DECREASING THE FOOTPRINT OF URBAN AREAS

Using a dilapidated and defunct kattha (catechu) plant, the studio architecture of Noida repurposes the building to host an interdisciplinary institution known as the design village. Following the conclusion of its activities for a period of 27 years in 2014, the factory remained vacant until the institution made the decision to relocate there. In this classic example of adaptive reuse, the designers have preserved the inherent remnants of the building’s initial existence, but at the same time, the modified architectural expression of the structure has created an unorthodox teaching setting that is inspiring. As a result of Alan Berger’s ‘drosscape’ idea and the conviction that architecture is a continuous process and that industrial leftovers have historical value, the design tries to infuse the normally transitory area with a sense of persistence. The program improves circulation in order to integrate and separate regions according to their functions. It does this by bringing in natural light and bringing together voids in order to create interaction spaces. Artistic works are now being created out of the obsolete equipment, which serve as symbolic monuments of the past. Existing buildings are retrofitted; however, existing mezzanines are not altered in any way and retain their original characteristics. Although columns and beams are removed and reused, existing structures undergo retrofitting. Surviving emission imprints and chemical or by-product stains are a celebration of the building’s past, as they flourish alongside the modern palette of raw pine wood, glass, cement plaster, and steel. This is a testament to the building’s rich history. In the condensation room, the double-heighted volume and the skylight enhance the verticality of the space, making it suitable to be the founder’s chamber. Each of the previous areas of the factory have had their identities transformed, and each of them now have their own distinct identities. The facilities that were once used for cold storage have been transformed into a library, computer lab, and information center. These amenities include low-height reading and stacking areas, as well as huge circular holes that allow light to enter. It is currently the machine room that serves as the key axis of the campus, separating the functional spaces from the interactive ones. It is the path that leads to the cafeteria, and the amphitheater, stepwells, and faculty spaces are all hinged around it. On the other side, the pump room serves as the faculty room, and the machine corridor, which is adorned with light wells and plantations, serves as a gallery for the mentors. This corridor also serves as a faculty common area with auxiliary facilities. The end product is a dramatic picture of orange and gray that exemplifies the potential and force of architectural reinterpretation. It is a depiction that not only maintains the spirit of the location, but also where the former coexists with the latter in order to transmit a new meaning. Take a look at the pictures on the website indiaartndesign.com.