"Harmony Blooms" - A Tapestry of Women's Empowerment

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

Design Idea - “Cultivate a sense of community by linking the built form & the collaborative spaces to create communal areas that encourage, interaction, collaboration & networking among women.” According to the design idea, the building upon the existing communal activities where women regularly gather and share their thoughts, this initiative aims to formalize and enhance these interactions by providing a dedicated space for collaborative Batik fabric production. The hub not only empowers women economically but also fosters a strong sense of community through shared creativity.
Principles of women's empowerment
• Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.
• Treat all women and men fairly at work –respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination.
• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all women and men workers.
• Promote education, training, and professional development for women.
• Implement enterprise development, supply chain, and marketing practices that empower women.
• Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.
• Measure and public report on progress to achieve gender equality.

Project description

Design theme - "Harmony Blooms - A Tapestry of Women's Empowerment"

The Kandy Suduhumpola- Deiyannewela marginalized community site area, a high population density provides a significant manpower resource. Women, typically engaged in household activities, express a willingness to work outside their homes, but face a lack of proper skills and vocational training. some women have proper skills, but they live low-income lives and can't access economic sources, funds, or loans. Limited opportunities for community activities confine many women to their homes throughout the day. In contrast, male gatherings primarily occur in shophouses along the main road and chatting spots. A notable trend is the migration of people, particularly the younger generation, for better educational and employment prospects, often working as masons, carpenters, or manual laborers. Despite possessing traditional industries with potential for development, cultural preconceptions, economic crises, and black markets strongly influence the local lifestyle. The community consists predominantly of middle and low-income individuals, grappling with physiological impacts such as economic crises and unemployment. Nevertheless, the micro-level community sense and relationships within the area remain notably strong. As well as these areas women have proper batik skills and knowledge. most of the women have chemical batik dye knowledge. but they need a long-term business process and an international market. so, the trend is becoming to the natural batik industry. so, the proposed new natural batik plant is based on the Natural batik plant with fabric products. it provides direct and indirect most of jobs for the villagers.

Technical information

Harmony Blooms - A Tapestry of Women's Empowerment
The design theme for the women's empowerment hub, "Harmony Blooms," envisions a vibrant and empowering community space that reflects the spirit of collaboration and growth among the women of Suduhumpola-Deiyannewela. Façade’s silicon-treated batik color panels inspiration by nature and the rich culturally natural batik tapestry of the region, the design will use a palette of warm, earthy tones combined with energetic pops of color to create a visually engaging and harmonious with natural bamboo trail with a greenery water stream environment.
Building materials - Black color coated steel 'I' beams & Columns, wooden framework with louver panels and silicon-coated fabric panels, rough cement-rendered flooring.

[Main design element with design theme - Timber louvers with colored fabric panels.]
Vertical louvers experience natural sunlight without consequence of harsh, full-on sun, like typical windows. Louver windows can also help promote circulation and airflow throughout the building, leaving the space feeling fresh even in warmer temperatures. These are extremely durable, cost-effective, and virtually maintenance-free. When it comes to visual appeal in the built environment, mass timber is in a league of its own. A renewable building material with low embodied energy, wood is durable, versatile, and can add significantly to the value of a building over the long term. Mostly used in neutral batik colors are used for painting these louvers and partitions because the below level has nature (green bamboo) trail and greenery, and neutral colors are combined to well.

Documentation

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