DISSERTATION REPORT

NOMADIC ARCHITECTURE ON MOVE

Bachelor of Architecture
Of

Poornima University, Jaipur

Session: 2018-19

Submitted By: GUIDE

Riya Mathew Ar. Shweta Mehta

2017PUSPABARX05567
FIFTH Year, B.Arch CORDINATOR

Ar. Akansha Modi

School of Planning & Architecture

Poornima University, Ramchandrapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 303905
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 APPROVAL

The study titled ‘Noamadic Architecture ’ is hereby approved as a original work of Riya
Mathew , enrolment no. 2017PUSPABARX05567 on the approved subject carried out and
presented in manner satisfactory to warrant its acceptance as per the standard laid down by
the university. This report has been submitted in the partial fulfillment for the award
of Bachelor of Architecture degree from School of Planning and Architecture, Poornima
University, Jaipur.

It is to be understood that the undersigned does not necessarily endorse or approve any
statement made, any opinion expressed or conclusion drawn therein, but approves the study
only for the purpose it has been submitted.

28-Oct-2020
Jaipur

EXTERNAL EXAMINER: GUIDE:

CO-ORDINATOR: DEAN:

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 DECLARATION

I, Riya Mathew, here by solemnly declare that the research work undertaken by me,
titled ‘Nomadic Architecture On Move’ is my original work and wherever I have
incorporated any information in the form of photographs, text, data, maps, drawings, etc. from
different sources, has been duly acknowledged in my report.

This dissertation has been completed under the supervision of the guide allotted to me by the
school.

Riya Mathew
V year B.Arch.
School of Planning and Architecture
Poornima University, Jaipur

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 Acknowledgment

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my guide and Professor Ar. Shweta Mehta as
well as to our coordinator Ar. Akansha Modi who gave me the opportunity to do this efficient
project on the topic “Nomadic Homes: Architecture On Move”, who also helped me in doing
a lot of research and guide me on the right track while making the understanding of the topic
much clearer and the in depth study over it.

Secondary level I would also like show of my gratitude to my classmates who helped me get
throught the research, with motivation and logical reasoning on areas, where present thoughts
and understanding is required.

The project was a great platform to learn and understand a different developing aspect in
architecture.

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Nomadic Homes:
Architecture on Move

INTRODUCTION
The capability to freely move away from the current space with minimal
possessions is a desire that almost everyone has felt at some point in their lives.
The nomadic lifestyle is so convincing because it represents the possibility of
rebelling against symbols of settlement and permanent in favour of exploring the
natural environment and having the ability to adapt to a variety of living
conditions with smooth. This crave has given rise to transformable structures for
the urban vagabond that can transform into a temporary office, home, or even an
entire community.

The Dwelling unit today

The next case studies are categorized into four broad categories.

Adaptable

Transformable

Movable

Interactive

Classification
Flexibility in architecture is feasible in an infinite number of ways; in terms of
materials and finishes, external facade, interiors, furnishing, partitions, structural
members and many such elements. Morphing architecture is a vast area of
interest to the architectural community today and has been classified in several
ways by different authorities on the subject

Interactive

These are responsive buildings that can respond to a number of external stimuli,
including, but not limited to, energy/ environment, interaction, usage, or occupation

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 Fig 4.1 Response To Climate

Fig 4.2 Response To External Factors

Fig 4.3 Response To Internal Factors

Adaptable
Adaptable structures features repositionable partitions or are changeable per
user/occupant (case studies: Rietveld Schroeder house, Japanese housing).
What typifies a universally flexible building is its ease of adaptation per use.
These buildings are often characterized by open floor plans and typology free
design (case studies: S.R. crown hall, Eames house).

Fig 4.4 Movable Partition/ Furniture

Fig 4.5 Incremental Growth Extension

Fig 4.6 Modular

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Fig 4.7 Pre-Fabricated

Fig 4.8 Adaptive Servicing/Plug-ins

Movable
Movable flexible building consist of relocatable or repositionable structures
or buildings capable of being torn down and reassembled in another location
(case Studies- Nomadic Tents, Airstream Trailers)

Module Construction

Location Independent Mobility

Movable Source Itself

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Transformable

Characterized by modular design (capable of adding or removing units or

components) transformable structures can also open and close, change form or
change color (case studies: plug-in city, university of phoenix stadium).

Fig 4.9 Rotation

Fig 4.10 Revolving

Fig 4.11 Roof / walls Openable

What value bas flexible architecture added to

dwellings?
Flexible architecture has revolutionized dwelling since the need for the habitat came
into being and is the most practical solution to our innate flexibility and constant
change in lifestyle.
Value addition to dwellings by flexible architecture can not only be seen by
tangible qualities like cost, time and reduced effort in dwelling and
construction but also in terms of intangible aspects like improved living
conditions and improved richness of luxury and comfort.

Also, flexibility needs to be designed from the level where innate flexibility of
a population ceases. In countries like India, currently people are much more
flexible than their built environment and they easily adapt to their
surroundings. Their concerns need to be addressed in an entirely different
light when compared to other places.

Adaptable
Architecture that is Adaptable in terms of movable partitions, open plans, the
room as furniture etc. is slowly shifting from an architect-determined plan to
a user-based plan.

Transformable
Transformable architecture has revolutionized the relationship between man
and his dwelling. What was previously static and non modernized is now
kinetic in tune with the user's need. This kind of indeterminate architecture
also gives the user an upper hand although the movements are pre-
determined by the architect.

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Mobile
Mobile architecture is probably the oldest known type of flexibility existent
since man was still foraging for food. Modular, volumetric, fiat-pack, tensile
and pneumatic are the primary building construction options within this
category. On one hand, mobility is a positive attribute but it also has its
shortcomings like re-assembly time and labour, large number of parts, high
maintenance for every junction, greater energy consumed by operation in
transport etc. Mobile architecture may be easily transportable in the case of
tensile structures or temporary disaster homes as compared to the Mobile
Dwelling Unit (Case Study ) depending on the purpose it was designed for.

Interactive
Being the most recent and advanced form of flexibility, the field remains
largely unexplored and unconventional. With the rapid technological
advancements taking place in all industries, these have yet to find their
purpose in architecture. While this form of architecture gives the user ultimate
control of his dwelling; every facade, glazing, lock and switch is automated; it
remains an irony that direct human decision making is highly limited.
The balance between human control and machine automated control is yet to
be made.

Flexible architecture for the Indian context

India has a rich and vibrant history of flexibility in architecture. Time and
again, historical examples like the lightweight shamiana extensions, the
cluWpoy and the houseboats of Kashmir and Kerala have sown the seeds of
flexible living.
Indians owing to fact that India is a third world country and rising up to its
over whelming problems of over-population, climate and growing economy
have developed not only the flexibility of dwelling structures but also their
own innate flexibility. More often than not, people in the sub-continent
adapt to their surroundings as opposed to their surrounding built
environment being adaptable.
This tendency is understandably seen more amongst the poor and
homeless in an urban setting.
Strong concepts of culture, religion and tradition coupled with political
corruption, security and shortage of resources make designing for this
context volatile and complex.
The tradition of flexibility in architecture has not developed steadily with
the growth of urban and rural agglomerations. It has yet to make its
presence, need and utility felt and experienced in the region.
Some areas where flexible living may make a huge contribution in the near
future are as follows:

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Supply and Demand
There is a widening gap between the growing population and the availability
of dwelling units. Mass production of homes enabled by factory produced
pre-fabricated units which could be an efficient solution. Also, shortage of
land in urban centres calls for maximizing space efficiency made possible
by customized modular units or pods.

Cultural and Social Variation

India is a culturally and socially diverse country. Every region has its
specific tradition and social values. The ancient science of Vaastu Shastra
still has a strong influence in many parts of the country . Norms regarding
privacy and security of occupants, Indoor/ outdoor activities, lifestyle,
cooking etc. demand a very different system of domestic planning.
Architecture that can adapt and transform may help preserve these
cultural practices in a modern world.

Climate
The length and breadth of India is host to multiple climatic regions and
environments. An interactive interface between man and his dwelling is
important f o r sustenance.

Religious diversity
People in the sub-continent are very religion oriented. There are several
religious groups and communities, each having their own holy places of
worship. Thus, there are a vast number of pilgrims every year who travel to
their place of worship at different times of the year. Mobile temporary
housing for this displaced population is needed.

Defence
The defence housing requirements in India are large owing to the fact that
the country features amongst the top 5 nations of the world in terms of
number of people employed in this sector.
The future of flexible domestic architecture in India is opportune and ripe.
It may be the only solution to the deepening problems of housing not just
in India but all over the world.

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