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Architecture

2021

Photographer : Running Studios, Ar. Noufal C Hashim, Ar. Rohith C P

“SAMUDRA”, is a community space designed for the betterment of people belonging to the fishing community inhabiting the Bhatt road beach coast of Kozhikode district, Kerala, India. Around 100 families live there in small houses in close proximity to poor and undesirable everyday environments.

People from this waterfront locale experienced the absence of room to conduct get-togethers and other ceremonies. The essence of the venture was to design a space for people to gather and connect, do things together, and pursue shared interests or activities. The purpose is very much determined by what the community would like them to be. The location and setting very well contributed to the program and this dream space of every single person in the fishermen's community residing nearby was built along the lay of the land capturing the perspectives of the surrounding seaside. Since it is a sensitive zone, constantly fighting natural calamities, the designed space is also intended to act as a disaster shelter.

In a 1200 m2 lot, the program is resolved in a single floor, whose L-shaped volume generates two masses, the one parallel to the beach-main hall and the latter one designed for other services. Upon entering, visitors walk through a long corridor with bamboo roofing where the hollow nature of bamboo is cleverly used to hang beautiful lamps and grow creepers. The empty space near the platform overlooking the sea is used as a distribution square, simply leveled, and could possibly be used to conduct outdoor activities.

Observed from a distance, its body well integrates the indoor and outdoor sections of the community Hall into a grey structure that sits on the edge of the view of the beach.

Kozhikode,Kerala,India

Architects	:	TWO i Architects
Area	:	1215 Sq.m.
Year	:	2021
Website	:	http://www.twoiarchitects.com/

Lightness is one of the distinctive features of the Community Hall. Due to the location of the site in a coastal setting, construction methodologies were customized to suit the context. The local material was integrated with steel structure simplifying the construction process and to highlight the structural versatility of steel and develop new construction techniques, an innovative curved roof was designed for the main hall. The arched elements on the upper level is coated with synchromate to protect it from rusting. The stage area has jallis on both sides, so that it is less lighted and more ventilated at the same time. The uneven brick pattern as shown in image creates an interesting light pattern inside. The attempt was to achieve a contemporary concept in the harmonious blend of concrete, sheet metal and brick.