January 8, 2019 EXPLORING NATURE’S MOBILITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse
ARCHITECTURAL THESIS
Exploring Nature’s Mobility through
Architecture.
A Port development Including a Water
Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse At
Magdalla Port Surat.
Meet Tejani : 143511050075
Abstract:
The study intent towards exploring Nature’s Mobility through
Architecture in designing a port terminal and development of port
with basic infrastructure facilities and Trade warehouse. Looking at
the current situation of Magdalla port, Gujarat government proposed
a trade warehouse for dry cargos and lack of port infrastructure
facilities are there, so providing a port terminal with port
infrastructure at Magdalla port. To increase efficiency in the
performance of the ports is to provide an environment for the
activities that can meet high potential, reduce cost and increase
replacement speed in parallel with the development of international
business. Gujarat is strategically located with a coastline of 1600 km
and has 42 ports. It has the highest number of operational ports &
commercial cargo ports. Gujarat is strategically positioned to act as
the hub of coastal trade. Already, minor ports in Gujarat account for
76% of the total cargo handled in the country. The Port of Magdalla
is an industrial lighterage port with little of interest to travelers. The
Surat textile market is one of the world’s best places to find high-
quality embroidered silks and brocades. Today, the City of Surat is
famous for diamonds, textiles, and chemicals.
SYNOPSIS – DRAFT 1
MEET TEJANI
143511050075
BATCH: 2014
SEM- X
PARUL INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND RESEARCH
Batch 2014 | Parul Institute Of Architecture And research 1
 January 8, 2019 EXPLORING NATURE’S MOBILITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse
Title:
Exploring Nature’s Mobility through Architecture.

Sub Title:
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse at Magdalla Port,
Surat.

Background:
Trend of globalization has been followed by an increase in level of demand for freight
transportation and there after establishing suitable port services. Developments of
transportation chains, logistics and progress of these networks have enhanced the sustainable
condition and level of transportation. To increase efficiency in the performance of the ports is
to provide an environment for the activities that can meet high potential, reduce cost and
increase replacement speed in parallel with the development of international business. Gujarat
is strategically located with a coastline of 1600 km and has 42 ports. It has the highest number
of operational ports & commercial cargo ports. Gujarat is strategically positioned to act as the
hub of coastal trade. Already, minor ports in Gujarat account for 76% of the total cargo handled
in the country. Infrastructure plays a very important role in the economic progress of the
nation. No country can think of economic progress & development without the development of
efficient infrastructure. Especially in age of Globalization where international goods &
commodities are to be transported from one country to the other, efficient infrastructure is the
key to the success. India has a strategic location in the Indian Ocean with a coast line of 7517
km with 13 major ports. In addition, there are 200 minor and intermediate ports, out of which
41 minor ports are based in Gujarat. Gujarat has emerged as a leading industrial and business
Centre in the country. Gujarat has an ideal location with proximity to international maritime
routes for port as well as port led development.

Problem Statement:
There are several problems that cause a serious obstruction to the flow of different
commodities at the study area. Magdalla Port is handling all types of cargo, but presently due
to limitations, only coal is being handled. Shell - Hazira is importing gas, while all other
Industries import/export their own captive cargo. Apart from GMB owned Magdalla port all
other existing jetties in this area are developed as captive jetty by the various industries for
their individual cargo handling. Hence there is no other jetty available in this region, for
handling general cargo.GMB Magdalla jetty is now dedicated to handle only coal. There is a
great potential of a privately owned jetty to handle various commodities as required by the
requirement in this industrially well-developed region.

Meet Tejani : 143511050075 Batch 2014 | Parul Institute Of Architecture And research 2
 January 8, 2019 EXPLORING NATURE’S MOBILITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse

Aim:
The aim is to give a proper connectivity for cargo and passenger ships with developing a port,
and Trade warehouse in well developed industrial zone.

Objectives:
In order to achieve the aim of study, the following objectives need to be fulfilled:

• To understand Bio mimetic architecture.

• To carry out the pre-feasibility study for the port development.

• To identify the size of Logistics infrastructure facilities to handle the anticipated traffic in
an efficient and cost effective way.

• To create basic cargo handling facilities at a minimum cost and allowing flexibility for
extension/additions of infrastructure with traffic build up.

Design Project:
Development of port including a water transit hub and trade warehouse by representing
nature’s mobility through Bio-Mimetic architecture.

 Water Transit hub ( A Terminal):

• A waiting area or lounge where people can wait and a place where people arrive
from water way and divert to another transit mode to rich their destination by road-
way, rail-way, air-way etc.
• A place or a terminal where people can use their waiting time in shopping, game
zone, food court, library, etc.

 Trade Warehouse:
• A Customized categorized warehouses for dry cargos.

 Port development:
• Providing facilities for the port to handle the anticipated cargo.
• Developing port with infrastructure facilities.
• Developing port with entertainment places for people.

Meet Tejani : 143511050075 Batch 2014 | Parul Institute Of Architecture And research 3
 January 8, 2019 EXPLORING NATURE’S MOBILITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse

Methodology:
The following sequential process would be followed in order to accomplish each of the above
enlisted objectives:

 Understanding of modern construction techniques.

 Understanding of bio-mimetic architecture and how can it apply in this project.
 Problem identification.
 Problem solution.
 Data collection and analysis.
 Identifying problems with the designing, methods, and construction techniques.
 Doing case studies to understand the modern architecture and modern construction
techniques.

Expected outcomes:
 People will get benefit of the port as it will reduce transportation distance.
 People can come to port and get an entertainment in their daily lifestyle.
 People of industries will get a huge boost in their water transportation facilities.
 People in Surat have never experienced a river side development so by developing port
with an entertainment hub will attract more people to the river.

Scope:
 The scope of my project is to design sustainable and bio mimetic building in industrial
zone.
 To provide a trade warehouse and port infrastructure for logistics and goods.
 To generate a large employment for people.

Limitation:
 The limitation of my project will be of functioning as the port design is decided function.
I can’t develop new function for it.

Conclusion:
The development of port has been evolved taking into account the technical, economic and
environmental aspects. This project will provide good infrastructure facilities at the proposed
site for handling different commodities. Such activities and services are proposed on Magdalla
as it has the potential to generate large employment and also make industry competitive with
other industries within in the coastal region of India.

Meet Tejani : 143511050075 Batch 2014 | Parul Institute Of Architecture And research 4
 January 8, 2019 EXPLORING NATURE’S MOBILITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse
Case Study:
 Panvel, Mumbai (Arshiya International FTWZ).
 Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, Japan.
 Salerno Maritime Terminal, Italy.

References:
https://cdn.vibrantgujarat.com/website/writereaddata/images/pdf/project-profiles/Free-
Trade-and-Warehousing-Zone-at-Magdalla.

https://www.gmbports.org/magdalla-port

Program:
1. Assumptions/Thesis proposal/ideas: The development of port with including a basic
infrastructure for cargo ships and trade warehouses. And a Port terminal which will be
an option open to public for transit in the water transport facility.
2. Site selection: Magdalla, Surat.
3. Existing Regulatory Restrictions: Refer to Magdalla industrial zone DCR.
4. Environmental impact:-
5. Existing topography: Flat land, Vegetation.
6. Surrounding Land-use: -Industrial and Residential.
7. Access: Magdalla is located in the south western shore of Gujarat and on the southern
bank of Tapi river. Magdalla is situated in the Surat district and the district is surrounded
by Bharuch and Narmada in the North, Navsari in the South, Tapi in the East and Gulf of
Cambay in the west. Surat railway junction is located at a distance of 16 KM, Airport is
located at 4 KM and NH8 is located at 15 KM from Magdalla.
8. Description of user/client: -
9. Space requirements: -
10. Program Specifications: The prototype would typically include the following;
- Port terminal
- Trade warehouses
- Ship parking facility
- Port infrastructure facilities

* The area required for each activity is yet to be compute.

Meet Tejani : 143511050075 Batch 2014 | Parul Institute Of Architecture And research 5
 January 8, 2019 EXPLORING NATURE’S MOBILITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse
About the site:
To develop port terminal at Magdalla is to serve the export-import of various dry cargoes.
Magdalla is well connected with excellent road network. Magdalla/Surat being on strategic
location can be important links in the logistics chain. There’s an attractive scope to establish
port terminal at such strategic location. Various industries are established in Surat and around
the Surat like textiles, sugarcane, handicraft, sea food; food processing units, cold storage, milk
products, farmer’s co-operatives society in addition to many small and medium size industries
located in this region.

The following are the advantages of this location:

• The proposed land is within sheltered area of Tapti channel. The location is in less
cyclone prone region. Traffic flow is continuous.
• Site is located in the heart of the Surat/Hazira Industrial area.
• Broad gauge railway line is readily available at a distance of 2.5 Km.
• Proposed location is well connected with state and national highways.
• Located far from residential area.
• There is also great potential for RO-RO and Fast passenger ferry services from Surat.

Meet Tejani : 143511050075 Batch 2014 | Parul Institute Of Architecture And research 6
 January 8, 2019 EXPLORING NATURE’S MOBILITY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
A Port development Including a Water Transit Hub and Trade Warehouse

Meet Tejani : 143511050075 Batch 2014 | Parul Institute Of Architecture And research 7