COMMUNITY MARKET- An intermediate solution for the existing market for a sustainable future

Project idea

The existing two storied market building in Kalutara has been earmarked for demolition releasing the site for future development.
This site opening to Galle road is occupying the prime land in heart of the city, hence has the potential to be developed into a proper multi-functional high-density facility.
This scheme intends to facilitate the transition between the two scenarios of the existing market being demolished and rebuilt by creating an intermediate solution for the existing market activity for a sustainable future.
The design is proposed as a plug-in module to one wing from three sole buildings at the existing market. This provides the market sellers and street vendors a space to continue their business during the transitional period of the reconstruction of market.
These plugins can further be extended as modular buildings for the rest of the land as well in future developments to be done according to the master plan prepared to this area with customized requirements.

Project description

Site Analysis
Proposed site is facing the Good shed road which is considered to be a bypass road to the transportation hub. This very fact provides a great opportunity for the market to thrive on consumers who are commuters.

Social aspect of the current situation
Most of the users of market tend to use well visible areas with good lighting and public nature due to safety reasons. Since the rear part of the market is not well lit or well visible to the road, people find to shop only around the front part of the market. Urban issue generated- market vendors have recognized the patterns are putting up temporary stalls on the Good shed road sides. Reduce the effective use of the by-pass road.

Urban Response
This site opening to Galle road is occupying the prime commercial heart of the city, hence has the potential to be developed into proper multi-functional high-density facility.

Purpose
Ensuring the consistent functionality of an “under- construction” space via a transitional solution i.e. in a temporary yet more productive approach which does not discomfort users.

Creativity
Reduced input of resources and raw materials to harvest effective outputs that are properly manageable to fit into the adapting future scenarios.

Usability
The space becomes a functional alternative while the existing market is constructed. Vendor- customer relationship determining the socio-economic equilibrium of a township is preserved. Also the space becomes fluid to cater different functions simultaneously.

Practicality
Minimal interference to the general public function encourages practicality of the project. Majority of the required resources and craftsmanship being able to be provided locally, avoids complications in the construction phase.

Viability
People being lethargic to change their original state of activity in a different venue or in a different outlook empowers the new market to be built in the familiar location with familiar amenities.

Technology
Adopting a familiar preference of materials and construction techniques with a new architectural facelift to produce an avant-garde building system prolific in sophistication.

Sustainability
Employing other functions in the saved space enables the most spatial benefit. “Cradle to grave” approach of reducing, reusing and recycling building components sustains the architecture in a sustainable life cycle.

Community
Preserving the adjoined public space preserves the existing public activity and interaction as well as the market being an entity of equity as a democratic space without social segregation. People seeing the building being constructed on the same grounds is also a psychological assurance of their familiar market being preserved.

Durability
Building components employed in the project repeatedly take part in different phases of the evolving building’s lifetime.

Aesthetics
Building form mimics the connectivity of the market with the adjoined bazaar via adopting its compact modularity and improvised colour schemes. Physical elements of the building system create a visual connectivity of the market to the spontaneous built fabric.

Technical information

Design solution 01
The design Maximizes visibility and creates public use of the place by creating a public square. This has triggered the need of a new market for Kaluthara. An important social and functional issue is generated in the process of making a new market Functional – loss of a proper market during the transition period of the building in to the new. Social – visual and physical relocation of market can create short term dis orientations for users, breaking the patterns created through long-term use.

Design solution 02
This design solution provides the possibility of transition with minimal social and functional conflict. Demolishing part of the existing building Generated large public square Necessary plugins to replace the functions of demolished parts Using a building of the current complex as an anchor Use of colorful elements in design to create a vibrant character matching to a public space.