Baker designs for rural communities
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`Rural Community Buildings,' a book authored by veteran architect Laurie Baker, envisages everything about the amenities that village folks need.
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Every year, hundreds of community buildings are being constructed both in urban and rural areas, spending crores of rupees. These include Anganwadis, village offices, agro-service centres, libraries, markets, banks and schools. How can the construction cost of community buildings be brought down?
A book, `Rural Community Buildings', by veteran architect Laurie Baker, published the Centre of Science and Technology For Rural Development (Costford) in the State capital, serves as a practical guide to all stakeholders in the field. The book has any number of sketches that are not meant to be prototype designs, but to show that quite a lot of essential facilities can be provided in six structures - each about nine sq.m. or 30 ft x 30 ft in area.
Blocks of amenities
Mr. Baker points out that the common buildings for the use and convenience of villagers and scattered people in rural areas, are usually put up at odd times and in odd places. If a half-acre of land can be set aside for such buildings, and if a small, overall master plan can be made, such amenities can be provided in a cost-effective manner in one place where gatherings of all sorts can take place.
Out of the six blocks, the first comprises an office with its own store and lavatory; a permanent stage facing the central courtyard; a room for cleaners and their equipment; and a store for chairs, tables, pandal pieces, etc. There is also storage space up in the loft. This is an all-purpose building to serve the whole complex.
The second block is a library-cum-reading room. In Kerala, a library and reading room are important centres for promoting various developmental schemes, says Mr. Baker. A room for keeping media equipment such as a projector, VCR, computer, tapes, slides, etc., can be a part of the unit. The block should also be the storage and distribution centre for posters and other forms of material concerning development.
Health centre
The third block is the health centre, at least a nucleus of which is needed in a village, notes Mr. Baker. The plan gives a room and a lavatory for a doctor; a room for a nurse where she can keep records and prepare simple remedies, etc.; two spaces for treatment and minor surgical procedures; a room for keeping medicines and for doing ordinary lab tests; and a space for waiting where health care posters can be displayed and classes can be held.
Fourth comes the bank. These days, there is an need not only for an ordinary bank for the use of farmers and villagers, but also various special banks connected with industries, housing, plantations, cottage industries and so on. The plan provides for a large room divided by counters where discussions and classes can also be held. There is a manager's room, a staff room and a strong/safe room.
Block number five is the hotel. Rural people often have to come long distances, often walking, to do business at the various village offices. There is also inevitable waiting, so a properly run, clean, `safe' hotel is a necessity. A `proper' hotel is a great asset for functions, festivals and fairs, notes Mr. Baker.
Village necessity
Block number six is the Anganwadi, which is a village necessity. Besides a simple hall for playing, sleeping, etc., a place for serving a noon meal or milk is required. Storerooms are essential for keeping mats, toys, etc., as also for keeping small quantities of foodstuffs. The plan also provides for an office for the staff as well as washing and toilet facilities.
Mr. Baker says the six community buildings can be arranged in a hexagonal pattern around an open meeting place on a half-acre plot.
On the same plot, it would he possible to have eight community buildings, the suggested extras being a small primary school and a centre where building materials and components can be displayed and bought.
Maternity unit
An extra block can be a maternity unit, says the book. A good number of rural women have their babies at home and it may be late in the proceedings when they realise it is not going to be a normal delivery and that they need proper help. Since a regular health centre may not be functioning all 24 hours of the day, a centre where there will be a nurse or an experienced midwife, and to which a doctor can be called, would be a great boon.
Other suggested extra blocks are a carpentry shed; a workshop with machines that can be shared; a school cum village hall; a small school with four classrooms; a science centre; an arts and crafts centre and a small auditorium. Mr. Baker notes that almost any plot of any shape above one-third of an acre in area can be used for these collections of village buildings. The arrangement need not be symmetrical, nor need all the units be of the same size or area or shape. However, a courtyard type of arrangement has a number of advantages over a row or a line of buildings. One of these is security and a feeling of gathered unity.
M. HARISH GOVIND
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