Anganwadi at Sonave

Girish Dariyav Karnawat; Joanne Rasquinha; Ritu Singh; Siddarth Tandur; Farhan Khan; Shifana MV; Likhinya KVS; Prachi Patel; Akhdam Abdulla

Axonometric © GDK Designs

An Anganwadi which was primarily introduced to combat child hunger and malnutrition has now become an integral element in rural communities - an institution which not only facilitates the basic health care of the village by means of checkups and immunisation of expecting mothers but also provides non-formal pre-school education and nutrition for the children.

Anganwadis have the potential to become spaces of the congregation for the local community.

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The design of the Anganwadi is an attempt to fulfil the purpose of a community centre for the village of Sonave, yet, remain true to its meaning of a "courtyard shelter".

gdk-anganwadi-site-01_view from the approach road.jpg

gdk-anganwadi-site-02_view from the south.jpg

gdk-anganwadi-site-03_panoramic view of the site from the south.jpg

gdk-anganwadi-site-04_view from site to the northern surroundings.jpg

View from the Site to its Northern Surroundings

gdk-anganwadi-site-05_view of the site from the north-east.jpg

gdk-anganwadi-site-06_view of the site from the west.jpg

The site is located in a small village called Sonave, which is about 70 km from Mumbai. The project looks at uplifting the village not just in terms of basic health care, but also as a community space. The aim of the project is to create a quality place that can be versatile in nature, thus creating a flexible space that can transform and adapt itself with time and changing usage.

The structure comprises two levels - ground floor and first floor. There exists a semi-open plinth at a lower level on all the site edges which acts as a buffer to the main structure. The road adjacent to southern edge in itself facilitates the access to the Anganwadi - primary entrance by means of steps located on the east, a secondary entrance by means of ramp for physically challenged or in cases of medical emergencies on the west and tertiary access through the courtyard abutting along the length of the road. The open-to-sky courtyard with peripheral levels serves as the main congregational space on the ground floor around which all the other functions are organized. In addition, it also permits an uninterrupted flow of breeze through the covered spaces. The courtyard is flanked by the kitchen on the east and a common wash area on the north-west. A drinking water facility is provided in the south facade of the kitchen which can be accessed by a passerby. A staircase to the first floor is located on the south-west of the courtyard.

The semi-open corridors on the east and west give rise to seating spaces which in turn act as waiting areas. Function specific spaces like the clinic, office and toilets are located on the north. There exists a broad corridor between the northern functions and the courtyard which not only becomes an extension of the learning area for the children but also serves as a buffer.

The entire first floor is a large multifunctional space which can be used for various functions. The spatial organization is such that the circulation within the structure can be made flexible. The volumes and proportions of the spaces are dictated by the functions they support. However, all the spaces on both floors can transform themselves to support the larger function at hand - education, vaccinations, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, common dining, celebration of festivals etc.

The "Reeds" being characteristic building elements used in this region to create an organic the breathable skin have been used within a framework for all openings, and in turn, cast interesting changing shadow patterns and movements throughout the day. The presence of large openings ensures an ample amount of light and cross ventilation for each space. The sloping roof profile owes its existence to the prevalent rainfall in this region and also to be worthy of supporting energy-efficient techniques like solar panels besides also bringing the building down to the proportion of human scale towards the street edge. The height and position of the overhead water tank are a resultant of the double volume of the staircase. It, therefore, becomes a landmark of sorts due to its verticality, in a built form around that is predominantly made of ground-floor structures that are essentially horizontal massing, adding further emphasis to its institutional character.

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