School of Planning and Architecture: Vijayawada

(An autonomous institution of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India)

S.No. 71/1, NH-5, Nidamanuru, Vijayawada 521 104, Andhra Pradesh, India

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN V
TIME PROBLEM DESIGN BRIEF
Vth SEMESTER

STUDENT COMMUNITY CENTER

@ New Campus, SPAV
Date (Time): 10-11-2016 (9:30 to 13:00), 11-11-2016 (11:20 to 16:30) & 12-11-2016 (11:20 to 16:30)

STUDIO FACULTY B. N. KEERTHI NAIDU YOGESH J. PAREKH

SITHA MAHALAKSHMI K. VISHWATEJ

VISITING FACULTY Ar. SUNIL KUMAR Ar. HRISHIKESH RAO

B.ArchV Sem (2016-17 A.Y) Architectural DesignV (Time Problem)

COURSE OUTLINE

Study of an urban environment in use and the design of a multifunctional public building set in a
context. Understanding the urban activities, social utilization, provision of services, construction
methods and possibility for change, shall be the intent of the urban study.
The design problem in this context should seek to build comprehension of program development and
design methodology. It should engage with the articulation of a multi-use and user program focusing on
programmatic relationships, interactions with site and surroundings, and the built form as a moderator
of the urban space.
Introduction to urban development, controls, codes and byelaws
Introduction and application of shading and energy simulation software
The building project should be of low services complexity largely relying on passive design strategies and
natural systems of lighting and ventilation.

OBJECTIVE

A Design based on Passive Solar Design concepts and techniques applicable in a given climatic zone is
required. The Student is required to understand the Users involved, take care of their needs based on
relevant case studies and literature study. Using a methodology prepare a Design based on program
requirements with-in the stipulated period.

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B.ArchV Sem (2016-17 A.Y) Architectural DesignV (Time Problem)

STUDENT COMMUNITY CENTRE

Community Center

A Community Center can be defined as a Pedestrian oriented, high activity, multi and mixed use center
As per the Department of City Planning, City of Los Angeles, USA They are focal points and activity
centers for surrounding groups of residential neighborhoods, serving a population of 25,000 to 100,000.
They differ from neighborhood districts in their size and intensity of business and social activity. They
contain a diversity of uses such as small offices, overnight accommodations, cultural and entertainment
facilities, schools and libraries in addition to neighborhood-oriented uses. These are for both, night and
day use. Generally, community centers range from FAR 1.5 to three.

Student Community Center

A space catering specifically to the needs of the Student community is what we understand when we say
Student Community Center or Student Union Building. Please do not be mistaken as it serves many
other key functions too.
As per the Association of College Unions International, the Union is the community center of the
college, serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. By whatever form or name, a college union is
an organization offering a variety of programs, activities, services, and facilities that, when taken
together, represent a well-considered plan for the community life of the college.
The Union is to be an integral part of any University, college or Institution.
It complements the academic experience through an extensive variety of cultural, educational,
social and recreational programs. These programs provide the opportunity to balance course work
and free time as cooperative factors in education.
As student-centered organization, it values participatory decision-making. It offers first-hand
experience in citizenship and educates students in leadership, social responsibility, and values.
It encourages self-directed activity, giving maximum opportunity for self-realization and for growth
in individual social competency and group effectiveness.
The union's goal is the development of persons as well as intellects.
It is the "Living Room" of the campus.
It provides services and conveniences that members of the college community need in their daily lives
and creates an environment for getting to know and understand others through formal and informal
associations.
It serves as a unifying force that honors each individual and values diversity. It fosters a sense of
community that cultivates enduring loyalty to the college.

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B.ArchV Sem (2016-17 A.Y) Architectural DesignV (Time Problem)

NEED

A Student Community Centre is rarely present in the institutions of a country as large as India. There is a
need for a space dedicated to Student Activities Co-Curricular as well as Extra-Curricular.

The Students of SPA-V are finding it hard to have a space where they can work, learn, participate in
student related activities and maybe even unwind after a hectic day. There is a need of such a space
within the campus. A place where all their daily needs are met, maybe have a debate with fellow
students on any topic, do performances, create clubs, shout to the top of their voice when their team
wins yet not be a nuisance to neighborhood, counsel their friends on various issues, learn and maybe
even earn. A space dedicated to students. The possibilities are endless in what one can do with a
Student Community Center, as the functions it addresses cannot be part of the Formal zone in any
college/ University.

SCOPE

A separate Student Community Centre is not a part of the new campus design of the School of Planning
and Architecture, Vijayawada. This void provides a wonderful opportunity for students to let others
know how they would like their Community Center to be if a separate dedicated space was present.

LIMITATIONS

Due to the lack of such infrastructure in colleges and institutions in India, the case study will only be
secondary in nature. Please note, the community centre design is to accommodate only need-based
aspects. You are allowed to add new spaces only if justified.

SITE

The Site selected is located within the new campus on the ITI Road Opposite Loyola Engineering College.
The Campus spread across 11 Acres of land in which 2.69 Acres is vacant. This can be utilized for the
Community Center.

Please refer the drawing provided.

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B.ArchV Sem (2016-17 A.Y) Architectural DesignV (Time Problem)

REQUIREMENTS - Students are given an option to add/omit or replace any 3 spatial requirements given -

S.NO SPACE QUANTITY MIN. AREA (Sq.M)

1 Entrance Plaza 1 20
2 Entrance Foyer 1 15
3 Guard Room 1 6
4 Entrance Lobby 1 60
5 Reception 1 6
6 Waiting Lounge 1 60
7 Information Center 1 9
8 Central Hall or Plaza 1 200
9 Locker Room 2 60
10 ATM 1 6
11 Pay Phone 1 4
12 Book Store 1 120
13 General Store 1 120
14 Courier Center 1 6
15 Reading Area with Wi-Fi Facility 1 120
16 First Aid Center with Pharmacy 1 12
17 Conference Room 1 60
18 Multi-Purpose Room 4 60
19 Exhibition Space 2 120
20 Canteen 1 120
21 Games Room 1 60
22 Guest Rooms 4 12
23 Dormitory (10Bed) 2 60
24 Center In-charge Office 1 10
25 Administration Office (3 Desks) 1 12
26 IT Department Office (1 Desk) 1 6
27 Security Services Office 1 6
28 Rest Rooms for Housekeeping 2 12
29 Storage 2 9
30 Amenities Like Drinking Water, Wash Rooms As per Requirement

Drawing requirements:

Concept and design development (15 Marks)

Site plan (20 Marks)
Floor plan with furniture layout (20 Marks)
Elevation to scale (10 Marks)
Section to scale (10 Marks)
Sketches Views, interesting elements, features, part sections through openings or staircases (25 M)

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B.ArchV Sem (2016-17 A.Y) Architectural DesignV (Time Problem)

Site Plan

NTS

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B.ArchV Sem (2016-17 A.Y) Architectural DesignV (Time Problem)

REFERENCE

Oklahoma State Universitys Student Union

Constructed in 1951, the Student Union covers 50,484.5 m2 and serves as one of the most
comprehensive unions in the world. It is the Largest Student Union Centre in the World. The Union
contains the modern 81-room Atherton Hotel, the luxurious Ranchers Club restaurant, a 550-seat
theater, art exhibits, lounges, meeting rooms, an extensive food court, bookstores, the OSU Student
Store, a recreation center, post office, travel agency, athletic ticket office, and multiple university
offices. Many student organizations including the Student Union Activities Board are located at the
Union.
Student Experience

Sharing his experience at the Student Union, Kamal N. Parekh, while pursuing his Masters from
Oklahoma State University during 2007-2009 gives us a very fine insight on the activities he utilized and
how it helped him with daily life .
See you at the union - were the words with which the admissions coordinator had ended her last
email. From being a student who had passed out of college and getting his first taste of real life in the
actual world, the thoughts of entering a university again and that too on foreign shores brings mixed
emotions that pass through feelings of fear and anxiety, sometimes both fighting for that small space in
your mind at the same time.

A long journey to the US smothers the emotional wreck one is going through to some reasonable levels.
I only hoped, rather wished, that my initial tryst with the university starts off on a positive note giving
me the confidence that I can conquer and prosper in a foreign land and develop skills to put my new
found knowledge and experience to best use - the beginnings of which start at my university, on the day
of joining.

On the day of admission, from the temporary accommodation nearby, I walk towards the university for
the first time. The rather unusual and discomforting weather outside that moderated between ice
storms, rain, snow and a bit of sunshine only tested my resolve further before I got the first glimpse of
the university building block where I was supposed to report for admission.

Speaking to friends who had already started a similar journey recently in other universities spread across
US, I was told that the admissions could be a very arduous process that required one to go through
several departments that could span across multiple buildings far apart in a large university campus such
as mine. While these thoughts came to mind, I could not help but see the small entrance to what
appeared to be a gigantic faade of a building that I was not sure I would see again once I completed this
admissions process. I recall thinking it cant be this!

Welcome to OSU said the admissions coordinator as I was guided from one large hall to another on
my way to a small, yet inviting entrance called ISS International Students and Scholars. It was a
multi-pronged hub of all things social, cultural, academic and personal for international students.

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B.ArchV Sem (2016-17 A.Y) Architectural DesignV (Time Problem)

While I made gradual progress through my admissions process, I noticed a few things at the ISS:

All the staff looked quite young for an office that dealt with international immigration and
admissions
The staff was not just young, but also keen to help everyone acclimatized with not just admissions,
but also with the university, the town outside, accommodation options, visa related documentation,
jobs for daily sustenance, university scholarships and assistantships, upcoming cultural and
informational programs etc.
The students worked in hourly shifts not exactly mirroring the regular 8-hr full-time jobs back home.
When the opportunity presented itself, they were happy to talk engineering, arts, science, etc
depending on their background and with the person, they interacted. It struck then that these
people were largely students at the university hired by the ISS office.

Reality struck immediately. I needed to find a job to make a living as otherwise I would have to depend
on a fatherly loan.

The friendly staff quickly took all my documents and arranged them in a sequence, provided me a
sequential checklist of items and offices to visit with each list depending on my specific admission
requirements. As if they knew that I was wondering if these offices were far enough, I was promptly told
the offices are all a bit of a walk, but everything is with-in the same building. As I made my way through
this building, I noticed that everything was on the same floor or one floor above and everyone was very
inviting. I just could not go to a wrong office, as my automatic pass would not allow me to enter a door I
should not be visiting at this time.

I noticed that there were another couple of floors down below and in the view I currently had of the
building it was just magnanimous! I completed the process in an hour and finally got the official
admission letter. Having completed the task I came about for the day, I took some time to walk through
the floor I was on. It had the Deans office along with all the other important officials of the university
lined up on the same floor all of them accessible in one place if I needed them. To call this just a union
started seeming like a misnomer already. It was a center that was made for students and everyone was
at their call in one place should they need them. This was in stark contrast to experiences back home,
where students were just an object and services were not organized for their convenience but to the
comfort of the offices and the individuals that worked in them.

I called it a day and started on my way back home. As I made my way out, I realized there were several
entry/exit points for this building that seemed traditionally architected from the outside but inside was a
hub for modernization that seamlessly blended with the rather simple looking exteriors. Academic
institutions around the world and particularly in my homeland would do well to consider this as the gold
standard which if met would make education a proud achievement for young people.

Through the course of my Masters, I built countless memories at the Student Union that chiseled my
persona and will remain etched till time stops for my soul on this earth. I got my first job as a cashier at
the student union itself and then I kept moving between so many such jobs from being a cook, chopper,
server, pizza maker, coffee maker, Mexican chef, stockiest of all types of drinks and a cleaner.

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All of this was on one floor at the Student Union. On another half of this floor and the one on top of it,
were the stores that sold everything one would need and beyond like Clothes and books were available
at multiple stores, a store for computers and accessories, umbrellas and other stationary, specialized
grocery and supermarket. However, the food was excellent and something that made life so much
easier on days as I could not prepare food for myself back at my accommodation.

In-between and during semesters, I got to witness a lot of the frenzy in the town that started with much
fanfare from the student union. To the homecoming days of the football teams to the first day of each
semester where in coupons were distributed for free, this union was one place that breathed life all
through the year. As this union also housed the first building on one side of the university, it also had a
multi-tier car park and a warehouse for the food courts. All of this was state-of-the-art for the time I was
at the university with everything automated to the extent it made financial sense to the students and
their well-wishers who visited them at the university.

Last but not the least, I had the opportunity to witness several activities of the several student societies
that put up their office in the underground floor of the student union.

Every time I was down mentally, physically or emotionally - I would pay a visit to my friends who might
be on their shift at the union. A quick chat with them over a pizza or a Mexican delicacy would enlighten
my spirits back again and I would make my way to my block for the next round of grueling academic
sessions.

Alas, all of this had to end. I graduated with highest distinction and with my hopes of future even more
probable, for one last time I told my friends while returning - See you at the union!

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