Ananda Krishnan

IR3019

AARUDHIH

The project repurposes a 100 year-old warehouse built by the Dutch on the banks of Vembanad Lake, Fort Kochi, into a contemporary museum space. The building typology is a vernacular structure of Kerala. The structure today is in disarray. Parts of the roof are damaged, walls are chipped, windows are broken and trees and natural vegetation has been thriving on the building skin. However, its prime location at the edge of the lake, its heritage value, and locals' affection for it, calls for new usages and extension of the building life.


Report Content

The building typology is a vernacular structure of Kerala. It was originally a square -shaped building with a courtyard in the center. Currently, of the four blocks, three blocks are existing, revealing one of its faces to the lake.

Site sections with existing conditions

Site photographs depicting current site conditions

Site photographs depicting current site conditions

Case studies were conducted on international projects as by architects on similar context. Wehere museums were erected from ruins or old buildings with similar character inordr to explore techniques as well as details.

The aim was to : maintain the ruined surface and structure wherever possible restore them wherever necessary Introduce the 'new' with recessed junctions and joineries so that the the old and the new has distinct contrast as feeling of attached to eachother.

PLans depicting programs,layout and the circulation through space

Sectional perspective depicing the entry , workshop machinery area, display area as well as the contrast between old and new through color codes.

Renders depicting views from the program

Renders depicting views from the program