MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE
AR 6413 - ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN III – RURAL DESIGN STUDIO
Semester IV [Link] ‘A’ Batch
Design Chair : Prof. Dr. Monsingh Devadas
Faculty In-Charge : Ar. Silvinus Clisson, [Link]
INTRODUCTION
Architecture has a dimension which is shaped by the society and its cultural practices. This
dimension is pristine from influence of an individual designer; it is rather amalgamation of
collective knowledge of the society which has evolved over the years based on changing need
of humans who inhabit these spaces. Village is a testament to the above aspects. Villages as a
whole form a social unit from which “community” life obtains. They have evolved with or out of
specific symbols, both tangible and intangible, which represent the social cum utilitarian interest
of various social groups that constitute the village community. This studio enables student to
understand and appreciate this organic evolution of a village settlement, architectural
characteristic and building techniques and use of material. Students will do a rigorous
documentation and analysis of the settlement which will help them understand that cultural and
social factors will shape the structure of architectural space.
STUDIO OBJECTIVES:
To create a holistic understanding of the socio-cultural, geographic and economic
aspects that shape the built environment as well as to expose the students towards the
design of simple community oriented buildings.
To make a comprehensive study of a rural settlement that is an exemplar of collective
design evolved organically over a period of time.
To expose the students on the methodology of conducting various surveys covering,
physical, visual characteristics and demographic aspects.
To understand the vernacular / traditional architecture involving local materials and
construction techniques.
To emphasis on the importance of designing built form and open spaces that meet the
aspirations of the community.
AREA OF CONCERN/ FOCUS:
Students are required to do a comprehensive documentation, analysis and synthesis of the
settlement.
Documentation of settlement through historical background, demographics, data
collection, preparations of maps, architectural documentation drawings, visual
documentation through photography and sketches
Analysis of the collected data, understanding the evolution pattern of the settlement,
generation architectural typologies based on architectural characteristics, construction
techniques and materials used, understanding various issues at settlement and
infrastructure level
Synthesis is stage where various issues deciphered through analysis can be tackled
through various proposals.
OUTCOMES:
Student’s ability to understand the concept of community and settlement evolution and
the built environment as influenced by Socio-economic, Cultural, Environmental and
Technical factors.
Ability to provide a sensitive approach to the design of the built environment taking into
account the above mentioned factors.
BROAD METHODOLOGY OF STUDY:
STAGEI- DATA
Literature Studies
COLLECTION
Data collection at the village
Secondary sources
Socio-Economic and and
demographic Trends
&DOCUMENTATION
STAGEII - ANALYSIS
Community and
infrastructure facilities
Physical study and survey
History and evolution of
human settlement
Housing Typology&method
Of Construction
STAGEIII- DESIGN
Identification of Issues
PROPOSAL DesignProposal
Preparation of Report
STUDENT GROUPS:
The students will be divided into groups and under each stage, they are to
1. Conduct socio-economic surveys, visual surveys, land use surveys
2. Involve in physical mapping of the village,
3. Involve themselves in measured drawing of the housing Typologies, Temples etc
as part of the documentation exercise as briefed above in the problem, compile them and arrive
at conclusions which will be the guiding factor for the identification of issues and physical design
proposal for the settlement.
[Link] Description Group Members
1. History and evolution of human settlement, Socio- Group incharge
Economic Survey and demography
Origin
Evolution, metamorphosis and physical growth in
history
Natural or man-made factors that influenced historical
development
It’s socio-economic ,political religious and cultural roots
in history and notable events that influenced its present
status
Evolution of its infrastructure
Building materials used and construction technologies
adopted in its past and the present
Population and their distribution – age wise and gender
wise study
Family structures
Occupation and employment levels
Literacy levels-basic and higher education
Income levels
Castes and religions
Existing Social ,cultural political and religious events
Number of floating population expected and provision of
amenities for them
Festivals
Community programme and co-operatives
System of life and Scientific significance of culture,
festivals, food , activities, calendaring of events, etc
Local administration, Community participation
programme and various other government schemes.
Security, law and order
Maps, Sketches, Video films, Photographs, Questionnaires, Graphs
2. Physical Study And Survey ,Community And Infrastructure Group
Facilities incharge:
Definition of its physical boundaries –natural and man-
made
Neighboring settlements and its influence
Topography, natural features and resources
Prevailing land uses
Orientation and layout of settlement
Street patterns and hierarchies
Land marks and society active spaces
Electricity – type of connection and distribution pattern
Water supply, drainage and sanitation, waste water
recycling
Storm water drainage and sanitation, waste water
recycling
Energy conservation and harnessing measures
Transportation and communication systems
Health facilities and campaign
Financial institution and self-help schemes
Women and children welfare schemes
Emergency and disaster preparedness
Measured drawing of buildings like school, library
Generation of topographical map, base map with built form, land parcel boundaries,
street network, , Photographs, Questionnaires, Graphs
3. Street Elevation And Streetscape and Visual survey Group
incharge:
Documentation of Street elevations of different housing
Typologies
Analysis of Streetscape with respect to design
principles
Architectural details
Street Perspectives
Visual boundaries
Important Landmarks
Rural scene & activity in open spaces
Relationship between built form and open spaces
Point of visual interest in village
Point of various activities in the village
Documentation of placing making aspects of the village
Documentation of rural life
Maps and detailed plan and elevation of streets, sketches and photographs
4. Housing Typology & Construction Technology Group
incharge:
Measured drawing of Building typologies with reference
to their occupation and function, interior facilities and
details
Architectural characteristics
Building response to local natural and climatic
conditions
Local authority regulations and byelaws
Building materials used for construction and their
sources
Building materials used and construction technologies
adopted in its past and the present
Cost of construction and affordability
Housing finance options & govt policies
Building maintenance practices
Incremental building practices
architectural details
interior facilities and details
Detailed documentation of house through diagrams, photographs and sketches
SURVEYS ON SITE AREA OF FOCUS
Extent of the settlement – Physical / visual boundaries.
Important landmarks.
SURVEY
VISUAL
Rural scene and the activities in open spaces.
Relationship between built form and open spaces
Village map, Physical features ( Rivers, Temple tanks, Fields,
etc.,)
Important landmarks ( Temples, Churches, Schools, Public
buildings, Market places, Community centre, etc.,)
Road networks and connectivity ( with hierarchy and
classification)
Infrastructure and facilities-its locations (Overhead Tank,
PHYSICAL SURVEY
Source of water, Tap locations, Street light location, etc.,)
Other general aspects like rural health, education and transport
services, village administration, history of the village, pattern of
growth, religion, interaction between villages and towns,etc.,
Grouping of houses, either caste wise or according to building
materials used.
Typology based on family size, occupation and construction
materials.
Plot, Plinth areas, lintel and roof heights.
Traditional methods of building WITH RURAL MATERIALS.
HOUSING
SURVEY
Light and ventilation, Aesthetic details.
Kitchen and Storage details.
RURAL SETTLEMENT SELECTED:
VILLAGE NAME : PALATHURAI
DISTRICT : COIMBATORE
STATE : TAMILNADU
TALUK
/BLOCK NAME : MADUKKARAI
LOCATION :Palathurai is located around 20 kms away from its district headquarters
Coimbatore.
:Palathurai is surrounded by Sultanpet Taluk towards west,
Kinathukadavu Taluk towards South, Thondamuthur Taluk towards East ,
Periyanayakkanpalayam Taluk towards North
ACCESSIBILITY : The nearest railway station is Ettimadi railway station which is 6.7 Km
from Palathurai.
