Thimmaiyandoddi Village Redevelopment
The Thimmaiyanadoddi model was an experiment, with an outlook to make it a replicable model for intervention. Apart from providing the basic need for decent shelter, the model inquired to ascertain the impact of holistic design of built environment on the human psyche; once you are the proud owner of a house, and are involved in the rebuilding of the spaces around your houses, the level of sensation of well-being, self-worth and responsibility towards oneself and on the surrounding environment is likely to increase.
NIVASA worked on the redevelopment of Thimmaiyanadoddi by constructing housing and supporting infrastructure. This is a unique approach where besides R&D of design, materials & climate, we have also undertaken construction using Stabilised Adobe Blocks that the villagers were trained to make for themselves.
Together with YogaKshema and Canara bank, we helped ensure aspects of health, skill development education and access to finance. We worked with the panchayat to start those aspects of progress for which government funds are available
Kottamedu Village Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Kottamedu, Thiruporrur Taluk, Kanchipuram District marks the first project of NIVASA in Tamil Nadu. A collaborative effort with The Banyan - an NGO based in Chennai, it came about as a rehabilitative response to the devastating floods in Chennai and surroundings in
November - December 2015. The village was identified as one of the worst hit in the floods.
The project involved building cost effective homes for 24 families in the rural community in the village.
As part of the Asset Based Approach employed here, it was decided to involve the community in the process, which included making the necessary Stabilised Adobe Blocks(SAB), providing unskilled labour at various stages and contributing a token amount of money to establish the sense of ownership to the process.
Construction of the prototype started in the first week of April 2017 and is nearing completion with 2 more houses under construction.
Udagiri Village Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Udagirinalappanahalli village of Chikballapur district promises to be one of Nivasa’s proud projects undertaken in the state of Karnataka over the years. Udagiri is a small village comprising of a little more than 60 families of whom about 20-25 fall under the homeless category. The village's major occupation is farming along with a few involved in the construction and the transport sector.
Posed with varying challenges from housing improvement to livelihood enhancement, Nivasa stepped in to find that this project demanded new interdependent design solutions. After careful examination of the existing closely built fabric, it was most appropriate to use Stabilised Adobe Blocks, chosen as a reflection of the region's climatic conditions. Locally available Sadharalli stone was used for foundation, lintels and roof in order to increase the cost efficiency and context sensitivity. A hands-on method was used, wherein the home owners do their share by getting involved in block making and construction. Improvement in the village infrastructure is an added responsibility that Nivasa chose to undertake and implement. Four out of the ten planned houses are currently under construction in addition to nodal designs and visually enhancing the village perception with the help of students and volunteers.
Nivasa worked alongside Gramantara, the community NGO involved in the project that played a major part in community awareness and training. WeRise, the funders of the project, a part of RMZ Foundation also offered their extended support in the betterment and wellbeing of the community.
