Sangath

1. Sangath “As a place to be inhabited, as a place to facilitate the course of human interaction…” Case Study

2. Ahemdabad Hot and Arid 23.03°N 72.58°E. Average summer maximum is 41 °C and the average minimum is 27 °C. Cold northerly winds are responsible for a mild chill in January. The average annual rainfall is about 800 millimetre. The highest temperature recorded is 48.5 °C. Architect: B. V. Doshi Location: Thaltej Road, Ahmedabad 380054 Period of Construction: 1979-1981 Project Engineer: B.S. Jethwa, Y. Patel Site area: 2346 m2 Total Built-up Area: 585 m2 Project Cost: Rs. 0.6 Million Functional Areas Reception Interaction Spaces Design Studio Workshop Library Conference Room Ancillary Spaces Analysis of Sangath at Ahmedabad General Description

3. Ahmedabad Sun Path Diagram Hot and Arid 23.03°N 72.58°E. Average summer maximum is 41 °C and the average minimum is 27 °C. The highest temperature recorded is 48.5 °C. Analysis of Sangath at Ahmedabad Sun Path Diagram

4. Annual Wind Rose Annual Wind Rose The annual average wind rose tends to indicate predominant wind direction as SW, followed by NW & NE. The pre-dominant wind speed is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 m/s. Winter Wind Rose (Nov-Jan) Similarly, winter wind rose tends to indicate predominant wind direction as NE followed by NW. The pre-dominant wind speed is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 m/s. Summer Wind Rose ( Feb- April) Moreover, summer wind rose tends to indicate predominant wind direction as SW followed by NW. The pre-dominant wind speed is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 m/s. Monsoon Wind Rose (May-Aug) Monsoon wind rose tends to indicate majority of predominant wind direction as SW followed by NW. The pre-dominant wind speed is in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 m/s. Post Monsoon Wind Rose (Sept-Oct) Post monsoon average wind rose tends to indicate predominant wind direction as NW followed by NE, SW & SE.The pre-dominant wind speed is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 m/s. Analysis of Sangath at Ahmedabad Winter Wind Rose Summer Wind Rose Monsoon Wind Rose Analysis The predominant wind directions change with regard to seasonal months. For example, winter month indicate NE, whereas, Feb to April shows NW, May to August SW. The months September and October appears to be peculiar months which shows W and NW respectively as predominant wind direction Post-Monsoon Wind Rose Wind Rose Analysis

5. Site Planning Minimizing Solar Radiation on South and West Side The structure is closely integrated with the outdoor spaces. Vegetation on site is almost always left to grow into wilderness. The west and south facade is shaded by dense trees. Maximizing Wind Flow Wind from West and South West side is taken in by juxtapositioning structures so as to create a central open space through which wind can flow unobstructed. Rain Water Harvesting Rainwater and Overflow of pumped water from the roof tank are harnessed through roof channels that run through a series of cascading tanks and water channels to finally culminate in a pond form which it is recycled back or used for irrigating vegetation. Analysis of Sangath at Ahmedabad • “ combining certain enduring values of modern architecture with research into the substructure of Indian traditions” Site Strategy Analysis

6. The Structure Vaulted Roof Form The roof form creates an efficient surface/ volume ratio optimizing material quantities. Higher space volume --> provides for hot air pockets due to convective currents that keep lower volumes relatively cool. Stack Effect Ventilating window at upper volume releases the accumulated hot air through pressure difference. Insulation Building is largely buried under ground to use earth masses for natural insulation. External walls of the building are nearly a meter deep but have been hollowed out as alcoves to provide storage that becomes an insulative wall with efficiency of space. Lighting Indirect Lighting Upper Level Large Openings - Facing North. Skylights as projected masses from the roof. Small cut-outs on roof slab filled with hollow glass blocks. Analysis of Sangath at Ahmedabad • A work of art stands on its own merits and Sangath possesses that indefinable quality of authenticity. Even local laborers and passing peasants like to come and sit next to it, enjoying the low mounds of the vaults or the waterjars overgrown with creepers. Site Strategy Analysis

7. The Structure Construction Technique Locally made clay fuses over the concrete slab to form a non-conductive layer. The clay fuses entrap air. Known as sandwich vault. • 3.5 cm thick  RCC • 8 cm ceramic fuses • 3.5 cm thick RCC • 6 cm thick water proofing • 1 cm thick broken China mosaic finish Finishes The concrete of slabs and wall surfaces are kept bare (unplastered) as final visual finishes which saves on finishing material quantity. China mosaic glazed tiles enhances insulation. Retard heart transmission as they are made up of clay. Use of Waste Material Paving material is a stone chip waste while roof surface is glazed tiles waste. They have been carefully handcrafted and integrated into the design by fully using the waste products, which also promotes craftsmen and traditional heritage. Analysis of Sangath at Ahmedabad • “I think about the interior and exterior like a living organism. Like in a body, there should be nothing superfluous, there must be no compartments. All should come together to form a seamless whole,” Material and Construction Technology

8. PERFORMANCE A temperature difference of about 8°C Time lag for heat transfer is nearly 6 hours 30% to 50% reduction in cooling energy Waste material reuse Water Recycling 10% saving in cost through lack of finishes. Analysis of Sangath at Ahmedabad Performance Analysis