The lack of proper infrastructure in rural areas significantly contributes to rural-urban migration. The Indian Institute of Architects, Satara Centre, organised a design idea competition for buildings providing various facilities in Satara district’s rural areas. The two-stage competition called for entries for health and public buildings facilities under five categories- education, healthcare, housing, veterinary, and administrative. Pune-based localground’s entries became the winning entries in the Administrative and Healthcare categories.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The brief was to design three building types- Grampanchayat Office Building Type I with a carpet area of 90 sqm, Grampanchayat Office Building Type II with a carpet area of 55 sqm and a Talathi Office with a carpet area of 50 sqm.
A. Grampanchayat Office Building Type I
Design Intent
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 2 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 1](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1_Photo-17.jpg)
This is the largest of the three Grampanchayat buildings, with the most functions. The structure is envisioned as a space creating a sense of a civic place- familiar and accessible while conveying its importance as the primary administrative centre in the village. The usage of local materials- the local basalt stone, red burnt brick and clay tiles roofs plays a big part in creating the environment.
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 4 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 3](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/EXTERIOR-2.jpg)
The open-to-sky central courtyard provides a green core while allowing the building to cross-ventilate. The transitional space between the building and the open space- the entrance porch and lobby, is kept visually transparent, connecting the building to the outside while also serving as a multi-use gathering space. The building’s design allows its usage in an emergency situation and provides scope for reconfiguration to cater to new uses.
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 6 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 5](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GRAMPA2-scaled.jpg)
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 8 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 7](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GRAMPANCHAYAT-OFFICE-TYPE-1-SECTION-scaled.jpg)
Contextual Response
1. Climate and Environmental Response
The hot and dry climate of the extended summer, followed by a heavy monsoon season characterises a typical year in the area in and around Satara. The design provides with
- High-tiled roof allowing thermal comfort and channelling of rainwater
- Shaded, recessed windows
- Cross ventilation through rooms and courtyard
- Water Management: The concrete gutters at the edge make channelling rain water easy to be harvested and/or recharged into the ground. The roof can be easily accessed and cleaned
- Renewable Energy: Solar PV panels can be easily fitted on the roof
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 10 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 9](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Interior-1.jpg)
2. Materials
The materials used are locally contextual, easily available, durable and familiar. They are intended to weather naturally in time, show their age, as well as withstand the elements.
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 12 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 11](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Interior-3.jpg)
- Walls: Fired brick (un-plastered), basalt stone
- Roof: MS Steel framework supporting a ‘Mangalore’ clay tiled roof
- Floors: Kota stone
- Windows: Mild steel
- Doors: Plywood (painted or laminated)
3. Construction Method
Composite Construction: Load-bearing brick walls support a mild steel structural system for the sloping tile roofs.
Elevations
B. Grampanchayat Office Building Type II
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 28 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 27](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/exterior-2-1.jpg)
The Grampanchayat Office Building Type II housed lesser functions than Type I but followed the same design language.
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 30 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 29](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GRAMPA2-2-1024x576.jpg)
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 32 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 31](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GRAMPANCHAYAT-OFFICE-TYPE-2-SECTION-1024x576.jpg)
Elevations
Views
C. Talathi Office and Residence
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 48 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 47](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1_20-Photo-scaled.jpg)
The design intent was to create a a quiet sense of dignity for the house through its modest scale and use of familiar materials.
The entrance to the residential part of the house is marked by a porch, while the office has a direct entrance from a larger covered verandah.
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 56 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 55](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TALATHI-OFFICE-RESIDENCE-FLOOR-PLAN-1024x576.jpg)
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 58 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 57](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TALATHI-OFFICE-RESIDENCE-SECTION-1024x576.jpg)
The materiality and the response to context follow the same ideology observed in the Grampanchayat Office Buildings.
Elevation
![IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 64 IIA Satara Competition, by localground | Category: Administrative 63](https://architecture.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TALATHI-OFFICE-RESIDENCE-ELEVATION-scaled.jpg)