Arun C Babu & Sreeram K Bhasi’s Less Is More was shortlisted in the Reweave Kozhikode Competition, held at YAF, by the IIA Calicut Centre.
The revival of the factory is not limited to the factory but to the whole of Mananchira square. 3 major
interventions are conceived- To repurpose the factory into a culture centre, to integrate the pond into the
Mananchira park, and to connect both these premises with an access. The design was approached
considering the cost and practicality, even if there was no such constraint for the competition. The design
calls for the factory to be converted into a culture centre so that the age-old factory and its premises
becomes directly connected to society. The design approach does not intend to redesign or replan
the factory and premises extensively but rather points to an approach that accommodates a culture
centre function into the factory walls. One can say, the culture centre is narrated over the character fabric
of the factory.
Although some aspects of the design can be preplanned, most of the design choices should be made
by careful study of the site. A design formula that works out with the current state of the building should
be invented. Also, the design should be able to exhibit vividly the features of the building, may it be some
brilliant architectural features or some completely ruined structure. The life of the design lies within the
site.
The design also does not limit to the factory premise. The neighbouring pond which is technically
as significant and important as the factory is also considered as part of the design. Waterbodies
in urban contexts are important and provide several intangible and tangible benefits. The pond thus
needs to be made a primary point of focus within Mananchira park. Hence the idea to convert the
pond periphery into a leisure area for the park user.
With the above two interventions, there are two major social-cultural hotspots next to each other but
separated by a pocket road. It is better if both these precincts are connected. Such a connection
induces user exchange between the two precincts. Providing special access to the factory precinct
through the park makes the park act as a crowd regulator. It becomes a buffer zone for the crowd to
gather and finally disperse. The park has got 5 entry/exit points which helps in better dispersion of the
crowd.
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