Proposed redesign of government ward office to facilitate a 30% increase in footfall and reduced blockage at the entrance.
UX Designer, UX
Researcher, Architect
Model making, Rhinoceros
3D, Autodesk Revit, VRAY
Contextual inquiry, Field
interviews, Surveys
The current Brihanmumbai Corporation Government Ward office in Matunga East, Mumbai faces a significant challenge with high visitor traffic congesting the area outside the building. The absence of a user-friendly design contributes to users leaving, negatively impacting productivity and creating a hostile environment for both visitors and staff.
Proposing a redesign plan for a government ward office aimed at accommodating a 30% increase in foot traffic while mitigating congestion at the entrance. This redesign aims to optimize space utilization and streamline visitor flow to enhance efficiency and accessibility within the office premises.
To comprehensively understand the user experience and human factors influencing interactions at the existing BMC ward office site in Matunga East, Mumbai, I conducted a series of interviews with various user groups, including visitors, ward office employees, vendors, and pedestrians.
The interviews unveiled a common sentiment among all groups: the current ward office environment is perceived as unwelcoming and intimidating. Respondents expressed a lack of designated waiting areas within the site, leading them to gather outside near chai and samosa vendors for a more comfortable waiting space. Employees conveyed that the existing office structure felt restrictive, hindering a sense of openness and breathability.
Further exploration into their perceptions of the streets and sidewalks revealed a preference for the outdoor environment. The combination of sunlight and shade along the streets made individuals feel more at ease, especially under the tall and wide trees characteristic of Matunga. Despite the dispersed nature of the shade, respondents associated the open air with a positive feeling, countering the confined sensation within the ward office.
Building upon the ethnographic insights, the subsequent phase involved a meticulous study of the Matunga streets to discern the factors contributing to the area's comfortable environment. The focus was on understanding the characteristics of the street environment that made it appealing to users.
To achieve this, the streets around the site were systematically analyzed in 10-meter sections. Mapping the trees' shade, including radius, leaf density, and the pattern of overlapping branches, provided a comprehensive understanding of the natural elements contributing to the environment. Additionally, models were employed to assess sunlight distribution, considering variations over different times of the day.
Contrary to the assumption that user frequency is directly proportional to shade availability, the analysis revealed that activities and footfall did not solely depend on the amount of shade. High activity areas were identified not only in shaded zones but also in areas exposed to sunlight. This discovery prompted a deeper exploration of the activities occurring in high, medium, and low sunlight areas.
Further parameters affecting user experience were considered, such as proximity to the site and the type of vendors available. This holistic study informed the categorization of BMC ward office functions based on sunlight requirements, leading to the differentiation between private, public, and semi-public spaces. These findings guided the strategic design of spaces within the ward office for optimal user experience.
They’re 3 biggest pain points:
I employed a strategy that involves the use of steel lattice meshes to recreate the dispersion pattern of sunlight. The site is conceptualized as a permeable mass, constructed with lattice structures that are strategically carved to define user spaces. The placement of trees on-site governs the arrangement of functions within these structures.
Considering the site holistically, the integration of trees serves a dual purpose. They break the mass into two forms, creating a thoroughfare through the site that fosters an inviting atmosphere and deviates from the traditional, imposing structure typical of government buildings. This design approach involves extruding the lattice mesh along the X (horizontal), Y, and Z (vertical) axes, with voids accommodating existing trees on-site.
Control over the quality of light filtering into spaces is achieved by manipulating the grid size of the patterned mesh. The density of the grid is determined by the function of each space, with private areas featuring a denser grid for increased privacy and public spaces allowing more light penetration. Layers are strategically placed to regulate the intensity of light in each space, curating a tailored experiential environment for users.This design concept aims to seamlessly integrate the site into the passerby's daily routine, creating a comfortable and inviting space. The BMC office, embedded within this thoughtfully designed environment, becomes more accessible and user-friendly, fostering a positive relationship between the community and the governmental office.
The design strategically maximizes interaction spaces between users and the BMC ward office while preserving privacy. The cohesive synergy between the shape and skin achieves varying levels of privacy, concurrently fostering engagement in public zones, creating an inviting atmosphere for users.
The use of lightweight and scalable steel as a construction material enables rapid construction, aligning with the government's timeline. The building's phased construction approach, dividing it into two parts, ensures continuous functionality throughout the project, enhancing efficiency.Leveraging wind direction, the design incorporates apertures for natural ventilation, reducing utility costs. The floor plans, adaptable through furniture reconfiguration, optimize space utilization within the structured skin, catering to diverse functional needs beyond the initial plan.
Proposed Impact
