Bholu 9

Bholu 9 – Plans & Concept

Description of Concept:

- Water harvesting and reuse is a major focus of the design as an educational tool for responsible water use. The design ensures every stage of water resuse and treatment is visible and serves as a interactive learning environment. Rainwater is used to wash hands, reused to flush toilets, treated to remove solids and oils, waters plants and is returned to the earth to recharge the natural ground water table via soakage pits. The second roof to the west allows for capture of heavy tropical rains without the risk of gutter overflow and losing water. All water is channelled into the 5000L water tank.

- Internal space of 28 square meters. Based on our calculations this space can comfortably seat up to 40 adults.

- The adaptable design caters for the privacy needs of the womens meetings while maintaining natural light and ventilation. Windows on all facades can be opened to create a very light and breezy space for the anganwadi. When womens meetings are held, all windows can be closed except those to the courtyard for privacy. While the front street entry will be used for Bholu access, the back entrance gives flexibility allowing for a more discreet entrance for the womens meetings. Also, it creates a connection to the larger open area to the rear of the site which can be used for larger scale events.

- The front zone acts as a buffer to a highly used laneway, while also providing a public frontage to this vibrant location, in the way of two bench seats that face the exisitng shrine and plaza behind.

- The site boundary extends all the way to the façade of the neighbouring property to the north. However, on previous visits to the site, surrounding residents have shown concern that the new structure will block existing paths of access to other dwellings. We have off set the building a sufficient distance to allow for foot traffic and the occasional rickshaw that passes through.