Bisma Fatima Ghausi
Thesis Title:
Translucent Citizenship: Gender Inclusion for the Khwaja Siras
Project Title:
Zanaan Khana
Location:
Ittehad Commercial, Phase VI, Karachi
User Group:
Khwaja Sira Community (Transgender Community)
This project acts as a catalyst for change in the form of Zanaan Khana, a feminine space, for the Khwaja Siras. It gages the existing gaps in society that exist for them, such as housing, education, health, and/or celebration by providing them a facility in the middle of a commercial area that is slightly inclusive of the trans community. The three buildings have various programs with “Jashan Mashal’ as the celebratory building offering legacy space, and ballroom for the community, “Barah Dari'' providing a clinic for AIDs testing and therapy, and housing, and “Khwaja ki Haveli” having an educational center and housing. All three buildings are placed strategically around the park for the public to visually see Khwaja Siras and gain awareness about them, which is the first step towards an inclusive society.
Bisma Fatima Ghausi
Architecture
Thesis Title:
Translucent Citizenship: Gender Inclusion for the Khwaja Siras
Project Title:
Zanaan Khana
Location:
Ittehad Commercial, Phase VI, Karachi
User Group:
Khwaja Sira Community (Transgender Community)
This project acts as a catalyst for change in the form of Zanaan Khana, a feminine space, for the Khwaja Siras. It gages the existing gaps in society that exist for them, such as housing, education, health, and/or celebration by providing them a facility in the middle of a commercial area that is slightly inclusive of the trans community. The three buildings have various programs with “Jashan Mashal’ as the celebratory building offering legacy space, and ballroom for the community, “Barah Dari'' providing a clinic for AIDs testing and therapy, and housing, and “Khwaja ki Haveli” having an educational center and housing. All three buildings are placed strategically around the park for the public to visually see Khwaja Siras and gain awareness about them, which is the first step towards an inclusive society.
Illustration showing the lifecycle of Khwaja Siras, that is almost the same for all of them, with the lack of basic necessities in life such as shortage of housing, and limited career opportunities.
Collage from Jashan Mahal showing various activities ranging from legacy space, boutique, ballroom with vanity and balcony.
East Elevation of “Barah Dari” with 12 arches on the ground floor, creating a public space.
Section of “Barah Dari '' showing public space and access to the building on the ground level, clinic on the first floor and housing on the rest of the floors.
Flexibility shown through movement with the change of wardrobe on facade.
Interior Comfort.
Vanity area on the housing floors.
Gathering spaces on the housing floors.
Baithaks on the housing floors.
Section of “Khwaja ki Haveli” showing the educational center on three floors with a central courtyard, and housing on the rest of the floors. The public and private interactions can be seen, with apertures bringing in natural light, wind and views.
Central courtyard becoming an area of discussion.
Transition from public to private.
Visual connection with internal and external spaces.
Double heighted spaces with Dynamism in Architecture.
Color changing facades due to the usage of PVC sheets on the exterior.
