during the noon hours. Two public toilets run and maintained by the AMC are situated on either ends of the road outside the park. These perpetually remain humid and stingy just as typical Indian toilets. On the basis of the two potential end conditions at any instance, Asarwa therefore has numerous thresholds (boundaries) which could be crafted into a meaningful trickster that would also mediate between the two sides. The edge of the park, the one facing the depression is then investigated. Not only does the retaining wall mediate between its immediate end conditions - the park and the lake, but also between the park and its neighborhood, including the 3 AMC sites. A place to rest - 'Vishram' then sets foot on this edge closer to the sewage treatment station and easily accessible by pedestrians during the noon hour. These centers manifest themselves into dry composting toilets inorder deal with sting and humidity. The structure of each of these is light on top and bulky at the base to maximise air flow. Then it expands itself into a larger area with multiple activities that are associated with everyday cleansing. Vishram therefore becomes a place to repose, long or short depending on its proximity from the lake. As the studio progresses, various spaces from the Akhada begin to emerge in close affinities to the existing Vishram. Therefore these activities are most likely the counterparts of 'rest'. The first link from Vishram is the jogging track which runs all across the periphery of the park. Alongside the jogging track is again a parallel wall holding niches to rest and the other side of it is used for on ground cleansing. The courts for Kabaddi and Wrestling now sit next to the cleansing walls. The open to sky courts would now require one of its edge covered from the heat and therefore both are also separated by a closed court which can be used as a preparatory place before a match.Therefore the Akhada dissolves from being an extravagant institute, rather it is merely an extension of the park and the activities that occur in the park. Beside the courts, vishram corridor begins to appear, but this time facilitating around 50 people per day. Therefore the nature of this repose is quick and efficient. However they continue to remain bulky at the base and light on top. Here the Akhada begins to push its way into the site inorder to make space for activities associated with cleansing. Two quick stairs run on either sides of its linear edge for a quick access to the floor above. Another flight of steps runs gradually through its shorter edge almost disappearing into the ground of sewage center where it begins to resurface as little terrace steps. The floors above host the kitchen and eatery primarily. While the other end remains open to use for Yoga and meditation and a few dormitories. This end gradually peters away into the vicinity of the park. As the Akhada holds place in the park, it also begins to alter the entrance. What was initially the main entrance to the park, now becomes the parking space for vehicles. Entry for pedestrians is gradually down the flight of steps through the territory of the sewage treatment plant. The Akhada now begins to play a dual role. During the day, when most of the activity occurs at the base of the Akhada, it establishes it's realm and holds a territory for it's users. Even the jogging track with the two check points on its either end belongs only to the Akhada. However, during the evening hours, the park remains accessible on its upper edge by the south gate and parking on the north end. The upper floor of the Akhada remains shut while the lower vishram corridor remains accessible for public use. Therefore the Akhada transforms itself into the park towards the end of the day. What is merely required for an urban wellness as we see is good ventilated cleansing spaces. These cleansing spaces as they form the core of the Akhada also give back to the park during the later hours. Urban wellness vtherefore is the state of healthy cleansing spaces at the scale of an institute as well as the city.