Somya Gupta

ID4003-3

Valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that have been passed down from previous generations are normally referred to as heritage. When it comes to the structures like step wells which are considered to be our heritage the greatest efforts are made to maintain the original condition of the structure often neglecting the potential of adaptive re-usage of the building that adds to its legacy. Usually the step wells were at the heart of the community,becoming a meeting spot for towns- people. Women would meet here to collect water for the family, and interact in the shade. This place was a space for all from all the communities. The idea is to revive the similar character of the space that is open to all the communities providing them with something which is an integral part of life, which was then the water and now is considered to be an infrastructure for learning through playing. This place will have an indoor multipurpose hall which has spaces for different indoor games and activities, an out- door playing area, a kitchen and supporting areas like toilets and pantry. Through this project, kids gather to learn, play and grow through the solids in a space where people connected through liquid. As the site , an abandoned structure in the complex of ‘Jethabhai ni Vav’ is an arrangement of rigid frames with an central courtyard, it sets stage for the creating a dynamic space using recursive sub division of surfaces as a tool.