THESIS SYNOPSIS OUTLINE

MADHAVI.A,
13AR33,
madhavia1195@gmail.com,
9444675596.

HABITAT CENTRE @ CHENNAI

A CULTURAL AND RESOURCE CENTRE

THESIS STATEMENT

HABITAT- It is the natural home/environment of an organism or the person’s usual / preferred

surrounding. It consists of both the Biotic(living) and the abiotic(non-living).

A place which acts as a city within the city which includes all the human needs such as work,
commercial, and recreational activities. HUMAN HABITAT – A place where human beings EXIST + INTERACT

Do we live and work in a place meant for human beings? Do we feel calm and satisfied in the concrete
jungle which our cities are turning into? Does environment play a role in the physical health of its
occupants? Man is a fundamental part of nature interconnected and interdependent on all other species. We
now live in a world that has disconnected man with his natural environment.

Biophilia is an innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world. Biophilic
design, an extension of biophilia, incorporates natural materials, natural light, vegetation, nature views and
other experiences of the natural world into the modern built environment.

A study on Biophilic design principles and strategies and its application at the site, building and the interior
design levels.

PROGRAM

Habitat centre is a physical environment which will serve as a physical environment for various individuals
and institutes working in habitat related areas initially proposed by HUDCO. It also promotes the Heritage, Art,
Culture, and Cuisine of the place by hosting different cultural and academic events in national and
international levels.

The aim of the India Habitat Centre is to resolve and restore at every level - Environmental and Ecological, a
balanced, harmonious and improved way of life. Improving the relationship within men and with nature in
creating an eco-friendly building concepts.
 As the habitat centre works to create awareness and sensitivity among people regarding the importance of
habitat their building style must also reflect this and hence usage of Biophilic principles.

SITE

National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), a government of India enterprise, would be building the Indian
Habitat Centres in various cities and metros at an estimated cost of Rs. 250 crore for which the NBCC and IHC have
signed the MoU.

Developed like a city within a city, it will serve as an intellectuals' hub that will also have wonderful outdoor
spaces that are soothing, even during summer months.
"NBCC will develop such state-of-the-art centres which shall have facilities like institutions, conference halls,
convention centres, auditoriums, health centres, food courts, banquet halls, and guest houses just like that of
the Delhi IHC. The model to be adopted by NBCC for development of such centres shall be on self-sustaining
basis," said the CGM.
Officials said that IHC will be lending its branding apart from the technical knowhow for development,
execution and post construction management of the properties as part of the initiative. The NBCC shall be
responsible for designing, engineering and development of the centre.

The site has been chosen at Foreshore Estate adjacent to the Santhome High road. The government has
planned a facelift along the face of the estate promenade for development along the beachfront.
It is one of the prime spots in the city for the location of offices and there is ease of connectivity. The site
has a close proximity to the cities heritage centres Mylapore, George town etc. The cultural centres such as
Mylapore and T.nagar area close by along with the now developing Adyar placed within the7 Km radius.
The presence of sea gives a good natural view along with the sound of water which makes it a good hangout
place. The slums are being cleared to make way for the facelift.

GEORGE
TOWN

MYLAPORE

T.NAGAR SITE

ADYAR
TECHOLOGY

It is becoming increasingly well demonstrated that biophilic elements have real, measurable benefits
relative to such human performance metrics and fosters an appreciation of nature, which, in turn, should lead
to greater protection of natural areas, eliminate pollution, and maintain a clean environment. The
combination of day lighting, natural ventilation, passive cooling, rain water harvesting and other such biophilic
techniques makes a building independent.

As a building which includes workspace, recreational and educational activities and serves to act as a cultural
hub for the whole city, it is necessary for the comfort of the people using and also a landmark for futuristic
growth.

PASSIVE SURVIVABILITY

It is the ability of the building to maintain partially the critical life support conditions if services such as
power, cooling / heating, water is lost. How can Biophilic strategies be used to sustain a building? How can
this be used to create a comfortable and livable environment.

Visual and non-visual Connection with Nature, Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli, thermal & Airflow
Variability, dynamic & Diffuse Light, Connection with Natural Systems Natural Analogues Material
Connection with Nature Complexity & Order.

CONTEXT

Chennai, a fast growing city lost more than one-fifth of its greenery in 20 years as the city urbanized rapidly.
Chennai has an intensely developed urban core an exploding city with an ever increasing population, ground
water depletion, frequent flooding during the monsoon and an overall rise in temperature in the city as a
result of concretisation. The city holds the dubious distinction of being one of the least green metros in the
country.

Today, in such cities we’ve become too disconnected from the natural world of our ancestors it is essential
to create a microhabitat. Biophilia seeks to swing the pendulum back to incorporate more traditionally natural
elements into our built environments where a person feels at ease and within his natural habitat.

SPACES REQUIRED

The site proposed is 11acres

Standard population during events per day -3000 – 3500 and floating population – 2000-2500 ( in case of
exhibitions)

Total proposed built up area – 27500 sq.m

PRIVATE SPACE

Office spaces - 7000 SQ.M ( 1/3rd of the public built up spaces)

30 government and non-government organisations (members of the Indian habitat centre) playing a role in
the conservation of the habitats in Tamil nadu.

PUBLIC SPACE

Art galleries - 500 sq.m

Auditoriums - 3000 sq.m

Meeting hall - 3000 sqm ( area ranging between 150-500 m2) – 20 rooms

Restaurants/food courts - 800 sq.m (outdoor and indoor) minimum- 3 restaurant spaces

Library/resource centre - 2000 sq.m

Fitness centre, pool, spa - 1500 sq.m

Conference and meeting spaces - 1500 sq.m

Guest accommodation - 50 - 4000 SQ.M

OAT and outdoor facilities

Parking – 600 cars

Total proposed built up area - 28000

LIVE CASE STUDY - Indian habitat centre, Delhi

LITERATURECASE STUDY-

RESOURCES

Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life
Patterns of Biophilic design