STUDENTS VISIT ATHASHREE : A housing project for the elderly people by Paranjpye Schemes.

Universal Design elective students made a half day tour to Athashree - a housing for senior citizens in pune. The objective of the study was to expose students to a casestudy designed keeping in mind the physical and psychological needs of the elderly people. 

Designed by Ar. Radhika Vaidya, this special type of housing is barrier free with provision of ramps and railings in corridors to facilitate easy physical access. Some more highlights were anti-skid flooring, well lit passages, sliding doors for toilets and provision of resting points in the open spaces, which catered to the needs of the elderly. The apartment also had its own ambulance for emergency. 

Students got to interact with some elderly people living in the scheme and they shared that thoughtfully designed buildings can make life very comfortable and safe for their age group. They also shared that if all housing projects were designed with an inclusive approach, everybody in the society would be benefitted.

STUDENTS VISIT MUKTANGAN : A De-addiction centre in Pune

A visit was organised for the Sociology elective students of BNCA to Muktangan, a rehabilitation centre and day care for the drug addicted. The building housing the centre has been designed by Ar.Shirish Beri and is well known as an example of architecture that catalyses the process of healing by providing physical comfort, security and emotional relief. The students did a thorough study of the users, the individual and group activities and the spaces provided for facilitating these activities. The objective of the visit was to expose students to spaces for reformation and correction. 

The architect has attempted to create fluid, visually connected and congregational spaces to help the patients to come out of depression, socialize and recover fast. Students learnt through this visit that SPACES CAN HEAL TOO !

STUDENTS VISIT SADHANA VILLAGE : A home for the mentally impaired

A registered charitable trust, Sadhana Village has been involved in the care and rehabilitation of adults with mental disabilities. Situated in the Kolwan valley, it is about 30 kms from Pune and is called Residential care centre for Special friends (SF's). A group of 12 sociology elective students from BNCA visited this centre in february'13 and had a very enriching interaction with the inmates. 

The caretakers informed the students about the centre and took them around the building. A structured daily routine and simply designed living spaces are basic needs of such a user group. As per Ranjana tai,a senior volunteer at the centre, complicated building layouts can confuse people with mental impairments and hence architects must design spaces which facilitate easy way finding. She shared that colours and pictures/graphics are very effective in enhancing legibility of spaces particularly for this user group. On interaction with the inmates, students learnt that open spaces like terraces and courtyards were some of the favourite hangout areas of the inmates.

STUDENTS VISIT BALKALYAN SANSTHA AND THE SENSORY GARDEN

An interesting visit was arranged for the Sociology elective students to Bal Kalyan Sanstha Pune in early february '13. Founded in 1979, it is a recreational and cultural centre for all types of differently abled children. More than 1000 students from different parts of the city visit this centre for after school activities. Many activities and programs ranging from arts to sports are provided and taught by qualified instructors and coaches. The group of architecture students were exposed to a plethora of factors that need to be considered while keeping in mind differently abled children. It was a learning to see how materials, colours, textures, sound, light and aroma can be used to design multisensory spaces for kids. The highlight was the sensory garden developed by the rotary club at the centre, which provides a sensory diet for the children to enhance their underdeveloped skills. The students also understood the importance of providing choices and flexibility in their designed spaces.

STUDENTS VISIT JANSEVA FOUNDATION : A old-age home and rural hospital

Janaseva Foundation, established by Dr.Vinod Shah, is an organization which runs old age homes and a hospital within the same premises along with a paralytic centre, well equipped physiotherapy centre and admits disabled, handicapped and mentally ill patients as well. Sociology elective students made a visit to this centre with an intent to study what makes this facility one of the most successful ones in the country. This old age home caters to more than 100 elderly and is a self sufficient campus with recreation and medical facilities both in the same campus. To make it sustainable, the center also runs a nursing college which in turn supports the rural hospital with required human resource. All related activities under one roof is the key to it's social and economic sustenance. The learning for the students was also that an architect must keep in mind the economic viability of the project and help the client to formulate an appropriate design brief.

STUDENTS VISIT NIWANT ANDH MUKTA VIKASALAY

Sociology elective students got a chance to visit NIWANT - a centre for upliftment of visually impaired students, founded and run by Mrs. Meera Badve from her very home near vishrantwadi in pune. The centre offers vocational training to std 12 passed out visually impaired students. Following activities are run here : Tech Vision – Software development division, Choco Niwant, the chocolate making branch and Braille library called Vision Unlimited with more than 3000 books in different language. Latest addition is the Insight Academy is founded with the vision of making the visually challenged independent, empowered and contributing members of the society by way of spreading of computer literacy and creating reputable career opportunities.

Students of architecture were guided by the Niwant students through their center and informed about all the activities. It was inspiring to see the way Niwant students were walking on the path of success, without allowing their limitations to become an obstacle in their way. Apart from the learning about how the visually impaired use other senses to perceive the world around them, it was also realised that the city needed more vocational training institutions of this kind to support and empower differently abled students for an independent future.

Architecture Design Studio on ACTIVITY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERY

Architecture Design studio's are one of the best ways to sensitize and indulge students into Universal design thinking.

With this thought, Design brief of Commonwealth Association of Architects - Ninth International Student Competition for Designing Welcoming Inclusive Spaces for the Elderly had been taken up for the S Y B Arch design studio this semester. As per the competition brief, architecture students from around the world are invited to design forward thinking environments for our ageing population.The United Nations report that the twenty-first century will witness more rapid ageing than the previous years and this is foreseen to bring a paradigm shift in the design approach towards everything ranging from products to buildings to the urban development.

The second year studio is the apt time to trigger design sensibility and introduce students to the impact of architecture in the social context, its influence in shaping people’s lives meaningfully. The studio had to be sensitized and structured to generate designs that facilitate security, dignity, access and participation of aged people in communities.

A research based and participatory approach was adopted to evolve the design process. The predesign stage incorporated case studies, field surveys in different parts of the city, close observations, studio interactions with the elderly groups and exciting brainstorming sessions with peers. 

A new typology of building was evolved, a unique Activity centre for the elderly (approx. 500 sq.m built up), that would satisfy their social,  recreational, spiritual and economic needs. 

The design studio progressed in an interactive nature with intermittent juries and invited elderly guests to give feedback to students. The studio ended with some very sensitive and aesthetically appealing designs for the centre, out of which two designs were selected (student names - Shehrebanu and Rajashri) and sent as the competition entries.

AVISHKAR AWARD to Prof. Kavita Murugkar :First prize at State Level Research Competition

Prof. Kavita Murugkar has been awarded the STATE LEVEL FIRST PRIZE for her research project :

UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY IN HERITAGE ENVIRONMENTS IN INDIA at the AVISHKAR 2012, Maharashtra State Inter-university Research Convention, held at Dapoli Krishi Vidyapeeth this year. Her research project was selected as one of the best in the Teachers’ Category in Humanities Faculty, out of total 500 entries shortlisted across 20 universities in the state. It was selected through a long jury process starting at the University zonal level, University level and then finally the State level.
This study is a part of the research project granted by the BCUD, University of Pune to Prof.Kavita Murugkar.

Research projects that are innovative, creative and at the same time have a significant social impact were selected by the esteemed jury panel which comprised of national level experts from relevant fields.

The research conducted by Prof Murugkar, aimed to identify the barriers for physical and intellectual accessibility in heritage sites and develop design guidelines to overcome the same and make these sites accessible to all.

Heritage and visitor management strategies based on UNIVERSAL DESIGN have been suggested in this research project to enhance the heritage experience to all types of people in the society including the physically impaired, cognitive impaired, speech impaired, vision impaired, hearing impaired, elderly people and pregnant women. 

STUDENTS VISIT AARUSHI,BHOPAL : A center for mainstreaming people with disabilities

During the visit to Bhopal for NSDC 2012, Universal design elective students visited ARUSHI, a Bhopal-based not-for-profit organization working with and for people with disabilities and issues related to them. The basic objective of their work is to generate opportunities and develop capacities in people with disabilities.

Run by a passionate social activist- Mr. Anil Mudgal, the architecture of the center has been very thoughtfully designed keeping in mind universal design parameters.

The vertical circulation within the building is through a nicely designed ramp and lift.The layout is very student friendly with colours used to distinguish levels and planes. The students also got to see use of tactile flooring in the indoors, appropriately designed railings, tactile maps and accessible toilets at the center. The staff working at the center being differently abled, even the furniture like the reception desk was designed such that a wheel chair user could work on it with ease.

The center is probably one of the very few buildings in the country that can claim to be fairly accessible to people with disabilities, and students were benefitted by the visit as they could see all the theoretical recommendations of barrier free design applied in a building.

BNCA competition entry shortlisted in NSDC: students visit SPA Bhopal

The competition entry sent by Universal Design elective students from BNCA has been shortlisted at the NSDC amongst more than 80 entries received from colleges across the country. Congratulations to the students!

More about the competition entry :

NSDC(National Student Design Competition) is organised every year by School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal under the leadership of Dr.Rachana Khare, an expert in universal design. The theme of the competition this year is  

UNIVERSAL USABILITY IN WORLD HERITAGE SITES.

The student group took up the World heritage site of Ellora Caves and under the mentorship of Prof. Kavita Murugkar, studied the accessibility status of the site by applying various research methods like access audit, physical mapping, walk and talk audit and visitor surveys.

On analyzing the data collected, students came up with a design proposal to enhance the heritage experience and accessibility considering different types of visitors- abled and disabled by incorporating Universal design principles. The design proposal was prepared at two levels - for the entire site and for an individual cave, thus addressing the issue in whole and part.

Final Jury and UD workshop at Bhopal :

The students and Prof. Kavita Murugkar visited SPA Bhopal for the final round of the jury and also attended a Universal Design workshop the next day, specially organised by SPA Bhopal for the finalists.The workshop was conducted by SPA faculty members at the world heritage site of Sanchi Stupa. Differently abled students were also a part of the workshop, thus enriching the learning experience for all students. All the shortlisted competition entries were displayed at an open exhibition put up by SPA at the competition venue for both the days.

Students at work

UD Workshop at Sanchi stupa

Competition sheets displayed at the exhibition at SPA

ELLORA CAVES : Visit and Study for Universal Accessibility at the heritage site

Universal Design elective students of year 2012 have participated in the National Student Design Competition (NSDC 2012) organised by SPA Bhopal on the theme UNIVERSAL USABILITY IN WORLD HERITAGE SITES. The group under guidance of Prof. Kavita Murugkar have chosen to work on World heritage site of Ellora Caves. 

This study is a part of the research project granted by the BCUD, University of Pune to Prof.Kavita Murugkar

After studying existing literature about the heritage site and collecting background information, the group made a 3 day visit to Ellora caves in August'13. Extensive study of the existing condition of accessibility of the caves was carried out at the site. Students also conducted a walk and talk audit with two persons with disabilities from aurangabad. Thanks to them for participating in the study !

After systematically analysing the observations, students worked on design interventions that can be proposed to enhance universal accessibility.

The suggestions were worked out at the master plan level as well as individual cave level, keeping in mind the bye-laws that govern interventions at heritage sites. The proposal included having an onsite interpretation center,amphitheatre for sound and light show,  tactile stone models, provision of battery operated coaches for movement within the site, hydraulic lift to take visitors to vantage points, use of audio compass for informed navigation and all in one visitor facility blocks at regular intervals. Apart from the above ramps, railings and signages have been proposed such that they do not negatively impact the heritage value of the site and are reversible in nature.

The proposal has been submitted for the NSDC , Bhopal and students are awaiting the first round of results....

LIBRARY ON UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN BNCA

BNCA Library has developed a special section on books related to Universal Design, Barrier-free architecture, Inclusive spaces and Enabling environments. Following below is the list of available books :

BNCA STUDENT'S SENSITIZED ON DISABILITY THROUGH SIMULATION EXERCISE

As a part of the Universal Design elective subject conducted by Prof. Kavita Murugkar, students had to undergo an experiential exercise-SIMULATION to understand the environmental barriers one may face in a differently abled situation. Students had to experience two forms of disability - physical and visual. The students experienced spaces as wheel chair users and as visually impaired users by moving on a wheelchair and moving blindfolded respectively.

This 2 hour exercise completely transformed them and brought about lot of realizations! It was a emotional experience for all of them alongwith lot of empathy generated towards the underpriviledged sections of the society. They realized that their very favourite college building was actually very inaccessible from the viewpoint of disabled students. This also created an understanding of how 

ARCHITECTURE CAN ENABLE AND DISABLE..........

READ RESPONSES OF STUDENTS AFTER THE EXERCISE :

DEVASHREE TRIVEDI

For the simulation exercise, we were blindfolded and also experienced being on a wheelchair. Being blindfolded was tougher experience out of both. Our sight is the first sense we use to perceive everything around us. When I was blindfolded, there was darkness all around as I was deprived of the first sense I use to recognize and perceive my everyday surroundings. I began to  realize with every step how difficult everyday activities must be for the blind. It also made me appreciate that such people,  inspite of being blind, carry out their day to day activities with such ease and refuse to be dependant on others.

When I was in the wheelchair, again I realized that I don’t appreciate how blessed I am to be normal and to be able to walk and move around on my own.

Thus, the simulation exercise was a real eyeopener for me. It made me realize the need to be  considerate of all kinds of people in the process of design. It also made me fully appreciate being blessed with my sight and other senses.

ANERI SHAH

When I experienced being blindfolded, other senses heightened. My memory suddenly seemed to play an important role and my mind became active.

For a while, I could hold up my confidence and try and recollect the memory of having been there before. But in less than few minutes, after stumbling into barriers I lost my sense of direction  and confidence.

It was like reaching a breaking point, more mentally than physically, having to concentrate on every step.  The simplest of all things, walking seemed like such a hard task. It brought down my  courage.

One hand holding the stick and taking care of the barriers at ground level, the other hand taking care of the barriers at eye level. What about the obstruction over head level? What about having to carry bags?

After I opened the blindfold, I couldn’t express my gratitude for having back my vision. Being able to see, seems simple and is much taken granted for.

I felt like a boon to have all my senses, to be able to do the simplest of things.

CHITRA PUROHIT

The simulation exercise was a different experience all together. We often see physically challenged people around us, but fail to understand their problems. By actually doing the same we realized their difficulties and the smallest of problems. Any kind of disability seems difficult for us,  but they do not consider it to be a disability. Instead, they accept it as a challenge and make it their strength and strongest point to fight with the world. This exercise helped challenge our other senses. When one was not in use I realized that other senses work even more efficiently.

But at the same time, I felt equally bad after experiencing it. When I was blindfolded and given astick, it was the most difficult moment. All of a sudden there was darkness around me and sound, touch n smell were my only guides. Everyday the distance I cover in 2-3 minutes took me 10-12 minutes when I was blindfolded.

Going through this exercise I not only understood the problems faced by the disabled people, but also got an idea of solving them. It will surely broaden my thinking in terms of the factors to be considered while designing.

MANASVI RANAWARE

Simulation is about experiencing a different environment, its advantages and the impediments you come across, and different ways of tackling with those barriers. Our exercise on simulation gave us a chance to experience the environment around blind people and people with physical disabilities.

a. People with visual disabilities use a stick as their support, which helps them to some extent, be it feeling the texture, understanding the change in level difference (staircase) or to recognize any obstacle coming across.Senses play an important role in case of people with disabilities. They tend to recognize people with their voice, not only people but the  horn of vehicles, door bell, etc

b. People with physical disabilities use a wheelchair to travel or as a tool to walk, the wheelchair has a break as well as a handle to change the direction in case of uneven surfaces or slopes as it becomes difficult to climb. This exercise helped us to know the barriers faced by people with different disabilities.

ELECTIVE ON UNIVERSAL DESIGN - BARRIER FREE ARCHITECTURE AT BNCA

This year onwards, students of 4th year B Arch shall be also be given UNIVERSAL DESIGN as one of the choices for electives. The elective shall be conducted by Prof. Kavita Murugkar.

Making CONSTRO 2012 accessible for People with disabilities

CONSTRO is a mega-exhibition on education and awareness about latest construction technologies, machinery and innovations. It is the largest of it's kind in the country and organised biannually by the PUNE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING RESEARCH FOUNDATION (PCERF). BNCA has been a supporting partner to PCERF for all it's events for many years now. Prof. Kavita Murugkar, senior faculty at BNCA is an active member at PCERF and has been invited as the convenor of the series of seminars organised under the aegis of PCERF.

This year, she has taken initiative to work towards making CONSTRO universally accessible. Since CONSTRO is visited by thousands of citizens, it is necessary that it incorporates barrier free design to also enable  disabled groups to take advantage of this event.

She made a presentation to all the organising members titled

EDUCATION THROUGH EXHIBITION FOR ALL.

With support from the Exhibition layout and infrastructure team, and with suggestions from Prof.Kavita Murugkar, this years CONSTRO was made more accessible and people friendly.

Simple exhibition layout, ramps alongside steps, levelled pathways, colour contrast to distinguish different areas, accessible toilets and a disaster management plan were some important aspects incorporated in this exhibition this year.