Anas Faisal
Thesis Title:
A Pluralistic Vision: Play as a Vehicle to Foster Coexistence amidst Ethnic Tensions
Project Title:
Markaz: An Extension of a House and School
Location:
Machaar Colony, Karachi
User Group:
Bengali and Pushtoon Women and Children
This thesis explores the idea of fostering an active dialogue in an ethnically challenged site, to create a more plural community. With tensions between the local Muhajirs and Pushtoons, Machar Colony has become a site with a geography of separation. Using the idea of play and leisure as a tool for dialogue, in a site divided by a border, the project aims to create a shared space for the women and children to do, create, be, and therefore learn to coexist. It aspires to bridge the social divide, create dialogue and become a shared asset for the entire community.
Anas Faisal
Architecture
Thesis Title:
A Pluralistic Vision: Play as a Vehicle to Foster Coexistence amidst Ethnic Tensions
Project Title:
Markaz: An Extension of a House and School
Location:
Machaar Colony, Karachi
User Group:
Bengali and Pushtoon Women and Children
This thesis explores the idea of fostering an active dialogue in an ethnically challenged site, to create a more plural community. With tensions between the local Muhajirs and Pushtoons, Machar Colony has become a site with a geography of separation. Using the idea of play and leisure as a tool for dialogue, in a site divided by a border, the project aims to create a shared space for the women and children to do, create, be, and therefore learn to coexist. It aspires to bridge the social divide, create dialogue and become a shared asset for the entire community.
0321-2188711
Macro Plan: Plan showing the larger context of Machar Colony and the relationship between the two sites that sit opposite to each other.
Site Sections: Sectional studies of the colony that started to inform the architectural language. The multiple kinds of informalities, materials as an expression of trade and the use of color and ornament as a reflection of the socio-economic status.
Design Intent
Intervention: View showing how the intervention sits in the dense built context of Machar Colony
Plan 1: The varying plinths allow for the spaces to be organized, keeping the essence of the way the people appropriate spaces in the colony. The extension of a House has a very introverted character due to its need for privacy and safety, whereas the other site becomes extroverted with various opportunities for the outside and inside to come in contact with each other.
Plan 2: Upper plan showing the decks, bridge connecting the two sites and the rooftop for the women.
Section D: The use of yellow walls highlight a form of play, whether it is the children appropriating the play wall or the women selling naans at the Tandoor.
Sections: Leisure as a tool for dialogue in the women's space. By indulging in the domestic on a daily, the women of the two ethnic groups bond together.
Jhoola Court: The plinths, seating pods around trees and the Jhoola all come together to create a space for leisure.
Kitchen View: The community choola becomes one such space for dialogue where the women cook, prepare and eat together, a celebration of the daily mundane.
Section A : Section showing the street like space for the children. By indulging in competitive and cooperative play the prejudices that the children come with gradually change.
Section B: Section showing the gymnastics court, A/V room and upper decks.
Court View: The plinths allow for the spaces to spill out, pockets of activity that changes as needed.
Play Wall: The play wall allows for the children to appropriate it in intimate and playful ways.
Bridge View
