PLINTHS AND COURTS

We started this course with understanding the Genealogy of the markets and took out case studies to understand the type of the markets. Simultaneously we were working on the site of Borivali Market where we understanding the functioning of the markets and the affordances they create and the problems they face.

Case Study

I took up the Mahatma Phule Market Mandai . It is the largest vegetable market in Pune City . This is in the Shukrawar Peth neighbourhood in the centre of Pune. The primary entrance to this market is situated on the street that runs between Sanipar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Road. Eight entrances lead into this market. This is close to Tulsi Baug, another big market in Pune. Fruits and items for Pooja can also be purchased along with vegetables. This 80-foot edifice, which was built on an 8-acre plot of land, features distinctive British architecture .The layout of Mandai is one of a kind with 8 openings and a separate section for each kind of product – there is a section for potatoes and onions, a section for green vegetables, a section for banana leaves and other puja samagri, there is even a section for seasonal vegetables. Each produce has a place of its own and yet the entire market merges into a seamless whole. Each vendor has their own very vintage looking area which is raised about 3 feet off the ground, between the raised platform where they sit and the ground is a teeny tiny room, which some use as storage and some use as a place to rest during the hot afternoons. The interiors are all wooden and exude an intense vintage charm, nothing seems to have been touched by the cruel hands of time, every tiny detail is distinct and old.

Plan

Long Section

Cross Section

Moksha Plaza was my site where I documented focused group discussions by interviewing the vendors and buyers in that area which formed the basis for my argument. And Diagrammatising the various factors that affect the market typology and also the working were done.

PROBLEMS

No natural light or ventilation is offered inside the existing mall

The existing shops reflect glare that causes a sense of irritation after some time

OPPORTUNITIES

The existing site contains only one pedestrian entry restricting the porosity

The existing site forms a hard edge with the city offering no transitional exchange with the surrounding

The Mangal kunj building contains these fingers protruding from the central piece that creates these pockets for community engagement and break the hard edge

The Mangal kunj building has a courtyard that affords light and ventilation into the space making the structure more porous

Argumentative Question-

How can the integration of a plinth based design with courtyards redefine the urban fabric of the city transforming the community mall to be more community oriented and porous?

SPECULATIONS- PROGRAM AND PEOPLE

These emerging type of shop would redefine the transitional datum by creating porosity in the space by the help of louvers

The railings form the seating space for the people to inhabit contributing further i creation of community space

Corrosion in the roof could form a cluster of smaller courtyards regulating the light and ventilation into the space

PROGRAM DIAGRAMS

The idea of louvers that can be used for the facade the closes for weather protection whenever required also the louvers can be kept open to ventilate the space throughout the day whereas these also offer visual porosity to the people inhabiting the space

Opening the edge that responds to the city could increase the porosity and community engagement

The hard edge formed by the existing structure can be manipulated through creation of plinth based building that affords to attract the people into the space and also forms community space in intervals

INTERVENTION

PLANS

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Basement Floor Plan

SECTIONS

Long Section

Cross Section

DESIGN VISUALISATION