THESIS 2017

TOPICS :
SACRED MATTERS - SPACE, MOVEMENT AND A PLACE FOR SELF
TRANSCENDENCE
NECTAR - INFLATABLE PUBLIC WORK STATION AND A KNOWLEDGE HUB

SANJAY DURAI M.K

4TH SEM
M.ARCH (General)
MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE

SACRED MATTERS - SPACE, MOVEMENT AND A PLACE FOR SELF

TRANSCENDENCE
Designing Experiential Architecture to Provoke Stimulatory,
Expressive and Sensory Self- Exploration
The environment evolve five human senses; through these receptors
the majority of us experience life. Or do we?
The vast majority of our daily landscape resides enclosed, shut off from
the exterior; separating people from the elements, organizing and
distributing the multitude of functions that affect how we live and feel.
The mental state of society is poor, the daily dis-ease of we wrestle
with; stress, emotions, fatigue, exhaustion, disconnection suck the
life out of the moments we live to barely even see.

 These interactions and experiences we encounter in, on, under and

around the architectural forms we travel between are often so boring
and ordinary we dont even label them as experience. I challenge
architecture can be more.
The tangibles (senses) can be invigorated and spaces can be driven and
designed by the senses, by the body and by the mind. The creation
of unique experiences involves not only the measureable (light,
smell, touch, taste & sound etc.) but also immeasurable effects on the
body (memory, unity, serenity, etc.)

The core of this project aims to cultivate an architecture that

provides an array of nurturing and invigorating experiential and
exploratory moments harmoniously placed throughout the
natural landscape and also through architecture.

 Through this reintroduction to experience, the individuals attending the

retreat will be engulfed in experiencing the moment and living each
breath of sensation.
Meditation is the existence in contemplation, relaxation and mental
hygiene that provides the platform, the vessel for selfexploration and internal growth.
Here the architecture becomes the marbles in the landscape,
nestled into the site located in Rajiv Gandhi IT Park Chandigarh, which
also aims to provoke as a stress reducing place for the IT people.
This thesis is an experiment to test the contribution of physical
spaces to the inner journey of a being

The main research will be mainly on how people emotion and

architectural experience can be brought in together and make the
people contemplate themselves and reduce stress and also about
theory of justice for human action in time and space in respect to
changing trend in social cultural activities.

A framework for expression: a place where people physically create

the spaces around them through architectural manipulation and
expression of ideas, art and performance. The framework is inspired
by translating the principles of garment design into architectural
strategies: joinery, materiality, structure, response, and
adjustability.

PEOPLE, PLACE, NATURE

AIM
To develop an interactive and a meditation space for betterment of
society and also a place to reduce stress and create more productivity in
office environment. And a place for inner peace and thinking with
architecture and people through nature. Which also can develop
tourism.
INTRODUCTION:
Meditation links our soul to the living world. Ignites freedom, inspires
taught, brings emotions, ignore materialistic sphere for the un-pure of
future.
As students, design architecture as we frequently do in a particular way to
design (conceptualize) and built space as form and meaning. However, that
is not the way how built environment is experienced.
Architecture exists not simply as architects expression or as conceptual
meaning, but also as an experienced series of physical spaces
connected to each other and to their surroundings by the
movement of people through spaces.
In this thesis project, I chose to do an experiment with a process
based on designing spaces that they are experienced by people and

MOTIVATION:
I would like to focus on the ways in which spatial conditions (space we
use) and characteristics can shape a persons psychological and
emotional state.

I would like to design a meditation space for a large urban center

(an office environment). Such a thesis project is capable of creating a
unique contrast in which the design of space can have a powerful
impact upon the user because the purpose and use of the space is
so different from other social spaces.

The thesis could cover a wide range of aspects ranging from spatial
ability to imagine, such as the formal transition (process of changing
from one state to another) from the street environment, to more
scientific aspects, such as materials and its effect on the human senses
and human soul (mind/spirit) and the ways in which people interact with
their environments.

I would like to focus my research on what an environment can do,

rather than on just what an environment is. For example, to
investigate the ways technology and design can help to create a
space that evolves and changes as people do and can therefore

 In a similar way, I will examine materiality and the use of

natural elements such as earth, light, plantings, and water in an
interior environment. These elements can possess certain
effects on and idea to an inhabitant of the space.
I would like to learn to use such tools consciously to produce the strong
feeling to expressing and characterized state.

The goal of this thesis would not be to create a place of

worship, although such spaces provide a deep understanding,
tools and as an example.

The project I imagine would be religious only in its value a space

for prayer, rather than worship, that is capable of
accommodating people of diverse faiths. And also as a knowledge
center and which reacts to the society
The program for such a space could be varied and changing with a
combination of transition spaces, various meditation spaces, art

 Such a project could also include indoor gardens or some form of

commercial space. The space should be focused upon the users as
well as being highly adaptable even interactive.
I would like to propose a meditation center in an urban space which is
ideal for several reasons. I hope to design a meditation center that
can be incorporated into an urban floor and serve people from
many cultures, providing them with a place for relaxation and
renewal.

OBJECTIVE:
Rather than designing building as- object.

To design a building with which the user can interact and which has a
designed effect upon the users state of mind and emotions.
To incorporate various natural elements, materials and spatial
arrangements to further these goals.
To create a sustainable project not just in resources but in use of
spaces and relation to the surrounding community as well.
To create flexible adaptable spaces that can remain functional as
needs change.
To utilize the meditational potential through architecture.
Enhance the culture and philosophy where India is known for its
culture.
The main objective is to examine the spiritual qualities of the
architecture that are required to design a meditation center.

 Apart from functional and spatial arrangements, social and

cultural aspects will be investigated.
The sacred aspects of architecture will be analyzed with
relevance to nature and context.
Experiences in architecture will be studied to understand the
relation of man and his environment.
Landscaping elements, geometry, proportion, symbolism and
aesthetics will be areas of investigation to understand the factors
required to reinforce the quality and enhance the character of
spaces created for human occupation.

Methodology:
Part 1: Overall understanding through Case study and net study
1. Isha yoga foundation, Coimbatore (India)
2. Art of living, Bangalore (India)
3. Auroville, Pondicherry (India)
Net study
1. Lotus temple, India
2. London Buddhist Centre, England
Part 2: Literature study from various books and articles
Questioner to the common people about the space
Interviews with the legends who worked on these project
Detailed study of how meditation will be done through books and
articles
Part 3:
Analysis and Conclusion of the research
Detailed requirements
Proposal
Part 4: Site study, Conceptual Sketches, Plans, Section, Elevation
Part 5: Detailed design with plan, section, and elevation with views and
justifications for the above research
Part 6: Final presentation

SITE/PROPOSAL
CHANDIGARH: With an aim to provide much-needed relief to
overstressed IT professionals, UT administration is coming up with a
state-of-the-art meditation-cum-rejuvenation center at
Chandigarh Technology Park. Spread over 12 acre land, the site
would be developed as a natural forest with loads of walking trails,
water bodies, small bridges, meditation center.
and other related facilities.

Resource
Stedman, Richard C. Toward a Social Psychology of Place: Predicting Behavior From Place-Based
Cognitions, Attitude, and Identity. Environment and Behavior, Vol. 34 No. 5, (September 2002) pp.
561-581.
Tversky, Barbara. Structures of Mental Spaces: How People Think About Space. Environment and
Behavior, Vol. 35 No. 1 (January 2003) pp. 66-80.

Burns, Ausra. Emotion and Urban Experience: Implications for Design. Design Issues.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vol. 16 No. 3, (Autumn 2000) pp. 67-79.

Cold, Birgit. On the Aesthetics of Architecture: A Psychological Approach to the Structure of

Perceived Architectural Space. Journal of Architectural & Planning Research, Vol. 18 pp. 178.

http://tushita.info/

http://www.oshoworld.com/oshocenters/oshocenters_india2.asp#t

www.ishayoga.org

www.artofliving.org/

Fahrion, S., Walters, E., Coyne, L. and Allen, T. (1992). Alterations in EEG amplitude, personality
factors, and brain electrical mapping after alpha-theta brainwave training.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Coming-up-Meditation-centre-for-techies/artic
leshow/4477053.cms

http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/increased-vigil-meditation-centre-on-cards-for-it-park/452518
/

https://issuu.com/deubovich/docs/healing_space_with_cover

NECTAR - INFLATABLE PUBLIC WORK STATION AND A KNOWLEDGE

HUB
AIM
To design OFFICE space in open natural setting and a knowledge
hub essential for an urban center. It includes not only office and
information center but also a small recreational and commercial area.
Concentrating on energy efficacy in architecture.
INTRODUCTION
This project concerns the development of an inflatable
workstation in public spaces. The idea is to be designed in
consideration of people who are using the parks as a place to
work with their laptops.

Within our society, public resources and faculties are no longer

being celebrated; rather they are being cut off or closed down.
I want to explore the full capacity that architecture has, through the
design of such important public spaces. This includes not only to
create on of physical shelter, but the establishment of physical
and psychological comfort and safety, the influence for social
interaction, and cultural connections made with built structures

MOTIVATION

I will also explore the idea that architectural spaces can maintain
their vitality by creating Symbiotic relationships between opposing
program elements.
In today's digitally dominant world, the office spaces are so rigid and
in a closed and standard environment.
This thesis will research on the workstation and procedures of the
work space and the complexity in workstations.
The social cultural aspects of public space and the energy of such
important public spaces is failure by a lack in use and an even
greater lack in the diversity of its users. So the user perception
on public open space is also been researched.

The typical office space today will have many restrictions and
procedures. Which will create stress and complications.

By providing more than a typical office space with open to

nature, the office will give new meaning to how an office space
can be, becoming the center for collaborative consumption within
the community and a hub for social interaction and workspace.

OBJECTIVE

The main theme that the project deals with is open public spaces
and more specific the design of an inflatable workstation in parks.
The purpose of this thesis is to reflect upon the personal ability of the
writer to organize and run a wide project, based on the experience of the
previous semesters and the general education.

A brief introduction to the Master thesis theme public spaces topic

Workstation Subject Inflatable product In that context, the attempt was to
present a complete research for one concept and not dive into only
one point of view of the project. That means that during the
project there was an effort to keep a balance between the
theoretical part, introducing the back office and the front office of
the project, design the offered service and link the actors of the
new system, while at the same time, explore the industrial
aspects of the project, such as the form, the construction, the
manufacturing techniques and more.

LIMITATIONS

The thesis will focus on the Indian context and the social cultural
aspects of the site locations. Further limitations will added after
the case study.
METHODOLOGY
Part 1: Overall understanding of IT park through Case study and net study
Part 2: Literature study from various books and articles
Questioner to the users about the space and their needs
Interviews with the legends who worked on these project
Detailed study of how IT park can done and he problems in such
spaces will be done through books and articles
Part 3:
Analysis and Conclusion of the research
Detailed requirements
Proposal
Part 4: Site study, Conceptual Sketches, Plans, Section, Elevation
Part 5: Detailed design with plan, section, and elevation with views and
justifications for the above research

CASE STUDIES

Cisco IT park, Bangalore

Tidal park Coimbatore
Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Chandigarh
DLF METEROPOLITIAN SQUARE,
Gurgaon.
DLF ATRIA, Gurgaon.
INFOCENTER AT INFOCITY,
Gurgaon.
INFOSYS SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY
PARK, Hyderabad.

SITE

RAJIV GANDHI CHANDIGARH TECHNOLOGY PARK (RGCTP) is likely to launch

the 3rd phase of it sector for development with 30 acres of land. And there is
a proposal of a meditation center for the existing working population to
improve the work efficiency and reduces the depression for the IT people.
This thesis will way the workstation in a natural setting which can act as a
place to work and follows a different pattern in workable spaces

RESOURCE
Alexander, Christopher and Ishikawa, Sara. A Pattern Language Which
Generates Multi-Service Centers.

Berkeley. Center for Environmental Structure, 1968. Print. Brawner, L.B and
Beck, D.K. Determining Your Public Librarys Future Size, A needs
assessment and planning model. United States. American Library
Association, 1996. Print.

Dalgren, Anders C. Public Library Space Needs: A planning outline/2009.

Madison: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2009. Electronic.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/with-it-players-at-its
-doors-chandigarh-to-auction-sites-in-it-park-115090100295_1.html

http://chdit.nic.in/layout_map.htm

http://chandigarh.gov.in/stat12/Abstract2012/AB08_RGCTP_cnote.pdf