Architecture goes beyond designing, a strong reflection on the people, how it interconnects to society & putting down to its roots.
The kinetic interplay of architecture & social transformation, how it can make a sustainable contribution to society, also reflects our roles in work cultures, built environment, social evolution, shifting aspirations across the community from period to period. Like communication gaps, conflicts of interest & limited sources, such obstacles are faced. This serves better to the community for their rapid & social environmental changes contributes to social responsibility of architecture.
Understanding Community-Centered Design
of our society, a society developed by the community itself, regardless of different age groups, gender & caste. Activity participation by a group of people forms together, sharing certain attitudes, interests, likes & dislikes, giving a sense of attachment to elements. Community has also been a service as an essential part of community & architecture in our built environment, is not only for functional & sustainable designing, but also culturally responsive. It genuinely belongs to the people who live there.
Embracing Collaboration: Culture of collaboration have vmany viewpoints for finished product also promotes inclusivity and sense of ownership as it involves locals, stakeholders & start-up for collaboration.
Listening and Empathy: Design outcomes became effective when they started listening actively to people & their needs. Communications can help designers to comprehend the particular opportunities & problems that a community faces. By using the sympathetic approach for the community to align with the goals for the value of the community, to get the most feasible options.
Cultivating Identity: Every community has an individual identity shaped by its people, history, and culture.. The citizens’ connection to the space strengthens, and their sense of pride is enhanced by this celebration acknowledged via community-centered design, which incorporates aesthetics &culturally relevant components.
Methods Of Community Engagement In the Design Process
Community engagement involves local public & stakeholders of the city, which helps us to understand better ways of design & decision-making. The involvement, participation, and collaboration make an interactive process & shared ownership responsibility.
Purpose & genuine value to the community: When people are involved in the design process, their thoughts, ideas, and output lead us to strategically engage in the process & options can lead us to decision-making.
Integrity & transparency: It should be a way of information & learning. Openness & honesty are key for a collaborative project, providing adequate time to build a strong relationship with stakeholders, community, architects & planners.
Benefits of community participation
Community participation can empower us in many ways, it can be restructured, how architects work & revolutionise their approach to the built environment. Every participant has their perspective & vision, which can lead to more innovative & creative design solutions.
For example, an architect must be aware of the community’s socioeconomic background, cultural & identity, all these incorporated to generate a final product that is equally culturally & functionally relevant. By understanding these, an architect can identify potential challenges & opportunities for innovation. Design should be cost-effective & sustainable. It would be better if we involve local craftsmen & traditional techniques to preserve our cultural heritage.
Challenges in integrating community-based approaches
Budget constraint: A significant challenges were identified, such as fund limitation, which affects project implementation time, highlighting the need for additional resources to support community-driven design projects
Meeting Community Needs: Professionals noted the challenge of meeting the specific needs of underserved communities, which requires a deep understanding of the community context and engagement processes.
Communication Barriers: Language and cultural differences were identified as potential communication barriers when working with community members. Overcoming these barriers requires patience, constant discussion, and building trust.
Case study of Nokha village – Sustainable community-driven architecture project in India
The Nokha Village Community Centre in Rajasthan, designed by Sanjay Puri Architects, exemplifies a successful community-driven architectural project that seamlessly integrates local needs, cultural heritage, and sustainable design. Initially envisioned as a memorial for Padmaramji Kularia, the project evolved into a comprehensive community hub after the architects conducted studies revealing the lack of libraries and communal spaces across 144 surrounding villages. This insight led to the creation of a center that caters to all age groups, providing educational, cultural, and social facilities.
Design Features
- Spiral Form and Rooftop Garden: The 9,000 sq ft building features a sweeping curvilinear design that forms an inclined rooftop garden. This space serves as a recreational area and offers panoramic views of the desert landscape.
- Functional Spaces: Beneath the garden, the eastern side houses a small museum, while the western side contains a children’s digital library. These facilities address the educational and cultural needs of the community.
- Climate-Responsive Design: To mitigate the harsh desert climate, the southern facade is enveloped in a grass-covered earth berm, reducing heat gain. Additionally, natural sandstone screens, inspired by traditional Rajasthani architecture, provide shade and ventilation.
- Community Spaces: The design includes an open north-facing courtyard with an amphitheater, facilitating music performances, talks, and social interactions.
Community Involvement and Sustainability
The project emphasizes sustainability and local engagement by utilizing locally sourced materials and employing regional craftsmen. Features like rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems further enhance its environmental responsiveness.
Impact
The Nokha Village Community Centre stands as a testament to how community participation and context-sensitive design can create spaces that are not only functional but also culturally and environmentally attuned. It serves as a model for future community-driven architectural endeavors.
References:
The Importance Of Community-Driven Design Processes In Architecture – Empowering Communities Through Design
Exploring Participatory Design: Involving Communities in the Architectural Process – WeChronicle
Challenges and Future Trends in Architectural Design | ArchitectureCourses.org
What is Community Engagement? — Research — Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education
