Culture - Nest
Competition Entry - 2017
Reside - Arch Out Loud
Location : Mumbai, India
Team : Shreejit Modak, Kartiki Sharma
CULTURE - NEST is a combination of various habitats thriving in symbiotic accordance. This blend is achieved by development of enclaves based of anchor placements. Koliwada has existing anchors like Worli Fort and would have proposed anchors like water transit. This placement would give rise to inter-dependency of functions and activities. In this design, various financial classes not just live as one community but bring a coherent culture of strong rationale by creating a robust fabric of dwelling units, open spaces, shared spaces, park system, cultural zones, educational zones, ecological edge for reducing flooding and power generation using tidal energy.
Mumbai city thrives on inter-dependencies of people, culture, employment and diversity of financial classifications. These inter-dependencies help the city grow and sustain. CULTURE-NEST talks, analyses and explores these connections through development of enclaves based on anchor placements.
Being one of the most native inhabited settlements in Mumbai, World Koliwada is known for its colorful nature of inhabitants, fisheries and high density housing. Located at one of the tips of Mumbai, the proximity of this site towards Worli seaface and Bandra-Worli sealink, makes it one of the most host spots for real estate development. But, in recent times a huge debate is going on between the existing cultural community and real estate biggies of the city whether to eradicate the existing community and build a big new high-end residential complex.
CULTURE-NEST gives a design concept to create a fabric of mixed income dwelling units, open spaces, shared spaces, park system, cultural zones, education-research zones, ecological edges and power generation system. It imbibes the idea of cultural and historic preservation while inviting new communes and locales into the site.
In doing so, placement of anchors becomes one of the most important stages and realizing what typologies enhance the growth of these anchors into communities. Various anchors such as Worli Fort, resort, public market, food courts, exhibition spaces, artist village, small scale industries, water transit system, research center and incubator units were strategically identified on the site. Each anchor deploys the use towards subordinate residential units designed around them. The whole site is divided into layers of massing, open and green spaces, pedestrian areas, landscape edge and basement parking.
The design explores in making whole ground floor as pedestrian area with vehicular traffic into basements. Revival of Worli fort is one of the aims of CULTURE-NEST. Being one of the oldest structures in Mumbai, this fort has been on the verge of deterioration. Hence bringing vision to towards the fort played an important role in developing the immediate area as a touristic habitat. This enclave is perceived as a combine of hotel, museum and experimental open spaces.
In designing residential units, existing typologies and fabric of Koliwada and its surrounding was studies and analyzed. These typologies were then mixed and matched to bring new dwelling units. In doing to so the everyday social culture and traditions of Koli people and new shifting community was taken into consideration. Every new dwelling type and structure responds to the needs of existing and migrating habitants. Courtyard and elevated platforms for everyday activities are infused into these structures, which will act as semi shared spaces. An idea of vertical plantations and urban farming is developed to create green open spaces in verticality. Every structure designed has been derived from an amalgamation of existing residential, commercial and social typologies.
An intricate play of landscape and open spaces help in creating the activity areas. This play of landscape and open spaces would help enhance the daily social life of people and will create a new commune of valid cultures. Variety of open spaces such as amphitheater, open exhibition spaces, floating platforms, over hanging bridges, etc. act as buffer areas which are activated by functions. These spaces would act as social gathering spaces. These open and semi open spaces will be used during festivals, fun-fairs, to play games, etc.
The site is envisioned as layers based on the concept of multiple grounds. This axon explains the layers of parking, built versus green spaces and typologies which represent the anchors and are then influenced in becoming enclaves.
The landscape edges are designed taking flooding into consideration. This edge will have layers of plantation, with outer most layer to be mangroves which then would be fortified with tetrapods and massive blocking stones. This is not just a suggested solution to stop flooding, would give rise to a natural habitat for various flora and fauna.
Whole settlement will be inspired from the colors of vibrant culture of Koli people. Beautiful landscape will be act as the buffer zones between various enclaves.
Hierarchy of open, semi-open and public areas is achieved by creating buffer and landscape areas.
A reatail corridoor is designed taking ground activation into consideration. This activation is through public markets, small and large retail spaces.
Programs are distributed not just on ground but in verticality too. The red areas speak of dwelling units which have retail connections. The blue spaces talk about incubator and small scale industries. Various event spaces are also developed as communal gathering spaces.
Public art using indigenous materials inspired by the fishing community, like nets could be designed in creative an communal awareness and to spread a word of adaptive use.