MM : Nariman Point to get the best LOO-K : Mar 19, 2007
Nariman Point to get the best LOO-K
Student’s design for public toilet in the busy business district gets the
gold medal
PANDURANG MHASKE & SUDHIR SURYAWANSHI
Astudent of the J J College of Architecture won the gold medal for his
design of a toilet for Nariman Point, in a competition aimed at improving
the appearance of public structures in Mumbai.
The theme of the competition was ‘Public Toilets for Mumbai City’. The
200 students who participated were asked to choose the site for which they
would like to design a toilet.
Harish Shitole, a fourth year student, chose Nariman Point, as the area
lacks public conveniences. In fact, Nariman Point is at one of end of Marine
Drive, a five-kilometre-long promenade that is devoid of public toilets
though it receives several visitors every day.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is impressed with the
designs.
“Participants have come up with some very innovative ideas and concepts.
The BMC is thinking of adopting some of the designs. It also helps that
students had designed for specific areas of Mumbai,” additional municipal
commissioner R A Rajeev told Mumbai Mirror.
The second prize went to Dhiraj Takkekar, also of JJ, who designed a
mobile toilet for use during festivals, such as Ganesh Chaturti, in keeping
in mind the actual needs of the city.
“There is shortage of space in Mumbai and there so many festivals where
thousands gather. But there is no provision for toilets. Hence, I designed a
mobile public toilet, which is easy to set up anywhere on a temporary basis.
“Secondly, I have observed that there is no provision for children and
handicapped persons. Hence, my design incorporates a low-level block for
children and a ramp for handicapped persons.”
J J College of Architecture principal Rajan Lakule is proud that the top
prizes went to his students. He rued that architecture students took little
interest in public spaces and issues.
“The basic aim of the contest was to make them aware about the urban
issues in Mumbai and encourage them to come up with solutions. This
competition is like a live project. It taught them about public spaces and
helped them understand changed public issues,” he said.
WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT IT
User-friendly design Dryers Changing stations Landscape comprising small
tress and pebbles A low-level block for children and a ramp for handicapped
persons Some space on the walls is reserved for advertisements, to generate
revenue for maintenance
Harish Shitole, 23, hails from Sangli district. He stays in a hostel in
Churchgate. He had worked on the project for one month travelling all over
south Mumbai to identify areas to choose the site where he wanted his design
to be recreated in concrete.
He selected Marine Drive after being told that it lacked public toi-HOW HE
GOT THE BEST LOO-K
lets despite being frequented by tourists. During his recce, he even
photographed visitors, including foreigners, relieve themselves on the road.
“Structures on Marine Drive, near NCPA and at Nariman Point have a
particular architecture style. My design will ensure that the public toilets
will blend with the existing structures,” he said. His design is ‘user
friendly’ with special arrangement for handicapped persons to move and those
using wheel chairs.The design incorporates hand dryers, changing stations
and a landscape comprising small tress and pebbles. “I have made the design
keeping in mind people’s psychology,” he said. For instance, the basic
concept is to lead people via a narrow space into a wide one giving people a
sense of relief even as they enter the toilet. Some space on the walls is
reserved for advertisements, to generate revenue for maintenance.
Harish Shitole shows his design
(Above) This is how the final structure of the toilet will look like. The
BMC is impressed with the designs
Publication:Mumbai Mirror; Date:Mar 19, 2007; Section:City; Page Number:4
URL :
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