Fringe stimulation

In the process of developing the design of an extension of the city fabric, a module that is sensitive to the concerned parameters of light and motion is arrived at. The growth of the structure is integrated with and responsive to the topography of the site. The existing transition of the topography is through that of the road, the promenade, rocks and the sea, with the mangroves adding an interesting feature to the change. The construct follows the natural undulating terrain and reflects this transition keeping in mind the growth and impact of the mangrove.  While the existing fringe condition- the promenade creates a stark boundary, the construct provides a more subtle condition, providing a gradual, more appropriate extension of the dynamic nature of the city and a more gradual, natural blur rather than an abrupt edge. In order to exaggerate the condition of the land merging with the sea, and in response to the distance created on the rocks due to receding tides, the construct is made partially subterranean and thus brought closer to the water level providing a very interesting, varying condition of water levels within the construct. This creates a new fringe condition, and the structure further enhances the existing environmental conditions created by the mangroves by helping to anchor their roots to a firmer foundation.

Presentation Panel

Insert_Respone to waves

Insert_Response

Concept sketch

Torsion module prototype

Compression module prototype

Approach to Design: Development of a module

In the development of a system that would extend the city fabric and create a gradual blur from land to sea and vice versa, a basic module was arrived at keeping in mind the parameters of light and motion.

The motion of waves at the edge of water and the motion on the edge of land at the promenade was considered in order to create a module responsive to this motion. A simple, horizontal movement of contraction and expansion was further explored in order to create a torsion that would allow growth of this system in various directions.

A richer variety of light conditions was explored by changing simple horizontal cuts that form straight shadow bands. To achieve this diagonal cuts were introduced that allowed for overlapping of more subtle shadows that would help maintain an added sense of movement.

 

Site analysis

Initial site response

In the exploration of an existing edge separating land and water, a promenade- an existing fringe condition, was analyzed. The promenade creates a stark edge marking the edge of the city where it meets the sea. It creates an abrupt end to the dynamic, organic fabric of the city; the variety of interconnected systems and hybrids that characterize Mumbai are terminated. The project aims at breaking this stark edge by creating an extension of this city fabric through it. It aims at creating a system of transitions that create a more subtle shift from land to sea through an exploration of change in parameters such as light, sound, porosity, motion, color and topography through connections and variations in a module designed suitably for these expressions.

The site chosen offers a succession of impervious layers that create a stark fringe condition. As the insert aims to be an extension of the surrounding city, the nature of its occupants and its impact on the locals will be integral to the process of its design. The insert will be made sensitive to their current occupancy and foreseeable requirements.