Common Ground Between Borders

Project idea

This project was inspired by a punjabi poetry which translates as
"Our Partition Cost us dearly
River Chenab often asks river Ravi
How my dear brother river Sutlej
The roads to peshawar are far and distant and hard to reach
At the Wagah Border I look for those paths
that once existed to lahore
but sadly,Don't exist anymore"

This poem expresses the emotional space formed by the partition of Pakistan and India. It shows how the border has been used to sustain divisions and escalate tensions between the two countries. While the border may be seen as a barrier that separates two countries, I see it as a space that unites them. It has the power to bridge the divide and bring people together.


The project intends to create a place near the border to serve the needs of local residents while also connecting individuals across the separation. It is an attempt to turn the border from a symbol of division into a gathering spot that promotes unity.

Project description

Borders have moved from their conventional geographical definition s territorial boundaries in recent decades and are increasingly recognized as dynamic processes that both connect and separates, influencing psychological experiences and creating identity narratives forming pieces of people and moderating the dynamics that shape them.
Common Grounds provide a neutral ground for people to form a sense of connectivity and associations. They acknowledge the presence of several ethnicities and deeply embeded cultural values
The aim of this thesis was to design a space that can host people acorss borders by transcending their border and providing them a common ground

Technical information

The Project was inspired by a series of iterations on border as a facilitator of unity, rather than a barrier by adopting various metaphorical conceptions. Multiple iterations used as a distinct architectural language, relying on single thought of making the border a common ground. Through tailored experiences and interactive intention of this project was to promote inclusion and cultural convergence, exemplifying a comprehensive approach to architectural advocacy.

Documentation

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