Ruchi Saxena - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Ruchi Saxena
Journal of The Indian Institute of Architects, 2022
Journal of the Indian Institute of Architects, 2023
The context influences the production of Architectural design. The inverse is also equally german... more The context influences the production of Architectural design. The inverse is also equally germane. Architectural design, upon realization, influences the context. This article urges the architect to 'reverse the context' and while context studies are essential, architects should also be able to envisage and convey the impact a new project will have on its context, the community and the neighborhood and in many cases, the city.
International Journal of Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics Science, 2023
These days, participatory design processes are being encouraged and applied to urban design and p... more These days, participatory design processes are being encouraged and applied to urban design and planning, with mandatory public participation in processes of master planning or environmental impact assessment (EIA). Unfortunately, projects mandated to be participatory in nature are usually dominated by top-down methods with no real sharing of powers or decision-making authority. This paper postulates that for effective community participation, participation should start in the architectural design studio. The success of a participatory approach depends on the shift of the mindset of young architects, when they recognize that their role is not of a leader but that of a facilitator, that they are not subject experts, but process experts. When they understand this viewpoint, they are likely to act as a catalyst in the design process, unlike 'be in control' as our current architectural pedagogy teaches them to do. Participatory approaches demand that we redefine the relationship between the design professional and the stakeholders. This study attempted to investigate and understand how participatory approaches can be applied in the architectural pedagogy, striving to learn its benefits, issues and concerns. It also evaluated the efficacy of the method by interviewing students, faculty and jury at the end of the semester.
Conscious Urbanism: Journal of Planning, Architecture and Design, 2022
The boundary wall is often the most insignificant and overlooked element in any architectural des... more The boundary wall is often the most insignificant and overlooked element in any architectural design project. It is considered worthwhile of any design inputs only when it is the front boundary wall abutting the main access road. However, it’s treatment has far-reaching effects than what meets the eye. This paper explores the need of a boundary wall, its usual treatments, starting from its existence in a small residential plot to large tracts of gated communities, around shopping malls and commercial centers to institutional and recreational areas, and the impact this seemingly inconsequential element has on people, their perceptions, the incidence of crime, notions of safety, and the urban fabric in general. It indulges in a serious interrogation of the effectiveness of
boundary walls w.r.t ownership, privacy and security. The article suggests that the way we understand the boundary wall needs revisiting because this understated element of architecture plays a more powerful role on the city-building exercise and the creation of livable cities. It concludes with explorations of alternate methods of setting boundaries through case examples and best practices.
Conscious Urbanism: Journal of Planning, Architecture and design, Aug 12, 2021
Gated communities are not a new phenomenon. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion on... more Gated communities are not a new phenomenon. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion on the consequences of gated communities. It starts with examining the reasons for the advent of gated communities in Indian cities and their efficacy. While valuing the benefits of this new urban form, the article highlights the various issues that the gated community as an urban form has generated, ranging from impermeable territories to disconnected public realms, privatisation of the public space ‘by choice’, social conflicts and so on. The article emphasizes the urgency to address these issues. By citing examples from Indian states, both at a government-policy level and design innovation, the paper concludes with
explorations for possible solutions. Acknowledging that the gated community model is here to stay, it seeks to adapt this new urban form to reinstate good urban design in cities.
Journal of The Indian Institute of Architects, 2022
Journal of the Indian Institute of Architects, 2023
The context influences the production of Architectural design. The inverse is also equally german... more The context influences the production of Architectural design. The inverse is also equally germane. Architectural design, upon realization, influences the context. This article urges the architect to 'reverse the context' and while context studies are essential, architects should also be able to envisage and convey the impact a new project will have on its context, the community and the neighborhood and in many cases, the city.
International Journal of Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics Science, 2023
These days, participatory design processes are being encouraged and applied to urban design and p... more These days, participatory design processes are being encouraged and applied to urban design and planning, with mandatory public participation in processes of master planning or environmental impact assessment (EIA). Unfortunately, projects mandated to be participatory in nature are usually dominated by top-down methods with no real sharing of powers or decision-making authority. This paper postulates that for effective community participation, participation should start in the architectural design studio. The success of a participatory approach depends on the shift of the mindset of young architects, when they recognize that their role is not of a leader but that of a facilitator, that they are not subject experts, but process experts. When they understand this viewpoint, they are likely to act as a catalyst in the design process, unlike 'be in control' as our current architectural pedagogy teaches them to do. Participatory approaches demand that we redefine the relationship between the design professional and the stakeholders. This study attempted to investigate and understand how participatory approaches can be applied in the architectural pedagogy, striving to learn its benefits, issues and concerns. It also evaluated the efficacy of the method by interviewing students, faculty and jury at the end of the semester.
Conscious Urbanism: Journal of Planning, Architecture and Design, 2022
The boundary wall is often the most insignificant and overlooked element in any architectural des... more The boundary wall is often the most insignificant and overlooked element in any architectural design project. It is considered worthwhile of any design inputs only when it is the front boundary wall abutting the main access road. However, it’s treatment has far-reaching effects than what meets the eye. This paper explores the need of a boundary wall, its usual treatments, starting from its existence in a small residential plot to large tracts of gated communities, around shopping malls and commercial centers to institutional and recreational areas, and the impact this seemingly inconsequential element has on people, their perceptions, the incidence of crime, notions of safety, and the urban fabric in general. It indulges in a serious interrogation of the effectiveness of
boundary walls w.r.t ownership, privacy and security. The article suggests that the way we understand the boundary wall needs revisiting because this understated element of architecture plays a more powerful role on the city-building exercise and the creation of livable cities. It concludes with explorations of alternate methods of setting boundaries through case examples and best practices.
Conscious Urbanism: Journal of Planning, Architecture and design, Aug 12, 2021
Gated communities are not a new phenomenon. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion on... more Gated communities are not a new phenomenon. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion on the consequences of gated communities. It starts with examining the reasons for the advent of gated communities in Indian cities and their efficacy. While valuing the benefits of this new urban form, the article highlights the various issues that the gated community as an urban form has generated, ranging from impermeable territories to disconnected public realms, privatisation of the public space ‘by choice’, social conflicts and so on. The article emphasizes the urgency to address these issues. By citing examples from Indian states, both at a government-policy level and design innovation, the paper concludes with
explorations for possible solutions. Acknowledging that the gated community model is here to stay, it seeks to adapt this new urban form to reinstate good urban design in cities.