RIZVI COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, MUMBAI

DESIGN THESIS PROPOSAL

Name of the Student: Shaikh Ayesha

Roll No.: 1806 Year: 5th year (Sem.-08)

Mobile: +91-99205113567 Email: ayeshashaikh0508@gmail.com

Thesis Title Proposed: The Mumbai Zoo

Location: Goregaon, Mumbai

Name of the Thesis Guide proposed (Option 1) Arch. Meera Deobhakta

Name of the Thesis Guide proposed (Option 2) Arch. Himanshu Upadhaya

Name of the Thesis Guide proposed (Option 3) Arch. Sameer Baghdadi

Brief Narration on the Need of the Project:

Mumbai has a global recognition for its financial, economic, cultural and entertainment

sectors. With constant efforts of the nation to make this city as a world class city, it has

been coming up with outstanding infrastructure and service for the country. What this

city lacks is green tourism and beautiful wildlife to boast of. The VJB Udyan at Byculla and

SGNP at Borivali do not suffice the required need, moreover, their standards are

deteriorating into irreplaceable condition. The VJB Udyan was initially a botanical garden

transformed into a zoo with time. The area does not support the basic requirement to the

animal care, due to which the living condition of animals is affected resulting in more

disease and death rate. Apart from compromising species number, these animals are

held in closed cages that do not provide natural habitable environment, distressing their

behaviour and living conditions. The SGNP is a vast area of the only wildlife we find in the

Mumbai region. The national park provides lion and tiger safaris and bird and reptile

watching programmes. However, these efforts are not adequate to re-stable the natural

wildlife present here. The government has already allotted a 190 acres land to develop

an internationally recognized zoo, which was an Aarey Milk property, recently transferred

to the Maharashtra Forest Department. This thesis aims to meet this need, by relocating

the VJB Udyan to the allotted zoo land, thus providing a larger area for enclosure and

other zoo related activities. The VJB Udyan could be reinstated to the initial botanical

garden with other varied spaces for exhibition, socio-activities, theme restaurant and

other beneficial activities. The new Mumbai zoo could be developed with better animal

exhibits and enclosures. A conservation and education unit could be provided for animal

studies and research and for educating the visitors about wildlife conservation. The zoo

could hold activities that would invite different age groups of visitors, thus generating

income for proper management of zoo. The zoo would be located near SGNP, that is, in a

lesser urbanised area which would help as a cleaner and natural environment for

animals. In association with SGNP, the zoo could organise trial and safari and night trials

for visitors to encourage more activities for zoo benefits. The goals of this thesis states

betterment and encouragement for wildlife care, with joyous and satisfying experience to

visitors.

1. Define broad goals and list specific objectives of your thesis.

a. To complement and strengthen the national efforts of the rich bio diversity of the country, particularly the fauna. To promote largely on the regional animals of the state as the utmost objective.

b. To provide opportunities’ for scientific studies useful for conservation in general and to create database for sharing between agencies involved in in-situ and ex-situ conservation.

c. To inspire amongst zoo visitors empathy for wild animals, an understanding and awareness about the need for conservation of natural resources and for maintain the ecological balance.

d. To set an exemplary world class zoo in order to advance the green tourism in the city.

e. To provide opportunities that would generate funds for proper management of zoo.

2. ARCHITECTURAL AIMS

Translate your goals and objectives into a set of architectural aims / concepts.

a. To create an internationally designed zoo for global recognition of the efforts of our nation in the field on animal welfare and conservation. To provide the highest standards for animal care and welfare; visitor amenities and safety; science education; and wildlife conservation and science.

b. To master plan the zoo in different zones, segregating varied activities for easy functioning, and providing different exhibit zones as per their bio-geographic habitat, largely emphasizing on the regional wildlife (SGNP birds for Aviary, and SGNP reptiles for Reptile Centre).

c. To create exhibits and enclosure that reflects their native habitat so as to not disturb the emotional and psychological condition of the animals inhabiting it.

d. To provide spaces for visual interaction and communication between humans and animals, by creating space for human activities and involvement with animals for mutual benefit and welfare.

e. To create interest amongst visitors by developing actual biogeographic zones even in the viewing area, by means of levels, podiums, viewing galleries, bridges, walkways, etc.

f. To use materials that are eco-friendly and sustainable for the collective mission of safeguarding the environment as whole.

3. CRITICAL EVALUATION OF DESIGN CONCEPT PROPOSAL

3.1 HUMAN

- Concern for individualThe design largely emphasizes on architecture for animal, such as providing a natural habitat for the animal by means of water features, logs, creepers and developing spaces for their activities. The design is to be kept open with fewer barriers, or with barrier of natural materials to not affect the emotional behaviour of animals.For visitors, the design concentrates on providing satisfying experience, that is, unobstructed view of animals, with open viewing platforms, terraces, podium, etc. Interesting walkways and levels within the aviary for exploration, Underground experience for visitors in the reptile centre, and bio-geographic theme in other exhibits are part of the design. Provision of theme restaurant, amphitheatre, library and other facilities for visitor, and also provision for night stay for safari and night trials activities are includes in the planning.

- Sense of SecuritySecurity of both the animals and visitors from each other is the primary concern, the design of the open exhibits are detailed after the understanding of the animal nature, speed, behaviour, climbing and attacking tactics. Visitors would move around enclosure thus enabling, sense of openness as well as security to both.

- Feel of the placeThe concept develops on harmonising all aspect of nature, creating openness and sense of belonging for all, be it humans, birds or animals. The use of natural materials reflects the different bio-geographic zones and varied experience for visitors. Wholly, the zoo would largely concentrate in all aspect for betterment of nature conservation.

- Adequacy of spaceThe 190 acre space has been segregated into different parts such as; 1) Entrance Area, 2) Administration Unit, 3)Conservation Unit, 4) Education and Entertainment Unit, 5) Accommodation Unit, 6) Hospital and Food Preparation unit, 7) Enclosures. The enclosures have been sub divided into; 1) Aviary, 2) Reptile Centre, 3) National Animals exhibits, 4) Exotic- Savannah Region, 5) Exotic- Tropical Region.Walkways, restaurants, gardens, children play area, and rest areas, etc. are also provided.

- PrivacyThe zoo is segregated from the heavy traffic and urban area, by SGNP and other green belt in the area.

- NatureThe nature of the design speaks of imbedding the nature and understanding the true meaning of it, by merging all the aspect and elements of it into one. The concept tries to focus largely on natural environment for both animals and visitors. It speaks of interaction with oneself, with other beings (specifically animals) and with universe. The design relates to the initial human and animal relationship.

- FunctionalityThe main function of this structure is to provide adequate care and concern for animal welfare and other related activities such as providing naturalist exhibits, conservation building, animal healthcare building, animal- educating and awareness buildings, visitor friendly architecture.

- Functional linkageFirstly, the location of the zoo is easily available to visitors from public as well as private transport. The SGNP is connected to the zoo at the northern side, where the zoo safari and night stay activity would be operative. The different parts and

zones of the zoo are connected by means of large walkways and ramps. The built structure would be segregated from the exhibit area so as to not disrupt administrative activities or visitor experience.

- CharacterThe design has varied volumes intertwining between the exhibits, or forming exhibits or forming pathways. The subtraction in these volumes is viewing platforms for visitors. Natural materials minimises the visual control of the large volumes.

3.2 SOCIAL / ECONOMICAL

- Social interaction spacesFor human -animal interaction, barrier free viewing areas to be provided, detailed to terraces and galleries, walk-in- aviary, underground exhibits, etc.For animal awareness activities, amphitheatre, audio visual room, libraries, animal feeding area, safaris, night stay, etc. to be designed.

- Socio-economic costsTo generate funds for management of zoos various activities could be initiated such as; 1) provision of pollution free vehicle, and toy trains within the zoo circulation areas, 2) gift shops selling souvenirs with animal related gift, stationary, books, etc., 3) animal feeding activities, 4) child- domestic animal playing activities, 5) night stay activities, 6) safaris and nature trials, 7) animal shows, 8) holding school students camping and workshops etc.

- Relationship of social environmentEncouraging conservation of wildlife (concentrating on regional fauna), amongst the visitors and awareness to safeguard the existing wildlife.

- AffordabilityAffordability could be achieved with actions like using natural material and locally available materials, and using passive methods for maintaining homeostasis within a structure.

- Social harmonyMaintaining a balanced equation of empathy between human and animals by implementing involving activities amongst both.

- Social imageTo design, execute and implement the various idea and objectives for zoo planning, such that, it receives global recognition and appreciation.

3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL

- Climate responsive designUse of passive cooling techniques within built structure.

- Energy responsive designNeed guidance

- Environmental friendly designUse of brick, mud, and glass.

- Landscape designNeed guidance

- Sustainable designNeed guidance

- Environmental services design

Need guidance

3.4 TECHNOLOGICAL

- Traditional technologyPassive cooling systems within the build structure, shaded walkways by tree-canopies, rest area shaded and cooled by tree canopy and water bodies. Use of traditional material at large.

- Choice of material, products & systemsUse of brick, mud, and glass.

- Appropriate technologySustainable approach for designing (As discussed earlier)

- StructureSix built structure compromising of -1) Entrance Area, 2) Administration Unit, 3) Conservation Unit, 4) Education and Entertainment Unit, 5) Accommodation Unit, 6) Hospital and Food Preparation unit, and 7) Enclosures; connected by walkways and ramps, with pockets of green like gardens, lawns and play area.Provision of electrical, waste, water, storage and other system to be put up in the master plan.

- Modern / Hi-technologyUse of geodesic dome technique for aviary is the only hi-technology used in the

zoo.Underground structure to be designed for reptile section.

- Components / ElementsPlato’s geometry of elements, i.e., the elements of nature is abstracted in geometric form and put to function as exhibits, viewing galleries, restaurants, etc.

3.5 PHILOSOPHICAL / AESTHETICAL

- InnovativeApart from master planning the zoo into regional, national and exotic areas, the zoo reflects design with response to its bio-geographic zones. The volumes interpret the elements of nature (Plato’s geometry of elements) into different exhibits and viewing and activities area. Innovation of bird enclosure in terms of walk- in –aviary, and reptile centre to be designed as underground architecture.

- Traditional / Vernacular / Neo classical / Modern / Post –modern / Constructive / De-constructive

Neo- Vernacular: Use of natural materials and techniques in a contemporary composition, like bamboo, mud, bricks, etc.

- Appropriate / Hi-techUse of geodesic dome technique for aviary is the only hi-technology used in the

zoo.Underground structure to be designed for reptile section.

THESIS PROPOSAL REVIEW

Approved / Modification required / Disapproved

Comments:

Thesis Guide Co-ordinator Principal