Late Shri.

Vishnu Waman Thakur Charitable Trusts

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
VIVA Integrated Campus, Sirgaon, Virar East, Dist. Thane 401303, Maharashtra
Email:vivaschoolofarch@gmail.com Tel. No. : (0250)- 699 09 99, 696 56 20& 696 56 28. Institute Code No. MH-53

Approved by Council of Architecture, New Delhi Affiliated to University of Mumbai

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SECOND YEAR B. ARCH 2016-2017 (Sem IV, TERM 2)

Design Team: Prof. K. Soni, Prof. V. Kolhe, Prof. N. Raut

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BRIEF

Design Problem: Affordable Rental Accommodation for Pilgrims at Shitla Devi Mandir, Kelva Beach.

India is a vast country and pilgrimage in India is as old as its civilization itself. The historical myths and
legends, the archaeological findings and even the Vedic stories leave evidence of major travels by the people
of the times. The practice of pilgrimage is so deeply embedded in the Indian cultural psyche and the number
of pilgrimage sites so large that the entire subcontinent may actually be regarded as one grand and
continuous sacred place1. People with diverse and ancient civilisations reside here and its religious geography
is highly complex. To grasp the complexity of the situation, it is important to consider two aspects of Indian
life: Its characteristic of being an ethnic and cultural mosaic; and the ancient rural foundations of many of its
religious and cultural patterns.
In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance.
Sometimes, it is a journey to a sacred place or shrine of importance to a person's beliefs and faith. Members
of every major religion participate in pilgrimages.
In India, a pilgrim place becomes not only the place of worship but also a peaceful place to relax, to
share knowledge & interact, not only on the religious but also on a social & cultural platform. It separates
all the barriers between castes and regions, rich & poor.

The Site and Background

The Township of Kelwa which is situated nearly 75 Km from Mumbai, about 12 Km from Palghar and
Saphale Railway and about 6 Km away from Kelwa Road Railway Station has an important place in the
Mythology and History of the area. This land is believed to be rendered holy by the foot-prints of lord Ram.
Kelwa town boasts of a very ancient temple of the Goddess Shitala-Mata.

The site for consideration for the project is the vicinity around the precinct of this very Sitla Devi
temple at Kelva beach.

Design Proposal
The temple sees a continuous flow of pilgrims throughout the year, with major pilgrim crowds during the
weekends and festival of Navratri. Devotees from nearing states of Gujarat and Rajasthan also visit this
temple in Maharashtra. In the situation, it is important to understand the increase of Socio-economic impacts
in pilgrimage tourism.
The buildings add on to the heritage values of that place or the region, the features or the elements
of the building reflects the characters from the heritage.

1
(culturalindia.net/Indian-pilgrimage).
 Keeping in perception the demands of the various visitors form different regions, backgrounds and strata,
the proposal is to create a self-sustaining system for rental accommodation for the pilgrims and
to provide short stay options for them within the vicinity. It also should provide the devotees with clean
& hygienic surroundings, drinking water facilities, place to worship or meditate, accommodation and stay,
etc.

Methodology

1. Data Collection and Background study

2. Site Documentation and Analysis: Study of existing areas in the surrounding and characteristics of climate.
3. Implementation of the information gathered through case studies.
4. Formation of conceptual and Design development as per the activities.
5. Learning through space standards.
6. Progress on architectural forms and corresponding functions.
7. Calculative Evaluation of the Design.

Case Studies
1. Jivdani Virar 9. Akshardham Delhi/ Gujarat
2. Vasai Gurudwara, Ambadi Road 10. Auroville, Tamil Nadu
3. Lodhadham - Vasai 11. Samet Shikhar, Jharkhand
4. Global Pagoda Borivali 12. Chotila, Ahemdabad- Rajkot Highway
5. Eskon Temple Juhu / Pune 13. Vaishnodevi, Katra
6. CDSA - Pune 14. Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad/Bijapur
7. Narayani Dham - Lonavala 15. Champaner, near Panagadh
8. Swaminarayan Temple - Valsad, Tithal Beach 16. Makkah Ziyarrah Makkah (Tent city of Mina)

Submission Requirements

1. Background Studies: Data Collection and Case studies

2. Design Philosophy: Approach and Design Development
3. Site Analysis: Location Plan and Context Study
4. Site Plan / Roof plan (Scale 1:200)
Roof Level
All level/Floor Plans
5. Site sections (Scale 1:200) (4 nos)
6. Enlarged floor plans as per instructions (Scale 1:100).
7. Enlarged individual elevations of all sides (Scale 1:100)
8. Enlarged detail of any two design features (Scale 1:50)
9. Views : Internal and External spaces , Aerial Site View
10. Models - Block Model as progressive + Final Model.
Objectives for self-development:
Guidelines for designing
1. To develop research skills for survey research and case study.
2. To understand functioning of community spaces in rural areas / semi urban areas.
3. To study principles of design, construction and technology based on tradition and experience.
4. To design spaces suitable for life style in rural / semi urban areas:
The architecture of the center should be a landmark as well as a tourist attraction in its own right.
However, it should not over power the architecture of the context.
5. To conserve the natural surroundings and social fabric suitable for communities
The center should not only become a platform for various religious activities and socio-cultural education
but also prove to be a generator for income source in the locals.
6. To design the buildings suitable to climatic conditions, by using local materials and traditional methods
of construction.
An attempt should be made towards promotion of environmental friendly concepts.
7. To understand and provide specific infrastructure required for communities.
Considering the perspectives of people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds, multiple levels of
information should make the visitors design their own experience.
8. To create opportunities for inventive methods of interactive outdoor spaces
a. Include sit out spaces and gathering areas for all age groups allowing flexibility of formal as well as
informal interactions.
b. Wall graffiti as an interactive participant media with the visitors and /or sculptural art gallery.

Recommended Readings
1. Ching Francis D. K., Form Space and Order.
2. Pierre Von Meiss; Elements of Architecture from form to place.
3. Yatin Pandya; Elements of Space Making
4. Robert Kronenburg; Houses in Motion
5. Will Jones; New Residential Architecture
6. Alexander Tzonis et. al. ; Tropical Architecture
7. Kingston Wm Heath; Vernacular Architecture and Regional Design
8. Torben Dahl; Climate and Architecture
9. Samarendra Narayan Arya; History of Pilgrimage in Ancient India (AD 300-1200)
10. Rupa Raje Gupte; The Courtyard wadas of Maharashtra
11. Ali Kazuyooshi Nomachi and Seyyed Hossein Nasr ; Mecca Medina
12. John Guy; Indian Temple Sculpture
13. Robert W. Gill; Rendering with pen + ink
14. Magazine Architecture: Time Space and People (Oct 2016, Vol 16 Issue 10)
Requirements and suggested Area statement

Activities
Entrance Administration Common Amenities Accommodation 1450sq.m.
Total Area: 110 sq.m. Total Area: 40 sq.m. Total Area: 280 - 300 sq.m. No
people/
Particulars of area / unit
Area Area Area unit
Particulars Particulars Particulars units
Reception,
Visitors Lobby, 60-80 15-18 100-120 120-150
6 nos 6 nos
Waiting sq.m. sq.m. Multipurpose sq.m. Self-contained sq.m.
A Lounge CManager's Cabin F /meditation Hall M apartment unit
Back Office (4-15 8-10 10 15-18
30 sq.m. 25 sq.m. 2 nos
B Display Area D ppl) sq.m. G Library N Deluxe rooms nos sq.m.
10 Dining Area / 60-70 Executive 80-90
N.A. 2 nos
X Parking E Storage Sq.m. H Canteen sq.m. O Suites (AC) sq.m.
Note : 40-45
8-10 nos 10 nos 2 nos
I Wash basin area P Dormitories sq.m.
1. Point 'J' and 'Q' to be derived after study of space standards. Toilets (10 WC area as per Common toilet Wash Basin, W.C., Urinals, Shower
2. Toilets to be comprehensively developed as complete systems. standards cubicles, and changing rooms to
J (F) + 6 WC (M)) and shower be given as per requirement
The numbers given are approximated for ease of understanding. 20 sq.m. areas
K Souvenir Shop Q standards
3. Accommodation to be detailed with interior layouts.
Storage
5-6 sq.m. 25 sq.m.
L Provision Store R (Mattress / Linen/ Pillows)