Facade of the Folkore

Reviving the A-Tank

Architectural Design Studio
Studio 2

A detailed study of the various domestic typologies was conducted in the City of Patiala. The site of A-Tank was chosen for the Intervention due to its intriguing relationship within the neighborhood and the nuances related to the old water tank, which has been dysfunctional for the past 50-60 years. The project imagines a revitalization of the A-Tank by activating the spaces in and around it. The proposal for the intervention is a Youth Hostel with the tank turned into an Aviary, as an ode to celebrating its afterlife. The architecture for the project is conceived out of the myths and stories related to the water tank. It revives the tank by converting the plot of land into a green lung for the city and by creating an inviting space for the residents, tourists, flora and fauna of the city.

Patiala, India
2018
Mentors - Apurva Parikh

"Only Animals live inside the tank now"

"Water does fill up inside the tank sometimes. If the tank were to break, the whole city of Patiala would flood"

What's inside the tank?

The 107 year old steel tank built by the British is an important landmark for the neighborhood. Although the tank stopped functioning about 50 years ago, the tank has several myths and stories related to it.

" There used to be a tunnel connecting the fort to the tank, it was only used by the guards or the king "

A-Tank Mythical Collage

2nd Floor

3rd Floor

4th Floor

The myths of the A-Tank site are translated into a built form.

The tank becomes an aviary

The site becomes a garden with a kund

The Tunnel becomes a sliver of an entrance from the main bazaar st.

The main built form becomes a playful backdrop to the tank.

The hostel building becomes a colorful backdrop to the tank with a bar on top rotating and penetrating the aviary. The building shifts away from the main site with a slender volume and celebrates the A - tank from afar.

Process working of the elevation

All drawings created for the project are hand-drawn.

Pencil on cartridge.

Sectional View of the Tank

The tank is punctured with small nooks for the birds to nest. The punctures are made away from the retrofitted circular staircase so as to not scare the birds.

Entrance to the garden

A

B

Existing Dargah on the site is retained with a sunk and a roof over the plaza. This creates a public-private space for congregation and also activates the space as an Amphitheatre for various events.