MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE

AR 6413 - ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN III – RURAL DESIGN STUDIO

Semester IV B.Arch ‘A’ Batch
Design Chair : Prof. Dr. Monsingh Devadas
Faculty In-Charge : Ar. Silvinus Clisson, Ar.Suchitra

INTRODUCTION
Architecture has a dimension which is shaped by the society and its cultural practices. This
dimension is pristine from influence of an individual designer; it is rather amalgamation of
collective knowledge of the society which has evolved over the years based on changing need
of humans who inhabit these spaces. Village is a testament to the above aspects. Villages as a
whole form a social unit from which “community” life obtains. They have evolved with or out of
specific symbols, both tangible and intangible, which represent the social cum utilitarian interest
of various social groups that constitute the village community. This studio enables student to
understand and appreciate this organic evolution of a village settlement, architectural
characteristic and building techniques and use of material. Students will do a rigorous
documentation and analysis of the settlement which will help them understand that cultural and
social factors will shape the structure of architectural space.

STUDIO OBJECTIVES:

 To create a holistic understanding of the socio-cultural, geographic and economic

aspects that shape the built environment as well as to expose the students towards the
design of simple community oriented buildings.
 To make a comprehensive study of a rural settlement that is an exemplar of collective
design evolved organically over a period of time.
 To expose the students on the methodology of conducting various surveys covering,
physical, visual characteristics and demographic aspects.
 To understand the vernacular / traditional architecture involving local materials and
construction techniques.
 To emphasis on the importance of designing built form and open spaces that meet the
aspirations of the community.

AREA OF CONCERN/ FOCUS:

Students are required to do a comprehensive documentation, analysis and synthesis of the
settlement.

 Documentation of settlement through historical background, demographics, data

collection, preparations of maps, architectural documentation drawings, visual
documentation through photography and sketches
 Analysis of the collected data, understanding the evolution pattern of the settlement,
generation architectural typologies based on architectural characteristics, construction
techniques and materials used, understanding various issues at settlement and
infrastructure level
  Synthesis is stage where various issues deciphered through analysis can be tackled
through various proposals.

OUTCOMES:

 Student’s ability to understand the concept of community and settlement evolution and
the built environment as influenced by Socio-economic, Cultural, Environmental and
Technical factors.
 Ability to provide a sensitive approach to the design of the built environment taking into
account the above mentioned factors.

BROAD METHODOLOGY OF STUDY:

STAGEI- DATA

Literature Studies
COLLECTION

Data collection at the village

Secondary sources

Socio-Economic and and

demographic Trends
&DOCUMENTATION
STAGEII - ANALYSIS

Community and
infrastructure facilities

Physical study and survey

History and evolution of

human settlement

Housing Typology&method
Of Construction
 STAGEIII- DESIGN
Identification of Issues

PROPOSAL DesignProposal

Preparation of Report

STUDENT GROUPS:

The students will be divided into groups and under each stage, they are to

1. Conduct socio-economic surveys, visual surveys, land use surveys

2. Involve in physical mapping of the village,
3. Involve themselves in measured drawing of the housing Typologies, Temples etc

as part of the documentation exercise as briefed above in the problem, compile them and arrive
at conclusions which will be the guiding factor for the identification of issues and physical design
proposal for the settlement.

S.No Description Group Members

1. History and evolution of human settlement, Socio- Group incharge
Economic Survey and demography

 Origin
 Evolution, metamorphosis and physical growth in
history
 Natural or man-made factors that influenced historical
development
 It’s socio-economic ,political religious and cultural roots
in history and notable events that influenced its present
status
 Evolution of its infrastructure
 Building materials used and construction technologies
adopted in its past and the present
 Population and their distribution – age wise and gender
wise study
 Family structures
  Occupation and employment levels
 Literacy levels-basic and higher education
 Income levels
 Castes and religions
 Existing Social ,cultural political and religious events
 Number of floating population expected and provision of
amenities for them
 Festivals
 Community programme and co-operatives
 System of life and Scientific significance of culture,
festivals, food , activities, calendaring of events, etc
 Local administration, Community participation
programme and various other government schemes.
 Security, law and order

 Maps, Sketches, Video films, Photographs, Questionnaires, Graphs

2. Physical Study And Survey ,Community And Infrastructure Group

Facilities incharge:
 Definition of its physical boundaries –natural and man-
made
 Neighboring settlements and its influence
 Topography, natural features and resources
 Prevailing land uses
 Orientation and layout of settlement
 Street patterns and hierarchies
 Land marks and society active spaces
 Electricity – type of connection and distribution pattern
 Water supply, drainage and sanitation, waste water
recycling
 Storm water drainage and sanitation, waste water
recycling
 Energy conservation and harnessing measures
 Transportation and communication systems
 Health facilities and campaign
 Financial institution and self-help schemes
 Women and children welfare schemes
 Emergency and disaster preparedness
 Measured drawing of buildings like school, library

Generation of topographical map, base map with built form, land parcel boundaries,
street network, , Photographs, Questionnaires, Graphs
3. Street Elevation And Streetscape and Visual survey Group
incharge:
 Documentation of Street elevations of different housing
Typologies
 Analysis of Streetscape with respect to design
principles
 Architectural details
 Street Perspectives
 Visual boundaries
 Important Landmarks
 Rural scene & activity in open spaces
 Relationship between built form and open spaces
 Point of visual interest in village
 Point of various activities in the village
 Documentation of placing making aspects of the village
 Documentation of rural life

Maps and detailed plan and elevation of streets, sketches and photographs

4. Housing Typology & Construction Technology Group

incharge:
 Measured drawing of Building typologies with reference
to their occupation and function, interior facilities and
details
 Architectural characteristics
 Building response to local natural and climatic
conditions
 Local authority regulations and byelaws
 Building materials used for construction and their
sources
 Building materials used and construction technologies
adopted in its past and the present
 Cost of construction and affordability
 Housing finance options & govt policies

 Building maintenance practices

 Incremental building practices
 architectural details
 interior facilities and details

Detailed documentation of house through diagrams, photographs and sketches

 SURVEYS ON SITE AREA OF FOCUS

 Extent of the settlement – Physical / visual boundaries.

 Important landmarks.
SURVEY
VISUAL

 Rural scene and the activities in open spaces.

 Relationship between built form and open spaces

 Village map, Physical features ( Rivers, Temple tanks, Fields,

etc.,)
 Important landmarks ( Temples, Churches, Schools, Public
buildings, Market places, Community centre, etc.,)
 Road networks and connectivity ( with hierarchy and
classification)
 Infrastructure and facilities-its locations (Overhead Tank,
PHYSICAL SURVEY

Source of water, Tap locations, Street light location, etc.,)

 Other general aspects like rural health, education and transport
services, village administration, history of the village, pattern of
growth, religion, interaction between villages and towns,etc.,
 Grouping of houses, either caste wise or according to building
materials used.

 Typology based on family size, occupation and construction

materials.
 Plot, Plinth areas, lintel and roof heights.
 Traditional methods of building WITH RURAL MATERIALS.
HOUSING


SURVEY

Light and ventilation, Aesthetic details.

 Kitchen and Storage details.
RURAL SETTLEMENT SELECTED:

VILLAGE NAME : PALATHURAI

DISTRICT : COIMBATORE
STATE : TAMILNADU

TALUK
/BLOCK NAME : MADUKKARAI

LOCATION :Palathurai is located around 20 kms away from its district headquarters
Coimbatore.
:Palathurai is surrounded by Sultanpet Taluk towards west,
Kinathukadavu Taluk towards South, Thondamuthur Taluk towards East ,
Periyanayakkanpalayam Taluk towards North

ACCESSIBILITY : The nearest railway station is Ettimadi railway station which is 6.7 Km
from Palathurai.