Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.

_________________________________________________________________
An urban remodelling and creative economic regeneration project for the settlement
involved in Idol making craftsmanship of Pen, Raigad District Maharashtra.

Submitted by: Ar. Kirti M. Lonerkar | Guided by: Ar. Mohin Merchant | Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai | M.Arch Urban Design 2016-2018
Contents:
 Urban Design concern and Introduction
 Evolution of the town
 Existing scenario and land use map
 Location of Artisans community in the core area
 Sketches showing Activity and users of the space
 Neighbourhood Mapping of the Demonstrated Area
 Kasarali Street: The study area
 Mapping of the study area
 fabric of the neighbourhood and the analysis.
 Activity Mapping
 Analysis of Housing typology
 Urban Design Strategies and scheme
 Proposal

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Urban Design Concern and Introduction Location of Major Idol
Making Artisans Community
in India.

Understanding of the city gives us the scope to locate

the artisans group in the power structure of the
economic sector and the urban life.

Location of Pen, Raigad district, Maharashtra.

• Pen is a town in Raigad district located at 18°40'.N, 73°05' E, Location of Pen urban centre in
Mumbai Metropolitan Regional
on the outskirts of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Plan 2016-36

• It is well-known for world class Ganesh idols.

Total 550
cottage industries
crafting the Ganesh
idols.

Around 60% of the

working population
is involved in this
sector.

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Evolution:

1800: the village of pen was connected only 1960- National Highway 17 was declared, In 1990s export of idols to aboard started.2001 industrial areas were
through port and one lane road leading to nearby connecting Mumbai and Goa. Local Bus service established in the nearby towns i.e. Nagothane, Roha, Dharamtar etc. which
towns, mainly Khopoli, Panvel and Mumbai. started by MSRTC. In 1966, Pen Railway Station lead to increase in the demand for housing
was established.

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Existing scenario and
Land use Map

Source: Google image

Gazetteer of Pen Municipal council

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Location of Artisans community in core area

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
 During the study of the Kasar Ali, identification of the craft corridor
based on artisans’ studio, use of material, pattern of work, location of
shop, and residential areas were covered. In this region, the build
structures of artisan studio is commonly used as workplace, storage as
well as residential purposes.
Some workers even work along roadside due to the lack of sufficient
daylighting in the studio.
Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:
The Idol making Craftsmanship of
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Artisans sit cross-legged on the floor and work on the idols for hours. Some
innovations have been done by the owners by constructing work benches and
rotating stools. There is no heavy machinery involved in the making of the
idols. The set of handmade tools have been their constant companion ever
since.
Artisan takes immense pride in their craft and few of them has been perfecting
idols for over since 30-40 years.
Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Neighborhood Mapping
The core area

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Kasarali Street: The study area

Residential
Residential+ idol making Karkhana
Temple
Community hall
Primary School
Museum of sculpture and various idol
made by Deodhar generations

Elevational sketch showing activity and streetscape in the core area

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Building use and building Age map

Inference : There are total 44 workshop units at entire stretch of kasarali. whereas as
total Residential + workshop unit is 21

Inference: there are about 4 % of old wada typolgy and vernacular houses. however, the user
value has been deteriorating in its present condition but retains the scope of reviving the same
which would otherwise will come under pressure of demolition & redevelopment.
Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:
The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
3D views showing the fabric of the neighbourhood.

Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat

• Traditional and • Lack of infrastructure • Linkage between • Unsatisfactory
historical values facility. cultural and modern workshops.
• Highly artistic and • Lack of attention among trend. • Insufficiency of natural
aesthetical sense of the tourist. • Professional training light.
artisans • No active government center. • Quality of space fading
• Indigenous creative job policies or schemes for • Skilled artisans due to new haphazard
opportunity. the artisans and their • Heritage-craft-corridor constructions.
• Demand of product and living standards. of a historic city.
national and • Traditional cultural
international market property attached in
tourism industries

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Existing Detailed plan of Demonstrated Area

Storage space :
Inference
• Storage for drying idols as well as preserving the final products is a major issue for the artisans.
• They are running out of space for drying and storing the finished idols.

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Activity Mapping

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Analysis : Housing typology

• The 150 yr old privately owned property is a

residential+ workshop unit having “wada” typology
of housing. It is a well maintained property with
defined edge . Through its typological form, it serves
the historical character to the Kasar Ali .
• The asset has some rarity value as it is the only
structure in the study area exhibiting a certain well
maintained typology once prevalent in this region.
Stakeholder involved : Private property owned by Mr
sane.

Activity: Residents involved in craftsmanship seasonally

and not through out the year. Their main business is to
manufacture and sell dairy products to the people
residing within the city.

• The nuclear family system leads to division in the

old wada typologies for privacy and space which is
the trend observed region wise, giving rise to poorly
maintained but historically significant properties.
• This trend of division in the old wada's lead to the
formation of elongated rectangular houses . This
narrow rectangular units are the typical layouts in
which the idol making crafts is majorly Practised
throughout the year in Kasar ali .

Activity: Workshop + Residence

Inference: Idol making workshops on the ground level

and residence on the above floors.

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Analysis : Housing typology

• The property is almost 100 years old. It has a

defined edge and low height compound wall
with a well at the front yard called as “angan” .
However the user value has been deteriorating
in its present condition but retains the scope of
reviving the same which would otherwise will
come under pressure of demolition and
redevelopment.

Stakeholder: Property sold on lease to

Mr.Karande

Activity: Storage space for idols + Residence

Inference: Although the owner of the house is not
involved in the craftsmanship, the land is given to
the people involved in this craft to store the Idols
or to keep them for drying in the front and
backyard.

• The Structure falls under High intensive

development area. Through its typological
form, it gives the historical and image ability
characteristic of the Kasarali talao street.
However the user value has been deteriorated
in its present condition. The property is under
pressure of demolition and redevelopment.

Activity : Residential + idol making workshop

Inference:
Plot A: Idol makings workshops are located in the
stilt level of the Mid rise residential unit.
Plot B: A dedicated courtyard and open space has
been provided to carry out workshops and drying
of idols respectively.

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Inferences :

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
 Urban Design Strategies:

• Remodelling the artisans Neighbourhood. (Kasar ali)

• Urban design interventions to improve infrastructural
services, storage facility, flexible working space, and the
creating a proper environment for the artisans and the
visitors.
• Appropriate site planning and urban design amenities to
encourage travel by walking, bicycling and public transit.
• Development of safe pedestrian walkways, arcades, and
other visual elements to interconnect the lanes.
• Incorporating the suitable location for training and the
exhibition centre to flourish tourism and to link the
artisans to direct market.

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Conceptual Proposal

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Urban Design Scheme : Simplified Planning Zone

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:
The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Master plan:

Covered Pedestrian Pathway along the Cantilevered adjustable racks used for Pedestrian zone between two buildings acting as Open
workshops having slopping roof Display and Drying of idols in the workshop space + Display + Drying areas for big idols

Urbanising Artisans Neighborhood:

The Idol making Craftsmanship of Kirti Mahendra Lonerkar
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Pen , Raigad district, Maharashtra.
Thank You!